I WON THE LOTTERY!!! (The ugly post with no pictures)

Okay. I didn't.

I've never been a play the lottery person.

Until about six months ago I was driving home from school (maybe I was REAL tired) and a thought crossed my mind--I'm going to win the lottery tonight. I felt like the thought was really powerful so I bought a ticket. I KNEW I was going to win. I was so happy all night long and the next day waiting for the numbers to be drawn.

And then it was time.

To my surprise, I didn't win.

The best part? I was COMPLETELY shocked.

In fact for the next few days I couldn't stop saying "I really thought I was going to win."

I was still really taken by that clear winning the lottery thought.

So I played every week for a few weeks (I'm down about $10-$15 at this point).

The last time I played I "let the numbers come to me" and picked my own. I tried that power of positive thinking + the secret bullcrap.  To really capitalize on this, I filled my online Nordstrom shopping account with everything I was going to buy. Which was actually harder than I thought.

You probably know where this is going but...I did not win.

I needed to delete my online shopping cart. It was SO shameful. Nordstrom has some crazy cookies going on because no matter how many times I clicked out of the window my shopping cart was STILL full! I couldn't find the remove all button (do they do this on purpose???) so I had to INDIVIDUALLY DELETE 33 (YES, THIRTY-THREE) ITEMS.

I was so ashamed.

That's when I realized I might have a problem.

It's been a few months since that last lottery ticket...until two nights ago.

Cross your fingers for me ;)

Facts.

Stole this idea from this gal. I'm sure she won't mind though because she's a Holliey.

Source: allthingslovely.typepad.com via Whitney on Pinterest

FACT: The boyfriend and I decided to meet at IHOP before work for a breakfast date this morning. I woke up at 5:30 AM. Since my body likes to go to bed just after midnight and I got a text message from my friend who works the night shift at an emergency vet at 2:30 AM, I'm basically a walker right now.

FACT: I got these jeggings last weekend 40% off. So for $26. I'm IN LOVE. I also got a floral patterned jean pair...which MAY be going back to the store. We shall see. What kind of tops do you all wear with patterned jeans?

FACT: Is it me or are bloggers really organized for Christmas this year? I'm almost done with my shopping but still feel behind compared to what I see on instagram. Bloggers get it done!

FACT: Christmas music is annoying early in the morning and joyful in the afternoon.

FACT: Those of you with smart phones and fancy physical planners....are they worth the $50? I usually write my goals on the notes app and put lightning bolts next to the ones I finish.

FACT: I highly suggest you check out those who linked up on Katie's and Stephanie's blogs. I'm NOT a crafter but there are so many ideas on there that have given me the DIY itch.

FACT: Almost time to make goals for 2013! I'm really happy with the goals I've accomplished this year. The goals I didn't meet (and probably won't) were blog related and to be honest they're not that *important* in the scheme of things. My blog is a hobby that I love but it's not a top priority for me.

What are facts in your life this week?

The Tube

I don't know when it happened, but I've become addicted to the tube.

I love to lose brain cells and unwind in front of the television.

Not crap shows like Honeybooboo (never seen it by the way) but shows that keep me on my toes, pull at my heart strings, or are just plain dramatic. Currently I'm watching four shows.

My life isn't too dramatic (great thing!) so I get my drama by watching Nashville.

Source: tvguide.com via Sherry on Pinterest

First of all I love this woman. No, not you Hayden, sorry. I cried over Friday Night Lights and now I want to cry over Nashville. Such a fantastic show!

I've been procrastinating on my homework every night with Parenthood. I'm not sure what it is about this show but I watch it on Netflix and I watch at least 3 at a time.

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

Jabar is the cutest little kid ever. Anyone else ever like in awe of child actors?? How do they have the patience to do this??

My favorite show right now is The Walking Dead. My boyfriend and I are obsessed. In fact on our last weekend vacation we made sure we were back at the hotel Sunday night to watch it. Not kidding.

Source: sharetv.org via Becky on Pinterest

The first season is also on Netflix. It's zombies, yes...but also SO SO good!!!

And finally Sons of Anarchy.

Source: sharetv.org via Andrea on Pinterest

This show has no boundaries. If any show will keep you on your toes it's this one.

What shows do you watch?

