Thank you Influenster! My Reviews of the items I received in my Holiday VoxBox

So, I’ve got to say, I’m a lucky, lucky girl! I received a box of products for free for the sole purpose of reviewing! How you ask? Well, I’ll start from the beginning…

Look at all that stuff!

I signed up for Ipsy’s Glam Bag and received my first one in December. When I found this out, I decided to post a picture on Instagram, and then fell down an Instagram rabbit hole where I ended up looking at other people’s glam bag pictures, and Birch Box pictures, which led me to VoxBox pictures. I had no idea what a VoxBox was, so I decided to Google it. Turns out, a VoxBox is a free box that Influenster sends to members. Now, you’re not guaranteed a box, and they kindof choose randomly who gets a box, but I thought it was worth trying, so I went to http://www.influenster.com and signed up! I started reviewing products and before I knew it, I had points. Well, about 2 weeks after signing up, I get an email from Influenster letting me know I had been chosen to get their Holiday VoxBox! So here I am, with a box full of free stuff and I get to review it for a chance to get more free stuff in the future!

Let me tell you about the items I received:

Goody QuikStyle Brush (http://www.goody.com/; http://www.influenster.com/review/goody-quikstyle-paddle-brush)

Microfiber bristles!

When I first saw this brush, I was a little confused. So I read the instructions on the back. The bristles include microfiber, to help speed up the drying process. I have to say, of all the items I received in this box, THIS has been my FAVORITE!! The brush literally cuts my drying time in half, and helps with static cling. (maybe I’m the only one who has the problem, but when I brush my hair, it sometimes gets staticy and sticks to my face)

Grade: A++++, Highly recommend!!

Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal+ in Apple Walnut (http://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/real-medleys/apple-walnut-oatmeal.aspx; http://www.influenster.com/review/quaker-real-medleys-oatmeal)

Yum yum!

I’ve always liked oatmeal, but I’ve never loved it. When I opened the box and saw the oatmeal, Paul was actually very excited about this. Well, I officially love oatmeal! The freeze-dried apple slices(slices, not chunks. Freeze-dried chunks always kindof weird me out) plumped up when hot water was added and the walnuts added a great texture. This oatmeal was AMAZING! And super convenient! It came in its own cup, so there was no need to messy up a bowl.

Grade: A, Would definitely recommend!

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine (http://newyorkcolor.com/; http://www.influenster.com/review/nyc-new-york-color-liquid-lipshine)

I’m a sucker for a nude lip gloss. I love a good nude, especially with a little sparkle. This lip gloss was actually very fantastic! It has become my second favorite nude that I own, behind my Josie Maran. This gloss is GORGEOUS and not very sticky, which helps living in Florida when it seems to constantly be windy. This gloss adds the perfect amount of shimmer and shine to your lips without being too overwhelming.

Grade: A, Highly recommend!

EBOOST (http://www.eboost.com/; http://www.influenster.com/review/eboost-natural-energy)

All natural energy booster

Gotta say, wasn’t a big fan. I don’t really drink soda or flavored drinks to begin with, and when I drink lemonade, I prefer it to be on the sour side, rather than the sweet side. When I first added the water and took a sip, it was a little sweet, but after a few more sips, it was watery and chalky. I don’t think I will end up getting this again, though I like the idea. The product is an energy booster will all natural ingredients. Maybe it’s just the flavor. They have other flavors so I think I might try another.

Grade: C, I personally don’t like it, but others might so I would recommend it for someone who wants an all natural energy booster

Kiss Nail Dress (http://www.kissnaildress.com/; http://www.influenster.com/review/kiss-nail-dress)

Leopard nails!

I’ve tried the Sally Hansen version of nail stickers before and haven’t ever really been too impressed. They were hard to get on and always chipped after a day or so. I just put these on and they were super easy! Because I just put these on, I will be doing a follow-up review on the longevity of the nails. So far, I don’t love the print, never been big into animal prints, but for review purposes, it’ll work. They were very easy and fit my nails well. They’re also very sticky so I hope that helps!

Grade: Pending! Will follow-up with a review in a few days!

Sole Society Discount (http://www.solesociety.com)

Bubblegum Pink Pumps!

So, something else I received in this box was a discount code for Sole Society. I had not heard of this website, but I love shoes so I checked it out yesterday! The discount code is INFLUENSTER25 and is valid until 1/31/13 for $25 off! I’ve been needing a pair of black pumps, but they had a pair of bubble gum pink pumps that I’ve got my eye on now! Will definitely be looking into this site more! Feel free to use the discount above!

