May 2013 Birchbox Unboxing

I got my Birchbox a few days ago but am just getting the chance to open it today. Check out what I got and let me know what you think.
Join Birchbox HERE

Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle Leave-in conditioner (1 oz spray)
full size retails for $21.95

LA Fresh Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wet Wipe (2 wipes)
full size retails for $9.99/30 wipes

Cotz Face Balanced Mineral Complex (3gr sample tube)
full size retails for $20

Cargo Lip Gloss in Route 66 (full size)
retail for $14

Acroball Pure White hybrid ink pen (1 pen)
$6.24/4pk


Pin It

Out and About: Free Makeup Class At Sephora #2

In another post I mentioned how I attended a free makeup class at Sephora. Well, I went to another free class on Sunday, 12, 2013 at the same Sephora (Watertower).  This second class was called Lashes, Liners, and Brows,  though the main focus was applying false eyelashes. And please note that I have attempted false lashes many times but I'm still getting the hang of it. Having the instructors there to guide made me feel more comfortable about applying lashes again. They were very helpful and gave me a few more tips such as shaping the lashes by gently wrapping them around your finger (or pen, pencil, etc...). Another tip was to place the glue on the edge or top of the band instead of the actual band/band. These tips made the lash application easier for me but I could still use more practice. I suppose I will keep trying until I get better.  I don't plan to wear them often. I just would like the option for days when I want to glam up a bit.

After class, one of the associates showed us their store's new toy, the Sephora Skincare IQ. This machine matches you with products that are perfect for your skin based on your skincare concerns. You're asked a series of questions and the machine uses your answers  to suggest several products. Then it prints out detailed information about the products including ratings, regimen, and suggested usage.

Note: Pictured in first photo is an instructor and a class participant

Sephora Skincare IQ

Detailed Skincare Match

I really enjoyed the class and learned some cool new tricks. And since it was Mother's Day so there were fewer participants and more one-on-one instruction. There was also another goodie bag and some other treats which are pictured. I will definitely be signing up for the next one. And I'll also be back to play around with the Skincare IQ.

 

 Left: Sephora lashes they gave me in class

Right-Goodie bag contents: Living Proof Restore Targeted Repair Cream,

                                                        Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream 

Free item I got with Sephora Insider Points

Two free fragrance pouches. I think they passing these out for Mother's Day.

I gave them to my sis-I'm more of a solid perfume/oil girl. 

Pin It

Mother's Day 2013 Love With Food Unboxing

Hi all and Happy Mother's Day to tall of you moms out there! I filmed a short video of me unboxing the Love With Food box which is a subscription service that sends gourmet food samples for $10/month. I purchased this box via Fab.com for $7.20. Plus I had a few Fab credits so I ended spending only $2.20 for this box. Though this is a subscription service, I have not decided if I will keep the subscription. I will keep you posted. Check the video to see what I got!
Click HERE to join Fab.com
Click HERE  to join Love With Food

Pin It

Influenster Palmolive Unboxing

I received this box from Influenster and dedcided to do a short unboxing video!
There's more info about Influenster in the description of the video.
Feel free to rate, comment, and subscribe!

Pin It

Wordless Wednesday!

Pin It

My Week in Photos, Instagram, and Vine!

I've seen several bloggers do this kind of post so I thought I would give it a go. Though, honestly, I don't do that much on instagram or vine. I have been trying to post more. So check it out and let me know what you think. And if you're not familiar with Vine, it's a social network where you post short (about 6 seconds) videos. It seems to be catching on very slowly but I've seen a few really cool video. Even some short creative films. There's a lot of potential with Vine. We'll see if get catches on any faster.
Vine only allows you to share posts to FB and Twitter but it does save the video to your phone.  So for the sake of this post I've uploaded my Vines to vimeo.

.

4/26 - Ok, so these two post are technically over a week old but I wanted to include them anyway. They were from the Howard Art Market last Saturday which was pretty great! It was at Sol Cafe located in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. I sold jewelry, met some nice people and the coffee was really good. All of the employees seemed really happy to be there too. I hope to do another market there soon.

