Favorite Thing #155 - Overexposed in South Beach by OPI

I have to give credit to High Heels and Sweatshirts for Favorite Thing #155. She posted about this great OPI color from the new South Beach collection and I had to try it. I had it on my toes for my trip to FL.

Two of my friends liked it so much they put it on their toes. I'm not a big fan of purple nail polish on ties but this is the perfect shade.



Still love and play Favorite Thing #55. Ladder Ball is a staple at each of our cookouts and backyard parties. I definitely recommend getting it if you don't already have it.

Lettuce Wraps for FREE

I am a HUGE fan of P.F. Chang's lettuce wraps and thanks to a great find by Fantabulously Frugal you can have FREE lettuce wraps. The promotion that they're having is anyone ordering an entree is eligible to receive a free order of their signature lettuce wraps! Click here to get your coupon. The coupon is good until June 14th.

My apologies...

...to anyone that has sent me an email at christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com. I thought I had my two gmail accounts linked and I just realized that I only had them linked to send mail from both accounts not receive from both accounts. I have fixed the problem and I promise that in the future I will respond to emails much quicker!

Our Vacation in Pictures

Here are some pictures from the weekend in FL. I wore my hair curly every night. I just couldn't deal with the humidity and hassle of trying to straighten my hair (and I discovered a new favorite thing that I will post about soon).

Dinner at Primanti Brother's and the boys got to watch the Penguin game

Hubby being sweet since I had to spend two night of vacation watching hockey

We won big at the Casino. This is before I cashed in our $500 chip (we ended up winning $300).

The fountains outside the Hard Rock

Having a drink before dinner

Picture on the balcony before heading out for the night

Drinks in Las Olas

Last night we got back from a very relaxing vacation. We had a blast! Not much sun (it rained almost every day) but we just relaxed, played cards, and enjoyed time together. I'm catching up on work and 1000+ items in my reader so I will post pictures later.

Another Great Sample Sale Site

Fantabulously Frugal recently posted about a sample sale site called redtagcrazy.com. This is like RueLaLa but RueLaLa on crack. No sale lasts longer than an hour, there is a very limited amount of the product available and the prices are ridiculously cheap.

Since the sales are posted - and sell out - so quickly (there is no advance on the actual site notice), there are many ways you can keep "in the know." You can sign up for email alerts, or text alerts, or instant messenger alerts, or even get a plug-in for Firefox so that you're alerted every time a sale goes live.

And you get to take $5 off your first order when you sign up! I haven't bought anything yet (trying not to shop as much lately) but if there is a deal that I can pass up you better believe I will pounce. :)

Favorite Thing #154 - Hanky Panky

I have you guys to thank for this favorite thing. Many of my fellow bloggers and followers have raved about Hanky Panky thongs. And now they are one of my favorite things. Thanks to a recent RueLaLa boutique I purchased a set of three low rise thongs ($35). I LOVE THEM!!! I hate wearing thongs...until these. They are very comfortable - it doesn't even feel like you are wearing a thong. I really have nothing bad to say about them except the price. Unfortunately they are $18/pair (and I won't spend that) so Ih ope that RueLaLa has another Hanky Panky boutique soon because I want to stock up.

Rue La La is a By-Invitation-Only Sample Sale site. Click Here to sign up using my personal invitation link. This link will grant you immediate access to the site after you sign up. (FYI - If you just sign up the regular way you will just be put on the waiting list.)


Favorite Thing #54 (Chapel of Love) is still in my nail polish rotation for spring/summer. It's such a fresh shade of pink and looks so pretty on. It's not too bright so you can wear it on both your fingers and toes.

Catching up on some awards...

I completely forgot to post about some awards that I've been given...

Rachel at it's the little things that make me smile gave me the Friend's Award. Her blog is so cute! She was my intern a few years ago and we have remained good friends.

Here are the rules: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I am very happy to tag the following blogs:
Brown Eyed Girl
Lisa at Like a Valentine
Life at the White House
Gigi at Gigi's Gone Shopping


A new follower - A Nantucket State of Mind was so sweet to tag me as one of the blogs to receive this great blog award. The rules are -

1. List seven things that make me awe-summm.
2. Pass the award on to seven bloggers I read religiously.
3. Tag those 7 bloggers.
4. Don't forget to link the Queen that tagged me.
5. Copy the pic and put it into my sidebar.

1. Abbie @ A Glimpse of the Girl Next Door
2. Erin @ Blue Eyed Bride
3. Lyndsey @ Yellow Brick Blog
4. Angela @ Sweet Tea Diaries
5. GingerSnap's Daily Fashion Post
6. Chloe @ The Chloe Conspiracy
7. Paisley and Pearls

Seven Awesome Things About Me -
1. I am SUPER organized...some may say I have OCD.
2. I think I have a great sense of fashion.
3. I share my closet with all of my friends...especially my cocktail dresses.
4. I'm a picture taking nut. I have documented my relationship with my hubby through pictures. I have two photo albums full of pictures of just us.
5. I looove to cook and try new recipes.
6. I spoil my niece and nephew.
7. I can decorate and shop on any type of budget. :)

Another Great Etsy Find...

The Etsy store retrofied makes some adorable purses and diaper bags. The fabric patterns are so cute. And the bags themselves are adorable. Here are some of my favorites -

Loving this...

...adorable shirt from Banana Republic. Too bad they don't have my size.

What I'm Reading...

Here are the books that I am reading on vacation...

