So much awesome packed in one box

Last month I received a Vox Box of goodies from Influenster. It was filled with all sorts of cool things like makeup and candy and it was like Christmas came early. (the fact that it was a week before the holiday is beside the point) This box featured a little something for every version of me: the makeup wearing fashionista; the cooking hausfrau; the sit home in sweats while watching a movie and snacking slacker; the tea drinker.

Fruit Vines Bites by Red Vines
These are straight up yum. You know how some candy pieces have that too sweet and artificial taste? No? Anyone? Bueller? Well, these don't have that. They're soft and chewy and actually taste just like the fruit. Cherry flavored candy, these people know the way to my heart. Any chance I could sample the snozzberry flavored ones next?


EcoTools Hair brush
I love the brush I have now so I was a bit hesitant at first but I have to say this hair brush is pretty darn smooth. In fact I feel like Snow White getting dressed by the forest animals and birds are brushing my hair when I use it. Okay, maybe not quite that dramatic but it doesn't snag my hair, especially when it's wet so I'll keep using it.


NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum
I'm a big fan of NYC so I was excited to get this. The color is pretty. Not too in-your-face but subtle. It goes on smooth and lasts for quite a long time. I thought I would spare everyone from a silly duck lips pic so here's my smirk instead.

Kissy kissy

I left my mark on a few cups, faces, and tissues.

Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
If you're like me and don't like oily residue or makeup that's hard to remove then this is the product for you. It's not harsh and doesn't sting and removes all your makeup gently and easily. Thanks Influenster for conveniently including this so I could cleanly remove all this cool new makeup.


Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner
When I was younger I used to wear eyeliner. Lately I started getting back into wearing eye makeup although my attempts at doing the smoky-eye look resemble more of a black eye but we won't talk about that. This eyeliner goes on smooth and looks quite nice if I do say so myself. I tried to take a selfie of my eyes with the eyeliner on but well, my co-ordination leaves a lot to be desired.

McCormick Gourmet Thyme
I grew up around the McCormick brand. My mom always keeps their seasonings on hand so I was happy to find this in my box. I love the smell of thyme. I add it to my meatloaf and meatballs and use it as part of the rub for my steaks and london broils. And now I have that Simon & Garfunkel song in my head....parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme...


No. 7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum
To help reduce those fine wrinkle lines brought on by the stress of being a super-woman. Or, maybe just to conceal the effects of Father Time marching across my face.


Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea
If green tea and a candy cane had a baby this would be it! All the benefits of green tea and the yumminess of peppermint. All that's missing is a roaring fire in the fireplace and snow falling outside. But I live in the desert so I'll have to settle for a hot cup of this tea and cozying up on my couch while watching a movie like The Holiday.


Disclosure: These products were received complimentary of Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I'd rather be in Philadelphia, preferably eating a cheese steak

I wish I could say I haven't been posting on here because I've been off visiting some exciting places but, I haven't. We did have company from out of town visit for a few days. And Bill was unofficially offered a job in another state, which he turned down because we have no need to re-locate.

January has been filled with a whole lot of, what's the word I'm looking for? Stuff. Busy, mundane, daily stuff. A lot of the month was spent just trying to establish a regular routine again after all the holiday hub-bub, Bub.

All in all, I think I'd rather be in Philadelphia.

That's been my go-to phrase lately when I'm overwhelmed or just really bored. I stole borrowed it from "Gilmore Girls" in the episode where Richard has a heart attack. While he's in the hospital, someone asks him How are you doing? and that was his reply.

I think I might have been to Philly once. At the very least I drove through. Now I'm in the mood for a cheese steak.

I couldn't find a Gilmore Girls gif or video of the quote but here's a pic of a cheese steak. Drool with me.

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At first these are funny, but then, I wash my hands of this weirdness

 Sorry I haven't posted anything new in a while. So here, Captain Jack Sparrow and some weird/funny pics to make up for it. Enjoy and happy ha-ha's!

 

I love trolling the Internet for funny images, stories and whatnot. I came across these which at first made me laugh but then I thought, I wash my hands of this weirdness.


Oh, so you're supposed to open the doors first before entering. Bump on head fully explained now.

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Apparently sleeping with the fishes is prohibited here.

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Trees falling out of nowhere and onto your car definitely counts as the unexpected.

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You want to send what to my 11 year old kid?: Policing your child's cell phone messages

Last August we bought my son his first cell phone for his birthday. We did this more for practical reasons pertaining to his diabetes. I wanted to be able to communicate with him regarding his blood sugar levels when he was at his friend's house, school, or just out with other family members. This special gift was also conditional on his making and keeping good grades. So far, so good. No complaints and no negatives.

Fast forward to today. I'm in his room tidying some things up while he checks his phone and to his delight he has several text messages. Then he says, "I don't know these people." Now I'm three shades of curious and I ask to see them. The contact name of these texters are a series of letters that resemble a cat walking on the keyboard: dzldjmgskgjgjagnk. I open them to find someone offering to send naughty pics to my 11 year old kid.  

What in the holy hell??

Now, I realize that these  buttheads are unaware that they've messaged a minor. But you know what, I really don't care. I would be just as pissed off if that message was sent to me. And I'm in my 40s! I hate unwanted solicitations. I hate pornographic unwanted ones even more.

Most people would probably have just deleted those messages. But I'm not most people. So I replied with a text of my own that said: This number belongs to an 11 year old. Do not text this number again or I will contact the police.

Then I told my son that if he received another text from either of these numbers or any other questionable texts/voicemails that he should let me know immediately. So far it's been quiet.

I believe I'll get there even if I'm not currently sure of the way I'm going

We are four days into the New Year and I haven't written anything here and for that I apologize. I've been trying to get my bearings.


A whole new year stretches in front of us and it's both exciting and scary. Makes me think of a brand new notebook that you buy with the intent of writing all sorts of things like stories, poems and lists. But when you open it you get kind of overwhelmed with how and where to start so you just begin doodling and day-dreaming and before you know it an hour has gone by and all you have to show is some stick figures and weird shapes. Please tell me I'm not the only one this happens to.

Anyway, that's how I've been feeling since we turned the calendar. I want to be better and do better this year. How best to begin? Should I do this? Or that? Or maybe try something else entirely. And of course when it all becomes a bit too much I grab a book or turn on the TV except there's been a lot of crap on TV lately which is a bummer.

I think my biggest problem is that I'm at Point A and I know I want to get to Point B, I just don't know quite how to get there. Maybe I should have made a resolution to get a better map.

X - you are here

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                                     Do I keep going? Is this the right way?

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I have to believe that I will get to where I need to be. And I'm thinking that my word of the year should be: Believe. Or maybe it should be pizza?