Birchbox Favorites

I've seen Birchbox on a couple of blogs but I hadn't really investigated it until recently. I've received two boxes so far and I like it. It is fun because it is a box of samples it's kind of like going to Sephora with a personal shopper. My most recent box had two big time favorites for me. I've actually ordered the full size package of both. The first on is Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+. I have sensitive skin and sometimes foundation/moisturizers irritate it. But this product is great! It gives nice coverage without being heavy or irritating and it seems to brighten things a bit.

Loving this

The other one is Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator. Again with sensitive skin it is tricky to find a gentle enough scrub. This is it.

And this!!

I highly recommend Birchbox. It is very reasonable at $10 a month and it can be set for just a few months.

Top 10 Celebrity Crushes

My husband and I joke about celebrity crushes all the time. He and I both agree they are harmless and fun. We haven't done like Ross and Rachel and made a laminated list or anything. Basically we acknowledge they exist and move on. So here are my top 10...(in no particular order)

Joe Manganiello

Joe Manganiello - When I first saw him on True Blood I didn't think much of it. Then I got a closer look...yeah umm be honest ladies how could you not have a crush. Plus in interviews he always seems so nice.

John Corbett

John Corbett - I first saw him in Northern Exposure and fell in love with his goofy and hippy-type character. When he appeared on Sex in the City I adored him. I never understood how she could cheat on him with Big.

Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck - I admit this is an old school crush. I've adored Tom Selleck since I first saw him on Magnum P.I., I thought the show was great, the fact that it took place in Hawaii didn't hurt, and he was adorable. And he has truly gotten better with age...I love him on Blue Bloods.

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore - Seriously there's not much to say here...I'm a sucker for strong arms (reason # 476 why I married my husband) and Shemar's are stunning. I love his character on Criminal Minds. He was good in Diary of a Mad Black Woman too.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer - aka Neil Caffrey on White Collar. There is something about a well dressed man that just makes them sexier. And I realize it's just a character but he is so charming on that show. 

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. - the bad boy himself...well he's cleaned up his act as far as I know and I love him as Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes. His smirks and quirks make him charming and handsome.

Terrance Howard

Terrance Howard - Those eyes...they get me every time. He is such a great actor! I saw him recently in Red Tales and he was wonderful! Another role I loved him in was Iron Man...the humdrum v line makes me laugh every time.

Alex O'Loughlin

Alex O'Loughlin - When he first appeared in Moonlight I thought that was the perfect role for him. Then he appeared in Hawaii 5-0 and that is the perfect role for him. He is a great actor and I love the personality he projects in his characters.

John Cusack

John Cusack - He is the awkwardly lovable underdog. I first saw him in Say Anything and that was the guy I wanted...the guy who wanted to spend time with me and would do grand romantic gestures. I have enjoyed almost all of his movies. To me I think he falls more into the cute side than the hot side but he's a crush none the less.

Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale - I admit she is my girl crush. I think she is an amazing actress and absolutely adorable. My favorite movie of hers in Van Helsing she was such a bad*#* chick in that movie. And I think she has a great range as an actress.

Clothes Make the Woman

www.victoriasecret.com

I used to argue that clothes didn't matter to the job or the workout or the situation, etc. But now I'm realizing that the right clothes do make a difference. When I workout if I'm in sloppy sweats and a baggy t-shirt I still get the workout done but I feel slightly sloppy. If I go to my dance class in rocking Victoria Secret yoga pants and a sexy tank I rock it. I realize it is shallow but it is true for me. And if the right clothes motivate me to go that is awesome!!

www.eddiebauer.com

I've also noticed if I go to work put together in a nice outfit I feel more productive. And I feel more professional. I realize that I can still do my job in a less together outfit but something about the dressier outfit makes me happy.

I guess it's kind of like having the right tools for the job. So do you feel more motivated in certain clothes or are you more of a whatever goes kinda person?

Product Love

A friend of mine turned me on to this product and I love it! It is fun! It adds a bit of glitter liner to any eye look without looking over the top. It is especially fun around black lights. If you're looking for a little sparkle I suggest you check it out. Next time I wear it I'll make sure to take a picture.

Wordless Wednesday - Erin Condren Life Planner

I went home at lunch to take out the dogs and there it was...

Just opening the box brought a smile...

Enjoy!!

Presentation is everything

Pretty Notepads

My Planner!!

