Little Lace Box February 2015

So excited my Little Lace Box arrived this month. This has quickly made it's way into the top favorite boxes we receive, and is currently the one I most look forward to. I don't know how they manage to find such unique and original items, the curation has been a hit with us each month. The theme this month was "The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me". LLB noted in their letter (yes, they send us a letter each month, plus a list of items info on the back of their letter), that this month's box wasn't an exact match for what was originally in mind for the February theme. Sounds like shipping and storms interceded a little. Mother nature can be quite disruptive when she feels like it.

 

P.Press FL150 Flat Note Pink Arrow Note Cards - $12.99 Professionally designed and printed card on beautiful thick white cardstock with coordinating white envelope. I LOVE the print on the back. Reminds me of an old-fashioned malt shop. Just love it.

Beekman 1802 Iridescent Shimmer Bling Bath Goat Milk Bath Salts 20 0z - $15  This bath salt has pure powdered goat milk and coarse sea salts to soften skin and moisturize. I saw the spoilers and variations on the box and I am so thrilled to get this item since it has ingredients that I am able to use. Also, I just love bath salt.
Beekman 1802 Orange Zest Fudge Sauce - $12. Fudge sauce? HIT! I heard there were different flavors, this is the exact one I wanted to try! Orange zest? How yummy does that sound? Heat in a pan of water, or microwave slowly on low power and 10 second intervals. I'll be trying with vanilla ice cream Sunday night while watching Once Upon A Time, which is finally returning Mar 1st!

As I was looking up the links to these two products I just kinda got a little lost in the Beekman 1802 website. It's fascinating. We received the 18th century hand forged Britannia Fruit Spoon last month, but I didn't completely explore the website as I did this time. Fascinating products. I was completely unaware they are on a TV show. They have a section that spotlights other aritsans. I've already placed an order for other products.

Whitley Designs Triangle Earrings - $54.99 I wasn't able to find a link or price online for these particular earrings so I am using what's on the info card. I am totally loving this brand. It's simple, yet interesting. Just before I opened my LLB box, I had opened a package from a swap that had the Whitley Designs Feather necklace, which I also love! Also placed an order.
Dancin Goat Hula Bliss Hand & Body Lotion - 2 oz. trial version. This was a bonus item that was included. Ingredients are all-natural goat milk and coconut oil to deliver intense moisture and give your skin a healthy glow. Paraben- and sulfate-free, and does  not contain any synthetic preservatives. It says "The relaxing fragrance of lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus will carry you away to your own island retreat". I'll tell you I can def smell the eucalyptus, but I cannot smell the lavender.

 

That's it for this months LLB. Once again, they nailed it and the box was a complete hit for me! They are not accepting any new subscriptions right now, but I'll let you know if this opens up again in the future. Next months theme? "Here comes the sun". You can expect special items "for the mind, body, and soul". The first thing that comes to mind after reading these clues are poetry and sunblock, but it should be noted I've only guessed correctly once (Dining Cars theme with an item from the Downton Abbey jewelry line).
`A

PopSugar Must Have Resort Limited Edition Box Now Available

PopSugar Must Have Resort Box now available. This is a special edition box and not the regular monthly box. This one costs $100. If you would like to see last years Resort Box Review then click here.

Cypress & 5th Grab Bag (2) Review

I got a second Cypress & 5th Grab Bag. I do not have prices or links since I can't always find the items online, and there is no info card describing the items.

Flower Statement Necklace - I liked this, it's kind of pretty. It's not my style and will be swapped, but it does look very nice.

On Twelfth Flower Cardigan with fringe - Just NO! There are very items that I get that I really detest, but this is definitely one of them. I can't find anything nice to say about this because I don't like one single thing about this, not the flower pattern, fringe, or the material. I was really hoping for a cardigan, but this is sooo not what I had in mind. 

Flying Tomato Maxi Dress - I really like this dress. It's way too long for me, but I really like it. The colors, the contrast patterns, the style. This is great.

On Twelfth Coral Sleeveless Top - I can't pull off this color, but I really love this top. It's breezy and a great style that I wear often.

Doe & Rae Top - This is my favorite item in the box. It's a layered Tee Shift, and longer in the back, so it will work with different styles.

Verdict - This bag wasn't as great as the last one I received, but the value is still there. I think I would feel more positive if the fringe flower cardigan wasn't the first thing I pulled out. It's just so awful. The rest of the items are ok, but there isn't anything I'm raving about.
`A

Swaag - TOM Box February 2015 Review

*this post contains referral links*

SwaagBox is a TOM box - $10-$24 month depending on which option you choose. You can pick supplies, or just makeup and jewelry. I'm not sure getting a TOM box is worth it if you do not get supplies. I had a mixup on my account this month, and they sent me two boxes. I opened both to see if there was any difference, but the only thing different was the snacks. I love that they include chocolate each month. I'm not posting values for sample sizes or links for the items I can't brand identify.

 

I'm happy with the mix of chocolate. What would make this even better would be deluxe chocolates.

Skin & Co Sicilian Body Lotion - This came with a white lid in one box and a silver one in the other, but it's the same item. The white one leaked.

Cargo Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in Black - $22 I like that they are including brand names this month, because last time I got one of these boxes it did not include that and I wasn't overly thrilled.

