You had me at the proper use of "You're"

You know what's newsworthy right now? Spelling. So that's what I want to discuss today. (Grammar and punctuation, too!)

Let me explain why I'm passionate about this issue.

Some people can paint or sculpt or design beautiful things. Many people make music in some way, shape, or form. Other people are natural athletes.

I am a gifted speller.

Growing up, I excelled at reading and writing. (Math and science are hard, amirite?) By middle school, I'd declared that English was my favorite subject, and that never changed. My freshman year of high school, I took my first journalism class, and my writing style evolved. I basically ditched everything I knew about creative writing and 3.5 essays (anyone remember those?) and never looked back. I learned how to be concise. I learned how to tell stories. Most significantly, I learned how to proofread.

Thirteen years later, I've got a Master's degree in Communication, and we all have to deal with social media and a 24-hour news cycle and information overload in general.

WE HAVE SPELL CHECK EVERYWHERE NOW, and still it seems like nobody can spell.

This is a flawless example of a "which came first?" causality dilemma. Maybe we've always been mostly atrocious at spelling and grammar, but it's painfully obvious now because we communicate through typed text so frequently. Or maybe as technology advances, we rely too much on spell check. I don't know.

Here's why I think you should care:

• Being a good communicator is important in your personal life. Do your due diligence so that your loved ones don't have to expel energy translating what you're trying to say.
• Being a good communicator is important in your professional life. For example, as a hiring manager, I notice typos/errors on resumes and cover letters. I also judge a candidate's ability to communicate effectively based on brief email communication and a quick scan of his/her social media profile(s).
• Your children are basically creepy little versions of you. Studies show that if you read, they'll read. If you exercise, they'll exercise. So I don't think it's a stretch to assume that if you don't care about spelling, they won't care either.
• Spell check sucks. (As does auto correct.)
• People who take the time to care about spelling and grammar will tirelessly poke fun at you and your errors behind your back.

Let's make proofreading cool again.

Related: How well can you spell? from WaPo

My Birchbox Favorites

(Based on my limited knowledge of blogging, I think I'm supposed to say that this post is not sponsored. I'm not that big of a deal.)

I've been a Birchbox subscriber for nearly a year. My sister-in-law bought me a (full year!) subscription as a thank you gift for hosting her baby shower. I used to say it was an intriguing concept but not something I'd pay for; however, based on my experience, I will absolutely pony up $110 next month to continue receiving my monthly box of joy.

From the Birchbox site, in case you're unfamiliar:

"Birchbox delivers high-end beauty, grooming, and lifestyle samples once a month, customized just for you."

I love health and beauty products. I especially love to tell people about my brilliant finds. (Lucky you!) I'm not sure that I'll review every product each month, but I plan on sharing my favorite products with you here.

Over the last year, these are the products I've loved:

via birchbox

1. COOLA Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face: I should probably admit that I didn't actually buy the full size version of this product ($32), but I would if I wasn't actively avoiding the sun this summer. It isn't thick like my usual sunscreen (I'm looking at you, Neutrogena) and it smells divine. Like a very specific fancy spa I've visited before, but I refuse to name drop. If you're looking for a smooth everyday sunscreen, this is the stuff. If you aren't wearing sunscreen daily, shame on you.

via birchbox

2. Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive: Okay, I haven't purchased the full size version of this one either... YET ($39). I've made the sample last for several uses. I have relatively easy skin, but it is sensitive, especially to peels. I love how my face feels after using this product and it doesn't bother my skin at all. I used the sample (0.25 oz) four times, so I know I'll get to use the full size (2 oz) product enough to make it worth the price.

via birchbox

3. Color Club polishes: I'm always excited about new nail polishes. The first Color Club polish I received from Birchbox was the green one in the image above. I like it, but prefer the colors in the Gala's Gems collection (I ordered the set of four minis, $13). I'm not blown away by the quality of Color Club polishes (I usually buy OPI or Ulta), but I do enjoy the colors. Also noteworthy, I got a sample Art Duo pen in my May box and I haven't tried it yet, but I have high hopes!

