Popsugar Must Have box - September 2014

I thought about cancelling Popsugar before September...not because I don't like it (I have actually loved it every month!) but because I really need to start saving money for a new computer, winter clothes...everything...but then they put out a spoiler. And the spoiler reeled me in. SO, here I am!

Popsugar is one of my favorite boxes, because they send out such a mix of things - beauty, fashion, home, tech, fitness, food...I really love the variety.

This month, they shipped much smaller boxes. For me, this is a good thing - I like having different sized boxes for storage. They're still cute and pink, though!

Tilo Scarves Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin - I decided to wear this for the picture so you could see how cool it is. This is the spoiler item that kept me subscribed! It is a super soft, silky ombre scarf that goes from gray to a plummy raisin color. It is so soft and silky! It retails for $125...and I would never spend that much on a scarf. But for the price of the box, I am beyond happy! I love scarves, and most of mine are bright colors or busy prints. This is such a pretty autumnal neutral for me!

Letter C Design Gold Foil Arrow Pencils - This is kind of a weird inclusion for me, just because I don't even think anyone really uses pencils anymore, let alone ones that you sharpen. However, they are cute and I will use them, and stash them around the house for when I need them. They come with a sharpener which is handy, because I don't have one! These are the least exciting item for me this month, but they're definitely not a BAD item.

Oribe Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray - This is a great hairspray with a fine spray and great hold. It also smells nice! I used to hate getting hairspray in subs, and I gave it away every time. Then I chopped my hair off and started needing/wanting some hold for my style, and I regretted getting rid of all of my hairsprays. So this one is very welcome!

Rifle Paper Co Garance Dore Assorted Girls Set - This is a cute set of cards with four designs on them. I love Rifle Paper Co. and their products, and I love sending snail mail. I'll be writing notes to my penpals I've been neglecting for months on these!

Nicole Miller Stereo Earbuds - These are cute cobalt blue earbuds. I have mixed feelings about these. On one hand, I had been wishing for some earbuds or headphones from a sub for a while. And these are CUTE...I love this shade of blue and the shape is different. However, they are uncomfortable in my ears, and more importantly, the sound is not great. These only retail for $20, so I wasn't expecting anything amazing (I am a bit picky about headphones and sound quality and usually spend between $80 and $100 on them), but for that same $20, I could get something much nicer...even some basic Skullcandy buds sound better. So, good effort, Popsugar, but these just don't do it for me.

 

Nike $20 Gift Card - This is $20 to use on Nike's site and a tape measure (to measure yourself for their new bras!) I won't be getting a bra, but I will need new shoes soon, so I'll be using this, for sure. I love that it can be used on anything in the site, I hate when brands call things gift cards that aren't, but this one has no limitations!

Urban Remedy Almond Brownie - This is a raw, organic almond brownie. I honestly usually hate any kind of "raw" food involving chocolate because the texture grosses me out. But I really found myself liking this one! It is nice and chewy and not too dry. The downside is that the calorie content was crazy! I won't be buying any of these, but it was fun to try.

Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Almonds - I love me some Ghirardelli, and these are delicious. They have the perfect balance of sweet and salty for me. Popsugar can send me some of these every month, please and thanks!

Overall, I am really happy with this month! The scarf makes the box for me, and everything else is a nice bonus. It definitely feels like an early fall box. I might have a hard time cancelling again for October!

If you are interested in trying Popsugar, please feel free to sign up using my referral link here!

What do you think of this box?

Popsugar Must Have - March 2014

Popsugar has consistently been one of my favorite boxes! I just really like the variety of items we get- my beauty stash gets a bit out of control, so it's fun to get lifestyle items, too!

March's box arrived in decent time...it was actually the first box to show up this month. The theme is all about welcoming spring and "putting a spring in your step", which I am more than happy to do. Here's what was in it!

Snapea Crisps - These are a snack made from peas! Sounds weird, but they're super good - light and crisp with just enough salt. These would definitely be a good alternative to chips and other salty snacks. I am going to be on the lookout for these!

Nature's Bakery Strawberry Fig bar - This is just what it sounds like - an all nature newton-type bar with strawberry fig filling. These are actually delicious, and while I don't usually buy bars like these, I would not be opposed to eating them again.

