Goodies.co March 2013

Yes, this is my MARCH box. Yes, it's well into April. I didn't get my box until April 1. However, Goodies was nice enough to credit my account with enough points for half a free box, so I guess I'm okay with the tardiness. It's the 7th now but since spoilers have been out for ages I haven't been terribly anxious to write a review. This month's theme was Rise and Shine. Hooray, I love breakfast foods! The only downside is that breakfast isn't the most savory meal, and I love salty snacks.

EIGHT items this month! Wow!

The first item listed is a "caramel filled Amsterdam waffle. The packaging suggests warming it over a cup of tea or coffee, which is kind of a cool idea.  This is definitely the right size for that. I was a little disappointed that it was chewy and not crunchy, but the caramel flavor was still delicious and I liked how unique this product was.

Ola! Granola in "No Nut Vanilla"...I don't know about you, but I happen to like nuts in my granola. And dried fruit, granola clusters, bits of chocolate...that sort of stuff is what granola is about, right? Well, apparently Ola! doesn't agree with me. Their granola is essentially oats with a little sweetner. And this exact product in this exact flavor was sent out in Love with Food last month. Very disappointing.

I must admit, this granola bar scared me a little. Greek yogurt? Acai blueberry? But actually, I LOVED it. The yogurt wasn't tangy like I was expecting; it was more like a sweet icing. The blueberry flavor was awesome and the bar had almonds throughout. Unexpectedly amazing.

I have tried BelVita's breakfast biscuits before, and I really like them. I haven't tried these ones yet, but the blueberry ones are great (they taste like a blueberry muffin). I don't know if what they're advertising about "sustained energy" is really true, but the serving size is decent. The only bad thing about these is how dry they are. You need some coffee or orange juice to drink with these for sure!

This jar is probably the cutest thing I've ever seen! But I already got this product way back in fall from Bluum, and I still haven't opened it, so I guess that shows how into preserves I am. I'm happy they're strawberry flavored, but I guess I just am not a jam person.

These are NOT breakfast cookies. If I'm going to have a "breakfast cookie," it's going to be a cookie for breakfast. The BelVita would probably be "breakfast cookies" in my book, but this was not. It was good, but it was definitely just a tasty nutrition bar baked up into a cookie shape. That being said, I would eat this again.

I have not tried this instant breakfast yet, and I'm getting the distinct feeling that it may go the same way as the jam. Who ever craves instant breakfast drinks? And who makes them? I'll probably try this eventually, but more out of avoiding waste than anything else.

I haven't had Fig Newtons in FOREVER. These aren't "Fig Newtons," though...they're just "Newtons" apparently. This package was equivalent to about four of the regular cookies in size. I love the distinct taste that carried over from Fig Newtons, but I wish these weren't triple berry. The three berries were strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry. For some reason this had kind of a tart or bitter flavor to me. Of course I gobbled them down, but I still wish they were a different flavor.

So there's the box for March, all eight products! If you're interested in signing up for Goodies.co, it's only $7 a month for a box of treats sent to your doorstep. Yes, that includes shipping. This is one of the more affordable subscriptions (and we all need groceries, right?), so I strongly encourage signing up.

Panty Fly March 2013

I received my first Panty Fly order today! I originally hadn't heard anything from them for a week or two, and so I emailed them to check on the status of my order. They emailed back right away apologizing for the mix up and saying they'd send out another package right away. I have a feeling my order got lost somewhere and there was no "other" package, but mistakes happen and it's only been a couple of days and I already got my order! Amazing customer service on their end.

Anyway, here are the underwear I received. I asked for the "mix it up" option, which combines thongs, boy shorts, briefs, bikinis, and hipsters. I didn't want only skimpy underwear or only more traditional options, so I'm glad they offered a mix.

I LOVE what I got. They're all from American Apparel, which is surprisingly high end, and I love the mix of styles and colors! Super soft and they were all the correct size as well. Jason, one of the founders, emailed me today saying that they would be comping my next two months due to the inconvenience. I'm sincerely impressed with this company, and I hope they keep doing what they're doing because I'm officially in love with this subscription. I can't wait to see what I get in the next two months.

