Tuesday, September 30, 2014

BATR Book Club: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

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(Read my Judging A Book post about this book here.)

This book was so good, and kept me guessing until the very end!

The main characters are incredibly complex and so different from each other- you have Madeline, who is this slightly crazed mom who is dealing with her ex-husband's new wife and her teenage daughter, Celeste who seems to have the idea life as a rich stay-at-home mom, and Jane, who is a single mom to a little boy who is accused of being a bully. 
There are many other characters, but those three are who the story centers around. The story as a whole centers around characters that have children in Kindergarten. 
Also, this story takes place in Australia, which I didn't know when this first started. Not that it's a huge part of the story, but it is something they mention.

You know almost right away that there is a death in this story, but I could not figure it out the whole story. I know what I was hoping for, but I just didn't know. But I did out loud say "OMG" when it happened. And when another reveal happens- I did NOT see it coming, at all. I was in absolute shock.
(I talk a lot when I read books, and laugh. It's just a thing I do. Like the characters can hear me or something...)

This wasn't a quick read by any means (the book is 480 pages!) but it didn't feel like a long read, either. 
I gave this book a solid four stars on Goodreads. I really liked it and it kept me interested. 


Have any questions or want to talk about the book? Discuss below!



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


Disclosure: I won this book in a Birchbloggers contest to review in the month of September. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains amazon affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Adventures in Cooking: "Yes We Have No Banana Pudding"

I am not a cook. 
I have little experience doing any form of cooking. I wasn't raised to help cook, really. Over the past couple of years, I've started to experiment a little bit, putting together pasta or broccoli salads for potlucks, and receive pretty good feedback (other than one time that I got my pasta a little too al dente), but overall, actual cooking isn't really something I feel passionate about.

Something I have discovered I really like, though, is baking. Or doing desserts. I think I like it because it's more exact, with little wiggle room. I don't have to figure out a dash of this or a pinch of that- it's cups and ounces, and tablespoons and teaspoons. 


My Father-In-Law and Step Mother-In-Law were coming over for a BBQ, and I decided I wanted to make a dessert. My husband is a huge Alton Brown fan, and recently they re-aired his Good Eats episode "Yes We Have No Banana Pudding," in which he makes both a refrigerated and baked banana pudding. I decided to give the refrigerated a try. 

Refrigerated Banana Pudding (adapted from Alton Brown's recipe)
Total Time: 3 hr 10 min 
Prep: 30 min 
Inactive: 2 hr 30 min 
Cook: 10 min 
Yield: 8 to 10 servings 
Level: Easy 

Ingredients 
3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons 
3 tablespoons cornstarch 
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
2 large eggs 
1 large egg yolk 
2 cups whole milk 
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces and chilled 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
45 vanilla wafers 
4 ounces banana liqueur 
3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds 
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 
1 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold 


Directions 
Combine 3/4 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch and salt in a 3-quart saucier. Add the eggs and egg yolk and whisk to combine. Add the milk and whisk until well combined, about 30 seconds. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 172 to 180 degrees F, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture will begin to thicken and bubble around the edges. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, 1 piece at a time, being sure each piece is fully incorporated before adding the next. Whisk in the vanilla extractCover the surface of the pudding with a round piece of parchment and refrigerate until the pudding reaches 45 degrees F, approximately 2 hours. 
Lay the vanilla wafers on a half sheet pan. Slowly and evenly pour the banana liqueur over the cookies. Set aside for 10 minutes. 
Toss the banana slices with the lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.  
Spread a small amount of pudding in the bottom of a 1 1/2-quart glass mixing bowl. Cover with a layer of vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of banana slices. Spoon 1/3 of the remaining pudding on top of the bananas and repeat, ending with a layer of pudding. 
Put the whipping cream in the bowl of a stand mixer, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and whisk just until stiff peaks form. Spoon the whipped creamover the cooled pudding and spread to cover completely. Top with any remaining soaked cookies. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.


I have a couple suggestions, especially if you have an electric range, I would suggest cooking on Medium or one notch above medium in order to get the same cooking time. I found this out when I had to remake mine, because it took over an hour on medium-low to get up to 172 degrees.
If it's not thickening up by the time you add the butter, it won't thicken. At least that was my experience. 


Not to toot my own horn, but everyone really loved this dish. Something about the sweetness of the pudding and the liqueur on the cookies really made it something special. 
However, next time I make this I will definitely be trying out Alton's Vanilla Wafers, because they might be a little drier than store bought, and therefore, won't absorb quite so much of the liqueur. Because a few of the cookies got absolutely soaked and a little soggy. 



