Birchbox AUGUST Book Club Review: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling

BIRCHBOX:

Birchbox is a beauty subscription service that costs just $10/ monthly and subscribers receive 5 deluxe sized samples ranging from Haircare to Skincare to Cosmetics.  They also have a wonderful point system, in which subscribers can earn "birchbox points" to spend in their HUGE store, that has all kinds of fun stuff!

Birchbox Book Club:

Just recently, I believe in June, they started having a monthly book club.  This month's selection was Mindy Kaling's book, "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns).

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER:

So, for those of you who read my blog often, may have noticed that I have added a ton to my plate.  I've also been doing a ton of product reviews.  So, it's really taking some getting organized to learn to balance everything from my Book Blog to my Beauty Blog as well as my money maker "Selling jewelry".  It's really a hit or miss thing for me to try to figure out how to get everything accomplished.  I see other folks posting maybe 3 or 4 blog posts a day and am amazed at how wonderfully organized they must be!!

OK SO ON TO THE BOOK!

This book is a bit of a departure for my normal style of reading.  I tend to read mainly chick-lit fiction.  However, I truly did love this book.

It's a perfect book, for times when you don't have a lot of time to invest in a "story".  As it's mainly a book filled with lots of little stories.  The book was filled with lots of tid bits about Mindy Kaling's life!  Told through the mouth of Mindy, she can make even the most ordinary event sound hilarious.

The opening page, had me dying with laughter.  She definitely has a unqiue voice and a different perspective than a lot.  She doesn't seem to take herself too seriously and is able to "poke fun" at herself, which is always good for a laugh.

*** Excerpt taken from: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns
Thank you for buying this book.  Or, if my publisher's research analytics are correct, thank you, Aunts of America, for buying this for your niece you don't know that well but really want to connect with more.  There are many teenage vampire books you could have purchased instead.  I'm grateful you made this choice.

With an opening like that, how could it be anything BUT fun!  She also responds to the question:  "Is this one of those guide books celebrities write for girls?, with:  Oh, Hell no.  I'm only marginally qualified to be giving advice at all.  My BMI is certainly not idea, I frequently use my debit card to buy things that cost less than three dollars because I never have cash on me, and my bedroom is so untidy it looks like vandals ransacked the Antrhopologie Sale section.  I'm kind of a mess.

She definitely was able to push back the "celebrity Mindy" and make us feel as if she's just one of the girls.  I mean, sure she's been on several sit-com's and movies, but she's just like us...  Only not.

If you like light hearted books, that are fun with several little stories within, this is a book you would definitely enjoy.  I really enjoyed her writing style and her humor.  Anyone who can so eloquently laugh at themselves, is alright in my book.

There's a Best Friend's Right and Responsbilities Section for the important things Best Friend's should do for one anohter.  Things like, borrowing ALL your clothes (That's a given), be honest about how you look (GENTLY), trying to like ones' boyfriend, being there when your depressed.

She goes on to tell about her time on The Office, and how she got the role of Kelly Kapoor.  She basically gives us an inside look inside the mind of Mindy Kaling, along with some of the background on how she became the successful actress, but how she maintains to be just a "normal" girl who happens to be a Hollywood star.

I'm so not a nonfiction person, for the most part.  So, for a book that's nonfiction to hold my interest, it really takes an interesting and unique approach, and Mindy Kaling, certainly had that in Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns.  It's a book, I would definitely recommend to other folks!  It's a great GIFT book, as she so jokingly put it, it really is.  It's a book you could keep in your ahem "bathroom" for those times that you might be there for a little longer than usual.

I totally give this a Sassy Gal FIVE star rating!  It was so much fun, yet infomrative, it didn't have me nodding off as some books have been known to do!  It's a book that I think I could read, and reRead and get something a bit different each time.

TO follow Mindy on Twitter:  Mindy on Twitter
To learn more about Birchbox or to subscribe:  Birchbox.com
Follow Birchbox:  Birchbox on Twitter

To purchase this book:
Just $4.99 on Kindle!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) 

 Did you read the August Birchbox book club selection?  If so, what did you think of Mindy Kaling's book and how would you rate it against other Non-Fiction works?

