What's Up Blogger!

Whelp! I am the worst blogger in the world. It's been almost A MONTH since I posted. Go figure, right? I actually wrote a blog post the other day, went to post it and it froze and I lost everything. Needless to say, I didn't feel like rewriting it so I just canned the idea of writing a post. I think this is more of a "What's been going on in my life" type of post more than anything else. Life has been nutso for the last month, so to fill you guys in, here's what's happened...

*I've been going to church every Sunday and LOVING it! I feel just amazing inside since going. God is beautiful!
*I got a new job and LOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEE it!!! Seriously, me loving a job??? When does that happen. I literally have been waking up BEFORE my alarm clock because I can't wait to go every day. That's just sick...
*I've been reading again. I just picked up some more books at Goodwill the other night, too, which I'm pretty stoked about!
*I just got new windshield wipers for my car. Yeah, this makes me happy, how sad. But it's the little things, right?
*My brother and his family (and my newborn nephew) came down last weekend from Minnesota. That baby is SO DARN CUTE! I'll post pics of him very soon!
*My nail polish collection has grown (severely) since the last time I posted. I had to buy a big three drawer container tonight to fit it all in one place instead of 3...
*I dyed my hair. It didn't turn out too well. My goal was a dark blonde (going back to a blonde for summer, woot) and it dyed my roots blonde and kept everything else dark brown. Gross. It's finally lightening up!
*My niece recently celebrated her 1st Birthday and her big brother Miles celebrated his 9th (God I'm getting old) Birthday last weekend. I love those kids so darn much! Miles got an XBOX for his Birthday. Yeah, I was (and still am) jealous...
*I just got the new Florence + the Machine cd. It's epic. Listen to it!!
*Today I have decided to make a change to lose some weight. I'll get into more of it soon, but I think it's for the best. More on that later!


And that's all I can think of for now. I just have been so incredibly blessed lately and have been taking my life day by day. I used to be a planner and tried to predict the future, but I know now that you cannot live life that way. God has changed me and I never understood what that meant when I heard others say that. But now I know. It's an amazing thing and I couldn't be happier. I really need to elaborate on what I mean! :p I'm going to close with a song that I've been playing non-stop lately (and it's really been hitting a cord with me, too. It's so good though, despite the bad memories it brings to mind, but I can deal). Have a good one everyone <3

Well I Suppose...

source

I wasn't going to post today. Why? I dunno. I'm not a fan of the whole "Valentine's Day" craze. No, I'm not bitter because I'm single on this day (although, last year was a different story). I'm just not a fan of a day that expects you to pour your love over someone, when it should be done everyday. But there is a deeper reason as to why I'm not like everyone else today. Let me elaborate.

Here's Rachel, circa 1994. It was the first year our class (I was in 1st grade) was able to share our valentines with whomever we wanted, not the whole class like they made us do the year before. I was SO excited. I made a valentine for everyone I could think of. So it was time for us to exchange valentines and place them in our handmade valentine lunch bags on our desk. Guess how many I got? Just guess....one. One pathetic valentine. I was completely devistated. I knew pretty much the whole class didn't like me (I talked WAY too much and was really annoying), but I didn't expect that. So I crossed this day off my list forever, even at the ripe age of 6.

The only times that I liked about this day was when my dad used to give me a small box of chocolates. It really made me feel loved and appreiciated. My dad was good like that. But otherwise, it's just another day. Even when I was dating someone during this day, I just was bored by it. Can't blame me, can you? But I always try to make the best of it. So tonight, I will be spending my night with me mum and we will be watching Drive (heard wonderful things about it, mmm, Ryan Gosling) and eating pizza. Perfect. night. ever.

So happy...nevermind.

=]

Julep

So lately, I've been searching high and low for the perfect beauty package. I've been pretty obsessed with Youtube lately (never ever thought I would actually use that website for things other than music videos..) and found a few really great beauty bloggers. 

