Welcome to another Subscription Box Review! Check out my previous Subscription box reviews here. November Ipsy Glam Bag:
This month's Ipsy was decent- really only one item I wouldn't ever use and one item that I'm saving for special events. The bag's theme was "sparkle"- as you can tell by the bag. A
friend of mine and my mom both got completely different bags as me, but
all 3 of us got the hairspray. Since I don't use the highlighter, I
am swapping it with my friend- and I'll get a liquid liner in return.
Here's the lowdown on what I got:
Marc Anthony's Oil of Morocco hairspray. Everyone I've talked to got this in their bag. I'm not a huge hairspray fan, but I'll be using it come show-time or holidays. It's a great travel size for that.
SeaRx Micro-dermabrasion Face and Body Scrub. This little pink bottle...hmm. I tried it- did the trick of smoothing out my skin, though not as much as I had hoped (I have really dry skin)- but I'm sure if I did it more often, it would work wonders. Not sure about the "preventative aging" part, but I am on the tail-end of being 28- never can start too soon, right? ;)
Temptu S/B Highlighter. This is the only product I will NEVER use that I got in my bag. I'm actually going to swap this with a friend who uses highlighters. It's a cute little bottle- I'll just never use it.
StarLooks Ultra Orchid gem eye liner pencil. It's a pretty purple color (My mother got the gold one). I haven't tried it yet on my eyes, but the color is pretty- and it gives a little shimmer too!
Wet'N'Wild's Megasticks Balm Stain moisturizing lip colour in Lady & the Vamp. Honestly, when I picked this up, I looked at the color and was like- toooo dark for me. But after trying it, it goes on smooth and not very thick, so the color is nice- almost purple-ish. It has a somewhat minty flavor, surprisingly. It looks cute with a gloss overtop and lasts even through lunch!
This is me wearing the stain, right after having lunch (so it lasted through lunch!).
Here's my current photo setup, in case you were interested. I'm slowly, but surely, trying this photo thing at home. lol. I know I'm no professional, but at least I'm trying, right?
Overall,
it wasn't a bad bag. The bag itself was not my favorite honestly, but
overall, not too bad. I'm looking forward to December's bag *fingers
crossed for holiday theme somethings*. Have you tried Ipsy? I'd love to know what YOU got in your glam bag this month!
Welcome to another Subscription Box Review! Check out my previous Subscription box reviews here. November Paper Pumpkin:
This month's Paper Pumpkin is my favorite so far- maybe because I'm always in desperate need for holiday cards or maybe because it includes washi tape!
I even used some of the extra bits in other holiday cards (and used a few of the tags)- stay tuned for those to be shown here on the blog later. The kit came with enough product to make some cards and tags, all for the holidays.
Here's the stamp set and ink:
Here's the first card I made from the kit (the only thing I didn't do was put the string on it- since I still need to sign it and put our yearly letter in it):
It's a super cute kit- perfect for holiday card making time. This year I had to make 102 holiday cards, so this certainly helped make a dent in that number. ;)
Also, I've already been in contact with the winner of the $25 Gift certificate to Uncommon Goods.
I'm so happy that you all enjoyed the post. Even if you didn't win, I
hope you have checked out their website and think of them when you're
trying to come up with some unusual gifts for those hard-to-get-for
people on your holiday list.
Do you struggle with getting unique gifts for those on your list? Well look no further than this post today for some great ideas! The wonderful people at Uncommon Goods not only let me try out a few of their products, but also are offering a giveaway- teamed up with little ol' me! (See bottom of the post for more details!)
If you are in search for some unusual or uncommon gifts, look no further than Uncommon Goods, where you can find some awesome Christmas gifts here. Don't forget about those stocking stuffers either- get great stuffer ideas here. Or, if you're like me and on a budget, see here for their gifts under $50.
