Nick's Birthday Recap

Welcome to my 30^th Birthday Extravaganza at A Cute Angle! I turn 30 on Thursday and plan to celebrate will all of you all week. Be sure to check back everyday for some birthday fun!

We'll start off the week by recapping Nick's birthday. My husband turned 31 last Tuesday. Not only do I love my birthday, but I love other people's birthdays too. I try to always make Nick's birthday super special so he knows just how much I love him.

We both had to work all day Tuesday, but I was able to make the evening special. I made Nick a Coconut Creme Pound Cake and Homemade Bacon Mac & Cheese. We topped the night off with presents and quality time!

Nick loves the movies when I heard about this fancy movie theater that serves food and drinks while you watch the movie I knew we had go. So, Nick and I headed to Kalamazoo on Saturday to continue his birthday celebration. He chose to see Edge of Tomorrow, which despite not liking alien movies and REALLY not liking Tom Cruise I enjoyed it.



Mimosas at the movies? Why not?!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Linking up here:

Friday... finally.

Linking up with these lovelies today:

//1// Don't miss this week's awesome posts – The Slacker's Guide to aRockin' Bod, Blogging the Bachelorette, and 5 Ways to Use Almond Oil.

/2// Ulta Haul

Flo Refillable Fragrance Atomizer

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Maybeline Dream Lumi in Radiant

Fancy Love fragrance by Jessica Simpson

Bed Head High Roller 1 1/4” Curling Wand

Salon Graphix Dry Spray Shampoo – travel size

Ulta Makeup Sponge Rounds

Has anyone used any of these products? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

//3// Nick and I are headed to the movies on Saturday to celebrate his birthday. We're going to one of those theaters that offer a full menu and bar and the food is delivered right to your seat! The closest one to us is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away. It will be totally worth it! Nick's excited so that's really all that matters!

//4// I've been so tired of my current music that I've started to pull out my old CDs. I found BBMak's Sooner or Later that I think I bought 15 years ago. The disc offer gems such as these:

Please tell me someone remembers them. They were the boy band who never quite took off, but got a Disney Channel concert and made it onto the TRL countdown.

//5// Friday Cuteness:



My beloved pooch, Scout.

 

Come back next week for my 30^th Birthday Extravaganza Week!

Blogging the Bachelorette 10.6

I have the honor of co-hosting #BloggingtheBach with Aubrey at Dreaming About Someday. Stop over there to read even more Bachelorette dish.

My predictions this week: Nick gets a 1 on 1 date (because the previews showed us that) and I think Cody gets the other. It has to be him because he's the only one who has not had one yet. Also, based on the previews I think that Andi sends Cody home during the 1 on 1. I peg Dylan as other guy to go.


The boys arrive in Venice and and two of them are wearing pink pants. That should be an automatic disqualification.

Poor Cody, he gets passed over and Nick get the first single date.

It's really hard to stay mad at Nick. What's going on? Is he really a douche? Is it editing?

JJ is so handsome!

Why is Josh so upset about the lie detector test? What is he hiding...

“Are you good in bed?” “Have you slept with over 20 women?” “Do you wash your hands after you go to the bathroom?” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I was dying!!

Oh, Dylan! I'd feel sick too if I admitted, on national television, to sleeping with over 20 people and NOT washing my hands after pooping. But, ok. Your stomach hurts. Whatever.

Andi looks amazing on the group date cocktail party. Love the dress and the super straight hair!

What is with Josh and his scarves? Is he going to start scarf line after this is over?

Chris has got this group date rose wrapped up.

Josh is going to drown his sorrows in the champagne. Tip it back, boy!

Way to kill the mood, JJ.

I'm so happy to find out Cody can read! I had my doubts. He can also write and is fairly articulate!

Oh, I feel so bad for both of them!

Very extravagant rose ceremony entrance! Love the black sparkle dress!

I don't understand Andi's idea of a man. Someone who's sexually aggressive?

How the hell is Dylan still here?

In Week 4 I predicted my final 6. I got 5 our of 6 correct. How did you do?

Did you see the outtakes that were shown after next week's preview? Funniest. Thing. EVER!

The Slackers Guide to a Rockin' Bod

Exercise lover I am not. Exercise loather I am. Here are 10 tips for staying healthy for lazy girls like me!

1. Sleep In

There's no better way to indulge in your lazy tendencies than to get more sleep. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggest that sleeping fewer than five hours a night could send the scale soaring 30% higher than if you got seven or more.

2. Order Your Drink Unsweetened

Opting for a plain latte over the flavored with save you 40 calories per 16 ounce serving. Forgoing the half and half in your coffee with save you p to 20 calories and 2 grams of fat per one tablespoon serving.

3. Eat Sitting Down

Mindless eating is the enemy of weight loss. Studies out of Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab show we unconsciously eat more out of bigger containers and in social situations. Cut down on mindless eating by sitting down to eat at a table. Don't eat at your desk while doing work or in the front of the TV. To reduce temptation in social situations, sit further away from the food.

