Thred Up Review

I'm a big advocate of purging random crap that takes up space in your closet, house and life. I try to donate or sell things when I bring new beauties into the house so we don't end up on Hoarders. A few months back I was reading my girlfriend Stef's post on Thred up vs. Twice and I realized I had no idea what either of them were, how is this possible!?

I'm an avid Plato's closet, eBay, Amazon, and Facebook seller {yeah that's a thing.} I really try to get rid of things we no longer have use for while making some money. When things don't sell and we still want to get rid of them we swing by our local Salvation army and donate away {or leave them out on the curb and they are snatch up from those weird pickers by dusk.} After reading Stef's review on the two sites I decided to check out Thred Up for myself.

With Stef's link I signed up and requested my first bag be delivered to me pronto! I received it within a few days and it was MUCH bigger than I thought it would be! I had a lot of clothes, shoes, purses and accessories I wanted to shove in the bag but since not everything would fit I kept out things I knew they wouldn't take. I knew this because when I received the bag it also came with a card that gave me an idea of brands they were looking for. Therefore my Target tee didn't stand a chance but my Anthropology jacket, that would split in half if I tried wearing it, that was going in the bag.

{While Plato's never buys any of my Forever 21 & Express items that seemed to be what Thred Up loved, memory bank!}

Once I stuffed the bag and left it on my doorstep, the postman picked that baby up and it was back to San Fran it went {Free might I add as THEY pay for the return shipping!} After the bag is picked up you can track the bag online and follow it's progress. It takes about 2 weeks from the time I sent the bag out to the time I got an email letting me know what they accepted from my bag and how much I got paid for. 

While I only made $24.43 I was happy because these were all items I had already tried selling at Plato's closet and they didn't accept them! {I'm convinced they buy stained, dirty, garbage!} After I got the email with what I made I also got one giving me a coupon code for 40% off my first order placed. Sooooo ya know, I did what any normal girl with a clothing credit does...I shopped...

About a week later my items arrived in a cute box waiting for me on my doorstep. Here is the breakdown of what I bought, how much it was and how much I saved off the original price. 75% savings for like new clothes to me is grrrrreat! I only paid $10.04 out of pocket for all 5 items as I used my credit and the 40% off for the rest of it.

{Black Byer Cardigan & Epilogue Dress}

{Express jeans-already knew my size! & the best white tee from Theory}

{Not pictured, currently in wash is dark gray 'Alternative Apparel short sleeve t-shirt'-$6.49}

Since selling and buying my clothe,s Thred Up has rolled out two new programs and they now buy and sell baby clothes and designer handbags, like get out of town! If you want to see what Thred Up is all about and make some space in your closet for some Christmaka items you can also do so by saving $10 off your first bag placed, here ya go folks! 

Flake Free Lips

Ever discover something that wasn't meant to be discovered, or was it?

I have very sensitive, dry skin. In the winter it's about 10 times worse than normal. Just when I think I've figured out the perfect skin care routine to keep my face hydrated, Michigan weather changes and I'm back to looking like a flakey croissant.  

My lips fall into this category as well.

I hate nothing more than putting on a good lipstick and having my lips a hot, pealing mess! Sometimes it seems that no matter what I do, no matter how much I moisturize they can never stay smooth and flake free. With this Michigan winter approaching at an ungodly speed I've been scrubbing my lips like a mad man!

Introducing my flake free lip routine.

I think it was around Christmas time last year when I finally stumbled my way into LUSH after I had passed by it for quite some time. I never understood the hype to be honest. All of my preconceived thoughts were thrown out the window when I started talking to the staff. They were honestly THE nicest employees I had come across in a while. I've worked in retail through high school and college so I'm pretty particular when it comes to employees actually being nice and not just for a quick sale. I wish I could have remembered the girls names but any time I've gone into LUSH the employees have been great really! While there picking up a roots and full of grace I snagged a Lip Scrub in Mint Julip while at the register. 

