I can’t believe I have been blogging for a year. 2015 was interesting – a lot of change, but a lot of really exciting things happened. I’m excited to open a new chapter on my blog, and try out some new ideas I’ve had. I want this to be a fun place where I can share and document what is going on in my life. For a little reflection, I thought it might be fun to look back on 2015 in pictures…
So I’ve been sick for the past three weeks, and after many visits to the doctor, it turns out that I have pneumonia. Crazy, right? I haven’t been sick like this in years, so being stuck on the couch and unable to really get out and do anything really isn’t fun. 
What have I been doing while I’ve been out of commission for a while? Watching A LOT of YouTube videos. Below are a few links to my favorite YouTubers:
Please send other recommendations! My boyfriend and I also watched Pitch Perfect 2 – and it was SO cute. I’ll take movie recommendations too! I’m so crazy tired – I’ve been curled up in yoga pants, old t-shirts and my favorite blankets. [My leopard print one above is my absolute fav]. I have little desire to pull a cute outfit together. And since I can’t work out [insanity is on pause for a few weeks] I’ve been treating myself to some snacks… cue the whole bag of cherry m&ms…..
What helps you guys when you’re under the weather?
I meant to post this back in December, but the month seemed to get away from me before I could! This is the second part in my empties posts. These are the products I used up last year. Some just went unused/bad and some I completely used up. Sorry for the bad quality of the photos – I’ll be using a new camera going forward!
I’ll just pick out a few of the above to talk about. The Stila lip glaze in Watermelon is one that I just adore. I have so many back ups! But beware – it is uber sticky, so stay aware if that isn’t your thing. Jesse’s Girl [lip gloss fourth from left] is a brand that I’m becoming more familiar with, and one that I often have trouble finding. I found mine at Rite Aid, and I am simply in love with the frosted pink color. I really want to try their eye liner because I heard it is awesome. The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind is a fantastic concealer, but the tip of mine was a sponge applicator, and it really didn’t work for me. I worked with it because I loved the formula, but the sponge deteriorated beyond recognition by the end. I do recommend this product – I hope they have changed the applicator by now! The Tarte lip gloss was ok – nothing super special – although I’m a big Tarte fan. The Make Up Forever HD Foundation is my favorite. The bottle above is before they changed the formulation, but it is still my daily go to.
The only mascaras that I would highlight above are the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara [third from left] and the Too Faced Queen Sized. Both are super old in my collection, so I had to throw them out. But I adore them. And of course, I love the Anastasia Brow Wiz. I’m working through two other brow products now, but will eventually return to this one.
I LOVE Bumble and Bumble products. My salon carries the line, so I often pick up products there. The creme de coco shampoo is fantastic, and smells incredible. I plan to pick up another bottle in the near future. The mending shampoo is alright, made my hair too fluffy though. I HATED the Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo. Doesn’t do a thing and made my hair dry. I use the Organix Moroccan Argan Creme shampoo on the reg, and I think it makes my hair pretty soft. Dry Bar’s Sake Bomb Shampoo is good – not great – but works well for travel. The Tresemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo is pretty good as well. As someone with crazy, curly hair, it definitely smooths out the texture of my hair.
Have you guys tried any of these products?
Finally – my last subscription box arrived! I will always love Birchbox, even when I don’t always love my box each month. I’ve come to realize that having small sample sized items are GREAT for travel, and since I’ve been doing a lot of that lately, these have definitely come in handy.
I have to say – I adore the theme (and the color of the box) this month. I selected “ambition” to be my word for 2016. I want this to be the year I achieve some serious goals!
This month the items in my box are just OK. I laughed when I opened it because there were two products (shampoo and conditioner) from Beautiful Nutrition. In my Glossybox I just received a bottle of toner from the same brand – so this brand must be blowing up the beauty market. I’m curious to give it a shot! See what else I got in my box below:
Beautiful Nutrition Grapefruit Detox Shine Repair Shampoo
Beautiful Nutrition Grapefruit Detox Shine Repair Conditioner
Cargo Swimmables Shadow Stick – Coral Reef
derma e* Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Peripera Peri’s Tint Water – Strawberry Juice
What did you guys get in your box this month?
