Chalk Painting Kitchen Cabinets: Before and After Photos

Hi everyone!  The final reveal is here!!!!

Quick overview in case you haven't followed my other posts.  When we moved into our house over a year ago, we replaced the countertops with granite and painter over the maroon walls.  About 6 months after that, we did the backsplash.  Next it was time to tackle the cabinets.  I used a color match for AS Old White with clear wax and a dark wax trim.

Before photo (as in before we moved in):

Here's a few more photos I took before painting:

And drum roll......  The after:

And last, side by side:

BookBub: Daily Deals on Books You May Actually Read

As an avid reader, I can't believe that I hadn't heard of BookBub until about 2 months ago.  So far, I've found some new authors and books to read for free or reduced prices.  Here's a few things about BookBub:

• BookBub sends you a daily email with deals on free/reduced books in your favorite genres.

• BookBub doesn't sell books.  Instead, you are linked to the deal from retailers such as Amazon.

• The books are usually highly recommended through reviews on Goodreads and other sources.

I wasn't sure about getting ANOTHER email every day filling up my box, but this one is worth it.  You should definitely check it out.

For the Love of Dark Wax

I seriously love dark wax.  I've mostly being adding a little mineral spirits to make a glaze.  Here's a picture comparison of a chair with clear wax vs. a chair with dark wax (after first doing a layer of clear wax to protect the color).  Just thought I would share a side by side so you can see the difference.

Ipsy Review: My first bag June 2015

Hi readers!  My very first Ipsy glam bag arrived this month.  First off, who doesn't love getting a hot pick package in the mail???  I was so excited to open it...

So here's a list of the products I received:

1.  Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner

2.  J. Cat Beauty Liptitude Hydrating Lip Stain

3.  Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

4.  Keratherapy Daily Smoothing Cream

5.  tre'StiQue Mini Shadow Crayon

I was expecting the samples to be small, but holy crap this Smashbox one was really small (see pins for reference).

I really liked the Keratherapy smoothing cream.  It made my hair super straight after blow drying and helped prevent frizz.  The lip stain was totally the wrong color for me and I've already got a face care regimin so not too sure about the Pores No More Cleaner.  I've used Smashbox Photo Finish before and it's ok, but haven't bought again and probably won't.  I liked the mini shadow crayon since I really love eye makeup.

Have you tried Ipsy yet?  If not, click here.  

Front Door Fashion

Hi readers!  I was very excited about the arrival of my first Front Door Fashion box.  Even though I only kept a couple of tops and some jewelry, I think it is currently my favorite of the subscription boxes I've tried.  I really like that they send you full outfits, and the quality of the clothes was great.  My stylist Morgan referenced my Pinterest board (so she actually looked at it) and even sent pictures with the outfits.  All in all, I found some new designers that I really like and will be ordering from Front Door Fashion again.  Here's some pics from my first box.

Here is one of the items I kept.  These bracelets are really cute and can be worn with lots of different outfits.

I kept this top since white tops are so versatile, but returned the shorts.  I really liked the idea of black lace shorts, but these were way too short (let's just say that bending over offered quite a show) and the material was more like fishnet than lace.

I loved these James Jeans shorts (more pics below in other outfits), but they sent me a size too big and the price was a little high for shorts ($98).  I got lucky and found the same shorts on Bluefly.com for only $25 on clearance so now I own them at a more reasonable price AND in the right size.  This top by Weston was horrible.  Sent it back.

I am fascinated by the idea of rompers, but don't like how they draw attention to my post-baby waist so this went back.

LOVE this whole outfit!  James Jeans shorties in peppermint, Shira Melody necklace, and t-shirt by Tees by Tina.  Kept the shirt and turquoise necklace and got shorts from Bluefly.

Here's another necklace by Shira Melody.  I liked the beads, but the coral piece was a weird color and didn't go with much in my closet.  Also not a fan of the top.  Made me feel like an old lady.

Also love everything about this outfit!  Veronica M top in fuchsia, Shira melody necklace again, and peppermint James Jeans.  Yeah!