A subscription is $7/month or $15/3 months. Totally worth it! If you do the 3 month plan, it only comes out to about $1.66 a pair!

Golden Tote March 2013

This is my first Golden Tote, a clothing subscription service.

• Golden Tote has two options: a $49 bag and a $149 bag.
• The $49 bag includes two items (one you pick yourself) and retails for up to $250. The $149 bag has 6-7 items (two you pick yourself) and retails for up to $600.
• Golden Tote has its subscribers fill out a survey to customize its choices.
• Each purchase is one time only. I love this, because I don't have to worry about canceling! I can just purchase when I need new clothes or have extra money in my budget.
• The April sale starts April 15th and lasts a week.

Alright, so here's my view when I first opened the box.

Surprise! Sitting on top is "a little surprise to introduce you to our jewelry tote!" It's a wooden bracelet with circles inlaid into it. You can't tell from the photo, but it's a little big for my wrist and this isn't really my style. However, I really appreciate the surprise!

So I unwrapped the box and...the items actually come in a tote! For some reason I thought they just called it Golden Tote. Nope, it comes IN a tote bag! The tote is high quality canvas. Awesome! I loved pulling the items out of the bag. It was like opening a present.

The first item I pulled out was the sweater I picked out. I loved the grey color and the polka dots were cute, plus I wear a lot of sweaters. In person, it's not quite what I wanted. It's still cute, but I have a long torso and it was a little short. Not too short to wear, but I would have preferred a slouchier fit. It wasn't super thick and warm either, but since it's spring that's kind of a plus.

The second item was a Puella tank top. I LOVE how neutral it is, and the ruching in the bust is really flattering. Also, it's super, super soft. However, I'm pretty sure I couldn't wear this item with a bra underneath because the cups in it are so triangular. I can totally wear it for sleep in the summer though, so I'm happy with it.

So I was expecting that to be it. The $49 tote is only two items after all. Isn't it? Nope! Not this month, not for me, anyway! The third and final item was a scarf. This isn't something I would normally pick out for myself, but I think I kinda love it! It's not very thick, so it will be perfect for spring and fall, and even though the color scheme isn't my usual, I think it will coordinate well with a lot of the clothes I own.

I LOVED my Golden Tote for this month! It was my first time with them, but it definitely won't be my last! Like I said, their next sale opens April 15th, so if there's an item I really like, I may just have to take the plunge again.

FabFitFun Spring

FabFitFun, a new subscription service endorsed by Giuliana Rancic, seemed to be a hot competitor for PopSugar a few weeks ago. But on the heels of its spring release, will it remain successful?

I did happen to subscribe to FabFitFun when it first was announced, and therefore received the spring box, on sale for $40. The regular price is $50, and FabFitFun comes out once a quarter. Let's take a peek at what was sent out.

• Moroccanoil Argan Oil. $43. I love the way this smells and I can't wait to see if this does any wonders on my hair! It comes with a pump which is a great feature.
• Zoya Nail Polish, in FabFitFun Fuschia. $8. I love Zoya already, and this color will be perfect for summer.
• ThinkThin Nutrition Bar, in Creamy Peanut Butter. $2. Eesh. I tried this in January's PopSugar and it was NOT good.
• Jouer Lip Gloss, .11 oz in Rose Glisten. $13. Well...it's pink. It's sparkly. It's lip gloss. I don't really care for lip gloss (it's so sticky and it doesn't moisturize), and the glitter in this made my lips itch. It didn't look bad, but it didn't look good either. It added some shine to my lips but the itchiness was a huge turnoff and you could still see the glitter once it was applied to my lips.
• TooFaced Lash Injection Mascara, .13 oz. $5.57. I have horribly stubby eyelashes, so I try every mascara I can get my hands on. Can't wait to try this, and I don't mind that it's a mini--once I'm done with it I can move on to the next mascara on my list!
• GoSmile Teeth Whitening Pen, $22. I'm not patient enough for strips or the dentist, so here's to hoping this does the trick. Brush onto teeth, wait twenty minutes, and repeat every day for a week or two. Sounds pretty foolproof, right?
• JewelMint Earrings, $0. Well, these are the big failure of the box for me (for anyone probably). These are obviously rejected earrings from a few years back. They are NOT attractive. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing them. Oh, and FabFitFun doesn't even know if my ears are pierced. Not to mention one of the earring backs was missing when they arrived. Technically, JewelMint and FabFitFun values these at $29.99. But honestly, that's a joke. This is stock that they couldn't EVER sell; I'll never wear them; they arrived with an earring back missing. For these reasons I value these at $0.

