Beauty Blogger #VoxBox Thanks @Influenster!

Well, I think I've finally used and abused just about everything in my Influenster Beauty Blogger Voxbox! So I'm ready to share "the good, the so-so, and the I think I'll pass" with you lovelies.

1.  Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit ($5.99) - This was my FAVORITE product that came in the box.  Not only are the lashes lightweight and easy to apply, they are made from human hair so they look and feel natural.  The adhesive is latex-free and holds for 24 hours!  Falsies were never easier to wear!

2. Bath & Body Works Mini Candles ($3.50) - The candle I received came in the Nutmeg & Spice scent and I seriously wanted to eat it.  I mean, totally delicious smelling.  I've used the candle 5-6 times for several hours and its still not used up.  The scent is perfect for a small space like the bathroom.  I've seen a few sales on the web for these mini candles - but even better you can get a big version of the same scent!

3. Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream ($6.00) - This product I would pass on. I tried it both on my hair which is naturally wavy but fine, as well as my daughter's spiral curls - it didn't really control frizz or define curls for either of us.

4.  Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion ($8.49) & Night Cream ($13.49) - I thought the lightness of the product was a welcome change compared to most night creams.  It was interesting using the cleanser which is a lotion that you wipe off without ever using water.  I think I'm still on the fence but would likely try more of their product.

5.  NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact ($4.99) - I love the portability of having all that you need for a single look in one compact, but I didn't necessarily love the color scheme of mine.  I think the best part of this is the included eyeshadow primer and highlighter.

6.  Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin ($7.29) - These pins are really neat, I just don't have enough hair to really play around with them.  I did use them in Zion's hair but found it to be difficult to get them to hold her hair - she has so much of it.  I think if you have a lot of hair, and reasonably long you might love these!

Overall, I really enjoyed the Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox.  I received the products totally free to try but all of these opinions are my own.

Avoid the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' With Early Holiday Shopping

We all know the last minute Christmas shopping routine by now-- Rush out of the house at 10 a.m. with your coffee, wait forever to find a parking space at Target or Walmart and hope to come back home with gifts sometime before 10 p.m.! Late shoppers, why torture yourself by wasting an entire day among hoards of other last-minute shopping “crazies” and risk trampling injuries? Do yourself a favor and start a little earlier this year, not a day or a week early, but two whole months early and look forward to an organized “Christmas Countdown.” Start your Christmas shopping in October, and you will be amazed at how enjoyable it can be. Here's why:

More Time to Prepare for the Holiday

The best thing about doing holiday shopping in October is that with the task out of the way, you'll be able focus your energy on preparations for the coming season. You'll also have plenty of time to exchange or return gifts or decorations if needed, and you can assemble everything in a timely manner. Instead of spontaneously grabbing any holiday card in site from the row of greeting cards at the pharmacy, do something out of the ordinary. Find a specialty card from a holiday store or create your own greeting. For example, Minted.com holiday cards give you the option of incorporating your own photos in the greeting, making for a highly personable and crafty creation. With early shopping, you'll also be left with time to make other crafts like dinner table centerpieces and around-the-house decorations that will dazzle your home and win over your guests.

Shorter Check Out Lines

There's nothing like navigating through the store with a full shopping cart to find a clear checkout line and a cashier that doesn't look like he or she is having a nervous breakdown. If you do your holiday shopping as early as October, you'll be able to take advantage of time flexibility and better store conditions. You'll have less of a chance of having to deal with long lines of impatient shoppers, refunds and checkout errors. Online shopping is another option that is easier to do early in the season and will alleviate the need for trips to the store altogether. With the hefty amount of time ahead of you, you can compare gift prices online to find the most affordable purchases. There are resources like Cyber Monday that can be helpful, as they list all the best deals and coupons for major retail outlets.

Peace of Mind

I don't know about you, but for me there's something about last-minute holiday shopping and the knowledge that everyone's in the store for the same reason that kind of gets under my skin. Maybe it's the relentless passer-by chatter of “Welp, it's that time of year again, huh?” Or maybe it's the fact that last-minute shoppers are stressed and frantic and sometimes flat-out mean. A store full of procrastinating shoppers has a certain chaotic, angry feel to it. Why go shopping for happy holiday gifts in an unhappy and stressful environment? Starting your holiday shopping in October is a much smoother alternative, allowing for more focus and peace of mind. It can be inspiring and fun to go browsing for holiday gifts before Halloween even starts.

