NEW ENGLAND SACK – A TASTE OF NEW ENGLAND WHEREVER YOU ARE

Happy Friday, lovelies, and we at Casa Beholding Eye hope that you had an utterly awesome Thanksgiving full of great fun, great food, and great memories of your holiday. Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we’re all charging full steam ahead to the rest of the holiday season.

The United States Post Office was back in full force today and brought to my doorstep my first New England Sack subscription, “Box of Gratitude.”

I had heard about New England Sack a couple of months ago. Anyone who knows me or has read the “About Me” section of this blog is aware that I am completely and totally obsessed with moving to the New England area within the next year or so, specifically to the coast of Maine, but I’m enthralled with the small obscure towns in the entire New England area. So, all things being equal, I knew New England Sack was a subscription box I simply had to add to my repertoire.

And there it is, my first New England Sack, with the theme “Box of Gratitude,” just waiting to be opened.

Okay, let’s get this pesky shipping box out of the way and see what’s waiting inside.

Already starting with a very lovely touch, there’s a personal handwritten note atop the contents. Off to a good start, NES.

I’m a sucker for wax seals (everyone probably remembers how I ooh’d and ahh’d over the FabFitFun note card set complete with wax seal and stamp in their Fall box). This is lovely. Let’s delicately open this and see what’s inside.

And inside we find the descriptor card for NES, which outlines each product in this month’s sack and the New England artisans who contributed. Lovely. Absolutely lovely.

Not in the actual sack but carefully packaged alongside of it is the first item. A small plaque handcrafted by Connecticut artisans Holly and Peter Zaborowski that says “Give Thanks.” This is beautiful in its rustic simplicity. And what a perfect time of year to receive it. I’m not removing it from it’s protective plastic cover until I find just the perfect spot in the kitchen to hang it. Great start, NES!

Now, onto the Sack itself and see what items of awe it contains!

I just love the sack. It’s actually a refreshing change from the preponderance of boxes most subscription services come in. The bag is not only cute (love the logo), but it’s reusable as well.

Reaching in and gently pulling out the first item my excited little hand touches, we have from Rand Hill Farms in Maine (wait, let me close my eyes and clutch the bag, hoping to mentally transport myself to the coast of Maine by osmosis…Nope, didn’t work) Amelia’s Chowda Shack clam chowder mix. This sounds absolutely amazing. I love clam chowder. In fact, when we lived in Pacific Grove, we made it a point to try the clam chowder at every single restaurant and cafe we went to. And loved it all. The New England variety, obviously, not that other variety we’re definitely not so fond of. New England clam chowder is amazing, and this soup base sounds incredible. I know what we’ll be having for dinner after a trip to the store for fresh clams.

Okay, next tasty treat to emerge from the bag is from New England Cranberry out of Massachusetts. Literally Awesome Sauce. Colonial Cranberry Sauce purports to still use the original recipe from the Colonial era, with no additives, preservatives, or GMO. Total wholesome deliciousness in a very nice-sized jar. I would have loved to have had this yesterday to go with our Thanksgiving meal (we’re rebels and dined on NY steaks and lobster tails rather than turkey, but this would have been perfect with morning muffins).

In case you can’t tell, I’m delighted with the contents thus far.

REAL maple syrup. Not maple-flavored syrup full of preservatives, but REAL maple syrup. Straight out of Vermont by Couture’s Maple Shop. I haven’t had real maple syrup in…Well, years, to be honest. This is going to be quite a treat with the morning pancakes. Guess a trip to the store is in order in the VERY near future…

Okay, maybe that trip to the store can be postponed, since the good folks at NES are one step ahead of us (which is no easy feat) and included pancake mix! From Kenyon’s Grist Mill in Rhode Island, we have this scrumptious-sounding Apple and Spice pancake mix. Kenyon’s Grist Mill has apparently been grinding their own grains since 1696, so I’m anticipating these pancakes are going to be UH-MAZING. And to go perfectly with the Couture’s Maple Shop syrup. Heaven on a plate, indeed.

Wrapped and tied carefully in tissue paper, next up we have a set of 5 absolutely gorgeous photographs of New England sights in the form of greeting cards. From Wonderful Life Farm in New Hampshire, these pictures of Fall in New England are simply too perfect to write on and mail out, to likely end up being disposed of after being read. No, these beauties are going into frames and being displayed on the walls. Absolutely breathtaking.

And there we have it, the “Box of Gratitude” from New England Sack, their first entry into the world of subscription boxes.

I LOVE IT. Being enthralled with all things New England, this box was perfect for me. A small sampling of 5 states in the New England region, from objets d’art to culinary delights.

