Yes, it is October. Being out of town for half the month, I didn’t even get this box until the end of September. I apologize. Okay, now on with the reviews.

• Birchbox and Color Club® Custom Collection – I received a charcoal gray color from their collection. It was almost black with two coats. Went on smoothly and I got about 4-5 days without chipping. That’s pretty good in my book.
• Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum – Firming serum is something that I like to think I don’t really need. . . It’s formulated with grape-based actives and other botanicals that soften the look of wrinkles, plus tightening agents that go to work right away to lift sagging skin. It smelled great, kind of grapey in a fresh fruit way, not a jolly rancher way. It was also very smooth and light going on. Not too sure about how well it works, I think that this is one of those products and need time to do their job.
• Sedu® Anti-Frizz Polishing Treatment w/ Pure Moroccan Argan Oil  Designed to add shine and smooth down frizz, it helps protect hair against the dulling effects of blow drying, curling, and straightening. It lived up to the hype and instantly boosts shine and adds softness. The lightweight serum absorbs right away and has a faint woodsy scent. I was a bit nervous about oil in my hair, but I’d definitely use it again.
• WEI™ to Go Sleep Over Kit: Real Clean and Ideal Skin – This was a combo sample showcasing the  Real Clean Gelled Oil Cleanser and the Ideal Skin Perfect Finish. I wasn’t too big of a fan of the oil cleanser, it just didn’t feel clean to me. Maybe someone who has sensitive or dry skin would like this better. The finishing cream is another version of a BB cream, having moisturizers, skin treatments, and coverage all in one. Meh.
•  twistband™ Lace up for Fall – I received one of these previously. It’s made of soft elastic that keeps braids, buns, and ponytails secured. Because they’re thicker than regular hair ties, they don’t leave crimps in hair. Since my hair is too short for a full pony, I can’t really judge.

Bonus Freebie: tili Bags – Made of durable plastic, each quart-size zip and seal bag can hold a variety of belongings—from paper clips and sandwiches to makeup and toothpaste. Especially great for those on the go, they make life easier by keeping things organized. I received the turquoise/leopard print one. Not really my style, but it is durable and handy. I used it to pack toiletries.

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This month’s post is a little late coming, but it’s still August, right? Lets just say that this was a month of smells. . . .

• Miss Jessie’s® Pillow Soft Curls – Hair lotion that is supposed to enhance your natural curl while keeping your hair soft, instead of crunchy as some curl-enhancing products can be. I normally use Aveda’s “Be Curly” style-prep and it works for me. This product product was a bit  . . . disconcerting. I think it was because of the smell/texture. It was like I was putting fabric softener in my hair. It totally smelled like Downy. Which isn’t bad, per se, but it was um, weird. The product did work as it said, producing soft curls in my hair. If there was an unscented version, I would go for it.
• Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur – What is it with the super sweet smelly perfumes? I guess they hit the back-to-school theme with this one, I can see the dorms wreaking of this on the weekends. Not for me, thanks.
• Whish Three Wishes Body Butter – This organic body butter is scented like Pomegranate. The scent was okay, not too sugary as some “pomegranate” fragrances are. As for the skin-softening qualities. . . meh.
• DDF® Brightening Cleanser – This gentle gel cleanser is supposed to use natural skin brighteners, including licorice root and mulberry bark, to even out your complexion and lighten discolorations. Over time, you’ll have noticeably smoother, brighter skin. I have some discoloration on my forehead from pregnancy and the sun, I’ve been using this for about a week now and I “think” I might be seeing a difference. This product also has an unusual scent. It has licorice root and mulberry bark in the ingredients and you can totally smell them. Kind of like a black jelly bean and tea combined. Strange to be smelling at 6am in the shower, but not bad.
• Bonus Freebie: Schick Hydro Silk Razor – I normally use the Mach 3 Turbo, same as Shawn. (I buy them in bulk at Costco – much cheaper!) I  gave up on women’s razors a while ago, I felt that they were too bulky and I end up cutting myself. The Hydro proved that “girl” razors have come a long way since the last time I tried one. It’s got 5 blades which gave me a closer shave than the Mach 3 and the additional lubrication strips made it glide along great. I still hate having to pay more for razors just because I’m a girl, but I can see this one worth being worth it, at least while its still swimsuit season.

