Trays

Junk

Source: etsy.com via Cat on Pinterest

Do you have a lot of stuff like I do? Well, like I used to have? When we moved a few years ago, I tried to get rid of most of my "clutter". If you are like me, you just accumulate things. You think - "Oh, I'll toss that later." Yeah - 6 months later. Usually for me, things end up in our junk drawer. They also end up in my junk cabinet. The best thing to do (although hard) is just to get rid of it as soon as you decide you aren't going to use it. That is what I have been trying to do.

Trays

 

Source: nouvelle-nouveau.tumblr.com via Mau on Pinterest

Enter trays - I love trays - all sorts of trays. They a great for holding the items you'll need the next day. Keep one close by the door and your keys will be easily accessible. I also use them for serving. It's easier to carry several things on a tray to the basement for movie night than to carry several individual items. I have a silver tray for my makeup in our bathroom.

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Birchbox Tray

This morning, I received an email from Birchbox showcasing their brand new Birchbox tray. HOT PINK Birchbox pink and white. It is adorable. It's free with a $75.00 purchase or you can purchase it for $25. I actually had $30 in Birchbox points from giving feedback on items and used them on this tray. So excited. I am planning to use this one in my office which is black and white with hints of bright pink - Birchbox pink. I'll use it to hold stationary and a few other goodies.

Birchbox - November 2011 Edition

  Hi dolls!  I have been terribly busy at work and not able to post as often as usual. I am exhausted when I get home. Hopefully, things will lighten up and I'll be able to blog in the evening and not just crawl up on the couch - LOL.
   Here are some photos from the Birchbox website of my November box. I haven't tried anything in it yet, but I am super excited about this box! I've never had any Zoya polish, but everyone seems to rave about it and I am a nail polish junkie.............................................  Have you used Zoya? Thoughts?

    I am equally  excited about the Bauble bracelet. How cute is this?

Birchbox - October 2011 Edition

Photo Credit: Birchbox.com

  Hey, dolls!  I just received my October Birchbox. Yay!  This was my second box from the company. You can read about the concept behind Birchbox in an earlier post here.

 The theme of the October box is "Prep and Finish". There are roughly 20 items for each month. Based on your profile, Birchbox sends each person a specially selected box.

 Here is what I received:

• AHAVA  Mineral Foot Cream:   I'm not completely sold on this product yet. The cream just didn't seem very creamy. It's not thin by any means, but I need a bit more creaminess. Especially as we approach the winter months.

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel: I've been wanting to try this product for a while. So, I was thrilled to receive it in my box this month.  

• Number 4 Hair Lumiere D'hiver Reconstructing Mask: Not too familiar with  this product before now.

• Sunday Riley Modern Skincare Juno Transformative Lipid Serum: This is made of 13 essential oils which absorb instantly to replenish, firm and protect the skin. I used this on my super dry spots and it was quickly absorbed.  

• Tea Forte Minteas: These little mints have a lot of flavor. They remind me a bit of Cinnamon Altoids, but not as strong.  I love the container and the shape of the mints. Both are shaped like leaves. 

  Do you subscribe to Birchbox? I'd love to hear what you think about it.  I'd also love to know what you received in your box this month. 

 Now - off to wait for the arrival of my very first Julep Maven American Beauty Box.............................

What's in my {Birch} box?

Photo Credit: Birchbox

  My long awaited Birchbox finally arrived. I have been waiting for weeks for my first box. Not that it actually took that long to get here. I submitted my membership around the middle of August.  If you are not familiar with the Birchbox concept, read my post here.

The box as it comes in the mail

I am pretty pleased with what I received in my box. As many of you know, the boxes are "personalized" to suit you for the current month based on your personal beauty survey.  Here is what I received in my box this month:

• AHAVA  I  Mineral Hand Cream  - This mineral - rich salve softens without any residue.   I tried a bit of it already and it really isn't greasy. Not sure that I will ever order the full size, but this will work for my purse.

