Julep Alaina & Sephora Formula X Love Chemistry

It was time to take off the Christmas colors!  I am over the shades of December.  I feel like you will be seeing a lot of nudes, golds, blues and purples from me this January.  I have been waiting to try out this gorgeous Julep shade Alaina from a recent mystery box, it is a smokey light purple cream.  I paired it with Sephora Formula X Love Chemistry, a gold shimmer topcoat with pink glitter.  I love this combo, a nice neutral mani with a bit of flair.  The Sephora Formula X line has such amazing colors can't wait to use my Sephora Gift Cards I got this Christmas for some more of these fun shades!

Christmas Mani

I had so many new Christmas shades I have tried out this December.  It was hard to choose which ones to use for my Christmas manicure.  I chose ILNP Very Ornamental, ILNP Fresh Evergreen, and Julep Shoshanna.  I loved these shades the first time I tried them this month and knew I probably couldn't wear them many other times this year, so I brought them out again.  I did a simple tape mani layering one color over the other and topped it off with a shiny topcoat.  I love how this turned out, perfect for all my holiday gatherings.  What are you wearing for your Christmas Mani?

Julep Aviva & Brenda

My Julep mystery box arrived today and I couldn't wait to try out the two new signature shades Aviva and Brenda.  Aviva is a sparkly purple jelly with purple and silver glitter.  Brenda is a golden shimmer topcoat that looks great over white, and I am sure darker colors as well.  I also used my holiday stamping plate to add some snowflakes using Julep Charlotte, a creamy purple shade.  I know those mystery boxes sold out fast and I know it is because of the great value and these two gorgeous colors!  Have you tried your mystery box shades yet?

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December Barkbox

I received my December Barkbox yesterday.  This month theme is sharing the best things in life with the dogs we love.  The girls have so many treats around here it is unbelievable!  They love all the new toys and all the new treats they are getting.  I also love how healthy the treats are that bark box sends.

All the Goodies

Bistro Bites small dog treats peanut butter and applesauce ($8):  I love small dog treats, and so do the girls.  They sometimes expect a treat every time they go out so its nice to have small ones around.

Planet Dog Eats Chicken Pot Pie Treats ($3.30):  Again, the girls love trying new treats I am sure these will be gone quickly.

Go Dog Fun Yeti Toy: ($6.99):  This is ummm strange.  I have seen some weird dog toys (remember the zucchini, which by the way skokie loves) but this laying around the house will be enough to freak anyone out ;)

Simply Fido organic canvas toy ($5.99):  These toys are made with organic non toxic materials and feature a great interactive tug design.  Sookie has already approved of this toy, it got lots of play time tonight!

Barkworthies Bully stick chew treat ($4.20):  Athena is going to love this!

I estimated this months Barkbox at $28.48, a great value for the $18 a month I paid for a 6 month subscription.  I know my girls love their barkbox as much as I do.  If you want to subscribe to bark box click here and use code BBSTAFF6MO for $12 off a 6 month plan.

Ipsy December Bag

My December Ipsy bag arrived last week, but yeah I had already peeked at my Glamroom and knew what I was getting ;)  This month included 5 items and a cosmetic bag!  This months bag theme was celebration, it is the two year anniversary of Ipsy.  Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that promises 4-5 deluxe sample or full sized products a month along with a cosmetic bag.  If you are interested in Ipsy CLICK HERE and sign up.  Let's check out the goodies!  Ladies, also remember to review your bags afterwards for Ipsy points that you can use towards free products in the future.

All the Goodies

Nicka K Nail polish in Classic Taupe ($5):  This is a purplish brown color, I actually like it.  Not in the bottle, but it is a nice neutral, and I always appreciate any nail polish colors!

Ardell Lashes with Adhesive ($4):  I used to wear fake lashes on special occasions, but now I wear glasses.  But, I will save these in case I ever need a pair, I am actually quiet good at applying them.