4. Relax

Research published in Psychoneuroendocrinology (yup, that's a real publication) says a low-stress lifestyle may keep belly fat away. Researchers have found that people with a high level of stress who eat unhealthy foods are at a larger risk for a larger waistline, more belly fat, high oxidation damage, and more insulin resistance versus those with low stress who ate the same foods.

5. Make Water Your Go-To Drink

Research shows water can be an effective weight-loss aid. Water helps maintain the balance of body fluids, can help control calories, energizes muscles, helps your kidneys, helps maintain normal bowel function, and leaves your skin looking amazing!

6. Grab a Breakfast High in Protein

Try Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. Both are easy, no cook breakfasts that give your body a big dose of calcium and nearly 20 grams of protein! In a recent stud, women who confused about 30 grams of protein for breakfast reported feeling fuller longer and consumed fewer calories at lunch.

7. Opt For Raw

When you're hungry, grab raw veggies or a piece of fruit. It's easy and there's no cooking required! Keep healthy food nearby so you don't opt for an unhealthy snack.

8. Don't Drown Your Food

Bypassing dips and dressing can help shave off calories. Most creamy dips rack up the calorie counts to over 100 calories and 10 to 15 gram of fat for only four tablespoons.

9. Choose Alcohol or Dessert - Not Both

If you start dinner with a glass or two of wine and end it with dessert, you're book ending your meal with an extra 500 to 1000 calories. If you want to splurge on dessert, then keep you liquid calories at zero during the meal.

10. Add an ALL NATURAL Supplement to Your Healthy Diet

Join Young living for the Slique Experience!

The Slique program uses therapeutic-grade essential oils which operate at the cellular level to bring improved functioning to your entire body. It is entirely natural - no artificial sweetners like aspartame or sucralose that can be found in other "natural" programs. The Slique Program is the only weight loss program based on the power of aromatic, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Also, there's a vegetarian option available! It can be used with any eating plan you choose! Click here to see the entire line of Slique products, including bars, slim caps, and gum!

I've never gotten into weight loss programs/supplements before Young Living because I always thought they were gimmicky. However, I love using Slique Essence in my water and drinking the tea! If I'm out of slim caps, I substitute them with a homemade version - Slique Essence in a vegetable capsule with almond oil (make sure you follow the dilution directions). Because it's all natural, I feel like I am doing something to help and enhance my body.

11. So, I'm sure I would get slaughtered if I didn't emphasize the importance of exercise. I hate exercise, but I also realize the importance of it. If you are like me and are absolutely anti-exercise try masking it. Walk the dog, play tennis, hit the driving range, or take a dance or barre class. If you're more sporty join a summer basketball or softball league!

How are you staying in shape this summer?

Here's where I am linking up today:

Friday Thoughts + Giveaway Winner!

Happy Friday!

//1// Don't miss out on of this week's posts: DIY All Natural Face Cream, Literary Junkies Link Up, and Blogging the Bachelorette.


//2// Ladies of London

Has anyone watched this? It's my newest Bravo obsession!



//3//

This is how I started with Young Living Essential Oils. The Premium Starter Kit is the best deal that Young Living offers to its members. The kit offers a home diffuser, a total of 11 5mL essential oils, welcome information and user guides, an aroma glide fitment, and 12 samples! Purchasing these items separately would cost over $300. Purchasing the Premium Starter Kit gives savings of over 50%! You can choose to become a retail or wholesale member. Becoming a wholesale member entitles you to wholesale pricing on all products in future orders.

Not ready to invest in the Premium Starter Kit? Young Living offers a starter kit to suit every budget! Check it out here.


//4// Wimbledon starts on Monday! Be there or be square. #TeamMurray

//5// And the moment you've all been waiting for...

The winner of the Summertime Giveaway is...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered and supported the blog!

Be sure to link up with the cool kids:

Blogging the Bachelorette 10.5

So glad it's back this week! Let's be honest. I was experiencing withdraw symptoms.

I'm linking up over at Dreaming About Someday. Bop over there to read even more Bachelorette goodness.

Also, today is the last day for my giveaway! Scroll to the bottom to enter!

Josh finally gets his 1 on 1!

Let's just wrap this season. Isn't it obvious?

I hope Andi realizes how awesome Marquel is before it's too late. He's funny, smart, and sensitive... not to mention VERY handsome. The total package!

I'm going to go ahead and put it out there. Nick is a dick.

How is it possible that I like Cody more and more each week?

This has been an emotional week for Marquel. I just wanna give him a hug! 

JJ getting the group date rose was not a surprise. He was the only one who wasn't involved in any drama. Although, he did start some of it...

Brian is a total sweetie! Andi needs to cut him some slack.

Cooking really sucks. I don't blame him. Cooking is just NOT romantic.

Since when does the Bachelor/Bachelorette choose how many people get kicked off?

