{Favorite Brands} theBalm.com

Posted on May 14, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

I have been reading reviews about this wondrous San Francisco based brand that believes makeup and skin care products should be wholesome and cute. Cute is an understatement, as the packaging is to die for cute. theBalm.com was the brain child of Marissa Shipman, in 2004 she created a plan and launched her fabulous brand of cosmetics and skin care products. theBalm offers quick solutions and great products at a fabulous price point.

Many women have drawers of makeup, serums, lotions an potions, but really how many of those do you actually use? Probably not as many as you think you do. Marissa knew that she only needed a few staple items and she had no doubt that we needed the same staples in our makeup drawer. Her cleverly named and fabulously packaged products are the staple of her brand. A brand that you will fall in love with, just like I have.

A few weeks ago theBalm.com had a flash 50% off sale and I knew that I had to get on that train. The sale was to last for only 2 hours and the goal was to crash the new server. We completely succeeded and it crashed, but not for long with a little persistence I was able to get my order through. I should mention that I received a theBalm sample in my April BirchBox, which prompted me to buy the full-sized product. Thou I didn’t purchase How Bout’ Them Apples directly from theBalm.com I am going to included it in this review.

“Hey! What did you order from theBalm.com?” Oh, I am so glad you asked, let’s find out!

How Bout’ Them Apples – Lip and Cheek Pallet (ordered from birchbox.com): is a multi-functioning lip and cheek cream palette.
———————-> I hands down love this pallet, the colors are perfect. Not to mention the packaging is too stinking cute for its own good. I love the fact that the color lasts a really long time, bonus it leaves my lips feeling soft. No one likes dried lips, but every one loves a good apple. This cute little pallet will set you back $32.00. Which is a steal because you are getting six amazing duel used colors in one handy-dandy pallet.

White Tea Lavender Foaming Face Cleanser – for all skin types: is soothing and non-drying. Soy Proteins nourish by providing depleted skin with a rich source of Amino Acids and Peptides. Paraben-free, Synthetic Dye-free, Phthalate-free, Cruelty-free & Made in the USA.
——————–> I received my order on Saturday and I have been using the cleanser since I ripped the package open. I love the calming scent of lavender and that this cleanser leaves nothing behind. As in nothing, no makeup, no dirt, no oil, just good clean skin. This really great cleanser will set you back $19.50. I am truly in love with it, who knew a human could be in love with a cleanser. I sure didn’t.

Peppermint Hydrating Face Moisturizer – For Normal to Dry Skin: feels cool and revitalizing as it works to retain skin’s natural moisture. Lightweight botanical extracts add needed hydration and nourishment to dry areas. Paraben-free, Synthetic Dye-free, Phthalate-free, Cruelty-free & Made in the USA.
———————-> Where has this moisturizer been all my life? My skin after four uses has never been this soft. I love that the moisturizer is light and not gloopy, it soaks in quickly and leaves behind soft refreshed skin. I am now a convert and will never go back to my old Serious Skin Care moisturizer. If you want to become a convert this amazing moisturizer will set you back $18.00 Come on you know you want to convert, take the plunge and spend the 18 big ones on one amazing moisturizer.

What can I say, I am wowed by theBalm.com and I am now a life long customer. If you want to have a few fabulous cosmetics and skin care products in your draw give thebalm.com a try. You will be glad that you did.

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

{Survival} Into The Woods

Posted on May 10, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

It seems that bad news and rainy days always collide. It was raining the morning I found out I had a massive blood clot in my lung and the rain it poured down around me on the day I found out my son had left this world. I looked past the rain on Thursday, I thought it was just a coincidence and kept my spirits high as I waited for the nurse to call me back.

The nurse, she was warm as always. We joked that I needed my own parking spot and coffee cup since the clinic has become my second home. I’ve been to the doctor every week since March 21st. That’s a lot of appointments, scans, and biopsies.

I waited for the doctor, the rain continued to fall and I still held onto hope. Hope that this was all for nothing and I would walk away with a prescription for an antibiotic. I didn’t get that prescription, my heart sunk when I saw her face.

The words they didn’t make sense, I asked her to back the little bus up and to speak to me in regular people terms. Those terms cut through my heart like a knife. I was not out of the woods. I am in deep and I will need to walk past a few more flying monkeys before I see the sun.

