CCC Christmas Wish List | Sweet Auburn Studio Goodies

It's never to early for a Christmas list, right?

Let me start this post with a disclaimer. I really don't NEED anything for Christmas this year. I am blessed in a lot of ways and being a grown up with a really great husband has allowed me the discretionary money to buy something if I need it (or occasionally even if I don't need it, but I convince myself it is a good deal.). I am really pretty lucky. With that said, it's still fun to dream and gather a list of really pretty things I wouldn't mind having, right?

So, with that in mind, I decided I am going to put together a weekly blog post highlighting some fancy little things I think any girl would love, from now until Christmas. Last year I did a Pinterest list, but that got really confusing for my non-Pinterest addicted husband and Mom (I know, how is it possible that anyone is not addicted?), so this year, I am going to share my wishlist on a platform they understand. And, hopefully along the way, you can pick up some new ideas as well!

So without further adieu, I present to you the most beautiful bracelets from Sweet Auburn Studio. What girl wouldn't love one of these?

Source: etsy.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I am having an internal debate on what I would have engraved, but I am set on the coral color. It's just gorgeous. 

Source: etsy.com via Jamie on Pinterest

And even though this might be too simple for some of you, this sweet bracelet would go perfect with my favorite earrings that I ordered off etsy last year. I know big, bold jewelry is in, but at $10, it would make a fabulous stocking stuffer or a simple gift for a friend. Plus, you could also consider ordering more than one. :)

What do you think of the Sweet Auburn goodies? And do you have a favorite (or your own) Etsy store that I should browse? I will be back next Monday with some more pretty little things for your Christmas wish list!

XoXo,

The Blogs I Never Wrote

I am sure it would be 100% appropriate to start this post with an introduction.

It could go something like, "Hi. My name is Jamie and I used to blog."

Or "Hey, I am that person who writes that blog that you stop by to read just to continously be disappointed that there is nothing new."

Or better yet, "Hi. I'm Jamie. I want to blog. I think in blogs. My mind has lists of things to blog about. I take pictures of random things to post on my blog. And then I never blog."

Yep, any of them would work.

HOWEVER, I am not posting any of that. 

I am just here to say that I solemnly swear that I am really going to give this 110% this time. Please hold me accountable.

Because here is the thing, I really honestly want to blog.

I wasn't kidding, my mind actually functions in 400-word blog posts. I drive home (on my ridiculously long drive) and write a post in my head summarizing my day. I see something at the mall and I draft up a mini-post ranting about the ridiculousness. I photograph everything I experience because I know how a picture is truly worth a thousand words.

It's how I function. I don't know if it's my education, my profession or just a weird quirk. Regardless, the result is that I have a whole library of blogs in my head that I didn't get to writing this summer.

Prime example, how did I manage not to write about the MN State Fair? I purposely took pictures of all the different food that I ate so I could share it with you. Case in point, the best food on a stick you will ever eat is below. I don't even want to know how many calories is in it. This was probably one of eight or ten servings I bought at the Great MN Get Together. And I wondered where my money went....

deep fried mashed potatoes.

Or, I don't know, maybe I should posted about the time my husband and I got to pose with a really big check and purple banner that we just won? That was a fun day. MJP Purfeerst Lut 104 (our Angus bull we have been showing this summer) had another great day in Minnesota and won Supreme Champion Bull at the Minnesota State Fair. Plus, added bonus, next year when we walk into the MN State Fair Cattle Barn we will be hanging from a HUGE banner with the rest of the Supreme Champions. Pretty darn cool.

we even had to drive to Wisconsin (no beer off sale in MN on Sunday) to get some celebratory beer!

I definitely should have wrote about our trip to Milwaukee, our week at the lake, or the Twins game we unsuccessfully scalped tickets at. And I wanted to rant for two weeks straight about how much I hated inserting my butt into my car seat just to sit in traffic for an hour and a half each way. But let's be real, there are a lot of things I could rant about, however they are probably better left unposted.

random date night at Target Field. Note to self: Don't let Mark be in charge of tickets.

