October 2013 Birchbox

The October 2013 Birchbox was "devoted to award winners, celeb favorites, up-and-comers--and all the other products we can't stop talking about."  My October 2013 box included five items: a couple full-size lip products and a few deluxe samples.

12 Benefits - Instant Healthy Hair Treatment ($19.00/6 oz)
Created by two industry experts, this heroic all-in-one detangles, protects, and heels.

Sample size: 1.5 oz
Sample value: $4.75

I haven't tried this out just yet (using up a few other leave-in products first), but I'm really pleased with the sample size and packaging.  I generally really enjoy products like this so I imagine this will be a hit. The claims remind me a lot of It's a 10, but this product is cheaper per ounce.  I purchased It's a 10 once and loved it, but I felt I had to use a ton of the product to see a difference and I couldn't justify repurchasing it as quickly as I used up the bottle.  I'm hoping I have more luck with this 12 Benefits treatment!

Karuna - Hydrating Mask ($28.00/4 masks)
This all-natural cloth mask is infused with a hydrating cocktail of antioxidants.

Sample size: 1 mask
Sample value: $7.00

I have oily skin and tend to prefer using a clay mask at least once a week to absorb excess oil and clear out my pores (the Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face & Body is my favorite); however, every now and then--especially in fall and winter--I do like to give my skin an extra dose of moisture with a hydrating mask. I've tried a couple other hydrating sheets masks and have really enjoyed them, so I'm looking forward to trying this one from Karuna.

POP Beauty - Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuchsia ($14.00/0.34 oz)
A British makeup pro created this sheer gloss, which plumps and hydrates with jojoba oil.

Sample size: 0.34 oz
Sample value: $14.00

This POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer is sheer, slightly minty, and silky smooth (not at all sticky).  The shade I received, Flowering Fuchsia, is a really pretty vibrant pink, sheer with no shimmer.  It's pretty on it's own or layered over a lipstick.

The POP Beauty Aqua Lacquers have a flat plastic applicator.  Personally, I'm not crazy about the way these sort of applicators apply product or feel on the lips.  I find they're best used to sort of dab the product on the lip, rather than applying the product in a sweeping motion.  Other than my slight annoyance with the applicator, I really enjoy this product!

Supergoop! - City Sunscreen Serum ($42.00/1.6 oz)
This anti-aging SPF 30 serum, which creates a weightless UV shield, can be worn year-round.

Sample size: 5ml
Sample value: $4.44

Unfortunately this was a repeat sample for me (I first received it as two small foil packets in my July 2012 Birchbox).  Fortunately Birchbox realized the mistake of sending a repeat sample and provided me with 100 Birchbox points ($10.00 value to use in the Birchbox shop) as an apology.  I couldn't have been more pleased with their generosity to quickly offer an apology for the situation.

That aside, the serum itself is something I'll probably set aside and save for next summer.  It does have a strong sunscreen set, but dries fairly quickly and feels mostly weightless on the skin.  I think this will be nice to have for the humid days of summer.  I don't think it's a particularly special product.  I wouldn't splurge to purchase it full size, but it's a sample that I'll certainly (happily) use.

ChapStick - Hydration Lock (approximately $3.00/0.15 oz)
Chapstick Hydration Lock is clinically proven to moisturize lips, from 9-5.  It also doubles as a lip primer and comes chock full of damage-defending antioxidants like CoQ10 and Vitamin E.

Sample size: 0.15 oz
Sample value: approximately $3.00

Admittedly, I wasn't thrilled to see an item from ChapStick in my Birchbox; however, the claims for this product were pretty dramatic and I was curious to see if it lived up to them.  I will say, I don't find this product particularly hydrating in itself.  This isn't something I'd reach for if my lips were dry, irritated, or flaky.  However, what I do like this product for is sort of a lip primer before applying a pigmented lip product.  I will apply this over hydrated, smooth (no flakes) lips and it acts similarly to how a silicone primer does on the skin.  It fills in any fine lines on the lips, creating a smooth and somewhat plumped canvas.  It feels slightly silky on the lips, providing the perfect foundation for any other lip products to glide over.  I find that my pigmented lip products have a more perfected appearance when applied over a thin layer of this Hydration Lock.  For me, this feels more lightweight than most lip balms, so it doesn't interfere with other lip products as much as a heavy balm might.

Total box value: $33.19

I'm really pleased with my October Birchbox!  I received a nice selection of generously-sized samples (and a couple of full-size products).  Every product is one that I'll use and I've been pretty pleased with the ones I've tried thus far.

What did you receive in your October box?

October 2013 Sweet Taste Trunk

Four months subscribed to Taste Trunk and my love of the service continues to grow.  For October I tried out the Sweet Trunk for the first time and was beyond thrilled with the selection I received.

Just before the death of flowers,

And before they are buried in snow

There comes a festival season

When nature is all aglow.

Each month Taste Trunk offers four different trunk themes to choose from: the Gourmet Trunk, the Health Trunk, the Sweet Trunk, and the BBQ Trunk.  For $29/month (plus a $5.99 shipping charge--these trunks can be quite heavy and ship USPS Priority Mail, arriving promptly on or before the 15th of the month), you receive "5-10 products, discount coupons, backgrounds on the companies and amazing recipe ideas."

My October Sweet Trunk included a variety of decadent cookies from four different companies.  I was pretty much drooling the entire time I snapped these photos and immediately enjoyed a sampling of the cookies once I finished taking pictures.

Cake - Coconut Macaroons (value unknown, estimating approximately $10.00)
"Our distinctive Coconut Macaroon, made from the finest organic ingredients, is one of life's little pleasures.  A sinfully delicious alchemy, it's caramelized exterior encases a chewy, moist, center that is sure to send your senses into a state of euphoria.  Isn't it time to indulge yourself?  Gluten free by design, organic by choice."

