Lifestyle – Page 28 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Lifestyle

January 2014 Favorites!

Posted on January 30, 2014January 30, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! January is quickly coming to a close, and it’s time for me to share some of the things I’ve been loving this month with all of you. I don’t have too many beauty favorites this month, since I’ve been keeping it rather natural in the new year. Nonetheless, here are my January 2014 favorites!

NAIL POLISH

Milani Nail Polish in Popping Pink and Sugar Rush [REVIEW 1] [REVIEW 2]

As you may have guessed, I am just obsessed with the new Milani Gold Label polishes that will be in CVS stores starting in February. My favorite combination is one coat of Sugar Rush over Popping Pink. This manicure is so fun, and I love everything about these polishes. I highly recommend them!

BLUSH

NYC Cheek Glow in Riverside Rose [BUY]

I recently picked up this blush from NYC at Rite Aid during a sale event (see my haul post HERE), and I’m so impressed! The color is just right for my skin tone, and it looks so natural. I can’t believe this costs just $2.99! Run to the drugstore and grab this now!

MASCARA

L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara [REVIEW] [BUY]

It’s probably no surprise at this point that I love this new mascara from L’Oreal! As much as I love trying out different mascaras, I am rushing to finish the other ones in my stash so I can wear this every day! The wand is beyond amazing, and the formula is perfect for my lashes. Every mascara fan needs this one in her collection!

HAIR

Got2b Guardian Angel Heat Protectant [BUY]

I purchased this heat protectant several weeks ago during a sale event at CVS. I had a coupon, so I figured I would give this a try at a low price. I’m so glad I picked it up! My hair has never looked more smooth or shiny (yet not greasy). Since I straighten my hair most days, this heat protectant is tailored to my needs as well.

BODY LOTION

Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion [REVIEW] [BUY]

As soon as I returned to NYC after my winter break, I couldn’t wait to grab my Nivea lotion. It really is my all-time favorite body lotion thus far. Not only does it work, but it doesn’t have an annoying scent. Keep an eye out for coupons in the Sunday paper for added savings!

FOOD

Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels

I grabbed these pretzels at TJ’s and quickly devoured the bag. In fact, I may have polished off the remnants while I’ve been writing this post… whoops. These may not be the healthiest snack in the world, but at least I know that they’re all natural. I think I’m going to hold off on buying another bag for a while, though. I just don’t have any self control when it comes to these goodies!

MUSIC

The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 by Justin Timberlake [BUY]

I’ve been listening to JT’s latest album nonstop lately. Granted, everything he touches turns to gold in my eyes, but this album is fantastic! I love the entire thing, but my favorite songs are Not a Bad Thing and Murder. If you don’t have this album yet, you should definitely buy it!

That’s it for my January favorites! I hope you enjoyed seeing what I’m currently loving, and please share your favorites with me as well. Leave your thoughts in the comments, or use hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media.

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Subscription Sunday | January Birchbox

Posted on January 19, 2014January 18, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I’m excited to share with all of you my January Birchbox. It was quite heavy when it arrived in the mail, so I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. If you’re new to Birchbox, it’s a $10 per month subscription service that sends out around five deluxe samples to you every month. The box mainly contains beauty and skincare items, but other goodies show up every once in a while as well. I am a huge Birchbox fan, and continue to receive it every month after canceling a lot of other subscription services. Let me show you what I got this month!

Every month, Birchbox focuses on a new theme. In January, it’s Go Time! Birchbox is encouraging all of us to try new things this year, and really dive into some adventures. Sounds like a motiving way to begin 2014!

Here are the first three products in my box. I’ll describe them from left to right, and let you know the retail value of each sample.

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Créme – $8.00 – I’m excited for this sample! Not only is it a great size and value, but I need something like this for my hair. This glossing créme tames frizz and adds moisture into the hair. I can’t wait to test it out!
Nail Rock Sequin Kit in Green – $7.00 – Birchbox always excites me with nail polish products! This kit comes with a nail sequin pot and a special base coat. This is a full size product, and I can’t wait to see how it works. Stay tuned for a full review!
Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum – $4.58 – This serum really intrigues me! It’s designed to tighten pores, and also has anti-aging qualities. I’ll definitely be sure to give it a try and see what happens!