Oh and don't even get me started on the P. Farms Corn Reports I missed. In short: It rained A LOT, it didn't rain for almost too long, then we got blessed and it rained again finally, but unfortunately the rest of corn country wasn't so lucky, so prices shot through the roof. This resulted in me checking corn prices every two hours so I could call my husband and convince him to sell some corn. In fact, I almost had Mark convinced that I should quit my day job and become a grain marketer. Then we remembered I have no idea how to do that. He went to school for that, not me. Fast forward a month, and now I never see my husband because we are trying to get that crop out of the field. I am officially a harvest widow.

Say hello to my husbands new home.

Lucky for you, my life as a new farm wife is something I definitely still have time to blog about. In fact, it's penciled in for this week.

And potentially the most important blog I missed is the exciting news about the new camera in my life that should make this blog 7,000 times better.

Yes, I fell victim to the beautiful things at National Camera Exchange. I am not ashamed.

However, that post is for Thursday.

And that's where I sign off.  See you tomorrow, same place, same time, for some inspiration. Lately, I have been lacking it.

Glad to be friends again!

Birchbox -- XOXO, Gossip Girl

After what seemed like FOREVER, I finally got my first Birchbox.

Disclaimer: This post it all Birchbox and makeup, so if you are come to CCC for cows & life updates, it might not be the post for you. Regardless though, I love having you stop by! :)

Actually, I got it two Fridays ago. But I couldn't find time to post about it. But to be realistic, I probably didn't make time to post about it because I still have mixed feelings on it.

I literally was expecting this a package of greatness...and I honestly was a little underwhelmed.

{this month's birchbox was a gossip girl special edition, which I am not ashamed to admit is my favorite show.}

Don't get me wrong, anything Gossip Girl makes my "good list," so the packaging alone was fun. But, I will be the brat that admits that I thought it would be bigger. Because in a hold-nothing-back attitude, it was kind of small. I guess a good blog photographer can make it look like a shoebox, but folks, I won't lie...my 8-month-old nephew's shoes probably wouldn't even inside.

But, let's get back to that glass-half-full outlook.

If you are a marketing nerd like me, you value good packaging and it had that. And, I am already brainstorming the ways I can reuse the box. I am thinking necklaces for when I travel? Plus, it came the Friday before GG season finale. Which, on a side note, I did not like. What happened!?

Here are the goodies I got:

{Arquiste L'Etrog, Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+, Color Club® Foil Collection, beautyblender® blendercleanser, Twistband Skinny Headband 6-pack}

So far, I have mostly good reviews of what I actually received. The perfume smells yummy and I do need some new perfume, but I think after trying it, it won't be my pick. I haven't tried the beautyblender® cleanser yet, because I literally just bought a huge bottle of MAC brush cleaner, but I am going to give it a try because I am afriad the MAC stuff is making me break out (has anyone experienced that before?). The note card is cute and I will definitely find a use for it and the I wish I would have got a colored Twistband, but the black one does work well

Now for my bad review, Dr. Jart+ receives an F. Honestly, I don't know if there was anything in it! It's a tiny bottle to start with, but I can NOT get anything out of it besides a dribble, which doesn't really let me test it well.

However, the A+ goes to the Color Club Nail Polish. I love, love, love it. One coat & you have a gorgeous sparkly gold. If I wasn't planning on getting a manicure on Saturday, all of my nails would be painted gold right this istance. It might be something I actually by a full bottle of -- has anyone used it before? You can click here to buy it.

So...mixed reviews I guess!?  After reading alot of other blogs, I found out it's really important to have your profile accurate, so I am working on that. Regardless, I am not giving up on it yet.  I really do think it was worth if for the nail polish and brush cleaner (and the excitement of getting something fun in the mail). And, everyone seems to get a different box. I am personally waiting out for the Dior mascara some other people got or the full-size Essie nail polish...my wallet knows that would be worth it. Want to try it? You can sign up here. I'd love to have another friend do it so we can compare what we get in real life!

Any other Birchboxers out there? How was your box this month? Share a link to your blog if you posted about it! 

XoXo,

Turning 24! A Birthday Wish List

I am turning the big 2-4 on Monday and I couldn't be more excited.

