October has almost come and gone. What is it about the last three months of the year that just makes them fly by?

But as I was looking at my calendar I realized that I never shared my October Birchbox. So here it goes!

For some reason I have stopped receiving e-mails from Birchbox so I didn't get the chance to request the Goop box but from what I have seen around the interwebs it didn't seem to contain anything super special. This month I received:

• Harvey Prince Eau Flirt Perfume
• theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou-Manizer
• Mox Botanicals Lip Butter
• Mighty Leaf Tea
• LiQWd The Perfect Wave
• LiQWd SiLK Professional Deep Conditioning Treatment

Overall, I felt pretty "meh" about this box. I didn't like the smell of the lip butter (pomegranate and fig) and I'm not really a fan of getting stuff for my hair and it seems like I do every month. Can't a sister get a nail polish?

I believe November will be my last box before my subscription expires and I can't decide if I should renew. I definitely have enjoyed that little pink box showing up in the mail and trying new things but it seems about every three months or so I get a "dud" box. I have adjusted my profile twice to try and receive things I would be more interested in but no dice.

For those of you out there with a Birchbox, what are your thoughts? I have been shopping around for other beauty sample subscriptions and I'm intrigued by Ipsy. It's the same price and it seems to have more product samples that are up my alley.

Trying to fit blogging into my everyday life is a challenge so I thought I would dip my toes into the water with a quick and easy post about my August Birchbox.

August is always back to school month and Birchbox incorporated that fact into this month's box. It was a super cute, bright orange color (instead of the usual pink) that showed up in my mailbox.


This month I received:

• Cosmodynes Self Tanning Towelette and Facial Moisturizer
• Beauty Fixation Makeup Remover
• Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur Perfume
• DDF Brightening Cleanser
• Schick Hydro Silk Razor (Bonus!)

I was surprised by the perfume - not usually a floral kind of gal but I really liked it, even got the boyfriend nod of approval. And the other products - haven't tried them yet. I'm always real nervous when it comes to self-tanner anything so the towelette/moisturizer will have to wait for the weekend when I have some time to concentrate on application.

Only three more Birchboxes until my subscription expires and I haven't quite decided if I'm going to renew. This was a Christmas gift and I just don't know if I am willing to spend $110 on myself if isn't gifted to me. Hmm, decisions.

How was your Birchbox this month? Anything awesome or was it just so-so? Don't forget to review your products on Birchbox.com and earn points towards a $10 off coupon!

My 8th Birchbox arrived last week and I've been enjoying the contents thoroughly.

Birchbox

This box had a pretty sweet full size eyeliner, some B.B. cream (way better than the Garnier version I tried a couple months ago), a hair mask and conditioner, some perfume, a Larabar (which I'm too scared to try after hearing reviews, ha!) and some neon earbuds.

I dig the eyeliner the most even though I'm not wearing much makeup with the 110 degree temps outside but it will be a go to as the temps cool and I head back to work. The hair mask didn't make any miraculous difference on my hair BUT it did smell wonderful. Apparently I love Argan oil...who knew?

What did you get in your box this month?

It's Birchbox time!

This month I was really hoping for Birchbox to redeem itself after I was a little disappointed in last month's box and I'm happy to say that this month was much better with a mix of products I will enjoy trying out.


This month I received:

• Ada Cosmetics Bronzer
• Likewise Facial Moisturizer 
• Masqueology Brightening Mask
• theBalm Cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen
• Cynthia Rowley Dress Up Band- Aids

How adorable are those Band - Aids? Is it bad I kinda wish I had a scrape so I could wear one? Maybe I could bring back the Band Aid on the cheek look Nelly sported a while back...no? Alright then when I finally do get an ouchie I will be styling it up with one of these cute little guys.

I've already used the mask and while I did take a pic of me wearing it I'm too embarrassed to actually post it here...let's just say I do not look like the lady on the package. I look more like my skin is hanging off my face because the mask is so big but besides that it was refreshing and made my skin feel soft.

I've never used a lip/cheek stain before and I was pleasantly surprised with the rosy pink tint that the product gave me, nice and natural.

Haven't tried the other two products yet.

All in all, way to TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF Birchbox! Looking forward to July already! If you get a Birchbox how did yours compare this month? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it!

P.S. Don't forget to review your products on the Birchbox website for points that you can use for a discount on full size products.

This month's Birchbox was a collaboration with the CW's Gossip Girl which I was mucho excited about. I am a huge fan of the show and will be tuning in tonight to see all the Chair, Dair, and Derena action during the season finale. (Would you guess that I'm a grown woman with that last sentence?)


But I have to say my Birchbox was a bit of a disappointment mostly because I had been reading about the possible box contents (Dior, Stila, etc) on Facebook and I received none of those items I had seen mentioned. Also, I received another repeat item - not the exact same but a similar product as last month.


My favorite thing wasn't even a beauty product this month, it was the cute XOXO note card and hot pink envelope. Other items I received:

• Arquiste Flor y Canto perfume
• Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream
• FusionBeauty LipFusion Balm
• Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Conditioner

Don't get me wrong I love trying everything out but I am little bummed with this box - it just isn't me. I've tried adjusting my beauty profile on Birchbox.com but other choices don't fit me at all. Hopefully next month will be back on track!

What was in your Birchbox?

April is Earth Month and since becoming a homeowner I have started thinking about the kind of footprint I am making - the changes I have made in the way I live are small but it's a start (reusable bags, what what!)

Even my beauty regimen is getting a greener. My Birchbox this month focused on natural wonders with nourishing and healthy beauty products.


Doesn't this picture just scream "SPRING IS HERE!" I love it.

