Fab Fit Fun VIP Gift Box - Spring 2013 Inaugural Box

I put the review of the Fab Fit Fun VIP Gift Box until last because I wasn't really looking forward to writing it. This has to be the most disappointing subscription box I have ever tried. I'm just grateful that I got it at a discounted rate. This one is meant to come out once a quarter so they have until June to get this right.

 This Moroccan Oil was the big ticket item. I really love this stuff. It's got a great scent and isn't to oily. This at least made the box worth what I paid for it.

 I was one of the fortunate ones that got one of the "bonus" items. That's in quotes because there were three items that were shown in every review box and not classified as bonus items but when regular subscribers received their boxes that's what they were called. There were a number of variations and some received all of the items while others received one, two or none. On the positive side, the Josie Maran lip stain is a great product! This color is called Waltz. It's not to red and it's not to pink. Yeah!

 

 The JewelMint items may be what caused the loudest complaints. The charm bracelet is probably one of the better options. As the mom of an almost three year old, at least this will be good for entertainment value. And I do like a charm bracelet once in awhile. I do still have the one from Disney Land that my dad bought for me when I was eight. He had to move the links so it wouldn't slide of my wrist. And it was a kids bracelet. For the record, that bracelet still fits as adjusted. Yes, I have freakishly skinny wrists. So the surprise was that this actually looks like it will fit!

Usually I put the description after the picture  but I felt that this one deserved some sort of warning. The picture doesn't do the color of these justice. Imagine something between lemon and neon yellow. My 1987 self might have considered these... On second thought, no, even she had better taste than that.

 Zoya did an exclusive color just for these boxes. Though I heard later boxes got another color. Yes, they ran out of their signature color. I think that sums up the issues with this box right there. It's actually a nice color and the lip gloss is a great neutral shade. I don't really need more nail polish but a fun color is hard to resist.

 I know many people weren't happy with this being included. Personally I've really liked all the Think Thin bars I've tried in various subscription boxes. It has peanut butter so that helps in my book. These are a good snack because they fill me up but I can still work out without feeling to full.

The infamous eye brow gel. When you signed up for Fab Fit Fun, there was a survey that asked all sorts of things like skin tone and hair color. I answered honestly that I am blonde and fair skinned. So naturally they sent me a medium dark eye brow gel. I was going to give it away since it's sample sized but I had heard so many people talk about how it was fried out that I opened it myself. I'm glad I did. I'll spare you the picture but it was pretty much a solid. It went into the trash.

To be fair to Fab Fit Fun, they did answer my complaint with an offer of a free box in June. I figured I'd give them the chance since I had such high hopes for this box in the beginning. I'm really hoping that this was just a case of selling more and faster than they realized and they will fix these issues in the three months between boxes.

Seasons Box - March 2013

I love Seasons Box! Plain and simple, it's my favorite subscription. I love that they reveal the items and then you can decide to skip that month. I only wish they were shipping earlier in the month like they originally said. But this might be best since PopSugar seems to be shipping earlier these days. All these items are full size and of excellent quality. Plus they are eco-friendly! March's theme was green and St. Patrick's Day.

This soap smells amazing! No doubt it's mint. And that's before I took it out of the bag it came in.

I haven't bought incense in ages, so this was fun to see. This is a lime scent. I really liked it but these cones seem to burn quickly compared to other incense I've had. Maybe it's the more eco friendly materials...

In my opinion you can never have to much tea, especially Irish Breakfast Tea! This tea smells wonderful. I haven't had a chance to sample it since I've had to cut way back on caffeine. It's a loose leaf tea and my tea steeper is waiting!

The timing on this umbrella was perfect. It's been raining like crazy in Chicago lately. It did blow inside out once but it didn't bend at all so I'm impressed. This seems pretty durable. It's not quite green, closer to brown but it's still a unique enough color that it stands out among the other commuter umbrellas :-)
Another great box. I'm so glad I got in on the one year deal a few months back

PopSugar Must Have Box - March 2013

I still get excited about my PopSugar Must Have box so I keep getting it.

Ooh a variety pack of Fashion tape! I could have used this a few months ago. :-) This sample pack is the tape in various shapes and sizes. I know that I'll be able to use this at some point. Of course, now that I have it, I haven't needed it!

Many days the only make up I wear is mascara but I've never been picky about the brand. This Buxom mascara may have spoiled me. This is amazing, thank goodness it's full size!

I'm not thrilled by more nail polish. I already have more than I'll ever use. Fortunately I don't get it very often in the PopSugar box. That being said, these are great colors! I'm not sure I would use them together as packaged but individually they are really nice. The picture doesn't do them justice, it's so hard to photograph nail polish colors!

I seem to be getting lots of detergent lately in my subscription boxes. This is the first for delicates. I don't have many delicates but I'll definitely give this a try. It's got a nice mild scent to it. I'd also like to mention that it was well packaged for shipping. They had taped the cap into place and no leakage!

