Long time no post?!

Hi and hello! Firstly I'd like to apologise for my major lack of posts. I seem to have gone on a completely unintended and unannounced hiatus ... my bad! A lot of things have happened this year (loss of a family member, major overseas holiday, etc.) so my shopping and as a result, blogging has been really bloody tame. I DID do SOME shopping at B&BW this year, that didn't make it into my blog obviously. 

I have a few thoughts! Firstly, I'd like to say I fell in love with Peach & Honey Almond and I used it pretty much every day that I was in England so now when I smell it, that's what I think about/remember. I'm also quite impressed with A Thousand Wishes and hoarded it stupidly as I do!

Next I'd like to talk a little bit about candles. I know that on the labels, the burn times decreased quite a while ago. When I first began buying B&BW candles, the burn time was advertised as 30-45 hrs, now it's like 25-45 hrs. That's pretty old news as that was a hot topic way back when it first happened. I have to admit I didn't really notice an actual burn time decrease until Coastal Cool. What reminded me of this was partly those candles being selected to come back for the SAS this winter. When they first came out, I bought a few of Endless Weekend and Sunset Beach. And when I burned them, I noticed that I could only burn them a couple times before they were half gone or more! Now what really made me remember that was when I bought some of the candles during the $8 sale a few weeks ago, I bought Fresh Sparkling Snow (which btw I was thrilled to have as a candle!) and I began burning it. After burning it once for like 4 or 5 hours, it was nearly half gone! Yes, you read that right! Where my 'Tis The Season won't burn for shit and I'm about to exchange it as this is the first time I've ever had a problem with a candle not staying lit - I guess I'm lucky that way. 

I suppose it's fair to say I was a little upset over that. I have a pretty big stockpile of candles so I'm not too bothered for the moment. But we'll see how I feel about it when more candles come out that I actually like and they last like two hours! 

Next topic! This year, I did spend some time selling a bit of excess B&BW stuff (things I bought maybe 5 duplicates too many of, things I thought I might have liked and wondered why I bought it later, etc. y'all know how it goes!) via eBay (fair prices, mind. I don't care if I get less back than I paid honestly!) and I had considered selling stuff via my blog but then my hiatus happened so I doubt many people read this right now! We'll see how that works, I might keep using eBay for the time being. If anyone does happen to see this and would like to offer input, please let me know what you think/if that would be something you'd be interested in or if you want to know if I have a particular scent. I have a very large selection of stuff as I've been shopping there two years now and visited more than once a month religiously until earlier this year. I may share the link to the eBay account once I get stuff posted again.

Speaking of SAS, yes I did go! I sent PIC on day one with a list. He came back with maybe half the things on the list (the candle, the three Vanillatinis and Black Chamomile were his buys) and today, I went myself. 

It's a bigger haul than I figured I'd find! I've been hearing that the selection isn't that good this year and really, if you're looking for candles/old gems ... it's not! Black Chamomile is back but it's so ridiculously limited you might be hard pressed to find it, where when I began shopping B&BW (SAS of Winter 2012/New Year 2013) it seemed like it was stock for AGES! I still have a ridiculous amount of the lotions, so I just bought shower gels. I was kind of happy to see the Three Cheers back. I liked Vanillatini way back when someone had let lotion leak all over the contents of one of the boxes at my very first SAS and got it on my hand and tried to figure out what smelled so good. I kept digging through each lotion until I matched the scent but I only bought one and kicked myself for it! Apple Orchard was an unexpected like of mine. I visited B&BW prior to my trip to England and they had the fall preview stuff going, I tested the lotion on me and I was pleasantly surprised. I don't really dig apple scents in body care but it's nice! The Pink Jasmine Kiss was just super cute and reminded me a little of London Tulips so why not. I've been trying to limit myself to travel sizes in scents like that so I don't end up with big bottles of stuff that I'm trying to use up unless I really love a scent.

ONE lonely ass Sunset Beach candle and NOTHING else. All the leftovers are a major pass from me. I really hoped to get my hands on an Endless Weekend candle but no such luck. They DID have a lot of two packs of Sunset Beach wallflowers that I DO plan on going back for after payday if they are still there. If not, well, I guess I won't be too butthurt about it! Oh and they seem to have the HandiBacs for $3 up by the registers! I am too new a shopper to "remember" those but they are apparently an older concept. It's a spray sanitizer with vitamin e and aloe. I had to get one for kicks but if I like it well enough I might go back and buy some more. There's hardly any variety in scent but Coconut Lime Verbena is nice.

In terms of classics/old favourites/hidden gems, yeah the SAS is a bomb. It's basically all the stuff they had this year leftover which I understand is basically what a clearance is which is basically what SAS is but I miss the magic! I feel only "did well" (in other words, threw my money at them and came home with a lot of loot) because I missed a lot of this year's goodness so it was a good chance for me to catch up on what I missed. Peach & Honey Almond I stupidly only bought one, thinking I could get more when I came back from the UK as it seemed quite new. WRONG! It was OFF the floor when I got back. I was so upset. I really loved the scrub in that fragrance.

