Thursday, January 19, 2012

january birch box

After over a year of lusting after this little pink box I finally took the plunge and signed up for a month-to-month subscription to Birchbox. For those of you who aren't familiar with Birchbox it is a monthly subscription service that sends you 4-5 handpicked deluxe beauty samples right to your door for only $10 (no shipping) a month. If you are a beauty lover the big appeal is trying out products that normally run around or over the $20 price point before splurging and buying them. Plus I LOVE samples, real samples like these, not the kind you tear out of magazines. And I have the best way to utilize samples, which I will share in an upcoming VLOG.



Anyway, back to Birchbox... it finally came and to say I was excited is a severe understatement. It came in a pink outer box and then inside a beautiful letter pressed box with pink writing. The products were wrapped nicely in pink tissue and some were even bundled together and tied with a ribbon. It also came with a card describing the contents and what the full size product would cost.



In my specific Birchbox I received the following products:
Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss
Zoya "Feel" Collection Polish
C.O. Bigelow Shampoo + Conditioner
Lara Mini Bar
Juicy Couture "Viva La Juicy" Perfume
...and a cute little magnet with the BB logo on it. I'm not sure if this only comes in the first shipment but it's adorable.

I was really impressed with my first BB, and it's contents. And after seeing the 19 different boxes that went out I believe mine was best suited for me, thanks to the beauty profile I filled out before receiving my first box.

I love the mini lip gloss, it might possibly be the cutest little gloss I have ever seen. I was hesitant at first because the shade looked so pink but it ended up not so bright on. Plus it has a great texture and not sticky at all. I had never heard of Jouer before this BB and definitely will keep an eye out for them now. 

The Zoya polish is by far my favorite part of this BB not only because of its size (it's practically a full size bottle), and color, but because it is the sample that is most relevant to me. I love new polish colors and this shade isn't like any others I have to date.


Did I mention it's practically full size?! Look at it next to a full size Essie!!

The C.O. Bigelow set was something I was definitely excited to try out, especially because I have heard a lot about the brand. I tried it for few days but was not all that impressed with it. The smell was really nice and natural but I had to use quite a bit (1/4 of the mini bottle) to even get the slightest lather going (although I do have long hair). I think I like the conditioner better and might possibly even consider trying out a full size version. I will have to wait and see how I feel once there is no more left.

I was underwhelmed with the Juicy fragrance but probably mostly because I had just received the exact same sample in my Sephora order the day before and didn't enjoy the smell. I also felt like it wasn't that "deluxe" of a sample because you could easily get this kind of sample from a department store. But that being said, it was the spray version sample and not just a vial which was nice and had it been a fragrance liked I might have been happier.

Last but not least was the Lara Bar which is actually considered a "Lifestyle Extra". I quite enjoyed the little thing but I already purchase Lara Bars so it was nothing new to me.

One of the cool things about Birchbox is that they allow you to get free shipping on any of the BB products that month, you can also buy them direct through the BB website. Another neat thing is the Birchbox points. You earn points for your first box, a yearly subscription, referring friends, buying products, surveys and more. Then you can cash them in to use towards a product of our choice!

Overall I loved my January Birchbox and can't wait to get next months already. I think i got my $10 worth, considering the Zoya practically paid for the box itself. It is always nice to get something through snail mail and especially when it is wrapped so pretty too. My plan is to continue until July with the month-to-month if I am still happy, and then ask for a year subscription for my birthday.

If you decide to try out Birchbox because of me, won't you so kindly use my referral link HERE. Then you can pass your own referral links on to your friends. 

Do any of you lovelies subscribe to BB, if so which box did you get?



Sunday, January 15, 2012

little loves

This week was honestly pretty much a bore. All work and no play. Me and the boyfriend did mange to sneak out Thursday for sushi at Sakura and then tried out Menchie's for the first time. It was so delicious! Friday I got snowed in due to my awful tires, and severe driving anxiety, and Saturday my mother hosted a martini party and of course I helped. Tonight is another date night with my love, and I want nothing more than to cuddle up and order in some food. When winter rolls around here in Northeast Ohio I go into hibernation- for real.

There are only a few good things about this time of year, and delicious citrus happens to be one of them.


One of my favorite dinners is goldfish soup. It is really just vegetable soup with a ton of goldfish thrown in, but it is heaven.


Made jello shots in lemon and lime slices for the martini party. They were a huge hit!


My pride and glory, a mini cake batter martini for the party. Found the idea on the blog that sucked approximately 7 hours out of my life this week, How Sweet It Is.


Got my first ever Birchbox this week!! So excited, and very pleased with the contents!
 Blog post to come this week!



Saturday, January 14, 2012

mark favorites giveaway winner

Last week I posted a video about my favorite MARK products. 
Along with that video was a chance to win all this awesome loot!!


Total was valued over $45!

The lucky winner is one of my Facebook followers so I am than happy that she won some  MARK loot to try!


Congratulations to Cara! 

Please e-mail me at alovelylittleblog@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Thank you to all who entered, and don't you worry because there are PLENTY more give-aways to come!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

the spot

If you follow me on Facebook, you've already heard me talk about The Spot a few times. 
Even if you don't follow me on Facebook, you probably saw this picture I posted last week in my little loves.


I mentioned then a little about The Spot (and it's beautiful entrance). But what is The Spot really? It's sounds so mysterious and confusing. Well I talked with Matthew, one of the minds behind the ingenious little idea and got the scoop for you lovelies.

                                                                                                                             Photo Credits: Heidi M. Rolf
What is "The Spot"?

