December's 2013 POPSUGAR Must Have Box Review

It feels like I'm one of the last ones to get the December box this month!  The previous two months I was one of the first.  Snow and Holiday package season.  I'll blame that.  I didn't get this box until last Saturday, over a week after many others got theirs.

POPSUGAR is a monthly subscription lifestyle box for gals.  The cost is $39.95 a month, free shipping, but it's cheaper when you subscribe with a 3, 6, or 12 months subscription.

On any month you can receive goodies for home, a book, fitness, snack, makeup, pampering, fashion, etc.  You never know what you're going to get, only that it will be fun and worth around $100, give or take a little.

You can subscribe here.

 The overall contents of the December box.

Ghirardelli Limited Edition Holiday Chocolate Squares, valued around $5, and Ghirardelli Milk and Caramel Squares, valued at $4.25.  Chocolate!!!  I wanted chocolate in this box, and I got it.  Normally I wouldn't buy the Holiday variety pack, though I saw it at Target the other day, but it was fun trying out the flavors.  Pumpkin Spice Caramel is tasty, and the Peppermint Bark is out of this World.  So good.

Milk & Caramel SQUARES Stand Up Bag

Milk & Caramel SQUARES Stand Up Ba

 CC Made Classic Caramel Corn, valued at $4.  I haven't tried this yet, saving it for later, but it looks really good.  I love a good caramel corn.  

 Govino Go Anywhere Flutes, valued at $12.95.  I'm not too crazy about this item, mainly because I don't drink.  Martinelli on Christmas Eve/New Years?  The plastic is super, super thin.  I've drunk from bottled water with thicker plastic.  They're hand wash only for a reason.

 ModelCo Fibre LashXTend Mascara, valued at $20. Mascara is one of those beauty products you can never have too many, because, unlike foundation or blush, once you start using mascara you have 3-5 months, depending on who you talk to, before you have to throw it away.    

MIXT Studio Wrapping Paper, valued at $9.00.  It's cute, on newsprint like paper, and I love the twine.  I'm making scrapbooks for Christmas, and this paper is too small.  I know some people got this Popsugar box to gift, and they were unhappy this product was in the box, because opening a gift on Christmas day, with Christmas wrapping paper inside, is kinda weird.  And Popsugar really pushed gifting this box last month.

 NCLA Designer Nail Wraps, valued at $16.  I've been wanting to try nail wraps for a longtime, but haven't brought myself to try them yet.  Plus this set, called Peppermint Lane, is an online exclusive.  I'm always so messy when I paint my nails!!

 I messed up a little when trying them out, but the results are pretty good.  Not quite sure how I feel about them.  I had a hard time pulling the nail wraps off the sheet with the paper part sticking, and then having to try and pull the paper off the sticky part.  We'll see how long they last.  They survived the shower this morning, and my nails look Christmas festive.  It's fun trying something new.

And now for my FAVORITE item in the box!!!!!!

 Lulu Frost for Popsugar Bracelet, valued at $110.  I've never heard of Lulu Frost before, but they're super tres chic and high end.  A really cute, but simple Morse Code beaded bracelet is $72.  I'm a HAM, Morse code on jewelry is just plain awesome.

This bracelet was made exclusively for Popsugar, which is really cool.

From the website:

"Created exclusively with POPSUGAR, this delicate bracelet is a go-to holiday accessory. Featured in the POPSUGAR Must Have box it makes for a perfect gift.

Brass chain, silvertone plated zinc, glass stones.

Measures 6" length with 1" chain extension."

I love it.  The chain is very Steampunk, and the charm is very Art Deco.  I'm really into both right now, so the combo is fun.  Plus I just think this bracelet is really classy.

 The overall value of the box is around $181.20.  But then value comes from personal perception, and I feel I got my money's worth out of the box.  Some really nice items and . . . chocolate!

New USA Harry Potter Forever Stamps 2013

Last week I noticed on the USPS, United States Postal Service, website that the USA issued on November 19, 2013 a new Harry Potter booklet with 20 different stamps spanning all seven films.  Being the stamp collector/Postrossing lover I am, I had to buy them . . . three booklets worth.  One booklet to keep unused for my collection, and the other two for postcards.

One booklet is priced at $9.20, the cost of 20 Forever stamps.

I absolutely love the design and layout of these stamps!

 The back side of the booklet.

 With stamps I really love, I like to get a First Day of Issue canceled envelope.  Usually when you by them you have to get all 20, or whatever is in that set, but I can't afford the $32 price tag.  I always get the DCP covers, Digital Color Postmarks, instead of the black and white cancellations, because I love the designs and art of the colored postmarks.  They're more interesting to look at.

