January 2015 BarkBox Unboxing

I really can't believe I didn't post last month's BarkBox!!  It wasn't until I just went to write up the unboxing for this month that I noticed it so my sincerest apologies.

Last month there was actually an issue with the billing on our account and BarkBox was so wonderful that they sent us TWO boxes!! Shelby and Paisley lost their minds since they both got the same toy.

For the newbies to the page, everyone in the Miano household gets a monthly subscription so the pups can't be excluded.  BarkBox is a monthly dog box that is filled with treats,toys, apparel, etc., all based on your dog's weight. The box is $29 a month and is so worth it.  We get to find healthy, organic things that we might not come across and really awesome toys that aren't extremely marked up like at the stores.  If your dog loves an item, there is an easy re order code in the box that you just text to BarkBox and they charge your card on file and ship it to you!  If you don't like something, or the babes don't, you can also contact them about a replacement item!  They have STELLAR customer service.

So here is the box for January!

First, LOOK at that fuzzy adorable toy.  That is actually called a R2Pet Monster.  He squeaks and the girls love him and the fact they both have one to shake to death.  This is valued at $10.  The maker of the toy was actually left off of the card so I can't give credit where credit is due.

Our girls love fish, like their mama.  The Aussie Natural Alaskan Sockeye Strips blew their mind. They are nice and large and take Shelby (the puppy) much longer to eat than Paisley.  But sometimes I think it is survival of the fittest and that is why Paisley inhales her treats.  These are valued at $8 for a bag.

Okay so the weird looking thing in front did freak me out.  It is a "krunchie tube" which is really just a cute word for a dried trachea.  Dogs will eat any part, they are by no means picky.  We let our older dog have this instead of sharing with the puppy.  Even though the "puppy" weighs more than she does.  This is made by Butcher's Block Pet Treats and is valued at $2.

Caru Real Beef Stew.  An all natural version of an old classic.  Full of Omega's and fatty acids and deliciousness.  They loved this.  Valued at $6.

And last up for this month are Max and Ruffy's Blizzard Bites.  These are molasses and ginger treats and they actually smell really good.  I think Shelby liked these more than Paisley did so they surely won't go wasted on us.  These are valued at $5 for a bag.

This month's value was $31 which is actually fairly low based on previous month boxes.  However, from my POV, we got 2 boxes so we really did well this month!!  I will have this month's box up shortly, the toy they got this month I can't get Shelby to put down!!

The other thing I admire about this company is that 10% of every box sold goes to dogs in need.  This includes rescues, shelters, military dog organizations, search and rescue teams, low cost spay and neuter programs and many many more.

Click HERE to sign up for BarkBox and SPOIL your babies more than you already do!!

This post is sponsored by baby Shelby and her big sister Paisley.

If you sign up, let us know in the comments that you did!!

Have a great day!! xo

January 2015 Product Favorites

Welcome to the future!! 2015 has arrived :) Truth be told, I was expecting my beauty boxes this month to be filled with fabby new trendy items or new twists on old classics but nothing really blew me away.....BoxyCharm was my number one box this month.  Read the unboxing HERE.

SO let's talk about my favorites this month.

First up is Urban Decay's DeSlick Setting Spray.  Since I started using MAC's Studio Sculpt, read about it HERE, I haven't been as dehydrated looking in my face.  Translation-a bit oily!! I was looking for something that would not only set my makeup but help reduce unwanted shine.  Ya know, there are some times where you just don't want a powdery, finish on your face.  Urban Decay has a few setting sprays but this one was what I chose and I am very pleased with my choice.  It sprays on like a dream, a nice even misting application.  My face is set all day until I decide it's time to come sliding off ;) My advice when spraying a finishing spray on your face is to sit still for about 10 seconds or until you feel that it is dry. Don't make any facial expressions and let it do it's thing :)

Next up is Too Faced's Melted Liquified Lipstick in Fig.  I got a sample of this a long time ago in a light pinky color. I wasn't a fan.  And it all came down to the color.  I never gave the product a chance.  Recently Too Faced came out with a ton of new shades for this line.

When I saw this picture, I lost my mind and knew I had to collect pretty much all of them :) But I started with Fig.

