Chatbooks Instagram Cards – the Easiest Holiday Cards You’ll Ever Make

December 11, 2018 by Leave a Comment

chatbooks instagram cards return address

If most of my family photos eventually end up on Instagram, doesn’t it make sense to use the app to make my holiday cards? That’s what Chatbooks thought too, so it came up with the Instagram card function in its holiday card department! All you have to do is open Chatbooks, integrate with Instagram, and select the Instagram card option. The app automatically pulls in 4-9 of your most-liked photos from the year.

Luckily you can then customize it by swapping out photos, otherwise mine would have pictures of temporary tattoos and a DeLorean in it. I’m sure I’d get a lot of questions.

Easy Design

Here’s the number one reason it was so easy: there’s only one design option. This layout:

chatbooks instagram cards screenshots

Choosing a holiday card layout is the stage that takes me the longest in making my cards every year. This year it was a snap! I made the initial draft with my phone in the app, and then pulled some different photos in to complete the design, and ordered my shipment. It arrived about a week later. (This means you still have time.)

Great Quality

chatbooks instagram cards

I’m impressed with the quality of the card stock and the printing. It’s hefty weight paper and the colors look fine. It’s not too good to be true! The only thing that’s not super top-notch is the free return address printed on the back of the envelope. It seems like I did it on my own printer at home. But hey, it’s included. (The blurry second line is my fabulous digital artwork.)

I recommend Chatbooks Instagram cards if you haven’t yet done yours and you want to take care of it quickly. No deliberation or second-guessing yourself. Boom, you’re done and you can settle in to make your list, check it twice, and get yourself in the holiday mood.

Chatbooks Instagram Cards
$1 per card with free shipping
Chatbooks.com – use the smartphone app for the Instagram option

I received a complimentary set of cards to facilitate this review.

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Makeup Files

May 29, 2018 by 3 Comments

It all started with this lip color.

makeup files faceNyx Liquid Suede cream lipstick in Cherry Skies. Not for every day.

It’s a long and boring story, but the point is that I pulled all my makeup out from under the sink and realized that it’s not very much makeup at all.

I have a minimalist skincare and makeup routine. That’s not by design—I didn’t set out to downsize my gear or the steps I take in the service of some noble calling like inner peace or streamlining my getting-ready time. I just do what I think is needed, and that’s it. Over the years I have tried on different skincare lines which I liked, but didn’t take. I really did love the products if I blogged about them here (I don’t write about products I wouldn’t recommend) but once they ran out, I just went back to my good old Cetaphil skin cleanser and whatever-I-have-hanging-around moisturizer. Right now it’s First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (thanks to Romy Raves) which I use daily because my skin is so dry. Every few days I put coconut oil on my face first. Oh, who am I kidding? I do that every few months when I remember to. But it’s nice.

Here’s the sum total of the makeup I own:

makeup files collection

Here’s the makeup I actually use sometimes:

And here’s what I wear every day:

makeup files dailyCarmex
Elf Conditioning Lip Balm in Bombshell Brown
Too Faced Born this Way Concealer

I could probably get away with only owning those last three things, but I like wearing eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick sometimes. I hate wearing foundation, but for those events when I want to even out my skin tone for photos, or to feel extra confident in a meeting or presentation, I’ll use BB cream. Do other people still use BB cream? I use it so rarely that the tube I got in 2012 is the same one pictured above.

I keep the frequently used collection in a small basket right on my vanity for easy reach, and the rest in a small container under my sink. I whip out rarely-used lip colors, or eyeshadow and blush, once in a great while. It makes for easy storage and access, and I don’t have to rummage to find the right item when I’m hurrying to get ready to leave the house.

What’s in YOUR makeup basket?

 

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Last Minute Gift: Vellabox Candle Subscription

December 18, 2017 by 1 Comment

My gift guide has only one thing on it: Vellabox candles. 

I first met Vellabox last year and I loved it at first sight. It’s the only subscription box that has come along that I would actually recommend. Clothes, makeup? No thank you. But candles? I burn through candles like crazy. I love their glow and the way they fill a space with the scent of my choice.

The thing is, I don’t actually go candle shopping. Sometimes I wind up in the candle section at a store by accident. So the idea of a box of candles showing up at my house every month sounds like a dream to me.

Also, I don’t really go shopping. So I’ve been ordering gifts online almost exclusively this holiday season, and I’m definitely running out of time. This year we’ll be traveling to see family at Christmas time, so I have to keep everything light and/or shipped to our destination.

vellabox packaging

vellabox candles

That’s why Vellabox is the perfect gift idea for you – it’s only a few days ’til the end of Hannukah and one week ’til Christmas! If you order a Vellabox subscription now, your loved one will get a surprise gift of warmth and deliciousness later. (You can snag a fancy candle from a local store to wrap it up with the printed certificate, but I would just print that and stick in our holiday card.) This is truly a last minute gift that keeps on giving!

vellabox office candle

Vellabox subscriptions are $10-$30 per month. Each comes with at least one candle and a surprise gift, and the boxes at all levels are lovingly hand-packed, making the unboxing experience a delight in someone’s day. This box is the “Vivere” box, that comes with 2 candles and a surprise gift.

I received a complimentary Vellabox. I shared one of the candles and the snack treat with my family, but I kept Granma’s Pumpkin Pie for myself. 😉 All opinions are my own.

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