{January Birch Box Review}

 

Dear Birch Box I would like to commend you on this months efforts of matching my profile with things that I would actually use. :)

January’s Theme: Clarity

{ What’s in the Box? }

Eye liner, Juicy Couture perfume, pomegranate soap, Lotion, Energy Bar, Magnet, Clarity tips

{My take on the products}

• Clarks Botanicals; Smoothing Marine Cream: 

Smells Lovely almost a hint of scented rose. Feels like a paste, sort of sticky yet not thick. When you rub it in it’s smooth and leaves a tingling sensation. I absolutely love this, I wish I could afford it though. I’ll leave this one for the Celebs to use and try not to use my little sampler to quickly.

 

• LARABAR – energy bar: This is my first time tasting a larabar. I have seen them in stores but I usually stick to what I know and what I know are the Nature Valley Bars. I needed a little snack at work so this was the perfect opportunity to dabble in this new to me energy bar. Upon opening the package I could tell that the bar was moist, which is way different then my nature valley bars. The bar I have is “Cherry Pie” I’m already hesitant because I’m not a huge cherry or a pie fan. My first bite was a little rough trying to digest the strong tart flavors. However, my second, third, and forth bite was delicious. I could now get past the Cherry tart and really taste the peanuts, raisins, and almonds. I looked on the LARABAR website and they are many flavors to choose from. This may be a nice choice of Breakfast bar for me in the mornings. I’m a grab and run kind of girl. Now I just need to figure out which bars I will really like.

• Juicy Couture - perfume: This perfume is stronger then what I prefer but I would wear it. My favorite all time perfume is Versace’s Bright Crystal. It’s subtle and I just have gotten so many compliments on it over the years. It would be really hard for any other perfume to get me to change over.
• Stila Eye Liner:  The color is a navy blue which is a difference from the Brown/Black that I use on a daily basis. It is a non-pencil liner so you don’t have to sharpen it. It goes on easy and stays on.
• Pomegranate Soap: It has a very light scent to it. Leaves the skin nice and smooth and isn’t overly priced. Also, doesn’t leave a soapy residue feeling.
• Detox Card: Cute idea to start off the new year right!

I really enjoyed this months Birch Box and am excited to see what February will bring? Valentines items maybe?? We’ll see!

Vacation back east wrap up

I am posting this on day 1 of my trip back home to Lakota Land as Geo and I call it. Obviously, I am exhausted from a week of running everywhere trying to visit family and friends. People get left out and it feels really bad but we all live in different areas and have our to do's over this crazy week, so I can only hope that next time will be different.

I've come to realize that living in South Dakota isn't the hard part of living away from everyone. People adjust easily to their surroundings. What's hard is coming home. You want to be able to do everything that you use to do before you moved and want it to be the way it was before you left, truth is , it isn't. People adjust to you being away as well.

As tired as I am I was blessed to be able to see my family on both sides. Geo and I were able to split time with my family as well as his during this trip. Usually, it feels like one side gets the short end of the stick. Here are some highlights of my trip!

• Seeing everyone at the Rigdon Open house Christmas eve & seeing George’s 1 year old cousin Weston for the first time since last year!
• Winston playing his Christmas presents = super funny & entertaining
• Going up to my parents from Christmas to Wednesday evening
• Going bowling with my mom and sisters and rolling the best game of my life! 175!!!
• Seeing my brothers new house! (and organizing a little for him :)
• Going to Baltimore with our friends Adam and Kristin. Went to the Brazilian steak house, walked by a “Needle Exchange Van”, Went shopping on the Inner Harbor
• Spending time with George’s Uncle’s family on new years. George held a baby for the first time! So cute!
• Spending New Years with friends but not getting drunk.. sometimes its fun to watch everyone else. I was a hit with Kristen’s niece “Hannah”.
• Going back to see my family to say Good-bye on Sunday.

Things I missed out on :(

• Seeing my BFF…
• Going to a friends Bridal Shower
• Seeing my Grammy– She went to Orlando for the holiday

Things that have changed majorly since I moved:

• My willingness to deal with mall traffic and people has diminished…
• Went to Grottos on Main St. with my husband, sisters, and brother…. didn’t see anyone that I knew. (I’m getting old)
• Clothing – I don’t think it has changed, I just have adapted to my climate and region a little more.

I hope that everyone enjoyed their break and had a Wonderful Holiday.

Black Friday Savings!

I have never been one to want to go out at 3am to shop on Black Friday, so in my expereinces I have not seen a crowd like in the picture above fighting for the "gotta have gift" of the year. I will take my chances by going out around 10am or so. I haven't really had the need to go out on a Black Friday morning. I don't have kids so I don't need to stand in line for the newest tickle me elmo doll. I would never buy a flat screen tv with out asking my husband because I would pick the WRONG one. And for my most part I am more of a make the gift yourself kind of person and throw in little cute items with it. I'm not sure if people take that as being cheap, but I would think all the hours I put into the gifts would mean more. For that reason, I'm kind of sad I can't post my projects that I am working on for gifting this year. I recently found out my little sister actaully reads my blog now so I gotta hold off until after christmas. I will post all the gifts though, they are super cute!

As for you crazy black friday shoppers here's a great link my co-worker gave me. It will tell you all the deals for any store your looking at going to! As for me, I will be shopping online for deals. It's a little safer and I can sleep in. :)

Tis the Season... Happy Shopping!