NatureBox October 2013

as soon as I got a FedEx tracking number for this month's Nature Box, I was stalking it to find out when it would arrive! I mentioned on my post about last month's box that I had picked the snacks that I would be receiving in my next box. my package arrived two days earlier than FedEx said it would, so that was pretty exciting!

first look. they added a sixth snack! (:

Santa Fe Corn Stix - I gave these to my dad, since I didn't think that I would enjoy them. he enjoyed them though!

Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops - I wasn't too impressed with these. I wish they were a little more caramel-y and a little less salty.

Apple Orchards Granola - I have never had moist granola before! It's really good though, and it smells like pumpkin pie! Some of the cashews had a smoky taste, which I didn't like with the granola.

Granny Smith Apples - these just might be my favorite thing in the box. if I had a dehydrator, I would make dried fruit all of the time, yum!

Toasted Cheddar Stix - I didn't realize that these were sesame sticks; I thought that they were more like crackers. I'm not really a big fan of sesame, so I don't really like these very much. These were also pretty salty.

Mighty Mix - oh my gosh, yum! I love these dried fruits, nuts, and seeds.

I would give this month's box a 3/6. Maybe next month, I will let them choose all of my snacks for me, since they did a pretty good job the last time.

xoxo.

Influenster Varsity VoxBox 2013

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

first look at the Varsity VoxBox 2013!

cheat sheet with all of the product info

is it weird that I'm excited to test laundry detergent?

I have never, ever had luck with these nail stickers, so I think I'm going to give these to a friend!

These Clearasil Daily Clear Wash samples are awesome! Not only do they smell great (raspberry + cranberry), but they make my face feel so clean and smooth. My only complaint is that it's really annoying to get the product out of those little packets.

inside look. so excited to get three of these to use!

first thing I tried... these were delicious!

perfect combo of sweet and sour!

I hate taking pictures of lip gloss.

definitely not the color for me.

and a picture of everything together (:

out of the four or five VoxBoxes I have received, this one was the first to actually arrive with a proper seal still in place! I'm excited to test out these products.

xoxo.

on failure

here's a picture from nearly two weeks ago that I never shared. I kind of wish that I had a ladder and no traffic so that I could get a really good shot of those curves.

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I feel like I am such a failure when it comes to blogging lately. one of my twenty while twenty goals was to blog at least twice a week. I did blog twice last week, but I feel like I didn't do enough. one post was to let you know that I was doing a giveaway on another blog {which is still going on}, and the other post was a guest post from the lovely Nicole.

then yesterday, I was planning to do a "hello" post {like Lisa Leonard's}, but then I never did.

there are two main reasons that I feel like I am slacking.

1. I have been busy! it seems like October is always a crazy month in my life, and this year was no exception. I worked six days in a row last week. one of those days included a day waiting for our reservation program to work again after our computer crashed. and we had to switch over to Windows 8 on our new computer, and it is crazy weird! what can I say, I'm a Mac girl...

I spent most of yesterday working on homework. I like to stay ahead/on top of things, unlike some of the people I go to school with. that might sound rude, but I truly dislike not being able to finish my homework until four hours before it is due because I have to wait until there are posts on our discussion board that I can comment on. I honestly don't understand why people wait until so close to the deadline to get things done.

next week is going to be a crazy one, so I should probably plan ahead to get my two posts in!

2. that said, I'm lacking inspiration! I loved blogging with Blog Every Day in May and Blogtember because there was a prompt that gave me something to write about! you should leave me some questions or suggestions on what to write about; I would really appreciate that!

xoxo.

Letters from Nicole

Hey, guys! My name's Nicole, and I'm gonna do a little guest post here today - I'm really excited about this! It's the first time I've "swapped blogs" with someone like this. We met because we were Cara box partners this past August, and I'm so happy we were paired together because Teresa's an amazing person and we still talk! Anywho, if you'd like to check out Teresa's answers or learn more about me, you can click right here to visit my blog!

1. Why did you start blogging?

I stumbled on one blog that I fell in love with a few years ago, and actively (and sort of obsessively) checked for updates. Then, I slowly found more and more blogs... I think this started on Pinterest, back in about April or May. After a few months of hard-core blog-surfing, I decided I wanted in on it. I love how blogging is like a little community, and I'm so happy with my decision!

