April BirchBox Review

Do you love make up?  Do you love trying new beauty products?  I do, I do, I do-ooo.  (please say someone gets the reference) Last month through Stitch Fix I heard about a program called Birchbox where for just $10 a month you get to try out samples of beauty (and sometimes snack) products.  I had to try it out.  I was lucky enough to get off the waiting list right away and I couldn't wait to get my first box.

Here's what I got this April:

1.  Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner (Purple):  This was my favorite item in the box.  I was nervous and excited to try purple eyeliner.  It wasn't too crazy and looked great with my eyes.  It went on smooth and lasted all day.  I want to try it in blue.
2.  Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream (Light to Medium):  I was impressed that this blended with my skin color so well.  It has something in it that is supposed to match to your skin color...and it did.
3.  Color Clubs Gala's Gem's Collection (Aquamarine Azulino):  I love nail polish.  I grew up around one brand and haven't tried too many others just because I tend to find something I like and stick with it, but I'm trying new things and this is such a fun spring color.
4.  Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle:  This smells A-Maz-ING.  Seriously can not get enough of the smell of it.  Didn't really feel any difference with my hair.  I don't have long hair and my conditioner detangles it anyway.  I guess it's protecting my hair from the heat so I wouldn't see/feel that overnight.
5.  Kind Healthy Grain Bars (Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt):  I was expecting this to be more chewy, but it was pretty crunchy.  I did enjoy the flavor though.  Really salty so if you don't like salt this isn't for you.  I would buy more though.

What I really like about this service is that I get to try and learn about new brands and I love that it is only $10 a month...seriously it's extremely affordable.  When you sign up you fill out a style profile so they can pick out items they think will work best for you.

Want to learn more?  Check it out here!

Review: Las Vegas Strip Hotels

Ok so I've been lucky enough to have stayed at 6 of the hotels on the Las Vegas Strip so far.  Each of them have pros and cons so I thought I'd let everyone in on my opinions on them.  I hope to be able to add to this list in the future...

Oh Vegas...how I love your sparkly lights...
1.  Stratosphere:  Now I'm almost hesitant to add this as part of "the strip" since it is so far to the North end that it would be an unpleasant and possibly sketchy walk to get anywhere else.  I stayed there in the month of April.  The pool was a pool, nothing special about it besides it wasn't on ground level, but it didn't give you a good view of anything either.  They do have a small necessities store there, but most things you do have to go elsewhere for.  They did give us free rides up to the top of the stratosphere so that saved us some money.  I didn't ride any of the rides at the top though, we just went up to enjoy the view.  Also the window in the room didn't open at all.  I know that's fairly common in Las Vegas, but even in April the room was miserably humid.  Overall it wasn't a bad stay, but I probably would not stay there again since location is a big one for me.

Pros: Price, Customer Service
Cons:  Location, Pool, Room

Caesar's Palace Pool Area

Swim up Bar Area Caesar's

2.  Caesar's Palace:  Home of The Hangover, and while I didn't stay in a penthouse I did truly enjoy my stay here.  First and foremost the location is IDEAL.  It is seriously in the center of all the action on the strip.  You are close to tons of food choices, malls, entertainment, clubs, and the always fun in Vegas people watching.  Everything there just seems clean, and yes it is Vegas so it probably isn't all clean, but it's a lot of white marble looking material and just feels uncluttered.  I loved that I felt pretty rich staying there...even though I'm not.  Next happiness...the POOL!!  To me this is also super important in Las Vegas.  The pool has an amazing atmosphere. Once again it makes you feel like you are a millionaire at your own luxurious pool.  There are four pools you have access to.  One round, one rectangle with a swim up bar/gambling area at the end, and two smaller rectangle pools.  The room was fine.  Nothing super special, but everything looked clean and not too small.  The window again didn't open.  I would love to stay at this hotel again.
Pros:  Location, Pool, Atmosphere
Cons:  Price

