Goals: Week One

So, I might  not always do a weekly follow-up on my goals, but I figured I would start out that way as I learn to make these things part of my routine :)

I'm not going to give any update on things that I haven't made any progress on, because really what fun is that to read? Ha!

Here is where I stand as the first week came to a close in 2014...

#3.  Read 50 books:  Read The Hunger Games.  Yes, I know I'm incredibly late to the game! 1 book down, 49 to go...

#18.  Instagram 365:  I'm rocking at this one!  4/365 :)

(1) Cinco learning to play trumpet with Daddy  (2)  Ellie playing peek-a-boo after bath time  (3) Ellie had her wellness check and got the green light to start "solids"  (4)  Looks like the swaddle can no longer contain those little arms  (5)  Sneak peek at the coming week ;)

#19 & #20:  Cinco and Ellie 365:  4/4 on both! Will have to upload pictures later.  So glad I forced myself to make this as a goal with a real camera.  The iPhone is way too convenient (and sometimes easier).

#42:  Weekly Empties:  Feels good to be putting items to use that I've had hanging around in random drawers, shelves, cabinets etc.  Here are my first 7 items I chose.  

Sorry for the awful iPhone pic and the big 'ol knee in the corner ;)

I think I will only give updates as I finish the items since there would be many repeats otherwise.  Last week I used up the Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Cleanse and Nourish Shampoo (bottom row, middle).  I got this (and the conditioner) as a free sample in the mail.  Okay, I have to ask, am I the only person that finishes up shampoo long before conditioner? So annoying! Anyway, I love the way this shampoo smells and it was nice to reminisce a little since this is the set I took to the hospital when I had Ellie (aww!).  More importantly though, it made my hair feel really clean and made it look really soft and shiny.  Would definitely buy again!

There ya go, my progress so far.  How are you doing on your goals?

2014: Bring It On!

2013 was a good year.  A great year, actually! We paid down a lot of debt, I discovered the world of subscription boxes, we added a sweet daughter to our family...the list really does go on! So, I'm more than excited to see what 2014 is going to bring us.  In just 3 short days I've already gotten a little sneak peek at the possibilities, but I'm not letting any cats out of the bag just yet ;)

Instead, I thought I would jump into the world of goals and resolutions.  I'm going to be honest, I'm not usually good at sticking to these things.  Is anybody really? But I want to make these things happen.  So, here we go...

My 2014 Goals & Resolutions

In no particular order...

1.  Go to the Chiropractor:  My spine has been out of whack since I've had my Son.  That was three years ago and I've since had my daughter.  It's time!

2.  Go to the Dermatologist:  There are a couple reasons I need to go.  The first is I have all these super annoying dry patches that hurt like crazy.  I've tried creams and lotions and ointments.  Nothing is working.  The second is to have some moles (ewww, I hate that word!) on my back I need to have looked at.  I'm scared as all get out, but this must happen!

3.  Read 50 books:  I used to love reading, but stopped long ago for no particular reason.  I'm ready to pick it back up.  Why 50? No clue, just sounded like a good, round number :)

4.  Have 14 date nights with the Hubs:  We need to get back to us.  Not just the parents us, but the I love you to the moon and back us.  Date nights will help.  We are going to have to get creative since the little one refuses a bottle, but they need to happen, pronto!

5.  Have 14 family days:  Museums, aquarium, zoo, park...doesn't matter.  Just 14 days where we shut out the rest of the world (TVs, phones, computers) and spend all our time together.

6.  14 "dates" with Cinco:  14 random days where I take him out for some good 'ol Mommy and Son time, just us.

7.  14 "dates" with Ellie:  Same as above.  She's still a baby, but I think it's important for us to have some alone time together.  Plus someone needs to teach her how to shop ;)

8.  Take Cinco to the dentist:  He is (almost) 3 and never been ::hangsheadinshame::  Not gonna lie, I am terrified on how he will do with this, but I cannot put it off any longer.

