Darby Smart March 2014 Box "Wood Burining"

Since Project DIY is no longer going to be creating boxes. I started to look into other craft themed subscription boxes. There are a few options out there but none that really caught my eye. I randomly stumbled upon DarbySmart.com and I am glad I did. The website sells craft sets, as well as, crafting supplies; you can also purchase a monthly DIY subscription box from them. Darby Smart keeps the theme of the box secret until the boxes ship. From what I can tell the project options are endless, the month may have jewelry, accessories, something for your home, the DIY list goes on and on.

The DIY project for the month of March was a "Wood Burned Cutting Board." This was such a new territory for me. I had never used a wood burner before and I love that the gave one to everyone who subscribed this month. The cutting boards that were included were sturdy yet very small. I plan to use mine as a cheeseboard.
 

The supplies included:

• Creative Woodburner Value Pen, including stand and four tips
• 2 Bamboo Cutting Boards
• 6 x 6 Mini Birds Stencil
• 1 piece of scrap wood for practice
• Tulip Brand, Beads in a Bottle (green)

Here is my completed project. I only burned one of my boards since I'm still thinking about a design for the second one. It took a little bit of practice but I finally managed to get the Woodburner to do what I wanted.
 

 

Overall this was a pretty fun box and I don't think I would have ever done a project like this on my own. I love the way my board turned out. My sister has been hinting that she would like me to design the second board for her. :)

If you want to peruse the website and learn more click here: Darby Smart
Promo Code: "HOWDYDARBY" will take $10 off your first box, making it only $9 shipped.

BITE BEAUTY: Luminous Crème Lipstick Duo in Vivid

I stopped by Sephora today after school just to look around and spotted this cute Bite lipstick duo by the cash register. I had been looking at this product online for some time now but never pulled the trigger to purchase until today.

What it is:

• a bite-sized lipstick duo from Bite Beauty
• retails for $12
• comes in two shades (neutral or vivid)
• each lipstick is 0.05 oz.  x 2

I purchased the duo in VIVID which includes the colors Palomino (a vibrant magenta) and Violet (a vibrant purple).

Here are some personal swatches I made of the lipstick colors:



Left With Flash / Right Without Flash

Left With Flash / Right Without Flash
Top: Palomino
Bottom: Violet

Top: Violet
Bottom: Palomino

Both lipsticks had great color payoff. They were opaque in one swipe, long-lasting, and mositruzing. The downside of this duo is that it was smaller then I had expected from looking at it online. Also both colors are gorgeous for spring however they are pretty similar. Overall I am happy with this purchase. It's a great buy if you are new to the Bite brand and want to try one of their products without spending a whole lot money.

March 2014 PopSugar Must Have Box

I was a little annoyed that my postman decided to not deliver my PopSugar on Friday like it was promised but its okay since it was on my doorstep when I arrived home today. I am not going to lie, I just couldn't contain myself this month and ended up looking at spoilers beforehand. Anyway without further ado, here is March's box.

"Get ready to shed that Winter coat and welcome Spring with open arms. Before you do that, though, you'll want to prepare with products that are all about new beginnings- new foods to get healthy, new skin care finds, and new accessories for organizing your jewelry. Of course, you'll need a fresh scarf and necklace to look your best too. It's all about putting some spring in your step. Open away!"



Contents of the March 2014 box

Here are the contents of this month's box:

Must Have Food

1) Harvest Snaps Snapea Crisps 3.3 oz.

    $1.69

Must Have Home
2) Baublebar Elephant Ring Tree
    $12.00  

Must Have Beauty

3) Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum 0.5 oz

    $30.00

Must Have Fashion

4) Brokedown Blue Ikat Scarf
     $72.00
5) Dogeared Lucky Horseshoe Make a Wish Necklace  (gold-dipped)
     $30.00
Must Have Fitness
6) Activeforever Fusion Exercise Ball
    $9.95
Special Extra
7) Nature's Bakery All Natural Strawberry Fig Bars
    $1.25

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $156.89
 

If you are interested in joining PopSugar click on the link below: http://popsu.gr/slJx

Promo Code: "Refer5" this code will take $5 off a monthly box 
                           "March10" or "IKAT10" will take $10 off your order

Project D.I.Y February 2014 Cold As Ice Collection

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day/Holiday Weekend. Project D.I.Y released the photos for their new collection and I have to say it is a pretty amazing box. I am loving both projects. This month the company took inspiration from the winter weather happening in the Midwest and East coast.

Our Cold As Ice collection includes trims and embellishments to make a series of fierce and electrifying jewelry pieces including our Crystal Clear Statement Necklace and On the Rocks Bracelet Duo.

This collection is a treasure trove of crystalline accents brimming with DIY and customization potential. You can use these crystals interchangeably with any of the unique designs, which complement each other so well that you can—and should—wear them all together. Let your imagination guide you towards creating designs as unique as a snowflake.

