Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip | Swatches + Review

Posted on November 11, 2015November 10, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I recently shared with all of you a huge Sephora haul (see that post HERE). One of the items I splurged on is the Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip set. Sephora puts together value kits called Sephora Favorites that include a variety of high end items in a particular category. I love trying lip products, but I usually stick with affordable drugstore options. I thought this was the perfect time to splurge on some high end lip products and give them a try! I won’t be keeping all of these lip products for myself (it is the holidays!), but I have swatches on all of the products I’m keeping. Let me go ahead and share more about the kit with you.

The Give Me More Lip set comes with fifteen different lip products, four of which are full size, and 11 deluxe sample sizes. They range from lipsticks to lip glosses to lip crayons and more, and range in shade as well from dark and vampy to barely there pink. The set comes in a gorgeous metallic gold gift box, which can definitely be reused. I couldn’t wait to dig in and decide which I would keep for me, and which I would give as gifts!

Fresh Sugar Tulip Tinted Lip Treatment (Deluxe Sample)

I really love the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment line, and I’ve already worn Tulip a few times. The formula is so smooth and soothing, and I like that there is just a hint of color. While the full size is definitely very expensive, I might splurge on one in the future. I know it is a trusted product, and I highly recommend them!

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth in Milkyway (Deluxe Sample)

I’ve never tried a Laura Mercier product before, so I was excited to put this lipstick to the test! It is definitely creamy and smooth, and feels very moisturizing on the kips. Milkyway is a nude shade that leans towards a brown-beige. It reminds me of the coveted Kylie Jenner lip shade that people try to replicate. I’m not sure it’s for me, but it’s very fun to try it!

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Peony (Deluxe Sample)

I’ve been wanting to try this line from Too Faced for over a year now! So many beauty gurus love these, and I can see why. The formula is amazing, and applies so cleanly. I don’t think Peony is the perfect shade for me, but now I know that I love the formula and feel of these lipsticks. If you have a favorite shade, please share it with me in the comments!

Clinique Chubby Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry (Deluxe Sample)

Clinque Chubby Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Strawberry

I always seem to love lip crayons like this one from Clinque. In my daily life, I prefer a tinted lip color that looks really natural. That’s just what you get with Strawberry. It has a nice wash of pink tint, and wears nicely throughout the day. I’m definitely interested in seeing what other shades are available!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak (Full Size)

I’ve also been excited to try the Revolution Lipstick collection from Urban Decay! I’m really enjoying this lipstick and the creamy formula. The application is a bit tough due to the large lipstick size, but I think I might use a lip brush for a better line in the future. I’m also swooning over the amazing packaging on this lipstick!

Bite Matte Creme in Cognac (Deluxe Sample)

One of the more adventurous lipsticks in the bunch is from Becca. This super dark shade reminds me of the 1990s. The lipstick itself is a skinny crayon, and a bit difficult to apply. I’ve heard great things about this product range, so I think I’ll be experimenting with this some more!

Buxom Lip Polish in Sophia (Deluxe Sample)

Another one of my most worn in the kit so far is this Buxom gloss. It is so wearable, and the formula is great. I hesitate to describe it as sticky, because I know people don’t like sticky glosses, but it is long-wearing and stays on the lips. Plus, it makes the lips look really full. This product can be worn alone or over a lipstick.

Tarte Energy Gloss in Clear (Deluxe Sample)

This Tarte lip gloss is really unique. It applies almost clear, but has a slight pink tint that adjusts based on your skin tone. On me, it is a true pink, and I really love it. It feels so silky on the lips, too.

Ciate Liquid Velvet in Risque (Full Size)

Last but not least is one of my favorite products in the kit, Ciate Liquid Velvet in this amazing red color. I fell in love with this matte finish the first time I tried it. While I’m not one to rock a red lip normally, I am obsessed with this lip color. I had no idea Ciate was into lip products, and that they are incredible!

All in all, I highly recommend picking up the Give Me More Lip kit from the Sephora Favorites collection! It is definitely expensive at $59, but it’s a $197 value, and I think 100% worth the price. The products in this kit make perfect gifts this holiday season, and, of course, you can keep your favorites for yourself! I hope this post was helpful in terms of seeing some swatches of the products. Make sure to pick up Give Me More Lip on Sephora’s website HERE before it sells out!

