Indecision at Its BEST

Review: Julep Valentine's Day Mystery Box #6 and My first regular Julep Box "It Girl"

2012-02-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Mystery Box #6 (that was how my box was labeled)

Last week I received my first Julep Box "It Girl" and this week I received a Valentine's Mystery Box from Julep. As most monthly boxes go there is a regular fee that is charged in this case it is $19.99 a month (guarantee at least $40 products). When you sign up you take their style quiz to find out if you are a "It Girl", "American Beauty", Classic with a Twist, Boho Glam, and Bombshell. The colors and treatments in the box are new, never before released.

I found a code online that allowed me to get my first box for 1 cent plus tax (1.91). Not a bad way to start and a great way to try something new! A few days after I ordered, I received an email about the mystery box (guarantee of $60 to $200 of their best selling items) for $19.99 with a limited qty., - so I thought why not. I ordered it even before receiving my first box.

What an awesome way to get a whole bunch of stuff to try at once!!! Nothing like a little self pampering to make a girl feel good. Please note: I am not a girly girl at all but I am discovering that I like to have a little fun with color on my nails every once in awhile without going for a mani/pedi. And self care is important for everyone.

The It Girl had 3 polishes in it:
Oscar
Elizabeth
Rachel
Dark Chocolate

Polishes are generally $14 each so in this case my $1.91 bought me $42 of polish (even if I would have spent $19.99 according to their prices this is a deal). Do I think it was, no I don't think so. But I am sticking around for another box to see what I think.

I like the fact that they have a quiz and make a suggestion for which box might interest you most but you don't have to get that particular box as you can opt for a different themed box (see above for themes).

The colors are so brilliant from the burnt coppery Zoe to the deep purple of Elizabeth and well you can never go wrong with gold sparkles of Oscar especially on my toes. So fun!

I LOVED all three colors and I will use them all but since I don't use a lot of polish, I don't think I see it as a long term box for me. But if you are a nail girl then you might love this. This polish is much more expensive than what you can pick up at the local store but it goes on nice and so far is holding up well for me.

Valentine's Day Mystery Box #6

Julep Nail Therapy - $16.00
Julep Essential Cuticle Oil - $18.00
Glycolic Hand Scrub (3 fl oz) - $32.00
Glow On Age Defying Hand Brightener - $32.00
Pomegranate Body Scrub - $18.00
Gwen - $14.00
Blake - $14.00
Zoe - $14.00
1 Chocolate Heart & Little container of gold sparkles

I lucked out on this box!!! When you order a mystery box it is exactly that a mystery. They usually have several different types of boxes that are being sent out and I got a killer awesome box!

I Paid 19.99 for Mystery Box
Total Cost of Product $158 (not counting the last two products) - Saved a total of $138.01

WOW what an awesome deal and a great way to try so many different products. This mystery box is what is getting me to stick around for another month. There are several products that I would not have not have bought for myself and I am excited to try. I see a spa day in my future for my hands and tootsies.

Winter Container Garden - Snow Storm turned to Unexpected Ice Storm - Mid January 2012

2012-02-02T22:24:00.000-08:00

I am starting to think about my container garden. As a city dweller, we have to get creative with what outdoor space we have. Last month we had a snowstorm which is unusually in the part of the NW that I live in but it does happen about once a year. Well this snow storm was relentless and led to a very unexpected ice storm and my poor plants did not fair well.

"Ice Hair"

They seem to have defrosted and recovered but it started me thinking about this summer's container garden. This is my second full summer in my condo and my second year of container gardening. This process is trial and error. Some plants did well and some not so much. But regardless I had a very pretty deck full of green things and I did manage to get a few tasty pieces of "garden candy". Last year I tried growing several things. The peas grew great and I did manage to get a couple of strawberries and plenty of lettuce. The carrots I needed to start sooner as by the end of our short growing season I had very very tiny carrots and so I am starting to look for seeds and will start them growing inside this year. So now I scour the web and start refreshing my reading about gardens in the northwest and create a plan of action.