Project #1  Crystal Clear Statement Necklace
Turn these:

Into this:

Project #2  On the Rocks Bracelet Duo
Turn these:

Into this:

I absolutely love, love, love this collection. I might order another box just to give out as a gift. I haven't started on the projects yet but they seem easier then other projects that Project DIY has sent out in past boxes.

Unfortunately this is the 2nd to last month for the PROJECT DIY subscription box. I am not going to lie I am somewhat upset about them stopping the box. I was really enjoying making my own jewelry. I spoke to a representative who said that M&J Trim is in the process of launching the DIY pillow packs nationwide come this Fall. If I learn anymore information I will keep you all posted. They said that the boxes for March will be the last ones.

If you are interested in purchasing projects from the past DIY boxes you can order them here: http://www.mjtrim.com/project-diy.html
If you would like to know what is going on with Project DIY click here: http://mjprojectdiy.com/faq/

It's March!!

Happy Monday!

I thought it was time for a little life and blog update. First off I can not believe it is March already. Where is the year going? My schedule has been getting chaotic lately. Every time I look at my calendar I am reminded of another paper or project I have due. It's crazy. Anyway to help me relax I have been doing a lot of DIYing, specifically I have been completing DIY sets from Project DIY. I seriously just LOVE this subscription box.

Here are a few things that I am going to be posting up this month on the blog. I am considering posting a Project DIY Roundup post for all of the projects I have completed. I have almost the entire subscription. The box is fairly young so there are only 6 months worth of projects. I have 3 months entirely completed and was thinking of doing a picture post just so that everyone knows that the projects are doable. Also I will be getting the March PopSugar box so that is another post that I will keep everyone updated on. Finally April is my birthday month and if my schedule allows it I might do my first blog giveaway.

Thank you for reading my little blog I really do appreciate it and I will hopefully be posting again real soon :)

Project D.I.Y. January 2014 Film Nior Collection

I am excited about receiving my second Project D.I.Y. box. I have been working on the projects from my first set during my free time. The earrings are done, the bracelet is halfway there, and I finally understand how to make the turban. I just love having little accessory projects to work on when I feel like relaxing.

The Film Nior Collection  includes trims and embellishments to make two statement-worthy accessory pieces including the Femme Fatale Convertible Belt and the Dark Romance Charm Bracelet.

"For our first collection of 2014, we drew inspiration from the femme fatales of 1940s Hollywood. Seductive and Dangerous, these dark muses lit up the silver screen in long sultry gowns, fitted trench coats, and neatly tailored peplum suits. Smitten by their poise, we created a collection that is lush with DIY potentials and style."

Project #1 Femme Fatale Convertible Belt 
Turn these:

Into this:

What I like about this project is that its customizable. You can turn the pieces into a necklace, belt, or camera strap; whichever you prefer.

Project #2 Dark Romance Charm Bracelet
Turn these items:

Into this:

 

So far I have been enjoying my Project D.I.Y. Boxes. The only downside is that this months boxes shipped very late. I'm pretty sure they shipped the last week of January.

If you are interested in signing up for Project D.I.Y.  or learning more about this subscription box click on the link: http://mjprojectdiy.com/
Promo Code: "Valentine" should give you 50% off your first box.

February 2014 PopSugar Must Have Box

I'm glad that PopSugar shipped out this month's boxes so early. I know that some bloggers have already received their boxes and I have heard a lot of commotion that some subscribers were upset that some people got their boxes with a promo code. In my opinion it's not a big deal. PopSugar is a business after all and promo codes are how you pull in customers. Speaking of promo codes I have a new one listed at the end of this post.

"February is a wonderful time, and not just because it's the month of love. It's after the holiday rush but before all of Spring's activities, making it the perfect opportunity to sit back and treat yourself well. For that reason, you'll find beauty products like an extra special face serum, noteworthy nail polish, and a relaxing candle. Of course, we wouldn't forget a little something (or two) for a romantic Valentine's Day celebration. Dare we say not even Cupid could deliver a better surprise? Unwrap and enjoy!"



Here's what was inside

 

Here are the contents of this month's box:

Must Have Food

1) Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts

    $6.25

Must Have Home
2) K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle
    $11.00  

Must Have Beauty

3) Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum 0.7 oz

    $23.99
4) ModelCo Lip Pops Duo Lipgloss and Lipstick
    $12.25
5) NCLA Rodeo Drive Royalty Nail Polish
    $16.00

Must Have Fashion

6) Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll
     $45.00
Special Extra
7) Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash
    $ 2.97

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $117.46
 

If you are interested in joining PopSugar click on the link below: http://popsu.gr/slJx

Promo Code: "Refer5" this code will take $5 off a monthly box 
                           "Box10" will take $10 off your order (this promo code is valid until 2/25/14)