Do you know what today is??...

(singing)... it's my blogiversary... blogiversary!

Source: herwhitesunrise.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

H A P P Y * B L O G I V E R S A R Y * T O * M E!!

During my first year of blogging, I shared many triumphs and sad times with you all. My journey through life in 2012 was cray cray to the MAX! As the year was unfolding, so many things were happening that I just needed to vent! So that I did... I blogged about my life as it was in the making! But with the help of your support, I....

* Finished my dissertation and earned my PhD

* Married the man of my dreams

* Was a part of my Bestie's lovely wedding

* Had a great time at our Family Reunion

* Started the LLL series (what I loved, learned, and laughed about throughout each week)

I was also introduced to new things by you lovely bloggettes!! I discovered...

* Link-Up's

* Birchbox

* Blog Awards

* Blog Designs

... and much much more! You were all there to encourage me and give some great advice... and for this... I thank you ALL!

This upcoming year, I plan to head in a different direction. Instead of blogging as a lifestyle journal, I wanna be more of a service to my peeps!! I'm gonna blog about things that can benefit others... crafting, fashion, encouragement... things I had planned to do when I first started blogging! Now is the time for me to pay it forward and help you all just as you have all helped me! So, embrace yourselves (and me!) for year 2!

Last HOORAHHH for Birchbox

Tuesday already, and I'm lovin' it!! As September winds down, I thought I would share my Birchbox that I finally received in the mail!! This will be my last Birchbox for now, as I decided to cancel my subscription for many reasons... one being that I never bought a full sized product b/c I just LOVED one of the samples they included. SO, I decided to cut costs, and live through the rest of you who are still subscribed!

Cheers to the last horrah of Birchbox for me! And I must say, I was totes satisfied for being the last box I'll be receiving since I've been waiting forever and a day to try out a twistband!

1. Color Club Nail Polish inspired by Fall 2012 Collections //  2. WEI to Go Sleep Over Kit (Cleanser and Moisturizing Face Tint) // 3. 21 Drops Focus Aromatherapy Blend // 4. Nexxus Split End Treatment System

The items I didn't capture by photo are my fave maroon colored twistband, and an uber Roasted Nut Roll bar that was nowhere near as good as a Payday!! All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with my last Birchbox!

What did you guys get? You'll have to fill me in with your future boxes now that I'll be living vicariously through you all!

ON A SIDE NOTE... anyone interested in getting down with some button swapping?? I wanna put more time into my buttoners, and would love to kick off October with some new, old, and friendly faces! Holllllah at me if you're interested!

July's Birchbox

Happy Tuesday lovely ladies!! I know I'm a bit late for my Birchbox show and tell, but I really wanted to share this one with you guys because I've been using the products in it and I'm lovin' it!

First off, isn't the box pretty and colorful?? Loved last month's theme incorporating the five senses!

 :: taste it ::

These minteas are delish!! They have just the perfect hint of cocoa in em, but they're not too sweet (like the orange tic tacs) where you wanna eat the entire can at once!

 :: smell it ::

I love me some sample perfumes, and this new Harvey Prince Hello scent is refreshing and light... just the hint of summer you need!

:: hear it ::

How cute are these watermelon buds?? My fave item thus far!

:: touch it ::

I've been dying for one of these beautyblender's... and honestly it's one of the reasons I joined Birchbox! I saw on someone's blog the review for this pretty lil' foundation sponge, and was willing to wait for one of em! Wish come true... but kinda' shattered dreams! After giving it a few shots with my concealer, I'm not as big of a fan... it soaked up almost all of my concealer before I even got to spread it over my face! Still cute though!

:: see it ::
This stila lip gloss is another one of my faves!! The tint of pink is perfect and I can so dig the brush! I have another gloss like it that clicks, but the color of this gloss wins me over!

I saw many of you received similar items as I did last month, so I hope everyone was tickled pink like I was. I just hope August is just as pleasing as July!

Birchbox Show and Tell

Happy Educate Me Tuesday folks!! I am so excited that I received my first Birchbox!! WOOP WOOP!! I love opening the mail to things that don't have a due date!

Good news is that I have never heard or own any of the items in the box, so everything is new to me! Bad news is I know NOTHING about the products, but would love some help and education on em' if you have any feedback! I do appreciate how they include the notecard with the product description and prices, but I still would love to hear from you guys if you have used any of these products!

Kerastase :: Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide (fragrant serum for strands of hair)
Kerastase :: Cristalliste Bain Cristal (shampoo that removes oil from roots)
Kerastase :: Cristalliste Lait Cristal (hydrating aloe conditioner)
Color Club :: Nail Polish in Disco Nap (gold glitter)
Dr. Jart + :: Waterfuse BB Cream (four-in-one moisturizer, serum, sunscreen and tint)
stilla :: Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (blue sparkle)  

What did you all get in your Birchbox this month? Don't know what Birchbox is?? Click here to read about the scoop! Cheers to the beginning of monthly surprises!