Monday Mentions

Happy Monday friends! I hope you all enjoyed a long weekend full of food and family. 
This Monday, seeing as I am away, I thought I'd just mention some things you need to keep an eye out for this week. 
|| Did you see these AMAZING Whole30, Paleo friendly snack bars? They are my new favorite and so tasty I can hardly believe they are healthy food. 
|| In case you didn't see it on Insta, I had a stow away for my Vegas trip. Ted just wasn't ok with my packing, so he slept in my suitcase instead.

|| Tomorrow I have Sarah Elizabeth taking over to tell you a little more about one of my favorite things. I can't wait! 
|| Don't forget we are celebrating ONE YEAR of #hashtaghumpday this Wednesday! Lauren and I are thanking all of our linkers by hosting a giveaway. I hope you'll all join us!
|| I'm a cookie monger through and through. I can't wait to add to my cookie recipe repertoire with Lindsay and Brittany's Christmas Cookie Exchange on Friday! Make sure you stop by and share your cookie recipes and add a few to your collection while you are there!
Speaking of Lindsay, she's one of my amazing sponsors this month! I've known Lindsay for a while now and it's been so wonderful getting to know her. She shares all sorts of blogging information and tutorials that are fabulous like How to Create a Link-Up,  How to start a Blog Sponsorship Program and many more! 
Instead of hogging the lovely Lindsay all to myself, I thought you should get to know her too!

1. Why did you start a blog and what is your blog about?  I started blogging because I was working as a writer, but wanted a creative outlet. My blog is about a little bit of everything: beauty tips and tricks, life, and the occasional blogging tip and DIY. Also cocktails.
2. Besides blogging, what are some of your other hobbies? What can we find you doing on a Saturday night? We like going out- we're big fans of trying new breweries! I am usually visiting with family or friends, or we're watching Netflix. Netflix is a hobby, right? Please say yes.
3. You and I are on a blate (finally!) what is your drink of choice? Yes! I guess it depends on WHERE we're meeting, but my go-to drinks are bourbon, craft beer, and Merlot. Just don't let me have all three in one sitting...
4. What advice would you have for a blogger who is just starting out? My advice for new bloggers is to put yourself out there. Meet and work with other ladies- it's much more fun than trying to do it all yourself! And no idea is stupid. Write what you want don't feel ashamed.
5. What are you most looking forward to this holiday season?  I'm looking forward to spending time with my family this holiday season and my sister is getting married in two weeks! It's party time!

Want more Lindsay? Follow here!
Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Eat Nakd | My New Favorite Healthy Natural Snack

Natural Balance Foods provided me a variety pack of Nakd bars for my review. All opinions within are my own.
This time of year is when I struggle the most with healthy snacking. There are so many cookies and treats about around the holidays it sometimes is easier to reach for them then plan and pack natural snacks. 

That was until I found Nakd bars. Remember the good ol' days when you could throw a granola bar in your purse and call it good? Have you ever looked at the ingredients in those granola and cereal bars? Not so good.  EatNakd bars created by Natural Balance Foods are vegan friendly, wheat, gluten and dairy free, with no added sugars at all. In fact most bars typically contain just 4-5 raw ingredients – that’s it. Plus, they come pre-packaged just like that handy granola bar, and are easy to take just about anywhere. I may have stowed away several for my trip to Vegas!

I have to be honest, when I first heard about these bars I was skeptical. It's health food, and we all have a preconceived notion of what that will taste like. Plus, unwrapping my first bar,  I have to say it didn't look all that appetizing. Then I bit into it. Sweet, clean, crunch and the knowledge it was good for me at the same time!

Seriously guys, these taste GOOD. Plus they have a huge variety of flavors. I love the chocolaty ones, which feel so sinful but are totally clean! Don't believe me about how good they taste? Check out this video of happy tasters:

I couldn't be happier to find this simple of a snack. Simple, pure ingredients and simple grab and go packaging, all with knowing it's good for me. These bars will be perfect for my second round of Whole30 and meet the needs of anyone who has a Paleo diet or eats gluten free! All of that and great taste? Yeah I wouldn't believe me either. You'll just need to try Nakd for yourself!

Want to learn more about Natural Balance Food's wholefood approach for Nakd bars? Learn more HERE. Plus follow Nakd on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!  What's your favorite wholefoods snack?

