FabFitFun Summer 2019 Unboxing

You know I love FabFitFun, so when this summer's box arrived, I had to share it! Plus, I am on a video making rampage (I promise to mix it up with a photo-filled blog post soon).

Summer Box

Sutra Professional Mini Travel Blow Dryer Soft Touch Marble

West Elm Indigo Tie-Dye Bowls

Coola Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray
Mystery Item- Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Cleansing Oil

Jennifer Zeuner Star Double Necklace

Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask

Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask

Grace & Stella Rose Facial Spray

Invisibobble Original Duo Pack 

Add Ons

EIR NYC Post Session Salts

Curie White Tea Natural Deodorant

ESYM Lavender Roll On

Cuccio Somatology Yogahhh! Cooling + Cleansing Active Wipes

Ettika Ear Candy Set of 4 Earrings

What was your favorite item this season?

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FabFitFun Summer 2018

Hello Summer! Technically, not yet, but the weather sure is feeling like it! I'm ready for beach days and long nights with fun, food, & friends. This season's FabFitFun box is perfect for the occasion. It's also packed with beauty products, which as a beauty aficionado, is my cup of tea.

My beach towels were looking a bit scruffy, so I was stoked to pick out the Summer & Rose Beach Towel. I went with the minty palm print. It's a super soft microfiber material and HUGE! I can't wait to bring it to the beach. Or maybe just snuggle up with it as a blanket. This month's box also stocked me up on several large bottles of skincare. I am set with exfoliators-both a physical scrubby formula with Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator and a new chemical peel mask, Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. I have tried the Vasanti product in previous sub boxes and love it! For my next pick, I chose Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel. I love using this after a yoga sesh. It has a peppery scent. A summer box wouldn't be complete with some SPF. I love Coola's formula and am excited to have fresh tube of  COOLA Face Sport SPF 50 White Tea Moisturizer for sun protection. For make-up, you couldn't go wrong with tarte! I received the tarte tarteist PRO glow highlight & contour palette. Really excited to play around with that, once I bring myself to take the first swipe. My marble, rose-gold obsession knows no bounds, so this Pier 1 Imports Marble Ring Dish is perfection. I have been using it for my make-up sponges. Finally, the wow-item of the box, FOREO LUNA fofo. I have been getting more into beauty gadgets lately, but with the cost point, it always seems like you have to really research before you make that investment. I have been seeing the Foreo devices around and am so happy to finally own one. The silicon bristles are gentle for cleansing the skin. It also has an app and sensors on the back to measure skin moisture-I'm not 100% sold on the accuracy of that, but it is fun to try out. 

I have really become sold on FabFitFun! I've recommended it to all my friends and got my mom a subscription for her birthday. I've only experienced great value and actually trendy products. If you want $10 off your first box, click my referral link here.

Do you subscribe to FabFitFun? What products did you get in this month's box?

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Birchbox | August 2017

My August Birchbox arrived! I loved the summer sunset design, so I had to bring back the nail art. I have matched my mani to my box a few times- (The first time here; and here; and here) I can't believe that was two years ago! Anyway, back to 2017, here's the box & the nails!

I picked the curated box this month. I love a good mask, and this one came with the pur-lisse Blue Lotus Seed Mud Mask and a hair mask, Living proof Restore Mask Treatment. I also have had the amika Bombshell Blowout Spray and enjoyed it and the color of the Stila liquid lipstick looked gorgeous.

With that said, after 5 years of subscribing, I have canceled my subscription. I was tempted to when they had changed the point system but kept going to see if it would still "spark joy". And after a few months, sometime not even sharing the box, even on Instagram,  I realized it was time to try something else. I was just receiving too many of the same brands over and over again, and ones I couldn't use because of their stance on animal testing. That doesn't mean I'm done with monthly beauty boxes! I have decided to try out Petit Vour. It just seems to be a better fit for my beauty profile. I will still order from the Birchbox shop-they have a great mix of beauty and lifestyle products, promos and gifts with purchase, and I love their limited edition boxes. I am just ending the surprises.

Let me know what beauty subscription boxes are your favourite!

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Birchbox | July 2017

Hello again! I am trying to get back on the blogging wagon. I feel like summer is a time when schedules become a bit unpredictable and despite doing a lot of cool things, both beauty and life, it's hard to find the time to put the thoughts into words. Last night, I annotated a calendar to try to get myself organized with blog ideas.  I thought I'd start with sharing my July Birchbox with you before August rolls around.

Box Breakdown

Oribe Matte Waves Texture Lotion

Avene Cleanance Expert

Beautaniq Beauty Blush Serum in Sunrise

Bobbi Brown Beach Eau de Parfum

Marcelle 3-in-1 Micellar Gel Eye Makeup Remover

Overall, it looks like a very summery box befitting of the theme. I am always excited to test out new skincare, and it's cool that the blush almost doubles as skincare. Oribe has super luxe hair products, but I haven't tried anything in lotion form-just the black canister hair sprays. And of course, you can't get more summertime than Bobbi Brown's Beach.

What did you get in this month's BB?

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Camping in the Catskills

I have had a pretty low-key summer this year. We usually go to our hometown in Florida, but with our trip to Taiwan in the spring, we decided to spend the summer more locally. We went camping with a group of friends to the Catskills, just a couple of hours away from the city. It was the weekend before Preston's birthday, so I went with the theme and got him a hammock which I wrapped in woodland animal paper-of course!

[Trail Mix (teehee) & the cutest little inch worm]

[a little creek]

[no issues roasting these vegan marshmallows-yum]

[long, rocky hikes]

[with beautiful views]

[you had me at brunch]

It was a quick weekend trip, but it was a blast. It was great to get together with our city friends in the wilderness: cooking up campfire burgers and breakfast, playing board games, and hiking.

