Get one before they are gone!

It is my duty to let you in on a little secret just in case you didn't already know.  Pam with ColorBlock Shop on Etsy is down to her last few candy collar necklaces.  If you love this necklace as much as I do, you better get one before they are gone!

I discovered ColorBlock shop from Meghan's blog, Little Girl in the Big World, back in February, and fell head over heels in love with all of the handmade neon, rhinestone jewelry. 


I had been searching high and low for a neon, yellow rhinestone necklace.  Ann Taylor was the only store I came across that had one and it was $88.  No, thank you...I could get 8 necklaces at Forever 21 for that price!


   So, I decided to contact Pam at ColorBlock Shop to see if she would make a custom necklace that was just yellow. And guess what?  She said, YES!  So, if you don't see a color on her shop that floats your boat, send her a message and let her know what you want.


And, did I mention that it is half the price of the Ann Taylor one? The drive out price, with shipping was $41!  Nope, that is not a typo, my friends...$41!


Here is a picture of the one I got.  You can also see a few pictures of me wearing it here and here.

It's a beauty, right?  Her earrings and bracelets are equally fabulous! 

And by the way, I am not getting paid or receiving FREE jewelry by writing this post.


Have you purchased anything from a shop on Etsy lately?  I would love to hear what you found!

Cheers to a little rhinestone bling for half the price!

I am also linking up with Blonde Episodes today!  Check out more fun fashions here!

Birds of a Feather...

Today is going to be short and sweet...one simple message...I LOVE my new top from Zara!

 

Sending a Texas-sized shout out to Miss Krystin Lee with Suburban Faux-Pas for posting a photo of this top on her Instagram. I have REALLY been trying to stay "clean and sober" from shopping, but I fell off the wagon with this one. I just couldn't help myself.  It was seriously chirping my name!

 Comfortable + Mint + Birds + Doesn't Wrinkle = Happy Shanna

Top:Zara | Crops:Old Navy | Shoes:Nine West | Belt:From Another Dress | Ring:Forever 21

Have you bought something lately that you really didn't need, but just couldn't say no?   

Cheers to getting back on the wagon with my cute little birds! 

Side notes:

Thanks, Brooke, for shooting these pictures in the drizzle this morning!  Best.Co-worker.Ever!

Happy 7th Birthday to my spunky, mini-me, Logan Marie! 

Life is Glamorous!

Forgive me for this post.  I really hope you don't unfollow me, or if this is your first time visiting, I can only hope that you will come back tomorrow.  This is not normal, but then again, I am not feeling so normal right now. 

My hubs is out of town for work and I am playing single mom.  I have soooooo much respect for all the single moms out there because, although I love my girls, I am about to pull my hair out.  So, hence this post.  No time to blog about beauty, fashion or anything super fun today...just trying to make it out alive and stay sane until the hubs comes home!! 

This is how I feel right now!!!!  Can't we all just get along and not fight!

  Life is glamorous!

Rats!!!

Somebody better call a priest...

On the other hand, don't call a priest, just pour me a glass of wine!!

I should be back to my "normal" self tomorrow...hopefully!  By the way, I really do love my kiddos, and wouldn't have it any other way...well, maybe I would change a few things...but I do love them!!

 Please come back and visit...

Cheers to the hubs coming home, extreme patience and a couple glasses of red wine!

Birchbox, Boo on You

My last Birchbox post was "Birchbox Brag", this month it's "Birchbox, Boo on You".  If you have never heard of Birchbox, I can give you a quick run down here.

I saw several posts of what other friends got before mine came in the mail and everything was worth well over $10 (the Birchbox monthly subscription).  I just knew I was going to get the Essie nail polish or the Tarte Lip Stain or the Stila eyeshadow or even the fun little twist band...but NOPE!  Not me...not even one of those beauties were tucked in my box.  I kept digging after I opened everything, in hopes of finding at least one of those sought after products hiding in my little brown box.

I know, I must sound like an ungrateful brat, but gee-whiz Birchbox, you teased me with all of the other fab goodies my friends got.  Couldn't I have at least just gotten one of them?  Maybe they got my profile mixed up with someone elses. 

