Thursday, July 31, 2014

It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Lite Review

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Lite

Another day, a new hair product to try!
I received this one in my March 2014 New Beauty Test Tube.


How To Use: Spritz generously into damp, towel-dried hair. To help the product fully sink into strands, run a wide-toothed comb through hair until it’s totally detangled. Style as usual.


How It Works: A bevy of natural extracts works to moisturize, pump up the volume, rebuild, and protect hair from heat and environmental damage. Some star players to highlight: marshmallow root extract, which adds major lift and body while hydrating the hair shaft and scalp; acai berry, which battles breakage and cranks up shine, and hydrolyzed silk and rice proteins, which work to fortify strands and repair existing damage.


Initial Impressions: I definitely went overboard the first time I used this, because my hair was so greasy. But it smelled good, and I didn't feel like I was coating my hair. The second time I used just enough, and my hair felt really good, at least initially. Throughout the day, it didn't do much for my hair at all- it still got tangled.


Final Impressions: I've had the original used on my hair in hair salons before, and I always thought about purchasing it but didn't. The lite seems to do the same things for my hair that the original does. And it makes brushing my hair right after a shower really easy (and in combination with my Wet Brush, it's like cutting through butter), but once my hair is dry, it's like I didn't do anything at all. Yeah, my hair is a little shinier, and the damage to the ends is a little less noticeable, but my hair tangles just as easily as if I hadn't done anything at all. So I'd still need to use something on my hair to combat that, in addition to using this product. And because my hair is so fine and long, it gets too weighed down if I do that. I won't be purchasing this product, but I can see why so many people like it and call it a miracle product, and if my hair could handle a bunch of different products, this would be one I'd buy a thousand times over.


You can purchase this product from amazon here.



FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box that was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face

COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face

I received this in two different Birchboxes (March and June!), so I figured it was time to just use them!

How To UseSmooth a thin layer onto clean skin.

How It Works: This is no ordinary SPF. COOLA suspended two skin-safe mineral sunblocks—titanium and zinc dioxide—in a moisturizing base to ensure a smooth, even application. Shea butter naturally softens skin. Age-reversing antioxidants like evening primrose extract and borage seed oil deflect free radicals, while naturally water-resistant plankton makes the formula extra-durable.

Initial Impressions: The first thing I noticed is this has almost a mousse-like texture. The second thing is that this smooths on really nicely, and evenly- sometimes with tinted products, I get streakiness, but I didn't with this. I was a little nervous because the color of this product is so yellow-based, but it completely blended in with my skintone. This also felt great under makeup. Overall, my initial impressions were pretty positive!


Final Impressions: I really ended up liking this product, a lot. I liked the texture, I liked how it just glides onto my skin, and I like the way it matches my skin tone. My only complaint is that I used a little too much one day, and got that annoying "makeup in your pores" look. But it was completely my fault for going overboard. I did notice that if I wore this when it was really hot outside, it didn't stay matte- but my oily skin definitely didn't show through as early as with other products- as a matter of fact, when I spent most of a day indoors (pretty much only going outside when I was to and from work), my skin didn't appear oily at ALL. So I wonder if I lived in a better climate if this is how it would be all the time? And I didn't notice any breakouts!
I've put this on my favorites for Birchbox- it's really that great of a product that I could see myself eventually purchasing a full size. It's just a really great sunscreen that also provides a little bit of coverage and acts like a great primer for my bareMinerals. I highly recommend if you see a sample of it somewhere, try it!




You can purchase this from amazon here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box service that was purchased with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Book Review: The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood #2) by Ann Brashares

The Second Summer Of The Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

Description from Goodreads
“Light and romantic," raved The New York Times of the second novel in the  bestselling Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares, author of The Here and Now.

With a bit of last summer’s sand in the pockets, the Traveling Pants and the sisterhood who wears them—Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen—embark on their second summer together.

“Fits like a favorite pair of pants.” —USA Today“A great summer read.” —The Sacramento Bee

 “As comfortable as an old pair of jeans.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred



My Review

This was much better than the first Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book. 
The girls are just one summer older, but seem infinitely wiser. Lena is sympathetic, Tibby is introspective, and Bridget is the epitome of growth in a character. The only character who is pretty much the same is Carmen- she's still a brat, and immature. 

But then I remind myself of the type of teenager I was when I saw my mother dating, and, although I still think Carmen is being selfish, I see more of where she is coming from. 


