Friday Faves

After a couple of weeks of just working and staying home, I finally have stuff to talk about! Yay for not being a hermit!!!

1. Titanic Exhibit

I went to see the Titanic exhibit with Dad on Memorial Day. It was rainy and gross so we went to the museum instead of go to the lake. It was so fun. I think we had more fun walking around the rest of the museum than the exhibit. The exhibit was nice but it was dark and quiet and I didn't feel like I was getting to spend time with Dad. It was really nice to spend time with Dad.

2. Cedar Point

I went to Cedar Point with Joe on Wednesday. It was the most perfect day for it. We rode the new roller coaster, Gatekeeper, four times! It was not very busy for CP. It wasn't 8 million degrees. It was just such a great day.

3. Family Video

I finally ended my week over 18% for sales! I'm just so excited!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Sweet Yo's

Another night of Sweet Yo's with Shelby. All I can say is I love Shelby and pina colada fro yo! Treat yo self!

5. Influenster Vox Box

Loving all my Spring Fever products!!!!

Influenster Spring Fever: Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Dust It Hair Mattifying Powder

Disclaimer: I got this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. These opinions are entirely my own.

My last Spring Fever Vox Box review is this product that I can only sort of pronounce. Anyways, I wasn't sure when I first got it how I was going to try this out and then I thought I might use it to give some height to my usual bump. I was playing around with sock buns and couldn't get it right so I tried putting some of the Dust It powder in my pony tail and it gave it enough hold to pull of a beautiful sock bun! I was really impressed with the texture it gave my hair and unlike teasing, it didn't loose texture with handling. I'm excited to see what else I can do with it. Check out my big, pretty sock bun below!

Schwarzkopf Professional products are available at salons and Ulta. You can get Dust It for $23.50. For more information, check out their website here.

To see all of my Influenster Spring Fever Vox Box product reviews, check out this post.

Influenster Spring Fever: Secret Outlast Clear Gel Antiperspirant/Deodorant

Disclaimer: I got this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. These opinions are entirely my own.

I'm about to give you what might be TMI. My family is a bunch of sweaty people. If it is even just a little too hot, we will drip sweat. I've tried every brand of deodorant and antiperspirant on the market. I don't mind being a little sweaty but when you get fancy for recruitment and you have sweat marks on your shirt after three rounds, you become incredibly uncomfortable. Now, I'm not about to tell you my glowing review because I received this for free. Trust me when I say. This left me dry and fresh smelling at Cedar Point in humid, 80 degree heat! I was very impressed. I will repurchase. I reapplied half way through the day and it didn't leave any marks on my shirt. It did what it promised and that's all I ask for from the stuff I test! Thank you, Secret!

Secret Outlast is available in a gel and solid antiperspirant for $4.59 at major retailers. For more information, check out their website here.

To see all of my Influenster Spring Fever Vox Box product reviews, check out this post.

Influenster Spring Fever: NYC New York Color Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm

Disclaimer: I got this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. These opinions are entirely my own.

I have sort of mixed feelings on this one. I love the pigmentation on this and the color is so pretty as you can see in my picture below. (Ignore how pale I am and the sunburn please.) They come in a lot of other colors but I do love the color I got. I wore it a couple times to work to test it out and the texture always surprised me a little bit. It feels a little waxy. It's also supposed to be hydrating but I think I'll stick with my EOS balm. Not that it's not hydrating, it's just not as hydrating as an actual lip balm. Ending on a high note, it has an adorable little apple in the middle so personally, I think it would be a cute gift for a teacher!

NYC New York Color Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm is available in 10 shades at most major drug store chains for $2.99. For more information on the NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balms, check out their website here.

To see all of my Influenster Spring Fever Vox Box product reviews, check out this post.

Influenster Spring Fever: Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure

Disclaimer: I got this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. These opinions are entirely my own.

Here we go with review #2. I was a teeny bit disappointed when I found out it was a press-on manicure. Not that there is anything wrong with press-on manicures. It was just that I was following Influenster's Twitter the whole week before the first boxes were sent out to hear clues on what was in the box and I was sure that we were getting some sort of gel manicure set. But this is still pretty great.

