Friday Faves

I'm back for another edition of Friday Favorites. I mean, let's be honest, it's Friday so it's naturally a favorite right? Click the button to join in on the fun, let's get started, shall we?

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My computer is back up and running. He was sick with a virus and the doctor took care of him. No joke y'all, the struggle was real. My eyes are shit to begin with (legit, I have one of the highest prescriptions for my contacts!) so having to squint to view a small laptop was no good - so glad to have my big monitor back!

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I have a hair appointment this afternoon to finally go blonde with my ombre look. Since my hair is so dark we had to go in steps, first with a caramel, and now with the blonde, to ensure the blonde would stay without turning brassy or orange. I am so excited. I've wanted blonde in my hair for several years and I sure hope it turns out as I want it to. Here is my hair pinspiration (get it? Pinterest!)





Swoon!

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Cadence has a pageant coming up and our most favorite thing of all is trying on dresses. We always rent because she only does one to two pageants a year and I'm not about to go drop a lot of money on a dress she's going to wear one time. We have an appointment tomorrow to try some on and I think both of us are equally as excited. The room is full of glitter, sparkles and shine. What's not to love?!

I'll have to share some dress pics come Monday.

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We are officially two weeks away from our vacation as of today. Wow! The time has flown and now that it's so close it's creeping by. I guess that's how it goes, right?

Cadence has been watching one Disney movie each night to count it down. Funny thing is Cinderella 1, 2, and 3 have been played back to back to back. That child has been on a Cinderella kick lately. It's funny how children can love one thing one minute and something totally different the next.

She also has been loving school. Not even on day one has she fought going. On Saturday afternoons she always asks, "is it school tomorrow?" I love that she loves to learn. I always get so excited opening up her book bag in the afternoons to see what new things she has learned or done that day.

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Maybe it's just me, but I truly do not understand bankruptcy...if you do, please explain.

Teresa Guidice (RHONJ) is one of my favorites. I love her tell it like it is attitude and how she doesn't apologize for who she is, but I don't understand how they have "no money" yet they are still driving around in their brand new Mercedes SUV and you're constantly seeing tweets and celebrity bloggers posting about how she just recently got botox, fillers, and going on lavish vacations with her husband. I though bankruptcy meant you were broke? Am I wrong?!

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I'm so happy it's Friday! I cannot wait to spend some quality time with my family this weekend.

xo

Never Forget

It's hard to believe that it has been 13 years since the attacks on our nation.

I truly remember that day like it was yesterday. Where I was, what I was doing...

There were so many innocent people who said goodbye to their loved ones that day not knowing it would be their last. Moms, dads, wives and husbands. Aunts, uncles, siblings and friends.

The thought of losing any of my family members puts a pit deep in the bottom of my stomach and I hope I never have to endure the pain and suffering that some people are still going through today, even after all these years. 

Like most of you probably remember, there were several stories of wives calling their husbands from the towers to say goodbye. There were several voicemails left on answering machines with terror in their voice. What a tragic time in our nation.

I am so glad that we have prevailed. That we have and will continue to stand strong as one. 

I will be praying hard tonight for the families who are still affected by this heinous crime committed on September 11, 2001. May they feel peace and may God wrap his loving arms around them and give them the comfort that they so desperately need. 

May we never forget!

God Bless America!

Not leaving but...

...my computer is toast!

He's headed to the doctor tomorrow to see if he can be fixed.

I will not be blogging until I get him back!

Bare with me...

"Technology is good, until it isn't..."

Disney Excitements

After all the planning, spending and countless days our trip is almost upon us. I am excited about every inch of our trip, but I wanted to share with you my top 10 things that I am most excited about!

Ten.

Disney's Frozen Summer Fun

It's no secret that the world is blowing up with all things Elsa, Anna and Olaf. My child is no exception. We went and saw Frozen in theaters and she has been hooked ever since. As soon as the DVD released I was that mom at Walmart at 7:30 on a Tuesday morning to ensure she had it and she has watched it once a week since. Although Anna and Elsa are available to meet & greet in Disney at all times now, Disney introduced Frozen Summer Fun which is lasting up until the end of the year. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios has a parade and show revolved around all things Frozen. 

I know Cadence is going to love this and that's why it made it on my list.

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Nine.

Coronado Springs Resort

We have stayed at a Disney resort once before. This will be our second time. Each time we try out a different resort and it's always so much fun to see what your resort has to offer. Ours has a Mexico themed, along with man made beaches and hammocks. It also offers bonfires and marshmallow roasting each night - how fun!

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Eight.

Disney Treats

We've been to Disney several times and their treats are unlike any other. Not just the taste but the time and effort that they put into decorating a candy apple or cupcake is unreal. Each treat is almost too pretty to eat, almost.