Now here are my picks for some great uncommon gift ideas:
Uncommon Gifts for the Uncommon People on your list
If you're like me, you have certain friends and family that seem to have EVERYTHING. When the holiday season comes around- you are stumped at what to get them. Well, I have a few ideas to help save you during this already-stressful time of year!
For the at-home bartender:
Click here to get Uncommon Goods Mixology dice.
These are perfect for those who love playing bartender at gatherings or parties. My husband and I are often stumped at what drink to mix up when friends are over (besides the classic wine and beer), so this product struck me as a wonderful helper! Your mixologist friend will surely be excited to try these dice out- whether they are an amatuer or a seasoned bartender. Pair up with a hard liquor of your choice, and you have the perfect gift for that future or at-home bartender.
The first drink I made using the Mixology Dice was a honey vanilla-vodka with peach cocktail- tasted great!:
Click here to get Uncommon Goods "642 Things to Write About" book.
As a blogger, I often find times where I need a little creative writing inspiration. I have a LOT of friends and co-workers who are writers, so this book is a perfect gift for them. It is filled with writing prompts that just help you really think and/or get creative. Sometimes you need a little boost to get your creative juices flowing, and this book certainly helps with that. Pair it up with a pretty pen, and you have your holiday gift in the bag for that novelist-in-training you know.
Here is a little taste of some of the prompts in the book:
Click here to get Uncommon Goods 3-Tiered Twist and Fold Bowl.
This bowl(s) is honestly one of the coolest kitchen containers I've come across. I always complain I don't have enough cabinet space for all the cute kitchen dishware, but this little baby is perfect to deal with that dilemma- it folds up! So cool! Whether you need to entertain or store your fruit in your kitchen, this great product is perfect to save you space. If you have someone on you Christmas list that is a foodie or the hostess-who-is-the-mostest, this gift is for you.
It collapses down to this:
Bonus gift idea: Great gift to give to your mother or daughter- Mother & Daughter Letter Book Set, which you can pick up here. This wonderful product helps the Mother/Daughter bond to grow by sharing letters between each other.
So, has this given you some ideas for Christmas gifts for your hard-to-buy-for friends and family? If none of these fit those on your list, be sure to check out all of these products and MANY other uncommon but totally awesome Christmas gifts here at Uncommon Goods.
But before we get to the giveaway, here's a little insight into the Uncommon Goods company. Uncommon Goods is a privately-owned retailer, based out of Brooklyn, NY, that strives to feature unique designs and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment and without harm to animals or people. Their mission is to support and provide a platform for artists and designers; in fact, half of what they sell is made by hand! Most of the products they carry are created right here in the USA, and about one-third of their entire collection incorporates recycled and/or upcycled materials. If you're a local artist or designer, they have various events and design challenges here that you can get your work out into the marketplace, or if you need help to improve and develop your artistic business, you can check out their How to Make It events panel series here. I also love that this independently-owned company is proud to donated $1 to the non-profit of your choice with every purchase you make, through their Better to Give program here.
Now, without further ado- here is how YOU can win a $25 gift certificate to Uncommon Goods.
Entries are done through the Rafflecopter below.
$25 Uncommon Goods Gift Certificate giveaway!
The Must dos:
You MUST like both Uncommon Goods and Madcap Frenzy (my blog page) on Facebook for your entry to count towards the giveaway- use the Rafflecopter below, so we know you liked us through the giveaway! (If you've already liked us, just check off that from the Rafflecopter below).
Answering a question through the rafflecopter- What is the best Christmas gift you've ever recieved?
Or leaving me a comment on my blog (on this post)- What would YOU get from Uncommon Goods if you won the gift certificate?
Please feel free to stop by every day to tweet the giveaway for more chances to win. If you've entered, please share with your friends and family- who knows- if they win, they just might get YOU a gift from Uncommon Goods with their gift certificate. ;)
The giveaway is only up for a week- ending next Tuesday at 11:59 PM EST- so it will be a Thanksgiving present to you if you win! The winner will be notified by personal message/email. Good luck!
