It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, I’m not talking about Thanksgiving. Or premature Christmas. Heck, even I am getting into the spirit. Really, I’ve been singing “It’s Beginning to Look A LOT Like Christmas on Instagram” for weeks now.

All you product junkies know exactly what I’m talking about. The annual SepWHOREa sale. Yep, right now you can take 20% off your purchase IF you’ve spent an ungodly amount of money there already this year. You know who you are you VIB bad A.

Here’s what I am stocking up on this year…

1. Masks

Maybe it’s just a halloween hangover, but I am really into masks right now. I know I’m not getting any younger, so I’m trying to pump the brakes a little. The Resurfacing Mask from Tata Harper is one of my favorites. I use it once a week, and it leaves my skin a little less old than when I applied it. Not really, but I prefer to think that.

I also really like the sheet masks from Boscia. Some of you may have seen me sporting the charcoal one on Snapchat.

The rest of you just realized why you don’t follow me on Snapchat.

2. Foundation

I have worn Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for years and am happy they finally carry it at Sephora. It is a lightweight formula, and a little goes a long way. (Especially if you apply it with a damp BeautyBlender.) Luminous. Just Luminous.

3. Volumizer

I’ve mentioned it here before, but Phytovolume Actif is the best volumizer I’ve tried. I spray a little at my roots before blowdrying my hair, and let’s be honest we all know I don’t need a volumizer.

But, I use it anyway because the bigger the hair… the bigger the hair.

4. Contour Kit

In a desperate attempt to keep up with everyone’s suddenly chiseled cheekbones, I purchased a contour kit. There were tons to choose from, but the salesperson with blue hair told me this one by Marc Jacobs is the best. The first couple of times I tried it, I ended up looking like this…

I like it now and *think* it looks a little more natural. I also think people with blue hair aren’t necessarily going for a natural look.

Another good combo is Giorgio Armani Maestro and Nars Illuminator in Copacabana. Don’t forget to blend. And then blend some more.

Smoke and mirrors, I tell ya.

Darn Kardashians.

5. Gifts and Stocking Stuffers

I may not be drinking eggnog and decorating my tree, but I don’t have a problem purchasing 20% off Christmas gifts. Here are some of my favorites. To give and receive. Hint HINT.

Anything from Fresh. They have great boxed sets, and Sugar Lip Treatment is an excellent stocking stuffer. The hesperides scent is fantastic.

Rosebud Salve

Drybar Triple Sec

Nest Indigo Rollerball

Peter Thomas Roth Mini Mask Kit

Lancome Energie de Vie Holiday Set I really like this cleansing oil. And the overnight mask (not included in set) is great for dry winter skin.

Too Faced Lipsticks

I could keep going, but I can’t keep going. It’s your turn. What are your favorite finds from Sephora? Come on… enable me.

I am linking up with A. Liz Adventures’ 5 on Friday. Check out her blog and all the other fun Friday posts. Have a great weekend!

I’ve posted several product recommendations in the past. This is the opposite.

While in New Orleans, I stopped by Urban Outfitters because I’m a wannabe hipster. After browsing through the Crosley turntables and Instax cameras, I moved on to beauty products. I spotted a jar of Murray’s Cocosoft Coconut Oil conditioner. I am a fan of coconut and deep conditioner (and was a little tipsy) so I bought it.

The other night, I decided to give it a try. I had a hair appointment the next day, and wanted to impress Kristy with my luxurious locks. You are probably wondering why I would wash my hair before going to have my hair washed. I also clean my house before someone comes to clean my house. If your hair (or house) is super dirty, people talk.

Back to Murray. So I washed my hair and then scooped up a handful of the new conditioner. I put it in my hair and immediately knew something was wrong. It didn’t move. I tried to massage it in but it just stuck to one section of my hair like a big blob. I repeatedly tried to rinse it out but it freaking repelled water. I somehow managed to spread it around but I could not get it out of my hair. It was like I coated my hair in a cocktail of Aquaphor and Crisco. I panicked and tried to shampoo it out. It wouldn’t budge but at the same time left a layer of slick on the shower floor. I slipped down. I shampooed two more time before crying out “WHYYYYY?” and giving up. For the sake of SK’s already shaky ACL, I threw down some bath salts and then went to bed.

