Unwanted House Guest

So today I was walking downstairs and there it was...right there on the tile at the bottom of the staircase...wiggling all eight legs at me...A SPIDER!!

Side note - Okay so I have this intense fear of spiders or basically all insects. This fear was intensified last summer when our house was infested with fleas via the Charles, and I several days of crawly creatures in my house!

Back to today - when I saw the frightening creature first I held back the scream that was at the tip of my throat and tried to re-group quickly. I quietly tip-toed past the creepy crawly creature and ran to the bathroom to grap some good old TP. I wanted him to be unsuspecting so I could sneak up and get him. However, when I came out of the bathroom he was no where to be found..you know what that means folks...He is somewhere inside the house!! NOT COOL! All the sudden I started to get the crawly sensations and thought it was crawling all over my body! He is still MIA but now I freaked to walk anywhere near there!

Does this happen to anyone else??
What is your best creepy crawly creature experience?

Weekend Festivities

I know that I have been semi-MIA with blogging lately...I apologize! There had been a lot going on with the Hubs trip and complications with the return date and basically I just didn't feel like writing anything! To make a long complaint short, his trip kept getting extended and even though he was not gone for a long time total..I started to feel that he was never coming back because every day my hopes would be dashed that I would get to see him soon :(
All that changed though when He finally made it home!! I can't tell you how excited I was!! He returned home on Thursday morning and I was seriously as giddy as I was on our wedding night (sorry if that is TMI but it's true)!So needless to say my weekend started a little early this week!!!
We spent the rest of Thursday getting all of his in processing taken care of, running errands, and basically spending time together! Oh, how I missed him! The Charles was really excited to have his dad back too...his tail has not stopped wagging!
Since the Hubs didn't have to be back to work till Sunday (boo for working on The Lords day) that still gave us two whole other days together...and it felt like the most precious gift ever! On Friday we decided to take a road trip...whoo hoo...gotta love road trips!! We drove down to Washington DC/Northern Virginia area to our favorite Mall and restaurant (actually we go there more for the restaurant but you have to love that it is in a mall)!! For those of you familiar with the area...we LOVE Tyson's Corner and even more WE LOVE COASTAL FLATS restaurant!!!
If you are in that area and ever looking for good food the Great American Restaurants is a group of locally owned restaurants that are by far the best food that I have ever tasted..and i am a huge foodie that is very picky!! They have these rolls that are to die for and don't even get me stared on the White Chocolate bread pudding (all i can say is heaven in my mouth and five pounds on my hips..but totally worth it)! Everything there is homemade with the most delicious sauces. I think they have about 7 different restaurants around the area and have amazing customer service that makes the food taste even better :)
Ok, back to the weekend!! On the way home we hit horrible traffic but as long as I was with the Hubs I totally didn't care! Oh and we were able to start a new book on CD which made the return trip go by quickly. We stopped at the best Panera ever on our way home (their bread is by far has the best texture and freshness of any Panera I have been too before). So are you starting to see a pattern...my life revolves around food :)
Today was a chill day...hanging around the house...running errands...walking the dog...having our first grill-out of the summer and having huge rainstorms to go along with it!
This weekend has seriously been top-notch and I can't even express how amazing it is to have our family whole again! It was really hard to have him away, especially at the end with all the complications, but having him back again makes it all worth it!

How was everyones weekend???
What was your favorite thing you did this weekend?

Try-em out Tuesdays - Episode 2

Welcome all to the second episode of "Try-em out Tuesdays"

*Sorry all who were looking forward to the big nail polish review..unfortunately I was a slacker and didn't get the nail polish on the toes in time to fully test it out before today! Don't worry though, that review will be coming soon and today we have another amazing product to showcase :)

One of the shows that I followed religiously in high school and through college was TLC's "What not to Wear"! Stacy and Clinton totally became those voices in my head that would always make me analyze what I was/am wearing or buying. Even to the point that every time I step out of the house in my sweats I hear them saying "Sweats are for inside use only" and that there are other comfy clothes that can be worn outside! Every Friday night I would watch the show and every Saturday morning I would beg and plead my friends and family to enter me for a makeover, did I dress that bad...NO..but could I for a $5,000.00 Shopping spree...YES!! Needless to say they never gave in to my pleadings :(

One aspect of the show that I became obsessed with was the makeup, and more specifically..the Spray-on foundation that Carmindy used a lot of the time! It always looks so flawless and I had to have it! For years (yes really years) I search for this product but all that I could find was MAC or other expensive products that were similar..However, I didn't want to spend $70 on something I didn't even know I would like (although many times if it wasn't for the lack of $$ I probably would have).

Then what started as a really bad day held a surprising twist that is now bringing you the Featured product of the week! But before the big reveal I have to give the story (sorry ahead of time for the long post)!

