Bench Window Seating Pleaseee!

I'm starting a new job next week and all I can think about is window seating! I've been totally obsessed with the idea for a very long time. Currently, we have this corner of the living room that is dominated by the boys toys.

It's actually even worse now, but when I first moved in there I just saw it as this perfect opportunity for a little nook. Natural light, a chair, reading a book, maybe drinking a cup of coffee. So every time I see pictures of window seating it just makes me want it more and more! PLUS, we always have to move the toys into another part of the room when it's Christmas time because that corner is where our tree goes.

Doesn't that just look so relaxing? The only negative thing I see happening is that we live on a second story and maybe window seating isn't a great idea. I don't care, I've put my mind to it. Originally I wanted to use to STUVA Bench system and hide the kids toys in there. Now that I think about it, we're in a little bit over our heads. I just don't really like the idea of having toys in the kid's room. Maybe it's the way I was brought up. Bedrooms are for sleeping. But, we don't have a playroom right now so I am actually thinking about moving the kids toys in there. It just sucks because I have to pick and choose since their room is so small. So, with that said I think even if we got the STUVA system and we decide to put the kids toys in there, we could use it for blankets and pillows. God knows we need that. We have zero storage especially for big things like blankets. To me, it's kind of a hefty price because it's pretty much $160 for STUVA's. So I've been Googling other DIY ideas. I want it to look legit.

I see a lot of people are using the EXPEDIT bookcase on it's side and adding a foam seating on it. Which would be much cheaper. However, if I was to do it, I'd do it with the drawer inserts and like it wouldn't be as practical. I could use it for books but we really don't have that many and we already have a bookcase in our room. For the EXPEDIT bookcase and drawer inserts, it would pretty much turn out to be the same cost as the two STUVA's.

So the THIRD option, so far, is using IKEA kitchen cabinets. If you walk through IKEA they do have a bench seating type thing in their showroom and I believe it's made of IKEA cabinets. They also use it in the kitchen. So after some browsing I decided that MAYBE this one would work that fits my budget. The AKURUM series. The only thing is the measurements come out kind of weird. The space I have is about 69". I could probably push a little more than that and just move the couch over. The cabinets are about 30" or an option of 39" for one. So either way, it'll be too short or too long.

So torn right?!? Look how amazing this looks though with the kitchen cabinets. 

*SIGH*  With all of this said, it's something I'm been looking into for over a year. I think I might stick with the STUVA bench because it's more practical. The kids could use it in their room for toys if we ever move into a bigger place and they have a play room. ALSO, you can pull out the drawer and it doubles into a table! That way I could have Chase color and draw in the living room while I'm cleaning. I think I just persuaded myself. 

What do you guys think I should do?!? STUVA, EXPEDIT or Cabinets? 

Amazing Pot Roast Recipe (Slowcooker)

Okay, so the other morning I was prepping dinner in my slowcooker and for some reason I felt like getting a little crazy. I ended up adding 2/3 can of Budlight to my recipe and crossed my fingers. It turned out delicious and even Brandon liked it. This is the first time I forgot to take a picture of the finished product!

Kitty's Simply Crazy Pot Roast Recipe
3 lb Chuck Pot Roast Boneless
1   1 oz. Package Dry Ranch Salad Dressing
1  .87 oz Dry Brown Gravy Mix
1   0.6 oz Dry Italian Dressing Mix
1/4 Cup of water
8 oz of beer
Baby Carrots (Approx. 2 cups)
Broccoli & Cauliflower (Approx 2 cups)
Egg Pasta Noodles or Elbows (I used elbows)

Place the roast in the slow cooker. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and sprinkle on the roast. Add the carrots and broccoli around the roast. Pour the beer and water around the roast. Let it cook on low for about 8 hours.

I cooked and drained the elbows and served with the roast and it's juices. It was delicious!

Fancy Box

Okay, so I found this new subscription thing that I am totally wanting to try out! Except, it's $39 dollars and to me it's kind of hefty. Although, I think I could try it and cancel it. I doubt that it will happen any time soon, plus realistically it's just cool little gadgets I think. I wonder if anyone I know have a subscription to it.

