Thankful Thursday, 5.31.12

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.firstdayofmylife.org" target="_blank"><img alt="ThankfulThursday" src="http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/babypickel/ThankfulThursday.png"/></a>

Please show some love & post the button or link back to First Day of My Life :)

I am thankful for...


-new candy! Well...not really candy...they're ginger chews with a little sugar on it...they cut out my craving for candy...and they are really spicy so it makes me not want to eat anything else...ha! Talk about tricking your body ;)


-a Memorial Day bbq with the parents...it was a nice & relaxing time!


-my parents gave me a super cute lucky bambo plant that is in the shape of hearts as a "congratulations" for opening up the juice bar! Very kind & sweet of them!


-knowing, in my heart, that I'll be able to travel the world at some point in my life. I am so excited for that!


-having many friends visit my juice bar! It means SO much to me that they take the time out of the day to stop buy & grab a juice...makes me feel special :)


-the ability to spread the word about blogging courtesies - many of you agreed with me and have been hurt by those not being very kind in the blogging world


-finally being able not to feel bad if my nails aren't painted a pretty color...maybe it's because they are finally a little long so they look nice with just a clear coat of paint. I tried a new french manicure set...it was terrible. Absolutely horrible...peeled RIGHT off, didn't last one bit. BUT - I am thankful I was able to afford to buy it :)


-having company a couple of times during the past week...I LOVE company and being able to host. I can't wait until I move into a bigger place so I can have even more company!


-having Friday off! Means I can go to First Friday & have a booth of juice! 


-the tropical depression Beryl that came through not being so bad for us. When I moved to the beach, I didn't really think of dealing with hurricanes...oops :)


-enjoying the gorgeous beach for a few minutes after work on Saturday...

-being blessed with gorgeous sunsets...

-already having repeat customers... :)

-when it was raining like CRAZY on Sunday from the storm, calling it a pizza night...which hasn't helped in quite a long time! AND - I actually liked the pizza! Usually, I'm not a big pizza fan!

-making new recipes & it coming out delicious...hello, chicken cordon blue!

-being able to celebrate V's sister's graduation with her...so proud & excited for her future! Isn't she beautiful?

-hanging out at the ceremony with my lovey dovey :)

-oh, and being able to catch up on my nails...

-after graduation ceremony celebration...

-hanging out at V's grandparents house for a graduation party pool party the next day :)

So much to be thankful for...sorry if I'm too wordy!

How are YOU ladies doing?

Have a BEAUTIFUL rest of your week <3

Linking up with: Carina, Heather, Julia, Kate, Ryan, Sarah

Blogging Pet Peeve

For me, if a fellow blogger comments on my blog (or e-mails me!) I always respond back - whether it is an e-mail back about a comment, just an e-mail back, or a response back on their blog if their e-mail address isn't hooked up to their google account.


It may take me a little while to respond - but I always do!


It is SUCH a pet peeve of mine when I comment or even tweet to a fellow blogger and I get no response. Nothing. Ziltch. I don't even mind if it takes a few days...but not to have ANY response? It's just rude.


I'm not saying I'm perfect - I'm not. I'm sure there are a couple that fall through the crack. I hope not many. And if I've done it to you - I apologize!!

Is it common practice for you? Do you respond to comments and tweet from bloggers - even if they're new to your blog?

Top Five Places I Want to Travel

With me being so busy & wanting a vacation - I have the traveling bug!


Top 5 Places I Want to Travel to...


#1 - Italy
I was SO close to visiting when I lived in Scotland but when I had break, flights were so expensive because it was Easter holiday & of course, everyone wanted to go to the Vatican.
The history of Italy makes me want to go so bad - the beautiful architecture - the fact that I'm Italian - the beautiful beaches - etc...

#2 - Greece
All of the architecture + vivid colors always calls me to Greece! 

#3 - The Florida Keys
I've only been when I was in about 6th grade, so that definitely does not count. The see-through water is calling my name :)

#4 - Sydney
Life is SO different over on the other side of the world - I would love to experience that. Also, of course, the architecture & culture is beaming!

#5 - Prague
Ah, the culture! The lifestyle. Castles are one of my favorite places to visit - and Prague's Castle is amazing. The clothing...everything is so classy.

Juice Bar!

Thank you all for your support and prayers with Camille's Juice Bar!


I appreciate them so much.