So here is what was in my box this month...don't be jealous!

Harvey Prince Ageless perfume sample.  This smells kind of nice, but I get REALLY
bad headaches from perfume.  I can only use lotion and body sprays.

This color is okay, but I would have MUCH rather had an Essie brand.  Essie gave out two different colors this month.  I have never heard of this brand before.  Have you?

This is probably my favorite sample in my box because the name Lulu Orangics is the nickname we have given my youngest daughter (Lulu, not Orangics).
And two, I am always looking to try new dry shampoos because my hair is SUPER oily and I don't like to wash and dry it every day. 

I don't really drink much tea...maybe I will add a little liquor to it for a Spring-time cocktail. 
What do you suggest I mix it with?

These could come in handy, but I typically just carry a bottle of sunscreen with me to the pool.  I
 got two packs of these which only contain one towel in each packet.

One Love Organics - Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm
I am picky about what I put on my face because I have super sensitive skin.  So, if you want this, send me your address and I will drop it in the mail for you!

So, there you go, I told you not to be jealous!  However, I am jealous of those of you that got one of the Essie nail polishes or the Tarte Lip Stain.  I am not giving up on you yet, Birchbox.  I know you will make it up to me next month!

Did you like what you got this month?

Cheers to getting fun stuff in the mail for $10 a month, even if this month kind of sucked.

Today I am linking up with Fabulous but Evil. 

Check out what some of the other ladies got this month.

No Oompa Loompa Here!

Not only is the weekend upon us, but it is going to be a beauti-mous one here in Austin!  Spring has definitely arrived!  Bring on the shorts, sleeveless tops, sandals and possibly SWIMSUITS....swimsuits?  Yes, I said swimsuits!  YIKES!!!!  I know, I am FREAKING OUT too!  I am as white as a ghost, and when I say white, I mean so white that my veins look like bruises on my legs...attractive, I know!

Well, don't fret my lovelies, I have the cure for our winter white bodies...are you ready?  Of course you are.  It's called Xen Tan!

I would prefer to call it A Gift from Sweet Baby Jesus.  Okay, maybe I am being a little outrageous, but seriously, this self tanner is by far the BEST one I have ever used...and believe me, I have purchased plenty!

Xen Tan has several product lines. I use the Transform Luxe Daily Self-Tan in Light/Medium.  It does not give you instant color.  It is gradual.  The best part...okay, there are two best parts...it does not leave you looking like a big, orange Oompa Loompa and it actually smells good...think vanilla.  Oh, I fogot another best part...it is only $30!  I got mine at Ulta, but you can also get it online here and at Sephora.

I always apply mine at night and I wake up to a fresh, non-stinky glow.  Also, I must add that it fades nicely and doesn't leave you splotchy. 

Check out a before and after picture...CAUTION...you might need to put on your sunglasses for the first picture...don't say I didn't warn you!  It looks like I am wearing white pantyhose...HOT!

BEFORE
{never did this outfit post because of how white my legs were}

AFTER
{subtle, right...not too over the top tan?}

I know there are several other, Non-Oompa Loompa looking, self-tanners out there.  St. Tropez and Fake Bake have gotten amazing reviews as well.  I just found this one to be my favorite one so far! 

Do you have a favorite self-tanner or a funny self tanner experience?  I am willing to bet my bank account that anyone that has used one before has a funny, OMG I turned orange story!!  Mine was with the Sublime Loreal one...I was a HOT MESS!!

Cheers to getting our tan on!! 

A Birthday and Total Awkwardness

Yesterday was a milestone birthday for one of my most favorite ladies in the entire world.  We have been buds since my freshman year of college and were pledge sisters in our sorority.  We have been in each other's weddings, watched each other's babies come into this world, made some crazy traveling memories {most recently, our Vegas trip}, laughed and cried together and most importantly have been by each other's side through our most trying moments.  I consider her more of my sister than my friend.  So, this post is dedicated to her.  I am so lucky to have shared your birthday with you, and for those who know the story...she likes to party like it's 1998! 