The color truly doesn't translate as well as I had hoped in this picture.  It is a gorgeous muted purpley shade that even the most conventional people can wear.  It is so pretty.  As for the product itself, the first use is a bit messy.  It comes out a bit watery, but it dries to a matte finish.  Use a good lip exfoliator prior to wearing any lippies, especially in the winter. I recommend elf's lip exfoliator for a no hassle one or DIY with some sugar (white or brown) and some oil (olive or coconut).  I will be sharing my recipe for my own lip balms coming up on the blog :)

And here are the newest shades released for this Spring!  Melon has my name all over it!

Courtesy of BeautyPointofView

Next up is Sigma's E40 Tapered Blending Brush.  I know it is a $16 eye brush.  BUT if you have a discount (which you will at the end of this post!) it is worth it. If you have hooded eyes, it is also WORTH it! This brush is great!! It fits into the hooded crease of my eye perfectly where as other brushes don't.  If I can find a cheaper alternative I will but for now it is a great score.  Plus these brushes are known to last forever.  It blends like a dream and picks up the perfect amount of product. Also, the product comes right off the brush.  Meaning, I don't have to wipe each color off after I have used it.

And lastly, my product favorite for the month of January is Smashbox's Contour Kit.  I prefer a cream contour but I like this because it is all in one kit and the contour color is an actual contour color. And the bronzer is a bronzer color. I started out contouring using bronzer as my contour but realized what a difference it makes when you use two colors.  The contour color is a nice cool color that creates the shadows I want and the bronzer offers a nice healthy, warm glow.  The highlight doesn't really provide enough color to highlight my skin so I use the powder to set my concealer.  Since it is a tad yellow it works perfectly!  This kit comes with instructions on the mirror and are perfect for beginners.  FYI-I had tried the IT Cosmetics contour kit last year and returned it. There was zero pigmentation and nothing showed up on my skin.

And there ya have it!  Have you used any of these products? What are your thoughts?  Fall in love with any products yourself this month?  Let me know in the comments below!!

Use MISSYOU10 on your order at Sigma for 10% off your order!

Also, don't forget I am having a giveaway!!  There are only 5 days left to enter!

Click HERE to enter and good luck!!

Have a great day!! xo

January 2015 BoxyCharm Unboxing & February Spoiler

For those that don't know, I cancelled GlossyBox for BoxyCharm and I am still very pleased with my decision.  The value of the items (all full size) FAR EXCEED the $21 cost of the box!! The only thing about this box is that it ships towards the end of the month but since all my other boxes come in the beginning, I guess it's nice to still have it to look forward too.

Let's talk about the items this month.  Oh, one of mine was a replacement item to the messed up one in last month's box.

Tarte Maracuja Bronzing Serum (retail value $47)-This product alone is twice the cost of the box and got me quite giddy at the site of it.  I still have to do my review on the bronzing lotion, which is out of this world, so since this is targeted for the face, it's even better.  I am obsessed with reading reviews on products and this has gotten so many positives.  It will come down to a few things per person though.....your skin tone and your sensitivity to the product.  I have a light skin tone currently (winter, boo) so one application did not get me tan or glowing overnight but it did not make me break out either.  So, so far so good. I will keep you updated as I try it for longer periods of time.

Mirabella Primer (retail value $29)-This face primer is comparable to Smashbox in the look and feel. Be careful not to use too much or you will be an oil slick.  It was a nice primer but nothing outstanding about it.

Beauty For Real (retail value $36)-We got both a lip liner and lip gloss.  I think the liner was nude and the gloss is Always There.  The pencil is very nice and I have been able to use it with a few lipsticks of mine. I like putting a layer of it underneath my lipstick in addition to lining my lips for that extra layer of priming.  The lip gloss is not sticky and is a nice plum color.  It is kind of sheer going on so you can layer it up.

Purlisse Skin Sparkle Flash Tattoos (retail value $5)-Hard to believe these come from Purlisse as I know them only to provide skin care but super exciting.  In fact, I think these were just made for this box as I cannot find a link to them.  I love tattoos, real (I have 4) or fake!!  It saddens me that it is not summer and I can put these all over my body and shine in the sun! LOL Soon.........

Be A Bombshell lip gloss (retail value $14)-This was my replacement item.  This lip gloss came in the shade, Hooked.  A mauvey color with some shimmer.  Love it, love the color and the feel of the lip gloss.

