Here are the goodies I received in my January Birchbox.
Birchbox is a monthly beauty sample service that allows you to try samples of high end products for a low cost. There are usually 5 samples in each box and the boxes cost $10 per month. You can review the products on Birchbox's website and receive 10 points for each review. 10 points = $1. You can them redeem your points (in 100 point/$10 increments) for full sized products. You can also refer friends and receive 50 points at Birchbox (my referral code) if they subscribe.
First up is the MyTM Multi-Purpose Mattifying Moisturizer. I really did like this product. Only a small amount was needed and it was very moisturizing and not at all oily. I will probably not be purchasing the full size though, because it is $68!
The Alessandro Cream Rich is a fantastic lotion. It really worked well on my super dry hands, and again wasn't oily. Full size is $30, so possible repurchase on this item.
Next up is a sample of Harvey Prince Ageless Pink Grapefruit perfume. For some reason I recycled the package before I took the photos... I LOVED this scent and think it would be wonderful for spring/summer. Very light and citrusy. Full size is $98, so it would be a luxury.
The cosmetic item this month was mascara from Lash M. They (many times) will have a full sized product in the boxes, but apparently not this month. This sample size was so ridiculously tiny, that it was almost impossible to use without jabbing myself in the eye. The product itself was average. It gave some length, but not really much else. Fill size is $19.99.
Last up were a couple foil packet (I hate foil packets) from Kerastase Masque Chroma Riche Treat. They are a hair mask. I haven't used these yet. Full size is $68, so again, pretty expensive.
Check out my unboxing!
I would love to hear what you received in your Birchbox!
I recently received my latest Cravebox in the mail. This one was "Resolutions", and it was good one! It included food, drink, and beauty products which I thought was nice surprising mix.
There were a couple cans of 10 Calorie sodas. I am not a soda drinker, but boyfriend seemed to like them.
There were 4 fruit bars from SunRype. I had not heard of this brand previously, but was ready to try. They were all really tasty...kind of "grown up" fruit roll ups.
There was a protein bar from Perfectly Simple. I was very pleased to receive the coconut flavor, as coconut is my favorite. I loved this bar and will definitely use the $1 coupon to purchase more.
I think I was only supposed to receive one coupon, but ended up with 2! I hadn't previously tried Smart Ones, as I'm usually not partial to frozen foods. But having the two freebies, I purchased a Ravioli Florentine and Fettuccini Alfredo, and they were both surprisingly tasty. For a couple bucks, you could definitely do worse for an easy lunch. I'll probably purchase these again.
I got a sample of Celestial Seasonings Metabo Balance Wellness Tea. It also included a $.75 coupon and code (CSWELLNESS) to use online at www.celestialseasonings.com to receive 10% off an online purchase. I haven't tried this particular tea yet, but I'm sure it will be fine.
Next up was 4 packets from CocoaVia. These supplements are meant to be put into drinks or food to give you additional nutrients. I had tried the two fruit flavors that go into bottled water. I wasn't a fan of the flavor, because it tasted like Nutrasweet, and I just don't that that taste. The chocolate ones, I may use in yogurt or cereal. I like the idea of these, and hope I like the chocolate ones better. There is a code (Resolution2013) to use online at www.cocoavia.com to receive 20% off your purchase.
Next up, was a coupon to purchase a free Wholly Guacamole product. I love guacamole, so I will definitely use this. Bonus, they included a fun bag clip.
There was a nice sample size of Pantene's Silky Moisture Whip. This was a .9oz sample. This is supposed to protect from style damage. I use products like this everyday because I do blow dry and flat iron. I like Pantene products, so I'm sure I will like this too.
This was a brochure from Mary Kay. Cravebox has been putting Mary Kay products in many of their recent boxes. It included a full sized ($40 value!) of Timewise Repair Volu-Firm Eye Renewal Cream. My box was originally missing this product, but I contacted Cravebox and they sent one out to me the next day. I just received it yesterday, so am anxious to try it out. I love eye creams.
As you can see, this was pretty amazing box with a pretty high value. I paid $15 and the total value of the box was over $63! Very good deal.
Check out Cravebox at www.cravebox.com. I would suggest signing up for their email blasts so you can see what boxes are coming up. You can use me as referral if you would like. Just add "Witchycoffeegal" in the "referred by" section. Boxes range from $10-$16 dollars and Cravebox does a random drawing to see who gets picked to receive a box. So far, I have been picked for every box have requested.
As many of you know, I am kind of addicted to the subscription services that will deliver a box of pretty goodies to my door once a month for a relatively low cost. As all of you know, I am also very addicted to my lovely pug, Willow. So you can imagine my joy when I found out there were similar options for dogs, and she too could receive her very own box of yummy goodies each month! Happiness!