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out Uncommon Goods and start your Christmas wishlist, pick up Christmas Gifts here- especially those that are under $50 here, or stuffing those stockings here. They are the perfect place to get gifts for those very uncommon people on your list. ;)
I am so happy to have had the opportunity to work with Uncommon Goods for these awesome products and their fantastic giveaway- I hope you find their company as inspiring as I do!
Have a great day!
Happy Friday all! I hope you're having a wonderful fall end to the work week.
Here are some of the things I'm loving these days:
1. Project Life App: I
have been a fan of Project Life for a few years now, so when this App
came out, I was one of the first to download it. I am so pleased with
the collage and page options. I love that it saves your projects in a
library- perfect for reprints. I plan on using this app mostly for
keeping collages of my Photo-a-days. I can't wait till they get the
print option- would make my photo a day projects a snap!
2. Chili's Fresh Mex bowls:
I got one of these while out to lunch with my mom. I was so pleased
with it, as I got it as a combo with my beloved Chicken Tortilla soup
(the #1 reason I go to Chili's besides the chips). I got the Chipotle
Fresh Mex bowl- soooo good. My mom got the Margarita bowl. After the
chips and soup- this was so filling- I barely could eat it all- so be
prepared to get some to go. ;)
3. Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale: I found this while perusing the soda aisle at our Giant and I just had to try it. Wonderful! I always adore when there is a Cranberry seasonal flavoring of soda, so I was happy to see a ginger ale version- and it's Diet too!
4. Madden Girl Unifyy Pumps in tan:
I got these at a local thrift store a few weeks ago- they were in
pristine condition. I have been searching endlessly for a neutral pump
and was delighted to find these. I was so glad I purchased them- they
are actually quite comfortable for a heel. They were first dress pump that I've ever owned to not give me blisters by the end of the work day. So happy with my find! You
can find them online yourself at the link above.
5. Knifty Knitters Round Knitting loom set: I am horrible at knitting, so this is perfect for me. Already I've made 2 hats for my nephews for Christmas. If you (or someone you know) are not the best knitter or want to try knitting- this is the perfect gift for you!
We are heading over for a short day trip and night out to Cape May on Sunday, so I'm praying for clear skies. What are you planning for the weekend?
Have a great Friday and enjoy your upcoming weekend.
-M
So this week we broke down and cleaned the oven. I honestly think this has to be one of the most gross things to have to clean (other than the bathrooms). We started to get smoke coming from our oven due to buildup inside the oven- so we knew it was time to attack it with some cleaning- they type of cleaning that wasn't the "self-cleaning" mode. We were afraid that mode might smoke up the house just as much, so we had to get down and dirty with hand cleaning it. Ick!
Luckily, it wasn't too horrible (I'm sure my husband disagrees though- since he did most of it, lol).
After spraying down the cleaner inside the oven door and bottom of the oven, we let it sit for a few minutes. Then we attacked the mess with the scraper- scraping off the gunk (and wiping down with paper towels).
We did the "self-cleaning" mode afterwards, just as an extra clean. In the end, it looks SO much better and now- guess what- no more smoke!
Again, here is the Before:
And the After:
All sparkles!
Hope you have a great day and don't have to do this dirty job today. ;P
-M
Fall is in well-swing over here in Pennsylvania, but I know the fall weather isn't going to last forever. A few weeks ago, while out and about, I came across a good sale on mums towards the end of the season (right before Halloween). I put them in my fall front decor below, and they lasted me a few weeks.
I got the white chair from a neighbor who was throwing it out- I liked the semi-weathered look to go with the decor. (Please excuse my storm door- I still have to finish painting it (it's been staying unfinished for many months now, as I have been trying to track down the matching paint which we didn't get enough of in the first place- doh!))
I actually really like the simple fall look. (Sorry I forgot to post this sooner!)