9.  14 "me" days:  I'm a work-at-home Momma.  That means I spend 24 hours a day with my kiddos.  I love it and I love them more than words.  But, I need a few moments to just be alone.  To go shopping without hearing 100 "I wants", enjoying a pedicure...just some time to myself.

10.  Start Cinco in the School Skills class:  He is almost too old for his current Gymboree level and this is the one that follows.  It's twice a week for 3 hours.  Without me there.  I'm worried how he will do, but I know it's important for him to learn to interact with other kids and listen to other authoritative figures.  I think this will help him prepare for pre-school.

11.  150 Tot School Days with Cinco:  This goes along with helping prepare him for pre-school.  150 days at home where we have a "home school" of sorts.

12.  Enroll Cinco in pre-school:  No explanation really necessary :)

13.  Enroll Ellie in Gymboree:  We started Cinco when he was 6 months and it helped him with his mobility by leaps and bounds.  I'm hoping to start her around the same age.

14.  Complete 14 Pinterest Projects (not recipes):  I have over 2,000 pins on Pinterest.  Wanna know how many I've actually utilized? Around 10.  Yep, it's true.  No need to spend time on there if it doesn't result in something!

15.  52 Pinterest meals:  Same reasoning as above.  Plus I want to expand my cooking abilities and this seems like a good way to do it.

16.  52 blog posts:  I'm infamous for starting blogs...and then they just sit there.  Not this one!

17.  Make 14 photo albums for us:  I love taking pictures.  Like LOVE it! But, then the pictures just sit on my hard drive taking up space.  Sure, I make photo albums for others as gifts all the time.  Know how  many I've made for us? One.  Time to make that wedding album.  P.S. We've been married for 6 years in May ::blushes::

18.  Instagram 365:  Project 365.  In Instagram form.

19.  Ellie 365: Project 365.  Of Ellie.  With a real camera.  I did this with Cinco when he was a baby and love looking back on how much he changed in a year.

20.  Cinco 365:  Same as above.  With Cinco.  Haven't done this since he was a baby.  Regret it.

21.  12 new camera tips:  I love to take pictures.  Now it's time to improve my skills.  My hope is to find a new tip at the beginning of the month and utilize it the rest of the month on my Project 365s.  Guess I better hurry and find  my January tip.

22.  Put Cinco (and Ellie?) in swim lessons:  I always talk about it.  This year it will happen.  He loves the water.  Need to teach him how to swim.  Safely.  Debating if I should put Ellie in or wait until next year...

23.  24 Library Story Times:  I used to take Cinco to the library all the time.  I re-introduced him to it right before Christmas and he fell in love.  

24.  6 no spend weeks:  Oy! I've tried these many times before.  So, it almost seems like I'm setting myself up for failure making a goal of 6.  But these need to happen.  We need to cut out more debt.  I need to stop boredom spending.  We need to cut back on going out to eat.  And.  And.  And.

25.  Complete Couch to 5k:  I've also attempted this before, but ended up quitting.  This will not happen this year.  I want to be a runner.

26.  Run an official 5k race:  This will keep me motivated to complete C25K.

27.  Complete 30 Day Shred:  Another thing I quit.  No more.  Not the example I want to be to my kiddos.  Plus I desperately need to lose weight and get in shape.  I'm running out of time to use the "I just had a baby" excuse ;)

28.  Elllie's 1st Birthday Blow Out:  We did it up big for Cinco's 1st Birthday.  I want to do the same for my Ellie girl.  I may or may not have already started planning ::cough:: Minnie Mouse Picnic ::cough:: By the way she is only 4 months.  Ha!

29.  Pay off WM CC:  A stupid credit card that needs to get paid off.

30.  Pay off OB CC:  Another one.

31.  Pay off C1 CC:  And another one.

32.  Pay off BB CC:  Yep, another one.

33.  Pay off Discover CC:  The last one.  Ironically enough, the first one I opened many years ago.

34.  $500 in joint Savings:  I know that doesn't seem like much, but we are horrible at saving.  This is a good start.

