This short month brought along some incredible loves from good news to good products and fun experiences to fun fashion. Let’s start with some good news.
My beloved Hamilton is coming to theaters! But we have to wait until October of 2021. Though it’ll be hard to wait that long, at least we have the soundtrack to keep us going until then. I still listen to it from time to time. If you’ve been under a rock and don’t know about it, just listen to this one. I know you’ll love it!
Okay, let’s just talk about that Super Bowl halftime show for just a second. Can you believe all the drama surrounding it? And since this is my blog I’m going to share my thoughts:
The super bowl was in Miami. The halftime show was comprised of Latin performers. Also, didn’t they know that when Jennifer Lopez and Shakira were announced as the performers that there would be a slight bit of booty shaking based on their past performances? I knew exactly what we were in for. I expected it. What I didn’t understand was why people got so mad? People said it was too raunchy. I think some people even called it evil. I just didn’t see it that way. I felt like it highlighted their culture and, yes it was sexy, but isn’t that part of the Latin culture? And for all the people who got so mad that their children were watching, well why didn’t you just turn off the TV? It’s 2020. You knew you’d be able to watch the replay the next morning. And didn’t we have a more revealing halftime show the year Janet Jackson was there? And didn’t Adam Lavigne perform shirtless with very low slung pants last year? I don’t know. I thought it was interesting that these two beautiful, sexy, Latin women got out there and did their thing and people were in an uproar. But I say bravo, ladies! It was a fun performance and was a job well done.
MY Super Bowl also aired in February. It’s better known as the Academy Awards, though. Honestly, I don’t remember who played in the actual Super Bowl this year, but I do remember who won Best Picture at the Oscars, and I remember what my favorite look was from the night!
A few other of my favorite looks:
And here are some of my favorite moments from the night:
If you saw Cats, you know how terrible it was. When these two came out and did their presentation, I was crying with laughter. I’m not kidding! I laughed so hard. They were one of the best parts of the night!
I also really like Cynthia Erivo’s performance. Holy cow can that girl sing! Literally get chills when I hear this one. Also, dying to see Harriet!
Enough about the Oscars, let’s discuss another fun even that happened in the world: Fashion Week. I love fashion and especially love couture even if I can’t afford it on my teacher’s salary. I do follow Oscar de la Renta and drool over everything his house does. And the fall 2020 line that was revealed at fashion week is a-ma-zing! Take a look at some of these beauties.
Now, how about some fun personal events that went down in February?
Couples Painting at Artitude on Main!
Paul and I had so much fun painting together for Valentine’s Day at Artitude on Main. I never thought we’d do anything like this, but we both had so much fun. Paul and I aren’t very cutesy when it comes to love (except for his card game, he’s great at picking out sweet cards). So we decided to choose one of the options Stacey showed us, but true to form, I put my own spin on it. We agreed on a color and decided that having our own initials carved in a canvas tree wasn’t “us”, so we went with one of the sweetest love stories we know and had “Charlie Loves Hazel” put on it. And if you don’t know about this love story, well have a listen.
The Williams Siblings at the Ritz
The Ritz rounded out it’s 2020 season with the children of Hank Williams Jr., and it was my favorite show yet. I think everyone there could tell how special it was. If you’re into country music and good songwriting, please do yourself a favor and get the albums of Holly, Hilary, and Sam Williams. Sam’s isn’t out yet but get it when it is; he’s so talented. I was so happy to have been present for this awesome show.
One of the other things I’ve really enjoyed was watching Auburn basketball. Watching any Auburn sports with the Normans is quite an experience, and I have enjoyed watching the Tigers play basketball with them this season.
Valentine’s Day was such a great day. I got a heck of a surprise in that gigantic KitKat Bar. We also got Devil Dogs from Camellia City Bakery, Valentine Crack (recipe from Memory Makin’ Momma), and we even got a few of my dad’s cookies. If you know, you know.
