Look of the Day: 70s Inspired Floral

This post marks the first Look of the Day (LOTD) post!  Random goodness of budget-friendly fashion/jewelry of the day and maybe even makeup. I may even include a little bit about where/when I wore it.
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When I got home to Chicago I was expecting the weather to only hit the high 60s, but we have had some lovely, warm days. I decided to wear my new button-up 70s inspired floral dress to celebrate the warm weather. I got this dress a few months ago from Forever 21. I loved the bright, large floral print against the warm brown. I love that it commands attention yet doesn't require much effort! I paired it with a Twisted Orchid purse I won last month from Eugenia's blog! I got to pick any purse from the Twisted Orchid purse and I fell immediately in love with the slingbak backpacks! You can wear it as a backpack, slung on one shoulder, as a large hobo, or even across your back! It is so roomy and goes with everything! I cannot get enough of it.

dress: Forever 21

sandals: Steve Madden

purse: Twisted Orchid

I wore this outfit out to lunch with my mom and sister. We went to Thanks Jordan Raw Vegan Cafe of Lockport, IL. If you aren't familiar with raw veganism it is a diet that excludes cooking anything above 118 degrees fahrenheit. Many people eat raw because they believe cooking destroys the balance of nutrients and there may be chemicals created due to the heating process. This restaurant is an interesting concept in the fact that it is run 100% by volunteers. All proceeds are donated to the Thanks Jordan foundation which benefits children battling life-threatening illnesses. It was one of my first experiences with raw food and I can say it was amazing and filling! I'd definitely go back!

I had the taco salad (the meat was made of almonds!).

My sister had mushroom alfredo that was made with zucchini shreds as pasta. It was so good! Even though it was cold!

Lastly, my mom had dill covered bagels with a mixed salad and a fruit salad. She loved the salads, but thought the dill topping was just okay. 

Warm weather, good food and company, what's not to love? Thanks for stopping by!

Sample Society: May 2012

I've been on the waitlist of Sample Society since they opened. I randomly decided to try and sign up in April and somehow I was able to! So if you are on the waitlist, don't wait anymore! You can sign up!

Don't know what Sample Society is?
Sample Society is a monthly subscription service that delivers a box of premium beauty samples to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 5 samples each month. The samples are backed by Allure and their team of beauty experts. The samples may range from make-up, skincare, body, hair, and fragrances. Plus, with your subscription you will receive a free year subscription to Allure! And each box will have a mini advice guide that relates to your products. Currently all boxes are the same, but they expect to have variations in the future. Sample Society costs $15 a month, and your box will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Sample Society.

May 2012
This was my first month of Sample Society! I had wanted to sign up, but the $15 price tag left me unsure. And by the time I decided why the hell not, subscriptions closed. I originally had opted-out of the Allure magazine subscription since I already have Allure for a year from DermStore, but they said that opting in would extend my current Allure subscription another year. Their customer service was amazing and fast! Plus, shipping was unbelievable. My box shipped out May 3rd and I received it the next day!

 Information Cards:

Products:
StriVectin: StriVectin-SD Concentrate
Full Size: 5 oz ($135.00)
Size Received: 0.75 oz ($20.25)
I've already tried this exact sample in my February Beauty Army kit. I learned then that this product was meant to rebuild skin layers of cancer patients. But instead they realized that it worked wonders on stretch marks and wrinkles. I've also heard that this works well on acne scars. My skin has been unbearable the past few months and Im thinking Ill try this out on my acne scars. Since this is a 3 week sample for face, I'm pretty sure that this will last me 5-6 weeks for just spotting marks.

Bond No. 9: Bleecker Street Parfum

Full Size: 0.057 oz ($175.00)

Size Received: 1.7 oz ($5.87)

Bond No. 9 is a New York perfumery that has a goal of marking every New York City neighborhood with a scent. They don't just have one for the 5 boroughs, no no they currently have over 50 different men's and women's and unisex fragrances. Some examples are Madison Square Park, Brooklyn, Central Park, and Bleecker Street the scent I received. I loved how the sample was wrapped like a bon bon, a really cute touch. I've never heard of the Bleecker Street neighborhood having not spent much time in NY, but is apparently in Greenwich Village and famous for nightclubs and Alicia Keys lives there. The fragrance is described as "art, fashion, seduction, and dessert in liquid form. A warm sensual aprodisiac that glides from day into evening." It has notes of violet leaf, cassis, jasmine, cinnamon, and oakmoss. I have to say this one was not for me. It was way too heavy on the woody/leaves and I could barely sense the jasmine. I would be opening to trying different fragrances from their collection, maybe I'm more of a Bryant Park or Madison Square Park.

