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Yogi Surprise April 2016 review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions,Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Here comes a spring box of goodies! Quite a few snacks and supplements this time around. When I go off to school, I’ll probably cancel this subscription, so I’ve only got a few more coming my way.

Yogi Surprise is just under $36 per box (with code for 20% off your subscription – use my referral links from this post) and comes with yoga gear, skincare, food, and other lifestyle products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you free boxes.

contents of yogi surprise april 2016 box with info card yogi surprise april 2016 info card with product details

Herban Essentials orange essential oil towelettes – A long time ago, I did a trade where I received some of these in orange and lemon. These are perfect to keep around for a quick wipe, whether of my hands or even my yoga mat. I had no idea they went beyond cleaning off grime and smelling nice, but are actually antibacterial and antiseptic! Apparently these are good for improving mood, focus, and relaxation. Wow, impressive.

The Seaweed Bath Co seaweed powder bath in Eucalyptus & Peppermint – I can’t remember how I first heard of this brand, but it’s been on my list and I got a chance to get some, also part of a trade a long time ago. The flakes darkened my bath and made it a little more effort to clean after draining the bath, so we’ll see how this one goes. I like the idea of using seaweed for skincare – just sounds cool, and it’s supposed to be good for sensitive skin, so I’m sure it’ll be great for me.

rishi hibiscus berry herbal tea – Ah, this will be perfect to take with me to school! I can scoop myself some nice tea to sip while working on projects. I got some rishi green tea from Whole Foods before, which I quite enjoyed, so I know this will be a very good quality.

Bambooee reusable bamboo towel – I first heard of these when I got one in my Conscious box three years ago! It’s so useful in so many different ways. I think it’s a fantastic product to have around and I’ll be using this one a lot in the kitchen, I’m sure. I love things made from bamboo. 🙂

Go Raw choco crunch sprouted cookies – Hmm, these “cookies” are basically bite-sized health bars. I’m not super into raw stuff or seeds/nuts, so I found the taste of this to be unusual. I didn’t get much of the chocolate flavor and instead had a lot more coconut and some unidentifiable taste. If you’re into healthy vegan stuff, you might like this though!

Stoneridge Orchards Montmorency Cherries – Alas, I also don’t like cherries that aren’t fresh ones. I’ll be giving these to someone else to eat, though as a dried fruit, this is something I’d consider trying.

Herbal Zap! Digestive Cool & Calm and Digestive & Immune Support supplements – These sort of remind me of the Pranayums I got in the last box. They make use of herbs to help bring health benefits. In this case, these are for digestion and boosting immunity. They come in these little sugar granules that dissolve in water. I’ll be taking these to work to use during the day! I could always use a little help with my digestive and immune systems.

Rescue Plus Stress Complex lozenge in Orange & Elderflower – Well, I had not known the term “lozenge” before, but I guess they’re basically cough drops. These are amazingly sweet for something that has no sugar! The elderflower adds a unique fragrance that is quite nice. They didn’t exactly provide information on how/when I should use these – when I feel unwell? As a daily boost? I’m not sure, but I think I’ll have one periodically.

Dosha Bar in blueberry balance pitta – Another bar that I will try, but am unsure of. I’ve just never really enjoyed bars, whether granola or quinoa or trail mix. But hey, it’s worth trying and using as a snack when I need that extra bit. Lately I’ve been feeling a plummet in my blood sugar on my drive home, so I think this will be great to munch on during the commute.

Yogi Surprise Connecting with Nature yoga sequence series card – This time around it’s time to get grounded and connect with nature. This series has some very easy and very challenging poses. Check out the instruction page to download this sequence.

Four Sigmatic Reishi & Chaga Mushroom Elixirs – Well, these are a new approach to drinks. Can’t say I’ve put mushrooms in my water before, though I certainly enjoy dishes cooked with them. They talk about how great mushrooms are, but don’t offer anything about what benefits I’m supposed to get exactly. And I thought the different flavors had different benefits, but it seems they are named after the mushroom they are made from. In general, it seems mushrooms are good for your immune system, blood pressure, and offer antioxidants.

suja organic cold-pressured juice coupon – (Not pictured.) Underneath everything was this little surprise, which offers a free bottle of juice! I’ve been curious about cold-pressed juices and was actually going to go get some at Whole Foods since I heard on the radio that they are offering 10% off this week. I look forward to trying these!

