Messy Project Reveal! You don't want to miss this!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Ladies! Today is... The Messy Project reveal!
Get excited!
 
 
What is The Messy Project??
 
Created by Kelly at Messy Dirty Hair, The Messy Project is a fabulous series in which 5 different girls can showcase their unique, individual style.
 
Here's the deal:
 
1 Item.
5 girls.
5 different looks.
1 major blog post day.
 
Awesome, right?!
 
I'm all about going out on a limb & trying something new, so I've been DYING to participate in
The Messy Project!
 I spent the the beginning of March anxiously awaiting the 'mystery item' to
arrive in the mail from Kelly.
Because let's face it, who doesn't love a good mail day??
Then one day, it showed up! All the way from Cali!
Not going to lie, I was surprised when I opened the 'mystery item' & right away,
my wheels started turning on how I could style this unique piece of clothing...
 
These pants!
 
Queen of awkward poses... ahhh!
 
 
So, what did I do? I went for a casual look by pairing the pants with a simple blue tank -- the pants are sort of high waisted with a bow belt, so I opted for tucked in.
Then I added simple accessories including a vintage orange necklace, and open toe slingback heels.
I loved the pop of color added with the blue tank & the orange in the necklace...
That whole cobalt/orange trend is happening right now! Right?
 
This outfit could easily tranisition from lunch with the girls to a quick work meeting -- with the addition of a blazer.
 
Cool this one is blurry. Awesome.
 
So what do y'all think??
Are the pants something you would gravitate towards in the store?
I definitely would NOT gravitate towards them, but surprisingly I like them a lot.
Bonus - they are so comfortable, they could totally double as loungewear. WIN.
 
Be sure to check out the other ladies & how they styled the look!
 
 
 
 
& of course...
Our host....
 
 
 
xo
Sam
 
 
 
 

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It's the simple thanggs in life...

Monday, March 11, 2013

Points if you finished the lyrics! ;)

Here's a little recap of the simple things that have been making me super happy as of late...


One.
Pure Barre. Ahhh! I tried a class & now I'm addicted.
My first class was free, but each class is like $22 bucks.
Sista can't afford that. Dang it!
I will call it my 'special occasion' workout.


Two.
Our new APP!
My real estate company has just released an APP!
So if you're in Louisville, visiting soon, or planning to move here...
Download it!



Three.
Good hair days!
Love when this happens!
This was even 2 day dirty hair!

 
Four.
Nashville!
I got to accompany Jason on his work trip
& we squeezed in some fun stuff.
Ok, he squeezed it in. I frolicked around all day.
 
American Pickers!
Anyone watch it?
Well this is the warehouse in Nashville.
Super awesome historic building.
When we got here it was literally POURING down rain.
Once we got inside, John from the show was there doing a photoshoot.
Pretty cool!
 
If you guys ever go, there is an AMAZING coffee shop
called...
Go.
You won't be disapointed.
 
Also, on the other side of the pickers store, there is a neat little place called...
Anddd...
they have gourmet hand dipped marshmallows.
Freakin' awesome.
 
Also, they suckered me into a shirt.
How could I not?!?
 
Anway... Nashville = Love.
Moving on.
 
Five.
Smith-Berry Winery with my girls on Saturday.
Fun way to celebrate 60 degree temps.
I mean it's always a good idea to have wine.


Six.
Cinnamon. Roll. Waffles.
I went there.
You should prob follow me on Pinterest
b/c I pin stuff like this on the reg...
See the pin here.
 
Seven.
These new cards I picked up.
One for a friends birthday, and one for a friends baby.
Coming in May.
 
Eight.
Got this jacket at Kohls.
Originally priced over $40, but I got it for $17.
It's good to have friends with Kohl's cards.
Extra discount!
Don't mind that it's technically the juniors line...
Princess Vera Wang.
Whatevs.
 
 
Goodness this list is getting long...
One last thing....
 

