Courtney's Top 5: Greek Yogurts

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Greek yogurt. No, you don't understand . . . I can't live without it. I HAVE to have it. It's a staple in my fridge, my cooking, and my number one go-to snack food. Here are my top five favorites:

1. Fage Cherry Pomegranite: Cherry is always a top yogurt flavor choice for me, but combining it with pomegranite takes it to a whole new level! Great flavor, and no artificial cold medicine taste — Fage nailed this one. Plus, Fage is so rich and creamy — never watery. 

2. Stonyfield Chocolate: Chocolate and Greek yogurt? How can you go wrong!? It's like a healthy form of pudding. Rich, satisfying, and the perfect base for a multitude of mix-ins! 

3. Chobani Simply 100 Blueberry: A new product by Chobani, "the only 100 calorie yogurt made with only natural sweetners." My only concern was that, being made with stevia, it would taste like stevia! Don't get me wrong, I like stevia. But sometimes you get that signature aftertaste. However, Chobani came through with their Simply 100 — all flavor, no aftertaste. WIN. 

4. Chobani Blackberry: Creamy and sweet, this blackberry yogurt is great topped with cereal, or even a broken-up graham cracker for a faux-blackberry cheesecake. 

5. Chobani Bites Coffee with Dark Chocolate: Yes, more Chobani. I guess you can tell which brand is my favorite! This coffee flavored yogurt is WAY MORE dessert than anything! Rich and decadent, reach for this next time instead of that pint of ice cream. You won't regret it!

Courtney's Top 5: Healthy Snacks

1. Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp: Think giant Kit-Kat that's all delicious and waistline friendly. Available in chocolate, peanut butter, and raspberry. I'm all about the peanut butter!

2. Boom Chicka Pop: Popcorn, sunflower oil, sea salt — that's it!!! No preservatives, no fake stuff, no greasy gross-ness. Just fluffy, perfectly salted popcorn ready whenever the craving strikes. 

3. Tribe Zest Lemon Hummus: The lemon really brightens up the natural flavor of the hummus. Add a generous dollop to make your raw veggies wayyyy more exciting!

4. Skinny Cow Divine Filled Chocolate: Anytime you can put cow and skinny together and make it yummy, it's a good thing. You get three chocolate in each pouch! And not skimpy, tiny chocolates — three large scrumptious chocolates with filling in every bite! Available in carmel and peanut butter, both are a satisfying treat. 

5. VitaTops Deep Chocolate Muffin Tops: Healthy chocolate cake. Nothing more needs to be said. 

— Courtney —

I'm not affiliated with any of the companies or products. I just like food. :)

Sara's Top 5: Last Minute Gift Ideas

 

 

Yup. It happens to the best of us. We forget someone or we run out of time and realize we need a gift for our sister's boyfriend's cousin's father. But have no fear - there's always something out there to pick up last minute. And they won't even know you scrambled all night to put it together.

These are some go-to ideas I tend to hover toward when I'm looking for something for someone I might not know as well, or for someone I'm not overbuying for.

1. A "Make your own drinks" bundle. A cute mug, drink mixes, and something sweet. I like peppermint bark. You can also go the easier route and pick up an already made set, like this one from Starbucks.

2. The "Ultimate Man Cave" package. A nice bottle of his favorite beer or wine, some scratch off lottery tickets (who doesn't love scratching those things??), and some food. Sounds good to me.

3. I don't know about you, but not enough people write letters these days. And I mean snail mail, postage stamp, handwritten letters. If you know someone on the more sentimental side, try a cute stationery kit, a pretty pen, a book of stamps, and some cute stickers! Help them keep in touch with their loved ones and keep that USPS running! The recipient (and your mail carrier) will thank you!

4. I tend to like making "goodie bags", instead of doing it up super big. I love a great make up bag, or clutch filled with fun goodies. I found adorable single Revlon eye shadows at Ulta that connect to make the perfect pallet! Throw in a lip gloss, nail polish, blush, etc. and your girl is ready for all those holiday parties!

5. A gift card. I know, I know. Gift cards aren't the most creative things to give, but seriously. If you know your pal LOVES Starbucks, or goes to Target at least twice a week and buys sweaters and make up and cute iPhone case she's been eyeing up, then just go with a gift card. Pair it with a yummy snack or cute wallet, and you're good to go!

Good luck!

♥Sara

Courtney's Top 5: Stocking Stuffers

It's more fun to give than to receive, so let's stuff those stockings!

1. Nail Polish: What girl doesn't love a stylish new nail color? Revlon is winning with the winter hues this year! Cayenne looks gorgeous!

2. Tea: It's the time of year for curling up with a blanket and drinking something warm. I've always been a fan of Bigelow's teas. They're affordable and full of flavor. Another perk: each bag is individually wrapped. If you have multiple stockings to fill, split up the tea bags and pack them in sheer, sachet bags (available at craft stores).

3. Hand Sanitizer: No matter what line of work your recipient is in, they can use a mini hand sanitizer! The seasonal scents at Bath & Body Works make this little gifty feel more festive. Plus they're 5 for $5.00 — a very stuffable price! ;)

4. Eurasia Cafe Frac Packs: Sample bags of Eurasia Cafe's Signature Medium coffee. This is my favorite coffee. Any of my friends who have tried this blend all use the same word to describe it: smooth. It's a fantastic breakfast blend — full bodied and sweet. You can buy Frac Packs for $2.00 a piece, or a case of 24 for $40.00 (an excellent party favor option!). Plus, when you order from Eurasia Cafe, your coffee dollars are helping to fight extreme poverty, human trafficking, refugee displacement, and more.

