GLOSSYBOX: February 2016 Review.

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Even though Valentine’s Day was last week, I’ve still been still loving the last bits of romance-inspired products and subscription services I’ve been receiving in recent days. My POPSUGAR ‘Must Have’ Box was just the tip of the iceberg. In actuality, it was GlossyBox’s heart-covered container- loaded with indulgent products- that provided a fitting finale for the month of February (try saying that five times fast.)

Although I’ve been on the fence lately about sticking with GlossyBox or finally canceling my subscription after all this time, I love when they do things like this and switch up not only their box designs- but the products contained within- to keep people on their toes. It’s a breath of fresh air when the brands and the variety start to feel a little stale.

Let’s take a look at what I got!

WHAT I RECEIVED:

Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick in ‘Heat Wave Ruby’ (*Full Size!*)

être belle Cosmetics Golden Skin Caviar Eye Roll-On

GLAMGLOW ‘THIRSTYCLEANSE’ Daily Hydrating Cleanser

Benefit Cosmetics ‘The POREfessional’ Face Primer

BioRepublic SkinCare’s Green Tea Detox Sheet Mask (*Full Size!*)

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Product # 1: Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick in ‘Heat Wave Ruby’ ($22)

I have to hand it to GlossyBox for introducing me to brands I otherwise may have never heard of. Case in point? Teeez Cosmetics- who first piqued my interest with a clear nail top coat/lacquer (and their bright and funky packaging) I received in a separate GlossyBox last Spring. While the top coat wasn’t necessarily mind-blowing- this lipstick was. This product, highly pigmented and non-drying, applies more like a lip stain- and it stays in place for twice as long. I loved the texture of this formula, the matte finish, the rich ruby shade (which made my teeth look dazzling and complimented my complexion perfectly!) and the longevity. I made it through my morning coffee and well into my lunch break at work without needing a touch-up. Fabulous!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This was an unexpected and new-favorite find in February’s GlossyBox- and a shade/product I would definitely re-purchase in the future (although I believe this color is limited edition!) I know Teeez frequently switches up their collections and colors on their website, and I’m hoping they release a coral/peach version of this formula for the impending warmer months. I’d happily scoop up a bunch of those, too.

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Product # 2: être belle Cosmetics Golden Skin Caviar Eye Roll-On ($22)

It feels like a lifetime ago, but it’s really only been a couple of short years since I was last subscribed to the pick-your-own-samples subscription service, Beauty Army. The beginning of the end of my interest in the service- leading up to my eventual cancellation of my account- came not only when each month offered cheaper and more repetitive products, but also when I received a sample of eye cream that caused entirely more damage than good when it unexpectedly burned me after application. The skin around and under my eyes was dry, flaking, red and itchy for days after use- and I was left VERY cautious of what I use for eye creams/gels.

Although my experience with this roll-on eye gel didn’t cause any visible or permanent damage (at least none that I can notice, anyway)– this product still stung like crazy after the first couple of initial applications. So much, in fact- that I caught myself trying to dab it off with my fingertips when it got to be too much for me to take. Even after I’d spread it out a little more- I didn’t notice any significant results around my eyes’ in terms of brightness, smoothness, or softness come the next morning. The skin around my eyes looked and felt the same- so the irritation was all for nothing.

Would I Purchase?: No. This eye cream just wasn’t for me at all. It burned, it made me tear up- and I didn’t notice any difference after the few times I gave this roll-on my best shot and tried to persevere through the pain. It was disappointing, to say the least- although I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since caviar doesn’t sound like something that should be anywhere near my eyes, anyway.

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Product # 3: GLAMGLOW ‘THIRSTYCLEANSE’ Daily Hydrating Cleanser ($39)

Last month, I had raved about my favorite cleanser of the moment- GLAMGLOW’s ‘YOUTHCLEANSE’ exfoliating cleanser- which was a sort of mud-to-foam formula once I added water. Since I always follow up that cleanser with a moisturizer- I never took into consideration that I might need something a little more hydrating for these final, cold Winter weeks as Spring struggles to reach (and stay!) in New England. Thankfully, GlossyBox had me covered with a sample of this more moisturizing formula of my daily cleanser- and I’m hooked. Not only does this cleanser make my skin feel just as squeaky clean as my YOUTHCLEASE one- but my skin is also left super soft and very smooth. I still moisturize after each use (of course!) but I feel like I don’t have to use as much of my moisturizer when I pair it with this cleanser.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! GLAMGLOW got me again. I love this cleanser. It cleans out my pores without drying me out and conditions my skin at the same time- which is something I desperately need this time of year. I have a feeling I’ll be picking up a full-sized bottle of this in the coming weeks since I’m nearly out of my YOUTHCLEANSE.

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Product # 4: Benefit Cosmetics ‘The POREfessional’ Face Primer ($31)

I’ve never really had much luck with primers. Either they don’t work, period- and my makeup doesn’t stay in place at all, or worse- I have an allergic reaction or break out like crazy. For that reason, I’ve focused more on setting my makeup properly and less on selecting one of the myriads of primers available at Sephora. Even still- my friends and colleagues rave about this primer from Benefit (a brand I otherwise like very much!) and having received a sample in February’s GlossyBox- I didn’t see the harm in giving it a try.

First things first, I like the texture of this primer. It’s sort of this light, fluffy consistency that sinks right into/onto my skin- and at first glance it really did do a good job at giving otherwise troublesome areas around my T-Zone a fresh, flawless appearance. My makeup glided over this primer without creasing or looking caked on, which was a plus- and even after a full day at work and post-office dinner (and a cocktail)- my foundation and concealer still looked natural and even. And pores? What pores? I couldn’t see them. I think I’ve finally found “the one”!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! A little goes a long way with this sample, especially if you only concentrate on problem areas like I do- so this tube should last me a few more weeks before I’m due to restock and replenish- but I’ll be turning to this primer in the future since it worked wonders on my T-Zone and helped give me one less thing to worry about when it comes to getting my face on.

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Product # 5: BioRepublic SkinCare’s Green Tea Detox Sheet Mask ($4.99)

I will never, ever, EVER say no to sheet masks. I love this craze- particularly the convenience and the results I usually get when I use them. I’m a big fan of green tea, and I enjoy a good detox from time to time- so naturally I was all about trying this mask as soon as possible. Like pretty much every other sheet mask, you have to be patient when getting it out of the packaging (and not mind getting whatever gel/cream it’s saturated in all over your fingers) and getting it to sit just right on your face to give you that nice Leatherface from ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ look. You have to be even more patient while you let it sit, cool, and tingle on your skin for 15 minutes (I usually just lay down in the quiet for a while and pretend I’m getting a spa treatment somewhere remote outside the city.)

