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Relax, Enjoy & UnWINEd | Uncorked Link Up!

Favorite Things· Party Planning· Random

28 Jul

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As you’ve all probably noticed, I rock a top knot the majority of the time. It’s a rare event when I get to wear make-up… or shower for that matter. So when this momma has the opportunity to get pampered (rather than buy Pampers), I pretty much can’t get out the door fast enough.

Hence why Kristin @ Walking By Faith Blog and I decided to make RELAXation our theme for our first Uncorked & Unwined party. Girl talk, vino, mac ‘n cheese and a scalp massage? We may have just planned my best day ever.

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We took our GNO to downtown Carmel to what has become my new favorite place in the whole wide world, do-tique. From blow outs to updos, and blingin’ shower caps to the best smelling products on the planet, Indianapolis’ first independent blow dry bar did not disappoint.

Before we got down to blow out business, we had to sample our “featured” wine. Kristin and I selected RELAX Riesling for the name alone… and then we realized that we are even better at this party planning thing than we let on, because the wine bottle matched do-tique’s decor perfectly. Momma Shelton provided cake pops from Sweet Peas, which were devoured in .35 seconds, and may have also color coordinated.

Totally planned.

So, back to the pampering. To get the full effect of a blow out, you must check out the Before and After comparison. I mean, basically, do-tique made us the hottest women in the Carmel Arts & Design District. Just sayin’.

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BEFORE | Kathryn, Andrea, Amanda, Kayla, Grace, Bethany, Lana, Kristin & Me

My face? That’s the, “My hair looks like crap 99.9% of the time and of course today I’m having a decent hair day. Can we reschedule this party for another day when I look like my normal ish?” face.

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I had never experienced a blow out before, but it’s safe to say that I’m now a junkie. If my husband would let me, I would be a weekly customer. Which, why wouldn’t he want me to look like a supermodel all the time?

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AFTER | Kathryn, Andrea, Amanda, Kayla, Grace, Bethany, Lana, Kristin & Me

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After a lot of RELAXation (and possibly a bottle of do-tique’s champagne), we thanked our wonderful stylists and took our fine selves to my favorite Carmel restaurant, divvy. I would also go there every day (you know, after my time at the salon) if I didn’t have to haul around a minor 24/7.

Everyone must go there and eat the mac ‘n cheese. It will change your life.

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Those are what divvy calls “Black Mimosas.” Also, FTW stands for For The Win. 😉

Three rounds of small plates, some black mimosas and another bottle of vino later, I think we all had a fantastic time. Now it’s your turn to share! Link up below, or on any one of the new Uncorked team’s blogs:

Val from Chicken Scratch
Kelly from Sequins & Scissors
Amber from The Browsing Brunette
Aleks from A Slocum Story
Jessica from Jessica Stout Design
Elizabeth from Detroit Duchess

Don’t have a blog? I would still love to hear about your party/solo wine event. Share your photos on the Cotten Tales Facebook page!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the next Uncorked & Unwined link up on Monday, September 29. I’d love to see you there!

 

A huge thank you to the bestie for co-hosting. She's pretty much my favorite. :) Major shout out to do-tique, Sweet Peas, divvy and Momma Shelton, as well!

A huge thank you to the bestie for co-hosting. She’s pretty much my favorite. 🙂 Major shout outs to do-tique, Sweet Peas, divvy and Momma Shelton!

 



Chicken Scratch

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Comments

  1. Val@ChickenScratch says

    July 28, 2014 at 6:40 am

    YAY! So glad you all had a fun event!!! So jealous! Blow outs are the best I must say…I would always try to make someone shampoo and style my hair when I was still working in the salon!! 😉 And Divvy is the bomb dot com. I freaking love that place. Their water is delicious! hahahahah Isn’t that super weird to say! Also Sweet peas did the cake pops for my daughters bday party back in Janruary and also we have had our products photographed together for Smashcake & Co photoshoots (you can see the ones I’ve done on my side bar that Sweet Peas was also a part of !! LOVE IT!)
    Thanks again for co hosting!
    xo

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    July 28, 2014 at 8:04 am

    I may have to try that mac and cheese! Sounds yummy! You guys all looked beautiful! Thanks for the shoutout!

    Reply
  3. Kayla says

    July 28, 2014 at 9:11 am

    So much fun! Thank you again for inviting me! And thank you for the FTW explanation haha!

    Reply
    • Samantha Cotten says

      July 28, 2014 at 9:16 am

      No problem, cuz. I would be happy to explain young people slang any time. Kidding! 😉 Thanks so much for coming!

      Reply
  4. Detroit Duchess says

    July 29, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    This looks like so much fun! I wish we had a blow-out place by me, I would love to try it! Great idea!

    Reply
  5. Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says

    July 30, 2014 at 6:06 am

    Oh my I CANNOT wait for my boys to arrive – I will definitely be jumping in on this fun – TERRIFIC idea!!!

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

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This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

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L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

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This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 lbs. vs. 129 lbs. This is broken and lost vs. strong and healing. 

I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales

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