Well it is that time of year again, Mardi Gras has come and gone and now the Catholic tradition of Ash Wednesday and Lent begins. Although I honestly can not say what the actual rules of Lent are as I do not celebrate it for religious reasons I can appreciate the self discipline and sacrifices that are made. I use it more as a timeline to achieve short term goals, and this year will be no different. This year I will be giving up all sodas and saddly ice cream and committing to at least one hour of exercise a day. This will be a challenge for the husband and I as he is giving up the same, and we both LOVE our ice cream, and I tend to lack motivation. This year will be different!! Afterall I have a wedding dress I need to fit into by October, and that should be all the motivation I need. I am determined to have them take in the dress not let it out.
Back tracking now...
Chris and I finally got to move in to our home on January 22, and we are still very excited about it. Currently we are still waiting on our furniture, so the house is bare at the moment, but hopefully we should be getting our stuff in the next week or so. We have also decided to wait until the furniture is moved in to starting decorating and making the house ours, so I am becoming a bit antsy just on that front. Right now we are using our outdoor furniture as our living room set, and luckily we already had a dining room set and bed set, so no sleeping on the floor for us...yay!
As far as a wedding update, I honestly am starting to fall behind in the planning process, and am starting to feel the pressure. I am trying to wrap up getting all of the addresses and finish my hand made save the dates; that my wonderful Matron of Honor helped me with, but saddly we are only half way done. I hope to have the save the dates sent out by the end of next week. I have tons to do, get the registries set up, schedule food tastings and cake tastings, find shoes, hair and makeup, figure out how to alter my mom's veil, so that it will work for me, and more importantly how to talk to my mom about altering her veil. Figure out the decorations and who will be setting up the decorations, the music playlist, the candy bar, the favors oh the list goes on and on. Annnnd, on top of all of my wedding business my good friend is having her wedding two weeks after mine and I really want to be able to help her with hers too; Not to mention I have a second friend who is in the planning process as well, thankfully hers is not for another year.
So far 2013 is proving to be a hectic, crazy, busy busy year and I look forward to seeing all that is in store for me. Have a great day!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Thursday, December 27, 2012
December Glam Bag - Ipsy
Ipsy is a monthly subscription that offers deluxe samples and full size products of all the latest and greatest trends in the beauty world all wrapped up in a cute makeup bag, all for $10 a month. This was my first Glam Bag and I was really impressed with everything I received and the best part...all 5 of my products were full size!!
Mai Couture - Highlighter Papier: Add radiance to desired areas of your face and body. The shimmering highlighter paper from Mai Couture will illuminate any dullness for a glowing complexion.
Take the Beauty Quiz today and start receiving your monthly Glam Bag!! Join Now!
Mai Couture - Highlighter Papier: Add radiance to desired areas of your face and body. The shimmering highlighter paper from Mai Couture will illuminate any dullness for a glowing complexion.
My Impression: I liked this product, and I use it in combination with a matte finish bronzer just to add a little contrast and to soften my final look. It comes in a booklet and the highlighter is on a sheet; simply tear one sheet out and lightly press it on your skin to add a slight shimmer to any desired location. I usually apply to my "T" zone and my check bones. The only downside I saw to this product is a lot of it goes to waste unless you plan on resuing a sheet later. Other than that it is quick and easy to use and is great if you need a little freshening up on the run.Be a Bombshell Lip Gloss - Hot Mess: The perfect holiday “true red” lip gloss that goes on sheer! Layer for a more opaque look. This formula instantly creates the look of fuller more voluptuous lips with luminous shine. This maximum-shine, moisturizing gloss will be perfect for any haute holiday party. The applicator features a soft sponged tip that picks up a generous amount of gloss.