35.  Deep clean and purge every room and closet:  18 total.  Get rid of the crap!

36.  24 Intentional Acts of Kindness:  It's the least I can do for all the blessings I've been given.  Plus, I want to teach my kids to be grateful for what they have and that others aren't so lucky.

37.  Go to Kansas:  Need to visit my family.  Haven't been home since my niece was born over a year ago.

38.  Write a letter to both Grandmas:  Let them know they are loved and I think about them.

39.  48 Open Gyms:  These are included with our Gymboree charge.  Need to take advantage of them.

40.  Decorate living room:  Really, need to decorate the whole house.  I will start here.

41.  Establish skincare routine:  I'm horrible at washing my face.  And putting on lotion.  And all that other stuff.  I have enough subs that I have plenty of things to start with.  Make it happen!

42.  Weekly empties:  This combines purging the crap and utilizing the sub box stuff.  At the beginning of each week (Sunday) I will choose 7 items to use until they are empty.  The next week I will choose items to replace any that are empty, so might be 7 new items, might be 2, might not be any yet.

43.  26 Surprises for the Hubs:  He works so hard to provide for us. He is an amazing father.  He compliments me daily.  He deserves little surprises here and there to show how much we love and appreciate him.

44.  14 New Sub Boxes:  I love the boxes I get now, but I want to explore new and different.  I'm not adding on 14 permanent boxes, but want to explore and see what else is out there.

45.  Increase credit score by at least 45 points:  My credit took a beating with dumb choices in the past.  We worked hard in 2013 to pay down debt.  That is going to continue this year, along with seeing what else we can do to repair our credit.

46.  Cut debt by 20%:  See above.  

47.  Drink 1,000 cups of water:  I am horrible with my water consumption.  Like I probably don't even average a glass a day.  This isn't good for my health.  It isn't a good example for my kids.  And it isn't good for my milk supply since I'm nursing.  Absolutely must change.

So there you have it! It seems like a lot and slightly overwhelming when I put it all on (virtual) paper.  But, these are all things that are important to me, so I'm sticking to 'em.  I'm not sure yet how I will update.  Might be as I cross something off the list.  Maybe monthly.  Heck, maybe it will be a weekly update.  Not sure yet...

Honest Company Review: December 2013

Although I haven't been blogging in several months, I've still been getting my subscription boxes.  I figure it's high time I get back to telling ya all about 'em :)

The Honest Company is a company I've been ordering from since June of this year.  I don't get an order every month, but do turn to them whenever I'm in need of their products.  So far I've placed four separate orders.  I'm not gonna lie, being developed by Jessica Alba is a big part of what lured me in, but as a whole I've been quite pleased with what I've received.

There are actually a couple of options for receiving products from The Honest Company.  The first is to go to their website, add items to your cart, and order just like you would from any other online retailer.  The second, and what I do, is to create a discounted bundle of 5 products.  There are three different bundle options: Diapers & Wipes, Essentials and Health & Wellness.

I currently subscribe to the Essentials bundle.  It costs $35.95 a month and allows you to choose 5 items from a list of approximately 40 essential items you might need.  It includes things like laundry detergent, toothpaste, bathroom cleaner etc.  You also have the option to add up to 3 additional items which will each be discounted 25% from the regular price.  I always take advantage of this option, mostly to save on shipping.  If you spend a minimum of $50.00 then you get free shipping (normally around $10).  The way I see it, I'd rather spend an additional $15 and get products to go with it :).

I won't always review my Honest Company orders, but did want to review this one since I've never done so before.  Here's what I received on this order and my thoughts on each...

