Learning to Crochet Tutorial Part 1 - Chaining and Single Crochet

Welcome! I was going to do a tutorial on one of my favorite stitches, but I didn’t want to leave anyone out who doesn’t know how to crochet yet. So here’s my easy tutorial on learning how to crochet.

Supplies you need:

• Crochet hook (any size, I recommend not starting out with a gigantic hook or a tiny hook because it could make learning a little more challenging. I like to use a size G or J which are both very common)
• Yarn
• A comfortable place to sit

The first stitch we are going to learn is the chain. You will most likely see this abbreviated as CH and this is the base for pretty much any project you will work on.

Starting off you need to make a slipknot. Take the end of your string and drape it over your pointer finger with the long end on the left side. Take the long end and bring it across the bottom of your finger staying under the short string and bring the long side up through the hole that your finger was in and pull tight. Your loop should be adjustable, if you can’t resize your loop you’ve done it wrong.

Ta-da! Slipknot 

Place the loop that you’ve just created over your crochet hook. Take the long tail on the yarn and wrap it around your hook once and use your hook to pull it through the original loop. This should give you 2 loops, one off the hook and one on.

This is what 10 CH looks like

Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull through just like the first time. Continue until you have 10 loops off the hook and 1 on. Your chain is complete and should look similar to this (keep in mind I’m using a gigantic hook so my holes are bigger than what yours should look like)

Moving onto the next row- make sure your row is facing the same way as the picture. Otherwise you'll end up with a not-so-hot mess. This next stitch you're going to learn is called the Single Crochet and you will see it abbreviated as SC. Starting on the second loop from the one that is on your hook (skip the loop right next to the one that is on your hook). With the original loop still on your hook, slide your hook underneath the top portion of your chain.

Yarn over and pull it through just the top loop so you should still have 2 loops on your hook like the picture shows to the right.

Yarn over again and pull through both loops leaving a brand-new single loop on your hook.

Continue on down your row until you finish the last stitch.

 CH 2 and flip your project over so it is pointing in the same direction you started out in. Starting in the last SC stitch you did, stick your hook underneath the top strand on the front side only. (Some patterns will tell you to do the back strand or do both strands, but if doesn't say anything about which side you're supposed to use then it most likely wants you to use the front one). Yarn over and pull through just the top loop to make 2 loops on your hook. Starting to sound familiar? It should! This is exactly how you created the previous row. At the end of every row, make sure to CH two and then flip over before you start the next row.  

You now know the basics of crocheting and can start on simple projects :)

Have fun practicing and I will see you back here for Learning to Crochet Part 2 - Double Crochet, Treble Crochet and the Half-Stitches.

Banish the Rainy Day Boredom

My little Puddle Jumper

If you’re like me and live in a state where it rains at least 75% of the year, it gets hard coming up with new ideas to keep your kiddos occupied and having fun inside. I’m hoping to give you some inspiration to come up with your own ideas to have fun while stuck indoors. Hopefully you’ll have fun too.

One of my favorite things to do if we’re stuck inside is build a fort. We use every pillow in the house along with half of the blankets to stack up and drape over to create this awesome cave where you can color, tell stories, have a picnic or do whatever you want to inside. Half the fun is creating the fort so be creative and see how tall or extravagant you can make it.  If you've got one of those indoor tents, those are just as much fun because you can pretend you're camping. The point is to have fun.

We used a salt-dough ornament recipe and made handprints

I'm a crafty lady and I'm pretty sure my son has inherited my love for everything craft-related so we will sit and draw, paint, color, play with stickers, etc. It lets your kiddos use their creativity and mind to create whatever they want to. When we fingerpaint, I strip my little guy down to his diaper and stick him in his high chair to minimize messes and avoid handprints on the wall. I’ve found a few recipes on the internet for bath paints as well so if you’re hesitant on giving your child paint, that would be a cleaner route. (I think one of the ingredients is baby shampoo). If you have a bunch of old magazines lying around, you can cut out pictures and make collages. They could have a theme if you want such as “springtime” or “flowers”, or you can just have them cut out pictures that they think are pretty or represent them. They can cut out letters to form their name or other words to describe themselves. *Note: If your kiddos are too young to use scissors themselves, have them point out what they want cut and do it for them so you don’t end up with injuries. They can always rip around the pictures they want. It gives the collage a more grunge look to it. You could also make masks and perform a play with them. You could use newspaper, construction paper, scrap paper or whatever you want to make and decorate your masks.

