Beauty Box 5 Review - June

I got my June Beauty Box 5 today!  Woo hoo! 

Beauty Box 5 is yet another monthly beauty box that I subscribe to.  This one is $10 and you get 4-5 different beauty samples each month. It is $10 a month if you get a 3 month subscription. I really think I am going to start doing that since I’ve gotten this box for probably 6-8 months!

I have to be honest, this month I was a little underwhelmed.  I mean seriously, this box was boring.  Usually, this is a pretty darn good one, so I’m bummed.

So here we go….June’s Beauty Box 5!

 

1)    Coolway Cool Cleanse Shampoo– 1 oz (travel size)

Shampoo?  Really?  This stuff better be awesome! The card says it is protein-rich and is made with Porphyra Seaweed. Don’t know how I feel about seaweed! The only thing good about this is I am going on vacation in a few days and this will be great to take along. Oh, and it smells pretty good.

Full Size: $25.00 for 8.6oz My Value: $2.80ish

2)    Coolway Cool Cleanse Shampoo– 1 oz (travel size)

Again….really? This had seaweed in it too. I guess it’s nice that they put both shampoo and conditioner in there so I can try them together.

Full Size: $25.00 for 8.6oz, My Value: $2.80ish

3)      Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion/Sunscreen -  0.5 oz (travel size)

Um, lotion? Boring!  At least it is sweat and water-resistant.  I guess I’ll be using this on my vacation too. It has SPF 30 which is nice, but definitely not strong enough for the Arizona sun!

Full Size: $9.99 3oz My Value: $1.66

4)      Just Being Sexy Body Bronzer – 8 ML or .27oz (2 packs)

Hmmm. Body bronzer.  If I am not in a pageant, what is this for?  I’m honestly not sure.  Is it like a self-tanner?  It says that it gives you a perlesque sheen.  Seriously that’s how the card in the box spells it, I think that is wrong. Yet more thing to try on the beach during my vacation I guess! Wait, I just read the back of the package. It says to use GLOVES to put it on and to wait 5-10 minutes before putting on clothes and 6-8 HOURS before showering.  What?!? Who has time for that?

Full Size: $49.00 6oz My Value: $4.41ish

5)      Brazen Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Commando – .18oz (FULL SIZE)

I think this is the only thing that is worth it in this month’s box.  It’s a pretty pink mineral eyeshadow.  I will definitely be using this!

Full Size: $7.99  My Value: $7.99

Final Cost: $12.00

Final Value: $19.66

Can you say fail?!?  What a terrible value compared to all of the other awesome subscriptions out there.  Bad Beauty Box 5. Bad.

I will give this a few more times and if they don’t step it up, I’m done.

Not sure that you would, but if you’d like to give it a try…..use my referral link?  Pretty please?  :)

(The Beauty Box 5 website has been down for quite awhile....I will add links when I can. So if you are interested, please come back!)

Meet & Greet Blog Hop #31

It's that time again!

I'm on vacation this week, but I'm still going to join!

Like I mentioned below, on a beach with a drink in my hand is ideal....and that's where I am!

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Meet & Greet Blog Hop #31

Welcome back to the Meet & Greet Blog Hop! Join in, meet some fellow bloggers, greet them with comments, and grow your blog with new friends! Interested in being a Co-Host? Send an email to 2justByou(at)gmail(dot)com with "Co-Host" in the subject line for consideration and include your blog link!

Meet Everyone!

This week’s “Get to know you question”: What is your ideal vacation?

 *Hosts*

 

Kim - from 2 just B you: Now that Baby Girl is a toddler and loving all things Princess, I think it would be fun to take a trip to Disneyland and the LA area. There's also Lego Land down there (for the boys), and the beach for all of us! Win, win, and win all around. I think I'll start planning ahead for this time next year. =0)

 

Laurie - from Created By Laurie: I think right now it would be going over to the Big Island to see an active volcano, though with a toddler and a newborn I don’t see it happening this summer! =)

 *Co Hosts*

Justine – From Sleepy Single Girl: My ideal vacation would be anywhere with a beach! Preferably with a tropical adult beverage in hand as well :)

Melanie – from Mommy Mentionables: My Ideal vacation, now that I have kiddos, would probably going to a place like Disney World to spend some time with the family and get away from all the craziness of day to day life. I love to see my baby girl smile and have fun, so I can't wait until she's old enough to enjoy those types of things.