One of my favorite channels and bloggers would be MissJenFABULOUS. She does great beauty and nail related vlogs that I cannot stop watching. I noticed on her channel something called Birchbox. This is something I've been dying to get my hands on. It's a box that is sent to you every month that costs only $10 bucks! It's filled with 4-5 deluxe beauty products from high end brands (eep). I love makeup, a lot, and when I heard this, I about gasped. Buuuut there is a wait list (I of course signed up for). Bummer, right? So then I searched again for something very similar, but in the world of nail polish instead of only beauty samples. Have you guys ever heard of the brand Julep? I just recently heard and seen samples of them and pretty much fell in love. They even have a nail polish with my name literally on it:

Now the prices for their special monthly box is ten dollars more than the Birchbox I mentioned. But here's the great thing about that, there is NO wait list, and you are saving a huge amount of money on products by purchasing it this way. I just bought my first box tonight for ONE DOLLAR. Hello! I was checking out some nail blogs and I seen that in the last couple months, Julep had a promotion going on to get your first Maven Box for a penny. I tried the code but it didn't work. So then I randomly (cause I'm weird like that) typed in "February" in their coupon area, and it literally took off the whole price of the box, and only charged me ONE DOLLAR. Holla! So I totally recommend you ladies checking this out! You take a style quiz and it will set you up with your perfect box. If you don't like it, you can always swap it out for something else. I swapped mine for something different...

I opted for the February "It Girl" box! I had to choose this one because I've been really wanting the first polish in the photo. What I love about this is that you get way more product for 20 bucks and get almost triple the items that you would pay for just one. Their polishes retail for $14 bucks, so I can't wait to see how their formula is and see if I will be purchasing any others in the future. They are a 4 Free company, which is pretty darn awesome, and I've heard nothing but great things! They do have some other beauty products you can get, in addition to polish, but hey, when I see a great deal for polish, I always get it! I'll most certainly will be doing a post on their product once I get it! 

xo. 

Just a side note. I was NOT contacted by anyone to do this post. This is something I wanted to share with you all because I think it's too good to keep to myself. All the views I shared in this post are all my own. 

Where Do I Begin?

Hey guys. Sorry for the huge absence as of late. I'm just trying to get certain things on track right now. For instance, I got a new job!! I know a few weeks back I said I got a new job, but this is a new one! I will be working at a hospital in the medical records department, which is what I used to do before I resigned at my old company. I am incredibly excited. Life has been so busy since my interview a week ago. I get so stressed out when I go for an interview and I always seem to mess them up. I think it's nerves. So I had my interview and was on pins and needles. This was something I needed so bad right now and it came at the perfect time, but I was so worried I was going to mess it up and miss a wonderful opportunity. But I got lucky and got hired the same day as my interview (when does that ever happen anymore, I'm so grateful!!).

I was making good money at my prior job but decided to quit because I couldn't move up anymore and essentially wasn't happy with the company. I liked what I did but the company was so ass backwards and I didn't want to be associated with a place that only cared about money and not their patients. But anyways, I had a few months off and worked at my old job at the grocery store. I finally just got comfortable, even with having literally no money to spare, and I got this call for a job I applied to back in December. I was (and still am) so stoked that something so great was in store for me! I'm really excited, but I can't help but to feel sad about changing my life around. I'm not a fan of change. I seem to always take it hard, no matter if it's good or bad. I wish I wasn't like this!

Since my interview, I had to take a drug test (totally freaked me out, never took one before. I knew I had nothing to worry about, but man, it so makes you feel like a criminal), and I had to take a TB test. I hate hate hate needles. I would panic when I was a kid when I had to go get shots. This time it actually wasn't that bad (thanks to my cats for scratching me pretty bad with their nails I got used to pain haha). I passed that and all seems like smooth sailing from here on out. I can't wait to get back to my old job at a new company where their views are very much the same as mine. I can't wait to work with the people I used to work with (I used to work there and got transferred not long after I was there to a new location) and get back into a good routine. It'll be really nice to have money again and to be able to afford the things life throws at you.