4. KIND Healthy Grain Bar: I received the Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt bar in my March box and I've been trying to find it in stores ever since. I'm about to order them in bulk off of the KIND website. (I've tried the Dark Chocolate Chunk and Oats & Honey flavors, too, and like them both... but pumpkin seeds are my jam!)

via birchbox

5. Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner: I don't have any interest in the "color contrast" idea behind this product, but I have always had eye-crease-smudge problems with eyeliner on my upper lids and this is the best solution I've found so far. I haven't had to replace my black sample yet, but I will ($11).

via birchbox

6. Stila lip glaze: This has long been a favorite of mine, but Birchbox sent a sample my way and it deserves a shout out. My sample was called "Cupcake" (pictured: "Fruit Punch"). Hate the cutesy names, but love the subtle colors. Lasts long enough for me. (But full disclosure: I'm not big on lip color.)

via birchbox

7. Benefit Big Easy: *Life-changing product alert!* I didn't get a sample of this, but I did find this product through Birchbox (on Instagram, @birchbox). I love Benefit's products. This BB cream is perfect. I traded in my MAC foundation and powder for this. It's the perfect amount of coverage for my skin type and taste. ($38, lasts ~3 months with daily use)

If you like to give super generous gifts (like my sweet SIL), Birchbox is a great gift idea for any friend who loves makeup/skin care products. It's definitely one of the coolest presents I've ever received.

If you are interested in subscribing or gifting a subscription, feel free to use this link.  :)

A Tuesday Rant

I am downright baffled when someone I know has agreed to become a salesperson for a multi-level marketing scheme.

Once or twice a year during my childhood, most of which took place during the '90s, one of my mom's friends would excitedly tell her about a new business endeavor, which inevitably meant my mom would host a party at our house, provide finger foods and punch, and invite her other friends to come see what's for sale this time. Throw in a few last minute cancellations, and pressure for those who did in fact attend to purchase at least one product, and you've got yourself a proper Tupperware* party.

Or, as my dad lovingly referred to them: A Rape Your Friends Party**.

Today, the company names have changed, but the pyramid scheme, take-advantage-of-your-social-network concept remains the same. Stella & Dot. Scentsy. Origami Owl. Passion Parties. Thirty-One. And my own personal favorite, Rodan + Fields.

Let's spend some time on Rodan + Fields...

I am, to some, a beauty product junkie. I'm a Birchbox subscriber, and I can't leave Ulta without spending $100. (ULTA : ME :: TARGET : STAY-AT-HOME MOMS) So when I was first invited to a Rodan + Fields party, I was intrigued. The party was on a weeknight at a friend's house back home, so I couldn't attend in person. Instead, I asked the R+F consultant to let me browse the website; maybe I'd purchase something anyway (and in typical female guilt fashion, I wanted to be sure that if I did in fact buy something, my hostess friend would get credit toward whatever discount/free shit she could get out of dragging her friends to her party).

I'll just cut to the chase here and say I was disappointed to find that the skin care line I was interested in purchasing was $193.00. I have easy skin. It's combination, but easy to manage. Now that I'm in my late twenties, I get maybe ten pimples per year. I use drugstore products to remove my makeup, clean my face, and moisturize. So I decided to ask a friend who uses R+F before I committed that much money to a new skincare regimen. Here's how that went:

Me: Hey, do you like your Rodan + Fields products? I'm thinking about buying something but I don't usually spend that much on skincare.
Friend: I liked it at first, but I'm not totally sold. You actually just reminded me that I want to cancel my subscription.
Me: SUBSCRIPTION?!?!?!

Seriously. As it turns out, the product I was interested in would cost me $193 per MONTH. (Or maybe it was every two months. But, either way! Wow.) Dollar amount conveniently deducted from my checking account and product delivered to my door step.

After I collected my jaw from the floor, I sent the R+F consultant an email and politely/succinctly declined. But I have so many unanswered questions about this nonsense! How did someone convince her that this was a lucrative business opportunity? Does she actually have friends that can afford to pay that much for skin care? If so, where did they meet their rich husbands? (...I'm half kidding.) If people are willing to pay that much for skin care, should they consult with an actual dermatologist first? Or at least a licensed esthetician?

Side note to anyone who might be tempted to defend Rodan + Fields: I am not questioning the quality of the company's product offerings. I'm sure the products are lovely, and I am aware that Ms. Rodan and Ms. Fields are practicing dermatologists. I am speaking to the company's marketing and business model. And price point. Because I'm cheap frugal.

I could go on forever about how Facebook has made this worse for my generation that it ever was for my mother, but I'll stop here. My point is, even though my sample size is limited and my observations are strictly qualitative, I can only think of one person who has made a respectable living as a salesperson for one of these businesses. She was an acquaintance of my mom, and she was not exactly well-liked.

Thankfully, all of my friends have real jobs.


*Other '90s substitutions: Creative Memories, Pampered Chef, PartyLite, Mary Kay, etc.
**My dad is kind and generous and ultra conservative. He would be appalled if he knew I tell people this story because he cares too much about what other people think, but it's one of the funniest things I've ever heard him say, so I'm sharing it.