But then I decided to give up chocolate for Lent, so Paul hid my KitKats. But celebrating Lent means that we are opting for meatless Fridays, and oh man have I found a delicious salmon recipe. Paul said this was one of the top 10 things I’ve ever made and tasted like something from a restaurant. I’d say that’s a win!
We also acquired a deer this month, so I’ve been looking for new recipes for deer meat. I found a really great one for cube steak in the crock pot. We’ve made this twice already and really like it.
Another recipe I tried this month was for book club which took place on Fat Tuesday. I decided to make a King Cake from scratch. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to cook, but all those British baking shows started to rub off on me. I’m not sure I’ll ever do it again, but I think it tasted okay. The experience was fun. I set out to do something, and I accomplished it. It wasn’t easy, and it was very stressful, but I managed to get it done and that felt awesome. If you’re looking for a simpler and faster King Cake, I suggest using this recipe that I used last year. It’s like the cheater’s way to do a King Cake.
Speaking of book club, we read the best book! Vanessa suggested we read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. If you follow me on Instagram you heard me talk about this already. And you heard me say that I would have passed over this cover as just a typical romance novel. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This beautiful love story is indeed a romance, but it’s also based on the book of Hosea. It was just as much about God’s love toward us as it was a husband’s love toward his wife. I loved it so much and recommend it to everyone!
I’ve also been watching lots of great movies and TV. Here’s what I got through in February:
Grace and Frankie Season 6
The Goop Lab- Yes, I did it. Don’t judge too harshly. I did learn useful things. No, I’m not buying that candle.
Joker- Darkest movie I’ve ever watched. It’s good but goodness I needed to watch a cartoon afterwards. However, Joaquin Phoenix was unbelievable and deserved all the awards he got this season.
Book Smart- Hilarious! I was not like that in high school and wonder if high schoolers nowadays know themselves so well. I had no idea who I was in high school and sometimes feel like I’m still figuring things out even now. That said, the movie was a great story of friendship, and I thought it was fantastic.
The Bachelor- I haven’t been watching from the beginning, but when we heard Maddie was taking Peter to Auburn, Paul and I tuned in. I pretty much haven’t been able to stop watching since then. I’m looking forward to next week’s finale. Do you watch?
I also had some fantastic products come my way this month. One of them is the Countercontrol line from Beautycounter. The line got a bit of a face lift in packaging. It is so pretty now and is still the same, wonderful products that have really made a difference in my breakouts. If you’ve got acne prone skin or a teenager with that skin type, please take advantage of the 60 day return policy at Beautycounter and give it a try. Even if you took away the incredible fact that these products are safer than what’s on the shelves at the drug store, you’d be left with fantastic, acne fighting/preventing products that are gentle enough for everyday use and powerful enough to get rid of blackheads and blemishes. LOVE. THIS. LINE.
SOS Acne Spot Treatment 
Matte Effect Gel Cream 
Clear Pore Cleanser
I also tried the Brilliant Brow Gel this month and used it in place of an eyebrow pencil. You guys, this stuff is the best. It’s so simple to use and looks very natural. I’ll admit that I was intimidated, but after one use I was hooked. I’m wearing shade Light-Neutral Beige.
Also in this picture is a very cute pair of earrings that I got from Laura Cox Collection. So, so fun and perfect for spring.
The other products I’ve been loving have been from Walmart. My sweet mama brought over the cutest sneakers after seeing that I liked them so much. I was trying to be budget conscious and left them in the store, so she got them for me. So sweet! They’re insanely comfortable with the memory foam insert and look almost identical to the Adidas sneakers that are around three times the price.
I also found the best raincoat. It was on sale for $15, but if you find any more in store, they have been showing up as $7 now! I can’t find it online but check in stores. I mentioned on Instagram that I had been wearing my old one since college and had paid $7 for that one. I’d say it was time for a new one. $15 doesn’t break the bank, and I am completely in love with it.
February was a bit of a whirlwind compared to never-ending January. I also associate March with spring break, which is very near to summer break. That means the school year is almost over, and boy has it been a doozy. I have had a great month and hope that March brings just as many wonderful things. So far, so good. Have a great week, y’all!