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum - I love serums.  I'm all about skincare these days and I am always excited to get a great product. This serum fights dullness and fine lines while hydrating. It smells great and I love the organic ingredients! This is one of my favorite products this month, for sure!

Baublebar Elephant Ring Tree - How cute is this?? It's an adorable little ring holder. I don't really wear rings, but I like this so much I don't care! It looks adorable on my dresser. They have other animals available, and I kind of want to get a few more to keep him company!

Dogeared Lucky Horseshoe Make a Wish Necklace - This is a really cool concept. It's a wishbone charm on a thin cord. When you wear it for the first time, you're supposed to make a wish. Then, when the cord wears out and falls off, your wish is ready to come true. Such a cute idea. It's a little short, almost like a choker on me, but I like it and will wear it often. I've already made my wish!

Activeforever Fusion Exercise Ball - Okay, this is obviously a terrible picture, as it hasn't been inflated yet. But this is a small stability ball. I need to start pilates and yoga again big time, so this will come in handy!

Brokedown Blue Ikat Scarf - The star of the box - a gorgeous blue printed scarf. I love it and have already worn it several times! It's soft and not too thick or thin, nice and flowy and just beautiful. This is the star of the box for me!

Overall, I am super pleased with this box! It is probably my favorite I have received from them. I am so excited to see what April brings!

Here's the Brokedown scarf being worn. I so love the shade of blue!

What do you think of this month's box?

Popsugar Must-Have - February 2014

I love February. Despite the horrible weather, the snow, and the fact that I'm always crying for spring by the time it rolls around, there's one reason I love it - Valentine's Day! And Valentine's Day means an overabundance of CHOCOLATE EVERYWHERE, and pink sparkly things, and chocolate, and pretty flowers, and did I mention chocolate?

So needless to say, I was excited to start getting my subs this month! Surprisingly, Popsugar was the first one to roll in. I always love getting my Popsugar box. As much as I love my beauty subs, it's fun to get a variety of things, too, and Popsugar always sends things I enjoy.

Here's what I got for February!

The February box promises products to help you treat yourself well while getting ready for spring, as well as an item or two for a sweet Valentine's Day. Sounds good to me! 

Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts - These are little red hots shaped like hearts! They are super cute for Valentine's Day. I am not huge on cinnamon candies, actually...I will be melting these into hot chocolate and/or cider or sharing them at work. I did try a few and they are not too hot, and they are very crunchy. The hearts are cute, but some look more like blobs than hearts...no big deal, though.  The little box is adorable and would be great for storing earrings or other small items. They also come with a discount code for Sugarwish - a site that allows you to send someone a candy gift. Basically, you purchase the box, and then they are invited to pick four candies they'd like to receive, and it comes in a cute box. The service itself sounds really fun, but it is super pricey...$25 for a pound of candy! I won't be using the discount code. Today, I spent less than $25 and got a ton of discounted Valentine chocolate at CVS! But, it was still a cute touch.

Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash - This is a "special extra" in this box. It's a new body wash that is infused with lotion and promises to bring moisture to the skin. It smells so good, super sweet and fruity! Dial is not exactly a luxury brand or a "must-have", but this smells good and I will absolutely use it. I know some ladies were upset with this inclusion, and felt that it cheapened the box. I don't think that is true at all, since it is an extra. I use plenty of drugstore items and I can always use body wash...so I say, bring on the special extras!

K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle - This is a fresh floral scented candle in a cute little tin, made of vegetable wax. I don't normally care too much for most floral scents, but this really does smell nice in the tin. Unfortunately, I have found that it doesn't have much of a scent while burning. It may be that I've been spoiled by my Slatkin candles! At any rate, it's still cute and smells like spring.

NCLA Nail Polish in Rodeo Drive Royalty - This is a quick dry, chip resistant polish in a pretty dark red/burgundy kind of color. I like NCLA polishes, and this color is pretty, though I have a couple of similar shades! A nice color for Valentine's Day, for sure. It will definitely be tried and worn!

Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum - This is a blend of argan, apricot, and rosehip oils that promises to hydrate and soften skin. This is a bit heavy to call a serum, and I would not wear it under a moisturizer if you have oily skin. But for winter dryness, it's great! The last few nights, I've been wearing it to bed under my night cream and I've been waking up to super soft skin. It smells fruity/citrusy and I like the ingredients. This is probably my favorite item in the box!

I lost my picture of the ModelCo Lip Pops Duo, but it is a full sized double ended lipstick and gloss duo. The lipstick is in Dusk, a pinky browny nude (which is not very flattering on me) and the lipgloss is Striptease, which is a shimmery pinky shade with some sparkle. It smells like strawberry and the gloss is not sticky! The colors aren't marked on it, and I was sad when I realized it was the same colors I received in another box a while back...I wouldn't have tried it on if I'd known I already have the same shades (in a different format). I gave this to a friend who didn't mind that I'd already tried it on, as I don't wear the first one much because browny colors don't look good on me. But, it is a nice product if the color suits you!

Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll - This is a poppy colored jewelry pouch with three zipper compartments to organize necklaces, rings, and other jewelry and keep them from getting tangled together when traveling! This could have been a really great item, however many of us received defective items, with missing/loose stitching and/or non-working zippers. Popsugar is currently working out how they are going to make up for the defects, since there are too many to replace. In the meantime, I'm using it to store necklaces that won't fit on my jewelry stands.

Overall, this isn't my favorite Popsugar box, but it wasn't a total disappointment for me, either. I wish it had a bit more of a Valentine feel to it - maybe some chocolate and a cute necklace, or even a cheesy romance novel. But, everything but the lip duo will be used and overall I am satisfied. 

What do you think of this month's box?

If you haven't tried the Popsugar Must-Have box yet, feel free to sign up using my referral link!

Popsugar Must Have - January 2014

Getting my Popsugar box is usually one of the most exciting parts of my month! So needless to say, I was super excited to find it on my porch yesterday.

The Popsugar Must Have box is a little different than most of my subs. It isn't just a beauty subscription...it actually offers a little bit of everything! The boxes contain Popsugar's must have items in categories like beauty, fashion, food, and home! I've gotten everything in these boxes from jewelry, scarves, makeup, chocolate, wrapping paper, books...it's always a fun variety and always things I am excited to try.

The included booklet tells me that this box is designed to help you check off your thoughtful resolutions. I love their booklet because it always tells why they chose the items, which often makes me appreciate them more!

This month's box is packed nice and full! We received six items. I appreciate that Popsugar always sends a variety of full sized items. Here's what we received for January!

Must Have Food

 Pipsnacks White Truffle Pipcorn - Pipcorn is mini popcorn. The kernels themselves are small and bite-sized! The bag, however, is nice and large. This popcorn is delicious! It is flavored with white truffle, and in just the right amount...it adds a bit of amazing flavor, but is not overwhelming! I love that the ingredients are so simple - just popcorn, olive oil, truffle, and salt. Awesome! I have never tried truffle on popcorn before, and I am really glad I got the chance to...it's delicious! The small size of the kernels makes it super easy to eat, as well.

The Juice Generation book - This is a great book that introduces you to juicing. It has 100 recipes for juices and smoothies, and also just a lot of information on the benefits of juicing, as well as how to combine fruits and veggies for maximum benefit. It's a beautiful book! I don't have a juicer, but I am definitely interested in incorporating more of these things into my life.

Must Have Beauty

Revlon by Marchesa Box o' Files - This is just a box of pretty little nail files. They're dual sided to shape and smooth the nail...but more importantly, the print on them is just beautiful! I can always use nail files, and I'll be happy to keep these in my bag and whip them out in public. So cute!

Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask - This is a foaming gel mask that uses antioxidants and vitamils to cleans pores, hydrate, and brighten. I love this brand, and I was SO excited to get this mask! I tried it, and it is amazing and different from any mask I've ever tried! It really does bubble and foam on your face...so much that it tickles a bit! It left my skin feeling nice and bright and fresh...I will be adding this to my regular mask rotation. Love it!

