Cat eyes, appetize, then say goodbyes.

 Have you ladies ever tried cat eyes? It is an amazing look to try out, especially for nights out on the town or New Year's Eve! To me, cat eyes and a nice red lipstick (or gloss, if you prefer that instead) scream BOLD! or FIERCE! I truly believe it gives an instant confidence boost. Well, if you have tried it, congratulations! You're a member of the cat eye club already. If you have not tried it yet, I found an awesome video tutorial of Lauren Conrad's makeup artist, Amy Nadine, on that show I don't EVER watch (haha)--just watch, you'll see why,) explaining how to do it. Even though it looks tough, it's not! She also goes into detail about how to actually get your (I hope you choose red) lipstick to stay on for a LONG time. It's an insane trick! So be bold, loves--give it a shot! Here's the vid:

 

 

Let me know if you try it! And how it made you feel.

I just looooove Lauren Conrad! Style icon? Yes!

 

I am going to start doing my OWN makeup tutorials soon, but I don't own everything I need to do that right now. So until then, I'll be posting youtube tutorials. ;) Now all I have for you are some random pictures of life lately. Oh yeah, super exciting, I know! Are...youuuuu...ready?!?! Hahaha. Oh my gosh; thank goodness my boyfriend loves me or I'd be screwed. Here are some good ones!

 

I got a bath fizzie from Beach Bum Bath & Body, and it was amazing! Soooo relazing. I had a bunch of candles lit and some soft music playing. The only thing missing was a bath pillow. Oh well. I will take what I can get. I loved this product, as I love all of her products. I've tried a few, but I'll go into more details about those once Julie receives her giveaway box worth $60 of product! You will hear me talk a lot on this blog about these products. I am lucky that I have a store right down from my mom's house, but that's what the website is for! You can still order SOME things. :)

Moving right along... Christmas is no joke to Brandon, myself, or Slater (our cat). I wish you could see ALL the decorations in our apartment set up for Christmas, but oh well. On to the picture. One night about a week ago, we had a dinner of ALL really awesome appetizers and it was amazing! We had cheese & crackers, homemade bruschetta (gotta love men that love to cook!) and these crackers with dip and olives on top recipe I found in...Women's Health, I believe? Good! And then vegetarian weiners for me and regular weiners for him haha. I love that he supports my decision on being a vegetarian so much, because not many guys would unless they really loved you. I had Arizona Rx Stress tea (ever tried it? Get some at your local grocery store! I hope they have it for you. It's amazing & I have turned all of my friends on it. Well, some former friends, but that's irrelevant) and Brandon made some manly concoction over there to the right. Uhhh--yuckeee!

 

 

A wonderful boyfriend also causes a girl to smile, as seen in the picture above that was sent to him. Let's see if I have any other pictures in my folder I can whip out for ya.

 

 

Sometimes it gets a little chilly in FL, but nothing crazy. I want to move to the mountains some day. I'd loooove to live in Colorado. Speaking of...ooooh, I have NEWS for you all when the new year comes! This will probably be my last post until after New Year's Eve. Then I have much to tell you! Merry Christmas to all that celebrate. xo

 

 

 

 

Yo, I'll tell you what I want...what I really, really want!

I wanna zigga-zig-uhhhh!

 

 

Hi ladies! Yep, I'm still here. Talk about making some major life changes. (Hence the thoughtful picture below). I am beginning to take better care of myself (exercising 5 days a week, eating healthy foods in small portions, taking vitamins [my goal is to lose 15 lbs]), weed bad "friends" out of my life, and try and grasp an overall plan of where I want to be in 5 years. It's not that I have bad friends that party too much and do drugs or anything crazy like that, it's just...I feel like I am a really amazing friend to some girls I'm close with, and they don't seem to reciprocate. Some have, but not as many as I'd thought would have. That's okay, life is about changes and meeting new people. My big question lately is, "How do I meet new people?" All this thinking is the explanation of the picture below.

