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Escape Monthly November: Hawaii Box review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: bath salts, boxes, cremes, escape monthly, europe, food, hawaii, lotions, pictures, products, reviews, shampoos, snacks, subscriptions, travel, vacations

29 November 2014

This is the first true repeat theme that they’ve done, so of course I was curious to see how much overlap it would have with the previous box. I personally don’t feel this was as good as the first box and especially having received that one, this was rather disappointing. Even just looking at it without considering what I had previously, I didn’t feel like the value and variety were there. I guess I prefer boxes with more smaller items versus a larger-ticket item or some medium ones. I’m starting to carefully evaluate the value I perceive I’m gaining from these boxes to decide how much longer I’ll stay with them. Another box or two that are under par might make me end my subscription, but for now I’m really intrigued with the possibilities for next month’s box.

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/region. Each box comes with a guide for that area. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral commission program.

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Everything here was new to me, so that was great for introducing me to different items. I like that some of them went full out with the British look while others are just products you might go for any day as you shop around.

Here’s what came in the box:

Moon Handbooks guide to Maui – Well, at the least it’s good that they didn’t send the same guidebook. Last time I got the Big Island and this time I have Maui, which are perfect since so far I’ve only been to Oahu. With all that new territory still waiting for me to explore, both of the guidebooks I have will be useful.

Hawaiian Host Kona Glazed Macadamia nuts – As always, I’m not into nuts (though macadamia nuts are at least tolerable and even enjoyable at times). What really kills this for me is the coffee flavoring, so I’ve passed it on to Panda for him to eat. I doubt another flavor would have persuaded me otherwise anyway though.

Hawaiian Rainforest Naturals Stress Release Bath Crystals – This was the only entirely new brand to show up and I think it’s pretty cool. I love bath stuff, so this will be great for my next bath when I’m looking to soak away the stress. This pouch is gently sweet and almost reminiscent of baby powder. I find it wonderful that the ingredients are responsibly sourced from the Hawaiian rainforest and I’d love to go there on my next trip. I’m curious what flower essences went into this one, which would have been a nice thing to outline along with the directions for use.

Royal Hawaiian Orchards Kona Coffee Banana Macadamia Crunch – Again with the coffee flavor! I think with one, that should have been enough for this box and they should have included a different flavor. I would have been fine with receiving the same flavor I did with the last box (papaya lime) since that was pretty unique and tasty. Unfortunately, I can’t stand coffee flavored stuff, so this has been put in Panda’s pile as well. Pity.

Honey Girl Organics Face & Eye Creme and Night Creme – This is the exact same thing from the last box. I wish they’d included any other products from this line, since I would have been happy to try those, but I don’t want repeats of the same items! I sure hope someone would want to trade for this. I’ve barely even used the first set since I have so many other products I’m using too.

Personal Paradise Noni Papaya Pineapple shampoo – We received this brand in the last box, but I like that we get to try their shampoo this time. I like how they have very tropically-inspired scents and I’m looking forward to how my hair will smell after this one. I like the packaging for this brand and I like the lotion that I got in the other box, which I’ve already used up. Now this is how to repeat a brand across different boxes.

Personal Paradise Noni Papaya Pineapple body lotion – This lotion is definitely a lighter scent than the coconut lime one I got in the original Hawaii box, but I like it as well. It’s so refreshing and the lotion is a great consistency. It absorbs into my skin really well and softens my hands right away! I’ll totally be using this until it’s completely empty too, just like the other tube I had. I’m glad I get to try another one of their lovely scents.

seashell lei – The bonus item was again a lei, though a different design. I like the use of some cowry shells to change up the pattern and I’ll add this to my growing collection of seashell leis from Hawaii.

Well, it was an ok box, but I was to feel more excited about what I’m getting. I think something with koa wood would have been cool, like the bookmark I’d bought on my recent trip to Hawaii. What’s your impression of this Hawaii Escape Monthly box? If you want to sign up, try one of these codes (not sure which ones are still active): MYESCAPE or YULETIDE for 20% off the lifetime of your subscription or GIFTESCAPE for 25% off.

To round up the year is a more general theme, with all sorts of possibilities! I look forward to some European delights. This will help me decide if I should actively consider cancelling this subscription or if I should continue on for awhile. Bring on the good stuff!

[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!]

