So I've received Birchbox and I've tried all the samples so I thought I would share my thoughts.

Before I start, for those of you who have never heard of Birchbox, it's a monthly subscription, for $10 you receive 4 to 5 deluxe designer products.  You can sign up monthly (which is how I signed up) or pay for the year in advance for $110 (one month free) {I might go the year route at some point if I continue to like the samples.}  Also you gain Birchbox points {10 for every box and more when buying items ~ to be cashed it for money off}

So here's my November Birchbox....

1) Anastasia Beverly Hills HydraFull Gloss in Sugar Pink

TOO STICKY!!  Great color though but it's TOO STICKY!!

2) Borghese Fango Brillante Brightening Mud 

Works well ~ I don't really need it but if you

are looking for a brightener definitely try this one!

3) Guerlian Shalimar Parfum Initial

If you love Christian Dior Miss Cherie like me TRY THIS!

I love the way it smells.

{The one in my Birchbox was detective/empty...I emailed

them and they sent me another sample!!!}

4) JR Watkins Foot Repair Salve

Okay ~ I haven't tried this on my feet...

I've been using it on my sandpaper elbows...

which now are SUPER SMOOTH thanks

to Mr. Watkins here!  Out of all the items...

this is the one I want to purchase ~ which is out

of stock on Birchbox and JR Watkin's website!

Treat ~ {You always get your samples plus a treat}

This month I got these cute Coasters!

I love them...I have them on my desk at work!!

Did you get Birchbox?  Did you like your items?

Have I convinced you to sign up?  If so, email me

so I can refer you!!

Also....drumroll...I have been featured on ....

Only A Flight Away

stop by and see!!!!  Thanks Melina!!!

Maybelline Great Lash ~ Lots of Lashes

I hate this mascara!  I've been wearing it for about a week and today I stopped and my eyes feel sooooo much better.  

The mascara gets crumbly throughout the day so if you rub your eye for any reason it feels like you have dirt in your eye all day.

I totally hate the new plastic applicators...in my opinion they just don't work as well as the old school ones.  Also, the cone shaped applicator is pointless it just causes more work...you have to angle it this way then that way, etc.  

So in my opinion stick with....

The original!  

Great Lash has own tons of awards

and I've seen it as a best pick in many magazines. 

I've also used...

Great Lash BIG

and....

Great Lash with the Curved Brush

All of these worked great!

So it was really disappointing when I tried Lots of Lashes ~

it just doesn't live up to the Great Lash standards.

What do you think?  Have you tried Lots of Lashes?

Outtakes from Boldt Castle

This massive ship went by!

Lil Lighthouse

Okay my fall vacation...duh obsessed with fall!!

Leaves and Light

Stone lock?

Even though it was fall...still some pretty flowers.

More fall foliage!

Weird fountain

ah so pretty

more pretty

I just want to let you know I sat on this porch

for like an hour...imagining how it would have been

back then...how peaceful and how inspiring.

I could have written a million blog posts

on this porch...well you know the equivalent

to a blog post in 1904.

Now for the hilarious....

They had a continuous video playing about the history of the house.

Since Paul and his mom watched it while I was out on the porch

I went in after and was the only one in the room.  While

I was waiting for the movie to restart I thought I would

do some Ghost Hunter photo tests.

I mean all this love and heart break it just HAS to be haunted.

Right?

These pics were taken in complete darkness...

nope just my knee

nope ~ no one joining me to watch the movie

no one over there

or beside me

or on the other side

or in the front row on the other side

Let me just say...that this was creepy 

and hilarious all at the same time.

I literally would have peed my pants had something actually

shown up on the camera.  Afterwards, I told Paul and he 

was cracking up....he said...you're going to blog about it I know it!

Okay so with all the love in the air and 

all the light and all the million photo opts....

I thought I would try to catch on photo 

when my center diamond glows blue.

Okay and maybe just take pic 

number 1,000,000,000,000 of my ring!

If you haven't seen the post about Boldt Castle click here

Sad Love Story

So while we were on our Fall vacation, one of the attractions we visited was Boldt Castle in Alexandra Bay, NY.  

It was one of the most beautiful spaces that I have ever seen not only because of the architectural but the history behind it as well.  I thought I would share the saddest love story before showing you my pics.

