25.12.13

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you are all having a joyful holiday!


Yours xx

22.11.13

Fashion Friday: OOTD

Doing what an average girl would do on a Saturday night after a couple glasses of wine, I spent my time on Pinterest. In my pinning adventure, I found this absolutely adorable photo of this girl and her layered outfit. I scoured Pinterest to find the original pin and couldn't (color me frustrated!). 

I pinned it HERE!
I woke up on Sunday, still inspired, and did my best to create a similar look based on items in my closet. I have a navy and white nautical striped dressed, I put on over leggings. I added my thin oatmeal sweater and my brown boots. I'd say it is pretty damn close to the original but, still very me. But, hey, isn't all that fashion is? Finding inspiration in something and making it work for you.

The sweater is from Old Navy / Couldn't find exact :( / Dress: Hauled here!




Yes, I did take a Selfie in the ornament hanging in one of the stores during my shopping excursion.

Happy Friday! Hope you all had a great week! 
Yours xx

16.11.13

November Birchbox Review

I'm all cozied up in a blanket with the  BBW "Sweater Weather" candle burning sipping on a glass of wine. This is my ideal Saturday.

This morning my family and I celebrated Thanksgiving. We celebrated early for my Mom's birthday and because I will be working Thanksgiving. It was, as every holiday is with my family, a great, fantastic, well-spent, relaxing (and hilarious) day. When we get together my face hurts from laughter and my heart is full of joy.

As my family makes their way home, I'm going to be catching up on episodes of my favorite shows that I missed during the week. There are just too many to name...(Grey's Anatomy, OUAT, Scandal, Reign, Arrow..just to name a few.) Seriously, I'm just obsessed with television. But that's not why I decided to blog today.

This is the second month that I have received a Birchbox and I thought you all might like to see a review. Every month I receive a cute box full of samples ranging from skin care, fragrance, snacks...basically, anything a girl could want. I love getting mail so even before I open the Box I'm excited. But when I open the Box and I find some of my new favorite things I get even more excited!

Here's what I received this month and what I'm thinking so far...

See? How cute is this box! I'm such a sucker for good packaging!


I removed the top of the box and to reveal the explanation card detailing this month's cause #moregood and the back has a short description of each product. 


Under the pink tissue paper lies all the goodies! 


Consequently, I've been using this product for several months now (My sample has lasted me since August!). I've been the "plus keratin" versus as a leave-in treatment for my hair. I treat my hair quite poorly. I blow dry, straight, and curl every day.  It smooths out my hair plus makes it feel less brittle and dry. The other day I actually used up the last of my bottle so Birchbox saved me a trip to the store! 


Viva La Juicy Noir is a spicer-y of a scent than I'm used to. It is a combination of dark berries and honeysuckle. Very rich and very potent...not really a scent I will wear during the daylight hours but a night out this might be a good choice.


I'm a BB Cream fan (preferably Revlon) so I'm pretty stoked to try the CC Cream. As my 22 year old skin (luckily) doesn't have a lot of correcting to do but, this product is smooth and light coverage so it is perfect for everyday. I really like that it has all that SPF to it and it is a primer and foundation. Really cuts down on the "getting ready time" and for a girl who loves her sleep, I'm thrilled!

Dr. Lipp's Nipple Balm for Lips is basically glorified Vaseline or Aquafor (erm, petroleum jelly..). Love the sample but definitely not worth spending  $14.50 for a full size version of the product. 

I love that this month's Box came with a "sample" of nail polish. I don't think I have ever used an entire bottle of nail polish so this isn't really a "sample." I love the color; it's called "Dark'N Stormy.


Each month in addition to the samples that are planned to receive there is a Birchbox Find, which is a "mass-market discovery" they think is awesome. I totally agree this month. This "Mint Cookie" is truly indulgent and rich for the season. Mint is like the Pumpkin Spice of Winter. 

So that's this month's Birchbox. Overall, I'd say this is definitely worth the $10 I paid for it. If you'd like to receive a Box of your own...we can both benefit: http://birch.ly/17zdTa6. 

Hope you all had a great week and are enjoying your Saturday!

Yours xx

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All the items mentioned above were purchased with my own money in order to indulge my product junkie obsession. You're the most beautiful person in the room.

8.11.13

Fashion Friday: Redesign

Well, ahem, you may have noticed it looks a bit different around here!


For several months now, I've been oogling at blog upon blog on their designs, functions and all the goodies to make it a original place to house thoughts. Just like I need an organized..slightly broken in...binder for my work, I wanted my blog to feel like the same thing. And, finally, it does!