This month I received:

• Alima Pure Organic Nourishing Lipbalm in Rhubarb
• J.R. Watkins Hand and Cuticle Salve
• Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream (Smells ah-mazing BTW)
• Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift
• Dropps Laundry Detergent

All in all, a pretty solid box - in more ways than one...all Birchbox packaging is 100% recyclable and made with recycled materials. Yay Earth!

If you're a Birchbox subscriber what earthy goodness did you receive this month?

This month I received:

• Twistband Hair Tie
• Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Tint
• Twirl by Kate Spade
• Essie Luxeffects in "As Gold As it Gets"
• ModCloth coupon
• Kerastase Elixer Ultime (Another hair oil! I got one last month too)

I dig the hair tie. I picked it up immediately and put my hair in a pony tail and it didn't hurt nor pull out my hair, which is always a good thing. The nail polish was a great item as well, looked really cute as a topcoat on my pedicure. The others will go into my sample pile for my sister to go through.

As always, looking forward to next month!

After a crazy week I am finally unwinding. Every night this week I either had to work late or did something around the house that needed to get finished - grad school projects, parent teacher conferences, and desk painting. But it wasn't all work and no play, I did get a chance to go see The Vow last night with some friends. I had been wanting to see it since I saw the previews and had heard that it was pretty good and overall, not a waste of money but I wish it would have ended differently.

With all the craziness I completely forgot to share my February Birchbox that came almost two weeks ago. Oops!


This month's box, came with one particular interesting product that you can see above, Violent Lips Temporary Lip Tattoos. Can't really say these would be something I would wear to the classroom but definitely a neat idea. Maybe something I would wear on Halloween? I am continually surprised by the quality of the samples I get each month, for instance there were three lip tattoos included in my box. I looked on the Violent Lips website and they sell a pack of three for $15. My Birchbox only cost $10 and still was packed with 4 other samples. Too cool!
 

My favorite sample this month was Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint. I put it on before my foundation and it gave me a really subtle glow and not too sparkly. I think I might make this my first full size product purchase.

Also in the box was a beautyblender, some hair oil (that just sounds weird), and a cute heart shape nail file.

Can't wait for next month as I elected to get the special Teen Vogue Birchbox, hopefully it will be filled with some extra special goodies!

My Birchbox arrived last week and I was so giddy about opening it up and playing with all the goodies that I nearly forgot to tell you all about it.

If you ever want to give a really awesome gift, give one that repeats itself every month. While I love getting high-end beauty samples that I otherwise wouldn't know about, I'm pretty sure I would be just as excited about anything showing up on my doorstep on a monthly basis for me to try out...wine, cheese, flowers, fruit, heck...even mustaches.

Here is what I got this month:




In the pic above you can see the Zoya Nail Polish in Megan. It is a gorgeous shade of lavender-gray. Usually I go to the salon every two weeks for a manicure but I just couldn't resist doing one myself this past week. I got a lot of great comments about how the color was perfect for winter. Indeed it is.

 VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything: Eye Serum. An anti-aging eye serum that is suppose to brighten and revive your under eye area. I've used this a few times already and I like the way it makes my skin feel but there is something about the color of this stuff coming out of the bottle that turns me off.


Juicy Couture perfume.



Miracle Skin Transformer Treat and Conceal concealer.


And some granola from Tom Colicchio!

Can't wait for next month!

Happy holidays!

I am finally on winter vacation and I am loving every second of it. I slept in today, cleaned the house really well, and just generally enjoyed myself.

It was made even more pleasant when an early Christmas gift from my mom and dad was delivered mid-day.


I was so happy when this little pink box was dropped off. What is it you ask? It is a Birchbox. A "monthly delivery of high-end beauty samples from the newest and best brands, plus plenty of expert tips and tricks." I originally heard about Birchbox from The Small Things Blog and knew that this would be right up my alley. I love trying new beauty products and this is the perfect answer. And lucky me, I got a 12 month subscription. :)


Inside my first BirchBox were 6 samples, I've used about half the items so far because I was so excited!

1. Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink - Woah! REALLY bright pink lip gloss in the tube. But I was pleasantly surprised when I put it on, it made my lips a perfect shade of pink. I wore it with just my foundation and bare lids with mascara. Made my low-maintenance look really come together. Will definitely go into daily rotation.

2. Laura Gellar I-Care Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy - Loved the navy color, really made my eyes look brighter. Waterproof but came right off with eye makeup remover.

3. Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo - Haven't used yet since I had clean hair, but will definitely give it a shot and see if it compares to the Tresemme version I currently use.

4. Harvey Prince Yogini Perfume - Smelled good, not sure about it yet. It takes a lot for me to try a new perfume since I can get headaches from too strong of smells.

5. ShowStoppers Designer Fashion Tape - The sample contained two strips of double stick nude tape. Don't know exactly when I will get to use these since most of my clothes fit well but they will be nice to have on hand.

6. EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster - This is a powder pack that you mix with water that says it is "packed with a mega dose of nutrients. Maybe I will save this for new year's day when I might be feeling a little sluggish after ringing in the new year. :)

Now that I have received my Birchbox, I went to their website and created my beauty profile so that my samples are more tailored to my skin type, preferences, etc. And if I like any sample enough to want the whole thing, I can buy them right from the Birchbox website, have them shipped free to my door, and earn loyalty points towards future purchases. These would be great gifts for any gal on your Christmas list. Who wouldn't love getting some sweet beauty swag in the mail every month?

All in all, a pretty sweet gift, thanks mom and dad! Have you gotten any early Christmas presents? The boyfriend won't even let me touch any of mine under the tree. Only 1 more day!