Okay, so, total box value, as calculated by me, is $93.57. Not bad, since I paid only $40 for the box, but not the $120 value that was promised when I first signed up. However, in advertising for these boxes, FabFitFun gave bloggers preview boxes that showed Butter London nail polish, a Josie Maran cheek and lip stain, the GoSmile teeth whitening pen, and a not-so-hideous necklace from JewelMint. I was lucky enough to still receive the GoSmile and I don't mind the mascara, but some subscribers got THREE pieces of JewelMint instead of these premium items. All equally or more hideous than those earrings. Not a good call for the FabFitFun first box, and I'm bummed I didn't get the same box as was previewed OR $120 worth of products as promised, but hopefully FabFitFun can learn from its mistakes...in the meantime, I'm eagerly awaiting their summer box!

Birchbox March 2013

Finally, my March Birchbox! It's only April first! This one arrived literally one day after I left for vacation. Such torture to wait!

 Okay, so this box doesn't look very full, does it? Kind of disappointing visually, but, hey, I don't judge a book by its cover!

So what did I get?

• Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer. This sample looks teeny, but it has its own little applicator in there and everything. The primer is a nude color and blended into my skin easily and, most importantly, helps eye shadows stay put!
• Whish Shave Cream. I'm not sure how I feel about the scent here. It's basically blueberry cotton candy on steroids. I haven't tried it for shaving yet but I hear it leaves a residue which makes me nervous. I shave my legs so they feel smooth...and residue is the opposite of smooth.
• Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board. Cute, feminine, and useful. Love it. You can never have too many emery boards. It always seems like right when I need one, they all disappear. And even if it were an extra, slipping one in my purse is a-okay with me. Besides, everyone has nails, so I think this is a pretty great universal item!
• Evologie Blemish Serum. Okay, so this one looks small too, but it's not! The serum is really liquidey, so one drop goes a long way. Plus, you're only supposed to use it on blemishes, so goes a lot slower than if you were using it on your whole face. It smells strongly of tea tree oil, but I don't mind that scent and I think tea tree is supposed to have antibacterial properties.
• Caldrea Body Lotion. Ugh. Body lotion? Really? I probably literally have GALLONS of body lotion at my house. I seem to get it way faster than I can replace it. Free gift with purchase? Lotion. "Merry Christmas, person I kinda know?" Lotion. Birchbox? Lotion. Lotion is great and all, and I do have dry skin on my legs and hands, but I hate the way lotion feels. I've begun to tolerate lotion by slathering it on in huge quantities twenty minutes before I shower, sorta letting it soak in, then showering all the gross slimeyness off. However, this happens only rarely, and otherwise I pretty much go lotion-free. I just don't like gunk on me. In terms of sample size, each packet is .25 oz, enough to cover each leg ankle to knee, my arms, and my hands twice. Pretty decent size. The cool thing about this one is that you get three packets with three different scents. I tried the aloe water apricot scent, and it was way too floral for me, but we'll see with the others (tea olive lime and coconut fig leaf). I really hate the formula, moisturizing or not, because it feels like there's a layer of goo sitting on my skin and it takes a LONG time to soak in. This is my lotion nightmare. Seriously, I'd rather get a perfume sample any day. Anyway....

