what's up wednesday

 

It's not the last Wednesday in July, but I felt like writing.

 



 

WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK

Pat and I are both back on Weight Watchers. I need to drop the 12 lbs I've gained since I went to Jamaica and started over-eating. So what we're eating isn't TOO exciting. Monday night we had Baja Tacos, which is a WW dish and delish! Tuesday night was homemade pizza, with not near enough cheese. And tonight is grilled chicken and roasted green beans. Finn's friend is coming over for a play date and we're getting them pizza. #imissbread

 

WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT
Finn found an entire box of old photographs the other day. He pulled them out one at a time asking me to tell him who everyone was in each picture. He would get super excited when he found one of himself! "Look Mommy it's Finn!" Lots of the pictures weren't too old, but it is always fun reminiscing by looking through pictures you hardly ever have time to look through.

 

WHAT I'M LOVING
Gerry Brooks. He's this principal that does videos that are just HILARIOUS. Here's a recent one:

Some of my other favorites of his are "Summer break etiquette", "Principal Snow Day", and "Principal Coupon Book". Look them up on YouTube.

 

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO
Pat and I decided in February that every other month we would take turns planning surprise date nights for each other. One month we did a scavenger hunt around Charlotte, one month we went to a Knight's game, one month we just went shopping and had dinner...and there's another month in there that I can't remember. Figures it was one of the dates I planned! July is my month and our date is July 31st. Anyone have any super ideas?

 

WHAT I'M DREADING
Finn has several splinters in one of his feet that we've not been able to get out. We've tried EVERY home remedy, trust me. Homemade paste, raisins, blue emu cream, etc. It doesn't help that he is extremely ticklish on his feet. So when you TRY to get a blister out he cannot hold still. I'm dreading the fact that we're eventually going to have to take him to the doctor to do it. Which means he'll have to get some sort of numbing shot. #hegetsithonest

 

WHAT I'M WORKING ON
I've started planning for Christmas mini sessions. I know. It's July. But, the sessions are in November so I have time to edit and deliver images so clients can have their cards printed in time. And I usually book them in September - and they fill up FAST. I have 2 ideas so far - still trying to figure out another idea. I need five pallets for one of my ideas. Anyone have pallets they don't want?

 

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT

Pat and I are taking Finn - just Finn - to Carowinds at the end of the month. He has been talking lately about Disney World and how he wants to go. We aren't quite there yet, as we want both boys to be old enough to actually remember the experience. So, the next best thing (?) is Carowinds. It's a 30 minute-ish drive from our house, gives discounts after 4:00 pm, and has a pretty good kids-section. We haven't told Finn we're taking him, because he doesn't really know what it is. But I'm excited to see his excitement as he goes on all the rides.

 

 

 

WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING

I'm reading Me Before You. I read it avidly while in California and on the many flight delays and layovers home. I'm a few chapters away from finishing and just cannot find the time (or the book itself really) to finish. Perhaps that is what I should be doing now instead of blogging ;) I'm also watching The Bachelorette. We record it and when I have time I catch up on it. I know there are a lot of haters out there when it comes to this franchise, but it is my guilty pleasure and aside from The Lion Guard it is pretty much the only TV I get to see. Man I hate The Lion Guard. #samethirteenepisodesformonths

 

 

 

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO

When I'm at work over the summer it's pretty quiet. I try to listen to Pandora, but sometimes I turn it off and enjoy the silence. The building has a lot of soothing sounds; air conditioning, the sun making the metal on the roof creak, the copiers making their funky sounds even though they're not really on, the bells that still ring over the summer, the occasional car driving up or through, the phone ringing, sometimes a rain storm, the doorbell ringing, the custodian's keys jingling. Just thinking about it makes me want to take a nap!

