AND YET ANOTHER POST. Have I lost my mind? It's entirely possible. I'm also planning on doing a history of St. Patrick's Day post for you as well, so put that in your pipe and smoke it! This here is my March 2014 Birchbox. I've been subscribing for 13 months now. It has had it's ups and downs, but what keeps me coming back is the awesome points system in the shop. I have saved lots of money on full sized items by leaving reviews of things I got in my Birchbox. 

Here we have:

• Coola Tinted Matte SPF for face
• DDF Ultra lite oil free moisturizing dew
• Gilchrist and Soames London Collection Body Lotion
• English Laundry No. 7 For Her Perfume
• Ghirardelli Intense Dark Cherry Tango chocolate bar
• Ojon Damage reverse Restorative Hair treatment plus

I was a bit disappointed with this box. I was really hoping for the Inika green eyeliner and the stila lip glosses that some people got this month. ESPECIALLY the green eyeliner. It was full sized and valued at $20. The body lotion made no difference to my sad dry hands and kinda smelled medicine-y/heavy floral. I didn't care for the smell at all. The chocolate was good, but not as good as my favorite chocolate bar that also has dried cherries in it. The Coola was okay and I'll probably use it at the beach, but it may as well not have been tinted because it provided zero coverage. Perfume. Ugh. I wish they'd stop sending me perfume. I have their "less than six a year" option chosen, but I am seriously picky when it comes to fragrances and loathe most everything that's out there. This was bad too. It smelled old. Like heavy and overly flowery...just not something a younger person would choose to wear. I like something that's more light and fresh. I wear Philosophy Falling in Love and I adore it and would never change or use ANYTHING else. Sending me perfume samples is a waste of a sample. There's a 99.9% chance I'm going to absolutely hate it. I haven't cracked into the Ojon yet, but even though I color my hair I use a lot of other products to keep it healthy, so I really don't have a need for a damage repair treatment. I also haven't checked out the ingredients list, but you can bet if there's sulfates in it that it's going in the garbage. This one is getting mixed reviews, but I'll try it out and see how it goes. I did like the DDF and it was an EXCELLENT sample size. It was 1 oz and the full size is 1.7 oz for $42. There are 30 mL in an ounce, so there's about 50 mL in 1.7 ounces. That's 50 mL for $42, so 30 mL had a value of $35. Not too shabby. I like the way it feels on my skin and I can always use extra moisturizing even if there isn't an SPF in it. If I hated everything else, the value of this one product makes my $10 well spent. I am probably going to purchase the eyeliner since I have some points to spend and a coupon for being with the company for over a year. Here's hoping for a better April.

POPSUGAR March 2014 Must Have Box

Back again to tell you about all the cool stuff I got. I didn't know if I was going to keep up this subscription because it's a little on the expensive side. However, they released a spoiler and it was a picture of a BEAUTIFUL scarf and as we all know, I am a sucker for scarves. Sad, but true. So I decided that maybe there'd also be an awesome St. Paddy's day item in the box and I'd hang out this month and see what's up. I'm super glad I did. This box blew last month's box away. I yoinked the second and third photos from My Subscription Addiction. If you think I have a problem with subscription boxes, you should go over there and see just how many more I could be getting. Crazy. 

This photo I took. Then I tore into the box and started using things, sooooo I had to borrow the other photos. 

Here's a photo of what was included in the box:

And of course, the BEAUTIFUL Brokedown Blue Ikat Scarf, which they're saying they charge $72 for. That is a ridiculous amount to charge for a scarf and even though this one is SO soft and beautiful, I would never pay that much for it, so already the box was a big win for me because I didn't even pay that much for the box as a whole. I really do love this scarf. It's going to be perfect for spring. 

The other items included were as follows:

• Dogeared Lucky Horseshoe Make a Wish Necklace ~ $30
• Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum ~ $27
• Bauble Bar Elephant Ring Tree ~ $12
• Nature's Bakery All Natural Strawberry Fig Bar ~ $1.50
• SnapPea Crisps ~ $2
• Active Forever Mini Exercise Ball ~ $9.95

I really loved the variety in this box that last month's box was lacking. The lucky horseshoe necklace is on a string and meant to be worn until the string breaks and that supposedly means "your wish is ready to come true". I don't know about all that, but it's super cute and I love the way the horseshoe sits in the hollow of my throat. I've been wearing it ever since it showed up. I'm really impressed with Jurlique as a brand. They grow all most of what they use on their farm, they don't test on animals, they're environmentally conscious, they give back to their community....basically everything you'd want out of a company whose products you'd like to purchase. I like the serum a lot and have been regularly using it since I got it. I don't know if it's doing anything yet. I'll report back. The SnapPea crisps were a bit salty, but a great crunchy alternative to chips. The fig bar was delicious. Not too dry. I'm always worried about that with those cake-y type bars. I was SO stoked to see the exercise ball AND the workout they posted on the PopSugar blog to go along with it. I intend to use it as soon as I can locate some excess energy. I thought the elephant ring holder was SO adorable and just the kind of quirky accessory I want to have sitting on my bureau.  