Christmas List

What a great feeling to not want very much for Christmas. I really struggled to come up with a list of things I'd actually use a lot. Here's my list:

 

this laptop case

iPhone 5 case w/ my monogram initials HHA

this lovely necklace

need

red stripes! i'm a small cough.

cognac size 9

 

trial set

 

Rollerball set

 

I'd love a southwest, sephora, nordstrom, starbucks, erin condren or ikea gift card too :)

What's on your list this year?

Brand New.

Yes, you're still on the right blog. :)

My blog name has changed, the blog design has changed, but the content should remain relatively the same. I've wanted to do a major blog change for some time now (cough six months) and it took me forever to actually get all the details ready. I've outgrown Hollie Takes Notes and wanted something that was fun and light hearted. So here we are with Hello Indigo. I'm obsessed with anything indigo and I'm sure that's not going away. Several of my advisors (close friends & boyfriend) weren't so sure about my name change or even the design but at the end of the day this is MY blog and I took it where I wanted. I'm VERY happy with it! I LOVE the design that Joelle did for me. She was amazing to work with and I totally recommend her for design services....plus, she looks pretty fancy at wedding design as well.

Source: Uploaded by user via Luis on Pinterest

In celebration of Hello Indigo ALL  ad spaces are 50% off until Wednesday :) Use promo code CHEER at checkout!

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

Confessions of a Blog Lurker

I'm a serious blog lurker.

As in I rarely leave comments anymore.

And there are plenty of blogs I read daily. Yes, daily.

Those blogs I feel really connected to and feel like I actually know them.

But they probably don't know me or think I fell off the face of the earth because I don't comment that much.

It's so mysterious being a lurker ;)

It takes zero effort. (Which isn't a good thing for bloggers for many reasons.)

I think most of the time it's because I read blogs mobily (not a word and I know it) and posting a comment from Safari on my iPhone is a pain in the arse. It's also a pain to comment from rss apps I use.

When I'm on a computer I can click and type a lot easier.

But computers are becoming more and more less of a part of my "free time" and tablets/cell phones are my preferred way to access information and keep up with my blogs.

Somebody make a rss feed app that makes commenting easier.

If that happens I promise to be more interactive.

Are you a lurker or a commenter?

Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Dip

Happy Monday! Devon is here today sharing a super easy, guaranteed hit, appetizer for your Thanksgiving festivities. It sounds amazing (anything with cream cheese does) and I am planning on making it Wednesday night after work! Devon has an amazing lifestyle blog called The Mermaid Chronicles that I know you'll love so make sure to stop by and say hi after reading this post :)

Hey guys. I'm Devon. I'm stopping by Hollie's lovely blog today to share one of my favorite Thanksgiving appetizers with you. My mom makes this recipe every year and now that I'm supposedly a big grown up and all, I make it too. But don't worry, this recipe isn't too grown up. It's got candy in it! Heath toffee to be exact. And it's kind of healthy because it has apples (right?). Anyways, it's always been a hit. Plus, it's super easy. I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients 

2pkgs. cream cheese (softened)

2tsp. vanilla

2T. brown sugar

1 container of carmel apple dip (I used the Lighthouse brand)

1pkg. pecan bits (roast in oven for 300º for 10-15 minutes)

1pkg. heath toffee bits

Apples (I used organic fuji apples)

Instructions

Let the cream cheese soften for 30 minutes. Mix the cream creese, vanilla, and brown sugar together in a large shallow serving dish until blended. Spread  cream cheese mixture into your serving dish. Pour one container of caramel dip over the cream cheese. Sprinkle generously with toffee bits and oven roasted pecan pieces. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crunchy sliced apples.  Enjoy!

What's your favorite Thanksgiving appetizer?

Your Gift Guide for a "Regular Guy"

I just LOVE all of the holiday gift guides I’ve been seeing around the blogosphere. I’m stilling waiting for Mrs. AEN to do one herself as she has fantabulous taste. My Christmas want list is getting longer by the day. Eek!

However, I need to poke a little fun at the gift guides for men. 

What man gets his boxer briefs in a bundle over cuff links? designer button ups? An uber expensive shaving and cologne kit? Not any man I know. A part of me would love it if my guy went on and on about his fancy new man bag but a bigger part of me is glad he leaves the designer stuff to me.

I’m not the coolest girlfriend in the world. But if there’s one thing I’m confident about it is picking out a cool gift for my guy. I put a lot of thought into the gifts I give and I think I’ve been pretty successful. I’m not the girliest woman out there so that probably helps?

