Category Archives: You’ve Got Mail

{BirchBox} I’ve Got Points To BURN

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Many people often ask me “If BirchBox is more of a miss than a hit, then why do you stay?” Truth for every sample you review on birchbox.com you received 10 points. In addition you receive 1 point for each dollar spent on full-size products in the BirchBox Shop and you can earn points for each friend who signs up using your unique referral link. For every 100 points you earn, you get $10 off a full-size product order in the BirchBox Shop.

How cool is that? For a few minutes of your time you get to earn points for product reviews, buying full-sized products and for getting your friends in on the fun. The points add up quickly. Each Box contains between 5 to 7 products every month. That’s 50 to 70 points towards your 100 point goal. It should be known that BirchBox’s customer service fix all is to throw 100 points your way when a sample is broken/missing or if your box has gone MIA. They are so nice and bonus you just earned yourself an extra $10.00 to spend in the shop.

A few weeks ago I logged in to my account and found out that I had 245 points, which equaled $20.00. I brought up the BirchBox Ap (yes they have an Ap) and let my fingers do the shopping.

“What did you buy with your BirchBox Points?” Oh I am so glad you asked! Lets find out!

BirchBox Points

Caldrea Dish Soap – scent: Basil Blue Sage Holler! Caldrea is a Minneapolis company that was founded out of the belief that utility and eco-chic can go hand in hand. They’re committed to using high-grade ingredients and artful designs.
———————-> What can I say I love buying local brands that are eco-friendly and smell darn right amazing! True story: “the only reason I bought this dish soap is because of the scent, Basil Blue Sage. I want to name my next child boy or girl Basil.” Yea, yea I know I am going to name my child after an herb. (The meaning for the name Basil is a story for another day) Anyways back to the dish soap. Caldrea cleans like a dream and does not leave a yucky film on your glassware. Go buy a bottle and find out for yourself. I promise it’s that good!

(MALIN + GOETZ) mojito lip balm: swipe on this mojito-inspired lip balm whenever we’d like, and treat ourselves to the delectable scent of our favorite summertime cocktail.
——————> I received this as a sample a long time ago and I fell in love with the consistency. A little bit goes along way and it keeps your lips soft. Soft lips = kissable lips and that makes for a happy girl.

Sumbody Exfoliating Bonbons – in citrus splash/jasmine: these bonbons pack a lot into a little bite. Crammed with all-natural goodies specialized to slough away dead skin and replenish cells with moisture, you’ll want to make these your new cleansing companions—even in a time crunch.
——————> I have yet to receive this product as a sample, however I am always on the look out for a new salt scrub. They claim that one bonbon will last you 3 showers…………………well mine dissolved in one shower. Which is fine because that one little bonbon left my skin super smooth and soft.

My order total before points were applied was $34.50. I applied 200 points to that $34.50 and that brought my total down to $14.50! How awesome is that? I saved $20.00 and not to mention I got free shipping. Which was a double bonus. So you see it pays to be a BirchBox subscriber, the points definitely make it a winner in my book. If you want to get in on he saving fun, run on over to BirchBox.com and sign yourself up!

BirchBox 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} Fresh Picks – May 2014

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According to Ipsy “It’s a month of crisp air, vibrant flowers, and fresh Glam Bag products! Getting your beauty to bloom all month-long will be as easy as lying in the warm grass and basking in the sunshine.” I completely agree and I am so ready for warm weather. Bring on the sunshine and long summer nights! What Can I say Ipsy did it again with their over the top sneak peaks. Each Peak revealed a host of new products that are perfect for the summer months and I could not wait to get my hands on my bag.

” So tell me what was in your Ipsy Glam Bag?” Oh I am so glad you asked! I am dying to tell you!

FRESH PICKS – MAY 2014

May 2014

Hang Ten – Classic Sport SPF50: Protect and nourish your skin with our clear, lightweight, naturally scented sunscreen. Provides maximum water resistance and full body coverage against harmful UVA/UVB rays.
—————> Heck Yes! I will take all of the sun screen I can get. When was in my early 20’s I had skin cancer spots removed from the bottom of my feet and from my arms. I have gone from a tanner to a sunscreen worshiper. Sunscreen is important and this one is the perfect size to throw into my purse.

