Friday, July 30, 2010

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

"I believe in pink. I belive that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I belive in miracles."

You said it Audrey.

{Thanks to It's Simple Love for the great quote.}

I'm going to have to say I agree with the little pixie on all counts. I would only add, I believe in friendship (and that includes some of my best friends, my family).

What do you believe in?


Thursday, July 29, 2010

I Have a Secret Obsession

Blame my OCD, blame my type-A personality, blame my love of things smelling and feeling just right... Heck, blame it on the rain for all I care, but I have a guilty, unhealthy obsession... and it is with cleaning products.

It is sad really, how exciting shopping for cleaning and home fragrance type products is for me. Do ya'll know of The Laundress? Well, you should. Unless of course you prefer to enjoy a healthy hobby like, say, coin collecting or mountain biking or any other normal fun activity that doesn't involve household chores...
Seriously though, what is wrong with me? I haven't bought a new pair of shoes (and I desperately need a new pair) in over a year, not kidding, and yet... here I am lusting over a $45 bottle of rose scented laundry detergent (oh yes, that is Le Labo laundry detergent, WHY do they do this to me?!) and $18 All-Purpose Bleach Alternative.


WHY, world, why?!

Since The Laundress doesn't take bartering or brownies as legitimate forms of payment, and I don't have a money-tree growing anywhere near my home, I generally use Mrs. Meyer's lavender products, which aren't exactly cheap, but they are tres luxurious, eco-friendly and smell delicious. Plus, what fun is a secret obsession if it doesn't involve spending money you don't have on things you don't need?! Oh, and they're having a sale...


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

DIY Detail: Wedding Cake and Favor Tables

During our wedding planning, we made every attempt to craft the details of our special day ourselves. As fate would have it, I fancy myself a crafty person so sewing tablecloths for our cake table and favor table was a fun little project for me. I also love the splash of coral that these tablecloths brought to our photos.



While doing too many DIY projects can easily overwhelm any bride, sewing these was pretty basic and didn't take much effort. That said, the benefit of knowing I made these myself and getting to use them again after the wedding was a HUGE benefit in relation to the minimal effort.


We had a bit of a leaning-tower-of-cake issue (and that was really only the beginning of our cake issues, but let's not get me started), but we thoroughly enjoyed the whole cutting and shoving cake in each other's mouths bit of the recetion. To. The. Max.

And that pound cake with strawberries and cream was GOOOOD too. :)



Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Reason #5 to Visit Orlando

Beautiful Lake Eola Park!

Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, this gorgeous park and lake is home to many-an-angry-swan, a large population of homeless people, and the occasional street merchant. HOWEVER, it is also one of the most beautiful and diverse places to stroll hand-in-hand with your honey and four-legged friend in Orlando.
Not to mention the sunsets? Are stunning.


Lake Eola is also home to the cities best Independence Day fireworks display (besides Disney, of course) as well as many festivals throughout the year (like an eco-concious Earth Day fest) and a weekly farmer's market.

Lake Eola also has a bandshell right on the water that often has free concerts throughout the summer. Did I mention the angry swans? If you are into that sort of thing, there also oversized swan-shaped paddle boats to impress your special someone, or for some fun for the whole family.


How great is Lake Eola Park?! Who knew Orlando was so much more than theme parks to offer? Oh yea, this girl right here. ;)

Monday, July 26, 2010

Unique Personalized Engagement Ring

Some uber creative fiance out there made his new bride-to-be very happy with this, most unique of all time, engagement ring. Can you figure out what is happening with this ring from the image below?


If you guessed ring-and-personal-photographic-projector-all-in-one, than DingDingDing you are today's winner. Congratulations on being such a smarty. Read all about the fancy gizmo here.


Friday, July 23, 2010

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

It's pretty dang hot here in FLOrida...

Like, DANG hot.

Soooooo... I cut all my hair off.


Have a great weekend!


This Weekend, How I Love Thee

Not only am I darn excited for this weekend for the sheer fact that it is the weekend and generally that means lying around in some body of water, oftentimes booze, and always lots of husband time... BUT! I am especially looking forward to this weekend for the following 3 amazing wonderful beautiufl reasons.