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Seven.

Parades

The parades at Disney are unlike any other. The floats, characters and entertainment throughout them is amazing and on queue. Not to mention, they offer so many!

Festival of Fantasy Parade

Frozen Parade

Main Street Electrical Parade

Jammin' Jungle Parade

The only parade we caught last year was one during the day. We caught the tail end of it and it was by far one of Cadence's favorite experiences while there. The characters interact so well with the crowd, as well as the characters on their floats. Each parade I have never seen so I am beyond excited to see it for myself and through Cadence's eyes.

Six.

Meeting a Princess

Last year was just a weekend trip. We went for the rides and nothing else. We didn't plan dinners, parades, or meetups with the characters. This year is totally different. We have several meals planned with characters and several meet and greets lined up throughout each park. 

Obviously as an adult I know their just some beautiful college kid dressed to the nines looking like Cinderella, but the fact that Cadence truly believes she's meeting a real life princess is priceless!

Five.

Rides!

Let's face it, at the end of the day Disney is much more than a theme park, but the rides they have are so much fun. Splash Mountain has always been my favorite (the one with the huge drop in water) but all of them are equally as fun. Cadence loves It's a Small World (just shoot me now). Seriously, it's that one ride that you don't care for, but it's a must do. 

Tip: Take a Tylenol before riding!

Four.

Fall Decorations

In my opinion we planned one of the two most perfect times of the year to go to Disney. They decorate every inch of the parks for Halloween and Christmas and it just so happens we will be there while all of their fall decor is out. I can't wait to see hues of orange, yellow and red strewn throughout the parks with little Mickey heads attached :)

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Three.

Disney Fireworks...

...are unlike any fireworks show there is. It's timed perfectly with music and lighting to make a magical experience for everyone. There is also a light show displayed upon the castle where they play small videos and illuminate it to do different things. I'll try my best to take some video while we are there to show y'all, because it's such a "once in a lifetime" experience (unless you go to Disney all the time!).

Two. 

The Food (you knew this had to be on the list!)

I'm a foodie and love trying new things. It's hilarious because Tarl is a creature of habit so we definitely clash on date nights. He'll want to stick with one restaurant and I'm sitting over here like let's go here, let's go there. 

This trip is a first for each of us. We've never booked a Disney package, we've never done the dining plan and the last week long vacation we had was our honeymoon, so it's most certainly due time.

I am so glad we booked the dining package. With one scan of our magic band it's taken care of. No credit cards, cash or purse. And in case you forgot we're eating for free due to the free dining plan offer they had back at the beginning of Summer!

Here is where we will be eating:

Hollywood & Vine

Pizza Planet (remember Toy Story?)

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

O'Hana

Be Our Guest (Belle's castle)

Cinderella's Royal Table (Cinderella's castle)

1900 Park Fare

Rainforest Cafe

Chef Mickey's

We will also be eating a quick service each day. We are still undecided on those and reservations aren't required...praise the Lord!

One.

Tarl & Cadence

I know we are going to have a great time, but it's going to be made greater due to the fact that I'll be spending it with the loves of my life. I can't wait to spend time with my husband and see the magic in Cadence's eyes when she watches the parades and meets Belle for the first time.

Two weeks friends, two weeks...

Friday Night Lights

We went to our hometown Football game on Friday night. It's the same school my daughter attends so we cheer them on now more so than we have done in the past. They won by a landslide so it was a good night. It wasn't super hot outside and no one was sweating but I'm still impatiently waiting on when I can wear a scarf and boots, comfortably. Cadence had a blast playing with all her little friends and it was Military Appreciation Night so a beautiful Marine Corps band played during half time.

On Saturday we decorated our house for Fall. We still have some finishing touches, like some fall decor for the front door and a table runner for my dining room. I always like to decorate with pumpkins and leaves (fall related) and try my best to stray away from Halloween. Just for the simple fact that the decorations carry over for Thanksgiving, Halloween does not, but Cadence adores Halloween decorations so we always decorate one table just for that.

Before I knew it, Sunday came and went. It was a beautiful day and we cooked out with my parents to finish off the weekend.

This morning the pumpkin cheesecake was out! Holla!

I couldn't snag a piece fast enough. 

We are officially under 20 days for our vacation...so exciting!

Happy Monday Friends!

Friday Five

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Often times it's hard to come up with something to blog about when you have a set routine you follow daily. Get ready for work, take your child to school, get home from work, cook, clean, bed and do it all again. Well the great thing about #Blogtober14 is the fact that Helene gives you ideas if you need them, if not feel free to blog about whatever!

I'll definitely be joining in on the fun.

Want more information? Click on the pic!

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High end beauty products at an affordable price....it's true, keep reading!