This is going down this month.
The Messy Project
Featuring yours truly
(+ 3 other pretty ladies, not to mention Kelly herself.)
Coming March 20 = The Big Reveal!
 
Get excited!
 
What's keeping you smiling these days?
 
xo
Sam

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Fearless Fashion - Thrifted edition

Friday, March 1, 2013


& that means it's time to link up with Kelly for Fearless Fashion Fridays! I was super excited to participate today in the 'Thrifted' edition. Y'all know how cheap I am, right? I'm always up for a good bargain, therefore I love thrifting! Here is one of my recently thrifted outfits. Cut me some slack with the pictures, it's my first time using the self timer on my rebel.


 
How funny is it that Kobe & Dax BOTH decided to photobomb me? They were mesmerized by the camera timer!
 
 
Also cut me some slack on my hair! I 'pre-photographed' these on Thursday evening after I got home. This is how my hair is work 99% of the time when I'm at home ;) oopsie!
 
 

Model material.
haha!
 
Outfit breakdown:
 
Top (sweater/tunic) - Express brand - Goodwill $3
Jeans Gap - brand - Goodwill $3
Heels - Steve Madden brand - Goodwill $3
Belt - Versona Accessories - clearance rack $1.99
Total outfit cost - $11.
Beat that!
 
Also... super excited to say that I'll be participating in #themessyproject this month!
Stay tuned!
 
Do you thrift?
 
xo
Sam


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Evolving Friendships

Thursday, February 28, 2013

It's weird. Weird the things I think of on my drives home. Today it was friendships. Old friendships, new friendships, friendships you think will be there forever. I started thinking about friends from my past that I haven't spoken to in years. Sure, I'm facebook friends with a lot of these people, but it's been years since we've really talked.


I think about friends I had in school. I'm talking all the way back from kindergarten & first grade. My mom was (& still is) a teacher, so in elementary & middle school my brother & I would get out of school, then we'd have to wait for her to finish up before we could go home. Another girl, Gina, her mom worked at the school as well. We became super close & had tons of adventures together - running around the school after hours was pretty awesome back then. I can remember spending the night at her house all the time. We would make no-bakes & mounds candy bars... jump on her trampoline & go paddle-boating around the little lake behind her house. We stayed friends throughout middle school, but somewhere in high school we drifted apart. I ran into her at Kroger one day & it was just so fun to briefly catch up. She went to art school for a while & now I think she is a server at this cool new restaurant in Louisville.

Another girl, Kim, was my best friend in elementary school. Then in middle & high we drifted apart. I can remember being at her house 24/7 almost. She had 2 sisters close to our age, who also always had friends over, so we never ran out of things to do. I can remember tons of adventures in her basement, cooking parties in her kitchen, & the fact that her parents always made everyone finish every last drop of milk with their dinner. Milk was the only option. To this day, I can't drink milk with any other meal than breakfast & even then it has tons of ice so it stays super cold. I went away to camp with Kim & one year my mom made our hair look like Cindy Lou-Hoo from the Grinch. It was pretty awesome. I ran into Kim at Starbucks about a year ago & then ran into her parents at a boat show. She went to Purdue University & is on her way to becoming a pharmacist.

It's funny because I can't remember the last time I hung out with these girls & more. It's like looking back, I had no idea I would drift apart from this person. No idea that we would just leave that sleepover or whatever & that would reallly be the last real time we hung out. Really hung out. It's crazy how technology allows us to sort of keep tabs on old friends. It's even better when we run into these old friends in real life & get to see what they are up to.

It's crazy to see where everyone ends up. I say 'ends up' loosely. Obviously everyone is still evolving & moving forward. Totally makes me rethink the whole attending my high school reunion when it comes (in 4 more years) thing. I never thought I would go... but you know what? Maybe I just will.

Do you like running into old friends?
Will you attend, or have you attended (how was it?) your high school reunion??

xo
Sam

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Life Lately + Sweetheart Vox Box Review

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Hi ladies! It's been a while so I thought I'd check in & fill you in on my life happenings as of lately...
 