What lip product is your favorite in this kit? Let me know in the comments!

The products in this post were purchased by my. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Pumpkin Batch Unboxing | Wicked Good Pumpkin for October 2015

Posted on November 10, 2015November 4, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It’s no secret that I am a huge pumpkin lover, so when I heard about The Pumpkin Batch I couldn’t believe such amazingness existed. The Pumpkin Batch is a monthly subscription box that features all pumpkin goodies. That’s right, this box is filled with 4-6 items that feature pumpkin in some way. I was lucky enough to receive the October box for review, and am excited to share it with you today. Make sure you stay tuned to the end of this blog post, as I have a coupon code for all of you!

I filmed an unboxing video so you can see how The Pumpkin Batch arrives, and all of the goodies in person. I will also have photos and more information of each individual product below for you.

As I mentioned in the unboxing video, The Pumpkin Batch includes items that are made in America. I love learning about new-to-me small businesses, and I think it’s amazing that The Pumpkin Batch does all the work in finding them for me. Let’s take a closer look at each product in the Wicked Good Pumpkin box!

Puurbody Flickering Wick Pumpkin Spice Soy Candle – $6 [BUY]

I’m not a candle person, but this one smells absolutely divine. I have it sitting in my bedroom, and even though it’s not lit I can smell it faintly in the background. This candle makes an excellent gift, and I love that it is made of 100% pure soy wax with no additives. I can tell this is a handmade item because the wax is a bit messy on the top of the jar, but because I’m keeping this for myself I don’t mind it one bit.

Wicked Whoopie Pumpkin Whoopie Pie – $3 [BUY]

I shared this whoopie pie with my mom because she is a whoopie pie aficionado. She said it was really delicious, and almost as good as the fresh bakeries in our community. I love that The Pumpkin Batch includes a fresh baked good in each box, but this one did contain a very long ingredients list with preservatives. It was also a huge splurge calorie-wise. Nonetheless, it is definitely a yummy treat!

Ravens Creek Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub – $12 [BUY]

I am so excited about this sugar scrub! Not only does it smell amazing, but I use sugar scrubs in my regular skincare routine so I know I will get use out of this. This is the one product I haven’t tried yet, simply because I just opened another scrub in the shower. I will be sure to report back and let you know my thoughts on it!

The Poisoned Applies Handmade Pumpkin Caramel – $7 [BUY]

Okay, it’s time to let you know about my favorite treat in the box! I cannot stress to you how delicious these caramels were! I may have accidentally eaten both in one sitting (oops). I don’t recommend you do that, though – they are so rich! While these are a bit expensive to buy normally, I highly recommend them as a special treat or gift. I’m still dreaming about them!

Kraken & Claw Kraken Corn in Harvest Brew – $5 [BUY]

The last item in the October box is this delicious popcorn. I also really, really enjoyed this! I’m a popcorn fan, so this made a great nighttime treat. This would also make an awesome gift during the holidays! I am going to have to browse through the Kraken & Claw shop to see what else they offer!

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOX + SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

Overall, I really enjoyed the October box from The Pumpkin Batch! While this is not a box I would get all year round, I think it makes an amazing fall time treat. There are three different subscription options for The Pumpkin Batch. A monthly subscription is $29.99 per month, but you can save money with a longer commitment. A three-month subscription is $26.99 per month, and a full year is $24.99 per month. You can also give The Pumpkin Batch as a gift, which I highly recommend for the pumpkin lover in your life this holiday season! One gift box is $34.99, and a yearly gift is $299.99.

The Pumpkin Batch has provided all of you with a coupon code for 15% off your first box in any monthly or quarterly subscription. Enter polishpumpkin15 at checkout HERE. This coupon expires on November 30, 2015, so make sure you act fast if you want to save!

What do you think of The Pumpkin Batch? Let me know in the comments!

Follow The Pumpkin Batch on Social Media

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Manicure Monday | Milani Color Statement in Mint Crush

Posted on November 9, 2015November 3, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Manicure Monday! Today I’m sharing another nail polish that I recently swatched as a part of my great destash project (learn more about that HERE). For some reason when I picked up Mint Crush from the Milani Color Statement line, I wasn’t thrilled with the color in the bottle. It looked like a polish I had a dupe of, and I set it aside in the ‘maybe’ pile. I’m so glad I decided to swatch it before giving it away! Let me show you this beautiful polish!