The doctor very calmly told me “they found a small number of atypical cells in your lymph node biopsy. This, this is not something to tuck away for another day. You have to deal with it now.” Her eyes told me I was in trouble and that time was slipping away. I had no other option than to deal with this head on. I was quickly whisked away to Paula who scheduled a consult for Monday with a surgical oncologist to go over my options.

Options are all I have right now.
And I am clinging to the fact that they only found a small amount of atypical cells. I pray to God that we caught it early and that I will be out of the woods sooner than later.

Everything in this moment is in the hands of fate. Only she knows if I will walk out of the woods without struggle. Only she knows what will come and I have to believe that all of this will one day make sense.

{Survival} Cancer Will Fear The Day It Whispered My Name

Posted on April 29, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

Stop and Enjoy the view, because you may never come this way again.

Sometimes you wake up one morning and you find yourself unable to bend your leg. You try to work through the pain and then the pain is gone and you are left with numbness. With the numbness setting in you decide its time to call the doctor. You go into that appointment and they say “its most likely a torn meniscus, you need an MRI.” That MRI leads you to an orthopedic surgeon who is more concerned with a blood clot than your actual symptoms. You get pissed and ask for a second opinion.

The second doctor listens to you, checks you over, and starts talking about multiple sclerosis. Which doesn’t sink in until he utters “MS.” He sends you to a physical medicine doctor who proclaims “I know nothing about multiple sclerosis, my specialty is spines.” Fuck Me, why the hell am I here. You call the orthopedic doctor back and demand a neurologist. You see that neurologist and he orders an MRI of your brain, neck, and spine. Yay you spend 2.5 hours inside a tube while looking like an astronaut.

You go to work and as soon as you get there the neurologist calls and tells you “the MRI came back a little iffy on your neck, we want to do a more detailed MRI on the soft tissue in your neck.” Shit, fuck me, back into the tube you go for another 90 minutes. This time you don’t look like an astronaut and you head to Target afterwards. Ah, Target, Target can solve all of life’s problems. Before you know it your follow-up appointment with the neurologist arrives. Yay, ANSWERS!

Damn, no answers. Instead you get a bit of mystery. The neurologist explains that your lymph nodes in your neck are swollen and this is not normal, because you don’t have an infection. He softly explains that he is going to order a PET/CT Scan and that his nurse will schedule it. Nurse tries to schedule it, tells the doctor the soonest the hospital can get you in is on April 28th. Then you hear “no, no that is not acceptable, you call her insurance, you call CDI, you stay on hold with Methodist. She needs to get in for a scan now.” This is the moment when you think “shit just got real and in your gut you know the doctor isn’t telling you the whole story.

Yay! IV for Radio Pharmaceuticals and a cup full of contrast die.

PET/CT gets scheduled for April 24th and you do your best to not google “why does a doctor order a PET/CT scan.” You try really really hard. Wow, look at that its April 24th, yay PET/CT scan day. While filling out a mountain of paper working something on the last page catches your eye: Reason for referral: “Cervical Lymphoma (neck).” Oh shit, fuck me and you suck it up, you hold back those tears only to read: “Procedure: PET/CT Eyes to Thighs, Cancer Initial Staging.” In this moment you say “fuck it” and go get yourself injected with radio pharmaceuticals and contrast die.

An that folks is exactly how I found out that I may have cancer. The big key word is “may” have cancer. Tomorrow at 8:00am I meet with the doctor to go over the PET/CT scan results. I would be lying if I told you that I wasn’t scared. It is what it is. I cannot will the cards to fall in my favor, they are going to fall where ever they wish. My big girl pants are glued on with duct tape and my knees are worn from all the praying I have done. I have to believe that this is all apart of his master plan. If my scan comes back CLEAN I am going to celebrate and take more time for myself. This was the wake up call I needed, it made me realize I work to damn much and that I rarely take time to make a life outside of work. My job has become my life and that’s not cool. If the scan comes back DIRTY I am going to fight like hell. AJ never gives up and I will give it everything I’ve got. Cancer is going to fear the day it whispered my name.

