Step 1: Spend most of the day on the couch because you feel like poo. But when your husband plans a birthday surprise you know you have to get your butt in gear.

Step 2: Throw on a poncho sweater and ask your husband if it's ok. When he says yea, you rethink it and throw on some plaid instead. Still a bad choice.

Step 3: Eat at a fancy restaurant that serves tomato and mozzarella and brings you a cute carafe of wine to pour yourself.

Step 4: Go to a paint party with  your friends that includes even more wine.

Step 5: Really think you have a masterpiece on your hands because, wine. I like to call mine abstract. Who needs to see people anyway? All my friends did quite a nice job too.

And on Sunday, you rest after a night of fun celebrating your birthday. You will be 28 after all. It takes a little more time.

A Christmas Card to You

Last year we started the tradition of sending out a photo Christmas card. It was just our wedding photos and did the "Married Christmas." This year, I really wanted to do a Christmas photo shoot. Blanket included.

But then, I had a few stitches put in my face and lost half my eyebrow. Needless to say, I wasn't in the mood to be all cutesy and get my pictures taken with serious roots and half an eyebrow missing.

Cue, 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas and not having any Christmas cards. With a little self-timer and photo editing magic, we pulled it off.

The crazy cat lady in me bought a mistletoe headband for Lily to wear in hopes we could kiss under it. This is how that turned out...

These were all the other rejected Christmas card entries.

This one made it in the finals.

Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!

Grief | It Just Hits You

You don't see it coming. There is no warning. It just hits you.
This time of the year it comes at you full force.
It could be the smell of a fresh tree or the laugh of children.
Maybe it's cooking a family recipe or the change in weather.
Whatever might trigger it, you can never be sure. It just hits you.


One minute you are laughing and singing your favorite song.
Then, it just hits you and you are overcome with immense sadness.
As much as you want to be ok, you want to smile and decorate the tree, you can't.
Because it just hits you and all you want to do is cry.
Cry at everything that is different. Cry because of everything missing.
You never know when it's coming.
It just hits you.
Grief.


The holidays are a bittersweet time for many people that deal with the loss of a loved one. It doesn't matter how long it's been, it's still hard.

This is my 6th Christmas without my mom and I still have moments where all I want is for her to be here singing Rockin Around the Christmas Tree with me. Sometimes they are expected moments of sadness. Putting up the tree, the shiny garland I wrapped around the staircase that she hated. But then there are moments that are unexpected. That it just hits me.

A few weeks ago, she appeared in my dreams. It was just when I started my new job and she was there for my baby shower, of all things (Not pregnant, even a little bit.) She was laughing and hugging me. That was a hard day when I woke up. I wanted that hug here. I wanted to hear her laugh again. That's what we might call a sad day. A day where it just hit me.

Then, there was yesterday. As I was cleaning out my car, I came across this.This small backpack.

It was tucked under my trunk blanket, probably left behind from the move...4 months ago...As I pull it out, right there, it just hit me. This was the very last Christmas present my mom ever gave me. Since she had bronchitis that Christmas she didn't get to the store and shop so instead gave me this bag she had gotten from Yves Roche as a free gift and wrapped money inside it. When I opened it, I threw up the money and made my mom laugh. One of those memories I will never forget.

IF you are experiencing this, this Holiday season, know you are not alone. Know that this is the path of grief. It never has an ending. It's ok to be sad, it's ok to still be grieving no matter how long its been. But also know, it's ok to laugh a little more and smile a little more than the last holiday season. Because just as those sad moments hit, know that those moments of pure happiness will hit you too. And those moments, will be the best comfort you could ask for.

#ModaVoxBox Review

A few months ago I was fortunate enough to receive the #ModaVoxBox from Influenster. It's a fashionable themed box with a couple of new products. This has to be one of my favorite VoxBoxes for sure.

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Rockin' Curves Mascara, MoistureRenew Lipstick & Lipliner

My makeup routine is well, pretty routine. Eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, foundation. I tend to use a mascara I love for many years. When I received the Rockin Curves mascara I was deifnitely intrigued. I always love curling my eyelashes and making them pop. It has a curved wand that helps your eyelashes pop. I haven't had any problem with clumps either which is a plus. This will definitely be a part of my routine from now on.

Notice how I didn't mention any lipstick in my beauty routine? I do not wear lipstick. More of a gloss gal. But I gave this a try. The Lip Liner is actually clear, meant to define your lips and prevent feathering. I never liked the thought of wearing lip liner to mathc your lipstick so this actually makes sense. Works with all your lipstick. The lipstick was great. It stayed through a full day of shopping and coffee drinking with minimal reapplication. Dare I say, I might be an occasional lipstick person now. I loved how the color made my lips pop and added a pop of color.


Puffs SoftPack


We use a lot of tissues around here and we are alwys owrried about the dreaded red nose from it. These tissues were soft enough for every day use and during a cold. I absolutely love the idea of the SoftPack. It's easy to carry around if you need it in your car or office. The patterns that are available also make it different than any other tissues brand.


Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer

Having always suffered from winter Eczema, I have a hard time finding anything really works for my skin. I wouldn't say that this lotion will be my permanent lotion for the winter, it definitely works. I felt the difference using it as my daily body lotion and if you are only plagued with occasional dry skin this will work for you.


resource Natural Spring Water #RefreshwithResource

"resource is a sustainably sourced 100% Natural Spring Water from carefully selected sources with naturally occurring electrolytes for a clean, refreshing taste. resource comes in a bottle made with 50% recycled plastic* and is 100% recyclable."

How Irefreshed with resource? After my treadmill workout. With electrolytes, it can really replenish you so that you are not dehydrated after a workout. The taste of this water was different than other bottled water, so I will give it that. As for feeling less dehydrated, I felt the same as when I drink other water. But I would recommend it as it had a good taste and comes with 50% recycled plastic.


Hair Food Moisture Hair Mask

Brand new product to hit the hair market, I loved it. with even one use it made my hair mroe managable and it left it softer. The smell is amazing with infusions of apricots and honey. The price tag is great for you to feed your hair. This is a great new product you should try if you have dry hair.


Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa

Cocoa is always great this time of year. And this just hit the spot. Even though it's a different kind, it tasted just like any other Swiss Miss cocoa you may buy. Which is a good thing!



I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.