February Favorites

Well, February (my birthday month!) is drawing to a close which means it's the perfect time for a monthly favorites post. It seems as though I've gotten my hands on a lot of new products this past month and I'd love to share them with you :) Now it's not just makeup and skincare products I'm talking about here...because, well, if you know me, you'd know that I love movies...and food...So, I'm going to tell you EVERYTHING I've been obsessing over.


Beauty
♥︎Tree Hut Mango Body Scrub // THIS STUFF SMELLS AMAZING. That should be reason enough to love it, but it's so much more than that. I had been searching for a good body scrub for about a month when I came across this one at Ulta. It was on special when I bought it (and maybe it even still is) and it was already low in price before the discount. I use this every time I take a shower on little rough patches of skin, or on my legs after shaving. It's totally worth picking up if you can find it.

♥︎Mario Badescu Drying Lotion // I know I talked about this in my skincare routine post (which can be found here) but I have to mention it again because I love it that much. I've been using it like crazy over the last month and it has really kept my skin looking clear. It's not super cheap, but I'll tell you it's totally worth it. Easy, fast and effective. All the things you could ever want in a spot treatment!

♥︎Benefit's "They're Real" Mascara // Throughout the entire first half of the month, I was obsessed with my CK One mascara with a brush that morphs into another brush or something crazy like that (it's hard to explain, but I swear it's cool). Anyway, while I was getting ready for work one day, I grabbed the little trial size of my Benefit one on a whim...tried it...and fell in love. I already have long lashes, and when I use a thickly bristled brush with a gloopy formula on top of that, my lashes tend to stick together and torpedo outward so that now, instead of having nice, separated lashes, I have three big clumped up collections of lashes on each eyelid. Awesome! When I looked at the brush, I was concerned...not only was it a thicker one, but it had this weird spikey orb on the end of it...like some miniature torture device for your eyelashes. But let me tell you...this stuff works amazingly well. I don't know if it's the brush or the formula or the magical mascara unicorn in the sky, but it lengthens and separates no matter how many thousands of coats you apply. Worth it!

♥︎Glamglow // This product was also referenced in my previous post, but it's one of my favorite things! I'm finding that I'm using this A LOT. Which, is good because it keeps my skin clear, but bad because it's super expensive and you don't get a ton of product. It's by far my absolute favorite thing this month. The amount of junk it pulls out of your skin is mind boggling...I constantly wonder how it all gets in there when I wash my face twice a day. It's totally worth the buy...just use it sparingly :)

Food

♥︎Chobani Flip // These are SO good. I'm really not a big yogurt eater...I get sick of the texture and the portions always seem WAY too large. The Chobani Flips however are the perfect amount and the taste is incredible. My two favorite flavors are the "Key Lime Crumble" and the "Almond Coco Loco". The first one...seriously tastes JUST like pie. Who doesn't love pie? I am constantly seeing these on special at my local grocery stores. They're affordable and super yummy so make sure you pick some up the next time you're out! Check out all the flavors on Chobani's webiste here.

♥︎BelVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits // I haven't tried any other flavor of these except for the "Banana Bread" variety. I haven't wanted to stray from it since I first tasted it. There's practically no difference between actual banana bread and these (and that's a good thing for someone who constantly craves breakfast time baked goodies). They're packed with fiber and give me energy in the mornings to make it through until lunchtime. Delicious, filling and pretty healthy, they're not a bad choice for a quick meal on the go. There are a few other flavors and detailed nutrition facts on their website here.

♥︎Strawberries With Sour Cream & Brown Sugar // This is something that I saw my Mom eating the other day and my first impression was, "you are so weird...that sounds disgusting". She said that it's something she learned to do a long time ago from my Dad and that it tastes excellent. So, I tried it...and now I'm craving it. I actually just went to the fridge rummaging for strawberries. Sadly, we have none  :( Anyway, all you do is take a whole strawberry, dip it in some sour cream, and then in some brown sugar. It's so yummy and I promise you'll never eat strawberries plain again!

