Life at a "Swell's" pace

A year of Birchbox (Women's Box)-Review #Birchboxbrag

Okay, so I am was a subscription addict last year and seemed to want all of them for awhile. During that time I found Birchbox and LOVED it! I had the Women's Box and I even got The Mr. the Man Box. We had them both for a year and here's what great things came in the Women's Box for a year.

Women's Box for January 2015:

The theme for January 2015 was: "Let's Do This."

The samples:

1. Curl Keeper by Curly Hair Solutions-Ultimate Hold with Frizz Control

2. Sumbody Body Soaps-SumSoap in Tuscan Orange

3. Manna Kadar Lip Locked in Lucky

4. Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion

5. Miracle Skin® Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face

Favorite item:

Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion

Women's box for February 2015:

Theme for February was "Friendship"

The samples:

1. Juicy Couture: Hollywood Royal

2. theBalm cosmetics: Read My Lips Lip Gloss-BAM!

3. Paul's Choice: Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliate

4. Gilchrist & Soames: London Collection Shower Gel

5. PARLOR by Jeff Chastain: Moisturizing Sea Spray

Favorite item:

Gilchrist & Soames: London Collection Shower Gel

I also upgraded my Birchbox for this month just to try out the upgraded items. I added on the W&P and Royal Rose Cocktail Kit-(no longer available). I mainly was interested in the shaker and I am so glad I upgraded to it. The syrups weren't all that mind blowing, but they did taste nice in lemonade. I used the Rose in the lemonade mix, the Lavender Lemon in some lavender cookies I made, and the Jasmine flavor still sits in my fridge. I haven't figured out a way to utilize it yet, but I am sure I will find a way soon.

I also purchased the Home Sweet Homespun Box-(no longer available), too. The box contained a lot of fun items and I was very pleased with the box.

The Products:

1. Momofuku Milk Bar: Cornflake-Chocolate-Chip Marshmallow Cookie Mix

2. Soak: Handmaid Luxury Hand Creme in fig scent

3. Makerskit: Hanging Photo Clips Complete Project Kit

4. Meri Meri: The Little Garden Treat Kit

5. Askinosie Chocolate: Single Origin Sipping Chocolate

6. Cowshed: Lippy Cow Natural Lip Balm

7. Richer Poorer: Socks

8. Illume: Mini Tin Soy Candle

Favorite item:

So many great products in this box, it is probably my favorite thing from Birchbox. It's a toss up between the Illume Mini Tin Soy Candle in currant scent and the Soak Handmaid Luxury Hand Creme in fig scent.

The box also came with a three-flip card on how to make your home cozy:

• How to take photos worthy of your mantel.

• Secrets of a stress-free hostess.

• 5 ways to warm up a frigid day.

I just love it all!

Women's box for March 2015:

Theme for March was "Creativity"

The samples:

1. amika: Bombshell Blowout Spray

2. Etat Libre d'Orange: Like This

3. Mirenesse: Glossy Kiss-Perfect Kiss

4. Paula's Choice: Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster

5. Whish: Three Whishes Body Butter-Lavender

Also came with a card for free Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Primer Deluxe Mini with the purchase of a Full-Size Benefit Purchase and a notice to preorder the new Benefit Roller Lash Super-Curling Mascara.

Favorite item:

Whish: Three Whishes Body Butter-Lavender

Women's box for April 2015:

Theme for April was "Fresh for Spring"

The samples:

1. Cynthia Rowley Beauty

2. POP Beauty: POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

3. Temple Spa: Peace Be Still Calming Face & Body Balm

4. WEI: Manuka Bee Venom Mask

5. Whish: Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream in Blueberry

Favorite item:

Whish: Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream in blueberry

Women's box for May 2015:

Theme for May was "Elevate Everyday (as in everyday living)"

The samples:

1. English Laundry: Notting Hill Femme

2. Living Proof: Restore Instant Repair Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Lotion

3. Naobay: Oxygenating Cream Moisturizer

4. Smashbox Cosmetics: Photo Finish Primer Water

5. W3LL PEOPLE: The Expressionist Bio Extreme Mascara

Favorite item:

Living Proof: Restore Instant Repair Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Lotion

Women's box for June 2015:

Theme for June was "Adventure"

The samples:

1. Coola: SPF 50 Sport-Mango (My box was missing this sample)

2. Dr. Jart+: Ceramindin Cream

3. Marcelle: Waterproof eyeliner

4. Number 4: Super Comb Prep & Protect

5. Paula's Choice: RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol

6. Pura Vida Lace Headband-In green lace

7. 75% off code for a subscription to Domino magazine. Making the subscription only $12 for a year. And a recipe for Linguini Al'Arrabiata on the back.