One thing I keep on reminding myself is that “had it not been for my leg hurting I wouldn’t have gotten that all important MRI of my brain, neck, and spine.” I saw 5 different doctors and made two second opinion requests before I got in front of the doctor that I needed. The one that dared to look past the fact that I passed the neurological exam with flying colors and still ordered the MRI. That MRI led to another and that one led to a PET/CT scan, that scan will change my life tomorrow. That one scan holds my fate and I hope we can CELEBRATE tomorrow. I truly do, because I like smiles more than I like tears.

{PopSugar} April 2014 Must Have Box

Posted on April 28, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

Normally I get three subscription boxes each month, which are Julep, BirchBox, and Ipsy Glam bag. I love the boxes and I am constantly exposed to new products and trends. April’s Julep Maven box was not my cup of tea, I held back my 20 bucks and clicked skip. Skipping left me with an extra $20.00 to burn, I know I should have probably threw it into my savings account and not spend it on a different box.

One doesn’t really have much to do on the bus except for stare out the window, stare at other passengers (this is kind of creepy), listen to your iPod while doing the fore mentioned or browsing Facebook on your phone. My favorite activity is browsing Facebook on the bus, I get to reach out to friends, comment on their overly adorable children and my favorite “Facebook strange conversations I over hear on the #4.” Let me tell you the things I hear would make you blush, I once got propositioned on the bus, thou that’s a story for another day. Back to the Facebook browsing, a lady in one of the groups I belong to (yes there are groups for people like me) posted that PopSugar was running a special, which was 50% off your fist box for new subscribers. I did the math and it came out to $20.00, “hey you’ve got $20.00 to spend!” So I immediately signed my ass up and waited a very long time for my box to arrive.

PopSugar Must Have Box is one of the more expensive monthly subscription programs, it will sent you back $39.99 per month. The boxes include must have Fashion, Fitness, Home, Beauty, and food products for women. All must have products are selected by PopSugar editors, they make sure your box is full of awesome each month. What sets this subscription apart from the rest is that you will only receive full-sized products. How cool is that? Each month has a different set of products and just like every other subscription program on earth they release product sneak peeks.

Let’s get to the box, because I know you are dying to see what I got in my April Must Have PopSugar Box.

PopSugar Must Have Box – April 2014

Blueavocado (Eco) Shopper: Leave it to Lauren Conrad to make reusable bags chic. This collapsible tote is made from upcycled plastic bottles and folds neatly into a wallet-sized pouch.
——————–> I cannot wait to hit the farmer’s market this summer. This bag is totally going to come in handy. Bonus is that it is super-duper cute!

Too Faced Natural Eyes: With nine different shades, there is a color for every age and skin tone. Don’t worry if you’re not a makeup pro; there’s a Glamour Guide that will teach you the ropes.
—————–> This is a great little palette and I love that the colors compliment each other. This little one will definitely be incorporated into my daily beauty routine.

Graphic Image Pocket Notes: This isn’t your average notebook, with silver edges, acid-free paper, and a flexible cover, it’s the smart and stylish way to keep your life in order.
—————–> This little note book will fit perfectly into my purse and will totally keep my organized. Who am I kidding, I am going to use it when I write down my weekly grocery list and just maybe a few ideas for my world domination plan.

Caldrea Rosewater Driftwood Hand Soap: The combination of floral aromas and spicy cedar undertones creates a subtly divine experience. We believe what goes onto your body is just as important as what goes into it. That’s why this gentle yet hardworking soap is free of any harmful chemicals.
———–> I never thought I would use the words “divine” and “hand soap” in the same sentence, however this hand soap smells divine! I just want to keep on washing my hands, scratch that! I want to swim in it, yes it smells that good folks!

Fresh Pastry Stand Totally Awesome Tea Towel Set: Handmade from a water-based ink and completely lint-free, these graphic towels totally live up to their name.
———–> The towels literally say “Totally Awesome,” I can’t compete with that.

Nature Box PopSugar Must Have Mix: A balanced medley of almonds, soybeans, corn, and cranberries for a satisfying crunch. Grab a handful (or two) with no regrets!
————-> This is totally up my Dad’s alley and he called it, so it’s his.

I paid $19.99 for April’s PopSugar Must Have Box and got $114.50 worth of products. Mind = blown! That’s a hell of a good deal folks and I was beaming when I did the math. I love a good deal and rarely pay full price for anything that I can’t eat.