I am excited that it was still light outside after 4:30 today...the light is coming back which means spring and summer is around the corner. I can't wait for my garden to look like this again (My 2011 garden):

Eco Emi End of January 2012 Bonus Box

2012-02-01T21:35:00.001-08:00

My Eco Emi BONUS Box arrived Today....I was super excited as I wasn't sure if it would come today as it was at the sorting facility last night.

But I got home and the box fit in my Condo Mailbox just fine so I didn't even have to wait for the office to open to pick up the package. Score.

The first thing I noticed when I opened my mail box is that it smelled amazing!!!!

I had to keep myself from opening it right then and there. Wow!!! I couldn't believe the smells coming from the box and for such a little box it was packed full.

For a Bonus box it was wrapped beautiful. So many goodies (from body care, to food, to products that just make you feel good) that I can't wait to dig in and try them out. I included a list of what I received in the box below.

This was just a taste of what their normal boxes are like. Today, I was just able to sign up for a subscription. My first official box will come in March. After getting a glimpse of this service through the bonus box, I can hardly contain my excitement.

The Box included the following items:

Cute little Muslim Bag with silk screen of a old fashion key - Saving this for a future gift wrapping.

Big Dipper Wax Works - a yummy rejuvenation candle in a travel tin. I have seen these before but I haven't ever had one of my own. (price on website $5)

Lauren Brooke Cosmetics - Lip Moisturizer

Sample sizes

Gabriel Organics - Seaweed Revitalizing Bath and Shower Gel
Neuma - Several Samples (5) - Renew Shampoo, Renew Conditioner, Blow Dry Lotion, Smoothing Creme and Style Texturizer
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care - Blackthorn Body Wash
Artisana Raw Coconut Oil -
Herbaria Almond Spice Soap
Pangea Organics - Facial Mask Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai and Goji Berry
Hojicha Chai - Roasted Green Tea with spices
Zhena's Gypsy Tea - Peach Blossom oolong Tea
Verdura Botanica - Black Olive Bath Salts
Naturally It's Clean - Floors by Enzyme Fresh Home
VerMints - Cinnamint
Cute Soul Flower Card (May All Beings Everywhere be Happy and Free") with "Be Yourself Pin"- hanging this up in my office tomorrow!!!
Eden Organics - Small Vegetable Shells
Sheaterra Organics - Rose Hips Black Soap Facial wash and mask
J.R. Watkins - Hand and Body Lotion - Aloe and Green Tea

Teaching E to make a Pie -

2012-02-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

Last August, I took a class with my sister JB called "The Art of the Pie" - Imagine being welcomed into someone's home where on the table sits a beautiful pie. 4 hours later you leave no only with a pie in your hands that you made but with ways to walk through life - Chill out, Everything will be ok, breathe, it doesn't have to be exact etc. That was this class. I try to describe this class and words do not do it justice. You should just take it. But how I have spoken of it, imagine learning life lessons through pie!!! What a great medium to learn about yourself.

Two weeks ago a friend E was visiting and she wanted to make pie together. Nothing brings two friends together more than making pie. E knows how to make pies but said she was more frustrated with the process than enjoying the process.

I on the other hand had never taught anyone to make anything. I used it as a trial as a friend is visiting in a few weeks and would like me to teach her to make a few easy dinners for her and her family. I stress and I want things perfect and the one thing I have learned is no one is perfect and it might not turn out just as you hope/think but it will still taste good.

So the night before I prepped for a Lemon Shaker Pie by slicing meyer lemons and letting them sit at room temperature over night with sugar macerating.

The next morning before E arrived. I made my crust. I was nervous so I figured if I made the crust and got everything set then once she arrived I could roll it out and put together the Lemon Shaker Pie and then we could make her pie together. I am a visual person so I like to see and then do. So I had my two pie crust discs chillin in the fridge when she arrived. And I felt organized and ready to tackle this process in a cheerful fun way and it went well.

I put together my pie with her watching and us chatting away and catching up and interjecting little bits of pie information. Chill everything (bowel, pastry cloth). Once my pie went into the oven we started on hers. We decided to utilize the frozen blackberries and peaches I had from summer and make a Blackberry Peach pie. What an awesome combo and I highly recommend it. We laughed and talked our way through making the pie. While her crust was chillin and the fruit was defrosting a bit I pulled the Shaker Lemon Pie out of the oven. And it looked beautiful. At this point I was not sure if I would like the flavor or not as you cook the pie with the lemons and lemon peels.

