BACHELOR IN PARADISE PREDICTIONS


One of my guilty pleasure summer shows starts Sunday night...Bachelor in Paradise. I am shamefully a huge fan of The Bachelor & The Bachelorette and got hooked up Bachelor in Paradise last summer. I think the cast this season should bring great entertainment.


The females:
  • Jillian Anderson: The black box bootyful news anchor from Chris' season
  • Ashley Salter: The onion obsessed crazy girl from Chris' season
  • Jade Roper: The former Playboy model from Chris' season
  • Carly Waddell: The dramatic opera singer from Chris' season
  • Clare Crawley: After several Bachelor related seasons this nut is still vying for love
  • Ashley Iaconetti: From Chris' season, accompanied by a crying face only Kim Kardashian could love
  • Tenley Molzahn: One of the sweetest girls in Bachelor history, from Jake's season
  • Juelia Kinney: She flew under the radar in Chris' season, but has been through a lot and is deserving of finding her match this season
The men:
  • Dan Cox: I don't remember him, but he was on Desiree's season
  • Kirk DeWindt: Another one I don't remember, but he was on Ali's season
  • Mikey Tenerelli: The meat head from Desiree's season
  • Jonathan Holloway: A Britt fan who did not last on Kaitlyn's season
  • JJ Lane: The BAE who got a bad edit on Kaitlyn's season
  • Tanner Tolbert: I did not form much of an opinion of him during Kaitlyn's season
  • Jared Haibon: One of the sweetest guys in Bachelor history, from Kaitlyn's season
My Predictions:
  • Jillian & JJ
  • Jade & Tanner
  • Ashley & Jonathan
  • Tenley & Jared
  • Juelia & Mikey
No love for the rest.

What do you think will happen this season on Bachelor in Paradise?


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

#TBT & HBD JIM


It's Throw Back Thursday! And also this guy's birthday! In honor of the day, enjoy my favorite video I have ever done...a goldfish taste test challenge from last year.


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

OUTFIT OF THE MONTH: GOLF ATTIRE


I have to go golfing on Saturday. Yes. The least athletic girl on the planet is golfing. I am playing for a tournament for my boyfriend's work and am hoping to do my best not to embarrass the both of us. However, I can at least look the part. Here is a cute outfit, for those looking to golf:


What are your best golfing tips? Please share!

QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

SNACK SACK REVIEW


One thing I love is my snacks, which I am sure many of you already know. I am always looking for healthy, delicious treats, that are easy to take on the go. Snack Sack is the perfect answer. This monthly subscription box offers wholesome goodies that are all perfect to throw in your purse, backpack, or the complimentary sack!




Loved: Veggie Straws from Sensible Portions, Chocolate Chip Cookies from Homefree, and Tortilla Chips from Food Should Taste Good.

Not So Much: Vanilla Energy Gel by Honey Stinger and Gourmet Popcorn by Pop Art Snacks

The box also included potato chips, power puffs, fruit mix, apple crisps, gum, wasabi peanut mix, and a blueberry almond bar. I really liked the Snack Sack box. It is a great way to try out new snacks and decide if you want to purchase them full sized at your local grocer. The amount of snacks provided are great for the price!

Traditionally $23 a month, but varies depending on how many Snack Sack's the customer orders. However, Snack Sack is offering Kick Back With Cate readers 10% off their first purchase with the code: CATE10. For those interested in the goodies shown above, a limited amount of the July Snack Sack's are still available for purchase here.




QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

MONDAY MOTIVATION


It's a brand new week! I am excited for many things this week, but mostly for a mini vacation I am taking beginning Thursday.

It is likely that I will not be posting during that time, which should be no surprise since I have been trying to cut back from daily posts to, 3-5 times a week depending on what is going on in life. I feel like this is working better for my stress level, as well as improving the quality of my posts.

I have a big week for me at work, especially on Wednesday. I am so blessed to have a job I love. I don't feel like I HAVE to go to work each day. I feel like I GET to go to work each day. The Lord has answered my prayers and then some.

This week I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and figure out what you want in life, then go after it!


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

SPAGHETTI SQUASH



Spaghetti Squash is my latest obsession. I have had it with my dinner every night this week. It resembles pasta, without having me chowing down on the heavy carb. At only 42 calories per cup, spaghetti squash is chalk full of vitamin A, B, C, and K, as well as manganese and fiber, which helps you feel full longer. 

The best way to cook it begins at the grocery store. After choosing your perfect spaghetti squash (you really can't go wrong) have the butcher or produce employee cut the squash in half for you. I did not do this the first time I made it and spent an hour trying to cut it. They may look at you funny when you ask, but ignore the looks and just be glad you do not have to do it yourself. Drizzle olive oil and garlic salt on top, then place it face down on a baking sheet. Cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let it cool. Discard the seeds and pull out the stringy squash with a fork. Voila!

QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

MAKEUP FOR GLASSES


Wearing glasses has been a part of my life for the past eight years. However, up until last year I often wore contacts. This past year I have worn glasses 100% of the time, which has made a drastic impact on my makeup. I used to love experimenting with various eye looks, especially with all my Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palettes, but this has become a thing of the past...or so I thought. 

Recently I picked up a few makeup tricks that allow me to still rock eye makeup, even with glasses.

1.) Use volumizing mascara instead of a curling mascara. Curled lashes will hit your lenses, but volumized lashes will be thicker. 

2.) Use primer, setting powder, and setting spray on the bridge of your nose to keep your glasses form sliding.

3.) Focus on your eyebrows. They frame your glasses, so it is really important to make sure that they’re always #OnFleek. My latest obsession is the Anastasia Brow Wiz.

4.) If you love wearing eyeshadow, get bigger framed glasses. That way you can still see people, but people can still see your eyeshadow. 

5.) Embrace lipstick. Prior to wearing glasses full time, I was not much of a lipstick person. However because I do not play up my eyes as often, I have started having more fun playing up my lips. 


Do you have a makeup tip for people with glasses?
QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

OK KIM.


Last week, a 22 year old college student in Georgia, admitted on Atlanta radio show, “The Bert Show” to blowing through her $90,000 college fund before paying her tuition for senior year........ OK.

Long story short, the student, Kim, blamed her parents for not teaching her how to budget and had no remorse for having blown through $90,000 on clothing, vacation, and the occasional school expense. Many bashed Kim for blaming her parents, but I think she is partially right.

Who in their right mind hands a college kid $90,000 and says make this last for 4 years to pay for tuition and other school expenses. Her parents should have been in control of the money and allocated her certain funds for tuition, books, rent, etc. If someone had handed me $90,000 at 18 years old and said pay for school, I probably would have made bad choices too. Actually I KNOW I would have spent it on frivolous things. 

What bothers me is that Kim showed no remorse. If this had been me I would have been in tears sick to my stomach over what I had done. Instead her response was that getting a job would cause her embarrassment. Really? I have had a job since my junior year of college and was not embarrassed about it once. I am actually proud of the fact that I worked through college while many of my friends parents handed them cash. Yes, my parents helped pay for my tuition, housing, and food, but I also took out student loans and worked part time to have extra funds. 

So who is in the wrong? I think it is a blend of both Kim and her parents. She was irresponsible, but an 18 year old should not have the responsibility of almost six figures. If you have never had to be responsible, how will you learn? Budgeting is not a knowledge people are born with. It is something that has to be taught to them and sometimes this unfortunately happens the hard way. 


I suggest Kim attend the school of hard knocks. Take a break from her final year of school to work full time. Return in fall of 2016 and pay for her tuition in full. Then she should take Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and stop buying stupid things and start saving!
QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

BETTER BOX REVIEW


Better Box is a subscription box full of fun activities to give you the tools for a better life. The week I received my Better Box was perfect timing because it was a stressful week. The contents of the box, and the daily challenges that went with the items, helped me to take a little break for myself. 



For only $29/month, the Better Box allows you to take a break from the chaos of life and reflect. The box I received focused on gratitude. Each day I received an e-mail with a task to do. Day 1 was performing a mind map to think about who and what I am grateful for. Day 2 had me write a note to someone I am grateful for. Day 3 had me appreciate the sunset while drinking a cup of tea. Day 4 had me go to a place I am grateful for and reflect for 30 minutes. Day 5 asked me to perform a random good deed. Day 6 encouraged me to use 5 sticky notes and create a gratitude wall. The final day encouraged me to be grateful for myself by taking a relaxing bath. The box included all the items needed for these tasks, as well as a cookie, which I embarrassingly scarfed down before I could even take a photo.

Overall I really liked BetterBox. I do not think it is something I would subscribe to monthly, but it was a great way to step back and reflect in the craziness of life. It reminded me the importance of being grateful and the impact an attitude of gratitude can have on the rest of your life. 


Better Box is offering Kick Back With Cate readers $10 off their first box with the promo code “KICKBACK10” which can be entered at check out. 
QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!