 Must Have Home

Rifle Paper Co. 2014 Flip Around the World Calendar - This is a desk/flip calendar featuring adorable illustrations of various international cities. I adore this! I love the style and quality of it! I will use it as my desk calendar for the year, then next year, I'll use it to make super cute greeting cards. I do wish the section with the actual calendar was large enough to write on, but no worries, it's still adorable and functional for me.

Must Have Fashion 

Jack + Lucy Tech Gloves - These are cozy gloves that allow you to still use your smartphone or other touchscreen device while wearing them. I so needed these...I was relying on the fold-back kind, which work but when you fold them back, your fingers FREEZE. I live in Indiana, so I need to keep my fingers covered in the winter! These are simple, dark gray with black tips on the "tech" fingers. They will match all of my coats and jackets. They are thick enough to be warm, but not so thick as to be bulky or to be unsuitable for chilly fall or spring days. I'm excited to get them!

Overall, I think this is a really nice box! I love the variety of items, and the mask, calendar, and gloves have already gone into regular use! There is not a dud item in this box. I am excited to see what we'll get for February!

I have consistently been happy with my Popsugar boxes so far and when my sub runs out, I will definitely consider continuing my subscription as a birthday gift to myself! What do you think of these items?

If you haven't tried Popsugar yet, feel free to sign up using my referral link!

Popsugar Must Have - December 2013

December is my favorite month to get sub boxes! My family doesn't really do a whole lot when it comes to Christmas and gifts anymore, but the kid inside of me still loves to have surprises to open in December. The goodies sent out also tend to be festive, cozy, and/or sparkly...all of which I love! So I waited for my December subs with even less patience than usual.

I was excited to get my Popsugar box pretty early this month!

I always love the packaging and how much it just feels like a little present! I also love the booklet we get each month, with details about each item. It said this month's box should be thought of as the wish list we never knew we needed. Interesting! Here's what was inside!

CCMade Caramel Corn - This is a handmade caramel corn made using organic corn! It comes in a few varieties...I got the classic caramel. I already ate this for brunch one day, and it was super delicious! It might be the best packaged caramel corn I've ever had...a bit salty and a bit sweet. I still prefer my homemade caramel corn (nice and gooey..yum) but this is great and I wouldn't mind trying the other varieties!

Ghirardelli Squares - Milk & Caramel and Holiday Assortment - These are some of my favorite candies. The Milk & Caramel are on my list often. The Holiday Assortment is new to me! It is a mix of three flavors: Peppermint Bark (a longtime favorite of mine), Eggnog (white chocolate that tastes like nog!), and Pumpkin Spice Caramel (YUM). Absolutely delicious! These are considered extras this month but they are some of my favorite things in the box!

NCLA Peppermint Lane Nail Wraps - These are pretty red and white nail stickers. I've used this brand before, and they are super cute, but they don't last long on me before peeling off. However, they will be fun to wear for Christmas at work! I love the mix of stripes and polka dots, and I will wear them together!

Mixt Studio Holiday Gifting Set - This is three cute sheets of wrapping paper (on newsprint!) with included tags and twine. I know many were annoyed about getting this, but I actually like it. I still have the finishes touches to put on my secret santa gift that is being mailed out tomorrow and this will be great for that! I am not a great wrapper, and I like having everything included in a cute and unique set like this.

ModelCo Fibre LashXTend Black Mascara - This is a mascara that promises clump free voluminous lashes with a glossy texture and added fibres. I admit I wasn't terribly excited about this. I do like the ModelCo brand, but I am currently being sent mascara by at least 2 subs every month, and I am swimming in it! I will eventually get around to trying this out!

Govino Go Anywhere Flutes - These are reusable, disposable plastic champagne flutes. I think they're cute! I have long since given up on having nice wine and champagne glasses, but these will be fun for a picnic, or a little party with my nephews or the kids I take care of at work. Not something I'd buy myself, but something that will be good to have!

Lulu Frost for Popsugar Bracelet - This is a mixed metal bracelet by Lulu Frost - a brand famous for mixing vintage and modern elements in their pieces. This is a brass chain with a silver charm. I think it's super cute! I don't often wear bracelets like this, so I first thought of putting the charm on a chain and making a necklace, but I found myself way too fond of the two toned effect to do that. 