Wow, this time around there were a bunch of smaller items to try, which I rather liked. I feel like I’ve got a ton of health boosts now. What do you think about the products in this box?

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Prospurly December 2015 review

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Ok, with all but one application submitted, I’ve got some time to tell you all about the most recent Prospurly box that I got. I haven’t had time to really dig in with these items, but I look forward to it!

Prospurly is just under $45 per box (with code for 10% off your subscription – use my referral links from this post) and comes with artisan foods, bath & body items, home products, and other sustainably crafted items. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you free boxes.

prospurly december 2015 box open with products showing prospurly december 2015 info card with product details

The Savvy Heart peppermint body resurfacer – This leaked a bit in transit, so there were some refreshing oils left in the box. It’s a lovely mint scent that is very refreshing and the granules of sugar rub well into skin. It leaves a cooling feeling that’s great after working out or to start your day invigorated.

Aimee’s Home Cookin’ Germania Gluhwein mulling spices – Ooo it’s the perfect time to use mulling spices to make some apple cider! I love that it comes with its own little reusable pouch to keep the spices in when brewing. The scent is very aromatic and I feel like this would make awesome potpurri. Any chance there’s enough scent left after boiling that it can be dried and used as such? Doubtful, but we’ll see. I can’t wait to try this out since I’ve been loving apple cider lately.

St. Fiacre’s Farm organic loose leaf peppermint patty tea – Whoa, peppermint chocolate tea. Now that sounds interesting. What’s up with this minty theme in the winter? Is that common? I’m trying to stay warm over here! For now I’m keeping this sealed as I work through other teas I have, but come February or so I’ll probably break this out.

Melisa’s bundt cake soap – Mmm, this smells sweet. I think bath products shaped and scented like desserts are awesome. It’s really cute that she includes a recipe for a pound cake on the tag! Now that’s tying in the theme.

St. Fiacre’s Farm Winter Balm – This is a hand balm that smells like none I’ve had before. It definitely reminds me of the holidays and the formula is perfect for winter. Letting a bit start to melt with my body heat, I can then rub it on my hands to keep them nice and soft. I like that this is lightweight yet packs a punch. It’s super cool that it uses natural disinfectants so I can also help ward off some germs every time I lotion up!

jpants Crimson Clover seeds – I’m a little confused because there’s supposed to be stickers and “other goodies” in this pouch according to the card, but what I got was seeds. Did they miss something with mine or perhaps change their mind after producing the cards? Well, whatever the case, I have some nice little clover seeds that look like they will produce flowers! I like that prospect, so I’ll add this to my “to plant” pile and figure out when I want to actually do that. We don’t get much good sunlight indoors, so I don’t think now would be a good time.

jpants Dwarf Mugo Pine Bonsai Tree Kit – Now this is just the type of thing I was hoping to receive from a box like this. I’m all about cute, useful items that I wouldn’t find on my own! Since it takes awhile to grow get this to germinate, I can do some research and then get started later this winter. We’ll see if I’m successful! Usually I can get a plant to grow to a certain stage, but keeping it alive seems to be the hard part. Plus with travel plans, it’s not easy to keep plants well-maintained.

I’ll likely use everything from this box, though I miiiiight share the tea with someone else. I look forward to taking a bath at some point to give myself time to relax and use the scrub. This week has been long and tiring. What do you think of these products?

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Beauty Box 5 November 2014 review

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I was a bit amused that some of these items would have been handy for my trip last week. Too bad I didn’t get them before leaving! Oh well, now I have some goodies for my next travel destination. I like that they did a little more for the skincare, hair care, and “tools” stuff, with no make-up item. For someone like me who doesn’t use much make-up, I’m good with getting them less frequently and receiving more products I’ll happily use.

Beauty Box 5 is $12 per box (or as discounted as $99 for an entire year, with an option in between) and comes with 5 cosmetic products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. You also have the option of buying it as a gift your box to a friend. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards products or boxes.

november 2014 beauty box 5 contents beauty box 5 november 2014 information card

Afterfeather Refillable Travel Bottle: I was considering getting a travel bottle when I wanted to transport my Hawaiian red shrimp back home. I had bought them as a travel set packed for plane trips, but would have to put them in checked luggage, which I was worried about. Going forth I might just bring the empty bottle on trips for unforeseen uses. Or maybe I’ll put some shampoo in there. I like that this brand is eco-conscious and this item is a great reusable one.

