The Good, The Better and The Lovely

It's no secret that I am not a fan of Winter. I would be happy if we only had 3 seasons a year. If I really had it my way It would be Summer and Fall. My two favorite times of the year. Although one thing that does get me excited about winter is all the hot tea I consume and all the hearty meals I am making. The things I can live without is my flyaway hairs on my head, dry skin, and products that make the dry skin worse.


Influenster must of been eavesdropping on my thoughts because when I received my Frosty VoxBox it was packed with things to ease the cold punch of winter. You may remember seeing these items on my VoxBox unboxing video. Today I want to talk about all of the products and give them my ratings!


Ecotools Sleek + Shine Finish Brush: This excited me because I really needed a new brush. Mine was a few years old (Oh my god the horror!) and was really starting to fall apart. The bristles on the Ecotool's brush are super soft and non-damaging. I can brush my hair and not have a ton of breakage and it looks nice and shiny when I'm done.  Score: A+

Fruit Vines: These babies were so good they didn't make it past the first day! I am a big vines fan to begin with and having them in bite size pieces is really dangerous. That bag didn't have a chance with me! If you are a fan of the vines you will be a fan of these. Same product, smaller size. Score: A


Rimmel London Just Let It Go: I am not sure how I feel about the name of this because honestly Frozen is EVERYWHERE these days and I am kind of tired of it. #sorrynotsorry. As for the product itself it is pretty great. It is gentle on my skin. It takes off the makeup, especially the dark eye liner.. Speaking of eye liner:

Rimmell London Scandal Eyes Kohl Kajal in Black: I really liked the consistency of this eyeliner. It went on smooth and seemed to hold up all day (and night, racoon eyes ya'll?). But I am also very fond of black eyeliners so it's hard for me to find one I don't like. The combined score for both of these is a B+ (Only because the remover was called "Let It Go..")


 NYC Great Lash in Sugar Plum: This is a really pretty color for winter. It's not to dark or to pink, which is what I tend to get when receiving these samples. I am not a big lip stick person, so I have only worn this one, and I think it was just like all the others I have worn. It didn't last long on me and it caked up in the corners of my lips. To bad because I really loved the color. Score: C


No7 Protect and Perfect Serum: From the sample I received it is really hard to tell if this really works or not. The serum was easily applied and didn't irritate my face. I liked how it felt on my skin once applied. I suppose if I wanted to see if it really worked, I would have to use is consistently to perform a proper review. Score: B

Celestial Candy Cane Lane Green Tea: This stuff is really yummy. I have tried it before this sample so I knew right away I would love it. Also why it isn't pictured. I drank it before I had a chance to take photos! Oops!  This is a very relaxing tea and good before bed. I like to make it and sit with a book. Makes me feel relaxed and content. A must try for any tea fanatic! Score: A+


McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme: I love to cook when the cold comes. Nice hearty meals like soups and chilis. Spices are pretty essential to these dishes so getting a new spice to add to my creations make be so happy. I have already incorporated it into a few meals and man is it good. This is a must for any aspiring cook! Score A+


All in all this was a  really great box. I really enjoyed everything that was incorporated into the "Frosty" theme.  Kudos to Influenster for curating a group of great products to make the season feel more festive!

Have you ever received a VoxBox? Did you like it?

P.S. Not sure why I incorporated that "Merry and Bright" bag into every photo. Made it festive I suppose :)







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How to order glasses online

My first post of 2015 mentioned some nifty new glasses I've been sporting from Firmoo.com. They are a pretty sweet deal if you ask me, and are much cheaper then ordering from an optical store. I know how this feels from both ends of the spectrum because I am an ABO certified optician and sold eye wear for many years. As an optician you want your patient to get the best options for their needs and sometimes this gets costly, especially if you do not have insurance.

Online, Eyeglasses

Today I want to share with  you some tips on ordering eye glasses online. It can be quite daunting if you are unfamiliar on how to read your rx (prescription) and what information they are asking for in the ordering process.

The most important thing you need to do BEFORE ordering glasses from an online shop is make sure you have a current prescription. In most states that I am aware of, prescriptions are good for 1 to 2 years. If you haven't had your eyes checked for over 2 years, please do this first. It will save you in the long run.

