Birchbox Special Box: Modern Mermaid

Summer is upon us and what better way to spend it by using some summery products!  Birchbox has put together an awesome special box to have you "swimming" through summer. 

Once in a while Birchbox puts together a limited edition box for a season, holiday or other special occasion.  I normally don't get sucked into boxes like this, since there are normally only 1 or 2 things that catch my eye.  However, in this box EVERYTHING caught my eye!

This box is still available for purchase in the Birchbox store, so check it out!

The following products are essential for a perfect summer...

Looking to spend a lot of time in the pool or local lakes-You cannot forget to apply Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat prior to taking a dip!





The summer sun (whether it's out in full force or not) can burn areas, that you didn't even know were possible!  Protect those lippies with Coola's Liplux SPF 30 Original Formula.  This lip product doesn't feel like sunscreen on your lips at all.  Provides a light moisture, however don't forget to re-apply throughout the day!




Summertime is the time to go wild with your makeup and try vibrate colors you typically don't wear. Vasanti's Kajal Extreme Intense Eye Pencil in Electric Navy will provide your eyes with a mermaidesqe feel.  This waterproof eyeliner even has a sharpener on the cap for easy on the go application.





I don't know about you, but I love the way my hair looks and smells after being out in the sun or on the beach for a day.  Captain Blankenship's Mermaid Mane Sea Salt Spray provides just that.  This 2oz spray will provide just that and bringing back great memories of that perfect summer day.




Besides a colorful swimming suit, nothing says summer to me than colorful nails!  Ruffian has exclusively created a trio of colors for this box.  The Endless summer Collection sports colors such as, Endless Love, Blue Lagoon and Sahara.  Not sure which one to pick first!





After a day out in the sun, nothing is better than freshening up prior to going out at night.  Atelier Cedrat Enivrant Cologne Absolue Travel Spray.  This spray has a hint of lime, juniper and mint (my favorite).

Finally, you might be wondering how can I sport a lot of these products
without a mirror?!?!?  Have no fear!  Birchbox always remembers the fine details.  Stephanie Johnson has designed a "Mermaid Pocket Mirror" exclusively for Birchbox. This may be my favorite part of the box!




Hope everyone has a fab summer and what are some of the products you are using this time of year?


~Holsnicole


*This post was not sponsored by Birchbox and this box was purchased with my own funds. 

Where Have I been?

You might be wondering where I have been.  This past month has been one crazy one!  My work schedule has gotten outta control, a lot of visitors, my birthday weekend in Chicago....It seems like this time of year is crazy for everyone.  I am devoted to bring my viewers content and promise that I'll keep up with my weekly postings.  I have a lot of fabulous ideas in mind and I'm looking forward to blogging through the summer!



hint....hint....I have been hitting up Birchbox and other online monthly subscriptions a lot.  Also, came across an awesome place in Chicago!

Thanks for stickin' with me!

~Holsnicole

Lipstick, Lip Balm, Chapstick, Lippies.....Call It What You Want!

Lip products have always been my go-to beauty product for as long as I can remember.  Your lips are one of the first thing that most people notice (or maybe just guys do), however you always want them looking fresh.

Recently I have been getting into tinted lip products.  I have never really been a fan of standard lipstick, however lip crayons and tinted balms are so simple to put on and bring moisture and a hint of color.

I have a wide range of favorite lip products that I can not live without.  Some I have been using for a long time, others just a few weeks.

Here are my top 5 lip products that I absolutely in love with.

#1- Marc Jacobs Makeout LipLock
          I have talked about this product before.  Can't say enough about it.  Provides great moisture for the harsh Midwest winters and is very long lasting.  It is more on the pricey side, but well worth it!

#2 CoverGirl LipSlicks Smoochies in #Luv u
          Provides moisture and a hint of color.  Even though I feel like I go through this alot and the color really doesn't stay for a long period of time.  It's cheap enough that I feel like I'm getting my monies worth.

#3 Fresh Sugar in Rose
          This is a tinted lip treatment with SPF 15   It's been a while since I've used this one, but it's still one that I would always go back to.  It's got a nice lemony scent to it that makes your lips feel "fresh".

#4 Nivea A Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon
           Other than providing moisture, it doesn't really do too much else. This is another product that I have to keep applying, however I don't mind.  I love the scent and love how it makes my lips feel.

#5 NYX Chunky Dunk Hydrating Lippie in Berry Mojito
          I think this is a new product from NYX.  I've gotten NYX products before and I've always been really happy with their line. I recently picked up this lip crayon and have only used it a few times, but have nothing but wonderful things to say.  It was a great price and very long lasting.  It's almost like a stain.  I will be going back to pick up more colors.  However, I'm obsessed with this color!  Great for spring and summer and really stands out!  This is one you have to pick up!

Bonus Fav
           Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Coral Crush
                 I received this one in my May Birchbox.  Very smooth and leaves a nice tint.  I love the coral color.  Just something different than the standard pink or berry colors that are in right now.

Well, there you have it.  My favorite lippies!  What are some of your favorites?  What color are you rocking this spring/summer season?

Pucker Up!

~Holsnicole


*This is not a sponsored post. 

Home Desk Organization

I am normally a very organized and clean person.  However, I recently noticed that my home desk was getting a little cluttered with random items.  I wanted to new look - one that was simple and less messy.

From a recent order from Birchbox.com  I received an acrylic organizer that has a cute diamond green pattern at the bottom.  I think it was suppose to be used for makeup, but I thought it would be a great desk organizer!

You can find these acrylic organizers at stores like Target, The Container Store, office supply stores, etc. There are a wide variety of them and you can tailor them to the size of your desk or how many items you want to put in them.  A simple serving tray would work as well, just to group everything together.  But, I do like the different compartments to separate the contents.  

