Things I’m Loving: September

Root Ginger Eye ShadowI’m fairly certain this is my favorite eyeshadow from Root. It is one of the most beautiful peachy pink/bronzy colors. It really compliments my eyes too! Funny story, I actually created the base for this color… A couple of months ago mixed a couple of different eyeshadow colors together because I was dying for a bronzy pink. I took it into Root and showed it to them. They loved the idea and the color became Ginger! Just another way Root is the best makeup company ever, they actually listen to their customers when we want something specific! You don’t believe me? Here’s a photo of ginger (on the left) and the color I created (on the right).Here are the colors swatched on my arm:Like I said, so beautful! This is a very versatile color. I’ve been putting this color on my eyelid and putting either Tan Rose or Janessa in the crease. It makes for some absolutely stunning eye looks. The color is very shimmery and pairs best with other shimmery eyeshadows. I find the matte shadows don’t really let this color pop.Root Jess LipstickThis is the perfect lipstick color for fall! It is a deep plum color that looks great with fall clothes. I love to layer Root’s Campbell Pretty Balm over top of it to get a great rosy plum color. This is definitely a color to add to your lipstick collection.Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip CookiesThese cookies lasted three days in my house. People, there were over two dozen to start with! Yes, we had guests, but they didn’t eat a ton of them. Alex and I ate most of them because they are SOOOOO amazing! You have to try these cookies. If you don’t eat gluten free here’s the link to the regular version of these. But seriously, try these cookies… you won’t regret it!!!Citron and Cedarwood CandleI LOVE this candle! I found it at the end of last summer and only purchased one. They then discontinued it and I searched high and low for another. They have finally come out with it again! When I found these at the store I actually purchased three of them so I can burn the scent for longer. The way I describe the scent is “freshly washed man”. I know it sounds odd, but the scent is very musky and it really smells like a man who has just put on aftershave.

Things I'm Loving - August

I figured since it was the last day of August I was due for a favorites post. Here are a few things I've been absolutely loving over the last month. Let me know if you have anything I should check out!

Au Naturale - Poppy Lip Gloss

I am in love with this lip gloss. I'll be posting a more thorough review on several Au Naturale products later this week, but this product was too amazing not to include in my monthly favorites!This lip gloss in incredible. It is not only the perfect pinky-orange color for summer, it is made of completely natural ingredients. According to the Au Naturale website "Au Naturale lip glosses are gluten-free, vegan, natural, and are free of preservatives, parabens, fragrances, additives, bismuth oxychloride, nano-particles, and sulfates." Unfortunately these glosses are not organic so that may not work for everyone, but this is the first actual natural lip gloss I have found.The color in this gloss is incredible. It is long lasting and is super shiny. I have not found it to be drying on my lips at all. This gloss also looks fantastic over lipstick. I've tried it over several and loved it each time. The gloss gives you that uber glossy/slightly tacky feel you had when you were a youth. It is certainly one thing I've been missing with my switch to natural makeup. Beware though...your hair will stick to your lips if you wear this (just like when you were 16)!Root - Eye Love You! Eye Cream

This is by far the best eye cream I've tried in a long time. Like all Root products it is all natural, gluten free and 86% Organic! I have noticed a huge difference in my under eye puffiness since beginning to use this product. It has also helped with my extreme under eye circles. This is definitely one product I will keep stocked in my skincare drawer for a long time to come!

Root - Punch Love Blush

Root has done it again! This blush is the perfect color for the end of summer. It is a light pinky-peachy-tan color that looks amazing when you have a tan. I haven't tried it without one, but I assume it will still look wonderful. It is of course all natural and free of nasty chemicals so you can wear it on your eyes, cheeks or lips. This is a great blush to add to your end of summer collection!

Gluten Free Zucchini Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cake

I probably shouldn't toot my own horn, but this is my favorite recipe I've made in the last month. If you're eating gluten free you should definitely try this cake. It is chock full of zucchini and chocolate. I really don't think there's a better combo! This is a recipe from my Mom that I've adapted to be GF. I think I may even like it better than the original. This recipe is well worth a (second, third or fourth) look!

Rhett Price

This dude is crazy talented! I found his channel on YouTube several weeks ago and I've been playing his songs on repeat ever since. He does violin covers of pop songs. Its a pretty crazy idea, but he totally makes it work. Check him out!

Old Navy Mesh Trim Top

This is currently my favorite shirt. It is the first one I reach for after I do laundry. I picked it up a couple of weeks ago and have been hooked ever since. The shirt is very long, which I love, since it covers all the areas I want covered. The one downside is that you have to wear some sort of cami underneath so it may not work in super warm weather. Another plus, it's on clearance right now!

