April Birchbox!

My April Birchbox literally just came in the mail! I opened it up and took pictures right away because I was just looking forward to posting about it! This month's Birchbox is all about natural products and I love that. I've really been trying to start using products that have less of the chemicals and are just more healthy and natural.

First item, is the skincare sampler by Befine. I've always wanted to try their stuff and lucky me now I can. They give you 5 huge samples of the products in that box you see above. Like as big as my hand, which is incredible because usually we're stuck with some dinky little packet. There are 3 packets of the Exfoliating Cleanser with brown sugar, sweet almond, and oats. Just the name sounds so yummy and good for you! Then there are two packets of the Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 and rosemary, pomegranate and rice.

They are both paraben free, have vegetarian proteins and have allergen free fragrance (which is great for my sensitivity to perfumes!)

Next, in the box which was considered a beauty extra was the Yes To Bluberries Brightening Facial Towelettes. I've been using face wipes for a couple of months now on and off between make-up remover. It is a lot more convenient when I stay out at night. Yes To has been another brand I've wanted to try, and while I'm not crazy about blueberries, maybe these will change my mind :)

Again, it is an amazing sample, it is a travel size and gives you 8 wipes. It is paraben-free and contains 99% natural products.

Lastly, in the nice wrapped part of the box, there were three items: Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift, Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder by Lulu Organics, and finally a nail polish by Zoya's TRUE Spring Collection.

I think I need to get used to the fragrance by Taylor Swift, it's a little too girlie, if that makes sense. I like more musky and deep scents. However, I think eventually I'll like it. The hair powder seems interesting, I love lavender so hopefully it works out. I do break the hair washing rule, I just cannot go without washing my hair. So we'll see! Finally, the polish looks more blue in the picture but its more of a deep blue/green. It's like teal if it were a pastel teal...with grey in it. It's gorgeous though and I don't have anything like it.

Hope you enjoyed! I'll update when I actually get to try some of it!

Haul/Review

Recently, I needed to go get some things for Spring/Summer. A lot of my old shorts and bras needed to be tossed out so I bought a bunch of stuff. I mostly got everything from Aerie but I'm including some random items I bought and some shoes! So from Aerie, I bought 4 bras, but that's all ya really need to know ;) I also got 5 pairs of shorts (all different colors)

Then I ended up buying some t-shirts. They are so unbelievably comfy and I love the colors. I already know I'll be getting some more colors soon. What I like is they match the shorts, but I wouldn't go monochromatic with them. I like mixing colors.

I also picked up two plain tube tops in green and black, and then a nicer strapless top.

Then I ended up going to Target and JCPenney's and got some things from there. From Target I picked up an Eos shave cream in Pomegranate-Raspberry. I also recently picked up a lip balm from Eos in Summer Fruit, I'm addicted! The Essie nail polish were calling my name and I got two blues - Beach Bum Blue and Aruba Blue. I love these two colors!

 I did have one major regret from Target, and it was a product I thought I was going to really enjoy. I tried the Garnier BB Cream in Medium/Deep. While I am lighter, I had read reviews that lighter girls were using it to get color and it worked well. I don't know what they were doing, but it was like 5 shades too dark for me, so it immediately came off. However, in the 1 minute I had it on my skin, I developed a terrible allergic reaction to it. So bad that I tried it on Monday of this week and now on Friday evening, I still have the itching and hives. Needless to say, that is being returned and never bought again.

Finally, for shoes :) I got three pairs from JCPenney's, a pair of slip on shoes and two pairs of sandals. In total they cost $85 which is actually a great deal considering how expensive some shoes can be.

 So that's my haul/review for now, I am really happy (for the most part) with what I got, and I look forward to trying it all out :)

Surprise! I'm baaack...

Well, well, well, we meet again old friend. Okay so yes, I've taken a long break from this but I'm back and ready to roll. There have been a bunch of things happening so I will do a recap.

First of all, I'd like to mention that I'm dying for the umpteenth time this year. I tried a new foundation on Monday and I instantly broke out in hives and redness. It is Wednesday night and I'm still broken out and itchy as itchy could be. I honestly would rather be in pain right now, than itchy, the problem is that it is everywhere. Ears, face, neck, legs, back, eyes and yeah you get the picture.

Other than dying a slow and itchy death, I've been hard at work trying to get this semester done and over with. There is 10 more days and I will have a month off before Summer classes...boo. However, that means I only have 8 classes left in my degree!

