A Kitchen Box Subscription Review! August 2013

Hey guys!

A Kitchen Box is a newer subscription service that sends you a box filled with culinary items based on a monthly theme. I was so excited to try this box, it’s perfect for the foodie in everyone!

The box just looks so chic and sophisticated, last month’s theme was cheese, so I couldn’t wait to see what this months theme was!

The Box: A Kitchen Box

The Cost: $89/quarter (3 months of boxes)

Each month, A Kitchen Box will send you an inspired box with a special culinary theme. Each box includes something for you to see, taste, learn and try. With each subscription, you’ll also receive three weeks of kitchen inspiration by email, such as recipe ideas, kitchen inspiration and artisan interviews. A Kitchen Box isn’t just for the experienced foodie, but also for people wanting to dip their toes into the culinary world.

This month’s theme…Cocktail Box! First, I have to say that the packaging of this box was some of the cutest I have seen yet. Everything was so cutely and carefully wrapped. I received a cute, veggie postcard and a free song download, perfect for dancing to in the kitchen. In addition, two beautifully hand-pressed recipe cards for a Bloody Mary and a non-alcoholic Ginger Beer.

Citrus Reamer

Value: $5.00

This is a total must-have for cocktails! I love this little wooden citrus reamer; it is designed to get the most juice out of your fruit while dislodging the seeds!

Cocktail Muddler

Value: $8.00

Coming from a girl who loves mojitos, this tool is perfect for me. This helps to release oils from citrus fruits and herbs to create a delicious flavored cocktail. And I think it’s so cute, like a mini-baseball bat that is the perfect size for my weiner dogs 😉

Mini Tabasco

Value: $1.00

I can’t use this Tabasco on principle because it is so stinkin small and cute. I like that they included it for the bloody mary’s, but I think I’ll hang on to it and let it decorate my bar.

Salinity Finishing Salts

Value: $5.00

Salinity Salts is a company based out of Oregon who sources their salt from Guerande, France which is the region where I lived! So, I was already sold by that. However, these two finishing combinations are really intriguing and I can’t wait to whip up a couple of cocktails to give them a try.

Flour Sack Towel & Bamboo Cocktail Picks

Value: $6.00

These little picks are so cute. I love that they are long because I like to load my Bloody Mary’s up with seafood and veggies. They were a very nice touch to the box. The flour sack towel is super simple and soft and I am always happy to have another dish towel on hand!

Verdict: I think I may have a new box love! I already love the two themes A Kitchen Box has had; A Cheese box and a Cocktail box? They’re certainly off to a good start! My mother will absolutely love this box so I thank A Kitchen Box for solving one Christmas present idea months in advance. I don’t feel that any of the items in the box are too advanced that an average kitchen Joe couldn’t use them. However, they are still fun and inspiring for the foodie who needs some new adventures in the kitchen.

Want to sign up for A Kitchen Box? (Or be the best son/daughter and sign up your mom? 🙂 ) Click HERE to subscribe now!

Good Day Dog Subscription Review! August 2013

Hey Everyone 🙂

Good Day Dog is a new subscription service that sends a new collar for your pup each month! GDD encourages you to have fun with your dog while helping you find new, cute dog collars for your wet-nosed friend.

I had to include this photo because Joanna’s (founder of Good Day Dog) handwriting is so stinking cute! I wanted to trace it and practice. The packaging was minimal which I liked because I didn’t feel wasteful.

The Box: Good Day Dog

The Cost: $15/month regardless of collar size

When you sign up for GDD you are able to choose the size of your dog (small, medium or large). Each size gives you an idea of the collar’s size in inches so you can pick the best size for your dog.

The collar was wrapped up so tidily that I had to take a photo. It has little pirates on it! CUTE!

Close up of the collar. The buckle is heavy duty and has a convenient clasp closure which I prefer. The tag ring is also made of sturdy metal which is important for me because Dexter has a tendency to lose his tags!

Dexter with his new collar 🙂 I think this collar looks so cute and I’ll be the first one to admit that I love buying my dogs clothes and accessories. This subscription is right up my alley because my dogs have to have collars, so they might as well have cute ones!

