A New Plan: 2014

Among the thousands of human beings on this Earth, I too decided to make a list of New Years resolutions.

Simple, short and to the point is what I like to call it. I try to not to set goals for myself that are unreasonable.

For example, diet, exercise or giving up Starbucks. I know I can my maintain my weight with discipline and that finding me on a piece of exercise equipment screams laughter. 

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Starbucks, well I have an addiction. Maybe I won't give it up but I can tone it down a notch. How can you maintain a gold card holder status if you aren't in love with lattes? Hello, it's not rocket science :)

As a recap, here are the resolutions from last year!

This year the list is much shorter, maintainable and will hopefully become life changing.

1. Patience
I lack and have always lacked patience. My road rage is horrible, my lack of tolerance for stupidity is very low and my stress level has spun out of control. My patience affects not only me but others around me and I hope to find something or someone that can pull this negative part of me out.

2. Homemade Meals
It is much easier to come home from a long day and then decide to run out and grab fast food. I am worn out, my mind is frazzled and going back to the patience factor, dinners and lunches aren't happening like I planned. I use gas, spend additional money and feel like a sack of crap after eating it. My goal would be to have one meal a week that isn't homemade or prepped in my lunch sack. Sitting around the dining room table eating over a home cooked plate of food always feels good after it is complete. Home is where the heart and food is!

3. Save and tackle debt
Every week for the year of 2013 I deposited $25 a week into my savings acct. I did this religiously and saved $1200 towards my Christmas fund. It felt great to buy whatever I wanted for others and know that I wasn't breaking my checking account. This year I plan to up that amount to $50. This is the first step I am taking to tackle all of my debt. Which in reality is not that much. I have put it on the back burner and cannot live with it on my conscious a minute longer. This is the second step, admitting a task you have been avoiding.

I feel completely confident that if I stick to my goals I can achieve all three. Determination, strength and a positive state of mind and outlook is all I need. I am hoping that the year 2014 ends up being one of the best years of my life.

Tonight, with my wine in hand, I plan to cheers to moving on from the past, living for today and building a more maintainable and happy future for myself and family!

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A Trip Down Memory Lane

My how time flies! It is already Monday again which is technically another Thursday for me!
My company is having an annual "clean out" day and a meeting then off of work for the rest of the afternoon and Wednesday! Whoo hoo!

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I have yet to make any plans for New Years Eve. I still don't feel like the time is here nor do I feel like Christmas has came and went. I feel like I am standing still and the world is passing me by a 1000 miles a minute.

Over the course of the year I have had some really great moments. Memories that I would love to hold onto forever. With this little blog I have started something awesome. A little memory bank if you will.
I hope to see Madison sitting at a laptop reading my material someday. Reflecting back on our lives and all of the fun times we shared.

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While writing this blog a few posts make me smile anytime I go back to reflect upon them.
Take a trip with me down memory lane.....2013..... (in no particular order)

1. All Aboard The Polar Express
2. Mother Or Not, A New Persepective
3. Come Together
4. Stop. I Am The Camel
5. The One Thing I Really Need You To Hear From Me
6. A Very Merry Un-Birthday To Me
7. All She Wants To Do Is Dance
8. Vacation 2013: Myrtle Beach
9. The Best Four Years
10. A Long Awaited Announcement
11. Secrets Revealed
12. Wow! It Changed My Way Of Thinking Forever!

I have so many more moments that have made an impact on my life and that is why I created this little blog of mine. I hope you friends of mine enjoy each post and continue to join me on this journey. It makes my day to hear from you and share in my adventures!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Have you ever looked at a picture and died laughing? Okay not actually died but you get what I’m saying.
I am a picture taking fanatic. I would like to think that maybe if worst case scenario I was to lose my memory that my millions of pictures might be able to shed some light on my past life. Kind of like the Notebook?

Sometimes at just the right moment I capture priceless moments.

Over the last couple of days, I filled my camera with family photos, snapshots of our Christmas celebration and unique moments such as these.

