Confessions...

First off, I just have to say that today was pretty awesome.  Celebrating Ellee's actual birthday today and just being overwhelmed by the beautiful blessing she's been in our lives is pure joy.  As you can tell, we've pretty much been celebrating her birthday all weekend.  It peaked today, with birthday treats sent in for school, birthday hat coming home from school (she's been super excited about that one) and birthday dinner this evening with our family.  More about that in a bit. 

Secondly though, I thought I should probably take a few moments to make a confession, or two.  Here goes.  I love mail.  Not so much the junk mail, but more so the pretty packages, containing who-knows-what-kinds-of-treasure.  I love these so much, that over the past year, I've been tempted by all sorts of monthly subscription boxes (which, if you don't know, are boxes that you get in the mail, filled with fun)...  Love with Food, Conscious Box and Blissmo Box, to name a few.  To my credit, I've usually signed up with discount codes and cancelled when necessary.  

All that being said, for the past few months, I've been a very excited subscriber to the Popsugar Must Have Box.  I signed up last month and was so delighted with the fun goodness that came in the mail.  And this month was equally exciting.  Confession #2, I totally cut myself with the scissors trying to get the box open, because I was so excited to see what was inside.  My cut bled a lot.  Sad, but true story.  

Moving on, for the record, the box is a bit pricey.  And I'm cheap.  So it's a pretty interesting combination.  That being said, I have yet to be disappointed.  The cost per month for each box is $35.  However, this month's box's contents were valued at $183.72.  Pretty good deal, for things that I don't necessarily need, but that are just so stinkin fun to get in the mail.  

Breaking it down a bit, I paid $35.  I got some pretty awesome doughnut mix which I plan to make the day after Thanksgiving.  There was also a cute little container of fancy French lip gloss.  I got an expensive bracelet that I will have to give to one of my more stylish friends.  The box also contained some expensive spices and notecards and a Yoga DVD that I will totally make use of if I ever have to stop going to the gym.  I was most excited about the Stylemint credit, which I used to get myself a pair of denim jeggings (valued at $29.99 with free shipping) and the Canvaspop credit which I will use to make some beautiful wall art for our home.

So that's my big confession.  It's a bit excessive and definitely not needed.  But it's also pretty fun and everyone needs a little fun sometimes.  If you are interested in checking it out for yourself, you can click my referral link here and use the code REFERFRIENDS for $5 off your first order.

Moving along, since I've already confessed that I love getting fun things in the mail, I am also happy to announce that I got this package today as well.  I have to admit, I was a bit taken back when I first saw it.  If you know Canon lenses, you know that the EF24-105 is a $1000 lens.  I couldn't believe that someone had just sent me one, and in a pretty flimsy envelope no less.       

Upon further investigation, I opened it up, to find that it wasn't really a lens at all, but instead a super cool beverage cup.  I have yet to confirm, but I'm pretty sure that this was the surprise that my older sister said was coming in the mail for me.  Kudos Leslie!  I was super surprised and it's pretty awesome.  

I'm totally excited to use it and definitely feel pretty loved.  Oh, and confession #3... this is our pretty messy kitchen table.  I have a problem keeping up with the clutter in our house at times.  Granted, this clutter was all from this afternoon, but still... it's clutter.  

I've gotta say, confession really is good for the soul.  Next confession, I adore this little girl.

She was styling today, in the birthday outfit handpicked and sent out by her Grandma in Michigan. 

We enjoyed a fun family dinner tonight at Ellee's favorite restaurant, Friendly's.  

We ended our meals by helping the kids eat their Sundae Volcanoes.  

True story:  This one belonged to Christian and I.  And we ate the entire thing.  And it was good and I enjoyed every little bit of it.  Well, besides the gummy bears, which were Christian's choice.  

So, there you have it.  My Tuesday confessions.  I know that I personally will rest a bit easier tonight, knowing that I've put it all out there :)