Birchbox.

Have you heard of Birchbox?

No?  Okay.  Let's discuss.  I call it Netflix for beauty products, except you totally don't have to return anything.  It's $10 per month, or you can pay for a whole year, or smaller increments as gifts.  I had heard about Birchbox a couple years ago and didn't give it two seconds of thought in my brain.  I thought it was a fantastic idea, but never got around to looking into it more or signing up for it.

A few weeks ago I was reading The Small Things Blog and she talked about the Birchbox she received.  Birchbox stuck in my mind for a few days this time and I went to their website and signed up for the waiting list.  I'm not quite sure why they have a waiting list, but I'm pretty sure it's so it seems like they are an exclusive thing which makes people want it more.  Some psychological crap like that.

Anyway, last night I got the email that I have 72 hours to sign up for my subscription.  I got really excited and then started Sean about it.  There may have been a few eye rolls from him, but I can't be 100% sure.  I signed up for it and can't wait to get my first box!  It's supposed to ship out in a few days, so I will do a follow up post when I get it. 

They also have a men's Birchbox that is a bit more expensive, most likely because there's not a ton of dudes into it.  I love this idea, most likely because I love trying new beauty products.  This allows me to try new things in a smaller size without having to commit to it and find out I don't love it later.  If I love it, this may be my go-to birthday gift for the ladies in my life. 

What are your thoughts?

Friday favorites.

I think I'm going to start a Friday series with a few of my favorite things.

1. This sandwich.  Sean and I may have made it for dinner two nights this week.  I'm obsessed.  I may have had a Twitter conversation with Joy the Baker about it as well.

2. I saw this little gem on Pinterest.  I think it's utterly hilarious.  I feel like that exactly when Jacques does this.

Source

There's actually a lot of funny things I found on Pinterest this week.  I won't post them all though!

3. Boots needs this, stat. 

4. I've recently become obsessed with c. Booth products.  Have you heard of them?  I just bought their Original Bath & Shower Cleanser and their 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion in Vanilla Butter.  The Original Bath & Shower Cleanser smells exactly like my favorite Amber Romance lotion from Victoria's Secret.  The lotion hydrates really well, comes in a HUGE bottle (32 fl oz), and the smell lasts.  I highly recommend c. Booth's products.

5. I saw that Herbal Essences has started making their original shampoo and conditioner again.  I picked some up and it takes me back to 7th grade.  I use the yellow smooth and shine collection.  Love it.  And they've taken out the silicone in the shampoo and sulfates in the conditioner.  It makes me even happier.

Happy Friday!  I hope you have a nice weekend!

Train museum.

This past weekend Sean and I hosted Easter. It was lovely. On Saturday, we went to the Twin City Model Railroad Museum.

Fun was had by all. Especially Charlie. I'll let the pictures do the talking.



Charlie liked pointing out where the trains would come out of a tunnel.  He would say, "Out hole."

Cheesy smile.  I was distracting him from the trains.

I love this picture. 

 My father asked me to take a picture of him.

Charlie with his PaPa.

Great workout.

I just got home from the gym and I had a really great workout. Well, aside from the fact that I felt like I was going to throw up near the end of my run. Run? Jog? I don't know what to call it.

Today I ran farther and longer running intervals. That's a win in my book.

My sister-in-law Rebecca, who lives in Boston (both of my sisters-in-law are named Rebecca so I have to specify) is who motivated me to start running again. For weeks, I would see her Run 5K updates on Twitter and it made me really want to start running again. So, this week I did and it's going really well. The fact that it's going so well makes me excited for my run tomorrow.

I wanted to share. Anyway, I need to get cleaned up now. Have a lovely Saturday! Below is my picture from the workout today. To keep track of my distance and time I usually just take a picture of my workout summary. Adios!

Yet again.

I've started running, yet again.  What is this like the 100th time or something?

I don't know if what I do would really be considered a run or not... but I'm moving my bod. 

That is all.

Happy Thursday!

Gym.

I haven't talked much about the gym since I first mentioned it in January.  I still enjoy going there and getting a sweat session in.  I went last night for the first time in over a week.  About a week and a half ago I got a cyst removed on the top of my shoulder, near my neck.  The incision with the stitches is right where my sports bra strap crosses the top of my shoulder, so I didn't want to chance splitting it open. 