Empties: Jane’s Pick, Sranrom, Spa Technologies, Yes To, Acure

laelene Posted in reviews，Tags: body oils, body soaps, candles, facial creams, facial wipes, pictures, products, reviews

26 November 2014

Here comes round two of empties, with five more items that I’ve completely used up (and what I thought of each product). It just happens that most of these came from Yuzen boxes, which might be saying something about how much I love the stuff I get from that subscription box.

Jane’s Pick all natural handmade bar soap sample in Kind

I received this sample from a Beauty Box 5 and since I liked the sweet orange scent, I started using it pretty quickly. I went through it in about a week and kept using it, even as the orange part was separating from the black part. I loved the super foamy formula of it and how it didn’t leave my skin feeling squeaky and dry afterwards. I would definitely consider getting this for future soap needs, if I ever make it through the tons of soap I already have.

Sranrom candle in Compassion

This lovely candle came in the spring Yuzen box and it wasn’t long before I’d burned through the whole thing. The scent is very calming and relaxing, with lemongrass and other refreshing yet soothing scents. It makes me think of a spa experience in Thailand and it’s great for when I want to chill out in a bath. It burns really well and doesn’t create black smoke, plus the container has such a lovely pattern! I’d definitely try their other scents too, like Contentment and Consideration.

Spa Technologies Hydrating Laminaria Oil

I finished this ages ago and it was my first foray into body oils for lotioning purposes. I had never really tried it before, but this one got me hooked. Now for the wintertime, I definitely look to body butters and oils to help keep my skin from drying out. This came in a Yuzen box nearly two years ago! Hard to believe. I loved the subtle scent of this and how non-greasy it is. As with other products, I have a supply of other brands I need to try, so looking to replace this will take a back-burner until I’m low in stock.

Yes To Grapefruit Correct & Repair Brightening Facial Wipes

I bought this one during a sale CVS was having for Yes To products. I’d wanted to try their wipes for ages, so I got this and another pack (which I’m nearly done with, so I’m sure they’ll make an empties post appearance too). I enjoyed the extra moistness of these wipes, which sort of foamed when I used them for all the juicy product they had in there. I always felt like I’d washed my face after one of these, so it was perfect to use at the end of the day when I’m cleansing my face and then applying the serums and lotions for the night. I think it’s a bit acidic, so I always felt like it was good for helping with any bacteria on my face.

Acure Radical Resurfacing Facial Treatment

This also came in the spring Yuzen box with the Sranrom candle. It quickly became my go-to cream/lotion after cleansing my face. It’s so light and refreshing, yet I feel like it’s helping with my skin texture, hydration, and acne. It smells wonderful too, which always helps. I like the citrusy, tangy type scents. I’m already well into my second one of these and I love it. I almost always find myself reaching for it.

Have you tried any of these items? What did you think? And what empties do you have to share?

Beauty Box 5 November 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: beauty, beauty box 5, boxes, pictures, products, reviews, skincare, subscriptions

22 November 2014

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.

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?

Homegrown Collective October 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay, boxes, charcoal, face masks, food, hair care, hair masks, home, homegrown collective, natural, pictures, products, projects, reviews, rose water, sea salt, skincare, subscriptions, teeth whitener

20 November 2014

This mysterious package seemed to have gotten lost along the way, but it finally made it to me when we were out in Hawaii. I was really excited to get it and finally see what it had in store. I’m loving how useful all of this is.

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.

Project #1, activated charcoal: It seems quite strange to brush teeth with charcoal powder, but I’ll trust them on this one… as soon as I work up the nerves to not freak out that my mouth is black and foaming. I wonder what it will taste like. I’ll have to take a picture of my teeth now (certainly a lot more yellow than they used to be back in my teenage years) and compare after however many number of brushes with this craziness. As for the face mask, I’m far more comfortable with putting charcoal on my face. I love using soaps with it and I’m pretty sure some of the face masks I’ve tried have contained it, so I hope this one is a good formula for me!

Project #2, pacific sea salt: How cool! Smoking my own sea salt?! Where do they come up with these fascinating ideas? I do not have a grill, but Panda does have a set of grilling tools he got as a reward from work, so perhaps these should be compelling reasons for us to get a grill. I’ll have to see what (if any) are allowed in our community, or perhaps there’s a public one somewhere that I can use for a few hours. That could be a fun thing to do come spring – picnic & grilling! I love how this is an edible project, which is pretty unique so far.