I recently got an iPad mini because my regular iPad was a first gen and wasn’t working well. I didn’t realize how much more efficient the smaller size would be for every day use. There used to be days where I wouldn’t pick up my iPad, but now I always have it on hand. I wanted to share the apps I’m loving!
Of course I have the obligatory Facebook, Twitter [Follow me: GVGP1989] and Pinterest right at the top. And I know I’ve already discussed my obsession with Audible. So we can start with Podcasts. Season two of Serial is pretty great. I’m about one episode behind, but I find the story intriguing. It seems to be heavy on jargon that I don’t understand, but given the nature of the case [Beau Bergdahl] I think it needs to be that way. My boyfriend and I also listen to Lore, which delves into the history behind certain folklore and superstitions. Skipping to the bottom – Colorfy is a new app I found that is like a digital coloring book. I’m still trying it out, but I think it would be fun if you had a stylus.
I do have some iBooks and some digital books from the Nook app, but I honestly haven’t read them recently, so I can do a post once I’ve gotten through some of them. While I don’t read many books anymore, I do LOVE magazines. Cosmo, Glamour and Women’s Health happen to be my favorite – especially when country music stars are on the cover. I’ve been home sick and having these on hand has been great.
I love to binge watch things. YouTube videos, tv shows, movies, etc – it doesn’t matter, I love it all. So naturally I have every possible app (Hulu should be there, but I must have forgot to add it). On Netflix I’m patiently waiting on Fuller House to drop, while I binge watch seasons 3 and 4 of The Mindy Project on Hulu. I know it sounds weird I subscribe to both, but I love them for different reasons! Amazon Video works with my Amazon Prime account, so on occasion I’ll check out what is new on there.
These two apps are more informational than anything. MSA is the app for MySubscriptionAddiction.com, a website dedicated to trying out and reviewing subscription boxes. I like to check out spoilers for my boxes, so I keep this on my iPad and iPhone too. I keep the Ebates app on both as well because I like to keep tabs on how much money I’ll be getting back from my purchases. Many people think this is a scam, but it is honestly great and has proven to be very much legit. You get a percentage of your purchase back through them if you shop using their add on in your Google Chrome browser. [I discovered Ebates on my own, and signed up on my own – I have no affiliation with them]
I do have two games on my phone as well – one is an app where you put together puzzles, and one is the Simpon’s Tapped Out game I’ve had forever.
What apps are you loving? Please share – I’d love to discover some new ones!
I’ve seem to hit that point in the month where I finally have received nearly all of my subscription boxes. There is nothing I love more than coming home to a fun box and checking out all the new products in these curated boxes.
Over the past year I’ve had a love – hate relationship with Glossybox. I love that the products are full sized or deluxe sized. Sometimes though the products are all misses for me. But I missed getting it, and took advantage of a deal on Gilt recently, so I’m locked in for the next 6 months.
This month was interesting. I don’t love everything. But I’m willing to try it all out!
Products in this months box:
Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment
MeMeMe Lip Glide in Playful Peach
-417 Foot Nourishing Cream
Royal Apothic Cream Creme to Go
Emite Make Up Diamond Heart
What did you guys think of this months box?
Until recently I was unaware the Beautycon made a monthly box. I saw an ad for it on my Facebook (I know, I’ve been seeing a lot on there lately) and was super intrigued. Mostly perhaps because this month the box was curated by Bethany Mota.
I did read spoilers ahead of time, so I knew what I’d be getting, but that didn’t make me any less excited about receiving it. I couldn’t wait for it to get here! It was packaged pretty well, but unfortunately the eye shadow was cracked and separated. Otherwise though I’m very happy!
These are deemed Bethany’s “winter essentials” and this is definitely a super fun box. The packaging, items – it all mixes together for a sugary sweet box of all things girly. Here is a peek inside the box:
Murad Hydrating Toner – I can’t wait to try this! I’ve heard great things about Murad
Essie Marshmallow Nail Color
Maybelline NY The Falsies Push Up Mascara
Soap & Glory Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream – Love this hand cream for keeping in my purse. Super small and portable.
Garnier Fructis Root Amp Lifting Spray Mousse
Disney Minnie Mouse Tattoo Junkee Jewelry Inspired Tattoos
Disney Sequin Minnie Mouse Ears – I’m hoping to get to Disney soon, so these and the tattoos are perfect!
