New Year, A New Me?

2012 has come and just about gone for me. 

I've learned quite a bit about myself, people, and life in general throughout the year and all of it is going with me into 2013 to make for a better everything. (I hope)

New Years resolutions. 

It seems that no January 1st is complete without them. 

Every year I make them & at some point in the beginning I break them. 

Well this year is going to be different. 

There are so many things that I have planned for 2013 that I am determined to stick with my resolutions. 

My Blog - I started this blog mid last year & have been learning an overwhelming amount of information in regards to blogging. Well I am going to use it all and hopefully bring many things to my blog. If you have any suggestions I am completely open to reading them. 

Get Fit & Healthy - Throughout this year I managed to lose 30 pounds but there are about 20 more that I want to get off and a lot of toning to do. All that baby weight just loves to stick around doesn't it. Also, I want to finally figure out what is wrong with my neck, head or whatever it is that causes the pain and crap when I stand up. 

Move - For the past 18 years I have been living in the desert that is Las Vegas. Desperately I want to move away from the scorching over 100 degree weather and up to the cool and wet weather of Washington state. Not in Seattle but somewhere around it on one of the islands or something. Preferably in a great school district for my kiddo when he is old enough. 

Finish School -  Since August 2011 I have been working on my Associates Degree in Business Administration & I am scheduled to graduate this coming September. That is if I pass all my current and future classes. And let me tell you they are BORING right now. I never want to do my school work when my classes are boring but if I want that degree & to show my son that anything positive can be achieved, I had better do it. 

Worry Less - Being a single mom I tend to worry about my son and what others might think when we are out and about. By this I mean is being rambunctious and having crazy moments. Well I am going to try to stop caring so much. I figure that if we are in a public place then other people should figure that kids are going to be around. And it's not like he yells or anything, he is just a month away from 3 and has the mind set of that age. 

Stress Less - Things have gone on in my family this past year which made me stress out. So I am going to stop since they do not directly affect myself or my son. I am also going to stop stressing over things being "perfect" (I have a bit of an OCD) because nothing is perfect and just let things be as they may. 

More Mommy Time - I am with my son 24/7 and I love him more than the size of the galaxy but a mommy needs time to herself. And I never take any which could be why I tend to feel cranky. So I am going to find some time to myself even if it is in the form of a bath. 

Productive Lil Dude Time - He is going to turn 3 in February and even though he already knows a lot for his age I want to teach him more things. Even start doing activities that will help stimulate his mind and work some sports & cooking in there also. He is a well rounded lil boy and I want to continue with him being that way. Maybe I'll start doing some of the kids activities that I pin to my Pinterest boards. 

Get us on a Schedule - Apart from scheduling need to know things like doctor's appointments, events and such, I have always been against being on a regular schedule. They just make me feel like my life is mapped out everyday. But now that I am doing so much and with my son turning 3 I really think that we need on since neither one of us have one. It might just make things so much easier all the way around. Maybe I'll actually get things done lol. 

Save Money - I have a bad habit of spending money when I get it so this year I am going to change that especially since I plan on moving. 

Quite a long list that I have there but I think doable. 

Did you make any resolutions this year?

GLOSSYBOX December 2012 - USA

I have wanted to try GLOSSYBOX ever since I watched a friends video on YouTube about what she got in her box. 

Since then I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival to the United States. 

It took me a few months to finally purchase a subscription because of the price ($21) but on Black Friday they sent out an email with a discount and I jumped at the opportunity. 

After receiving this box I am so glad that I did because I absolutely love what came in it. 

Each month GLOSSYBOX comes in a very chic pink box. 

Definitely one that can me reused as storage. 

It came with a full-color magazine about products & trends.  

I always like opening up a box to a beautiful presentation. 

Do you?

How cute is this tissue paper!

So many goodies.

Where do I start first?

Pleats Please Eau de Toilette by Issey Miyake Full-size $92/3.4 oz

-An exclusive USA online launch partner-

I received a 0.03fl oz sample.