In other school related news, I found my ultimate dream masters program. It also happens to be at my dream school: NYU. The program is a joint MA in International Politics and Journalism...um can you say AMAZING?!? I would absolutely die if I could get into that program. However, I'm still a ways away from that :(

I had my 2nd interview on the 3rd with Public Allies! It went really well, I was happy with it even if it was a 3 hour group interview. Major downside? I have to wait until the end of May to hear anything...

Work is work and now that it is nicer out it seems as though it is getting a little more crazy. I think end of the school year fever is starting to affect the children. But there really is no blaming them, we all are starting to feel that way.

Things haven't been going amazing lately, we've been getting some not so good news on the health front as far as my family goes. My dad is having major issues with his back, and my mom needs surgery again eventually. My shoulder is still not where it should be either which is pretty disappointing. My family goes through hell, but we manage to keep together either way, and I'm thankful for that.

I have had a lot on my mind lately, and I feel like I need to come back and write again. Even if it has nothing to do with what is going on, writing is therapeutic. It helps me forget things and it helps me focus too. Sometimes, all you want to do is talk to that one person but it is just a whole lot easier to talk to a blank page or screen. It isn't as intimidating, at least for me. It is a fresh start in a world where that rarely ever happens...

My first Birchbox!

So I could not help myself and a few weeks ago I bought a yearlong subscription to Birchbox. If you don't know, it is a monthly subscription service where for ten dollars a month the company sends you five to six beauty samples.

The samples range from makeup to hair care to skin care to tools and even lifestyle products. I think this is genius. There are now a ton of these companies out there but I just adore Birchbox personally. The great thing is if you fall in love with anything you can buy the full size on the website!

So my Birchbox had five items: 
the Ahava Essential Day Moisturizer, normal to dry

 I haven't tried this yet because I'm trying to get rid of all the moisturizers I already have, but on my hand it felt so light and yet moisturized.

 Eau d'Hadrien by Annick Goutal

 The downer about this it it doesn't have a spray, it has a wand you apply it with. It isn't my favorite scent but it isn't that bad. It was inspired by Tuscan citrus groves.

Color Club nail polish in Jackie Oh!

 I've never owned a neon polish in my life, so I was happy to see this. While I'm not the biggest pink fan in the world, I really do love this color, and the name is awesome.

 the Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser

 I have always been intrigued by Juice Beauty because I love really healthy product lines, so I can't wait to try this, plus with the warmer weather I've been sweating more and breaking out a little more so this is just in time.

 the Kerastase Elixir Ultime

 I usually hate putting any product in my hair, I don't blow dry it I don't style it or anything. (I'm lucky and don't really need to.) However, I tried this, and it was amazing, my hair wasn't greasy and it smells wonderful. It softened my hair and I will certainly use it again.

and finally Tea Forte teas.

I love tea. I haven't had too many kinds of it but I'll try anything once. I'm skeptical with the first one, only because I hate cherry. It is the one thing I depise. However, we'll see :)

I think Birchbox was a true success, and I reccomend it for anyone who wants to just treat themselves. I know personally, samples usually last me a long time, so it is worth it. Plus you get points for doing reviews on the website and 110 points = $10 (which I got for buying the year subscription instead of monthly). Plus there are so many items in the shop that if you didn't want to wait to try something you could just go for it!

All photos taken by me.

Political Round-up Craziness

I have been absent from the blog for a while and I apologize school has overtaken any free time I might have, plus I am desperately trying to find moments to sleep and reduce the large deficit I have :)

However, a lot has been happening in the media/political world and it has gotten a little weird.

First up, that beautiful man George Clooney got arrested, with his father no less. What endears Mr. Clooney is that he was leading a protest at the Sudanese embassy in Washington D.C. Well done sir, you have just made yourself all that more appealing to women. Now that is how you get arrested!

Photo credit: Washington Post


My mother just informed me that Mitt Romney spouted some more nonsense today. While that as a whole does not surprise me in the least bit, what he said gave me a laugh. He said that when he becomes President, he will get rid of Planned Parenthood and Obamacare. Okay, so you are going to get rid of an organization that according to their 2009-2010 annual report, administered over 11 million different services? Need I remind you that abortion is not their only service? Included in the 11 million was: STI/STD testing for men and women, contraception (including sterilization for women and vasectomies for men), 6 different types of cancer screenings, pregnancy tests and prenatal services, and finally adoption referrals and family services.