From Boldt Castle's website

Beginning in 1900, the Boldt family spent summers in the 1000 Islands at the Boldt Families Wellesley House near Mr. Boldt’s Wellesley Island Farms while 300 workers including stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, alster tower (children’s playhouse) and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.

In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately “stop all construction.” Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.

For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating, restoring and improving the Heart Island structures.

This pic is from 1000 Island visitor page.

Before I posted pics I wanted you to appreciate it's size.

Here are my pics....

{from the boat ride over}

{the Yacht House}

built for the children ~ mad playhouse?

The entry arch

He incorporated hearts everywhere!

It's often referred to as Heart Castle.

The amount of restoration going on is AMAZING!

It seems like they focused outside before inside.

The inside is still being renovated.  They have one floor complete.

You wouldn't believe the amount of graffiti on the inside!  

It goes back like 100 years!

Here's my one pic from the inside...

This glass dome is breath taking!

Stay tuned for my next post...let's just call them outtakes!

I took like 100 pics that day and some of them are hilarious.

Although it was sad that the house was never lived in 

and never even completely finished by Boldt,

you can see that this place keeps the love alive.

Ah isn't it romantic!

Blog Award

Thank you to Suzie @ !Suzie Makes You Up!

and Melina @ Only A Flight Away

for giving me this blog award!

I really appreciate everyone that reads my blog and comments!

I've been blogging for what now seems like FOREVER

and for awhile it seemed like only my Aunt, 

my Mom and co-worker ever read it.  So the fact that

I am now teetering at hitting 100 followers chokes me up

at times.  (imagine Sally Field acceptance speech...

"You like me....you really like me")

As for who I nominate ... 

I nominate ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS AND READERS!

(Yes, that means YOU!!)

You all are amazing and you all have great blogs!!

I'd like to give special thanks to a few....

Candace @ Lovely Little Rants

She designed my button and all my labels!

She's amazing...check out her blog!!

Melina @ Only A Flight Away

You couldn't ask for a more devoted follower!

I love how she always has something going on

and right now she's doing Blog Secret Santa ...

sign up...I think the deadline is today!!

I could be your Secret Santa!!

Andrea @ Life with Tony and Onge's Musings

I just want you to know that I understand what you

are going through...I went through it last year at this time.

My blog was silent a lot during that time because all I 

wanted to write about was how I was feeling but I didn't want to 

write about it.  It's okay to not blog....I'm here when you do.

Don't forget to post your blog award!

You deserve it!!

♥ Shia

Secret Santa Blog Style

I was invited to participate in a Secret Santa by Only a Flight Away.

Click on the link above and check it out and sign up!

You never know...I could be your Secret Santa =)

Thanksgiving Desserts

So I am in charge of making the desserts for our family Thanksgiving feast.  I'm making....

Pumpkin Pie of course...it's like a Thanksgiving staple!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

It is super yummy!

and....

Chocolate Dream Whip Pie

There is nothing better on this Earth...lol.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?

It's okay Thursday #3

It's okay...

~to stay up until 4 am watching American Horror Story on Hulu....have you seen this....it's AWESOME!

~to then wake up and frantically think of some plausible excuse to call in so you can sleep more.

~to wear tights under your dress just because you don't feel like shaving...isn't that what they are for??

~to think...what am I going to blog about today...wait it's Thursday...HOLLA!!

~to feel like Andy is totally trying to be Michael now on The Office.

~to be sad that Tosh.0 season is over....what will I laugh at now??  

~that I cover my eyes like a child when the clips on Tosh are super gross!

~to Google yourself !

~to want the people petitioning the Kardashians off E to go away....if you don't like a show...don't watch it....low ratings = cancellation...duh!

~to not care if Kim Kardashian faked her wedding....it doesn't affect my life in anyway!

What do you want to add to the list?

Don't forget to check out Brunch with Amber and link up!!

Find a Happy Place

This is how I am feeling at work today...then I remembered

this post I did awhile back and I thought I would

re-post it to maybe lighten my mood and possibly 

feel better from your comments on HORRIBLE co-workers!!

So I really need to come to grips with my work environment. Stress levels are always at an all time high here and the people just get SUPER annoying to be around. It just always seems like when one person lightens up then the baton is handed down the line to the next annoying person. So I did a quick little Google search regarding Annoying Co-workers and sadly I felt comfort in the fact that others share my same pain.

