High Five for Friday (the 13th)

Nerd alert!!! 

Did you know??

The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia.

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, NC an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day making it the most feared day and date in history. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. It has been estimated that $800 to $900 million is lost in business on this day. 

Fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays, because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home.

Are you afraid of Friday the 13th?

This week was slow going...there just aren't enough Friday's in the week.  Give yourselves a big H5...you made it!!

My son went shopping with my Mother one afternoon, and surprised me with these pretty earrings!!  He was so excited to give them to me.  He said when he saw them that he just knew I would love them because I like the color blue.  After he gave them to me he said "Will you write about them in your blog?"  :)

Thanks for the best present ever my sweet, sweet Trey!!

I had a shellac manicure yesterday.  I was skeptical (to say the least) because that morning on GMA they had a section discussing the dangers of such manicures.

You can watch the GMA clip by clicking this link.

 I thought about it while I got a lovely hand/arm massage from the nice Vietnamese gentleman (he sure did have some soft hands)...he was asking me if I wanted the shellac manicure during the "massage."  Immediately I flashed back to what I saw on my TV earlier that morning....I told him I needed to think about it....I decided to accept his offer after breaking my silence by asking several questions about it and discussing the price...ooook..he talked me into it.. I am sure by now I have sucker written all over my face..next to the fear that is clearly evident from my 50 questions and my hesitation....I will do it... just this once....to see for myself what I think about it.

What are shellac nails you ask?

1 thin layer of shellac base coat
(hmmm...cool!!)

10 seconds of curing in a UV lamp

(seemed like 10 minutes)

1 thin layer of shellac color coat
(again??   uhh..o..ok)

2 minutes of curing in a UV lamp

(seemed like 2 hours)

2nd layer of shellac color coat
(yawn)

2 minutes of curing in a UV lamp

(2 more hours?)

 Fortunately this nail salon serves complimentary wine..

Bartender, I'll have another..please..

1 thin layer of shellac top coat

(I need a nap)

2 final minutes of curing in a UV lamp

(Really??!!)

Wipe nails with 99% isopropyl alcohol

(Do you have to-go cups?  I'm kidding Mom!!)

Apply solar oil to nails
(wait??  you.. mean... that's it??  **insert sarcasm here**)

Seriously....Shewwww....that is/was an ordeal!!




( I must note that the entire process of "shelling" only took about 15 minutes total...still entirely too long in my opinion, but..ok..no buts.)

 I will honestly admit that I didn't even "catch" the color of my polish because I was having a silent anxiety attack thinking that I spent way more time than I should have under the UV lights.  The GMA clip about the lady that developed sun spots after 6 months of using these lights kept flashing in my head...I was seriously freaking out!!  (Apparently I need to visit that stress management/phobia institute/center I mentioned above.) 

So, I took it upon myself, and quietly removed my hands once I thought they had been "baked" long enough. The little Vietnamese guy had basically left me alone and I know it was more than three minutes before he came to check on me..  Basically this shellac process is the same as getting fake gel nails (with several added steps) except this goes on top of your own nails. 

They do feel very hard and strong as if they were the fake nails.  This is supposed to last 2 weeks or more without chipping or fading.   I recommend them only at your own risk.  The only known dangers are the overexposure times spent under the UV lamp.  I panicked a little more than usual because UV rays + lupus = nothing good!!  The Dr on GMA suggested wearing sunscreen on your hands, or asking the nail technician to cover your hands with a towel..I did neither....hence the silent mental breakdown of my hands aging 10 years in 10 minutes.

They are a pretty neutral-ish peachy color...it is not my fave...I think I panicked myself into picking a color. I just wanted to hurry and leave. 

I'm checking on that center/institute now...kidding!!!

I also got a pedicure (before the manicure)  It was a much less stressful event in my day...  This polish color is OPI My Chiuaua Bites.

It is a very pretty summery melon color

Did you all have a happy Easter?  I enjoyed looking at this adorable carrot "wreath" that my husbands Aunt and Cousin made for me.  They saw something similar on Etsy and Pinterest and surprised me with it.  I came home one afternoon and my sweet little Mother-in-Law had it hanging on my front door.