I'm just getting started - decorations are sparse, but until I get going & know what it's going to be like, I'm going to keep it simple!

Any ideas or tips you might have - I'd love to hear! :)

I am learning what recipes I have on the menu that the public enjoys & ones that they are steering clear from.

I would love for you to follow along with me on my journey by following Camille's Juice on Facebook :)

Again, thank you for your love, support, & prayers...it means the world to me! <3

High School Expectations

V's sister is graduating today...


It brings me back to my high school graduation seven years ago. (Gosh...I didn't realize how old I was...ha!) Class of 2005, baby! 


Thinking back to graduation...I started thinking about how I'm not where I expected to be.


When I was in high school, I expected that by 25 (almost 26!) I'd be in a very different place than I am today - married, with kids, working in the field I went to college for, etc.


I am none of those things.


But you know what? I am happy. I know that everything will fall into place when the time is right.


When you're in high school, you're so...young and inexperienced. You don't know yourself completely then, either. You haven't fully lived yet. (Until you live on your own especially in another country, you haven't lived.)


Anyways...so often people ask me if I've done this or that - if I have kids - why I don't have any yet - etc...when I let it get to me, first I get upset that they would ask me such personal questions and then I typically get a little sad (until I make myself snap out of it!) 


At the end of the day, all that matters is that you are happy. If you can go to bed at night, happy...fantastic! If you can't - what changes can you make so you can go to bed happy the next day? Whatever it is, make it happen!


Life is too short to be anything less than happy. <3


It doesn't matter if you're where you expected to be or not...you'll get just where you're meant to be.

Thankful Thursday, 5.24.12

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.firstdayofmylife.org" target="_blank"><img alt="ThankfulThursday" src="http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/babypickel/ThankfulThursday.png"/></a>

Please show some love & post the button or link back to First Day of My Life :)

Being thankful makes your heart + soul happy...

I'm thankful for for so many blessings...

-happy 300 posts to me!
-beautiful flowers...just because :)

-chapstick that is spf 50 that doesn't taste like sunscreen! #lipshield365

-my old man friend bringing me licorice at work...yum! He is so sweet!

-a friend having a healthy pregnancy thus far!

-the above friend having a fun baby shower last weekend...corny baby shower games are totally the best

-sea turtle season! There have been tons of sea turtle nests all about. Hopefully we'll see one this season...

-3 day weekend this weekend...yes pleeeeease! 

-Memorial weekend clothing sales too...crossing my fingers for some nice deals!

-completing a Facebook page for Camille's Juice bar :)

-amazing support for my new venture <3

-having lunch with a boardie in St. Augustine over the past weekend...what an amazing friend & a fun time <3

 -some great beach time + beautiful beach walks...

-lovely visits with Jake :) (parents' doggie!) 

-finding a new favorite snack...oh myyyy goodness...tastes like heaven!! 3 of my favorite things...granola, dark chocolate, coconut...doesn't get much better than that :) 

What are my loves thankful for?

Linking up with: Carina, Heather, Julia, Manda, Ryan, Sarah

Spring Beauty VoxBox!

I want to share something with you lovelies - the Spring Beauty VoxBox that I received!


Amazing products from wonderful companies!


Instead of just taking a bunch of photos like this:

I thought I'd do a vlog for you!

 


In case you couldn't keep track (I know, the video is long!) here are the products:

Did you receive a VoxBox or have you used any of the products? If so, what did you think??






Disclaimer: All products were received complimentary from Influenster's VoxBox program - I was not paid to do a review or for any of my opinions - all opinions are 100% my own - I really loved the products!

Tasty Tuesday, 5.22.12 - Pinterest Version

I have been Pinterest-obsessed lately...I feel like more & more people are planning their meals based off of Pinterest. Is that you?


So, lets link up some delicious pinterest-finds (or other recipes you might have!)






Cami's Recipes...

I think I'll make this on Wednesday...

Source: budgetsavvydiva.com via Cami on Pinterest

What would V do if I did this?! Hahah :)

Source: foodgawker.com via Cami on Pinterest

A chicken recipe I want try - instead of chicken quesadillas

Source: pink-parsley.com via Cami on Pinterest

Black bean BROWNIES!!! I am so interested to try this...

Source: 101cookbooks.com via Cami on Pinterest

I've been wanting to try making this forever...

