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Makeup Monday: eos lip balm

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Image courtesy of eos

First, a HUGE “thank you” to eos for sending me the lip balms to try out.  I received the Coconut Milk and Vanilla Mint varieties, and they are wonderful!  The coconut balm reminds me of visiting Hawai’i and all of those summer days spent at the beach.  Vanilla + mint is one of my favorite combinations and works with just about anything:  lip balm, tea, scrubs; it is refreshing and warm.  

Coconut Milk (left) and Vanilla Mint (right)

I am a huge fan of lip products, and love these little spheres of moisture-providing balm.  I had heard rave reviews, and couldn’t be more appreciative for getting the chance to try them.  Based on the look of the balm itself, I thought they would be similar to others that just feel like a film over your lips.  You know the type.  Smells and looks good, but you apply the balm and your lips think, “What on Earth is this?!”.  That alone made me wonder if all of the people providing such positive feedback were lying.  I was happily surprised to find that the balm was not remotely like that.  The formula absorbs fast, and for me, delivered exactly what my lips were in need of.  Vitamins, oils, and shea butter nourished my lips.  I popped one in my bag before my trip, and not once were my lips dry & flaky.  So far, I love the quality of eos lip balms and can’t wait to try their other product lines.  These balms have lived up to the hype.  Eos is travel-friendly and budget-friendly.  Pair those pros with high-quality ingredients, and you have one amazing batch of skincare.   

Stay tuned for an upcoming post on my top five lip products, which will feature eos lip balm spheres.  If you see eos while you’re out shopping, definitely get a sphere.  They come in a large variety of flavors (i.e. Lemon Drop w/SPF 15, Blueberry Acai, Sweet Mint, etc.) so there is something for everyone!  Do you have a favorite?  Which are you most excited to try?

Stay beautiful!    

Lay’s Do Us A Flavor

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Image courtesy of fritolay.com

The last go-around, I wasn’t able to try all of the chips.  This time, I got one of each.  Overall, I am really impressed that the flavors were able to be quite spot-on with rare exception.  My mouth never quite knows what is going on when a food tastes like one thing but is on a vessel for something else.  Anyway, here are my first impressions.

1.  Greektown Gyro

Image courtesy of fritolay.com

This one really surprised me, in a very good way.  My first thought was that the chips smelled like a gyro.  Unfortunately I have been misled by scents before (like the bottled PB&J soda that smelled like strawberry jelly but tasted like plastic), so my expectations were not that high.  Then, I took chip, and could taste everything:  meat, cucumber & onion, tzatziki… and it was awesome!  I didn’t think the other flavors would be as good or as close to the real thing.  Boy, was I in for an experience.

2.   Southern Biscuits and Gravy

Image courtesy of fritolay.com

Upon opening the bag, I was hit with the overpowering smell of clam chowder.  I kept an open mind, and ate the first chip.  OH MY GOD!  It tasted EXACTLY like the gravy.  Who knew such an iconic breakfast item could be transferred to a chip?!  The sausage gravy is very similar to the one my mom makes.  If you’re a biscuits and gravy person, definitely try these.

3.  West Coast Truffle Fries

Image courtesy of fritolay.com

These chips smell like blue cheese, and we all know how much I despise it.  That being said, I love truffle fries (even though, yes, truffle is becoming highly overrated) so I pushed on.  The main flavors I could taste were parmesan and truffle.  The are also coated with what I assume is parsley, which I guess fancies it up a bit.  Overall, they were good, but not as good as those mentioned above (in my opinion).   
 
4.  New York Reuben Sandwich

Image courtesy of fritolay.com

I was sorely disappointed with the Reuben.  After opening the bag, I noticed that the chips smelled like one, and the corned beef really came through.  It took quite a few chips for me to detect any sort of Reuben flavor.  The flavor reminded me of a variation on bbq.  I wish that the sauerkraut had been more detectable, and the dressing was hardly there.  Those smells can be so deceiving.

