December TopBox

Topbox is a Canadian beauty subscription box. I had heard a lot of mixed reviews about Topbox, which is why I hadn't subscribed. A couple of months ago, I did try one of their limited edition boxes, and was pretty happy about the value and products, so I thought I'd give the monthly subscription a try.

Topbox is around $14 month, including shipping, and you get 4 samples. You can choose regular packaging or 'environmentally friendly' packaging, which is a reusable organza bag. Also, each month you can create a 'wish list'. Basically, you have the option to keep the products picked that month (which is a surprise until you receive them) or trade it in for something else- 10 perfume samples, two full size Elizabeth Arden products, etc- for the same price. You can add as many options to your wish list as you'd like, but you're not guaranteed to get what you pick. I also like that Topbox includes a card with a description and price of the product and where you can buy it.

Here's what I got in December:

 

1. Kinetics Nail Polish in Up the Rocks: The product claims to have "plasticizers that facilitate smooth, easy application." It applied like any other nail polish I've ever used. This is a pretty colour and is actually similar to the blue I wore on my toes all summer. I won't be able to wear this colour to work, but it'll be great for the summer.
   Retail Value: $15 (15mL)
   Topbox Value: $15 (15mL)
2. Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keepr: As someone with curly hair, I'm looking forward to trying this product, which claims to control frizz! The one product (original) is to be used on wet hair to tame frizz and the other (gel) is to be used to style curly hair.
   Retail Value: $17.50 (8oz)
   Topbox Value: $4.38 (1oz  each)
3. Barefoot Venus Argan Dry Body Oil: I have used Argan oil in my hair and I'm looking forward to trying it on my skin, to see if it does anything for my super dry skin. It is a spray, which I like, and it smells good. It's a tad oil, which is to be expected from an oil, but it's not too bad.
   Retail Value: $15.99 (140mL)
   Topbox Value: $0.91 (8mL)
4. Marsk Natural Mineral Eyeshadow in Seaspray: This is a very pretty green, with a nice shimmer to it...but it's green. I stick to neutral colours, so this will be gifted to someone.
   Retail Value:  $22.50 (1.2g)
   Topbox Value: $22.50 (1.2g)

Total Retail Value: $70.99

Total Topbox Value:  $42.79

What I paid: $13.56

The value of the box is great, compared to what I paid. I'm pretty happy, and will use 3 of the four products. While I do like TopBox, I am not sure if I am going to keep my monthly subscription. I might stick to buying their limited edition boxes (I gifted on to my sister and one to a friend for Christmas, which they both loved!), but I'm going to keep TopBox for another month or two before deciding.

October Topbox

Beauty subscriptions boxes are a favourite of bloggers and I am no exception. It's a bit harder for Canadian bloggers, because not all subscriptions boxes will ship to Canada, or the shipping charge is the same or more than the actual subscription box, etc.

I have been a dedicated subscriber to ipsy for almost two years- since it was first launched in Canada- and I do think it's great. But I've been feeling kind of meh about it and wanting to try something new. 

Topbox is a Canadian beauty subscription box. I had heard a lot of mixed reviews about Topbox, which is why I hadn't subscribed. A couple of months ago, I did try one of their limited edition boxes, and was pretty happy about the value and products, so I thought I'd give the monthly subscription a try.

Topbox is around $14 month, including shipping, and you get 4 samples. You can choose regular packaging or 'environmentally friendly' packaging, which is a reusable organza bag. Also, each month you can create a 'wish list'. Basically, you have the option to keep the products picked that month (which is a surprise until you receive them) or trade it in for something else- 10 perfume samples, two full size Elizabeth Arden products, etc- for the same price. You can add as many options to your wish list as you'd like, but you're not guaranteed to get what you pick. I also like that Topbox includes a card with a description and price of the product and where you can buy it.

