The sample this time was a spell water that I will use in my practice.
This candle is gorgeous! The scent is perfect for spring! Purple is one of my favorite colors (currently LOVING yellow) and I love collecting the heart shaped crystals. Everything about this one was beautifully done. It is the next candle that I will burn once I finish last year’s Feb candle. As I am finishing up this post, my current candle just went out. I love love love the fresh Spring scent as I light this candle. ❤
Please ignore the phone number for Verizon on the page. lol
I love the Sweet Bitch perfume sample. When I need perfume, I’ll get the full size.
The candle is so beautiful this month! It came with a rose and strawberry quartz and garnet bracelet as well. The LOVE charm will be put on a tassel for a keychain that I am making. I cannot wait to burn this candle! The scent is beautiful and sweet.
I absolutely love her candles and will continue to purchase them.
This is one of the cutest candles that I have received and a nice start to the new year. I will reserve this candle for when I am doing my shadow work. I plan on doing more of my craft this year and sharing more posts regarding that. The panda is perfect for making my best friend a keychain and another charm for the charm bracelets that I make from these candles. I’m always happy with her items and candles. I will be continuing with this subscription for the foreseeable future.
I always appreciate the perfume and/or candle samples and the pamphlets that come with the candles.
I love the variety of products this time around. The themes have been so adorable and I’ve been happy with every box that I have received so far. I won’t have another one of these to unbox until May, but this gives me plenty of time to try to make a dent in what I have amassed with these boxes. I do see that the subscription has increased in price this year. The price without tax is now $63 from $49.99. This is a pretty significant hike. I am unsure if I will continue with the subscription if there isn’t an added value.
Tote Bag, $18
I love this tote bag and it was a cute addition for the Christmas box. I used it to bag up my best friend’s Christmas gift.
Space Girl Perfume, 0.3 fl oz $26
The scent is super sweet and candy-like. The notes are grapefruit, limon, bergamot oil, and almond essential oil. I thoroughly enjoy this perfume and I tend to spray it on every time I’m at my desk, which is where I keep my makeup and collection of perfumes. I feel like this will be very easy for me to use up, because I enjoy these types of fruity, sweet scents. It isn’t musky or powdery and no floral whatsoever.
Celebrate Body Lotion, 3.5 oz $18
There wasn’t really a scent to this that I noticed. I will use it once I use up my current pot of Lush body lotion. I’m prioritizing the pots over the bottles of lotion as I want to collect the pots as fast as possible to get free fresh face masks. lol
Intergalactic Body Scrub, 10.2 oz $24
The scent is very similar to the perfume. I think this would be fun to use up in the spring/summer months due to the candy fruity scent. I am currently using up an older body scrub, but I will enjoy using up this fun colored one when I can. I have a feeling that it would be moisturizing as well.
Fruit Punch Soap, 3.5 oz $8.75
I’m not a fan of solid soaps, so I gifted this one. The scent was fruity though.
Jingle Spells Bath Bomb, 7 oz $9
This is a huge bath bomb, but again, I gifted this one as I cannot use it with my septic tank system. It disrupts the natural bacteria and enzymes in the tank that breaks up the organic matter in the system.
In total, the value of this box was $103.75 ($68 not including the soap, bath bomb, and tote bag that I gave away as gifts) and I paid $59.45 including shipping and taxes. So, my worth came to about $9 more value than I paid, but the box had a $44.30 value extra over what I paid. I’m very happy with the subscription, but I am weary with the new price increase. This might become something I only get for a few months out of the year like May, July or August, October, November, December, January, and February. That equates to roughly half of the year, because I have to get the May box as it is my birthday month. I might skip May this year, but now we see what we get before we get it. I might look at the products first and decide before buying. I am undecided.
I really love this array of items that was delivered this month. I am keeping and using it all. So far, this box has the best value for me, because I will personally use everything. I’ve been really happy with my Lush purchases and this is no different.
I love the stickers as a bonus item!