DenTek Floss Picks + Case: This little case is adorable and an easy way to bring floss picks on trips. I think that will be particularly useful for Panda, since he actually flosses, but I’m hoping it’ll motivate me to floss a bit too. I’m totally throwing this in my toiletry bag for future travel.

HASK Macadamia Oil Revitalizing Shine Hair Treatment: This is perfect for the dryness of winter. It smells nice, a subtle sweetness with a bit of nuttiness, and is a thick-ish oil formula. I always forget to do hair masks in the shower, so I much prefer a treatment like this that I can quickly apply before heading out for the day.

Laura Ashley Body Butter in Coconut Lime: I first got into this scent with the  shea butters I received. This one smells great too, though it’s lighter. The formula is also more lightweight – there’s like more wetness to it as I apply it. I might save this for the spring and trips where I need to have a smaller tub of body butter for my carry-on.

Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash: This little body wash is also perfectly travel-sized. I can certainly bring that along for a trip or offer it in the guest bathroom whenever we have people over (like my parents, who are coming for Thanksgiving week!). I like having small bottles so I can use just what I need and not have to carry all this extra with me. If I use it for guests, it’s great for them to not have to bring their own items and also not feel like they are using some of our partially-used products.

The “gracefully grounded” theme is month is all about more practical items to take care of yourself. I’m all about that! This will set us off on a great start for healthy skin, hair, and teeth. Which items do you want from this box?

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Escape Monthly July: India Box Review

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Tempted as I was to get the bonus box with even more goodies from India, I didn’t want to spend any more money. I’m certainly pleased with this box, which felt pretty authentic and got the seal of approval from one of my Indian friends for products that she’d enjoy. If you sprang for the luxe box that was offered for India, do let me know when you review it! I’d love to see what else they found.

Escape Monthly is just under $40 per box (with code for 20% off your subscription – see end of post) and comes with a variety of food, home, skincare items themed around a city. Each box comes with a Moon Handbooks guide for that region. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a lovely recurring referral commission program.

escape monthly july india box products showing escape monthly july india box info card against blue and white chevron background escape monthly july india box info card opened with details of products included(click to enlarge and read full messaging)

This box even smelled of Indian influences. Must be the sandalwood.

Here’s what came in the box:

Moon Handbooks guide to Taj Mahal Delhi & Jaipur– I’ve never been to India, so when I get a chance, this will certainly be very useful. I’ve got to admit, I’ve never been super attracted to going there because of the heat I imagine in the region. I just see myself being beaten by the sun the whole time, trudging along. Is India really as hot as I think? I’ll have to see…

Saffron Road Korma simmer sauce – I got this brand before, but a different sauce flavor, so I’m looking forward to trying both. My info sheet talks about the Tikka Masala flavor, which I actually have. My box came with the korma instead, which is completely new to me. My friend tells me it’s fabulous though. This will be an easy way to cook some meat with tons of flavor!

Pure Indian Foods organic ghee – I’ve never heard of ghee before, but it smells so rich! Just like caramel or toffee. I don’t usually cook with butter, so I’ll have to find some recipes that call for it and try this fun product that’s apparently quite healthy for you.

Nemat International Amber & Sandalwood fragrances – This small tube of sandalwood packs a punch! It totally reminds me of Asia and even kind of makes me think of my grandmother. I love getting a whiff of that. The amber scent is so light that I can hardly smell a thing. They recommend meditating with it, which I totally need to try.

Banyan Botanicals Organic Healthy Hair Oil – Hmm, I’m totally reminded of food when I smell this oil. Kind of strange, but not a big deal! It’s a really nice oil that isn’t all greasy feeling and I’m hoping it not only makes my hair appear healthier, but promotes hair growth. I would like to try growing out my hair, but I always get impatient when it’s a couple inches past my shoulder because it gets dry.

Banyan Botanicals Peppermint soap – Ooo, this peppermint soap is the perfect thing to refresh and cool down your body with. I loved inhaling the minty scent and I know that it’ll tingle a little when I use it. I’m very sensitive to the cooling sensation of mint. Just what I like to think of on hot, muggy days.

Masala Pop Chai Masala popcorn – Whoa, what a unique taste. I like that this popcorn has a nice strong flavor yet it’s not too sweet. A popcorn made with tea? So cool. While I’m still not big into popcorn, this one is a lovely change from the usual kettle corn you might find.