 Now it’s YOUR turn! What is your ideal vacation?

 *Our Featured Guest this Week*


Courtney– from One Fine Wire “This blog has really become quite a hobby for me, covering everything from decorating my new home, every day adventures with my family, the music that I love, and the crazy, wonderful journey of motherhood!”

 Spread the Word, Grab Our Button!

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Now Link Up and Have Fun!

 * Please be sure to follow the Hosts, Co-Hosts, and the Featured Guest! The Co-Hosts and Featured Guest will change each hop! *

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Leapin' Liebster!

You guys, I was nominated TWICE for this award!  So sweet!  The awesome Kayla over at Green Mountain Couple nominated me a few weeks ago and I was getting my post ready to go when I got another nomination from Dylan over at Dream Brite!

For those of you who don’t know what a Liebster Award is, its basically one blogger saying that they think your blog is up and coming and deserves to be noticed! I mean, there’s no trophy or anything, but seriously it’s still an honor to be nominated in the blogging world.

Here is how it works:

The award is for bloggers with less than 200 followers and these are the rules for after you have been nominated:

 Acknowledge the blog that nominated you via post.

 Tell 11 awesome or embarrassing facts about yourself.

Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger created.

List 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you believe deserves some recognition.

Post 11 questions for them to answer.

Notify all the bloggers you've selected that they've been nominated.

 You CANNOT nominate the blog who nominated you.

11 Random Facts:

Right now in the work fridge I have lunchables, string cheese & snack pack jello. I'll never grow up.
 

When I was younger I was totally afraid of the vacuum.  And by younger I mean until High School.
 

I drink a 32 ounce glass of iced tea every single day. I love iced tea. Passion fruit flavor is the best!
 

I cannot stand the smell of eggs cooking. It makes me want to vomit.
 

I am addicted to buying pretty underwear. Really, its bad.

I bought my first place at age 25.  Until then, I lived with my parents.
 
My mom and I are left handed, my dad and brother are right handed.

In fourth grade my goal in life was to have twins.

When I was younger I used to tell my little brother that I was adopted and my real parents came to visit me in the middle of the night. He believed me for years.

I always have at least 3 different kinds of gum in my purse at all times. 

I love Coach purses, but I will only but them from the outlet store.

  

Kayla’s Questions
1. What is your Favorite TV show?

Oh gosh this is a hard one! TV is my thing!  I think I’d have to go with Nashville right now.  That show is awesome!

2. Dream Career?

Can I say mom? That’s really been my dream for as long as I can remember!  In 4^th grade I wrote down that my goal in life was “to have twins” haha. If I have to pick a “real” job I’d probably say something like working in a flower shop or cake shop.  Something creative!

3. Favorite Recipe?

Hahahaha….I don’t cook. I’m soooo very lucky that C does!

4. Do you think it is important to help out other bloggers when you can?

I definitely think so!  I mean, I am still a newbie myself and I really appreciate the help.  Someday I hope to be in the position to help others!

5. Favorite Social Media Application?

I think I’d have to say facebook right now. For a while though, it was twitter.  I am also an avid instagram user.  I think I am a bit addicted to all of them.

6. Would you like to know more about the "Prepper" Lifesyle?

I suppose so. I really don’t even know what that is, so let’s start with that!

7. Android or Apple?

Apple!

8. Favorite Flavor & Brand of Ice Cream?

Mocha Almond Fudge by Dryers. Yum, yum, yum.  I just had some last night!

9. Favorite Nail Polish Brand?

You know, I am not a nail polish user really.  I get pedicures, but I don’t purchase my own very often.  I tend to pick O.P.I. at salons though.

10. Did/Do you have baby names picked out before you have/had kids?

Yep, C and I have a few names picked out already J

11.Best thing about Blogging(in your Opinion)?

Meeting new blogger friends!  Also, its nice to have some outside input on things happening in your life.

Dylan’s Questions

1.      What are you currently reading/the last book you read?

I just finished Jen Lancaster’s book Jeneration X on Wednesday night.  She is my all-time favorite author.  Last night, I started Bossypants by Tina Fey

2.     Who is your celeb girl crush?
Carrie Underwood for sure.  I just love her. If I could look like anyone in the world I would choose her!

3.     Is an animal cracker a cookie or a cracker?

Hahahah I never really thought about this. I lean more towards it being a cookie.

