Win a $100 PartyLite Gift Certificate!

Hello blogger friends and family! I am trying to reach my first month sales goal of $1400, so I am hosting an online show that will be closing on September 18th. As an incentive, anyone who places an order of $40 or more will be entered into a drawing for a $100 PartyLite gift certificate! This can be used to order anything on my website! Who wants a chance at $100 in free PartyLite products?! Just click the link below, select me (Jackie Carter) as your host, and shop away. As guests of my party you earn 1 half priced item for every $50 you spend and access to the great guest specials for September! Please share and pass this on to anyone you know who likes candles, home decor, and/or gourmet food! 

September Guest Specials
Pictured: Chalet Hurricane, Endearing Tealight Holder Pair

This contest is open to anyone who lives in the U.S. and APO locations, where shipping is available. Your orders must be submitted by 11:59pm PST, September 18, 2012. You must order from my show to qualify. Please contact me if you have any questions at all.

New Hairstyle

I've been growing my hair out for a long time and it's finally gotten to the point where it's passed my waist and too long even for me. I end up wearing it up almost every day because it's too hot to have all that hair down, and to wear it up, it's always in a bun since that's pretty much all I could do with it. So I decided to cut it. I had the urge to just chop it off to just below my shoulders, but every time I've done that I've been unhappy with it, and with my wedding only in December, it wasn't worth the risk. So I ended up going with cutting off a good 6 inches. It's still long. Even looking at it now I think I could stand to cut off maybe another 4 inches, but thinking about it gives me anxiety. I have to do this in stages.

Sorry about the before picture, I don't wash my hair before I go to get it cut since I don't want it to be washed twice in one day, so it's a little out of control. If it was straightened you'd be able to tell the actual length. The poor stylist had to lift the chair until it wouldn't go up anymore, and even then she had to squat a little to get to the ends. 

 

This is the after. I had some shorter layers put in and I'm pretty happy with it. It's so nice to get rid of the dead ends and it looks so much healthier. You should have seen her trying to cut in the layers. Once she put the chair back down, when she lifted up my hair she had to go on her tip-toes to get it to the right spot. Now if only I could talk myself into straightening it more often! I love it when it's straight. It's so polished and sleek. 

North

Can I just say that I have been a Matchbox Twenty fan since well forever pretty much. When they went on hiatus in 2003ish I was devastated. Their music got me through junior high and high school and to have them "break up" my freshman year of college I was heartbroken. I know that may sound silly to some but I love music. It's an emotional outlet for me and it's something I usually turn to when I'm in a difficult situation to help calm me down or something of the sort. I can't write music or poetry, but I lose myself in the poetry of others and Matchbox is one of those bands that I can listen to over and over and over again and never get over it. I feel the same way about Fall Out Boy, but that's a different story.

Source

In 2007 when they announced a new album would be coming out, I was ecstatic! I couldn't believe my favorite band was finally getting back together! Well, turned out it was just a big tease.Exile on Mainstream only had a few new tracks and was basically a greatest hits compilation. While the new songs were very good, there was no promise for a tour, no hint that there would more coming. Then they went on hiatus. Again.

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Fast forward to this year. Almost a ten year hiatus. 10 years!! I'm only 26, and they have been on hiatus for 10 freaking years. But I digress. Rob Thomas started tweeting about how he was flying to Nashville to work on writing some new Matchbox songs. *Narrowing eyes at screen* What? Come again? Why should I believe you? The tweets about the new album became more frequent and then they released their single "She's So Mean" a few months ago. There was hope! It was different and catchy and a promise of a whole new album! September 4, 2012. Tuesday (now in the past tense). It's finally here and can I say I LOVE IT. It's everything I hoped it would be. There is one track where Rob Thomas is not the lead singer which is weird since they're not like the Goo Goo Dolls where the switch off. I'm not used to it yet, but it is definitely a good song.  Check out the music video for She's So Mean here: Official Video.