Since I subscribe yearly to Birchbox, I only pay $9/month (vs the regular rate of $10/month). Each month, Birchbox gives you 10 points ($1) per item survey to spend in the Birchbox shop. So that means that even though this month I spent $9 on the box, I am going to get $5 back to spend at the Birchbox shop or on another Birchbox subscription later. If you look at it that way, this box only cost me $4! Not bad for a chance to try out such premium products. I highly recommend Birchbox; it's perfect for a first sub since it's so affordable. Not to mention Birchbox has exposed me to a lot of wonderful products that I never would have experienced otherwise!

Bluum March 2013

I am back from vacation so I had LOTS of packages waiting for me upon my arrival! The first of these was March's Bluum box. Bluum has recently stepped up its game, offering full-sized items in boxes for $25 a month instead of samples at a lower price point.

So what's in the box? Here's the view when we open it up.

Of course the first thing we see is the Paul Frank monkey. ($4.49) He's pretty darn cute and his long skinny limbs are perfect for a toddler's small hands. He's soft, too, and he'll be easy to toss in a lingerie bag when he gets dirty (that's bound to happen).

The next items are food items, surprisingly enough. Apple rice cakes? ($2.99) Weird. Yogurt covered fruit snacks? ($3.27) Even weirder. Weirdness aside though, I think these will be tasty for toddlers and adults alike.

I'm not sure how to use this "bubble buddy" ($6.99), but I bet we'll figure it out. Bubbles are super messy of course, but they're perfect for toddler aged kids and I just know we'll have a blast with this.

I decided for this item not to take a picture and instead show you how it's actually intended to be used--it makes way more sense that way. It's the KidKonserve Kozy Snack ($4.50). These are basically reusable plastic circles with velcro on them to enclose snacks and sandwiches. The Bluum insert also says that it can double as a placemat in a pinch, which I could definitely see. These are a great idea, but the thought of having to mess with folding them so that no food is exposed and having to rewash them after each use makes these a no go for me. I'll try them, but I have a feeling I'll be back to Ziplocs before you know it.

Finally, they included a Burt's Bees tinted lip balm ($5) in Rhubarb as the gift for mom. This is great because I ALWAYS lose lip balms. And if I'm not losing them, I still pretty much always need one. I keep one in each purse, in my bathroom, on my nightstand, in my makeup bag, in the car, at work...you get the picture. I go through each one very slowly but I need a LOT. This one is extra nice because it has a little color to it without going overboard.

Additionally, enclosed was the My First Sticker Coloring Book ($2.91). I love this! The pictures are super simple for younger kids, and there are tons of small stickers that they can place as they please throughout the book. Definitely a good item!

My theme for March was "Spring Fling." I love the theme, but I just don't think it fits the box at all. Maybe the bubbles, since you blow them outside? I would suggest they just scrap the theme idea, because I loved the box otherwise! The value ended up being $23.16, but since shipping and tax and everything was included in my $25 payment plus I get to test out new products, this box was well worth it for me. I probably won't go for another one unless I can get a coupon code though.

Love with Food March 2013

I'm a huge fan of Love With Food. What did I get this month? Let's check it out.

• Dark Chocolate Orange Food Fortune Cookie from Emily's Chocolates. When I first bit into this, I thought I must have gotten the flavor wrong. The orange taste really takes a couple seconds to hit your tongue. It was super tasty and fresh though. And my fortune said "Your efforts will be rewarded." Good to hear I guess.
• Granola from Ola! Foods. Vanilla granola with maple syrup? Sounds tasty to me!
• Chocolate Covered Wasabi Peas from Chocwasabi. Gross. Wasabi peas freak me out already, and chocolate covered ones are definitely a no go. This one is going to the boyfriend.
• Fruit and Veggie Juice from Kids 50. I got the Break it Down Berry flavor, but I saw other people got Strawberry Lemonade. Jealous! The first ingredient after water in this is carrot juice though, so I think this is another pass from me regardless. However, I AM happy that LWF is sending out drinks! I would have loved a juice box, just...a box with fruit juice, not vegetable juice.
• Salted Caramel Baked Corn from Cosmos Creations. Yum! Definitely excited for this. anything salted caramel is a winner in my book.
• Green Tea Infuser from Revolution Tea. I got mine in Acai, but others got Chocolate Orange. Boo, I'd much rather have tried the chocolate orange variety.
• Wholesome Snacks from Mary's Gone Crackers. Another variation loser! I got wheat-free, gluten-free crackers. Brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds, and sesame seeds lead the ingredients list. Hmm...I'm expecting these to be dry and tasteless but we'll see. They have 12%DV of fiber, so at least they offer some nutritional value. However, other people got pretzel sticks. I want pretzel sticks!! :(
• Wild Berry Flat Fruit from Wacky Apple. I love fruit strips, so obviously this is going to be gone before I know it.