I know you want a hell of a good deal too, so why don’t you walk yourself right on over to https://musthave.popsugar.com/ and get a box of your very own. Keep in mind each month is $39.99/month, but you can use the code MAY10 to get $10 off your first box! That is a hell of a good deal, go ahead take the plunge and sign yourself up for a little monthly present.

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

{BirchBox} Rainy Days – April 2014

Posted on April 20, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

April showers may bring May flowers, but they’re also a blissful excuse to stay inside, doing all those things that fall by the wayside when it’s glorious out. April Showers? Who is BirchBox kidding, in Minnesota we have April snow storms. So maybe they meant April snow storms bring May flowers. Yea, that’s most definitely what they meant. Winter is finally starting to lose its grip and the temps are on the rise in the mini apple.

Since the snow is melting and the days are getting longer one has to hold out hope that summer will soon be upon us. As the seasons change so does my skin care and beauty routine. I love trying new products and adding them to my daily routine. The sneak peek video had me pretty darn excited and I eagerly waited to unlock my April box.

“I am super excited to share the fun I unboxed this month!”

Rainy Days

Number 4™ Reconstructing Masque: Soy protein works to reconstruct and strengthen hair while natural conditioners like shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and sunflower oil nourish and moisturize. Don’t forget about the silkiness factor — for that, there’s silicone polymer, which smoothes and detangles.

Number 4™ Clarifying Shampoo:Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, this clarifying shampoo restores health and shine to overworked tresses. Black currant and soy restore vibrancy; acai berry and vitamin C deliver youth-boosting antioxidants; Oolong tea and Irish moss defend against environmental damage; and lemongrass and oatmeal gently cleanse and purify.

derma e® Hydrating Night Crème with Hyaluronic Acid: Panthenol (aka Pro Vitamin B5) and hyaluronic acid work together to draw moisture to the top layer of skin and bind it there, plumping cells and filling out fine lines and wrinkles in the process. Vitamins E and C use their super antioxidant powers to repair damage, while vitamin A stimulates the production of collagen.

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection: Color – Breakfast At
——————> This is a super cute color for spring and I cannot wait to polish my toes with it.

theBalm® cosmetics How ‘Bout Them Apples?™: Color – PIE, This creamy lip and cheek palette offers gorgeous, long-wearing color with a slightly wet feel that makes it oh-so-blendable.
——————–> I loved this so much that I plunked down my credit card and bought the full-sized pallet from the BirchBox shop. I used 100 BirchBox points plus a 20% off code and picked it up for $15.40, it normally sells for $32.00. I cannot wait for it to arrive.

KIND Healthy Grain Bars: Each bar is made with five super grains for maximum nutritional and taste bud benefits. Available in Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate, and a variety pack of the three.

BirchBox finally got it right! I am going to try every product except for the bar this month. Plus I actually bought a full-sized product from the BirchBox shop. I just might buy the Color Club Gems collection too.

Birch Box is a beauty and lifestyle subscription box program that costs $10.00 per month. For every box ordered or every $10 spent in their shop you can earn 10 points. 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***

{IPSY} Beauty Rocks – April 2014

Posted on April 20, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

Ipsy comes up with a lot of great themes, April was no exception and with each sneak peek it unfolded in our Facebook feeds. The last peek revealed a purple bag with a screen print of a vinyl record with the words “Beauty Rocks” printed on it. Life is a dance floor, so why not live it up, sing out loud, and shake them hips?! This month, we’re celebrating our unique beauty to the sound of tunes.

I know a ton of women go crazy over Urban Decay, I however could careless about the brand. Every bag for the month of April included an Urban Decay Travel Size eye liner and your other four products were left to chance. Ipsy did a great job with the sneak peeks and I was totally on board when I saw that lip gloss would be in the equation. You know how I love me some lip gloss or lip balm. Well any lip product would tickle my fancy.

“What did you get in your Beauty Rocks Bag?” Oh! I am so glad you asked! Let’s find out!

Beauty Rocks! – April 2014

Cailyn – Tinted Lip Balm: Color Apple Pink – 3D Smart Film Former: This advanced technology stabilizes pigment powders and allows color stay put longer without losing its vibrancy. This balm won’t smudge or need to be retouched as daytime transforms into evening.
————————-> I have always wanted to try Cailyn lip balm and was super excited when I saw this item in my glam room. The color was very nice, yet I found that the balm dried my lips. I think this product should be applied over chapstick that way you would get a hint of color without the drying.