Source

I hope this is a promise of things to come and they won't leave us hanging again, waiting, hoping for new material. I'm also hoping to finally get to see them live. I saw them once in high school and it was amazing. It was in an outdoor amphitheater in Concord and I will never forget Rob Tomas getting up on his piano and singing and dancing his ass off. It was everything a teenage girl could hope for. The came to the area again in 2008, but the same day was a best friend's bachelorette party, and being that I was in the wedding party, I couldn't miss it. So here's to North, Matchbox Twenty, and what may very well be my last chance to see them live. Please come to Northern California!

Has anyone else listened to the album yet? Do you have a favorite band that is no longer together but you can't let them go? You can pick up North through Amazon or itunes.

Oh Death

My all time favorite scene from the tv show Supernatural. Death is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse and pretty much just a badass. If you don't watch this show, you should. 

Lorac Unzipped Palette

Thanks to my Platinum rewards status through Ulta, I received a $10 credit to use in my birthday month and I was also given a gift card. I hadn't been keeping up with the different products available lately, so I went to the store with nothing really in mind. I spent some time looking through the Urban Decay, Smashbox, Tarte, Too Faced, and Stilla Cosmetics displays, but nothing really caught my eye. Then I came across the Lorac Unzipped Palette.

I have never paid much attention to Lorac products, I'm not sure why, possibly because of the hefty price tags, but I was really drawn to this collection of shadows. I'm a huge lover of browns and natural shades since they work really well for everyday and dramatic looks, and I can wear them for work. I walked away, took a few more looks around the store, at the nail polish racks, clearance sections, but I just kept coming back to the palette. I figured if I came back to it 4 times, it was probably the product I should leave the store with.

I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The shadows are very creamy and pigmented. They glide right on and don't take very much at all to get the look you're going for. I have only used the sample of eye primer a few times since I still have so much of my Too Faced Shadow Insurance, but It seems to work fairly well. 

It has an assortment of shimmer and matte colors for several different looks. I would highly recommend this palette for anyone who is looking for a versatile selection of natural browns, creams, and pinks. 

Changes

I have had a green, 2003 Ford Mustang since February 2005. I have always loved Mustangs and my dream car is a 1967 Fastback. I loved this car.  In the seven and a half years I had it, I only let 3 other people drive it. I washed it myself. It was my baby. On the hottest day of July (it was 106 degrees here in Sacramento) I was stopping by my optometrist to pick up my prescription sunglasses and on my way home, I noticed my air conditioning wasn't very cold. Then, as I was approaching the round about near my house, I heard some terrible noises coming from the engine and then smoke was everywhere. I immediately turned off the  a/c  and drove home.

 

Turns out the  a/c  compressor went out. Which is $1,100 to fix. I don't have $1,100 and I did not want to finance an expense that large, especially when the car itself only blue booked for just over $3,200. As much as I loved my car, at 111,000 miles and now with a broken a/c system, it was time to start looking at our options. Not even the fans worked, which also meant no defroster or heater in the winter. My Fiance was wonderful and switched cars with me since he works earlier and would be driving home at a cooler time of day, so I didn't suffer too much. Even with no a/c I think he enjoyed having a powerful car to drive for a while, but he'd never admit it.

Anyway...I've had my eye on the Kia Optima for over a year now and have been watching out for deals. My original plan was if I ever bought a new car, I would just keep the mustang and buy the new car flat out without trading it in. With our predicament, plans changed. We had originally decided to wait until after the wedding and tax season for our rebate to help with a down payment for a new car, but then one of the local dealers advertised the 2013 Optima at a fantastic deal. We didn't go with the intention of leaving with a new car, simply to check it out and see if it was an option, but at that price, we couldn't turn it up. We ended up trading in the mustang, which covered our portion, so we paid nothing out of pocket and walked away with a brand new, 2013 Kia Optima.

