Snail Mail

9 May, 201417 July, 2014 oursweetsomewhereLeave a comment

Kate sent some sweet, snail mail lovin’ back to me just a few weeks ago and surprised me with an envelope of delightful goodies! Also, just look at how cute her packaging was! I cracked up after seeing this darling little snail that she drew to mimic the sticker I had included on the envelope I sent her last month!

After opening the package, I discovered a postcard and some beautiful handmade (and recycled!) notebooks that she made for me by using old cereal boxes; oh this girl. They are the perfect size for traveling and I can’t wait to use them this summer to document my adventures!

Just wait Kate; you have a few surprises coming back your way and I cannot wait for you to receive them!

xoxo,

Jamie

P.S. Can I just be all gushy really quick and share with you how sweet this friend of mine is. My birthday was yesterday (May 8th), and although I had to work, I had the best day ever! Thanks to Kate, she made my day even more special by surprising me with a phone call with all of her little preschoolers in the background singing happy birthday to me! It truly touched my heart and I just thought the world show know that. End of gushy moment.

Washington D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms

27 April, 201410 July, 2014 oursweetsomewhereLeave a comment

I finally got the chance to see Washington D.C.’s cherry blossom trees this year while they were in full bloom just a few weeks ago. It has always been on my “to do” list for places to see in the northern Virginia area, but in the four years that I’ve lived here now, not once was I able to make it out in time to see these beauties during their peak bloom.

I brought along with me my coworker, Alice, who had never seen the DC blossoms either. We took the metro downtown and basically spent most of the morning walking around the Tidal Basin where Jefferson’s Memorial is located. Let me tell you…this place was hopping and there were loads of people everywhere! I could only imagine what the following weekend was going to be like with the festival happening.

It truly is a wonderful experience and I definitely recommend it for anyone planning on visiting the nation’s capital during the spring season!

xoxo, Jamie

Mixtape: Highschool Throwback

26 April, 201427 October, 2014 oursweetsomewhereLeave a comment

We are so excited to be introducing a new music “mixtape” series!! What better way to kick it off than with some sweet, sweet high school throwbacks! Jamie and I compiled this mixtape for you after one of our Birchbox skype dates. I was literally crying from laughter by the end it. We truly hope this mixtape will bring as much joy into your life as it does our.

Listening to this, I am immediately thrown back into a different time. Driving around aimlessly in Jamie’s car attempting to harmonize along with the radio. I think of pep rallies, school dances, friends, and our high school crushes.

What are some songs that instantly bring back some of your high school memories the second they come on?

xoxo, J&K

PS. Here is a little taste of our post Birchbox date and making this mixtape. You can tell we are having way too much fun! Don’t be mad I took these screen shots Jamie, they are so funny I just couldn’t help myself! I just had to share the joy with everyone!

Finding Pinspiration: Summer Reading

25 April, 201417 July, 2014 oursweetsomewhereLeave a comment

Kate’s Inspirations

Was anyone else obsessed with the Gilmore Girls? For a pick-me-up, I may or may not return to reruns when I have had a long day. The quick banter between Rory and Lorelai never gets old, the way Rory is so into her studies and books I find inspiring, the chemistry between Lorelai and Luke. Sigh. Not to mention the men that find their way in and out of Rory’s life are not half bad to look at!

Apparently 339 classic books were mentioned and read by Rory in the show. All have been compiled over at Going Down Swinging. Now, I am not inspired to read all 339 books, but I will list my top 6 to read this summer. A much more reasonable goal!

I have read books by George Orwell and F. Scott Fitzgerald before and love their writing style. Girl, Interrupted was an awesome movie so I am sure I will love the book. The other three I have heard great things about and always see them on the “to-read” classic lists.

What would you pick from the Rory Gilmore inspired reading list?