If you methodically plot out your holiday shopping well in advance, you can have a stress-free holiday season. With all of the craziness that ensues in that special month, why would anyone want to add more craziness by doing your shopping last minute? December should be spent with your family, relatives and friends. It should be enjoyed to max and taken one day at a time with winter trips, ice skating in the park, taking long romantic walks with your special someone and preparing delicious dinners. You should be making sure you and your loved ones are having the time of your lives... Not waiting in lines for hours at department stores!

Contributed by:

Heather Wood

Heather is a blogger and Twitter fanatic who follows anything that has to do with home interiors.

Thoughts on Trying to Conceive Non-Traditional Baby Shower Ideas

This post could also be titled, "waaaahhhh I wanteeeeee baby now!!!!" But don't worry, I'm not going to get all ugly-cry on you, not just yet anyway.  It seems as though when you really want something to happen (read: a new car, marriage, baby) everyone seems to have or be getting what you want.

I mean just in the last month I've heard of at least 4 new pregnancies of people I am acquainted with.  And I'm not jealous, I'm sincerely thrilled for these ladies, but it does leave that question of wonder.  More like a mix between bewilderment and frustration.  I mean, seriously, you do all these things in your adolescent years to prevent pregnancy (unless you abstained - God knows I wish I had, but that is for another post)...and then you get married and you have your first baby rather unexpectedly and then you think okay great, it's time for another.  You start actually trying to make it happen and then ... nada.

They say to give it a full year of best effort before looking into it, but man is that hard to do when your biological clock is ticking like crazy.  Needless to say, I'm not pregnant yet.  But, I'm ready.  And I'm not desperate or discouraged but believing and waiting on God for His timing.  It is so hard to wait for those things which our heart's so eagerly desire!  So to all of you that are waiting for something right now...just know...I feel you!

On that note, thought it would be fun to share some Non-traditional Baby Shower Ideas predicted by Beau-coup!

1. Diaper Showers

How it works: Diapers are the one thing every new parent needs – and they will need a mountain of diapers in the coming months. Each guest is asked to bring diapers and diaper changing supplies like wipes and ointments in lieu of gifts. Diaper showers are common for mothers who are having a second or third child, but they are also a great way to help out a new mom.

2. Casserole Showers

How it works: It is important for mom and dad to stay happy and healthy while they focus on those crucial first months of their new baby’s life. With a casserole shower, friends and family can ensure the new parents have enough food to last them through those first few weeks of sleepless nights spent looking after the little one. Between caring for baby and work, many a mom and dad would forget to eat entirely if it were not for caring friends and family.

3. Book Showers

How it works: Parents who are bibliophiles may hope to pass on their love of books to their little ones. By having a book shower complete with cute bookmark favors, mom and dad can build a child-friendly library of books that will help their little bookworm grow and learn.

4. "Dadchelor" Parties

How it works: New dads are celebrating their impending fatherhood the same way they are celebrating their weddings – with one last day of freedom before the big day. With a “dadchelor” party, the father-to-be gets to spend a day with his buddies doing…well, whatever he wishes.

5. Girls Night Out/In

How it works: Instead of showering the new mom with gifts, her best gal pals can get together with mom-to-be and spoil her rotten before baby arrives. Many new moms truly enjoy one last day of pampering with close friends before their lives become all about baby.

6. Gender Reveal

How it works: A gender reveal party requires early planning. Parents-to-be have to keep the baby’s gender a secret from friends and family, and maybe even themselves, for it to work. Ask the ultrasound technician to write the sex down on a piece of paper, and seal it in an envelope. That envelope gets handed to the baker who then bakes either a pink cake or blue cake depending on whether the baby is a girl or a boy. The cake then gets covered in white frosting until the pink or blue cake is completely hidden. Have guests show up at the party dressed in either pink or blue to indicate which sex they believe the cake will reveal. The fun and exciting moment arrives when everyone finds out the gender at the same time as the new mom and dad cut into the cake to discover whether they are welcoming a boy or girl!

7. Adoption Celebration

How it works: Many new parents adopt or foster rather than conceiving traditionally. Many of these new parents may have adoption celebrations called “Welcome Home” parties, or “Meet the Baby” gatherings. Adoption celebrations are a great way to ensure the new parents have everything they need to help raise their adoptive child.

8. Sip'N'See

How it works: A sip 'n' see is a “meet the baby” party. It is the perfect opportunity for friends and family to come visit the new parents and their little bundle of joy a few weeks after the birth. A smaller production than a traditional baby shower, a sip ‘n’ see is a great way to get in some quiet bonding time with light refreshments.

9. Baby Naming

How it works: A baby naming ceremony is a non-religious way for parents to make a spiritual and emotional commitment to their baby. Traditionally, the new parents choose the baby’s name and reveal it to close friends and family, while making a vow to love and protect the child. This is an increasingly popular event where parents can publicly welcome the new addition to their family.