As sad as I was to say goodbye to my mustang, I knew it was time. I know eventually, some time down the road I'll have kids and need a more family friendly car and I think the Optima will be a good choice for that, but it was still sad. Goodbye old friend. You will be missed!

25 Questions: Want To Know More About Me?

I borrowed this post idea from Arianne at Arianne Cruz. This seemed fun and I enjoyed reading her answers. You should check hers out!

1. Do you have any pets?
   Yes, I have 2 cats. A girl, Snickers is 6, and a boy, Spike, who is 4. I love them dearly. They are basically my children.
2. Name 3 things that are physically close to you.
   My It’s a Grind Happy Holidays travel coffee mug, my phone, and my Victoria’s Secret lip gloss in Impulsive.
3. What's the weather like right now?
   Not fall enough! It’s 81 degrees, with a high of 97.
4. Do you drive? If so have you crashed?
   Yes and yes. I’ve had my license since I was 16 and have been involved in three accidents. Only one of which was my fault.
5. What time did you wake up this morning?
   5:30am. I’m usually up by 5:10, but slept in a little.
6. When was the last time you showered?
   Last night.
7. What was the last movie you saw?
   In theater: Batman; The Dark Knight Rises
   At home: The Avengers
   Yes, I'm a comic book reader and superhero fan.
8. What does your last text message say?
   “Okay. I love you George. Have a good morning yourself! Talk to you soon.”
9. What's your ringtone?
   Sugar We’re Going Down by Fall Out Boy. I miss them so much. Get back together already!
10. Have you ever been to a different country?
    Yes, Jamaica.
11. Do you like sushi?
    No, sushi and I do not mix. I’ve tried several different kinds, at several different points in my life and I have hated it every single time. The most recent time being only last month. I don’t like anything that tastes like the ocean.
12. Where do you buy your groceries?
    Safeway, Bel Air, or Target.
13. Have you ever taken medication to help you fall asleep faster?
    Only when I’m sick. Bring on the Nyquil!
14. How many siblings do you have?
    I have two brothers; one older, one younger.
15. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
    Both, but I prefer a desktop to a laptop.
16. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
    Ugh, I will be 27 next July :(
17. Do you wear contacts or glasses? 
    Yes, I have prescription glasses and sunglasses.
18. Do you color your hair?
    I’m very proud to say I have never put chemicals in my hair. So to answer the question, no, I do not color my hair.
19. Tell me something you are planning to do today. 
    I have my PartyLite unit workshop tonight. I’m looking forward to it! Free pizza :)
20. When was the last time you cried?
    Um…I think August 24th.
21. What is your perfect pizza topping?
    Mushrooms and olives with a white sauce. Delicious!
22. Which do you prefer-hamburgers or cheeseburgers?
    Cheeseburgers.
23. Have you ever had an all-nighter?
    Nope. Well, at least not for school or studying related. I have stayed up for more than 36 hours before. I went to a midnight screening of Serenity, with a 5am shift the next morning, and a motorcycle  ride (one of those long ones with lots of other riders) with my dad after I got off of my shift. It was a long day.
24. What is your eye color?
    Grayish-blue.
25. Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?
    Pepsi is sweeter than Coke, at least I think so. Not sure if I could tell the difference in a blind taste test, haven't tried to.

What are your answers? If you decide to do this, let me know in the comments, and I’ll check it out!

A Look at my August

After reading through some fellow bloggers' August posts, I thought I would share a little about my own August.


6 Things That Happened In August:

1. I bought a new car.
2. I became an Independent PartyLite Consultant.
3. I finally painted the guest bath and hallway in my home.
4. I met some of my neighbors for the first time (even though we’ve been in the house since the very end of March).
5. We had our call with the wedding coordinator in Jamaica to finalize our big day!
6. George and I participated in the Sacramento Color Run. It was a lot of fun! If it comes to your area, I highly recommend it.