 

WHAT I'M WEARING

I'm wearing a lot of comfy clothes this summer to work. It has been eerily calm at school. Not a whole lot of people showing up to register or ask questions. So I've been either coming in my comfy LuLaRoe leggings or workout clothes. Most days, anyway. And I love it. What I'm not wearing much of lately is makeup. So anytime someone does come in to the building asks me if I'm feeling ok. #mascaraisamust

 

WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND

This weekend I'm taking the boys to Atlanta to stay with my dad and Sherry! I am praying that sleep comes easy to Finn & Kellan while we're there because our last visit was quite miserable. Not the visit, the nighttimes. We're going to go to a splash pad and park, get smoothies, watch movies, and otherwise just take it easy. Finn is excited to see Baba and Grammy!

 

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH

Next month is my all time favorite month! AUGUST! Back to school, weekend vacation to the beach, my birthday. I'm not necessarily excited about my birthday per se. But the entire month just makes me happy. I'm super excited that I'm going to a Dixie Chicks concert the 2nd weekend in August. It was Pat's gift to me for Valentine's Day (I think?) or maybe Mother's Day. I've always wanted to see them in concert.

 

 

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

 Some personal things I've been going through drives me to post this quote:

It's something I need to be reminded about, but I also want to remind others as well. It's just a good general reminder in life. It's so easy to jump to conclusions and think you understand - making a judgment on someone or their actions without knowing all of the circumstances. I know it hurts to be misjudged. So I'm trying to be more understanding of others.

 

thankful thursday

 

In a time where a lot of what you see and read are devastation, frustration, anger, sadness, fear, stress, and anxiety [the list could go on] sometimes it is hard to change your mindset. You can let yourself be consumed by those negative feelings, or you can give yourself a second to feel that way and then decide to find things you're thankful for. There have been so many things in the news [both real news and facebook news] that make me scared, sad, etc. I feel like I often live thinking what if even though I know that's no way to live. I have to consciously change my mindset after watching/listening to the news or reading my newsfeed on facebook so I'm not consumed by everyone else's negativity. I'm by no means perfect, I have those feelings too. But today, this Thursday, the 30th of June 2016, I'm spending the day being Thankful. Thankful Thursday. Here's what I'm thankful for today:

 

Last night Pat and I went to a fantastic concert, got trapped in the pouring rain, laughed hysterically, and got home really late. Two sweet girls took care of our boys and we knew they were in great hands. We were carefree for a night, and so needed that!

 

I have the hardest working head custodian. I am so thankful for him, his kind heart. I brought him breakfast this morning and told him I appreciated him.

 

I was able to enjoy an amazing California vacation last weekend. Just Magena, Anjani, and me. It was relaxing and rejuvenating, which is what I needed. My travel plans coming home were less than desirable, but I made it home safely to my family - even if it was 24 hours later than planned. I was safe.

 

My mom called me yesterday with the sad news that she and my aunt Paula won't be able to come visit as planned at the end of July. Mom and Auntie are dealing with some health issues where traveling long distance just isn't ideal. I'm thankful that they realize what's best for them is to stay home, so they are not uncomfortable or jeopardizing their safety. I'm thankful that in October, Finn and I are able to travel to Michigan to see them!

 

I'm thankful that in a few weekends, the boys and I are traveling to Georgia to spend time with Baba and Grammy. What I'm really thankful for is the fact that they're good sleepers now [for the most part] so that I feel travel is possible and they won't disrupt their Grandparents during the night.

 

I'm thankful for a supportive husband. Supportive is not a strong enough word to describe him, but his support of me and all aspects of my life enables me to do what I love and be who I need to be.

 

I'm thankful for quiet days in the office over the summer. Organizing, planning, decorating, enjoying music and comfortable clothes. Here are some things I've been getting together:

I've recycled the actual binder and it looks a little water-logged. The actual pages for the Principal Binder are from Teacher Pay Teacher. They have them for APs, Directors and Teachers as well - and they're so cute and affordable [$4.95 for the file download, you just have to print on your own].

Mousepad thanks to Jane.com and notepad thanks to Barnes & Noble.

