Survey….

So I am on a quest to plan a spectacular 40th birthday party for the hubster.  I love planning and hosting parties; however, this one is so difficult for me!

It is not that he is a hard man to please with ridiculous expectations.  It is just that I want it to be fabulous!  He has several interests for themes, and I just can’t decide on what to do…….

Here is  a little background.  He is very much the outdoors type.  He loves fishing and hunting deer, of course football, nascar, and he loves his beer.  So here are some of the ideas floating around….

A beer tasting celebration

A 1940’s theme since he is 40

A rustic outdoors birthday party

A tigers football party

So let me also take the time to tell you now that the weekend that the hubster’s party is scheduled for is the LSU vs. Alabama game.  Which is a big deal to us since that is our number one rival.  I can’t plan for another weekend due to his work schedule, so…..I am not sure what to do??

Now your job is to weigh in on this dilemma and tell me what theme you think is the best for a 40th birthday bash!!

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Football is BACK!!

I just thought I would shout that out just in case any one missed the opening weekend, lol!

     

As many of you know the hubster and I participated in our beloved Saints team’s back to football 5k Saturday morn.  It was an exciting event, and I was so happy to have such a big/important race for our first one together.  The race was sponsored by the Gleason foundation.  If any of you are die hard football fans you know that Steve Gleason was a Saint’s player that was diagnosed with ALS a few years ago.  He was best known for his game winning block of a punt at the end of our first game back in the dome after hurricane Katrina!

We woke up super early Saturday morning to make our way into the city for the race.  The course started in Champion’s Square, ran through the French Quarter, and ended on the fifty yard line of the Super Dome. 

We were a hot and sweaty mess afterwards, lol!  It is still well into the 90’s in Louisiana after all.  Which I could totally tell during my run.  Between the heat, humidity, and street conditions (if you have ever been in New Orleans you will understand) I didn’t finish as well as I would have like, but I am still pleased with the results.  I had to stop and walk several times for the above reasons affecting my breathing, feet, and ankles.  My finishing time was 34:10, and the hubster’s was 24:42!  I was very jealous excited for him. 

He has only been running for about three months now, since I asked him to participate in the race with me, and when we started he could barely make it the two miles with me that I normally run around our university’s campus.  As you can tell by now he leaves me in the dust, lol!  I was very happy for him 🙂

Nothing in New Orleans is complete without a tailgate party!  We stayed in Champion’s Square for several hours after the race to enjoy some beer, food, and music.  Of course we knew this would be going on so we were smart enough to reserve a hotel room for the night and just enjoy our time together.  We ate lots of yummy food, drank a little too much beer, and just had a blast New Orleans style!  Here is to football season 🙂

A Stitch Fix Win

So most of you guys have been reading the blog long enough to know that I have a monthly subscription to a personal online styling service, Stitchfix!

I love what this service offers.  For those unfamiliar with it, you go to their website, fill out a very detailed style profile, and for a 20$ fee they have a stylist pick 5 items to ship to you at home.  Four of the items are clothing, while one may or may not be jewelry/accessory.  Once your box arrives you get to try on your items in the comfort of your home to decide which items will work for you.  Once your choices are made you go online to check off the items you are keeping, place the items to return in a pre-paid shipping bag, and drop it off.  That simple!  Oh and your 20$ styling fee?……it comes off of the final price of your invoice so you really do not loose money!

I have raved about my love for the service several times already.  This month was great!  It is the first box from the service in which I have kept all five items – giving me the chance to use my savings for purchasing the entire box 🙂

 

I usually always keep the jewelty item that is sent in the box.  I mean let’s be honest, what woman doesn’t like jewelry??  Such a cute and different bracelet.

  

I was excited to see this top in my fix.  Most of the items I get are usually a little on the “dressier” side.  I was excited to see a more casual piece this month.

I wasn’t sure when I first saw this shirt if I would like it or not.  Of course once I tried it on it was too adorable.  I love the “lace” detail on the top/back. 

This one by far was my favorite item in the box.  I love flowing type tops, and I also love things that are different colors.

This is the one item that I was going to return at first.  The only reason for that was because it was a little too tight on me.  I also know that is because of the weight/inches gained in the past several months, but who wants to spend money on something they aren’t comfortable in?  The only reason I kept it was because sending it back would only save me like 8$$!!  You get a percentage off for keeping all items in the box, so returning this skirt voids the discount making the totally difference on eight bucks.  So I decided to keep it for 8$, and I am sure once my body gets back on track it will fit fine.  It is an awesome skirt after all!