After I peeled this mask off- my skin did look brighter, felt softer- and I noticed a couple of small blemishes I had by my chin were significantly less red and painful. I wouldn’t mind using this type of mask again!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I thought this brand/mask worked really well with my sensitive and often overworked skin. At $4.99 per mask, I’d happily stock up on a few in the future to use throughout the week after a long day at work and braving New England climates.

With the exception of the eye cream, February’s GlossyBox was a hit for me. I really enjoyed the lipstick and the sheet mask, and found new products to covet from GLAMGLOW and Benefit all at once. It also goes without saying that I adored the festive coloring/theme of the box itself- and plan to use it for the next time I need to package a gift or store products around my home.

I believe we’ll be back to the usual pink & black boxes from GlossyBox next month- but I’m looking forward to seeing the products!

Feb 23

Loot Crate: February 2016.

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Although I’ve enjoyed every one of Loot Crate’s themed assortments these past few months, I nearly hit the roof in excitement when I’d first heard that February’s crate was tailored almost entirely to my interests with a ‘DEAD’ theme (that might sound a little morbid to some, sure-) and as the shipping date grew closer and closer- I actually caught myself routinely checking my e-mail for my tracking code so that I could monitor my crate’s progress in the mail and figure out when exactly it’d arrive at my door.

It’s well documented that I’m one of the biggest ‘Walking Dead’ fans in the history of, well, ever- but I was also really eager to see what kind of ‘Deadpool’ goods I’d get in this month’s crate, too (the movie is fantastic and very fun, by the way- for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. Get out there and watch it! You’re going to love it!)

Loot Crate didn’t get sidetracked. They stuck to the theme this month and they stuck to it well- making February’s crate one of my absolute, all-time favorites since I first subscribed with the service way back when.

Let’s take a look at what I got!

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I always like to flip through my mini-magazine each month, since there’s almost always something that catches my eye and keeps me interested/entertained- but February’s edition was particularly fun. Not only did this month’s magazine feature a ‘Deadpool’-inspired taco recipe (which I will be attempting and potentially blogging about shortly,) an introduction to the character of Wade Wilson/’Deadpool’ to help those unfamiliar with the character to catch up, an interview with ‘iZombie’s’ Rahul Kohli, and a “Which ‘Walking Dead’ Character Are You?” quiz (I got Carol!)– but there was also a pretty fun guide to surviving a zombie apocalypse among the pages of item breakdowns and fan photos, too- although now that I have a samurai sword in my home- I think I’m well-equipped for anything.

I also have to say that Loot Crate’s continued efforts to make their monthly collectors pins look actually collectible (and not cheap) is admirable. This month’s pin was pretty cute, since it was a zombie-fied version of the crate itself- and I’m sure my niece will get a kick out of it.

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I do apologize for the quality of this photo, since you can’t quite see the figurine properly- but I had a mini-moment of “I can’t take it out of the packaging!” (I know, I know) and had to make do. This exclusive figurine from Quantum Mechanix designed specifically for Loot Crate- that depicts Deadpool atop an explosion/flames- can be set up with a light shining through the translucent base to make the flames look like they’re actually glowing, which is pretty cool. It’s a decently sized figurine, too- nearly taking up half of the crate!

Although I think this would be fun to get set up on one of my bookshelves- light shining in the base and all- I believe I’ll be passing this figurine onto my equally enthusiastic comic book fan-friend. He has an entire section of his room dedicated to things like this. I know he’ll love it!

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My second and final ‘Deadpool’-related item in February’s Loot Crate was this t-shirt that speaks to me on a personal level (there are few things in this world that I love more than quality tacos) courtesy of Fifth Sun– and I’ve already sported this out and about since I received it- much to the amusement of people I’ve passed in public who recognize the character (and given the film’s success- who COULDN’T recognize him?)

I’m loving Loot Crate’s promise of a shirt in every month’s crate this year. I can never have too many of these sorts of things. I love them.

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I love, love, LOVE McFarlane Toys. Their attention to even the smallest details is something to behold- and this mini, kind of bobble-head-ish and pose-able figurine of Rick Grimes is no exception. Putting this little toy together was simple, and I just can’t get over how spot-on it looks. From the bandaged hand to the wristwatch to perfecting Andrew Lincoln’s glare. This thing is incredible- and I’m really hoping to find the Daryl one somewhere, too!

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And finally, one last ‘Walking Dead’ item- and probably my favorite thing in February’s Loot Crate- was this throwback to season 2 in the form of a soap-on-a-rope version of Daryl’s walker ear necklace from A Crowded Coop. I started laughing when I saw this package at the bottom of my crate- and I couldn’t stop. I never, in a million years, would have expected something as brilliant as this- and I love it so much that I don’t ever want to remove it from it’s packaging. It’s just too perfect.

All in all, I absolutely adored February’s Loot Crate. I thought it was the perfect way to celebrate the release of ‘Deadpool’ and the return of ‘The Walking Dead’ without straying too far from the theme and/or including a bunch of knick-knacks that would take away from the quality and unique-ness of the handful of items that were inside the box. I’m so happy with each thing I received!

I haven’t learned March’s theme yet (any day now!) but if it’s half as good as this ‘DEAD’ one- I’ll be happy.

Feb 19

Review: Valentia Skin Care

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In fun blogging news, I’ve recently signed onto BrandBacker to deliver new content, collaborations and reviews for my followers and casual readers. For those who aren’t familiar with BrandBacker or other influencer programs similar to it- it’s a way for bloggers (and those who are active on numerous social media outlets) to team up with different brands/companies to discover new products or services and provide honest reviews of said products/services in exchange for free items, promotion- and sometimes paid posts. It’s a win/win for everyone- and something I highly encourage those who are looking to broaden their blogging horizons and expand their audience to check out!

The first company that approached me via BrandBacker was the USA-based skin care line, Valentia, who asked me if I wanted to test their new ‘True Glow’ eye cream and Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask. Since I’m always eager to try something new and experiment with different products to see what works with my skin/complexion and what doesn’t, I jumped at the chance to give these two samples a shot- and received two full-sized containers, one of the eye cream and one of the mask- to play around with as compensation (a $50+ value!)

The company’s mission, per their website:

“To provide you a greater level of overall happiness with your appearance without the harsh chemicals that dry out, stretch, burn and prematurely age the skin. Our strategic formulations include powerful natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to succeed in giving skin a natural and radiant glow that contributes to a youthful look.”

Any brand that expresses confidence that their their products will have me feeling like a goddess is a brand worth paying attention to- but would their products really stand up to their assertions? There was only one way to tell.

I had to try them for a few days to decide for myself.

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‘True Glow’ Eye Cream ($25):

From Valentia:

“Say goodbye to tired eyes. This nourishing formula works fast to repair and refresh the eye area while protecting skin from the usual suspects of aging. Our natural and organic ingredients work to calm and reduce puffiness in the eye area revealing softer, more refreshed looking eyes. With continued use of this antioxidant treatment, you will start noticing a more rejuvenated, radiant, and brighter under eye area.”

