A new year a new box from My Little Box. Illustrated by regular artist Kamako the box edge offers us the MLB team’s wishes for the upcoming box, which is rather lovely.
Inside the colour theme of mint green and soft yellow/orange. As well as a lovely quote card for your wall, there’s a copy of the in-house magazine (and it’s staying a magazine, woohoo!)
Then there are the treats, and what a selection they’ve picked.
There’s a green and gold diary, perfect if you haven’t already got one, full of little messages and illustrations.
The little cloth bag holds three treats, a full size tub of Garnier Miracle Wake Up Cream, a little bottle of Ren 3 – in – 1 micellar cleansing water and a My Little Beauty lip balm.
There’s one final treat in the box. A set of message bracelets to wear yourself or give to friends.
I’m really happy with this box, MLB had a few weak ones last year but are starting strong in 2016.
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments.
The inspiration for this post is Iris Apfel, 90 something New York eccentric, whose ethos seems to be “more is more”. She is my aspiration for old me.
I love her!
As a larger lady (Argh, the phrases we use – plus size, plus size to what??) I have become an expert at accessories. When you have lots of friends skinnier than you, you improvise.
You buy jewellery, bags, shoes and accessories so you don’t feel so awkward in shops that don’t cater for you. So bitchy shop assistants don’t look at you and laugh (I’m looking at you, girls in Top Shop). So you feel like you belong on the girly shopping trip.
To be honest, I hated being a fat teenager, and I wasn’t even that big, just bigger than my friends. The average size woman in the UK is a 16 (what that means varies brand to brand, and even within brands), but shops seem to tail off size wise at a 14.
It is better now, there are a few more options but still, there’s so much shame around being over that average and wanting to wear nice clothes, it makes me furious.
I have been both much bigger than I am today and also much skinnier. Everyone’s body is different, how we got to where we are varies just as wildly.
Without this becoming a therapy session – my weight has medical causes and emotional ones – my relationship with food is a mess. One I’m trying to get a handle on.
My best friend, who I love dearly, called me the accessories queen and she knows everything about me. I have turned adding the right accessory to an outfit into an art form.
It helps to be a magpie, with an eye for sparkly, unusual stuff.
I love this, it's so true
My cupboard/wardrobe/storage space in my tiny flat is crammed with earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, pins, bags, shoes, scarves (I got the Mr to put up a scarf rail for me, it’s heaving). You name it, I probably have it, but can’t guarantee I can find it.
Annoyingly I can’t wear earrings much anymore, two years ago I got an infection in my earlobe, ten years after getting them pierced, and since then they’ve been very sensitive to metal. It frustrates me because I have fantastic earrings and good sized lobes to hang them from.
My scarf addiction has caused disagreements, but you can chuck a scarf of any design on over an outfit and make it amazing. Jeans and a T-shirt, funky scarf boosts it from slobbing about to lunch ready. LBD, contrasting design worn like a shawl, gorgeous. Trust me.
I love finding a necklace that works with different necklines, from collars to décolletage, there’s a different design for every occasion.
An eye catching ring, sparkling in the light, can draw the eye to or away from your nails, depending on their condition. While the right bracelet can set off an unusual length sleeve.
Shoes are also great at going “hello, I may be wearing a fairly dull outfit to work, but we’re pretty” especially these ones.
Credit: likecool.com
Or these
Credit: likecool.con
Sadly, I don’t own either pair, but I do have ones with cat faces and some covered in flamingos.
I’m not really a hat person, I don’t have the right head shape for it, but I’ve noticed the floppy brimmed hat making a comeback and on the right head, it looks fantastic.
Credit: ebay.co.uk
I started wearing glasses a few years ago as a required thing, but I’ve always loved oversized sunglasses and cats eye frames with plain glass for dressing up and trying out new looks. EBay is great for really cheap frames and TKMaxx has a great selection of discounted designer sunglasses.
