bluum September 2013 "Let's Practice Standing!" (9 month old baby)

Yes, I realize how late this review is. At least I posted it! Better late than never. This month's (october) will be up soon, keep on the look out!

Shipping for this box was actually pretty fast. Can't complain. I got my tracking number and next thing you know, my mail lady is dropping this off at my doorstep. Awesome.

For those of you who are not familiar with this subscription, bluum is a monthly subscription box curated with products depending on the stage or milestone that your child is in. Products for baby and for mom.

First look

Bumpkins Starter Bib ($4.95):

This is actually my favorite bib that I have used for E. Waterproof, easy to clean...what more could a mom ask for? I have one similar to this from Koala Baby but it is not really NOT that easy to clean... This one wipes down quickly...even after mealtime.

Susan Brown's Baby Cleansing Cloths ($14.00):

Lightly scented, soft to the touch. I didn't really use it for myself although this was considered one of the "mom" items. I used it more on E for those little wipe downs when she'd make a mess and it didn't irritate her skin so I'd say that this is also baby friendly.

Priddy Books Baby Play Day ($13.00):

My favorite part of this book is the little tabs that you see above ^. Great for those little fingers and it's very bright colored so E can spend hours just looking at the book. JD loves it too so I consider all the books I get from blumm a twofer.

Bumkins Divided Plate - Cat in the Hat ($6.95):

JD saw this and declared it "his plate". Not for E because she's a baby. shrugs What can I say? She prefers throwing it off her high chair and finds it hilarious. JD, on the other hand, actually uses it for its intended purpose. He likes his food separated and likes all the little dividers. Plus he likes the show. Another twofer I'd say.

Redex Udderly Smooth Cream 2 oz ($1.99):

Another "mom" item. I am not a big cream person but I have used this cream on my husband's feet... Resulting in silky smooth feet. lol It's texture is more like water and not so oily so it sinks into the skin very quickly. So I'd say this works for people who don't like the sticky feel of cream.

Child's Play Mulberry Bush ($6.00):

Probably not my favorite item from this box. I don't really use CDs...at all. Plus this is a rhyme that I am familiar with but I wouldn't say was a staple in my childhood. -.-

Total value of this month's box: $46.89. The CD was probably the only thing that I found that I would not use at all but other than that, I never really argue the value of the box because I really do get a good bang for my buck every month. :)

Try it out!

Disclosure: There are referral links in this post, unless otherwise noted. I don't know if people really read these sort of things anyway!

Sunday Social -- Week 21

1. What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
I never dressed up as a child. I never even went trick-or-treating. I think maybe once. My mom then had a crazy moment and told me never again. I think it may have been because of the religion thing...
2. If you could go back to your childhood and dress up as something, what would it be?
I would dress up as my favorite Disney princess Aurora or Belle. Just because I can.
3. What was your favorite Halloween costume as an adult?
I dressed up as a vampire once. This was in 2008 (the first time I ever got in costume mode like ever). Had the freaky contacts and everything. It was amazing and I looked amazing ;D
4. What is your favorite Halloween candy?
All the chocolate. My son goes trick-or-treating and I snatch a lot of the chocolate bars. You know, to be sure they are safe to eat.
5. What is your favorite Halloween memory?
The first time I celebrated Halloween. I was an adult but regardless, I had fun dressing up and dancing the night away.
6. What is your favorite scary movie?
The Saw movies. I mean they are not horror, more like gore-y and creepy. I have 1-7 in my DVD collection. ;)

ipsy October 2013 review -- "The Art of Beauty"

I say this every post for ipsy but--I LOVE THIS SUBSCRIPTION. I cannot stress that statement enough lol.
For those of you who are new, ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription bag that sends you 5 beauty items to sample and get to know different brands. They send you products depending on your preferences in your ipsymatch questionnaire and the items that they are promoting that month.

Review:

First look

La Fresh Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipes sample:

I am well-known to not being spoiler-free when it comes to ipsy. Can't do it. I stalk the crap out of their FB page. Also, thanks to the lovely ipsy website, you can view the products you are getting once your glamroom is up-to-date. I was hoping I'd get this bad boy in my bag. Lo and behold, I got 'em!

Zoya Nail Polish in Giovanna full size ($8.00):

Nail polish in my bag this month? Hell yes. I first got introduced to Zoya in my first bag back in May. According to their website, they have new fall colors coming out and they look amazing.Wish I could've gotten the Neve color but I'm more than okay with this color :D

Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Gel sample:

I haven't had a chance to try this one just yet, but in my July bag I did use their spray and it worked for my very coarse hair so I would like to see just how well this one will work as well.

Nourish Organic Coconut and Argan Body Lotion sample:

I was never a fan of lotion. Never ever. Let alone the coconut smell. I was trying to do a trade off with someone on the ipsy forum but they backed out on the last second :( Thankfully I found someone else to trade them something I had in a previous bag so thank goodness for that. This might end up in my SIL's posession...

Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly Mini:

This. Well, I am not a big fan of lip glosses. Never was. I never liked the way they made my lips feel. They have a tingling kind of sensation on the lips and still (like all lip glosses) are pretty sticky. In my trade off, I offered this product as a gift for someone who really wanted it. Yes, I am that generous. Honestly? I would rather give it to someone who would do something with it than it collecting dust.

