Fortune Cookie Soap Fall Haul

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Halloween collection goodies from one of my most favorite good-smells companies, Fortune Cookie Soap!  Unfortunately I have to wait a little longer, so I figured I'd get over my shipping blues by gushing about one of my past orders that I failed to share! 

The Fall Soap Box was called Witch, Please and was a cross theme of The Wizard of Oz and Wicked, both of which I happen to be a HUGE fan! When I got the box a few months ago, I knew instantly I needed to purchase many, many things from this collection before it went away into the museum (the museum is where FCS puts all of their past scents that won't be here to stay forever).  It's basically like the Disney Vault - and every once in a while they surprise you by pulling out an old favorite for a limited time! 

I don't have any actual photos of the Witch, Please Fall Soap Box because I basically tore it open like a wild banshee and proceeded to put all the smells on me, leaving behind a delicious smelling disaster. 

However, I can show you all the lovely gems I decided to purchase from this collection!  My all time favorite scent from this one is Swankified! It smells like a bunch of bananas and a sweet vanilla cake had a threesome with a handful of yummy walnuts and the result was basically just amazing! 

Here's the whole haul! 

For a lineup of the cast, please see below!  Top starts at the left ☺

Fall Whipped Cream Sampler.  Whipped Cream is FCS's way of saying Body Butter!  They're equally amazingly hydrated and scented! Each sampler had four scents (1.  Green Is The New Black, 2.  Wicked, Good, 3.  BFFs, and 4. No Good Deed), and each Fall Soap Box came with one of these mini whipped creams in one of the four scents.  I believe I received No Good Deed in my box. 

Swankified Personal Space.  Personal Space means Room Spray in layman's terms.  It's non-aerosol air freshener so all your personal spaces can be filled with delightful smells!

Foaming Hand Soaps.  I got the typical spicy fall scent, There's No Place Like Home as well as the two with bananas, Swankified and Flying Monkeys.  These soaps were great!  They're similar in theory to the Bath & Body Works foaming hand soaps but I feel like they're more moisturizing. 

Fortune Cookie Soaps.  Ah, the namesake product!  I don't know what to say about these except for the utter fact that I love them!  They're adorable, smell terrific and even come with a fun fortune inside!  Plus, they make a cute little fun gift for friends and family!  I like using them as stocking stuffers or for hostess gifts (add a cute little soap dish and dish towel, and bada bing...instant hostess gift)!  Did I mention they're super cute?! 

Here's a better isolated photo of all of the Cookies I couldn't resist! 

I mean, seriously, look at the details these folk put into making the most adorable soaps on the planet!

FCS did also recently launch their Halloween Mini Collection, which is Beetlejuice themed!  I didn't go as crazy on this one, but I'll try to post those too!  They're just such fun, creative products!  I can't help but share and gush!  And, a special thanks to my Bestfriend, Allison, for introducing me to this wonderful world of soapy obsession! 

Have you checked out FCS?  Or are you a fellow Lushie?  What bath and body products can't you live without!?!?  I'd love to know! 

Guess who!

Just popping in with a quick hello. I basically made like a teacher and took the summer off, but I'll be back at soon enough!  I've had some busy days and some lazy days, some exciting days and some boring days, but I hope you all had a summer full of wonderful days!  I'll check in soon with some highlights from our recent trip to Chicago/Wisconsin and maybe a little Fortune Cookie Haul!  

Oh, also...I've officially finished Friends but although they did wrap it up nice and neat I wasn't a super fan of the ending. 

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 13 "Collections"

Even if you're not a sophisticated collector and connoisseur of fine items, you probably collect something!

My "collections" are pretty silly...but fun - and isn't that what it's all about anyway!  So...here you go...proudly letting my inner-child freak flag fly!

Leggo my Lego

Rob got me hooked.  I used to play with Legos when I was a kid, but had since forgotten how fun they could be!  Then, enter the Harry Potter Lego sets.  I couldn't resist!  I didn't end up getting my hands on all of them - trust me, I would have loved to, but here are a few of my prize pieces!  They're pretty much displayed all over the book shelf and my desk in our office.  Rob, on the other hand, has an affinity toward the Star Wars sets!

Hogwarts Express

Weasly's Flying Car with Ron, Hedwig, and Scabbers!  

A few of Rob's Star Wars Collection

Lego Mini Figures

I think the most exciting part of these is the mystery!  Life's like a box of mini figures...you never know which one you're gonna get!  Mainly because Lego makes their secret codes nearly impossible to crack!! Not for a lack of Rob and I trying!!!

My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic Blind Bag Ponies

I know...this one is even crazier than the two before...but on a rainy afternoon in East Lansing, Allison and I found ourselves seeking refuge in a Meijer in search of warm, dry clothes!  And....we came out with a paw full of ponies!  Boom, just like that we were hooked.  Now we each get this crazy high when a new series comes out!

I also like to intermingle my collections, as you'll see...MLP infiltrated the Hogwarts Castle!  Ponies dance on the Knight Bus and frolic in the meadows outside The Burrow!

What about you - any sophisticated or not-so-sophisticated collections!??

Bonus:  I linked-up with Jenni at Frankly My Dear, and Company for Tuesday Tea!

 

Find out what I'll be posting about the rest of the month for Blog Every Day in May 2014 here!

Hope you all have a fabulous week ahead of you!!

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 12 "Favorite Childhood Book(s)"

I can't do it!  I can't choose just one...so I'm going to give you a few, listed in no particular order! ☺

The Berenstain Bears 

     by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Okay, so who could resist that lovable bear family!  In every book you learned a valuable lesson about life, like sharing, bullying, or manners.  I used to LOVE The Berenstain Bears books and we had a TON of them!  Here are a few of my all-time favorites:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

     by Laura Numeroff

This was such a cute little story about a mouse who just kept wanting more and more and more.  He could have really learned a thing or two from The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmes! 