The stitches come out on Friday morning and I can see the incision is healed enough for me to wear the sports bra.  Planet Fitness has various cardio and weight machines.  I like to do a warm up cardio, like running and the Cybex Arc Trainer (arc cross trainer that works my bod).  Then, I like to do a longer set of cardio, like spinning on the stationary bike for at least 30 minutes.  This makes me sweat.  Lastly, I do some weight training with free weights or using the weight training machines.  I enjoy the free weights more by doing various arm exercises and squats.  Squats burn so good. 

What my gym doesn't have that I wish it did was some sort of classes, like kick boxing or spin class.  Planet Fitness does have small classes Monday through Friday that are taught by their fitness instructors for groups of muscles like abs, arms, shoulders, back, chest, and legs.  I'm interested in the arm class, but they don't offer it at a time when I don't work.  Womp womp. 

Overall, working out at the gym is going great, but I know I need to crank it up more.  My eating has been all over the place as well and I'm thinking about going to something a lot more restrictive about what I can and cannot eat.  Attempting a balancing act clearly isn't working and I know I need to do a lot better for me and my health.

Join me?  We can keep each other accountable.  Maybe I should post daily what I'm eating.  Then, if I'm tempted with something I'll know I have to post it and you all can shame me into oblivion.  Possibilities...

Overwhelmed.

This is an incredibly sweet song.  Have a listen.  Overwhelmed by Tim McMorris.  It's on a Sam Adams commercial.  If I had known about this song it definitely would have been a first dance song contender.

Speaking of wedding, let's have a little flash back shall we?  I have hundreds of pictures and I like looking at them from time to time on my computer.  The above song makes me want to look at wedding pictures because it makes me think of Sean.

This was taken right after our first look.  I had noticed Sean forgot to take a tag off of him suit jacket.  So, I removed it but he had to hold my flowers.  Someone was talking to us as well.  This candid picture is just so us.

I think this picture is hilarious.  I'm giving Sean a look.  In the sequence of these photos, it goes from this look to a smiling picture.  It's entertaining they captured this moment.  Sean and I are just walking along, dressed up, completely normal Friday afternoon (not).

And for cute factor, Charlie and Lilly.  Adorable.

Have a nice weekend!

Missed her.

This little kitty missed me while I was gone.

Don't you just want to rub that belly?!

Weekend.

It's the weekend. Lovely. My favorite two days a week. My weekend is cut a bit short because I'm going to Baltimore for work today. I have some training on Monday and Tuesday. Then, I'll be back in Minnesota on Wednesday.

Yesterday, I noticed we had a lot of over ripe bananas in our freezer. Enough for three batches. Sean really likes banana bread in muffin form so most of it was made into muffins.

What are you doing this weekend?

Riddle me this.

Riddle me this internet.  How do you break up with a hairstylist but keep going to the same salon?

I love the salon I go to.  It keeps my Ulta Rewards points up and I can stay a platinum member, therefore my points don't expire.  But.  I want to switch to a different stylist.  I used to rave about my stylist and about how I LOVED how he cut my hair.  But lately...?  Not so much.

I haven't been loving the fact that my appointment ALWAYS starts a half an hour later than it's scheduled.  I haven't been loving the fact that even though I've said over and over that I don't like a lot of layers in my hair because it makes it poof up and then I can't throw it in a ponytail when I need to, I still get freaking layers in my hair.  Annnnnnddd, no matter how many times I correct him on how to say my name, he always gets it wrong.  I understand it can be tricky.  I've lived with being called the wrong name for at least 20 of the 25 years of my life, but after two plus years... Annoying and frustrating.  

Someone, please help me.  I'm past the point of trying to make it work and now I know I just want to go to a different stylist.  I don't like awkward conversations, so I don't really want to just tell him that I want to go to someone else.  I've cancelled two of my last appointments because I've been putting this off.

So, what do you suggest?

OCM

I'm going to talk about some lady stuff.  Some lady beautifying stuff.

Have you heard about the Oil Cleansing Method, or OCM?  I've recently heard of it and I'm giving it a try.  Basically, instead of using a face wash that has too many chemicals that I can't pronounce, I'm using oil to wash my face.  It sounds counter productive, but it's not.  You clean oil with oil.

