Mandizzle Giveaway!

Happy Wednesday...Thank you for all the kind comments and emails and luuurve yesterday! I feel like I say this at least once a week. That's cool, cuz I feel like saying it everyday. You guys are incredible...

I have a surprise for you! Remember when I did this giveaway with Mandizzle and everyone went kinda crazy because it was so fabulous?! Well, we're doing it again, but BETTER!

This time, one of you will win $35 to spend in her store, however you want! In addition to Mandizzle's gorgeous headbands and hair clips, Mandi now creates scarves and rings. Below are a few of my latest favorites...it's hard to narrow it down, so I don't envy the winner! Ok, yes I do.

{Infinite Strand Scarf Necklace w/Removable Brooch}

{The Mandizzle Forever Scarf...Ok, I'm getting one of these big loops of cozy amazingness, so if you win we can totes be twins! PERFECT for fall!}

{Fresh Floral Ring in Hot Pink}

{The Knotty Couture Headband in Chocolate}

{The Chateauroux in Deep Plum...anyone else dying over this color lately?}

{The Cora Large Silk Flower Hair Clip}

{The Bowtie Headband}

Mandizzle is one of my new sponsors, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't need that much of an intro! I am so happy to work with Mandi, who has since become such a good friend...ohhh internets you so crazy! We have some other exciting stuff coming up for you too, can't wait!! We like to call it MandLizzleness.

But back to the giveaway at hand...and le rules! Pretty standard around these parts, but if ya need a refresher course here we GOOO...!

-I do my giveaways for friends. Or sunshines. Especially this one. So you have to be a follower via Google Connect, Twitter, however, just let me know...and if you're new say hi!

-Visit Mandizzle and let us know what you would pick if you won! There's basically 100 items to choose from, so something for everyone!

Additional entries-

-Follow Mandizzle's blog or let me know if you already do!

-Tweet about this-@misslizzymarie

-Blog/Sidebar/Pimpin in yo post-Sidebar image is on the right :)

-Leave separate comments letting me know so they all count!

I'll announce the winner next Wednesday Oct 7th!

OH! And YES this is open to all my readers WORLDWIDE! BIG YAY!

Have a beautiful Wednesday lovers!

XOXO,

Liz

(I'll be announcing the winner of the Perricone giveaway tomorrow!)

A Love Story...Of Sorts.

I originally wrote this for the sweet and amazing Nicole at My Teacups in Peony, as part of her Love Story series...we thought it might be a neat little twist. Instead, I am posting it on my blog because as much as it is a Love Story, I truly adore how hers are stories of couples, and she was gracious and kind enough (of course) to understand and support me posting it here...for you. Especially because ya'll have been with me on this journey of mine. You should definitely check out Nicole's blog if you don't read it already, it's lovely!

So It's a Love Story...of sorts.

I haven't been single since the 4th grade. Brandon Payne brought me flowers on the playground (lil pimp) and I was smitten with him all the way to middle school where I promptly broke his lil heart and have since dated and loved some of the most wonderful men with whom I shared amazing years, take your breath away special moments, and built memories, some I thought would last forever.

They didn't.

I am single, at this moment, tonight, by choice. I ended my last relationship in April, and the past 6 months have taken me on a journey that at first had me kicking and screaming, crying and fighting. I didn't want to be single, you see. I wasn't supposed to be. I experienced a particularly rough weekend, a few months ago, filled with horrible dates, wasted makeup, multiple teary calls to my best friend after which I told myself NO MORE DATING. Me? I am the worlds BEST girlfriend, I thought. I have so much love to give! What am I going to do with all of it? Why is God, the universe just letting it go to waste? Where's Ashton because I am totes being punked!

It was one of those moments...lightbulb, kick in the ass, whatever. Maybe I was wasting it on those who were undeserving. What if instead, I channeled all that love into...myself??

I stuck to it. My love story is one of turning inward...and learning to love myself, on my own. I used to depend on my significant other for so much, and I'm talking about way more than late night runs to CVS to bring me ice cream. My self worth, my identity, was always wrapped up completely in whomever I was dating. I lost friends. I hate to say that I was at times, that girl. I'm still a work in progress, but I have never felt as complete as I do now...single. Of course I get lonely, and miss having a chest to rest my head on at night. It's in those moments, where I look at my grandma's rosary hanging from the lamp on my bedside table, barely lit up by a street light and remember...now doesn't mean it's going to be forever.

