August Birchbox Review

Well...my August Birchbox came...

 

We shall now proceed with my review of this box...of which I wasn't excited about as the previous months...but that's okay...there's always next month and it is fun mail to get...so, their descriptions, my opinions...

KMS California/FREESHAPE Hot Flex Spray

What:  Heat-activated spray that protects against breakage and damage while providing medium hold.

How:  Spray generously into towel-dried hair before breakin' out the tools.

Well...it's okay.  I don't like it as much as the previous heat protecting spray they sent me...and I bought the full size of that one...but it's fine.  I'll see if one of my girls wants it.  It's a good travel size bottle.  Thumbs...eh...

OC8/Professional Mattifying Gel

What:  A lightweight gel that creates a sheer matte layer and absorbs shine for eight hours.

How:  Smooth a thin layer onto face.  Apply after moisturizer and before makeup.

No.  No.  No.

I do not like this with a hat.  I do not like this with a bat.

It does not stop my oily shine, it makes it look as if it's rained.

Big.  Thumbs.  Down.

stila/stay all day liquid lipstick

What:  Longlasting liquid lipstick in a wearable red that glides on like a gloss but stays put like a stain.

How:  Swipe onto lips.  Take your time; once it goes on, it's not budging.

I do not know why they keep trying to make me wear red lipstick.  It's just not happening.  It does what it says.  It looks nice enough.  I'm just not a red lipstick person.  So, I'll thumbs up for the product, but I'll add it to the red lipsticks I'll be seeing if the girls want.  Good lipstick.  Not my color.  Thumbs up if it had been one of my shades.

Whish/Exfoliating Body Wash

What:  A coconut-rich scrub that brightens and exfoliates with sugar cane and bamboo powder.

How:  Massage generously into skin while showering.  A great way to prep skin for self-tanner.

Oh.  I love this stuff.  It smells great.  It scrubs well.  I like it very much.  Two thumbs up.

Whish/Inhibiting Deodorant Swipes

What:  From the shaving pros at Whish, these wipes tackle odor and slow hair growth in one swipe.

How:  Sweep across your underarms in the morning or whenever you need a refresher.

I swept this across my underarms.  I realized later that there's a reason I like anti-perspirants.  And I have no idea if it slows hair growth seeing as how I only had one wipe.  But if it really really does...then I'd be interested in some for my chin...upper lip...or legs.  Thumbs...eh...

Then they had that fold out with 'Daytime Chic', 'Evening Glam' and 'Weekend Casual' from Ann Taylor.  There are also some coupon codes.  Would you like to use them?  Go to anntaylor.com and use the promotional code: BIRCHBOX

You can get 20% off when you purchase one Ann Taylor item or 30% off when you buy two or more Ann Taylor items!

If you are interested in trying Birchboxes out, go here:  http://birch.ly/13EggMb

Yeah, using that link gets me points.  It's okay.  What goes around comes around.  You can have your people give you points.  Plus, I want to see what I can do with points... They have women boxes and men boxes.  I love that the men's costs more, because how often does that happen in the real world?  The website will tell you a four-week wait time for the women's subscription, but I started my subscription April 14th and got April's box a few days later.  

'Door to Door' Review

Netflix sent me 'Door to Door'...

Sometimes, I do not remember why I put a movie in my queue.

But I very much liked this movie.

Thumbs up.

Nutrisystem Chicken Alfredo

Not going to waste your time.

It looks bad.  It smells bad.  It tastes worse.

If I had more thumbs, I'd give it more than two thumbs down.

Let me borrow yours...point them down...

*shudder*

Warm Bodies Review

So 'Warm Bodies' was at the top of my Netflix queue.

And then it sat my house for awhile...because I wasn't all excited to watch it.

And then I finally watched it.

And this thing happened, called: I LOVE THIS MOVIE!

I think part of my hesitation was the lead actor...Nicholas Hoult...

See, when he was younger, he starred in one of my all-time favorite movies, "About a Boy".

(if you haven't watched that movie...go watch it.)

And since I absolutely love that movie...maybe a part of me didn't want him to suck and ruin part of the simple joy I get from 'About a Boy'.

But...he is a great actor.  I will trust him from now on.  If he happens to suck in something, I'll be blaming the director.

Back to 'Warm Bodies'.

R is a zombie...he thinks his name started with an 'R'...he doesn't quite remember...and he ends up liking a girl.  And that gives his heart a jump start.  And you need to watch it because it's just good.

It's PG-13...dues to partial nudity...???...at one point, he takes a shower and you see the back of his shoulders...I don't know that that's partial nudity.  It wasn't a sensual thing.  It's fine.

It's also due to violence.  It is a zombie movie...there is a scene where humans get killed.  Oh, and a zombie starting to turn into a skeleton dude.  But it's okay.  It didn't frighten me...I didn't really notice the human/zombie violence much because that's when R sees Julie...that's what I was watching.  Their relationship was starting and she didn't even know.

Watch the movie.  My girls think it's terrific also!

