ehknee

I'm very sorry! I have not posted anything for such a while and I'm so behind on my blog and I have decided to take a temporary hiatus until I can get organized with school and work.

If only you could see the pile of magazines, notes, Birchboxes, PopSugar boxes, and other hauls I have done that I have been meaning to post about that have piled up on my desk that at this point my laptop is actually on my chair. Seriously.

I did make my New Year's resolution to be back and better than ever and I do plan to keep that resolution but the year is not close to being over! It's only just becoming spring.

While I did notice I did lose a few followers and hits to my website because of my lack of posts, I understand. You could still find me occasionally pinning on Pinterest and my random chatter on Twitter. You are also welcomed to follow me Instagram (ehknee) if you are interested in keeping up with me while I'm organizing a few things.

I'll be back, promise.

ehknee :)

Here is a bit of a delayed January PopSugar Must Have post. I won't be posting descriptions on this. I will be providing the links. Click on read more for more pictures and links.

SUNDRY - Anchor Sweatpants $101

Tom Ford - Nail Lacquer in Pink Crush $30

Prabal Gurung for Target - Nolita Print Hard Sided Clutch $34.99

This was a short I Want Wednesday but I thought I would do one really quick before work. I'm actually still in my pajamas and I have to leave for work in 30 minutes. Ah! Haha.

I hope you have a wonderful day! I will be posting the still delayed January PopSugar Must Have and I just received my Birchbox for February today so I'll be doing that as well soon, hopefully.

Hey! Sorry for the delay in posts recently! I've been working, in school, and on top of that with the flu...oh man! But here I am with my January Birchbox that I got a few weeks ago. Again, sorry for the delay!

For this box I'll only put the link and description for each item.

100% Pure - Nourishing Body Cream in Vanilla Bean $15 This skin-friendly moisturizer is made exclusively from 100 percent vegan, organic ingredients. Not that you needed an excuses to slather it on.

100% Pure - Nourishing Body Cream in Cabernet Grape $15 Same as above description.

Clark's Botanicals - Smoothing Marine Cream $115 Dull skin no more, thanks to the glycolic acid in this exfoliating moisturizer. The gentle tingle means it's working.

theBalm cosmetics - Put a Lid On It Eyelid Primer $18 Keep that pretty eye shadow crease-free with this stay-put primer, which also prevents smudges and smears.

amika - Color pHerfection Shampoo $22 This gentle shampoo contains fortifying omega acids and healing sea buckthorn berry oil to keep your hair color bright and shiny.

Harvey Prince - Skinny Chic $55 Keep your energy levels high (and fight cravings to boot) with this zesty blend of apple, mint, and lotus blossom.

Along with everything it came with a booklet with sort of a New Year's resolution you can do. Some of them are things such as: smile, "get cozy" with SPF, and set a new fitness goal.

All in all, I think it was a pretty good box. I did enjoy getting the Clark's Botanicals face cream because I'm up to have something for my dry face and when I'm not using my argan oil. I haven't really used anything else in the box but I'm looking forward to trying the shampoo but I keep forgetting to use it whenever I wash my hair. I'll try it soon.

If you would like to sign up for Birchbox you can click HERE to do that.

Hope you have a great rest of you week!

This I Want Wednesday is more of something that goes together nicely. Most of it is a splurge and of course it is on the Want list, but doesn't mean you can't save up for it right? Right.

I'll just give you the name of the item and the cost along with the link of where you can find it.

RGB Cosmetics - Nail Polish in Sea $16

Skagen - Round Faceted Crystal Face Watch $120

IVI - Division Aviator Sunglasses $158

Rebecca Minkoff - M.A.C. Clutch in Rose Gold $295

Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation $59

I will say this, I actually own the Giorgio Armani foundation but it's from the first year it came out. So it's very old. I only keep the bottle because I'm reminding myself that I need to buy again the foundation because it's my all time favorite foundation. It's the most expensive foundation I've ever bought at $59 (I spend now at most $42 for one).  I love it and would highly recommend it but no where near me sells it anymore.