This is all thanks to the lovely Joyce at Joyful Outfits! I've been following Joyce's blog on Bloglovin since May and in my scouring of the interwebs Joyce was the best option for me on my redesign. She was an absolute joy (pun intended) to work with and I couldn't be happier with the results!

I thought I'd let Joyce introduce herself to you all:


"Hi everyone! My name is Joyce and I blog over at Joyful Outfits. I started blogging two years
ago as just a casual hobby but has since turned into a part time job that I absolutely love! 
I really enjoy working with people on a new look for their blog and Haley was definitely so fun
to work with :)"

See? How awesome is she! Stop over and stay "Hello!" to Joyce and wish her luck on the college hunt! :D

And how awesome is this redesign??

My introductory picture is a sketch of me done by ioanatrsc that I found on Fiverr, which is a website where you can "hire" someone for $5 to provide a service. Obviously, my service was for a personalized sketch. Pretty accurate, I think, with the iPhone in one hand and the coffee in the other all while wearing a scarf. Very me. 

Hope you loved Blogtober. I skipped some of the posts but, no worries, I will be filling them in soon! And I hope you all had a great week! 

Yours xx

31.10.13

Blogtober Day 31: 'Tis Finished

Blogtober was a lot... of funny, of responsibility, of awesome!

October

My Favorite Posts:
The One about the Embarrassing Moment
The One with the Story
The One about the Leap of Faith
The One with Life Lessons

And my absolute favorite: The One with Tea and Love


Hope y'all enjoyed Blogtober as much as I did. What were your favorites??

My October Favorites will be up tomorrow!

Yours xx


30.10.13

Blogtober Day 30: On the Eve of All Hallow's Eve

One day before Halloween and this year is kind of the first year I will not be celebrating in the fashion that I've done in the last years .. do some ridiculous (read: funny) costume and head out to a party. I will be headed to work to close but, we will still celebrate! I find Halloween to be an awesome holiday. I don't care to be scared, or even eat candy until my teeth rot. I like Halloween because it is a holiday and I love any reason to celebrate!

I have fantastic Halloween memories. I was a Spider Witch in 5th grade for my last year of trick-or-treating. I had a black web cape, a long black wig that I put spider in, my face painted and black high boots. It was very spooky. In contrast, my junior year of college I went as a Movie Theater Floor. I took a black tshirt and glued popcorn, candy, wrappers, and movie stubs to my shirt. It was clever, for sure. Lots of people were highly confused as to what I was... (perfect).

Obviously, I have had great costumes for Halloween. Do you have any favorites??

Yours xx

28.10.13

Blogtober Day 28: Lessons that School Won't Teach You

School didn't teach you...

what concealer to use to cover up 2 inch black-blue bags under your eyes.
how to survive 2 feet of snowfall while driving a car not built for snow.
who you are.
how to live on $20 until your next paycheck.
who is the "right" person for you.
how to jump start a car.
how to ask the right questions.
that it is okay to cry.
how to explain life and death to a toddler.
to not use your credit card to go out to dinner with your friends, again.
what makes you the happiest.
how to travel.
ignore gossip.
to let it go.
to know your limits.
to brush your teeth after breakfast.
that really, truly, the only opinion that matters is yours, and your family's.
to check your ego at the door even if you are the only one who did.
the best coping mechanisms are exercise and sleep.
that you are the stronger than you know.
that the lessons they don't teach you in school, you can learn in school, if you pay attention.

Yours xx

26.10.13

Blogtober Day 26: Listmaking Professional

October 26: List all the fear you have when you woke up this morning.

Blogtober why must you make me discuss my fears. This is the second time we've had this discussion and you are really pushing the "selecting positive thoughts" mantra I'm rolling. So I'm breaking the rules (again).

I purchased a book a while ago called "List Your Self: Listmaking as the Way to Self-discovery" as a tool for creative writing. I'm just going to randomly open the book, and make lists.

List What's Under Your Kitchen Sink


 

Yes, the area under my kitchen sink actually looks like this. I didn't clean anything or move it at all. (A bit OCD, perhaps??) Mostly, as you can see, I've got cleaning supplies on the right and my obnoxious stash of Bath and Body Works candles.