I've only been doing this since Saturday, and I'm clearly not an expert, but I've already noticed a huge improvement in my skin.  My face is a lot less oily and my makeup looks fresh.  I started reading about this on Pinterest last week and it went from there.  I haven't noticed a decrease in any acne blemishes, but a blemish I did have yesterday morning is gone today, which is very rare.  I've been struggling with adult acne for the past year or so.  It's been as bad as it was when I was a teenager.  I went to the dermatologist last summer with little to no results.  Cleansers that used to work for me, no longer do.  My skin is changing as I'm aging.  Womp womp.  So, I thought to myself, "Let's try this OCM thing.  Clearly, it won't hurt because nothing else is working."

I've been pleasantly surprised.  When I went to wash my face pre-shower post workout last night, it looked like I had just applied my makeup for the day.  No oily face for me. 

Let's break down what types of oil I'm using on my skin.  First and foremost, OCM calls for Castor oil because of it's cleansing properties.  Over at theoilcleansingmethod.com, it says various ratios and some suggested oils to mix with the Castor oil.  I read in my research this weekend that jojoba oil is a good oil to mix with the Castor oil because of its moisturizing characteristics.  So, I went to Trader Joe's and picked up some jojoba oil.  I found the Castor oil at Walgreen's.  I mixed a 3:2 ratio.  Three parts Castor oil to two parts jojoba oil.  I mixed it in a travel sized shampoo/soap container.  I think next time I'm going to try a 1:1 ratio.  I've read that finding the right oil to mix with the Castor oil and the oil to oil ratio varies from person to person so there is a bit of trial and error associated with it.

Here's what you do at night before bed time.  You wet a wash cloth with super hot water.  Wring it out carefully without burning yourself and lay the wash cloth over your face for a minute or until it starts to feel cold.  Next, you massage about a teaspoon of the oil into your face for a minute or two.  Then, you take your wash cloth and wipe your face off and pat dry.  Boom.  Done.  Easiest face washing ever. 

My face is super soft after doing this.  I've been using the prescription retinoid I was given last summer at the dermatologist as well.  Apparently the retinoid is supposed to help with adult acne and aging skin.  We'll see how long using that lasts...  Then, in the morning in the shower I just rinse my face off with water and apply some moisturizer like normal post shower.

Anyway, I wanted to fill you in on a new nightly routine.  I'll keep you updated with any major results, but so far, it's pretty fantastic. 

Kitty.

Boots says, "My toys."

Twenty-five.

As I previously wrote about, I had a birthday party over the weekend. Let's post some photos shall we?

Side note, these pictures were taken on my iPod and the photo quality isn't super great...

If you want flowers, but yourself some flowers.

My to-do list the morning before.

Mustache cake I made. Better pictures will be a Jacques soon.

In the three pictures Sean and I took, I look great but Sean looks red and drunk (which he wasn't).

Thanks to Katie for bringing the mustache straws!

Playing Cards Against Humanity - the first time.

Katie and her party hats. I can't remember what type of dinosaur she said she was.

The aftermath the next day.

It's my party...

Did you know it's my 25th birthday next week?  Whoa, when did another year fly by?!

Have I told you I'm having a birthday party?  I'm determined to make my 25th birthday better than my 24th birthday.  In an effort, I'm throwing myself a mustache themed birthday party.  I'm making myself a mustache shaped birthday cake.  I'm going to make cupcakes.  I'm going to serve meatballs or lil' smokies because that is what I like.  I'm going to eat queso dip and tortilla chips because I also like that.  I'm going to drink grown up cocktails.  It's going to be a grand time.  In preparation for this, I've been making lists of food to serve, groceries to get, alcohol to stock up on.

Friends and family are invited, obviously.  I want to take the time to celebrate the people that have made the past year of my life so great.  So, are you coming to my party?

I'm a bad blogger.

Apparently, I'm not very good at this keeping up with life thing.  My life gets a smidge busy and I completely drop the ball on blogging.  Sorry. I'll try to be better!

I have a plan for trying to be better.  I think I may get up early in the mornings and blog/check email and social media/have some alone me time.  I'm not sure how this is going to last since I love me some sleep, but we'll see.