• blinc  I  Mascara  - Sweat proof, water proof mascara. This is probably the one thing I couldn't wait to get when I found out it was in the box!  Not your typical mascara, it creates these little "tubes" on your eyelashes. The effect is supposed to be long, luxurious eyelashes. You can wash off with a warm wash cloth and you actually pull the tubes off. 
• Incoco  I  Nail Polish Applique'  - The latest trend in nail fashion. You know how I love a great nail polish. Well, I can not wait to try these.  They are actual layers of polish that adhere to your nail bed. No drying time!  You simply file and buff your nails. Then, you stretch the strips gently for a perfect fit. Simply file the excess and voila' - gorgeous nails! I received  a black glittery pack.  My plan is to use one of my black nail polishes and use the strips as an accent. They'll be perfect for the holiday parties coming up. 
• Jouer  I  Lip Enhancer.  This one is said to hydrate, plump and condition without that tingle that most lip plumpers give.
• Salvatore Ferragamo  I   Attimo L'Eau Florale   The only item I could probably live without in my box.  I don't wear a lot of perfume because of my asthma. I was hoping this would be an exception. Or that I could use it in my lingerie drawers. Probably not. I am not a fan of floral scents and that is what this one is. Will probably pass along to one of my friends.
• Lash Card  I  Know how sometimes your eyes are a bit puffy in the morning? Putting on your mascara may end up not only on your eyelashes but your lids. Has happened to me on a few occasions. Well, these little cards are perfect. You hold them on your eyelids and under your lower eyelashes and any mascara hits the card and NOT your eyelids or face.  Not sure that I need these all the time, but they will definitely come in handy sometimes. 
• Birchbox Friendship bracelet  I   Such a cute little friendship bracelet in honor of their one year anniversary. It's a hot pink color with a little square representing the box of Birchbox ( as well as their logo). 

I must say I am very happy with my September Birchbox.  I also love that Birchbox offers these great little videos many showing how to use the products. 

Did you receive one this month? What did you get in your box?

Ole Henricksen

 One reason why I love purchasing beauty supplies from Sephora is that I can get samples. Samples of products I may have never heard of or thought too expensive to purchase without trying first. 

  I recently purchased some items from Sephora and received some samples.  One of the samples I received was Ole Henricksen.  It was the Herbal Day Creme with SPF 15. I had never, ever heard of  Ole Henricksen, but I knew I needed a new moisturizer. So, I decided to select that as one of my samples.

 OMgoodness, I absolutely adore this moisturizer. Not only does it smell great - a very light lemony scent- but it feels great on my skin. I had been using Vaseline Cocoa Butter Body Lotion ( I know - gasp!) on my face until I found something I liked. I just purchased some MK (you know who that is) moisturizer and remembered why I stopped buying it years ago. It makes my nose peel! Weird - huh?

  Herbal Day Creme with SPF 15 is PERFECT for me.  I only have to use a tiny bit to cover my face and  neck area. Believe me, a little goes a long way.  More about the product from Sephora:
What it is:
A daily moisturizer that shields skin against UV rays and environmental aggressors.

What it is formulated to do:
Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Crème SPF 15 protects and hydrates the complexion for healthy, radiant results. The expert complex is designed to disperse an ideal dose of moisture—sans residue.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
What else you need to know:
This formula suits normal, combination, and sensitive skin.

  Here is a bit about the company from the Sephora website:
Nature, science, beauty, and wellness. These four key elements are behind every Ole Henriksen product, making it a total lifestyle line and a true depiction of the man behind the brand. Ole (pronounced "ooh-lah") Henriksen's studies in cosmetic chemistry, and hands-on experience treating some of Hollywood's most famous complexions at his Los Angeles spa, have resulted in the ultimate in at-home luxury—skincare that treats the face and body while helping to achieve overall health and wellness. What we love most? Just like his sought-after spa treatments, every Ole Henriksen product is an absolute treat for the senses—they smell delicious and feel sensational.
 

 Honestly, I wouldn't have tried this had I not received a sample.  That is part of the reason I joined Birchbox. You can read more about the Birchbox deal here.
Do you use samples before trying products?
I am going to the Sephora website to order my full jar right now! I wonder what great new samples I'll choose this time..................................

Birchbox

Photo Credit: Coco Christine Blogspot


I just joined the Birchbox community and I could not be happier. Have you heard of Birchbox?  It is basically a sample club - samples of beauty and hair items. Sometimes they include a food sample. The cost is $10 per month for  deluxe samples sent directly to your door. I won't actually receive my first box until September (hey, that's just a few weeks from now).  I have read about and seen some of the past few months boxes and they look super cool. After  you register to receive your Birchbox, you complete a form telling a bit about yourself. You know - dry skin, wavy hair, etc.  I believe they use this to customize your box a bit.  Some of the brands included are NARS (Omgoodness), Deborah Lippmann, benefit, Philosophy, Stila, bvlgari and many more. The benefit is that you are able to sample products in deluxe sample sizes before you buy the products. If you try something, like it and want to buy, you can directly from Birchbox AND you earn points towards future purchases.

I can not wait to receive my first box in September. Are you a member? If so, I'd love to hear about your experience. https://www.birchbox.com/