 Overall Impressions

My top two are the gyro and biscuits & gravy.  It is really difficult to say which I prefer since they both have wonderful qualities.  The gyro tastes like a gyro and reminds me of trips out to Vegas.  We always stop at The Mad Greek either coming or going.  The biscuits and gravy have a homey feel to them, and remind me of my mom’s cooking.  Truffle fries were good, but very mainstream.  The Reuben unfortunately, for me, missed the mark as it didn’t remotely resemble the sandwich in terms of flavor.  If you’re an adventurous eater or love any of the foods these are modeled after, give them a try.  I am already thinking of other ways to incorporate these chips in other dishes.

Have you tried them?  If so, what was your favorite, and if not, which are you most interested in trying?   

Out of the Closet

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Image courtesy of outofthecloset.org

One of my favorite thrift shops on the planet is Out of the Closet.  There are a few reasons.  One is that there can be some great finds at great prices (I got the caffitaly CBTL coffee maker for $18.00!), but the biggest one is their cause:  96 cents of every dollar goes to AIDS research (AIDS Healthcare Foundation).  They also take most items when you donate, so you can de-clutter your space whilst supporting a worthy cause.  Many locations also offer free HIV testing.  All locations offer resources, and condoms.  What is it they say?  “No glove, no love.”

Find the nearest location to you here.

Leaving for San Diego

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Taking a road trip is just what the doctor ordered!  It won’t be far, but much needed and well worth it.  Do you have any plans before summer ends?  Let me know.  When I get back, I will have more giveaway details for all of you.  I will also try to get in a few haul posts in the next week that will feature Daiso, SPF care, and more!   

Stay beautiful!

Gadget Travel Essentials, Vol. 1

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There are so many gadgets out there that it can be difficult to decide what to take, especially when we travel.  What items do I need to take?  Which cables will I need?  How will I pack them?  How much room will they take up?  These are a few items I like to take whether I am flying or driving to my destination.

1.  Macbook Air + Charger  ($899.00 and up)

Image courtesy of apple.com

I am so glad that I was able to purchase the MacBook Air.  It was awhile ago (mine is the 2011… I think), but it still runs as well as the day I purchased it.  I chose it for several reasons.  It has everything I need program-wise with ample storage.  Another big selling point was the weight.  It weighs next to nothing (~3lbs.), so I carry it with ease.  Since I have neck and back problems, it is difficult to carry weight.  If you are in the market for one, I suggest that you look at the refurbished section first.  Anything that needs replacing is fixed, so you pretty much get a new computer with the same warranty for less.  If you are in education or are a student, they also have educational pricing. 

2.  Western Digital MyPassport  (~59.99 and up)

Image courtesy of Western Digital

I love WD.  My friend gave me a MyBook awhile back, and it is what I back up everything to.  I do a lot of travel, and it was quite cumbersome to pack.  When I saw the MyPassport on sale at Target, I couldn’t pass it up.  This mini version of the MyBook takes up about as much room as an iPhone 6.  I purchased the one for Mac with 1 TB of storage.  They also make them for PCs in a variety of styles, colors, and shapes depending on the specs.  I can back up everything regardless of where I am, which allows me to have another back-up and clear up space on my computer.     

3.  GoalZero Flip 10 Recharger  ($29.99)

Image courtesy of GoalZero

This power stick is awesome!  I received mine at CES, and take it everywhere.  It is important that you know it does NOT come with a cable for the iPhone 6.  The cable is for Android phones.  That being said, it is compatible with any cable, and since I always have extra iPhone 6 and iPad cables in my pack, the lack of one is not an issue.  This power stick weighs 2.5oz, and has the following dimensions:  3.6 x 0.75 x 0.75 in.  The USB allows me to charge the power stick in the USB port on my computer and my phone simultaneously.  Charge it at night, and when you wake, unplug the power stick and toss it in your bag or pocket.    

4.  AfterShokz Blues 2  ($99.95)

Image courtesy of AfterShokz

Image courtesy of AfterShokz

If you haven’t already, check out my post on these Bluetooth bone-conduction headphones.  They are perfect for the gym, airport, plane, and anywhere else you are.  They are lightweight and have a continuous play time of 6 hours (standby time = 10 days).  The Bluez 2 will never hurt your ears since they rest just beyond the tragus.  They also allow you to hear everything around you.  Remember: Safety first!  Each pair comes with a charging cable, carrying bag, and reflectors that are perfect for the night.      

