Sunday, September 22, 2013

Update on ME! (AKA: Where have I BEEN anyway?!?)

Hey everyone!

So I have to apologize for the lack of updates lately. I know you're all hungry for more box reviews, and I am excited to share them with you! I do a lot of research to make sure I'm giving you guys the best information possible, and all of that research takes time.

When I started this blog a few months ago, I didn't really know what to expect. I was excited about the idea of it - about the skeleton of an idea that would become a much bigger undertaking than I ever would have imagined! I am now even considering moving the blog to a WordPress address, because there are SO many cool options with WordPress that I don't have the opportunity to utilize on Blogger.

A little about what's going on with me right now: I am in college full-time at the moment, taking 15 credits. I am in two science classes at once (Anatomy and Chemistry - yikes!!), which I've never done before. LOTS of studying involved there. I am also working two (yes, TWO) part-time jobs as well. I work for a video rental store near my house, and I also work at a local veterinary clinic as an assistant. So - I work around 30-40 hours a week besides being in school!

ALSO: I am in the process of applying through my college to study abroad in EUROPE next semester! I am so very excited about this possibly life-altering opportunity! I would be going all over Europe - London, Rome, Paris, Berlin, Budapest, Vienna....and more! I am thrilled to be so close to such an awesome chance at world exploration. I want to see the entire world, and this is a HUGE step to accomplishing that dream!

But...this means that when I am not studying or working, I am working on my application, and running places to get papers signed, and having meetings in order to get this whole study abroad "thing" worked out!

The point of this whole rant about my life and myself is that I know it seems like I've forgotten about my little blog...but I haven't! It takes a lot of work to run a blog (which I now totally appreciate and understand!) and I am in a position where I can't really make it a top priority. As soon as my application for my study abroad is complete and I can take a breath, I will definitely be right back at this blog, showing you the amazing world of subscription boxes!!

Thank you guys, for sticking with me and for following my posts. It is pretty neat that people want to read what I write, and it really makes me feel like one of the cool kids :) You guys are awesome!!!!


Until next time.... <3

Monday, September 9, 2013

Taste Guru 50% off Coupon Code!!


 

I JUST got an email about this today! If you're looking into trying Taste Guru (a gluten-free subscription box - I will be reviewing it later this month!) then you're in luck, because they are offering a killer deal on their 3-month subscriptions!

Just click the following link and enter the code NEWS25 to get a 3-month gift subscription for $50!! That's a 50% savings! I just tried it, and it works perfectly.

So if you're on the fence about Taste Guru, now's the time to try it!


Until next time.... <3

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Julep Maven Box Review (& Code for FREE BOX!) - September 2013



It's time for the Julep Maven box for September, and I was SO excited to get this box! The colors for fall were amazing, and it was hard for me to pick just one box (I really had to talk myself out of getting the upgrade again this month!). But, in the end I settled on the Classic with a Twist box (which just so happens to be my "chosen" profile according to Julep's style quiz) and threw in a few add-ons as well.

Box: Julep Maven

Cost: $19.99/month

Shipping: FREE

Coupon Code for a FREE first box: FREEBOX 

Included: Two exclusive nail polish colors and one exclusive beauty product per month (there are also options to get three nail colors OR two beauty products instead).

For those not familiar with Julep Maven, it is a program that sends out a themed box every month based on a style profile quiz that each member fills out upon signing up for the program. There are five options, and they each include different polish colors monthly.

The September box theme was The Cityscape Collection. This collection is full of great bold colors for fall (you can see all the box options on my Julep September Selections post). Here is my Classic with a Twist box for September!

First View

Add on #1

I added on the sponge this month because the website raved about it being exfoliating and gentle at the same time, and I have to say that I don't think it's really all that exfoliating. It is very gentle, but when I get something expecting it to be exfoliating, I actually want it to feel like it's exfoliating. It is so gentle that I don't feel like it does the job for me. I will use it though, and the fact that it came with a suction cup to hang it in the shower is really convenient.

Beauty Product

Bare Face Cleansing Oil - Value $22.40

This cleansing oil smells great! You rub this on your face while it's dry, and then rinse with warm water. I like the idea of an oil cleanser because I have very dry skin, and it seems like this would help. I have used it once already, and I actually do like it. It isn't as moisturizing as I anticipated, but I still do like it.

New packaging!
I personally don't see what was wrong with the old packaging, but Julep decided to pack their polishes differently in the latest shipment. They do look very classy!

Classic with a Twist polishes

Julep Nail Polish in Florence - Value $11.20

Julep Nail Polish in Padma - Value $11.20

I like Florence because it is a good neutral polish that can go well with a lot of other colors, and will be a good base for lighter colors. Padma is a beautiful shade of very dark, jewel-like purple. I wore it on my fingernails the other day, and my husband said it reminded him of evil villains from Disney movies! Ha! I think it will be a color best suited for my toes though. See the swatches below for more detail on these two colors:


Add ons #2 and #3

Julep Nail Polish in Catrina - Value $11.20

Julep Nail Polish in Reece - Value $11.20

I LOVE this creamy shade of yellow for fall! It is from the It Girl collection from this month. It is so beautiful, and wonderfully opaque, which I really appreciate in a yellow polish. Reece is a gorgeous holographic purple and green microglitter, and it is actually a lot lighter on than it looks in the bottle. See the swatches below...


It's hard to tell in the pictures, but I did have a little issue with the Reece polish because the lid was not on all the way. I opened up the bottle, and the plastic piece that holds the brush to the lid was bent. As a result, the polish was slightly dried out. So I called Julep, and they were extremely helpful - all I had to do was send in a picture of the damaged bottle, and now they are sending me a replacement bottle! A+ for customer service! 


OVERALL VALUE: $76.80

I think Julep polishes are great - they cover well, and you don't need to apply three coats to get good color. They also have some really cool themes for their colors and great beauty products! September's box is a total win for me!

What do you think of Julep's September Maven box? Don't forget that you can take the style quiz and get a FREE box from Julep using the code FREEBOX!!



Until next time.... <3