Splendid Swap Party Reveal: Summertime Favorites

Today's the day of the first Splendid Swap Party reveal!  If you participated in this swap, make sure you add a blog post or Instagram photo to share everything you received from your new bloggy friend! In case you missed it earlier this month, Dannielle, Patty, and I started the Splendid Swap Party for bloggers to meet new friends and swap packages filled with their favorite things.  If you'd like to get involved, our next swap will be this December, around the holiday season.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/splendid%20swap%20party" title="Borrowed Heaven" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0G0P5x6nfl52w3XPjY3hPemBe1Lnn2_u8TVMGHhm4O1utZN7eoRXOh3tB6PmLMguemEgXCeazI8TUtwiPQmKTM4Maw8TWJE64PRa5L8Uwl67FHdoc_ed_SQRpiKQZ4ks7RK365FZgE0/s224-p-no/" alt="Borrowed Heaven" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center">
<a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/splended%20swap%20party" title="Borrowed Heaven"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGN69O_hQLm9iszLLPakXKGe88fpJyqdm1G211Z-Ro0lCJumWxwGKojFDJ9-i24LFzZVgpotXsYehJwg6CZhYIoAtlK2rPPhKidkzNG0I4u3lUpu9ksrrkb3Itm4fTxlf-5bpucAvpHg/s204-p-no/" alt="Borrowed Heaven" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I was paired with Kate at Daffodils.  She is a fantastic lady with a wonderful family, and I had so much fun shopping for all of them because I had a chance to include both childhood and adult summertime favorites!  In return, Kate sent me an amazing package full of her favorites.  I was so thrilled with everything [especially for the move]: the candy was eaten within the first 3 hours of the drive, the Burt's Bees was perfectly travel-sized to use without unpacking everything I owned, I enjoyed a wonderful margarita after my first day of work, and the Essie "Rooarrrrrrange" polish matched my second day of work outfit perfectly!  Thanks, Kate!

Here's a sneak preview of what I sent Kate; head to her blog to check everything out!

And don't forget to link up here!

I made it!!!

Well, I made my big move to Charleston and started work on Wednesday.  It's been so much fun, and I can't wait to share everything I've been up to, but for now, enjoy a sense of the chaos my life has been for the past weeks from CT to SC...

Let's play: find the cat!

goodbye scarf and Ugg collection...

 

The definition of "living out of a suitcase" and all of the stuff I'm not even bothering to unpack until I'm in our permanent place in 6 weeks

Google Talk with my favorite girl [and Mike, of course!]

Now I'm officially a South Carolina girl [and blogger]!  If you're from the area, let me know :) 

Outfit of the Month: June

Well, yesterday was my first day of work at my new job in South Carolina.  This whole week, month, whatever has been quite the whirlwind experience, but more about all of that later!  Because I'm starting a new job site-unseen, I really don't know what to expect for the next few weeks.  Specifically for this post, I'm talking about the dress-code.  In my last job, I wore a combination of golf pants, skorts, and polos [depending on season] with a few "nice" outfits thrown in there maybe twice a month.  I guess that's why this whole OOTM thing started.  Well now, I'm trying to downside, only bringing what I need to Charleston, while also trying to figure out what I will be wearing at my new job.  
Instead of spending money on clothes that might not suit my new job, I decided to do something different for OOTM and update all of my makeup this month.  In all of the wedding books I've seen, creating a beauty regiment is extremely important, so this is definitely a good excuse to get my ducks in a row only 3 months before the big day!  I mentioned last month how much I enjoyed getting all dolled up for my bestie's bachelorette, so when I had a 25% off and a few Extra Care Bucks from CVS, I decided to splurge a bit and get a few new beauty staples:
Body Care:

Everyday shower: Suave Naturals Everlasting Sunshine Body Wash Most days: Vaseline Spray & Go Total Moisture For those days after being in the sun: Vaseline Total Moisture Aloe Fresh For special occasions: The Body Shop Mango Body Butter
Face Care:

