Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Hurray!

I had another interview today for the first time in months! Hurray! But I was so completely and utterly nervous. I swear, I have a minor panic attack when I think about these interviews.

I think it went pretty well. The company seems like it is a really good company. The work environment seems nice and reminds me of the internship I was at last spring. Also, the person who conducted the interview was interesting to say the least. Said person basically said that should I be hired, I'm likely to hear swearing and stuff. I had to laugh at that but didn't deny that I sometimes swear.

Hopefully I will hear back from them next week. The people I would work with directly were on vacation this week. So if I do hear back, I'll most likely be meeting with these people for a second interview.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Birchbox - December 2011


Straight up, I'm going to tell you I wasn't particularly impressed with this box. Mostly because these items are of similar function to products I've gotten in the past few months I've gotten Birchbox. I also haven't been incredible impressed with these last 2 months products compared to the first two months products I've gotten. I'm going to see what I get next month and I'll probably be cancelling my subscription if I'm still not really impressed.

Another problem I'm finding: I see what other people got in their boxes and like it way better. Like this month, they were offering Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo. I would have loved to have gotten that. Not only that, but Birchbox was doing a lot of posting about having a party with them and how excited they were for the product. And then I don't get it... Definitely a let down when you get all this hype. I'm going to edit my profile and hopefully, my items next month will be more worthwhile...
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Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional
Camouflage visible pores with this velvety face primer. The translucent formula works wonder beneath makeup
Similar Birchbox Item: Laura Gellar Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer in Bronze
I think Laura Gellar ruined me for all other face primers. Everything else seems to pale in comparison. I tried this primer and it was... Just not right. It comes out of the tube creamy but when you actually rub it in, it is dry like a powder... Like a really dry powder. And my face is dry enough as it is. Basically, this product actually makes my foundation kind of flake-y. Not cool. Of course this was after one use and I'll give it one more shot... But honestly, I'm reluctant.

Harvey Prince Yogini
Take a deep breath and relax with this calming scent. Notes of sandalwood, Egyptian myrrh, and grapefruit will help you feel as good as you smell.
Similar Birchbox Item: Harvey Prince Eau Flirt
When I saw this in my box, I was a little excited. I loved Eau Flirt [from my September box] and I had been considering buy it on the Harvey Prince website [because it came with a discount code for 10% off: bewitched]. I had also seen that they had come out with this scent recently and was curious. You can only purchase all of the Harvey Prince line at their website or a select few at the Birchbox site. It's the big problem I have with them. I prefer to smell the scent before buying it. You can buy a sample size for $12 on the Harvey Prince website but still, I don't want to invest $12 on a scent I may not like.

Either way, I wasn't blown away by Yogini. It is a bit more of a musky scent then I prefer. It wasn't a bad smell, just not me. 

Codes for Harvey Prince:
bewitched - 10% off your order
beautifulyou - 10% off your order
flirtress - 20% off your order



Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink
We teamed up with one of our favorite brands to create this custom fuchsia shade. Apply one coat for semi-sheer pigment, or build it for a hot pink pout.
Similar Birchbox Item: Anastasia Beverly Hills HydraFull Gloss
And yet another lipgloss to add to the collection. As I'm said multiple time, not a big lipgloss girl. Though I do have to say I like this one much better than the last one I got. This one has a nicer consistency and isn't nearly as sticky as the Anastasia. Also, it has a normal applicator for a lipgloss. I do think it is cool that Birchbox worked with Jouer to make their own color.

Olie Biologique 004 Huile Moderne
Five organic essential oils - including argan, rosehip, and bergamot - team up to moisturize face, body and hair. A true superhero product for the winter months.

Similar Birchbox Item: Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment 

While they do say that you can use this to moisturize your body and face, I doubt I'll use it that much for that purpose. I'm not keen on super oily products on my skin. Drives me completely crazy. Though it is perfect for under my nose right now. I've a bit of a cold and it actually relieved the soreness and pain for a bit. Aside from that, I think I'll be using this in the ends of my hair... Which is why I'm comparing this to my Amika product. 

The application is weird for this one. While I'm not crazy about pouring the oil in my hand like the Amika, I'm not crazy about it being in a spray format. I don't know if the full size is spray, but it's just a little awkward for me to use.

ShowStoppers Designer Fashion Tape
Celeb stylists swear by these double-sided tape strips, which will ensure that your party dress stays perfectly in place

I actually already have a product like this. It is basically double-sided sticky tape that keeps things in place when it comes to your clothes. Such when you have a special occasion to attend and don't want anything showing. My only big issue is that with this kind of product, they always recommend pre-testing it in order to make sure you aren't allergic to it... But you only get 2 strips. Doesn't really work all that good if you have to waste some.

EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster
Bounce back post-party with this tangy citrus energy booster, packed with a mega-dose of nutrients
Um... Yeah, this was considered to be one of my bonus/lifestyle items [along with the ShowStoppers]. It's definitely interesting. I don't take any vitamin supplements myself. I'm kind of weird about taking things like vitamins straight up or medicines. But it looks like I'll definitely be using this sometime soon. I've got a head cold that is killing me right now and I need to get better ASAP. While the sample size is suppose to be put into 8 ounces of water [who really drinks 8 ounces], I'll probably be putting it into more and hopefully it won't taste bleh.

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Side note, I got my Julep Box of Mystery! Can't wait to write a post about what I got. Let me tell you, this was a pretty awesome box! <3

Monday, December 19, 2011

Why Kardashians?! Why?!

Now, normally have no issue with the Kardashian clan. Occasionally, I'll watch their show on E! or I'll read gossip on them [I can't help the curiosity of it all]. This is the only time of the year that they really do annoy me... Why now of all times? Because of this:

Saturday, December 17, 2011

And Julep changed their Maven Referral program

Just thought I should update on this because for the first 1000 people who sign up for Julep Maven through a referral code, s/he gets his/her first Maven box for a penny! That's a pretty sweet deal, if I do say so myself. I don't know how many people they get each signing up each day or how fast this promotion will go. I'm sure you can find out when you do the quiz and get to the payment page.

