Coupon crazies and fabulous finds

Happy Sunday everyone!

I never know if Sunday is really an end to the week or the beginning of a new week. I usually think of Mondays as the start of a week because that's when school starts, but Mondays also tend to be terrible (sorry Mondays, it's true. No one likes you). But maybe, if I start to think of Sunday as the beginning of my week, Mondays won't be so bad after all...Just a thought.

I'll start off this week by telling you about the end of last week. Also, I know I've shared a lot of these pictures/information on twitter/facebook but I think it's necessary to tell even more about them here. I'll try not to post many repetitions but I just get so excited I can't help it! 

As the title of this post suggests, I used a lot of coupons for some great things this weekend! Seriously, take a peek. 

And that isn't even all of the coupons I used yesterday. Insane, I know. 

Here's the rundown on all of the goodies, deals, and steals.

Sephora - free birthday gift for being a Sephora Beauty Insider. This program works like a typical reward program - for every point you spend in Sephora, you get a point. Your points add up and you can choose free gifts. The birthday gift doesn't require any points -- which is good because I haven't spent a dime in Sephora probably in years-- just show them your BeautyInsider card or give them your email address. You can sign up to be a Sephora Beauty Insider here.

Old Navy - emerald sun glasses and ruby red teardrop earrings. I bought these beauties using a store merchandise credit I received when I returned a pair of jeans that I bought a size too small about six months ago as a incentive to lose weight and fit into them -- now you all know how that endeavor went. Needless to say, I got tired of seeing those jeans in my closet not being worn, so I returned them for something I would use, and now I'm 0 pounds lighter, but 2 items happier and I think that's a pretty great thing.

Loft - 3 words. Mint. Lace. Shorts. Favorite purchase of the weekend (also favorite shorts purchase ever). I am in love with these shorts. I am not usually a shorts kind of girl, even in the summer, because my skin is very pale fair and I'm not completely thrilled with my thighs -- but as you learned from my returning the size too small jeans, I don't care all that much about changing how my thighs look. Most shorts are either too short in the inseam, too small around the thigh, or too tight around the waist. It has been a very rare thing if I have found a pair of shorts that fits in all areas, but, alas, I have found some! 

These shorts are regularly priced at $54.50, but I had a coupon for 25% off and a $20 Loft Reward. So I got these beautiful, perfect fitting shorts for around $24. Even though it isn't a dirt cheap price, these shorts are a dream. I'm learning that sometimes you have to spend a little extra for things that are of better quality and built to last. Would you rather spend $24 on a fabulous pair of shorts, or get two pairs of at-least-they're-not-jeans-and-will-keep-me-somewhat-cool-in-this-ridiculous-georgia-summer-heat shorts? Does anyone else agree?

Saturday also marked six incredible months of marriage to my hunky husband. We celebrated by getting Moe's for lunch -- with a free cup of queso from joining moe's e-world, which you can also do here-- and getting delicious Smoothie King smoothies at buy one get one free -- also by joining their online subscription which you can do here -- and later going downtown with some friends. Can't wait for the next six months and the next after that and after that and after that, until we both die together in our sleep holding hands like in The Notebook -- except I won't have Alzheimer's because that's just too sad. Ah, love you baby.

Hope you all have a great remainder of your week -- as today is officially the beginning of the week and all that.

-Courtney

and i was like b.b., b.b., b.b., cream

Ok, so that title was lame, but being a BzzAgent definitely is not. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am a BzzAgent, which means that I get to sample great products, and then write some reviews and spark conversation about the different products. It really is so much fun for me. Partially because I really like to talk and share my thoughts, but also because free things are really awesome. 

Recently, I participated in a bzz campaign for Garnier's Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream. I was very excited to receive the invite to this campaign and get to try out a b.b. cream for longer than a day.--The only other time I've even had b.b. cream on my face was when I put it there myself at an Ulta trying to pretend like I could afford to buy a $60 face cream. 

Here's the scoop, this b.b. cream goes on very smoothly -- much more like a liquid than a cream -- and blends well into my skin. I've read some other reviews and some people really don't like the consistency, but I think it's easier to blend. I love that it leaves no residue, except a little extra product on my fingers, and controls shine -- definitely no oily or greasy feeling. It covers well and gets your skin and even tone. SPF 20! Definitely one of the biggest benefits of this product. I'm always trying to find ways to incorporate sun protection into my daily regimen and this makes it so easy to not have to layer sunscreen, foundation, and concealer. 