This little lip scrub has lasted a long ass time! At first I used this just on its own until one night I used my Oral B Orabrush and my life was forever changed! I picked up this little tongue brush on a whim as I had a 2 for 1 coupon. Jerek thought I was mega weird and didn't want to use one I picked up for him. {fine then!} One night while I was letting my lip scrub soak in I started 'brushing my tongue.' The whole concept felt so odd to me that I washed the brush off, stared at my lips and a damn lightbulb hovered over my head. Just. Like. That.

Slowly, in circular motions I started buffing the scrub into my lips. It felt invigorating and I was obsessed with the feeling but more so the LOOK! My lips had never felt THIS soft and never looked THIS smooth or plump! Afterwards I followed up my CVS brand knock off Aquafor 'ultra healing lip treatment'. This stuff is Ahhh mazing. Although if you don't have this, Vaseline is great to use as well! Ever since that lonely night in the bathroom I can't stop this sick obsession. 

Like all things in life I'm the happiest when I find a great product but is also affordable! The total for all three items is $19.41 + tax. Now some of you may think $20 to scrub your lips is pricey but I'm telling you, I've tried TONS of low to high end scrubs and moisturizers and NOTHING has left my lips the way they are today. I'm also still using my original brush and lip scrub since last December so $20 for almost a full year of kissable lips is totally fine with me! 

As always, if you have any recommendations on products I might like or that you personally like, I'd love to hear about them in the comments below! 

Pucker up ladies!

I recently caved and started a Facebook page for all things East Willow Grove. So if you want to stay up to date on dumb shit that I think is interesting, guest posts, giveaways and pictures of food than come on over!

December Goals

Let me start off by saying last month I must had grown a pair because uhh what, 5 goals with the holidays and Tracens birthday rapidly approaching, yeah I'm a physco. Do I even have to tell you that things didn't get done, because they didn't. I swear I either rock this shit or forget the whole 30 days even happen. Welp, here we go friends!

The dreaded recap of last months goals:

1. Gym Schedule- I planned a schedule, yes this is true. It's full of classes, Kayla workouts, cardio and weight days but I'd Pinocchio if I even whispered that I followed the schedule to you!- #failllll

2. Plan Tracen's 4th birthday- Okay, so I did this one! I even made the invites {just like I had done for Sky's} and am dropping them off at the post in the morning! I don't want to spill what the theme is but it's real cute {tooting my own horn, TOOT TOOT!}-MOM POINTS!

3. Plan "vlog/blogcember"- Welcome to day 2! So far so good huh! Most of it is planned out, that's what matters right! Yesterday was day one and I posted our long Thanksgiving weekend video on my YouTube channel. You can watch it here if you haven't :) PS. yes, I did barf all day Sunday and look like utter shit and still got on camera. Things like that need to be documented so I never drink that much again! #classreunionsforthewin

4. Book a wedding venue- Fail. Uhh did you read my last hump day confessions, this wedding stuff man.

5. Get engagement pictures done- This is a half fail. They were scheduled for November 23 but after having breakfast with our friends {one was the photographer, Jenny, from our family photos} we left and I called her {in a pissy mood might I add} and said very dramatically 'I'm calling this shit off. The snow melted, there's everywhere and I haven't even showered' We both agreed it wasn't ideal so I'm kinda just waiting to see what this lovely Michigan weather brings us to re-schedule. I've only pinned a bajillion snowing engagement pictures...come on Alan Longstreet, I am requesting some snow here!

Lets get down to business here and be honest with each other. Since it's the holidays and Tracen's birthday is the 21st I'm hella busy. I'm being SUPER realistic for these goals this month and only setting three, here we go!

