I’ve got a lot of pictures to go through from my camera.  Here are a few from my phone.

Those are the bouquets in the corner:  succulents!

Leslie and Peter—they did it, they got married! My mom is in the background of that picture too.  I’ll tell you more about the wedding later, whether you want to hear it or not 😉

Oh, and I have notified the winner of my Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil giveaway in case you were wondering.  Sorry if you didn’t win.  I’ve got more stuff to giveaway though, so stay tuned!

And I’m heading back to the gym today.  A week or longer of "celebratory eating and drinking" certainly makes one feel flabby.  I’m referring to myself of course.

What did I miss while I was gone?

Recently Tropical Traditions provided me with a jar of coconut oil to review and then have a giveaway for my readers.  I’ve heard that coconut oil is a wonderful healthy alternative to other oils but I really didn’t know much about it.  I did some (internet) research and learned that people used to think it was less healthy (was used and perhaps still is used in movie popcorn because it stays fresher longer but was considered incredibly unhealthy…much like eggs were, right?)—now it seems that coconut oil is possibly considered more healthy than olive oil.  I’m not saying that for certain though, because I’m not a doctor or scientist, and you know how this stuff is.

I really love the smell and taste of coconut.  When I opened the jar I could strongly smell coconut.  Would this affect the taste of food if I used it instead of olive oil?  It turns out the answer is:  not really.

Things to know about coconut oil:  it is in solid form, so to use it for cooking you just need to heat it up, either on the stove or in the microwave.  This is an extra step that is a little annoying, but not really a big deal.  While you are waiting for your oil to melt you can take some and rub it onto your knuckles and elbows to help with dry skin!

I made a few things on the stovetop with coconut oil and then I also made a recipe for “Cumin Coconut Carrots” from a local blog friend. (I recommend this recipe—Chris liked the carrots a lot and said we should make them again—I consider that a winner!)

I haven’t tried this yet, but I hear that if you take some coconut oil and whip it up in your Kitchenaid mixer (or any mixer, really, I just happen to love my Kitchenaid more than I should love a brand) it makes a fantastic body butter.

Here’s a bunch of information from the company:

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

Okay!  You can enter to win your own jar of coconut oil.  This is a little more complicated than some of my previous giveaways, but I think you can manage!  The contest will end at 10:00 pm CDT on Wednesday, October 17.  It is open to US and Canadian residents only.

1. (Required) Subscribe to the company’s newsletter here (and leave a comment below).

If you do that, you may increase your chances of winning with the following (must enter the first way otherwise these don’t count, sorry!)

2.  Follow the company on Twitter @troptraditions and @ttspecialdeals

3.  Follow me on Twitter @hannahviolin

4.  “Like” Tropical Traditions on Facebook

5.  “Like” Hannahviolin on Facebook

Good luck to you all!

Contest is now closed!  Thanks to all who entered.  Winner will be contacted soon.

Disclaimer:  Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Winner has been notified—congrats to Carol Sue!

I never wore much makeup when I was younger.  I still don’t really, but I do wear more than I used to.  Chris always says he prefers me without makeup, but the older I’ve gotten I like to wear more because it makes me feel better and I feel like I look more professional as well.  Generally I wear a bit of foundation, powder, eyeliner, and mascara.  If I’m really getting fancy I’ll add eyeshadow, blush, and something on my lips.

(Me, fancy.  Hey, I’m still a newlywed, I can post wedding pictures for at least the rest of this year, right?)

When Mia Mariu asked if I would review a couple of their products, I said sure.  They sent a few things, including an anti-aging serum and a lip gloss.  Now, I can’t properly review the anti-aging serum after using it for just a week or so, because I don’t know how well (or poorly) it is keeping me from aging, but I’ll say that it is a very nice texture, feels great going on, and has a nice neutral smell.  It seems to moisturize well, and I don’t feel that I’ve gotten too much more visibly older yet.  So far I like it, and I’ll keep using it (at least until the bottle runs out!)

The lip gloss is in lipstick form, which I am absolutely terrible at applying.  I know as a “27 year old” woman (that was something we decided on at my party last night, I am not actually 27) I should be able to apply lipstick, but I can’t.  The color looks bright red, but is actually really subtle.

Anyway, I should tell you, yes, I got these products for free to review, but I do like them, especially the “Anti-Aging Brightening Serum.”  I also liked the little sample packs.

CONTEST NOW CLOSED!  WINNER ANNOUNCED TOMORROW.

Now it’s your chance!  You can win one Anti-Aging Brightening Serum and one Hydrating Stick Gloss (your choice of color).  Retail Value of $52.  US Residents only please.

Three ways to enter (please leave a comment for each way you enter)

1.  Leave a comment on this post—it can be about anything, but I’d love to hear what your usual morning beauty routine is.

Bonus entries:

2. “Like” Mia Mariu on facebook.  (You can also “like” Hannahviolin, but it’s not required.)

3.  Follow Mia Mariu on twitter, follow me on twitter, and tweet the following:

“I just entered to win a free @mia_mariu anti-aging serum and gloss from http://hannahviolin.me/2012/08/27/mia-mariu-product-review-and-giveaway/ @hannahviolin”

Contest will run until Monday, September 3rd at 11 pm CST.  Good luck! NOW CLOSED, THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

I got the pictures of the travel tumblers.  They are so cute, I’m jealous that you guys can win these and I can’t 🙁

(Go to my original post here to enter to win, contest ends Monday 8/27 at noon CST)

Seriously, aren’t they cute?  No guarantees they won’t make you crave cupcakes and whoopie pies constantly 😉

Oh, and may I say, one of the best things I have ever done in my life is join AAA and then put the membership on auto-renew.  My car wouldn’t start tonight after work and they came within an hour to help.  I probably call them about once a year, sometimes for me, sometimes for a friend (who honestly should get their own membership, but hey, at least I’m a good friend!), and that membership fee is money well spent!  I guess the wires going into the battery had corroded a bit, or, that is, the connections on the wires, and that was why it wouldn’t start.  The AAA guy cleaned it off and tightened some stuff and it started right up.  I was so relieved!

Oh, and I took this picture in the waiting room at my school, while waiting for the truck.  It’s shark week, I believe?