Category: Lifestyle

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

As a cause I always hold so close and dear to my heart since my Grandmother was diagnosed and fought for over 20 years, I urge all those that are able to help…please do so.

You can help by shopping, donating, spreading the word, volunteering, and even getting the proper tests or exams for yourself.

I’ve compiled a list of very import sites that are helping to kick breast cancer in the ass! Included in the list below are several stores that will donate a percentage of their sales from their special Breast Cancer Awareness Month items directly to specific organizations.

( 🙂 this post is in all pink of course so be sure to click links that are BOLD 🙂 )

 

01torridbca

 Torrid will donate 15% of marked items purchased from their “Breast Cancer Awareness Collection” to National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.

 

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Lane Bryant will donate 10% of items purchased from their “Cause Collection” to the American Cancer Society.

 

And of course there are other ways to help raise awareness including donating directly to non-profit breast cancer awareness and research foundations, as well as the American Cancer Society. This also ensures your money goes directly to the foundations that need it most. Listed below are the Avon Foundation (Breast Cancer Crusade, Susan G. Komen and Karmanos Institute here in Michigan.

 

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Avon Foundation for Women: Breast Cancer Crusade

 

01komenbcaSusan G. Komen

 

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American Cancer Society: Fighting Breast Cancer

 

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Karmanos Cancer Institute

 

 

In related information, be sure when you are purchasing PINK items, those PINK items and company are actually giving a percentage of that sale to a reputable cancer research or awareness organization. Don’t just buy PINK without knowing you’re giving your hard earned money to a cause.

For more information on donating/spending head over to Think Before You Pinkan organization fighting and giving important tidbits about companies who don’t donate a percentage at all or those companies who sell cancer causing products.

FYI: you’re going to learn A LOT!

National Coffee Day 2015

It’s finally time for everyone else to celebrate what I (and other fellow coffee lovers) celebrate every single day…

drum roll please

 

It’s National Coffee Day!

 

Check out these national chains who are game to give us free coffee (or discounted deals) on a cup of java!

Krispy Kreme

Dunkin’ Donuts

Peet’s Coffee

 

I’m slightly bummed some chains aren’t offering a free cup like they did in previous years but don’t let that stop you! Be sure to stop in your local coffee shops to what deals they may be offering. Plus it’s always great to shop and spend at small businesses.

You can also show your team spirit on social media by tagging posts and pics with #NationalCoffeeDay and #CurvesAndCoffee! I’d love to see your warm indulgences!

To see past celebrations simply click here ~~~> National Coffee Day

 

Lane Bryant Wants Everyone to Know that #PlusIsEqual

plusisequal

Have you seen Lane Bryant’s new ad campaign that was unveiled last week during New York Fashion Week?!

In case you haven’t, here’s the commercial spot below!

The campaign is called Plus Is Equal and that’s pretty bad ass!

So whenever you’re using social media to get out your shopping and fashion frustration just hash tag that #PlusIsEqual and get your point across with ease! I could spend hours writing about this epic moment and make it the longest post ever but I’ll spare you guys…today.

Visit #PlusIsEqual for more info!

Enjoy!

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is June 21st!

Just like Mother’s Day, I’ll give you guys several Father’s Day gift ideas to bring a smile to any dad’s face!

Let’s get to it…

Here are 6 drool worthy gift ideas for the tech dad, the foodie dad, the dad to be, and even the sports loving dad and only one is over $100! That’s right, even with a small budget, dad can get an amazing gift.

 

citizenwatch[1.] For the extravagant dad in your life who just might need (or want) something extra, this  chronograph eco-drive watch from Citizen is all the “extra” any guy would love to have. If you have the dollars to splurge (let’s face it, dad deserves it ya know) the $350 price tag on this sleek watch will be well spent. ~ Citizen $350

 

 

 

 

 

new_dad_comp_s__13308.1412700982.702.702[2.] Sooo, there’s this cool site called ManCrates.com that offers pre-packaged gifts for men but they’re in wooden crates! I don’t think you can get more manly than a crate but the crates come with a crowbar to pry open the gift filled boxes.