Colorscience Pro: Loose Mineral Travel Puff in Illuminating Pearl

Full Size: 0.035 oz ($10.00)

Size Received: Full-size! 0.035 oz ($10.00)

When I saw this month's advice booklet prior to the release of the box I got so excited that they were going to feature mineral makeup. I was not too excited when I read the ingredients and realized that this puff has pearl powder which is ground up fish scales. Yuck. Even if I wasn't vegan I do not want to put fish on my face. The idea of a travel puff is a great idea, mineral powder gets everywhere, but even before I ever used this one I can see powder in the plastic pouch. I'd still be worried that this would get all over my purse. 

stila: forever your curl mascara
Full Size: 0.24 oz ($22.00)
Size Received: 0.12 oz ($11.00)
Am I the only one that is not impressed by stila products? Every single stila product I have tried I haven't been over the moon about. This mascara didn't look like it would beat out my favorite mascara (blinc) so I decided to not even try it out. It is a polymer formula that has some kind of curling memory ingredient. Huh? I think they mean that it keeps your curl all day long. The reviews online do not look stellar and people who tried the sample said they ended up with raccoon eyes even before the end of a normal day. I tried looking up the mascara on the stila website, but I couldnt find it. I wonder if they are planning on getting rid of this product completely...

Alterna: UV+ Fade-Proof Fluide

Full Size: 2.5 oz ($24.00)

Size Received: 0.25 oz ($2.40)

I love that they featured a brand that free of all the nasty chemicals and uses organic, natural ingredients. But I do not color my hair. What this fluide is meant to do is to lock in color and shield hair with a UVA/UVB barrier. Although Im always interested in sun protection, my hair is not something Im interested in protecting, since um its not really necessary... I'd rather a scalp protector. Because my hair is so thin to begin with, the number of hair products that it can handle is few. I'll be giving this to a friend.

Total value of my May 2012 Sample Society box:$49.52
So disappointed in my first month of Sample Society. The past month of crappy beauty boxes have made me realize that I need to step back from them. I cancelled Sample Society while I attempted to finish this post. It took me two weeks after I got the box to finish the post when normally I finish beauty box posts in a few hours... It shows that it doesn't matter what the value is, as long as I actually like the products. 

What do you think of my May Sample Society box? Do you think I should have given them a second chance? Let me know in the comments below!

Julep Maven: May 2012 (Bombshell)

After my first month of Julep Maven back in March, I did skip until now. I about died when I saw the colors this month! I had the hardest time picking what profile I wanted! But they offered a $4.99 add-on option that let me have it all! Julep still has a penny deal, where your first box is literally only a penny! Use code SHAREONMAY at checkout!

Don't know what Julep Maven is?
Julep Maven is a nail polish subscription service that delivers Julep nail polishes and nail products to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 2-3 nail polishes in the hottest colors and an extra. The extra may be a hand lotion, cuticle oil, glycolic hand scrub, etc. The nail polishes are all made by Julep a boutique nail salon company in the Seattle area and the colors are never before released or cult favorites. Each month you will have the choice of 5 different kits that are made to reflect a specific fashion style (It Girl, Boho Glam, Classic with a Twist, etc). You will take a fashion quiz once you sign up to set your main fashion style, but you have the option to order whichever of the 5 boxes you like best. Julep Maven is $19.99 a month, but you are able to skip a month whenever you like!
Click here to join Julep Maven.

May 2012, Bombshell
This month I decided to switch things up and change my profile from It Girl to Bombshell. But I still loved so many of the colors in the It Girl box so I decided to add on my favorite, Nessa, for $4.99. I felt guilty buying this month since I barely worked due to my school commitments, but I deserved it! A few hours later I noticed I had 50 new emails from Julep Maven, and that is not an exaggeration. I got 17 emails notifying me that I changed my profile and another 15 or so saying they received my add-on request. A few days later I noticed I was charged twice for my May polishes. I had received an email saying there was a technical issue and that anyone that was charged would be credited back immediately. But, it took over a week and half for my credit to post so after inquiring with their CS they offered me my May box for free!!

