PopSugar Must Have November Box!

The Box: PopSugar Must Have Box

The Price: 39.99$/month

The Product: A awesome grab bag of different lifestyle items each month. They vary from food, home items, jewelry, clothing, beauty, and other miscellaneous items!

The Link to Subscribe: http://popsu.gr/nFBF

 MY FIRST EVER POPSUGAR MUST HAVE!!!!! November box :)

 Packaging gets an A+! Easily my new favorite box. Ipsy is a close second.

Illume Candle in Naughty -- $15.75

 For a change, lets start with my favorite item in the box! The Illume Candle in Naughty. It smells like cologne, fireside, and spices. It is AMAZING! Raving like crazy about this on twitter/instagram check it out!

Sea Salt Caramel Apple Chips by barefruit - $2?

 These are alright....I ate them but I wouldn't go out and purchase them. You can't really taste the caramel.

Absolute! Nail Polish Remover in Spring Fresh 32 Pads- $2

I havent tried these yet...but I work three times a week and paint my nails in between (can't have them painted at work) so I will get a lot of use out of these...and they smell awesome!

 The Soap and Paper Factory Roland Pine Shea Butter Soap - $10.00
Normally I would be bummed about soap, but this one smells amazing! I used it twice now and I will continue to use it :)

Land's End Wine Tote- $14.50

I don't drink wine so I won't be able to use this for myself, but I will definitely be gifting it so that is always good

Michael Stars Folk Art Wrap- $42.00

The value of this scarf....more than the box itself! I love it. It is so adorable and I will wear it all the time, I already have worn it once! I love it so much and luckily I got the great deal on it. So cute!

Overall: I am kind of obsessed with PopSugar. Sure it is a little pricey, but the items are so much fun! It is such a surprise every month and the items NEVER disappoint. Plus, the value of every box is through the roof! I forgot this also had a 30$ giftcard to canvaspop! I won't use that most likely, but still this box is my new favorite! LOVE!

November Ipsy: Glam It Up!

The Box: Ipsy

The Price: 10$/month

The Product: A cute makeup bag each month filled with 5 full or deluxe sized beauty, skin care, or hair products personalized to you from a quiz at the beginning of subscribing

The Link to Subscribe: http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hku5w77szz9w1ryh

My deepest apologies it has been so long since a blog post! I have been super busy and have gotten nothing in the mail :(. But here we go with my Ipsy bag for November!

 I adore how they come in these neon pink packages...it makes me feel so special, and I am sure the delivery man is curious...

 The bag this month is actually super adorable. Its chic and I like it, I will definitely use this for something.

 The inside of my bag! This month there were six items instead of just five which was amazing.

Nailtini Nail Polish in Caviar Cocktail FULL SIZE - $7.99

Kiss Ever EZ Lashes Double Pack in Style 04 - $5.99

 Okay...when asked bad news or good news first you always choose bad news first right? So we will start with that. These items were the only real disappointment this month. I rarely wear false eyelashes. I discovered these were chosen for me because they are in the "mascara" category, which doesn't make sense to me. I love the quality and everything about this polish...I just have SO many in similar colors.  I was in love with the copper color that the other half of ipsyers got, so I wish I had gotten that..trade anyone?

Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in Amethyst- FULL SIZE $14.00

em by Michelle Phan Waterliner Intense Color Eyeliner in Emerald FULL SIZE - $20.00

 I love these two eyeliners so much, and I don't even like eyeliner that much! The starlooks eye pencil is the most beautiful purple-silver color. I have nothing like it in my collection and cannot wait to wear it to the right occasion. The em eyeliner is such a pretty green that brings out my eyes. It shows they really pay attention when picking colors for you!

Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched .11 oz - $10.00?

Be A Bombshell in Shameless FULL SIZE- $14.00

Okay I tried so hard and could not find the Pixi Bronzer full size weight/volume to compare so I am just guessing based on what I saw online on the value. This lip color is so pretty, I wore it last night. It is super wearable, pigmented, and really creamy. I haven't tried the bronzer because it is the middle of winter and I think maybe a little too dark for now, but it looks like a quality product!

Overall, I am elated with this month's Ipsy bag! Almost everything was full size and I was only really disappointed with two products. One of those products (the polish) I will definitely get use out of, it was just not my top pick in color. I literally love Ipsy so much, you need to subscribe like yesterday!

Seeking New Boxes!

Hello Everyone!
So now that I am really getting into the blogging swing of things...I am looking for new boxes to review! I have my subscription lined up for Ipsy, Birchbox, PopSugar, Your Bijoux Box, but I am looking for some more. Obviously, I am not in the financial capability to be spending hundreds of dollars a month of subscription services. So, if you are a box company that wants to send me a box to review on the blog I would be more than happy to do so! Comment if you know of any new, hip subscription services.
Subscription Boxes interested in a review on the blog email comboforqueens@gmail.com
So far the ones that have caught my eye are:
The Original Grab Bag













Dottie Box

Project DIY

Your Bijoux Box November Box

First impression: it is only the 9th of the month and my box is already here!!!