Ok.  So Morgan put together this outfit for me.  The skirt was huge and pleated.  Looked terrible together.  If loose on top, needs to be tight on bottom and vise versa.  Skirt went back.

These corduroy Citizens of Humanity shorts were too short and too tight (and had a high price tag for what they were).  The top was also not flattering.  Sent both back.

Here's the Tees by Tina t-shirt again that FDF paired with a polka dot maxi.  The skirt was too long and wouldn't zip when I pulled it up to my rib cage.  Skirt returned but kept the shirt.

Overall, I kept the bracelets, Skira Melody Ella necklace, Tees by Tina tshirt, Veronica M fuchsia tank and white blouse.  What do you think?  Have you tried FDF yet?  If not, I highly recommend it.  I've ordered by second box and hope they get it to me soon.

First Modabox (One and Done)

Hi!  So I decided to give Modabox a try despite the mixed reviews.  I'm 36 with two little ones so I wasn't sure if this would be the right subscription service for me since I read a lot about them having mostly junior sizes.  However, the service is free so I thought why not?  After receiving the box, I'm definitely one and done.  I sent everything back.  The fit of most items was really bad, several of the items were completely see through (and should not have been based on the item), and the jewelry was cheap feeling.  Also, I live in FL where it's currently in the high 90's.  The majority of the items I received were long sleeve.  Boo.  Despite how terrible these look on me, I'm sharing some pictures so you can learn from my experience and decide whether or not you want to give Modabox a try.

Outfit 1:  The shorts were huge and had an elastic waist that gave me the worst muffin top.  The blouse was a disaster.  My stylist suggest I wear it backwards with the zipper in front.  I tried it both ways.  Not my style AT ALL.

Ugh.  Just ugh.  This top is not only ugly but also long sleeve.

Ok.  I liked this lace dress until I realized that it was completely see through.  The zipper was really cheap though so not sure how long it would have lasted anyway.

The back of this dress was really cute, but the lining was too short and the tie waist didn't leave me much slack for tying.  Plus, as a SAHM I would not get much use for the $58 price tag.

While this dress was really comfortable, I did't like the pattern and it felt looked like my MIL's nightgown.  No thanks.

So did I mention that it's 97 degrees here???  Not sure when I would wear this long sleeve shirt under this tiny long sleeve blazer.

My stylist knows I'm a SAHM.  Where am I supposed to wear this?  The churches in FL are very casual.  I liked the dress by itself but don't see myself wearing it much.

 And here's the jewelry.  The earrings were cute but not for $20.  They felt cheap and I'm pretty sure I can get the same thing at Charming Charlies for $5.

Thoughts?  Have you tried Modabox yet?  I think I'll be sticking with Stitch Fix and Front Door Fashion.

Stitch Fix June 2015: 0/5 Bust!!!

Hi!  Not good Stitch Fix.  Two in a row that were 0/5.  I think I'll leaning toward Front Door Fashion now and their full outfit selections.  Anyway, here's what I got.  Excuse how horrible everything fits/looks on me.  Not flattering at all.  I usually wear a small top and a 6 or 8 in bottoms if that helps (these selections make me look a lot bigger unfortunately).  So far, I've sold all but the skirt on FB.  I still debating on the skirt (I have it rolled over in pic and wearing it with heels) and would look to here whether or not you think I should keep it.

1.  Papermoon Remmie Printed Maxi Skirt

2.  Liverpool Becca Floral Cuffed Short

There were too long on me and not flattering.

3.  Market & Spruce Brentwood Tiered Striped Tank Top

Wow.  This made my muffin top look even worse.  Yikes.

4.  Market & Spruce Jillian Crochet Detail Tank

I won't bother with a picture of this on me.  I looked about 5 sizes bigger than I am.

5.  Papermoon Violeta Scallop Detail Blouse

Even though I usually wear a small, this was way too tight on my 36D chest.  Also, the shape was very boxy.  Liked the back though.

Not sure where I go from here with Stitch Fix.  At least the FB Stitch Fix B/S/T group lets me sell what I don't want pretty easily so I can keep one item for a discount.  I've got my first Modabox coming on Monday and have signed up for a Bungalow box to try as well.  We'll see how those go.