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo – Celestial & Opal: are coconut infused mineral eye shadows that are a perfect addition to any makeup collection. Packaged in a beautiful travel ready recyclable container, these exclusive duos are customized just for ipsy!
—————> We established a long time ago that I am an Eyeshadow whore. Yes I have many shadows and I promise I use all of them and love adding new ones. The Pacifica duo is perfect for summer and I am loving the natural shades.

derma e – Microdermabrasion Scrub: this gentle yet effective Microdermabrasion Scrub, only from derma e®. This formula buffs away dull surface cells, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars, and absorbs excess skin oils with an exclusive crystal blend including Dead Sea Salt and Volcanic Sand (rich in Silica).
—————> I admit that I have yet to try this little jar of potential goodness out. Once my the swelling goes down and my incision heals, I am going to give it a whirl. I am totally practicing health before beauty at the moment. Because lets face it who cares if we have incredible skin if we are too sick to enjoy it.

Hey Honey Take It Off! Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask: Instantly renews skin, leaving it refreshed and clean after only a few minutes. This gel mask helps promote a smooth and clear complexion for a post facial feeling.
—————> Why yes! I will take it all off once my incision heals. (Get your mind outta the gutter folks!!)

Pur~lisse – pur~moist hydra balance moisturizer: Achieve beautiful balance with the Pur-lisse pur~moist hydra balance moisturizer. Gently smooth over face day or night after cleansing and toning.
—————> I handed this one off to my Mama. I paid her in samples for taking care of me after surgery.

My Fresh Picks glam bag was spot on and what can I say Ipsy just might be my favorite subscription.

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***

{BirchBox} Free Wheeling May 2014

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Spring has finally arrived in the mini apple. We have had many days over 70 degrees and I broke out my strapless top last Tuesday. Warm weather brings the suburbanites to the city and my stress level raises just ever so slightly. Yet, the hipsters keep on peddling, the artsy folks keep on drawing, and the rest of us are counting down the days until fall. In the fall and winter months suburbanites rarely visit uptown.

Then again the suburbanites only invade us for just a little bit and in the end I love summer in Uptown. One can spend an entire day people watching down at Lake Calhoun, take your pup to the park, you just might get a date, and hell its patio season folks. There is nothing like patio season in Minneapolis. Whiskey always taste better when it’s sipped on a patio with friends. Not to mention many patios allow dogs and the muppet like dog loves hanging out under the table.

Speaking of peddling hipsters, the BirchBox theme for May is “Free Wheeling.” There theme is lost on me and I am not quite sure of “Free Wheeling” = ITS FINALLY FUCKING SPRING!!! Yea, I can’t figure that equation out, anyway as always BirchBox is either hit or miss. I’m afraid to say it but I think BirchBox is having growing pains and they do not have a handle on their shipping partner. I got an email on May 11th telling me my box had shipped with a tracking link. The link didn’t work and so I waited. I waited to check it again on May 13th, in which it told me my box was born! It hadn’t even left there Tennessee warehouse. I called customer service and she ensured me it was out the door and I would receive it by the weekend. That was a fluffy lie, on Saturday my tracking told me my box was still in Tennessee. Monday the 19th the tracking updated and said my box was in Georgia. Last time I checked Minnesota was not in Georgia. Long story short my box finally arrived the day after my surgery on May 22.

FREE WHEELING – MAY 2014

May 2014

CoTZ: Oil-free mineral sunscreen.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty: a creamy eye liner for all day wear.

Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer: helps keep color vibrant for up to twice as long – without sulfates

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo: helps keep color vibrant for up to twice as long – without sulfates

Nexxus Color Assure Conditioner: helps keep color vibrant for up to twice as long – without sulfates

Noya Beauty Lip Gloss- in Summertime Peach: this natural gloss nourishes lips with cocoa butter and adds a pretty sheen.

LIFESTYLE EXTRA – Smarty Pants All In One Gummy Vitamin for Adults: gummies provide essential nutrients without artificial flavors

My “Free Wheeling” box was a total miss. The only product I will use is the tiny Noya Gloss. The gloss is the perfect shade for summer.

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***

{Favorite Brands} theBalm.com

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theBalmI 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.
theBalm out of the box

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**

{PopSugar} April 2014 Must Have Box

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1st look AprilNormally 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.
April

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

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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!”

April 2014

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

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Beauty RocksIpsy 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.
April 2014

“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

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FancyI 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.
Fancy Box

“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
Fancy Produts

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

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Darby SmartI 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.
Cats & Jars

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.
Pink Cats

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.
Cat 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

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Spring Forward

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 Birch

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.

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***