Bros before hoes. Patrick and Andrew get cut together. How ironic. #bromance

Andi is missing out on Marquel!

How the hell is Dylan still here?

OMG, Marquel! I love you!! Don't cry! You are something special!

Quotes of the Week:

“I heard blackies, maybe he said black guys, but like, it's one of those terms … and... and I... wasn't that drunk.” - JJ

“I've hear from multiple people, not just girls, that I have qualities that are really paramount when it comes to being a husband.” - Patrick

Fun fact: Booted constant Bradley (the opera singer) has totally become a celebrity around here! He recently co hosted a local morning show, has performed on morning shows, and performed at the Waterfront Film Festival. Yup, he's that big.

See ya'll next week! Looks like someone goes home on a 1 on 1!

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Bookworms Unite!

Time for my favorite link up again! Check out my bookworminess today and don't forget to help me celebrate 1 year of blogging by entering my summertime giveaway.

1. What are you reading? Tell us about it!

Driftwood Summer by Patti Callahan Henry

Three sisters – responsible Riley, vivacious Maisy, and fun-loving Adalee – reunite to save the family's beach-community bookstore. But summer also mark the return on Mack Logan, whose choice of Maisy over Riley years ago destroyed the special closeness between sisters...

Now Riley, a single home, is hiding in a shattering secret about their mother. Maisy, a California designer, still blames Riley for ruining her one true love. Adalee resents the family's intrusion into her summer plans. All three will be forced to confront the conflicts that tore them apart and the bounds of love and loyalty that still draw them together...

2. Library or Bookstore?

Bookstore if someone gives me a gift card, but I mainly use the library or go to used book sales. I like the library because if I start reading a book and don't like it I can just return it and I'm not out $15 or more!

3. What book(s) have you read and re-read several times?

The Diary of Anne Frank

4. What book made you fall in love with reading?

It wasn't a book I read. When I have 5 or 6 I saw and episode of “Reading Rainbow” where the kids wrote and made their own books. From that day forward I new books would have a special place in my life.

5. Who is your favorite author? Tell us so we can binge-read!

Jodi Picoult

Don't forget to enter! Time is running out...

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DIY All Natural Night Cream

Happy Monday! As I mentioned on Friday, that with the help of Young Living Essential Oils, I have been trying to incorporate more natural ingredients into my beauty and cleaning routines.

The very day that I received my YL Premium Starter Kit I whipped up this easy, all natural night cream.

Ingredients:

½ cup of organic extra virgin coconut oil*

10 drops of frankincense essential oil

5 drops of lavender essential oil

5 drops of purification essential oil

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the a glass bowl with a hand mixer.
2. Store in glass container.
3. Use in the evening before bed.

*You MUST use extra virgin coconut oil. Regular coconut oil will be too greasy and clog pores!

Benefits of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil: moisturizer, antibiotic, anti-fungal, multivitamin, anti-oxidant, soothes itchiness and dryness, limits the amount of microbes on skin, eliminates dead skin cells,

Benefits of Frankincense: tones, tightens, and lifts skin, fades and heals scars, promotes regeneration of healthy cells and keeps existing cells and tissues healthy, eliminates germs, reduces wrinkles

Benefits of Lavender: reduces the look of scars, inhibits bacteria that causes skin infections such as acne, calming, relief and healing

Benefits of Purification: helps purify skin and aids in the healing of acne

A little bit goes a long way with this stuff! A dime size will cover your entire face and neck. One batch with last months and is a smart economical decision vs. spending money on small quantities of department/beauty store night creams.  I wake up with soft, smooth, refreshed skin and don't even need to use moisturize in the morning!

Want to go natural? Contact me or sign up!

Beat the Monday blues and link up here:

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Friday Link Up

Happy Friday! I'm so excited it's here. Nick has been gone the entire week on a business trip and I really look forward to him coming home tonight. I missed him! Plus, I woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather, so it will be great to have him back to help share the chores and dog duties. Yay!

Here are my contributions to the Friday Link Ups:

//1// Don't forget to enter my Summertime Giveaway. A Cute Angle turns 1 this month and I want to thank all my amazing supporters!

//2// I've been getting into Young Living Essential Oils and have been making my own beauty and cleaning products. Can't wait to share them with you! Interested in essential oils? You can e-mail me or sign up here. I'd love to tell you about the benefits of EOs and help you pick a starter kit! #yleo

//3// The world has been going nuts over the World Cup, but if you following me on Twitter, you know I'm all about tennis! The French Open ended last weekend. Rafael Nadal (Rafa) won his 9th French Open title! My favorite player, Andy Murray, made it to the semi-finals. This week marked the official switch from the clay court season to the grass court season. Can't wait for Wimbeldon at the end of this month! I hope Andy can win it again this year!

Doesn't he look handsome in white?

Couldn't resist a second picture.

//4// Who would wear this?

It looks like you have something growing out of your ear.

//5//

Here's where I celebrate the weekend:

Have a good one!