 I love it!!

Planning

Hi, my name is Megan and I have a planning problem...

(Hi Megan)

I'm a free flowing planner...sometimes I very much like plans other times I like to wait and see or just see what happens. I have two calendars that I run at the same time...I have a Franklin Covey desk calendar and my iPhone calendar. I have used Franklin Covey for the past five years and I like it but really it is more than I need because I don't use all of its different elements. So I'm thinking of switching to this one by Erin Condren...

or this one...

My love of shoes strikes again...

One of the things I love about my dance classes particularly my pole classes is it gives an excuse for shoe shopping. You have to have the right shoe...so I have these ordered and on their way they are here...

And I'm thinking of buying these at the studio...in pink

But for every day wear I wear Danskos...I have worn and loved their clogs for years. This summer I've branched out to their sandals. So I have this style.

And I'm thinking of getting this style...

If you have knee, back, ankle, etc problems Danskos are great! I love them for everyday wear and if you have to stand for a long period of time they are great for that too.

So what are some of your favorite shoes?



Worst Nail Removal and Manicure Ever

Saturday I decided to pamper myself a little bit. I had had acrylic nails put on back in May for my pictures and kept them on while J was home because my nails looked better with them on. Well they weren't put on correctly in the beginning so they never quite looked right so I decided to have them removed on Saturday. I thought I would get a manicure after I had them removed as a pamper me moment.

J and I had gone to a place a couple weeks ago for pedicures and loved it. It was an amazing and relaxing experience. (We even bought a friend a gift card from there) So I thought I'd go back. Bad idea. Horrible idea. I assumed that nail removal would involve a bowl of acetone to soak them off. Nope...clippers, an unused nail, and her nails on occasion. Basically she peeled my nails off taking part of my natural nail with them. It hurt like hell. Thankfully there were only six.

Then she suggested their more advanced manicure with a scrub, hot tails, and a more extensive massage. Basically...she did a rush job there too. She didn't push my cuticles back at all...she just clipped a few places but not consistently, she through the scrub on and wrapped the towels for a few minutes, took those off, had me wash my hands, and then she rubbed lotion on my hands and armed, no massage just rubbed it in, then she wiped my nails with alcohol and layered thick layers of nail polish on my nails to hide the damage done by her removal method.

So I sat under the dryer and let them dry. Then came time to pay. And this is where it went from bad to worse. According to their price card removal of acrylic is $10 without a service and $5 with a service. So I assumed since they call manicures a service that it would be $5. They wanted to charge me $10. The lady who did my nails said since I didn't get a new full set it was $10. We had a major communication problem because she didn't speak English so another guy came up to help. I explained that I thought it was $5 based on the price list. They said no because I didn't get the new full set. We went back and forth and finally I said I would pay the $10 but I thought they should be more specific on their price list. The guy said "no, we'll only charge you the $5." The girl who did my nails was not happy. After she and the guy left I told the receptionist that I was very disappointed with my experience there that day. I told her my husband and I had been in there before and it was awesome but not today. I told her I felt rushed, I felt the removal of my nails was unprofessional and damaging, and that it was overall a horrible experience. She apologized and said she'd tell the management. I doubt I'll go back there again. I just couldn't get over it.

So now I'm back to growing out my very short and very thin natural nails. Wish me luck!

Girl Power and Why We Need to Claim It

Studio Rio, Virginia Beach, VA

As I mentioned earlier I've been taking the Beginner Series Class at Studio Rio for the past few weeks on Monday nights. Next week is our last class. (Frowning Face) Ultimately we will have a seductive dance routine to perform for our loved ones. I will tell you I have never done dance classes ever in my life. I've worked out and done some aerobic classes but nothing like this. It works parts of your body you didn't know you had (or at least I didn't). Last week's class left my legs and core sore to the point that getting up and down from a chair was an experience that required not only psyching myself up but also a few expletives. This week we worked with poles and I loved it!! I want to do more. I feel awkward but it is invigorating and freeing. And such a good workout. But I have a tighter core, better posture and I've lost a few inches in the course of this class. I'm also feeling more coordinated. As I told J when I talked to him this morning it is a great experience for me that he will benefit from as well.