This fragrance was inspired by the renowned designer Issey Miyake's iconic Pleats Please ready-to-wear line.

Zoya Nail Polish in the color ZIV - full-size $8/.5 oz 

I received the full-size.

The holidays would not be complete without pretty sparkly nails in my opinion. 

Think I might try this on today. 

Heartland Fragrance CO. Bath Salts - full-size $10/30 oz

I received 5.5 oz

These bath salts are 100% pure Epsom Salts with White Tea herb-infused accents.

These will be great for a mommy time bath.

Wella - full-size $16/1.9 oz

I received a 0.05 oz one time use sample.

This is a velvet amplifier that prepares your hair for any look by improving the manageability and amplifies control for smooth, responsive styling. 

I hope a one use sample will give results instead of needing to try it more than once. 

Denise Richards Volume Extend by Christophe - full-size $20/10 oz

I received a 1.5 oz sample.

This paraben and sulphate free finishing spray doesn't leave build up & allows hair to still be touchable while maximizing volume, thickness and shine. 

mark. Lipclick Luxe Lipstick in m.powermint petal - full-size $12/.106 oz

I received the full size of this product.

This is a limited edition creamy rose lipstick.

I love the packaging and was so happy to receive a lipstick.

The magnetic closure is fun to play with.

The color is a very pretty deep rose.

Perfect for when you want a color with  some pink in it but not looking to wear a bright pink.

Jewelmint Jewelry - Various Styles/$29.99

This bracelet was a special gift for the holiday season.

The jewelry is inspired by the runway, vintage jewelry and on-trend  celebrity style. 

The closure is really neat looking and not boring like many other jewelry pieces.

I actually like this bracelet. 

It  is very plain but with these three little nubs & I love the vintage feel that it has. 

This is very much a versatile piece and might just become a constant in my everyday wear collection.

For my first box and it being a holiday box I am really pleased with it. 

I am going to continue on with my subscription and see what the New Year has in store for future boxes. 

Hopefully they will be great ones also. 

Do you get GLOSSYBOX?

What do you think of these products?

Henderson Winterfest Event & Parade

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. 

I had meant to post this a long time ago since this happened on the 15th and it is now the 29th.

But with the holidays & I catching the cold that was going around I took a bit of a break from posting to recoup and enjoy. 

 The city of Henderson had its annual Winterfest over the weekend of the 13-15.

We missed it last year but I was happy to attend it this year even though we left during the parade.

It was freezing & the parade was taking forever because no one could keep up with each other. 

The event was cute from what we saw and got around to.

There was quite a few craft vendors with some pretty nice items.

There were these trees inside of the main building that had all been decorated by certain groups of people.

A few were really pretty. 

I love this tree topper. 

It is very sparkly, gold & Christmassy.  

They even had a merry-go-round at the event.

Not a "fancy" one with all different animals but it was perfect for the kids and the parents. 

There was even a petting zoo & pony rides that we stayed clear away from.

My son is not too keen on those types of animals yet. 

There were a few beautiful and amazingly tall Christmas trees located at different points.

As beautiful as they are all adorned with lights and baubles, I find it rather sad that something so beautiful gets cut down after growing for so long. 

  

There were a few kid friendly stations surrounding the area of the merry-go-round.

Kids could go do crafts, decorate cookies, and what not. 

Crafts, especially Christmas crafts, are great for kids and getting into the holiday spirit I think. 

My lil dude & I after we left the parade early. 

I was so cold that my fingers were numb & when I took my gloves off they were whiter than their normal white. 

It was a cute event with lots going on. 

Some of the kid singers that they had at one of the many stages were really good. 

Next year we need to print out what is going on where so we don't walk around clueless lol.

If you want to know more than check out their website.

Did a city near you hold an event like this?

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays

My lil dude & I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. 

Our home has been filled with love and laughter.

I hope everyone else around the world enjoyed the same.

May you all feel peace & joy. 

Happy Holidays

Thrifty Christmas Holiday Wreath

Do you enjoy making Christmas decorations because I sure do.