 

The 4 in 1 Laundry Pods come in a bag of of 50 pods and are the one item I add to every single order I place.  The retail price is $15.95, one of the highest priced items, so I always make sure it is part of my base bundle.  I love the 4 in 1 Laundry Pods for a few reasons.  One, I like the ease of them.  If I'm holding my baby girl and/or wrangling the toddler at my feet I don't have to worry about measuring correctly, or spilling extra to the floor - I just toss it in the washer before adding my laundry.  This also makes it much easier to allow my 2-year old Son to help with laundry (he asks, I don't make him!).  And since we are doing laundry for two little ones we love that it is perfume free, so it's safe on their delicate skin.  Lastly, I love that detergent in the pod is powder versus liquid.  Although we have an HE washer we have major issues with using liquid detergent.  It always leaves a greasy layer on our clothing, so it's a no-go in our household.  Now, I want to be completely honest, we have had a couple of issues with the wrapping on the pod not dissolving completely and leaving a residue on our clothing.  It wasn't permanent and washed out when I ran another rinse cycle on the washer, but it was slightly annoying.  Out of the four packs we've used I'd say this has happened 3 times.  So, not horrible and obviously hasn't deterred us from using them again.  Overall, these are a hit in our house!

The Honest Oxy Boost isn't something we always get, I'd say every other order.  Although it's safe on colors, we only use it to help bring life back into our whites.  Not sure why, just do.  These come in a pack of 24 and retail for $7.95.  This is another item that is in our base bundle when we order it.  I'm going to be honest, I don't necessarily see a difference in the brightness of our whites after using this.  Of course, this could be due to the fact that  my husband refuses to throw away socks and undershirts unless they are falling apart (ha!).  However, we continue to order them because we DO notice a difference in the freshness of these items when we use them.

The Honest Dishwasher Pods are just like the laundry pods, in that we order them with every bundle.  They come in a pack of 32 and retail for $10.95 - another base bundle item.  Always.  Again, we like the ease of the pods versus measuring out liquid or detergent from a box.  The Honest Dishwasher Pods are also one of the items that we actually prefer over other brands that we've used in the past.  After the first use we noticed a definite difference in how clean our dishes were and became fans for life!  However, just like with the laundry pods, we do run into a pod not dissolving from time to time.  Again, frustrating but  not a deal breaker for us.  These will continue to be added to all of our bundles!

The Honest Dish Brush is something we ordered for the first time two bundles ago.  The first time we ordered the version that comes with the ceramic holder.  Since the holder is still in good shape, I added the solo brush this time.  It retails for $4.95 and was one of my 3 add-on items.  This is the first product from The Honest Company  that my Husband and I disagree on.  I love, love, love this brush.  He feels...well, the opposite ;) True, it doesn't work to wash cups and things of that nature, but I just throw those in the dishwasher anyway.  I think these work great on pots and pans and so it's good for me.

The Honest Dish Towels are an item I added in a previous bundle solely because I needed an additional item to reach my free shipping minimum ($50).   We can always use new dish towels and so I figured, why not.  When we got these the first time my initial thought was that they seemed like something you could get at your local Dollar Tree.  However, after washing them and putting them to use I was surprisingly impressed.  They soak up messes very well and work great as a liner under dishes that I am air drying after hand washing.  They come as a 2-pack and retail for $7.95.  These were another one of my 3 add-on items. 

I'm going to be honest with you, I'm not sure exactly why I added the Honest Fruit + Veggie Wash.  I think it was another case of wanting to reach the free shipping minimum.  I haven't used this yet, so can't give any feedback.  But, washing my produce with  more than just water is something I probably need to start doing, so hopefully we love it.  This is an 8 ounce bottle, retails for $6.95 and was part of our base bundle.

The Honest Stain Remover is another new product for us, and with two kiddos in the house it is definitely a needed product.  I'm currently finishing off a bottle of Dreft stain remover, which I love, but when I'm finished with that I'm going to give this one a try.  I'm hopeful that I love it enough to keep it in our bundle rotation.  This is a 26-ounce bottle, retails for $5.95, and was the final item in our base bundle.

