HEARTC♡RE

It's literally brand spanking new and it's first official box was January. I was in Mexico when I purchased my six month subscription. The monthly box is $12, but I went for the $60 for six months. They aim to follow a certain monthly theme and January's was rejuventation; renewing and resettling your mind, body, spirit, and space. 



This is what the packaging looks like, they have the logo outside the box too.


Here are the five products as they were packaged. I actually got them from the mail as I was leaving to work so I was being very impatient until I got home.



The first was a full tummy massage oil. It used exactly what it sounds like, for when you are full or bloated. And who doesn't love oils? What I love about this, is that I know it is small business, they list the ingredients, and I can trust that most are natural and don't carry unnecessary chemicals.


Next was a hydrating mask from Malie, which is a Korean brand (the kind that make you look like Friday the 13th Jason). I think you can find them actually quite cheap on Amazon. I just used it about half an hour ago, it was well soaked, created and I did notice the difference in my skin.




There was also a small "Simply Fresh" (rosemary blend) soap from Skin Candy, what's awesome is that they're from Villa Rica, GA. My first thought was that it was a bit too small, but it is a sample after all. I'm not sure if I ordered Lush soaps before or after the box, but after a while I thought it's the same concept, natural soaps. I looked at their website and they have full size Lush-like soaps. So I think I will invest in one of their soaps and compare with Lush.



There was a Butters by Jay cucumber sugar scrub. At first I was like "eh," not because I don't love sugar scrubs (and cucumber is my favorite for skin cleansing products) but because it felt like one of those products that I could make at home. I would say the reality is that I wouldn't even get to making one, but my mom had actually made one and had it when this arrived so it made it less exciting. But, there's nothing wrong with some variety, the extra ingredients are exciting, and can you have enough natural beauty products? I haven't used it, but I am looking forward to it.



And last was a smudge stick, which is a sage/herb stick used in some Native American ceremonies to get rid of negative energy. You can burn it, and I thought it was waste quickly but it barely burns (just smokes). So you have most of the stick after a use, and I'm sure it will last a while. I am thinking a bit more of it right now, and I am feeling a bit guilty of not just using it in a joking manner, but using it at all when it is for sacred ceremonies. To be quite honest, when I saw it in the box it was exciting, but something about it didn't feel quite right. I didn't know until now it is for sacred practices, and what adds to the burn is the source. It is not listed, and it would be different if it was from a Native American seller/vendor. Don't know, what do you guys think?

I can't wait for February, I love wellness but I am also hoping that they add more beauty/makeup products.

So yes, this was HuesBox for January. If you're interested here is their website and February subscriptions open up the first. I think I will post the next five on my blog too!

Melissa 🐝

I just want to say that, although I usually like Neutrogena face wipes, these specific wipes are something else.

These are so strong you can smell them a few feet away as soon as you take a single one out of the package. As the wipe nears your face, you feel like you're about to take a shot of schnapps or fruity vodka. I actually heaved. Guess it triggered some kind of forgotten memory😉. They also leave your face quite tingly long after you have thrown the wipe away.

edit: I looked around the internet for reviews, found some who were satisfied, and others who complained that they didn't remove makeup very well. A few hours later, I did some more research and I stumbled on this site that detailed highly dissatisfied customers' horrible experiences. Breaking out in hives, itching, burning, eyes sealed shut, and every troublesome effect in between.

"blast" is an understatement

Getting a closer look on the package, nowhere on it does it say "make-up removal". They are described as "Cleansing Wipes" for acne-prone skin. In fact, the directions say to avoid the immediate eye area. They are meant to clean out whatever's clogging your pores at the end of the day. Even my sister who has more acne-prone skin than I do, finds them too tough for her face. I would save them for tougher skin, if at all. & completely avoid if you have sensitive skin!

Again, for me the smell was too overpowering and although I did experience slight discomfort on the sides of my face, I didn't experience any proper negative affects.

The lesson here: carefully read the package! Obvious right? I will give myself (*coughs* my sister), and others, the benefit of the doubt since Neutrogena does have at least three other makeup removal wipes with slight differences and we simply thought this one was grapefruit scented. 😉

melissa 🐝

I'm gonna start off by saying my sister thinks that the iced chai latte from Starbucks taste like pho?? maybe it's the spices. I don't know, but I don't taste it. (Yes, it is hard having to interact with the uncultured 😉)


So this month Starbucks was having a special where you could make any purchase (any amount any merchandise or product) and become an automatic gold level rewards member for a year. I drank soo much Starbucks in 2012 and 2013 so I am salty that I never became a member and reached the Gold status I DESERVED!!! So heck yeah I was going to take advantage of this offer. I'm gonna list the perks below 😜:

1. Automatic Gold (Apr. 12-May 2): Get Gold status automatically when making a purchase at Starbucks and start earning Rewards.
2. Double-Star Days (New!): Keep an eye out for new monthly Double-Star Days, where Gold members will earn four Stars for every $1 spent on eligible purchases when paying with a registered Starbucks Card or the Starbucks app at a participating location.
3. Bonus Stars: A way for members to earn Stars faster either through purchase of a featured item, or by participating in a Star Dash Challenge.
4. Free Refills: Did you know that any Starbucks Rewards member can take advantage of free in-store refills of brewed coffee or tea – both hot and iced? Extra tip: refill your cup with coffee or tea, even if your first drink was a latte or anything else.
5. Free Birthday Reward: All Starbucks Rewards members get a free food or drink item to celebrate their birthday.
6. No Time? No Line: Using the Mobile Order & Pay feature on the Starbucks app, members can order their food or beverage items before arriving at the store, then pick-up without waiting in line.
7. Reward = Anything on the Menu**: Choose a free drink or food item from the Starbucks menu when collecting your Reward.
8. Collect Stars in the Grocery Aisle: Members can earn Stars through purchasing specially-marked Starbucks products. 
9. Spotify Exclusives: A member-only feature of the Starbucks app to instantly identify music playing overhead at Starbucks and add them to your Spotify playlist, taking it with you when you go.
10. Coming Soon – Stars outside Starbucks:  Soon members will be able to earn Stars outside of Starbucks through strategic partnerships with Spotify, Lyft and the Starbucks Rewards™ prepaid card from JPMorgan Chase.

Anyways! I did it and I thought to myself how does this make someone buy more than they usually would, since obviously you have to transfer your money to that card etc etc. The point is I had my doubts on the benefits, not for the customers but for the company. How do they benefit from this?? Well girl, let me tell you. I feel like I have been at Starbucks more in the last month than I have since the beginning of the year. LOL.

Want to start off by saying I thought I reached Lana Del Rey Ultraviolence (2014) levels back in 2014. . . nope I'm still treading towards the climax.

• you can make your own body or lip scrub by combining coconut oil and brown sugar (maybe a little vanilla?)!
• you can put coconut oil on your lashes and eyebrows to help them be more full and grow healthier
• you can rub coconut oil on your cuticles to make your nails grow faster
• if you have darkness between your thighs use coconut oil daily
• shave your legs and armpits with coconut oil (I use babyoil which I swear by, but will try this)
• great massage oil for your head
• use it for your scalp and hair as a mask for beautiful moisturized hair (helps with dandruff)
• as a moisturizer for your face ***hear it can clog pores so it's up to you (how often or at all)
• has anti-fungal ingredients (I'm totally gonna try that on some bumps that just showed up on my skin almost sure I have Keratosis Pilaris?? so I'm hoping this will make a change lol)
• it has really good health properties when used for cooking (lower cholesterol, higher immune system, acid reflux, stomach ulcers)
• mositurzier for skin (prevent stretch marks during pregnancy)
• helps allergies by applying a bit into your nostrils with a qtip (& keep germs out like on airplanes)
• swish in your mouth and on teeth for whiter smile and stronger teeth
• as a replacement for Neosporin, helps repair abrasion and fights infection

• don't use it as a lubricant because it will deteriorate a condom (i don't know where someone would get that idea)
• someone would add just a little teeny bit on their 🐱 to enhance natural lubrication
• give your vagina a facial (??) by adding oil to your fingers and massaging each time you finish using the bathroom, leaving skin soft and subtle (I am a bit skeptical)
• you can use coconut oil to treat yeast infection!! (it's high in three properties: antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-fungal) instructions below: 

1. Coconut Oil In Diet

Incorporate 3 – 5 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil daily into your diet. Initially, start with a smaller dosage and increase gradually. See the following suggestions on how to do this.
Substitute coconut oil for butter on toast.
Add a teaspoon to coffee or stir some in oatmeal.
Consume a teaspoon of coconut oil before each meal.
Substitute coconut oil for other cooking oils as coconut oil does not break down into unhealthy trans fats when cooked in high temperatures.
Add traditional fermented food to your diet for added relief.

Like most people out there, I am in love with planners, pens, supplies, and anything related. I said most people because C'MONNNN, who didn't look forward to back-to-school shopping every August? The rows and rows of notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, pouches, binders, folders, crayons, glue, pencil pouches. Now that we're a little older, we scan the one or two aisles available at Target for the office professional. The gold paper weight holders, classy planners, the few but intricately designed push pins and paperclips, the MUST HAVE tape dispensers. We love it all. But in my case, I remember I am not that professional and I don't have anywhere to put them, so I must go on without.

I follow a study themed blog on Tumblr and they purchased a planner and posted links to YouTube of people showing how they organized their's. Your first thought is probably, "organize? what's there to organize? sure you can add some sticky notes to it, but all you need is to actually write in it, right?" WRONG. There are thousands and thousands of videos of people showing you how and where they bought the accessories to personalize their planner. Think scrapbooking. You can click the image to see some ideas.

When the tomatoes and onions are cooked you'll place it in the blender along with a clove of garlic and some spices (my mom chose cumin). While blending, you'll put olive oil into a wok (?) and heat it up. Once it's hot pour the tomato sauce in (at a distance and you should probably turn the vent on because it will jump and sizzle! :))