I’ve been a loyal Ipsy customer for 2 years now, but I have heard so many good things Birchbox that I thought maybe it was time for a change. Even though most people had already received their February box I ordered my first Birchbox in the middle of the month which is why I’m just now getting a review in. But this also gave me time to look at some of the products other subscribers had already reviewed.
First impressions were literally the good, the bad and the ugly…
The good – I love that I don’t have to look up the full-size prices. They were all listed right there on the Birchbox website. This saved me a lot of time.
The bad – The LAQA & Co. Avo Lip Butter I received was not the peachy “Nova” I was hoping for, but the much darker “Ninza”, which is more of a burgundy.
The ugly – Like many other subscribers, I was disappointed that the above lip butter came broken. When I opened the top, the stick was stuck on the roof and smashed. I placed it back in the tube, but I’m afraid it won’t stay put, and it was truly messy putting it back.
Yes, my grandma made that beautiful penguin towel. Ahh, penguins, the most majestic animal in the world.
The LAQA lip butter did have redeeming qualities – for one, it smells amazing! And after trying the shade on, I think I may actually be able to pull of the deep color. This item usually retails around $25 (although, Birchbox listed it as $15 on the site and $25 on the card that came in the box…confusing). This size is about 1/4 the size (I couldn’t find the exact size) so I would guess it comes in around $6.
The Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream with SPF 35+ is fantastic. It worked flawlessly under my regular powder and I like the fact that it will help protect my skin from those darn UV rays. The regular 47 mL size goes for $32 so this 3 mL will be $2.04.
If you’re looking for furthering protection, look no further than Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm. Although this item has an almost Vaseline feel and was slightly sticky, it seems to be doing its job. I put it on this morning and almost 5 hours later (and after eating) I still don’t feel like I need to reapply. The 15 mL size is $16.50. This teeny tiny 3 mL tube would be $3.30.
Read the directions before using Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. It says to spray about 10 inches away from your head – don’t take this lightly. I love dry shampoos and have used my fair share of brands. This one made me jump when I pressed down it came out with so much pressure. That being said, it works. You would pay $20 for the regular 3.2 oz. bottle. This travel size would be $6.25 (1 oz.).
The last item, is the only one I have yet to try out – Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator. Honestly, the only reason I have yet to try it is because I forgot to use it this morning when I washed up. I’m looking forward to seeing how much more rejuvenated I feel after using it. The 4.23 oz. rings up at $34, so this 0.7 oz. would be $5.62.
I spent $10 (just like with Ipsy), but would have spent $23.21 if I had bought these sizes outright.
Overall, I like the more spa-like vibe of Birchbox (so far…Ipsy was much more make-up oriented), but with this first box down, I still feel like I got a better deal price-wise with Ipsy. Guess I’ll just have to see how next month goes.
The on-the-rocks margarita at Agave Mexican Restaurant in Columbia, MO.
Our second cruise was just as amazing as the first – if not more so. My parents joined Curtis, my brother Matt and his wife Chelsea and me on their maiden voyage. It was vacation time! And we had quite the journey to make too.
We hit the road on Friday, January 27 ate at Agave Mexican Restaurant in Columbia, MO. Enchiladas Mexico and very strong Margarita on the rocks made for a tasty meal.
On Saturday, we headed out bright and early towards my brother’s home in Kentucky. We were blessed with having Mexican food again and it didn’t disappoint either. El Toribio in Owensboro, KY had some delicious enchiladas.
The Maker’s Mark Bourbon Burger at Rock Bottom Brewery in Nashville.
After a short drive, Sunday evening was spent in Nashville. For Curtis, my parents and me, this was our virgin trip and boy, did we have fun. We watched a live band at The Stage, had supper at Rock Bottom Brewery, enjoyed the atmosphere at Honky Tonk Central and sang with the rest of the bar at Swingin’ Doors Saloon.
I’d say we would have stayed in Nashville all week if we didn’t have flight to Miami to catch.
When we finally made it to the Carnival Sensation on Monday, January 30, we were starving after a long day of travel, so we went straight to the Carnival Deli to scarf down a delicious sandwich. Personally, I love the Reubens they make…not the same from a German restaurant, but still amazing!
The me, Curtis and my parents hanging out at Honky Tonk Central in downtown Nashville.
