My Birchbox Goodies!

Have you ever heard of Birchbox? Product junkies, rejoice! Birchbox is a website that allows you to sign up and for $10 a month, you will receive a sweet little brown box (pictured) every month with the newest samples out on the market! Head over to www.birchbox.com to sign up for this fabulous offer! You may have to get on a waiting list since the demand is quite high but I only waited about 2 weeks for my "invite".
This is my 3rd month and May is the "Gossip Girl" Birchbox, inspired by said show and boy, let me tell ya, I got some goodies!
I first noticed a small glass bottle of Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Lotion (which is perfect for my soon to be 31 year old face ;). I have never heard of the brand but I will try this sweet smelling face lotion tonight!
I then squealed in delight when I noticed the Stila Liquid Eye Liner in Rock Candy. Stila has one of the best eyeliner's on the market in my opinion. It goes on smooth and lasts a long time and I will be using this product in the A.M. Watch me!
I will be smelling fabulous all day with my sample size "smell-good" of Miss Dior. Yum. Enough said.
This evening my hair will be looking shiny and supple due to the Kerastase Age Premium (is Birchbox trying to tell me something?!?!) shampoo and hair masque.
And finally, a lucky friend will be receiving a fun note from me with my XoXo Notecard and envelope!
I like Birchbox because I love product! If a sample I receive doesn't thrill me, I don't feel so bad because I didn't spend a lot on a full size bottle or tube. Check Birchbox out. Every month you will acquire a moment of sunshine when this baby arrives in the mailbox :)

Hang On My Friends :)

I thought this was a nice quote for Monday. Sometimes we slam into some rough and tough periods in life. The important thing is that we all get THROUGH them. Stick with those YOU LOVE and those who LOVE YOU. The power of love will always prevail. Please have a wonderful Monday and recognize all the love that surrounds you <33

So Pretty......

And that's it! Flowers make me happy :)

Nardo's Natural 100% Natural Body Lotion! Good Stuff!!

Let me tell you about the body lotion that I have been using for 3 weeks now. It's Nardo's Natural 100% Natural Body Lotion! 100% natural!! Where in the world nowadays can we find something 100% natural? Exactly. I am extremely picky about what I put in and on my body and this lotion is perfect. First off, it's paraben free. Parabens are nasty little chemicals that are said to cause certain cancers, although, supposedly, that hasn't been proven. Regardless, I don't like them and I seriously try to stay away from them!

Second, it is sulfate free. SLS and SLES have also not been proven to cause cancer but in my mind, if some research has been done to identify some kind of "badness" in sulfates, some part of it must be true! Like the tabloids! Some crazy story erupts about a celebrity and their "sources" claim it wasn't true and then a month later, it ended up being legit! Happens all the time. Therefore, buh bye sulfates.

Third, it's cruelty free. Need I say more?

Now let's focus more on what's actually IN it. Coconut oil. Coconut oil is bliss! You have a skin ailment, coconut takes it away.....says me. Rough, dry skin? Coconut oil. Take some coconut oil and moisturize your clean feet before bed. Cover with soft cotton socks and in the morning, helloooooooo supple piggies! Coconut oil contains antimicrobial, antioxident, antifungal, antibacterial and soothing properties! I feel the same way about coconut oil that I do about apple cider vinegar. It's a natural necessity and was put on this earth for a reason. Use it.

Aloe is also in this lotion. We all know the healing properties of aloe. You burn yourself? Aloe. Want to look younger? Aloe. See? No one needs parabens and man-made chemicals in their products. Nature has given us the anecdotes for everything.

Shea butter is also in this lotion. Shea butter is glorious! It pretty much has the same properties of coconut oil except it's thicker. Absolutely glorious!

Lastly, there is real vanilla extract in this moisturizer. There isn't some fake pretending-to-be-cake smell in here. It's the real thing. Mmmmm, I always loved the smell of true natural vanilla extract. It reminds me of when I was 5 and making cookies with mom. The smell is very subtle and isn't overpowering one bit.

Nardo's Natural 100% Natural Body Lotion makes my skin feel extremely smooth and luxurious. It has the perfect consistency that a lotion MUST have in my book. It hydrates, it nourishes AND it's natural. Plus, you can read every single ingredient and know what it is! Try it out. Rub it all over and enjoy every minute of it!  www.nardosnatural.com

Stella and Dot Starfish Earrings!