Have you ever felt your heart getting stronger or seen your identity emerge with a force you've never known? I am so different...and I love it. I have had so much time alone to think...to work on myself and figure out what exactly I need from my next, and hopefully last, partner.

I love being in love, you guys. I'm good at it. I truly believe that it is out there for me, again. HE is. I believe that if I had settled, or stayed or forgave yet again, sure I might be part of a couple, an "us", but I wouldn't be happy. I would always wonder...about myself, and about him.

Life leads us on so many different journeys, takes us places we never expected to go. I believe my love story began when I broke free of those expectations and let go...instead of wanting what I didn't have, I began appreciating every single thing I DO have....all the love being literally showered on me by family, friends, even and especially my bloggy ladies (and gents! there are like 3 of ya)...and I began to love them back with the same vengeance and fierceness. I began to get to know Liz again...Not" Liz and Derek", or "Evan's girlfriend Liz." (Names have been changed to protect the dbags.)

With that said, I can't wait to meet HIM. Now, when I meet someone I am willing to invest in, I don't forget who I am, what I have learned in the past 6 months, the things you have helped me see. My self worth, my identity will never be dependent on a man. The next man in my life will encourage my friendships, because these ladies aren't going anywhere, ever. I will never stop loving myself, because as I've told so many friends before and finally decided to take my own advice...How can anyone truly love you when you don't completely love yourself?

They can't.

So Mr. Wonderful, whomever you maybe...I certainly hope you are working on yourself as much as I am, I can't wait to meet you, one day. Some day. No rush. My favorite ice cream is cookies and cream, just in case you are, by any chance, swinging by CVS. Until then, I'll get it on my own. :) See you soon...

XOXO,
Liz

Thank you, Nicole, for inspiring me to write and share this.

(images via my packed inspiration folder, most of them via weheartit, vi.sualize.us)

It Was Fast and Dirty!

Dear Monday,

I'm willing to forgive what you and your mean muggin friend Tuesday did to me last week (You both had bad hair, btw). I almost had to get the badgers and take you down (throw beer in your face.) But, let's start fresh, ok? Play nice, Monday!

Dear Leggings/Yoga Pants/Wife Beaters, and suprisingly soft F21 T shirts,

Thank you for being the only items of clothing in my closet that did not make me want to burst in tears and rock back and forth in the fetal postion this weekend. It's not that my other clothes are mean. They just don't understand pms and aren't as...flexible as you are.

Dear Hair,

I want my bangs back and this is the picture I will be taking to our stylist. Bangs, since it will be cooling off you have no reason to get all hot and sweaty and weird. Act right ok? I know OOFA isn't here to "roll my bangs?" but we are just going to have to be big girls and work as a team.

{Extensions MIGHT be coming out ya'll, but then I'd just be..."UN", and that's so sad}

Dear Fiance of one of my favorite blogger buddies,

I'm so excited about my blog's re-design! I hope all the mumbo jumbo I sent you this weekend made sense, and I promise not to be too much of a pain in the ass. My baby's gettin a makeover!

Dear Kelly,

This means I won't be harassing you to change things for me at 2am anymore. I know you are probably very sad about this. Don't worry, you are not off le hook. I have endless things to harass you about. Yay!

Dear Sangria in a bottle,

You're really good. I like where our relationship is going. Combined with the yoga pants and your yummyness, I just might never leave my house again. Keep up the good work.

Dear Fall TV Schedule,

I can't effing deal with you, dude. There are just too many shows I HAVE to watch, and I can't prioritize, I am overwhelmed and confused. My little OCD heart can't take it. On that note, Fall TV, you're also making me feel like a TV junkie. The Hills this week, right peeps?

Dear Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010,

Holy gawd. You blew my mind. Well played, Christopher Bailey, well played.

Dear Friends,

Yes, that is YOU! Sorry for the randomness. I have nothing too exciting to report from this weekend and I am just fine with it! I hope this week is FABULOUS for us all. Also, if Monday has you feeling a little...hostile...today, head over to Kelly's blog for a fabulous way to vent! AND my best friend Brooke is guest posting here today, it's HILARIOUS, so ch-ch-check it! Kthxbai!

Big fat bloggy hugs to you all!

XOXO,

Liz

I spent an amazing 3 months in the Philippines and I am deeply saddened by the news that a typhoon has hit Manila, with the death toll rising. My prayers are with a nation and people who stole my heart. If you'd like to help out, please visit the Philippine Red Cross

(These lil letters were inspired by The Rockstar Diaries, The Wild and Wily Ways of a Brunette Bombshell and I'm sure many others. I didn't create this idea, and I don't claim to!)