Up until now, I’d been using a thicker, heavier eye cream before bed each night- and as much as I like it- it doesn’t exactly absorb easily enough for me to be able to wear it under my makeup in the morning. When I first felt the lightweight consistency of this peach-tinted and gel-like cream (that smells strongly of flowers)– it gave me a little hope that this would be a suitable day cream and primer for my concealer, too. Sure enough, the formula sank into my skin in no time at all, and I noticed that my under-eye area appeared brighter and smoother in the mere minutes following application- even before I’d gotten around to applying my makeup!

In regards to wearing this under eye makeup and concealer during the day- this cream thankfully didn’t cause any sort of discoloration, creasing, or act as a barrier that prevented my makeup from setting properly the way other creams tend to do. It was barely noticeable after it had dried.

At night, I gently tapped a little more of this cream around my eyes to wear to bed- and woke up with softer, more hydrated, tighter and less-puffy skin. I was more than impressed- and now that I’ve been using this cream night and day for a little while- I’m happy to report that the results have stayed consistently good! There’s been no negative changes and no weird reactions or anything. Just a softer, smoother, and brighter eye area across the board.

VERDICT: I really like this eye cream! It was an unexpected hit for me- and was my favorite of the two products I received from Valentia for this collaboration! A little goes a long way with this gel/cream, so $25 per bottle is actually very reasonable- and I can see myself purchasing this in the future once I’m out of my complimentary one. Loaded with Vitamin C and Organic Rosehip Oil- it’s nice to see more natural ingredients put into something comes so dangerously close to my eyes- as opposed to the product being 100% full of complex and potentially harmful chemicals and/or artificial coloring.

BUY HERE / AMAZON

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From Valentia:

“The perfect answer to your dry skin problems. This hydration mask features a unique blend of amino acids and potent antioxidants, like Japanese Green tea and Aloe Vera, to reduce fine lines, increase collagen production, and fight environmental irritants. Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Sea Buckthorn Oil flood skin with vital moisture, creating softer more supple skin. Treat your delicate facial skin with nature’s most nourishing ingredients, and instantly restore radiance.”

Despite the bright orange coloring of this mask, it does not smell like any type of citrus whatsoever. Like the ‘True Glow’ Eye Cream, this mask has a gel-like consistency and smells more floral than fruity (at least to me, anyway!) Unlike the eye cream, however- this mask is meant to be left on the skin for approximately 15-30 minutes before it’s gently dabbed off with a warm, damp cloth- and is supposed to leave the skin feeling extra hydrated, smooth, nourished and looking radiant.

As is the case with most masks, you don’t want to overdo it by applying them too frequently- so I limited myself to two applications per week to better monitor my results. The mask tingles a bit as it dries on your face- so if you have sensitive skin, it might feel a little weird at first- but it goes away after a few minutes and then you barely notice you have a mask on at all. I promise!

In regards to the results, my skin did, indeed, feel softer to the touch and appear smoother at first glance- but I didn’t notice much of a difference in the overall brightness or ‘plumpness’ to my skin. I just looked and felt a little more dewy, really- which is fabulous this time of year but might not be so desirable come Spring/Summer when the temperatures and humidity begin to rise again.

VERDICT: I didn’t dislike this mask by any means, but I don’t feel it exactly blew me away, either. The ingredients are recognizable and able to be understood, and it’s nice if your skin needs an extra boost of hydration the way mine does throughout Winter- but if you’re looking for something to address any type of dullness or lifelessness to your skin- you may want to check out one of the scrubs Valentia has available, instead- and save this mask for a colder day when your usual moisturizers and serums just aren’t doing the trick.

BUY HERE / AMAZON

Overall, I was really pleased with Valentia’s products (especially the eye cream!) and the natural, quality ingredients, lovely results, and swift shipment time for my samples has inspired me to check out some of the other products the company has to offer (particularly their aforementioned scrubs since it’s well-documented by now that I’m an exfoliation nut.)

I truly appreciate the company reaching out to me, and their generosity with the two full-sized items they shipped to me. It was very kind and I intend to continue using them regularly!

Valentia’s main site, as well as the Amazon links to purchase their products have been linked above for anyone looking to learn more about the brand or try these items for themselves.

NOTE: I was not paid in exchange for my review by Valentia or any of it’s employees or associates. All opinions stated in this post are purely my own and were no way altered by the brand or their affiliates. Questions about the company or the products featured here should be directed to Valentia via the “CONTACT US” section on their website. Thank you!

Feb 17

POPSUGAR Must Have Box: February 2016

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I was actually a bit surprised that I received my POPSUGAR ‘Must Have’ box- the first of my three monthly subscription services- a little early this time around. I’m not complaining, since the ‘Must Have’ box has quickly become my favorite of the bunch- but it’s unexpectedly showing up in my postbox over the weekend definitely caught me off guard!

Right away, I noticed that the box’s tissue paper was Valentine’s Day-inspired all on it’s own- with little heart designs printed on both sides. The product description card was pretty and festive, too (and made me hungry for sugar cookies- although I’ll get to that in a few minutes…)

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February’s inspiration was exactly what I expected- and the items within the box were based around the themes of ADORING, HEARTS, SEXY, INDULGENT, and CONFIDENT. Although I had received a couple of spoilers from POPSUGAR via e-mail leading up to the box being shipped- the rest was a mystery to me (which is part of the fun of un-boxing everything. It’s like Christmas!)

Let’s take a look at what I received in this Valentine’s Day assortment!

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The two items that I knew were coming in advance are top on my review/breakdown of February’s ‘Must Have Box’. The first, a full-sized coconut milk body lotion from Victoria’s Secret– arrived just in time to replace my nearly empty tub of body butter (I’ve been scraping the sides to get as much as I can until I can get back up to Sephora next week!) I’m actually a pretty big fan of VS’s beauty lines. They’re all really good quality, and the perfumes/body lotions and creams smell incredible. This lotion is no exception. I’m already a big fan of how nourishing it is and how soft my skin feels after I use it.

The second item, a $20 reward card for Victoria’s Secret- is also going to be used in the coming days when it comes time for me to pick up some necessities for myself. Considering most VS bras are priced at the $40+ range- it’ll be nice to get a new one fitted for me and only pay half price.

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The body lotion and reward card weren’t the only items I received from Victoria’s Secret this month. I also got a pair of these cute little ankle sport socks. Designed for active wear, the fabric of these socks is supposed to keep your feet dry and cool- even when you’re working out- so I’m pretty excited to put these on when I’m jogging/ready to fall over during my next spin class. At least my feet will feel nice while the rest of me is suffering.