I think the crazy a-ha moment was the pastry cloth (it was for me too folks) - Seriously the best $4 I EVER spent for my kitchen. Pastry clothes make the world go round and a pie crust work beautifully. I keep mine in my freezer so that I can pull it out and use it as needed. Not only does it allow my counter to clean up quickly it also is a great spot to take care of dough and keep it chillin while you work it into the shape you need. The other thing I found and this will sound silly but "Talk to your Pie Crust" don't yell at it or get frustrated as that is a sure fire way for it not to work as you like it to. If you keep yourself "zen and full of love for what you are doing" - It will all work out. No fretting needed here.

Teaching is a interesting process. I wonder if I could let someone else into my kitchen, stand back and not try to take control and still impart putting love into the food we are making. I realize that I can be a bit of a control freak when it comes to kitchen and making food. I found myself while teaching E wanting to tell her to do it like this or that but then realized that no there is no "wrong" way or even "right" way of doing it. I took a deep breath a few times and found myself saying "I usually do it like this but your way is works well too. Do what makes you feel comfortable."

Our hands know what to do and we just need to do what is natural for us. And teaching E to make pie was like a deep breath. I found that I have patience and that I am capable and I don't have to be hands on to teach. I can let E do it and I can just chat and watch and give suggestions here and there and it is ok to stand back and let the student do it and it will all work out and taste amazing too.

So fast forward, E was a pro and turned out the most amazing pie. I wanted to teach her the lattice crust but for the life of me couldn't remember how to do it so we pulled up Kate's video from The Art of the Pie and watched it as we completed the top of the pie and folks it tasted amazing.

So I will be sure to teach my friend who is visiting in February to make a pie because nothing like baking/cooking to bring two friends together. And I know I can do it and we will have a blast as well!

PS Both pies were AMAZING....and were gobbled up by many :)

Monthly Subscription Services/Sample Boxes and a few other odds and ends - A List.

2012-02-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

I recently learned about Monthly Subscription Services. I knew about local farm shares (i.e. produce boxes) etc. but never realized there was a multitude of online things that would provide you with a random samples in a variety of topics sent to your mail box once a month. Generally a person pays a low monthly fee and receives samples for at least the cost of the box and in MOST cases more than what they paid. I got to thinking about this and I know how dreary the Northwest can get in the winter and how fun would it be to get a surprise or two every month.

So I started to research and became slightly obsessed with searching out all the various types (think Sample Wars videos on YouTube and blog posts). Does this mean I want them all, nah. As with anything some people love some services and others dislike them. I have selected a few to try (I have a budget people) based on my interests and desires and will post reviews as I receive them. But onto the list and it is a big one people but so so fun to check out all the various options (eco, make up, food, crafts oh my)....I think I will keep this list to things that are under $30 per month (most are under $20). There are ones out there that are quite a bit more per month and frankly that isn't in my budget and so to be a bit self serving I am going to focus on the ones that *most* people can do.

**As always do a search for promo codes, coupons and check the various companies face book pages** - I say this because I have gotten a free box this way and 50% discounted boxes. This is a great way to try a service without having to pay the whole amount.

Eco Sample Boxes

Eco Emi - $15/month + Free Shipping - They will mail you five to ten samples of natural, organic, green, eco-friendly products to your door wrapped in chic earth friendly material made from 100% recycled bottles.

Conscious Box - $12/month + $7 shipping (Total Cost $19/month) - They do have plans that will save you a few bucks if you sign up for 3 ($54) or 6 ($106) month subscriptions. - "Conscious Box is dedicated to introducing you to the most ethical, sustainable, and honest businesses that create the purest products available." - They research the businesses and the products. This is a great option if you want to ensure workers are being paid a fair wage and to try out earth friendly products.

Blissmobox - $19/month + $3 shipping (Total Cost $21/month) . "Each month, expect exceptional organic & eco-friendly products from a mix of established and up-and-coming brands" - What is neat about this box is they give you three options per month and YOU choose which one speaks to you. So for example this month (January) - The options were: 1. Winter Skin Defense 2. Fitness foods 3. Cleaner Cleaning

White Apricot Green Grab Bag - $15/month+ Free Shipping (or $145/year 20% discount off of monthly price) - "Natural, organic and vegan beauty products every month, delivered right to your door! At least six samples of skin or hair care products, make-up, fragrances and more, sometimes with an extra bonus."

