Bits and Boxes: September 2015

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

RawSpiceBar September 2015 "Istanbul" Spice Subscription Box Review

RawSpiceBar sends a selection of spices to your door each month based on a certain area of the world. You'll also receive a colorful information page with recipes, photos and details about the area and spices chosen.

This subscription has gone through a lot of revamping lately. While I do like the new pamphlet with pictures of the dinners, I am disappointed that the amount of spices has been so drastically reduced and with the decision to use pouches that are not resealable.

The Cost: $6/month

What You Get: Each month, we send 3 spice blends which are enough to create 3 separate dishes serving 8-10 people. The spice blends will weigh between 1-2 ounces each month.

Snakku is a Japanese snack subscription that is unlike any other snack box I've received. This is like getting gourmet snacks. Snakku sends snacks from specialty shops in Japan. From family owned businesses that have been making certain snacks for generations. Or snacks made with local products and produce. They're directly from Japan and you won't find them anywhere else.

So much good stuff in this box! Each Snakku box will have ten to fifteen snacks. This September box has 15 snacks! The snacks you receive are directly from Japan. Many times the snacks will be from family owned companies that have been making snacks for generations. This is the best of the best and the most authentic you can get when it comes to Japanese snacks.

The Roost Boost Care Package Unboxing and Review

The Roost Boost is dedicated to sending care packages for any reason at all to anyone who needs a little "boost." It was started by a busy mom who wanted to remind her kids in college that she was thinking about them. The boxes are a great mixture of healthy and sweet, filled with the kinds of snacks and treats.

I can't even tell you how happy I would have been to have a box like this show up on my doorstep once I moved away from home. My mom settled for grocery store gift cards but it's not the same as something like this. This is immediate snackability. And for a starving student, that's pretty much the best thing ever.

The Cost: $24.99 to $39.99/box + $5 shipping

What You Get: A selection of snacks and treats, candies and drinks curated around a loose theme but guaranteed to make someone smile.

GlobeIn Benefit Box Spoiler for October 2015

GlobeIn is a subscription box that focuses solely on fair trade, global artisans and supporting small collectives of artists. They help bolster dying crafts and make the techniques available to subscribers. It's a really wonderful way of getting access to unique and special products, crafted by specialists in small communities around the world.

The Benefit Basket is a smaller version of the GlobeIn Artisan Basket. For $19.95/month, you'll receive one handmade, fair trade item each month.

The Cost: $19.95/month

What You Get: Each month, you'll receive one delightful handcrafted good nestled inside a GlobeIn signature, handwoven basket.

Here is what you will receive in this month's Benefit Basket:

I can't deny my obsession with Scentbird. This fragrance subscription is one of my favorites and even made it onto my Top Ten list. This has been the best and most economical way for me to enjoy some of my favorite perfumes and discover new ones.

If you haven't heard of it, Scentbird sends an 8ml purse spray of your choice to your door every month. They have a growing catalogue of over 350 fragrances with brands like Juliette Has A Gun, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Givenchy and Michael Kors.

If you don't know what you want, you can fill out their profile and they'll create a list of fragrances that fit your requirements. So far, their suggestions have been spot on for me.

The Cost: $14.99/month

What You Get: Each month you will receive one 8ml purse spray of the scent of your choice based on your profile. The first month, you will receive the black atomizer case for the perfume and a carrysack for it.

My Aloha Post sends products from Hawaiian small businesses to your door every month. The goal is to bring a little Aloha to your life. The September box focuses on Summertime Necessities. While summer is on the wane here, I'm definitely happy to see some tasty treats in here.

The My Aloha Post boxes feature an appreciation for local crafters, artists, and businesses. The curators strive to curate boxes that will support Hawaiian small businesses while delivering a unique taste of Hawaii each month.

Each box will contain an insert giving you background information about the products included and the businesses or artisans behind the goods. I think this is a fun way to learn about what you're receiving with anecdotes from the owners. It adds a more personal touch.

The Cost: $30/month plus $7 shipping (longer plans include shipping)

What You Get: A monthly care package subscription service sending you Hawaii experiences straight to your doorstep.

The Jouer Le Matchbox is a quarterly beauty subscription by Jouer. It features $110 worth of Jouer products and costs $45. The last box featured brand new, unreleased lip colors and this upcoming box features a brand new product just for Le Matchbox subscribers!

I've been very happy with the content and quality of the products included in this box. I've liked Jouer for awhile, having discovered them via subscriptions but getting full size goodies is even better!

After checking their website, it appears that subscriptions are sold out but they'll sell a single box for $65 with a value of $100. Personally, I wouldn't do that but it does make me wonder what's going on. They just released a spoiler but they aren't adding new subscribers? And the value is different? Hm.