NIKE $20 Gift Card Off $50 Purchase – This came in the cutest, tiniest shoe box!
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor
ColourPop Highlighter – Sadly this was broken, but I think I can still use it because it is so creamy! LOVE the color!
Aeropostale $10 Gift Card Off $50 Purchase
Beautycon Gold Digger Notebook – This came super scratched, but is still so cute and I love the gold!
Have any of you tried this box? Thoughts??
After being diagnosed with stomach problems a few years back I’ve gotten used to having to hunt for fun new gluten free foods. I came across Love with Food a while back, and was so excited to find that I could get a box of gluten free foods delivered to my door monthly. I stopped for a bit, but picked back up again after grabbing a deal on Black Friday. I’m SO glad I did. Since coming back to the box I’ve had amazing snacks in my boxes and I just had to share. They also make boxes that aren’t gluten free as well. Plus for every box, a meal is donated to feed a hungry child in the US. That is awesome! EVERYONE should check out this box! Click here to go to their website.
Not all items are pictured in the box above, because I ate them already!!
Included in my box:
Dried garcinia Indica Superfruit by Sant – you add this to water. I haven’t tried it yet but should be good!
Corn and Sea Salt Chips by The Better Chip
Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut Whenever Bars by Pamela’s Products
Gluten Free Brown Sugar & Maple Oatmeal Cup by Bob’s Red Mill
Handmade Sea Salt Caramel by Annie B’s
Dark Chocolate Toffee by Dave’s Sweet Tooth – SO. GOOD.
Snickerdoodle by Cybele’s Free to Eat
Baked Mac N’ Cheese Puffs by Snikiddy – I HAVE to buy more of these. They are the best thing ever.
Rosemary Truffle Gourmet Popcorn by Pop Art
Almond Butter and Cashew Pecan Energy Balls by Betty Lou’s
These are my new favorite!
I’ve been home sick for the past week, and during my endless hours of Facebooking, I came across an ad for a box put together around the show The Voice. Full disclosure, I don’t watch the show. I know what it is, I like the judges, but ultimately, I just don’t watch it. However, this box caught my eye.
It was put together by People.com, and is officially called People x The Voice Gift Box. The concept was that they put together a gift box designed around the three rotating female judges: Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, and Shakira. Originally it retailed for $49.99 but is on sale for $20! They say the value of the box is $150, and I very much believe that. The brands are AWESOME. This is a serious find. Click here to check it out! Note: I paid for this myself, and came across it on my own – I just love this box!
My favorite thing in the box is the adorable pair of sunglasses by celeb favorite Quay. These retail alone for $50!
The Ban.do coffee mug is one that I have seen all over, and probably wouldn’t have gone out of my way to get it, but only paying $20 for the box alone made it worth it. Plus it is pretty cute!
The poppin notebook is cute, and I’m a lover of stationery, so I’m positive this will get used!
I like Laqa & Co, and I LOVE this color. I seriously can’t wait to give it a try. Mine doesn’t look as dark as the picture below – mine is a light nude.
These earrings from Bauble Bar are adorbs! I wore them yesterday and just adore them. Note – they are very hard to take on and off, but so worth it!
These last two items are ok, and I’ll probably use them. I’m not a huge fan of Julep’s formula, but I’ll give it a shot! And the konjac sponge from Julep comes pre-moistened, so it should be interesting to try! 
I’m not one to love reading. I want to love to read, but when I sit down and try, I either get bored or distracted. But then I found Audible and I fell in love. I’m not at all affiliated with the company nor asked to talk about them. But this app has made such a difference in helping me make strides in getting through books.
Most people think that audio books are lame. I get it, because frankly, I did too. I prefer to read books that are biographical in nature, and therefore are often read by the author. This helps BIG TIME. Amy Poehler’s book is a great example of this. Just reading the book you don’t get to hear her read it along with Seth Meyers and Carol Burnett.
40 minutes a day is all it takes. I use my 20 minute (each way) drive to work as my listening time. I don’t have to focus on directions, and I can just listen to the story.
I encourage everyone to check it out! Below are the books I’ve listened to and enjoyed:
GabGoesGlam 