For my first Topbox, I was pretty happy. Here's what I got:

 

1. Bioderma Sensible H2O Micelle Solution: This cleanses face and eyes, and removes water resistant make up. It's for normal to dry skin, and it did leave my super dry skin feeling a little bit hydrated and soothed.
   Retail Value: $21.95 (250mL)
   Topbox Value: $8.78 (100mL)
2. Lancome Genifique Yeux Light-Pearl: This is an "eye-illuminating youth activating concentrate". So, basically, to make the area around your eyes look youthful and eliminate wrinkles. No idea if this works, but it can't hurt. I like the applicator it came with and I am a fan of Lancome products to begin with. It was also nice to see a "high end" brand.
   Retail Value: $88 (20mL)
   Topbox Value: $22 (5mL)
3. China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Seas the Day: This is a really pretty colour! I wasn't sure I would like the colour, but I do. It had a nice shiny finish and apparently, uses China Clay, which is a nail hardener.
   Retail Value: $10-12 (14mL)
   Topbox Value: $10-12 (14mL)
4. Benefit Cosmetics they're real! push-up liner: This is the only product that I will not use...but I don't wear any eyeliner, ever. It's a "lash hugging gel liner in a pen". Since I know nothing about eyeliner, no idea if this is good or not.
   Retail Value:  $27 (1.4g)
   Topbox Value: $1.92 (0.10g)

Total Retail Value: $146.95 (I'm using the $10 price for the nail polish)
Total Topbox Value:  $42.70 (I'm using the $10 price for the nail polish)
What I paid: $13.56

The value of the box is great, compared to what I paid. I'm pretty happy, especially since I like and will use 3 of the 4 products.  For now, I'm going to keep the monthly subscription...I can't wait to see what I get this month!

Beauty Candy: October Ipsy

I wanted to write a post about ipsy and I was surprised to see that in the almost two years that I've been subscribing to ipsy, I've only written one real post about ipsy!

For those of you who don't know, ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription box. For Canadians, it's about $15 a month; $10 for the subscription, $5 for shipping. With the exchange, I end up paying around $20 a month. I really like ipsy, I think they send great bags and I usually love what they send, but I have been thinking about cancelling my subscription- it's not really worth $20 to me, I feel I get a lot of the same products just different brands and after almost two years, I'm just feeling meh about it. Don't get me wrong, I still like ipsy...and I was happy with the October bag they sent me:

Ayres Body Butter in Patagonia - The smell immediately reminded me of a spa I used to visit in Huron County, so that brought back happy memories. I was happy to see a 'different' product- I can't even tell you the last time I received a body butter, if ever!  I have super dry skin, so I'm excited to try this product. It's exactly what you would expect from a body butter; heavier texture, a bit greasy...but it did feel nice. I
Retail value: $15 for three 1oz (travel sizes)
ipsy value: $5 for one 1oz

Jesses Girl Mineralized Baked Powder Eyeshadow in Ocean Breeze- This is really, really pretty. Unfortunately, I don't wear blue eyeshadow...so I would have loved to try Esmeralda (a lighter green) or Plum Frost, as those are colours I'm likely to wear. Kinda meh about this...I seem to get eyeshadow every other bag.

Retail value: $3.99 for .07 oz

ipsy value: $3.99 for .07 oz

H20+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment- I feel like a broken record...I have super dry skin. To date, I have only found one product that truly moisturizes my skin. Unfortunately it's fairly expensive (like $100 expensive), so I am consistently on the search for something effective and affordable. I was really excited to get a hydrating product to try! This product is actually a gel and it feels like you are putting gel on your face. To the touch, my skin felt smoother and hydrated. It looked hydrated too, but my skin still felt tight. I'm hoping I just need to use it a few times to get used to it. This was definitely a new product (and brand) for me to try...so I was happy to see variety.

Retail value: $36 for 1.7 oz

ipsy value $7.20 for .34 oz

Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths- See above re: dry skin. I've used products that were "Iceland Glacial" and while they didn't hydrate my skin, they did cool and sooth my skin. I was so excited to see this product and had high hopes. I didn't particularly like the smell. These are foaming cleansing cloths, and foam there was, but the cool and soothing I was anticipating never happened. I was pretty disappointed. They still might be good for on the run cleansing/make up removal. We'll see. Again, this is a product that I haven't received in awhile, so I was happy to get it.

Retail value: $15 for 30 sheets

ipsy value: $5 for 10 sheets

Starlooks Lip Gloss in Guilty Pleasure: This is really tiny...like I don't think I've seen a lip gloss this small before. It's a nice size to throw in my purse for traveling and the colour's pretty. But again, I seem to get lip glosses all the time...nothing exciting here. 

Retail value: $12 (size not listed on the website)

ipsy value: $2 (size not listed on the product, and I'm guessing at the value. You can get a lip pencil, lip stick and gloss set  for $24 or you can get the set without the gloss for $22).