 

 

 

 

 

I hear a Tim the Tool Man Taylor grunt in the background…

tim-allen-grunt_3793129_GIFSoup.com

This specific ManCrate is actually a stuffed to the brim tactical bag made perfectly for soon-to-be dads or new father’s in mind. All of the things a guy could possibly need including a few gag items like a pacifier with a mustache! I may need to borrow someones baby just so I see it using the cute Mustachifier! ~ New Dad Tactical Bag $99

 

 

gearwood[3.] Gear Driven Iphone Docking Station? Yes please! Any guy out there would love this…a docking station for your smartphone which doubles as a valet for all of his necessary “things.” Oh! By the way, it’s handmade from wood and totally works like a gear! You can find this awesome gift on Etsy from KkornerInnovationsWood Valet/Docking Station $78

 

 

 

 

beard1[4.] Speaking of Etsy, Beardology has everything your dad or guy needs to keep his beard in check. If he’s gonna keep the scruffiness, he should at least make it look good! “The Man Set” includes natural oils, wash and balm for all of the hairs on his chinny chin chin. ~ Beardology $28

 

 

 

 

 

_P9B3522_Edit__56036.1414519932.702.702[5.] We’re heading back to ManCrates! This time, you can pick up the perfect crate for the dad who absolutely loves his sports and his beer. This one in particular is an NFL themed crate but they also have MLB and other sports themed crates made for the screaming fan in your living room! ~ NFL Bar Crate $89

 

 

 

 

 

seasalt[6.] What dad doesn’t love to eat tasty and flavorful food?! This set of sea salts includes unique flavors from all over the good ol’ USA! Purchase on the great site UncommonGoods.com where you can wander for hours looking at odd yet incredible gifts for any and everyone. ~ Flavors of America Sea Salt Set $60

 

 

 

Don’t let Dad go without the proper recognition of being “Dad of the year!”

Mint Juleps According to The Kentucky Derby

Counting down to the annual race today? Invite a few friends over and concoct the perfect Mint Julep with this recipe right from the horses’ mouth! Ok, so it’s not exactly from a horse but it is from the good folks over at the Kentucky Derby.

 

The Old Forester Mint Julep Recipe

kentuckyderbymintjulep
the Kentucky derby mint julep

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes.

Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight.

Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon.

Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon
Silver Julep Cups

 

You can read up on the history of the Mint Julep all over the web so recipes may vary! Since I’m not in Kentucky to pick up any Old Forester Bourbon, I’m sure substituting with any of my (or your) favorite whiskey will do. A trick I learned to make Mint Juleps: use a pestle mortar to grind the mint and extract the flavor (saves on having to let anything sit overnight.)

Since you’re going to be drinking so early today, try to pace yourself…remember there is a fight to watch much later. Horse racing plus the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight, what better way to spend a sports-filled Saturday than drink mixing with friends?!

 

Have fun!

 

(this is not my recipe nor did I create it. simply sharing 🙂

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays 2014

merry christmas and happy holidays

Just wanted to wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

 

I’m still recovering from surgery but that didn’t stop my Christmas cheer or my obsession with the holiday add-ons from Pixlr!!

 

holiday2014

 

 

Everything should be back to normal once the new year comes around….fingers crossed! Til then, be safe and enjoy these festive times. If you need me for hugs….I’m always available!

Let’s Play Catch Up! Blog Update

It’s November!

I know — I know…I’ve been M.I.A. lately and please accept my deepest apologies.

 

Here’s an update…

Halloween and the costume that never was…after searching EVERYWHERE in my area for supplies, no craft store had what I needed. The closest I came to having a bedazzled “Egyptian” style collar was placing an order online, only to have the store tell me that they were out of stock. That’s when I realized, it wasn’t going to happen because if there was another order from anywhere else, the items wouldn’t get to me in time.

Insert sinus infection right about………….NOW!