Passion Fruit Exfoliating Shower Gel, 8.4 oz $28
I am using this in my shower right now and it is perfect for this time of year. I love the fruitiness and the light exfoliation for daily showering. My winter skin has been suffering, so I have incorporated daily exfoliation including dry brushing my back and backs of my arms where it tends to get bumpy and breakout during the winter months. It doesn’t take care of my KP but I find that daily scrubbing and dry brushing really helps if I stick to it after about a week.
Peachy Ro-se Body Lotion, 3.3 fl oz $16
Once I use up my current Lush body lotion, I will be using this one. The prices still amaze me, but I really have found nothing better, except the Bumbum cream. It has a nice light scent that isn’t too rosy for me.
Tropical Co-Mingle Body Scrub, 3.5 oz $11.95
I love the tropical scent and I am looking forward to using this in my shower during the summer months. It seems like it is a moisturizing body scrub, which is a bit different for me. I might not have to use lotion afterwards. I’ll report back when I do try it out.
Espresso Lip Scrub, 0.7 oz $13.50
Everyone who knows me knows that I love coffee, so a coffee lip scrub is so perfect for me. I am happy to be using this, but I know if I get another, I will most likely be gifting it as it takes a long time to use one of these tubs up.
Oat Milk Latte Body Scrub, 2.5 oz $10.60
I have another solid body scrub, but this one moisturizes as well. I have a whole lot of body scrubs to try out now. This one smells lovely. I usually use a body scrub once to twice a week on my whole body and I use a scrub every time I shower on my legs and my back where I tend to get either ingrown hairs or body acne. It really helps to reduce breakouts in those areas along with dry brushing.
The box had a value of $80.05 and I will be using everything in this one. So, it roughly has a $20 value over what I spent on the box. I am extremely happy with the November box and I cannot wait to show the box that arrived in December.
It has been a crazy month with a lot of usage on many products in my collection. As of writing this post at the beginning of Feb, I already have two more empties. My plan is to shop my stash this year and focus on all of the items that I own. I will be looking over this list anytime I want to purchase anything to see if I have anything in that category and how many items of it that I own. I am hoping to reduce my spending by doing it this way. I also thought it would be interesting to see how my numbers change throughout the year.
Body Care:37 items
Body Wash: 3
Body Scrub: 4
Deodorant: 2
Witchy Soak: 1 *Grounding bath salts from WBC
Body Lotion: 10 *Some are samples but really need to use them up
Vaseline: 1
Body Oil: 3
Foot Mask: 1
Solid Scrub: 2
Bubble Bars: 2
Self-Tanner: 2
SPF: 1
Body Mask: 1
Highlight: 2
Hair Care: 27 items
Shampoo: 2
Conditioner: 2
Scalp Scrub: 1
Hair Oil: 1
Detangler: 1
Beach Wave Spray: 2
Hair Mask: 3 *I’d like to use up 1 more
Shine Spray: 1
Dry Shampoo: 2
Leave-In-Conditioner: 3
Hair Gel: 1
Hair Tint: 1
Hair Sealant: 1
Dandruff Serum: 1
Bond Treatment: 1
Glitter: 3
Skin Care: 49 items
Face Cleanser: 2
Face Mask: 7 *potted face masks and I need to use these up
Sheet Masks: 12 *Need to do more self-care
Brow Conditioner: 1
Eye Cream: 2
Facial Tanner: 1
Face Cream/Moisturizer: 3
Facial Spray: 1
Serum: 3
Facial Peel: 1
Acne Treatment: 3
Cleansing Pads: 1
Eye Treatment: 1
SPF: 1
Cleansing Water: 1
Makeup Remover: 1
Eye Mask: 1
Eye Serum: 1
Cleansing Oil: 2
Eye Cream: 2
Makeup:124 items
Brush Cleanser: 1
Perfume: 20 *Most are sample sizes that I need to push out of my collection DESPERATELY!
Brushes: 10
Primer: 3
Setting Spray: 9 *Need to finish up a few this year
Foundation: 4 *Would like to use up 2
Pressed Powder: 4
Pressed Highlighter: 3
Makeup Sponges: 15 *Need to start using these.
