Special Delivery: Birchbox

After seeing countless bloggers post about their monthly Birchbox, I finally broke down and added my name to the wait list. Tiane got her first Birchbox last month, and the $10 seems worth it for a few fun beauty goodies and the anticipation of a monthly snail mail surprise. I probably waited less than a month before I got the e-mail prompting me to subscribe, and I went with the month-to-month option so that I can cancel at anytime. I was so excited to see that little pink box in my mailbox Saturday afternoon, plus miniature anything is somehow more exciting and cute! My first Birchbox contained the following:

-Befine skin care sampler
- Color Club turquoise nail polish (how did they know I'm obsessed with nail polish?)
- Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy perfume (which I've tried before and love!)
- June Jacob Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish (probably the product I'm most looking forward to testing out
- Show Stoppers designer fashion tape

All in all, it seems like it was worth the money. I'm already super excited for next month's Birchbox because it's a Gossip Girl theme! Do you have a subscription to Birchbox now? What's been the best product you've gotten? I want to know what else I can look forward to receiving!

Interested in trying Birchbox? Sign up here!

Monogrammed Notecards

Special thanks to my littlest sister, Birch, for sending these amazing notecards my way! She has been working on a new project at her job involving adding personalization to the line of bags they manufacture and came across these during the research process. I'll be sure to put them to good use! I do love anything personalized.

What a Difference a Day Makes

These beauties were waiting on my doorstep when I got home today, which made today a million times better than yesterday! I love their worn-in look and rich color. I can't wait to take them out for a spin!

Special Delivery

I received a surprise package in the mail from my aunt in Pittsburgh yesterday and one of the goodies was this terrible towel. On most occasions, anything black and gold would be completely forbidden in my Patriots-loving abode, but since the Pats were eliminated from the playoffs last weekend, we'll be cheering against the Jets this afternoon (technically not for the Steelers). Honestly, I just want to see Rex Ryan's heart ripped out and stomped on. Maybe next season I can actually cheer for my home team.

Thanks for all of the goodies, Paula!

Luck Be a Lady Tonight

I know the time at work today is going to crawl, not only because it's Monday, but also because it's a mini Friday for me. You see, I have an impromptu getaway planned for this evening (and the day off tomorrow). I'm whisking my boyfriend away to the MGM Grand Resort & Casino (in Connecticut) for his birthday. I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate with a fancy dinner and some gambling (although I don't really know how). He's entering a poker tournament tomorrow morning and I plan on taking full advantage of the cabanas by the pool. I've never even been to Atlantic City or Vegas (or any casino for that matter), so this should be quite an adventure. Any and all tips are welcome, but I think I'd be better off sticking to the shops and spa.

Wish me luck!

Exciting...

Can't wait to see what Emily's collaboration with Coach is all about. She gave this teeny, tiny hint today via Twitter. Cupcakes and Cashmere is one of my favorite blogs out there and I know she takes her fashion seriously! It should be very glamorous. I hope I don't have to wait too much longer to see the collection!

Book of Awesome

I'm a big fan of the blog 1000 Awesome Things, so naturally, I went out and bought the book written by the creator of the site. It is definitely awesome! It really makes you stop and think about the simple, little things throughout your day that make you happy. It's also fun to think about how universally appealing certain things are, like popping bubble wrap or being granted an unexpected snow day. I bought the book right before heading to the airport yesterday and three separate people commented on it just from peering at the cover! I encourage you to check out the blog and if you like that, check out the book too!



On a somewhat related side note, I also purchased a set of five colored bobby pins at J. Crew earlier in the day and the rainbow colors reminded me of the word awesome on the cover of the book. I know. Ridiculous. I swear I didn't coordinate the purchases intentionally.

What are some awesome things that make you happy?