So that’s all of the items I received! I hope if you were considering any of these items, my review was helpful! Happy Wednesday everyone!

*NOTE-I received all items complementary for the sole purpose of being reviewed. I am not being compensated in any way for my thoughts and review. All feelings and concerns are mine and mine alone!

Week 4: Cheers to 2012!

Well, here on the East coast, it is officially 2012. So Happy New Year! And to those that have not yet rung in the year, come re-read this in a few hours. 🙂

I’ve been without phone or internet since Tuesday, I went on that family vacation to the mountains in North Carolina I previously mentioned. It was fantastic, and so refreshing to be without technology for awhile. We got to play in the snow, I went sledding for the first time, and almost took out a 7 year old in the process. Don’t worry, no children were hurt in the making of my first sledding experience. P and I drove 12 hours to get back in 1 day today.

So what am I still doing up? Packing of course! It makes me a little sad to see my room slowly getting larger as everything I possess is packed into boxes and trash bags(minus the things that were stolen from my storage unit…check out my last post for that story). Tomorrow P and I will officially be living together! I’m taking the plunge and finally living with the man I love. I’m very excited about this next step, and to start 2012 out this way. If you’ve read my blog before, you know that 2011 just hasn’t been my year. Bad things just seem to keep happening, so 2012 has to be better. So, I’m very excited to start 2012. I’m excited to get a clean slate, and to move on! So HAPPY NEW YEAR person reading my blog! I hope 2012 is as good to you as I hope it’s going to be to me! You’ll be able to read about it as I continue the 52 week challenge!

Oh! I almost forgot, my new year’s resolution! I resolve to floss everyday and go to the gym at least once a week! I figure those are easy enough! I’ll let you know how they go!

Week 3: And on the 11th day of Christmas, my storage unit was robbed!

Man, I wasn’t lying when I said a few posts ago that every time something good happens in my life this year, something bad follows right behind. P and I went to visit my storage unit last night, for the first time since September, only to find that my mattresses had been stolen, along with my box of dishes, and that my locker had been disheveled and boxes had been overturned looking for what little valuables I had in my locker. I had to call the police and file a police report, who think it may have been the guy who stole my purse back in October. See, the only other key on earth (allegedly), is on my key ring that was stolen with my purse. The officer who came to take my statement and dust for prints (which I found out is definitely not as accurate/exciting as when you see it on TV), told me that I’d be surprised to know what people are able to find out with just a little bit of my information. It’s very likely this guy was able to somehow find my storage unit by my name/address which he had access to by stealing my purse. P thinks the guy got in mission impossible style from the top of the unit just to steal my mattress. I, on the other hand, think someone got lucky with a key that is the same for their lock as it is for mine. Haven’t you heard of people getting into the wrong car, and not noticing until they have started the car? That’s kindof what I think happened, but instead of it being on accident, I think someone noticed our locks were similar and decided to steal my things.

I was upset, to say the least, but with everything else that has happened to me this year, I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. At one point, while on the phone with my mom, I told her “Well, at least they left my Swiffer!” I was trying to come up with the word for the emotion that I was feeling, and I think defeated is the most appropriate. When the manager from the storage place called me today, he had the nerve to have an attitude and, not outright but more in his tone, accuse me of lying. It’s not like I’m claiming that millions of dollars of jewels were stolen or a flat screen TV. Just some dishes and a mattress/box spring set.

I’m just over this year in it’s entirety and can’t wait for 2012 to start. I’m going out of town Monday, so I may have to write another post before I leave to keep on schedule with my 1 post a week goal. What do you think happened, reader of mine? Mission: Impossible style shenanigans? Purse thief strikes again? Trial and error finally gone right? Whatever it was, I just hope that the insurance I’ve been paying for for the past 2 years is able to reimburse me for the items that were taken.

 

Week 2: Random thoughts that cross my mind…

So, first thing’s first: WE GOT THE APARTMENT!! We’re signing the lease tomorrow and will be moving in January 1st! I’m so excited to start this new part of my life, but can’t help but be a little nervous. What if P discovers he actually can’t stand to be around me? What if something happens and 1 of us is unable to work? What if a hurricane/tornado/earthquake/tsunami/etc comes?!?! Ok, so I’m a little bit of a worrier…

I think it’s the control freak in me, I hate the unknown. You should see my planner, it’s color coded and planned to every second of my life, This definitely eases my anxiety about the unknown. (Side note: I’ve always wanted someone to throw me a surprise party, but with my inability to give up control of things, noone has ever had the ability because I end up planning something for my birthday before anyone has time to plan anything for me.)

