A New Obsession

QVC. Quality. Value. Convenience. Growing up, I never really understood why women obsessed over QVC. I didn't understand all the hype about it. I remember as a little girl, I would be playing at my aunt's house as she would watch QVC for hours. At the time I didn't understand what was so great about it, and I couldn't fathom watching hours of people showing you these items over the television. Part of my love of shopping has always been about the experience. I love swatching new makeup items at a store, or feeling the burst of excitement when I find a great deal on an item. So I never understood, how any shopping addict could satisfy their shopping needs by seeing items shown to them on the television.
However, I will never forget the glazed over look my aunt would get as she watched the television. She was absolutely mesmerized by the people and items on the TV, as she clutched her telephone in her hand, ready to call in at a minutes notice if she found something she just had to have. And when the mail man arrived at her house every day, it was practically a celebration. The excitement that grew as we anxiously awaited the mailman to see what goodies he would bring that day. But still, although seeing all the packages the mailman brought was really exciting, I just didn't understand the whole television shopping experience.

I didn't understand the experience... until recently.

I'm an avid beauty blog reader, and youtube watcher. One of my favorite Beauty Guru's is "emilynoel83." I absolutley love her videos, and her blog www.beautybroadcast.net. She has amazing videos, and gives great reviews. After watching her videos, I saw a couple of items that I "NEEDED" to have. (I say "needed" because just like every other makeup junkie, I really don't "need" any more makeup.) Unfortunately, the needed items that Emily was raving about were only on QVC. So I figured, what the heck, I'll give it a try.

First up this amazing Smashbox Photo Op Mega Palette. Look at this beauty.



These photos do not nearly show the amount of BEAUTY that is in this palette. This is the ultimate palette that should be in every girls beauty arsenal. It's the only thing I take with me when I travel, because it is literally the size of a small clutch and has an unbelievable amount of color options for any look you want. This baby has 56 eye shadows, 4 lip glosses, 3 highlighters, 2 blushes, 8 cream eye liners, 4 brow powders, and a brow wax. This is the ultimate palette. It's still available on QVC's website, and although pricey... it's totally worth the price.

This single purchase from QVC has lead to my unbelievable obsession with watching QVC any chance I get. As I type this post, it's currently on my television. I have added the QVC app on my phone as well. It's unbelievable how addicting this channel. I now understand the glazed over look my Aunt used to get. As I lay in bed, phone clutched in my hand, waiting until midnight for the next item I want to purchase to come on air, it dawns on me... I am officially QVC obsessed.

Until Next time ~ AVC

(PS I am not affiliated in any way, shape or form with QVC. Also, the product mentioned in this post, was paid for my me, with my cash.)

January Birchbox Review

Now that I have had some time to try out my new products I thought it would be a good time for a review:  (Sign up to get your own Birchbox Subscription Here: Birchbox!!!

The Borghese Moisture Intensifier I have used quite a few times mixed in with my other moisturizers as suggested however I have not noticed much of a difference. Not enough to pay $67.50 for 1.7oz!!


Viva la Juicy is a nice scent but I'm too busy being obsessed with LIV GRN C2C to bother with this at the moment...but will keep it in mind for a future purchase!!


The Jouer Body Butter seems like a very good product. I for once (maybe due to the mild winter) am not suffering from really dry skin so I cannot see the full benefits of the product but will try it out again when the time comes.


Stila smudge stick eyeliner breaks my heart!! I got the moray color. And it looks fantastic!! But even though it claims to go on easy and "not migrate all over your eyes", it has ruined two pairs of my contacts. It finds it's way all over my lenses and it doesn't come off. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know because I love the color!


Larabar- I had the peanut butter cookie flavor. It had a decent taste to it, but was very greasy! (nutritional comparison below) I recommend the Peanut Butter Pretzel Mojo Cliff bar!


Cliff Bar = 190cal (80 from fat), 9g fat (2g sat, 2.5g polyunsat, 3.5g monosat) 220mg sodium, 125mg potassium, 20g carbs, 2g dietary fiber, 9g sugar and 9g protein


Larabar = 220cal (110 from fat), 12g fat (2g sat, 6g monosat, 3g polyunsat) 70mg sodium, 360mg potassium, 23g carbs, 4g fiber 18g sugar and 7g fiber


I also make my own bars with crushed almonds, oats, agave nectar, dried cranberries, some unsweetened coconut and some dark mini choc chips!! What is your go to healthy snack??


That is my January Review. The other girls should be posting theirs soon too. Enjoy!!

And @Wendy.. Book Reviews are coming up next!!!  Stay tuned and share our page with your friends. 

~CLM~

Monday Mail

Let me introduce myself.... I'm that person that small town post offices hate. I have a mailbox in the front of my house. My post office offers PO boxes. We've been getting our mail held at the post office for as long as I can remember. Approximately 3 times a week my loving Mother makes her way to the post office to pick up our mail... is it the social connection that drives her to the post office? Does she not trust the mail lady to deliver our essential mail, which includes bank statements, catalogs from Bass Pro Shop, Christmas cards and baby shower invites?! One may never know.... But I know that I can trust the post master of the Dornsife Post Office with my essential mail-- My monthly subscriptions to Birchbox, Bazaar, and Marie Claire. And yes, I'm convinced she reads the magazines during her lunch. The ripped open perfume samples gives her away... but I'm not mad.