About a month ago I woke up with the whole right side of my face in extreme pain. It felt like my

sinuses but a problem tooth also hurt very much and I couldn't eat anything. I headed to work and tried to ignore the pain and misery I was feeling. One of the kind ladies that I worked with at the time saw my pain and sent me straight to CVS to get some medication. Now, I don't normally shop at CVS (kind of pricey) but it was the closest drugstore to work. I new I had to focus and head straight to the medicine aile. However, I didn't know where that was so I had to wander around for a little bit to find it. I think by now everyone knows about my make-up addiction and as I was looking for medicine I spotted the make-up aile. Focus Ashley, Focus. your here to stop the pain..but the pull of the make-up was just too strong..I had to have just one peak.

That is when I spotted it...Carmindy's face..Sally Hanson make-up....could this mean what I think it means???? YES!!! And there it was, right in front of me, glowing it's magic make-up glow! I want natural beatuy too...I have to have it!

Sally Hanson Natural Beauty Airbursh Spray Makeup

Inspired by Carmindy

Yeah it's for real :) Right then and there I temporarily forgot the intense pain my face was in and almost screamed in delight over this new addition to my make-up bag (yeah I had to buy it)! that was when i realized that all pain isn't bad..i mean i would have never been to CVS or saw this wonderful make-up if it hadn't been for my intense need for medication!

Now for the review...

I would give this product an A. It cost about $12-13 for a 1oz can which lasted me about 1 month. It gives a good overall coverage and also had olive oil extract, chamomile and vitamin A to help condition your skin. It did not make me breakout (which a lot of make-ups do) and it covered all my flaws! One recommendation would be to use a make-up sponge to apply it (I used my fingers and I think I went through it a lot faster than I needed too). As I had mentioned earlier I had looked into other airbrush make-ups such as MAC and in comparison I thought the Sally Hanson product was up there with them and for a fraction of the cost! It is also a lot of fun to shake the can (probably did it more than necessary but I like to entertain myself)! I guess the only negative part is that I felt i went through it a little quicker than I would have liked but I think by using the sponge it will help and I loved the look it gave. I was really surprised because I am usually not a fan of Sally Hanson but they did a good job with this one! Try it out all!!

Oh and I am sorry again for the lack of pics...hubby still gone with the camera!!!

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations Iva!!!

You have won your own bottle of Nivea Beautiful Legs and some other sun essentials :)

Thank you all so much for all the comments, new followers and participating in my First Giveaway!! I have already been able to meet some really neat people and read some amazing blogs :) All of you lovely ladies Rock!

*oh and i promise that it was completely random...i don't know how most people do it but I went with the name pull from a hat :)

I can't thank you guys enough for your encouragement and the fact that you read my blog! Stay tuned for next Tuesday's episode of "try-em out Tuesday"! This may be my first giveaway but it wont me my last!

Try-em out Tuesdays - Episode 1

*One note before we start...I apologize because I have pictures to prove my findings but unfortunately there was major camera malfunctions today (meaning my camera broke and the Hubs has the other camera with him) so you will just have to take my word for it!

Hey all!!

Welcome to the first episode of "Try-em out Tuesdays"! I am so excited to share with you my first experiment and hopefully make you more educated when you enter the beloved Target (or a similar store)!

Now ladies since it is June, I officially consider it summer and summer means none other than the dreaded (or anticipated) shedding of the layers of clothes and even stepping into a ..dare I say it..Bikini!
We all frantically try to get ourselves ready for this special season and though many of us look forward to vacation, cute clothes, and warm weather...we feel that our bodies are not prepared for the unveiling. Some go as soon as they can to the local tanning salon and pay crazy amounts in order to camouflage the lovely (or pasty) white skin that God gave them. Others go to their local target and stand for hours trying to determine which product will get the job done fairly well enough not to blind anyone without spending an arm and a leg (well a least then it would be less skin to worry about)!
I have found myself in the same situation and had recently seen a lot of commercials for "Nivea Sun Kissed Legs" which promised tan and glowing legs in five days and the need to shave less ...what more could a girl want! And at under $10 was if for real? There has to be some catch so I decided to purchase it and check it out myself.



So here goes the unveiling of the first test....

Now for a little background on my tanning expertise/experience...I worked at an upscale tanning salon in Bako, CA for about 5 years (shout out to EuroTan) and pretty much tried every bed and every product possible during that time. My work experience made me set on the fact that High Pressure "Euro" beds were the only way to go in order to tan safely (don't worry I wont go into my speech but if you want to know more please ask) and if I wasn't up for laying in the beds then spray tanning was the only way to go! However, along with the move to NJ taking me away from the fam it also took me away from my beloved EuroTan. I tried a couple places around here but nothing compared and I really couldn't afford to spend all that money right now (since I had tanned for free when I was working in the salon).

I have tried several "over the counter" tanning lotions but nothing really delivered good results.

Now for the results (and if you are still with me through all that..thanks)!

I give this Product a grade of a B.