Maya Kaimal Kashmiri Curry – Another great sauce to try! Now cooking can be as easy as chopping up some meat and veggies and pouring in this sauce. I like that it’s tomato-based and I’m very curious how the whole nutmeg flavor plays in. I totally have to saute some eggplant and try it with this. I’m inspired to get back to home-cooked meals more often.

Gouri Puja bindis – What gorgeous little bindis! I am coordinating with my coworker to come in with bindis together one of these days. They’re so fun and beautiful and the perfect bonus item in the box this month. Love it!

This was truly a box where I felt like I escaped to India and learned about the country. I’m into everything offered too! How do you like this India Escape Monthly box? If you want to sign up, try one of these codes (not sure which ones are still active): INDIAESCAPE or PARISESCAPE for 20% off the lifetime of your subscription or GIFTESCAPE for 25% off.

Next month in August, we’re going to Paris!!! I can’t wait for that, since I’ve had an unofficial love affair with France since middle school.

escape monthly july india box info card back with preview of next month's box theme of paris

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Homegrown Collective May 2014 review

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Woo hoo, the main projects of this box will be most welcome with some bread! I love carbs of all kinds, but especially a nice piece of bread dipped in olive oil and vinegar. I didn’t realize it at first, but the grapes part of the theme is referring to the balsamic vinegar! I just never made that connection before. These projects are super easy and I can’t wait to outfit my kitchen with more awesome gear.

The Homegrown Collective GREENBOX is $39 per box + $9 shipping (or as discounted as $429 for an entire year, with options in between) and comes with fun and easy projects to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program you can apply to join.

inside of olives grapes herbs oh my homegrown collective box with the info sheets on the inner lid contents of the homegrown collective may 2014 box with olives grapes herbs oh my theme

Project #1, foot soak & scrub: I could totally use a good foot treatment. My poor feet are always abused and achy. I love how this remedy for softer feet is so good it’s basically edible! Using the olive oil and something granular, like salt or sugar, I can scrub my feet and soothe them. Then a combination of herbs and salt in hot water make for a healing soak. They included a pumice stone so I can really smooth out those heels. This is going on my list of things to do this weekend, for sure.

the homegrown collective may 2014 project foot soak and scrub info card the homegrown collective may 2014 products for foot soak and scrub

Project #2, olive oil & vinegar infusion: The focus of these sheets is definitely more towards the oil infusion and I’m more used to seeing infused olive oil. I don’t really know which herbs might work well with vinegar, so I’m hesitant to try that. I’ll have to do some research and see if their blog provides more insight on that front! When it comes to the olive oil, the possibilities are teeming! I don’t want to go crazy mixing too many flavors, but gosh I want to have all sorts of goodies in there. I’ll have to make a few batches and see what combo I enjoy most. [update: check out the completed project!]

the homegrown collective may 2014 project cold infusion info card the homegrown collective may 2014 project hot infusion info card the homegrown collective may 2014 products for olive oil vinegar infusion

Can I just say I was super excited about the adorable strainer and the bottles?! Thank you Homegrown Collective for providing me with all the kitchen extras I could hope for! I don’t know if these count as two or three projects, but I look forward to them all. I get so happy about the knick knacks and the concept of the projects that I don’t even care about the value so much. After seeing the info card about infusion, I wish they’d also included a project for making a salve, ointment, or rub!

the homegrown collective may 2014 infusion info card

Ready to embark on your own green project adventure? Subscribe to the Homegrown Collective now to join in the fun!

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

Our very own cat

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It’s been quite a long time coming and it only took three tries, but we finally got a cat! We first went to the shelter on Saturday, ready to bring home a cat. Little did we realize how long furniture-shopping would take. By the time we got to the shelter, we only had an hour left before they closed adoptions for the day. The time flew by as we got to know Kaotix (who is kind of like a male version of Missy) and then Bella. Both had just arrived that very day, so they were scared and confused. After we missed the adoption window, we stayed a little longer to hang out with Smokey. She didn’t come out of her cat “condo” to the visiting room, so it was hard to tell how she’d be, but things seemed quite promising.

smokey the cat sitting on shelf in visitation room at shelter

Yesterday, Smokey climbed on the shelves, ever the curious one.