As the entire purpose of New England Sack is to bring the flavor (both figuratively and literally) to your doorstep, I didn’t bother doing retail values on these items. I don’t look on NES as a way to secure a bargain price but more to do what it professes to do, bring New England to my California doorstep once a month. The Box of Gratitude definitely did not disappoint. I can’t wait to see the December box. Winter in New England has to be positively glorious.

If you’d like to check out New England Sack (which, by the way, might make THE perfect holiday gift for someone on your gift-giving list), here are some links to get you started:

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandSack
WEBSITE: http://www.newenglandsack.com/

(If any particular item in the Box of Gratitude caught your eye, the New England Sack website gives further information about the individual artisans and their contact information.)

New England Sack is $35/month, with discounted prices for 3-month and 6-month subscriptions (and judging from the Box of Gratitude contents, worth every single penny).

Now we’re counting down to December’s “The Holiday Sack,” which I anticipate to be just as awesome as the fall Box of Gratitude.

Bravo, New England Sack, and kudos on your amazing entrant into the world of subscription boxes. Keep up the good work.

As always, feel free to follow me on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

WANTABLE INTIMATES NOVEMBER 2014 UNBOXING – SUBLIME OR SUBPAR?

Well, it’s an extremely chilly morning here in central California (yes, I realize it’s 50 degrees, but in an area where 3-4 months out of the year the temperatures soar well into triple digits, I find 50 degrees to be positively frigid). I was cuddled up in my office with my first cup of coffee when I saw the mail lady go past my window bearing a bright pink envelope (which could only mean Ipsy) and a smaller white box (which could have meant one of several different boxes). Imagine my delight when I opened the door to find I was starting off this chilly Monday morning with both Ipsy and Wantable Intimates…Even though my tracking info for both had never updated.

The week is off to a fine start.

Last month Wantable Intimates blew me away with my first box, for which I chose a single-box purchase. Absolutely 100% thrilled with it (when I can’t find any a single thing to snark on or throw shade at in a subscription box, that company is doing an awesome job…Keeping me happy isn’t easy, to be sure). When Wantable emailed me a coupon to subscribe and receive my next box for $27, I was practically hyperventilating signing up.

So, let’s see what the November box brings and if will live up to its own hype. Admittedly, I don’t think there’s any way Wantable can ever top that October box. I’m sure all of you at some point have gotten that absolutely PERFECT box from a subscription company at one time or another, you know? The one where it looks like they turned you loose in their warehouse and let you pick your own 4 items? That’s how the October box felt for me.

Okay, now enough about October and its awesomeness. Let’s see how Wantable Intimates shapes up for November.

There it is, the familiar classy Wantables box. Love the emblem on this box, simple and elegant.

Now let’s see what lies beneath that lid, shall we?

Ah, the greeting card right atop the contents. “We Hope You Enjoy Your First Collection!” As do I, Wantable, as do I.

Okay, moving right along…

Oh my my. This looks like it could be another drool-worthy box. These things look UH-DORABLE. Let’s have another sip of coffee and dive on in.

(RETAIL VALUE: $24)

Ohh Emm Gee. Okay, this is seriously adorable. It’s a racer back tunic-style tank top in gray and white stripes. This is so stinking cute and so unbelievably soft. This will be perfect with any number of pairs of yoga pants I already own for those lazy days sitting around the house…Lovin’ it, Wantable!

(RETAIL VALUE: $36.00)

I am squealing like a school girl, Wantable. These lounging pants by Rene Rofe are so cute, and so soft I just want to bury my face in them and motorboat. Love Love Love the pink trim and the pink and gray stars on the black background. While I sorta wish these and the tank top were a little more coordinated so they could be worn as a set, I’m not complaining. I am a tank top aficionado and have tons of tank tops that will be perfect with these. Again, perfect for those lazy days around the house with a pair of warm socks and a hoodie. I’m totally in love with these. Well done, Wantable!

And now for the last 2 items, which are all sorts of awesome.

(RETAIL VALUE: $25.00)

From Pretty Polly out of the UK are these totally UH-MAZING Curves Dot Diamond Fashion Tights. I love to layer tights under my leggings (not just for jiggle control but for warmth) or with a long tunic and a pair of boots, and I love it when they’re big enough to yank up above my rib cage (I loathe having to tug at my undergarments). These should be perfect on ALL counts. The design is also awesome. LOVE IT!