Information above used with permission from Beau-Coup - a great resource for baby shower favors and more!  

On My Heart... The Unimaginable

Lately I've been feeling especially sensitive to stories in the news of moms losing their children in unfathomable tragedy.

First, there was the mom who came home to her Central Park West apartment to find her trusted nanny had snapped, murdering two of her three young children and then trying to kill herself.

And then there was Hurricane Sandy and the story of a mom fleeing for her life with her two young boys, when the water overcame their vehicle and they were forced to leave it, the boys were ripped from her arms by the raging surge.

Both of these stories left me feeling such empathy for these mothers - I honestly don't know which scenario would be worse - either way - I just can't imagine the pain and the loss they are experiencing at this time.

One of the things that I didn't expect as I become a mother, or at least not to the degree of it, is this fierce protective nature that instinctually takes over.  Before I'd ever left the hospital with Zion, I had to watch the video...you know...the "don't shake your baby" video.  It literally had both me and the hubs crying - we just couldn't fathom how anyone could hurt their child in this way.

And then as I recovered those first few weeks - I would remember a rogue thought popping into my mind of "what if something happened to my daughter" and it would literally tighten every muscle north of my shoulder blades.  I was hypervigilant in those early weeks.  To a certain degree I still am.

Sometimes, the fear of something happening to my daughter - just the thought of it, can send me into an emotional spiral.  I think also about if someone were to hurt my daughter, what that would do to me - how I'd react, and how I'd ultimately respond.

As moms - we are nurturers: we kiss the boo-boos, take care of needs, tend volatile little emotions - and at the same time we are guardians: there to protect, to be their voice, and to fight for their survival if provoked.  With the same mouth we can magically heal a bump or bruise and in the next moment cuttingly warn someone to back off if they get too close to our child.

Many of my deepest thoughts lately have been in reflection of the parent-child relationship.  I've been thinking about God as the Father.  I've been trying to empathize with what it must have been like for Him to send Jesus to the Cross.  I mean, I'm going to be totally honest, when I look around at the world today, and then I look at my little girl, if I had to give her up for the wickedness of the world to be forgiven - placing all of the world's mistakes upon her, sending her to a brutal, torturous death on a cross---could I do that?  No.  Most certainly I could not.

Only God could do such a thing.  I do not believe even for a minute that a loving parent could sacrifice their child AND survive the pain.

And that is just it.  God loves all of his creation as his children - He's invited us all to be adopted into his family - but it cost him greatly - it cost him his one and only son.  Now of course, Jesus was raised to life and sits with the Father now, but it doesn't negate that God loves each of us so much he was willing to make a trade so that he could experience the same relationship with us.  So that we could know him, and experience Him.

That kind of Father is foreign to me.  A Father that would stop at nothing to bring all of his children into the fold, to save all of his children from eternal damnation.  The most stunning thought I have is that God could have shown up at any time now to judge the Earth, but he hasn't.  His desire that all should be saved is so strong, his love and compassion and mercy so overflowing, that he allows us to continue in our wretched state.

No one has more faith in humanity, than the creator of humanity himself.  And that is something worth thinking about.

Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser + Discount Code Demo & Update

Lovelies - its time for an update on my quest for hairlessness!  I've been using the Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser for just a few months and am starting to see results!

So now that you have seen how it works, its time to talk progress!! Here are some progress pictures - warning - if you don't want to see hairy legs or armpit - look away now!! Haha!

SAVE $100 on a Tria Hair Removal Laser from 11/21-11/27!

Use Code: SHOP100 at checkout!!

 These are Left & Right Armpits after 2nd October Treatment.
Here is my right armpit before and now:

I think you'll agree there is less hair overall and in general it is finer than before.

These are Left & Right Legs after 2nd October Treatment.
Remember that my Right leg is one treatment behind my left (purposefully for the comparison!)

Overall, several sessions in I'm seeing some results.  The biggest change is in the frequency of shaving. I used to have to shave my armpits EVERY day, now I'm getting away with once or twice a week.  My legs used to be every other day, now I can shave them once every 3-4 days.  That is great for someone who would like to still feel confident but doesn't have time to shave every day!

My only challenge with the review so far has been staying consistently on schedule with my treatments.  It has surprised me how long it takes to do each leg, and sometimes I have to charge the laser after just one leg, so I have to fight to keep with my every two week regimen.  I'm still very pleased with the results, so hopefully I'll have even more great results next month when I check in again!

I received complimentary product for this review as a part of the Tria Beauty Blogger Review program, however; all views, opinions and results are my own!