Hopefully you all enjoyed this extra post this week! I'm definitely going to be trying out some new recipes and things and let you guys know how they go!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

ipsy September 2014

Ahhh I love everything in this bag!

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- The Bag: I can't actually tell if I'll like this or not. I like the colors, but I'll reserve judgement until I hold it in my hands.
- Alterna Haircare CAVIAR CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction: I have wanted to try this for awhile, so I'm really happy to see it in my bag. I just hope that it's a decent enough sample to at least get 3 or 4 uses.
- Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush: I'm always excited for new brushes, and I've heard good things about Crown Brushes.
- NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow: I wonder if I'll be receiving this purple shade, because according to the ipsy website, there are 10 different shades I might receive. I'm already a fan of NYX, so unless they send me a color I don't like, I know that I'll like it.
- Pacifica Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil: I never really get excited about standard pencil liners- I'm more of a fan of the kind that twist up. So this is one product that I'm just meh about, and I kind of wish I had received the nail polish instead. There are two color choices (Gunmetal or Fringe), and I don't really care which one I get.
- CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss: The two choices are Basic Instinct (which is the one shown above), and Love Affair, which is a deeper red color. I kind of am hoping I get Basic Instinct. According to the spoilers, this will be a full sized item. (And the lipgloss is worth $19.00, so this will basically pay for the whole bag.)



I really like the bag this time- it's kind of got an 80s vibe, and I like that it's just a little bigger than the last couple of months' bags have been. 



Alterna Haircare CAVIAR CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction
A miracle leave-in product that delivers 10 benefits in 1 easy step, leaving hair perfectly polished. Can be used alone or as a foundation for the layering of other styling products.
How To Use: Apply evenly to clean, towel-dried hair & style as desired. Can also be used as a finisher on dry hair for added perfection.
How It Works: Caviar CC Cream perfects hair in 10 different ways for complete: Moisture, Shine, Smoothness, Softness, Anti-Breakage, Heat Protection, Light Hold, UV Protection, Manageability and Strength
Will I Use It?: I've already tried it once, but results weren't that exciting. I'll keep using it and do a more complete review. 




Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush
This dual-ended brush offers the best of both worlds.
How To Use: The shadow brush is perfect for applying eye shadow or contouring the eye, while the crease brush is designed to be used dry for defining the eye, or wet for precision concealing.  
Will I Use It?: I've used this brush a handful of times since receiving it, and I understand why Crown Brushes are so hyped. This is one of the best quality brushes I own, and can definitely see investing in some others in the near future.






NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow in Bling
Whether your look is edgy or natural, NYX’s unique formulation is easy to blend and build on. 88 amazing shades inspired by the latest fashion runway trends.
How It Works: Hot Singles are intense! Powerfully loaded with pigments, this versatile formula lets you make a statement for any occasion
Will I Use It?: I added it to my makeup bag, but haven't used it yet. I will, though!






Pacifica Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil in Fringe
These rich water-proof, buttery smooth eye pencils glide on smooth and deliver big color pay off with every stroke. 
How It Works: Long-lasting natural formula, provides hours of wear and contains beneficial ingredients great for the sensitive eye area.
Will I Use It?: I used it on a day when I knew I'd need a waterproof mascara, and this definitely came through- it didn't budge at all. It's a nice, dark brown color, and I really like it!






CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss in Basic Instinct
CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss delivers the stunning color impact of a lip stain and high shine of a lip gloss. 
How It Works: This silky smooth gloss glides on your lips like butter, leaving you with a lacquer like finish.
Will I Use It?: I really like the color, but I haven't used it yet. 


I really enjoyed everything in this bag, but I have decided to switch up my profile a bit- I've unmarked lip products completely. Hopefully I won't receive any for awhile, because I'm not even a big lip product junkie, so none of them are really getting used. 
This isn't reflected at all of the color or quality of the lip products received, I just won't use them and would rather see what else I get if that option isn't available for now.


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 ipsy, amazon.com, or the product page on the brand's website.

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, September 24, 2014

Birchbox September 2014

It's Birchbox's 4th anniversary! Happy Anniversary, Birchbox!

This month, I received an email asking to choose a sample, much like last month and the month before. I hope that means this is becoming a regular thing, because I really like it!


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I chose to get the 2nd sample on the top from the left, which is the Davines sample package. The reason I chose this is largely because it's a complete Shampoo/Conditioner/Oil set, and there's also three products, so I knew I would get to review them all, which will give me more Birchbox points.


I received my shipping notification on the 6th this month! According to "Everything You Need To Know About The Birchbox Cycle," all boxes now ship by the 10th, which is awesome, because it used to be you didn't really know when it would ship. I'm really happy mine shipped so early.