Verdict: I love this subscription service! I can tell that a lot of care goes into each of the packages. Everything was hand done including the address on the front of the envelope. Since I have two dogs I think it would be fun to subscribe to GDD and alternate who gets the new collar each month. My doggies like to be in style! I know plenty of friends who would love to receive a subscription as a gift for their pups.

Would you like to sign up for GDD? Click HERE to subscribe and start receiving cute, quality collars for your 4-legged friend.

Also, head over to Good Day Dog’s Facebook Page and like it to see fun photos, discount offers and articles!

Doteable Subscription Review & Coupon Code!

Hey there!

Doteable is a subscription box company that sends cute and useful dorm-room essentials each month to the college student in your life!

The Box: Doteable

The Cost: $15/month for the Dorm Duffel Mini or $45/month for the Dorm Duffel

I think it’s great that they offer two different sizes of this box. When you sign up, you get to choose if you would like a Men’s Duffel or a Women’s Duffel. I was really excited to check out this service because I know how great and uplifting it can feel to receive a care package when you’re stressed out at school, and Doteable makes it so easy to do! I received the mini box for review.

Aerie Lace Girly Brief

Value: $9.50

I love Aerie undies and I was really happy to see these in the box. I believe that every Duffel from Doteable includes a pair of undies. There’s nothing like finding a fresh pair when you’re afraid they’re all dirty and you’re in the middle of exam week. Hallelujah!

Sheer Jersey Tank by Bella

Value: $18.00

Another essential that is great to have. I apologize for the image quality, this tank is white and my camera took the lighting and made it look a little orange. This tank is simple and soft, made from cotton. Great for wearing around the house when you’re studying or for layering under a tee!

Cupcake Key Chain by Emmy

Value: $10.00?

I wasn’t able to find this exact key chain online so I made an estimation. I think this keychain is super cute, and it’s pretty heavy; you can tell it is high-quality and won’t fall apart. This would be cute on a key ring or to clip on your bag for a fun accessory.

Verdict: I think Doteable is a great idea for a subscription box. It’s reasonably priced and all of the items were a good quality. Sending a box of essentials to a student can help brighten their day and may even help them survive (okay, maybe that’s slightly extreme, but we all need clean undies 😉 ) I would absolutely recommend this box to someone who has a friend or family member in college and wants to send a little love their way.

Want to send yourself or someone you love a box from Doteable? Click HERE to sign up and use code TWENTYSOMETHINGLIFE to receive 10% a 3-month classic subscription. Perfect timing for back to school!

 

 

Color Me Monthly Subscription Review! August 2013

Happy Friday!

Color Me Monthly is a subscription service that sends you a full-sized, high-quality nail polish each month from their signature color collection. CMM is focused on the quality of their polish not the prettiness of their packaging which I appreciate! So the package may not be darling, but you know the polish will be!

The Box: Color Me Monthly

The Cost: $7.00/month

All of CMM’s polishes are carcinogen-free, animal friendly and made in the USA!

This month’s color is Summer Tryst. I think this color is lovely and is great for this time of year because I can wear it for summer and it can carry over into the Autumn. I love that the card comes with a little swatch square so I can see the color immediately!

Verdict: Color Me Monthly is a great subscription box if you’re looking to build your polish collection a little bit at a time. This would also be a great little gift to brighten someones month. It’s not overly expensive and you’re getting what you pay for. I like this box! 🙂

Would you like to subscribe you or a friend to Color Me Monthly? Click HERE!

KlutchClub Subscription Review! July 2013

Hi guys!

Today’s review is for KlutchClub, a health and wellness box that sends you snacks, supplements, skincare products and more! If you’d like to see me open my KlutchClub box, click on the video below! Or, scroll down to read my written review.

The Box: KlutchClub

The Cost: $18/month

The box was heavy and I couldn’t wait to dig in and see what came in my box!  All of the products that KlutchClub sends you are supposed to be full-size or multi-use.

Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips Salt and Pepper

Value: $1.00

I’ve loved all of these different bean chips that I’ve received in my boxes and these were no exception. These are corn and gluten-free and taste delicious with a bowl of vegetable lentil soup!