My Impression: I was a little nervous to test this one out as I generally stick to a more natural hue or if I am feeling adventurous a darker red. This gloss however is a bright bright red, and when I applied it to my lips it went on streaky and it was a little sticky. I have paired it up with a darker red lipstick and then put a "top coat" of this gloss on and I like it more, though it still feels a bit sticky.NYX Loose Pearl Shadow - Copper Penny: It’s not hard to sparkle with one of NYX’s ultra-shimmering loose shadow powders that can be used on eyes, cheeks, even lips. These finely-milled mineral eye shadows are high-impact, long-lasting and a little addictive!
My Impression: I have used this product in the past, and though the pigments are vibrant and of great quality it is a bit difficult to use unless you have a container is which to put it in. The bottle offers a small opening only large enough to get a slender lip or eyeliner brush in. It is long lasting though, I may use mine to make a nail polish with however.Urban Decay - 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: The best Eye Pencil ever, ever, ever! Never before has a pencil this creamy and brilliant been waterproof, too. Velvety-soft, this never-before-seen formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge.
My Impression: I am a big Urban Decay fan, they make a quality product, and needless to say I was thrilled when I got this in my bag! It does exactly what they say it will do. It goes one so smooth and I find myself using less of it because it is so easy to apply. It is easy to finish too, and it lasts all day. Team it up with Urban Decay's eye primer and you're good to go!Mirabella - Prime for Face and Eyes: Prime for Face and Eyes weightless, oil-free formula glides onto help promote long-wearing makeup. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant to smooth out lines as it moisturizes and protects skin. Prime provides a silky feel to the skin as it aids in repairing cellular damage.
My Impression: I like primers for your face and eyes because it means your makeup will go a lot further and you can use a lot less. This is the 4th face primer and second eye primer I have tried and unfortunately it didn't compete as well, because it would have been great to get both in one product. I am not sure if it is because it is more of a gel where as my previous primers have been more of a cream. I prefer Urban Decay's eye primer and it makes your eye shadow really pop and helps keep it on for longer, and as for a foundation primer I prefer either benefits Porefessional or Mary Kay, as they seem to even out the texture of my skin better.Overall I am pretty happy with my first Glam Bag and am super excited to see what awaits me in January's bag!!
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December BirchBox
Birchbox is a monthly subscription to try out the latest new trends in beauty and health products. For $10 a month you get a box with 4 to 5 deluxe samples and in most cases a full size product is included, which generally is worth more than the membership fee. You are also given the opportunity to give feedback for the products that are sent to you and in return you earn points; for every 100 points earned they give you $10 to spend how you please in their store. Also, for every dollar spent you earn one point.
Birchbox is the best way to discover new beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. Join to receive monthly deliveries of top product samples from high-end brands. Join Now!
Aerie - Shimmer Fragrance: Light as air blend of bergamot, peony and vanilla. Full-size $14.95 - $39.95
My Impression: This scent is not one of my preferred fragrances. This reminds me of something an older lady would wear. I prefer a dainty citrus or floral scent. When I applied the perfume to my wrists to let it meld with my body chemistry it did not get any better. The vanilla was very overwhelming. On the plus side it does have lasting power; I was able to still smell it after hours of wear, always a good thing when it comes to perfume.Amika - Obliphica Nourishing Mask: Packed with omega acids and vitamin C, this lush conditioning mask boosts shine and even helps repair split ends. Full-size $12.00 - $40.00
My Impression: I was really excited when I received this product. I have extremely thick and dry unruly hair that is prone to split ends and breakage. When I opened the packaged I was delighted by the light floral scent. Since it is a mask it is thicker than a standard conditioner and is required to stay on the hair for 3 to 5 minutes before being rinsed out. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out the mask otherwise you risk your hair being weighed down and get oily quickly. I was really impressed with the immediate results I saw after only one use. My hair remained softer for longer and there was a very noticeable sheen to my hairs complexion. Also, after I styled my hair I noticed that my hair was able to maintain the style for longer as well. Not to mention my hair smelled wonderful too!Lashem - Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum: Made with nourishing goji berry extracts and fortifying biotin, this derm-approved gel gives you longer, lusher lashes with no irritation. Full-size $70.00
