January 2013 Birchbox

View my Unboxing Video and then come back and read my post :)

This was not a terrible box, but I was expecting a bit more. The samples are not bad in size, they are just not very 'exciting' so to speak. Also, this box seems a little empty.

Inside the box is:

1.) Harvey Prince Skinny Chic Perfume Sample. I have not received a perfume sample in my box for the last couple months, and honestly I was okay with that. Perfume samples are just too small for anyone to be that excited about them. They could be replaced with a much more useful item. This one does not smell so bad though. It is a little flowery and has a spray top. Full size, $21-55

2.) Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum. This tiny sample, above the perfume sample, is supposed to be used once a day to give you longer, thicker lashes. I just do not feel comfortable trying to "grow" my lashes, besides I think they are fine in length and thickness, therefore I would not use a product like this.  Full size, $69.99

3.) Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo. Great sized shampoo sample! It's even larger than most travel size shampoos you can buy! This is a product I do like to see in my boxes. The bottle looks like a product testing bottle though. Full Size, $32

4.) theBalm Cosmetics Hot Mama. I figured out that this is a blush and highlighter. I will def use this and am happy to see this in my box! Full Size, $20

5.) The Beauty Extra is Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream. These are the two foil packets. Foil packets are not 'deluxe samples' in my opinion but none the less I will use the face cream. Honestly though the cream smells like pickles. Full Size, $42

So not my favorite box but not every box can be. More skincare items than cosmetics items and maybe they did away with the lifestyle extras? I only seem to get "Beauty Extras" now. 

Is this box worth $10: All of the items are really expensive as full size products so yes the little sizes would add up to over $10.

Is this box worth my $10: No. I would prefer not to have the perfume and Lashem items in my box. Therefore 3/5 items is not worth my $10 in my opinion. 

Disclaimer: These opinions are my own and I was not asked, nor do I get compensation, to review the box or these items.

If you would like to sign up for the Beauty Box yourself, here is the link: https://www.birchbox.com?raf=l4w14

Morningstar Giveaway

Want to win a package of Morningstar Veggie Food Products? Enter now to receive a coupon for a FREE box! I obtained this coupon from a coupon haul and will not be needing it since I will actually be getting my own free Morningstar Veggie Product from BzzAgent very soon! Once I get the product and try it, I will post a review for it!
a Rafflecopter giveaway





*There must be at least 10 different people that enter the contest or the giveaway is void. So spread the word! The more people who enter each giveaway, the more giveaways I will be able to host!

Review: Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal

I got these Quaker Real Medley's Oatmeal Cups for real cheap at Shaw's during one of their sales (it cost me about $.30 per cup with the coupon I had). I also received a cup from Influenster to try out! 

These cups are amazing. Personally, I do not like the Cherry and Pistachio flavor, because I do not like Cherries and Pistachios, but all the others are so good with the Summer Berry being my favorite!

Look out for coupons to try these out! In both the January and February issues of All You there are coupons for $1 off any 2 Quaker products. You can use these coupons on these cups and if the cups are on sale then score! I do not think it will work out to free, but they will be pretty cheap! The coupons I had previously that got me these for almost free were .50/1 which doubled to $1 off 1 and Shaws also had a promotion where if you buy 2 of these cups you get another item for free!

Anyways, I sincerely thank Influenster and Quaker for sending me one to test because I would never had known about these little babies if they did not run such promotions on these!

As always, I highly recommend every to sign up at Influenster.com. You get free products in return for your participation and the products are always amazing! 

Getting Rid of Clutter: In your Gift Bins!

I don't know about you guys, but I for sure have gift bins! Well now ONE gift bin after decluttering! A lot of what is in the bin is stuff that I have won that I personally would not use, stuff that I received in my beauty subscription boxes that I would not use, and stuff I get as gifts (sad to say) that I would not use! It is not junk it is just stuff I personally would not use.

