Julep: June 2014, The Three Wishes collection.

School's out for the summer, which means, I spend at least two hours of my day, sitting here, and reading books on my kindle. The latest summer read is The City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare... The entire Mortal Instruments series is one of those book series that's so badly written, but quite enjoyable to read, especially at the pool. Though, I do admit, The Infernal Devices series, which is sort of the prequel to the Mortal Instruments series is an enjoyable read. 

After my tryst at the pool with my kindle, I went and checked the mail, to find I had to pick this up from the office:

I wasn't quite sure what it was. I ordered one of the Memorial Day Mystery Boxes from the sale over the holiday weekend, so I thought it might be that.

I opened the box and under layers of brown paper was this:

My monthly Maven box from Julep alongside with some random extras I added. I didn't pay a cent for the box, I just used some Jules I stored up since I have nothing better to do with them since they can't apply towards mystery boxes.

Julep is mainly a nailpolish subscription box service. I've been a member since last March or April, so I'm grandfathered into their old subscription service, which is I pay $19.99 for a monthly box of products based on the profile I choose for that month.

They've recently vamped their service for NEW members. There are two options now: 

My Maven, which is $24.99/$19.99 [with a three month subscription] and you can customize a box for $40+ of products.

My Maven Luxe, which is $39.99/$34.99 [with a three month subscription] and you can customize a box of $60+ of products.

I don't know anything about their new services, but I do like the idea of complete customization, and have thought of converting over, but haven't since I still like the box I get every month.

I have a special relationship with Julep, they were my FIRST ever subscription box.  I'm very attached to them.

A closer look at what was inside my box.

I did add on three products this month. So, let's start with those. 

Julep also had a promotion, if you added on three products, they would send a fourth product, for free.

Mae, was my free product. It's from the bombshell collection. It's sort of purple gray periwinkle color with a satin finish. It sort of reminds me of the color of the sky during a stormy summer afternoon in Texas. 

from l to r: Hope and Cameron

Cameron, Boho Glam, is a repeat for me. I got it in my February box. It's a silver purple glitter color with a stardust finish. I've worn it. My prek girls loved it. 

One problem I find with duos that I add on is that they nickname the duos... Something like: Winter Lights, and I don't actually look at the colors that are in that duo, I just think it looks cool and order it.

But...

I don't really mind repeats. I either give them to friends, or the daughters of friends.

Hope is IT Girl, and a satin finish white color. I don't really wear white nailpolish, that much, but I think in winter, with a shade of silver or gold glitter, it would look quite festive.

from l t r: Sienna and Tracy

These are actually both repeats for me. But again, it's my own fault for not actually looking at details of sets before I place orders.

Sienna, Classic with a Twist, is the color of silver mirror glass with a gold tone. It's a pretty color.

Tracy, IT Girl, is blue silver sparkle.

from l to r: Veronica and Marjorie.

These were both new colors for me.

Veronica, classic with a twist, is a darkish rose pink color.

Marjorie, IT Girl, is dark orange.

They both remind me of the colors of a pretty sunset.

Onto my Maven box.

This month was the Three Wishes collection, and I really wanted to upgrade to the entire collection of nailpolish, but my FMLA ass couldn't afford it. I'm hoping some of these colors will go into future secret stores, and I can get them then. 

The add on this month was Pixy Stix, which are one of my favorite childhood candy, so I was quite pleased with this. I just wish I had gotten a blue one, instead of two purple because the blue flavor is my favorite.

I went with IT GIRL this month because I really liked the colors moreso than my usual profile which is "classic with a twist." I also had no reason to want the Base Coat or Top Coat that came with my usual.

from l t r: Phia, Jennine, and Savoy.

Phia is my favorite. I don't even know how to describe it. It's a light purple silver orchid glitter color. I can't wait to wear it.

Jennine is also gorgeous. It's a turquoise Stardust finish polish with light green and dark blue glitter in it. I also can't wait to wear this one.

Savoy is a silver gold chrome color. 

Overall, I am very pleased with this month's box.

Granted, I got a lot of repeat colors, but that was mostly my own fault.

So anyways, I love nailpolish, and their polish is very high quality and very good lasting ability, and this comes from a completely hands-on prek teacher.

So if you're so inclined, check Julep out.

J'adore Vox Box

Note: I recieved all these products complimentary for testing purposes only. My opinions are my own, but I paid no money for this box or these products. I got them free.

Influenster is a website. It's free to join, or I have some invite codes somewhere, and can invite five of you to join my team, and the points we earn together can add to some prizes. Basically it's a website, where you join it, and you rate products you have used/had and write reviews on them. There are different categories that you can become a part of, and you can do different tasks that earn you more points.

When you've earned enough points, you can earn Vox boxes, which are free boxes, sent to you from Influenster, that you review products for. I was quite surprised, when I qualified for a free box. Though, there was that one night, when I was bored, when I went through the entire chocolate and candy category, and rated every single candy I had had before, so maybe that's what did it. Or maybe I'm just that bad-ass.

Once you qualify, you fill out a survey, and then if your answers are what they're looking for, you can get your Vox Box.

The Vox Box, that I received for free was the J'Adore Box.

This is my box.

This is the inside look of the box.

This is why I can never have nice things.

This is the handy dandy information card that comes with the box. It states that "I received this box complimentary for testing purposes and did not spend any money on it", as well as has a list of products that are included in the box, alongside prices, which is nice. It means much less google to do.

The first item makes me very happy. This chick LOVES chocolate. If it was between my fiance and chocolate, chocolate would win. I got a huge bag too. I got a family size bag worth $5.29. And believe me when I say, we can never have enough chocolate in our apartment.

John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray, worth $9.99. I love wearing my hair straight. I just literally don't have the time to straighten my hair. I wake up at 5:30 am, and before it's even 6:05 am, I'm out the door and on my way to school. My straightening iron has also gone AWOL. But I'm eager to try this. I haven't had much luck with any straightening product and my hair, so maybe this will be the miracle product that can finally leave my hair straight. 

KISS Look's So Natural Lashes in Vamp, worth $3.99. I've never had an interest in false lashes, although I do use about four different mascaras in hope that my lashes will gain volume, so maybe false lashes are worth a try considering my klutzy self can get them on without gluing my eyes shut or something. Now... I just need to right occasion to wear them. Teaching 4 years olds for 7 hours certain isn't the right one. 

Boots Botanic Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask, worth $9.39. Other than the chocolate [nom nom nom], this is the item I'm most excited about. It's a hypo-allergenic formula that absorbs excess oil and deeply cleanses skin.  I have HORRIBLY oily skin. Texas humidity doesn't help my skin either. I'm eager to see if this product can make my skin better. 

Red Rose Simply Indulgent Tea, twenty cost about five dollars, each one is about .25 cents, so all four are worth a dollar. I do like tea, I prefer my Keurig K-Cups because I'm a lazy ass, but occasionally I drink real tea. I really like the four flavors they sent me, and I'm eager to try them. I also like that they're black tea. Black teas have a nice amount of caffeine, and I AM AN ADDICT. Just ask my students what happens when I don't have my coffee....

And that is my first ever Influenster Box. Once I actually use the lashes and such, I'll update a more updated review on it. 

I paid nothing for this, I got it complimentary for writing reviews and grading products, and this box was free for my effort, and the total worth of product was $29.66, not too shabby.

So if you're interested, check out Influenster, and if you feel the urge to be a team player on TEAM LYSSA, let me know, I have five invites for anyone interested... because teamwork makes everything better :)