American Wife

by: Curtis Sittenfeld (was supposed to read this for book club but got too busy)

Love Walked In

by: Maria De Los Santos

The Tenth Circle
by: Jodi Picoult

Hubby and I are leaving today for vacation. This year we are going on a bunch of mini vacations and the first one is to Ft. Lauderdale, FL with our friends Doug and Kelly. I can't wait to have five days of sun bathing, reading, swimming, and most importantly relaxing!!! I have a few posts scheduled for while I'm out and promise to have a full recap when we get back.

Favorite Thing #153 - Nads Facial Wax Strips

As part of my finding extra places to save money I decided no more paying for lip waxes. I don't need to be spending the $8-10 per visit when I can just do it myself. And I can do it myself thanks to my friend Kristen who introduced me to wax strips. I was definitely skeptical until I used them. And now the Nads Facial Wax Strips are Favorite Thing #153. It is so easy to use and VERY affordable. I get 48 waxes (cut the strips in half because that's really all you need) for what I was paying for one. Here's the step by step process (everything you need is in the box) -

1. Ensure skin is clean, dry and free of oils and moisturisers. Gently wipe the skin with the Nad's Desensitizing Kava Wipe and allow skin to dry.
   
2. Briskly rub strips between palms to warm wax. Slowly separate a double Nad’s Hair Removal Strip into two strips.
3. Using the palm of your hands and fingertips, apply strip with firm pressure and firmly smooth over 3-4 times in direction of hair growth.
4. Holding skin taut with one hand, quickly pull strip off in the opposite direction of hair growth. Remember to hold skin taut with the other hand and to pull close to the skin rather than up into the air.
5. For the perfect finish remove any residue with Nad’s Soothing and Finishing Wipes.

Still love and wear Favorite Thing #53 - J.Crew Favorite Tank Top. My collection of these tank tops is out of control.

I wear one of these almost every day in the spring/summer months. I will never buy these full price because they are almost always on sale.

Another Great Rue La La Boutique

For all you lovers of Vineyard Vines - check out the RueLaLa Boutique tomorrow.

Rue La La is a By-Invitation-Only Sample Sale site. Click Here to sign up using my personal invitation link. This link will grant you immediate access to the site after you sign up. (FYI - If you just sign up the regular way you will just be put on the waiting list.)

And the winner is...

...Brown Eyed Girl! Congrats on winning my first giveaway. Please email me at christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can send out your prize.

Weekend Recap

Another busy weekend...

Saturday we headed to the afternoon Phillies game (at Nationals Stadium). We had a blast in my company's suite. And it was great because there were more Philly fans than Nats fan...and the Phillies won!!!


Then Sunday we headed over to my brother-in-laws house to hang out and see my nephew. My sister-in-law and I went and got pedicures and we came home to my hubby sleeping with his godson. It was so precious.

Another Great Etsy Find...

I am obsessed with the pillows from this Etsy shop. Alexandra Ferguson has the most adorable pillows. I really want the pillows below. Obviously I would get a C (from me), an M (for Hubby) and and S as the middle pillow (for our last name). I wish they weren't so pricey because I don't think I can convince Hubby to spend $149 on pillows.

Don't forget...

...to enter my giveaway. It ends tonight at 10pm.

Bathroom Redo

We finally finished the redo of our half bathroom. This wasn't a major redo it just needed repainted and our personal touch put on it. Here's what it looked like before -

The paint was too dark, the fixtures were all brass. The whole thing just wasn't our style. We repainted, changed all the fixtures to brushed nickel, and added a few decorative touches. The whole things was done from stuff at Home Depot, Target, and Etsy. Here's what it looks like now-

Favorite Thing #152 - Victoria's Secret Metallic Dot Bathing Suit

Today is one week before Hubby and I go to Ft. Lauderdale for a five day long vacation with our friends. I'm in beach mode hence Favorite Thing #152 - Victoria's Secret Metallic Dot Bikini. This bathing suit is super cute, has a flattering style and you can't beat the price - $29!


Still love Baby Proof by Emily Giffin. She is one of my favorite authors. I definitely recommend reading this and her other books. You can read a preview of her next book Heart of the Matter here. It's due out Spring of 2010.

My First Giveaway!

I'm so excited for my first giveaway! I decided my first giveaway had to include some of my newest favorite things. So if you win you will get - Bath & Body Works Butterfly Flower shower gel, lotion, and body spray, Fresh Bamboo wallflower, and Rainkissed Leaves foaming anti-bacterial soap. All of it comes with a cute tote bag.

Here's how to enter

1. one entry - leave a comment.
2. two entries - leave a comment + become/let me know you are a follower
3. three entries - leave a comment, become/let me know you are a follower, write a blog post about my giveaway!

The giveaway will end Friday May 15th at 10pm EST. Winner will be announced Sunday or Monday.

Favorite Thing #151 - Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Foaming Soap

This has been a favorite thing for many years. I have one in each bathroom in my house. Favorite Thing #151 is Bath & Body Works' Anti-Bacterial Foaming Soap. It's perfect for your bathroom because 1) it comes in lots of great scents and colors (so you can easily match your decor) and 2) they are always running specials so you can get it for pretty cheap. I always stock up when they have the big sales and I am usually set for the year.
I don't use Favorite Thing #51 - Sephora Body Scrub anymore. Its not that I don't like it but it was one of the items that I decided I could cut back on. I don't need to be spending lots of money on a body scrub so from now on I will be getting my body scrub at Target. Any recommendations?

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! And a very special happy mother's day to....

My mom

My VoVo (Portuguese for Grandmother)My Noni (Italian for Grandmother)

And my Godmother (she has always been there for me)