Movies

♥︎Haute Cuisine // This French film (you'll have to use subtitles if you don't speak it) is about a cook who currently works in a soup kitchen-esque restaurant feeding bunches of hungry men. Her food is very popular, and she receives an ovation of applause after serving each meal. Beforehand however, she was the personal chef for the President of France. This film documents her story of cooking for him and his guests, making a name for herself and proving that just because she's a woman doesn't mean she can't run with the best of them (ladies, take note). All of the food featured in this film looks amazingly good, and if you love to cook as much as I do, it almost gives you the motivation to get your butt off the couch and try out some of those recipes yourself. It's charming, funny and a tad bittersweet. You'll be glad you watched it-and hey, maybe you'll pick up some French.

source

Books
♥︎I read a book called "The Storyteller" by Jodi Picoult. It was one of those books that you just can't put down. It's like three different stories all entwined into one. It's about a girl who meets a man that was a former Nazi. Her grandmother is a Holocaust survivor who won't talk about her past. She herself is struggling with her present situation and her relationships with other people. This emotionally charged novel is amazingly written and the story itself is extremely captivating and heartfelt. I don't want to give the plot away, so go check it out from your local library, buy it at a secondhand bookstore, or find it in BAM and Barnes and Noble.


Music
♥︎I've had my "Bring Back The 90's" playlist from Spotify on a constant loop for weeks on end (as a matter of fact, it's playing right now). There are so many good songs that you won't even realize you know until you hear them playing. Pearl Jam, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead, 3 Doors Down...I could go on. Go sign up, and if you already have a subscription, browse for this exact playlist because IT IS AWESOME.


Life
❀I'm constantly looking for a lesson in everything. A reason for why things happen or what I'm supposed to learn from the events that take place in my life. This month, here's what's important:

• Be as patient with others as they are with you-really try and notice when you're being difficult, and adjust. 
• It's not all about you all the time. Other people have bad days, too.
• Find that one person that can comfort you like nobody else can, and go to them when you need help.
• Realize your potential. You are good at something. Whether that's writing, being funny, or listening. Cooking, having an honest opinion, or sewing. Whatever your skill set, and whatever your level of expertise, your gift can help somebody, and it can bring you joy, fulfillment and a feeling of accomplishment. If you haven't found your thing yet, keep looking!
• Find time and get away. Out of town. Leave. Go! Take your best friend with you and just take off somewhere. 
• Don't take your family for granted. They won't always be around, and when they're gone, you'll really miss them. There will be things you'll wish you'd said and done...and then there will be things you'll wish you hadn't said and done. They may be annoying and occasionally get on your nerves. You may feel under-appreciated or unimportant at times. But at the heart of it all, they love you. Just put aside the problems you have and don't let resentment creep in to ruin things. Most importantly, appreciate the time you're given. 
• Never go to bed without saying "I love you". Resolve all your issues with your person before your head hits the pillow. Tomorrow is a new day to be better, together. 

March Wish List

♥︎ Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

♥︎Benefit's Bene-Tint, Posie-Tint & High Beam 

♥︎A 50 mm lens for my camera 

♥︎Lightroom Photo Editing Software 

♥︎Sperry's!

Well, those are all of my favorite things for the month of February. It's been long, but full of lovely, exciting, wonderful moments (like getting more and more followers, page views, comments, etc by the day-thank you!). It's had it's share of not-so-great times too, but the good has definitely outweighed the bad for the most part. Let me know what some of your favorite things have been this month! 

Skin Care Routine

So as I mentioned in another post (which can be found here), I'm obsessive about my skin. When it's clear, I'm happy...and when it's not...well...that's grounds for a complete and utter MELTDOWN. Yes, it's juvenile to sit on your floor and cry because of the occasional rouge blemish on your face, but I've done it. Actually, I probably did it last week some time. Either way, we all have our thing that makes us insecure. But sadly for me and my skin, I'm not one of those people who has what you'd call...umm...self control? Yeah, self control. I pick, prod and puncture every blemish on my face. Always. Which, as any woman anywhere (or any teenager going through puberty) can tell you, is a big, giant NO-NO! You're just supposed to sit there and let it heal, even when it's looking at you in the mirror begging to be popped. Yeah, okay. If you're someone who can do that, I applaud you. I have "okay" skin, in my opinion. Not horrible, not great, but definitely not my friend about 85% of the time. It's oily sometimes, dry others, acne prone, sensitive to everything including sun, medications, hormones, what day of the week it is, the phases of the moon and so on. You get the idea. But I think I may have found a routine that works for me. I repeat: A ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR ME. If you try this out and love it, hooray! But, if not, you may just have to figure out how your skin works; what it likes and what it hates. It's a process, ladies and gents. And my routine has taken a while to perfect.