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When it comes to makeup removal in the winter, I have to be particularly careful as certain soaps/wipes/toners can leave me feeling SUPER dried out. I try to stick to cleansing balms and milks- so I was really happy to see this moisturizing cleansing balm (and cloth towelette!) from BeautyCounter. The retail value of this product is $50, which made me even happier because it saved me some money for the moment and time I would have otherwise spent going out to purchase one- or a similar product- on my own.

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I’m always doing some sort of renovation/remodeling project around my home- whether it’s something as simple as moving around the furniture or selecting a new decorative piece to display on the walls to something that requires a little more energy and manpower like re-painting a corner or re-doing tiling. Either way, I always love having something eye-catching to finish up the job with.

I’ve already selected a spot in my soon-to-be-refurbished bathroom for this small, square glass tray from Fringe Studio. It’s gorgeous- and the ‘hello beautiful” message seems perfect to keep by the mirror as a daily reminder/affirmation that myself and anyone who sees it is, indeed, beautiful.

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In recent months, I’ve really developed a fondness for jewelry that features arrows in/on it somehow. I’m not sure why, but I’ve been drawn to it- so when I laid eyes on this tiny, jeweled ‘endless arrow’ ring from JewelryStorm– I think I may have briefly wondered of POPSUGAR had been spying on me with drones or something.

This might very well be my favorite item in February’s ‘Must Have’ box- and I’ve been wearing it non-stop since I opened it. It’s small enough to fit comfortably on my pinky finger- which is fun when I want to stack other rings above/under it, too.

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February’s ‘Must Have’ box included an unexpected, big-ticket item in the form of this $125 (!!!) silky, heart-printed scarf from Tilo. I LOVE this thing. The color compliments pretty much everything in my wardrobe and it’s so, so soft and lightweight- which means this can carry me through and into that weird halfway/transitional point between Winter and Spring where it’s nice out but not TOO nice out. Like the ring I received in this month’s assortment of items- I haven’t been able to take this scarf off!

I’ve also been poking around Tilo’s website (linked above), and some of the other scarves in the company’s collection are so astoundingly beautiful I can’t believe it. I want them all!

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Remember when I said that the product card for this month’s box made me hungry for sugar cookies? Well, POPSUGAR had me covered by including this heart cookie mix by Foodstirs (co-founded by Sarah Michelle Gellar!) which is free of artificial ingredients, GMOs, and preservatives. I haven’t gotten around to making these yet- although I’m hoping to put aside some time this coming weekend to get down to business- because these sound incredible!

Not pictured in this month’s ‘Must Have’ box is the 30% off voucher for my next order at JewelryStorm (I had taken a photo of it, but the file got a little wonky when I tried to get the image to show up on my laptop. Eep!) which I’m sure I’ll be using for a purchase in the immediate future.

Overall, I think February’s ‘Must Have’ box might very well be my most favorite I’ve received to date. I loved the variety of items, the value, and the thought that went into the products. Each one tied into the month’s theme perfectly. I was so impressed and so happy with everything I received! I’m really looking forward to seeing what POPSUGAR comes up with now that warmer weather and Spring is on the horizon!

Feb 15

February Hits List!

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Good Morning and Happy 50%-Off-Valentine’s-Day-Candy-Day, everyone!

With temperatures staying consistently in the negatives since Friday night, and wind chill statistics causing a statewide safety alert- even in the afternoons when the sun has been shining brightly- I’ve been in a bit of a hibernation mode over this past weekend- only stepping outdoors if it was absolutely necessary (I’ve even forgone my usual coffee/tea runs at my local cafe!) Poor Oliver, who loves rolling around in the snow unlike any dog I’ve ever known in my life- has refused to go anywhere near the door when it comes time for him to take his daily walk. He wants no part of it.

Of course, a couple of days spent mostly confined to hot baths and warm blankets isn’t all bad. It’s given me a chance to catch up on my e-mails, update and re-organize my makeup collection- and prepare my monthly “Hits List” post for February!

This month I admittedly got a little swept up in ‘Valentine’s Day Fever’. I’m not talking about not-so-subtlety hinting to the guy I’ve been seeing for a romantic, candle-lit three-course dinner or six dozen roses or anything like that, since that’s never really been my thing- but I’ve picked up a couple of holiday-inspired finds in recent days and my current, mostly-neutral makeup and wardrobe color palette has been flushed with touches of romantic pinks, ravishing reds, and bold purples throughout February so far.

Like I did in my first ‘Hits List’ post last month, I’m going to start with my products and pieces, first- and then move onto the other stuff that couldn’t quite be photographed properly for this month’s collection!

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Starting in the bottom, left-hand corner of my laid out spread for February are my Valentine’s-inspired products from Lush Cosmetics. Not too long ago, I ran out of my absolute favorite lip scrub of all time, Lush’s ‘Popcorn’ scrub- and I was looking to replenish my little tub by re-ordering online. Instead, I saw this limited edition mandarin/cherry infused version, ‘The Kiss’ (with edible hearts mixed in it!) and knew I had to have it. It works incredible, tastes delicious, and the hearts are pretty fun. I’m not even going to deny it.

To pair with the scrub, I also purchased it’s matching lip gloss of the same name- which applies like and has the same moisturizing texture of a lip balm. I like that it doesn’t feel sticky/tacky on my lips and that the light pink color is really, really faint- since I tend to apply this a lot in the car or at work and don’t want to have it all over my face.

Finally, nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like Lush’s ‘Sex Bomb’ bath bomb! The last time I used this floral-scented moisturizing bomb was when I was in Las Vegas last October and wanted to unwind after a long day in the desert on the strip in the gigantic bathtub inside my hotel room. It’s been really nice having a couple of these on hand- especially when it’s been so frigid outside! I leave my bath feeling relaxed, refreshed, and with touchable soft skin.

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Moving upwards are two pieces from my wardrobe I’ve been adoring lately. The first is a knitted and embellished headband that I’ve been using to keep my ears and scalp warm when I’ve been in need of a break from my Winter hat collection. This thing definitely comes in handy in-between stylist appointments since it covers up my roots really well, but it’s also versatile since I can wear it indoors, too (just as long as I push it back behind my ears!)

Next up is my new favorite pair of leggings, the ‘King of Hearts’ printed stretchy design from Black Milk Clothing! It’s been a while since I’ve made a BMC purchase, but I saw these leggings and couldn’t resist. I love a good statement piece- something that is unique, comfortable, and really stands out- and these met all the requirements. I’ve been pairing these with my favorite slouchy black sweater and my black leather ankle boots in recent weeks and I get stopped wherever I go so people can take a look at them! I posted a photo of me sporting these over on my Instagram, if anyone wants to see how the print looks when it’s on!

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Moving a little to the right on the spread-out of this month’s favorites are these three crystals (rose quartz, amethyst, and obsidian) I recently obtained from a spirituality-centered store in Western Massachusetts. Now, I’m not an expert when it comes to crystals, their uses or meanings- but I like to keep an open mind- and I’ve been placing these around my home and my work space (or holding them in my hand when I’m being absent-minded or driving since they’re smooth and cool to the touch) and they’ve just been nice to have within reach. I’d like to pick up some larger ones for decorative purposes in the future, but these pocket-sized ones are good for now.