I hope you guys had a wonderful day!

So, this has been my personal challenge for the near year. I am personally not a shoe buyer. While there are shoes I would like to buy I can see my money going else where. On the 2nd of January I started a new job and I quickly realized I really am in need of new footwear (and wardrobe, but that's another post for another day). I didn't want to wear heels everyday to work because I work in a large office building that I find myself parking miles away and getting lost inside the building everyday and I only own two pairs of flats that doesn't quite match everything I own. Oops. On top of my business wear during the week on Fridays we are able to wear jeans...well...I don't want to wear sneakers to work so all I have left are my knee high boots from Steve by Steve Madden which are now unwearable (pictures of the status of that will be below) and I'll talk about shoe repair in a second. Anyway, that's what I was wearing to work every Friday because it's the winter and my winter attire is very limited...it's sad really (I said I'm not a shoe person! Haha). Continuing on, I have seen the light...finally...I needed new shoes...and I splurged on 2 shoes especially. Not like me at all. If you remember my last I Want Wednesday there was a bootie from Coach, well I bought them. As of this posting I have not received them, I went to my nearest Coach store to buy them because that I way I don't have to pay for shipping (there is a hint for those trying to get out of shipping costs with online retailers, go to their retail stores if they one near you and ask them to order for you, shipping is usually free). Also, yesterday it was snowing here in Ohio and I bought the Hunter Rain Boot I've been wanting so bad in Black and wore them to work since it was a Friday and snowy. So so so so happy.

Last but probably not least in my shoe buying extravaganza for the week is a flat from the Sole Society called the Edie flat. I completely forgot that I had a coupon code from Influenster that was expiring this month and I decided to use it. I've used Sole Society way in the past and I like their flats that I have (one of the two that I own) so I decided to use a $25 off code that I had and buy another pair. And these are it! :) If you would like to sign up for Sole Society you can click HERE and sign up and buy shoes like me and be part of my Sunday Challenge.

I haven't done an I Want Wednesday in a while and I decided to do one for you guys! My I Want Wednesday is a few of the things I find online that I just basically would like to buy for myself. I have bought in the past a thing or two of my I Want Wednesday list but sometimes the things on the list are a bit of a splurge.

I will list out each item with their link and the prices.

Henri Bendel - Jetsetter Large Dopp Kit $88

Bauble Bar - Silver Bullet Studs $40

Coach - Cary Bootie $139 (on sale from $268)

Dolce & Gabbana - The Lipstick Classic Cream Lipstick in Golden Rose Pink $30

I'm really obsessed with the booties from Coach and I'm seriously considering doing a nice splurge on them since I got a 25% off coupon from Coach in the mail this week. Hmm... On another note...the Henri Bendel dopp kit is something I need for when I go somewhere because I have the ugliest little dopp kit and it's too small.

My birthday is next week so if I splurge on myself it isn't so bad right? Right.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to having a wonderful New Year!! Sorry for such a delayed posting on my PopSugar Must Have, but it's the holiday season and I made such a horrible uh-oh!

As usual, descriptions are what were provided by Birchbox and under descriptions are my thoughts on the products. Links will open on a new page and go to the product.

Rent the Runway - $50 OFF Dress Rental $125 or More We're sharing a generous offer from Rent the Runway, the best way to snag designer outfits without breaking the bank. --- I didn't use the $50 off dress rental Birchbox provided, instead I used a promotion I got for being a new member. Dresses that are $125 or more were gowns (or pricey designer party dresses) rather than dresses that I would wear to a Christmas party. I will be saving the card maybe for my birthday or Valentine's Day. Either way, I love the idea of Rent the Runway now.

