Perfume and chocolate covered chips?

It's that time of the month again! :) My Birchbox came this past week! I'll be completely honest --- I'm kind of disappointed with this one and it pains me to say it. I love trying new things, and I should expect to not have everything be catered to me, but this one .... I'm just not thrilled. 

So here is what I tried so far --- 

Perfume vial. First of all, since companies started making their perfumes in a spray trial size I so prefer that! I hate having to be SO careful to open the vial then my fingers smell and taste like the perfume. Gag. Sadly, Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme kinda did that for me. It was a dab on vial and I really can't stand the smell. I should have known with the word 'rose' in it, it would be extremely flowery. From working in a bank, I have smelled a lot of things. Super sweet little old ladies who OD on flowery perfume is one scent that makes my eyes water and I start to gag. I have a slight opinion about perfume -- can ya tell?! 

Second -- Chocolate covered potato chip - Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod. Sounds good, right? Ehh.. If it's a chocolate covered POTATO CHIP -- where was the chip? It was a little crunchy, but I was really hoping for a thick lardy chip covered in chocolate. Not so much. It was like the crumbs at the bottom had been molded into a leaf-like shape and covered in chocolate. But it's only 60 calories.. I wouldn't buy them, but it was nice to try.

I have 3 more items to try, but so far, this box has been a bit of a bust :/

What have I been up to....??

I am so excited to tell you JUST that! Ha. About a month ago I started taking a knitting class in town. I have been wanting to learn how to knit, and YouTube just wasn't helping me at all. I have learned so much in the past month! My first project was a washcloth and I couldn't tell you how many times I ripped it apart and started over. So it has a big hole in it, but I didn't want to start over when I had less than 10 rows to go (whole thing was 60ish). Anyway, it's done, we use it, and I feel more confident about basic knitting stitches. 

Second project was, and still is, a pair of pedicure socks. One is done and the other will be started within the next week or so. 

Within the past month I have also toyed with the idea of making craft items to sell. Starting with some basics - hats, scarves, flowers.. My latest find and fun thing to make are fingerless gloves/mittens. Kinda love them!

In my bag of tricks I have accumulated quite the collection of items -- above mentioned, and add to that fingerless gloves, knitted headbands (LOVE these!), and I'm about to make a prototype coffee sleeve. I'm not sure what may be added, or where this will take me/us, but I love being able to create things. 

OMG I forgot - add to that some basic beading. If you or someone you know has a teething infant I TOTALLY recommend an amber teething necklace. If you have chronic pain (I broke both my wrists in elementary school, 3rd and 4th grade, do a lot of needle crafts - see above - and I have a lot of pain in my wrists in the winter months... Even with adding more crafts, my wrists don't feel as bad as they normally "should". I have been wearing amber bracelets on each for about 2 months.) I also recommend Amber. There are so many healing properties in a number stones. Have an ailment? Let me know and we can talk. 

Wanna see things on a regular basis from me? Become a fan of my facebook page here --- Brandie's Basket. Catchy name, huh? I like it :) 

Have a great day folks!

Ugh. The humidity! The curls! The fly aways! What is a girl to do!?

So, my amazing stylist, Katie from Roots Salon (go see her. She's kind of amazing. And I've known her FOREVER) told me about a new line from Redken. Let me first of all tell you a little about my hair.

1. It's wavy, but it's also developed some weird textures/habits since I've had two babies. It's changed after both kiddos were born. Not a fan, but pregnancy does this!

2. Totally color treated. After I became pregnant with Landon I noticed some grays coming. (tears.) Oh well. It happens.

3. I'm lazy and cheap.

That being said --- When I have time, I love my hair flat-ironed, but seriously. I have zilch time unless Landon is asleep. Even then, there is always a chance only half my head would be finished. However, it's so much easier for me to wash, towel dry, slap on some product, and roll. I'll be honest - I'm usually running late. I try, but it's hard some days. Roots Salon had a sample package of Redken Curls. I am so glad I picked this up!! A try me size of shampoo, conditioner, mousse-like product, diffuser, and some instruction. 

-Shampoo is a low sud shampoo, but I like it. It was weird to use because I'm used to some serious lather, but I like the results!

-Conditioner is very similar to what I am used to. Like it.

-Mousse - not like a puffy, touch and it vanishes. Website describes it as a foam wax. Little tacky, but kind of amazing.

My dear, sweet, fellow curly haired ladies - give it a try! I'm really liking the results! Enjoy and embrace the curls!