Luckily there is a set where you can buy a single booklet with a randomly placed DCP first day of issue envelope for $10.95.  I couldn't resist.  I'm so lucky to have gotten Ginny Weasley.

I bought my stamps off the USPS website because, with the Holidays, I didn't want to stand in line, and the local post office has a habit of running out of the good/popular forever stamps.  I didn't want to take a chance.

I hope the USPS continues to do more stamp booklets like this with fun themes.

Romeo and Juliet: Movie Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

"Never was a Story of

More Woe

than this, of

Juliet and her

Romeo"

The setting: Verona

The characters: Juliet, her Romeo, some comic relief, overbearing parents, and feuding families.

Plot: Star crossed lovers try, unsuccessfully, to find their Happily Ever After (Spoiler Alert!), amongst said feuding families and untimely realities.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a story that has stood the test of time.  I read it for the first time in High School, pouring over the drama and the thick, sweet words, watching the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli's version in the process.  This is the version that all follow adaptation are compared, because, like a Jane Austen novel, you can never have too many takes on a single play.

Carlo Carlei is the latest director to the Romeo and Juliet table, and here he serves a plate rich in scenic wonder, beautiful cinematography, and delightful costumes.  This stage is set nicely, and is a wonder to behold.  A great escape piece.

The text, though, is not pure.  Long soliloquy's and monologues are cut down, bite size tidbits for a modern audience.  I should be overly disgruntled by this, but I'm not.  If I want to see a full version I'll find a local performing troupe or simply read it myself, imagining the grandeur.  Here the words fit the screen, making the story easy to follow for those not familiar, or heightening crucial moments through careful editing.

This story, though I've read and enjoyed it many times, was made fresh.  The audience was filled with various ages, many of whom know the tale as well as I.  Yet, through the climaxes end, I could hear sniffles in surround sound.  Everyone holding back tears and breath as the tragedy unfolded.  It was marvelous, really.  There was a teenage girl sitting next to my Mom and I who was in tears by the credits, already knowing the plot, but this version shook her, moving her to the core.  If this adaptation can move people like that, then it's worth watching.

Juliet, played by Oscar nominee (True Grit) Hailee Steinfeld, and the handsome Romeo, played by Douglas Booth, are sweet in their roles, but it is the side characters that truly shine.  Lesley Manville as the Nurse and Paul Giamatti as Friar Laurence were both outstanding.

To date, since this films October 11th release, it has only grossed $1,112,972, opening in 421 theaters.  I didn't even realize until last weekend that this movie was already out, thinking it had a November/December release.  All trailers I saw said it was "Coming Soon."  Dangerous words.

I'll be buying this movie on Blu-ray.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some violence and thematic elements

 

POPSUGAR Must Have Box October 2013: My Thoughts

 I have been wanting to try a subscription box for month, ever since I first heard about them.  What is a subscription box?  It's a box that typically surrounds a theme, and they send you a curated box full of goodies each month, which is a complete surprise.  It's like Christmas!  So I looked through the countless subscriptions out there including the various Fancy boxes, food boxes, jewelry boxes, makeup, kid themed boxes for my nieces, craft boxes, etc.

In the end I knew there was only one box I HAD to try, and that was POPSUGAR Must Have.  Currently it's $35 a month ($5 off if you use REFER5 at check out on your first box!), though next month it goes up to $35.95).  As a treat for going 3 months without sugar, I signed up for a 3 month subscription at $95, and with $5 off I'm getting these 3 boxes for $30 each!  

You can still get next months box at the low price of $35, 3 months for $95, 6 months for $190 and 12 months for $380 before it becomes $39.95 a box, 3 months for $109.85, 6 months for $214.70, and 12 months for $404.40.  I'm thinking of adding on 6 more months to take me past my birthday, which would come out to $31.67 a box.  So much better then $39.95!  

 What my box looked like when I opened it!

 The Can’t Cook Book by Jessica Seinfeld: $27.99

 What I'm most excited about!  I'm notorious with watching the food network and reading cooking magazines, and not cooking!  My cutting skills are pathetic, and I don't know how broiling works.  This cookbook takes you through all this, and this book employs digital watermakring.  Whenever a picture has a camera image, you can download an app to scan the picture and watch an instruction video on your phone.  Super cool.  And the recipes look so good!  This book became available for purchase just last Tuesday.  

 The West Brush: $14

Somehow Popsugar knew I needed a new brush, and one that's designed to detangle as you brush.  It works!  I tried it this morning.  I've been having issues with my last brush, pulling hair and tangling, but this new brush is awesome.

 NYX Cosmetics Smokey Shadow Palette: $7

I've never been brave enough to try the smokey eye look, but now I'll have to.  These colors are so pretty.

