Davines Dares

Recently I was introduced to some pretty awesome products. 

Hold on. 

Before I begin this post let me be honest about something:

My scalp has been dry and flaky for YEARS! I don't rememebr a time when it wasn't. 

And so...

My hair stylist recommended and kindly gave me a treatment that she and her salon were new to. She had used the products on her son and had great results. She claimed my case was not as bad as her son's, which I thought was just a nice way of saying "it's not so bad." 

(Sidenote: My hair stylist has become more of a friend than a hair stylist over the years and she is always honest with me, it was maybe a little of my insecurity saying how awful my scalp was.) 

I followed her directions to a T. 

1st 3 weeks: Use the shampoo 3x a week along with the gel for 10 minutes. Do not condition the roots. 

2nd 3 weeks: Use the shampoo and the gel the same way but only 1x a week. 

It worked pretty much the first two times I used the stuff and loved it! Finally I had great hair AND scalp! Its been great! However, I am seeing spots where I need to go back and reapply. Time to treat again. This could be because of the season, time spent with wet hair, time out by the pool, etc. Also, I dyed my hair and it definitely changed my scalp again! 

Regardless, this product did work and though it has changed, it is definitely not as bad as it used to be. I will continue to use the stuff and treat my scalp with great care! 

The best part is my Birchbox had some of the Davines products as well! 

Here they are:

The shampoo and conditioner were nothing super great. I did like the conditioner, but the shampoo is pretty average. However, the Oi (Oil) Absolute Beautifying Potion was great. I am considering getting it with my Birchbox points! 

Overall, Davines' new line of products for the scalp are pretty awesome. I also really like the finishing Oil product! Davines definitely has a new customer and I can't wait to get my hands on other products! 

Have you tried any of these products? 

Do you have dry scalp? If so, what do you do to keep the flakes away? 

Do You Birchbox?

I have been a Birchbox subscriber for just over a year now, so i thought i would do a review post. So many people ask me if it is really useful or if it is more of a waste of money every month. If anything, Birchbox is fun! 

Here are the pros:

• I love getting new stuff every month. It has really expanded my horizons. Most of the stuff i don't buy regularly, but there is some stuff that i will probably order when i finish my sample size. 
• My wallet loves that i don't finish samples all that quickly! I have not purchased anything in the last year. 
• Though i have yet to do this, reviews can equal points. Points equal free stuff. Every 100 points = $10. I have no idea why i have not reviewed anything in the last year. I gotta make sure i do this! 
• Great customer service! The people over at Birchbox have always been great about letting you know if your next box will be late or even when it is on it's way! Last month, my box magically disappeared and they gave me points and did not charge me for the next box! Woo hoo FREE! 
• Some items are regular sized! Love this! 
• I have actually begun to use some stuff on a regular basis! Here's stuff that is straight from my make up bag! 

• I constantly have new perfume! Love that and there has only bee one that i have not really liked! 
• They are creative with their themes for each box! Love that! 

Here are the cons:

• I hate waiting for boxes to come in the mail. Being on the west coast and the fact that the boxes are shipped from the east coast, can stink! 
• I have ended up with a bag filled with stuff! Check it out!

• Some items are not preferred  For example, I got blush this month and I am not really a blush wearer! I looks pretty... but i probably won't wear it much! But again it will come in handy when i need blush! 
• Some items are kind of obscure. I am not a huge beauty buff, so some items i hold up and wonder if it is for hair or skin or who knows what?!? 
• I have saved all my empty boxes but i have yet to figure out what to do with them. I think they would make some great gift boxes, but yet again have yet to find a gift to give that will fit! So, alas, i have many empty Birchboxes! 

I think that sums up my experience. Over the last month I have scheduled and rescheduled this post! I was really trying to determine if i was going to continue to subscribe to Birchbox. I got my March box (shown below) and I am still torn, though i do love getting real mail in the mail. I feel like maybe i could try something else, or i could continue and then do some reviews to work my way up to some free products! Hmm .... so much to ponder on this great hump day! 

Do you subscribe to a beauty box of sorts? If so, do share! I would love to hear about one that you love! 

Before i sign off for the day... don't forget to enter the giveaway going on over at Meg's blog! 

It's Been Awhile...

I haven't posted my high five for a while!

I'm linking up with Lauren @ From My Grey Desk to share my top five highlights from the week! Here goes nothin'!