Two thumbs up.

Gu Chocolate and Vanilla Cheesecake

Okay...so while I am working on eating healthier...one still needs something real good for dessert every once in awhile...

I found these:

A little on the pricier side, BUT, you also end up with two glass ramekins.  So.  Work that into the price and it actually isn't expensive.

I have tried the chocolate and vanilla cheesecakes.  Which is the box above.

The name may be a bit misleading...because there isn't any chocolate cheesecake there.

It's a chocolately, buttery biscuit base covered in a smooth Madagascan vanilla cheesecake and our signature 53% cocoa Belgian chocolate ganache.

Oh...heaven.

My husband didn't think so.  He thinks the layers by themselves are great, but he didn't care for them together.

I think he's wrong, but I won't tell him so.  Since it comes two to a package, it means that a few days later, I can have the other one.  I don't have to share.

They also have: hot chocolate souffles...hot chocolate molten lava cakes...key lime pies...mango and passion fruit mini cheesecakes...and mini pots of chocolate ganache.

Which I thought was funny at first...but after tasting it on top of the cheesecake...yes please!  (oh, and you can make hot cocoa out of them...yup...i'll be doing that...)

You can check out their website HERE.

Giant thumbs up.

Quaker Popped Chips - Salsa Fresca

So...while trying to find some "healthier" munchies...I decided to try these out...

And I am so happy I did...because they hit the spot.

17 chips made a serving and I was happy with that.

Big thumbs up.

July Birchbox Review

Still loving this Birchbox deal...

Now, if I could only get my photo to stay turned the way I save it...

Like I said...if only it'd stay...this was just the little note explaining the "theme" of this month's box.  Basically, "POWER PLAY"...

And this was after lifting the card and tissue paper...

And this is what was inside the little sleeve thing (i love the sleeve thing...it's like a present inside a present!  yeah, i know...i pay for it...it's not exactly a present...)

So we have some fancy bobby pins...

Perfume...

Dry shampoo...

Face cream... 

BB Cream...

Their descriptions...My opinions...

Comptoir Sud Pacifiqe/Vanille Abricot Eau de Toilette

What: A best-selling French scent that pairs bright jackfruit and papaya with sultry-sweet vanilla and sugar.

How: Spritz onto pulse points a la francaise.

Okay okay okay...I seriously love this stuff.  Like, too much.  I smell sugar.  Then I think of carnivals.  Or theme parks.  And cotton candy.  And then I want cotton candy.  And then I get a bit cranky because I don't have cotton candy.  So...probably not a good idea for me to wear it regularly.  But I do like it a lot, so thumbs up.

Klorane/Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

What: An award-winning powder spray that absorbs oil and plumps up second-day hair.

How: Shake can and spray 10 inches from roots.  Let sit two minutes, then style as usual.

I haven't ever used dry shampoo before, so I was looking forward to this.  But.  I don't care for it.  It did what it said it was going to do.  But.  See...it's almost time for my hair appointment...so when I look in the mirror, I see roots that need to be covered...and I sprayed this stuff on them and...it seemed all the more noticeable.  To me.  It may have just been in my head, but I'll pass this on to one of my girls.  Thumbs...eh...

Marcelle/BB Cream Golden Glow

What: A birchbox exclusive, this Canadian multitasker is rich in hydrating aloe juice.

How: Smooth a few dabs over clean skin.  Blend thoroughly.

This said it was a mattifier also...and I'm always on the look out for a great one of those.  I liked the color that was added...and it seems to have a little shimmer, but not so much that it's inappropriate to wear in daytime.  It kept my shine down for most of the day.  I like it, but I already have 3 BB creams in my cabinet that I need to finish up...so I won't be buying this.  But I like it.  So thumbs up.

Benta Berry/G-1 Moisturizing Face Cream

What: A French best-seller, this cream both hydrates and purifies, thanks to blueberry and dead nettie.

How: Morning and night, massage into face after cleansing.

Now...the directions and the bottle seem to be contradicting just a touch.  Because it says it's a mattifier also...and why would you put that on at night?  Regardless.  I used it.  It's good.  As a moisturizer.  Keeping the oil slick off my face? (i have a very oily t-zone)  Not so much.  So.  I'm not finishing the bottle.  I'll pass it on.  Maybe they'll want it for hand cream.  Thumbs down.

Birchbox/Bobby Pins

What: We designed these patterned pins to add style to summer hair with minimal effort.

How: Jazz up simple ponytails, or use to secure errant bangs or layers.

They're bobby pins.  They're cute.  What's not to like?  Thumbs up.

****

If you are interested in trying Birchboxes out, go here:  http://birch.ly/13EggMb

Yeah, using that link gets me points.  It's okay.  What goes around comes around.  You can have your people give you points.  Plus, I want to see what I can do with points... They have women boxes and men boxes.  I love that the men's costs more, because how often does that happen in the real world?  The website will tell you a four-week wait time for the women's subscription, but I started my subscription April 14th and got April's box a few days later.