My Besties are the Best

I love my friends.  I have some pretty amazing ones.  As I approached my 30s, I realized that not only was I really finding out who I was as a woman, but who my TRUE besties were.  These are my ride or die chicks.  The girls who I don't feel like I have to clean my house for; not because they don't deserve it, but because they love me no matter what!  They're the girls that will let me complain and gripe and whine, then remind me of what's truly important.  They're the ones that know my love language of coffee, make-up, and gym clothes.  Girls, I love you.  You've helped me become a better person every day.  For that, I am forever grateful.

Now, all of that for this.  I was surprised with a couple little goodies this weekend and I'm excited to share them with you!  My skin is super important to me.  I was the girl who used eye cream when I was 19 despite the wrinkly sales lady telling me that I "didn't need it yet".  Isn't that the point, lady??  Anyway, I'm always up for trying new stuff, so I was stoked when Jess handed over some goodies.  She is a huge fan of Kate Somerville products.  I've heard her rave about the 'Clinic to Go' Resurfacing Peel Pads.  They're a little buffing pad that you peel open and slip on your fingers.  It distributes the product and lets you manually exfoliate all at the same time.  Genius.

I forgot to use it on Sunday, so after I washed my face last night, I tried it out.  It says to leave it on for 2 min, so it was perfect timing for brushing my teeth.  Spit, rinse, rinse.  My skin felt super smooth and had a great glow.  What's not to love there??  Jess also threw a little pot of the Quench Hydrating Mask for me to put on after.  I slathered it on and hit the sheets.  This morning I checked out my skin and it was totally soft and hydrated.  Awesome.  Two big thumbs up from this girl!




Tonight I'm making some brunch goodies for my Mom to Mom group at church.  I wanted to "April Fools" them and bring a vat of grilled chicken and steamed brown rice...but instead I'm opting for something a bit yummier.  I, of course, defaulted to Pinterest for some ideas.  My goal was to find something that was gluten free and possibly even vegan.  (There's a mom who has recently chosen to go vegan.)  My girls love cookies, who doesn't really...so a breakfast cookie sounded like a great idea.  Doesn't this recipe sound good?  I found it on Make or Die's blog. :)

Highs, Lows, and Lots in Between

Wow, is it really Tuesday evening?  I guess so.  Time flies when you're in a sugar coma.  My stomach hurts.  Sugar, gluten, and cheese have wrecked me.  I'm over it.  All these things look delicious, taste kinda yummy, but then destroy me.  I have a bloated tummy and yesterday felt like a slug.  That's enough reason for me to not want to gorge myself on it anymore.  Ok, maybe just one more peanut butter cookie.

The comp didn't turn out how I would have liked.  There are plenty of things I could have done differently, but I had a lot of fun!  My bestie from Arizona totally surprised me and came down for the show.  We even snuck in some wedding dress shopping while she was here, it was so fun.  My other two besties drove to Houston on Saturday to come support us and ate dinner with me at midnight when the show was finally over!  I didn't place, but I still have plenty of shows to redeem myself.  

Before we drove home on Sunday, I made a stop by a studio where the talented Michael David was shooting.  I was able to jump in for a few frames and walked away with some gorgeous pictures and several new buddies.  It was definitely one for the books.  I told MD that he made my whole weekend worth it.  I had a blast in front of the camera.  Here's one of my fave images (if you haven't already seen it on FB...)

The make-up artists that did me up all weekend were so awesome.  Amy Peters did my whole face for the show.  She's a MAC Pro here in Dallas.  My suit (last minute change) was green, so she used greens and purples.  I LOVED it.  Super dramatic for the stage, but I would rock a toned down version errrrday.  That's how awesome it was.  On Sunday, I talked Julie Snider into doing a quick eye job on me.  As you can see above, it was beautiful, too.  She used Sigma brushes on me, I'm obsessed.  They were all teal handled and had little cup carrying cases.  Check them out here.