Products I Use Currently
♥︎Proactiv + Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
♥︎Proactiv + Pore Targeting Treatment
♥︎Proactiv + Complexion Perfecting Hydrator
♥︎Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment
♥︎Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
♥︎Aquaphor
♥︎Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
♥︎Clarisonic Mia 2
♥︎Proactiv + Eye Brightening Serum
♥︎Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes

The Process
1. I take off all my makeup (including eye makeup) with a facial towelette to make sure I have everything off of my face before I wash it.

2. I grab my Clarisonic, wet it with some warm water, apply a small dollop of Exfoliating Cleanser to the brush and turn it on. Since the Mia 2 has a "T-Timer" function (small pulses that let you know when to move the brush to a new area), I spend 20 seconds on my forehead, 20 seconds on my nose and chin, and 10 seconds each for my right and left cheeks. One minute total face washing time is all you need.

3. I rinse my face with warm water and then splash it with cool (not cold) water and PAT (not rub!) it dry with a clean towel.

4. Now if I'm going to do a face mask (in this case, my Glamglow), I apply it at this time onto my clean face before putting any other products on. I let it sit for the full 20 minutes and rinse it off with a wet washcloth. I usually do this about 2-3 times a week.

5. After that, I apply my Paula's Choice serum to my clean face. I usually like to let it sink into my skin before adding more product. Once it's good and absorbed, I put my Pore Targeting Treatment on, let that sink in, and then the Complexion Perfecting Hydrator.

6. I then pat a little bit of Eye Brightening Serum under and around my eyes with my ring finger while my moisturizer dries.

7. I get super duper painful chapped lips all the time when I use random chap-stick brands, so I stick to Aquaphor. I put some of this on my lips every night before I hit the hay.

8. My last step is to take care of any blemishes that may have popped up. I use the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion and this stuff is a MIRACLE PRODUCT! I absolutely love it. I just dip a Q-Tip into the bottle all the way down to the pink lotion at the bottom and pull straight up slowly. I apply a little dab of this to blemishes on my face (no matter what stage of horrid development they're in) and it clears them right up.

So, What's Worth Buying And What's Not?
Not everything I use on my skin is an amazing, ground breaking product. I'll be honest about that. But there are a few things I use that I know work extraordinarily well, and I think that anyone would benefit from having them.

✘Proactiv + // This is a good product, but when my skin was badly reacting to some medication I was on, it didn't clear everything up quickly or even keep it gone. It's kept my breakouts at bay now that I've switched medications, but it is a bit pricey and it doesn't always work wonders in extreme situations like it suggests. Just because you use Proactiv products doesn't mean all your blemishes will be gone forever. It's still a great face wash, but not worth the price tag if you can't afford it. There are many other great facial cleansers out there with less medicine and a lower price.
+Alternative! Kiehl's Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser, Kiehl's Blue Herbal Moisturizer, Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado & Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner. I'm a huge fan of Kiehl's products and have them stashed away in my bathroom drawers as back-ups!

♥︎Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment // This stuff is amazing! It's expensive, but it's amazing! When you put it on, you begin to see little tiny black dots all over your face as it dries. Those are blackheads being purged from your skin and it's awesome (does anybody else get excited when they take off a nose strip and see all the crap that was in their face?). I use this weekly and have definitely noticed a difference in my skin texture & clarity.
+Alternative! Everyone knows about Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips by now, and if you don't, I don't know where you've been for the last 10 years. These things are great in a pinch and work pretty well to get the surface dirt out of your pores.

♥︎Mario Badescu Drying Lotion // I was walking through Ulta with my Mom and she's actually the one who picked up this product for me saying "I used to use this on my skin a long time ago and it works great!" I'm inclined to believe a woman who's had her own share of skin problems and who looks 10 years younger than she actually is. Wouldn't you? This product is great, and pretty moderately priced. I don't know what I'd do without it now!

♥︎Aquaphor // Cheap and easy, people. You can find this stuff at Wal-Mart (I have a big tub of it that I bought there) and it works. Like I said before, I get REALLY chapped lips, and they react badly to random chap-sticks. Aquaphor can fix blistered lips in a day or so. This stuff doesn't have a scent really, and goes under and over lipsticks and lip stains beautifully. It contains Eucerin as well, which helps with the healing process. It keeps your lips soft and supple and I have this stuff wherever I go.