The shelter was closed Sunday and Monday and after nearly three agonizing days, I happily went back yesterday to go adopt a cat. I was pretty sure I’d go with Smokey, but then I noticed Isis, who had been in a public room the other day. I only briefly went in the room before, so now that Isis was on her own I thought I’d see how she was. After spending some time with her, I then went back to Smokey. By that time, Panda had arrived and we hung out with Smokey for awhile. I wanted Panda to also see Isis, so we went back to the room with her. As we were spending time watching her, I suddenly thought about the time – turns out it was 6:35 and they wouldn’t allow us to adopt anymore! I was so upset, but that did give us a chance to spend enough time with Isis to decide that she was too vocal for our styles.

We were allowed to “reserve” her for the next 24 hours, so we had to return today no later than 6:30 to claim her. I had Panda head over first since I wasn’t sure I could make the time, so at least he could get the paperwork started. I definitely wanted to be the one to drive her home though!

pink piece of paper indicating cat adoption pending and reserved

We left last night with a note that Smokey was pending adoption.

She came to greet me when I arrived!

She came to greet me when I arrived!

We played in the room as the adoption paperwork was being processed.

We played in the room as the adoption paperwork was being processed.

Choosing a tag for her.

Choosing a tag for her.

Wow, all kinds of free goodies for new pet owners!

Wow, all kinds of free goodies for new pet owners!

Smokey, you're going to your new home!

Smokey, you’re going to your new home!

One last look at the adoption center.

One last look at the adoption center.

During the drive, she managed to claw a massive hole.

During the drive, she managed to claw a massive hole.

Out came the head (and when the head can fit, soon the body follows).

Out came the head (and when the head can fit, soon the body follows).

She pushed her way out and started climbing around.

She pushed her way out and started climbing around.

I think she liked being able to see her surroundings.

I think she liked being able to see her surroundings.

She even took a backseat for awhile.

She even took a backseat for awhile.

When we arrived at home, she took over the dash.

When we arrived at home, she took over the dash.

As soon as the car door opened, she perked up.

As soon as the car door opened, she perked up.

I carried her in and let her explore. Of course she loved the closets.

I carried her in and let her explore. Of course she loved the closets.

She briefly sat on the bed before deciding she liked it better underneath.

She briefly sat on the bed before deciding she liked it better underneath.

The free items we took from the shelter's offerings.

The free items we took from the shelter’s offerings.

Can you spot her? She's starting to stake her claim.

Can you spot her? She’s starting to stake her claim.

I discovered that she likes to lay out with her legs straight behind her.

I discovered that she likes to lay out with her legs straight behind her.

Ah yes, more confident by the minute.

Ah yes, more confident by the minute.

By now she’s explored the whole place many times over, enjoys laying down on the hardwood, and even started purring. She is quite the curious one and doesn’t really sit still. She loves nudging us and being pet, but won’t stay long. She’ll hop on the bed, make a round, and then jump right off again. She discovered some paper on the ground that crinkles wonderfully when she steps on it. For a brief moment, she did start massaging the blanket like Missy does before she settles in to sleep. For now she’s still far too alert to sleep though! I can’t wait to spend a good portion of the weekend with her and see if she’s the type to snuggle. We’ll be getting our couches Saturday and hopefully she’ll like lying on those too.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure I want to rename her even though we had her tag made with “Smokey” on it. I’ve called her Smoka/S’mocha, Silky [Smooth], and a number of other “S” names. Panda even called her Shadow at one point. I find myself calling her little girl a lot, so maybe she doesn’t need a name. 😛

reviews

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See all reviews. Only subscription box reviews. Find other product reviews below.

Beauty/skincare/personal care subscription box reviews:

Beauty Box 5 reviews (January 2014-April 2015)

blissmobox reviews (July 2012-February 2014)

Conscious Box reviews (May 2013-October 2013)

Escape Monthly reviews (August 2013-January 2016) I was subscribed from their very first box until they went out of business.

Fabletics reviews (November 2013-present)

Homegrown Collective reviews (August 2013-August 2015)

Influenster reviews (April 2013-present) not exactly a subscription box, but I do get them somewhat regularly!