Bridget travels to visit her grandmother whom she barely remembers but starts to remember pieces of once she is there. But she doesn't tell her grandmother that she's her- she goes by a different name. Of course, her grandmother knows who she is the whole time. (I do not consider this a spoiler- if you don't pick up on that, I can't help you.)

I feel like Bridget's growth was the most profound, and the most real. She is still dealing with losing her mother, and losing her virginity as well. She left her one true love, soccer, because of not being able to cope, and she comes back to herself in such a beautiful way. 

Lena broke up with Kostos, and spends a majority of the book mourning that loss, and then he comes back, they spend an amazing couple of weeks together... and then he is just gone. She also deals with the loss of someone much greater than Kostos, and I cried so much when I read that part. 

There is a reason Kostos is gone, and I'm just excited to see where Lena goes next.

Tibby takes a film course over the summer, and makes friends that lead her to be someone that I really didn't like, but being inside her head definitely made me feel for her wishing for acceptance. She is still thinking about Bailey, but not wanting to think about Bailey. She still misses her hamster. 

Knowing what I know happens at the end of this series (I was spoiled by the internet and its inconsiderate masses, but I don't blame them because I have no clue how I'll handle life when it happens) makes me really sensitive and keyed-in to all of Tibby's feelings about everything. 

And Carmen? Well, her mother is dating, and she is hating life through most of this book. But, eventually, she grows up and accepts that she is going off to college and her mother needs her own life.



Overall, I really, really liked this story so much. I thought the character development was beautiful, and so real. It reminded me a lot of high school and my friends, and how we felt about everything. I can see some of my friends in every girl, and it really makes me wish I had read this when it first came out, and I could have related to it from a present perspective (since this book came out the April before I graduated high school).
I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.


You can purchase a copy of this book for Kindle here, or a physical copy here. Or, pick up a copy from your local library, like I did!

FTC: I borrowed this book from my local library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Lush Haul #1 (and a brief explanation on my Hauling plans)

Here's something I never did in my first year of blogging, but thought it might be fun to try out during my second year- Hauls! Some of my favorite YouTube videos to watch and blog posts to read are Hauls, because you get people's first impressions and excitement about the products.

I plan on trying to do hauls now as often as I feel like is okay. I'm not an avid shopper by any means, but usually when I buy cosmetics or something, I buy more than one thing at a time (usually it's three or more), and I feel like that will warrant a blog posts.
Hauls will also be posted on "off" blog days- so, not a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. I personally don't feel like they should take the place of a normal blog, because hopefully they won't take as long!



My town finally got a Lush towards the end of last year, and I just went on the 25th. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get over there, but now that I have been, I will definitely be going back again and again.
It's not my first time at a Lush- I went with my sister-in-law during one of my visits to San Diego. But I actually like our Lush a lot better than the one we went to- it's bigger and the people were way nicer. Especially the girl that helped me- she really went out of her way to demo the products I was thinking about on my skin, and explained everything throughly. It's so rare that you get that amount of customer service anymore, and I'm hoping when I go again, she's there to help me.
I'm also probably going to go at least once a month to get something new. We'll see! 
I went in there with a list of things I wanted to smell or try (it was about 10 items in total), and ended up leaving with 5 things- two bath bombs, a lip scrub, a shaving soap, and a soap. And the soap wasn't something I initially even thought about, but it smelled so good I couldn't not take at least a little sample. Plus, the girl totally sold me on it!



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I knew I needed to pick this up on my trip when I saw Musings of a Muse raving about it. D'Fluff is a shaving soap, and so far, I've used it twice (legs and underarms), and I'm really impressed. My legs are so smooth, even two days after my initial shave.
I bought the small container, but I am almost positive I will be picking up a big size later. And my husband couldn't believe how smooth my legs were, and might be going with me on my next trip to see if they have a scent that he would like for shaving.

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This Mangnificent soap is the item the lady talked me into, and I haven't used it yet. It gets good reviews on the Lush website, the sales lady just raved about it (and said it's good for stretch marks?! I don't see that anywhere online but it doesn't mean it wouldn't work!), and it smells pretty good. I might stick it in my shower. I got a sample that cost me about $3.50.

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Mint Julips is another thing I knew I wanted when I walked in. I needed a lip exfoliator, bad. My lips being kind of chapped and chewed on are a big reason why I don't wear a lot of lipsticks.
I will say I used this once already, and again, I'm totally sold on it. My lips are so incredibly soft, and this stuff tastes AMAZING (like Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream!).