Love You Forever

     by Robert Munsch

My mom used to read this one to my sister and I all the time when we were little!  It has such a loving message!  I actually have to admit that I picked this up a couple of years back and read it quick and my eyes got all watery!  That's how you know it's a good one!

Ghost Writer Series 

I had the whole series...and loved the TV Show too!  

Where the Sidewalk Ends

     by Shel Silverstein

I don't know a single person my age who didn't read all of these growing up!  It was my very first little taste of poetry.  Fun and light! 

Amelia Bedelia

     by Peggy Parish

You can't have a favorite childhood book list without everyone's favorite zany nanny, Amelia!  

Sideways Stories From Wayside School

     by Louis Sachar

Each chapter was like it's own adventure from the crazy school that was accidentally built 30 stories high!  There's the kid who can only read upside down, the mean teacher, and the mysterious new kid.  I can't help but crack up a little just trying to remember the rest! 

The Adventures of Frog and Toad

     by Arnold Lobel

I loved reading about Frog and Toad and their friendship!  

Little House on the Prairie

     by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Another great series - I loved reading the books and watching the show (and still like seeing re-runs from time to time)!  I even got the chance to visit one of the historic homes/museums of Laura's Ingalls Wilder on a family vacation when I was a kid!  

Other favorites include anything by Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, or Mercer Mayer, as well as several Little Golden Books!  

What are some of your favorite books from your childhood??

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 11 "Oh The Places I've Been...So Far!"

I was lucky enough to be part of a family who loved to travel!  My parents always wanted to take my sister and I all over the US...so every school Spring Break we would hop in the Van (later....Mini Van) and head off on a fun, but usually somewhat educational road trip adventure across the country!  I had to do this map from memory, so there may be places I missed!  My mom has a state magnet from everywhere we've been on her refrigerator at home...but I keep forgetting to snap a photo of it when I'm there!!  

When I was older we started going on less educational, more relaxing and fun trips - starting with Disney World in Florida when I was 15, then Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when I was 16, and finally, the most wonderfully relaxing and most beautiful place I've been to date: Hawaii when I was 17!  We went again when my sister was a Senior in High School and I will admit, it was equally as fun (just in a different way since I was now 21 and could taste all of those adult-only islandy beverages)!!

In college I traveled a few places with friends, including an impromptu weekend trip to New York (Freshman Year), Canada (Freshman Year for some 19-year old shenanigans), Mexico (Acapulco for Spring Break Sophomore Year), and California to visit my awesome old roomie (Summer before Senior year).  

Rob and I also have been stretching out our traveler pants and going on a few adventures of our own!  I surprised him with a weekend in the Chicago area to take him to Lego Land for a special Star Wars Day.  We also adventured on to do several other things while we were in the City.  We also took a trip to Ohio to go to Cedar Point  Later in our relationship he surprised me with a trip to Florida to go to Universal Studios.  I had wanted to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for some time and thanks to my wonderful boyfriend, I got to see Hogsmeade, dine in the Three Broomsticks, and enjoy a sudsy Butterbeer or two (I had to try it regular and frozen, of course)!  I would recommend visiting to any fellow Harry Potter fans out there!  It truly is magical!!  Our next adventure in traveling is taking us to Las Vegas this Fall!

Here are a few photos from our trip!

Rob and I with the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang Students!

Clockwise from top left:  Hogwarts Castle, Butterbeer Stand, Butterbeer (non-frozen), Staircase to Dumbledore's Office (Shh...the password was Fizzing Wizzbees), Sorting Hat, and Ollivander's Wand Shop 

Me with a moving wanted poster of Sirius Black!

Clockwise from Left:  Rob and I in front of the Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade at first glance, Hogwarts Express Train, and the Three Broomsticks

1.  Dumb and Dumber Hats, 2.  Rob with Jaws, 3.  Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!, 4.  Pirate's Cove Mini Golf!

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 10 "The Meaning Behind My Blog Name"

Back when I was in High School I worked at this little local pizza joint.  Over Christmas break from school a couple of my friends came to visit me while I was on the job.  It was a pretty slow night so when I brought them a box I was able to sit and play a while!

I'm not sure how we came up with the idea, but we decided to give each other Holiday themed nick-names and doodle them on the pizza  box.  I became "Meg Nog," a play off "Egg Nog."  Carrie became "Sugar Plum Carrie," a play off the "Sugar Plum Fairy."  And, finally, Allison.  Her's was a little tricky.  We thought and thought but really had a tough time coming up with anything seasonal that rhymed with her name...so she became "Alli, Son of God."  It was the best we could do as a bunch of teens hopped up on pizza and soda!  But, if you can come up with something better for Allison, I'd love to hear it!!!  ...and I'm sure she would too!!

So, that's the back-story.  Now for a more present-day tie-in.  I had been thinking about creating a blog - and coming up with a blog name is the first challenge!  Well, that and figuring out what kind of blog you want to create.  I already knew I wanted to have more of a loose idea of a lifestyle blog to chronicle the things I do, the places I go, the thoughts I have, and to share the things I buy and the recipes I try!  So, with a blog just for me I figured the name had to be me too!  My blog actually started out being called Meg ♥ Nogged but then after a few days I decided to change it to The Nog Logs.  I was going for more of a "here's a log of all things Meg Nog!"  And, that's it...it all started with a bunch of silly gals, a pizza box, and some Holiday cheer!

Do you blog?  How did you come up with your blog name?  Is there a fun story behind it???

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 9 "Worst Habits..." 5 On Friday Style

Happy Friday, Friends!!!  I'm linking up with Christina, Darci, April, and Natasha again, the lovely ladies who put together 5 On Friday!

Bad Habits.  I've got 'em.  You've got 'em.  It's part of life - and sometimes is even a fun question to answer in an interview!

Here are five of my own bad habits - varying degrees of 'bad.'