 

I'm thankful for having Fridays off all summer long. Working four ten-hour days is exhausting [there's a reason I'm not in the fields of work that work more than those hours] BUT I enjoy having Fridays with Finn & Kellan. Tomorrow we're meeting friends for lunch, then going to the pool for the afternoon!

 

I know I could go on and on because there truly is so much for which to be thankful.

What I leave you with today is the encouragement to start each day with a thankful heart. As each foot touches the floor as you climb out of bed, tell yourself what you're thankful for today. You'll be amazed at how your mindset changes!



 

 

 

 

 



catching up

Things that have happened since I last blogged:

• (Almost) successfully threw my husband a surprise 40th birthday party with all of his college buddies
• I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run under 1 hour
• I ran my 5th half marathon in Nashville and didn't meet my goal
• Took 1st overall female at the Teal Diva 5K in Mooresville
• Watched Finn play his first season of T-ball at the YMCA, and the season isn't quite over yet
• Went on a date night to a Knights game
• Gained 5 lbs from stress eating
• Stopped running for several weeks because I don't have time, it's too hot, and I cannot make myself get up before 5:00 am to do it
• Cried (heart-felt) tears in front of my entire staff
• Played human hungry-hungry hippos
• Wrapped up my 2nd year as a principal
• Gone through 3 Stitch Fixes that I (obviously) didn't blog about

There, you're caught up.

Now I'll start blogging again.

north carolina reading conference

A week or so ago, I was lucky enough to attend the NCRA 2016 Reading Conference in Raleigh, NC.

Reasons I consider myself lucky to attend:

• Stay at a fancy hotel and get two solid nights worth of sleep.
• Go out to eat at fabulous restaurants that I don't often get to frequent.
• Socialize with colleagues that I work with in my county, and with colleagues from around the state
• Get free stuff from vendors
• Choose sessions to attend that are important to me and my position
• Breakfast with one of my favorite authors

Can you see where my priorities are? Sleep and food. Then learning. :)

I arrived in Raleigh around 6:30 pm on Sunday night - too late to pick up registration due to the crazy traffic. Checked into the Marriott then headed to my favorite Raleigh restaurant:

When Pat lived in Raleigh and we were doing the "long distance" thing several years ago, this was one of my favorite places we would frequent for meals. Fantastic "Mexican" food - fresh and delicious. Finally for Sunday was staying up super late to watch The Best of Me on Netflix.

OK now to the real reason I went to Raleigh.

Saturday morning was the general session with Tim Shanahan. I've never heard who this guy is and I'm not entirely certain I trust everything he said. And I think everyone around me was kind of doubtful as well. His big preach was that teachers shouldn't be teaching students on their instructional level, but rather their frustrational level. Even up to 2 grade levels above their ability. So we'd teach 3rd graders with 5th grade text. Yeah, I'm not sold. I get high expectations and all the fluff about if we let them know they can, they will. But creating frustration in children is not the way to get them to grow or love to read. So I wasn't impressed, but was glad he clarified you shouldn't be doing this in K-1.

My first chosen breakout session was with Dr. Michael Ford on Guided Reading: What's New & What's Next.

 

This guy was good! He is an author of a ton of books on Guided Reading, which I immediately ordered on Amazon. Don't tell my teachers but I'm thinking of choosing one of his books for our next book study. He gave some realistic suggestions for Guided Reading K-8, with great slides and handouts. He was even funny, he sang to us several times. The only bummer about this session was that he didn't get to the last two pieces of information due to time constraints. I'm glad I bought the book so I can read it for myself.

 

Second breakout session was with Diana Radcliff on ROCKS TO BLOCKS for Constructing Meaning! (the OPERATORS to BUILD written comprehension).

 

I think overall this was the best session I attended. This lady is fighting the fight in real schools and real classrooms TODAY. She gave specific strategies, examples, pictures, anchor charts, handouts, websites, all kinds of stuff that is useful. I'm doing this workshop with my staff first - in less than a week. The best thing is this lady has a blog and website that she keeps updated with resources that are REAL and relevant.

I didn't go to the third breakout session so that I could spend time in the vendor's exhibit hall.