Pop Beauty Shadow Trio ($7.20):  Smokin' Hot palate features three shades of grey shadow.  I wear grays occasionally, I will give these a try.  

Be A bombshell highlighter in girl crush ($16):  I love highlighters!  This one is a nice sparkly pink.  I am a fan of Benefit watts up, this is a similar product, but a bit more pink.  Highlighters should be used under your eyebrows, the bridge of your nose, the bow of your lip and the top of your cheekbones to add a reflective light and contour to your makeup look.  

NYX lipstick in Iced Honey ($4):  Lipstick is always appreciated, and I love the neutral shade, but I know my mom will like this even more than me, I will pass it on.

The December bag:  A nice neutral black bag, I love it!

I totaled this months Ipsy bag at $36.20, not a bad deal for $10!  This months bag was not my favorite, but I love having new items to try and some to pass on even when I don't love everything!  What did you think of this months Ipsy bag?

Julep Celia & Shoshanna

Today I tried my December Julep colors Celia and Shoshanna.  Cecilia is a metallic green shimmer with hints of silver.  Shoshanna is a gorgeous yellow based holographic glitter that works perfectly with Celia.  This mani came out nice and sparkly for the holiday season!  Only one more week of Christmas nails left.  Did you pick up any of the Julep December shades?

PopSugar Winter Luxury Box

PopSugar releases a Luxury box a few times a year and this time I snagged one!  They sell out within hours and cost $100, but promise over $300 of Must Have Luxury items.  I always love to see whats in these boxes and after the awesome Fall box, I knew I wanted to order the Winter box.  Luckily, my husband bought it for me for Christmas, and I LOVE all the items!  The information card tells us that these items are a great way to help us start out 2014 with all the items you never knew you needed.  

All the Goodies!

Must Have Home:  Lunares Cheese Paddle with Knife ($59)
This cheese paddle and knife set is handmade from non tarnish silver, and a sleek way to serve your appetizers.  This is a cool item I never knew I needed.  It is heavy and the quality is great, I will definitely use it this holiday season, and I love the clever!

Must Have Beauty:  Tokyomilk by Margot Elena Body Souffle in Wisdom ($40)
Treat yourself well with TokyoMilk Dark's body soufflé, the lotion infuses botanical extracts, shea butter and avocado oils for a rich formula that smells and feels amazing.  OMG this lotion weighs 3 pounds easily!  The case is so fancy and it smells amazing.  I received the scent Wisdom which has notes of water lilly, woods, moss, walnut and winter musk.  I haven't tried it just yet, but when I do I will feel very fancy!  I love beauty products.

Must Have Home:  Graphic Image 2014 Datebook ($70)
The search for the perfect planner stops right here!  Seriously, anyone that knows me know I love planners.  I buy 2 a year from Target just so I can rewrite everything, no iPhone calendar for this girl.  I have never had such a nice planner!  It is very heavy, the metallic leather is gorgeous.  There are also lots of added maps and helpful date and note pages included in this 224 page planner.  I am in love ;)

Must Have Food:  Fatty Sundays Peppermint Crunch Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels ($6.95)
Fatty Sundays Peppermint sticks are covered in dark chocolate and dusted with peppermint candy.  OMG these are amazing!  This is the treat I would eat everyday if I could, peppermint and chocolate is my favorite combo.  You know I already tried them, and they are so delicious!

Must Have Fashion:  Erickson Beamon Rocks Blondie Stone Bangle ($75)
This bangle features clusters of showstopping stones with a hinged clasp.  I love this bracelet!  I love that it has a hinged clasp so you don't have to wrestle to get it on.  This is the perfect piece for me to wear to work or to wear out.  This is not an item that I can find online, but most people estimate this price of this item in the range of $75 due to the prices of the other bracelets on the site, which are pricey.