Ahmad Teas Assorted Teas – $0.53 – As a lifestyle extra this month, Birchbox included three tea bags from Ahmad Tea. I seem to get a lot of tea from Birchbox, and I like it, especially in the winter. The three flavors I received are Mint Mystique, Apricot Sunrise, and English Tea No. 1. I hope they’re tasty!
100% Pure French Lavender Hand Buttercream – $1.01 – The last product in my box was actually three foil packets of this hand cream. I thought that was pretty interesting, but I do appreciate getting three packets instead of just one. Even though it’s a low retail value, I can pop these in my purse for when I need moisture on the go!

As a final bonus, Birchbox included a set of five, inspirational postcards. Each contains a cute quote on the front, plus tips on achieving your New Year’s Resolutions on the back. These are great to hang up, include in your journal, or send to friends. I love them!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $21.12

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST AND 5 BEING BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: While the retail value of this box may not be very high, I can and will use each and every product in this box. I would prefer to not receive foil packets, but I will give Birchbox props for at least providing multiples instead of just one. I am very excited about the Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Créme and the Nail Rock kit. Plus, any time Birchbox includes a little bonus I am a satisfied customer!

Are you a Birchbox subscriber? If not, join HERE for just $10 per month. If you are, let me know what you got this month in the comments. I hope your 2014 is off to a fantastic start!

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

December 2013 Favorites!

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! It’s officially 2014 now, and that means I need to share my December 2013 favorites with all of you. December was an interesting month – it started quite stressful with finals, and then ended with the holidays and spending time with family. I even spent half of December without any nail polish on at all (okay, to be honest I’m STILL not wearing any, but that will change soon!). Despite my nontraditional month, I managed to love some certain things. Here are my December 2013 favorites!

HAND SOAP

Bath & Bodyworks Fresh Sparkling Snow Foaming Soap [BUY]

I don’t typically buy foaming soap, but my mom gave this to me when I visited for the holidays, and I’m obsessed with it! The scent of Fresh Sparkling Snow is so yummy! Bath & Bodyworks describes it as snow-covered pine, musk, and moss, and I think it’s the perfect combination. I’m thinking of stocking up during the clearance sale to make sure I’ll have enough to last me the year!

LIP BALM

eos Lip Balm in Summer Fruit [BUY]

Every night before bed I’ve been applying this lip balm, which I recently discovered is pronounced ee-ohs (that blew my mind!). While this isn’t my favorite lip balm of all time, I’m definitely a sucker for the unique packaging and application. Plus, I really like the Summer Fruit flavor!

CONCEALER

Manna Kadar Concealer Trio in Warm Front [BUY] [FULL REVIEW]

I’ve been loving this concealer trio since I first tried it! The light shade is just perfect for my skin tone, and it applies flawlessly. I’ve even worn it alone without foundation on days when I’m not wearing much makeup at all. It’s a bit expensive, but 100% worth it!

BODY LOTION

Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy Cream [BUY]

My mom gave me this mini size Gold Bond, and I’ve already used up the entire thing! It is so amazing – no scent, very moisturizing, and not greasy. I definitely still love my Nivea lotion, but this one is fantastic as well. It is very healing and perfect for the winter months. I highly recommend it (and yes, it would be great for swatching!).

BAR SOAP

Wisalya Soap [BUY]

Last year my brother and sister-in-law gave me a trio of Wisalya soaps for Christmas, and I knew I wanted more this year! I got a variety of scents as gifts, and this month I’ve been loving Black Raspberry Vanilla (but took a picture of Apple Jack since the other is half used in my shower!). I really love Wisalya soaps – they’re handmade with natural ingredients and smell wonderful. Plus, you support a small business with your purchase! Definitely check out the shop!

EXPERIENCE

Julie G NYC Meet Up [FULL DETAILS]

One of the highlights of December was meeting Julie G of YouTube. I wrote a full blog post about the experience, but I definitely wanted to include it in my favorites post. It was truly a wonderful time, and it brightened up the middle of my final exams.

What were your favorites in December? Share them with me in the comments or use hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Keep the Stress at Bay with Holiday Essentials from Duane Reade! #DRHoliday

Posted on December 16, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

CB-sponsored-post-black-600 Happy Monday! While the holidays are my favorite time of the year, they can also get a bit stressful. You may know that I am only a part time beauty blogger and a full time law student. That means I’m in the midst of finals, but still trying to enjoy the holiday season as much as possible. When I learned about the amazing items the Duane Reade holiday section has to offer, I couldn’t wait to get some goodies! I definitely needed a few things to get me in the Christmas spirit!

