Saturday, March 25, 2017

25 Random Facts About Me

I tend to be a private person, and I only really open up once I'm comfortable with people. As the proud owner of this blog I think it is time that I get outside of my comfort zone and let people get to know the real me. That is why I created a list of 25 random facts about myself. I figure I might as well give you a glimpse into my weirdness now before you mistakenly think I am normal. Why not share my weirdness in the hopes that some of you out there might actually be able to relate.
  1. I have studied both French and Spanish. Too bad I am crap at both of them. I know a few words here and there, but I can't really carry a conversation at all. Wish I could though!
  2. I hate odd numbers. I know, it's weird. I always change the volume on the radio to an even number.
  3. I can't help myself from buying things that have a cat print. They are just so cute!
  4. I love pickles. I am not ashamed to admit that I have eaten a jar in one sitting.
  5. I know every word to the entire Wicked soundtrack. 
  6. Chai tea is the bomb dot com. I order it every time I go to Starbucks.
  7. I drink iced tea every single day.
  8. I'm afraid of the dark and still use a night light.
  9. The open ocean freaks me out. I need to know what could be under me! 
  10. Medical procedure shows are my favorite! I find all of the surgeries fascinating.
  11. Boston is one of my favorite places.
  12. The beach is my second favorite place.
  13. I hate heels. 
  14. I live for sarcasm.
  15. Harry Potter is still my favorite book series of all time.
  16. I'm a professional ugly photo taker. I get an abnormal amount of joy from taking ugly photos and sending them to my friends and family.
  17. I cry at commercials. That Christmas Frankenstein commercial had me sobbing!
  18. Spiders make my skin crawl.
  19. Pink peonies are my favorite flowers.
  20. Historical documentaries = bae.
  21. I love all animals. 
  22. I'm an introvert that forces myself to be an extrovert. 
  23. The smell of coffee relaxes me.
  24. I love tattoos. I think they are pieces of art, and I would be covered in them if I had a different job.
  25. I am always daydreaming. 
Until next time! Xo

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

MunchPak: March 2017

I am a massive foodie, and snack subscription services are slowly becoming some of my favorites to receive. I already subscribe to Love With Food, but I wanted to try something a bit different this month. I did some research late one night and came across MunchPak. 

MunchPak is a food subscription service that sends a variety of snacks from around the world. I was so excited when I saw that they include snacks from other countries in their boxes. I have major wanderlust on a daily basis, and I love to try products and foods from different countries. The global aisle at the grocery store is my absolute favorite! I decided to go with the original MunchPak that includes 10+ snacks. I really wanted a wide variety of snacks to choose from...and I was hungry when I ordered so the mini version was out of the question. Keep reading to see what was included in my box! The easiest way to do this will probably be to list it and include a quick blurb about each. I will also be including the country that each snack comes from for any of you that find that stuff interesting like me. 
The first thing I noticed when I opened my box is that they include a little card that lets you know who packed your box. This is such a cool touch. I love when companies give their employees credit for their hard work. Thank you for packing my box, Roxanne! Now, let's jump right in!


Guinness Toasted Cheddar Potato Chips (United Kingdom)
I had no clue that Guinness made potato chips. I am always game for anything cheddar flavored.

Crown Dduk Kko Ji Snack (Korea)
I had so much trouble reading this packaging, haha! According to the website, these crunchy rice snacks that are flavored with chili sauce and garlic syrup, and are based on Korean street food.

Kolson Twitch Sticks (Pakistan)
I absolutely LOVE spicy food! These crunchy sticks are flavored with chili spice, and are supposed to be wicked spicy. I'm so excited to try them!

Parle Kreams Gold Elaichi Cookies (India)
These look just like vanilla Oreos. Who doesn't like cookies? My sister likes these a lot, so I might pass these on the her.

Costa Cereal Bar Golden Cereal (Chile)
This is just like the cereal bars I would eat before school when I was little. It is basically a bar of cereal that has a swirl of yogurt flavored cream. This will be good to keep in my bag in case I get hungry at work.

Koska Badem Krokan Almond Snack (Turkey)
Okay, I totally had to look this one up on the website. The description didn't help much, but I think it's some kind of almond brittle. I like almonds regardless, so this will definitely get eaten at my house.