Each referrer gets 1 credit for every one person who uses his/her referral code. For every 2 credits, a maven gets a free month. A maven only gets the credit though if the person who used the code stays with it for a month.

I'm basically updating you so you can get a good deal more so than for my own advantage. I actually liked referral program more before and would rather get a gift certificate for $15 than credits.

New Julep Maven Referral Code***

Also, I used my last referral code from the previous system to get a Julep Box of Mystery for $4.99. Julep was having some daily deals and yesterday, they were selling the Julep Box of Mystery for $19.99 with free shipping [though I already get it with the Maven program]. I think I have a problem. xD Either way, I'm super excited to see what I get. And I'll be honest, really hoping to get some more of the Facial for Hands. In this set, you're guaranteed at least $60 of merchandise [that includes 2 polishes].

Basically I have an addiction for Julep products. -headdesk-

I also have 2 boxes to write reviews for: Birchbox and Influenster [which I'll explain later].

Also, buy "Forever Yours" by Alex Day on iTunes... Or not. Guess that's up to you.

*** Edit: You also need to use the code SHAREON to get the penny first month. ^_^

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Julep Maven - December 2011


Really, this was an amazing box. I'm so happy to have signed up for Julep Maven and so glad to have not skipped this month. Above is a picture of how the box looked when I opened it! Love the cute packaging!

And now for what was inside!

Peacock Julep Nail Appliqué
This is the main reason that I decided to get this month's box. These appliqués just look so awesome! I can't wait to use these... Which is why it will be a while before I do. I want these to last on my nails for a while and with my job, I won't get that. So maybe if I take a few days off, I'll use them. I also still have the Incoco nail appliques from my Birchbox a while back that I haven't used. 

Julep Fast Dry Topcoat
I'll admit, this did originally turn me off a little bit from getting this month's sneak peak. Topcoat feels like such a basic, do-it-yourself nail thing to have. I kind of wish this came in the first box I got [since I've now got 2 topcoats]. I won't personally be using this item. I'm making a little Julep kit for my grandma, so it will have a use!
Julep Pomegranate Body Créme
This stuff smells amazing. I open it up just to smell it sometimes. As an actual product though... I'll just be using it on my rough parts like knees and elbows. Or I'll use it after I shave my legs. It's a tad bit greasy and my skin is already oily on it's own. I may even use it on my hands a little but definitely not my face. 

Also, while the picture indicates two, I think the price they put is only for 1 four ounce jar.

Underneath the "Read More" is the surprise that Julep Maven sent in this month's box. <3

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Job hunting still definitely sucks...

Yes, I'm still kind of, vaguely looking for a job. It is still tough... Mostly because I don't like writing cover letters.

Cover letters are the hardest part about applying for a job [at least to me]. It's essentially explaining to the person in charge of hiring [generally someone in the HR department] that they should hire you for x-y-z reasons. But not only that, you have to be super creative and interesting about it. You have to make yourself stand out from who knows how many other people applying for the one job.

Why am I bad at writing cover letters? I have never been good at describing myself [without being a bit self-depreciating]. I have never been good about talking about myself or my abilities in general. Where as a resume is pretty impersonal and just lists things, a cover letter is a way to show off how you'll fit into that office's dynamic. It's like saying "I WILL TOTALLY FIT IN AND I'M AMAZING" kind of letter. In fact, it is almost like writing a letter to the cool kids and trying to explain to them why you should be in their group.

And it's nerve wracking. Because when you get a response back, it could be dependent upon your work, your personality. It's hard to handle.

It's kind of why I prefer in-person meetings like at a job fair. While it's probably a really good idea to have a cover letter [even if it is generic], the person can get a better idea of your personality based on that initial meeting than from a letter. I also feel like I can screw up a little bit less if I'm talking to a person as oppose to writing to a person.

On a different topic, I've come up with a name for what I have been doing: freelance interning. I basically do whatever internships I can get in order to gain experience in the field... Though I don't really know how well it's really working. I'm looking towards finding an internship in a more office-y setting at this point. Maybe with stable hours and if I'm lucky, pay. Though at this point, experience is the important part... Which is a whole different post all together.

Either way, that's kind of the update on the job front...

Also just wanted to point out this article about a woman with whom [I apologize to any grammar Nazis if that is wrong] I did a small 3-4 week internship. I worked with YIP and helped out as the intern for their State of Young Philly event.

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Oh and expect a Julep Maven post in the next few days. ^_^

Saturday, December 3, 2011

The hardest part of the holidays...

Is buying gifts for people. Especially when they don't make a list and I hardly ever see him/her enough to actually have an idea of what s/he would like. AKA my family's secret santa we do every year. With there being so many of us [myself, 4 brothers, and 3 sisters-in-law], we have been doing a secret santa/pollyanna/whatever you want to call it the past few years. It's easier to buy one gift for one person and makes more financial sense to us. And since myself and my younger brother don't really have a good stable income [and owe money for school], we cap the limit at $25.

And every year gets harder and harder... But then again, I feel like I always get the 3 hardest people to get a gift.

And it's not just my secret santa. It's buying gifts for my 5 nieces and nephews, my mom, my dad, and my grandmothers. So I'll go through all the issues with each of these groups.

Nieces and Nephews
Honestly... They have every toy they could ever want. My oldest niece [turned 6 in October] just bought herself an iPod Touch... I don't even have an iPod Touch [or any Apple product for that matter]. That's not to say that they are spoiled [my niece used her own birthday and piggy bank money for it] but there is little else to really get them. All of them have oodles of clothes with the occasional odd bits and bobs missing [my mom usually get those]. They all have so many toys that I don't even know where they put them all. What else is there to get for kids 6 and under? I've considered trying to do some artsy craftsy things [and trying to find things on Pinterest]. I'm making my one nephew who is snowman obsessed a snowman shirt [picture of the snowman below] and he is also getting a little Figment car that I got when I was in Disney... And that's all I have for the kids so far.



Mom and Dad
Well, my mom and dad are issues of their own. They always want conventional things like slippers [on the dad's list this year] and a cardigan [the mom's]. They never want anything fun or it's always a basic staple that they would never buy for themselves.