Paris Room

Paris Bathroom

3.  Paris:  This hotel definitely has charm.  When you walk it in it meant to feel like you are walking around Paris, France.  The check in area has very pretty chandeliers and mirrors to give it a luxurious Paris atmosphere.  The hotel also has a small Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triumph which is pretty fun.  The room reminds me of what I would imagine a bed and breakfast or boutique hotel to look like.  The shower and tub were separate and the bathroom really spacious.  The food at this hotel is amazing.  They have crepes, a buffet with French food (yummy), a Piano Bar, Sugar Factory (an awesome candy store and restaurant), some other specialty restaurants, and the restaurant on one of the floors of the Eiffel Tower.  Sohere.  The pool was average, it was under their Eiffel Tower, but overall it was just a pool.  Location is great on this hotel.  It's right across from the Bellagio hotel which is really center of all the action on the strip.  I would stay in this hotel again if I came in the winter, because of the pool I wouldn't pick this hotel to stay in the summer.
many options.  I really do recommend the buffet...see my other post about Vegas buffets
Pros:  Location, Food, Atmosphere, Decor
Cons:  Pool, Price

4.  Flamingo:  Flamingo is right across from Caesar's Palace so again, excellent location.  They used to scent the casino with coconut spray which I enjoyed (so it smelled like a mixture of tropical and the usual Vegas cigarette smoky smell) but the last time I went I didn't smell it so maybe they stopped.  The hotel itself is ok, nothing super special to see on the inside.  They do have a flamingo and tropical bird garden that's fun to see outside.  They have a buffet and Margaritaville, which is a pretty fun place to eat.  The rooms had just been remodeled when I stayed there.  No carpet on the floor, average bathroom, cute decor in the room (some pink fluffy pillows...not for everyone).  The pool was great.  There was a DJ, lots of shade, waterfalls, lots of space, and a tropical atmosphere.  I even participated in a limbo contest (and came in 2nd).  The pool was for sure the best part of the hotel.  For that reason and it's location I would totally stay there again.
Pros:  Location, Pool, Price
Cons:  Atmosphere

Yeah...I had long hair..and this is the
buildings around The Quad Pool

5.  The Quad (Formerly known as Imperial Palace):  This hotel is right next to the Flamingo so the location is still in the area I would consider decent.  This hotel was under construction while I was there and still was when I came back 8 months later...not impressed with that.  The room was pretty small, but it did have a balcony which I appreciated.  It was nice to get some air in the room even if it was 100 degrees outside.  At least it wasn't humid in the room.  There really isn't any food choices there except a small convenience store where you can get snacks and sodas.  There is food close by though since you are still pretty much in the heart of the strip.  The pool was average.  It was in the middle of a courtyard so you are surrounded by tall buildings and not too tropical feeling.  With all the buildings and pavement around it is HOT in that area.  I could only lay out for about 10 minutes before I had to get back in the pool.  This hotel though is one of the cheapest hotels to stay at on the strip so if I was going in the winter or had no other options I would stay here again based on location.
Pros:  Price, Location
Cons:  Pool, Construction, Atmosphere

The Mirage Pool

6.  The Mirage:  I stayed at the Mirage most recently and to be honest I have some beef with them right now that if it gets resolved I will update my feelings on how things were handled.  Basically I stayed here in the month of April based on the fact that they advertise on their website a heated pool (since in April the temperature can range anywhere from the 50s to the 80s).  The pool was not heated...like at all...when you stay at a place to enjoy pool time and then can't because their "heated" pool is freezing it's quite a downer.  I've emailed them and have yet to hear back from their customer service team.  Despite this situation the pool area was beautiful.  Extremely tropical and very similar to the flamingo pool.  I would have loved to have used it...the room was average (the window did open a crack).  It is in a great location still.  There are restaurants at the hotel, but I didn't eat at any of them.  They do have my favorite show in Vegas at this hotel, Beatles Love, but it wasn't playing when I went this last time.  Overall if they can do something to fix their false advertisement and sufficiently make it up to us in some way I would love to stay at this hotel again.  If it's not fixed then I have no desire to stay at hotel that has horrible customer service and doesn't take care of their guests.  Again, I will add to this post if it is ever resolved.
UPDATE:  So I emailed them and while it took a long time (almost two months) to finally get it all resolved we figured out something to make things a little better.  They offered us a one bedroom tower suite room for a very discounted price for 3 nights.  One of the nights was technically free, but we still paid for the other two.  This stay was much different.  Maybe it was the room and the fact that it was the dead of summer.  I was happy with this outcome and since they fixed it I would stay here again, but probably not in the winter.  The pool still wasn't heated in the summer (not that I would want it to be) but their description still states it is heated year round.  Oh well.  The room was amazing and we had a great view.
Pros:  Pool Atmosphere, Location
Cons:  Pool Not Heated As Advertised, Room, Price, Customer Service

Festival of Colors

In India, Holi Festival (affectionately called the Festival of Colors), is a celebration once a year to celebrate the start of spring.  Well we like to celebrate it in Utah too.  I've gone 4 out of the past 5 years to celebrate.