Ipsy reviews (May 2013-August 2014)

Julep Maven reviews (December 2013-present)

Petit Vour reviews (March 2014-May 2016)

Prospurly reviews (October 2015-present)

Yuzen reviews (July 2012-present)

Food subscription box reviews:

Blue Apron reviews (October 2013-present)

Goodies Box reviews (March 2013-October 2013)

Graze reviews (April 2013-December 2014)

Hello Fresh reviews (September 2013-present)

Love With Food reviews (July 2014-January 2015)

Plated review (February 2014)

Treatsie reviews (June 2013-May 2016)

Other product reviews:

24ClearIt Acne Therapy Set

50 Shades trilogy

AdoreMe bikini & underwear

AdoreMe lingerie

AdoreMe robe

Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

Coastal Flats

Curel Itch Defense

Din Tai Fung Los Angeles

Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge Shampoo, Conditioner, & Moisture-Plenish Treatment

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream

Hong Kong McCafe

Hotel Maya, a Doubletree by Hilton

iOS 7

iOS 9

Juice Beauty Organics to Clear Skin Kit

Julep hand care

Kaia Naturals Bamboo Tapioca Beads and Juicy Bamboo Cleansing Cloths

Kocostar Nail Therapy

LootCrate

MorningStar Farms Veggie Burgers

Murad Clarifying Mask

Naturopathica Skin Care Regimen Kit

NCLA Nail Wraps

Pepper Lunch Hong Kong

Physician’s Formula BB Powder

Pike’s Peak Rocks Geode

Powerbank backup battery & USB noodle charger

Schick Hydro Silk Razor

Seabuck Wonders Facial Cleanser & Cream

The Body Shop

The Zappos Experience (book review)

Tide PODS with Febreze

Uncontainable (book review)

Yuzen Winter 2013 edition (November-January) review

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Here’s the Yuzen winter box review that I meant to get out on Friday! I brought the box to work in the hopes of snapping some pictures during the day, but I got so swamped and distracted with other stuff that I didn’t find time until after sunset. I completely forgot to get individual product photos (and I didn’t want to take the time since I was trying to get that one project completed). Still, I think you can get a good sense of what it’s like and then you can tune in to the video when it’s up on Yuzen’s YouTube channel! I’ll try to get better pictures if I get a chance.

Yuzen is $33 per quarter (with boxes sent Feb, May, Aug, and Nov) and comes with around 7 or 8 eco-friendly beauty, skincare, food/snacks, and home products. Boxes are sent quarterly with no option to skip, but you can get one-time gift boxes too. Sometimes there’s a waitlist to get the subscription. They do not offer a referral program.

new yuzen interior box in rectangular shape with aqua flowers on white background

I like how the colors were inverted for this box – very fitting for winter!

yuzen winter 2013 box info card and matching chioyami paper

Greetings from founders Jen & Ted, plus that beautiful strip of yuzen paper.

unboxed winter 2013 yuzen box with contents shown

And the contents of the winter box! So many wonderful goodies.

Click on the pictures for the full sizes so you can enjoy all the details!  You can even zoom in to read all the messaging.

sanitasMoisture Mist: Like the serum that we got from this brand in fall box, this is from the Moisturize line. I’m a fan of mists and I’ve been using my two NYR ones pretty regularly. I’m going to save this one til my current ones run out but if it’s anything like the serum, I’m sure it’ll be rich and hydrating.

SpaRitual – nail lacquer in Golden Rule: This is a perfect polish for the holidays! You can layer it with all kinds of nail colors and it looks great. Put some on over bright red nails for a really fun party-ready look, or have some fun like I did and go with more crazy colors like orange. I’m loving my growing collection of SR nail lacquers – the bottles are adorable and a great size and of course the brand itself rocks a 5-free + vegan formula.

Pino – Facial Tissue Mask in Milk & Honey: I have a ton of masks, but none of them are milk and honey! This sounds sooo soothing that I just want to take a bath and then mask up. I’m saving this for when my skin needs a really calming influence. It seems like a lot and I wonder if I could even use it twice. From what I could feel through the packaging, it’s very thick so I think a little will go a long way with this one.

Level Naturals  Grapefruit Bergamot Soy Candle: I love this scent! It’s so wonderfully sweet and citrusy. The small tin makes it ideal for travel, though I doubt the hotel would be happy if I tried to light it in my room. Soy candles are amazing, burning ever so clean that I get all the fun of candles without worrying about getting a scratchy throat from the particles in the air. I wish that Level actually sold this size, because it is beyond adorable.

Jurlique  Rose Hand Cream: I’ve been using a lot more hand creams and lotions lately since every time I go to the restroom at work, I come back with slightly dry hands. My backlog is going down slowly and this will have to wait at the end of that line for now. I’m a bit surprised at their price point ($25 for a 40 mL tube) so unless it works miracles, I probably won’t be buying this anytime soon. I do enjoy being able to try it out though!

