Been a while! Not gonna give any excuses for my lack of blogging--just didn't feel like it. It had started to feel like a chore, and I was reaching a point where I wasn't sure if I had anything of importance or value to write about. Self-worth is still a struggle for me, but I can tell I'm getting better. :) I read an article yesterday about something called the imposter syndrome, where people--especially women--tend to downplay their successes and value. The article was referring to a business/executive setting, and although I'm not in that position, I could still relate.
A new year begins with new goals! Last year, I lost 18 pounds. Of course, the holidays lead to a small bit of that being gained back, BUT I'm back on track. I've lost 3 pounds already since the beginning of the year. Adam got me a slow-cooker for Christmas, and it's sparked an interest in cooking and healthy-eating! I was mostly raised on easy frozen meals (sorry, Mom, but it's true), so it's so exciting for me to look through literally thousands of recipes and see how I can make them healthier. Trial and error has been the name of the game thus far, I'll admit (and Adam would agree ha!). Gotta start somewhere, though!
I'll try to blog more often--if not for whomever reads this, then for myself. Sometimes typing things out is a good way to sort out the thoughts I didn't realize were unsorted.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Monday, October 14, 2013
Birchbox: October 2013
This month's theme is "Beauty Buzz", and they're sampling products that have been creating a lot of hype and excitement during 2013. Let's take a look at what I received:
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser- "UK favorite that uses a two-step ritual to purify and exfoliate. A Birchbox exclusive!" Full size: $21.50, Sample size: $6.52.
This could come in handy since I'm almost out of my current face scrub. And this is a nice-sized sample; I'm sure I'll get multiple uses out of this.
Liz Earle Pure Muslin Cloth- "Ditch your harsh exfoliator and use this pure muslin cloth, which gently polishes the skin." Full size: $6.00 for 2, Sample size: $3.00.
Neat idea, but I'll probably only use it with this specific cleanser.
POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuschia- "A British makeup pro created this sheer gloss, which plumps and hydrates with jojoba oil." I received a full size of this product, which is worth $14.00.
I don't want to complain because this is a full-size product, BUT: Birchbox, please stop sending me lip products that are either: A) vibrant in color or B) lip gloss. I just don't like them. This one claims to be smooth, not sticky. Truth--it's less sticky than most glosses, but it's still somewhat sticky because... it's a gloss. Therein lies the stickiness. It does sort of tingle, and while that's kinda cool...I'm just not feelin' it.
Benefit Fakeup- "Brighten tired-looking eyes with this hydrating under-eye concealer and moisturizer combo." Full size: $24.00, Sample size: $2.00.
Haven't tried this out yet, but I'm excited to. Especially with the dryer months coming up, I know I'll need some hydration under my eyes. Though, I wish the sample contained just a little bit more product. That picture on the bottom is laughable. It's twisted all the way up!
BIRCHBOX FIND
ChapStick Hydration Lock- "Clinically proven to moisturize lips, from 9-5. It also doubles as a lip primer and comes chock full of damage-defending antioxidants like CoQ10 and Vitamin E." I received a full size of this product, which is worth $3.29.
(A "Birchbox Find" is typically something subscribers can get at a drugstore that isn't quite in line with Birchbox's high-end aesthetic but is so amazing that Birchbox feels the need to let subscribers in on the secret.) Now, THIS is a lip product I can get behind. Give me all the ChapStick, please.
I'm happy with the size and quality of samples I received this month, but with the cloth counting as a sample on its own, I feel like I didn't get much. Nevertheless, the total monetary value of my Birchbox this month is $28.81, so it IS higher than the $10.00 price tag.
If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox, click here!
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser- "UK favorite that uses a two-step ritual to purify and exfoliate. A Birchbox exclusive!" Full size: $21.50, Sample size: $6.52.
This could come in handy since I'm almost out of my current face scrub. And this is a nice-sized sample; I'm sure I'll get multiple uses out of this.
Liz Earle Pure Muslin Cloth- "Ditch your harsh exfoliator and use this pure muslin cloth, which gently polishes the skin." Full size: $6.00 for 2, Sample size: $3.00.
 |
| The first of many pictures that aren't rotated. Sorry. |
POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuschia- "A British makeup pro created this sheer gloss, which plumps and hydrates with jojoba oil." I received a full size of this product, which is worth $14.00.
I don't want to complain because this is a full-size product, BUT: Birchbox, please stop sending me lip products that are either: A) vibrant in color or B) lip gloss. I just don't like them. This one claims to be smooth, not sticky. Truth--it's less sticky than most glosses, but it's still somewhat sticky because... it's a gloss. Therein lies the stickiness. It does sort of tingle, and while that's kinda cool...I'm just not feelin' it.
Benefit Fakeup- "Brighten tired-looking eyes with this hydrating under-eye concealer and moisturizer combo." Full size: $24.00, Sample size: $2.00.
Haven't tried this out yet, but I'm excited to. Especially with the dryer months coming up, I know I'll need some hydration under my eyes. Though, I wish the sample contained just a little bit more product. That picture on the bottom is laughable. It's twisted all the way up!