I've worn this necklace twice and gotten compliments both times. It's not something I would have bought for myself but I really like it. It's got a nice long chain and looks especially nice when wearing a plain shirt.

I didn't really need another corkscrew but how can you say no to this face!? It's very clever. It has a corkscrew, foil cutter and bottle opener all tucked into the body.

I've needed one of these things for years and just never got around to getting one. I don't know how long lasting this is though. It's basically a block of material similar to a nail file, but a little more serious. I had some good luck with it on a sweater I have mistreated for years. But it also crumbled a little bit on the end that was in my hand. We'll see how it holds up.
Another pretty good box from PopSugar. Useful items I didn't necessarily know I needed.

Fancy Box - March 2013

I finally gave in and tried Fancy Box. It's on the pricier end so I waited for a good deal to try it. I have to say their shipping has to be the best of any subscription box I've tried so far. It reached me in 2 days! I opened my box and this is what I saw.

 I was a little disappointed because it looks like the stuff was just kind of tossed in the box. But nothing was damaged so let's move on.

 I like the fact that each item has it's own card. This really gives me the impression that they do personalize the boxes based on what you fill out when you sign up. And of course D loved the stickers!

 

I already had a head massager so this went to my husband. He LOVES it. It's well made and not as bendable as mine. Maybe I should have kept this one :-)

 Uh oh a T-shirt. At least that's what I first thought when I saw this. I love t-shirts but so many times items like this as give aways are those baby ts that someone of my build should not be wearing unless you are in an (ahem) old profession. But this one actually is a normal size and will fit just fine. Yeah! And it's fun, I mean come on, it's Paris!

 I'm not sure if I will keep this doodle/sketch book or gift it. It's clever but I can't draw a stick figure to save my life so it might be wasted on me. It has various prompts and then area to doodle in response to that prompt. Many are silly like designing your own trophy. Clever idea, if I could draw.

I can't wait to try out the Citrus Zinger water bottle. But I have to get some citrus first! The fruit goes in the bottom where it's like a juicer. The water goes in the top and enjoy! Looks like a great concept. And a great way to change up all the water I drink. The Music Branches are a headphone splitter made for our house, there are three outlets! Now that D gets the idea of headphones, the next time we travel she can watch the movies she wants on the ipod with sound and Mommy and Daddy can too!

Last was a $10 gift card for Shoptiques.com I'm not sure if I'll use it because a lot of the stuff is way more than $10 but I'll take a closer look.

A fun variety of stuff. I think I'll give Fancy another try. I like that you can select different categories to include in the box.

Graze Update - new code available

I don't review Graze boxes because I just can't keep up because I get weekly deliveries. Let me assure you I'm still as thrilled with them as I was originally. My only wish is that they offered more of the items in the US that they offer in the UK. Hopefully soon now that their shipping is consistent!
Speaking of shipping, they recently sent out a "test" package asking subscribers to share the date it arrived. I just did this and was rewarded with 1 referral code! If you are interested in signing up, please email me at melanie0971  at  gmail.com. I only have 1 and first come first served.

Conscious Box - March 2013

I really like Conscious Box! I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep this subscription every month with so many to pick from, but it's definitely towards the top of my list. This box is 19.99 a month including shipping and most of the items are deluxe sample size eco-friendly items. I have to say this is the best variety of items in any subscription box I've tried. But on to March!

I haven't had a chance to try the Wheatgrass Boost but it's a single serving and the bottle has D intrigued :-) She insisted on holding it for the picture.

I've tried plenty of cereal/snack/breakfast bars and this Cherry Almond bar by Two Degrees might be the best yet (or tied with Pure Organics Cherry Cashew.)

I am now obsessed with finding tea made with Cacao shells! This herbal tea by Stash is amazing. The flavor reminds me of those chocolate oranges but so much better. I really liked the Nektar Honey crystals. What a great way to be able to add honey to your tea. I used it in place of sugar when I made myself a chai latte the other day. Perfect!

This Sumsoap smells wonderful. I haven't used it yet because I have quite the collection of little soaps right now but it has a nice feel to it in bar form. I'm not sure what to make of this TGRT tea. It took me a while to figure out what it was. LOL It says it's great to add to a bath or to drink. Hmmm... It is a cool package though.

D is a picky eater and I keep thinking I should get her a vitamin. But then how to get her to swallow it. This might be the answer. It helped that I tried the adult version at the same time but she ate these without a problem - and she liked them! They taste very similar to gummy bears but a little less sweet.

This is brilliant. I don't have an iphone but my android phone fits just fine. Now if only I could get some for my Kindle Fire. The phone fits in to the bag, which then seals with a sticky strip. It did a pretty good job of keeping the phone clean. I didn't spill any liquids on it so I don't know how well it would protect in that case.

I love the idea of this natural cough syrup. It's not much more than honey. I haven't tried it yet but I'm saving it for the next scratchy throat that comes.

I think this box is a pretty good value. And it's introduced me to some great new eco-friendly brands.