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August Birchbox Review | 2015

Birchbox was the first subscription service I ever signed up for and now it’s quite possibly my favorite! I just love receiving this adorable little box every month and seeing what’s inside. Some months are better than others, but I tend to get a ton of use out of the products. And even if it’s not my favorite product, it’s usually handy enough to use for my travels! Check out my August Birchbox Review below and share what you think in the comments!

If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a $10/month subscription to monthly deliveries of beauty and skincare samples. And don’t forget… they offer boxes for both men and women! It’s truly a mini treat to yourself once a month and it’s a fabulous, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus, birchbox has an amazing rewards program. You get points for each monthly sample you review and each dollar you spend in their shop. 100 points= $10, and those points add up fast!

Check out my August Birchbox Review:

LAQA & Co. Charm School Kit
RUSK® Volumizing Mousse
Oribe Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque for Beautiful Color
dr. brandt® pores no more® cleanser
Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer

Ready to get cheeky? This LAQA & Co. Charm School Kit comes with three colors of creamy crayons that can be used for your cheeks, your lips, or even both! I received the pink, humble brag, color in my august birchbox. I tried it on both my lips and my cheeks and boy, that did not turn out well! While this crayon is just as easy to apply as doodling in my coloring books when I was little, the color is super bright, so proceed with caution! First, I tried it on my cheeks. After a lot of blending, it actually looked really pretty. On the other hand, it did not look so hot on my lips. Somehow, it feels a little waxy and was a bit chalk looking once applied. Although I will continue to use it on my cheeks, I do not suggest even trying it on your lips, unless you plan to ride around in a clown car.

If you remember from my July Birchbox Review, I tried RUSK out for the first time last month with the RUSK® Heatshift™ Re-Styling Cream. This month I received another RUSK product, the RUSK® Volumizing Mousse. I usually try to stay away from mousse since the alcohol in it’s ingredient list tends to dry hair out. But, I made an exception today to try this mousse! This rich, foamy product gave my hair texture and body without adding in crunch. I found my hair to hold it’s style much longer than usual as well. While I don’t often need my hair to be so poised and put together, this mousse will be a good go to for special nights out!

Next, I tried the Oribe Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque for Beautiful Color and I loved the whole set! My hair hasn’t looked this good in a long time. I feel like this miraculous formula somehow undid all the coloring, drying, curling, etc. that I’ve put my hair through over the years. It left my hair looking super shiny and feeling silky smooth… no to mention, it smells amazing! I think this shampoo, conditioner and masque set is definitely in the “splurge” price range for me, but it seems like it’s worth the money. Since I no longer color my hair, I don’t think I necessarily need this level of nourishment, but it would be great for someone trying to get their hair back on track! (Or someone who has a large hair budget $$!)

I’ve had a few dr. brandt products in my boxes before. I’ve even tried dr. brandt® pores no more® cleanser in the past. The main reason I like this cleanser is it was developed by an actual dermatologist. It gives me a lot of trust in this product. Not to mention it works! A little goes a long way with this lathering product. It left my skin feeling smooth, hydrated and looking refreshed! I don’t have a big issues with pores, but everyone says it helps dramatically in minimizing pores! If that’s your issue, be sure to check it out.

Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer was the final sample in my august birchbox. This moisturizer is the best face moisturizer I’ve tried in a long time. It smells amazing and is cool and refreshing when applied. It seriously rejuvenated my skin and left it immediately feeling hydrated. I tried it on one side of my face and found myself stroking that side of my face over and over! It was just so darn smooth! It will be great for my dry skin in the winter and I can’t wait to buy the full size!

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Craving more beauty finds? Check out last month’s post, July Birchbox Review, or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!

Black Fringe and Bright Tassels

I love this amazing black fringed hem maxi I snagged on sale at Nordstrom. Unfortunately, it’s sold out, but I’ve found a close alternative I’ve listed below. This is seriously a perfect summer dress. The loose shape makes it super comfy to wear and the fringe hem gives this otherwise boring dress some drama!

Going for basic? You could easily wear this fringed maxi over a swimsuit to the pool or to the beach. But it’s so versatile! You could easily dress this look up by pairing this dress with a black leather jacket, wedges and gold accessories for a night out with the girls. Or like I chose today, you can keep it casual, but spice it up with a little color and fun. I paired this simple dress with colorful, bright accessories. I went for my go-to summer pieces stacking on more fringe, tassels, beads and neon colors!

