hatteras island trip 2016

A couple weeks ago my mom and stepdad headed down to Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks for a week and invited us to stay for a couple days.



They have a fabulous RV so we stayed with them at a really nice campground. THERE WERE DOGS EVERYWHERE. I petted a Newfoundland, a giant Schnauzer, a Westie, a Walker Hound, and so many more!

We had a lot of fun! I hadn't done any kind of tanning since a friend's wedding in 2013, so I lathered up the first day on the beach...and still got burnt the hell up. Thank goodness I have decent skin and it either peeled or soaked in fairly quickly.

Though we weren't there long, it was a relaxing time. I didn't have to wear makeup or brush my hair or anything. I can say I successfully did not care what I looked like on this trip. We ended our beach venture with a sunset walk on the beach and gathered seashells. ♥ ♥



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empties #3

These posts are a great source of joy for me and I can't explain why. More empties this month. :)



Simple Soothing Facial Toner // I've had this toner for forever and I've been using it every day! Sadly, Simple tests on animals so I will not be repurchasing.

Matrix Total Results Repair Shampoo // This was a hotel bottle that I took with me when we went on a trip. It was pretty good shampoo but Matrix isn't cruelty free.

Estee Lauder Pleasures Sample // I don't remember requesting this sample, but somehow I got it. It smelled alright, but I'm not a big perfume gal so that combined with Estee Lauder not being cruelty free, I won't be getting this again.

up & up Apricot Facial Scrub // When I exfoliate my face I like to have a product that I can feel working - this did that. Unfortunately, like I've said before, up & up isn't cruelty free.

L'Oreal Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Shampoo, Pre-Conditioner, and Conditioner Samples // They worked. But 1) not cruelty free, and 2) I have enough to do in the shower, I don't need to "pre-condition", too.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Eyelid Primer // cruelty free // I received this in a Sephora order, and there was quite a bit of product in this little sample. I got a use out of it, and initially the product is very wet. It takes a smidge longer to dry than the primer I use now. However, it gets nice and tacky and provides a nice setting for eyeshadow. I'd try out the full size if Too Faced removed the animal products.



The Honest Company Face & Body Lotion // cruelty free & vegan // I liked this lotion at first. Then about ten minutes after I applied it to my hands, they felt dry. If I was given a tube of this I'd use it, but I don't think I'd spend money on it.

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Soap in Peppermint // cruelty free & vegan // I grabbed a sample size of this at Target one day and I enjoyed it. I used it as a body wash (though it has tons of uses) and I definitely want to try out a full size.

That wraps up another empties post. Yee! What have you used up lately?

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birthday trip to tennessee

I turned 26 at the end of April. No, I don't want to talk about it. I've had about six mid-mid life crises. But I did have a great trip out to Tennessee to see my mom!



We packed up and went out Tuesday evening and had a great time. We jammed to Amazon Prime Music all the way out. It was a gorgeous day to travel.

We didn't get out til later that evening, but Mumma had made some delicious spaghetti (as always) and then, after six hours of travel, we went to bed. She even had the birthday flag out for me!



Wednesday we woke up, got ready, and headed to Knoxville! All of my photos from Knoxville and Market Square were on Snapchat and apparently I didn't save any of them. That's how much fun I was having! We had lunch at Yassin's Falafel House, which I loved, but they aren't huge falafel fans. There was a dog store in Market Square so of course I had to go in. And come out with mixable dog ice cream and a new hardcore chewer toy.

Thursday we took it easy and took naps on the couch or out on the hammock. The weather was gorgeous!

Friday we went out to The Island in Pigeon Forge. I'd never been, and it was a nice little shopping experience - definitely check it out. And there's a Margaritaville! I'm not a Buffett fan in the slightest, but we had great margaritas (definitely try the Last Mango in Paris) and they had veggie burgers!






We strolled around the shops and I checked out two candy stores since I like to see what other places do compared to the shop I work in, picked up some taffy, and stopped at the Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery and did a small wine tasting at Bootleggers. We picked up a bottle of blueberry and peach to bring home.



It was a pretty fantastic trip and I had a very happy birthday. ♥

empties #2

The second round of empties! There weren't quite as many this month, but I manage to finish up a few things I've been trying to get out of my way.



Maybelline  Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black // I think almost everyone has had a tube of this at some point. It does the job, but isn't cruelty free so I won't be repurchasing.

up & up Wet Cleansing Towelettes // This is the last of the clearance stash of these guys. Like I said before, I won't be repurchasing these because they're not cruelty free.

Mary Kay Time Wise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation in Beige 3 // When I was in a wedding two years ago, we had a Mary Kay lady do our makeup. She did a phenomenal job, so a few months later I picked up the foundation at a MK party I was invited to. This is that foundation. Now, though, it's too dark for me and it's time has come. Mary Kay sells in China so they're not cruelty free, so unfortunately I won't be repurchasing.

Herbal Essences Body Wash in Body Burst // This was a sample I got in the mail ages ago and I've just finished it. While it was a decent body wash, Herbal Essences isn't cruelty free, so I won't be getting a full size!

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in Ivory // I LOVE the way this foundation blends when you first put it on. However, I've had it a while and it's started to cake as the day goes by so I think it's past it's prime. Another brand that isn't cruelty free, so I'll have to stick with my e.l.f. foundation.

Funky Fingers polish in Confetti // It's gotten gloopy. I wasn't a fan of how hard it was to apply. I won't be repurchasing.

Edge Extra Moisturizing Shave Gel // It's shave gel. It did it's job. I didn't see how it was "extra moisturizing", but it was okay. I'm eager to switch to a natural shaving cream once I go through my coupon stockpile, so I won't be getting this again.

Andalou Naturals Leave-In Conditioner // cruelty free & vegan // I absolutely love this conditioner. It smoothes frizz and leaves your hair feeling better overall. It has argan oil and the first ingredient isn't water like most conditioners. This is the second bottle I've been through and I am definitely going to purchase this again.

Send me your recs and links to what you've finished this month! ♥