Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter!

Just a short note to wish everyone of my readers who celebrates: Happy Easter! Have a wonderful, sunny, smile-filled day! I know I'm going to - among family and friends, and "in the company" of my mom's homemade Easter bread!



How are you celebrating Easter this year? What are your favorite dishes / recipes you usually make?

Friday, March 29, 2013

FabFitFun VIP Box Review: Spring 2013

I've been looking forward to receiving my Spring FabFitFun VIP box ever since I signed up for it in early March (March 8th, to be exact). My post about the new subscription has been one of my most visited posts this month, so it seems others have been looking into the box, as well. In short, FabFitFun is a new lifestyle subscription box where every 3 months you will receive your FabFitFun VIP gift box filled with full-sized items, hand selected by Giuliana and the FabFitFun Team.

Based on the initial feedback on forums and the FabFitFun Facebook page, there has been some disappointment at the variations of the boxes and the fact that not all boxes were identical to the so-called "bloggers boxes" that were reviewed before the launch and that contained a number of much anticipated "bonus" items (e.g. GoSmile On the Go Teeth Whitening Pen, Butter Nail Polish, Josie Maran Lip Stain). Armed with that information, I was hoping my box would be one of the "better" ones. Take a look:
The signature FabFitFun box was shipped in a bigger plain cardboard box and well protected. While the box was smaller compared to some of the other lifestyle boxes I'm receiving, I like the fact that is compact and well packed. Once I opened it and removed the welcome letter and information card, I immediately realized I didn't get any of beauty "bonus" items I was hoping to get. 


Here are more details as to what was included in my box (Kit 6):
MoroccanOil Hair Treatment, 3.4 fl. oz. ($41.20): The initial promotion of the FabFitFun box promised that it would contain this full-size product and this was one of the reasons I signed up. I've been using Morrocan Oil for a few years now and it is one of my "must have's" - it helps me with frizz (especially in winter) and makes my hair nourished and shiny. No complaints here.
Zoya Nail Polish by FabFitFun ($7.50): This is my second nail polish from Zoya (I got the lavender color from my PopSugar Must Have February box) and I like the fact that it is "free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate". I also really like this color, it is exclusive in FabFirFun fuchsia. It'd would be perfect for spring and summer.

Jouer Lip Gloss ($10): A nice-sized sample (at 0.11 fl. oz., it is more than half of the full-size product - 0.17 fl. oz retailing for $20), this is something I'd definitely use as it is neutral and I love lip gloss. The color says Glisten (nude with a bit of peach and sparkle), however I couldn't find the exact shade online.
ThinkThin Bar ($1.50 ): I like energy bars and I do like this peanut butter ThinkThin one.
 

JewelMint Jewels (~$60): I received two items - a necklace (I couldn't find the model on the site) and a pair of earrings (Geometric Shift Earrings) - that are really not my style and, unfortunately, I would never wear them. Had I liked these pieces, I think I would have been fairly content with the box. I do like some JewelMint designs but prefer more delicate pieces. With jewelry, I think it's best to either include vouchers that would let people choose what they like or include more generic pieces that would appeal to most people. The earrings have a value of $29.99 and I've assumed a similar value for the necklace.

Bonus Item: Per-fect Brow Perfecting Gel in Caramel, 0.01 oz (~$1; the 0.15 oz full-size retails for $20) - This is the one bonus item my box contained (it is the tiny green container in the total-box picture above). I've never used this brand and I'll give it a try, although it might be a bit too light for me.

Box value: The total value of the box comes to $122, including the JewelMint pieces. Had I liked these pieces, I would have been pleased with this great box value. However, since neither the necklace nor the earrings are something I'd wear, I'm excluding the jewelry pieces' value for a more realistic total box value of $62. While still more than the $39.99 I paid for the box (I got a $10 off coupon), the contents did leave me a bit underwhelmed.

