What's In my Book Bag?

Ah yes, it's everyone's favorite time of year... Back to school! Yaaaaaay. The excitement is killing me. While sitting in 90 minute classes isn't exactly exciting, you can make it a little bit easier with a well stocked bag. 

I'm currently in college so this may be somewhat different for you if you're attending high school. 

To start off with, the bag itself is from Vera Bradley. I've had this for two years so I don't remember the print... I know, I'm terrible! I was tired of carrying around a boring old backpack, so I decided to get this one for $110. I know that is step for a bag but I use this all the time. It's great for short vacations! 

Something I find essential for school is hand sanitizer. I always use the B&B hand gels because I love the scents and I can hang it on the outside of my bag. Seriously, go get yourself some. I can't even tell you how many people I hear walking out of the bathroom without washing their hands. Eww. 

I always keep a planner, extra pens, and perfume in the front pocket of the bag. Not everyone likes using planners, but I think it's totally helpful. It takes two minutes to write things down and it will help you avoid forgetting about an assignment or a test. This planner was only $3 from Walmart. Cheap and cute! 

In the main pocket I keep typical boring school things. My textbooks, two binders, a notebook, and my laptop. I could honestly go without the binders because I don't use them much but they are very helpful keeping everything organized. My courses are technology based so I mainly use my laptop. I find it much easier to keep organized notes! 

Alright guys, that wasn't the most exciting post but heading back to school is unavoidable. Good luck and have fun studying!

- Katie

Elf Haul

Hello friends... I'm putting the back to school post on hold. It's a work in progress! I decided I would talk about a few thing I picked up from Walmart the other day. Yay shopping!

I normally don't purchase makeup from elf but most of these products are not actual makeup. I also bought a lip exfoliater, but for some reason I did not photograph it. 

Eyebrow Kit

Everyone has been obsessed with eyebrow products lately. It really gives you a polished look. I however am lucky enough to have really think eyebrows. I have to tweeze the dang things every day, but on the other hand I don't have to  fill them in. So, I won't be using the powder half of this duo. I am however excited to try the gel. It will be great to lock my pesky eyebrows into place. 

Zit Zapper

I have never seen any acne products from elf before. I'm pretty much willing to try any acne product out there. Most of the time, it can't hurt. I'm actually really excited to try this out. It's just a spot treatment but I'm obsessed with the applicator. It's a roller ball! There's something that's always grossed me out about having to touch a big nasty zit. 

Makeup Lock & Seal

I usually lock my makeup in with primer and setting powder, but lately I have noticed it doesn't have the same staying power. I know a lot of companies have a setting spray but I thought this lot contraption looked interesting. I have no issue with my foundation, it's been my eye makup that's been smearing an fading. I like that I can place this product right where I want it to go. 

Stay tuned to see if any of these products end up in a monthly favorite. I know for a fact that at least one of them will be! Have a great weak.

- Katie

Festiville Of The Little Hills

My Mom and I spent a few hours on Sunday at the Festival of the Little Hills here in Missouri. While it was somewhat rainy, it wasn't dreadfully hot like it usually is in August. It was nice not being a sweaty mess after five minutes of walking! The festival is kind of like a craft fair on steroids. It's held on Main Street in Saint Charles and is absolutely huge. 

 

         

 

There were easily 150 vendors selling a wide variety of merchandise. You can find interior decorations, candels, clothing, artists, photographers, leather makers, musicians, and a huge amount of food! One of the first unique things I found were these letters made from actual books. These were absolultely amazing, but of course the didn't have an E... Did I mention they were on $5? Such a steal!

 





      

 

I bought a fish?

    

 

Yes... Yes I did buy a fish! Does anyone care? Probably not! I've wanted to have a little roommate for a while now and decided to finally buy one. My little friend is not just any fish, it's a baby betta fish! It's so cute and little. Yes, I saw it because I don't know if it's a girl or a boy yet! I should be able to figure you if I have a little guy or girl in the next month. 

    

This is a terrible photo but he/she will not stay still for more then three seconds! I have a feeling it's going to be a boy because of the fins, only time will tell. I'm fairly certain he or she is going to be blue with red fins, yay coloration! 

    

I'm quite fond of my little buddies fish tank. It's an oriental theme because Bettas are native to Thailand! I even created a little river with Aquarians gravel.  Look at that creativity!

    

The little fish has a 10 gallon from Walmart. Yes, I know this is a huge tank for on fish... This 10 gallon was only $13 compared to 2 gallon "betta tanks" that were around 40... If I choose to later on, I can buy a tank divider so that I can have more then one fish!

I really need to comp up with a name seeing that I just refer to it has fish... Killer creativity right? I just can't think of any unisex names for it! Let me know in the comments if you can think of anything!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

- Katie



August Birchbox

               

Don't worry my friends... I have NOT fallen off of the face of the blogging earth! I'm trying to figure out a posting schedule that works for me and I think I'm leaning towards Tuesday/Saturday. Maybe Monday/Thursday? I just don't know! One day I'll figure my life out... Enough blabbing, lets get onto the good stuff!

