It is what it is

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Bloom Voxbox Review

I did receive these products complimentary for the review from Influenster, and these thoughts are my own.

I really enjoy getting these boxes so I can try different products that I normally wouldn’t buy or seek out.

This is what I got in the Bloom Voxbox and my thoughts on them.

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  • Cutex Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pads-I really like these, but I don’t paint my nails enough to warrant buying these. (#jamberryfanforlife) They are convenient but I think a bottle of polish remover and cotton balls do the trick just fine for a fraction of the price.
  • Not Your Mother’s Plump For Joy-I was excited to try this because I have liked other Not Your Mother’s products. I have been having days where I don’t do anything to my hair after showering because I am tired of spending a half hour to dry and style it. This mother doesn’t care about my frizzy un-even hair. So I thought this would be a good product to use on those days to maybe make it more wavy and full. I was not a fan. It is in a spray bottle, but it comes out in a thickesh gel. It’s weird, so I wasn’t sure how to best apply it. I tried both spraying it on directly to my hair and applying it with my hands, and I honestly saw no difference. My hair is still weird and wiry with spontaneous curls thrown in there. I would not recommend this to anyone.
  • Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil-I did like this on my skin. It made my skin really soft. It absorbs really quickly. On my hair though it was a different story. It always looked like I put too much and ended up being greasy. I just used enough to cover a couple of my fingertips, so I am not sure how I could use less for my hair. It was really nice for my dry arms though!
  • Sunbelt Bakery Granola Bars-WE LOVE THESE! We have been Sunbelt fans for years. Seriously, we stock up on them when they are on sale. They are the best granola bars out there. I will say though that I have never gotten the Oats and Honey flavor because we always get the kind that have some chocolate in them. I am glad I got this one though, because it is so good! This will be a good flavor for George when I don’t want him to have all the chocolate.
  • Secret Outlast Xtend Invisible Solid-I am always a little leery to try new deodorants. I have used Secret Clinical or Dove Clinical for at least a decade. But I am happy to say that this deodorant rivals the clinical brands. I had no issues with normal armpit woes, and I loved the solid aspect. I am not a fan of clicking the deodorant up. I am keeping this at work now or those days that I may or may not forget to put on deodorant before I leave the house.
  • SinfulColors Nail Polish-I love this brand of nail polish, but as I said above I am really into Jamberry. I can’t really paint my nails at this stage of our lives without being interrupted or needed elsewhere. Nothing is worse than a messy manicure. Anyway, this SinfulColors is good polish, but I was not a fan of this color. It was clear with glitter, so it isn’t a bad topcoat. I just am not a glitter fan. I put it on my toes as not to be as loud.

If you are interested in getting an Influenster box (you don’t have to be a blogger), just let me know, and I can send you an invite. They are a fun surprise! The community is also really easy to navigate. The more you interact, the more they will be able to find boxes that fit your style and needs. It is really versatile, and you can use it a lot or hardly at all. I have really enjoyed it so far!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts?

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My Favorite Movies

The Oscars were like a second super bowl at our house. My step-mom was a drama teacher, so she loved this night of Hollywood stars and educating us on the ins and outs of the movie world.

We had ballots, and even though I never really knew what I was voting for it became a fun tradition and sparked a love for cinema.

Now most of my favorites were not seen on the Oscar stage, here are movies that I could watch over and over again. They never get old.

West Side Story

I love love love this movie. I am a sucker for musicals, and for me this is by far one of the best. I loved this growing up, but I developed a personal connection when I was in the pit playing the most amazing saxophone parts when my high school performed it. I can sing all the parts probably in my sleep. I know a lot of the dance numbers. So great!

Singin’ in the Rain

This movie is just so happy. Who doesn’t love watching singing and tap dancing wrapped up in a love story? This is a great movie to just make me feel good.

Miss Congeniality

Apparently movies that make me feel happy is a needed quality to be in my favorite movies category. To me this is uplifting and empowering. I still laugh so hard with this movie even though I know every scene by heart. Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actresses, and I love her in this role.

Sabrina

I like the old version with Audrey Hepburn, not the newer one with Harrison Ford. That one is still good, but you can’t beat Audrey. She is my spirit animal. This movie is funny with a love story intertwined. I have a personal connection to this one as well since this was the senior show my senior year, and I played one of the supporting roles. It was so much fun so I love reliving it with Audrey.

While You Were Sleeping

Another Sandra film that I love. This one is quite humorous as well. A subway ticket woman falls in love with a stranger (who she has never actually talked to), and she finds him in a coma and accidentally pronounces that they are married to his family. Hilariously romantic.

 What are your favorite movies?

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Ha Ha Tonka State Park

I instituted a Mother’s Day tradition when I was pregnant to go on a nature walk every year as a family. Making memories through experiences and not things. Now that we are in Missouri, we have a lot of state parks we want to hit up.

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This year was Ha Ha Tonka State Park, or as I like to call it Honka Tonka.

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This is a really cool park that is known for its “castle.”