Mint Crush is a pastel blue polish with a creme finish. It has a perfect formula that is opaque in one to two coats! You can definitely get away with one coat, but I did two in the photos above just out of habit. I am beyond impressed with the formula and the stunning color. This is definitely a case where the polish is more exciting on the nails than in the bottle. I’m crushing on Mint Crush! While I usually wear pastel polishes more in the spring, this blue shade is also perfect for winter. I’ll have to remember that in January!

All in all, I highly recommend Mint Crush from Milani. You can pick up this polish at your local drugstore, or online HERE for just $3.99. I’ve had such great luck with Milani nail polishes, and now I’m inspired to wear them more often. I’m glad I rediscovered this in my destash process!

What is your favorite Milani nail polish? Let me know in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop

Posted on November 6, 2015November 4, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share my thoughts on the stunning highlighter created by BECCA Cosemtics and YouTube beauty guru Jaclyn Hill. I don’t typically spend a lot on makeup products, but I just had to gave this limited edition product, especially because I love Jaclyn and knew anything she created would be amazing. I decided to purchase the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop in my latest Sephora Haul (see everything I got HERE). I’ve been using it nearly every single day since! Let me show you this stunning product, and share my thoughts with you.

First things first, I wanted to mention the stunning packaging in which Champagne Pop comes. The box is a beautiful rose gold that is so metallic and shiny I had issues taking a decent photograph of it! I normally don’t keep boxes, but I think I will be hanging onto this one because it is a special product, and a huge splurge item for me. I just had to point out the beautiful box to all of you!

The product itself is also well packaged. Champagne Pop comes in a sturdy compact with a large mirror. Moreover, the highlighter is beyond beautiful. It is a golden shimmer that truly packs a punch. I used to be really afraid of shimmering skin because I tend to be oily, but Champagne Pop is so gorgeous that I feel confident whenever I wear it! The formula is so soft and satiny, and blends out beautifully. I use a very light hand during application because I have very fair skin, but it shows up well and looks stunning. I really can’t praise this product enough!

BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop

Here are swatches of Champagne Pop both in artificial light (left) and natural sunlight (right). I do blend out the product much more when wearing it on my face, but I wanted to show you how strong the shimmer effect is on the skin. You can 100% control how much the product shows up on your face. I recommend using the Real Techniques Setting Brush, which is perfect for powder products.

All in all, I am obsessed with Champagne Pop. I don’t wear makeup every day, but when I do I’ve been reaching for this product nine times out of ten. I’m so glad I decided to purchase it! Champagne Pop is a splurge product at $38, but I highly recommend it. If you have a makeup lover in your life, this also makes the perfect holiday gift! You can buy it exclusively at Sephora HERE.

Have you tried Champagne Pop? Let me know in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Carrie by Stephen King

Posted on November 5, 2015April 12, 2026 by Adventures in Polishland

Carrie by Stephen King

Published by Doubleday on April 5, 1974

Genres: Adult, Fiction, Horror, Fantasy

Format: Paperback

Pages: 245

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Carrie knew she should not use the terrifying power she possessed… But one night at her senior prom, Carrie was scorned and humiliated just one time too many, and in a fit of uncontrollable fury she turned her clandestine game into a weapon of horror and destruction…

REVIEW

One of my lifelong goals is to read Stephen King’s work in publishing order, and I finally began my quest with Carrie upon finding a vintage and battered copy at a library book sale. While I knew the general story of Carrie already, I was still interested in reading the book. Carrie is a very quick and easy read, as the novel is under 300 pages. The story is immediately captivating. I really liked how the book is written. The story is written in the third person, and follows Carrie and her high school classmates. At the same time, the story is intermixed with fictional books and news articles that look back upon Carrie and her life. It makes the story feel real, and I wished I could go and read more from those fictional secondary sources.

While the writing is intriguing and flows well at the beginning, the story gets a bit jumbled at the end of the novel. The cadence of the book is upset towards the end, which definitely took away from the reading experience for me. That being said, Carrie is a debut novel, and I think it is a solid debut notwithstanding the disorganized writing.

