June Birchbox

Another month, another Birchbox!  This month was full of lovely samples fulfilling a travel theme.

My surprises included:

• Stretch Mark Cream by Apothederm.
• Hand Sanitizing Wipes by CleanWell
• Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF by Scalisi Skincare
• Stainiac (lip and cheek stain) by theBalm cosmetics
• plus Dress Up Band-Aids by Cynthia Rowley (not pictured, I took the box to work before I took the picture)

So far, my favorites are the moisturizer and the cheek/lip stain.  Its too bad the moisturizer is so pricey, but then the really good ones usually are.  Want to see more boxes?  Check out these: May, April, March, February, and January.

Memorial Day

We took a quick trip to my parents house for Memorial Day.  With our hectic work schedules, we realized it would be a month or more before we could enjoy a whole weekend, so we decided to squeeze in a visit now.

As an impromptu visit, we didn't have much planned.  No plan often equals lazy time around the house, which usually isn't a bad thing.  We did make time to take the kiddos to a playground.  It. was. hot.  But I did get a few pictures.

Aren't these two adorable?

Queen City

Last week, we took a much needed vacation.  I had lofty goals of photo documentation, but I fell flat on my face.  I didn't take a single picture.  Nevertheless, I had loads of fun and feel well rested.  Even if I can't prove it.

We started off by driving my kiddos to my parents house three hours away.  My brother and sister-in-law were to meet us there.  Hubby and I left the kids in in their care while we drove on to Charlotte.  We had booked a hotel for two! nights.  I had dreams of lounging in bed and ordering room service.  Basically, I wanted to be lazy.  Did I mention we were also celebrating our anniversary?  (seven)  Hubby wouldn't let me book the Ritz-Carlton so he found a room in a Hilton.  One freeway exit away from Ikea.  That's right, the highlight of our anniversary vacation was a trip to Ikea.

This was our first trip to Ikea together.  While we really didn't need anything, we did set a cash budget ahead of time in case we found something we were unable to live with out.  Like most people, we have a list of furniture items we are on the lookout for.  Ours includes a desk chair, coffee table and end/occasional table.  I also wanted another Rens sheepskin.

I'm not really sure how much time was spent at Ikea.  Maybe two hours.  We browsed to our hearts content in the showroom, picked apart the living room organization centers, lusted after the kitchens, and found a desk chair!  (luckily, it was intended as a dining room chair and therefore not ugly)  Then, we took a break for meatballs and chocolate cake.  Yum.  Of course the downstairs received its fair share of attention.  I picked up my sheepskin and two clothes drawer organizers.  We shall see if the Princess will leave them in her dresser.  I also picked up two junior chairs for the kiddos.  They are white molded plastic and much easier to wipe clean than our existing wood dining chairs.  We even came in under budget!

After Ikea, we browsed an outlet mall.  Its floor and paint job made my eyes bleed, but we got more exercise so I guess it was worth it.  Another highlight was the two hour nap I got to take on our king size bed.  Delicious sleep.  And afterwards, a romantic dinner in a trendy sushi restaurant.  We haven't been out for sushi since we moved to the beach!  Isn't that ridiculous?  We were waaay over due.

Hmm...what else am I missing?  We made a trip to West Elm our first night.  It. Was. Awesome.  Except for the part about Hubby saying their furniture doesn't match my design style in our house.  He missed the point of me wanting to replace MY furniture with THEIR furniture.  I did get a few decor items, two small clocks (silver and green), a beautiful cereal bowl to hold my jewelry, and a lovely mug with a heart on it.  And we bought a rice cooker from Target.  I guess you  could say we are no longer newlyweds.

Oh?  And the kids?  They spent three days of bliss with Grandma.  And by bliss, I mean Princess doesn't like dogs and Grandma has one, and my brother brought his, so Princess spent three days in tears with her hands over her ears.  We thought she would warm up to them.  Apparently not.  This means I've already blown my Mother of the Year award and its only January.  Plus, there goes Hubby's plans to get a dog for his birthday.  Darn.

What did you do last weekend?  Anyone else terrified of dogs or used to be and can tell me the secret of how to get over it?

So we had to come home

Tuesday morning we planned on leaving early, after all we had 6 hours of driving to do.  Before we left, I wanted to take pictures of the resort grounds.  It was a chilly morning, but it wasn't raining and the sun had peaked through the mountains. 

Here is a view from our balcony:

After breakfast we walked to Chetola Lake.  We stood in the boathouse to take these pictures.

Do you see who is coming to visit it us?

These guys came to say hello!  Actually, I think they were expecting a snack and I let them down.  I apologized, but the as soon as they realized I didn't have the goods, this is what I saw:

The punks left me as quickly as they came.  Swans are only in it for the food, just so you know.

We walked toward the gazebo, but it was windy and slippery and wet and COLD.

One last shot of the lake.

Can you imagine what this place must look like in the fall?  Or the spring?  I thought it was beautiful with rain and fog and overall icky weather.

Hubby and I had a wonderful time away, even if the majority of our time was spent watching cable, playing on the iPad and taking naps.  And I learned something; while I enjoy the mountains and find the scenery breathtaking, I don't like the cold.  It didn't even snow.  I'm definitely a beach and warm weather girl.  Nothing like a vacation to make you happy about going home!

I'll leave you with a few pictures of the drive down the mountains:

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Monday was a whole lotta this:

Via

Seriously.  the. whole. day.  And not misty rain or a nice drizzle.  Pouring rain.   Picture me on the couch.  With Hubby on another couch.  We took turns with the iPad and the TV.  Guess what I watched?  Finally, about 3pm we decided to go out for food.  

