A Blogiversary, Reader Survey and Giveaway - Oh My!

Happy Monday Everyone!  This month is a big one for All the Joys - exactly one year ago, I was in the process of beginning this little space of mine.  I was choosing a design, figuring out the crazy tech stuff (that I still don't understand), locking down my social media accounts - and on March 30, I hit publish on my very first post.  I've come a long way since then, and I know there are so many more opportunities to take advantage of.

To celebrate, I wanted to reflect on the last year, and see where my opportunities lay for the future.  This is where you come in.  I have a very quick Reader Survey that I would love some feedback on.  As a reward - the password for a $25 Amazon giftcard giveaway will be given at the end.  (Along with another surprise!)

I am looking forward to taking your feedback and merging them with my blogging goals.  I honestly never thought that I would be here a whole year later, and now I can't imagine not coming to this space, to each of you.

You can find the survey here.  Thank you, and Good Luck with the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogger Love v.33

Happy Friday Everyone!  I normally really love Fridays, but this one I needed.  The first week after vacation was a rough one.  My mind was still on the beach, but I had so much to do both for work and home.  This weekend is very much welcomed, even if I will be working part of it.

This week for Blogger Love, I have a very fun co-host!  Lindsay, from Bourbon, Lipstick and Stilettos is here with us.  Have you visited her yet?  She has the best reviews of all things makeup and skincare, some of which I have purchased for myself on her suggestions.  I've asked Lindsay to share some thoughts with all of you, enjoy!

Where can we find you on a typical Saturday morning?
 On a typical Saturday morning, you can find me in bed until 8:00 or 9:00. We don't have kids yet so I take full advantage of being able to sleep in! I usually make breakfast, have a few cups of coffee, and we watch a home design show (currently obsessed with Fixer Upper). I start weekdays at 5:00 am, so lazy weekends are the best. 

You write a lot about beauty products.  What are your top three and why?
My top three products will change from time to time, but as they stand now:

-Maybelline's Falsies mascara: I've tried a million brands of mascara, and this drugstore find remains the best in my book. 

-BareMinerals Complexion Rescue: this is a relatively new product, but I'll never be without it again. It moisturizes and smooths skin for a flawless complexion. 

-NARS Orgasm blush: other blushes will come and go, but this is forever. It's the perfect color for everyone and always gives me a gorgeous, healthy glow.  

What's the best piece of blogging advice you've ever received?
The best piece of blogging advice I ever received was to build a community and befriend other bloggers. I thought I could do it on my own, but I'd be buried in the internet wasteland without the support of others. 

Spill it!  What's your favorite guilty pleasure tv show?
My favorite guilty pleasure tv shows are House of Cards and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I am so happy Lisa Rinna and Eileen Davidson are now on RHOBH because I'm also obsessed with Days of our Lives...  editor's note: I LOVE me some RH.  And I surprisingly really like Lisa Rinna!

You can find more of Lindsay here:

Blog ||  Facebook || Pinterest || Instagram || Twitter

And now it's time for Blogger Love!  Join Lindsay and I, link up below and share your favorite posts by other bloggers for the week.  Grab the button if you'd like and check out some new-to-you bloggers!  I am still catching up on posts from last week, so my faves are a little sparse this week, but you should check these out:

"Overcoming Our Insecurities - Motherhood" by Anne via Life with Mrs G. and the Artist.  Faith is hosting a whole series on insecurities, and this post by Anne hit home.  With two daughters myself, I completely relate to this!

"We Made the News... in Ohio?!" by the Florkens.  Imagine your surprise to find your photos in a news article in a state you don't even live in!  This post just reaffirmed my decision to not share photos of my littles on here, you just never know where they might end up!

An InLinkz Link-up

I hope you have a great weekend!  I can't wait to share some fun things with you on Monday!

Stitch Fix - March

I'm sure that by now, most of you (if not all) know what Stitch Fix is.  If not - real quick - it's a monthly box of clothing and accessories picked specifically for you delivered right to your door.  Keep what you want, send back the rest.  That's it!  In my last fix, I asked my stylist to once again send me some items that I could take with me to St. Thomas. 

I got a few items for warmer weather, but once again not enough to keep the whole box.  Let's review!

 Pink Martini Katalli Open Weave Sweater - $58.  This was actually quite comical - I should have taken a picture.  Cute, but when I tried it on it was more like a crop top.  Sent Back.
 

