So Susan Lip Love December 2015

WHAT'S IN

THE BOX?

So Susan Lip Love is a monthly makeup subscription bag that is about $21 and ships from England.  I think it is one of the funner makeup sub bags out there as the makeup is so cutely packaged and the makeup bags included are adorable. I also like this makeup line because they are cruelty free, paraben free, and more natural than other makeup lines.

There is a card in each month's bag with the quote on one side and the contents of the bag on the other.   I love the quote this month. 

"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."  Lao Tzu

Every month, the sub includes a cloth makeup bag.  They are themed for the month and have the quote on them as well.  I loved the colors in this month's bag and the snowflakes.

Trifle Cosmetics Lip Parfait (Raccoon) - ($18.95) This is a sister company to So Susan. What a cute package!  The color is a bright pink.  I do not know many people who live in England, but they must like bright shades of lipstick.  Every tube of lipstick I have received is a shade I would never wear.  BRIGHT!

So Susan Dual Brow Powder - ($17.95) I passed this on to a friend as I really do not use anything on my eyebrows.  It is a nice quality brow liner. 
 

Jelly Pong Pong Lychee Gel - ($15.95) This is shower gel - it is not a very big tube. I do not think I would ever pay that much for it.

So Susan Luminous High-Coverage Foundation -  ($24.95)  This shade is maybe a tad to dark for my skin tone but I will try it out. It does contain sunblock, which I love in a foundation.

This was not my favorite month for Lip Love, but it was not a total dud.  I do miss getting an accessory in every bag and the price went up - with less in the bag - so that is not something a consumer likes to see. I ended up cancelling this sub, due to a problem with changing the billing information.  I was grandfathered in at the old sub price but since I had to change billing information, they would not let me keep that old price.  I might pick this back up in a few months, but for now I have a overabundance of So Susan cosmetics.

Purchased.  All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Planning for the week... and a Kikki K Planner!

Planner Layouts for the Week

     Paper Source has a lovely vertical planner that I found through the Planner Society lady, Christy Tomlinson.   She sells a planner kit on her website, Scarlet Lime.com.  This week in my planner I used Willowfields stickers, Washi tape from Target and other sources, and stickers from Hobby Lobby to create my layout.   I used paperclips from Little Miss Daisyrose, sold on Etsy, to decorate my planner further.

     In my Sky Blue Color Crush, I used Audrey Hepburn inspired stickers from Miss Sticker Junkie, stickers from Two Lil Bees on Etsy, and a bookmark from Hellopapercat.com.  The bear paperclip is a special release from Planner Glam Girl and the perfume paperclip is from Chic Planner Boutique, both on Etsy.  The tassel is from another Etsy shop, Kawaii Sugar N Spice.

     In my aqua Carpe Diem planner, I did a layout with Hedgehogs.  I purchased the Hedgehogs on Etsy form Heidi's Little Planner.  The paper clips are from Etsy shops - Angie's Planner Goodz, Crochandy and Little Paper Pairings.  I really love hedgehogs - one of my favorite animals. 

    A very popular planner company is Kikki K.  They are out of Australia.  I was lucky enough to get a $10 coupon and shopped on the AUS site, which made this baby $27 shipped.  It is a gorgeous Peach Medium planner.  The charm is by myluckycharm_ and so fun! She sells them on Instagram.

     I had so much fun setting up my planner with the Planner Society kit from November.  I love the way it looks in my peach Kikki K

Are you planning any planner goodie hauls soon?  I still need to get to Michaels and Target to scout out goodies.

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

Influenster VoxBox:

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

Influenster recently sent me a product complimentary for testing purposes.  This tube of mascara is very pretty and feels very nice in the hands.  I like the wand.  The mascara goes on not too clumpy and I like the way it volumizes.  I have used it several times for my nighttime mascara look.  The only drawback I found was its waterproofness.  It does not claim to be a waterproof mascara, however.  It does wash off easily with soap and water.  I would recommend this mascara to my girlfriends for a volumizing mascara - and it also has a  competitive price.

Birchbox Review December 2015

What's in

the box?

Birchbox is probably considered the grandfather of the subscription boxes.  For $10 a month, you get 5-7 samples based on a very detailed quiz you take when signing up.  They never repeat a sample and you can review every sample for points that turn in to money in their online store.  Even if I dislike something, I can earn points - and when you fill out the review, it is noted.  You can see other people's reviews of the products in the store under that product.   There are sales, coupon codes, and bonus add-ons for the box.

Birchbox gave us a $10 gift card for Christmas - when you purchase $35.  I really would have just liked the $10 with no conditions.  I have free shipping as an Ace member.

Soap and Paper Factory (Green Tea) Shea Butter Hand Cream -   (full size $18) This is a nice size little lotion to get - it is just right for putting in my purse.  I like this very much. 

The Balm Frat Boy -  (full size $21)  The only issue I have with this is how small their samples are - these full sized items are so expensive and they really do not like to give you any product!
 

Here is a pic of the tiny little blush sample. 
 

Malin + Goetz Clarifying Clay Mask -  ( full size $48)  I was surprised I had not received this product in the past.  I have so many products from them from Birchboxes.   

Coastal Scents Style Eyes -  (full size $12)  This is a small eye shadow sampler for Coastal Scents.  I have a one of their large palettes and for the money, it is a good deal.

The colors I chose were some of my favorites. 
 

Kate Spade Walk on Air -   (full size $25-$95)  I have selected to receive perfume samples the least amount of times possible in a year but the last several have contained one.  I did not mind getting this one, however, because it smells so pretty and I would wear it.

 

I was very pleasantly surprised by this month's box.   I like so many of the items this month!  I will only be passing one on to my swap buddy - the clay mask from Malin +  Goetz.   I received a blush, an eye shadow, a lotion, and a perfume that I will use.