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I also got a Butterball to try. It's a bath bomb, and it smells so wonderful. I used to wear exclusively vanilla scents a lot in junior high, in addition to my still beloved Cucumber Melon, so this smell definitely took me back. And it has chunks of cocoa butter, so it should be super moisturizing! But I haven't used it yet, because I wanted to use this guy first...

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... Dragon's Egg! I LOVE the smell of this- it's like citrus candy. And it fizzes and pops and feels so good, and then there's the golden center that makes the water (and your skin) kind of shimmery. Not like Twilight Vampire shimmery, but you will come out of the tub with some on you. It's extremely refreshing and really takes all the stress away. I've used this before, and I used the one I bought the night I got home, and it was also the first time I had taken a bath in my new tub! It was wonderful.



I'll do a more complete review of all of the products once I get the chance to use them. And I'm already planning my next trip to Lush!
Is there anything I absolutely have to check out on my next trip??

Thursday, July 24, 2014

ipsy July 2014

My first ipsy bag has arrived!
Just like I do with the birchboxes, I'll post the spoilers and how I feel about them prior to receiving the box first, and then I'll post photos and my overall review of the box.


ipsy July 2014 spoilers

- The Bag: It's cute and appears like it might be made out of some type of waterproof material, but it will probably be something I pass off to a younger girl.
- bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15: This is something I'm really excited to try! Everyone that gets an ipsy bag this month was either getting this or a ready eyeshadow, and I'm kind of glad I got this- I already know how I feel about their eyeshadows, but this is an entirely new product to me. Apparently we can receive either Divine Wine or Barely Nude, and I'm really hoping for the latter.
- Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass: Let me put it this way- I've already told my sister-in-law that she will probably be receiving this when I come down to San Diego in August.
- Faith Aromatherapy Citrus-Ginger Anti-Oxidant Body Lotion: I like the idea of Aromatherapy as a body lotion, and the description says this could help with concentration, so I guess we'll see!
- POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer: I'm not really one to mess with Bronzers, but if this isn't too dark for my skintone, I'll give it a shot!
- Pur-lisse pur-protect essential daily moisturizer spf 30: I've heard good things about this brand, but have never tried it. Now I will!


Ipsy July 2014

I really loved opening my mailbox and seeing this bright pink package!

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Here's the bag. When I was seeing reviews around the internet, I thought "what a cheap looking bag!". But it's way cuter in person. It still feels kind of cheap, but I only plan on keeping the ones I like the most, and passing along the others. For now, I've made this my "work bag" that I keep stuff in that I like to have out at my desk (feminine hygiene products, a couple lipglosses/balms, a foundation, and my keys), and I'll probably do that with all of these bags, just so I can actually use them for awhile to see how I like them. But I have a little girl cousin that might really like this one, so we'll see!

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I really did enjoy this little detail on the zipper. I love things like this.

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All of my products! And, yes, they do all fit inside the bag. I noticed that some people's do some months, and others don't, but this month, mine all did. 

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bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Divine Wine
Meet the next generation in eyeshadow: creamy, long-wearing color meets exceptional skincare benefits and Broad Spectrum SPF protection. Chock-full of skin-loving ingredients, this breakthrough product delivers 5 benefits in one luxurious formula.
How To Use: Smooth on with paddle applicator and blend with fingertips or your preferred brush. Repeat for added intensity. Wear alone or under your favorite eyecolors for multidimensional effects.
How It Works: Benefits: 12-hour long-wearing color, supercharged primer, powerful brightening benefits, smoothes the appearance of fine lines, and protects with Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Will I Use It?: I have tried this already. It's not as dark as it appears on the swatch, especially once it's blended out. It's an okay color on it's own, but not really for me. I'll probably be layering this under other colors.
I will say that I didn't notice any creasing with this, and the color stayed true for me throughout the day. I've read reviews of people saying otherwise, but that's not my experience. 