However, year after year some of the same stuff would be sitting in there. Since the holidays are over this is the perfect time to get rid of stuff you did not gift, yet again! So here is what to get rid of out of your gift bins:

1.) Anything that is broken. Yes, even if it is a little broken. I had a nice makeup kit where only the mirror was broken and all the makeup was fine. I contemplated on giving it as a gift and if I was told it was broken I would say I got it on clearance, which was true. However, no one wants something that is broken. So I took all the makeup out, threw out the case, and made up a nice little beauty box as a gift instead using the makeup that was in it.

2.) If it looks old. The packaging will speak for the gift itself. If the packaging says "2000" on the back or looks like it has been stored for a while, the gift giver will be able to tell.

3.) If it has been sitting there for over 5 years. If you have not gifted it in over five years, chances are you will not. Baby and Wedding type items are the exception and if you want to hold on to those fine. But chances are you will not remember "Oh I had a perfect item that I got rid of" another five years down the road when you actually need a gift.

I threw out anything really old or broken, and donated a lot of other things. Some of the stuff in there I would not have been proud to give as gifts and I certainly did not want to look like the cheapo at Christmas.

I am no pro at decluttering, I still have a long way to go, but if you have any questions about anything you may drop a note and/or picture of it below and I will give my honest opinion on it!

Influenster Holiday VoxBox 2012

I received this Holiday VoxBox complimentary from Influenster in exchange for my reviews on the products. I love trying new products so I was very happy to receive the box. Please watch my opening video or look below to see what I received in the box.

Here are all of the goodies inside of my box:

Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal+ Cup: $1.79 per cup

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine: $2.49

Kiss Nail Dress: $6.99

Eboost: $28 for a box of 20 ($1.40 each)

Goody Quikstyle Brush: $11.99

Total Box Value: $24.66

Also included was a Sole Society coupon for $25 off first purchase.

I will post my reviews on the products as I use them, hopefully soon :)! If you have not signed up for Influenster, head to the site and check them out. If you like making you tube videos and blogging than you can qualify for free packages like this one!

Giveaway: Dog Food Coupons

I have never talked about my cats before, but I have two beautiful kitties who I love very much. Cody & Kaci love to do just about everything with me. Here there are watching TV:

As you all know, I am always on the lookout for getting items for free or for cheap. Therefore, I am always buying newspapers and requesting coupons. Today, I am giving back to the owners of Dogs who need a little extra help. I have an abundance dollar off coupons for dog treats and food and will be giving away an envelope stuffed with them. This contests will run for a month and you may enter everyday, but make sure to do the mandatory entries first!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birchbox December 2012 Review

View my Unboxing Video and then come back and read my post :)

This is hands down my favorite box yet, and guess what?! I got a full size product!!  I am super excited to get this lip gloss full size, especially since the rest of the box was all skin care items! But nonetheless, a great box!

Inside the box is:

1.) Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream. This lightweight cream improves skin tone with Vitamin C and grape-derived resveratrol. It is actually a really tiny sample in the box. Full size, $39

2.) Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Protect. This leave in cream is to be used on towel-dried hair to repair damage. Foil packets are unfortunate, but at least I got two at a decent size! Full size, $42

3.) ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss. This even has a cool little mirror on the bottle! Full Size, $16

4.) Thymes Naia Body Lotion. Great sample size bottle! Full Size, $25

5.) The Beauty Extra is Thymes Lotus Santal Body Cream. Not really too excited that my extra this month is another lotion from the exact same company, but at least I can always use lotion. Sadly, it is not as good of a size as the other lotion is and comes in a small foil packet. Full Size, $35

As you can tell from my video I was super excited to FINALLY get a full size product. I knew that the December box would be awesome and I am so glad that I was right! I will be staying subscribed and hope to get more boxes like this one!

Is this box worth $10: YES! The Full Size Lip Gloss is worth $16. So that product alone is already worth more than what the box cost me.

Is this box worth my $10: YES! Not only do I sign up for Birchbox to receive great products and to try new products, but I also sign up for the surprise and excitement that goes along with it and I was super excited with this box!!

Disclaimer: These opinions are my own and I was not asked, nor do I get compensation, to review the box or these items.

If you would like to sign up for the Beauty Box yourself, here is the link: https://www.birchbox.com?raf=l4w14