Influenster VivaVoxBox

Disclosure: These products were recieved for testing purposes and complimentary  from Influenster.

Oh man, when I received the email that I qualified, I was beyond ecstatic! It's been a while since my last box, so I jumped at the opportunity when that email came along to see if I would qualify or not. Plus, my mailing address changed and I was so scared I wouldn't get this box but it did and I am so glad it did!

First look

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Cocoa Radiant ($7.99 Retail):

I kinda like this cocoa butter smell, it reminds me of the good ol' pregnancy days when I feared for the stretch marks! And the spray feature is quite convenient! I will definitely keep this around just in case if baby number 3 decides to make an appearance ;)

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths ($5.99 Retail)

I love Cetaphil. It has been my go-to lotion for my kids' ever-so drying skin. I cannot tell you how many times it has been used in this household that when I saw I got the cleansing cloths, I just had to give it a try! It is SUPER smooth to the touch and it is pretty effective in removing all the makeup off my face.

NYC New York City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color ($2.99 Retail)

I own so many of this company's nail polish, it's not even funny. So I was more than glad to give this a try. It is super smooth upon application and the color is pretty pigmented on the first swipe.

swatch

Pure Ice Nail Polish ($1.69 Retail)

 I am not fond of pink so it's going to my gift pile (plus, I have enough pink in my polish collection). The glitter is actually quite nice and it takes a few coats to get an even amount of glitter but I like it nonetheless.

Shell Fuel Rewards Card

My husband has this card and frankly, I don't even know why I never got one for me. So, thank you Influenster! Saving 3 cents a gallon PLUS whatever I have on my Winn-Dixie card is a win-win for me.

Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spas ($2.49 Retail)

I can't wait to try this! It seems very interesting to try this one out, for a cleansing experience on my face. Peel-off mask made with clay, hopefully it's as good as it sounds!

Manic Mondays

~Oh gosh, it's been so long since I have posted something other than my Ipsy bags. I gotta say, this school thing has been really driving me up the wall. I am not saying I'm such a great student...but at least, I try.

~As of lately, I have been roaming around the Reddit world and I gotta tell you, that's just another example of how much things there are in the world of the internet. It's overwhelming.

~ JD and E have been acting a lot more like brother and sisters these days. And by that, I mean taking each other's things away, hitting, punching, scratching, biting...name it and I am sure they have done it to each other. I get a little scared sometimes because JD has started to get brave enough to carry enough E and I've seen him just carry her off the couch because she's sitting where he wants to sit. -___-

~ I know I'm only 24, but the other night, my sister-in-law wanted to go out for her 21st birthday (as any 21 year old) and get plastered. My husband was having one of those moments where, since he doesn't really get out much, wanted to stay out all night. Needless to say, we stayed out til 6 AM. I wanted to kill him. -_-;

This pretty much sums him up.

~ Any one up to date on "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland"? Idk about you, but I like it much better than it's original counterpart. I mean don't get me wrong, OUaT was wonderful (1st season) but it lost its spark in season 2. So I just stopped altogether. Maybe it's getting better?

~ We went to the pool after God knows how long. The cuteness of E in a bathing suit  was overbearing. I give you exhibit A:

CUTIE!

~ How was your weekend? Hope you all have a good Monday :)

ipsy February "The Look of Love" review

This month probably took a big turn when I found out that my bag came sooner than expected. (By the time I had received my tracking number, it was already in transit towards me) 2 days early = happy camper.

I had been dying to see the colors (or type of eyelashes) that I was going to get!

The bag stuffed. :D

First look

Zoya Nail Polish in Odette:

I always pray that one day I'll get something I had been hoping for. But alas, this has not been the case. It's a pretty purple shade, definitely in tune with this month's Valentine's theme. I would have definitely preferred the pink pale color...

POP Beauty Lip gloss in Peony Pink:

I was extremely surprised when I tried this lip gloss on. It's glossy with no stickiness! *le gasp* I was in some serious shock. The color was also perfect, not too loud and not too subtle.

Super nice color.

As of late, people have been complaining that there a few bad batches of the POP glosses (foul smelling as soon as you open it, etc.). Both Ipsy and POP Beauty have been on the case, sending back replacements.
Please, PLEASE, everyone who has been having a problem with ANY cosmetics...you should let the FDA know. You can be the preventative measure we need. 

City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon:

Hm. I really wanted to see if I would get the orange-y one instead of pink. Blah. But either way, a girl can't have too much blush. I only have 3 (this one included).
Also, I was really pleased to see that ipsy took some precautionary measures and wrap the blush in bubble wrap.

J.CAT Beauty False eyelashes EL01:

I checked. These are not the same ones I got the first time around, which was my main concern cause I don't need doubles. >.< But these almost seem the same. So the disappointment still ensued. If anyone knows any good tutorials on fake eyelashes, please! Share!