Brow Gel: 1
Mascara: 2
Lip Scrub: 3
Lip Mask: 3
Lip Gloss: 5
Liquid Blush: 6 *I’d like to use up 2
Liquid Eyeshadow: 1
Lip Balm: 3
Liquid Highlighter: 4
Lipstick: 3
Eye Shadow Stick: 1
Cream Bronzer: 1
Eye Shadow Palette: 4
Highlighter Stick: 1
Loose Setting Powder: 2
Powder Bronzer: 3
Single Glitter: 1
Glitter Eye Primer: 1
Liquid Eyeliner: 1
Eyeliner: 4
Concealer: 1
Powder Blush: 1
Liquid Lipstick: 1
For the additions: 6 items
I added in another setting spray. It is a sample that I will add into my project to use up.
I added the blue eyeliner.
I added a perfume sample.
I added up the following products that I found while unpacking the last of my items from the move: 2 perfumes, 1 body lotion, and a body oil.
Before the Empties:237 items
This is my go-to deodorant brand and I love my Lush body washes. I’m not getting another Lush box until my birthday in May, so I have plenty of time to try to use up a good part of what I own and cut down on the clutter.
I love Olaplex and their products. I’m working on using up my hair stash as I know what products I enjoy now and I won’t be purchasing just anything moving forward. I hope Ulta carries Olaplex, because I am going to continue to purchase this product. It is great for my hair. My stylist cannot believe how good the integrity of my hair is after bleaching it for 3 years straight. I owe it all to Olaplex products.
I’m not going to be purchasing face wipes any time soon. I want to use up my cleansing water first and I have a lot of face pads to use up. I’m happy to have finished a facial moisturizer as I still have so many to use up.
I didn’t like the blush. The sponge got gross after 3 months. The Stila eye glitter was used up. The mini setting spray was used up. The eye shadow palette was shattered in the move.
After the Empties:227 items
After 1 month, 10 items are used up and out of my collection. I think those are pretty great numbers for just a month of work. The net month is shorter, but I am hoping to have at least 5 items gone from my collection. I don’t see myself getting anything anytime soon. I’m hoping to not add to my collection until my birthday, because I always splurge a little bit on myself then.
The October box was super exciting and I enjoyed the theme. The box was worth it to me this month without even looking at the prices yet. It was super cute and included a bonus item. This is a subscription box that I will still be getting in 2024. The months that I will probably indulge in are May, August, October, November, and December. Next year, I’d like to not miss the January and February boxes as those were really nice this year too!
Treasure Map Knot-Wrap $20
It is a more expensive wrap due to being a limited edition. I gave this away as a gift to a Halloween-loving friend.
Redbeard Shower Gel 8.4 fl ox $25
I haven’t used this shower gel yet, but it is on my radar to use. It smells so spicy and nice. A fall scent for sure, so I will probably use it during the fall season. I love the gold glitter in this! It doesn’t stick to the skin or bath but it makes for a lovely experience.
Pirates of the Carrageenan Bath Bomb 7 oz $10
I’m so sad that I cannot use bath bombs because this is so awesome! I love things covered in glitter! I gave this away as a gift.
Pumpkin Patch Bath Bomb 5.9 oz $9.50
Another one that I had to give away. Look how cute it is tho!
Scrub Scrub Scrub Body Scrub 4.5 oz $9.31
I had to calculate the value for this one. It is such a black body scrub. I’m using an older body scrub currently but I plan on using one of the scrubs from Lush next. It will depend on the season what scented scrub I use. This one might be waiting until Fall as well.
Smugglers Soul Multipurpose Cream 3.5 oz $18
Lush states that you can use this as a shaving cream, so I plan on using this for that purpose as my shaving cream is almost done currently. It has a very light scent, so I don’t feel like I’m wasting it as it isn’t a heavily scented product that would last on the skin. If I did it with the lime lotion, I would feel like I would be wasting it.
