August 2012 Birchbox

Warning: this post is going to be a Birchbox rant.  My August box arrived and it has to be the absolute worst Birchbox I've received in the year and a half that I've been subscribed.  This month two of the four samples I received were absolutely miniscule and what you can get for free by simply walking into a store and asking for a sample.  The other products I received are lackluster at best.

My August Birchbox included:

Juicy Couture - Viva la Juicy La Fleur ($70/2.5 oz)
This modern scent is a feminine blend of wild berries, mandarin, and waterlily.

Sample size: 0.05 oz
Sample value: $1.40

Stila - Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm, Foundation & Concealer ($38/45ml and $44/1 oz & 1 g)
These multitasking favorites are your cheat sheet to flawless skin.

Sample size: 0.006 oz, 0.006 oz, and 0.003 oz
Sample value: $0.54

Whish - Shave Cream ($20/150 ml)
The organic shea butter in this foam-free shaving cream softens skin as you shave.

Sample size: not listed on product (1 oz or less)
Sample value: <$4

Yu-Be - Moisturizing Skin Cream ($16/1.25 oz)
This best-selling Japanese cream hydrates chapped lips, rough heels, and cracked hands.

Sample size: 0.1 oz
Sample value: $1.28

Extra - Schick Hydro Silk Razer ($9.99/1 razor)

Sample size: 1 razor
Sample value: $9.99

Total box value: <$17.21

First of all, I find it pathetic that the most valuable sample in my box this month is a drugstore razor.  Yes, a razor is a useful tool that I will most certainly use, but I do not want to receive a drugstore razor in my sample box of high end products that I pay for.  I am an avid couponer and I buy high quality razors from the drugstore and I pay less than a dollar each for them.  Thus the razor holds little to no value to me.

Receiving shaving cream in a box is disappointing to me.  I do not have sensitive skin and I will not, under any circumstances, be so blown away by a shaving cream that I will spend more than $0.50 for a bottle (again, I'm a couponer, so I get these toiletries for next to nothing).

The samples from Stila are so tiny that, besides the fact that they are much too dark for my porcelain skin, I couldn't even get a single full use out of them to see if I'd like the way they work for me.

The Yu-Be cream smells so intensely medicinal (think Vicks Vapor Rub) that I can't imagine I'd be inclined to use it unless I was ill.

The only sample this month that I find pleasant is the perfume, but this is such a tiny sample that I could easily get for free from Sephora, Ulta, or any department store.  This wouldn't bother me if at least a few of my other samples were decent.

As I've said before, my biggest complaint about Birchbox is their inconsistency between the value of the boxes and samples sent out to customers each month.  This month numerous boxes contained full-size PIXI makeup products (each valued at $18) among other samples.  Those boxes were above and beyond the value and worth of the box myself and others received.  I truly feel that Birchbox should focus more effort each month to ensure all customers receive a more balanced value for their money.  Each month I research the various boxes that are sent out to customers to see how even the distribution of products was.  I suggest Zadidoll's post on the August box, if you're curious to see the inconsistencies that upset me.

For me, Birchbox is entirely hit or miss.  About half the time I'm satisfied or elated with my boxes, and the other half I'm utterly disappointed and feel ripped off.  Last month I was really happy with my box.  The previous month not so much.  Because Birchbox has a great point system, I stay subscribed despite my numerous issues with their service.  I don't dislike Birchbox as a whole, I enjoy the concept and the product (most of the time).  I just feel like they should take it upon themselves to be more even and consistent in the boxes they send to subscribers each month.

Key Lime Marshmallows

I'm working on planning a Backyard S'more Party for early fall, and I've begun testing out new marshmallow recipes to make for some unique s'more combinations for my guests to create and enjoy.  One of the first flavor combinations that immediately came to mind when I began brainstorming for the party were Key Lime Pie S'mores (with homemade Key Lime Marshmallows and white chocolate on graham cracker).

Recently I did a little searching online for a key lime marshmallow recipe or a citrus marshmallow recipe I could convert to key lime.  I discovered this recipe for Lemon Lime Marshmallows and decided to adapt it to suit my needs.  Instead of using a mixture of lemon and lime juice, I substituted freshly squeezed key lime juice.

The resulting marshmallows were fluffy pillows of bright and tart key lime deliciousness!  These are definitely less sweet and more tart than your standard marshmallow, but I found them utterly refreshing and knew the tartness would be a perfect compliment for the super sweet white chocolate I would be paring these with for Key Lime Pie S'mores.

Paired with white chocolate, these were a perfect balance of sweet and tart and were wonderfully reminiscent of the classic pie.  If you're not feeling up to making s'mores, these marshmallows are also wonderful when dipped in white chocolate for a little added sweetness.

If you're a fan of tart key lime desserts, you should definitely give these a try.  With a few special tools (a candy thermometer and a stand mixer), marshmallows are really a breeze to make!


Key Lime Marshmallows
adapted from Mirabelle Creations
makes ~3 dozen marshmallows

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup freshly squeezed key lime juice

1 3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup cool water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon grated key lime zest

green food coloring, optional

Spray a 9x9 dish with spray cooking oil and set aside. Sprinkle a small amount of powdered sugar in dish, covering bottom and sides. 

Combine the gelatin and key lime juice in the bowl of a stand mixer.  On the stove, over medium heat, add sugar, corn syrup, water, salt, and lime zest to a small pan. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high.  Continue cooking the mixture, without stirring, until a candy thermometer inserted into the syrup reads 250 degrees F. This will take about 10-15 minutes and the mix will be boiling.

Mix the gelatin and key lime juice mixture on low speed.  After the syrup reaches 250 degrees, slowly pour it into the bowl of the electric mixer to combine with the gelatin. Mix on low speed until the syrup and gelatin mixture are combined.  Increase the speed of the mixer until it is on maximum. Beat the mixture until it becomes white in color and nearly triples in volume, about 15 minutes. Add the food coloring (to your desired color) to the mixture at this point and mix for one more minute.

Coat a rubber spatula with cooking spray.  Using the spatula, spread the marshmallow mixture into the prepared dish.  Lightly spray the cooking oil on your hand.  Press the marshmallow into the corners of the pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and allow the marshmallow to set, uncovered, overnight.

Using a knife, run the knife around the edges of the dish.  Turn the dish over and release the marshmallows from the dish onto wax paper, covered with powdered sugar. Using a knife, covered with powdered sugar, cut the marshmallows into 2 inch squares.  Roll the cut marshmallows in the powdered sugar, until all sides are covered.

Goose

Today I thought I'd share a few photos of our baby chinchilla, Goose.  I tried to get some photos of her earlier today but she wasn't cooperating too much.  She spent a few minutes pondering escaping her cage and then retreated to the back corner of the cage.  Hopefully she'll let me get some more photos of her soon.  I want to get plenty of pictures of her while she's still little (she's around two months old at the moment).

Check out the photos I took of Goose's big sister, Lucy, that I shared a couple month's back.

I just love my chin babies.