Happiness

I have been very MIA on this site.  The last year has been interesting to say the least.  Let's just say I was not happy.  I tried to make a lot of things in my life work, but for all the wrong reasons. I came to realize within the last couple of months that there is a lot more to life and you should focus on yourself and love yourself, before you focus on other things.

The first big change this year was receiving a job that I absolutely love! I had been working in the HR field for the past 7 years in various roles and companies.  With the last position I held, I was not happy at all.  I loved the people I worked with, but not the position or the company.  I felt that I had to sugarcoat a lot of things and that was not me at all.  I knew it was time to move on.  Currently, I'm working for a great company in a project coordinator role.  This is a big part of my happiness right now.

Second thing is, knowing who your true friends are and who you enjoy spending time with.  Looking back at various groups of friends I've had over the years, you start to take a look at who is really there for you and who cares about you, but also values you as a friend.  Don't get me wrong, I still have people that I "hang out" with, but there are a handful of people that are in my life that I would consider "family".  Whether I see these people daily, weekly, monthly or only a few times of year.  I am glad they are in my life. The most exciting thing that I have planned this year so far, is being in my best friends wedding in October.  I am so honored she asked me to be her Maid of Honor. I love both her and her fiancée! They have been a huge part of my life for the last 10 years. I also have a great guy in my life right now that I think the world of.  Even though we don't live in the same city, we make an effort to talk everynight and see eachother every weekend. Even some surprise visits during the week have really made a difference.  Just the little adventures we've had so far make me so excited for the future!

The last thing is just eating better and being more active.  Just making a few small changes can really make you feel more energized.

Just simply believing in yourself, being more positive about everything in your life will make a huge difference on how you live each day.  I know this is very cliche, but live each day like it's your last.  Life is way too short!

I'm hoping to add more content regarding my life, happiness and everything else in between on here.

~Holsnicole

Benefit Balms

I have always been a little nervous on using Benefit's tints.  The thought of using a "stain" on my cheeks and lips has me running for a hot wash cloth!  Maybe I just need to break down and try it one time.  However, for now I'll stick to their lip balms.   I was so excited when these were first introduced.  I received a sample of the Posie Balm in my July Birchbox and fell in love with it!

First things first....The packaging is so adorable! These balms leave your lips feeling hydrated and have just a light tint of color. I mainly purchased a full size of the Bene-Balm, based on the light red tint it gave off.  I was a little scared at first of the red, but after doing a few swatches of it on my hand, I noticed that it just had a red sheen to it.

The balms come in 4 colors-Bene balm, Posie balm. Lolli balm, and Cha Cha balm.
They are totally worth the money and I would recommend them to anyone...based on the packaging alone.....Then again, I would recommend any Benefit products!

~Holsnicole

*This is not a sponsored post. 

Birchbox + The EveryGirl

Two of my favorite websites coming together to produce an awesome product...of course I would get it!

The first day that Birchbox announced that they would be having a box with the website The Everygirl, I jumped right on it to get it.  However, there was such high traffic on the sit,e that I wasn't able to secure a box. I send Birchbox a tweet to let them know how bummed I was.  If you didn't already know, Birchbox has a great customer service department and I was able to get The EveryGirl box at the last min. (plus another box, since they didn't send me the right one).

I am totally in love with this box! It came with 5 products.

Number 4-Super Comb Prep & Protect
Benefit-They're Real! Push-Up Liner
Acure Organics-brightening Facial Scrub
Harvey Prince-Hello Perfume
Not Soap, Radio-Happiness Inducing Body Wash

For once I will be using all the products  in this box.  My favorite is by far the Harvey Prince-Hello perfume!

What is your favorite product in the box? If you didn't get the EveryGirl box this month-what was in your box?

Happy 'Birchboxing' my friends!

Want to win a chance to host your own Benefit Cosmetics Party!?!?!  Birchbox and Benefit are giving you a chance to do just that!  Check out this link for more info! http://beautybash.birchbox.com/

~Holsnicole

Giveaway!!!!!

Click Below to Enter!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c00d851/

Good Luck!

~Holsnicole

Birchbloggers-Book Review: The Vacationers

I recently received the opportunity from Birchbox to review the book, The Vacationers by Emma Straub for their June Book Club. This is by far the best book I've read in a while. There were many parts that took me by surprise and made me wanting more. Typically it takes me a while to to finish a novel, but this is one I couldn't put down.

The book follows a family and their friends on a two-week vacation that celebrates several occasions.  There are a handful of characters in the story, however it's not hard to follow their stories and makes you feel a part of their lives.  The characters have their own flair and each bring a dynamic part to the read.

This book offers;  humor, drama, advice and even a little sexual escapades that leaves you not wanting the story to end.

If you are looking for a quick summer read, I recommend this book hands down!  Looking forward to July's book, The Bridesmaids, which I will also be reviewing.

Looking for an opportunity to review products for Birchbox??  Become a Birchblogger today!

~Holsnicole



*This book was given to me by Birchbox & Riverhead Books for review purposes. 

Empties

Over the past several months I have used various products up-makeup all the way to food....

