PopSugar

November PopSugar Must Have Box 2014

/ caitlinemccann / 2 Comments

I am beyond excited to show you this month’s PopSugar Must Have Box!

Quite possibly the best box yet. Or at the very least tied with April’s box. I just desperately want PopSugar to add more books to their rotation. Not every month, because I realize that’s not for everyone, but more often than once every six months. Maybe if I say it enough times the box editors will hear my plea!

Look at that beautiful box full of stuff!

Look at that beautiful box full of stuff!

PopSugar is the most expensive of my subscription boxes at $39.95 a month, but I have never felt an individual box fell under value. In a Must Have Box, you’ll get a wide array of items that have to do with different areas of your life. Certain things vary, but there is always a food item and there is always some kind of beauty product. The remaining items could fall under the categories of entertainment, lifestyle, wellness, fashion, etc.  If you’d like to give PopSugar a shot, here is my referral link.

Whale lotion! (Except not)

Whale lotion! (Except not)

No. 72 Ambergris Shea Butter Cream by K. Hall Designs ($22.00)

This is kind of an interesting product. The packaging emphasizes how much Queen Elizabeth I was known to adore ambergris, which is all well and good until you know what ambergris is. Ambergris is a solid, waxy substance that is a bi-product of a sperm whale’s digestive system. As it ages, ambergris is supposed to take on a sweet, musky scent. However the packaging also states that there are no animal components in this cream, so the ambergris scent is synthetic and not from the bowels of a whale. Phew! No parabens in this cream either.

For the past week or so, I’ve been using this as a hand cream. The texture is thick and rich, and it melts into the skin well. No greasy residue here. The scent is unlike anything I’ve worn in the past and every time I put this cream on, I debate whether I like it or not. There’s something slightly earthy and sensual about the ambergris scent but also sweet. I probably would not buy a $22 hand cream though, so I’m glad it got sent to me instead.

Cant wait to draw on a wine glass this holiday season!

Cant wait to draw on a wine glass this holiday season!

Wine Glass Writers  ($9.95)

This product is perfect for the approaching holiday season! The three shades in the kit are a silver, blue-green, and golden-khaki. These markers allow you to write on your wine glass for the duration of a party, but the nontoxic ink will come right off with some warm, soapy water. Love the concept! Haven’t tested them out yet though.

A feminine touch to my letters.

A feminine touch to my letters.

PopSugar Exclusive Stationary Set from Tiny Prints ($21.60)

If you want to really fall down a rabbit hole of personalized stationary, might I suggest tinyprints.com? Their products are a bit pricey but rather adorable. I’ve mentioned it in passing a few times before, But I’m trying to be a more active friend by sending out postcards and little notes. So these blank cards are a great addition to that effort! If I had one complaint, it’s that these specific cards are rather girly and have XOXO on the top, which is normally fine. But I also send cards out to plenty of male friends, so maybe something more gender neutral would have been appreciated. Nit-picky, I know, but I think about these things now.

Such a cute little bag!

Such a cute little bag!

Sorial Wallet on a Chain (*$48.00*)

Holy Cow! I cannot fathom paying that much for a little bag. That being said, this bag from Sorial is adorable and perfect for my needs of late. When I go out in the evening, sometimes I just don’t want to carry a purse or grasp at a clutch all night. So this little crossbody bag is lovely. PopSugar read my mind this moth! I really like the bright blue color and the inside has a leopard print liner, which will make it easier to find items. Does anyone else lose things in their bags with dark liners? I know I do every time! This little bag justifies the entire box based on its value.

What did I just eat???

What did I just eat???

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popped Corn ($3.49)

At this moment I am full of regret because I scarfed this whole bag down in a matter of days. Oh, but it was good! So very good. If your wallet is so full that you can indulge, grab a bag of this. Specifically, the Chicago mix. For those of you not in the know (don’t worry I didn’t know this existed until a few months ago either) Chicago mix popcorn is caramel corn and cheddar cheese popcorn mixed to the delight of your taste buds. Sounds weird, but is delicious.*Originally I thought this popcorn was much more expensive and the price I had listed was from a 12 pack. Thanks to Laura A for helping me correct this error*

Books are always worth the box value.