Playing out in the rain

We also like to play dress-up when we’re stuck indoors. From costumes to old clothes or bedsheets, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy and it gives you the opportunity to use your imagination. We pretend we’re pirates and turn the couch into our pirate ship. Whatever you come up with will be fun for the kids. I know I have a blast when we play dress up.

My son loves to have dance parties. If the music has a good beat, he’s shaking his booty. It helps get his extra energy out and if you join it it’ll burn some calories while being fun at the same time. I’m a horrible dancer but I do it anyway because it’s so much fun. If you’re being silly and letting loose, it shows your kiddos that it’s ok to be yourself and have a good time even if you look silly doing it. I find that breaking out the “running man” and the “sprinkler” always gets a laugh and I find myself laughing right along. (Which also burns more calories)

Our Movie Night Spot

Have a movie night (or day). We like to grab every pillow and blanket we have in the house and drag everything to the couch to build a gigantic comfy fort/bed to lay on while we’re watching movies. What movie night would be complete without refreshments? Pop a couple of bags of popcorn or grab a bag of chex mix or whatever you feel like snacking on during the movie. My son is very vocal during movies, so it’s nice to be able to watch a full movie without him disturbing the other movie goers. (I have gotten dirty looks from childless couples when we’ve taken him to the matinee showing of children’s movies. It’s stupid and I shouldn’t have to worry about my child bothering people during a movie made for children at a time in the day when the theaters are full of children, but it is what it is.) Another bonus of watching a movie at your house is that you can pause it to go to the restroom or if you have to get up to get more snacks.

If I ever run out of ideas, I turn to Google or Pinterest. There are so many ideas floating around on the net to keep you and your kiddos occupied during the icky weather.

Bissell Cleanview Onepass Vacuum Review

With our tax return this year, we decided to buy a new vacuum. Our old one was old and tired and just wasn’t cutting it anymore with a toddler and a cat. I turned to Google to check out the selection and it was kind of intimidating at first. We weren’t sure what we wanted but we knew we didn’t want something super-fancy with a bunch of extra attachments that would break the bank, but at the same time we didn’t want something that was going to break after a week of using it.

I was shopping in BigLots and saw this really cool vacuum made by Shark that was also a steam-cleaner. (I think) I didn’t know much about it besides that I was always seeing their infomercials on late night TV and I’m always leery about those products. Sometimes you get a really great product and then other times you regret your purchase. I didn’t want to regret my purchase so I went home and started doing my research. When I went back to Biglots they were all gone, so I had to find one somewhere else.

I turned to Amazon to do the rest of my research and shopping. I find that the customer reviews are so helpful to figure out if this is the right product for you. One of the great things about being an Amazon Prime member is that you can find most things you’re looking for with free 2-day shipping. Who doesn’t love free shipping?

I finally had it narrowed down to this one Shark vacuum that I thought would be perfect. It had great reviews and was in the price range that we were looking for, but I just didn’t feel like this was the one. I know that sounds dumb, but my husband vacuums every day. Literally. So this vacuum will get used A LOT.

I’m not sure why the Bissell didn’t come up in my original search, but when I went back to shopping it came up. What caught my eye was the amount of stars for the price. A 4 ½ star vacuum for under $70 shipped? This deal sounded too good to be true, but it wasn’t. It had great reviews and did everything we wanted it to do and had the extra tools to go with it, so I bought it.

When it showed up there was some assembly required, but it was simple and didn’t take long to put together. The vacuum itself is fairly lightweight and picks up pretty much everything. I was a little worried that after getting used a few times that the suction would become less and less, but we’ve had it over 3 months and it is as powerful as the day we got it.

Awkward cord placement

I really like how easy it is to empty the canister. All you have to do is hold it over the garbage can and push the button on the back of the canister. I do recommend holding it a little inside the garbage can in case dust comes back up and giving it a couple of shakes before closing the lid again. Another awesome bonus is that one of the filters is washable, not disposable. Saves you a little more $.

Overall I’d have to say that the Bissell Onepass is an awesome vacuum. The only complaints that my husband had were that the power switch is in a weird spot and the cord doesn’t stay in the clip on the handle and when it is in the clip, it's awkward. I haven’t found anything that I don’t like about it yet, so I’d have to recommend this vacuum if you’re in the market. You can’t go wrong for the price.

