Southern Blondie: July 2013

My (first) July Birchbox!

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So... I am a little late to the Birchbox craze ... but at least I am here! After having lots of friends do it, I thought I should do it, too. Since I am a girly girl and love all things makeup, hair products, etc., why not do this?


I could not have been more excited when I finally got my box! 


The first thing I pulled out was the Icon INDIA hair oil. 

Description from Birchbox: 

A special blend of argan, moringa, and other oils repair and strengthen damaged hair, restoring its natural softness and shine.

I haven't tried it just yet, but I plan to tomorrow morning!


I'm not a huge lotion in packets fan, but these do look interesting...

Description from Birchbox: 

Caldrea focuses on plant-based botanical ingredients that you can feel good about applying to your body. Rice bran, a staple in Japanese skincare, stimulates collagen to increase elasticity and hydration. Nourishing chia seed oil optimizes skin health. Plus, Caldrea products are vegan and free of phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, and artificial colors.

I'm going to throw this in my makeup bag for those days that I am out and about and need a little lotion. 



Because I sometimes have eczema, I do like this. 

Description from Birchbox: 

This derm-developed formula provides prescription-quality relief for eczema and redness, as well as for garden-variety (but still frustrating) dry skin. The deceptively light formula replaces lost ceramides, boosting skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. In addition, a special blend of skin-repairing ingredients like folic acid prevent cell DNA damage and protect from pollution, UV exposure, and irritation.

I did try it last night and it's very smooth. Seems to also work nicely. 


(Sorry this pic is so blurry!) 

Who doesn't love a colorful lip?

Description from Birchbox:

The concentrated, vitamin-rich formula heals dryness while coating lips in long-lasting color. There are two trio options to choose from: the Neutrals trio features Get Naked, a classic nude; Kitty, a soft baby pink; and Dusk Till Dawn, a deep nude with beige undertones; while the Classics collection has Peony, a hot pink; Red Velvet, a snappy red with hits of pink; and Disco Fever, a flirty coral.


Then last but not least... bobby pins! 

Overall I am very excited for the first Birchbox. So excited I can't wait for August to receive another one!

If you haven't signed up yet, check it out here. 
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EcoTools Makeup Brushes Winner Announced!

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Congrats to Sara D for winning the EcoTools Makeup Brush set! 

I will be sending you an email soon about your prize. 

Congrats! 
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Best Pieces at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

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While in New York last week for work, we had free time on Thursday night after we got done with our event to do a little sightseeing. Luckily for me, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) was open until 8 p.m. Since we didn't get done with work until around 6, we still had plenty of time to hop over to see it. 

I had never been to the MoMA in my handful of trips to NYC. I had always wanted to go and was literally jumping up and down when I realized that it stayed open late for summer hours. Sometimes even my luck amazes me. 

The MoMA has all types of exhibits... sculptures, contemporary art, abstract pieces, photography and paintings. Though I am not at art expert by any means, photography and paintings have always, always been my favorite.   


Hey MoMA! 


If only I had a video of HOW excited I was to actually visit. I have this nerdy love for museums. 
(I'm trying to plan a trip to Dallas to visit the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science!)


EL ANATSUI 
This piece is actually made out of bottle caps. I loved this piece for some reason. Again, I am NO art expert, but when you like something, you like it. Here is a brief description that they had to offer about this piece: 

"This shimmering sheet is composted of liquor-bottle caps and seals discarded by Nigerian disterllieries. Ansatsui and his assistants have flattened, folded, and carefully linked the pieces together with copper wire, creating a simple repetition of forms on a grand scale.

For Anatsui, bottle caps represent "the material which was there at the beginning of the contact between two continents" 


Sometimes life gets crazy. Now, I don't have the 'name' of this piece, but it kind of makes me feel about what your past looks like. Again, no art expert, but I like to imagine things and this is what I imagine. 

To me this piece looks like a past. THe memory of things on top of each other, some memories very visual and full, while others are just glimpses. 

This piece probably has nothing to do with that... but a girl can makeup her own story. 


Now, this piece is actually how I feel most days. I see a person with two hands trying to get a lot done. There are obstacles, people, life, feelings, and everything else going on. 

