Topbox December Edition

I got my December Topbox and honestly I am not impressed at all and I am not the only one who wasn’t impressed this month.

If you are reading this and feel completely different about it please don’t leave any negative comments because they will be deleted. I am fed up with the pm’s and snide comments I have been getting on facebook about this.

We are all entitled to our own opinions and this is mine. Topbox is now $12/month and we are suppose to get 4 deluxe beauty samples with the possibility of full size items.

 
Now on to the December box. This month the box was in a red printed paper which I thought was rather nice.
Now onto the items. From previous boxes (not specific to topbox but from the various others) I got: ~Chloe eau to parfum sample (full size is $ 90 for 50ml or $115 for 75ml / sample size is $9.00 for 5ml) Its got a nice powdery scent but its not a favorite so its not something I would reuse.
 
~Another item I have gotten in a previous box is the Ferro Cosmetics blush x3 mineral pigments (meaning 3 in 1 color for lips, cheeks and eyes. I got it in the shade Bashful. What annoys me is that its suppose to be an exclusive item for Topbox but I have gotten in a previous beauty box. As you can see its a nice shade and I can see me using it for eyes and perhaps cheeks. The packaging was awful because its a loose powder it goes every where especially when you open it. (sorry I don’t have pricing info on this and honestly I am too annoyed to go and look online for it)
 
~An item I am not familiar with is Goldwell. They sent a Hot Form Spray. I don’t use hot tools on my hair because its thick and I tend to wear a pony tail or bun and it hair dries to avoid the frizz.  The full size is $20.95 for 150ml and the sample is $4.19 for 30mls
 
~At least one thing I am excited for and its the China Glaze Purr-Fect Plum which I have to say is very holiday-ish in color and its something I am currently wearing and like. The color is very nice and it goes on very nice and I didn’t notice any chipping for at least a day or two and currently I have had it on for almost a week and the only chipping I see is on the very tips on some of my fingers. This is a full size item at $10-$12 for 14ml
This is the Ferro Cosmetics 3 in 1.
 
For me getting two items I have gotten in a previous box isn’t much fun  and an item that I have no desire in using because I am finicky on what I put in my hair. I honestly thought that there was no rhyme or reason to this box and they basically were clearing out their stock and trying to get rid of stuff.

I was hoping for a better holiday box and thought that they would have gone all out but since increasing the monthly fee and adding way to many subscribers they are slowly going down hill. This has never been my favorite box and I was always holding out but I think its time that I finally cut the apron strings and let this little guy go.

 
What did you think of your box? Any plans on canceling? What do you think?
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Meme| Sunday’s In Bed With…….#28

The awesome blogger behind this is Kate from Midnight Book Girl   not only is she an awesome blogger but she is was one of my roommates for BEA. YAY!!

Midnight Book Girl

Sundays In Bed With….is a meme I’ve started to share the book we’re spending the morning in bed with, or the one we’d like to stay curled up in bed with all Sunday if only our busy lives would allow! For fun, take a picture of the book in your bed, or simply write up a post or comment below sharing your Sundays in Bed With book. Quoted from Kate’s blog.

Sadly my lovely blog readers I am not in bed with a book this morning. I am in a cold arena watching Michael play hockey this morning (we have a 9am game). I am hoping that the team can pull together and get a win. Not sure what position he will be playing but he was promised that he would be forward although I’m not sure since we have a call up and it just happens to be a kid from Michael’s team last year. So wish me luck. Hope you are in bed reading this morning.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Glymm Bag- December Editon

I was pleasantly surprised when I got my Glymm bag today because I didn’t get a tracking number and no one on facebook had mentioned getting their bag or shipping notification.
I was super excited when I saw it but upon opening it I was quickly disappointed. I guess my expectations were a little too high. I think I expected with this being a holiday month that they would have gone above and beyond and included some great holiday goodies. That was not the case so guys this post won’t be heavy on images like in previous unboxing posts.

The box was super light and when I removed the tissue paper I was greeted with this gold printed make up bag. They have said that these bag have a retail value of $12.00.

I am so happy that they brought back the product card although this month they seemed to be very vague on details on what the products did etc.

The first thing I pulled from the bag was Lashe M false eye lashes. Its a full set and its worth $5.00. I don’t wear false lashes and honestly putting any kind of glue near my eye freaks me out so I never used or bought this kind of stuff although after reading the package I see you don’t need glue for the first time use so maybe over the holidays I will give it a try.

Lashe M included another item and its a eyelash & brow Enhancing serum. You are suppose to put this on your lash line and let it absorb naturally for longer, luscious lashes. Personally for me I hate putting stuff like this around my eyes. If I happen to hear people raving about this I might give it a try but until then it will be sitting around waiting to go to a home that will like this.