With my dad, it wouldn't matter if I bought him something on his list or gave him something he'd probably use. Because it will take him about 4 years to use it. My younger brother and I went to Spain for a trip. We had no clue what to get him. So we thought "Hey, he wears hats a lot. Let's get him a hat." So we got him this cap that says "Super Torro" on it... He started wearing it this year... that's 4 years ago. The same goes for any clothes we buy him [he wears the same ratty crap]. This year, I went on the suggestion from my mom to buy him a water jug. His work can be labor intensive and he needs to be drinking lots of water. Of course, it doesn't have the same spout as the one he has but... We'll see if he uses it.

My mom... She doesn't buy things she wants. Hence, why she hasn't bought herself a cardigan, something I would consider a staple in my wardrobe. She doesn't use make-up and rarely ever dresses up. She isn't interested in jewelry and is super picky when it comes to purses. Her gift happens to be a fluke that she even tried this. As you may know, I get a Birchbox every month and this month's included the Borghese active mud for face and body. We tried it out together and she seemed to really like it. So with my 20% off on Birchbox, I bought the 7oz version. And then I saw on Beauty.com, they had a cute little Borghese set for $20 [I think I got 20% off that too].

Grandmothers
Ok, to differentiate them, I will give you the names I call them. For my mother's mother, I call her Tutu [it's Hawaiian and no, I'm not Hawaiian]. For my father's mother, I call her grandma.

Actually, for the last few years, it has been pretty easy to get for my Tutu. She keeps up-ing her technology field by getting something big for herself each year. One year she got a Wii and another year she got a Kindle. This year, the big buy was an iPad. I could get her an iTunes gift card [she loves music] or something related to it. For her birthday [which is tomorrow], we got her a nice iPad stand/cover. Maybe I can get her some decent speakers or something. She mainly wants to use it for Skyping.

As for my grandma... I never know what to get her. She doesn't leave her house much except to go to church. She is very dependent upon my aunts and maybe my cousins for transportation anywhere. My mom pretty much sticks with getting her the same gift every year, green tomato chow [or relish if she can't find the chow] and a book. Usually my younger brother and I will just sign our names on the card and that's it.

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Not only all of that but I really do need to stick to a budget. Money is definitely tighter now that I have to actually start paying back my school loans... And while they aren't ominous now, they will be if I either can't get a better paying job or I can't move out of my parents house. But those are woes for another post.

Also, expect another Julep box post coming soon! Got my December box and let me just say: love it!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Julep Mini-Additions

I'm going to work on using some word other than haul... Cause I feel like it really isn't an appropriate word for when I get stuff... It's just so kind of weird...


Anyway... As I mentioned in a previous post, I got $15 credit for a friend join the Julep Maven program through my code. And I finally got around to using my code and in a thrifty way.

I love watching beauty youtube videos and I found this one youtuber, GlamTrotter [aka Amber] who had a code for $15 off $30 code**. Now I just needed to get my total to $30 and I'd be good to go.

I ended up with 2 products from Julep.

Sienna
... LOVE IT! I had heard some great things about this particular color from a few different bloggers and youtubers. At first, I was kind of nervous about getting this color. I mean, gold? It's not really me most of the time and I don't want to look cheap. But then I saw it on Nail Files tumblr and thought it was amazing! So I just went for it and I'm way happy I did. I'm currently wearing Sienna on my index fingers and Trina on all the others. I've also tried Olivia on all my fingers with Sienna on top of my middle fingers, which looked amazing. I'll definitely be trying that one again because it's perfect for fall.

Julep Nail Therapy
I'm always looking for ways to make my nails stronger. Mine are kind of pathetic and basically are blah whenever I'm not wearing a nail polish. I haven't gotten to try it yet but will probably use it the next time I change my nail polish. Hopefully it will help with the chipping and overall blah-ness of my nails sans polish.

And that's kind of it. Dunno if I'm going to get next month's box because I'm kind of tight on month for the holidays plus student loans are showing their ugly heads... Yeah. Definitely not excited about that... But I'm so glad the program lets you put it on hold if you want! Kind of a super bonus in my book.


** The code was MARYROSE. I don't know when the code is going to end or anything. I found it in the description bar of Amber's Youtube videos for Julep.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Birchbox November 2011

Got my birchbox almost a week ago and I just haven't had the time and energy to make a post till now.

This month's theme is "Getting Gifty." Basically, the box is all about things that could be a great gift for someone else, whether it be something you gift or an idea for something to gift.

LaROCCA Skincare Champagne and Shimmer Supreme Creme
Shea butter and olive oil join forces to leave skin firm, supple, and ready to set off your favorite party dress

This will probably be the least used product out of this month's Birchbox. I'm not really interested in shimmery lotion on anything. It's more of a club or nice party kind of lotion... And I don't go to either of those. And while it doesn't smell bad, it doesn't smell amazing. It has a strong perfume so if I were to use it, it would probably be on my décolletage. What I will say is that this is a surprisingly hydrating. My skin does feel soft. Maybe if I think it's hydrating enough, I'll use it on rough parts like my elbows and feet.



Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue
Warm notes of vanilla, oak wood, and amber anchor this autumn-ready perfume

I rarely ever really like a perfume or anything more expensive then body spray from bath and body works. But I really really really like this stuff. It smells amazing! But that's probably because it smells like a musky vanilla. Definitely my favorite scent right now. Fabulous for fall/winter I think. Honestly, I wish I went out more or had more excuses to wear perfume.