My Impression: I was intrigued when I saw this in my box, as I have sparse lashes and am always in the market to make them look fuller. I generally try to make my lashes seem fuller with mascara products, but what better way to get fuller lashes than by actually producing more lashes. So far after about 2 weeks of using this I have not seen any changes in my current lashes.TheBalm Cosmetics - Mary-Lou Manizer: Play up your best features with this three in one highlighter, shadow and all over shimmer. Full-size $24.00
My Impression: I really enjoy this product, for me I use it more as a shadow versus an all over shimmer or highlighter. It has great coverage and it gives just enough shimmer for a softer more natural look. I pair it up with my darker shadows just to take a little bit of the edge off and it really brightens up my eyes and helps them pop. I imagine it would work just as well if you were to use a little on your cheekbones.Chuao Chocolatier - Chuao Chocolatier Assorted Chuao Pods: Instead of settling for plain ol’ milk chocolate, we’re satiating those cravings with these decadent treats, which are handcraft from Chuao’s premium house blend . This set of miniature bars includes exotic flavors that will knock you off your fuzzy-slippered feet (in a good way). Full-size $7.95 per pack of 7
I had mixed feelings with this month's box. Upon first arrival I was not thrilled at all, the chocolate left something to be desired, the highlighter was at first the only memorable item, until I tried out the hair mask which is now my favorite and can not wait to purchase a big jar of it, but as far as the lash serum I have not seen any results and I rarely like the perfumes sampled. Hopefully BB will step it up next month and start off the new year with a bang!My Impression: I as most women do absolutely LOVE chocolate, and I like trying new types, so this was right up my ally. I was expecting to get the maple bacon covered chuao pod, and was actually a little disappointed when I received the Spicy Maya (a spicy blend of pasilla chile, cinnamon, and cayenne in dark chocolate). Nevertheless I tried it out anyways. I liked the hint of spice you got as an after taste, but I am not a big dark chocolate fan and it didn't really melt in my mouth like milk and white chocolate do. It does give good flavor and I would be willing to try the entire line. Each pack you purchase comes with 7 pods, one in each of the flavors. All in all I would have preferred to try the bacon one ;)
Birchbox is the best way to discover new beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. Join to receive monthly deliveries of top product samples from high-end brands. Join Now!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Sweet Potato Chili - Yummy Goodness
I selected several soup, stew, chili recipes and let my husband decide on which one he wanted to have, as soon as he read the ingredients for the Slow Cooked Sweet Potato Chili he knew it was "the one." Boy was he right!
I have recently been on a sweet potato kick, and I don't mean the usual sweet potato casserole stuff with the cinnamon and sugar and marshmallows; which I am actually not a fan of. No, I mean roasted balsamic sweet potatoes, whipped cream cheese mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato fries, so it was only a matter of time before I made a stew with it...honestly!
Anyways... This chili was absolutely amazing! Thick and hearty, it really warms you to the core as well. I have my own chili recipe that is always a hit yet you can eat a couple of bowls before you are completely stuffed, but with this chili one bowl was PLENTY! It is stocked with black and kidney beans, diced and crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion and of course sweet potato. There is a little extra sweetness with brown sugar, then kick it up with some spices; cumin, chili powder, paprika and a little salt and pepper to taste. The best part of this recipe is that you throw it all together in the crock pot set it on low for 10 hours and go, and by the time your home from work dinner is waiting for you, painless and delicious.
When I try out new recipes I like to follow it verbatim the first time then go in and tweak it to make it my own in the future. Although this was a huge hit in our house, next time we plan to add more vegetables to it, jalapeno, bell pepper and corn. Needless to say we are looking forward to more "chili" winter nights...see what I did there ;)
Follow the link below to get the full recipe and directions. This is a definite contender for dinner!