5.  Clarisonic  ($99.99 and up)

Image courtesy of Clarisonic

Okay, I know you are probably thinking that a skincare tool shouldn’t be in this list, but hear me out.  Plenty of men care about their skin, and if you don’t, you should.  Clarisonic helps you to put your best face forward by providing a deep clean with its oscillating brush.  They come with a carrying case (Mia 2), and one charge will hold for at least two weeks even with regular use.  Toss it in your grooming kit (charge it so you don’t need to take the cable), and ensure that your skin will always look its best.   
 

FabFitFun [in a] box!

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There are so many subscription boxes and programs out there now that it is hard to keep track.  Recently, I purchased the FabFitFun box to see what $49.99 could really get me.  I also used a promo code that got me two extras, but one has not arrived yet.  For first-time subscribers, they have other promo code incentives, such as $10.00 off your first box.

I had seen the FabFitFun ad plastered all over my Facebook page, so I decided to see what others thought about it.  The reviews were generally positive, so I signed up, and my box was shipped 10 business days after I placed my order.  The site does mention that boxes will ship 10 business days after payment, unless (1) you have signed up before, or (2) the box is sold out.  In that case, you have to wait until the next season’s box.  You can upgrade your membership as well, which will allow you to customize your box, for $20.00 more/month.

When the box arrived, I thought, “Damn, this is heavy!”  Below are pictures of what the box looked like when I first opened it.

Luckily nothing had leaked out or exploded.  I have had that happen a couple of times with Birchbox.  There were 10 items in the summer box, along with one other item (from Pur-lisse) that I received as part of a promotion.  A water bottle with an infuser was supposed to be included as well, but they ran out, so I am told one should ship within the next week.  There was also a promotional card for Giuliana Rancic’s book, which I didn’t list below.

1.  Hello Konjac Cleansing Sponge, $12.00

I have been wanting to try out a konjac sponge for a long time, but haven’t wanted to fork over the money for it.  Needless to say, I was happily surprised when I saw it in the box.  I will be testing it out, with and without a cleanser, to see if there is a difference. 

2.  Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Spray Moisturizer, $7.99 (but I found it for $5.99 on Target.com)

Vaseline was the sponsored bonus product for the summer box, so everyone got one.  It is a full-sized spray that I love to use especially when I’m strapped for time.  The formula absorbs fast and does not leave my skin a greasy mess.  If you are allergic to aloe there are other formulas available.  As I mention above, I found it for a couple of dollars less just by doing a simple search.

3.  FabFitFun x CosmoBody Jump Rope, $14.00
 

For those of you who know me, you’re probably laughing because you know how much I hate pink.  But I love jump rope… although I have to consult my neurosurgeon since I don’t think I’m supposed to use it.  That being said, I will probably give it away.  

4.  FabFitFun Everyday Wireless Speaker, $29.99

Front side w/cable
Back side.  Dial & Power/Bluetooth are on the right

You have no idea how glad I was to see that I received the turquoise speaker!  The other option was a pink, much like the color of the jump rope handles above.  Anyway, this neat little speaker can go just about anywhere.  It has a carabiner-type latch, rechargeable battery (comes with a micro USB cable), FM radio, Bluetooth wireless pairing (10 meter wireless range), microphone, SD card slot, calling features, and more!  Once your device is paired, you can adjust the volume on the phone, and change the song on the speaker.  There is a small dial at the back (see above right picture).  The sound quality is surprisingly good; it’s very clear.  It’s been on for about 20 minutes now, and I couldn’t be happier.  It really is all about the little things in life.      

5.  tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss, $19.00

I LOVE tarte!  They have wonderful products with staying power.  I was really excited when I see this lip gloss.  The color is beautiful (much more sheer than it looks), is not sticky and pairs well with their lip tin
ts.  Did I mention that it is a full-sized product?! 