Yoyo Hazelnut Wafers (Jordan)
Lord I love me some hazelnut. Wafer cookies are so freaking good.

Hi-Chew Lime Sours (China)
Yum! I have had these before, but never the sour lime version. They are pretty much a better version of a Starburst.

Necco Sky Bar (USA)
This is another product that I have had before. My dad loves these! It is a chocolate bar that is filled with caramel, vanilla, peanut, and fudge.

Milka Oreo Chocolate Candy Bar (USA)
Um, how have I never seen this before???? Oreos are my jam. This is going to be eaten immediately!


Final Thoughts
I am over the moon with my box. This is such a cool concept, and I like the wide variety of products included. The 'who packed your box' card was a nice personal touch, and I think I definitely got my money's worth. It's so cool to try products from all around the world. I have never heard of/seen most of these products before, and I am so excited to give them a try. Thank god the Munchpak website has a shop where you can buy more!

Until next time! Xo


Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Body Positive Quotes and Thoughts

I have not always loved my body. It has taken me years to finally be able to look in the mirror and like who I see staring back at me. I have to work hard each day to remain positive and not give into negative thoughts that have their way of creeping up on you when you least expect it. Today's post is going to be quick. I just wanted to share a few quotes and thoughts that I keep on my phone for when I need a little pick-me-up. Enjoy!






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Until next time! Xo

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Love with Food: March 2017

I feel like doing a little shimmy every time my Love with Food box arrives on my doorstep. I swear it always comes whenever I run out of snacks in the house and start complaining about the lack of snacks but am too lazy to go buy more...Anyway, keep reading to see what was inside my box this time around!

The first product that caught my eye was the Chocolate Emoji Cookies from Tasty Brand. These cookies are so cute. I'm a sucker for any type of fun packaging or gimmick. I was also happy to see that they included a granola bar this month. I love keeping them in my bag in case I get hungry at work or while I'm out running errands. The 18 Rabbits Jr. Granola Bar has strawberries, mango, and chia in it, and it sounds wicked good. I usually like anything that has mango in it. 

There are so many sweets in my box this month...Of course, I don't mind one bit. My box included Coffee Candy from Bali's Best, Milk Chocolate Almond Toffee from Enstrom, and Chewie Fruities from Torie & Howard. I've tried the Chewie Fruities before, and they are basically softer and organic Starbursts.

Savory snacks are my favorites, and there were two in my box this month. The first is the HIPPEAS Far Out Fajita Organic Chickpea Puffs. I love how these puffs are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten free. The second item is the Wise Sea Salt Popcorn. I eat this stuff all the time, so I already know I will enjoy it. It's always nice to have small bags of popcorn around for a quick filling snack that is on the healthier side.

They included a beverage this month! I was happy to see the Monbana Hot Chocolate. It's still cool where I live, and hot chocolate is the perfect way to warm up on a cold night. I've been drinking so much hot chocolate recently, so this will definitely be used. 


Click here to subscribe and get your own Love With Food box! Until next time! Xo

Monday, March 13, 2017

Birchbox: March 2017

It's time for another Birchbox unboxing! I've been looking forward to my box arriving, and I was so pumped to see that it arrived on my doorstep yesterday. Birchbox has really helped me to discover some awesome brands in the past, and recently the skincare items I have been receiving have been exactly what I needed. This month Birchbox collaborated with Reese Witherspoon's company Draper James to design the box, select the items, and she also helped them create a special limited edition box too. I've always liked Reese  Witherspoon, so I'm excited to see what's included. Let's jump right in and see what is inside my box!


I was tempted to choose the curated box this month, but I ended up using the Sample Choice option and selected the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. My skin has been acting all kinds of crazy recently, and I've developed dry patches on my cheeks while the rest of me is a grease ball. Go figure! This moisturizer was apparently used by explorers in Greenland to protect themselves from damage. Pretty cool stuff! I'm excited to see if this can clear up those dry patches.

