Weekend Recap, Happy, & Swaps

This weekend was pretty relaxed.  Our friends Max and Ashler were staying on our couches for a few days and so we mostly hung out with them.  We did break away for a bit to go with Shawn and Justin down to Emma's and play games-which was fun.  She sure has cute kids!  The littlest took to Josh  like glue.  He hadn't even said two words yet when all of the sudden his legs were being hugged.  I bonded with the little girl because we both like pink and blue, and my scarf was her favorite color (teal!) so she made me a pretty picture:

Now on to some swap goodness:

Did you see that the sign ups for Books 'n' Bloggers is up?  It is!  Don't miss it, they're only open for a week!  Also don't miss the giveaway associated with it-Printcess is giving away 4 book-themed polishes of your choice!

Speaking of swaps, here's my 12 Days of Christmas Swap package from Alicia of Addicted Readers!  She knew I was a nail polish junky, look at all these cute things!  See what I sent her HERE!

I also totally got caught up in Christmas and forgot to share my Secret Santa swap package.  It was cute too!  Sadly there was a big glass owl that did not make it through the postal service, it was dust before I opened the box. Sad day.   My partner (who didn't know she was my partner) was Tina of Zoo Cutie Printables!  See what I got her HERE!  (I was really proud of this package)

This Week's Happy List:

• I'm embracing my inner nerd-I got this amazing calendar called Ridiculously Inspiring Quotes from Ridiculously Nerdy Fiction from Odd Egg Out on Etsy.  It's so nerdy I love it!  
• My new Batman hoodie & Tardis hoodie make me happy.  I'm wearing them all the time.
• Also the Ninja Turtle PJ Pants my momma got me for Christmas make me happy.
• I went super red with my hair, which is pretty in spite of missing a few spots in the front (gah!)

• I'm talking to a new guy... Or two... Right back on that dating horse right?
• I've been listing to Marina & the Diamonds Electra Heart album all week!  I'm giving it away HERE.

How have you been?

I'm hoping to be caught up with all my mail that's behind this week! 

If you're waiting on something from me, I'm SUPER sorry! 

Linking up with:

I Think You Call Me Sexy

This weekend was another less-documented one for me.  Friday night I tortured myself with two and a half hours at the Mall (I hate it regularly, let alone during the holidays where you are battling a constant barrage of vendors begging you to try their samples long enough to real you in and try and sell you the most expensive hair straightener you've ever seen-and even though you like it and they're offering you 4 freebies with it, you can't bring yourself to spend $300 when you have one that will do at home.) In order to pick up some new bras, hair stuff, skin stuff, and a new pair of boots for the winter.  You know, the necessary stuff.

By the time I got home and the house was dark and lonely, I decided I didn't want to be in it anymore-and thankfully there was an invite from the neighbors downstairs to go down, get drunk, and play games.  It turned out to be really fun hanging out with them!

Saturday evening we went to a party over at our friend Tia's house.  It was a lot of fun, and you-know-who/my crush/Frank joined for a while before we went back to his house to watch the 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who, which was fantastic.  I figured it was the time to finally try out my Nerd Lacquer I Think You Call Me Sexy with a messy manicure.

The 50th Anniversary Special was fantastic.  Lots of flashbacks to old seasons, other doctors and characters, and a lot of nostalgia.  Getting to watch it with someone I adore was even better.  I honestly have no idea where this is going, or how exactly he feels about me (which is always scary) but I'm trying not to think about it too much (because it's impossible not to think about it at all) and just enjoy liking him.  Enjoy how smiley I get just because he texts to see how I am.  It's nice to enjoy things, even if it's hard to push worry out of your end-it's worth it to try.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with:

My Weekend & Happy List

This weekend was one that was for the most part laid back, but still a lot of fun.  Friday night I met up with some friends I don't see nearly often enough and we had dinner at Stoneground, which was amazing.  I tried Swordfish for the first time, and their Tiramisu is to die for.  It was an excellent time and we were there until just after closing, and then we moved back to my place where we sat and talked until about 1am.

Saturday I spent lazing about... I woke up feeling a bit moody/gloomy so I immediately knew I needed a little pick me up.  I poured myself coffee in my favorite mug and sat down to finish The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.  Another truly spectacular book by my favorite author, expect a review Friday!

The roommate was gone for the day, so when I finished my book I was feeling the need for some Jane Austen. I started out with my absolute favorite Jane Austen (and version), Persuasion.  Oh Captain Wentworth makes me swoon... I then watched Mansfield Park, which was good-but no Persuasion.

Saturday night I was invited over to my crush's house to watch movies and had an absolutely fantastic time.  I really like him.  I think he needs a nickname now for the blog, since I'm hoping to be seeing him more often.  Let's call him Frank.

Sunday I spent mostly lounging and researching ways to get rid of the last lingering bit of cold I have... Turns out Eucalyptus Oil and Peppermint Oil, a good amount of tea, the spiciest pho I've ever made (like a cup of Sriracha, it was painful), another hot toddy, and reading all day helped a ton.  I'm very nearly all the way better this morning, and another night of sleeping on my pillows which are now dosed with the two oils mentioned above should fix me.  I then stayed up way too late reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, which is so twisted.