Again, just imagining. 


I had always had a bit of a like for Andy Warhol, but I feel like now he might be my person. He is known for his pop art pieces that I think are so much fun. It's not too serious (to me), but it's a lot of fun to see and be around. 

Plus, what blonde doesn't like a good Marilyn piece?



You can actually get lost looking at this piece. To think that this can be done by anyone is incorrect. (I am only saying that because I heard an art expert say that.) She discussed that for a piece like this it actually takes time and planning. To make the colors even, to layer, and to describe the feeling, it takes an experience artist. 

Now, I know the art expert lady was probably very right, but there is something interesting about this piece. I stood in front of it for a while just starring at it. What do you think this conveys? 




I had the best seat of house for this piece. Sometimes you have to just stare at art to really appreciate it. 

Plus, I like the color red. 


This another piece of Warhol. Kind of makes you want soup, huh? 

That's my non-expert art opinion about the best pieces I saw at the MoMA. Though I may be just a art looker, I do have an appreciation for people who can create and vision and then make it happen. 

Happy Thursday! 
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Giveaway! EcoTools Makeup Brushes

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Last week while traveling for work, I received these EcoTools makeup brushes. Since I love makeup brushes, makeup, things that are girly, and things that are good for the Earth, I was ecstatic. The first thing I did when I received them was open them up immediately (after I took the picture of course)! 

EcoTools are cool for so many reasons... The brushes are made of bamboo, recycled aluminum and soft bristles. These are not only good for your skin, but great for the environment as well. (They are also 100% cruelty-free products.) See why I was so excited to receive them?


Since their launch in 2008, EcoTools has not just made beautiful products, but they also give back as well to charities also trying to do good things in the world. 


I was mostly excited to receive this six piece day-to-night- clutch set. There are holsters for the brushes on the side and it zips up making it easy to fit into a large makeup bag or even a purse. There is something about pretty brushes that make it even more fun to put on makeup. 


This has to be one of the softest brushes that I have ever tried. Also, this bag holds around 10-11 brushes and is great for keeping your brushes neat and organized. 


This mini essentials set is great for travel or even keeping it at the office for quick touchups during the day. 


The best part ... I am giving one of the mini essentials sets away! 
To win, it's very, very simple...

Just leave a comment below for one entry, and you can also tweet about the giveaway for an extra entry.

You have until Saturday night at 11:59 CST.

Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(p.s. This giveaway is sponsered only by me. EcoTools has no idea who I am!)
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New York City Summer Night

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I'm in New York this week and as we were strolling around last night I realized, there's really not a bad view... 
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Living in Chaos... Time to Get Organized

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This is where sharing everything might be too much... 

This is my closet. The clothes. The shoes. The purses.

It's time for a purge. 

Before my (last) fall semester starts in August, I am about to get seriously organized in every way of life. Lofty goal, but it's doable I know! 


Here's the before today... 


Now, this is by NO means the 'organized' product... but you can see the floor. 

Baby steps. But I do need some organizing tips, especially with shoe boxes. 

Let the next six-week-journey-to-greatness begin.


Tomorrow. 

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Foil Pack Summer Vegetables

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It's summertime! That means fresh vegetables are a plenty at the grocery store or farmer's markets. I am a BIG fan of farmer's markets in the summertime. A couple of days ago I bought some fresh squash and zucchini. I had great plans for both but time goes by and I get hungry. One of the quickest, easiest, and healthiest way I like to cook veggies in in a foil pack. 

It's a one step clean up system, and you can just cut the vegetables, throw them in the oven, and you're done until they are done. With so much going on between work and summer school, easy is amazing. 

Let's get started, shall we?


I cut up two squash and two zucchini. 



Then I cut up 1/4 of an onion. 

And generously sprinkled on some Mrs. Dash seasoning. 


Then I added between 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. 

Wrapped up the pack around all three edges. 

Stuck in the oven for about 30 minutes on 400 degrees. 


Then pulled out the pack and it was done! 

Put the veggies in a bowl, and bam! Clean up was a breeze. 

This was enough for about two people. Given one squash and one zucchini per person.

Easy and done! Enjoy. 
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