Two weeks feeling absolutely miserable with the sinus infection from hell! This thing was unshakeable! Once it started, my Asthma knocked on the door suffocating my entire existence! I really just wanted to call it quits you guys but I didn’t (woohoo!)

Then…

Just as everything started to clear up, MomO (my mom) needed me to take care of her and a few things around the house for a week and a half. Which meant endless driving among other things that left me with ZERO energy to do anything once I got home each day.

So, here we are, well into November, dodging snowflakes and ice patches…just trying to make it to Thanksgiving without any incidents.

Life sure can throw a mean curve-ball!

A Plus Size Halloween DIY Costume

It’s that spooky time again!

Halloween is fun for so many reasons. Mainly because we all get to dress up and be carefree kids again!

It’ll more than likely be chilly on Halloween here in Michigan so usually any costume that might be “sexy” or revealing is out. Especially if I have to stand outside wainting in line to get into whatever packed club/party my friends want to go to. This makes picking out a costume a very hard task.

So this year, instead of buying an already premade packaged plus size costume that sometimes doesn’t fit, I decided to DIY a costime.

Easier said than done.

Here’s my Halloween costume idea for 2014…

cleocostume

 

 

 

I’ve been out searching for weeks to find all the pieces and parts needed to make this lovely Cleopatra/Egyptian Goddess but didn’t have much luck.

Walking through the aisles of the fabric store, I hear the numbers being shouted “85, 89…” I look up from the piles of fabric to realize, they’re actually calling numbers just to get fabric! Four stores later…..I have in my possession, pieces of a costume. Maybe I should start looking in April for 2015’s costume idea!

So the search continues.

I wanted to have everything together to share with you guys so you too can make it with me.

Stay tuned and be ready to hit the streets or stay in for a party on Halloween night!

Celebrate National Coffee Day (Night) with Sobieski Espresso Vodka

What better way to celebrate National Coffee Day than with National Coffee Night?!

Yes, our favorite drink is taking us from day to night with a java twist!

Sure there’s your regular cup of Joe but it’s a holiday so let’s spike it up a notch!

1coffeecocktail

 The kind folks over at Sobieski  Vodka, sent over a sample of their espresso flavored vodka and a great cocktail recipe!

The recipe includes…

  • 2 oz. Sobieski Espresso Vodka
  • 1 oz. Kerrygold Irish Cream
  • 1 oz. Chocolate liqueur
  • Add all liquid ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

With me being under the weather, I couldn’t fully enjoy this cocktail like I wanted to. Meaning, I couldn’t down the martini glass in two seconds then smash a beer can on my forehead. BUT. What I  could do, twist open the Sobieski bottle and enjoy the aroma of sweet coffee.

Sweet.

Rich.

Espresso.

2coffeecocktail

Once the irresistible scent of espresso came over me, there was no way I could resist taking a sip (or three) don’t tell my doctor!

Now, with me being the coffee lover that I am, this delicious vodka espresso flavored vodka will get a new twist….caramel! Can’t wait to try that mix!

Wedding Planning with Loverly: 3 Dream Day Styles Just For You!

Planning a wedding can be stressful.

I vow to never ever experience that stress on my dream day. With the help of sites like Lover.ly, planning a wedding can be just as fun as pinning a pin (but better)!

My dream wedding would be a destination wedding. Sun, sand and only 5-10 people at an intimate setting. Plus, we’ll already be on our honeymoon! Who can resist that?! Clearly my idea of wedding planning is on the quick and simple side but for those of you who are looking for a much more extravagant theme, these are for you.

Here are three different scenes as the backdrop for my ideal day.  Feel free to “steal” them if you’re in the planning stages yourself!  Don’t worry curvy girls, each theme has  wedding dresses that are available in our size!

Beach 

Beach Affair

Beach Wedding

 



 City Skyline

cityglam

City Wedding


Country Chic

RusticChic

Rustic Wedding
Lover.ly lets you plan your wedding right from the comfort of your laptop or smartphone! Search, save and share your favorite things for your dream day. Be warned…Lover.ly is HIGHLY addictive!