I will be taking the next few days off from blogging to spend time with family for Christmas. But I thought I’d leave you with THE PERFECT last minute gift idea for the product junkie in your life. Birchbox is only $10/mo and you can gift a subscription and/or send gift cards (or e-gift cards) to spend in the Birchbox store. To learn more, click here. Here’s what I got in my December box:

Eslor Skincare System: This Soothing Refiner and Cleanser utilizes botanical extracts to gently cleanse and purify without stripping skin of the essential lipids necessary to maintain hydration. The non-abrasive Replenishing Scrub sloughs off dead skin cells that clog pores as it stimulates production of new, healthy skin and hydrates for radiant results. The creamy Comforting Mask both tones and detoxifies, gently eliminating complexion-dulling impurities to improve oxygenation and hydration. The Soothing Cream’s regenerative, calming formula offers intensive nourishment, neutralizes skin tone, and reduces inflammation and irritation. My thoughts: I haven’t given this a try yet because once again I am trying other products at the moment. But I was pretty excited to see that this came with samples of all 4 products in the system!

BeeKind™ Body Lotion: This fast-absorbing formula comes to you free of parabens, phthalates, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA, and propylene glycol, but chock full of proven hydrators like honey, organic chamomile, and Brassica plant extract. In place of petrochemicals, there’s good old-fashioned soybean and cottonseed oil for an added moisture boost. On the eco-friendly front, a portion of the proceeds from every BeeKind™ purchase goes toward the Honey Bee Research Program at the University of California at Davis, and, on top of that, the packaging is recyclable. My thoughts: LOVE this lotion! NOT greasy at all and left my hands feeling very soft.

Number 4 Non-Aerosol Hairspray: Styling resins provide flexible hold and shine while humidity resistance technology reduces frizz, even on the hottest summer days. Heliogenol protects colored and untreated hair against free radical damage. All Number 4 products are vegan and free of gluten, sulfates, and parabens. My thoughts: I’ve been using L’Oreal aerosol spray for a long time but will give this a try when mine runs out.

Secret Agent Beauty Secret Lip Affair Nourishing & Plumping Lip Gloss: All the glosses contain pure aloe vera extract to moisturize and heal. The glosses are also packed with sacha inchi oil, which is rich in omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids as well as vitamin A, and vitamin E; the fatty acids prevent dehydration of fragile lip cells, thus making lips appear fuller. Lastly, peppermint oil extract and menthol—all-natural muscle relaxants—provide a tingling sensation that plumps lips further. (The higher the plumping level, the more sacha inchi oil, peppermint oil extract, and menthol.) My thoughts: The tingling sensation really makes your lips feel plumper but didn’t really see any plumping effect. But  I did like the natural/nude color and that it is not sticky.

EXTRA: Emily’s Chocolates Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies: Each box contains six individually wrapped cookies. Choose from Love, milk chocolate dipped cookies featuring romantic messages; Friendship, dark chocolate dipped cookies packed with affectionate fortunes; and Truth or Dare, fortune cookies covered in creamy milk chocolate with cheeky messages inside. My thoughts: YUM. Great stocking stuffer idea!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! xoxo

Am I the only one who hasn’t started wrapping presents yet? Because I haven’t.even.started. In fact, the only person I am done shopping for is my son. He’s the easiest to shop for! It was actually kind of sad the other day because he brought out some boxes that he was playing with and put them under the tree…and said, “Look Mamma….presents!” OMG…worst mom ever!!! Totally wrapping them all tonight.

Outfit Details:
Old Navy Sweater (last year…similar steal and splurge – on major sale!)
Paige Denim Jeans
Michael Kors Jacket (Nordstrom Rack – similar)
Steve Madden Boots (last year but these are similar and even cuter!)
Cashmere Scarf (Marshalls but this one is identical)

As a Birchblogger, I occasionally get to review skincare and/or makeup products. And as you guys know by now, I am OBSESSED with any and all anti-aging products. Well my friends…let me introduce you to dr. brandt’s microdermabrasion skin exfoliant. I grew up using a well known (VERY abrasive) apricot scrub on my face that would literally leave scratches on my face because it was so harsh. Um, exfoliants have come a LONG way since my teenage years. This scrub doesn’t really feel like a “scrub” at all. The first time I used it, I was AMAZED at how FINE the crystals are. Not abrasive at all but still totally left my skin feeling clean, polished and smooth. My face cream felt like it absorbed better and my makeup went on smoother than ever. I’ve been using it twice a week and can definitely tell a difference in my skin. I’ve never had a professional dermabrasion before but it says right there on the bottle that it mimics a professional in-office procedure. But don’t take my word for it…this product has over 3,400 reviews on Birchbox and gets a 4.5 out of 5 star rating! It is a little pricey at $78 but a little bit goes a long way!

