RoseVoxBox from Influenster

 

I was so excited to get my second voxbox from Influenster. This one is called the RoseVoxBox and it is full of health and beauty samples and a few little sweet treats too. I signed up at Influenster from by getting an invite from The Stylish Housewife. I have a few invites left if you would like to join. Just let me know! All I need is your email address and that you follow my blog. When you become a member you take surveys about anything and everything - even pets - and the more questions you answer or reviews you give the more chances you have for getting these fun voxboxes! (Click here for when I got the Sargento Cheese voxbox).

Anyway....here is a video of me opening my box - my first vlog! Eeep! So nervous. I feel like I sound so silly! Ha! 

Here are a few snapshots and detail info

 These little breakfast biscuits were tasty. My son liked them as well and that was a good thing. They have a good amount of dietary fiber in them which he needs on his high fiber diet. I can't really tell if they gave me energy but I'm a low energy person. I never really feel like I can conquer the world. I don't know if it is my age, my weight or never regaining the sleep I lost after becoming a mom or just all three.

 

 I took these out of the package and stood on them in my sock feet. HEAVEN. I haven't had a chance to try them in a boot and walking around but I know I will like them! Just look at that cozy little foot warming cushion action!

 I haven't tried this yet either and unfortunately I broke a nail today. My nails are already short (I like them that way) but will be a little extra short to even out the breakage. I really wish they were a bit longer for this pretty mani.

 I tried this mascara already and LOVE IT. I threw my other mascara I was using away. Scandaleyes washes off very easily which is high on my list. I do NOT want to be tugging at my eyes or the skin around my eyes more than I have to. I have some before and after pics to share with you soon.

 Delicious. As always. Lindor Truffles never disappoint and are a super special treat that reminds me of Christmas. My six year old was super excited about these and ate one with glee. I'm thinking this would make a great stocking stuffer for him.

There you have it! I'll do a few more detailed reviews as I try the products! Exciting!

Happy Thanksgiving!

DIY: Fall/Thanksgiving Wreath

 

Finally! I have been meaning to make this wreath for.ever! I mean, Thanksgiving is practically here and I finally get it made. Better late than never I guess. Now it will be ready to go for next year! Ha!

I kept this one simple because, really, I rarely like the final product when I make a wreath. I don't know why...I think I always end up going overboard. I was pretty happy with this simple little craft though!

Striped Cardi Girl

Sweater, Long Sleeve & Trousers: Thrifted, Boots: Teva

I really don't know where fall went this year! I usually complain about how I am not a big fan of fall...the leaves changing and the dark evening hours that creep up quickly. But this bone chilling weather is not my idea of a trade off. Hence the photos inside the house. I still can't get the lighting right but I'll be getting more practice. It isn't going to warm up for a while.

I wore this outfit for a casual day of running errands and hanging around the house while my dad came over. We hired him to put two tunnel skylights in the hallway. Needless to say my house needs a lot of skylights to feed my need for bright sunshine and the two that we just added is a step in the right direction.

Here is a peek at the new skylights. LOVE them.

Something Tasty: Butternut Stuffed Squash

I first saw this recipe at Emily Bites.com except she used acorn squash and I used butternut squash. Acorn squash was a little more expensive and a bit too small for the crowd I needed to feed. Here is a picture of Emily's beautiful finished dish (much more beautiful than mine!)

I followed Emily's recipe closely but omitted the mushrooms since we have a few non-mushroom eaters in the house. Her stuffing recipe is very tasty I must say.

First I cut the squash in half and removed the seeds and company.

I then brushed the halves with olive oil then sprinkled salt, pepper and a bit of rosemary.

Into the oven they went. I did have to add another 20 minutes or so to my roasting time. I guess due to the fact that the butternut squash was a bit larger than her acorn squash. I gathered the rest of the ingredients and followed her directions on making the stuffing. The apple added such a nice sweet taste!

I was really unsure about making this dish because I have never made butternut squash before. Actually, I had never even tried butternut squash. But it came out delicious! I was so surprised! I don't know what I was so nervous about. The texture was the same as a sweet potato. The taste was similar as well. All the potato goodness without the carbs basically.

Sorry for the terrible photos. We were too hungry to do a fluff piece. I learned a lot though. I'm not scared of squash anymore! I also had someone to suggest that I roast it flesh side down so I may have to try it again.

First Official Girl

 Jacket: BB Dakota, Sweater & Top: Eddie Bauer, Jeans: Walmart, Boots: Keen "Bern Baby Bern"

You know I have never actually worn an official sock bun until this day. I've always thought, nah, I don't need it. I'll just twist my hair around in a twisty mess. I took the plunge into what I should've been doing the whole time and I am highly satisfied. So easy! And it looks so much more polished than my messy twist.