BOURGHESE Fango Active Mud
I've never used a mud mask before. I did use the Clark's Botanicals Intense Radiance Mask that came in a previous Birchbox and I loved it. But I feel like that mask and this mask are two completely different things. They target different things on the face. Clark's is like a midweek pick-me-up kind of mask. It's great for reducing redness and just makes you feel good.... BORGHESE is all about the complete purge. It's a great way to start off the week. I feel like it gets the grime of the previous week off without completely drying out my skin. I used it tonight [after washing my face not once but twice] and I felt like it actually re-hydrated my skin. It did get a little tight on my face but completely worth the feeling since it's only on for 2-5 minutes. My mom tried it too and seemed to like it... Christmas anyone? [I noticed this is in a local beauty store so it would definitely be easy to get]

Zoya Nail Polish in Izzy
The perfect party polish, this bold pink shade from Zoya's holiday 2011 collection has a touch of look-at-me sparkle
I have been obsessed with nail polish lately, if you haven't figured it out [mini-Julep haul after the Birchbox overview btw]. So I was really excited when I caught a glimpse of the Birchbox youtube video about what was potentially coming in the November boxes and saw the Zoya nail polish. And while it isn't my favorite from the pictures, that doesn't mean I don't like it. I got the opaque pink color and it looks like it is going to be a nice shade. I haven't actually put it on yet but the shade is certainly bold. Thinking it will go great with Sienna [talk about more in the Julep part] polish for New Years.

Two Paper Dolls Ampersand Coasters
Our favorite letterpress studio adds a hip, playful touch to everything they do, from notecards to coasters
Yet another strange Birchbox gift that I probably will not use. This was the treat that came with this month's Birchbox... I may give it to my sister-in-law for Christmas though I don't know what good 2 coasters are. I have the ones like the upper left-hand corner one [letters and numbers and such].

PRIZE UNLOCKED! BaubleBar Black Wood Pop Bracelet
Thank you for referring friends, giving feedback, or buying products in our shop. Your reward: some in-box bling [a sweet BaubleBar bracelet] and, of course, your hard earned Birchbox Points
Apparently I was one of the 10,000 who got enough Birchbox points during a certain period of time and got this super awesome bonus gift... And despite the fact that Justin Bieber seems to have made this famous, I really do like it. It's really cute and I'm so happy to have it.  And no offence, it's a bit more sturdy than the Birchbox 1 year anniversary bracelet.

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Another note, is that I've got a Pinterest account and I love this site. It does require an invite, so if you want one, leave me a comment. If you're already on, link to my boards is on the left.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Instead...

So I've started a post on my November Birchbox... and got distracted... And wandered to other things on the internet.

This was one of those things...

Vampire babies... Really? This is what is trending on Yahoo! right this moment.

And that picture of the child? Scary. Just.... scary.

I don't understand what is wrong with society. -headdesk-

That's all...

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Julep Maven November 2011

I love that I get my Julep Maven Sneak Peak box so soon. It's amazing because it comes all the way from across the country by USPS and I get it in like... 2-3 days. Where as my Amazon 2 day free shipping sometimes takes 3-4 days. Instead of getting the Boho Glam box this month, I opted for a shelf pull which gives you the option of picking any of the other themed boxes or there is a box of the month kind of deal. I chose this box of the month, which was entitled Polish Lovers or something like that. So instead of getting one polish, a lip gloss and a little make-up bag, I opted for 3 cute nail polishes instead [total value of $42].

I managed to find a picture of the nail polishes together. Picture came from the Trace Face Philes. This blog is much more nail polish-centric and I'll definitely be checking it out [and probably following] for future nail polish picks.

(From L-R) Diane, Michelle, Trina


These are holiday colors and probably won't be released for a little while. The quotes are directly from the cute little card that came with it.
Diane: Embrace the season with this rich forest green
From looking at the bottle, Diane comes off as a dark green with a hint of olive-ish hue. When you actually take the nail polish brush, it looks definitely brighter than looking through the bottle. This is the only nail polish out of the three that required 2 coats to really get the affect. On my nails, it's lovely evergreen color. It will be perfect for Christmas time, especially mixed in with a great red.

Michelle: Indulge in sophisticated midnight blue year-round
This really is a deep, dark blue. Midnight is definitely the perfect description of this color. I'm not big on using blue on my finger nails but if I was going to use one, this would be it. I'm very into deep, rich colors for the fall/winter season and this is as deep and rich as you can get with a blue without getting too black-ish.

Trina:  Make a statement with shimmery deep aubergine
There are no words to describe how much I love this color. I just recently bought Side-Saddle by China Glaze which I loved but Trina puts it to shame. It's almost a jewel-toned purple but not nearly as sparkly. It's a bit brighter than Diane and Michelle but would be the perfect holiday color that isn't specifically any holiday color [I.E. red and green, blue and gold, etc.].

I also got 3 little samples [like last month's] of hand cream, hand scrub and a hand brightener. So I'm happy I changed to the Polish Lover's Option because these are some amazing colors.

Also, for those of you still wondering, you cannot use your referral credits towards the Julep Maven program. Right now, I'm between nail polish or the hand scrub... -sigh-

Also, work on my NaNoWriMo story. Haven't gotten far yet but... Day 1. And I joined HauteLook. Right now, no intention of buying anything though [even though they have an awesome Laura Gellar sale...]

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Who doesn't like free stuff? Among other things

I'm kind of a junkie for free stuff. I'm not ashamed to admit [which includes in person]. I'm a mooch. If it's free, why not? Of course, that doesn't mean I get every freebie out there but I've gotten my fair share... Particularly in these last few months where I am looking for full-time work and have loans coming up.

I'm currently subscribed to Couponing to Disney through e-mail and on Facebook. The woman who does this started learning all the money saving tricks to put into her Disney fund each year. And she doesn't seem like those crazy couponing people on the shows, which is nice. I'll rant about those people at another point in time. But there is a nice balance of stuff on her site. I mostly use it for the freebies. It's how I got a free beauty sample box from Target [maybe I'll post about it at some point].  The reason I'm really writing about this is because I want to blog about something specific. I've considered something along the lines of finding free products on the web. Or my exploration of beauty products or something. I noticed on this blog, I'm kind of scattered and whatever with my posts.

I do have another blog which is a little more focused but I haven't really been writing on it that much [Dae Watches Things for those who are curious]. I'm currently working on a post for Once Upon a Time but I need to re-watch it maybe 2 more times before I can finish the post.

Which kind of goes into why I'm going to try NaNoWriMo [National Novel Writing Month]. While I don't know if it will really get me to focus, I'm hoping to accomplish something in the end. So I should probably work on an outline for that.... And I actually considered going to an event for it held not too far from my house... Maybe being social would help...