I went to the dentist yesterday.  He said he can tell I'm flossing more.  I count that as a win in my book. 

There isn't too much going on.  My days basically go like this: sleep, work, run errands (if applicable), gym, dinner, sleep.  Rinse and repeat.  I'm getting over a cold and slowly am feeling a bit less miserable than the day before.

Anyway, what's new in your life?  I'll try to keep you more updated on mine!

2013

Happy new year!

I know, I know.  I haven't posted since November 14.

Goals for 2013:

• Keep flossing.
• Get back on the lifestyle change gravy train (you know what I mean)
• A new gym just opened up last week in my area so I've joined it (and got a great deal) and in conjunction with the above goal, obviously keep going and working my butt off - literally.  So far, I love the gym which makes going a lot easier and better.
• Save up some more money so Sean and I can go on a nice honeymoon.  The only requirement is something warm and all-inclusive.  Suggestions?
• Renew my passport with my new name.  Probably needed for the above goal.

It looks like 2013 is going to shape up to be a good year.

No big deal, I just grew a lemon.

So... this happened.  Actually, it is a totally BIG deal.

Picked lemon!

I picked a lemon off of Lemon Tree, my dwarf Meyer lemon tree.

Pretty.

And then I cut into it.  Sean and I ate some.  Tasted like a delicious lemon.  Two more to go for the 2012 growing season. 

Side project.

I know, I know.  I haven't been posting.  I've been really busy, blah, blah, blah.

But!

I have a little side project I want to let you in on.  I've been working on another blog that is strictly about baking and cooking.  Check it out here.  I posted my first recipe on it and it went live early this morning.

I really enjoy cooking and baking and I wanted to document that.  I wanted it seperate than this blog, though because this blog contains some personal information about me.  Whereas, that blog will not.  That is going to be strictly about baking and cooking.

So, check it out from time to time.  Perhaps starting following that blog so you can see updates.

Happy Monday!

New Calorie Counting App: My Fitness Pal.

Last week, I started using a different calorie counting app on my iPod touch.  I began using My Fitness Pal.  I'm pretty much in love.

I used to use the LoseIt! app.  I've used that one on and off in college and more so over the last year.  I'm going to do a little list bullet style to communicate my thoughts on both apps.  These are simply my opinions and they probably differ from someone else. 

My Fitness Pal:

• More user friendly.  I also like the web based program as well.
• There are more brand name foods listed in the database.
• The barcode scanner actually works.  Huge difference from LoseIt!.
• Once all food and exercise have been entered for a day, I click a "complete this entry" button and it says if I keep eating and exercising the same as I did that day, I would weigh X amount in 5 weeks.  That makes me think about my long term goals.
• Recipes can be created, just like in LoseIt!.
• There's really nothing I haven't liked about it - yet.

LoseIt!

• I've used it for years.
• It has a better looking web based program, but looks don't matter all that much.

I couldn't think of anything else for LoseIt! - obviously.  I'm happy I made the switch.  I've been religiously entering everything since last week and I'm loving it.  This is something new that has kickstarted me back into lifestyle change gear. 

I apologize for my lack of posting.  There hasn't been much going on since the wedding, so not very much to blog about.  I'll try to do better! 

Wedding pictures!

Yesterday, I got the disc of wedding pictures from the photographer in the mail.  Thanks for sending it to me so fast Mom!

Anyway, there are some really great pictures.  I haven't finished looking through att 1500+ of them yet, but there are two I saw that make me tear up when I look at them.

The first one, is one of my mom and I right before I was going to see Sean for a first look.  My mom had just laced me into my wedding dress and my veil had just been put on.  We're both crying and the photo shows a lot of emotion.

The second photo, is one of my dad and I.  We were both crying.  He had just gotten Charlie to walk down the aisle and we were at the bottom of the stairs waiting for our walk down the aisle. 

I have a lot a pictures I love, but both of these pictures tear at my heartstrings.  Both are very emotional moments with two of the greatest people I know.  I love them both very, very much. 

Anyway, after I finish going through all of the photos I will post a few of a my favorites here.  Going through the photos last night was like re-living our wedding day all over again.  Stay tuned.