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The Weekend | 4th of July

We had a blast this fourth of July weekend. It was jam packed and left things a bit crazy for the following work week, but it was well worth it. Saturday we had brunch and a nice long walk to and from the farmers market. As for Sunday, we woke up early to head to Rockaway Beach. It was our first real visit to a New York City beach, and it wasn't as bad as our Floridian minds feared.

We had fun taking pictures, digging in the sand, and drinking straight from coconuts.

Monday night we climbed up our fire escape to watch fireworks from the roof. We used to be able to see several launch points, but the erection of overpriced condos is going strong on our block. Even so, I need more rooftop evenings in my life.

What were you up to last weekend?

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the best is yet to come.

Today is my birthday! I am now officially 25. It's funny how as a kid, 25 seems like such an old age and so far away. I am still a little in shock, but I have to say I am quite happy where I am and what I have accomplished so far. The best is yet to come.

I have had the best weekend celebrating with friends and my fam. Saturday night was filled with food and drinks and reminiscing on my favourite songs from ten years ago. Today, Preston fulfilled my whim of having a picnic in the park.

I received some amazing, thoughtful gifts too. My bestie, Vanessa, got me a voucher to DryBar. I am excited to go back and have some girl time! Redeeming it will be like a second birthday. Preston got me a new lens for my camera. We had a blast testing it out. I am obsessed with the crazy bokeh it can get. It's the 24mm Canon Pancake lens, if you are curious. He also picked me up some fall David's Teas and a grown-up colouring book. Score. I got myself a new bag. Because hey I am a grown-up, I can treat my self.

It's was pretty hot today, so we found ourselves a nice shady spot and sipped on some iced tea. My love of paper straws continues.

Of course, Preston had to climb up our shady tree.

I am looking forward to this upcoming year. I have a good feeling about it.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

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Birchbox | August 2015

I am going to have to rock some pool nail-art to match this fun August Birchbox! I think the theme is "Soak It Up!" I will be soaking up the last weeks of summer. I am so excited for fall though...

Box Breakdown

Juicy Couture I Am Juicy Couture

Coola SPF30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray

LAQA & Co. Cheeky Lip Cray Cray

IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer

Parlor by Jeff Chastain Smoothing Blowout Spray 

Birchbox is such a lovely monthly treat. I am always eager to open the cute box filled with little samples. This month I received a good mix of things. I think they do a great job curating. I am most excited about the Coola Makeup Setting Spray. I love Coola sunscreens and wanted to try this version. I am also having a moment with make-up setting sprays again, so it's nice to have another option. You can definitely tell it has sun protectant, so watch out for your eyes & nose. It dries quickly and not too chalky feeling, like sunscreen can. I keep getting perfume samples! I thought I opted for the reduced amount. I almost can't believe that Juicy is still releasing perfumes. This one is a bit too sweet for my taste, but if you like the candy/vanilla scents, give it a try. The IPKN Primer is super brightening. It almost looks opalescent on the skin. I haven't tried it under make-up yet-I am hoping it keeps the brightening in a natural way. I probably have way too many lip crayons, but how can I resist? This LAQA cheek and lip crayon has an oh-so appropriate name-Cray Cray-and is a pretty pinky peach shade. Finally, I received a sample of the blowout spray from Parlor, a brand exclusive to Birchbox. I love hair products, so I am excited to try this out-it smells amazing. 

What did you get in this month's Birchbox?

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Favourites | July Beauty

The weeks are just flying by! Well, I already had my summer vacation, so I am ready for fall! Too soon, too soon? Not for me. July was an exciting month. Preston turned 25 (ah!), I received an offer on a new job (yay!), I had to resign from my current one (eek!), and we went to our hometown in Florida. Luckily, I had a good arsenal of beauty products to keep me from looking too haggard. There is nothing like a 10-Day vacation to show you what your favourites are.

Nars Blame It on the Nars Blush Palette

Urban Decay De Slick Make-up Setting Spray

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo & Conditioner

DryBar Mai Tai Spritzer

DryBar The Chaser

Physician's Formula Cat Eye Mascara

Physician's Formula Eye Booster Liquid Liner 

Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette

it's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product

Bite Beauty Lip Duo Lignonberry & Tangerine

 So, I ordered the Nars blush palette in NYC and had it shipped to my Florida address. Yup, I am that much of a beauty addict. I have been using it every day since. I love the mini Ita brush to contour with Casino, and I have been mixing the two blush shades for a summery, yet everyday, shade. The UD Make-Up Setting Spray has been a must-have for the Florida (and NYC!) heat. I haven't repurchased in awhile, and now I wonder how I had gone without. I needed all the hair products I could get-salt water, pool water-it takes its toll. Some favourites were the Living Proof duo (these were perfect travel sizes), my recent DryBar minis (including the brush!), and it's a 10 leave-in, because that stuff is like magic. The Mai Tai Spritzer was great to have on vacation to livin' up second day hair and revamp a braid. For my classic winged liner look, I have been loving Physician's Formula Cat Eye Mascara and the Eye Booster Liquid Liner. I'm surprised I haven't tried the liner sooner- if you like pen applicators, you will love it (more on that to come!). To keep in the super summery frame of mind, I have been busting out the bold lip. This Bite Beauty Lip Duo is the best. I also have a neutral set too. It's great to have two options in such compact packaging. Both Lignonberry and Tangerine were perfect summer brights. Plus, it's $12-go get it!

What were your beauty favs this past month?

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