Sun Cups  Dark Chocolate Mint cups: I’m hesitant to try these because on the one hand I love dark chocolate but on the other hand I’m very sensitive to mint in chocolate and I’m very picky about what kind of peanut butter flavor I enjoy. I’ll take them with me to work this week and use them as a pick-me-up in the afternoon. They make a great little snack and I’m sure plenty of people love dark chocolate, mint, and peanut butter. I’m just a weirdo.

TARA Aromatherapy  Roll-On Lotion in Stress Relief: I’ve had some trouble getting this to roll out just yet, but I do like the cooling and refreshing sensation I get from the rolling of the ball and the scent. I expected it to be more like a liquid, so I wonder if there’s a strategy to getting it out. I figure if I just roll it around enough it’ll eventually start dispensing. I like doing this whenever I need a little extra oomph (or if my idle hands just want to do something).

Jane Iredale – 24-Karat Gold Dust in Gold: I never thought this would be the type of thing I’d use, but as I read all the suggestions, I find myself looking forward to trying them. A dash in my lotion, a sprinkle in my hair… I like the subtle shine I can get without getting too crazy, so I’ll be experimenting with this dust quite a bit. This is such a fun product to play around with and once again, having gold glittery things is so festive for the holidays.

Kerstin Florian  Fuß Balm: Don’t neglect your feet like I often do. Balms like these are just what we need in the cold months to protect our feet. It’s all too easy to get dry heels or achy soles. For this very reason, I’ve gotten a couple of foot products in the past few months and (I feel like I sing this song every time) I’ll test out this one once those are depleted! This brand is completely new to me and I can’t wait to see how it works for me.

And this rounds out 2013! I can hardly believe that the next Yuzen box will be arriving in 2014… it sounds so far away yet it’ll be upon us way too soon. I’ve definitely enjoyed the seasonal changes in products chosen and I look forward to what the spring box will bring. Jen and Ted did a great job once again and I am thrilled to have this growing supply of products that I may never have tried if it weren’t for subscription boxes.

What do you think of this box? Have you tried Yuzen yet? If not, what are you waiting for?!

*Disclosure: As a super fan, I was invited to be the Yuzen Ambassador to help them spread the word about their brand. I now receive the boxes for free. I was not compensated otherwise and all opinions are my own, irregardless of my relation to Yuzen. I just happen to think they’re awesome (as does everyone else I’ve heard from). :)

September Favorites 2013

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collage of september 2013 favorites including kia optima car, kashi hummus crisps, mascara and eyelash curler, edinburgh castle, teavana perfectea tea brewer, sherpa blanket, dunkin donuts iced tea, bathtub with bath salts, biba purse clutch purse, walking trail, and sugar scrub

1. Kia Optima – I love my new car. Every time I go to drive it, I smile a little. The dual moonroof, the heated steering wheel and seats, the keyless entry, and the maneuverability are just some of the features that make it a pleasure to drive. I love the little touches too, like when the lights turn on inside when I get close to it at night. It’s like a nice little greeting, welcoming me back to the car and making me feel safer by showing me the inside is a-okay. I’m having a lot of fun with my car and I know I’ll be enjoying it for many years to come.

2. Kashi hummus crisps – This bag shown was sent to me for free by BzzAgent. I also got smaller ones of a different flavor from Goodies and I’ve gobbled all of them up. I like how they’re so crisp and light – none of that greasiness from normal chips, but still the same kind of crunchy satisfaction. I enjoy the flavor a lot too, which is mild and makes me keep eating more. It also feels like a healthier snack in general, so there’s less of a guilt component to chomping on them.

3. mascara & eyelash curler – I started to use a bit of mascara when I started to work since I want to look presentable and not like I just rolled out of bed. It’s been fun to do a little more than wash my face and put on lotion or BB cream. At first I was trying the Pixi mascara from the August Ipsy bag, but it’d leave me with darker under-eyes by the end of the day. I needed something that could withstand the heavy rubbing I tend to do without realizing. I’m used to touching my face and not worrying about stuff coming off or getting things dirty, so using makeup is not my forte. It’ll usually end up smeared all over the place over the course of the day, which is no bueno. Then came the September Ipsy bag, which had an It’s So Big mascara that I tested and found to be much better! It stuck to my eyelashes like it grew there naturally so now I don’t have to remember to not touch my eyes.

