A Few of My Favorite Things and January Ipsy Bag Review

I felt like the folks at Ipsy must've read my last Favorite Things post, because the January Glam Bag had less makeup and more self-care type stuff.  I was pretty excited when I opened up the bag.

• Benefit Pore-fessional
• Malin and Goetz Mojito Lip Balm
• Balanced Guru Organic Balm Me up Sweet Cocoa and Tangy Body Balm
• Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissue
• Yaby Liquid Foundation

I really love the lip balm.  In addition to slathering my hands with lotion at night, I also slather on lip balm and this one is really great - it has the consistency of a gel, but feels moisture rich.  When I opened the body balm, I was confused, as I thought it was going to be a body lotion of some sort.  Alas, it's a solid, almost beeswax like substance and I'm really not sure what to do with it - I suppose I could use it as a cuticle treatment, or yet another lip balm...  Hrm.  Large pores are not a problem for me, but sensitive skin is - so I skipped the pore refining cream, in addition to the foundation.  I'm not a foundation gal; I put spf on everyday and occasionally I'll put on a tinted BB cream.  I do like the makeup wipes and they smell delicious.  So, yeah, I don't know if the Ipsy will be for me going forward.  I'm rather picky (shocker!) about what I put on my face and would rather spend the $10 a month on stuff I know I want.  However...

I did cave to a Julep Maven box, because I've heard good things about them from several sources.  Your first box with them is FREE (use code FREEBOX) with no strings attached - you can cancel after receiving the box.  But, ooooh, I reaaaaally like getting nail polishes plus one little makeup thing THAT YOU CHOOSE every month.  After taking a style quiz, Julep suggests one of four style boxes for you.  But, you can choose whichever you like best.  I don't consider myself 'boho glam' but that's what my style quiz came up with, and that's the box I liked the most!

I'm liking the cuticle serum and love the berry 'Michelle' color and the blue 'Aisha' is fun, but a bit on the goth side.  I got a fun speckled polish and a top coat as add-ons to obtain free shipping.  I thought, okay cool, I'll get a bunch of cute stuff for about $13 ($10 for the two add-ons plus tax) and then cancel.  Twenty bucks a month is pretty steep and I learned after I signed up that they've changed the policy of being able to skip a month whenever you want.  Currently, you can only skip once every 6 months.  But then I saw February's polish/makeup selections and I looooved them!  Plus, they give all sorts of incentives in the form of 'Jules' points with every month you get a box (extra points if you get 3 boxes in a row, etc.) towards buying more items from the site, and nice little 50% off coupon in the first one.  Aaargh.  So, I'm going to try and get the most bang for my buck over the next couple of months with this subscription and see how it goes.

A few more of my favorite things...

Russell Wilson - This guy is the real deal.  Yes, I will always be a Bears fan first, but Russell Wilson is threatening to pull ahead with the Seahawks.  I have Wisconsin family cheering for him, too. I just wish I knew 'Blue Tuesdays' when we had our epic children's visit!

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, White Walls - in keeping with my current state as a Seattle fangirl, I must admit that I can't stop listening to this song and it's fun to see the bits of the video that they shot here at Dick's in Seattle.  

My Stella and Dot wallet - I go through wallets like crazy since I usually buy cute, but cheap, ones from Target that fall apart in a matter of months.  I got a bunch of awesome stuff from Stella and Dot recently, but I lurve my new 'big girl' wallet. Plus, it's uplifting to look at this bright happy color every time I must part with my cold hard cash.  

SHERLOCK OMG - So, please don't give anything away regarding the current season!  I'm still in catch up mode (we're into season two) of this fabulous show.  Since Downton is really just spiraling out of control into the abyss, this is fulfilling my inner Anglophile and my love for Martin Freeman.

Favorite internet find - We never took engagement photos.  I don't know if that was even a 'thing' back in 2001...  Anyway, these guys?  Nailed. It.

Happy weekend!