I Love Marc (Jacobs)

Earlier this week, I got a fantastic e-mail announcing Bloomingdale's friends and family 20% off sale. I consider myself a fairly frugal and disciplined person (or at least I try) but I have this gigantic problem where I can't turn down a sale this good. I sometimes even use coupons at the grocery store for products I wouldn't normally buy because the coupon is too good to pass up. Silly, I know. Honestly though, sales like this don't come around every day (especially on designer items). So I've been perusing the Bloomies website looking for just the right items to add to my spring/summer arsenal. I haven't been too successful, but there are some Marc Jacobs items that have caught my eye. I love Marc Jacobs. A lot. Maybe even too much. I appreciate how much color he incorporates into his designs. Here's what I've fallen in love with so far:

From top to bottom:
Cosmetics bag
Card holder
Clutch
Swimsuit
Change purse
Tote

Can you help me narrow down my choices?
taylor

Bridesmaid Challenge

Last week I received an e-mail from my aunt (who follows this blog). Her friend needed some help coming up with ideas for bridesmaids gifts. She is getting married in June and has eight (yes, eight!) bridesmaids to shop for. She's already purchased each of them a bottle of Little Black Dress wine, because they all got to choose their own LBD to wear in the wedding. She wants to give them a little something else to go with the wine and wants to spend between ten and fifteen dollars per girl. I gladly accepted the challenge, and told her I'd scour the internet and get back to her later in the week.

I immediately began obsessing over the challenge. Growing up with two sisters, I know how hard it is to please three girls, let alone eight. The budget was somewhat limiting, too. I started thinking about personalized gifts (which can get pricey) and something that would appeal to most young women (tricky). Well, here are some of the ideas I came up with on my own. Please let me know what you think and if you have any ideas that I may have forgotten.

Personalized set of notecards $12


Liberty of London for MAC tinted lipglass $14


Chalk note glassware $5


Little Black Dress coffee table book $13


Assortment of Lush beauty goodies $15


Gift certificate for manicure $12


Sparkly headband $13


Selection of Dean & Deluca gourmet candies $12

Since replying to her original e-mail, I've also though of a Sephora gift card or a Max Brenner hug mug with homemade hot chocolate mix in a pretty package. Any other ideas?!

Help!
taylor

Owl-Themed Birthday

Didn't I tell you owls were all the rage?! This birthday party is too cute! The owl pinata is my favorite! I just love theme parties, where everything from the invites to the sweets share a common thread. Check out the little owl slippers on the guest of honor!

Have you ever attended a great theme party?
taylor

And Exhale

Ahhh, another work week in the books, and a busy one at that. I'm looking forward to curling up with a good book this weekend and getting some things done around the house. We're supposed to have torrential rain all weekend. I'm hoping to try out some new recipes (like blueberry ricotta pancakes) and catch up on all of my regular blog reads I have been neglecting this week. I'm also researching ideas for a nautical-themed baby shower that my sister is planning for her friend at the end of April. Isn't the theme adorable?! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm off to enjoy a glass of wine and catch up with a friend.
Happy Friday!
taylor

Gimme Some (Novelty) Sugar

This photo is great. I love the bright splashes of color against the greenish wall. Pez candy dispensers are so much fun. I think my favorite is Gonzo on the bottom right side (next to Big Bird). I always used to get a Pez in my stocking at Christmas and in my Easter basket. My youngest sister would never even load them into the dispenser; she'd just put the whole stack of candy into her mouth at once!

Do kids nowadays still like Pez as much?
I sure hope so.

Strawberry Stash

I recently spotted this adorable tote that folds up into a little strawberry. I thought it would be perfect to keep in my car for spontaneous farmers market trips and last-minute grocery store runs. I just wish they had a variety of fruit so I could collect them all!

Do you have a favorite reusable tote?
taylor

Relax, It's Friday

I am so happy it's finally Friday. Even though it was only a four day work week, I am exhausted. These ferris wheel photos (courtesy of Beauty in Everything) are making me yearn for warmer weather and longer days. I love the bright lights and vivid colors! I have had quite a fun week. M and I spent all day Sunday together. We babysat for friends who have an 8-month-old baby (see pic below) so they could go on a nice V-Day dinner date (awww). I cooked up some yummy cioppino for our date night and was surprised with a Max Brenner box of chocolate goodies (including two hug mugs)! It was a great way to spend Valentine's Day with my sweetie. Monday was a holiday so I did something I never thought I'd do--saw Avatar. In 3D. It was pretty amazing (and long). I'm glad I saw it in the theater, though. It was visually impressive, to say the least.