Everyday shower: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash: pink grapefruit foaming scrub Everyday before makeup: Neutrogena Healthy Skin: face lotion
Makeup:

Everyday: Vaseline Lip Therapy Original Most days: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Buff & Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal Eye option A (Brown - for green eyes): Almay Intense i-color in Raisin Quartz [Thanks, Jessica!] & CG Exact Eyelights in Black Ruby (waterproof) Eye option B (Black): Maybelline Master Drama by Eye Studio in Midnight Master & Maybelline The Mega Plush in Brownish Black (waterproof) Makeup Remover [not pictured]: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
Here were the new items I purchased for the first time on this haul [along with replacements of many of the other favorites listed above]:

Overall, I love each of these new products except for the Maybelline Master Drama eyeliner.  I liked how soft and easy to apply this cream formula was at first, but after a couple of applications, the stick became really dull and hard to use.  I like my eyeliner to be thin, and that was almost impossible after 2 uses.  Also, it didn't twist up very well.  I thought it was funny that when I tried to Google it to link to this post, as I wrote "maybelline master drama eye..." the second thing that came up was "maybelline master drama eyeliner won't twist up."  I guess this teaches me to read reviews before I buy!! 

Past OOTM: February March April May

Blogger Bliss: June

What's your Bliss? What are you loving this month that you just can't live without?

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/%23bloggerbliss"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4He5eOQ_seAMcGuVSWcKqBpwxiBwc-oTgan5y73L4c5aoaqrTmWGipR2tBOpDEKrBroumxgEkZowBgQqQEoIq-4zqcjcUfNizxPijDvqc6QDGwp09qtADlSrU45ap35ziSmIDhIhRHX8/s207-p-no/" border="0"/></a></center>

Join Heather and me for Bliss! On the last Wednesday of each month, we host a link up to showcase your "favorites" of the month. Not sure what to write about? It can be anything from a favorite product, to a favorite moment, or a favorite new blogger, to even a new favorite quote! Include as few or as many "favorites" and don't forget to take photos!

Ask yourself, did it bring you #bloggerbliss this month? If you said yes, then we want to read about it!

Don't have time to write a whole post or don't have a blog and are just a blogger at heart? Hashtag a photo #bloggerbliss on Instagram and simply link to that photo on the day of the link up!  Our hope is that Bliss and #bloggerbliss will help ladies across the country find new and fun ways to make their next month even better! 

Over the past month, my Bliss has been everything leading up to my South Carolina move as well as my last few weeks with friends, family, and work:

Maleficent: Mike and I went to see it when it came up and oh my gosh, it was AMAZING!!

Golf at 3 new courses: Remember that bucket list I made last month?  Well, I did that before I knew I wouldn't be spending the summer in CT.  However, we did get one of the goals down - playing 3 new golf courses before I left, well, actually 4 if you count the course where Mike caddied for me in the Connecticut Women's Open!

Gillette Ridge, Wampanoag, Panther Valley, and Blue Fox Run

Liz's wedding: My bestie got married two weeks ago!  I can't wait to share tons of photos soon!

Travelers Championship: My last week of work in CT was when the PGA Tour was in town.  It's so much fun every year and I'm so glad I could be a part of it one more time!  To see even more photos, check out my work blog!

Alec Baldwin was at my office!

My fantastic staff

Goodbye stuff: I had to say goodbye to a lot of people over the last month.  Here are a few last photos I took before I left.  I'm so lucky to have all of these people in my life!

My last Rhode Island breakfast at my favorite place

I love Cheryl's care packages!  Thanks, Mike!

A new Pandora charm [the dog] and Alex&Ani from my coworkers

Thanks so much for linking up with us!  

Heading down South to the land of the pines...

Well, I'm on my way!  Tonight I'll be in North Carolina and tomorrow I'll make my way down to Charleston!  I am so excited to start this journey and share it with y'all! [See, I'm already talking Southern!]

