Goop Birchbox October 2012

Hi all! I got my Birchbox yesterday and here is what I got.

Essie nail lacquer in Carry On (full size) retails for $8 - Yay for full size.
Joanna Vargas Daily Serum (5ml tube) the full size retails for $86 - We'll see how this works
Marie Veronique Organics body oil (0.5oz sample) full size retails for $35 -Nice body oil.
Sprout skincare Truly All Natural Cocoa Lip Balm (Full Size) comes in a flight of 4 which retails for $18
Luna Bar in Lemon Zest (full size) a box retail for $18.75


Sign up for Birchbox HERE


Check a few of my other boxes
September 2012
August Birchbox 2012
Glamour Birchbox July
Birchbox June
Gossip Girl May 2012 
April 2012 
March 2012 
February 2012

Gossip Girl Birchbox May 2012

Guess what showed up on my doorstep today? The Gossip Girl Birchbox! I usually get my Birchbox on or around the 14th of each month. So I really wasn't expecting this. Although I did get a shipping notification  email and tracking information; I never check those because I like to be surprised.
As I looked through the box, I realized it came early to coincide with the upcoming Gossip Girl episode. I'll tell you more about it below.
Here's my box:

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream (0.5 oz tube)
Nice, smooth, and not greasy. The scent reminds of orange Starburst candy.  Full size retails for $19

FusionBeauty Lipfusion Balm (full size)
This plumping formula glides on and tingles a tiny bit. My lips are already full so I didn't really notice any plumping action. Full size retails for $22

Ojon damage reverse Restorative Conditioner (1 fl.oz. tube)
i tested this on a small section of my hair. It felt nice going on and seemed to smooth my hair. I'll try it on my whole head soon. Full size retails for $25
Arquiste Flor y Canto (sample vial)
I didn't love or hate this fragrance. And it reminds me of a fragrance that was around in my high school days but I can't recall the name. Full size retails for $165

Notecards (1 blank card and envelope)
I didn't see a brand name for these cards. Retail at $10 for set of 12

When I saw this, I realized why the box was early. And to be honest, I've never seen an episode of Gossip Girls in my life. I think I'll watch for this sweepstakes though.

Sign up for Birchbox HERE

Check out my other boxes:
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011

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Upcoming Event: BGLH Chicago Naturals Spring Swap Meet

On Sunday,  April 29th, I'll be vending a the BGLH Chicago Naturals Spring Swap Meet. I'll have jewelry,  from my etsy shop , at a discounted price and brand new designs. I'll also have a few hair products to giveaway (with jewelry purchase) or swap/sell. It should be a really fun time and I hope to see you there.

What: BGLH Chicago Naturals Spring Swap Meet

When: Sunday, April 29 2012

Where: Little Black Pearl 1060 E. 47th Street, Chicago, IL 

Time:11am -6pm                                                                                    

Cost: $5 for adults; free for children

Out and About: Dose Market and Fela The Musical

On Sunday I attended two events that I've been really wanting to go to which are Dose and Fela the Musical.

First I went to Dose which is a year round, monthly, market which features some of Chicago's best artisan food and fashion vendors. I first heard of Dose about a year ago. I thought it sounded really cool and I wanted to go . Each month I would make plans to go but somehow my plans always changed. So this month I decided I was going and I did. I got there pretty late though thanks to a last minute wardrobe malfunction and a really slow train. When I finally arrived there was only 45 minutes left until closing. And that was plenty time to look around but most of the food vendors were out of stock by then. I ended up getting a Mushroom Slider from Mana Food Bar (which is delish but I've had it before), a yummy sugarcane lime drink from Peeled, a couple of Lucilia's Homemade Alfajores and tea from Senteamental Moods. I walked around a bit more, checked out the fashion, jewelry, and housewares and headed out. I hope to go again next month and get there much earlier-before everything is sold out.

While I was on my way to Dose I got a text from my cousin. She said she had an extra ticket to Fela and asked if I wanted to go. Well....of course I did. There has been so much buzz  and rave reviews about Fela over the past few years. And since it's been in Chicago I've seen lots of people in my social networks talk about seeing it and how great it was. So I was very excited and felt lucky to get the chance to see it....ON CLOSING NIGHT.


Seeing Fela was truly an amazing experience. It was exhilirating and very high energy. Everything was phenomenal from the singing, music, dancing, and acting to the set, makeup and costumes. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and hope to see again someday. Yeah Yeah!

If you're not familiar with Fela The Musical it is described as a hybrid of concert, musical theater, and dance that explores the life of activist and Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. You can check out Fela's Youtube Channel and see clips of the show, backstage footage, celebs and theatergoers express their love for the show, and more.

April Birchbox 2012

I got my Birchbox today and I'm pretty pleased with what I got. This month's theme, In honor of Earth month, I assume, is Natural Wonders. So every featured product is from a natural/eco-centric brand.
Here is my April Birchbox:

Le Palais des Thes (2 Tea bags) 
I love trying "fancy" teas. Can't wait to taste this one. Retails at $12.50 for 20 bags

Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm (One Full Size in Bronzed)
This is one of the multi-tasking beauty sticks that you can you on lips, cheeks, forehead, etc...
I got the full size (YAY) which retails for $36. The Bronzed shade looks pretty much like my skin tone with a slight glow and hint of sheen.