Urban Decay – 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil Travel Size: A must for smoky-eye fanatics: an ultra-plush version of UD’s creamy, waterproof 24/7 formula. Create perfectly blended-out or rich, precise lines that are blacker-than-black

City Color White Gold Shadow & Highlight Mousse: Brighten your eyes and cheekbones with the City Color White Gold Shadow & Highlight Mousse. This smooth and creamy product is enriched with luminosity, providing a beautiful gold sheen finish. Use as an eye shadow base as well as a highlighter.

dr. brandt® microdermabrasion:The dr. brandt® microdermabrasion gently sweeps away dead skin cells and softens skin texture, which enables better absorption of skincare products and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne marks, and skin discolorations. A great at home alternative to professional clinical treatments.
——————–> 1. The cleanser smells like lemon drops. 2. Its hands down AMAZING! 3. I was about to plunk down some cash to buy the full sized product, until I found out a 2oz bottle will run you $78.00. $78.00? They had to be kidding, nope they weren’t kidding. Needless to say this black bottle of lemon drop smelling amazing will set you back 78 large ones.

Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse: The Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse helps create big volume by pumping up hair at the root. It dispenses out as a spray and turns into a mousse to give tresses tons of volume.

All in all I received a great bag this month and I’ve tried almost every product I received. The Urban Decay and Big Sexy are going into the donation box. The rest I will keep and I will definitely be dreaming about he Dr.Brandt Cleanser.

Do you want an Ipsy Glam Bag of your very own? Well the, for $10 a month (shipping is free) you will receive a Glam Bag filled with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. If you want a bag of your very own or more information please visit http://www.ipsy.com/r/1w1i Trust me you will be glad you did!

***I was no compensated for my post. Opinions are my own***

{Fancy Box} $10 Mystery Box -Spring 2014

Posted on March 30, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

I have been reading Fancy Box reviews for months and have drooled over he contents of the boxes. The $39.99 + shipping price tag is stopping me from getting a Fancy box of my very own. Fancy has celebrity curated boxes, a long with a regular monthly box and a Fancy Food Box. Last Saturday the blogs were a buzz over the news that Fancy was releasing a $10 + shipping mystery box. I had to get on that train so I plugged in my credit card number and waited for shipping confirmation.

Soon the internet was full of Fancy Mystery Box reviews a couple of ladies got some really awesome products in their boxes. Others were left with full on disappointment. The boxes are a grab bag of sorts, no one knows what their box is going to contain. I had no expectations, I just wanted one and I wasn’t to concerned about my potential products.

My Fancy Mystery Box arrived today and I practically tackled the FedEx man to get it. Everyone loves a great mystery and I was excited to unbox mine.

“What did you get in your Fancy Mystery Box?” Oh! I am so glad you asked! Let’s unbox it!

FANCY MYSTERY BOX – SPRING 2014

The Motley – Gin Tonic Bath Salts: Prohibition folks distilled juniper berries in bathtubs giving us bathtub gin. We’re brining the classic cocktail to the tub with a tonic of calming juniper and a touch of lime for a soothing and revitalizing twist.
———————–> I wanted a gin and tonic the moment I opened the jar. I will definitely use these in my next bath.

China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners

Kikkerland – Head Massager

Removable wall sticker: Work Hard Stay Humble

I was not completely wowed by the products I received and I do know I fared better than others. I am not sure what I am going to do with the wall sticker as it does not fit in with my décor. The nail lacquer is a no go as it smells horrid and contains formaldehyde. This box was more for fun than anything else and I am glad I only paid $16.95 for it. If I had paid more I would be greatly disappointed. Rumor has it that Fancy still has some mystery boxes left. They have a women and men’s version, each box is $10 + $7.95 for shipping. If you would like a mystery box of your very own walk your fingers on over to http://fancy.com/things/190403263978277559/Fancy-Box-Subscription. Good luck!

