HIATUS

As many of you know, I am currently planning my wedding.  As we approach the wedding, I am going to take a hiatus from blogging.

Happy Holidays and New Years!!!!

December 2013 Popsugar Must Have Box Revealed

The Popsugar Must Have box is still exciting for this household, because C gets some yummy treats!  This box is no different as it includes two full size bags of Ghiradelli Squares Chocolate (Milk & Caramel and Holiday).  This month I ordered the 3 months subscription for $117.54 which translates to $39.18.

This month contained: Must Have Home, Must Have Fashion, Must Have Food and Must Have Beauty.

The contents of the box were worth about $190.15.  The box contained all full size products.

Lulu Frost for Popsugar Bracelet ($110):  This is far too heavy for me to wear daily but I do like the shiny charm.  Still unsure if I will gift it or keep it, but I am sure it will be enjoyed.  Just a warning: the "gold chain" seems more like a bronze chain.  So if you are expecting a nice shiny gold chain, you'll be slightly disappointed.

Mixt Studio Holiday Gifting Set ($9): It is rather pretty wrapping paper, but I have no need for it currently.  However, recycled materials does mean less guilt in not recycling the paper grocery bags.

Modelco Fibre Lashxtend Black Mascara ($24-$28): Honestly I have more mascara than I know what to do with.  These subscriptions are giving me SO many black mascaras.  The good thing about this one is that it comes with its own mirror.  However it is lengthening and not volumizing, which is my main priority.

Govino Go Anywhere Flutes ($12.95 for 4 pack): These champagne flutes do not look like crystal.  Honestly I would never have bought these because I do not usually need flutes "to-go."  However, I might find a need for these.  We'll see.

NCLA Peppermint Lane Nail Wraps ($16): Love easy ways to paint my nails in a festive pattern.  Though I like the challenge of painting my nail designs instead of these self-adhesive methods.  But I am looking forward to trying these out.

CC made Caramel Corn ($3 for 3 oz): I suspect C will finish these while I am at work tomorrow.  If not then I will definitely be giving it as a hostess gift with the upcoming holiday season.

Ghirardelli Squares Chocolate ($4.25 for the Milk & Caramel and $8.95 for Holiday Limited Edition Assortment): Oh lord yes!  I love Ghirardelli squares, in almost all their flavors.  These will be consumed before Christmas even arrives.  Yummy for all to enjoy!

Review: Marriott Residence Inn at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Overall: 4 out of 5; (our room was not cleaned on our second day there)

C and I went to Chambana recently and stayed at the new Residence Inn near the mall.  As you'd expect from a new hotel, everything was clean and comfortable. Kind of like moving into a newly built home. There was room to move around as Teddy can attest. Yup, this hotel is pet friendly for a cost ($100 in our case).  Though the cleaning staff are not all comfortable with dogs, so bring a crate if you are leaving your pet in the room.  Our room did not get cleaned, but did get towels.

The most important thing for us, always: the internet quality. The speed was great as we streamed the Louisville basketball game on ESPN3.  There was no noticeable lag or pixelation of the picture.  Just as important is that it is free.  Second for entertainment option, the TV channel includes so many sports options including BTN, NFL network, NBC Sports... so we had a very happy C.  

Review: Swiffer Bissell STEAMBOOST Steam Mop

While picking up Swiffer Wet Cloth Refills, C saw the Swiffer Bissell Steam Mop and wanted it.  Since I was relatively dissatisfied with the regular Swiffer with Wet Cloth, I concurred.  This tool was $49.99 at Target and the same price as the Swiffer WetJet.  We chose this over the Swiffer WetJet, because the temperature of steam means it will also sanitize.  With all the things that Teddy is tracking in from the cold-wet-dirty outside world, we want to all the cleaning power we can get.

Rating: 10/10 for appearance; 9/10 for function; 8/10 for durability

Appearance: Beautifully slick.  The design is like any other Swiffer product, which swivels and turns in any way you need.  Even the cord was not annoying and it was long enough that we could navigate most of the rooms without changing outlets.  The only way it would be more perfect, appearance-wise, would be if this was somehow cordless.  However the bulk it would add makes it much more difficult to store.

Function: 9/10; One mop cloth refill was able to clean our whole apartment.  The original wet cloth refill lasted only the sunroom/dining area and kitchen.  The water container was only 1/2 empty when we finished the apartment.  The only hit for that container would be the difficulty in filling it.  I had our only liquid cup measurer in the dishwasher.  Therefore had to get creative and use the sink spray sprout to fill the container.  The steam worked in less than 30 seconds and continued working through our entire apartment.  Afterwards, C walked around barefoot and gave it his stamp of approval for cleanliness (means a lot as he's quite OCD).  The handle could lie almost flat and easily got under my couch and sofa.  The pad grasped tightly to all the dirt and fur, rather than push it around like the standard steam mop my parents have.  See (to the right), how much dirt it can collect; we had just vacuumed.


