Tuesday, December 24, 2013

I moved!

Well, I haven't gone anywhere, but my blog has!

Please visit my new blog at: http://theoutofboxexperience.wordpress.com.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Subscription Box Mayhem: FabFitFun Winter Box 2013



When I saw a Spoiler pic of the Giving Keys necklace that would be in the Winter FabFitFun box, I knew that I had to have this box. This is by far the best subscription box I've ever received because I have a use for every product.



Here's a quick peek inside the box


This was the product guide explaining why each item was put in the box. I love how detailed it is because it shows me that a lot of thought when into each piece. Even if I don't like something per se, I know WHY it was chosen.


First product was the Lorna Jane bracelet with a 20% off code for Lorna Jane's website. I was initially pretty excited about this, but I put it on for a few hours last night and I've decided it's not really my style. I'm going to gift this to a friend. I've also read that these were special edition bracelets that are no longer made and only sold in Australia. I couldn't find them on their US website, so there may be some truth to that ($30 value)


I couldn't believe that these headphones are valued at $40, but I guess fancy earbuds are pretty pricey. Yowza! I'm not keen on the colors--in fact, I was hoping for either of the other color combos that they make, but I won't complain. I also love the fact that there's a sound splitter on it so you can have a friend hook into them. They'll be great for plane trips so my husband and I can watch a movie.


I've never heard of this company but I'm all about pampering, especially in the winter. This is a face mask that boasts of making your face smooth and helping to fight aging. I also recently turned 30 and have a huge desire to use anything anti-aging, so this will get used probably today :-) ($19 value)


Me Undies! Oh my gosh. This was a great bonus for me. I've read on other blogs about this company and have been wanting to try them for awhile. I've already scoped out the site and can't wait to order something. Undies are $20 and they offer free shipping, which means FFF gave us a free pair of undies! Score. ($20 value)


Now, it's time for my favorite piece! The Giving Key. This is the greatest piece of jewelry ever. Seriously. They are made by people transitioning out of homelessness, so each purchase is giving back in so many ways. The keys are also meant to be a karmic piece, in that you're supposed to give it away when you find someone that needs it more than you. Thinking of parting with this beautiful piece gets me misty-eyed, but you can bet I will give it away when the time comes. Mine says "strength" ($55 value)


Since this is considered a fitness box, there has to be some kind of fitness in here, right? There's a postcard with a unique code to redeem 5 classes from Physique 57. I love this more than anything. The winter for me makes me extremely lazy, so this will be a good way to get my lazy butt moving. ($25 value)


Ooh lip gloss! What girl doesn't love lip gloss? This one has a mirror and a light in it to make it even more desirable. I haven't tried it out yet but the color is pretty. ($22 value)


For the same reason I was excited about the mask, I'm excited for this eye cream. I have a fear of wrinkles around my eyes from all my years of squinting instead of wearing glasses. It also has a nice light smell and doesn't smell too chemical-y. ($45 value)



There were some complaints online about these two "drugstore" products in the box, but they are considered bonus products. I have tons of cleanser around the house, but it'll get used up eventually. The colors are a little daring for me, but I think they'll be perfect for New Years Eve. (Nyx- $8 value, Simple $7.49 value)

I love this subscription box so much and almost wish that I would have ordered an extra one to give to a friend. I think you already know, but the winning piece for me?


I can't even put into words how much I LOVE this! I want to go to their website and order more of them already.

The total value of this box was $271. I'm always more about the "did I get my money's worth" than what it would cost to purchase these items. I paid $44.99 (with a coupon code) and yes, I definitely got my money's worth.


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Subscription Box Mayhem: PopSugar Must Have December '13

I feel like subscription boxes are a sick disease. Once you get one, you want all of them and you want all of them every month. Curse the day I ever started one! I've tried quite a few of them, but instead of sticking with the same one every month, I usually like to mix it up and try a few of them.  I have a love/hate relationship with all of the different boxes because for the price point, I figure I can usually pick out better stuff for myself.

So without further ado, the December box.

This is the description card that comes with each box. It gives you information about every item, and also gives you the website in case you love the items so much you have to buy them. I usually just throw this to the side and hardly read it, so I can start ripping into the box.

My yorkie, Owen, was immediately on the scene to help me investigate the box. I'm guilty of peeping the spoilers so I knew what was coming. I was already prepared for my little furry friend to try and eat it.

The first item I took out of my box just so happened to be my absolute favorite item and the one item I completely forgot about. YAY! This BaubleBar necklace was for new subscribers that entered the promo code at checkout. 

Let me be honest with you. I'd read the spoilers for this box on makeuptalk.com and was severely disappointed when I saw the pictures of the boxes that everyone received. I didn't think it was worth the money and I knew I could have gone to Target and picked out something better with the money. However, after getting the BaubleBar necklace, my tune has changed and I'm happy with the box. BaubleBar is a great company that has awesome quality jewelry. I'm super happy about this and it's my official Christmas present to myself!

The Lulu Frost bracelet is valued at $110. I've never spent that much on a bracelet before and I don't think I would anytime soon. I still love the bracelet and can't wait to rock it with my new necklace, but the $110 price tag seems high to me.

You can tell from my previous pictures with wrapped presents as props, that I'm a huge fan of wrapping paper and Christmas altogether. This will get used up right away.

I happen to be the worst nail painter alive. My left hand always looks amazing but the right hand looks like a hot mess. Nail wraps are God's great invention to bad nail painters like me! They are super easy to apply and they last for just as long as a coat of nail polish would. I have a few sets of nail wraps around the house though, so I wasn't too enthused, but I can't deny that the red color will be great for the holidays.

I always buy my mom Ghiradelli chocolate for Christmas, so this will save me a trip to the store. I would have loved to try something different or unique though. This was the item that received the most complaints though since it's widely available in stores. I can't say I disagree. I love these subscription boxes to try out new companies or places I never heard of. (Maybe I'm just going light on them because I'm still freaking out about my new BaubleBar necklace?) 

I have braces so caramel corn is out for me for at least another year. However, I'm in the process of making a food and wine basket for my mother in-law, so this gift goes perfect. The basket isn't done yet, since I still have a lot more to buy, but this is how I'll be gifting it. I also think it's freaking awesome that my initials are CC and this says "CC made" My in-laws will think I made it and personalized the label, although they know I'm not that crafty.

I was originally pretty excited about these since I thought it would go with my food and wine gift, but they're plastic and not aligning with the classy theme I'm aiming for. I'll probably save them for when I'm too lazy to do dishes and need something quick.

Ipsy is my all-time favorite sub box that I NEVER cancel. So I have tons and tons of makeup--in fact, I recently got two mascaras from them. Even though this looks a lot nicer than the samples I've received, I'm still not that ecstatic on this.

The winners in my book: the necklace + bracelet. I'm the accessory queen and I can never get enough! Thank you PopSugar and BaubleBar for making my week awesome.

This box had a value of $180 and I paid $42. Did I get my money's worth? Yes. Would I purchase half the stuff in here? Probably not. I'm calling it "money well spent" since I gained two gifts for family and a few keepers for myself.

If you want to sign up for PopSugar MustHave, use my referral link: http://popsu.gr/kKnt