Finally there’s handbags, I love a good sized, sturdy bag, but also quirky clutches for nights out or special occasions and tote bags are a cute way to carry your shopping home, especially if like me you resent paying 5p for a crappy plastic bag that will probably break on the way home!
Spotted this amazing Fendi bag in Venice
What are your favourite accessories? Let me know in the comments.
Here’s two stories about two very different ways to respond to a customer. I should preface this by saying I have worked in several customer service roles and I know that while the customer is not always right, they do deserve a decent response.
Story one.
I bought a necklace from Punky Pins in their Boxing Day sale. It arrived, I failed to even take it out of the packaging for a while. When I did I discovered it was damaged.
So I dropped the team an email, and asked where to send it for a replacement. A response appeared the next morning. They were so sorry that had happened, could I send them a quick photo so they could see the damage and know whether or not to strengthen the chain before posting me a replacement.
That took all of ten seconds, they confirmed my address and promised to send out a new one asap.
Story 2.
I received an email from Glossybox that there was a problem with my account but not to worry, my box would be sent out once I’d checked my details. Which I did, a confirmation of updated details appeared, money went out, I sat back to wait for my box.
A week later, another email. I wasn’t going to be receiving a box. No reason given. So I sent them a message through their contact page. I heard nothing. Then my subscription was cancelled, something I only found out after logging into the site. I renewed it, they took a second payment.
I popped on Twitter and asked why I hadn’t received anything. They were busy. So am I, but I don’t use that as an excuse not to reply to emails in my job.
Eventually they said they’d never received my message and that I should give them a ring. I did, no answer and as I was at work, no time to keep trying.
So I sent them another message. And got a reply! Only it was a very rude one, they’d sold out of the boxes for January and would be sending me a ‘starter box’ despite my having been a subscriber for some time. If I wanted to return it, I could, at my own expense.
I complained via Twitter because I was so fed up. If I sent an email to a customer in any job like that, I would have been in serious shit.
I got another email, I could return the box (which I haven’t even received) and send my postage receipt and they’d pay that. But I am still two payments down, with no boxes.
Then they had the cheek to send a ‘how did we do’ email. Nothing has been resolved. I have sent an email laying out the whole saga. It probably won’t get read, easiest thing to do is claim they never received it.
To be continued.
How about you? Ever had to deal with companies like this? What’s your take on the importance of customer service? Let me know below.
The You Beauty Box has had a bit of a facelift, is moving website and is apparently going to be even better come February. Hope it stays at the same price of £6.95 inc p&p, and with the select your samples idea.
This month’s samples were from a wide range of brands and types.
If you follow me on Instagram then you’ll be aware of my love for lipbalms and especially the little cubes from balmi.
So it was pretty obvious I’d be popping their rose gold roseberry flavour in my box. With SPF 15, Shea butter, vitamin E and other skin loving ingredients, these little pots are a firm favourite.
My other pick was Korres Bergamot & Pear Body Milk (body lotion to you and me). I love the smell of this, having had it in a box sometime last year. Might have to treat myself to a full size tub at some point.
Also in the box are sample sachets of Dr Organic Snail Gel – something I’m not entirely convinced by, and Perfection Gel Cushions for those slightly uncomfy shoes.
It was Christmas Day, I was digesting an enormous lunch watching The Second Best Marigold Hotel (it was OK) from around the Christmas Tree at the out-laws, when my phone alerted me to the renewal of my LMB points and so off I went to see what the boutique could offer me.
While they have added lots of new products to the line up, you still need to get those bonus points (££) to get much.
And as it was Christmas, I thought, oh I’ll get some bonus points, they’ll last me. They did not. I spent them all.
This is not the cautionary tale – this is – do not shop online while under the influence of vast quantities of turkey, just don’t. I could not for the life of me remember what I’d bought so this box was a bit of a surprise when I opened it.