I was actually really surprised that it did as well as it did! When I started my legs were pasty white and within 5 days they have been transformed into a tannish golden color that looks natural and isn't streaky! Hot Dog we have a winner :)

The reason that I gave it a B and not an A is that I really didn't see any change in the shaving frequency. My legs were still just as hairy (which is pretty bad) and I still had to shave just as often, but at least I was shaving tan legs instead of blinding white ones :)

I would totally recommend this product if you are looking for a way to spare the innocent by-standers from being blinded as you shed the layers this summer! And you just can't beat the price! I believe it was about $7 and I found that it has worked the best of all the other tanning lotion options presented in your local drug store. I would just forget about the shaving factor because that isn't as promising.

Well i hope this helped all of you fine ladies in your quest to save money and look HOTT :)

And in celebration of the first Try-em out Tuesday episode I am doing my first giveaway!!

All you need to do is follow me and leave a comment (if you already follow me then you can just leave a comment)! This will close Sunday at 2pm eastern time and then the winner will be chosen randomly and announced Sunday night and will receive their own bottle of Nivea sun kissed legs and a few other summer goodies :) Also, If you post this on your own site I will get two more entries into the giveaway! You may only enter once otherwise.

Good luck all!

Oh, and don't forget to tuned next Tuesday to find out if the price actually makes a difference in life of your nail polish!

Have a great Tuesday!

One More Charles Story

So some of you might have already heard this story since it happened a few weeks ago..but for those of you who haven't ...here it goes!

Well a few weeks ago The Charles woke up at about 2am ready to go. I let him out to do his business and then I put him in his crate (which we keep in the garage) so I could get some more shut eye. Now I was half asleep when I locked him in his crate with his cookie (yes I bribe my dog and I am not ashamed to admit it)! I went back to sleep but then I woke up at 6:45 am to a scratching noise coming from downstairs. I was really confused since the Hubs was gone and the Charles was locked up (or so I thought)! I cautiously made my way down the stairs and I heard the noise coming from the garage. I opened the door to an escaped dog and some dirt! Now where did the dirt come from you ask???? I had no idea! I checked out the trash bags, but no holes..I checked all around and I couldn't figure it out! That's when I remembered the potting soil by the garage door..bingo! First I should add that the Charles had acquired this new obsession with eating dirt..eww gross! The Charles had ripped open the soil bag and now there was potting soil everywhere! I appreciate him trying to help me garden but usually you can't really grow things on cement..sorry to break it to you Charles :)
I was steaming mad as I read him the riot act (which i know he didn't understand but at least it made me feel better)! Then I had to figure out how to clean the mess up. We had yet to purchase a big broom or anything that would help in this case. That's when I spotted it...the fireplace tools! Bingo again! Apparently the fireplace sweeper and shovel can double as potting soil pickup tools!

The funny thing is that just the day before I thought to myself.."Wow, our garage is still really clean"!

More Antics from The Charles...

(yeah he likes to show his goods!)

Let me first say that never underestimate the power of a dog or think you have their strength under control (especially when they weigh almost as much as you)!

Before the Hubs left I had really gotten out of practice with walking the dog...if I went I usually just tagged along while Hubby was the one to hold the leash. Don't get me wrong...it was very nice, but once he left it was a whole other ball game! I became a single dog parent for a little bit and with the dominate male out of the house...well...the Charles decided he would take on that role (meaning he would become impossible)! For the first few weeks I was working crazy hours and didn't have a lot of time to walk him and he was spending about 11 hours a day locked up in his crate (which is a no no since labs need their exercise)! I would come home exhausted and unleash the beast from his crate. Since he was getting a ton of sleep during the day I was getting up with him every night at about 2 or 3am! Not fun!

Well since I haven't been working so much I have made it a necessity to take him on one long walk a day and one short walk. We also try to play a lot so that I get out all his energy during the day...there's no daytime napping for the Charles anymore (and now he is sleeping till 5am..yay)!

The walks have been a challenge since he walks faster than me and as much as I have been working with him, he continues to pull (which is really frustrating). I have kept at it though and felt that he had made some progress....until today!

It actually started out as a pretty calm walk but when you add in two other dogs along the way I quickly remembered how strong my dog is when he decides he wants to run! Not fun! So while I am trying to control him as he is running this way and that towards the dog with the mom, toddler and stroller in tow (yeah her dog was just siting there barking...not fair)..I am profusely apologizing to the other mom and try not to scare her with my mad dog handling skills! I am sure I was a site to see! I finally got somewhat control of the Charles and with only one ripped-up toenail on my end (yeah walking in flip flops wasn't the best idea) we continued on our way!

I am just glad that he didn't run because let me tell you...it was a shocking reminder of how strong he is and how weak I am!

*note for future female dog parents...it may not be the wisest thing to start out with a dog that is going to weigh almost as much of you and be way stronger...and if you do...I would highly suggest investing in a few dog training sessions!

Well at least we made it back in one piece..well almost..poor little toenail!