Today is my sweet mama’s birthday! Although I do not get to spend the day with her, I still want to honor her. She has been such a faithful support in my life and I thank the Lord daily that I have a relationship with her. Like most teenage daughters and their moms, we used to butt heads. But the older I get, the more I realize that my mom has always had my best interest at heart. She is always there, not just for me, but for everyone else. I have already written previously about how she has taken care of her mother for the past few years. But she has also done small acts for her friends that go a long way. A friend of hers tore her rotator cuff and my mom drove her to the grocery store and the doctor. Another friend of hers had a son getting married and my mom spent a day helping to make the center pieces for the tables. She has a caring heart and is always looking out for everyone else. Today I hope that the focus is solely on her! I love you Mama!


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

5 ROAD TRIP HACKS


In the midst of summer, many people are going on road trips. Here are 5 road trip hacks to make your journey a little less stressful.


  1. Use a cereal container as a no spill trash can. 
  2. Use the app Fuel My Route to find the cheapest gas along the way.
  3. Use a shower caddy for easy on the go eating. Put fast food items in the caddy instead of having to dig through a bag.
  4. Drop a pin on Maps where you parked your car while exploring the city so that you don't get lost.
  5. Keep small bills and change on hand to pay tolls and parking meters.
Are you going on any road trips this summer?
QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

BIG BROTHER



Big Brother is my favorite summer show! I am excited for it to be back on the air and I think this summer has one of the best casts yet. The first week I was not so sure about them, but as the weeks pass, I realize what great players are in the house. Below my friend, West Coast Nanny, and I break down our opinions on the cast members.

Audrey: (C) I liked her from the beginning, but my opinion of her quickly changed. I commend her for being the first transgender to be on Big Brother, but instead of playing gracefully and using the show as an outlet to share her story, she has dug herself into a terrible hole. She lies to everyone and looks to cause drama. She can’t keep her mouth shut about any alliances and even told Jace he was going to be back doored. I have a feeling she will be gone by the end of this week. (W) When I first saw Audrey, I instantly loved her. However, she made the mistake of playing too hard, too fast, and I don't think she has much of a chance to recover from it. 

Austin: (C) I don’t like or dislike Austin, but I think he can go far in this game if he keeps going at his current rate. He is a strong physical competitor and seems to be well liked in the house. Now that his buddy Jace is gone, he is able to connect more with the other house guests, while also keeping quiet about his stance on people. His new Sixth Sense alliance can help him go far in the game. (W) I think Austin is playing this game really well. He started out by making an alliance with Jace, and when that failed, he got into the sixth sense alliance, which was a great move on his part. I think he has the potential to do really well, as long as he cuts back on the unnecessary lies. 

Becky: (C) Week one I was not too sure about Becky. I thought she was a pretty face who would be gone week three or four. However, after Becky winning the second HOH competition, I think she is a strong competitor both socially and physically. She is able to be a strong leader, without being manipulative or too aggressive. (W) I really liked Becky from the start. I was so happy to see her win the second HOH and I hope she continues to do well in the game.

Clay: (C) Clay is a strong physical competitor, but I think shomancing with Shelli so early on was a mistake. I think he will ride her social coat tails, but fall off in week six or seven, unless the Sixth Sense alliance works out. (W) Clay is awesome. He's obviously a strong competitor and has a decent social game, however he got too close to Shelli too fast, and that's could get him evicted sooner than he realizes. The sixth sense alliance is really his only hope.

Da’Vonne (Eliminated Week 2): (C) Week one I thought Da’Vonne was a serious competitor. However, she caused too much drama for only the start of the summer and ruined all her possible alliances, besides with Jason. I think Da’Vonne could have potentially stuck around if she picked other people for the Last Laugh. (W) Like Audrey, Da'Vonne played too hard, too fast. She took things personal and played the game like a human, not a player, which unfortunately didn't work out for her. 

Jace (Eliminated Week 1): (C) Jace went home before I could form an honest opinion of him. He seemed to try too hard to impress his house guests and was dumb enough to get back doored to be the first sent home. (W) I don't have a lot to say about Jace since he went home so early. I think he did have a great personality, which clearly didn't work in his favor. I could see them bringing him back for a different season of the show. 

Jackie: (C) I really liked Jackie on The Amazing Race and am excited to see her playing Big Brother. So far she seems to just be hanging out and although I do like her, I do not think she will make it far. (W) I like Jackie, but I don't think she has done enough yet to make it in the game. She needs to get into an alliance or she is going be used as a pawn and evicted when they don't need her anymore.

James: (C) I think James can be a serious competitor in this game. I liked him from the beginning when the tiny Asian opened his mouth and showed he was a Southern Red Neck. Talk about a walking contradiction! He is a strong leader and a serious competitor both physically and socially. (W) I was so happy when James one the first HOH, but I'm afraid his game may have ended there. I think if the sixth sense alliance continues, they will be coming after him soon. 