Anyways, this is the Broadway Press-on Manicure. I received "Over the Moon" which is a beautiful gold burgundy marble with hints of purple in the sun. So many customers complimented me on it at work. It would be even better for the fall or winter. I was craving something a little more summer-y. They didn't destroy my nails like other press-on manicures have. They actually peeled off no problem. The product description says they last up to a week. Mine made it about 4 days but they started to pop off so I took all the rest off. It just felt weird only having 8 nails on. They were also a little longer than how I normally wear my nails so they took some getting used to. Overall, no complaints. They worked great and looked fantastic. I plan on purchasing the french tip set for recruitment this fall. They will last just long enough for what I need them for without breaking my budget or looking like crap. Win!

Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicures are available in solids and patterns. They are $5.99 for solid colors and $7.99 for patterns at CVS, CVS, Rite Aid, KMart, Walgreens, Walmart, and more. For more information on the Broadway Nails line of imPRESS Press-on Manicures, check out their website here.

To see all of my Influenster Spring Fever Vox Box product reviews, check out this post.

Influenster Spring Fever: Tastykake® Kandy Bar Kakes

Disclaimer: I got this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. These opinions are entirely my own.

So, review #1 for the Spring Fever Vox Box. I have to say, this might be the one product from the box I could not wait to try no matter what flavor I received. Upon taking the above photo, I immediately ripped it open and devoured. It was so much better than I imagined. I had read some mixed reviews on Influenster's  website about these snack cakes. Mostly that they were crumbly and dry and generic. I disagree completely. The cake was light and soft and so much better than the sponge of most snack cakes. It had a more cake-y texture. The peanut butter frosting was so rich and delicious. My only complaint was there was only one. I wish they were sold here in Michigan. I am seriously considering picking a box up while I'm in Ohio this week. That tasty. I'm thinking they would make some pretty great truffles.

Tastykake Kandy Bar Kakes are available in three flavors: peanut butter, peppermint, and s'mores. They are $4.49 for a family pack or $1.69 for a single serving. For more information on the Tastykake line of snacks, check out their website here.

To see all of my Influenster Spring Fever Vox Box product reviews, check out this post.

Influenster Spring Fever Vox Box

Have you noticed the lack of posts this week? I was anticipating this box to arrive last week and to have all these great reviews to share with you. Instead, it just showed up yesterday so you get treated to a solid 7 days of posts in a row. Let's just jump right in and preview what came in the box!

The whole box

Secret Outlast Clear Gel Antiperspirant/Deodorant - My Review

NYC New York Color Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm in Big Apple Red - My Review

Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-On Manicure in Over the Moon - My Review

Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Dust It - My Review

Tastykake Kandy Bar Kakes in Peanut Butter - My Review

This time, I also made a video of my unboxing so watch it and let me know what you think!

I received all of these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are entirely my own.

Friday Faves

Unfortunately, for the second week in a row, I have forgotten Friday Faves. It's not that I don't like Friday Faves. I thought I would be doing interesting things since the semester ended. For the record, I'm doing interesting things, just nothing worth sharing or nothing I have pictures of. I promise next week we will return to normal Friday Faves but as of this week, here's the youtube hole I fell down.

1. Kissing Your Face: What Women Really Think

Kissing you is like making out with a yeti. If I wanted that, I'd put peanut butter on my face and sleep alone in the woods.

2. Drunk Explanations
Multiple people asked me to describe the taste of water. How about wet? Does wet suffice?

3. Joss Whedon Fights a One-Eyed Monster in "Scary Smash" - Written By A Kid Ep. 1

Besides the obviously amazing stars of this video, look out for cameos by Rhett, Link, and Felicia Day.

4. Convos With My 2 Year Old - Episode 1

I like how the mom sides with the 2-year-old. She has priorities.

5. Dancing With An iPod In Public- Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go)

Check out the woman at 0:36. And mad props to everyone who dances along. That's what I would do.

Friday Faves

What a week. I know it's Monday. Do I care? Not really. I forgot about Friday faves on Friday and then on Saturday I went home. So blah. It's Friday faves now.