This brings me to my stack of Monday mail...

-Bills (boo on adulthood)/ automatic payment reminders (thank you adulthood)/ student loan nonsense (thousands of dollars for 4 years of Natural Ice and cheap vodka)

- February Bazaar - SCORE

- January Birchbox- Double SCORE

- And this interesting bit of mail- a bankruptcy notice for bankruptcy court?! What the hell?!

One of my best qualities is that I'm childless and alone... aka single. Like 100%. I've found my life is much more complete when I'm happy then trying to make someone else happy. Things that make me happy- make up, skin care products, candy, money, and tanning. In August 2011, I was the darkest I've ever been in my life. I had a great tanning salon that I visited almost daily.... partly for the social impact it caused on my life as I was able to keep up with the dramatics of high school and the "who's sleeping with who's husband" dramatics of "the nice part" of Harrisburg. My skin glowed and was the color of a light skinned Moroccan, I barely had acne, and I swear I looked 15 lbs lighter! Then a friend of mine received news *gasp* of a potentially cancerous mole.... No no no! It was just a scare, but nontheless, I decided to cool it on the tanning and switched a self tanners and bronzers.

Remember that bankruptcy notice from Monday? It was my great tanning salons way of informing their clients that they're infact, bankrupt. Do I fault myself for not supporting my local business? What kind of "loyal" customer, am I? Did my lack of $60 a month really contribute to the loss of another small business? One may never know, but I know one thing, I'm the color of a Scandanavian with the acne break out of a 15 year old....

To my tanning salon... Good Luck and thank you for keeping me beautiful xox

On The Road

I'm on the road and here is what I brought along in my make up bag. Birchbox [ http://www.birchbox.com?raf=5milu ] not only introduces you to new products but they are great for traveling too!! I'm tend to keep my make up pretty basic. Questions about any of the products? Ask away!! My favorite is probably the Klorane soothing eye make up remover. It contains cornflower water, has a great scent and removes your stubborn eye make up. (3.4oz only $9.00!! @Birchbox.com)

Hi Everyone!!

Just wanted to start off by saying thank you so much for checking out our blog. This is a new for us but we wanted to share the things we love with everyone out there. If you have any ideas about things you would like us to review or ideas about how to make our blog better, please let us know. Just leave a comment below.

I wanted to introduce myself to everyone, but I don't want to sit here and bore you all. So, I figure the best way to get to know a woman is by seeing what is in her purse. So here's what's in mine. Please note: I did NOT clean out my purse before taking these pics so this is really everything I have in there today.

So let's see... I got
2 wallets
A change pouch
2 EOS lip balms (thanks to CLM for getting me addicted)
Michael Kors sunglasses
My coupon holder
Walgreens coupons
Hand sanitizer
2 Revlon lip butters
Tarte lip gloss pencil
Buxom lip gloss
Hope in a jar moisturizer
Burt's bees beeswax lip balm
MAC mineralize skinfinish natural in medium plus
2 mirrors
Advil
Ear drops
Inhaler
Minteas mints
Ahava hand moisturizer
Random jewelry
Assorted iPod accessories
Pen
Massaging cuticle treatment
Mentos
And most importantly "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Surprisingly, that's not a whole lot of stuff, and that may be due to the fact that I just started using this bag this week. Clearly, I love lip balms and I always need to have a good book handy.
Is there anything in there you would like me to review? Are there any products you see that you use? Let me know. I'd love to hear what you think.

~AVC~

Two things I love..Office Supplies & Savings!!!

I am in love with Papermate Profile Pens as they are the SMOOTHEST pen ever and today while shopping with my 20% off bag at Office Max I scored two packs of the assorted colors for only $6.40...regularly they cost $8.29 EACH....Oh yeah! Oh yeah!!

January Birchbox

January's BIRCHBOX was all about bringing clarity to every aspect of our lives.  My box included the following:

• BORGHESE|CuraForte Moisture Intensifier: (Orange Tube, center)      This serum proves that sidekicks deserve recognition too.  Apply before moisturizing or mix with your favorite cream to help actives work harder.  (Full Size $67.50)
• Jucy Corture| Viva La Jucy:  (Clear scent tube, lying down)      This scent will bring out your inner girly girl.  Wild berries flirt with mandarin and soft floral notes to create a fragrance that's fun and happy.  (Full size $69-$89)
• Jouer| Body Butter:  (Little white circle container)
  Ingredient snobs, take note.  This rich formula softens rough patches like elbows, with pure shea butter, plus olive and avocado oils
  (Full-size $32)
• stila| Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner:  (front)  It's time to put down the black liner.  This colorful pigment makes eyes stand out and stays put for hours. 
  (Full-size $20)
• *EXTRA*  Larabar| Mini Bar:  (Right) 
  You wont find any artificial fillers in these natural bars:  just dried fruits, nuts, and other wholesome ingredients. 
  They're as tasty as they are healthy.

**Reviews will be posted soon**

~CLM~

Welcome to Our "Blox"

This is our space to blog about our beauty boxes (heance Blox), and other products that we come across whether its make up, a good book, healthy snacks, etc.  We hope you enjoy it!!