This month isn’t just about pumpkin pie and gifting, though we support both traditions. It’s also about giving back and giving thanks—whether that’s joining us in raising money and awareness to help fight AIDS with (RED), or being grateful for life’s delights, big and small.

My Facebook feed has been flooded with “thirty days of gratitude” posts and photos. I never take part in such things because I wake each day with a thankful surviving heart. I believe in saying thank you on a regular basis to those who have touched my life, saved it, and continue to stand by my side. November is just one month out of twelve and Thanks Giving is just one day out of 365. Give back each day and karma will reward you. Say thanks more times than you can count and you will be a humble soul.

Humble souls love choices and Birchbox gives me the ability to chose one of my samples every month. I have been in a ten year long love affair with the UK and jump at the chance of trying a British brand. One of the samples you could chose from was from Royal Apothic. I was lucky enough to nab one before they ran out. One gets to chose their sample around the 25th of each month and then the waiting begins. Your box doesn’t show up until the 15th of the next month. That’s a long time to wait, I bide my time and stalk the crap out of my tracking code until the box magically shows up on my doorstep.

“Hey! What did you get in your BirchBox this month?!”

amika – Nourishing Mask: Paraben-free treatment that conditions and repairs with superfruit sea buckthorn berry
—————————-> I have no idea what a sea buckthorn berry is, but this this is the stuff folks. It smells amazing and made my curly hair super soft. Best part it didn’t weight my curls down, instead it was nice and light.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty – Creamy lip stain in Heartthrob: a long wearing lip stain that gives moisture and unbeatable shine
————————–> Truth: “I really want to try this product. The color is so pretty. However the package is really tiny and I can’t get the fucking safety plastic seal thingy off! I’ve tried and failed numerous times. We’ve had words with each other and it still will not come off!”

Gilchrist & Soames – Spa Therapy Body Lotion: antioxidant rich moisturizer that smooths and softens with botanical like grape seed
——————————-> I took one whiff of this and it reminded me of a Grandma so naturally I gave it to my Mama. She is a Grandma after all and she actually loved the scent and texture of the lotion.

Royal Apothic – Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask: made with antioxidant rich tea this mask firms and brightens the skin in just eight minutes.
—————————> You know you want to, come on now say “Cuppa Cuppa” out loud. Its fun and makes me giggle every time. This is the British Brand that I was excited to see in the sample choice options this month. I love the smell of this mask and bonus it does a dandy little job on my skin in just eight minutes flat. I will definitely be ordering the full-sized product when my sample runs out.

theBalm – Cindy-Lou Manizer” this shimmery, soft pink highlighter perks up your features with a natural looking glow
———————————–> OMG you all ready know I have made love for theBalm and I was excited to get another theBalm sample in my box. This sample is super cute and I love that the highlighter doubles as a shimmer eye shadow. Come on now the product name is just plain gosh darn fun!

****BONUS****
Dang Coconut Chips
—–> what can I say they are dried pieces of coconut and they are very tasty.

This months box was pretty darn great and I have used almost every sample. Well except for the lip stain, we are still fighting and my Mama she put the lotion to good use.

Birch Box is a beauty and lifestyle subscription box program that costs $10.00 per month. For every dollar you spend in the shop you can earn 1 point. 100 points will get you a free birch box or $10 towards a purchase in the shop at birchbox.com. I know you’ve got friends so why not refer those friends to Birch box and earn a few points for doing so. If you would like to learn more and get a Birch Box of your very own go to http://www.birchbox.com for more information.

***I was not compensated for this post. Opinions are my own***