PopSugar Must Have Box: February 2014

I came home to a nice surprise Monday after work - two pinkie boxes waiting for me to rip 'em open and spill out all their guts!!!  If you don't know, Sub. Box guts are the best kind of guts! 

So, here it is already! 

The Line-Up

{Must Have Fashion}

Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll (Est. Value $45.00)

This little guy is pretty cute and is a beautiful cherry-red color!!  I already have a jewelry roll that I like better, so I might re-purpose this for something else or add it to my grab-a-gift/gift donation stash! 

{Must Have Beauty}

Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum (Est. Value $23.99)

I haven't tried (or smelled) this yet but the description says it's a blend of Moroccan, apricot and rosehip oils, which sounds divine!  Its supposed to hydrate and soften skin for a brighter, even complexion!  I think I might give it a go tonight!

Modelco Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick (Est. Value $16.00)

I really like ModelCo products so I was super excited to see this!  Plus, I'm really trying to be braver about wearing stuffs on my lips!  I'm really glad this is a nice light neutral color with just a touch of a light pink!  The gloss is a little sticky but it smells amazing!!  Kind of reminds me of some candy from my childhood - ahh, sweet nostalgia!  Sad face:  My lipstick end fell out in the cap - it got stuck to the top!!  With a little wrangling, I did manage to get it out and cram it back in!  I think it's gonna be usable again!  Phew, that was a close one!!

NCLA Rodeo Drive Royalty Nail Polish (Est. Value $16.00)

I've received other NCLA polishes (I think from PS in the past...) and they're pretty good.  If memory serves me they last pretty long and are pretty opaque - maybe two coater!?  This is a really pretty deep red - perfect for a V-Day wear!  I better get on it! The color in the website is way more "red-red" than what it looks in the real life!

 {Must Have Home}

K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle (Est. Value $11.00)

I have this burning right now!  It smells nice - lightly florally without any of that old-lady{esque} business going on!  It's itty bitty for $11.00 - and I get that it's marketed as a "travel" candle but - 20 hours of burn time - yeah right!  I'll update when it's dead with an estimate there because I'm kind of skeptical!  Although the tin is super cute and I can't wait to re-purpose it!

{Must Have Food}

 Sugarwish Candy Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts (Est. Value $6.25)

I have never heard of Sugarwish Candy before receiving this box!  From what I can tell it's a fun new gifting idea where you choose the size of candy treat you want to gift, and a fun e-card, then your e-card is delivered and the recipient gets to choose 4 different candies that will be packaged and delivered for their enjoyment!  I think this is such a cute idea!  There's several different sizes to choose from - the smallest is 4 bags (1/4 lbs each) for $25 (prices already include shipping and tax....or so it appears!) - perfect little surprise for a Valentine, a hello to a distant-living friend, or even your favorite student during exam week!!  Major bonus - the packaging is sooo adorable!!!!   
 

{Must Have Extra}

Dial Viamin Boost Body Wash (Est. Value $3.00)

This is apparently a 'new' product.  So much so I couldn't even find it on the Dial website!  I was really surprised this didn't open itself up in delivery (it sure wasn't packaged very well - just a little bubble wrap around it) and get all up in everything else's business, but it arrived safely...and more important, dryly!  I have so so so much backlogged body wash and soap!  I have a serious problem and just keep picking things up when the mood strikes...and the mood strikes OFTEN!  ....probably too often, but...I figure, I'll use it eventually!  It's not like I'm going to stop bathing myself!  I mean, as long as the return of The Walking Dead doesn't bring the onset of the zombie apocalypse

Est. Grand Total:  $122.00 

Not too shabby, but I'm also not jumping up and down over anything although I do really like the serum, lip duo, and cinnamon hearts!


Maybe it's just me, but I feel like PS is loosing their pizazz!  This wasn't one of my favorites, and it seems like there's been more and more leaning toward, "Eh..." than toward, "WOW! Ohmigosh!  This is the best day EVERRRR!!!"  So, we'll see what the next couple of months hold and then I'll have a decision to make!  Back when they raised the price (and apparently lowered their standards a bit...ahem) I locked in at the current rate with a 6-month subscription, and I think my last box of that is in April???  I'm not sure if I'll be continuing on with a month-to-month sub at that time or not, but we shall see!  C'mon, PopSugar - IMPRESS ME!!! 

I got my Birchbox the same day (also fairly disappointing), but more of that coming soon!  ANNNNDDDD...I should be getting my very first Fortune Cookie Soapbox ANY.DAY.NOW!!!  It's themed.  It's full of pretty cool stuff.  It's gonna be awesome!  Can't wait to tell you all about it!!!!