The Honest Multi-Surface Cleaner is another fan favorite of ours.  We ordered it in our very first bundle and have been a huge fan ever since.  It has a great smell, cuts through grease like a pro, doesn't leave behind any streaks or residue, and I don't worry about my kiddos touching something immediately after I've cleaned with it like I would other products.  We use this on our kitchen counters, our living room tables, our dining room table, our mirrors - pretty much everywhere! The bottle is 26-ounces, retails for $5.95 and was the final item in our add-on purchases.

The previous 8 items retail for a total of $66.60, but since I did the bundle I only paid $50.09.  I basically got my add-on items for free! And if that wasn't enough to  make me happy, I got a couple of bonus items in my box this month as well.

I came across a promo code that allowed me to choose one free item on my next bundle, as long as it was shipped by December 31st.  There were several items to choose from, but I decided to go with the Organic Lip Balm Trio.  I have been wanting to try these for a long time, but couldn't bring myself to pay the $9.95 price tag for them.  You get three of them: Sweet Orange Vanilla, Lavendar Mint and Purely Simple.  I live in a very dry climate, so extra lip balm is always a welcome product.  I cannot wait to give these a try!

The last item was a gift to everyone who order a bundle in December.  I thought it was a very sweet gesture, and it fits in perfectly with The Honest Company philosophy.  Since we are getting ready to re-do our backyard I jokingly told my Hubs that Jessica Alba just saved us hundreds of dollars since we could purchase one less tree now, ha!

.I know that The Honest Company isn't a surprise box since you choose everything you get, but it's still one of my favorites.  I like that you can schedule when you want to make your next delivery.  You can change your bundle each time based on your needs.  And I love that it's products we need, and it pushes me to use products that are better for us and our environment.  

Do you use The Honest Company? What products are your favorites? Anything I must try?

*** All links are affiliate links.  If you use them to make a purchase I will receive a $20 discount on my next purchase which would make me very happy ;)  I will also do an Honest Company themed giveaway after my first 2 referrals :) ***

Birchbox Review: May Box

So, I'm just a wee bit behind on reviews.  I was really hoping to finish all of my May reviews before May ended, but that just didn't happen.  Anyway, here we go...

Birchbox is actually the first subscription box I attempted to get.  However, you cannot sign up automatically - you are first placed on their waiting list.  When I submitted my request I believe they said it was a 3-4 week wait and it did take closer to the one month mark to be accepted.  Once I was accepted it asked me to fill out my profile, which is what your received products are supposed to be based on.  There is lots of controversy over whether this is really the case or not.  I will let you know how I felt about it as I review each product in my box.

Now, here's where the details fade my memory and I cleaned out my email recently, thus deleting all information that would help me remember more accurately.  But, I believe that once I received the email letting me know I had been "accepted" I had one week to accept the invitation.  Failure to do so would result in me having to sign back up on the waiting list and going through the process again.  Since I was so excited to start my subscription I signed up immediately.  If memory serves correct you had the option to sign up for a month-to-month, 3-month, 6-month or annual subscription.  Depending on which subscription you chose you would receive a set amount of points that can be used for purchases in the Birchbox shop for full sized products.  I chose to do the month-to-month in case I was disappointed.  By doing so I received 10 points which is equivalent to $1.00.  Sorta.  Every 100 points is worth $10.00, but you cannot redeem points except in 100 point increments.  So technically my 10 points alone aren't worth anything.

Speaking of points, it's one of my favorite parts of this subscription so I will talk a little bit about other ways you can earn points.  If you make purchases in the shop you will earn 1 reward point for every $1.00 spent.  I *think* you can also earn points on purchasing gift subscriptions, but please don't quote me on that.  Of course, you can receive points for every person you refer who signs up - 50 for each one.  And, my favorite, every month you have 30 days to review the products you receive in your subscription box.  For each item you review you will receive 10 points.  

Ok, so after all of that you might be asking yourself - what the heck is Birchbox?

