The Review Mafia: Sippy Cup Lids

I recently ordered sippy cup lids (Amazon Link)  for my niece. My sister often forgets to bring multiple cups and we are always trying to find the one my niece brought along. I ordered these with the hope they could stay at my parent's house and always be handy.

I wish I would have gotten pictures! These cups really did double duty for me this weekend. My niece really enjoyed playing with them--even without a cup. We were able to practice naming our colors. AND I kept the floor semi clean! These will stretch over a normal plastic cup. I recommend using a stronger plastic cup because these really do compress around the top to prevent spills. My only complaint was the air inlet holes are really tight and don't really allow for air to get back into the cup. This meant I had to convince a toddler to give me back her cup and I pulled the hole apart to let air in. Well..... Then she saw what I did and she wanted to do it also...... But either way, it kept most of the milk off the floor!

These lids were easy to clean and don't take up room in the cupboard like having a bunch of sippys around.

I would buy these again if I needed to! 5/5!

I did receive these products at a discount for my review.

#thereviewmafia

well... shit.

Wow. It's been almost a year since I was here....

I tried to make a go of writing reviews for my subscription obsession. I really enjoyed it! I just forgot to keep writing.....

I am unemployed. So my subscriptions took a major hit. I have snuck in a couple here and there. But all in all, I have significantly slowed down. Maybe I will try again when I have a regular paycheck.

I am moving home-ish. I was tired of being so far from home and from my boyfriend. Now I just hope I can find a job that puts me closer--aka.... here. I don't really want to just 'be closer'. I want to be here. But we'll see.

What happened to spring?!

For the last week, it was mid seventies... Sunny. Beautiful. While this is slightly unusual for April, it was wonderful and nobody wanted to complain about that. Well, that all quickly stopped... It's cold. It sleeted three times today. It's windy. It feels like November. This is a load of crap! Let's move south....

Birchbox... April 2015

I recently received my April 2015 Birchbox. Based on Instagram and Facebook, I know that many people receive their boxes long before I do. Every month, many people seem very disappointed in what they are receiving in their boxes. I could see how some months could be better than others, but, at the end of the day, we are paying Birchbox to send us 5 samples based loosely on a beauty profile. We pay $10 a box and get $5-6 back based on completing product reviews. If you don't like surprises, don't pay for a subscription box service like Birchbox...

Moving on, here is a quick review of the box and what I received in my particular April Birchbox! 

April 2015 Birchbox-in collaboration with Rifle Paper Co.

Each box comes with an info card about the products included.

I received 5 samples this month. In April, as Birchbox subscribers, we had the opportunity to select two different Madmen themed boxes. These boxes come with 5 products that are preselected. If you chose either of these boxes, you know what all 5 samples and your beauty profile is not taken into consideration.

Sample 1: Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain- Full Size $25

This cute little sample seemed a little undersized when I got it. When I opened it up, the product was lodged in the cap. I did manage to get it back out without destroying the entire thing. (I did have an issue with another product, so I emailed customer service. I will detail my experience after the product review!) Once I got it straightened out, I tried this little guy out. I wasn't sure how I felt about the color in the tube, but when I put it on, it was a very nice reddish tint. I didn't really like it on my cheeks. I can't get over how using lip stain on my cheeks actually feels on my skin. It wasn't sticky or anything, just felt... weird. The lip stain lasted a very long time. Overall, I probably won't purchase this because I don't wear lip color very often, but I liked it and will enjoy the sample product I salvaged. 

Sample 2: Obliphica Professional Intensive Hair Serum-Full Size $38

This sample came with the lid a little loose and spilled part of the sample all over the rest of my box. (See Customer Service review below.) Overall, I liked this sample. It made my hair soft and really kept the ends from getting frizzy and dry when I used it. I have another hair serum I use on a regular basis and I felt these were comparable. I will be sticking with my regular serum because I like the smell better. It's also a little cheaper than this product, but my decision was made almost entirely on the smell. This product doesn't smell bad by any means, I just think I have one already that smells even better! 