Do any of you play with sub boxes?!  If so, what ones are you obsessing over???!

October 2013 PopSugar

I wasn't expecting this to come until Monday, so I was SO excited to see it Friday when I got home!  I didn't get much time with it then - Rob and I were planning on meeting some friends for dinner that night and had to get going almost as soon as I got home, but I sure tore it open quick just to get a peek inside!  I had to satisfy that curious kitten that lives in me!

 

 

 

Here's the first look!  (I actually remembered to take photos of this this time around....usually I can't contain my own excitement and end up tearing into it immediately!) 

And here's what was under all that pink paper!

 

 

At this point I was already pretty excited about the Wet Brush and  the giant Rice Krispy Treat!!!

 

The October "theme" was PINK (for Breast Cancer Awareness Month), in addition to Halloween and Fall in general (getting back in the kitchen, etc.)! PopSugar is donating $1.00 to Breast Cancer Research for each box sold this month and has also teamed up with some companies this month who are supporting the same!

 

MUST HAVE FOOD

The Can't Cook Book: Recipes for the Absolutely Terrified! |$27.99       

by Jessica Seinfeld

I just finished thumbing through this a few minutes ago!  This cookbook has some really good tips and tricks and also really explains the how-to's for beginners (such as how to wash produce, how to cut garlic, how to zest fruit, etc.) as well as describes the must-have kitchen essentials (knives, pots and pans, bakeware, etc.).  Some of these recipes sound A-Maz-Ing as well!  I'm definitely going to try some out (and post them to the Recipes page so check back!)  This cookbook also features a cute intro by Jessica and really wonderful photos!

MUST HAVE BEAUTY

NYX Cosmetics Liquid Liner and Smokey Shadow Palette | $6.00, $7.00



I actually already have this Smokey Shadow Palette!  I got it with the Mortal Instruments Parallel Worlds Kit a few months ago.  So that's a bummer, but I'm sure I can make use of the liquid liner!  I'll be gifting the shadow palette since I don't really need two!  The NYX shadows are pretty good especially considering how inexpensive they are!  The only complaint I have with them is that they didn't work well with my Urban Decay Primer Potion!  On their own they seem to be fine though!

Julep Duo: Julep Nail Polish and Freedom Top Coat | $14.00, $18.00

I received the color "Char."  It's a pretty, bold blue color that I think will be great for Fall and Winter!  I'm also excited to try the topcoat!  In addition to the Polish and Top Coat Duo, they also sent an offer code for a free Julep Maven Box (Additional value of $19.99)!  I just signed up to receive my free Maven box!  I'm pretty excited about a free box, but I don't know that I'll continue with the monthly subscription once that ships.  I just don't think I need $19.99 worth of nail polish, etc. each month!  But that's just me! ;-) 

The Wet Brush | $8.99

I have the worst tangles when I get out of the shower!  I just heard about this magical brush a couple  months ago or so, and I've been on the hunt for one ever since!  I haven't been able to find one so I opted for something somewhat similar!  But I'm absolutely thrilled to actually have 'the' Wet Brush!  Looking forward to using this puppy tomorrow!  I hope it lives up to all the hype it's been getting on YouTube!  PS.  I love that it's pink! <3

 

MUST HAVE FASHION

Gorjana Griffin Charity Bali Bead Bracelet | $45.00

I love this cute little pink bracelet!  I also love the fact that 100% of the proceeds from these are going to support Breast Cancer Research!  This bracelet is nice and bright but pretty delicate at the same time!  I'm really trying to bulk up my stackable bracelet collection, and this helps! 



  

  Jane Tran Bobby Pins | $12.00

Can never have too many bobby pins!  Plus, these will be cute to hold back lose strands when I throw my hair in a random braid! I know a few of my friends have received other bobby pin sets from Jane Tran in their Birchboxes, but I never did, so I'm excited to see what the buzz is all about!

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUST HAVE FOOD

The Crispery Halloween Crispycake | $3.95

This thing caught my eye immediately!  Maybe because I've been dieting for The Biggest Loser competition at my office...maybe because it was dinner time, or maybe because I have a problem when it comes to sweets!  Heck...I'd say it was D.  All of the above! :-)  Anyway, this crispycake looks so so so SO good!  I can't wait until my final weigh in so I can sink my teeth into this thing!  I'm sure I'll just devour it all at once, practically inhaling it's gooey goodness and then pass out in a sugar high state of bliss!