I purchased these Starfish Earrings from Stella and Dot a few weeks ago! Because of these earrings, I have joined Stella and Dot as an independent stylist for the company! Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am a jewelry, accessory, pretties freak. I seriously may, one day, be one of those older ladies that leaves their houses with a sparkly, chunky ring on every single finger, layered bracelets on both wrists, multiple stacked necklaces dangling from my neck and glittery hair clips embedded in my locks! Until then, I will do what I love and have fun trying on gorgeous pieces with friends, family and all in all some fabulous ladies that I meet along the way!

Back to the point of this post.....I just found out that these earrings are discontinued! You can still order them but once they're gone, they're gone :( Sniff sniff :( I am glad I ordered when I did. In fact, I may just order myself a second pair, I kid you not! Get them while you can! I guarantee they will bring a smile to your face every time you put them on :)

If you are anywhere in the 2 hour radius of Philadelphia, contact me for a FABULOUS trunk show! Call up the ladies and get em out for an evening of wine and jewelry....especially since the weather is getting quite nice and we have to show off how gorgeous we are :) Message me your address if you'd like me to send you a Summer Look Book!

My website: www.stelladot.com/sites/laurenmaniscalco

Chopping My Locks!

For a very long time now, I have been planning on growing my hair long to donate. Three Christmas Eve's ago, I made a pact with my fiance's little cousin to donate our hair together. She was 7. Her hair was long enough to donate about for months after that. Mine, um, was not. Then September came around and I became engaged and for the next year and a half, I wistfully imagined my hair long, wavy and California-y beach-like for our wedding. Cutting it was O-U-T of the question. March 31st, Wedding Day, came around and while I didn't have the long, wavy, California-y beach-like, I was still glad I had kept it long.

Two weeks after we tied the knot, chopping day happened. It was yesterday! My cousin Mary Beth

www.blushlooks.com does my hair and I am IN LOVE and SO HAPPY with the cut! More importantly, I did it for a great cause. The site I went through is called Children With Hair Loss www.childrenwithhairloss.us/ The organization provides assistance to children, with any type of medically related hair loss, in the form of hair replacement. Services and products are provided at no cost to the child and the organization offers hair replacement once a year for the children who need it, until the age of 21! Here is Mary Beth's work:

Are You Feeling Nervous?

Well, according to the April 16, 2012 issue of Woman's World, chewing helps boost the brain's level of serotonin! You will feel more calm and chill in a few moments! Chew away!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar....Nature's Finest!

Apple Cider Vinegar. Some hear it and say....Blech! My husband does ;) However, he holds his nose and gulps it down anyway. Apple Cider Vinegar. I hear it and think....Gimme!! Why? Because of the amazing natural health powers it holds. Now, if you know me, you most likely have heard me "preaching" about it at one time or another. "I have aches and pains in my joints"...."Oh yeah? Take Apple Cider Vinegar" Problem solved. "Ugh, I have a cough that just won't go away"..."You do? Down some Apple Cider Vinegar" Problem solved. "Oh dear, I just got bit by a spider and it won't stop itching"...."Oh my! Rub some ACV on that right away!" Problem solved. Seriously.

It all started back in mid October. I am a nanny. The child that I watch had a serious sinus infection and since little sick children need tons more love when they don't feel well, I gave more love without hesitation. But there was this little voice in the back of my mind asking...."What if I get sick? I hate medicine. Any kind of medicine. Antibiotics especially. Antibiotics cure sinus infections!?! No. That's not for me! What can I do? Preferrably, I'd like a natural cure." So, I got to researching and Apple Cider Vinegar seemed to be the most common and natural way to help with sinus infections, coughs, colds, etc. Bragg was the most referred name on the websites. Quickly, I downloaded the book, Apple Cider Vinegar: Miracle Health System by Paul C. Bragg and Patricia Bragg, and started reading. I learned a chock full of information on something that I wasn't even familiar with. There is even a website www.bragg.com/ Apple Cider Vinegar  kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of common mold and 80% of germs and viruses, according to this book! What did I do? I went out and bought a bottle. I take 1 tablespoon every single morning with 4oz of natural apple juice and 4oz of NOT TAP water. This girl hasn't been sick since! No colds, no belly bugs, no nada! And I never even got that wicked sinus infection. Apple Cider Vinegar contains "mother enzymes" and minerals such as phosphorus, pectin, potassium, malic and tartaric acids "which are important in fighting body toxins and inhibiting unfriendly bacteria." The malic acid in ACV "relieves fungal and bacterial infections, as well as dissolves the uric acid deposits that form around your aching joints. Other benefits of ACV are the relief of constipation, headaches, arthritis, indigestion, diarrhea, eczema, sore eyes, chronic fatigue, mild food poisoning, as well as high blood pressure and heartburn symptoms." I recommend to anyone who dislikes the tastes and thoughts of taking medicine to read this book. It's an easy read, it's full of useful information and the authors don't preach like I do. I only sound "preachy" because I believe in it. I know first hand that it works. Well, it works for me anyway. I just want my family and friends to be healthy too :) Mind you, I AM NO DOCTOR in any way. I am simply sharing what works for me and what makes me happy. Getting sick does NOT make me happy! :) If you have tried it, let me know! I'd love to know what works, or doesn't work for people! Thanks for reading :)