 

 

Unfortunately, the job I ended up landing didn't work out. It truly is unfortunate, because I loved the actual job part of it, but there were circumstances that I just wasn't going to tolerate and don't feel I should have to explain that to anyone but my best friend/boyfriend, for financial reasons. Possibly my brother, as well. Management wasn't doing anything about it, and that's when you know it's time to move on, even if I don't know how long it will take to land a job I love. I do know, however, that I want a job working at a small beauty or clothing boutique, and then to possibly go back to school later in life and open up my own business. My friend Spring, that has the store Beach Bum Bath & Body, is the inspiration behind that. She sponsored the giveaway that Miss Julie did end up winning (and I promise I am shipping that out soon)! I feel like that would make me happiest. Doing what she does. Here's the thing...

 

I started this blog out as a fashion & beauty (mostly beauty blog) and it's turned into more of a lifestyle blog lately, and that's because I have not felt good about myself or the fact that even for an instant I was letting the real me start to slip away. Yes, I absolutely want to continue to blog about fashion & beauty. However, I won't really be posting pictures of myself until I'm close to my weight goal (call it insecurity; it is) but I would hope that my readers are supportive more than anything. I just have a lot of planning to do; and excuse my language, but I need to get my ass in gear and start doing the things that are going to get me places! There's no excuse on waiting for tomorrow. Waiting, we all know, gets you nowhere. So, I really hope my readers plan to stick with me throughout this journey!

 

I also just wanted to show you the warm indoor booties I got from Kohl's that I am obessed with! Obsessed. I wear them anytime I'm out of bed. So comfy! I just want you ladies to know how beautiful you are, and remember to never sacrifice your happiness or settle for less than you deserve. It's so not worth it in the end. I do have a couple of great friends, and you betcha I'm keeping them close. I'll search for others. I'll continue to better myself, both physically and mentally. I will cherish every moment with my boyfriend (the absolute love of my life, even if he has been booby trapping my presents and stalking...as if I'm actually going to take a peek--haha)! I will also cherish time spent with family. I will continue to discover things about myself and what I want in this wonderful gift I have been given--LIFE! Do the same, won't you? ;)

 

 

Not all is meant to be understood...

 

Before I get started with rambling about nothing, I wanted to share how badly my heart aches for anyone that has been affected by the Sandy Hook shooting massacre. It's terrible. It's just awful. And like so many of you, I will never understand how a human being can do something this evil & cruel, and I'm not sure if we're supposed to. All we can do is pray for these families who have lost loved ones, or at least send them positive vibes. It is a great reminder to live our lives each day as if they are our lasts; for some day, it will be. And the majority of us will never see it coming. Life is so precious. Let's not forget that, and let these poor, innocent children who will never get to grow up and experience so much that we have been given the priviledge of, remind us to LIVE!  It's sort of difficult to segue into this next part of my post, aftering sharing my emotions on that topic...but it looks like there might be a NEW winner for that giveaway I just finished a few days ago. I'm giving Miss Julie a few more days (so I hope you got my emails and are reading this! I really do! I need you to please respond asap if you still want those goodies [which are uhhh-may-zing]) until I move on to the next winner. In other news, I've had a really odd week. It's been very stressful, but before I even get into any of that, I'd love to just share a bunch of pictures with you all. How does that sound? Good? I thought it might! Pictures are far more interesting than my every day life. Brandon's best friend (since middle school) is moving away with his girlfriend, Christie, whom I consider a pretty good friend. She's a sweetie. I know how sad B is about it, and it makes me really sad to see him like that. I remember feeling the same way when Amanda moved away to New York City. But, her life is awesome now, and I'm happy for her. Here are some pics from our last outing (at least in Jacksonville...for now):

 

 

 

 

Oh, Ryan. That face... and of course I had to throw in some lover pics!

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes I like to make silly faces...

 

"So Brani, is this all you're going to post? Pictures?"

 

Why, yes, actually. What did you expect? I just told you I had

an extremely stressful week. Haha. I'll write an actual post tomorrow.

These pictures are just to tide you over. You know, just so you can

get your fix. Hahaha! :P I can't wait to write an actual post with

actual content tomorrow or Monday. Be prepared! You're in for a lot.

And Julie, please email me! I don't want you to miss out on winning

that giveaway that you won...but someone else just might be in for

some really awesome goodies. Just sayin'...eeeeeek! xo

 

 

Tea on Tuesday Blog Hop!

