Another round of Cara Box in the bag. If you're wondering what just exactly that is, let me take a few words from Kaitlyn at Wifessionals, the creator of the Cara Box.

cara (car-rah) noun  :  beloved friend

Cara Box is a quarterly box swap among women. It was created with the intention of connecting ladies, allowing them to truly get to know and encourage each other. This swap is primarily based around Instagram. Both bloggers and non-bloggers may participate, but being an active user on Instagram is a must.

The theme this spring was your hometown. Sending things that represent where you live and your hometown. I was paired with Cristina from Life with a Side of Coffee, who I sent a box to and Blakely, who gifted me a box.


Blayke did a great job with my box. I mean, I got shipped wine. Is there anything better?

Mad Housewife Wine

It really felt like I got to know her hometown, Lodi, CA. And apparently it's wine country. Basically, I need to live there.

I have enjoyed Cara Box since I joined last year. It's a great way to get to know people. And now that it features Instagram, it becomes even more personal. Sign up at the link above! 

Cheers not Jeers

I have been wanting to participate in this lovely link-up since it's inception, but alas I am just starting. But it is a great idea from the lovely Casey at The Aslan's Auspicious Albany Adventure.

She is one of my former Cara Box partners that is just experiencing her first winter on the east coast. Not the best I might say! But clearly, she has a heart of gold and great ambitions.
 She just opened up a new Etsy shop that combines her craftiness with her love of chemistry. Something her husband knows a lot about.

The idea of this link up is to spread love and happy thoughts throughout the blog world. Really give a shout out to some amazing people.

First and foremost, I want everyone to know the lovely Kate at Classy Living.

She is one of my first blogging friends..basically we are a year old. Which makes this a special occasion, apparently.

We met through Cara Box and realized we lived within an hour of each other AND were getting married within weeks of each other. We emailed back and forth about wedding plans, "you can do it!" emails and commented on each others crazy wedding posts.

She may be younger than me but I'm pretty sure this girl has things more together than me! She always has such heartwarming stories about teaching, her family and new husband. I absolutely cannot wait to meet her in person. Which will be soon.

I can't wait for next week and spread the love! Link up with Casey to show of your cheers for other bloggers. 

Winter Cara Box

Another 3 months, another Cara Box down. I have really loved doing these Cara Boxes that the lovely Kaitlyn at Wifessionals cooked up. It has shown me a whole new world of bloggers and people. I'm married, most aren't. I love cats, some do. But there is always something about connecting with other people for 3 months.

This month I was paired with Rachel from Sunshine and Sinatra and she was quite possibly the cutest partner I've had. Meaning, college girl like myself 10 years ago, full of life and spunk. Plus, she loves paegents and always posts the most artsy Instagram pictures.

I tried my best to put together a Cara Box as cute as her and I was able to find a piece on Etsy that I knew she would love. A vintage Atlantic City Miss America ticket.

#carabox partner got me the coolest thing. Ever. You rock bunches, @KristaLeigh8!!:) pic.twitter.com/MYb153cZGB
— Rachel (@Sun_and_Sinatra) February 4, 2014

My other Cara Box partner was Courtney from Business Suits & Riding Boots. She is a true north Jersey gril that lives just shy of NY and works a fabulous job in Manhattan. Oh, she fancy.  Her and her mister are just about where me and Brian were when we became a little bit more than bf/gf...hint, hint. Does that make me sound creepy? Oops. 

Her puppy is the absolute cutest and as she is just taking off in blog land, it was great to get to know her and you should too!

Courtney put together a great box that really showed she got to know me.

Ignore the drowning teddy bear.

 Mary Kay Mascara-I wrote this was my favorite anddd she bought it for me.

Food Network Magazine-As a newlywed, I definitely need recipes to up my creativity in the kitchen. So this was perfect.

Dunkin Donuts-I run on Dunkin coffee and tea. So this makes me function.

Picture Frame- Newlyweds need all the frames they can get to display their wedding pictures. Pretty much perfect.

Snickers/Chocolate Chips-Snickers are half way gone. Oops. And chocolate chips are always a great treat.

