May Birch Box

I have to tell you about my latest love!!! And let me first say, I must give credit where credit is due...My friend, Ashley, introduced me to the thing that makes my heart skip a beat...BIRCH BOX, BABY!!! What is Birch Box, you may ask, and why does it have me all weak in the knees?
Birchbox.com is a site that encompasses all that is good and right in the beauty world. For a small monthly fee, they send you samples of some of the latest beauty products out there. It comes in a cute box, once a month, packed full of awesomeness. Reasons #1, 2, , 3, 4 AND 5 why I love Birch Box are listed below...take a gander!
1. Every box has a different theme for each month. This is a great way to keep things fresh, keep the element of surprise alive, and make you see beauty products in a new light. Make-up use doesn't have to be routine and my opinion is that this site does a great job of, ironically, thinking outside of the box.
2. The description card is jam packed with info. Each box comes with a card explaining the theme and then on the flipside gives you a fun description of each product.
3. They make quality beauty brands accessible. Sometimes a girl  just doesn't have time to hit the nearest beauty supply store or to browse page after page of products online. On each card, along with the description, they list the price of a regular sized product, how many normally comes in the products package, and where to find it on their site. Easy, peasy!
4. POINTS! Imagine they send you a perfume you absolutely love and can't live without....go to their site, buy that product, EARN POINTS! Points then translate to money which can be used towards an order.
5. Birch Box makes your box work for you! In the setup process, they have questions designed to make sure your box is going to be full of products that you can actually use. For example, they ask about your skin type, hair type, and just overall personal preferences. P.S. You can change any of those preferences on your account at any time. Their site is also full of beauty tips and tutorial videos as well. Really, I could go on and on. Obviously....ahem.

So that's it....that's my story. The End. Wait, you want to know what came in my May Box? ;-)

Ok, so it doesn't look like a lot but really for $10, I can't complain. ESPECIALLY considering the nail polish is normally $8 by itself. The theme was Gossip Girl and while I am not a regular viewer of the show, I feel like I could be a New York socialite with this swag. Here is a rundown of the goodies I got:

* Arquiste L'Etrog = A fancy pants perfume that smells amazing. Hubs smelled it and fell in love.
* Beauty Blender/ blender cleanser = A formula that cleans your make-up sponges and brushes. So important!
* Color Club/ Nail Polish in Disco Nap = Ok, I'm not always a golden girl (haha) but this polish is blow your mind beautiful! I think I am going to slap on a coat before work today.
*Dr. Jart +/ Waterfuse BB Cream = I keep hearing about BB cream and have had no idea what it is till now. It's a combination of moisturizer, skin perfecting tint, suncreen, and serum. As described on the card, it is the "Swiss Army Knife of your beauty lineup."
*twistband/ Skinny headband = Just as it sounds, a headband. Although my hair is thick, it is fine so things like this tend to slide out of my hair. Let me just say that I slept in it last night and it barely moved! MAGIC!

I know this was a long post and I appreciate those of you that have read this far. I just wanted to get you really familiar with this great site and what they have to offer. Word to the Wise: If you want to take advantage of Birch Box, go to their site NOW. They actually have a waiting list and while it took me only 2 weeks to hear back from them, I don't want you to miss out on your box for June.

Do any of you use either Birch Box or any of these products now? Any of other great beauty gems out there to share with the class? :-)

Nail Polish Palooza

I've been on a bit of a blogging break (I say "bit" like it's been a few days as opposed to a few months...ahem) but for good reason! I don't know if you have noticed or not but this year seems to be the year of the nail polish. Sooooo many AMAZING colors and brands to try. That's just what I've been doing. Trying them out! I'm normally not a paint-your-nails-kind-of-girl because the outcome usually looks like a 5 year old did it (and quite frankly a 5 year old could probably do better) but even I can't resist giving these hughes a go! I think this may even change my outlook on the cosmetic from here on out. Here a few reasons why I am digging this fashion trend:

