Birchbox

In my post yesterday I posted about my new subscription to mylittlebox. The other subscription box I ordered this month arrived yesterday. I am also very happy with this one. It's my first birchbox and lucky for me this month they teamed up with Pinterest one of my favourite websites (I spend for too much time pinning things with plans to make, buy or grow that item at a later date), so the box was decorated nicely with little photos and quotes, again this box will be reused to store something. 
The reason I ordered this brand was they have a nice looking boxes, which usually contains a small bag that the beauty samples are sent in. Normally appprox. 5+ samples (may include full sized items also) are sent to try out, so it  seems to give good value for money. The box is £10 plus £2.95 p&p. I got 50 extra points (worth £5.00) when I ordered because I went to another subscribers link, she will also get extra points. The points can be used to buy full sized items from the birchbox website and you can gain more points by reviewing the samples they send (the items in the box), doing the monthly reviews you can gain up to £5.00 in points per month. I will add my friends link here so if anyone wants to subscribe they can also get some extra points to start with (so will I).
Opening the box is like opening a present, very exciting as I did not know what it contained, firstly there were Pinterest inspirational postcards (very cute), a booklet with information on the beauty items in the box, a nice touch and useful. The items are different in each persons box, you fill out a profile and they select items from the range available that month that you get the items more suited to you, which is interesting. There are sample sizes and full sized items. The beauty items are in a small draw string bag, again this is excellent for small craft projects mine now has some knitting inside it. I will start with the bonus item for this month a mirror with #NO filter written on the back, (this is listed as £4.00 to buy, I will include the rrp as they list it in the booklet, I will also include the sample sizes) its a nice sized handbag mirror, I may make a little pouch for it so it does not get scratched in my bag. The full sized item was a Complexion Awakener pencil from Jelly Pong Pong (RRP £14.95) in the shade nude, this is a really soft pencil to be used in the corner of the eyes and along the inner rim (that's what I will use it for) it said in the information booklet the pencil can also be blended onto the cheeks or brow bones. 
Samples sized items were - Benefit's mink-brown "they're Real" tinted primer, I tried this when I got it,  I am lucky to have long lashes and putting this tinted primer on I now have really long lashes! So far no problems I would wear it without mascara as the tinted colour looks good very natural looking. It's a good sized sample 3gms (the RRP of the full size is £18.50 for 8.5gms) 
Caudalie's shower gel 30ml this is for sensitive skin, it may go in the holiday bag (or holiday wish bag I should call it) (RRP £9.00 for 200ml)
Absolution's L'Eau Soir et Matin cleaning water 30ml , this is certified organic and was something I was hoping to try it. Its a unisex product, it has natural ingredients including hazelnut oil which it said on their site will "soften and purify the skin and potassium to regulate your cells’ metabolism" here's hoping! I will try it tonight (RRP £27 for 150ml) 
And finally Parlor shampoo 30ml and a matching conditioner 12ml (have very long hair so maybe this sized conditioner will just do the ends) ( Both shampoo and conditioner are RRP £16.00 for 236ml each )
I think this months goodies were well worth the box price, again can't wait for next month. I read there is a real diamond necklace put into one box randomly next month as it's Valentine's Day. It's also my birthday next month so here's hoping :)
Note: If you want £5.00 worth of points with your first box email me (or use the contact form on the right) for a link, I currently also have a code for 50% off the first box which can be used with the link - just put the code in the promo code box before ordering.  So that's half price for the 1st box and £5.00 in points, don't forgot to review the products when you get them and that's up to another £5.00 worth of points to spend in their shop.

My Little Wish Box

 

So I have been decluttering and not buying any new yarn (so far I have been sticking to this) and missing my little packages arriving with new yarn. I really like the idea of subscription beauty boxes and had one many years ago, I had decided at the start of the year I would like to subscribe to one or two plus the money I am saving from decluttering and using up my old yarn stock would cover some of the costs. I have been looking and making a list of the ones I wanted to try, watching unboxings on YouTube (I hope I am not the only one who does this!) so decided to try out 2 this month. (The boxes have monthly subscriptions and can be cancelled at any time)
This is the first one to arrive it's from a French company their subscription boxes are called my little box and each month has a theme which really appealed to me. It also comes in a sturdy pretty box, good for storage (yes places to hide yarn). Each month usually has an inspirations card, a little bag, some beauty items and another item non-beauty.
This month box is called "My Little Wish Box" It contained a really nice 2016 diary, not to big not to small, it has inspirational quotes throughout it, I will be using this daily. A little cotton bag (good as a project bag) with a good sample sized Klorane oat milk hair shampoo 100ml, matching conditioner 50mls and a make a wish lip balm with "Make a wish" on it, that smells so nice, I always a little afraid I will have a reaction but that's why I like these boxes trying out new things, so I will update when I have used this. There was also  a small simple bracelet with a macrame closing and ribbons with messages - "Say yes to new adventures", ""it's now or never", "Day dreamer" and "Wish you were here". They can be worn on the wrist or i think I may add them to my diary. Plus a little magazine to read later. It's my first box and I really like it, can't wait for the next. 
My other box is a birchbox hoping it comes soon (update review here)

A relaxing break

I am really trying to sort the pattern writing out and get a routine that means not over doing it also!
OK this is a short break, with a much needed coffee (I think coffee is the one thing I would find very hard to give up), a mini cake, I even crochet while I relax from writing about crochet.  
My lovely named candle holder with scented candle was a surprise present earlier in the week (Thank You Mary, I love it!).

New Years Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions - I have decided to write them down and post them here, maybe i will keep to them better this year. Some are not going to plan just yet!

1. Finish and write up outstanding patterns
2. Finish outstanding fabric designs
3. Blog more regularly
4. Healthy eating - I do eat good food, no red meat, lots of fish, fresh fruit and veg, not much sugar OK too much salt! But decided to make sure I ate breakfast each morning so ordered my oats and chia seeds. With plans to blog some of my overnight breakfast recipes.
5. Get Organised - find and put all paperwork in the correct
6. Declutter or Life Laundry I think it's called so give away, recycle or throw out the things I don't need or use.
7. Sort out main website, much needed
8. Finish my final tests from the Shaw Academy diploma courses I did (l did finish one)
9. Finish any ongoing knit, crochet or jewellery project (about 20+ at last count!

So yes started no 5 and 6 

But nos 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 are on hold, as this is my laptop

Screen cracked in the middle.

So maybe no.10 is now replace laptop screen

As for no.4 My oats and seeds are somewhere with Royal Mail. 

What resolutions have you made this year?

Will you keep to them?

Will you declare them online?

Happy New Year 2016

A Very Happy New Year 2016