My dining room-to-office transformation is well underway... & I'm making progress.

You might remember this cabinet, my craigslist find, looking like this before...
Quite the transformation, huh? I repainted this beauty with gray paint we had around the house. It's like my little office cabinet, housing my computer, printer & office supplies.
Grand total - 50 smackeroos.
I'm still working on all the other details, but I'll be sure to post a full reveal soon with before & afters.
 
While on the DIY subject, Jason & I made ourselves a new little coffee table. I like to call it #imitationpotterybarn. Agree?
 
The base we found at our local Habitat ReStore... it was stained oak with a really ugly top.
We painted the base a satin black, removed the old top & replaced it with ancient true 2x12 pine boards. The boards actually used to be flooring at the Louisville Slugger factory back in the 60's/70's. It's old. Jason is lucky enough to be friends with one of the guys in the slugger fam.
Major score. So we stained the boards & attached for a new top.
Total cost - $50 bucks.
 
What else. What else, what else?
 
I learned this braid. Thanks to Ashley over at The Shine Project.
 
It's super easy to do & is great for cleaning or working out.
 
Speaking of working out....
I've been looking like this a lot lately. If you're looking for a new workout I highly suggest www.dailyhiit.com. Check it out, it won't disappoint. & it's FREE!
 
My love left me this little surprise on V-day morning. Plus a facial gift certificate. Thanks babe :)
 
 
Snagged these amazing chevron & burlap pillow covers at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off. They rang in around $3.50 each. Total score!
 
 
Finished Gone Girl. Awesome book, but the ending totally pissed me off. 
Gillian Flynn is a great writer & I can't wait to read more from her.
 
Also... I was lucky enough to receive a Sweetheart Vox Box from Influenster.
The goods:
 
Olay Fresh Effects - Powered Contour Cleansing System
What is it? A vibrating brush that is said to clean 400% better than basic cleansing.
Thoughts? I liked it. It felt good on my skin. I will likely use it a few times a week.
However, I highly doubt it cleans 400% better than basic cleansing.  
 
Olay Fresh Effects - Shine Minimizing Cleanser
What is it? A facial cleanser with the power of a mask. Said to deep clean 
& reduce appearance of pores. 
Thoughts? I used it with the vibrating brush. The combination of both left my skin feeling smooth, we'll see if it helps reduce the appearance of pores with continued use.
 
Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response
What is it? A deoderant formulated to fight the 3 causes of sweat - heat, movement & stress.
Thoughts? Not gonna lie, hated this one. Don't get me wrong, it smelled great. However, it's the kind of deoderant that you 'roll up' & it's in a liquid/cream form. It makes my underarms feel wet.
If you like that type of deoderant, knock yourself out because it really does smell good, but I will stick with my solid deoderants.
 
Skinny Girl On-the-Go Bar ( in Coco-Nut)
 
 
 What is it? An On-the-Go bar high in protein & fiber, low in calories, sugar & carbs.
Thoughts? First off, I love Bethenny & her Skinny Girl brand. However, I'm a tough please with bars, just because a lot of them taste like cardboard! I'm happy to say this one was amazing though! I got the Coco-nut flavor & it really did taste like coconut & peanut butter. Plus, I was super happy with the nutrition content. 180 Cals, 8g protein, 5g fiber & less sugar & carbs than other comparable bars.
I will be adding these to my grocery list :)
 
Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
 

 
What is it? A texturizing spray infused with sea salt, said to give you that 'beach babe' look.
Thoughts? I used the spray on hair that I had washed & flat ironed curled the previous day- then slept on. It brought life back to my flat iron curls & gave it a nice texture. Bonus? These waves stayed in place all day long, people! All. Day. Long. With naturally stick straight hair, this never happens!
Safe to say this full size product will totally be mine asap.
 
What have y'all been up to lately? Ever tried any of these products? 
 