This was $40 well spent. I definitely got my values worth and was pleased with everything in the box this month. I'll have to see what spoiler they release for next month and decide whether it's worth it to keep going. 

Graze Box Yummies!

Hello Interwebs. How are we on this delightful Sunday? I'm already lamenting the end of the weekend. It really should be longer. Work is BS. Sorry. Moving on....I have gotten two more Graze boxes since the first and I have to say I am rather pleased with them overall. They've been a great go-to snack when I'm hungry, have no time and don't want to eat garbage. Here's what I've gotten since we last talked snacks.

Cocoa Paradise

Cracking Black Pepper Cashews

Little Figgy Went to Market

Cookies and Cream

Walnut and Vanilla Truffle

                                       

Salsa Fresca

Mississippi BBQ Pistachios

Pina Colada

 My absolute favorites so far have been the Walnut and Vanilla Truffle and the Pina Colada. The Salsa Fresca was okay, but I really like fresh salsa and this was a bit more like the canned stuff you can buy, obviously. The nutritional information can be found here. And as always, I have a Referral Code. I highly recommend this because it's inexpensive, it's good for busy people and you can make tweaks. You won't get anything you might be allergic to. You can choose a low calorie option. You can even say you just don't like something. For instance I LOVE wasabi and horseradish, but HATE cayenne pepper spiciness, so I went through the snacks and eliminated anything that might have cayenne pepper in it as an option. You rate everything after you taste it and they build a better profile for you based on your taste preferences, so the more you try the better they get at figuring out what you like. I'm a big fan.

What other things do I have coming up the pipeline? Well, I'm about to do the Pop Sugar March review, I also got my Birchbox this month...My BULU Box has shipped ($30 for 6 months of boxes!) and so did the Petit Vour ($15/month) FINALLY. I also got the Vegan Cuts Essentials Beauty Box (a one time delivery $27.95) that will be coming soon as well. The Pop Sugar Resort Box (This was a splurge. Also a one time delivery) I ordered is due to ship at the end of March. I ordered another Plated Delivery because there was a coupon code. Again. I know I'm addicted. Sad, but true. I AM finding out a whole lot about some products I really like and getting them at awesome bargains, so I can't really complain. I've been tooling around on my favorite subscription box blogs and they all say that after the initial "WOW" of bargains and new stuff that you start to get really choosy and stop getting so many boxes because it simply isn't worth the money. I would FOR SURE not order Plated boxes if there weren't coupon codes. It's just too expensive. I almost forgot the FabFitFun box. This is like an unhinged ferris wheel rolling swiftly toward the ocean, isn't it? WELP, I'm still paying my bills and saving for my Summer of Awesome Vacations, so I suppose it could be worse. At least it's semi-interesting reading for you guys. If nothing else, you can stare at the trainwreck that is my addiction. Imma do the PopSugar March box next. It was SO. GOOD.

All of the good things! (none of the bad) And Music I want you to hear.

So many awesome things are happening, you guys! I'm having such a great couple of days. Much improved over last week. Last Tuesday beat me upside the head with a freaking brick. O-Chem exam, O-Chem quiz and TWO O-Chem labs, not to mention the work day from hell. Saying I was fried was the understatement of the century.
Good things this week:
~Got offered paying acting gig! This is the best news of all. A very funny friend is writing a humorous murder mystery dinner set in colonial times. I was asked if I would put on a big poufy dress and act hysterical over a (faux) dead body. Yes. Yes I will.
~Bridal Expo with my sister. I'm super pleased to be MoH in my sister's wedding. She's pretty much the greatest ever and her fiance rocks. As much as I hate all things bridal, I'm excited to help her plan her day.
~ Rehearsal for next weeks Irish music festival. Love the band. Love the song. Can't wait to put on my green and sing some Flogging Molly
~ My bestie is coming to visit this weekend! YAYS!
~Stitch Fix of awesomeness INCLUDING an email from someone AT Stitch Fix thanking me for blogging about them. SWEET.
~New Graze box came today with tasty noms.