2. What's the last book you read?

The last book I actually finished was Plato's Symposium for one of my classes... for pleasure reading, I finished Stardust by Neil Gaiman over the summer, and I've been working on Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathon Safran Foer, but I'm struggling to get through it... which is why it has taken two months so far.

3. What do you think your power animal would be? (I found this website, which is what we used for this question!)

I got the Horse, with the qualities "freedom, balance, abundance." The description reads: "You are most fortunate to have the horse spirit within you, for she has many things to teach you and many blessings to share. The horse will show you how to balance your caring nature and deep love for others with your equally deep need for freedom and independence. There will be days when she shows you how to relax fully, first rubbing against your loved ones, then just standing in the shade of the tree and munching the apples as they fall. Abundance will be yours, as she teaches you that a peaceful and centered life provides what is needed, like apples falling from a tree on a perfect summer’s day. And when you ask, she will take you for a ride, as you run like the wind, faster and faster, until finally, like Pegasus, she sprouts wings, soars into the air and allows your soul to fly free. She will lift you to the heavens and reveal to you there your own highest self. And through it all, she will show you how to stay deeply centered in the moment. She will teach you to live without worry or regret, your heart free of blame. Breathe in her spirit and she will bring you fully into this moment and all that it contains, where you can balance beauty and duty, freedom and togetherness, all in perfect joy and harmony. What a blessing to be a horse!" And.... interestingly enough, I completely agree with this, and it's the kind of life I am striving for! Weeeeird.

4. What is one of the best decisions you've ever made?

I can think of so, so many, but I'm going to go with my college choice. I go to school at Ohio Wesleyan University, where I'm provided with millions of amazing opportunities. I have recently joined a sorority, and I'm already feeling that that was one of my best decisions since coming to OWU.

5. If you could do any one thing in the world... what would you do?

Right now, I'm really hung up on zip-lining, because I'm pretty sure my boyfriend and I are going on Friday for my birthday, so that would have been my knee-jerk reaction to this question, but actually, I would travel.

6. Do you prefer movies or TV shows?

This is actually a hard question that I think varies based on my mood but currently, I'm definitely hooked on TV shows... Specifically Supernatural and Survivor.

7. What is the number one played song on your iTunes?
Find A Way - SafetySuit. This is basically "our" song in my relationship with Jordan. It just kind of happened, I'm not sure how and I don't really remember the situation. But if I had to pick "our" song, I'd automatically pick this - and I will never listen to this without thinking of him.

8. What is the last thing you purchased?
Let's see.. I bought gum and tea for Jordan at Walmart on Sunday. Haha, nothing too fancy! Though my birthday is soon, so I betcha anything I'll make up for that by going on a spree soon ;)

9. If you could learn to do anything, what would you want to learn?
To cook! Or bake! I really can't do either. Somehow I always mess up baking, so I don't touch that with a ten foot pole. I am decent at cooking a few things. (by that I mostly mean breakfast) But I would love to cook really cool/fancy/delicious things.

10. Which one famous person - dead or alive - would you want to have dinner with and why?
This is a hard question! I don't know... My first thought is Jared Padalecki from Supernatural because I am in love with him/Sam. Or Misha Collins because he is hilarious. I also feel like having dinner with one of Kappa's founders would be a really insightful experience.

11. What is one of your favorite quotes?

"Bloom where you are planted." I have no idea where this is from, who said it, whatever.. but it really embodies what I'm trying to do with my life. I hope not to be one hundred percent planted somewhere as I do want to travel - but the idea of blooming wherever I am, doing my best to make the most of it, no matter where I am or what I'm doing... that's how I'd like to live my life.

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Today I am over at Jessica's blog {Love & Loyally} with a fun giveaway that includes two of my favorite things. I would really appreciate it if you went over and entered!

xoxo.

Ten on Ten :: October 2013

I have been wanting to participate with ten on ten for a few months now, but the tenth often falls on a day that I have to work {no surprise when you work more than half the week...}, but I had the day off today, so I was able to take ten pictures in ten hours on the tenth!