Can you stay for dinner? - Sweet Potato Chili
Monday, December 3, 2012
Mia Bella Trattoria
The husband and I took my dad out to dinner for his birthday last night before we caught the Rush concert and we went to a cute little Italian Bistro, Mia Bella Trattoria.
The food is very reasonably priced for a gourmet Italian restaurant, prices ranging from $15 to $30 a plate, depending on what you are looking for to wet your appetite. It is quite a small restaurant, and with it being a concert night I don't think they were expecting to be as busy as they were on a Sunday night, so it was a bit loud inside, but much more tolerable than the House of Blues located next door.
We went in and were seated right away, which is always nice. Our server took our drink order and upon delivery he informed us of their specials, and also what he recommends off of the menu. For starters we ordered Torta di Granchio, a jumbo lump crab cake served with a sweet potato balsamic chutney and saffron wine reduction. Once it was served I was quite surprised at the size of the crab cake, most restaurants serve a tiny cake that it is mostly breading, but it was quite a different story at Mia Bella. The crab cake was about the size of my Husbands palm, which is pretty large, and the presentation was stunning. It sat in the middle of the wine reduction with the balsamic sweet potato chutney on top and finished off with a beautiful basil leaf. The chutney was by itself was amazing, the sweet potato was basically caramelized by the balsamic vinegar and added a deliciously sweet aspect to the crab cake. The saffron wine reduction held well on its own as well and added tangy notes. The crab cake itself was all fresh crab with hints of herbs and spices and very little breading and just melted in your mouth. Combine all the individual aspects of the appetizer it was almost sinful. I can honestly say that was the best crab cake I have ever eaten.
For dinner I ordered Pollo all Mia Bella, sauteed Chicken breast layered with a medley of sauteed vegetables, spinach, roasted red peppers and portobella mushrooms, in a jalapeno cilantro pesto broth topped with goat cheese and roasted leeks. My dad ordered Parmigiana di Pollo, Oven roasted and breaded chicken breast stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese; served on a bed of angel hair pasta with spinach and roasted red peppers and topped with a tomato basil cream sauce. Finally my Husband ordered Capelleni di Mare, angel hair pasta tossed with shrimp, sea scallops, mussels and clams tossed with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and hint of crushed red pepper. It all sounds delicious right?
Every bit of our meal was delicious. The amount of time and care the staff puts into laying out each plate and the serving to each table is wonderful, and it makes the experience that much more enjoyable. They have really made great use out of different ingredients and their flavors all compliment one another. Even though the restaurant was busy, the staff remained calm and picked up their efforts to ensure that each patron had an enjoyable experience. While our waiter was behind the bar helping with drinks we were visited by several other servers to ensure we were doing well.
I really enjoyed myself and the food and plan on making more trips to Mia Bella in the future. There are four locations in and around the Houston area; Downtown Main, Downtown Pavilions (Off of San Jacinto St and the location we went to), Vintage Park and Sugarland.
Click here to view the menu
The food is very reasonably priced for a gourmet Italian restaurant, prices ranging from $15 to $30 a plate, depending on what you are looking for to wet your appetite. It is quite a small restaurant, and with it being a concert night I don't think they were expecting to be as busy as they were on a Sunday night, so it was a bit loud inside, but much more tolerable than the House of Blues located next door.
We went in and were seated right away, which is always nice. Our server took our drink order and upon delivery he informed us of their specials, and also what he recommends off of the menu. For starters we ordered Torta di Granchio, a jumbo lump crab cake served with a sweet potato balsamic chutney and saffron wine reduction. Once it was served I was quite surprised at the size of the crab cake, most restaurants serve a tiny cake that it is mostly breading, but it was quite a different story at Mia Bella. The crab cake was about the size of my Husbands palm, which is pretty large, and the presentation was stunning. It sat in the middle of the wine reduction with the balsamic sweet potato chutney on top and finished off with a beautiful basil leaf. The chutney was by itself was amazing, the sweet potato was basically caramelized by the balsamic vinegar and added a deliciously sweet aspect to the crab cake. The saffron wine reduction held well on its own as well and added tangy notes. The crab cake itself was all fresh crab with hints of herbs and spices and very little breading and just melted in your mouth. Combine all the individual aspects of the appetizer it was almost sinful. I can honestly say that was the best crab cake I have ever eaten.