Last and final thought this post:

PIC went on opening day of the sale and most of the stuff that you'd usually see for $3-4 was all only 50% and only the holiday traditions stuff was actually 75%. Even though they added a $3 select body care deal today, I was hoping to buy a couple lemon vanilla sprays but I wasn't buying them at only 50% off. I mean, I'm not thrilled that Peach & Honey Almond was only 50% but I love it enough to buy it at friggin' B3G2 (aka reg price!) so I made an exception for that but ... real lackluster deals going on! I'd like to add if anyone is planning on buying any of the holiday body care that has access to a store, DO NOT do it online! It's only 50% off there, but it's 75% in store!

Anyway yes, that concludes today's haul post, random thoughts and hello I'm kind of back? I'm sure I'll post again the next time I visit to potentially get those wallflowers I wanted. I'm hoping the artisan scents will go 75% soon before running out at my local stores. That'll get me back in there in a hurry!

PS - I didn't actually notice this until I looked over at Donovan's blog today but there is a blogger that goes by Musings of a Muse ... I want to just say that "musings of a mouse" wasn't meant to infringe upon any names or anything! People call me mousie so I thought it was a cute name for a blog. I might come up with something else sometime soon! 

Tara for now!

3/$6 Travel Sizes, Loot Post!

I have decided that I finally need to get myself some new clothes, which of course entailed a trip to the mall, so you know what that means! B&BW's were running their 3/$6 DoD today and the email actually featured some of the Hawaiian stuff so I had to go look.

First, I went to pick out one set of Mad About You and some Velvet Sugar, which led me to my hunt for the Hawaiian items, which were on the counter in the back in front of the registers. To my dismay, there was only one Oahu Coconut spray and three shower gels. The manager told me there weren't any more lotions as they only had a dozen or so that got bought out today, however upon looking in the back for me, she found another box, but alas, no other sprays. 

The damage done:

White Citrus is for PIC and the lotion bottle on the left cut out of the photo is another Oahu. The label is so pretty for it. I smelled the Hawaii Passionfruit Kiss too and liked it but I didn't get it as they only had the shower gel. And I got a free Sun lotion via Facebook a while back, so I got myself the spray and shower gel. I didn't feel like gorging the second transaction completely on minis as I've got a lot now so I got some of the fresh picked lip care (specifically Lip Butter and Balm in strawberry) and a Sun gloss.

I tested Oahu during the trip and through Target and I have to say I love it more than I thought I might. I am a big, big fan of coconut but I didn't like it via the bottle when I smelled it, not really. Everytime I went to B&BW, I smelled it again and again and it reminded me more and more of sun tan lotion. Upon trying it however, I am impressed. It doesn't smell a lot different from the bottle to my skin which is a rare thing for me, and it kind of retains the same scent after it's dried, if I had to pick something to compare with it, I'd say it's Vanilla Coconut and Aspen Caramel Woods' love child. I can definitely smell the hint of amber in there, too. All around, I like it. 

I thought I might be passing on the Hawaiian Collection as I am DYING for World Gardens and that London Tulips and Berries scent that will be with it but I changed my mind, as I do! And I'd like to note that the manager on duty today was a very nice lady, she's a newer one (maybe a transfer from another store) as I haven't seen her before but she seems like she has her head on straight and she just adores me, she gave me a coupon today to hang onto which was the free item with $10 purchase and I do tend to use those frequently, so that was nice of her! 

One more 2/$22 haul + Soap Sale + Newness

Hi, hello!

I went out to B&BW last night to get myself a treat and found some candles that my local store had at one time, and stopped carrying for a while, then got back. I'm talking about the Florida candles of course.

After deciding I needed more Velvet Sugar in my life I came across the Florida candles and my store had also restocked the Eucalyptus Spearmint Stress Relief candle, I decided why not? I had smelled The Sunshine State and Palm Beach candles when my store had these in stock and I liked them well enough but not better than other offerings when they were available. I know they weren't in my local store when I went in for my last 2/$22 haul. Anyway, The Sunshine State is basically orange juice but not nauseating, we'll see when it burns. And Palm Beach is kind of a generic coconut smell but I love coconut enough that I'm not particularly bothered by this.

Anyway, Velvet Sugar and Mad About You are limited edition scents (to what extent, I'm not sure) and I don't know when they'll pulled from the shelves but I expect them to either be pulled for the newer scents (maybe not Hawaii, maybe World Gardens or whatever that line is going to be called) or simply dropped straight into the bins for SAS. This is all speculation on my part and not intended to be taken for fact! Well, except the fact that Velvet Sugar and Mad About You were confirmed limited runs by the B&BW Facebook page upon people asking.

Anyway, today marks the start of the 5/$18, 7/$24 handsoaps. I'm kind of glad the body care didn't go B3G3 or I would've been slightly annoyed.

Also, I haven't been keeping track of newness all that well but I'll be highlighting some of the stuff that caught my eye this morning upon perusing the B&BW website.

 
 



Lip stuff basically, Watermelon Jelly Pops made me go kind of bananas, I am expecting a watermelon jolly rancher flavour out of it and watch me get disappointed!

Also of note is the hardworking lip care, I am excited to see this go behind the one lonely cherry balm they introduced during last year's Fresh Picked.    

2/$22 Candles are back!

Hi and hello there! 

It would appear that B&BW have brought back their 2/$22 3 Wick Candles, and thankfully for that too. All the SAs I spoke to over the course of the 2/$25 were telling me the candles simply weren't selling which of course affects the overall sales and performance of the store. It is said that the candles will remain this way until Fall. Now, I'll clarify for anyone who may stumble across my blog that doesn't read regularly, that this means WHEN the candles enter sales promo, it will be 2/$22. Not that they will be 2/$22 the whole way through.