According to their website it is "the best way to discover new beauty, grooming and lifestyle products.  You will receive monthly deliveries of top product samples from high-end brands."  I would describe it as a monthly box costing $10.00 per month which contains approximately 5, normally sample sized, beauty products.  Sometimes there are full-sized items and the type of products might include make-up, facial cleansers and other similar products, shampoos etc.  

Alright, let's get to the good stuff.  My box.  You should note that they send out several varieties of boxes each month.  I think this is to help stick better to your profile answers.  I cheated and looked up spoilers ahead of time so I knew what all the boxes had.  I also looked up my own box on the website to see which one I was getting.  I will be honest, it wasn't one of the ones I had on my "wish list" but it wasn't on my "please oh please don't let that be my box" list either :) For those who care, I received box 18.

Upon opening was the information card letting me know what I would find inside, including a description of the product and how much the full size product costs (in their shop anyway).

First look of the actual products.  As you can see it appears that I received a total of four products - all sample sized.  Neither of those is the case which I will discuss as I get to them.

The first thing I did was open the yellow container seen on the left of the box.  Inside I found 3 foil packets of Weleda Citrus Hydrating Lotion.  This was my "beauty extra" for the month.  I know lots of people that got a pen which was considered a lifestyle extra.  Many of those people were very unhappy.  I was actually hoping to get one.  Go figure ;) 

Here is the description of the lotion according to my information card.  "A creamy lotion that uses sustainably harvested plant oils and natural hydrators to restore skin's moisture levels."  Full size cost $16.50

I'll be honest my first impression was that it was going to take two, if not all three, of these packets to use all over.  I have very, very dry skin with extremely rough patches on my elbows and knees.  So, imagine my surprise when I went to put it on after a shower and was able to use an ample amount from just one of those small packets.  I was thrilled! I used the other two the following two nights.  And, my opinion after three days of use is that it does a pretty good job of moisturizing.  It is a runnier lotion than I normally use which causes it to go a lot further.  And, it did leave certain parts of my body feeling and looking very hydrated.  However, it did nothing to help the rough patches I have which was disappointing.  

However, in the end I'm still glad to have received this because it saves me from spending $16.50 on a full size bottle next time I see it at Target :) 

Sample Value: Unsure as I forgot to log how big the packets were.  The full size bottle is 6.8 ounces so I'll just be generous and say the three samples were worth a total of $1.00.

Next up is another sample found inside the yellow container; meaning I really got five samples, not 4 :) This was a teeny, tiny Supergoop! Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream.  The product itself I was super excited to receive, the 3mL container had me slightly frustrated as I was certain there was no way I'd get enough use out of it to see if I liked it or not.

Based on my description card I learned that "this next-generation CC cream provides corrective coverage and triple protects against UVA, UVB and infrared-A rays."  Full size cost $32.00.

I am horrible about remembering to apply sunscreen, especially to my face which is not a good thing since I live in the hot, hot desert.  So, I was hopeful that this product would offer great coverage as well as protect from the sun.  I'll be honest the first day I put it on was a day that I had no real plans, in case it wasn't the right shade or made my face look all funky.  Upon initial application my face was slightly tingly (not a good feeling!) and turned slightly pink and blotchy.  I'm not sure if this was normal or if I had a slight allergic reaction, but it did go away after ten minutes or so.  The blotchiness did remain and I was certain that it wasn't a product for me.  However, a few hours later it did appear to even out and blend well with my skin; but, it just wasn't enough coverage for me.  I like to look somewhat natural, but not like I'm not wearing make-up at all.  I was pleasantly surprised that there was actually enough in the container to last me four uses, but in the end I was not impressed enough with the product to consider it a necessary edition to my make-up drawer.

Sample Value:  The full size is 1.6 fl oz putting the sample value at $3.23

To the right of the yellow packet of goodies I found Folle de Joie perfume.  Instantly I loved how even though it came in a 2 mL sample size it still had a spray nozzle attached to it. I absolutely despise the samples that you have to just pour it out! 