Our new 2013 Kia Optima

5 New Obsessions In August

1. Homemade iced coffee. I’ve started making coffee iced cubes and making my own iced coffees to take with me for the day. It’s so easy! Not to mention way cheaper than going to a coffee shop. Thank you Pinterest.
2. Pinterest – I’ve been a member of Pinterest for a long time. I was really obsessed with it when I first joined, but became tired of it. Now I’m back into it again.
3. Ho Hey by the Lumineers and Anna Sun by Walk the Moon – my two new favorite songs.
4. The Round Table dinner buffet. I don’t think I’ve ever gone to their dinner buffet before, just the lunch, and we went two weeks in a row. I love those cinnamon twists!!!
5. The Lorac Unzipped Palette – I used it almost daily after purchasing it.

3 Things I Discovered

1. Starting your own business is much harder than I thought it would be. I have wonderful support from my family and my fiancé, but not as much in other areas. Turns out I’m a chicken and have a very hard time talking to strangers about PartyLite. One of my goals for September is to talk to at least 5-10 people and get their contact information. It’s not enough to hand them a tealight and a brochure and walk away. Speaking of which, if anyone wants a coupon code to purchase 2 dozen tealights for $6 each, let me know!
2. As much as I loved my Mustang, I was ready for a change. It makes me feel old realizing that I’m “more mature” but I still have plenty of living to do! I have big plans for this life of mine and I intend to follow through with them.
3. Although I was born and raised a San Francisco 49er fan, my  fiancé and his brother are slowly converting me into a Chicago Bears fan. I'm torn. I'm just going to be a fan of both!

Johnny Knox (#13 of Chicago) and Dre' Bly (#31 of San Francisco)

5 Things I’m Looking Forward To In September

1. The start of football season!
2. Fall weather.
3. Doing my first PartyLite shows. I'm very nervous.
4. Finally having my Mother’s Day Tea with my mom.
5. Matchbox Twenty’s new album, North!!! Released 9/4/2012.

Source

Ho Hey

I am currently obsessed with this song.

Essie Klout Perk

I recently received a free Essie nail polish for my Klout score! I haven't had the opportunity to try the polish yet, but I'm so excited. It's my first Essie color polish (I have the top coat and nail healing kits, but no lacquers). This is from their new Mirror Metallic Collection. Since we didn't know which color we were getting, I was hoping for Nothing Else Metals or Blue Rhapsody and Blue Rhapsody is what I received!

If you haven't tried Klout, you should. You have the opportunity to try free products without any obligation simply for doing what you already do.

*Disclaimer: I received this product through Klout as part of being an influential member with the score of 45 with beauty as one of my topics.

My New PartyLite Pieces

In a previous post I mentioned that I am now an Independent PartyLite Consultant. One of the things I LOVE about my new venture is all the free products available! We have a unit work shop and a regional meeting once a month for each. So far I've been to one of each and have come home bearing gifts each time. We have raffles for all kinds of thing such as RSVPing, sharing things we've learned, etc. At the regional meeting, I won the coveted grand prize. I couldn't believe it! I won the entire Zinc Lantern Trio. They're gorgeous. 

I also won the Leaves of Fun Large Pumpkin Jar and was given a mini barrel jar as a welcome to the business gift! They treat us so well. I really appreciate the way that everyone is welcomed and embraced into the group. Look how the beveled glass makes such a gorgeous pattern with the light! I love it.

I also wanted to share what my fall kit looks like. I earned this kit for free and through my starter party was able to add some things to it. I didn't pay for a single PartyLite product on this table. I'm testing out what I want to bring to shows since it's going to be fall soon. Bones look so good in the large lantern. He fits so perfectly!

I went to Michael's and found these fabric leaves to decorate with and some smaller paper pumpkins to use as filler. The pinecones were free from nature (I found them on my walk around the neighborhood - they're clean and bug free!).

I hope everyone is ready for fall! I am beyond ready. I've been craving cooler weather so I can wear scarves and boots and sweaters and long sleeved shirts. I'm ready for football season, rain, hot chocolate, Halloween, and most of all MY WEDDING! I can't believe it's just over 3 months away. Is anyone else ready for Fall?  For many, Labor Day is the official change over to fall, for others it's the first football game of the season. What makes it officially fall for you?

