FabFitFun Spring 2015

This is my second FabFitFun box.  I got $10 off on this box due to shipping issues I had with my first box in Winter 2014 (They had difficulty getting items from a supplier and it took almost a month longer than usual to get the box to me).  I will absolutely say that FabFitFun customer service is very fast at getting back to their customers and did everything they could to make me happy.

And boy am I happy after getting this box!

FabFitFun is normally $49.99 per quarter for a box valued at least $200.  If you keep an eye out you can usually find $5-10 off your first box coupons via their social media, or you can use my referral code for $5 off.  If you order soon you will get the box pictured here, with very little variation - the scarf can come in multiple designs (just be sure they are still advertising the Spring box).

Unboxing: Walmart Beauty Box Spring 2015

If you've never dipped your toe into the beauty box world, the Walmart Beauty Box is a good potential contender.  It is $5 quarterly and usually carries a good number of samples and coupons.  In past boxes I've gotten a full size Secret Clinical strength, large trial sizes of L'Oreal's Olea Therapy shampoo and conditioners, and a number of lipsticks, nailpolishes and other cosmetics.

Spring 2015 is the third Walmart Beauty Box (this box was launched in Fall 2014), and I have received all 3 boxes.  The Winter 2014 box suffered from some serious shipping issues, with many people (including myself) not receiving boxes until after Christmas, though they were billed before Thanksgiving.  This was compounded with sub-par customer service from the company managing the beauty box (not Walmart, they go through a 3rd party).  I was very lucky that I managed to get in touch with one of the few "good guys" at Brandshare (the company running this box).  When I mentioned I had never gotten a tracking number, and he couldn't find the number in their system, he Fedex'd me a brand new box free of charge (And a few days later my original box hobbled in, no idea how they lost the tracking # in their system!)

The shipping issues didn't occur in Spring, and because of the cost it is really hard to complain if it takes a few weeks for the box to get to you.  I was billed at the beginning of March, had a shipping notice within a week of being billed, and the box started moving about a week after that.

There aren't any referral links for this box, but if you would like to sign up you can find this box at: https://beautybox.walmart.com/

Opening the Box:

Money Making: Why my search engine is defaulted to Bing instead of Google

This post is the first in a planned series that will explain how I make money online.  These are all tasks that I do in my free time, when I would otherwise just be wasting time online looking at Reddit or Stumbling.

Why do I use Bing?  This is a question I get asked occasionally when a friend notices my laptop and tablet are set to default to Bing rather than Google.  "Don't you get lousy search results?", "How can they be better than Google?"  "How do you even change your defaults...?" are other common questions.

The reason I use Bing is simple - they offer a built-in, simple rewards program that earns me about $5 on Amazon.com monthly (or other potential rewards can be purchased with your points if you don't like Amazon).  To top that off, I've never had bad search results from them, and I really like their launch page - each day they feature a different professional photograph, often themed to the day (for the first day of spring they had adorable baby lambs!)  (Jumpity Jump jump, more after the jump)

The importance of HOPE in your messages

This morning I woke up after breaking the rules.  My (amazing) therapist has been working with me to ensure mornings don't overwhelm me.  My rules?  I have to wake up and get up when Dillon does (8:30-8:45), I'm only allowed one "cheat" day a week (have to wake up at 9:30), and when I have a cheat day I have to get up right away (no hiding in bed).

Today was my third cheat day of the week.  I keep blaming Daylight Savings Time, but I'm really just kidding myself with that.  In addition to being a cheat day, I then spent half an hour in bed, answering emails (before these rules a surprising amount of my work was done before I ever left the bed, since a lot of what I do is via email).  Oh, and of course I checked Facebook, because that's what you do when you're feeling depressed and isolated and scared to face the day right?

(More after the jump)

Bulu Box - March 2015 - Full size paradise!

BuluBox is a health and fitness related box that usually sends out 5 samples per month.  They have 2 varieties of box - "weight loss" and "regular".  Weight loss seems to be mostly focused on metabolism boosting items and vitamins, and the regular box seems to be a little more workout and general health related.  I receive the regular box monthly.

