A Few of My Favorite Things.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
Bright copper kettles and Viva La Juicy...


Quick..before I change my mind about them...I wanted to kindly share a few of my favorite things with you.
When I say "change my mind" I am admitting to the slight degree of "fickleness" that has always plagued me.
But, a girl's got the right to change her mind...doesn't she?
So I thought I'd tell you about my NEW favorite fragrance.
I am not a big perfume girl.

That being said, I can't be held responsible for the copious amounts of Sand and Sable I bathed in as a junior higher.
Because, that was junior high...no one is rational in junior high...right?

For the most part, I've always used testers.  If I do, indeed, buy a bottle of perfume..it is always the tiniest bottle possible.
I never spend more then $15.00.
And I always practice the "spray in the air and walk through" method of perfume application.


Well, enter VIVA LA JUICY by Juicy Couture. 
Recently, I took a little detour on a family trip to the mall. 
My bottle of BCBGirls was nearing 5 years old and I thought I...and my family and friends... could benefit from a new scent!!
According to one friend, I smelled like celery.
And I'm quite sure that wasn't a compliment.
I'm pretty sure that perfume has a "shelf life" and my perfumes are most likely "dead".


The first thing that enticed me about this perfume was it's cute little package.
Yes..I often judge a book by it's cover and so it goes with perfume.
I did my usual squirting the air and waving my arm through the mist.
And then...upon first sniff...it was as if I had died and gone to perfume heaven.
My olfactory nerves were delighted.
It was love at first sniff.
I quickly squirted it directly on my wrist. 
If smelling like a fruity, tropical breeze was wrong..then I didn't want to be right.
Later that evening, while sitting in the play land of the mall, watching our children ricochet off the foam play structures, I thrust my wrist into D-man's face and kindly ordered him to take a whiff.
Enough said.
He literally jumped up...and sprinted to the place where he could make me the proud owner of my own bottle of Viva La Juicy.
Apparently it was love at first sniff for him, too.
This is a true story, in case you were wondering.


The description of this delectable scent is as follows:


The perfume Viva la Juicy was presented as a gourmet floral fragrance, which opens with notes of wild berries and juicy mandarin. The heart encompasses a floral blend of honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine, while the base notes await us with a gourmet rhapsody of amber, caramel, vanilla, sandalwood and pralines.


While I disagree with the "heart" of the scent (I'm not a fan of gardenia and jasmine), the rest of the description is right on!
I seriously can't wait to squirt this delicious "gourmet rhapsody" on each morning.
It's sweet but not sickly sweet.
More of a "creamy sweet"  and who doesn't want to smell creamy?
I wish they made it in a mouthwash...because I'm often tempted to spray a little in my mouth.
It smells Just.That.Good.
And I'm thinking the caramel, vanilla, and pralines notes are what made D-man a believer.
He can't get enough of me!
For real!
I once heard of a test study on perfume scents that men favor.
Out of all the perfumes tested...cinnamon bun came out on top.
So, if you smell like food....I guess you'll be in like Flynn with the men folk!


So, thank you, Juicy Couture!
I will wholeheartedly shout from the mountain tops.
VIVA LA JUICY!
..until I get tired of you, that is...






Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Door bells and sleigh bells and Maui Babe Lotion....

This next bottle of brownie goodness, is something that I only recently discovered.
I am not much of a sun worshiper.
After years of living in Texas and frying my poor skin all summer long, I am now paying the price with lots of blotchy freckles.

If I may interject another "junior high" moment.
A very large poster graced the locker room door.
On it, sat a deeply tanned, gorgeous women in a white bathing suit, sprawled out on a sandy beach.
Underneath this lovely lady, plastered in very large bold print were the words..

FRY NOW...PAY LATER

We'd always snicker and say..."We'll pay later if we can look like that now!" 
Again, proving the point that in junior high your brain cells are still undergoing maturation.
I'm thinking a before and after picture may have been in order.

I do seek out the shade more often these days.
However, we do spend countless hours at the lake and by our pool.
What I love about the Amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion is that it goes on brown.
Now, don't misunderstand. 
This is not a fake tanning lotion or a stain.
It is tinted.
So, being a sneaky little trickster, I apply it over my sunscreen. 
It gives my skin a healthy glow and gives the "illusion" of a tan.
And get this...it is made with real Kona coffee plant extract.
When first applied, the aroma of coffee lingers in the air.
I enjoy smelling like a coffee bean, if only momentarily.




When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my raspberry freezer jam
And then I don't feel so bad.

We pick these little berries every year.
I'm not a huge fan of plain raspberries, but throw in one two four cups of sugar and a pack of Sure-jell and the transformation is delectable.
Toast+butter+raspberry freezer jam= True Love Always.
2 Good.
2 Be.
4 Gotten.
And...it's the gift that keeps on giving.
Right through the winter months.


So there you have it.
From my heart to yours.
Three of my favorite things...this month!

Finally, we are off on another week long camping adventure. And I just might bring my Viva La Juicy with me. I won't be able to post but I will have my trusty phone on which I can "dabble". I hope you all have a lovely, awe inspiring week.

p.s. I have not been paid, or given any free product for these reviews.  In case you were wondering if my gushing opinions were skewed.


SEE YA IN AWHILE!