My weekend started early-I received a fun package in the mail on Thursday. My high school buddy & fellow blogger, Tiane, sent me a starter bag of Amish Friendship bread! I'm so excited to "mush" the bag and gradually add all of the ingredients so I can bake up some of the delicious cinnamon-sugar goodness. I haven't done this in so long! The ten days of waiting for the batter to ferment and do its thing seems like an eternity! More to come on the outcome of that next week. I had a very busy week at work catching up from the snow day and holiday, but I was able to sneak out to grab lunch with my old roomie today. I just found out he's moving to LA next month-boo! We had a tasty meal and visited our friend Justin at Temple, an amazing hotel and restaurant in downtown Providence. Now I'm just catching up on some of the Olympics & my favorite blogs and listening to the new Sade album (which is super!). I'm looking forward to a fun-filled weekend with friends!

What are you doing this weekend?

My Favorite Things

My Favorite Things is one of my daily reads in the blog realm. They always seem to find fun & practical products that I love! This week, I was lucky enough to be part of their Friday feature. Every Friday they choose one reader and feature a list of their favorite things. Click here to check out my favorites. It was really hard to narrow it down to just ten things (I actually went over the limit!). Try it yourself!

What are some of your favorite things?
taylor

Lucky Me!

I never win anything, so you can imagine my excitement/astonishment when this showed up on one of my favorite blogs. Yes, I won! I won an adorable set of owl notecards made by cardsink. I'm so lucky! I feel like I should run out and buy a powerball ticket for the 140 million dollar drawing tomorrow. Okay, that might be pushing my luck. In the meantime, I'll be anxiously awaiting my notecards in the mail!

Happy Friday!
taylor

Ahh Relaxation

I've already had a nice start to my weekend. I finished up at the office a little early and went out with M to one of our favorite spots for lunch, Cuban Revolution. They have yummy empanadas and freshly made guacamole that's always delicious. I love the decor, too. The walls are adorned with huge canvases with graffiti-style portraits of 60s icons like Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and Fidel Castro. They're so bright and colorful. I wish I could have one for my apartment. Afterwards, M went to Friday night poker with the boys and I treated myself to a manicure. It's been a long week and I felt like I'd definitely earned some R&R. Plus, my new Chanel polish arrived in the mail on Tuesday and I was dying to see what it looked like. The verdict is in and I love it! It's such a unique color. I can't even explain the shade. It's in the taupe family, but from some angles it looks almost like an army green or grayish-olive.

I also browsed through Victoria's Secret and picked up this lip gloss heart ring. I couldn't resist! They had me at the colorful foil packaging. Yes, I'm a sucker. I picked the yellow ring, mostly because it's not the color I would typically choose. It's amazing how a little $5 trinket can make me so happy! I'm going to curl up with a blanket on the couch and catch up on some of my DVR'd shows from this week. I hope Grey's Anatomy was good last night!

How do you unwind after a long week?
taylor

Well Helloooo Weekend

This absolutely made my day! Seriously, I was so excited when I read this post. I even did I double-take. I highly recommend checking out my friend Tiane's blog because she finds some pretty neat things and goes on exciting adventures all over the globe. Plus, she just got cute new bangs (think Nicole Richie). On a side note, I am so happy it's finally Friday. This week has been a doozy. Do you have any fun weekend plans?

Thankyouthankyouthankyou Tiane!
Happy Friday!
taylor

Bottoms Up

I received the best birthday surprise in the mail a few weeks ago! An unexpected package arrived a few days after my b-day and I immediately opened it to find the cutest, most colorful wine glass from my sweet cousin, Chrissy! I have already enjoyed a few glasses of wine out of it and I foresee many more in the future. I love the glass because it has a birthday theme with candles and sparkles on it (perfect for me) plus it's hand painted. There's even a recipe painted on the bottom for a white wine cocktail (that I have yet to try).

I like the glass so much that I checked out the company's website to see what other types of items they have to offer. Wow, was I surprised! They have everything from hand pained beer mugs to shot glasses to candles and even some odd ball trinkets in between. Looking for a celebratory divorce champagne flute, anyone? Yes, that's right. They really have every occasion covered. They make great gifts and the packaging is bright and eye catching.

Thanks Chrissy! I love my wine glass.
What's your favorite design?
taylor