Currently

This weeks themes:

baking, loving, missing, craving, laughing

I'm currently baking nothing. But I will be baking this weekend! I'll be making cookies, not sure what kind though; probably a triple chip cookie or raspberry jam shortbread. 

I'm currently loving Christmas, my fiance, my new job (yay!), and the fact I'm making money. 

I'm currently missing my childhood. When you were young you had no worries, especially about money. You did whatever you want without a care, you got a ton of presents at Christmas, etc. I miss it! 

I'm currently craving chocolate, sweets, and junk food! You know, it's that time of the month again. 

I'm currently laughing at the commercials for Grudge Match with Robert DiNero. My fiance want to see it this weekend! 

xx Courtney 

Currently

This weeks themes:

enjoying, buying, forgetting, drinking, anticipating

I'm currently enjoying the holiday season this year. My first Christmas and New Years with my fiance. I love it!

I'm currently buying presents for my parents and stuff for myself while I'm at it. There are really good deals going on! 

I'm currently forgetting to budget my money, to spend money on what I really need (like at CVS and Rite Aid), to use my coupons (I love them! Yes, I'm a couponer and I'm not afraid to admit it), to bake for my cookie swap, and much more. I have so many things going on and so much on my mind, that I'm forgetting a lot. 

I'm currently drinking water. I love water and I don't drink soda at all; never did and never will. Besides water I only drink orange juice, other juices, milkshakes, and those specialty drinks at Cinnabon and places like that. 

I'm currently anticipating Christmas and New Years Eve and Day! 

xx Courtney

Sunday Social

What are your favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials? I love The Peanuts Christmas, The Holiday, and all the old Christmas shows. 

Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? Nope.

What is your favorite toy received as a child for the holidays? I would always get a Raggedy Anne doll. I loved that doll. I would get one every Christmas because I put that thing through hell. I would carry it everywhere with me, hold it when I would suck my thumb, chew on the dress, etc. 

What was your must have item in high school for the holidays? I don't really know. I didn't really follow trends. 

What do you do on Christmas Eve? My parents and I (and now my fiance) go to my grandfather's. My aunt and uncle and cousins come over and we have dinner and open presents at night. 

xx Courtney

DressLily Giveaway

Today, I'd like to introduce to you DressLily. They  have an array of styles; dresses, tops, pants, outerwear, bags, shoes, jewelry, lingerie, watches, and accessories. 

DressLily is the best place to for discounted clothing and accessories. With affordable prices, fast shipping, and discounts, what could be better?

Charming Scoop Collar Solid Color Hollow Out Half Sleeve Pleated Lace 

This is personally my favorite dress in their 2013 collection (they have their 2014 collection out now, by the way). This would be adorable on Christmas or New Years with silver heels or flats. 

Stylish V-Neck Sleeveless Floral Print Pleated Dress

This is from the 2014 collection. This is such a cute summer dress! I would pair this with some cute flats or sandals. 

Owl Sweater

This is such a cute sweater! I would love to own this! I'm all about sweater tops in the winter and paring it with a scarf or necklace. This would be perfect with a pair of jeans or leggings and boots. 

These are just a few of my favorite items from DressLily. But I have a surprise for you! 1 lucky winner will win a $10 item of their choice from them! You can either choose from the items listed below or choose your own $10 item from the site.  

Elegant Flower Shape Rhinestone Embellished Pendant Necklace

Ethnic Style Scoop Neck Floral Print Contrast Color Short Sleeve Dress

Fashion Fluffy Long Wavy High Temperature Fiber Women's Hair Extension

Women's Charming Backless Gallus and Cross Ribbon Design Tank Top

Head below to enter via raffelcopter. Winner will be chosen January 10th! Good luck! 

xx Courtney

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Thank you to DressLily for the giveaway! I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are mine. 