In no particular order...

|one|

My husband has come with me to my kickboxing class TWICE this week's  He is even sounding like he is gonna commit to it and I am in love with that! I love my hubs and working out with him really means a lot to me!

|two|

It is the second week where I have felt SUPER on top of things. My desk may not be the cleanest, but I feel much more organized. I am using a new technique to help me stay organized! Hmm ... Might have to post about it sometime. Lets see if it works for longer! Lets just say it's amazing what sticky notes can do!

via

|three|

My Birchbox came! It's the goop version and I am way excited about some of the items! More on this soon!

via

|four|

Writing! I have truly enjoyed writing posts like this one and this one lately!

|five|

It's cooling off! Thursday was cloudy and cool, but no rain! Loved that! Today is supposed to be cool! I am loving that maybe just maybe we at getting a touch of fall!

That's my high five!

What were your high five moments this week?

Hey, High Five for the Weekend!

It's, of course, time to give the day a huge HIGH FIVE! Woo hoo! Friday! 

|one|

This kitty.... enough. said. 

|two|

The hubby and i celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary! We had a delicious dinner at Cucina Enoteca where the food and wine are both yummy! They even surprised us with a few sips of champagne! 

|three|

Here's to the Weekend! 

Lot's planed for Saturday and some fun and/or relaxing stuff planned for us on Sunday. Friday we are catching a baseball game and then Saturday is filled with a 4 yo birthday party, church, and then a dinner shared among friends! Our choices on Sunday include Disneyland vs. the pool.... hmm .... choices, choices! 

|four|

My Birchbox came in the mail! This one is a good one! Cant wait to try some of my goodies out! 

|five|

I got my first note from my pen friend! Be sure to stop by and check her out! It was so exciting to get an actual letter in the mail! Gotta respond soon!

Be sure to check her out! She blogs over at Goings on in Texas. Click the button below!

 

Also, dont forget to link up your high five! 

Birchbox, Penpal, + more!

Got my Birchbox for July and thought it was pretty cool, though some stuff i will probably just not use! 

Here's what it looked like before i opened it up... this month's theme was about all the five senses and the box was sponsored by Glamour Magazine! 

Oh boy here comes the Birchbox goodness! This sight every month is exciting! 

  Inside I found this: 

 And this! 

So here's a run down of what i got: 

• SEE: Eyeko - Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
• TASTE: Tea Forte - minteas  (Flavor: Cocoa Mate)
• TOUCH: Supergoop! - City Sunscreen Serum 

& 
Alterna - Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Fade Proof Fluide (this is for my hair!)

• SMELL: Harvey Prince - Hello
• HEAR: Birchbox Exclusive - Earbuds

I am excited to give the mints a try but the ear buds are just not for me! Those darn things will never stay put in my ears and they are not worth the trouble! The eyliner will be going on vacation with me where i will try it out on one of the formal nights! (I am generally just an eye shadow type girl.) 

Also, you can find some helpful info about beauty related topics here, compliments of Birchbox!This was my favorite this month:

One more thing before i go.... 

I just found this adorable blogger, Carley and she is organizing the Pen Friend Project! I thought this was a great idea purely because i have some cute stationary and I also truly love to get fun mail! If you have the same issues, then please stop by her blog Suburban Sweets and input your information! 

Oh wait.... before i forget again... i got an award! 

Thanks Jamie @ just stuff for fun! I will be posting about this soon! 

Twistband!

Good morning my friends!

Here's a quick review of one of my Birch Box items from this month.

This time around its about my cute pink twistband!

This little thing was pretty nice to wear! It did not slip or slide though I completely expected it too. It held my hair back all day and despite the color (not my favorite) I really liked it! This is actually the first time that I have worn pink in a really long time! Anywho, they are thin and seem like they will hold me hair, I just wanna order more colors! They come in a bunch of colors too! Just visit their website!

Here I am wearing mine on Saturday! Can u see it? It's there.... But the ocean/coastline is so beautiful and the angle is bad! Oh well!

Hope u have had a great day back to work! For those of u already on summer break.... Arghhhh, I wish I was you! But still I hope you are enjoying your break!

Don't forget to comment on the Car Trash Can Giveaway to celebrate 100 posts! Just comment on this post! And don't forget to include your email address in the comment to enter! Also, entries close on Wednesday! I will post the winner on Thursday!!!! Can't wait! 

It's the Age of Aquarius!

One more Birch Box item to test out... this time i will let you all be the judge. What do you think of Color Club Age of Aquarius?  

I kinda like it! I kinda think it would look better if my feet were a touch more tanned!

Wonder-struck!

Hope your Tuesday is going well!