Hair inspiration image via lookbook.nu

Burberry image via style.com

Home is Where the Heart Is...

Happy Friday!! This week has been a toughie! Going from the best time ever with Brooke back to reality...boo! So this is new territory for me-home decor, as I don't spend that much time in or on my condo. I mean, it's cute no doubt, I live with my wombmate and she's cute too...but I guess you could say it's lacking in heart.

And that is whack, yo! I have to admit that interiors intimidate me. While I can pick out an outfit, do some make-up or a marketing campaign easy, I don't fancy myself crafty or DIY-ey ...I always thought that spending hours on wall paper, etc was something that I would do with my hubby and it would be so fun and he'd wipe paint on my nose and we'd laugh...and while that may still be in the cards for me, WHY NOT start now? I DON'T NEED A MAN! (Um, it's huge for me to say that, and mean it.)

So here is the beginning of my home dreamboard of sorts...in gathering these images today it's clear that I like white with pops of color...so I already have a place to start, as a move is in my future and man or no man, my place is going to look BOMB. And ya'll can come over for cocktails! I have to say that I am very inspired by so many of you, Brunch at Saks and Kristen, both of you come to mind... :)

{Fairly certain these stairs + my 5 inchers would lead to my untimely demise.}

{Made by Girl is becoming one of my favorite interior inspirations.}

{I love the wall! I'm learning my lingo...believe that's a backsplash? Don't judge!}

{Pops of color, yes please.}

{Do not disturb. FABULOUS.}

{This puts my OCD at peace. I want to curl up in here and read your blogs}

{I can see it now...coffee with the badgers. And by coffee, I mean full throttles.}

{I work for myself, at home now...I dig this space, surrounded by mags and inspiration? Yay!}

Thoughts? Advice? Websites/mags you love for inspiration?

Since this is my first post on the subject, it's the perfect time to introduce one of my new, fabulous sponsors, The Inglenook Decor. "Exciting Decor For Your Urban Cottage"...love this shop's selection of modern yet charming home accessories, and my favorite thing is that you can shop by style or even by color. I've got my eye on these candle holders, an amazing fuschia vase and a Blue Agave candle that I swear I can smell through the computer screen. You can also visit the Inglenook Decor's blog here!

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies! Did ya'll enter my giveaway...do it, do it!

XOXO,

Liz

Images via apartment therapy, we heart it, Elle.com

Like Balki and Larry...

No more toxic friend talk! Thank you so much for the support lovers! On to super happy amazing fun friend news...my trip to Georgia and Alabama to see Brooke! We promised the goods...If you stalk the both of us, you will basically be reading the same post. We were so busy with our real-lifeselves and feeling like we'd known each other for years to take many pictures...kinda failed...but oh well cuz we are slightly tickled that we didn't even think of the blog...past it, yo.

So in the words of B...and a lil of me...here we go...

of COURSE there were bathroom sesh's...

oh yes!!!

so we have those here for you to enjoy and

laugh and point and giggle and gossip over...

so without furth ado...let's roll friends...

friday:

shopping...check!

getting ready bathroom party...check!

too much fun in the car...check!

WAY too much fun on a night of firsts....DOUBLE CHECK!

{ship.shop gals}

{we had WAY too much fun doing these...ruffles make me look huge in pics omg, not cool}

{I srsly suck at these but whatevs, I like my dress so had to share}

{love love love this top}

{and the back...oofa}

{Ying and yang}

{promise I don't suck on collagen}

{and we're out and about getting WAY too much attention}

{and having WAY too much fun..wait.possible? nah!}

saturday:

recovery day...check!

more bathroom fun...check!

making a death defying vlog...check!

amazing time meeting kristin...check!

{plain jane front}

{surprise.surprise back!!}

{No solo sesh for me...sometimes ya just can't force it}

Liz-my hair was CRANKY this evening...

and I couldn't get a good outfit shot to save my life...

but I got over it real quick because we had to GO...

(almost die a few times on back country roads and film a never to be shared vlog)

meet up with fabulous KRISTIN!!

{ladies down the rabbit hole and OUT of blogland}

and this in our opinion cause we were there...

is our absolute favorite photo from the entire time...

Liz: trying to get photo of her amazing outfit...

Brooke: brushing teeth and not very sneakily

trying to use the towel behind her...

maybe not to you...

but to us it is just us...

nothing short of amazingness...