I was so excited, but extremely skeptical, for this box. It is a pricier monthly subscription (35$ a month), but the quality is extremely nice. I also got a free gift (code will be below) with my first box, which made the 35$ REALLY worth it, granted being gifted the box to review would be super nice. I don't know if I can 100% afford this box on a monthly basis, so it will be a whenever I can type of box for now. Also, I LOVE THIS PACKAGING! My one wish is that they had a rewards program.With that said here were the contents!

The Box: Your Bijoux Box
The Price: 35$/month
The Product: 2-3 hand curated jewelry each month
The Link to Subscribe: yourbijouxbox.com

"Elise- Thank you for joining! Enjoy the sparkles! Dorota"

How adorable is this little note? It really shows how personally each box is, they even signed my box!

The inside of the box..did I say how much I love the packaging yet? It came with a cute cloth to clean my jewels with, these super nice velvety black bags and the adorable light blue tissue. Love already before I even open the contents. Also, they have basically no spoilers, I secretly asked on twitter(follow me @comboforqueens) and they gave me one, which makes it a true surprise! 

The first item is this amber, black, and sparkly bracelet. I think it is really adorable, but I am not quite sure how to style it. Also, it is not entirely my normal style. Totally willing to take a chance with it though, or worst comes to worse I can gift it with the holidays coming.

The second item was this AMAZINGLY ADORABLE necklace. I was skeptical, until I tried it on. It hangs perfectly on my neck. It can be worn with a ton because the colors are pretty muted, which I adore. It is slightly a statement necklace, but not too in your face. I basically am in love with this piece.

Lastly, I got this gold chain necklace. This was free with the code "sparkles" at checkout. I think the coupon is still available with your first box, so definitely try it when you subscribe. I love one-colored jewelry because I can go grab it and wear it with so many things without having a screaming jewelry statement. This piece will be worn all the time. I love it so much, especially for the cold season coming up. A cute sweater, boots, and jeans? Yes, please.

So that is it for this month's box. Overall, I am pretty much in love. Let's hope I get enough money to splurge on next month's box, or receive it to review (hint, hint ;) ). I highly recommend this box!! 

Splendies

It's time for a new subscription box!! Splendies :)
The Box: Splendies/Volumpties
The Price: 12$/month
The Product: 3 undies every month
The Link to Subscribe: http://curebit.com/x/tVQMpK

It is a lingerie subscription service for 12$ a month you get three pairs of gorgeous undies! They come in small, medium, and large, and also have a service called Volumpties for plus-sized ladies. They tell you the sizes run small....which they really do! A small was marked as being a 6, but the undies all fit me perfectly and I am a size 2.

The package came in a simplistic white envelope with this pink paper inside!

Here are my three undies. It is hard to see the black one on the end...it has two bows on the hips and is double-stringed. I really love the style and the simplicity! The middle one is blue lined with lace, it is a little modest for me, but I still think it is super cute! Lastly, the pink lace one in front. This one is not my favorite, I am not a huge fan of the tie up in front. It is a little too scandalous for me, I like lots of lace but not the tie. 

Overall I really like this service. They give you 4$ off your first month which made it a great deal! I haven't decided if I am going to continue with either Splendies or Unmentionably Cheek. Let me know in the comments!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today I bring you all a new recipe!! Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It is fall...which means pumpkin in everything! Pumpkin is one of my favorite flavors, so I am a huge fan of these cookies. They are EXTREMELY moist, so if you like more things more cakey, bake for a few more minutes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 Tablespoons pumpkin puree 

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. 

2.Whisk in the vanilla and pumpkin until smooth. Set aside.

3.In a large bowl, toss together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. 

4.Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a large spoon or rubber spatula. The dough will be very soft.  Fold in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. 

5.Cover the dough and chill for 30 minutes, or up to 3 days.

6.Take the dough out of the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

7.Roll the dough into balls, about 2 Tablespoons of dough each. Slightly flatten the dough balls because the cookies will only slightly spread in the oven. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. If you find that your cookies didn't spread much at all, flatten them out when you take them out of the oven.

8. Allow the cookies to cool for at least 10 minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring to a wire rack.  The longer the cookies cool, the chewier they will be. Cookies stay soft, moist, and chewy stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.

adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction

L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Powder

This product entered my life way before I started getting into makeup. It is a real staple for me that has always been in my makeup bag! I even used up almost an entire container...I didn't even know that was possible.