Not a bad box overall, but I'm really disappointed that I got all the variations I didn't want (especially since I didn't even know there were variations!). I'm still a big fan though!

Little Black Bag March 2013

This month I decided to get a Little Black Bag. Technically I have a subscription, but I skip every month, then just buy something if I absolutely fall in love with it. Well, I fell in love this month, and I just couldn't resist.

• You can choose a $49.95 item or a $29.95 item.
• For the $49.95 bag, you choose one item and LBB chooses 2-3 more. The bags are guaranteed to retail for $100-$140.
• For the $29.95 bag, you choose one item and LBB chooses 1-2 more. The bags are guaranteed to retail for $50-$70.
• The best part about LBB is that you get to trade your items if you don't like them! I usually don't love what I get originally, but it's really easy to trade for items you do want. For the small bag, you get 3 days to trade. For the large bag, you get 7 days to trade.

Okay, so, let's get to the bag!

I just love the way LBB handles their packaging! I think it's super adorable, and each item was well-wrapped. You can tell that these items are premium quality, and they are NOT factory rejects.

First, here's the bag I picked:

I love this in person even more than I did online! The first photo actually shows a magnetic opening to an outside pocket. This is going to be perfect for books or my iPad! I thought this was just for decoration or opened into the main compartment, but nope! Definitely a pleasant surprise. This is THE perfect bag! The second photo shows a handy little outside pocket, which I also love of course. This bag retails for $77.

The next item is the "Polynesian Pearl" pillar candle from Goose Creek. The scent is described as "a cashmere blanket on a cool night while enjoying vanilla blossom, sugared raspberry, iced coconut and sandalwood milk." Hmm. I didn't quite get that, but vanilla, coconut, raspberry, and sandalwood are all definitely there. This candle retails for $12.

Finally, the Vanilla Wonderland candle from Goose Creek. Originally I had a pair of earrings that I didn't care for, so I traded for this. I love candles, so I can always use more! This one is a vanilla peppermint combination. I love the jar this comes in, but the lid isn't vacuum sealed. I always pick it up from the lid, then I feel like an idiot when the candle doesn't come with it. This one retails for $20. That means my bag retails for $109! Definitely a steal since I only paid $49.95.

I LOVE Little Black Bag! The packaging is great, the items are premium, and trading can be really fun if you have time to do it. Plus, you can always be certain that you'll end up with items you like. If you're interested in your own Little Black Bag, they're running a promotion for a free $17 hair spray with every order. Go for it! I highly recommend it.

DEAL ALERT! Golden Tote

• Golden Tote offers two tote options each month, the $49 tote (with 2 items, up to $200 value) and the $149 tote (with 6-7 items, up to $600 value).
• With the small tote, you choose one of the items, and Golden Tote chooses the other. With the larger tote, you choose two of the items, and Golden Tote chooses the rest. I like this system--that means that no matter what, I am sure to get at least something that really suits my tastes.
• Each month, the items you can choose from change.
• Golden Tote allows you to choose from small, medium, and large sizes. They have a style profile which asks questions about your age, what styles fit you, and what colors and accessories you don't like.
• The deal: $10 off with the code 10DELAY.

I decided to spring for the small tote this month to try this service out. The sweater above was the item I picked out for myself. Can't wait to see what else they include! Fair warning, though: shipping ran me $12.67, and that was the cheapest option. Most sub boxes include shipping in their price, so that's kind of a disappointment and definitely deters me from wanting to order again.