Befine Skincare Sampler (2 cleanser packets, 3 spf 15 moisturizer packets)
I've tried other products from this brand and liked them. I'll see how these work out for me.

Birchbox always have a portion of the samples wrapped in  tissue paper and ribbon.

Oile Biologique 004 Huile Moderne (on the left, 5ml sample)

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue (sample vial)
I like this citrus-y scent. I started out very orange-y and dried down to a powdery scent and now it has a slightly sweet candy-like smell. I've had it on for about 3 hours. The full size retails from $55 to $150.

Check out my other boxes:
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011

Sign up for Birchbox HERE.

 

March Birchbox 2012

This post comes a little later than usual because I just received my Birchbox this past Saturday. I usually get my box on or around the 14th of each month and when I did not receive it by the 19th I knew something was up. I checked the tracking number for my box and there was no shipping  information available. So, I contacted customer service, told them my issue, and they said they would send out a replacement box right away. I got my box a few days later. Here's my March Birchbox:

Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien (Sample Vial)
I really enjoyed this citrus-y scent. The full size retails for $85.

Color Club Nail Lacquer in Age Of Aquarius 0.25 fl bottle
I think the color is fab! The full size retails for $8.

I Coloniali Invigorating Tibetan Shower Cream with Rhubarb 3.3oz fl
Wonderfully woodsy and a little spicy. This is a very generous sized sample.
 The full size (8.5 oz) retails for $29.

Miss Jessie's Original Curly Meringue 2oz
I've tried this in the past and can't quite remember how I felt about it. I will test it again and see if I like the results. The full size (8oz) retails for $22.






















Wei Pomegranate Buffing Beads 1 sample packet
I have tried buffing beads and grain from other companies and I like them.
20 packets retail for $20.

Miss Jessie's Original Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo 13 grams sample packet
Full size (8oz)  retails for $14.

Miss Jessie's Original Creme de la Creme Condtioner 1oz sample packet
Full size (12 oz) retails for $16

Check out my other boxes:
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011

Sign up for Birchbox HERE.

Influenster Love VoxBox 2012

Today I received the Love Vox Box from Influenster. If you've never heard of Influenster, here is a description (via their website) of what it's all about:

   "Community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds"

 The VoxBox is filled with products from various brands.  And members of Influenster (called Influensters), are encouraged to share their thoughts about the products on Influenster.com and social networks (twitter, FB, Blogs, Youtube, etc.,). And the more your share, the higher your chances are to receive other VoxBoxes. The boxes are generally themed, so the Love VoxBox was in celebration of Valentine's day.
Please note that there is no charge to be Influenster and VoxBoxes are sent, free of charge, to specially selected members.
Here is what I got:

Kiss Nail Dress-Fashion That Sticks - $6.99
I've tried nail decals before and I have never quite mastered them. I will give these a try though I'm not much for rhinestones. 

Stash Tea Herbal Tea Sampler - $3.50
Tea is always good. I've tried this brand pretty ok. 

Gillette Venus and Olay Razor - $8.99 -10.99
I was in need of a new razor. Thanks!

Ghiradelli Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion - $2.99
Can't go wrong with chocolate. 

Truvia Natural Sweetner $3.99
A natural sweetner made with erythritol and rebiana.  I currently use stevia  as a sweetner. It took me a little while to get used to stevia but now it's pretty much all I  use (sometimes I do agave nectar). I currently use the Navitas Naturals Organic Stevia Powder. It's loose and the color is green. 

January Birchbox 2012

I got this month's Birchbox, so let me show you what I got. And if you're not sure what Birchbox is all about, check out last month's post HERE. Now, on to the box.

From top left to right:
1. Birchbox magnet
   
2. Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture spray vial sample
    I gave this to my 9 year old niece - not a fan. And if you've been following me for a while,
    you know that I favor oils, roller-ball, and solid fragrances.
    I like to check etsy, Luckyscent, indiescents, Smell Bent, Smell Goods, and other indies for fragrances.

3.  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabar Mini Bar
     Pretty good! I've had these bars before and I like them pretty much

4. VMV Hypoallerginics Re-Everything: Face-Hand-Body Lotion
    I liked this well enough. It's supposed to be an all over lotion but I haven't tried it on my face yet.
    The description on Birchbox's website says:

      "This silky lotion is the rare all-in-one product that meets our highest standards. The natural formula is free of all the most common skin allergens — 76 of them, to be exact — as well artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens, or preservatives. On the flip side, it’s packed with gentle exfoliators and antioxidants that leave skin incredibly soft from head to toe. Note: Your other body lotions may experience intense jealousy."


Sounds promising! I'll see how I like it and let you know. Oh and the sample size is 1oz and the full size is approx. 6.25oz  for $45.


















5.Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

I've actually tried this before and didn't love it. My skin is pretty finicky so I'm never surprised when products don't agree it. I'll give it another try though. I must mention that this 1.4 oz sample and the full size is $19.50 for 5oz so that's a generous sample.

6. stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
This is a full size liner which retails for $20. I got the color Peacock which is described as a
shimmery azure. I do like this color a lot. I'll see how it wears soon. Below is a swatch on my hand.

And here's just a little card they included that shared some mini detox tips.