P.S. Attention Birchbox subscribers: Now through January 10, 2014, earn 75 extra Birchbox Points on orders containing dr. brandt® microdermabrasion skin exfoliant. Use code DRBRANDT+75 at checkout.

*Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I’ve always been a cardigan girl but it’s funny how much the styles have changed over the years. When I first started blogging, I was all about the cropped button up cardigans and now I alternate between my grandpa/boyfriend cardigans and drapey styles like this one. Most of them are solid colors but I loved the gold threading in this one so much that it had to come home with me. Anything that can be dressed up or worn casually is a definite plus too!

Outfit Details:
Mossimo Faux Leather Top
Paige Denim Ponte Leggings
Swirl Boutique Cardigan
Forever21 Booties
Gorjana & Griffin Hale Pendant Necklace c/o Chic Peek

 I’m a little late posting…but better late than never I always say! =) Here is what I got in my November Glossybox:

“It’s only November but the streets are already teeming with black coats and gloves and scarves, and some days the chill creeps through the air and seeps through our sweaters. While we love our leather and cashmere, we’re equally enamored by flowing silk and delicate black lace. This month, we’re inspired by holiday romance—think gorgeous matte skin paired with bold and dramatic shades on the eyes and lips. After all, it’s okay to indulge and be a little girly sometimes.” – GLOSSYBOX

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Cream: Formulated with the roots, berries, and water of rare five-year-old Korean ginseng, this treatment stimulates cell regeneration to revitalize and ultimately restore youthful looking skin. Additional Korean herbs such as milk-vetch and white mulberry promote an ageless complexion, as jojoba, avocado, mango seed, and sunflower oils moisturize and condition for soft, smooth skin. My thoughts: I’ve only used this once so don’t know long term benefits but I have to say the scent is a bit strong for my taste. I could smell it all day which in this case was not a good thing.

Emite Makeup Micronized Eye Shadow – Dams: Emite’s oil-free Micronized Eye Shadow is a highly pigmented eye shadow that can be used both wet and dry and is the perfect choice for those with sensitive eyes. The micronized pigment assures a fine, smooth and even application and avoids grainy results for the ultimate, stunning look. My thoughts: I like this shadow to use wet with an angle brush over my liner. It softens up a winged cat eye perfectly.

Mastey’s Color Protecting Leave In Oil Treatment: Combination of Certified Argan Oil, Olive Oil, and GrapeSeed Extract. This unique combination provides the maximum protection and healing for color treated and damaged hair. Argan Oil infuses hair with natural nutrients to help repair and protect color treated hair from styling heat damage; Olive Oil helps to soften and moisturize the hair and scalp, and the powerful Anti-Oxidant Grape Seed Extract helps to prolong the life of your hair color. These three ingredients in combination with Mastey’s vegetable based natural moisturizing factor, rice amino acids (rice proteins) for reconstruction, and Vitamins E, and B5 make this leave-in oil treatment the perfect solution for damaged or color treated hair. • Adds incredible softness and shine • Protects from thermal damage • Speeds up drying time • Revitalizes and repairs your hair • Made with certified argan oil • Seals the cuticle and protects color • Enriched with Omega – 3, 6 AND 9, lipids, anti-oxidants, vitamin E and natural moisture My thoughts: I am obsessed with hair products that protect against heat damage. I blow dry, straighten and curl my hair almost EVERY day and it is definitely starting to show.

The Aloe Source Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish: This multi-tasking, sulfate-free cleanser effectively removes makeup, oil and impurities. Gently exfoliates with a combination of jojoba microbeads and alpha and beta hydroxy acids, while nourishing aloe vera soothes skin for a healthy, radiant glow. Good for any skin type. • Sulfate-free surfactants effectively cleanse skin without stripping essential lipids. • Alpha and beta hydroxy acids break down the glue that holds skin cells together, gently exfoliating top layers of complexion-dulling skin cells and debris. • Massaging jojoba microbeads gently polish away the loosened skin cells and debris while increasing circulation, leaving skin with a healthy-looking, radiant glow. • Stabilized aloe barbadensis leaf juice – rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes – nourishes, soothes and softens the skin. • Paraben-free My thoughts: I have not given this a try yet since I’ve been using a few new products on my skin. I’m always scared I will break out when trying something new! It gets great reviews on the Glossybox site though!

Nicka K New York Professional Eyeshadow Brush:  Achieve professional studio quality makeup with our Nicka K professional makeup brushes that have been designed and tested by our team of makeup artists. Each of our brushes have been ergonomically designed to ease handling and facilitation for flawless results with precise application. My thoughts: YAY! YAY! YAY! I was in desperate need of another eye shadow brush since I like to have one for light colors and one for darker. Also…this is random but is it just me or does anyone else think the brush that comes with the Urban Decay Naked Palette is ridiculously hard? Like not made for shadow? This will be replacing it!