super september goodies

my september birchbox finally arrived!

last month, i debated canceling my subscription, just because i wasn't sure it it was really worth it, but luckily, i didn't, because i love this month's box! :)

[1] $25 off of a $75 purchase from Madewell. 

i love this store! :) they have such great stuff, so i will definitely be putting this to good use!

[2] color club nail polish - instathis. 

i this this will be a great shade for fall.  maybe a little less than professional, but i think i could get away with it!

[3] benefit, the pore-fessional. 

pore shrinking moisturizing cream.  not sure how much of a difference this sample size will make, but i've love benefit cosmetics, so i'm excited to give it a try!

[4] tili plastic cosmetic bag. 

this is a great size for traveling.  and perfect timing! i'm using it today to get through security! definitely a little more stylin than a plain ziploc! :)

[5] nexxus split end treatment shampoo & conditioner.  

i'm really excited to try this out.  i have long hair, so split ends are definitely a battle i fight regularly.  maybe this will help keep my hair healthier longer and cut down on the number of haircuts i have to get,,,more fall fashion money! :)

[6] kate spade twirl. 

i LOVE this!! granted, i love anything and everything with Kate's name on it, but this really is lovely.  it's going on my christmas list for sure! plus, the sample box was bright pink with glimmery-gold polka dots. perfection.

[7] a bright pink twistband.

so many people have recommended these to me, and i've been wanting to try them for myself. apparently, they don't leave creases in your hair! yay!

that was my september box. 

pretty great huh?

pardon my bragging...

i put everything in my travel bag for my trip (except the nail polish, because it would put my mama in a panic...), and i'm pretty sure i will use it all! 

did you receive a september birchbox?

what did you get??

check out the service for yourself here: birchbox.com

friday flan!

happy friday everyone! :)

here are a few highlights from my week:

[one] 

i'm loving honeycrisp apples. the perfect amount of sweet and sour, and the perfect amount of crunch.

[two]

this weekend, bub-hub and i are flying to arkansas for a family wedding. i can't wait to see everyone and fill up my hug-tank!

[three]

i received this message on one of my dove chocolates this week. yummy chocolate and encouraging words are a perfect combination. 

[four]

"gracefully and professionally"...this has been my mantra over the last few weeks.  i was reminded by a co-worker that even when things start getting crazy around the office, i have to respond calmly and act "gracefully and professionally". easier said than done, but i'm trying!

[five] 

this week, i tried flan for the first time.  more specifically, flan with coconut cream sauce and pineapple topping. i've falled in love and i think my life is forever changed. :)

how was your week?

what are you looking forward to this weekend?

flowers made easy

it's ok to be terrible at flower arrangements right?

 

i couldn't create an elaborate flower arrangement if my life depended on it. 

side story,,,

on the morning of my bridesmaid's brunch,

i decided i was going to fill mason jars with lovely flower bunches. i wanted to do it on my own and surprise my mom (since she's fantastic at arranging flowers...) and impress her with my floral skills...

i had a nervous breakdown on the floor of my mama's laundry room.

needless to say, i have a high level of admiration for ladies with flower skills.

 

but really, flowers are lovely on their own, so i love displaying them in simple ways.  i've developed this little method for displaying fresh flowers in my apartment, sans stress and breakdowns.

 

[one]
find one or two or three buckets with an opening at the top that is smaller than the base.  if you choose a container that is solid, rather than see through, you don't have to worry about the way the stems are laying inside the container.

[two]
go to your grocery store or farmers market and purchase 2-3 bunches of blooms! :) if you're lucky, they will be on sale for $4/bunch. holla!

[three]
fill your buckets a little less than half way with cold water and add the plant food.

[four]
strip the leaves off of each stem.  be careful not to accidently rip off the buds!

[five]
line your flowers up and measure out how much you need to trim them.

[six]
snip snip!
trim a few stems at a time, at an angle. randomly select one stem at a time and create a bunch in your hand, then place in the bucket.

tadaaaaaaaa!
you have a beautiful arrangement for your island or coffee table.

 

here is a less blurry photo of this arrangement with different flowers:

flowers from HEB, bucket from IKEA.

 

and there you have it, flower arrangements for dummies.