(RETAIL VALUE: $18.00)

And the last item is yet another courtesy of Pretty Polly out of the UK. Seriously sexy AND seriously cute. Is it wrong that the first thought that crossed my mind was I SHOULD TOTALLY WEAR THESE WHEN I OPEN THE FRENCH BOX??? Yes, even though I’m opening (and loving) my Wantable Intimates November box, I’m still OBSESSED with the French Box anticipated arrival later this week. Totally loving these, Wantable Intimates, for those “special” occasions.

So there it is, my November Wantable Intimates box. Was it as purrrrfect as the October box? No, but then I didn’t expect it to be. I allow each of the sub box services one month to really knock it out of the park per year, and I think Wantable Intimates did that for me right out of the gate. That being, said, I do love this box and every single item in it.

Total retail value of this box was $103, for which I paid $27 with my discount code. Quite a deal and, as with last month’s box, things I will definitely put to good use.

So far, I’m totally in love with my Wantable Intimates collection and feel that the stylists have definitely taken into my account my preferences that I listed in my account. Which is actually quite refreshing, considering I believe a lot of sub boxes give you options just to make you feel as if you have input into your selections when, in fact, you really don’t.

If you’d like to check out Wantable for their intimates, accessories, fitness wear, or makeup, here are some links to get you going (and remember the holidays are literally right around that proverbial corner and you deserve a little something special, right?):

WEBSITE WITH REFERRAL TO SIGN UP: https://www.wantable.com/invites/ntfr2IvEyVE
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Wantableco

You can do a single-box purchase to try it out for $40 or subscribe for $36 (pssst – If you register with your email address when you visit their site, you’ll usually get an email offering you anywhere from 10% to 40% off your subscription shortly thereafter).

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

I think I’m in the final stages of recuperating from this horrific virus I’ve been hanging onto for about 2 weeks now, so stay tuned for perkier blog entries when I return to my usual snarky self. Coming up very shortly (like in an hour), look for my Ipsy November “Girl Meets Glitter” unboxing (okay, unbagging), and expected this week are The French Box, Lip Monthly, Glossy Box, Lip Factory, Boxycharm, and probably a couple of more.

Until next time, stay beautiful!

BOXYCHARM NOVEMBER 2014: “SPARKLE AND SHINE” SNEAK PEEK #3!!!

Happy Monday, my lovelies, and what a way to start the week. Just when word on the street was Boxycharm would offer up only 2 sneak peeks this month, they go and blow us away by surprising us with a third peek into the November “Sparkle and Shine” box. This is just the type of occasion it would take for me to crawl out from under my overly-medicated, virus-infected sickbed and share with you lovely readers (share the sneak peek, that is, not share the virus).

And here is it:

“Sneak Peek #3: Tarina Tarantino Eyelicity Glitter Liner, a $16 Value This long lasting, quick drying formula is smudge proof so you don’t have to worry about any fall outs! 💁 Try it under or over your regular black liner as a highlight. Most of our Charmers will receive 1 Eyelicity Glitter Liner in either #BlackDiamond (Black) or #GlitterMist (Pearl White) We can’t wait to see how you rock these gorgeous liners! Some of our new Charmers will receive another Tarina Tarantino product, which we will reveal soon! Stay tuned
Xoxo, Your #BOXYCHARM Team”

A full-sized Tarina Tarantino product??? Thank you, Boxycharm, you have made that questionable “Bug” hair chalk product much more tolerable with this little gem! However, I think my temperature just shot up a few degrees with the excitement of it all!

And here are the previous 2 sneak peeks to refresh your memory:

So 3 out of 5 items in the November box have now been revealed…And the countdown to actually get the box into our well-manicured little hands begins.

If you’d like to check out Boxycharm or perhaps even subscribe, here are some links to get you started:

WEBSITE WITH REFERRAL CODE: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/9718/
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Boxycharm

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

BOXYCHARM OCTOBER 2014 UNBOXING: BEWITCHED – TRICK OR TREAT?

Happy Halloween from Casa Beholding Eye. It’s our favorite holiday (which is why we chose today to be the drawing of our Big October Beauty Giveaway winners) and the mail carrier did not disappoint.

Trick or treat indeed…She came bearing both Boxycharm and Glossybox. Halloween is already starting out fantabulous.