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Next up are my three “go-to” beauty products for the month of February. While January was all about nudes, light browns, and grays- I’ve been infusing my lids, lips and cheeks with more pink/red shades. My favorite shadow palette to create the perfect “romantic” inspired look has got to be my Urban Decay ‘Naked3;’ mirrored compact. I love blending the shimmer and matte rose and gold tones with my neutral shadows. It just gives my eyes such a beautiful sparkle that will be a nice way to transition into Spring (if it ever arrives!)

One of my all-time favorite drug store finds that I keep re-purchasing are these Color Sensational Creamy Matte lipsticks from Maybelline. They’re long-lasting, highly pigmented, non-drying, and affordable. While a nice bold red lip has become my trademark of sorts- I’ve changed it up a bit for this month and have been wearing a more subtle rose shade that works well with my ‘Naked3’ palette and my overall fair complexion.

Of course, I wanted to have a fun pop of color somewhere in my everyday look, and I turned to my longtime favorite ‘Hypnotic’ nail polish from Sephora’s Formula X line to give my digits a burst of beautiful, prismatic purple to brighten things up. I swear, I don’t have any kind of endorsement deal with Sephora or Formula X for constantly plugging the polish. I just absolutely love the longevity, range of shades and overall quality of the line.

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I was fortunate to have more than one Valentine this year in the form of friends and family- and in true V-Day tradition- those friends and family made sure I had plenty of chocolate to get me through the end of the month. This box (and bear!) was a gift from my aunt, uncle, and cousins- and I managed to hold off on eating each piece until I knew I had a decent photo of the not-destroyed box. Talk about willpower!

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I’ve been making my own juices and smoothies lately (anything with mango is an automatic favorite for me!) but on those mornings when I don’t have the time or the ingredients- I’ve been turning to Naked Juice to keep me going. My favorite is the ‘Green Machine’ beverage– a mix of fruits and vegetables (but thankfully tastes more fruity and sweet) but I’m also quite fond of the banana-chocolate smoothie and the orange-mango juice. I stock up on these weekly to bring with me to work or when I’m on the run. They’re delicious!

And last, but certainly not least- ‘THE WALKING DEAD’ IS BACK, YOU GUYS! Can we talk about last night’s mid-season premiere? I need to talk about it. At length. In detail. With lots of flailing and unintentionally raising my voice in excitement. I’M SO HAPPY.

But I digress- this past Christmas, my best friend Sean not only bought me a real Samurai sword designed to look just like Michonne’s (and there haven’t been any injuries or extensive property damage when I’ve swung it around for fun, by the way)– but he also picked up this “Mrs. Daryl Dixon” wallet for me, too! My current wallet, which I’ve had for roughly seven or eight years now- is in it’s final stages of falling apart- so I’ll be switching over my IDs, cards, and cash over to this hard-cover clutch-style one this week! It’s quite fitting, after all.

My friends know me so well.

And now, onto the other things I’ve been loving this month!

– MUSIC/MOVIES –

‘Deadpool’, ‘Zoolander 2’, ‘The Witch’ and ‘Triple 9’ – February has proven to be the month filled with movies that I really want to see. Although ‘Triple 9’ isn’t out for a couple of weeks and ‘The Witch’ is out later this week- that gives me plenty of time to get caught up on ‘Deadpool’ (I might go see it today since I have the day off!) and ‘Zoolander 2’- which is surely the guiltiest pleasure out of the four. Sean and I re-watched the first ‘Zoolander’ over the weekend to refresh our memories, and it stands up to the test of time. I’m really excited to see how ridiculous the sequel is.

#TeamIronMan and #TeamCap – While Marvel fans are flying high on ‘Deadpool’s record breaking success at the box office so far, I’m still reeling from the most recent trailer for ‘Captain America: Civil War’ that aired during the Super Bowl and the resulting hashtags that took off on social media afterwards (I’m Team Cap all the way, for the record.) Tickets for San Diego Comic-Con go on sale this coming weekend, and if I can get in- I have a feeling I’ll be creating a Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier costume for the occasion…

I’ll probably make a Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier costume anyway, but that’s besides the point…

‘Off The Wall’ – I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan, so it goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoyed Spike Lee’s documentary that premiered on Showtime earlier this month which details the making of Michael’s pre-‘Thriller’ album and broke down it’s brilliance and catchy-ness track by track. With commentary from fellow musicians, producers, choreographers, celebrities and Michael’s friends & family- it was a really interesting look inside the mind of a late, great genius during a tumultuous era and one of my favorite records to put on when I’m having a glum day and/or want to dance.

– TECH/APPS –

The Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset – Sean had received an Oculus Rift headset from his parents for Christmas last year, and whenever I get the chance- you best believe I have a ball playing with it. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been having way too much fun blowing my mind with horror games and short animations/films. Maybe I’m just showing my age here, but the technology is seriously incredible- unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I’ve been recording my friends playing the game ‘Sisters’ (it involves creepy dolls and a power outage- need I say more?) and their terrified reactions are always priceless. I’m thinking of getting my own headset eventually- but only in the hopes that there will be an influx of zombie-themed games by the time I do. I want to really feel like I’m in that post-apocalypse setting, you know?

CLUE – Ladies, this one is for you. If you’re on a funky form of birth control (that isn’t the pill) or if you’re off birth control and you’re trying to monitor your cycle- you’re gonna’ love this app- which is completely free for the iPhone and Android. CLUE allows you to enter daily stats on your body’s behavior- from your mood to your complexion to your food cravings and your amount of sleep per night/energy levels- to make it 110% easier to be prepared for your impending period or ovulation. It takes a few weeks of daily data entry to get an accurate calendar established, but once you do- you’re golden. You’ll never be caught off guard again! I’ve been using this for a couple of months now and it’s been really, really helpful to me to better understand my body.

– MISCELLANEOUS –

Hey, New Yorkers – are you familiar with NeXT Stop Project? For those who haven’t heard of it, it’s a MetroCard recycling service of sorts. You can mail in your low balance MetroCards to the address provided on the website, and the service combines the low fares into full fares for subway riders in need. Pretty cool, right? I only recently heard about it after going through some of my own MetroCards I’ve accumulated from weekend stays in NYC over the past few months and didn’t know what to do with them. I’ve since mailed them in- and I hope they can help someone get to where they need to be on time! I don’t know for sure if Boston has a similar program for the T, but if not- they should definitely look into it.