However, I did have to wait until the 10th to see all of my spoilers!

 photo BirchboxSept2014spoilers_zpsf102ae1d.png  photo BirchboxSept2014Spoilers2_zpsacfc68f8.png


- Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee Cologne Absolue: The description says this has jasmine, vanilla, and lime. I'm not sure about those combos together, but it could surprise me.

- Davines OI/Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion: This is a serum, actually, and you all know how much I love hair stuff.
- Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Starter Kit: This is probably the most hyped up item I will receive in a Birchbox (at least up to this point), so I have very high expectations!
- Davines OI/Shampoo: This shampoo claims to boost volume and improve hair texture. We'll see!
- Davines OI/Conditioner: This is supposed to soften and protect hair, and improve drying time. Again, we'll see!
- Acure Organics Day Cream Gotu Kola Stem Cell +1% CGF: Hmmm another anti-aging day cream. But this also claims to help fight free radical damage, and who doesn't want that?! (Okay, that was slightly sarcastic, even though I do know that it's a good thing.)
- Pixi by Petra Breath of Fresh Air Exclusive Lip Balm Set: I'm assuming since the sample says set, I will receive them all? I guess we'll see!


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I LOVE the packing this month! It's so cute!


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Acure Organics Day Cream

Made with gotu kola stem cells, this antiaging moisturizer firms and protects skin.
How To Use: Smooth onto clean, dry face, neck, and chest
How It Works: Chlorella growth factor protects collagen and elastin fibers for stronger, more elastic skin. Gotu kola stem cells stimulate cell turnover, help fight free radical damage, and firm skin tone, restoring and evening complexion. The easily absorbed formula locks in moisture for all day nourishment of normal to dry skin.
Will I Use It?:I definitely will give it a try. I've heard it's a thicker moisturizer, so I might wait to use it when it's not 100 degrees plus outside every day. I will definitely post a review once I am able to use it.


 photo BirchboxSeptember2014_3_zpsb603bd7a.jpg


Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee Fragrance

A fresh, lively blend of soft vanilla, romantic jasmine, and bright lime notes.
How To Use: Spritz onto pulse points- a little goes a long way.

How It Works: Romantic and sumptuous, this scent is a worthy addition to any fragrance collection. Top notes of bright lime and coriander mingle with middle notes of jasmine and oak moss. Madagascar vanilla and amber notes anchor the scent.
Will I Use It?: I haven't been in the mood for perfumes too much lately, but when I am, I'll give this a try. I also really like the postcard the sample came with- it's super cute! I've been using it as a bookmark.


 photo BirchboxSeptember2014_4_zps5035aa52.jpg


Davines Oi Conditioner (the shampoo and oil are bonuses)

Loaded with apricot butter and roucou oil, this detangler protects and softens hair.
How To Use: Apply small amount to hair after shampooing, focusing on ends. Rinse after 2-3 minutes.
How It Works: Natural active ingredients like antioxidant-fueled roucou oil guard hair from harsh UV radiation and heat styling, while apricot butter softens, conditions, and soothes.
Will I Use It: I love hair products, and trying them, so of course I'll try it! And I'm thrilled that Birchbox gave me the whole system to try. I will definitely post a review once I get a chance to use it.


 photo BirchboxSeptember2014_5_zps65abe49a.jpg


Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Starter Kit

UK favorite that uses a two-step ritual to purify and exfoliate. A Birchbox exclusive!
How To Use: Massage into skin. With muslin cloth, wipe off gently in small circles, from the center out. 
How It Works: This creamy cleanser contains moisturizing cocoa butter, and two of nature’s best astringents: eucalyptus essential oil and rosemary. These plant oils lift dirt off the skin’s surface without disrupting the natural barrier function. The 100 percent cotton muslin cloth gently exfoliates without irritation, even for the most sensitive complexions.
Will I Use It?: I absolutely will use it! I've heard such good things about this product, so I wonder if it will live up to the hype? I will definitely provide a full review and let you all know!


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 photo BirchboxSeptember2014_7_zps228892ab.jpg
Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Ripe Raspberry

Dual-purpose balm that hydrates with shea butter and give lips bright, buildable color.
How To Use: Swipe onto lips for instant moisture. Layer on for a more intense hue.
How It Works: This exclusive set features four tinted lip balms: Honey Nectar, Ripe Raspberry, Natural Rose, and Comfort Clear. Formulated with shea butter and vitamin E, each infuses lips with moisture with every application. No flaking or dryness here!
Will I Use It: I have used it, and I really like the color! It has better pigmentation than I thought it would, it's very smooth, and lasts quite a while. I definitely recommend it!