 

Hello lovelies! I'm Brani, and I am soooo stoked to be hosting this week's Tea on Tuesday Social Hop! It's by far one of my favorites. :) To be honest, I've been anticipating this day for awhile. So, yes!!! Here I am, co-hosting with two very lovely gals. Do yourself a favor and sign up for this hop -- it's so much fun & you get to meet so many great people! Before you leave, don't forget to enter my giveaway...I believe today is the last day! There are wonderful all natural bath & beauty products in that pretty box. Oh, I suppose I should tell you, I mostly blog about beauty. Then some fashion posts or pics of what I wore sometimes, but a lot of random life ramblings, as well. I look forward to meeting you! Happy Tuesday! Enjoy the hop! xo

The Tea on Tuesday Social Hop is hosted by Jessica at Boys Oh Boys and Haley at Team Ibrahim, with this week's special co-host Brani from That's Just Lovely! The Tea on Tuesday Social Hop, is a multiple social link-up for everyone to meet new people, make new friends,  and grow your audience! There are 4 social link-ups for you to join, including: Your Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

There are just a few simple rules:

1. Follow the hosts via GFC (if you can) or RSS, Facebook, and Twitter. Jessica: Blog - Facebook - Twitter Haley: Blog - Facebook - Twitter Brani: Blog - Facebook - Twitter

2. For every social link-up you enter, visit at least 3 others from that link-up and follow them.

3. HAVE FUN!

(*Note: When liking on Facebook, you MUST do this from your personal page. It does not count as a "like" if you like from you blog Facebook page.)

In case ya forgot...

This is what you look like staying up all night wrapping Christmas presents. I'm so ready to jump in bed with my boys! [And yeh, that's tape on my favorite glasses. Don't hate! I'm a dork and I'm proud!]

 

Now about this GIVEAWAY!

 

 

(Read on...)

 

 

 

It has come to my attention that A LOT of you are entering the giveaway and you are not following my blog via Google Friend Connect (aka GFC)! Please make sure you do that, otherwise, if you win & you're not following...I have to move on to the next person as a winner, and that'd make me feel pretty awful. But, rules are rules type thing. Ughhhh...I sound like a school teacher! Here is the Rafflecopter again. Definitely ENTER IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! If you have and just need to fix the GFC thing, that's simple. With your gmail email address (if you don't have one, go grab one. They take just a few minutes to make, and with this giveaway, it's totally worth it!) just click that "Join this site" button on my sidebar. You'll see where it says the number of others following via GFC, and then their pictures. Super easy!

 

Only a few days left! I'm SUPER STOKED about finding out who wins, I'm sure you all are, too...and Spring, who was the lovely lady that provided me with the giftbox, is excited, as well! She will most likely want to know your thoughts on her products. I'll be doing a review on them for a post after this contest is over, but ummm...her stuff is UHMAYZING!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS, JULIE! I just sent you an email, so I can get these goodies sent your way! ;) I really hope you enjoy them & Happy Holidays!

I've got more coming for you soon! I promise. Especially a lot more pictures and reviews! Gosh, there is so much excitement with this blog coming up all at once...I really have to take a deep breath & brace myself. Have a lovely rest of the weekend, ladies! xo

 

 

It's here! THE GIVEAWAY IS HERE!

I am SO excited to announce that my very first giveaway is finally here! It's a beautiful magnetic box full of all natural bath & body products that I promise you will just adore. Please go ahead and sign up (there are several ways to get multiple entries) and let your friends and other blogger buddies know about it! The entire box is worth $60 normally. Keep that in mind! ;) I want to give a big shout-out and thank you to Spring from Beach Bum for helping out with this! xo

 

 

 

Also, please note: This giveaway is taking place in the US only. I'm sorry to any overseas visitors! :-/ Perhaps next time! Oh, and PLEASE make SURE that you are following my blog via GFC. You cannot win the giveaway without doing this! Thank you in advance. <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Hump Day!