✘Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum // This is actually something that I got in February's Birchbox (which you can read about here) and to be honest, I just like the way it makes my skin feel super hydrated. It's not something I even own the full size of, and when I run out, I'm not going to feel compelled to go and buy another one. It's a nice little something to use while I have it, but definitely not a staple. 

♥︎Clarisonic Mia 2 // I love my Clarisonic! I have noticed a definite difference in my skin since I started using it. I use the sensitive brush head for mine which is what comes with it when you purchase one. It's diminished some of the fine lines on my forehead as well as cut down on blemishes (because it cleans so deeply), and has altogether made my skin appear brighter, fresher and younger. My face feels very soft and makeup-free when I'm done using it, and for someone who's neurotic about still having makeup residue on her face even after washing, this calms those fears. I totally recommend getting your hands on one of these babies!
+Alternative! Now I know that nothing can really compare to a Clarisonic, but washing your face with a textured hand mitt can definitely help you get deeper into pores. The Magic Mitt from Jane Iredale is a great pick, but there are plenty of other textured mitts available for washing your face.

♥︎Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes // Once again, cheap and easy. These can also be found at your local Wal-Mart. I love these because they're hypoallergenic and they don't break me out, dry me out, nothing. They simply do what they are designed to do; take off my makeup. And with a price that's so reasonable, why wouldn't you pick some up?

Whew! That turned out to be a bit longer than I had anticipated, but there's my entire skincare routine. Pretty simple, eh? I'll do a post in a few days/weeks about how I remedy an already-messed-with blemish, since it's something I do from time to time...ugh. Tell me what you all use on your skin, and any recommendations for good products!

Disney Night

My family went to Disney for the day and I met them all for dinner tonight (walking around theme parks isn't really my thing). Every time we go, we always eat in Germany at Epcot. I took my camera along to snap some pictures while we were there and all in all, it was a good time. I'm already exhausted after just a few hours (now you know why theme parks aren't my thing-I get tired very easily!). Here are some of the pictures from the evening...

Well, I'm exhausted and SO ready for my bed! Tomorrow should be my skincare routine post, but I figured I'd share a few pictures before I called it a day. Good night everyone! Sweet dreams...

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Liebster Award

So...something super unexpected and exciting happened to me a few days ago, and I'm just now getting around to sharing it. The Liebster Award is something that is given to lovely little blogs all over the internet with under 200 followers so that those blogs can gain popularity. To my complete surprise, someone nominated me! Isn't it crazy to think that a person other than you enjoys reading your thoughts? 'Cause...I think it's pretty great. Emma, the mastermind behind A Winter's Walk is the person I have to thank for the publicity :) So, thanks Emma! Click here to go and read the original post on her blog, follow her, and check out all her awesome recommendations!

The Rules
-You have to link back to the person who nominated you
-State 11 facts about yourself
-Answer all the questions you have been given 
-Nominate 11 other bloggers and create 11 new questions for them to answer 
-You can't nominate the person who originally nominated you 
-You have to inform the people you nominate that you did, indeed nominate them 

The Facts
1. I was born in Stuttgart, Germany 
2. I have a cousin who was born only four days after I was
3. I can't touch my tongue to the roof of my mouth
4. I don't like the taste of beer 
5. Ulta is my happy place...I could live in that store and be totally content 
6. I'm obsessed with cranberry Red Bull 
7. I went through a phase in middle/high school where I refused to wear anything besides a hoodie 
8. I'm obsessive about my skin, and if I feel a bump or scratch on my face, IT HAS TO GO 
9. I take a lot of showers because I can't sleep if I don't feel extremely clean 
10. I can't get back massages because it tickles too much
11. I did cheer in high school 

Questions To Answer
1. What is the meaning behind your blog name?
-My family has a cottage up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There's a sign that hangs over the back door that says "seabee" on it. Some of my very best memories were made there, so it reminds me of summers gone by.

2. Who is your blogging inspiration?
-Sprinkle Of Glitter is definitely one of the main reasons I started blogging, but as far as inspiration goes, I can't really say there's one person in particularly responsible. I'm inspired by great stories and lovely pictures.

3. Whose blog design do you love the most? 
-Hmm...I'm not sure exactly. I'm in love with Beauty Becky's design right now...it's very minimalist, fresh, clean and girly.