A Wee Bit O'Bad

I bite/chew on the inside of my cheek/lip when I'm nervous, stressed out, bored.  It gets so bad sometimes my cheek bleeds and then I have that awkward regenerating healing skin on the inner part of your cheek growing back making your mouth feel all fat and gross deal going on...and then I want to chew on that too!  It becomes a bad habit loop I get stuck in and keep going round and round, biting and chewing, chewing and biting!  Someone get me some gum or a sucker already!!!

A Bit Badder!  

 The snooze button has become my morning nemesis!  I have developed this love-hate relationship with my alarm in the morning.  It goes off - all yelling at me in it's loud voice and I smack it with my fingertip to shut it up.  Then it's quite for a little while - 9 minutes I think!  Side track: Who thought 9 minutes was a good amount of time to snooze!  I mean come on - I require at least 15 minutes.  I honestly don't know when I became a constant snoozer, but it's definitely not a good habit!  Sometimes it gets kind of out of hand - I mean, like multiple snoozes a morning.  Then I finally, albeit begrudgingly, crawl out of the cocoon that has become my bed and greet the world with a proverbial middle finger!  I just wanted 15 more minutes!!!

Bad Is As Bad Does

I torture my bladder!  If I'm doing something and if during the completion of that something I get the urge...I hold it.  I won't go, until I meet some ridiculous goal.  Maybe I'm at work and I have to get this task done then get X number more codes done before I let myself up to pee!  I know it's really bad for my bladder and future Megan is probably going to pay down the road, but I just can't help it!  I have been making steady strides on this one though!  I've been letting myself up to pee freely (I pee freely) hahah...please someone else remember that being hilarious as a kid (and I guess as an adult too) when the urge comes along...no strings attached!

I'm Bad, Da-Na-Na-Na-Naa

Spending Money on random things I don't need - I guess I consider that a bad habit.  I work near the mall and a whole bunch of other stores so it's so easy for me to pop out on my lunch to blow off steam and end up spending way too much money!  Oh, hello {random wonderful store}!  It's been a while...why yes, I would love that dress - and those shoes, and oh!, look at that - I need that in at least every color!  I mean, I gave up shopping for Lent to try to help myself reel back the unnecessary spending some.  I was actually really successful this year!  Last year I failed miserably - but this year, I only really cheated once!  Yay!!!  But now that Lent is over I'm really trying to keep it in my wallet!  ☺ So far I'm definitely doing better!  What I really need to do is actually try to stick to a for-real, adult-style budget!  Problem is, it just sounds like no fun and way too much actual work...and will power!

Bad To The Bone

I am an avid wrist and ankle cracker.  I will end up with artheritis some day; I'm almost certain of it.  I am constantly rotating the bones in my wrists and ankles to make them crack.  It feels good, but hurts at the same time.  It's one of those weird senses of relief!  One time I cracked my wrist so many times in a row I had to put it in a brace to limit the mobity of it becasue my fingers were getting tingly.  They finally went back to normal after a couple days of TLC but it's a problem!  Rob even finds it absolutely disgusting!  He says the sound of the bones rotating just is wrong.  Funny thing is...I don't know how anyone could crack their knuckles or neck!  Yuck!!

What are some of your Bad Habits!  What have you done to break them!?

Hope you all had a great week!  I've personally been ready for this weekend since about Tuesday!  Hope you've got something exciting and/or relaxing planned!  And a Happy Mother's Day weekend to all those mommies out there!

I'm attempting to Blog Every Day in May!  Care to follow along or join in for the rest of the month!  Check out or Grab the button below!  Also, exciting news for me!  This is my 50th post!  WooHoo!  I feel like I'm getting somewhere now!!

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Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 8 "What's in My Handbag?!"

No surprise here...I'm like your typical girl - carrying around all the "necessities" which is always more than what is really necessary!

I have a big purse.  I like to be able to put all the things in it - and I kind of do.  It gets heavy a lot of the time.  I'm pretty sure I'm ruining my back, neck, shoulders, etc., etc., etc.  But hey, you need a tampon, bobby pin, hair tie, Advil, phone charge - I'm your gal!

Let's get started, eh?  This is literally what is living inside my purse this very moment!

The current carry-all:  Coach Park Khaki Signature Leather Hobo Crossbody - In Jade Green!

This used to have blue tags that hung from it, but the chain broke and they've been sitting on my dresser for some time now.  I have a new chain...just have been too lazy to do anything about it!

The residents:

1.  Sunnies!  Just your standard big dark sunglasses!  I got these the day after I got LASIK - I needed polarized, darker lenses to help with the light sensitivity!  
2. Wallet - This is where my G's live!  Hah, just kidding.  It's usually lacking cash and is home to my debit card, ID, random receipts, etc.  I almost never carry cash - which can sometimes be a bit of an issue!  Like when your favorite bar decides to charge cover, or you need to pay for parking and have to use your card for $1.00.  Oh well, what can you do - the world is just more paperless than it used to be!
3. Just something to light my way!  My Aunt gave us all these little flashlights so I threw mine in my purse!  I figured it would come in handy if I ever find myself lost in the dark!  But...lets hope that doesn't happen!
4. Advil - A little bit of magic to cure your ailments - well, if you've got cramps, a head ache, or minor aches and pains, I've got you covered!
5. EOS.  One of my absolute favorite lip products.  Enough said.  (PS.  This one is the Blueberry Acai Berry flavor and it is simply divine!)
6. Gum.  I used to be an avid gum chewer but not so much now that I've gotten older.  I still pop a piece every now and then but I don't usually have it on hand.  Truth telling time:  this has been living in my purse for kind of a while now!  I honestly didn't remember it being in there and don't recall how long I purchased it!  It's grape ice cube gum and if you're into artificial grape, you'd probably be down! 
7. Book-IT!  Anyone else remember that?!  You read a bunch of books and were rewarded with personal pan pizzas for your effort!  I've been trying to get back in the reading spirit - so I tossed this book in my bag the other day.  I had planned on reading on my lunch break but I still haven't started it!  Oops!  Anyway, if you're wondering, it's Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (it's the follow up to Delirium, which I read quite some time ago). 
8.  A pouch full of technology!  This sexy little pouch stores all of my techy needs!  I have a spare cord for my phone, a dual-car charger plug, and my Jackery, which is a portable battery (it's actually missing from this photo as I had brought it to my bedroom to charge overnight!)  A dead portable battery does no one any good!  It's awesome though!  I think you can get one on Amazon for something like $25-$30 or so.  They sure come in hand!  This one actually even has a little flash-light on it as well!  I can usually use it 3-4 times before needing to bring it in for a re-charge and it will work with any device that uses a USB charging device!
9.   Coups!  This is a pouch I got from Birchbox in one of their limited edition boxes (I think it was for teens...anyway, I used points to get it, so it was free to me!) Score!!  I keep my coupons in here.  There's a couple Bed, Bath and Beyond coups, a few kitty related coups, and some random offers from other favorites:  Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Express, Ulta, Meijer, and so forth! 
10. Yes.  Another wallet.  I use this flat wallet to store all of my loyalty cards and any gift cards I get!  I don't like cluttering up my actual wallet with all of that nonsense because I don't always need it.  It makes it a lot easier if I want to transfer to a smaller purse for an outing where I know I won't be making a mall trip! 
11. Bag Inception!  A bag inside of a bag!  I sometimes even put my purse in another bigger 31 tote to carry it with me to work with my replenishing supply of Diet Coke, desk snacks and my lunch!  So wrap your minds around that one!  Woah!  This is actually where I keep all of my less-needed make-upy products and things.  I dumped it out so you could gander yourself!

Behold!  

There's a lot going on in here....not that I need to carry it all around with me, and some of it does change from time to time.

The main-stays:

• Body Spray Mini:  Bath & Body Works Pink Chiffon - It smells like magic!
• Hand Cream:  I currently have Soap & Glory's Hand Food - It's pretty good stuff!  I have ridiculously dry skin, so hand cream is a must! 
• Perfume Roller Ball:  Right now I actually have two living in there!  A long time favorite scent:  Versace Bright Crystal, and a newer fave: Juicy Couture Viva La Fleur.  
• Nail Clippers:  I got this cheapo one at the dollar store a while back!  I hardly ever use it, but when you get a hang nail on the go, it's really nice to be able to take care of it on the spot! 
• Eye Drops:  Not pictured as I actually gave away my last vile of them earlier this week to a co-worker suffering from allergy eyes!  I stash the single use viles of eye drops everywhere since I had LASIK -in the medicine cabinet, nightstand, my desk at work, and my purse!  They really come in handy!  Note to self:  re-stock the drops! ☺  They really are perfect for on the go and you can help a friend in need without worry of sharing eye germies!  Always a plus! 
• Tampons:  Okay, you caught me - I didn't show you these...  We all know what a tampon looks like and they're not really anything too exciting so I left them out of the photo op!  But just because I like to teeter on that over-share border - they're Tampax Pearl and I always have a variety of absorbency levels with me!  
• Bobby Pins / Hair Ties:  They're in there too, buried underneath everything else...in another little pouch!  What can I say, I like to try to keep things a little organized!  

There's also usually a random variety of lip products swimming around in there too!  Those rotate.  Sometimes there won't be any and others there is a whole swarm of them!  From the looks of it, I kind of need to thin them out again!  

Well, I hope you enjoyed a peek into my sack and more importantly that you're all having a wonderful week!  What kind of treasures do you haul around with you on the daily!?

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Days 5, 6, and 7...Oops

So, let's point out the elephant in the room, shall we?  I failed....  This week has been a complete nightmare at work and I really wasn't feeling too bloggy the past few days.  Excuses aside, I still want to do all of the posts I promised, so here's a three-parter!

I've also decided to try out a new link-up today!  I recently stumbled upon the blog Because Shanna Said So... and he awesomely perfect Random Wednesday Link-up!





So, maybe I'm blogging almost every day in May instead!  Whoops!  I'm still going to consider it a win so far...but I definitely plan to do better!  Shall we do this???

Day 5 "Guilty Pleasures"

We've all got 'em - mine are pretty childish and a little embarrassing - but that's kind of the point of the whole guilty pleasure, right.  I'm actually not embarrassed by these but I don't embarrass too easily!  Without further ado....

A recent monkey that's been living on my back: The Sims Freeplay.  My Bestfriend introduced me to the wonderful world of Sims Freeplay and I've been addicted ever since.  She even patiently sit by and let me wreck havoc all over her town before I finally broke down and installed my own!  I even brought my iPad with me the past couple days and desperately tried to find WiFi during my lunch to get a little Simmy Love in mid-day!  I failed miserably - but I'm still determined....I think the key is actually having to go inside and not just trying to mooch off the parking lot!  Although, in my own defense, I did make a purchase the first place I tried both Monday and Tuesday!

Here's a few snapshots from my little guilty pleasure town!  The one on the bottom right is actually from Allison's town.  My Sim sneaked into her town to hug Megan the Cat!  Yes, she named the kitty after me.  I was with her when it happened - we were having beers!

A not as recent guilty pleasure: Subscription Boxes!  I have a minor addiction!  You can check out my reviews and past boxes here!

And, finally: Trashy TV and Movies.  I'm talking all sorts of nonsense.  From Teen Mom to America's Next Top Model to Devious Maids to Lifetime Movies - especially if they're about teen pregnancy, eating disorders, or teen destruction.  I know...sounds terrible, but I can't help it - it makes for good guilty pleasure viewing!  Plus, I mean, they kind of send good messages...in the end...usually.  Please don't judge me too hard!  I can't be the only one!

