My Ipsy Addiction

My December Ipsy bag

I have many addictions: Christmas wrapping paper, Dunkin Donuts caramel iced coffees, anything monogrammed. Lately, however, my addiction seems to be to mail order subscriptions.  Currently, I subscribe to 4 different mail orders: Ipsy, Stitch Fix, FabFitFun, and Book of the Month Club.  I am so in love with these services that I wanted to dedicate a blog post to each. So for now, let's start with Ipsy.

Ipsy is a "glam bag" subscription created by Michelle Phan, who became famous on YouTube for her make up tutorials.  The subscription is monthly and the fee is only $10.  Each month you receive a stylish make-up bag with 5 beauty products. Some of the products are deluxe samples while others are full size - and all are fabulous.

Teez Lipstick - $28 value.  Just one item in my $10 bag!

You start by taking a beauty quiz that helps Ipsy build you a style profile. This allows the company to tailor your monthly glam bag to fit your personal style and taste. It also allows them to customize your glam bag to meet your own personal needs. If you want to work on improving your skin, your bag may contain more skin care products. If your focus is on make up, your bag may contain more eye pallets or lip glosses. I typically get a mixture of both since both of these things are important to me.

Each month, before your glam bag ships, you will get an email where you can preview your bag before it arrives.  This is great for me, since I can't wait on surprises. :) Additionally, after your bag arrives and you have had an opportunity to try the items, you can log into your account and review them. The reason you should always complete these reviews is two fold - 1. It allows Ipsy to better tailor your future glam bags to include items and colors your like, and 2. you earn reward points. For each review, you  receive 15 points.  These points will allow you to "shop" for additional items to be added in a future glam bag.  Who doesn't love free stuff?!

My first Ipsy bag!

 What's more, Ipsy allows for exclusive offers to the brands they collaborate with.  So if you find a product that you love, you can find great deals through Ipsy's website to purchase more of that product at a reduced price.

And even more than that, they have fantastic monthly giveaways! Some of these giveaway packages are valued at several hundred dollars.

I would highly recommend this subscription service. Not only is it fun and inexpensive, but I have been able to discover products that I now love and might not have tried otherwise.



To sign up for your Ipsy subscription, simply go to their website, www.ipsy.com/ and complete your style profile and your first bag will be on it's way!



Photos taken by me, for my Instagram account.  See more of my photos on Instagram - @rhiannongreen83.

Dreaming of Fresh Flowers

 As we are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures for January, my mind can't help but wander to summer days and my beautiful hydrangea bushes. When we moved into our little farmhouse seven years ago, there was very little landscaping to speak of - some holly shrubs in the front, some Leyland Cyprus' in the back, and a large weeping willow in the corner of the yard. Grant researched all kinds of trees, determined to provide a kaleidoscope of spring and fall colors with the various trees we would plant. But while Grant dreamed and planned for trees, I planned for my hydrangeas.  To date, I have 5 bushes, all different.  But my favorite, by far, are my strawberries and cream.  Not only do they greet me as I pull into the driveway each day during the summer months, as we located them on the side of the house so they are the first thing you see as you pull up, but they add such sweet bouquets around my little farmhouse.  I love being able to display them around my home, to share them with my neighbors, or to take to my grandmother to brighten her day.

The strawberries and cream bush blooms later that other hydrangeas, and start out completely white. And as the summer months pass away, the blooms begin to fade from white to a soft blush pink. Rather than the standard hydrangea ball shape, these little darlings are more uniquely coned shaped. The bush grows quickly, and what once was a potted plant purchased from Bates Nursery in Whites Creek, Tn., only two summers ago, now takes up a much larger footprint and almost reaches the kitchen window under which it's planted. Although I do cut the bush back every winter, which is important to keep your bush healthy and allow it to continue to grow.

I don't tend to be one to wish away seasons. I don't spend my winters wishing for springs, or my springs wishing for falls. I try to enjoy the beauty that each season brings, with the understanding that many areas of the world, and even this country do not have the opportunity to see the splendor that comes with each seasonal change. But as I sit here thinking about my gorgeous strawberries and cream hydrangea bush, I can't help but look forward to the summer months when this bush will sprout it's stunning blooms again.

Photos taken by me, August 2016.  See more of my photos on Instagram - @rhiannongreen83.

Bates Nursery is located at  3810 Whites Creek Pike, Nashville, TN 37207 and their web address is batesnursery.com. I highly recommend them!

An Introduction

Recently I had a friend say to me, "you should really start a blog!" I told her I would give it some thought, but then kind of put it from my mind. My initial thought was "when would I ever have the time?" However, the seed was planted, and the more I thought about it, the more I saw an opportunity to share the things that bring me joy, in hopes of inspiring joy in others.

So, my goal for this blog is to share with its readers things that I stumble along in my day to day life that I love. Whether it be a product, or a beautiful sunset, or a great website, book or song, I hope you will find these post useful, enjoyable, and inspiring.



Now, a little about me...
My name is Rhiannon Cooper Green. I have been married to my husband, Grant, for 13 years. While we have not yet been blessed with a human baby, our world does revolve around our 12 year old, 3 lb. yorkie, Gidget.  We live in a modern farmhouse just outside of Nashille, TN  I am a Christian, thankful for my salvation, and I am loving and accepting of everyone. I will be turning 29 for the 6th time later this month (ha!) and am a supervisor in human resources in the healthcare industry.  I am an armature decorator, inspired by all things Joanna Gaines - a passion that was ignited when I owned a home decor store from 2007 - 2010.  I'm an avid reader, working on developing my own personal library; and I am a huge music fan, specifically in the alternative indie folk genre. I am working on taking better care of myself - a new journey into clean eating, exercising and beauty products to help slow down the aging process.

I welcome you on this journey with me and hope that you will also find beauty in the simplicity of everyday life.