Happy Birthday Blue Dog Belle

Well one year ago today I wrote my very first post here. A year later I can't believe how much this blog and my life has changed. I have so many new friends and friendships that I'm sure will last for years to come. I'm actually kind of "in" to fashion now... not something I would have said a year ago. The blog has forced me to focus on what I want in my life, what I don't. It's kept me accountable, and pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Some days I still don't really know why all of you lovelies stop by here and read my opinions on the random happenings in my life, but you keep coming back. For that, I am forever grateful. I'm sure those of you that blog can share in my sentiments.

And seriously, what better day to have a Blogiversary than on my favorite day of the week! Friday's Fancies!

T shirt / DKNYC / TOMS / Kate Spade bag / Metal jewelry

Did you see my post yesterday? I shared some of my feelings about the big google announcement. Needless to say I'm going to make the transition to bloglovin, so don't  forget to add me!

And if you're new to BL, like me, check this post out from Whitney on how and why to change your comment form!

I'm heading out tonight with #DCCallie and many of my favorites to celebrate the Blue Dog Belle's big day! Thanks again to everyone who has come by, left a comment or followed me over the last year, it means so much to me!

A new phase

So I updated my blog during lunch today after I found out about the death of google reader. Well, I have more to say. I'm beyond frustrated with the amount of time and effort I've put into growing this here blog all to have it essentially go by the way side (though the friends I've made here will have made it 100% worth it).

I went and read the official google reader blog post about it, and the reasoning just seems ridiculous. They are cancelling the service to to waning interest. I'm sure that just about any other company would be thrilled to have the user-ship that reader does. It seems absolutely absurd to throw that to the wayside, not to mention anger so many "influential" people. 

As someone who has had an on and off love affair with the blog world for years, I loved google reader/blogger for keeping me linked with old friends. Now it seems that link will be disappearing. All of this change is forcing me to strongly consider moving to a self hosted page. I don't want to deal with google or these antics any more.

So yes Google, I'm "sad to see reader go", but I've learned my lesson. I want to own my blog, and my readership.

I will personally transfer my feeds to both bloglovin and feedly. I'm still new to both, but bloglovin seems to be better for blogs, feedly for news and magazines. While I'm frustrated that I will now have to rely on two platforms to handle what reader did, I'm happy to support two companies that appreciate their users and won't be going anywhere anytime soon. In the meantime lets make some new blog lovin friends! Link up below and post the code on your page.

Color Crush: African Violet and Google Reader

UPDATE: So before we get on to the main show, I'm late on this whole google reader/gfc retirement. I, like so many of you, am furious with this development. I have only 1/6 of my readers on bloglovin... so this is a hit to say the least! I had several other feed sources linked to my reader, so I'm not sure if I'm going to make the transition to bloglovin or another rss feed reader like feedly. What are y'all planning on doing? 

In the meantime, I'm adding all of my blogs to blog lovin so I don't lose anyone! So add me! I have a button over on the side (looks like the feed button, but it's really bloglovin... I should probably change that) or just click here. 

For my next installation of color crush I'm featuring African Violet. This is such a pretty color and makes me so ready for spring time!

Oscar de la Renta Cocktail Dress  / Jeans  /  White House Black Market Heels /  Nine West Heels / Handbag /  Watch  / Vintage jewelry / Stud earrings

How pretty is that Oscar de la Renta dress? Oh my goodness. I'm absolutely dying, in love. I want to wear it every day and twirl around Capitol Hill.

Growing up I was more of a pink girl, as opposed to a purple one. In my house there were three girls and we were each "assigned" colors to differentiate between our possessions. My color was pink, Sara's was purple, and Beckie got whatever the other option was. Ha. Sucks to be the youngest. Now that I think back on it, those assignments were even reflected in the walls of our rooms. Mine was pepto-pink and I loved it. Sara's was a lavender, and Beckie had white/blue.

Anyways, back to African Violet. I've totally been crushing on this color lately. I love it paired with Emerald. Anyone else?
 
So what are you feeling currently?

March Birchbox

Another month, another Birchbox. I can't believe it, but we're coming up on my two year birchbox anniversary (something else has an anniversary this week too, stay tuned)! I was absolutely thrilled with this month's box! So many great products and fantastic samples! 

Wish Shave Crave Shaving Cream

This is a blueberry scented shaving cream. Perfect because spring is coming, so I need be a tad more vigilant about shaving. It's super creamy and smells SO good. Plus my legs stay super moisturized after I use it! Loving this stuff so far, but not sure it's really worth $20 price tag for the full size, but I'm loving the sample!

MAKE Satin Finish Eyeshadow

I got this sample in the gorgeous grey color called: great lakes. Now we all know how much I love grey, so this is perfect! Plus I don't have a single mid-toned matte grey in my collection. Thanks Birchbox! I really love the formulation of this shadow. It's not hyper pigmented, but it blends well and is very buildable for more color impact. Plus 30% of every MAKE product goes straight to charity! Love that.  

MAKE Face Primer SPF 30

More MAKE stuff. I'm really impressed with this new brand because this primer is right up my alley. I love that it has 30 SPF, because this girl doesn't want any more wrinkles or skin cancer while were at it.  This primer is awesome. It's kind of tacky when you apply it, so it doesn't blend super well. You need a decent amount to properly cover your face, but I feel like the texture really binds with my foundation, so that stuff is not moving! Definitely considering buying this in full size.

Nick Chavez® Beverly Hills Color-Saver Sulfate Free Shampoo

Once again, birchbox knows me so well. I'm almost out of my super expensive shampoo that I was talked in to last summer. MAN was I stingy with that stuff. 1-2 times a week MAX. Anyways, I'm super excited to try this stuff out!

Plus they send me a great floral emery board! and lord knows I always need more of those. So what did you get in your box this month? Have you gotten it yet?