Fourth breakout session was supposed to be on Reading Readiness with Reciprocal Teaching. I was very excited about this session and of course the presenter no-showed. So I popped in next door to "Tame the Shame" in a Reluctant Reader presented by Lauren Buck Johnson.

 

I liked this lady's passion for building readers who believe in themselves. She had a lot of strategies like Donalyn Miller speaks of. I really was applying this to my own kids. Right now they LOVE being read to, and I want to be sure I don't squash that love for reading. I want them to love to read and to make time to read.

The final breakout session was by Jill Jones on Reading Interventions - One Size Doesn't Fit.

 

I did get some good reading intervention take-aways from this session. Mostly I was impressed with the research she had done on interventions and how students learn to read. I think this will be a big one for my teachers. Reading interventions that WORK are a constant struggle to find.

 

At the end of Monday's sessions, all the Lincoln County folks met at the Cheesecake Factory for some food and fellowship. It was a lot of fun to talk with people I work with in another setting other than work. Of course the kale salad, mozzarella basil tomato flatbread, and vanilla bean cheesecake were a lot of fun as well!

 

Headed to bed a little earlier Monday night so I'd be ready for the real reason I came on Tuesday morning. Donalyn Miller held an author's breakfast at 7:45 am. She has written several books, one of which I had most of my staff read last summer: The Book Whisperer. I just appreciate her honesty about teaching and reading and the importance of allowing students to self-select text, give them the time to read alone, talk to them about what they're reading, and suggest books to them based on their interests. I could go on...

 

Here's a picture of us:

 

The breakfast itself wasn't much to write home about - some really runny eggs, spicy potatoes, and bacon (blech). I did enjoy a few cups of coffee though.

 

I saw Donalyn speak this past summer in Concord - with my entire School Improvement Team. Her talk at the breakfast was pretty similar - so I was slightly disappointed. It didn't hold my attention well, since there wasn't really anything new - no new stories or slides or pictures or reading truths. I'm not saying I regret going, but...I guess I just was hoping for something new.

 

 

The first Tuesday breakout session I went to was by Dr. Karen Wood, Delphia Smith, and Joyce Farrow an was entitled: What's New in Literacy Teaching? Strategies for New Age Teaching and Learning.

 

I don't even know what to say about this session. First of all, nothing was "new" - and second of all, they lost me after 3 minutes. Good thing? I got caught up on responding to all of my work email.

 

The second breakout session I was SO EXCITED to go to was by Jen Jones and was called Guided Reading: Making the Most of It. Well, evidently I didn't get there fast enough. By the time I arrived, there was a line out the door and they couldn't allow more people in due to fire code. I decided to pop in next door to a session by Julie McEachin and Cheryle Ferlita called Teachers Want to Know.

 

This session was about providing feedback to teachers after observations. I did learn some effective practises, but since I've completed all of my observations for the year I believe I'll have to wait until next year. I'm always open for better ways to do this and I liked several of their suggestions. I missed the first 15 minutes of this session though so I don't feel like I got the whole picture.

 

The final breakout session was by two teachers: Tya Tyrell and Melissa Haydon and was called Why Write When You Can Blog About Your Reading?

 

I didn't learn a whole lot new in this session. My take-aways were how to introduce blogging to students - the concept of posting and responding to posts, and a few new blog sites that are appropriate for students and convenient for teachers. Blogging is a great way for teachers to hit element IVg in their evaluation and have a solid artifact. It is also a great way to get all students to participate, particularly those that don't often feel comfortable doing so verbally. I was one of those students once!

 

I decided not to stay for the final general session. It was by Steven Layne and was called In Defense of Read-Aloud. I'm already a huge advocate for read-aloud K-5, so I felt like getting a head start on the 3 hour trip home to see my boys was a better idea.

 

 

The five sessions I attended that relate to items in which I felt my teachers might be interested, I planned a teach the teachers workshop for each. Thankfully each presenter was more than willing to send their slideshows to me, along with their hand outs so that I can share my new-ish knowledge with any of my staff who are interested.

