GIVE THIS - NOT THAT | Makeover for Holiday Gift Giving

Here's the problem with gift-giving. We get lazy. Don't know what to get? How about a gift card? Or maybe a picture frame? Worst case? Socks. Well, never fear. Here is my top list to "Upgrade Ya" (cue Beyonce in the background) ahem.... at least in terms of gift-giving. Giving your modest effort a 21st century twist. Let's begin:

1. The DVD Box

So, your friend likes television? Don't we all. Don't limit him to just one TV series give him the lot with a Netflix or Hulu+ subscription. You can pay for a certain amount of months at a time. My recommendation: 3.

2. MAKEUP SET

Instead of just one makeup palette, give the gift of finding new products. Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription (as is Ipsy) that give sample size products based off of a beauty quiz. Read my review of Ipsy v. Birchbox here.

3. THE GIFT CARD

Oh, the dreaded giftcard. The ultimate sloth-like gift. I get it, you want to give them something they want, but you have no idea what that is. Here is your solution: Giftly. A modern day way to give someone a giftcard with an idea in mind. Check out more here. 

4. SOCKS

Socks are no longer for the boy who was barely allowed to sit at the table. Foot Cardigan makes giving socks fun & easy. This website delivers one random pair of socks to the recipient every month. Talk about a gift that keeps giving.

5. PHOTOS

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.. well only if it was worth a thousand likes. Memorialize your Instagram photos with CanvasPop. A unique website designed to merge the digital and physical. 

I hope this helped your search for the perfect gift! Stay Crafty!

WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Battle of the Beauty Boxes: Birchbox v. Ipsy

You asked. I answered. I've been getting tons of requests for what I think about Ipsy v. Birchbox beauty boxes and which one I think is more worth the $10 a month (if either at all!) Here it is, in all of it's glory, my pro/con list for Birchbox and Ipsy.

In my humble opinion, I think both boxes have their individual charm and if you are willing to shell out $20/month, I would go for both! It all depends on your goal for subscribing to the box. For example, if your goal is to get a fun surprise in the mail each month and try out different hair, skin & makeup looks then both boxes would be a good investment for you. However, for someone like me who isn't too adventures with her beauty regime and likes to try sample products in hopes of finding a new staple product, then one box might fit your need better. 

Ispy is strictly a beauty subscription service while Birchbox often offers lifestyle items like skincare, perfumes, (I once got some stellar headphones), etc. Everyone month from Ipsy you receive a small makeup bag which is something that I really enjoy. I now have skincare and makeup travel size bags for anytime that I am on the go. It's great to be able to keep items organized. 

Ipsy also does generally send more products than Birchbox but you have to remember that the net cost of the Birchbox items are usually higher because the products are more expensive individually. Ipsy often features Sephora brands like Urban Decay, NYX, Costal Scents, and Zoya. Birchbox will feature brands like Nexxus, Beauty Blender, Benefit, and Julep.

If you follow me on instagram (@simplysabrinan) I always post my beauty boxes monthly to see what I got. (Here is a look at Ipsy for August). I have been a Birchbox subscriber on and off for 3 years and recently aimed to try Ipsy. Follow me in my journey though Instagram and see which box I decide to keep.

If you decide to sign up for Ipsy, you can do so here. 

If you decide to sign up for Birchbox, you can do so here.

So what's your verdict? #TeamBirchbox or #TeamIpsy?

*All opinions are my own and I am not sponsored by either Birchbox nor Ipsy for my thoughts or opinions.

BIRTHDAY WISHLIST

We're getting close to the end (or start?) of another year! My 23rd birthday is right around the corner and every year it gets harder and harder to answer the question "So what would you like for your birthday?" I think as you get older you stop counting gifts and genuinely appreciate those who remember your birthday and take time out of their lives to celebrate with you. However, i'm not one to turn down an excuse to make a list of pretty things so here's what I haven't gotten around to buying myself. 

1. The Clarisonic Mia - You have to be living under a rock (or avoiding all beauty / fashion bloggers) if you haven't heard about this amazing invention. Beauty gurus rave about it and I can't wait to try it out for myself. Folks swear that it's the best possible cleanser for your face, and who doesn't love a pretty face?

2. Ipsy Box - I've gone back and forth a few times about switching from Birchbox to Ipsy and even asked my followers on Twitter (@simplysabrina) if they recommend jumping ship. After thoughtful consideration, i've decided to make the move. Birchbox is a great introduction to beauty subscription boxes but after perfume sample after perfume sample i'm ready for something new (though I have gotten some pretty awesome things TY,BB!) Ipsy is a beauty box from YouTube guru Michelle Phan and features a few full size (not sample size) products every month in a pretty makeup bag - all for $10/month. I'm in. 

3. Naked 2 - I got Naked one about 3 years ago and have loved it ever since. I hesitated at first to get Naked 2 because I thought many of the colors were overlapping or too similar, but i'm ready for a new neutral palette. I think Urban Decay did a great job creating these palettes because they are a haven for brown eyes. Gotta get my hands on this one!

4. Notebooks - I'm a sucker for notebooks, and I love trying out new ones. I've been using Moleskin for about 2 years now and really enjoy the simplicity of the stationary, but I might be ready for ... wait for it .. unlined! With continued fear of slanted cursive, I think I can enjoy the freedom of an unlined notebook and am excited to finally invest in one.

5. Laptop Tote - I had my eye on this beauty by Asos for a while now, and the daunting "you snooze you loose" prophecy came true: sold out. It's so important to have a stable laptop bag that doesn't scar your shoulder or put add unnecessary pressure. This one from Asos looks like it fits the bill.

6. Kindle gift card -  While it's probably true that i'll spend the majority of any Kindle gift card on guilty pleasure Lauren Conrad books, I would actually love this. Normally I am morbidly against any gift card gifts because I think they are less thoughtful and impersonal (we even put a ban on them during Christmas!) this may just be an exception. Another exception is this great service called Giftly, which you should check out if you haven't already!

7. Monogram necklace - I've been spying one of these for quite a while now and since i've gotten engaged (yay!) it's moved to the top of my list. I think monograms go out of style pretty quickly, but always manage to make a come-back. I love the 1 inch gold necklace!

That's it for me! What's on your wishlist?

X0x- S