Not Another LA Blonde

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Wedding Wednesday: The Ring Boxes
Happy Wedding Wednesday! I got my September The Ring Boxes box in the mail last month and I know I’m super late on this, but let me tell you…there were a lot of super cute things in the box that any bride-to-be would love! So I decided that even though it’s October now, I still wanted to show y’all what I got in my box last month.

“Who doesn’t love flaunting that fiancé title and flashing your new fabulous bling! You always want to have all the newest and cutest bride to be goodies when you’re engaged and The Ring Boxes gives you just that, one big box full of all the most popular and fabulous bridal products each and every month leading to your special day! Each month we arrange a new box packed with full sized custom gifts, wedding décor, beauty and spa products as well as date night perks! Giving our brides the ultimate bridal experience.”

BACKGROUND: The Ring Boxes was created in January 2017 so it’s still pretty new. It features handpicked bridal items delivered right to your door each month. You can choose from monthly, 3 month, 6 month or 12 month packages. The price varies depending on which subscription you choose. Since my wedding is exactly a year away, I choose the 12 month package which brought my pricing to $35/month or $420 for the year. A single box costs $40. This box is the perfect subscription for the bride-to-be!

Here is a BREAKDOWN of the SEPTEMBER goodies in my box:
1. Rose Gold Bride Bracelet by With Love From Katie – Retail Value = $23.00
This custom rose gold bar bracelet has been hand stamped with love from Katie! You can check her out on her website for perfectly imperfect one of a kind jewelry! You can also find her on Instagram @With.love.from.katie Brides… use coupon code “IDO10” at checkout to save 10% off your whole order! Ok so how cute is this bracelet!? It’s super lightweight and dainty. It’s perfect for every bride-to-be and is easily worn. You know just by looking at it that it has been made with love. I love wearing mine and wish I knew someone getting married so I could get them one!
1. Couples Pillow Cases designed by Mush Made – Retail Value = $24.99
These sweet custom pillowcases are the perfect addition to any bed! I couldn’t find the exact ones that I got in my box, but I found this set on Etsy which is almost an exact match! Bed, Bath and Beyond also has two options you can get that are super cute as well! And of course Etsy has plenty of other options to find a look that you love! AHHH ok these are also super cute! They look great as décor pillows as I would definitely not sleep on them. They are perfect for decoration and look good on any bed! I can’t wait until the fiancé and I get our own place and I can put them on our bed!
1. I DO Candle by Lux Illume – Retail Value = $15.50
Third in its series the bright and bubbly floral blend of Magnolia and champagne captures the magic of the moment when you say “I do”. You can purchase this in the Illuminating Love Collection. This is the 3^rd candle in the series and the 3^rd one that I’ve received. These candles are great and really last a long time. This one smells great!
1. Satin Sleeping Mask – Retail Value = $18.00
I couldn’t find the exact sleeping mask I received but you can find similar ones on Etsy and, of course, on Amazon. Every bride needs her beauty sleep! Block out the sun with this elegant satin sleeping mask. While this is really cute, I’m not all that into sleeping masks. I’ve read all about the benefits, but I just don’t like something covering my eyes while I sleep. This might be the only thing that came in my box this month that I didn’t love.
1. Reasons I Want To Journal by JournalingJane – Retail Value = $6.50
I found this and so many other cute wedding themed journals on the JournalingJane etsy page. They range in price from about $5.50 to about $12.00. Write out the reasons you want to marry your sweetheart for a meaningful gift to give them the night before your wedding that they will treasure forever. This journal is sooo cute. I was already looking at the one that says “a journal of the last 100 days of our engagement”. I think this would be the perfect gift to give your future Mr. and something that you can both go back and look at forever.
1. Personalized Stroopwafel Wedding Favor – Retail Value = $1.50 each
Your wedding guests will love these unique treats so much! Give them away as a single or set of stroopies individually wrapped and personalized favors. Available as a circle or heart shape to add even more love to your wedding day. This item is from gourmetweddinggifts.com This is a super cute idea, I’m not sure if it’s the direction that we’re going in for our wedding, but they have a lot of options to choose from.

