SHOPPING SPREE - ULTA 20% OFF HAUL

Recently Ulta had a 20% off sale and I was fortunate enough to be able to splurge a little on some items that I had been dying to try. I had considered splurging on makeup but there weren't many makeup items that I really wanted from Ulta. However there were a lot of face, body, and haircare items that I really needed so it was a pretty easy decision as to what I was going to spend my money on.

Now on to my purchases....

Neutrogena makeup remover cleansing towelettes (makeup wipes!) - 

Normally I buy these at my local Target but the last few times Target has been sold out of them. So when I made my online shopping trip to Ulta the other day this was the first item on my list. There are several different kinds of the Neutrogena wipes but I like to buy the night calming ones. I use these right before I go to bed because they do a good job of soothing my tired skin and they work really well at getting any dirt left behind from my makeup too!

These are currently on sale for $6.36 for one pack.

Neutrogena micro mist airbrush sunless tan - 

This next product I had seen advertised and reviewed in a recent magazine article (I think it was Allure or People Style Watch) and according to the writer this is the new "MUST HAVE" product for the summer; a spray tan in a can. I honestly have no clue how well this works or if it will even work. I just bought it as an alternative to sunbathing or forking out the money for a professional spray tan. The latter of which I have seen some really horrible orange looking spray tans. So good or bad I will be sure to follow this up with a review about my thoughts on this product after I have had time to use it.

This is currently on sale for $9.76.

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 45 -

I bought this because a common problem that I encounter when applying sunblock is how messy it is. It is hard to apply and once you have finished it is even harder to get the greasy mess off your hands. Which is why I wanted to try this to see if the hands free formula is just as good as the messy stuff! I will be sure to follow up with a review on this product too!

This is currently on sale for $8.49.  

John Freida Brilliant Brunette Color Glaze -

I've used this product in the past and really liked it but then I stopped seeing it in the stores. I honestly had thought it was discontinued so I was pleasantly surprised to find it at Ulta. What makes this product so special is that it helps to extend the life and/or color of brunette color treated hair. First you shampoo your hair, next you will need to use a conditioner, and then you apply the color glaze leaving it on for about five minutes after which you will need to really rinse it out of your hair. The color glaze can be messy but the results are totally worth it.

The cost for this is $9.99 however Ulta usually has John Freida BOGO 1/2 off promos quite frequently so you might get it even cheaper than the current price.

Essie Midnight Cami Nail Polish -

If you follow me on Twitter then you know that I have raved about this polish and how much I love the color. Why the obsession? It all started back when the reality TV show "The Hills" was being aired and the actress Lauren Conrad was sporting a bluish, almost black, colored polish on her nails in one of the episodes. I loved the way it looked on her short nails and I just had to have it. I never could figure out what color it was that she wore in that episode but I think this color seems to be as close to it as I can find.

The cost for this is $8.00 per bottle but Ulta is running a buy two get the third free promo so it will be even less if you take advantage of the current offer that is advertised right now.

Don't forget to subscribe to my blog for the latest updates and reviews! 

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY ♥

I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter and was able to share this day with their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all on this most joyous occasion.

On a more personal note:

While my children are a little old for the traditional Easter egg hunt they still enjoy getting candy and this year was no different. Nestle crunch, Snickers, Skittles, Reese cups, etc, (you get the idea) were overflowing in their Easter baskets and the end of Spring Break was foremost in their minds. So to help ease the transition back to getting up early in the mornings for school (as opposed to the all-nighters they had over Spring break) I decided to cook them one of their favorite meals. Also, given the holiday celebration I felt it entirely appropriate to cook something special.

Here are some pictures of our meal: 

 

I cooked the ham with potatoes, onions, and carrots and served dinner rolls to complete everything. This dish is extremely easy to make, it is very healthy, and it took no time to cook. 

1. First you line the bottom of your pan with tinfoil, This helps hold in the juices better for the potatoes, onions and carrots plus it makes clean up so much easier. Also, go ahead and preheat the oven at 325 degrees.  
2. Next you place the ham (I used an uncooked butt ham) flat side upright and add 1 cup of water to the pan. Tightly cover the top of the pan with tinfoil, put the lid on the pot, and then place it in the oven for an hour. Be sure to use a meat thermometer so you know that is reaches the proper temperature and will be safe to eat when it finishes cooking.
3. While the ham is cooking you will need to wash and cut up the potatoes and onions into cubes or chunks. It all depends on how big you prefer the portion sizes. 
4. After the ham has cooked for an hour take it out of the oven. This next part is kinda tricky and the potential to get burned is great (trust me...I burned my arm doing this next step). Uncover the pan and flip the ham so that its flat side is now on the bottom. 
5. Now place a few (about a 1/4 of the amount you are going to cook) of the potatoes around the ham and then add the carrots (however many you want to eat) and finally add the remaining potatoes and onions making sure they cover the carrots completely. This helps to ensure the carrots are cooked all the way through and will be soft. You will need to add an additional 2 cups of water to the pan too.
6. The seasonings are optional and really up to the individual. I like to make my meals as healthy as possible so I used a little bit of butter buds, a pinch of sea salt, and a dash of Mrs Dash Garlic seasonings on everything except the ham. 
7. Be sure to cover everything and cook for an additional 2 1/2 hours.
8. Once the food has finished cooking uncover the pan and let it sit for 15 minutes. During this time you can add a glaze to the ham. I added honey to mine and it was D-E-L-I-S-H!

Hope you enjoyed this recipe and be sure to subscribe to my blog for future posts!

SALES / DEALS: CVS 25% OFF SPRING SAVINGS A HOP AWAY!

Just hop over to CVS.com^®. They will give you 25% off the nonprescription items in your order now through Sunday, 4/24.* Saving is easy!

At Checkout, enter coupon code APRIL25EC to receive the 25% off savings.*