Review: Birchbox

I haven’t done a product review in a quite a WHILE, and I am back with a bang! This week I will be reviewing Birchbox’s amazing service. Birchbox is a wonderful service that delivers high-quality beauty, lifestyle, and amazing odds-n-ends that I would otherwise not have the cash to indulge in. I signed up for Birchbox sometime ago and was thrilled when I got my spot to join the service, and I have been waiting to tear into my first box ever since.

Because I have an APO address there is a delay in the service so I am nearly 2 months behind on the box that I get. Bummer, but I am just happy that customs is letting my boxes through. ;) My first box was unbelievable! Even my thrifty husband was impressed with what I got for 10 bucks. 

Here are my items for the December Box (better late than never, right? ;))

ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss in Berry Pink: Great color and quality with a handy built-in mirror. I really liked the shine and consistency of the lip-gloss because it didn’t leave my lips feeling sticky and the color was really pretty with just enough shimmer to be appropriate for an evening out if you wanted. Also, it had a faint but pleasant strawberry taste and scent my husband immediately picked up on…needless to say I was giving out kisses shortly after trying this gloss out. ;) Something really awesome about this was that I was given a FULL size of this lip-gloss and it retails for16 bucks by itself, which made my Birchbox SO WORTH IT!

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/makeup/lips/model-co-lipgloss

Fresh Citron de Vigne Perfume: The perfume is really clean and fresh smelling and is a convenient size. I like the scent for days that I need a little pep in my step! I felt sophisticated and oh-so French with this perfume. It is a departure from my signature scent Marc Jacobs Daisy, and while it won’t turn into my go-to scent it is still a nice addition to my scent collection.

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/fresh-citron-de-vigne

Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute: All I can say about this masque is....WOW, WOW, WOW!! It is pretty much the greatest thing that I have ever put on my skin! It is amazing how soft and hydrated it has left my skin after just a short time of using it. The great thing is that you don't have to put very much of the masque on to feel that it is working AND it's a no-rinse masque which shows just how gentle it is on skin. If you have painful dry skin then this is your product! This product is such a great addition and definitely an item that I wouldn't have had the chance to try on my current budget.

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/nuxe-creme-fraiche-face-mask 

12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment: The hair care product is an ABSOLUTE gem and it left my hair feeling healthy, hydrated and under-control without feeling greasy or heavy. I just spritzed and worked this through my hair before blow drying and my fly-always dropped big time! I have been locked in a war of attrition with my bangs as they grow out and this spray has been a godsend.  I’ve already got this little baby in my checkout basket and will be adding it to my daily routine.

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/12-benefits-instant-healthy-hair-treatment

Emily’s Chocolates Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookie: Who doesn’t love a good cookie? When I saw the package I was like….rats….It has been in there since December, but my husband wanted to eat it so I gave it to him to munch on. I saw his face and then stole the other half that he hadn’t managed to get into his mouth yet. Oh, yea, I stole that cookie good! The fortune cookie was so yummy! It was peppermint chocolate dipped and after all that time sitting in customs the little Christmas themed cookie was still delicious.

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/emily-s-chocolate-fortune-cookies

Out of all the products that Birchbox sent me in my pretty little box the 12 Benefits Instant Healthy Hair Treatment is my ABSOLUTE favorite item next to the Nuxe hydrating masque. I am already picking up my full size of the hair product because of the great condition it has left my hair in, and the masque has visibly changed the overall appearance and feel of my skin.

I would definitely recommend Birchbox to any Cosmo girl on a budget! For just 10 USD you get a sweet little box packed full of stuff that you might consider frivolous in favor of paying off those student loans, can I get an AMEN? The best thing is that you can pick what kind of items Birchbox sends to you with the interest survey that you fill out concerning the types of goodies you want. All of the items were generous sample sizes and I even got a full-size item like the really great lip-gloss that I scored.  For all of us on a budget do yourself a favor and get on the Birchbox Bandwagon! Just because you are on a savings plan doesn’t mean that you can’t add some glamour and pampering to your life!