So up on the list today is a review of yet another AWESOME  Birch Box item!

In my April box, I got a pretty purple package with a lovely scent! Taylor Swift has come up with not just a new song but also a new fragrance! It's called Wonderstruck Andi has a nice soft smell that does not over power! I really liked wearing it! If you like wearing a soft scented fragrance, then give it a sniff!

The description describes this perfume as an "awe-inspiring blend, filled with freesia, raspberry, vanilla, honeysuckle, and sandalwood, is both electric and traditional. The bottle, adorned with delicate charms, also bears Taylor's lucky number 13. And the name? It comes straight from one of her hit songs, "Enchanted." Wear the charming scent when you want to make a magical first impression." Now, I am not exactly sure that the perfume creates magic the way this describes, but i thought i would include this to let you now what it smells like. I wish i could invent smell-a-blog! Maybe you can sing along .... Here are the lyrics to the song! Enjoy! 

There I was again tonight
Forcing laughter, faking smiles
Same old tired lonely place

Walls of insincerity,
Shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face

All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you

Your eyes whispered, "Have we met?"
Across the room your silhouette
Starts to make its way to me
The playful conversation starts
Counter all your quick remarks
Like passing notes in secrecy

And it was enchanting to meet you
All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

The lingering question kept me up
2 AM, who do you love?
I wonder 'til I'm wide awake
And now I'm pacing back and forth
Wishing you were at my door
I'd open up and you would say, "Hey,
It was enchanting to meet you,
All I know is I was enchanted to meet you."

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

This is me praying that
This was the very first page
Not where the story line ends
My thoughts will echo your name
Until I see you again
These are the words I held back
As I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you

Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you

Anywho, hope you are having a great Tuesday! 

ps. My mug is on the way and I purchased mine (to give away) today... gotta get it all ready to send! Thanks in advance Jenn from Sunnier Side of Sass for a great mug exchange! 

Totally Kissable!

Ohmiggoodness! With all the changes and figuring stuff out i forgot to share that my BIRCH BOX came! Oh me, oh my!

So I thought I would start a weekly post on one item that I got in this lovely little brown box that comes each month!

This week I am sharing about some really ahhhhhmazing lip care! It's great stuff! The lip balm is called 

Pangea Organics Lip Balm with Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit and Sweet Orange

It has all these interesting scents/flavors/ingredients that I may not have chosen for myself, but of course I had to give it a try because it did come in my lovely little Birch box. So I was a bit leery at first, but I truly should not have been! I love the stuff! I find myself now leaving this out on the bathroom counter so I will not forget to wear it! I have even decided not to take it with me as i am afraid to lose it! It has left my lips feeling soft and smooth and I love the scent! I usually am not a fan of grapefruit, but this has definitely left me with a sweet surprise! Literally!

 

There were also other items from the same brand tucked away in that cute little brown box and I will be sharing about those  in future posts! I'm guessing that these little samples will be just as great as this lip balm! Oh and did I mention that the lip balm that came was full sized?!?! Holy cow!

Hope you all have a great Tuesday night/Wednesday! Say tuned tomorrow for all my Pinterest finds from the week! 

A Little Brown Box

Ugh... OK so I lied this week... call me guilty. I apologize for not truly returning to the blogging world. But let me say this, boy, oh boy how i have missed making my little posts. Nothing is wrong, just have had a crazy couple of weeks! I guess that's what i get for taking two days off! 

So here's what my husband dug out of our mailbox the night we got back from our little trip! 

It's my very first BIRCH BOX!!!!

So here's what I found inside:

From Left to Right: Orofluido Beauty Elixir, Color Club Nail Lacquer in Age of Aquarius, and Annick Goutal Eau d'Harien

 So far, I have yet to use the first two products, but the perfume went on immediately. I thought to myself as i put it on that i felt like a little girl, once again. This was a great feeling after having just turned 32! (BTW I remember being given perfume samples when i was a little girl)

My Lifestyle Extra  is Tea Forte skin smart teas. These will be yummy! And will make my skin RADIANT! (Oh boy the kiddos  will think i am glowing! No, people, its just the tea! 

 I cannot wait to try these! Maybe this Saturday when the rain is said to come! A review to come for sure! 

Top to bottom: One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm & Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint

So I have yet to use the tint, but the little tub of beauty balm smells great and seems so versatile. I am trying not to fall in love with it as one full size container is a bit costly! On the flip side I am really good at making things like this last! 

Did you get a Birchbox this month? Is there a product you love already? Did we get anything that is the same? 

So good to be back!