Anyhoo, what makes Le Matchbox special is that they take your profile answers and assign you either a "cool" or a "warm" color box. I'm a cool. So any color products in my box will have blue/cool undertones. Any color products in a "warm" box will have coral/orange undertones.

Here's what every subscriber will receive in the Fall box:

Treats Box is an international snack subscription based in California. I think this is their second month and I've been really happy with both the selection and the size of the treats included. The September 2015 box features treats from Korea!

Treats Box has two boxes to choose from. This review is for the Premium Box and contains 8-10 snacks a month. The Standard Box has 4-5 snacks in each box. Shipping is free within the US. International shipping is available but an extra charge will apply depending on the country.

The Cost: Premium Box- $24.95/month, Standard Box-$12.95/month

What You Get: Either 4-5 or 8-10 fun treats and snacks from around the world. Each month's box will feature snacks from a different country in the world.

Walmart Beauty Box Review Fall 2015 ~ The Old Lady Version

The Walmart Beauty Box is a quarterly subscription that costs only $5 a season! For $5, it's a fun box to subscribe to and forget about until it shows up in your mailbox. It does tend to be more drugstore and sample-y. Meaning there will be foil packets but there can also be pretty awesome full size products, too. You just never know. It's a total crapshoot, really.

There appears to regularly be at least two kinds of boxes. One for the old ladies over 35 and one for the younger ladies. I think the cut off is 35. So if you are getting the old lady box and you want the younger version, change your age in the profile. Or if you like getting skincare, make yourself older!

The Cost: $5/quarter

What You Get: Deluxe size products and foil samples with the occasional full size goodie.

This Nina Garcia #NGQ06 spoiler has been a long time coming. Actually, the whole box is taking forever but that's nothing new. Quarterly needs to change their name. The last Nina Garcia box shipped in April.

The new shipping date is " early October." We'll see how that goes.

The good news is we have a firm spoiler! Read on:

FabFitFun VIP Fall 2015 Subscription Box Review and Coupon Code

FabFitFun VIP is a quarterly lifestyle subscription box. That means four times a year, you can get an awesome box packed with all sorts of goodies for your home, life and wardrobe! Since it only ships four times a year, they are always something to look forward to.

It looks like there's been a change in format this time around. There's a nice booklet explaining the items chosen for the box and a note from the curator. This used to be curated by Guiliana Rancic but it looks like they found someone new to do it. This box had a spoiler of a Hisy portable battery pack sort of thing and it's what got me the most excited about this seasons box. I need one!

The Cost: $49.95/quarterly

What You Get: The latest and greatest full size products in food, beauty and lifestyle categories with a total value of more than $200.

So Susan is a London based beauty subscription that delivers worldwide. This is a great option for those who live in countries that don't know how awesome subscription boxes are yet. Since SoSusan is a cosmetics company you will find primarily their own brand in this box. They do have ties to Jelly Pong Pong, as well, since the owner of SoSusan also started JPP.

It's actually a lot of fun and a very reasonable price. The first month, you will be charged shipping on top of the regular cost but subsequent months will not be charged for shipping. I ended up getting a 3 month subscription because they had a pop up deal for a free blush if I spent $30 on their site. Yeah, I'm a sucker. :)

The Cost: $15.95/month

What You Get: Three So Susan and/or Jelly Pong Pong products plus a bonus makeup item and bonus accessory in a canvas cosmetic bag.

Kloverbox "September to Remember" Subscription Box Review and Coupon Code

Kloverbox just does it right. It's on my Top Ten list for a reason and this month just exemplifies all the reasons I love it so much. Maybe Kloverbox is my long-lost twin. This month is phenomenal in terms of value and quality.

The Cost: $25/month.

What You Get: Receive premium products to sample from top brands and hand-picked by health conscious curators in beauty, health, nutrition and home categories.

One of these days I'm going to do a massive post comparing all my dog boxes. PawPack is unique because their goal is to send all natural, grain free, organic and eco-friendly products whenever possible. If you have a dog or cat with allergies, this is the box you'll want to try first.

They also strive to send the best local, artisan and small business all-natural treats and toys. So you'll get toys, treats, chews, bones and accessories from boutique and independent business as often as possible. You'll find treats in these boxes that you won't find anywhere else.

The Cost: $39/month

What You Get: Each PawPack comes with 4 or more premium full sized items for your dog (or cat) as well as samples and other goodies that will always be All-Natural and Grain Free.

The September 2015 Japan Crate was exploding with sheer snack-tastic awesomeness. I think this might be the first international snack subscription that has sent bottled drinks! How cool is that?!