I am sure we have talked about this before, but birthdays are a really big deal to me. I love spoiling people on their big day -- regardless if you are 3 or 82, in my opinion, birthdays are meant to be celebrated.

I think it's because I love giving gifts. I am a 100% positive it's my dominant "love language" if you have read that book. And since I love giving gifts, I also love getting them.


I have been trying to come up with a birthday wish list for the last week and have been hitting a wall. Last year, I came up with a fabulous list and lucky me, throughout the year, I got 4 out of 5. And, I had a slightly over-the-top Pinterest Christmas List that served me well, too.

Maybe I am spoiled or maybe it's this frugal mindset I have been trying to implement in our household lately, but I can't think of anything extravagant to make the list.

I mean there is no doubt in my mind that I would take any of these lovelies...

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But the fact is, I don't really need any of these and I also don't think anyone who is birthday shopping for me is making a trip to the MOA where all these beauties live anytime soon.

So, while I can admit this is much too practical for my own good, my realistic birthday gift list includes a fan for my office, sunglasses, a printer, candles, someone to vacuum my car for me and that my husband sits down so we seriously discuss a trip to Europe. Plus, I am hoping for a glass of wine or a cold Blue Moon on a patio somewhere and it would be nice to see my Grandma.

Well, actually, I also am hoping one of the million blogs that I entered to win a Silhouette Cameo on this week will let me win it this time.

Is this what birthdays after 23 are like!? Do we simply wish for office fans & printers?! Is this what I have to live for for the next 70+ years?

Okay enough, I know.

Dramatics aside, I am thoroughly looking forward to relaxing and maybe if I don't get surprised with a beautiful new watch, I will make it my own little birthday gift to me next week. :)

Plus, Momma May gave me the best birthday gift ever when she decided to have me on May 28th -- almost always it means a day off work like this year.

Happy Friday! Enjoy your long, fabulous weekend.

XoXo,

Cheers To Hyvee

If you don't know, May is my favorite month.

First and foremost, it's my birthday month.

It's also my family's month (get it, May?).

And now, it's my 6-month-wedding-anniversary month.

And maybe a little less know, it's also National Beef Month. :)

Kidding. It's a national holiday, I hope you all knew about it first.

Anyways, I don't have to continue to profess my love for beef on this blog. I think you get from the title, cattle are important part of my life and in turn, so is everything about the beef industry.


So in honor of beef month, I am giving a shout-out to my friends behind the meat counter at Hyvee.

Like most girls who grew up on a farm, I have never bought meat from the grocery store, except hot dogs and chicken breast. Why buy beef when I can get it from my parent's freezer? I think have cooked with store-bought hamburger maybe once in my life.

You don't tell me how blessed I am. I love eating our farm-raised beef...and our pork and usually, even our chicken.

This week, I made my first trip to the Hyvee grocery store in Faribault and was completely impressed with their meat counter. I honestly couldn't walk away without buying something. And I have a freezer full of meat...imagine how a normal consumer would be? I came home with twice-baked potatoes, cheddar & bacon brats and some barbeque pork chops – my husband is going to be a happy camper when I make all that for supper!

I loved that the guy behind the counter was super friendly, their prices were reasonable and they literally had endless options. Plus, everything was presented so well. I give them an A+. We need more meat counters like that in our grocery stores.

And another plus, Hyvee was one of the reasonable retailers out there during the unwarranted media attack on BPI's lean, finely textured beef. Instead of pulling all #LFTB from their shelves, they decided to label it and give their consumers a choice, and in turn, they provided a leaner, cheaper safe meat choice for consumers on a budget.

So cheers to Hyvee. Thanks for making my first meat counter experience a good one. You can bet I will be back!

What about you? Do you have a good local grocery store that you love to buy your meat from? Or are you a Hyvee fan? And what makes one better than the other? I think as producers we need to continue to make the meat counter experience better for consumers, because face it, we need to continue to improve beef demand for so many reasons.


And by the way, if you are a food blogger -- or just a really good cook -- I know of certain magazine hosting an awesome recipe contest this month with a new contest each week. (Find all the info here.) The prize? Some cash money for a new pair of boots from Stetson. Here's their site -- I'm sure you will be drooling shortly.