{the times are approximate. I think only one picture was taken at the top of the hour.}

nine. late start of the day calls for a late breakfast {Raisin Bran Crunch}

ten. cat-sitting. I love their house.

eleven. I've been meaning to take this picture for a few days, so I stopped on my way home.

noon. about to head up north!

one. Ephraim public beach.

two. chocolate break!

three. Egg Harbor. I found this beach on Cty G, just off of 42.

four. putting away groceries.

five. reading Tony Iommi's Iron Man in the car.

six. dinner at Texas Roadhouse. {iPhone photo because I wasn't going to bring my Nikon in there.}


Oh, and the answer for Wednesday's post? The third one! I only have four white shirts in my closet, which I rarely wear because I'm scared of ruining them! About half of my shirts are black though... This means that the last movie I have seen in the theater was over two years ago with my campers!

xoxo.

two truths + one lie

I'm linking up today with The Circle {Kiki & Elizabeth} for two truths and a lie!



1. the last movie I saw in the theater was Cars 2.
2. my senior year, I was a runner up for the superlative of "most unique" {and my sister was too when she was in high school.}
3. half of the shirts in my closet are white.

so which one do you think is a lie?? leave a comment below, and I'll post the answer on Friday with my Ten on Ten post!

xoxo.

tagged times three - an about me

I was tagged for the Sunshine Award & Six Things by Nicole, and the Liebster Award by Audrey! Nicole & Audrey are two of my previous partners from Cara Box! (:

I forgot that I was tagged for these until I saw the questions in my drafts, so I'll just answer the questions as kind of a getting to know you thing.

Six Things

Choose 6 questions you'd like:
What is your favorite animal and why?
Would you prefer a city break or a sun, sea, and sand vacation?

Both. Hello, Los Angeles.

If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
How many countries have you traveled to?  How many of the 50 states?

Aside from the United States, I've only been to Canada. I've visited thirteen states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, California, and Missouri. I've also stepped into Florida {well, I spent a few hours in/on Amelia Island}, and I think I've driven through Indiana and Ohio.

What is your favorite thing about yourself (or quality you like in others if you don't wanna talk about yourself)?
What is the best advice someone has ever given you? 
What did you want to be when you grew up and what do you do now?

I think I wanted to be a teacher, or something in the fashion industry. I also wanted to be a ballerina at one point. I currently work at a hotel, and I think I'm going to be stuck in the hospitality industry for life! (;

What is a pet peeve of yours?

When people leave the light on when they're not using it! Like, I can understand if you don't want the room to be completely dark, but if you leave on all of the lights it drives me crazy!

What is the LAST concert you went to?

Todd Carey on my birthday!!!

What is something not a lot of people would know about you?

I pray a decade of the rosary every morning.


Sunshine Award

1. What is one thing that defined your childhood? (like, for me, I would say Harry Potter or Pokemon!)

I don't know! I used to play with Barbies and my American Girl doll {Kit} a lot when I was younger.

2. What is the last book you've read?

I am currently reading Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven & Hell with Black Sabbath by Tony Iommi, and I just finished {an abridged version of} the Wizard of Oz.

3. What is your favorite holiday and why? 

I would say Halloween, but my mom always says that that is not a holiday, so I will go with Christmas, because my dad's side of the family always gets together at my grandparents' house for dinner and presents and hanging out.

4. Which fictional character would you love to meet?

I used to be obsessed with the Clique by Lisi Harrison when I was in middle school/high school, and I would love to meet Massie Block so I could raid her closet! (;

5. What was your favorite activity in gym class?

When I was in high school, we used to get to go in the weight room a few days a week, and I would walk on the treadmill. Also, our gym teacher would make sure that we went for a walk or went cross country skiing at least once! Those were always fun trips.

6. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska and why?

I would love to see both, so I guess it depends on what time of year it was! If it was summer, I would say Alaska, since that is when it is the mildest there, but if it was winter, I would want to escape from the snow here, so I would choose Hawaii for the weather and to visit my friend Meaghan who spends most of the year in Hawaii now.

7. What would your perfect day consist of?

reading and writing and photographing and laughter!

8. What was your first job?

I worked at Arby's for about two and a half years while I was in high school. There is photographic proof of this thanks to my grandmother.

9. Gold or silver?

Gold, hands down.

10. Do you collect anything? 

Well, I have a lot of Vera Bradley, but I don't know if that is really a collection. You know those machines at zoos and museums and such that flatten a penny and imprint a design on it? I have some of those somewhere.

