Enter to win a new iPad AND all 80 + Julep Nail Colors!
Tags: Enter to Win, iPad Giveaway, Julep Maven, Nail Polish
Apple Takeover
17 MayI do believe the Apple takeover of my life has reached its apex. Yesterday I picked up my new Apple MacBook Pro!
This completes my Apple trio (iPhone, iPad, MacBook). I’m a first time Mac user (if you don’t count the Macintosh computers I used in grade school to learn to type on). I’m most excited about the new (newish) iCloud features. I can take a photo on my iPhone and upload it to a blog post on my MacBook or my iPad almost immediately. No cables required! I think Apple had bloggers in mind when they thought of that :-)
Introduction to Julep Maven
11 MayMy new fascination with monthly subscription services brought me to Julep Maven. I couldn’t resist the chance to try out my first month for just $0.01 (using the code PENNY at check out)!
I took the survey and was categorized as “Boho Glam.” I was presently surprised at how quickly I received my introductory shipment (in all fairness I live in Oregon and the boxes ship from Seatle, WA).
The packaging was cute and included a set of toe separators. The polish was shipped in bubble wrap which I appreciate.
The package included a travel sized tube of The Best Pedi Cream Ever! and two colors of polish:
Annette “Subtle, dove grey. Ultra-chic as a manicure.”
and
Jodie “Deep rose with a golden shimmer.”
In trying the two colors of polish I found that I wasn’t a huge fan of Annette. Perhaps it would look better as an accent color or part of a French tip manicure.
I did like Jodie. It’s a tad traditional but I appreciate the subtle shimmer. It’s also less flashy than a traditional red. The perfect color for a job interview or a particularly conservative office setting (not that I find myself in these situations very often).
I did have some fun painting Jodie over Annette. I found the off-white base gave Jodie a deeper, richer hue. Overall, the introductory box was a fantastic value (it was practically free after all). I’ll need to wait and see what the June boxes look like before I decide whether or not to continue the service. Luckily you can opt out on a month-to-month basis. They also give you an opportunity to choose a different style box (In addition to Boho Glam they also offer Bombshell, It Girl, American Beauty, etc.). For $19.99 per month it will only be worth my while if they are offering colors I really want. Only time will tell…
Are you a Julep Maven? Would you recommend it?
Tags: Boho Glam, Intro Box, Julep, Julep Maven, May 2012
Jen Lancaster
10 MayLast night I attended my first book reading. Fortunately the author was none other than my favorite female (or male for that matter) memoirist, Jennifer Lancaster! She is currently on tour promoting her newest memoire Jeneration X: One Reluctant Adult’s Attempt to Unarrest Her Arrested Development, or Why It’s Never Too Late for Her Dumb Ass to Learn Why Froot Loops Are Not for Dinner.
Having never been to one of these events, I was, of course, nervous and socially anxious. My anxiety quieted down after I found a seat, complete with a “cheat sheet” for the evening. I wholeheartedly thank you, Barnes & Noble!
After I purchased my book (20% off!), I prepared for the long wait. Fortunately for everyone Jen arrived a solid 15 minutes early. She was so sweet; she started an “unofficial” Q&A with the audience. We found out that one of her cats had successfully peed on all of her bras, unbeknownst to her, prior to her departure. I guess she spent the evening having a bra washing party in her hotel. I think a great deal of why I like her is because I can see myself getting into similar situations to the ones she writes about (or talks about).
For the reading, she read her favorite chapter of her new book. The chapter, titled “Role Models” is a basically reflection on her choice to remain child-free. The great thing about it is that this reflection largely takes place in a Whole Foods in suburban Chicago (or as she calls it: “the tenth circle of Hell”).
Her reading had the audience in stitches. I already know how much I’m going to enjoy this book but after hearing this excerpt, I’m even more excited to read the whole thing.
Following another “official” Q&A, featuring her husband’s tendency to make projects harder than they need to be, tales of Ambien nights, and her opinion on 50 Shades of Grey (I believe the word “joyless” was used), Jen got to the signing! Luckily I was fairly close to the front of the line.
Here we are together
Bad hair day for me… I just love her style though! Ray Bans, Lacoste polo, Burberry scarf… Totes adorbs!
Here she is… Clearly riveted by whatever it is I was saying (it was all a blur)
All I can think about it how much I need a hair cut!
In summation, I absolutely love Jen Lancaster. I highly recommend her books! If you like to laugh you’ll love her too!
Tags: Books, Jen Lancaster, Jeneration X
May Birchbox
9 MayUPDATE: 5/10, Tried the BB cream! Scroll down for review.
My first Birchbox arrived yesterday! I’m very excited to be a subscriber because I’ve heard so many good things. So far, I’m not disappointed.
First off, the packaging is lovely. It may be a little excessive, especially in terms of conservation, but the colors made the box really “pop” and the excessive tissue made everything feel very luxurious.
I received one of the “Chic Sunday Brunch” boxes. Honestly, I’m not a watcher of Gossip Girl, but I appreciating the attempt to create an ambiance within the box.
I’ll begin with the items I wasn’t as excited about (which is actually not as harsh as it sounds because I’m excited about everything):
-The “freebie” this month was a notecard. I enjoy the correspondence style cards (not folded) however I typically like my cards to match their envelopes. The solid red back of the card clashed with the hot pink envelope provided. Not a big deal but I could feel the OCD inside me cringe a bit.
-I don’t use a lot of makeup brushes so I don’t have much cause to use a makeup cleanser like blendercleanser. I did a little digging and my interest in the beautyblender sponge has been peaked. The sponge gets generally good reviews but is a little spendy at $19.99 (especially for someone who buys cheapie wedge sponges from Walgreens). I’m looking forward to trying the cleanser but I can’t foresee a need in the near future.
-I have to admit, the twistband headband seemed like a bit of a toss away item at first glance. When I put it on I was completely won over. It was simple, comfortable, and stayed in place. I was also pleasantly surprised that I received two headbands (same color, raspberry?). For $4 each (on the twistband site) I would definitely get a few in some more neutral colors. I don’t exactly have much cause to wear hot pink but I’m confident I can find a reason.
-I’m a big fan of BB cream. Birchbox described it as the “Swiss Army Knife of your beauty lineup,” and I have to agree. I’m excited to give Dr. Jart+ a try! UPDATED: I tried the BB cream this morning and I LOVE it! Unfortunately there was barely enough in the tube to cover my face. It went on smooth and gave my skin a nice even tone without looking fake. I applied it over my regular moisturizer and sealed it with a translucent loose powder. I usually use Garnier BB cream but the Dr. Jart+ was much less greasy… I contemplated using the powder at all. I may even be able to convince myself to spend the $32 for a full size.
-I was most excited by the Color Club nail polish in Pure Disco. I’m a big fan of metallics and this does not disappoint. When applied, it gave full coverage in one coat and dried quickly. I’ve been wearing it all day and haven’t seen any chipping, even without a top coat. The color is fantastic; it’s subtle enough to avoid being flashy but picks up a nice sparkle in the light. It would be well work the $8 retail price.
Overall I’m very pleased with my first Birchbox experience! I would highly recommend Birchbox to beauty enthusiasts of all varieties!
Are you a subscriber? Which of the 19 May Birchboxes did you get?