My Favorite Sites to Get Freebies and Coupons

I love getting free samples. Heck, I love anything that comes in the mail that isn't a bill. I've come across a few sites that have combed the internet and compiled all of the freebies out there.  Here are my favorites:

• www.hip2save.com - This one is the one I usually hit up first. She's got everything super organized and it makes everything easier to find. Not only does she find the freebies, but she's got coupons, sweepstakes, DIY craft tips, recipes, restaurant offers, etc. What I really like about this site is that she's got tips on how to coupon and has a whole section for coupon newbies. She's awesome and knows what she's talking about.

• www.sweetfreestuff.com - This is usually my second stop on the freebie train. What I really like about this site is that the freebies are right on the main page and you don't have to go looking for them. This site is also super organized and easy to navigate. You will find duplicates of the freebies from the site above but you will find quite a few that the other site has missed.

• www.bzzagent.com - This one you have to work a little bit harder to get your freebies, but when you get included on a bzzcampaign they send you full size to try out instead of sample size.  You have to create an account to use this website and have to run through a whole slew of surveys to get enough points to be included on the campaigns. I put at least an hour into filling out surveys over a few day span. They use the surveys you fill out to fit you into a bzzcampaign appropriate for you, so you don't end up being a tester on a product you wouldn't normally use. How are you going to sample cat food if you don't have a cat?

• www.thefreebieblogger.com - This one is fairly new to me but it is very user friendly and organized. On top of having freebies and coupons, they also have links to sites similar to Bzzagent and mypoints. If you have lots of free time on your hands then I recommend heading over to the Freebie Blogger and click on the "earn" tab.
  
   I'm always on the hunt for awesome freebie sites so when I find more I'll add them to the list.  In the meantime, check out those sites and enjoy your freebies!

How to Have Fun in the Summer for Cheap (or Free!)

Summer is coming and if you’re like me, you want to go out and play in the sunshine! I’d LOVE to take my little guy to the water park every day, but lets face it - I’m too cheap. (Not like I could afford it anyway). If you’re anything like me, you want to find the cheapest (if not free) way to have fun. I’m here to help you! Here’s a few free ideas to keep your summer fun and don’t forget to bring your camera!

I’ve noticed a lot of “splash pads” popping up around my area. If you have one of these near you - check it out. If your kid loves water as much as mine does, you’ll have a blast. Just remember that you need to pack all the necessities you’d take to the pool - i.e. towel, sunscreen, change of clothes, little swimmer diaper (if your little is still in diapers), etc. and don’t forget the snacks! Your little one will work up an appetite running through the water and playing.

The library is also another good place to go. Our local library has summer activities and story time for the kids. I know it’s not outdoor, but I live in Washington state, so I know we’re going to have some rainy days this summer and those are the perfect days to hang out at the library.

Go exploring! Whether it’s a hike you’ve never been on or maybe a new park you’ve never been to, going new places is exciting for everyone. I’m planning on taking my little guy on a scavenger hunt the next time we go hiking. The list won’t be anything extravagant because I’d like to be able to find the things on my list. It will be things like a rock shaped like a heart, moss that looks like spiderwebs, 3 different colored mushrooms, etc. It’s fun brainstorming items to put on your list.

Visit your local fire department. They love to give tours to kids and show them how everything works in the fire station. Not only is it free - it’s fun and informative. I bet you’ll even learn a bunch yourself.

Make kites and then fly them! I remember making a kite out of some sticks and brown paper bags when we were little and they did better than the fancy, expensive kites. Plus, your little one will be proud to show off their beautiful piece of flying art. If you need some inspiration, Google it. I know it sounds silly, but I turn to Google every time I don’t know the answer to something.

Spend the day at the beach! Plan to have a picnic lunch and bring all of your favorite beach toys. Have a mini sandcastle building competition or have a mini scavenger hunt. There are so many things to do at the beach besides just playing in the water. If you’re anywhere near the ocean like we are, looking through the tide pools is a lot of fun too. Be sure to check out the tide tables before you go so that the tide pools will be accessible. Here’s a link to NOAA’s tide tables: http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/. If you don’t have access to the beach, bring the water to you! Fill up a wading pool or some large pots with water and play. When I was little, we kept breaking the wading pool, so my parents took the biggest pots they could find and would fill them up with water so we could each have our own mini wading pool.

