Influenster (11), (12), (13), & (14)

It has been months since I've been able to post about my recent Influenster boxes I've gotten. 

I've been subscribed to this since 2017 and I've received/tried out so man products. Here recently, I've gotten some really awesome products. A few of them, I will absolutely buy again once I'm out of my free ones from Influenster!

From this box, I wasn't too impressed with the liner and the loose pigment but the highlighting elixir is my favorite thing I've ever gotten from one of these boxes! 

It is so pretty and adds a fun dimension to your make up look. I will 100% buy more of this when I'm out. It looks like this one isn't sold in stores around here but, you can get it on Ulta's website here. 

I was PUMPED about this. If you've ever used DevaCurl, then you know it costs a pretty penny which is why I use it ever so carefully and not every time I wash my hair. I didn't even know other brands had similar products but this is the closest thing I've ever found and I think it worked just as well as Deva. I'm not much of a gel or cream girl so the cleanser and conditioner were the main thing I was looking for. Although, I did try both the cream and gel and felt that they both worked well (weren't "crunchy") but, I still don't plan in adding in the extra step since I don't feel like it's needed. 

This line can be found at Sally's Beauty Stores and once all of my current DevaCurl is gone, I will certainly buy this seeing as how it's better suited for my budget. 

I have tried various brands of natural deodorant time and time again. I want to use it so badly but, every time, it breaks me out! I've read all about the detoxing stage and how it can take up to 30 days for your body to adjust and mine just doesn't want to adjust, LOL! Other than breaking me out though, this one smelled so, so good, went on easily, and just know, I wish I could use it. You can check out all their scents here (if you're one of the lucky ones that are able to use it!)

Target, Walmart, Walgreens, all the common places carry this brand. I use their shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and have tried some other things. I feel like it's one of the most budget-friendly brands and most certainly gets the job done! I liked this one--smelled so, so good.

ANYONE can do this. You just have to be willing to complete some tasks (posts & reviews) sharing your thoughts about what you've received. There's an app and they make it easy to get it done--nothing crazy, I promise. If you're interested, here's their website. 

Ann Hatten is TWO! (12/15)

This little gal turned TWO just a few days ago!

Last weekend, we celebrated her birthday with family. 

Jason & I love being Aunt and Uncle to Ann Hatten and it's been so much fun watching her grow so much over the past year. She's a treat and we're thankful for all of the time we get to spend with her and invest in her. 

Last year, she wasn't really in to cake, opening presents, any of the birthday shenanigans so it was fun seeing her enjoy these things this year. 

With her Grando and Mimi showing how old she is

And with her Mommy and Daddy, hamming it up (she she does best these days)!

And just for fun, look at these little precious moments:

One year old birthday celebration 

The day she was born!

Time flies and The Lord is good. 

K&B Tree Farm Pictures (12/9)

If you've gotten our Christmas card or looked on any of my social media accounts, you've seen these pictures. So, I apologize in advance for spamming you...again but, I just love them so much!

Nicole does such an amazing job and I know I will cherish these for many, many years to come. 

It so happened that our time slot was right after Mary Claire, Grant, and Ann Hatten's so we tried to sneak in a few pictures with Ann--as you can tell, she wasn't having it. 

She was more entranced with my lip stick, the trees, and the horses across the way. 

Baby James, Coming Soon! (12/8)

James Edwin Jussely is slowing making his way! 

In the mean time, Blair and Aaron had their first baby shower and it was a fun afternoon sharing excitement & gifts with the parents-to-be. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of her opening them but, Mom gave Blair a box FULL of some of Aaron's old clothes that he wore as a baby. 

They are the sweetest little pieces and I can't wait to see the newest Jussely in them!

The countdown is on.
1.5(ish) months and he will be here.
Come on, little nephew!

Fall & Winter Catch Up (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec)

We hit the ground running the day school started and "down time" was scarce. 

Hence the lack of posts. But, I finally wrapped up my Master's degree, Jason finished his National Board Certification, and free time is slowly showing itself around The Ellis household again! 

Let's play catch up with all that's been going on since September!

In September, Jason and I celebrated our 7th "dateaversary"

We make it a point to have dinner where we had our very first "unofficial" date--Papitos.

It's always so much fun to reflect on that date--how nervous we both were, how 

Mom and I had a fun weekend tie dying alllll the shirts and socks we could find. 

In October, we celebrated Jason's 41st birthday.
He says he's finally, fully in his 40's. I've never seen a more handsome 41 year old ;)

Big ole' girl's nights for friends visiting from out of town

Wedding Celebrations for friends

My parents went on the trip of a lifetime. 

They spent weeks in Europe visiting different cities/beautiful places.

Aren't they precious?

Had our annual Reformation Celebration to close out October

Celebrated after turning in my final assignment for my Master's Degree!

Got to enjoy Mistletoe Marketplace with these gals + Papa Steve--this one always kicks off the Christmas Season

Celebrated 6 years of marriage with my sweetie.

We kept it low key this year due to the busyness and enjoyed every bit of taking it easy/relaxing for an evening. 

Decorated the house earlier than ever and loved every second of it!  

Honestly, there's nothing prettier than a house decorated for Christmas!

Had our 3rd annual wine & ornament swap (one of my favorite holiday traditions)

Attended Christmas Parties

Took Ann Hatten to meet Pete the Cat, one of her Uncle Jason's favorite storybook characters

Celebrated Grant's Birthday 

While also having bookoodles of chapstick put on us.

While it's true that life has been busy, it's been full of so many good, sweet things and we are quite thankful for The Lord's goodness as we close out, not only another year, but a decade!