Complexion Perfection sampler was one of the bonus buys you could add on your box shipment this month.  For $20 it was a great buy - the beauty blender is $20 by itself.  You get sample sizes of the The Pore-fessional from Benefit, Lightning Crew by The Beauty Crop, Marcelle BB glow, and W3ll People invisible powder as well.  I was very pleased with it.
 

 

Black Friday Weekend Deals!

What did I buy?

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends and Family!  It was a long weekend of family, food, shopping, and relaxing! 

I have been debating on which A5 planner to get - I do not have that size and really wanted to start using one.  Carpe Diem went on sale on Blitsy and they were an amazingly good deal.  I bought the Aqua color with some extra Carpe Diem goodies:  the pouch, the pocket folders, sticker sets, charms, and bookmarks.

The 3 pocket folders that come in this set are so cute - and coordinate with the rest of the planner set.  

 This plastic storage pouch will be great to fill with bits and stickers for decorating.
 

 I also ordered the Illustrated Life sticker set.  There are two sheets of each page.

 I could not pass by these magnetic page markers that coordinate with the rest of the kit.

The planner comes with the camera charm, but I also purchased these four charms to switch out from time to time.  You can purchase them here for a deal.

And finally, these icon stickers, which will be perfect for decorating in my planner.

Etsy had some great deals as well.   

I bought a snowman charm from LoveNeen's shop.  I bought a leaf charm a few months back for the Fall season.  I wanted to get one for the winter season so I grabbed this little cutie up.  It was $4 on sale.

I also bought some page flags from this great shop, Xotiphani.     These are awesome because the whole thing is a sticker.  I was excited she took the suggestions of those on Instagram and made Honey Bear ones.  I purchased a Field Notes Dori in Winnie the Pooh print a few months back so it matches perfectly.

I was shopping on the Mylkshoppe too.  I needed some zip pocket and card holders for field notes size.  I will be setting it up with my Pooh flags.

Also from that shop, I found these Washi rings for a small amount of Washi tape.  I like to sort my tape each month with the color scheme I am using to plan.  These rings will be perfect for that.

Another shop, Zytlalay,  had a good deal on the paper clips for my Winnie the Pooh field notes travel notebook.   I purchased Piglet, Melody, and Pooh.

We also went to Target and the Mall on Black Friday and got most of the people on our list a present.   I hope you found lots of goodies for those you love!

Birchbox November 2015 Review

What's in

the box?

Birchbox sends monthly hair, skin, and hair products for you to sample and check out before you buy the full size item.  They have an online store that is fantastic - and you earn points that turn into cash to spend in that store.  I have a hard time saving up my points - I usually spend it when it gets to $20, especially if I have a discount code.

The box this month is gorgeous!  I love these colors!

Sumbody Milky Rich Salt Scrub -  (full size $18.95) I will be passing this on to my Swap Buddy since I sell Perfectly Posh and we have the best scrubs.  I do like this has lots of natural ingredients.

eSalon Perfect Ending Leave In Conditioner -   (sample $3, full-size $15.95)  I love leave in conditioners - they are one of my favorite hair products.  I like to use them every time I wash my hair.  I like the size of this tube too - sometimes the samples are not very big.

MAKE Face Gloss -   (full-size $25)  This is a very small tube but you only have to use a pea size amount so it should last. I am not sure I would buy this in the full size, but it is fun to try out new products.  I love this line of makeup.

LOC One & Done Shadow Stick in Impress Me (Deep Rose Gold) -  (full-size $10)  Birchbox has developed it's own makeup line with the help from Tati Westbrook.  These are very reasonable and I love the colors that they come in.  They also have a lip line too.

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris -  This perfume will also be passed on to my Swap Buddy - I have a hard time with perfumes.  Usually I am allergic to them unless they are fruity.

I thought this was a great box - I will only be swapping two of the five items and will earn 60 points - 50 points for reviewing it and 10 for buying it.  100 points equals $10 in the store.

Purchased.  All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Geek Fuel November 2015 Review

What's in

the box?

Geek Fuel is a geek and gamer box that promises a value of $50 or more, a t-shirt in every box, and an online game.   We recently switched from Loot Crate to this box because we needed to receive a t-shirt in every box to continue getting the box for my daughter.   This box is $23.90 which is still in our budget for the box.

There is not a theme for the Geek Fuel boxes but there are always fun products from popular games, movies, or TV shows.

Every box has a very informative magazine inside that has fun articles and more about the products in the box.

Fallout Vault-Tec Badge Giveaway -   This security badge has a code to check online to see if you won a Fallout 4 game and be entered to win an X box 1 and the game.  Kenzie did not win the initial giveaway but she is entered to win the other giveaway. 

Mockingjay Sticker -   My daughter slapped this on her laptop as soon as it left the box.  We are excited to see Part 2 of the movie coming out soon.  This sticker is such a great color. 

Pac Man Ghosts Salt and Pepper Pots -   ($12.99)  This is my daughters favorite part of the box!  She wants to save these for her apartment one day. 

Ghostbusters Cards -  ($9.99)  These playing cards are very fun! I like getting items that are useful and not just characters to sit on a shelf. 

Defense Grid 2 Online Game -  ($15)  Sometimes these games are not compatible with Macs but this one is.   This little book also goes into how video games are made which is very interesting.

Star Wars Light Saber T-shirt -   ($20)  This t-shirt is really cool.  My daughter has liked every t-shirt she has been sent in the Geek Fuel boxes.  They have also always been the soft cotton tees - very nice quality.

 

This was another winning box -  my daughter loved every item in it and she is excited to use everything.  There was also a Fallout 4 poster.  The value of this box was just above $50 and well worth the money we paid for it.

Purchased.  All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.