Jamie’s Inspirations

Although I didn’t watch The Gilmore Girls in high school as nearly as much as Kate (and when I say as much, I’m talking about her knowing pretty much every episode by heart), I still love reading and watching a good teenage romantic drama. Oh yes. Who remembers those TV shows we all once loved as blossoming teenagers like My So-Called Life, Freaks and Geeks, and Saved By the Bell? Well, now that I’ve got you thinking back to these days, remember what being young and in love felt like too? My summer reading this year is inspired from these moments of young love that we all still may hold dear in our hearts. Also, I’ve heard only great things about these six books for young adults!

I know many of you have already read most of these by now, but this girl (Jamie) needs to play major catch up on all the latest and greatest reads these days!

What has inspired your summer reading list for this year?

xoxo,

Jamie & Kate

April 2014 Birchbox Review

22 April, 201417 July, 2014 oursweetsomewhereLeave a comment

Kate’s Birchbox:

1. BEAUTY PROTECTOR, Protect & Detangle – This sample smells like a dream! It does leave your hair feeling soft and silky. I have naturally wavy hair that is very thick so a detangler is a must. While not the best product I have ever used to detangle, it is one of the best smelling! Just be warned, it is thick so it takes a few minutes of pumping before any product comes out of the spray bottle.

2. COLOR CLUB, Gala’s Gems Collection – Aquamarine Azulino – Perfect for Easter! (And all of spring for that matter.) I am in love with this robin’s egg blue color with a pearly finish. What do you think?

I have no nailistry (is that a word?) capabilities. As well, I am aware that the thumbnail has already chipped. I didn’t notice it until the picture was already uploaded onto my computer and by that time there was no turning back. My life.

3. SUMITA, Color Contrast Eyeliner in Jamun (Deep Purple) – For sure my favorite thing in the box this month! Two days before Birchbox showed up on my doorstep I was thinking how I was getting tired of using my smudge pot everyday and wanted to give pencil eyeliner a try again. Voilà! This is a wax pencil so it gives that thick and creamy line that a smudge pot gives, just with less effort. Win, win!

4. SUPERGOOP!, Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream in Light/Medium – In comparison to last month’s Miracle Skin Transformer, this is a gem! No weird sparkle, added SPF for the spring sun, creates a smooth primer on my skin. Win. Super win.

5. KIND SNACKS, Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt Healthy Grains Bar – (not pictured) Don’t judge, I got hungry after all the excitement from the Birchbox Skype Date and ate my KIND Healthy Grain Bar. I am not sorry though because it was delicious and totally worth every crunchy crumb.

As for the rainy days idea #8. Meh. That was a cute idea, Birchbox, but I wasn’t overly inspired as you hoped I would be. The rainy day idea said to basically washi tape my Birchbox and make something new. Me and the rest of the pinterest world (see here).

Jamie’s Birchbox:

1. KIND HEALTHY GRAINS: Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt – I love everything I’ve eaten so far by the KIND brand, so when I saw it in this month’s box, I was excited to try a new flavor of theirs that I’ve never had. This grain bar was every bit of amazing and had the perfect amount of saltiness-to-sweetness ratio in every bite!

2. SUMITA, Color Contrast Eyeliner (Black) – I have yet to try this product but am curious to see how well it holds throughout the day. I am pretty picky about the eyeliner I use since my pores tend to cause the eyeliner to bleed below my eyes…I really dislike looking like a raccoon!

3. HARVEY PRINCE, Yogini Perfume – I really did not like this perfume. Its smell is overpowering and kind of lingers like an annoying fly. As it wears off though, it starts to smell a little better…but who would buy a perfume just to do that?

4. BEAUTY PROTECTOR, Protect & Detangle – This is definitely my most favorite product from this month’s box. It smells like heaven and leaves your hair feeling soft and looking silky. I have used this spray religiously since I first received it and think I’ll just have to make a full size purchase now before the week is over!

5. COLOR CLUB, Gala’s Gems Collection “Breakfast At…” – I absolutely love this bright, spring nail polish! It’s thick, made of really great quality, and dries quickly (with a lovely shimmer)!

6. Bright Ideas for a Rainy Day #26 – I am on the same page with Kate about this one. It was nice to find another item in my box, but searching to buy an umbrella online is the last thing I would consider myself doing as being creative while on a rainy day.