Fall 2014 Walmart Beauty Box

There's a new beauty box in town, being delivered by none other than your neighborhood Walmart. As much as I love my usual subscription boxes (and the prestige products they often introduce me to), it's definitely a nice change to see what's new and interesting in the drugstore. You also can't beat the price tag (which is $5 for shipping, the box itself is free). Once you sign up, the Walmart Beauty Box will appear on your doorstep at the beginning of each season, giving you an opportunity to refresh your beauty stash every couple of months. My fall beauty box just arrived this weekend, and I was definitely pleasantly surprised with all the goodies I got.

September 2014 Birchbox

September is a special month in the Birchbox world, marking the company's four year anniversary. These past couple of weeks have been full of surprises (including the first ever Customer Appreciation Day) in celebration of the company, its subscribers, and all the awesome brands they partner with. Our monthly boxes were even dressed for the occasion, sporting a fashionable geometric pattern. Check out what goodies Birchbox picked for me in this month's "Fresh Paint" themed box.

Fall 2014 Wish List

I don't care what the calendar says, fall has hit New England and it has hit it hard. The temperatures around these parts have gone from 85 to 65 in literally a matter of days. As much as I hate the cold, I'm trying to embrace the coming season by thinking about all the wonderful things autumn has to offer. Scarves, boots, the return of my beloved Pumpkin coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. I could probably make a list a mile long. Instead, here's a more practical list of 10 things I'm lusting after for the fall season.

Handbag Essentials

It's official. I've finally splurged and bought my first designer handbag.

So I bought it from the outlets at less than half the retail price. STILL COUNTS.

While I'm all about purses, shoes, scarves and the like, I've never been one to shell out insane amounts of money on accessories. Actually, I've never been one to shell out insane amounts of money on anything. I think there is something to be said for spending a little extra on a quality piece, but if I can avoid paying full price, you can bet that I will find a way.

Up until this point, the majority of my purse collection has been a mishmosh of Kohl's clearance rack purchases and retired Vera Bradley pieces. And while I do still love them all, with their various shapes, sizes, and funky patterns, they don't always scream "professional adult". I decided it was about time that I bit the bullet and bought myself a beautiful, classic leather handbag that I could rock through any season.

The outlets offered me many a choice in designer labels - Michael Kors, Coach, Tory Burch, Cole Haan, Fossil, Guess. In the end, though, I found my calling with Kate Spade, whose playful yet sophisticated style is right up my alley.

Of course, with a new handbag in my possession, I've got to show you some of my favorite essential items that I'll be packing in to it. Take a peek!

Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner Palette Review

Since I've started beauty blogging, I've found myself being quite a bit more adventurous with trying new products at random, especially in the drugstore. I'll arrive at CVS one Sunday morning with an arsenal of coupons and carefully explore the displays of various makeup brands looking for interesting and affordable products that I want to try. I never end up spending a ton of money, and if I can find even one awesome products out of a few that I try I consider the trip a success.

Once in a while I'll come across a product that I'm really excited about. I'll be ripping off the packaging once I've barely made it back home and almost immediately after I try it I realize how incredibly disappointed I'm about to be. Such was the case with this Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner Palette. I want to like it so badly, but the more I try the sadder I become.

100th Post Special - Why I Love Blogging

100 posts.

It seems a bit surreal.

Looking back over 99 different reviews, tutorials, and general ramblings I've got to say that I feel a certain sense of accomplishment. Blogging has become quite the beloved hobby of mine, that despite life being…well…life, I always enjoy coming back to. I thought, in honor of such a special occasion, I would share the 5 things I've most enjoyed about my blogging experience so far.