Organic Flavrz Liquid Drink Mix in Fruit Punch

Value: $5.99

This mix is made with real fruit and is 100% organic. It provides energy from green tea and is a great way to make your water taste a little yummier if you struggle to drink enough each day. I like that it is low sugar and is giving you extra energy naturally.

Baked Whole Food Bar Earnest Eats

Value: $1.40

This bar looks really tasty and it is heavy! I can imagine this would fill me up. It is wheat-free, vegan and has a little espresso to help wake you up.

Soy Greek Yogurt Good Greens Blueberry Bliss

Value: $2.99

I’m really excited to try this bar. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and each bar has 12g of protein! These bars have great reviews on amazon, some people say they taste like candy 🙂

Power Bar Performance Blends

Value: $5.00

These blends and I are good friends. They are super tasty, give you a nice bit of energy and have only 80 calories. I love having these around the house for a quick, on-the-go snacks.

Wheat-Grass Organic Seeds

Value: $3.40

I thought this was a really neat inclusion in the box! Wheat-Grass is a delicious snack and makes really good juices. Wheat-Grass is full of vitamin and minerals that are really good for your body and apparently can be easily grown inside. I can’t wait to try and grow this in my new house!

Puritan’s Pride Rasberry Ketones

Value: $2.99

I wasn’t familiar with this type of supplement so I did a little research. There have been very limited studies that show that rasberry ketones may increase metabolism but no substantial proof has been found yet.

Nawgan Alertness Aid Beverage

Value: $2.25

This drink looks perfect for me! I’m saving it till study time comes 🙂 This drink is specially formulated to sharpen focus and boost concentration, perfect!

Delight Gluten-Free Magazine

Value: $4.00

I’ve never heard of this magazine before but I flipped through it and it is full of delicious gluten-free recipes. There were some yummy looking cocktails that I’m excited to try 🙂

There were also two gift cards in this box! One for $25 to WaveGear who sells sun glasses that float. And $75 to BistroMD, a service that delivers healthy, pre-made meals right to your door!

Verdict: The value of this box was $29.02 which is much more than the cost! I didn’t include the gift cards in the value of the box because they both would require you to spend a bit more money than the card offers. I really liked the products I received in my KlutchClub box, they were perfect for me and my college lifestyle! A lot of the products are great for studying and alertness and will come in handy once school starts. I’m really excited to try and grow my own wheatgrass too 🙂

Would you like to subscribe to KlutchClub? Click HERE to get signed up today!

Blush Box Subscription Review & Giveaway!

Hi my lovely readers 🙂

This is a review for an adult subscription box company called Blushbox that sends you sensual, sultry, fashionable, and fun surprises to help you indulge in your sexy side! As this is an adult subscription box, please read on only if you are 18 years or older.

BlushBox is a quarterly subscription and I had the opportunity to review the Summer Box which showed up towards the end of July!

The Box: Blushbox

The Cost: $99/quarter or $49/quarter for the mini box

All of the products they send you are stylish and tasteful; Blushbox is focused on helping you reveal your fun, sexy side!

Nicaragua Jewelry Project Bracelet

Value: $5-10?

Seeing this necklace really made me happy, 100% of the proceeds from these bracelets go towards helping the women who made them out of poverty. Now that’s sexy! It also made me feel a little more casual about this intimate subscription box which is great, it’s supposed to be fun!

Mad Mac Scoop-Neck Camisole

Value: $52.00

This camisole is so pretty and delicate! This set came with a matching thong and headband (see below) and I think this set is classy and sexy. All of Mad Mac’s products are made in the USA and the lace is very soft.

Mad Mac Low-rise Thong & Lace Headband

Value: $18.00 & $16.00

I love that this thong matches the cami, but it still has a separate pop of color that makes it fresh and fabulous. The headband can be worn by itself or with the other pieces. It doesn’t squeeze my head too hard like some headbands do, super comfy!

Luna White Chocolate Macadamia Bar (Sample Size) & Luna Chapstick in Vanilla Almond

Value: $4.00?

I love Luna Bar and I didn’t even know they made chapstick, the flavor sounds delicious 🙂 This is another thing that was nice to see in the box. Let’s face it… Chapped lips are not sexy!

