Birch Box!

A few weeks ago I read an interesting article about several women, all in their 20’s who have successfully started their own businesses.  One company, called Birch Box , is a membership site where you pay $10 a month and receive a  box of high-end beauty samples.  The items you receive are based on your profile and what you are most interested in.  I received my first Birch Box the other day, and was so excited to open it.

How cute is the packaging?!

I received the following samples:

• Kerastase Shampoo, Conditioner and Shine Serum
• Color Club Nail Polish in a lovely Coral shade
• Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer (just need to say that for a sample size, there is a lot in here!)
• Sara McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer (Body Lotion)

My profile consisted of me being mostly interested in anti-aging serums and hair products to treat dry ends. I also specified that I was interested in both classic & trendy make-up looks.

Overall, I think the monthly samples are a great way to try new products.  If you want to buy any of the products in a full size, you can do so through the Birch Box website.

Summer Weather

This weekend it was absolutely gorgeous!  Friday I took a half day from work so I could attend my younger sister's college graduation.  My parents also had flown in from California so it was great to all be together.  Saturday, I met up with my Mom in Andover where we walked around the town and then later met up with my Dad and had lunch together. 

The weather was 75 and sunny and with our luck there was a craft fair going on in the Andover Commons. My Mom bought me a beautiful hand painted olive oil cruet.

I returned home and started preparing foods for Sunday's Mother's Day dinner. While chopping all the ingredients that go into the Russian Potato Salad (a favorite in the family!), I had the windows open and enjoyed the warm breeze.

Now it is dark and rainy :-| Can't wait for the true summer weather to return!

Designer Shoe Giveaway:

Fashion Blogger Erika Marie of Fashion Chalet is giving away a pair of Alexander Wang sandals! Click here for your chance to win!
http://www.fashionchalet.net/2012/04/giveaway-alexander-wang-safari-sandals.html

Happy Saint Valentine's Day ♥

I am feeling quite in the mood for Valentine’s Day this year. Seeing people wearing red, men and women holding bouquets of flowers, I even have my pink heart earrings on.



"She bath'd with roses red, and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres, that in the forrest grew." - The Faerie Queene (1590)

Fall Footwear

Just a quick fashion related post -

I love fall for multiple reasons: crisp temperatures, cozy clothes for lounging at home, Halloween, beautifully colored leaves, My Birthday, Thanksgiving, sweaters and layers and of course finding new boots.

This year I was not sure what type of boot I wanted for myself, I thought I wanted a tan pair of "riding boots" but on my legs, I didn't like how they were too wide around my calf, they just didn't look right. I already have a pair of black suede knee-hight flat boots so for now, I am using these - although I feel I really do need a brown boot in my wardrobe. I also decided I needed a good "fall" shoe that I could wear with my work pieces during the week and still pair with my more casual clothes for the weekends. I loved these from Marc by Marc Jacobs, but thought they were quite pricey for my budget.

Selling for $295.00 at The Tannery.

I liked the look of this Mary Jane "wedge" because I knew they would look great with either pants or skirts/dresses, and above all, they are comfortable! Everyone knows how much more comfortable wedges are compared to regular pumps. While looking in Macy's last week, I saw
these gorgeous suede Mary Jane wedges by Ellen Tracy,



How similar do they look to the Marc by Marc Jacobs style? I ended up getting these Ellen Tracy wedges in tan for a mere $67:-) I thought the tan would look perfect when worn with the different colored corduroy pants I own. These shoes even look great with black skinny jeans:-)

Every Friday Just about Midnight            All my Problems seem to disappear



"Friends" - Band of Skulls

Wild Storms

Yesterday morning it was warm and sunny, but by late afternoon, it was dark, cloudy and severe weather warnings were issued throughout Massachusetts. These warnings consisted of: Flash Flood Warning, Severe Thunder Storm Warning and a Tornado Watch Warning (!!) Thankfully, there were no tornadoes in the Boston area, but we did have some crazy thunderstorms with heavy rain. Although we do frequently have thunderstorms in the summer, I have never seen so many lightning strikes in such a short period of time.

In Watertown, MA (a town outside Boston), between 6:00-7:30pm, we saw lots of cumulonimbus mamma clouds.



After 7:30 it almost looked like it was clearing up, but by 8:00 you could see the dark storm clouds rolling in. The rain started by 9:00 and the thunder and lightning was insane. With my phone I captured a video and was able to pull a freeze frame from it,

By 10:00pm, all was clear!