Birchbox May 2015:Cupcakes and Cashmere

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I've been meaning to share what I got in my Birchbox, but somehow almost the entire month is gone and I never got around to it!  The May box was curated by Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere, and while I'm not sure what exactly that means - perhaps she picked the samples that were pulled from to make up all the various box combinations?  What I do know, is that I really like what I got!

To be honest, at first glance the box looked a little light.  Especially since two of the samples came inside the pillow box.  But after a closer examination, I realized I got samples that I am really excited about.  Plus...there are NO shampoo or conditioner samples, YES!  I clicked on my profile and unchecked every.single.hair description.  Hope that will prevent them from coming in my box for at least a few months!

I did get one hair related sample, but it's the one I selected.  I do like hair styling products and have really liked all the hair oils I've tried so far. I've heard really good things about Macadamia Professional, and this sample of their Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment will last me a long time.  It works really well too, worthy of all the hype in my opinion!

I don't know quite what to think about the various kinds of water sprays.  While I'm intrigued by Smashbox's Cosmetics Photo Finish Primer Water is it just mainly water?  I mean most water sprays like this one, say things are added, in this case it's electrolytes, and Smashbox says that during the production process it's passed through positive energy fields too.  But is this all enough to justify paying $32 for 3.9oz?  I mean, that's some expensive water!  While doing some online searching for the ingredients, I found this interesting discussion.

It's supposed to help prime the face for makeup and help it stay in place.  When I used it, I definitely smelled a faint scent, it was pleasant.  I didn't notice a real difference in my make up application or wear time.  I do think that it would be refreshing to spritz on during the course of a hot day, but so would some regular ol' water from the fridge.  Still a cool sample to get and try.

I am really enjoying this Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel.  While the sample looks small in my hand, a little big goes a long way and I did feel like my skin was more hydrated when I used it.  It certainly felt more so vs using my regular moisturizer.  It's nice and light going on and absorbs quickly.  It doesn't have SPF so I'm undecided about switching over to using it full time.

My opinion of Coastal Scents would be better if they'd package their samples in a nicer manner.  I got one of their samplers before, last June.  While the eyeshadows from their Revelaed 3 Palette are nice, I plan to pass this along to a friend.

As I know from past experience, these will make a big mess when being used and I don't feel like getting fall out all over my makeup bag again.  Mess aside, this is a nicely sized sample to receive and I know my friends' teen aged daughters will be very excited to get this. The shadows themselves are nice quality and they'll have fun playing around with them.

This Yogini perfume sample was the only one that was a bit of a miss for me.  Described as: The light, clean fragrance features top notes of purifying sandalwood, refreshing grapefruit, and sensual Egyptian myrrh. Subtle cues of golden amber, incense, and star jasmine turn each spritz into a mini aromatherapy break.  

I'm trying to expand my fragrances from straight up citrus and thought this sounded promising since it's supposed to be light and clean.  It's okay, but feels like a fall scent to me.  I'll put it aside for the summer and break it out when the kids go back to school.  I like it enough to finish the sample.

That was May!  I've already selected my June sample - it's sun care related, and am excited to get some summery samples!

6X8 Ring Bound Mini Album: Featuring DCWV's My Sunshine Stack

As I was creating the mini albums gifts for the caregivers at my MOPS group, it occurred to me that I should make one with a more masculine theme.  I know two of the ladies have daughters but not as sure about the other two.  I think one other could sort of be gender neutral as it's got a lot of primary colors but two are for sure all out feminine.  For this one I used My Sunshine Stack by DCWV, that I picked up half off at Joann's awhile ago, and it was perfect.

I also used some journaling cards both 3X4 & 4X6 from the Heritage Core Kit.  They were quick "tags" in this front cover pocket.

One of the papers in the stack was half lined with these hand drawn like lines that was perfect for using on the tags.  Now there's a place to write.

The cream photo mat on the right side is what was on the other half of the lined paper and will provide a nice neutral spot to add a picture.  Only a tiny bit should be visible after adding the image.

The next page I added interest using the stub side of my WRMK's corner chomper on the photo mat and a Fiskars border punch on a scrap of paper.  I think the red is a nice pop of color.

This is what's on the left side of the spread shown above.  It's hidden a bit by the journaling card, but I added a red photo corner to tie in with the punched border on the left side.  The kraft circle has paper attached on the top half of the back so the photo can be slipped underneath.

The next spread has a pocket page and attached with a paper clip is a photo mat, two journaling cards, and a little tag from my stash.

I think this is the only book I remembered to take pictures of the tag inside the pocket page.  Above are both sides.  As you can see, I layered scrap to embellish.

This is one of the more basic pages.  No photo mats, so that the recipient can decide if the photo should be vertical or horizontal.

The last page has an embellished photo mat, I like using my brads and eyelets leftover from when I first started scrapbooking, to give a little dimension to handmade albums.  A little half diagonal pocket, mainly because that's the size scrap I had of that color, and more tags on the left.

6X8 Ring Bound Mini Album: Featuring MAMBI Sunny Summer Days & Doodle Friends

I haven't been in a Tuesday Morning for the longest time, but found two really cute paper pads there while looking for supplies for my Brownie troop's end of the year memory books.  We used Sunny Summer Days and Doodle Friends, both by MAMBI for the Girl Scout craft and then I turned the left overs, and some other things from stash, into one of the four mini albums I made for my MOPS group's caregivers.

The front and back covers are both made out of paper covered chipboard.  I layered scraps, washi tape, labels, wood veneer, and die cuts to decorate it.  The "Polaroid" has the middle black portion cut out and the outer frame is lifted up on foam.  The recipient can drop their own picture into the frame.

I made a pocket on the inside front cover and added three handmade tags.  On the other page is a photo mat with just a few embellishments.  The flowers on the corners are pre-printed onto the paper with an embossed like texture, very pretty!

The "friends forever" and doodles are also pre-printed.  They add a lot of interest so I just added a bit of washi, punched half circle, and sticker up at the top.

Inside this, and each of the other four mini albums I made this time, I added two 4X6 Project Life cards through out the album.  I added a little bit to this one.  To the left is another photo mat, punched tab, and ribbon.

Besides the Project Life cards, I also added a small pocket to each of the albums.  This one I messed up on and punched the folded side.  Whoops!  I just sealed the open side with washi.  No one need ever know that was a oops☺  The purple dotted paper beneath the pocket was left plain.

Each of the four book in this set has a pocket page as well.  To make it, I used my 2-inch circle punch to make a half circle notch on one side.  Then I attached the two sheets of paper together along the top and bottom ONLY.  The rings keep the insert from falling out.  I forgot to take a picture of the one inside this pocket.

The cards and little tag are held in place with a paperclip so more photos can be added either on the actual cards or beneath them.

Here are the last page, Project Life card, and back inside cover.  I made another pocket back here to add a few more tags.

This one was my eight year old daughter's favorite out of the bunch and she really wanted to keep it!  If I'd had enough time to make another one to replace it, I might have let her.  But, this was the fourth out of four completed and just the day before I had to turn them in!

I'm glad she liked it, since I know some of the ladies who volunteer their time also have daughters the same as or close to, her age.  It should be a hit, with whoever gets it.  Our MOPS leader promised to help match the books with the caregiver who would most likely enjoy it the most.