I really loved this pattern on this skirt.  It is totally different than anything that I would normally buy for myself.  Which is one of the main reasons that I love the service.  All of the items I have kept from them are things that I wouldn’t have even tried on much less purchased has I been shopping in a store.  That and they are so different from most things you can find in stores 🙂

This one was a total win!!!

Let’s talk cake

I have been a little absent from the blog lately…….for various reasons. Kids, summer fun, no net service, work, etc. The list goes on. I would like to make it up to you. In the form of cake!

Now I can't give you cake, they have made the transfer then Internet option available…….yet. However, I can give you a recipe for the tastiest, easiest summertime cake ever!

 

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 can crime of coconut (ya know up piña colada stuff)
• 1 container of whipped cream
• 1-2 cups shredded coconut

1. Mix cake according to box directions and bake……while this is going on open can of cream of coconut and mix well.
2. When cake is baked use a fork to “punch” holes all,over the top…..I do mean all over!
3. Pour the can of cream of coconut over the cake (or two cans if you really feel feisty).
4. Place in fridge to cool completely.
5. Mix cool whip and shredded coconut together, spread on top of cake and serve!

That is it! Easy, tasty, and totally addictive!!

 

 

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No Wifi :(

I have no Internet at my house currently so no WIAW post today. I am literally typing this in my 5 minute break at work. So instead I give you three things I am loving now……..

Dill havarti cheese

 

My homemade millet granola on top of sweet potato, topped with coconut milk!

 

My new sink!! If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook……..you saw my pic of my hole

 

It went down a couple of weeks ago. Here is a before………

 

And here is after…….

 

I am a happy, happy girl!

 

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My Very First Stitch Fix Fail….

Do you guys remember a few weeks ago when I shared with you my love for Stitch Fix? I am sure you do!

I have been using the service for about five months now, and I am totally in love with it.

Sadly this months fix was the first fail for me 😦

It wasn't because I didn't like the items in the box. Oh no! I was in love with the colors and patterns when I opened it. I just wasn't in love with the cut and fit of them…..,,,

Item número uno…..a very pretty skirt. I really loved the color of this skirt. What I didn't like – that it was a high waist skirt. I do not like anything with a high waist. Mainly because of my ridiculous “baby bump” that I still carry around, but also I must confess that I have a piercing which makes items with a high waist uncomfortable when sitting.

Up next was a very cute ikat print dress. It was a wrap dress, I hate wrap dresses :(. I really loved the colors/pattern, but I usually never buy anything that requires it to be tied around me. I will rock a belt with the best of them, but something that ties in a bow…..no thanks!

Then there was the maxi dress. Same story….awesome chevron print, beautiful colors, horrible cut. The dress was way to big for me, looked like a maternity dress (no offense to my expecting mothers), and was just really unflattering…..see for yourself!

Yep had to wear shirt under it……entire side of bra was showing!

I even tried belting it, and that didn't work either.

Now this little gem was my absolute favorite thing in the box! Until I put it on that is. While it,looks really cute the cut around the arms was just horrible, and if I raised my arms the shirt didn't fail back into place when they were lowered. I had to tug it back down and ain't nobody got time for that!!

The necklace was the only thing in the box that fit right, and in order to not lose my 20$ styling fee I kept it. Normally this little cutie would have went back due to price…..uh…..42$$. Now I do not mind spending money on jewelry, but I would have never purchased this on my own for that price. Since it was the only item in the box that worked it is what I kept.

So out of five boxes this is the first that didn't have any items to fit/keep. I say that is not too bad, but here is looking forward to a better box next time!!

p.s. if you would like to try the service for yourself I would appreciate it if you would use my referral code listed below, thanks so much!!

http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3049712

 

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Yogi On The Lake – wordless post

 

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Sweet Sweet Summertime!

Howdy do to all of you!! I am hoping that your summer is gong as grand as mine. I really do love this time of year, not only because I am out of school, but also because there are so many fun things to do!

We spent Saturday on the lake with friends. They have a poker run every year for a local fire department fundraiser so we enjoyed friends, food, and very fun dancing 🙂

We are soaking in the sun on my new huge lake raft that I am so enjoying this year. One side is flat with a back piece that will lay all the way back with you for sunbathing. The opposite is a circle piece for people sitting up. It has to built in coolers and several cups holders……love it!!

