Living Social Deal: Amrita Singh Earrings

I am a huge fan of sites like Groupon and Living Social for the fantastic deals they offer and the companies and designers they allow me to discover.  I stumbled upon this deal on Living Social for Amrita Singh earrings, and I thought it was so great I wanted to share with you.  I had been lusting after some other Amrita Singh pieces I had seen on other bloggers, so I was really excited about scoring these for $20.  I purchased them last week, and they arrived on Monday.  

The voucher gives you a choice between two similar style of earrings in the color of your choice, valued at $75.   I chose the East Hampton in Evergreen (pictured below).   They are even more beautiful in person.  If you are interested in more details (and the fine print, like when this deal expires) please check out the site here.  

This is not a paid ad.  These are my opinions.  

Birchbox Vs. Ipsy (April 13)

The Birchbox theme this month was Tiny Tweaks, Big Results.  They teamed up with Women's Health, and gave everyone a card for a free yearlong subscription.  I've never actually read the magazine before, but I am also not one to turn down free.  Of course, the box was also filled with the usual fun samples that keep me coming back month after month.  You probably want to hear more about that.

Inside My Birchbox:

Kerastase Age Premium Bain Substantif Shampoo:  I love Karastase products, and have yet to find one that I wouldn't purchase again and again.  However, they sent me two shampoo samples, and no conditioner samples.  I have a hard time when this happens, because I like to try out hair products as a set.  I never know what conditioner to use when I am trying out a new shampoo by itself so I end up procrastinating.  I am still in that place.

LAFCO Fleurs de Baies Bath Soap:  My sample was in the scent Fleur de Baises.  It smells so incredible that I stuck it in my lingerie drawer.  

Joanna Vargas Daily Serum:  I have been applying this daily, and it is light, and seems to absorb into my skin well.  It does feel moisturizing, but I am not sure that I would purchase it at full price ($85).    

Mirenesse Gloss Kiss Lipstick:  I received mine in the shade Cheeky Kiss, which is a pretty pink color.  I am so happy that Birchbox started sending colors I would actually wear on a daily basis.  This is a winner!

Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On:  I love the fact that I can find this at the local drugstore.  It is a roll-on that goes under your eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles.  If feels glorious going on, and even better when I stored it in the fridge.  It made me want to try other Simple products.

Inside My Ipsy Bag:

Ipsy Floral Bag:  First of all, this was not the bag pictured in the Pretty In Pink themed room on the website.  I already have this bag from an order from last year, so I am pretty unhappy about that.  Secondly, it smells kind of like gasoline, so it isn't even something I can give away.  Huge fail!!

Station Nail Laquer:  I received this in the color Love At First Bite, a pretty peachy color.  It took me four coats to get the true color to come through, but it did not chip during the week.  I would purchase from the brand if I found them in the store.

MICA Beauty Mineral Eyeshadow:  This is beautiful, very pigmented  and has a beautiful shine to it.  I don't know that I am really a believer in being too old for sparkles, but I do need to find an occasion to wear this (that isn't work).  

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal:  This is a Moroccan Argan oil used to tame frizz and add moisture and shine to your hair.  I couldn't get this to squeeze out of the top of the bottle, so I had to unscrew it to apply.  This of course meant that I got too much out the bottle when I used it.  There are definitely better products exactly like this one out there (for my money, I would go with Josie Maran).  

Be A Bobmshell Blush:  I received this in the color Sweet Cheeks.  It is highly pigmented  and actually has become my go to blush recently.  My one gripe about this is the packaging.  I can't get it open without having to dig my nails into it (which essentially chips my polish).  Unfortunately, that alone would prevent me from buying this product in the future.  

Overall, I would give Birchbox a very solid A minus and my Ipsy Bag a D minus.  I have come to expect great things from Ipsy, so this was a hug disappointment for me.  Not enough to cancel, but I expect next month to be much better.

Which are your favorites from your subscriptions this month?  Did anyone else have a bad Ipsy experience?

In The Garden

I have been getting some questions about the happenings in the garden.  That both thrills me to no end (because I love talking about our garden), and scares the bejesus out of me (because sometimes I am not really sure I know what I am doing).  Right now I have some beautiful spring flowers and some promising looking edibles   Here is a little tour.  

This is the first year ever that I got these peonies to bloom, and I am loving every second.  A neighbor gave me some great advice.  I threw ice on the ground where the bulbs were (during the heart of winter) about 3-4 times.  The plant needed the freeze to bloom.  I am so in love with these.

Mini-carnations that I have had for about three years now.  I am pleased with how hardy they are.

An iris of some kind in my favorite color.  You will notice that I tend to favor anything purple.

Gerbera daisies

One of my rose bushes.

I made this succulent planter a few moths back, and I am happy with how well it is filling in.  It is  very low maintenance. 

I got this peony as a gift from my mother-in-law, and it bloomed the first year.  I have two other bulbs that she gifted to me that didn't bloom this year. I will be icing them this winter.

My yellow rose bush.

This is future plum cobbler.

Future peach cobbler

Another rose

This is where blackberries come from.

Remember the onions that I planted here?  This is what they look like now.

We have never tried planting carrots before, so we did them in a pot.  We were supposed to thin them out (we grew them from seed) but we didn't.  I have no idea how these are going to turn out.

Surprise, another rose!

Some tine little pears.

That covers all that is interesting in my garden right now.  Have you tried growing anything in your yard?  I would love to see what you are up to.

My So-Called Instagram Life

Sometimes Petunia can be rather dramatic.  Clearly, she was not ready to wake up.

