December Birchbox

Time for another Birchbox!  I love getting this in the mail.

Here's what's in my December box:

Harvey Prince - Hello - I love sample size sprays of fragrance.  On the occasion when I go out, I like using a wristlet but obviously can't fit a big bottle in there.  So these sample sizes are perfect & this one smells divine!  It's light but strong enough that I only need one or two spritzes.

Manna Kadar Cosmetics - Sheer Glo - Nice shimmer that can be worn on the face or body with or without other lotion.  In the tube, it looks very pink but once you rub it in it adds a nice amount of shimmer.

Number 4 - Non Aerosol Spray - This is the same brand that makes the Prep & Protect spray I use on my hair every day.  I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure I'll love it.  It says it provides hold without the crunchy feeling.

The Honest Company - Organic Healing Balm - This is a product from Jessica Alba's line.  It reminds me of Vaseline or Aquaphor but is more of a liquid form.  A little goes a long way & it's very moisturizing.  Can be used on irritated skin, eczema, minor cuts & scrapes or anywhere that needs some extra hydration. I've been using it as a lip balm before I put on my gloss or I just wear it alone.

Twistband - Printed Hair Ties - Cute hair tie that is gentle & won't leave creases in your hair.  I'm sure I'll get some great use out of this one!

Rachael Ray Has Arrived!

I'm so excited!  My new cookware set arrived!  I ordered from the Kohl's website & got a great deal.  I paid under $130 for this & it was originally over $200!  Kohl's prices are always marked down & I'm also signed up to get emails from them.  I used a 20% off coupon and my shipping was free.  Love Kohl's!

I almost ordered a set that was all orange but opted for these.  Their non-stick & I liked the pop of color better than all over.

And I was also in need of a new trashcan.  When Husband & I moved in together, I was all about red appliances & accessories in my kitchen.  Well that was a long time ago & I've gotten tired of the red stage.  The cookware & trashcan were the last of the red I needed to get rid of.  Here's the new trashcan that is from Ace Hardware.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding Success

I'm not the best cook but I've always been pretty good at baking.  I mean, you read the directions & do what it tells you right?  Yeah, I used to have no problem with that but over the past few years I've had some pretty sad baking disasters.  Chocolate chip cookies is probably the easiest recipe but I've managed to screw it up on more than one occasion.  

I got a recipe in the mail from Kroger that looked pretty simple & heavenly.  Pumpkin Bread Pudding.  I love pumpkin & I love bread pudding.  That was all the motivation I needed.  

Here are all my ingredients...not too confusing.

Thankfully it turned into this:

Pure deliciousness

This was from my 1st batch.  Yep, I made it one more time & it was even better.  I only made 2 slight variations.  I added extra rum (hey!) & right before putting it in the oven, I sprinkled pumpkin pie spice over the top.  So good.  This was a really easy & surprisingly fast recipe that I will be making every holiday!

Black Friday

I wasn't one of the crazy shoppers that waited outside Target or Best Buy to get in after stuffing my face during the day with a Thanksgiving feast...because I did it last year.

This year I waited until Friday afternoon to venture out.  I had my eye on this beautiful Rachael Ray cookware set that was at Target & Walmart but sadly...it was gone by the time I arrived.  I will admit, I may have shed a tear when I couldn't find it.  I almost bought it last year but opted out.  Now I'm kicking myself in the ass for not getting it.  I did score this cute new toaster!

I think it's very cute & kind of retro!  And it was only $24.  Go me.

I went into Bed Bath & Beyond to see what kind of cookware sets they had & that was a big fat zero!  I did see this cool bedding set I'm going to keep my eye on for our guest bedroom.

 And this great wall art!  I love anything black & white & this is just perfect.

Did you go out into the obnoxious crowds on Thanksgiving night??  I wish I had now thinking back & most likely next year, I'll be standing in one of those lines! Luckily Cyber Monday didn't fail me & I ordered my awesome Rachael Ray cookware set from Khols. It was on sale plus I magically got an email for an extra 20% off so I didn't even blink. It should arrive sometime next week & I can't wait! It's actually a completely different set than I had originally wanted & now I'm glad I wasn't able to find the other. This one is way better & more heavy duty. Don't worry, there will be pictures!

November Birchbox

I got my Birchbox for November a while ago but haven't gotten around to trying any of the products yet.  Except I did inhale the wonderful popping chocolate thing that came.  Here's what was in the box:

Chella - Highlighter Pencil - Says you can use this pencil 10 different ways from highlighting your brow bone to using it on the cheekbones.

Color Club - Dark N' Stormy - I'll be trying the polish this week & I can't wait.  I love deep, dark colors.

It's a 10 - Leave In Product - I know I'll like this one.   My hairstylist has used this on my hair before & it smells heavenly & leaves my hair feeling amazeballs.

Toissan - Body Cream - So this sure is a tiny jar to use on my body. I could probably use what's in the jar on 1/2 my body but it smells really good.  I'll be taking this to work to use as a hand cream.

Chuao - Chocolate treat - Remember that crystal pop rocks stuff you used to eat as a kid?  This is chocolate reminded me of that when you eat it.  It's wonderful chocolate with that popping sensation.  Very yummy!