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, September 23, 2014

Fall Nail Pinspiration

Happy Fall! I definitely am ready for it this year- it has been so hot and muggy here!

To continue my seasonal nail pinspiration (I previously have done Spring and Summer), it's time now for Fall!
(As always, clicking on the picture will take you directly to the pin, so you can pin them to your own boards.)

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This is really cute, and the pin has 18 other really cute ideas!

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You can't go wrong with some cute pumpkins in the fall!

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The only design that wasn't really Fall Holiday-centric, and I just love that deep olive color.

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And here's a collection of some more!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

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Description from Goodreads: Check out the #1 New York Times bestseller Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, called “a surefire hit” by Entertainment Weekly.
 
"The secrets burrowed in this seemingly placid small town...are so suburban noir they would make David Lynch clap with glee...[Moriarty] is a fantastically nimble writer, so sure-footed that the book leaps between dark and light seamlessly; even the big reveal in the final pages feels earned and genuinely shocking.” —Entertainment Weekly

"Reading one [of Liane Moriarty's novels] is a bit like drinking a pink cosmo laced with arsenic... [BIG LITTLE LIES] is a fun, engaging and sometimes disturbing read” –USA Today


Sometimes it’s the little lies that turn out to be the most lethal. . . .
  A murder… . . . a tragic accident… . . . or just parents behaving badly?  
What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.   But who did what?
  Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:   Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (howis this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?). 
Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.   New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.
  Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.



I won this book in a Birchbloggers contest (I've been very lucky when it comes to those!)

This book has so much hype! I first heard about it by reading TheSkimm, and since then, it's been everywhere! It sounds so interesting, and like it will have some very well-written female characters, which I am always drawn to.
A reviewer on Goodreads says it's Heavy Chick Lit, so it sounds like it will be a very interesting read.

Superficially, I am actually in love with the cover of this book. The silver is so shiny, and the letters are raised, which is just one of those little details I really love.


I'm going to try to finish this book quickly, by the end of September, so be on the lookout!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Lush Dragon's Egg Bath Bomb Review

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How To Use: Fill your bathtub with warm water, drop in the Bath Bomb and lay back to enjoy its lovely color and gorgeous fragrance. Some LUSH Bath Bombs contain flower petals and others have secret surprises (if you prefer not to have these pieces floating in your tub, wrap the Bath Bomb in a recycled nylon before use). To make your experience even more memorable, combine your fragrant Bath Bomb with a Luxury Bath Melt


How It Works: Unleash fire and bathe in a whirlpool of magnificently vibrant, sizzling color and a spectacular explosion of sights, sounds, and scents. Inhale the refreshing sherbet-y citrus scent of lemon and bergamot; you'll feel like you're up and away on the back of your own dragon. This mystical Bath Bomb fizzles, crackles, curls, and ends with a glitter explosion. Citrus oils are known for their invigorating effect on the mind, and Dragon's Egg is no exception! Drop one of these into the bath for a serious wake-up call on groggy mornings, or before an evening out.


My Review: I absolutely love this bath bomb. I dropped into into my bath as I was climbing in, and let the fizz surround me with the most wonderful citrus and bergamot smells. I also really like the glittery ball in the middle- it makes the water shimmer so beautifully, but doesn't transfer to much on the skin. It has a really refreshing scent, and if I took baths in the morning, it probably would wake me up, but I usually take a bath after a long day.
The only thing is that this will make it look like you peed in your bathtub. And it does leave a little bit of film along the bottom, but if you rinse out the tub after use, it won't stain. At least, I didn't notice any staining.
I've purchased this before, and I will purchase this again and again. I absolutely love it!


You can purchase this product here, or at your local Lush store.



FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday: Lorac Mega Pro Palette

I have no idea how much it will cost, and I only know that it comes out next month, but I NEED this.



(picture from the Lorac Cosmetics Instagram Account)


It appears to be mostly new colors, too!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

BATR Book Club: Sisterhood Everlasting (Sisterhood #5) by Ann Brashares

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This book is really sad. And really real.
If you liked the other four books (and I did), then prepare yourself. Or if you've only seen the movies, and want to see how it ends... also, prepare yourself. Because things aren't peaceful in the land of the Sisterhood.

If you loved that special sisterhood camaraderie you probably won't like this very much. The sisters are older, and have grown apart. They still love each other; that much is obvious.
But if you want to read a book that really gets what friendship is like as an adult, definitely pick this up.

I do think you need to have some idea of what the Sisterhood is all about if you read this book- going into it blind would be a bad idea, and wouldn't have the same emotional impact. But if you like the Sisterhood, whether from the books or the movies, pick this up. See how it ends.


You might close the book sad, and wanting to call your best friend. But you'll be happy you opened it.