Enjoy and rejoice my friends! I took part in ONE of the 2/$25 candle sales but even I ducked out on one (left the store with something other than candles) and while I wasn't happy with it, I only slowed, not stopped. I for one am quite happy to see the sales price back, so happy that I celebrated with a typical candle haul! I always bring them home in sets of six, so without further ado, here is my loot!

I made it a point to begin burning my mason jar Raspberry Peach Macaron when I first heard the rumours about the sale and that would determine my selections. Spring is not my favourite time of year at all and what makes this totally worth it is my baby, London Calling.

Anyway, I love Raspberry Peach Macaron a lot. I've seen a few people say it reminds them of cotton candy. I can sort of see that, but I really get the bakery thing going on when I smell it. It's just so delicious smelling it hurts. If I had to break it down, I'd definitely say it smells like a raspberry pastry, very sweet. Hoard worthy, completely. This is the only thing that has peach you'll ever see me buy!

I got the Watermelon Lemonade because I liked it a lot last year. I was too blinded by Summertime S'mores to pay attention and missed out. By the time I got back around to it, they were gone! 

Anyway the SAs were completely nice and let my PIC use his mystery offer via grace period, and I got these 40% off. It actually didn't turn out much less than just doing two payments with surveys, it was just nice to not have to do it that way.

Also, they sent out this morning, a free full size hand soap with any purchase. 

Sorry for the glares! We each did 5 pocketbacs with one free soap. We have a lot of both but we are taking some of these to work with us now. My freebie soaps are Coconut Lime Verbena, and Honolulu Sun.

I think what I like most about these soaps is the fact that you can turn the bottle over and read what's in the scent. About darn time if you ask me. I kind of like the bottles, they will actually sit side by side now under my sink and it just feels more compact, yet neat without the tapering. I don't actually mind triclosan so the change there doesn't really affect me as I use soaps without it also. The new sales price is a bit rubbish (4/$18, 6/$24) but I've got enough soap to get me through the zombie apocalypse so I think I'll be fine.

As for the pocketbacs, I just noticed today that Beautiful Day got itself a pocketbac! Another thing I noticed was that Pink Chiffon one no longer has glitter in it! YES! I'm not the biggest shimmer fan (I'll wear it on occasion) but when I pop open a sanitizer at work, then forget it's got glitter in it, I end up washing my hands for five minutes trying to get all of it off because I work with food! I just don't think glitter belongs in them.

Anyway, that's a done trip out. Satisfied as can be! I am not inclined to buy 50 more candles presently, but I will say that Tokyo Petals is surprisingly nice, and if you're a fan of London Calling like I am, now's the time!

Miscellaneous Information

Hello once again!

After parading my hauls, I realised I should go ahead and compile some info here for you.

Currently ongoing specials (end dates listed as according to emails, subject to change):

• Buy 3, Get 3 Free Signature Collection (2/17)
• $7 Mason Jar Candles (2/17)
• $2.50 Anti-Bac Soap (2/16)
• Up To 40% Off Your Entire purchase (2/17) scan barcode in stores, online code is one time use, so be careful about sharing!

The $20 EDT sale SHOULD have still be going per the email until 2/16 but they've since pulled it by the looks of it as it is not featured in today's email or as a sale on the website. That's the first time I've seen that sale run in the year and some odd months that I've shopped there, but I hope we see it again as it encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and buy them!

Speaking of EDTs, the Forever Collection has updated a bit! Their EDP was originally a 2.5oz. deal for $45, but now they've come out with a smaller (1.7oz.), cheaper bottle.

 $35.00

I seem to only be getting emails every other day so any changes that are made to the sales I am not seeing until the last minute lately. I also no longer see the bundle for the Forever Collection (buy EDP, get lotion & shower gel free), the email updated the date to the 23rd but now it's gone. I feel like it's a little hard to be accurate so this is to the best of my knowledge, as accurate as I have it. Unless I stop by for those Sweet Shop towels tomorrow I won't be back there again for a bit so it's hard to say for sure. If you are absolutely set on something, do yourself a favour and call your store before you go to confirm.

Also of note: those who frequent the main Facebook fan page for Bath and Body Works, you may be noticing the "Recent Posts By Others" section disappearing from time to time. People have mentioned it and they have finally commented on why it is happening.

"Sorry for any confusion! We remove the comment option when we are not able to closely monitor our page. We do this to protect our page, our brand, and most importantly - You - our fans! "

So for anyone wondering, there it is. 

Don't forget to check the post, there's some mailers roaming around, I've seen a free pocket bac, 20% off, and a free 3 wick candle. I have not personally received any (I almost never do) but keep your eyes peeled as they are out there!

Valentine's Day Adventures

Hi and hello!

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day. PIC and I went down to Sarasota (we live a couple counties away) to a wonderful sushi bar that offers and all you can eat sushi for $21.50 (if paid in cash, if card it's a dollar or so more) and it's some of the freshest sushi you'll get around. We make it a point to at least go once a year and it's not like there's nothing to do down in Sarasota. Before the trip down we went to my local B&BW to claim the Facebook offer they put up yesterday which was a free Mad About You Diamond Shimmer mist with any purchase so PIC and I claimed the offers, he got a pocketbac holder as he needed change for the toll booth and I got myself a Raspberry Peach Macaron Mason Jar 

After gorging ourselves on sushi upon getting there too late to go to a regular showing of the RoboCop remake, we spent a little more time digesting and went over to the mall to discover there was an IMAX version showing a little later. We got these tickets that allow you to see a movie free or pay a surcharge if you want 3D/IMAX so we decided we would pay the charge but first, we went roaming the mall. I had totally forgotten there was a Body Shop there - I've never been before but I hear good things about them. Sadly I did not have time to check it out before the movie so I beelined straight for B&BW and got a couple more shimmer mists. The idea actually didn't spawn until I was in the mall and went "heyyy".