Sample 3: POP Beauty Eye Shadow Palette-Full Size $26

I loved my trio from POP Beauty. The colors are vibrant and last for a very long time. I, again, don't use eye shadow very often, so spending $26 on a palette with a lot of colors I will never use isn't going to happen. This sample will last me a very long time! If I could get just these three colors again when I run out, I would purchase it without question! 

Sample 4: Real Chemistry 3-Minute Peel-Full Size $48

This is my first experience with a peel. I don't think I quite had enough on my skin the first time. It did make my skin very soft and I felt like my moisturizer absorbed into my skin very quickly. I plan to give it another shot-although I am not sure if there is enough left in the bottle to really get the full experience. This is a sample choice for May 2015 and I am considering choosing it to give it another go! I can't make a decision if I will purchase it or not quite yet. 

Sample 5: Whish Shave Cream-Blueberry-Full Size $20

Bleh... Blueberry scented.....

First--this smelled awful. I am not sure who made this decision...but no. Just no. I used up this sample and it seemed to work about average--nothing more spectacular than my $3 shave cream from the dollar store. I will not be trying it in any scent because I will not be spending $20 to end up with something that smells as bad as this... 

Customer Service Review

As I mentioned above, I encountered customer service on this box. I emailed them within 15 minutes of opening my box about the spilled sample. I also mentioned the Jane Iredale sample was stuck in the cap but I managed to get enough to try it out. Within 5 minutes I received a response. (I actually received two responses... Two customer service reps responded at the same time.) They immediately processed a replacement sample of the hair serum. I was also credited 50 "sorry" points for the lip stain sample. I was very impressed with how quickly they responded and how the problem was resolved. Birchbox customer service was fantastic!

Interesting in Birchbox? I would appreciate it if you use my referral link, here! I get $5 to spend a Birchbox for each review. Sign up so you can refer friends too! I purchased this box myself from Birchbox and get nothing for my review. 

Jamberry!

Just started my first (and hopefully only) direct selling excursion. I am selling Jamberry nail wraps! I recently discovered these as I am not much of a nail polish person. I paint my nails for an occasion, ruin it in 20 minutes and leave it on until it all wears off.

Jamberry is easy to apply-although, it takes a little practice--and is very durable! There are a lot of other features that make Jamberry a great alternative/addition to nail polish and traditional manicures, but right now, I just like pretty finger nails!

First full set of Jams! "Get Hoppy" Nail Wraps

Check out kquandahl.jamberrynails.net to place your order! 

Stitch Fix-April 2015

So Stitch Fix. I had to try it. I live in the middle of nowhere. I wear jeans and a hoodie almost every day. I have little to no sense of style. Needless to say, I need help.

envelope that contained the details of my order

StitchFix is a pretty simple service.

Create an account and fill out the style profile.

Select a date you would like your fix by.

Write your stylist a note about what your are looking for.

And...wait.

While you're waiting-head on over to Pinterest and make yourself a Stitch Fix style page! Pin things you like. Pin things you don't. Be sure to tell your stylist why!! On the style profile page, there is a place to link up your Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn to help personalize your fix.

On or around the date you selected, your Fix will show up! Inside, you will find 5 items your stylist thought you would love.

You try everything on. Decide what you want, what you don't, and pack the rest back up in a prepaid mailing bag.

Checking out is easy--log into your Stitch Fix account and review each product. Stitch Fix wants to know:

Was each piece too big, too small, or just right?
Was each piece too expensive, too cheap (who would pick this???), or just right?
How close was each piece to your style?
And one more question I can't remember. I will update when I get my next fix!

Be candid! Your fixes won't get better if you aren't honest about the clothing you were sent.

So here is my review! (I promise better/more pictures next time. As I already sent this fix back, all I have are the style cards.)

Note from my stylist, Christina

#1 41Hawthorn Filbert 3/4 Sleeve Popover Blouse-$58
  

Black

 Very cute shirt. My stylist indicated this is a best seller. It was very light material and could easily be dressed up or down. I considered this shirt for a long time. It fit me very well. However, I spend most of my time wearing a polo for work and I felt naked without a collar. I think I could have gotten over it but I did feel that $58 was a little much for the shirt as it was so lightweight and sheer.