According to Forbes.com you should confront the annoying co-worker and explain to them politely that whatever they are doing is interrupting your work. The example that they give is a loud talker, someone who talks on their cell phone or speaker phone and discusses their personal business. What a shocker... I sit across from a jerk that feels like it is A-OK to have conversation with his children and wife on speaker phone. They will have arguments and he will give his children "talking to's" on speaker. Really? Do I need to know about your AC being out or that your son told your wife that she needed to make his lunch? No! Oh did I mention that he has a door he can shut and I do not...so why not SHUT IT (the door and your hole!) Also, last time I checked I didn't work at a country music radio station or country music bar so TURN THE MUSIC DOWN! So as you can see I can get pretty worked up just in regards to this man and his speaker phone and his music and yet there are like 100 other annoying people that work here...AHHHHH! So Forbes.com says to confront him, hmmm I think that is easier said than done. Anonymous note perhaps? I once sent an anonymous note to a woman who spent 2 weeks hacking up a lung. The note stated...go to the doctor everyone else doesn't want to get sick! The coughing stopped for like ONE day...but then she was moved further down the hall. Either way no more coughing for me!

I wasn't convinced that this was the path that I should go down. Since speaker phone/music man is just one of my problems, I just feel like I would be politely telling a lot of people where to go. That's gonna take ALL DAY and who has that kind of time? Not me. So I continued my google search and found two blogs listing the Top 10 Most Annoying Co-Workers....I compiled the lists (since there were some duplicates and have added a few categories of my own) So here is my top 15 Annoying Co-workers:

14. The Wanderer: He just wanders around telling everyone what he found on the internet, discussing the problems of the nation per Fox News and basically talking about inappropriate issues at work (i.e. politics, religion and race).

13. The "Toy" collector: Look we all want our office to reflect our personality but some people take it OVER the top so much so that a firm wide memo went out laying out the rules of what we can and cannot have in our offices. Might I add memos NEVER go out around here! The memo stated that we are to have no magnets on file cabinets and only one piece of framed artwork. This lady then took all of her Nascar figures and bought cases for them and now proudly displays them as million dollar collectibles. (BTW this was the lady I sent the anonymous note to regarding her hacking up a lung).

12. The Personal Spacer Taker: This is how I feel about anyone who walks into my office and stands over me or reaches around me to find whatever office materials they need....STEP OFF!

11. The Stomper: Hello decedents of Frankenstein give your ankles a break! We're on the 18th floor but I'm pretty sure people in the main lobby can hear you walking!

10. The Whistler: We aren't the seven dwarfs so don't whistle while you work!

9. The Speaker Phone Addict: There is such a thing as a receiver .... pick it up and talk...I don't need to hear about your personal problems or hear how much your wife loves you!

8. The Smelly Gals: A couple of spritz of perfume...okay. Dousing yourself with a gallon...not okay. Your smell should not linger long after you leave the scene.

7. The Money Wanter: Look I don't care what your kid is trying to get you to sell (wrapping paper, candy, cookie dough, bags, etc.)...I'm not buying! Also, I would like to point out that a woman here at our firm collects money for soap....yes I said SOAP. Apparently the standard issue foam soap is not okay and we need soap from Bath & Body Works and I am now REQUIRED to pay her $1.00 a month for soap. She states that it is voluntary but the 20 e-mails I receive about her wanting this $1.00 beg to differ!

6. The Ringtone: I absolutely dive for my purse if my cellphone ever rings at work because I forget to put it on silent. People who let there cellphone ring off the hook are annoying and their ringtones often are just as annoying as they are. Look Harry Potter theme song isn't cool for someone in their 50s buy a NEW ringtone or try putting it on vibrate for once!

5. The "It Wasn't me!: I hate people that don't own up to their mistakes and have to blame others. Everyone knows it was you...just own up and move on!

4. The Non Toilet Flusher: (might I add...we have automatic flush!!) Okay I don't think this needs further explanation but seriously flush it and make sure your toilet hygiene cover goes down too I don't need to walk in and see all THAT! You're so convinced that the toilet is nasty that you need to use a cover...yet you are the one that is NASTY! Do you see the irony in this?