BIRCHBOX FIND
ChapStick Hydration Lock- "Clinically proven to moisturize lips, from 9-5. It also doubles as a lip primer and comes chock full of damage-defending antioxidants like CoQ10 and Vitamin E." I received a full size of this product, which is worth $3.29.
(A "Birchbox Find" is typically something subscribers can get at a drugstore that isn't quite in line with Birchbox's high-end aesthetic but is so amazing that Birchbox feels the need to let subscribers in on the secret.) Now, THIS is a lip product I can get behind. Give me all the ChapStick, please.
I'm happy with the size and quality of samples I received this month, but with the cloth counting as a sample on its own, I feel like I didn't get much. Nevertheless, the total monetary value of my Birchbox this month is $28.81, so it IS higher than the $10.00 price tag.
If you're interested in signing up for Birchbox, click here!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Oh, How I Love Autumn
Y'all. I love fall so freakin' much. And it's weird--I always forget how much I love it until it's here. But, by then it's too late, and I'm overcome with the need to wear scarves, burn candles, and consume all things pumpkin (like, basically everything in this Buzzfeed list). And, college football season is in full swing, too! So. Many. Great. Things.
Though, I will say my fantasy football team is absolute garbage this year. I don't even care anymore.
I painted my dresser this weekend, and the weather could not have been more perfect. I still want to paint my nightstand and freshen up my vanity table/bench. I think I'll need to save that for another weekend though, since this upcoming one will be quite busy. The Black Crowes are playing Bulldog Bash on Friday, and my parents are coming up for the LSU game on Saturday. AND, I think some people might be staying at my apartment for the weekend?Probably Definitely need to clean before then. Yep.
But who has time to clean when there's so much good television on?? Honestly, my Hulu queue is out of control. With all the new shows premiering and my returning favorites, I think I'll just keep letting them pile up until each episode's expiration date nears. It's just hard to keep up with TV and try to have a life, too. I don't know how TV critics do it.
This post really has no point other than expressing my excitement for autumn. Yay. :)
And, here's some music I've been enjoying lately (yep, still into The 1975...)--
Though, I will say my fantasy football team is absolute garbage this year. I don't even care anymore.
I painted my dresser this weekend, and the weather could not have been more perfect. I still want to paint my nightstand and freshen up my vanity table/bench. I think I'll need to save that for another weekend though, since this upcoming one will be quite busy. The Black Crowes are playing Bulldog Bash on Friday, and my parents are coming up for the LSU game on Saturday. AND, I think some people might be staying at my apartment for the weekend?
But who has time to clean when there's so much good television on?? Honestly, my Hulu queue is out of control. With all the new shows premiering and my returning favorites, I think I'll just keep letting them pile up until each episode's expiration date nears. It's just hard to keep up with TV and try to have a life, too. I don't know how TV critics do it.
This post really has no point other than expressing my excitement for autumn. Yay. :)
And, here's some music I've been enjoying lately (yep, still into The 1975...)--
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wandering
Hey,
J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote, "Not all who wander are lost." You'll figure things out.
You are enough.
____________________________
I've officially been doing this project for a month now! I'm probably going to take a break from posting these every weekday and just post as needed. I do think it has helped me work on some issues, and I hope that it may have helped anyone who's been reading along the way.
J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote, "Not all who wander are lost." You'll figure things out.
You are enough.
____________________________
I've officially been doing this project for a month now! I'm probably going to take a break from posting these every weekday and just post as needed. I do think it has helped me work on some issues, and I hope that it may have helped anyone who's been reading along the way.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Attitude
Hey,
You did a really good job today not losing your cool when others were displaying bad attitudes. Let it roll off your back, and continue to try to be a positive presence.
You are enough.
You did a really good job today not losing your cool when others were displaying bad attitudes. Let it roll off your back, and continue to try to be a positive presence.
You are enough.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Birchbox: September 2013
Oh, how I love Birchbox. This month's theme is "Heritage", which I adore because it makes me think of vintage flea market finds and family heirlooms. The theme is also appropriate for Birchbox as a company, with September being its 3rd anniversary. It's cool to be a part of its journey and growth. If you want to subscribe to Birchbox, check the company out here. Now, on to this month's goodies!
Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray: "This styling spray gives you beachy texture and megavolume without any stickiness." Full size- $27.00, Sample size- $10.80.
This actually arrived leaking a bit, but nothing else in the box was ruined by it. To me, sea salt spray is more of a Spring/Summer product. I know it's still technically summer (I'm so ready for fall weather!), but I don't know that I'll get much use out of this product in the coming weeks and months. Nevertheless, I am excited to try this since it's supposed to be moisturizing. Most sea salt sprays I've tried leave my hair feeling parched, so it will be interesting to see if this does the opposite.
Ruffian Nail Lacquer in "Fox Hunt": "Vibrant orange from the fashion label's first lacquer collection. Exclusive to Birchbox!" I seem to have received a full size lacquer, valued at $10.00.