4. Where do you want blogging to take you? 
-Hopefully far! No...but seriously. I'd love to do anything with food, design, beauty. Maybe pull a Tanya Burr and have my own makeup range :)

5. Where is your favorite holiday destination? 
-I went all over Europe when I was 10 years old, and since that trip, it has been my favorite. Crossing my fingers for another trip to Paris!

6. Where would you like to live one day?
-Honestly, I'd like to live in the French countryside...but, seeing as that probably won't happen, I'd be content as long as I had the people I love the most around me.

7. What achievement are you most proud of? 
-I'm not sure exactly. I'm rarely very proud of myself, but whenever I cook or bake something that I thought would be difficult, I definitely feel a sense of accomplishment. Also, I'm pretty proud of my little blog so far :)

8. Describe your fashion sense in five words. 
-Comfy. Polished. Classic. Flattering. Modest.

9. What's your guilty pleasure? 
-JUNK FOOD! Without a doubt. Gummy Bears, Carbs (of all kinds, I don't discriminate), Cool Ranch Doritos, Fruit Loops, Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, PB&J, Japanese or Thai food, and Kemp's Strawberry Froyo

10. Do you have any blogging regrets?
-Not starting sooner and Google Adsense...dang you, Google Adsense...(I'm obviously still harboring some resentment over that one)

11. What are three things you're wishing for right now? 
-An opportunity to move into my own home
-Some finality and stability in personal situations
-For my anxiety to get better

My Nominations
Cupcakes and Cosmetics 
Dimple to Dimple
Reading By Candlelight
Sophie Loves Food
Amy Lauren
Midday Thunder
C'est Lauren
Grey Walls
SELINSTYLE
Smudges of Thoughts.
Pretty Chit Chat
*Click the links and follow these blogs!

Questions To Answer
-What is your all time favorite skin care product?
-Whats the one thing you can't live without?
-What made you want to start a blog?
-Where do you want to be in five years?
-What are some of your quirky qualities?
-Explain your relationship with your best friend in one sentence.
-What is your dream job?
-Who is your role model?
-What was your latest success?
-Favorite blog post you've ever done?
-What's the best beauty tip you've ever heard?

Well folks, that's the end. Thanks again to Emma from A Winter's Walk for nominating me! It's so nice that we can all help each other out! Go check out her blog by clicking on the link at the beginning and show these nominated blogs some love!

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Le Macaron

So today I had a lunch date with one of my very best friends, at one of my very favorite restaurants. Tokyo! So good. The lunch menu is SO much cheaper than dinner and you still can't finish all your food...unless you really believe in yourself. Anyway, after we ate lunch we decided that we absolutely needed to go to the bookstore. And yes, I finally caved into the craze and picked up "Divergent" by Veronica Roth and I'm beyond excited to start reading it. After perusing the stores for a little while, we came upon this brand new little shop inside the mall called Le Macaron. Okay, I'm a sucker for all things French (themed, inspired, flavored, whatever) so we had to go in...but just to look. Look we did...and then I bought...and consumed...and it was delightful. We had actually seen this store before but ended up not getting anything that day (because of our extreme money-saving discipline). However, before I bit into these amazing little sandwiches of everything wonderful, I snapped a few pictures with my iPhone. So, here you go. I mean who doesn't love pictures of macarons? No one? I thought so.

Not only did they have gorgeous looking macarons, but they had fresh gelato in a few different flavors (violet was an interesting one) that I'll have to go back and try. Pretty little chocolates, croissants and meringues were also available for purchase. 

There are a few channels on YouTube that I watch religiously and Zoella & Tanya Burr are two of them. Here's a cute video of them making macarons. Enjoy! 

 

February Birchbox Is Here!

The Birchbox for February has just arrived! As any of you who receive these delightful little boxes know, not everyone's is the same. If you watch the video below, you can see all the products that were featured for this month's box:

Now, below is what I got in mine. I'll go through product by product and give you pricing and tell you what the products are and what they do! If you'd like to sign up to receive your own monthly Birchbox, you can do that by clicking here.

please excuse the crappy i-phone quality photos-still waiting on my camera!

Okay, so moving on...I received six items total in this months box. 