She recycled an old Christmas tree that she had not used in years...I love it!! 

Once a week I use this rinse on my hair.  It is called So Silver by Matrix.  The idea is to "rinse" my blonde of the dull residue that causes brassiness.  I have used it for about 5-6 years...once a week.  It really does work, and helps freshen and brighten my color in between salon visits.  My Grandmother was a beautician and I remember her using something very similar on her little old lady clients to help keep their silver/white hair shiny and new.

***** Update***** 

When I got to the office this morning my Dad stopped me and asked what I had done to my hair?  I wasn't quite sure how to take that.  He went on to say that it looked like I had it highlighted again...he was asking what I had done differently.  See this stuff really works!!  I just did the rinse last night!

I made homemade whipped cream for Easter Sunday dessert.  It was soooo good.  I literally ordered everyone to the kitchen to taste test this.  

I added fresh strawberries to it and used it as cake topping. Sweet delicious goodness!!

I never noticed the recipe (sans strawberries) on the side of the heavy whipping cream carton...I should pay attention more often!

 

I will now send you off to begin your weekend by ending my H54F with my favorite furry friends.

Sebastian wanted to sunbathe on the porch one sunny afternoon

Scuba was catching some rays as well..

Is it just me, or does he look guilty?

Scuba's favorite spot to sit in the mornings

Best friends!!

Thanks for stopping by for a little H54F fun!!  I hope you all have a fantabulous weekend!!

Enjoy!

Carrie

A Very Berry Good Day

It's Strawberry pickin' time in Tennessee

Last season we didn't make it to the farm until closing week, and it was slim pickens.  This year we visited during opening week, and the harvest was plentiful.

These red berries will literally melt in your mouth...

 At H & S Farms you can either pick your own berries for $10.00 a basket, or buy a basket...already picked for $12.00.

We like to pick our own...

You can visit H & S Farms at 400 Seven Mile Ferry Road in Clarksville

Located off Highway 13 and Marthas Chapel Road

If you don't live near the Clarksville area you can find a pick-your-own farm by clicking here.  On the website you also find canning and preserving recipes and tips for your picks.

 As we were leaving they were preparing to protect the crops from the frost.  We are expecting to reach near freezing temperatures in our area tonight and tomorrow night.

If you have blooms at home don't forget to cover them so you can continue to enjoy them.  Usually I drape an old sheet loosely over my blooms.  Sometimes I rig a few sticks under the sheet to support the weight.  You can find more useful tips on how to help your plants survive the frost by clicking here.

Happy harvest!

Carrie

High Five for Friday

Welcome to High Five for Friday!!

Normally, I would be celebrating Friday, but today I am sad to see the week come to an end.  It means Spring Break is over, and I 'm just not ready for school to resume.  Even though I'm not the student.  Any parent out there with school aged kids knows what I mean.  A lot of parents can't wait to send their kids back to school..I'm just the opposite.  I love spending time with my son.

 Of course, we are like any normal family and we drive each other crazy, and get on each others nerves sometimes..or a lot of the time, but I would much rather spend my days with him than without.  We have fun together..plain and simple!

  So, Friday for me...means back to school for him. 

 It was a nice break...it is always nice when you forget what day it is.  I spent a few days at work writing the wrong date, and all day yesterday thinking it was Wednesday, until my Father reminded me it was, in fact, Thursday...I should have known this since I took the day off.

Here are my five-ish things that I am most thankful for from the week.  What are you thankful for this week?


We had a blast watching The Hunger Games at the drive in.  Which, by the way, was ahhmazing, and I can't wait to see it again.  The second feature was The Woman in Black, which scared the daylights out of me.  So much so...that Trey had to tell me a few times that I was hurting his hand from squeezing it too hard...oops..sorry Trey!

For my local readers that asked about the drive in...the one we went to is in Lebanon, Tn. You can find their website here.

You would think since it was a "vacation" week that I would have embraced my domestic role, but it turned into just the opposite.  One night I wanted something light, and simple for dinner.  So, I immediately referred to my pin board, Delicious Goodness, and found Baked Fried Chicken...I realize the title is an oxy moron, but that's what the blogger calls..she named it..so I'm stickin' to it. This is her picture ..my chicken was not as breaded as hers.