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A businessman from Kansas City built this mansion in the early 1900s as a haven in the wilderness to get away from the city life. The house burnt down but there are still remnants of the frame which have made it look like a castle. You can find out more here.

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It is near the Lake of the Ozarks, and there is a beautiful natural spring. It is an absolutely amazing view.

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There are walking trails around the building property, but it also goes down and up from the spring.

Some of the trails are pretty brutal, so I would not recommend it for kids under 10 if they are walking freely. I was struggling near the end to walk correctly. Lots of stairs.

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We would not have done this without the Tula. It was so easy to take George along, and we got a really great workout with his added weight. And there is nothing sexier than a man with his baby man.

There are a lot of little picnic areas or places to stop and take in the scenery or take a break.

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This is a great free tourist destination if you are at the lake or driving though Missouri.

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Fun way to spend Mother’s Day, but maybe not so much to impress a toddler.

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My Favorite Foods

I could eat all day. My co-workers make fun of me almost daily because every time they pass my office, I have a different snack.

I love that food brings people together. I love events surrounded by food. I love cooking food. I work out so I can eat more food.

Food and me go together like mac and cheese.

Coincidentally, that leads me to my favorite foods list.

Mac and Cheese

I have not found a mac and cheese recipe I do not like. Cheese and pasta, what could be better? I have an emotional connection to mac and cheese too. It was the first meal I knew how to cook on my own. We bonded as kids with our mom when we would make this before our TGIF ritual showings.

Chocolate

I am a chocoholic. I HAVE to eat some form of chocolate every day. EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. I like it in cookies, in cake, chocolate bars, pudding…so many ways to eat chocolate. I do prefer it if it has nuts in it, and I will chose dark over milk chocolate. However, I do not like white chocolate. Who let that imposter in here?

Salisbury Steak

I love hearty food, and Salisbury steak fits the bill. Hamburger, mushrooms, and gravy. Perfection. No need to say more.

Cheddar Biscuits from Red Lobster

I go to Red Lobster for these specifically. Forget the shrimp scampi, bring me all the biscuits. I have a copy-cat recipe pinned, but I am afraid to make it in case it doesn’t measure up. They are just warm and fluffy and just the perfect amount of buttery and salty. I am salivating just thinking about them.

Enchiladas

Growing up, my mom made the best enchiladas. Fortunately for me, she gave me the recipe. They are filled with cheesy goodness. Just yummy in my tummy.

Fried Chicken Wings

I am fairly particular about my chicken wings. I like them fried more than baked, even if I regret it later. I do not Buffalo Wild Wings, just FYI. My favorite are from a local pizza joint in Ames, IA. I dream about those wings and dipping them in a big ol tub of ranch. These are my go to appetizer to order.

Absolutely none of these are that healthy (or at all); I prefer all the fatty goodness of them. Luckily for my arteries, I do not eat these every day. I savor the days that I do.

Except chocolate. That must happen every day.

So who is hungry?

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My Favorite Music Artists

I grew up in a very musical family, so I love hearing new music and falling back on oldies. Music has a way of bringing you to a certain time in your life. Certain songs bring back tears of joy but also remind me of painful times and the healing. I have songs that remind me of people and the memories made.

Here are some of my favorite artists (who are still living) that are always a joy for me to listen to:

Tyrone Wells.

I love this man. He has a voice like butter. It is so sweet and just the perfect tone. I love singer song writers, and he is the cream of the crop for me. (I could honestly do a whole post about all my favorite singer song writers…) I also love that Tyrone stays true to his family and faith even amidst his fame. Tom and I were featured on his Facebook page once, and I have actually had a real conversation with him one of the times I saw him in Iowa. One of his songs, our friend sang at our wedding. I have seen him 5 times now, and every time it is so worth it. This is my go to music if I need to feel anything. Do yourself a favor and buy all of his albums.

Michael Buble

He has an old soul feel to him, very Frank Sinatra-esque, which I love. His songs always make me want to be a competitive ballroom dancer. I just love his rich tones. Yummy music! I would love to see him live.

Celine Dion

She has got the best tunes that are perfect for belting it out in the car or in the shower. (Or when you are 9 singing hysterically “All By Myself” when you are told to clean the basement…this may or may not be based on a true story.) She was also the first cassette tape that I owned.

Jimmy Buffett

I grew up listening to Jimmy since he is my dad’s favorite artist. My dad and I danced to one of his songs for our father/daughter dance. They are just great songs to dance to and make you feel like you are just living it up. Most have a party on the beach vibe. Every day I wish I was partying on a beach. I sing “Cheeseburger in Paradise” to George all the time. It’s amazing my brother and I didn’t didn’t ask more questions about some of the lyrics…

Justin Timberlake

I mean what girl who grew up in the 90s doesn’t love Justin Timberlake? From his N’SYNC days to now his solo career, I love it all. Also our sons are very close in age, which means PLAYDATE? One could dream. Anyway, he is a dreamboat who can act, sing, and dance. But I mostly love him for his singing. I also need to see him live…someone please make that happen. I can’t wait to hear this song on the radio!

I have so many others! But these are my top 5 today.

Who are your favorite artists?