Books are always worth the box value.

The Secret Recipes by Dominique Ansel ($35.00)

I saved the best for last. This is the latest cookbook from the man who made the cronut famous. Ansel also happens to be a multi-award winning pastry chef. His cookbook is beautiful. The heavy paper and glossy photos make this book something you would happily place out on the coffee table for guests to admire. But there is practical knowledge inside as well. Ansel has divided his book into beginner, intermediate, and advanced recipes, something this beginner greatly appreciates.

Again, I wish PopSugar would send more books. Not every month but maybe once every three or four months for variety’s sake. The last one they included was back in April and had a hardcover of Emily Giffin’s The One and Only, which I adored. So I’m very happy to see another book here! Especially because it’s a different type of book.

*I should note that usually PopSugar includes a card with the value of all the box products, but for some reason this month I did not get a card. All the values listed in this post are taken from retailers websites, or as in the case of the Sorial bag, estimated from the retailer’s website if the exact product couldn’t be found.*

The total value for my November PopSugar Must Have Box is $139.84. My calculations might be a bit off because I didn’t have a card to guide me, but they’re not going to be so off that the value of a $39.99 box isn’t obvious! I am very impressed with this month’s box and cannot wait to see what PopSugar does next!

Thanks for popping in!

PopSugar Must Have October 2014

/ caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

Again, sorry for getting behind on my posts. PopSugar was a tad behind this month too. They recently revamped their website and shipping procedures seem to have shifted as well. Hopefully, both of us can get it together for the month of November!

Just looking at this stuff makes me feel warm and cozy.

Just looking at this stuff makes me feel warm and cozy.

This box made me feel all warm and fuzzy. It was just such a great fall box.

Happy Socks–Animal Socks ($12)

These cozy leopard print socks are the kind of thing I would want in a store but would shy away from because of the price. I just wouldn’t be able to justify them to myself. Which is why it’s great that they came in my Popsugar Must Have Box! I love the charcoal, black, and red combo; some of my favorite colors to wear, no matter the season.

Mine Design Chalkboard Candle ($24)

I can’t complain about getting adorable candles in my subscription boxes. I really don’t use candles enough, but I always love burning them. So with this being the second candle PopSugar has sent my way, I have to start burning these bad boys. I love the chalkboard design for this candle, and the packaging comes with a small stick of chalk for you to draw or write whatever you’d like on the surface. The candle itself smells light and refreshing; it’s a scent that won’t overpower the room. This candle has currently taken up residence on the bookshelf in my bedroom.

Isaac Jacobs International Acrylic Frame ($36)

I love this chunky clear frame! It looks modern without taking away from the photo you place inside. I also think it will be quite durable in the long run, which is always a plus in my life as I tend to be a little clumsy.

Dean & DeLuca Pumpkin Spice Maltballs ($5.75)

Honestly, I haven’t bitten into these yet. Maltballs are a bit of an acquired taste, but I do love pumpkin flavored things. I’ll cave eventually, with sweets I always do.

My Halloween manicure using one of PopSugar's goodies.

My Halloween manicure using one of PopSugar’s goodies.

Halloween Decals by Nailed Kit ($8)

These decals didn’t make it into the whole picture of box goodies because I used them up on my fingers before this post went live. These decals were PopSugar exclusives and were a ton of fun for a Halloween themed manicure. They worked like temporary tattoos instead of the typical stickers or nail wraps. You use water to put them on and once they’re sealed in with topcoat, these decals aren’t going anywhere! I was really pleased with the staying power with this product. My only gripe is that there were four designs instead of five, and you got six different sizes per design. So the math doesn’t quite work out for a consistent manicure. But that’s me being picky.

butter London WINK eye pencil ($18)

I’ve never tried any butter London products before, so this was a welcome surprise in my Must Have Box. The color I received was a smoke grey with a hint of shine. This eyeliner glides on so beautifully. The color reads just a few shades under black, which would make this great for a smokey eye. And despite its creamy formula, the eyeliner stayed put all day long. Big fan of this product.

Shoreline Shea Butter/ Olive Oil Bar Soap by K. Hall Desgings ($10-13)

This is one of PopSugar’s special extras so they don’t have a price listed on their card, but the K. Hall website sells their bars of soap from $10-13. I couldn’t find this specific bar of soap but they seem to have plenty of lovely scents to choose from. I didn’t smell this soap as it’s still in its wrapping and I need to get through some more shower gels before I can use this bar, so the wrapping needs to stay put. But I’m always glad to get fancy bath products. Left to my own devices I stay in the drugstore, which serves my needs quite well, but sometimes it’s nice to receive a fancy soap in a subscription box. This extra is also sponsored by Progresso according to the card and I’m not sure how to feel about that. Why is soup sponsoring my soap? Oh well. Still happy to have this in my box.

PopSugar is the most expensive box service I subscribe to, but it proves its worth every time. This box cost $39.95 and the value of the October Must Have Box is $113.75. I can’t turn that down!

So I’m going to light my candle, snuggle down in my socks, and enjoy the rest of the gorgeous fall weather. If you’d like to join PopSugar click on my referral links page or this link here to get started.

Thanks for popping in!

September Must Have Box

/ caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

Quite by accident I ended up getting flooded by unboxings so I’m going to try to catch up before a new month starts and the cycle begins again. The PopSugar Must Have Box is one of my favorites because of the variety of items you get. There are always some inspiring surprises tucked inside these boxes.

Every month the card with product information tells you what inspired the box. This month it was autumn leaves, long walks, new tunes, back to school, fashion week, and football. All of my favorite things and some central reasons why fall is my favorite season.

So let’s get into the review!

An explosion of goodies!

An explosion of goodies!

Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin by Tilo Scarves (full size $125)

This scarf is so fancy it has its own long-winded name. And would you look at that price tag? I would never purchase something this extravagant for myself. Ever. But that is why I have PopSugar in my life. This scarf is so soft and ideal for transitioning into fall–not too heavy not too light. I also love the ombre effect and the transition from a dove grey to a rich maroon. This one item covers the price of the box two times over.

Letter C Design Gold Foil Arrow Pencils (full size $5.00)

I only got excited about these pencils when I realized they came with a sharpener. Otherwise I would have been at a loss. I live in a world of pens and mechanical pencils, so these are strangely exciting and slightly nostalgic. I’m particularly looking forward to using them along with this next item…

Rifle Paper Co.’s Garance Dore Assorted Girls Set of Blank Cards (full size $18)

I have come to the realization that I am a proximity friend. Which means I’m great if we’re in the same city but I’m not great at distance. Even in the age of technology when it should be so easy to reach out and say “hi,” I struggle. My Popsugar box has now given me the best excuse to fix that with these little cards. The idea of writing notes and letters appeals to me more than texting does: I’ve saved cards and letters in the past but I rarely go through my old texts and save them. So I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. We’ll see how that goes.

Nicole Miller Stereo Earbuds (full size $20)

I mangled the box trying to get a closer look at these. But I’m kind of disappointed in them. Love the blue color but I am not an earbud person; they make me so uncomfortable. However, I’d like to do a giveaway when I reach my next blogging milestone so I’d like to hold on to these for that. Would that be the kind of thing you’d like to see included in a giveaway?

Oribe’s Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray (full size value $21.50)

Technically this product is full size because it’s marketed as a purse size spray, and that price tag is certainly a full size price. Personally, I don’t have much call for hair spray in my day-to-day life but it’s nice to have a small canister on hand that would work well for travel. Oribe is also a highly respected brand for hair products so I’m dutifully impressed.