LMB have returned to their silver boxes, I preferred the rather fancier cream and black they sent out a few months back. But I digress. “What was in the box?” I hear you cry. Well here’s what my roast potato enduced memory wipe kept from me.
A handbag sized make up bag – I actually need this, daft as it sounds, woman of a million make up bags.
More like a few bits of make up, plasters and paracetamol
Lord & Berry Fluid Delicate Make Up Remover – did I mean to pick this? I have no idea. Blame the parsnips. But make up remover is always useful.
Percy & Reed Foaming Treatment Mask – I like P&R but they are not cheap so getting their products this way is a bargain. I probably did indeed select this.
Cailyn Mineral Eye Polish in Snow – I have no idea, probably picked out by the stuffing. This is very light, almost invisible eye shadow. My sister would like it, but it’s not very me.
Dr PawPaw Balm – I read an article raving about this Aussie lip balm/chafe balm/grumpy skin balm. The gravy remembered that and put this in my box. I’ll add it to the thousands of lip balms in my life.
Nails Inc in Colville Mews – I love Nails Inc, I love nail polish. Can I blame the fact that I picked a colour I already have on the cranberry sauce?
Roques ONeil Therapie Restore Aura Spray – something I definitely need I think. Spray onto face when frazzled, or opening boxes you have no memory of buying.
LMB have also added a range of jewellery items to their shop, and yep, you guessed it, my Christmas dinner coma picked out a few bits there too.
Pink quartz earrings – these look like upside down traffic cones. Therefore I love them. Also could probably stab someone with them. Pink quartz is a healing crystal and there’s me with my unicorn horn stabbing people earrings…
Gold necklace with green stone. Pretty self explanatory.
Pointy silver bracelet – again, says exactly what it is. Although when I first looked at it I wasn’t sure if I wore it on my wrist or my neck.
Green thread bracelet with bobbly silver charm – it’s a really good thing I don’t write the descriptions on the website.
Did your food coma induce you to buy anything you don’t remember this Christmas? Or is it just me?
My Little Beauty’s My Little Magic Box has been off on its adventures. The December party season themed box has only just made it into my hands.
I’m rather glad it turned up and to be honest I was so busy over Christmas I barely noticed. Hope you a great time box.
Inside the box, the boat has been well and truly pushed out for the festive season.
My Little World – the in-box magazine is magazine format once more, thank goodness, and I hope it stays that way.
On to the goodies.
The very chic make up bag inside the box, not the usual cloth drawstring, but one you might pop in an overnight bag.
Heat retaining mittens – the funny thing is I was walking to the bus stop in minus 2 the other day and I wished I had some gloves. How funny that these then arrive! I love the navy blue and gold, a theme throughout the box, and they’re really cosy. As someone who’s always tapping away on her phone, mittens are more use the full gloves and as we’re having a bit of a cold snap, these will see a lot of use.
The other mitten has bonded with my hand
Kusmi Tea – Anastasia blend. Made in France, these teas definitely have a Russian bent, this one is named after the famous Romanov princess, and is a blend of China and Ceylon teas.
Rituals Honey Touch Body Cream – rich and nourishing, with honey and rose.
Vice-Versa nail polishes – continuing the blue and gold colour scheme.
Nars blush in Orgasm – naughty Nars with your cheeky names.
It would have been nice to have had this box in December but it will all come in use in this bitter January. I’m actually wearing the mittens as I type this!
Captioned “Best. Year. Ever” Birchbox kicks off 2016 with a collaboration with online scrapbook site Pinterest.
Pinning has become a huge trend, with people compiling their dream weddings, cars, cakes, shoes and other things onto Pinterest’s digital mood boards. I do it too. Much handier than covering my walls in magazine cuttings like we did pre-internet. (Yes, there was such a time).