#HASHTAGHUMPDAY | The One Before Turkey

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Oh wait does that come after the turkey? I get confused when Christmastime actually starts these days.
But really, this IS the most wonderful time of the year. Because turkey. And potatoes. And stuffing. And gravy. And pie....
Also, NEXT WEEK is the ONE YEAR LINK-AVERSARY PARTY for #hashtaghumpday! Technically today is the day, but I figured a lot of the lovely faces might be gone for the holiday so we are pushing it to next week. Be there or be square!
Don't forget you have a plethora of link ups to confess your face off to every Wednesday. #Hashtaghumpday with Lauren and I of course, Alanna for confessions as well as Plucky in Love, and then Kathy and Nadine! So much humpity-hump-day love!

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 First a little business. Here’s the scoop:

• Each Wednesday create a post about what’s going on in your life and #hashtag each item or story. See an example HERE. Be as creative as you want! 
• Grab the button and include it in your post
•  Link up so we can all #creep on you and find out what’s new/funny/awesome /shitty in your life.
• Comment on at least one other blogger’s post from the link up (someone you don’t already know!) if there even is anyone who links up…
•  Share on all your social sites with #hashtaghumpday
• Have fun! #hashtagtheshitoutofeverything #whocaresifitsarealhashtag

Kapeesh?

I'm going to keep it fairly short and sweet this week. Partly because of the holiday and partly I don't have a whole lot of juiciness to share.

I've committed to making homemade rolls for Thanksgiving and now I'm kind of regretting it. I can make cookies all day long but things you have to knead and rise and all the jazz? It could get ugly. And floury. I'll be drinking while I do this no doubt #bloodymariesforbaking #fingerscrossedformefriends

The BF we've decided to start alternating Thanksgivings instead of going to both of our families' dinners this year. I know it makes sense and it's fair but it still makes me sad. It's hard since it's the holiday both our mothers host. I just feel like I need to be there since it's at our house (meaning my parents' house). I still plan to drop by and say hi regardless #becausemyfamilyisthebest #andhasbetterfood

I leave for LAS VEGAS on Sunday. It still hasn't sunk in. I've had trouble being excited for it this year (I know you are all slapping me for this across the interwebs) but I'm hoping once Thanksgiving is over I'll be ready. That or once I'm on the plane. Or once I've started drinking... #whatahappensinvegsas #excitementpending

And with that I will leave you to your turkey prep and holiday travel. Stay safe with the winter weather and eat more than you should, it's the one day you can without guilt! #allthepienoregrets

Link up and join the fun. Cheers!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Do's and Don'ts of BLACK FRIDAY

It's Turkey Week!

And after all the celebrating, thankfulness and pumpkin pie it's go time. Black Friday shopping time that is.

Now I'm not saying you should or shouldn't go Black Friday shopping. In fact I have serious issues with how commercialized it has become and how stores open on Thanksgiving night now. I applaud the companies who have made it a point to close for the holiday.

That being said, I've been Black Friday shopping for about as long as I have been walking. Thus I feel I have enough experience to give you some tips to make your shopping trip more successful if you choose to venture out and fight the crowds this year.

This is an up-cycled post for your enjoyment. I feel it is relevant every year around this time!

When tackling Black Friday...

DO:

• Have a plan. We specify what store, what time we are going (tentatively) and what we are buying there.
• Go with friends/family. Duh, if you go with the people you love, it's much more fun!
• Stop and eat a good breakfast. We stop at the Egg Factory every year after a couple stops to re-fuel.
• Have any coupons or flyers ready to go at check out so you don't hold up the line.
• Avoid the drama. Line too long? Someone throwing a fit? Walk away. The deal is not worth it.
• Spread Christmas Cheer!!! Be extra polite and friendly while you are out on this stressful day. It truly is the kick off of the holidays, so remember to say THANK YOU, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays!

DON'T:

• Go out wearing your pajamas. Really people, why?
• Expect there to not be a line, or for stores not to run out of popular items.
• Bring young children. If you're out shopping at 4 AM your child should be in bed, not with you.
• Bring a huge purse or wear uncomfortable shoes. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so be prepared.

My typical Black Friday consists of:

• Home Depot for $.99 Poinsettias, fresh garlands and lights
• Fred Meyer for buy one get one free socks
• Breakfast at Egg Factory
• Target for wrapping paper and misc. sale items
• The Mall - JC Penney/ Kohls/ American Eagle/ misc.
• A well deserved nap

So make a plan, be cheerful, and make a day of it with your favorite people!