But, the real point of my blog today, is little things/thoughts that cross my mind, that I think of for blog posts, but don’t think I have enough to write about to make it a full fledged post. I’ve seen a few other bloggers do this, so I’ve been inspired.

1. I think it would be so romantic to be someone’s one-that-got-away: I don’t know, maybe it’s all the romantic comedies I watched growing up, but there’s something about knowing that in the end, you were the good one and someone let you go that I find very tragic and romantic…though, now that I read that back, maybe it’s more vindictive and self satisfying than romantic…

2. You have to let go of who you were, to discover who you are: Oh, this one is DEEEEP! I tried writing a blog about the person I used to be vs the person I am now, but it got very rambly and I felt like I really didn’t have much of a body or point. I like this thought though, in order to grow, you have to let go of who you used to be. I used to be very spoiled and selfish, and it took really hurting someone who didn’t deserve it to change me to the type of person I am today. I grew, because I forgave myself for being young, and stupid, and selfish. I’m not proud of the type of person I used to be, but without that experience, who’s to say I’d be who I am today?

3. By the time I get my bachelors degree, there are people who I went to high school with who will be getting their doctorate: This one just depresses me. I wish I had a time machine and could go back in time and slap 18/19/20 year old Sarah and tell her  “Just get it done! Just go to school! Stop wasting time and money!!!”. I can’t go back though, and regretting it doesn’t make it go away. I just have to stick with it and get it done this time around!

Those are the ones for now, I know there are more, but I can’t seem to think of them at this time. What do you think? Are any of those snippets worth writing a whole post about? Tell me in the comments!(Ok, so I saw this on someone’s blog, apparently, if you put the word comment in your blog, you’re more likely to get comments…who knew? And also, who studies this stuff??)

Thanks for reading! Shout out to Robert for being my 1 religious reader! Really appreciate it and your comments!

Week 1: Best week of the year?

Here is the start of my 52 week commitment! I plan to write 1 blog a week for 52 weeks! I’d love to hear suggestions in the comments on things I can write about, but I decided to start it off positive. I just may be having the best week of my year.

Why, you ask?

Well, I got my grades for this semester (Not only did I get a 100 on my final for English, I’m ending the semester with 3 A’s and 1 B)! This is such a great thing, because for a few years, I had really given up on school and trying to succeed in school. I stopped being scared of failing and put my all into this semester. I officially have my Associate of the Arts degree and will be continuing to my Bachelor’s degree starting in the spring! Next great thing? Well, I don’t want to jinx it, but the owner of the condo P and I are looking at renting LOVES us! It’s looking very good that we will be moving into the condo January 1st. We’ll find out officially sometime next week. I can’t help but feel good that, though I’ve only talked to him on the phone, he thinks P and I will be perfect tenants. I can’t help but get excited over this prospect and really hope it works out for us! So far, this week has been pretty darn fantastic, and with the way I feel the rest of the year has been, it’s nice to have such positive things happening lately. I’m also done with school for a whole month! I’m actually a little antsy thinking about all the time I’m going to have on my hands now that I’m only working for 4 week, and not going to school…I guess I’ll catch up on TV or read a book.

I’m taking 9 days off in 2 weeks! I haven’t had that much time off since 2005! I’m taking this time off to go on a family vacation, something I haven’t done since 2007! We’re going up to North Carolina to play in the snow! Haven’t seen snow since I was 10, so this trip is very exciting to me.

So maybe, just maybe, December will end up being the best month of the year, which will hopefully lead to 2012 being a better year! What do you think? Do you have a best month, or week, of the year?

 

The 52 week challenge

Ok, starting today, I’m challenging myself to write 1 blog post per week. By this time next year, I will have 52 blog posts. Other than having a LiveJournal when I was in high school, this is my first real blog experience, so bear with me, because it probably won’t be very interesting at times.

I went to my orientation today for FGCU, I’ve decided I would like to get the rest of my bachelor’s degree done within the next 3 years. Why 3 years you ask? Well, because my 18 year old brother will have his in 3.5 years. That’s right, it’s turned into a race. As long as I get my BA before Zachary gets his, I’ll be happy. Also, I work full time, so it’s not that easy to get my degree done, so 3 years gives me enough time to slow down if I need to. This semester will be a little challenging, I’m going to be taking:

Elementary Calculus (Does that mean other brother, who’s 8, can tutor me?)

Intro to Marketing (I imagine it’ll be something like this: SELL!)

And

Computer Sciences and Technologies (Microsoft word, powerpoint and Excel? Hello Easy A!)