Here is what I'm digging at the moment.....

Makeup:

Can't get enough of Covergirl's- Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation.  I have purchased this product a few times over and talked about it a few times. I'm in the shade Classic Ivory.  This is by far the best foundation out there. It provides the best coverage ever. (covers up dark spots).   I love the fact that it has a pump-for easy application.  The only downfall to this product, is that there is always product that is still left in the bottle, that won't pump out.

Tip: Use a Beauty Blender to apply






Marc Jacobs Lip Lock in Makeout is a great moisturizing balm. I purchased this product at Sephora twice now.  However, the second one that I purchased online has a weird texture and it's almost like it had melted once.  I will be purchasing it again, since the first one I had was just fine. It has very sleek packaging and doesn't even feel that it's just a balm.  Totally worth the money!








I have VERY long days at work and always want my makeup lasting the entire day, if not even longer.  I have been using Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray for over a year now and couldn't be happier with the results.  It feels light enough on your face that you don't feel you are adding an extra layer. I haven't found any other brands who have comparable products. I recently picked up a duo set at Ulta of a full size bottle and a travel size one.  It was a great value.

Now what do I use to get rid of all that makeup at night???  Clean & Clears-Night Calming Makeup Remover Wipes.   Now when I first saw these advertised I thought, I don't have acne, I don't need to use Clean & Clear products.  Boy was I wrong!  I am completely obsessed with these wipes. Not only do they make my face feeling clean, they actually take a away almost all, if not ALL of my face makeup. This is another product that I'll be buying for a long, long time.

Just like you, I try out a lot of different shower gels.  While watching oodles amount of Youtube videos I came across the brand-Love & Toast.  This brand can be found at Ulta.  They have the best shower gel by far.  My favorite scent and actually the only one that I have tired is- Sugar Grapefruit. Another added bonus from this product is the cute packaging.








Health:

I will have to admit I'm not the healthiest person in the world.  With that being said at age 30, I decided to start taking a multi vitamin and what could be better than incorporating gummy like candy into that!  I picked up the Vita Fusion brand at Target and couldn't be more pleased with how they taste.  I have also notice my energy level during the day pick up.....so they actually do work :)










Junk Food: Now that's fitting after the health section :)

I"m a sucker for a good cookie and when I saw these two cookies in the store I knew I had to try them.  Now, the mint one wasn't as good as I thought it would be, but still fab.  However, the Peanut Butter Cup Oreo is amazing!  My only suggestion would be to use the actual peanut butter that they use in the peanut butter cups. Both are still fab and would repurchase in a heart beat.






Hope you enjoyed my favorite empties.  What kind of products have you guys been loving?  Any suggestions?


~Holsnicole


*This is not a sponsored post.  These are my real opinions. So back off haters :) 

Influenster VowVoxBox Review

Once again the company Influenster has given me the opportunity to review a voxbox.  The newest theme-vowvoxbox.  Now, I was a little confused on why I received this box, since I'm not getting married or even attending a wedding any time soon. However, the products that I received in this box can be used on any occasion.

If you don't know what Influenster is. It's a company who provides users the chance to review up and coming products based on surveys you complete. Become an Influenster today!

So, are you curious on what was included in this box?  Here goes nothing!

By far my favorite product in this box was the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polish in Barracuda. It's the perfect blue shade and I can't wait to sport this color this summer. The wand/brush of this polish is something that I have never seen before in any of the polishes that I have used. It's more of a flat, wide brush and you really have control over it. Love!

Just recently I have noticed more and more dark spots on my face.  I call them age spots...either way I want them gone.  It's a curse that has been passed down from my Grandma and as much as I want to embrace them, I just can't.  Looking forward to trying out the Olay Regenerist Luminous tone Perfecting Cream. I was shocked to receive a full size of this product, knowing the retail value of it.

I have been looking for a new shaving cream, since the last one I bought from Birchbox was way over priced and not worth it at all.  I have heard of Pure Silk before-a pretty cheap brand you can get at the drug store. I would have to say it did a much better job than my fancy-high end one that I had before.  I also loved the Raspberry scent.

Who could go without a Tide-to-Go pen?  Am I right, ladies!?!  I have had several of these before and do they ever work well! So glad I received one in this box. Can't say enough about this product.

Last, but not least an EcoTools Pure Complexion sponge.  I wasn't sure what this was at first.  The texture of it kind of scared me, due to the fact that it even said it was for sensitive skin. However, I couldn't believe how soft this sponge got and how bouncy it was. I think I'm going to start using it in the shower with my morning scrub.

One extra thing that was in the box was a card to the website Riley & Grey (I had never heard of this site before) however, it looks like they offer websites for weddings.  On these websites you can organize the guest lists, addresses, collect RSVP's and more. They also provide you with a 50% off code.  Not sure how much the sites cost, but I won't be using that anytime soon....or maybe I will :)

Overall, these were some great products.  I highly recommend them all. This VoxBox was a lot better than the first one I received a few months ago. I will actually get use out of these products.

Thanks again +Influenster

~Holsnicole

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes