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Love, Glossybox

Hey loves! I’m back to regularly scheduled program his week, and I have an amazing Glossybox review for you today!

Now, if you wondering what happened to last month’s haul, I actually received a duplicate of the exact same box I’d gotten a few months ago. Down to the highlighter.

I wasn’t ready. I was also disappointed.

But this month, Glossybox redeemed themselves. I mean, look at how cute the box itself is:

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For the record, I keep these boxes and reuse them for nail polish and jewelry. So here’s what I got:

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Teadora Nourishing Exfoliating Bar in Rainforest at Dawn:
The card insert says that it’s an exfoliating soap packed with Amazonian super fruits that promise to firm and hydrate skin. I like how it smells, citrusy and woodsy without feeling like I’m rolling in grass.

Rituals Cosmetics Foaming Shower Gel Sensation in Yogi Flow:
The big thing about this shower gel is that it looks and functions like a can of shaving cream, but it’s a shower gel. So instead of putting it on a pouf, put a bit on your skin and foam it up, then rinse. It smells wonderful. The main scent is rose, and while I’m not a huge fan of rose, it’s subtle enough to not overwhelm.

Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner:
This is another take on the ever popular cowash products I’m seeing more and more in stores. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, cowashing is when one uses a conditioner in place of a traditional shampoo to wash up. It is more gentle on natural, curly hair than foaming washes. I personally don’t do them because I have a flaky scalp and product build up like whoa, but I could see using this on a quick wash day. It smells like a delicious fruit bowl.

Royal Apothic Tinties Lip Butter in Pink:
This is the cutest little tin of lip butter ever. See:

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Bonus: it’s full of argan and grape seed oils plus shea butter. Good for nourishing lips with a touch of color.

Julep Color Treat in Heartleigh:
It’s been some time since I shared a Julep shade with y’all, and this one is super cute. Chunky white glitter, micro silver glitter, and red heart glitter collide into a really cute topper polish. Because of the chunkiness of the glitter, I wouldn’t do this by itself because it will not be even. Here’s some closer shots of the polish and a quick one coat swatch:

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I was about to cancel my subscription, but ok Glossybox, you pulled it off!

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Glossybox Review: Yuletide Cheer

So I got my December Glossybox, all wrapped up like a precious gift:

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Fancy!

🙂

And of course, so are the contents:

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I was so excited I didn’t even want to move my laptop out of the way!

Do you see the wealth of goodies here? I keep telling y’all, go get yourselves a Glossybox, you won’t be disappointed! Here’s the lineup of products:

Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche De Beaute: I actually have heard of this before, and it’s lovely. It’s a moisturizing mask, and it leaves your skin very velvety. I have super oily skin until the dead of winter, so this helps to give my skin a drink of water.

Rituals Cosmetics Miracle Scrub: So, I actually hoped this was for my face (I LOVE a good face scrub), but this is for the hands. No worries, I like a good hand scrub too, especially before doing the weekly manicure. It’s a nice scrub, not too heavily scented. And it left my hands like butter.

Ciate Mini Paint Pot in Yule Rules: OMG BLUE SPARKLY POLISH. Which, ok, I need more nail polish like I need a hole in my head, but it’s so pretty!

Toni & Guy Leave In Conditioner: naturally I get this right after I’ve washed and conditioned my hair for the week. But a heads (heh) up: you can always use leave in conditioner as a styling aid (detangler) in between washings. So I’ll be using this before I twist my hair up this week. It smells really clean, which is nice.

And finally: BellaPierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick in Burlesque: This. Lippy. Y’all. Listen. A few Glossyboxes ago, I had a chance to try out their lip gloss, and I loved it. And I can tell you this lipstick is everything. Look:

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It’s still on my hand at the time of this writing, and I did the dishes before I started writing. Serious staying power. Can’t wait to wear this out! It’s a semi-matte finish, very moisturizing.

And that’s the roundup for this month! I’m loving everything here, and I’m gonna have to track down the rest of BellaPierre’s products. I think I’m in love!

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Fatshionista Cooks: Hatchery Tasting Box Review

Hello my lovelies!

I am back with a review of deliciousness.

It’s Thanksgiving week here in the States, otherwise known as “Eat all of the things and Buy all of the things week.”

We’ll discuss the buy all of the things aspect later on this week, but for today? Today is about eating all of the things.

So, I love to cook. I really love to cook. Part of the reason I even have cable is for Food Network and the Cooking Channel. I have a list of food bloggers that I love to visit regularly to get new ideas on what to try next.

And it was from The Kitchenista (the AMAZING chef that runs The Kitchenista Diaries) that I saw that there was a subscription box for cooks called Hatchery. Needless to say, I was quite intrigued.

I finally took the time to order one, and it came today. The best part about foodie subscription boxes is that you don’t have to wait to see if it works, like with beauty things. You can just eat it and know immediately if it’s the best! Here’s what I got:

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All wrapped up in brown paper…

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And all of the goodies!

Each box comes with a tasting guide that gives information about the folks who make the edibles, and even give recipes that showcase each sample sized ingredient. I received Whole Spice Paella Spice Mix (I can smell it through the baggie and OMG, y’all), Bill’s Best BBQ Sauce, Glico’s Pasta Gravy (gravy=sauce), Mustard and Co.Mustard sauce, Other Brother Olive Oil, and Potlicker Kitchen Spiced Wine Jelly. The Paella Spice Mix is going in my black beans. It has a smoky smell (smoked paprika, mmm) that I know will work well with them. Can’t wait to hook it up and report back!

I’ll totally give you the recipe for the black beans if y’all want it, by the way. It involves a slow cooker and not standing over a stove. Always the best recipe, in my book.

Now, I’m off to finish my sweet potato pies. My coworkers heard I bake an amazing one…and so now I’m baking four. 😀

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October Glossybox Review

You know, I almost didn’t sign up for Glossybox because I thought it was too much money for not enough goodies.

As time has gone on, and boxes have come, I am loving Glossybox more and more. This month is another winner!

Let’s get to the good stuff!

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Chock-full of goodness!

Matte Top Coat from Nails Inc.: I have heard such good things about this company, so I’m looking forward to trying this out. What I have found with matte topcoats so far is that they shorten the wear of your nail polish like crazy. Now, I prefer the glossy look, but on nights where matte nails work better, I put in all this work for it to be ruined by the time I get home. I hope this top coat will be different.

Tarte Cosmetics Power Pigment in Flush: Oh, y’all. This is a creamy, bold, beautiful color. I love the texture and I love the fact I don’t have to sharpen it (just twist up at the bottom.) It’s minty, and matte, but not drying. Love!

Vince Camuto Amore Eau de Parfum: When it comes to scents, I am picky. I am very picky. I have a sensitivity to smell like you wouldn’t believe: anything too strong and I have an instant migraine that will. not. go. away! This scent is beautiful, like soft flowers and fresh, light fruits without being too sweet. A little bit of sandalwood deepens it, but without it being too rich or heavy. I’m surprised I like it so much, but I really do.

Sesha Botanical Hydro Mask: I’ve never tried a mask from this brand before and I’m looking forward to trying it out. Masks are my favorite thing in the world to give my skin a quick pick me up. This mask has cucumber, green team and marigold, according to the insert, so I know it will give a soothing effect as well as improved hydration.

Proganix Volume Root Boost Finish: So, this product is supposed to give hair body and volume with soy protein and caffeine. While the idea of this intrigues me, I know I won’t be using this product on my hair. I probably could have used this on my relaxed hair, though. It does smell nice, though, so I will probably take this to one of the girls at work and see if she can make use of it. Pay the good stuff forward!

Bonus goody: A card worth $40 off of HelloFresh.com. I’ve been considering doing something like this. Essentially, you pick the recipes you want to create, and they pack all of the ingredients and deliver them to your front door with a handy info card. I’d love to do this if I wasn’t in an apartment. I may pass this on to the girls at work too, if I don’t try it out myself!

Another awesome box this month! Watch my Instagram for a look featuring Tarte going up today!

Reviews
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New Goodies: Glossybox Review

I love it when I come home to a box of goodies. Makes me feel like Christmas came early. 🙂

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And this month’s box was curated by Harper’s Bazaar. Which means bring on the luxury items!

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Jackpot!

So, I got some things I already own (*giggle*) and some things I have been wanting to pick up but hadn’t. SO excited about this box. So, I’ll separate this into stuff I have, stuff I didn’t, and stuff I’ve been wanting to try. Let’s get to it!

First up: Vichy LiftActiv Night. I have this. I have the day, the night, the eye, AND the serum. Why is that? Because I work in beauty, I have the opportunity to sell this everyday. So, if you got this in your Glossybox and you’re wondering if it’s worth it to get it: GO BUY THE DAMN THING. And get the day cream, eye cream, and serum while you’re at it. While this is not for me (my focus when it comes to my skin is acne and oil control), my clients have had some amazing results from it. If you’re in the market for some powerhouse anti-aging skincare, go get it. You won’t regret it.

Second: Essie Nail Polish in Madison Ave-Hue. Of course I own this. I even have two other Essie colors dangerously close to this shade. And I am excited as I don’t know what because if it’s discontinued: I’ll have spare bottle! 😀 Score!

Stuff I didn’t have: did y’all know Bulgari had conditioner? I sure didn’t. And this smells so good, omg! I’m due for my weekly hair washing, and I cannot wait to comb this through my curls. It smells like green tea and sunshine.

Stuff I’ve been wanting to try: Benefit’s It’s Real! Mascara. I have been hearing so many mixed reviews on if it’s worth it, I’ve been hesitant to try it. And now I don’t have to get a full bottle of something I may not want.

And finally, OCC Lip Tar. Now, the insert said that I was supposed to get a different color, but this one is just perfect. I swatched my hand and fell in love, and hopefully will get to showcase a look with it soon.

That’s it! This box was an all around win. 😀

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Glossybox Double Review

I have some shiny, pretty things to share with y’all today! I have to say, I love getting Glossybox because it feels like a little treat to myself every month. Even if I can’t use everything in the box, there’s always at least one thing that I fall in love with.

So, let’s jump in.

First up is the Stars and Stripes box:

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I got a C wonder gift card, two body butters, nail polish (:D), an eyeshadow stick, and some Rusk hair spray.

The nail polishes are super pretty. Even though I have similar colors, I can’t wait to see how the formula wears. These are from StrangeBeautiful.

Body lotions/butters: I love the smell of one, not to fond of the other. The first, in the clear and gold bottle, smells like refreshing grapefruit and grass (not lemongrass, as it states on the bottle). It’s lovely and super moisurizing. It’s by Camille Beckman. Now the other one, in the jar, has an…earthy smell. Jasmine and rosemary. Not a fan of either of those scents, but the hydration makes up for it. I’m using it on my feet. This is by Ayres.

C Wonder gift card: okay, I had to look up what C Wonder was. I admit it. But once I did I was happy. Their accessories are awesome! The problem: I couldn’t figure out how to look up the card’s value online, even when I followed directions. No worries. Once I find a store, they’ll tell me. Hopefully it’s a good amount!

Eyeshadow: now I need more makeup like I need a hole in my head, but this is makeup made simple and pretty. This is by Sumita Beauty, and it’s in champagne. It’s a sparkly neutral that I could use for day or night:

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And finally: the Rusk hair spray. I haven’t used hairspray since I transitioned my hair, and don’t really need it. I’m gonna pass this on to one of the girls at work and see how they love it. Bonus: it doesn’t smell like lighter fluid, so it’s got to be some good!

Next up: August Glossybox:

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The majority of this box is skincare, and I love trying new skincare. I received a serum, mask, body cream, lip balm, and hair detangler.