Meet the newest member of my gnome family, Giuseppe.

I found this little gem on a conference room door.  

Meatball is not allowed on the couch.  However, that rarely seems to be an issue for him.

I ordered this pretty monogram necklace off of Etsy.  I have worn it pretty much every day since it came in the mail.

Petunia, sleeping again.

I usually really like the little bits of wisdom dispensed by my Life's Little Instruction calendar.  However, I am not really sure I even understand what this means.

My first rose bowl creation of the year, fresh my the garden (next to Giuseppe and Salvatore, the new newest gnome in my collection). 

I loved Gwyneth Paltrow's last cookbook, so I was excited to find this one at Costco for half price. I have already bookmarked at least half of the book.  

You Spin Me 'Right Round

Sometimes I just have to pull out the laser for a little evening entertainment.  Petunia becomes a pug obsessed.  I swear, she stares at the wall for hours afterwards, just hoping to see the red dot peeking out.  Did I mention how fast she was (for a pug)?  It goes a little something like this...

P.S.  Meatball even makes a special appearance at the end.

Mommywood & Uncharted Terriitori

I was not always a Tori Spelling fan.  I didn't especially dislike her, but I didn't really think much about her either.  However, I was in high school during the 90210 days, so I kind of felt like I went through my teen angst alongside of her. Plus, I have seen Mother, May I Sleep With Danger about 26 times.  Seriously, if you ever watch Lifetime, you know what I am talking about.  

 I read Tori's first book, Stori Telling, a few years ago, after her widely publicized affair, followed by a divorce, then remarriage to the man she had the affair with.   It gave great insight into what it was like to grow up in the Spelling's world.  I have to admit, I was captivated.  

buy from amazon

buy from amazon

Mommywood and Uncharted Terrotori pick up where the first book left off.  They go into Tori's life as a wife and mother in Hollywood.  They deal with the fallout caused by revelations in her first book about her friends and co-stars, as well as the tumultuous relationship she has with her mother.  Tori seems to be searching for a kind of normalcy and anonymity that growing up in a famous family and then living your life in front of reality show cameras does not allow.  It is all very interesting and somehow relatable.  All of a sudden, I was sure that Tori and I would be best friends.  

Overall, I would give each of these book four out of five stars.  The first book made me really like Tori and feel like I understood her point of view.  I wanted to know more about her life, which these two book delivered.  I admired her honesty, and thoroughly enjoyed her fully stocked arsenal of anecdotes (and some of them are outrageous).  I am really looking forward to the release of her next autobiographical book, out later this year.  

Next up, Freedom by Jonathan Franzen.  I am about halfway through it right now, and I like it, but it is a heavy book.  I will be back with a review soon.

What are you reading?  Are you a Tori fan?  Do any of you watch her shows?  

Dog Shaming

This morning I was getting ready for work. 

I heard this rustling noise in the bedroom and then complete silence. 

I ran into the room and found a very defeated porkie stuck inside of the dog bed duvet. 

She wouldn't even look at me. 

I had to take a few photos before I rescued her.

I am still not really sure how this happened.  

What I Need....Now (April 13 Edition)

Wow, it has been a long time since I have done one of these posts!  Let's get down right to it, shall we?

I am dying to try on these new "jeggings" from Gap.  Just reading their reviews sold me.  I really want a pair of super-comfy-yet-stylish skinnies.  They are only sold online, so I am going to have to order them to try them out.

  

1969 Forever Stretch Legging Jean  

I am addicted to this line from Banana Republic.  I already own these in black, pink, blue, and tan.  This teal shade would be perfect for the summer, and the slim fit is ultra-flattering.  It is hard to make work clothing fun (but I try).

Sloan Fit Slim Ankle Pant 

The color combination in this scarf is just so pretty.  It would liven up some of my boring work outfits.  

Rachel Printed Scarf 

I have a Pandora bracelet that I absolutely love.  I already have charms that represent Meatball and Petunia, but nothing for Harriet.  This one looks so much like her.

Pandora Scottie Charm 

These little bow earring are absolutely charming (and they come in a fantastic variety of colors).  They go with everything.

Kate Spade Skinny Mini Bow Stud Earrings 

This is a great take on the leopard print trend.  Very subtle and classic.

Sam Edelman Sutton Sandal 

I love all things with owls on them, and this candle holder is so pretty with its vibrant colors.  

Ceramic Snow Owl Tea Candle Holder 

OK, so I am mostly dreaming when it comes to this bag, but can we please drool over it a little?

Marc by Marc Jacobs Too Hot To Handle Hobo 

Finally, I am a huge Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fan, and I love Brandi Glanville.  Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be available on audiobook (my preferred method) so I am going to have to read this one the old fashioned way.  Anyone else a fan as well?

Drinking and Tweeting: And Other Brandi Blunders

What is on your current wishlist?

My So-Called Instagram Life

As we move into April, we have been spending more time outdoors, enjoying the warmer weather, and of course, hanging out with the pups.

Also, doing a little planning for a summer vacation.  So excited about this one.  

Peach blossoms in my back yard.

Meatie and Tuna taking a little nap on husband's legs.

Enjoying the crisp blue skies and temperatures in the low 70's.

Maybe I am a bit biased, but Hattie is just so pretty (and a little regal looking here too).

Checking out the good things growing in our garden.

We recently purchased a smoker and have been smoking everything. Is it just me, or does food seem to taste better when it is cooked outdoors?

I woke up to find Hattie snuggling on my pillow.  

A sweet friend (who knows how much I adore gnomes) surprised me with this little fella.

Now that is a yawn.