I turned my chicken into delicious wraps..I smothered light ranch on a tortilla, put some hot sauce on my chicken, and sprinkled it with cheese.  Trey smothered his tortilla with honey mustard sprinkled with cheese.  They were delicious!  You can pin the recipe here.  I used buttermilk instead of regular milk, and omitted the season-all, using garlic instead.

Looks good, right!?  Delish and effortless..."vacation" style dinner.

This is disgusting, and I realize I am showing a dead animal on my blog..I apologize in advance..However, we are celebrating, and wagging our tails over here!  Our yard and our dogs have been terrorized by a mole for months.  My yard used to be beautiful, lush, and green, but now it has literally been turned upside down by mole tunnels, and my three dogs digging to China to catch the mole. 

Finally, they achieved their goal, and caught the little booger.  I've never seen a mole...it is quite a character, and cartoon-ish looking..From what I could tell Brodie caught it.  I only say that because he was prancing around showing it off for about 20 minutes before he allowed us to take it from him.  Way to go Brodie!!

I finally got my hands on these adorable flip flops at a charming little corner boutique in downtown Clarksville called Fleur de Lis. At Fleur de Lis they have a little bit of everything...clothing, jewelry, accessories and gifts.

 I fell in love with these last summer when my husbands Aunt wore a pair. She told me where she got them, and I knew I would soon need a pair!  I stopped by the shop a few weeks ago, and they only had brown....The store clerk was a doll!  She took my name and number and promised to call me when they got black back in stock. 

I had forgotten all about it until she called this week, so I went to pick them up yesterday.  They only come in whole sizes.  I wear an 8.5, and the 8 was closer to my size than the 9.  So cute, and comfy to boot.  They have these in black, brown, and white. They will even ship to you out-of-towners.  You can "like" their fb page here.  They are constantly posting their inventory on fb, and it is so easy to order, and have it shipped directly to you. 

I paid just $20.00 for these flops.

 I'm actually wearing them now!!

While on my flip flop mission in Fleur de Lis a few weeks ago I found these earrings...they were still there when I went in this week, so I saw it as a sign that they were meant to me mine.  I bought them for just $8.50. 

In the pictures they appear to be turquoise, but I think they are more greenish...I wanted them because they are green, but loving them just as much in all their turquoise glory.

I love how they hang on my ear...I just adore these earrings!!  They can either dress up or down.  After getting them home I still can't decide if they are green or turquoise..it must depend on the light.

Ever since my amazing Mother-in-Law got me these earrings at a boutique in Paris last summer.. I am simply in love with green earrings.  It is my most favorite color, and I did not have any jewelry this color until she gave them to me...

These are unmistakably green...and gorgeous!

I love chocolate, and I love ice cream! 

I was browsing through the cracker aisle at the grocery and found these yummy new treats.  Only 100 calories...what what!!

I added them to my 100 calorie ice cream cup and had a low-cal sundae for dessert.  If you enjoy such treats, I highly recommend adding them to your grocery list. 

Guilt free deliciousness!

My little Westies got groomed this week, and visited me at my office after getting their hair did.  I must say they are two handsome boys!  The girls at Alicia's K-9 Kuts and Kennels always do a fabulous job with them!

My Dad was talking to Winston in this picture...see that smile.  He is so cute!  He makes me smile!

You can get a custom made collar like Winston's by visiting Puppy Dog Plaids website.

Brodie asleep with his stuffed raccoon..

Winston sleeping

Thanks for stopping by to read HF4F.  You know it has been a good week when I have more than five H5's!!  I hope each and every one of you have a fabulous weekend.  In case you missed last weeks Friday post you can catch up by clicking here.   I will admit it was quite an exciting post!

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!! You know I just love to hear what you have to say!

Enjoy!

Carrie

March Birchbox

Here we are again..it's that time of the month...the time that we all look forward to...drum roll please...dunnn dun dunnn...

March Birchbox reveal time!!