1. Basement Art Creations

Dad and I went to the EL Art Festival this weekend and we found my favorite artist, Lori of Basement Art Creations. I bought this lovely print of Captain America. My next purchase will definitely be the Hulk. Check out her Etsy shop here.

2. Time with the baby

Baby and I watched the Cat in the Hat. We got snuggles in and it made my day. Love this kid.

3. Walks with the Doggy

Dotty and I got some walkies in. Twas excellent.

4. Purple Llama

Just look at that and not smile. I dare you.

5. Thanks for describing my current mood, doggy.

Mini Golf & Ducks

I told you that spring is my favorite. Remember my spring bucket list? I just love being outside. So I was pretty excited when Joe and I finally got to go mini golfing. We're pretty competitive sometimes. I may have lost but I did have more hole-in-ones than Joe. We had way too much fun. I don't understand how we are allowed out in public because we always have way too much fun.

Holes-in-One Poses

Losing golf balls to castles, karate, wild swings, and posing.

We also got to feed ducks. I was very intent on feeding ducks. Geese freak me out. They stink and they are pushy and rude. Ducks are all, "Oh that's cool. Thanks for the food" where geese are all, "OMG FOOD! GIMME!" Joe and I fed ducks some oats and rice because I read online that that is better for the ducks than bread or crackers. And once the food was gone, we ran around like ducks. So there is that. Like I said, too much fun.

Quack quack!!!

Wednesday Writings

Writing this, it is graduation day at GVSU. But you are going to read this in two weeks so pretend with me, OK?

A letter to myself, 4 years ago, as I am graduating high school

There's a lot I wish I could tell you. First and foremost, stop talking about how excited you are to move away and start college. Seriously. I think you might have really hurt Dad with the countdowns and the last this and that. You'll miss him someday. It may take a while. You're going to keep fighting with him. But in the end, he takes care of you how ever he can. Stop being excited about leaving and just enjoy that last summer with him and the dog.

Now you're going off to college and it's going to be the most terrifying thing you do all on your own. Stop being the scared freshman. There are going to be much scarier things you'll do later but you're going to have a rough time because you don't start off with a little courage. Just step up and get going because hiding from the world and wishing you're home just makes it harder. Turn around and face the waves before they get too big.

Seriously, study. You may have been awesome in high school but college is hard. Like really hard. You would be graduating today if you had worked your ass off but you aren't and you'll be sad to see all the facebook statuses and pictures as your pledge class moves on and you're in the same place. Just study and get it done. Be decisive. There is plenty of time later to try other degrees and explore other jobs. But you'll never get any where if you don't get that first one done. So just study. Make a plan and follow through. Don't fall apart so close to the end of the semester because as hard as it is, it's harder the more you have to do it.

You have so much to do before you graduate. You have to grow before you can understand all of this. I am not you anymore. But I wish I could explain to you how important all of these lessons are. You will have more fun than you can ever imagine in the next four years and you will be a little happy that you will have one more year to savor and try new stuff. But you might not have need it if you try harder.

Picnic

Oh Michigan spring. You've made my spring bucket list impossible. Joe and I tried to picnic. When we had the first taste of real spring weather, we decided we would try a picnic. It was a failure. It was cold and rainy and windy.  But we made BLT wraps with pesto mayo so it was not all terrible. We ate wraps and fruit salad in the car. The wraps were so dang yum, it just confirmed my belief tortillas kick bread's ass at being bread. And eating in the car at the park is still a picnic right? We'll try again soon.

Joe's wrap was so big, he really couldn't eat it. But it was fun to watch him try.

Car picnics! Don't hate me for this picture, Joe.

Friday Faves

My life right now is a teeny bit boring right now. I've just been working and playing bingo on Facebook. I've been watching a lot of Friends too so I decided to post my top five favorite moments of Friends for this edition of Friday Faves. This was really hard because there are so many great one liners for the show but here are just five of my favorites. Below each GIF, I've listed the episode title.

1. Season 7, Episode 20: The One with Rachel's Big Kiss

Or how I'm going to open Dad's funeral some day.