1. It's an easy update to your style. Within a few minutes (and a bit of practice), you can go from blah to b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!
2. Nail polish fits into any budget. Whether you are a high roller or pinching those pennies, nail polish is something any gal can afford! I love a fancy schmancy brand just like any girl (speaking of-check out my next post) but have found that there are some great colors out there at an even better price! I'm talking 79 cents, People! NYC brand is a new favorite of mine because they stay up to date with the styles + often have coupons that make staying in fashion a no brainer!
3. Any thing goes! Seriously, I am seeing colors ranging from pastels to neons. Not only are colors are a free for all but so are designs! And have ya'll seen the nail polish ideas on Pinterest? INSANE. I am dying to get my hands on a nail polish pen or those Sally Hansen nail strips. So go ahead! Try that glittery, fire engine red that has caught your eye! Take that neon yellow for a test drive!

A color that I have been rocking lately (ok, maybe not so much "rock" as "wear") is Loreal's "Now You SEA Me." At my job, I am basically in a uniform so any chance to express my personality and style is an opportunity I take! This color lets me do just that and has already brought some compliments my way. I don't know about you but I will take a compliment any day! Gives me confidence like maybe I can use the word "rock" and get away with it....

What do you think? Oooh & aaah OR blah?

What are some colors, brands, or techniques that you've been loving? Ever try those nail strips??? Wanna be my guinea pig and give them a try for me? ;-)


I have something so fun to share with you tomorrow so be sure to stop by! :-)

A Healthy Dose of Savings

I like saving money. I also like using things that are earth-friendly and good for me. A lot of times, those two ideas don't always go together. As much as I love using products that are all goodness, it can be really costly which can make it harder to use them. Slowly but surely, though, I have been able to find coupons for products that I feel much more comfortable using.
Hey! Do you like saving money and using good-for-you products too?? Well today is your lucky day because I am posting some links to some AWESOME coupon sites I regularly use. It makes using green, organic, and all natural products a reality for those that like to pinch those pennies.

Amy's
Barbara's
Best Organic Foods
Brown Cow Farm
Earth Bound
HealthESavers
Horizon Dairy
Kashi
Organic Valley
R.W. Knudsen 
Simply Organic 
Stonyfield

I hope these links help any of you that are looking for a healthy dose of savings! Feel free to shoot any similar links my way! My wallet and I thank you in advance! :-)

Besides coupons, how else do you save money while still keeping what you buy healthy?

Thy Comfort Delight My Soul

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19

O Thou, In Whose Presence My Soul Takes Delight

A Faithful Friend

It's been a while and I could give you a million reaons why but really all I can say is that it's been a year. A year full of so much awesome goodness but, especially towards the end, a year of....heartache....nah....um....let's see....a year of.....confusion....no, still not good....a year of....faith building? Yeah, that's it. Hit the nail on the head with that one. FAITH BUILDING. I have learned so much. To name a few....
* Life is precious. I seem to be reminded of this more and more with each passing year. Maybe it's the whole getting older thing? Maybe it's experiencing the loss of loved ones or seeing my friends losing those so sweet to them? Maybe it's being faced with the possibility of losing those closest to me? Whatever the reason, it's a bittersweet lesson to learn. Remember to take it in and to truly love as God would have us to love.
* Family is so important. They are our history yet also our future.
* Friends are wonderful blessings of the Lord. Mine happen to be extra special blessings.
* Not everyone is a friend...some might even be enemies. 
* Marriage is a beautiful yet delicate thing. It needs to be treasured and protected.
* No one is exempt from disease. Sickness can creep into the life of anyone.
* I have so much to be thankful for in my life.
* Because I have one life, I need to live it right because I don't get a second chance.