I also picked up some other stuff both trips as they extended the EDT special until Monday which made me a happy camper. I don't tend to go out of my way to buy the full size EDTs, I generally like the little ones I can carry with me that some of the scents previewing have had lately (like Amber Blush) but at $20 a pop lus $10 off $30 (and more recently the Mystery Offer) I couldn't say no! I only got 20% but PIC, the lucky little bugger, got himself a 40%.

Sorry for the glares. These are the EDTs I ended up with, White Citrus is for PIC. I actually picked up Amber Blush and Mad About You on the original last date of the EDT sale (the 9th) because I thought it was ending and I wanted to get them before it did but then they extended it.

My "freebie" haul. I would've gotten a cheaper item if I didn't love Raspberry Peach Macaron so much. PIC says it smells like cotton candy, I say it smells like a raspberry pastry, it's got that lovely little bakery thing going on with it.

B3G3

I needed more Velvet Sugar in my life to compensate for the 2 EDPs (plus I really just like the scent) so that led to my binging on it and getting some bubble baths because I've actually never tried the signature bubble bath before. I like Mad About You but for the scents heavily V-Day marketed, I am definitely Team Velvet Sugar!  

So that sums up my little B&BW trips in the last week.

Oh, and RoboCop was pretty decent - it could have been a whole lot worse, but I miss Peter Weller!

Candles 2/$25, Forever Red/Midnight Buy EDT Get Lotion/Shower Gel

Hi, hello!

Things have been pretty quiet lately. B&BW is missing a few emails here and there from what I can see.

Currently they are running 2/$25 3 Wick Candles

$20 EDT/EDPs Select Stores and Online 

Buy Forever Red/Midnight EDT (full price) and get a free lotion and shower gel with your purchase

$8 Diamond Shimmer Mist

BEMINE10 - $10 off $30 Purchase, free shipping when order exceeds $50 AFTER the initial $10 off is applied.

Then the usual suspects for sales, which are the constantly ongoing sales when there are no specials.

I ordered two packages over the weekend with the Living Social free candle/shipping deal. I got one yesterday, and I am waiting on my second one today. I'll post them when the second one comes in.

2/$25 3 Wicks, $6 Sun, Air, Sky, $8 Select Body Care

Hey guys! Just back in from a trip out. First I stopped by my local British grocer for some cup a soup, as I have a particular fondness for Oxtail when I'm sick and I got some homemade scones while I was at it. Next I went to Bath and Body Works and here's what I've seen.

75% Bins or towers will be there to clear out what's left. I got 2 more Sweet On Paris and 2 more Paris Nights lotions. I'm drastically cutting down on body care, so I am only buying what I know I love and a lot of it in case it doesn't come back. 

$8 Select Specialty Body Care. Didn't notice if this was in store actually as I got distracted, but you'll see online that almost all of the Aromatherapy and True Blue Spa is on an $8 each special right now. With the candles being 2/$25, add an $8 item and it goes to $33 just like with the old candle sales, so I'm thinking a bit of a compromise maybe. 

$6 Select Body Care - Sun, Air, Sky can be purchased for $6 per item in stores and online. In stores, the signs read "Excludes Diamond Shimmer Mist" however online, they are included.

2/$25 Candles. The dreaded candle sale. I can't say I'm happy with the sale. It beats paying full price but I was barely used to 2/$22. 

I bought four candles whilst out today, but I'll post about them tomorrow. I've smelled them before I got sick so I know I like them but I won't be able to tell you my thoughts about them today as I can barely smell right now. Be looking for that in the next few days when my sense of smell returns proper. I got 2 Raspberry Peach Macaron, 1 Cinnamon Sugared Doughnut, and 1 Tokyo Petals (I liked Electric Tokyo better for a name but oh well.)

Let's talk NEW

Hey guys!

I went to B&BW a couple days ago and hauled away some stuff, getting my last pickin's for the SAS (gotta have enough SoP in case it disappears for a lengthy time, you don't wanna know how many I ended up with really!) and whilst there, claiming the Facebook offer on B&BW Facebook Page for a free travel size Sun, Sky or Air lotion.

Here's what I left with. They didn't have many of the Sweet Shop pocketbacs yet, so I got a couple Destination ones I had been meaning to grab. The little glass bottle in the middle is the Mad About You EDT preview that is presently available for $4, I'll talk about that in a bit. 

Strawberry Parfait: Sickly sweet, artificial strawberry scent with a hint of a whipped cream thing going on. I say sickly like it's a bad thing. It's not awful! I didn't see that this one has glitter in it.

Ice Cream Dream: Generic vanilla scent. That's pretty much all that needs said.

Strawberry Cheesecake: That same sickly sweet Strawberry scent is back, with a hint of cream cheese. Also contains glitter. Feh.

