{Out of the Box}: June Fair Ivy Box

Out of the Box is a feature I do to showcase and give a brief review of products in the subscription boxes that I receive.

I've been remiss lately in showcasing what goodies I've been getting, but, here we go!

Fair Ivy is your typical subscription box, with month-to-month, 6 month and year subscriptions.  Their specialty is finding budding artists on etsy and sharing their treasures.  They are currently full for all, and have a waitlist.

I do a month-to-month subscription.  Even though I pay slightly more, I don't like being held to the term in case I don't like the product.  So, I pay $30/month for the box, plus $6 for shipping.  Every other month is jewelry.  

This is the part that makes me mad.  I check the shipping label on the outside of the package, and it's never been more than $3.  Now, I know there could be an odd month where it would be more, and somebody has to pay for all those envelopes and labels, but I think that's a little much.

Anyway, because of the move, June's envelope took a while to get to my house (it usually comes by the 10th).  The artisan of the month is Ting Lisa, and she can be found on Etsy  .  All her scarves are priced right around $30

So, it's a basic chiffon scarf, navy blue with goldish polka dots.  The bag is what it was wrapped in, and the card gives inspiration details.

All in all, cute, but I don't think it's worth $30 + $6.  I'll wait and see what next month's jewelry box contains before I decide to cancel (May's jewelry wasn't that great, again, not really worth the $$$).

  

Hello Neighbor!

I also wanted to do something to introduce ourselves to our new neighbors.  Aaron is so outgoing, so he just naturally starts conversations with people when he's out with Luna.  Me, on the other hand, I'll just smile and nod.  I don't want to come across stand-offish, or "the weird neighbor", so I wanted to do something to say, "hi".

My first thought was, "hey, I just made some kick butt bread, maybe I can make a loaf for everyone."  Then I thought, "hmmmmm people might have allergies."

So of course, I got on Pinterest because there are so many more people creative that me on there, I can steal borrow what someone else did!  I must not have entered the right search term because I didn't find much. DRAT!  There are a lot of ideas for introducing yourselves to neighbors who are just moving in, but not a lot for those who are the newbs on the block.

But, here are links to some that I did find:
Cute poem printable
Get to know your neighbors --cute article and printable
Printable label
Cute popcorn labels

I ultimately ended up doing this in Word (6 boxes per page)....

and attaching them to bags of popcorn.  

We've moved!

Today, I spent the day looking up cute change of address notes to send to friends and family.  Hey, I want those Christmas cards!

Below are links to some cute ones I found on Pinterest
Free printable postcard

Free printable looks like moving boxes ----I had initially chosen this one, then I remembered I had cute colored paper and didn't think this would look right.

Using paint chips ---I think this is super cute, but kind of time consuming.

Not free, but a cute design

Also not free, but I love Etsy

Chalkboard moving announcement, not free

If we had moved a long distance, I might choose this one.  Not free

This Etsy shop has several designs for sale

After looking at all of these, I totally made my own!

Fresh french bread

Yesterday, I tried my hand at making bread; something I hadn't done since I was a kid.  You see, I found this amazing KitchenAid stand mixer at a flea market (with all the accessories) and wanted to try it out.

It's such a pretty blue.  Makes me happy just looking at it!  

Here is where I found the recipe.  I only made one loaf because I wasn't sure how it would turn out.  I also used a loaf pan instead of baking on a cookie sheet.  The egg wash on top was weird, so I'm not sure I'd do that again.  Maybe melted butter instead.  

#summerofamanda

30 day challenge

I'm not good at following through with challenges. I made it to February with the Life 365 photo challenge a few years ago.  I usually only make it through a week of workouts in a challenge group or just by myself.  Reading challenges I can usually do, but I get sidetracked by another book and then want to read what I want to read.  I finally found a challenge I think I can do:


What do you think?

The Summer of Amanda

I've decided that, like George Costanza, this is MY summer.  While I am no longer a teacher in Shenandoah County, I've yet to start in Winchester City.  I'm taking no classes this summer (last class for the semester is Wednesday), not teaching summer school, we've no big trips planned.  I'm doing what I want, when I want this summer.

In the episode, George lists things he wants to do:

*read a book, from beginning to end, in that order (done)

*learn frolf (frisbee golf)...(probably not)

He says it is time to taste the fruits and let the juices drip down his chin.  I'm in. So, here are a few things I'm going to do this summer:

*finish unpacking

*work out (daily)

* dye my hair pink

*bake bread

*host guests

*visit friends

*nap

*work with Luna on basic commands ("come", "sit", "stay"....she knows them, but is stubborn)

*read lots of books

*post more often

What are you going to do this summer?

And I leave you with this:

This is not a sales pitch, I just need to be held accountable

I am not affiliated with Beachbody.  I am not a coach.  I don't really like working out.  However, I need to do something to be healthy.  I'm tired of buying bigger sized pants.  I'm tired of being tired.  I'm scared of the medical issues that come with being overweight.  

My husband and I are doing the 21 Day Fix workout and meal plan, and we're doing Shakeology (actually, I'm doing Shakeology, he's just drinking regular protein shakes as Shakeology is too darn expensive for the both of us to do.  He likes his shakes, I like mine.  We're good.)

I need to hold myself accountable.  So, here are our meal plans for the week.  Next week, I'll let you know how it goes.

Here is Aaron's meal and workout plan

Here is mine

If you are looking for a coach, I will put you in contact with mine.  You can also visit her blog at allieluden.blogspot.com