Mandii's Muse

In my opinion, jewelry can turn an otherwise boring outfit into something fabulous. I have lots of costume jewelry pieces that can enhance my outfits. However, there is one piece of jewelry that I never take off. My gold cross that my parent's got me. I don't even remember getting this necklace. I always remember having it. In pictures from my toddler years, I have this necklace on. It has always been with me. When I wear this necklace, I feel comforted, and can feel that God is with me. I also feel a little piece of my parent's with me as well. I thought I lost this necklace 2 days before I was to begin student teaching. I took this necklace off to wear a statement necklace, and thought I put it on my dresser. When I went to put it back on, it was not there. Cue me looking high and low in tears for this necklace. Thank God for my Mom, because she was there to calm me down and help me retrace my steps. My Dad was the one that found it, on the coffee table in the livi...

Makeup Mail Call! Today it is all about my February Birchbox. This month, I chose the box curated by Rent the Runway. I am not disappointed I chose that box, it is amazing! This box was full of items I will use immediately, and are perfect for these cold months. Here is what was in my box! Derma E| Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub: This scrub will be great to use every week to brighten my skin and exfoliate. This will also make my pores clean, and that is always a good thing! Fekkai|Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo: Dry shampoo is my best friend. I like trying different brands of dry shampoos to see how they work on my hair. I can't wait to try this higher end shampoo! Plus, this sample is a great size, and will be perfect for travel! Not Soap, Radio|The Stuff that Cupid dips his arrows in Body Wash: First of all, the color of this body wash is beautiful. It is a deep berry color, and the smell! Oh, the smell is divine! There is a perfect mix of blackberries and van...

First of all, I get the bad blogger award for last week. I was on my computer a lot last weekend, it was running slow, and the last thing I wanted to do was spend 2+ hours writing blog posts when it could have taken me less time. So, I'm sorry. I'm trying to do better!  Motivation Monday will be back in full force next week, but today I am linking up with Andrea for a Favorite Things party! Cue Julie Andrews singing.... Today it is all about our favorite things at Target. Confession time: I don't shop often at Target. I know. Now, I enjoy Target, and every time I shop there, I always find something I want. I need to shop there more often, really, I do.  The first stop I always make in Target are the dollar bins. LOVE those! I almost always pick up something from the dollar bins. Folders, pencils, things I didn't know I wanted until I saw them. #truth The next stop I make is the clothing area. Target has some cute clothes! I bought the cutest Bon Jovi shirt ther...

Oh, the memories behind this little purchase!! In honor of the Super Bowl that happened a week ago, I wanted to share with you the memory I have of my Tom Brady jersey. (I don't follow the NFL super closely, but I do root for the Pats.)  The year is 2006. The Patriots are playing the Colts in the AFC Championship game. Patriots are up by 18 at halftime. I decide that I need to order a Tom Brady jersey, because they can't lose this game and are going to the Super Bowl. W.R.O.N.G. THEY LOST THE GAME! Image Patriots fans, I'm sorry I was the cause of the massive jinx that year!! Needless to say, I didn't wear my jersey when I got it. It went right into storage to be used the next season. I felt like a total dork for ruining the game. (Was it my fault, absolutely not! However, it felt like it though!) Unfortunately, this scenario has happened far too often. Who bought a James Neal jersey, wore it once, and he gets traded? This girl. I could go on and on about pla...

Since I've lost some weight, I've become more comfortable with wearing different styles of pants. I've been wearing bright colored pants, skinny pants, leggings, you name it. I was in K-Mart before Christmas with my mom, and spotted these pants. I loved the buffalo check print, and knew it was perfect for winter. So, when I opened this gift on Christmas, I was excited! K-Mart has really cute clothes, and I will definitely shop there more often! Outfit Details: Pants: K-Mart Top: JC Penney Boots: Lane Bryant Necklace: Bijuju *Since it is Wednesday, I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy!

The month of February is Heart Month. This month is designed to educate you on heart disease, and general heart health. This is personal for me, because I have a heart condition. Here is my story. (I'm giving you the cliff notes version!) Here is me wearing my red! I was born with a muscle bundle on my heart. When I was three years old, I had open heart surgery at Children's Hospital. During the surgery, the doctors nicked my aorta, and I have a small leak. I have had countless EKG's, electrocardiograms (which I lovingly refer to as a jelly belly!), and chest x-rays. I never complained, and loved my cardiologist when I was younger! Luckily, I remember the good parts, the playroom, and the strollers you could lay down in. I am proud to say that aside from the small aortic leak, and a lifting restriction (to further prevent more aortic leakage) I am healthy. I can live my life without worry. Being an adult now, I try to take care of my heart. I've lost weight, s...

When I first saw this on Pinterest, I just smiled. I thought to myself, of course the word "Valentine" would be hidden in John 3:16. We are God's greatest Valentine. He loves us no matter what. So much, that he sent His Son to die for us. That is true love. No matter if you are single, taken, or married, no love can compare to the love God has for His children. We are loved so much, by someone who died to know us. How incredible is that? I know that on this Valentine's Day, I'm not going to dwell on the fact that I'm single. Instead, I'm going to be thankful that I am loved . Not just by my family and friends, but by my Heavenly Father. I think that is what the true meaning of Valentine's Day really is; being loved.  This Valentine's Day, know that you are loved no matter your circumstances. He loves you!

First of all, yes, I got my haircut! I've had it cut now for a couple of weeks, and I like it! I needed something different, and it is much healthier now. I'm going to let it grow again so it can be longer for summer. However, it is Wednesday, and that means I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy to show you one of my outfits that I wore! This was one of my teaching outfits, and I loved how nice I looked in it! My pants were from Lane Bryant, and they are a nice lightweight material, and are pretty comfortable. My tank is from Wal-Mart, and my jacket is from Ross Dress for Less. I love how the zipper is asymmetrical, and I love how this jacket fits. My shoes were my much loved and (older) ones from Macy's. I kept my jewelry simple with a black bracelet and black earrings. I can't wait to see what outfits you have put together. Leave me a comment and let me read about them!

This Tuesday, I'm linking up with Andrea to share with you my perfect Groundhog Day, a day I'd like to live over and over again. Holy moly, this was a hard one to choose from, so I am going to throw out a random mishmash of my perfect day! First of all, I'd love my perfect day to start by waking up at the ocean. When I'm on vacation at the beach, I just wake up in a good mood because I can lookout over the ocean. I'd also sleep in! Next, I'd definitely be spending my perfect day with my family. They support me and make me laugh. Why wouldn't I want to spend my day with them? Also in my perfect day, Duke would be playing, and they would win. In my perfect day, I'd be able to eat whatever I want without gaining a single pound. (Can this be real life?!) I'm a simple person, and this would honestly be my perfect day. Nothing fancy, but to me, perfect. What would your Groundhog Day be? Leave me a comment and let me know! I'd love to read about...