The next morning I woke up and my hair was just as wet as when I went to sleep. I went straight to the shower and shampooed my hair three more times. The goop didn’t budge. I convinced myself I wouldn’t look that bad with a bob and hung my greasy head in shame.

When I walked into my appointment, Kristy knew something was wrong. I believe her actual words were, “What have you done now?” She and Anne consulted with each other over their secret stash of hair potions before agreeing on my punishment. They used some sort of paint stripper on my strands and told me that I was too old to be in Urban Outfitters in the first place. After five (FIVE) shampoos, my hair no longer looked like a vaseline slick. The Sage dream team had saved me from myself once again.

In a twenty four hour period, my hair was washed more times than the entire summer of 2015. It is probably going to fall out from shock.

In case you are wondering, I will not be getting rid of my Murray’s conditioner. If there is ever a nuclear attack, I plan to coat my family with it and we’ll all be just fine.

The high today was ninety. NINETY. The other day, I saw a girl wearing plaid flannel and drinking coffee which I could only assume was an OMG PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Y’ALL. She was a sweating, hot mess, and I thought she might have a heat stroke. I felt like I should turn the hose on her or something.

A PSL PSA:

You have like twenty four more hours.

That being said, there is still time to post pictures from your June beach vacation on your blog.

Right?

Right.

We spent a few days in Perdido Key for Uncle Kyle and Aunt Steph’s wedding. Wells and Graham had never been in a wedding before, and they were all sorts of excited. They were bummed when they found out they weren’t wearing tuxedos. Speaking of attire, I learned that one should never wear a wrap dress to a windy beach wedding.

When I was able to show my face again in public, we headed to Seaside. Where there is a will, there’s a wave.

He told me his tooth fell out. Luckily, he wasn’t telling the tooth.

Again with the skirts… at least I was wearing bloomers.

My favorite way to shop for pants? Without wearing any.

One of my favorite things about vacation is early morning walks with Graham. I have the hardest time getting out of bed when we are at home, but for some reason I pop right up at the beach. G pops right up every day.

Thanks for the matching robes, Aunt Steph.

pizza picnic

They mermaid my day

And then we mermaid Wells give it a try

We met up with my sweet instagram friend Cameron (cameron_stimson) and her husband.

Chocolate croissants with Wells

choco taco tuesday

You snooze you lose

jams session

tiny cereal tastes better

holy guacamole

every day I’m shuffling

look who’s here

look who else is here

the one time we tried to sleep in (until 7:45) he took matters into his own hands

so. much. candy.

horseshoe crabbin’ around

spoiler alert. Christmas card 2015.

In keeping with the Graham tradition, he got an ear infection.

and Wells got oysters

and I got lots of snuggles

Gah. So many pictures. If you made it this far, it is likely fall now. I really hope he will scale back next year.

This is my go to company cake. I usually have all the ingredients on hand, and it is pretty easy to whip up (especially with child labor). Plus, it is delicious. Anything with a pound of butter is good. Real good.

Million Dollar Pound Cake
(Recipe from Southern Living)

1 pound butter, softened
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs (at room temp)
4 cups all purpose flour (sifted)
¾ cup milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Beat butter at medium speed until creamy. The butter needs to turn a light yellow color. I usually leave it going in the stand mixer for about 8 minutes. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat on medium until fluffy and white. The longer you beat it the better (at least another 5 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until the yellow yolk disappears.

Add flour to the creamed mixture, alternating with milk. The recipe says that it is important to begin and end with the flour mixture. Not sure if it makes the cake taste better or just gives the Southern Living gods a good laugh that we actually do it. Beat at a low speed after each addition until lumps disappear. Stir in extracts.

Pour into a greased (shortening or butter) bundt pan. Grease it good. You didn’t take four years off your stand mixer’s life to have the cake stick to the pan.

Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 40 minutes, or until a pick in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes before removing from the pan, then cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Truth be told, I don’t particularly like sharing this cake with company, but it does prevent me from eating the entire thing. Anything with a pound of butter is bad. Real bad.