Urban Remedy Almond Brownie (full size $6.00) 

I have been hoarding this brownie for when I need a chocolate-y treat. I should probably eat it soon because it would be tragic if I waited too long and wasted a good brownie. Love that it’s got almonds in it and the info card says that it is 100% organic. Cindy Crawford is a brand ambassador, which probably means it’s really good for you because that woman is stunning. There was also a little gift card for $10 off a $50 purchase, which was nice but I’d have to think it was a life changing brownie to go explore that site for $50 worth of merchandise.

There were two special extras in our box this month as well…

Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Almond Minis (full size $5.95)

Chocolate heaven. The perfect size Ghirardelli chocolates. One is enough to satisfy a craving without creating an indulgence problem. And the sea salt, almond combo is my new favorite. I would absolutely repurchase these and could not be happier to have them delivered to my freaking door.

Nike $20 Gift Card

If you sign up for a Nike account using the individualized code they give you, you can get a $20 gift card. Cool perk!

Overall, another great box from PopSugar Must Have. I’m always happy with this service, though some months are typically better than others. This September box is one of my favorites, but the #1 spot still belongs to my June box for giving me Emily Giffin’s The One & Only (more books please, PopSugar!).

PopSugar Must Have Boxes cost $39.95 a piece, which is a great value considering that this box’s contents are valued at $221.45.

If you’d like to give this subscription a shot, here is my PopSugar referral link.

Bite Beauty Giveaway!

/ caitlinemccann / Leave a comment

Eeek! PopSugar is hosting a giveaway for Bite Beauty called Color Your Summer.

All you have to do is like them on Facebook and give them your email address. I usually don’t post things like this, but this is too cool not to share! This link will lead you to the giveaway page.

I recently tried my first ever Bite Beauty product that came in my PopSugar Must Have Box. It felt great on my lips and had a great glossy sheen that lasted for hours. It also felt quite nourishing. So I have already entered and am keeping my fingers crossed!

Full disclosure the above link should lead to the giveaway but I also get credit for whomever enters. I still think it’s worth entering, but I didn’t want anybody thinking something shady was going on.

Again, here is the giveaway link: http://bit.ly/1uXUO0H

Good luck!

 

August PopSugar Must Have Box

/ caitlinemccann / 3 Comments

 

August 2014

August 2014

There are a plethora of subscription boxes out there for people to enjoy. I can’t claim to have tried them all, in fact I’m no where near that authority, but of the few I have tried I thouruoghly enjoy the PopSugar Must Have Box.

It’s a little something different from the standard beauty box. There are typically one or two full sized traditional beauty items, a food item, an accessory, a lifestyle item (i.e. the candle in this box), and a health/wellness item. Last month I got a jump rope in my PopSugar box and got really excited about it. I wouldn’t have picked something like that up at the store, but I feel more inclined to use them when they come from the Must Have Box.

PopSugar boxes aren’t like most beauty boxes in that you don’t take a quiz to receive your items. Each box is curated by the PopSugar team and everyone gets the same thing. The Must Have box costs around $39.99 a month, but the value of the goodies inside the box always exceeds the cost. I’ve loved this service for the three months that I’ve had it and will probably continue using it in the future because it’s such a fun subscription.

So let’s dive into the August Must Have Box…

Ocean Tide + Sea Salt Mini Jar Candle by Paddywax ($10)

I’m quickly turning into a candle junkie. I have an amazing candle trio from Volupsa in my bathroom right now, but when that is finished it will all about this Ocean Tide scent. Which will weirdly enough probably be in November. But it’ll be summertime nostalgia by then. Just smile and nod with me on that one.

