Birchbox - August 2014 Review

I'm so excited!  My first Birchbox arrived Tuesday!  I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this subscription box. Several of my coworkers receive these and I've been curious to try them.  I receive other subscription services [see my Stitch Fix post] so I'm familiar with how they work, but I haven't received a beauty one yet.

Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Croissants

I'm linking up again for the Momfessionals Recipe Club.  

Last Saturday, Avery had a friend spend the night.  Whenever she has friends stay the night, I make breakfast the next morning for them.  Note: I'm not the kind of mom who makes a full blown breakfast every morning for my kid, so this is also very special to Avery, to get a fresh breakfast.


I really enjoy getting in the kitchen with my daughter, and when her friends are over, I don't worry about the mess they'll make, I just enjoy the fun they're having making stuff.  It brings me back to cooking in the kitchen with my mom, and sitting on top of the counter, stirring bowls and licking spoons.

Five Fancy Favorite Things - All Under $10!

I love my Friday Favorites blogs, appearing every Friday.  But this time, I'm linking up with Andrea and Erika to bring you:

Friday Favorites: Back to School Favorites

I'm linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erika for our Friday Favorites this week!  If you are visiting from the linkup - HI THERE!  I'd love for you to say hello in the comments!  And if you are wondering who I am, take a peek at my About Me.

This is our first week of middle school (and back to school for many of you) so all us moms and dads have school on the brain this week!  I'm sharing my Back to School Favorites this week for busy moms and dads!

Get Fixed! My First Stitch Fix Review

It finally came!  My first Stitch Fix box!  Have you heard about this subscription service?  If you haven't, don't worry - I hadn't until about a month and a half ago on other blogs.  And I finally took the plunge.

So what is Stitch Fix?  It is a personal styling subscription service.  Plain and simple - you fill out a lengthy survey about your style choices, likes and dislikes, sizes, shapes and colors, and even give them access to a Pinterest board (if you like).  And a personal stylist sends you this happy box with 5 specially picked items based on your style profile.  You pay the stylist a $20 fee, BUT it applies as a credit to any piece you keep. (More on that later).  Each piece is individually priced and sent to you based on your preferences.  I requested they keep things in the $25-100 range (and frankly, I'm a bit uncomfortable spending $100 unless its a fancy dress).

Advice for My Tween Daughter

As I send my daughter to her first week of middle school, I think back on my own middle school years like it was yesterday.  I would love to give my own middle schooler a few pieces of advice as she starts her journey from my own experiences.

Many Firsts - Today was Another One

As parents, we watch our kids take many firsts in their lives. It is always bittersweet as it commemorates time passing by, and them growing up. Today, my daughter Avery took one more big step and entered middle school. 6 years ago, I was walking her to school, hand in hand, to her kindergarten class, 900 miles away. 

Today, I dropped her off on the curb and watched the back of her head walk into school

To my daughter, on her first day of middle school: Buckle up.  It's going to be a bumpy ride!

On the Go Breakfast Ideas

I love seeing all the breakfast ideas come out this time of year, but that is just not reasonable for my household.  I work full-time, and my daughter has learned over her last 11 years of existence, to rely on breakfast on the go options.

Friday Favorites

It's time for another:

I'm linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erika for our Friday Favorites this week!  Thanks to all of you who are visiting from the link up!

In our household, we've been working on getting back into a school routine, just in time for Monday's First Day of School.  On Wednesday, I featured the.biggest.decision.ever in Avery's life - picking the best first day of school outfit.  Since then, she's been trying to shop her closet in anticipation of Monday's arrival.

Picking the Best First Day of School Outfit

It's that time of year, when all of the middle schoolers are trying to find the.perfect.outfit to set the mood for 6th grade.  Will they be preppy?  Will they be athletic?  Are they a girly girl, or are they a tomboy?

Do you remember picking out your first day of school outfit and how hard the decision was?  I certainly do, and I feel like I'm doing it ALL OVER AGAIN!

Just Keep Swimming!

I keep getting asked the same question, "How are you doing?"  And its a tough one to answer sometimes.  It all depends on what time of the day you ask me, and what news I may have just received.

Tweendom Kingdom: School Supply Shopping

Yep - that's us at Target!  The happiest place on Earth!

Shopping for a tween is a whole new ballgame this year.  The supply list is shorter (yay!), but the cool factor in all the supplies has gotten bigger (boo!).  How do you shop for a tween going into middle school?  

August Goals and Whatever Happened to July?

So.... its like a week into August and I'm finally writing these goals down.  July was a whirlwind, ending on an incredibly high note.  But now, I am coming back down to reality and must re-focus my energies on doing good things.

How did I do on my goals for July?

1. Get fully moved out of our "old house" - It was tough, but we did it. done.
2. Start organizing the garage of our "new house"  - started, so I'd say done.
3. Move Kevin to California - yep, he's gone.  done.
4. Send Avery to Camp - she went, so done.
5. Hang up pictures - I have about 10 new pictures on my wall.  done.
6. Visit old friends and make new ones - Yep, I did that.  done.

Done, done and done!  I actually was able to fulfill ALL of my goals for the month - Huge pat on the back!  Maybe I should reward myself with food.  Or maybe not....

That brings me to my August Goals:

1. Start working out and eating healthier.  I'm not going to lie, I am a stress eater.  If I get frustrated, I reach for the twizzlers.  About to cry?  Fried food it is!  I need to get my rear in gear and back to eating healthier and start running on a treadmill.  Even if it means while watching BravoTV.

2. Finish my third book of the summer.  So excited to say this, but I am now on my third book this summer and I can't remember the last time I was able to read a real book.  I just finished reading "Glitter and Glue" and "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?"  Both I highly recommend!  In fact, read a review here.

3. Get organized for Back to School.  I'm sending A to middle school this year - AHHHH!!!!  (that's the sound of me running and screaming from the room).  So I guess I need to get her school supplies and help her pick out her first day of school outfit.  And then, there's all the activities I must figure out.  Oh boy!

I think these three goals is probably enough for me, considering I'm starting late!  

Friday Favorites

I'm so happy it's Friday!  Aren't you?

I am sharing a few of my "Favorites" this week and I am really excited about these!

New [Virtual] Home!

I am so excited to tell ya'll about my new [virtual] home!  With the help of Rebekah Louise Designs, I have a new home on the internet - complete with pretty colors (because I'm a visual person).

It also showcases who I am right now in my life.  "A Nice Pair of Genes" was me, looking like a twenty-something (teenager for some) and not really being a grown-up.  But "1200 Miles Away" is my homage to my crazy life right now, and a reminder that really, Kevin and I are only 1200 Miles Away (as opposed to halfway across the world).

So take off your shoes, grab some Starbucks coffee, and have a seat as I share this journey with you.

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