Number 4 - Clarifying Shampoo $32 Get over your lather addiction. Gentle enough for everyday use, this unique cleanser features a low-suds formula that removes build-up without stripping hair of essential oils. --- I had a keratin treatment done to my hair and I've been looking for the perfect thing to use on my hair that also takes away build up (nothing with sulfates)...I'm pretty sure Birchbox read my mind and I'm not lying. This actually does work. I'm usually triple shampooing because I'm trying to wash my hair throughly but this lets me do it once. Thank you!!!

Mox Botanicals - Lip Butter in Pomegranate & Fig $16 This Eco-chic balm (in an exclusive flavor!) revives lips with avocado oil and shea butter. --- I'm all about getting more lip balms because you can never have enough (especially in the winter)! My cons against this lip balm is that it's nothing too special, it's hard to get out of the pot, you have to swirl your finger in there for a bit to warm it up to then get it to your lips. Other than being average, I'm happy and I'll keep it bedside. 

theBalm cosmetics - Hot Mama Shadow & Blush All-in-One $20 How cute is this peachy blush? The universally flattering pigment is laced with faint golden shimmer to add warmth to your complexion. --- The blush comes in a very, very small package that I find it difficult to swirl a blush brush in but the color reminds me a bit of NARS Orgasm.

Tweezerman - Filemate $5 There's no greater tragedy than a broken nail. Keep this cute patterned file in your purse to fix mani mishaps.

Juicy Couture - Juicy Couture $90/3.4oz Juicy's Signature fragrance is a blend of sweet and floral notes. Sophisticated and feminine, it's perfect for day or night. --- I'm a huge fan of Juicy Couture perfume and while I've never actually owned the fragrance I've always had the samples stashed somewhere. The shampoo I currently use (Oribe Ultra Rich) actually smells very similar to the perfume! Huge fan.

I really liked this Birchbox. The shampoo I was really excited to see I got because every since I got the keratin treatment done to my hair I have to look through all the ingredients in my hair products to see if they have sulfates and parabens. Getting the discount from Rent the Runway was also exciting since my birthday is next month in January and if I plan anything exciting I would like to rent a fun dress for the occasion.

Birchbox has been improving over the months. A couple months ago they were giving O.K. products in their boxes but now I'm getting more and more excited to see what they're bringing out. It's like the Birchbox I know and love! :) If you're interested in signing up for January you can do that HERE!

This week I've been buying gifts for family and friends...buying the wrapping paper and the little accessories that go with it...and also figuring out what I have left. Of course, everything is sneaking up on me this year. Usually, I'm pretty prepared with Christmas, this year I was not. I meant to make a gift guide of things to get but I felt a loss because I barely knew what I was going to get my own family and friends. While I could've probably made a lavish guide, that wouldn't appeal to everyone. I want a guide that would would the splurge and the saves. This year, I did splurge on my guy friend, Patrick, with a wonderful bottle of Japanese Whiskey that I got for him and these whiskey glasses that I found on the Birchbox website (thank you Birchbox Man!) I am thinking of maybe getting him whiskey stones to go with it, but I haven't decided on that bit yet.

Also, for my 2 best female friends I bought them cute earrings for each and a different one for each. One of them will get this stud that is in a diamond shape but covered in pave crystals. The other will get an earring that is an anchor with a little pave crystal at the top of it but it looks like right after I bought it (today) they don't have it anymore...(uh oh) but this one is the closest they have...except the earrings I bought were just the anchors and not anything else. To wrap their gift I will be doing something unique. A past Sunday Challenge I made sparkly containers with used up candle, so instead of wrapping my friends gifts or putting them in gift bags I thought I will put them in these super cute sparkly containers I made. The great thing is that they can also reuse the container after they take out their gift as a brush holder or to store things in. If you click HERE you can see the step by step I made on it with pictures.

