Subscription Boxes

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

PopSugar Must Have - September 2014 Box

Introduction - What is PopSugar Must Have?

For those that don't know PopSugar Must Have is a subscription box that you can order at $35.95 a month. They send you a variety of hand-selected items in beauty, fashion, home, fitness, and food. As well, every quarter they come out with a Limited Edition box that costs $100.00.

For those that do not know, I've had mixed experiences with this subscription box. Negative experience (customer service and with the boxes themselves): Spring LE box. Positive experiences: Sumer LE box, April box, and now the September box. I would like to point out that I only tried the april and september boxes after a sneak peak was released. Price wise, I think the monthly subscription box is a better purchase. I feel the quality, type of items, and number of items is more bang for your buck than the quarterly purchases.

For the record, I would like to state that in no way was I paid to write this blog or given any services by PopSugar for writing this review. I purchased this box on my own.

September Box 2014

After seeing a spoiler for the scarf in the September box, I decided to take the plunge again with Popsugar. I am very glad that I did.

Included in this box is: Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin - Tilo Scarves ($125 retail), Stereo Earbuds - Nicole Miller ($20), Almond Brownie - Urban Remedy ($6), Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray - Orbe ($21.50), Gold Foil Arrow Pencils - Letter C Design ($5), Garance Dore Assorted Girls Set - Rifle Paper Co. ($18). Special Extras included in this box were a $20 Nike Gift Card and Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Sea Salt and Almond Minis. I also found a $10 off any purchase of $50 or more for Urban Remedy.

Sorry for the poor picture quality, I've been sick and opened my box at night when I received it.

Close up Assorted girls card set, foil pencils, hair spray, brownie, and Ghirardelli chocolate

My nike $20 coupon also came with a measuring tape! Awesome!

Wearing my new Modal Gradation Scar

Verdict

I cannot emphasize how happy I was with this box! This has been my favorite box yet (even more so than the Summer LE box). The value of this box was ~$215+ and I paid $39.95! I can honestly say I will use everything in this box. Even the hairspray. Typically I do not keep beauty items from this box (I don't wear make up too often), but I do have a lot of hair ;)

I also cannot wait to begin using the card set for snail mail with my penpal. (Who I have sadly been neglecting while I worked full time this summer!) Alex I promise I will start sending my letters and cartoons again!

Referral Links:

If you liked my blog post and would like to try PopSugar Must Have please use my referral link. For the record, I receive referral credit towards earning a monthly box when you use my referral code. To learn more check out my tab labeled "About POPSUGAR Must Have".

PopSugar Must Have: http://popsu.gr/rjKa

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Golden Tote Review - July 2014

Introduction - What is Golden Tote?

Golden Tote is a fashion subscription box founded by designers Sarah Becker and Sarah Sweeney. Both Sarahs are also the owners of the Puella clothing line, and their items can be found at Anthropologie. Golden Tote offers a variety of different designer/boutique clothing items.

To learn more click here.

Golden Tote Review - July

This July, Golden Tote had something extra special in our tote. Meet my new niece, born at the beginning of July. As you can see, this month's tote design had cute rope wording and an anchor added to the tote design.

Picked items

This time I bought a $149 tote for myself and a $49 tote for my mom. My mom picked the Dots and Stripes Tee in red (her favorite color).

I picked the Open Back Boheme Blouse (size L) and the Puella Swing Dress (size M). I also added on the garden dress (size M) after seeing how beautiful it was on someone else in the Facebook group. The fit is very similar to the open back dress from either april or may's tote -- I have already forgotten the month in which I bought it, Oh dear! All of our picks fit us perfectly and we can't wait to wear them on vacation this coming week!

First up, the Open Back Boheme Blouse

Back view of the Open Back Boheme Blouse, absolutely breath taking. I've also seen some ladies on the trading group undo the top button and wear this blouse backwards as a cardigan.