I’m also waiting to find out if I got into a Professional Writing course.

On top of the 3-4 classes I’ll be taking this semester and the 40 hours I’ll be working, I’m going to try to keep on top of this blog.

So, to my 1 reader, you’ll have a lot more to read this coming year as I venture into blogging more. Thank you, to anyone who reads this, and here goes!

Where did the year go?

Next week, we start the month of December, the last month of the year. Looking back at 2011, I’m really hoping 2012 is a little better. This year has ended up being a wash, for every good thing that happened, there was a bad thing:

+ I got a promotion at my job! And then

– 2 weeks later I got into a car accident, one I am still going to the chiropractor for.

– My purse, with about $700 worth of my stuff was stolen, but then about a month later,

+ I found out I got into FGCU, and will be continuing my education next semester at this university.

2011 will be a memorable year for me, for being the half good/half bad year. I feel 2012 can only get better, right? For starters, P and I will be moving in together in January. When I asked him if he wanted to move in together in December or January, his reason for picking January was, “Why not start the new year fresh, just me and you?”. Sounds pretty logical to me. For the 1 reader I have, you’re probably thinking, wow, 4 years and you’re just now moving in together? Here’s the thing, we started dating when he was 18 and I was 20. We’re still practically babies. Plus, I live by the words: “I’ve never heard someone say, I wish I hadn’t waited so long, but I’ve heard people say, I wish I hadn’t rushed into things.” As someone who is a child of divorce and is super realistic about the 50% divorce rate, I’m ok waiting for things to happen. If we’re meant to be together, what’s a few more years of dating?

Man, that was one heck of a tangent I went off on.

Anyway, next year has to be better. With the risk of “jinxing” it, I think I’ll stop now. But maybe if I put those positive thoughts out there, they’ll come true.

How do I love thee:To my love on our 4th anniversary

Tuesday is the mark of our 4th year together. When you were 18 and I was 20, we started this journey, and I couldn’t be happier it’s with you. As cliche as this is, I feel I should, in Shakespearean fashion, tell you why I love you. So…how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

New love, 2007

1. I love the way that no matter what I’m doing, or how I’m feeling, seeing you always brings a smile to my face. I can be having the worst day ever, and the second I’m in your arms, I instantly feel better.

2. I love how you know me, how you make me smile. I love that you know exactly what to say and do to make me happy, and that you are always there for me.

3. I love your eyes, your mouth, your hair. You are the most handsome man I have ever met. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t admire you and wonder how I got so lucky.

Our 1st year together, 2008

4.  I love that you’re sweet and shy. It was your shy personality that originally drew me to you, that and seeing you at the beach without a shirt on for the first time ;).

5. I love the way you are with my family. You’re so great with Joshua, and always willing to have a conversation with my mom and dad. You’re funny and charming, and you are always so sweet.

2nd year together, 2009

6. I love how loud and passionate you get about the Giants. You made me a football fan by getting so excited about the game. Seeing someone so soft spoken get so loud about a touchdown or an interception, made me want to be a part of the experience with you, to share this passion of yours.

7. I love your smell. I love the way you smell first thing in the morning, the way your hair smells, the cologne you wear. I love it all. And I love that you think I’m so weird for loving this about you.

3rd year, 2010

8. I love that we don’t fight. We may disagree about things, but we’re both willing to compromise and work through things. I love that it’s easy to be with you, that we work so well.

9. I love that you make me a better person. I used to be stubborn and difficult, you made me able to compromise. For the first time, I say I’m sorry, and it’s not to just get what I want, it’s because I honestly am.

Our 4th year, 2011. Ke$ha and Waldo

10. I love you. Every part of you. There’s nothing I don’t love, and I love that we can talk on the phone and always have something to say. I love that we can do nothing, and still have an amazing time. I love that you’re willing to go to movies with me when I have noone else to go with, even if they’re chick flicks. I love our fantastic taste in tv, because let’s be honest, it’s just fantastic. I love our weekends together.

Thank you for another fantastic year. Thank you for being there for me, for being the most amazing boyfriend. Thank you for being so sweet, and always getting me the chocolates I love. I love that you’re always thinking of me and doing small things for me. I love you, my missing puzzle piece, and I know there will be more years to come. Thank you for being the most fantastic boyfriend.

End of a Relationship

I think the hardest thing to give up on in life is a relationship. I’m not just talking about a romantic relationship, I mean a work relationship, friendship, any type of relationship where you have interaction with another human being who is a major part of your life. I am recently trying to deal with the end of a very important friendship, and no matter how hard I try to pound it into my head, I just can’t bring myself to admit it’s over.