For everyone else I will be getting them gifts of things that I either love and I feel that they will love too or gifts of things that they specifically asked for. If you want some ideas...I'll point out some quick ideas I randomly came up with. Some of the items can be pricey but it's the idea and you can go from there...(all links open in new tabs) For someone that likes making cocktails this is a really great gift and comes with your choice of cocktail mix. For the person who is a wannabe chef or a foodie this truffle salt would be the perfect gift. For the animal lover that is also a fashionista this Oscar de la Renta Pet Bowl would be something to keep in mind (don't forget the collar!) For your friend who wants sparkly fingers and toes this nail polish set from Butter London comes with 3 full size nail polishes for great price. For the man in your life who likes to thinks shaving is an art...Full Size...Travel Size For the candle lover this scent will be perfect to prepare them for when the ball drops. For the person you want to remember a moment with, this picture frame is simple to let the picture say the thousand words it's worth. For your mom or for the mother in law...pearls are a classic. For your first Christmas with his parents, make these cookies so they think about how amazing you even after you leave. Bonus points if you make them these Hot Chocolate Balls they can just pop into hot milk to drink with your cookies. For you dad...because he has had the same wallet for years and it's time for a new one. For that friend who needs her iPhone to be just as stylish as she is.

I hope some of that helped you. I wanted to make a guide with different things (for each group, not mixed in)...but I didn't have the time and I didn't have any idea what I would've put on there since I didn't even know what I was getting for my own people as I said.

Anyway, I love the holidays because I love giving gifts because it's more about the persons reaction to getting a great gift that makes me happy.

Woah! These are very late! Yeah, I know...to be honest Glossybox has been not my favorite box and I put aside for so long that it got to December. I ended up canceling my subscription so I will not be doing a December Glossybox and so on.

Anyway...first up...October!

Carol's Daughter - Shea Souffle in Ecstasy $20 A superbly rich and fast absorbing daily moisturizer containing Shea butter, Cocoa butter, and Jojoba oil to help you reach your skin's optimal softness. This shea souffle is non-greasy and free of parabens, mineral oil and artificial colors.

Alterna Bamboo - Luminous Shine Mist $22 An eco-certified mist made with Idian gooseberry and organic bamboo that controls frizz and flyaways. It is a brilliant and weightless gloss for any hair type.

ModelCo - LIP DUO Lipstick & Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Dusk Lipstick and Striptease Gloss $39 An ultimate pairing in lip color - a flawless, long-lasting lipstick & an intense beaming gloss. Each may be worn separately or layered for an individually tailored hue. --- NOTE: Lip Duo not available for purchase, only separately. Lipstick $22, Gloss $16.

Heartland Fragrances - Exfoliating Loofa Soap in Peppermint $8 A truly hand-poured loofa soap encased in gentle glycerin provides the perfect blend of moisture and exfoliation. This soap is designed to improve circulation and is great for exfoliating.

PHYSIQUE 57 - 20% OFF Any DVD Purchase Enjoy Special Acces to a Beautiful Lean Body with PHYSIQUE 57 Barre Workout DVDs!

Nastassja Skin - Enzyme Facial Peel $40 This revolution facial peel infused with vitamins and nutrients. It exfoliates with papain, a naturally occurring enzyme in papaya, and gently eliminates dead, dry skin cells to reveal a more radiant you.

As far as the October box, I wasn't too excited and everyone was still in the box up until I am doing this post. The only thing I want to use is the ModelCo lipstick and gloss duo. After getting the ModelCo lipgloss in my November Birchbox, I was excited to know that I actually got one in this box (I actually had no idea until me writing this post). Other than that nothing in this box was exciting to me or really made me want to try it.

In my attempt at playing catch up, I'm putting my november subscriptions in December as I get ready to receive my Decembers subscriptions.

Click read more to see everything I got and for discount to your first month subscription to POPSUGAR Must Have! :)

I was out of town for the whole month of November so I'll be giving you my subscription boxes a little late. On that note, here is my November Birchbox!

As you know, descriptions first then if I have something to say it will be under the description.