I finished the look with this bright pink lip from stila. This stila liquid lipstick stays on all day and packs huge color! If you don’t have time to do your hair or makeup, just grab this lipstick before you run out the door. It can finish any look and immediately add some polish, perfect for a hot summer day!

shop my black fringe dress look:

fringe hem dress ($40) / bright tassel clutch- similar here ($68) and here ($25) / black sandals ($59) / long turquoise necklace ($125) / neon pink earrings ($28) / bracelets- etsy and nordstrom / sunglasses ($170)

April Birchbox Review 2015

Birchbox was the first subscription service I ever signed up for and now it’s quite possibly my favorite! I just love receiving this adorable little box every month and seeing what’s inside. Some months are better than others, but I tend to get a ton of use out of the products. And even if it’s not my favorite product, it’s usually handy enough to use for my travels! Check out my April Birchbox Review below and share what you think in the comments!

If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a $10/month subscription to monthly deliveries of beauty and skincare samples. And don’t forget… they offer boxes for both men and women! It’s truly a mini treat to yourself once a month and it’s a fabulous, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus, birchbox has an amazing rewards program. You get points for each monthly sample you review and each dollar you spend in their shop. 100 points= $10, and those points add up fast!

Check out my April Birchbox Review:

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream
POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette
WEI™ Manuka Bee Venom Mask
Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator
Temple Spa Peace Be Still Calming Face & Body Balm

Have you heard of Whish yet? Well, birchbox has been loving this brand lately! This Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream sample is the third Whish product I’ve received in my birchbox so far. I’ve actually even received this same product in a different scent in a previous box. Thus far, I haven’t been blown away by any of their products. My main issue with this shaving cream is the texture, it doesn’t foam or lather. Therefore, I find myself using much more than I would a traditional lathering shaving cream. On the other hand, one definite perk is my legs actually felt moisturized after shaving. I don’t mean they felt less dry than normal, they actually felt moisturized with no need for any lotion after shaving!

Next to be reviewed is the POP Beauty Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette. I’m a sucker for makeup palettes! I have palettes from a few different brands, but I haven’t heard of POP Beauty before receiving this sample. My sample is a trio of shimmery bronze eye shadows… which is right up my alley! I think the colors are great. They give the perfect amount of shimmer and bronze that can pass for both daytime and evening wear. The colors look great blended together, perfect for everyday use! And the full palette has 36 colors, enough for even the most adventurous girls!

Now for an interesting one, WEI™ Manuka Bee Venom Mask. Yeah you read right, I said bee venom! I am told by birchbox, “the purified venom in this mask is gentle and nourishing, and combines with healing herbs to help to fight wrinkles, correct imperfections, and firm skin.” Not sure what benefits are coming from the bee venom, but I did really love this mask! The texture was more of a heavy cream and left my skin feeling soft, firm and youthful. I’m not sure how long-term these results are, but it’s a great treatment to give your skin a “tune up!”.

Up next is the Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator. Best word to describe this sample? Luminous. I was a little thrown off by the texture of this illuminator. Instead of the expected cream, it was actually a little runny (making it challenging to just get a little out of the sample tube!). I found this illuminator perfect for early mornings. It gives me just the glow I need at that hour in the morning to distract from the large, dark circles under my eyes and it’s super versatile. I use it for my inner eyes, cheek bones, brow bones, etc. It’s lightweight, subtle and goes on smooth, the perfect addition to my summer makeup routine.

Lastly, I’m wrapping up with my favorite sample from this month’s box, Temple Spa Peace Be Still Calming Face & Body Balm. This lotion makes me feel like I just walked into a fabulous spa! The scent of lemon and lavender is so dreamy and soothing. It has an immediate calming effect that lingers, making it great to use right before bed. The texture of the lotion is a bit thicker than I expected, but once it absorbs into the skin, it leaves it feeling softer and smoother than ever! I will definitely be investing my reward points into a full size bottle of this, it’s a must have! (my husband even agrees!)

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Craving more beauty finds? Check out last month’s post, March Birchbox Review, or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!

Spring in your Step- Spring Shoe Trends

Magical things happen in Spring. Birds start chirping, flowers bloom, and people come out to soak up the sun.

I don’t know about you, but to me the spring season is all about getting out of hibernation and enjoying the outdoors. There are trails to be explored, parks to be sat in, pools to be swam in and most importantly… spring shoe trends to be worn! Lucky for you, I’ve got the perfect footwear to start your spring off on the right foot (pun intended), no matter your budget! 🙂

When looking for shoes to go out and enjoy the spring weather in, I have a few requirements… First of all, comfort! I love shoes that can be slid on and off easily and are comfortable enough for me to wear for hours. Second, versatility! It’s important for my shoes to not only be able to pair back to multiple things in my closet effortlessly, but I want them to take me from day to night. Spring days out and about often turn into spring nights unexpectedly! I don’t want to be caught in my flip flops while trying to enjoy a nice dinner with friends. Lastly, price! As you know, I am always price-conscious and shoes are no exception. I walk around so much that I find myself literally running my shoes into the ground. Between how fast I wear through them and how quickly trends change, I prefer to stick to a strict budget to keep both my wallet and my feet happy.

