50/50 Challenge Update

image from Pinterest

Well, well, well, it's been awhile. Is it good to not have time to blog or am I not devoting myself to it like I should? I haven't had time, busy little bee I am, but I also haven't made the time either. Shame. 

I'll be traveling this week, which means I'll need to pass the time and what better way to do it than update my blog. In the meantime, I have been making slow progress on the 50/50 Challenge. I think this may be one of my slowest starts to date. 

I've seen three new movies: 

#20 - The Wrecking Crew

#21 - Get Hard

#22 - Furious 7

"The Wrecking Crew" is a cool film I saw at Ken Cinema (my first time there!) about this group of musicians who pretty much played for every big band of the 50s and 60s, including The Beach Boys, which was one of the main reasons we went to go see the movie.

Love the roll that Kevin Hart is on and while the previews didn't look that hilarious, "Get Hard" made me laugh harder than I intended. Maybe I was just in need of a good laugh that night, but I giggled pretty much throughout.

You can read my full review of "Furious 7" on Examiner.com, but as a huge fan of Paul Walker I have to say it was sad to see this one, especially at the end. The movies are just a lot of fun and you can tell they make them for the fans alone and that's what's important. They're so ridiculously awesome. I just hope they don't make any more because how could they go on without Paul?

Book-wise I only read a dismal two. Or, maybe I read more and forgot to list them, which would be worst! The two I read were pretty great though and I recommend both of them.

#9 - The Autumn Balloon - Kenny Porpora

#10 - The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins

Kenny Porpora's book is a memoir about him growing up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic mother and a bordering-on-homeless father, but it's written in a way that doesn't evoke pity. There are definitely sad parts to it, but you can tell the writer took to heart that he was writing about his family and did not pass judgment on them or their struggles. I like reading about people who surpass adversity to succeed.

In the debut novel by Paula Hawkins, I couldn't really put it down. It's a mystery, which I love and I honestly didn't figure it out until about three-fourths the way through. The character detail is amazing and the style keeps the pace moving because it's told from various perspectives.

There you have it. Chugging steadily along. More soon. I hope.

What's In My Influenster #FrostyVoxBox?

For those of you signed up with Influenster, you know how great it feels to get the email that says: You are receiving a VoxBox! I got such an email last month and days later I received a red, festive box of products as part of their most recent #FrostyVoxBox campaign. Merry Christmas to me!

Eight products total, all from quality brands, to help make my holidays merry and bright. 

Let's take a peek inside, shall we?

First things first, I tore into those Fruit Vines Bites. The niblets are from the Red Vines candy family and have the same flavor and texture as the vines. The beauty about this sweet snack is that there are no preservatives.

Since the weather had turned chilly (at least by San Diego standards), I immediately made use of the Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea. Because it's decaf, it turned out to be a delicious way to wind down the day and snuggle in nice and cozy. I was apprehensive about the peppermint flavor, but it was subtle enough that it was light and refreshing. I'd like to get a small teapot and continue to enjoy a hot tea every evening this winter.

I was excited to see the EcoTools Hair Brush since I can't remember the last time I replaced mine. I typically use a paddle brush, so I appreciate the soft bristles of the EcoTools brush. However, my hair is so thick that it didn't feel like it was brushing all the way through. It did increase its shine, but on most days, I need something that brushes out the tangles a little bit better.

There were four beauty products in my #FrostyVoxBox:

- A sample of the No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Sachet, which is meant to help reduce the appearance of fine lines for healthier looking skin. Fortunately, I have not noticed too many fine lines yet, but it doesn't hurt to start good skincare with innovative products early.

- A full-size bottle of Rimmel's Gentle Eye Makeup Remover which is perfect if you use waterproof mascara. It helps clean the entire eye area. I just started using eye makeup remover in the past year and I think it makes a difference with my skincare.

- A jet black Rimmel Scandleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner, which is heavily pigmented and glides on easily. With the vibrant color, keep in mind that a lot can go a long way. Or, if you want a dramatic look, line those rims to your heart's content.

-The NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum is a complementary match for my skin tone. It is similar to my original lip color, but gives a slightly darker hue for depth and a bit of shine. The product is moisturizing, which leaves a smooth finish. I am a fan of NYC beauty products and I look forward to trying their different colors, especially since they're only $1.99 each!

The last product of the box threw me for a loop for a second, but inspired me to search for recipes, so that I could take full advantage of it. McCormick's Gourmet Thyme will be a good seasoning for chicken and lemon pasta or in a hearty stew. If you cook with thyme often and have recipes to share with me, that'd be great!

Can't wait until my next VoxBox, but until then, I have plenty of time to enjoy the products I've received. Cheers my fellow Influensters!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions remain my own.