**Pardon the awful photo, was shot with no natural light and a fussing baby**

I am loving the new fall colors for Baggu. They have expanded their leather line by adding suede options. I am particularly coveting the blue (suede) and fig (leather) perhaps an early Christmas present?

This month’s box was put together in collaboration with the beauty editors from Glamour magazine.

• beautyblender® – This makeup sponge’s super soft texture and cute little nubbin shape allow it to blend foundation evenly into the skin. I’m usually one to apply with my fingers, so this is a new tool for me. I also don’t use foundation regularly, but from just testing it out, I can tell that it would give you a really nice finish. I guess that the key is to saturate the sponge with water and then squeeze out the excess. It expands to twice its size, making it easy to get your entire face while still getting into the nooks and crannies. A bonus is that when damp, it prevents it from absorbing excess foundation, making your product last longer!
• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint – Oil-free, SPF 20+, and the shade perfectly matches my summer skin tone. Sold! I really like how this felt on my face and I could see myself using it every day. Went on really well and felt like I didn’t have anything on. Definitely looking into getting the full size product.
• stila It’s Go Time Lip Glaze – I’ve used this product in the past. I love the pen-style applicator – no gooey fingers or wasting product- and its not sticky or too slick looking. This a shimmering copper gloss. I think it looks great with tanned skin, but I could see wearing it year-round.
• Tea Forté® minteas – all natural, sugar-free mints that are infused with organic green tea, herbs and fruit extracts. I received the ginger pear flavor that is supposed to help you focus (maybe help combat my mommy brain?) Subtle mint flavor, I didn’t get too much pear or tea in it. Not sure if these would replace the ever reliable Altoids, but they aren’t bad.
• Harvey Prince Hello – Fragrance that’s described to have a top note of Meyer lemon, mandarin, forsythia, and plumeria. Wasn’t too excited about this fragrance, it seemed a little too sweet/fruity for me. I like citrus scents, but this was overwhelmed by the plumeria.
• Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds – This was a bonus freebie from Birchbox and Glamour. Yay! Cute neon buds, perfect to wear while doing my training.

Want. Need. Must have. Baggu strikes again with this luscious leather drawstring bag.

This month’s Birchbox has a “Jet Set” theme, showcasing products devoted to summer travel. To be honest, I felt like this theme was a little contrived, the products I received didn’t really scream “Jet Set” to me, but I did like what came this month.

• Apothederm Stretch Mark Cream This cream is supposed to help fade stretch marks  by combining four natural moisturizers—olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and meadowfoam seed oils along with their SmartPeptide™ system to increase collagen production. It also includes licorice root and antioxidant-rich resveratrol to fade discoloration and hyaluronic acid to help with long-lasting hydration. I have some post-pregnancy stretch marks that will put this to the test. We’ll see. If it works, I’ll definitely let you know.
• theBalm cosmetics Stainiac A lip/cheek stain that in the bottle looks really bright, but goes on as a very pale rosy pink. I think that if you layered the product you could build the color intensity, but to be honest, I’m not a big fan of stains. I feel like they come off as soon as my lips get moist. After a quick test, I found this follows the same way. I haven’t tried it as a blush yet, so it might work a bit better in that respect.
• Scalisi Skincare Anti-Aging Moisturizing Broad Spectrum SPF 30 This is a combo product that will moisturize while filling in wrinkles and providing sun protection.  This sounds like a product that I would use. Anything that would cut the number of steps (and separate products) that I need to apply, the better. It feels light weight and non-oily and doesn’t have a super “sunscreeny” smell. The ant-wrinkle part remains to be seen.
• CleanWell Hand Sanitizing Wipes These are non-drying hand wipes that sanitize and moisturize. I like that they are easy to throw in my purse or baby bag and aren’t super harsh for your skin. Much better than that bottle of Purell. Would definitely use these little guys again.
• BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley Bundle Too cute bandages with different “fashion” prints. This was our lifestyle freebie this month. I’m not sure that I want to draw any more attention to my klutzy collection of scratches and scrapes, but they are pretty adorable. I think if you had a little girl, she’d love them.
• Artspace Coupon This is more of an advertisement about Artspace, a fun site where you can purchase art work from both established and up and coming artist. It is a great little site if you are looking to purchase some great contemporary art.
• Not shown: John Varvatos Star U.S.A. I think this was included to introduce BirchBox Men and also because of Father’s Day. I haven’t smelled this yet, but I’ll have Shawn try it out.