Gotta love nail polish. Of the crowdsourced shade selections, this would not have been my pick. It is a nice shade for autumn, though, so I'm sure I'll be using this soon.
Paula's Choice RESIST BHA 9 for Stubborn Imperfections: "Whopping 9% salicylic acid spot corrector for everything from blackheads to wrinkles." Full size- $40.00, Sample size- $3.95
Isn't that just the tiniest little vial you've ever seen? Lately, Birchbox has been sending me skincare items that are supposed to be do-it-all products (see the Vivant cleanser in this post). Maybe it's because I have my profile set to "Low Maintenance"...perhaps I should look into tweaking that. I guess most people would think these kind of products are convenient, but I just find them slightly confusing, honestly. I don't know, I guess I'm weird. I'll definitely still try this out, though.
Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in "Precious Petal": "Long-lasting, vibrant color and shine that moisturizes and plumps the appearance of lips." Full size- $18.00, Sample size- $11.08.
Oh, lip gloss. I'm generally not a huge fan of this product category as they are usually sticky. Any girl (or guy?) who has ever felt the struggle of getting strands of hair stuck in goopy lip gloss feels my pain. I just prefer to stick to lip balm or lipstick. As soon as I got my box, I tried it out to see if this one would be different, and unfortunately, I was not impressed. Pretty shade, though.
Lifestyle Extra:
Borracha Pearly Wipes: "Peppermint-infused wipes that whiten teeth and freshen breath with hydrogen peroxide." Full size- 15 wipes for $7.95, Sample size (2 wipes)- $1.06.
What a neat idea. I feel like everything comes in wipe form these days, and Birchbox is, once again, surprising me with these innovations. Last month, it was a deodorant wipe (which worked well, by the way!), and this month we have wipes for teeth. I feel like these will be like those Colgate Wisps, just in wipe form. On Birchbox's site, they are also selling a variation of these specifically to be used after a night of drinking red wine. Pretty cool.
And, that's all! The grand total value of my Birchbox this month is: $36.89--definitely worth the $10.00 paid for the box. And, even though these things aren't products I'd necessarily pick out for myself, the whole point of Birchbox is to try new things!
Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray: "This styling spray gives you beachy texture and megavolume without any stickiness." Full size- $27.00, Sample size- $10.80.
This actually arrived leaking a bit, but nothing else in the box was ruined by it. To me, sea salt spray is more of a Spring/Summer product. I know it's still technically summer (I'm so ready for fall weather!), but I don't know that I'll get much use out of this product in the coming weeks and months. Nevertheless, I am excited to try this since it's supposed to be moisturizing. Most sea salt sprays I've tried leave my hair feeling parched, so it will be interesting to see if this does the opposite.
Ruffian Nail Lacquer in "Fox Hunt": "Vibrant orange from the fashion label's first lacquer collection. Exclusive to Birchbox!" I seem to have received a full size lacquer, valued at $10.00.
Gotta love nail polish. Of the crowdsourced shade selections, this would not have been my pick. It is a nice shade for autumn, though, so I'm sure I'll be using this soon.
Paula's Choice RESIST BHA 9 for Stubborn Imperfections: "Whopping 9% salicylic acid spot corrector for everything from blackheads to wrinkles." Full size- $40.00, Sample size- $3.95
Isn't that just the tiniest little vial you've ever seen? Lately, Birchbox has been sending me skincare items that are supposed to be do-it-all products (see the Vivant cleanser in this post). Maybe it's because I have my profile set to "Low Maintenance"...perhaps I should look into tweaking that. I guess most people would think these kind of products are convenient, but I just find them slightly confusing, honestly. I don't know, I guess I'm weird. I'll definitely still try this out, though.
Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in "Precious Petal": "Long-lasting, vibrant color and shine that moisturizes and plumps the appearance of lips." Full size- $18.00, Sample size- $11.08.
Oh, lip gloss. I'm generally not a huge fan of this product category as they are usually sticky. Any girl (or guy?) who has ever felt the struggle of getting strands of hair stuck in goopy lip gloss feels my pain. I just prefer to stick to lip balm or lipstick. As soon as I got my box, I tried it out to see if this one would be different, and unfortunately, I was not impressed. Pretty shade, though.
Lifestyle Extra:
Borracha Pearly Wipes: "Peppermint-infused wipes that whiten teeth and freshen breath with hydrogen peroxide." Full size- 15 wipes for $7.95, Sample size (2 wipes)- $1.06.
What a neat idea. I feel like everything comes in wipe form these days, and Birchbox is, once again, surprising me with these innovations. Last month, it was a deodorant wipe (which worked well, by the way!), and this month we have wipes for teeth. I feel like these will be like those Colgate Wisps, just in wipe form. On Birchbox's site, they are also selling a variation of these specifically to be used after a night of drinking red wine. Pretty cool.
And, that's all! The grand total value of my Birchbox this month is: $36.89--definitely worth the $10.00 paid for the box. And, even though these things aren't products I'd necessarily pick out for myself, the whole point of Birchbox is to try new things!
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