5 current must haves

I'm not one to be much of a "beauty blogger", but I do have a few products that I use everyday that I just love... why not share them with you!

photo source photo source photo source photo source photo source

1. Big Sexy Hair root pump- my hair is generally flat, and I hate that! I don't want a ton of volume, but I need something. I squirt a couple pumps of this into the roots of my hair before blow drying and it really makes a difference.

2. Mary Kay Timewise Foundation- my skin is typically oily, so I got the one specified for oily skin. I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but it seems to stay on and has good coverage, I'll buy it again. Also, I've had it for a couple months and still have the majority of the tube left, a little goes a long way!

3. Milkshake volumizing shampoo and conditioner- I have been using this product for a few years now. My beautician keeps this stuff in her shop and it smells like heaven when she puts it in my hair. I can definitely tell a difference in my hair when I don't use this product- it helps with volume. They have smaller bottles, but I prefer the liter pumps.

4. Naked 2 eye shadow- This eye shadow is pretty popular right, and I'm sure many of you either have it or want it. I use the shade "snakebite" the most. I have used this everyday since the end of last year and you can't see the bottom metal under the shadow in any of them. I was afraid I would run out quickly, but I haven't. (I use urban decay eye shadow primer underneath the shadow to help keep it in place).

5. Nivea Kiss of smoothness chapstick- I have used this for years and I still have multiple tubes, in my makeup bag, purse, and desk drawer. Good for hydrating. I use this everyday regardless of other lipstick, it works great as a base.

Do you have anything you love that you just have to use everyday?

*I did not recieve any compensation for this post, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Wonderful Weekends: Pigeon Forge

Hello there, readers! I'm glad you have stopped back by my little spot in the blog world. This past weekend was the much awaited trip to Pigeon Forge, TN. While it was a quick trip, it was still wonderful and was some much needed time spent with friends.
On Friday, after work, Preston and I put our bags in the car and we were on the road to Pigeon Forge.  We had about a 3 hour drive, not too bad.  We met our friends, Adam and Renee at Mel's Diner for a quick dinner.  Being a diner, we all insisted on trying their delicious looking desserts, I had a chocolate malt and it was so good.  After dinner it was getting late (we didn't even arrive until around 9) so then we headed to our hotel.  We went to sleep around midnight and we had a full day planned for the next day.
On Saturday, we woke up early to get the day started.  We didn't want to waste our day asleep when we aren't in PF often and we don't get to see each other much.  After getting ready, we all headed to a place called Mama's Farmhouse for breakfast. If you can imagine endless pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, sausage, breaded chicken, cheesy grits, cooked apples, and fruit coming in large bowls and served family style and constantly being replenished, you can get an idea of what this place was like.  It was a delicious breakfast and we had the sweetest waitress ever.  After breakfast we headed to the Dixie Stampede box office to pick up or pre ordered tickets so that we wouldn't have to wait in line later in the day.  At Dixie, there was a huge Christmas tree outside that I knew about so I took my SLR camera so that Preston and I could take pictures for our Christmas cards.  After multiple shots, we got some pictures that I loved and then we were back in the car.  We headed to Tanger outlets for a little bit of shopping.  We purchased a few Christmas gifts as well as P some new tennis shoes.  We stopped for some Starbucks and Dunkin' for drinks and then shopped a bit more at another location.  We finished up our shopping and headed to Dixie Stampede for our dinner and Christmas show.  We were early but didn't really have anything else we wanted to do, so we went by the horse stalls and looked at/talked to some of the beautiful horses that were out before getting ready for the show.  We also took advantage of the gift shop being empty because I wanted some of the soup mix, I loved being able to get what I wanted without having to fight a crowd (we'll save that for black Friday).
When 6:00 hit, it was time for the show to start.  The pre show was good, like usual, but I was ready for the much anticipated Christmas show... and the soup that I love.  We got to our seats, which were great might I add, and met our wonderful server/elf, Danielle. The battle was between the north and the south poles, we were on the south.  From the soup, to the Cornish hen, potato, pork, corn, and apple turn over, the dinner was fantastic.  The show had the stunt horse riding and competition races like normal, which is always entertaining....but I loved the nativity scene, it was just amazing.  I am not sure why, but those camels were just so awesome to me.  I don't want to share too much in case there are readers who haven't been to the show, I don't want to spoil it.  But, I will say, if you ever get the chance to go to the Dixie Stampede Christmas show, go... I believe it is totally worth it!
After the show we headed to the car and then dropped Renee and Adam off at the hotel so that we could get on the road back home.  We got home at midnight and went straight to bed.
After church Sunday morning, we went to get Chloe, she had been staying at our friends' house who were so kind to watch and take care of her. We did some laundry and made a grocery trip and that wrapped up our weekend.
Now, for a few pictures:

This tree was SO tall

friend time!

during pre show of DS, sorry for bad quality

during pre show of DS, sorry for bad quality

loved these Christmas lights

Five on Friday

[ONE] I don't know about you all, but I'm ready for fall... I know I've said it before about the weather, but I'm ready for the cool days, football, jackets, boots, crunchy leaves, colorful leaves, caramel apple spice, pumpkin rolls, Thanksgiving, warm colors kind of days. I love Summer, but I'm ready for change.

[TWO] Speaking of football, we are going to our local high school's home game tonight... we are really looking forward to it, especially since it will be time spent with friends. I am pretty sure I will miss not having a brother in the game though, but I'm also looking forward to next Friday because I'll be watching my brother's game then.

[THREE] I love Candleberry brand candles. Haven't heard of them? Check it out here.  Their candles smell sooo good and they burn really well, too.  Some of my favorites are hot maple toddy, fall festival, cinnamon broom stick, raspberry lemonade, and pink sugar.  There are tons of different scents! They have candles, room sprays, tarts, and car scents.

[FOUR] Our friend Bruce is in the Navy and him and his wife have been living in Hawaii... he was released and they are coming home for a short week before leaving to go to Japan. We plan to see them this month and it will be so nice, it has been a long time since we saw them last! Please pray for their travels and move!

[FIVE] I am thankful for having a job that I love, I enjoy working with kiddos in my office, at their home, and in school... the fact that I could make the slightest difference gives me motivation to keep going, even when it's hard!

5 on Friday

Linking up for 5 on Friday.... here we go!
1. I am thankful for weekends, for me weekends bring sleeping in, time with the hubby, and getting away from my office/desk for a couple of days. Before now, I was bouncing between school and a part time job, so the weekends didn't really mean much, but boy, they do now! Fridays at 4:30 is one of the best times!

2. It is kind of crazy to me that this semester is the first semester since pre-school that I haven't gone to school. It's strange that I am not registered for classes, ordering books, and getting ready for a load of homework- but it is so great that I don't have to worry about all of that stuff...I can handle being finished with schooling! Thankful for my degree!

3. Preston [the husband] and I are involved in a Summer church camp every year. This evening, some of the workers are coming over for a get together/cook out/lock in at our house....it's going to be a fun night! More on that next week...Here is a picture taken at the camp one evening.

4. For some reason, last week my lips were chapped and nothing, and I mean nothing would help until I found this miracle tube of lip bliss! It is some seriously good stuff that works wonders! I recommend it, nobody likes chapped lips!

5. I'm looking forward to Labor Day weekend so that we can take a trip to see Emily and her sweet family! I'm also looking forward to after Labor Day so that I can get decorations out and get my house ready for Fall... can't wait!