Care to share?  What are your guilty pleasures???  I'd love to hear them!

Day 6 "Why I Blog"

I started this blog as a way to put random stuff out of my head and out into the world.  I used to keep diaries...kind of.  And even went through a phase where it wasn't a diary, it was a journal, because journal sounded way cooler.  I also wanted a good way for my family to keep up on some of the random stuff I was doing - like fun adventures we had or cakes I baked, or other junk they might be interested in seeing about me and Rob...and Gatsby and what we've been up to!  I mostly just do it for me though!  It's something I had been interested in doing for a while - so I finally couraged-up and put myself out there!  I hope you like it...but if you don't, that's okay too!

Day 7 "5 Songs I'm Loving Right Now"

This is a tough one for me!  I'm not what you call a music connoisseur!

Here are the first five songs that come to mind / that I've listened to recently, in no particular order of how much I'm loving them!

1. The Pool Mashup song from the Pitch Perfect Soundtrack - Mash-up of Just The Way You Are and Just A Dream.  I've been playing this on my way home from work the past couple days!
2. One Is The Loneliest Number - Three Dog Night.  No real explanation here, it's just been stuck in my head lately???
3. Dark Horse - Katy Perry.  This comes on the radio all.the.time.  And, it always makes me want to bounce in a particularly creepy way!  Ummm...yeah, that's about it there.... ☺
4. Let It Go - Idina Menzel (not "Adele Dazeem") from the Frozen Soundtrack.  For when you just need that female empowerment ballad. 
5. Happy - Pharrell Williams.  This one just makes me happy.  But I guess that's appropriate!  

What are some songs you're loving up on lately???

Hope everyone is getting over their mid-week hump and looking forward to the end of the week / weekend!!  I know I sure am!  My Sims are having their first baby and I've got fun Mother's Day plans on Sunday with my Mom and Sister!!  

Blog Every Day in May: Day 4 "Something Wicked This Way Comes!!"

Today's post is about something that scares you, but we'll get to that in a moment. Today is also May 4th, which means all the Star Wars nerds are in full celebration mode!  "May the 'Fourth' be with you..."  Get it?!  Pretty cleaver stuff right there!  We aren't dis-included from this group. Rob is a pretty big fan of the force, so we spent the evening watching Episodes 4-6. 

Now on to the stuff my nightmares are made of.

The big one: Crocodiles and Alligators. 

These creepy dinosaurs make my skin crawl. I don't like seeing them at zoos or even at Disney World on the Animal Kingdom Safari ride!  While we were in Florida I refused my mom and sister going to the Everglades. I like having them alive. I don't even like seeing them in movies or on TV shows. I thought Steve Irwin was basically insane so I refused that show as well. Lake Placid still might be the scariest move I've ever seen. I am getting better. Meaning I can handle seeing the creatures on the tele or in movies but don't prefer it and I did pretty well with the gators at the mini golf place in Florida when Rob and I went a couple of years back. 

Some equally as irrational but not on the same level as the above:

~Getting a call that someone I love has been hurt or worse. Scary stuff right there. But I know it can't stop the fun parts of living. I mean, that's what it's all about, right?! 

~Ghosts. Yes, I'm a believer. Family members of mine have had past supernatural experiences. I just don't care to join that club. I mean,sure...if a loved one list wants to drop by to check in while I'm at work or in a deep sleep, I'm all for it. I just don't want to physically see or feel it. I would be perfectly happy if they just left me a note. Paper and pen. No creepy words drawn into the steamed up bathroom mirror. 

Hope everyone had a nice relaxing Sunday!  Forgive me if this post has some crazy formatting. I'm posting quick from bed on the iPad. 

But anyway, what spooks you out? 

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 3 "A Favorite Quote"

So, I don't really have a favorite quote per say...  I mean, there's no worldly and Earth-moving phrase that comes to mind so I'm kind of winging this one!  I even had trouble settling on a quote for my High School yearbook quote.  It couldn't be too common, but not so out of the world it didn't make sense either!  Did anyone else have trouble with that?

Anyway...without keeping you waiting further, here are a couple of random quotes I came up with to share.  I like them, and I even try to live by them (well, sort of - you'll see), but I still don't think I can call any one quote my "favorite."  I mean, it's like choosing a favorite song...I don't think I actually could narrow it down to one single song...or movie for that matter.

This one is a HP original...courtesy of one Miss Luna Lovegood:
      “Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.”  All credit here goes to the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling! 

I thought this was a good one and it really does make sense.  Even though you might lose something, it's never really lost.  In some way, shape or form it comes back to you, whether it be in a newer, better version, a fond memory of a loved one, or a second chance at something.

Another good one:
     "Everything happens for a reason."

I'm not really sure where this one originated, but I know my grandma and my mom are both big believers in this.  They always insisted on this piece of advice, no matter what the situation - good or bad.  This small sentence has a way of popping up in so many big events.  I am definitely a believer!  A relationship ends and you feel terrible but then realize it was because there was someone better you were meant to be with - maybe even just "you" for a while!  You lost a job and it seems like your world is spiraling out of control with bills and adulthood responsibilities but then you find your true calling in life and couldn't be happier.  Everything that happens does happen for a reason and whatever it is, enjoy the adventure. 

Want to see what I'll be up to the rest of the month?  Check out the list here!

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 2 "15 Facts"

So I'm barely sneaking this one in...we've been helping a couple of friends move all day!

Here's 15 Random Facts about Me!  Hope you enjoy - this is going to be quick....I'm pooped!