Also contained a card for entry into the Birchbox's grand prize for adventure. The card also contained a code that redeemed a prize code for a percentage off in the Birchbox shop. Mine was for 10% off my entire purchase.

Favorite item:

Number 4: Super Comb Prep & Protect

This month was also my anniversary with Birchbox. I received a card saying thank you for being with Birchbox all this time and a very cute key-chain.

Women's box for July:

Theme for July was "Go Bold."

The samples:

1. amika un.Done Texture Spray

2. Jouer Daily Clarifying Treatment Oil

3. Key West Aloe Save a Tan

4. stila look at me liquid lipstick trio in the color of bright red

5. Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35

Also contained a card for new benefit eyeliner and mascara. With the purchase of any Benefit Cosmetics product in the Birchbox shop receive a free They're Real Mascara and They're Real Puch-Up eyeliner Deluxe Mini in Beyond Black.

Favorite item:

stila look at me liquid lipstick in bright red

Women's box for August:

Theme for August was "Soak it Up"

The samples:

1. Balance Me Congested Skin Serum

2. Oribe Aprés Beach Wave and Shine Spray

3. Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Cleanser

4. St. Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower

5. theBalm cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush

Also contained a card to get the Marcelle's Mini Waterproof Eyeliner Kit for $18 and a full-sized bottle of Marcelle Gentle Make-Up Remover with any Marcelle purchase.

Favorite item:

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Cleanser

Women's box for September 2015:

Theme for September was "Better Together"

The samples:

1. Acure Organics Facial Cleansing Gel Superfruit + CGF

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil

3. NERD Skincare Super Hydrating Mask

4. RUSK Elixir Mist

5. tréStiQue Correct & Cover Concealer Crayon-Bisque color

Also contained a card for 20% off with a $35 purchase from the Birchbox shop for samples featured in the September box.

Favorite item:

Acure Organics Facial Cleansing Gel Superfruit + CGF

Women's box for October 2015:

Theme for October was "Positive Force"

The samples:

1. Avene: Thermal Spring Water

2. BioRepublic: Green Tea Detox Purifying Sheet Mask

3. Eyeko: Black Magic Mascara

4. Harvey Prince: Hello Body Creme

5. Oribe: Dry Texturing Spray

Favorite item:

BioRepublic: Green Tea Detox Purifying Sheet Mask

Women's box for November:

Theme for November was "Feeling Fancy"

The samples:

1. Harvey Prince Sincerely perfume

2. LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick-Glam Life Shade

3. Obliphica Professional Seaberry Serum (Fine to Medium)

4. Temple Spa La La Lagoon Aromatic Bath & Shower Gel

5. theBalm cosmetics FratBoy blush

Favorite item:

theBalm cosmetics FratBoy blush

Women's box for December:

Theme for December was "All Wrapped Up"

The samples:

1. The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream

2. Soap & Paper Factory Shea Butter Hand Cream in Green Tea

3. Coastal Scents® styleEYES Palette

4. COOLA® Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face

5. (MALIN+GOETZ) clarifying clay mask

Also came with a card for $10 off a $35 order in the Birchbox Shop.

Favorite item:

Soap & Paper Factory Shea Butter Hand Cream in Green Tea

You can get Birchbox delivered to you home and receive samples from select companies here.

Do you receive Birchbox, or have in the past? What was your favorite thing about it?

What happened this time last year?

How to soothe dry skin into the spring season

Cold, harsh winter weather can wreak havoc on our skin — especially babies' sensitive skin. Spring may be knocking at our door, but all around the U.S., the weather outside is still a bit frightful. Thankfully-to the rescue-Honest's Deeply Nourishing line of personal care products and Honest organic healing balm. Made with coconut, olive, sunflower oils and shea butter. This versatile, nourishing balm is the perfect salve to soothe dry, chafed or sensitive skin all year long.

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

When the harsh, dry weather wreaks havoc on my skin in the winter, my go-to solution is Honest organic healing balm. It's made with certified organic, plant-based botanicals known to soothe, calm, nourish and moisturize the skin, including coconut, olive, sunflower oils and shea butter.