Special note on the Julep Maven front: Got the shelf pull e-mail. Basically, they give you the selection of the other Maven quiz options [Classic With A Twist, Bombshell, etc.] and a monthly special. This month's special is Polish Lover Option, which is what I chose. All the Quiz options included the cute cosmetic bag and the lipgloss. And again, while the bag is cute, I don't want or need lipgloss. But I'm excited for 3 new nail polish colors! While I already know which colors they are, I'll tell you when I get them.

I also haven't heard back about my inquiry towards using credit towards my monthly Julep Maven subscription.  Most likely the answer will be no [I know that is the case with Birchbox]. Either way, I can get a nail polish out of it or use it towards some of the hand scrub I have come to love.

[/scatterbrain post]

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Julep Maven - Shelf Pull

I know, I know! I've been writing a lot about Julep Maven. But it's hard to write much about anything happening in my life. Most of it's part-time job related. Which that is totally and completely bonkers. I'm so tired of it all right now that thinking about it makes me depressed.

Anyway... I got my notice about my Julep Maven sneak peak box e-mail. Which tells me what I'm going to get in my next box. This month's Boho Glam contained 3 things:

Designer Julep Make-up Bag
With custom charm and high fashion exposed metal zipper, this ultra chic quilted bag is large enough to hold all your cosmetic essentials yet compact enough to fit in most any handbag
Selena nail polish
Show your light touch with delicate, creamy yellow-green
Extravagant lip gloss
This instant pout plumper will moisturize, shine, and give you fuller, sexier lips too. The slight tingling sensation lets you know it's working.

And this time, I've opted to do a shelf pull for this month. This is mostly because the only thing I really like it the make-up bag, which I don't really need. This nail polish color doesn't really appeal to me. Maybe if it was more yellow than yellow-green, I'd be a little more excited. Of course, it's probably more of a fall color. Also, I have no interest in lip glosses. I have one from this month's birchbox which will probably last me until well into next year. I hardly use lip glosses and they usually feel sticky and gross on my lips.

This is the e-mail was sent to me about my shelf pull:


Dear -------,
Thank you for contacting us.  We have received your new shelf pull request, and a Maven team member will be contacting you within the next business day.
Shine On!
The Julep Team

I sent the shelf pull request yesterday. So that isn't too slow. I'll update when I get a response to my shelf pull request.


I also sent them an inquiry about the program. I received some credit from the referral program and asked if there is anyway to apply that to my Julep Maven subscription. Eventually, I'll probably ask about changing payment method too. There is currently no way for me to change my payment method through the site [say I want to change which card is being charged, ect...]. 


P.S. I'm really excited for Once Upon A Time tomorrow night. Dae will definitely be posting about that.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Julep Maven Sept [?] 2011

Yay! I got my first Julep box the other day! And I would have tried it all out before and posted about this earlier but that night, I got home around midnight and had to be up early the next morning. Of course, I had to at least open it up the night I got it. And I got everything I mentioned in the last post but just to recap:

Oliva
This is the color I put on my nails first because I didn't know if I would like this color. Brown isn't really a color I think of when I think of nails but I like it enough. I currently have 2 coats on my nails and it comes out to be a really dark brown. Maybe almost black depending upon the light. If you can get one coat on evenly, it comes out to be more of a chocolate-y brown.

Miranda
I have yet to try this particular color but I can compare the appearance in the picture versus real life. This picture seems to be a bit lighter than what I'm actually seeing. And I'd say the actual product has a tinge more green to it than is seen in the picture. Either way, it looks like it is going to be beautiful and I can't wait to try it!

The nail polish itself is really nice. The two coats they recommend really does the trick! Like I said, one even coat would probably look amazing. The one thing I do think should be noted is that this particular nail polish brand is a little more runny than some of the other brands I've tried [Brucci, OPI, China Glaze]. So you want to be careful when applying! I know I dripped some on my hands and pants while I was doing my nails [also note I was sitting cross legged on my bed without any sort of napkin or towel under my hands]. So I'd recommend using this when you have a bit more time and at a table with a towel or paper towel underneath.

Also, with this package I got a few other things.
Julep Facial For Hands
Glycolic Hand Scrub
I've only used this once so far but it seems nice. I don't usually think to use a scrub on my hands but I probably should. During the winter months, my hands tend to get a little dry because my current job has me putting my hands in water a lot. I don't know if it is really gentle enough to use every time you wash your hands, like is recommended, once a day should be good enough for me.

Julep Essential Cutical Oil
Again, another product I haven't had much of a chance to use yet. I just put some on and honestly, it smells amazing. It's got a lemon-y citrus scent that is just awesome. It's not over-powering or anything. I'm hoping this will be as amazing as it seems because I do have somewhat rough cuticles. While it is an oil, it doesn't feel incredibly oily or blah on my nails. I don't know if I like the roller part but that's something minor that I could easily handle using every time.

Just so you know, ALL of the products mentioned so far in this post have been FULL SIZED PRODUCTS. So I got all of this for just $5... And I'm definitely feeling like I just got an awesome deal. To sweeten the pot a little more, they also sent two samples. 1 is of the glycolic hand scrub that I got in a full size. The other is a hand cream. They'll be perfect for putting in my purse to use when I'm out on the go. Considering the normal going prices for which Julep is selling these products, it really is an amazing deal.

For anyone interested in joining, here are some of the codes for Julep Maven:
First5 or FB - For first time subscribers, $5 for your first month [Regular price is $19.99].
TWITTER or GET10 or smh9oxu - You can get $10 off a month.


I also have a link in the side bar on the right where I can get credit if you wish to sign up through me. For each person you refer, you get $15 credit. Feel free to use my code or not. It's labeled Julep Referral Code. <- Or click there if you're too lazy to go up.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

October 2011 Birchbox

I can tell you one thing right now. I love living within reasonable driving distance from NYC. Not because I go there but because that is where Birchbox  HQ is. Which means I get my box super early! And I meant to post a blog post about September's box but just never got around to it.