It's called the Fancy Box. They have different types of boxes available and it's $39 a month. So far the reviews for the Jennifer Love Hewitt box has GREAT reviews. They received over $100 worth of merchandise which is totally worth it right? The items from this box is handpicked form JLove. They even have one handpick from Pink

I've looked at some of the photos of the stuff people got and one of them was this face changing mug that I've seen before (that's what got me) and a couple of other items.

Here are some photos of things that people got from their September Fancy Box. I found this on subscriptionmaven.com.

These are some pictures of the items from her July box!

I mean really though, how cute are these things?!? UGHHH! 

Ready To Wear Line from HSN & Mini Sephora Haul

For the first time ever, I bought something off the TV. I LOVE infomercials. I'm a sucker I know. To me, if I'm watching it and it works then it must really! Even though I love infomercials, I've never really bought anything from it. Yes, I fought the urge. But,the other night Brandon and I were watching TV (I was watching TV and he was playing on his phone) and they were showing this Ready To Wear make-up line on HSN.com. I was just amazed. They were doing brows and eyes which to me are something I cannot live without.

Here's a little background..I have no eyebrows, nor do I have any eyelashes. I shade in my eyebrows everyday and I don't even bother with mascara because there are no eyelashes to actually coat. I always fall for the "volume" mascara and it's really NOT REAL. They're doing it celebrities and people that's already got on false lashes so of course it looks dramatic. I mean trying to coat my 5 eyelashes is not going to add more. It's just going to look like I have 5 really thick eyelashes.

I'm watching the HSN presentation and the guy that created this line worked for MAC for a very long time and is a make-up artist to the stars. But, what I saw was just unbelievable. Yes, these people he's trying the products on HAVE eyelashes unlike me, but it really just was a DRASTIC difference. They did this eyebrow product on a lady that barely had any (like me) and it looked so natural. I gave in, ordered it for $29.95. It was actually a pretty good deal because I got 3 products for that price. I thought it was kind of inexpensive for lash extension, brow extension and a precision liquid liner. I don't think I was ever more excited to try a new product.

So, yesterday I got it in the mail and I was very eager to try it this morning. I started with the brow extension and.....I'm not happy with it. I mean, it's good but I still had to shade in parts of my eyebrows and it leaves a really fuzzy look. 

It's quite interesting, they keep saying it's microfibers and I'm like yeah yeah..IT REALLY IS. It's literally little fibers, it looks like lint in a bottle.

READY TO WEAR Brown Extension in "Medium"

So, next up is the lash extension. They make it a point to tell you THIS IS NOT A MASCARA and it's not to be worn alone. What you do, is you coat your lashes with mascara, then you coat your lashes with this fiber and you finish it off with another coat of mascara that kind of seals it in place. I have to say...it does work. I mean, my results were not as dramatic as the ones on television but it's definitely longer and more voluminous as it's ever been. The only downside is that I feel like it's kind of hard to apply. I feel like a million fibers fall INTO my eyes. It' been bugging me up until maybe 30 minutes ago. I felt like there was something in my eyes.

The left eye is with the Ready To Wear Lash extension and the right is just regular mascara.

(This picture makes me look like an alien) This is on both eyes and as you can see, it really works! If I have no eyelashes and it has this result on me, imagine what it could do for people with more lashes to begin with! I'm also using the precision liner. I really like it. It's very pigmented and easy to apply.

** Sephora Mini-Haul!! **

Okay, so I decided to get some stuff online from Sephora after I found an old gift card (with value) inside along with the $5 for $10 Groupon deal. Plus, Sephora kept emailing me about claiming my birthday gift! I got all of this for $33! 

Buxom Lashliner in "Leatherette" $16

Get it here!

First on my list was the Buxom Lashliner. I've RAVED about this product before and sadly I ran out a while ago. I started using this MICA gel liner that I got from my Ipsy subscription, but it just doesn't cut it. It dried out super quick and it's time for a new one. For those that haven't read my previous review on this product, this liner actually helps condition and thicken your lashes! I'm ready to have some healthier lashes again! This was the ONLY thing I paid full price for. 

Urban Decay Vintage 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in "1999" orig $19.00

Permanently out of stock at Sephora

I don't usually wear anything but black liner. However, I LOVE the Urban Decay liner so much that I couldn't pass up the chance of getting it for $6. I'm totally obsessed with this plum color right now!