With that said, I pulled together some easy, budget friendly styles below. I can still hardly believe all these styles are under $30!

shop spring shoe trends:

Ankle Strap Sandals ($13) / Espadrille Flatform Slides ($20) / Steve Madden Annee Flat ($25) / Cap Toe Espadrilles ($25) / Striped Lace Up Espadrilles ($16) / Lace Up Gladiator Sandal ($28) / Double Banded Slide Sandal ($20)

Lilly Pulitzer for Target- Ticket to Sunshine

Feeling down about those chilly winter temps? I’ve got just what you need to brighten your day and put a smile on your face!

Target just announced their newest collaboration, Lilly Pulitzer for Target!

Target is never one to disappoint with their collaboration partners and their latest choice, Lilly Pulitzer, is no exception. This limited edition collection launches April 19th and includes 250 pieces, ranging from clothing, accessories and shoes for both women (including plus size!) and girls, as well as home decor, outdoor accessories and beach travel essentials! What more could a girl want? The 15 exclusive collaboration prints are bright, playful and true to the Lilly Pulitzer brand esthetic.

This collaboration is already creating a ton of buzz! Click through the slideshow below to check out pictures of yesterday’s announcement party and do some pre-shopping! Share your favorite prints and products in the comments below!

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The Statement Necklace

I recently got this beautiful color mix necklace for my birthday and I’m in love! It is definitely a statement piece and makes an impact on any outfit. The color-mixing gives it a ton of versatility, making it easy to pair back to almost anything. Today I chose to pair the necklace back to neutral colors to let the necklace shine on it’s own. Lastly, I showcased this fun necklace with a high pony to keep the look casual.

Nordstrom Scoop Back Tee- similar Free People blouse ($68) / Levi’s High Rise Skinny (On Sale for $54) / Payless Shooties (On Sale for $15) / Hautelook Cleopatra Brooke Clutch- similar on Overstock ($20.20) / JCrew Color Mix Necklace ($165)- similar at Shoptiques ($29) / Marc by Marc Jacobs posts ($42) / Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses ($110)

Black, White and Bright

I have always been a big fan of print mixing. It adds a little fun to an otherwise ordinary outfit. A great way to dip your feet into the trend is to start with a common print like stripes, dots or animal print and pair it with a bold printed piece, like this floral skirt. I chose to pair this loud skirt with this black and white striped tank- these days I wear stripes so much that I almost consider it a solid!

I paired this look back to my favorite black sandals. These Payless black shooties were such a great buy; they are both comfortable and super affordable! Originally, I had fallen in love with these Steve Madden NONSTP Sandals, but wasn’t feeling the $99.95 price point. Then, I stumbled upon these Payless shoes for a quarter of the price and was immediately sold! They are so versatile, I get a ton of use out of them!

Black and White Tank- similar Forever 21 tank ($17.80) / Floral Pencil Skirt- similar AQUA skirt ($68) and JCREW pencil skirt (On sale for $96.60- originally $138) / Payless Black Shooties ($24.99) / Cleopatra Brooke Clutch (purchased on Hautelook, but also found at Overstock for $19.75) / Brighton Bangles / Pink Drop Earrings- similar Baublebar Drops ($38) / Cat Eye Sunglasses- similar AJ Morgan Siren ($24) and Maybe ($24) at Nordstrom

DIY Indoor Garden

I love living in San Francisco, but finding the perfect apartment in your price range is like looking for a needle in a haystack- and that needle may not even exist! Although we LOVE our current apartment, one thing that my husband and I really miss is a balcony and a backyard. And since we love being outside and enjoying the fresh air, we decided to bring the outdoors into our living room!

We wanted our indoor garden to be bright and funky, so we decided to paint the planters ourselves. We found LOWES to be a great resource in finding beautiful flowers and affordable terracotta planters of all sizes, but any home improvement store should have a similar selection. First we picked out our flowers. When choosing colors and sizes, keep in mind how you will be arranging these plants. We chose to keep the sizes symmetrical, but mixing up the flower types and colors. We ended up with seven plants and terracotta planters of varying sizes.

Now it’s time to paint the pots! We chose bright acrylic paints and clear tar gel to waterproof the paint. Since we love a good ombré, we decided to use two colors on each pot and faded them into each other, alternating the color combos so each one is unique! To get the ombré look, we started with our base color going 3/4 the way up. Then we painted from the top with the second color. As you paint further down, use less paint on your brush and use lighter brush strokes, fading as you go. You will end up with a one-of-a-kind ombré planter!

All that’s left now is to plant your flowers in your beautiful new planters! Do you have any indoor gardening tips or fun ways to show off plants inside the home? If so, share in the comments below!

Check out my August Birchbox Review:

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shop my black fringe dress look:

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Check out my April Birchbox Review:

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shop spring shoe trends:

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