Birchbox or Ipsy?

There are so many different companies that do the same thing as Birchbox and Ipsy. Julep does nails polish, I even heard of one recently that will send you a different pair of sunglasses every month. Who needs that many sunglasses?

Anyway, for christmas this last year Hal got both of us a BirchBox subscription. I had wanted one forever. I had looked into so many of them last year to see if I could get them shipped to cambodia, but that was a big fail, and I couldn't decide if I liked Birchbox or Ipsy more.

Well, once Hal realized Birchbox does a men's line, he was sold and that's the one we went with. I've been wondering though...Which do you like? Have you enjoyed your Birchbox subscription? Have you enjoyed your Ipsy or Julep or whatever else subscription?

I just received my third birchbox in March, and it was the best one yet! So let me tell you about my experience, and then I want to hear about your experience so I can know if we should keep going with Birchbox.

 This is my march box:

-Benefit Benetint

 It's a lip stain isntead of a lip gloss or lip stick. I thought this was super cool when I got it. I was a bit diappointed, because the picture her lips were dark red, and that's what I was hoping for, but it actually just stains them pink. It still looks good, just not what I was hoping for.

-Supergoop Endless Summer SPF 30+UV Lotion

I actually haven't tried this yet. The reviews have put me off, and I don't like that it's named supergoop. I'm particular about my face wash and face lotion, and usually when I switch it makes me break out, so I haven't tried it yet.

-Whish Save Crave Shaving Cream

I just used this last weekend, shaving for the first time....in along time (don't judge, it was winter) and I liked it. It's supposed to keep your legs moisturized while you shave for a close close shave. I did get a close shave, but I had to really lotion my legs after.

-Madwell For Birchbox Emery Board

This board is pretty! It's not as rough as the one I normally use, so I'm excited to use it on my actual nail, instead of just the top of my nail. I hope it will help my nails to stop peeling. The dry climate has killled my nails after living in a humid climate for over a year.

-Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment

This stuff is pretty good. I still want to play around with how to use it in my hair, but it's thick, and I hope it helps to clam down my hair.

-Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

Single best thing I've received in my birchboxes so far. I was really excited to try it, and BAM I noticed a difference right away. My hair was SO soft, and it smells really good. This stuff really works. I'm saving up my points to buy it.

So, here's something I've noticed about my birchboxes, my first month was kinda cool and exciting, but not really stuff applicable to me. So I took a little quiz they have on their site, where you tell them more about you, so they can send you better stuff. The next month had some things I really liked, and some I didn't really like. Well, I started doing reviews of the products and my third box was awesome! It could be total bs, but I really think the quiz and the reviews have made a big difference.

Plus, my hubby got lots of stuff for mega cheap with the points he's stocked up. You get 10 points for every review, 100 points is $10 off!

If you're thinking about getting your hubby one, mine has really liked his. His first one, he got a great sweater tie. They always put a really big item in the guy's box. He just got his 4th box and it contained a small portable wooden speaker. Super cool.


So now that I've told you about our experience with birchbox, tell me what you have thought about the one you use? Is it worth the money?

Books I've been reading

I read a lot. I have a job where I'm constantly looking for things to entertain myself with because there's not enough work for me to do. I've had a few people ask me to post about what I'm reading, so I thought I'd start with some books I've read recently that I really enjoyed.

And please, feel free to give me your recommendations.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

By Mindy Kaling

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The Story: This book is about Mindy Kaling's life growing up a child of immigrant parents and everything she went through to become the comdey writer that she is today.

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It's not bossy pants, but it's still a really funny read. I like Mindy Kaling, I like her new TV show, I liked her on The Office, I think she's funny. Not everyone gets her humor, but if you do, you'll really like this book. The pictures and the stories she shares of being a chubby kid are the best.

I give it: 3 1/2 stars

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By Rebecca Skloot



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 The Story: This book is about the author, Rebecca Skloot's journey to find about any and all information of Henrietta Lacks, the woman behind the first cells able to live and multiply in culture. Her cells were taken from her as she was dying and her nor her family were notified or ever compensated for everything her cells have done for science. Her cells are responsible for the polio vaccine, the ability to clone, IVF and lots lots more. Rebecca Skloot wanted to find out about the woman behind the cells since very little was known about her, so this is her journey to find out what the cells have done for science and the woman behind the cells.

My Thoughts: Please go read this book. Please. This book was very interesting. Although it could be slow at times, it's worth it to finish it. What she discovers, and who she meets, and her interactions with the family of Henrietta Lacks are worth the read. I feel like everyone should read this, if only to gain more information about your rights over your own cells.

I give it: 4 stars

Wild (Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail)

By Cheryl Strayed



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The Story: This story is about Cheryl's life. As a young woman Cheryl came home from college to take care of her dying mother. After the death of her mother her family all separated and grew apart. Her life began to spiral down from here. She got divorced, was addicted to drugs at one point, and had an abortion. Then one day she saw a guide book to hiking the pacific crest trail and the idea stuck in her head. She ended up hiking the pacific crest trail from southern California to the border of Oregon and Washington, about 1,100 miles of it. The story is mainly about how hiking the trail led her to heal and process things from her past, mainly finally dealing with the death of her mother through her struggles on the trail.

My Thoughts: I heard about this book when the author was being interviewed on Fresh Air on NPR. I immediately wanted to read the book. Her story was facinating. At one point she lost both of her shoes and was hiking the trail in sandals. This story was identifiable to me, as someone who lost their mother at a young age, but it was more than that. It was about proving to herself that she could do this, that she was a strong person who could withstand whatever she wanted to do.

I give it: 4 1/2 stars

The Night Circus

By Erin Morgenstern



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The Story: This story is about two young magicians who are in a long term competition with each other and their arena for their secret duels is a traveling night circus. They have been both been trained since children by their instructors, just to compete with each other. They are unkown to each other, but they both have to find ways to express their magical abilities within the circus in an attempt to win the competition.

My Thoughts: It's hard to tell you about this book without giving things away. This book kept my enthralled 100% of the way through and is one of the best books I have read in a long time. There are a few great twists in this book that keep you on your toes.

P.S. I start my doula class tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous, so wish me luck that it will go well and I'll learn a lot.