Favorite Online Stores | TBB Asks

Hello! My name is Vanessa and I have a problem.

I love ordering from Amazon ;)
I order anything from books to vitamins,
from clothes to toys,
and so much more!
They literally offer everything!

Some of my favorite Amazon finds are the workout attire they offer.
The Amazon Essentials brand is nice quality and the prices can't be beat!

The sports bras are great for Yoga or more light impact activities.

They come in multiple colors and are 2 for $20!

The racerback tanks also come in a 2 pack and are only $18!
They are super lightweight, run true to size, and also come in a variety of color options.
I love capri workout leggings and these are a great fit for just $20.
They come in 7 colors and they are not see through ;)


What items do you order from Amazon?


My other favorite store to order online from is J.Crew Factory!
This is wear I get almost all of my shorts.
They fit well, and hold up really well!
I have had mine for years and they still look and fit just like when I purchased them.

I have them in multiple colors too!
The orange ones are one of my favorite pairs, but they come in more subtle shades as well.
They also come in a few different inseams, so if you are thinking the ones above are a bit too short they have longer ones to keep you covered ;)
Check out all the shorts they offer here.
Today they have a 24 Hour Flash Sale going on!
Things are 50% and then an additional 20% (including clearance) with code EXTRAEXTRA.
It's the perfect time to stock up!


Have you ordered from J.Crew Factory before?


Neither of these sites know of me, so there is no kickback to me for promoting Amazon or J.Crew Factory.
I just love them :)

What are some of your favorite places to shop online?

Joining my girls at The Blended Blog today!
Don't forget to link up your posts with us or use #TBBAsks on Facebook or Instagram!

Thanks for stopping by today!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Favorite Beauty Hacks | TBB Asks

I am in no way, shape or form a beauty blogger.

I can throw on my make-up quickly to look presentable, and my hairstyle is typically pretty simple.

So when I want to do something more with myself I turn to YouTube.

Seeing someone apply their make-up a certain way or create that perfect braid in their hair is so much easier for me to understand than just reading words and looking at pictures.

I have a couple ladies that I turn to on YouTube that are amazing! 

Angela Lanter @ Hello Gorgeous

Love her!

She is super cute on Instagram.

I love her Podcast and blog.

And she is an Ohio girl!

Oh, and she is married to an Ohio boy named Matt Lanter (90210 (remake), Timeless fame)  ;)

Here are a couple of my favorite videos from Angela.

Harmony @ Haromize Beauty

She is pretty darn funny on her Instastories too!

Honestly, you have probably seen her before.

I swear I was pinning images of her hair right after I joined Pinterest.

I thought she was just a hair model at first.

But now I have come to love her videos she posts about hair and make-up, as well as her every day life :)

Here are a couple of my favorite videos by Harmony.

Who are some of your favorite Beauty bloggers?

Who should I be following?

Let me know in the comments below!

Linking up with The Blended Blog today :)

XOXO ~ Vanessa

My Favorite Things | TBB Asks

Today I am sharing a few of the things I can't live without.

There are a lot really, so I am narrowing it down to apparel items (with one beauty item thrown in for good measure) for today ;)

A Good Denim Jacket

They pretty much go with everything!

I have paired mine with dresses, used it as a layering piece for work in the summer, etc.

Honestly, if you don't have a denim jacket in your closet I'm not sure we can be friends!

#kiddingnotkidding ;)

Camo Hat

Yes, I am kind of deemed the Camo girl around these parts but you need one too!

They are perfect for days you don't want to do your hair.

And they like that denim jacket above go with almost everything!

Camo is truly a neutral!

Cheap Sunglasses

There are a few items I will invest some money into if I know they are going to last.

Sunglasses are not one of those things.

I tend to stick to aviators so you would think I could buy a nice pair.

But I won't!

They easily get scratched and/or broken and then I would be so upset.

I buy all my sunglasses at Target or TJMaxx.

I spend no more than $20 on a pair.

I have them in black, gold, and silver so I can change them up based on what I'm wearing.

And I'm not heart broken if something happens to any of them because I know I can get another pair at a super reasonable price.

Jeans

I live in AND for jeans.

Honestly, if leggings were banned tomorrow I wouldn't be mad about it.