 

Before dinner I had the Hubs snap up a few pictures of my outfit.  Okay, I must say, this was total AWKWARDNESS!!!  If you have been reading my blog, you know that most of my outfit posts are taken in the comfort of my backyard.  WOW!  I give props to you ladies that go out and shoot pictures in public.  I am not a shy or introverted girl, but I felt like a HUGE DORK posing on the sidewalk in downtown Austin.  People were seriously staring and giving us the, "you are so shallow for taking all these pictures of yourself look." All I wanted to do was shout out, "This is for my blog, people!!"  Oh well, at the end of the day, who really cares, but I will say again, big high fives for all of you that do this all the time...I think I am going to head back to my little piece of privacy.

Dress: c/o Strut in Austin | Blazer: Lauren Conrad for Kohls | Shoes: Steve Madden | Jewelry:F21

   

Can you tell that I look a little nervous in the pictures? Through my super fake smile, I was telling the hubs to hurry up and keep snapping! God love him for putting up with me. I know most of us bloggers depend on our devoted {and annoyed at times} better halves to be the men behind the scenes! Let's all go home tonight and tell them that they have been promoted to co-producer.  Do you think they would accept or decline the offer? 

Cheers to birthdays, backyards and better halves!

She's Gone Country...

Yes, I went country twice in one week!  I was more prepared with my Texas style this rodeo go around.

The hubs surprised me with tickets to Jake Owen, my country singer crush...hope he {the hubs} doesn't get jealous! His show was spectular and on stage, his charm like no other. I think I might be competing with all the Texas women now...especially with my sweet friend, Jessica with Fanciful. 

We had so much fun, more so the second time around...I think it was because I didn't have to work the next day...funny how you go all "out" when you know the alarm clock isn't going off in the morning.

Since we rode the carnival rides during our first visit, we decided to take a stroll through the livestock area after the rodeo/concert .  Take a look below and see what decided to let me give it a little love...I heart Texas and this time of year...if you ever get the chance, you HAVE to go to a rodeo once in your life. 

Getting things started....

My competition that I spoke of eariler.  Love Jessica...check out her blog Fanciful. 

You will adore her as much as I do!

Now, that's what I am talking about...chiseled, long haired, cutie pie, Mr. Jake Owen...

The hubs and I...no, he did NOT wear this all night...just a "prop".

Do I look "country" yet? 

My favorite picture of the night.  I couldn't believe it let me pet it.

I was a little nervous...not going to lie.

True Texas

I wanted to take this baby home with me.

You can't go to a rodeo and not take picture on a big, green machine.

Do you have a bit of country running through your blood, or would you rather stick to the city?

Y'all come back now, ya hear?!?!

Cheers to saying "YEE-HAW"!!

I am back!!!

Hello, my lovely lady friends!  I missed everyone while I was away!  I feel like I have so many stories to tell you.  If you read my last post, following me on Twitter (@shannasaidso) or Instagram (@becauseshannasaidso), you know that I just got back from a crazy girls weekend in Las Vegas.  BEST.TIME.EVER.

There were over 20 lovely ladies that met up for a bachelorette party. I can't even begin to tell you how much we laughed, sang, danced, ate, drank and gambled.  Why didn't I take off work today?  I need a vacation from my vacation.

Highlights from the Trip:

1. The Marquee at the Cosmopolitan. That place is seriously amazing and CRAZY.  

2. Champagne Brunch @ Lavo on St. Patty's Day.  Check out this video.  Another CRAZY place.  Never seen anything like it.

3. All the fun props (green mustaches, paper lips, glasses) that kept us laughing.

4. "Someone" getting wheel chaired back to the room...not mentioning any names, but it wasn't me!!

5. Meeting the guy that wrote the book based on the movie Love and Other Drugs with Jake Gyllenhaal & Anne Hathaway.

6. The best part of the trip was being with some of my BEST friends in the whole world and celebrating the upcoming wedding of our sweet KK!  I love you, girl!

Now it is back to reality. This trip is definitely going down in the books! Until next time, Vegas!

Cheers to making memories with you lady friends!