BirchBox, My January Box Review

First and foremost this post is not about which box is better, I do NOT want to see any comments about BB sucks, and I have Ipsy it is so much better, or any other sort of the same kind of blah blah. I did a lot of research before deciding to try one of these and I chose BirchBox because I felt it most satisfied my wish to try new things that I may not look at or think to try on my own while still being catered towards my likes and needs. That being said, this post is a review of the products I received in my first box!

I was pretty excited because I hadn't signed up for a subscription until pretty late in January, so I figured since they don't ship out till 10 days after your subscription my first box would be February's, but I was pleasantly surprised and received my January box earlier this week. Here's a picture.

Goodies! Hooray, who doesn't love receiving goodies in the mail? Especially on a monthly basis, that's pretty awesome if I say so myself. Well i'm not 100% sure how to do these review things, so I'm just gonna go at it!

What I received:

~Fruit pigmented Mascara by 100% Pure, full-size priced at $18

~Original Nipple Balm for Lips by Dr. Lipp, full-size $14.50

~ Nail Polish "Ride 'Em Cowgirl by Ruby Wing, full-size $10 (This was a full size sample)

~Dry Conditioner by Serge Normant, full-size $25

and my life style extra was a selection of teas from Ahmad Tea London, full-size $7

I'm going to go in order by the picture I posted, so first up is Serge Normant dry conditioner. The bottle suggests use on second day hair to extend the life of day 2 hair or your blowout. Me personally my hair isn't usually dry or lacking shine on day 2 especially after sleeping on it. But when I wash my hair, especially if it's in the morning, once it drys it can be a bit frizzy and dry even if using conditioner during my showering routine. This stuff though does a great job of sleeking down the frizz and it actually helps with that winter static. The only thing I don't like about it is it's a bit perfumey smelling, and I'm not talking the kind of perfumey the good stuff your stylist uses on you this is kind of like "old womany floral" perfumey you get when you walk into a fancy department store. The perfumeyness does fade quickly though so it isn't unbearable but it will overpower your shampoo if you're fond of whatever scent you use and don't like covering it up you may not be happy with this spray in conditioner. But besides the smell its a great product, it gives your hair shine and softness just like it says it should.

Next is the Mascara from 100% Pure. This stuff is awesome, I love it! It's 100% all natural, the coloring comes from black tea and fruit pigments. It smells like blueberries or something which is awesome (well I think it is). It's supposed to lengthen and thicken your lashes, the lengthening I definitely noticed but thickening, well I haven't used thickening mascara's in the past so I have nothing to compare it to to say how well it does on that end. Overall I really like this mascara, it lengthens, it gives good pigmentation, and it leaves your lashes soft and doesn't clump. I'm sure we've all had those mascaras that make your lashes super sticky, or stiff, and the clumps! Don't get me started on those, but this mascara is completely opposite. Like i said, lengthens, gives a good dark coloring, and leaves your lashes soft without clumping. I love this stuff and I may be purchasing the full sized product in the near future.

Now for Dr. Lipp's Nipple Balm for Lips, that's just fun to say isn't it? I really liked this product too it's an ultrahydrating balm that was originally used by nursing mothers. It's 100% natural and can not only be used on lips but on cuticles, elbows, hands, feet, and yes nipples. It says glossy shine that last for hours, my shine maybe lasted an hour, 2 tops, but the softness stayed for closer to 5. It reminds me of lip plumper as you get this tingling sensation, and as it was originally used by nursing mothers I'd say its safe to say it probably does have some sort of plumping properties. i really really enjoyed this product and will definitely be purchasing it!

Last but not least is the Ruby Wings nail polish in Ride 'Em Cowgirl, a shade name I found very tickling since I just bought my first pair of cowboy boots since I was about oooh, lets just say super little. This stuff is pretty darn cool. Inside it is a sparkly gold glitter polish.

Now here's the cool part, this is color changing nail polish! It's sun activated and when you take it outside it turns a pretty berry red color.

Sorry blurry picture, but you can see the color change. I haven't tried it yet, but as soon as I get around to taking off this pink stuffs I've got on I am going to be trying this. To be honest though I'm just impressed the color changing actually works; then again for $10 it better. 