1. I was born in Illinois on a Naval Base.
2. I'm very close with my family - My mom and my Aunt are great and it's so fun to get to have a new, more adult type of relationship with them!  They're both such amazing women - I'm pretty lucky to have such great role models!  I also have one Sister, Lauren, who I've always gotten along with, even though we're pretty much opposites, and I don't know what I would do without her! 
3. I did most of my growing up in a small town where my mom still lives.  It's still fun to visit because you can't go anywhere without running into a familiar face!  Plus...it's on Lake Michigan...so that's also a big plus!
4. I live in Grand Rapids now...still close enough to my family but I really like the bigger city atmosphere.  There's so much more going on!
5. I share my home with my wonderful boyfriend, Rob (we've been together for just over 4 years now) and my fur babe, Gatsby, a 22 (down from 25)- pound black and white beast of a cat.  My boys make me so happy!  I love them both to pieces!!
6. I've known my bestfriend since 2nd grade...but back then I actually hated her!  She and I had our High School Graduation Party together and went to the same college, but never lived together....we would probably not be speaking if we did!  Thank goodness we didn't, because we still get together to do all sorts of amazing nonsense and I can definitely say my life would not be as sparkly-farkly without her!
7. My degree is in Advertising...although I have been working as a Paralegal for over 4 years now!
8. I have a complete addiction (somewhat newer...well, within the last 2 years or so) to subscription boxes and bath, body and make-up products!  I currently subscribe to Birchbox and PopSugar Must Have Box, both monthly, and FabFitFun and Fortune Cookie Soap Box, both seasonal!  I would do them all if I could...but I'm no millionaire...and I think Rob would probably kill me!
9. I love to bake!  I always have - it relaxes me, plus it's fun and you get to totally devour the fruits of your labor!
10. Another addiction: Broadway Musicals - love them, can't get enough of 'em, been to quite a few and am always down to see whatever I can!
11. I'd rather wear dresses than pants....any day!  Darn all the waistbands!!!  But a good belt to cinch it all in...that I'm down for!
12. I love to read (mostly young adult), but lately I've had absolutely zero interest in reading anything.at.all.  I'm looking to get my booking mojo back...but nothing yet.  I also really like listening to audio books in my car...and I have been known to get somewhere and sit in the parking lot until a good break in the story comes along!
13. I hate potatoes.  Any shape, sort or flavor of them.  I don't like French Fries, Potato Chips, Mashed Potatoes, or any other variety you can think of!  It's not a texture thing.  It's a I just think they're completely disgusting thing.  I do try some sort of tater every once in a while just to see if my taste buds have changed...but nothing yet.  Yuck!
14. I love traveling and wish I could do more of it!  I've been to several of the states and Mexico/Canada - so I've got a good hold on the North America Scene, but I've never been overseas and would love to visit so many places over yonder - like England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and Australia...plus so many other places!!!
15. I love beer, especially Michigan craft beers!  Rob and I are Mug Club members at Founders and Grand Rapids Brewing Company, and we're always excited to try new brews, and explore new breweries!  I'm also a pretty big fan of wines, although I'm a total sucker for the sweet ones!  Moscatos and Rieslings are my faves! 

Happy Friday, friends!  Hope you all have a fabulous weekend ahead of you!

Interested in joining me on this blogging adventure?  Check out the list here!

Blog Every Day in May 2014: Day 1 "Intro and Recent Photo"

Badadadadadaaa....Welcome to my first official day of my Blog Every Day in May 2014 challenge! P.S. That was meant to be a drum roll - although I'm not sure if it translated correctly or just came off plain crazy!? What did you think?! Good, bad...indifferent?! ☺ I'm a little nervous I'm not going to be able to make this actually happen, but hey...I won't know until I try! Plus, I figure I owe it to the Logs to get back at it since I've been a little MIA as of late!

Anyway, today is Day 1 which means an intro plus a recent photo of Moi.  I kind of covered the whole intro deal in my post the other day!  You can see it here if you want!  But the gist of it is:  1.  I made a list of random topics, 2. I'm gonna put together some typings on each of the aforementioned topics, 3.  And, I'm gonna do it daily (well, try to at least...that's where the challenge portion comes in play!)

And, now for the photo op - I kind of suck at taking recent photos so I collaged a few together that are more-or-less "recent."

1.  This is from the end of last year, so "recent-ish?!"  2.  Rob and I at Founders a couple of month's ago.  3-5.  Brittany and I at the Demi Lovato Neon Lights Tour Concert in March.  

Want to come along for the ride?!  Grab the button below and link back in the comments so I can check-out your challenge too!!  And, Good Luck!

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Blog Every Day in May: A Blogging Adventure

I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into here, but I've been wanting to try a "Blog Everyday" type challenge for a while now.  It's going to be tough, but I'm looking forward to pushing myself to be more present on my little Interweb Stoop!

So, I hope you'll join me and if you choose to do just that please make sure to link back in the comments so I can follow along your little journey as well!! 

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Tuesday Tea: Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

I'm super excited to be linking-up with Jenni at Frankly My Dear... for Tuesday Tea!

Tea...If you please...

I did a little baking this past weekend for my friend's birthday and thought I'd share one of my all-time favorite cupcake recipes with you!

These Pink Lemonade Cupcakes seriously scream Spring/Summertime and I have yet to hear anything negative about them!  So, if you're looking for a new recipe to impress your posse, give these a whirl!  The don't disappoint!!  The cake is so fluffy and light, perfectly moist and has the most amazing lemon flavor (it's the for-real zest that does the trick!) and the frosting is delightfully strawberry, made using actual strawberry puree!  But don't worry, it's way easier than it sounds!

And of course I can't take all the credit!  I wouldn't have found this lovely recipe without the amazingly talented Megan at What Megan's Making!  She is a crazy magician in the kitchen - check out her blog...you'll be left drooling!!!

Here's a few snaps of the little beauties...

I like to gather all my ingredients before I start a project and put away as I use what I need!  How do you like to start a kitcheny project?!  Care to share any tips or tricks??

Ingredient Round-Up!

Bonus:  These make your kitchen smell simply amazing!!!  Well...if you like the smell of fresh lemons and things baking at least!