6.  Inkling Scents Roll-On Perfume, $25.00

Don’t know about you, but I am really picky when it comes to fragrances.  Sultry is the name of this scent, and I suppose it is fitting.  It has a warm slightly sweet, musky smell with a sawdust undertone.  I picture a smoke-filled night club in the ’20s, and this fragrance worn by a woman who looks like Claudette Colbert in a black dress.  I, literally, put some on my hand less than 2 minutes ago, and it is already nearly undetectable.  I’m not really sure that it works with me, and would love to see how it works with other people.  It’s also pretty oily and left a slight film where I applied it.  

7.  Gorge “I’ll Make You Look Amazing” Daily Spray $24.95
 

 I just sprayed this in my hair to see what it smelled like, and it smells like a sweet shop.  Similar to a lime freeze at Jack’s in Whittier.  By the way, if you haven’t been in for that, you should.  I sprayed just above the ends of my hair, and I can see that it gives quite a bit of shine.  I am excited to see how it works right after I shower.  There will be a review of this as well as a leave-in conditioner comparison piece later on.

8.  Scratch Nail Wraps, $12.00 (select styles are on sale now for $8.00)

These nail wraps will most likely be given away as well because I am not a fan of pink.  They are interesting though.  They look like a slightly larger version of the Sally Hansen kind.  I am not sure how well they work or what their staying power is.  I do know that you can buy them individually or in subscription box form.  

9.  Headspace 3-month Subscription, $38.95 (subscriptions are $12.95+/month depending on the plan)

  
At first, I thought that Headspace was a sight for headbands, hats, etc.  It is not that at all.  It is a meditation site.  Sounds cheesy, right?  Well, it really helped me.  I did the first 10-minute session (it is 10 minutes/day) has you focus on your surroundings, then you and your breathing, then back to your surroundings.  Finally, every time you start to wander, you are brought back to focus on you.  I found it to be quite relaxing, so if you get a chance to try it out, please do.  I was able to relax my whole body, pinpoint everything that hurt, and do my best to relax it.  It’s like a mini-vacation… a very mini-vacation.
10.  WREN 14kt Gold & Black Sapphire Necklace, $100.00

I received the horseshoe version of this beautiful necklace.  The pendants come in other shapes,  such as moons and hearts, with different colored plating (i.e.  rose gold).  I love it because it can be paired with any type of outfit.  Dressing up?  It works.  Headed out for a day at the fair?  Pair it with your favorite shirt and jeans.  Don’t you just love versatility?

11.  Pur-lisse SPF 30 Sunscreen (1.7oz),  $50.00 (prices vary.  $55.00 is the price on their site)

 
I have not tried this SPF yet, but I will tomorrow.   Hopefully it is not greasy, will absorb fast, and most importantly, protect my skin.  Have you used Pur-lisse before?  I would love to know your thoughts!

Closing Thoughts
The FabFitFun card says that the box was worth $275.79, which is actually off, but not by much.  Including the items in the promotional offer, I easily have close to (if not more than) $300.00 in products.  Of the subscription boxes I have tried, this has been the biggest bang for my buck thus far.  Do I think it is worth it to pay extra to customize your box?  I guess that depends on how finicky you are, but I don’t think it is.  The price for each FabFitFun box (sent out quarterly) is $49.99/box plus tax depending on your state.  You can cancel at any time.  I should also note that customer service takes awhile to get back if you have any questions.  That would be their one downfall.

Curry & Wasabi Ramune?!

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Yes, I found both of those while at Tokyo Central.  Of course, I had to get them.  They had a third (spicy curry), but I didn’t get that.  It was the same price as the other two, and had about half as much.  Unlike the other Ramune, these bottles are plastic and have a different shape.

Curry (left) and Wasabi (right)

The first one I tried was curry.  Upon opening it (the ball is significantly easier to push down in the plastic bottle) I immediately got a whiff of curry.  It was like opening up a box of curry blocks, with a sweet finish.  And the taste?  Well, the taste is not as bad as it sounds.  It’s similar to a curry-spiced sweet ginger ale.  Part of me really likes this curry ramune, but the other thinks it would serve a better purpose elsewhere.  I probably will not purchase it in the future, but I’m glad I tried it.  You never if you will like something until you do.

