Birchbox - March 2013

I'm still on the fence about Birchbox. There are so many great subscription boxes around these days, this one may not make the cut. In its favor is the fact that they offer some great skin care items and they have a great points system. Against it has been some rather small samples as of late and more makeup than I need. But on to the samples!

 Three different scents of Caldrea lotion. I really liked all three of these. All were nice light scents and made my skin feel great. The other item is a nail file with a floral pattern. It's an ok nail file.

 The Make makeup remover works really well. It doesn't have a heavy oily feel like some makeup removers do. I hate lipstick samples like this. They always seem to break off after two or three uses. It's a shame because I really like the color and the way it feels. I've only used it once so it's still in one piece.

This dry shampoo might be one of the worst I've tried. My hair actually felt more dirty after using it. Most but not all of the white powder shook out of my hair the way it was supposed to. It left an odd residue on my hair that just felt weird and icky.

Conscious Box - February 2013

I scored a deal for 3 months of Conscious Box. (Normally $19.95 a month.) Since I'd been wanting to try this one out I figured this was a great way to try it out. My only regret so far is that now I want to figure out a way to keep getting this one.
This was the first box I received. I waited to do this review because some of my items were damaged in shipping (or more accurately bathed in laundry soap.) I have to say Conscious Box customer service was amazing about this. It took a few days for them to get back to me but the promised to replace the items that were unusable. Instead I got a whole new box! If you are looking to put more eco-friendly items into use, this is a great discovery box. Most of the items are the larger "deluxe" sample sizes.

 1 package of Country Choice Organics Instant Oatmeal in Cranberry apple. I didn't get to try this flavor as this was one of the items that got soaped. The Maple I did try was delicious! The Pride Green garbage bags are awesome. I put this in with our regular bags and then asked my husband after he took out the garbage what he thought of it. He was surprised that it was biodegradable. It actually held up better than our "regular" bags. The Amazing Grass Kidz SuperFood Wild Berry was another item that was soaped. I haven't had a chance to try the replacement.

 Two amazing products. The Safonique Laundry soap is a great product and my husband has had no allergic reaction to it. (Unlike many other laundry detergents - natural and otherwise.) It has a light lavender scent but the clothes do not. I had been wanting to try something from the Honest Company but just can't afford another subscription right now. This company was founded by actress (and mother of two) Jessica Alba. If the hand soap is any indicator they have great quality stuff. My only criticism is the sample only had the twist cap and no cover over the bottle. For shipping that can be a problem as this box proved. Perhaps the full size items are sealed better.

 The chocolate gets its own picture! This is really yummy. At 85% it is my max cacao preference but this is good because I won't eat the whole bar. One square satisfies the chocolate craving.

The coconut oil is interesting. It's a single serving package that feels almost solid. You have to massage the package before use to soften it. I've actually tried the Sahale snacks thanks to my mom who buys them every time she is in Chicago. These are as delicious as the others I've tried. The Swipes are basically a wet wipe but for more intimate areas. Honestly they remind me of the diaper wipes we have for my daughter. They are unscented. I haven't had a chance to try the Natural Vitality Natural Calm yet. It is a magnesium supplement. Recently I learned that some who have heart palpitations (PVCs in my case) are low in magnesium, now I'm really interested in this product.

Birchbox February 2013

This post is pretty late, especially since I just received the March box. I'm just not that excited about Birchbox anymore. Part of that might have to do with the fact that two of the last three months I have had to contact customer service. In January I was sent the wrong item. Not a big deal except that I couldn't review for points the item I did receive. Birchbox sent me the correct item and I got to keep the other sample. This month an item was just missing. I received an email that they would send it to me but it will take at least ten days. Oh well. On to the February box!