Work blows, school is hard, I'm getting two fillings tomorrow and friends are generally disappointing me with their terrible treatment of others, but I've decided that I need to focus on the awesome and kick everything that is being lame to the curb. I faltered a little bit with this this week. Not going to lie. Monday was a BAD day for me. I got all in my feelings and was exhausted and sad. Tuesday turned it around, though and I started to get my perspective back. I'm still struggling with some anger and disappointment, but I'm pretty determined to put it behind me and soldier on. People can be SO disappointing sometimes, and sadly, when people are acting like Ultra Mega Douchebags, I've realized that you have to offer them the one chance to stop and apologize and if they don't take you up on that offer, then you have to put distance in between you otherwise you risk getting sucked into the vortex of their terribleness. There was a time when I would DESPERATELY try to get people to come over to the side of good and reason, but it just burned me out and pissed them off, so I've given up on that. The lessons here are: Real friends don't encourage you to do bad things. Real friends don't seek to hurt you (and anyone else they can). Some people don't give a hoot about honesty and don't want to hear it. Bad people do bad things and you can't stop them all. Take care of yourself because no one else will. If that means cutting people out of your life, then do it. Karma exists, I've seen it work and it is both ironic and cruel. I'm finished with people who try to ruin my zen.

In the spirit of awesome things I'd like to share a few of the things I can't stop listening to right now that I think everyone should know about:

• Beck's new album, Morning Phase. Have you heard this? It blows my mind. It's unlike anything I've heard from him before. So beautiful. Check it out.
• Fitz and The Tantrums. In particular, Moneygrabber. I literally had to stop myself from dancing to class listening to this. I might risk looking like a complete weirdo for Fitz. 
• Everything Agnes Obel has put out. It's dark and haunting and pretty and I'm in love with her. You should fall in love with her too.
• Postmodern Jukebox. They take pop songs (most of which I find terrible) and class them up as swing or standards. They're fantastic
• All of The Hunger Games soundtracks. It's a lot of the folksy/bluegrassy stuff I really like. I have not seen the movies or read the books, but I am addicted to the soundtracks. I love The Civil Wars, Birdy and The Carolina Chocolate Drops already, so these albums were already a win for me.

Once upon a time my Spotify account was attached to Facebook and then that got REALLY annoying because every time I listened to something it posted, so I had the accounts separated. I don't know about you guys, but if I'm really grooving on a song, I can listen to it 4 or 5 times before I move on. I'm ladymacbeth1980 on Spotify, if anyone wants to follow me.

Go out into the world people and try to do more good than you do harm. That's my goal every day.

I leave you with a picture of my kitten, to give you the warm fuzzies. Vasili hopes you have a great weekend.

Stitch Fix #5 - BEST. FIX. EVER.

OMFG You guys. Seriously. I had a thought. It's like Stitch Fix is a Rules girl. Remember that book? And all the crazy dating advice it gave you to make men want you? All the playing hard to get and remaining a mystery and such? Well, Stitch Fix has been luring me in and pushing me away and FINALLY after all that teasing, they gave me EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED. I'm keeping everything. That's right. I said it. Everything. All the items. They all fit perfectly. They were all flattering. They were all adorable. The prices were all awesome (in the context of Stitch Fix, anyway). I just can't even. All my previous sadness is forgotten. You win Stitch Fix. You win. I should point out that I asked for something green as I am singing in a St. Patty's Day concert. I also continued to demand grown up person pants. On to zee fix!!!

PANTS! HOLY CRAP! Like....normal person pants. Like....over the age of 18 pants. Pants I can move in. Pants that aren't suction cupped to my thighs. Pants that are long enough. Holy Jesus. These are the Margaret M Ariel Trouser in dark gray. They are being offered for $68. Why, yes. I think I will. They are a size 8 and they will look lovely with some heels. Enjoy my argyle socks. Note the lack of splotches on my mirror. You are most welcome.

This cardigan rocks. It is the Caramela Benfield Drape Front Cardigan in Purple. $58 smackers. I *might* have an addiction to drapey cardigans I can wrap around my freezing cold torso. No idea why....*cough* still 10 degrees in March. Curse you Mother Nature!!! *cough* It's so soft. And it is all mine. 

Close up of the heathered portion.

This is two items. First the 41 Hawthorn Freddy Sleeveless Chiffon Dress in green. Green is my favorite color. Also $58. I was concerned about the silhouette. I thought it might make me look bunchy or shorter in the torso, but I dig it. I need to lift some weights and get a jacket, but this is very nice! We also have the Zad Cassy Hollowed Clover Long Necklace. $28. Hello. No brainer. This is my perfect accessory.

Close up of pretty clover necklace that is ALL MINE.

And finally, because I'm a sucker for a scarf AND a quirky print The Look By M Lara Bicycle Print Infinity Scarf. DUDE. BICYCLES. Oh right...$36. 

Close up of the cuteness. YAY!