I went to Duane Reade with the mission of buying a few holiday decorations for my bedroom, and some candy to enjoy while studying for finals. I was so surprised to find a great array of options at the store! My tip is to look not only in the holiday aisle, but all around your local store. There were decorations, wrapping paper, and gift items all around! For instance, I spotted tinsel on the lower floor of my Duane Reade location. Here’s how beautiful the aisles looked!

As for decorations, I decided to grab some silver tinsel and a cute Merry Christmas sign. Both were very affordable, and I knew even these small touches would brighten up my bedroom at home. I decided to drape the tinsel around my bedroom door, and put my glittery sign near my makeup collection. While sitting at my desk, I can see both, and they put a smile on my face!

I also couldn’t say no to some holiday candy! I mean, snack breaks are an important part of studying for finals! I decided to go with some Sour Patch Kids and Reese’s Peanut Butter Trees. Maybe if my friends are lucky I’ll share with them!

I’m so glad that Duane Reade supplied me with some holiday essentials at great prices. My total for all of these items was just under $15 with tax! The decorations and candy may be a small touch, but it’s making my holiday season and finals much better. Of course, the Duane Reade Seasonal aisle has more than just decorations and candy – you can be sure to stock up on wrapping paper, gifts, stocking stuffers and more! Make sure to get yourself a little treat when you’re there as well.

Let me know how you keep the stress at bay during the holidays in the comments!

Subscription Sunday | December Birchbox

Posted on December 15, 2013December 12, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s time for one of my personal favorite parts of each month – sharing my Birchbox with all of you! I really love this $10 box of goodies, and this month is definitely a good one. I haven’t added up the retail value of all the products yet, so I can’t wait to discover that total as I write this post. Let’s take a look at what was inside my December box!

First off, how cute is this month’s box?! December’s theme is Holiday 2013, and everything was packaged even cuter than it usually is. I reuse all of my Birchbox boxes, and I’m really loving this one.

My box was pretty heavy when it arrived this month! I think you can see why! I’ll describe these products from left to right.

Manna Kadar Cosmetics Sheer Glo Lotion – $7.83 – This illuminating lotion will make your skin look glowy and gorgeous! I’ve used this as a highlighter on my cheekbones a few times, and I like it. Stay tuned for a full review later this week!
Hair Rules Curly Whip – $2.63 – I’m a bit disappointed here. I’m not sure why Birchbox keeps sending me products for curly hair when in my profile I clearly have it marked that I have fine and frizzy hair. Oh well, I can always give this to a friend.
BeeKind Body Lotion – $1.88 – Now this is a great product for me! I love using body lotion, especially in the winter. This one smells divine, and a portion goes to support honey bee and sustainable pollination research. How cool is that?!
Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T. Skin Perfecting Polisher – $10.13 – This product really intrigues me! It’s supposed to exfoliate, peel, tone, and hydrate the skin all at once! You don’t even have to rinse this off. I can’t wait to give this a try!

Birchbox Digimate – Bonus! – This month Birchbox included a complete bonus product – a digimate! This cute little patch sticks to the back of your phone, and you can remove it to wipe off your screen. It’s so handy! I love it!
Chuao Chocolatier Mini Bar in Honeycomb – $0.85 – Yum! This chocolate bar was just what I needed! So delicious that I want to get some more. There are tons of flavors to choose from as well (including Bacon and Potato Chip!).

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $23.05

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST AND 5 BEING BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: Despite the retail value being low and receiving one product that I cannot use, I’m really liking my Birchbox this month. I can use all of the other products, and I’m rather impressed with the sample sizes. Plus, the Digimate was a great bonus, and I’ve already used it a ton! Birchbox also gets a high score this month for the wonderful packaging.

There you have it! My December Birchbox! As always, you can join Birchbox for just $10 per month HERE. I really do love getting this subscription service, and it’s one that I’ve kept despite canceling a bunch of others. If you get Birchbox, let me know what you received this month in the comments!

Subscription Sunday | December Julep Maven Box

Posted on December 8, 2013December 8, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Now that I am down to just two subscription boxes, my Subscription Sunday posts will be less frequent, but I still look forward to them! This month I was really excited to get my Julep Maven box – the polishes looked so pretty! I opted for the It Girl style this month. Let me show you my December box!

This month’s theme is The Glitterati Collection, and I’m loving it! As a special bonus, Mavens received two yoga hair ties, and a 40% off discount code (not shown). Of course, my three polishes look absolutely stunning, even in the bottle!