Cherry London: Cherry reused again for a cute little pocketbac. Let's be honest, I'm obsessed with England, London and everything British so I HAD to buy it.

Berry Paris: I think of the blue Kool Aid every time I smell this one. Nice!

Now, for my thoughts on my two freebies.

Sun: By far my favourite of the three, which is funny considering it's the one I least expected. It's got a soft, floral smell in the bottle, and on the skin with a hint of a fruity sweetness that's quite pleasant and not off-putting as I find many florals to be. It keeps a very nice fragrance balance and continues to smell good, though the smell does seem to fade quicker than I'd like. I might evaluate buying this set.

Air: Didn't like it as much I as I thought I might. I love pear to the core but I have bad luck with anything pear scented and not liking it. In the bottle, it's got a crisp, pear mingling with a floral that doesn't really compliment it at all. On my skin, it turns not so pleasant once it's completely dry.

I smelled Sky in store but I hated it. 

Just look at this fracking cute bottle. This is my inner girl coming out. This does not happen often, do not be alarmed. Just throw chocolate at her and she'll go away.

Ahem. It's a very heavy on the floral side scent, but again, the mixture is very nice and continues to be once the perfume has dried and been there for a while. Not something I'd wear all the time but might be a nice once in a while. It's an extremely girly scent in the sense that just the mere fragrance evokes images of pretty pink flowers. I'm curious to smell the lotion and hope I don't hate it as I just don't get along with florals really.

And that wraps it up. Tomorrow starts the candle sale, at the new price of 2/$25, not excessively thrilled but I'll still buy. Just a lot less. Dying for Raspberry Peach Macaron and Cinnamon Sugared Doughnut.

Diamond Shimmer Mist + Sun, Air, Sky

I'm quite forgetful today. A little more information that I meant to unload in my sweet shop post, man I'm slacking!

The Shimmer Mists appeared in the SAS sale bins opening day and were wiped off the shelves (whilst the butters were both in bins and on shelves until a week ago, why I don't know.) because they were to be discontinued to make way for the Diamond Shimmer Mist for the signature collection. My store had them out today. As far as I can tell just appears to be the same old thing but in the current Fine Fragrance Mist bottle, in other words, the one you can't open up. The book lists "real diamond dust" posted here by Tess. The regular Shimmer Mist bottles I noticed had issues with leaking and getting jammed up so we'll see if this is an improvement.

Last item on the list is Sun, Air, and Sky mini lotions are previewing in stores currently (most of the full line is already available online.) for $3 ea. or 3/$6. The only one that I found remotely interesting was Pear Blossom Air but not interesting enough to buy. 3/$6 doesn't happen often so jump on that if you want it!

New Year's Day brings a gem my way!

Okay, that was really bloody awful and cheesy. I would apologise if I weren't so excited about my trip to B&BW today. I asked PIC if we could go over to the other one in this county that we've not visited yet, the one we hit up day one as our third stop last SAS just to see. Last SAS, it's the location where I found Campfire Cookout and once again, while browsing and not really intending to buy unless I could find Snow Day wallflowers or candles, I sure spent again!

Can you say Snowed In?! I'm not really sure why but some stores sell these square label candles that I typically see by the wallflowers labeled tester while others don't. This particular store had a lot of them and I almost got a Cinnamon Tea one until I found a second Snowed In candle. I first heard of this candle some time last year, though I came aboard the B&BW wagon a bit late to get my hands on any so imagine my excitement upon finding these! Seeing them reminded me of Donovan over at Real Talk About B&BW Candles as he has in the past written about this particular scent. One of them has got a different lid though and I sniffed all the gold ones I could to try to find which one it was switched with but I suspect it was probably purchased. Oh well! I have to say I am quite fond of the cold throw on this baby and look forward to burning it. 

Champagne Toast however was the only 3 Wick candle they had leftover from the holidays in the 50% section and initially I had bought one for PIC's dad's girlfriend, now there's a doozy to say, but ended up liking it so much I bought myself one and I was struggling to find stuff to buy so I suppose I'll either keep or gift it. I snapped up the last Snow Day wallflower of course, and the last AT ES sugar scrub.

I didn't really care for the golden sugar scrub I've smelled in Forever Red but I'll give this one a shot.

Anyway that pretty much sums up my unexpected purchase today. I hope everyone is having a fantastic first day of the new year! PIC is due home shortly with a sushi plate from our favourite place. Off to work on those resolutions of mine!

New Year's Eve, and Happy New Year readers!

Hi, hello! 

Upon an awful day at work, I had plans to stop in to check out the $4 FFM and Body Butters, potentially the $2.50 wallflowers too, but getting there and looking in the bins made me have a slight change of heart.

Forever Red Vanilla Rum has been marked 75%! I couldn't find any shower gels but there were loads of the body cream, a few FFMs and 3 EDPs, so at a steal of $8 after coupon, I wasn't saying no to it. I'll admit when I tried it in store, I had previously been wearing Velvet Sugar so my lack of a fondness for it as it were has yet to be truly measured. I am considering picking a couple more body creams up as I know a few people just on a whiff of this that will love it. If there's one thing I can say about it, it's definitely strong, and it definitely smells a lot like rum but it a delicious way.

The wallflowers below are Cider Lane, Sugared Lemons, Rio Glow and Cranberry Pear Bellini. See? I got what I went for. Mostly. Haha. My haul was just enough for the 10$ off but I saw a couple lonely Twisted Peppermint shower gels and with all my other Twisted Peppermint stuff, had to bring one of them home with me. That's pretty much a wrap for me I think. Now had there been a FFM for Sweet on Paris...