Anyway, October's box is all about transitioning into the fall season and help with prepping yourself from start to finish... And while I don't know if I feel like it is an appropriate theme for this box, I do like most of what I've gotten. I'll just go through the items [give you the birchbox description and a birchbox item link] and kind of tell you what I think of them so far.


amika - Obliphica Hair Treatment
This versatile hair oil can be used on damp or dry hair, and adds manageability, softness, and shine. Bonus: It smells gorgous
Basically, this is for people who may either style their hair more often with heating products like hair dryers and straighteners. I don't own a straightening iron and I only blow dry my hair maybe twice a month? But I decided to just try it on my hair anyway. And it was nice. Personally, I don't have unbelievably, uncontrollable hair... Ever. So while this product does give my hair a little bit of nice and shiny without too much greasy, it isn't amazing for me. Again, it's going to take me trying when I'm blow drying my hair to really get a good feel for this product.

Also, it would have been nice to have a slightly different bottle. Like one with a dropper function. You just kind of very carefully pour it into your hands, rub you hands together and then spread it evenly through your hair.

Am I going to buy it?: Most likely not
Would I recommend it?: After a few blow dry try-outs


Anastasia Beverly Hills - HydrFull Gloss in Bellini
This plush gloss plumps and hydrates lips and adds a pretty peachy sheen
While I do like chapsticks and similar products, I'm always leery of lip glosses. I have finicky lips that doesn't really take lip gloss all that well. While this doesn't feel as sticky as previous lip glosses, I don't know if I really like it. I also don't know if I really feel the affects it says it has. I don't really get the fuller feel the box says. I do kind of feel the hydrating factor but nothing blows my mind.

The sample is 0.03 fl. ozs and has a little paddle for an applicator. The paddle is a little awkward since I've never used this kind of applicator before but nothing drastic.


Am I going to buy it?: No
Would I recommend it?: If you're a lip gloss person, then yes.


Clark's Botanicals - Intense Radiance Mask
The solution to dull, congested skin. This white clay mask detoxifies pores, conquers blemishes, and even calms irritations. It's glow time.
I always try to be open about the products I'm going to be getting in a Birchbox. And I think this is the most interesting thing I've gotten out of my 2 boxes so far. For my skin, it actually does do some of the things it suggests. My skin definitely looks a little brighter and smoother. And tonight, it also helped call some zit inflammation on my face, which is awesome! Though I don't get a "detoxifying" pore feeling. I have rather large pores on my nose and I always hope that some sort of product will clean them out and make them appear smaller. This doesn't really do that.

The sample may appear to be small but I think it should be enough to get a few uses out of it. Which is what you really need when it comes to something like a face mask. It is a little time consuming with the recommended 25-30 minute wait time but you can easily do other things while you're waiting.

What's also nice is that it doesn't dry out my skin or make it feel super tight. My skin feels smoother and not so dry after using this product


Am I going to buy it?: Most likely not. It's a pricey item at $72 for 1.7 ounces
Would I recommend it?: Depends on what you want it to do. Need a moisturizing mask? Yes. Something to tame zit redness? Yes.

Laura Geller - Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer in Bronze
This hydrating primer gives you a flawless foundation for makeup - plus a subtle glow. It works on all skin tones - we tested it!
There are no words to express how excited I was to see this product... Well, more like a Laura Geller product. I have heard many good things about what the Laura Geller line has to offer and while this isn't the particular product I had in mind, I thought it would be a good introduction. And I'm so glad to have it.

For the past few days, I've been trekking to the city for long hours. And this stuff is pretty freaking awesome. While it says it comes in bronze, it really means that it is a very very light bronze. It isn't too noticeable on my face and I'm pretty pasty. I'm fine with that because it is so light-weight. I can barely tell it is on. It doesn't feel dry like my L'oreal Paris Magic Perfecting base [Fun/unfortunate fact for me: the Laura Geller sample size = regular L'oreal Paris Magic Perfecting base size]. And while I probably shouldn't use it this way, I've also been using it as an eyelid primer. It holds up my eye shadow makeup amazingly well. Seriously, there are no words to describe how much I love this product.


Am I going to buy it?: As soon as I'm done the L'oreal Paris Magic Perfecting base... Or maybe before then. It's actually not a bad price when compared to the perfecting base [original price was $10.99 for 0.5 ounces at a Target store, but I had a $2 off coupon]
Would I recommend it?: YES!


The Laundress - Wool & Cashmere Shampoo
This fall, treat your sweaters as well as your treat your tresses with this exceedingly elegant detergent
Err... Yeah, I don't know if I'll use this at all. I can't really give a review on it though. It's a one use packet that was the "extra" in my birchbox this month. Considering I don't really own much wool or any cashmere, I may just use this on my regular clothes. Maybe I'll make sure I have my nicer shirts in there... But honestly, not interested in this at all.


Am I going to buy it?: Nope
Would I recommend it?: I couldn't give a recommendation at this time.



And that's all she wrote. At some point, I'll add my own pictures to give you an idea of what everything really looks like. Maybe get some sizing ideas for you all.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Follow up on Julep Maven

This is kind of a follow up post to my Julep Maven post.

Remember how I mentioned the referral program? So someone clicked my referral link [and I'm sure it was my friend who knows who she is] and this was the e-mail I got:


Dear [insert name],
julep has bought a Gift Voucher for you which you can use on Julep.com! They left you a personal message with this gift:Thank you for sharing Julep with your girlfriends! Please enjoy this gift voucher online at julep.com.Please visit our online shop at: http://www.julep.com
The value of your gift voucher is $15.00. To redeem your gift voucher you must enter the following code when checking out: [insert code].
Thank you!




See, no personal information sent to me about you. But sometimes it is nice to confirm these things.

You get a $15 voucher for one referral. It's nice because if I have this figured out correctly, I can essentially get another nail polish for free. Supposedly Julep Mavens get free shipping and it looks like it applies to all purchases. Their nail polishes in general run about $14.

I don't know if this code expires or any information like that. I'll probably use it soon. I just need to pick a color....