Have any questions or want to talk about the book? Discuss below!



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


Disclosure: 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, September 11, 2014

Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash Review



How To Use: Wet face with warm water. Squeeze a small amount into hands and work into a lather. Massage gently in a circular motion onto wet skin. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Avoid delicate eye area.


How It Works: Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash thoroughly cleanses your skin, removing oil, dirt, and other impurities. Perfect even for sensitive skin, this gentle, soap-free face wash contains no dyes, artificial perfumes, or harsh chemicals that can upset skin. Enriched with vitamins B5 and E and natural bisabolol, the wash will leave your face feeling clean and refreshed.


Initial Impressions: This reminds me a lot of the Evologie Stay Clear Cleanser, which makes sense, because the first few ingredients are the same thing, only in a bit of a different order. It made my skin feel clean, and ready for the day!


Final Impressions: I still really like this product! It still makes my skin feel clean and refreshed, and it's extremely gentle. I feel really good about using this product, because it doesn't have a lot of junk in it. Maybe it's me getting older, maybe it's the fact that my husband and I are thinking about starting our family, but I've been really seeking out products that are a little kinder to my skin. I also notice my skin reacts better when I don't use chemicals and use more naturally based products. I am definitely going to be repurchasing this soon!

You can purchase this product here.


FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money.
Amazon affiliate links are used in this post. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Mask Review

Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Mask
I received this in my July 2014 Birchbox.

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.

Initial Impressions: I had to use about half of one of the containers above for my hair, since it is so long. It didn't feel great when I was putting it on my hair (not smooth like I'm used to for a deep conditioner), and when I was rinsing out my hair, it didn't feel smooth or silky. Brushing out took as much time as if I had just used a regular conditioner, and I didn't use any other products as it air-dried and I finished off with a blow dry. However, after the drying process was done, my hair did look shiny, it didn't get overly greasy throughout the day, and also remained virtually tangle free. It also felt smooth, which was weird to me because it was the opposite while rinsing out the product from my hair. So my initial impressions were a little mixed, but the end results were still good. 


Final Impressions: I was able to get four uses out of the samples provided to me, but my impression stayed the same- it didn't wow me pre-rinse, but post-rinse, it did leave my hair in pretty good condition. It also smells so great- exactly like the Beauty Protector Protect and Oil. One of my coworkers was standing away from me, and asked what the smell was, and then came and smelled my hair. (We are friendly, so I wasn't creeped out or anything.)
With that said, it's not anything special. Yeah, it deep conditions my hair and feels and smells good, but there are other deep conditioners that do the same thing. So I probably won't be repurchasing this, but I enjoyed trying it!



You can purchase your own Beauty Protector Protect and Treat Hair Mask here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription service which was purchased with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

LE TOTE Review, August 2014

Warning: Extremely Long Post Ahead!

Something I've given a lot of thought about is a clothing subscription box. Partially because I'm not the most fashionable girl around- I'm a jeans and tshirt kind of girl living in a business casual world. I think I can put things together okay, but I almost always ask for someone's advice (Hi, Jenna!). And I pretty much stick to basics: cardigans and camis, or sweaters over sleeveless tops for work. Every once in awhile I'll step outside of my comfort zone, but I almost always regret it because I'm not 100% comfortable, and then I end up putting it in my donation pile- such a waste of money!

I've seen some clothing subscription sites around, and it was basically a choice between Stitch Fix and LE TOTE. The reason I chose LE TOTE is because, for the Boutique Box, you pay $49.00, and you can get unlimited totes for that month, and just return them when you're done. You put items in your closet from their site, and you will get those items and some similar- for the Boutique Box, that's 3 clothing items, and 2 accessories. If you want to keep an item in your tote, you can just return the items you're not interested in, and they will charge you for what you keep. 
(If you want to know more about Stitch Fix, there are a TON of blogs that talk about it, and it is something I may look into a bit down the line, but for now, I'm sticking with LE TOTE.)
The biggest difference between the two is that at Stitch Fix, you are buying the clothes you like, and returning the rest (and you only have three days to do that, so it's not like you can just be sneaky and wear them). At Le Tote, you can still do that, but you are basically renting them and returning them if you don't like them enough to buy them, and the encourage that because you can keep the tote as long as you want. And you don't have to wash them- you just stick them in a prepaid return envelope! If you like an item and want to keep wearing it, but now you don't want to purchase it, you can still return it- you just have to wait and return all of the items at once. That's really the only downside, and probably how they end up getting people to purchase the items. But, honestly, if I fall in love with one piece, why wouldn't I just buy it if it's a good deal?

Also, the clothes are used, but because of that, you get a deep discount compared to what they cost retail. You can see how much of a price difference it is on my reviews below.