BONUS!!!

The box also came with 2 recipe cards. One was a recipe for the bride to be and the other was a recipe for the perfect date night. One was “Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta” and the other is for “Roasted Potatoes and Kielbasa”. They both come with a recommended wine pairing. I think that this is such a good idea for the soon to be bride to have a collection of recipes to make. I can’t wait to try out both of these recipes!

THE VALUE

The value of September’s box is $89.50! This is a little low compared to other months, but is still worth more than what you are paying for the box! While there are some items that I wouldn’t pay for or wouldn’t pay that high of a price for, I felt that the items in the September box were REALLY good. I was super pleased with my box last month and it just makes me even more excited for the big day in 8 months!

I think this box is a great for the bride-to-be and I can’t wait to see what the rest of my year subscription has in store for me! After my year is up and I’m married I will cancel my subscription but only because I will no longer need a bride-to-be box delivered to my door every month!

XOXO
October 11, 2017
Top 8 Fall Must Haves
Happy Tuesday y’all!!! I hope y’all had a GREAT weekend even though that was a few days ago now! I kicked off my weekend with a high school football game where my brother’s team beat their local rival (it was a nail bitter!) and then spent all day Sunday stopping some Bridesmaids from fighting with each other via email!

As we all know, Friday was the first official day of Fall and it had me thinking about changing up my wardrobe and adding some cooler weather pieces to my everyday look. Even though Fall doesn’t really start in SoCal until at least mid-October to November, there’s never a wrong time to add a few key pieces.

So to kick off the Fall season I’ve decided to share with y’all some of my favorite items for Fall so far. I have 5 out of the 8 items posted and the rest is in my shopping cart to buy when I get home from work! All of the pieces I’m linking are budget friendly and super cute!
1. Billabong “Dance With Me” Sweater – $55.95 This sweater is super cute and I actually found it while I was in Catalina with my family. It was the last one and I knew I had to buy it. It goes perfect with a pair of skinny jeans and low booties. It can be found at Nordstrom in sizes S-L in the color “White Cap” and on the Billabong website but only in a size L. I know that this sweater is a little more on the expensive side, but it is so worth it!
1. Lucky Brand “Brooke” Ripped Skinny Jeans – $59.99 These are originally $100 at Macy’s but are on SALE! These are currently in my cart and I’m so excited about them because I’ve been looking for a pair of ripped jeans that weren’t too ripped! They are currently almost sold out and are only available in sizes 25-29 so hurry and check them out if you like them!
1. Leopard print Scarf – $19 I found this scarf during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and only paid $11.90 for it. It’s super cut and lightweight which means it’s the perfect transitional piece.
1. Madden Girl “Addy” Peep-Toe Block-Heel Dress Sandals – $59.00 I found these at Macy’s in July when I went shopping for my birthday. You can also find them online at Belk for the same price. They come in chestnut (I have this color) and in black. They are true to size and zip on the side so it makes them easy to put on and take off (I wear a 6.5 and they fit perfectly). These peep toe booties are sooo cute and perfect for fall; throw them on with a pair of jeans, a white tee and that super cute leopard scarf and you’ve got yourself a cute, but casual look.
1. Billabong “Dance With Me” Sweater – $55.95 I bought this sweater during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale after I fell in love with the cream color one. I highly recommend trying to find this sweater on sale because I only paid $39.90 instead of full price. Again this type of sweater can be found at Nordstrom and at Billabong. On the Billabong website this sweater also comes in Ash Rose in sizes S-L.
1. Madden Girl “Fayth” Booties – $79.00 I am so bad, I had these in my shopping cart and did a little later night shopping. I found these booties at Macy’s and I can’t wait for them to come in the mail. These zip up the back and I ordered a 6.5 so hopefully they run true to size and I don’t have to exchange them. These come in three different colors (black, brown, and sand); I had such a hard time deciding between the brown and the sand but ended up going with the brown. I love the detailing on the back which is all the rage right now in the bootie world and the heel is low enough on them that wearing them all day shouldn’t be an issue.
1. Caslon Rounded V-Neck Tee – $25.00 This basic tee can be found at Nordstrom’s in a variety of colors. The website says that this shirt runs large and to order one size down if between sizes. I currently have this in my cart and I think that I’m going to go ahead and buy the Petite XS. The good thing about Nordstrom is that it’s FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS so win-win. This “Beige Rainy Day” color would go perfectly with the jeans mentioned above and either pair of booties in this article. You could also throw on that leopard scarf and you’re good to go. I’ve been looking for a good, simple v-neck and I hope this one doesn’t disappoint!
1. Steve Madden Women’s “Glenda” Athletic Mules – $79.00 I found these slip ons at Macy’s and we all know these are huge right now! These come in four colors: black suede, grey suede, pink suede, and rose gold. You can also find these on com for $49.98 or at DSW for full price! These would be perfect with shorts or some cropped jeans.
With all things Macy’s related, I like to wait until there is some kind of sale going on (and there always is) before I buy the more expensive pieces at a much cheaper price. All of the items in this shown here are under $100 which makes them very wallet friendly. Let’s hope that Fall comes to SoCal soon because I’m a little over the heat and bi-polar weather we have. It’s that time of the year where it’s sweater weather in the morning and by lunch you wish you had an outfit change.