The Blogmopolitan Quiz

Head over to Two Thirds Hazel to download the quiz and link up with your answers. 

xx Courtney 

Climb Blog Hop & Giveaway

  <a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/chain-linky-climb.html" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="God’s Growing Garden" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Sponsors/Climb200_zps6c2cafff.jpg" /></a>   It's the month long Networking Blog Hop  With our second CLIMB GIVEAWAY! Here's how it works - the co-hosts from the previous month's CLIMB will have the opportunity to participate in a Giveaway during the next CLIMB (this is totally optional) - that gives co-hosts 2 months in a row of blog growing fun!!      Please enter below -one person will win: (you must have a PayPal account to enter & be 18 years or older) -  - $70 PayPal Cash  - Christmas Printables from http://domesstique.blogspot.de/ - 300x300 Ad Space on http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/ - 1 Month Medium Ad Space on http://www.cuddlebugcuties.blogspot.com/ - Super Fabulous Ad Space on http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com/ - 1 Medium Ad Space on http://creativepinkbutterfly.com/ - 1 Sidebar Ad Space on http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/ - "My Cookie Creation Countdown" ebook by Angie Ouellette-Tower - "Make Your Own Cedar Roping or Pine Garland" ebook by Angie Ouellette-Tower THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO ENTER!

CLIMB Giveaway Rules & Conditions: 

- This is a worldwide Giveaway

- You MUST have a PayPal account to enter

- This Giveaway is open from November 30th, 2013 until December 20th, 2013

- Winner must respond within 24 hours or a different winner will be chosen

- Giveaway Hosts & Co-hosts can NOT enter this Giveaway!, however - December CLIMB blog hop co-hosts MAY enter this Giveaway (provided they are not also part of the Giveaway)

- corespondance is done through email and the winner's email addresses will only be used to deliver or set-up e-prizes.  Email addresses will NEVER be sold or shared.

- if you have any questions or concerns about this Giveaway please email one of the hosts:

Angie:  gourdonville@yahoo.com

Angel:  sewcraftyangel@gmail.com

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Now onto the CLIMB (blog hop):

By participating in this blog hop your email address will be added to our CLIMB list & you will be sent an email reminder next month. 

Remember - Now if you co-host you will receive a free Weekly Sidebar Ad and your blog button will appear on both Angie's blog & Angel's blog!!

(The Ad will run live a few weeks after you have co-hosted)

Sign up to receive emails about the CLIMB

Sunday Social

 

1. What is the wallpaper on your cell phone?

A picture of my fiance and I. 

2. What do you keep beside your bed? 

Well, I have a small room, so I don't have a nightstand. Everything needs to be under my pillow or on the side of my bed, since one side is next to a wall. I have my air conditioner remote, Snoopy, a tissue box, my cell phone, and whatever else I need. I don't feel like getting up in the middle of the night just to get something!

3. What is your least favorite chore?
Cleaning! Ugh, I hate dusting and vacuuming. 

4. If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be?
Hmmm... washing dishes. I hate it! I wish I had a dishwasher.


5. What do you do to vent anger?
I complain to Jose, yell, scream, write about it, listen to music and sing at the top of my lungs, argue with Jose (unfortunately), and I shut down.


6. What is your favorite holiday of the year and why?
I still love Halloween, but Christmas is number one! Omg! The lights, decor, presents, scents, family and friends, the occasional snow, the music, the colors, etc! 

xx Courtney

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway

Today, I'd like to introduce to you Tropical Traditions' Coconut Oil. If you've never heard of coconut oil or if you're unsure what to do with it, I'm here to explain all that. 

First, what is coconut oil? This Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is a truly unrefined coconut oil. This coconut oil is made on Mt. Banahaw and surrounding areas from organic coconuts. Coconuts are used fresh (within 24-48 hours of harvest) from small family farms on Mt. Banahaw and other rural places in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines. 

There is no industry standard definition for "Virgin Coconut Oil" as there is in the olive oil industry for "Virgin" and "Extra Virgin" olive oil. Today, there are many coconut oils on the market that are labeled as "Virgin Coconut Oil." Tropical Traditions was the first company to publish standards for the use of "Virgin Coconut Oil" in terms of edible oils. Virgin Coconut Oil can only be achieved by using fresh coconut meat or what is called non-copra. Chemicals and high heating are not used in further refining, since the natural, pure coconut oil is very stable with a shelf life of several years. 

