Weekend Recap + Giveaway for $700 in Gift Cards!

I hope you guys had a wonderful and blessed Easter weekend. I know I did! My parents came to visit for the weekend, and we had so much fun spending time together. Friday afternoon, Tyler and I wanted to show them the house we'll be renting soon (Yes, we're moving! More details to come soon) so that was very exciting! We took them to Gus's Famous Fried Chicken for supper, and then stopped by Pottery Barn outlet on the way back home. Our furry children LOVED having their Lolli and Pop (yes I know... Mom's idea...) here and constantly begged for attention, treats, and toys. They always bring presents and Bella's smart enough to know that they've got things for her! Mom brought me a present, too... a pair of Jimmy Choos!!!

Saturday, we ventured out in the rain to shop at Saddle Creek, and eat at our favorite restaurant in Germantown: the Germantown Commissary (our favorite BBQ ever!).  Shopping with my mom is one of my favorite things and I always cherish the girl time we get to spend together since it's so rare these days. We went into most of the stores at Saddle Creek, but spent most of the time in Ann Taylor Loft. They have TONS of colorful spring things out right now (with 40% off storewide!), so naturally, my mom and I were lugging around armfuls of clothing to the dressing room while getting death stares from Tyler and my dad. I ended up leaving with a floral peplum top, a striped tee (can you ever have too many??), and the perfect boyfriend jeans. Everything is now 50% off (of course) online, with code CYBERSPRING.

1. Floral peplum
2. Striped Tee
3. Boyfriend jeans (left, sold out but available in a darker wash)

 

Sunday, we celebrated Jesus's resurrection at our home church here in Memphis, Island Community Church (P.S. If you're in Memphis, we'd love to have you!). It was an awesome time of worship and celebration, and we were so glad to have my parents there with us. We had lunch at the Spaghetti Warehouse (I'd forgotten how good it is!) before they had to head back to Alabama. Tyler and I enjoyed an afternoon nap with the kiddos and caught up on some TV shows we missed last week. 

So now that you've been filled in on every detail from our weekend... it's time for another giveaway!

This past week, Laura from Walking in Memphis in High Heels, reached 1,000 followers on her blog!  To celebrate and thank her readers, she has teamed up with some of her favorite bloggers to have a huge giveaway!  Please take a moment to show these women (and one man) some love!  One lucky reader will win a $300 gift card to J. Crew, a $200 gift card to Target and a $200 gift card to Sephora!  How amazing is that?!  You can check out each blog by clicking on the link below their name, and enter the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway will run until 12:00 am CST on Monday April 8th.

Abigail  ||  Ady  ||  Alicia

Andrea D  ||  Andrea M  ||  Angela

Alyssa  ||  Amy D  ||  Analisa

Ashlee  ||   Bekah  ||   Brianne

Chioma   ||   Colleen   ||   Dani

Emily  ||  Holly  ||  Jaclyn

Jaime  ||  Jason  ||  Jessica M

Jessica S  ||  Jessica T  ||  Jodi

Karri  ||  Keyona  ||  Kira 

Laura  ||  Lindsey  ||  Maria

Merchon  ||  Serena  ||  Taber 

Tasha  ||  Amanda

a Rafflecopter giveaway


P.S. The winner of the Piperlime giveaway is entry #5450: Sheree!

Guest Post: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

Boy, have I got a treat for you! My super sweet friend Taylor is guest posting today! She'll be sharing the beauty secret she can't live without and have you running to your nearest Sephora! Take it away Taylor!

First of all, let me give a big thank you to the lovely Amanda Parks for letting me dish a little on her incredible fashion blog! I am a twenty-something wife-to-be and dental student who has always wanted to blog – and Amanda is giving me my fix – thanks, girl!

Me and the fiancé, ZRJ

Today’s obsession has been in my life for 4 years now, and if you only knew how ADD I am about cosmetics, that is a testimonial in its own! I was an undergraduate student at UT-Knoxville, freezing my buns off winter 2009, walking from class to work in the bitter wind and back again. My lips were dry, cracked, and frankly…miserable. No amount of lipstick or gloss could improve their shattered state. So in true Taylor fashion, I ran to the closest Sephora to seek a solution.

While standing in the check-out line with a handful of other goodies (ADD, remember?), I noticed a handsome little tube of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment and remembered the purpose of my visit. I scanned the box to see: Vitamin A, E, & C, essential fatty acids, antioxidant grapeseed polyphenols, black currant oil, and SPF 15 (a must, y’all). I tossed a box onto the counter with my pile and was on my way. 

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment $22.50

The moment I left the store, I ripped into the box and smoothed some onto my lips.  Now imagine the clouds parting and the world filling with an ethereal light… INSTANT relief, instant improvement, and the smell! It is reminiscent of the lingering aroma of a freshly baked Pucker Up cupcake from Muddy’s Bake Shop.

Suffice to say, my lips were forever changed.  Also, in the past four years, Sugar has gained a cult following.  How did Fresh respond? Tinted Lip Treatments!

 LOVE! My go-to winter color is Rose.  It is sheer, but has enough color to give you that perfect pout with pale winter skin. It isn’t pictured above, but what I’m most excited for for spring is Fresh’s newest addition: Petal! Isn’t it gorgeous?

Have you ever used Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment? 

Umm, do we share a brain?! I am always on the hunt for a good lip treatment! I make a conscious effort NOT to go in Sephora (I just can't handle that kind of temptation) but I'm allowed to order online, right?! 

I'm loyal to MAC and always purchase my tried and true favorites when it comes to cosmetics, so I love reading new product reviews, especially from someone I know and trust. THANK YOU, Taylor! I hope you'll contribute again soon! 

Now.  Am I the only one who's craving a cupcake?!