Labor Day Weekend Manicure

My nails have been very brittle and splitting a lot lately, so I have been keeping them polish free to help let them breath and grow out. I recently picked up a dotting tool set (one of those filler items to receive free shipping through Amazon) so I thought I would try it out. 

I used Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear #130 Blew Me Away and Nails Inc#201 Floral Street. I'm in love with this blue polish! I realized in July when I went to do a patriotic look, I didn't own a single blue nail polish. What? Who doesn't own a blue polish and how did I not know this sooner? So naturally I was on a mission. I came across this shade on a trip to WalMart and snatched it up without a second thought. No regrets! It's completely opaque in 1 coat, but I used two for good measure. 

I'm really liking these dotting tools by the way. 

PartyLite & Giveaway

Symmetry Trio

I've recently become an Independent PartyLite Consultant! I'm so excited to start this chapter and I want to involve all of you. I get to give away free candles, home decor, accessories, and gourmet food! Who wouldn't love $100+ in free products? I have 5 coupons for $100 in extra host credit on top of all the great incentives you would already earn, for the first five people who want to host a party with me from September 1-16. I can do in-home parties, online, Skype, YouTube, candles and coffee, tea and tea lights, wine and wax, there are so many options available! If you're in the Sacramento, CA or bay area, in-person parties are a great option. If you're not in the area, PartyLite offers direct shipping to anywhere in the US and online or catalog parties are a great way to earn free products without having to have a party in your home. I am holding a mystery raffle for all of my September hosts for a free PartyLite product. Contact me now and lets schedule your party before my coupons are all gone! If you know anyone who would be interested in earning free products or would like to earn some extra shopping money, send them my way!

Why I've been MIA

Let's see. I haven't posted in almost 6 months! Where have I been you ask? It's been a crazy 6 months that's for sure.  Where to start…

February. I was surprised with an edible arrangements basket and a beautiful necklace on valentines day.
On Friday, February 17th, I came home to an apartment full of candles, rose petals, and a a handsome, sharply dressed man on one knee. He happened to be holding a great book with a ring inside. It was sweet and romantic and it couldn't have been more perfect. I said yes! We've set the date for 12/12/12 and will be eloping just the two of us. I can't wait!

The pictures don't do the proposal arrangement justice. He was on one knee with the book in the heart when I got home :)

March. We closed escrow on our house and officially became first time home owners! It was a crazy, stressful, and hectic time, but we completed the move successfully. The first "renovation" we made to the home was to take out the glass-slider shower doors from the guest bath and put up a shower curtain. It looks a million times better. Managed to tear down a lot of the old wallpaper that was in the house when we moved in. Still haven't had a chance to paint yet.

April. Finished with everything at the apartment and finally secured everything at the new house. I received a promotion at work. I tried fondue for the first time at a local place called The Melting Pot. I believe it might be a chain, but I'm not sure. It was delicious!

That's an oreo covered marshmallow. Amazing.

May. We went to Wicked! I had been wanting to see the play since 2009 when it was in San Francisco, but the tickets were so expensive it wasn't really possible. So in December when tickets opened up for the Sacramento engagement, I bought right away. Then about 2 weeks later I found out that I had WON a set of 4 tickets to the opening night! I couldn't believe it. So we sold the tickets we had and took some great friend to the show with us.  It was amazing! We also went camping over memorial day weekend. It was cold and rainy pretty much the whole time, but we still had fun :) 

Wicked things

Camping. Saturday afternoon was the nicest of the weekend. We went hiking to University Falls. Forgive my lack of makeup and haircare, it's camping!

June. We went to a Sacramento Rivercats game (the minor league team to the Oakland As) which was a lot of fun. I haven't been to a baseball game in years.

