Life at a "Swell's" pace

So much rain here and cold. I am looking so forward to spring. Oregon winters are so hard on someone from the south that still, after all of these years, isn't used to them. I wouldn't mind the cold so much if we could at least get a bit of snow flurries, but I am not sure we will this year. But then again, I can't say I am ready for spring and bring on the snow in the same breath.....or can I? ha! Here are the things that made this week great!

1. This Crockpot.

The Mr. surprised me with it and it was a great nontraditional gift from him. I love when he does small things for me like that. I was in need of an upgrade. I've had my other one for about 15 years and it was getting really well used. I will keep the old one for small dishes, but this one will be great for larger meals planned ahead. I cook so much with my crockpot-Check out my pin board. I didn't want one with so many crazy buttons that I wouldn't use, so this model was great-The basic Low/High/Warm setting is perfect for our lifestyle. If you're curious, this is where to find this exact model.

2. This Moment.

We've been having family night/meeting nights on Wednesdays now. Each member of the family gets a chance to voice their ideas, opinions, and plans for the coming week, or month. After the meeting time we all plan some board games, card games, or the like. This moment was too precious not to capture. The Bean had drawn up plans for his idea of a future home. We have been land/house hunting for the last year (seems like longer). We still haven't found "the one," but it will happen soon, I feel it.

3. February's SNS Reading Selection.

It's an older selection, but I just love Pride and Prejudice so much. I feel this is a good way to revisit the classic and enjoy the story so much. You can find out what each month's reading selection is from the top of the page under SNS Library.

4. This Jell-O Kit.

I try to push better eating habits in our house and I am not too fond of Jell-O, but when you have children sometimes you need to bend the rules a bit. The Bean loves Star Wars and he loves Jell-O, so I made an exception just this once.

5. This Camera.

I had mentioned my new camera in a post here, but I didn't get a chance to share it. The Mr.'s company Christmas parties are never a disappointment and with having an eye on a new camera for so long, he was able to snag one during their Christmas dinner celebration. He was able to go up on stage and chose from select gifts, or put his name in a pot for cash prizes. This Nikon D3300 was one of them and the Mr. didn't hesitate in snagging it. It's taking some time to get used to, but I am enjoying it. It means a lot to me that the Mr. thought of me when picking out a prize that he could have otherwise just used for himself.

I am really enjoying the 200mm zoom lens that came with it. I've had a lot of fun focusing on Canadian Geese flying over our house and the like.

It was a great week and I have so much more to share, so stay tuned for that. Don't forget to grab that latest clipart and printables too!

Have a great weekend!

What happened this time last year?

The Walmart Beauty Box is yet another subscription box to introduce new products carried in the store. This beauty box comes once a season-spring, summer, fall, winter-and is only $5 per shipment. It's $20 a year and after a year of subscribing I have to say it's a pretty sweet deal. Here's what came in my boxes each season.

Spring Box (2015):

The summer box came around June and contained a lot of really great samples.

What came in the Spring box:

1. L’Oreal Total Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

2. Dial 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion

3. Lady Gaga Fame Perfume Sample

4. Caress Adore Forever Shower Gel

5. Burt’s Bees Renewal Serum

6. L'Oreal Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil

7. Garnier Ultra Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream

8. Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream Moisturizer

9. Coupons for products sold at Walmart.

Favorite Product: Dial 7 Day Moisturizing Lotion.

Summer Box (2015):

The Summer box was packed full of cool things, including a full-sized sample of lipstick.

Here's what came in the Summer box:

1. Garnier Ultra Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream

2. Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream Moisturizer

3. Aveeno Protect+Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 (With $2.00 coupon)

4. Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick shade number 875 Gladiolus

5. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

6. Loreal Total Repair 5 Shampoo/Conditioner/Ceramide

7. Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara

8. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Complete Care Shampoo

9. Dove Go Fresh Revitalize Body Wash

Favorite Product: Definitely the Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick shade of Gladiolus.

Fall Box (2015):

What came in the Fall box:

1. Schick Hydro Silk Jetables Razor. (With $4.00 coupon)

2. Crest 3D Brilliance Professional Polish Deep Cleansing Toothpaste and Whitening Finisher. (With $2.00 coupon) -My sample was missing the Deep Cleansing Toothpaste Sample.

3. ROC Retinal Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum a 1 ounce (30 ml) glass bottle.

4. Dove Advanced Care 48-hr protection deodorant. (With $1.00 coupon)

5. Nivea Extended Moisture Hand Cream 48 Hr Effects.

6. John Frieda 7 Day Volume Luxurious Volume in-shower treatment.

7. ACT Advanced Care Clean Mint

8. Curel Rough Skin rescue lotion

Favorite Product: Curel Rough Skin rescue lotion

Winter Box (2015-2016):

This beauty box was loaded this season. So many things packed inside this tiny box.

What came in the Winter Box:

1. Centrum Vitamints: Refreshingly Minty Multivitamin. (With $1.00 coupon)

2. Clairol Root Touch-Up Flip Book. (With $2.00 coupon)

3. L'ORéal Paris True Match Shade Foundation Card. (With $1.00 coupon)

4. Jennifer Aniston the Fragrance card with a fragrance pouch sample. (With $3.00 coupon)

5. Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream Moisturizer. (With $3.00 coupon)

6. Covergirl Star Wars the Force Awakens flip book of new Star Wars colors and how to get the look of: Resistance Pilot featuring Janelle Monaé in colors of peach, Droid inspired by C3P0 in colors of gold, Stormtrooper in colors of purples and blacks, Chrome Captain inspired by Captain Phasma of the Dark Side in colors of white and silver. (With $3.00 coupon)

7. Women's Rogaine flip card on the root of the problem. (With $5.00 coupon)

8. nspa by Nirvana Spa Rich Body Butter in the scent of Exotically Creamy Coconut. It also comes in scents of Sweet and Tropical Mango, Smooth Sweet Pods of Vanilla, and Fresh Sweet Raspberry and are only found at Walmart.

9. Pure Silk Rich and Luxurious Shave Cream in Raspberry scent.

10. Swisspers 100% cotton swabs in leopard print.

11. Pantene Air Spray Alcohol-Free Hairspray.

Favorite Product: nspa by Nirvana Spa Rich Body Butter in the coconut scent.