I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.
Connect with these brands on Instagram or Twitter :)
 
@influenster
@FreshEffects #OlayGetFresh
@SecretDeoderant #StressSweat
@NYMBrands #NotYourMothers
@SkinnygirlDaily #SkinnygirlDailyBars
 
 
xo
Sam
 


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I'm the kinda girl who...

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

I'm the kinda girl who...
 

...attempts throwing together my own halloween costumes...

...would rather spend a night in than a night out 99% of the time...

... loves a good thrift store hunt...

... loves to explore & wander through different cities...

... smiles at people I pass throughout the day...

... has to get my daily sweat sesh in...

... gets super excited about being creative...

... wants to adopt any 'homeless' dog I see...

... wants to make a difference...

... goes through my closet & then picks through the get-rid-of pile & saves things...

... plans to travel the world at some point...

... likes adventure...

What kind of girl are you? Go link up with Holly!

 
xo
Sam

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20 Seconds of Insane Courage.

Monday, February 18, 2013


'All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. Just literally 20 seconds of embarassing bravery, and I promise you, something great will come of it.' - We Bought a Zoo
 
We Bought a Zoo is one of those movies that I wasn't too interested in seeing in the beginning. Jason practically had to talk me into watching it. Well, we watched it, and I absolutely loved it. The above quote is so true, so unmistakably true. We just need to listen to it.
 
We all have fears. We all have opportunities. Sometimes these fears keep us from seizing these opportunities.
 
I know I'm guilty of it.
 
Just last night, Jason & I went to this new sushi place. It was empty, literally just us at one table, one other customer sitting at the sushi bar, and three employees. I have this weird thing I do where I'm not trying to listen in on other people's conversations, but I just pick up on bits & pieces. I guess part of it's due to the fact that Jason & I are at the point in our relationship where we don't have to be talking 24/7, we can just be.
 
So anyways, I overhear this customer talking about his move to Chicago. He's talking about where he'll live, & saying that he will still be visiting Louisville quite often because some of his team is here. He mentioned selling his car, because he will be able to rely soley on public transit in Chicago.
 
He mentioned nothing of his house, or living situtation. But it's possible he had a home to sell in Louisville, right? So I thought, I'll slip him a card on the way out, say I overheard about his move to Chicago, & let him know I'd love to help him with any real estate needs.
 
Great idea, right?
Yeah, but I didn't do it.
I let myself walk right out the door after thanking the sushi chef (is that what you call them?) & left the opportunity on the table.
 
Why? Why didn't I say anything? It's that voice in my head saying
well, he probobly doesn't have a house to sell, maybe he was a renter...
I'm sure he already has an agent.
He likely already has a plan, he's already sold his house here, or tied up any loose ends.
 
Maybe one of those was true. Maybe he had no use for a realtor. But guess what? Now I don't know.
Say I put myself out there, introduced myself, gave him a card. Anything could have happened.
 
Maybe he needed a realtor. Maybe he didn't need a realtor, but guess what? He liked my spunk & if he ever did need a realtor in Louisville, he knew who the heck I was. Maybe one of the employees needed a realtor, & they would speak up. Maybe he would pass my card along to a friend.
 
Hell, maybe this guy was a total jerk & he would be annoyed with me for interupting him & refuse my card. I doubt it, but it could happen. Even if it did, at least I would know! Would that really be that bad? No.
 
But now, because I didn't put it out there, I missed any opportunity (now or in the future) that could have come from taking the risk.
 
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Well, it's true.
 
Sure, this was just one opportunity. There will be many more. Normally, I'm good about seizing opportunities. But after this little experience, I'm sure as hell going to seize any opportunity that comes my way. I'm even going to create opportunities. Because this feeling of missing out, kicking yourself for not speaking up... it's no good.
 
The only one in my way is me.
The only one in your way is you.
I plan on getting out of my own way.
 
Maybe I'll start tracking my '20 seconds' & document them for you here on the blog. What do you think about that?
 
xo
Sam
 
 
 

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