Number 1: Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum (Full Size $26.95)---I love Paula's Choice products. The last one I received was another serum that I will do a review on at a later time...but, I noticed immediate results as far as dark spots, acne scars, and even breakouts. However, Birchbox says: "non-greasy, water-based anti-aging serum that balances skin and tightens pores".  

Number 2: SARAHPOTEMPA The HALF-UP (Full Size $9.00)--This looks kind of cool...kind of like a modified sock bun...I like it! Birchbox says: "use this nifty tool to create a tidy half up style, small top knot, or low bun". 

Number 3: W3LL PEOPLE Universalist Multi-Use Color Stick in #8 Dusty Rose (Full Size $33.00)--I absolutely love this color! It's like your lips but better. Birchbox says: "The high-performance, all natural formula adds a touch of color to eyes, cheeks, and lips". 

Number 4: Whish Three Wishes Body Butter (Full Size $24.00)--This stuff smells SO good! Pomegranate scented, and a little of this does the job. It's found a new home on my night stand. Birchbox says: "Luscious, antioxidant-rich formula that firms, softens, and soothes".

Number 5: Harney & Sons Fine Teas Wrapped Sachets (Full Size $9.60)--I'm a tea freak, and I have a feeling these will be awesome. I received two of these actually, one in the flavor "Enlightening Paris" which has black teas with currant, caramel and citrus, and one in the flavor "Cleansing White Vanilla Grapefruit" which is white teas infused with vanilla and grapefruit. Birchbox says: "rich and flavorful tea blends from the family-owned craft brand". 

So, there you have it. February's Birchbox. Make sure to head on over to Instagram to view what other people got this month by typing in #birchbox. Sign up for your own and get great products monthly! *Remember: you can buy the full size products in the Birchbox Shop and earn points, but most of these are products that are also easily found in your local Ulta or Sephora stores as well. I'll do a review later on about how well these products worked...or didn't!   

 

I Can't Believe I Forgot!

Okay so yesterday's post about my top picks for Netflix was accurate; I do enjoy all of the programs and movies listed below. BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT MY FAVORITE SHOW! Yes, I am one of those crazy-obsessed Breaking Bad fans. I just watched a trailer full of stuff that I've already seen and I still got excited. Here's the sweet video I'm talking about (Bryan Cranston just posted it on his Facebook):

Yeah...just TRY and tell me you don't want to watch that show after seeing all the cool stuff that happens! It's on Netflix (I believe ALL the episodes) so go and watch this one first! Before anything else!

Also, honorable mention goes to Orange Is The New Black. I literally sat and watched this show straight through in about a week. Working in a jail makes me like it even more than a normal person, I think. This show is about a woman who turns herself in to a women's prison for something she did ages ago (I won't spoil that). She's coming in as this privileged girl who doesn't know anything about a struggle but transforms into something totally different. Especially when the person who got her into this whole mess shows up at the exact same facility she's in. Here's a trailer:

Now go put on your sweatpants, grab a carton of frozen yogurt, sit on your couch and get watching!!

Top 10 Netflix Picks

Now I'll be honest...I absolutely LOVE laying in bed watching movies. It's relaxing. But when you get in the habit of turning on a movie you've seen a thousand times to help you fall asleep, it becomes routine. And boring. And you wonder why you even pay for a subscription to Netflix every month. Even though Netflix picks can get a little...dry...after a while, there are some great finds (a lot of classics, but some new stuff, too) that I consider to be my go-to's. So, here are some of my absolute favorites...in no particular order. 

1. Call The Midwife-This is a BBC show that I absolutely love. It's about a group of midwives who live with Nuns. They deliver babies in the slums of England in the 1950's. It'll make you laugh, make you cry, and make you thankful for hospitals and modern medicine. 

2. Arrested Development-I have never laughed so hard at a television show before I saw this one! Michael Bluth, the main character, is trying to keep his crazed family together after their father is put in jail for stealing money through his company. His brother (a not-so-talented magician), sister (an activist for everything and a total shopaholic), brother-in-law (a former doctor, now struggling actor) and his son (a quirky, cautious teenager who's in love with his cousin) don't make it any easier. Add in a conniving mother and another brother who's attached to her hip and you've got entertainment to the highest degree. I will say this show is a little hard to get into, but once you do, it's totally worth it. 