Project #3, bentonite clay: While we’ve received bentonite clay beforeqqqqqqqqqq`qqq`, I’m happy that they included new ways of using it for very different purposes. I’ll definitely try it in the bath (I hate those bath soaks that stain the tub, so since this isn’t supposed to stain, that would be awesome) and on my hair and skin too! The recipe for hair is perfect for the coming cold, as hair will dry out more and probably get brittle without intense treatment.

I’m always impressed with the themes that they come up and the creativity they have to offer all types of projects, from personal care to home care and more. I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything from this company, which is just fantastic. It’s totally up my alley both as an environmentally-conscious person and a new homeowner! Now I just need to actually get off my lazy weekend butt and start doing these projects. I even put together a list of what I need to do (and it is plentiful). I should set a goal of doing one each week…

If you want in on this cool stuff, subscribe to the Homegrown Collective now! Your home, your family, and your health will thank you for it.

Yuzen Winter 2014 edition review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: boxes, decorative, pictures, products, reviews, skincare, subscriptions, yuzen

13 November 2014

I somehow totally missed posting up the fall box (maybe I’ll still do it for posterity). I received the winter box about two weeks ago, got the videos filmed, and you can watch it on Yuzen’s YouTube channel! Here for the blog version of the unboxing is my post. 🙂

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.

Acure – Brightening Facial Scrub: This has become a brand I know and love. The facial treatment I got in the Spring box is one of my favorite products. I’m not ready to open the seal on this one just yet, but I’m excited since I can’t get enough of scrubs. Use code YUZENSCRUB for 20% off at Acure.

JJ’s Sweets Cocomels – Dark Chocolate Covered Cocomels with Sea Salt: These are totally luxurious. One is enough to satisfy me, which almost never happens. There’s so much intensity going on with these that I like savoring a single piece. Yum! Use code YUZEN14 by 12/31/14 for 15% off at Cocomels.

Cowgirl Skincare – extreme c serum: This brand knows how to take care of skin that’s been exposed to the elements. This serum will be perfect for the winter. I look forward to protecting my face and keeping it from roughing out. Use code YUZEN14 by 1/31/15 for 20% off at Cowgirl.

Salus – Shower Bombs in Eucalyptus and Lemongrass: These made the box smell fabulous! I get overzealous using shower bombs so I’ll likely burn through one in a single shower. If they’re not meant for a single shower, I should would like sizes that are one-time use. Then I don’t have to worry about saving part of it. Use code yuzen20 by 1/31/15 for 20% off at Salus.

Essence of Vali – Sleep essential oil concentrate: You know, I haven’t tried this yet even though I’ve had a sample for nearly two years! Granted, it’s been sitting thousands of miles away most of the time… Well now I get a chance to actually try it. I’ve been having moderate sleep problems lately, so it’d be great to get some help. Use code yuzen by 3/15/15 for 20% off at Essence of Vali.

Zents – Mandarin ultra rich shea butter soap: Another brand I’m totally happy to receive. I’ve tried their bath salts in the Mandarin scent and they were nice. I’d probably love anything mandarin-scented (or even flavored!). I’m currently working through a giant bar of soap, so this will have to wait. Use code YUZEN by 12/31/14 for 20% at Zents.

Jurlique – Herbal Recovery Eye Cream: So fancy with the eye cream. I’m trying to build the habit of using eye cream, but I always forget. I’m excited to have this to soothe my eye area, if I ever get around to actually using it as part of my regimen.

The high quality and curation keeps on coming! I always appreciate the variety of products included too – it’s a little bit of everything wrapped into a gorgeous box. Which products do you want to try most?

*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). 🙂

Escape Monthly October: London Box review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: boxes, candy, chips, escape monthly, london, oils, pictures, products, reviews, samples, snacks, soaps, subscriptions, tea, toys, travel

11 November 2014

Alright, London time! I can hardly believe it’s been a year since we went there, so I’m certainly happy to get products from there. I hope to learn some good spots to hit up next time we go there. In the mean time, products from across the pond are a welcome sight and I look forward to try them all.

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Here’s what came in the box:

Rick Steves’ Pocket London – I’m sure Panda and I can make good use of this guide next time we venture to London. I’ve never looked at a guide for London, so it should be fun to read about some hidden gems and go find those. I wonder if they chose this brand because Moon Handbooks doesn’t offer a general guide to London (instead they appear to have the guide to living abroad there).