The next item I pulled out was Sun Coat nail polish. Its non toxic and environmentally friendly. It sells for $9.99 . I don’t know what the shade is but its a dark purple. Which is my kind of shade.  So I tried it okay and I didn’t like this at all. When it went on at first it looked brown and you need more the once coat. Personally for me I put on one coat and wait until it fully dries before the next coat well honestly before I could get to that stage I ended up nicking my finger and half the polish came off.

Well that polish is peel able. According to the info card it claims its the only long lasting and quick drying water based nail polish  in today’s market. Seriously? Well honestly from my experience it didn’t last that long perhaps a whole 20 minutes if that. If I plan on spending $10 on a nail polish I will be buying something I already know and trust.

I have never heard of Glamorous cosmetics so I was curious. The full size ranges in price from $4.50 to $9.50. This is a lip/eye pencil and the card says you can simplify your morning routine well I’m not sure if its just me but would you use it as an eye liner then a lip liner? The shade is brown and its No 04. Its a retractable pencil which is nice and I don’t have any brown lip stick so I more then likely will use it as an eye liner.

Also included in the box was a $10 gift card which I am hoping to use in the New Year in the glymm store. Also included was a $20 off my purchase at panty by post which I might use in the New Year as well if the prices stay at $25.

Personally since the switch to the bags I have been finding that I am not enjoying this bag as much as I use to. Its only $12 a month and yes the bag paid for itself but I would love to get products that I can use and get excited for. At this rate I am seriously thinking of cutting ties with them and putting that money to better use.

Perhaps starting the month off with an amazing subscription from another box has set my expectations a little too high.

What did you think of it?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Lip Factory Inc- December Edition

I have stumbled upon another beauty box subscription service. This one is called Lip Factory Inc and I should let you know before I begin this review that I actually purchased this subscription service and I’m not being compensated in anyway for this review. I just thought I would share what I got from them.

 
Before I begin let me tell you a little bit about Lip Factory Inc.
  • Based out of the US but they do ship to Canada and International.
  • Its $22 a month (recurring charges) shipping is included in that for US and Canada. There is an additional fee outside that area. (I pay $22.41 Canadian for this)
  • You can expect to receive up to 10 sample sizes from some of your favorite make up brands.
  • You could receive a full face make up kit and you will always get lip products such as lip glosses, lip sticks, lip liners, etc because its all about the lips.
  • The website is easy to navigate and what I love so far is that there is always a video or photos online called tutorials so you know how to use your month’s box.


Photobucket

This is my third monthly box from Lip Factory Inc and I have to say to date I am really impressed with the contents and items I have gotten. Upon opening the box I am greeted with this holiday card from them.
As you can see they have switched up there packaging. They use to ship it in what was like a wrapping paper envelope with pretty paper but this month they said they got some cute packaging in and this is it. I have to say I really like it. Makes it look elegant. Now when I took this out of the box it was practically bursting at the seams it was so filled. I was so curious to see what was inside.
So this month we got some samples and it was Be Fine Exfoliating Cleanser  with brown sugar, sweet almond and oats, smashbox photo finish hydrating foundation primer, and LA Fresh travel wipes make up remover.  These are all items I have never used before. I am excited to try them out.
This is a Lip Factory mesh bag and inside was this Lip Factory compact mirror and collapsible nail file. I was playing with it all evening trying to figure out how to open it. Great products that will be put into my purse.
Korres Natural Provitamin B5& Rice Bran Mascara (never heard of this before), L’oreal Paris Hip Studio Secrets bright  shadow in Riotous 328 (it looks like lime green and gray eye shadow), urban Decay Cream Shadow in weeds (green shade) and Zawadi lip balm.
Pop Beauty nail glam ( i think the shade is Fifty Eight Split Silver)
NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in the shade Lollipop (this smells so good) and Smashbox Quench moisture rich lip gloss
Aveda damage remedy daily hair repair (leave in treatment) and Clean (shower fresh) soft body lotion.
The swatches from the very top is the NYX Lip Gloss, Urban Decay Cream Shadow, and the Smashbox gloss.

Then below that is the l’oreal eye shadow. The were darker in person

So that is my December Lip Factory box. I really like it and there is a few items I have been wanting to try (smashbox, urban decay l’oreal) that I haven’t yet so its nice being able to try them out now. 

What do you think? Anything you would like to try out?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Boys

Christmas morning in our house is always crazy. Michael is open early and he wants to open his presents right then and there but honestly I would love to sleep in just a few more minutes and I can’t function without a coffee so to tie him over until we at least get some breakfast going we let him open his stocking.