4.     Do you have a list of names you want to name your future children? If yes name one boy and one girl (:

Sure do!  Right now they are Noah Charles and Aria Jean.  Charles and Jean are C’s parent’s middle names (they have both passed away). I’m starting to not like Aria though…too complicated for people to say.

5.     What is your favorite Pixar movie?

Finding Nemo

6.     Something you have already crossed off your bucket list.

Going to Hawaii!  I wish I could have gotten to swim with dolphins there too, but I’ll take turtles for now. Swimming with dolphins is still on the list!

7.      What is your worst habit?

Is not working out a habit? Haha. I’d probably have to say eating late at night….in bed.  Which is probably the reason I really need to work out!

8.     Where did you get your blog layout?

The lovely Areeba from Aree with Umbrella just created for me. I love it!

9.     What’s the worst job you've ever had?

Believe it or not, I’ve only had 3.  So I’m going with working at In-N-Out.  It was great pay and a great company to work for….but yeah, it was fast food.

10. How many pillows do you sleep with?

There are usually 7 pillows on our bed…but I still with one of them haha

11.   What is a beauty trend you want to try but haven’t gotten around to yet?

BB cream.  I kept hearing about it but never knew what it was.  Then I finally looked it up. I don’t know why I waited so long, I think it would be perfect for me!  I currently use a cheap tinted moisturizer.

My Nominees:

Amanda @ Rhyme and Ribbons

Bethany @  Before, During and After

Mer @ Mer in America 

Sarah @ To Be Mrs. Collier

Kallie @ But First, Coffee

 Britt @ ItBritt

Carlee @ Life Smith

Brianna @ Heart Of Life

Shelby @ Stay Crafty My Friends

Danielle @ Two Red Birthstones

Andrea @ Fluent in Sparkle

My Questions for the Nominees:

1. Who is your favorite author and why?
2. Along those same lines, what is your favorite book?
3. What is your favorite vacation spot?
4. What is your dream vacation?
5. What is your dream date?
6. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
7. What five things make you extremely happy?
8. What is your dream date?
9. How did you decide on your blog name?
10. What was your favorite tv show as a child?
11. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?

Phew, that was quite a bit of work! Can't wait to read everyone's responses!

 

Out of Office

Also, out of state!  I am about to take off to Santa Barbara with C, so I won't be doing much posting this week.

Once I get back though, you know I'll have plenty pictures!

Have a fantastic week!

What Do You Think?

So......what do you all think of the new design?!?  I absolutely adore it!

The amazing Areeba from Aree With Umbrella did it all.  She seriously did a great job!  I didn't give her much help either....I told her what colors I thought I might like but that was it.  She came back with a few designs and I was instantly in love!  I wish I had three blogs, I would have used all three ideas she sent :)

If you guys are in need of a design, check out her design shop. She told me she started her design shop to complete her goal of having an "i" in her life.  An iPod that is!  I'm thinking she is off to a great start and will hopefully get that iPod soon!

Do you pros out there see anything missing or notice any problems??
 

Captivating Book Club

(photo by Cara from here)

I have been reading the book Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge along with Cara over at the Marvelous Flight of Cara.  I have seriously had this book on my nightstand for probably 5+ years (I've owned it for longer) and I've only read a few chapters.  When she announced she was going to do a summer book club, I just had to join!  I knew that was the push I needed to finally read this book I have heard so many great things about.

"Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the Beauty of the story. Those desires are far more than child’s play. They are the secret to the feminine heart. And yet—how many women do you know who ever find that life? As the years pass by, the heart of a woman gets pushed aside, wounded, buried. She finds no romance except in novels, no adventure except on television, and she doubts very much that she will ever be the Beauty in any tale. Most women think they have to settle for a life of efficiency and duty, chores and errands, striving to be the women they “ought” to be but often feeling they have failed. Sadly, too many messages for Christian women add to the pressure. “Do these ten things, and you will be a godly woman.”The effect has not been good on the feminine soul. The message of Captivating is this: Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel as a woman—they are telling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is truly captivating."  (Barnes and Noble Overview from here)

Even though I am taking part, I don't really plan on answering all of the questions publicly here on my blog.  I do think though, that if I come across something that really speaks to me I will share it will you guys.

This week, I came across that something.

In the book John and Staci Eldredge point out that when God created Eve, he called her an ezer kenegdo.  The Bible says in Gen 2:18 "It is not good for man to be alone, I shall make him an ezer kenegdo."  No, I don't know how to pronouce it, but I did learn exaclty what it means. Growing up going to church I had always been told that this term meant a "helper" or "helpmeet."  What the heck is a helpmeet anyway?  What a seriously odd word. 