But here's my problem. I'm not good with money. At all. Both my parent's aren't good with it and I guess I followed suit. The first time I had this job, I said I was going to do all this stuff with the money (buy a car, which I did, pay off my loans - still doing that, travel, save save save and so on) and I really can't tell you where it all went. I managed it so poorly and never saved a dime. Well, I take that back, I did save some money to visit my boyfriend (at the time) who lived in CO, but we broke up and I used it for a new camera instead. I wish I would have kept saving it, but what can you do. So since quitting that job, I went to having a good chunk of money a month to maybe a couple hundred, if that. Yeah, totally not easy when you have rent and a car payment and student loans. I think God is finally giving me an opportunity to reinstate my good intentions and put them into reality. Which I am intending to do FOR REAL this time. Needs come first, wants come later. This is going to be a huge step for me and something I know I HAVE to do. No questions asked. In church, we've been learning how to manage our finances, and this is shedding a whole new perspective for me. I don't think this job could have came at a better time. But I tell you, making no money really helps you not to spend a dime. I really liked that actually. I didn't have to think about anything and I knew where my money was going, without having the temptation to spend it. I'm just scared that I will not be able to handle myself this time around. But I am determined and damn willing to do what I need to do to save towards my future. I am responsible, but I need to be MORE responsible. At this point, it's just me, myself and I, and I have to support myself and that's what I intend to do!

Wow, this post hit a lot of topics. What I really came here to say is that I'm hoping my mini hiatus will be done rather soon, it's just that life is quite busy and I have to make sure I am keeping all my beans in one basket. I just hope you guys understand! I also need to buy a ton of supplies for my shop and will be doing that soon after I get paid. I'm thinking about changing some things up with my shop because I'm not happy with some of the formulas and packaging. But that's a different story for a different day! Well I suppose it's off to bed for me, tomorrow is my last day (sort of) at my grocery job, so sleep awaits! If you read through this whole thing, you are a serious trooper and I will love you forever, haha :o) Sorry if this didn't make much sense, I'm tired out of my mind...

xo.

Finally!!

Remember that post about my antiquing trip with my mom a few weeks back? One of the few things I found that day was an old vintage record player. My mouth just about fell off my face when my eyes laid across this beauty. It's everything I could have ever dreamed of in a little record player. I've been wanting one for years (I did have one but it was far too big for my tiny little space, so I had to give it to my brother). And I wanted it to be vintage, if possible! And I finally got my wish! 

Pardon all the junk in the back, but I wanted to show you guys a side view of this tiny baby! I simply adore the coloring of this particular player. The polkadots are what drew me in :)

Bogart checking it out. 

I was messing with the settings on my camera. I thought some of these shots turned out pretty cool. 

I've been dying to listen to my Pink Floyd albums since I got them two summers ago. Finally I can listen to them all I want. The only downside to this player is that it's not that loud, but honestly, I can deal. I know most players don't get loud, so it's a total win win for me. And she was under 20 bucks, too! 

xo.

I'm an Auntie!!!!

Meet baby Liam Nicholas <3 He was born yesterday 2/4/12 at 3:16pm and weighed 8lbs 13oz and was 21 inches long. This little guy has made me an auntie for the FIFTH time!! Wahoo! I love my brother's kids SO much. This is my oldest brother's first child. My mom and I had heard all the time over the years that he's NEVER going to have children. Ha, I knew that wasn't going to last! 

This baby is so darn cute. He looks just like his parents. It pains me a lot not to be there for my brother though, seeing he lives in Minnesota and I'm here in Wisconsin. I was given the greatest gift to see my niece born last year, and it was so magical, I hate it so much not to be there for my oldest brother. Every time I think about not being there to hold this baby, I just want to break down and cry. But I'll know I'll see this cute guy real soon, so I'll hold the tears in until then! 

I can honestly say, I can't wait to have kids one day. I want them so much. I mean, I do have those times where I say I'll never have them, but deep down, I want them more than anything. Being surrounded by family is my ultimate goal in life, not having a career or loads of money, but just being there with my family until I'm old and gray. Sadly it's never that easy. But anyways, I just wanted to share this new joy with you guys! My other brother and his girlfriend have their second child together on the way and should be here in a couple months!! I'm beyond excited for him as well. I'm the only one without kids now, I feel so left out haha. I know I'm not missing much. I still have a lot of life left in me until I settle down! 