First up is Celia, what Julep describes as an “icy green metallic”. Celia has a wonderful formula that is opaque in two coats. A few streaks are visible, as in most metallic polishes. As for the color, I’m loving it! It’s very unique and quite perfect for the holidays. Celia definitely gets a thumbs up from me!

Next up is Shoshanna, a yellow-gold holographic glitter. Shoshanna’s formula is a bit on the thick side, but easily maneuverable. It’s also opaque in two coats. I am blown away by this polish! It is stunning , and I truly own nothing else like it. I bet this would look great layered as well.

Last but not least is Evelyn, a deep purple creme polish that leans towards a berry shade. Evelyn had a good formula, and is opaque in two coats. I like that this more subdued polish came in my box this month. After two very unique shades, it’s nice to have a classic creme as well. Evelyn is quite beautiful!

All in all, I’m loving my December Julep Maven Box! It’s one of my favorite Julep boxes of all time, and I can’t wait to use these polishes over and over. If you’re not yet a Julep Maven member, you can join HERE. Use code FREEBOX to get your first box for free (you just pay shipping). Let me know what you got in your Julep box this month in the comments!
This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

November 2013 Favorites!

Posted on December 2, 2013December 2, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I can’t believe it is already December, and November has come to a close. Time flies by this time of year, and I try to enjoy it as much as possible. Let me share with you the products I loved during the month of November!

NAIL POLISH

Michael Marcus Once You Go Matte – $15 [BUY]

I’ve been obsessed with this black matte nail polish! I’ve already worn it twice! I definitely suggest following up with a matte top coat to ensure it is long-lasting.

CLEANSER

Murad Clarifying Cleanser – $26 full size [BUY]

I received this cleanser in a swap, and I am loving it! It’s gentle, clears my skin of impurities, and smells like lemon-lime soda. I’ll be sad when I finish this travel size!

MOISTURIZER

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer – $65 [BUY]

I received this moisturizer in a PopSugar box, and it’s amazing! It smells like lemons, and is perfect as a day moisturizer since it is not greasy and quickly absorbs into the skin. I’ve been combatting my winter skin this month, and this moisturizer has really helped!

EYESHADOW

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Just Beige – $8 [Drugstore!]

For a long time I’ve wanted a MAC Paint Pot just to cover up all of the veins on my eyelids. I didn’t want to splurge, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this Limited Edition Color Tattoo from Maybelline. It matches my skin tone well, and covers up the imperfections on my eyelids. Check your local drugstore to find it!

LIP PRODUCT

Baby Lips in Peach Kiss – $4 [BUY]

I am a self-diagnosed Baby Lips addict! I love all Baby Lips, but in November I wore Peach Kiss a lot. It is a gorgeous nude shade with a hint of sparkle. It moisturizes my lips while adding a little bit of color. I love it!

PERFUME

Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck – $49.50 full size [BUY]

I’m not a Taylor Swift fan, but I tried out this perfume sample and I’m hooked! It smells amazing, and I made this sample last as long as possible. Enchanted Wonderstruck is a great scent for the fall, and I even added the full size to my Wish List!

FASHION

Guess Pumps – $29.99 [BUY SIMILAR]

I was invited to my school’s annual gala, and I desperately needed some simple, black pumps. I found these ones from Guess at Burlington Coat Factory for just $29.99 with the original retail value of $60! I was so surprised at how comfortable these heels were, and how easy they were to walk in. I meandered the streets of Manhattan with ease!

BOOK

Allegiant by Veronica Roth – $6.99 [BUY]

I made time in my schedule this month to read Allegiant, the last book in the Divergent series. It is amazing! I won’t say too much, because I don’t want to spoil the story, but I did love it. I ordered the Kindle edition of the book so I could read it on my iPad and not wait for it to arrive in the mail. I highly recommend this book!

That’s it for my November favorites! I hope enjoyed this post, and be sure to let me know what your November favorites were in the comments!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Winter Wonderland Week Roundup

Posted on November 30, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I just wanted to share a quick roundup of all my Winter Wonderland Week posts just in case you may have missed one of them. If you have any other holiday nail art or beauty posts that you would like to see, let me know in the comments, and I will try to get them up before the season comes to a close!

Candy Cane Nails

Glam Holiday Makeup

Gift Guide – Beauty & Skincare

Snow-Capped Nails

Gift Guide – Fashion, Home, & More

Holiday Water Decals from Born Pretty Store

I hope you found Winter Wonderland Week to be enjoyable and inspirational! As always, thank you for following my Adventures in Polishland!