 

YUMMMM

SPECIAL EXTRA

Stitch Fix Gift Card | $20.00

Rob's Sister-In-Law has been doing Stitch Fix for a little while now!  Last time I saw her she was telling me all about it!  I had never heard of it, but was intrigued with the idea!  It's a kind of personal styling subscription service where you get sent a few hand-selected fashion items so you can try them on in your own home and see how each piece will incorporate into your own wardrobe.  Then you can choose to keep and purchase whatever pieces you choose and return the rest.  I've been wanting to try it since she first told me about it, but didn't want to get into yet another sub service!  I need to have a little bit of self-control!  But, this is a good excuse to try it out once!  If you're interested in this sort of thing, I'm sure they can explain better than me!

 

 

 

I think this might be one of my favorite boxes from PopSugar to date!  The total value of the box was a whopping $162.93 (or $182.92 if you count the free Julep Maven Box!)  Wowza, I'm impressed!

xx

Megan

September 2013 PopSugar

Better late than never!!!

Anyway....here's all the happy-making products that were stuffed into the September Box!

MUST HAVE HOME

Barr-Co. Original Scent Reed Diffuser ($45.00)

The information card tells me this scent is a blend of milk, oatmeal and vetiver....I think it smells clean!  The bottle is HUGE!  I only poured half the oil in the glass at first and hid the rest behind a frame on the same shelf.  This diffuser has a nice simplistic charm to it!  I like the smell and the way it looks, so I'll consider this one a win!

 

Rifle Paper Co. Coaster Set ($16.00)

These are just a pretty floral printed set of those thick cardboard coasters you see at most bars now a days.  Nothing I'm too excited about, but they're pretty and I'll probably use them next time I host a Girls Night In! 

 

MUST HAVE FASHION

P.S. - You're Invited by Erica Domesek ($26.00)

This is a really cute DIY book.  The intro and little notations are all super cute and fun to read and there's some really cleaver ideas in here!  I'll definitely try out some of these projects - but I'm not sure when since we don't have much space for DIYing it in our little apartment!  Although I'm sure the cats would be super interested in "helping!"

 

Shoptiques Gift Card ($25.00)

Shoptiques is an online marketplace where you can shop at all sorts of stores and boutiques local and international at once - all from the comfort of your own home!  I'm excited to browse the site and see what kind of goodies I can find!  I really like that PopSugar has been including Gift Cards lately!  It's fun to find out about new stores and get to pick out something you love for free or at a discount! 

 

MUST HAVE BEAUTY

Kitsch Headbands ($11.99)

I must have a funny shaped head!  These things NEVER stay on me!  They constantly slide back until they just pop off the back of my head!  I'll be gifting these to someone with a more suitable head shape! 

 

MUST HAVE FOOD

That's It. Bar ($1.75)

I received the 1 Apple + 3 Apricots flavor.  I was interested in trying this so I took it to work with me the other day as a mid-morning snack!  When I opened the package I was somewhat confused...it was like a fruit jerky type substance in a bar shape!  Anyway, once the initial shock wore off, I gave it a go.  It was....different, not necessarily good different, but not bad different either...just different! I really tasted the apricot, and it was a bit tart for my liking!  I shared the bar with my co-worker, Brittany...and she seemed to like it less than I did.  I would be up for trying some of the other flavors since I think I was mostly affected by the tartness of the apricots.  They've got 1 Apple + 1 Pear, 1 Apple + 1 Mango, 1 Apple + 20 Blueberries, 1 Apple + 1 Banana, and 1 Apple + 10 Cherries.  These all sound way more appealing to me than Apricots...especially the Banana and Pear ones!

 

MUST HAVE FITNESS

Sharkies Organic Energy Chews ($1.70)

I haven't tried these yet - and I'm not sure what flavor I got since these have been stashed in my purse since my box came.  My plan is to try them on my drive from the office to the gym!  Now, I just need to actually make it to the gym some day after work!  I've been lacking motivation!

 

Total Box Value:  $127.44  Wow!  Not too shabby!

 

xx,

Megan

March 2013 Birchbox and PopSugar Must Have Box Unboxings!

So...these two beauties were delivered at the same time!  This was my first PopSugar box, and I was pretty excited at the difference in size compared to the birchbox! 

Feast your eyes on this beast!  Woah!!!

Alright, let's dive right in!  I figured I start with the Birchbox!

 Birchbox: March 2013!