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Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass in Cherry
All day color that will kick some SASS! That’s right, we said it. Tints & Sass is the only head turning lip and cheek stain that gives you fail proof color every time! The non-drying formula lasts all day, even after a power lunch and yoga session, and was created to accommodate every second of a gal's busy schedule. 
How to Use: The gentle and lightweight formula feels like it's barely there, unlike heavy lipsticks and rouges. The soft tipped applicator makes it ridiculously easy to swipe onto lips and the apples of the cheeks, creating a natural yet unforgettably sexy glow.
How It Works: 
Smells like delicious cherries! Formulated to not only stay put all day, but it's also absolutely irresistible and keeps the boys coming back for more; Check out the non-drip and spill proof bottle, because there is nothing worse than staining anything other than your gorgeous lips and cheeks; and Want a more dramatic look? Layer Tints & Sass to transform that dewy color to a red-hot siren lip with rosier cheeks. (Remember: Blend with your fingers while wet to smooth out the color.) 

Will I Use It?: Well... I'm really nervous about this product. I'm not really one for tints and stuff like this, and the color is slightly intimidating to me. I will try it, but, most likely, this will travel with me to San Diego next month and I'll be giving it to my sister-in-law. 


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Faith Aromatherapy Citrus-Ginger Anti-Oxidant Body Lotion
A daily body lotion that softens your skin and locks in moisture while preventing environmental oxidation. The light citrus-ginger uplifts the senses, balances digestion, and increases positivity.
How To Use: For best results, apply in the morning or evening after bathing and exfoliation. May be used on the face for normal/dry skin types.
How It Works: This body lotion is absorbent and softens your skin to lock in moisture while preventing environmental oxidation with Faith’s Cell DNA Protection Complex. The light citrus-ginger essential oil fragrance blend not only softens the skin, but also aids in concentration, uplifts the senses, and fights free radical damage. 
Will I Use It?: I will definitely add this to my growing collection of sample lotions! However, something in this just doesn't agree with me, scent-wise. It has almost a citrusy-feet type smell (does anyone else know what I'm talking about when I say feet smell?). It could be the ginger. I definitely won't be using this on my face, but I will give it a shot for a body lotion.

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POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer
How To Use: POP your skills: Gently buff pigments onto apples of cheeks & cheekbones, forehead, jaw line & bridge of the nose. Blend until seamless. Swoop gently over eyelids for a no-fuss eye defining effect. 
How It Works: This radiance enhancing bronze glow delivers a soft honey beamed hue, adding warmth and a sun kissed lift to complexion. 
Will I Use It?: I used this a couple of times, and I think it imparts a nice glow to my skin. I have to be really, really careful with bronzers, because I am so fair, but I think this is a nice one to add to my small bronzer collection. It's also really pretty blended into the crease of my eye to deepen out some of my more natural eye looks. 


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pur~lisse pur~protect essential daily moisturizer spf 30
Recently featured in Vogue as Editor’s Favorite Summer Sun Product,this anti-aging moisturizer has SPF 30 built-in, so you’ll get extra protection for incidental sun exposure. You’ll love the lightweight, yet nourishing, texture. Plus, it doesn’t leave skin with a white tint, so you can use with or without makeup. This moisturizer dries down to a healthy glow, and is perfect for sensitive skin. 
How To Use: After cleansing skin, apply liberally. The most effective use is 30 minutes before sun exposure.
How It Works: Stay protected with pure flower power. Pur~lisse's unique peptide complex, Lotus Lupine 5, and Hydra-Shield Complex, offers superior full-spectrum sun protection in a light weight nourishing moisturizer. Skin is pampered and protected against premature aging caused by the day's rays. 
Will I Use It?: I've used this a couple of times, and it does sink in super fast, and didn't seem overly greasy on my skin. For a facial sunscreen, that is definitely a win!


Overall, my first ipsy bag is a win for me! I wasn't jumping up and down for anything specifically, but it's nicely curated, and all of the products seem to fit my profile.

If any of you are interested in signing up for ipsy, please click there and use my affiliate link! I receive points which I will exchange for products that I can review on this blog.


FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from the ipsy card included in the box.

This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links and an ipsyaffiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
The individual product links to the ipsy product page are not affiliate links.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Birchbox July 2014

My box shipped on the 8th this month, and all I could think once I saw the spoilers on the 10th is "I really, really hope I get this specific box this time!"


