Birchbox August 2015: Soak It Up!

*Referral Link Included

Hi Friends!  Even thought it's late, I wanted to hop on and share what I got in my August Birchbox, because I like it so much, starting with the cute box!  It's a swimming pool, fun for the end of summer, isn't it?

Most importantly, this month the box was an overall hit with just one miss, I think it might be the one I self selected - spoiler alert, it was the Coola product.

RUSK® Volumizing Mousse - Full Size 8 oz., $18:  I haven't used mousse in awhile, but this one worked surprisingly well.  I have naturally way hair and on humid summer days it just isn't worth the hassle of trying to straighten it out.  I liked how this gave me hold without crunchiness and leaving my hair with a wet look once dry.

Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer - Full Size, $20: I used this moisturizer at night, as it doesn't contain SPF.  Instead, it has antioxidants and humectants to hydrate and revitalize skin, and Birchbox mentions that it's helpful with minimizing how travel can affect your complexion.  I happened to go away for a quick overnight trip to Chicago so beyond using at night, I also tried it for intense treatment, sort of like a mask.  I liked both uses, as it has a light formula and clean scent.  I think it's perfect for summer, but I probably need something heavier for winter.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil, Full Size: &25.95: This brand is a favorite of mine, love their shampoo & conditioner.  I was really looking forward to their foray into the hair oil field and it did not disappoint!  It has the same light and slightly sweet scent as their other products and works great as to protect before heat styling or as a finishing product.  Only a few drops are needed per use so this sample will last me at least a full month.

LAQA & Co. Charm School Kit - Full Size Set of 3 with Clutch $20:  All subscribers got one of the three shades in this set of lip and cheek crayons.  At first glance it's a nicely sized sample, but upon rolling it up, it's really only half a inch or so of product.  That was a bit of a bummer, but the larger sized container does make it easier to apply than if they'd sent a bitty one.

I received the shade Humble Brag and I love the color.  It is a really lovely and flattering neutral, kind of a your lips but better shade on me.  It's great for and everyday color, so I'm bummed that the sample wasn't bigger.  I would consider purchasing this shade in a full size, but Birchbox only carries it in sets and I know I wouldn't use the other ones.  I'd also have to carefully research how big the full size actually is, because no way would I pay full price for a half inch lip crayon!

COOLA® SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray, Full Size $36: This was my self selected product, chosen because I really like the other COOLA products I've tried.  Unfortunately, I didn't like the texture of this finishing spray.  It felt kind of sticky, not pleasant on the skin when it's already hot and humid!  I'm still really glad I got this, as I was super curious about it!  Nice I could try it and get several uses without having to purchase.

If you'd like to join me as a Birchbox subscriber, please consider using my referral link.  Thanks!

Toy Story That Time Forgot on Blu-ray, Digital HD and DMA November 3rd‏

Mark your calendars!  TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT will be out this fall on November 3rd.  I know this is a bit early but we just love Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang around here so we're extra excited.  My four year old son really loves Buzz!

In this new Disney•Pixar's animated adventure  Join Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang for an unforgettable tale packed with family fun and a must-have for every Pixar fan’s collection! During one of Bonnie's post-Christmas play dates, the “Toy Story” crew find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to ever return to Bonnie's room.


Available for the First Time on Blu-ray™, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on November 3rd.  Will you be picking this one up to add to your collection, we will!

Back for the Summer: Nestlé® Crunch® Girl Scout Candy Bars! Featuring Our Thin Mints® Taste Test

*Samples Provided

I have something really delicious to share with you today! These limited edition Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars in Thin Mints® arrived for us to try last week and we can confirm they are absolutely scrumptious!  Not only us, but also my troop of Brownie Girl Scouts, agree they get two big thumbs up and are a not to be missed treat of the summer.

Our stock of Girl Scout cookies has been long eaten up, including the packages of Thin Mints we had horded in the freezer.  Happily, we don't have to wait until cookie time to enjoy my personal favorite out of all the Girl Scout Cookie flavors.  Shown above and below are the single bars, each with a suggested $0.99 MSRP.

Back for the summer only, these limited edition candy bars are the perfect pairing of chocolate and mint.  Inside each candy bar package are two fun sized bars.

They may be little but a ton of flavor is packed inside.  I "gasp" might like these even better than the original cookie because each bar is like eating an extra thick cookie for even more intense minty chocolate goodness.  Seriously - yum!

If you have a crowd to share with, or if you want to have extra on hand for yourself, try these fun-sized bars in a new take home bag ($3.49 MSRP).

My Brownie Girl Scouts snacked on these when we went as a troop to paint pottery together.  The girls loved them; we ate the entire bag!

Hey look, my mani even coordinated with this review!  Bottom line, we love the combination of the Thin Mints flavors with the Nestlé® Crunch® airy crispies that give each bar a satisfying bit of crunch.  Delicious and refreshing at the same time, the combination of chocolate and mint is perfection.

Inspired by the three most popular flavors of Girl Scout cookies, there are three limited-edition varieties available this summer:

• Thin Mints®– Dark chocolate cookie wafers and mint chocolate crème, topped with airy crispies and a rich, dark chocolatey coating
• Caramel & Coconut – Cookie wafers layered with coconut caramel crème and chewy caramel, topped with toasted coconut and drizzled with caramel stripes
• Peanut Butter Crème – Cookie wafers layered with smooth peanut butter crème, topped with airy crispies and a creamy, chocolatey coating

But hurry, these yummy treats are only available through September, and when they're gone...they're gone!  Find them nationwide, wherever candy bars are sold!



Disclosure: these complimentary PR samples were provided for review, but I only accept review items I believe are a good fit for both my family and readership.  This is an unbiased review and shares our personal experience with this product.  Yours may differ.  

***I have been a Girl Scout troop leader for four years and support the Girl Scouts of the USA's belief in the power of every girl and mission of building girls of confidence, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.  

While these limited edition products are produced under license from the Girl Scouts of the USA this in no way affects my opinion of the products. 

Last Nail Files: Zoya & Sinful Colors

Hello Polish Enthusiasts!  This week's mani is a homage to my son, who specifically requested Mommy wear more green polish.  That's his favorite color because the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are his very favorite thing, especially Leonardo!

Green is not really my thing, so it's only by luck that I had a bottle of Zoya's Tilda.  I spied it at one of Ulta's clearance sales for $1.97 which was too good of a deal to pass up.  My daughter picked out Sinful Color's Call You Later a couple weeks ago and the two paired really nice together.  They'll be perfect for St. Patrick's Day too.


I'm sad to share that it's the last weekly link up over at Jennie's {insert sad face here}.  I only recently got it together enough to have something to share on a sort of regular basis but have enjoyed seeing the other ladies work each week.  Plus it's nice to connect with others that can understand how the perfect new shade of polish can make the heart beat faster ♥.