In total, the value of this box was $91.81 ($52.31 not including the items I gave as gifts) and I paid $59.45 including taxes. If I like everything, that is a value of $32.36 dollars to this subscription box. This is a HUGE value month and I was very happy with the box. It made for perfect gifts and I saw incredible value for the subscription.
One of my lovely blogger friends got me to try the Lush Kitchen subscription, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I have had a few boxes delivered already, and my favorite ones have to be the holiday boxes, hands down. October, November, and December are the best boxes in my opinion. The best variety for me is also getting 1 spring and 1 summer box for the seasonal scents of florals and oceany scents. I am excited to show you the items and the value of the box vs what I paid for it.
Ice Blue Soap 3.5 oz $8.75
I don’t use traditional soap blocks like this, but I did give it to my boyfriend. He plans on using it during the summer when he wants a cool shower. These are great to use as gifts, I have gifted many items from these boxes as I don’t need all of these items, which is why I don’t get every box.
Dirty Naked Shower Scrub 4.5 oz $18
I haven’t used this body scrub yet as I have many body scrubs in my collection that are older. I do plan on using this though. It is very minty, so I plan on using it up during the summer months as my body scrub.
Freeze Shower Gel 8.4 fl oz $25
I love Lush shower gels which is a big reason why I purchased the subscription. I am saving this one for the summer months since it is cooling. These bottles last a long time for me, probably around 2 months. It is worth the price to me.
World Peace Bath Bomb 7 oz $9
I was a huge fan of this bath bomb! I used it before bed and it was very nice. It was moisturizing and soothing. I wasn’t a fan of the yellow ring it left around the bath, but I attribute that to the nourishing oils in this particular bath bomb. Unfortunately, I can no longer use bath bombs due to living in a house with a septic system. Bath bombs can damage the septic, so I now give them away in gifts to my friends and family who have baths that they can use them in.
Melomint Bubble Bar 3.5 oz $8.50
I can continue to use bubble bars with the septic system though, so I will be using this one. I haven’t taken many baths lately, but I plan on using this one once I finish up a different bubble bar that I am using up from Lush.
In total, the value of this box was $69.25 ($60.50 not including the soap that I passed on) and I paid $59.45 including taxes. If I like everything, that is a value of $10 dollars to this subscription box. For me personally, it was like $1 more than what I paid for it. However, I am happy to see that everything is worth what I paid for the box. As long as the overall value isn’t lower than the box, I am happy with the box regardless of how much in the box I will actually use. Everyone loves the Lush items that I gave them as gifts as Lush is very expensive and hard to get in person around here.
This is my planner subscription for the new year. I will be getting a new planner every month. When I receive my February planner, I will show the layout as I have already written in both my December and January Planners. I also purchased the Life Workbook for this year and the Journal notebook for prompts. I also downloaded the app and joined the online community. While I love planners, I feel like these bullet journal-type planners are the direction that I am moving toward. I may even try to not have a planner in 2025. For now, this is the brand that I have been enjoying.
I don’t know about you, but I need a push to finish off items. I have a terrible habit of hoarding items for special occasions or holding off finishing an item because it will be gone. I’ve told myself I will put it on a repurchase list if I really love the item and want it back in my collection. This project is about putting items on their last legs or ones that I need to push to finish. It is a rolling project 5 pan. When I finish an item, I will roll in another in the same category. For example, replacing skin care with another skincare item that I need a push to finish. Below are the items that I am working on for the month of January. I am hoping to complete most if not all of these items this month!
I am notorious for hoarding samples. One is my “makeup” item which is the Fix + Setting spray. The other is a perfume sample from WetchBetch Creations, my favorite witchy supply store. I’m hoping to use both of these up this month.
I’ve been saving this last little bit of Marc Jacobs Beauty for way too long. I am hoping that I can use this up this month.
I love my Lush products, and I do not know why I won’t finish this when I have other Lush products waiting to be used. The other is a hair scrub that I just need the motivation to use and then to use up. I don’t think I will finish the scrub this month, but I want to use it by the end of March, ideally!
I will check back in next month with my progress and the other items that I will be rolling into the project in February.
Home Sweet Phoenix Cove 