My box included another skincare item, the Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water. I have never heard of micro waters before, but apparently they are a the same as micellar water. I've used micellar water for about 2 years now, and i love how they remove all of the leftover gunk and makeup that cleansing wipes can leave behind. The Birchbox website says that this is good for sensitive skin and will remove stubborn makeup, so I'll be sure to use this once I finish up my bottle of Bioderma.

There are two makeup items in my box this month. The first is the Cargo Swimmables Resistant Bronzer in the shade medium. I'm very picky about the bronzers I use since I'm extremely pale. This looks a bit too warm for my skin, but I think I might hold onto this for a few months and see if it is more flattering on my when I have a bit of a tan. The makeup item is a mini Coastal Scents Revealed Smoky Palette . The duo is wicked cute, and both shades would make a nice subtle smoky eye.

I was beyond psyched to see that my box included a product from Davines. I've received products from this brand in previous boxes, and love how amazing they smell and how they make my hair soft. The Davines Ol All in One Milk is a leave-in treatment that uses roucou oil to moisturize and strengthen hair. I've been using different leave-in treatments recently after I get out of the shower since I stopped brushing my hair. I have wavy hair, and the woman that colors my hair suggested I stop brushing my hair to encourage it to curl instead of becoming frizzy. I'm excited to try this on my hair tonight! I also received foil packets of the Davines Ol Shampoo and Ol Conditioner. I don't mind receiving foil packets when they are a bonus item. Plus, I really like Davines shampoos and conditioners.


Click here if you would like to subscribe! Until next time! Xo

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Curvy Girl Thoughts: Fashion

It has taken me YEARS to finally come to grips with the fact that I am fat. Yes, I am aware that using that term is kind of controversial, but it doesn't bother me. I have come to love my body, and my love for fashion has grown since I accepted myself. Now, I love fashion and clothing, but due to my plus size status there are some things that get on my nerves. Below is a list of my biggest pet peeves as a plus size woman when it comes to clothes. Feel free to share your own in a comment below! 
  1. Chub rub...enough said.
  2. Holes in pants, jeans, and leggings due to said chub rub.
  3. Tacky sequin and animal print covered moo moos that department store pass off as 'trendy plus size fashion'. Nobody wants to wear that!
  4. The dreaded button up shirt gap when your boobs are so big that it makes any button up shirt gap.
  5.  When your butt isn't big enough and there is a butt gap in your jeans.
  6. SPANX smooth everything out. Oh, and they cut off my circulation and slide down all night.
  7. Fashion rules in magazines. Wear whatever the hell you want!
  8. Weird proportions in plus size clothing. When will companies learn that not all plus size women are built the same???
  9. There are very few places where you can actually try plus size clothes on in person. I shed a big girl tear when they opened a Torrid near me a few months back. I had all of the feels.
  10.  Having to take out a second mortgage and sell organs in order to afford plus size clothing. That ish is expensive! 

Until next time! Xo

Thursday, March 2, 2017

My Favorite Apps

I am one of those people that is kind of nosy, and loves seeing what apps people have on their phones. I am always on the hunt for the latest app that will change my life and improve my quality of life. Okay, that may have been a bit dramatic. I guess I'll settle for a fun game that I can play when I'm bored. Today's post features all of the apps I am currently obsessed with and look at way too often. Let me know in a comment below what your favorite app is!


This AM by Refinery29: I'm on Refinery29 pretty much every morning, and I really like this app that gives you a quick breakdown of the top 8 news stories of that day. It's a fast way to get caught up on current events, and learn about things that are happening in the world from different news outlets. 


Magic 8 Ball: I think everyone owned a Magic 8 Ball at some point in their childhood. This is a fun app to have on my phone to waste time with or to help me make decisions when I'm lazy....Not life altering decisions though. That would be a bad idea.


SpellMania: I absolutely love Boggle, but I'm awful at playing it. SpellMania is basically like Boggle, but it gives me way more time to play...Which my brain needs. This is my favorite game to play when I need to kill time.


Snapseed: I have quite a few photo editing apps on my phone, and Snapseed has become one of my favorites. Snapseed was created by Google, and does everything that all of the other major apps can. I love all of the filters and editing tools included in the app, and how easy it is to use.

Until next time! Xo