Now, I believe in full disclosure with my blog and I should let everyone know that I’m extremely disappointed in Boxycharm this month. Not the products, but with the shipment and delivery dates. My card was charged on October 7th for the October box, and yet it wasn’t released for shipment out of Florida until October 23rd, and then didn’t hit my manicured greedy little fingertips until October 31st. Ummmm…really not cool, Boxycharm. The much-ballyhooed Halloween Bewitched box did manage to hit my hands precisely on Halloween but…well, considering I’ve been seeing other people receive their boxes for about 10 days now, I’m not a particularly happy “Charmer” this month. Hopefully that won’t color my opinion of the box but I’m really expecting Boxycharm to step it up in November, or we’ll be parting ways. My biggest pet peeve with these boxes are lackadaisical or flat-out poor customer service, and I call waiting over 2 weeks to ship a subscriber’s paid-for product pretty much unacceptable. So, get back on your toes, Boxycharm…It doesn’t matter how great your products are if I can’t get them in a timely manner.

Okay, now that I’ve vented, let’s try to objectively look at the box and its contents.

As always, there is it, in all of its glory…the Bewitched box.

The descriptor card and, on the flip side, the contents and their retail values. The goodies lie under that pesky piece of paper.

Let’s see what our caffeine-filled little brain is drawn to first…

Ahhhh, now this is a treat. From Palmetto Derma, it’s a full-sized bottle of their Collagen Booster & Restoration Serum. It says it “protects from premature aging and creates youthful, glowing and beautiful skin, all day and night!” Okay, I’ll take them up on that challenge. I’m still on my first cup of coffee and glowing is about the last thing I’d describe myself to be at the moment, so maybe this will do the trick.

Palmetto Derma also included a coupon for 20% off their entire website. I actually really appreciate it when companies do this, in case I fall in love with their product and want to order it again. Of course, sometimes scouting about the internet with a Google escort can help you locate the product at another source even cheaper than the cost with the coupon (yes, I’m notorious for being thrifty whenever possible when it comes to my beauty products).
(RETAIL VALUE: $48..00)

Moving right along…we’ve still got Glossybox sitting there taunting us as well as picking winners for the giveaway so there’s no time to waste…

From Cult/Commerce x Boxycharm is the “Shady” collection of nail lacquers, in beautiful shades of deep purple sheen and deep gray/black sheen. These colors are really lovely. That being said (here we go with that full disclosure nonsense again), apparently a lot of Charmers have had issues with the brushes in these being stiff and…well, not acceptable. Boxycharm assured us that if we soak the brushes in acetone or nail polish remover for a few seconds and wipe them off, they will work just fine. I’ll be putting that to the test later and hopefully that little tip does work, otherwise you’ll be hearing from me, Boxycharm!
(RETAIL VALUE: $21.00…seriously? For that price, these brushes better not have issues)

The next 2 items are both full-sized; the first is Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow in Risky Business (a gorgeous golden brown color) and a full-sized Starlooks eyeliner in Ultra Olive (a lovely deep shade of olive green flecked with gold). Loving both of these…Not sure how often I’ll actually wear the Ultra Olive eyeliner, but I’m sure I will at some point because it really is a lovely color.
(RETAIL VALUE: $28 combined – eyeshadow $14.00 and eyeliner 14.00)

Last up is the much-hyped piece de resistance of the Bewitched box, a full-sized Coastal Scents Eclipse concealer palette. With shades designed to camouflage undereye circles, neutralize redness, and cover just about any imperfection, major or minor, on one’s face, I’m looking forward to trying this one out. It’s also apparently buildable for sheer coverage up to full coverage.
(RETAIL VALUE: $19.95)

And there we have it, the Boxycharm October Bewitched box, finally in my hands and unboxed.

RETAIL VALUE OF BOX: $116.95.

Do I love it? Meh…but as I said earlier, I’m dissatisfied with Boxycharm and the extremely late shipment this month, so that might be dampening my enthusiasm. They are great products (I’d have liked a black or brown gem liner but what the hey…olive is neutral, too, right?). Other than that, I really have no complaints…Provided those brushes on the nail lacquers work properly after a brief dip into some acetone. I love the eyeshadow color, I love the description of the serum, and the palette hopefully lives up to its hype.

We’re going to give Boxycharm one more month to see if they can pull their act together with shipping boxes out in a timely fashion and then perhaps do a “kick it or keep it” evaluation of them. I truly do usually love Boxycharm, so I’m hoping they get their proverbial act together and step up their performance next month.

If you’d like to sign up for Boxycharm (I believe there might be a short wait list), here are some links to get you started:

WEBSITE WITH REFERRAL CODE: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/9718/
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Boxycharm

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful…and stay tuned later today for the announcement of the Rafflecopter winners of the drawing…Good luck to all, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

BIG OCTOBER BEAUTY GIVEAWAY – GO BIG OR GO HOME – SECOND PLACE PRIZE!