Just about every subscription box had chocolate in it in February. No complaints here! Birchbox opted for the delicious Ghiradelli caramel square. If these were a little darker chocolate I'd be even happier. The other item pictured is a Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask. Eight of these go for $42 so I doubt I'll be trying them again anytime soon. The full size comes with a brush for application. The sample does not. I wish I could figure out what kind of brush it comes with to give this a fair and full trial. Either way, hopefully I'll have time to try this out this coming weekend. Maybe.

Sorry for the poor quality of this photo. My camera was being uncooperative that day. The spray bottle is Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle. I love leave in conditioners in a spray bottle. It makes it so much easier to make sure I get it through all of my hair (it's long and there's a lot of it.) I'm not so excited about another nail polish. I don't use polish very often and the last time I used one this red was at the request of a community theater director for a show I was in. Well I can save this for fun time with D I suppose since the Color Club colors are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP.

I can't think of the last time I got a Birchbox without a perfume sample. This months was Juicy Couture Couture La La. It's a nice light scent. Unfortunately my sample leaks on my hand every time I spray it. But it is a nice scent. I'm actually wearing it today! But at $90 I remember why I don't buy much perfume. The Wei Pomegranate Buffing Beads are almost a thing of genius. You sprinkle these in to your hand after adding your regular face cleanser and it turns it into an exfoliant with a great texture. My face felt great after using this.

Overall not a bad Birchbox. I've enjoyed trying things I doubt I would buy on my own. And isn't that the point of these subscription boxes. The only reason I might cancel this one is because I just don't get excited when I know it's on the way any more. It's not you Birchbox, it's me.

Pop Sugar Must Have Box - February 2013

Pop Sugars Must Have Box is like getting a present from a friend each month. They are usually things I wouldn't purchase for myself but things I enjoy once I have them. And isn't that the point of a subscription box?

I just couldn't get a good picture of the first item. This was the "big" item this month and also the big controversy on the boards. It's a spa cover up. Reminiscent of those towels with velcro at the top but a much nicer and softer material. Apparently the problem was that a percentage of PopSugar subscribers didn't fit into Brokedown's image of "one size fits all." Fortunately it fits me ok. I'm not going to wear it in public but it covers the essentials. And actually around my waste will make a great swim suite cover! 

 The Sweethearts were meant to be cute. But I hate these things but I was able to give them away. I've never photographed underwear before. But that's what the Hanky Panky label is covering. This was also an issue for some because they are sized as One Size but we all know that doesn't really mean fits all. I don't think I would have bought these on their own but I like these. Still debating if I'll use the coupon to get more.

This stuff is awesome! And whoever thought up the design to fit the little toothbrush like thing on the bottle is a genius. I cleaned a ring for my sis that she claimed was never cleaned :-) It actually shined with very little effort.

 I've been saying I should read a Nicholas Sparks book. I guess this one is the one I'll read.

 The hit of the box in my house was these chocolate covered cacao nibs. Yum! My daughter loves the pretty box and all three of us (yes she is already a dark chocolate lover) love the little chocolate pieces inside. A nice little burst of chocolate and you only need to eat a couple to satisfy a craving for chocolate.

I for one was happy with this box. And can't wait for March!

Seasons Box February 2013

February was like Christmas for me thanks to all the deals on subscription boxes I've gotten lately. This resulted in an overlap of boxes this month. What to open first... Let's start with one of the new ones.

Seasons Box may be my new favorite subscription box! Current price per box is $34.90 (with shipping) and all items are full size, eco friendly items. There are discounts if you get a longer subscription. Just a heads up, they are in Canada so if your credit card is so inclined you may get hit with a foreign transaction fee. I got in on an introductory deal and found out I had a card that didn't charge a fee so I was sold! This service is a little different in that  before they begin shipping each month you receive an email showing what is in the upcoming box. It's also listed on their website.

February's theme was Love Yourself. First off, I love the packaging! It's like getting a present in the mail each month. I didn't get a picture but the box was tied with a bow. A pink bow was to hard to resist for my toddler and she had it half off the box before I had the camera in my hand.