July 2014 Birchbox

- RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer in Relic: I actually got to pick this sample this month! It's the first time birchbox is letting their subscribers pick a sample, and you could pick one of the three available Ruffian Nail Lacquers.so I chose Relic. It's described as a silvery taupe, which is pretty much right up my alley!
- RUFFIAN Dressing Room Nail Lacquer Remover Towelettes: I'm always willing to give a new polish remover a try, but I've never been a huge fan of towelettes soaked in remover, and they never work as great for me as they seem to work for everyone else. But I'll definitely see if they work!
- Naoboy Body Radiance Lotion: I wasn't super excited about this at first, but I do love to try new lotions, and it's made of almost completely natural ingredients! It also gets pretty good reviews on the birchbox site.
- Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel: I am usually not too excited about anything with the name peel on it, and this is the sample I'm least excited about.To me, peel is way too much for my sensitive skin. However, the description says suitable for all skin types, so I'll try it out.
- Beauty Protector Protect and Treat Hair Mask: I received the Beauty Protector Shampoo and Conditioner in my May 2014 birchbox, and the Hair Oil in my February 2014 birchbox, and I did enjoy them, so I'm anxious to give this a shot. (Also, I wonder if I'll be getting two based on my spoiler photo?? I guess we'll see when I get the box!)
-  Benefit Posiebalm: I am extremely excited to give this a try, because the color of posiebalm is a color I really like!


Birchbox July 2014

They partnered with Women's Health this month, and how stinking cute is this box?!

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And I got what they said would be in my box this time. Hooray!

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Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask
Developed by stylists, this argan oil treatment restores strength and megashine to hair.
How To Use: Work through wet hair, focusing on ends. Leave on for up to 20 minutes before rinsing away.
How It Works: The formula is loaded with antioxidants to neutralize damaging free radicals. Argan oil, honey, amber, and crushed pearls (if the mask’s creamy texture wasn’t proof enough of its luxuriousness) revive strands and preserve their youthful texture and shine. What’s more, the mask works with all hair types, and is cruelty-free.

Will I Use It?: Yes, and I love that it smells like the other Beauty Protector products. This is currently in my shower, waiting for the next time I deep condition. 


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Benefit Cosmetics Posiebalm
This mango butter balm hydrates lips and provides a wash of sheer, just-right pink.
How To Use: Sweet onto bare lips, or over your favorite Benefit tint for instant moisture.
How It Works: This balm has mango butter and sodium hyaluronate to moisturize lips. The subtle pink shade looks good on everyone (after passing it around Birchbox HQ, we have yet to be proven wrong).
This balm has mango butter and sodium hyaluronate to moisturize lips. The subtle pink shade looks good on everyone (after passing it around Birchbox HQ, we have yet to be proven wrong).
Will I Use It?: I've been using this, and I really, really like it. I'm actually planning on buying it as soon as this sample runs out, because I've been just a little obsessed with it. It makes my lips feel so soft, and has just a little bit of a pinkish tint. Although this sample was really small, it's a good one because I haven't even finished using it, and I already want to buy it. 


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NAOBAY Body Radiance Lotion
This Spanish favorite uses olive oil and avocado to naturally hydrate and soften skin.
How To Use: Massage generously into skin, focusing on dry patches like elbows and knees.
How It Works: Olive oil, shea butter, and avocado oil deliver serious moisture, while aloe vera soothes and protects skin. More than 98 percent of ingredients in this creamy lotion are natural, and over 19 percent are organic—and like all Naobay products, it’s free of GMOs and made without parabens, formaldehyde, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes, and a host of other chemicals that research suggests may come with health risks.
Will I Use It?: I have used this, and I kind of liked it. The smell is really light, but nice, like lemongrass. Actually, my first thought was lemonhead candy, but that's what lemongrass smells like to me. It also lingered on my skin really nicely. The only thing I didn't really like about it was that it was thinner than I am used to, and it sank in super fast- like I didn't really get a chance to rub it all the way in before it was just in. I guess that's great if you're not a fan of that after-lotion sticky feeling, but I kind of like a thicker lotion. So I'll use this and post a final review later. Maybe I didn't use enough when I was trying it the first time.


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Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel
This acid-free peel gently exfoliates for instantly softer, smoother, brighter skin.
How To Use: Apply to clean face, wait 30 seconds, and massage to slough off dull, dry skin. Rinse away.
How It Works: Suitable for all skin types, this pH-neutral protein peel gently exfoliates delicate skin without the use of harsh acids or abrasives. The unique gel binds to dead skin cells on the face, neck, and décolleté, forming solids that can be easily washed away with water. In just three minutes you’ll reveal the luminous, younger-looking skin below. Great for reducing the appearance of acne scars, dark spots, rosacea, and blotchiness (and who doesn’t suffer from at least one of those?).
Will I Use It?: Yes, definitely! I love trying out new exfoliators- especially ones that say suitable for all skin types, because with my sensitive skin, I am the perfect one to put that claim to the test!