They say that ezer is better translated as "lifesaver" and that kenegdo is translated as "alongside" or "counterpart."

Anywho, John and Stasi go on to say that "The word ezer is used only twenty other places in the entire Old Testament. And in every other instance the person being described is God himself, when you need Him to come through for you desperately."

We as women were created not as a simple "helpmeet" to men, but as someone with an irreplaceable role. God himself wants to be our ezer kenegdo, and he created us in his image.

How beautiful is that? 

Santa Barbara Anyone?

So next week is C's bye week. Meaning, instead of having practice all week and a game on the weekend, he finally gets a break! 18 games is a seriously long season.  Last year, they had two bye weeks and this year they only got one.  I don't know who's idea it was to get rid of one, but geez.  These guys need a rest!

Anywho, we are headed on vacation!  C wanted to go somewhere close, because he really don't feel like traveling very far.  Luckily, we each have $300 in flight credit because of last years Michigan fiasco. Since he didn't want to go far, we decided on a beach city in California. 

We've been to both LA and San Diego, but neither of us have even been to Santa Barbara. So thats what we chose. Beaches and wine tasting in the same area, sounds great to me! We are going to fly in to Burbank though (Southwest doesn't fly to Santa Barbara) and hit up Six Flags Magic Mountain before we drive up the coast. Yay roller coasters!

Has anyone ever been to Santa Barbara?  Any tips for me or places I should definitely visit?

Meet & Greet Blog Hop #30

Hey guys!  This tuesday I am co-hosting another blog hop! These ladies are awesome and I can't wait to meet more new friends!  This is the 30th time they have done this....and I have only joined in the last few weeks but I can already say its a good one!

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Welcome back to the Meet & Greet Blog Hop! Join in, meet some fellow bloggers, greet them with comments, and grow your blog with new friends! Interested in being a Co-Host? Send an email to 2justByou(at)gmail(dot)com with "Co-Host" in the subject line for consideration and include your blog link!

Meet Everyone!

This week’s “Get to know you question”: What is your favorite summer time activity?

*Hosts*

 

Kim - from 2 just B you: I love to take the kids to the beach!!! =0) The beach is always a fun place for some family time.

 
Laurie - from Created By Laurie: I love getting outdoors, whether it is to the beach/pool, camping, or hiking trails. BBQ’s are a favorite too!

 *Co Hosts*
Amanda – from Jedi Craft Girl: (Amanda wasn’t able to answer this week’s question yet… she is out enjoying her summer!)

Justine – From Sleepy Single Girl: I just love sitting by the pool with a good book. Usually my favorite author, Jen Lancaster comes out with a new book this time of year :) Actually, let’s change that to I love sitting IN the pool with a good book! Here in Arizona it’s just too darn hot to not be in that water! Other than the pool, anything indoors with air conditioning is best!

Now it’s YOUR turn! What is your favorite summer time activity?

 *Our Featured Guest this Week*

Amy– from Clippie Dips Amy’s blog is a fun collection with Guest Posts, Link Ups, Crafty Tutorials, and an occasional giveaway. She also shares her new work with her wonderful Etsy shop!

Spread the Word, Grab Our Button!

<a border="0" href="http://createdbylaurie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a292/PrincessCardShark/meetampgreet150.jpg"/></a>   Now Link Up and Have Fun! * Please be sure to follow the Hosts, Co-Hosts, and the Featured Guest! The Co-Hosts and Featured Guest will change each hop! * If you would like to sign up for email reminders for the Meet & Greet Blog Hop, please sign up below. (Your email address and info will not be used for any other purpose.)

Subscribe to Meet & Greet mailing list

Big Changes!

Big things are happening in this here boring blogger template blog.

I am getting a custom desing and I totally adore it!

It should be up shortly....I can't wait for you all to see!

I Didn't Mean To, Really

So I did something bad. I think.  It was totally an accident.

Speaking of accidents…..I had one. I rear-ended someone.  They were in a pretty nice car (an Audi).  I say “they” because I will never know if it was a man or a woman, because the person didn’t stop.

I’m thinking that maybe he (let’s just go with that) thought it was a hit and run. Eek.

Let me back up to explain….