And that is what I got in my box, well besides the Ahmad Teas which were Black Current Burst. Earl Grey, and Green Tea Pure. I know a lot of people hate getting the teas, but I love it. For one I'm a picky eater, and I love the idea of tea but usually not the taste. So I want to try new ones, but I'm hesitant to spend money on an entire box just to end up wasting it. I know, I know just return it right? Well no, if I return it I get my money back, but the rest of that box gets written off and thrown away, so it just gets wasted which I don't want. So tea samples are my best friend. I'm saving the black current burst for last, it smells very fruity and that appeals to me. So hopefully it's the best for last. Hope you enjoyed my review. What did you guys receive in your boxes?

If you don't have BirchBox and would like to try it, use my referral link to skip the 2 week waiting period and start your subscription right away! Plus sign up before Feb. 15th and you'll receive the special US Weekly Birchbox designed around February's award shows! Just click the link below!

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/v88wq

To Go Where No Crafter Has Gone Before...sort of

No it's not a Star Trek post, even though I do love me some Trek! This is a post about the new galaxy fad, and it includes a tutorial on how to make your own galaxy shoes! I've seen a couple tutorials on different sites, mostly CraftGawker.com (my favorite craft site by the way, tons of amazing crafts). Some on Pinterest.com too, but mostly I find Pinterest just links to photos and not the process, which isn't very helpful. Anyways, into the fray we go so to speak, first things first, supplies.

You'll Need:
A pair of white or black shoes (Keds or "Loafers" work best as they have a lot of paintable area)
Fabric Paint (I used Tulip soft paint, it's made to leave the fabric flexible so no stiff shoes!)
Craft Sponges
1 Detail Paintbrush
1 Palette or Paper Plate (something to mix paint on basically)
1 Tooth Brush (obviously one you don't want to use anymore)
and LOTS of newspaper to cover your work area

So first step, either buy black shoes (which in the future I think I may do, it is much easier and I believe the paint would blend better), or take your white shoes and give them a solid black base coat. I used a matte black paint.

I forgot to take a picture of them just plain black, but I'm sure you all don't mind that much. So next step, squirt some blue and purple paint onto your plate, and cut yourself some pieces of sponge to paint with, and well have at it. I did some swirl like patterns, and then some more solid but cloud like ones on the back of the shoes. Start by making a solid base then blending out the edges. Don't be afraid to sponge over top of colors you already have down, blending is what gives the effect. This is what it looked like after the initial bases were painted on.

Once you have your bases its time for highlights. I had initially planned to do more colors and make them like the Tulip Galaxy (which is a very colorful rainbow hued galaxy), but I liked how they looked after adding the pink tones. First I mixed a light orangish pink (coral) color, and did a faint base of that, then added a lighter true pink, followed finally by some white. Here's what it looks like after highlights have been added.

Already looks much more galaxy like, right? Now the messiest, but also funnest part, adding the stars. To do this dip your tooth brush in your white paint and use your thumb to flick the bristles creating white speckles on your shoes. After you've peppered your galaxy with stars to your little hearts desire its time to add some larger planets and star bursts. This can be done with your detail brush. I used the white, and some silver metallic fabric paint I had (also Tulip brand) to do this. I also added some swirls in the galaxies with the silver, its subtle but adds some dimension. And here's the final product!

Of course, how many planetoids, and stars you add is completely up to what looks pleasing to you. If you wanted you could just splatter the white with the tooth brush and be done, but I think the bursts add a little bit something extra to them. Now let those babies dry! The paint says dry flat for 4 hours, you can wash them after 72, but depending on the kind of shoe you use I wouldn't recommend washing them. I don't plan on washing mine. Also feel free to embellish in anyway you like, one of my favorite planets is Saturn, so I added one to both shoes in different spots. 

Now you have your own pair of Galaxy Shoes! Don't you feel so trendy? Just a fore warning, I let them dry overnight for the black base coat, and to do all the galaxies, blending, and stars it took about 2 hours. So if you aren't the most patient crafter this may not be the best project for you, but as far as some crafts go it really doesn't take that long. One of those instant gratification sort of projects if you will. I was just in a crafty mood this weekend, so I did this, and then some Tie-Dying while I was waiting for the base coat to dry. 

