December Ipsy My Glam Bag Review

The Box: Ipsy

The Price: $10/month

The Goods: 4-5 full and deluxe-sample sized beauty products chosen based on your beauty profile.

December's theme was "Thinking of You."  I'm not a big fan of the bag this month.

Bumble & Bumble Repair Blow Dry: ($3.50)  I've mentioned it a million times, but I'm really low maintenance when it comes to my hair.  I blow dry my hair maybe once every other month.

Nourish Organic Eye Cream: I can't find this anywhere so I'm assuming it's a new product.  It has a nice consistency and doesn't leave a gross residue like some eye creams.

Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish - Orchid: ($15)  Man, this packs a lot of shimmer.  It's not extremely pigmented, but it'll probably work well over other shades.

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes ($8.33) I'm pretty much obsessed with Urban Decay Perversion mascara, but mascara is the one thing of which I can always use more.

NYX Butter Lip Balm - Parfait: ($3.99)  For a lip balm, this is really pigmented.  It also has a sweet scent that reminds me of a Lip Smacker lip balm- though I couldn't begin to guess which one.

Total Value: over $30.82

Aside from the blow dry cream, I really liked this month's selections.  Looking at the other products that they sent out, I think I really lucked out.

Disclaimer: This post contains referral and/or affiliate links.

December Wantable Intimates Review

The Box: Wantable Intimates

The Price: $36

The Goods: 3-4 items chosen based on your style preferences

Modern Heritage Fleeced Footless Tights: ($16)  I'm a firm believer that there's no such thing as too many tights or leggings.  These are super soft and cuddly and warm.

Natural Fiber Tank: ($18) There is a bit of gapping under my arms, but this tank is really soft and comfortable so it will be fine for lounging around.

 Nomad by Pajama Drama Sleep Shirt: ($17)  I love this! It's really soft (new drinking game, drink when I call something soft) and I'm a sucker for leopard print.

Nomad by Pajama Drama Romper: ($16) YAAAS.  I adore onesies and rompers.  They're annoying as hell when you have to use the restroom, but I love them anyway.

Total Value: $67

I had a subscription to Wantable Intimates a while back and I've been debating giving it another go for the past couple months.  They offered a deal on Black Friday for 50% off your first box so I couldn't say no.  For $18, I am more than thrilled with this box.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

New Subscription Box: Smart Art Box

Heads up - there is a new box in town!

Smart Art is launching their very first box this month.  They're going to ship for December 23 delivery, so it's a perfect Christmas gift for any of your artistic friends or family members.  (...or, in my case, for J's birthday.)

Every month they feature a different artist and curate a box of supplies for a suggested art project.  The coolest part?  You're encouraged to share your finished project and the artwork with the most likes will win a free month!

For more information and updates, visit their website and Like them on Facebook.

TL;DR -
The Box: Smart Art

The Cost: $49.95 (Use the code 20OFFLIFE for 20% off as long as you have a subscription!)

The Goods: 8-11 trial and full-sized art supplies for a suggested project

Disclaimer: Smart Art asked me to make this announcement on their behalf in exchange for a review box. <3

November iJustine Fancy Box Review

The Box: iJustine Fancy Box
The Price: $39 + shipping
The Goods: $80+ worth of Fancy goodies curated by iJustine.

Tetris Notebook: ($9)  I make all of my notes digitally but if I were to use a notebook, this one is great.  It has different colored sections and the edges of each section are cut into a different Tetris piece.

Space Invaders Crayons: ($3.30, down from $11)

Infamous Mario Brothers Print: ($7.50, down from $25)

Controller Pouch by Sprayground: ($6, down from $20)  I'm not sure what I'll use this for, but it's cute.

Pixel Sunglasses: ($2.70, down from $9)  J has an orange pair of these from Loot Crate and I'm excited to have my own pair.

8-bit Tattoos: ($1.80, down from $6)  Even though I have a few real tattoos, I still dig temporary ones.  The 8-bit pickaxe will be perfect with my Minecraft shirt.

Pacman Gadget Decals: ($5)  Man, I wish my laptop wasn't black.  I'll have to find something light colored to decorate with these.

Total Value: $35.30, $85 original price

 I have mixed emotions about this box.  I was stoked about the item selection, but seeing that I could have bought each item separately for less money is a little disappointing.

 Disclaimer: This post contains referral links.

