August Birchbox Brag

It's time for another round of 

Are you excited? I know I am. 

Since a few of you have asked recently, Birchbox provides a monthly delivery of high end samples, tailored to your beauty profile. Most of the time you get a nice size sample, but every now and again they surprise you with a full size! It costs $10 a month, but the value of the products you receive is always well above that.   Plus have access to the website, where you can purchase full size products. For every dollar you spend you earn 1 BB point. For every product you review, you receive 10 points. Every 100 points = $10 off your purchases. I'm a bit of a point hoarder... so I generally splurge on crazy expensive products that I would never otherwise get. 

Y'all, I can't rave enough. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my birchbox, and would highly recommend it to you.

with all that said, August's box was not my favorite ever. 

Schick Hydro Silk Razor

I think everyone got this in their box this month. While it's not a beauty sample per say, it is a pretty awesome razor. I'd definitely recommend it to y'all. Big handle and like 5 blades (side note, when are they going to stop adding blades?). Love how much longer a shave lasts with this. Dare I say it, I can go three days between shaves. Love that.

TALIKA lipocils expert

I have very thin, short, sparse, light (really what's not wrong) lashes. I'm not going to lie, I've been tempted by those lash serums a time or two. I was really excited for this deluxe size sample. You apply this botanical serum to your lash line twice a day. A month later, you supposedly see longer, thicker and darker lashes. I've been using it for a week, and have yet to see a change. HOWEVER, I am giving it a full month and will definitely follow up.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

This was super random. I saw it, and kind of had a WTH moment. But, this is a fabulously moisturizing cream. This would be great for super chapped skin in the winter. However... this is summer. I do have a moisture problem... but mine is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I think that this is one of those products that if you like it, you'll love it, and probably never be with out it ever again. But it just didn't really do it for me. I don't see much of a difference from petroleum jelly, honestly, and I'd much rather spend like $2 for a big jar of Vaseline than 15 for a medium sized tube of this stuff.

Beauty Fixation Lipstick Touch-up

These are cool... I guess. It's one of those pre-filled q-tips where you snap the tip and let the product drain to one end before you apply. I don't know... I feel like I don't really have a problem with lipstick running... so I don't really need these. But if you do, these are awesome. I don't though, so... not going to be purchasing.

Viva La Juicy La Fleur

Okay. LOVE this scent. Love is actually an understatement. I am obsessed with Viva la Juicy, but I think this one is even better. It's super soft and very floral, but it's so light and delicate at the same time. This will DEFINITELY be making an appearance on my Christmas 2012 list.

SHU UEMURA Art of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo

I've sampled shampoo from this brand before. It's great, my hair is super soft, thick, and smooth after I use it. But for me it's just not worth the almost $50 price tag. It's shampoo... come on.

SHU UEMURA Art of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Treatment

This however is something I would definitely consider shelling out some money for. (Let's be honest though, $65 is still too much). This treatment did wonders for my hair. I don't know that I really saw the "shimmer" but the deep conditioning aspect definitely did a lot for my tired tresses. 

So that was my August Birchbox. What did you think? Did you love this month or were you just kind of... ehh like me? Want to hop on the Birchbox train? click here to sign up.

Back to School

Well... it's official. Everyone is in full swing back to school mode. This marks my third fall not buying a new wardrobe, new pencils and other school supplies. Do y'all miss that? I know I do. 

What I don't miss is dolling out hundreds of dollars for books that I don't really use. Books that I will inevitably sell back for a tiny fraction of what I paid (though don't they always promise to buy them back for more?) 

When I was an undergrad, I had a faint idea that you could rent books, but never really gave it much thought. I assumed you couldn't highlight or underline (something I often did) with out forfeiting a deposit or something. Well come to find out, I was so very wrong. 

I recently found out about Campus Book Rentals and man, do I wish I knew about it years ago. You can rent almost any book for a fraction of the cost, up to 90% less. 

 

You can highlight them, until you can't highlight anymore. You don't have to pay for any shipping. If you're worried about the time frames, don't. They have super convenient and flexible rental periods. 

If you drop a class? Don't worry. You have 30 days to return for your money back (my campus bookstore gave you until the end of drop add, can you say rip off?)

If you fall in love with a book and want to hold on to it? Not a problem, just go to your handy account, and purchase it for a fraction of the cost you would've paid. 

Now y'all know me. I don't write sponsored posts for just anyone, but Campus Book Rentals has proven to be a trustworthy company, that I thought y'all should know about. 

Even if you're not heading back to school this fall, tuck this nugget away for the future if/when you do go back to school. I know I'm stocking it away for the coming fall... law school books are expensive... from what I hear. 

If you are heading back to school today (shout out to my bff KC!) I hope y'all have a wonderful day!!!!

Note: I was compensated for this post, however all opinions are solely my own. I would never advertise any product or company I do not support. 

Come visit me at the Chocolate Mile

Hey y'all. I'm taking a full length LSAT this morning. Then treating myself to a massage this afternoon. Followed by a sinfully delicious restaurant week dinner at Cedar. 

In the meanwhile, I'm posting over at 

come visit me here. I'm talking about my struggles with food and weight... Little bit of a departure for me, but I hope y'all go read it. 

Happy Weekend :)

{Friday Cocktail} Basil Bloody Mary

Can you feel it yet? There's a change in the air. The light looks a little different. Something is coming... Fall. Do you know what the best part of fall is? FOOTBALL SEASON! and football season means lots and lots of day drinking. Morning drinking really. And this girl is not exactly one to pop open a cold beer at 8 am. I am however a big fan of a good Bloody Mary. 

Now, I know there are a lot of people out there who are not really Bloody Mary fans, but I urge you to try again. The great thing about this drink, is it is so customizable. Don't like spicy? Leave out the pepper. Love salt? Throw in more olives. You can go as light or as heavy on the vodka as you please... with out really noticing. 

A while back I got a taste of a basil bloody mary, and I've been dreaming of it ever since. The basil pairs so well the the tomato juice, and really holds up to some spice. Love it! I would definitely recommend adding it to your bloody next time your whipping up a batch.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. Tomato Juice (any kind is fine)
• 3 oz Vodka (lets not drink anything that comes in a plastic bottle folks... we need to pace ourselves)
• Worcestershire 
• Bitters
• Tabasco
• Cayenne Pepper
• Basil (about a handful)
• Black Pepper
• Celery
• Ice
• Lemon wedges

Directions

In a cocktail shaker muddle the basil (reserve a few leaves for garnish), juice from lemon wedge (start with 1/8 of the lemon, add more if desired), a tsp. of Worcestershire, dash of bitters, pinch of cayenne and black pepper, and vodka. It looks gross, but keep going. Add tomato juice. Shake until your heart is content. Pour over ice. Garnish with celery and a basil leaf or two. Remember to pace yourself. 

* I don't love basil and olives together here... but that's totally my preference. Feel free to throw in a few, and maybe some horseradish, or bacon? mm or cilantro? all good options. Just have fun with it!

Either way, fall is coming, and football is right around the corner. I'm going to apologize in advance, if you're not much of a college football fan, Blue Dog Belle may be going Red and Black in the coming months, so If you get sick of me, come back in January. (Okay, okay... I'll try to keep football mentions on Monday's and Friday's)