Have a good Sunday all! 

xo, 

Rachel.

Uninspired and full of Procrastination...

Sorry for being so absent the last few days. And even a little bit last week. I just haven't been feeling quite myself lately. Not sure why that is. I have been pretty busy though, too, which is part of the problem. I just feel so uninspired to do anything creative, including blogging, lately.

I shut down my shop today (it's only temporary, I promise) in hopes of getting my inspiration back. It doesn't help that I'm running rather short on supplies now, and not having enough moolah to purchase supplies makes it kind of difficult to run. But that should be changing quite soon!

Anyway, tomorrow kicks of a new Photo-a-Day challenge that I will most certainly be taking part of. I didn't catch the memo for the January Photo-a-Day challenge, and didn't want to start late, so I held on until the Feb challenge. I have attached the photo below if you would like to take part! I'm hoping this will get me back on track and away from the crickets that are taking over my blog at the moment. Again, I apologize for the lack of anything fun over here...

If you are taking part via Instagram, my name is @autumnbalmbotanicals 

Link your name below and I will gladly follow you :o) 

xo.

pee-ess. I finally got Catching Fire and Mocking Jay in the mail today (I'm a cheap-o and bought it online) and haven't been away from CF since I got it. Almost 200 pages in. I can honestly say, I really miss reading like this!!! And boy, this book is making my emotions go all haywire. Just like the 5th Harry Potter, but that's a story for another time! ;)

Giveaway Winner! Congrats!

Via random[dot]org, Joy is the winner! Congrats! I will be emailing you very soon in regards to your awesome win! 

xo.

Friday Fancy

Most people hate going to the dentist, or even to a regular doctors appointment, well I HATE going to the eye doctor. It gives me that deep feeling of dread and pain in my gut. Why? That horrid Glaucoma test. You know, when they blow the air into your eye!? Yeah, they don't do that just once for me, they do it about ten times. I hate it beyond a doubt!! 

I had gone to the eye doctor last night and I can't even tell you how much I didn't want to go. They always say I have a "higher than average" chance of getting Glaucoma, but I know that they're full of it. But anyways, enough with the bore. The best part about the dreaded eye exam is that I get NEW glasses! Yeeehaaww!!! I opted for the geek chic and I can't wait to show you guys, once I get them of course!! But to minimize (actually, maximize!) my excitement, here are some amazing vintage frames I would love to own... 

thisvintagething

These frames are the total inspiration for my new glasses. I wasn't able to find the gradient in the style I wanted (makes me sad), but these are pretty darn close to the one's I got. I just love the color change and the vintage vibe!

Myvineyardhouse

I totally love everything about these! They are so cute and trendy, and they aren't prescription so they totally can be worn whenever! Love it! And they are really reasonably priced, too!!

Vintage50sEyewear

I love the colors of these particular frames. The detailing is fab! I could picture these on a 1950's beauty in a gorgeous dress!

VintageOpticalFrames

Every time I think of vintage frames, this design comes to mind. I love everything about it!! I'd love a pair, but I can say, they don't look good on me! 

OttolinesOddities

We can't forget the military's bottle-cap glasses! Believe it or not, these baby's are still around to this day. I can't say that anyone in the military would feel cool wearing these, but I think they're pretty awesome! 

xo.

Obsessions are never easy to admit to...

I tell you guys, I tend to get obsessed with certain things...cameras, crocheting, lip balms, yarn, vintage owls, purses, hats and now...nail polish. This is a SICK addiction that I won't be letting up anytime soon (hopefully). I tend to find something that I really want to be interested in and end up purchasing every possible thing you can get for that addiction. But the sickest part of this addiction is...once I have everything for that possible addiction, I tend to toss it to the side and let it collect dust. I've been trying my ever-so-hardest not to do this. This obsession I will be sharing with you is nail polish (not like it's a big surprise or anything, hehe). 