Not to mention for many, Planned Parenthood is their only source of health care! Which is why it blows my mind that he wants to do this. Why mess with a good thing? Because you don't believe in the pill and abortion? Politicians need to stop toying with people's health and lives because of their opinions. It is getting to a dangerous standpoint.

This week, my boyfriend and I eagerly watched the new movie "Game Change". Let me tell you, there were some things I was not expecting. As a whole the movie was pretty good, it had a lot of dramatics and generally stayed true to what the media was saying about McCain's campaign. Except that was sort of the problem. They took what the media played up most about Palin and exaggerated it. They made Sarah Palin look like a total bitch. She was mean and downright nasty in the movie. Which okay, even if she was in real life, I never heard about it before this movie.

 Photo credit: IMDB.com

The thing that bothered me the most, was how dumb Palin was in the movie. Now, I know that even I knew more about politics than this woman, but did she really not know what the Federal Reserve was? How could she have become Governor of Alaska without knowing that? Better question: How did she graduate high school or even middle school without knowing that? It only bothers me that she was portrayed that way because I am seriously afraid that it was truth and she really was that ignorant. 

The only other thing I'll add is this: Woody Harrelson gave a great performance, I continue to be impressed by him. Ed Harris was also pretty good, but McCain in the movie does raise some questions about what the real McCain was really like too.

Finally, the last thing I'm going to hit on today is too good to be true. But the best part is it is true. The founder of Invisible Children, Jason Russell went nutso and was arrested today, for get this, masturbating in public, damaging cars, and being drunk in public. There is a video on TMZ of him naked just flipping his shit on a sidewalk...really weird.

Photo credit: Reuters

Oh Friday

Oh Friday, how you are so anticipated...

I am glad Friday is here, it means for the next two days I don't have to wake up at 5:45 am! I've been busy this week just trying to get through work and school. Sometimes, even when you do not have a ton to do, you still somehow find yourself busy.

The stress is definitely high for me right now, it usually is around the start of March. I have always been doing the musical at this time and I'm usually freaking out about how unprepared we are. I won't lie, I am very nervous for this show. Things should be a lot more progressed right now. Kids still don't know dances, they obviously haven't been practicing, and I just don't know...yikes.

I know it usually comes together in the end, but I just can't shake this uneasy feeling. The worst of it is that I really think that this year is my last. I cannot believe I won't be helping with the show anymore, it makes me really sad. I've gotten so much out of doing the show and working with Mrs. Goldin. She has been a second mother to me, and has always been supportive. No matter how much I get stressed or upset, I have been doing something I love for the last 11 years, and I could not be more thankful for that.

I've played catch up on school, so hopefully this weekend will be pretty easy. I just want to not have to be buried in my textbooks all weekend. Then again that is the life of a college student.

Friday Favorites

This week was so different from the one before. I hate when I go from one week with nothing to do, to a week that is jammed packed. I'm exhausted! So I have bunch of favorites this week, so let's just jump in!

Black Nail Polish: I don't know why but I love when I paint my nails black. Especially when my nails are a little longer, I think it looks so great.

Revlon Lip Butter in Creamiscle: This is by far one of the most perfect pink-nude colors I've ever seen. I cannot say enough good things about it. Plus it is a lip butter, and with the cold weather it is nice to have something with color that still has moisture in it.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes: I know that I have three already and I did a post on them but I cracked and bought two more haha number 30 which is Candy Coral and number 40 which is Pink Plum. I have all but 2 now...wow.

"Turn Me On" by David Guetta with Nicki Minaj: Just such a great song. Totally gets you pumped up, although the music video is a little creepy...plastic mannequins running around? No thank you :)

Netflix: Shaun bought Netflix on his Xbox and it's literally all we watch when we don't have one of our shows on. We've watched a lot of 30 Rock, Arrested Development, and Family Guy. It's awesome.

Juicy Juice in Berry: I know this is a weird one, but I've been really liking this lately! I very very rarely will ever drink something other than water, and I just needed something different. So yummy :) Plus, it makes me feel like a kid again haha

Last but not least, I have to say one of my top favorites this week was Jenna Marble's new video. It is called "Things girls don't understand about boys", and it is hysterical. It is a must watch.

And on that note, have a great weekend everyone!