So how does a collab between a beauty box and a website work exactly? Well, inside the beauty booklet are suggestions for boards to create on Pinterest for the upcoming year. There are also five cute cards designed by illustrator Viktorija Semjonova in keeping with the theme. The Birchbox blog will have more throughout the year.
Onto the beauty samples.
There are five products in the box, and annoyingly some of them have been here before.
Left to Right.
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle – I’ve had this little chap several times in the past. While it does work quite well as a dentangler, so does my conditioner.
Absolution L’Eau Soir et Martin – basically a micellar water, 2015’s big product. Containing aloe vera and hazelnut oil, a no rinse required make up remover.
Benefit They’re Real! Tinted Primer – apparently this coats and seperates lashes before your mascara. Or on its own.
Birchbox pocket mirror.
Jelly Pong Pong Lighten Up Brightener + Waterliner – I definitely have one of these, I used it the other day. Suppose it saves me buying a new one. It’s a great highlighter pencil, scribble it on!
Whish Three Whishes Almond Body Butter – I am all about almonds, I eat them, drink them (almond milk hot chocolate anyone?) and smother them on my skin and hair so this’ll be a little treat for my skin.
Are you a Birchbox subscriber? What did you think about this box? Let me know below.
Longer answer – still yes. They’re not mutually exclusive.
I’m a feminist, more than that I’m an intersectional feminist who doesn’t hate men, has never burned a bra (those things cost) and loves beauty products and wearing make up.
Feminist and beauty blogger, you bet'cha
If you’re not, then that’s cool. If you think the beauty industry subjucates women, is fatphobic, racist etc, then that’s fine. I see your point, I even agree with some of that, but I don’t see the harm in wanting to make up my face, in enjoying skincare and perfume and washing my hair.
Beauty faves
I read feminist media like Bitch and Bust magazines, The Riveter, and others, but I also haunt the make up aisles of Superdrug and read beauty blogs, follow Caroline Hirons and Sali Hughes (beauty writers, who also happen to be awesome women) and listen to music that isn’t mainstream.
Feminist stickers and magazines
And that’s cool. There’s room for all sorts in the world. There really is. Just not if you’re an asshole – please take your negative, bigotted views elsewhere. There’s a world that needs changing out there, and I am so looking forward to it.
January is finally here and with it more drizzly, wet, cold, miserable weather. Which is hell on skin, even if it’s not as ridiculously sensitive as mine!
Here are my tips and tricks for happy skin in the New Year.
💜 Drink water. An obvious one – what you put in your body is what you get out. We’re 75% water, and without it your skin struggles. It helps keep skin soft and plump, slows down wrinkles, and cleans up the gunk that becomes spots.
💜 Moisturise! water inside – moisture outside. Find one that works for you and slap it on, even if you’re just sitting around the house without make up – feed your skin. Central heating doesn’t help.
Current favourite moisturiser
💜 Cleanse – personally I think washing my face is a brilliant way to perk up. I always feel a bit more awake and alive with a clean face. Since I got a sonic brush (use once a week) I definitely see a difference.
💜 Don’t neglect your smile. Lips have thinner skin than the rest of your face. Skin that is more prone to cracking and peeling. Invest in a good lip balm. I have dozens, and top up throughout the day.
The best lip balm ever!
💜 But I can’t see my own nose! With winter comes colds, flu and other nasty bugs. Constant nose blowing leaves the skin around your nostrils damaged, dry and unhappy. A bit of extra moisture never goes awry – a dab of good ol’ Vaseline should do the trick.
Vaseline & Dr Lipp - dry skin beware!
💜 Don’t sleep in your make up. Seriously. This is horrid. I admit I have done this in the past (I blame the booze) but that way lies breakouts and blocked pores. Invest in a decent make up remover/cleanser and take the face off before you crash.
Loving these at the moment.
💜 Show your hair some love too. Don a hair turban and let a mask soak in, wash out the pollution and rub in some argan oil. I swear by it – no more split ends and happier hair – brilliant!
ramblingmads 