 

Hey y'all! Get your minds out of the gutter. If you don't know what Hump Day is, it just means it's Wednesday (the middle of the work week). If you were thinking something else, you're silly... & now you know! ;) I decided to do a quick post before I get ready for work, because this isn't actually the halfway mark for me. I have to work Saturday (my job requires each of us 4 girls to work one Saturday a month. Bleh--I know, right?!) and I didn't know how much time I'd have to blog, because I also have family from up North coming here to Florida to stay with us! So, with that being said, I am providing you with pictures of Christmas in Florida. My family that's visiting knows the weather here is...how shall I put this? A LOT different than their weather right now. Haha. SO, with that being said, here are some more pics of...

 

 

Christmas in Florida!

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot to show you all this one from Thanksgiving. I was told this looks nothing like me...but whatevz. I took this on my way to Gainesville (my sister lives there and we had Thanksgiving dinner there) while slammed like sardines in a tiny BMW with 4 other people. Was that fun? Oh, yes. We all became super close. Eck.

 

 

 

 

Just kidding. That's totally not me. (I'm a REALLY young looking 25 year old!) But that picture really describes the mood I was feeling the whole 2 hour drive to and from (so, total 4 hour round trip) that day and night. Night was the worst, because I was soooo tired and had to be at work super early the next day! Okay, wah wah, I'll stop complaing right now.

 

What else is in the works? Remember last post I was talking about the giveaway that's being prepared? Oh my gosh! Y'all are going to want to enter 528487502 times. I am teaming up with my sweet friend, Spring, who owns her own business to bring you all some lovely, all natural bath & beauty products...and maybe, just maybe, something else! ;) That's why you gotta stay tuned.

 

WE GOT OUR CHRISTMAS TREE UP & FULLY DECORATED! Well, almost. We still need to go pick out a topper. (I'm thinking a cool looking star. I like stars.) The wonderful thing about this picture is that all those presents under the tree...ummm, yeah, they are for me. My boyfriend? Sheesh. It could just be that he got really amazing deals since he didn't have to work Black Friday and got to shop for me. It could also be the fact that he is truly amazing and one of a kind. I got to shop for him on Cyber Monday, and although he won't have as many presents as I do, I believe he will absolutely love what I got him! I can't tell you what that is, though, because I'm not sure if he ever reads my blog. Probably not, but just in case! Anyway, here's our tree!

 

 

 

 

Yeah...I'm pretty much in love with it. Especially since it's our FIRST tree together! Many more to come, I hope.

 

Now before I let you go, since I might not be blogging until this weekend, I wanted to leave you all with an AMAZING 5-minute makeup tutorial that can help you out just in case you're running late to get somewhere. Marlena from makeupgeek.com is one of my favorite video tutorial beauties, because not only does she know what she's doing & talking about, but she has her own awesome makeup line. I think I told you all once before that I bought her Eyeshadow Starter Kit with a zebra print Z-Palette. I'm going to include that in my next set of beauty reviews. Man, oh man, I have lots of reviews to get done. Without further ado, here is the tutorial...and just remember you don't have to use the same exact products she uses (if they are too expensive, go for something similar that fits your budget):

 

 

 

 

Well...boo, I am off to get ready for work. Enjoy the pictures & tutorial, and see ya soon! Have a very happy Hump Day! I cannot wait to give you the deets on the giveaway. Catch ya later this weekend? xo

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Day Breakdown, Pictures, & Promises...

 

Hello loves of mine! I know what most of you are probably thinking, or have thought in the past week. “She’s got this new job, no time for blogging, she’s gone for good. I should probably stop following her then.” No! Please. Don’t. Do. That. The first two weeks of work had my head spinning and when I did think of creating a post, something came up. However, I am working EXTREMELY hard from here on out and dedicating myself to this blog.