Let me know if you have any organizational tips for your home office.

Happy organizing!

~Holsnicole

April Birchbox Review

Birchbox brings so much joy to my life every month and this month was no different.  If anything it brought me even more joy!  Hands down the best box I've received yet this year!

If you don't know, Birchbox is a monthly subscription box of high end, hard-to-find in stores beauty and lifestyle products.  It's $10/month and worth every penny (most months that is). 

I would have to say, that I have actually made additional purchases on their website and have always been happy with my orders and if not, their customer service team is fabulous!

Well, let's dive into this month's box...

Color Club-Gala's Gems Collection in Breakfast at...

   As soon as I saw this on the info card I got excited!  First off, I love this color! It's not quite Tiffany Blue, but it will do...Can't wait to use it this spring!

Number 4 High Performance Hair Care-Clarifying Shampoo

   Looking forward to trying this brand.  I have seen it alot on Birchbox.  I'm a  little worried about trying a clarifying shampoo, since it's known to strip hair, but I think once a week should be okay.  Any thoughts on this?

    They also threw in a Reconstructing Masque-which I'm glad this was an extra, since it was a wonderful foil packet. :/

Sumita-Color Contrast Eyeliner-Deep Purple

   Decent size sample.  At first I thought this was a nice brown color, but it's actually a deep purple.  It glides on really smooth and it is really like a crayon.  I did purchase a full size one off the site, as well this week.  I decided to go with the brown.  Love it! 

Supergoop!-City Sunscreen Serum

   I've seen this brand before at Ulta, but never really looked into it.  Another decent size sample.  This goes on really smooth and leaves a silky feeling.  I'm planning on wearing this in place of my moisturizer in the summer, if I'm going to be outside.  However, I did also purchase the Coola Tinted BB Cream, that has SPF 30 for the summer. 

Finally, the lifestyle extra-KIND Snacks-Healthy Grains Bar in Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt.  Most likely won't be eating this, since I'm not really a fan of pumpkin.  Might look into other flavors of this though. 

Overall, very satisfied with this box.  They seem to keep getting better and better every month. :)

~Holsnicole

Eating Healthy

If any of you know me, you know that I'm not a very healthy eater.  It's not that I eat a lot, however I don't always eat the right foods. I am determined to change that!

During the week, I normally just have a bowl of Special K for breakfast.  At lunch time, I typically don't eat, which is not good, but my schedule typically doesn't allow time to have a full meal.  I'm lucky if I get a piece of string cheese. Dinner just depends on the night.  I know I need to start cooking more. I normally cook about 3-4 times a week and eat out the rest.  Which not only takes a hit on my bank account, but my body also takes a hit.

One bad habit that I need to knock is drinking soda.  I typically have at least tumbler of water a day at my desk, but at lunch time I always seem to crack a can of Pepsi. Darn caffeine!

Another bad habit, is chocolate. It's all in moderation!

Here are some of my favorite recipes from Pinterest and YouTuber, Aspyn.

My Pinterest Food Page (note-not everything on here is healthy :)  Pick and choose what you think is healthy).

All I can say is bring on summer for seasonal fruit and farmers markets!  My favorite Farmers Market. Check it out if you are ever in Madison, Wisconsin during spring-fall on Saturdays. 

Healthy eating everyone!

~Holsnicole

Influenster UniVoxBox Review

I recently sign aboard with a website called Influenster. Haven't heard of this site before?  They offer opportunities for consumers to review products currently on the market or getting ready to go to market.
You do have to be chosen to receive a box and I'm not really sure if there is a limit on how many boxes you can receive.  However, I did receive a box pretty quickly after taking a handful of surveys on their website on different industries that I'm interested in.

I was uber excited to receive this box. Overall, the products were so-so. Out of the six products I received, I will most like be using three of them or even thinking about going out and re-purchasing those three.

The theme of the box is "Back to School".  Included were full size products of the following:

Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-On Manicure
    I will not be using or even trying these. I might be more open to them if they were in a solid color or even a pretty pattern.  However, the pattern is pretty tacky looking.  Maybe for a vacation to the beach, even that would be pushing it.  Just my personal opinion.

Expert Last Lip Color in Forever Fuchsia
   I have tried the NYC brand before and have always been happy with the results of the products, however this color is just not flattering on me.  It reminds me the color of Lolli-tint by Benefit.  It would actually look nice on the cheeks. It does have a nice smell of bubblegum.  At age 30, I don't think it's something I could pull off.  I might look into other colors that NYC has to offer.  

Pilot Acroball Purewhite
   I use pens on a daily basis.  I like how it is a little larger than a stick pen and has a nice grip.  I have the starting stages of carpal tunnel, so I'm going to test it out and see how tight I grip the pen.  It might actually help.  The pen always came with a $1.50 coupon that I will be taking advantage of!  1st product of the box that I will get use out of!

Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation
   I received the shade-Light Ivory, which is perfect for me.  I can't wait to try this product. I like a natural looking face and I feel that matte will do this, with using a beauty blender as an applicator. Very happy about this product.

Playtex Sport Fresh Balance
   Not much to say about this, other than I will get use out of these.  It's a full size box, which is fantastic.  the third and final product of the box that I will be using.

Red Rose Real Tea Premium Water Enchancer
   I recently gotten into tea, however not a fan of black tea.  Won't even be trying this product.  Hoping I can find someone to give it to. This also came with a $1.00 off coupon.

This was a great opportunity to try new products or products I typically wouldn't purchase myself or at least the brands of the products.

Looking forward to getting more boxes by Influenster!  Don't forget to sign up on their website for a chance to review products!

~Holsnicole


*I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from influenster.