List the Items in Your Wallet
Driver's License
Barnes and Noble Members Card
Sephora Beauty Insider Card
Ulta Ultamate Rewards Card
2 Starbucks Giftcards with no money on them
My Starbucks Gold Card
Debit Card/Credit Card
Target Card with Pharmacy Rewards Card
Random restaurant and shop punch cards
A ticket stub for a Colorado Rockies game from July 2 of 2011
A Minimalist's Train of Thought which is...
Less money spent means more money saved
More money saved means the longer you can live in financial peace and security
Financial peace and security comes from owning less
Less stuff owned means less to carry around, move or have to travel with
Less responsibility for your stuff also means less maintenance and more time
The more time you have, the more relaxed you will feel
The more relaxed you are, the less you will care about stuff
If you care less about stuff, it means you’ll care less about image
If you care less about image, you will care more about experiences and memories
If you care more about experiences and memories, you will be happier with less
If you are happier with less, you’ll never want or need for more
The less you want or need for more, the more you will feel free.


Are you a list making?? I totalllllly am! :D

Yours xx

25.10.13

Blogtober Day 25: A haiku

October 25: A haiku

A sparrow lands near
the edge of the cliff by the
sea -- and she trips up.

24.10.13

Blogtober Day 24: The One about a Dream

October 24: Write down your most recent dream.

I have some really odd-like dreams. I love the jokes that go around about "Hey, wanna hear the dream I had last night?" "Hmm, no but you're going to tell me anyway, right?" Dreams are not conversation starters but, in this case, I shall make an exception.

I have had this dream like 12 times in the last month. I am out on a walk on the paths near my apartment and a Golden Retriever comes up and starts walking beside me. I wasn't freaking out at all, just like he is mine. So, we continue our walk back to my apartment and he sits outside my patio door. I go outside, sit next to him, and he just looks at me like "Can I be yours?" I, like any sane human being, start up a conversation. He's got no tags, and I called all the local places and no one has reported him. I continue to have like a 20 minute conversation with this dog ending with: "I guess you'll stay with me, then? And I shall call you...hmm, Neville."


He looks at me, barks, smiles and says: "Okay, Haley." *wakes up*


Yeaaaah, I know. Weird, right?? I'm sure I've told you this before, but I do want a Golden Retriever and I will name him Neville...but I didn't ask for a talking dog. Oh, my brain.

Anyone else got any weird dreams??

Yours xx

23.10.13

Source Unknown

And kid, you’ve got to love yourself. You’ve got wake up at four in the morning, brew black coffee, and stare at the birds drowning in the darkness of the dawn. You’ve got to sit next to the man at the train station who’s reading your favorite book and start a conversation. You’ve got to come home after a bad day and burn your skin from a shower. Then you’ve got to wash all your sheets until they smell of lemon detergent you bought for four dollars at the local grocery store. You’ve got to stop taking everything so goddam personally. You are not the moon kissing the black sky. You’ve got to compliment someones crooked brows at an art fair and tell them that their eyes remind you of green swimming pools in mid July. You’ve got to stop letting yourself get upset about things that won’t matter in two years. Sleep in on Saturday mornings and wake yourself up early on Sunday. You’ve got to stop worrying about what you’re going to tell her when she finds out. You’ve got to stop over thinking why he stopped caring about you over six months ago. You’ve got to stop asking everyone for their opinions. Fuck it. Love yourself, kiddo. You’ve got to love yourself.

Yours xx

Blogtober Day 23: An Ode to my Favorites

Day 22 has been in my head for a while but, I just didn't get any nanosecond of time yesterday to write it out.

October 22: Write a sequel, in the form of a poem, to your favorite book or movie.

I learned a lot during my Creative Writing class on Poetry. I learned about myself plus my writing. The biggest thing I learned is that Poetry comes in any form, even a form without words. I wrote a small poem but, I think you'll be able to guess my favorite book and where this poem is inspired from...

"Mother, will you tell me how you and Daddy fell in love?"
"Was it me or you who was Proud??" 
"Oh, Elizabeth, it was you. I was Prejudice."


Did ya get it? Haha! I hope so! I may share some more of my poems later, too. (Such a creative writing geek!) But, for now...

October 23: An ode to your favorite article of clothing.



You may be new to my collection, but you, sire, are quickly becoming own of my favorite articles of clothing. The convenience you have in structure is easily the best part. I just toss you over my head and adjust to perfection. Yesterday morning at 5:30am when I made my way to work, you protected my face in the freezing rain. For that, I owe you big time. I was really hesitant when I first purchased you. You were far more expense that I had wanted to spend, but you've really made yourself a staple in my wardrobe. In fact, you are going to be in my monthly favorites as a reward. Now, if you're ready, let's go outside for an adventure!

Yours xx




20.10.13

Blogtober Day 20: You Little Rebel

October 20Share a photo of something old. Maybe something that has personal history for you, that was passed down to you, and that has special meaning to you. Tell us about it and why it's special.
 Yup, not following the prompt.

