Spring has Sprung

Yesterday I did a little shopping with my mom. It was finally feeling like spring here in North Florida so I had to break out the skirt and flip flops. What no rain? What no crazy wind that makes it feel like its 30 degrees outside? Nope, just a blue sky and a high of 65 degrees. Lovely, simply lovely!

I had a handy dandy gift card from a return so I decided to stop by American Eagle to see what was new on clearance. Now, usually I never buy anything at AE unless it is on clearance. But, I just couldn't resist this cutie of a sun dress!

It looks so cute on! I pair it with a cute cropped denim jacket and some sandals and I am a walking celebration of spring! 

I also picked up this cute little t-shirt. I love wearing t-shirts that have a little interest, you look more put together that way I think.

What spring looks have caught your eye?

books and what not

I have recently been devouring books. This isn't really out of the ordinary. I read about 6 books last summer. What can I say, I've always loved reading. Hence, my career choice of an elementary school teacher.

I finished two books last week.

One: The Elegance of the Hedgehog.  It was a good book, although I'm still unsure as to whether I liked it or not. I spent the first few chapters very confused and feeling like I had no idea what was going on. The story is actually two stories that intertwine. One is of a twelve-year-old, upper class, Parisian girl living in a very nice apartment building. She is searching for beauty and purpose in her life and has set her mind on committing suicide. The other story is of the concierge of the apartment building. She is secretly a very worldly person. She hides her intelligence and worldly hobbies from the tenants because she thinks she needs to keep with the idea that concierges are simply there to serve the tenants and should not be knowledgeable about upper class topics. These two characters eventually meet and become fast friends. They each find what they are looking for in life, but in a most peculiar way.  

Two: Wench. I was so into this book I finished it in two days! I found out about it from O Magazine. Wench is the story of four woman slaves who only see each other during the summer when their masters take them on vacation in the North, free country. The book delves into the relationships the women have with their masters, most are forced to have their master's children. It also explores the relationship the slaves have with each other and what they are willing to do for each other and their children. The book provides great insight into why a slave would not run while in the free territory of the northern United States. The most interesting part is the way the masters interact with and think of the children they have with their slave mistresses. A great, and interesting read, I highly recommend it.  

Check out the sidebar to see what I am currently reading: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 

In other exciting news.....I GOT A JOB!!!! I am the administrative assistant at a local home health agency. It's not a teaching position which would be ideal considering I do have a degree in elementary education. But, it's a job and it will get me out of my house and stop me from going absolutely bonkers! I start tomorrow and am very excited for someone who will be leaving behind her life of leisure and the ability to sleep until noon. 

what I'm listening to

I recently discovered some wonderful music while perusing on British iTunes. I find the best music on the UK iTunes. BTW, you can get to it by scrolling down to the bottom of iTunes and clicking on the little American flag. You can go to any country you want right there on iTunes. What a cheap trip, huh?

A wonderful singer from South London, Ms. Florence Welch combines her amazing voice with some great lyrics and adds them to some wonderfully created melodies and beats to create music that will get stuck in your head. But, you won't care! I have been listening to her album Lungs all weekend and I am smitten!  Without further ado I give you Florence + The Machine!

You've Got The Love



Dog Days Are Over

I have fallen in love

The last time I went to CVS I was looking for replacements for some of my toiletries. I visited my grandmother over Christmas and left all of my shower things at her house. So I was without shampoo, face wash, and body wash! ahhhhh! But, an upside is I do enjoy shopping for these particular items. I especially love smelling all the different things I could buy.  I'm sure the people at CVS think I'm crazy!

I was already a fan of Burt's Bees but I had only ever used their chapstick and lipgloss. I had a coupon so I decided to take advantage and replace my things with Burt's Bees product. I am oh-so-happy that I did. I have absolutely fallen in love with everything Burt's Bees.

I bought the Very Volumizing Pomegranate Shampoo:

It leaves my hair smelling wonderful and my hair is not the slightest bit oily. I have rather oily skin and my hair has been known to be oily by the end of the day depending on the weather conditions and the shampoo I used. This shampoo keeps my hair soft and shiny!

I also picked up the Extra Energizing Citrus & Ginger Root Body Wash:

This smells amazing and doesn't dry out my skin in the slightest. And, mixed with the heat of the water it leaves my bathroom smelling great too!

Last but not least, I decided to try the Natural Acne Solutions Pore Refining Scrub:

Like I said, my skin can be rather oily and I've always had to fight to have clear skin. I usually use a Neutrogena scrub but I like the thought that the Burt's Bees one is 100% all natural. It has a gentle scrub in it as well as 1% Salicylic Acid, which as we all know is the best thing to fight acne with. I have been using it for about two weeks now and it has succeeded in keeping my face clear and it keeps the oil down all the way into the next morning. 

If you're looking for any all natural additions to your toiletry arsenal, Burt's Bees is the way to go!

What is your must have beauty product?