Source: freecoconutrecipes.com via Cami on Pinterest

This sounds like a little bit of heaven...

Source: satisfyingeats.blogspot.com via Cami on Pinterest

Have you tried any of these recipes? If so, what did you think?

Silk'n Go Flash & Go Laser Hair Removal System!

As a female, I am thoroughly tired of shaving. Seriously. Ok, shaving my underarms isn’t TOO bad – it’s pretty quick and easy. Everything else is a huge pain in the butt (I think.)

I have always wanted to wax (but been too scared of the level of pain) or do a laser removal system. I was so excited when Silk’n gave me the opportunity to review their Flash and Go product!

The Silk’n Flash and Go is a significant money saver! If you get laser hair removal done at a salon, you could easily spend near $2,000. Not only cost-effective, but the product and treatment sessions are very simple and fairly quick. (And it doesn’t hurt like waxing does!) If you are removing hair from a private area, you can use the product from the privacy of your own bathroom!

Silk’n Flash and Go warns that those with dark skin tones, the system is not recommended. The system cannot detect he difference between the hair and skin – therefore the system will not be nearly as effective. (This is no different than a professional laser system.)

There are many home laser hair removal systems that are unable to work properly on your face. This system works and is safe to use on your face!

I live in Florida…on the beach…so naturally, I am tan! With that being said, I was limited with the areas I could use the system! Due to the tan my skin is glowing with and that I am in a bikini pretty much every day, I decided to use the Flash and Go on my bikini area. (I would love to share photos with you to show how great it works…but, sorry…that is a private area for me that I don’t want plastered on the internet.)

After the first treatment, I didn’t notice much of a difference. The second treatment proved that this product is a great success!

I was a little nervous to use the system to start…I wasn’t sure how uncomfortable it would be and how much it would hurt. (I am such a baby.) Luckily, the treatment was a little uncomfortable but it did not hurt like I thought it would.

For anyone who is looking to try a laser hair removal system, I highly recommend giving Silk’n Flash and Go a try! The price is very competitive to others on the market, it is easy to use, the pain level isn’t too terrible, and the clean up is easy!

Silk’n has offered a discount code to the readers of First Day of My Life! You can receive 20% off of anything on Silkn.com with the code “NYNY.”

Disclaimer: Silk’n Flash and Go provided the product for me to review. 

All opinions are 100% my own and an honest opinion was given.

Thankful Thursday, 5.17.12

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.firstdayofmylife.org" target="_blank"><img alt="ThankfulThursday" src="http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab312/babypickel/ThankfulThursday.png"/></a>

Please show some love & post the button or link back with First Day of My Life if you link-up!

Give your mental health a boost and list what you are thankful for!

I am thankful for...

-pastel colors lately...they have been my favorite - especially for nail polish :)

-being able to create my own business card and menu for my new JUICE BAR!! Ideally, it'll be opening in less than two weeks. I am so excited about it. To God be all the glory!

-that my family and I were able to hang out for Mother's Day...and I made a killer pulled pork if I do say so myself. ;)

-that it's been raining!! We needed some rain in Florida desperately...we've been on a burn ban.

-having a man who loves me even with my crazy PMS self.

-extra cheddar goldfish and sour gummie life savers - they got me through my cravings!

-making a delicious chicken cordon blue dish on Tuesday...yum, yum! My first time making it - great success!

-randomly being compliments and told how pretty I look while at work :)

-my best friend being my man...instead of having a tv in the living room, we just talk and talk...it makes me oh so happy <3 (sorry for the mushy gushiness of this post!)

-my mom getting an iPhone - 4s. She is going to absolutely love it!! And I'll finally be able to figure out what she's trying to say when she texts me. Hahah ;)

-having a baby shower to go to this weekend AND meeting up with one of my boardies..so excited! We'll be going to St. Augustine...hopefully it'll be nice enough weather where we can walk around afterwards!

-speaking of friends...seeing a friend on Friday for lunch we haven't seen one another in quite some time - he just graduated from law school too!

-Memorial Day weekend coming on up...3 full days off, here I come!!!

-celebrating my god-daughter's fourth birthday with her!

Niviana & her friend!

Happy Fourth Birthday!

Birthday hugs!

What are you thankful for?

It's all about the little things <3

Linking up with Carina, Heather, Julia,  Sarah!

Thanks for the amazing link-up, ladies! <3