Sumita - Contrast Eye Pencil in Black $11 This extrabold liner combines rich pigment with long-lasting wear -- no smudges or smears. --- Never heard of the brand Sumita before but the next day I gave it a try, first by tight lining it (worked flawlessly) and then on my waterline (again, perfect). I love this eyeliner! I put this on my list of things to re-buy from Birchbox. Only con is that it's creamy so you do have to sharpen it a lot but works great and stays on really well! You can see a swatch below.

ModelCo - SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss in Showgirl Red $16 This Australian brand's winning gloss coats lips with subtle color. Plus, the built-in mirror allows for easy on-the-go application. ---  This color is great for the season right now. While I don't normally wear lipgloss I'm still a sucker for anything for my lips. The mirror is a handy but I can see it getting dirty and grungy if you throw it in your purse though.

CHROMATICgallerie - $15 Off You and a Friend We've found the formula for perfect shoes: Start with heel height, adjust the fit, and multiply by a rainbow of colors. The options are oh-so-endless! And, at just $88 a pair, you can afford to let your imagination run wild. --- When I looked on the website I was hoping they had flats that I could buy because I don't always wears heels but they only have heel heights of 2,3, and 4 inches. I do like the idea of the website but I wonder the quality of the shoes and they are worth an $88 price tag. If you would like try CHROMATICgallerie (because you all my friends) your discount code is BIRCHFRIEND15 (expires Dec. 31 2012)

Curly Hair Solutions - Curl Keeper $10 Comb this light, water-based serum through wet hair to keep your culs shiny, defined, and frizz free.

Chuao Chocolatier - 7-Pack Assorted ChocoPod (received honeycomb) $7.95 These bite-sized artisanal treats are made with premium Venezuelan cacao and come in a range of unexpected flavors. --- I love getting food in my boxes. This of course was no exception. I got to try honeycomb ChocoPod and I never tried chocolate from this chocolate maker and it really good considering it's with dark chocolate when I'm not a fan of dark chocolate. The 7-Pack of the minis also come with other fun flavors to give as a gift.

J.R. Watkins - Hand and Cuticle Salve $8.99 Slather on this creamy balm pre-manicure. It's full of natural moisturizers to keep your hands and cuticles super soft. --- I started picking at my cuticles and biting my nails again (bad bad habit!) and this is a great thing to get in my Birchbox to save me while I get my nails back into shape while I grow them out and make sure they stay looking pretty.

1. Sumita Eyeliner (super bold and dark) 2. ModelCo LipGloss in Showgirl Red (more of pink than red) 

I really enjoyed my Birchbox this month. Some months I'm just happy and okay with my Birchbox but this month I really enjoyed it. Especially getting a full-size lipgloss and eyeliner.

In the picture you will also notice I got a little booklet that says Holiday 2012 gift guide. In the gift guide it gives you ideas of things you can buy for her or him. It also shows you what you can get in the Limited Edition Birchbox Home box for $58 (perfect to give to someone who is just moving into their new place). The booklet does give fun ideas for women like these by boe Leather Reminder Bow Ring and for men these super cool ear buds from Triple C Designs. The last little thing in the picture that I didn't number is a little purple package that you're supposed to put something special in for someone you care about and give it to them. I guess after that the cycle continues.

If you like what you see and would like to sign up for Birchbox yourself you can click HERE and do that. If you would like to give the gift of Birchbox to woman or man you can click HERE and see the options that are available to you.

Have a wonderful day!

I'm Back!

Alright, no longer MIA. I know that I've been a month behind and then going to visit a family member in Arkansas for a whole month put me another month behind. I got back home and I had stacks and stacks of mail. Next to my mail I had my boxes for November that I opened and took pictures of right away.

Reason I have yet to put a post up is because right now as I'm typing this (I'm just waking up) is the first time since I've gotten back that I haven't been busy with something from the moment I wake up until it's time to sleep. Today I will be working on my posts because I know I will soon be getting my December boxes that I am excited to receive and show you.