I never pre-plan posts. I thought about doing that a long time ago, because several of my blogging friends do it. It just wasn’t for me back when I started That’s Just Lovely. However, now, it’s a must. I’ll be writing blog posts on my lunch breaks for week night posts, and of course I will not leave you hanging (unless something like extremely important comes up) on the weekends. So, if you promise to keep coming back, I promise to make it a point to post! Do we have a deal? I also promise to make them good reads and not just “Wowza, looks like she threw that crap together in 5 minutes” type posts. It’s important to me because I love my blog, readers/followers, blogging in general, and my blogging friends so much! Now I understand why some of my blogging friends pre-plan their posts. ;)

Without further ado, I bring to you (some) pictures from Thanksgiving day. These were taken right before we left our house to go to me mum’s, run to her car, and drive to Gainesville to have the actual festivities at my sister’s house. I got to see my adorable niece and nephew, and eat amazing food (that I am still currently working off), so it was definitely WORTH IT!

 

 

Ermehgosh, I just love him SO much!

(And yep, his hand is on my bootay. Ruh roh...)

 

 

Another thing that is very exciting (for both me and you all) is that I am about to have my first GIVEAWAY! I am teaming up with a local all natural bath & beauty shop owner who said she’d be happy to provide the gifts. She is a total sweetie, and when that day arrives (it will be very soon! Eek!), I will give you all the 411 on her and where you can buy her amazingly awesome products!

So please don’t delete me from your favorites or daily visits, oh wonderful friends of mine. I am back and better than ever! I have sooooo much awesome stuff to share with you (and plenty more pictures where those came from), so keep checking back!

STAY TUNED FOR THE GIVEAWAY POST! Have a lovely rest of your weekend! xox
 

 

What I Wore...

Not too sure why, but lately I've been going for the less is more look. This is what I wore Saturday night to see Melissa Villasenor at The Comedy Zone. I didn't even grab any accessories, which is very unlike me, but I'm diggin' this look. It's very, very me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, of course you get more of a close up, which actually turned out to be a pretty cool picture...I am lovin' the background of this next one.

Where I Got It:
Top: Marshall's (Cha Cha Vente)
Bag: Target
Boots: Aerosoles

I know that I promised a beauty related post, but I rarely ever do fashion posts. I figured it was time. This is a very simple look; I promise to include more in the next "What I Wore" post. This is just me, though, and I don't like to pretend I'm more than who I am. I have some reviews next post I need to do on a new, local, all natural bath & beauty product store. That is sure to be a good one...because I'm thinkin' there just might be a GIVEAWAY! And who doesn't love free stuff?! I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend (they go by way too quickly, I have learned) and I will see you soon!

 

 

Hi! I miss youuuu!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall! Who is the biggest dork of them all? "The girl in the picture below, that is who." Well, keep reading to find out why. Other than my obviously ridiculous need to take pictures of my first-day-of-work-outfit!

 

So, I started my new job on Monday and it is only Wednesday. However, I feel like I have totally neglected my own blog and my friends' blogs. This really isn't completely true, because I've actually just been creepily stalking all of my friends or dailies and just not commenting. So. Don't feel like I haven't been stalking your blog! Chances are good that I have. Haha! Why have I not been commenting? Well, I do have time to do that when I get home from work (6:30-6:40pm) after eating dinner with Brandon, but let me just explain how exhausted I feel.

 

I understand that everyone is tired after a long day of work. But, I haven't had a job in 4 months (I was still employed at my serving tables job, remember? Just couldn't work because of my injuries...) and when I tried to go back the first day dressed up really cute and in heels (which, somewhere I have a picture of my entire outfit [it's super cute and profesh looking] that I need to find), I really just wanted to cry and cry and cry when I got home night #1. I learned that day that I am allowed to either dress up super cute and profesh looking, or wear...are you ready for this?! My FAVORITE work outfit ever...SCRUBS! I am even providing a picture for y'all.

 

 

 

 

That is what I wore to work yesterday! Don't get me wrong. This girl right there LOVES heels! It was the walking around in them all day at a job for 9+ hours that killed me. So, I have decided to switch back and forth. Some days I will wear scrubs, others I will dress up (in flats, until I get used to walking around that much again). Being the goof that I am (please, pretty please, don't think I am taking myself seriously), I did a little laptop cam photoshoot my first day. So, here are some more pics from Day #1.