Thanks for once again tuning into another post!  I hope that you weren't bored to tears and maybe even learned something!  I would love to hear from you!  I like to know I'm not talking to myself!!  So maybe just a comment that says:  Yup, I was here, would be nice :)

Until Next Time!

Sassy Gal
xoxo

Lip Monthly / Ipsy August Review

Lip Monthly:  August 2014

Lip Monthly is a monthly subscription service:  The cost is $10 a month and you receive 4-6 full sized lip related products, as well as one "non-lip" product a month.  If you would like to subscribe yourself to Lip Monthly, please click here.

So, I normally will do seperate pics for each item, but I just don't have the time or patience right now to do that for this bag.  It was a pretty decent bag.  The Pixi shadow stick was the most expensive offering in this month's bag, however I wasn't crazy about my shade.  It was a pretty brown with some shimmer, however I just don't do browns very well.  It's a hard color for me to pull off.

However, I was super thrilled with my lippy colors I received!  All were pretty pink shades! With $10 a month, it's still a pretty good deal if you LOVE lippy's.  It was a tad disappointing that three of the lipsticks were by City Color.  I wish that perhaps we would have had more diversified brands, but I'm pleased that at least they were all different forms of lippy's.

OVERALL RATING: 4 Stars  I was much happier with my $10 Lip Monthly bag, than I was my $10 Ipsy bag.  I only put my Pixi shadow stick on my swap board, so that says a lot about how happy I was with my overall products!!

IPSY:

Ipsy is a $10 a month beauty subscription service in which subscribers receive 5 deluxe (or so they say) sample and sometime full sized items.  Subscribers also get a uniquely designed Ipsy bag, designed solely for Ipsy users ONLY.  It's one of the best parts of the whole service.

 Since blogging, I never hardly do ANY Ipsy reviews, honestly because I'm usually so disappointed with my items and end up trading them for other items!  So, I never have them long enough or even think of taking pics of the whole bag to begin with!  The above pic is missing the Urban Decay Perversion Mascara sample (the ONE standout in my whole bag).  I ended up swapping the mascara for a Plushie sample instead!  So, didn't even keep the one item I would have liked out of the entire bag (MUCH preferred the Plushie liner, was stalking the swap boards for this liner!  Got two, but one was for a friend!)

Lip Factory: August 2014 Review

August 2014 Lip Factory Review

**Lip Factory is a monthly beauty subscription service.  The cost is $22/ monthly, and subscribers receive 5-7 FULL sized products.  The products tend to run more mid-range cost, rather than obscenely expensive.  But, I've not once received a "Deluxe Sized Sample".  If you would like to subscribe, Please go here:Lip Factory Inc..  My REFERRAL # 387068 (You use this when filling out your beauty profile!)

The Goodies!

 I found Lip Factory after stumbling across a YouTube video for Lip Monthly.  I loved the girls' videos and found myself watching her videos for about two hours!  She had several videos on Lip Factory.  I had NEVER heard of Lip Factory, and at this time I was pretty involved in the whole subscription world!  I've only been a subscriber now for two months, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how much I love the products I've received!!  Last month was the "Anniversary Box", and honestly it was fabulous, but I was much more impressed by how more balanced August's box was. (I really appreciate a box that has a little of everything).

First Look

 Red Cherry False Lashes:  $2.00  This will be the ONLY item I won't use.  As, I honestly would make a foul up if I even tried to use these!  They will be going to a good home though!

Medusa's Makeup:  $8.00 (Eye Primer)

 Medusa's Makeup:  I have never tried this, but I have heard wonderful things about the brand.  So, I look forward to being able to give this one a try.  A good eye primer, I have found, is essential.  This was one of my favorite things about this box!  This isn't an item you seen often in subs!

 Cult Nails:  I was a tad disappointed with my color.  However, after sitting with it for awhile, it's definitely grown on me!  I recently changed my profile to Neutral and looks as if they definitely listened.  I honestly didn't mean neutral polishes. LOL, but you get what you ask for and that's a GOOD thing!

