January Birchbox!

Hey guys, I wanted to share my Birchbox for January with you. This month's theme was "Go Time." Honestly, I didn't really get the theme. They are trying to "take on more" by bringing in new products?? I don't know guys. But as long as they are giving me samples I am a happy girl. Here's what was in my box:

1. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara (Full size $18)
Yep, they used fruit to pigment this mascara. It smells like fruit, which is a little odd. It doesn't clump or make your lashes look brittle. It is a very natural, every day look. So if you are looking for drama in your lashes I would look elsewhere.

2. Juara Candlenut Body Creme (Full size $35)
Candlenut oil lotion that feels like a shay butter. I really enjoyed this little packet (it didn't last very long). It was very moisturizing. I applied this all over at night and could still feel the effects in the morning.

3 & 4. Toni&Guy Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged Hair (Full size $15 each)
I am saving these for my next trip so that I will have a little something luxe to try. So if they are amazing I'll be sure to let you know. This is my first Toni&Guy product. 

5. Ahmad Tea London (Full size $7)
I received Blackcurrant Burst, Mint Mystique, and English Breakfast. So far, I've tried the Blackcurrant and it was very yummy. I am not a mint person, so I may gift that one (or trade with my mother).

Just so you guys know, Birchbox does not pay me to review the products they send. I pay for my own subscriptions. So my opinions are my own and they are always honest. 

As always, THANKS FOR READING!!

Friday Favorites!

Are y'all ready for the weekend?

F.Y.I. Ulta is having their Friends and Family Sale, if you have an Ulta card you can get 20% your entire purchase this weekend! I don't have an Ulta near me so I ordered my goodies online (and I qualified for some FREE STUFF).  Here's a link to sign up: http://pages.exacttarget.com/page.aspx?QS=3935619f7de112ef28a77987a60bccffa16c0e7d81b8923a758208d0d97aa82b

Here are some of the highlights from the week:

I got my Tiffany&Co. bracelet fixed! B gave this to me a couple years ago because I have an unhealthy love for Tiffany's. It's the Return to Tiffany mini heart bead bracelet and I love wearing it every day (beside my rose gold watch because I'm cool like that).

My stuff from the Thirty-one Outlet Sale finally came (I bought it December 27th). As always I was thrilled with my purchase. This is a travel cosmetic bag that will hang on a door and an expandable travel bag.  If you want to know more about Thirty-one and my consultant let me know!

My Birchbox came. Whoop, Whoop! always a happy mail day when there's a pink box inside. Will be working on a review for y'all! Shampoo, conditioner, mascara, lotion and tea in this box.

Actually, this was last week but this is my bestest buddie, my baby girl, my first #puppylove, Audrey. I am never able to get a good picture of this girl but I took her to Mommaw and Popaw T's house last week. It is her happy place. She had so much fun over there that this is all she did when we got home and I was finally able to get a good picture. (ignore the crumbs on the dog bed) I love this baby girl.


What are y'all doing this weekend? today I am linking up with Jennie at The Diary of a Real Housewife blog and Lauren at TheLaurenElizabeth.com. So take a hop, skip and jump over to their blogs and check out the other lovelies that have joined the party!

The Perfect Everyday Bag

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize" - Steel Magnolia's 

I am itching for a new pocket book (purse, bag, or whatever you want to call it). So my next few posts are all about bags! What I look for and where to find them. Today is all about a bag to carry everyday.

Here are some of the things I look for:

Color/Style: I prefer a classic look, nothing extremely trendy and usually neutral tones or pastels. It has to be something that's easy to pick up and fits in the hinge of my elbow. I recently bought a cross body bag the storage was amazing but it became such a hassle to just grab it and go (do you feel me?).

Pockets: Pockets make me happy. My bag needs lots of storage space. Have you guys heard of Thirty-one? Their bags have so, so many pockets. The descriptions don't give them justice.Take this bag, the fold over flap is a full size pocket. It has another large pocket (with a hidden zipper pocket, and two small accessory slots) and a front pocket that I always slip my mail into. Can you count how many times I said 'pocket'?

Size: I like big bags and I cannot lie. This is my everyday bag so it needs to fit everything including my planner, wallet, mail, lipstick, pens, etc. I'll show in my 'What's in my purse' post later this week (it might be a long post).

Price: I am not the kind of girl to carry a bag for a full year we're doing good if I carry it for a full season. It's just so much fun to switch it up. For that reason, it's typically not something I invest more than $40.00 in (honestly we may be closer to $30). So, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are my favorite stores to find designer bags for cheap(er).

Welp, that pretty much covers it for my everyday purse. What kind of purses do you look for? Is there a brand you just love? I'd love to hear your comments! Thanks for stopping by!

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday y'all! Are y'all ready for the weekend? I am. This has been my first full week since the Holidays and I'll be the first to admit that I've got used to the leisure life :). Okay on to my favorites for the week. I'll keep this one short and sweet.

1. Russian Tea! Momaw and I picked up a mason jar full of Russian Tea mix at a church bizarre.  It's a spicy, orange tea. Three scoops of mix and some hot water and I am a happy, happy girl. Going to have to find a recipie for you guys!

2. The Library's late hours on Thursday. I picked up Why We Broke Up and The Light Between Oceans (from my Reading List) http://kbunnylove.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-reading-list.html?m=1

3. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. It's creamy, blend-able and medium coverage without making you look like 'cake face.' It does come in a pump but I enjoy the jar much better.

4. The SacconeJolys channel on YouTube. I love watching their daily vlogs especially their baby girl, Emelia! Also, they have 6 dogs!! Which means they're even crazier than me!

