THE X FACTOR 2011 - Stacy Francis - Audition 1

This is ABSOLUTELY one of the best videos I've ever seen!! If anyone ever tells you that you can't do something, don't believe them!! Stacy~~YOU GO GIRL!!!! XOXO

Rave~Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover!

I wanted to write a quick RAVE for all my ladies today! I stopped getting professional manicures recently because they always cut my cuticles which made them rough and raggedy in a few days....no bueno! Now I do my own mani at home and use this AMAZING cuticle remover that corrodes the rough edges of the cuticle away, leaving only a smooth edge on the bed of the nail. I LOVE this stuff! I think it's one of these products that if discontinued, I'd definitely freak out. It's absolutely changed the way I take care of my nails! Here's what I do at home to keep my nails looking good without the expense of a professional manicure~I file my nails, or buff them, to make them smooth, soak them in warm soapy water for a minute or so, and then apply Sally Hansen ICR all around the nail. I wait for about half a minute and clean around the nail bed with a manicure stick. You will actually see the cuticle coming off...it's pretty amazing how much gets whisked off! Then I apply a cuticle oil and rub it in. This will put moisture back into the cuticle so it won't be dry. Then clean, polish, and go! That's it! I notice that the cuticles grow back much smoother. I should start keeping a good stock of it in case it's ever discontinued! This is the only cuticle remover I've used that actually *works* and the bottle lasts FOREVER, although I use it every week and my daughter does as well!! I hope this helps you all with your dry cuticle issues!

Kiss A Stingray for 7 Years Good Luck! Who Knew?!

I just had to show you all this hilarious photo of me kissing a stingray in Grand Cayman. They say that it brings you 7 years good luck and since we just broke a HUGE antique mirror at my home last month, I needed to wipe the slate clean!! BTW...that's the OCEAN, NOT a swimming pool! Can you believe the color?! Heaven!!

There you go! 7 years good luck! I kissed it twice, so I figure one got rid of the broken mirror hex and the second kiss was a bonus 7 years!! Well, I gotta go buy a lottery ticket now! You guys have a great day! XO

Grand Cayman, Ritz Carlton~~Not Too Shabby Baby!

I'm just back from a quick little getaway to the Grand Cayman Islands. I stayed at the Ritz Carlton which I can now, HIGHLY recommend to all of you! The water was crystal clear and the hotel staff was phenomenal! Here's a few of the beach looking out from the hotel! Gorgeous!

Nachos and margaritas are always a good thing!! And these were divine~~So much so that they became the starter of choice at each lunch!

The chef at the hotel made me a special vegetarian dish of quinoa with a mango, coconut milk, honey, curry sauce.....stop drooling....it's mine!

Long walks along the beach are the perfect way to start the day~~or end the day for that matter. I only got one long walk in because I was so preoccupied lounging around in my room or floating in the clear water. You just can't go wrong with whatever you choose!

This is the view looking back at the hotel from the ocean. It's low season right now so as you can see there weren't any crowds!! I actually prefer low season~~the hotel was only 25% full! No running down early to throw a towel on a chair so you have a place to sit!

Need I say more?

The sunsets were amazing. We had cocktails in the ocean each evening at 6:00 to watch the sun go down. Oh I want to go back already!

This is a room at the hotel. They're all done so tastefully! Very roomy and comfortable!

I did not enhance these photos....the water really is THAT blue. It's insane. So there you go. Let me know if you go and tell me how you like it!! XOXO

Happy Birthday Kyla the Super Sheltie!!

Few things in life bring more joy than the unconditional love of a family dog!! Anyone who has a treasured dog in their life will agree. Our baby girl, Kyla, is all grown up now! Today is her 7th Birthday! Kyla is a Sheltie and is our 3rd child, no doubt!

7 years ago, when we decided to get a dog, I started researching breeds. I went all over the internet learning the different characteristics of breeds. I went to dog shows and spoke with the owners of all the breeds we were considering: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Pomeranians, and Papillons. My husband wanted big and my little girl wanted small. I wanted something that would train easily, be small enough so we could cuddle with it but big enough so it wouldn't get broken easily with young children around! I didn't want a big slobbering mess that would attack other animals as they walked by and I wanted something that wouldn't shed too much to be an indoor pet. Every single person I spoke with said, "SHELTIE SHELTIE SHELTIE!" And oh my gosh, were they right. Kyla is what we lovingly call a "Puppa Person" She's SO smart and full of personality that we know if she had the vocal cords to do so, she would have intelligent conversations with us! LOL She LOVES to snuggle into my neck and under our legs in bed....she's a hugger!

So, Happy Birthday Kyla!! You brings us so much joy!! I love you~~~

Mommy

Another Day In Paradise~~

Grand Cayman Island is beautiful! I'm going to put up all my photos when I get home for you all because when you get a chance~this is a really fabulous place to come to for a quick getaway. It's not too far from the US and it's the #1 safest island in the Caribbean. We went on a excursion to Sting Ray City. It's a sand bar out in the ocean where dozens of sting rays gather around you. It's a little unnerving to have them come all around you but as long as the stingers were pointed away from my, I was fine. I'm off for a walk on the beach right now. I'll post more when I get home!

Have a wonderful day friends~~

Blessings~

XOXO