We like to dress the same...

Usually around the end of March the Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah opens it's grounds for a huge party where thousands from all over (I come from Idaho about 4 hours away) to throw dry colored paint on each other.  Every hour they have a giant throwing where they count down and everyone throws their colors at once.  Throughout the day they have Indian food, music, meditation chanting, and yoga.  It's quite a joy to participate in.  I love it...hence going back 3 times after the first time I went.  It's such a fun thing to do with a group of friends.

We were clean at one point...

This year some of my friends and I got up super early (6am on a Saturday is early come on people) and drove the long journey (4 hours...maybe I'm exaggerating on the long journey) and went to throw color on each other.  We all start out clean and usually with white shirts because it's more fun that way.
By the end I'm not sure what color we are!?!  Pink, Purple, Green, Orange, and Yellow are the colors you see.

Here are a few tips for going to Holi Festival:

In the middle of the hourly throwing

• Buy a cheap white shirt from walmart...it will get ruined
• Bring cash to the festival.  There's a $3 entrance fee and then the bags of color cost money ($12 for a 5 pack of colors)
• Wear sunglasses.  These help protect your eyes.  You could still get hit with color, but this can block a lot of it.

  

  Lots of people celebrating spring!

• Cover your head and mouth with bandanas...yes you might look ridiculous...but it's so nice not to get color in your mouth and up your nose.
• Cover the car seats you will be leaving in with old sheets or towels so you don't get colors on your seats.  The car owner will appreciate this. 
• Bring garbage bags to put your dirty stuff in.  I also would say to bring flip flops to put on so you can put your dirty shoes in the garbage bag immediately.
• Bring old rags or towels to dust off the color before you ever jump in the shower or get wet.  Adding water to the color is when it starts to really dye things...including skin and hair.
• Have FUN!!

  

  We are awesome<3!!

Want to see an NYC Broadway Show for under $40?

Let me tell you how you CAN.  It is completely reasonable to pay $25-$40 a ticket to see a Broadway play or musical in New York City.  I've done it.  I've also not done it and it is so much better if you can.  It's not without some work and planning though.  You can't just show up at the ticket office and ask for a $30 ticket.  There are three ways in which you can get cheap tickets; student rush, rush, and lottery.  I've done all three so let's start with student rush because I think it's the easiest.  

Student Rush Tickets:  These are usually going to be tickets sold in the morning when the shows box office opens and you have to have a student ID.  In my case only one person in our two person group needed a student ID.  I would still recommend getting to the box office and waiting in line before it actually opens in the morning.  They don't have unlimited tickets, but by getting there early and having a student ID you have a good shot.  When I did this we got there right when the box office opened, but I'm sure it depends on which show you're trying to see.  We ended up sitting towards the right side of the theater and about the 5th row back. We paid $30 each for these tickets. Not too shabby.

Rush Tickets:  Rush tickets are open to anyone.  You don't have to have a student ID to get these tickets, but that means you have to work a little harder for them since anyone can get them.  Let me tell you my story on how I got rush tickets.  The box office opened at 10am for this show so I wanted to get in line no later than 8am.  Yeah I'm serious.  I'm sure it depends on the show, but I think it was completely worth it.  When we got there a little before 8am we were about the 6th and 7th people in line.  Once I saw where we were in line and how long the line got after us I was glad we were where we were.  I wasn't too worried about getting the tickets at this point, but I was sitting outside on the street in New York City in some very cold weather.  A man walking by was kind enough to hand my friend and I a cardboard box to sit on...he said it would be warmer than the pavement...and who said people in NYC weren't nice?  Anyway we got our tickets and ended up on the right hand side again but the 2nd row.  By the way Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) starred in this show and I almost had to be restrained from jumping on the stage and hugging that kid.  These tickets were $30 each.