Now, onto the wasabi ramune.  It smells amazing, much like a stronger version of the plain ramune.  The flavor is just like the plain ramune with a lightly sour finish.  I cannot even taste the wasabi.  Even if I could, I’m sure I would still love this one. 

If you are an adventurous eater, you may want to try them out.  You only live once, so you might as well, eh?  What is the oddest thing you have tried?  Or, the oddest thing you’ve tried and liked/loved?

Stay beautiful!

An Update and My First PINCHme Box!

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Hello to all of you beautiful people! 

The past week and a half has been crazy.  I’ve been getting (maybe) 4 hours of sleep a night, and that’s being generous.  One of our wonderful cats was ill, so we took her to the emergency vet.  She was given an antibiotic and pain killer, and then had a check-up on Monday.  Her tests results were fine, so nobody knows what was wrong with her.  Whatever was wrong has seemed to clear up, and she is finally back to her spry self.  I should probably mention that she is around 16, but still acts like a kitten most days.  With her medication schedule, there is little time for anything between the hours.  Luckily, she will only need them through Sunday.

The box was damaged, but the products weren’t.

Now, onto the PINCHme box.  PINCHme is a really neat way to receive samples, though there are a few cons.  There is no shipping, so everything actually is free.  First, sign up and make sure you post a valid e-mail address and mailing address.  Then, go to your profile page and fill out the questionnaire.  It’s a really simple check system that gives an idea about your interests so they can pick out the samples.  There is a countdown on the homepage as well that will say how many days are left until the next set of samples.  Once your samples arrive, you are given a time period to complete required surveys.  They hardly take any time, and are vital to companies. 

The pros are the samples, if you can get them.  The site notes that there are some weeks when a user does not qualify at all.  Each set of available samples varies for the users, so what I may be able to try could be different from you.  The biggest con, for me, was the duration it took to receive the samples.  The site says that you should get them within 4-6 weeks from ordering (no tracking available).  I placed my first order on 5/25 and was shipped on 6/23.  It arrived to my door today.  They should probably state that it will take 4-6 weeks from the time it is shipped.  Of course, everything is free, so maybe I shouldn’t complain. 
  

In this first box, everything was sold out within minutes (at the very bottom, you can opt-in to get to the samples a day early).  The only things I could get were a sample of Gold Bond Ultimate Healing with Aloe (0.75oz) and a Nutro Perfect Portions Soft Loaf for cats (2 servings).  There was a nice surprise, and it was a $100.00 wine voucher for nakedwines.com ($100 off of $160 purchase).  My second box will contain quite a bit more, so I hope it gets to me. 

Stay beautiful!

Birchbox: This Time it’s like Christmas in July!

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So I walked down to the mailbox, and was greeted by the July Birchbox.  I started my subscription last year, and after the June box had seriously considered cancelling.  Boy am I glad I didn’t.  The July box features the following:   A benefit mini they’re real mascara, mini Stila liquid lipstick (I received the shade Venizia), a travel-sized Oribe dry hair texturizing spray, a deluxe sample of COOLA‘s cucumber SPF 30 sunscreen, and a deluxe sample of Dr. Brandt‘s microdermabrasion (one of my favorite exfoliators!).

I haven’t had an opportunity to try everything just yet, but as soon as I do, I will have a review.  Did you receive the July box?  I would love to know your thoughts on which product(s) did or didn’t work for you.

Also, if you haven’t subscribed but would like to, click here to sign up.  It’s easy and you can cancel at any time.

Stay beautiful!


 

It’s Monday!

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Hopefully you all had an amazing 4th of July weekend, and for those of you who don’t celebrate the 4th, I hope your weekend was nice and relaxing!  After my friend’s daughter’s birthday party (on the 4th), there were fireworks…and then I had an upset stomach…but it was all good!  Last night we watched Magic Mike XXL followed by dinner.  I thought the first was better with worse choreography, and the second had far better dance sequences.  I was in the minority, though…the general consensus was the XXL was better overall.  At any rate, both contained men with amazing bodies, dancing around and showing that they all have rhythm.  If you have seen either or both, which was your favorite?

I just want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for all the love and support!  I would also like to know what you’d like to see in future posts, and what your favorite travel necessities are.

Stay beautiful!