Information Card:

Products:

Julep Nail Vernis in Fina

Sky blue metallic with a mod chrome finish.

Fina turned out to be a bit more grey than I had expected. I thought it would be more sky blue from the color they have on the website, but that's okay because it is a very nice color. It is a very metallic color with a fine shimmer. It is a very thick, opaque formula and I only really needed one coat! It is a bit streaky, but that is common with metallic polishes. I haven't worn it out yet, but I'm assuming like the other Julep polishes I've worn they will chip sooner than my other polishes. 

Julep Nail Vernis in Sarah

Sheer pink coral with iridescent and glitter.

Sarah is what sold me on getting the Bombshell profile. I don't care how popular my name is, it's still cool when something is named after you! And yes, this nail polish was obviously named after ME. The color reminds me of the strawberry jam I ate every morning in India; massive amounts of food coloring, bright pink, and super jelly. This is a jelly like formula with a good amount of silver glitter. I know they describe it as a coral, but I see more of a pink than orange undertone. I was surprised by how thick this formula this was, I thought it'd take 20 layers to get it even semi-opaque, but I was happy with the 3 you see in the photo. I loved how it looked on my nails, so fun! But, like with the other Julep polishes I've tried after just a day it was chipping...

Julep The Best Pedi Prep Ever!

Super exfoliating AHA's combine with chamomile extract to soften and prepare calluses for foot filing.

I leaned toward the Bombshell box since it came with this extra. My feet are always super dry and callused. I know I'll never be a foot model, but I'd rather not have unsightly feet all summer long. It was super easy to roll on the pedi prep. I let it sit for 5 minutes then used the foot file and went to town. I was so pleasantly surprised with the results! My skin was soft and smooth and has kept pretty well 4 days later. I plan on using this stuff every week and I bet in a month my feet will look ravishing. The only thing I didn't like was the smell. It was chocolate/coffee scented and it just smelled off to me. But I can live with a bad scent if it works.

Julep Foot File

Julep's professional pedicure tool smooths away calluses and softens rough skin.

This is one sturdy foot file!! It has 4 different surfaces: two coarse sandpaper-ish and two plastic beads. I'm not really sure what the difference between the surfaces, but it did work well to make my sad, winter feet look softer and smoother. I normally use a foot razor, but those are so unsafe, and I have cut myself badly with it in the past. If using the pedi prep and the foot file will get me the same results in just a few extra weeks. This was a great addition and I'm really happy I have a foot file now!

Add-on: (not part of Bombshell Collection)

Julep Nail Vernis in Nessa

Bright lemon sorbet shimmer.

Nessa is similar in formula to Fina, a shimmery frost-like finish. I absolutely adore the color, it is bright, shimmery, without being over the top. I have such pink-toned skin that yellows don't look terrible in moderation. Plus, this was opaque in just two coats! I only painted one nail because the brush that came with Nessa was fraaaayed. I know Julep says they have a special micro-frayed brush, but this is obviously a mistake. This month there were multiple brushes that had theses awful brushes. They are working hard to send out new brushes to everyone affected. Unfortunately they've yet to reply to my emails. It was so hard to even paint this one nail, so I won't be able to use it until I get the replacement. 

Technically my Bombshell box had a value of $54 ($68 if you include my add-on)!!! And I got all of this for free. booyah! It pays to inquire! I love all the extras that I received and the colors are too great!

And don't forget that you can try out Julep Maven for just a penny! Plus, after the first month you can skip as often as you like! Click here to sign up. And don't forget to use promo code: SHAREONMAY to get your first month for $0.01!

What are your thoughts on this month's Julep Maven polishes? What are your favorite summer nail colors? Let me know in the comments below! 

Favorite Music Friday: New Radicals

How is already Friday? I still can't believe it is May so maybe I just need to accept that time does not stand still! I am officially home! It is so great to be home, but I don't feel like I can relax until I find out how I did on my finals and if I passed my graduation exam! Hopefully soon since graduation is in less than two weeks. Graduation means dress shopping! Today I came home with my graduation dress! After spending countless hours avoiding schoolwork looking for a dress, it took me 20mins in H&M! I'll just say it is white, lace, and has a peplum skirt. Im in love. 