Apart from doing my stocking (as you know its super easy to stuff that stocking up with fun little trinkets and stuff), I love putting together Michael’s stocking. I am always on the hunt for fun little things to stuff inside.

For Christmas (and Easter) I always give a new tooth brush and tooth paste (sadly the kind he really enjoys isn’t available any where), and Cars lip balm (he always has dry lips.

Then I always make it a point to throw in a hot chocolate (that Snoopy one is his favorite) and some Lindt chocolate bears (his favorite).

Since he loves hockey (and is bummed that the NHL is still on strike) I picked up some hockey cards (he is going to be so happy when he sees his favorite Canadian Brian Gionta in the pack), a Montreal Canadians pen and pocket agenda and he can use his Angry Birds stickers to mark important dates with.

Not stocking would be complete without some toys so I always get  him a couple of packs of  Lego minifigures, moshi monster cards and a peg game.

I also throw in a chapters gift card to go along with the bookmark. Then to top of the stocking he gets his favorite magazine Phineas and Ferb.

There are so many great things you can stuff into a kids stocking. This  will entertain him while breakfast is cooking.

Happy Holidays Everyone

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(Meme) Sunday’s In Bed With….. #27

The awesome blogger behind this is Kate from Midnight Book Girl   not only is she an awesome blogger but she is was one of my roommates for BEA. YAY!!

Midnight Book Girl

Sundays In Bed With….is a meme I’ve started to share the book we’re spending the morning in bed with, or the one we’d like to stay curled up in bed with all Sunday if only our busy lives would allow! For fun, take a picture of the book in your bed, or simply write up a post or comment below sharing your Sundays in Bed With book. Quoted from Kate’s blog.

 

I am so frustrated with myself for being so far behind with posting on my blog. I really don’t have a reason to be because I have the whole month planned out but honestly I am in a blogging funk. I just don’t have the drive to sit here and blog. I do come online and say okay lets get a post up but when I am done checking emails, facebook, youtube etc I just log off.

Another reason is because I haven’t been feeling all that great either. I am extremely tired, got a sore throat and a sinus headache. So something is going on that hasn’t surfaced yet. But more then likely I will probably be sick for Christmas.

I am not in bed reading this morning because Michael has hockey practice and then Faith First. So while he is doing that I will be quickly grocery shopping since we are expecting a snow storm tomorrow.

I am slowly getting back into some serious reading again which is a good thing and this week I decided to dip into my birthday pile and read a book that I really want to read.

What are you reading today?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Finally Its Happened!

After what seems like forever to organize I finally got to meet up with Tina from Bookshipper this morning for breakfast. Since the last time I met up with Tina alot has been going on with hockey and stuff on my end and then when I thought I had some free time Tina went to Mexico so we finally were able to nail down a date to meet up.

Sorry I have no breakfast shots since we both were pretty hungry and it got eaten fast. Although I did have every intent on taking pics but next time. We met at our regular little spot near Tina’s house and we both realized that at one point we needed to meet a little earlier since it tends to get loud and busy. Which I honestly think is the story of our lives isn’t it Tina?

If you remember from previous meet ups we use to do that cute little tea shop but ended up ditching it because it started to get busy and loud. Hmm wonder if we are the ones attracting business?

Anyways it was so nice to sit and talk with Tina. We talked about her trip to Mexico, my hockey dilema, Christmas, shopping, my fascination with beauty box subscriptions, books (nothing good in the stores), New York City, our upcoming BEA trip, bloggging, her work contract that just never ends, etc. You name it we probably talked about it.

It was so much fun to sit and talk with Tina and I truly enjoy your conversations. We always have great conversations and one of the things I love about Tina is that she tells it like it is even though she is crazy LOL

So I loaded down Tina with a ton of magazines ( click here to read about what she said about our meet up ) and a little Christmas present I got for her which I knew she loved right away. We didn’t discuss doing a gift exchange but Tina surprised me with just the same. Thank You Tina. here is what I got from Tina:

She gave me two tealight candle holders (one red and one orange) which I love and are sitting on my mantel and being used right now.

As you probably know by now I love bath products. I now have a new item to add to my daily routine and its something I have never tried before, its Yves Rocher ( a Quebec company) Hamamelis maxi super-soft  shower gel. This is Tina’s favorite and she raved about it at breakfast so I am excited to try it out and it smells so good. 

I also got a bunch of Publisher Weekly magazines. I love reading them.

Tina also gave me these bath balls which I orginally forgot to put in the above picture because I have it added to my box of items I want to use this month.

Tina, thank you so very much for your gift and I can’t wait to use the bath stuff.  Hopefully I will be seeing you sooner rather the later.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.