{basically we laughed the entire trip about this}

and there you have it friends...

what isn't shared here is between
us and locked up in our memory banks
collecting interest and dividends to
put towards the next briz adventure...

c a n n o t w a i t f o r t h a t l a d y...

canNOT WAIT!!!

Me too lady...like whoa...

XOXO,

Liz

Warning...Someone is a Little Moody Today

Not having the best night/day. People have hurt me lately. Girls. Friends. I think that is worse than when a guy screws you over. I didn't expect this from "friends."

I wish I could stay in bed all day. I wonder if that would make me feel better.
I wish I could take a vacation from my mind. The darn thing won't turn off.
Maybe I should just wear a cool hat and stare off into space with the perfect back lighting. Note to self-get a cute off the shoulder top for moments like this.
Perhaps I should blast some Slayer old school style to drown out my thoughts.

Don't judge me. I dated a skater who turned me onto Slayer. Pretty sure I've done worse things than listen to them, so don't tell me I'm going to hell. I got the memo.
Or hunt down these girls and make them be my new friends! Judging from footwear and accessories alone, I'm pretty sure we'd be besties and they would do me no wrong! Plus forced friendship is not creepy at all, right?

Sorry for the mood, dolls. I just don't understand people and my life would probably be easier if I just gave up trying. Frenemys. Girls who are so bout it bout it when I'm UP TO HERE with le perks and fabulousness and the free shit and the V.I.P, but vanish when I'm down (in their eyes)...since they can't use me anymore, poof, they're gone. Vultures. Jealous biatches who leave you when you need them most and are secretly (or not so secretly) happy when you fall. I do a ton of things that aren't perfect, but I won't ever leave you hanging and I'll never be happy when your life gets rough for a minute, no matter what you have that I don't. Basically- I'm just sick of being the 3am phone call when I can't even get a 3pm phone call.

This was my attempt at a Wordless Wednesday. Haha. And scene.

XOXO,

Liz

Images via.

Giveaway-Perricone MD Alpha Lipoic Acid Cream

Whoa whoa whoa...new week, you are RUDE. Yes, leaving Brooke was sobfest 2009 (not even talking about it. prob ever) but I was NOT prepared for the horrendous-ness that was going to be my Monday and now Tuesday. All this stress is taking it's toll on my skin....which brings me to...

I was graciously given the opportunity to have one of my readers win a fabulous Alpha Lipoic Acid Cream Perricone MD product, and I'm jealous of ya'll. I'm a skin care junkie and am terrified of aging, as I plan to remain looking 19 forever. :) BOO aging, you're a... Anyways, Perricone MD is a producer of top of the line anti-aging Cosmeceuticals, and I encourage you to check them out and take the skin quiz to find the perfect products for you.

One of you will win...

Active Tinted Moisturizer

This multi-use product moisturizes and adds a hint of color while providing non-chemical SPF and antioxidant protection. It is formulated with the superior firming benefits of DMAE that also helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It leaves skin looking healthy and radiant while imparting a natural glow.

Umm, yes please! I'll take 2.

Le Rules...

• Must follow It's Unbeweavable somehow, some way...Google, Twitter, you know the drill.
• Must be a U.S Resident-Don't worry though, always something coming! :)
• Leave a comment on this post letting me know why you would benefit from this product or whether or not you've had success or failures with similar brands in the past.
• If you blog or tweet about this, leave a separate comment with the link.
• Winner will be announced on Wednesday, Sept 30th.

Good luck!

Happy Tuesday dolls! I have a lot of blog stalking and commenting to do!

XOXO,

Liz

Brooke and Liz Say...

Team Briz...ohhh ya'll, this weekend went too fast. Details and stories, pictures and perhaps a video or two will come later. I have an early flight in the A.M and I am SUPER SAD TO LEAVE MY BESTIE. Like super sad. Not a little. A lot.

Happy Monday.

XOXO,

Liz

5 Wardrobe Staples by Kelly!

Happy Friday luvvers!!

Kelly at My So-Called Fabulous Life is one of my girls..and there is NOTHING "So-Called" about how fabulous her life is. But you know what, no matter the size and fabulousness of your Loubie collection or whatever, what really matters to me, at least, is someone's heart. Kelly has theeee biggest and she makes me roll on the floor with laughter, emphysema style- this post is no exception. Love you bitch. And thank you for doing this...I know it's against le rules le Kelly. :)

The 5 Staples Every Woman Should Own...In classic Kelly style.

Have a great weekend dolls!!
XOXO,
Liz

(Thanks again Kel!!. Yay! One day you will be in my wedding with a bag on your head. LOL I die.)