Graduation may mean that I am moving forward to a new part of my life, but while in the changing rooms of H&M I had a blast from the past. New Radical's 'Mother We Just Can't Get Enough' came on. I heard this song for the first time in A Walk To Remember. Yes, the movie with Shane West and Mandy Moore. I was the BIGGEST fan ever. I waited for 6 hours to meet Mandy Moore (she left when I was maybe 20 feet from her!) and I was voted 'Most Likely To Marry Shane West' in 8th grade, so you see what I mean. The soundtrack was such an amazing blend of artists, including the New Radicals. 

New Radicals was an American band active in the late 90s formed by Greg Alexander. There was no other permanent members other than he; band members would only help out for a few songs and move on. Sadly they have only one album Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too. They broke up in 1999 after Alexander said that the life on the road and promoting music was just not for him. In that one year their first single 'You Get What You Give' became a crazy hit! If you hear it you'll have an ahh now I remember monent. All I can say about their sound is its 90's pop rock, sitting on the beach or road trip kind of music. It is fun and seems to always bring up my spirits. It's too bad that they broke up.

This week's pick is a very cute love song. It has such an upbeat, get up and dance quality to it. I love when singers belt it out. This band is considered a one hit wonder, but I think 'Mother, We Just Can't Get Enough' is a hit all on its own!

I hope you enjoy this oldie! Happy weekend!

Birchbox: May 2012 (Gossip Girl) Box 1 of 2

As soon as I drop a few subscriptions, Birchbox tells me that the May box is going to be sponsored by Gossip Girl!? I have not only seen every single episode, but dream of stealing Blair's wardrobe, and slapping some sense into the ever so annoying and whiny Serena. After much hesitation, I re-activated my second account. I have yet to receive either shipping notifications, but one of the boxes was at my doorsteps on Monday! I probably won't get the second box until after I get back from vacation (I leave Wednesday).


Don't know what Birchbox is?
Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that delivers a little, heavenly box of premium beauty samples to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 4-5 samples (sometimes even full-sized products) and generally a goodie (energy booster, granola bar, etc). The samples range from make-up, polishes, skincare, body, hair, and fragrances. All from luxury, quality brands. Every month is a surprise, but the samples picked for you are based on a survey you fill out letting the gals know your style and skin-type. Birchbox costs just $10 a month, and your box will always be valued way above!
Click here to join Birchbox.

May 2012, Gossip Girl Box #5
This month all of the boxes are curated by the beauty/hair team behind the CW's hit show Gossip Girl. The boxes were even shipped out early this month so that everyone will have their boxes in time for the season finale Monday, May 14th. Within the Gossip Girl theme, there are sub-themes for each box (Sunday Brunch, Weekend in the Hamptons, etc). This box included all the items I'd need to get ready for a Black Tie Ball. Almost every episode the lovely ladies are glammed up in the most gorgeous fashions ready to go to some gala. The information card said that I'll be able to get a million dollar look with the products. Plus, Birchbox is sponsoring a Gossip Girl trivia sweepstakes! Jst answer the trivia questions in the information card while watching the season finale and you'll be entered to win a $500 Birchbox shopping spree. I'll of course be entering!

Information Cards:

Products:
Miracle Skin Transformer: Body SPF 20 in Glow
Don't settle for anything but flawless skin -- all over your body. This tinted treatment erases blemishes and scars on arms, legs, and décoletté.
Full Size: 3.38 oz ($34.00)
Size Received: 0.5 oz ($5.00)
I've always wanted to try the Miracle Skin Transformer for face ever since I saw it in someone else's birchbox last year. The Miracle Skin Transformer is a tinted moisturizer that hydrates skin, brightens and tones skin, and protects with SPF. It is suposed to be able to cover up any blemishes, make skin look more radiant, and smooth. I was surprised by how dark and thick the treatment was, it felt like a heavy concealer. Just trying to take a swatch photo I ended up getting it on my pants and in my hair. It was extremely shimmery! And not finely milled soft shimmer, but GLITTER bomb teen style. Plus, it did not do what it said, my skin is covered in glitter but you can still clearly see the fading scratch on my hand. I also tried it on a blemish and on some sun spots without any success.

