My Favorite Drug Store Buys

I thought it would be fun today to share my favorite drugstore buys. I always love finding cheap products that work well and these are tried and true favorites of mine.

{Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream}

The best cream ever.  I use this for my body lotion everyday and slather it on my face at night.  It is so moisturizing.

 {Maybelline Great Lash Mascara}

Been using this for years and swear by it.  On Good Morning America recently they ran a segment comparing it to expensive mascara brands and it got better reviews than the pricey ones.  I use the blackest black and rock it everyday.

{St Ives Invigorating Apricot Face Scrub}

This is some of the best exfoliating face scrub around.  It smells heavenly and works so well.  I keep it in my shower and use it once 2-3 times a week.  Works great with your Clarisonic.

 

{Revlon Lip Butter}

This is my latest obsession.  Love this stuff.  The Pink Truffle Color is my favorite but I also have Peach Parfait.  It stays on well and leaves your lips feeling moisturized, plus the colors are great.

{Conair Infinity Pro Hairdryer}

I know alot of you peeps swear by expensive hairdryers but I swear this one works just as well.  I used to own the expensive Super Solano one and when it broke I bought this one as a quick replacement til I could save for a new Solano.  I ended up loving it and I am still using it.  It gets super hot which I love and has the removable nozzle which I also love.  A great hairdryer for cheap.

{Suave Moroccan Oil}

I promise this stuff works just as well as the expensive oil.  It smells great and leaves my hair super sleek.

{Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner}

I love this deep conditioner.  I use it once a week or so and it works wonders on my dry over processed hair and it smells amazing too.

{Toms Of Maine Toothpaste}

I hate the taste of regular toothpaste,  it makes me want to barf but I love Toms.  It has a fresh taste that is not too over powering.  Plus it is natural with no artificial additives.  I also love their mouthwash.

{Aquaphor Healing Ointment}

I love to buy this stuff in the big jar.  I use it at night alot as an undereye cream and sometimes if my face is really dry I slather it on my whole face.  It is also great for cracked heels and chapped lips.  Plastic surgeons swear by this stuff after facial surgeries so you know it is good for your face.

{Essie Nailpolish}

Essie has quickly become my favorite brand of nail polish.  My favorite colors right now are Geranium, Ballet Slippers, Enuf is Enuf, Watermelon,  and Wicked.

  

Tell me, what are your favorite items to buy at the Drugstore?   I need to know!

Roasted Sweet Potato, Beet and Corn Salad + Israeli Couscous

This recipe is what I created one night while the hubs was working late.  He would never eat this veggie master piece but trust me it was delish!  I roasted all the sweet potatoes, corn, and beets and was just going to eat that as a salad alone but decided to serve it over some leftover couscous we had and it was amazing.  Such a quick, easy, and healthy meal. You could just use plain couscous but we love the Near East Box kind.  I make it often and sometimes add in veggies to have on hand for my lunch that week.  If you make this salad ahead of time it is better at room temperature than cold.  If you hate goat cheese, feta would be great in it as well.
Enjoy this beautiful Rainbow Salad!

{ROASTED SWEET POTATO, BEET AND CORN SALAD + ISRAELI COUSCOUS}

- 1 large sweet potato diced

- 2 medium beets peeled and diced

- 1 ear of corn

- 1/2 red onion diced finely

- 2 teaspoons lime juice

- olive oil

- salt and pepper

- Goat Cheese

- 1 box Near East Basil and Olive Oil Couscous

Toss the sweet potatoes and beets with olive oil and spread in single layer on sheet pan.  Season with salt and pepper.   Wrap corn in foil.  Roast all at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes or until fork tender.  Meanwhile mix together lime juice and about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt + pepper.  Once the veggies are cooked place in bowl and add in red onion.  Pour dressing over roasted veggies.  Serve salad over couscous and sprinkle with fresh goat cheese.

Obsessions

{DOLCE VITA FISH SCALE BALLET FLATS}

How fabulous are these Ballet Flats?  Love the neon pink and light nude scaling on the side.  Would be so great for summer paired with a cute dress or white shorts.

They also come in this black/gold combo that is pretty cute as well.

 {THEORY ANDES PRINTED SILK DRESS}

I tried on this dress while I was home in Charlotte and I am so wishing I bought it.  Such a cute dress, somebody please snag this!

{GYPSY 05 COVER-UP}

Totally lusting after this chic cover-up.

{CHALKBOARD WEEKLY MENU}

Confession I am so not a meal planner, like I decide every morning what I am in the mood for that night and go to the store everyday.   But meal planning would make things so much easier and save us major money.  Love the idea of a chalkboard weekly menu.

{EGGS + TOAST SLIDERS}

Love this adorable idea for breakfast.  So easy and delish.  Now I just need to find some cute egg cups.  Any thoughts on where to find some?

{REVLON PINK TRUFFLE LIP BUTTER}

This is the best lipstick ever.  It goes on like lip gloss but has the tint of a lipstick.  I have tried a few of the colors and this one is my favorite.  The perfect hint of color.