Also, another link to my referral code [though I'd recommend reading the post below to get the full deets on the program]: CODE <-- but not the bad kind like in a hospital.

Also, something else I realized I didn't note/look up the first time around. These sneak peak boxes don't get shipped until the 28th of the month and can take anywhere between 7-10 days to get to you.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Julep Maven and no HP C&C

So, obviously, I never really accomplished my HP goal. I've been crazy busy between all my jobs. And reading just hasn't been on the top of my list... And I may be addicted to Sims on facebook but that's a story for another day.

Today's story is about how I'm kind of a sucker for a good deal. Like seriously, I shouldn't be allowed to shop online.

I just happened to be watching missglamorazzi's latest beauty video [her September favorites if you're really curious] and what do I see to the side? An advertisement for a site called Julep and a new program called Julep Maven. Normally I can ignore these ads but this one caught my eye. Mostly because it said $5 for the first time buy. And it featured the one type of beauty product I'm kind of obsessed with right now: nail polish.

And curiosity got the best of me. So I clicked the link and was taken to the Julep website. Specifically the Julep Maven section. The company is focused on mani/pedi products like nail polish and lotions and scrub. But I didn't really tell you much about what you would be getting. So I decided to take the style quiz.

Basically you go through a bunch of fashion-esque questions and can end up with 5 different results: American Beauty, Classic with a Twist, Boho Glam [which is what I got], "It Girl," and Bombshell. And from there they give you a little description of that particular category. They also link you to your monthly membership type and that's where you actually get an idea of what you'll be getting. This is how Julep described their membership:

 As a Julep Maven, your monthly membership will give you access to the hottest trends in nail color and the latest Mani Care and Pedi Care products- delivered right to your doorstep, just like the Beauty Editors.  Andyou'll have access to these trends and products before anyone else! 
For this month this is what I'll get with Boho Glam:


  • Fall rich and dark chocolate truffle, Olivia *
  • A modern seafoam, Miranda
  • A cult-favorite nail prep product, customized to your own 'nail health' profile
* This color has not been released yet and every month you will get a nail polish color that is going to be released in the future.
** This is a bonus for signing up this month. This may change as the program builds.

As far as I know, these are full size products. BUT YOU NEED TO KEEP READING THIS! Because for Julep, a full size nail polish is actually 0.27 ounces while most other nail polishes are 0.5 ounces. Either way, they get people to pay $14 for their nail polishes per bottle. That's a lot of money for almost half of what you'd normally get for some of the mid-range nail polishes [I'm thinking OPI mostly here]. So just the 2 nail polishes alone would cost about $28 [not even including shipping]. And if you check out the hand scrub that comes with this, it is normally $32. So this entire package is over $60 worth of product [though $40 over the cost is what is guaranteed]. This isn't including the nail prep because I don't know which one it is going to be.

That's kind of crazy good for just $5. And now you're probably wondering "Wait, what about shipping?" And I'm going to reply "Shipping is free for Julep Mavens!" Oh snap! And in case you are wondering, the regular price for Julep Maven subscription is $19.99.

For those who are just skimming this post, here is a nice list of all benefits that you get with being a Julep Maven:



  • You receive over $40 worth of trendsetting polish colors and cutting-edge treatment products each month customized in a gift-able Sneak Peek Box
  • Each Sneak Peek Box features new, never before released colors and treatments FIRST to you, before anyone else
  • Your box also includes hits and cult favorites - the products we like to keep on the top of editors' minds

  • 20% off all julep.com purchases
  • FREE shipping on ALL your purchases
  • Each box also comes with a surprise and delight element- something to look forward to!
  • Receive additional membership perks throughout the year

Also, something I like about this particular program is that you don't have to opt in every single month. Julep will send you an e-mail about what you should be getting in the next month's package and if you go on before the 25th of the month you have several options:

  • Shelf pull is where if you don't like the products they've offered you, you can kind of trade in. They'll send you another e-mail with your options. Again, must be done before the 25th.
  • Send it to someone else! You can send that month's selection to a friend!
  • Skip! You can skip a month, no questions ask [well maybe questions asked in a survey or something who knows]. They want you to not feel obligated or committed to doing this every month. And some month's can be tougher than others. But I don't have to totally cancel my subscription to skip.


By the way, in case you're curious, the code for that I used for this is: First5
I'm pretty sure that this is a code only good for first time mavens. And it is only for the first month.

If you already have signed up for Julep Maven there is another code I can give you.
Another promotional code I've seen on youtube is for $10 off: Get10


Other Codes [I can't verify if these will work or not but these are some other codes I've see on other blogs, not advertisements]:
TWITTER : Half off
smh9oxu : Half off


So if I've convinced you that this sounds like an awesome deal, feel free to use my referral link or go on the website yourself and try it out. I will tell you now, the referral link will get me $15 credit with their referral program. As far as I know, I won't receive any information about you personally, but I won't be offended if you decide to go through the website. Can't blame a girl for trying though. ;D

Referral link!

Ok, I think I'm done with this post. That's a crazy lot... But thanks for reading/skimming it! I'll post more when I get my first Boho Glam sneak peak box!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Err....

So I'll admit I haven't been reading HP and doing comments and commentary... I have I think up to chapter 6 done. I just find motivation to be hard, even though I know I put a date on this project...

But this isn't about that... This is about the new Epic Rap Battle of History.

And oh. my.
NicePeter as Mister Rogers = Awesomeness!
And Destorm as Mr. T = Unbelievable!
Theepiclloyd as everyone else = Priceless!
Watch it. NOW! THIS IS NOT A REQUEST BUT A DEMAND!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Randomly randomness

I have been slowly working on my HP comments and commentary... I'm a few pages into chapter 6. But I have reasoning as to why I haven't been working towards my goal...

I FINALLY GOT INTO POTTERMORE! I was all kinds of psyched and may have... completed the first part in 3 or so hours... But I'm not really going to spoil any of Pottermore for the rest of you. I'll just say some is good and some could be better.

