50 Random Questions TAG

Get to know me a little! 

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?- I was downstairs with my parents watching Napoleon Dynamite and Magic Bullet infomercials. 
2. Who are you in love with?- Romantically, no one. 
3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?- No. Are there people that do that often? 
4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?- A stapler. 
5. When is the last time you went to the mall?- About a week ago. I took a family friend's little granddaughter on a fun girly day together. 
6. Are you wearing socks right now?- Nah. Even winter in Texas is too hot for that. 
7. Does your family have a car worth over $2,000?- Yes.
8. When was the last time you drove out of town?- Way too long ago. 
9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?- My mom and I saw Cinderella last weekend. It was charming. 
10. Are you hot?- Smokin'! 
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?- Water. 
12. What are you wearing right now?- PJ pants from Dillard's with little owls on them and a tank top. 
13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?- Both. I go to this drive-thru thingy that washed the outside of the car, and then you pull around and clean/vacuum the inside yourself. 
14. Last food that you ate?- A sandwich with tons of veggies, avocado, and sliced chicken and a banana.  
15. Where were you last week at this time?- At home. 
16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?- Nope. 
17. When is the last time you ran?- Not for a long while. 
18. What's the last sporting event you watched?- Probably an LSU game with my dad. 
19. What is your favorite animal?- I love rabbits and puppies. But elephants have a really special meaning to me. 
20. Your dream vacation?- Going to Japan to see the cherry blossom trees and staying in one of those tiny cube hotel rooms in the airports with my brother. 
21. Last person's house you were in?- A family friend and wonderful lady named Ms. Sherry.  
22. Worst injury you've ever had? When I was little I used to ride my scooter barefoot and once I scraped my big toe on the concrete and it ripped off literally all the skin off the top so all you could see was the tip of the bone. It was beyond gross. 
23. Have you been in love?- I think as we change, our definition of "in love" changes. I've thought I was in love before, but that feeling or definition of love then isn't what I define as "in love" today. So to answer the question, not really.
24. Do you miss anyone right now?- Always. 
25. Last play you saw?- Maybe one from high school like Hairspray. 
26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?- Confidence and a sense of humor. 
27. What are your plans for tonight?-  I've been commissioned to paint some things for a friend's corporate office, so I'll be researching Australian Aboriginal Art. Whatever that is, I haven't the foggiest. 
28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment?- I never had a myspace. 
29. Next trip you are going to take?- New Orleans :D :D :D :D :D :D :D 
30. Ever go to camp?- Oh, the horror stories I could tell you from Girl Scout camp. 
31. Were you an honor roll student in school?- Hard-freaking-core in high school. Now that I'm in college, I still am, however the way I perceive it is much less tied to my self-worth as it used to be. Now it's much more about a love of learning. The whole thing is something that I'm actually really passionate about, because both myself and my peers were often straight-up told that we were better people simply because we made a certain number or letter on things. I feel like students should know that there is more to life than achievements, and be encouraged to learn in whatever way their brain works best. And that's where I'll stop on that little rant about the education system. 
32. What do you want to know about the future?- I try not to think about that, and just trust God to help me follow His plan for my life, whatever that may be. 
33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?- Marc Jacobs Honey and some of Young Living EO's Joy blend. 
34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?- Understatement of the year. 
35. Where is your best friend?- One away in Michigan right now, and the other is likely watching anime.  
36. How is your best friend?- As wonderful as they are, I hope. 
37. Do you have a tan?- Lord no. 
38. What are you listening to right now?- Judge Judy. 
39. Do you collect anything?- Office supplies, makeup, the souls of my victims. 
40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?- I try not to surround myself with those kinds of folks, because I can easily be tempted to gossip and that's totally not cool. 
41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?- Haven't yet *knocks on wood* *crosses self* *does anti voodoo sign*
42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?- Uh, yeah. 
43. What does your last text message say?- I think it was my dearest loveliest friend Nina asking if I have plans for the weekend. Knowing my crappy texting habits I probably haven't answered her back. Sorry Nina! 
44. Do you like hot sauce?- Does the Pope wear a funny hat? 
45. Last time you took a shower?- About 4 hours ago. 
46. Do you need to do laundry?- Always. 
47. What is your heritage?- Is this one of those questions where I'm supposed to rattle off that I am 1/8 this and 1/16 that? 
48. Are you someone's best friend?- I certainly hope so. 
49. Are you rich?- By whose standards? 
50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?- Internet. 