5. This Coach Outlet and Purse. I am pretty sure it's probably last seasons purses but for 70% off who cares? Maybe you. I don't know. But that's okay, more for me :)

I am liking up with Jennifer from thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com and Lauren from thelaurenelizabeth .com 

Products I've Used Up! (mostly drugstore)

This is a spin off from "Empties" videos on YouTube. Basically, these are the products that I've used to the last drop. I'll share with you what I like about them and if I plan to repurchase or try something else.

Face: 

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash in Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub ($7.49 Walmart)

I use this in the shower every morning. It's not my favorite. It uses Salicylic Acid acne medicine and claims to clear blemishes and blackheads. The scent fades over time and it's not clear that it is truly preventing any breakouts. I do like that it exfoliates my skin but plan on trying another product (maybe not Salicylic Acid) in the future.

Beyond Belief ABH Clay Mask ($7.99 at Sally Beauty)

This mask states that it will clean out your pores. I can truly tell a difference when I use this mask twice a week. I feel like my skin is brighter and my breakouts are less. This is my second bottle and my go-to face mask. Hmm, maybe I should try their daily cleanser (light bulb moment).

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream ($34.00 Ulta)

My mother received a sample of this in her Birchbox and quickly purchased the full size. She share the sample with me and I received another sample in a Christmas gift. This stuff feels so expensive when you put it on. My under-eye area stays moist and my dark circles are a tiny bit lighter. I do plan on purchasing the full size (with Birchbox points or a coupon).



Elf Makeup Removing Cleansing Cloths ($3.00 Online or Target)



Had a hard time with the image for this one but you can follow the link. This is a pack of twenty makeup remover cloths. I have a hard time finding makeup remover that doesn't bother my eyes and these do not. So it's not so much that they are fabulous at removing make up as that they are not super soapy. This is my third or fourth packet. I usually pick up a couple when I am at Target.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($5.99 CVS)





On the same note, this eye makeup remover doesn't irritate my eyes (too bad). It does remove makeup somewhat better than the cleansing pads. I am on the fence about repurchasing because while it is not oily or greasy it does have a soapy consistency.



Makeup 

Wet 'n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Sweet as Candy ($2.99 Walmart)

I cannot express enough love for Wet 'n Wild eyeshadows. Yes, they are typically all sheer or glitter and yes they are not always true to color (i.e. they color you see isn't always the color you get). But they are almost always well pigmented, they are CHEAP, and (with the help of eyeshadow primer) they have staying power. My two favorite trios are Sweet as Candy and Walking on Eggshells. Both have a cream shade, a brown shade, and a pinky shade Sweet as Candy is just a little bit bolder than Walking on Eggshells.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box in Spicy and Sweet ($6.00 Walmart)

I like a very pink blush for my day to day look (can you see a theme in my makeup? if not, you will). This blush is crazy pigmented, you just need to touch your brush to get a wave of color. I have a couple high-end blushes but this is my personal favorite. They have five different blush/bronzer options available.

Body 

Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion ($3.31 Amazon) 

This is another product I stole from my mother. It smells like the beach to me and keeps my feet from turning to sandpaper in the winter months. I use this every night and considering how much lotion I own, it's saying something to have finished this product. (the only other lotion I have ever finished is Bath and Body Works Forever Sunshine Body Lotion) 

 So that's it. The products I've used to the very last drop. What products do you use on a regular basis? Do you like any of these products? Or do you have suggestions for a daily acne wash? 

2014 Reading List

It's been a month since my last post. I know, slacker. It would be easy to blame the Holidays but honestly I just get discouraged sometimes and need to remind myself why I am doing this in the first place. This was intended to be an outlet for me to share my passions and hope that there is someone out there who enjoys reading about it. So I don't want to ever force myself to post because I think you can tell it when you read. So, if you are reading this Thank You! and I really appreciate your support and love.

Last year I posted a list of books I planned on trying to read in 2013. My goal was to read 20 books in 2013. I did read 20 books but diverged from the schedule and didn't make it back around to 9 books on my list. Considering I did read The Hobbit, Les Miserables, and Gone With The Wind I think I did a pretty good job. If you are interested here is the 2014 list if you want to compare to my 2013 list you can check it out here. Images and synopsis are from Goodreads.com.

1.  Gone Girl. Gillian Flynn

2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larson.
 (I know, "why haven't I read this yet?")

3. The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan

4. Why We Broke Up, Daniel Handler

5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chlosky

6. The Diviners, Libba Bray
Okay, I started this book 3 times . . .but it scares the hibbie jibbies out of me. Especially the book on tape. So I am going to gather my wits and try again because I am a BIG, BIG fan of Libba Bray (and you should be too). 

7. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sobold

8. The Sealed Letter, Emma Donoghue

9. The Dress Lodger, Sherri Holman

10. The Book Thief, Marcus Kusa
I've received lots of recommendations for this one! So I'm excited.

11. Divergent, Veronica Roth

12. The Light Between Oceans, M. L. Stedman

13. As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner

14. The House of Mirth, Edith Warton
Free with Amazon Kindle! 

15. The Beautiful and Damned. F. Scott Fitzgerald
Also free with my Kindle! I am trying this because I loved The Great Gatsby. So far, I've had to read it with my dictionary so it's a slow start.

16. The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

17. Waiting For Godot, Samuel Beckett

18. Play It As It Lays, Joan Didion

19. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ken Kesey

That's it. Let me know what you think. Am I over-ambitious (I think I probably am)? Have you read any of these (or all of them)? Did you like/hate them? Please leave a comment I love to hear your thoughts.