1) The world's cutest children, also known as my little brother and sister are coming to see me!! OK, theyre actually coming to see Mickey Mouse and any Disney Princesses they can get their eyes on and will therefore tolerate my constant hugging and general smothering for a week, but Im not taking that one personal. I mean, they're actual PRINCESSES people!


2) Driving on the beach. Do they have that where you come from? Didn't think so.


3) Sterling Cooper Draper Price on Sunday BABY! If you don't know, now you know.


Aint life grand?



Thursday, July 22, 2010

Magical Moroccan Argan Oil

Have you heard of Moroccan argan oil? A few years back my mother traveled to Morocco and came back quit addicted to the native organic oil. She convinced me, and the stuff is like magic. It aids in just about every part of your beauty regime from hair to skin to cuticles. This stuff works ladies!

Well, lo and behold... the magical little nuts turned oil are popping up everywhere stateside of late and I couldn't be more excited to share some of the best products out there with you all.



I am a self-confessed obsessive over most things Kiehl's, in particular their hair products and lotions. This company was one of the only mainstream companies I knew of with argan oil product lines until very recently.


PS: Their argan oil body lotion is great but VERY heavy duty.



I have since discovered Josie Maran Cosmetics which are almost 100% made with some amount of argan oil. She carries everything from lotions to pure oils to lipstick to mascara!

According to the Josie Maran website, argan oil can:
1. Soften dry skin... Argan Oil’s naturally high concentration in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids work to alleviate dry skin and rough patches.
2. Help minimize fine lines.... Smooth Argan Oil over skin and under your eyes for intense moisture and to reduce appearance of fine lines.
3. Help heal acne blemishes and scarring.... With regular use, Argan Oil is widely reported to heal existing acne blemishes, prevent the occurrence of new breakouts and help reduce scarring.
4. Soften cuticles.... Massage a few drops of Argan Oil onto your cuticles to soften and condition.
5. Treat split ends.... Rub oil between your hands and smooth through hair to minimize fly-aways and treat split ends.
6. Give skin a fresh, youthful look.... Argan Oil easily absorbs into skin to give you a youthful, dewy glow.
7. And it’s safe enough for use on your baby.... 100% pure, organic Argan Oil is safe enough to use on your baby's delicate skin to help treat dryness and soothe redness. You can also smooth over your stomach during pregnancy to help prevent stretch marks.

OK, you greedy girls want more? How about a 25% off code on the Josie Maran website? Enter code DAILYCANDY at checkout and remember to thank me later. ;)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Reason #4 to Visit Orlando

Three simple words: Red Velvet Cake.


Before moving to the south I never really got the fuss over red cake, so what? It just tastes like cake! Oh no, friends. The South will change your mind. For the slice above: The Briar Patch.

You're welcome.


Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Dream Mini-Break to St. Pete's

With two full coasts worth of glorious white sand beaches here in our new homestate of Florida, I have been seriously lusting after a mini-beach-holiday. Everyone I talk with says Clearwater Beach is the most beautiful, calming stretch of sand on the central Gulf side of the state. It also happens to be home to the most precious little hotel called the Postcard Inn.

For your viewing pleasure:

Welcome to Postcard Inn from Postcard Inn on Vimeo.

How great is this little retro renovated Travelodge? It has the perfect blend of fun and laid-backedness that I am dreaming about. Plus, they have a beach bar, so really, what more could you want?


Looks like one serious bundle of summer fun now doesn't it? Oh, did I mention rooms start at $89 a night or $79 a night for residents?! Once again, you are so very welcome.

If that isn't temptation enough, your four-legged children are more than welcome as well. Just south of St. Pete/Clearwater is 1,136 acres that makes up Ft. Desoto Park, also known as the Paw Playground and one of Southern Living Magazine's best dog parks.

Bags packed yet?


Monday, July 19, 2010

Hot Hot Summer Nights

One of the many things the hubs and I have in common is our love for college sports. One of us takes it a bit more seriously (he has made a career out of college football), but we both love cheering together from the bleachers.

On a recent weekend night we headed over to our local college's ballpark where enjoyed one of summer's true pleasures, a sweaty night of baseball. We had a great time.


The sunset wasn't bad either, right?!