Say hello to my sick obsession. This is NOT my entire collection, let me add, these are just my newest editions (sadly, more have been added to this since I took these photos). If you want specific names, feel free to comment and I can let you know. :) 

The one thing I try do when buying polish is to only buy reduced price or sale items. There are a few instances where of course you can't & you have to end up paying the entire price, but most times you can wait until it goes on clearance (or there is an awesome sale). I've been scoping out the interwebs as of late for some good polishes and have found a few sites that sell brand name polishes (China Glaze anyone??) for a super low price. The only drawback is the shipping. Some offer lower prices and free shipping, which seems to be the best route to take. 

I just joined Sally Beauty Supply's rewards program. It's 5 bucks for a year, but they give you a $5 off coupon of a $5 dollar item or more, which makes it free. This can save you tons of money. I personally like to shop at Sally's because they always have reduced price polishes, plus an additional 50% off the reduced price, can we say savings?? I'm pretty impatient and hate waiting for stuff to come in the mail, so I'd personally rather do that then buy online. But as you can see, I've been getting a wee bit too into this nail thing. I'm even considering starting a nail blog. But that may take this addiction thing a wee bit too far...

I had tried the Sally Hansen nail strips in the past and had a real bad experience. They wouldn't stick and were dried out. Only for me to find out that you aren't supposed to open the package until you are ready to use them on your nails, oops! I tried the clearance holiday one's in the photo above to see if I would have better luck, and I did!! They are still a bit pricy, but now I'll certainly be getting my hands on them more often, especially when they clearance them out!! 

On a totally unrelated subject, don't you hate brain freezes?? I just got a Frappuccino from Starbucks and man, one sip and my brain is frozen and in the worst pain ever! I wonder why that happens!? 

Also, please make sure to enter the giveaway, tomorrow is your last chance!! 

xo.  

TWO DAYS LEFT!

There is just TWO more days left to enter my giveaway! Please make sure to do so before it ends on the 27th!!

Wenailsday!

This, my friends, has to be one of my all time favorite manicures!! I've been dying to get my hands on the perfect Essie color. I have never used them in the past, but have been meaning to for the longest time. Finally I found the perfect color I've been searching for...Lady Like. It reminds me of a mauve type color. This manicure lasted me for DAYS without chipping. It did have very little tip wear, though, but I've never had a manicure last that long in my life. 

I then did my ring finger this pretty pink glitter from Ulta. 

I then topped it with Seche Vite Quick-Dry Top Coat! Love it! I highly recommend getting this top coat. I do love my Orly top coat, but I love this one just a little bit more! It works WONDERFULLY and forms a tough barrier over your nail & color. It adds the perfect amount of gloss to your color and seals it in for days! Tomorrow I'll share you guys my newest polishes! Yeah, I'm obsessed...

xo.

My Love/Hate Relationship With Antique Shopping!

Oh, this story is pretty much as epic as Romeo + Juliet. Actually it's not. But it's close. My mom is an antiques nut. Ever since I was a wee little baby, she's been dragging me to antique malls, thrift shops, estate sales, rummage sales and the like. Some days I'd love it, but most days I'd hate it. And here I'm mostly talking about antique malls (I love thrift shopping). 

Why do I hate it? Because you rarely find treasures in a load of junk (and my mom is an extremely slow shopper, ugh, so it doesn't make shopping easy). And most of those treasures are OUTRAGEOUSLY priced. That's why I hate going. Why fling the few things I want in front of my face & I know I can't have it? Especially when I know I can get it cheaper at say...Goodwill (when I can find it that is)!? We went to three huge Antique malls today in Waukesha, WI after church. She bribed me into going, especially telling me we'd only go to 2 of the three (and that I'd get the second and third book of the Hunger Games trilogy, hehe). Yeah, that never happened. But anyways, so I took a few Instagram shots in the malls (I'm too chicken to bring my normal camera with me) & I'd like to share them with you! 

They had a lot of really old photographs, like this one, she actually creeped me out. Must be that murderous look in her eye ;) 

Cute little tins!

The girl planter on the right is SO pretty. I have one similar to her in my room, even with the pearl earring, but she isn't as pretty as this one!

An old cash register.

