Bespoke Post "Weekender" Review [May 2014]!

Bespoke Post "Weekender" Review - May 2014

Wow, this one is pretty past due, lol! Still catching up (this is #2 for today)!

Anyway, I love Bespoke Post! Their products are high quality and well curated. The "Getaway" box included a bag that I've been wanting for YEARS! Well, not this exact bag, but it's pretty similar. A few years ago, when I was living in Brooklyn, I saw a guy carrying a bag like this and I fell in love. I asked him about it and he said it was actually a tool bag and it cost like $10 in a hardware shop around the corner. I ran over to the store as soon as we were done talking but they were no longer carried :( When I saw this bag at Bespoke I had to have it!! It was way more expensive but I used some racked up points to bring the cost down a little. 

I couldn't find the actual cost of the bag so I don't know if this box was worth $45. I use the bag all the time though so it's worth it to me! The bag is really well made and feels like it'll last for years. Oh, and you can fit a TON of stuff in it!! I was shocked at how much I could stuff in it! I even used it for moving, lol! 

If you haven't tried Bespoke Post yet, I would definitely recommend it!

-xo,

T

Beauty Box 5 July 2014 Review

Beauty Box 5 Review: July 2014

SUPER late, I know!! I'm catching up on all my blog post drafts; nursing school has been crazy busy since the semester is almost over!

On to the box! I thought this one was a bit blehh, but still some good things in there. I put some of these up for swap on My Subscription Addiction.

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara = $7.99 (Found at Walmart for $3.80)

I tried this mascara and thought it was average. It's a little blacker than my usual black mascara (L'oreal Double Extend), but doesn't lengthen as much as the l'oreal. I definitely will not buy this mascara in the future.

Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls Styling Lotion = $16 for 8.5 fl.oz.

(on the Miss Jessie website you can buy these sample packets for $2)

I put this hair lotion up for trade.

Anna Naturals "Glowing Mama" Walnut Face & Body Scrub - $11.99 for 4oz = ~$1.5

I put this scrub up for trade.

Hask Argan Oil: Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment (1.75oz packet) =$2.29 ($27.58 for 12 packets on Amazon)

Body Drench: Candy-licious "lemon drop" lip balm = $3.99

Total Value = $13.58

Beauty Box 5 costs $12/month so I guess the value is near what it costs to get it, but it seemed lacking for some reason. Like these were the bottom of the barrell samples and products. Also, if you go to their website the lists of what came in past boxes don't match up to what I actually got, maybe I missing something, like its a list of what you could've gotten? Idk. On to the next post! :)

-xo,

T

Beauty box 5 August 2014 #2 Review!

So, I got an email from Beauty Box 5  saying that they messed up and sent me the wrong box, so they sent me the correct August one for free! Woo! I don't mind shipping errors when I get more stuff ;)

It looks like they have a standard set of items that they send out to everyone every month. Not much, if any, variation. I got one item that seemed to vary between boxes. See it below;)

They really pack a lot into such a tiny box!

Purlisse Pur-Protect SPF 30 Sunscreen: 15mL = $16.40 value

Wow, I was a little shocked at how expensive this sunscreen is! I don't think I'll ever buy sunscreen that pricey, but I don't mind getting samples of it! I haven't tried it yet but will when it's more sunny outside.

La Fresh Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes: 1 packet = $0.42

This packet is SO cute! I love tiny things! Great for your travel bag or that first night camping when you still have makeup on! ;) These come in a pack of 48 packets for $19.99. A little steep for makeup wipes. Honestly I would prob end up not washing off my makeup, but I also don't wear foundation. I use tinted moisturizer. Buuuut, I should wash my face more to stop ugly breakouts that keep happening! :(

Nanacoco Lip Gloss: 22 fl.oz. = $3.99

This one is full size! Nice! It's pretty thick and opaque, I think I'm going to give it to a friend who can pull off this color better than I can.

Novex Brazilian Keratin: 30g = $0.64

I'm interested in trying this out. Sorta think it'll weight down my thin hair but I'll update when I try it out.

Style Essentials Nail Polish: 1 polish = $1.75

This one comes in a pack of 4 for $7. This color is pretty young looking but I tried it out anyway because it reminds me of mermaids :D I could barely see any glitter, it took a lot of polish to get some on. It took forever to get it off with remover. I don't think I'll use this again lol I'll probably give it away.

Total Value of August 2014 Beauty Box 5 = ~$22.98

I've barely used any of these things but it was a fun box to get. Like little stocking stuffers lol

xo,

T

Birchbox Review August 2014

Birchbox August 2014 Review!

Not as late as my July review, lol, but still catching up!

Some shiny goodies in there...