Moreover, Carrie deals with the real life issue of bullying in a way that I’ve never read. It is so sad to see how Carrie’s classmates terrorize her, and it’s also sad to think that this bulling still occurs today over forty years later. Carrie is such a sympathetic character, and it is truly heart-wrenching to see how she is treated by her peers.

In the same way, Carrie’s mother is also a horrifying character. She is a fundamentalist Christian, and abuses Carrie. It is quite thought-provoking that King surrounds Carrie, the supposed monster, with such terrible people. It makes a great statement about what truly makes one good versus evil.

Overall, I enjoyed Carrie and am glad I decided to read King’s work in publishing order. It will be great to see the evolution of his writing over time. If you haven’t read Carrie I definitely recommend it despite the lackluster writing at the end of the novel. It is, of course, a well-known novel, and the bullying theme is an important one. I look forward to continuing on with King’s novels, and will be sure to share my thoughts on each in the future!

BUY THE BOOK at Bookshop.org HERE (affiliate link)

Color Club Halo Hues in Cloud Nine

Posted on November 4, 2015November 3, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I’ve recently begun to declutter my nail polish collection once again. It is definitely a huge project, and a difficult one at that. While I am a collector and blogger, I also don’t want to own too many nail polishes simply for emotional reasons. I’ve decided to go through one box of polish at a time and destash on a smaller scale. Part of my process includes swatching polishes that I’m unsure whether or not I should keep. I decided to share these polishes with all of you as I continue on this process! Today I’m featuring a polish I’ve never even tried before, and that is Cloud Nine from the Color Club Halo Hues collection.

Color Club released its first Halo Hues Collection back in 2013, and I picked up Cloud Nine because I found it really beautiful. I was so excited when I picked it up, but for some reason never used it. Well, I am embarrassed I waited so long! Cloud Nine is a stunning pale pink polish with a holographic finish. It has an excellent formula that is opaque in two coats. The holographic effect is really strong, and definitely one of the best I’ve experienced. I don’t wear holographic polishes often, but I will be sure to reach for this one again soon!

All in all, if you can get your hands on a bottle of Color Club Cloud Nine, I highly recommend you do so! This polish is a couple years old now, so it is a bit more hard to find. Nonetheless, the lesson today is to try every nail polish you buy! I’m so glad I finally tested this one!

Do you own any Color Club Halo Hues? Let me know in the comments!

Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser Review

Posted on November 2, 2015December 4, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you a new-to-me skincare product from the brand Michael Todd. When I first heard about charcoal skincare products, I was a bit hesitant to use them, but my skin absolutely loves charcoal. I’ve tried charcoal masks and exfoliators, and they’ve worked really well. I jumped at the chance to review the recently repackaged Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser from Michael Todd. I had just run out of cleanser, and I knew this would be the perfect replacement. Let me tell you more about Charcoal Detox, and share my experience using the product.

Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser Review

Michael Todd Charcoal Detox is a gel cleanser that is designed to lift impurities that are deep-set in the skin without stripping the skin of its natural hydration. Charcoal helps to remove pore blockages and eliminates excess oil. Charcoal Detox also includes Sugar Cane and Maple and Bilberry Extract to stimulate cell turnover and heal dark spots. It also has Tea Tree Oil for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory healing properties. Charcoal Detox is ideal for those with oily and blemish prone skin.

I have combination skin that is both oily and dry at the same time. My pores are enlarged throughout my T-zone, and I am always looking to clear them out gently. Charcoal Detox made it to my doorstop just in time – I was starting to break out in really nasty acne. I used Charcoal Detox just one time and I could already feel a huge difference in my skin! I feel like I am writing an infomercial, but it is so true! My acne cleared up in just a week of using this cleanser.

I use Charcoal Detox with my FOREO Luna in the shower. I’ve never used a gel cleanser before, but I really like it because of its light texture. After rinsing off the cleanser, my skin feels amazing. It’s really clean, but at the same time very soft. I can tell that my skin isn’t stripped of its natural hydration! My skin is really loving Charcoal Detox for sure!

All in all, I am a huge fan of the Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser! If charcoal works well with your skin type, I highly recommend this cleanser. If you’re new to charcoal, I think you should try it out if you have clogged pores and oily skin. Charcoal Detox is a vegan product, and is made in the USA. It is a higher end skincare brand, but it is worth every penny in my opinion. The full size 6.7 fl oz bottle retails for $23.00 on ULTA’s website HERE. I am definitely going to continue using this cleanser until the last drop!