My adorable niece. Still can't believe how grown up she is becoming

My brother in law must have found a present he wanted?

I am still hovered over laughing at some of the pictures. Madison cracks me up and if you were only there in person to experience all of the million other facial expressions that she shares, you too would laugh your butt off. It makes me smile knowing I was blessed with such an amazing family and a daughter as great as Madison.

I'm off to complete the last day of the work week and enjoy two more fun filled days of laughter, snapshots and relaxation! 

Do you have a once in a lifetime photo you have taken? A priceless moment you have chosen to hold onto forever?

Happiness, Love and Joy

Happy Christmas week! I was super dooper excited and yes I just said super dooper to see Madison's face on Christmas day. She had an awesome day thanks to Santa and all of our friends and family. 

I also looked forward to Christmas Eve as much as Christmas Day itself. Since the hubs and I have been dating/married we have met with his side of the family for their Christmas gift exchange. It went just as great as all of the others!

I absolutely adore his grandmother and hope I turn out to be like her. She is generous, patient, kind and giving. She holds this annual get together every year and sometimes if it weren’t for her we all wouldn’t get to see each other as much as we do.

All of the kiddos are spoiled with gifts, appetizers, desserts and treats are left out to fatten our bellies and I usually bring our little Lucy (the Elf On The Shelf) to keep the little ones entertained.

I love passing on traditions and I love seeing everyone smile and enjoy the time we all have together.

I am grateful that I am able to provide everyone with gifts, love and joy. I am overwhelmed with feelings this year.

I often daily reflect on the passing of my grandparents and wish they could have spent this holiday season with us. I know now and forever they will be watching from above with smiles on their faces.

I also wish all of you lovely friends a Happy Holiday week and a Happy New Year in advance! Hug the ones you love and never stop showing them how much you care. They are all we have on this crazy roller coaster called life.

More Christmas details to come!

Snow Adorable: Office Gifts

For the past few months I have searched and searched for the perfect idea for Christmas office gifts.

I like to bring some humor to the table so I usually find creative ways to make my office peers smile and laugh.

Upon scrolling and scrolling through Pinterest for ideas I stumbled upon this idea:

Melted Snowman

Is this not the cutest thing?

A simple, inexpensive yet creative gift!

With a few easy steps you too can create this work of art!

(Note: I used Dasani sized water bottles)

1. Take off the existing label on the water bottle

2. Click here to download and print this label

3. Cut the label to the size of the existing label and tape the label to the bottle

4. Sit the bottle inside of your gift bag and close the bag with a ribbon

5. Attach a gift tag and candy cane and Voila!

Fingers crossed everyone gets a kick out of this like I did!

What creative, humorous or act of kindness have you given away during this holiday season?

Sparkle And Shine

December's Birchbox has arrived!

Ipsy's glam bag has still won my vote for best beauty subscription this month but Birchbox did have a few good items. I wasn't very excited over this months box and to be completely honest with how hectic things have been due to the upcoming holiday I spent about five minutes looking at the contents.

I have used every single item for about a week now so this review is completely legit :)

1. Harvey Prince, Hello: $55-50ml/ $26-8.8ml
This tiny sample of perfume I surprisingly enjoyed. The sweet, subtle scent makes it a daily wear perfume without giving yourself a headache. I am usually one to stay away from perfume samples. They are usually too strong and I never end up liking them but Birchbox really knows how to pick out the good ones!

2. Manna Kadar Cosmetics Sheer Glo in Birchbox Love: $29
Who isn't trying to accomplish healthy, glowing perfect looking skin? With this great product it is easy to achieve just that. You can apply it to your face or body alone or mix it in with your foundation to master that flawless look. The lotion had a basic lotion smell not a perfume like scent. The lotion blended well left my cheekbones glowing. Mission accomplished!

3. Number 4 Non Aerosol Hairspray: $30
Since I scrunch my hair and I am a loyal fan to my daily scrunch products I really don't stray away from those certain products. I will use this spray on Madison's flyaways when pulling her hair back.