Winter Wonderland Week | Gift Guide – Fashion, Home, & More

Posted on November 28, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday, and Happy Thanksgiving! Today I have the second part of my Gift Guide to share with all of you. If you’re looking for something other than beauty products to give this season, this post is for you!

Delias Cable Heart Sweater

What:

A warm, cuddly sweater with a heart print.

Price:

$34.50 – save 20% with code DFT20 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

Printed sweaters are in this season! Keep your loved one warm this winter with an adorable heart design. Delias is one of my favorite stores!

BaubleBar Rose Dandelion Bib

What:

Bib necklace with mainly rose-colored stones from Miss Glamorazzi’s BaubleBar line.

Price:

$38 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

BaubleBar jewelry is affordable yet great quality! This necklace in particular is fashionable, and will go with a lot of outfits.

Whose Woods Are These Handmade Soy Candles

What:

Handmade candles and other relics of whimsy!

Price:

$12 to $30 on average [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

If you love vintage finds and candles, this is the shop for you! Everything is made with care, and make perfect gifts.

Divergent Series Complete Box Set

What:

The complete Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth.

Price:

$33.58 (Retail Value: $55.97) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

I read the Divergent series this year, and it is amazing! Any reader on your list will absolutely fly through these books. I highly recommend them!

Chery’s Sweet Holiday Cheer Gift Tin

What:

Snowman tin with 16 individually wrapped buttercream cookies.

Price:

$38.99

Why I recommend it:

My mom got me some of Cheryl’s cookies for my birthday, and they were divine! If you don’t have time to bake during the holidays, let Cheryl’s do the work for you. These cookies are so delicious!

And that completes my Gift Guide! I hope you found this post helpful! Let me know if you end up giving any of these gifts to your loved ones this season.

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

Subscription Sunday | November Birchbox

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! I am excited to be showing you what was inside my November Birchbox today! I haven’t added up what the retail value is yet, but I’m guessing it is one of the best I’ve ever received! Let me go ahead and show you what was inside my box, and we can discover the retail value together.

This month, Birchbox’s theme is More Good. Going hand in hand with the Thanksgiving season, Birchbox is donating a portion of its proceeds to No Kid Hungry, an organization that works to end childhood hunger. I think that is a great cause! You can also use hashtag #MoreGood all month to share how you are doing good for others this season.

Here is the first set of products in my November Birchbox! I’ll tell you a bit more about each product from left to right, including the retail value of each sample.

theBalm Cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen – $2.27 – This is a lip and cheek stain that has a unique gel formula. Unlike other stains, it feels a bit glossy, and not as drying. I really like that the color is not a bright red, but a more wearable berry shade. I may give it a go!
DDF Amplifying Elixir – $20.59 – Wow! Talk about a deluxe sample! This skin serum is designed to help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. With the full size product at $70, I love that I can try this product with Birchbox. Plus, the sample size will last me a long time!
Folle de Joie Eau de Parfum – $1.73 – I’m not quite sure why I’m receiving a perfume sample, since I opted out with my Birchbox profile. Nonetheless, this one smells amazing and is so long-lasting! I love it!
Color Club in Baldwin Blues – $2.00 – I love receiving polishes in subscription boxes! This mini is from the Harlem Lights collection, and I’m loving the color. Stay tuned for a full review on Adventures in Polishland very soon!

Still two more items to go! Wow!

Mighty Leaf Tea – $1.99 – Birchbox included three bags of Mighty Leaf tea this month! I love trying out new teas, so I’m quite excited about these. I got the flavors Vanilla Bean, Green Tea Tropical, and Organic African Nectar. This is perfect for the winter months!
Mox Botanicals Bath Milk in Jasmine Petal – $1.68 – Last but not least is a single-used packet of bath milk. I’ve never tried this kind of product before, but it’s supposed to make your bath smell wonderful. Interesting!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $30.26

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST, 5 BEING BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: While the retail value wasn’t as high as I expected, I am still very happy with my Birchbox this month! I got six sample products, and a great variety at that. I got skincare, makeup, nail polish, perfume, and even tea! I’m very excited to use all of these samples!

As always, you can join Birchbox for just $10 per month HERE. I highly recommend this program, especially if you love getting a good mix of products. Stay tuned for more Subscription Sunday posts in the future!

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