There is nothing like going out and buying the items that I personally like and creating something special myself and that others will enjoy.

And that is exactly what I did the other night finally after having bought the items a week earlier. 

I am so happy with how it came out that now I want to try making more with different items. 

 Isn't it just pretty and festive?

I absolutely love it and continue to get compliments on it. 

Items Used:

• A simple wired wreath - $1.00
• Red & White flowers - $1.00 a piece
• Gold wire ribbon - $1.00
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and extra glue sticks
• Elmer's glue
• Small paintbrush
• Gold glitter
• Paint pallet to put the glue on but I would have preferred to of used a paper plate
• A work surface, I used a poster board that was laying around the house.

First thing I did was take all of the flowers off of the plastic/rubber that they were connected to as well as the holly leaves. 

Then I separated them into different piles so I could figure out how many of each that I had to work with. 

After going through the flowers and seeing how many there was to work with, I decided that the red ones would be the main flower focus and the only ones that I would put gold glitter on. 

The glitter part was messy, easy & fun. 

I put some Elmer's glue onto the palette & with the paint brush I ran a thin but decent layer over the top petal.

After I did this to each petal I quickly sprinkled the gold glitter onto each petal one by one making sure that glitter only got onto the glue. 

This step called for efficiency and quickness to get the glitter onto the glue before it dried. 

Also, I wanted to make sure that enough but not too much glitter was sprinkled onto the petals so they didn't look like the glitter was just dumped onto them into heaps. 

The gold bow and deciding how the stems of the wreath were going to lay was a huge part in deciding on where everything else was going to lay. 

After I made the bow I kept the tails long because I wasn't sure how I wanted them to go in the end & glued the bow to the very top where the hanger was. 

Once I got the bow glued on I stood up (a view from above is better than a slanted one) and started to arrange the flowers and holly around the wreath. 

Since the red flowers are the main focus I did a pattern sequence of red flower, holly, white flower and just continued that from one top point to another.

The hot glue gun was my friend during this step and I ended up going through 3 sticks of glue.

I cut the tails of the bow off at an angle about 4" from the end and turned them around onto the wreath and stuck them into it to make them puffy. 

So pretty up close and from a distance.

I am so glad that I made this and pleased with the way it came out. 

What do you think?

Have you made a wreath or any other decoration this holiday season?

Happy Holidays!


Sharing with:
Savy Southern Style
The Rustic Pig
Home Stories A to Z
The DIY Dreamer
In the Old Road

Birchbox December 2012

Tis that time for my monthly box from Birchbox of beauty samples.
Since it is the holiday season I think I was expecting samples that were more holiday based.
Maybe a green or red polish or something sparkly.
However, a few of the samples I did receive I am excited to try out.

They did spruce up the box for the holiday & made it all shiny and pretty with the pink and gold stripes.

 ModelCo | SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss Full-size ,$16
It is an Australian brand's winning gloss that coats lips with a subtle amount of color.
It also has a handy built-in mirror.
I tried it out once and was not impressed so I am going to give it another few tries.

Beauty Extra this month was:
Thymes | Lotus Santal Body Lotion Full-size, $25
It is a shea-enriched hydrator that is supposed to have a calming woodsy scent and a a non-greasy feeling.
Sadly it is only a one time use sample.

Juice beauty | Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream Full-size, $39
CC stands for color control and is supposed to improve skin tone with vitamin C and grape-derived resveratrol.
I'm excited to try this product out and for hopes that it works especially on redness.

There was even a $50 gift card to Rent the Runway.
Through this company you can apparently rent designer dresses without spending a fortune.

Thymes | Naia Body Lotion Full-size, $25
This has an amazing scent of lemon pulp and yerba mate.
Just because of the smell this is my favorite sample in this months box.
It's definitely not a lotion that I would wear everyday or everywhere because the scent smells heavily like perfume but would be a great perfume replacement for low-key days.

Kérastase | Nutritive Nectar Thermique - Protect Full-size, $42
This product is meant to be worked into towel-dried hair to help repair damage from chemical processing and protect against the effects of heat styling.
For the price of this leave-in cream I would hope that it works.
Pretty cool that I got two so I can really test it out.