2. Season 2, Episode 6: The One with the Baby on the Bus

I laughed so loud and hysterically that I woke Joe up.

 3. Season 8, Episode 6: The One with the Halloween Party

Even though Chandler never does that, it is still the greatest impression of him ever.

4. Season 7, Episode 15: The One with Joey's New Brain

I can't blame everyone else in the scene for visibly trying to hold back laughter. Phoebe singing along with the bagpipes is just too great for words.

5. Season 3, Episode 2: The One Where No One's Ready

I'm Chandler. Could I BE wearing any more clothes?!

Chicken Pot Pie

You know when you think something is great and then you find out it is not so great and you can never go back to the blissful ignorance? That is me and frozen pot pies right now. One of our amazing sisters just had a baby and I made this pot pie to freeze and take to her. This recipe makes two delicious pot pies you can be kind and freeze for new mommies, sick friends, and whatnot. Or just make them for yourself. I won't tell or judge. One bite of these and you'll never be able to go back to the frozen pies from the grocery store.

The recipe is from October Morning.

Wednesday Writings

Another Dream Cast! I have never actually read this book but I would love to and I have seen the movies. So here's my next dream cast.

Dream Cast "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley:

Anne is an orphan, adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. She is smart, witty, passionate, stubborn, and loyal. She struggles to learn the rules of society that her peers have grown up understanding. Okay, so in all of my Dream Casts, I've seen the actor in something. This is the first one that I've not seen in something but I think she has the right look. Deborah Ann Woll has such a young, fiery look. 

Marilla Cuthbert:

The unmarried woman who raises Anne. She is Matthew's sister and is morally and emotionally severe. She is described as being all angles and straight lines. She has a very wry sense of humor and a loving heart. I think Judi Dench could play a very stern, moral grandmother figure. My second choice was Meryl Streep but let's be honest, I could cast Meryl Streep as a rock and would be the best damn rock you've ever seen. Judi Dench is just so pretty and I think the best part of Marilla is that mystery of why she is unmarried.

Matthew Cuthbert:

The 60 year old, unmarried brother of Marilla. Matthew is incredibly shy but instantly loves Anne. Anne comes to Matthew as her kindred spirit and confidant. Hear me out, okay. Tommy Lee Jones does amazing work. He could totally play the quiet farmer. With the right make up, he would definitely look the part.

Diana Barry:
Anne's bosom friend is agreeable, but lacks Anne's intelligence. She is sweet and was raised in this highly religious, moral society so she sometimes doesn't get Anne but loves her anyways. Claire Holt is a little too blonde but I think she has that really sweet face to pull off Diana. With the right make up, I think she could really work as the sweetheart.

Gilbert Blythe:
Anne's handsome, smart rival. By the end of the book, they are affectionate friends and by the end of the series they are married so he has to be able to play that affectionate rivalry. By far the easiest person to cast, Andrew Garfield is sweet and boyish and we know he can do smart from his role in The Social Network. Plus he's easy on the eyes.

Bah this one was hard! But really fun! I think I'll do these for a couple more Wednesday Writings. 

Sample Stash

This blog was never started with the intent of becoming a beauty blog. But this blog is about me and what I like and I have this corrupting eye-opening sister who writes a beauty blog. So in the progress of learning about beauty products and becoming obsessed, I have amassed a box of samples. One day, Jessica was wishing for a beauty sample subscription box and we put our heads together and came up with this fun little project. To reduce down our stashes, as well as add to our ever lengthening wish lists, we came up with the Sample Stash Challenge.

Here's the low down.
1. Pick your samples. We're going with 4-6 a month. Like always, do what you want. I'm not your mom.
2. Your post should be a review/first impression of last month's "box." Share what you picked for this month.
3. Link it up with the widget at the end of the post!
Three steps? You can do three steps. So join us, please?

Let's check out what I picked for the merry ol' month of May!

Bath & Body Works 24K Silk Lotion in Japanese Cherry Blossom, Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner, bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer for Combination Skin

Maybe the worst part of this challenge? It fuels my desire for more samples in my life. Ah, well.

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