Condensed Update - New Year!

Graduate school keeps me crazy busy so it's been pretty difficult to keep up with much, nevermind a blog. When I get too busy I pretty much abandon all reason and stress instead of calmly handling things one by one and so I have been pretty stressed lately too. My goal for 2016 is to relax a bit more and learn how to handle my stress, start exercising - at all (like for real this year), and to eat healthier. I know they sound like pretty generic goals, but if you could see the laziness that I have become you would understand. That being said, I did a lot last month, and began trying to improve myself and work on my goals in October.
But, enough talk from me, I think pictures will sum everything up a little better!

In September I got sent the Crest mouthwash to try out. It was actually great, and I could definitely notice a difference when I used this.

I tried my first one pan meal and it turned out pretty good, but it needed some protein.

I also got these really cool copper measuring cups in September, after this I became rather obsessed with copper.

I also bought a new car, well new to me, a 2009 Kia Rio. Nothing fancy, not even automatic windows, but it drives!

I also volunteered at the National Book Festival!

....and got fed a pretty great boxed lunch!

We went out to dinner with some friends for Korean BBQ

Mort & Gus (sept 2015)

October inspired me to break out my DSLR

In October we also went Apple Picking and Wine tasting with our good friend Tim

...and I got ...tipsy...

But we all had a really great time!

We also got the kitten, Gigi, in October!

...and it didn't take too long for Norrie and her to get along!

She was so tiny!

Then in November I smashed my windshield.... YAY ME

But I did try cooking a bit more. I made some pot roast in the slow cooker

decorated for Thanksgiving

I made Shepherd's Pie too!

I bought a bunch of Christmas decorations in November because Target was already running low!

When we went home I got to visit Felix

and Oskar of course!

Then Connor and I went into Boston with our friends from back home

We got to see a bunch of people we hadn't for awhile, it was a really good time

Before I left my mum gave me this jacket my aunt and Uncle got me this great jacket at Wilsons leather, I wore it all December!

In November we found out Gigi has an enlarged kidney and needs some extra testing, so december when we finished her shots we started talking about those costs!

Capturing the moment when I added my first ornament!

Connor feeling festive about our first tree together, and our first Christmas living together!

I decorated the tree!

I also did some extra decorating before a little holiday party I threw for our friends! 

I got Mort excited for Christmas!

and Gus too!

I hung up the Christmas cards by the wreath I made this year!

We bought a shelf to put above the TV and spent hours installing it, our walls are so solid they sparked when we tried to drill into them!

But it looks nice now!

Before the party I put the guests gifts aside 

I made mulled wine and frosted rosemary and cranberries for garnishes.

This was Gigi's costume/present from the party!

Norrie tried it on too!

The party was a blast! I also made white wine sangria, broccoli fritters, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, cookies, and we had a cheese and meat platter!

I made photo magnets for the family members this christmas! 

MORE MAGNETS!

All bagged up!

After that I spent a couple days cleaning up the party and decided to pack away the Christmas stuff since it would be over when we got back and the cats would be in the house with it alone for a couple days.

The tree bag was way too big!

:( Christmas in a box

We had the worst drive home. It was 12 hours of constant rain and unbreakable fog. Joy.

But it was worth it, I had a great Christmas eve with my family and a lovely Christmas day with Connor's!

Then we had to bring all the presents home! The car was packed...

I immediately opened up my new [faux] copper pans my mum got me! [Then I started scoping out real ones for our (future) wedding registry]

I organized all our pans!

I hung some of the new ones up

I got sent my Influenster Slim Fast Vox Box with a bunch of new stuff to try!

I tried out my new pans!

I made Connor and I another home cooked (mostly - the chicken was frozen and filled wit broccoli and cheese) meal!

We celebrated the new year at home together!

Fuse Sensationail

I've been using this gel nail set for a little over a year now and I absolutely love it! The original starter set was a gift from my mum after I saw it in Walmart and wanted to give it a try. I'm so glad I did because it has to be the easiest way to get a nice manicure on your own at home. I've now collected an array of colors and have used it often enough that I felt I had to write a review.

I love that it's super easy to use, quick(ish), and leaves my nails looking nice. I dislike how quickly it chips/peels and how expensive the cleanser is (which you're supposed to use before and after you apply the polish). 

It takes about 15-25 minutes to apply to your nails. First you have to cleanse your nail with the fuse cleanser, to be honest, I'm not sure what this does but I try to follow product directions. Then the polish which requires multiple coats, depending on the colors, some are more sheer and require 3 coats but most require 2. Then you cure the polish with the light, I do this between each layer because otherwise the polish gets sticky. After all of that you just need to wipe the nail with a wipe of the cleanser and you're done!

Some of the polish choices and the cleanser. 

The light you use to set the polish

My nails after a quick application!

Fall

Lately I've been feeling pretty homesick and desperate for Fall to begin. I miss the crisp morning air, the crunch of the leaves and the the warm scents. However Virginia is far from feeling like fall; it's humid, sticky and gross outside. So I decided to retry one of my old body fragrances. 
I got this last year at Walmart for like $5 and it was so worth it. Not only does this smell like warm spicy pumpkin pie, it smells like happiness and fall and I love it.
The perfect pick me up.

More updates to come...

Razors, my legs, they thank me.

Recently I was sent sent a lovely box from Bzzagent containing some Schick razors,  skintimate shaving cream, and a lovely large loofah!

My favorite part of using the Schick Hydro silk disposable razors, is the convenience of being able to throw them away at the end of the week and not feel guilty or worry about whether I can afford to buy a new razor heads.

I love that they're the moisturizing,  high quality blades I'm used to with a standard razor but with more reasonable disposable prices. I notice a difference using these instead of my normal cheapie razors, less cuts,  smoother feeling, and silly skin. What more could you ask for in a disposable razor?

In  my area they're pretty reasonably priced, about 10 to 15 dollars depending on the store/sales/coupons. I will definitely be adding these to my beauty favorites!

Definitely give them a try,  check the Web (I'd start with the Schick site)  for coupons and savings! [my Sunday paper had some Schick coupons]

I was sent these free to try from BzzAgent and Schick.