Jason: (C) I am not a fan of Jason and I think the other houseguests will lose interest in him quickly. He has a big mouth and is trying to be another Frankie...we all saw how that turned out. (W) I don't have a lot to say about Jason. Aligning with Da'Vonne was not a good idea on his part. I don't think he is going to recover from it as easily as Austin recovered from losing Jace. Jason will likely also be kept on as a pawn until they don't need him any more. 

Jeff: (C) Like Jackie, I liked seeing Jeff on The Amazing Race. I think if he is able to distance himself from Jackie, he can go far in this game. He is a smart guy, but being tied to Jackie and having already been on a reality TV show is a big target. (W) If Jeff can get in with some of the stronger players, I think he could do really well in this game. I'm hoping to see him pull out an HOH win soon!

John: (C) I love John. I think he could potentially go far in the game, if he plays carefully. He is a crack up and knows the proper way to stand up and sit down. (W) Johnny Mac! I absolutely love John. He is so fun to watch and has been a great player. I don't know if he has what it takes to beat out the other players, but I would love to see him stick around for as long as possible. 

Liz: (C) My favorite thing so far this season is the Twin Twist. Jace was in shock when Julie told him about the twist at his elimination. I really hope they can make it to week five so that both girls can enter the game separately, but it seems that Da’Vonne and the rest of the house have already figured it out. I can’t wait to watch it play out, especially with the Sixth Sense. (W) The twin twist is amazing. I am really hoping they can make it to week 5 so that Julia can enter the game. If that happens, I really think that Austin, Vanessa, Shelli, Clay, Liz, and Julia could be the final 6. 

Meg: (C) Meg bugs and has done nothing yet in the house. I think she is one of those people who will quietly make it pretty far, maybe the final 5 or 6, then be sent home when people realize she has done nothing. (W) Meg will always be seen as a floater. I don't think she will be in the game much longer. I think that if she'd been playing the game with a different cast, then she may have had a better shot at making a name for herself. 

Shelli: (C) I think Shelli was smart to distance herself from Da’Vonne and Audrey, but should be careful in getting too attached to Clay. She is a strong competitor and I think she will go far, especially with the Sixth Sense. (W) Shelli is great. I love the way she has played the game so far. I think it was a good move for her and clay to get into a group of six, so they wouldn't be targeted as a couple so easily. 

Steve: (C) Steve is a good guy, but came into the house with an instant target on his back because of his similarities to Ian Terry. I also think he has too much nervous energy to do really well in the game. (W) Poor Steve. If Ian Terry had never played the game, then Steve could have totally won BB17. But sadly, his comparison to Ian but an instant target on him, and they house will be coming after him soon enough. 

Vanessa: (C) I love her! I was not too sure about her in the first couple episodes, but she is a smart player. As a professional poker player, she is a professional bluffer, and this will take her the distance in this game. (W) I would love to see Vanessa win this season. She definitely has what it takes! I can't wait to see how she does. 

Top Three: (C) Vanessa, Austin, Becky
Top Three: (W) Vanessa, Austin, Shelli

What are your thoughts on this season?
QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

I AM PRETTY PALE.


Pretty Pale is a non-profit organization that raises awareness of skin cancer and melanoma. It was started in 2012 by fashion and beauty expert Kerry Spindler, who is a melanoma survivor.

As someone who made the stupid mistake of visiting tanning beds and then having cancerous moles removed, I am extremely cautious of my time in the sun. I lather up in SPF, but have learned that is not enough. 

The video below discusses Sundicators, a product that lets you know when it is time to reapply your sunscreen! I want to give a pack of these wrist bands away to one of you! 

Just comment below with what you are doing this summer in the sun, and you will be entered to win!
Giveaway ends July 23, 2015 at 12pm PST.


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

SAYING GOODBYE


Saying goodbye is never easy. I feel like my family has been doing a lot of that lately. We recently sold my grandmother’s house that she has lived in for 45 years (to the weekend!) My parents have lived in the same house since before I was born, so this is an experience I had never been through. I am extremely close to my grandma and don’t do well with change or transitions, so this was weird for me. I commend my mom for all her hard work in preparing the house for sale, packing everything up, and just being the person who handled everything. 

The memories we have had in that house are amazing! Going through the scrapbooks my grandmother had made over the years was my favorite part. I do remember her taking a lot of pictures of us at various family events over the years, and finding it slightly annoying in my early teens, but I am so grateful that she did this. I loved looking at the pictures of my mom growing up, my grandparents when they were first married, and the younger years of my life that I don’t remember, such as a 1994 family reunion in Tennessee. (I would be fine if the pictures of me from ages 11-14 disappeared though...)