Other things currently making me happy:

• I received my order from Painting Bliss, and Ashlie was sweet enough to throw in some cute little ghosties she made for me! She's seriously the best, and I am IN LOVE with my Elephants.  I spent enough time drooling over them that I knew I had to buy them before someone else did.

• Seeing Frank (as he shall now be called) warm up to me a little more each time we spend time together.  Swoon.  Seriously.
• Neil Gaiman.  Hands down my favorite writer ever.
• My new favorite nail polish, Aly's Dream Polish Ocean.  Gorgeous.

• Carpooling with Shawn-saving on gas and having company is so nice!
• Keeping my room tidy-which I've never been very good at but somehow am pulling off now.
• This cold almost being gone... Hello, I have kissing to do, and I cannot kiss someone if they're going to get sick from it.  Boo to that.
• I'm reading often again, and that feels so  nice!

How was your weekend?

Linking up with:

Rocky Horror, Weenie Dogs, Scary Movies, & Swapping!

This weekend was really eventful!  Friday night we had a few friends over for some drinking before we went down to The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Tower Theatre which a friend was playing Doctor Frank-N-Furter in.  Since it's so close, we figured we'd all get drunk and then walk the few blocks to see it.  While we were taking out the trash and cleaning to make the house presentable, our neighbors from downstairs asked what we were up to and decided to join us for some drinking-it was so fun finally making good friends with them!

I got much too drunk, ate too much pizza, but had an awesome time both before and during the show.  Our friend did great in his role, but the Rocky was a little... interesting.  He didn't have bottoms that fit-so at one point in the show while he was dancing his dangly bits popped out and everyone in the audience got an eyeful.  After the show while we were chatting outside he came up and apologized, and I made light of it by saying "Oh it's okay, it's not every day you get to see testicles when you don't have any!"  To which he laughed and promptly hugged me and told me how much he loved me.  I'm pretty sure he was high, but yay for making a new friend!

Saturday we lounged about a bit, mostly because I had a hangover and Liza slept on our couch so Josh would make pancakes in the morning, and then around 2 we headed over to help our friend's Jon and Meggy move.  My job was easier than the moving, as I was puppy-sitting their Dachshund Thor for the day so he wouldn't be under foot.  Thor and I had a nice time and went on a really long walk around the Park before he took a nap and I did some homework.

When I took Thor back we helped them unpack a little-I of course, set up the wine.

After unpacking we took Julie home, but first stopped for Mexican food.  Never order the Crab at a Mexican place-yuck.  I don't know what I was thinking getting a crab quesadilla.  Yuck.  It tasted super fishy and I was promptly sick a few hours later from it.  But it was nice getting to see Julie's new apartment and meet her dog Ruby, we've all been so busy I haven't been able to catch up with her as much.

Sadly we had to cancel on the parties we were invited to that night, it was almost 11pm before we were done and the one we'd hoped to go to was about an hour away-plus not only was I exhausted but sick from the bad seafood choice.

Sunday we went over to Angel's house to watch The Conjuring and VHS 2.  The Conjuring was fun and jumpy, but VHS 2 pretty much sucked.

On another note, in case you didn't see, over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps our new and totally FREE Guest Post Swap sign-ups are open!  You should join us!

Don't forget to enter the Ad Space Giveaway that goes along with the Guest Post Swap!

How was your weekend?

Linking up with:

1,000 IG Followers, Brother's B-Day, & More!

Before I start with my happy list and a recap of my weekend and other news, I wanted to let you all know about my current Instagram giveaway!  I hit 1,000 followers on IG this weekend, so I posted this lovely little prize pack for giveaway!  It's open to the US & Canada and ends on 10/1/13!  Check out the original post on Instagram for more how to enter and the rules, and make sure you start by following me!

♥ ♥ ♥

I also want to wish my little baby brother a very happy birthday yesterday!  Well, I guess he's neither little or a baby anymore, I mean just look at him.  He's 17 and a total gentleman-do you see how gorgeous his Homecoming date was?  Not only did he take this beautiful girl, but he made sure to get on Facebook and tell everyone that if they hadn't taken her then they didn't have the best date there-so sweet!  He's really the only 17 year old little brother who makes sure you know he loves you and that he always gets a hug from his big sister.  I love that kid.

♥ ♥ ♥

This weekend was forcibly laid back.  Last week was a mess... There was a bed bug scare (I came into contact with blankets used by someone who may have had bed bugs/scabies-gross!) which made me take the day off from work to get all checked out from the doctor and clean every bit of bedding/laundry in my house to make sure nothing followed me home.  Thankfully it appears I'm in the clear, but better safe than sorry on that one!   Then I woke up the next day with a massive head cold which made it so I had to cancel plans to go to a party Friday night, and dancing plans for Saturday.  So I spent Friday night curled up on the couch watching Desperate Housewives, and Saturday cleaning my bedroom... Well in between wanting to just sit down and veg-so I didn't get much done.  

