All the Things I Couldn't Resist this Holiday Season

In case you need something to make you feel better about your own spending, or if you want to chuckle quietly to yourself about how good you were, I'm here for you.

I admit, I did a little of both. I spent some but I was also proud of all the things I said "NO!" to. That can be really hard when you're staring at a $11 set of It Cosmetics brushes that you don't really need but totally want. Except that $11 is about half of what a super awesome subscription box could contain.

My favorite purchases were definitely subscriptions. They're my favorite because they were such a ridiculously amazing deal.

1. First up, six months of Glossybox from Gilt City for $74 using a 25% off coupon code on an already amazing deal of $99. I probably should have gotten the one year but ah, well. Use GOLD20 for 20% off when you checkout!

2. Second favorite? Birchbox!! One glorious year of Birchbox for 30% off (code ACESONLY) plus $20 of points for $62.50!! That should maybe be my first fave. What a deal! Especially considering I earn $5 on every box just for reviewing product. By the time I'm done, I'll have MADE money off of this subscription. The code is still available and non-aces can use PARTYON for 25% off subscriptions.

3. My next purchase is also off of Gilt City. A 4 month subscription (with a coupon) to BeautyDNA for $34. That's so cheap there's really no use resisting. If you're new to Gilt City, you can get $25 off your first purchase (I think it has to be over $50?) with my referral link. Use GOLD20 if you're not new for 20% off.

4. Fourth is NOT a subscription but rather something from a box. From BeautyFix, actually. I fell in love with HydroPeptide Solar Defense Sunscreen. I've been wanting to buy it for awhile but it's so expensive ($44). I used a coupon at Dermstore and got it for $33. Still expensive but I "need" it and I know it's something I'll use. Update: DOH! I just found it on Amazon for $20. I bought it. I'm going to see if they're the same then send the other one back.

5. I also got a December Dottiebox for $18 (instead of $22). I liked the businesses that they're featuring that month and I was planning on getting it anyway. I'm glad I waited a bit for the deal. It's just a one time box, too. No subscription necessary! It's still available.

6. MissionCute had a Black Friday box that might still be available. It's $34 and has over $100 of adorable, small-business goodies in it. I tend to sporadically subscribe to MissionCute because I like what they do but not everything wows me. We'll see! You can use MISSIONTEN and get $10 off either the Deluxe or Mini boxes! That's a deal.

7. I also got three months of Bonjour Jolie. It's a period box but it sends full boxes instead of loose product. I was SO bummed to see that I had used a 15% off coupon and then saw that MSA had one for 20% off. /sigh So if you sign up, use code BLACKFRIDAYMSA (til 11/30).

So now you're wondering what did I resist! Here is what I resisted (so far, I may cave).

LaRitzy Box at 40% off (code BF40)! Why am I resisting?!

Planner Packs at 15% off. I really WANT to decorate my desk calendar I use for blog planning.

I also resisted Saffron at 40% off because I have ten billion soaps and I'm not huge on natural stuff. However, my temptation was more for reviewing on the blog.

I resisted the Tarte 25% off sale and did not buy the new Tartlette 2 or the In Bloom palette.

I resisted the Studio Calico $5 Grab Bags. This was really, really hard.

I resisted Yogi Surprise at 30% off. I'm not a Yogi. I can't buy something just because it's on sale! Right??

I resisted Mantry at $35 instead of $75. They aren't worth it and when I would have reviewed it on the blog, it would mainly be to tell people never to pay $75 for it.

I resisted Ulta and their It Brushes. I resisted Sephora and their $10 deals. Although part of that is because two of them sold out in my cart.

I also resisted OwlCrate, even though they never have coupons, because I can scope out the book that was sent and get it from the library instead. That was a hard one, though. (BLACKFRIDAY1 takes $4 off 1 month, BLACKFRIDAY2 takes $13 off a 3 month and BLACKFRIDAY3 takes $25 off a 6 month sub).

There are a few things I'm hoping I'll be able to find a deal for on Cyber Monday. I really, really want the BareMinerals BareSkin in Bare Shell. I cannot find it in a Kit, I can only find it separately but no coupons so far have given me any percentage off of it at Macys, Sephora or Ulta. Bah. I do have to admit that I really, really like the new Honest Beauty Tinted Moisturizer. Even better than my Bobbi Brown... I never thought that would happen.

Oh, and I also really, really wanted that Rifle Desk Calendar from Birchbox but it was sold out by the time I realized I desperately needed it! Drat! I hope they restock.

I'm guessing I'll probably cave on Studio Calico, Planner Packs and either LaRitzy Box or Saffron. So many good things!

OH!! And I just learned from Brandy at Hello, Subscription that TooFaced has Mystery Bags for $35 worth over $130 on sale TONIGHT at 12am PST!!! I'm staying up for that. I'm not even bothering to resist!! I think you can use this link (its a referral link) https://t.co/ps45KTANrp to get 20% off. Free shipping is at $50.

What did you get?! Or at least what are your favorites? Make me feel better about how I want to get some more stuff! Haha!

*referral/affiliate links were used in this post