Oh my gosh, these were amazing!  These were definitely the highlight of this month's trunk, in my opinion.  Funny thing because I was most disappointed to see these when I opened my box.  It wasn't until earlier this year that I really began embracing coconut in desserts.  I had never (at least not to my recollection) even tried a coconut macaroon until I bit into one of these glorious morsels.  I was blown away!  The description on the back of the package described these perfectly 'a chewy, moist center encased by a caramelized exterior.'  The taste and texture of these was brilliant.  I'm now on the hunt for the perfect macaroon recipe to recreate these in my own kitchen since, unfortunately, I can't purchase these anywhere near me.

Wooden Table Baking Co. - Alfajores ($5.50/3 alfajores)
"We make our alfajores from scratch with high quality all natural ingredients in small batches.  Try our alfajores with your favorite afternoon beverage or for dessert.  Discover a special treat that so many Argentineans already know and love."

These cookies had a beautiful texture and bold, yet balanced flavor.  These alfajores were also a first for me and they were delicious!

Il Molientto Bakery - Baci di Dama ($6.00/3.17 oz)
"A speciality in Piemonte, Italy, these Baci di Dama or "Lady Kisses" cookies are made with hazelnuts and almonds, with a rich layer of dark Belgian chocolate."

I loved these "Lady Kisses" far more than I expected.  These humble little cookies reminded me of Sandies, which were a favorite of mine growing up.  Next to the Coconut Macaroons, these were my favorite of the box.  Absolutely delicious!

Marlo's Bake Shop - Original and Midnight Marlos ($14.99/6 cookies)
"For starters, it's not biscotti.  Marlos are...well, different.  Sure, they're twice baked like biscotti, but the similarities end there.  Marlos are unique, handmade cookies baked in small batches using the highest quality ingredients available."

These biscotti were good, but definitely the least memorable of the bunch.  Neither my husband or I were particularly crazy about these.  Plain they were definitely bland and somewhat dry.  Dipped in coffee or milk enhanced them a bit, but they weren't anything overly special.

Approximate value of my October Sweet Taste Trunk: $36.49

The October Sweet Trunk definitely didn't disappoint.  Not only were these contents unique and delicious, I really enjoyed trying out several new-to-me types of cookies.  The experience was utterly satisfying and I love the inspiration the experience brought me to try out a few new recipes.  I can't wait to see what the November Sweet Trunk has in store!

If you'd like to try Taste Trunk, you can save 25% on your first trunk with the code "winsomegirl25" which will bring your cost down to $21.75 (plus $5.99 shipping).  If you do decide to sign up, please kindly provide my name (Amy Kelly) as your referral during checkout.

*Full disclosure: I paid for the Taste Trunk subscription with my own money.  I receive no benefit if you use the discount code Taste Trunk provided me to share with you.  I am, however, an ambassador for the company and receive a very small commission when new members enter my name as their referral during checkout.

My Lash Bash: a Girly, Glam Brunch and Makeup Party with Benefit Cosmetics and Ipsy

{The invites I created and sent out to the girls.}

This weekend I had the honor and joy of throwing a Realvolution Lash Bash courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics and Ipsy.  I entered and won the opportunity to throw the Lash Bash for myself and 9 girlfriends which included a generous offering of gorgeous makeup from Benefit!  Today I wanted to share some details from the party (including Instagram photos, the DIY decor, and recipes I made), and I'll return with more posts later this week focusing on the specific makeup products I was sent from Benefit for the party.  So be sure to check back later for photos, swatches, and mini reviews of all the Benefit makeup!


When I found out I had been chosen to host one of the Lash Bash parties, I immediately knew I wanted to throw a girly, glam brunch.  I thought it would be fun to get some of my girl friends together for brunch (because what lady doesn't love a good brunch?!), mimosas, and makeup!  I wanted to theme the party around the fun of primping and getting ready for the day.  I served up a big buffet of hot/cold, sweet/savory breakfast items, had my Keurig going for hot coffee/tea/cider, and offered Lemon and Cucumber Spa Water, Elderflower and Rose Sparkling Lemonade, and Make Your Own Mimosas.


I made a Savory Sausage and Cheddar {Breakfast} Bread Pudding, Garlic Herb Cucumber Bites, served store-bought croissants with homemade Raspberry Butter, offer a fruit and yogurt parfait bar with mixed berries, honey-sweetened yogurt, vanilla almond granola, candied pecans, and local honey, and served up massive slices of Cream Cheese Coffee Cake.  The food was a huge hit (many of the girls going back for seconds)!


We began the party with brunch/girly chit-chat and then began playing a few fun games (for which I had thrown together some prize goodie bags with a few of my favorite makeup/beauty products).  After all the food and games we jumped right into swatching and applying the gorgeous Benefit makeup, including the They're Real! Mascara of which each girl was generously provided a deluxe sample.


It was so much fun throwing such a girly party and introducing my friends to some of my favorite Benefit products.  In addition to making almost all the food for the party from scratch, I also DIY'ed a lot of the decor as well including tissue paper pom poms, tissue paper tassel garland, and cards to label each dish on the buffet.


I stuck with a white/pink/gold/silver and pops of black color scheme for my Lash Bash to coordinate with the decor and products that Benefit had sent for the party.  The food and decor where a huge hit with my girl friends and everyone had a fabulous time!  I couldn't have been more thrilled to have been chosen as a Lash Bash hostess as I love to throw a good party and I couldn't be more obsessed with makeup.

Another huge thank you to Benefit Cosmetics and Ipsy for choosing me as a Lash Bash hostess!  I can't wait to share details of the Benefit makeup with you all...