Tropical Traditions use a wet-milling process. With this method the oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat without drying first. "Coconut milk" is expressed first by pressing. The oil is then further separated from the water. Methods which can be used to separate the oil from the water include boiling, fermentation, refrigeration, enzymes and mechanical centrifuge. (see their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil). 

So how can you use it? Well, you can use it for your health or in your favorite recipes. You can watch a video below to see how to use it in recipes. And since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits (http://coconutoil.com/) of coconut oil. 

You can also watch a video on how Tropical Traditions discovered Coconut below.

If you'd like to receive your own jar of Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions, please enter using the Raffelcopter below. Winner will be picked on December 29th! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  

xx Courtney

Currently

This weeks themes:

Loving, Wishing, Moving, Riding, Needing

I'm currently loving the holiday season! I love Christmas! It's my favorite holiday next to Halloween. I'm also loving my fiance (of course!), the holiday spirit that's in the air, the Christmas decorations, the fact that my fist anniversary with Jose is coming up on January 1st, and all those baked goods. 

I'm currently wishing for more money, a new start somewhere, a job, my own apartment with Jose, and to live with my fiance. We're a step closer to getting our own apartment. We almost have enough money for it and by January we'll be searching for one. 

I'm currently moving nothing. Next year, I'll be moving out of my parents house hopefully and into my new apartment with Jose. 

I'm currently riding the buses and trains more than I used to. That's because I don't drive and I've been spoiled by public transportation in NYC. Plus, I've been going out more since I graduated college. 

I'm currently needing a job (as you ladies already know), a new wardrobe, new music, a new start somewhere; just new everything. 

xx Courtney 

Campus Book Rentals

First, I like to say good luck to all college students out there and congratulations to all graduates/upcoming graduates.

Anyway, I've talked about Campus Book Rentals before and I'm here to talk about them again. If you're looking for a cheap place to rent your books from this is the place to do it! I used them a few semesters ago for a history textbook and compared to my bookstore and another site I used to use they are definitely much cheaper. Plus, they offer FREE shipping. Who doesn't like that?

With Campus Book rentals, you save 40-90% off of bookstore prices and well know how expensive the college bookstore can be. You can also highlight in the book, they have flexible renting periods, and the best part is they donate to Operation Smile. The fact that they have flexible renting periods and they donate to a great cause, is what makes this company the best.

Operation Smile is a charity for children who are born with a cleft. They heal children's smiles. These children are unable to speak, eat, socialize, and smile. In some places, these children are shunned and rejected and in many cases, their parents can't afford surgeries. Since 1982, Operation Smile has been giving smiles back to these children. They give free surgeries to children and young adults born with cleft lips, palates, and other facial deformities.

Campus Book Rentals also have a new program called RentBack. RentBack is new initiative that allows students to rent the textbooks they own to other students. This is a great program because it makes them 2 to 4 times more money compared to what they'd make through buyback options (selling their books back at the end of the semester). 

So how does this all work? Check out a video below.



The views expressed in this article were my own. I would like to thank Campus Book Rentals for asking me to write this article and commissioning me for it.

xx Courtney

On The Second Day Of Christmas....

My true love gave to me 2 cute dresses and a link roundup that can be found here. 

Today, I'll be showing you my top 5 color picks for the fall or winter. All these colors can be worn for both seasons; gold, dark green, ruby red, burgundy, white, and tan. 

Shop The Look: Off White by courtney-dyson featuring Ichi

Shop The Look: Gold by courtney-dyson featuring a henri bendel wallet

Shop The Look: Tan by courtney-dyson featuring tan skinny jeans

Shop The Look: Burgundy by courtney-dyson featuring an opi nail lacquer

Shop The Look: Dark Green by courtney-dyson featuring flat shoes

Shop The Look: Ruby Red by courtney-dyson featuring ruby red pumps

xx Courtney