 Pixley Franz Keyhole Blouse - $58.  Purple is my thing.  I imagined myself wearing this with skinnies and sandals.  Kept.  (Although I didn't wear it on vacation!)

 Tart Elizabeth Printed Wrap Dress - $138.  Oh, this dress.  I love wrap dresses.  This was the perfect length, and the material was super soft.  I wore it for about twenty minutes, tried on different shoes and accessories and loved it.  I did not, however, love the price tag.  After much debate, it was Sent Back.
 

 Monoreno Angelique Button Down Vest - $54.  I liked the look of this, and appreciated that the stylist made a note that she picked this based on this pin - I liked hearing that she does in fact check out my Pinterest boards.  However, this vest wasn't very cute on.  Sent Back.
 

 Romolo Starla Ornate Collar Necklace - $44.  I love accessories, and this necklace was fun.  It was a great length, and the colors were great together.  However, I didn't love it, therefore couldn't spent $44 on it.  Sent Back. 

This box marked a whole year of fixes for me.  It's so fun getting this every month, and I still fully believe that someday I'll have my "need to keep everything" box!  So how did I do?  Anything you would or wouldn't have kept?

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix, check them out here.  They now offer Maternity and Petite sizes! 

*I was not compensated for this post, all opinions are my own.  Signing up with the above link will give me product credit - thank you!

The Vacation of All Vacations

How, exactly, do I begin to tell you all about my vacation?  Quite simply, I can't.  It was exactly what Tim and I needed.  I could probably spend an entire week telling you about what we did, sharing pictures, and reminiscing about how I wish we were still there.  But instead, I'll put it in to one long, picture-filled post because I have some other exciting things going on this week that I can't wait to share.  Bear with me while I picture and memory dump below!

Our flight Saturday was delayed, but after a limo ride to O'Hare and knowing that we would be on the beach in half a day, there wasn't much that could bring us down.  We had a direct flight and watched a few movies on the way down.  Upon arriving at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, this was our view - we were off to a great start:

Sunday was spent at the spa, where I had a fabulous massage, and then on the beach.  Monday, we chartered a boat and skipped over to the British Virgin Islands - mostly Jost van Dyke, including Sandy Spit - which is where the Corona commercials are filmed.  To say that this little spot was my happy place is a huge understatement.  I just laid on the sand for at least an hour, soaking it all in.  We also stopped for a quick hike to the "Bubbly Bath", which is a spot where waves come through walls of rock and make a fun little wave pool.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone = none of my own pictures.

Sandy Spit.  source

Tuesday we went in to Red Hook, where after a few cocktails, I decided to try one of those fish pedicures.  The fish are pretty small, and they rub all along your feet to loosen dead skin and then suck it off.  I had seen it on tv before (The housewives did it in Thailand!) but never in person.  It felt like little bubbles - and only really freaked me out when they tried to go through my toes.  But here's the kicker - my feet are still soft.  After a week of the beach and sandals.  I am a believer!

Wednesday, we took the ferry to St. John and rented a Jeep.  We hit three different beaches, then had the best dinner I've ever eaten at a place called Fatty Crab.  If you are ever in the vicinity of St. John, go here.  It is a "funky southeast Asian restaurant" and only has locations in New York, Hong Kong and St. John.  It was so, so good.  St. John is quickly becoming my favorite of the Caribbean islands I've been to.

Thursday was another boat day - this time we went to Tortola, another British Island.  We first snorkeled, where we saw two different sea turtles and hundreds of fish.  We spent the afternoon here - eating, drinking cocktails and just enjoying the views.

The second picture is one of my favorites from the trip, complete with the British phone booth.  It's a framer!

Friday, I woke up with a migraine.  I did my routine that always seems to help - drink a regular Coke, slather Peppermint essential oil on my forehead and sit in a warm bath.  Just over an hour later, it was gone - so out to the pool I went.  We spent the day reading and soaking up the sun.  I finished two books in one week - that is definitely a record for me!

Saturday was our travel day home.  By that point I was ready to see my babies again, but so so sad to be leaving paradise.  I can't wait to go back again - maybe next time to stay on St. John.  Has anyone done that?

All in all, it was a fabulous trip.  We loved our time together, the girls loved their time with the grandparents, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.  I was able to cross five things off of my 101 in 1001 list!  Also, a special note to my Midwestern readers - we brought the warm weather home with us.  You are welcome. :)