So again, another stellar box that really makes me happy with my decision to switch.  I love that I am getting introduced to Tarte since I have not really used many of their products.  Also this month, Tarte is coming to Ulta and I have an appointment to meet with them and get a makeover with their team and products so I will keep you updated on that! :)

And the February Boxycharm box will include a full size jar of NCLA jar of hearts!! I love my nail stuff so this is exciting, even though I wish it would have been in the January box so I would have it for V Day :) Click HERE to sign up now!!

What did you think of the BoxyCharm box this month?

Let me know in the comments below (this can be one of your entries in my giveaway)!!  Didn't know about the giveaway??  Click HERE!!!

Have a great day!! xo

January 2015 Double Birchbox Unboxings

So as most of you know, I receive two boxes a month from Birchbox and have been doing so for about 4 months now.  It truly began as an experiment based on different profile choices and to see how many duplicates I would get.  But no matter what, this is the best subscription box around due to their point system.  For every item you receive, you fill out a survey and get 10 points (50 points a month) and when you get 100 points, its equal to $10 in their shop.  So I feel I always get my money back and can buy name brand items at a nice discount. Birchbox is $10 a month and you can sign up HERE.  They have some great promotions going on right now, too.

So here are the boxes this month.

And yes as you see, I did get duplicates again this month.  Click HERE for last months boxes and you will see I got dupes then, too.  Again, my profile preferences are completely different and unfortunately I have decided to give the two box experiment only one more month to see if the dupes will continue to come. I also replaced Ipsy with this second box as Ipsy was beginning to let me down, too.  But at least with Ipsy I wasn't constantly getting No.4 hair care products and Sumita eye pencils.......

Now, let's talk about what I got in each box and the love it or hate it factor.

First box, based on my original profile and the one I have had for over a year.

This was my favorite box of the two.  Here are the items in order of my favorites and click on any of the names to learn more about them and to order.

• Whish Body Butter in Lavender-my hands really need all the lotion they can get this time of year and I don't remember the last time I had to buy it :) Calling the scent lavender though is sadly a bit of a stretch. And it is my favorite scent next to lilacs so that was a debbie downer :(
• Harvey Prince Sincerely-I have been using this every day!! It is such a sexy scent. It is sweet and spicy and quite honestly the only Harvey Prince fragrance I have loved so far.
• Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream-it comes out thick but immediately absorbs into my skin.  Plus it doesn't make my concealer rub off my face.  It is all natural and organic which I love about it.  If anyone's dark circles will benefit from this cream, it will be mine :) 
• Stainiac by The Balm-multi-purpose cheek and lip stain.  I like it as a lip stain as it plumps and makes my lips nice and rosy but not as a cheek stain.  The texture is kind of like jello in the tube and it applies blotchy.  It lasts all day so if you  mess up, you're in a pickle......I prefer Benetint.
• Number 4 Non-Aerosol Hair Spray-I like that it is non-aerosol and all natural but these types of pumps tend to stick.  I like this brand but kind of think they are taking over the Birchbox boxes.  This is perfect for travel though.

And this is the box that I recently added and has my updated profile choices.

Here are the items in order of my favorites and click on any of the names to learn more about them and to order.

• When Travel Sheet Mask-I wasn't planning on going anywhere this month so I had to try it right away. It was very nice and refreshing and really hydrated my skin with just one use.  The packaging is weird, so make sure you put the right mask on (the one in the middle) as the rest is just packaging. Best part was I was able to move around with it as some leak so much you are forced to lay down.
• Naobay Body Radiance Lotion-super moisturizing.  Full of shea and avocado butters. I like that it is a larger sized sample too. Also all natural.Win.
• Sumita Eye Liner in Gold-I will be using this in a neutral eye look soon.  These eyeliners are very smooth and I absolutely love the blue one I received in another box. Weird thing is this color option is not available for purchase on the site?? Hmmm, anyone else get this color?

And then as you can see I received the Stainiac and the hair spray in this box as well. :(  But maybe this one was my favorite??  Decisions, decisions....

What did you all get in your boxes this month? I love hearing about the brands that I haven't come across yet!

Let me know in the comments below and don't forget to follow me on my other social media buttons on the right side of the scrollbar.

Have a great day!! xo