Cat toys- The purple one was stolen. Obviously, it is loved.

Stole it right from the picture. No time was wasted.

Oh, and Lily also enjoyed the box. Thanks, Courtney for the amazing Cara Box!

Fall Cara Box

It's time for another round of Cara Box reveal! In case you aren't familiar with it, straight from Kaitlyn, the genius creator..

You will get paired up with two other women, email back and forth to get to know each other, and will crazily stalk their blog (if they have one)...in the most non-creepy way. Each exchange will last for three months. By the end of the second month, you will create a box or package, specifically for the woman you were paired to send to, and ship it off to her. Your other partner will do the same for you.

This month I got paired with Kortney at Brett & Kortney Boyett and Laura at Mrs. Laura Beth

I loved getting to know both of these wonderful ladies over the past few months. And I am so glad they survived through my emails issues (Sorry ladies!) Both of these ladies just celebrated their first anniversaries and I loved reading about both of their adventures.

Laura has kitties she absolutely adores as much as I adore my Lily. She lives on a farm which is a totally different epxerience than anything you could imagine, or so I've heard from her ;)

Laura spoiled me (and Lily!) so much and I love everything she got me. 

A wine cork vase with a tea light candle. She had these at her wedding and knew I loved my wine. So thoughtful! 

Chestnuts! Actual chestnuts to roast on my open fire. Or to be decorated as a pretty Christmas centerpiece.

Journal the quote is perfect and I have already started using it. She got the same one for herself so it's like we always have a connection. Sounds stalkerish I know. 

Perfectly Plum Bag My fave color of green and so lightweight. I always love having a new bag to carry around and will go perfect with some Christmas things.

Catnip Lily and catnip makes Lily the craziest kitty of all. And she loves it.


If you are interested in participating in next month's Cara Box swap, you can sign up here. And I highly suggest you do!

My August Cara Box

I might have missed the memo and be a few days late but better late than never to the party am I right?

This month I got back into the Cara Box exchange after taking off a few months for wedding planning craziness to take over my life. And I loved this month's theme!

But first, let me give you some background on the Cara Box exchange straight from the genious creator, Kaitlyn over at Wifessionals herself.

Nowadays, everyone uses email and texts to communicate. But remember a day, way back when, when you would actually get cards and presents in the mail? Fun fact: I love mail.
When I was in elementary school I was paired up with different pen pals around the world. I used to love getting to learn about another child's life and culture - and I REALLY loved getting gifts and awesome things from them and their country.
I have absolutely adored meeting tons of new women since the start of Wifessionals. I especially appreciate the kind emails and words of encouragement that we share with each other on a day to day basis.
Awesome things in the mail + Meeting new women + Encouragement = Cara Box!

So there you have it. It is an awesome exchange that allows you to connect with other bloggers and I have met the sweetest ladies through this. And every month has a different theme. This month's was lifestyle.
So you were responsible for getting to know all about your partner and what they want


I was paired up with Yen, from over at Green House on top of the Hill. And she really got to know me and what I absolutely love. So naturally it included a wine accessory..wino much? and a special present for Lily...#crazycatlady

Let me break it down for you

Wine stopper

Cat toys

Fall decoration because you can never have enough! 

The cutest journal. Can't wait to write down my genius blog ideas 

HAlloween cupcakes! 

Water bottle in my fav color
And of course pretty nail polish in colors ready for fall

I am lucky or what?!

And the cherry on top, I was able to meet the sweetest Casey from Aslan's Auspicious Albany Adventure. She is a newbie to the Northeast this Fall so I decided to send her some sweet treats for the fall. You HAVE to see what I sent here, it was pretty great!

I am so glad I rejoined the cara box this month and got to know two wonderful ladies! Sign ups start today for the fall cara box!

March Cara Box Reveal

This is my second time participating in the Cara Box with Kaitlyn at Wifessionals. And it has proven to be a great experience both times. 

This month's theme was, " What's the letter of your first name?" AKA. Give things that start with their first name. 