New Cravebox: Bikini Ready

From Cravebox: "This box gets you bikini ready starting with a fired up metabolism and ending at your perfectly polished nails. Indulgent body oils, smooth skin, a healthy treat, and a pact worth keeping round out the offerings."

• Cravebox guarantees that a diet book will be included with each box.
• The drawing is on March 27.
• The box costs $13.
• The survey has questions about nutrition bars, natural body oils and lotions, home waxing kits and mani-pedi kits.

I'm not opposed to a home waxing kit or a depilatory, but there are two things keeping me from this box. First, a diet book? No thanks.  Most of those books aren't worth reading. Eat right; exercise; indulge on occasion. There's my diet book. Secondly, natural body oils and lotions? I have way too much lotion and I almost never use it. Plus, Cravebox sent me vitamin e oil a few boxes ago and it was one of the worst products I've ever encountered. I normally wouldn't be worried, but Cravebox recycles products regularly so I would hate to get a duplicate. This is a big pass for me, but I could see it appealing to a lot of people.

PopSugar Must Have March 2013

My March PopSugar box arrived yesterday and I couldn't be happier! This box reminded me why I subscribe to PopSugar in the first place: lifestyle items that I would never think to buy for myself.

First I want to highlight the necklace in the box since I didn't take individual photos. It isn't listed on the Heather Belle website, but it says in the pamphlet for this month that it's "the latest addition to Heather Belle's collection." The only other necklace on their site is $75, so let's just call that the value. I am really glad PopSugar finally sent out a necklace (they've sent out two bracelets so far as well as a watch) and I'm thrilled that it's so simple. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the tassels though. They make the necklace REALLY long, and I'm not sure how I feel about it getting in the way so much. It looks like this is an easy fix though. I'll probably just cut off the tassel part with some jewelry pliers.

The next item in the box is The Laundress Delicate Wash. This retails for $19. PopSugar also sent out Wool and Cashmere Wash and Denim Wash. Honestly, though, I think I could use any of the washes for any of the purposes and I'd be just fine. I cracked this open to smell it and it has a very generic soap-y sent. Definitely not worth $19 to me, but maybe I'll feel differently once I test it out.

Now for the birds of the box! This corkscrew ($16) is adorable, and although I'm not a big wine drinker, this is definitely appreciated (if I was really into wine I'd probably have one already). PopSugar of course had to include some easter candy (~1), but I'm kind of glad it was Peeps. I just bought a big bag of those malted milk ball robin's eggs, and I figured with my luck that they would be included. Lucky me! My Peeps look a little deformed (they all have extra eyes), but they'll be tasty regardless. PopSugar sends out a lot of items with gelatin in it though (hot cocoa marshmallows, gummy bears, and now these), which I could see being an issue for strict vegans/vegetarians.

I'm not sure how I feel about the beauty items this month. I'm always excited to try new mascaras, and the Bare Escentuals' Buxom Sculpted Lash ($19) looks promising. The S-shaped brush intrigues me, but the 3.4 rating on Sephora is only so-so. We'll wait and see with this one. The nail polish ($10) is obviously not going to be everyone's style, and it's definitely not mine. That loud traffic cone orange would look just awful on my pasty pale skin, and the yellow might be okay for nail art (the inside of flowers), but the usefulness stops there. Oh, well...someone had to get the ugly colors!

Finally, in the "items I didn't know I needed but I really need" category: the Hollywood Fashion Secrets Sweater Shaver ($6) is going to be my new best friend. I always needed one of these but I never think to pick one up and I'm never really sure where they are located at the store. My sweaters all get pills on them and this will be a great way to perk them up. The Hollywood Fashion Secret Fashion Tape Assortment ($10?) is great too. I always mean to try out fashion tape to do temporary hemming, close up gaps in button ups, and keep my bra straps in line with regular straps, but I just can't justify the purchase. Can't wait to try these out!!

I love my March PopSugar! It's the perfect blend of useful and fun. And according to my calculations, the ARV of this box is $156. Wow! If you are interested in subscribing, use the code REFER5 for 5 dollars off. I subscribed for three months ($95) with the code, bringing my monthly box cost down to only $30.