November BirchBox

One thing that I look forward to every month is opening the mailbox to find my little pink BirchBox.  I love checking out all the new products.

It's like a mini-Christmas every month!

So here is what I got this month in my November Box...

1. Chella Highlighter Pencil - $18

My make-up artist used a nude eyeliner on my inner lash lines for my wedding, and it really made my eyes look so much bigger.  I have been looking to buy one of my own, and I was so excited to find this in my box.  Now I can try it out for myself!

2. Color Club Baldwin Blues - $8

I just got my nails done, but I am excited to try this color on my toes this weekend!

3. Aloxxi ColourCare Volumizing and Strengthening Shampoo - $22

Thinking of packing this in my suitcase for our Honeymoon.

4. Aloxxi ColourCare Volumizing and Strengthening Conditioner - $22

And, I'll throw this on in there too!

5. Fatty Sundays Chocolate Covered Pretzels - $7

Yummy! Chocolate Covered Pretzels are one of my favorite, and my sample just happened to be Toffee Crunch, my absolute favorite topping!  BirchBox knows me so well. : )

Along with the box came the BirchBox Holiday Shop Gift Guide.  Have you checked it out yet?  So many great ideas for so many people on your list, and maybe just a little something for yourself! Wink!

 In honor of the first snow fall of the year today, I thought it was only necessary to also show you guys their Limited Edition BirchBox Home Snow Day Box! 

If only I was able to stay home with this box today, I would have been in heaven...

Look at everything that it comes with:

Chantecaille Flower Infused Cleansing Milk
Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask
L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Hand Cream
Mox Botanicals Matcha & Clementine Body Soak
S.W. Basics Organic Lip Balm in Cinnamon or Peppermint
(MALIN + GOETZ) Votive in either Cannabis or Dark Rum
JONATHAN ADLER Fireplace Matches in Purple Flame
Happy Socks® Combed Cotton Crew Socks
Askinosie Chocolate® Single Origin Cocoa Powder
Three Tarts Gourmet Marshmallows in Cinnamon
Scrabble® Birchbox Edition Mini Game Set

And it's only $39 (including shipping)!

I want one!

Laminate Flooring Update

I am going to do my best to be positive about this, but installing this laminate flooring ended up being so much more difficult than we expected.  Everyone told us that its easy to do, the box said that it was easy to do, the reviews said it was easy to do... well, it was not so easy to do.  

On Day 1 of installation, Joel, my cousin, my brother and my sister's fiance managed to get both bedrooms done, but not without a full day of frustration and hardwork.  It seems that no matter how many times they got the boards into place, one of them kept popping out and they would have to go back and redo it all again.  This ended up being a common theme of the weekend.  We followed all of the directions, watched the videos, the whole bit, but for some reason or another it just was not working for us.

Guest Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Day 2 proved to be even more frustrating, when it took Joel and I almost a full day just to finish this hallway.  My Uncle then came to the rescue and helped us get it done, so that we could move on.  

Hallway

Then came our numerous failed attempts at starting the living room.  It took six of us a countless amount of hours to get three or four rows done.  I think that this could be the beginning of a bad joke about how many irishmen does it take to put in a damn floor. lol  We ended up having to call it a day, when the sun was gone and we couldn't see anymore, because we have no electricity yet. 

And finally, on Day 3, there seemed to be a little more promise.  Although still a very stressful day, my Uncles, my sister's fiance and Joel were able to figure out the solution to some of the issues, which I still don't quite understand, and complete a majority of the living room. 

 Living Room

The rest of the laminate now needs to wait until the kitchen cabinets are installed, but I think we could all use a much needed break from this project.  However, I cannot wait for it to be done, because even though it was so incredibly frustrating, it came out absolutely beautiful!

Friday Link Love

glamour

Friday Link Love

Beauty

25 No Fail Up-dos

Words of Wisdom from Mrs. Lilien

Home

How to Fold a Fitted Sheat

DIY Designer Inspired Pillows

Finance

The Smart Woman's Guide to Retirement Planning

Career

10 Things Not To Say At Work

Interviewing 101

Holidays

Kate Spade's Gift Guide

BirchBox Holiday Gift Guide

BaubleBar Holiday Gift Guide

Current Obsessions for Fighting the Cold Weather

With temperatures here starting to get a little chilly, I think its time to whip out some of my winter must-haves.  I cannot get through the cold without my box of leggings, stockings and tights, my north face & under armour collection of thermal coats & jackets, and my never ending collection of scarves, hats & gloves.  Did I mention that I am always super cold??? I have a blanket and sweater at my desk at work. And I wear like 500 layers everyday on my commute to work.

So here are a few  of my must-haves for getting through the cold weather: 

1. Fleece-lined Leggings from Anthropologie

These are awesome, now I wont have to wear three pairs of leggings under every single one of my outfits.

2. Dr. Dennis Gross's Alpha Beta Facial Peel from Sephora

These wipes exfoliate my skin and keep my face healthy and glowing all winter.

3. Calvin Klein Infinity Scarf from TJMaxx

My new favorite scarf in my collection.  It goes with everything and keeps me nice and warm.

4. Cetaphil Mosturizing Lotion

My go to moisturizer.  It's perfect for my super dry skin and its great on my skin all year long.  It keeps my skin hydrated without making it greasy or shiny.

5. Harney & Sons Paris Tea

I tried this for the first time this morning and I don't think I will ever be able to live without it again. It is delicious and will keep me warm all winter long.

Hope you all are staying warm!

Happy Monday!!!

Quote

Monday mornings stink!

I really wish I could've stayed in bed.  Plus, its freezing outside today.

Wishing I could put on a big comfy sweater and curl up with my book, a cup of hot chocolate and a warm blanket in front of the fireplace.

Seriously, how great does this look???

Pinterest

Sacramento Street

Pinterest

But, lots to do today, so heading out into the cold...

Have a great MONDAY!!!!

Bathroom Inspiration

In a small two bedroom house, the one and only bathroom needs to be multifunctional.  It's a master bathroom, guest bathroom, really an everything bathroom.  It needs to have a lot of storage, yet still look clean and uncluttered.  

I'm looking for white, bright, with a little pop of color.

I have been doing a lot of "research" on Pinterest, here are some of my favs...

Love the white tiles & love the wall color...

BHG

The color combo of this office bathroom is perfect...

Bower Power

Love the large subway tiles...

Houzz

Lots of fun, cute storage...

BHG

Like the dark vanity with white sink and its still nice and bright...

BHG

Looking forward to showing you all the end results...

House Update

Hello there, long time no see...

I'm sorry for my little vanishing act, but these last few months have been pretty crazy with all of our wedding planning.  I have now officially been married for three weeks!!! I can't believe how fast the wedding came and went.  Now its time to get back to reality, which also means getting back to work on the house. 

The house has come a long way.  After all of our beautiful demo work on it, our contractor started in the summer working on the house.  The house has now been reframed, has new electrical, new plumbing, new AC & Heat, new windows, new insulation, new walls, and new doors.  

Take a look at the progress below...

Our New Front Door & Front Entry

a little bigger, a little brighter

 Kitchen & Dining Room

Living Room

Our New Bathroom & Linen Closet

Now, we are attempting to do the flooring and tiling ourselves (or I mean our family is doing the flooring and tiling while we try to assist).   We are so thankful for the help from our family!

Pictures of our flooring progress to come soon...