                                      
5/2- This was an unusually warm day in Chicago this time of year. I think we reached about 85 degrees. I was riding along with my sister and nephew and the wind was whipping through my hair. It felt really good. especially since we've been waiting forever for warmer temps. My hair can get pretty tangled when the wind is high, but I didn't care on this day. 

5/3 - These are a few crystals that I picked up at a local bead shop. I have become obsessed with them.  I've made some earrings and plan to make some necklaces. I'll be getting more soon.

5/3 - This is a photo of my cousin and I at a Kris Kross concert. I think the year was about 1992. My older sis took us and we too excited to go. R.I.P. to Chris Kelly  (member of  Kris Kross) who was found dead on May 1, 2013. 

5/4- Trader Joe's Gluten Free Granola for breakfast

5/4 -This is the tea I had this morning. It's Vanilla Bean by Mighty Leaf Tea. 

Pin It

Upcoming Events: Howard Art Market (H.A.M) at Sol Cafe

This coming Sunday, 04/27/13, I'll be participating in the Howard Art Market. This market will be held at Sol Cafe from 10am-4pm. There will be several other artists there selling their wares too. So please stop by it you're in the neighborhood. Support local artists and get a cappuccino while your at it. Also, 10% of proceeds will benefit Hilda's Place which is a women's shelter. Hope to see ya Sunday!

What: H.A.M
When: 04/27/13
Where: 1015 W. Howard
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: Free to enter

Pin It

Out and About: Free Makeup Class at Sephora!

I was wandering (aimlessly) at Sephora a couple of week ago when an associate asked if I would be interested in attending a makeup class. She gave me the rundown on what the class would be about and when it would take place. I was nodding slowly until she said the magic word, Free. Then I quickly agreed to take the class, although it was at 10am on a Sunday. And, I think I do an ok job with my makeup, I'm always open to learning more.

When I went to the class and there were about 15 other ladies there. Tables were set up with makeup brushes, products, mirrors and a clipboard with a form to jot down notes. This particular class was called Standout Eyes. We learned how to do a basic eyes into eveinig smoky look. There were about 3 instructors One worked on a model while the other two gave us hands-on help. And several ladies needed plenty of help because they never really wore makeup.

I didn't need very much help since this was such a basic eye. I did learn a new technique though. It's called tightlining which is lining the underside of your top lid; right under the lashline. I tried this technique and it really did make a difference. That was a great take-away from this class and I'll definitely be incorporating it into my routine.
Another take-away was goodie bag that had two full size products inside. And please note that I had no idea there would be freebies (though I hoped so). The products I got were Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream and Fresh Soy Face Cleanser.

Overall, I had a nice time.  I even signed up to try another class in a few weeks. I think it's on lashes. I'll keep you posted on that one. And I'll try to take a few more pictures.

Pin It

Conscious Box Mystery Box Unboxing April 2013

Conscious Box, it's a monthly subscription service that offers 10-12 products that are vegan, fair trade, certified organic, cruelty free, and/or more. I subscribed to Conscious Box last year( and loved it)  but decided to let the subscription lapse because I'm trying to get my money life in order. I have really missed that box, so I was happy to see this mystery box which was available for a one-time only delivery. I decided to purchase it and I filmed the unboxing. Check out the video and photos below to see what I got.


 

Pin It

Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Pudding Souffle Braidout

In a previous post  I mentioned how I went to an Eden BodyWorks event and got their new Coconut Shea Pudding Souffle in a goodie bag. Well, I tried that product out and I liked it. I used it to do a braidout and filmed what the results looked like. You can see the results in the first video below. The second video is just showing what the actual product looks like (color, thickness, consistency, etc...) Check them out and let me know what you think.And note, this is not really a review-just a little show and tell ;-)

This product is available at Edenbodyworks.net and retails for $8.99
Will also so be available at Walgreens, Walmart, Curlmart.com, and Sally Beauty Supply.










Pin It