For dinner I ordered Pollo all Mia Bella, sauteed Chicken breast layered with a medley of sauteed vegetables, spinach, roasted red peppers and portobella mushrooms, in a jalapeno cilantro pesto broth topped with goat cheese and roasted leeks. My dad ordered Parmigiana di Pollo, Oven roasted and breaded chicken breast stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese; served on a bed of angel hair pasta with spinach and roasted red peppers and topped with a tomato basil cream sauce. Finally my Husband ordered Capelleni di Mare, angel hair pasta tossed with shrimp, sea scallops, mussels and clams tossed with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and hint of crushed red pepper. It all sounds delicious right?
Every bit of our meal was delicious. The amount of time and care the staff puts into laying out each plate and the serving to each table is wonderful, and it makes the experience that much more enjoyable. They have really made great use out of different ingredients and their flavors all compliment one another. Even though the restaurant was busy, the staff remained calm and picked up their efforts to ensure that each patron had an enjoyable experience. While our waiter was behind the bar helping with drinks we were visited by several other servers to ensure we were doing well.
I really enjoyed myself and the food and plan on making more trips to Mia Bella in the future. There are four locations in and around the Houston area; Downtown Main, Downtown Pavilions (Off of San Jacinto St and the location we went to), Vintage Park and Sugarland.
Click here to view the menu
Friday, November 30, 2012
Dino Lingo - Learning Languages for Kids
I was asked by Influenster to watch a few videos of the new language learning program for kids, "Dino Lingo," and I really enjoyed what I saw.
Dino Lingo from what I watched follows two little dinosaurs that go on an adventure and learn about different animals, colors and numbers. The graphics are very kid friendly, bright and colorful which I believe will really capture the kids attention. There is a lot of upbeat music as well.
When the two dinos are on their adventure, they will come across animals and they say what the animal is, not only is the word repeated several times, but the name is shown on the screen as well and they include pauses in between saying the word giving the kids and parents time to say it aloud themselves. While learning the new word the creators of Dino Lingo also show various versions of the animal, color or number. For example when they are showing a cat on the screen they are not just showing a cartoon version, but they show live versions of the animal. They distinguish between singular and plural as well.
This program is offered in a wide variety of languages and each are just as entertaining. From the small bits that I was able to preview I think this program will really be a great tool when trying to teach the kiddos a second language or perhaps even three or four. They combine what I feel is lacking in a lot of language learning programs, the visual stimuli as well as the audio. With the cartoon characters and the catchy music they make the learning process fun and easy to follow.
The husband and I are looking into the German version, as well as the Spanish since we live in the South. I look forward to using more of this program in the future and I recommend it to anyone who has children.
Want to try it out for yourself? Click the link below, enjoy! Dino Lingo - German
Dino Lingo from what I watched follows two little dinosaurs that go on an adventure and learn about different animals, colors and numbers. The graphics are very kid friendly, bright and colorful which I believe will really capture the kids attention. There is a lot of upbeat music as well.
When the two dinos are on their adventure, they will come across animals and they say what the animal is, not only is the word repeated several times, but the name is shown on the screen as well and they include pauses in between saying the word giving the kids and parents time to say it aloud themselves. While learning the new word the creators of Dino Lingo also show various versions of the animal, color or number. For example when they are showing a cat on the screen they are not just showing a cartoon version, but they show live versions of the animal. They distinguish between singular and plural as well.
