Beauty Box 5 - December 2014

Beauty Box 5

Cost: $12/month

Beauty Box 5 is a monthly subscription service featuring mostly drug store haircare / beauty / skincare products. Occasionally they will send out a mid-level product. The cost is $12 per month. 

The information card with the monthly theme and retail prices of each item included in the box.

Jaqua Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Hand Creme - ($18.00 - $36.00)

This packaging is SUPER CUTE! And it smells amazing, almost good enough to eat! ( Disclaimer: Don't eat the hand cream! :) )

Absolute! Nail Polish Remover Pads - ($2.99)

These are pretty handy to have to throw in your purse and not have to worry about an accidental leakage/spillage. 

Juice Beauty Stem Cell Moisturizer - ($65.00)

Certified organic, helps to aggressively firm and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  I am a big fan of Juice Beauty products so I will give this a try. 

Nanacoco Nail Polish in "Wonderland Basket" - ($3.95)

A glitter nail polish with gold, silver and blue glitter. Glitter polish frustrates me because it never comes off, yet I keep wearing it. 

Lucky Brand Lucky No 6 Perfume - ($8.99 - $22.99)

A spicy scent of  jasmine, peony, tiger lily, casheran, jasmine tea, lotus leaf, liquid amber, lychee and musk. Definitely a lovely winter fragrance!

Overall this was a really good box! BB5 is hit or miss most times, but I feel that the $12 a month I spend saves me from having to make a trip to the drug store. 

What did you think of your December box? 

Softy Sanitizing Wipes for Hands and Surfaces Review

Softy Wipes - ($14.98)

• 150 ct. EXTRA LARGE 7" x 8" wipes. Use fewer wipes to get the job done.
• Anti-bacterial formula kills 99.9% of germs in less than 5 seconds.
• Use on hands, body, and surfaces. Alcohol-free. Vitamin E + Aloe. Feels fabulous on your hands.
• Soft & thick quilted fabric for a plush, pillowy feel. Strong enough to hold a 12-kg kettlebell.
• Citrus Fresh Scent that smells amazing! Made in the USA.

Whether you like these wipes or not will depend to a great extent on what you think of the scent. It is not particularly strong but it is distinctive, and it lingers. I've been using these for a few weeks to do a daily "swipe" of the bathroom sink/counter and toilet seat. Overall, I'm quite satisfied.

I'm pleased with how moist the wipe stays -- moist enough that I can use one wipe for the whole bathroom (starting with the sink/counters and finishing with the toilet, and folding it over as I go). Of course, this only really works if you're doing it on a daily basis so that you're really just maintaining the area; if you weren't doing it daily (or near daily), you might need to use more than one wipe.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Birchbox - December 2014

Birchbox
Cost: $10/month

Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends 4-6 beauty/makeup/skincare/hair care samples to your door every month for $10.  Normally my box arrives mid-month but for reasons unknown to me, I got my December box on Christmas Eve (slow holiday mail?).

"Decked Out", the theme for December 2014

Each box includes the information card with retail prices and details on how to use the product.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil - ($25.95)

I have the full size Beauty Protect Detangler as well as the shampoo and conditioner. Beauty Protect items smell AH-MAZING! Like heaven in a bottle! Even though I have a few other Argan Oils, I am super excited to get this one!

Camile Beckman Tuscan Honey Body Butter - ($13.95)

I got the Tuscan Honey hand cream a few months back, and I really enjoy it. This body butter has a nice calming scent and it leaves your skin so smooth and very eloquent smelling.

Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Mask - ($58.00)

This brand is new to me, and I LOVE the cute packaging. It is infused with a blend of exotic teas, for smoother, firmer, more radiant skin. What’s more, the treatment takes only 8 minutes.

Borghese Splendore Brightening Makeup - ($30.00)

Honestly this is probably something I won't use. I have some similar products that I use so I will probably trade this.

Mirenesse Mattify Lip Rouge in New York - ($29.00)

I'm not a big fan of lip stains, especially blood red ones like this.This will be traded.


Overall, this was a good box!  Once again, a Birchbox win. :P

What did you get in YOUR box this month?

If you are interested in signing up, feel free to use my link  (yes, I get credit if you sign up with this link!)

Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks Product Review

Mosquito Sticks - ($13.97)

• 100% ALL NATURAL: DEET FREE, Non-Toxic, Pet Friendly and Eco-Friendly. Free from chemicals. A Harmless way to protect your family, friends and yourself against pests. No harsh chemical filled sprays, oils or creams to put on your skin. Help protect those you love and care about and their health. It won't leave your skin feeling sticky and the "smoke" won't affect your breathing or make you run away like the competitors' incense sticks.
• EASY TO USE: Don't miss our diagram in the photos! They are easy to place in the dirt inside a flower pot, the ground, and even in the sand if on the beach. Place them 10-12 feet apart in the desired area and enjoy your time. They are easier than coil and cone repellents and you can take them with you wherever you go.
• MULTI-PURPOSE SOLUTION: These incense sticks are perfect for garden parties, boating, fishing, camping, poolside or deck dining and family gatherings. Repel black flies, mosquitos and other pesky biting insects and enjoy your time outdoors.
• MORE PER TUBE: Or more per serving! CLD BrandsTM includes 50 mosquito sticks that last an hour each (heavy winds will slightly reduce the time). Our competition provides you with 30-35 hours of relief per tube vs. our 45-50 hours.

These are by far the best method of getting rid of Mosquito's. PERIOD. I've used everything on the market it seems like to keep these little pests away and these have been a life saver. I light up 2. 1 on each side of wherever we are sitting and they last quite a while. I live in a pretty humid area and a couple days after a big rain, here comes all the critters. Well I decided to try these sticks for a recent late night party I had planned at the last minute. We went well into the night and nobody complained about being eaten by bugs. What an awesome product. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Gurin Touch Professional Digital Kitchen Scale Review

Kitchen Scale - ($19.95)

• Features advanced touch sensitive buttons for easy operation
• Boasts a tempered glass surface in reflective black that is 4 times stronger than normal glass, and an award-winning thin design.
• Equipped with 4 new high precision GFX sensors, the Gurin Touch Digital Kitchen Scale provides accurate measurements from 0.05 oz to 12 lbs 10.8 oz (1 gram to 5750 grams).
• Precision Tare features calculates the net weight of the ingredients
• Includes 2 lithium batteries and an easy access battery compartment (no screwdriver needed).

Small, thin, light, easy to use, easy to clean. The entire surface is one sheet of glass- no crevasses for food to get stuck in. It's nice that it fits a large dinner plate but when not in use it doesn't take up much room. It looks much more expensive then the price indicates. 

Well made and easy to use scale provides a multitude of options as far as weights and measures. Great for measuring weights and volumes of food when counting calories. Who really knows what a 2 ounce serving of pasta is? Takes the guesswork out of weight management when dieting.

This scale is also handy to have for weighing small packages for shipping. As it is possible to purchase postage online, this makes shipping things to family members a snap. Weigh the package and there is no guess work to know how much shipping costs will be.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Liztek JSS-100 HD Water Resistant Bluetooth 3.0 Shower Speaker Review

Liztek Speaker - ($32.95)

• High definition Bluetooth 3.0 audio wireless connectivity with seamless streaming and 6 hours of playtime.
• Universal compatibility with Android and iPhone tablets, smartphones, iPods, MP3, MP4 and other Bluetooth enabled digital players
• Easy access to Handfree Talking / Volume up / Volume down / fast forward (skip) / Backward / Pause / Play / Power buttons
• Water resistant loud speaker and built-in mic for both outdoor and indoor use.
• Don't let the water stop you from enjoying your favorite music, great companion for beach, poolside, on boat, shower room, bathtub, or kitchen.

I enjoy listening to music or an audiobook while soaking in the tub or taking that morning shower to start the day. I used to place my phone on the counter in the bathroom and listen to music while in the shower that way. It was obviously difficult as I would have to hop out to adjust the volume or change songs but this gadget has changed my entire shower experience for the better! Awesome sound, great highs and lows make it perfect for a home audio system. This is absolutely fantastic product and don't let the soft shower colors fool you! 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Gurin High Accuracy Digital Bathroom Scale Review

Gurin Scale - ($24.95)

• Gurin"Smart Step-On" technology - No more tapping or switching scale to turn on. Step on the scale and get instant readings. Non-slip feet will not scratch floors
• Extra large 4.3" LCD display with cool blue backlight and extra large font numbers - Easy to read from any distance and in any light condition
• Equipped with 4 latest version high precision sensors (Technology From Germany) - Consistent and accurate measurements up to 400 lb or 180 kg; Graduation increments of 0.2 lb./0.1 kg; Measure units are available in lb
• Auto-calibrated and automatically turns off to conserve battery life; Runs on 4 AAA batteries (batteries included). A body tape measure is included for free
• Extra thick and sturdy tempered glass top (the thickest in the current market) for safety and large 12" x 13" platform. 