Do you go Black Friday shopping? It's a bit of a tradition for us. What are your favorite tips? Favorite stores to visit?

Happy almost Turkey Time!  

These are a few of my Favorite Things

What a week you guys, and not in a good way.
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement throughout, you friends, as usual, are always some of my favorite things! Special thanks to those of you popping over from Girl Talk and my guest post on being the perfect bridesmaid! 
When life get's us down the best thing we can do is pick ourselves back up and celebrate the good right? The past few days have been all about focusing on my "happy things," to combat the overwhelming emotion I seem to be having that is probably not warranted. Maybe I really am pregnant. It would explain all the crying. 
Anywho, here are some of my favorite things that made me happy this week!

FAVORITE SONG

I've said it before, and I'll continue saying it. I just want to be loved like a country song. This one is a perfect example.

FAVORITE EATS

I pulled an old one out of the recipe bag this week. Three ingredient pulled pork. Wow that was way back in the day for Life with Lolo! This is always a great recipe for lot's of food for the week. I like mine on top of a salad with chopped onions and bread and butter pickles (weird I know). Plus I'm using leftovers tonight for BBQ pizza!

FAVORITE FIND

What if Ben & Jerry's and New Belgium Beer had a baby. Oh wait, THEY DID! That's right Ben & Jerry's ice-cream flavored beer. It's limited edition. Go find yourself some stat!

FAVORITE SURPRISE

I know some of you probably saw this on Instagram, but I got a goodies package from Angelica and it came at just the right time in my hell-hole of a week. Every little thing in it I love, and since it was a giveaway of her favorite things, it just reiterates how similar her and I are. We'd be besties IRL if she didn't live all the way over in Pittsburgh! 

FAVORITE FUNNIES

I see these in everyone else's favorites so I thought I'd join the party. Also there's never been a week I needed a laugh more.

The love I feel for bloggy friends...

Feelings about work this week...

For about half the things I say...

My spending habit this week. Ooops.

Cats, forever and always...

I have got to do this :)(Y) - Funny Vines
Posted by Funny Vines on Wednesday, November 11, 2015

My motto for life this week....

Happy Friday friends!

My Favorite Tailgate Attire | Wear to Where Tour

If you've been reading around these parts long there's one thing you probably know about me. Any excuse to drink beer  and watch football with my favorite people is a good one!  Tailgating fits that bill. It's one of my favorite things to do on a Saturday afternoon!
This post is a little bit ironic however, considering I skipped the tailgate this weekend. In my defense, it's not my team we go tailgating for. It's actually my rival team that is here in town. So when I decide watching 3 movies, eating pizza and painting my nails sounds better, I don't feel too bad.

For this post however I wanted to share what I would tailgate in at my Alma mater, the University of Idaho. I haven't made it to a game up there in a couple years, but I honestly pine for that gravel lot every Saturday when my Vandals are about to take the field. I have countless (albeit some fuzzy) memories of that place and those games.

When my friend Angelica reached out to me about the Where to Wear tour I was hesitant. I am not a fashion blogger. Though I have tried on occasion. Then I took a peek at the sign up sheet. One of the only topics left was Tailgate Attire. It was meant to be. 
There are two things tailgate attire needs to be in my opinion: spirited and comfy! I'm all about representing my team and sporting colors throughout my outfit. I want my look to scream (GO VANDALS) my team spirit, but with a balance of style.

And when we're into November that outfit needs to be comfortable enough to be on my feet in all day and warm enough to make it through the game. I had fun adding warm accessories like my polka dotted head warmer and Idaho logo'd hobo mittens. 

This outfit fits my basic girl needs as well, cozy over-sized spirit jersey, fleece lined leggings and my favorite boots. 

Spirit Jersey: University Bookstore | Fleece Lined Leggings: Similar | Fringed Boot Socks: Amazon | Boots: JC Penney (similar) |
Hobo Convertible Mittens: University Bookstore | Over-sized Polka Dot Ear Warmer: Macy's (similar)

Now all I need is a keg cup and I'm ready for the game!

Be sure to head over to Wild+Wanderful or Gardening in High Heels to check out the other brilliant bloggers, sewists and stylistas on the tour, as well as be able to link up your own looks and show us what you would Wear to Where!