stila: Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Starry
Pearly shimmer meets intense pigment in this lasting liner. Better yet, the pen-like wand makes wiggle-free application a breeze.
Full Size: 0.05 oz ($22.00)
Size Received: Full-size! 0.05 oz ($22.00)
I don't understand how to use liquid eye liner or why anybody would use it every day. I understand it makes for a more dramatic look but my eyes are already bigger than my head. Why go through all the trouble of attempting a straight line when I can get precise, soft lovely lines from a pencil/crayon. This is a deep brown that has glitter in it. The box says it may contain carmine (crushed beetle), but carmine is normally only used with red colors, so I emailed stila to confirm if this shade does actually contain it. I did swatch it on my arm to show you the color. It has a sponge tip applicator that makes it easier to apply, but I still could barely get a straight line on my arm. The color is very warm and would go well with my eyes. I don't feel like the application was very even, you can see in the swatch it was patchy. From far away you can't tell, but I bet it'd be amplified with my horrific lining skills.

Ojon: Volume Advance Volumizing Shampoo
Made with ultra nourishing Central American ojon oil, this weightless shampoo helps hair look and feel thicker.
Full Size: 8.5 oz ($22.00)
Size Received: 1.0 oz ($2.59)
A shampoo made for my hair! The shampoo is formulated for fine, limp, flat hair. It works to remove oils and residues that weigh hair down and bring life back to hair with some volume. Coconut oil tames, defrizzes, and coat hairs with moisture, ojon oil moisturizes and makes hair shiny, and finaly Peruvian amaranth extracts remove oil/buildup and somehow makes hair appear thicker and fuller. Most shampoos are meant for normal hair and coat my hair too thick and don't remove enough residue. I often end up with a dry, itchy scalp and limp, greasy strands. But a shampoo formulated to hydrate my hair and scalp without leaving buildup...sadly Ojon was bought by Estee Lauder who conducts animal testing so I wont be using this product (you can read about that dilemma here).

Arquiste: L'Etrog Cologne
Warm notes of citron, palm leaves, and myrtle combine in this transporting scent, inspired by the aroms of a medieval harvest festival in Calabria, Italy. 
Full Size: 1.9 oz ($165.00)
Size Received: 0.038 oz ($3.30)
This is part of a unisex fragrance line by Arquiste inspired by history. L'Etrog is inspired by October of 1175 in Calabria, Italy. I think its a novel idea being inspired by history. I always wonder what it'd be like to go back and time (especially late 1800s, prohibition, Susie Homemaker 1950s). The cologne is based off of the festival of Sukkot (jewish celebration of the seventh month). Many of the prayer rituals involve the etrog, which is a yellow citron fruit. This cologne has main notes of citron (aka etrog), myrtle, date fruit, and vetiver. I'm not familiar with any of the notes in the scent so it's hard to describe. I guess velvety, woodsy citrus, and manly? I think the main issue I have with this fragrance is I have a very keen memory of smell. This scent reminds me too much of my uncle. Why would I want to smell like him? No thank you. Pass.

Birchbox: xoxo notecard
Text messages are no match for handwritten notes on fun, modern stationary.
Full Size: 12 notecards ($10.00)
Size Received: 1 notecard ($0.83)
Some people aren't too happy with this extra, but I don't mind! It's my favorite item in my box! I'll have a lot of thank you cards to write after graduation and this one is so cute! I love the gold/green color paired with the bright pink envelope and the xoxo on the front is too perfect! I also love that you can buy them on the Birchbox website! It would have been nice to get a few notecards, but I'm expecting I'll be getting another notecard in my second box.

Total value of my May 2012 box #5:$33.72

What a bust. I want to rub my arms in pure alcohol to get the smell of the fragrance off of me, the shampoo is tested on animals, the stila may have crushed beetles and has an uneven application, and the Miracle Skin Transformer did nothing for my skin! I'd have been better off just buying the notecard set online... I was somewhat excited about my box at first, but after taking the time to try them out and research the companies it is a major bust. The idea of teaming up with Gossip Girl was an amazing one, but to me the products weren't any different from any other month/theme. Hopefully the second box I receive is better...

What do you think of my May Birchbox? Do you think it lived up to the hype? How does my box compare to yours? Let me know in the comments below!

If you don't get Birchbox, click here to join!