The scent is definitely leaning  more toward sea salt–like the sea salt scrubs you used to buy at Bath and Body Works–rather than the Ocean Tide end of things. Still it will be great to relax with. And it’s hand-poured soy wax made in the U.S.A. Even if Paddywax is a total farce and is secretly part of some candle conglomerate, I like the idea of supporting an artisan candle company. Plus the adorable rustic packaging can later be re-purposed as a cotton ball holder.

Purple Meal and Dipper Set by Goodbyn ($8)

I can’t presently fathom when I’ll need a storage container with an attached dipper, but maybe that’s just an excuse to start going on picnics! This is a perfect example of an item that I wouldn’t have purchased myself but am glad to find a use for in my life. I’m currently on the hunt for a job and spend a good chunk of my day hunched over a computer, so taking myself out to a nearby park for some much needed vitamin D would be a great thing!

Elle Earrings in Slate by Kendra Scott ($52)

These earrings alone have more than justified the price of the box. They’re classic pale stone drop earrings that are easily wearable in any season. Again, maybe not something I would have been immediately drawn to in the store, but I’m excited to add them to my collection.

The box also came with a coupon code for 20% off a purchase at kendrascott.com, so that’s an additional treat. I did some online window shopping last night and don’t know if I will actually use the code or not. Kendra Scott has some stunning pieces but they’re also at stunning prices. I’m trying to be better about budgeting my fun-money so her pieces are just a little rich for my blood at the moment. Which makes the earrings all the more exciting!

Celebrate!  Cookie Mix by The Mason Jar Cookie Company ($12)

I have a feeling I’m going to be excessively grateful for this cookie mix on some odd night in the future. All you have to do is add butter and an egg, mix, and bake. Insta-delicious cookies! It came in this plastic package that looks like a mason jar but takes up less than half the space in my cabinets. I’m in love. These would also make great gifts given the price and the variety on their website. I definitely poked around on there and am so intrigued with this company. When I finally get around to making them I’ll have to do a review to see if they’re worth the hype in my head. Just for sheer amusement though, you should check out  masonjarprovisions.com .

Lollia’s At Last Perfumed Shower Gel ($22)

I just opened this product to describe the scent and sat here smelling it for a good minute. This gel smells intoxicatingly good. You know how people constantly smell babies? Well this gel smells like babies toddling around in a flower field. Happy and sweet. Officially speaking, the scent is white petals and rice flower. But that’s essentially babies toddling around in a flower field. The gel also has some lovely ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter so your skin will be happy with it too. This sucker is 8 fluid ounces. Huge product! And the packaging is darling. It vaguely reminds me of Marc Jacobs’ packaging, which is always chic. I will proudly display this in my shower as soon as I’m done with the half dozen other soaps and washes I need to work through. Sigh.

Lush Fruit Lip Gloss by Bite Beauty in the color PopSugar ($22)

This is my first ever Bite Beauty lippie! And what’s even more exciting is that Bite made this color specifically for PopSugar’s second birthday. The shade matches the bright pink of the delivery box. There are strawberry, coconut, and avocado oils in the gloss so it should be nourishing as well as stylish. That also explains why it smells like a Jamba Juice. If all goes well with this lip gloss I may get brave and try other Bite lip products.

Bonus! thinkThin’s Brownie Crunch High Protein Bar

Now, I haven’t tried this bar yet mostly because I’m scared of protein bars. Especially ones that label themselves High Protein bars. Typically with this kind of food product there is a powdery vitamin dense after taste that is vaguely metallic. I have quit many a protein bar in the past because of that dreaded taste. But I’m cautiously optimistic about this one because of the brownie part. I’ll give it a shot in any event.

So that is the monthly round-up for the PopSugar Must Have Box. Total box value for August  is $126!

If you’d like to give PopSugar a shot click on this referral link: http://popsu.gr/ubBn . Unfortunately, PopSugar only ships within the US, but there’s always the hope of expansion. Box subscriptions come in one month, three month, six month, or 12 month increments.

What’s your favorite beauty box?