Saturday night was spent on the dance floor…..and running back t the tv room to check on the game…..how bout dem tigahs!!!!!!!!!

LSU is headed to Omaha again this year, so exciting!!

 

Sunday the hubster and I spent the day together shopping, and eating a fabulous lunch! We went to a locally owned place in a neighboring town that has all Caribbean inspired foods…..so good! I enjoyed a shrimp rotis (wrap) that had shrimp, cucumber, tomato, avocado, and a super yummy sauce…..with Caribbean spiced sweet potato fries.

After lunch we went to academy to purchase bicycles for us. I am so excited that we now have bikes to red with the boys. I do not have a pic but I am sure some will be coming up soon since we are taking the camping this week. We leave today for “yogi bear campgrounds” in Pelahatchie MS. It is one of the boys favorite places to visit! Look for a recap post soon 🙂

So as you can see I have been busy with fun activities, spending lots of time with the boys, swimming, biking, and just plain enjoying myself! If only I could live this ah year round, lol! I hope that your summer is going as well as mine, and that man of you are getting out to enjoy all the fun seasonal activities.

The boys sure have with their “home made water slide”!!

 

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Recouping….

 

This past week/weekend was my good friends bachelorette trip to the beach. Which means that today I am unpacking, washing, and organizing.

I do not ave any pics to share with you guys. First, I didn't know most of the ladies on the trip so I will not post pics without their permission, and secondly I honestly left my phone alone for most of the time there.

I can however share this weeks menu plans with you since I prepared it last night!!

• Monday – meatloaf meatballs, fresh green beans and potatoes
• Tuesday – lasagna with roasted summer squash and zucchini
• Wednesday – squash casserole and salad
• Thursday – tilapia with roasted veggie salad
• Friday – leftovers
• Saturday – tuna salad

I am not sure what my workout schedule will be this week. I am hoping to get the new class schedule and attend some morning classes now that summer is here. I will probably keep things a little low key today since my legs are sore from the weekend. We literally walked the beach the entire time we were out there Saturday, followed my a very late night of dancing 🙂

 

In other exciting news the hubster and I are getting bikes this week before our camping trip next week!!!

 

 

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Life changing?……

Such a loaded question wouldn't you agree? What makes something life changing to you?

For myself many things can be life changing. Even the smallest, simplest of things can be considered life changing. So today I am going to share something with you that I consider life changing!!

The lovely little product above is something I stumbled across because of a friend selling it. I was very skeptical of the claims. Until I tried it!

Nerium is basically an age defying serum that was stumbled upon through research for cancer treatments. It contains the Nerium plant which is wonderful for so many things. I could go on and on about. The science and research behind it, but I will not go into that the blog. I do however hope that you guys will go the the website listed below and read up on the product for yourselves!

So back to my story – my friend is selling the product and wanted me to try it. I will admit I was very skeptical. Do you know how much money I have wasted on face products????

Well I finally gave on and tried it. Guess what? I really like and can see a change! I will share some pics with you only if your promise not to LSU and ridicule my horrible, no make up, end of school year face!

 

 

You see Nerium is used for fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, age spots, discolorations, acne, etc. So I tried it for a week and a half. Took the after pics and was shocked to see the difference a week and a half made!!

I absolutely love this product! So much so that I am now wanting to start selling it as well. The product cost 110$ for a bottle, or you can sign up as a preferred customer and it will be shipped to you automatically every month for 80$ plus tax/s&h.

Now I now this sounds like a lot of money, and believe me I know it is. However, it replaces all serums, creams, eye creams, etc used. So if I add up how much I send on severs products for a nighttime routine then it is the same.

You simply was your face at night, and then you apply the Nerium. While skin is still damp, let it dry, go to sleep. That easy! When you wake up in the morn you wash the areas that the Nerium was applied, apply your daily moisturizer, with SPF please, and go about your day.

Your skin will feel slightly tight after it dries, and it has a funkyish smell, but I promise you get use to it!

So if you are interested in the product please visit my site listed below. A 30 day money back guarantee is offered as well. You can basically use the bottle and send it back empty for a refund if you are not satisfied with resu,to, who can beat that?

http://www.hgarner.neriumproducts.com

Please let me know via email [helennaturally@gmail.com] if you are interested in trying the product so I can get you set up with your order.

Beautiful skin lasts a lifetime and is a wise investment!!

 

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