Food

Eating healthy…well, healthier…

Our Gray House2 Comments

We are trying to eat healthier around here and this is a pic of a really delicious salad we had not too long ago.  Romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, a bit of pepper jack cheese and one of my favorites….broccoli slaw mixed together.  It was really yummy!  What do you like to add to your salad?

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Do you like cottage cheese?

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Because I am not sure that I do.  I had purchased no fat cottage cheese and despite adding cinnamon and blackberries, I still wasn’t into it.  So we bought regular fat cottage cheese and I added some blueberries this time.  Still not digging it.  I do like pimento cheese, which is a similar consistency so maybe it’s just the way I’m preparing it.  How do you eat cottage cheese?

I’ve also been really obsessed with nectarines. So much so that I hardly even remember to take a pic before I’ve eaten them all up.  And English muffins with peanut butter and bananas.  Really been loving that too.

What have you been eating lately?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

 

Fashion/Beauty

Bonita VoxBox | July 2016

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I received my first ever VoxBox from Influenster and it was full of goodies!

This particular box was called the Bonita VoxBox and it included the following:

  • A full-size bottle of Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel
  • A sample and coupon from Revlon
  • An individual serving of Fiber One brownies
  • A generous sample of Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Pre-Wash Protein Treatment and Deep Conditioning Masque
  • A full-size bottle of SinfulColors nail polish

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I’ve tried the Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel hydrating toner and it leaves my skin feeling moisturized but not oily.  The only thing that I am not happy with is the scent.  I can’t describe it but I was expecting a mint scent maybe?  Something fresh and light?  But this toner is great so I will definitely use the entire product.

Next was the sample from Revlon.

I’ve already tried both colors and they both felt moisturizing but they stayed “wet” feeling and I’m not a super fan of lip gloss.  It did come with a coupon so I may buy one of the lipsticks but probably not the lip gloss.

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Marvin and I shared this single serving size of Fiber One Brownies.  Marvin didn’t care for them.  He said that they lacked flavor.  I thought they were alright.  I mean it’s not like a for real brownie with all it’s fatty goodness.

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When we unboxed this in the video I thought it was a face mask and I was like, eh.  But it turns out that it is a hair masque and I’m all about trying that!!  I will be trying it soon so watch my blog for my thoughts on this.

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The last product from the box was this full-size nail polish from SinfulColors.  I really liked the color.  I have tried this and had it on for almost 4 full days and so far it is holding up well!  I’m doing a separate blog post on this as well so stay tuned!

Did any of y’all get this VoxBox?  If so, link your blog below so I can check it out!

(((hugs))) ~lisa

*I received these products complimentary for testing purposes.

Fashion/Beauty

We’re All Matte Here | SinfulColors Nail Polish

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I received this bottle of SinfulColors Limited Time Porcelain Matte nail polish in my recent Bonita VoxBox and so far I am loving it!  It’s a great summer color and usually retails for $1.99-$2.99 in stores.

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Thursday night I painted my nails.  I first started with a base coat of Bonder by Orly.  I then applied two coats of the SinfulColors polish in We’re All Matte Here and ended with a topcoat of Essie Gel-setter topcoat and it wore very well!

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When the polish dries it has a flat or matte finish, and it is part of the porcelain matte line so that makes sense.  When I added the Essie gel-setter top coat it gave it a really great shine and helped my polish to last longer.  I haven’t tried the polish without a gloss topcoat yet but when I do, I’m sure I’ll mention it on SnapChat or my IG or something.

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Here’s how my nails look after 4 days.

As you will notice there is some wear but overall I think it lasted well.  Especially considering a manicure at the salon usually lasts me about 2-3 days before chipping etc.  Since it wore so well last night I added another coat of polish and gel-setter topcoat and my nails look fresh and ready to go for a few more days!

Have you tried any nail products that you’d like to share about?  Link it in the comments below!