 

DIY: Thanksgiving "Give Thanks" Banner

I can't believe I got a Thanksgiving banner put together and actually got it hung on the mantle. This is progress people! I finally did something in my Pinterest-crafts-to-do list.

The supplies I used were right out of my craft boxes. I cut felt into the triangle shapes. I used twine to attach them all in a row. That was the hardest part because the twine kept wanting to twist on me. What I did was hang up the twine on the mantle and then clothespin each triangle to get the spacing down. Then hot glued them into place. I decorated each triangle before I hot glued them to the twine.

I had buttons that I used for the "G" in give and the "T" in thanks. I outlined the buttons with yarn so it would seem more like a letter. I'm always a little intimidated by how to do the letters. I really didn't want to go buy the letters at the craft store because I wanted this to be a no cost project.

I found a pumpkin alphabet online and printed out the rest of the letters. I distressed them with one of my gold stamp pads. The leaves, flowers and feathers are just straight out of my random craft box. Then I tied scraps of green fabric in between.

Like I said - the hardest part was getting the flags glued to the twine. Plus I didn't have that much counter space to lay it all out in order and still be near the glue gun! First world problems, I know. I tied little ribbons at the end of the banner for a little sweet touch.

Hot Pants Girl

Lace Top: Family Dollar, Long Sleeve: Old Navy, Pink Jeans: Roses, Booties: Madden Girl, Necklace: Charming Charlies

Wouldn't you know the one day that I venture out in heels and hot pink pants, I get a flat tire. Perfect.

Patience Tested Girl

Top/Tunic/Dress for skinny people?: Thrifted Levi's, Leggings: Walmart, Boots: Steve Madden, Necklace: Modcloth

I failed the patience test. My mom, my niece and my son and I were all at an indoor play-land thingie here in town on Monday. We found some seats, put our stuff down, played, got some coffee and just did our thing. I got up to go speak to the owner who my mom knew and while I was speaking to him I noticed two ladies had sat down in our chairs. I came back over and saw my pocketbook in the floor and my coffee and Riley's juice box still on the end table in between the two chairs. I said "wow, you  moved my stuff!" They didn't say anything at first but I said "you know we were sitting here". I really was just in disbelief at how nonchalant they were at how rude it was that they stole our chairs. They proceeded to argue about how I wasn't sitting in it and that other people need to sit down. I tried to "reason" with them. They told me to go away, to get out of there. I'm like WHAT? I.was.sitting.there. My pocketbook was in the chair that your butt is in right now. I just got up no more than 30 seconds ago.

Oh well. Needless to say it got to me and it has gotten to me since it happened (Monday). I just don't understand. And I don't understand how it ended up my fault either that I deserved to have my things moved and my chair stolen. Is this 2nd grade or are we adults that ask permission before we take over? Evidently it is a free for all and we are all in it for ourselves. Disappointing! We left about 15 minutes after all that went down. I've thought about those ladies a lot since it happened. What I wished I would've said...the awesome insults I have mentally lined up...but I'm glad I got away from them and out of there before I said any of them. I cannot (and do not want to) become what they are.

Nighttime Girl

Moto jacket: Forever 21, Plaid button down: Thrifted, Trousers: Eddie Bauer, Heels: Target

The time change got the best of me on this night! Thank goodness for terrible overhead florescent lights at abandoned strip malls.

Chartreuse Girl

Top: Consignment, Dress: Columbia- Ebay, Boots: Ebay

I really love the chartreuse color of this adorable ruffle sleeve top and I wish I had more items this shade. I kind of felt like this outfit really never came together the way I wanted it too. Just seems like there is too much going on. I don't know....something I can't put my finger on. I tried to add a belt but that was overkill. Maybe the ankle boots are the problem. BUT I am obsessing over ankle boots right now! I want a pair in every neutral color! Oh well. I will just have to get over that cause it ain't gonna happen.

The kids are out of school today for Veteran's Day (thank you veterans!) so we will be taking it easy and visiting family. Have a great day!

Sweater Dress Girl

Sweater Dress: Ebay, Scarf: Birthday Gift, Tights: Target, Heels: Forever 21

Happy Friday everyone! I am off to volunteer at my son's school in the media center today. I love it because I love libraries! Fridays are the days that my son's class gets is scheduled to visit so I get to hang out with him too. Best of both worlds! 

This sweater dress was kind of an accidental purchase last year. I placed a bid for it on ebay thinking nah, I won't get it and ending up forgetting about it. Then got the email a few days later that it was mine. It was a good oops because it has been a nice cozy way to wear a dress in the cooler months.