Spring Wish List 2014

It's officially spring, though it doesn't quite feel like spring here in the Midwest! Actually, here in Minnesota, we've just had an April blizzard. You know what they say...April blizzards bring May flowers? Anyway, I've been doing some spring window shopping and have started to put together a list of things I'm dying to have for spring and summer.

Sports Bra - Athleta, Plié Tights - Athleta, MorrocanOil Root Boost Volume - MorrocanOil, Cherry Blush - 100% Pure, Coconut Tea - Tea Forte, Nike Sports Watch + GPS with TomTom - Best Buy, Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning - Nordstrom, Crop Top - Pac Sun, Maxi Skirt - Victoria's Secret

I'm still absolutely obsessed with Pilates, so much so that I'm officially going to start Pilates instructor certification in the fall. This only means one thing: buying more Pilates clothing! Kidding, but really, who doesn't love a cute sports bra and a great pair of yoga pants. The Athleta gear is built to last and is of really nice quality. I'll be looking forward to some of their summer collections, but I'm a big fan of their yoga pants. This is the Athleta Freedom Bra paired with the Plié tights.

Recently I've become very interested in all natural beauty products. I'm trying to cut out as many chemicals as I can. Sometimes you just can't live without your holy grail concealer, but I'm determined to find natural alternatives. This Fruit Pigmented Cherry Blush from 100% Pure is 100% natural, gluten free, and vegan. It's also made with plum, pomegranate, blackberry, raspberry, apricot, and cherry. I have a concealer and a mascara from 100% Pure and I love them both. They come highly recommended from me. I'm blush obsessed so I'd love to try this for spring and summer.

I've heard so many great things about the MorrocanOil products but have never tried any of them. Allison from allisonanderson.com recommended this Root Boost Volume because it blasts volume into her fine, limp hair. She had me hooked when she said her second day hair didn't even need dry shampoo. I'm a dry shampoo fanatic because it saves me from having to wash my hair everyday, but if I don't even need that?! I'm intrigued.

I'm addicted to tea. There, I said it. That's the first step right? Well I don't think I want help getting over my love of tea. I love green teas, black, white, herbal, rooibus, and oolong. Think I pretty much covered all of them. Of all the teas I've ever tried, I've never seen coconut tea. This one is from Tea Forte. If you know me then you'll know I can't pass up coconut flavored or scented things. It would be a nice addition to my summer collection of teas.

Being pale is nice sometimes, but when spring rolls around I always end up feeling like a ghost. It's not like I'm wishing to be a golden bronzed goddess. I know that won't ever happen. I'd just like to look like I'm not dead. So I've always used the Jergen's self tanner lotion, but it kind of smells. And I lost my last bottle. So I'm looking for something new and improved. I've heard fantastic things about the Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning oil. It's a facial moisturizer, but can also be used on the body.

With summer running right around the corner I've been researching GPS watches. My iPhone is always great for tracking time and distance, but sometimes it's kind of hard to fumble with the passcode and everything while I'm running. I want to be able to just take a quick glance at my watch and know my pace. The Nike + Sport Watch Powered by TomTom tracks time, distance, and pace.

And finally, here is my number one must have. I haven't hopped on the crop top bandwagon yet, but I think I'll be starting this summer. This Pac Sun crop top paired with this high waisted maxi skirt from Victoria's Secret would be the perfect laid back summer outfit. I don't know if I'll be getting this exact pairing, but I love the crop top maxi skirt look.

What is on your spring wish list?

January Birchbox

I spent the entire month of January roaming the streets of Paris and eating crepes all over my favorite city in the world. So now I'm back to the Polar Vortex of Minnesota ready for another semester of school. I arrived at my apartment a few days ago to a wonderful surprise. My best friend gifted me a three month Birchbox subscription for Christmas! I didn't know about it because I hadn't been to my apartment for so long and she is good at keeping secrets! So excited about three months of fun goodies. Yes, this can almost be categorized as a full month late, but I only opened it a few days ago!

First of all, Birchbox has a fabulous packaging strategy. The products come in an adorable printed box and it's presented as a gift complete with bright pink tissue paper.

Inside January's box was a 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara, Gilchrist & Soames Shampoo and Conditioner, a sample of Juicy Couture Original, and Reviver Dry Deodorant Wipe.

I've tested the mascara and absolutely love it. It smells like berry black tea and gives natural looking lashes while also pumping up the volume a bit. I'll be testing it out a bit more over the next few days, but if I like it enough I might just go buy it. It's a natural mascara and I've been on the hunt for more natural products recently.

Haven't tried the shampoo and conditioner yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Both smell like passionfruit and citrus. I'm not too picky with shampoo so I'm assuming I'll like this. My only concern is if it is too heavy for my hair. We shall see!

The Juicy Couture Original perfume sample is nice, but I wouldn't purchase this in full size. It's expensive and it's not my type of scent. The scent description says, "Mandarin, rose, and sandalwood." To me, it's much too floral, but I know many people who enjoy this scent.

The Reviver Dry Deodorant Wipe is surprisingly the product I'm most intrigued by. The card says, "The first-ever deodorant for your duds, this handy cloth whisks away odors on contact." Being the scent girl that I am, I am constantly worried that my clothes smell like the restaurant I just left (or that I'm sweaty). That happens too. Anyway, I haven't had a chance to use this yet, but I'm very interested in what it can do.

The box also came with adorable colorful cards. They're full of happiness and motivation so, naturally, they've already found a place on my wall.

I'm loving this first Birchbox and cannot wait until February's box arrives!