(((hugs))) ~lisa

**I received the SinfulColors nail polish complimentary for testing purposes.

 

 

 

Lifestyle

ZzzQuil Sleep-Aid Review

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I tried ZzzQuil™ Sleep-Aid from the makers of Vicks NyQuil™ the other night.  I typically will wake up several times a night just thinking about things like what I need to do the next day.  I was hoping that by taking these 2 ZzzQuil™ LiquiCaps would help me have a more restful nights sleep.

I went to bed around my usual time of 10:15 p.m. after taking the ZzzQuil™ with a glass of water.  I also have a FitBit™ so I knew that it would help me track my sleep.  Here’s a snapshot of my sleep quality from that evening.

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Now the initial restless/awake time was somewhat normal.  I did not feel like the ZzzQuil™ helped me fall asleep any faster than not taking it.

What was interesting though is the additional restless and awake periods I experienced.  My expectation was that I would sleep through the night and possibly only wake to use the restroom but as you can see, that was not the case.  I was actually restless and awake a little more than usual.

Based on my personal experience though, it’s not a product I would recommend.  The product did come with a $2 coupon inside so I am tempted to purchase the product so that I can try it again to see if I have a different experience.

Have you ever tried this?  Did it help you have a better night’s sleep?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

*I received this product complimentary for testing purposes.  All thoughts are my honest and own true opinions.

#SleepLovers #ad #gotitfree

Lifestyle

Showing love in different ways…

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My hubby was out of town at a convention and the lawn needed mowing.  He normally takes care of all of that but  I decided to mow it for him so he wouldn’t have to deal with it when he got home.  It was hot.  And it took a while but I got it done.  And it was a way to show my husband that I love and appreciate him.  It is not a typical way to show someone that you love them but it can be an effective one.  And, it definitely helped me appreciate what he contributes to the relationship!

(((hugs))) ~lisa

 

Travel

The Fremont Troll

Our Gray House1 Comment

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One of my favorite websites (and apps) is RoadsideAmerica.com.  I love visiting odd and unusual roadside attractions and the website has tons of them!

I’ve visited the Freemont Troll before but it’s always fun to see.  Have you ever been?  Do you have any pics?  What things do you like to see when you visit a city?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

Travel

The Gum Wall in Seattle

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This might be gross for some but I think it is awesome.

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All these pieces of gum represent folks that have put a piece of gum in their mouth, chewed it for a bit and then stuck it on this wall.

Okay.  Maybe it is a little gross.  But we did it too.

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Awwwww – he made the letters M and L.  Our initials.  That’s pretty much true love, right?

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(((hugs))) ~lisa

Travel

A Visit To 1912 Pike Place

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I’ve visited Seattle several times but this time I was making a point to visit 1912 Pike Place.

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Without googling, do you know what this place is?  Can you guess?  I mean if you know me and know what I drink most mornings….was that a big enough hint?

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Yes.  I made a trip to my hot chocolate motherland.  Now I know Starbucks didn’t invent my hot chocolate but it is oh so good there!!

There was a bit of a line to get in but it moved quickly enough.  I got up to the counter and was able to order my venti hot chocolate. 🙂

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I don’t know the girl in the background but I am sure that she enjoyed the whole Starbucks experience too!  haha!!  Have you ever visited the original store?

(((hugs))) ~lisa

Lifestyle

Hide and Seek

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My grandson loves to play hide and seek.

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So every time we visit we play.

But this last time it got me to thinking about my goals and dreams.  Am I hiding from my dreams or seeking them out?

My ideas may seem silly to many but honestly I always want to live my life expressing myself creatively and to not waste time worrying about what others think.  So I will continue to make my YouTube videos, take my outfit of the day pics and just post about my awesome life because it makes me happy.  I hope that you do the things that make you happy.  Don’t hide from happiness and the things that contribute to it.  Seek it out.

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Ready or not….here I come!

(((hugs))) ~lisa