Sliquid Lubricant in ‘H20’ & ‘Sea’

Value: $2.00

These lubricants are glycerin and paraben free, and are also vegan-friendly. I was a little surprised to see the title of one was Sea, it made me think of salt-water but maybe I’m just crazy! All Sliquid products are made in the USA.

Firming Body Bronzer by Booty Parlor

Value: $1.00

I think the name Booty Parlor is so cute and clever. This bronzer contains pheromones and is supposed to match any skin tone, I’ll be curious to try it! It has a light jasmine scent and is supposed to help firm your skin.

BCute Classic Discreet Massager

Value: $24.99

I would say this is mostly self-explanatory, but here’s a few facts: This massager is smooth, Hypo-allergenic, Latex free
and waterproof. BCute wants to help you try new things and be spontaneous!

Verdict: The estimated value of this box was $124, much higher than the cost. I felt really good after opening this box, it was tasteful and classy while still fulfilling all the expectations I would have of an adult subscription box. I think a lot of people are intimidated about trying a box like BlushBox but why not have a little fun and spice things up? This box made me feel feminine and sensual, not vulgar or uncomfortable.

Would you like to sign up for BlushBox? Click HERE, I’m sure your significant other will thank you! 🙂

Also, BlushBox has kindly agreed to allow me to host a giveaway on my blog so that one of you can win your own BlushBox! Thank you BlushBox! If you’re feeling a little hesitant about an intimate subscription box or if you want to try it out 100%, this is a perfect opportunity to enter to win your own box for yourself! Click on the link below to enter the giveaway.

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Petit Vour Subscription Review & Giveaway! July 2013

Happy Saturday!

Today’s review is for a company called Petit Vour who is a 100% cruelty-free, vegan beauty box! To watch me open my box from Petit Vour, click on the video below or scroll on down to see my written review!

 

Each month Petit Vour sends you a selection of skin and beauty products that are all natural, vegan, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. I was really excited to review this box!

The Box: Petit Vour

The Cost: $15/month

Petit Vour works with the best companies from all around who put time, research & love into their products, without harming animals or having exploitative labor.

Sumbody Soap & Coupon Code for 10% off purchase (Code: PETITVOUR)

Value: $1.98

This soap smells lovely and would go perfectly in a guest bathroom. It’s made with shea and cocoa butter so it’s supposed to be extra hydrating and soft on your skin.

MUN Aknari Oil

Value: $6.33

I received this oil in my Green Grab Bag earlier this month and I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. However, it sounds like a miracle product and is supposed to be applied before bed to smooth and soften the skin and diminish signs of aging.

Tangerine and Calendula Cream by Kimberly Sayer

Value: $2.40

I will admit that I had never heard of Calendula before but I learned that it is a healing flower that works wonders on your skin. Combined with the tangerine, this night cream is supposed to soothe and detoxify your skin.

 

Dr. Remedy’s Enriched Nail Polish

Value: $17.00

I have never heard of Dr. Remedy’s before, but this nail polish formula looks amazing. The color is a beautiful, pure red and the polish contains wheat protein, tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract and lavender to nourish your nails. And it’s formaldehyde free! I can’t wait to try this.

Beauty Without Cruelty Natural Eye Pencil

Value: $16.95

I love the bright pop of this blue eye liner. I forgot to take a picture of the swatch for you guys but this applies super smooth and feels creamy, but doesn’t look to thick or heavy.

Verdict: The value of this box was $44.66, almost three times the cost! I only recognized one of the products which makes me happy because I love trying new brands, especially that are all natural and cruelty-free! I really enjoyed this box and it’s clear that Petit Vour really takes their mission of providing quality, green products seriously. 10 out of 10 from me!

Want to sign up for Petit Vour? Click HERE!

Also, Petit Vour has kindly allowed me to host a giveaway on my blog so that one of you can win your own box from Petit Vour! If you’d like to enter the giveaway, click on the link below and follow the instructions. Good luck!

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MistoBox Subscription Review & Giveaway! July 2013

Hey everybody!

It’s Thursday evening which means that it will be my birthday in a couple of hours…eek! I figured there was no better way to spend my birthday eve than to share a review with my lovely readers 🙂

This review is for a monthly subscription service called MistoBox who sends 4 different hand-selected coffee samples to your door each month. If you’d like to watch me open my MistoBox, click play on the video below or scroll down to read my written review!

