7 Favorite Things of 2017

I know, I know. It has been... quite some time. School, work, life in general. 2017 hasn't been the kindest year, but Joe and I have done so many cool things. That topic is for another day.

I thought I would stop in with a few of my favorite things from 2017. These are all items I couldn't live without and would definitely recommend purchasing. Some beauty, some home, some fashion.

1. Boxycharm. This is a subscription that I picked up in 2017. I dropped Ipsy about half way through the year because I was NOT happy with it. Boxy offers 5 full sized items for $21 a month. It

offers high end brands- Dr. Brandt, tarte, Ofra, pur-lisse. I've encountered some of my new favorite brands through this subscription. Interested in checking it out? Use my referral link. Click me :)

2. Glade Plugins. Ahh... I've tried many of the plugin air fresheners. These have proven time and time again to be the best. One plugin fills my entire living room, kitchen, and dining room. I used to have one in my bedroom, but it was so strong we had to move it. You can adjust it to less or more, but even on the lowest setting, it was still powerful. There's variety of scents for all profiles. Pick them up at any local store.

3. Zenni Optical. I have a husband who loses everything, and who is also probably legally blind. Glasses are expensive. The last time we actually bought glasses from the eye doctor we walked out spending almost $900. Eek! A friend recommended Zenni, and it is a godsend.  Their cheapest glasses start at $6.95, and the most expensive pair I've ever seen is roughly $35. Now, if you require special lenses, different coatings, or the extras... it will cost you more. When Joe dropped a 5 pound Napoleon book on his glasses during vacation- no fear. We got home and ordered a $6.95 pair that arrived less than two weeks. I scored these glittery, cat eye glasses for $12.95 https://www.zennioptical.com/ 

4. Atkins Mocha Latte Shake. I hit the low carb train pretty hard for a tad bit. I lived on Atkins shakes during this time. The mocha lattes were by far my favorite. Everyone recommended the caramel ones, but they left an awful after taste. I could drink these by themselves or partially poured into my coffee. It made for a great breakfast. The prices vary on these. I often found better deals on Amazon versus in store.


5. Wet Brush. My hair out of the shower is a tangled mess. I dread washing my hair because of the knots and tangles- even after using condition. Coupled with stress... my hair was falling out by the handfuls each time I brushed it. My aunt recommended the wet brush while we were on vacation. My little cousin has hair to her waist, so I knew this was a good product based on her recommendation. I bought one, and I LOVE IT!!!! I can brush my hair without ripping it out. Go buy it now. Check them out here.

6. Audible. This is a newer addition to my electronic devices. I love to read, and I was always against books on tape/cd. I felt like I was cheating on a real book, and I was convinced I would miss physically turning pages. I literally had no time to sit down and read after work and school full time. (Let's face it... I did enough reading for me and you both to complete assignments.) Audible allowed me to indulge in books, but still be free to do other things. I didn't feel bad about not having a book either. Audible is worth it. You get 1 credit a month towards a book for $14.95 (most audio books run $20-25.) Your first 30 days and first book are free. Prime member? You get free access to Audible channels, specific content, and extras FOR FREE! Download the Audible app today.

7. Farsali Unicorn Essence. This is also a recent Christmas gift from the world's best friend, but I SWEAR BY IT! In just a few days my excessive dryness and facial redness has disappeared. It smells delicious and packed with tons of antioxidants. The actual essence is pink and shimmery. And the packaging? Deep purple with gold accents. It has a ton of uses. For me, I just slather all over my face. Pure luxury. Also... you automatically feel like a youtube makeup guru while applying. I'm ready to add the Gold Elixir to my arsenal too! Unicorn Goodness!!!

There you have it. My 7 favorite things of 2017. I could have listed all beauty items, but I was fair to the other areas in my life. What are some of your favorites from 2017?

Ridiculous Questions Everyone Should Answer

I've been away from my blog, and I realized some of my more recent posts were erhh... depressing. I wanted something fun and careless. Plus, some of these questions are downright conversation starters. Enjoy!

1. What is the funniest name you have actually heard used in the real world?

L-a. Pronounced La-dash-a.  

2. What sport would be the funniest to add a mandatory amount of alcohol to?

 Polo, as long as no animals were injured

3. What movie would be greatly improved if it was made into a musical?

Mean Girls. None for you Glen Coco. 

 

4. If your five-year-old self suddenly found themselves inhabiting your current body, what would your five-year-old self do first?

Take all these earrings out. 

 

5. What is something that everyone looks stupid doing?

Eating corn on the cob. Seriously, pay attention to someone eating corn on the cob next time. Guaranteed a laugh.  

 

6. What is something that is really popular now, but in 5 years everyone will look back on and be embarrassed by?

Attaching big fuzzy pom poms to EVERYTHING. Especially Millennial Pink pom poms.  

7. What would be the hat to end all hats? What could you wear on your head that would make people stop what they are doing and stare in awe and amazement?

It's not necessarily a hat, but something you wear on your head- the full horse face mask. I mean any meme or video I see with a horse mask I have to stop and watch.  

8. If animals could talk, which would be the rudest? No-brainer. Cats. 

9. In 40 years what will people be nostalgic for? 

Real, hold in your hand, smell the pages books.

10. What inanimate object do you wish you could eliminate from existence?

Selfie Sticks

11. What is the weirdest thing you have seen in someone else’s home?

Their kitchen cups had ladies in bikinis on them. When they heated up or got cold, their clothe would disappear. 