I was sad leaving the house. I sat out on the back patio for awhile looking out onto a perfect view of a lake, which my grandmother always called “a little slice of heaven,” reminiscing on 22 years of fun. My favorite memory there is when I was 9 or 10 years old, I spent the night and my grandma taught me how to sew. We stayed up super late making Snoopy pajamas for me. Even though I never sewed again, my grandma was able to share one of her many passions and talents with me. She sewed everything...outfits for my mom growing up, and then for me. My favorite was a Dorothy costume she made me for my school talent show in 1st grade. I still have it and will keep it forever. 


All these memories are things that make saying goodbye a little easier. Although we no longer have that house, we still have all the memories that belong to it. Material possessions mean nothing when we are gone, but the memories are something that last throughout a life time. 
QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

SCRIPTURE FOR AN ANXIOUS HEART


I tend to be a very anxious person, but the biggest thing that calms me down when I am feel stressed and on edge is reading The Bible. The word of the Lord always speaks to me and calms me down. Here are 9 scriptures that help me when I am feeling anxious:


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

MELT FREE MAKEUP


Now that summer is here, I find my makeup looking oily and dripping off as the day goes on. We have been hitting 105 degree days this past week and I need to consolidate my makeup routine to be sure that it lasts all day long, regardless of the temperature.

The ultimate key is wearing less makeup. During the summer I use 4 products, instead of 10-15. BB cream, all in one color, waterproof mascara, and setting spray are all that is needed to look great and drip free in the summer.

BB Cream is one liquid product that blurs imperfections, brightens the face, evens skin tone, moisturizes, smoothes the skin, enhances natural beauty, acts as a sunscreen, and is oil free. My personal favorite is the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream that can be found at Ulta and most drug stores for around $8.


All in one color is one product that acts as a lipstick, blush, and eye shadow. It brightens the everyday makeup look without having to wear several different products. The simple tint adds a beautiful, radiant glow. My favorite is Stila's Convertabile Color, which retails for $25 at Sephora. It comes in six different shades, but my favorite is Petunia (featured below.) 


Waterproof mascara is a given for any summer day, especially when you will be at the pool or the beach. There is no worry of having raccoon eyes or black streaks down your cheeks when you wear it. I wear it year round because I am a big softy who cries during commercials, but I even recommend it in the summer over false eyelashes. My favorite is Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Flared Waterproof Mascara in Very Black. It can be purchased at Ulta or any drugstore for about $7.

Setting spray keeps your makeup from moving. It can be 105 and humid, but your makeup is going no where. I always finish my makeup application with setting spray. My favorite is the Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. It can be purchased at Sephora for $14 and holds your makeup for 16+ hours.


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

DARK DOG ORGANIC ENERGY DRINKS


I  am the queen of caffeine. I drink green tea, coffee, Red Bull, and then some. Unfortunately, many of these options are terrible for my health. However, in my most recent Send Me Gluten Free box there was a sample of Dark Dog Organic Energy Drink. It was AMAZING and I fell in love, but I could not find it at any stores near me.

I then reached out to Dark Dog Organic and wanted to do a post about their products, separate from having mentioned them briefly when talking about Send Me Gluten Free, that's how much I loved them!

These USDA Organic and Non GMO verified organic drinks are made with organic cane and coconut sugar. They provide me with long lasting energy without a crash. The best part is that they don't taste like energy drinks. They are chalked full of vitamins and not the unnatural, dangerous ingredients of the average energy drink.


Dark Dog Organic offers three flavors: Original, Blood Orange, and 50 Calories. The 50 Calories Drink has green tea and yerbamate with an elderberry flavor. My favorite of the three is blood orange because it is delicious, but also has a lot of vitamin C. 

For those interested in testing out my Dark Dog obsession for yourself, Dark Dog is offering 20% off for 12 packs purchased on Amazon by entering the code EM7TXWBZ.


QuickEdit
Unknown
44 Comments

4TH OF JULY PLAYLIST



Here are 10 great songs for your 4th of July BBQ:

  1. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
  2. American Girl by Tom Petty
  3. Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue by Toby Keith
  4. Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash
  5. Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
  6. It's America by Rodney Atkins
  7. American Honey by Lady Antebellum
  8. America the Beautiful by Ray Charles
  9. The Star Spangled Banner by Jimi Hendrix
  10. Independence Day by Martina McBride
QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments

WORD OF THE MONTH


HAPPY JULY!


This month's word is: ADAPTABILITY.
June brought a lot of changes to my life and I am looking forward to July being more relaxing and me getting into a new routine of my new life. 

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:2


QuickEdit
Unknown
0 Comments