"The Spot is many things. Most of all it is a community art space. We use it for rehearsal space, jam sessions, recording, an art gallery, and a music venue. We just had a fashion show too! And oh yeah, we like to throw big parties, meaning:

Once a month, we book 4 - 5 local artists and have them deck out our walls. We also book three eclectic musical acts, ranging from jazz, classical, folk, bluegrass, rock, soul, avant garde, dance, and DJs, to really anything cool that our friends are doing. Our gallery opens at nine with the gallery music, and then things heat up around 10:30 with the second musical act. It almost always ends with dancing.

We also have an artist raffle, where those who donated for raffle tickets ($1 each) will enter into a drawing for featured artists work, and musician's albums. Typically there are at least five prizes!

If you are of age, there are some tasty refreshments (thirsty dog brews) available for a donation, but you can also bring your own sauce (once again, if you're of age)."


                                                                                                Photo Credits: Heidi M. Rolf

Where is "The Spot"?

"27 N. High Street Akron OH 44308"


Does it cost money?

"NO. It is very important to the team behind the spot that anyone can get in for free and have a good time. However, we do run off of donations. These donations go directly towards paying our performers, meeting costs for events, and improving our space (when we got it, it was a dark dusty tomb filled with ancient computer parts)."

                                                                                                                                                                        Photo Credits: Heidi M. Rolf

Is there parking?

"Best place to park during an event is the library garage on high street. It's free at that time. You just take a left out of the garage, cross market, take a hop, skip, and a step, and you're there."


Is anyone invited?

"Everyone is invited and welcome to our events! 
However we don't really like violent aggressive types."

                                                                                                Photo Credits: Heidi M. Rolf
 
                                                                                                                                                                        Photo Credits: Heidi M. Rolf

If I am an artist how can I get involved?
"Come to one of our events and hang out with us! The Spot is all about the community. We want to make friends with as many awesome artists and musicians as possible. Let us know what kind of stuff you do."


Anything else my readers should know about The Spot?

"If you've been to an event before, bring some friends to the next one.
If you haven't been to an event before, bring some friends to the next one!"


This Friday is The Spots next big event, with all different types of artists, and music. 
I will be there for sure. Will you?





Sunday, January 8, 2012

mark favorites


I hope all you lovelies enjoy this video! I really love selling MARK and even more than that, love the products. 
Please feel free to e-mail me with any MARK questions at LMH.MARK@gmail.com.


Have any of you lovelies tried a MARK product? Would love to hear your feedback!


In order of appearence:

Just Pinched in Nude + Peachy - $8
Get in Line in Painted Black- $6.50
No Place to Run -$9
The Big Fix - $10
Back Me Up - $10
Mega Volume - $6
Curly-Q - $7
Cheat Sheets - $6


ORDER HERE
...and don't forget to use the code WELCOME for FREE SHIPPING!



ENTER TO WIN:
Super Flash Cosmetic Bag
Nailed It Mini Lacquer Set
Mega Volume Root Lifting Spray
+
Super Flip Kit with Bronzer/Blush palette and 9 shadows

Retails for $45

Contest Rules:
- Head on over to my eBoutique and choose your favorite item.
- Leave a comment below and tell me your choice.
- Contest ends at January 13, 2012 at 11.59 PM EST.
-Contest only open to US + Canada residents. (sorry)
- Winner will be announced on January 14, 2012 
- One entry per person please


One additional entry for each of the following:

- LIKING a lovely little blog on Facebook
Make sure to include your Facebook name in your comment below

Subscribe to me on YouTube
Make sure to include your YouTube name in your comment below

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

new years resolutions

My good friend Kaylee shared with her friends on Facebook her 2012 resolutions. What was different about hers was that she made one for each month. Because let's face it most of us can't keep up with a year long resolution, or we get too intimidated before we even try. The really genius idea to making one for each month is that more than likely you're not just going to stop the kick ass fitness plan you've been working all month because it's over. So even though my January goal is to attend at least one yoga class a week, by Febuary hopefully I will be used to doing it and therefor keep at it.

Anyway I totally stole her idea and made a resolution for each month. Things I have wanted to do for years now and just never get around to them. I also have a few year long resolutions, and some top secret blog resolutions too!




Do you lovelies have any resolutions? I would love to hear them!

What do you think about a resolution for each month?





Monday, January 2, 2012

little loves

What can I say about this week? FAST! I had so many parties, gatherings, and events this week that the time just flew by! I had a blast on New Years Eve at my boyfriends gig at the Tangier in Akron. Also putting the finishing touches on my new monthly beauty segment for another blog, brainstormed an awesome new post idea with a few other beauty bloggers, and even got a few errands done.

My good friend Heather made these lovely little desserts for me. They were so amazing! Mini red-velvet cupcakes, chocolate chip cookie dough truffles, and Irish car bomb cupcakes. If you're in the area she is available for hire! She also made these little pizzas too!

If you're in the Akron area and you are looking for something different and fun to do, you have to check out The Spot. A art exhibit/music show/party (and more!) on the second Friday of each month at a hip free space. This is how you enter the event, just imagine whats inside!

I have been looking for this Chanel bronzer everywhere for months. I snagged the LAST tub of it at Dillard's Summit Mall this weekend! Just in time for New Years. Gives you the most beautiful glow ever!


Little idea of what I wore for New Years. Of course I didn't get any good outfit pics but you get the idea. I also wore sheer black tights, these amazing stud earrings, and a gold cuff on the opposite hand as my watch. I got lots of compliments and most importantly because I wore Gianni Bini pumps my feet didn't hurt all night!


Me and my baby on New Years ♥