Have a dance party. My son and I LOVE to boogie down at every opportunity. AND it’s a great way to burn calories and get those wiggles out of you little one. Make sure your playlist is full of fun and upbeat songs to keep the fun going.

If your little one is into cars like mine is and you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, make a masking/painter’s tape racetrack. The tape is gentle so you shouldn’t have a hard time peeling it up when you’re finished and it won’t ruin your floors. The best part is that you can make the track as big or as small as you’d like. Have your little one help you “design” your track. It keeps them interested and lets them feel proud that they created this fun map on the floor.

Make a bird feeder. It doesn’t have to be complicated. If you spread some peanut butter on a pine cone and then roll it in birdseed, you’ve got a cheap and easy bird feeder. You can always search DIY bird feeder on Google and see what you come up with.

Check out your local Boys & Girls Club. They always have fun things going on during the summer for kids of all ages. Some of my fondest memories are at the B&GC - playing pool, taking tumbling classes, playing basketball, playing BINGO, etc. It’s also a great place for your little ones to interact and make friends with kids they might not go to school with. Think of it as kind of a free daytime summer camp.

If I ever run out of ideas of fun things to do, I turn to Google. I usually search for things like “Free things to do at home with your toddler” or “fun summer activities to do with your child”. You could even make it specific to your area if you want to go out and have an adventure. It doesn’t matter where you go, or if you stay home, as long as you’re having fun. With an almost -year old, I find myself always having to come up with new ways to keep this smart little boy entertained. Don’t be afraid to be creative and use your imagination. Break out of your shell and find new ways to have fun with the kiddos.

BirchBox Review May 2014

I received my 2nd BirchBox in the mail on 5/21/14 and it always makes my day to see that brightly colored little package sitting in my mailbox.  My neighbors probably think I’m nuts when I open my mailbox and yell “OH HELL YES!” When you get your BirchBox in the mail you’ll totally understand my excitement.

In this BirchBox I received:

• Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
• Caldrea Body Lotion in Aloe Water Apricot
• Caldrea Body Wash in Tea Olive Lime
• Color Club Art Duo Pen in Black
• Supergoop! Everyday SPF 30 with Cellular Response Technology
• Kérastase Masque Cristal

I’ll start with the Caldrea Body Lotion and the Caldrea Body Wash  since the lotion was the first thing I sampled. I like the fact that they gave me a sample of each scent so I could smell both. I’m not a fan of the Aloe Water Apricot. It was too sweet for me and it was super strong. The lotion itself was pretty good. It was thick and creamy and kept my skin feeling soft for a good amount of time. The scent sticks around for a long while too, which wouldn’t have been a bad thing if I liked the scent in the first place.  The body wash was a thick gel and a little bit seemed to go a long way. The scent of the Tea Olive Lime was very refreshing and light.  It didn’t overpower and even with the body wash, the light scent stuck around for a while. I’d definitely purchase the set in the Tea Olive Lime scent.

The Supergoop! lotion was very light and didn’t leave my skin feeling oily or greasy. I was a little worried at first that the lotion wouldn’t protect as well as the sunscreen I am used to using because the consistency was so thin, but I wore it all day and didn’t get burned. Other sunscreens are so thick that they clog the pores on my face and make me break out. Supergoop! did not, which is a big win in my book!

The Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint was awesome because it’s got SPF in it, I just didn’t notice much of a tint when I applied it. I did notice a sparkle, which is always nice because it gives you a nice, healthy glow. I paired this with my normal concealer and I liked the little extra  sparkle and knowing that my face was protected from UV rays.

The Color Club Art Duo Pen in black is awesome. The tips come in two sizes: one for regular lines and one for super fine lines. I am horrible at drawing, so decorating my nails is not really an option besides the one color mani/pedi. I did find it very useful while crafting, so I might pick up the 4-pack of colors for that.

The instructions for the Kérastase Masque Cristal sample didn’t explain how you are supposed to use it, so I haven’t had a chance to get online and look up what exactly it is for and how it is used.  It’s kinda silly to include something that doesn’t come with instructions on how to use it, don’t you think? I know, I’m just being lazy by not googling how to use the stuff (shame on me) but I’ll do it before the next BirchBox shows up and include it with that review.