Total retail value: $81.99

Total ipsy value: $23.19

I was happy to see different products (body butter, hydrating treatment and cleansing cloths) and I do like ipsy, I thought over all this was a good bag. The price I pay- with subscription price, shipping and exchange- compared to the value of my bag, is almost equal. I'm going to stick with ipsy for another month or two...but I really am thinking about cancelling.

Unhappy & Milkmaid Braid

My summer blogging has been sporadic. I wish I could say that I've been busy with summer fun and adventures with friends- much like last summer. Sadly, that is not the case.

I have been busy with work. Too busy. 

There has been a lot of transition and changes at work. A year ago my team had 5 members, I am now a team of one- plus two summer students, who will both be gone within a week. The students have been a HUGE help- and great source of entertainment.

I have been beyond stressed (and many times frustrated). I've had a lack of support from my supervisors, left on my own to deal with a very unpleasant group of volunteers and was often brushed aside, ignored and belittled. I questioned my role within my organization and even contemplated leaving for a different opportunity that presented it's self. My on mat leave boss was kind enough to chat with me for half an hour and helped bring clarity to the situation. She is now back from leave and I had a meeting with her yesterday, which went well. I still have A LOT of work ahead of me. It won't be fun.

I have also found myself in a very unpleasant situation, I have turned to a number of people for help and they have all failed to step up. I have felt very isolated and alone. I have been feeling a lot of negative things over the past few months. I wasn't my self and that really bothered me. I tried to keep up with blogging and being social, going out with friends and having fun. All band aid solutions that made me happy while doing those activities, but then I would come home or go back to work...and all the negative would return. I miss being happy.

In other news, I may or may not have been binge watching The Anna In Wonderland on youtube. Anna is hilarious and and entertaining. 

Here's her latest video:

Book, Song, Body

BOOK- I am fan of Maeve Binchy and sad to hear of her passing. One of her books that I had always wanted to read and had owned for a while was:

This is actually a collection of 4 short stories. The Amazon.com books description is:

A society hostess entertains her husband's mistress to dinner; a country girl savours the delights of city life; a student faces the dilemma of unmarried pregnancy; and a drink-ridden photographer tries to relaunch a shattered career...

All of these stories were interesting to me, as they look at people, their individual situation and their relationships with others. I've mentioned before, but I enjoy stories about life and are character based.  Of the four stories, Flat in Rinsend (the second story, about a country girl moving to the city) was my favourite. 

Recommend for anyone who loves Maeve Binchy, is looking to discover a new author, or enjoys character based stories.

SONG- This is one of my favourite songs right now and has been on 'repeat' for awhile:

Some Nights by Fun.

A favourite of my summer playlist!

BODY-A Pinterest find, healthy baking substitutes:

This originally came from Picklee and you can see the original blog post here.

Book, Song, Body

I am slowly getting settled into my new apartment (and job) and am excited to have internet, which means I can get back to blogging!

BOOK- The two-ish weeks that I've gone without internet (or cable- I can't believe I missed ALL of the Olympics!) meant tons of time to read. I read some good books, and some not so good books, so I had a few books to pick from for this weeks entry. I decided to go with...

Who doesn't love Sweet Valley books?!?!? This was a 6 part (The Sweet Life, Lies and Omissions, Too Many Doubts, Secrets and Seductions, Cutting the Ties, Bittersweet) e-serial, with one book released a week for 6 weeks (the 6th book was just released on Sunday).

I LOVED this series! Set three years after Sweet Valley Confidential, we find Elizabeth back in California living with Bruce, Jessica now a mother with a great career and a not so great marriage, Lila as a blossoming reality star and Bruce involved in a major scandal. 

There was a minor storyline that involved Steven, Aaron and their daughter, which I could've done without, wasn't necessary to the overall plot and was a short (one book), isolated story arc. And while I LOVED the series, the ending of book number 6 made me go "WHAT?!?!? You can't just end like that!" It was a good ending but it left me with a lot of questions, which makes me hope there will be more Sweet Valley books. I would also like to know what happened with Jessica, her career and her assistant- this was a minor plot that wasn't really resolved. But again, maybe it will be addressed in a future book.

Each book ended as a cliffhanger, leading into the next book, which made it an enjoyable read. While MUCH better than Sweet Valley Confidential, this book is not going to be winning any literary prizes. But overall it was a fun read and a page turner. Perfect for a beach/poolside or even a rainy day read.