Tuesday was a Day at Sea while we made our way to our first destination of Grand Turk, but that didn’t mean we didn’t have fun. It was fancy night…woo woo! We enjoyed dinner in the Ecstasy Dining Room after taking some lovely Carnival Pixel pictures. We also enjoyed some comedy shows. If you ever get the chance to go on a cruise make sure to take in all the entertainment you can.
We were ready for the beach on Wednesday. After enjoying breakfast at the Lido Restaurant, we debarked at Grand Turk. Walking the long dock let us really take in the gorgeous beach. We ate a tasty lunch of Volcano Nachos and Tropical Fruit Mango Margaritas at…where else! Margaritaville! The nachos were HUGE and the margarita was STRONG!
After a few hours of shopping and wandering the beach, we practically ran back to the ship as a storm rolled in. While waiting in line we got downpoured on (and a good laugh!). While everyone else went to bed early that night, Dad and I enjoyed Hasbro the Gameshow. Once again, another piece of Carnival entertainment you should definitely partake in.
Grand Turk was a fun day of shopping, eating and walking the beautiful beach…prior to the downpour.
Thursday, February 2 was going to be epic. Not only were we docking at Half Moon Cay, Carnival’s own private island (AKA Little San Salvador), but it was Matt’s 30th birthday.
We had to dock away from the island so we took a double-decker boat inland and had a blast hanging out on the beach all day. We swam, we drank, some of us played beach games, we enjoyed a complimentary island lunch of jerk chicken, German potato salad and brownies. There were chickens roaming the beach, so I hope they weren’t offended by the food. HA!
Ship on a Stick… x2…’nough said.
After coming back on board, we decided tonight was a night for Matt so he got to pick the entertainment. We went to a trivia game – Celebrity Mash Up – exactly like it sounds, people. They mash the faces of celebrities together and you have to guess who they are. Well, with our powers combined, we finally won a trivia contest. And two…yes, two SHIPS ON A STICK! FINALLY! Hell, you would have thought we had won the Super Bowl, we were so excited. Now, my parents had no clue what was going on, but they and the folks around us didn’t know the trouble we’d been through trying to win one on our previous cruise. But there was always that guy…you know “that guy” who always wins everything at every trivia function. Not this time. No, sir. We won.
Tasty drinks at Lukka Kairi! Up front – My “Tropical Blend” (melon liquor, banana liquor rum and homemade colada mix); Middle – Betty’s drink, Blue Lagoon (white rum, coconut rum, blue Curacao, pineapple juice and a splash of sweet & sour mix); In the back – Chelsea’s “Kiss Me and I’ll Blush” was much better (vodka, peach schnapps, fresh mango puree, and strawberry mix).
Next was the Marriage Game Show, which Chelsea tried to get Matt and her on, but they definitely didn’t want to compete as bad as the other 4 couples who made it up there. Let’s just say there was some PDA from the audience I could have done without. But it was nice to see our parents cracking up.
The final event of the night was Quest (or the adult scavenger hunt) and guess who won!? That’s right…us! We were unstoppable! Two times in a row! Woo woo! We kicked ass! I will not tell you all the crazy things we had to do, but let’s just say it was worth it. While we weren’t blessed with another Ship on a Stick, we did receive three bottles of champagne (one of which we shared with the pervy old dude, who became a part of our team). By the way, I think my parents may be scarred for life.
Our final full day was at Nassau. This was one of the ports we visited the last time but we finally got to snorkel. We took a catamaran out to Eileen’s Island and got to swim with the fishes for about an hour. It was truly one of the coolest things I have ever gotten to do, although I will say I was hesitant at first to jump in the deeper ocean water. It was beautiful with all sorts of colorful fish swimming below. There was even a stingray! We almost lost my stepmom – she got a little carried away following some fish – but we all made it back to the catamaran to enjoy some rum punch and learn about the celebrities who own houses nearby. Christina Aguilera. Chuck Norris. Michael Jordan.
Lunch was at Lukka Kairi where we enjoyed some fantastic burgers and tropical drinks. We visited with the cruise director – Mat – and then shopped in the Straw Market and nearby vendors where we got some amazing wood carvings and paintings.
On Saturday, February 4, we ported back in Miami, and soon made our way back to Kentucky. After spending some family time (like we needed any more) we hit the road the next day. Our journey was over…but never forgotten.
First of all, can we just appreciate how cute the bag for this month’s Ipsy is?