The information card was even all decked out in pretty pink stripes as well.


Have you tried or use any of these products regularly?
Would you have expected a few samples that were more holiday tailored?

Homemade Advent Calender

I just love advent calenders.

My love for them has even been passed on to my son which makes me happy. 

Just like me, he thinks it is fun to open the little flap and find the prize inside. 

He's even impatient when it comes to waiting until tomorrow to open the next one. 

This year I wanted to do something different rather than buy one from a store. 

I wanted it to be special and have better chocolate inside. 

So I sat down last night (a few days late I know) and created this. 

It was a little time consuming with doing 25 pieces of everything but well worth it. 

The star design was completely random but came out perfect in my opinion. 

I was going to just drape it along but didn't have the room so voila, a star was made. 

My son can't reach it which is fine or he would be into it but I use the date to help teach him numbers. 

To be able to get his little treat he has to correctly answer what number (current date) comes after the previous number (day before).

It's fun, yummy and it also helps him learn. 

The only thing that I bought to make it was the candy inside. 

The total time that it took me was about an hour and a half or the equivalent to three Disney cartoons. 

Supplies

- Wrapping paper from last year

- Any yarn laying around the house (preferably one that matches the wrapping paper)

- Scissors

- Poster Board

- Design scissors

- Thin yarn or you could use thread

- Colored marker to write the numbers 

- Pushpins

- Whatever you plan on putting inside like Christmas M&Ms which I used. 

How I Made it:

Take your wrapping paper and roughly measure and cut a square of 6" by 6" (25 times). 

With the regular scissors cut a piece of poster board 2" by 2" (25 times) then use the design scissors on the edges to make them look a bit more decorative before then adding the colored number.

Lastly cut a 10" piece of thin yarn or thread (25 times).

In your opposite hand make an O with your fingers and stuff the square of paper down inside to make a little pouch inside of your hand.

Then put the surprise inside of the paper pouch and seal of by squishing all sides together at the base of the top.

Use your 10" piece of thread to wrap around it and tie off once before adding the numbered tag.

When you have everything cut out it doesn't take too long to do all 25 especially when you have a handy little helper like I did.

Tie one end of the yarn around one pushpin and start the design that you have decided to do. 

Add the surprise pouches by tying them on to your finished design. 

Come the first have a treat and enjoy.   

Do you or your kids/grand kids enjoy advent calenders?

 Have you ever made one or thought of making one?


Sharing with:
Lil' Luna
In the Old Road
Savvy Southern Style
Sew Much Ado
Rae Gun Ramblings

Christmas in The District at Green Valley Ranch

Even though Sunday was extremely blustery, my son and I took an adventure down to

 The District at Green Valley Ranch.

The main reason for going was so that I could get a special kind of chocolate from Whole Foods.

We were walking from the bus stop to go across the street but my son persisted on going through the parking lot. 

I am glad he did.

Their outdoor movies are always so much fun during the cooler months of Summer.

The only down side is that they got rid of the carousel which was the main reason my son enjoyed going. 

 No mistake. 

There is a REALLY big tree off in the distance. 

 A Nutcracker stands guard on a drum protecting the entrance to Santa Claus. 

 Little boy, Big tree.

This tree is huge and beautiful. 

I can only imagine what it looks like at night. 

It probably lights up the entire shopping center. 

 This is what the view looks like when you are my son and three and half feet tall. 

Even from my view at close to six foot it seems like it never stops and touches the sky.

 Some of the store's front displays are too cute. 

Can you find Elmo?

I never saw him until I edited this photo and realized why my son was talking about him. 

 This store, Santa's Wrap, is amazing and a must go to if you enjoy Christmas and shopping.

 What could be more fun on an adventure with your kiddo then jumping in leaves!

That is one large ornament.

Could you imagine the size of a tree that this would fit on?

Probably the size of a giants Christmas tree. 

Have Christmas decorations sprouted up in your city?