You can also make special requests by emailing them, which I think is kind of cool. Like, if I know I'm going to be getting another tote before a girls night or a fun event, I can email them specific pictures from their site and ask if I can please receive those items, or ones like it, in my tote. I think that is a really fun feature, and I might play with that a bit!


I ordered my first tote on August 6th in the evening, and received a shipping confirmation on August 7th in the evening, so it was a 24 hour turnaround time to get my first tote shipped! My tote shipped from San Francisco (where they are based), and I received it on August 9th. 
If you've been reading this blog and have seen my Birchbox and ipsy reviews, you know I can't resist spoilers, so I definitely peaked at what was coming on the morning of August 9th!

While I was waiting, I went through all the items listed on their site, and added what I wanted to my closet. This is done by clicking on the heart, which you can see in the example below.
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(The red heart means that it's in my closet.)
As of the day I'm starting to write this post, I currently have over 100 options selected. They recommend at least 40, so they can get an idea of what you would like to see in your totes.
They also add new items bi-weekly, if not more often, and have a special first look page for new members. Through the month I have been frequenting that page to make sure and add items to my closet. It's basically my new obsession.
I've seen a lot of people call this "Netflix for clothes". This is the general idea, but it's not like your queueing up items to get- you're saving items to your closet that you may receive, but they also just use that to determine what kind of things you want to see.

My estimate before I starting getting the totes was that I would receive 3 this month. So for $49.00, I estimated I would receive 3 totes, which would equal out to about $16.34 a tote. 

TOTE #1 (received August 9th, 2014)
Here are my spoilers:


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The romper was the only thing not in my closet (I thought the first shirt wasn't, either, until I realized it was a First Look item (which is only for members), so it doesn't appear in my closet yet. The romper is definitely out of my comfort zone.

Here's the unboxing:

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This made me feel good, actually! I love little details like this.

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All wrapped up!

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This card indicates how to go about utilizing your "LE TOTE" experience.

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The jewelry is in individual baggies and sealed with a bubble wrap ziploc thing.

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And the bottom of the tote explains how to get your next tote.

The following are what I received in my box. Clicking the link will take you directly to the page where the item is listed on LE TOTE.

Eight Sixty Mitchell Ponte Romper (retail price: $88.00; member price: $64.00)
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For reference: this is a size Large.
This wasn't an item that I put in my closet, because I'm not a fan of rompers. At least I wasn't, until I put this on. It was very comfortable, and was a great fit. I was going to wear it out to dinner with friends, but then mother nature decided to throw a big wrench into those plans.
Speaking of mother nature, this is a funny article I read about how you pee in a romper.

Daniel Rainn Molly Pleated Blouse (retail price: $68.00; member price: $54.00)
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For reference: this is a size Large
This was an item that I put in my closet. It's sheer-ish (for the office I'll probably have to wear a cami under it), but really well made. I also really love the botton details.

Daniel Rainn Dee Diamond Print Top (retail price: $68.00; member price: $54.00)
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For reference: this is a size Medium (they base off of sizes you list, as well as your measurements, which is probably why I got a Medium in this, but a Large in the other Daniel Rainn top).
This is a First Look item, so I was surprised to see it in my tote, because it wasn't even in my closet yet! The lace on this is beautiful and I loved it the second I pulled it out of the box. I even verbally said "Uh Oh," because I knew I loved it instantly.

J Luxe Troy Pyramid Necklace (retail price: $24.00; member price: $18.00)
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This was very cheap feeling- definitely not something I would pay $18.00 for- it feels like the cheaper Forever 21 jewelry. I knew all of this was costume, but this was way beyond that, it felt very plastic like. I knew I would return it immediately, and I only wore it to take this picture. I had this in my closet, but I have taken it out and rated that I didn't like it.

Gazel Aphrodite Earrings (retail price: $24.00; member price: $18.00)
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These earrings are really cute! They're not super heavy, but they don't have that plastic-feeling like the necklace. I'm not a huge fan of huge dangle earrings (I'm really against saggy earlobes), but I can definitely see myself hitting resend on these one day. This was in my closet, and it's staying there.

And here's something I PROMISED myself I would do- pictures of myself in all of the clothing items. That was one of my biggest gripes when I was looking through reviews- very few people were posting pictures of themselves in the actual items! And I wanted to see what they look like on real girls- not just the models.

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In the romper. It was actually a lot cuter on than I thought it would be. I probably won't get it again or anything, but it was comfortable. The reason I won't get it again does have to do with the whole "how do you pee in it?" but in a broader sense- the zipper on this is in the back, and I can't undo it by myself! I don't mind if I have to take it completely off, but only if I can do it by myself. In researching rompers more, I've discovered a lot of them have side zippers, which makes more sense. Or, they just don't have them at all.