The Lush Spas in NYC & Philadelphia have a Beatles-inspired treatment – I know I’ve already talked at length about my recent Lush purchases, but I’ve been meaning to share this for a while and thought I may as well do it now! At my last job, booking any sort of spa treatment always proved to be difficult since I typically only had weekends off and spas were either fully booked or closed on those days. I’ve known about Lush’s ‘Hard Days Night’ treatment since it was launched circa 2014, but until now booking the service was nothing more than an unlikely dream.

But now, with a new work schedule that includes a weekday off, too- I’m actually able to book the service- and much sooner than I expected! I’m working out the appointment details now- but I cannot wait to share the experience with you all once I go!

Starbucks’ ‘Molten Chocolate Cake Latte’ – If 50% off Valentine’s Day candy isn’t enough chocolate for you, may I recommend what could very well be one of the most indulgent treats I’ve allowed myself? For a limited time, Starbucks is offering a line of ‘Molten Chocolate Cake’ beverages (cocoa, lattes, and frappuccinos) to get a pretty good sugar rush. With steamed chocolate milk, chocolate whipped cream, and a shot of chocolate syrup- I think I’ve reached my cocoa quota for the month. I might even have to skip my next cheat day in order to fully recovery from this one.

And I think that’s everything I’ve been loving/coveting throughout February so far! Although it doesn’t feel like it right now, Spring is on it’s way- so I’m sure I’ll have some fun, colorful things to share in March’s “Hits List” post!

And as always- if you have anything you’re crushing/loving/obsessing over this month- feel free to share!

Feb 10

Scenes From Snowpocalypse ’16!

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When I woke up to get ready for work last Friday morning, after a warm-but-kind-of-rainy evening in Northampton the night before- my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach when I looked out my window and saw the beginnings of what looked like a horrendous blizzard. The roads were awful (not only did my car slide all over the place- but so did I when I tried walking to the entrance of my office), it was so bitterly cold outside- and no one knew when it was scheduled to stop- making being trapped at work for the weekend until my co-workers and I could dig ourselves and our vehicles out of our parking lot an actual possibility.

To say I had panic-inducing flashbacks of last Winter’s endless onslaught of snow and ice storms would be an understatement- and not even the large quantities of pizza my company sent us to get us through the day could put my mind at ease. I just kept thinking about the shoveling, the cabin fever I experienced throughout last January-March, the shoveling, dodging sliding vehicles when I braved the outside world- the shoveling…

Thankfully, by the time I left for the day- the snow had stopped and the sun had actually come out. Sure, it took the help of two of my co-workers to dig my car out of the snow so I could get home (and the roads weren’t nearly as bad as they had been in the morning!) but it was the post-storm scenery that stopped me in my tracks. In all the years I’ve lived in New England- I’ve never, not once- seen the trees look the way they did on Friday afternoon. They were all covered in so much snow that they didn’t even look real. I had to stop and take a few photos before the temperatures rose again and everything began to melt.

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I’ve been keeping warm these past few days between my home and my office in my usual fashion- bundling up in all the layers ever, drinking plenty of hot cocoa (with marshmallows, of course!), and getting as much writing done as I can here on ‘Legally Redhead’ from the comfort under my fleece blankets. It’s been a fun little balancing act between work, play, and blogging- one that has definitely kept me busy!

But, of course, I managed to put aside the time this past weekend to enjoy the Super Bowl, the advertisements (I’m still really, really confused by that “Puppy Monkey Baby” thing,) and do what everyone does during the big game- stuff my face with the unhealthiest foods imaginable. Last year, my contribution to my friends’ annual Super Bowl party was an impressive buffalo chicken dip. This year- I opted for tater tot nachos (served on paper plates, because amped up football fans and breakable dishware is not a good combination.)

Like conventional tortilla chip nachos, there are literally 100+ ways to prepare tater tot ones depending on your tastes and how much time you have to get the ingredients together and do a little cooking- but I chose the fail-proof old fashioned method of cooking up the tots, spreading an even layer of seasoned ground beef and shredded cheese over them in a glass bowl, heating them in the stove until the cheese melted- and then smothering them in shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and sour cream (salsa and guacamole were separate!)

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They were a pretty big hit. I’m thinking my next attempt will incorporate Monterrey Jack and maybe some Gouda cheeses. The possibilities with these are endless!

And now that you’ve all been given the updates on the past few snowy days- I’m getting ready to share some fun collaborations I’ve been working on, review a couple of my monthly subscription services, and dive into my February Hits List in the coming days!

‘Til next time!

Feb 08

Quick Eats: Baked Breakfast Cups

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I’m fairly certain I’ve said it before- but I am a breakfast food fiend. It’s my favorite meal of the day and the meal I could eat any time of day, really. With that being repeated, I’m always looking for new and delicious ways to kick-start my morning so that I’m left feeling full but not bored with the same old routine (I can’t eat the same thing every single day- even if I love it!) so when I first saw this recipe for “Breakfast Cups”, using hash browns as a sort of bowl to hold the ingredients together- I knew I had to give it a try. Worst case scenario if the cups didn’t come out as planned was that I’d have a very funny shaped omelette- but I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as a bad omelette.

Having recently and unexpectedly been snowed in (I did NOT anticipate the storm that hit us last week to be as bad as it was!) my mother was kind enough to lend me some of the ingredients for this concoction until I can drag myself to the market- as well as her mother (my grandmother’s) antique muffin pan- which looks rusted, I know- but I SWEAR it’s just discolored from years and years (50+!) of use. It’s completely clean and sanitary for anyone looking at the photos in this post and recoiling in horror.

Give me a little credit, please!

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WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

12 breakfast sausages
6 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups (8 ounces) of shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese (or any cheese you prefer!)
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
3 cups of frozen country-style hash brown potatoes, thawed
3 tablespoons of melted butter
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives or green onion

OKAY, HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 400°F.

2. Prepare the breakfast sausages according to the package instructions, cool slightly, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Set the sliced sausage aside.

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3. Combine/whisk the eggs, cheese, and pepper in a bowl- and set that aside as well.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the hash browns, butter, salt and pepper. Divide evenly into 12 greased muffin cups.

5. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of the muffin cups to create a bowl-like shape to hold your egg/cheese mixture and sausage.

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6. Cook the hash brown bowls for approximately 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

7. Once you remove the muffin pan from the oven- divide sausage pieces into the hash brown bowls. Top each bowl evenly with the egg/cheese mixture. Sprinkle each bowl with chives and onion.

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8. Return your muffin pan to the oven and bake another 12-15 minutes or until set.

9. Serve and enjoy!

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I was really pleased with how well these little cups turned out- and even more pleased with how good they tasted. They were the perfect combination of saltiness, crisp-ness and cheesy-ness- and were very, very filling. I managed to scarf down two before I felt stuffed- and I also felt inspired to re-create these for my next brunch gathering (I do love a good brunch, too!)