Verdict: Sent back

#2 Market and Spruce Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan-$68

My Pinterest board is well stocked in sweaters that zip off to one side, so my stylist nailed this one. It was a little pricey, but as I can use my $20 styling fee, it was more like $48. Which I have paid for a similar shirt I already own. This cardigan is very soft. I found it works great for lounging around the house and wearing out! It looked dressy enough I wore it to Easter church and now I am wearing it with yoga pants.

Verdict: kept!

#3 Papermoon Jannit Lace Back Knit Top $48

Seemed more off white/cream than this shows

Uhmmmm.... Well. I liked the idea. The back was all heavy lace; the front was more of a knit material. I was okay with the back being see-through but you could see right through the front too! Not cool. I also have a fairly long torso and this shirt didn't even come close to meeting my jeans. It was very boxy and didn't do anything for me.

Verdit: back in the box it went

#4 Market and Spruce Corinna Striped Heathered Dolman Top $48

Grey and mint green

I wanted to like this shirt. I really did. I liked the colors. I liked--loved--the material. I just couldn't quite figure the batwings and the collar. It was a little wide, but not wide enough to pull off one shoulder. The sleeves weren't full length. They weren't half length. The weren't 3/4 length. I don't really know where they were supposed to be. As I couldn't stop tugging at the shirt somewhere, I decided this wasn't for me.

Verdit: sent back

#5 Renee C Gael 3/4 Seeve Drawstring Waisted Dress $68

I asked for a dress to wear to an upcoming wedding. Typically, I wear dresses with a little more structure and this was structure-less. It did have a nice drawstring at the waist to pull it in but overall, I sort of felt like I was wearing a sack. I did consider keeping it to broaden my closet, but it fit very tight in the sleeves. I have man arms and it was pretttty snug.

Verdit: returned

Next box is scheduled for early May! Can't wait! If you read this and want to head on over to Stitch Fix yourself, I would appreciate it if you used my referral link! I do get a styling credit of $25 for each referral. Get started and refer your own friends! I do not receive anything from Stitch Fix for this review.

Dog.com Doggie Box Months 1-6

There are almost zero reviews out there for Dog.com's DoggieBox. I found this box completely by accident. I signed up for Dog.com's emails through a contest of some kind. I recently went round and round with another pet-box subscription service about their stance on organic/non-GMO products.

*Disclaimer--I work in the biotech industry. I 100% support genetically modified products and believe they are safe, healthy, affordable options to feed the world. Better living through science.

Meet Raji!

So what is Dog.com's DoggieBox? Once a month, I get a box with 1-2 toys, 1-3 full size packages of snacks, and a few samples.  The box retails for $24.99. I am set up on autoship and I get a 10% discount for that-so I end up paying $22.50 every month. Always free shipping. I also do the math--in all six boxes, the lowest product value was $30. This included using prices from a sale from a different website. Most boxes have been near $40-45. Each month, Dog.com also includes a coupon for 25% off your next purchase-not valid on your next DoggieBox.

After 6 months, I have a hard time cancelling. I easily get my money's worth and this gives Raji some variety in her snacks and toys. She knows exactly what that box means and that it's all for her. I won't take the time to review all six boxes, but I will cherry pick a few items from different boxes.

My first box came with a bag of Mini Doggy Burgers by Happy Howie's. These little snacks were the cat's meow. (Ha..ha..ha) Raji loved these. I wish they were a little easier to break in half to make them go a little further. I didn't buy these only because I vowed to myself I wasn't going to order (too many) extra snacks if I was getting this box.

My February 2015 box came with Starmark Treat Dispensing Snoggle Dog Toy. This toy has a creature wrapped around a plastic log. You fill the toy up with snacks and as your dog plays with the Snoggle, treats fall out. I thought this toy would be great! Something to occupy my busy minded dog.... However, she promptly chewed open the hole and was very proud of getting all the treats out at once...