Jeans are my go-to for everything outside of work.

I even love denim shorts!

Again, something that goes with everything.

Graphic Tees

I could go on forever, but I will end my must have apparel items with this one.

Graphic tees are just the bee's knees to me.

They say what I want to say.

They help me cheer for my favorite teams.

They help me celebrate the seasons.

Show off my favorite bands.

Etc, etc.

I'm not a huge jewelry person, so graphic tees can easily complete an outfit for me.

Dry Shampoo

I love dry shampoo!

Heck, some days I add some of it to my lion's mane the day I wash my hair.

It just gives it a little more Oomph and texture.

I have been testing out a new dry shampoo and so far I am liking it a lot, but I wanted to share with you my go-to, favorite dry shampoo.

Now most of you know that dry shampoo tends to have a white or grayish color once you spray it on your hair.

Not exactly what you want to see when you are a brunette.

And it can be really hard to get that color to go away no matter how much massaging and brushing you do.

That's why I LOVE Batiste Dry Shampoo for dark tones!

It sprays brown!

Perfect!!!

It even can help cover up those pesky grays that pop up ;)

Honestly, I have tested out quite a few pricier versions and low end ones and nothing can beat it for me.

Now I want to know what are some of your must have, favorite things?

From beauty to apparel, to snacks and recipes, etc.

I would love to hear in the comments below!

And don't forget to link up your post with us at The Blended Blog today!

Or use #TBBAsks on Facebook or Instagram!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Shop 'Til You Drop | March TBB Asks

 I'm not going to lie...I don't enjoy shopping.

I never have.

So when I saw this was our prompt today I almost passed on it.

But I'm not a quitter!

So let's dive into the questions below and see how I fare shall we ;)

1. Top 3 Shops?

Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack

Target

Old Navy

I have two out of three/four of those stores in my small town, so that is part of the reason they are in my top 3.

And who doesn't love free shipping and returns from Nordstrom?

And the Anniversary sale is where I tend to load up on all the goodies for Fall!

Honorable Mention goes out to Altar'd State, Amazon & Walmart.

The latter two have really stepped up their game, and are slowly moving up the list.

2. Where is the majority of your shopping done - in store or online?

Depends on the day/my mood/need.

If I am at Target or Walmart, I just look around while I am shopping for other things.

Sometimes I stop into Old Navy, but our store isn't the best and I typically find way more online.

Otherwise, I tend to order online from one of the above mentioned retailers because we don't have a store front nearby (less than an hour drive ~ 62 miles away).

3. What's your favorite thing to shop for?

Probably jackets or graphic tees.

I have so many of each of them, and I am constantly finding more that I love/want.
Currently looking to add this one to my collection ;)

4. What do you just HATE shopping for?

Probably pajamas.

Such a waste of money in my world.

I tend to wear just some shorts/sweats and a tee to bed every night.

The only time I do buy pj's is for Christmas Eve :)

5. What's your most favorite thing you've ever bought?

Either my must have denim jacket  - I wore out the first one, that I had to buy it again! And I grabbed it in two different washes as well!

Or my Camo winter coat from Abercrombie last year.

I wear it ALL THE TIME!

And I still get so many compliments on it!

Honorable mention would be my seat belt purse.

I discovered Harvey's bags almost 13 years ago and I have been smitten ever since.

I carried my bag and wallet almost every day for a good 10 years!

I finally switched it up about a year ago.

Everywhere I went people would ask me about it :)

6. Do you prefer shopping alone or with others?

I typically like shopping alone unless I am with like minded shoppers.

Meaning, scan and move on if you don't find something.

I can't take walking around for hours looking at each thing in the store, trying things on, looking at more, etc.

This is the same reason why I don't like Mic going to the grocery store with me.

We would be there forever while he looks at every single thing!

7. Best Bargain?

This one is tough!

Probably because I don't like to spend much money on anything, so most of the things I purchase are a bargain.

Most things I score on Amazon would be considered a bargain.

And I think you are getting a great deal on Articles of Society jeans when they are on sale for under $40!

8. Thrift Store Shopping: Yes or No?

I just have never been able to do it.

I went in a store way back in high school with a friend to look for some pieces for a 70's costume.

I couldn't do it.

I have a seriously keen sense of smell.