 LA Splash:  So, I'm pretty unfamiliar with the LA Splash Brand and have since learned that they got their start from doing swap meets.  So, it's really neat to try up and coming brands that haven't hit main street America yet!  Brands tend to lose some of their initial appeal when trying to conform to what "Mainstream America" seems to want.  I really appreciate that I get to try brands that don't have such mass popularity!  It's really a neat part of Lip Factory!

Pink Powder Parlor:  I had never ever even heard of this brand, so I googled it after receiving my box.  It looks like a really neat brand!  I'm excited to get to try it.  I love this shade!!

LA SPLASH:  Another lippy, another LA Splash item. I love this shade.  It makes a great lippy to use over a matte lipstick!

 Over all, I was very pleased with this month's box!  I paid $22 and received $56.50 worth of products.  No, those aren't the largest numbers of a sub box.  However, I look at the amount of product I received and the vast array of the items.  I like that I'm trying products that I actually could afford to purchase alone, outside of the subscription service.  After all, the point of a sub box is to get you trying products that you haven't tried before and giving you an opportunity to "Try-On" the items before committing to purchase the full size !

What do you think of this month's Lip Factory??  What's your favorite item out of this months box??
If you have questions, please feel free to shoot an email or comment below!  I LOVE comments!  :)

Thanks for checking out my review of this month's Lip Factory.  If you are interested in purchasing this sub for yourself or someone you love, please click here:Subscribe to Lip Factory, Inc. (387068: Referral #)

To Connect to Lip Factory:  Lip Factory on Twitter
                                           Lip Factory on FB
MORE PICS BELOW:

**  Please note:  This is a subscription, I myself pay for.  This post does contain links and referral codes.  The only benefit to me is the standard Lip Factory award system!  I am in no way compensated for this review.  (I wish. lol)

Product Review: Tree of Life Rejuvenating Cream

Tree Of Life

Rejuvenating Cream

 

#1 Super Skin Rejuvenating Anti Aging Cream

****  Please Note:  I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts and opinions expressed here, are my own.

First, I have to apologize to Tree of Life, I have had some familial obligations to take care of and unfortunately have been unable to do as I should and post timely reviews.  I've got several subscription boxes that I've not even posted about yet. 

I try to honor my commitments in a timely manner, so I don't like when life gets in the way.  It usually takes me no longer than a week to submit an honest review....

About the Product!!!!

I first had the pleasure and opportunity to try their Retinol Moisturizer.  I wasn't even aware at the time that their were "night-time" moisturizers.  Shows how little I knew.  With the Retinol Moisturizer (and most all their products) they send little samples (a months' supply!)  So, I had already had the luxury of trying out this fabulous Rejuvenating Cream!  

GETTING OLD SUCKS!!!

I was one of those 20 year olds that still looked as if she were 14 or 15.  I got carded all of the time, often to my deep frustration.  (Oh, what I wouldn't give to be carded today)....  One day it was like fifteen years had caught up to me.  My skin started appearing hallow and dry patches started appearing.  Lately, it seems as if my eyelids have suddenly formed little balloons right below the brow line...  What!  Where did that come from????  

That's why I've really had to start not only taking care of my skin, but being proactive. I used to pass the skincare by, heading straight to the "Fun stuff".  Now, I consider skincare a "fun thing", what my skin might have looked like had I started younger.

I honestly, have always considered skincare products a joke.  Just some scheme in order to make us pay more money for products we don't need.  However, I was wrong.  I don't mind admitting when I was wrong, I actually take pride when I'm wrong, because it so rarely happens :)  

I have noticed a huge difference since starting the rejuvenating cream.  The obvious signs that you notice right away, is the super creamy texture to the moisturizer.  It's so silky smooth.  I actually mix a bit of it with the Retinol Moisturizer, which tends to be a bit dry on my skin.  

One day I was passing by the mirror and caught a glimpse of myself and I honestly did a double take.  My skin appeared brighter, not loose. It was like looking at me in rewind.  Now, do I look like I'm twenty???  Absolutely not.  But I look a heck of a lot better than I did prior to using it.  I keep going back to Collagen. A year ago I didn't even realize we needed collagen, I thought that was the stuff they injected in those rich women that made them have funny smiles. I didn't know that our skin actually NEEDED collagen. However, I've since been educated!  In case your like me and have NO clue why we need collagen:  Collagen helps to keep your skin nice and tight (NO BALLOON EYELIDS) and when you get older your body stops producing collagen, making it ESSENTIAL for any skincare regime.

