Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

February Birchbox First Impressions

I have been getting Birchbox for 30 31 boxes now.  I’ve done a few box reviews, but I’ve never done a first impressions.  I go through a love-hate relationship with them (I love trying new products but I hate falling in love with them and having to buy them. Oh the struggle), but since I started the #365DaysOfEmpties project, I need to keep my stash of samples up.

February Birchbox Unboxing

February just came in and I am super-excited because I decided to pick a specialty box.  I like when Birchbox lets you pick a specialty box, like this one, or pick one of your samples.  The sample choices they offered for February were samples I already tried and wasn’t like, “Yes I need another one of these,” so I went with the Rent The Runway X Birchbox box.

Rent The Runway and Birchbox made a great box collab for February in 2015

derma e Anti Wringkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub

I usually don’t purchase scrubs (aside from Philosophy’s The Microdelivery Wash) because a) I have a big stock of that and b) I’ve been dedicated to my Clarisonic since high school and it gets the job done.

I do like to add in a good weekly exfoliation, though I’ve been partial to AHAs instead of physical scrubbers.  This says it sloughs off dull skin, fades dark spots, and cleans pores so it sounds like a great multitasking addition.

Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo

Thanks to Birchbox, I haven’t paid for dry shampoo in about a year or year and a half.  I love other Fekkai products they’ve sent me and I can’t wait to try this one.

Did you know that for best oil-absorbing results, you should spray on dry shampoo at night and let it work while you sleep?  I can’t remember where I learned that (probably Birchbox) but it’s a great trick.  It really works!

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash in The Stuff That Cupid Dips His Arrows In

This smells so fantastic.  I opened it up and instantly reminded me of a Bath and Body Works spray I had once that I think was also blackberry and vanilla.

I’m not particular about my body wash, but I have been using Philosophy for a while.  It’s creamy and rich and smells great.  I hope this one is as good.  I probably won’t buy it though because it’s $16 and I stocked up on Black Friday when Philosophy was having a sale.  I also received fantastic products from The Williamsburg Inn Spa from my mom for Christmas so I’m good.

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Raina

I have no idea why this is called “Color Contrast.”  It would be cool if it was a duochrome finish.  But it’s just colored liner.  This is a pretty dark blue.  I couldn’t tell that Raina is blue until I went on the website.

Birchbox suggests to layer liners..maybe that’s where the name comes from?

I have had their liners from Birchbox before and have really liked them.  They have great staying power and the color is intense.  Maybe that has something to do with the name.

theBalm Read My Lips in Bam

This is such a gorgeous peachy petal pink.  I really like that it has antioxidants in it so it’s good for you yet it’s also pretty and glossy.

I can’t wait to see if this is sheer or if it’s as pigmented as theBalm and Birchbox claims.  They also say it’s non-sticky.  I really hope that’s true because there is nothing worse than putting on lip stuff in the morning, stepping outside, and having your hair drag lines of color across your face or attaching itself to your face thanks to the wind.

Do you subscribe to Birchbox?  I can’t wait to hear what you got!

[disclaim]The Birchbox link is a referral link.  I earn points if friends sign up.  I’ve stuck with them for 31 boxes, so clearly there’s good stuff here![/disclaim]

Get your organization on with the Post-it Study Notebook Kit

If you know me at all, you know I’m a Post-it hoarder.  It’s slightly embarrassing to admit that I probably have more sticky notes than I could possibly use in a reasonable amount of time.  I have no idea where the obsession came from, but it’s here, it’s real, get used to it.

Get organized with the Post it Study Notebook Kit

I usually keep a small pad of notes stuck to the back of my Moleskine planner to jot down quick notes, lists, or whatever thoughts I need to move from place to place.  So when I had the chance to try out the Post-it Study Notebook Kit, I was all about it.

Love my Post it Study Notebook Kit in my Moleskine planner

The pad just sticks into the back of your notebook.  It can be repositioned (it is Post-it after all!) and folds in when you aren’t using it.  It doesn’t take up much room when folded and it says flat when it’s open.

Just peel and stick the Post it Study Notebook Kit anywhere

Post It Study Notes in a notebook

I love how it has 2″ x 2″ notes and flags in easy reach for any kind of reminder I need.  I usually don’t use a lot of flags in my planner, but I do like them to mark different sections and months.

Post it Study Notebook Kit folds out and lays so flat

Lately, I’ve been using Post-it Notes while grocery shopping.  I use the e-offers available from the Giant Eagle app, but they’re really specific.  Without fail, I will forget which exact product qualifies, so I’ll go through and write down all the e-offers I have available for me to use on one note along with any other coupons I will use.  Then on another note, I write out my list.  That way I can easily see what I can save and what I need.  I like having two separate notes because if I have e-offers left over, I’ll just cross off the used offers and keep the list in my planner for next time.  Then I just recycle the grocery list.

Post-it Notes also are indispensable for me at work.  I write down one task on a small note and stick it to the wall above my computer.  When the task is complete, the note gets recycled.  I don’t like having tons of notes cluttering up my wall, so having one idea per note keeps me focused and I can visually gauge how much work I have yet to accomplish.

Big ideas go on bigger notes.  Anything that isn’t a task, but rather something I want to remember or be sure to mention to someone gets a big note.  It visually takes up more space and shows importance, but it also allows me more space to write details.

How do you use Post-it Notes to stay organized or how would you use the Post-it Study Notebook Kit?

Disclaimer: I signed up to have Post-it send me this kit to try out.  I wouldn’t be telling you about this if I didn’t really love it (they’re Post-its, come on, of course I do).  As always, all opinions are my own.

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