              

This is seriously my least favorite thing to get in subscription boxes and Birchbox ALWAYS sends one... I'm all about trying new scents but give me something that I can't get for free at the mall. 

I'm not crazy about the scent either... It's definitely a perfume for a mature established women! I personally still enjoy smelling like a flower or a coconut...

               

Yay face wash! This is the Clean antioxidant face was from K6 skin care. I think this wash is probably best for someone who has grownout of the acne phase of life. My breakouts are far and few between but I still like to use something that fits those pesky zits. I really like the scent of this wash, to me it smells like clove! It's also 100% vegan for those of you who are interested in that.

             

Shave cream, this was different from normal Birchbox material so I was excited to try it! This Whish shave cream is all about being more moisturizing then a foam shaving product. I don't usually have an issue with dryness after shaving but hey, your legs can never be to soft during the summer. 

I was pretty impressed with the formula of the product but absolutely hate the scent. It's like bubblegum meets the dentists office... Strange discription right? I have absolutely no idea how I came up with that!

              

Next up is this Forever Noir Black Long Wear Eyliner. If your wondering... It's made in Germany! We're you wondering?  Probably not. Oh well, you learned something today.

              

I was really excited to try this liner. Long wear is right up my ally. The color is gorgeous, the formula is crazy smooth, and it was so easy to apply. I however still can't get away with not wearing waterproof liner during the summer. Hello raccoon eyes. Thanks a lot allergies! I will definitely be trying it again in the winter.

              

Last but certainly not least is this Laqa & Co. Like Lube. The color isn't listed in the packaging but I really don't care! I love love love it. 

              

The color of the balm itself is almost coral but it tones down when you wear it. It feels great on and I'm an absolute sucker for anything that smells like mint...

There you go friends, a look into the August Birchbox! If the would stop sending perfume samples I would totally impressed. I guess that's better than the Ipsy situation. I signed up for both three months ago and still have not received anything from Ipsy. I was "wait listed"... I figured I would miss one or two months, but three? Seriously... Boo...



Coconut Cleansng Conditioner

 

     

I went on a lovely little run to Sally Beauty today.  I think I have been into Sally Beauty two times in
my entre life, but today I felt the need to go inside! Did it have anything to do with the fact that I just
got paid? Possibly...

I'm actually really glad  I went because I found some interesting stuff. I am most excited about the As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner. I have always wanted to try Wen but the price is a little steep for something that I might end up hating. If your saying uh Katie what the heck is a cleansing conditioner, let me help you out.

A cleansing conditioner is basically a shampoo that doesn't lather. What in the world? No bubbles... That's crazy... It is crazy my friends! You may or may not know that shampoos that lather are supposedly bad for your hair. Typical shampoos are usually filled with ingredients like Sulfate, which can strip nourishing oils from your hair. Cleansing conditioners are said to be much gentler and safer for your hair!

I believe this is originally made for African America hair, but I don't really care! If it works, it works!

     

This is a very such a thick product! It's going to take awhile to feel comfortable not having any lather. I only wash my hair two times a week so I really like that clean feeling I get from bubbles! If I don't end up liking it, no big deal it was on sale for $4.99.
 

 

I also purchased this shower comb! It is recommended that you comb the cleansing conditioner to equally disperse it. This comb is textured, so it is going to be easier to hang onto in the shower. It wasn't any more expensive, so I figured why not get the comb made for the shower. 

 

Yay! New hair products!

- Katie  

Gluten Free Adventures: PF Changs

Okay guys... I died and went to chinese take out heaven today. No longer will I be limited to one single dish at my chinese joint. You know that dish... Unbreaded chicken and vegetables in the white garlic sauce. Yum... That doesn't get boring... 

The PF Changs Gluten Free menu is insanely large! You name it they have it... Fried rice, lettuce wraps, spicy chicken, lemon chicken, ginger chicken, shaking beef, pepper stake, coconut curry, and even dessert. Take that unbreaded chicken in garlic sauce...

I had some serious trouble deciding what I wanted to order, I wanted to eat everything! My family decided we would order an appetizer,one chicken dish, and one beef dish!

Chicken Fried Rice

 

                                  

          

It was so nice being able to eat fried rice again! It was pretty good. The flavoring was a tad weak, but I'm not going to complain. At least I could actually eat it! Prepare to be eating fried rice for the next week... The order we got was huge!

Lettuce Wraps

I have always loved PF Chang's lettuce wraps so I was excited when I saw them on the gluten free menu! This is not the most visually apatizing dish but it is so yummy. The lettuce they gave us was perfect for wraping as well. It wasn't brown or flimsy. Yay for delicous crispy lettuce! 

Mongolian Beef

  

Okay... This dish was ridiculously good! Easily my favorite out of everything we ordered. It was a delicous mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and scallions. So so so yummy! I don't know what else to say besides you need to order this...

Dear PF Changs,

I love you and your delicous gluten free menu. No longer will I live in the world of one chicken dish! 

Now I need to go do some form of exercise because I just ate my weight in mongolian beef... No regrets here my friends.

Don't forget to subscribe!

- Katie