CAILYN Cosmetics Dizzolv'it Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm:

Looks fancyyy, however, this makeup remover was not effective for me. I used it after applying some (non-waterproof) mascara that I received in the Beautybox5 and gel pencil liner from Julep. I'm pretty sure I used as per the instructions, but I still had quite a bit of black makeup still on my eyes after rinsing off this balm. I think I prefer using baby oil or plain face lotion to remove my eye makeup. Oh they're WAY cheaper options!

Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume:
I was really happy with this [not] perfume sample! I loooved the smell! Too bad it's so pricey! Maybe one dayyyyy <3

Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow:

It's a little dark for me so I mixed it with a tinted moisturizer I use daily and it was perfect. It provided more coverage than my tinted moisturizer which is perfect for days I have a bad breakouts... like the past couple weeks :( It was pretty thick so I don't think I could wear it without mixing with my thinner tinted moisturizer. It would settle in my smile lines, blehhh. 

ModelCo Bronzer:

This bronzer is pretty nice! Smooth and soft consistency, and can be layered for darker "bronze" look if you want or use it as eyeshadow! It wasn't too shimmery/glittery either, which is a good thing in my book! And who doesn't love a full-size product in their sample box?!

Supergoop!® Forever Young Hand Cream with Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40:

Yippee... yet ANOTHER Supergoop lotion in my box... I get one in almost EVERY box!! Come on Birchbox! Mix it up!! I'm sooo tired of Supergoop. Receiving so many of their samples is making me not want them which means I won't buy the product. I don't know why, I think I'm just associating the product with my annoyance at getting their products so often. Maybe a tad irrational, but I don't care, I want variety!! And really I prob wouldn't need to buy sunscreen for another year because of how many Supergoop samples I've received! 

Ok, done with the rant. I have to be honest, I haven't even tried this hand cream yet so I won't review it lol. I'm sure it's a great quality product though. I've been satisfied with their other sunscreens.

As with the other post, if I get time to total up the value I'll update the post :)

What did you think of last month's Birchbox? What goodies did you receive?

xo,

T

Birchbox July 2014 Review

Whoops! I never posted this!! I've been so busy with nursing school! :D It's sooo time consuming!! My house is still a complete mess and FILLED with unpacked boxes from moving in almost a MONTH ago :( 

Anyway, if anyone cares to see what was in past Birchboxes this one is from July 2014! 

A FREE subscription to Women's Health! Cooool :) 

Update: I sent in the card right after I got the box and received my first issue this month (September)

Number 4™ Super Comb Prep & Protect

It's a nice product and I would've loved it when I was younger and used more heat tools on my hair (and had fuller/thicker hair), but it kinda just seems to weigh it down. I don't color my hair or use heat tools on it ever. I have split ends and its thinning. This product is prob not for me :( It's a nice product and I would've loved it when I was younger and used more heat tools on my hair (and had fuller/thicker hair), but it kinda just seems to weigh it down. I don't color my hair or use heat tools on it ever. I have split ends and its thinning. This product is prob not for me :( 

Supergoop!® Daily Correct CC Cream ​SPF 35+

I have been wanting to try this CC Cream so was excited to get it in my box. It worked well to cover up flaws without being too foundation-like. However, it was still pretty thick and I ended up mixing it with my tinted moisturizer to thin it out. I have smile lines so thick makeup settles in there and makes them more noticeable; so I tend to avoid heavy face makeup.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner

Blehh to silver eyeliner!! Looks disgusting on me, and I get flashbacks of bad makeup days in middle school...

The consistency was great though... I wish it had come in black!!! :( I would've used it everyday!

SmartyPants All-in-One Gummy Vitamins for Adults

I like this taste, but don't like receiving food or vitamins in my box. The sample size is puny too, not even a serving size worth. All bad things aside, the taste is good and it makes taking vitamins more of a treat than a chore. Sounds cheesy lol

Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream

It's a nice smelling lotion that works fairly well to moisturize the skin. It's not super greasy and seems to absorb pretty quickly. My skin is a bit dry though.

No totals for this BirchBox because it's so late and I have limited time, lol! I'll update it if I total it up later. I'm a nerd and actually enjoy doing things like that soooo... it might happen :P

xo,

T

Julep Maven August 2014 Review "Classic with a Twist" + Coupon Codes!

Julep Maven :: August 2014 Review :: Classic with a Twist

I missed the selection window because of classes and moving to a different town, so I emailed them and asked if I could switch my box before they were shipped out because I wasn't too fond of the nail colors for Classic with a Twist. They were SO nice about it and said it was already being sent out but that I could return it for 2,000 jules (which I could apply to my next maven box) or for a $19.99 gift card. I chose the gift card so I could have the freedom to buy other polishes if I wanted. *SURPRISE* They said they could send me the gift card and I could still keep the box! WHAT! Awesome! Thanks Julep! I mean, I did pay for it, but it's kinda like getting the box at half price since I could potentially get two boxes for the price of one (assuming I use the gift card to pay for my next box). 