First up: body cream. This one is from Mitchell and Peach. It smells lovely, very fresh and very nourishing. My hands are constantly dry, so I’m always keeping hand cream in my bag. This one’s a keeper.

Lip Balm: it’s from Malin +Goetz and it’s a Mojito Lip Balm. It’s refreshing, minty, moisturizing, and most importantly, glossy (I see what you did there, Glossybox!) Bonus: it tastes yummy. A couple of swipes lasted me til lunch. That’s huge, considering my job is talking to people all day. My lips didn’t feel dry or cracked once!

Serum: this is from a new to me company called Skin Inc. My informative card insert tells me that they do custom blended serums for various skin concerns. They read my mind and sent me the brightening serum. My skin can get a little dull, despite its constant shine, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this does over time. Immediate results were moisturizing without grease (and that’s amazing considering this serum is NOT oil-free), and hopefully I’ll have a glowier complexion in a month. We shall see! Also, it’s pretty:

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Mask: this is from a not new to me company called GlamGlow. Now, I have heard some wonderful things about GlamGlow, and I can’t wait til I have some downtime to give myself a proper facial and use this product. It has clay, green tea, and chamomile in it (among other things), and my insert tells me that it exfoliates, tightens pores, absorbs impurities, and smooths texture. All that in a 10 minute mask, huh? Ok then, game on!

And finally, the hair detangler: this one is from Philip B, and it’s the PH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist. Now, unlike the hair spray above, I can ALWAYS use a detangler. Lord knows my hair can knot up in a matter of seconds when I’m picking it out. It smells like the apple cider vinegar it contains, but that’s not so bad. As I’m doing my weekly wash, I’ll be adding this in to see how it stands up to this natural hair.

And there you have it! Two months worth of Glossybox goodness, and only one product I can’t really use. Not bad at all!

Tomorrow: a new Nail Adventure…and I’m going into uncharted territory. Are you ready?

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New Goodies Part 2: April Glossybox

Now, I know. I need more makeup and skincare products like I need a hole in my head…but I have resisted the siren call of Glossybox long enough!

I couldn’t decide if I wanted it, and went back and forth over if it was worth it. I have quite an arsenal of products as it is from working so long in the industry (and being a beauty junkie as well, naturally!)

But hey, it never hurts to try out some new things, right?

So, I finally placed my order and waited anxiously for it to arrive. I hoped I would be happy.

First, let’s discuss how beautiful the packaging is. It’s like you’re getting a lovely gift!

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Fancy, right? So pretty! And the goodies:

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So, you get 5 goodies in your Glossybox, and most of them are full sized. I got a Ciate paint pot in Beach Hut, LaSplash Eye Shadow Primer, a Bellapierre lip gloss in Vanilla Kiss, a Caldrea body wash in Coconut Fig Leaf, and a body creme from Aqua Spa in Lavender Chamomile.

I’ve spoken about Ciate products before, and I love their kits. This polish is a pretty, shimmery orange. It’s pretty sheer, but glossy (see what I did there? ;D ) This swatch is three coats of color, no top coat:

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Lovely for summer (It’s spring, but I don’t know that the weather is aware as yet…)

The body wash and body creme smells so good! OMG! That is a long weekend kind of body wash; one where you linger in the shower for a while and enjoy the aroma wafting about. The body creme is one where you relax and massage it in (as opposed to slapping it on quickly ’cause you’re about to be late. Not that I know anything about that.)

I haven’t used the shadow primer, but I notice that, in putting a bit on my hand, that it’s sticky. The info card says it’s good for glitter, so I’ll have to remember that when I’m doing a glitter heavy eye look.

The lip gloss I wore in last week’s Update post:

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It’s a lovely neutral, not too glossy, but still moisturizing. Very good with bright eye looks that even a too pink gloss could detract from. It looks a bit similar to Kitten from Stila on me, but Kitten is way more gold (That’s what I wore for my birthday look.)