Lottery:  I'm going to give my specific experience with the Wicked Lottery.  Each Lottery can be different, but I know this is how it works for Wicked.  The day of the show you have to be at the box office two and a half hours before the show starts.  For half an hour they will take your name down (for free) and put it into their lottery.  If you're with a big group keep in mind that if you win you can only get two tickets total.  My friend and I each put our name in.  Then you wait.  After the half an hour they shut down taking names and start rolling the raffle barrel with everyone's name in it from the last half an hour.  One by one they pull names out and find out if they are taking one or two tickets.  People...they called my name.  I screamed like I was a 13 year old about to meet a backstreet boy in 1999.  And I didn't care.  They put us in a line, had us pay (they only take cash so remember that before you go), and gave us our tickets!!!  We sat...drumroll please.........front row center.  Now you might say, didn't you have to look up the whole time?  Yeah, but not that much, it wasn't like watching a huge screen movie in the front row, but I could see them spit when they were talking.  I was pretty pleased with our seats.  And to think the poor suckers a couple rows behind me probably paid $300 or more for their seat.  I'll take my front row center $25 seat.

Now each show is going to be different so I suggest going to this website and looking before you go.  Do your research people.  It pays.  I can't tell you how happy I am to say that I saw these 3 Broadway shows all for under $100.  Considering I paid over $100 for my balcony seat the first time I saw Wicked, these prices rock!!

These gentlemen jumped in the picture with me,
the tall one said he played for the NBA...
anyone in the basketball know want to tell me if this is true??

Cirque Du Soleil: Beatles Love

I was fortunate enough to go see what I consider to be the best show in Las Vegas...Beatles Love.  Now, I'm a pretty big Beatles fan and every time I had been to Vegas I went home extremely sad that I hadn't forked out the cash to see this show...well when I finally did I decided that I should have a long time ago...because I loved it.

This show is everything you would think it would be:  trippy, lots of smoke, crazy, and of course all put to the best of the Beatles (best meaning all of it).  We were able to get really great seats and to be honest, because the seats are set around a round stage there really aren't bad seats.  I will say the tickets were over $100, but I completely think it was worth it.  I won't spoil everything, but I will give some of my favorite parts:

• The people greeting you and walking you to your seats
• Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
• The VW Bug
• When they covered the entire audience with a sheet (yeah this happened)

I haven't seen any other Cirque Du Soleil shows yet, but just based on the fact that I could sing along with this one makes me think that this will be on the top of my list.  Go see it.  Embrace the inner-hippie.

Stitch Fix March Review

Have you heard of this yet?  It's an amazing service where you tell Stitch Fix what kind of clothes you like, how much you usually spend, and what styles you want to try and they pick out clothes for you and send them right to your door. This is my first box and so far I'm extremely impressed.  You decide when you want it sent to you, you can choose every month or just here and there when you like.  I love that I didn't have to sign up with any kind of contract.  If I don't want a fix I just go onto their website, sign into my account, and press a button that allows me to skip that month (sad face).  When they pick your 5 items for your fix you're charged $20, but as long as you keep one of the items that $20 goes toward the item...and if you keep all 5 items you get a 25% discount on all of it.

I told Stitch Fix that I usually dress in business casual, I do like more glamourous items, and that I'd like to start getting more color in my wardrobe.  I specifically requested that anything I'm given have sleeves, and if it's a skirt it needs to be at least knee length.  I also asked that I don't get any earrings.  I have a pair of diamond studs that I wear so I usually don't stray from that often and I am not a fan of dangly earrings on myself.

So without further ado...here are my 5 items:

Bay to Baubles Weston Abstract Spike Bangle Bracelet ($32)-This is the only accessory I got in this fix, which I was fine with because I'm more about the clothes.  I usually don't wear a ton of silver, but I'm trying to try new things with Stitch Fix and honestly with everything else I got I fell in love with it.

Collective Concepts Cathleen Split-Neck Tulip-Sleeve Blouse ($68)-This is an awesome top I got.  I felt it was perfect for spring.  As soon as I opened it I knew it would be really nice on and the color fit.  You can't see it too well, but the sleeves have a "tulip edge".  My only complaint was that I looked later and it was dry clean only.  Honestly though I just bought one of those dryer bags and that's what I used after I wore it.  It freshened it right up.  Excuse my crazy face.

Just Black Banks High Rise Cropped Skinny Jean ($78)-The third item I got were these black pants.  They are stretchy and high waisted.  I absolutely love them too.  They fit and I'm pretty happy when pants fit.  Who isn't?  Also here's a shot of this outfit all put together.

Sweet Rain Isaac Floral Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse ($48)-The next item I got was this black floral sheer top.  These people must know me.  I seriously don't know how they picked this on their first shot.  It's something I will wear to work and out on the weekend.  It goes with so much and the print is perfect.