My verdict: While I really like the MoroccanOil, Zoya Nail Polish and the Joeur Lip Gloss in my spring FabFitFun VIP box, I'm a bit disappointed that I won't be able to use some of the bigger ticket items (the jewelry pieces), since they are are not at all my style. That, coupled with the fact that my box didn't include any of the other bonus beauty items, definitely left me underwhelmed and wishing for more. I emailed the FabFitFun Support Team, expressing my concern and requesting to cancel my subscription for next season. They responded in a timely manner, saying they "felt terrible that I didn't get what I were expecting out of it" and offering the summer box free of charge.  Reading more reactions and reviews online, it seems the company has been responsive to subscribers' complaints and trying to make things right. I'm definitely pleased that they want to repair any disappointment or misunderstanding. Thus, I will be giving them another chance, hoping for a truly fabulous FabFitFun VIP summer box.

Did you receive a FabFitFun VIP Spring box? If so, what were your favorite items? If not, are you going to give this lifestyle subscription a try?

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Thursday Treats: Apple & Cheddar Mini Muffins with Yoghurt

I love freshly baked homemade muffins! Is there anyone who doesn't? I've already shared one of my favorite mini muffin recipes, but today I'm sharing another mini muffin deliciousness I've recently discovered - Apple Cheddar Mini Muffins with Yoghurt. Take a look at this Thursday Treat:

I found an Apple-Cheddar Muffin recipe in this book that I got as a Christmas present, Southern Living Cooking for Christmas, and it immediately caught my attention as I love sweet and savory combinations. Now, this one is not overly savory but just slightly so from the cheese - really just perfect. I adapted the recipe to my taste: 1) used more apples, 2) substituted some of the milk with yoghurt and added some extra yoghurt, 3) used flour instead of baking mix and 4) did not use onion. I loved the result - the addition of the yoghurt made the muffins fluffier and, of course, healthier! Here's the recipe:

Products / Ingredients (makes 24 mini muffins)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 apples, peeled and shredded
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (use sharp depending on preference)
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup yoghurt (if you've been reading my Thursday Treats posts, you know I like Chobani, but you can use your favorite non-flavored yoghurt) 
  • 1/2 Tbs baking soda
  • 1/2 Tbs baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans (I added those in this batch and it was yummy - they added some crunch and they go really well with the apples)
(Heat oven to 375 F) 

Preparation
  1. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and the shredded cheese
  2. In another bowl, beat the melted butter with the sugar until it's fluffy and white
  3. Add the eggs to the butter mixture
  4. Then, add the apples, milk and yoghurt to the butter-egg mixture and mix well
  5. Add the wet-ingredients mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until moistened
  6. Add the chopped pecans to the batter and stir
  7. Spoon batter into two greased mini muffin pans (24 cups) (I like to fill the cups well - you can see from my picture - as I like a nice crispy muffin top!)
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes
Serve warm. These are heavenly with some extra yoghurt on the side or with your favorite jam!

What do you think of this week's Thursday Treats? What are some of your favorite muffin recipes?

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Graze Box Review: Nibblebox #2 (#8)

Yesterday my second Graze Nibblebox showed up at my door - a few days later than expected but I was still happy to get my hands on it, as I knew what was awaiting for me inside! After I liked my first Nibblebox so much, I was anxiously waiting to try all the snacks in this one. This week's box contained two snacks I've already received in previous boxes (and which I loved) and two new ones. Take a look:
The two snacks I already had before were two dips: the Bonnie Wee Oatbakes (wholegrain oatbakes with caramelized onion marmalade) and the Toffee Apple (toffee sauce with granny smith apples). Just as the first time I tried these, I loved them as much this time. Since I've already posted about these, I'm not going to repeat myself; you can read more about each snack here. The only difference is that this time I thought the onion marmalade tasted a bit more onion-y. I also really liked the other two snacks - both were ~ 200 calories each. Here are more details.

Jaffa Cake: Belgian dark chocolate, orange raisins and toasted hazelnuts
This is absolutely delicious! I wasn't surprised since I love all the ingredients individually. Those orange raisins are "to die for" - I wish I could find them sold in my local grocery stores...