I use it on my hands, feet, elbows, and cuticles before I go to bed, on my lips for a bit of extra moisture; and even on my hair to fight frizz!

What I also love is that it's gentle enough for The Bean's sensitive skin. It almost immediately soothes him when he has a rash or chafed knees from climbing trees or riding his bike.

The Mr. loves how soothing the Honest organic healing balm is on his dry heels and its light scent can be used on almost any small cut or graze he gets at work.

The Honest organic healing balm isn't all we use during this time. We also love the Honest Deeply Nourishing Products.

The products in this line include:

•Deeply Nourishing Face + Body Lotion (below): Apricot oil-enriched lotion that will nourish even the most delicate skin from head to toe.

•Deeply Nourishing Shampoo + Body Wash (below): This 2–in–1 nourishing cleanser leaves skin and hair feeling touchably soft and smooth.

•Deeply Nourishing Conditioner (below): This enriching conditioner is made with a lightweight and hydrating formula that helps soften hair and eliminate frizz, leaving hair feeling silky soft and easy to manage.

•Deeply Nourishing Bubble Bath (below): Honest's nourishing bath with super foaming bubbles cleanses and helps retain moisture for delicate skin.

Along with the Deeply Nourishing line there's also Perfectly Gentle line-infused with the sweet smell of orange and vanilla to brighten their spirits and the Ultra Calming line-with the soothing scent of lavender. Bath time and bed time just got better!

Honest's new line of personal care products brings calming, gentle nourishment to your bed and bath routine.

If you're looking for an ultra-gentle, yet highly-effective products, I definitely recommend trying out the Honest Company products. Your whole family's skin will be healed and happy. And don't forget, these products make great gift options, too. Honest's new bed and bath products are great for baby shower gift, birthday gift, or just every day gift.

You can check out the other great products from The Honest Company.

What happened this time last year?

Five simple things

Another Saturday is here. We had quite a great week. Although my yoga teaching classes have come to a close with the Yoga Center, I've decided to take another road and teach privately with a girlfriend. We've even moved around furniture in our home to make way for this. The dining room has become our living room and our front living room is the studio, while the back living room has become the dining room. Crazy to imaging, but I will do a walk-through soon. The bedroom has become the classroom and the upstairs is all bedrooms. I love the new layout and it helps me forget that we still want to move from the Hiatt house, but all in good time. I'm pretty excited about my private practices and I've even thought about giving private trombone lessons on the side (yes, I play the trombone-pretty crazy, right?) Lots to share in the next few weeks, but in the mean time, I hope you're enjoying your weekend and here are the things that made our week awesome! *BY THE WAY, don't forget to celebrate Earth Hour tonight. It starts at 8:30 p.m. your local time.*

1. This New Faucet.

It's a major upgrade from the one we had. I was so over this faucet, so it was nice to be able to get a faucet that can fill a stock pot without spilling half the water when you pull it out of the sink.

Our old one was in when we moved into the Hiatt House and I have been wanting to replace it for awhile. It's old, awkward, and just plain ugly. I finally found one that I like that wasn't priced way over the top.

The boys got to work and the Bean was able to help out the Mr. a lot with this project.

The sink needed a bit of cleaning and scouring once the faucet came out. As you can see from the back splash, things in this house are really outdated.

The Mr. had things out and replaced in less than an hour. The new faucet works great and the best part, I have a side sprayer.

Moen Bradbury faucet with side sprayer (notice The Bean's jar with the growing celery in it)

2. These Items

I've shuffled all jewelry to my new Etsy shop called Love Bus Jewelry. The Peppermint Bee will now just handle herb products and other household items like decor and aprons. I've pretty excited about this new venture and can't wait to list all of my inventory and even new items I've made. Now you can order items straight from our Facebook page.

3. These Socks

I needed something for keeping my feet warm and these were perfect! I've had these socks as part of the Home Sweet Homespun box I ordered from Birchbox, but have had the tucked in the back of my sock drawer for awhile. I think they have become my new favorite and I can't believe I didn't use them before now. You can snag these socks here.

4. This Door Valet

We needed something to The Bean's room and this was perfect for what we were looking for. Doesn't take up much space and holds all of his hangup clothing. Snag it here if you need one too.

5. This Geocache Trackable

It's our first trackable that we were able to place into our Geocache container. It's been a lot of fun for us and it's a great way for us to get outside and spend time together.

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