4. The Honest Company Organic Healing Balm/ Winter Survival Kit: $25
This is a one part of a three part product line co-founded by Jessica Alba. My entire family deals with dry skin, eczema and psoriasis so this balm really comes in handy during this cold and dry season! I have been using this product on my hands every night before I sleep. The scent of the lavender helps me sleep and when I wake up my hands feel soft and moisturized.

The lifestyle extra item that Birchbox included in the box this month was the Twistband Printed Hair Tie: $10-$12 (6 pack)
I have received this item in a previous box but a different print. It holds ponytails in place for the entire day and accents most of my outfits. A win in my book!

Birchbox also included this handy new Birchbox app info card! For more info download the Iphone Birchbox app today!

What did you receive this month?

Tis The Last Day

Happy Holidays!

Today is the last day to enter this amazing giveaway! I joined a great group of girls to make the holidays a little easier for you!

The winner will win $100 to Target or Sephora which ever suits the winners needs! 

This is our way of thanking each and everyone of you for your support, comments, and love! 

Wishing you a very Happy Holiday Season!

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Make sure to show our promoters some love as well by checking out their blogs.

Fashion By Mariah  Raspberry Glow  Live a Glam Life  Preppy Panache

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VS Fashion Show 2013

A little over a week ago one of the most anticipated events aired across the world, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show!

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I have had the fashion show ready to record since forever ago! I finally had the time this week to sit down, kick my feet up and enjoy all of the beauty it entails.

The women are amazing. Their looks, their posture and most importantly their attitudes.
I would love to live a day in their shoes. My dream since I was a little girl has been to become a professional model or find a career surrounding myself in beauty and fashion.

The show as usual ceases to amaze me. The outfits were stunning and all the bling and glitter wowza!
Even though I am not a fan of Taylor Swift even she looked gorgeous!

I still miss the days of Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks but with girls like Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel the show was nothing less than spectacular!

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What was your favorite look?

Also, one of the highlights for me was viewing the VS holiday commerical! Not to mention one of my favorite songs playing in the background "Waiting Game" by Banks

If you missed it, take a look!!

Ipsy Glam Bag: December

Compared to my Birchbox that I received the day before my Ipsy bag I have to say Ipsy won the month of December. I have debated whether or not to cancel my Birchbox subscription all together but they seem to
be stepping up their game. I am just a huge fan of the Ipsy bag because I find it more affordable, the products match my taste and I seem to use more of the products regularly. I have yet to make my final decision but until then let’s see what’s in the bag!

Natural Lash by Ardell: $3.99
I know quite a few people who are in love with false eyelashes but this is something I have never gotten into. I wear glasses most of the time and I feel like my eyelashes have a good length to them. I have enough problems with my eyes that I cannot imagine putting any type of glue or anything sticky near my eyes.

Starrily Nail Polish in Bzzz Bzzz: $12.00
I love nail polishes in my beauty bags! I painted my nails with a coat of black and then topped my nails with this glitter polish. It is my new favorite combo and a perfect match for New Years!

J. Cat Beauty Big Lip Pencil: $3.99
Paired with my color stick by Be A Bombshell this lip pencil added a hint of color and filled in my lips nicely. I can't remember the last time I used a lip pencil. That is what is great about these beauty subscriptions, you get to step outside of the box and try something at a discounted rate!

Pop Beauty Bright Up Your Life Shadow Trio: $24
This little trio hit my love for eye makeup dead on. These three colors match what I pretty much wear every single day. A hint of shimmer, a medium to dark shade and a darker shade of brown to make my eyes pop. I’m in love.

The One Stick By Be A Bombshell: $16
I have never used a product where you can apply it to anywhere on your face before to add color. I stuck with my ways and used the shade on my lips before applying my lip gloss. It added a subtle hint of color
without feeling cakey like a lipstick might feel.

The value of this bag turned out to be $59.98 and I only spent $10! Also, every product was a full size sample! You can’t beat that!

Are you an Ipsy Glam Bag subscriber?