Happy Beef Month!

Goodbye Friend

On Monday, I said goodbye to a good friend.

My husband is ridiculously happy. He says the departure of this so called "friend" will save us hundreds of dollars.

I, however, am realistic and I know that I lost the best thing that happened to our bank account.

Curious yet what this crazy girl is rambling about?

Well, I don't know how I managed to go a year without blogging about this, but let's backtrack a year or so to explain.

Remember last April when the whole world was obsessed with the upcoming royal nuptials of William & Kate? We all were gossiping about what her dress would look like, I was secretly wondering if Henry would call me up and ask me to be his date and, of course, every woman in the world got up at 4 in the morning to watch the live broadcast of the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Well, at the same time my favorite store was offering what I would call a once-in-a-lifetime prize -- 50% off of all Gap clothes for a whole year, appropriately named the "Royal Giveaway."

Of course, I entered. And then I made my mom, my dad, my little brother and my fiance enter to improve my odds. Think of all the things I could buy!?

Well the Saturday after Will & Kate tied the knot, my mom checked her email to find out that she had won the Mall of America Royal Giveaway. Cue the singing angels!

Long story short, my mom goes shopping once a year, so she of course passed the prize along to her daughter. And, I took well advantage of it.

Fast forward a year and on any given day, you can now find me at least wearing something Gap. I wear their underwear, bras, pants, tanks, t-shirts, skirts, jackets, sweaters -- basically anything that I can convince myself I need to have. Often, my whole outfit will be Gap. And don't forget my family, they proudly sport their half-off Gap clothing, too!

Here's some ridiculous good deals I recently picked up:

{no joke, I get this for $28. You can find it here.
sorry, it's not that great of deal online.}

{this is the softest sweater ever. And for ten bucks? How could I not?}

 {at half-off, this fun skirt came to $25. I think it will go great with the blazer and a striped shirt. find it here}

I almost feel mean posting the links when the prices aren't even close to what I paid, but they really are cute basics you might like? That's what I love about GAP. They might not be the most fashion-forward store out there, but they have high-quality basics that you can easily base a closet on. And trust me, my closet is stock full.

But as you can probably guess from how I started this post, my reign as a fake Gap employee (they get 50% off, too. And you won't believe how many times I got asked what store I worked at!) is over. On Monday, I made my ceremonious last trip to my neighborhood Gap store with my 50% pass off in my purse.

Good news though! Thankfully, it's my birthday month, so Gap is letting me transition slowly into the full-price world. :)

To please my husband and because my mom taught me to never buy yourself stuff during Christmas or your birthday month, I am making a silent vow to avoid the MOA for the next month unless necessary. It just won't be as fun going every week when I have to pay full-price for clothes.

So, I say it again. Goodbye Gap card, thanks for filling my closet and making me smile in delight because I just saved more money then a spent. You were a good friend, no matter how much my husband despised you.

Until next time,

High Five For Friday

Finally, Friday, you are here!

I don't know about you but 70 degree weather and sunshine makes weeks in the office seem terrible. I don't know how I am going to handle the summer. Luckily though, I have a new office starting tomorrow with lots of light and sun. Maybe I can get a tan through the window!?

I decided I am going to try to make "High Five For Friday" with Lauren at From My Grey Desk a regular addition to Cows, Corn & Country. Hopefully, as you're reading you find some reasons to celebrate too!

High Five #1 goes out to the new Essie nail polish I splurged on this week. I picked up the nail polish addition from my BFF last fall, but this was my first Essie purchase. I am loving the spring Tart Deco color and day 2 without any chips. I am thinking it's going to much more durable than my $2.00 bottles.

High Five #2 goes to the finally getting out to Target Field for a Twins game. We got lucky and got some last minute tickets to Tuesday night's game. We went with Mark's co-worker and wife and their adorable 3-month-old son. Seriously, you should see the hair on this kid's head! He's a cutie. When they slipped out because of rain we met up with Misty & her boyfriend Matt, who just happened to be at the game too! The Twins ended up losing terribly to the Red Sox, but nothing beats outdoor baseball.