 I could list a million things that I have learned, really, but here's the most important....GOD IS GOOD. Yes, I knew that before so I suppose I didn't learn it but I sure was reminded of it. He showed me His goodness and faithfulness in so many interesting ways this year and at really unexpected times from even more unexpected resources. Although unexpected, the comfort and love He showed to me at those times was exactly what I needed. That just shows how much He loves and knows His children. What a Faithful Friend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpRCClg8pEY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dFF_n5MqHs&feature=BFa&list=PLEDA4C634B5D71014&lf=BFa

The "C" Word

The "C" word is not a very long one. The word itself is not comlicated to pronounce. With those two facts alone, it should be a simple word. But when one hears the "c" word, things can change in an instant. The word may not be long but the list of worries that goes with it is. It may not complicated to pronounce but it is gut-wrenching to say. The "c" word is most certainly not simple.

Yesterday, I found out that my dad has cancer. From the moment those words left my mother's lips, I have felt like I was truly in a bad dream. None of it could possibly be real. Over and over in my mind I say, "Dad has cancer...." but I can hardly wrap my mind around that and can't even say it out loud. Even now, although stinging tears are rolling down my cheeks, there is a part of me that is in complete shock. I could list all of my worries and concerns for you but instead let me list another "C" word (or rather a name) that moves me more than "cancer" does.

                                                                CHRIST

Although the hearts of my family and I are shaken (and yes, scared), I am so grateful for Christ who is blessing us with unimaginable comfort. Amid the fear and heartache, there is peace. A peace that passes all understanding. A hope that allows us to rest in a Father who is also the Great Physician. A certainty that this did not take Christ by surprise but is rather a part of His divine plan. The scriptures and songs that are flooding my heart are overwhelming. I'm so grateful for that! Just another way that God shows His love for His children. Yes, the "c" word is terrifying but Christ and His love is so much more powerful.

Enjoying this song because it's putting my heart into praise mode where is exactly I need to be in a time like this!


John 14:27:

"27.Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Playing Dress Up

For ladies, I don't think playing dress up ever really stops. It just evolves in each stage of life. In the younger years, for example, I would take almost every article of clothing I or my mom had and combine it with everything else I had then I'd enter my imaginative world and act out the character I felt I had best represented. I'd pretend I was anything from a princess to a spy to, believe it or not, a lumber jack! hahaha (such a weirdo!) Thankfully, I had a willing brother who was eager to go along with that idea! We'd haul the wood we had "cut" around in our little red wagon and after a "long day at work", we'd come in from "the mill" (or whatever lumber jack's work in), and warm up by drinking some hot "coffee" (a.k.a. hot chocolate) all the while sporting whatever plaid patterns I could get my hands on! Even then I was very detailed. But I digress...
Then, when the awkward stage came in full swing (felt like an eternity...sometimes I wonder if I'm still in that stage), I was just trying to look like everyone else. Still a form of playing dress up but kind of for the wrong reasons.
And finally, I am at the stage of my life where I "play dress up" for all the right reasons. I love clothes and I especially love when I feel I have pulled together that perfect look! Nothing better, right? Being able to express my personality through my style makes me feel invigorated and like I have an easy creative outlet. Sometimes, though, my creative bug is also a diva and wants to buy all of the latest and greatest (and usuallymost expensive) clothes. Hubby is there to squash the diva-tude. What a dear! Sooooooo how do I get my fix? How do I get those creative juices flowing?
Ladies, what if I told you I found the world's biggest and best closet? One with endless possibilities and an endless budget? One where you don't have to spend a penny? Follow me to the land of Polyvore....
Polyvore.com is truly my latest obsession and I have been on there almost every night this week. I found it on the wonderful site Pinterest.com (don't even get me started on that site! Pinterest = love) and have been hooked ever since. Basically, it is a site where you can create outfits and post them to sites such as Pinterest. it's great because you can create whatever look you want and never have to shell out the cash! Sure, I don't actually get to own the outfits but seeing them put together is gratifying enough. They have items listed from Target to Chanel! Oh the Chanel! This wonderful site is like playing dress up for adults! Here are a just a few of the ensembles I've created thus far....






This site is bah-nana's (in the words of Rachel Zoe)! If you need a creative outlet via fashion, this is the place! It's even helped me get more in focus of what my style is, what I want it to be, and how to get there....well the cheaper version of "there."  So go check it out, tell me what you think, and show me those fab outfits you've designed!! Have a great day! :-)