Perhaps I'll do a tutorial on tie-dying next, I love it! One of my favorite crafts to do, it's messy, fun, and you never know what you're going to get! For instance in the bottom picture, the shirt on the left I had no idea how it would turn out. I had folded it vertically in pleats, then as it was to long to fit in my dying pan i folded it in half and rubber banded it to hold it in place. Now I have some awesome rainbow ink blot, FLIR, looking shirt! If you want to know how I did the colors to make it look like that leave me a comment!

Till next time, Peace Out and stay Awesome!

~Katie

Parent's 36'th Anniversary

So I know it's been more than a week since my last post, I'm a horrible blogger, but I promise it's been for a good reason. First my lovely kitty that I've had for 17 years had to be put down, she had cancer in her jaw, and she couldn't eat and was in a lot of pain and there wasn't anything they could do to treat her. It was very sad, I stayed with her till the end though, I was a wreck too and I nearly had the vet crying as well. That was 2 days before my best friends wedding.... not fun. Spent the next two days surrounded by happy busy people setting up the alter, and arch, and reception hall trying not to break down, but in retrospect I think that helped. Gave me something to distract myself, and it was a super fun time so I think in the end it helped easy the pain. Laughter is the best medicine they say. It was a lovely ceremony too, and Ashley (one my best friends ever) looked amazing in her dress, with her hair all done up in curls, it was lovely. We're still waiting to see the pictures from the photographer so if you guys would like I'll post some of them. Personally I can't wait to see the one where me and the other two bridesmaids picked up the groom! The photographer did a picture of the groomsmen holding him up, and then one of them holding the bride, and we decided we're strong tough girls, lets pick up the groom! The first time we nearly dropped him on his head, but the second time it worked, I'd love to see the pictures from both tries though, haha!

Anyways, onto the reason for this post! Today is my parents 36'th anniversary, and I surprised them with a little set up. Don't get me wrong, this was in no way planned. I was wrapping their presents for each other (somehow I always end up doing this like every holiday) and my presents for both of them; when in the bottom of the supply box I saw some purple and white streamers. Then some purple and gold bags, and I was like hmm.... betchya I could set something up. So I pilfered through my craft stuff, found some purple and gold mardi gra beads, scrap book paper, star puncher, and some silver and gold sharpies and gel pens. Then it hit me, I'm going to streamer the crap out of the kitchen, and make a sign out of this scrap book paper, and put little stars everywhere!

Looks pretty cute right? There's little swirlys on the paper, the bags are all matchy, there's streamers (not pictured) it's great! They'll be so surprised right? Now it's about 2 am at this point and satisfied with my work I went to bed. Then I got up in the morning after they had both gone to work, the presents were opened but the sign was still laying out. So I stopped to admire my handy work again when I noticed..... I spelled anniversary wrong!!! It was one of those face palm shake your head kind of moments. I was mortified, I mean I'm a 23 year old college graduate and I can't spell?! But it turned out ok, my mother was beside herself she thought it was so funny. So shes writing something on the back of the sign like: My lovely 23 year old college girl, surprised with decorations, but she can't spell!  And she's packing it away somewhere to lord over my head at some point or something like that, ha ha. Anyways, here's another pic so you can see the card a little better.

And here's another of just the card.....

All's I can say is, it was with the best of intentions! It does look pretty though, no? My dad was like, how did you draw that? Was it a stencil. I was like, no dad that was me. I've only been drawing and writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil, I think I can manage to draw a few well placed swirls. So aside from the spelling, they liked the surprise a lot. I got my mom a $25 gift card for Wal~Mart since she doesn't get to shop for herself much anymore, and I got my dad a $25 gift card for Lonestar Steak House because like every man (except maybe vegetarians) he LOVES steak! And that was my anniversary surprise, what do you guys think? Have you ever surprised anyone or set up some sort of special display on a big day? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear any stories you guys have about how you surprised someone, or if you tried to with the best of intentions like me. 

And till next time peace out and stay awesome!

~Katie

Hello Real World....Sort Of

So what's the good news? I graduated from college! Bachelor of Science in Applied Science of Forensic Science with an emphasis in Biology Cum Laude (with honors), also with a minor in Biology and Psychology.  That was in December, since then I've applied to the FBI (the position was terminated due to the sequester), my local Court House (position also terminated before anyone could be hired, and I even interviewed for this one), and the City of Houston Crime Lab. All no luck (that's the bad news), on the plus side Wal-Mart hired me again. I've been working there for the past couple summers as a cashier, now I'm the Fabrics and Crafts associate. Fitting isn't it? It's only part time, but hey I'm just happy to have a job and be able to pay on my school loans. Pretty bummed I had to move back home, but at least I have a place to go.