{we had killer seats right behind home plate.}

High Five #3 is for a spotless house. Mark spent Wednesday night in the tractor and I wasn't feeling so hot, so I stayed home and went super domestic on our house. The bathrooms are cleaned, the floors are swept, laundry done and everything dusted. Best feeling in the world. Unfortunately, the house being clean didn't make me feel any better and I spent most of Thursday sick. 

High Five #4 goes out to it being 5K week. I am ashamed to admit that I am terribly unprepared and my run Wednesday night went awful. However, I am blaming the bad run on my cold and I am excited to just get it over with. Even if I walk half of it, it's still an accomplishment in my mind...and door prizes and massages at the end! And I also decided that I am signing up for at least one more this summer yet. Any ideas on where or when?

And my last High Five For Friday is for hitting the big 5-0 in followers! Thanks everyone! If you want to follow my blog, you just have to click on "Join This Site" in the upper right hand corner or subscribe via email. To celebrate, I think I am might have my first giveaway next week!

Have a good weekend! The 5K is Sunday morning so while you are at church on Sunday, send a prayer my way! :)

Weekly Wedding Update: The Wedding Registry

I am stressed out over something that shouldn't stress anyone out. Go figure.

What is it?

I can't decide what FiestaWare colors to register for. (Lame, I know.)

But in my defense, why would anyone give anyone all these options!?

And this isn't even all of them!

I have debated and debated and the end results is that I just can't decide. And we all know Mark hates making decisions, so he is currently no help.


So, any savvy decorators out there have any suggestions? Should I do Turquoise & Scarlett? Or Paprika & Marigold? Or maybe throw in some Shamrock?

I am currently open to every option, so leave me a comment and help me out. And please, don't look at my registry...it currently screams "this girl doesn't know what she is doing when it comes to FiestaWare." Hopefully, I can somehow fix that soon?

I Would Like Some Customer Service With That

I think you could say I got "wowwed" the other day.

Remember that blog I wrote about the Blue Door Boutique? You know the cute little shop in Georgia that thankfully is online so I can lust over it everyday? You know the one that has this dress that I feel like I have to have?

 

Well, after I wrote that blog, I got a note from Kimberly (the model of the gorgeous green dress!), thanking me for the kind words and asking me for my address. She wanted to send me a little birthday "happy" from the Blue Door!

Now, I am not even quite sure how she found my blog, but somehow she did and immediately went above and beyond the call of duty to make me feel extremely important. Sure, I am thinking Miss Kimberly must be an extremely nice person to start with, but there's no denying it was extremely good service as well.

Now, if you weren't quite sure what was the value of social media was yet, here is your lesson.

I found out about Blue Door from a blog, I then wrote about it in my blog, which some 100 people read. That alone could have been good enough because 100 more people knew about there store, but realistically who knows if I ever would have bought anything myself (I do have some self-control). But, then Kimberly found my blog (I am sure through some online social media tool) and wrote a simple note and just like that she created a customer for life.

Not only have I checked the website everyday, BUT, I have also checked my mail for the past two weeks straight. 

Last Friday, I got my birthday "happy" --- the nicest note and a gorgeous set of gold earrings that I think will go nice with this dress. :)

So, there are two points to this post. One, good customer service is simple but it goes a LONG way. Two, go check out the Blue Door; you are going to love it. And if you hurry, you still have time to send a belated birthday gift my way. JK :)

I think I will just buy myself a little "happy".

A Birthday Wish List

My family has been good enough to remind me this week that once you turn 23, birthdays aren't a big deal.

I disagree. Birthdays are always a big deal.

So in honor of the big day...which is tomorrow...here's the wish list I promised!

1. A Feed Sack Bag

Ever since Miss Crystal Young shared these gorgeous bags on her blog, I have been in love. Luckily Mark knows about my obsession and reads Crystal's blog and hopefully, he's been picking up my not so subtle hints.

2.  New Pair of Sperrys

 

I love boat shoes. I currently have about 3 pairs, but two are soo worn out and one is a work pair. I need some new ones and I am thinking I maybe should add a little color to my life. What do you think? Do you like? I think they might be a birthday present to myself. And, I just noticed 10% off this week only because it's boating safety week! Can you say perfect?!