 

The Goods:

Incoco Nail Polish Applique Strips:  (Full Size $9-$11)

    

I actually liked these!  They went on much easier than the sticker version from Nail Rock (which I received in my February 2013 Glossybox).  These were actually real nail polish and they stayed on for several days - I think I actually had them on for about a week or so, and instead of chipping, they just grew out.  These are great for a quick mani on the go!  No drying time!!

Here's what they look like on!

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo:  (Full Size $25.00)

 

       This is a great travel or purse size dry shampoo!  And, bonus....It smells AMAZING!!!  If you're looking for a new dry shampoo to try - GET YOU SOME OF THIS!!! 

twistband Headband: 

       This type of headband just doesn't stay on my head....womp, womp!  But I do really like the brand!

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream:  (Full Size $20)

      This is supposed to be blueberry scented....but it smells sickly sweet - kind of like Gushers (remember those little fruit snacks with the burst of goo inside when you bite?!)  I've used this and it's alright.  It does work, but it's more of a lotion-y shaving cream and I can't ever see myself spending $20 on a shaving cream! 

Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board:  (Full Size $5.00)

     This was the beauty extra this month.  I think this was a pretty good emery board!  It does what it's supposed to, and it even came in a little plastic sleeve, so it's perfect for your purse!

 

PopSugar Must Have Box: March 2013!

A Closer Look at What's Inside!!

**MUST HAVE FASHION**

Heather Belle Signature Tassel Necklace:  (Approx. Value $72.00)

     I really liked this necklace!  I've been trying to beef up my gold jewelry hoard, so this definitely works for me, plus tassel necklaces are right on trend this season! 

Hollywood Fashion Secrets Sweater Shaver:  (Approx. Value $6.00)

     I haven't tried this yet, but I've always been a bit curious about these and have picked them up and put them down a few times in Bed, Bath and Beyond.  However, this would have been a bit more practical in an earlier box, even for Michigan weather, March means the onset of SPRING!!!

 

**MUST HAVE BEAUTY**

Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara:  (Approx. Value $19.00)

    I'm officially obsessed with this mascara!  I definitely see a visit to Sephora to pick up another once I've killed this one!  It makes my lashes super long and thick!  Plus the wand is a really cool 'S' shape, which is great for people like me who just slap it on, and remove the mess later!  I think the 'S' helps keep the mascara on my lashes instead of on my eyelids! 

 

The New Black Nail Polish, Pardon My French:  (Approx. Value $10.00)

     I saw that a lot of people were upset by the colors they received.  I received coral and pinky red colors, which I think will be fun for Spring/Summer, although I haven't even busted them out of the packaging yet! 

 

**MUST HAVE HOME**

The Laundress Specialty Washes, Wool and Cashmere Shampoo:  (Approx. Value $19.00)

     Good timing, PS!  This came just in time for that final washing and putting away of Winter sweaters!  Onward Ho to Spring!!!

 

Corkatoo Corkscrew:  (Approx. Value $15.00)

       I think this is just adorable, albeit kind of impractical!   I tried to use it the other day, and the corkscrew part itself was really hard to work with....the foil knife was kind of crappy (If you can even pull it open!  I had to go into the booze drawer, get my tried and true corkscrew and use the foil cutter from that to pry the Corkatoo's cutter out!!)  The beak, however really does bust a cap open on a glass bottle of Coke or a delicious bottled beer!  So, thanks for the glorified bottle cap buster! :-)

 

**SPECIAL EXTRAS**

Marshmallow Peeps:  (Approx. Value $1.00)

       I ate these upon opening the box!  I don't love Peeps, but it's been a while since I've had them and they just hit the spot, especially since I had given up chocolate for Lent!  However, I think I must have received the Zombie Edition Peeps - they all had saggy eye syndrome!

Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape Assortment Pack:  (Approx. Value $2.00)

      I'm tucking this away for those Summer dresses that want to droop in all the wrong places!

 

**Total Box Approx. Value: $144.00!!**

Overall I was really happy with my first PopSugar Must Have Box! For those of you who don't know, the PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly box subscription targeted at women between the ages of 18 and 39.  Unlike Birchbox and Glossybox, this is a lifestyle box.  You'll receive a selection of (mostly full-sized) products in different categories, such as home, beauty, fitness, fashion, and food.  The cost is $35/month plus tax, and the boxes typically value at over $100. 

If you're interested in checking it out or giving it a shot, click here!  Use the code REFERFRIENDS to receive $5 off your first box!  (New subscriptions only!)

Thanks for stopping by!

xx