Julep Valentines Mystery Box!

Julep is a U.S based nail polish sub/club, with subscribers being "Mavens". Each month depending on your Maven type they show you what you would receive if you order that month, if you do not have any interest then you have the option to skip.  You earn "jules" for each purchase and as a Maven you get a discount on all purchases along with access to a "Secret Store". Every so often the offer Mystery Boxes to Mavens and Non-subscribers.

I had participated in Juleps NYE Mystery Bag back in December, but not really being polish girl, I didn't post about the experince. This time when the Mystery Box was announced I also received an offer to become a maven for $0.00 and since Julep has the option to skip and my growing interest in polish I signed up for the Maven Program and got a Mystery Box :)

The intro boxes for each Maven type are always the same. I chose American Beauty as the polishes in that box where unlike anything I have currently.

I recieved:

Lynn -its a pinkie nude color, that I am looking forward to using on my finger nails as I tend to like more neutral colors on my hands amd save the crazy for my toes.

Stefani- a gun metal grey with flecks of sparkle.  This color is one I want to experiment with, I really would like to give it a try on my fingers with a matte top coat.

Julep Cuticle Oil -I have used this a few times and it seems to have helped my currently ragged cuticles.

Not very exciting, I know, but once I start experimenting I think these polish posts will get more interesting.

I skipped March's offerings, as I now have a ton of polish I haven't had a chance to use yet.

The Valentine's Mystery Box,  most everyone gets something a little different in their boxes.  Some boxes have a value of up to $500 retail and others are worth $50. I got a small box again this time. 

Glenn -a deep red metallic looking polish, not really a fan it makes me think old lady.

Maria - a lilac coloured metallic,  I think this will be a great summer color.

Dakota -this one looks to me to be sort of an adobe brick metallic - on the fence

Gloria - this one seems like a halloween orange to me,  but its the only one that doesn't have a metallic sheen to it.  I think this will be a fun summer color.

I received a Julep Lip Gloss in Coral as well, but I haven't had the chance to test it out. I guess coral is one of the new colors this year as I keep getting it in beauty boxes.

I also recieved a code for a free polish, but I am hoping that I can use it for either a Top Coat, Quick Dry Drops or their new Oxygen Treatment.

Have you tried Julep ? What is your Maven profile?

Glossybox February 2013

This months Glossybox is a hit for me I think, after the last several months of disapointment (expired products, products from other countries, and products from 2005) I was really happy to open this months box.

Contents:

Givenchy Gloss - Coral Frenzy (6ml -$30, this gb pricing)
This item was supposed to only go to Glossy Subscribers with a high amount of Glossydots.... but I ended up with one anyways, not complaining, just mentioning.

This gloss is a nice color, doesn't have a funky taste and doesn't go on sticky.

Score: 5/5

Essence Quattro Eyeshadow -oh-so-cute (full size $3.99)

I enjoy Essence products ( you can pick them up at your local SDM, they are cheap but not bad quality) but I am not sure these shades are for me, swap box it is!

Score: 3/5 (1 point for color choice and 1 for it being a very low end brand that I was already aware of)

Biore - Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (6/$9.99)

I have heard both great and terrible things about this product, but I noticed some blackheads the other day so will be trying them later

Score: 4.5/5 (.5 point for it being a product I already knew of ) this score may change once I have a chance to test the product.

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment -(30mls $13.50)

I just recently got into hair oils (thanks Ipsy) with Argan Oil, so I am looking forward to trying this one out, as winter has done a number on my already dry hair.

This oil has a nice smell  and the packaging is cute, a spot test on my fingers felt very moisturizing and absorbed quickly.

I am planning a comparison review of this, argan and coconut oil.

Score: 5/5 of course this may change once I give it a try on my hair.

Anatomicals You need a Bloomin Shower - Rose and Jasmine Body Cleanser (150 ml $3.00

The packaging on this product is adorable, I love the bright colors. This is a good size sample and at $3 I would be interested in trying other scents, which brings me to........the scent, I am a bit unsure of this smell right out of the bottle, I does smell very much like a bouquet of roses, but I do not get even a hint of jasmine and I am not really sure that I like the smell of roses, but I am willing to give it a try to see what it smells like in the shower. Score: 4 ( 1 point for the smell) this score might change once I have a chance to test it. There were also 3 foil samples, 2 from Eucerin *who just offered the same samples in the mail to everyone, 1 from crabtree and evelyn. And of course the Glossybox cupcake wrappers. All in all I give this box a 9 outta 10.