3. This Necklace  

I shouldn't even have to explain. It's gorgeous.

4. Crest White Strips

No joke. I really really really want some, but I am too cheap to spend the 35 bucks.

5.  A BIG Camera Card

I have been rolling on a 256 MG camera card for the last 4 years. I actually think I bought it before GB cards were made. Regardless, it's too small and I need an upgrade fast. I am sick of only being able to hold 20 pictures on my camera; some nights just require more than that.

6. Vera Bradley Bag

I have always wanted this bag. I still want this bag. And I am probably going to continue to want this bag for a while. I think this would be the ultimate travel bag. It would look great in the goose of a cattle trailer and on the airplane. That is important to me.

Now, I could probably continue on, but 1. I don't want to be selfish (there are so many other people out there that need a lot more right now; my prayers go out to everyone impacted by the terrible weather) and 2. I realistically know that none of them are likely. In order to get the gifts on your birthday, you should share your birthday list a little bit before the day before...but hey, Christmas isn't that far away right?

Have a great Friday and a great holiday weekend!

Find of The Week: The Blue Door Boutique

I am in love, I am in love and I don't care who knows it!

Well, that might be a bit over the top, but not to far off. The Blue Door Boutique is a shop that offers gorgeous clothes for a not too ridiculous price that I currently love.

A Classy, Southern Wife introduced me to this little piece of goodness and I can't imagine that my first order will be too far off.

Here are my favorites so far: 

Mint Chocolate Chip Top

Lipstick Layers Tank

Fringe-back Blush Dress
How can you not love this back?!?

And if your not in love with anything yet, don't worry, they constantly get new things...which is good and bad.

Oh and kuddos to the gorgeous stylist from Blue Door who is rocking all these outfits, she not only makes me want to go workout ASAP but she makes me want to spend my money even faster. If I didn't have a really big purchase coming up, I just might have.

Oh and the eve of my birthday month is approaching, so feel free to keep The Blue Door Boutique in mind. They ship. :)

A Really Big Purchase

You might not know this about me, but I like to shop.

I once had the store layout of the Mall of America memorized, I have scored more good deals at Albertville that most people could dream of, I know when winter clothes are on sale at Gap and I don't ever feel bad getting pants for $10 and sweaters for $2 and don't ever underestimate my online shopping skills. I mean why would you ever press submit without first searching the web for a free shipping coupon?!?

My shopping "skills" have improved drastically since my new job. Just combine my extremely short drive to MOA with my expanded budget...and it doesn't make sense not head on over during my lunch break to see if I find any really good deals.

Truth: Mark doesn't think "really good deals" are ever necessary, my mom stopped saying, "You went shopping again?" because it was starting to get old and I now put my Gap bags into my purse before I walk into the house so no one has to see them.

Nonetheless, I am on the eve of a purchase that might be a little over my head and not as fun as normal...I am car shopping.

Cue the scary music now.

Don't get me wrong, I hate my Alero. Eww. Gross. I feel like a poor college student when I drive it. It has a rusted our hood and it's windows don't roll down and it might not have air conditioning and it gets terrible gas mileage...do you want me to keep going?

BUT, a savvy shopper like me can only think of all the good deals I could get for the price of a brand new car. AND, Mark and I are terrible decision makers and unfortunately a car is a bit of a big decision.

So, I want your vote. What cute, affordable, good-gas mileage mid-size vehicle do you suggest? Here are your options.

A: Ford Fusion SEL













 
B. Chevy Malibu LT2

C. Toyota Camry LE

So cast your vote! A, B, C or D (which would be other, in which you need to leave your other!) and maybe I will pick one lucky voter to take my 2000 Alero with 170,000 miles off my hands. However, you would only be lucky if you lived in a cold state where you wouldn't need to roll down your windows or AC (but not too cold because the rear-defrost doesn't work) and you didn't ever want to listen to a CD. )

Is there anything else I NEED TO KNOW? Have any advice? Feel free to share, I am like a sponge when it comes to car advice! Hopefully, I will be driving a flashy new white car soon!