My Dove Chocolate Wrapper....

If Everyone Thought Like This, The World Would Be A Better Place! The Book The Secret By Rhonda Byrne States That What You Think About, You Bring About. That Means, If One Thinks Poorly, Negative Things Will Happen. Yet If One Thinks Happily, Positive Forces Will Come Your Way! Now If You Think Like This Dove Wrapper, Does That Mean Nothing Bad Will EVER Happen?? Hmmm.....

I Heart Gummies!

Dear Easter Bunny,

I Heart Candy. Especially Gummies, Beans, Chocolates And Nuts. (I Guess That Covers Pretty Much Everything ;) Imagine My Surprise When I Open Up My Eyes And See An Easter Basket Waiting There. What The Heck, I'll Take The Hippo Too! Thanks Again In Advance, The Girl Who Loves Everything Sugary And Gooey And Tasty!

My First Post!! As A Wife!!

I Am New At Blogging And This Is My First Blog Ever. I Want To Share What Makes Me Happy In Life And Over The Weekend, Something Made Me Really Happy....I Got Married! Oh, We Sure Had A Blast! Stock's Manor www.stocksmanor.com In Mechanicsburg, Pa Was Everything I Ever Dreamed Of! The Old Colonial Inn Was Restored Into A Beautiful Bed And Breakfast And Venue To Host An Array Of Gatherings Such As Weddings, Benefits And Anniversaries! The Veranda Stretches Out Off Of The Manor Allowing Every Party Goer A Chance To See The Gorgeous Backdrop Of Acreage At A 360 Degree Angle. If You're Ever In The Area And Need A Charming And Elegant Place Where You Will Feel At Home As Soon As You Walk Up The Gorgeous Limestone Porch, Go To Stock's Manor!  

My Ladies Were Clothed In Beautiful Pool Blue Dresses Of Their Choice. Fragrant Red Roses Accented The Blue. The Roses Made My White Dress POP Too! Clearly, I Was Into The Red With The Cherry Lips And Nails! Oh, So Fun :) Our Wrists Were Adorned With Scarlet And Crystal Bracelets With A Silver Heart Clasp Made By My Friend, Ellen. www.Ellieambler.etsy.com Or Search Ellie's Adornments On Facebook. She Creates A Wide Variety Of Gorgeous And Durable Jewelry Which I Am Always Proud To Wear! I Will Do A Whole Post On Just Her Jewelry Soon :)

 My Shoes Were Steve Madden's And I Picked Flats Because I Knew I Would Be Unhappy Within 20 Minutes Of Wearing Heels And Those Puppies Would Be OFF And Useless! So To Save Me Some Dirty Feet And The Extra Cost Of A Different Hem, I Chose The Rhinestone Sparkly Flats! They Were A Godsend And Did Not Hurt One Bit All Day And Night! The Party Lasted Well Through The Evening With Lots Of Dancing (Comfortably) And Shenanigans!

Yes, This Day Sure Made Me Happy! Every Bride Must Always Remember Their Wedding Day And March 31st Was A Day I Know I Will Never Forget! Stay Tuned For More Bliss That Makes Me Tick! :)

Dress: David's Bridal

Shoes: Steve Madden

Tux: Flocco's

Photography: McLeod House Studios