I have to admit, Glossybox was worth it. Can’t wait to see what May brings!

Makeup Looks Reviews
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Fatshion Friday: Gearing Up For My Birthday!

If you’re following me on Instagram, then you saw me post this picture of my crafting space last night:

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My crafting space being an extra chair I place in front of the TV. 🙂 Glass of wine optional.

So, this jumble of things I had spread about is a part of my latest Darby Smart purchase. I am slowly building the outfit for my birthday dinner (dress coming soon!), and I wanted to make the accessories myself.

You’ve already seen the bag I’ll be carrying that night.

So, what was that jumble of stuff I posted?

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I made a cuff!

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Here’s a couple of super huge pics to show the detail. There are a couple of spikes on it!

The cuff is a mix of blue, purple, green, and pink rhinestones to go with the colors in my dress.

Yes, I do love rainbow things. It’s an offshoot of having to wear black to work every day–I want to wear all of the sparkly, obnoxiously colorful things on days I have off just to remember it exists. I tend to go over the top on off days, unless it happens to be cleaning day. Then I’m in colorful sweats instead.

Anyway.

The kit comes with two cuffs from Jewelmint (they have some really pretty baubles!), a bag of rhinestones in all of the colors you can think of, a small bag of spikes, adhesive, and a sponge brush to apply the adhesive with. So much fun! The cuff can be a bit small on a larger wrist (it just fits me perfectly, for example, and I have large arms) so this may not fit larger arms. I do hope they’ll consider making larger cuffs so that crafters of all sizes can get in on the fun (and I left them a message on the product page saying so!)

The final personal touch to my birthday outfit? I need something for my hair. That’s coming next Friday! 🙂

Crafting
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Getting Crafty Part Two: Blue Champagne Flutes

Last week I shared with all of you the awesomeness that is Darby Smart. I also mentioned I purchased two boxes from them.

So, not only can you do wearable art, you can do housewares!

What do I mean?

The second box was a kit to design my own champagne flutes.

Now, for Black Friday I got some wine glasses, but you’re not supposed to sip champagne out of those (ok, you could, but it might not be the best idea.) So I figured it would be a good idea to have a set of flutes for company.

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So, here’s what comes in the box: You get four flutes, a tube of sparkly paint in your color of choice (gold is also available), and a direction card. The design is to put little dots of sparkle around the base of each flute.

Now, y’all know I didn’t follow that direction, right?

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Ok, not completely, anyway. Bottom right is closest to the original design, but I did wavy dots, fanned dots, and stars as well. The star one is my favorite. I like a set of glasses that obviously go together, but don’t have to match perfectly. So much fun, and quick to boot! I was finished with this in about 30 minutes or so.

I need more crafts to do. So glad it’s almost payday!

Crafting
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Fatshion Friday: Getting Crafty

I am someone who almost always has to alter her clothes. I’ll convert long sleeves into cap sleeves and raise or lower a hemline to make a piece work.

Last night, I actually took a piece from start to finish.

Darby Smart is a company that, like Birchbox or Ipsy, has a subscription service where you can create…well, anything really. Some of their past boxes included a light up sign and cupcake toppers.

I happened to browse their site a couple of weeks ago and picked up a couple of boxes (you can get boxes without the subscription) to try. One of them was for a clear clutch.

I’ve been seeing clear, sparkly clutches a lot, but they were either a) not my style or b) way too expensive. But, for $39, I could create my own.

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So, the kit came with the clutch, adhesive, a strap, Swarovski crystals, and a sponge applicator. I purchased the studs as an add-on, just because I wanted a combo of tough and glitter. Putting together my design was fun; like playing a combo of Bejeweled and Tetris. Here’s the result:

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This project was so much fun! I did all of the crystals on the front so as to minimize the risk of them catching on whatever fabric I was wearing, and did studs across the top and sides. I have to let this dry for 24 hours, so I have time to plan an outfit to wear this with.

I have one more box to craft, but I am already looking for yet another project to do. The wood burning kit is calling my name!

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