I cannot wait for my next BirchBox to show up to test out some new goodies! Stay tuned for more when it does, but in the meantime here’s the link to join: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/BeeBeeandJacl

Good Practices on Keeping Yourself Safe

I ride public transit every day to get to and from work. Since I ride with the commuters, I feel safe but I never let my guard down. You never know who is up to no good and you always have to look out for yourself. It’s good to get in the habit of making yourself aware of your surroundings and to keep your eyes up and looking around. Here are a few practices I follow to make myself feel safe while I’m walking to and from the bus or car.

If you’re going to be walking for a long distance, plan your route to avoid the “shady” areas. For example: By my office, 2nd and 3rd avenues between University Street and Stewart Ave are where all the homeless and druggies hang out. I avoid these areas like the plague so I won’t be hit up for money or cigarettes every 5 feet, also I’m a pretty, white female. I’m not trying to get jumped or raped.

Avoid empty parking lots, alleys or any other deserted area. Those areas are where all the bad things happen. If the parking lot you parked in is deserted, make sure to survey the area and have your keys in your hand and ready to unlock the door before you get anywhere near your car. The faster you can get into your vehicle, the better and make sure you lock your doors the second you’re in. If there is something tucked under your windshield, DO NOT retrieve it. Drive to the closest gas station or a well-lit populated area before you retrieve it. Rapists and car thieves like to use this trick to get you out of your car. It only takes a second of having your back turned to become a victim. They are also tying cans to the back bumper of your car to get you to jump out really quickly with the car running to check it out. The second you’re around the back fender they jump in and take off with your car AND your purse. If you hear a noise when you go to pull out of your spot, turn off your car and take your keys out of the ignition before you check it out. Your keys also work as a weapon if you have nothing else. What I do is hold the keys in your hand with the key tips and teeth sticking out between your fingers. This way you can punch an attacker and do more damage. If you have to use your keys as a weapon, make sure you go for the vulnerable spots like the eyes.

If you’re using the ATM at night, be aware of everyone around you. If you don’t feel safe, don’t risk it and find another ATM. It's not worth getting mugged because you need cash.  An alternative to an ATM is going to the grocery store and getting cash back from your purchase.

If you’re being robbed at all, do not fight the assailant. Your best bet is to throw your purse or wallet one way and then run the opposite direction. The thief will most likely go after your possessions and you can escape safely. Good ways to avoid tempting a thief is to not wear flashy jewelry or watches, don’t carry expensive handbags, don’t wear expensive headphones and don’t walk around with your phone out. The less it looks like you have, the more likely you’ll be left alone.

I carry a pocket knife wherever I go. There are rules on carrying knives, so be sure to check out your local laws on pocket knives so you don’t find yourself in trouble with the law. My knife is ⅓ the size of my hand when it is folded and flips out easily so I can have it ready when I need it. I haven’t needed it yet, but I feel a lot safer walking to my car by myself. A lot of the women I work with carry pepper spray. You can find pepper spray in most sporting goods stores and I know Rite Aid carries it behind the counter with the tobacco products. There is also a company that makes a phone case that doubles as a taser. They currently only make it for the iPhone but they’re working on one for different phones. http://www.yellowjacketcase.com/

If you live alone, its best to get in the habit of always locking your doors and windows. If you’ve got the chain on your door, use it on top of the deadbolt and doorknob locks. Even if you’re just stepping out for a second or you’re staying in for the night. I immediately lock our front door the second I close it even if I’m not home alone. You never know when some random person is going to try and let themselves into your house. Be suspicious of people who come around the neighborhood knocking on doors to “sell magazine subscriptions”. Unless they’re a part of the Boy Scouts or some youth group, they’re probably casing the neighborhood to see who is home and using the magazine bit as a cover.

If you’re being attacked from behind, remember the acronym SING (Yes this is from Miss Congeniality, but it is great advice) SING stands for Solar-Plexus, Insole, Nose and Groin. Jam your elbow as hard as you can into their stomach, stomp as hard as you can on their insole, elbow them in the nose and back-kick them in the groin (their crotch, family jewels, junk, whatever you call it). Doing this will immobilize your attacker long enough to get away. 

If you feel a place is unsafe, chances are that it is. Follow your gut instincts because they could save your life. I hope you never have to worry about being mugged or attacked, but it’s better to be prepared for it.