Guys, I wasn't kidding when I said my mom is really in to antiques. She collects and sells them to antique dealer(s). See that dresser and end table? Yeah, those used to be ours. This is the main booth my mom sells to. It was really odd to see a lot of our stuff in there, especially because my mom uses all this stuff to decorate our home (then she gets sick of it and sells it). 

I really want the top Pyrex bowl. Like now! :)

Lovin this dresser!

Pretty bead detailing on an old antique bag. 

Okay girls my age, do you remember this Barbie?!?! Part of the "Wedding Party" collection. I squeeled when I seen her, because I HAD (well, still do, somewhere) this doll!!! Oh, memories :)

I did score some goodies (I will be sharing in another post), but I made sure to only buy stuff that was REALLY cheap, or fairly priced for what I wanted it for. I seen a lot of stuff I already had in these antique malls, and what was sad was their pricing. I know these people need to make money and all, but when most of those items are a dime a dozen, you shouldn't be charging five dollars a glass when you could go to Goodwill RIGHT NOW and get it for 49 cents. Legit. Call me whatever you like, but I really hate it when people abuse their pricing rights. Okay rant over, haha. Do you guys like going to antique malls or thrift shops better, how come?

xo.

Friday Fancy

GrahamAndOlive

I love that they used vintage fabric in an embroidery hoop. I have a lot of vintage fabric that I could use up and this would be the perfect way to do it! On a side note, I really love this shop. They have the greatest little things that you could find perfect uses for! 

SimplySage

I love that they made a clutch out of vintage fabric. I'm not a clutch wearer myself, but I can't help but admire great craftsmanship!!

joemamma

Oh my goodness! Look at that fabric! I love it! It would look pretty snazzy in my room, if I must say so myself!

GoodBonesVintageCo

Here is an awesome vintage fabric bundle. I believe it's a twin sheet and two pillowcases. I like using old vintage sheets for other projects, saves a lot of $$ on buying fabric at the store!

picklehead

I love this quilt made out of all vintage fabrics. This has to be the prettiest one I've seen yet! The center is made out of an old tea towel. It's beautiful!!

***

• Last night I finally got ahold of the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Cannot.wait.to.read.it. (!!!)
• I love Mandy's 23 before 24 list! I'm really debating on making one of these when I turn 24 (yikes) this year!
• I just found this blog, Dear Lizzy, the other day. It's filled with DIY's, fancy craftiness and gorgeous colorful photos! A new obsession... 
• Goodnight Little Spoon is a blog I stumbled upon when I was looking for the Regional Dialect Meme list. She is a fun Aussie lifestyle blogger. I really love her outfit posts, they're so vintage and inspiring!

I hope you guys have a great Friday. As for me, I will be cleaning my butt off, and reading, because we have a mini snowstorm underway. I really can't wait for spring!!!!

xo.

What in my Bag // First Edition

I've been wanting to do one of these posts since I started blogging. I have A LOT of purses, but not very many of them have good storage. Last night, my mom and I visited Plato's Closet. They have a ton of Vera Bradley bags there. I never was a fan, always thought they were ugly and grandma-ish. But for some reason, the more I seen them, the more they grew on me. So I found the perfect bag last night at PC. I was pretty happy, it's in perfect condition and was pretty cheap. What particularly sold me was the storage space on the inside. There are six...ahem, let me repeat that, SIX compartments in addition to the center of the purse. Awesomeness much?

I really love the design and coloring. Suits me perfectly!

Look at all those side compartments, gasp! The best part is all my items fit in the bag nice and snug. How awesome.

I tend to carry the most random items around. I have pens/Sharpies, various lip balms, work keys, lock de-icer, a pocket calendar, crochet hook (never know when ya need it!), ibuprofen (I always need this), Pepto chewables (again, never know when ya need it), a purse table holder, yarn/thread scissors, pouches purchased from The Dainty Squid, a journal/notebook and hand lotion. 

I just picked up these scissors at Joann's the other day. I've been looking for a pair for quite awhile. They were under 10 bucks, which is pretty great because I didn't want to spend a fortune on them. Some day I'd like to invest in better one's, but they will do for now! 

Do you have a "What's in my Bag?" post? If so, feel free to link it below, I'd love to see what's in your bag! :)

xo.