My most recent box, March 2015, came with a toy I was very cautious about. The Skinneeez Stuffing Free Squeaker Dog Toy. Raji will only play with toys that squeak. This. Toy. Squeaks. 19 squeakers come sewn into this toy. While there are a lot of squeakers, my dog can only figure out how to squeak one at a time-so this toy really hasn't increased her squeaking any more.

Snoozing with another DoggieBox toy! Grriggles® Yukon Berber Boy

A side note, Raji is about 50 pounds and the toys are just about the right size for her. Many of the stuffed toys in the early boxes would have been much too big for a small dog. The last few boxes have included smaller, more manageable toys. Raji doesn't typically destroy toys, so I don't worry about the smaller stuffed toys with her.

For each box purchased, 25% of proceeds are donated to a shelter in need to help the less-fortunate pups out there too!

In order to receive your April 2015 box, you must place your order by 4.15.15! Order here!

I will review the April DoggieBox after Raji and I get a chance to check it out!

I have a problem....

I have recently discovered subscription boxes. How did I go this long without them? So far, I have one for my dog. One for my boyfriend (Haven't gotten this one yet. We'll see if it's useable.) One for snacks. Two for snacks. (One is short lived. They only send organic snacks. Not my thing....I only signed up to give someone a referral code and the box was free.) One for me. Another one for me....

I think I need to start reviewing these. Maybe, just maybe, I can commit to reviewing every box I get--which is more blogging than I have done in a while! I will go back and catch up on a few. Not that anyone has requested I review them or given me anything for it. I will give it a shot.

Tuesdays-(or Wednesdays)

Ten Pet Peeves....

1. Constant social media updates--snapchat, facebook, instagram... you name it. Not everything needs to be public knowledge. Most people don't care about the things you post and hide you anyway.

2.Making assumptions and assertions about my life without actually asking me. 

3. Loud eating.

4. Slow customer service.

5. Not taking responsibility for something you did/said.

6. When someone has an 'entitlement' problem.

7. Constant fitness posts and comments--You work out. Good for you. I don't. Shut up. 

8. Being super neat and tidy. Messes happen.

9. Slllloowww walking people in a crowd.

10. Grammar errors. Your and you're... There, their, and they're. Then and than. This stuff isn't hard, people. You look like an idiot when you mess it up. 

Tuesday Series-posted on a Sunday: Twenty Random Facts

So here is twenty random facts about myself and my life:

1. I am currently obsessed with Game of Thrones--I know. Bandwagon. But I thought it was really weird five years ago and didn't even give it a chance at that point.
2. I really do enjoy the feeling after a solid workout-but working out is boring for me. Throughout high school, workouts always came with a purpose-swim team, cheer, track. Now, it's a boring, monotonous, dull process. I would love to find a solution for this.
3. I get frustrated very easily when I feel like people aren't listening to what I have to say.
4. One of the hardest things for me is talking about myself.
5. I hate predictable movies and books. If you don't have to think about the book or it doesn't leave you thinking, I don't want to read it.
6.  I really want to get tattoo(s) but committing to permanent ink is pretty terrifying to me and I do not want visible tattoos in my wedding.
7. One of my main life goals is to see the world from every form of travel available.
8. I do enjoy watching TV that makes me feel better about myself.
9. I love hunting and camo but people running around all the time in camo-or girls in pink camo-drives me nuts.
10. I am not a neat, organized person by any standards.
11. I don't mind living in town, but I really would rather live on the farm with things always going on.
12. I have a soft spot for puppies; I want to rescue every puppy. I can't stand it when people get dogs they can't take care of/just get rid of a dog because of petty, irresponsible reasons.
13. I absolutely hate smoking.
14. My biggest pet peeve is people putting words in my mouth and then throwing it back at me.
15. Most of the things I have decided I would like to do in my life will not pay many bills and I like to have nice, new things.
16. I love dinosaurs and dinosaur things.
17. Teaching swimming lessons was by far my favorite job in my life so far.
18. I really like wine. I think a running a winery would be fun; however, I don't know the first thing about grapes. or making wine. or running a winery.
19. Breakfast is an absolute must for me. "Hangry" is definitely a thing. Ask Jared.
20. My favorite food is still, and probably always will be, mac and cheese.