Stay Fabulous! xoxox

-R 

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Shots of New Orleans

The checkout of our favorite grocery "Dorginac's" decked out for Mardi Gras

I SO WANT A HOUSE THIS COLOR!

One thing I've always loved about New Orleans is the oak trees.



Creepy or beautiful? I think both.

My grandma headed into Dorignac's grocery.

BOOM. Tastiness.

My mom brought home about 20lbs of spices. I wish I was kidding.

My dad's alma-mater, and where most of my cousins attend.

Lake Ponchitrain is lovley this time of year.

My grandma and brother waiting for the best po'boys you ever ate in your life.

Even though I live in Texas now (and have since I was a child), there will always be a part of me in my hometown. Something about it has always spoken to me. Louisiana is a strange, convoluted, messy place. Louisiana is also a strikingly beautiful, rhythmic, eclectic place. It will always be home.

Stay Fabulous, y'all.
-R

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Excellent Empties MEGA STASH! Part One: Body Care!

Alright, Alright! Happy Thursday everyone!  My bathroom cabinet is chock-full of empties to show y'all, so here is Part One: Body Care! Hope you enjoy :D 

Bath and Body Works Exotic Coconut Shower Gel:

This stuff smells amazing! Super tropical and coconut-y. I love waiting for the bucket sales at Bath and Body Works so I can stock up on tons of stuff for dirt cheap. The regular price for this is $9.50, and I think I picked up a bunch for $3 or $4 each. Well worth the wait! 

Dr. Teals's Soothe and Sleep Lavender Foaming Bath:

I really liked this as a bubble bath, because it's a big ol' container so it lasts a long time, and it made my bath super duper foamy and awesome. It has a great lavender scent., too. 

L'Occitane Extra Gentle Soap: 

I got this as part of a really pretty set of bar soaps as a Christmas gift. Weird as it sounds, I had never actually tried bar soap before, and I don't think I'm a fan. While I loved the simple scent, something about the texture of bar soap leaves my skin feeling weird. 

L'Occitane Honey Miel and Lemon Citron Sweet Sugar Scrub: 

Unfortunately, I think this is now discontinued. Which is a real shame, as I would do pretty much anything to get my hands on some more. THIS. STUFF. IS. AWESOME. My skin feels so silky and wonderful and the scent lingers on my skin for HOURS after I used it. 

Burt's Bees Fabulously Fresh Peppermint and Rosemary Body Wash:

This left my skin feeling nice and clean and minty fresh. The smell was also really refreshing. However, I've found that with a lot of "natural" products, they don't foam up very well, and I am a girl who loves her foamy soaps. So I may not be purchasing this again. 

L'Occitane Pivonine Flora Shower Gel: 

Since I'm such a fan of L'Occitane's Rose Creme, I thought this might be nice to try, and I was right! It smells divine! However, it didn't really have anything special besides the smell to justify the price tag, so I think I'll just stick with the Rose Creme. 

What's your favorite body care item? I'd love to hear it!

Stay Fabulous,

Rachel xoxo

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A Quick OOTD

It's one of the last cool weather days here in Texas (which means the last days of fabulous boots), so I wanted to share my outfit with y'all. Hope you guys are having a good week!
Stay fabulous,
-Rachel xoxo

Shirt: Ross

Dress:The Mall somewhere

Necklace: Aldo

Watch: Fossil

Bag: Michael Kors

Lips: Loreal "British Red" 

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Happy New Year! (AKA Stop Asking Me About My New Year's Resolutions)

I spent today getting rid of some old things that were cluttering up my jewelry box. Out with the old and in with the new. Just don't go crazy.

Some people say that how you spend the first day of the year sets the tone for the entire rest of the year.