While I'm thinking about it, Sweet On Paris fans: Buy it while you can! My local store had only two lotions left, and about eight shower gels.

With that, I am off to dinner for PIC's stepdad's bday which is coincidentally today, and fireworks! 

Happy New Year Blogger, have a safe holiday!

SAS: Gift Card Edition

Hey guys,

I obtained a gift card to B&BW's for Christmas that I ultimately forgot to use when I went out to the SAS the other day, so since today was $9 3 Wicks (and apparently $5 Creamy Body Wash) I figured this would be a good time! 

My biggest reason for going however was to exchange that Warm Milk and Honey AT lotion I got that was partially used and definitely not supposed to be in the bins, but the candles would be a plus. I left empty handed as far as candles went. Their selection was literally Sicilian Orange and Tuscan Herbs. Major fail. I get that the point of the SAS is to rid the overflow and old stock but it's three days in and there's nothing to speak of.

Anyhow, before I repeat my rant from my previous entry, here's what I came out with:

I bought two of the last four Velvet Sugar Shimmer Bombs. I meant to buy one when I went out the first time, thought I did and made up for it by grabbing two because why not? Quite like it! Sweet On Paris is getting low on stock at my local store so I figured another set couldn't hurt, Winter Vanilla Latte Luxe soap was the last one available and I absolutely adore the decanter soaps, then the lip glosses pushed me to $30, last Twisted Peppermint and grabbed a random 50% off one.

PIC agreed that this SAS seems so very underwhelming. I only hope that June's SAS will be better. I'd say I am pretty well stocked until then, though I know me and I know I will go buy stuff still but not on a massive scale. Random gifts to people are fun though!

I has a SAD

Let's talk SAS. As my title denotes, I has a SAD. Semi Annual Disappointment. 

In June, I saw folks posting about how disappointing the sale was and from my perspective, as my first true SAS experience, I actually quite enjoyed it! This winter however has brought my worst fear. I posted on either B&BW main page or B&BW Sistas that I was concerned that the SAS this winter would be leftovers due to the repackage, and sure enough it's appearing that I was correct. 

On one side of the coin, we've got Sweet on Paris which I see highly demanded, and Paris Nights which I haven't seen mentioned at all, and on the other, I see leftovers. Escape to the Tropics and Italian collection which were out earlier this year. And also present at the last SAS if memory serves. We've also got leftovers of Sweet and Sexy, old packaging of current scents, and of course the obligatory holiday leftovers. Leftovers!  And to top that off, it's badly organised. I know stuff gets tossed about when people rummage through the bins and stuff, but I've noticed that there will be bins full of something, say Shimmer Bomb for example at 50% off, but you'll still see the Shimmer Bombs up on the shelves with no indication of whether or not they are marked down. Same for the Winter luxe hand soaps. 

At one store I went to, people were having an associate scan stuff to see the price because one associate would tell them no it isn't part of the sale but then it'd ring up as part of it. I was also told at another store that there was no such thing as a 3 day grace period and not permitted to use my December 24th 10$ off coupon while the other two stores allowed me to use it.

The worst part in my eyes is the fact that there aren't any sprays! Last time, they specified that sprays would be present at select stores, and available online. This time they don't have them at all for the returning fragrances. Disappointing!

I realise I'm being quite negative, but compared to my 5 stores and countless transactions in June, this time I did 3 stores, 4 transactions and I'm basically done. If I go back for anything, it's gonna be soaps and home fragrance. 

The prices are nice especially for people who barely shop there, want quick and cheap gifts, etc. But for the die hard fans, there's not much reason to go unless you need to stock up on a current sig, or want to snag that last bit of a holiday scent.

After bogging this entry down with my negative ranting, I'd like to make this half to the end positive. Night Time Tea and Warm Milk and Honey are back this time around, which is exciting because I wanted to try Warm Milk and Honey, and I've heard so many good things about Night Time Tea! I was also excited to finally get my hands on Sweet on Paris without paying extortionate prices on eBay or Amazon for it. Without further ado, my SAS haul, day 2 (day 1 I was stuck at work! Boo!)

I didn't plan that picture out well enough but no worries, I've got it split up below.

Random $10 off coupon is random.

You might notice the Warm Milk and Honey bottle is open, I'm not sure if I got a tester that someone didn't mark since there were a lot of new people who didn't know what they were doing, but when I got home with it I realised it was a quarter of the way gone so back it's gonna go tonight or tomorrow!

Anyway! Forever Red and Midnight FFM are on sale right now for $8 so if you are like me and only buy the luxe fragrances when they are $8-10, now's your chance, especially since the FFM is the one I see on sale the least frequent. 

Have I got enough Sweet on Paris and Twisted Peppermint? The answer is, I don't think I do! I was happy to get my hands on some travel size ones and for once, I found a spare TP shower gel so to go with the 5 lotions I got last winter, I thought oh why not! The highlights of the current sale as is for me were finding the TP minis, Cinnamon Tea and Snow Day wallflowers, the very last Pink Chiffon Shimmer Bomb at one store, the only Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Butter I could find at any of them, the last Sexy Dahlia Rush TMC (although it had some shower gel oozing off it), and the Amber Blush souffle which while not a rarity, I wasn't about to pay $20 for it!