When the manufacturer of this scale offered to send me a scale for review, I was somewhat skeptical. I mean, a scale is a scale, right?

Well, I was wrong. I was so pleased with the one they sent that I then purchased one as a gift for my mom.

This scale is sleek, attractive and very accurate. When you stand in the middle of the large clear square, you get an immediate readout in large, easy to read numbers. Now, for you folks who like to glance at the number and then jump off quickly so that the numbers disappear, I should tell you that the numbers remain for a few seconds after you are off. While terrible for those who just want to forget, it's nice for those who are actively watching their weight and would like to record the results. It gives you time to grab your work out log (or in my case app) and record your result.

As for accuracy, the resident almost-two-year old has now weighed herself dozens of times and in various outfits. When she wears her heavy winter coat (which apparently weighs almost 5 pounds!), the weight it displays is the same each time. When she's wearing her t-shirt and pants, same weight each time. Even carrying her bear - same weight each time! I was extremely impressed by the consistency. And the morning she had a doctor's appointment, the weight was the same as displayed by the scale at the doctor's office!

My skepticism is out the door and I'm very happy to give this scale a very highly recommended five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

SunLabz 8 Bay/Slot AA AAA LCD Fast Charger Smart Battery Charger Review

Battery Charger - ($29.99)

• LCD equipped Smart Charger for 1-8 cells AA/AAA NIMH/NICD rechargeable batteries
• Advanced IC/Delta-V (Δ-v) control function
• Over heating, over Current and Short Circuit protection. Defective battery detection
• 8 Individual Charging Channels. LCD screen indicates individual charging status
• Input: 12V - 1000mA || Output: AA1.2V x 8 - 500mA / AAA 1.2Vx8 - 250 mA

This charger charges both AA and AAA batteries. The LED display shows us which ports are in use and which batteries are fully charged. The only problem I have with it is there's no way to turn that down at night. It's pretty bright. You wouldn't want this in your bedroom. I used to get by with a charger meant for 4 AA batteries. But my devices use more batteries now and discharge them faster in the 2 sizes this charger will accommodate.

It will not only quickly charge the batteries, but also detect bad batteries. That is a nice feature because eventually the batteries will fail if they have been charged too many times. The LCD display provides a status of each individual battery (charged, charging in progress, discharged). You can mix and match AA and AAA batteries. Each slot will accommodate either size.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pilates for Dancers DVD Beginners Review

Pilates For Dancers - ($14.95)

• Pilates for Dancers is designed for anyone and everyone whom would like to attain the dancer’s body. Pilates for dancer’s was born of the idea that the dancer’s body and physique is beautiful, graceful, and lithe. At the same time, it is an attainable beauty, given the proper exercise routine and discipline.
• Multiple angles make sure you don’t miss any of the important alignment, or subtle movements, Pilates can get us into.
• This video has a great, limbering warm up routine, followed by over 20 explicitly broken down, step-by-step, instructions that anyone (yes, even you) can follow. This video progressed in stages so that even absolute beginners will have no problem getting a complete and invigorating workout. Geared towards beginners and intermediates, a lot of time is spent on explanation and proper repetition, so you get the most out of your workout.

The visual demonstrations are very clear, and the detailed verbal instructions give me all the coaching I need to work on improving my Pilates technique. This DVD is excellent as it's so easy to follow and has plenty of variation to keep me working out for months to come! It's amazing how these Pilates techniques, that make me feel so good by stretching my whole body, can really create a great cardio burn too.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Always Kiss Me Goodnight Wall Decal Review

Wall Decal - ($10.00)

• 36" Always Kiss Me goodnight Wall Decal
• Black color
• Includes Application Tool + Instructions

Beautiful and easy to put on, a beautiful way to accent a wall. It really puts the finishing touch on a wall without having to worry about the damage you might do if you need to take it down at any time. Applying wasn't too difficult, I did it myself. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”