Mystree True Smock-Detail Open Cardigan ($78)-The last item I got in this fix is this light gray ruffle top cardigan.  Not a fan of this one...at all...the ruffles seem to hit in the wrong place for me and I think it makes my arms look bigger than they are.  It just doesn't fit with my style nor do I feel it pushes any boundaries with changing anything up.  I did end up keeping it...and I'll explain why.

At the end of the day I loved the other four items and I could send it back (free shipping), but by keeping all 5 items I would get the 25% discount and so the cardigan ended up only really costing me $7.  So I figure I could get rid of it somewhere.

Once you see what you get you have 3 days to decide what you want to keep.  I thought about it overnight and the next morning I went to the Stitch Fix website and left my feedback.  They list each item they sent you and you say if you're keeping it or not and what you liked or didn't like about it.  I gave feedback on each item because the more they learn about you the better the fixes are supposed to get.  Whatever you don't keep you put in the prepaid bag they sent with your items and drop it off at the post office.  After this first fix I already feel addicted to it.  It's exciting to see what items you'll get and to add to your wardrobe.  I'm waiting two months between this fix and my next one, but I'm already getting impatient waiting.

If you're interested in Stitch Fix here's a link to try it out. Find out more about Stitch Fix. It's so much fun, give it a shot.

The Oregon Coast

Growing up I was fortunate enough to get to spend many summers enjoying the beach life on the oregon coast.  Specifically in Waldport, Oregon.  I loved it.  I just want to point out the highlights and some tips from a few of the cities I spent time in.

The gorgeous view...

#1-Waldport
Waldport was the heart of my summers.  It's a unique coastal town that has a couple of my favorite spots.  My all time favorite spot to eat is Grand Central Pizza.  I love food, and I'm pretty sure I went to eat here at least every other day while I was there.  No, they don't serve anything super different, and no it isn't fancy or anything out of the ordinary, but it's good and sometimes that's enough.  My other suggestion there is just to walk around.  The town is small enough that you could walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes.  When I used to stay there there were no fast food chains at all.  Now I believe there is a Subway, but all other restaurants are non-chains.  There's no Walmart, no Costco, and one small chain grocery store.  Check out the shops and just enjoy beach town life.

The view in Yachats

#2-Yachats
If you thought Waldport was tiny...Yachats you will pass in the blink of an eye.  Not a whole lot to it, but a couple of gems are hidden there.  The Adobe hotel and restaurant is my favorite.  I requested to go there almost every year on my birthday.  It's a little fancy, but you can still show up in jeans.  The best part is that they have huge windows facing the ocean.  If you're lucky you might even spot a whale.  I also love the candy shop in town and by town I mean one of the little shops just off the highway.  They have ice cream, fudge, and all sorts of yummy sweets.  I'm not usually an ice cream eater, but for some reason whenever I come to the coast I suddenly need some one two times a day.  It's vacation...why not?

Yaquina Head Lighthouse--Tallest in Oregon

#3-Newport
This will be where you can find more of your creature comforts...Walmart, McDonalds, Fred Meyers, Taco Bell (thank goodness), etc.  I loved going into Newport.  It's only about a 15 minute drive from Waldport.  As a kid though there's much more to see.  There are two light houses I would definitely recommend stopping to see, one on each side of town.  One you'll have to pay to go to, but it's worth it for the views.  There's even a small hike you can do.  I also recommend heading down on Bay Blvd where they have Ripley's Believe it or Not, a Wax Museum, and an Under Sea Adventure.  There are lots of good places to eat and grab sweets...like ice cream...enjoy the shops.   The last must see area is the Aquarium and Aquarium Village.  The Village will have fun shops and places to get trinkets unique to the coast like blown glass globes.  The Aquarium used to house Keiko the killer whale a.k.a Free Willy.  Of course he's no longer there/living, but I was fortunate enough to see him a couple times while he was still there.

The harbor you leave from out to the Ocean

#4-Depot Bay
Whale watching galore in this tiny town...and more ice cream.  This is the smallest harbor in the world. My last trip there I went out on a whale watching tour and within an hour we saw a few whales.  I suggest taking a tour out.  They have charters most of the day and they are fairly priced.  It's truly nice to be able to go out on the Ocean when you're visiting the coast.  It's nice to walk the beaches, but what's better than actually being out on it?

These are just the top cities I stayed around, of course there are many more stops along the Oregon Coast route, but these towns are great in their feel and vibe.  Personally I love them.