Hickory Smoked Nuts & Seeds: Smoked almonds, cashews and roasted seeds 
I love this snack! I've never had hickory smoked nuts before and they are surprisingly yummy. I'm not a big fan of nut-only mixes, but the addition of the seeds to this mix made it really successful for me. 

My verdict: I absolutely enjoyed this week's Nibblebox! Although it contained two of the snacks I've tried in previous boxes, I didn't mind that at all since they were some of my favorites. In addition, I got to discover two new delicious snacks and I'll be looking out for some of these new flavors on my next visit to the grocery store.

What did you think of these snacks / flavor combinations?

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Goodies Taster's Box March Review

Today I received my first Goodies Co. Taster's Box! I've been on the waiting list for some time and I was really excited to see what was in my March box. Although I have no grounds for comparison (except for some of the reviews I've read on previous boxes), I can say I'm pleased with my first Goodies box. Take a look:
This month's theme is breakfast. The included card encouraged us to "break out of your breakfast rut .. with this month's collection of Goodies...". The box was quite heavy and once I opened it, I knew why. One of the items was a full-size fruit drink. Also, I was familiar with half of the eight items included. Here is a detailed list of my goodies:

Alo Water Watermelon & Peach ($11.99 / pack of 6)
A fruit-flavored drink with aloe vera. While I wasn't too exctied about the heaviest item in the box since I am not a fan of juices or flavored drinks, this one tasted better than expected. It wasn't too sweet and you could taste the watermelon and peach. Both my husband and my mom agreed with me. I can see how this could be a refreshing breakfast drink in the summer...

Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves ($4.99 / 13 oz. jar)
This is one of my family's favorite preserves brands, we buy different varieties all the time. While this item was not new to me, I liked it and the fact that the sample was in a cute mini jar was an added bonus. Once the jam is gone, my daughter loves to use these jars in her pretend kitchen play.

Ola Handbaked Granola, vanilla ($5.99 / 9 oz. bag)
I already sampled this product in my Love with Food March box. I'm a huge granola lover and while this particular kind did not wow me with anything in particular, I like the fact that it's not too sweet. I'd add it to my usual granola, just as I did with my other sample.
Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookie, peanut butter ($7.80/ 6 - 3 oz. cookies)
I love peanut butter and was really glad to get to try this cookie. This is the item I ate almost immediately (after all, it was mid-afternoon and my sugar rush craving had already kicked in). It was very tasty and only ~ 100 calories; made with whole oats and sweetened with fruit puree, it was not sugary at all. I could definitely see myself having a couple of those mini's with my morning coffee. This is my favorite item I've discovered from this box.

Rickland Orchard Greek Yoghurt Coated Granola Bar ($6.49 / pack of 5)
Similar to granola, I also like granola bars and occasionally have one for breakfast. I've never heard of this brand before, so I was curious to try it. It was with toasted coconut and I liked that part a lot. While I liked the yoghurt coating, I thought it made it a bit too sweet for my taste.

Jovan's All Natural Instant Breakfast, cocoa ($7.99 / pack of 5)
I have to admit that I don't typically buy any instant-type drinks / foods. Still, I'll give this one a try (it is, after all, chocolate flavored!) and see how I like it.

BelVita Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Biscuits ($3.99 / pack of 5)
I'm not only familiar with BelVita - I love them (some flavors more than others) and often have them for breakfast. My favorite are the chocolate and the oats varieties, but I don't mind the cinnamon, as well. One package contains four biscuits - a perfect breakfast portion., although occasionally I'll reach for a second one...
Nabisco Newtons Triple Berry ($4.49 / pack of 6)
I've had the fig newtons before and I like them, however we don't have them regularly in our home. The included sample is triple berry which I haven't tried, so hoping it'd be tasty.  

My verdict: While I was not overwhelmed with excitement, I did like my first Goodies box. From a discovery point of view, the box didn't offer anything super new or surprising, but I did discover something I really liked - the Erin Baker's Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookie. Also, I appreciated the variety of the items included and was happy to get some of my faves such as BelVita and Bonne Maman. Finally, at just $7 / month, the value of this box can't be beaten.

