Charleston, S.C. - March 2016 Hammock Pack

Hey, y'all!! This month's Hammock Pack delivered a box full of southern comforts to Southern California. I've already tried the coffee and the cookies...and both were delicious.

Wendy opens a box full of southern comforts!! The March Hammock Pack from Charleston, S.C., brings some down-home goodies to California. (We apologize for the sound quality. We filmed this video with some different equipment as our regular set-up was experiencing technical difficulties.)

Birchbox Review for March 2016

It's once again time for the Birchbox review. Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends a box of around five beauty samples tailored to a survey you complete when registering. After seven months, Wendy has received a wide variety of products, but experiences a first with this March box.

Wendy describes the products from her March Birchbox. One product provided a new (not pleasant) experience. However, a new type of product (for her) wins the seal of approval.

Time Travel LitCube

My March LitCube arrived, bearing all sorts of interesting items related to the theme of "time travel." With that theme, this box proved to be my favorite LitCube so far...and that's saying a lot, as I really enjoyed last month's as well. The book probably put it over the top, as it is one I haven't read yet.

Wendy's favorite LitCube so far!! The theme allowed the inclusion of items from many of her favorites. Let's just say the Lego set behind her might give you a clue to the topic of some of the items.

Another Fabletics Outfit....

Back in November I ordered my first workout ensemble from Fabletics. After a trial run, I decided I liked it well enough to order another. I joined the VIP program when I first ordered, so I made my selection when my monthly choices arrived. I selected this outfit, which I believe was named "Skyscraper"....

Paired with my new walking shoes I purchased at an Academy in Texas, this outfit works really well for my exercise routine. I find I really like the sleeveless option. It may just be a mental illusion, but I feel I have more freedom of movement when lifting weights or stretching. Also, those leggings don't budge.  I think I'm probably through upgrading my workout wardrobe for a while, but who knows? I might just order some of the more casual pieces for wearing around the house.

March Birchbox

My March Birchbox arrived several days ago. A case of food poisoning and/or stomach flu delayed my usual blog postings for a few days. I've used everything in the box at least once so far, and I will definitely complete a review for these products in the near future. Until then...here's a glimpse....

Items include...

*Curl Keeper Gel by Curly Hair Solutions

*Radiance Enzyme Scrub by Juara

*Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30 by Supergoop!

*Stainiac - Beauty Queen by theBalm cosmetics

*Color & Smudge Shadow Crayon in Aspen Pine by treStiQue

Mystery Box....

A mystery box arrived on our porch. We had a great time opening this one....

Wendy received an unexpected box in the mail. We determined it was a one-of-a-kind, very-limited-edition subscription box. We really had a great time opening this package. On a side note, you may notice Holly wincing and her ripped pants. She experienced a small scooter accident shortly before filming.

Feb. Hammock Pack - Portland, Oregon

My second Hammock Pack arrived. I really enjoyed January's offerings from New Orleans, so I was excited to see what goodies Portland, Oregon had to offer. I was not disappointed...this pack was full of very useful and fun items.

The Feb. Hammock Pack subscription box featured four items from Portland, Oregon. Each month, Hammock Pack selects a different city or state and sends items crafted in that location. Items tend to be as varied as the locations themselves. This month featured some very timely items for our family.

Lit Cube for February 2016: Classic Romance

How can you go wrong with a little Austen....a little Bronte....and the cutest little Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy you ever saw? This fantastic February Lit Cube provoked a strong urge to wander around Pemberley and then go yell across the moors.

Wendy from PurdyCool here....I LOVED this month's Lit Cube subscription box! Even though I already own a couple of copies of the included book...the other items more than made up for that. Besides, I can give this copy to my girls when they need it for school and keep my others intact.

Birchbox: February 2016

Birchbox nailed it!! My February box contained five items that I will almost certainly use until depleted:

Items include:

 - Protect and Detangle from Beauty Protector

 - They're Real! Mascara from Benefit Cosmetics

 - Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus from Burt's Bees

 - Oxygenating Cream Moisturizer from Naobay

 - Body Wash in Liquid Freud from Not Soap, Radio

Due to illness, I did not complete a product review video in January. I'm looking forward to doing that this month with these products.

Jan. 2016 Hammock Pack: New Orleans

My Christmas present arrived!! Yes...I used my Christmas money to order another subscription box....because then it's Christmas all year. I chose the Hammock Pack, which features items from a different city/state each month. The January pack included items from New Orleans. Check out the video if you want to see the goodies....

Hammock Pack is a monthly subscription box that includes products from a featured city/state. This month's pack delivered four products...all made in New Orleans, Louisiana.

January 2016 Lit Cube

My January Lit Cube arrived!! The theme for the month is "Pen Pals." Click the video below to see the goodies I received.

Wendy's January Lit Cube featured the theme "Pen Pals." The Lit Cube monthly subscription box includes at least one book (sometimes more) as well as other fun and interesting items related to the month's theme. For more information, visit www.lit-cube.com

January 2016 Birchbox

Yippee!! My first subscription box of the new year arrived. Of course, Birchbox decided to celebrate 2016 as well....

My samples this month include...

*Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Liner - Golden Black

* Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect

*Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

*Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel

*Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35 - Light/Medium

Also, notice the fill-in-the-blank box. It says, "2016: The year of _______" Birchbox included a handy sheet of stickers with some possibilities for completing that statement. So, help me decide which word to choose: strength, fearlessness, joy, risks, creativity, gratitude or ambition. Let me know in the comments which you think I should use.