 

I really did enjoy this Raleigh reading jaunt and hope to go maybe every other year - depending on who the guest speakers are. I'd love to be able to send teachers as well, but it is an expensive trip with the registration, gas, food, and lodging.

Guess what arrives tomorrow? My STITCH FIX BOX!!! Woot woot!
Look for another blog post this week.

 

five on friday

<ONE>

This has been quite the week. I won't rehash the drama of it all,

but this pretty much summarizes the week and how I feel:

I'm fairly certain all I have scheduled this weekend is a

birthday party for Finn's friend. Other than that...blanket fort. Coloring.

<TWO>

You know those super fast food videos people post on Facebook now?

I love those. I watch every single one, even if it is a meat dish (which

I don't eat and would never make).  We tried our first one this week. By

"we", I mean "Pat". It was chicken spaghetti, and it was completely

amazing. And it was just as easy as the super fast video made it

seem, it just wasn't as super fast. Click HERE for a link to the

recipe. The only thing we changed is the cream of mushroom soup.

Mushrooms are disgusting. So we used cream of chicken.

<THREE>

This is the first season of The Bachelor where I don't have a favorite.

That's a good thing though. I like all the girls that remain, very much.

I feel bad for Ben with putting up with JoJo's brothers. I don't think

he brainwashed anyone. I loved Lauren's family and thought it was

hilarious the conversation he had with her littler brothers. I think

Caila is very sweet, and felt her family was the most genuine. I'm

super impressed Ben didn't keep one of the "villains" around until the

very end. Although there's not that desperation in watching the

final episode to hope and pray he chooses the nice girl...I feel like

I can watch with less anxiety. Yes, The Bachelor finale always gives

me some sort of anxiety.

<FOUR>

I'm becoming more and more convinced I have some sort of outdoor allergy.

After a run, I relentlessly sneeze and cough. I've also had a few times where

my face began to swell. I have no history of allergies, so this is so bizarre.

It is 5:02 pm and I finished my run at 3:55 pm. I'm still sneezing and my eyes

haven't stopped watering.

<FIVE>

Next weekend is the big Spring Mini Session weekend. I'm in need of something

old like this:

Or really just anything old I can use for the farmer's market stage.

I'd ideally like a very old truck, but that may be too complex.

Anyone? Anyone? I'm willing to trade for free pictures.

Have a great weekend!

leaving loft

As most people know, teachers don't typically only teach. There are a million other things they do in a day at school for children - counsel, nurse, encourage, etc. But before and/or after school, many teachers work other jobs to make ends meet, to pay for their kids who are in college, or even to pay for the supplies they need to teach that aren't in the school's budget to provide.

As a teacher I worked at a golf course for years to supplement my income. After leaving the golf course I started doing photography on the side. I still do photography even as an administrator in order to be sure to provide a comfortable life for my boys.

One local teacher I have known for a few years began working at Ann Taylor Loft this year. She has two in college, and needed something to a) pay tuition bills and b) keep her mind off the fact that she's essentially become an empty-nester. I intially was so envious of her second job. Loft? I mean, I've shopped there for YEARS both for work and casual outfits. I have a Loft card that almost always carried a balance because as soon as I would pay it off I'd charge it up (never really more than $300 though).

This teacher was always coming to work in Loft's cutest new outfits. Obviously she was getting an amazing employee discount. I could go on about all the great ways the company provided for their employees so they could dress the part at work. This teacher worked a few days a week and on weekends and thoroughly enjoyed what she referred to as "mindless" work - meaning you pretty much folded and put back clothes, and rang people up. And some minor cleaning at close. I enjoyed bringing Kellan in to the store (Birkdale location) to visit with this teacher while I shopped. I think I probably shopped there more when she was working just to have someone to say "hi" to when I was there.