1. Drink more water- I've made this goal before and did well at it. Then I fell off, like barely drinking 12 ounces a day fall off! {Embarrassing!} I'm going to try and drink half my body weight, so about 50 ounces {KIDDING!!!} more like 63.25 if you're going to do the math ;)

2. Deep clean the house-No really, this needs to happen. I mean not JUST because were hosting one of the family Christmas dinners but because we have two crazy boys and a dog and the floors are never clean and the fridge has seen better days and the bath tub still has "washable" kids crayons on it and the carpets need cleaning and the list honestly goes on! We 'pick' up every day/night but I'm talking about a Molly Maid or whatever it's called cleaning!

3. Make a growth chart- I've had the supplies in my notes section of my phone to buy for some time now. We've kept marks on the wall where the kids are but I want to make this cute ruler to use instead of the side of pantry cabinet. Plus it's almost a dummy proof Pinterest project!

Easy right? Well, we can talk again come January 1st. In the meantime, Happy Holidays and see you tomorrow for day 3 of Vlog/Blogmas!

Black Friday Etsy Shops + a GIVEAWAY!!!

This post is brought to you by me, myself and my coffee. While 90% of the college population was probably hung over yesterday I was not. Probably because I've been out of college for 5 years and also because I can't fathom going out like that when we have kids to take care of in the morning. Aint no body got tiiiiiimmmeee for that! While I didn't participate in wasted Wednesday at the bar I am Black Friday shopping this morning. Now I'm not one of those people you will find in line at 4am waiting for a blender that's half price {although I do need a new one} but I tend to go out around 9 or 10 am today as well as I shop online. Ohhhh do I love shopping online!

In honor of Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday coming up I wanted to share some of my favorite Etsy shops that we've purchased from in the past. {PLUS theres an AMAZING giveaway going on thanks to Barbara from 'Hello Barbara' and shop owner of 'Markee Market'}

If you've seen my post on our half bath makeover you've seen how we transformed our unusable small space into a regularly used thrown! I recently ordered these little 'targets' to help Tracen aim and if were being honest here {which I try to always be} it's for any male that enter's this house! Pee on the dino, pee on the mother F#!*ing DINO guys! I also got this friendly reminder 'put me down' to remind them that when they are done to put that seat back down..subtle right ;) I purchased both of these cute little decals from Cover It In Vinyl. They came with very in depth instructions so any dummy {IE: me} could do it and even gloves, how thoughtful! Cover It In Vinyl overs decals for your shoes, doors, and even nails! These really are great stocking stuffers!

Next up is Jewelry, something every mama, sister and wife would love to get! Chelsea from Flower Child Alchemy specializes in handmade vintage jewelry that has a bohemian & whimsical feel. With 30% off all orders till December 6th you better order now!

I am currently in the process of uploading more design and chalkboard prints to my Etsy shop so keep an eye out for that! However I am offering 40% off all downloadable prints in my shop East Willow Grove: The Shop till December 24th using the code word 'CHRISTMASTIME' at checkout.

Last but not least this sign!!!! *Insert emoji heart eyes* this sign has been our newest addition to our family room! While we still need to figure out how were going to hide the wires {Jerek's biggest pet peeve} we are IN LOVE!!!

My friend Barbara and fairly new blogger, writes over at Hello Barbara and is the owner of Marquee Market. Barbara use to live in Michigan but her and her husband recently moved down south to Charlotte, North Carolina where she runs her blog and Etsy shop. Girlfriend escaped the winter just in time and is making a name for herself with these signs! With her most popular item being the 'LOVE' sign I opted for something a little different. OMG right! I had plans to put this in my dressing room but when Jerek started painting our back family room the other day we he had the brilliant idea to put it above the couch!

Barbara offers different material options at different price points so there is always something for someone! My sign has letters made out of 24" metal which are new to her shop! They can be painted any color you choose but I opted to keep the raw metal look and add some 'rust' spots. Marquee Market also takes custom orders so chat Barbara up on Etsy with any questions you may have. The icing on the cake is that Barbara and I am hosting a giveaway for one lucky winner that will win their very own LOVE sign! This is the ultimate gift in my book!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

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