Coolway Boost Repair - This product is new to me. For over-processed hair from harsh chemicals and high heat tools, this rejuvenating weekly treatment infuses your hair with an extra boost of Porphyra seaweed extract and other nutrients to improve elasticity and strength. I thought this would work like a deep conditioner, but it's different than that. If you wan to flat iron, you should do it on a low setting.

D&G Eau De Toilette - All fragrance is wasted on me. Unless it's fruity.

Cailyn Mineral Eyeshadow Powder in Autumn Full size included $12- I was so hoping to get different colors, but not this time. But again, happy to see brand names.

Playtex Gentle Glide 360 - I have never seen this in a 9/9 count before, not sure where that is even sold. I know it exists because it's on their website, I just don't know who retails it.

Bangles - I like that both a silver and a gold was included. I had to redo the pic because otherwise if they aren't side by side it wasn't really showing the difference. These are great for layering.

 

If you are interested in the Swaagbox TOM box, you can use our referral link here.

~A

Glossybox February 2015 Review

*this post contains referral links*

GlossyBox is $21/month, less if you sign up for one of the other 3/6/12/month options. This is one of my favorite boxes. They send it out in really sturdy and great reusable gifting boxes. They always include a great info card, so that is really helpful in getting to know the products.

I love the February box design. Once in awhile they send out a box that is different than the standard monthly pink box. This one says Love and is fitting for the month.

Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner - This is a shampoo replacement. This is basically a replacement for shampoo/conditioner, but you use it the same way. This is sulfate and paraben free.
Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Curl Mascara - Full size included $22. This is a UK brand, and I'm actually happy to try it. I love trying out different mascaras. 100% Cruelty free Not tested on animals.

Julep Color Treat in Heartleigh - Full isze included $12 - How pretty is this? And Julep is always a win. 5 free, quick drying, and long lasting.
Rituals Cosmetics Foaming Shower Gel Sensation in Yogi Flow - Full size included $15 This sounds really interesting. It starts as a gel and then becomes a foam when it makes contact with water. I think it's great it was included because we don't get full size body wash that often. This has Indian Rose & Sweet Almond oil. I really really want to try it, but I have to skip due to the rose ingredients.

Royal Apothic Tinties Lip Butter in Pink - Full size included $14. Is this not the cutest little container? Seriously! I really like the unique designs of this company's packaging. Vintage inspired packaging is always a win.
`A



Ipsy Glam Bag February 2015 Review

 

Ipsy- $10/ month/ no shipping charges. You get a cute makeup bag filled with 4-5 personalized beauty products.

This months bag is really cute! I really love the plaid.

Model Co Blush Cheek Powder in Cosmopolitan 01 Full size $22 - I'm happy to see this, I don't feel like we get enough blush options these days, and it's been awhile so this is great to see. Last time I got this it was a color that was not right for me, but this color works well for me.

Cargo Cosmetics Lipgloss in Anguilla Sample size $8 - this color is not for me, but I like the pink for February.
rob Scheppy for tini beauty Powder Eyeshadow in Pearl Fizz  Full size $12 - This is a nice base color. I don't wear Eyeshadow so it's wasted on me, but it is still a nice color. This is also supposed to be crease resistant.

Hey Honey take it off - Exfoliating Honey Peel off mask sample size $14 - I'm never disappointed to see a mask. and this one for all skin types, so that works well.
Luxie Beauty 504 Large Angled Brush $8- I love getting makeup tools, and I happen to be needing a new brush this is really good timing for me. It's really soft. This is by far my favorite item this month.
`A

L'Oreal Masked Affair

In celebration of Fifty Shades of Grey movie release L'Oreal released the Dark Sides of Grey Colour Riche collection. Masked Affair is the highlight of the line and has been so popular on the internet forums that it has been pretty hard to track down in stores. I was determined to find it and finally after trying Walgreens and Rite Aid I finally found a bottle at Bartell Drugs for $5.99!!!!!!

Masked Affair is a silver purple holographic nail polish. I used three coats to get it this shimmery. I will have to work on the art of taking pictures of halos because the pictures don't do it justice. I haven't been able to stop staring at my nails since I painted them! I really hope halos pick up this year in the main stream industries because so far I have only really seen them in indies. After I received this nail polish I am seriously contemplating running down again to look at the other colors of the line more because this nail polish is phenomenal! 

-K

Target Crumbs Bake Shop Make Your Own Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes Review

A few years ago my mother traveled to New York and brought me back cupcakes from the world famous Crumbs bakery. But since then they bankrupted and then re opened their doors. I have seen their mixes in the baking aisle at Target but they cost $7.99 a box so I always passed them up. However, on my recent Target trip I saw these and their Cookies and Cream and Birthday Cupcake mixes on clearance for $4! The kit included the cupcake mix, frosting mix, chocolate and peanut butter chips, and cupcake liners. HOWEVER you have to buy the peanut butter and peanut butter cups...which I didn't bother with. These cupcakes were AMAZING. I love peanut butter and the peanut butter frosting was to die for. Granite I was a few cocktails in when I baked them, but they still tasted just as good the next day ;]. I really hope that clearance doesn't mean they are getting phased out as I really want to make these again but I will not buy at full price considering the high price tag and the need for additional ingredients!

-K