When I was reading about MistoBox, I wanted to see what set it apart from other coffee subscription services. I think that MistoBox is really geared towards finding you a coffee that you love. They send you 4 different coffees each month and when you find one that’s right for you, they offer free shipping on their site for a full size bag!

The Box: MistoBox

The Cost: $15/month (small box) or $30/month (large box)

I saw that you can get your first box for only $5 (small box) or $10 (large box), that’s an awesome price!

Finca Las Delicias Natural from Water Avenue Coffee

Water Avenue Coffee is based out of Portland, Oregon. I thought this was the cooloest fact ever: “Owner Brandon Smyth roasts all the coffee on a 1974 French Samiac 20-Kilo roaster.” I would love to visit their factory just to see how that process works. Tasting Notes: Fruit Forward, Sweet, Refined

Gelana Abaya from OQ Coffee Co. in Highland Park, New Jersey

All of the coffees from OQ Coffee Company are single origin that are sourced directly. This particular coffee comes from Ethiopia, how cool is that?  The owner wanted to share his passion for coffee and create a feeling of community when he founded OQ Coffee Co.  Tasting Notes: Heavily Fruity, Sweet, Intense.

Elida Estate Coffee from Verve Coffee Roasters in Santa Cruz, California

I must mention that the prices of all of these coffees vary. This coffee has the decadent flavors of Berries and Mango. Although I admit that I’m struggling to imagine this combination of flavors in a coffee, I’m excited to try it and see what I think! I thought it was crazy that in 2007 Verve Coffee Roasters only had 4 employees and now they are sourcing coffee from all over the world and kicking butt!

Guatemala Atitlan from Cartel Coffee Lab

This is the coffee I am most excited to try. Cartel Coffee Lab is based in Phoenix, Arizona and sources their coffee from all over the world. Tasting Notes: Grape Acidity, Milk Chocolate, Balanced. Doesn’t that sound unique and yummy?

Verdict: I really liked this box! In one box I received coffee from Guatemala, Panama, Ethiopia and El Salvador. The amount of coffee I received is enough to brew 40 cups of coffee. That’s a lot of coffee! MistoBox focuses on finding the best roasters around the nation and wants to find you a coffee that you love (great for us creatures of habit who are trying to branch out a bit). I think the price of MistoBox is very reasonable for the quality and it’s cool that they offer free shipping if you decide to buy a full-size bag of one of the coffee’s!

Want to sign up for MistoBox? Click HERE! Also, the awesome folks at MistoBox are allowing me to host a giveaway for a 3-month subscription to MistBox for one of my lucky readers! The giveaway will be run through Rafflecopter like always, so click on the link below and get to entering!

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Green Grab Bag Subscription Review! July 2013

Hi!

Today’s review is for a company called Green Grab Bag, an all natural beauty box that let’s you decide what’s inside your box…or not 🙂

To watch me open my Green Grab Bag, click play on the video below or scroll down to read my written review.

Green Grab bags offers a wide variety of natural, organic and/or vegan skincare, beauty products and hair care. They also recently created a build your box option that allows you to choose the samples that you are going to receive in that months box. I’m all about natural products and I was excited to see what brands would come in my Green Grab Bag; I received a surprise box, so I didn’t know what was coming.

The Box: Green Grab Bag

The Cost: $15/month for the level-one box

The card was very detailed and included all of the products in the box in addition to instructions on how to use them.

Free Download from Yogadownload.com

Value: Up to $10.00

Yogadownload.com is a great site that has all sorts of workout videos for cardio, abs, yoga, pilates and so much more! Their prices range depending on the length of the class and whether you want to download it or stream it. They even have some free classes on their site. I’m excited to use this free download, now I just have to decide what class I want to take!

Pura Botanica Hand Cream

Value: $1.00

I find that a lot of hand creams have too strong of a scent but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It has a slight hint of Aloe and Vanilla and is supposed to be rich in antioxidants. Also, a portion of the proceeds go to the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation so that’s pretty neat!

