Friday, February 28, 2014

Finger-Licking Friday #2

Hey everyone!

I am all about quick, delicious snacks. So, when I saw that Friday's had their Boneless Chicken Bites in Honey BBQ Sauce in my local grocery store's freezer section, I knew I had to try them!


These chicken bites were very easy to prepare, all I did was follow the directions.


They were delicious, and I hope Friday's comes out with more flavors soon!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: I purchased this item at the grocery store with my own money! I am not associated with the company, nor are they paying me to mention their product. As always, my reviews and opinions are 100% my own!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

February 2014 Beauty Favorites!

Hey everyone!

February has been a month of pink, glossy lips and bronzed eyes! And, I thought I would share with you some of my most used beauty products during the month. 


~Buxom Lip Gloss in the shade Candi - This gorgeous coral, pink gloss is perfect to wear alone or over a matching pink lipstick!

~NARS Lipstick in the shade Roman Holiday - My all-time favorite pink lipstick I own! It is moisturizing and never disappoints!


~Bourjois 24 Hour Cream Eye Shadow in Or Desir - Bourjois' Cream to Powder Eye Shadow makes a great base color to any eye look. A lot of times, I wear it by itself!

~MAC Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo in Until Dawn - MAC is one of my favorite higher end makeup brands, their products are normally spot on, and this duo is no exception! 

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: I purchased the lip gloss myself, the lipstick was a gift a year or so ago from my mom, and Lauren sent me the eye products as gifts for Christmas! I am not associated with any company mentioned above, nor am I paid to feature their items. As always, my reviews and opinions are 100% my own!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette Review

Hey everyone!

I love a neutral eye shadows! They take up the majority of my collection, and when I can find a neutral eye shadow palette I am a happy girl! Recently I was sent this Naturally Pretty eye shadow palette from It Cosmetics, and I must say it is a new love!

Here is what It Cosmetics has to say:

Whether you love matte or pearl, the talc-free palette offers the best of both worlds and includes all of the naturally pretty, universally flattering shades you need to go from day to night! All shades can be used wet or dry as shadows or liners and are designed to make your lids look younger with lid-loving ingredients including Peptides, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acai, Green Tea, Silk and antioxidants!

These luxe, anti-aging shadows were developed with plastic surgeons to instantly diffuse the look of lines and wrinkles on the eyes and lids.


I love that this palette's packaging is so unique! The palette itself has a cushy, velvet layer that makes it feel extremely luxurious in your hands. The writing on the palette itself is very high quality, and I have been using it for a couple weeks now, and it still looks like new. The case has a magnetic closure flap, making this great to travel with.


This palette is full of matte, neutral shades that can be combined to create any look. It also has a transforming pearl shadow that will add a sparkle to your eyes if you desire! My favorite shades are Sheer Joy, Soft Light, Love, All Heart, Soulful, Warmth, and Transforming Pearl!


How to Apply:

Apply your choice luxe high-performance anti-aging eye shadows for a beautiful, naturally pretty look! These anti-aging ultra luxe eye shadows can be worn wet or dry, as shadows or liners. Colors can be worn alone, or mixed together. To transform any matte shadow shade into a gorgeous shimmery pearl shade, just dip your brush first into your choice of matte shade, then tap your brush into the transforming pearl shadow, then apply.

Overall, I love this palette! I think it would make a beautiful gift for birthdays, weddings, and holidays! 

This palette retails for $42.00, and can be purchased at ItCosmetics.com and QVC.com!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: This product was sent to me to try and review on my blog. I am not associated with the company, nor are they paying me to review their product. As always, my reviews and opinions are 100% my own!

Old El Paso Frozen Entrees - No Way That's Frozen!

Hey everyone!

I really love to cook, but I also love to be able to throw together a quick and easy meal. Recently, my mom and I have decided that during the days we clean house and do other errands, we would enjoy an easy frozen entree for lunch. Our current favorite is from Old El Paso, and is their new dinner for 2 Frozen Entrees! We find ours in the freezer section at our local Publix grocery store. Our absolute favorite from this line is their shredded beef enchiladas! And, recently I received a box containing coupons to try out their new entrees for free! You can imagine how excited I was to get those!