But the biggest thing for me is the confidence that I'm feeling. I have had a number of confidence destroying experiences in my life. Some of them I have worked to overcome and some of them are always deeply buried in there for me. In this class there are women of all shapes and sizes and all ages. We come from all walks of life with all different experiences. I admit I figured when I saw these size 6 girls that they would nail it but they are as unsure as the rest of us. It has been fun and an awesome experience. We are in a sisterhood. We support each other. We laugh. We huff and puff. And it is great!

Last night we got to talking about our lives and the experiences after class. In particular about men. Rio the owner talked about her first marriage and divorce. She talked about how much power she gave her first husband to control who she was and how she felt about herself. As I listened to her I got to thinking that as women we often give other people a lot of power over us. We often let their opinions determine how we feel about ourselves. We are often our own worst enemy. And we need to claim our girl power back. We are amazing women who have many great characteristics, great skills, great beauty inside and out (no matter what our size), great compassion, and great love. We just need to apply that great love to ourselves. I know that is often easier said than done for myself but I'm working on it and this class is helping. It is helping me channel my inner hot girl, my inner bad ass, and my inner confidence. J has always loved me just as I am, where I am...now I'm just trying to get where he is too.

I'm not saying everyone needs to go take seductive dance classes but everyone needs to do something for themselves. It does need to be all about you one occasion. Girl Power rocks!!

So what do you do for yourself? Or what are you going to do for yourself?

Words for Women to Live By

1. Aspire to be Barbie – the girl has everything.
2. If the shoe fits – buy them in every color.
3. Take life with a pinch of salt… A wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila.
4. In need of a support group? – Cocktail hour with the girls!
5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I’m on it and so far I’ve lost 15 days).
6. When life gets you down – just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.
7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just your personality.
8. I know I’m in my own little world, but it’s ok. They know me here.
9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.
10. Don’t get your knickers in a knot; it solves nothing and makes you walk funny.
11. When life gives you lemons – turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.
12. Remember where ever there is a good looking; sweet, single or married man there is some woman tired of his crap!
13. Keep your chin up, only the first 40 years of parenthood are the hardest.
14. If it has Tires or Testicles it’s gonna give you trouble.
15.  By the time a woman realizes her mother was right, she has a daughter who thinks she’s wrong.

‘Good friends are like stars…You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there’

‘Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live for today’.

The Lost Valentine

Last night I decided I would watch this movie. I had my DVR recording it so I could have watched it later but now I decide to watch it last night. It was my first night back in my house following having my wisdom teeth pulled. And so I sat and watched this touching story of a Navy bride whose husband had gone MIA so many years ago and yet she waited. She waited to see him again or to hear what had happened. To say Betty White was brilliant in this movie is an understatement. She did a great job! Both she and Jennifer Love Hewitt tell a great story of love and loss. I highly recommend watching this movie but be prepared with tissues. I realize I may be more emotional when it comes to this movie because A) it is a Navy wife, B) my husband is away, and C) I'm still recovering but it was a tear jerker. But well worth the tears.

Bra Shopping...Exciting or Torture

This weekend I'm going to The Full Cup for a bra fitting. They are a wonderful place with wonderful staff who treat those of us being fit for a bra delicately. As a girl who is well endowed in that area this has always been a torturous experience for me and they make it bearable. Because of my size I'm self conscious about standing in my bra in front of someone other than my husband or my doctor and they put me at ease.

Every time I go for a fitting I think back to my first bra buying experience. I developed early so in 4th grade Mom took be to buy my first bra. And because "it was a special occasion" it was a production. We went to a department store in Anchorage (we lived in Eagle River at the time) and we picked out a training bra. I will never for get that bra...it was padded and had this horrible itchy lining. But the sales clerk said it was great. Then because that wasn't enough fun we went to dinner "to celebrate." To this day I don't understand the celebration over buying a bra. I mean I get the whole womanhood thing but as a 10 year old girl a bra is not exciting at least it wasn't to me. None of my friends had them so I was the first.

Well I ended up getting a raw spot or a rash due to the lining so Mom decided the bra needed to go back. We went back to the department store only this time the clerk was a man. Whoo hoo can it get any better. So Mom explains as my face is getting redder to the clerk about the fact that this bra has a scratchy lining and that it is causing issues so we want to return it. Not believing he decides to feel it himself and surprisingly agrees it is scratchy. So he shows us some "preteen" bras made of cotton. To this day those were my favorite bras. Little triangles of pink, yellow, and white cotton with no underwire. The most comfortable bras I would ever wear...little did I know. So although having a male clerk was embarrassing to a 10 year old girl he knew what he was doing and did a great job. 