5. Travel Size Items: Shopping the travel-size aisle will help stretch your Christmas budget and help fill your stocking to the top! Most items are between $1 – $3. The selection usually varies from store to store, so don't assume Target will have the same things as Walmart!

What are you favorite goodies to find in your stocking?

♥ Courtney

Sara's Top 5: Reasons I'm ready for fall

Fall is right around the corner, and I couldn't be more excited! Sure, summer is nice - baseball games, snowballs and ice cream, the beach - but I could also do without the mosquitos (they eat me alive!), sweltering heat, unflattering shorts, and farmer's tans.

Here are my top 5 reasons why I can't wait for fall!

1. Boots - I love boots. They're comfortable, cute, practical for the most part... And the fact that I get to wear my squirrel socks with them just makes me happy.














2. Pixie Pants - I started wearing these just last year and they're pretty much all I wear in the fall and winter. I like being comfortable, so anything soft is fine by me! I'd say they're like "grown up leggings," because they're thicker than leggings with a zipper down the back - making them passable for pants (but I'd still recommend wearing longer tops with these. No need to show off anything unneccesary). ;)














3. Scarves - SCARVES! The perfect accessory. I ADORE scarves, and they're great for a pop of color to an otherwise simple outfit. They're low maintenance and easy to pair - me likey.














4. Sweaters - Another simple piece that pairs with pretty much anything. A dress, a simple tee, a tank top. And sweaters are another good way for me to try to incorporate some color into my usually neutral wardrobe. Soft sweaters are also just so cozy!



5. Starbucks - Okay, I had to put this in here. Sure, you can get iced coffees or iced lattes during the summer, but what we all really want is a pumpkin spice latte or a peppermint mocha. And when those red cups come out???  Oh my... You know you love them too.














What are you looking forward to this fall???

♥Sara

Photos and Products:
Boots - Famous Footwear / Pixie Pants - J.Crew / Scarf - Loft / Sweater - Loft / Starbucks cup taken by me. :)

Courtney's Top 5: Travel Tips

Top 5: Travel Tips

1. Pack Interchangeable Clothing

If you open my suitcase you'll find a lot of neutrals. A LOT of neutrals. My key to packing light is to take pieces in the same color family that can be worn alone, layered, and pair well with each other. Black, grey, and white tees and tanks that look good with cardigans, or that can be worn alone. I throw in a couple light weight scarves to add a pop of color, and few bold pieces of jewelry: a long necklace, bright earrings, a bracelet or two, and a simple pair of diamond-style earrings. Versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, and one or two stand alone pieces of clothing.

2. Make-Up Pallets 

It's easy to weigh your travel bag down with make-up. This shade needs this shade to look good, but you need this blush, and you need a few darker eye shadows for a smoky look, and — you get the point. Invest in a good make-up pallet. I'm a Clinique girl, so I have quite a few of their "free gift" make-ups. One of my favorite eyeshadow pallets has a light matte tan shade, a shimmery neutral shade that is perfect for highlighting, a deep grey-black, and a light grey. I can go minimal with this pallet, or smoke it out for a dramatic look.

3. Airport Food

Travel time is NOT the time to try new foods! Eat what you know! If you know that a Dunkin Donuts flatbread sandwich agrees with you, DON'T order a burrito supremo from the place with the cool logo. I had a friend who had a slice of pizza between flights, passed out on the plane, woke up on oxygen, and found out it was food poisoning.

4. Buy It When You Get There

I try not to spend extra money if I don't have to, but some things don't travel well. Mouthwash, hair oil, blonde spray: if any of those break open in my suitcase, my clothes are ruined. If you know there will be a store where you are staying, leave those potentially disastrous items out of your suitcase and purchase them when you get to your destination, as you need them.

5. Mail It Home

It doesn't take long for a suitcase to hit the weight limit. My rule is that nothing new goes in my bag — who wants to pay an exorbitant fee? Flat rate boxes are your friend. Pick one up for free at a post office, and as you buy souvenirs and treasures, start packing them in the box. Mail it before you leave, and your goodies will be waiting for you when you get home.

Courtney's Top 5: Hair Products

1. Macadamia Deep Repair Masque: This hair masque is a lifesaver when my hair starts feeling dry and damaged. Used twice a week, it helps smooth and tame any broken and fly-away strands. It doesn't weigh my hair down, and smells like a tropical vacation!

2. Moroccan Oil Treatment: Several months ago my hair was in the worst shape it's ever been! My cut requires blow drying every day, and it was taking it's toll. Moroccan Oil before and after the blow dryer actually helped to "heal" my hair, and bring life back to the "fried" ends.

3. John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray: Love misting this spray through my hair to give my blonde a boost! Easy and mess-free — simply spray in towel dried hair, and blow dry.

4. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Enhancing Shampoo: Not my everyday shampoo, but my go-to for cleansing my hair of product build up. Helps keep my color vibrant, too!

5. Tresemme Extra Firm Control Hairspray: A little goes a long way! For that section of hair that just won't stay put, this is the cure!

♥ Courtney