WW: Updated Wedding To-Do List

Holy crap, we're at the 3 month mark!  Talk about crazy!  Add in the fact that our house is getting packed up in boxes as we speak to move almost 1000 miles away, this is going to be a whirlwind summer.
Here is an updated list of everything for our wedding:  Purple is "completed;" Teal is "working on it;" and Orange is "haven't really thought about it" 
The Big Stuff: - Ceremony Venue - Reception Venue - Guest List - "Save The Date" magnets - Invitations - going out this week! - Calligraphy for Invitations - Wedding Website - Hotel Block - Wedding Colors - Wedding Dress - Bridal Veil/Headpiece  - Bridal Jewelry - Bridal Shoes - Groom's Tux - Wedding Bands - Marriage license - during our trip back in August!
The People: - Ask Bridal Party - Bridesmaid Dresses

- Groomsmen Tuxes - they better get their butts moving

- Flower Girl Dress

- Ring Bearer Tux
- Mother of the Bride Dress
- Dads' Tuxes

- Bouquets/Boutonnieres for bridal party and family

- Gifts for each member of wedding party and readers - girls are all done!

Pre-Wedding/The Rehearsal Day:
- Fitness routine
- Healthy and beauty routine
- Manicures/Pedicures with the bridal party
- Rehearsal outfits for bride and groom
- Rehearsal dinner
- Organize tip envelopes for vendors

The Big Day: - Limos - Hair and Makeup - Photographer - Videographer - Gift Registry - Find something: old, new, borrowed, blue

The Church:

- Officiant

- Ceremony Programs

- Chalkboard signs: choose a seat not a side, please take bubbles

- Hymns for mass
- Readings for mass
- Readers
- Pre-marriage counseling

- Flowers for pews and alter

- Bubbles for church exit

The Reception:

- Seating Chart - Place Cards - Guest Book - Chalkboard signs: table numbers, cake signs, "sign our guestbook," etc. - Framed photos of family weddings and bridal party - Card box - Select Cocktail Hour Hors D'oeuvres Menu - Cocktail napkins - Cocktail straws - Create signature cocktail - maybe something Southern! - Centerpieces - Select Dinner Menu - Print Dinner Menus - The Cake - DJ & Playlist - Personal basket items for bathrooms - Monogrammed bathroom hand towels and baskets - Candy dishes for various locations around venue - Favors - Tags for Favors
The Honeymoon - Mini honeymoon to NYC after the wedding - Full honeymoon to ??? in ???
Here's what we did: Meg and Mike's Wedding: The Proposal Will You Be Our Flower Girl? Will You Be My Bridesmaid? October Wedding List Update Will You Be His Groomsman? Will You Be Our Ring Bearer? "Save the Date" Magnets Engagement Photo Shoot February Wedding List Update ABCs of Our Wedding Wedding Workouts Pre-Wedding Marriage Counseling Wedding Giveaway from Passion & Love How To: Calligraphy
Linking up for a couple of Wedding Wednesdays with Mary and Meredith&Jordon!

You're Gonna Miss This...

Part 3
Last goodbye post, I swear.  I am SO EXCITED to get to South Carolina in 7 days!!  This week has been absolutely crazy with the PGA Tour in town, and I can't wait to share about that, my best friend's wedding last weekend, and everything we've been doing in CT very soon!!
While I am so thrilled to move South with my love, there are so many other people I am going to miss.  We only have two close friends south of the Mason-Dixon line, so it's going to be hard to leave every single person we love.  Luckily, I'll be back once a month for a few months for our bridal party trip, my shower, and our wedding!
Childhood

High school

College

Post College

Family

I'm going to miss my first ever Hall of Fame Induction this year :( The 25-year streak is over

Luckily, I've been able to say goodbye to many of them over the past couple of weeks...
Part 1 and part 2...