Do you use charcoal skincare products? Let me know in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Birchbox Haul | Hair Care & Makeup

Posted on October 30, 2015October 25, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! It’s the last day of Haul Week here on the blog! Today I have a small haul from Birchbox. Although I am no longer subscribed to the Birchbox subscription program, I had saved up $10 worth of points that were expiring this month. I decided to use my points and pick up a hair care favorite, plus a few other goodies. Let me show you what I got – all for $25!

Perhaps you didn’t know that in addition to its subscription program, Birchbox has an amazing online store! It’s a bit like Sephora, but there are often sales and coupons, and even freebies! There is a rewards system as well called Birchbox Points. While subscribers earn points very frequently, anyone can earn points just by shopping online. Each dollar spent is one point earned, and 100 points equals $10. I always save my points, but because they expire in a year’s time, I needed to use them right away!

First, let me share the products I purchased. I had to grab my holy grail dry shampoo from Klorane. No matter how many dry shampoos I try, this one is still a favorite. Unfortunately, it costs $20, so I only pick it up when there is a deal. I also decided to purchase a trio of mini lip glosses from Cythnia Rowley. I received one of these glosses in a Birchbox last year and really loved it, so I grabbed it for $15. I am a little disappointed with how tiny these glosses are, but I’m still happy with them. I’ll have a full blog post showing them off soon!

The rest of the items in this haul were freebies! I got an email from Birchbox with a coupon code for this travel size dry shampoo from Living Proof along with the L. Erickson headband. I’ve been doing PiYo for over a month now, so this headband really comes in handy for my short hair. Plus, I am always up for drying out another dry shampoo. Maybe this one will beat out Klorane!

Finally, Birchbox has a Bonus Shop that lets you add additional freebies to your order depending on what you buy. I always go for the Mystery Sample Pack. If you spend $35 or more, you can add this pack to your order for free. It contains two deluxe samples, but you don’t know what they are. This time I got the Templespa In Good Condition Hair Conditioner and Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Blue Lagoon. These are great products, but I think I’ll be passing them on this time.

All in all, I’m really happy with this Birchbox purchase! I do miss the subscription program, but still recommend it for those of you who have an extra $10 to spend each month. You can subscribe using my referral link HERE if you’re interested.

What is your favorite hair care product at the moment? Let me know in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Body Shop Haul | Skincare, Scrubs, & More!

Posted on October 28, 2015October 25, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Haul Week continues with a huge haul from The Body Shop. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the sales that The Body Shop has for the past couple of months, but I knew I would be shopping during the month of October. I recently joined the Love Your Body program at The Body Shop. This is a rewards program where you pay $10 per year and earn 10% off every single purchase. In addition, you get a $10 coupon during your birthday month and other perks throughout the year. In essence, the Love Your Body program pays for itself with the birthday coupon! Luckily, The Body Shop had an amazing sale early in October, and I stocked up on a ton of products I needed. Let me show you what I purchased!

The Body Shop always has a sale going on, and usually it is Buy 3, Get 2 Free. However, when I shopped it was Buy 3, Get 3 Free! In addition, I shopped through Ebates to earn cash back on my purchase. The Body Shop is usually 4% cash back, but I shopped during a double cash back promotion and earned 8% cash back! It really pays to do your research when it comes to products you want to purchase. Plan in advance, and you’ll be knowledgable about sales and coupons!

The main reason I placed this order is because I desperately needed some body scrubs! I ran out back in July, and it was time to stock up. I try to use a body scrub once per week to remove dead skin cells. With the colder months arriving, exfoliating is a must! I picked up the Coconut, Mango, and Pink Grapefruit scents. I’ve already begun using the Coconut Scrub, and it smells amazing! Now I’m all set on scrubs for the coming months, and I saved a ton of money by stocking up during a sale!

Next I picked up some new to me skincare items. I just ran out of cleanser, and my serum is running very low. I also wanted a light moisturizer for the daytime, as my face can get quite greasy. I decided to try out a couple different items from The Body Shop. First, I got the Vitamin E Cream Cleanser. I am hoping this will cleanse my face without stripping it of needed oils. Then I reached for two products from the Vitamin C line. I’ve had great luck with Vitamin C products in the past, so I’m hoping these work well. I grabbed both the Vitamin C Skin Boost serum and the Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer.