I still am no EXPERT, but I so would like to learn more about how to find the key to eternal youth, or at least to make my skin appear at least ten years younger.  If after only a few weeks of a regular skincare regimen, I can only imagine if I continue to be consistent with my skincare how great my skin will appear!

Skin Regimen:  We ALL need one!  Even in your teens and twenties!  I've even been teaching my son and my daughter to start now.  After all, it's our job as parents to try to keep our kids from making the same mistakes we made.

Products generally work better when you combine them with complimentary products so that they can I guess kinda communicate and help each other.  It's kinda like your car, your motor can be running, but if the transmission is missing, your not going nowhere fast....  This is what I'm currently doing for my skincare:

MORNING Routine:

1. CLEANSING: I use a cleansing oil, which is what I've found best for my dry skin.
2. TONER
3. EYE CREAM
4. Rejuvenating Cream!

NIGHT Routine:

1. CLEANSING:  Yes, AGAIN!  LOL  washing away impurities is essential
2. TONER
3. EXFOLIATE:  Twice a week I exfoliate to get rid of any dead skin
4. EYE CREAM
5. Retinol Moisturizer:  As previously stated I mix a bit of my Rejuvenating cream

Whatever products you choose to use, it's important to be consistent.  I've always struggled with consistency, my whole life.  But consistency is important to get the best results from any skincare program you choose.

TREE OF LIFE CUSTOMER SERVICE:

Luckily, I haven't had to contact "Customer Service", although I have been in touch with the company.  They have always been so nice and helpful.  They are also lightening fast to respond to any question or concern I may have.  I find this important information.  I've dealt with companies that it's like breaking into an armored car to get through to a "real person".  A lot of companies even respond with computer responses instead of an actual person writing you an email! (NOT talking about the standard, we'll get back to you)

This is my favorite product I've tried in awhile.  It's a definite 5 star!!  I was so thrilled that I was given the opportunity to review this product!

If you would like to find out more information about Tree of Life Beauty, please follow the links below.

Tree of Life on Facebook                  TreeOFLifeBeauty.com                Tree of Life Amazon STORE

PRODUCT LINKS:  SPECIAL COUPON CODE:  Save 20% off   QL9G4JZ4

 #1 Super Skin Rejuvenating Anti Aging Cream

 Retinol Moisturizer

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!  Please  let me know what you thought!  I ADORE comments!  Makes me feel like I'm not talking to myself!!  LOL  

Until Next Time Sassy GALS!

Sassy Gal xoxo

RIP: Robin Williams In Honor of a LEGEND

A Celebration of A LIFE

Robin Williams:   Comedic ICON

ROBIN WILLIAMS:  COMEDIC ICON / GENIUS 1951 - 2014

America lost a great man today.  A icon, a legend.  My heart is extremely heavy as I write this post.  How many generations have grown up with Robin Williams somewhere around.  Whether you are the Mork & Mindy generation, The Aladdin or Mrs. Doubtfire generation or whether you are Nights of the Museum generation;  Millions of children, teenagers and adults grew up watching Robin Williams as he transformed into whatever character the part called for.

No one does comedy like he does.  He was the master of voices.  His role as Genie on Disney's Aladdin  will forever be one of my all time favorite roles he's done.  He so expertly captured the persona of Genie.  That movie would not have been the same without the wonderful job he did at personafying the role of Genie.  I hope many future generations will be able to enjoy Genie and that Robin Williams spirit will live on for generations to come as they experience the greatness of Aladdin 

Mork & Mindy .  Who can forget the quirky character of Mork.  The quirky alien we all fell in love with.  Be it reruns or whether you were there to experience the shows first air, anyone who watched that show was instantly mesmerized by this young man who was able to morph into whatever character a script called for.