Sephora for OPI Jewelry Topcoat in "Spark-tacular" orig $9.50

Get it here!

Need I say more? A girl cannot have enough nail polish! 

TARTE Maracuja Miracle Foundation 12-Hour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in "Ivory" -Orig $42

Permanently out of stock at Sephora

"Awaken your complexion with this multitasking full-coverage liquid foundation. Maracuja has been known to reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation of the skin, making this foundation perfect for all skin types and ideal for sensitive, dehydrated, dry, or aging skin. The combination of Vitamins A, E, and mineral pigments hydrates and preserves skin."

Okay, I've never worn foundation before but I've always wanted to try a TARTE product. I noticed lately more and more redness in my skin and maybe it is something I should start wearing. At least have available for when I feel like I need it? After reading this and seeing that it's free of all the negative things for your skin and could actually help I decided to take a chance. Plus I got it for over 50% off! It's always hard trying to guess your skin tone. I always pick ivory for everything. My face for some reason is always lighter than the rest of my body naturally.

When I blended the foundation onto the back of my hand it felt weightless. I still have it on my hand and I've even washed it with soap and I can still see that it's there. It doesn't feel heavy and there was no scent. I'm excited to try it!

Look at how well that blended in!

TARTE Vitamin Infused Lipgloss in "Om" - Orig $21

permanently out of stock at Sephora

Another thing I really wanted to try was TARTE's lipgloss. I've heard such great things about them and as much as I HATE lipgloss (because it's so darn sticky) I also love it. I went with a safe color and to my surprise. It's practically sheer with a hint of barely there pink. I couldn't resist since I got it for 1/3 of the price!

The rest of the things I got are samples..

Look how tiny this thing is! I thought I'd get a bigger size. 

Really excited to try F-Bomb since I've always wanted a darker lipstick and Obsessed. I'm TOTALLY OBSESSED with finding the perfect bubblegum pink!

My Benefit Birthday Gift

I'm pretty excited to see this. Since my other fav mascara is the BADgal. 

I'm guessing this is some sort of highlighting stick? It says to appy to your brow gone and cheeks for a glow. 

Overall, I'm really excited to try these out. That's the splurge for my birthday month. Well, make up and of course my Swiffer Steam mop thing :)

Stay beautiful, inside&out

Talking Back Three's

So there's terrible Two's, which I feel like I've managed to get by unscathed. Then, there's talking back threes. That's right. It's exactly what it sounds. Lately, Chase seems to have grown some balls. All I ever hear from him when I ask him to do something is, I don't want to, I don't like it, no or later. Okay, I mean he's still a pretty sweet kid 75% of the time, but that 25% of bad boy attitude just does not sit well with me. I don't know if I'm just not taking it so well, because Chase is an angel and to suddenly see him act out it's hard to take! I guess he's not that bad still, but bad enough for me.

I know that it's a phase and as he gets older and learns what he likes and does not like he will have an opinion of his own. Half the time I feel like he's just saying no, just to say no. I guess because he's generally such a good kid, that it's even harder to tolerate bad behavior because you know that's not him. As Chase is growing more into a kid and less a toddler, Trent is just getting cuter by the minute. Maybe that's what's making Chase seem so bad. He's offset by his cute little baby brother. Still, Trent is no angel. He's got this big personality and he wants to do all these adventurous things, but he scares himself in the process. He's also going through the phase that Chase went through. The one where they follow me around the house crying. Trent is fine and then he sees me and feels like he just needs to cry. It's as delightful as drinking a cup of thumbtacks.

I know somehow, it translate to love. It's hard to remember that when the kid sees you and just wants to cry the whole time. He's so cute though, with his pointing. He's much more affectionate already compared to how Chase was before. He still can't walk and for some reason, I'm okay with that. When Chase was his age, I wanted him to grow up so quickly. If he didn't do something on time, it would bother me. With Trent, it's different. I'm just letting him do things on his own. He loves to point at things, he's a night owl, persistent, scaredy-cat, a rascal, but he's loving and sweet.

This is a perfect representation of his personality.

Trent was probably crying for an hour prior to this. He cried the car ride to pick up Chase from school, the car ride back, when we got out of the car, when we got home....