I thought it might be best on this cloudy, relaxing Sunday to share with you some of my recent pins. Sometimes life gets a little hectic and it is best to just hang out on Pinterest pinning the day away while you "watch" Disney movies. (I may or may not be doing this right now.)











Happy Sunday!

Yours xx

19.10.13

Blogtober Day 19: Dear Facebook Friends,

October 19: An anonymous letter to your Facebook friends. Be as snarky as you'd like. (but don't include people's real names.) 

I don't think I could add anything  to the absolutely cliche Facebook Ecards because, dammit, they are so right. Plus, I can't be to snarky. I do chose to be "friends" with them and follow their feeds. Plus, I know I am victim to all of these.

Here's a collection (Excuse the swearing and name calling):










Oh, irony.



I am just as guilty of all of these things as my Facebook Newsfeed but, hey, isn't that the point.

Yours xx



Blogtober Day 18: Tea & Love at the Falls

October 18: Go to a coffee shop. Order a favorite drink. Write about what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Or write about anything you'd like! Bonus points for including a photo from the coffee shop. *if you can't make it to a coffee shop, at least leave your usual space and write someplace new.

So I didn't exactly go to a coffee shop but, I did go to Falls Park with my Starbucks Chai Tea Latte, my fall favorite.



As I was walking down from taking this photo, I spotted an older couple...probably in their late 50s attempting to take a selfie with the Falls in the background. I giggled to myself..it was pretty funny to watch. I offered to take their photo.


The woman was elated for me to offer! She handed me her iPhone, asking if I knew how to work this thing. I laughed and said, "I think I got it." She began to tell me why they had come to the Falls. See. This couple has been married for 47 years. They came back to celebrate their collegiate homecoming this weekend. The man began to laugh and said: "That's not the only reason, honey." "Oh right. In this exact spot, we had our first kiss." Que swoons! 

As I took their picture, they were both looking at each other smiling and laughing -- she grabbed his face and kissed him! He popped his leg and pulled away laughing: "Still got it!" 

They were the absolute sweetest and kindest people, and that is something that made me happy!

Yours xx



17.10.13

Blogtober Day 17: The Moment My World Crumbled

You may have noticed I skipped the "Write a review" but I'm saving it. So, today...

October 17: Write about a time you screwed up - a mistake you made.

Luckily, I can only recall little, itty-bitty baby-like mistakes. 'm a big rule follower and get very uncomfortable about breaking the rules.

But, ahem, of course I make mistakes. This is a screw up that is particularly embarrassing as well as funny.




This song played constantly on the radio during middle school and I would loudly sing this song every time. Whether at the pool or in my room, I pretended I was in a music video singing to my imaginary man at the fountain (I hope you watched the video...). 

One time, in the car with my mom and my friend Annie, the song came on and Annie and I both started singing. All was well until we go to the refrain. See, I sang this:

I try to say goodbye and I choke/Try to walk away and I stumble/Though I try to hid it, it's clear/I blow bubbles when you are not near.

Whoopsie. Not the lyrics. Imagine the shame and embarrassment of this mistake. So confidently for months now I had been singing the wrong lyrics. Then, my mind immediately lists all the people that had heard me sing the wrong lyrices and shame falls on me!

I feel like I'm one of those people that lives their life trying very hard to not make mistakes -- or I make light of them. The mistakes that I have made constantly make me a better person and teach me invaluable lessons. So, I guess mistakes aren't so bad..until the privilege to make them becomes abused.

Anyone got a mistake worth sharing?? Painful and embarrassing as mine? 

Yours xx



16.10.13

Blogtober Day 15: Life Lately

Eeek, day behind. Whoopsie.

October 15: A "life lately" post. What you're up to, how you're feeling, how you're doing on your goals, etc. Bonus points for great photos!


Hmm, life lately. *deep sigh*

Over half my time is spent at work and the other half is spent doing things that I just love: reading, watching obscene amounts of television and Youtube videos, blogging and, of course, shopping.




I think the biggest thing that I have been working on is what I really want to do with my life. Seeking out things that make me happy ... trying to decided if I want to go back to school or continue out on the job scene. I have been missing the environment of being in school. Nerd Alert: I like school. I like learning and sitting in a classroom surrounded by peers creating discussions out of thin air. I guess you could call this phase: College Withdrawal.

Mostly, I'm trying to do things that make me happy. I've started this "new" way of organizing my thoughts. I'm visualizing an apple tree -- my thoughts are the apples -- and I'm only selecting the perfect ones -- positive, happy, constructive -- to make my pie -- day. Check that analogy!


So, I guess, that's life lately for me.

How's life lately for you??

Yours xx

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