No wonder I hate bra shopping...I've been buying and wearing bras for 24 years. Holy Cow that is crazy. Boys have it easy...

Weekend Baby Shower = Handmade Diaper Bag

The diaper bag

Inside the bag...pockets

The cool cell phone pocket

 I used a great pattern from Craft Apple. It went together beautifully and I loved it!! And the Mom-to-Be loved it too!!

And the Winner is....(part 30)

Gwen from Handbag Obsessed won the handbag. How appropriate. Gwen I'll be in contact to get your address. Congratulations!! I had fun doing giveaways. Thank you to all of you who entered!!! Look for giveaways in the future. Next week it's back to regular posting. Including a post on my awesome bead swap beads from Stacy!

Some of my favorite things...

For sensitive skin you can not beat this skin care line...boscia is amazing! I tried the Normal to Dry kit first because it was winter time and my skin is dry in the winter. It includes: 

- Soothing Cleansing Cream - so gentle and cleansing that even when my rosacea flairs I can still use it.
- Balancing Facial Tonic - nice and refreshing but no sting
- Vital Daily Moisture SPF 15 - a nice light moisture that doesn't effect make-up
- Recharging Night Moisture - a soothing, slightly heavier moisturizer
- 1 pack of Lavender Blotting Linens - great for touch ups
 
And now that the weather is warming up (in theory it is currently 67 degrees outside) I need something a little more on the oil free side. So I bought the:
- Purifying Cleansing Gel - so gentle but deep cleansing enough to get the junk of summer off.
- Oil-free Daily Hydration - Nice and light so it doesn't cause breakouts
- Recharging Night Moisture - see above
 
If you are looking for a new skin care regimen this is it. And the cool thing is Sephora will give you samples to try. It is a little pricier but my dermatologist said skin care particularly your moisturizer should be top shelf because it stays on all day.

And for those of you with naturally curly hair...TreSemme' Flawless Curls Mousse can't be beat. It helps calm and sooth your hair with great hold. If you use too much or don't get it mixed in well it can be a tad crunchy but a little scrunching and it goes away. The best part...you can get it at your local drug store for under $10.

Fun Giveaway

I love Lori's jewelry and her choice of beads. She is offering a very sweet giveaway over at her blog Pretty Things. She is offering either jewelry or if you are a beader a grab bag of beads.

Fun New Patterns

The end of February I went to a quilt show being held locally. I love going to it because it inspires me to make things. And I bought some more patterns...and it inspired me to buy a few more...here are some of the gems I've purchased.

• The Potato Chip Bag just looks like it will be fun and easy.
• The Anna Maria Multi-Tasker Tote looks fun and useful.
• In the summer I live in a skirt and a nice top/tee so the Favorite Things Cute Skirt Pattern will get used a lot between now and then.
• See above for the too cute Stella Strip Skirt  and the Anna Maria Study Hall Skirt
• I haven't bought the Feather Your Nest  but it looks like it has some neat patterns for your bedroom so when I get to redecorating I'll look into that.

Nail Polish Swap

I have to admit I'd never participated in a swap before so I didn't know what to expect. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of Patricia from Preppy in Pink she sent me a wonderfully packaged box of goodies. I opened by box to find a green box wrapped in a white ribbon. I opened that and found...

 

A Ped Egg, a pedicure kit, two adorable post-it pads, and a bottle of OPI polish in a wonderful dark pinkish/purple color. I can't wait to try the different parts of my gift. I love giving myself at home pedicures so these will get lots of use.

Thank you Patricia!!!

Fun Spring Swap....

Gwen over at Confessions of a Control Freak is having a fun Spring Swap. We want to beat the winter blues by sending each other fun Spring items to brighten our day. If you're interested head over and sign up. Should be fun!!!

Ready for Fall...

I'm so ready for fall...I love the cool crisp weather in the fall. Not so hot you can't breathe and not so cold you can't feel your nose to breathe. Cool enough for jeans and a t-shirt during the day but a sweater is needed at night. Football games, orange and yellow leaves, crisp air, the smell of fireplaces burning, hot cocoa, hot cider, chili or stew, baking, cuddling under a blanket, sweaters, scarves, etc. all the things that scream fall.

And of course for me no journey to a new season would be complete without clothes...some of my favorites...

Cool weather here we come...