My October 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag

Good morning!

This is my 4th Glam Bag from Ipsy and I have to say I am obsessed! The value of the bag's contents have always exceeded the $10 monthly subscription price and the items are always things I will use but are still fun things to get in the mail each month. If you subscribe to one beauty box, this should be it!

Let's see what I got for October!

I can't say I am loving the bag this month. A little cheesy for my taste. I prefer cute designs instead. That's about my only disappointment with Ipsy's October offering though!

First up is a ridiculously yummy smelling hand creme from Cake Beauty. I got the Strawberry and Cream flavor...good enough to eat! This came just in time for the cold, dry weather to help pamper my hands. I like that it isn't greasy at all. Plus the bottle size is very generous and should last me a while.

Next item, is a plumping lipgloss from Bare Escentuals Buxom line in Dolly. My lips are pretty full on their own so I don't feel like the plumping effect is very noticeable for me but that aside I am loving this gloss's formula. Not too thick, super shiny and lasts for a while. The shade is flattering and versatile as well. Perfect to pair with a smokey eye!

I got a deluxe sample from Big Sexy Hair of their Blow Dry Volumizing Gel. I haven't had the chance to use this yet but I am interested to see what it does for my fine, straight hair. The idea of a gel seems like it could weigh it down but we will see!

I was super happy to find out Zoya was going to be a part of the Ipsy bag this month. I am a huge fan of the brand and already own a bunch of their polishes. I got Mason, from their Fall 2013 line.

And the final item in my Ipsy Glam bag is a moisturizer from H2O Plus. It's a little tacky once applied so I only use it night but it hasn't broken me out and it seems to moisturize well. I like the gel formula because it feels lightweight on my skin but still feels like it's doing something.

As my husband put it, "It's like getting a present each month!" My September bag came while I was still in the hospital after having baby #2 and he brought it to me there. It was so nice to have a little pick me up after being so exhausted from having a baby!

If you want to subscribe to an Ipsy Glam bag you can use my link to get you started *here*. Ipsy also started a new points program where you can earn points toward a free full size product by reviewing your bag's items, among other things!

You can view my past Glam Bag posts *here*.

Tell me what you think of this month's Glam Bag!

Bundle Monster's 2013 Create Your Own Plate Collection Review

Good afternoon!

I've got one more catch-up review for you today. I'm sure you've heard the buzz about Bundle Monster's newest stamping plate collection featuring designs created by it's fans. I have close-ups of all the plates as well as a couple manis I did using this set...lots of photos today so I'll keep it short on words!

I thought the packaging was a little funky for this set but if you have an established storage solution for your plates it's probably not a big deal. I need to get my hands on this storage book Bundle Monster carries!

Now for the actual plates! There are 26 in this set full of all kinds of fun designs.

I don't think I can choose a favorite! Endless possibilities.

I tried to create two diverse manis to show this set's versatility. This first look is a more subdued, sophisticated one. I used Nabi Beige for my base, stamped using BM406 and topped it all off with Jordana Lunar Lights.

And a completely different vibe for this mani...Orly Black Vinyl stamped with China Glaze OMG using BM416. I love this effect!

I would love to know what you think of this new set!

You can also read my review of BM's awesome holiday set *here*. My thoughts on plate quality and packaging can be found in that post as well.

There are all kinds of ways to keep up with Bundle Monster:

Website: http://www.bundlemonster.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bundlemonster
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bundlemonster
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bundlemonster/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/bundlemonster
Google+: https://plus.google.com/104479749953158052045/posts

*Product sent for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

PopSugar's September 2013 Must Have Box

*press sample*

Hey everyone!

I'm playing catch-up with this post today. I am showing you the contents of PopSugar's Must Have Box for September. Even though we are now halfway through October, I think it can give you a good idea on if you would want to subscribe or not...so let's take a look!

The first item in my box was a super cute book- P.S You're Invited, containing all kinds of fun, girly DIY projects. Not only is this a fun coffee table book, but the ideas are totally easy to recreate.

Next up is a set of stretchy headbands from Kitsch. These have become a staple for me because they don't crease my hair. I checked out the Kitsch website and there are lots more design options to choose from as well.

Another practical yet cute item, coasters! There are 8 that came in the box...very generous!

My box had 2 snack items...those never last long. ;) The first was a fruit bar made solely of an apple and pear and it was surprisingly really good...and guilt free!

The other item was this pack of energy chews. I don't know if they really affected my energy level at all but they tasted great.

A $25 gift card to use at Shoptiques.com. I check out the site and it's pretty pricey but every bit counts!

And finally, my box came with a diffuser set with a yummy vanilla-y scent. I'm moving soon and can't wait to use this in my new place to make  it more home-y.

I was super impressed with this month's Must Have box, definitely worth the monthly cost. All of the items are useable and apply to my everyday life yet are still fun and special to get in a box each month. Since I took a while to get to blogging after baby #2, this offer is only valid until Oct. 20: Get $10 off a 3 month Must Have Box subscription with code: SEPTSELECT. I'm sorry about the delay on that!

Do any of you already subscribe or plan to subscribe to the PopSugar Must Have Box?

You can also see my review for the August Must Have Box here.

*Product sent for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

I'm BACK!

You guys! 

It's been almost a month since I last posted...I cannot believe how fast time has gone. 3 days before my baby was born, my laptop's hard drive died. It took me 3 weeks to finally feel like I was my normal self again after he was born to go out and get it replaced. And now I finally have it back! I am so excited to get back to blogging...I have so much to show you!

For now I will leave you with a pic of baby #2...his name is Brody and he was born with a full head of red hair! 7 lbs 14oz and 21 inches long. He has grown so much in the month since he has been born and I am so happy to not be pregnant anymore! haha

Thanks for sticking with me and I plan to have some sort of giveaway to celebrate my return to blogging with you guys...hopefully sooner than later. :)

Loreal Miss Pixie + Jordana Lunar Lights

Hello readers!

I recently went through a phase where all of my polish choices were failing and nothing was translating from my head to the nail successfully. This mani is one of those. I have a love/hate relationship with iridescent glitters. They look really pretty in the bottle but I don't like them over just any color. The combo has to be perfect and this one wasn't that to me. This was supposed to be a jelly sandwich but for some reason I wasn't getting any depth even with repeated layers.

The final product isn't terrible, just kind of meh to me. ;) This is Loreal Miss Pixie and Jordana Lunar Lights.

Do you ever have "mani fail" phases?

Maya Cosmetics: Hyperbole

Good afternoon!

Just a quick recent mani today. This is Hyperbole from Maya Cosmetics. They seem to have fallen off the radar for a few months but are planning on making a comeback soon with a sale! 

I layered one coat over China Glaze Ride the Waves. I like the funky, unexpected glitter combo that Hyperbole has.

Do you own any polish from Maya Cosmetics?