Tomorrow is the big day, when a winner will be chosen and announced, so stay tuned…

Now, as promised, here is a picture of the second place prize, which includes a variety of items received in various boxes over the past couple of months and will be placed inside the Thursday Friday canvas makeup bag featured in the FabFitFun Summer box (RV $35).

And here are a couple of pictures of the contents that will be sent to the second place winner:

We aren’t going to put a retail value on each item in the contents as most are samples sizes (and the approximate retail value on many of these can be found in this blog, now that I think about it). Included are It Cosmetics Universal Brow (a very popular item!), 2 nail lacquers, deluxe travel sizes of Neil George shampoo and condition, deluxe travel size of suntan oil, a deluxe sample size of Be A Bombshell Smooth Criminal finishing powder, a 4-tray sampler of Coastal Scents Revealed neutral shadows, and more.

Our sincere thanks again to all who entered…and stay tuned tomorrow for the big announcement.

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

ALLURE SAMPLE SOCIETY: NOVEMBER 2014 SPOILER #1, COUPON CODE, AND GIVEAWAY UPDATE!

For those of you subscribing to or thinking about subscribing to Allure Sample Society, here’s the first spoiler they’ve posted for the November box.

“Everything about this body wash is pleasing to the senses. There’s the scent, courtesy of actual bergamot oranges instead of synthetic fragrances. There’s the airy lather—just a small amount produces suds. It’s so great at making bubbles that you can toss a few capfuls into the tub for a bath. There’s glycerin in the formula, which means it doesn’t dry out skin the way many body gels do; it moisturizes instead. (It’s safe even on sensitive skin and eczema.) And finally, there’s the bottle: It’s both graphic and understated, a perfect combination.”

If you’d like to subscribe to Allure Sample Society, here are some links to get you started:

WEBSITE: http://www.beautybar.com
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/beautybar.com?fref=photo

WHEN SUBSCRIBING, FEEL FREE TO USE MY REFERRAL CODE (SAMO3924) AND ENTER 5FORYOU AT CHECKOUT TO SAVE $5 ON YOUR FIRST BOX.

The November box will be the determining box for the Keep It or Kick It here at Casa Beholding Eye. Hopefully the rest of the products are awesome!

Remember to enter the giveaway if you haven’t done so already. All of the items included have been posted and tomorrow night entries officially close, with the winner chosen October 31st – Halloween (our favorite holiday at The Beholding Eye).

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful!!!

BIG OCTOBER BEAUTY GIVEAWAY – SNEAK PEEK #12 – GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

Happy Sunday and, to fellow fans, Happy The Walking Dead Episode 3 Night! We’re all about The Walking Dead on Sunday nights here at Casa Beholding Eye. We like to think of it as quality family time gathered around the TV after work and having dinner…even though we rarely speak a word until the episode is over.

There are less than 2 days left to enter the giveaway and we’re up to Item #12 (one sneak peek featured 2 items).

This blog is lengthy but there may or may not be a little “twist” at the end, so I encourage you to read all the way through. *hint hint*

This one is probably going to rock your socks off so be prepared.

From the FabFitFun Fall Edition box is “the” big-ticket item. Renowned for skincare product extraordinaire, here it is:

From Dermalogica, one of the top names in the skincare industry, is a full-sized Skin Hydrating Booster. I love me some Dermalogica but, truth be told, my skin is sensitive and a bit combination but rarely, if ever, dry. I’m sure this is an exceptional product (as are all Dermalogica products), but it would just go into my Skincare Graveyard as I would likely never use it. My skin’s quirkiness is your gain, readers.

RETAIL VALUE: $56.00.

So let’s take a look at the other 10 items in the giveaway and do a quick recap, in no particular order:

RETAIL VALUE: $38.00

RETAIL VALUE: $25.00

RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $10

RETAIL VALUE: $29.00

RETAIL VALUE: $22.00

RETAIL VALUE: $19.00

RETAIL VALUE: Approximately $20.00

RETAIL VALUE: $35.00

RETAIL VALUE: $95.00

RETAIL VALUE: $55.00

ESTIMATED RETAIL VALUE: $404.00

With an estimated retail of over $400, not to mention most of these items are top-of-the-line, in-demand products featured in recent subscription boxes, this is a giveaway in which we at The Beholding Eye take great pride offering.

A few people have asked why do a giveaway as opposed to selling the items on Ebay and making a quick buck (or a lot of quick bucks, considering the retail value).

Well, that’s a very good question.