{Darby Smart} #Catweek Canisters

Posted on March 26, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

I grew up with a crafty father. My dad who I happen to call Pete, in which Pete is not his name. His name is actually Greg, but I prefer to call him Pete. My dad is a visionary, he can see a fishing lure in a piece of drift wood. A gate out of old metal head boards, and a greenhouse out of salvage windows. My Dad is famous for dumpster diving and picking things up from the curb. In one man’s trash he sees potential. Potential for something great or it just collects dust in the garage.

My sister and I grew up in a home that was filled with antiques and other questionable items that should have died in the seventies. Example “who has a couch with bridges and trees on it?” My parents, that’s who. Anyways, My dad spent his spare time teaching us that we could make everything out of nothing. I watched as my Pete carved fishing lures, built tackle boxes, and many other countless creations. He once made a swinging grill for the fire pit from an old fan grate, a chain, and a metal fence post. It worked beautifully and provided us with many grilled hot dogs.

Little did I know that Pete was instilling in me a never-ending desire to create and to contribute to the world around me. In high school I dabbled in clay, my projects line the shelves and walls of my parents home. Painting and drawing are not my forte, yet clay captured me, it allowed me to create and convey my emotions to the world. I haven’t worked with clay for years. I actually stopped creating and found myself thrown into the black and white world of corporate life. My soul needed to create again. Writing soothed me and allowed me to share my story, yet my heart it wanted to look upon my latest DIY project.

Last summer with the help of Pete I turned two side tables into a padded topped bench, an IKEA table went from light blue, to berry, and my black lamps were painted the perfect shade of apple green. My heart was happy, my hands were creating again and I felt whole. One night I was once again on my never-ending quest to find the best subscription boxes on earth, when I came across Darby Smart.

Darby Smart sends you delightful DIY Kits. When you open your kit, we want your eyes to twinkle. When you finish your kit, we want you to feel proud. To achieve that, we work hard to find uniquely chic materials. We obsess on writing fun, simple instructions. I am on my third Darby Smart Kit (I know, I know, I have been holding out on you), I am in love with this company. Darby Smart has a diverse selection of kits. They have one to tickle every fancy and to satisfy every whim. Darby Smart customer service is amazing, orders are processed at lightning speed, and are on your door step faster than you can spell MISSISSIPPI.

I have always seen mason jar canisters in the store with embellishments on the lid. I just didn’t want to fork over $10 to $30 dollars for one. I knew I could probably make one, yet I was too lazy to go out and gather all of the needed supplies. Enter Darby Smart, they have an Animal Canister kit for $19.00 and I had a $15.00 of coupon. Which made my total cost $4.00! $4.00 was a deal I could not pass up, so I placed my Oder and waited.

Darby Smart ~ #Catweek Canisters

Project Includes:
Cats (plenty)—–> I got four
2 Mason Jars
Super Glue
Krylon Spray Paint in hot pink
DIY Instructions

According to my instructions I could complete the project in 20 minutes. I wonder if they timed it at 1:30am when you are hyped up on caffeine? Anyways, at first I had a little trouble getting my chosen cats to stick to the metal lids. Never fear, I used a lot more glue and called Pete. Pete told me to apply more glue and to hold them in place for a few minutes. It worked the cats stuck and I set out to spray paint the lids.

Score, I didn’t get any spray paint on my kitchen floor. That right there called for a 2am happy dance. Once the paint dried I realized that I did not paint the cats bellies and I missed an ear on one. With a second coat of paint they were good to go and I was ready to hit the hay. I said goodnight to my new painted friends and let them dry over night. In the morning the looked great, all was covered nicely in hot pink paint and I was ready to slap them onto the jars.

Ta da! I am now the proud owner of two very whimsical jars and I am pretty darn happy with how this project turned out. If you are in need of internet rehab I command you to truck on over to http://www.darbysmart.com. Your DIY kit is waiting for you and remember to use the code HOWDYDARBY to get $10.00 off, yes I said $10.00 off of your first order. Have fun and DIY my friends.

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

{BirchBox} Spring Forward – March 2014

Posted on March 26, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

Spring Forward

Somewhere in the world Spring has sprung. I am certain that it has yet to spring in Minnesota. Yesterday we had a winter storm that caused a 61 car pile up on a major freeway and snow is yet again in our forecast. Not to mention we have been under a winter parking ban that continues until next Tuesday. I haven’t parked on the even side of the street in months. It has gotten to the point where I have to take a picture of the street sign so I remember where I parked the Prius in the morning. Winter is dragging on and she has definitely wore out her welcome.