Walkers’ Nonsuch English Creamy Toffees – I love candy like this and the flavor of this was yummy. Nice and chewy without being so soft it gets stuck all over your teeth. It’s basically like eating a caramel candy and I’m a huge fan of those. I wonder if this is related to Walkers the brand that’s the British version of Lays.

Hill Biscuits Custard Creams – I’m saving these for a rainy day, when I want a sweet snack to go with my tea. It just seems like it’d be a good companion for that sort of thing. I did bring them with my on my travels in case I want to eat them on the plane. They’d make a nice snack in flight when I get hungry.

Orico Rush Hour Vibrant Dry Body Oil – Good thing they put these in plastic baggies, because one of them leaked in transit. Luckily, it was all contained in the pouch and was just enough to permeate the label, but not create much of a mess. This is excellent timing as the weather gets cold and my skin dries more quickly. I’ve switched my lotioning to body butters and oils, so this fits right in to my routine.

Soapsmith soap samples – I always enjoy a little bit of soap and I look forward to using these. For some reason it feels really satisfying to finish a bar of soap, so these will certainly offer me that satisfaction faster. The scents are pretty strong and I like how refreshing it is to get a whiff of them. I expect they’ll foam well, which is always entertaining.

English Tea Gifts London English Breakfast tea caddy – What a cute container! I’ll have to think of how to reuse it when I drink up the tea. I generally prefer green teas rather than the darker teas the Brits like. I never really learned to add milk and sugar to my tea, so these are rather bitter. I might just try to lightly brew them (or this would make an excellent gift for someone).

London Taxi diecast – Panda got all excited when he saw this. It’s right up his alley along with toys, trinkets, and random collectibles. I think we should get him a bookshelf to showcase his little collections and we can add this mini taxi! I remember my first impression of a taxi just like this when I arrived in Scotland. I marveled at how much space we had in there, luggage and all.

Corkers Pork Sausage and English Mustard crisps – These made a good snack, though I’d definitely opt for another flavor. The meat flavor thing seems popular in the UK, but it’s a bit strong and salty for me. Or maybe it’s overwhelming with intense umami sensation. I did like the texture of these a lot so the whole sunflower oil thing works for me. I also happen to love Hula Hoops, which are snacks they cook with sunflower oil too. It gives a crisper, crunchier finish.

I’m a fan of all the food items provided as well as the body products. The miniature diecast is cool for display, but I don’t know what to do with it. I would have been interested in something like that that also can serve a purpose. Perhaps as a little container or pencil sharpener or something. What’s your favorite from this London Escape Monthly box? If you want to sign up, try one of these codes (not sure which ones are still active): RICOESCAPE, CARIBBEAN, or LONDON for 20% off the lifetime of your subscription or GIFTESCAPE for 25% off.

Next up is Hawaii (again). Funny since I’ll actually be in Hawaii right before this box is shipped. It’s been just over a year since they previously did a Hawaii box and this is the first repeat theme, so I expect a new set of items to show me even more of what the islands have to offer. Either way, I do believe I’ll enjoy the products. There’s all sorts of goodness in the middle of the Pacific!

Empties: Tree Hut, Physician’s Formula, Joyful Bath Co, NYC New York Color, Juice Beauty

laelene Posted in reviews，Tags: cleansers, empties, lip balms, lotions, products, reviews, skincare, soaps

04 November 2014

I’ve been meaning to put together some empties posts for a long time, but somehow it hasn’t happened yet. Here we go with the very first one! I’ll share five items that I’ve completely used up and what I thought of each. This is a really varied batch, with everything from skincare to beauty to bath. Each happens to have been a hit with me, though I promise I won’t only share what I liked in future posts.

Tree Hut Shea Body Butter in Coconut Lime

This little tub came in a blissmobox and my opinion of it is still as great as the first impression. The scent is just fantastic and tropical without being crazy sweet like some scents. It lasted me a long time since it doesn’t take much to get great results. I’m a huge fan of this body butter and I was pleased to receive it also in one of my Beauty Box 5 boxes! The tub is also a really nice size for repurposing. I’ve since put some homemade body scrub in it. I would absolutely buy this and try the other scents too.