Cross Border Shopping

I recently fell in love with a pair of sandals, I saw at my local Sportchek, but I was told they only had a size 7 and under in those particular sandals, some Google research I discovered that for some reason Sportchek only carries them up to a size 7? ....very strange.  Because I loved them so much I researched the Sandals and I could order direct from the manufacturer at a cost of $100.00, plus tax of $12 and Shipping of $7 for a grand total of $ 119.00.....EEEK, did I really love them that MUCH?

then I had an epiphany.... maybe I could find them online cheaper? well as it turns out I could!

Amazon.com (notice the .com) has them for $64.96, but with shipping taxes and duties my total would have been $97.09 to ship them direct to my house....hmmm still not a good enough deal, but that reminds me, I have a handy US Shipping depot, 10 mins away from my house just across the border, they charge me $3.50 per package for the privilege of shipping to their location, SCORE but while making that order I found these

Which at the time where on Sale for $27.50 -- They are now listed at $63.00!!!! and the manufacturer offers them for $95.00

So I ordered those as well LOL so with taxes, delivery and the receiving charge my total worked out to $107.32, STILL 11.68 cheaper than if I had ordered the 1 pair direct from the manufacturer............... I got $195.00 worth of shoes plus taxes and shipping so for a total of $225.40 and I only paid $107.32 for a savings of $118.08!!!!! Thats almost a 53% Savings!

I may never ever buy anything from a mall again :)

February 2013 Pop Sugar Must Have Box

My last post told you a little about the Must Have Box, so I will not get to much into detail about it again.  This months Theme was of course "Valentines", this box was a bit more exciting to me as I received some fabulous stuff that I would not have purchased for myself but I will definitely use.

Lots of goodies!

1. Nicolas Sparks - Safe Haven book & Bookmark, ($8.25 ca from Amazon)

This book has recently been made into a movie, which I would not have gone to see as I really do not enjoy typical "Chick Flick" type movies, but this  might be a good book to throw in my bag for a day at the beach or while my daughter plays softball . 

2. Connoisseurs Quick Jewelry Cleaner - ( I cannot find a price for the exact one we received as it appears to be a product launch and the website does not list an amount, similar items from the same company gives me an approx value of $4 U.S )

Not alot to say about this product, and I haven't tried it yet We buy a lot of Jewelry cleaner usually at the PNE, every year, but this one comes with a brush, so hey great!

3. Hanky Panky  - One Size Original Thong in Diva Blue ($20.00 U.S 

I am not a huge thong fan, but all reports are that these are very comfortable, and looking at the website, I would consider ordering other products from them, though I find the cost a bit steep for underware.

http://www.hankypanky.com/Signature-Lace-Original-Rise-Thong

4.  Brokedown Spa Wrap - In White ($84.00 U.S. WOWWIE)

This is my very favorite item in the box, and I look forward to using it while getting ready to go out, it is made out of minky (Which I LOVE) and is super soft, my only complaint is that I wish it wasn't white, as I can see wearing this while applying lotion or self tanner to avoid having to tuck and retuck my towel LOL, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that in white. 

https://www.brokedownclothing.com/buy-now/spa-wrap-white

5.  Revlon  Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - In Crush  ($8.99 U.S.  - From Ulta)

I have heard many great things about this product on the FB Beauty Groups so looking forward to adding this one to my collection of balms/stains. 

6. A Few Candy Treats, Sweethearts Conversation Harts and some Mariebelle Cacao Nibs (Lets call it $5) 

Total Value approx $130.24 U.S. ----- NICE

I really enjoyed this months box, but have cancelled it for now as I have really wanted to try out the Fancy.com's months sub, so look out for my future review!  