One word of advice, though- just make sure you grease the muffin pan properly! A couple of my cups got a little stuck around the edges, which made for a not-so-clean removal when it came time to serve these. Other than that- these are incredibly simple to make an I urge anyone who may be finding themselves in a dreaded “breakfast boredom rut” to give them a try!

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Jan 31

January 2016: In a Nutshell.

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Getting my Mexican food and margarita on at my ‘Dirty Thirty’ birthday party last night!

My goodness! How on Earth have we reached the end of January already? It feels like just yesterday I was kicking off 2016 in Newport- and now here I am- preparing for February and recovering from my belated ‘Dirty Thirty’ birthday celebration my friends had for me last night with dinner and drinks at Papagayo in Somerville, followed by a screening of ‘The Boy’ at the theater around the corner (and it would have been last weekend, if not for Mother Nature gifting me with a lovely little blizzard like she does every year around this time!)

January was a whirlwind- and I attribute it feeling like it came and went in the blink of an eye to my being very busy most days- which is a good thing! I finally got into the groove of my new job (and am liking it very much so far!), began my usual beginning-of-the-year-cleanse-and-detox-program by vigorous cleaning, organizing, and healthy eating/exercise- and celebrated an influx of friends’ birthdays- including my own. It really is the Age of Aquarius right now!

Yes, indeed- I hit the milestone of turning 30 just a couple of short weeks ago- and I’m still getting used to answering “thirty” whenever anyone asks me how old I am- although it usually sounds more like “twenty-ni-oh, wait” at first (and God bless every single person who has seemed/pretended to seem genuinely surprised when I tell them my age in recent days.) Although I’m new to this whole post-twenties thing- I have to say it’s looking pretty fun and very promising so far!

January, of course, was not without it’s shocking and even sad moments (even the best of months have them!) My uncle, who has been on/off ill for a few weeks now- recently learned the reason behind his bouts of fatigue and nausea and is scheduled for a quadruple bypass tomorrow to fix a couple of tricky arteries in his heart. I’m visiting him a little later on today- but my whole family has been worried sick about it leading up to the procedure and have been trying to surround ourselves and immerse our minds in good thoughts and positive vibes.

Pop culture took a series of blows this past month when the world lost David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Eagles’ member Glenn Frey, and most recently, ‘The Godfather’s Abe Vigoda (“Tell Michael it was only business. I always liked him.”) – in quick succession.

In the spirit of things- my mother also had a Patriots-themed birthday cake made for me as a surprise.

New England Patriots fans took a blow when Brady & The Boys couldn’t quite clinch the AFC championship and a slot in Super Bowl 50 in last week’s nail-biter of a close game against the Denver Broncos (I swear, those final minutes aged me forty years.) The loss also marks my own losing of a high stakes bet made with a friend of mine in California who I got a little cocky and competitive with- and now we’re in the process of ironing out the details of my having to pay up in the form of a cross-country visit sometime within the next couple of months where I will undoubtedly be picking up a hefty bar tab after a night out…

… Although would it still be considered “losing” the bet when I adore San Diego so much and don’t mind being there at all? I don’t think so!

Anyway- what’s in store for February? Apart from working as usual- a trip to NYC, for starters? How about a couple of really fun collaborations I’m excited to share? Maybe a few recipe posts? And of course we can’t forget the return of ‘The Walking Dead’- which is set to make my Valentine’s Day even more romantic once Daryl Dixon is gracing my television screen again!

Post-snowstorm hike! 1/24/16

All in all, January was a very, very fun month- the perfect way to begin 2016- and I’m excited for the coming weeks!

Jan 29

POPSUGAR Must Have Box: January 2016

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Finally, to wrap-up my subscription service review posts for the month of January is my personal favorite- my POPSUGAR Must-Have Box! I’ve only been a member of this service since last Summer- but I have yet to receive anything I didn’t really love- and the value of the items that are included always surpasses the cost of the box (and shipping & handling) each month. More than that, the variety of the assorted products is always really unique and interesting- ranging anywhere from food, beauty, books, tech, and home decor- among other things.

I had received the outline of January’s inspirations/theme a while back- and was pretty excited to see what was inside the actual box since I’m very much all about that New Year renewal/rejuvenation thing. To kick off 2016, POPSUGAR turned to RENEWAL, ORGANIZATION, DETOX, NEW YEAR, and HEALTHY HABITS for their inspiration with putting the assortment of products together.

Let’s take a look and what I received!

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To kick off the ‘ORGANIZATION’ aspect of January’s POPSUGAR box, I was really happy to receive this beautiful 2016 planner from Blue Sky. I have a small planner I keep in my purse to jot down appointments or reminders (and it was recently featured in my ‘January Hits List’ post!)– but this one is very detailed and designed specifically to meet and maintain both short-term and long-term goals. I’ll be keeping this at my desk at work for motivation!

I was also sent a copy of Maria Kondo (a bestselling author and cleaning consultant)‘s manual on tidying up, ‘Spark Joy’. Although I’ve flipped through the book, I have yet to fully implement it’s teachings as of yet- although I plan to in the coming days after I get home from work! I want a spotless, organized home!

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I was so, so thrilled to receive this set of body washes from Not Soap, Radio in this month’s box. Each decently-sized bottle has a different fragrance, infused with different extracts to illicit a range of emotions/feelings- and they all smell SO good. These are perfect for travel, too- since they’re not too big to pack and not too small where they’ll get lost easily in the shuffle of everything. They come in a handy, clear zip-pouch, as well- which makes keeping track of them all a little bit easier.

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Sheet masks are all the rage right now, and I am shamelessly and helplessly aboard that bandwagon. I love them- and there’s nothing that makes me feel more relaxed than taking off my makeup after a long day of work and resting a sheet mask over my face while I kick back in my bed or on my couch in my fleece pajamas and let it work it’s magic on my skin.

It’s nice to see POPSUGAR keeping the trend alive and well by sending a trio of five-minute sheet masks from Patchology in January’s Must Have boxes- each one made to target a different skin concern. I’ll definitely be using these up in no time at all!

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I was actually a bit surprised to see a simple tube of chap stick in a POPSUGAR box- but I’ll never say no to it since Winter is awful on my skin/hair/lips. This new age-defying formula is vanilla-scented and is loaded with argan oil to help repair my lips from current damage and protect them from further dryness/peeling/cracking. I’ll take it and I won’t complain about it.

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Priced at $40, this pebble-speckled storage bin from Pehr Designs is officially the most expensive item included in January’s Must Have box. I like the colors of this bin, since they match pretty much anything in my home- and despite how compact it looks in the packaging all folded up- this bin can hold a LOT of stuff! I’ve been using this to keep my hats and gloves in one place so I’m not left scrambling before I leave for work in the morning- and it’s definitely come in handy!