 NYX Cosmetics Liquid Black Liner: $4.50

I've been meaning to try a liquid eyeliner just to see what it's like, and I'm so glad I got brown! 

 Julep Nail Polish Set in Freedom Polymer Top Coat: $18

Julep Nail Lacquer in Char: $14

Julep is super popular in the box subscription World, and I've been really wanting to try.  The navy like color is nothing I typically use, but I know this shade is quite popular in the fashion World.  I tried it this morning, and it's super high quality.  Still not use to the color, but it's fun to try something new.  

And I love, love, LOVE the top coat!

 Jane Tran Bobby Pins: $12

I don't use bobby pins, but these are really cute and good quality.  I'll have to venture over to Pinterest to get some hairstyling ideas.

 The Crispery Halloween CrispyCake: $3.95

 Popsugar always includes a food item of some sort, and this month we got a Halloween themed gormet rice crispy treat from The Crispery!  Super marshmallowy.  Super yummy.  And HUGE.  This picture doesn't do the treat any justice.

 Gorjana Charity Bali Bead Bracelet: $45

100% of the sale of this bracelet goes towards breast cancer research.  It's bright pink thread with 18k gold covered beads.  Unfortunately mine was a whole inch short at 6" instead of 7".  I asked some gals on this Popsugar forum I frequent, and all theirs was the currect length.  I contacted costumer service and they're sending a new one.  I'm really impressed with popsugar's costumer service. 

And finally a Stitch Fix $20 gift card.  It's a clothing service that I won't be using, but I can see how it can be a lot of fun.

Not including the bracelet or gift card the value of this box is $101.44!!  Not bad for $30!!!  And if you include the bracelet and gift card then the value of the box is $166.44.

Now I can't wait to get next month :0)

Flash Flood in Orem UT

(Photo I found on the internet.  

I don't know who to credit)

You never know where you're going to be when tragedy strikes.  I was spontaneously in Salt Lake City and missed all the action last September 7th, a little over 4 weeks ago.

A week before that I was in Southern California when a flash flood hit Riverside.  I was in Ventura at the time, but my Uncle told us all about it, warning us to be careful on the drive back.  Apparently the Riverside Community College suffered some flooding.  Then, driving home, we had to take the long way because there were flash flood warnings in Palmdale, Littlerock, and Victorville CA, which is the path we take to merge unto the I-15.  My Uncle called later and said that there was a flash flood in Victorville, around the time we would have passed through.

Then on the 7th my Mom got the sudden idea to go to Salt Lake, when we were going to originally hang out near the University Mall.  There was a light rain in Salt Lake, but nothing major.  Just nice and warm.  But as soon as we headed back to the Valley my Mom and I were hit with all these stories.

There was a green sky and the beginnings of a tornado, but thankfully, thanks to the mountains, it didn't completely form.  My brothers went out to watch, high winds and flashes of lightning every second.  There was a game going on at BYU, and according to a couple people it was super scary.  And the next day I found out a lot of people suffered flooding in their basements.

We were lucky. 

The following week there were flash floods taking place all over Colorado.

Crazy, slow storm.

Salt Lake City Parade of Homes 2013

I'm obsessed with HGTV.   Obsessed!  So I was thrilled when my Sister-in-law Krista invited me to the Parade of Homes in Salt Lake City.  I've heard of it, but never checked it out, even here in Utah Valley where it's closer.  Essentially a bunch of model homes and private residences are staged and opened to the public.  It's like an in person HGTV experience.  Lot's of fun!  A little overwhelming.  We went to the Salt Lake Valley 4-5 separate nights to do this, but it was so much fun.

These homes are shown in no particular order, and some got a little mixed up.

It was after seeing this basketball court when I dropped my cell phone, watching it fall to the concrete ground right outside the garage.  So, so stupid.  Those stupid booties.

I love these picture frames.  This would be a fun craft project!

And I would love to make this, too!  Pieces of amethyst inside a shadow box.  It shouldn't be too hard.

The roof to this mansion was pretty fun.  Layers of wood to give the appearance of shingles.  Really cool idea.

 

 

It was nice seeing a modern home amongst the more traditional.

This home super overwhelmed me.  Though nice, it was a bit too much.

This bathroom was ridiculous!  Look at the size of the shower!  The shower and bathtub both behind glass.

Dream pantry.

There was a falcon on top of this roof.  Krista pointed this out to me, and I didn't think it was real!  Then I saw him move his head, and I was convinced.  Crazy.

Gotta live the fake food.

And lastly, who in their right mind would want a bathroom positioned in the front of the house for everyone to see, right next to the front porch!?  That was just weird.