3. The Sapphires-This is a movie that I found by complete happenstance. I loved it. I loved it so much that I proceeded to watch it over and over again for about a week straight. Four Aborigine girls who live in Australia during the 60's face the odds in order to become singers/entertainers for the troops overseas. This movie documents the real-life struggle these girls faced as well as their experiences after being catapulted into fame. The music is AWESOME, so go listen to the soundtrack on Spotify. Also, it's based on a true story!    

4. Fawlty Towers-If you haven't seen this yet, you haven't lived. John Cleese, everyone. WE SHOULD ALL KNOW WHO JOHN CLEESE IS. If you don't, educate yourself. This show is about a hotel manager/owner, his wife, the hotel staff and the crazy range of guests they encounter. In every episode, something undoubtedly goes wrong, which snaps Basil's fuse and hilarious laughter ensues. Yes, I know, another BBC show. But, I'm a britcom addict through and through. 

5. White Christmas-I am aware that the title suggests that this is a Christmas film...however, I watch it all year round. It's by far one of my favorite movies, mainly because of all the great music and dance numbers. Two men go into the entertainment business together after being in the Army. Those two talented men meet up with two equally talented sisters and together, they bring Christmas cheer to a vacant hotel in a sleepy town owned by their former Army superior. It is chock full of addicting music you'll be singing for weeks to come. 

6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off-So this is a classic that most everyone has seen. It's something you need to watch in your teens and twenties, because it reminds you of how fun it is to be young and carefree. Ferris is nearing his limit for school sick days, but fakes an illness and stays home. He recruits his best friend Cameron, an overly cautious sack of nerves, to come on a wild and crazy adventure with him and his girlfriend. They visit a museum full of priceless art, a televised major league baseball game and even dance on a float in the middle of a huge parade. All the while, his school principal is out to get him. It's a race against time for Ferris to make it home before his parents find out what he's really been up to all day. 

7. The IT Crowd-Oh, look. ANOTHER BBC SHOW! Surprised? Yeah, I didn't think so. This show is hilarious. It's about two IT guys who work down in the bowels of a swanky office building, tinkering away on computers about 5% of the time. The other 95% of their time is spent goofing off, and taking customer service calls about technology not working correctly to which they always reply "did you try turning it off and on again?" 

8. End Of Watch-Now I don't know about you, but I love cop movies (both funny, and serious). I grew up on them, and still appreciate them to this day. This movie is a wonderful mix of action, humor, and heart wrenching moments. I've never seen another movie so accurately depict the day to day life of a law enforcement officer...and the immense dangers they face. Two partners do their daily routes in the neighborhood they work in. A small story of boy meets girl works it's way into the mix, and before you know it, everything in the lives of these two men is fantastic. But, tragedy strikes when they get involved in a shootout with no backup. The scenes in this movie are raw, real, and unedited. While there's a lot of language, you'll be glad you watched it! 

9. The Artist-I had never seen a silent film until this one. What makes this interesting is that it wasn't made when silent movies were mainstream. It was made a few short years ago and became just as well-loved as movies where the actors speak. This film is about the romance between an actor who is slowly spiraling out of control and a young up and coming actress who gets into the entertainment business right as "talkies" (or, the movies we have now) were becoming popular. 

10. Move Over, Darling-This movie is adorably addictive and I can say I've probably seen it upwards of twenty times or so. It's about a woman who has been lost at sea (and presumed dead) for years. Her  husband has met someone new who he plans to marry. On the day he goes to the courthouse to get married, he has his late wife officially declared dead. But little does he know she's been rescued and has come back to find him. She finally tracks down her husband and attempts to convince him (in a myriad of silly ways) to leave the woman he's just married and to be with her. He becomes caught in the middle of two demanding women and ends up stuck in countless sticky situations. 

I'll have to do an honorable mentions post, because there are so many great movies that I didn't even mention here! 

If you'd like to sign up for your own Netflix account, you can do that here.

photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Call_the_Midwife_episodes, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0515236/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sapphires_(film), http://innothingwetrust.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/top-ten-british-comedy-4-fawlty-towers/, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/, http://www.amazon.com/Ferris-Buellers-Day-Matthew-Broderick/dp/B00001MXXH, http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/richard-ayoade/288115, http://www.movieposterdb.com/poster/0bbab221, http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=78162, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057329/

Celebrating Love........Or Not

Valentine's Day...some people love it, some people dread it. Either way it's on the horizon. You're on one side of this fence or the other. But whether you're an "I hate this superficial Hallmark holiday" type person, or a "what a lovely day full of pink happy sparkly loveliness" kind of person, there are ways you can have a fun V-day that's just your speed .