Are you subscribed to Goodies? What did you think of this month's box? What are your favorite breakfast foods?

Friday, March 22, 2013

Subscription Boxes Coupon Codes & New Subs: March 2013


I often post on Facebook about current subscription box discount codes or new subs, but today I decided to do a regular post on some ongoing promotions and new subs I've learned about. I've checked almost all of them and have indicated the expiration date where it's available:

Promo & Coupon Codes:
  • Wittlebee: Use code MADNESS to get your first box for just $22.99 (expires March 31, 2013?)
  • The Fancy Box: Use code 25OFF5 for $25 off your first box 
  • Julep Maven: Use code JULEPVIP or COLOR2012 to get your first box for $0.01
  • Naturebox: Use code HEALTHY for 25% off your first box
  • Conscious Box: Use code ORGANICFREE or FREEBOX for $10 off your first box (the page loading with the second coupon was very slow...)
  • Glossybox: Use code SPRING to get a full-size OPI nail polish with your first box (expires March 31, 2013)
  • Love with Food: Use code FUNNYFACECRAN for your free first box, pay just $2 shipping
  • FafFitFun VIP: Use code FAB10 to get $10 off your first box (still valid!)
New Subs + Promo Codes: 
  • Crafter's Crate: This is a new subscription box for girls that for $19.99 sends out a box of wonderful craft goodies, including jewelry, recipes and activities. Use code MYSUB for 50% off your first box
  • Taste Guru: A new gluten-free box of the month club. For a limited time, use code 1FREE to get one month free when you buy a 3- 6- or 12-month subscription
  • Panty Fly: A new women's underwear monthly box. Receive 3 pairs for only $7 / month, no code necessary (this is a great deal!)
Hopefully, some of these promotions will let you try a box you've been wanting to for a while and just couldn't justify the full price... I'm thinking of Crafter's Crate myself as my girl can never have enough art & craft projects. Let me know if any of these don't work or if you know of any other current sub promotions.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Thursday Treats: Chilled Cucumber Yoghurt Soup

Spring has officially arrived yesterday and although the weather here in New England reminds me more of mid-winter, I'm in the mood for another healthy green Thursday Treats recipe. Today's treat is my favorite Chilled Cucumber Yoghurt Soup - a dish I've known and enjoyed all my life. Take a look:

Variations of this dish can be found throughout Eastern Europe and Greece, but I'm presenting the recipe as my family has always enjoyed it - simple, healthy and delicious. While this Chilled Cucumber Yoghurt Soup is perfect for summer, I'd recommend it all year round. I usually start craving for this fresh treat in late winter and to me, eating it for the first time somehow signifies the arrival of warmer days. Here is the recipe:

Products (4-6 servings)
  • 1 large 2 lb. container of Greek-style / strained yoghurt (I like to use Chobani non-fat but have also made this recipe with other varieties such as Fage
  • 1 large English cucumber or 4 Persian cucumbers
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tbsp of fresh dill
  • Salt to taste (I usually use ~ 1 tsp)
  • 4 cups of cold water
  • 1 tsp sunflower oil
  • chopped walnuts for garnish
Preparation
  1. Cut the cucumbers first lengthwise into several long slices and then into small pieces (I've had the soup with shredded cucumbers, however I prefer to cut them into slightly larger than shredded pieces to get that extra crunch)
  2. Peel and slice the garlic into small pieces or use a special garlic cutter, and add to the cucumber mixture
  3. Finely cut the fresh dill and add to the cucumber & garlic mixture
  4. Add the yoghurt to the mixture and stir well
  5. Start adding the chilled cups of water, one by one, mixing well after each cup - the mixture should be smooth and without lumps. I like my soup to be thick and smooth, but I've also had it with more water added in some places - it is truly a matter of preference. I personally prefer to taste more yoghurt and thus, I like it thicker.
  6. Add the salt and oil and stir
  7. Serve chilled with chopped walnuts for garnish
Chill / store in the fridge and enjoy for a light lunch or dinner, or as an appetizer.

