Ode to Birchbox January 2014 Review

Sometimes it's the little things that get you excited. Like a smallish, simple, brown box with some white lettering. BIRCHBOX! 

So excited that my sister-in-law sent me this amazing subscription box for Christmas. Very excited to try it out! Of course it came superbly packaged. Once opened there was 4 beauty samples and a rather large chocolate bar.  Hmmm odd with the chocolate, but I'm going with it. 

The first thing that caught my eye is this little firecraker. It is LAQA & Co. LIL' LIP. It is super compact but vibrant.  Loved the color in the packaging, but when applied it was really pinkish red. Definitely a "Night Out" color. It certainly was moisturizing and did last a long time. Would like to see some daytime colors as the shine and nourishing ability of the product was spot on. I also liked that the bottom worked like a typical chap stick tube and you were easily able to turn it up when you used the product. If purchased it comes in a cute travel duo for $16. The colors are Pinkman and Lambchop. Mine was not marked, but assuming it was Pinkman. 

As you can see from my pic. it is a bright vibrant color. I actually picked my two daughters up from school after I took this picture and they were like, "MOM, what are you wearing!", so I am assuming that they either really liked it or wondered if I was playing dress up with their baby sister before I came to car pool.

Next up was this little dazzler. Ruby Wing Color Changing Nail Polish in Ride 'Em Cowgirl I am in love with it. (This was also done on the way to car pool). When first polished it is a gorgeous glitter gold. Then the magic happens in the sun. Go outside and the glitter gold changes to a beautiful bronze. The BEST part is that it will keep changing when you go in and outside.  Easily amused? Maybe, but it entertained me.  Not sure where I would go with this, but could see it being really cute for a pedi in the summer.  My husband thought it slightly "stripperish", so I think he liked it. For $10 totally worth it!

Another product was a sample of Viva La Juicy Noir, obviously by Juicy Couture. Smells amazing...definitely a night fragrance. Sweet fruity notes with an undertone of sandlewood. Very powerful, yet feminine.  Birchbox is offering a rollerball duo which is super unique and could easily be thrown in your bag. A great deal at $25.

Lastly, which I was not that excited about, but then soon became really excited is ybf Beauty Perfect Face Primer. What could it really do?? Well basically it is a buffer between your face and makeup.  It corrects color, moisturizes and reduces red spots. Pop this on before your makeup for a longer lasting effect.  The smell is super clean. It feels like silk. I was immediately impressed with the firming feeling yet softness of skin around my eyes. It's a keeper! Best yet- contains A, C and E vitamins and is PARABEN free! At $28 it is well under the price of some other BIG name primers and a little goes the distance.

Now I know you are all wondering about the Chocolate bar. I did try it, but only to see if it was poison before sharing it ;)

Love and Tulips,

Nicole from Alpharetta

Simple Comfort Food

It isn't very often in the South that I feel the need for the comfort foods that remind me so much of growing up in the Midwest, but today it was needed.  The Polar Vortex has pushed it's way down upon us for a couple days. The temperature with windchill was well below zero and the worst part about it......school was CANCELLED! With no snow on the ground I was befuddled! Apparently all it takes in the South is a good stiff wind and no one leaves the house! While the kids went stir crazy (since they still have not been back since christmas break!) I decided to flip through my ever growing pile of magazines.  I came across this beautiful recipe and thought it was just the day to try it out.

If you are not a current subscriber to Cooking Light than you are making your life hard. While everything in the mag is not always "light" per say I feel like it does a good job of healthy fast dinner recipes! Let's be honest we all could use a few new recipes in our back packet. I liked this particular recipe because......it's fast!

The Easiest Dessert Around - The Apple Tart

During a quick trip to the grocery store the other night my hubs 

and I decided that we were definitely going to need dessert.  We strolled the bakery and cookie aisle and nothing looked good.  Being a baker, I hate looking at all that processed sugar and fake looking bakery treats.  We left with the promise that I would find something to concoct at the house.  

Gifts for the Eccentric

Gifts are meant to be things you wouldn't buy yourself! So here are 10 gifts for the eccentric friend, relative or maybe even you! These gifts celebrate the best trends of 2013. You can't go wrong with giving emerald, pattern or even a little gold!

