Goodies

Nothing makes me more excited than coming home to find UPS deliveries :)  Maybe having 3!!!  I almost feel like it's wedding time again :)

My excitement was almost dampened by James seeing all of them when we arrived home from Florida... I got the "why did they get delivered when we were out of town?" talk followed by the "why did you need to order three packages?" talk.  Tell me I need to clean my car & I'll start seeing my dad's face.  Obviously I need better planning next time.  Challenge accepted.

Birchbox !!!
Love me some Birchbox.  This month was themed "little tweaks" to living healthy.  I think my favorite part was a 6 month subscription to Women's Health magazine!  And I'm super excited about the eye cream, for some reason (who am I kidding? let's blame my big veins & thin eye lids) I am having bad dark circles & my favorite Kate Sommerville is on E.  This one is StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate & it's half an ounce.  On the downside, I didn't realize I had to worry about anti-aging hair care products!!!  Now I guess I do after receiving Nexxus Youth Renewal anti-aging elixir.  I can't have old looking hair!!!

Sephora !!
I have been dying to try Wen forever (especially after watching the infomercial James mocked me for recording) and had heard bad things about ordering online (like they sign you up for automatic refills, no thank you) and was excited when I realized Sephora sells it!  Furthering my quest for the perfect dry shampoo I decided to also try Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo.  It got awesome reviews.  I really wanted the Southern Belle Volume mousse because the name was fabulous, but it didn't get good reviews.  Sad day!  I also got some samples I'm excited about, more from Drybar, Origins, Bumble & Bumble.

Silver Superstore !!
I have been dying to get some more things monogrammed around here, when I was drowned by Southern Living's pinterest, magazine, blog, etc. everything Derby I realized that silver mint julep cups were the perfect hand-me-down item to monogram!!!  It is also very difficult to photograph a silver monogrammed cup.  Sigh.

New Stationery

I just love love love getting new things in the mail!  Call me old fashioned but something pretty via snail mail will always have a special place in my heart :)

During a recent office organization I realized my stationery box was dangerously depleted!  Understandable given wedding took over the last year and a half of my life.  I was only buying thank you cards!

The cards I added to my collection are from Ashley Brook Designs!  I love everything she does!!!

I hear a lot of ladies wishing they could be better about sending cards, the answer is simpler than you think.  They key to incorporating any new habit in your life is proximity.  If you want to eat healthy but stock no food in your fridge, you'll be heading to Chick-fil-a way more often than if you have a fridge stocked with veggies.  If you want to send cards keep some around the house!

My stationery collection is in a Library Office Storage Box from Container Store (plum of course!), it includes various cards, my favorite pen, stamps & address labels.  When I want to send a card it takes less than 5 minutes to open the box, write the card & get it ready to mail.   Right now I have the free tacky address labels from some non-profit, I have been meaning to update my monogram return address stamp with my new initials! :)

If you're new to creating a stationery collection I would suggest buying a box with lots of different cards inside.  I love this Kate Spade All Occasion Note Cards Gift Set from Papyrus ($35).   It comes with Congratulations, Happy Birthday, Get Well Soon, Hello & Thank You.  This would be perfect to keep on your desk, when the occasion arises it only takes a few minutes to write a quick note.

Or if you'd prefer to create it gradually many stores sell boxes of cards, like this cute Animal Print Boxed Thank You Cards from Target ($6).   Each time you go to Target you could grab one set of cards to gradually add to your collection.

If you are super crafty like my dear friend Elizabeth you can make your own cards!  Directions not found on this blog!!!  :)

Probably the most cost effective way is to buy a box of blank cards, then you can write any message you would like inside.  Café Chairs Note by Crane ($19).

For personalized notes there are great options from Etsy (very reasonable) or a stationery store, just depends on how much you'd like to spend.  Monogrammed Personalized Stationery Cards on Etsy ($18) or Personal Stationery Set also on Etsy ($15).

Another easy strategy (although more expensive) is to pick out cards for each individual occasion.  Or if you have specific people you want to buy an individualized car for this works well too.  When I am in Target, CVS, or the grocery store I always stop by the card aisle for a minute to ask myself two questions:
1)  What holidays are they featuring?
2)  Who's birthday is coming up in the next month?

Right now in Target I see St. Patricks Day, Easter Cards, my Dad's birthday is in March & the V-Day cards are on sale!  I will look through & pick an Easter card for my parents, a birthday card for my Dad & the formerly expensive Papryrus V-Day card with the hot sauce bottle on the front for next year :)  I will go home & add these to the stationery box.  When it is a few days until Dad's birthday I don't have to make a special trip to the store, I have his card already in my stationery box.

If you'd like tips for how to write thank you notes (I am forced to write this on a post it every time James needs to write a thank you) here is a great article from Southern Living (who else?) How to Write a Charming Thank You Note.

Celebratory Coupons

One of my favorite Birthday traditions is spending the coupon that Anthropologie sends :)  Although their clothes are rarely my style I love a lot of their house & home items.  The books this year are fabulous!!!  Here are some of my top choices...

1. Foiled Dot Napkins
2. Eiffel Tower Ring Dish
3. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide
4. Fleur De Lys Teapot
5. 100 Years of Fashion
6. Tall Mercury Glass Jar
7. Monogram Keychain
8. French Flair: Modern Vintage Interiors
9. Hobnob Parlor Smoke Hurricane & Parlor Smoke Hurricane

So many fun options!!!  What to choose??? 

Santa Baby

Here are the gifts topping my Christmas wish list!!!  Especially after James surprised me with a fab jewelry box I need to fill it up! :)

1.  Tall Wellington Boot by Hunter in Aubergine

2.  Crystal Stud Big Pink Earrings from Etsy

3.  Personalized Stationery from Etsy

4.  Monogrammed Necklace from Etsy

5.  Louis Vuitton Cosmetic Pouch in Damier Azur

So my love of Etsy dominated my Christmas list this year.  I doubt I'll see any of these lovelies as James asked me a few weeks ago very confused, "So... are any of your presents actually in a store?"   My bet's on the wellies :)  I wonder how James is adjusting to married life, I took him to a *store* (Nordstrom) to see them in person & when the sales associate explained he just had to get the sock liners his face was priceless :)