   

"Katie"

"Avni"

This one is actually more purple than blue.

"Gel Eye Glider" - Blackest Black

I like the texture and consistency. It was pretty waterproof too, at least on my hand. I tried it on my eye. It goes on a little thick but you can get a thin line with sharpening. It was a little hard to wash off, even with makeup remover for waterproof makeup. 

++COUPON CODES++

"JULEPPERK" = 30% off your order

"EMMYS" = $20 off $50+ order (sale that's happening on the website currently)

++New Member Sign-up Deals++

"HELLOYOU" = Free FIRST box of 3 polishes and a beauty item! (pay $2.99 S&H)

::OR:: 

"FREESIZZLE" = Sign up for a 3 month subscription and get your 1st box FREE box with 4 polishes and an eyeliner, then pay $19.99 per box for the next two. (Reg price for the new maven boxes are $24.99. I signed up a few years ago and didn't switch to the customizable box so mine is still $19.99)

Fulcrum Gallery Art Print Review!!

So, I've been LOVING space and astronomy art... pinterest is a KILLER! Then, Fulcrum Gallery emailed me about reviewing an art print from their website! Sweeet! Perfect time to acquire some space art for my lonely walls! Bartering is even better! I get something in exchange for my words! The best part is that they stressed they want HONEST opinions in my review, the good and the bad. Awesome! Because I wouldn't have agreed otherwise!

First off, I want to stress how human the interaction has been with the company! :) I stress this because I hate and am totally turned off by pre-written responses that are irrelevant to the questions you ask. It's super cheap and degrades a business. Having been a shop owner (while also juggling a separate full-time job that mostly involved communication), I know that it only takes a few minutes to reply to an email in a human way so there's no excuse. But Fulcrum Gallery was awesome when it came to communication:) Totally human!

And on to the rest of my review:)

When I went to their website to choose my print I was excited and a little overwhelmed by the selection. Guys, there are THOUSANDS of options! I got distracted by all the options but remembered how enamored I've been with the idea of outer space themed prints all over my walls! I spotted a deep space picture and went with it. Fulcrum was generous enough to let me frame it as well! I chose the "Natural Oak" frame with non-glare glass. Also, I chose to not have it cropped and no mat. If you choose to crop it, it cuts off the white border around the photo.

It was easy to hang and sturdy. It looks really well put together.

I loooove space photos! Nerd at heart...

All professional ;) I love the little felt pads at the bottom to protect your walls from the frame corners. 

I chose the "non-glare" glass to test it out knowing that it would dull the colors. I was wondering if it would actually be non-glare. I have to say, I'm not impressed. It definitely has a lot of glare AND it makes the picture dull... I've seen prints framed with non-glare glass and they always seem to have glare and really just dull the colors, so I was expecting a bit of but this but this seems to have just as much glare as plain old glass. My recommendation would be to go with the cheaper regular glass or maybe even acrylic (I haven't seen either in person, but I'm assuming anything is better than the non-glare options!).

Another thing I wasn't too impressed with was the rippling on the print. I don't think I should blame the company for that, it may have to do with the humid environment here, but it makes me wish I could take it out of the frame to smooth out. If I do, I'd have to remove the paper that seals the frame job though. What to do?! Hoping it'll smooth itself out ;)

On to the shipping... It arrived fairly quickly in large sturdy packaging, that wasn't too large or wasteful. They provided tracking information too, which I always appreciate.

To wrap up, I would definitely buy prints from Fulcrum, but without the frame. They're actually fairly cheap (my choice would've been around $13 without the frame for a 16"x16" print)! However, while I appreciate the picture and frame, I would have been very disappointed if I had paid the quoted amount for it because of the non-glare glass that reflects like and the rippling on the print.

Good:
*1000s of options
*Low prices & good sale
*Sturdy shipping packaging, not overly wasteful
*Well-made frame
*Human communication
*Many options for framing, types of canvas, glazes on glass/acrylic, laminating, etc.

Bad:
*It would be nice to have a "View All" page for faster perusing
*It would also be nice to be able to sort the prints by price (high to low, low to high) or by size (small to big, big to small). They give options of showing prints within a size range, which is helpful, but that extra bit of sorting would be awesome! Maybe I'm just a tad anal, lol :P
*Non-glare glass is not actually non-glare
*Rippled print

Have any of you ordered from Fulcrum? What has your experience been with them?

xo,
T