YUM!  Almost Done!!

And here's the final result!

I used the Wilton 2D Tip to frost the cupcakes but I've also used the 1M Tip with equally pleasing results!  What are your favorite Tips to decorate with!?

But seriously, check out the recipe here and make some for the next Soiree you're set to attend - your friends will thank you and you'll look like a Top Chef!

Hint:  Since you're left with a couple bald lemons...I like to use them to make a knock-off County Fair Lemonade!  Just cut the lemons, squeeze them into a glass (I like to do this over a small mesh strainer so I don't get the seeds), and then add water, ice and sugar to taste.  Stir it up and enjoy!!

Hope you enjoy these as much as I have!!  Happy Tuesday, friends!! ☺

5 on Friday - Simple bits of random...

It's Friday!!  I can hardly believe it - the week seemed to just fly by!

I'm linking up with these lovely ladies {darci, april, christina and natasha} for another 5 on Friday post!

Keeping things simple this round! 

One.

They're opening a Lush in the Woodland Mall in GR!  This is both wonderful and dangerous!  It's going in where The Body Shop was (I'm still not really sure where they went...but I hope they just moved down the way, and have not evaporated from the mall all together).  I have a feeling I'm going to become even more obsessed with buying bath bombs and other such treats for the tub....problem being - we only have a shower!  Guess I'll be visiting mom's house to do a tub take-over! ☺

Two.

More excitement!  Fortune Cookie Soap finally revealed what their Summer Soap Box is going to be!!!  It's a Candy Land themed box!!!  EEEKKKK!!!  I'm so super duper excited!!!  I can't wait to get my hands (and nose) on all the creative new treasures they're sure to come up with!  Seriously, these folks are magicians with soap!  Check out my Spring Soap Box review here!

Three.

First a Turkey...now a Hole - what's going on GR?!  When the Gods opened up the sky and started melting the cold white stuff we discovered a frozen turkey buried inside a snowbank.  The turkey has since dissipated into nothingness, although I'm fairly certain a city squirrel and a few feral cats had quite the feast!  Now, not far from where the turkey was found, is a giant hole in the street.  Not a pot-hole, but a for-real, no jokes hole-kind-of-hole.  It goes sideways under the street.  For the first month or so, it was just something we knew was there and tried to avoid...hoping not to have an unfortunate ankle  accident!  Now there is a couple of wood sticks with some bright tape sticking out of it.  I think it's meant to be a warning, but I sure hope they fix it soon!

Four.

Love.  Thursday was our anniversary - four whole years together!  We checked out the new Barstillery down the street - Flatlanders!  It was pretty great! ....and I actually remembered to take pictures!  So, I'll be sharing the adventure with you soon!

Five.

Shop 'til you drop!  I gave up shopping for Lent...and I did a pretty good job of sticking to it this year!  I only slipped up once and that was because Mod Cloth was having their mystery bag sale - $10 for an apparel item...I couldn't pass up the opportunity!  But, I "behaved" a little - I only purchased two, and that was my only slip-up this year!  I'm calling this one a win!  But, now that Lent is over, I'm excited to get to do some damage at Sephora tomorrow with my Bestfriend!  I want to make the switch over to a deodorant without antiperspirant so that's for sure on my list....along with the new Benefit Big Easy....and probably a few other treasures I won't be able to tear myself away from!


I hope you all had a few things that made you smile this week too!  And...enjoy the weekend, friends!!!  Spring is finally here!!! ☼

Easter Weekend Roamings

So I've been a bit of a bad blogger, huh?!  You'd almost think I gave up blogging for Lent!  Hah, I didn't....I just had absolutely no desire to do anything particular so I didn't really have much to share!  It's been a lazy couple of months to say the least.  But this weekend I got out of the house - out of Grand Rapids and went on a little adventure with my beau!!

Our anniversary is coming up this week so I took Rob on a weekend date-cation to celebrate!  I kind of gave away the surprise a month ago or so, so I could plan around  his on-call schedule or anything else that could possibly interfere with our fun!  I "surprised" him with tickets to a Tigers Game so we headed over to Detroit on Friday to make a weekend of it.

▲▼▲ FRIDAY ▲▼▲

I took Friday off work so I could relax, clean the apartment, do some laundry, etc., etc., etc. When Rob got home we headed out.  Of course we had to make a quick stop at the Outlet Mall in Howell on our way across the state!  I replenished my candle collection with some great Spring/Summer scents and took home a few new clothing steals too!  (Okay, truth telling time - I gave up Shopping for Lent.  I was really good this time - so I figured it was okay to cheat a little so close to the end!  I mean, I didn't go crazy or anything!!) ☺

We arrived in Detroit around 8ish and checked in to the hotel, cleaned ourselves up and ventured out into the night in search of dinner!  Rob had heard good things about Fishbones, so we went there!  We started with Flaming Cheese!!  Rob had Jambalaya and I got a Crunch Roll.  Both were delicious!  They had a HUGE menu - and everything looked terrific - I definitely recommend checking them out if you're ever in the area!

Next we wandered over to the Greektown Casino - and managed to go in the back door!  There's a whole little village of shops and eatery type places back there, complete with faux shrubbery!  Neither one of us is much of a gambler.  In fact, we were watching some of the table games and decided that we basically understood nothing that was going on...so we made our way to the video game side - Hello Penny Slots!  I lost $3.00 and Rob somewhere around $6.00ish.  We did some people watching and exploring and then decided to wander back to the hotel, finding ourselves in the hotel bar for a nightcap before heading up to our room for the night!

▲▼▲ SATURDAY ▲▼▲

Game Day!  We woke up, grabbed a quick bite to eat and some coffee and headed out to Tailgate a bit.  The Tigers played the LA Angels and even won 5-2 which was awesome because they kind of got their butts kicked the night before!  The weather turned out great too!!!  The beer was flowing and our seats were in the sunshine so we even got a little pink-cheeked (with a minor case of raccoon-eye) - oh the wonderful beginning signs of summer!!  ☼  Rob picked up some new Tiger Gear (a shirt and a hat) and I got a tee-shirt too - my first official Tiger merch (not counting a VS tee from a few years back)!  