I'll take a week or so to try the products and return with a video review. Stay tuned!!

Lit Cube: December 2015

My PurdyCool husband Stephen presented me with a year-long subscription to Lit Cube as a Christmas gift. Of course, he had my first cube waiting for me on Christmas morning. I did open the cube at that time, but we did an unboxing video the next day. Check it out if you have the time!!

Wendy received a new subscription box for Christmas - the "Lit-Cube," or Literature Cube. More information on this box for readers can be found at: http://www.lit-cube.com/. This box included some neat items, with a really intriguing book. --------------------------- A PurdyCool Production: Like on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/purdycoolfam/ Follow on Twitter! https://twitter.com/PurdyCoolFam

Stitch Fix

I hate shopping for clothes. Well, maybe hate is too strong a word. I usually dislike shopping for clothes, unless I am in a very strange mood. I've also never had much of a "trendy" fashion sense...I'm pretty much a T-shirt and jeans sort of gal whenever I can get away with it. However, events and circumstances inevitably arrive in which something a little nicer is appropriate.

Enter the Stitch Fix on-line personal styling and shopping service. I decided to visit their site and complete the personal profile, which included questions about my style and price preferences, size and clothing types. The site also gives you the option to request a delivery on a regular schedule or "on-demand." I chose the latter.

When my box of five items arrived, I was pleasantly surprised with the choices my stylist sent. In order from favorite to least favorite, my box included the following items:

*Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck Sweatshirt: This sweatshirt is really cozy and warm. I wasn't sure I would like the funnel neck, but it was really comfortable. I can see myself throwing this on often when there's a bit of a chill in the air (which, believe it or not, does happen here in the Los Angeles harbor area.)

*Kut from the Kloth Kate Distressed Boyfriend Jean: Out of all the items in the box, this was the one that concerned me most regarding fit. Lo and behold, I tried them on and they fit perfectly!! I love the cut and style as well (I like a mid-rise in my jeans...high enough that I don't feel as if I need to pull them up all the day long, but low enough that my belly button can breathe. HAHA!!)

*Honey Punch Layla Elbow Patch Detail Cardigan: Again, the perfect type of piece for Southern California...great for layering. This would look good over a wide variety of tops.

*Market & Spruce Colibri Plaid Printed Tab-Sleeve Shirt: I always need a little color punch in my wardrobe, and this works perfectly. It's very light and silky, so again, a great piece for layering.

*Laila Jayde Bowie Solid Dolman Sleeve Top: Out of all the pieces, this is the only one I really didn't like. I don't really care for this type of sleeve (undoubtedly, Dolman means "looks like a flying squirrel when you hold your arms out to the side). However, I kept it because it was more economical to do so instead of returning it (you receive a 25 percent discount if you purchase all five items). Again, I can use it for layering.

I enjoyed using the Stitch Fix service and will probably order another "fix" from them after the first of the year. Each fix incurs a $20 styling fee, which is applied to the cost of any item you decide to purchase. Also, Stitch Fix includes a postage-paid mailer for any items you decide not to keep.

November Birchbox Review

My review of the products in my November Birchbox is now available over at the PurdyCool YouTube channel. Check it out if you have some time!!

Wendy reviews the samples in her November Birchbox. For more information about Birchbox, visit www.birchbox.com.

Fabletics

I recently took advantage of a special offer from the Fabletics Web site to receive a workout outfit for $25 if I joined the VIP program. Since I was in desperate need of some new exercise clothes, I decided to give it a try. I completed a survey and the site provided me with appropriate choices. A few days later, my outfit arrived in the mail.

I love this outfit so far. It does not budge while I'm exercising. At first, the fabric felt a little heavy, and I was afraid I might overheat. However, it does a great job wicking away the "excess moisture."

The VIP program is similar to a monthly subscription box-type service. On the first of the month, Fabletics will send a message showing my choices for that month. If i want to order, I make the selection and eagerly anticipate its arrival. However, up until the 5th of the month, I have the option to cancel that's month's delivery. Also, I can cancel my VIP membership at any time. I figured it was worth giving them a try. I will probably order another outfit after the first of the year, as I could still use some more exercise clothes. I would be mortified to reveal how long I've been using my current outfits!!

Big Thunder Ranch

Yesterday, my family visited one of our favorite spots in Disneyland, Big Thunder Ranch, to say farewell. The ranch will close shortly after the new year in order to make way for the development and construction of the new Star Wars land. Stephen and I spent plenty of time during our park visits relaxing on the cool porch of Miss Chris' Cabin while the girls visited with the farm animals and worked on crafts.

Along with bidding farewell to all of our ranch friends, I also said farewell to my favorite Hidden Mickey in the entire resort. (For those who may not be aware....searching for Hidden Mickeys in the Disney parks is an amusing activity...especially for frequent visitors.) So, "Happy Trails," horseshoe Mickey.

November Birchbox

My November Birchbox arrived yesterday! Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends five or six sample-size beauty products based on a personal profile you complete when you register. It costs around $10 a month, but special deals are sometimes available if you opt for a longer subscription.

I received the following products in this month's box:

*amika Nourishing Hair Mask

*Liz Earle Superskin Moisturizer with Natural Neroli

*RUSK Texture Spray

*Temple Spa La La Lagoon Aromatic Bath & Shower Gel

*Zoey Van Jones Tinted Brow Gel

I plan to publish a video in the next couple of weeks with reviews of all the products, so stay tuned!