1. Because it’s better to give than to receive? Yeah, sometimes, but I’m usually pretty self-absorbed.
2. Because before I discovered subscription boxes, I would have crawled through broken glass on my hands and knees to get my bloody hands on a just a few of these products? Definitely.
3. I’d like to let someone who will be able to use and appreciate these amazing products have a shot at owning them? Yes indeedy.
4. Because I’m nice? (Nah, get that idea out of your head…I’m actually quite snarky — as one can tell reading my other blog entries, I’m sure — and straightforward, although with a hint of diplomacy…”nice” isn’t the first word that usually comes to mind when describing myself.

I don’t know, actually. I think it’s more a combination of #2 and #3. I’ve won a couple of very small giveaways and I know the euphoria that comes with winning. As ecstatic as I’ve been to win a few relatively minor things, I can’t even imagine being the winner of this haul. I’d probably be shouting from the rooftops and dancing in the streets…and THAT’S the reason I’m really doing this. I want to make a fellow beauty-holic happy (not to be confused with being “nice,” so banish that thought out of your mind). And while these products are UH-MAZING, realistically, they don’t do me a bit of good when they’re not right for my hair/skin type or if it’s a duplicate of a great product that I’d like for someone else to be able to try. Times are still tough for a lot of people…being able to make someone happy with a box full of fantabulous beauty products just seems like the right thing for this beauty-holic to do.

So, if you haven’t entered the drawing yet, I strongly encourage you to do so now. Entries end tomorrow at midnight. I may or may not put another product into the mix (if I can find it…I put it up for safekeeping for the drawing and have yet to unearth it) but as it stands right now these will be the contents of that glorious USPS box complete with tracking you’ll be receiving if Rafflecopter chooses you as the winner.*

From this point forward, I plan to do monthly or semi-monthly giveaways, albeit to a lesser degree. Two to three times a year, I plan on doing a blockbuster giveaway such as this one. Again, it will be products I simply cannot use or duplicates I have received. Sharing the wealth and all with my readers. I hope everyone who entered will continue to follow me on social media for updates, reviews, unboxings, etc. I’m planning on getting a laptop with a camera after the holidays so I can also do vlogging.

And Happy Sunday and Happy The Walking Dead Episode 3 night from Casa The Beholding Eye to you. See our bright and shining faces? That’s yours truly photo-bombing in the background.

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful…

If you haven’t entered yet, click on the Rafflecopter link below and get your name into that proverbial hat…Remember, you can’t win if you don’t enter!

ENTER HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Due to the overwhelming response to this giveaway and our heartfelt appreciation at all of the kind words, new subscribers, new followers to our social media, etc., we were thinking….Perhaps we should add a second-place winner, who will receive a cosmetic bag full of various and sundry samples we’ve been receiving in our boxes for a few months now. While not nearly as grand and glorious as first place, we think it would be a nice little “thank you” gesture for one additional reader who took the time to enter the contest. Let me know in the comments what you think about this latest addition. Au Revoir for now, and stay beautiful!

(Please note that the giveaway will only be available for US and Canadian residents, otherwise postage would be cost-prohibitive…Thanks for understanding!)

BIG OCTOBER BEAUTY GIVEAWAY: SNEAK PEEK #10 – GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

Okay, we’re winding down to the last couple of days of the giveaway and, since it’s Friday and I’m still on cloud 9 over my Wantable Intimates box from this morning, let’s grab another item and toss it into the giveaway. Who ever thought giving things away could be so much fun?

And here it is, Item #10 in the Big October Beauty Giveaway:

From the world-renowned Bulgari, this is an approximately 3-ounce bottle of their Bulgari Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc Conditioner. It smells wonderful (as do the Bulgari fragrances I’ve sampled). Assuming its hefty price tag means it not only smells good but actually works well, this should knock your proverbial socks off.
(RETAIL VALUE: Approx $20; full-size 6.76 oz bottle retails for $45)

And tomorrow will likely bring what is likely the final item in the giveaway. Off the top of my caffeine-deprived head (I’m only halfway through cup #2 this lovely Friday morning), I believe retail value on this giveaway is now up to $350 and contains some truly UH-MAZING products. It’s going to be like the Beauty Fairy came to visit the winner…Be sure to enter now so you don’t miss out on your chance to have a big box of awesomeness show up on your doorstep! Link at end of post for your convenience, my lovelies…

As always, feel free to follow me on the following social media and be sure to enter the big October Beauty Giveaway (link at end of this post!):

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

ENTER RAFFLE HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, stay beautiful, and good luck to all who enter the giveaway!