This was actually the first thing I took out of my box and used as I was running out the door.  According to the handy info card this perfume is "...a carefree scent of mandarin, rose and sandalwood."  Once I sprayed it all I kept thinking was that I smelled like a nice, little, old lady who got carried away in the perfume department.  I had hopes that the scent would grow on me as the day wore on, but it did not.  I know perfumes can smell different on everybody due to body chemistry and it's a matter of personal preference, but it's not my preferred smell.

Sample Value:  Full size is $98.00 for 3.4 fluid ounces making my sample worth around $6.66

The next item is actually the last one I tried, which was the Soleil Organique Environmental Defense Sunscreen Stick SPF.  Again, I am horrible with remembering to apply sunscreen so I like that this is something small enough (0.6 oz) and easy enough to throw into my purse for everyday use.  What got me more excited is when I realized this was a full size product worth $18.00!  

The provided card even tells you it's "perfect for travel, this mineral sunscreen is transparent and protects your complexion from damaging UV rays."

When I first opened the sunscreen I was not a fan of the smell, almost like dirt.  I became even less of a fan with the application.  It did not glide, left small chunks on my arms and was hard to blend in.  It appeared to skip several areas and I did not feel that it gave good coverage at all.  As far as the protection I really can't fully say.  I only wore it that one day as I couldn't handle how sticky it made my skin feel when I had it on.  I definitely will not be buying this product.

Sample Value:  Full size worth full value of $18.00

The last product is the one I was most excited about receiving due to many, many excellent reviews - Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle.  This product is a Birchbox exclusive and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to sample it.

When referring to my info card it states that it is "great for all hair types, this nourishing elixir locks in color, adds shine and instantly detangles."

All I can say to that is yes, yes and yes.  And so much more.  I have used this everyday since receiving my box.  I've used it on wet hair prior to blow drying, wet hair that I let air dry and in the morning on hair that was already dry.  It makes my long, thick hair easy to brush, shiny and it smells so, so good! I am beyond in love with this product and will most definitely be buying it!

I did have issues with the nozzle initially.  I sprayed it several dozen times without any luck getting the product out.  After further research I discovered this is actually quite a thick solution and was advised to unscrew the nozzle, dip the "straw like end" in a cup of warm water and spray until the water came out to unclog the nozzle.  This worked perfectly and I haven't had any issues since.

Sample Value:  Full size is 8 oz priced at $21.95, making the 1.25 oz sample worth $3.43

So, what are my overall thoughts on Birchbox?

First, I felt that all the products I received did fit within my beauty profile answers.  Were there other boxes or products I would have liked to get? Sure! Was there anything in my box that made me wonder why I got it? Nope! Since this is my first month I'm not sure if that will always be the case, but for this one it was.

Next, the value aspect.  The total value of products I received came out to $32.32 which is far beyond the $10.00 I actually paid for the box.  Now, this argument can go in so many directions.  The only product I truly loved was the Beauty Protect & Detangle worth around $3.43 which is way less than what I paid.  However, I feel like I still got my value's worth because of the products I had the chance to try.  I had seen Weleda lotion several times and considered buying it.  But because I had a chance to use the samples I realized it would have been a waste of my money.  In a way, that saved me $16.50 ;)  So, to me it was worth the $10.00, plus I got 50 points (approximately $5.00) in rewards for leaving my reviews on the Birchbox website.  

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm happy with my subscription and have no intentions of canceling.

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? Which box did you receive in May?

*** All links are affiliate links.  If you use them to set-up your subscription I will receive 50 points in my Birchbox account.  All opinions are my own and I did not receive any form of compensation for writing this review. ***

Graze Review: May Box

Ah, Graze.  Oh how I so desperately wanted one of these.  For those that don't know Graze is currently by invitation only.  You can sign up online to request an invitation, which is what I initially did.  However, after almost a month of not receiving said invite I became desperate and started stalking the internets for some nice individual who would offer me theirs.  Finally, on May 17, I was on their Facebook page and just so happened to notice somebody who posted on their wall that they had one invite code to give out.  I PM'd that sweet person so fast I barely had time to blink lol.