(Note: While you do not need to have read any of the Sweet Valley Twins/High/etc books to follow this book, I do recommend reading Sweet Valley Confidential first. While it is not the best book, this series does happen 3 years after Confidential and a lot of the same characters show up in the series, plus some of the plot is an extension of Confidential.)

SONG- II have repeatedly mentioned how much I LOVE Luke Bryan. Here is one of my favourite songs by him, which has been getting a lot of replays on my ipod this week:

Doin' My Thing by Luke Bryan

BODY- A while ago, I saw this on Pinterest:

Originally posted by koturekiss.com, please see the link for full instructions.

My sister was nice enough to let me try it out on her, and it worked! It was so easy to do and turned out great!

Book, Song, Body

It's been awhile since I've been able to do a Book, Song, Body entry. As mentioned several times (I'm kinda of sick of mentioning it myself, so I'm sure you're sick of reading it), I was working 2 jobs, one 2 hours from where I live and the other 3 hours away. All the commuting has meant no time to read and little time to blog. But, I was able to spend the weekend on the beach and read a handful of books. So here we go...

BOOK- One of the first books I read this past weekend was:

I was able to read threw this book in a matter of hours and I loved it. But, I also loved the L.A. Candy series by Laurend Conrad. This story was very similar to the L.A. Candy books: 4 girls (two from L.A. Candy and two new girls) get picked to be part of a reality show that follows them as they try to make it in L.A. Original? Not really. The while the plot was similar, the story lines were different from the previous Lauren Conrad books. To me, it was a quick and entertaining read- perfect beach read. I enjoyed it so much that I've pre-ordered the next book, which will be available in October.
. 

I recommend this book to anyone who read and enjoyed L.A. Candy or is looking for a quick, fun beach read. If you didn't like L.A. Candy or if you like your books to have some substance, give this one a pass.

SONG- I have mentioned this before, I am a Luke Bryan fan! So this weeks song is:

Drunk on You by Luke Bryan

I've actually been listening to this song a lot and have it on my 'Summer Playlist'.

BODY-I am a fan of 'natural' or 'holistic' practices and frequently get Reiki, Ion Cleanses and Reflexology done. I'm always willing, if asked, to share my experience in these practices and have been lucky enough to encounter several practitioners that I can recommend to people.

For people who are skeptical, I usually recommend Reflexology first, because it's also a really good foot/lower leg massage, who doesn't love that? If you have the chance, definitely give this practice a try. My practitioners have been able to help clear up my sinuses, insomnia and have been able to tell if I had other issues going on. And did I mention it's a relaxing foot massage?

Book, Song, Body

BOOK- This weeks book was one I decided to read because it was set on Martha's Vineyard.

The author basically packed up and left Michigan to live on Martha's Vineyard for 3.5 months. This book, roughly 100 pages, documents his time on the Vineyard-from lobster rolls to his beach adventures to working for free and everything in between. He paints a picture of what Vineyard life is like, which will make you either want to go back (if you've been in the past) or visit for the first time. In reading this book, I could picture myself on the Vineyard taking part of the 'action' in this book. 

A quick, easy, heartfelt and entertaining read. Perfect for anyone that has a fondness for Martha's Vineyard or enjoys reading memoirs and learning about a person's experience. 

SONG- Canada Day was on Sunday...so, in honour of Canada's 145th birthday, three songs this week!

Oh...Canada by Classified
This is not a family friendly song, but this version was performed at the Junos (Canadian Grammys) so words were bleeped out.

Canadian Girls by Dean Brody
This one of my favourite songs of 2012!

Ahead By A Century by The Tragically Hip
What would a Canada Day 'playlist' be without a Hip song?!?!?

BODY- I spent the weekend at my parents house, which means I got to spend time in the pool! My parents have a salt water pool. If you have the chance to swim in a salt water pool, I HIGHLY recommend it.

We all know that swimming is a great form of exercise and a way to stay cool in the summer. Unlike chlorine, the slat water is easier on your hair and doesn't smell/sting your eyes/etc. What I really love about swimming in the salt water pool is what it does to my skin! My skin is softer, smoother, clearer and cleaner- it just feels and looks so much healthier!

 I'm not sure if this salt water skin secret applies to just me or everyone- which I hope it does!