Phyto-C Velvet Gel Skin Care:

This (from what I interpreted from Michelle Phan's last video) is kinda like a serum? I haven't tried it yet. I looked at the box for any instructions (the bottle is pretty blank). I only have that to go with.

I give this box a 4/5, another pair of eyelashes?  I really don't think that was necessary ipsy. But regardless, I love all these products you give out every month and saves me a ton of money!
Here's my referral link so you can try it out too! I promise, it's worth it. At least for a month, and you're hooked.

Disclaimer: There may be a few referral links unless otherwise specified.

ipsy January 2014 "19 reasons" review

Yes, this post is super late! But better late than never! This month's theme was of course, in honor of the new year, to post at least one reason 2014 was going to be awesome. {insert lame reason}

that familiar pink packaging

First look at the bag

Inside peek

 Apothederm Bright Skin Serum (trial size):

I am really skeptical when it comes to adding things to my face. My skin is not as sensitive but regardless, you don't put anything on without first consulting good old Google. Reviews have not been so kind in regards to the "serum" part of the deal. It leaves your skin sticky. <.< 

Nope.

 Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil:

 I'm familiar with this brand from the September glambag. The only thing I can say is that it truly is creamy and smooth in its application. It's a bit glittery. But this works perfect for highlighting!

smooth, glittery. i don't lie.

 Willa Naturals On-The-Go Lavender Face Towelettes:

Ok, truth: I haven't tried these since I still haven't finished using the ones from the October glambag. :X Honestly I use baby wipes to remove make up. It's easier on the eyes.

(Malin + Goetz) Mojito Lip Balm:

I am not a big fan of this lip gloss (yes, it's glossy more than it is balm-y). I know that a lot of people really like it, but I must admit that it doesn't do it for me.  Regardless of its "mojito" essence and lack of applicator, it's the glossy part that kills me and leaving my lips sticky. D:

Sexy Hair Soy Tri-wheat Leave-in conditioner:

I have very frizzy hair. And living in a very humid, not hair-friendly place like Miami, is just hostile to my hair. lol I use a lot of different products in my hair to tame the wild beast. I like that this is light on my hair but it makes me a little worried that this a little too watery in contrast to other leave-in conditioners that are more of a creamier substance. Maybe definite for an every day use? Someone should clear this up for me. 

The bag:
Colors that I am fond of and for some odd reason it's a bit bigger than most of the bags that ipsy has come out with since I started.

Final verdict:
I was not fond of this bag this month. There were 3 products I know that I just...either don't like or will never use. That's more than half of the bag. That's not at all a good percentage. Reagrdless, this makes gift-giving a little easier.

This is still a great subscription bag to get involved in (imho*); I just hope that they will get better as the time progresses since I know that they can do better than this! Here's my referral link to give it a try! ;)


*In my honest opinion

The B-E-S-T Blueberry Scone Recipe ever. No, really. EVER.

I had my daughter's birthday last weekend and we decided to make sort of a brunch for the family which was pretty cool and I made all this finger food stuff. Then I came upon a really delicious recipe for blueberry scones and a really nice lemon glaze to top it off!

I loved it so much (and the fam loved it too). I decided to share the recipe with you!
Note: I really am not much of a cook or baker. So it's a pretty big deal when I find a recipe that is SUPER EASY to make. I will include the original source(s) at the end of this post.

BLUEBERRY SCONES (10-12 servings)
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
6 tbsp salted butter
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh) I used fresh blueberries!

For the lemon glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon lemon extract

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400(F).

2. Place all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt) into a bowl. 

3. Cut the butter into slices and place them in the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use your fingers to mix everything together until you have made a lumpy, yellowish tinge in the entire batter.

4. In a separate smaller bowl (I used the same measuring cup I measured the buttermilk), add your vanilla, egg and buttermilk and mix well.

5. Add the blueberries into the lumpy batter. Be sure to have all of them completely covered in dry batter. (The author says this helps to avoid bleeding)

6. Make a hole in the middle of your lumpy batter. Pour buttermilk mixture into the hole and start mixing carefully until all your batter becomes moistened.

7. In the original recipe, the author says place the mixture on a board and cut the batter into circles. I preferred the muffin pan method. Just spray some PAM, pour into the pan (about 3/4 full) and after 12-14 minutes (until the edges are golden brown), done!
Note: She puts some buttermilk and sprinkles sugar at the top of the scones before baking. If you'd like to do that sort of thing.

While the scones are baking, you could also make the lemon glaze which takes like almost nothing.
Mix the sugar, milk and lemon extract by whisking. Once you have a white-ish, gooey mixture, brush it or pour onto the scones once they cooled down a bit.

Took this baby to work. :9

I mean, super easy. If you try it out, let me know! 
Cause I know my first time is usually like the experimental stage and this time is was more like level Expert. The lemon glaze was an idea I threw in there and it was better than the first time around. :D

If you'd like to see the original recipes: Buttermilk Blueberry Scones; Lemon Glaze