Over the years, my feelings towards this day have been mixed. Trust me. There have been Valentine's Days where I wanted to skip right on over to the 15th and forget "heart day" even existed. BUT, there have also been years where I've basked in the glow that IS Valentine's Day. Every year however, there's one thing that makes me happy no matter how I'm feeling towards the actual holiday. EVERYTHING IS PINK. AND SPARKLY. AND PINK. Enough said.

Now, on to the lists! 

For those of you who thoroughly enjoy V-Day...

1. Date night! Whether it's out to a bar with your girl (or guy) friends, or to a fancy shmancy restaurant with your significant other, going out can yield some sweet Valentine's deals at certain restaurants.

2. Movie night. What's not fun about snuggling on the couch and watching a sweet rom com with your honey? 

3. Spa. This is something you can do out, or at home, with your girls, or with your man (if you can convince him that a pedicure is occasionally necessary and can be totally manly). Plus...massages. Need I say more?

4. Quality time. There's nothing I love more than a nice night in. Cook dinner for your valentine, make a sweet dessert, and maybe flip through some old pictures or videos from when you two first started dating. Nostalgia can be romantic! 

5. Last (but certainly not least), write a love letter. It's simple. GIRLS. LOVE. ROMANCE. At least this girl does. Writing your girlfriend/wife/fiancé a love letter telling her exactly why you appreciate her will get you some serious brownie points! And ladies, this activity isn't just for the men. They like to hear why you think they're so special, too! 

...And for those of you who wish this holiday would go crawl in a hole and die...

1. Pandora. I know we're all about Spotify now a days (and trust me, I use mine like crazy), but around Valentine's Day, Pandora puts out stations full of songs that are dedicated to everything BUT love and romance! 

2. Hang out with friends that are unattached. Spending time with your friends that are married, in a relationship or dating can be hard when you're single-especially around a day that's about all things love. Seek out your single friends and spend some QT talking about how nice it is to be free!

3. Spa day. Yes, I know I mentioned this in the other section but it applies to both. Hey, if you're holed up in a spa all day, you might just forget what day it is while you get a facial, mani, pedi and massage all at the same time. And if going to a spa might break the bank, pull out your face masks, nail polish and body scrubs and do it DIY style. Don't forget-there are a bunch of face mask recipes on Pinterest! 

4. Go bar hopping with your besties. As the night goes on, you'll loosen up. Not to mention you can dance and appreciate all the eye candy with your girls. 

5. Have an "Anti-Valentine's Party". We have "Anti-Proms" so why not? It can be more fun than celebrating the actual holiday! 

Whether you love Valentine's Day or detest it, there are ways to make it fun. So rally your friends, and grab your significant other and make the day (and night) one to remember! 

Happy Belated Birthday-But Only 'Cause I'm Lazy

So my birthday was a few days ago, and I just had to share this simply because of the sheer talent and the fact that I was SO surprised! As all of you don't know, I work in a rather interesting place. I work in a jail. But, more on that later. When you work 12 hour shifts, you get close…but I never expected to have my very own homemade birthday cake! Now, people that know me know that if there's one thing I love, it's Haribo gummy bears. JUST Haribo gummy bears. I'm picky. But for someone who is that in love with those delicious little bears, this right here is the cake to end all cakes.

photo credit: kylie parrott

Look! LOOK AT IT! The beauty…folks, between all the layers of that cake is chocolate and fresh strawberries. I don't think I could've asked for a better surprise! Not only was there that, but there were cupcakes and decorations, too! Imagine pink streamers in a jail. It was pretty entertaining. 

As far as birthday festivities go, I also went shopping…at Ulta…and got a LOT of new stuff. So, a haul of all those lovelies is coming soon!  

Finally...

My blog is now up and running and I couldn't be more excited! The last thing I'm waiting on is my camera. Take a look at this beauty, ladies and gentleman…

photo credit: http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/canon-eos-rebel-t3i-e1.jpg

Oh yes. Canon EOS T3i. I'm in looooove. At any rate, you'll all see a lot more posts from me after this puppy arrives. I just had a birthday, so I have a nice little Ulta haul for you, and SO much more! Keep checking back. I should be posting daily!