So to break down what's crackin' in stores, we've got:

• Old style packaging marked down (50% off)
• Shimmer Bombs in the bins @ 50% off
• $4 "your most requested fragrances" (they go $3 for lotions, or shower gels depending on the day, who knows what else is going on)
• 50% seasonal TBS, Aromatherapy, candles (all sizes), wallflower units, Winter Luxe Hand soaps
• $3 Wallflower Fragrance Bulbs (seasonal), Hand soaps
• 25% off gift sets
• $5 FFM (old packaging)
• Shimmer Mists were out in bins too, including Amber Blush, wonder if it's (shimmer) going somewhere rather than eliminating a scent or three.
• $8 "Forever Collection" Fine Fragrance Mists (dunno when this is ending)
• 75% Holiday Traditions Body Care 
• 50% "Special Pricing" on sig collection (some of the new art is in bins too!)
• $6 Wallflower Refills 2 Pack (Italian ones are out now, including Gelato which previously was not out)

 I'm quite sure I've missed a few things but these are what I saw when I went. Online I've see B2G1 Aromatherapy, and of course TBS is always at that price.

I wish there had been rarities, but since there aren't, I won't be spending like I did last time and probably will only go a couple more times. I did initially pick up a Velvet Sugar Shimmer Bomb but when I got home it wasn't on any of my receipts. I don't remember putting it down but I'm guessing I did when I found the AT ES butter!  Anyway, before I picked up SOP, I had been using Velvet Sugar so I plan to review that at some point.

Current Bounceback handout + Sales + First impressions

Hey again guys! Today I have images of the current bounceback being handed out in stores right now along with some thoughts about the new packaging and Amber Blush. 

Advertising the new look. Free body care item of your choice with any purchase of $10 or more (up to $13 value)

Front, excuse the glare. Advertising the new look on a lot of the others, Pure Paradise is in thee too! For those of us that don't live near test stores or make orders, this is news for us. I've been reading Cia for a while and I saw these originally through her. I saw some of the other new labels and it's pretty, nice little overhaul.

Speaking of the new packaging. When I first saw the pictures, I thought, oh, those look tiny! They definitely look their weight in oz. in person. The shape takes some getting used to, but the stackable factor that Cia mentioned to me before was tested and true and I was a happy camper upon playing with them in store. The bottles themselves feel a little odd though, the material itself I ought to say. It feels, almost flimsier? I don't know if that's the word that I'm looking for.  Ever get an hourglass bottle with a spot that feels so thin it might break? It reminds me of that. Sadly.

As you are well aware, the prices are in fact going up. Amber Blush rings in at $12.50 for the lotion and shower gel. The TMC and FFM appear to be the same, and Body Butters don't appear to have changed either, despite the label changing. These new bottles will be launching next month to coincide with the use of these bouncebacks. I do speculate that prices will however change. 

In the past, we were not able to use these spend $10 get a free item for anything other than lotion, shower gel or bubble bath as it capped at $12. Some stores reportedly let this slide for TMCs but with the new wording, we are able to get TMCs. For how long? I don't think very long. Amber Blush's TMC does ring in at $12.50 same as the others but I forsee a price change coming soon. Probably about a dollar. I won't be surprised if we once again see that blasted $.50 margin that prevents the procurement of a TMC with coupons. So my guess, and this is just a guess, is that the TMC will go up to $13.50 eventually. Probably with the launch of the new look storewide. 

I don't think the FFM, Body Butters, or anything else will change pricewise but the labels are getting new artwork. 

Now, with these new bottles comes reformulation according to the advertising. How does it compare? Well, I didn't buy the regular lotion as I am largely a TMC girl unless the scent is lovable and there's not a TMC available, but I did get a shower gel and used this morning. Here's my thoughts: The scent is lovely, (I'll get into that part later), it doesn't last out of the shower well, per B&BW SG standard, but I noticed the lather isn't as nice either. It's different and probably not in a good way. I noticed the lather seemed extremely watered down. It does rinse out of a loofah better than the others, but it doesn't feel as creamy if you will, as they probably intended. I thought the idea of adding more shea was to make for a creamier wash but I feel it's done the opposite. 

It does leave my skin nice and soft just the same, maybe a touch more but we'll see how it holds up for other scents. After all, maybe this experience was exclusive to Amber Blush.

While I'm on about it, the scent of Amber Blush is really nice. It's a very sweet, fruity scent drenched in musk. It's sort of an odd combination but I find that I quite love it. As I said, take Sugar Berry Smash and add a dash of maturity and a lot of musk and this is what you get. I've heard comparisons to Cashmere Glow and Twilight Woods but I don't like either of these on bottle smell so I've never bothered to try them and can't give an accurate comparison. In the bottle, I don't notice much of a similarity. I can say it has a Forever Red feel to it, but much sweeter. I like it for now, we'll see how it withstands the test of me wearing it nonstop for a week.

Lastly, as I mentioned last night, the 2/22 is on right now and should be thru Monday at least. I'm pretty much stocked up on candles as I went nuts last candle sale. Happy shopping.

Amber Blush + Candle sale

Hey! Long time no post.

So, my store set out Amber Blush tonight and I couldn't resist buying it, obviously.