(Please note that the giveaway will only be available for US and Canadian residents, otherwise postage would be cost-prohibitive…Thanks for understanding!)

WANTABLE OCTOBER 2014 UNBOXING: KEEP IT OR KICK IT?

Happy Friday, my lovelies…and what a way to cap off the week than with the delivery of my first Wantable Intimates collection for October. I confess…I had tried Wantable makeup for several months and was pretty pleased with it; however, once I discovered Boxycharm (which is about half the price of Wantable makeup collections), I decided to cancel the Wantable makeup and stick with Boxycharm.

Wantable offers 4 different boxes from which to choose: Makeup, Accessories, Intimates, and Fitness.

After taking an inventory of my (lack of) sleep and lounge wear, I decided to give Wantable Intimates a try. I’d seen some really cute items on various unboxings through YouTube and blogs and figured I’d see what the good people at Wantable would put together for me.

I didn’t know what to expect when the mail carrier placed this box into my hands this morning:

Okay, looks just like the makeup box. Coffee in one hand, knife in the other, I tackle the box.

O. M. G. Get those 2 inserts out of my way, because I’m seeing PINK and PURPLE peeking out at me from underneath, my two all-time favorite colors. Oh, this is going to be good, I can tell already.

Too much cuteness first thing in the morning. WAY too much cuteness. And softness.

The first item I choose to fondle is a very soft, very lightweight, very pretty and understated beige camisole top trimmed in coordinating beige lace. I actually have an almost identical top in another color (if you guessed pink, give yourself a gold star!), which I love so I know I’ll love this one, too.
(RETAIL VALUE: $18.00)

Now on to the purple pajamas. Be still, my palpitating heart. I haven’t been this excited since…well, I don’t know when. These are some of THE most UH-adorable pajamas I’ve ever seen. I suck at photographing clothes and I’m sure these pictures do not do this perfectly awesome pajama set justice…It’s not only purple, it’s polka dot (a pattern I love), as light and soft as a feather, and trimmed out on the bottoms with a little bow and on the top with a layer of soft netting along the bottom hem. Okay, glad I set my coffee down otherwise I’m sure I would have spilled it in my excitement. These are FANTABULOUS.
(RETAIL VALUE: $39.99)

Next up is another amazing garment. This nightgown is, again, buttery soft and PINK…a beautiful shade of medium pink, not too pale and not reminiscent of Pepto Bismol. It’s just right. Yes, I am the Goldilocks of Pink, it has to be just right. There is an amazing ivory lace overlay on the top and thin little adjustable shoulder straps. It’s pretty much just pink perfection. Seriously. Like, I wish it were bedtime now so I could crawl into this baby, get back into bed, and just enjoy the soft comfort of this lightweight wonder.
(RETAIL VALUE: $32.00)

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $80.00

I’m in awe. Seriously, jaw-dropping, clapping-my-hands-together awe. The contents of this box were even so much better than I had imagined. These are quite literally the types of garments I would have picked out for myself, fabric, style, and color. I’d call this box an absolute home run. I bow to your greatness, Wantable, for somehow intuiting precisely what I would love and putting it into this box. I’ll be fondling its contents up until bedtime tonight. Because I’m big on textures…okay, and a little weird.

Between this box and my much beloved French Box, October has been amazing for subscription boxes at Casa Beholding Eye. Both far surpassed my expectations and are definitely plenty of bang for that proverbial buck.

So, will Wantable Intimates (unlike its sister box, Wantable Makeup) make the cut to remain on the subscription list for the upcoming year?

STATUS: KEEPING IT!!!

(To be more precise, this currently is probably #1 on my list of Boxes That I MUST Have…this subscription would have to be pried from my greedy yet well-manicured fingers.)

If you’d like to check out Wantable for yourself, they do offer 2 ways to subscribe. You can choose to make a 1-time box purchase ($40) or subscribe ($36). There is a certain degree of customization allowed for all boxes across the board. I have to say, based on what I received, someone at Wantable deserves their own gold star for putting together the perfect box for me.

Here are some links to get you started with Wantable:

WEBSITE REFERRAL LINK: https://www.wantable.com/invites/ntfr2IvEyVE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Wantableco

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

And don’t forget to enter the Big October Beauty Giveaway. Entries close October 28th and the winner will be chose at random by Rafflecopter on October 31st. Retail value is up to about $325, with still another item or two to be included.

ENTER HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, stay beautiful, and go grab yourself some Wantable…you know you want to!

BIRCHBOX OCTOBER 2014: KEEP IT OR KICK IT?