Overall, I am happy with this month's box. I know many ladies on makeuptalk were less than thrilled with this month's box, and I do understand why. It isn't the highest value, nor is it mostly things I would buy myself, but it manages to feel nice and Christmassy, and I'm not disappointed!

What do you think of this month's Popsugar?

If you haven't signed up yet, feel free to do so using my referral link!

Popsugar Must Have - November 2013

I may be one of the few people who loves November. It follows on the tail of my favorite month (October), fall things are still in abundance, and it is cold enough for scarves and silly hats, but it's not yet the miserable dead of winter. As the holidays near, things get festive and cuddly, and it's just all-around a good month for me. So naturally, I was really interested to see what Novembery delights would show up in my sub boxes!

My Popsugar box showed up on my doorstep a few days ago, and I was super excited to rip into it!

I really love Popsugar's boxes...they always feel like opening a gift. They always have a cute little pamphlet that explains why each item is a "Must Have". This month's pamphlet promises items to brighten the Thanksgiving season with practical and swoon-worthy pieces. Sounds good to me! Here's what was inside.

 Barefruit Crunchy Sea Salt Caramel Apple Chips - These are considered a "special extra" this month. They are a guilt-free snack made from 100% real fruit and no nasty ingredients. I have had the plain version of these chips a few times and they are nice - very crunchy and simple. This flavor was decent - I found that some  chips didn't have the caramel flavor, but all were nice. These would be a great healthy alternative to a sweet treat.

Land's End Single Canvas Wine Tote - This is a canvas tote meant to carry wine...kind of a safer and more classy alternative to a paper bag. This tote does feel nice and sturdy! The only thing is...I don't ever have occasion to take wine anywhere. I don't go to many dinner parties, and when I do, it's not with wine drinkers. This would be a good hostess gift with a bottle stuck in it. However, I found an alternative use - I am currently using it to store my flat iron! It's the perfect size for that, and the handle lets me hang it over an arm of my floor lamp by my makeshift vanity. Soon, I plan to hang a hook to hold it, but in the meantime, this works! So, something that was not really exciting for me is now quite useful.

Illume Candle in Naughty - This is a cute candle in a spicy woody scent. It actually smells a lot like a really nice men's cologne...which would not usually be my kind of thing, but I absolutely love this scent. And naughty is a great name for a scent that smells like a sexy man! It's nice to have a break from my usual sweet scents. The jar is so cute, I'll definitely be reusing it, too.

Maison de Monaco Strawberry & Black Currant Cream Preserves - These are hand cooked preserves made from 70 percent fruit! They are special because they are cooked with black currant cream liqueur to give them a unique flavor. I don't eat a ton of preserves, but these sound amazing, and I think I'll try them on my toast tomorrow. 

The Soap & Paper Factory Roland Pine Shea Butter Soap - This is a rich soap with shea butter. It has a nice pine scent and promises to make you feel like you just stepped into a forest. I haven't used this soap yet...I can't bring myself to unwrap the super cute packaging! But it smells nice and I think it will be really nice and relaxing for the holiday season. As with the candle, I generally go for sweet and/or fruity scents, so this will be a refreshing change.

Absolute! Nail Polish Remover Pads in Lemon - These are acetone-free, oil based nail polish remover pads. They smell so good! I love these oil based removers...they leave my nails looking and feeling so good. They do take a bit more time than acetone removers do, but in my opinion, it is worth it.

Michael Stars Folk Art Wrap - This is the big ticket item this month...it is a huge wrap that can be worn as a scarf or a shawl! The black and gray print is cute and versatile, and the size is just great. It feels nice and soft, and it is cozy, but not too thick - it will be great for a variety of climates. I absolutely love it and look forward to wearing it.

Also included, but not pictured, was a $30 discount to CanvasPop. It called itself a gift card, but it is not, it's just a discount...which I will likely use, but I do hate when companies call a coupon a gift card!

Overall, I am super excited about this month's box. I love everything, and it is a collection of items just perfect for the fall/winter transition. I continue to be happy with Popsugar...I love the combination of home, beauty, fashion, and food items.

If you haven't tried Popsugar yet, feel free to sign up using my referral link!

What do you think of this month's box? What are your favorite November goodies?