 Now i just need to control my crafting urges, I buy way too much stuff from my department. I can't help it, I just get so filled with ideas working around project idea flyers all day. By the way, for those of you who love crafting, but get a little stuck sometimes Wal-Mart has a Craft of the Month and Quilt of the Month project flyer, every well, month. The craft one is a project that fits the season, like we just got June/July's in, it's a tulle patriotic wreath, last months was a tie-dying project. The quilt of the month is a collectible pattern, and we get in the set of fabric you need to make it, you just have to get however much the pattern calls for cut for you. Plus, your friendly associate should be helpful if you have an idea, but aren't sure how to make it happen. Heck, since I started working there in January I've taught somewhere close to 15 people how to knit and crochet. Mostly the ruffle scarves, but other things too, and yes I got paid to do it, but heck I would have done it for free. Having a hobby is great, and knitting and crocheting have both been shown to relieve stress, improve mental sharpness, and dexterity....What?! That's science yo! So enough of my rambling, this big long story has basically just been to tell you, I'm going to be giving this blog thing a shot again, at least once a week. Mostly I think it may be tutorials, but I may post any interesting things I read, or review movies too. (Speaking of movies I demand you go see Star Trek Into Darkness now! Yes it's that good, also Benedict Cumberbatch is mine so paws off, haha.) So if you have anything you'd like to see, or hear about shoot me a comment and I'd be more than happy to give it a shot. I'm thinking, how to knit a ruffle scarf for my first post, what do you guys think? Sound good? Or I could show you what I did for Mother's Day to get you prepped for next year, as my mom loved it so much it made her cry. (Don't worry though penny pinchers, it's not so much the gift as it is about the presentation, and most the stuff I used was free!)

Well for now peace out and stay awesome!
~ Katie

Chemical Free Sun In DIY For Hair

So in one of my first posts I talked about using lemons as a natural sun, in instead of the chemically made stuff, as a healthier more environmentally friendly lightening alternative.  Not to mention when you compare the price of 2 lemons at about 50 cents a piece to that of a bottle of Sun In that's about 4 bucks or more a bottle you're saving some money as well as getting a fabulous new look.

So here's what you need:
A spray bottle with a mister setting
2 lemons
Water
Bowl

So this DIY is super easy once you get everything together. First take a lemon and smack it into the table or hard surface and roll it around to get the juices flowing (great stress relief huh?!). Then cut it in half and squeeze the juice out into a bowl. Be sure to get as much of it as you can the lemon juices are what do the lightening! Next repeat with other lemon and pick out any seeds that fell into the bowl. Pour the lemon juice into your spray bottle, then fill the rest of the way with water. It's that easy!!!!!!!!! Now just spritz in hair, brush and go out and enjoy some sun! (BE SURE TO WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!! ^~^)

Here's what it looks like when it's done, you want it to be a bit yellow looking, if it isn't you need more lemons because your's is too diluted! Good Luck and enjoy, plus post pics if you use this and get some good results!!! I'm testing mine tomorrow when I go workout.

Venus Transit

So today Venus is in transit across the sun, according to the news this wont happen again for another hundred years so this is a pretty huge celestial event! Everyone should get the chance to enjoy it, but remember keep your eyes safe. Here I put on 2 pairs of sunglasses and 2 layers of welding lens to look at it. It's just starting here in Ohio right now, but I still saw the teeniest little black dot on the corner of the sun!!! Pretty sweet when you think about that little dot being a planet!

For those who can't see it, check out this website they have live streams from all over the planet! Take advantage, unless you think you'll actually be around in 2117!

http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/transitofvenus/

Back After A Long Year of School

So it's been a long long year of school, sorry I pretty much didn't post at all while I was there, but I have been a busy little student bee. However it's summer now, and I'm starting to get settled into a work schedule so I hope to be making posts again!

To start off here's some 100 photos I took today when I went on a little sunset walk. I love taking photos at sunset, the colors are beautiful! Some are a little blurry, but I hope you enjoy non-the-less!

http://s460.photobucket.com/albums/qq326/kittyskatie/Sunset%20Walk/