So here’s my take on a successful holiday gift guide for a regular guy:

For the gamer. (Yes, your man is probably part gamer).

Call of duty // Halo 4 // Dominion (super fun strategy board game! even I like to play!)

For the sports fanatic.

            

If he doesn't have a jersey for his fav team, he's not a real fan. // Tickets to the last game of the year! // Signed quarterback picture

Annoucements

1. I spent a long time last night writing a blog post about the Salvation Army & JCPenny Angel Tree partnership to discover this morning JCPenny is no longer participating. So now you can't find an angel online. Ugh. Fail. JCPenny hates children.

2. If twinkies really are gone forever I'm shutting down this blog.

Number 2 might be sarcasm.

Might be.

Happy Friday! Have a relaxing and productive weekend!

To the Little Things

It’s super easy to get carried away on all the novelty "necessities" we must have.

This year I’ve really made a cut (in some ways…not all ways…cough) to be smarter in how I spend my money. I haven’t saved as much as I’d like due to some unforeseen circumstances… but that’s what saving accounts are for!

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I wanted to recognize all the little things I’m thankful for that have helped me direct my spending.

Five Things You Probably Don't Care About

1. This semester has proved to be one where I'm not getting A's. Anyone else struggle with fall semester? I'm not sure if it's because I took THREE summer school classes over the summer or the colder weather but I have a serious case of lack of motivation. Whoops.

Source: pinterest.com via Monique on Pinterest

How cute is this desk by the way??

2. I haven't dyed my hair since August 1st. Coming from a former bleach-aholic, this is BIG. My hair is SO natural now. Some days I look in the mirror and can't stand it and other days I'm like hey this isn't so bad. My natural hair color is pretty light so I guess I can get away with roots for longer. I've been slowly adding in more lowlights over the past year and a half and it's finally paying off. I'm still longing to get some more highlights but it probably won't happen until 2013. I'm also considering getting bangs a la Reese.

Source: hollywoodnose.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Stalk my vacation!

This weekend we stayed at the apple farm inn in San Luis Obispo for a little vacation. I had never been to California's central coast before and it definitely didn't disappoint. The acronym for the city (SLO) absolutely represents the way of life there (so refreshing!) Even though it's dominated by Cal Poly students, the pace of life is that of a small town. It was such a relaxing trip, we didn't stay out super late, woke up when we wanted and still did a ton of stuff like wine tasting in Paso Robles, visiting Firestone brewery, a hike up Bishops Peak, checked out gum alley, and ate a ton of delicious food. And the stunning coastlines didn't suck.

BLOG HOP!

Source: s-p-r-i-n-g.tumblr.com via Imaflygirl on Pinterest

This Follow Friday edition is extra special because Chelsea and Megan are co-hosting with me!
This means more blogs for you to discover and more followers for you!
Go say hi to them after you link up. I know you'll love their blogs. They're both such talented, raw, genuine writers. Swear.

How to participate:

There are no minimum requirements to what you need to do to link up! However, I would appreciate it if you found atleast 3-5 new blogs you'd LIKE to follow and follow them via Google Friend Connect (GFC). Comment and let them know you found them thru Follow Friday! This way, the purpose of this project actually works!

Bacon Apple Pie

+Linking up with Katie and Stephanie for saw it. pinned it. did it.
+This recipe is taken and adapted from She Knows

You'll need:
+6 slices applewood-smoked bacon
+refrigerated pie crust...I got a premade one in the freezer aisle!

+5 small Granny Smith apples

+1/4 cup sugar
+1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
+3 tablespoons maple syrup
+1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Because it is a super tuesday

...and super tuesdays need some laughter.

Source: vi.sualize.us via T. on Pinterest

Source: theamericankid.com via Ben on Pinterest

Four Beauty Products For Fall

Anyone else have skin that goes crazy when the weather changes?

I basically become an alligator.

I'm loving these four products that help keep me feelin fresh...and human ;)

.one.

.two.

Update

Hey friends--just a quick hello! I'm in Las Vegas this week for a business trip and the price of Internet at my hotel is INSANE. Follow Friday will happen next Friday 11/9 AND two other fabulous bloggers are cohosting! Yay! Hope you'll join us :) Have a great weekend!