Mandii's Muse

I have an obsession with tote bags. I can't help it. However, ever since this bag came into my life I haven't needed another one. This bag is versatile, and can be worn many different ways. What bag am I talking about you ask? None other than the Baggu Duck bag! From Baggu: A perfect everyday tote in durable recycled cotton canvas duck. Two handles and 40" adjustable strap, to carry in hand or over shoulder.  16" high, 10" wide, 5.5" deep. Matte silver hardware, durable taped seams, and a round inner pocket. 100% 16 oz. recycled cotton canvas. Image I have used this bag on numerous trips I have been on. I don't have to worry about it getting smashed, or ripped when I am carrying it. I love that it has an inner pocket that I can keep my cell phone, lipstick, or something small in! Even better, this folds up neatly in a small square for storage! This bag can be worn several different ways. It can be worn cross body, using the shorter handles, or b...

Today, I'm linking up with Andrea for her Recipe Club! In the summer, I love to try out new recipes, and cook. I'm so looking forward to doing that! Only 4 and a half school days left until I can do just that! I wanted to share with you this recipe that I made for Cinco de Mayo. I love, love, love Mexican food, and love cooking for this holiday! This recipe is simple, low in calories, and delicious! Use whatever brands, and add ins you like, but here is what I used! Ingredients: (Sorry for no picture!) 2 cans Enchilada sauce (I used hot and medium) Shredded chicken 1 can green chilies Shredded cheese Tortilla wraps (I used whole wheat sandwich wraps cut in half) First, I cooked my chicken in a skillet with lots of water to almost steam cook it. I flavored my chicken by adding taco seasoning, cumin, cilantro, salt and pepper to both sides. Once it was cooked through, I let it cool then shredded it. In a sauce pan, I mixed the two cans of enchilada sauce to get it hea...

Three day weekends are just the best. Any chance I get to eat good food, hang out with my family, and not have to go to work are big pluses! This weekend, I did just that! Friday, I indulged in my own version of Happy Hour. A Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, and Sabra hummus was on the "menu" for me. For dinner that night, it was family pizza night, and my mom made 4 different kinds. I was starving and did not get any pictures, but she made bbq chicken, vegetable, sausage and peppers, and pepperoni. Trust me when I say it was delicious! Saturday was the perfect Pennsylvania day. There was not a cloud in the sky, so I took advantage of that and worked on my tan. I was craving some buffalo chicken dip, so I made a skinny version! You could not tell it was a lightened up version at all! I will be posting a recipe soon! Later that evening, it was time for the annual pictures by the rhododendron bushes. I have been doing this for as long as I can remember. My mom was the photograp...

Confession time! My attitude is based on how good my hair looks on a particular day. If my hair is looking great than I feel like I can take on the world, if not than I am depressed. Today, I am joining Andrea and Erika's Favorite Things party and showing you my favorite hair products!! On a workday, I shower the night before. I save a TON of time that way! When I do shower and wash my hair, I use Pantene Volumizing shampoo and conditioner. After my shower, I apply Redken Pillow Proof, and Argan Magic hair oil, Both of these products speed up my blow dry time, and make my hair soft and protected. In the mornings, I apply Suave Refresh and Revive dry shampoo. If I ever meet the person who invented dry shampoo, they are getting a big ol' hug! This absorbs oil, makes my hair smell great, and gives my hair some texture. Once my style is complete, I use Suave aerosol hairspray. That's it! A few extras: I have a whole section dedicated to hair products on my blog. You...

*I was sent this product to review because I'm a BzzAgent. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Imagine having that head of hair you've always wanted. Instead of going to the salon, you can just step right out of your shower. The key to this beautiful head of hair is your shampoo. I know what you're thinking. "I already love my shampoo." "It cleans my hair." Does it? I received a sample of the Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoo to test out, and I can tell you, shampoo makes a difference. Sure your hair gets clean with your shampoo. With the Anti-Residue shampoo, your hair gets squeaky clean. Clean hair makes your products work better!!! I put a lot of products into my hair. Shampoo, conditioner, argan oil, Pillow Proof, and dry shampoo just to name a few. Heeellllooo product buildup! When I tried the Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoo, I noticed a difference as soon as I blow dried my hair. It was soft, and clean, even my hair color looked better. I a...