I just now decided to plant the mums, so *HOPEFULLY* they come back next year in the beautiful yellow bloom they have here. After having to kick out the neighborhood cats from my flower beds, I replanted them (and trimmed up a tiny bit of our rose bush).
Top photo- The neighborhood cats enjoying my flower beds. grr. Next photo- the newly planted mums- it was getting dark, so I apologize for the dark photo.
I'm looking forward to winter, but refuse to start in on the Christmas decor till at least the week of Thanksgiving, so I just have pumpkins galore outside and in the house. lol
Wendy right after Halloween- enjoying the fall sunlight.
Have you started on your Christmas decor, or are you just rocking the Fall decor like I am? Leave me a comment below- I'd love to hear from you! (Feel free to leave a link too if you have one, to your current decor).
NOTE TO READERS!! Stay tuned- a fun giveaway is in the works in cooperation with www.uncommongoods.com, so check them out and start your wishlists now!
Hello all! Happy late Friday!
This week's Favorite's Friday I'm sharing with you a few products I just can't seem to get enough of these days. Check them out:
1. Cafe Escapes Cafe Caramel Keurig cup: This is soooo tasty. It was the first cup I tried in our Keurig, and I've been enjoying that flavor ever since. Tastes like a cappicino in a cup and perfect for those cold fall evenings (like tonight is). It is a lot less coffee tasting than some of the other Keurig cups, but if you like more creamy flavor- try this!
2. Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger Keurig tea cup: My mom got me hooked on these. I'm not normally a tea person, but boy do these taste great. When I was sick a month or so ago, I think I downed half the box just then! Perfect for an internal warm up.
3. Journee Collection Women's Buckle Detail Tall Boots in Black: I begged my hubs to get this pair of boots for me for an early Christmas present after seeing a fellow blogger share the Amazon link. I was so excited when they arrived and they sure did not disappoint me- they have become my go-to boot this fall. Paired with leggings, they are sooo comfortable!
Disregard my messy bathroom at the moment- but check out these awesome boots!
4. Skone Cosmetics Tattooed Eyeliner: I had previously reviewed this eyeliner when I got it in my October Ipsy bag. So far, it has quickly become my absolute favorite eyeliner- it goes on smooth like a marker and gives a great line. I'm not a huge makeup person, but when I do put makeup on- this is sure to be in my bag.
5. Giant Foods Buffalo Style Chicken Pizza (Self-Rising Crust): On a whim the hubs and I picked up one of these pizzas- they were only $3 a box. Recently we were hungry, but neither of us felt like really cooking, so we popped this in the oven. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was for a boxed pizza. Bravo Giant- this is better than the $5 Little Ceasar's hot and ready pizzas! ;)
Speaking of favorites, I'm happy to mention that I'll be teaming up with Uncommon Goods in the future, bringing you some great product reviews and a possible giveaway. Stay tuned for more details about that in the future. :D
Hope your Friday is going awesome all. Have a great day!
-M
So I recently went on a Stampin Up! crafty getaway hosted by Jill Hilliard. One of the Make-'n'-takes was a set of cards made using only a few products: A pack of white cards, a set of 5 Stampin Up! wintery washi tape, Christmas tree punch, star die cut, tag punch, twine, bling and a few select stamps. Just a few items, and you can create a boatload of cute cards! These are so quick, but so cute! If you have a mega list of people you need to send Christmas cards to like I do, this helps out the stress level of making a boatload of cards. I created a bunch of her creations, and then made a few variations/new cards of my own.
The card below was the slightly more difficult one to make- hardest part is lining up how far out you can put the washi tape, so it isn't shown outside the star. I put pencil hash markers on the edges, so I knew how far out to go. Once I did that, it worked out quite well if I do say so myself. lol. ;)
Hope you were inspired and I hope these give you some ideas on how to crank out some cute Christmas cards this winter season.
Enjoy!
-M