I’ll be up front about the October Birchbox. I wasn’t thrilled with my preview of what I would be receiving, but I remained optimistic and hoped that the products actually in my hand would be more exciting than the pictures on the website.

As the new year approaches, here at Casa Beholding Eye, we’re deciding which boxes are actually worth keeping and which need to be kicked…as in, kicked to the curb. Birchbox, which has an amazing points system (which can be accrued simply by reviewing the products received on the BB website) and spent as cash in the Birchbox store, and those points are what have keep me hanging on every month.

Let’s see if they can retain my subscription with the October box.

And there it is. It feels amazingly…light. Well, let’s dive in…maybe something Friday Fabulous awaits.

First up is a 4-shade sampler of Coastal Scents Revealed palette in the shades “Latte.” These colors are definitely right up my alley, lovely nude/neutral shades suitable for every day wear and totally able to be built up for more a more dramatic evening-out look. The size of these samples is decent as well, containing enough of each shade for several applications.

The only con? I love this Coastal Scents palette so much that I already own the full-sized version…unfortunately this sampler isn’t “purse-friendly” and can’t be taken for quick touch ups on the go. C’eset la vie.

Moving right along…

Next up is a sample size of Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips. This product was apparently originally made for nursing moms and apparently was found to make an amazing lip balm, as well as a good balm for dry cuticles, elbows, etc. I’ve actually heard good things about this product, so I’m looking forward to trying it.

And the next item to find its way into my hand is Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner. I normally love Dr. Brandt products, and this is apparently an award-winning gel that helps to degunk pores for fewer blackheads and smoother skin. I’ve gotten several Dr. Brandt samples over the past couple of months in various subscription boxes that I’ve loved, so I’ll definitely give this product a try.

I’ve already read high praises for this product. Beauty Protector is supposed to lock in color, protect from heat damage, and add silkiness. I’ve heard that not only does this product work well, but that the smell is UH-MAZING. After spraying a tiny bit onto my hand for the sniff test, I concur. It smells wonderful. Having thick, naturally wavy hair that’s been every color of the rainbow and beyond, I’m always on the prowl for products like this, so I’ll definitely be giving Beauty Protector the next time I wash my hair.

I’ve saved my favorite product in this month’s Birchbox for last. This caught my eye as soon as I pulled back the tissue paper. This jar is just gorgeous, so perfectly “me.” It contains Camille Beckman Tuscan Honey Glycerine Hand Therapy. I have no idea how good the product inside may or may not be…I was so immediately enamored of the packaging that it really doesn’t matter. I’m going to keep this gorgeous little gem on the desk in my office…and likely order a full-sized product as well. The black container with the red rose is the perfect combination. I’m in love with this product without even trying it. Brava, Camille Beckman!

And there we have it, the October Birchbox.

Birchbox is $10/month and offers the easy-to-accure points benefit that I described above.

I’ve had months where Birchbox knocks it out of the park for me. I’ve unfortunately had more months where the products fail to excite me and end up in the “graveyard” of products that maybe I’ll get around to using someday. Such as during a Zombie Apocalypse where I wouldn’t be able to go out and purchase anything else.

Having a couple of hundred of points accumulated, I browsed the Birchbox store and decided to cash out my points by purchasing a 2-pack of Beauty Blenders.

Keep it or kick it?

There are so many other subscription boxes out there to choose from (some truly amazing ones, such as BoxyCharm, The French Box, and Lip Factory) that I feel my $10 is much better put toward a more expensive box that will contain products that I’m more likely to love…and thus more likely to use.

Au revoir, Birchbox. I’ve enjoyed our time together for the most part, but it’s time to go our separate ways.

STATUS: KICKED TO THE CURB.

Just because Birchbox isn’t a good fit for me doesn’t mean that some of you readers won’t love it and find it perfect for your needs. It’s great for sampling new products that you might not have otherwise heard of and the points are a huge perk of a Birchbox subscription. If you’d like to check it out further for yourself, here are some links to get you started:

WEBSITE AND REFERRAL LINK: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/ngb9d
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Birchbox

As always, feel free to follow what I’m up to on the following social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholding-Eye/683364698413511
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBeholdingEye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebeholdingeye

Until next time, stay beautiful…And keep your eyes open for the next Sneak Peek of the Big October Beauty Giveaway. There is one more item to be revealed before entries close and a winner is chosen.

Okay, maybe TWO items. We like to share the love here at The Beholding Eye.

If you haven’t entered yet, click on the Rafflecopter link below and get your name into that proverbial hat…Remember, you can’t win if you don’t enter!

ENTER HERE: a Rafflecopter giveaway