The first item is the Kaia Naturals Bamboo Cleansing Cloths. Cleansing cloths are a staple for me so this is great. And these are alcohol free, which is great to see. The container they come in is so much better than the ones that come in the package with a sticker to hold it closed. And it's still small enough to be portable.

I love salt scrubs, so yeah! My daughter loves smelling this one and I have to agree. It smells just like sugar cookies. This company states that there items are handmade in small batches. Yeah! Check out there site http://bambuearth.com/collections/skincare The sugar cookie is sold out right now but it's still listed.

I have only used rose water a handful of times and I've never been overly impressed. That changed with this. The Dream Organics rose water has a wonderful light scent and feels great on my skin. It's really refreshing.

No February box is complete without chocolate! And fair trade chocolate makes it even better. Ok, I admit if it was dark chocolate that would have made it even better still. Galerie Au Chocolat is based in Montreal and even has fair trade fondue!

This box was a great mix of full size items that I will enjoy using. A great value even at the regular price.

Crave Box Start the Year off Light

I'm still on the fence about Cravebox. This box hasn't swayed me one way or the other. A couple new to me items but some rehashes and I question the value. So what's in the box?
First the new to me. 

I love Barilla pasta but I've never tried their Veggie Pasta so I'm looking forward to trying it. And I've never even heard of the White Fiber but I'm curious. These are full size boxes.

I had the 7 Up in a previous Cravebox and it was good so I won't complain to much. I haven't bought a pack of gum in years if I wasn't getting on a plane. I haven't tried the gum yet but it smells good so I'll hang on to it and give it a try.

The Sunrype fruit strips are peeking in the sides of this picture. I've had these before and they are delicious. I haven't seen them in the store so no complaints about getting them again. The BelVita Breakfast Biscuits are also a rehash. They are really good and I actually took the $1off coupon that also came in the box and bought some today. I love Snackwells and this is one I haven't tried so another good one.

Overall a good box. I'll use all the items but as I said I question the value of this box. I'm not sure it equals the $15 charge. Yes I know they have to cover shipping. Perhaps I've gotten spoiled by other subscription boxes that are a great value. I do know that while I will probably buy more Craveboxess I will be more choosey.

New Snack Service - Graze

I received an invite code to try a new (to the US) snack subscription called Graze. They've been delivering in the UK for awhile now and while the selection of snacks is a bit different in the US, the line up looks really tasty! I've been in a snack rut lately and since I switched to five meals a day, snacks are as important as regular meals. The timing on this was perfect. And my first and fifth box are free! My first box arrived last Monday. At this point they are shipping these from the UK so a week is really impressive. The boxes are $5 each (shipping included and billed from the US so no foreign fees) and include 4 portioned snacks. You can select the Light box or the Nibble box. The Nibble box has more options and includes some chocolate snacks! This subscription is weekly but you can push back a week if you sign in to the web site.
Here's my first box...

... minus the lemon slice and tea bag. I ate that as soon as I opened the box. Unfortunately that one looks like it's not available right now but I hear it will be back. $5 may seem a little high but go look at the nearest vending machine. And most of those snacks aren't that great for you. The nutrition and ingredient info is included with each shipment. Everything in my first shipment was delicious. My only real criticism is I wish it was five snacks so I had one for each work day.
The lemon slice was like a lemon poppy seed cake and the tea was delicious. I added some goat cheese to up the calorie count. Delicious. The Dark Rocky Road contains pecans, dark chocolate (about 50%) and dried cranberries. The Herby Bread Basket contains mini garlic croutons, basil bread sticks and oregano rice crackers. And last but not least the Mississippi BBQ pistachios. All were delicious. I can't wait to try more!
Sign up for this is still on a referral basis so if you are interested email me at melanie0971 at gmail dot com and I will try to get you an invite code. I can't recommend this one enough.
Happy Snacking!