Barnes & Noble Haul

The last two weeks at work were "Employee Appreciation" - meaning our discount on pretty much everything went up by another 10% - which led to me buying a few things I've had my eye on. As a book lover who works at a bookstore, my list was very long and I didn't end up getting nearly everything that I have on an ever growing list, but I am happy with what I did get! I thought I would turn it into a haul blog post for you. So let's get started.

First up: I got the Taylor Swift "1989" album on vinyl - spoiler but I'm getting a record player for Christmas and when I saw we had gotten this in at work I knew that I needed it for my first vinyl record!

Next up, an item I've been wanting since we got it in - a Frozen coffee mug! I just love the art style of Elsa and Anna here and couldn't resist - even though we already have a healthy collection of mugs. 

Next, the actual books I bought. "Girl Online" by Zoella, "East" by Edith Pattou (a book I read when I was much younger and absolutely loved and wanted to re-read), and finally a sequel to one of my favorite books, "Under the Light" by Laura Whitcomb. 

Other purchases: the new Walk the Moon CD, "Talking is Hard" - which you need to go out and buy right this minute (as well as their first album), and some Pomegranate Oolong tea. Finally, a new notebook (which I need like I need a bullet in my head, I have so many) by Riffle Paper Co. You'll probably recall I love their designs from my previous haul post. 

I went a little crazy, but considering I was saving 40% off of everything, I had to allow myself - as a Christmas treat.

Until next time,

Rose

The Christmas Tag

This is a very long tag because I decided to pick and choose from a lot of different Christmas tags that I found online. I hope you enjoy and I encourage anyone to fill the tag - in a blog post or video - and be sure to send it to me if you do!

1. Do you like to stay in your PJ’s, or dress up for Christmas? 

We've never been the family to really "dress up" for Christmas. When I was younger I definitely stayed in my PJ's, but now I'll usually throw on jeans or comfortable sweatpants. Lately I've been living in my "Walk the Moon" sweatshirt, especially since my mom keeps the house colder. 

2. Do you open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

My mom and I have a tradition that we open one present on Christmas Eve and then the rest the next morning. When I was younger and it was me and my cousin we would open presents first thing - but now that I'm older we'll usually wait until the evening or late afternoon to open presents. 

3. What’s your favorite Christmas meal or treat? 

Some of the usual staples that my family has for both Thanksgiving and Christmas - twice baked potatoes are a huge favorite. Then of course cups of hot chocolate! This year I'm going to make a bunch of cupcakes for Mia, Marissa and I (also a batch of Hanukkah ones for them!) and my co-workers at Barnes & Noble. 

4. What’s your favorite holiday movie (or specials)?

The Santa Clause, The Holiday, The Last Holiday, A Christmas Movie, Home Alone, Christmas Every Day - then of course all the Christmas Specials of my favorite shows. I love watching the Glee Christmas episodes, the Danny Phantom Christmas episode is hilarious, as well as other random shows with nice specials. Of COURSE the Doctor Who Christmas Specials - both the new one on Christmas day and past ones. 

5. Have you ever made a snowman?

I have! When I was a kid in North Carolina. We didn't make a snowman, because it was actually February at the time - but we had a lot of snow fall in Prescott as well.

6. Show us an embarrassing Christmas Card photo!

I guess this counts! This was probably my family's Christmas card photo in like, 1992? Maybe 1993. 

7. What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year?

Not too many, honestly. Christmas has been pretty different the last few years and grown a bit smaller with just my mom and Grandma in the same state to celebrate it. The Christmas "traditions" I'll probably still have are watching my favorite movies with my family. 

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?  

Fake!

9. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

I honestly love both. I love picking out the perfect gift for someone. That moment in the store when you see something and immediately think of a friend or a relative and know it would be perfect. Then wrapping it or putting it in a cute gift bag is amazing. Of course, there is nothing like getting a gift someone obviously picked out with care! 

10. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

I'd love to be in New York City for the holiday - I went a few days after the New Year a few years ago, but I'd love to be there in the thick of Christmas. Another place to go would be England, or a very snowy place. 

11. Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make?

We have these things called "Gloopers" - I don't know if many other people make it or not. You make it by getting lunch meat ham, spreading cream cheese over it and then putting a green onion in the middle and rolling it up. You put them in the freezer for about an hour, pull them out and cut into little bite size pieces - sort of like sushi rolls. They're so good and my grandma has been making them since before I could remember.

12. Most memorable Holiday moment?

The morning I woke up - I was probably only in first grade, maybe even kindergarten - and got a set of Sailor Moon dolls. I just remember the dogs running around and being so happy about those dolls. I played with them so much. 

13. What made you realize the truth about Santa?

I was either in 2nd or 3rd grade. I went to my grandma's closet to grab something for her and I saw a bag full of things. I distinctly saw a Furby and thought, "oh, it's my present!" On Christmas day....it was Santa who gave me the Furby. So I sort of put 2 and 2 together.

Figures it was the evil Furby who destroyed my childhood.

14. Favorite Christmas songs?

Here's a few - surprise surprise, most of them are Glee. 

15. Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?

I don't really make them anymore - because I didn't stick to them! 

16. What makes the Holidays special for you?

Being around friends. Spending time with my family (even though they drive me crazy sometimes). The religious connotations of the holiday and the celebration of that day. And of course, the gifts are special - they don't have to be materialistic, but the thought and care that went into the gift itself.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday - whichever one you may be celebrating! 

For this I tag: 

Mia

Izzy

Lauren

and Rachel Whitehurst why not 

Until next time, 

Rose

Black Friday Haul

If you can really call it a "haul" - I only went to two places on Black Friday weekend, since I was busy working at both of my jobs to do much serious shopping. I didn't really have the money to be doing that anyway, but I was happy with the deals and sales I was able to get anyway.

On Friday, during my lunch break at Barnes & Noble, I hurried over to Bath and Body Works in the mall to hit their "Buy 3 get 3 Free" off EVERYTHING in the store.

The first thing I grabbed was one of my favorite candles - "Black Tie." 

This year it has a different, beautiful packaging that makes me so happy. It's sort of a silver and black, almost "frosty window" look to it. The scent, if you haven't smelled it, can only be described as "boy" - or rather, a sort of light cologne smell that burns wonderfully.

Next up is probably my favorite item in Bath and Body Works - and what I use every single day - the shower gels! I usually have a huge stock pile of these babies, but they had dwindled a few months ago and I usually stock up during their semi-annual sales when they are only $5 (or less!). This sale was definitely good for stocking up and will hold me over until their semi-annual around the first of the year. 

I got four shower gels. Two that are more festive: A Thousand Wishes and Sugar Plum Dream, then two that are signatures: Cashmere Glow (my absolute favorite) and French Lavender Honey. 

Finally to wrap up my purchases, I got a hand soap. Mia, Marissa and I love having soaps from Bath and Body Works both in our shared bathroom and the kitchen. This one is now in our kitchen because it would be a little....distracting if it was in the bathroom. Because this just isn't a regular hand soap - it lights up and makes noise. It's so cute and so festive and I really like the smell of Winter Candy Apple.

The only other place I went on Saturday was into Ulta after work. They had buy 1 get 1 free on OGX products - which I found I really love. I wanted to get a shampoo and conditioner of Coconut Milk, but unfortunately they only had the latter in stock. Instead I restocked my Kukui Oil curl cream (which I previously did a review on here).

I decided to grab a NYX lipstick, though they didn't have any of the matte colors that I wanted, so I decided to try out one of their regular lipsticks in "Electra," which is really pretty (ignore my chipped nail polish). 

And that just about wraps up this haul post. I hope everyone found the deals they wanted on Black Friday, stayed home on Thanksgiving to spend time with your family instead of going out shopping, and were kind to all the employees you encountered!

Until next time,

Rose