Here is a link from my account that you can use as an invite to get on the Birchbox list!

https://www.birchbox.com?raf=5c86m

Have a great day and I am so excited to be back home and blogging! 

Things I love: Modcloth!!!

It has been over a WEEK since I posted....which seems like a lifetime, but it couldn't be helped. I caught a particularly nasty stomach flu and was down for the count all of last week. I didn't go outside or talk to anyone the entire time since I was so drained, and I cannot tell you how happy I am to be getting around again!

Hooray for health!

A while back....a VERY LONG while back...I was lucky enough to snap up one of Modcloth's stylish surprises! I had no idea what I would be getting and my mind ran rampant with what kind of goodies could be in store for me.

The long awaited day came and I won't lie to you. I was a tad disappointed...AT FIRST.

I ended up getting a sheer mustard yellow hi-low button-up top. I pulled it out of the box and was kinda of like...that's it? 

The top is soft and flowy, but I am not really a fan of flowy or baggy clothing because not too long ago I lost around 40lbs. When I lost the weight I had a wardrobe full of baggy clothing that didn't fit right. Because of my own history I was tempted to toss the item back into the box and call it a day, but I decided to REALLY look at the item and think about what it could BE.

Modcloth's stylish surprise challenged me to step away from my specific likes and to experiment with things I owned to create an outfit that I loved. It was really fun going through my closet with fresh eyes and on a mission. Overall, I would recommend the stylish surprise because you never know what you are getting and if anything it's fun to play dress up to find the right look.

Here is what I came up with. 

I really liked the top when I added it over a simple black dress with a crisscross back. When the weather is warmer I will be taking this look out for a fun date night look. 

I also wanted to try and play up the pretty color and collar of this top so I slipped it beneath a little peplum lace blazer that I own. I was really pleased with the pop of color and the overall look of the top underneath the blazer. This isn’t all I have come up with for this little number from Modcloth! I have some ideas of pairing it with a high-waist skirt and I can see it underneath a slouchy sweater as well.

When you feel like you have nothing to wear remember to look at your closet with FRESH eyes. With a little thought and some playing around you will be able to utilize pieces in new and interesting ways this year!
Keep your eyes open for a shop update in the near future and have wonderful day!

 

The Perfect Pear Design

I am not by any means a techy person or an Internet savvy person, but I did want a design for my personal blog, which would be able to reflect my personal style. I went on a long search, spent a ridiculous amount of time on the Internet trying to find a blog design I could be proud of, and then another indeterminable amount of time having a heart attack at the prices of anything remotely decent.

However, just when I was about to give up on having a blog I could be happy with I found The Perfect Pear Designs! From the very beginning Lauren was attentive, friendly, and I never once felt like I wasn’t able to contact her with an idea for the blog’s creation. Lauren is a professional at what she does, but she never makes you feel like she isn’t personally invested in your project. Lauren was patient and helped me narrow down, figure out, and finally create the look I wanted for my blog even when I didn’t know how to explain it.

If you are looking for a talented, caring, and hard working designer to help create your newest social media blog or design then Lauren at The Perfect Pear is your girl. 

Lauren gave me the tools and confidence to feel like a pro, and I know she can use her magic wand on your blog to give it that something special, too.

For Lauren's personal blog click, here.

Visit her Etsy shop, here.

Check out her bundle pricing and blog additions, here.

Language Time: Hangul

I have had a few readers ask me if the language is difficult, what books I am using, how much I study, ect. so I decided to make a blog post covering to answer these questions. ;)

At first glance, Hangul can be a very intimidating language, but you shouldn't be scared away! I won't lie because Hangul is certainly not a walk in the park by any means, but with time and effort, you can make the language work for you!

I have a background with languages, growing up in a bilingual home with Spanish spoken at home, and I also studied and minored in Russian while at University. That being said, Hangul absolutely baffled me! Hangul is far more tonal of a language than I have ever studied and it takes a finesse that is bit frustrating, but is oh so gratifying when you are able to communicate efficiently and correctly.