All the make-up play just got more even more geared up for this weekend's Nordstrom Trend Show.  It's going to be such a fun girls' day.  A dear friend is letting my girls spend the night at her house and spend the day on Saturday.  I'm already counting down to all the fun that will be had.  I STILL have and use samples that I got from the Fall Trend Show.  Not only is it a perfect time to get some pampering, but I love that I got to try out products that I might not have tried otherwise.  Fall had a lot of pretty big makeup artists and creative directors flown in.  It was really cool to hear first hand inspiration for collections and how they're going to translate from the runway to real-life.  I know this season won't disappoint!  I'm loving the Pantone color of the year, Wild Orchid.

Spring always makes me fall in love with pastels and florals again.  I'm loving boyfriend jeans and booties with lightweight sweaters or flowy tops to transition into spring.  Can you tell I'm already planning my outfit??  

Check back on Sunday or Monday when I do my big review of the Trend Show!  

Romantic Rocker by tricia-wallace featuring beige tops

Mango ribbed sweater
$50 - mango.com

Cap sleeve shirt
$22 - newlook.com

Mango beige top
$33 - johnlewis.com

Levi's stretch skinny jeans
levi.com

Nude wedge sandals
$60 - fashionunion.com

H&M high heel ankle boots
$58 - hm.com

Avalon Tote, Blush Perf
stelladot.com

Stella Dot peach Amelie Bracelet
stelladot.com

Renegade Bracelet
stelladot.com

Cheryl Drop Earrings
$53 - stelladot.co.uk

I'm back, for real this time.

Hello all.

So I'm for real when I say "I'm back".  Last go back in October was a failed attempt at faking it till I make it.  I wasn't truly inspired to write again, and frankly, didn't feel like I had the time.  Well, guess what, I'll never have enough time.  That's like saying, "we're waiting to have enough money to have kids." or "I messed up today, I'll start my diet tomorrow, promise."

Speaking of diets...like how I did that?...my contest prep is not only in full swing, but I'm only 5 measly weeks away from my first comp of the season!!! Eeek!!!!!  The Phil Heath Classic is being held in Houston at the Bayou Music Center on March 15.  My coach, Jeff Dwelle, is the same awesome dude I used last time.  This time his words were, "we'll keep you fuller longer".  That sounded really nice.  I think that longer period is up, though.  *cue stomach grumble*  I'm not complaining.  Really, I promise.  I eat all dang day.  I just also burn crazy calories all dang day because of all the dang muscle I put on.  Dang!

You know what else?  I'm seeing abs.  I've NEVER seen abs on myself.  By abs, I mean a tiny two back and some obliques.  I'll take it.  As I sit here and drink my delish Green Mountain Caramel Sweet Cream kcup black, yes black, I'm  **omg, I just clicked the X on my browser as I closed out other tabs and I about died...thankfully, I didn't have to go back and write this masterpiece that will be maybe enjoyed by three people.**  where was I?  oh yes, black coffee.  I'm AH-MAZED at the fact that in a mere 15 weeks, I've changed my body, yet again...and in my opinion, even better than my last go.  Perfect eating and crazy lifting can do that, I guess.

Since I can only "pin" yummy foods, I've had to shift my focus to other favorite things.  My list for January is as follows:

*Seagram's Sparkling Seltzer Water in Black Raspberry "mixed" with a to-go packet of Raspberry Lemonade Crystal Light.  Oh yum.  I'm not a fan of diet drinks or artificial sugar, but will have one of these when my sugar cravings are making me NUTSO.

*Stride Gum - Sour Patch Kids flavors.  I've only found this gum at the Super Target in Plano, but apparently you can buy it in bulk on Amazon.  It's awesomesauce.  Enough said.

*YSL Volutpte Sheer Candy in #4.  It's scary pink, but is a super smooth gloss that gives the perfect pink pout.  I'm a gloss junkie and typically bounce around, but this one has been my go-to since being gifted it for my birthday in December.  Thanks Jess!!  You can see it here: YSL Volupte Sheer Candy  I have the "Succulent Pomegranate".  Aren't the tubes glam??

I'm super excited not only for my show in March, but the following weekend is the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show!!  It's such a fun event and put on beautifully.  I for one look forward to waking up at 6am on a Saturday for that!

Follow me on Instagram @yogtricia and Facebook!  I'll be posting every week with my updates as the comp gets closer and closer along with my fave finds!!  Have a great weekend!!