What are some of your favorite healthy recipes? Would you give this one a try?

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Tuesday Treasures: Easter Finds For Under $13


Today's Tuesday Treasures are fun, whimsical and just in time for Easter, egg hunts and spring parties. They are also a good deal since each one is for under $13. Take a look:
The first couple of items are mini stud earrings that would be an unexpected "treasure" if found in one of those Easter eggs by some of the elder girls at your Easter egg hunt.
1) Sterling Silver Mini Rounded Bunny Earrings on Posts ($8.80) -These sterling silver darlings are adorable and such a good.
2) Spring Easter Jewelry Bunny in Easter Egg Carrot Stud Earrings ($11.35) - Another great pair to hide as an extra special surprise, these are enamel covered and really cute.
3) Umba Zoola Bunny Ring Holder in Chrome ($9.99) - How whimsical is this ring holder! It would certainly make a great hostess gift for those upcoming Easter / spring parties, but I'd gladly use it year-round.
4) Ecco Eggs, 28 Count ($11.19) - This is a great way to make your egg hunt greener this year. The set includes 28 compostable Easter eggs made from corn and 100% renewable.
5) Lindt Chocolate Carrots Easter Treat ($12.99 for a set of 4 boxes; you can also buy a single box at your local Target) - My daughter and her friends love these 'carrot umbrellas' as Easter treats! I do, too! There are smooth melt-in-your-mount milk Lindt chocolate. I like to use them at Easter time since they are different than the typical chocolate eggs or bunnies.

What do you think these Easter-inspired 'treasures'? What are some of your favorite Easter-time finds?

Monday, March 18, 2013

Graze Box Review: Nibblebox #1 (#7)

I've been receiving Graze Lightbox since the company launched in the US, but I decided to switch and try the Nibblebox for a change (Graze lets you change the type of box as often as you like). Last week, my first Nibblebox arrived and it was one of my favorite boxes so far, simply delicious! The four snacks in the box were: Walnut & Vanilla Truffle, Orange & Ginger Flapjack, Fiery Seeds and Yaki Soba::
All of these snacks were better than expected. Take a look:
Walnut & Vanilla Truffle: Walnuts, dark chocolate, raisins & vanilla seeds
So delicious, this is one of my all-time favorite snacks from Graze! It's right up there with the Poached Pear with Vanilla, and it had those same vanilla pumpkin seeds that I loved so much. It is the perfect combination of nuts, chocolate and sweet to satisfy that afternoon sweet-tooth craving (or any-time-of-the-day-craving!). 
Orange & Ginger Flapjacks: Rustic rolled oat flapjack with orange and stem ginger
Another all-time favorite in the same box, this flapjack not only combined two of my favorite flavors, but was moist and very fresh. I want to buy a whole box of these, so Graze, please make them available!
Fiery Seeds: Chilli pumpkin & sunflower seeds
Simple and yummy, these had just the right amount of spice and that is the reason I loved them so much. I found this to be a very generous portion and had it in more than one serving.
Yaki Soba: Soba peanuts, edamame beans, noodles & chilli broad beans
While this was a snack that I 'just' liked compared to the other three snacks, it was still very tasty. It's definitely not a typical snack I'd choose, but I liked the crunchiness in this Asian-inspired treat.

My verdict: I loved my first Nibblebox from Graze! Since there is no calorie limit to the snacks included (as in the Lightbox), I found it offered a bit more variety. All of the snacks were around 200 calories each (it's ~ 150 calorie per snack in the Lightbox) and some of them were more filling because of that. That allowed me to enjoy them in two servings instead of one - for example, the three pieces of Orange & Ginger Flapjacks were perfect with my morning and afternoon cups of coffee. I'm going to keep trying the Nibblebox for now; my next week's box has two of my favorite dips included - can't wait!

Graze has limited the amount of invite codes we can use for new members to just one. I'm not sure if my code will work, but my account says I can still invite one new member - use my code 4DCWNCR if you wish to try Graze.  

What do you think of these snacks? Have you tried any?