Let me know if any of y’all picked up any great fall pieces that you want to share with me!

XOXO
September 26, 2017
Target Beauty Box – September: Your New Basics
Happy Thursday!! Thank goodness it’s almost the weekend; it’s just been one of those weeks that seems like you have a million things to do but not enough time (go to an Angel baseball game or finish the cheer bows you need to make? Both!)! For instance…this post, I got my box in the mail about a week ago and I’m only just now getting around writing about it. Good thing tomorrow is my off day!

The Target Beauty Box is a one-time purchase monthly box that includes deluxe and full sized beauty products that you can find at Target and of course other retailers. This month there were 2 boxes available, so I purchased both!

The box varies in price from $7-$10 so it’s relatively inexpensive to purchase a box. This month the box was $7! I like that you can choose every month if you want to buy the box or not since it’s not an actual subscription.

Here is a BREAKDOWN of the SEPTEMBER goodies:
1. Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Jar – Value for 7 ml = $2.10
A full size, 1.7 oz., jar retails for $14.99 in store. “Packed with a specially designed Antioxidant complex of Vitamins C, E, and super-fruits Goji berry, & Pomegranate, these water-light formulas are clinically proven to actively repair and protect skin’s moisture barrier improving skin’s healthy and youthful look over time.” I’m not always a fan of day time moisturizers just because I feel like they make me oily during the day but this was not the case with this moisturizer. I really like the Garnier brand so I was excited to see this in my box.
1. Acure Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo – Value for 1.3 oz. = $1.62
A regular 8 oz. bottle of this shampoo is $10 in the store. “ACURE’s Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, smooth, and manageable. Sulfate-free and safe for color treated hair, organic Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil hydrate and smooth, Argan Stem Cells & Pumpkin Seed Oil boost healthy hair growth, CoQ10 supports healthy keratin production. Lock in moisture, repair damage, and strengthen hair follicles with ACURE’s nutrient-rich shampoo!” While I’m not a huge fan of all of this brand’s products, I’m always willing to try out a new shampoo/conditioner. Lately my hair has been pretty dry (idk if it’s the weather or what) so I was excited to see this hydrating shampoo in my box. After using it, I felt like my hair was actually thanking me for giving it “water” hahaha
1. Acure Ultra-Hydrating Conditioner – Value for 1.3 oz. = $1.62
A regular 8 oz. bottle of this shampoo is $10 in the store. “ACURE’s Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Conditioner provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, smooth and manageable. Safe for color treated hair, organic Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil hydrate and smooth, Argan Stem Cells & Pumpkin Seed Oil boost healthy hair growth and CoQ10 supports healthy keratin production. Lock in moisture, repair damage, and strengthen hair follicles with ACURE’s nutrient-rich conditioner!” I used this with the shampoo since I wanted the full effect of using the set together (I usually mix and match my shampoo/conditioner). As with the shampoo, I liked how my hair felt after using this and will most likely purchase again to mix in the schedule between my blonde shampoo days!
1. Total Tease Mascara – in Very Black Washable = $7.99