On top of my boxes, I haven't done any posts besides my boxes in a while so I really want to get the boxes out of the way so I can talk about something that isn't about subscriptions that I'm doing.

I hope to return back to a regular schedule of writing posts.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Since I'm still out of town (until November 27th) I am going to still be talking about last month's boxes. Today, it's the October Birchbox! Also, since we're on the topic of Birchbox I would like to let you guys know I am a Birchbox affilate, meaning that some of my links would be affiliated links. What does that mean? Well, that means by you clicking on the link and either buying the products the link goes to on the Birchbox page (only when it links to the Birchbox website) and when you sign up for Birchbox I get something and with that I get a little help to provide more and better content. (The links right now might or might not be affiliated because I've been having trouble setting it up)

Now that I gave full disclosure...lets to the box shall we?

As usual, descriptions are what came on the card and my thoughts if I tried out the product are under the description.

Karuna - Hydrating Treatment Masks $28/4 masks Get on board with the sheet mask trent. This at-home fave contains Japanese natto (read: soybean) to boost skin's moisture levels.  -- This was the first sheet mask that I've tried and it was pretty easy to use...I was always worried I would rip the mask but it would always come undone on its own. I did find it moisturizing and you can use the left over on your hands and down your neck.

Naked Princess - Naked Shine Luscious Lip Gloss in Barely Blush $26 Show off your (nearly) bare lips with this sheer gloss, which doubles as a subtle plumper -- The sample of this was so tiny, but I really liked it. I'm a sucker when it comes to lip products. I really don't need anymore but for some reason I'm always looking for something that's a touch lighter than my natural lip color and this was a great color. Is it the IT color? No, I'm still looking but it's heading the right direction, but it felt GREAT on my lips. It didn't plump my lips (the only lip plumper to do that was the LipFusion XL) but it is a good lip gloss.

Lulu Organics - Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder $30 Laced with organic lavender and sage, this sweet-smelling dry shampoo revives flat or second day hair.  

Embryolisse - Lait-Crème Concentrè (24 Hour Miracle Cream) $16 A favorite of models and makeup artists, this cult French lotion heals dryness. Bonus: It also works as a primer and makeup remover. -- I tried this after not using face lotions in a while because I use Josie Maran Argan Oil on my face and anything that is lotion feels strange to me. It is moisturizing, I still like my Argan Oil but I think I would use this as a cold cream makeup remover (by smearing this all over then getting a tissue and wiping all the make up off). I'm a huge fan of cold creams to remove make up and I have yet to try this that way and for $16, not bad.

LUNA - LemonZest $18.75/Pack of 15 These zesty snacks are a goop fave. They're perfect for keeping you full in between meals (plus they can double as a healthy dessert!) -- I'm usually a fan of LUNA bar but to be honest, the LemonZest did not do it for me. I love Lemon, but not like this. I like bars like this to be sweet not lemony...?

As you can see, I tried everything except for the hair powder and that's because usually by the time I remember to use hair powder and dry shampoo my hair is greasy past saving. Everything in this box was put together by goop.com and Birchbox and I believe you had the option to opt in for the goop box.

I hope you enjoyed everything I got in my goop box/October Birchbox!

Have a wonderful day!

Here we go! Finally, a post from one of my October boxes! This is the first one I decided to put up and I started with the last one I got for some reason. I’ve been so busy that the only time I’ve found the time to do this is while I’m 38,000 feet in the air flying over Indiana heading to St Louis for a layover. (Sorry for the delay in posts!)

I'll be talking about my PopSugar Must Have today which you can get $5 OFF a new subscription (click here and get started) by entering code REFER5. November boxes are sold out but hurry get December boxes, I'm sure they'll be filled with tons of Christmas goodies! :)

Here is my October PopSugar Must Have

Click read more for descriptions and more info on everything in the box.