 Mrs. Doubtfire (Behind-the-Seams Edition) Robin Williams role as the father wanting to spend more time with his kids is stuff of legend. It's our generations answer to Dustin Hoffman's Tootsie.  He was able to seamlessly transform into Dad / Mrs. Doubtfire mode.  This was definitely a role of a lifetime for the late actor.  It is a timeless movie, able to be enjoyed mo matter the year or current trend.  This movie will always be relevant.

Good Morning, Vietnam Who can forget his role in Good Morning, Vietnam.  A perfect mix of serious and goofy, this was a role a little bit of a departure for his usual funny and upbeat roles.  He totally captured the role Adrian Cronauer an unorthodoxed DJ who was assigned to the US Armed Services Radio station in Vietnam during the much controversial Vietnam War.  Such an important role in a very important movie about a controversial topic, makes this a definite Classic for all times.

Robin Williams in the 1992 Dark Film: Toys

Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

With 102 credits to his name, the list is endless.  The roles far reaching and varied.  From the loveable and fun Mork on Mork & Mindy to the animated Genie from Disney's Aladdin .  He played some extremely loveable characters that will live in infamy.

There was also a dark side to Robin Williams.  Later in life he took on some much more dark characters.  I wonder if perhaps this wasn't because of his own struggles and inner demons that he needed to exorcise and found these roles a way to show the side that we rarely saw in him.  To the world he was this happy, loveable character.  Always up for a laugh.  But like many comedians, there was clearly some dark and painful issues deep inside.

Roles in movies like: Insomnia  where he played a killer and  One Hour Photo  where he plays a man obsessed with a young suburban family, he showed a darker side that we maybe weren't prepared to see from our lovable Robin Williams.  But it shows the true talent that he had to personify any role given.

His life is one that should be celebrated.  He had such a wonderful career.  With his recent show: The Crazy Ones  and upcoming movies: Absolutely Anything ( 2015 release in Post Production), a reprise of his beloved character Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum:  Secret of the Tomb.  He also will be in three other movies:  Merry Friggin' Christmas, Angriest Man in Brooklyn (available now) and Boulevard.

While he found much success in his professional life.  His life was one that saw it's share of ups and downs. An admitted alcoholic, he battled the disease that is addiction for quite some time.  For those on the outside looking in, it is hard to comprehend how a chemical can totally wreak havoc over your life and how as addicts we are truly powerless over our addiction.  He had recently sought treatment for his addiction to alcohol and time can only tell if this was any part to his demise.

Those who are afflicted with the disease of addiction usually suffer from all types of mental conditions.  Sadly, it's still somewhat of a taboo condition that people feel ashamed to admit to.  Yet, there are millions that are in someway affected by mental illness.  People who don't struggle themselves, think that we can "just snap out of it".  Sadly, it's not quite that easy.

It is my hope that this tragic death can shed some light on mental illness and help bring to light the truths about the illness.  It IS an illness, just like cancer.  It spreads and sometimes it reaches points where it's simply uncontrollable.  Some people try countless medications and can never find relief for their suffering.  Those who suffer with mental illness need to not feel ashamed and be able to seek help without judgement from others.  It's only through the power of EDUCATION that this can change.

There is a stigma attached with words like:  Bi-Polar, ADDICT, Schizophrenia, Depression, Autism, and so many more.  Yet, these are serious diseases / illness' that people TRULY need to be able to be open about.  A huge part of the person plagued will mental illness is the shame and guilt and being afraid to be vocal for fear of condemnation and the social stigmas attached to those admitting to such "character flaws".

In 2014 you would think that we would be more enlightened, but sadly there is still a problem.  It's hard for low income people to find good mental help and so they suffer without getting the help that they need.

I really hope that his death will come to stand for something.  That his death can be a voice for those who have suffered along with him, with this terrible illness called Depression.  It isn't an issue that needs to be swept under the rug, but one that needs to have a podium, a platform and someone who can bring awareness to the subject.

I apologize, I know that this is not a subject that normally would be discussed on my blog.  However, I felt that I needed to get some things off my chest and to give honor to the Late and GREAT Robin Williams.  He truly is a legend!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post!  I hope that I can do Robin Williams justice.  He is much loved by all, including myself!!

#RIPRobinWilliams #Legend #Icon #ComedicGenius

Until We Meet Again...

Sassy Gal.