November Bulu Box Review

The Box: Bulu Box (Regular)

The Cost: $10/month (less with a longer subscription)

The Goods: Choose between Weight Loss or Regular options and you'll get 4-5 health and nutrition product samples. You can also earn points to spend in their shop by reviewing the samples you receive.

Allergease Lozenges: ($5.79) 'Tis the season to need these.  I actually usually buy honey lemon throat drops anyway and I really like the fact that I can pronounce all of the ingredients.

Supreme Protein Accelerate Bar - Apple Cinnamon: ($1.69)  J actually took this to work with him today.  He's kind of picky about his bars, so I'll have to find out whether or not this was up to snuff.

D Speed: ($.37, marked as Free Sample) All of the reviews I've seen say that these taste great for vitamins.

Waxelene Lip Tube: ($3.99)  I'm not sure that I agree that it's the "Best Lip Balm Ever" but it is nice. I like the consistency, but I do wish they had added some sort of scented oil since it smells like Rosemary.

Brode: ($4)  These pills are full of electrolytes.  They suggest taking them while playing sports, partying, or travelling to avoid getting hydrated.  I could see how they might also help after having a stomach bug or something.

Neocell Biotin Bursts: ($.50, marked as Free Sample)   The flavor starts off great but then transitions into an unpleasant vitamin-y aftertaste.  (These have a much better flavor.)  The consistency is a bit softer than a Starburst, and about halfway through I really didn't want to continue chewing it.

Total Value: $16.34, including value of free samples

Eh, it's not the best Bulu Box and it's not the worst.  I'll definitely use the Waxelene and the lozenges, so I at least feel like I got my money's worth - which isn't always the case.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge Check-In #1!

I didn't hear about the Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge until it had actually started, so I missed the preliminary link up, but I thought I'd share my progress so far!

Completed:

10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books.  
Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep.  This was the November Alt for Vaginal Fantasy Book Club.  I had a really hard time with this one.  It's set in a world where superheroes and villians are real.  I'm not a huge fan of superheroes in general, but there was something about the writing style that just wouldn't quite work for me. (360 pages, 3 stars)  

15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you. 
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane.  This was the November pick for Vaginal Fantasy.  The club chooses a lot of first-in-a-series books, but rarely do I ever go back and pursue the second book on.  The idea of people using their own anxieties as a weapon by channeling them into other people is fascinating, so I might pick up the second book. (371 pages, 4 stars)

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.  I must have checked this out from the library three or four times before actually starting on it.  I generally dislike books that aren't stand alones and practically force you to continue the series.  Fortunately, the characters and story are compelling enough that I'm willing to forgive that. (418 pages, 4 stars)

15 points: Read a book written by a local author.  
Ill Wind by Rachel Caine.  The premise of people who are able to control the weather was promising but there was just something about the book as a whole that didn't really click with me.  I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.  Actually, I didn't feel strongly enough about it to even remember why I gave it three stars.  (337 pages, 3 stars)

Current Score: 45 points

Planned:

10 points: Read a book of short stories.   
Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language. 
Battle Royale
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title. 
Witches of East End
20 points: Read a "bookish book" in which books play an important role. 
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. 
Does it count if it's only one word, but that one word is the name of a song?  If so, Parasite.  If not...we'll see. :)


Still to go:

10 points: Read a book with a food in the title. 
25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read. 
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title.

November Loot Crate Review - Battle

The Box: Loot Crate

The Price: $13.37 plus shipping

The Goods: 6-8 items perfect for a geek or gamer with a total value of $40+.

November's theme was Battle.

Mega Bloks Halo Drop Pod - Crimson: ($3.99)  Neither J nor I are big fans of Halo.  It's not that we dislike it, we're just not super into it.

Megaman Mini Helmet Replica - Red: (Loot Crate Exclusive)  This, too, J was kind of "meh" on.

Street Fighter Headband:  (Loot Crate exclusive)  J likes any and all things costume-y so this was right up his alley.

Assassin's Creed Unity Coin: (Loot Crate exclusive)  The reverse side has a place for you to engrave your name, if you so choose.  It's a cool item, though I'm not sure what J will do with it.

Zen Monkey Studios Pirates vs Ninjas Shirt: ($19.99)  J was stoked about this shirt.  I was tempted to try to steal it from him, but I guess I'll let him keep it since I got the kitty one.

Total Value: Over $24

While J wasn't crazy about the majority of this box, the shirt more than makes up for the difference.  I have mixed emotions about all of the exclusives.  It's cool that they're making their own stuff, but it's frustrating not being able to get an accurate value!

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.