You can now find premium, handcrafted, Old El Paso Frozen entrees for two in the freezer aisle of your local grocery store. With eight different flavors of fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos, these entrees are sure to fulfill your dinner needs.


All you need is to add some chips, salsa, and guacamole and you're good to go! Talk about a quick and easy meal for two!

Check out these Old El Paso links:

~Old El Paso Website: oldelpaso.com

~Old El Paso Facebook: facebook.com/oldelpaso

Have you tried these frozen dinners yet?

XoXo,
Whitney

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Old El Paso® through Platefull Co-Op.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Heat up with Bioré‏

Hey everyone!

As the temperatures drop, be sure to heat up with the Bioré Skincare Self Heating One Minute Mask. The thermal mask with Natural Charcoal is ideal for a quick deep clean. 


Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask: In just one minute, this thermal mask warms to open pores, draws out and dissolves 2.5 times more dirt, oil, and surface toxins than a basic cleanser, and rinses them clean away with an invigorating cooling sensation. Infused with natural charcoal, this breakthrough mask melts dirt and oil better than the leading competitive mask. So clean your pores from the dirt, oil and makeup of the past and clear the problem. 

Where To Find It: The NEW Bioré charcoal products are available at select food, drug and mass merchant stores for $7.99.

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: This product was sent to me to feature on my blog. I am not associated with the company, nor are they paying me to feature their product. As always, my reviews and opinions are 100% my own! 

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Introducing NEW Fiber One Fruit Flavored Snacks

Hey everyone!

I am a total snacker during the day!  Recently, I was sent a couple boxes of the new Fiber One Fruit Flavored Snacks to try out. These fruit snacks are absolutely delicious, and they claim to have 3g of fiber in every serving! 


I do not know much about the fiber claim, but I can tell you that these snacks are delicious! They have unique fruit shapes, and their flavors range from pineapple to cherry. My personal favorite is the Assorted Fruit flavors, but the Mixed Berry is equally good. 

I know that I like to carry a snack around with me when I am out and about, and these gummies have taken over as my bag snack of choice. I think they would be great in kids lunches as well!

Check out these links for more Fiber One Fun:

Fiber One® website - http://www.fiberone.com/ 

Fiber One® Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fiberone

Have you tried these new Fiber One Fruit Snacks yet?

XoXo,
Whitney

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Finger-Licking Friday #1

Hey everyone!

Welcome to my new series Finger-Licking Friday! From now on, every Friday I will share with you a recipe or photo of delicious food!


In honor of this new series, I thought it would be fun to start it off right with dessert! This is the dessert I made for our family for Valentine's Day this year. It is Southern Style Strawberry Shortcake!


XoXo,
Whitney

Note: I made this dessert, and purchased all of the ingredients myself!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Mini Bath & Body Works Haul

Hey everyone!

I love to go shopping when I can match up fantastic coupons with great deals at stores! Recently, I had some coupons to Bath & Body Works, so I made a quick trip down their the other day.

Here is what I picked up:


~Three Garden Strawberry Foaming Hand Soaps
 

~Honolulu Sun Pocketbac
~Tuscon Melon Foaming Hand Soap
~Island White Pineapple Foaming Hand Soap

Thanks to coupons and store specials, I purchased all of these items for only $8.99! Talk about a great deal!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: I purchased these products with my own money!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

#BanTotalRefresh‏

Hey everyone!

With all of this winter weather upon us, I know that it can be challenging to go from bundling up outside to taking off your layers inside, while still feeling fresh. Recently, I was sent a sample of the new Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths to try out, and I can say that these cloths work wonders! 


My skin is very sensitive to certain types of materials, and whenever I wear an itchy sweater, I always wish I had something to help ease my irritated skin. So, I put these Ban Cooling Body Cloths to the test, and they passed! I used one of these wipes after taking off my sweater, and my arms never felt better! They were instantly relieved, and my skin felt refreshed! I can imagine how great these will be in the summer! 

Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths feature unique PowderSilk technology, imported exclusively from Japan, that instantly cools hot skin on contact and leaves you feeling revitalized. These convenient wipes leave behind a translucent, superfine powder that keeps skin smooth and comfortable, especially after taking off a hot, itchy scarf. And with three light revitalizing scents—Enliven, Invigorate, and Restore—you can replace any lingering wet wool outwear smell with delicate, reviving fragrance in a flash.  

Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths are available now for $3.29 in the deodorant aisle in grocery stores, mass retailers and drugstores nationwide.

Are you going to try these cloths out?

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: I was sent this product to try and review on my blog. I am not associated with the company, nor are they paying me to review their product. As always, my reviews and opinions are 100% my own!

Target Busy Family Project

Hey everyone!

If you are like me, then you know your mornings are super busy, and breakfast is one of the last things on your mind. However, I'm planning on changing this, and Target has given me some great ideas! Recently, I received a box stuffed full of great breakfast foodies that are quick and easy! 


~Trix Cereal - This cereal is a great one for kids of all ages! I know that even 20 something me still loves it! Plus, it is super easy to pour yourself a bowl of this before heading to school or work in the morning.

~Nutella - This is one of my absolute favorite spreads out there! It is perfect on toast, fresh fruit, pretzels, and even oatmeal!

~Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch Cereal - Cheerios are always a win when it comes to breakfast, and this blend is delicious!

~Nature Valley Crunchy Oats n' Honey Bars - Even if you're running late, snag one of these bars out of your cupboard, so that you can still have breakfast on the go!


~Quaker Oats Oatmeal - I have become a huge fan of oatmeal this past year, and whenever I have the time, I always make me a bowl in the morning!

~Grandma Hoerner's Big Slice Pure Apple - This little pouch is full of deliciousness, and I put a little in my oatmeal!

~Nature Valley Protein Granola - There is nothing better than crunchy granola in the morning, and I love to sprinkle this over yogurt!

~JIF Creamy Peanut Butter - You can do so much with peanut butter. My personal favorite is to spread it over warm toast or dip fresh cut apples in it!


As you can see, there are a lot of ways to have breakfast in the morning, even if you're short on time. 

You can also find special savings on these products at Target – and even more inspiration by visiting Target.com/BreakfastTwist

What goodies are you going to try for your breakfast from Target?

XoXo,
Whitney

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

My MAC Lipstick Collection!

Hey everyone! 

I have a slight obsession with MAC lipsticks. But, let's just keep that between us. So, I thought it would be fun to show you my current MAC lipstick collection! As you will be able to tell, I love nudes, corals, and pinks.


Left to Right:

~Japanese Maple (Cremesheen) - Bronze nude.

~Flair for Finery (Lustre) - Sheer, soft nude.

~Creme Cup (Cremesheen) - Neutral pink.


Left to Right:

~Pink Pearl Pop (Cremesheen) - Feisty, everyday pink.

~Raspberry Swirl (Cremesheen) - A nice, fun bright pink.

~Sunny Seoul (Cremesheen) - Everyday pinky coral shade.


Left to Right:

~Candy Yum Yum (Matte) - Neon, hot pink. 

~Betty Bright (Satin) - Bright, pinky coral.

~Coral Bliss (Cremesheen) - Beautiful true coral.

There you have them! All nine of my MAC lipsticks, and I can promise you that this number will be growing in the near future.

What are your favorite lipstick shades from MAC?

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: I either purchased these lipsticks myself, or they were gifts from either my mom or Lauren! I am not associated with any company mentioned above. All of my reviews and opinions are 100% my own!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Valentine's Day Beauty Must Haves

Hey everyone!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! And, whether you're single (like me) or have a date, you can look fabulous with these few beauty items!


Biore Deep Cleansing Nose Strips - These nose strips are a must before any big event, because they help to remove blackheads from your nose! And, I know I don't have to tell you that blackheads are not pretty anytime!


Pacificia Coconut Kiss Lip Butters -  It is always important to prep your lips before Valentine's Day, and these lip butters add a hint of color to your lips!


Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers - If you like your lips to be moisturized, but don't like the heavy feel of gloss or lipstick, then these Lip Shimmers are your best friend! They come in a wide variety of colors, and add just a touch of color and shimmer to your lips!


Shu Uemura Matte Lipstick - Matte lips make you look very sophisticated, and Shu Uemura's matte lipstick is one of the best! This lipstick will last you through most of the night, so no worries with touchups!
 

Shu Uemura Unlimited Lip Gloss - Glossy lips are always sexy when it comes to Valentine's Day, and Shu Uemura's glosses give yours lips that kissable pout without the stickiness.


Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Glosses - If you love your lips to have that plumped effect, then Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Puckers Glosses are for you!


Lady Gaga Fame Perfume - No evening would be complete without a fragrance. And, my personal favorite for this Valentine's Day is Lady Gaga's Fame fragrance! It is soft and romantic, making it perfect for a night out or in!

What are you Valentine's Day must haves?

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: These products were sent to me to feature in this post. I am not associated with any company mentioned above, nor are they paying me to feature their products. As always, my reviews and opinions are 100% my own!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Florida State Fair 2014

Hey everyone!

Yesterday, my parents and I went to the 110th Florida State Fair. The last time we were there it was the fair's 100th anniversary, so this was a special treat for us. We had a lot of fun, and were there for over 6 hours. By the time we were done walking around, our feet were hurting so bad that we were happy, but sad, to head home.

I can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Once we were inside, we headed straight for the chocolate covered strawberries. Trust me, they were absolutely delicious and the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, I ate them all before I took a picture.

After the quick pit stop, we headed over to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Barn.


This is an older fire truck that was used in fighting forest fires. I actually think it looks really cool!


In Florida, they used this contraption in the early years of logging.


Next, we headed into the museum dedicated to the Florida Cracker culture. Now, if you don't know what Crackers mean, then let me explain. Original ranchers from Florida used whips that made crackling sounds during herding; henceforth, the name Crackers.


I absolutely love horse back riding. Just look at the intricate detailing in the leather.


This is an old style forge that the cowboys used in order to heat up their branding rods. These rods would leave permanent marks on the cows' hides. So that during drives, ranchers would be able to tell their cattle from the others.


Here is a look at an authentic stuffed Criollo, aka Florida Cracker Cow, aka Florida Scrub Cow. This breed was brought to the U.S. by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th Century, and are the oldest and rarest in the states.

The Fish & Wildlife exhibit had several different animals to see. Sadly, my photos of the Black Bear and Cougar didn't come out good due to lighting.


This is a closeup of the invasive Lionfish, which was introduced to our Florida waters. It poses a significant threat to our native marine life and ecosystem, because it has no natural predators.

After these exhibits, we went to our favorite place... Cracker Country! This section of the fair gives the sense of how life was for the families that settled Florida in the 1800's. All of the buildings are authentic, and through generous donations were relocated to their permanent location inside the fair grounds.


This is the Dry Goods Store, where you would go to purchased things such as canned goods, brooms, sugar, and like items. I've included some pictures from inside the store that I think you all will find interesting!


Coffee being weighed.


Shelves stacked with canned goods and old time Cracker Jack!


More shelves stocked full.


Barrels containing brooms and gardening supplies.

After the dry goods store, we headed on over to the Old School House!


Here you can see a teacher and student at the front telling visitors all about Florida back in the 1800's.


See these desks and chairs? I'm glad I didn't have to sit in one of them!

After the Old School House, we went by one of the highlights of the entire fair!


The Beef Jerky stand! This stand makes the best beef jerky ever, and we loaded up with 8 bags in different flavors!


There is even an old smokehouse on site, where the Beef Jerky Man makes his own smoked hams and such!

Can you tell we really like our beef jerky?


After the smokehouse, I went and toured an actual home! 




Take a look at this beautiful quilt.


A mother and daughter were demonstrating how the women spent their free time.


Cracker Country operates a quaint general store, where you can purchase items items made specifically for the area! We picked up a few things, and even something for Lauren!


This little post office use to actually function, until USPS closed it down two years ago, due to budget cuts.

Here are a few candid shots around Cracker Country, so that you can get more of a feel for the place!