Okay, moving on to Skone Cosmetics – Insanely Intense Tattooed Eyeliner in JetBlack (0.07 oz.). I am in heaven with this eyeliner. Liquid eyeliner always used to scare me. In high school, I tried out a friend’s once, and I ended up looking like a Picasso painting. Not an understatement! But I don’t think I have ever been so impressed by eyeliner. I will definitely be buying Skone again. It looks like I received the full-size, which retails on skonecosmetics.com for $15.
The Pixi by Petra – Beauty Blush Duo in Rose Gold (0.16 oz.) is a really pretty blush. The combination of the two colors blends really well with my lighter skin tone. The 0.36 oz. size sells on both pixibeauty.com and target.com for $18. This smaller size would ring in at $8.
I wish I could love the deep red that is NYX Cosmetics – Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick (0.13 oz.) but it just doesn’t work for me. I ended up giving this to my friend who, by the way, looks gorgeous in it. The same size retails on nyxcosmetics.com for $7.
The MeMeMe – Loose Powder Brush (2 oz.) is super soft. I’m still getting used to figuring out different brushes (other than a regular blush brush or eyeshadow brush. I know…don’t make fun of me). This same brush retails on mememecosmetics.com for 14£, which means $20.04 (this one comes with its own carrying case).
Unfortunately, I was not impressed by Nourish Organic – Rosehip & Rosewater Body Oil (0.5 fl. oz.) and I really really wanted to be. I have high hopes for products with “organic” in their names, especially if it’s meant for my face or body. It came out of the tube separated. But maybe I just got a bad batch bottle. Or maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be, but I didn’t care for it. The 3 fl. oz. is $19.99 on nourishorganic.com so this small tube would be $3.33.
I also redeemed from points the NAOBAY Natural & Organic – Oxygenating Moisturizing Cream (0.75 oz.), which retails for $47.60 on beautybay.com for the 1.7 fl. oz. so this smaller (free) size would have been $21.
Including my bonus product, I would have spend $74.37. Lucky me!
March’s Sherlock Bones box was (almost) a complete hit with the pooch.
The chubby little Sherlock Bones (R2P Pet Ltd., $13) was a fantastic start. Sasha loved gnawing on this plaid little toy.
The Telephone Booth (Think Pet Innovations, $14) was a little harder and a different shape of toy than our mutt is used to, but she loved it anyway.
We put the safety on before giving Sasha the Smoking Gun Smoke Sticks (Sawmill Creek SmokeHouse, 3-pack). These are another one of those treats where we need to make sure she doesn’t hork them down too quickly.
The first bag of treats – EOS Turkey & Sweet Potato (Plato, $6) – hit the spot for Sasha, but the item that didn’t quite knock this box out of the dog park, were the Lamb Lung Toasters (Superior Farms, $9). I have never seen her spit out a piece of food so quickly. We tried a few times, but, alas, she would have none of them. (Honestly, I can’t say I blame her. Lung does not sound appetizing to me, but then again, I’m not a dog.)
Luckily for us, BarkBox has Scout’s Honor, so if our prized pup doesn’t like something in her box we can exchange it for another item. They will replace one item per box so we replaced the lungs with My Doggy Soft Baked Mini Cookies (Whodunit?, $8). She was in heaven! And the best part? BarkBox told us we didn’t have to return the Lamb Lungs to them and asked us to donate them to pups in need. We did…and they made some sweet dachshunds very happy.
Although, I didn’t get a price for the smoking sticks, I think we still came out on top with this month’s box. Our total would have been$50 (if we include the Lamb Lungs).
February’s Barkbox is celebrating the Lunar New Year and Sasha was ready to party.
She got moving with a friendly game of tug o’ war. Sasha and her (human) dad had a blast with the Movin Monkeys (Bark & Co, $14).
The Chomp Sticks (Nootie, $10) and Zuke’s Lunar Biscuits (Bark & Co, $8) were definitely winners in Sasha’s book, but then again, there’s rarely a treat she won’t eat.
But the Trachea (Butcher’s Block, $7) is a treat we have to watch her more closely with because she likes to scarf down her goodies so quickly. We buy items like this for her every once in a while, but monitor the consumption of them.
Another hit was Walter the Dragon (Bark & Co, $14). His little squishy face and circular tummy were easy for her to grab and she loved chasing him in the yard. Hopefully he holds up to the mutt-face’s slightly rougher play.
This month’s box rang in at $53. Pretty good deal for a box that only cost us “ruff”-ly $19.99.