I keep a lot of notes and stuff, and I have kept a lot of stuff related to school, work, personal life, and blogging.

11. What's your zodiac sign? Do you 'believe' in it?

I'm a Leo. I don't really believe in that kind of stuff, but I do think that it is interesting to read my horoscope sometimes.

Liebster Award

1. What is your favorite book?

hmmm. I don't know if I really have a favorite book. I guess my standard answer for this one is always The Lord of the Flies, which I read in seventh grade, but there aren't really any books that I can say stand out for a favorite.

2. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging so that I could have a place to share photos and stories, and so that I would remember what my life was like years down the road.

3. Who inspires you the most?

I am so blessed to have so many incredible people in my life. Among that group, many of them are musicians, and from that demographic, there is one person who stands out more than all of the rest: Miss Geri X. I've probably blogged before about how her music changed my life, and that is the truth. I feel like every song of hers applies to my life in some way.

April 2012

Plus she made that kickass pistol and heart lamp in the picture, and in addition to her art of music {vocals, guitar, keys, etc.}, she does some really pretty drawings. I would love to have her design a tattoo for me someday.

4. Any advice for new bloggers?

Enjoy yourself, share what you want to share, and don't be afraid to meet new people!

5. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to take photos, bake, and paint my nails, and read, of course!

6. Do you have a favorite workout? If so, what?

hahaha. No. Sometimes I like to go for a walk, does that count?

7. What is your greatest achievement so far?

Um, I graduated high school? I am completing my last few credits to graduate with my associate's degree in hotel/restaurant management in December, and I haven't really done a whole lot with my life yet. I'm only twenty!

8. What is your favorite movie?

I don't really watch a lot of movies, but I would have to say that my favorite is probably the Breakfast Club.

9. What is one of your goals for the future?

I would like to move out of Door County and get a job where I can travel.

10. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?

There are so many places that I would love to visit! I want to go back to Los Angeles; I want to see more of Canada and more of the United States; I would also love to visit Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

11. What is your favorite TV show?

There are only a few shows that I actually watch, and I would have to say that Modern Family is my favorite.

xoxo.

my first Nature Box! {September 2013}

I first heard about Nature Box on the Internet, on someone's blog. I saw an ad stating that I could get half off my first box, and of course I couldn't pass that up! A few weeks after I signed up, this pretty box was waiting on my back porch for me!

What is Nature Box? Nature Box is a subscription that delivers wholesome and delicious snacks to you every month. I may or may not have chosen my snacks for the next month on the day I received my box. What can I say? I'm pretty excited! This definitely beats going to the grocery store.

There are three different size/price options, and I chose the smallest option, which is five snacks for $20. There were actually six in my package, and I'm not sure if that's a normal occurrence, or if it's because this is my first box. Either way, it comes out to $4 a snack {including shipping}, which is pretty much on par with what I would find at my grocery store, only there is much more variety with Nature Box.

First look!

These stickers are so cute!!

The first snack that I tried was the Masa Crisps. Truthfully, I wasn't too sure how much I would like them, but I thought that they were really good! I think that the flax seeds give them a little kick, but it's not overwhelming.

For breakfast the next morning, I had a little bit of my favorite Honey Vanilla Greek yogurt that I wanted to finish, so I added some of the Vanilla Macaroon Granola and Cherry Berry Bonanza.

The granola really does taste just like a macaroon! And the dried cherries and berries are really good too!

I love the little descriptions/suggestions on the back.

There are some bits of toasted coconut and almonds in here!

I love the colors in here.

Bonus welcome snack!

Chocolate, cherries, nuts, and granola.

I wasn't too sure how much I would like the Pistachio Power Clusters, since I don't really eat a lot of nuts, but they were okay.

According to the little booklet, one serving size was three or four clusters.

When we would go on road trips when I was younger, I remember that my dad would get some spicy corn nuts snack sometimes when we would stop at a gas station. That's what these reminded me of! They're really crunchy, and I like the corn flavor.

Does Nature Box sound like something you would like to sign up for? If you use this link to sign up, you will receive 50% off your first box (and so will I)!

Do you already have a subscription to Nature Box? What is your favorite product?

xoxo.