This program is offered in a wide variety of languages and each are just as entertaining. From the small bits that I was able to preview I think this program will really be a great tool when trying to teach the kiddos a second language or perhaps even three or four. They combine what I feel is lacking in a lot of language learning programs, the visual stimuli as well as the audio. With the cartoon characters and the catchy music they make the learning process fun and easy to follow.
The husband and I are looking into the German version, as well as the Spanish since we live in the South. I look forward to using more of this program in the future and I recommend it to anyone who has children.
Want to try it out for yourself? Click the link below, enjoy! Dino Lingo - German
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
November BirchBox
For those of you who do not know what BirchBox is, it is a membership that you pay $10 a month for and they send you high end samples and sometimes you get full size products; like this month a I got a full size mascara that runs for $24 in stores...you do the math ;).
This month's box has been by far my favorite box! I have only been a member for about 4 or 5 months. Here is the rundown on my box:
ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend Lengthening Mascara:
I was really excited about this product as I had anticipated that it would be a full size product. I also, am a huge fan of the fibre lash mascara product; it gives me fullness without the weight and clumping that several coats of regular mascara will do. If you aren't aware of what fibre lash is, then where have you been?!?! :) What it is regular mascara with a twist, it has tons of tiny little fibers mixed in, and when you apply it to your lashes the fibers attach to your lashes and create a lengthening and fullness affect. This brand is the best I have come across and I couldn't be happier. My first experience with fibre lash was by complete accident I picked up the wrong type at the store. With that first tube it took some getting used to because sometimes the fibers would adhere too close to my eye and when I blinked they would poke me, and I have since had that problem with other brands I have tried. That is not the case with the ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend, and I have also not run into the problem where once the mascara drys on your lashes sometimes the fibres will fall off onto your face then you have little black specks everywhere. I was able to apply this mascara to my desired looked without any problems and it has great coverage...which means I can use less and make it last (which is great when it comes to spending that kind of $$ on one tube of mascara).
SOYJOY Cranberry Snack Packs:
I have tried several different bars that I have received through my BirchBox membership over the last few months, and I have been quite surprised that how much I didn't mind them. I however, have not gotten around to trying this one just yet and will come back with an update once I do.
Shea Terra Organics Whipped Shae Butter Ultimate Moisturizing Body Creme:
There are several different scents to choose from with this moisturizer, but unfortunately in my box I received the Banana and Baobabs, and anyone who knows me knows I have nothing to do with bananas. Even so, I attempted to give it a shot; I opened it up and gave it a sniff, if the banana wasn't the most dominant scent then I would more than likely be able to look past it. That was not the case, it smells like a jar of bananas and I could not go further. I was really excited for this product and was really hoping for any of the other 4 scents they had available. What I ca say about this product is that it looks like it would be a very nice creamy moisturizer. It also looks to be pretty thick; it doesn't move around inside the jar. I was pretty impressed with the size of this sample as well.
Stella Cadente Miss Me Eau de Parfum:
I do love to sample new scents, but I am not a big fan of getting perfume samples in the BirchBox because I can go to any store and get the same sample for free. For me, this perfume was a disaster! The only positive thing well the only two positive things I can say about this sample is; 1. I liked that it came in a spritzer, saved me from actually having to put it on and 2. It is able to last for a long time, which would have been fantastic if it were a nice fragrance. I sprayed the perfume only twice and it took hours for us to air out the house...or maybe we just got so used to smelling it we didn't notice it anymore. The fragrance smelled like a mix of hairspray, soap and baby powder...just a bad combination.
Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray:
I got a travel size of this spray which is great because then I can try it out more than once, and sometimes that is necessary. I have not tried it just yet, but plan to experiment tomorrow with it and will be back with an update.
So that's what I got in my box for November and I am so excited to see what I get next month!!