Japan Crate has three levels of subscriptions. First, there's the Mini. This has 4-6 snacks and is $12. Second, there's the Original that has 8-10 items (including a DIY kit) and is $25. Last and most spectacular (and just as tasty) is the Premium Crate and that's what I'm reviewing today.

The Cost: $30/month

What You Get: You'll receive 12- 14 crazy, full-size Japanese candy & snacks, 1 guaranteed DIY kit, a revolving bonus item (from savory Cheetos to collectible figures), and a Japan-exclusive drink in every shipment.

PetGiftBox September 2015 Small Dog Subscription Box Review Plus 50% Off

PetGiftBox is one of several dog boxes I get. I like it a lot because it's completely different than any other of the ones I get. Well, I mean, they're for dogs but there have been no toy or treat overlaps beyond the obvious like a bully stick or something. So I like it because there are never-before-seen toys and treats.

The price is on par with other dog boxes but you can find some REALLY great coupons and deals for it so you don't need to pay full price. That's a great perk. PetGiftBox also puts a lot of thought into themes and this month is no different. Everything in this September box revolves around the "Hawaiian Lu-arf."

The Cost: $28.99/month-to-month down to $18.99/month if you get a year.

What You Get: A box of four to six toys and treats for your pet.

Geekfuel is one of my newest favorite boxes that cater to the geeky gamer crowd. I definitely lump myself in the group since I've been playing games since Wolfenstein, had an obession with WoW (yes, I admit it) that lasted years and have probably played more MMORPGs than the average human. Including Vanguard. And Pirates of the Burning Sea (which I rage-quit when someone sank my favorite ship and stole all my iron ore).

Geekfuel doesn't typically have a theme which is fine with me because... well, give me all the geek! This month the spoiler was that there would be something Bob's Burgers related in it. While I don't like Bob's Burgers, my husband does.

The Cost: $23.90/month (that's including the shipping!)

What You Get: Every box will include a t-shirt, a full game and over $50 worth of awesome geeky goodies to appease the gamer at heart.

Loot Crate Fallout 4 Exclusive Collaboration with Bethesda Goes on Sale Tomorrow (9/23)!

Loot Crate is releasing their Fallout 4 Limited Edition Crate TOMORROW, 9/23 at 12pm PST. It's $150 worth of loot for $100.

I was hoping that it would be less than $100 but I'm still getting one. As long as I'm quick on the draw.

There have been some spoilers released:

OwlCrate is one of the top YA book subscriptions available. I think they do a great job with book choices and have excellent taste when it comes to bookish goodies. I really enjoy reading and it's something I do every day. I love the YA genre and I think some YA books are better than a large portion of the adult books out there. But part of that is because I really, really enjoy Fantasy/Adventure, etc. I read for fun, to get away from my own world and immerse myself in someone elses.

I think OwlCrate would be a great idea as a gift for an older teen and for yourself if you're looking to add to your physical library. I have to admit that my Kindle has really taken over my life when it comes to books. I have shelf after shelf of books that I've read and re-read, laughed and cried over. Some are so old they're falling apart and when I look at them I can remember the time of my life when I first read it. That's the fun part of physical books. You can't do that on a Kindle but the convenience can't be denied.

The Cost: $36.98/month to the US (OwlCrate also ships within Canada and Internationally).

What You Get: Every single crate comes equipped with a top notch, newly released YA novel alone with lots of goodies geared towards bookworms. Goodies consist of jewelry, bookmarks, stickers, prints, toys, accessories, and all sorts of wonderful randomness!

Popsugar released their first spoiler for the October 2015 Must Have box! Popsugar is number one on my top ten favorite subscription box list and spoilers like this are why it keeps it's spot!

The Cost: $39.99/month

What You Get: Full size, premium products dealing with Home, Fashion, Fitness, Beauty and Food!

Read on to see the spoiler:

It's finally here!! The Rachel Zoe Box of Style Winter Hero item has been revealed!! I've been waiting for this and it is everything I'd hoped it would be!

I got a BareMinerals Beauty Surprise last year and was so overloaded with all the things that came in it. This one was a little cheaper, being $30 instead of $45 so I decided to get it. Based on my last one, I knew it was likely to be discontinued products or items getting a package change. I have to admit that my first impression upon getting the invoice and trying to decipher the products was that there was a lot of eyeliner in the box.

There were two versions sent out as far as I can tell. I think the version that is not mine is possibly the better one just because there's a better variety.