Puella Swing Dress with a belt

Garden Bloom dress with Jade Camera bag

Surprise Items

My mom's surprise item was the Jolie Linen pants in white. My mom loved these pants but they were too small around the hip and too long (she's petite). Naturally I tried them on too and also found that they ran small. Luckily I was able to purchase a size large on the Facebook Trade Group and will be selling these pants for the same price I bought mine for ($35).

Jolie Linen pants with Roly Poly blouse in navy

My surprise items were: the sew and cut floral blouse (size M or L), Celebrity Pink Jean shorts (size L), red and navy Priddy dress (size M), and the Roly Poly Lace top in navy (size M). I love all of these surprise items, but will be FSOT my Roly Poly blouse since I was able to trade another GT item for the same blouse in mint. That color has been calling to me ever since the spoilers came out! And also since it was all the rage when I went to study abroad in France in 2012.

Sew and Cut Floral blouse and Celebrity Pink Jeans

Back of Roly Poly Navy blouse

Surprise Priddy Dress in Red and Navy

Verdict

Both totes were absolute hits for my mother and I. She loved both of her items, but will be FSOT the Jolie linen pants since they didn't fit her. I loved all 6 items in my July tote and my garden dress add on. However, I will be FSOT the Roly Poly blouse in Navy since I was able to trade for a mint. I'm also keeping an eye out for the elusive striped Priddy dress (same cut out as my red and navy one). It is my favorite pattern of this dress, although I love the red and navy one too! This has been the best Golden Tote I've received yet!

If you want to see pictures of Golden Tote items, be sure to follow my instagram account: alexmariahboxes

For Sale or Trade (FSOT)

Click here for a link to my Pinterest board to view items that I have for sale or trade.

In Search Of (ISO)

Click here for a link to my Pinterest board to view items that I am in search of.

My Referral Code

If you liked this blog post and are thinking about taking a look at Golden Tote, please use my referral code. There's no obligation to purchase and sign up is free!

Golden Tote: http://www.goldentote.com/index.php?route=common/referral&referral=e2bc5413cfd9f65f

Fabletics Review July 2014

Introduction - What is Fabletics?

Fabletics is an athletic wear subscription box that offers a variety of athletic outfits and items. As a VIP member, you receive discounts on athletic wear items. You can purchase items from the boutique or purchase entire outfits at a discounted price. Prices for outfits start at $49.95. However, for your first outfit you get 50% off.

To learn more click here.

Fabletics Review - July 2014

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to share with you my second Fabletics outfit, the Brazil! After reaching some of my fitness goals, I decided I'd earned a new cute workout outfit. The Brazil outfit normally retails for $84.85, but with Fabletics VIP membership I got this outfit for $59.95. This outfit includes the cute Gariota Capri legging ($39.95). These leggings have two lines of see through mesh on each leg. As well, there was the Embra Tank ($24.95) and the Sevan Sports Bra ($19.95).

Side note: I was surprised to receive this outfit two postal days earlier than my notification stated. It arrived the same day as my Golden Tote. Talk about an awesome Friday!

Originally, I had opted to skip July by the 5th day deadline. However, after receiving an email featuring this outfit I couldn't resist! I have to say this outfit is even more comfortable than my first outfit I purchased and so cute! I have plans to also wear the leggings under some of my Golden Tote dresses.

How it Looked on Me

Front view of the outfit, next to my Kettlebell for my morning workout

Back view, as you can see there is an open back design that is absolutely gorgeous.

Also, below is a view of the Mesh detailing on the leggings.

To be honest these leggings are the most comfortable I've ever worn! They are a perfect fit and had the perfect amount of stretch during my morning workout. The label describes these capri leggings as: smooth, Chafe-Resistant Design; convenient Hidden Pocket; Moisture Wicking, Four-Way Stretch; mesh panels keep you cool.

As for the tank top and sports bra, I loved the them. They are soft and cool (perfect for California weather). However, I do have to comment that if you have a larger cup size, the sports bra does not offer entire support. It is more of a soft bra (so perfect for my Kettlebell and body weight exercises). I will likely avoid running in this sports bra since I prefer a little more support.

Here's how the outfit held up while I did my morning swings (still working on my form, but much better than when I first started Kettlebells):