Here is my previous one I just finished. For some reason it looks darker in the photos than my new one, but I promise it is the same color. I use Natural Beige, but obviously they have a different color to match your exact skin tone. You can find it at almost any pharmacy: CVS, Target, etc. It usually costs around $9.00.

I put it on right after my foundation and concealer. You could probably use it as a foundation after concealer if you wanted. It takes away any greasiness that is on my face. After I put this on my face feels so smooth and I just love this product!

When you buy it, it comes with this weird applicator, but I recommend just using a powder blush or a blush brush. That way it doesn't go on too thick.

Overall I would give this an 8.5/10 only because if you use it as a foundation it starts to wear off towards the mid-late afternoon (if you apply in the morning obviously).

October Favorites

I know that blogging is new for me...but ordering packages and subscription services is most definitely not! Here are my favorites all rounded up for you to see for the month of October!

Julep Monthly Maven
Price: 19.99$/month
Service: Nail polish and a beauty product each month based on your beauty style profile or choose your own beauty profile!
Link: http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/322318/

HURRY 50% OFF SALE FOR MAVENS GOING ON NOW! Subscribe today, first box is FREE with code FREEBOX

I love this service so much. The nail polish colors are adorable. I get to change my profile for the month if I do not like the suggested colors, but can change back at any time, too cool! Plus you get the first box free just pay a couple dollars for shipping and you can skip a month at any time! Love. This. Service.

Pyramid Necklace from JewelMint

Price:$29.99 for most items (some are more)

Service: Choose any jewelry item each month using your jewelmint credit (worth 29.99), you can buy as many as you want throughout the month, but you are charged for only one credit, the rest you pay separately.

Link: http://jmnt.me/1aiEPe1

USE CODE BIG1 TO GET BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ON YOUR FIRST PRODUCT!

Jewelmint and I have a love hate relationship. They have really cool deals sometimes, which is why I have bought this and one other bracelet from them. I like my necklace (the bracelet was a gift), but I don't know if I ever would have purchased it without the discount. It is a little overpriced, but when you catch a deal like the one above, go for it!

E.l.f. Eyelid Primer

Service: Extremely well priced beauty products. They also have a beauty bundle which I have yet to try...comment if I should!

Price: $1.00

Link: Comment your email to get a link for 20% off!

 This primer is AMAZING! I honestly think it is worth so much more than one dollar. I would pay more, but I am loving the 1$ price. I got two in a mystery package, and thank goodness! It makes my eyeliner color pop so much more and stay on perfectly throughout the day!

Mystery Boxes Anyone?

Mystery....so enticing. I love mysteries. I love the suspense of getting a surprise...it is why everyone loves christmas isn't it? And every other holiday of gifting. Surprises are just so fun! So for you here is a little list of some mystery boxes going on!

Jewelmint: Thankful Mystery Box

2 Items (minimum!) 

24.99$

link: http://jmnt.me/1aiEPe1 

Bonus! Free gift with 50$ purchase

Ipsy: November "Glam it up"

6 Items this month!!

10.00$

link: http://www.ipsy.com/r/102d

Little Black Bag--It's Always A Mystery

You pick one item to purchase and 2 more items are hand selected for you! If you hate the items you can trade with other users before it even ships...no need for personal contact.

Price Varies

25% off link: http://lbb.ag/i4hQ

Bonus! 2 Free Dye Tie Sets with every purchase

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Black-Bottom Cookie Bars!

I know guys....I haven't posted a recipe in awhile. I have had like zero time to cook/bake! However, here is one of my classic go-to dessert recipes! Comment if you want a dinner recipe, I have a great one I just made.

The two batters :)

All spread into the pan...once you have the chocolate laid out, dollop the vanilla all over and then spread it out. This way you won't marble to two batters....unless you want to!

Finished product :)

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for baking dish)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 & 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line and 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving about a 2-inch overhang on two sides. 

2. Whisk together butter and both sugars in a large bowl. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing just until moistened.

3. Divide batter in half, and transfer one half to a separate bowl. Stir in cocoa powder and chocolate chips until combined.

4. Place chocolate batter in baking pan. Spread evenly and smooth top. Dollop the plain batter in sections over the chocolate batter. Spread plain out on top of chocolate batter. 

Bake 30-33 minutes, or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Prize Candle

So I decided to try a new surprise box type thing.... Prize Candle! They have all these super delicious sounding scents. I tried the Autumn Magic scent. The Pumpkin Spice was sold out :(. Needless to say, I  love fall scents :)!

It smelled amazing!!

Here is the ring I got...it is a little big but so pretty!