GoodeBox - $16/month + Free Shipping - "Goodebox is a members only service providing trial sized healthy, eco-sensitive, innovative & effective beauty and personal care products, along with occasional samples of natural & organic health and wellness products. Each month, members receive 6 or more trial sized healthy beauty & personal care products."

Kid Boxes - Crafty Fun - hands on projects for kids

Kiwi Crate- $19.99/month + Free Shipping - "Enjoy monthly projects that spark creativity and curiosity for kids ages 3-7. All materials and inspiration included."

Babba Box - $29.99/month + Free Shipping - "A subscription box delivered monthly with ALL the physical materials plus know-how content to really engage with your kids. Each month features a new theme-based box filled with activities, knowledge, and experiences that encompass all the ways kids love to learn! "

Mom and Baby Boxes:
Bluum Box - $11/month + Free Shipping - samples hand-picked to pamper you and your baby

Citrus Lane - #25/month + Free Shipping - Tell them your child's age and they do the rest. They also have specialty boxes that you can purchase (think new born, toddler etc.).

Food Samples

Love With Food - $14/month + Free Shipping + They donate a meal to help fight hunger. The foodie in you will love this. A box with 5 or 6 tasty bites.

PaleoPax Tasting Box - $20/month + Free Shipping - "Each month we hand-select five amazing paleo food products from producers across the country."

Foodzie - $29.95 + Free Shipping - "Each month, from the 1st through the 5th, we reveal three new Tasting Boxes."

Random/Curated/Hand Picked (Artisan/Crafted/Handmade Boxes)

Umba Box - $26/month - "We scour the handmade community to find the freshest handmade products across a wide variety of categories including home goods, women’s accessories, jewelry, stationery, and bath products."

ZBOX - $20 + Shipping (non subscription) - Monthly sample box of Zibbet.com Artists. 15-18 samples

Little Black Box - $20 a month (quarterly subscriptions available) - includes handmade samples and varies month to month from independent businesses

Quarterly Co. - $25/quarter - Several Contributors who each curate a personal box on their interests. Read all their profiles and then order a box from someone who intrigues you.

Crafty Boxes

Whimsy Box - $15/month + Free Shipping (they do have 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions) - 4-5 craft product samples in the mail every month based off of your preferences. - This one intrigues me and I can't wait until they open up registration again.

Cosmetics/Skin Care/Haircare

Beauty Box Sample Society (new box first shipment March 2012) - $15/month + Free Shipping and mini mag Allure. 4-5 luxury cosmetic and beauty samples AND each box will contain a $15 off $50 coupon to spend at BeautyBar.com.

TheLookBag - $10/month + Free Shipping - receive an assortment of 5 different high-end beauty samples from THE LOOK STORE.com in a luxurious reusable bag -samples include:makeup, skincare, fragrance, body or hair care samples from both well-known, and emerging specialty brands.

Julep Maven - 19.99/month + Free Shipping - Take the quiz and pick which bag speaks to you most. Mainly nail polish with some skin care samples.

BirchBox - $10/month + Free Shipping - 4 to 5 deluxe samples each month.

My Glam - $10/month + Free Shipping - 4 or 5 full-sized products or deluxe-sized samples

Glymm - $10/month + Free Shipping Or the Men's Box $20/quarter

LuxeBox -$12/month + Free Shipping -3 to 5 deluxe samples each month.

All-Encompassing Boxes (i.e. a little bit of everything)

Crave Box - $10/month + Free Shipping - 4 or 5 samples of food, beauty & home products

There are several others but these are the ones I have looked at thus far.

Not a Subscription:

SomethingStore - $10/package - "A fun website that operates simply: We will send you something, an item selected randomly among many products from our inventory, for $10 (free shipping in the US) and you will discover what your something is when you receive it. What will yours be?"

Like to Write Blogs and Get Free stuff:

Influenster - "Community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds!"