Pretty much the only thing I didn't like about this was that even though the packaging says light/medium, it was definitely too dark for my skin. Maybe I need a fair/light or a very light. Regardless, this is the lightest shade that Garnier has so I'm out of luck on that one. I've been blending it in lightly then using my foundation and powder in areas on top of it to even out the color so I don't end up looking orange. 

I did notice some surprising information on the back of the b.b. cream bottle. Even though the packaging shows that this product -controls shine - minimizes pores - evens -and hydrates, the purpose, as stated on the back on the actual product, is sunscreen. It states the use is to help prevent sunscreen, and it goes on to give directions on how to apply -- liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure, reapply at least every 2 hours, and to use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating. 

Is this really just an awesome SPF 20 tinted sunscreen?? If so, it's pretty great, and if you have skin that is any darker than Casper, then you should try this b.b. cream. It retails for around 13 dollars and it definitely worth it. 

-Courtney

and now it's time for Weekend Update...(sorry this doesn't star Seth Myers)

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing weekend! I am trying to get back in the swing of things from a fantastic Spring Break full of house cleaning -- a much needed chore when you work two jobs -- napping --also much needed -- organizing, some traveling, and spending time with my family. It was such a great week(end) and I have so much to share -- so I apologize for not being sorry about this super long post.  

On Saturday, April 6th at 6:09 p.m. my sister Brittney and her husband, Lee, welcomed their sweet baby girl, Aubrey Noelle Watson, into the world. While I didn't get to see the main event -- one which I'm sure would have both scarred me as well as been one of the sweetest moments of my life -- I did get my hands on my sweet niece as soon as I could. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I am so in love.  Unbelievable. 

Ah, I could stare at her all day. 

Another great part of my week(end) was getting to spend time with my grandma, Leola. We're extremely close. In the we have to talk everyday, text during our favorite tv shows (PLL and Once Upon a Time), and go shopping with. She's fabulous. I was saving up my Victoria Secret reward for when I would get to go shopping with her -- you know, so we could spend some money, without actually spending money. 

So, I got this VS secret reward after buying a glorious, yet pricey, bra. The bra was a regular $49.50, but I had a coupon for $10 off a bra (as well as 2 free pairs of panties -- I should document my underwear drawer seeing as how I haven't paid for a single pair of panties in over a year, but that will be another post when I have more confidence in showing my underwear to the world). So, the price of the bra went $49.50 to $39.50, but I also had a VS gift card saved up from Christmas since I wasn't ready to spend it yet. Bringing the cost down to $14.50 -- a much better price, plus, I got a VS secret reward worth at least $10! Gotta love those deals.

I never know what to buy with my VS secret rewards seeing as how the reward amount is a secret until you check out. They are always worth at least ten dollars, but could be worth more. The first VS I ever received was worth $100. It was like payday and Christmas all in one. This time around, my VS secret reward was worth only $10, but I got some great products for only $2. 

When it comes to mascara, I want my lashes big and plump, and this Epic Lash mascara is a serious godsend. One swipe with this mascara and your lashes will be long and luscious for hours. I have a feeling this tub will last me quite a while. I put it on this morning around 7:30 and it was still flake free and holding strong at 6:30 tonight while the rest of my makeup had well worn off -- see below. Also, the Glossy Tint lip sheen goes on nice and smooth, and is a perfect spring pink that I've been looking for. 

Happy Monday! -- Muah! 

-Courtney

Saturday Steal

Easter is one of those holidays that I look forward to. It's a time to gather with family and remember the reason we celebrate Easter and all of the blessings we have. It is also a time to gather up your pastels and florals and get ready to look super springy.

This year, I decided to wear an emerald eyelet dress with a chambray top and accent it with this adorable pink floral necklace from Charming Charlie. I also felt that the outfit needed a bit more pink to bring it all together. And nothing says spring more than sandals and a super cute pedicure.

I headed to Ulta to find some polish. I ended up getting a great deal. Ulta brand nail polish is 2 for $4. What a steal! I also found a bottle of "Not Your Mother's Lock Luster Oil Treatment" with a lovely, little Try me Free tag from the manufacturer. I have been dealing with some breakage and split ends lately, so why not?! And...did I mention, it's free?

I got these two lovely polishes --which look like a sparkly ballerina tutu when layered-- and the lock luster oil treatment. Here's a breakdown of the price. 

Ulta polishes - 2 for $4

Not Your Mother's Lock Luster Oil Treatment - $5.99

- Try me Free Not Your Mother's Lock Luster Oil Treatment $5.99

- Ulta coupon $3.50 off a $10 purchase