This post is brought to you by the color pink. ;) These are just three items I bought from Amazon. I have several other items in my wishlist, and am going to be placing another order soon. Oddly (well, maybe not) enough, all of my purchases were pink. To the family members reading this, this is no surprise. The first item I purchased was an armband for my phone. I downloaded my workout playlist, and want to use my phone for the 5ks I plan on doing this summer. I didn't want to have to worry about holding my phone, or sticking it somewhere where it could get lost. I currently have a Lifeproof style case on, and it will not fit inside the armband. But when I take it out, it will fit perfectly, and I will be able to use my phone without having to worry about dropping it! My next item was a Baggu reusable bag. This is my third Baggu bag, and I absolutely love them! I am going to purchase another bag but in a different style. I am going to do a separate review on these, so stay tu...

It is time for Makeup Mail Call! This time I am coming at you with my May Birchbox! Birchbox keeps stepping it up with their boxes. They are so beautiful, I don't want to throw them away!! This month, I received some great items! May's box was curated by Emily Schuman from Cupcakes and Cashmere. She did a great job at picking out products this month! Here is what was in my box! Beauty Protector| Beauty Wash Body Cleanser: I was so happy I received this! Beauty Protector's products smell amazing, and I've always wished I could bathe in it. Now, I can! This is a gel cleanser, and has their signature scent. I cannot wait to use this! Coastal Scents|Revealed 3 Eyeshadow Quad: This quad is a mix of colors from a matte brown to a gold shimmer. These are only four colors of the new palette. Harvey Prince| Sea Salt Texturizing Mist: Again, I am so glad I received this! I love anything to do with Harvey Prince, and this is no exception. fHere's how I plan on using t...

I have a quick couple of questions for you to answer!! You can leave me a comment with your answers! Questions: 1. What type of device do you read this blog on? Laptop, phone, tablet, or desktop? 2. Would you like to see more "Lifestyle" posts such as cooking, daily life of me, shopping hauls, etc? I'd love to know your thoughts!! 3. When do you usually read Mandii's Muse Blog? Evenings, Weekends, Daytime? 4. Do you follow my social media accounts? Twitter, Facebook Fan Page, Instagram? I'd love to heard your thoughts on these questions. I want to make this blog something that you want to read!! Leave me a comment with your answers, and this will help me take this blog in the direction it needs to go!!

I will be back tomorrow with a new post. The weekend got ahead of me and I ran out of time for today's post. Check back in with me tomorrow and be ready for a new post! -Mandii

If you are looking for a no fuss, no frills lipstick, this one is or you! I received a sample of the Jane Iredale Just Kissed lipstick in Forever Pink, in my April Birchbox, and fell into deep, deep, love with it. This lipstick applies clear, but almost instantly changes color based on your own natural chemistry. This lipstick also acts as a stain, and will last almost all day. Plus, when you reapply, the existing stain gets darker. One of the aspects that I love most about this lipstick is the consistency. It applies like a balm, but it is not too soft to instantly slide off of your lips. I may or may not have taken 15 selfies to get these 3 photos.  ;) The shade I received is Forever Pink. The best way to describe this color is "I've just eaten a cherry popsicle." This lipstick is great for those lazy Spring/Summer days when you have a few quick errands to run and want to look put together, but don't want a full face of makeup. The color that is on my lips, ...

Can anyone tell me why the weekends fly by? You come home on Friday, blink, and it is Monday morning. How does that happen? This weekend went really fast because I had a lot of events on Saturday. It was such a fun day, and I am sharing some of it with you! Friday night after work I treated myself to a Dunkin Donuts iced coffee. They are only $1 at my store and I must admit, I have taken advantage several times. I came home and graded a ton of papers after dinner. The original teacher is coming back Monday, and I wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible for her.  Saturday morning, I woke up bright and early to get a quick workout in. Then I was off to my cousin's bridal shower in Pittsburgh! She is getting married in September, and she lives in California, so I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. It was SO, SO, SO nice to see her! She looked gorgeous, and her bridesmaids and mom did a great job at setting up the venue. The food was delicious as well...