So, what is this amazing box that I was so keen on getting my hands on?

According to Graze.com it is "nature delivered.  Delicious, healthy snacks by mail."  I refer to it as a box of 4 delicious snacks you receive by mail every 1, 2 or 4 weeks.  

Now the real question.  Did Graze live up to the expections I had built in my head?

As stated, I signed up for Graze on May 17.  Upon signing up I was given the option of the Nibble Box or the or the lower calorie Light Box.  We chose the Nibble Box and were then given the option to read through all the different snack packs they offer.  Over 100 of them! When doing so we could rate the items as either "trash it," "try it," "like it," or "love it."  Anything marked as "trash it" is guaranteed to never be sent to me.  Love that! The hubby sat with me and we went through and trashed any of the ones that included ingredients that neither one of us cared for.  When all was said and done I think we trashed 3.  Maybe 4.  We left all the others as "try it" with the idea that we would rate them as we tasted them.

On May 18 I received notification that my first box was in the process of being packaged and the following day it was shipped.  I do not remember exactly how long it took to arrive but it wasn't long enough to annoy me so I'm guessing less than a week.

First look.  Small enough that it fit inside my mail box :)

First open box look.  I know it's silly but I like that the inside of the box was decorated and that the packets of snacks were fit snuggly into little separators inside the box so they couldn't slide all over the place.  You can also see the word "free" (my fave word haha!) on the card.  When I signed up through the invitation code it let me know that my first and fifth boxes would be free.  Wahoo!

On the reverse side of the box it had nutrition facts for each snack we received.  I will love this when I go back on Weight Watchers after the baby is born!

If you recall, we left all the options as either "trash it" or "try it."  Well, except for one, which the Hubs wanted to try so badly we marked it as "love it" to see if it would magically appear in our box.  I'm happy to report that we did not receive anything we trashed and the Chili Lime Pistachios did, in fact, show up in or box.  We also received My Thai, Cranberry & Honey Granola and Tutti Frutti.  I thought this was a great combination of the categories they offer.

So, what's our thoughts so far?

As expected we loved the Chili Lime Pistachios, even our 2 year old! They are exactly what they sound like - pistachios with a chili and lime seasoning.  They had just enough spice to not be overwhelming and pistachios are always winners in our book.  Our only complaint was that with three of us eating them there weren't nearly enough ;) Not really a complaint considering they are meant for one person.

The Tutti Frutti was good, not great.  It's a mixture of blueberry infused cranberries, pineapple, cherry infused raisins and green raisins.  The Hubs commented that he would prefer something that had more nuts and less fruit.  I think it would taste even better if it was mixed with some oatmeal in the morning.  But, as hot as it's getting who really wants oatmeal right now? Not me.  We marked it as a like.  We wouldn't be upset if we received it again, but are hoping to try lots of other options before it makes another appearance.  

The Hubs wasn't interested in trying the Cranberry & Honey Granola.  That was an option solely for me.  It consists of granola seeds, honey almond pieces and cranberries.  I thought it was good, but found myself wishing I had some plain vanilla yogurt in the fridge to mix it with.  Then I think it would be great! It also got marked as a like, but not a love.

For some reason we haven't tried the My Thai yet.  Odd since this was the other one we were most excited to see in there.  My Sister got it in her box as well.  She was a big fan of the dip, but not so much of the soy chips that it came with.  I'm gonna have to move it to the top of our snack box in the pantry so I remember to try it soon.

Overall we were very impressed with Graze.  The shipping and communication were great.  The amount of options they offer is excellent and there wasn't anything we were sent which we hated.

Graze runs $5 per delivery and you can choose to receive a box once a month, every two weeks or every week.  For now we have chosen every two weeks and I can't wait for my next box to ship in a few days.  I'm secretly hoping for one of the flapjack options and another dipper option.  But, unlike before I haven't played with any settings to try and pre-determine my choices :)