Also, I'm on le tumblr. And I've been doing some things on there. I've gotten into the habit of asking random questions lately that are open for anyone to answer. My most recent question is about The Hunger Games v.s. Battle Royale... Mostly because EW compared the two and while they are similar, the level of violence and graphic-ness didn't appear to be even close to the same to me [though I have only read one manga of Battle Royale and have not read The Hunger Games].

So.... I'm going to get back to Pottermore right now... I'll work on more comments and commentary tomorrow.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Comments and Commentary: HP and the Sorcerer's Stone Ch. 2

And so I continue. As of today, I've gotten through 3 chapters of HP & the SS. And I've decided I'd rather have each chapter be a separate post. It's just easier. I'll also be doing lots of labels/tags.

Chapter 2: The Vanishing Cabinet Glass [yeah, I wrote cabinet in my notes but it's really glass... the cabinet doesn't come till later ;D ]

  • I bet Mr. and Mrs. Dursley would divorce if Dudley died...
  • Oh neglected boy who lived
  • Yucky spiders >.<
  • And his fastness is useful for quite a few reasons
  • He's small and skinny because of neglect.... partially
  • The hair is a Potter trait for sure
  • Uh, by age 10-11, isn't the ability to do basic math like adding expected?
  • I knew there was something up with you, Mrs. Figg... From the start...
  • Seriously, fake crying is the worst thing to listen to... it's just so obnoxious and screamy
  • Rat boy! Rat boy!
  • Zoos are so much fun, Harry!
  • We have a space under the stairs but I wouldn't call it a cupboard
  • Don't you think you would notice all of your hair growing back super quick? Especially if you lost a lot of sleep?
  • The wind caught him mid-jump...? Kinda crazy...
  • Let's just say I wouldn't want to get in a car with Uncle Vernon behind the wheel
  • The Dursleys are screwed if Muggles were to invent a flying motorcycle
  • Sunny days in England? What, what?
    • Just noticed that unless you're in the know, you may not have known that HP is set in the UK
  • WHO GETS BORED WITH ANIMALS?!
  • Memo to self: look up knickerbocker glory, then recreate
  • Aren't there usually "do not touch/tap the glass" signs at zoos
  • Snakes > Dursleys
  • Kodak moment: Harry talks and bonds with snake! [insert random Polaroid drawing of Harry and snake]
  • SEE! SNAKES ARE SMART!
  • Escape little big snake! Escape!
  • Well, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen
  • Because alcohol has always been a problem solver
  • Oh Harry, they are strange strangers indeed... Stranger danger!
  • Wait, so these people are apparating in public?! Statues of Secrecy!!!!
-----

And the end of chapter 2! Also, my hand is kind of cramping from the writing...

Comments and Commentary: HP and the Sorcerer's Stone Ch. 1

And so my comments and commentary begins. These updates will be sporadic because I don't type my comments and commentary, I hand write them. Thus, it will take me a little longer to get all my thoughts down. These will be broken down according to chapter. I'll also be keeping track of certain things. Right now, I'm going to be keeping track of how many times the word "scar" is used and also how many times the phrase "your mother's eyes" appears. Oh, and I'm also making a timeline! A strictly, you figure it out by the books time line.

If I really feel up to it, I may show you pictures of some of the doodles I do while I'm reading... And probably in the next update, I'll show you how loved my copy of S.S. is... 

Also, my style is bullet. Honestly, it may be best to either know the Harry Potter books really well or have the audio recording going on in the background...

Chapter 1: The Boy Who Lived
  • I wonder if Grunnings is a real firm that sells drills
  • I'm curious as to how long Mrs. Dursley and Mrs. Potter haven't seen each other. I mean, Lily is 21 and Petunia is 23-24. And there must have been some means of communication between the two because Petunia and Vernon know about Harry. But Mr. and Mrs Evans must be dead at this point. And if they were the go-between for the two sisters, that means they must have died sometime in the last year as well...
  • I can't imagine Uncle Vernon having any ties that are remotely more interesting than any of the other ties.
  • Is this a relatively small town? Because I see people dressed strangely in a lot of random places in my small town... And shouldn't the cloaks be kind of a clue
  • Hope those shouting phone calls weren't to clients...
  • No, instead of having a strange sister, he has a bitch of a sister instead
  • That little old man has such a disregard for the Statues of Secrecy [regardless of the reason]
  • Oh strange cats lurking on corners
  • Her crowd... I guess to muggles, witches and wizards are like foreigners
  • Cause Dumbledore is a ninja like that
  • I didn't realize that Privet Drive was a communist faction
  • disregarding stiffness, you'd think that Dumbledore would have seen McGonagall in her animagus form by now...
  • How do you pass feasts and parties when you apparate? Unless the travel portion is similar to Floo powder
  • Our first mentioning of Daedalus Diggle! [I think he's only mentioned maybe 2-4 more times in the series]
  • Mmmmm, now I want a lemon drop... or candy
  • Oh the secrecy that is behind You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named... But I can see why Dumbledore would get confused...
  • Damn straight, Voldy Lord Voldemort should be scared of Dumbledore [who is in denial of his own power for reasons that will not be revealed... until 6 books from now]
  • In the case of Dumbledore, he can guess with very high accuracy
  • I adore Hagrid but he really is a bi-polar man when it comes to keeping secrets. I don't blame Dr. McG McGonagall for being skeptical.
  • Dumbledore can explain everything in a letter. Even his own life.
  • Baby dolphins? What a strange comparision to feet
  • SIRIUS! <3 Though I'm surprised that Dumbledore doesn't react to the information that Sirius was at the Potter's house
  • I still wonder about the mysterious October 31st-November 1st time gap...
  • And did Harry stay in Hagrid's mystery coat during the flying motorcycle journey?
  • *attempts to draw lighting bolts*
  • Strange things happen in those kids of scars...
  • The child they used in the movie looked a little too young to be a one year old... I mean, at that points kids can crawl and even walk!
  • Of course, McGonagall is worried about muggles and not about waking Harry...
  • Does Hagrid put the bike in storage or something? O.o
  • This whole leaving a child in a bundle of blankets on a door step seems a little cliche now that I'm thinking about it.
----

Chapter 2 will be posted soon!