Here's everything I got in my Beauty Surprise this time:

I've been getting Barkbox for well over a year and have enjoyed the boxes. This month, I decided to switch it up and get the Allergy Friendly box for awhile. This is something that's really easy to do right from your account page. This is an option that very few dog box subscriptions offer, although PawPack comes the closest because their default box generally avoids products with some of the most popular allergy causing ingredients like soy, grains, etc.

Since I have a dog allergic to chicken, getting some of the more unique sources of protein like kangaroo, rabbit and duck works out well for me. This review is for the Small dog box for 10-20lb dogs.

The Cost: $$29/month. Get one free month added to your subscription with my referral link.

What You Get: Every month you will receive a box in the mail with four or more carefully selected products and presents for your dog – anything from toys, bones and all-natural treats to hygiene products and innovative new gadgets!

My ModCloth Stylish Surprises Arrived Today and I was Definitely Surprised

So Modcloth finally had a Stylish Surprise sale that I managed to catch. These things disappear faster than lightning so you have to be on top of it. In fact, one of my Surprises got cancelled. So no shoes this time around.

Instead I got two Dresses and two Apparel. I got a Small and a Medium of each because I can go either way. I'm a four but sometimes I'm a six and sometimes I can be a two in dresses. I figured I would be more likely to find something that fit if I got a wider variety. I'm glad I did.

The Dresses were $20 and the Apparel were $15. Shoes were $10 but mine were refunded. Here's what showed up:

This month's Mask Maven by Beauteque gave me a serious case of the smiles! I've never seen or heard of these Baviphat money masks but I'll definitely be using them. Because they're fun. And I like Baviphat. This shipment has eleven masks, seven are Baviphat Urban Doll Kiss and I don't even care. Normally I tend to fuss about variety but when things are this fun, I just can't.

I can't find any information or ingredient lists for the money masks which bums me out. I don't *think* they have alcohol in them which is a relief. Although I only think that because I looked for the characters that make up the word "alcohol" in Korean and didn't find them.

The Cost: $15/month plus shipping depending on where you live.

What You Get: Each month you will receive nine to eleven masks of any type or combination, including sheet masks, wash off masks, body masks, foot masks, hair masks, nail masks...

NoTS Aqua Barrier Lotus Essence Mist Review and Q-Depot Coupon

As you know, I love me some kbeauty! NoTS is a Korean skincare brand that focuses on using natural ingredients, eco-friendly packaging and using the best scientific formulas to provide your skin with what it needs. Since I love good ingredients, there was no way I was passing up the opportunity Q-Depot gave me to try this.

Q-Depot

Q-Depot is an online kbeauty merchant based in Korea. They offer free shipping for any order over $69 which is pretty awesome. Especially when they're shipping from Korea. In my experience the shipping charges when buying from online retailers in Korea can become almost more expensive than the product itself! If you don't hit the $69 mark, shipping starts at a flat rate of $2.99 depending on your country. Everything ships from Korea so it can take some time to reach you, depending on the shipping option you choose.

They have great brands like Banila Co, Missha, The History of Whoo, Secret Key, Leaders, Tony Moly, etc. They don't have Hope Girl or I would buy a stash of the 140 Super Lash mascara from them for the free shipping. If you're looking for cruelty-free brands, Q-Depot is very proud to offer Etude House, Laneige , Mamonde, Sulwhasoo , IOPE , Hera, Innisfree and of course NoTS.

Mists in my Routine

I've used NoTS in the past and had a good experience. I also love trying new mists. I'm big on hydration and since my skin tends to run on the dry side, I need something that works. That means a fancy name and an expensive price isn't going to cut it. Far too often some of these $300 skin creams contain none or very little of what the skin actually needs and can absorb.

Here's the thing about mists. Spraying straight water on your face and then letting it air dry can actually dry your skin out more. You probably know this. It's one of the reasons I've been so "meh" about the Evian mists. I don't feel like they tell you enough about how to use it.

Buddhibox September 2015 Yoga Subscription Box Review and Coupon Code

BuddhiBox is dedicated to delivering a wide variety of products meant to enhance your yoga practice and lifestyle. Each box contains items to enrich your life, body, mind and soul. BuddhiBox is committed to sending ethically sourced, cruelty-free products created with intention. They work only with organizations and businesses that follow ethical and eco-conscious practices. BuddhiBox also strives to send organic and vegetarian items when at all possible.

Each BuddhiBox is carefully packed and will include healthy food, supplements, beauty products and yoga accessories to encourage and uplift you. Each month, BuddhiBox also chooses a charity to donate a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of each box. This month is Sgt. Pepper's Friends, a non-profit dedicated to facilitating pet adoptions.