Yeah...this was what I've been waiting for. The big winner in which I buy all the things. So, The total was $248. Minus the $25 credit. Minus the 25% off discount for buying ALL THE THINGS! I'm paying $166 for all five pieces, which works out to about $33 a piece. Not bad if I do say so myself. I think Stitch Fix is getting better little by little. They definitely listened to everything I had to say last time. It was honest, but it wasn't great. I tried to be diplomatic, but I was pretty let down. I had Sasha again and she did a brilliant job this time around. I tend to think that sometimes these poor stylists get hosed by what they have in stock. Or lack thereof. I still think this can be remedied by communicating with the clients. Asking them if they mind waiting an extra week or letting them know what alternatives there are if what they're looking for isn't something that's available. A quick email would be enough. I hope they take those suggestions I made to heart in my responses from last month. As always, I appreciate it when people use my referral link, so Here it is again. If nothing else, this has been an adventure and I have some GREAT pieces that I love to wear, even if I've had some serious duds. I will continue on in my relationship with Stitch Fix, especially since it's hard for me to shop what with work and school and all. Did I mention that Organic Chemistry is a bitch? Have you guys tried Stitch Fix yet? What did you think?

March Julep Maven purchase

Bonjour! This month I was SO excited about the Julep Maven box because they were featuring lip stuffs! You could get a polish box with the lip gloss of your choice OR you could get the lip scrub and moisturizer duo. I chose the scrub and moisturizer since I am all polished out from my Cupid Mystery Box (Although I *did* buy the Wizard of Oz polish set for a certain cousin's birthday). I also added on a lip gloss in my favorite lip color (a nude pink). I have just utilized the scrub and moisturizer and can I say, WOW. I have lips of a pretty good size. My lower lip is CONSTANTLY drying out and flaking no matter how much water I drink or carmex I put on. The scrub is great. The applicator is also a little rough and there's a moisturizing balm in it, so it doesn't feel like sandpaper. The intense moisturizer smells of coconuts and is thick without being sticky. I tried to get a good shot of the gloss on my lips, but the lighting is the suck in my house and frankly every picture looked oddly sexual to me. So none o' that. However, here are some shots of the products themselves.

I say it every time. Julep NEVER disappoints me. Love this stuff!

Klutch Box goodies!!!

Hello all in blogger land. I recently received a rather awesome coupon from Klutch Box (again). This time they'd send me their New Year's Resolution box for $2 plus shipping ($8)! It had previously sold for $25. I really enjoyed the first box, so I said, what the hell! It arrived yesterday and I was totally stoked when I opened it. Check out the photo...

As you can see, a wide variety of food stuffs for being healthy and getting in shape in the New Year. Some of the samples were rather large, so I was VERY pleasantly surprised. I absolutely feel like I got my money's worth with this purchase.

I received:

1. The Jaali bean lentil and rice. I got one of these in the last one. That one was coconut rice. I love that they include these. I haven't had one yet, but I will be cooking one up shortly. 
2. Core Power Protein drink. Strawberry banana flavor. This thing has 20 grams of protein in it. Bam! Protein. It's labeled *light*, but I was pleased to see that it was sweetened with Stevia and not some other wretched sugar substitute.
3. FRS Healthy Slim appetite control and natural sustained energy chews. Strawberry Melon flavor. They sent a bag of 28 chews! I'll really be able to get a sense if they're working or not. They taste pretty good. It's supposed to help you feel fuller faster and give you more energy. I've been trying them. I'm not sure if they're doing anything. I'll report back.
4. Agro Labs wheatgrass shot. I'm so excited to try this. All organic and made with banana and pear juice. Full of B Vitamins and green tea extract. 
5. Power Bar performance energy blends in banana blueberry.I guess you're supposed to eat this before you go to the gym to give "fast energy to muscles". Again, no artificial ingredients. We like that here. The taste is...a little odd, but not bad.
6. KICK BUTT amped energy balls. I'm always tired from work and school, so I was excited to see these. They say they're grape flavored, but there's chocolate, honey and caramel in them. Hrrmmm...there's caffeine, creatine and ginseng in them. 
7. The next thing was a bottle of 30 capsules of raspberry ketones. I had to look up why I wanted to take that. I guess they're supposed to rev up your metabolism and aid in weight loss. I was stoked that they sent such a big bottle. I've been taking them the last two days. I'll let you know if anything happens.
8. IPS egg white chips! Aged white cheddar flavor! I'm saving these for a school day. Gluten free, all natural. 130 calories in the bag. I hope they're tasty.
9. Think Thin chunky peanut butter bar. It's sugar free and gluten free and has 20 grams of protein in it. Basically a protein snack, so you don't fall of the proverbial diet wagon when you're on the go.
10. Think Thin Crunch coconut chocolate and mixed nuts bar. NOM. Also heavy on the protein.
11. OMG! Antioxidant drink. It was....not good. All I could taste was weird berry-ish flavor and artificial sweetener. I hate artificial sweeteners. 

I also got a few coupons for some of the products in the box. I'm so happy with these boxes. I get to try all kinds of tasty (mostly) new products. I would have a hard time paying full price, but I certainly will take them up on any and all discount codes they'd like to send me. Anyone else ever try one?