Durability: We have only had it for a day, so I am uncertain how long it will last.  However, I hope it is durable because I was already banging it against the sofa and other surfaces.  We'll see if it lasts through my abusive usage.

November 2013: Ipsy Bag and (vs.) Birchbox

November 14: Ipsy Bag arrived (Tracking email received November 12)
November 13: Birchbox arrived (Tracking email received November 7)

Winner: Ipsy Bag

Birchbox featured their "favorite charitable beauty brands" and a portion of the proceed goes toward No Kid Hungry.  While I appreciate the introduction to these charitable brands, I would appreciate just good products... more.  Personally including a chocolate bar, no matter how yummy, in a beauty box is a undesirable.  Left wondering if they forgot to pack something... 

Ipsy is all about "Glam It Up" and the products are great for making a strong impression.  The gem colored eyeliner (Starlooks) and champagne colored Nailtini polish and Caitlyn eyeshadow.  The bag over all is also a shiny gold that I can possibly use as a clutch.

Comparison of similar products: Nailtini polish in champaign (ipsy) and Color Club polish in Top Shelf (Birchbox).

Now the products in the box & bag...

P90X - Week 4 (Thoughts & Comparison to Insanity)

A rest week just translate into more yoga and core workout.  The Yoga X still dragged, but the other workouts passed by quickly.  I believe core synergistics has led to my improved results yesterday for Ab Ripper X.  While the week still improved my fitness, it has left me weighing more.  My weight was consistently over 130lbs (which I have not been for a month) but my body fat stayed in the between 19-20%.  If that is to be trusted, I am just toning my muscles.

The Recovery Week for Insanity was filled with the same workout every day, unless you did the sports series.  We only did that once but P90X keeps it fresh.  The week is short enough that I did not get used to the other workouts.  Usually when I pay attention to the time with Core Synergistics, there was only 20-something minutes left.  I'll let you know how week 8 feels when I do this again.

This week, I feel refreshed and more determined.  After all, I have not lost any weight and that is starting to discourage me.

November 2013 Popsugar Must Have Box Revealed

The Popsugar Must Have box is the most exciting subscription in our household.  Even C is curious what is in the box, because there is usually food.  Makes me consider getting him the Must Have for Him as a present for Christmas.  This month came with a slight increase in the monthly price of these boxes to $42.75.  So I am evaluating an upgrade where the prices haven't increased so much.

This month contained: Must Have Home, Must Have Fashion Must Have Food and Must Have Beauty.

The contents of the box were worth about $94.68 + $30 credit.  I am keeping the credit separate because if I do not end up using it, then it is not something I actually received (in my opinion).  The box contained all full size products (or deluxe in one case) and I am glad for that!

First is a $30 credit for canvaspop.com.  Possibly useful for a present.

Second: Michael Stars Folk Art Wrap ($42):  When I opened it, the wrap clung to me because of the static from the bag.  So that was a turn-off for me, because I spent this weekend somehow always charged and shocking C.  Unsure if I will be keeping it.

Third: Absolute! Nail Polish Remover Pads ($1.99): Where were you last Thursday when I was removing my nail polish.  Instead I am giving my nails a break and taking a week off from any polish.  So will test this out in a week and let you know.  Despite it being a small price, the value is big because I did not even know these existed before!

Fourth: The Soap & Paper Factory Roland Pine Shea Butter Soap ($10.95): I am a fan of the pine scent for the holiday but do not really use bar soap.  But I know someone who does and hope she will like this!

Fifth: Barefruit Crunchy Sea Salt Caramel Apple Chips ($34.99 for 10 pack): I was first introduced to Barefruit when work started giving it out to promote healthy living and fitness.  Honestly, I like that it is healthy and 100% fruit, but there are few flavors that I like.  So far I only like Granny Smith apple chips.

Maison de Monaco Strawberry & Blackcurrant Cream Preserves ($5.99 for 7.75oz): These jars are even bigger than the retail sizes of 7.75oz!  Though my palate can survive with jam, it does not mean that I am not perfectly willing to replace it with preserves.  The taste, C sums it up best, "awesome.  I need a PB&J with that."

Lands' End Single Canvas Wine Tote ($14.50 without a monogram): I imagine the value is greater as I do not need to keep buying wine gift bags.  Plus it is Cardinal red, so appropriate for this household!

Illume Candle Nice ($15.75): I got Nice, because even someone who has not met me knows I am not good at being naughty.  Or maybe they just realized used my preference for perfume and applied it to the candle.  Well either way they were right that I would prefer the vanilla fragrance over the spicy wooded scent.  Wish I just got it before having bought two candles from Bath and Body Works (Black Tie and Party Dress).