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...]