I haven't been outside for 2.5 months, thank you

My client, who's 75 years old, uses a cane & is non-verbal (due to a recent tracheostomy) wrote, "I have not been outside for 2.5 months, thank you" 

Perfect end to a stressful week. So glad that I was able to teach him some independence today :o)

That was what I wrote for my Facebook status & it generated lots of "likes" and "comments" from my friends.  It has made me take a moment to reflect on life & on what I do in my professional life as a whole.  Lately my work has been very stressful.  So much so, that I've actually considered leaving the profession.  My once "dream job" was slowly becoming something that I dreaded going to every morning.  When something is causing me so much grief, the natural response was to plot an escape strategy right?  I went as far as call up one of my former bosses and he asked me to send him a resume... what will come of it?  Not sure?  This was the same boss that tried "recruiting" me a few months prior for a director role, which I politely turned down.  Just because things were much better then.

However after working with this client, it dawned on me that it is not so much what I do but how management is choosing to manage everything... that everything includes me.  I just don't respond well to threats & being micro-managed I suppose.  At this point I have no idea where I will be next month - I just know that I will have to do much reflection and decide on my next course of action....

So sorry if this post is such a downer, just thought that it's better if I jot my thoughts down...

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!

Amex Topbox

So a while ago American Express Delights has a Topbox promotion.  For $12.50 you can get 8 deluxe samples.  That's double what a normal Topbox typically gives out.  I'm a sucker for a deal so I purchased one for myself and sent one to my niece.

Below is what arrived today:

I haven't tried any of these products and excited to get a chance to try them all.  Did you get the Amex Topbox - if so, what do you think? 

Ipsy February 2013

It's a busy mail week for me... not only did I receive two Julep shipments, but I also received my Ipsy & the Amex Topbox...

Below is a this is a picture of what I received in my Ipsy bag:  All of these products came nicely packaged in a black make up bag (which I reuse in my work bag - great for keeping lipgloss, chapsticks in one spot)...  I am not huge into make up so these subscriptions allow me to try out different things inexpensively (that's a word right?  This bag only cost me $10 + $4.95 shipping.  I am excited to receive a mascara as this is the one that I would like to try.

What do you think of the Ipsy bag this month?  Is it worth the $14.95 US price tag?

Julep - Cupid's Mystery Box

At the beginning of February, Julep posted a Cupid's Mystery Box - for $19.99 (with free shipping and no tax) you would get minimum $70-$1000 worth of product.  Since I'm just building my polish collection and I'm a sucker for deals such as there, I bought two.  Yesterday (Valentine's Day), my first Cupid's Mystery Box arrived.  What perfect timing!

My box was Cupid's Mystery Box #3.  This box contained a lip gloss in Camellia & 5 nail polishes (L to R):  Susie, Eileen, Evangeline (halographic), Lauren, Lucy.  Considering that the polishes retail for $14 each, receiving 5 polishes in colours that I don't already have is pretty sweet.  Actually not bad for $19.99?  

What do you think?

Oh and just in case you want to help feed my polish addiction, you can sign up to be a Maven & get monthly deliveries of polish too. Use my referral link below, the first box is a penny. You get a preview of the colours on the 20th of every month & can opt to skip any month that you don't like the colour and/or don't want to spend the cash.  Code to use is "penny" Sign up here.

http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/96303/

Julep - February 2013 Glamour Nail Wardrobe

I was at work when one of my neighbours (who is also a Maven) texted me to let me know that her Julep box arrived today and that I should check my mail too.  That was at 2pm.  The next 2.5 hours at work couldn't have gone any slower... I was eager to go home so that I could check my mailbox.  When I did, there it was:  my February Glamour Nail Wardrobe.

Each month Julep releases new nail polish colours and as Mavens/subscribers we get a chance to purchase it first.  February was my first official month as a Julep Maven subscriber and I chose to upgrade to the full wardrobe.  This means that instead of receiving 2 nail polish + 1 product for $19.99, I chose to pay the extra $35 to get all of the new colours (usually this is 10 nail polishes).  This month the product was the Oxygen Nail Treatment & the Freedom Polymer Top Coat.  

As a bonus this month, if you upgraded to the entire wardrobe you get two additional nail polishes (so that's a total of 12 new nail polishes!) & the white lacquered jewelry box for an extra $35.  So for $54.99, how could I resist?

The white lacquered jewelry box alone sells for $38 on their website & each polish retails for $14 at Sephora... so paying $54.99 for 12 polishes, an oxygen nail treatment (retails $18), Freedom Polymer Top Coat (retails $18) equals a real good value.  I'm a sucker for a good deal, so I bought it!

Below are the colours that I received:  Oscar, Laura, Marion, Julianne, Joan, Helen, Ellie, Ginger, Sally, Ingrid, Claudette, & Rebel.  These twelve colours will be a welcome addition to my nail polish collection.

Oh and just in case you want to help feed my polish addiction, you can sign up to be a Maven & get monthly deliveries of polish too. Use my referral link below, the first box is a penny. You get a preview of the colours on the 20th of every month & can opt to skip any month that you don't like the colour and/or don't want to spend the cash.  Code to use is "penny" Sign up here. 

http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/96303/

Julep - Resort Pedicure Set

When I heard about Julep's Resort Pedicure Set being featured on Good Morning American I was excited.  When I saw the price (80% off), I knew that I had to buy it!  I am loving the summery colours & really hope that it arrives before St. Patrick's day so that I can wear the green polish :o)  What can I say I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to nail polish.

Haven't heard of Julep?   It's a monthly subscription for polish and other nail care products.  Julep Mavens receive minimum $40 worth of nail polish/spa products in the mail for only $19.99/month shipped free of charge. 
Also if you sign up and use the code JULEPVIP, you will get your first month for penny.  Every month you get to preview the colours & decide whether or not to buy it.  Code to use is "penny"  You can sign up here.

Topbox February 2013

Topbox is another beauty box that I chose to subscribe to.  It costs $12/month + tax.  February is my first month and I received the Benefit Prive box.  I am quite happy with this box as it contains products that I seem to work for me and that I may consider purchasing in the future.  Below is a picture of what I got.  Again the picture isn't mine, but from Topbox themselves.

Below are the products:

Total Moisture Facial Cream:  I have been using this the past couple of days and I would have to say that I like it.  It's a very good moisturizer.  Not greasy and smells lovely.  The only thing that I didn't like was that there is no SPF in it.

POREfessional:  A balm to minimum the appearance of pores.  I used this once and I am currently undecided on the product.  I am not used to wearing make-up.  That's one of the reason I signed up for beauty boxes, I figured it would be an inexpensive way for me to learn/discover make-up products.  So this product felt dry to me.  I haven't given up on it yet & in order to give it a fair chance, I am committed to using it until it's gone.  I will update you all later on what I think.

Dandelion Wishes:  Inside there was a mini lip gloss - which I love!  I like moisturized lips, what can I say?  I haven't tried the powder yet... since I don't have a powder brush.  But that's on my to-buy list so I will also update once I try that product.

Benetint:  At first I was kind of skeptical about this product, but one of my nieces says that she's heard some really good things about it so I decided to give it a try.  I applied a couple of drops on cheeks and then worked it in.  It gives it a nice and natural glow & not too made up.  Which is what I like.  Below is a picture of me using Benetint on my cheeks.