This is sugarcane growing!


I couldn't leave Cracker Country without getting some delicious boiled peanuts!

After Cracker Country, we were starting to get hungry, so we headed on over to the best place (in my opinion!) for french fries!


We split the bucket of fries, but once again, I forgot to take a picture! You have to trust me, they were delicious!

Once we finished our fries and drinks, we saw that the Bear Show had a special viewing, so we went over to see!


Here is Andy relaxing in his little pool with his red ball.


This is Carol giving kisses to one of the trainers!


Carol grinning and waiting for her treats, which happened to be dog treats! Her and Andy loved them!

After watching the bears, we headed on over the the livestock area to see the horse competitions. Most of the horses were glammed up for their shows, and a few were out to be seen and photographed.



After the horses, we headed on over to the petting/feeding tent, which was called the Mooternity Ward, since most of the animals there were due to give birth! We even saw baby goats just moments after being born! We had so much fun petting the animals and feeding them!


So cute!


That goose posed so good, I just had to take its picture!


This watsui was the sweetest animal in the entire tent! All she wanted to do was relax and eat hay! Look at those horns!


Piglets!


A mama goat with her little kids!


Another fabulous pose! 


This cow was as tall as me!

Afterwards, we walked over to an exotic petting tent.


Beautiful donkeys! The grey one loved to get scratched on its cheek!


Twiggs the Giraffe stole the show for me! Look how stunning he is! 


And I got to feed him!! They had carrot sticks for sale inside, and I managed to get this amazing photo of me feeding him one! I will always remember this day! It cost my mom $5.00 in carrots. Thanks Mom!


This little guy stole my heart! He was so sweet and gentle when feeding him. And look at his coat, he's simply gorgeous! Do you see his teeth? They're pearly white!

After being dragged away from the animal tent (and washing our hands 6 times) we saw that the Sea Lion show was in full swing!


Look how tall they are!


I was lucky enough to catch this on camera! Look how cute he is!


They did stunts in the water such as flipping. 


And jumping to touch the ball with their noses.

After the Sea Lion show, we walked over to the Steam House. This area shows you parts that function off of steam.






They also have these bird houses hanging from the rafters. Look at the detail!


Out on the deck, I took this photo of the backside of Cracker Country. 

Here are a few random shots I took of the midway at the fair!


I might get me one of these hats next time I'm there!


Delicious foods as far as the eye can see!


Fruit smoothies, I'm getting one next time too!

After we got home and had dinner, I decided to show you all what we purchased and brought home with us!


Pork Rinds! These are another must have when in Cracker Country! They are nothing but crunchy, tasty, fried bits of heaven! We got 3 bags of barbeque and one plain.


Here is what they look like up close! Jealous? You should be!


Remember me talking about the Beef Jerky? Well here they are! We picked up 8 bags, but I thought I'd show you the four flavors they have: Mild & Tasty, Spicy, Hot, and Teriyaki! All of them are amazing!


Here is one of the homemade items we picked up in Cracker Country! It's Pink Grapefruit Marmalade! I can't wait to try it out!


Florida is known for its Orange Blossoms, and Orange Blossom Honey is the absolute best! So, we picked up a jar for only $6.00! Talk about a great buy!


Here are the other items we bought from the Cracker Country General Store. The stick candy is specially done for the fair, and I got the flavors Sassafras, Butterscotch, Lemon, Horehound, and Root Beer! We also got a cookie press, which helps you flatten cookies and stamp an image on them. This one has a rooster on it. Also, I got a Genuine Alligator Tooth! Very cool!


A fair day wouldn't be complete without some cotton candy!


Alessi had a large stand inside the expo hall, so mom got half a cuban sandwich to bring home! She said it was so good, she should have gotten the full one!


Look how pretty it is warmed up!


Last but not least, I dipped a candle at Cracker Country for only $1.00! It was a lot of fun, and a great souvenir!

I loved my day at the fair, and I have some great memories that I will keep with me forever! I can't wait to make more memories next year!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: We paid for everything ourselves. We are not associated with any company mentioned above. I just wanted to share my day with ya'll!