This is a full size product!! “Unlike traditional volumizing Mascaras that can leave a clumpy mess, Total Tease Mascara is defined to catch, comb, and tease for perfectly refined, long full lashes. Lash Teasing comb provides precision separation for a clutter-free lash look with 5X/500% volume.” I can’t remember the last time I bought COVERGIRL mascara…wait I can’t remember the last time I bought mascara period. I’m ALWAYS a huge fan of trying out new mascaras and let’s just say that I was not disappointed in this one. I liked the coverage that it gave my lashes and in terms of mascara isn’t too expensive. I will def be buying this one again.
1. Simple Micellar Water –Value for 1.9 oz. = $1.27
A full 13.5 oz. bottle of this retails for $8.99 in store. “Simple Micellar Cleansing Water thoroughly cleanses and instantly hydrates skin and unclogs pores with a formula that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. Made with triple purified water and skin-loving ingredients, this cleanser uses tiny molecular balls known as micelles to entrap and dissolve dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities–all without the need for harsh, irritating chemicals. It also instantly boosts skin hydration by 90%, leaving your skin feeling soft, fresh, and revitalized.” AHHH yes I love micellar water. I’ve tried a couple different kinds, but there was something about this one. It didn’t leave my face feeling dried out or slightly sticky. This was super easy to use with my cotton rounds that I also received in this box. This was the travel size so it’s super inexpensive plus a little goes a long way so I won’t have to continuously purchase this item!
1. up&up Premium Cotton Rounds– Value for 2 = $0.06
These are only $0.99 for a 30 pack of cotton rounds! “up&up premium cotton rounds are made with 100% pure cotton. The dual sided design creates a strong, soft and lint free cotton round for all your skin care needs. Gentle enough for all skin types.” These are seriously the best! I use them for EVERYTHING from taking off my eye makeup at the end of the day, to wiping my face with micellar water, to taking off my nail polish. These are super affordable and I am A-OK with buying the Target brand!
1. Sensodyne ProNamel Strong & Bright – Value for 2 oz. = $3.99
The full size is only 3 oz. and retails for $5.99. “Strong Enamel Whiter Teeth; Clinically Proven Enamel Strengthening; Advanced Brightening System” I don’t have sensitive teeth, but this toothpaste works just the same. I loved the way my teeth felt nice and clean after using and left me with a minty taste in my mouth. A definite go to product!
1. NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion – Value = $5.49
This is a FULL size product! “Contains nourishing almond oil, moisturizes wet skin in seconds, and leaves no sticky feel.” This is the perfect size for my gym bag! Why take the extra step of drying off and then putting on lotion when you can just put this on while your still wet and then get dressed as normal. I don’t know about you, but I hate putting lotion on my legs and then putting jeans on. With this lotion I don’t get that feeling of my legs getting stuck because they’re already moisturized and dry! If you haven’t already, go try this product!

THE VALUE

The value of this September Beauty Box is approximately $24.14. Since this box was only $7.27 including tax and shipping (I have free shipping + 5% off with my Target Debit Card) this is still a great deal even though the value is a little low! There were 8 items in my box this month and 2 were full sized items. This is perfect for trying out a new product that you may not normally buy.

I think this box is a great deal and I love trying new products every month! I also love the fact that if I don’t like the box one month, I don’t have to buy it! The only thing is if you want the box, you have to be quick because they do sell out every month. I can’t wait to see what will be in the August box!

XOXO
September 21, 2017