Beauty Box Five | August

I have been loving my monthly subscription boxes lately. It's like a gift for myself every month and it's always a surprise. I am sharing what I received in my August box from Beauty Box Five!

Donnamax | Nail File and Case - This is really cute and easy to throw in my bag. I always regret not having a file on hand when a nail snags or breaks while i'm out.

Jerome Alexander | Hot Stuff Go Pop Compact - This is one of my least favorite products this month. I love the bright packaging but the product is not something I would really use.

Hask | Argan Oil Deep Conditioning Treatment - I've tried this treatment before and liked it. I will use it next time I deep condition my hair.

Pur-Lisse | Hydra Balance Moisturizer - Honestly...Pur-Lisse is really overdone. I can't count how many products I have from subscription boxes and bags. It does work though and does not break me out. I can use hydrating products all year round.

Starlooks | Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen *Plum* - I really love the color of this eyeliner. It will be perfect for fall and winter. It glides on and has a great consistency.

What are your favorite subscription services? 


*I was sent this box courtesy of Beauty Box Five for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Five Things

o n e | I made an appointment with a dermatologist per instruction from my doctor. I made this appointment about three months ago and the soonest they could get me in was last week. I went in thinking that I would get checked and walk out with nothing to worry about. I ended up having three moles removed to get biopsied and now I'm playing the waiting game of getting the results. I can't believe that that I would wait so long to get checked. I'm pretty fair skinned and have quite a few moles on my back so I didn't suspect anything. Definitely get checked even if you don't think you are at risk!

t w o | Buying books for college can be REALLY pricey. I always check Amazon first to see if they have it cheaper and most of the time I rent my books through them and its usually more than 60% off of the price than my school bookstore. This isn't sponsored or anything I just know how expensive buying books can be and Amazon has saved me a ton of money. I found my book for this semester and it was one hundred dollars cheaper!

t h r e e | I have been using the new Essie Gel top coat and I am pretty surprised in the results. I picked it up at Target to try out since I needed a new one anyway and I really like it! It gives great shine and thickness *almost* like gel nails.

f o u r | I feel like I've been a bad dog mom because I've been posting so many pictures and spending time with my new niece but this past week he has really stepped up his cuteness game (not that he wasn't the cutest already). He already does his standard tricks like sitting, standing, shaking, and rolling over, but now if you tell him to lay down he comes up to me and lays flat. I'd like to think he's giving me a hug. Now I sound like a really crazy dog mom. Sorry!

f i v e | What kind of aunt would I be if I didn't share another picture of the sweetest girl ever? So here you go!

It's my first day back to school and my class is after work today so wish me luck! I'm going to need all the caffeine to get through today. Happy Monday!

Avoiding Life's Uncomfortable Moments

Thank you to U by Kotex® for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to try the U by Kotex panty liners!

It is officially back to school week for me! Being comfortable and confident is a must when you head back for a new semester. Staying dressed in comfy clothes and being prepared are my top tips for heading back to school.

I am an over-packer by all means and I am always prepared for emergencies, this means preparing for that time of the month as well. My school bag is pretty much stocked with anything you could need. Avoiding life's uncomfortable is pretty easy when you have all of the necessities packed. I keep the U by Kotex Curves Liners in my school bag as well as my purse for those lighter days. I am a sucker for packaging and these are definitely the cutest liners I've seen!

You can win!
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Every month U by Kotex will choose a winner based on creativity and LOL factor! $200 Urban Outfitters gift card, a Go Pro Hero 3 white camera, a $100 Sephora gift card and U by Kotex products are up for grabs. Not to mention ONE winner will receive a trip to L.A. with a friend, a U by Kotex photo shoot to be their new social star and $2,000 spending cash!

Enter HERE for a chance to win!

Confessions

| I have been binge watching Criminal Minds on Netflix and now I look at everyone on the street as if I need to analyze their behavior. And then I have scary nightmares.

| I cannot get enough of my baby niece. She's actually the cutest thing in the world. This video from Buzzfeed describes me exactly lately.

| I haven't gotten my hair in almost three months! Don't judge me though...I am debating finding a new hair dresser and possibly doing something new to my hair.

| I have five episodes of Pretty Little Liars on my DVR. Last night was the finale and I really need to catch up before everything is spoiled for me.

| I walked into Ulta last weekend....only to buy the one thing I really needed!

| I am one of those people that is beyond ready for fall. Sorry if it bothers you, but I can't take the triple digit heat anymore. Bring on the scarves and boots please.  Plus, I miss baking.

That's all I have for today!

The Good Things.

What a crazy few weeks it has been! I haven't had the time or energy to blog and for really good reason. Hint: a new baby! It's a new month, and one month closer to finally having fall weather. Hopefully we only have to endure a few more weeks of temperatures in the 100's fingers crossed. I missed blogging so one of my goals this month is to not completely neglect this little space.

What I've been up to lately...

| Spending lots of time with my new niece! She was born on July 30th! It was an entire week of waiting for this sweet thing to be born, but she finally came and it was all worth the wait. She is the most cuddly little baby which makes me want to go snuggle her all the time. Oh, and yes I had to get a picture of her in this bib.

| My new planner is getting me motivated to set goals this month and stick to them. I picked this one up from Target last week and I am loving it so far. I'll be filing it up with soon with my new school schedule that starts at the end of this month and oddly I'm ready to be busy and perusing my goals.

| I am a little bit addicted to subscription services. I just signed up for the Alexa Re' subscription bag to try out this month and I cannot wait for it to arrive. I am also loving my subscriptions to Beauty Box 5 and Ipsy! I probably have enough products to last a very long time but it's something I just can't give up.

| Taking time to go out with my husband and family. Any excuse to have margs / chips and salsa is a good time in my book. I'm hoping to get myself to the movies this week to see the new Vacation movie as well as Southpaw with Joe.

P.S - add me on Snapchat: vivianstonee it's been my favorite app this past month!