The bag:

I'm not a big fan of white bags. BUT, ipsy is currently holding a challenge to decorate the bag according to this month's theme. I am still sketching out a few details but I will probably post up the finishing product once I upload it on the ipsy website :)

I give this bag a 3 out of 5. There were only 2 products that I know I will never use but other than that, this bag is well rounded to allow me to try different products. The great part is that they also send you (and place in your glam room) nice little discounts to buy the full-sized product, even off the things you didn't get in your bag!

Wanna give it a try? For $10/month, I think you should just do it. There's a wait list so you should act fast! The sooner, the better.

Disclaimer: This post contains referral links. Unless otherwise noted.

Thursday Thoughts...and a little bit of everything in between!

Boy, oh boy! It has been a while blogging world! But I feel refreshed and ready to start writing again :)

- I just got back from vacation on Monday and I was ever so sad that it was over. :( 3 day cruises are not enough! You get a taste and you want the whole cake! Err, ship in this case.

- JD has been tantruming a lot more often now ever since I got back...before it used to be a tantrum when I picked him up from daycare and it did a whole 180 and he cries when I drop him off at daycare. I feel so guilty that I had left him behind and now I feel like he thinks that I might leave him again. Any tips? I know it's a stage and reassure him every time I drop him off that I am coming back...but anything else I could possibly do?

- The best part of coming back is seeing that I have a stack of boxes just for me to open :) Bluum and ipsy reviews will be coming up shorty ;)

- I think I might just post some of the stuff I saw or did during my little mini vacation for those of you who want a little peek at the wonderful world of cruising. I know I did research and wanted to know a little about it before I went on my cruise. I think I want to contribute to such an insight. Plus, gives me an excuse to go ahead and show off our vacation pictures :D

- Also included in my coming home package (tantrums and subscription packages), my little E got pretty sick and had a very persistent fever...so I was pretty sleep deprived (adding to the already deprivation I had from the night before!).

- Does anybody catch up with SVU? I can seriously say that this week's episode was pretty intense and Barba once again proves that he is one of my favorite ADAs on the show (next to Alex).

- Few shows that I am currently trying to finish/catch up:
           ~ Attack on Titan: If you haven't seen this show and you love watching some anime, this is probably one of the must-see ones. I think I may even get into the manga and that's going to keep me busy for quite some time. (It's an ongoing series :O)
           ~ Grey's Anatomy: I am still on season 9. I think I may be, like, halfway done to then start season 10.
           ~ Downton Abbey: I found out they are re-airing the 3rd season in December. So this is makes the list! Cannot wait :D

What are your thoughts? Join the link up :)

Disclaimer: This post contains referral links. Unless otherwise noted.

How well do you know...?

I have not done this link up in a LONG time. I stopped like maybe a month ago...?
Anyway, I have decided to pick it back up because I think I really wanted to and plus I need something to keep myself from going crazy with the idea of JUST schoolwork. 0.0

"Random facts about your other half."

...Or maybe I like these topics this month? It took me a bit of time, the entire week mind you, to just sit and start listing EVERYTHING I know about Edward.

1. He does not like drinking something hot when eating something hot. Strange? Just a bit. But I took note of this from back when we were dating. I don't even ask if he wants a cup of coffee with his breakfast. Only if it's a bowl of cereal.

2. His lifelong dream is to see Japan. I know this because we share this dream. Japan and all its beauty.

3. He's always wanted to play in a band. Maybe this is most punk rock guys' dream...but I definitely know that this something he wants to do. With that being said...

4. There's a long list on everything he wants to do. It's the equivalent of "the flavor of the week". He always finds something new that he just HAS to do. Name it, it's probably on there.

5. He's not Edward when he is hungry.

6. He gets in a bad mood if the house is a mess. But I mean, a bad mood. He'll call me out on everything that is not clean/organized.

7. He knows a whole lot about nothing. This is very true. He is the wikipedia on random facts and could probably do very well on a trivia game show.

8. He's a generous drunk. (those rare times that he does drink) It's when I know that I may have to start telling everyone that it's getting late and we have to go home because he might just wipe out the bank account trying to show everyone a good time or refill your drink.

What can you say that you know about your spouse? Link up!

Sunday Social -- Week 18

1. What were you like in middle school and high school?
I was a very awkward child in middle school and it carried over to high school up until my sophmore year. Then I was the girl all the (nerd) boys wanted. I guess after moving to 3 different high schools, it was like a fresh start for me every year. Left a lot of broken hearts. lol
2. What were your favorite pastimes?
At the high school stage, I'd like to just read my little young adult novels and listen to music.
3. What songs were you obsessed with?
Omg. I would have to go WAY back for this. But it would have to be a mix from Alternative Rock to anything from the 80's. (I had a very broad taste)
4. What fashion statement do you look backing and cringe?
I had no fashion taste to begin with D:
5. Who was your celeb crush?
I never had one. It's not until now that I realize that I have an actual celeb crush. (JGL!)
6. What was your favorite movie?
Is and always will be Hook. But there's a whole lot more to that list but if I had to pick one...

Happy Sunday!