We have been best friends for years, we’ve been through so much together, and suddenly, it’s over. This friend has been there for me through break ups, and I for them. This friend has laughed with me on the long drives home from high school years ago, and even though I moved away, we still had a bond, and a friendship, that I thought couldn’t be broken. Even through the multiple relationships we’ve both been in in the last 8 years, since we became friends, we’ve always been there for each other. I don’t know what changed.

I’ve tried multiple times to reach out to this friend recently, to no avail. All I can keep thinking is, did I do something wrong? We haven’t had a huge fight, there was no falling out, our friendship just stopped. And you know what really sucks? Knowing that you care about a relationship more than the other person. Knowing that no matter how hard you try to maintain a friendship there’s nothing you can do. And I don’t like giving up, but I think I really need to. All this “friendship” does is hurt my feelings and drive me crazy. Sometimes, you have to give up on something. And that doesn’t make me a quitter, it makes me realistic. And as much as it hurts, I have officially given up on my best friend. And it does hurt, and it makes me want to cry, but I’ll move on. Just like in a break up, it’ll suck, and I’ll miss him, but I know I’m better off not wasting my time and energy on someone who doesn’t value me as much as I value them.

Love at First Sight

I apologize to my 1 reader that I’ve been gone for almost a month. School started and that combined with work, I just got really busy. I had to write an essay on a life changing experience this week for my English class, so I decided this would be the perfect place to showcase it. Let me know what you think:

Love at First Sight

            There’s nothing in the world that can affect you like love. Many people wait their whole lives to finally feel it, to find someone that changes everything, that changes the way they see the world. Someone that makes them a better person, or at least makes them want to be a better person. Someone that gives them a reason to smile everyday and see the world in a new light. I was lucky enough to find this love at fifteen. He was 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and the day he was born, my whole world changed. He’s my little brother, and in the 8 years since he was born, he’s become my best friend.

I can’t say that I was always thrilled with the new addition to our family. Like most other fifteen year old girls, I was too wrapped up in the current high school gossip and my own life to worry about what was going on with anyone else. I remember the day my parents sat my other brother, Zachary, who was nine at the time, and I down to tell us the news. Our parents would often joke about a new baby being on the way, so when the words, “You’re going to have a baby brother or sister” first came out of my mother’s mouth, neither Zachary nor I believed her. “No, really,” Zachary asked, “What’s the surprise?”, “Yeah, is it a puppy?” I wondered. “We’re serious this time, your mother is pregnant.” When those words left my father’s mouth, neither Zachary nor I knew what to say. They showed us the pregnancy test. They weren’t joking. We were really going to have a new sibling.

The next nine months, I helped my mom get things ready. We found out she was having a boy. I went to the baby showers with my mother and helped in any way I could. I had become a big sister before when my mother was pregnant with Zachary, but that had been when I was five, so I really wasn’t much help. I was now old enough to understand everything that was going on. On February 10, 2003, my parents let me skip school and my mother was induced into labor. I went with them to the hospital and was in the room for the birth of my new baby brother.

Being there for the birth of my new sibling was the most emotional thing I have ever experienced. Joshua Steven Hersman was born at 5:32 pm and was immediately whisked away to NICU due to having fluid in his lungs. I cried for hours. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t control the tears. I was both happy and worried, this beautiful baby boy had just been born and then taken so fast that we couldn’t touch or see him but only for a minute. We stayed by the NICU nursery windows and watched as they took care of him. He was so tiny and fragile. I was worried about his well being. For the first time in my life, I had fallen in love at first site. Though I had never met, or held, this small baby boy, I knew I loved him more than anything in the world. He was released from NICU later that night and from the hospital a few days later. I was finally able to hold this precious little boy. He was this perfect little person, and he was my little brother. I loved showing him off to all my friends, like a living baby doll.

As Joshua got older, I found him looking up to me as a role model. For the first time, the things I did and the decisions I made really affected someone else. He wanted to mimic me, to be just like me. I was his cool big sister, someone that he could trust and could do no wrong. I realized that I needed to stop being a selfish little girl and grow up into the sister that Joshua deserved.

He is now 8 years old and my best friend. I volunteer in his class room every year, and he tells me all about his day and things he’s learning. He’s constantly teaching me new things and he still thinks I’m the coolest person in the world. I know the day will come when Joshua no longer wants to hang out with his big sister, and no longer thinks I’m the coolest person he knows, but until that day, I will cherish every moment I spend with my little brother. He makes me a better person, and completely changed my life for the better. He’s the best gift I’ve ever received.