Opening:

 I love the outside of this box - it is just full of motivational phrases.  I love the "Go the extra mile, it's never crowded" one - gets me every month!  On top of the samples were a bundle of cards... (More after the Jump)

If only Taco Bell made their tacos with Naturally Raise Beef...

For lent D and I have decided to give up eating out for regular meals.  We are still allowed to go out if it is for a special meal with friends or family (for example, we took his mom to the Melting Pot for dinner).

One thing we really miss is our weekly "Taco Tuesday".  Since we started dating, D and I have had a standing date on Tuesdays for lunch at Taco Bell.  So I decided to make us tacos to make up for missing our regular dates.  We purchased this "Taco Kit" at Sam's Club a few months back and I found a package of (absolutely amazing) naturally raised ground beef from Northwoods Ranch.  So I decided to break into the taco kit and thaw the last batch of ground beef and make tacos!

Jump if you want to see more... you know you do!

Ipsy March 2015 Unboxing & Review

I have been subscribed to Ipsy since September of 2014.  Ipsy was my first step into the subscription box world, and a big part of what got me interested in wearing makeup again.  In my months with Ipsy I have only had one really disappointing box.  I think it is important to have realistic expectations of what you will receive for $10 a month, and most months Ipsy knocks it out of the park.  This month was no exception!  Each month has a theme and this month's theme is "Floral Fantasy"

First Look

Aaah!  Love the flowery bag!  I am a fan of the design of this bag, and the one bag I didn't like was January's, which had terrible, terrible colors in this design.  I am so happy to replace that bag in my purse with this cutie!  Every month with Ipsy you will receive 5 items and a bag.

Jump for more...

Julep March 2015 Unboxing

Every Month starting on the 24^th Julep gives you the chance to view your Maven box and customize what you are going to receive.  You can also opt to skip your box all together, or send it as a gift to a friend.  Customizing your box is easy and you can pick and choose all 3 items you receive from about 30-40 products each month.  Julep usually has 10-15 nail polish colors you can select (including “mystery” colors and top-coats), a few choices of tools for manicures, and a selection of their hair and makeup options.

This is my third full price month with Julep (you can usually find coupons to receive your first month free, but this is not customizable).  For January and March(this month) I have custom selected every item for my box with no problem.  I tested the “skip this month” feature for February (my budget just didn’t survive Christmas!)  Knowing and getting to pick what I am getting doesn’t make the suspense of waiting for a box any easier!  I was expecting to receive this box on the 11^th and got it almost a full week early – an awesome great surprise for this week.

Opening my box:

Julep always packages their items in a very sturdy box with tissue paper and those little scrunched up paper things (these might end up in an Easter Basket!) and what pretty paper we this month!  The photos don’t do it justice, but the tissue paper is a beautiful shimmery aqua.  And they gave me surprise candies!  I love Smarties and can never justify buying a bag…. but this is a great bonus!  They also included (not pictured) a coupon for 30% off in the store next month, and a little quote about spring with a referral code on the back.  

The obligatory first post!

Welcome to Sarah From Scratch! 

I started this blog for a few reasons. 

1. I am recently engaged and in the wedding planning process and I would like to document and discuss a few of the things I am encountering with wedding planning, without necessarily talking the ear off of anyone around me! 
2. For lent my Fiance and I gave up eating out this year, so we have been cooking more meals from scratch and that is something I would love to share.  Cooking from raw ingredients really makes me reflect on how people can grow and change as well - we start as "raw ingredients" and life "cooks" us into the people we become.  
3. Because of that introspection I want to start looking at how I change as I go from being a fiancee to being a wife.  And I know that eventually I plan to become a mom, so I would like to be able to look back and see how my life has changed as I make those changes.  
4. I enjoy a number of beauty boxes and subscription boxes, and I would like to be able to more easily share my opinions and reflections on those boxes, as well as around products I like.

So this Blog may not have one central theme, except that the theme is me.  I hope you find something you can enjoy!