Once you have had your exam and your doctor is recommending new glasses, I recommend still working with the optician. Try on as many shapes, sizes, and colors as you'd like. This will help you get a feel for what works best for you. Remember when ordering online you cannot try them on. So pay close attention to the sizes you are trying on as well as the shape when you're in your doctors office.

Most frame information can be found either on the temple (or arm if you will) or on the bridge (the area where your nose goes). The pair I have has this information on the arm. Pay special attention to these numbers, as they will help you immensely when selecting a frame online. Here is what each of those numbers mean:

F048: This is the frame style or name.
49: This is the eye size or the area you are looking through when the glasses are on.
18: This number is the bridge; or the size of the area that sits on your nose.
140: This number is the length of the temple (arm).
C1: This is the color of the glasses according to the company that makes it.

The next step is also important and I feel necessary to be done by a professional. The online ordering form is going to ask for your PD (pupillary distance). This is the measurement of the distance between one pupil to the other. Most online ordering companies will instruct you on how to do this but from personal experience, letting the professional do it for you is the better option.

Once you  have your PD measurement, make sure you get a copy of your prescription. Now you should have all the tools you need to order your new pair of glasses online. Once you have picked out the glasses (Remember to write all that info down when you're trying on glasses at your doctors office!) you want you will come to a screen that will look like this:

Source: Firmoo.com

This part is SUPER important and very sensitive to your final product. Please make sure you transcribe your prescription EXACTLY as it is written on the paper provided by your doctor. One little tiny typo can cause you big problems. And most of the time that problem will cost you. If you made the mistake; an online shop normally will not remake these for you without payment. The same thing goes for the frame. This is why you must pay close attention to the details.

Once you have put in all of your prescription items, the site will ask you if you want any other options. These options include things like Anti-Reflective Coating, Transistions (The ones that get dark in the sun), Scratch protection, and so on. Most of the time these things are just options to preference. You do not have to add them.


 Now you just hit send, pay, and your glasses will be on your doorstep in no time!

So what do you think? Will you order your next pair of glasses online?




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New Years Eve in Nashville!

Happy Saturday friends! It has been a week since I got back from my mystery birthday bucket list cross off. Man say that sentence 10 times fast! As you can read in the title of this blog, I was in NASHVILLE, TN. Me and my other half boarded a plane at 5:30am and were wisked away to Louisville, KY. Yeah you read that right. The good new is, we were supposed to land here. The bad new; IT WAS COLD AS HECK! I thought we were supposed to be in the south, or at least more south then New York.

We proceeded to rent a car and head on our way. Fun facts on why we flew into Kentucky: A. It was butt loads cheaper B. We have a work location in Louisville and I have family there; so we got to visit peeps we knew and C. Nashville is only 2.5 hours away. We stopped in and visited our Kentucky co-workers and headed to Nashville.

Nashville

Now I have never been to Nashville, so I wasn't 100% sure on what to expect. On first impression I thought it was SUPER tiny. I didn't realize how small the city is. It was really easy to navigate even with all of the road closures do to construction and that night's big NYE bash. Our hotel was located only 2 blocks from Broadway where all the festivities were. Gold star for the other half! We checked in and got these fun festive cake pops and "Happy New Years" necklaces. I was going to sport these babies ALL NIGHT LONG. Yes I am a teenage girl in a 32 year old's body.


 We got all settled in and went out to see what this city and it's party was all about. I will tell you, it did not disappoint.


So there you have it. That's how I spent my new years in Nashville! I unfortunately did not get any photos of the performers (Gavin Degraw, Lady Antebellum, Chip Eston) because it was way to crowded for any great photos plus I was afraid of breaking my camera. That also goes for the amazing fireworks they shot off. I suppose you get the experience or the photos. I chose the experience all the way!

P.S there was PLENTY of Jack to pass around at this party ;)

I am thinking about doing a new link up on Saturday's. It will be called "Wanderlust Staycation". It will allow you to link up posts to places you have visited or places you want to visit. Give all the readers a place to escape to every weekend. Give me your thoughts on this. I really think it would be fun! I love to read about other peoples vacations and trips. They give me new places I want to see. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

*Disclaimer: Please do not use my photos as your own. I don't like having to plaster my name all over them. All photos are my property and may not be used without written permission from me.