4. UK trip – Our trip abroad was so much fun! Pictured here is Edinburgh Castle, one of the many places we checked out in the four cities we visited on our 10-day vacation. Panda and I both liked various aspects of what we saw, experienced, tasted, and bought. I’m so glad we were able to do that trip and I look forward to all the places we’ll go in the future. For me, it was great to go back to the UK after 5 or 6 years, and for Panda, it was fascinating to leave the country for the first time. I’m glad we got to do it together and I know we’ll be returning.

5. Perfectea brewer – At the office are these two PerfecTea brewers from Teavana. They really do brew a perfect cup/mug of tea and I love using them! It’s always so cold in the office that I am constantly drinking tea – something like 8 mugs a day. That excludes any soda or water I might have around lunch time, so you can imagine how much I’m chugging all the time. It’s so easy to brew my tea with this contraption and I never have to worry about tea leaves getting in the way. Amazing.

6. sherpa blanket – I’ve snuggled up in this blanket every night and enjoyed the coziness oh so much. It’s instantly warm and soothing. In fact, it’s so good at putting me to sleep that I must beware if I crawl in the covers after a shower – I’m sure to fall right to sleep! I really wish I could bring this to work to curl up in, but would be a bit too much. Plus, if I was that snug I might not get much work done. I’m trying to convince Panda to get one more for us (me) to use. Maybe when we move to the new place.

7. Dunkin Donuts free drink Mondays – Starting 9/9 through 10/14, Dunkin Donuts in the metro DC area are offering a free iced tea or coffee drink! I’ve taken advantage of this every Monday that I’ve been working so far and I’m sad that there’s only one more left. I always get the peach iced tea, no ice, half sweet. Yum. Sometimes if they still have powered Munchkins or chocolate glazed ones, I’ll get some, but lately I’ve gone after work and by 7 pm they’re out of most Munchkins.

8. baths – It’s been years since I took a bath, but since I’ve gotten so much bath stuff in boxes over the past couple of months, I decided I would start using them. I liked it so much that I’m doing one bath a week now. It’s such a wonderful way to relax, clear your mind, take care of your body, and enjoy some peace. Each time I try a different bath salt, bubble bath, or bath soak. It’s been a ton of fun and my skin is loving the extra attention!

9. Biba purse – I got this cool purse in the UK on our trip and it’s been my daily bag ever since. I love the design and the quality of it. I do wish it had hooks for a shoulder strap, so I might try modifying it since I happen to have a strap that matches it pretty well. I don’t want to ruin it though, so we’ll have to see. For now I just hold it between my arm and body and for the most part it’s not inconvenient.

10. walking to lunch – The majority of lunches at work have involved us walking to the Reston Town Center and choosing whatever sounded good at the time. I like that it gets us moving and out in the fresh air for at least half an hour a day. Certainly better than driving somewhere, though I am going to start wanting some more options after a few weeks of that selection. Whenever someone wants to go get Starbucks or a dessert, I try to go so I can stretch my legs and catch up with them. Now that the weather’s cooling, it might not happen as much.

11. sugar scrub – Related to the bath thing, I’ve been using the sugar scrub that I made with Brandy of MommySplurge and it’s fabulous. After soaking in a bath, I rub it in until the sugar granules melt and I’m left with super-soft skin enveloped in a layer of coconut oil. I don’t even need to lotion after drying off! I’m all about keeping my routine as simple as possible – while I love trying products I generally am too rushed to go through a 273521-step skincare routine. So one product that will exfoliate and hydrate my skin in one fell swoop gets an A+ in my books.

365great Day 196: Yorkshire Soap Co

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365great challenge day 196: yorkshire soap coWhile strolling through the streets of York, I came across the Yorkshire Soap Company shop. It was filled with delicious-looking soaps in the shape of cake slices, cupcakes, and other such desserts. It reminded me of Lush, but more delicate, if that makes sense. They use lighter colors, more girly glittery and flowery looks, and sweeter scents. It felt like walking into a couture-inspired bakery. The moment I smelled their orange cream cupcake, I knew I had to have it (along with a few other things ;)). Their handmade goodies are irresistible and feel so indulgent. I opted for that cupcake and a set of four bath truffles. I must admit I’ve yet to use them since they just look too cool, but at the moment they are making some very fine fragrances. Whenever I walk by, I get a lovely whiff of them and I can’t wait to use them… once I’ve convinced myself it’s time to ruin them and let them melt away.

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