I am ready for spring. I my toes want to meet the flip to my flop, tulips are eagerly awaiting to burst through the ground and I find myself dreaming of warm days. Luckily, BirchBox put a little spring into my step this month. March’s theme is “Spring Forward.” The season is changing, and we’ve got an extra hour of glorious daylight (woo hoo!) and an hour less of shut-eye (blargh) on our hands. Whether you’re a glass half-empty or half-full kind of gal, what better time to focus on maximizing your daily routine? I like the sound of that, it gives me hope as the days grow longer that Spring is hiding around the corner. It has to come, otherwise I am going to move south of the equator.

“I am super excited to share the fun I unboxed this month!”

Spring Forward – March 2014

Gilchrist & Soames – London Collection Body Lotion: Fast-absorbing lotion leaves skin silky-smooth.

INIKA – Eyeliner in Green Lagoon: mineral based liner.

Jurliqu – Purely Bright Radiance Serum: Plant-powered formula that brightens and prevents dark spots.

Keims – Cleanshine Energizing Shampoo: This cleanser fortifies and nourishes strands for a silky-smooth finish.

Beauty Extra

Woohoo! Who doesn’t love an extra! I love extras! Jurlique – Purely Bright Cleanser: Gentle exfoliator that fades stubborn dark spots while whisking away dirt, oil, and make up.

I also received a treat from Ghirardelli in my box, they sent me a square of Ghirardelli’s Cherry Tango. If you have been reading my blog then you know chocolate and I don’t mix. So I gladly handed this off to a coworker. He gladly accepted it.

BirchBox did a really great job creating a Spring Forward box, I was exposed to a lot of new brands and had fun trying all of the products.

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

{Target} Beauty Box Spring 2014

Posted on March 25, 2014 by NinjaInTheCity

Target Beauty Box Spring 2014

I had heard rumblings on Facebook that big box retailer Target was selling a Beauty Box for $5.00 online. Target is a Minnesota Company and I love all things local, therefore I shop at target ALOT! Besides who would pass up a $5.00 subscription box, definitely not this girl. The cost of Target’s Beauty Box was $5.00 with a promise of free shipping. When I placed my order it charged me for shipping so my $5.00 box turned into an $11.82 box.

Never fear my friends, I made a quick call to customer service and was instantly credited for the shipping. Yay! My box was back to $5.00, since Target is based here in MN I had to pay a little tax. But, who cares, the darn box was dirt cheap and I could not wait to try all of the products.

If you have yet to nab a Target Beauty Box, you are sadly out of luck, as they sold out with in minutes. Everyone loved a great deal, especially when it includes awesome products!

“What did you get in your Target Beauty Box?” Oh! I am so glad you asked, let’s find out!

Target: Beauty Box Spring 2014

TONI&GUY Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray: Spray from root to tip for salty, sultry texture and subtle, windswept waves.

L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara: Stretch and lengthen lashes for a fluttery, winged-out look with this unique mascara formula and revolutionary asymmetrical Butterfly Brush.
——————> I am in love with this mascara. I have long lashes to begin with and this gives me that classic glam look.

Herbal Essences Naked Dry Shampoo: Give hair a rejuvenating boost with this paraben and colorant-free formula made with natural tapioca to instantly absorb excess oil with less residue.

COVERGIRL Smoochies Sizzle Gloss: Sheer color meets sizzling shimmer in a moisturizing formula that’s always stunning, never sticky.
———————–> The gloss smells like cotton candy and has a light color. I feel that it is a bit to tacky for my taste. The texture not the color folks.

Jergens BB Cream Light: a multi-tasking beauty cream in a quick-drying formula that goes on sheer and delivers visible results in just 5 days.
——————> This is now my every day lotion. We got a coupon for $3.00 off of a $15.00 beauty purchase at Target, I used my coupon to buy this lotion and a few other things. The smell is amazing and I can actually see a difference in my skin. My legs no longer appear splotchy and red, they are a nice even tone. Same goes for my arms and the rest of me. I hands down love this lotion. If you don’t own it, go get it now!

Have Bear Will Travel

She had to break, so I could shine