Canning Jar Lids

I found these lids in the Target dollar spot about a month ago. I actually cleaned out the Target I was shopping at since these are so great. They are super versatile, you can use them for "sippy" cups, hand soap, moisturizer. Pretty much any liquid you'd put in a regular mouth mason jar you can use these for. I went to a different Target last weekend and they still had them in stock, so check your local one and you may be able to score some too!

Things I’m Loving – July

TG Lurgan – CheerleaderThis song is great craic! (That’s the only Irish word I know, thanks Pat!) TG Lurgan is a Gaelic language summer camp in Ireland. They release covers of popular songs, but sung in Gaelic. For the record, I don’t speak Gaelic, I have no idea what they’re actually saying, but the language is absolutely beautiful!   I’ve been a fan of theirs for years, but this song is especially catchy. I’ve had it on repeat ever since it showed up in my you tube subscription box. And can we take a moment to appreciate the young man’s singing, his voice is absolutely incredible!Root: Campbell Pretty BalmThis is the most perfect pretty balm color that has ever been made. I’m in love! It is pretty much the only color I’ve been wearing on my lips the last couple of weeks. It is perfect for summer since it is a beautiful raspberry red. You also get the benefits of it being a pretty balm, in that it doesn’t dry out your lips like a lipstick but it looks amazing.Root: Cheeky TintsI’ve had Root’s cheeky tints for a while now, but it wasn’t until Isannah came to visit that I started using them regularly. Since she likes to constantly be on the go I had to figure out how to quickly do my makeup. I started just using their Pretty Balm, the Sadie Cheeky Tint, mascara and the Campbell pretty balm. This created a very put together look, but without a huge time investment. Root recently came out with several additional cheeky tint colors. I’ve been loving those too! They are a great way to give you some color without taking a long time.The Testing (Trilogy)I found this book when I was looking for a present for Olivia. I wasn’t sure at first if I was actually going to enjoy this trilogy. However, after reading through them, I’m in love! These books are unique in that we don’t get a ton of dialogue. Most of the story takes place in the main character’s head. I feel like this is a very unique take on a story since most don’t use this technique.The story itself is pretty much your regular, run of the mill YA dystopian storyline. The story starts out some time after a giant war where lots of biological weapons were used to destroy the earth. Colonies around the US have been working to revitalize the earth. Once high school students graduate some of them are chosen for the Testing, which shows if they are really strong enough to be the next leaders of the society. This story follows a couple of those students through their testing and beyond.I recommend this series as a great quick read. The biggest thing this series has going for it is the unique aspect of being mostly from the main character’s thoughts.Seventh SonI was surprised by this movie. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. The movie kept a great pace and had some fantastic action sequences. While the top talents billed in this movie were Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore I felt like they paled in comparison to the lesser known names. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) for his 15 minutes, then Ben Barnes (Chronicles of Narnia) for the rest of the movie.If you enjoy fantasy movies you will enjoy this one. The premise is that a Spook (Bridges) has been fighting this witch/dragon (Moore) for several centuries. He has captured her and imprisoned her, but with the most recent Blood Moon she has escaped. The seeker, after losing his most recent apprentice (Harrington) goes in search of a seventh son of a seventh son (Barnes) who is supposed to have great strength. When he finds him he takes him as an apprentice and tries to teach him how to vanquish the witch/dragon.I recommend this movie for anyone 13 and over. It has lots of very tense parts and deals with fantasy magic. However, if you enjoy those sort of movies you’ll love this one.

Things I’m Loving: June

I realized I hadn't put together one of these posts in awhile! Here is what I've been loving over the past couple of months. Enjoy!Land GirlsMy Mom suggested that I watch this show and it was in my Netflix queue for a long time before I actually got around to watching it. That was definitely a mistake. I wish I had watched this when I first heard about it, I loved it so much. The show follows several different girls who enlist in the British Women’s Land Army in World War 2. It follows their work and the trials they encounter due to the work they are doing and the war going on. If you enjoy period dramas you will definitely enjoy this show.Tarah BennerI found this author by accident through my Kindle. I was searching for a new book series and ran across a few by this author. I have read four out of her five published novels and have loved each one. Her writing has the same feel as the Hunger Games or the Divergent series. If you are looking for something new to read you should really check her out!