Physician’s Formula BB Powder in Medium/Deep

I got a free sample of this and I’m so glad I did because it’s now my must-have powder. In fact, I didn’t use much on my face before but now that I’ve used this, I can’t stop. I get great results with nice coverage for my face, especially paired with my BB cream. I’ve already bought another one and am nearly done with that one too. When they had the buy one get one sale at Target, I really should have jumped on that. Here’s to hoping they offer something similar for the upcoming holiday sales. I wish it had better staying power though. I always forget to not touch my face, so midway through the day a lot of this has been rubbed off, especially on my giant breakouts. I use my own brush instead of the one that it comes with, since the flat line was making strange patterns on my face.

Joyful Bath Co soap in Oatsy Floatsie

I bought this back at Green Festival DC 2012 and I’m really glad I did. This lavender and oatmeal soap is so soothing and relaxing. I love how much it foams when I use it, yet it doesn’t dry out my skin. There are also chunks in it that make it kind of like a massaging bar too. I will definitely look for this at Whole Foods if I ever run low on soap (which might take awhile). This is my favorite of the soaps that Joyful Bath makes, so I’ll probably get the same rather than try a different formula.

NYC New York Color Applelicious Lip Balm in Big Apple Red

This came in a VoxBox and it quickly became my go-to lip balm. It’s so moisturizing and smells amazing, plus it gives my lips an extra boost of red that isn’t overwhelming. I like a more subtle look. The added detail of the apple shape in the center is brilliant and made me smile every time. What a fun product! If I didn’t have a plethora of other lip items to use, I would have already gotten more of this in the other shades and flavors.

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser

I purchased this as part of a set and it’s the only product I consistently used so far. Not that I don’t like what came in the kit, but there are plenty more serums and lotions I like to use. Finding a cleanser I like is much harder, so this was great to have. I liked how it was a bit slippery (slimy, even) and had a nice scent. Some cleansers are so gentle I wonder if they’re working whereas some are harsher and can’t be used regularly. This one was nicely in the middle, which made me go for it most times I washed my face. That’s a great sign. I just wish it clearly got rid of my acne. It certainly helped at first, but then I didn’t see any improvement in my breakouts. Still, it beats out most others I’ve tried for my acne.

Have you tried any of these items? What did you think? And what empties do you have to share?

Treatsie October 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，

03 November 2014

Halloween boxes often get their own little flair, much like this one did! It’s also the perfect time to get sweets. This Treatsie box included some great items for sharing.

Treatsie is $15 per box + $4.95 shipping and comes with artisan candy from 3-4 brands (I am grandfathered in for $15 for 2-3 brands and fewer items). That means about 6 or 7 different flavors of treats (or 4 or 5 for me). Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral link program to earn store credit. Use my referral link to get your first box FREE!

papabubble Halloween Mix & Fruit Mix hard candy: The special Halloween mix came with four flavors: vanilla, orange, passionfruit, and blueberry. The fruit mix appears to be a variety of fruits like apple, orange, watermelon, orange, and more. Much like other hard candy I’ve had, the designs are cute, the candy is nice and crisp. The pulled texture makes it break into thin crystals so it’s pretty easy to eat. Fun and tasty!

Wondermade Apple Cinnamon Marshmallows: These are excellent little treats. I shared this at work with a bunch of coworkers and they all loved it. The apple cinnamon flavor is a wonder fall flavor to feature. I love how fresh these are and the branding is awesome. The packaging is lovely, with such attention to detail.

Whimsical Candy Original Dark Chocolate La-Dee-Dah: This is certainly a whimsical treat with a mix of flavors and textures. I tried to resist eating it all at once, but one bite led to another and I didn’t want to leave half of it sitting out… 😛 Yuuum.

BONUS AvenueSweets Pumpkin Spice and Apple Caramel Caramels: I’m a fan of just about any caramel and these are no exception. I love the choice of fall flavors, perfect for the season.

Another great box introducing me to some really nice candies. I would look at getting more of them the next time I buy candy. Which items would you want from this box? To get Treatsie, sign up with my link and get your first box free!

Petit Vour October 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: beauty, body butters, boxes, eco-friendly, lipsticks, makeup removers, perfumes, petit vour, pictures, products, reviews, skincare, subscriptions

01 November 2014

Just in time for Halloween came some thrilling items for the October box! I was amused that the order I pulled out the items in happened to match exactly to the order the items are listed on the info card. Spooky coincidence? 😉

Petit Vour is $15 per box (or as much as $30 for international subscribers) and comes with vegan beauty, skincare, and other personal care products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free boxes (email contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you if you sign up!).