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In the Dee Diamond top: I really liked this one, so eventually I will ask them to resend it (which you can do where they show what you've received in your totes). It's $54.00, and a bit out of my price range right now, but I did really like it and wouldn't mind seeing it come again, and then deciding. Ultimately, I'll probably just have a it resent a couple of times, because it's handwash only, and "ain't nobody got time for that!"
The only problem I saw with this was that if I was sitting down and slouching, my bra showed on the side. Not a huge deal, because it encouraged me to stay sitting up straight, but it is something to note. I definitely need to invest in some fashion tape. I wore a standard bra with this with no problem, and you couldn't tell through the lace at all.

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In the Molly Pleated Blouse: This was cute, but a little more sheer than I like. (I wore a cami under it for work, but for day I probably would've just worn a darker bra. It wasn't super sheer, but sheer enough.) I also had an issue with the top button popping if I stretched my arms too far. It was a good fit otherwise. I did noticed that this wrinkled up quite a bit throughout the day.


They encourage you to rate the items you receive, because this will help improve what you receive in future totes. I did this right after I finished trying everything on.

Each piece is individually priced as listed above, or if you like your whole tote, they total up the items for you- and it looks like you also get one month free, which is a pretty good perk considering the upfront cost is already $49.00. And, if I haven't already said it enough, you get multiple totes per month if you're good about sending them back.
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I purchased a total of 0 items from this tote, and returned it on August 12th.


TOTE #2 (received August 16, 2014)
This took 4 business days to get to me- 2 days there, 2 days back, which is as promised. Here are my spoilers:
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All of these were items from my closet. As great as that is (and I do have a lot of stuff in my closet), it would have been nice to get at least one surprise item. If that continues to happen, I might email them and ask them to send me at least one thing not in my closet, whether it's clothing or jewelry. Because I wouldn't mind trying something- that's the fun of this!

i. Madeline Plaid Button Down V Neck (retail price: $68.00; member price: $54.00)
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For reference, this is a size Large.
I really liked this shirt, though it's not my "usual style". It was super comfortable. I kept the sleeves rolled up, as you will see below in my outfit picture.
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Here's a little detail I liked along the buttons- you can't see it but I still liked it.
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I didn't consider keeping this, but I did like it. I wore it on my day off, when I went on the train ride. It didn't wrinkle at all. I wore it with shorts, and it definitely made me wish I had invested in a pair of boots. That's on the list of things I definitely need to get! (I took the picture like this to show the cut.

Daniel Rainn Lindsey Tunic Blouse (retail price: $68.00; member price: $54.00)
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For reference, this is a size Medium.
I thought I wouldn't like this on because of the pocket placement. And the fact that it was very, very flowy.
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But, I ended up really liking it, a lot. It did wrinkle, but it wasn't so bad that I was obsessed with the fact that it was wrinkled. (Does that even make sense?!) The only thing is that it's HAND WASH ONLY, and I try to avoid those types of clothes because they just sit on my closet floor, waiting to be washed, and it takes me like a month or longer to finally get around to doing it.
However, this top is extremely roomy, and with a baby potentially around the corner (no, there isn't one yet!), it would be a good option if I decide to keep getting totes in that period of time. So this one might be a repeater!

Collective Concepts Heather Geo Blouse (retail price: $59.00; member price: $38.00)
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For reference, this is a size Large.
This was so sheer. Luckily, the Sunday after I received this tote, Target put all their camis on sale. So I went and bought a couple skintone ones and a white one, just to have on hand when Le Tote sends me super sheer tops. Plus, you can never own too many camis!
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I actually ended up liking how it was shorter in the front and longer in the back- I never had thought I would, but I did! I also liked the colors, and how the shirt was both casual and dressy. (Really, it was more on the casual side, but I wore it to work with no issue regarding dresscode, and I work in a business casual environment... though, we can wear jeans to work.) I could see myself asking for this top again and considering purchasing it, but it seems very trendy at the same time, and I'm not one to spend a lot of money on trend pieces.

Gazel Corded Necklace (retail price: $48.00; member price: $34.00)
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.... Umm. No, this is not me, at all.
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I stuck this in my return bag right after I tried it on, and promptly removed it from my closet.

J Luxe Rose Gold Stud Earrings (retail price: $14.00; member price $10.00)
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I LOVE these so much.

I wore them every single day I had this tote, and reluctantly returned them. I have that $10.00 credit on my account, so it's not like I would've technically been paying for them... but something kept me from keeping them. Maybe it was that my husband said he would like them better in silver. Or maybe it's because I can ask for them again, and decide later. Either way, I didn't keep them. But they will definitely be coming back to me, soon.