BirchBox Review April 2014's Box

I received my first BirchBox in the mail 5/01/14 (signed up at the end of April). When I opened the mailbox to check the mail and I saw that pink box I squealed with joy. I love getting samples in the mail, so when I heard BirchBox will send you samples in the mail every month for $10, I was all over it. I’m one of those people who’s got multiple free sample sites in my favorites and hit them up daily. What I like most about BirchBox is that they send samples based on my preferences that I wouldn’t normally try out on my own.

This box’s theme was “Rainy Days” which is perfect for April (especially here where it rains from January until June). When I opened the box there was this cute little blue card that is #26 of 52 Bright Ideas for a Rainy Day: “Head online and shop for a new umbrella. That way you’ll be prepared for the next rainy day”. Good advice, but not for someone who works in Downtown where the wind will destroy your umbrella in 2.5 seconds flat. I took a peek at some of the other cards on the website and they have so many more great ideas not only to help with rainy day boredom, but also to help get you out of a rainy day funk if you’re feeling a little down due to the weather.

The samples I got for this month are: Suman Contrast Eye Pencil by Sumita beauty, a mini nail polish in "Breakfast at..." by Color Club, and a leave-in conditioner/detangler from Beauty Protector, a sample of the fragrance Yogini by Harvey Prince and a healthy grain bar by KIND.

I’m going to start with the Healthy Grain Bar by KIND. The flavor I got was maple pumpkin seeds with sea salt and it tasted a lot like the maple and brown sugar oatmeal with a hint of salt added in. I thought it was delicious. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty and doesn’t make you feel guilty because it’s actually good for you. All of the healthy grain bars by KIND are gluten and GMO free which is awesome because it’s getting harder and harder to find GMO free foods and a lot of people are having to cut gluten out of their diets. I really like that they added quinoa into their bars because it is so good for you but I have a heck of a time trying to get my son and husband to eat it. This way they don’t know it’s in there and they think they’re getting a sweet snack. Win-win all around!

The Suman Color Contrast Eye Pencil looks like any ordinary eyeliner but don’t let it fool you. This pencil glides on for easy application and when it dries it becomes smudge-proof.  I’m not normally someone who wears eyeliner because I can never get the lines even and I always end up rubbing my eyes at some point in the day and wipe most of my eye makeup off. This stuff withstands all my eye rubbing. I was very shocked to see that I was still wearing eyeliner when I looked in the mirror after I got home. Usually I have a heck of a time trying to get the rest of my eyeliner off but this came right off with a little eye makeup remover. I will definitely be buying another when my sample runs out.

The mini nail polish by Color Club is called “Breakfast at…” which is a great name for it. The blue is very close to the color of that little blue box that everyone loves but it’s got this awesome gold sparkle to it. It sort of reminds me of a chameleon paint job on a car. At first I wasn’t sure of the color because I usually opt for pinks or reds on my nails, but this color has really grown on me. I have gotten so many compliments on the color. Another bonus is that this polish seems pretty durable. It took about a week before I saw any serious wear on my toes, on my fingers it chipped pretty much immediately. I will definitely be buying more of these in the future.

The leave-in conditioner/detangler by Beauty Protector is amazing. My hair is super curly, frizzy and unmanageable 95% of the time. With a few spritzes of this stuff, my hair was easy to brush and style. The best part is that when my hair dried I didn’t have all these crazy fly-away hairs sticking up all over my head like I usually do. My 3-year-old’s hair was feeling dry and he was starting to get a couple of dry patches on his scalp, so I gave him a couple of spritzes and his hair felt amazing when it dried. It was still soft after 2 washes and I noticed the dry spots were starting to clear up. I will definitely be buying the full size when my sample runs out.

And last but not least is the perfume “Yogini” by Harvey Prince. I personally didn’t like this perfume. It’s not that it doesn’t smell good (because it does), it’s just not my style. It reminds me if the Issey Miyaki fragrance “L’eau d’Issey” which my sister wears. She was really excited at the idea of having the same fragrance and only spending a fraction of the cost. Not good news for Issey but great news for us.

I’m looking forward to finding my May box sitting in the mailbox and will have reviews on those samples as well. If you’d like to sign up for a BirchBox, it’s only $10 a month and is personalized for you. Plus if you review your samples on their website, they’ll give you 10 points for each review. 100 points = $10 and most of their stuff comes with free shipping. Here’s a link if you want to sign up :) https://www.birchbox.com/invite/BeeBeeandJack