The official release as far as I can tell is September 23rd, but some stores are putting it out early. I decided on the TMC over the lotion because not only do I prefer TMC, I found the TMC was sweeter than the lotion and the lotion was more floral. Something I noticed in common with Beautiful Day. The shower gel, just like Beautiful Day, has a much fruitier smell to it as well. I sprayed the FFM on my wrist and it doesn't smell a whole lot different than the EDT. The minis also reflect the new bottle shape but the same price. Amber Blush will have a mini shower gel contrary to most scents nowadays, probably because it's meant to be an addition to the signature line that isn't seasonal and those do come with mini gels. 

At any rate, super excited for it and might get a mini lotion, maybe. 

Tomorrow starts 2/$22 3 Wick candles. Signs went up tonight for it. Probably thru Monday as per usual. Excited? Meh, I might grab a Roasted Pumpkin Butter, Pumpkin Carving and something else. I guess you have too many Fall candles when you are desperate for a third, right? 

Oh! Lastly, those lip balms I mentioned a long time ago went out. They are fresh picked lip balms fashioned similar to EOS in Strawberry and Apple flavours and rounded shapes. They are  much smaller though and clock in at a whopping $8. Thanks but no thanks. Cute as they may be, they aren't $8 cute!

Sales and newness

Hey there! I've been slacking with updates on the newness and I know I've missed a couple days. So here's what's new on the website from the last few days.

 

   

   

  

 

 

   

  

 

  

  

  

 

I didn't notice the SCP body mousse until today but I did not look at the website yesterday so I can't say for sure. I do venture to say it'll probably appear in stores soon. I would also venture a guess, keep in mind this is a guess, that we will see Amber Blush trickling online  by next weekend.

  

Speaking of Amber Blush, the EDT preview is online currently for $3 here (It keeps dragging to the top left so I can't seem to drag the photo linked.). Reminds me of when Beautiful Day was out. Wonder if they will give a Facebook coupon out to let people redeem a free one like they did before. Time will tell.

Lastly and not least, the sales you can expect in store right now are:

• Sig B3G3
• 2/$22 Candles
• 50% off select items (outlined in my previous post)

 It's a good weekend to go shop! There's also the possibility of a DOD involving $4 FFM possibly on Tuesday - that will give enough time for the B3G3 to end without running both at once. They wouldn't stack anyhow but it'd be mass confusion for the customers in store I'm sure.

And that's a wrap. Don't forget the lovely coupon I posted on this page and happy shopping!

Labor Day Weekend

Hi, hi, hello, hello. I hope you all are doing well/having a safe weekend! 

I stopped in my local B&BW today to see the goodies and here's what I have to report!

50% Bins include:

Summer Chill

Forever Sunshine

Summer Twist

Fresh Picked (lotion/body care only, DOES include new ones!)

Sweet & Sexy (these didn't sell well I'm told.)

True Blue Spa summer care (Malibu branded items)

Malibu Heat

Pure Paradise (only online discounted)

Some items will leave the floor once this is said and done. I don't know about the Fresh Picked - that I sort of doubt because it just came out. Sweet and Sexy though, it's unclear. You might be able to find some of this stuff again at SAS, whatever was left in the back I am sure.

They've been running DOD and should do through the weekend. Yesterday was the wonderful $2.50 wallflower bulbs although I am told the decorative ones were pulled so I guess it was okay that I missed it. Today they are offering $2.50 hand soaps. Tomorrow, the candle sale starts back up and will last through Monday, 2/$22. So those ones that just hit the floor including Pumpkin Carving, Pumpkin Hayride, Applewood Bonfire and Sweater Weather will be up for the buying. I already got my Applewood Bonfire fix but I AM thinking of trading in my Pumpkin Pecan Waffles candle after smelling the oil being used today in store and it was AWFUL! Bad enough that the manager got rid of it and used Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin instead. Even the customers were complaining that it stunk before the switch.

If you're heading out this weekend, don't forget the wonderful wonderful $10 off $30 coupons if you've been collecting or your surveys. I also got this one emailed to me yesterday and I know it was shared elsewhere but I will share anyhow:

Spend $10 and get a free item (up to $14.)

Anything. 

 Good thru Monday.

So I went, I saw, and I bought. 

PIC got the Energy Shampoo and claimed a free conditioner with the coupon above. I finally got around to getting Heirloom Cranberries because let's face it - I meant to buy it. So many times. And I ended up leaving with something else every single time. At $4 per item, I had to do it this time. One Forever Sunshine to compliment my set and two of my absolute most favourite scrub ever ever in existence because it's that good. It works wonders on my arms and legs and I'm sad to see it go but I'm sure it'll come back next summer and I made sure I had fifty bajillion of it before it left. 

The small glass tube on top of my fresh picked is the Amber Blush preview. Remember the Beautiful Day EDT preview? They are now doing it for Amber Blush. I mistranslated some info I got about it starting this week, clearly it was the preview. Apologies to anyone who may have gotten their hopes up on that. I'll be more careful.

ANYHOO, I tried it and I have to say I really like it. I always find the fragrances I am just not hyped for I end up adoring and the ones I think I'll like, I don't. Weird how it works. Anyway, it smells a little like Forever Red, but sweeter. I definitely get a berry scent off this, maybe a mature Sugar Berry Smash. Not as sickeningly sweet but grown up. I really like it and I look forward to buying it! I don't really buy signature that often when it's not on B3G3/B3G2 because I usually snag most of it free with coupons or buy it on clearance but I just might do!

Speaking of such things, B3G3 is going this weekend as well.