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Love With Food March 2013 Review

This is my first Love with Food box and I was impatient and excited to receive it! If you are not familiar with this food sub, here's the gist:

The Box: Love with Food
Get a box of gourmet food shipped to you monthly, with new flavors curated with a different theme every month.
Price: $12 / month ($10 + $2 / shipping)
Highlights: *gourmet food; *shop full-size products at a discount; *meal donated with every box; *earn credit points from reviews

This month's Love with Food theme is Classics with a Twist and the box was filled with "classic bites and sips with surprising new twists". Here is the box filled to the brim:
It included a cute information card detailing all of the treats included in the box. I received a total of eight items.
Dark Chocolate Orange Good Fortune Cookie from Emily's Chocolates
I love good fortune cookies - not just for the fortunes - and have never had one covered in chocolate. This was my favorite treat from this box - so yummy and crunchy, I wished there were more than one included. I would gladly buy more!
Granola from Ola! Foods
I am a big granola fan - especially for breakfast. While I prefer nut varieties, this vanilla one is tasty and not too sweet.

Chocolate Covered Wasabi Peas from Chocwasabi
I was not too sure about this snack, but I absolutely loved it! It's an interesting combination - it is definitely more chocolate-y than I expected. I would love a dark chocolate variety, as well. This was one of my favorite treats from the box.
Fruit & Veggies Juice from Kids 50
My 5-year old is not a big juice drinker, so I'm not sure if she'll want to try that. I might try it though. It's apple, carrot & acerola berry blend.
Salted Caramel Baked Corn Cosmos Creations
I thought I'd like this one more than I actually did. It was just too sweet and salty for me... while I do like combos like that, I found this one just a bit too much of both.
Green Tea Infuser from Revolution Tea
I got Acai Green tea with fruit flavors. I like tea in winter, so I'll give this a try. The packaging is really cute.
Wheat- and Gluten-free Crackers from Mary's Gone
I love crackers and these were a winner. This was my second-favorite item from this box - super crunchy, packed with nutritious grains and simply delicious crackers.
Wild Berry Flat Fruit from Wacky Apple
This was tangy and sweet at the same time, very pleasant. I shared this with my mom and my daughter and we all liked it.

My verdict: I liked my first Love with Food box a lot! The number and quality of the goodies was great! I found some new treats that I really enjoyed and that I'd gladly purchase in the future. And, a meal was donated because I purchased my box. If you'd like to try Love with Food, you can sign through my referral link here. Thanks!

What did you think of this month Love with Food? If you are subscribed to more than one food subs, what are your favorites and why?

Thursday Treats: Romaine, Veggies & Feta Cheese Salad

It's time for my Thursday Treats again and this one is healthy, fresh and colorful - just perfect for spring! Today's treat is my favorite Romaine, Veggies & Feta Cheese Salad that I've been making for the last month or so. While the main ingredients are the same, I've varied and played around with the add-on's depending on my preference and the ingredients I had at the moment. Take a look:
This is my own recipe and everyone in my family loves it. I love salads, especially for spring and summer time. You can vary or substitute some of the ingredients, depending on taste. For instance, some people find feta cheese too strong - if so, you could use shredded aged cheddar instead; I've tried it like that and it is delicious.

Products (~3-4 servings)
  • 1 large romaine lettuce heart (rich in protein, omega-3s, iron and vitamin C, romaine is highly nutritious; not to mention crisp and delicious)
  • 3-4 green onions / scallions
  • 1 English cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers
  • 1-2 peeled roasted red peppers
  • 1/3 can of corn (I also used chick peas or beans instead - delicious!)
  • 1/3 cup of shredded carrots
  • 1/3 cup crumbled Feta cheese
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp of apple vinegar
  • 2-3 tbs olive oil or sunflower oil
Preparation:
  1. Wash and cut the romaine heart in tiny strips
  2. Cut the scallions into small pieces and add to the romaine
  3. Peel and cut the cucumbers, cut the roasted red peppers lengthwise and then into small pieces - add the veggies to the romaine & scallion mixture
  4. Add the corn and shredded carrots to the salad mixture
  5. Add salt to taste, vinegar and oil to the salad and mix thoroughly
  6. Finally, add the crumbled Feta cheese and stir
This salad is best if enjoyed immediately or within an hour. It's so simple yet super healthy and yummy. Enjoy! 

