weekend tidbits

- I finally treated myself to a manicure & pedicure on Friday, and picked OPI Gargantuan Green Grape... new fave, for sure. it's a lot lighter and more pastel than it looks in the picture from OPI's website - it would probably take a million coats to achieve that! 

via OPI

- we ran errands on Saturday and did some serious shopping for house stuff.

• we bought tons of random things at Target that we've been meaning to get... like a garlic press, a tiered shelf for spices, and a new bath rug. 
• and then we hit Home Depot for even more randomness... potting soil & new planters, a raised garden bed (for veggies, which was on SALE for about $40), a quart of paint, and a door knob. 
• finally, we ended our day at a lighting store, where I stumbled upon the coolest lamp ever. the only one in stock was the display, so I snatched that sucker up. I LOVE it. it really brings a good amount of light to our living room, and it's got that funk factor I've been looking for. 

- we have big plans for the landscaping at Casa de Quinn this year. this week we're going to pay my brother to come in and tear out all the ugly bushes that surround the house (and subsequently hide it) so we can plant flowers and put in our raised garden bed. AND he'll be completely demolishing our existing deck so that we can install pavers in it's place. I'll be getting outside after work today to take some "before" pictures to show you all, although it's slightly embarrassing. 

- since we picked up potting soil at HD, I finally planted the herbs I bought to go in these planters (which I mentioned here). I'm pretty excited, considering it's my first planting adventure.

- I wrote a 1500 word paper yesterday comparing Nora from A Doll's House to Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby, discussing their abilities to exert power as women. I have one more paper to write this evening for my final exam and then I am done with my English class. I CANNOT WAIT to be done, but I'm thrilled to take new classes in the fall.

- I just finished reading Love The One You're With by Emily Giffin and was utterly disappointed in it. I guess I shouldn't have expected much, since I'd heard that her books got progressively worse as they went on, but I was hoping that it'd be a least worth a 4 star rating. it wasn't terrible, but it was way slow in the beginning and I felt like the ending was rushed and cleaned up a little too nicely for my tastes. 

- this is what I wore out and about on the gorgeous day we had here on Friday. not pictured are khaki capris and white flip flops. I love my mustache necklace, which I got as a birthday gift from Kaley.

- running and working out has unfortunately taken a back seat in favor for school work and house work the past couple days, but I hope to get back into the swing of things this week! 

Happy Monday!

black & white on cloud nine

sharing this photo for Black & White Wednesday over at The Long Road to China. it's my most recent favorite accessory. it's a giant teal ring from Buckle that I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law. it only fits on my pinky, but that doesn't stop me from wearing it all over the place.

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I'm also linking up at pastor girl's ponderings today. this photo puts me on cloud nine... not only does it include some of my favorite things (pistachios, wine, Apples to Apples, beer), but it's a reminder of a great night with amazing friends. 

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if you're visiting from Carlotta or Lisa's blogs, make yourself at home!

I'm happy to have you here at The Bear Naked Truth!

fifty-eight...

... days until my (motherfuckin') birthday! 

if you've been around here a while, you might remember me starting this countdown last year as well, albeit a little later than this year. I'm not real excited about turning 25, but I'm always happy about a holiday in which I get presents.

with a birthday approaching, I naturally start to take notice of pretty things I want to have in my possession, and will not hesitate to send Sean a little note on gchat saying something like "if you need any birthday ideas for me... just sayin." the abundance of things I send to him is never-ending, but I thought I'd go ahead and make a little wish list here on the blog... ya know... just in case anyone needs any ideas. 

I'm also accepting monetary donations for the "I Need To Finish My Damn Sleeve" fund, and can be reached at my email if there are any willing contributors out there. 

so here's what my wish list looks like for my 25th birthday:

 55-250mm zoom lens

"Mandy" handbag in Versailles print

(might need to call Vera to let her know she spelled my name wrong)

 Mr. Kitty note card set

the mustache necklace

Daytrip Perforated Jacket

(yes, I'm serious, Kaley)

;)

Parachute Duvet & Shams in grey

pear print

I'd also like to be able to continue seeing my personal trainer for free, one million dollars, and a lifetime supply of Italian ice. and for my hair to grow faster before I hastily decide to chop all this shit off. 

also, I just want to give a quick HELLO! to my new followers! 

thanks for joining me here at The Bear Naked Truth, I'm so happy to have you! 

I hope to not offend anyone during their visit, but I ain't makin' any promises.

Happy Monday, readers!

Barberry & Lace = LOVE

two weeks ago, I realized that my best friend Kaley's birthday was right around the corner, so I started to think about what I wanted to get her for her birthday. 

of course, I turned to Etsy right away. Leigh Ashley, who posts Wee Bit Wednesdays every week, has an Etsy shop called Barberry & Lace - she's always posting about her new items, so I immediately went to check it out to find the perfect gift.

Kaley's been LOVING owls lately (as you can see from her blog), so I was clearly drawn to the wise old owl necklace that Leigh Ashley sells. it's dainty and pretty, and the chain length was perfect for a mama owl who doesn't want her 16 month old ripping it from her neck! haha! 

after I put the wise old owl in my cart, I continued to browse through Leigh's shop and decided to buy a little somethin' somethin' for myself as well. I decided to buy myself the uncaged necklace (unfortunately, it looks like I purchased the last one). I've always considered myself to be a free spirit, so I thought this piece suited me well. 

both necklaces arrived last Thursday, which was perfect timing, because Kaley & her husband were coming over to check out the house and have dinner with us at our favorite restaurant. 

I'm fairly certain that Kaley loves her birthday present, and I love my "just because" present to myself as well. in fact, I've been wearing it every single day since it arrived last week!

Christmas is right around the corner, so if you're trying to think of the perfect gift for a special woman in your life, I think you'll find what you're looking for over at Leigh Ashley's shop!

disclaimer: I have not been compensated or gifted anything by Barberry & Lace for reviewing their product. this is just my honest opinion.