1. Henri Bendel I Heart Me Compact $30: At this price this could be your go to gift for all your friends.          Check out Bendel's other patterns.

2. Piperlime Report Lainey Cuffed Heels $99: Cuffed Heels are so in....perfect gift for the shoe loving sister!

3. Bergdorf Goodman Napoleon Perdis Primrose Lashes $15: For the beauty junkie....they will be dying to try these lashes.

4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Melts Phone Case for iPhone $48: Have a friend with a passion for name brands? "Phone Clothes" is the hottest accessory to have.

5. Amazon Around the World in 80 Raves $14.95: Travel Addict...or the couple with no kids! This book fills you in on the hottest festivals and parties you have to be at around the globe.

6. Lord & Taylor Ciate Caviar Manicure Rainbow $25: I love the idea of DIY Manicure. This kit makes doing your own nails super quick.

7. Etsy Handmade Venice Infinite Scarf by Urbe $20: Shop Small...this beautiful handmade scarf from Turkey is sure to get a lot of compliments.  Urbe is running a sale now. Buy two scarves get free U.S. shipping. Prices are spot on!

8. Bloomingdales Milly Graffiti Flowers Sleeveless Dress $375: O.K. I know PRICEY, but this is what your honey can get you.  Not sure how to justify it, but it can be worn year round!

9. Refinery 29 Kate Spade Bow BackSeam Tight $25.99: Stocking stuffer or cute friend gift.  Kate Spade has super chic patterns and colors for all your gals!

10. Pip & Larkin 3 Block Chain Necklace in Emerald $58: Emerald is so hot right now. Pick one up for your mom and you!

Love and Tulips,

Nicole from Alpharetta

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids!

So the kids are off from school for Thanksgiving break.....  You need an action plan and FAST to keep them busy.  I have three little ones that will be at my tail if I don't have something prepared.  Check out these simple crafts to keep them going all week long.

The folks over at paper & glitter are offering this super cute printable Thanksgiving kit.  It comes with enough printable activities to decorate a kids Thanksgiving table.  As well as printable menus that you can personalize and your kids can decorate! And it's FREE!

My sister's suitcase has an adorable printable place mat.  This would be perfect on your kids table with a little box of new crayons for each guest.

This is one of my favs! So doing this tomorrow.  Gather some "fallish" colored beads & wire.  Your kids can string them up to hold your Thanksgiving table napkins.  Buggy and Buddy have this tutorial, as well as some other easy fun fall crafts!

Super simple, not a lot of materials, but your kiddos can make entire turkey family!
a pumpkin & a princess gave life to these two pinecone turkeys.  If you don't have feathers on hand...substitute with some fall leaves!

Make and Takes has this cool paper teepee decoration.  I could see my kids getting way into this and wanting to create a whole village.  This is super simple and only requires an adult for the final step, which is hot gluing.

This last one is so simple, but I love the idea! Fingerprint turkeys!!! Throw out a few washable stamp pads and let them create 'thumb" artwork. You could do this and have a contest on who can create the fluffiest looking turkey. Cards by CG had this cute little project.  
Whatever project inspires you, make sure everything is kid friendly and non-toxic....because in my case two will be doing the craft and one will be trying to eat everything on the craft table!
Love and Tulips,
Nicole from Alpharetta

Thanksgiving Table 101

Thanksgiving is in a week! 

If the food stinks make sure at least your 

table looks good!

Here are some stellar ideas for sprucing up the dining room.

This mixes two top trends: Burlap & Gold.  All you need is a can of gold spray paint.
This modern design from a pumpkin and a princess.

I'm Dying for Denim

I was digging through my closet yesterday morning desperately trying to find an appropriate outfit for a day of...wait for it.... fishing with my husband??!!  Seriously, what to wear?  

Well, I ended up fishing out (hee-hee) a denim shirt from the far recesses of my closet.  I was most impressed that it didn't need to be ironed, as well as the fact that it seemed to be a workable option for the day, so I went for it!  

Now, I feel like this is a great option going into fall and to my delight there are tons of options out there from weekend denim to totally cute chambray options for work.  

Check out some of my favorites.

Daydrifter Denim Tee by Anthropology.  Get it here.