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I don’t know how many of you have ever tried Project 7 Gum– but it’s pretty wild. It comes in a variety of off-the-wall-flavors, all of which taste exactly like they’re described (I recently had the birthday cake flavored gum and it blew my mind how spot-on it was to tasting like actual vanilla cake)– so to receive a packet of one of the newer taste tests- sno-cone- was fun. I’m still searching for the kettle corn popcorn-flavored Gum- but this’ll do ’til then!

Also, Project 7 does some serious charity work across the board- so it’s nice that POPSUGAR is helping get their name out there to their subscribers and beyond so more people can get interested and support their causes. You can check out Project 7’s website for more information on their partnerships and charitable contributions.

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Finally, this month’s coupon (the unique code was edited out so I could post this online!) was for 25% off any order from Pehr Designs- the company who created the storage bin shown above. I actually think I’ll be ordering a few more bins to place around the other rooms in my home, so this will come in handy when I sit down to make the purchase! It was nice of POPSUGAR to include this.

All in all, I liked January’s Must Have box very much. The chapstick and the gum threw me off a little- if only because they were small compared to everything else in the box and nearly got misplaced for a second during my opening of everything- but I thought the composition of items was well thought-out and interesting. I’ve already been getting a lot of use out of most of the things I received, and I can’t wait to start the ‘Spark Joy’ book!

I’m not sure what February’s theme/inspiration will be just yet- since those spoilers usually arrive in my inbox during the second or third week of the month- but I’m suspecting it will be something Valentine’s Day-related. Chocolate, maybe? (Hopefully.)

I’ll just have to wait and see.

Until next month’s unboxings- that’s it for my January subscription service reviews!

Jan 27

Loot Crate: January 2016.

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Next up in this week’s wrap-up of my January subscription services is my 2nd favorite company- Loot Crate. For those who need a refresher, Loot Crate is a monthly subscription box service that sends out different “nerdy” and geek-centic items for gamers/comic book fans/cult classic enthusiasts/etc. centered around the designated theme for the month (for example, past months’ themes have included but were not limited to “Villains”, “Combat”, and “Horror” just to name a few.) Items can range anywhere from toys to t-shirts, accessories to books. You never really know what you’re going to get until it arrives at your door!

January’s theme, to coincide with the recent limited-episode reboot of ‘The X-Files’ and new trailer for ‘Independence Day II’ (WHERE IS WILL SMITH?!) was ‘INVASION”. Now, having openly admitted my fear of all things outer space (‘Gravity’ was essentially a horror movie for me)– I was a little nervous in my not knowing what to expect. Fortunately, Loot Crate didn’t include anything too traumatizing- and I actually enjoyed January’s box very much.

Let me show you what I received!

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First up in January’s Loot Crate are the usual items: the monthly collector’s pin and mini-magazine. It looks like Loot Crate might be trying something different with their pins this year, because the one I received this month was actually pretty nice quality (no offense to the company, but their pins leading up to this point looked pretty flimsy and cheap.) I can’t say for certain I’m going to start becoming an avid collector- but it did catch my eye!

This month’s magazine, touching more on the “INVASION” theme, offered tips on how to survive an extra-terrestrial takeover (everything I learned about that I learned from the movie ‘Signs’, however,) and a really handy guide to catching up on ‘The X-Files’ with key plot points and character breakdowns. The magazine also featured a rather freaky article about different types of invaders already here on Earth (castrator barnacles, anyone? Yikes.) and small games and puzzles within it’s pages. I always turn to the mini-magazine when it comes to reviewing the products I’ve received, too- since it includes a lot of helpful information.

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Part of Loot Crate’s re-vamped style for 2016 included the promise that each month’s box would feature a t-shirt, and although some of their past designs and collaborations have been questionable- I’m really liking the look of this ‘X-Files’ shirt- a collaboration with Threadless and created by the winner of a design contest. The fabric of the shirt is soft-not scratchy- and it’s big enough to not have to worry about shrinking it right away. Awesome!

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I think my favorite item in January’s Loot Crate was this plush Facehugger from ‘ALIENS’. I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw it- and then I turned it over, saw it’s adorable little face- and laughed even harder. This is going in my bedroom for sure- because I know it’s going to look pretty incredible when I prop it up against my pillows.

The plush also came with a rubber band so that I could attach it to my face if and when I decide a selfie is appropriate (and I suspect I’ll be taking one in an hour or so.)

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A couple of weeks ago, I hosted my best friend Sean’s 30th birthday party at Dave & Busters. For those who are not familiar- it’s a chain restaurant/bar/arcade for adults only- even though there were a ton of toddlers running around for some inexplicable reason. But I digress. While we were there, waiting to be seated, we made our way to the arcade and I made my way to an old school style ‘Space Invaders’ game to brush up on my skills. Ten intense (and infuriating) minutes later, and I had to walk away to rest my cramped up joystick hand.

This candy-colored figurine is definitely less stressful than the pixelated ones on the screen- and dare I say, cuter? I shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a spot for this somewhere.

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The second and final ‘X-Files’ related item in January’s Loot Crate came in the form of this water-resistant LED flashlight (with batteries!) which is actually INSANELY helpful and has found a home in the glove compartment of my car in the case of an emergency. I love when Loot Crate includes items like this from time to time, because they’re not only fun- but they’re practical, too.

I always recommend keeping a flashlight and batteries somewhere in your vehicle- so this came right in time just as I was getting ready to update all of my emergency kit gear for the next big snowstorm we have here in New England!

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Oh God. I knew this day would come. The day where I’d have to finally open up and admit that I’m not a fan of ‘The Fifth Element’. Not at all. I actually can’t stand the movie- and I cringed when I opened up this prop replica of the Multi Pass featured in the film. I’ll be gifting this one for sure, since I have a couple of friends who love TFE and will no doubt get a kick out being able to use their own identification cards in place of Leeloo’s (the ID card can be replaced by simply sliding it in or out of the plastic holder.)

If I were a fan of the movie, I’m sure I’d be happy with the quality of this replica- but I’m just… Not… So…

Moving on!

LootCrateJanuary201609

My mother is currently in the process of making preparations to convert a large workshop my father built in her backyard a long time ago into a mini-movie theater- complete with reclining seats, lit aisles, a marquee and a vintage popcorn maker and concession stand- among other things. Since she began the project, she’s been collecting old Hollywood memorabilia- so when I saw these two high quality vintage sci-fi art prints in this month’s Loot Crate, I knew she’d love to place them on the walls when she eventually got the place decorated. These are fantastic prints (and I love ‘War of the Worlds’!)

Overall, I was pretty happy with this month’s Loot Crate. I thought the items that were chosen to be included were unique but consistent with January’s theme. I have a couple of things I’ll be keeping for myself and a couple of things I’ll be gifting to loved ones- which is always a plus with a subscription service.

I was just recently notified that the theme for February’s crate was going to be “DEAD” (as in ‘Deadpool’- yay! And ‘The Walking Dead’- YAAAAAAYYY!) so I’m already super excited to see what I get!