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I purchased a total of 0 items from this tote, and returned it on August 21st.


TOTE #3 (received August 25th, 2014)
This took 4 business days to get to me.
Here are the spoilers:

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All but the last top were in my closet.
I ended up only liking the way the tank top fit, so I didn't even keep the tote to wear any of it. I told myself that if I didn't like at least 2/3 clothing items, I would return the whole thing the following day. So that's exactly what I did.

French Connection Polly Plains Tank (retail price: $48.00; member price: $38.00)
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For reference, this is a size Large
This was the only clothing item I liked in the tote. It's a pretty basic tank, but I liked the way it fit me. I didn't take any pictures in it, because I ended up returning the tote the next day. But I did ask them to resend this. (Which is the little "resend" icon above in the spoiler picture that looks like a circle with arrows. It reminds me a lot of a shuffle icon.)

JOA Marina Striped Full Skirt (retail price: $78.00; member price: $47.00)
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For reference, this is a size Large
I did take a picture of myself in this one because I didn't really had a great way to display it, otherwise. It looks find in the pic, but I personally felt that I had to wear it really high, and it cut into what I have started to call my underboob roll. Does anyone else have that? It's like a tiny roll of whatever that is right under where my bra is, over my ribs. It's super attractive, but also made this skirt really uncomfortable. I don't believe the Large was quite large enough to fit where it should have, and it looks like that is the largest they have on the website.

French Connection Elliot Top (retail price: $48.00; member price: $34.00)

For reference, this is a size Large
I also didn't take a picture of myself in this one, because it was so awkward. I am not a huge fan of higher necklines, because I am busty and have broader shoulders, so it just looks weird! It also cut in weird by my armpits, and flared out in a way I wasn't fond of.

J. Luxe Era Silver Bar Earrings (retail price: $18.00; member price: $14.00) & Baron Moustache Necklace (retail price: $27.00; member price: $17.00)

I really loved both of these jewelry pieces, but not enough to just buy them outright (at least not right now), so I just hit resend.

(I forgot to take a screen cap of the "Take Your Tote" image for this tote, and it's no longer available. Sorry!)
I purchased a total of 0 items from this tote, and returned it on August 26th.



TOTE #4 (received August 30th, 2014)
This took 4 business days to get to me.
Here are the spoilers:

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Every piece was in my closet. And initially, I did kind of like all of it. But then I couldn't wear the dress because it became "that week" of the month and I am just not into wearing dresses during that time. And the blue top has a weird seam in the bust area that just ended up being so weird on. So I only wore the necklace one day and the other top another, and sent it all back, but I will be requesting the necklace and earrings again.

Collective Concepts Nautical Tube Dress (retail price: $72.00; member price: $37.00)
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For reference, this is a size Large.
This fit fine, and I planned on wearing it to work, but like I said above, it wasn't the right week for me to be wearing a dress. I might request to get it again, I haven't decided yet.

Gazel Angel Wings Necklace (retail price: $48.00; member price: $34.00)

This necklace was so pretty and delicate. I also love the rose gold color. I hit resend on this, because I would love to get it again later.

Bronx Link Earrings (retail price: $24.00; member price: $12.00)

I tried these on and I liked them, but I forgot to wear them when I wore the only top that I wore. So back in the bag they went.

Sanctuary Mila Blouse (retail price: $79.00; member price: $47.00)

For reference, this is a size Large.
I didn't think I would like this top because of the way it is gathered on the bottom, but I did. I worse it with a white cami under it for work. I loved how loose and flowy the sleeves were, though, it did keep getting caught on the arms of my chair. But I love the color palette and pretty much everything else about this But it definitely wasn't worth it for $47.00, because it is a pretty trendy piece. I did like wearing it, though.

Daniel Rainn Majestic Lattice Crochet Blouse (retail price: $68.00; member price: $54.00)

For reference, this is a size Medium.
I really wanted to love this top, and I did, until I put it on to wear it to work and realized the seam on the bust line looked so weird! And it was probably just me, but I couldn't get past it enough to wear it. It was in my closet, but it has been removed.

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I purchased a total of 0 items from this tote, and returned it on 09/03/14.




For the month of August, I received a total of 4 totes with a total of 20 items (5 items in each tote), and I purchased none of them. So, for $49.00, I received 4 totes, which means each tote was $12.25. I had a $10.00 credit on the site for signing up, and I still have it because I didn't decide to purchase anything.




Disclaimer: My LE TOTE subscription was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
This post contains an affiliate link for LE TOTE. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.