Over all, I’m not quite as excited about this month as May’s. I think that I’d definitely buy the sanitizing wipes, but the jury is still out on some of the others. I think that this is mostly because these products are ones that you’d have to use for a bit before you can tell if they work for you. I’ll be using the stretch mark cream and the anti-aging moisturizer until the samples are gone. It they show results, I won’t hesitate to get them in the full size. This is precisely why I love the BirchBox concept. I get to try this stuff that I would otherwise pass on because I wouldn’t want to spend money on something that I wasn’t sure would work.

I’m already looking forward to see what July will bring! Oh, and if you’re interested in signing up for your own box, please click here, that way I get points for the referral. Thanks!

Soludos shoes, $351 Office Aqua Flat Espadrille, £10 Asos Chambray Espadrilles, $14 PAUL SMITH JEANS Blue espadrille Shoes, $122 Scotch & Soda Espadrilles, €60 SOLUDOS PICO ESPADRILLE, £29 Sailor Striped Women’s Espadrilles $35

I’ve decided that my go to shoe this summer will be the espadrille. Light weight, breathable, easy to slip on and off, these shoes just scream summer to me. I am wanting a traditional pair that have no heel and have the jute sole. Check out those Soludos, they are spot on. Right now I am trying to decide on whether I want them in an oceany blue, a jaunty red, or a soothing natural hue. There are so many great ones out there, I might have to go for one of each!

J.Crew stripe shoes, $36 Soludos flat shoes, $28 Soludos beach shoes, $42 Toms shoes, £37 Espadrilles, €60 Ralph Lauren Shoes & Accessories Striped Cotton-Canvas Espadrilles, $195 TORY BURCH Bi-Colour Canvas Espadrille, £90 Soludos Pico In Red Woven, $42

Soludos beach shoes, $43 Leather shoes, €95 Toms shoes, £22 Soludos beach shoes, $36 Espadrilles, €60

I’m sure by now you are well aware of my love for all things Baggu. If not, please see here, here, here . . . you get the idea. Well, they did it again, this time with keychains!

Adding to the new leather line, they’ve introduced two styles, the loop and the pouch. I think I prefer the clean, minimal look of the loop, but think the pouch is quite cute and would be perfect to keep some emergency money or a pot of lip balm in. I love the current color-pallete as well. That yellow is totally calling my name.

I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

I received my first Birchbox yesterday! I thought that I’d have to wait until June’s box, but I was signed up in time for May. This month’s theme was “Gossip Girl” to go along with the show’s season finale. I don’t what the show, so this really had no meaning for me, but I did find that I liked most of the product samples I received.

• Twistband Hair Tie: My hair is too short right now to pull back into a ponytail, but this hair tie looks like it would do the job. I got a rust colored one, but they come in a rainbow for colors and they seem like they’d be really secure, but wouldn’t tear your hair or leave “dents” when you take them off.
•  Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Petite Cologne Absolue: This was a little too strong for my taste, especially for summer. It’s not overly vanilla like some scents, but the amber and jasmine make it a little too intense for me.
• Color Club’s Foil Collection Nail Polish in Disco Nap: I love this color! It’s a gold color with a silvery matte glitter in it. I can see it looking great on hands or toes, especially with a tan. I’ll definitely use this.
• fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15: I am a huge fan of fresh Sugar’s products and I am obsessed with these lip balms. I already have a few of them, but not in this color. It is a really sheer berry-pink tint. Very subtle and perfect for every day use. It is super nourishing and has a nice shine but with out any goopy mess. Will be buying a full size one in this hue for sure.
• Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+:  I haven’t had a chance to try this product yet, but I’ve read about it in some magazines and it sounds like just what I need. It’s a moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum all-in-one.  It is also tinted so  there’s no need for foundation or cover-up. I need something like this because I don’t have much time for applying make-up with the little guy and this would save me several steps while still allowing me to look “put together”.
• Birchbox note card: I also receive a little notecard with envelope, I’m assuming this was a bonus freebie. I like the envelope better than the card itself, it it a true bright pink while the card is more a dull red color. The card stock used is pretty flimsy as well, but hey it’s free!

Well, I have to say that overall, I am really happy with my first box. I received a product I love and a couple more that I think that I’d definitely use again. The only bummer was the perfume, but that’s such a subjective thing, I really don’t mind. I can’t wait until June so I can see what my next box will bring!

If anyone is interested in signing up for a box, please click here, that way I get points for the referral. Thanks!