Root: Organic Peppermint TonerI received a sample of this when I subscribed one month to their sample service. I was instantly in love with it. Thankfully they released this product just as I was about to run out so I’ve been using it continuously for over a month and a half now.  I have noticed that my pores are visibly tighter and this product always leaves my face feeling tingly and refreshed. I pair this with Root’s face wash and overnight moisturizer for fantastic results.Root: Lavender MoisturizerI was hesitant to purchase this at first, but I’d had a sample of another of their lotions and fell in love. So I decided when I ran out of that one I needed to try this limited edition moisturizer. I’m on the fence about the smell, but the moisturizer itself is AMAZING! I tend to have very cracked hands and this stuff has cleared them right up. I have also found it is great to put between your legs when wearing a dress or skirt to decrease chafing.Song of Durin – Peter HollensI think by now you’ve realized I’m a giant fan of Peter Hollen’s work. It seems as though every time I put out one of these posts there is a song of his I HAVE to include. This one is no different. The music is fantastic and the scenery where he shot is amazing! You can purchase it on Loudr or iTunes if you love it as much as I do!My Everything – Owl CityI am in love with this song! I’ve been an Owl City fan since I was in college. I haven’t really kept up on his releases the last few years though, I’m busy and I don’t seem to remember when he’s releasing a new album. However, I ran across this new single on Facebook and I’ve had it on repeat since I first heard it. I’m super excited for this new album and will probably purchase it once it comes out.

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This post has not been sponsored, all opinions are my own.  I have not received compensation in any form for the writing of this post, I simply found items and products that I really love and wanted to share with you!

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Things I’m Loving – April Edition

Here are a few things I've really been enjoying this month:

Root Makeup:Earlier this week I posted a review of Root Makeup. I am absolutely in love with this makeup company! Read my full review HERE. I reviewed five of my favorite Root products I suggest you purchase. They are, Pearl Powder Foundation, Setting Silk, Sadie Blush, Tan Rose Eyeshadow and 100% Line Eyeliner.Check out Root’s website: www.rootpretty.com  for more awesome products and be sure to use the code “whimsy” at checkout for FREE SHIPPING on any order!

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks:These colors have been awesome this spring. My two favorites are Shocking Coral (870) and Power Peony (720). These are vibrant lip colors that are perfect to wear in Spring and Summer. I purchased mine at Target but they are available anywhere Maybelline lipsticks are sold.

White Barn Lilac Blossom Candle:I’ve had this candle for several months but I’ve been waiting for “Spring” to start burning it. The smell of this candle is heavenly! If you love lilacs, and I do, this candle is for you. It is like having your window open and a flowering lilac shrub right outside.I am currently burning the three wick candle, but you get the same smell with their single wick or even the Wallflowers in this scent. One additional perk of this scent is that you get all the lilac smell without any of the pollen that makes you sneeze!

Handy Hubby: Table Box:I don’t know if you saw this post a couple weeks ago but this is one of my favorite things that Alex has done recently. This is the perfect decoration for putting flowers in on my table. It has the added benefit of serving as a napkin holder too! Check out my post for a step by step if you’d like to make one of your own.In Dreams – Peter Hollens:Every month I seem to be telling you about another Peter Hollens song that I’ve fallen in love with. This month the song I’m suggesting you listen to is In Dreams, it is from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and is absolutely amazing. Go check it out on Loudr or YouTube. 

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This post has not been sponsored, all opinions are my own. I have not received compensation in any form for the writing of this post.

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Things I'm Loving...

Here are a few things that I’ve been loving recently:

Lauren Conrad TopI picked this top up the last time I was at Kohls. It is a great flowy top that goes with pretty much anything.  The cut is absolutely fantastic, it has a pleated, scoop collar and the shirt is quite billowy. It is versatile and could be worn to the office or around the house. This style of top comes in several different colors but I went with pink.

Trader Joe’s Sipping ChocolateI found this the last time I was in the cities at Trader Joe’s. It is a rich chocolaty drink that will satisfy your deepest chocolate craving. I made mine with milk and about a half teaspoon of sugar since the chocolate it on the bittersweet side of things. If you included a couple of drops of peppermint or vanilla it would add a fantastic complexity to the flavor.

Kiss my Bundt by Chrysta WilsonIf you’ve been following my blog you’ve noticed I love to post recipes about Bundt cakes. Big bundts, little bundts in pretty much every flavor! This book is a fantastic resource if you like baking bundt cakes. It great base recipes that you can dress up easily, it also has some fantastic ideas for flavor combinations if you get stuck in a rut. I highly recommend this book if you like to bake because you will always have new ideas when you look through it.

Peter Hollens CDYou guys need this CD in your life! I found Peter Hollens on YouTube through a couple of his covers. He is an a Capella artist and does covers of folk songs and songs from movies/video games. My favorites from his CD are:I See FireThe Parting Glass

Apt 9 Statement NecklaceMy Mom and sister pretty much forced me to start wearing statement necklaces at the end of last year. Since they got me started I’ve been keeping an eye out for more statement necklaces. Last time I was at Kohl’s I found a couple more. This one is my favorite of the ones I purchased. I’ve been wearing it pretty much non-stop since I got it. It is a gorgeous blue, green and brown and has a perfect amount of sparkle.