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We are Thrivin' + Giveaway

Hello beautiful people! I am so excited for today's post. It is also Friday so that helps immensely! Today I want to talk about something that I have become passionate about over the past month. When I feel passion for something I want to share it with the world. It's a good thing I have a blog right?

Back in December an acquaintance of mine messaged me about a product she had been using and thought I would get great benefit from. It's no secret that the second part of 2014 was rough for me. I entered into a stressed induced depression. I had no energy, my face was breaking out and I reached for every cookie, cake, pasta, candy, or any other unhealthy item that could fit in my mouth. I wanted them ALL in my belly! Needless to say they all got in my belly, and I packed on the pounds.
 
The THRIVE Experience is a 3 step, 8 week premium lifestyle plan, to help individuals experience and reach peak physical and mental levels. So in simple terms: This means it will help if you are feeling sluggish, having mind fog, needing to lose weight, or just all around want to feel better in life.



Like you, reading this now, I was like "Uhh I don't think I want to try your product so stop bothering me!" Well needless to say she finally got me to agree to a 4 day trial. I paid her $15 and my pack arrived. I paid for it so I was committed to trying this out. It sat for a few days before I was ready.

My pack included The capsules, shakes, and patches for 4 days. Now to use these products you take your capsules first thing "before your feet hit the floor". You want to take them on an empty stomach. 20 minutes later (Or long enough to take a shower in my case) you have a shake. Once the shake is depleted you put on your DFT patch. You wear your patch for 24 hours and repeat all steps the next morning. That's IT! You continue your day normally.

I didn't notice much on my first day, which is pretty common. On my second day I noticed it wasn't as hard to get up. I didn't hit the snooze button 400 times. By my 4th day I was feeling pretty amazing. These products are packed with vitamins. Especially B vitamins. And you know if you are lacking in the B vitamins you tend to be depressed or anxious. I was tested before taking Thrive and I was Vitamin B deficient. My count was REALLY low. Now I am doing better then ever! So much energy, my belly is FINALLY shrinking and my moods are great. 

SO when asking what is Thrive and what does it do? Thrive is:
  • > Weight Management > Cognitive Performance
  • > Digestive & Immune Support > Joint Support
  • > Lean Muscle Support > Inflammation Support
  • > Anti-Aging & Antioxidant Support
Who is it for: EVERYONE- Tired moms, athletes wanting to improve their performance, the professional who is always on the go, college students who never get enough sleep. And now bloggers who need more energy to keep bringing great content! These are all Thrive customers making their day a little easier. 

Now here's the best part. You can promote Thrive. You can improve your health AND your wealth. Join as a promoter (It's 100% FREE) have 2 customers (Your 2 besties of course!) and your monthly Thrive is FREE!
 
Take a moment to learn more and I will give 2 readers a sample pack for FREE. Three ways to enter: Click on the link for all entries: The Thrive Experience

#1 (2 entries) Watch the video and answer this question in the comments below:

How much money on average does one save a day using Thrive?

#2 (5 entries) Sign up to be a customer or promoter. Remember it is FREE and you're not obligated to purchase anything. 

#3 (10 entries) Become a customer or promoter and place an order on autoship.


I will randomly select 2 winners to receive a 4 day trial for free!
If you are interested in a 4 day trial email me!
Follow me on Facebook for all updates and promotions!




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Oops!


Hi all! I am busy working on updating and organizing the blog! I appreciate your patience!
While I'm working to make this space better, take a moment to check out these posts:

If you're new check out my 2014 Year End Review! 2014 was my first year blogging so catch all of the highlights here!

Wanna check out some of the updates and resolutions I have made? Check out: 2015 Updates!

I just updated my "About Me" page. Mosey on over and let me know what you think!

Interested in knowing what my most viewed post was in 2014? I suggest you click ---> HERE!

Do you know what Thrive is? If not you need to check it out! Thrive in 2015

Thank you again for hanging in there for me! I'll see you back here on Friday for a regular scheduled post!

Happy Wednesday!


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