That's actually a hamburger in the shape of a hotdog, with onion pieces inside. It was delicious.

July. My brother's birthday, my birthday, and my car. My poor car. The day I went to pick up my new prescription sunglasses (which I had been so excited about) my car's AC system went out. This day happened to be 106 deg outside. It turns out it's going to be about $1000 to fix, which I don't have, so no fans, no air, and no heater (for when the time comes). Blech. 

My George surprised me for my birthday with a pool! Can you believe that? He spent an afternoon in 100+ degree weather putting this thing together to surprise me. It's so much fun! Just big enough for the yard and to lounge in on the hot Sacramento days. I love it! I have my lounge chair with a cup holder for my drink and can just relax in the water.

So far that's been my last half year. It's been exciting and hectic and I couldn't be happier! I have my fiance, my cats, a home, and a job.  I've been keeping up with my makeup and nail polish obsession. Here are a few manicures and looks I've captured over the past few months. I'm trying out the whole cat-eye/winged liner look and am really liking it!

Yay for Gifts That Involve Nail Polish!

My coworker recently gave me these two new Wet n' Wild nail polishes! She said she saw them and immediately thought of me and picked them up because I always do so much to help her. While I reminded her that it's no trouble and I don't mind at all, I still giggled with delight! I love new nail polish, especially in greens and blue! Can't wait to try these out!

Left: #226C SaGreena the Teenage Witch, Right: #227C Teal or No Teal

St. Patrick's Day Themed NOTD

Green is my favorite color, and being an Irish red head I feel compelled to show some spirit for St. Patrick's Day this weekend. To show some pride I decided to do a green manicure! This is what I came up with. 

I used three coats of Wet n' Wild's Speed Zone polish in Zoomin' followed by a light coat of OPI's Fresh Frog of Bel Air from the Muppet's Collection on the tips. I used Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in Clear'd for Takeoff as my top coat. 

With flash

Of course I will be wearing loads of green and I'm hoping to go to the local St. Patty's Day parade (if the weather permits). Do you have any plans for this weekend's holiday? Maybe some green beer and corned beef and cabbage?

Question to my Fellow Bloggers

When you take photos from a post, if you're like me, you can take a ton but only end up using a few. Do you save the rest of the photos? Or do you delete them and only save the ones you've used? Do you save the original and edited versions? Or just the edited? I'm curious because I've been saving all of my photos and they're beginning to take up a lot of space on my hard drive, but I'm afraid that once I delete ones, I'll find a reason I should have saved them...perhaps this is just me?

Influenster's Love VoxBox

In early February I found out that I had been selected as one of the few to receive Influenster's Love VoxBox. I couldn't believe it! It finally arrived this week and these are all the goodies I'll be able to test and review!

Everything that came with the VoxBox

Ghriardelli Creamy Devotion Milk Chocolate Bar

  I'm a HUGE fan of Ghirardelli so I cannot wait to try this! The Box also came with a $1 off coupon to purchase another bar! I looked but haven't seen any in my local grocery store yet, but believe I will snatch one up as soon as I do!

Kiss Nail Designs

Now if you know me, pink is my absolute least liked color, but I will test these and wear them for the durability and quality of the product and see if I'd like them in a different style. 

Gillette Venus & Olay Razor

I've been using a Schick razor for as long as I can remember, so I'm excited to try out something new. So far I've heard great things about this one!  

Stash Herbal Tea Sampler

Ever since I started my weight loss goals, I've been drinking more tea, so this will be great to help get me through those long days. Especially now that the rain has finally hit Northern California. 

Truvia

I have yet to try Truvia, but every time I see it in the grocery store I'm tempted to pick it up. Now I can try it first!

So all in all I'm beyond pleased with my Box! Thank you again Influenster and I can't wait to try everything! I would recommend heading over the the Influenster website and check them out. Anyone can register and for a chance at receiving some free products to test and review, what have you got to lose?

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to me by Influenster for review purposes, but all opinions are my own.