Now let's talk giveaway prizes for this tour!!
For the sewists: Choice of 3 patterns from Cole's Creations, Choice of 3 patterns from Made for Mermaids, Pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates, Pattern of choice from Scientific Seamstress, Sewing-tee of choice from Sewing Stadium, Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co, Pattern of choice from StitchArt
For the Fashionistas: Set of 6 cards from Designs by Nicolina, 30 minute Social Media/Copy Consult by Gardening in High Heels, Tee of choice from Handmade Escapade, $20 Store Credit from Jenny Penny Designs, Tumbler from Joy+Tren


A big thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Cole's Creations | Designs by Nicolina | Gardening in High Heels
Handmade Escapade | Jenny Penny Designs | Joy+Tren
Made for Mermaids | Patterns for Pirates | Scientific Seamstress
Sewing Stadium | Simple Life Pattern Co | Stitch Art
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get yourself entered for some fabulous goodies!

#HASHTAGHUMPDAY | Swirling pile of...

Happy humpday! Can you believe we are only a week away from Thanksgiving? Me either.
You know what else we are a week away from? The ONE YEAR anniversary of #HashtagHumpday! Since the true date falls the week of the holiday, my lovely co-host Lauren and I have decided to celebrate the week after Turkey Day, hoping that we won't miss anyone who may be traveling for the holiday. So mark you calendars for the ONE YEAR #HASHTAGHUMPDAY PARTY on December 2nd! We will be giving away a prize to our lovely link-ers!
Whoa, so much excitement and we aren't even there yet!

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 First a little business. Here’s the scoop:

• Each Wednesday create a post about what’s going on in your life and #hashtag each item or story. See an example HERE. Be as creative as you want! 
• Grab the button and include it in your post
•  Link up so we can all #creep on you and find out what’s new/funny/awesome /shitty in your life.
• Comment on at least one other blogger’s post from the link up (someone you don’t already know!) if there even is anyone who links up…
•  Share on all your social sites with #hashtaghumpday
• Have fun! #hashtagtheshitoutofeverything #whocaresifitsarealhashtag

Kapeesh?

There is so much swirling around in my head this week. The work front has turned into death-con-5 and it's been so emotional that I've felt physically sick more than once. I'd elaborate but I can sum it up pretty simply: politics suck #especiallyincaldwell #commissionerscansuckadick

One of the outcomes of the work shit storm is that we have cancelled our New Year's Eve event. When I first heard this idea I was all for it as it meant a lot less work for me, and that I would get to celebrate the occasion not at work for once. Then I realized I had to cancel all my sponsors #andmyheartbroke #worstcallsever #andihavecallanxietyremember

Still, I'm trying to look at the bright side #moretimeforblogging

The only good thing about work right now is that we get to go to Las Vegas for convention soon! Eeeeee! I think it will be really good as the whole office is going and we all need to blow off some steam after the nightmare that the last two weeks have been #whathappensinvegas #oncompanydollar

All the work stress had led to a lot of stress eating. Like the two batches of cookies I've baked in the last two weeks and that loaf of pizza bread I may have eaten all by myself this weekend and the chips and cookies.  I really need to get it under control before I gain 10 lbs before Vegas and the holidays #muststopeating #ohlookfood!

I had a long list of winterizing items to take care of this weekend in my yard. It was all part of my fall bucket list. Guess how many I got done? Zero. Guess what happened Monday? It snowed #FML #icanneverdoanythingright #toolatenow

Speaking of snow can I just say how much I hate it when it comes before Thanksgiving? I think I would be ok with it if it managed to happen in what I deem the "holiday season" but we aren't there yet. That's after Thanksgiving.  But there's white stuff already. And it's cold #whinybitchpartyofone #atleastihaventhadtoshovelyet

And just a couple of teasers for you to look forward to... drum roll please... Tomorrow you can laugh it up with my attempt at fashion blogging for the amazing Wear to Where blog tour hosted by Angelica and Katy! Plus coming up as a possibility for your main man's holiday gift - my DIY boudoir shoot tips that I'll be sharing over at Hey Kerri Blog! #iknowyourepeeingyourpantsyouresoexcited

 Confessions are the best aren't they? Get more bang for you buck and go link up with Kathy, Nadine, Alanna and Plucky! #youknowyouwanna

So many lovely ladies to party with! Don't forget to link up with us too! Though we be a small link-up, our #hashtags are mighty!

An InLinkz Link-up