After our late lunch, we decided to hit up the mall again.  And here is the excitement of the day: we drove through standing water.  A LOT.  We were in the middle of it with cars behind us before we realized how deep it was.  We had no choice but to keep going.  We made it, but already saw one car stalled.  So of course, we chose to go in the mall anyway.  Forty minutes later, we decided to head home.  Luckily, the mall also has a back entrance.  We found it by following the UPS truck.  By the time we left, the police had blocked off the front entrance and four other cars were flooded.  Two of them were probably mall employees who just parked far away.  The other two where small cars that got stalled and were stuck in the rising water.  Here I am complaining it rained all day on my vacation; at least my car didn't get flooded. 

What's your favorite vacation memory?  Seeing cars flooded isn't going to leave my mind anytime soon.  Although my favorite one from this vacation has to do with a jacuzzi.  Our condo had a small room with large jacuzzi tub.  I thought it would be nice to add a bit of bubble bath to the water.  Hubs contested I "wasn't allowed".  My retort, "there is no sign posted".  When I sat in the tub, the bubbles came over my head.  I could have drowned in bubbles!  I found it hilarious.  My hubby was not amused.

Leaving town, part 2

Our destination was Blowing Rock.  Hub's family has been going there every year since he was little, specifically, Chetola Resort.  It's a lovely resort in the mountains.  Hubby has childhood memories of family vacations here and I'm glad I had the chance to have a glimpse of them.

We arrived Saturday night.  A two hour drive turned into three as an accident had the interstate shut down and we had to navigate the back roads of North Carolina.  That put us rolling into the resort just before sunset.  We decided to take it easy that night and our only excitement was going to the grocery store.  We watched lots of cable TV before heading to bed.  I got to watch HGTV, so I consider that a vacation.

The next morning, we forced ourselves to sleep in.  It was actually hard.  I woke at 6 and 8am.  And 9 and 9:30.  Why is it that I can't sleep on the one day my children are in care of someone else?  Anyway, we decided to roll out of bed and check out the town of Blowing Rock.

The town is small and lovely.  It was a bit chilly because of the wind, but we walked the main street anyway.  Only a handful of shops were open.  I guess it really isn't tourist season.  There were numerous art galleries, gift shops, eateries, and such.  I had already been warned they are a bit pricey.  Hubs and I decided to try our hand at the outlets.  We had a bit of luck there finding a hat for Princess and some boots for Handsome.  And of course, fudge.  Then we drove down to Boone.

Boone is about 10 minutes down the mountain from Blowing Rock.  It is home to Appalachian State University.  I learned Hubby actually considered going to college there; I'm glad he didn't.  We walked around downtown before heading to the mall.  By this point I was starving.  We ate at Panera.  I really miss that place.  We don't have one close to us.  With full tummies and sore feet, we headed home.  More HGTV followed and lamenting where to go for dinner.  You will have to forgive me.  I'm not very good at going on vacation.  I didn't take any pictures, we did all the shopping in one afternoon, and my excitement it catching up on HouseHunters.  Plus, we only ate at chains.  Outback was dinner.  I promise more pictures next time.

So I went out of town..

Good Morning!  I missed you!  It feels good to be home in my house; although that's not to say I didn't enjoy our mini-vacation.  I get to kick start my week back to the grind with a few overnights, so posting might be a bit rocky for the next few days.  Anyhoo, I'll try to load you up with a good post today.

Friday night we planned to high-tail it out-of-town to make the four hour trek to Mimi and Papa's house.  We wanted to leave promptly after I got off work.  Two hours later, we drove thru Burger King and hit the road.  We drove straight to a Chik-fil-a.  Hubby's bro was the live music for their Friday night.  Our Chik-fil-a's aren't that classy.  The kiddo's enjoyed Ice Dream and the play-land.  Sorry, no pics.  I was struggling to keep my eyes open.

The next morning, we hung out with the in-laws until lunchtime.  We ate at a fabulous Italian eatery called Elizabeth's.  It is extra fabulous because you can call your order in ahead of time.  Then show up 30 minutes later, sit down, and they bring your hot food right out.  Talk about heaven when you have a two and three year old.  Plus, the food is yummy and I'm already dreaming about the next plate of chicken parmesan.  After lunch, Hubs and I said our good-byes to the kiddos and drove West. 

This weekend is National Pick Your Christmas Tree Weekend.  Did you know that?  Ok, maybe they just celebrate it in North Carolina.  Every other car had a tree tied to its top.  Many had two trees.  Some pick-ups had their bed full.  Seriously.  I wish I thought to get a picture.  I wish we hadn't already bought our Christmas Tree at Lowes.  Wanna see a picture of a Christmas Tree farm?

Yes, I snapped this as the car was moving.  Hubby wouldn't stop.

Love the dotted rows.

The hillside is COVERED.  Amazing.

This isn't just one tree farm.  There were several.  I think we were the only one's who didn't buy a tree that weekend.  We saw a guy at the Food Lion that night with, get this, FIVE trees tied to the top of his suburban.  Hubs and I declared him the tree winner.  Seriously, five trees.  And he stopped at Food Lion before heading home.  He must not have an antsy family waiting to decorate those five trees.

How do you obtain your Christmas tree?  I already mentioned we purchased ours from Lowes. (hey, they were next to Target and I really didn't want look too hard.  don't judge)  We've always had a live tree since we've been married, but never gone to a Christmas Tree Farm.  What's your family tradition?

Down Time

Warning: long weekend ahead.  My family and I are going to enjoy some much need time away.  I'm looking forward to a quiet escape with hubby while the kiddos get spoiled by Mimi.  Everyone needs some time away now and then.  Needless to say, I won't be posting while we're gone.  Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!