Several months ago, the teacher came to me asking for advice. The day before at Loft-Birkdale, the staff was told by the main/head manager that they had not met quota for credit card enrollment for the year. You know, they ask if you want to open a credit card at checkout? I understand how important opening credit cards are to companies like this as a majority of their sales come from credit charges. I get it. It annoys the snot out of me to be repeatedly asked, BUT. I get it.

The manager decided to solve the problem by creating a poster with each employee's name on it for all to see. And for every shift you neglect to get someone to sign up for a credit card, you have to put a BIG RED X beside your name. For everyone to see. Public shaming.

These are adults that work at this store.

We don't even publicly shame children in schools when they make mistakes!

Can you tell I was outraged? Loft Birkdale is one of my favorite places to shop. I was so disappointed that they would attempt to resolve this "problem" in this public way. In my experience, it is never successful to demand improvement from a human being by embarrassing them. If it's a certain individual, pull them to the side and share strategies for ways they can improve. Or, provide positive reinforcement: whoever gets the MOST credit card applications each month gets a gift card to a local restaurant, or a free cami, or a few hours paid leave.

The more I thought about this, the more it infuriated me. Here I am, spending a good amount of money supporting this company who allows managers to treat employees like three year olds. After a few weeks, one evening the teacher was asked to place a red X by her name. To shorten the story, that night she ended up leaving Loft. Good for her.

Although I am sure she is over it by now, I'm not. I went back and forth with the home office. All I wanted to know was, is this a practice only at Birkdale or is it common place in every Loft store. After several days of correspondence, all I got is the repeated "While we can not share any internal company guidelines with respect to the management and implementation of the rewards program with our associates please know your concerns regarding what you've heard from your local store will be shared with the proper field partners for review."

All I wanted to hear was that it was isolated. Then I would've just stopped shopping at Birkdale's Loft. I would've shopped at Northlake's Loft. But I couldn't get them to say so. Pretty much what I inferred was Lady, we're not telling you our dirty secrets. Get over it. We don't care about you as a customer enough to really answer your question.

So. I paid off my Loft card (had a balance of $34.51) and cancelled it.
Literally have not set foot in a Loft or Ann Taylor for MONTHS.
I feel ridiculous saying it felt like a bad break up. I miss Loft.
But I refuse to support a company that is ok with public shaming.

So now I'm at GAP.

And I've always been at Stitch Fix.

And most recently I've developed an addiction to LuLaRoe.

Said teacher has just begun her business with LuLaRoe with another teacher. If you're interested in learning more about it, let me know and I'll add you to their FaceBook group.

Loft,

It's been real.

I've moved on.

I hope you learned something from our break-up.

I hope you make some changes.

Farewell,

5 on friday

<ONE>
Winter is finally here in North Carolina. Here's my view as I drink my coffee this morning:

I'm not a huge fan of snow. It's pretty the first time it sticks, but after that I'm done. So I'm enjoying the beauty of it today, and enjoying a day at home with my sweet boys. They both slept until 6:30 so that was a nice treat! Finn has been asking since the second he woke up when he can go outside to build a snowman. This is why I dislike snow. I'd rather enjoy it from the inside. We bought him snow boots for Christmas, so I really have no excuse. I told him we had to wait until Kellan's morning nap. I have about 2 more hours before I have to endure the cold with him! I'm hoping this snow day allows me some time to cuddle with the boys, catch up on blogging, finish editing last weekend's photo sessions, and maybe even watch a movie.

<TWO>

On Wednesday 2 weeks ago, we did our 2nd annual "Stuck for a Buck" fundraiser at school. The idea is you pay $1 for 1 foot of duct tape to tape a staff member to the wall. Three teachers and both administrators participated and we raised $1,174! Last year we made around $1,015. Our goal was just to beat last year's amount and we obviously did with flying colors. We also changed the way we did things this year. Last year we were taped up for 3 hours during the lunch periods. This year we broke it down by hallway for 30-45 minutes at a time. Much less physically painful. Here is a photo from the event:

<THREE>

On Sunday, I am lucky enough to be able to go to the Panthers vs. Cardinals game. Going to the game before the Super Bowl is kind of a once in a lifetime, especially when you're expecting your home team to be in the BIG GAME. It'll probably be frigid and wet, but I'm going to be tough ;) It has been such an exciting season, so I'm anticipating seeing our cats eat those birds! If you see me Monday morning and I'm barely able to keep my eyes open, this is why.

