7 Favorite Things of 2017

I know, I know. It has been... quite some time. School, work, life in general. 2017 hasn't been the kindest year, but Joe and I have done so many cool things. That topic is for another day.

I thought I would stop in with a few of my favorite things from 2017. These are all items I couldn't live without and would definitely recommend purchasing. Some beauty, some home, some fashion.

1. Boxycharm. This is a subscription that I picked up in 2017. I dropped Ipsy about half way through the year because I was NOT happy with it. Boxy offers 5 full sized items for $21 a month. It

offers high end brands- Dr. Brandt, tarte, Ofra, pur-lisse. I've encountered some of my new favorite brands through this subscription. Interested in checking it out? Use my referral link. Click me :)

2. Glade Plugins. Ahh... I've tried many of the plugin air fresheners. These have proven time and time again to be the best. One plugin fills my entire living room, kitchen, and dining room. I used to have one in my bedroom, but it was so strong we had to move it. You can adjust it to less or more, but even on the lowest setting, it was still powerful. There's variety of scents for all profiles. Pick them up at any local store.

3. Zenni Optical. I have a husband who loses everything, and who is also probably legally blind. Glasses are expensive. The last time we actually bought glasses from the eye doctor we walked out spending almost $900. Eek! A friend recommended Zenni, and it is a godsend.  Their cheapest glasses start at $6.95, and the most expensive pair I've ever seen is roughly $35. Now, if you require special lenses, different coatings, or the extras... it will cost you more. When Joe dropped a 5 pound Napoleon book on his glasses during vacation- no fear. We got home and ordered a $6.95 pair that arrived less than two weeks. I scored these glittery, cat eye glasses for $12.95 https://www.zennioptical.com/ 

4. Atkins Mocha Latte Shake. I hit the low carb train pretty hard for a tad bit. I lived on Atkins shakes during this time. The mocha lattes were by far my favorite. Everyone recommended the caramel ones, but they left an awful after taste. I could drink these by themselves or partially poured into my coffee. It made for a great breakfast. The prices vary on these. I often found better deals on Amazon versus in store.


5. Wet Brush. My hair out of the shower is a tangled mess. I dread washing my hair because of the knots and tangles- even after using condition. Coupled with stress... my hair was falling out by the handfuls each time I brushed it. My aunt recommended the wet brush while we were on vacation. My little cousin has hair to her waist, so I knew this was a good product based on her recommendation. I bought one, and I LOVE IT!!!! I can brush my hair without ripping it out. Go buy it now. Check them out here.

6. Audible. This is a newer addition to my electronic devices. I love to read, and I was always against books on tape/cd. I felt like I was cheating on a real book, and I was convinced I would miss physically turning pages. I literally had no time to sit down and read after work and school full time. (Let's face it... I did enough reading for me and you both to complete assignments.) Audible allowed me to indulge in books, but still be free to do other things. I didn't feel bad about not having a book either. Audible is worth it. You get 1 credit a month towards a book for $14.95 (most audio books run $20-25.) Your first 30 days and first book are free. Prime member? You get free access to Audible channels, specific content, and extras FOR FREE! Download the Audible app today.

7. Farsali Unicorn Essence. This is also a recent Christmas gift from the world's best friend, but I SWEAR BY IT! In just a few days my excessive dryness and facial redness has disappeared. It smells delicious and packed with tons of antioxidants. The actual essence is pink and shimmery. And the packaging? Deep purple with gold accents. It has a ton of uses. For me, I just slather all over my face. Pure luxury. Also... you automatically feel like a youtube makeup guru while applying. I'm ready to add the Gold Elixir to my arsenal too! Unicorn Goodness!!!

There you have it. My 7 favorite things of 2017. I could have listed all beauty items, but I was fair to the other areas in my life. What are some of your favorites from 2017?

Cats, Cats, Cats... and Harry Potter

As promised, here is my Torrid haul from last week. You are lucky it is even this week because it has been a little hectic. Advice for today. When you are having a cruddy day, and you want to shop but your funds are not ideal…. Go back and look at the clothing and shoes you haven’t worn yet. It is an acceptable alternative, and doesn’t come with buyer’s remorse.

 Torrid is a specialty store, and sadly, there isn’t one in Kentucky-closest in Knoxville. They offer plus size trendy, shoes, accessories, and lingerie. My method for shopping at Torrid?

1.       Go in store to try things on! Most times they remain true to size, but occasionally there is that one shirt that fits differently or a shoe that feels odd.

2.       Come home, and buy online! Often times, I find BETTER deals by shopping online with Torrid. There are always coupon codes available for discounts, and they offer flat rate shipping. Buy $10 or $100 of items- ship for one rate! Torrid Website

My favorite times to shop? Ultimate Fashion Sale (UFS-semi-annual sale), and the release boots/booties for the fall season. You can catch those seasonal items you’ve been eyeballing for some time at 60% off during UFS. The boots… they are my weakness.

With all that said, I was more than thrilled when I seen the Torrid box at my house last week! They never ship items in small boxes either. It’s the type of box my mail carrier curses at because it takes up the majority of their vehicle, and they have to deliver it to my door. Warning! My 3 loves are below: cats, shoes, and Harry Potter.

Retro Hip Kitty Tee

Who could pass up this name?? Better yet, who could pass up a cat in a wig wearing a studded  jean jacket???? The studs are sparkly embellishments which I totally couldn't resist. This is an internet exclusive! Once it's gone, it's usually gone. Until they pop up on ebay. Look here : ) It's on sale!

 

Kitten Me Scoop Neck Tee

 

I got this shirt simply because it made me crack up- literally laugh out loud. It was even more hilarious when I seen it in person. In case you like a funny cat shirt, Cracks me up :)

 

Harry Potter Glasses and Bolt

 

I ALWAYS wanted a Harry Potter shirt- always! However, I didn't want Harry or Ron's face displayed awkwardly across my chest. I wanted sleek and simple. My other concern... glasses on the chest of a shirt. Too many times, I see a girl in a short that has glasses printed directly on her shirt, directly on her chest. It's definitely a shake my head moment. Did you realize you're "I'm a nerd" shirt has caused you to have targets on your boobs??? This shirt... the glasses fall below your breasts, so you are in the clear of targets. When I found this HP shirt, I HAD to buy it. Very, very rarely will I EVER pay this much for a tee, but, again, I really super-duper-uber wanted it. Love HP? Fall in the awkward face/glasses/boobs category? Look at this :)

 

Now... onto my ultimate weakness. SHOES! I only got three pairs this time. ONLY THREE!

 

Yoki Troppa Black Buckle Booties

 

Back in the fall, I fell in love with these boots. At first, I bought the brown because the black reminded me too much of a pirate. There are by far the most comfortable ankle bootie I have ever purchased. They are padded and have great arch support. It's the rule of being a woman: Find something you like, buy it in every color. Once these went on sale, I added the black pair to my collection. I highly recommend adding these to your collect, in BOTH colors. Yoki Bootie

 

These next two... unfortunately are sold out on Torrid's website. However, you can find them at various other sites (Amazon and TUK to name two).

 

 

Both shoes are made by the TUK brand. They offer a different type of style-a gritty on the edge, not from my small town style. Not just for women either! They make shoes for men and children as well. They are extremely well made, and all heels come with additional heel stoppers (the piece that always wears out). Both pairs are very padded and offer great support. The bow on the peep toe is even a satin bow! Visit TUK Shoes to see what all they offer.

 

I currently have my eyes GLUED to these...CAT SHOES

And... I let Joe know where he can buy them ;)

 

Might be a crazy cat lady and lots of love until next time!

 

Wedding Jewelry Woes and the $1.50 Fix

I currently have a new obsession addiction, but at least it's an affordable addiction

I was in the gorgeous Carroll/Adams wedding a few weeks ago and was searching wildly for jewelry to wear. The lovely bride gave pearl necklaces as gifts to every bridesmaid. Any girl appreciates a pearl necklace (guy hint #1). It was the vintage, cream pearls too, not bright white (guy hint #2). I also gained a gorgeous royal blue chiffon dress. This is one of those great dresses that flatters every body type. Sizes run from a 2 to a 26. It had a criss cross front and cascading chiffon overlay in the front. It's the ONLY strapless dress I have ever felt comfortable and supported in. Planning a wedding? I recommend this dress for any bridal party: Bridesmaid Dress



Brittany C, Beautiful Bride Liz, Midget Me, and Brittany N



In my hunt for jewelry, I wanted something shiny, simple, and classy. I had the perfect earrings, drop pearl earrings, the same cream as the pearls. I NEEDED bracelets though. Yes, bracelets...plural. You will not catch me without a multitude of bracelets on my arm. I am so thankful the layering bracelets trend is in! Even if it "goes out," I am almost positive I will still layer my bracelets.

 I looked at every store offered in a 20 mile radius of my house. My last and final stop.... Wal-Mart. I scoured around the jewelry department for a solid 15 minutes. Then, on an end cap, I found these stretchy, sparkly rhinestone bracelets. It reminds me of a tennis bracelet- single stones in a straight formation. They offered a series of rainbow colors that were cute, but not what I was looking for. These were matte colored rhinestones: blue, green, yellow, purple, and black. I could work with the yellow...