I think that's crap.

What makes that day any different from any other day but a number on a calendar? Which is another reason I tend to not make New Year's Resolutions. I used to, but then I realized I used it as an excuse to put off my goals. I would say "Oh well I'll just wait till New Year's. That will be a good start." And by the time New Year's rolls around, I'd forgotten all those things I wanted to do in the first place.

If you want to do something, start working towards it right when you think of it. Don't use some arbitrary event to make positive changes in your life, make them now! I'm not saying don't take advantage of an opportunity just because it happens to be the beginning of January right now, but when July rolls around don't stop yourself from reaching towards your goals just as if it were New Year's day.

What I'm saying is, it doesn't matter whether it's the beginning of January or the middle of November, change your life for the better. Eat that vegetable, ditch the toxic people dragging you down, crack open that Bible collecting dust, take that painting class you've always wanted.  Keep kicking butt.

And ignore the TV for awhile.
Or those New Year's weight loss ads every .37 seconds will drive you crazy bananas.

Stay Fabulous,
-Rachel

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Some Nuggets of Holiday Cheer...

Our dear Christmas tree. The poor thing was quite a leaner, but lovely nonetheless. 

I found this wreath at Target and had to have it. It's currently still hanging on my closet door, as I haven't the heart to take down all my Christmas decorations in my room yet. You can also see me awkwardly contorted to take the picture in the reflection. Hello, self! 

The very tippy-top of my mini Christmas tree. 

A little snowflake ornament thing hanging on my window. I thought I'd snap a picture of it looking so nice in the twinkle lights and whatnot. Originally, I had planned to hang several of them along with some silver sparkly icicles from my ceiling, but we never got around to it. *sigh* It would've been awesome though.  

My family and I have a tradition of going to our favorite restaurant, Brennan's, on Christmas Eve. Every year they give away these lovely bells to whoever comes in on Christmas, and we've amassed quite a collection over the years. This is one from this year that we hung on our tree, but usually we have them hanging all on our stair railing.  

My puppy, chilling on Mommy-Dearest's lap like she owns the place. As per usual. 

PRESENTS!!! 

The Chrismas-y set up of my dresser. That adorable little snow-lady was hand crocheted by my great-grandmother and passed down to us. How cute, right? 

Our mantle. Sans stockings. (We took them down quite quickly to eat the candy inside). 

Another Christmas-y shot. 

Me, dive-bombing my dad for a picture and being goofy. He rarely poses for pictures, so a surprise attack was my only option. Love that man. 

My bookshelf setup. How festive. 

This is one of my favorite ornaments. It's always been my job to put it on the tree since I was a kid, and I still do it to this day. Traditions!

My brother "mysteriously" disappeared as soon as I started taking photos, so in his place I'll put Snoop Dog. Somehow it works, don't judge. 

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. I certainly did. Merry Christmas all!

Stay Fabulous! (Stay Festive)

-Rachel 

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I'm on BlogLovin' Now!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11434065/?claim=vynqtbws5hk">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Hooray!
What is BlogLovin' you ask? It's a wonderfully handy site/app that lets you follow and find all the blogs you love in one place.

One of my favorite things to do after a long day is sit back and catch up on my favorite blog reading (check out Nadia Aboulhosn and Tanya Burr-- they're amazing) and BlogLovin' makes it really easy. I know this sounds like some cheesy sponsored post, but I promise it isn't! I just really like it!

They've also got mobile apps for both iPhone and Android (which you can find here and here) for all the busy girls (or guys) on the go out there.

Also, from the point of view of a blogger on BlogLovin', it is SO EASY to use. Lemme tell ya, I am not a computer savvy individual, but they really make it so easy to learn new things about how to make your blog more professional and grow your audience. Seriously, I just edited my own HTML up in here with their help and I've NEVER been able to understand that craziness. So if you're a blogger too, just sign up for a (free) BL account, then follow these easy instructions here.

So come on now! Get your sparkly little booties on over there and start scrollin'!

And don't forget to follow me when you get there ;)

Stay Fabulous!
-Rachel

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