<FOUR>
On Wednesday this past week, our school and another neighboring school were lucky enough to see The Trauma Fighter speak. It was one of those things that lands at the perfect time in your life, when you need to be reminded of the fact that everyone is battling something in their life you know nothing about. This guy is a local kid who grew up in poverty and abuse, experiencing death and disability. He talk about his experiences in school and what his teachers and fellow students did to help and hurt him along the way. It was a good reminder that the "tough" kid in your class most likely is battling a trauma in one form or another. Be sensitive to it. Try to listen, to understand. This guy was my Keith from my first year of teaching. He challenged me in every way possible. Keith made me want to quit my job some days. I knew what he was going through at home so I tried to love him through his tantrums, his cussing fits, his middle fingers, his running away, his blatant disregard for authority, his lying. But at the end of the year, Keith was the student I had the hardest time saying goodbye to. And I wonder every day if he is ok, if he made it in life. It is this type of student that I remember most from year to year. I hope that I made a difference in his life.

<FIVE>
I'm signed up for the Nashville Half at the end of April, and training for it will begin in a few weeks. I'm already ahead because I've been doing 6 mile runs pretty much every weekend to maintain some distance. I've also decided to sign up for the Detroit Half in October and will be doing the International Half - which runs through the US and Canada. My BFF from high school, Jackie, and I will run it together. Finn is going to fly home with me for the extended weekend. He and I are both SO excited!!!

birchbox

Christmases are more about the kids nowadays that getting gifts myself. Pat and I stuff stockings for each other, but give nothing under the tree other than to the kids. Of course, you read earlier that I gifted myself a Stitch Fix box - but that's beside the point. One unexpected gift this Christmas was a year-long Birchbox subscription! It's very similar in concept to Stitch Fix, yet very different.

I'll let you read about the experience and figure the rest out for yourself ;)

My first box came and fit snugly in our mailbox:

I knew ahead of time from filling out the survey about myself that the box if filled with samples - so I'm not sure why I was surprised at the small size of the box.

Once opened, inside is another box. And I think I fell in love just with the actual box itself:

Inside was a book of stickers you could choose from the fill in the blank. The word I cam up with on my own was "energy", but then I put ALL the stickers all over the box because the words they came up with were equally as important.

Once the inner box was opened, you see this gloriousness:

...and a card looking like this...

...which would equate to Stitch Fix's style card. Kind of.

Unlike Stitch Fix, I don't go sample every product immediately. For example, one of the products is to be used on wet hair, so I waited until the next morning. Another is a sunscreen...which I probably won't try until Spring Break or even this summer. The eyeshadow stick I didn't try until I had an outfit that would match it.

Here are my thoughts:

amika - bombshell blowout spray - full size $24

This is the one you put on wet hair, starting at the roots and then spraying to the ends. Blow out your hair and POOF, it instantly volumizes and smoothes...well, not really. I could tell there was a slight amount of added volume. I am using it every day just to use it, and don't necessarily deem it $24 worthy. But it smells good!

Cargo - Swimmables Shadow Stick - Sunkissed - Full Size Trio $22

Waterproof and smudge proof eyeshadow/liner...I was a tad confused. It's huge, like the tip of the pencil is too wide to really be a liner in my opinion. Nor would I line my eyes in bronze. But to use it as an eyeshadow made me look a little crazy. It's more of a color you'd wear to bronze your face I think. Perhaps if it were in a typical eye shadow color I use I might like it? I don't know. I used it once and probably won't again.

Supergoop - Daily Correct SPF 40 CC Cream Fair/Light - Full Size $32

I know it says "daily" but my facial regimen already has SPF in it. So I'm thinking I probably won't try this until I'm at the beach this summer. I don't want to waste it during the winter, especially when I am indoors most of the day. But I'm not sold on spending $32 on sunscreen for my face either.

