July Birchbox

My July Birchbox came while I was in D.C.

I almost forgot to tell you about it!

1 - Earbuds

Fun color, but not great in quality.

2- Boscia

Green Tea Blotting Linens

3- Jouer

Luminizing Moisture

4- Larabar

Bananas Fosters

5- Oscar de la Renta

Live in Love

6- Eyeko

Skinny Liquid Eyeliner (purple)

The only thing I have yet to try was the Eyeko liquid liner.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

I already used a liquid based liner, but I might have to give this product a try!

I was given the purple liner in the box, but I would probably

purchase it in black.

The purple, however, wasn't as vibrant as I assumed.

I just quickly did it on my top lid.

Real simple.

The liner went on quickly and easily.

Very user friendly, especially if you are not familiar with liquid liner. 

Like I said, I will probably try the black liner for my everyday use,

but the purple is fun and different; a nice pop for a dramatic look.

You can purchase them at Sephora :]

Want to find out more about Birchbox and flirting 
with the idea of getting your own??
Click here! 

June Birchbox

After a somewhat disappointing box last month, I was really excited to see what was in this month's box!

The theme of the box was "Jet Set," where they filled the box with things to aid in your summer travels. 

Here's this month's loot:

What's inside?

1. Comodynes: Self Tanning Towelettes 

2. Masqueology: Pore Minimizing Mask

3. Stila: One Step Bronzer

4. theBalm: Stainiac in Beauty Queen

5. Tili: Bag  (plastic baggies to place travel sized liquids in!)

6. John Varvatos: Star USA (men's fragrance) 

I really liked and am excited for everything in this box. Eh ok, maybe I'm not thrilled about the men's fragrance ;) I was especially excited about the Stila bonzer. Instead of a sample, they sent the full sized product. It runs for around $36! Totally got my monies worth this month :)

I am also excited for the Tili bag. This is a plastic baggie that you are to put all of your travel liquids in at the airport. Apparently your travel liquids need to travel in style, too :) Excited to test it out next month as I "jet set!"


More reviews to come :)

P.S. Tomorrow is Friday!

May Birchbox

I am taking a quick break to share my May Birchbox.

This month's box was themed around the TV show Gossip Girl.

Are you a GG fan, too??

Oh hey S and B...

Here is what was inside: 

1. Beauty Blender | make-up brush soy based conditioner

2. Dr. Jart + | Waterfuse BB Cream

3. Nail Polish | Color Club (Disco Nap)

4. Twistband | Skinny Headband

5. Acquits |  perfume

Honestly, I won't use much in this one. I am excited to try the hair band and maybe dabble a bit with the nail polish, but nothing else really excited me.

Here's to next month, Birchbox :) 

Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday to my Pa! 

He is one of my very favorite people :)

Pa and Grandma at BYU graduation last April.

Here are my top 10 things I love about my Pa:

1. He helped raise my mom! He taught her to work hard, to love a lot, and much about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. He is a hard worker! My Pa is always working and puts in 100% to whatever he is doing. During dental school breaks, it was not uncommon for him to be working 2+ jobs to earn extra money and to make things more comfortable for his family.

3. My Pa served our country! Pa served in the Korean War on the B-29 bombers (bomb-bers!). He enlisted after high school and quickly worked his way up, ultimately joining a LDS crew and headed out to Korea. Thanks for protecting our country :)

4. He makes me feel special. Whenever I come and visit, he takes special interest to ask me how I'm doing and what is going on in my life. He cares about me and let's me know he looks forward to my next visit!

5. He spoils his grandkids. It's no secret Pa likes to take us to 7-11 for a big gulp! We could just about put anything on that counter and he'd buy it for us. He always took us to play minute golf, arcades, out to eat, and grew us special pumpkins to carve at Halloween!

6. My Pa is selfless. He is always more worried about other people than himself. He takes such good care of Grandma and Uncle Bryan. He goes out of his way to make sure they are taken care of and happy.

7. My Pa is a great dentist!!! I never understood why people would say they hate going to the dentist! I never did :) Going to the dentist meant going to Pa's office, getting to play with rubber gloves and face masks, and getting a toy out of the treasure box. I loved having my grandpa as my dentist. He always is patient with me as I ask about the tools or procedures or when I get nervous. A big congrats to him for just retiring after over 50 years!!!