 

 

 

 

 

That's the makeup I wore. I didn't want to go crazy overboard and do something that would make people think, "Wow...uhhh, have you seen the new girl? Does she think she's about to do a photoshoot for a Cosmo cover or something?" So I went with subtle natural. You're allowed to laugh at my close-up face if you want. Something I really felt the need to say, though, was that I was entirely shocked at how many shout-outs or well wishes I got from YOU all on my first day. It made me soooooo very happy to read them. My first and second days have both been pretty okay. Not great, not bad. I think I am going to eventually love where I work; there is just so much information to retain right now and time management is a huge problem for me at this moment. I feel very overwhelmed. But, I wasn't about to just stop blogging.

 

I have actually found myself thinking about blogging and missing my blogging buddies during real life time! Is that supposed to happen? I was like, "Hmmm...I might be able to write a post tonight. I wonder how Whitney and Lauren are doing. You know who's probably made something really cute to wear? Sue! And I am not going to let myself miss out on the hilariousness of other Whitney or Deidre!" This, my friends, is when you know that you are addicted to blogging. It just confirms how much I wish I was friends with you all in real life. Whatever, blogging is a part of my real life now.

 

On that note--I've got to start getting ready for work. Today is a scrubs day. Hooray! Don't forget to check out my new blog that I have started with my best friend in the world, Amanda. It's called Friends Take the Catwalk and we're really just waiting for a few more followers before I do my next beauty post. Speaking of that, my next post here will be beauty-related.

 

Have an awesome, great, fantastic, lovely day, my simply amazing followers! xoxo <3

 

 

8752847290679 butterflies in my tummy!

 Do y'all know why I have that many butterflies in my tum tum right now? It is because I start my new job tomorrow! I am so extremely nervous, I can't even describe it in words. The last time I was this nervous was probably my first date with Brandon, or maybe the first time we kissed.

 For anyone who doesn't know (and that would be everyone except a few close blogging friends that have asked and some real life friends that read my blog), I have accepted a receptionist position at a very busy, big physical therapy office in our city. This is just one location the company owns, but the beaches division (aka mine; I will be one of four receptionists!) is the 2nd largest division in the city.

 I am so scared because I just want to exceed their expectations, come in with my most confident look (and feeling), and excel at what I will be doing. I bought that notebook over to the left for a couple of reasons.

 

 a) I loooooove owls! b) NoteTabs are a must for how many things I will have to take notes and have section dividers for. c) I write down anything and everything if I want to remember it, or be able to go back to it. d) Sharpie Pens help me write better. Seriously, they make my handwriting better. So, prayers or positive energy sent my way would be appreciated. I am going to really have to read the part of my E-course that discusses time management...because let's face it, I'm going to be A LOT busier. Working a 9:30am-6:00pm job, and one Saturday a month, running two blogs, and being in charge of a book study. I'll be going from doing nothing but sitting at home cleaning and looking for jobs online, to being one busy gal. Time management is on my list of things to learn.

 

 But anywhoooooo (get it?! Get it?! Because of the owl notebook and my owl obsession. Haha. I'm a nerd...), I still need you all to help me get the word out about mine and Amanda's new blog (all about fashion & beauty, too) and if you'd be interested in doing a button swap with us, we're all for that! Hey, follow us, too! We'd love you forever. We just think this could ultimately lead to being a really amazing blog if people give us a chance. Click on the button below to get to our blog:

 

 

 

 We really do promise y'all will love it. We are going to switch from fashion to beauty posts, fashion to beauty posts. I look forward to seeing y'all follow us and email us for swapping information! Now, I really should be getting off here so I can go prepare my outfit for tomorrow. A couple more pictures, because, well...why not? I love pictures, and who doesn't?

 

 

 

 

 This is a new local shop, where I have befriended the owner. I will be reviewing some of the items she gave me to try out. That will probably be in the next post or the one after that. You can buy her stuff online, so not being local with me isn't a good excuse! Everything she makes is all natural, no harsh chemicals in the products, super great smelling, made IN the lab in the back of the store, I could go on and on...let me wait for the review post.

 

 

 

 Do y'all know why I'm pointing at you? Because I love you for following me, or reading this post if it's your first time, commenting, being supportive and sweet to me, and most of all, just being the best readers a gal could ask for. Have a lovely week, ladies!