3. The Copy Whiner: It never fails...I go to use the copier for more than two seconds and the same person comes in wanting to cut in. WAIT YOUR TURN! I don't care what you need to do...I'm doing what I need to do. (Also please know that we have like 10 copiers scattered across this firm...yet you need the one I am using!)

2. The Inquisitor: You know that person that asks you like a million questions about your personal life and they don't seem to get it when you give them responses of okay, nothing much, etc. Somehow they just don't get that if they needed to know...they would know!

1. AND THE WINNER IS.......The E-mail Crybaby: No matter what you email to this person they take it as a personal threat or a mean comment and proceed to e-mail you back a novel as to where you can go. Actually, I love when this happens because I have no problem e-mailing them back and making them realize that THEY have freaked out for no reason and then I receive an e-mail back with "My Bad", correction the winner is The My Bad: Most of the people that work here are in their mid 40s and older. None of you should EVER utter the words...MY BAD! That has to be the worst Ebonics phrase that has made it into adult conversation! I doubt if these people would say For Shizzle...so PLEASE don't say MY BAD!

Okay so now that we have identified these people as what they are...what can we do now?

I will have to admit just writing this blog has helped bring humor to the annoying stuff. Literally being able to envision someone for each of these spots was like I'm the academy handing out the Academy Awards of Annoying Co-workers. And the winner is......

J'Adore

Amy Adams!!

{Instyle - Look of the Day}

WHAT SHE WORE
Amy Adams walked the green carpet for the Hollywood premiere of The Muppets in an off-the-shoulder Roland Mouret dress, Irit Design jewelry and nude Jimmy Choo pumps.

WHY WE LOVE IT
Who says redheads can't wear red? The strawberry blonde proved otherwise in a stunning scarlet design.

I just love Amy Adams!  She's one of my favorite actresses!  I just love her red hair.  Even though she can be cute and quirky in chick flicks ~ she's also played serious roles.  One of my favorite movies of hers is Sunshine Cleaning ~ if you haven't seen it...check it out...it's really good! 

What's your favorite Amy Adams movie?

Shellac Attack!

So recently I tried the new rage in nail polish...shellac! {a gel nail polish set with a UV light}  Instead of posting a beautiful pic of how they looked on Day 1, I thought I would wait and post a pic of how they looked when they finally started to get nasty.  Well today is Day 17 since I've had them done and here's the pic.....

So as you can see at Day 17 I'm having the usual issues that you get with a French manicure at Day 5 {if you make it that long}.

Here's what I like about shellac...

~there's no waiting for them to dry...by the time you're done...you're done.  

~you don't have to be super careful not to chip them {especially the white part}...I used my nails like regular...opened soda cans, etc and nothing came off.

~IT LASTS!!!

~also...it didn't cost anymore than when I got the black, white and yellow design on my nails....$30!

Here's what I didn't like....

~the UV light/dryer....I really felt like I was getting a sunburn and I kept thinking....this can't be good for my hands.

~the top coat stung!  It hurt...it did go away after a minute or two but it really did sting....then I thought...is this really good for you??  Prob not.....

~it takes awhile to get done.  I normally only get a manicure which takes about 15 to 20 mins.  This took longer than my friend who was getting a fill-in on her acrylic nails.

I think next time I might try a color to see how long a full color nail will last and I think I am going to put sunscreen on my hands...sounds crazy I know but fair skin here was really getting sunburned.

Have you tried shellac?  What are your thoughts?

Maybelline Baby Lips

I bought this product on Friday.  I got the clear one {blue and pink second one to the end shown above} to see if it could help my dry lips.  

Pros:

~I love the packaging....it's more like a lipstick case than chapstick.

~Even though I bought clear...I love that you can get it in a wide range of colors.  I almost bought a color one  as well but thought I'd start with clear to see if it works.

~It's not sticky or thick.

~It gives you a slight glossy lip...so it looks more natural.

~I can see real changes and I've only used it about 4 or 5 times.  My lips are getting softer - dryness is going away.

~It doesn't smell.

Cons:

It has baby powder or baby oil taste to it. :(  The taste isn't super strong and goes away but it is noticeable.

All in all I would say this stuff is a definite must for you bag this winter.  It's pretty cheap as well...$3.99 at Ulta and Maybelline was buy one get one 1/2 off...I think CVS is running this same deal this week!