I turned the corner and BAM! There, lined in buckets, were the same bracelets but in a pearly, pastel, shiny form. I found an Easter egg yellow, and a creamy pearl color! They were perfect! They were fairly priced at $1.50 a piece. I bought two yellow and two pearl. The obsession ensues... I then went back to purchase the other colors I felt went best with my wardrobe.

2 pearl, 2 yellow, 1 pastel pink, 1 matte pink, 1 pastel blue, 1 matte blue, 2 matte black.

 

The other thing I LOVE about these bracelets, you can wear with other bracelets to get the "layered" look.

 

The watch was a gift, but made by the Figaro Brand.

The 2 brown bracelets I bought at Rugged Warehouse: $2.99

Blue Cross bracelet was a Rugged Warehouse find and came with matching cross earrings: $3.99

Aww! My Minnie Mouse watch was an "I Love You" gift!

 

 

These $1.50 investments saved my wedding jewelry woes and have added several cute pieces to my wardrobe selection. I recommend buying a few for your wardrobe too! OR if you're a fella, and have made it this far in the blog.... 1. Thanks for reading! I know this was probably not a very interesting post for you, but I did drop some subtle hints. 2. That special someone (whether it be your mom, cousin, sister, girlfriend, or wife) would LOVE these (guy hint #3). Every girl loves a little bling! It's definitely an affordable gift to put a smile on someone's face!

 

 

Difficulties deciding which bracelet to wear everyday and lots of love until next time!





Future Developments will Develop.

It's a rare occasion when I look at Joe and suggest eating Chinese food. Mostly because, I am not a huge Chinese food fan. I stick to sweet and sour chicken, white rice, and a teriyaki veggie mix off the grill. Needless to say, Joe was more than willing to go eat Chinese Sunday before the syllable Chi- left my mouth, and we invited our bestie Calep along for the trip.

We indulged ourselves in a feast of Chinese food the only way to eat it- buffet style. I grabbed my usual, and the boys were more adventurous. Seafood salad, squishy crab bakes, crème puffs, not so red strawberries, and a barrage of noodles. After bellies were full and plates stacked high, as every Chinese dinner, we received our fortune cookies. The anticipation of tearing apart the wrapper snapping the cookie in half, and finally seeing what your future may (most likely may not) hold...

 

 

I was not overly excited about my fortune. It seemed pretty obvious to me. The boys were equally disappointed in theirs. Joe, with a serious face, said... Fortune cookies aren't even fortune cookies anymore. They're "advice" cookies. And he's right. There's no fortune in the above. I wouldn't even classify it as advice. It's a general statement. I think my most memorable fortune I've had is... "If you ate the buffet, you are $6.99 poorer."

 

 Had there not been the amazingly tasty jello, I would have been disappointed.

 

 

For Sunday... I'll give you a peek at the OOTD (Outfit Of The Day).

 

This bright, tribal print maxi is from Wal-Mart last season. Yes, I said Wal-Mart! I paid a mere $8 for the dress. Which also came with a braided belt. Score!

Find a similar one here: Tribal Print Maxi: Forever21

 

The shoes were a Target score years ago! They were out of the little girls section. (Hey... if the shoe fits, wear it) Find kicks like these here: Beaded Boho Sandal

 

I am not a master of selfies, and often times only capture my feet. You will learn I have a small obsession with shoes.

 

Recapping Sunday, Winding down from Monday, and lots of love until next time!

 

 

 

 



The New Re-Re Opening of a Blog

What what? A blog?!

If you know me, you also know that I have had a passion for starting (and continuing) a blog. I've had a few failed attempts in the past, but I like to attribute their failures to my lack of dedication and not putting my best foot forward. So yes, here we are again, beginning a blog. This time I have figured out no effort= no success.

I am Jerrica. Born and partially raised in the city eventually ending in southeast Kentucky. I am in a small town where Friday night equals Walmart or outside somewhere. The latter of which I am not very interested in. I am a wife to a man who is beginning his journey of becoming a pastor. The mother to three cats- which I can guarantee you will hear quite a bit about. I am a thrifter, crafter and self-proclaimed shopaholic. Seriously... I have a bedroom for a closet. Explore my daring makeup looks and fun as a beauty consultant. Revel in my projects that turn out wonderful, and those that look like a child with crayons, glitter, and a glue gun completed.

Most of all, share in the love and laughter provided by yours truly.