I did go out Saturday night to Taqueria 27 with Josh, Meggy, and Julie-I hadn't seen Meggy or Julie in a long time so I figured I'd get dinner with them, and then part ways as they went dancing and I went home to rest.

Sunday morning Josh and I trekked out to the far east side of Sandy to try a diner called The Black Bear diner, which we'd heard good things about.  It's apparently very popular and all over in California.  They had really tasty Sweet Cream Pancakes and good bacon! And their menus are in newspapers with stories from the 50s.  It was pretty neat.

♥ ♥ ♥

On another note, I'm happy to report that Ricki-Jill's suggestion of using Cetaphil as my only face cleanswer worked wonders.  There's such a difference in my skin-it's still not the best, but so much clearer and not nearly as many little red bumps on my cheeks.  I've been getting away with just BBCream and Powder, which I dig.  Also letting my curls go pretty natural, just some cream to control frizz.

Don't forget there's only 1 week left to take $10 off any holiday ad with code: EARLYBIRD

Linking up with:

Salt Lake ComicCon 2013

This weekend I was lucky enough to make it to SLC ComicCon.  I've never been to a convention before, so when purchasing tickets I only nabbed Saturday tickets thinking that I wouldn't want to be there more than an hour or two-but I was so wrong!  We were there from about 11am to 9:30pm on Saturday, and after attending panels and learning things I found myself wishing that I'd been there all three days-though I still think they should have done it Fri/Sat/Sun instead of Thurs/Fri/Sat, but oh well-it is Utah.

We arrived and stood in line for about 45 minutes.  The lines were a MESS, mostly becuse they did not expect that kind of turn out... But once we got in it was a blast seeing all of the cosplay, walking around the artist's booths, interacting with a few choice celebrities, and going to panels.

There were only two celebrities I had any desire to interract with. (Personally I hadn't gone in thinking I'd have any desire to get autographs or pictures, and while I didn't get autographs I did get two pictures with Celebs that I now love more than ever.)  I know the big ones were there (Shatner, Adam West, Stan Lee, etc.) but really didn't care enough... Kristina waited for an hour and a half to see Stan Lee speak for 20 minutes and said he was actually really rude to his fans the whole time... Which leaves quite a bad taste for him now... They said Adam West was funny and personable, but Shatner seems to be stuck on an endless loop of self promotion and senility. lol

First we stopped to see Nicholas Brendon.  It was only $10 to get a photo and they said we could all be in it.  First thing he did was step up and ask me if I wanted a hug-UM YES! So I hugged him, and then I told him that we weren't going to mention Buffy, but instead Josh wanted to commend him on Psycho Beach Party, and I'd like to tell him that he played a very convincing crazy rapist on Private Practice.  He laughed and thanked us.  He had the ability to make every photo look like he was just hanging out with his friends.

The second was Manu Bennett from Spartacus.  Not only is he attractive (um yes, cuddled up against his muscley chest there was amazing!) but he has a sexy Australian accent and he was SO nice.  He took time to stop and tell us how going from Spartacus to Arrow was like moving from playing classical piano to being a pop star-but that he had enjoyed both of them for their differences.

Here are some fun cosplay (and other) photos from the convention:

 I also have to send a shout out to Geek Lee Tist, who I followed on Instagram prior to convention, and when we stopped to talk to him I realized I did-and told him so.  He handed me his phone and said "Hey, make me follow you back" so I found my IG from his phone and now he follows me.  He was awesome, and his art is both nerdy and snarky-I love it.  Oh and the guy from Unicorn City-didn't even charge for this photo-he was so nice! Emily just hopped up there and he posed!

 By the time I figured out what panels were I made it into the Skinwalker Ranch panel and then tried to catch the JJ Abrahams Rebooting Star Trek panel but when it was too full we made it into Effective Horror which ended up being so boring that we snuck out after 20 minutes.  I was pretty bummed I missed the Spartacus panel which Josh and Doug went to and thought was amazing!  We also watched the last hour of a fantasy movie (that was horrible, but at least pretty) and then caught the world-premier sneak peak of Skinwalker Ranch (which is made locally. During the Skinwalker Ranch panel I let Kaylee do some nail art on me to keep her busy, and she was actually really good!  It's a tree!

It was also nice to get dressed up... I just wore my Wookie shirt, but I did my makeup and nails pretty!

A few fun facts I learned about Salt Lake City's first ever ComicCon:

• They planned on 13,000 people but when they sold nearly double that in the first few hours they had to move it from the South Town Expo Center to the Salt Palace.
• We actually had 70,000-80,000 in attendance-making SLC's ComicCon the first in the nation to have that many people attend in the first year-setting a new record.  This also put it on par with regular attendance in cities like Las Vegas.
• This was the biggest convention of any kind Utah has ever seen.  There's another record.
• The Fire Marshall shut it down 3 times during the entire process for violations and the amount of people.  This set another record, as it's the first convention in Utah to ever be shut down. Record.
• Next year our estimated turn out is expected to rival that of San Diego, which is the largest. WOW.

How was your weekend?

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