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RUFFIAN The Rapture Collection - Ambrosia
Streak-free metallic polish in a trendy, summer-perfect shade.
How To Use: Apply a base coat and follow with a single coat of this long-lasting lacquer.
How It Works: Each polish is created to hold up for days without chipping, and unlike most metallic shades, this one applies completely streak-free. We love how Ruffian’s deco-inspired bottles look on our vanities, but we especially love how the unique bottle shape helps us get a good grip on the cap for controlled, steady application.
Will I Use It?: Absolutely! I'm still trying to get my nails back in good shape, but I think I'm just going to paint them and do that method like I used to do. Moving really did a number on me, but I need to get my nails looking pretty again.
Birchbox also including a bonus item in my box this month: The RUFFIAN Dressing Room Nail Lacquer Remover Towelettes. And another bonus- this is a reviewable item, which means this month I can earn up to 60 points, which should get me qualified for the Birchbox Aces program! 


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Another bonus- a free year subscription to Women's Health magazine! I've read this magazine a few times at my gyno's office, and it's a good one, so I'm kind of excited! Plus, the subscription is the price of the box, so this completely pays for it, and the samples are like a bonus. 

The box also came with these Power Up Challenge cards.
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If you instagram pics of yourself conquering these challenges, you are entered to win a trip to NYC and a collection of products from the July 2014 birchbox. I probably won't do them to enter the contest, but it was fun to read through! 


This was a great box, especially after my weird month last month. I am excited about every product, and the magazine subscription is like icing on an already great cake. And I'm definitely getting Birchbox Aces, so that's something else to look forward to! I'm pretty happy with my birchbox subscription right now, and don't see cancelling anytime soon!


If any of you are interested in signing up for Birchbox, please click there and use my affiliate link! I receive points which I will exchange for products that I can review on this blog.


FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from the Birchbox card included in the box.

This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links and a birchbox affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
The individual product links to the birchbox product page are not affiliate links.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Book Review: My Real Children by Jo Walton

My Real Children by Jo Walton

Description from Goodreads
It's 2015, and Patricia Cowan is very old. "Confused today," read the notes clipped to the end of her bed. She forgets things she should know—what year it is, major events in the lives of her children. But she remembers things that don’t seem possible. She remembers marrying Mark and having four children. And she remembers not marrying Mark and raising three children with Bee instead. She remembers the bomb that killed President Kennedy in 1963, and she remembers Kennedy in 1964, declining to run again after the nuclear exchange that took out Miami and Kiev.

Her childhood, her years at Oxford during the Second World War—those were solid things. But after that, did she marry Mark or not? Did her friends all call her Trish, or Pat? Had she been a housewife who escaped a terrible marriage after her children were grown, or a successful travel writer with homes in Britain and Italy? And the moon outside her window: does it host a benign research station, or a command post bristling with nuclear missiles?

Two lives, two worlds, two versions of modern history. Each with their loves and losses, their sorrows and triumphs. My Real Children is the tale of both of Patricia Cowan's lives...and of how every life means the entire world.



My Review
My Real Children is a story about a woman split between two worlds- the world she lives in where she marries Mark and goes by Trish, and has four children, and the world where she doesn't marry Mark, but instead raises three children with her partner, Bee. 

But not just that- in the world with Mark, Kennedy is blown up by a bomb in Texas, we have settlements on the moon, and potentially will have settlements on Mars. In the world with Bee, Kennedy resigns following nuclear crisis, the world is uneasy, bombs are set off on train stations that cause lifelong heartache for Pat (as she goes by), but she spends years writing guidebooks and summering in Italy. 

In her life with Mark, she spends a majority of her life miserable, but in her life with Bee, she is happy and content. But the world isn't. 
So the real question this book got me thinking of- how do your decisions effect your own life, and how do they effect the entire world? 

It's like the butterfly effect- you do one thing, and it changes everything. And by deciding to marry Mark, or not marry Mark, it literally has changed the world. 