Also, another great thing about BirchBox, you can do product reviews on their site for each review you submit you earn 10 points and when you purchase things from the site every dollar you spend equals 1 point; for every 100 points you earn $10 to spend however you see fit on their website! It racks up pretty quickly too, because every month you get 5-6 products that you can submit reviews on. If you want to learn more or sign up, which you should totally do because you wont be disappointed click the link below. OH! Guys can sign up too, they just launched a subscription for men last month and I believe that one is $20 a month, and right now they have a limited edition home box with all sorts of things for the house!!
https://www.birchbox.com?raf=j8nxp
This month's box has been by far my favorite box! I have only been a member for about 4 or 5 months. Here is the rundown on my box:
ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend Lengthening Mascara:
I was really excited about this product as I had anticipated that it would be a full size product. I also, am a huge fan of the fibre lash mascara product; it gives me fullness without the weight and clumping that several coats of regular mascara will do. If you aren't aware of what fibre lash is, then where have you been?!?! :) What it is regular mascara with a twist, it has tons of tiny little fibers mixed in, and when you apply it to your lashes the fibers attach to your lashes and create a lengthening and fullness affect. This brand is the best I have come across and I couldn't be happier. My first experience with fibre lash was by complete accident I picked up the wrong type at the store. With that first tube it took some getting used to because sometimes the fibers would adhere too close to my eye and when I blinked they would poke me, and I have since had that problem with other brands I have tried. That is not the case with the ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend, and I have also not run into the problem where once the mascara drys on your lashes sometimes the fibres will fall off onto your face then you have little black specks everywhere. I was able to apply this mascara to my desired looked without any problems and it has great coverage...which means I can use less and make it last (which is great when it comes to spending that kind of $$ on one tube of mascara).
SOYJOY Cranberry Snack Packs:
I have tried several different bars that I have received through my BirchBox membership over the last few months, and I have been quite surprised that how much I didn't mind them. I however, have not gotten around to trying this one just yet and will come back with an update once I do.
Shea Terra Organics Whipped Shae Butter Ultimate Moisturizing Body Creme:
There are several different scents to choose from with this moisturizer, but unfortunately in my box I received the Banana and Baobabs, and anyone who knows me knows I have nothing to do with bananas. Even so, I attempted to give it a shot; I opened it up and gave it a sniff, if the banana wasn't the most dominant scent then I would more than likely be able to look past it. That was not the case, it smells like a jar of bananas and I could not go further. I was really excited for this product and was really hoping for any of the other 4 scents they had available. What I ca say about this product is that it looks like it would be a very nice creamy moisturizer. It also looks to be pretty thick; it doesn't move around inside the jar. I was pretty impressed with the size of this sample as well.
Stella Cadente Miss Me Eau de Parfum:
I do love to sample new scents, but I am not a big fan of getting perfume samples in the BirchBox because I can go to any store and get the same sample for free. For me, this perfume was a disaster! The only positive thing well the only two positive things I can say about this sample is; 1. I liked that it came in a spritzer, saved me from actually having to put it on and 2. It is able to last for a long time, which would have been fantastic if it were a nice fragrance. I sprayed the perfume only twice and it took hours for us to air out the house...or maybe we just got so used to smelling it we didn't notice it anymore. The fragrance smelled like a mix of hairspray, soap and baby powder...just a bad combination.
Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray:
I got a travel size of this spray which is great because then I can try it out more than once, and sometimes that is necessary. I have not tried it just yet, but plan to experiment tomorrow with it and will be back with an update.
So that's what I got in my box for November and I am so excited to see what I get next month!!
Also, another great thing about BirchBox, you can do product reviews on their site for each review you submit you earn 10 points and when you purchase things from the site every dollar you spend equals 1 point; for every 100 points you earn $10 to spend however you see fit on their website! It racks up pretty quickly too, because every month you get 5-6 products that you can submit reviews on. If you want to learn more or sign up, which you should totally do because you wont be disappointed click the link below. OH! Guys can sign up too, they just launched a subscription for men last month and I believe that one is $20 a month, and right now they have a limited edition home box with all sorts of things for the house!!
https://www.birchbox.com?raf=j8nxp
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