However, the Prize Candle experience was not the best for me. First of all, I read reviews and it said two to three hours of burning before you see the prize. I can deal with that. However, after about three hours I could only see the very tip of the bag! I tried digging with tweezers, bobby pins, and even a spoon without luck! I had to burn it FOREVER, and I nearly destroyed the candle trying to get out my prize. Don't get me wrong, I love the candle, but half the fun is getting the ring and I am NOT that patient. I wasted several hours of burning time by just trying to get to the ring. When I finally got to it, it was stuck to the side and the bottom of my candle. I had to dig out the bag with a spoon then remold the candle!! It really was awful. I love the ring (10$ value) and the candle...but getting to the surprise was stressful.

E.l.f Haul!!! (It's HUGE Guys)

Today, my beautiful package from E.l.f cosmetics came. The package was just white, but what was inside...pure beauty! I saw a deal where this discovery package was only 3$ with a 25$ purchase (It might have been 35$ I don't remember exactly). The amount of makeup I got was absolutely insane! It makes me so excited! Here are the products:

First the separate purchases I made to get the special priced discovery kit:

Okay here we have:

HD Lifting Concealer in Fair

Concealer Brush

Zit Zapper

Mineral Infused Face Primer

Eye Refresher

I am so excited to try all of these products! I needed new brushes so badly, as well as concealer. It's embarrassing but I have only been using foundation! The primer and refresher seemed like fun new products to try.

Here we have:

Mineral Blush in Pink

Long-lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow in Party

I did not expect the eyeshadow to be a creme eyeshadow, but it is! I have never tried creme eyeshadow before so that will be interesting!

Here is:

Lip Exfoliator

Matte Lip Color in Neutral 

Jump Lip Gloss Stick in Pink Umbrellas

Lip Stain in Nude Nectar

I have read a bunch of reviews and I am a little worried about the Lip Stain drying out, but for now it is great! I LOVE THE LIP EXFOLIATOR! It is so cool and I thought it would smell and feel gross but it smells amazing, really sweet like brown sugar, and it feels amazing on my lips.

 The Discovery Package!! :

Here we have(ignore the eye primer):

Small Stipple Brush

Eyeshadow Brush

Blending Eye Brush

You can never have too many brushes! I have never tried a stippling brush but I used it for some cream blush and it worked so well! It had the coolest, smoothest effect. One of my favorite brushes.

Here is:

(2x) Eye Primer

Mineral Lip Gloss in Sorority Girl

Matte Lip Color in Coral

(3x) Nail File

I was so excited because originally there was supposed to be glitter primer, a primer to put glitter on your eyes. However, I guess they sold out because I received regular eyelid primer! I don't wear glitter ever, but I needed new eyelid primer...and I got two! 

Here is:

THE BIG ITEM FOR THE DISCOVERY BOX!

The Day-to-Night Palette

Here is:

The Inside of the palette

The two layers stack and then it closes nicely like above. I am not crazy about every single color...but it calls for some fun experimenting! I like the sizes of each shadow though.

Here we have:

Contouring Blush and Bronzing Cream

Nail Polish in Twinkle Twilight

Again, I am not huge on the glitter, BUT I LOVE THIS POLISH! The glitter is super small so it goes on smooth and covers every little part of the nail. I rarely use cream blush or bronzer, but these are both nice, especially with my new stippling brush!

Overall, I am SO happy with this haul! Who really needs this much makeup? Well I sure do :)! It was so fun unboxing this! I wish I could order this much makeup all the time...but sadly I can't physically use that much makeup that fast! So happy with E.l.f! And I die for their sales!

JewelMint Pyramid Necklace

This is not necessarily a beauty review or a subscription box review...it is a mix of both. I am desperate to find new jewelry, my collection is weak. Since I have a love for subscription boxes, I thought I would try and find a jewelry one. After purchasing this necklace, I found much better boxes I should have ordered for the same price. JewelMint is a website where they charge you 29.99$ a month and give you a JewelMint credit, which allows you to pick out one item on their website for the month. Sure, it is a monthly thing, but it is not really a box, a surprise, or more than one item! Right away before even receiving the product, I probably will not do this again. Some items are cute, but there is no fun in it! And shopping should be fun, always! Plus, I am not too wealthy so the more I can get for 30$ the better! Right now, I am looking at either Mynt Box or Your Bijoux Box. Comment which you think I should get. Anyways, so once I received my item, I was pretty happy.

Sorry for the bad quality photo guys.

It is on a gold chain with three pyramids. The center pyramid has tiny rhinestones on two sides. I think this is a really pretty, but simple statement piece, if that makes any sense. It is not too in your face, but it still makes a statement. I am a little worried the pyramids will twist and tangle and flip over while I wear it, but it is still super pretty. I will probably style it with a white v-neck, dark jeans, and some nice boots!