Did you know that you can mix a can of soda with a box of cake mix and make a delicious cake from it?  Sounds weird?  Well, it is!  As someone who primarily likes the cake part and can generally skip the frosting, these recipes are right up my alley.  I spotted a bottle of Ginger Ale at Walgreen’s the other night and decided to whip up a cake at 10pm.  Because why not.I like the idea of not having to use oil and eggs to make a cake.  Not that cake mix itself is very healthy, but if you’re craving a big ole slice then at least you’re cutting some of the fat and cals. There are a few other combos I am dying to try:

French Vanilla Cake Mix + Sunkist = Creamsicle Cake

Strawberry Cake Mix + A&W Root Beer = Strawberry Shortcake (what??)

Lemon Cake Mix + Sprite = Zesty Lemon Cake

Devil’s Food Cake Mix + Diet Coke = Sinless Devil’s Food Cake

I’ve tried the Sinless Devil’s Food Cake.  It’s divine.  If you’re wondering how in the world just a can of soda is enough to make a cake, I encourage you to give it a try!

Once again, I received my Ipsy and my Birchbox on the same day.  It is like Hanukkah in July, I’m telling you.  I have really been looking forward to receiving 10 samples instead of my usual 5! I decided to do the sample value calculation for my Ipsy the same way I did for my Birchbox.  What I didn’t realize initially is that Ipsy had sent me FOUR full-size samples!  I suppose I shouldn’t even call them samples anymore.  Ipsy sent me four products that I would have paid a lot of money for otherwise.  For $10.  My heart is full. *Received a Full-Size Product

Jersey Shore Cosmetics Mongongo Lip Balm in Vanilla Coconut

This product made me laugh.  A lot.  Jersey Shore?  I had so many initial thoughts running through my head.  Snooki,  Jwoww.  The Situation.  GTL.  Pickle shots.  CABS ARE HEAH.  Forever in my mind will the words “Jersey Shore” be connected with the show that shaped much of my grad school experience.  The show that birthed the Snooki Bump and inspired more than one Halloween costume.  The show that showed the importance of taking care of your body and your clothes.  The show that answered the question, “How much fake tan is too much fake tan?”  The show that proved true love can be found and tragically lost during the course of one night at the club.  And of course, the fist pump.  Oh and the Jersey Turnpike.  Arguably the best and worst reality show that has ever existed. I figured that surely this product was inspired by the Fist Pump, Push Up, Chapstick shtick.  #FPC But alas, as a Southerner, I need to remind myself that the Jersey Shore is an actual place that fully existed before this gem of a show.  Is it wrong that I was slightly disappointed that this lip balm had nothing to do with Snooki?  Probably. Anyhoo, it takes me forever to go through a lip balm as I don’t use them often.  Receiving this product was not super exciting for me.  It is very moisturizing and smells pretty nice, so I’ll use it when my lips call out for it during the two days of winter we have here in Texas.

Ipsy provided a code for 50% off Lip Conditioners

Jersey Shore Cosmetics offered free shipping of this product for Ipsy subscribers

Sample Value* (0.15 oz.) – $10

1/5 would buy

‘Tini Beauty Swizzle Stick in Blue Hawaiian

Speaking of the days of Jersey Shore, I used to wear a lot of brightly colored eyeliner on my lower lash line in college.

I don’t really do the whole colored eyeliner thing anymore.  Partly because I am old and like to do old person things, like not go out and not require colorful eyeliner.  Am I excited to have this stuff on hand in case the wind changes?  Sure.  But don’t expect me to sport the peacock look again anytime soon. As far as the eyeliner itself goes, this one is smooth and very pigmented.  These probably rival the Urban Decay ones I used in the first two photos above.  I have no clue how this product holds up over the course of the day or night, but it’s fun and comes in both colorful and not-so-colorful colors as well.

Ipsy provided a code for 30% of any purchase + free full-size nail lacquer + $5 shipping

Sample Value* (0.2g) – $18

3/5 would buy

Jor’el Parker Classico

I have received a few Harvey Price fragrances in a few of my Birchboxes and have loved them all. This one is amaze. It smells very similar to Michael Kors’ signature fragrance in that the main scent is gardenia.  This one is a little more light and floral than the Michael Kors’ fragrance. This “sample” itself is a trailblazer in terms of sample-dom.  It’s a roller.  Not an impossibly tiny vial with a useless spray tip.  Not something you risk pouring all over your wrist just to try to apply.  But has convenient roller ball technology.  Ok, it’s not technology per se… but it sure makes a sample worth using and is great for traveling. I also love that this will last me a long while as it is *altogether now* yet another FULL-SIZE SAMPLE. Gah, I am really starting to fall in love with Ipsy.

Ipsy provided a code for 30% off of any purchase

Sample Value* (8.8 ml) – $21

5/5 would buy

BelláPierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick in P.I.N.K.

Ok, let’s break this down.  First of all, look at this adorable packaging in all of its quilty glory. Second of all, it’s pink!  Third of all, it’s super duper pretty.  I was wearing it in the photo I posted of my eyeliner a couple of weeks ago.

I love this lipstick and the way it feels  While the color is gorgeous, it’s not my go-to color for every day.  Fortunately, there are tons of other beautiful shades to choose from!  I am dying to get my hands on this shade (not that this one is an everyday shade either). The staying power is so so.  Don’t expect it to be perfect after a cup of coffee and definitely don’t expect to have not faded from the middle of your lips after drinking glasses of Rosé at happy hour.

Ipsy provided a code for 25% off any purchase

Sample Value* (3.5g) – $19.99

3/5 would buy

tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer

tarte is another brand that I like but haven’t had a ton of memorable bonding experiences with yet.  I had mentioned my experience with their Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in a previous post.  I still can’t grasp the concept of sparkly powder foundation to achieve a dewy finish.  Just can’t.  

I recently tried their Best in Faux Lash Extending Fibers.  This actually was a memorable experience, but not the good kind.  Another post for another day, friends 🙂

I loved this bronzer!  It is not heavy or shimmery and has just the right amount of color to make it look like I don’t sit in an office during the prime sunshine months.  I wouldn’t say that it is the right shade for contouring, but it is a great everyday bronzer.

I have not tested the “waterproof” aspect of this bronzer, but I suppose I will have to take their word for it.  I look like a fro-ey swamp monster after I’ve been in the water.  Bronzer would not make a bit of difference so what’s the point in trying?

Ipsy provided a code for 20% off any purchase

Full-Size Value (0.32 oz.) – $30

Sample Value (0.11 oz.) – $10.31

4/5 would buy

Total Value of July’s Samples: $79.30

Wait… huh??  NEARLY $80 WORTH OF “SAMPLES”??  Ipsy, I’m in this for the long haul.

If you are interesting in receiving your own box of “samples” and by samples I mean full-size products on the cheap, then feel free to use my referral link!

Thanks for stopping by!  See y’all next time…