September Birchbox

Some of you may have seen my photos on facebook or instagram of my birchboxes.  I've had some questions about it, so I thought I'd explain a little here and tell you about my experience with it.

Basically, you sign up to get box each month.  It's $10 a month (or I think you get a small discount if you do a year subscription).  It's a great way to try new products without the huge investment.  The products are typically sample size, although some samples are larger than others.  For example, last month I got a sample of DDF Brightening Cleanser and I use it every day, and I still have a little over half left, and it's been about a month since I got it.  Other samples I use up in a few days or a couple weeks.

I get so excited when I get my box in the mail because I never know what's inside!  It's a surprise every time!  I've only received two birchboxes so far, but I've been happy with what I got so far.  I like the fact that I can try new products, without paying full price for a full size bottle, in case I don't like it.  For example, last month I received a sample of Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm and this month a sample of Jouer Matte Moisture Tint and I learned that I like these types of products.  I like the idea of using a tinted moisturizer instead of a moisturizer and a foundation or cover up.  And they include an SPF which is a bonus!  I never would have went and bought a full size version of something like this in case I didn't like it.  I was able to use the sample size products to try it out and decide if I want to purchase the full-size version.

If you are curious, you can check out birchbox's website here.  If you decide to sign up, let me know your thoughts on your first box!

Here is an instagram pic of my September Birchbox:

Weekend Recap

We had such a fun and productive weekend, I just had to share it!  Friday night we grilled and ate outside since it was such a beautiful night.  Saturday morning we got up and painted our breezeway!!  I was so excited to finally get this done!  However, now that the paint is dry, I think it needs a second coat, because you can see the primer through it in some spots....oh well, we only used half of the paint, so hopefully we will actually finish it next weekend.  Here are before and "halfway" after photos:

Before (bright red):

One coat of primer and paint later (needs one more coat of paint I think, but already looks better!):

(please excuse the mess)

The red was just too bright for us.  I think the blue lightens the room up.  I can't wait to finish it and take down all of the blue painters tape and put the room together!

Saturday afternoon we went to Hoptober Fest and had some lunch then had some friends over to see the house.  Saturday night we had Kevin's mom over for dinner and for some play time for the dogs (our dog, her dogs (the mom and a puppy) and one other puppy).  I think the dogs had a blast playing and I can't believe I didn't take any pics of it! 

Sunday morning we got up and cleaned out our cars--it was much needed!  Then we got ready and headed up to Shanty Creek Resort for the night!  We had a nice room with a great view:

 View from the balcony of our room:

Before going to dinner at the hotel:

Our dinner was AMAZING!  The only pics I have from dinner are on instagram because I took them from my phone.  You can follow me on instagram at: erickamarie87



Monday morning we checked out of the hotel and then went golfing at a gorgeous course.

View from the tee box on one of the holes:

I actually had fun golfing...and I didn't do half bad!

It was a great little weekend get away for us.  And since our five year anniversary is tomorrow, it was great timing.

Hope everyone else had a great weekend too!





The Wedding!

I feel like I've been so excited about the house and busy getting everything situated, that the wedding plans have taken a back seat.  I've finally realized that the house is always going to be a work in progress and I can't get it perfect in a week.  So here is an update about the wedding plans so far.

We've got most of the big things done (if I'm missing something, PLEASE tell me).  We have the church and hall booked, photographer booked (Horizon Photography - can't wait to work with her!), got my dress, DJ and photobooth booked, and we have a food tasting with the caterer in a couple of weeks.  I still need to pick out my bridesmaides dresses, but I plan on doing that in the next month or two when my sister is in town so she can come with (she lives in Tennessee).  We also need to figure out who is going to do our cake  - any suggestions?

Our main color is going to be dark purple, with accents of lighter shades of purple and ivory.  I've found the checklist tool at theknot.com to be very helpful with keeping on top of everything.  Our wedding date is June 29, 2013, and even though that means we have a little over 9 months, I know it is going to go by super quick!  If anyone has any advice on ANYTHING wedding related, I'd love to hear it!

I'll try to update when new things happen with the wedding planning.  I have lots of ideas for on my pinterest wedding board, so hopefully things will start falling in to place :)

We also have our engagement photos done - thanks to Catherine Jeter Photogrpahy.  I'll leave with you some of my favorites from our shoot:

We Are Homeowners!

FINALLY!!  We closed on the house on Friday, August 24 and got the keys the next day!  We moved everything in that Sunday, with help from family and friends.  Most of the boxes are put away, but there is still a lot to do.  The spare room/office is where I've been putting all of the "misc" boxes that I haven't opened yet, so that room is still a mess.  I like to think I'm very organized, so not having everything put away really annoys me, but I'm just happy to be in our own house!

Front of the house and garage:

 Breezeway/Sunroom - we have already primed over the red paint and are going to re-paint next weekend...I'll post before and after pics when we are done:

The kitchen...I LOVE the white cabinets and the backsplash:

 Dining area - I want to paint this area and the kitchen eventually:

 Stairs to the upstairs:

 Living room:

 Main floor bathroom:

 Master Bedroom - I have already taped this room off so we can paint it soon...the green does NOT match our bedroom stuff at all:

Spare Bedroom that we will use as an office - where everything just got thrown when we moved in:

 Upstairs hallway/sitting room - this wallpaper has GOT to go...I think it might be my winter project:

Upstairs bedroom:

Full basement - I would love to totally re-do this some day...but it works for now:

Basement bathroom - I love that we have two full bathrooms:

Back of the house - deck, patio, and fenced in yard for The Admiral:

We've been in the house for a little over two weeks now and we LOVE it so far!!!