We did a post-game dinner / beer deal at the Detroit Beer Company - Rob had the 'Hair of the Dog' Burger and I devoured a Grilled Cheese with bacon and granny smith apples! Yum!!  After dinner we headed back to the room, relaxed a bit in the hot tub and then popped down to the hotel bar again!  Creatures of habit, you know...  Deciding that we wanted to get out on the town a little more, but not wanting to venture too far out we headed across the street and discovered this little po-dunk, hole-in-the-wall bar called The Bathtub Pub.  It was interesting - kind of looks like it's closed on the outside, but its just a great little secret spot.  We even got a basket of free fries (I don't personally like potatoes, but Rob enjoyed them) - either way, it was a nice gesture.  We were introduced to a new weird little cartoon called Golan the Insatiable (something about a cast-out demon and the little goth girl he befriends)?  One more trip to the other hotel bar and that was a night.  

▲▼▲ SUNDAY ▲▼▲

Happy Easter!  We checked out, had breakfast/lunch at Lafayette Coney Island and headed home....or to IKEA rather!  I tried the meatballs!!!  Finally...tricked out with gravy and lingonberry jam....and they were awesome!  We got some new trow pillows and shams and a new summer comforter because ours is too warm.  We ended up back in GR around 4:45pm and were welcomed home by a noisy little kitty!  The Easter Bunny even dropped by with a little surprise!  We wrapped up Easter with a low-key pasta dinner and some relaxing couch time!  And, we started watching Bob's Burgers on Netflix - which we both like so far!  It's kind of one of those sick-funny animated sitcoms for adults - similar to something along the same line as Family Guy or The Simpsons.  

The weekend was fabulous - and getting away for a little while was just what we both needed!  Hope everyone else had a wonderful Easter weekend!  

Five On Friday ♥

It's been a while, but I'm excited to be back at it and linking up

with Christina, Darci, April, and Natasha for 5 on Friday!!!

 



 

March has been buzzing with activity and keeping me pretty busy in the process - birthday parties galore, Michigan weather that can't make up its mind, soon to be concert crooners, a new friend to hang out with in the car, and obviously a bit of randomness!

 

• ONE •

 

Everyone and my sister has a birthday in March!  I swear, it's totally nuts!  Last weekend we celebrated Rob's nephew's sixth birthday (his for-real bday was in January), but better late than never! ☺  It was great to get together with his family and nosh on all the Pinterest-y types of yummies!

 

Here's the cute little creation his mom came up with (with a little thanks to the above mentioned Pinterest) for the Birthday Treat!  I made the frosting and then piped it on to look like little bits of grass - you know, just doing my part!  I think it really turned out cute!  She always adds such sweet little touches (ahem, barrel of jelly beans, little chocolate chicks...need I say more)!

Followed by that was my dear little sister's 25th birthday!  She's a whole quarter of a century old now which makes me feel super old!  Yikes!  I always love getting together with my family no matter what the occasion!  There's always great food, lots of treats and even more laughs!  This time around we played 'what can we find in the basement and in Lauren's closet' followed by a quick gander at some old photos! 

 

 We have had Dirt Cups (you know...oreos, pudding, gummy worms...amazingness) in lieu of cake for the past couple years for her birthday dessert but this year she went with Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins which are also super tasty!  Later when the exploring began, we found an old marionette 'Nsync doll from back in the day hiding in her closet - remember this guy?  (Side note:  One of Gatsby's many nicknames is in fact "Joey Fat-One!")  All in all it was a really fun day!  Happy Birthday, Lo!

More birthdays coming soon:  Rob's is Monday (also Oberon release day for all the Michigander followers!) but we're celebrating with his family tomorrow!  Bestfriend Allison's golden birthday is next week with my Little's!  And then March is pretty much over! 

• TWO •

 

 What's up Michigan....it's Spring now.  I would appreciate it greatly if you would act like it!  Last week it was nice and sunny and warm (for here at least) then on the for-real first day of Spring, what do we wake up to but another dusting of snow and frost!  I'm all for 'Pure Michigan' but I'm so over this fresh powder stuff!  Bring on the green grass and flowers! ☼

• THREE •

So...Rob and I were heading out the other day on a little local adventure, and what do we find stashed in the half-melted snow bank next to his car but a ...

Yes...there was an actual 'city' turkey hanging out in the snow bank.  We're not sure how it got there but figured it's so random, why not mention it!

• FOUR •

Sunday Funday here we come!  My gal pal and newest friend to join the bloggy lands and I have an action packed day full of fun planned to cap off our weekends!  We're starting by seeing Divergent in the IMAX (in bangin' seats I might add - thanks Britt!) and then heading over to Fan Girl out over Demi Lovato's Neon Lights Tour!!!

Confession time:  I originally had this as Number Three, but I couldn't resist making it 'Four!' ♥

• FIVE •

A new friend to hang out with me in the car!  Sounds a little creepy, right?!  Rest assured, I have not been forcing someone to ride around in my car to keep me company!  I renewed my library card (because for some crazy reason GR thinks you should every three years???) and took myself on a date through the YA Audio Book section!  I picked up a couple that struck my fancy:  Extras (the final book in the Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld) and Wither (the first book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy by Lauren Destefano).  I'm around 3/4 of the way done with Wither and so far I like it pretty well.  It's not life changing but it's entertaining and a nice switch from the same-ole-same-ole radio nonsense. 

A Friends Update:  I'm almost done with Season Two!  Currently watching "The One With the Chicken Pox" where Phoebe and Charlie Sheen get down and dirty scratching in the living room! 

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend!?