8. He is sarcastic! I love how he plays around with us and other people. He is able to keep such a straight face; it's amazing! We have very fun and interesting adventures at Dan's :)

9. My Pa takes the time to make sure he has a special relationship with each of his kids and his grandkids. He knows each one of us well, what makes us happy, how he can help us, and how to each make us special. I know he makes me feel important :)

10. He teaches me things! I like to sit and talk with him about life, about money, about school, etc. I value his wisdom and years of experience.

I love you, Pa!

Taken today at his birthday lunch! He loves Strawberry Shortcake!

Another picture with his two daughters (Andrea and Julie) who also have April birthdays!

April Birchbox

It came! 

I have had to wait nearly a week to open this thing.

After driving to Salt Lake last Tuesday night, my roommate texted me saying it came. 

Of course it did....after I went out of town :)

Here's what was inside:

- Alima Pure Organic Lip Balm (color: Rhubarb)

- Willa Lavender Facial Towlettes (travel size)

- Wonderstruck Taylor Swift Perfume (sample size) 

too fruity of a smell for my taste

- Dropps Laundry Detergent (sample pack)

- Befine Exfoliating Cleanser and Daily Moisturizer 

When you open up the Befine box, here's what is inside:

3 packets of exfoliating cleanser and 2 packets of daily moisturizer

The Dropps Laundry Detergent are little liquid packs, almost like those you use in your dish washer. They are scent and dye free.

I am really excited to try out the Befine products, lip balm, and face towelettes! 

I will share any findings and favorites :)

Have any of you received your Birchbox yet??

The Waiting Game

I got this in my e-mail today....

I'm very excited to receive that little pink box sometime in the near future! 

I am sad to report, however, this will be my last box for awhile. I only did a 3-month subscription to make sure I liked it. Guess who has to get on the waiting list again??

Happy Saturday :) 

Good luck to all those who are enduring finals!

March Birchbox

My March Birchbox finally came. It is a little ridiculous how excited I get when it arrives!

Let's take a look at this month's loot:

What's inside?
Color Club | Nail Lacquer in Age of Aquarius 
Harvey Prince | Yogini
Juice Beauty | Blemish Clearing Cleanser
Lulu Organics | Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder
stila | Smoky Eye Card

Lifestyle Extra
Tea Forte | skin-smart Teas
...won't be tryin' this one...

I am really excited to try out the nail polish. Although it is very different from the reds I typically wear, it could be a really fun summer color. I was also really excited to see a stila sample in my box. I actually already own and wear the lightest color on that pallet (kitten), so it will be fun to test it with some other colors that the company has already paired together with it.



Can I just tell you that one of my favorite parts about getting my Birchbox is when some of the items are wrapped up like this??

It feels like Christmas every month :)

If you are interested in subscribing to your own Birchbox or buying a small subscription as a gift, let me know!! 

Birchbox

Never heard of Birchbox? Click here to learn more about my favorite new discovery!

I came to know Birchbox through a blog I religiously follow. Basically, it is a monthly subscription, but instead of receiving a magazine, you receive a small, brown box containing 4-5 beauty products each month (sometimes other odds and ends!). Some might find this an incredible waste of time and resources, but for a make-up/hair product junky like myself, it doesn't get more exciting!!!

The catch is, however, you must first get on a waiting list (....yes) in order to even sign up. Talk about high demand! It took me almost a month to get an "invite" to sign up for my 3 month trial. But, once signed up, I anxiously awaited my first box! It finally arrived as my family was visiting Utah, in which I received a text message from my roommate exclaiming, "It came!!! Your Birchbox came!!!" (she was well aware of the anticipation)!!!

Let me introduce you to it's contents:

- Juicy Couture fragrance sample

- Zoya nail polish (color: Kristen)

- Tatcha oil pads

- Blow: daily volumizing conditioner

- Jouer lip gloss (color: birch box pink)

- Wichcraft granola

A good steal for only $10 bucks! I am really excited to try out the Blow volumizing conditioner. People have asked, however, "well, how does Birchbox know your skin color, preferred color schemes, etc?" Simple. You fill out a survey, explaining your habits, preferences, skin type, coloring, etc, etc! Obviously they aren't perfect (as you can see by the color of the nail polish I received ;) ), but you are bound to get something you like!

Ratings and reviews soon to come!