The book spends the first five chapters leading up to her proposal from Mark and after spends the rest of the book, other than the final chapter, going back and forth between her life with Mark, and her life with Bee. Trish is clearly miserable with Mark, and she only gives him children initially because Mark has her convinced it's her duty to God to populate. They sleep together as husband and wife what appears to be a little more than a handful of times throughout their marriage, but she has four children (and three miscarriages / stillbirths) that she raises and cares for deeply. The world has war, but nothing unlike our world now. Her oldest son becomes a semi-popular musician, her other son marries on the moon, one daughter eventually settles down after having a daughter young, and the other is also successful in her field. Her mother develops dementia, and, eventually, Trish begins to lose her memory after a heart attack. 
Pat has a wonderful life, traveling, writing, and raising three children with her partner, Bee. But the world itself is a mess- nuclear war, bombings... it's a disaster. Bee is majorly effected by a bombing in a train station. One of her daughters becomes an architect in Italy, her son is a composer, and her other daughter marries as well. Her mother also develops dementia and Pat also begins to lose her memory after a heart attack.
So there are many similarities in her life, but also many differences. 

So who are her real children, and what is her real life? Did she have a mostly happy life with Bee, or a miserable but serviceable one with Mark? Are her miscarriages/stillbirths her made-up memories of a life with Bee, or did she marry Bee but somewhere in her mind, does she wonder what would have happened had she married him?


The final chapter of this book did cause me to pause a moment, and reflect on my own life- how do the decisions I make in my life make the world a different place? Maybe a better or worse place, or does it do anything at all? 
I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.



If you'd like to purchase a copy of this book, you can purchase a copy for Kindle here, or a hardcover copy here. Or you can borrow a copy from your local library, like I did!


FTC: I borrowed this book from my local library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains amazon affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette Review

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette.
(Palette provided by Birchbloggers.)

Jouer  Blushing Beauty Palette

I'm going to be honest- I hadn't heard much about Jouer, but what I have heard has been positive, and since I won the palette in a Birchbloggers contest, that made it all the better. This is a $58.00 palette!
(FYI- the way Birchbloggers contests work is they send an email out and you tweet certain things (like you would like to review this palette), and you tag birchbox and the brand, and then they pick the winners).
This is the second contest I've won through Birchbloggers (the book I reviewed earlier in the week was also from them), and I feel very fortunate!

This palette comes with four separate pieces- eyes, face, tint & highlighter, and lip gloss.

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

Chocolate and Peach Powder Eyeshadow Duo

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

The swatches of the Chocolate shade actually come off much more pigmented than they do on a brush, but I really like both of the colors! They're very natural, perfect for a no makeup look. They also recommend using the Chocolate shade wet as a liner.  The Peach shade looks just gorgeous on.

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

Whisper Tint & Feather Highlighter Duo

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

I'm one of those that gets very nervous to wear cream anything, but these are so easy to apply! The Whisper tint is just the perfect hint of color for my fair skin, and the highlighter goes on just right. And they stayed all day, even in the 100 degree weather we've been experiencing (and I was actually shopping out in it the day I tried this, and wasn't wearing any kind of face primer).

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

Sheer Matte Powder Bronzer Duo

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

I only swatched the bronzer, because the sheer matte powder is just that- sheer. It does help with oil control, and I can definitely see tossing it in a very small bag for a touch up. The bronzer is a really good shade for my skin tone, and worked really well for contouring. I used this the same day I used the Whisper Tint, and they complemented each other very well.

 photo Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

Cherish Moisturizing Lip Gloss

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

This lipgloss is super moisturizing, and not at all sticky. And it's also a really great "my lips but better" gloss. This is definitely staying in any purse I carry all the time.

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

Finally, the thing I really like about this is that it's customizable- you can move the pieces around to what is best for you. You just use the grooves on the side of the palette to determine the best way.

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

There are also these slots in the back that you can put together the pieces with as well.

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette

See? You can actually put the other square on top, so it makes the palette super compact, and travel friendly!


I am super impressed with this palette overall, and am definitely going to look into trying more Jouer products!
This would be the perfect palette to buy someone that doesn't have a lot of makeup, but is looking for a more natural look. It would also be really good for a beginner- I know I would have loved something like this in my first years of using makeup, because it's practically fool-proof, and is really high quality.


You can buy your own Jouer Blushing Beauty Palette from JouerCosmetics.com.

FTC: I received this book as part of a birchbloggers contest. All thoughts and opinions are my own.