November umba box || review

You can read my first Umba box review here.  To summarize my first review, I thought the box was too expensive for the items I received.  But I decided to give them a second chance, and I now have the exact same opinion.  You pay $25 plus $5 shipping, so $30 for these boxes.  They send one box per month and the items are guaranteed to be "worth" more than $25 per box.  Well, that's questionable.  Again, I understand that these are handmade goods, and I appreciate them for their artistic value, but I wouldn't pay full prices for any of these items.  See the following pictures for details of what was in my second box:

I put my hand in there for size comparisons.

Well, on a whole I'd say these products are not worth the price I paid for this box.  However, it is super fun to receive a box of surprises every month.  So now I'm torn... it's fun to see what I will get, and I do enjoy the items (and will probably use them or give them as gifts), but on the other hand, it's not worth the money.

What would you do?  Would you try a subscription?  Or do you think the products aren't worth the price?  Let me know below!

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Candy Necklace

When we were in Paraty last time, we were browsing some artsy vendor-carts, and I was drawn to this necklace.  Peter immediately said, "Oooh I love it, you HAVE to buy it."  I was super surprised because he's never acted like that when shopping.  I was a little unsure about the price, if I really liked it, over thinking everything, blah blah blah.  But he made the executive decision, it was bought, and I love it.

From my Instagram account

I think it looks a little bit like a candy necklace from childhood days.  But that's ok - it makes me sweeter?  <----- haha="" i="">lame

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What "impulse-buys" have you made lately?

XO,

Julie

P.S. We have exactly 3 weeks - 21 days - left in Brazil.  I'm having mixed emotions.  I have been so anxious to leave, but now I'm feeling sad because we don't know if/when we can ever come back.  My music students are having a goodbye lunch with me on Sunday, which is so sweet, but I know it will make me really sad to leave them.  I had some adorable students this year.

Inspiration: Summertime Fresh

Summer and spring are the most inspiring seasons, in my opinion.  They represent new life, carefree days, vitality, youth, and freshness.  

I have been making these "inspiration boards" as a variation of a mood board.  I don't really have a purpose for creating these, as of yet.  I just like to collect beautiful images of beautiful things.  

Today I'm gleaning inspiration from, of course, tea things, as well as beautiful jewelry and artwork.  I hope you're inspired by what I like to call "Summertime Fresh!"

Wish List - My Future Disposable Income

I often find myself making wish lists.  Some are gifts I want to receive from Peter, some are items for my future house.  And sometimes I just make them so I won't forget later.  Then again, I suppose if I forget about it that easily I must not have really wanted it...

Anyhow, today I am making a wish list for when (if ever, but not likely) I have a disposable income.  I also wanted to try this free collage making software I found online.  

1. Kate Spade Earrings 2. Jade Mountain Resort 3. May Lindstrom Skincare 4. (I wish I had the funds to decorate my house any way that I please)

What's on your wishlist?

As always, thanks for reading!  Don't forget to subscribe!

Inspiration: Precious Jems

Ok, so I've seriously been coveting some precious jewels these days.  I saw an article about the ring that Napoleon gave his lady love and that prompted an internet search for beautiful rings that I want.  haha Now I just need money...

The Napoleon "Toi et Moi" ring, from a google search:

Look at this gorgeous ring from Ruby Lane:

White sapphire from Etsy:

Purple amethyst ring, from Etsy:

Project 52 - 2.1

JEWELRY - still not completely organized, but better than it was before!!!  Goal = wear a piece of jewelry every day (other than my engagement ring, obviously).

Book box - tutorial

I've seen this project on various sites so I thought I'd try my hand at it...

In a nutshell: 

1.  Take a pretty book   2.  Glue pages together   3.  Cut a hole on the inside   4.  Use it to hold jewelry or flowers, hide valuables, etc.

Find a pretty book (Poems of Emily Dickinson).