If you love healthy cookies and mini muffins, check out my previous Thursday Treats!

What are your favorite salads or other healthy treats?

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Special Edition Popsugar Must Have SUMMER FUN Box

In my Popsugar Must Have March shipping notification email, there was a reference to "stay tuned as our next Must Have Special Edition will be on sale soon". Today on the Must Have website, you can order the Special Edition Must Have Summer Fun Box:


The Must Have Summer Fun Box costs $100 and promises to prep you for summer with all hand-curated finds. It is said to arrive in mid-May. It definitely sounds intriguing and I'll have to seriously consider this one.

What about you, are you going to get the Must Have Summer Fun box?

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

POPSUGAR Must Have Box March 2013 Review

My March POPSUGAR Must Have Box finally arrived today! I already knew what items I was getting (I can't stay spoiler-free) but I was still excited to see everything in person, as well as the varieties of the included products. Take a look:
This month's theme is around Spring and greeting the new season in style. I would say this box strikes a good balance of a variety of items that many people would find appealing and / or useful. I personally am happy with the box and like most of the items.

Must Have Fashion:

Heather Belle Signature Tassel Necklace ($72) - (So, it was not a bracelet after all and I'm actually happy about it since we've already gotten a bracelet in a previous box). I really like this necklace - it's long, very much on-trend and has a bit of Bohemian feel. It's casual, easy to wear during the day or on a night out. The design was just added on on the Heather Belle website (today actually, as it was not there when I did my post yesterday). I approximated the price based on other brand pieces. Now I have the exact price.



Hollywood Fashion Secrets Sweater Saver ($7.99) - As I mentioned in the Spoiler post, I haven't heard of this product before but it sounds like a useful one. you use to grab and remove pulling, fuzz and knots from your sweaters. I will see how it works.

Must Have Home:

The Laundress Denim Specialty Wash ($20) - I wasn't familiar with this brand but I'm really glad to try this fabric detergent. I was hoping to get the Delicate or the Denim wash, so I'm happy with this item. Getting to try brands like this - higher-end, specialty and not something I would necessarily buy - is one of the reasons I love Popsugar Must Have.

Corkatoo Corkscrew ($13.99) - This is one of the items I was most excited about! I don't need another wine opener but this is such a cool, bright (I love the green with pink accents!) and stylish piece. I'm still deciding if I'll keep this one for me or gift to a very close person who will love this.

Must Have Beauty:
Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara ($12.99) - I'm always excited to try new kinds of mascara and I've heard only good things about this brand. The wand has a unique S-shaped brush that I haven't tried so far.

The New Black Nail Polish ($10) - I'm always excited to get nail polish, especially mini ones as I never use a whole regular bottle. I've never used this brand before but I was a bit disappointed with the colors I got (I would have preferred blues or reds) and the fact one of the bottles had spilled. The idea behind this duo's is to use them together as a unique French manicure or on alternating fingers / toes, so I might give it a try.

Special Extras:
Marshmallow Peeps (~$1) - Perfect for Easter!
Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape Assortment Pack (~$5) - A sample of the brand's most popular fashion tapes, this is a good one to carry in your purse in case of an "emergency".
Also, included in the box are a couple of coupons: one for a mini Buxom lip gloss with a Sephora purchase and the other for 50% off a Hollywood Fashion Secrets purchase.

The total value of this month's box comes to ~$143 - is consistent with the high box value to monthly subscription price rate that Popsugar has been giving its subscribers.  No complaints here!

If you want to sign up for POPSUGAR Must Have and want to use my referral link, you can do so with code REFER5 for $5 off your first box.

NEW: Check out my growing Subscription Box Directory!

What do you think of this month's Must Have box? If you got one, what color variations did you receive?