If you want to check out the Pop Sugar Must Have Box,  my referral link is 

http://popsu.gr/YRv 

No Pressure though ;)

January Pop Sugar Must Have

Pop Sugar Must Have - January 2013

Pop Sugar is a U.S "Lifestyle" Sub that costs $35.00 U.S, and has free shipping IF you have a U.S Postal Address.  Now this sub is one that I have been eyeing for quite sometime, other bloggers have reviewed and raved about this sub as its usually a high value box filled with awesome and useful things. Plus I got $5.00 off my first box,

If you have not heard of Pop Sugar, it is a website that reports on many different things, Celebrity gossip and news, entertainment, fashion etc. Lisa Sugar has created a empire based on Pop Culture, so the must have box is touted as a curated collection of items that are "MUST HAVES" by the founder and editors of the Pop Sugar Website.

 I live right near the border and have a very handy shipping depot approximately 10 mins from my home, that  I can use as a U.S Delivery Address I decided to give this box a shot, now before I even got my shipping notification I had already seen spoilers of this box on MUT (Make Up Talk) so I was not overly excited to get this, and then shortly after it arrived, we suffered a family emergency so I left it at the depot for almost two months, which is why this review is late and precedes the February box review.

The Box that it comes in is cute: White and pink and all the items inside are wrapped in gorgeous pink tissue paper:  Inside was

I will start off with the most disappointing items:  3 Think Thin bars, Two Dark Choclate  Pop Bars (You heat up milk and dips the bars in and stir to create "Hot Chocolate" and a container of Jet Puffed Mini Marshmallows..... I really don't think I "Dig" food items in a sub, I m a little two picky about what I eat.

The box also contained an Epicuren Enzyme Tea Tree Lip Balm with SPF ($9.95 from Amazon) - I have a ton of Lip Balms from my beauty boxes so this goes in the drawer. There was also a code for a Castegram, Iphone cover, which I didn't need, but if you want it let me know!

Next was the the two  "Big Ticket" Items

1. Stott Pilates - 65cm Stabilty Ball - (approx $38.99 US, paid for the cost of the box with a little left over)

I am happy with this product, as I would love it introduce a fitness regime into my day to day and I did not have one currently, I always wander passed them in stores and think..... I should get that!

Link to the Product

http://www.merrithew.com/shop/ProductDetail/ST06033_Stability-Ball--65cm-green

2. Pop Sugar Special Edition Remix Timebomb watch (Approx Value $49.95, hard since this was a special edition)

This a cute items, but when I first took it out of the box, I wasn't sure that it was really for me.  Luckily for me I received the basic black model (there where some pretty bright neon's being sent out), this watch also flashes neon LED colors when you press a button and quite frankly it is HUGE.  But after wearing it a few times I have to tell you it has grown on me, and since I currently do not have a watch this works

Here is a link to a similar product, mine is only missing the X from the face, also the one on their website looks to be a bit better quality (this is hard to confirm from pictures as they wouldn't post terrible pictures right?)

http://www.xwatchco.com/shop/watches/sport/black-timebomb-sport.html

All in all I got my moneys worth, but I really wasn't blown away or overly excited about the box.

I have been a bad bad blogger............

So I know I sort of slacked off in the blogging department lately, life has been a bit crazy in our household, with Captain Amazing ending up in the hospital requiring emergency surgery, and just general laziness on my part, so there have been quite a few reviews of items that got missed :(, I pledge to do better at least for a couple of months till softball season starts and I lose my free time LOL  I am glad to report that Captain Amazing is out of the hospital and doing well (Yay!!) But what we discovered is that he suffers from Diverticulitis, and what is that you may ask?

Diverticulitis is small, bulging sacs or pouches of the inner lining of the intestine (diverticulosis) that become inflamed or infected. Most often, these pouches are in the large intestine (colon).

One of these "Sacs" ended up rupturing in his colon and required emergency surgery to remove that section of his colon, and install a Colostomy Bag..... Which of course he is quite pleased about ;) he will require further surgery in 3 months to remove the colostomy, so we are plugging along and learning, what we need to change about out lifestyle and eating habits to ensure he avoids another attack.  So in honor of this and the fact that I have realized I would love to lose some weight (Especially since Cap't Amazing lost over 20 pounds during his illness) I will be adding a Foodie category to my blog! Expect lots of Yummy recipes, Pictures and of course some recipe fails  :)