Vasanti - BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator - Full Size $34

So this is kind of like a Microderm product I think. A mask/scrub type thing. I already use something similar, and I like what I use. But I tried it and it smells nice and seems to "work" - I think I'd prefer it to be slightly thicker. Probably won't buy full size, but will definitely use the sample until it's gone.

Lastly,

Whish - Three Whishes Body Butter - Almond - Full Size $24

I LOVE THIS! It smells amazing, is the perfect thickness, and truly leaves my skin feeling buttery. I've been using Arbonne's hand cream for several years, and pay a good amount for it. I can't stand to have dry hands, and have always had a hard time keeping them from cracking in the winter. This body butter is a must-buy and will be replacing Arbonne's hand cream ONLY because of the smell - and maybe it's a few dollars cheaper :)

So after this super exciting box #1 experience, the very next day, box #2 arrives - I think they had a mix-up and were supposed to send one in December and another in January. They just happened to come on back to back days.

Next box:

I'm in love with their boxes! I'm going to keep them and use them to wrap presents.

Actually I think this box was supposed to be my December box because it showed that I'd been gifted the subscription and gave me a $10 gift certificate to use in their store.

Exciting :)

This box was slightly more successful for me.

Dr. Lipp - Miracle Balm - Full Size $17

Everyone in my family is dealing with chapped lips right now. Cold. Wind. Winter. I used this for the first time today - and it stayed on really well for a long time. Most of the time lip balms seem to "disappear" from my lips quickly. I felt like I didn't need to reapply this more than 3 times in one day. I'll want to completely use the tube before I decide to spend $17 on a full size balm. Which I can't imagine would be much bigger than this? It's good stuff though.

Eyeko - Fat Liquid Eyeliner - Full Size $16

If you know me, you know I'm a big fan of mascara. I've always used eyeliner pencils. Never tried liquid liner because I don't have the steadiest of hands and thought it would be a disaster. I tried this for the first time this morning getting ready for church. It was AH-MAY-ZING! Easy to apply, instant perfection. I'm buying it immediately.

Juliette Has a Gun - Not a Perfume - Full Size $90-$120

I'm sorry. Are you kidding me? $90-$120 for this? The smell was horrible.

Number 4 - Fluoro5 Elixer Restore & Repair Oil - Full Size $26

I tried this this morning instead of the other spray from the first box. Its purpose is "amazing shine". It definitely gives amazing shine without an oily look. However shine isn't important enough to me to spend $26. I'll probably still use the sample until it's done. If I bought a product like this it'd be the spray from box 1 because I think it made my hair shiny as well as slight volume.

Soap & Paper Factory - Shea Butter Hand Cream - Green Tea - Full Size $18

I'm glad I had another hand lotion to compare to the body butter from box 1. Really the only difference is I like the body butter's smell better (Almond). This one is still thick and leaves your skin  soft. Depends on which smell you prefer. Well, that and the body butter is $6 more. I'm still getting the body butter.

SO........

You can go online and review the products. For every review you get 10 points. For every 50 points, you get $5 credit to spend toward product. Reviewing all 10 products in these boxes gave me $10, then I had $10 from the gift car included in this box. So that's $20 toward the body butter and liquid liner that I can't live without. Pretty good! That means I'll pay a total of $20 for both full size products, which I think is a pretty sweet deal.

There is a way to gain referrals and earn 50 points (I get 50 points and you get 50 points) BUT you can't just click on a referral link like Stitch Fix. I have to send you an email with a referral and you only have 2 days to order a box in order for both of us to get the points. So whenever you're ready to try it, let me know and I'll send you a referral link.

And just so you know, I'm not a huge product junkie. If you are, this would be HUGELY ADDICTING. And for me not being a product junkie, this is just another fun box to look forward to every month...whether I like the product or not!

I'm so new to this I don't even know how much it costs to buy a box. I guess if you want to try it, you'll find out.