the start of a new month

I hope you had a nice and relaxing Easter weekend. Ours was low-key since we are still puppy sitting Buster, the Boston Terrier. When you have your own dog, I suspect that you get used to leaving it at home  - but we felt guilty! I was also worried that he would have an "accident" or destroy something if he was alone. Cleaning up after a puppy is not fun, I tell ya.

Don't forget that today is April Fool's Day. Even if you are not a prankster, someone may be planning a prank on you so it's good to be aware. Ha! Here is a prank I've always wanted to try...

{rubber band on spray nozzle - via}

But this year, I just feel like this...

(Someecards - their cards are the best}

It is also the start of another month and a perfect time to turn over a new leaf. Here are a few ways I plan to make it an Amazing April:

• Schedule a weekend trip away before we move
• Workout 4-5 times per week to relieve stress
• Try a few new recipes
• Buy a new laptop
• Invest in new stocks and/or mutual fund
• Buy a coffee press
• Finally rollover my 401k into my IRA
• Visit AAA and get my international driver's license

In other news, my March Madness bracket has proven very disappointing - BUT Louisville is holding strong! Did you see Kevin Ware's horrifying leg injury in the Louisville vs. Duke game? It made me nauseous. They say he'll be out for at least a year.

Did you hear about the Exxon oil spill in Arkansas?

Can you believe a photo taken by an iPhone and edited with Instagram is on the cover of NY Times? Here's the article.

Have a great Monday!

my latest picks from sephora

We are moving to a country with no Sephora. Yep, you read that correctly: no Sephora! I had a mild panic attack when I came to that realization, but then I decided to do a great Sephora stock-up and order double of my favorite three makeup products. I ordered on a day when they were giving extra freebie samples (and who doesn't love trying new beauty products!!!!), so I was even more excited when the package was delivered yesterday.

Here is what I got:

• Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation - This stuff is magic. It is white when you put it on your face, but changes color to blend with your skin. The argan oil keeps my skin dewy all day. No more worrying if your foundation is the correct color. 
• Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder - The best bronzer I have tried. I keep my face out of the sun as much as possible to avoid further sun damage and age spots, so needless to say I am pretty pale. This powder gives my face, neck, and decollate a nice sun-kissed glow.
• Bobbi Brown Blush in pretty pink - I love this blush. It is a great color and a little goes a long way. 
• I have not tried the other samples yet, but I will report back when I do

Have a great Tuesday!

inov-8

It's finally Friday! Is it 5:30 yet? A mojito sounds very tempting, but it's still too early and I need to workout tonight. Who decided that 5:30 is the widely accepted time to have  a cocktail without other people judging? I like Jimmy Buffett's idea that it's 5:00 somewhere...

Do you get extra motivated to workout when you have new gear? Like shoes. YES!!! I wonder if Carrie Bradshaw ever got excited about athletic shoes. Probably not, unless Manolo Blahnik made special edition trainers. Anyway, I have new shoes, called Inov-8, to try tonight during my circuit training W.O.D. (workout of the day for you non-Crossfitters). Several of my friends have Inov-8's and highly recommend them, so I thought I'd give them a try. I wore them while running errands today, and they felt amazing. Support in just the right places. I will let you know what I think after my workout.

I got mine from Zappos because I am a VIP member (yeah!!!!) and get free 1-day shipping. As with all athletic shoes, there are tons of different colors to choose from, but I am partial to the pink.

Have a great rest of the day!

bracketology

BRACKETOLOGY - the study of brackets...of the March Madness type. March Madness is back, baby! After competing for months, 64 teams have made it into the infamous NCAA Tournament bracket (aka the end of the college basketball season). The same goes for the women's division, but I only follow men's. Sorry, ladies! This tournament will come up in most conversations you have between now and April 8th. Yep, even the barista at Starbucks will want to know who you chose for the Final Four.

Fun fact: do you know why it's called March Madness? It is because there are so many games going on throughout the country, usually during the same times, and usually in rapid succession. Sounds like madness to me.

Have you filled out a men's bracket? If not, get one on ESPN.com. Even if you don't know a thing about men's college basketball, it is still fun to do a bracket. Sometimes, the less you know, the better your results will be. Anything can happen.

My picks for the Final Four: Louisville, Gonzaga, Florida, and Indiana. 

Here's a hint of who I hope wins the National Championship title!!!!! I hope I did not jinx myself...

{via}

what I'm loving lately...

Spring has officially arrived here in Southern Cali, and the warmer temps and longer days have re-invigorated me. It's amazing how the start of a new season can lift your spirits. Gone are the dark-at-5:30-nights. Now there is time to workout AND eat dinner before falling asleep on the couch at an hour much too early to publicly admit.

But where are all the TV shows? Just when I have the energy to stay up later, my nightly line-up is mysteriously on hiatus. Nashville, Deception, Chicago Fire, Necessary Roughness, Suits - come back!

Here are some things I'm loving lately:

{pint of Guinness at Sonny McLean's Irish Pub in Santa Monica}

{beautiful sunset in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico}

{this quote by Audrey. inspiring}

{blast from the past! makes me feel like a kid again}

{fresh flowers - my favorite - gerbera daisies}

{red wine. a perfect way to end the day}