Last but not least, I got a couple freebies! Every order from The Body Shop comes with one free sample. I got the Tea Tree Facial Wash to test. Then I got a really exciting bonus! The Body Shop had a promotion where if you spent $60, you got a free Mega Shower Gel of your choice. I went with Satsuma, as its one of my favorite scents from The Body Shop.

PRICE BREAKDOWN:

Coconut Body Scrub – $20
Mango Body Scrub – $20
Pink Grapefruit Body Scrub – $20
Vitamin E Cream Cleanser – $16
Vitamin C Skin Boost – $28
Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer – $21
Mega Satsuma Shower Gel – $20

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $145

DISCOUNTS:

Buy 3, Get 3 Free ( – 20, 20, 16)
Free Mega Shower Gel ( – 20)
$10 Birthday Coupon ( – 10)
10% Love Your Body Discount ( – 10%)
Free Shipping with $50 Purchase

TOTAL SPENT: $53.10 (or 64% savings)

Plus, I earned $2.65 in cash back from Ebates! What an amazing deal!

All in all, I am so excited about my new products from The Body Shop! My Love Your Body membership has already paid for itself, and I got to stock up on a ton of needed products. I hope this post helped you learn how to familiarize yourself with store sales in order to maximize the savings! It definitely pays to keep a wish list and be patient for just the right sale! If you’d like to see a full review on any of the products in this post, please let me know in the comments

What is your favorite scent from The Body Shop? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Birthday Haul | What I Got for My Birthday!

Posted on October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Haul Week continues with a Birthday Haul today. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, October is my birthday month. I celebrated 26 this year, which is a bit hard to believe. I feel like my Sweet 16 was just a few years back! Nonetheless, I thought I would share the gifts I got with all of you. Perhaps you’ll want to add some of these to your next wish list! Let me show you what I got for my birthday this year.

My parents got me some practical gifts, and then this awesome blush palette from Benefit Cosmetics! This is the Real Cheeky Party Holiday Blush Palette. It retails for $42, but contains four blushes, the Hoola bronzer, Watt’s Up! highlighter, and two sample sizes of They’re Real! in the eyeliner and mascara. I own one Benefit blush that I absolutely love, and I’ve been wanting to try more. I’m really excited that I now have this in my collection! If you want to get your hands on this, make sure to grab it now. It’s Limited Edition and sure to sell out!

I told you my parents got me some practical gifts! This is the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Water Bottle Cleaning Set. It is MUCH needed! I always use a reusable water bottle, and those straws can be really hard to clean well. Not all of my water bottles can go in the dishwasher, and I didn’t even have a dishwasher at my last apartment! I first got the idea for this when cleaning my nephew’s baby bottles back in January. Adults need clean bottles, too, and I’m so glad I have this set!

The last gift my parents got me is a Postal Scale from American Weigh Scales. I’ve been wanting one of these for a long time! I send out a lot of packages, and this will help me avoid the lines at the post office and print my own postage at home. I can get the exact weight of all my packages now! That means faster shipping for my giveaways, too. I’m excited to begin using this right away!

Next are the gifts from my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew! First up is Garfield Holiday Collection, which is a DVD of all of the holiday shorts starring Garfield. I mainly wanted this because I love Garfield’s Halloween Adventure, but that almost never airs on TV anymore! Now I get to watch it whenever I want! In fact, I watched it the night I got this gift. I also love Garfield’s Christmas special, so it will be fun to watch that in just a month!

My last gift from my brother’s family is very special. I’ve been a huge Full House fan my entire life, and my brother happened to know someone working on the new TV show Grandfathered. What you see above is a handwritten birthday wish from Bob Saget! I nearly fell on the floor when I opened the card! I really appreciate my brother’s friend going out of her way to ask Bob for this incredible message. And, of course, a huge thank you to Bob Saget for taking the time to write me this note!

All in all, I had a nice birthday that I got to celebrate with my family for the first time in three years! I had my choice meal of Chipotle, and of course a hot pink cake. No celebration is complete without some tasty treats, right?! I hope you liked seeing what I got for my birthday. I’m so thankful for the gifts I received, and wanted to share them. If you are also an October baby, I hope you had a great birthday, too! I’ll see you tomorrow as haul week continues!