  Sadly, I did not get the Teen Vogue box that I secretly hoped for, but I did get some fantastic products.

.By the way.. I can't help but get sidetracked when the sparkle of diamonds - on my left hand - catch my eye...I get so tickled when I look at them!!  If you don't know why it is because you missed Friday's blog...tisk tisk..you can catch up by clicking here.

I love trying anything new to improve the look of my curly hair.  This product is Miss Jessie's Quick Curls.  It smells delightful, and feels like a lotion for your hair.  This cream enhances your hair’s natural bounce and shape without any heaviness.  It can be used for naturally kinky, curly, or wavy hair.  The moisturizing formula does away with frizz and dryness. Since it’s packed full of moisturizing botanicals, it doubles as a rescue treatment for fried and over-processed hair.

The directions say to use a tablespoon amount, which I thought seemed like a lot compared to other creams I use for my curls. But, I tried it, and got great results. 

My hair was soft, and my curls were full.  It did not weigh down my hair, but my scalp did feel dirty at the end of the day.  Usually I can go a day..sometimes two without washing my hair because it doesn't get oily, but the next day after using this product I had to wash it.  I thought maybe I used too much, so I tried about half of what I used the first time.  My curls did not hold as well as when I used the directed amount, and my scalp still felt dirty by the end of the day.  I will continue to use this product, but I am almost certain that I will not purchase a full sized tube.  Not because I don't love it, but because it costs $32.00 for a full sized tube, and I feel like using a tablespoon amount or more each time will make it disappear long before I feel I got my money's worth.  Make sense?

This trio of shadows by, Stilla, is for achieving a perfect smoky eye. The three shades work together to make your eyes look their most alluring.  I like makeup that lays it out for me with in depth directions because I certainly need help when it comes to applying some of it correctly. 

Kitten is a gorgeous taupe laced with pinkish shimmer, Diamond Lil is a shimmery grey, and Ebony is a deep charcoal black. They are long-lasting shadows made of finely pressed pigments that go on smoothly. The formula is designed to be applied dry or wet.

This cream is a multi-tasker of makeup remover, cleanser, and head-to-toe moisturizer. It’s the only product you need to keep your skin pure and unbelievably soft. It smells wonderful...tropical like, and good enough to eat with a spoon.  It reminds me a lot of my Burt's Bees cuticle balm, except I like this stuff much better.. It is made of organic oils and other natural ingredients, and made without a single drop of water, making it ultra-rich and concentrated.  Basically, anywhere on your body that needs moisturizing..this is your go to cream!

Peter Thomas Roth - anti-aging cleanser is a mild exfoliating acid that helps clarify skin, detox pores, and reduce fine lines.  I have not used this product, but I did open the bottle to see what it smells like.  It has a very clean citrus scent.  This will be a facial cleanser that my house guests will get to enjoy using because it is already in the guest basket.

 I'm not a huge fan of detox tea..I've tried some before and it makes me show my ugly taste face with every swallow.  I haven't tried this yet, but I might as well not waste it. (insert ugly taste face here)  It is lemon-grass flavored...This tea will rid your body of pent-up toxins, boosting your energy while lowering your stress levels..(this in itself will be worth the try..ugly face or not.)  It flushes out the impurities in your system, while lemongrass aides your digestive system.

 Each packet of this product contains a “mitt” that has been soaked with The Stripper (polish remover) to go. It says "to go" because it is designed with the idea that you will carry them in your purse..or "to go".  The lavender formula has a soothing scent, plus aloe to moisturize nails and cuticles.  The directions say that one mitt will clean all 10 nails.  While it smells lovely, I have to strongly disagree with this product.  I had week old polish on, which we all know was dull and chipped on the edges after a week..and this mitt did not remove it from one nail, let alone 10.

The design is nifty, and I will use the remaining polish mitts to add my own polish remover and save a few cotton rounds.

Well, there you have it.  I got some pretty cool stuff..some I enjoyed more than others, but as always it is a nice surprise to get new products monthly and be able to play with them to discover whether or not I like them.  I hope you all enjoyed playing with your new March products. 

Here's to another fun box in April!

Carrie

Thank you for the comments!!