One of the other highlights of fall is celebrating my birthday! I don’t like celebrating my age (creeping towards the mid-30’s category scares the crap out of me) but I am definitely one to stretch things out and try to celebrate over the course of a week! At least a week! More if I play my cards right 🙂
This year John had to play guitar in a wedding on my birthday for one of our former youth (which seems to be happening a lot lately and making me feel even older!) so we had a little family celebration the weekend before. We had a family day and went out to do a little shopping and of course eating! One of my new favorite, favorite places to eat out is Brixx Pizza. I absolutely love pizza and could probably eat it every day of the week but when I was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2010, I never thought I would be able to enjoy pizza out again until I discovered Brixx! They offer a gluten-free menu and the pizza is amazing! John and Abby also give the gluten-free pizza two thumbs up which doesn’t always happen! If only I can talk John into liking pineapple on our pizza! I have already converted Abby onto Team Pepperoni & Pineapple but can’t seem to bring John over to the other side!
Another awesome thing about Brixx is there patio terrance which provides a beautiful backdrop to a gorgeous fall day:
The following Saturday (the 18th) was my actual birthday and since John had to be elsewhere, I had to find a partner-in-crime to celebrate with! We have an honorary member of our family named Taylor (more affectionally known as TT) and it just so happens that her birthday is four days later! She is most definitely my partner-in-crime in all things beauty related and we can find just about every excuse in the book to make a trek to Ulta so we decided to enjoy a birthday girls’ night out!
Who doesn’t love to buy a new dress and get all dolled up? And of course, you have to rock the Birthday Girl sash:
Thankfully I was able to snag a picture with John before he had to scoot out for the wedding! We don’t have a lot around here (we do only have one stoplight after all) but we headed out to Outback (their gluten-free selection is also amazing) and ended the night with Cookout milkshakes.
Five Friday Favorites will be making a return next week so I will share my five favorite things from my birthday outfit which I adored:
Dress: Attention Women’s Studded Fit & Flare Dress
Heels: Abbey Dawn (purchased on Poshmark)
Bracelets: Also purchased on Postmark
Ring: ShopMissA.com (Similar)
Makeup Tutorial: Midnight Blue by GoldieStarling
In honor of my favorites and my birthday, I am going to be giving away some of my beauty favorites to one of YOU! Look at these goodies:
Giveaway box includes:
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Physician’s Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner & Serum in Ultra Black
Foundation Pump by BeautyMP (fits Revlon Colorstay)
Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette 5 Pan by Wet N Wild
Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips by Sally Hanson
Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss by Milani in Rose Blush
Matte Lip Crayon by Ulta in Hazy Pink
Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel by Bath & Body Works in Coconut Cabana
Ready for the Rules?
1-Leave a comment letting me know your top 3 beauty favorites that I need to check out.
For an additional entry:
2-Tweet about this giveaway and leave me an additional comment letting me know you did (including the link to your tweet).
Giveaway will run until Friday, November 28! Good luck!
Disclosure: I am hosting this giveaway and all products included in today’s giveaway box were purchased by moi! Honesty and transparency are always a priority! I hope you enjoy!
First, it’s sooooo good to see you back! I know you’ve had such a rough few months, and I’ve really been rooting for you. Hopefully if you’re up for such an awesome giveaway, you’re feeling a bit more like you. Still, I keep you in my thoughts.
My top 3 beauty things lately: 1) A great scarf, or 3. I love how they can pull an outfit together, while offering me a little extra warmth in this cool weather. 2) CHI Smoothing Serum. I got a sample from my hairdresser, and am now in love. It’s great for those flyaways that always seem to happen when I straighten or curl my hair. And a little goes a LONG way! 3) Curel Intensive Healing Cream. This stuff is great for everyone, but especially those with any skin sensitivities. There’s no greasy feeling, it is quickly absorbed, and there’s no scent. It’s worked wonders on my dry hands so far this fall/winter, keeping them looking like I’ve just had a mani. Also another product where a little goes a long way.
I hope this is what you had in mind 🙂 Again, I’m very happy to see you back! Sending well wishes for a great holiday season!
Here’s my tweet as well:
https://twitter.com/BecominNeurotic/status/535878170310758400
Yay for a contest. I hope I win. 🙂
My top 3 beauty favorites: 1) Simple Cleanser and Moisturizer- It works great on ALL skin types. It doesn’t have any harsh chemicals either. I absolutely LOVE it!
2) Mary Kay- Indulge Soothing Eye Gel- My secret sister actually got this for me and I love it. My eyes seem to stay dry and at night (after working all day) are tired so this gel feels great around your eyes.
3) Lia Sophia Jewelry! I absolutely love wearing jewelry (just ask my husband). I wear it with everything, and do I mean EVERYTHING! They offer beautiful, affordable jewelry for your taste and style. I never leave the house without my jewelry. 🙂
And the best part of the Lia Sophia jewelry I forgot to mention is… Lifetime guarantee. They will take it back and replace it if it breaks or you don’t like it. (No joke) 🙂 Trust me, I have had to do it a few times and they have never questioned me.
Here’s a link to my tweet! https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Birthday+Recap+%26+A+Giveaway%21&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anewkindofnormal.com%2Fjust-for-fun%2Fbirthday-recap-giveaway
3 beauty items that you just have to try would be, Smashbox Photo Finish Facial Primer, Smashbox Lid Primer and Mary Kay Gingerbread Creme Lipstick!
By the way, Happy Birthday!
First, let me say that I was excited to find your website after reading the Holiday Survival tips at Grace Is Sufficient! I have chronic vertigo, so am always looking for ideas and encouragement. Love your style, too! My top three beauty products are Hair One’s Cleansing Conditioner, Ulta’s Black Automatic Eyeliner, and Maybelline’s Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara. Happy Birthday–now I’m going to continue binge reading your posts…
Happy Birthday!
Here are my latest favorites:
1) Urban Decay Perversion mascara.
2) Alterna Caviar RepairX Instant Recovery shampoo/conditioner (so expensive but worth it for damaged hair. I bought a combo at Sephora & alternate to make it last)
3) Smashbox Photo Finish primer-color correcting “Adjust”. A miracle for redness (I use on my malar rash & other redness)
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/mombto3/status/537782455705423873
❤️❤️❤️