Must Have Beauty:  Winks by Georgie False Lash Compact ($28)
Get a striking look when you try out these reusable, high-quality Georgie Beauty false lashes.  I used to wear false lashes on special occasions, but now that I have to wear glasses not so much.  I will save these for a special day, they are fancy!

Must Have Fashion:  Cuyana Elizabeth Infinity Scarf ($65)
This infinity scarf is a wonderful winter accessory, incredibly soft and made from Peruvian alpaca fleece and stylish.  I received the scarf in cream.  This is a great classic piece.  The scarf is so soft!  In the photo I have it folded in half, it is twice as thick and the perfect length to layer around twice.  I love luxury items like this, something I wouldn't have bought for myself, but love.

I totaled the Winter Luxury box at a retail price of $343.95!  I paid $100 for these items, a great deal.  I will say it again, these luxury items are not something I would have picked out for myself, or been able to buy, so I love that I am able to own them.  These boxes are special, congrats to all the ladies that snagged one and thanks to my husband for buying it for me and letting me open it early ;) 

December PopSugar Box

My December Popsugar box arrived yesterday!  This is my favorite subscription box.  Popsugar promises the best and trendiest Must Have beauty, fashion, home and food items.  This month's theme is the wish list you never knew you needed.  I agree, I love all these items I am so glad I gifted them to myself ;)  Lets check out the goodies!

All the Goodies!

Must Have Home:  Mixt Studio Holiday Gifting set ($9) will dress up any present.  This wrap is adorable, it also comes with tags and twine and a few different prints.  Whichever of my Christmas gifts that get wrapped in this will look so fancy!

Must Have Home:  Govino Go Anywhere Flutes ($12.95) let you sip your bubbly no matter where you are.  These champagne glasses look like crystal but are shatterproof, great for a new years eve date, or a vacation by the hot tub!

Must Have Beauty:  Modelco Fibre lashxtend Mascara ($20)  This "game changing" formula promises clump free volume.  I love trying new mascara, can't wait to try this one.

Must Have Beauty:  NCLA Peppermint Lane Nail Wraps ($16 ) these self adhesive nail wraps come in a festive print.  I have never tried nail wraps, I will definitely give these a try this one for one of my Christmas manis!

Must Have Fashion:  Lulu Frost for PopSugar Bracelet ($110) a girl can never have too many jewels.  Lulu frost made this bracelet exclusively for Popsugar.  I really like this piece, I like the mix of metal tones and a little bling.  It is hard to get one by myself, it needs the assistance of my hubby, but it is really cute on.  Would I have paid $110 for this?  NO, but I am going to rock this and am happy to own it!

Must Have Food:  Ghiradelli Squares Chocolates ($8)  Holiday Edition and Caramel packs.  I love these squares who doesn't?  Excited to taste the pumpkin spice caramel flavor!

Must Have Food:  CC Made Caramel Corn ($4) crunchy, sweet, and completely addictive.  This will make a great hostess gift, or maybe a gift for my mailman who nicely delivers all these packages.

I totaled this months Popsugar Box at $179.65, a great deal considering I paid $30 with an extended month plan.  Popsugar recently raised their monthly prices to $39.95, but they still have December box's available!  If you want the December items, or next months box CLICK HERE and use code REFER5, for $5 off your first box.  What did you think of this months Popsugar box?

I Love Nail Polish Fresh Evergreen & Very Ornamental

I couldn't wait to try my other new ILNP Christmas colors this week.  Fresh Evergreen is a bright green holographic polish.  I love green's and this one is awesome!  I love the holo very strong, especially under lights.  Very Ornamental is a bright holo red shade.  Again, wow! this has a very strong holo the rainbow colors really shine through.  I also used Color Club Harp on It as a silver holo accent for a candy cane look with my Julep chevron stickers.  It has been fun to come up with some Christmas mani's next week I think I'll try some more nail art.  Did you pick up any of the ILNP's christmas shades?  If not you can still get them here!