I have three favorite YouTube beauty vloggers, Jaclyn Hill, Nicole Guierrio and Casey Holmes.
Any time they upload I am at my computer or iPhone watching as they make magic with makeup. Truly, they are perfection when it comes to it. However, they normally use high end products and some times we can't afford those products, lets be honest.

I'm the girl who had to save up to purchase $20 Mac's Pro Longwear concealer (worth it tho!)

Anyways, Jaclyn has spoke about Morphe eyeshadows for the past few weeks and today I took a peek at the website and was sold! Two dollar eyeshadows that are dupes for higher ends. Even beauty vloggers agree they have the same pigmentation and color payoff as the high end brands.

So I purchased my very first Morphe eyeshadow palette today and cannot wait for it's arrival.

I went for the 35 piece Matte Palette, however you can choose single eyeshadows for $2 per, or they have several other palettes to choose from. I'm a sucker for matte colors right now, so...



I'm obsessed with every single color and cannot wait to play around with the deep hues and bright pinks. This for $19.95, can't beat it!

P.S. If you're a fan of Jaclyn Hills on YouTube, watch her latest video (August Favorites) for a coupon code :)

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Speaking of beauty vloggers and my makeup obsession, have you seen Nicole Guierrio's latest video? That blush palette and bronzer,..swoon!

She mentioned BH Cosmetics and I assumed they would have a higher price tag to match. I was wrong! So affordable, so I went ahead and purchased the blush palette and bronzer she used in her video.




BH Cosmetics Glamorous Blush Palette



BH Cosmetics Bombshell Bronzer in Diva

Not only are their prices crazy cheap for what you get, but I also did some research and found an additional 5% off promo code online...do your research before buying! I've always saved so much money by searching for promo codes before buying anything online.

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I hit up Victoria's Secret on Tuesday to use my five different little coupons I had for them. One for a free hip hugger, one for a free panty of my choice, two for $10 off a bra and one for $10 off any purchase. I got two bralettes by Pink - LOVE them! Seven panties, my two free and right now they are having a sell for 5 for $26. I also got the most softest, comfiest shirt I have ever worn.

Here's the link to purchase the bralettes - again, comfortable and so pretty!

I got $130 worth of merchandise for $70 after my coupons.

This girl right here doesn't shop without a coupon!

Here's the shirt! Again, love it and can't wait to purchase more.

It's perfect for gameday. 

Go Gamecocks!

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I've had my lighter ends (ombre) for a month now. My stylist said that I should keep the caramel color and after a few weeks I could come back and get them lighter, more blonde. This would prevent the blonde from turning brassy. Well the time has passed and I'm happy to say I should have blonde tips by next Friday. I've always wanted some blonde in my hair but I've always been impatient and thus it never turned out properly. It's either turned brassy or just didn't take. 

This time, it should take and I'll be sure and show y'all when it does.

Happy Friday friends!

Let's Chat

Fall is so close I can smell it. Literally, I can smell it in my wax warmer with the amazing scents we purchased from Yankee Candle. Right now certain fall scents are buy one get one at 50% off. So essentially you can buy two waxes for $3. We stocked up and as soon as we got home put one on the burner. Ahhmazing!

Speaking of fall, I don't like Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Gasp! For real though, I've tried 'em and don't care for them. I'll take my white chocolate mocha any day...just sayin.

Fall Decor came out yesterday. I am by no means finished and still have a lot of moving decorations around, but we have started.

The wax warmer we purchased at Walmart a couple years back. The bowl was given to me by my mother-in-law and I purchased $1 pumpkins to put in the bowl. Scarecrow you can find at your local Dollar Tree and the Fall bouquet I purchased from Michael's a few years ago.

I don't like this setup, but at least the decor is out and dusted off! I'll be sure and share pictures when we're done. #ItsFallYall

For more fall inspiration follow my board on Pinterest!

Follow Miranda • Life in the Lowcountry's board It's Fall Y'all! on Pinterest.

Our Magic Bands came in!

It was a happy day in our household when they did! We are so very close to our vacation and cannot wait. 

I love that these are our room keys, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and all purchases made right on this band.

We don't even have to take a wallet in the parks with us.

Is it just me or has the styles of clothing changed drastically? Most of my clothes come from Target. A simple tee, skinny jeans and pumps = perfection in my opinion. At the mall the other day while trying to find some new clothes for the upcoming cooler weather every thing has horrible prints, shirts with long tails, yuck! Give me the good ole stuff. I guess I'm just getting old...yikes!  

Do you watch the Real Housewives of OC? I used to love Tamra, I can't stand her now! I used to despise Vicki and now I love her. I think Shannon and Lizzie are amazing. Tamra is a biotch - there, I said it.

What do you think about Jacqueline coming back to the RHONJ? Love love love her! So glad there bringing her back!

Until next time,