Pacifica Devocean Natural Lipstick in tenderness – This was exciting because I’d seen the emails from Pacifica about them and was definitely curious to try. What a great discovery when I found one lurking in my box this month! It’s creamy and hydrating, but I’ve learned I can’t apply them when my lips are chapping or they amplify that look. I like this neutral shade, but was surprised to find it’s actually more pigmented than I thought (based on the shade rubbing off on my mug). On my lips, it blends in well, so this must be similar to what my natural shade is.

Flo + Theo Body Butter in Lemon Orchard – First of all, I love that this tub is filled to the brim. I applaud them for including as much product as the container would allow. Second, I just love the scent. It’s refreshing and soothing – just what I want when I’m applying this to my skin. The consistency is super thick and it’s firmly packed in there, so just a little bit of rubbing melts enough on my fingers to really get into my dry skin. I can definitely use this to keep my elbows nice and soft all winter long.

Forager Botanicals Natural Eau de Perfume in Woodland – Maybe I don’t understand perfume, but this is a tiny vial and it was only about half full! They could have gone for 2/3 full to make me happy. I don’t wear perfume, so I guess ultimately it doesn’t matter how much there is, but still. The scent is pretty light when I tried a little bit. It’s a nice warm, subtle woody scent that reminds me of a fragrant Chinese wood that you’d find in an antique shop or something. This is what I think of when I’m reminded of my grandma, Buddhist temples, and other sacred/important Asian things. It’s pretty calming for me, so I might just use it for aromatherapy.

S.W. Basics Makeup Remover – I haven’t tried this as a makeup remover yet since I haven’t been wearing makeup, I can see it being great at dissolving away whatever you might have on. I did rub a drop or two on my face, since it can also be a light moisturizer after removing makeup. It feels good and my face is certainly not going to dry out! It makes my skin super soft too, which is awesome. This bottle will last me for awhile and I’m glad that so little can give me plenty of coverage.

While I wasn’t sure about the perfume at first, now I think I’ll keep all these items for my own use. Most of them were immediate hits! I’m really enjoying this subscription and it’s so awesome that all these brands offer such eco-friendly items. What do you think of this box?

[This post mentions a referral program. Signing up and emailing contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you 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!]

Love With Food Monster Mash October 2014 review

laelene Posted in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: boxes, food, pictures, products, reviews, snacks, subscriptions

29 October 2014

This box was better than the last, though it still didn’t blow me away. The graphics for the card were cute as always, but I found many of the snacks to be ho-hum.

Love With Food is $12 per box (or as discounted as $120 for an entire year, with an option in between) and comes with 8 or more snack products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards products or boxes.

(click to enlarge and read messaging)

I didn’t feel like the treats were particularly monstery or fallish, but whatever. I don’t need them to have a theme. My favorite so far has been the Calbee Snapea Crisps that were surprisingly easy to power through way too quickly. Before I knew it, the whole bag was empty and then I saw them at Costco and decided to get a bag. I might get sick of green peas after that, but I liked the light crunch and saltiness of this snack. The Surf Sweets jelly beans were very sweet. Veeeery sweet. I can probably eat only 3-4 at a time. The flavors were nice, but I could have done with a less concentrated sugar taste. I’ve also tried the Flamous Falafel Chips, which are strangely salty – just a hint – and then not. My taste buds were confused. The J&M Cheese Straws were not the sort of taste or texture I like. They reminded me of shortbread, yet were strongly cheesy. I couldn’t finish the bag.

I’m very hesitant about the rest. Justin’s Honey Almond Nut Butter and Chocolate Almond Nut Butter hit a bunch of things I’m not usually a fan of: almond anything, nuts, and [insert nut] butter. Sooo I’m not even sure if I should try them. Perhaps I should give them to a coworker and have a taste, since I at least like honey and chocolate. The Clairesquares Buttery Shortbread Square looks super dense and heavy. I feel like it’d be great for when I’m starving, but boy does it look rich. I’ll have to tread carefully. Finally, the NutryVitta Bananinha bar combines two other things I don’t generally eat: bars and bananas. I might try it for breakfast one of these days when I’m really hungry, or for an afternoon snack. I doubt I can eat more than one or two bites at a time though.

I’m glad there were no repeats of products again. I definitely discovered at least one treat I’d eat again, but the rest have proven to be a bit of an adventure for me. What’s your favorite from this box?

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((little fat notebook))

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laelene

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