Here is a photo of the three books that I have used to begin my education of the language, and a photo of my FAVORITE WORD in Hangul. ELEPHANT/ Kokkari (which also means eskimo kiss) I love this word so much and I have taken to yelling it out when I am excited about something as a victory word, which my Korean friends think is hilarious. :)

Books:
1) Korean at a Glance : Barron's
2) Your first 100 words in Korean : Jane Wightwick
3) Korean through English: Hollym/ Seoul Natl. University

I love all 3 books for entirely different reasons.

I love how Korean at a Glance fits in my purse and I can whip it out quickly. Korean at a Glance doubles as a useful dictionary and phrasebook, and has the added bonus of having a subway map! (very useful if you are phoneless)

Your first 100 words is fabulous because it has so many hands on activities which give you an opportunity to read, write and problem solve. More activities = more opportunities for your brain to make connections! The book also has great cut out words which you can use as flashcards. I took the opportunity to tape my flashcards to various objects around the house to give me an extra chance to become familiar with the word.

Korean through English is by far the more comprehensive book of the 3, and is great for giving you a way to hear, speak, and write in Hangul. I love how each section consists of all 3 methods of learning, which is once again a great opportunity for your brain to make connections.

I am enjoying my foray into learning Hangul, and I am becoming quite proficient at communicating and understanding the Koreans around me. If you are moving to South Korea, please take the time to learn some Hangul! It isn't impossible, just difficult, but knowing the language will give you so much more understanding of the country and its people. I know that learning Hangul has enriched my experience in South Korea like nothing else could have, and for that I am grateful!

I hope that if I continue my current regime of about 30 minutes a day, that I will become fully fluent before my time in Korea comes to an end. As my time here goes on, and I move on to new books and materials I will make sure to do an update post!

The Object Enthusiast

My friend Emily Reinhardt is the talented owner of the Etsy shop The Object Enthusiast, and her ceramic work is simply amazing! I love how Emily is able to put her whole heart into her work, an ability that is able to transform an everyday object such as a jewelry box into a treasured keepsake.

Emily's work reminds me of Kansas, where she and I met while we attended Kansas State University and worked at a local organic co-op (totally hippy and awesome). Emily was always a spot of sunshine at the co-op with a kind word and a warm smile for everyone, and I loved working with her. I have random bouts of homesickness....yes, Kansas is definitely home to me now, and when I saw this beautiful jewelry box in Emily's shop I was instantly reminded of home.

I had to have it!

I was in love from the moment that I lifted this little treasure out of its box and I knew the perfect thing to keep in it. My wedding and engagement rings. When I look at this jewelry box I am instantly reminded of the sense of love, community, and acceptance I experienced while a student at Kansas State. Emily's love and careful attention to detail are present in the craftsmanship and quality of this darling little addition to my bedroom.

 For more of Emily's work visit her blog, here.
Also, I wholeheartedly encourage you to stop by her Etsy shop, The Object Enthusiast, for more beautiful ceramic work.

Review: L'OREAL Magic Perfecting Base

I have been on a search for an affordable and effective primer and before I dropped a large sum of money on a designer primer I decided to take a look at the drugstore. After a careful search I tried L'Oreal's Magic Perfecting Base and I was not disappointed.

The primer has a mousse like texture and is much lighter than I had expected. It is very effective and I would recommend only using a small amount and adding more if you do not feel that you have covered your skin adequately.  While it is a light feel the primer can become a bit oily if too much is used. Make sure to use the primer after applying your usual moisturizer and take care to wait until your moisture has dried. If you apply the primer while your moisturizer is drying you can end up with a heavy feeling on your skin. After applying the moisturizer it did leave a slightly oily feeling to my fingertips, but a quick splash of water got rid of the residue, which is an aspect that I love about the primer. I love how it stays in place and prolongs my makeup, but still comes of very easily with a simple make up wipe.  L'Oreal's Magic Perfecting Base is an effective and affordable option for those of us looking for a primer and it made my skin feel amazing and flawless!

I loved this primer and was pleasantly surprised as it only cost me 10 dollars with the addition of a 25% off coupon the drugstore gave me. If you are in the market for a new primer I would give L'Oreal's Magic Perfecting Base a shot!