Hooray for Birchbox

I know I'm late to the sample subscription party, but one of the tactics I decided to use to recapture my spark is a subscription to two of the most popular.  I couldn't decide between Birchbox and ipsy, so for now I'm subscribing to both.  Birchbox came first, so I'll review it first.

The Birchbox subscription is $10 per month with free shipping.  I found a code for 50% off the first month, so my first month was $5.  According to a breakdown on The Subscription Box Family, the total value of the items in the box is $55.81.   I usually don't spend much on beauty products, so the subscription lets me try some higher-end products without spending too much.

The box that came was cheerful.  It's great packaging.  It made me happy to look at it.  It did give me a slightly twisted laugh that the fist box they sent me was curated by wedding blog Style Me Pretty.  Nothing says "recovering from a divorce" like beauty products aimed at brides.

I can see myself slightly modifying and reusing the box itself because it is a nice size for a gift box, and I like the "hooray" message on it.

The box contains:

• A card with information about the products
• Kérastase Exilir Ultime
• Laura Geller Beauty Baked Color True Blush
• La Fresh Waterproof Makeup Remover
• Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow
• Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
• An embellished hair tie from Deepa Gurnani

I'll try and review all of these products tomorrow.  Get ready for beauty!

*This post contains referral links.  If you sign up for Birchbox or ipsy through the links I may receive points towards future purchases.  This is not a sponsored post.

New Times of the Old Girl

Typical afternoon: tired and dirty
from whipping the yard into shape.   

Hi, internet.  I haven't had a much time for you recently.  I've had a lot of change in my life these past months.  I got divorced.  My two dogs died.  I bought a fixer-upper.  I've been working morning, noon, and night at work and on the house.  Things will get better.  Things are already better, but I feel like I've lost a certain essential spark.  I want my spark back.

I have some plans for re-sparkifying.  They're coming.  I'm going to blog about them for the same reason I started blogging in the first place- accountability.

I'm ready to feel like myself again.  I'm ready to talk about it.  I'm going to do that here.  

Sugar Skulls

I've only worn this skull-print dress once before.  I chose it for my birthday when I turned 30 last year.  Today it took its proper place in my pre-Halloween wardrobe.

 

Dress, Target; tights, Target; shoes, swapped, earrings, Claire's; tights, Target.

 

This is my first attempt at sort of studio lighting.  I picked up a set of cheap umbrella lights on an Amazon Lightning Deal.  The lights certainly help in this normally dark room.

The Great Pumpkin

Hey.  Long time no see.  Ok, I still don't see you, but you see me!  Creepy.  Like Halloween.  Which inspired this great pumpkin outfit.

 

Peplum top, ebay; pleather skirt, Target; tights, Target; shoes, Younkers; earrings, Claire's; glasses, Costco.

 

There have been a number of changes in my life in the past weeks, including the addition of a new puppy, Widget.  My buddy and frequent photo-bomber, Gadget, passed away unexpectedly.  I'll memorialize him here sometime soon because that's what I do.  In the meantime, welcome Widget.  He is already filling Gadget's role as photo-bomber.

 

I have another Halloween-inspired outfit for tomorrow, and I'm still figuring out my costume for Friday.  I'll be back before you can say "boo."