12. What would be the coolest animal to scale up to the size of a horse?

Sloths

 

13. What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever worn?

In my 4th grade yearbook, there is a picture of me sitting on a beanbag reading. I have a sweater vest, button up shirt, plaid skirt, tights, and mary jane shoes. I looked like I was 100 and walked right out of the Alfred Dunner section at JCPenney.  

14. What part of a kid’s movie completely scarred you?

FERN GULLY!!! When the black smog was taking over the forest. That smog was the creepiest hing ever. I think I was terrified of that movie until at least 10. 

 

15. What used to be considered trashy but now is very classy?

90s Gunge Makeup

 

16. If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family assume you had done?

Kidnapped a child

 

17. What’s the most ridiculous fact you know?

Telebobo is the word for couch potato in Spanish. 

 

18. What set of items could you buy that would make the cashier the most uncomfortable?

Sudafed, rat poison, and Mt. Dew

 

19. What is the least sexy name?

Anything that starts with a F

 

The Reading Backlog: What's on my Nightstand

I could sit here and write about books and reading all day. I've always loved reading, and my collection of books is out of control. Combine that with a husband who also loves to read, and your house is literally a library. Two offices, two nigh stands, four book shelves, and a few storage totes later.... we have a book from every genre and almost every subject. One of my all time favorite quotes comes from Cicero.

Books allow you to go on an adventure without taking a step. They allow you to feel, to love, to cry, to laugh. On my hardest days, I escape with a good book. Some people think naps or chocolate can cure anything... give me a cup of tea and a good book.

I've struggled lately finding a really good book that I can sit and read for hours. I think my last book (I finished) was Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige and Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Also, add some John Greene and some motivational books to the current completed list. My ongoing list though? It is filled with books that are readable and enjoyable, but I haven't been sucked into them... yet. Note that yet? I really, truly plan on reading/finishing these books.

1. Go Set a Watchman- Harper Lee
When this was released, I was almost in tears. TKAM forever changed my teen years and, it will ALWAYS be on my top MUST read list. To hear there was a sequel, I was overjoyed. I picked this up shortly after it came out, but.... haven't read it through. I find myself reading this hours on end and waiting weeks before I pick it up again.

2. The Wicked Will Rise- Danielle Paige
It's the age of fairy tale retellings. This is the second in a series about Dorothy, Oz, and the wicked Witch. Oh my! I blew through the first one in a week. I LOVED it. I may be partial to the story though, as I have always loved classic fairy tales/stories and their modernistic retellings. I bought this as soon as it came out, and I've not even cracked the book open. Guilty. The first book came out in 2014 and if you enjoy this type of reading I highly  highly suggest checking out this series. This is the author's direct page- Danielle Paige

3.  Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles) by MArissa Meyer
This is another fairy tell retelling. And... just like the above I zoomed through the first and could not wait to pick up the second in the series. The first is Cinderella based but with robots, and databases, and diseases. Except, I did start to read this one, I had some trouble trying to sit down and read through it. This one may not get finished, as one of my other book lovers said they were EXTREMELY disappointed by the series. Boo! I try to not judge a book on one opinion, but so far it's not faring so well for this book. Interested- check it out here :)

4. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I read rave reviews this book while doing some research on decluttering and methods that actually last. I bit the bullet and purchased via iTunes, and it is on my phone/iPad. So far I have read this book and really liked the flow and her thought processing. I will say... some of her methods are a little out there for me, but if you follow the basics, you will see improvement in your life. To date- I've got rid of at least 5 bags of garbage two huge boxes of donations, and made about $100 on eBay selling items.  Yes, you can guarantee there will be blog(s) about my methods and progress.

5. The Tao of Twitter by Mark Schaefer
This is a recent add to my ongoing list. My husband has been after me and after me to read this book. He said it was a really, really good read, and it will help with my twitter/blog usage. Let's face it.... I am twitter-challenged. Well, challenged in the sense I struggle to use it effectively. I am excited to read this book and hopefully grow my blog.

What's on your reading list? Any suggestions for me? I am always looking for new books. After Harry Potter ended I have this huge,hole, and I struggle to find something comparable. :)

No friend as loyal as a book.

This weekend was well deserved. I've been in a hurricane of craziness for the past few weeks. For the time being, the hurricane has turned into a thunderstorm. This weekend though, I took some time for myself and for my house. Take two weeks without air conditioning, and see how considerably messy your house becomes.

I sit here Sunday afternoon in my super, duper clean house. I even donated two boxes and a garbage bag of items to a church yard sale! I can't take all the credit; my mother in law came to help. *Clarification- she willingly helps and doesn't fuss.* Most importantly, my craft room is slowly getting in order. While we put the rest of the house in order, the extra room became the catch-all. There was a small, small path that leads to the closet of the extra room. The path has became more of a room, and you can enjoy the space. Especially since I added a DIY, hidden storage reading nook! (Of course, a blog to come!)

 My sewing table temporarily holds Joe's new desktop. I can't really complete anything else in the craft room until my sewing table is free. Joe is in his office now trying to put a desk together... without instructions.

I did finally get to unpack all my favorite books and line them on my small bookshelf. Endless rows of classics varying from children's literature to anthologies. Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Harper Lee, Shel Silverstein, CS Lewis, Lewis Carroll.... I could go on.

The best thing of unpacking my books? As I held each book in my hands, I could remember exactly when I read the book, where I was, the time in my life, and how those small words impacted my life. Each book had its own story and story in my life. It was a great walk down memory lane. I could pick up any of those cooks at any time, and relive the story they tell.

The title you ask? A quote from one of my favorite authors- Hemingway. When I grown up, I want to be a writer. Your thoughts, your words could change the lives of millions.

I encourage you to revisit some of your favorite books. Relive the stories you loved growing up.