On Thursday I was driving home from work on a very busy street here in Arizona.  I was behind two cars.  The car in the very front all of the sudden slammed on his brakes and did a quick turn at a light onto a small side street.  That meant that the car in front of me had to slam on his brakes too.  By the time I reacted, it was too late, I hit him.  

My immediate response was to turn at the light, to get off the busy street.  I thought that the guy I hit (even though he was in front of me) would too since he hadn’t passed the turn yet.  Well, he didn’t. He just drove off.

I turned the corner and found a place to stop and just sat there and waited. I thought for sure he’d come back. I got out of my car and surveyed the damage, not too terrible thankfully. Just some light scratches on my bumper that I can hopefully buff out.

It would have taken maybe a minute for him to turn around at the next light so I waited about ten minutes and he still didn’t come back. I decided I would go look for him at some nearby parking lots (there was a small business nearby and a hotel across the street). Nothing.  The guy just disappeared.

I feel so terrible.  I wonder if he thought I was just leaving???

I really did sit and wait for him.  I just instinctively turned thinking there was a lot of damage to my car and I should get off a busy street!

Do I do the wrong thing?!?

(Also, I just noticed this will be my 100^th post. Of course it would be about something like this!)

Ipsy Bag Review - June

Christmas is here!  AKA I got my Ipsy bag yesterday J   I just love it when that shiny pink bubble pack arrives!

This one had a theme of “On the Wild Side” which seems quite exciting.  When I saw the email letting me know the theme and that the bag was on the way, I knew that the makeup bag included would be leopard or zebra or something fun….and it was!

This month’s was seriously awesome. Of the 5 things I got….4 were FULL SIZE!  That’s so great!

So here we go….June’s Ipsy bag!

Inside the adorable leopard print and lime green bag I found:

1)    Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo – 1.76oz (travel size)

I love dry shampoo!  It’s perfect for those days you just don’t feel like washing your hair.  This canister is perfect for travel.  I actually haven’t tried this brand yet, so I’m compare it to the brand I usually use! This wasn’t actually inside the bag, it was too big J

Full Size: $6.99 for 5.3oz My Value: $2.99 (that’s what a travel size costs on their site)

2)    Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner in purple – .14oz (FULL SIZE )

This is pretty darn awesome. I only use gel eyeliners, so this is a welcome addition to my makeup bag! For some reason I just can’t get those darn eyeliner pencils to write on my eyelids.  I almost strictly use MAC fluidline, so it will be cool to see if this brand is any different. It says it is water resistant, smudge proof, 24 hour wearing and safe for sensitive eyes.  That sounds like magic haha. It also comes with a built-in brush! I’m not sure how I feel about the purple color yet, but I will give it a try sometime on a weekend! I’ve never heard of the brand, but I have to say the packaging is really nice. It has beauty tips and instructions on it, which I really like.

Full Size: $21.00, My Value: $21.00

3)    Starlooks lip liner in Tickle Me Pink – 2.4g (FULL SIZE)

I’m not usually a lip liner person, but I think I am going to try this.  The color is absolutely perfect for me, it pretty much matches a ton of lipsticks and glosses that I already own! I’ve never heard of this brand, I don’t know how good it is.

Full Size: $12.00 My Value: $12.00

4)    NYX cream blush in Red Cheeks – .12oz (FULL SIZE)

I’m not gonna lie, this is pretty darn bright!  I am hoping that if I just use a little it will be a perfect color.  A friend who is a makeup artist said that NYX is a good brand, which makes this a pretty awesome addition to the bag!

Full Size: $6.00 My Value: $6.00

5)    J.Cat Beauty Sparkling cream palette in Suzie – .01oz (FULL SIZE)

Woah! I like a little sparkle in my life….but this is a lot! Hopefully they don’t look this crazy on J  When I first looked at it, I assumed it was some sort of cream eye shadow type thing (I mean it does say CREAM palette on the front).  But guess what?  It’s not a cream, it seems to be dry glitter just packed very tightly.  I used my finger and it came off nicely.  It shouldn’t be as harsh on my eyes as I thought. This is gonna be fun!

Full Size: $4.49  My Value: $4.49

Final Cost: $10.00

Final Value: $46.48

I’ll say it again and again, Ipsy is my favorite monthly sunscription!  I mean, 4 full size products? How awesome is that?!?  Plus, I always love the makeup bags they include each month.  They are so cute and I put majority of them to good use!

I will definitely be continuing my subscription!

If you’d like to give it a try…..use my referral link?  Pretty please?  :)