There are two Box choices, Yoga and Jewelry. Prices start at $11.95 for two to three product samples. The box in this review is the BuddhiBox Yoga. When you sign up you'll be asked several questions to help personalize your box, including whether you want only vegan items. That is a wonderful option!

The Cost: $30.95/month.

What You Get: Each month, delivered straight to your mailbox, you will receive a mix of 4-6 samples and full size products all dedicated to pure and mindful living.

Popsugar Must Have September 2015 Subscription Box Review and Coupon Codes

Popsugar Must Have is at the tippity top of my Favorites List right now. The contents are always fun and useful and the value tends to be exceptional. While I like getting beauty products, I love getting items for the home and occasional jewelry.

The Cost: $39.99/month

What You Get: Full size, premium products dealing with Home, Fashion, Fitness, Beauty and Food!

TooFaced Brow Envy Kit- This kit contains professional tweezers, easy-to-use stencils to customize your brow shape, conditioning wax, powder and brow brush tools. You do not even know how close I came to ordering another box just so I could have two of these. To share, of course! Maybe. I didn't though. Anyway! I tried this brow kit with the stencils and everything. It made me sad that my eyebrows are so short! I had to paint in the ends with the brow color. Sad.

So here's me with one eyebrow done and one not. Obviously. My "done" eyebrow is very dramatic, especially compared to regular. I kinda like it, though. Those stencils are pretty awesome. The only not-awesome thing about this is the tweezers. They're terrible. And you need major strength to squeeze them! I need to swap them out with my Tweezermans. Sheesh. Another thing I noticed was that the setting wax (at least the way I applied it- and I'm NOT an expert) smeared the brow color. Hm. I must obviously play more with this kit.
Haha! My husband just got home and said he liked my eyebrows. And that he likes them "square like that." I can't believe he noticed so immediately. What a good husband! :D
Value: $39.99

Hudson and Bleecker Labyrinth Onxy Travel Trio- This is a clear plastic cosmetics bag, a lingerie bag and a shoe bag. Well the lingerie bag and the shoe bag are exactly the same except for the tags declaring what they are so you could technically just use them for whatever you want. I'm game. We travel fairly regularly and I think I'll make both of these shoe bags. I hate thinking about the bottoms of my shoes touching my clothes.
Value: $42

Briogeo Rosarco Milk™ Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray- An ultra-lightweight leave-in conditioning spray fortified with nourishing rosehip, argan, and coconut oils. Briogeo has a cult following that I am not a part of. But only because I'm not big on hair product. I have two leave in's that I like and I stick with those. One is my Birchbox Beauty Protector and the other is John Frieda Frizz-Ease (or something like that). I'm easy like that.
Value: $20

NCLA So Rich Cuticle Oil- A luxe vitamin E oil treatment that promotes strong and healthy nails. I have an overflow of cuticle oil right now. I got a bunch in my SoSusan bag plus the ones I've already collected. And I still forget to use them. /sigh I better get on it. My gardening has not been kind to my sad cuticles.
Value: $18

Nourish Snacks Almond to Cherries- Sweet-and-sour cherries mix with whole roasted almonds. These will definitely get eaten. The only thing better than almonds and cherries is almonds, cherries and chocolate and I'm pretty sure I can work that out. Yum!
Value: $2

Popsugar also included two $10 unique codes to give to friends and family so they can get their first Popsugar box for $10 off! That's pretty sweet!

Kris Nations XO Stud Earrings- Cut from recycled brass, plated in 14k gold with a sterling silver post. These are super cute but I would never wear them. They're not my style. They're super cute though.
Value: $35

VERDICT: Popsugar just knows how to make me happy. Plus getting a TooFaced palette makes every day better. I can't wait to have perfect brows in selfies. Without the Beauty Face on that makes everyone look better than usual. ;) One of the best things about Popsugar is that even when they send things I don't like or won't use, they're of a good enough quality that they can become gifts. Or part of gifts, whatever the case may be. I can't get enough Popsugar. I love them.

If you would like to sign up for Popsugar Must Have, you can do that right here. You have a couple options coupon code-wise. You can use REFER5 or MUSTHAVE5 and get $5 off your box OR you can get a free BaubleBar Arrow necklace added to your first box with code ARROW. The Baublebar code expires end of day Friday the 18th (I think). It might be Saturday. I'm not sure when the 2 days started.

In either case, if you use EBATES made sure to activate it because you will receive $3 cashback! So you can either save $3 and get a necklace or you can save $8 on your first box.

*referral/affiliate links were used in this post.

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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Monday, September 28, 2015

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Friday, September 25, 2015

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Monday, September 21, 2015

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Thursday, September 17, 2015