Scenes From Our Weekend

Things started off good this weekend and ended badly.

Let's start with the good:

I worked hard and got all the party favors put together for Sterling's birthday.  I was pretty proud of myself this year, I thought books were a great idea that the kids would want to keep.   I did all different Golden Books so no kids would fight over the same one:)

I ran to Target to pick up a few last minute party supplies and found the cutest workout tank.  Does it not look just like Lululemon??  It was only $19! I could not find it online yet so check your stores, it came in a mint color as well.

Friday Matt and I enjoyed a date night out with one of our favorite couples.  We tried out The Lot, a new restaurant on James Island and loved it.  The menu changes daily and they use all local produce and meats.  We both thought the food was great.

They come to your table and describe the nights menu while writing it on your table which I thought was a cool idea.  Nice laid back vibe, but with excellent food.

Matt and I both shared the kale salad and whole Red Snapper.  Normally I am not the type of person to order a whole fish, but the fish was incredible.  Cooked and seasoned perfectly and the meat just flaked off the fish.  If you live in Charleston you must check out this place- it is on Maybank Highway beside The Pour House.

Saturday we woke up and celebrated this sweet guys 3rd birthday.  We put balloons out in the den and all his presents so when he woke up it was like Christmas.  He was so excited.

 Per his request we picked up Krsipy Kreme Doughnuts for breakfast.  This is starting to be a family tradition (addiction).  Matt ate 8, no joke.

 We also took our Superhero out to a fun lunch. 

Saturday night my sister and her husband came over to have dinner and help me set up our new Apple TV.  They gave it to us for Christmas but I am an idiot when it comes to setting up technology things so I waited til she was in town to help.  Let me tell you I am obsessed with it.  It is so cool for streaming your music, pictures, and Netflix!

This is when things started to turn ugly, they left and I got in bed feeling dizzy, thought it might be the few glasses of wine I had.  Not so much woke up at 4 am puking.  Then proceeded to puke and have diarrhea the whole next day.  Accompanied by fever and chills.  I ended up having to cancel Sterling's birthday party I was so sick.  Broke my heart but I couldn't pull myself out of bed and I didn't want to risk the kids getting sick.  This bug is brutal.  I ate nothing all day except for a piece of toast last night- so not me you know I love my food.  I was too nauseous to stomach anything.  Feeling better this morning.  Hoping it was a 24 hour bug.

Forgot to talk about it last week, but how excited are we that Mumford and Sons won Album of the year?   I have loved them for a long time!  Babel is always on repeat in my car, one of the best cds out!

Have a great Presidents Day!

Happy Birthday Sweet Sterling

 I can't believe it has been three years since I first welcomed this beautiful child of mine into my arms.

It seems like such a short time yet also like I have known him for an eternity.  I can't possibly comprehend or imagine my life before him.  With the struggles the last year has brought me it has taught me what a true miracle it is to have a child.   Children are the greatest blessing God can bestow upon us.   I thank God everyday for this momentous blessing. This sweet child of mine has brought a love into my life that literally knocks me off my feet sometimes it is so powerful.

My days are filled with far more worry but also far more laughter than I ever thought possible.  I was born to be a mother.   Your mother.  Always knew I wanted to be one but never understood how much it would define me or change me until I had you, Sterling.  

Sterling, You are the sweetest, most loving, honest, hilarious little boy.  Three years ago God brought you into my life and it was never the same again.  I am undoubtedly a better person because of you.  You make me strive to be the best person I can be.   I know what unconditional love is because of you.  I would give up anything and everything just to make sure you are happy.

This year has brought many changes.  You talk, alot.  Like you have full on adult conversations with us.  Sometimes I am shocked how much you know.  You are incredibly smart.  You amaze me everyday with your knowledge.   You are obsessed with Scooby Doo, Spiderman and Batman.  Much to my dismay you like to wear the same Spiderman shirt everyday.  You potty trained yourself in one day and never turned back.  You are all or nothing.

You are still the most loving little boy.  You tell me often how much you love me and your daddy and you are always ready to give us a big hug and kiss.  You moved to a big boy bed this past year too and you could not be more proud of it.  You always tell me I am your best friend and that melts my heart.

You love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you want to eat that everyday for lunch.   You also love fruit chews, probably your favorite snack.  You are very opinionated when it comes to what you wear.  You like to dress yourself- you are hard headed like your daddy.   You have an incredible head of hair, the best curls ever.  You are definitely going to be a heart breaker one day.

You love dressing up in my clothes and wearing costumes. You lived in your Spiderman Costume for the whole month of October.

 
You love to be in the Kitchen cooking, just like me.  You are my little chef extraordinaire.

Sometimes you can have quite the attitude.  Not happy if you don't get your way.  I guess some people call this the Terrible Twos.

But for the most part you are a real sweetheart:)

Sterling, I am so incredibly proud to be your mother.  You make me so happy and bring so much joy to my life.  God could not have created a more perfect child.  Your father and I love you to the moon and back again a million times over.

You will always be my baby, and don't you ever forget that.
I love you!  Happy 3rd Birthday Sterling!