I checked out several of the sites and decided that I liked Pawalla the best. Pawalla is a monthly service that delivers a great selection of food, treats, toys, and other miscellaneous items for your fur girl or boy. What I liked about Pawalla was the fact that they do offer all different types of items in each box, it's not just all food or not just all toys. Most importantly, I liked that all of the food and treat items are very high quality, all made in the USA, and mostly organic, or if not organic, still very good quality. With all of the recent accounts of questionable processing overseas, I am very conscious about reading the labels and making sure I am comfortable with what I am feeding to her.
This month's box consisted of two cans of food from Lotus. The flavors were Turkey Stew and Chicken and Asparagus Stew. I hadn't yet opened the chicken, but the turkey definitely looked and smelled like real turkey. Willow, needless to say, loved it! Downside, they are pretty expensive at over $3 per can. I probably won't be feeding her that everyday, but maybe a can here and there. Check them out at www.lotuspetfoods.com.
The next item was Petchup, which is a condiment for dogs. It looks and smells like beef gravy and is meant to stir into dry food to give it added flavor. What the dogs don't know is that it is actually packed with vitamins and minerals and is in essence a multivitamin for your dog..pretty genius! I fed this to both Willow and my boyfriend's dog, Kilo. They both LOVED this!!! It will definitely be something I will repurchase. I checked the website and they sell a pack of 2 for $15.90. Check them out at www.petchup.com.
Next item was Stella & Chewy's Carnivore Crunch. This was kind of a strange product. It is raw, freeze- dried meat that you can mix with food or give as a treat. I mixed some in to both dogs dry food and they seemed to like it as well. This one is bit pricey too at $10.99 a bag. Check them out at www.stellaandcheweys.com.
Next treat item was Wagatha's Little Bites Organic Biscuits. These were breakfast biscuits made from apples and bananas. They smell like bananas, and I couldn't resist the urge, I nibbled a small corner,and they taste like a bland banana cookie. I liked these because they were small, so good to use as treat here and there. Both dogs liked these as well. Price is pretty good, $6.99 per bag. Check them out at www.wagathas.com.
The toy item in this box was unfortunately not a hit with Willow. It is a really cute toy from Charming Toys, but she just doesn't like to play with rubber toys. She LOVES stuffed toys, so this one has been sitting in the middle of the floor, untouched. Shame, because it is really really cute! www.charmingpetproducts.com
Last item was a roll of poop bags. You can never have too many of those!
One of my resolutions for 2013 is to stop eating drive through lunches. I haven't eaten fast food since December 27, and I feel great!!! I don't even particularly like fast food that much, it is just really convenient, especially where I work. You can barely drive a block or two, and not be passing at least three drive through lanes. It absolutely hate the way it makes me feel, sluggish and fat and just all around yucky. My laziness has won over in the past though, but I am hoping my will shall overcome this year!
I really do like to cook and do so several times a week. I will pack some leftovers happily eat lunch, but some mornings, I am just running late, don't want to be bothered or just forget and off to work I go...
Unacceptable! This must change...and it shall!
I was watching one of my favorite YouTubers, April, on one of her channels, CookWithApril (she has a beauty channel that is equally fabulous), and came across a couple of delightful recipes that I tried out the other night! BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches and watermelon salad. They were both yummy!
Here's what they looked like...
The recipe was SUPER easy too, so bonus. Here goes:
The BBQ chicken was a couple pounds of chicken breasts thrown in the crock pot.
In a bowl: combine a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce (I used KC Masterpiece), 1/4 cup packed brown suger, 1/4 cup, Italian dressing and 2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce. Wisk together, and pour into the crock pot. Cook chicken @4 hours (if thawed) or @6 hours if frozen. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Serve on buns and enjoy!
The watermelon salad was SUPER easy!
I bought a decent sized piece of sliced watermelon and cut into chunks. Put into a bowl with some sliced red onion (I used about half of one) and place in the fridge for @30 minutes. When ready to plate, place a layer of your favorite salad greens, a generous portion of the watermelon/onion mixture, some crumbled blue cheese, and some chopped macadamia nuts, and then drizzle with some balsamic vinegar. I cannot tell you how delicious this is!
If you would like to watch April's videos, here they are:
For the chicken:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNaj-S4N2hQ
For the watermelon salad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrBgh1AQr0g
Do you think you will try the watermelon salad? I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
Finally...it's here. Season 3! The American side of the pond has been waiting, quite impatiently..I must add, to be able to see what the UK has been watching for months. Super excited for the addition of one of my very, very favorites, Ms. Shirley MacLaine. The sparring between her and Maggie Smith should be properly epic. With only hours to go, I am already trying to decide which of my flavorful teas I will be brewing up to watch Episode One. Tick, tock, tick, tock...
It's that time of year again! I LOVE these deals and always take advantage, as should you. Zoya is a fabulous polish line and getting 3 bottles for only $10 shipping is an absolute steal. They cost @$8-10 dollars in the stores.