MUN No.1 Aknari – Nighttime Dream Youth Serum

Value: $6.30

I couldn’t believe the value of this tiny little vial of oil! After reading a bit about this serum I’m intrigued. “Prickly Pear Seed Oil and Argan Oil combine to transform the appearance of your skin, while soothing Rose Oil lightly scents your sweetest dreams.” You dab it on your face and neck before bed and over time it is supposed to even skin tone and diminish the appearance of fine lines!

Dr. Sponge Facial Cleansing Sponge

Value: $8.50

This sponge gently exfoliates and is mild enough for sensitive skin. Score! It’s main ingredient is Konjac which is infused with a lot of vitamins and proteins that are great for your skin.

Shea Terra Organics Cape Chamomile Shea Butter

Value: $3.50

I couldn’t find this exact product on their website but I found many other delicious scented and unscented shea butters. For those of you who aren’t familiar with shea butter it is a miracle worker. It’s great for treating eczema, dry skin, psoriasis, stretch marks, wrinkles and is safe for babies. Needless to say I am excited to give this one a try 🙂

Buffalo Gal Starry Night Lip Lover

Value: $4.00

This balm had such cute packaging and smelt so yummy that I opened it and smeared it on my lips right away. It goes on super smooth and tastes like oranges. This balm will be going to immediate use!

Fleegal Farms Sea Soap

Value: $2.00

This soap is all natural and vegan and it has sea salt in it to make it like a scrub on your body. When I opened my Green Grab Bag, I could smell the soap and it is a really nice, fresh scent. Like being at the beach!

Verdict: The value of this box is around $31.00 (a little more or less depending on which yoga class you download) which is double the cost! I love every product that I received and don’t feel like any of them were irrelevant or out of place. I think it’s really neat that you have the option to customize your own Green Grab bag because it still gives you the opportunity to try new products before you buy full-size, but it isn’t a complete mystery. This is a box I would definitely subscribe to myself!

If you’d like to sign up for Green Grab Bag, click HERE to learn more and subscribe!

 

 

Amoda Tea Subscription Review! July 2013

Hi everyone!

I have to start by saying I’m so sorry for going off of the radar for a few days! Some of you may have noticed my blog was unavailable, WordPress deactivated my blog due to a technical error but we finally got it solved and I’m back!

Today’s review is for Amoda Tea, a company that sends you a selection of handpicked, artisan teas from all around the world each month. If you’d like to see me open my Amoda Tea box, please watch the video below. Otherwise, scroll down to read my written review.

After living in Europe for a year, I’ve really developed a taste for tea. I absolutely love trying new types and blends and I don’t think there is anything more relaxing or soothing than a good book, comfy chair, wiener dog on your lap and steaming cup of tea in your hand.

The Box: Amoda Tea

The Cost: $15/month

The folks at Amoda Tea are literally traveling the world, sampling new teas and meeting new brewers. Each month, they feature a brewer and introduce you to 3 different kinds of tea, enough to make around 30 6-ounce cups. Needless to say, I was excited to try out this box.

Poppy Fields

I was most excited about this tea because of its description and the fact that it is caffeine free. Don’t get me wrong, I love caffeine but I could definitely use a yummy tea that is going to relax me and not hype me up. And this tea is supposed to taste like jujubees…Yum!

‘

Lover’s Lane

This tea mixture looks absolutely lovely. The teas that Amoda Tea is sending you aren’t the little leafy powder stuff you get at the grocery store. These are real, fresh natural leaves, fruits and herbs; I could see the chunks of dried orange slices!

The Road to Hana

I love drinking white tea in the summer so I brewed this one up right away with ice. It was super refreshing and was a tiny bit tart which I loved, perfect for a hot summer’s day.

Verdict: To start with I really liked the cute but minimal packaging of Amoda Tea, not wasteful at all! The description of each of their teas makes it clear that a lot of time, thought and energy have gone in to selecting the perfect variety of teas for you. I love that each bag has brewing instructions as long as caffeine content, so you don’t have to worry about losing a slip with all of the information on it. If you’re anything like me, you’re picky about your tea and can’t just drink anything. That’s why I think Amoda Tea is a great idea if you are interested in discovering some new, high-quality tea but don’t want to buy full-size bags before you’ve tried it. I think this is a really neat box!

Want to sign up for Amoda Tea? Click HERE to subscribe or learn more about their subscription service.