It doesn't matter how much everything in the store has been washed, I couldn't take all the smells mixed together.

This is also why I don't wear perfume and can't walk through that section in stores.

9. Best cities for shopping?

I like to online shop, so really any city will do!

Otherwise I would have to go with Nashville.

10. Who's your style or fashion icon?

These days that is a lot harder to pin down.

For many years I so looked up to Cindy Crawford and her style..still do actually.

I love Kristen Cavallari, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Mila Kunis, and Jenna Dewan's style as well.

I am loving Jena Green's style these days.

As well as Brooke @ KBStyled and Mel @ EllaBrooksBlog.

Now it is your turn!

Share your answers on your blog and link up with us at The Blended Blog!

Or share your answers on Facebook or Instagram and use #TBBAsks

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Spreading the Love | Love Loop

Today all the lovely ladies at The Blended Blog are spreading the love with a Love Loop Blog Hop!

We would love for you to join us in spreading the love on your blog, Facebook or Instagram!

Use #TBBLoveLoop in your posts today 💗

Today I am sharing with you Lana from My New Happy!

While I have never had the pleasure of meeting Lana in person, that doesn't stop me from saying that I think she is one of the sweetest and most uplifting people I have encountered in my life.

When I do get to meet her in person I know I will immediately want to hug her!

Granted I will have to look up to her 😉

I am so envious of Lana's height!

She can pull off some styles I can only dream about...

Now head over to My New Happy to say Hello 👋 as well as find out where this tall blonde beauty calls home, when she met her hubby and how long she has been married, and so much more!

Thanks for stopping by today!
If you are visiting from the Love Loop please say Hi in the comments below and ask me a question!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

TBB Asks | Relationships

Monday, Monday...la, la...la, la, la.

Sorry if you are now singing that in your head too ;)

For those of you who don't even know what I am talking about, let's move on to...

1. Who is your oldest friend/how did you meet?
I "met" Marie basically at birth.
Her family is practically family.
Like - We were the only non-family members every year at their family Christmas.
We grew up together, went camping together,
to the Cleveland Browns games with our dads,
to school, etc.

2. Tell us about your circle of support. Who are your people?
I'm kind of the like the guy on Meet the Parents...my circle of trust is pretty small.
Mic, my parents, and my brother.



3. How did you meet your partner?
Mic and I met in the Cleveland area while I was working at Mercedes Benz and he was working at Infiniti.
The dealerships were connected so you would cross back and forth between the two.
We will celebrate being together for 18 years on April 19th and 13 years of marriage in October.

Us at at 4th of July party in 2001....and now....

We haven't changed a bit! ;) lol!

You can read the full story here :)

4. How is Valentine's Day celebrated in your home?
We sometimes give each other a card. lol!
I do make chocolate covered strawberries every year for a special dessert.

In our dating years we would give each other a card and go out to dinner.



5. What is your love language?
I had an idea what it was, but I just took the quiz here to get a better idea.
It isn't surprising at all!
It's a tie between Receiving Gifts, Quality Time and Words of Affirmation.
Absolutely true!
I am not materialistic...I just prefer doing things/going places with the ones I love over hugs and stuff. lol!
Also, I put so much time and thought into what I give people that is matters a lot to me when someone does the same.



6. Do you prefer receiving flowers or chocolates?
Neither.
I prefer going somewhere (see above).
I have never been a flower person, and I can take or leave chocolate and candy.
Like I said, I make the strawberries.
I would much rather go do something.
For example... this year I have concert tickets to see Kane Brown the weekend after Valentine's Day.
So Mic and I are just planning on going to dinner and enjoying the evening just the two of us :)




7. What is the most meaningful gift you have ever received or have given?
Umm, I have no idea!
Valentine's Day has always been more of a card and dinner type of thing.
When I was a kid my mom would always get us candy or bake us a cake or cupcakes.
I do remember receiving a GIANT teddy bear from a guy I liked in high school.
I was SO EMBARRASSED!!!!

Like this one above!
Can you imagine having to carry that thing around school all day because it doesn't fit in your locker?


Now I want to hear your answers!
Link your post up with us at The Blended Blog, or share on Facebook or Instagram and use #TBBAsks

XOXO ~ Vanessa