This month I was paired with Julie from Oh My Tookies  who I sent some gifts to. I must say, I thought "K" was hard but "J" might just be as hard. 

Julie has a cookie business she runs with her family and if your looking for some delicious treats you must check out Tookies on Etsy. Just be careful if you are trying to diet for a wedding because while perusing I had to demonstrate a considerably amount of restraint. 

Um, Tookie-wiches? 

Chummie Chocolate Chip Ganache Cookie-Wiches

Drooling yet? 

Galactic Guy Sampler

I was also paired with Mandee at Cloud Nine Designs who has an Etsy shop of her own filled with nice jewelry. 

Some of which appeal to the sorority girl in me

Silver Big Sister or Little Sister Charm Necklace

And my Cara Box actually included on of her pieces and it's the cutest!

"K"ey Necklace from her shop

Silver Key Charm Necklace

Here's the rest of the goodies she sent me and being a "K" name I knew it would be slightly challenging but she did great. 

*Missing one Kit Kat that might have been eaten right away...

"K"nowledge with a great book..can't wait to take a second and enjoy it

Make sure to visit both Mandee and Julie's shops and pick up some treats!

Cara Box Reveal. #ClubSexy

As I'm trying to grow this blog day by day I am always looking for new link-ups, sponsor opportunties and any way I can interact with other bloggers. At Christmas I participated in the Christmas Ornament Swap and I loved receiving a gift from a blogger friend.

Then comes along Kaitlyn from Wifessionals. I noticed another blogger in January had featured her Cara Box and I was curious. 

What's a Cara Box you ask?

Well, let me tell you. "Cara" means "beloved friend" which is the purpose of the Cara Box, to make great blogger friends and send fun things. Sign me up!

Every month has a different theme, this month's was #ClubSexy. Based on a post Kaitlyn had where she had made a nice #ClubSexy date night for her hubby, she gave us the fun challenge to get to know our swap partners through blog stalking, emails, whatever to know what their ideal date night would be. Then put together a small package to send on over their way to enjoy. 

I was lucky enough to meet 2 lovely ladies from the good ole' Jersey state for my very first Cara Box.  I found out that they too are engaged and living long distance (been there, done that) We weren't able to meet up to exchange but hope to in the future.

I sent a Cara Box to Kate at Classy Living. It was themed to accommodate her long distance #ClubSexy and also #ClubSexy when her man comes home. Check it all out here to see the goodies I sent her!

Now for my box of goodies from Alissa at iAManRD. She really got to know and my love for wine.

I told Alissa I love cooking and trying new things to make with Brian so she sent me my first Food Network magazine...might not be my last. And it's the cheese edition. Enough said.

Adorable wine charms for my multiple glasses of wine. And for our future dinner parties. I love them.

And adding on a wine opener to make sure we can get into all those bottles of wine.

Dark chocolate brownies for dessert....

Pop them in the heart shape mold. Boom! And end #ClubSexy with nice RedBox movies. 

Alissa really got what me and Brian love to do for our date nights. We love wine and relaxing nights at home with a home cooked meal, dinner and dessert. Helps us unwind from wedding planning craziness. 

Can't wait to participate in next months Cara Box. Want to meet some great Blog Friends and have fun? Sign up for the March Cara Box here!

Friday's Letters

Dear National Margarita Day-I love the excuse for us to drink margaritas for no reason. But I am thoroughly disappointed you have chosen the day I will be at work until midnight. Bitter.

Dear Cold Weather- I think we can all agree, we are over it. Let's stay around the 50 mark here on it. Ok thanks.

Dear Cara Box-I love you and thanks you so much to Alissa from IAManRD...she did an awesome job. Can't wait to share all my goodies next week!

Dear Oscars-Only a few days to go and I am already dreaming up the dresses in my mind. Get ready fiance. When I come home from work at 4, E will be on ASAP.

Dear Apartment Cleaning Fairy- You haven't shown up in the past week. I am concerned.

Dear Fiance- I am already sad about how much we won't see each other this next week...but I am so excited about date night Friday!

What are your Friday's Letters? Make sure you to link up!