Golden Tote July 2014

Rating: Love It!!!!
Cost: $49 or $149/tote (I'm reviewing the $149 tote)

My Golden Tote arrived last week and I couldn't wait to see what I got this month! It was very difficult for me to decide on only two items this month, because I really liked all the choices. I decided to choose items different than what I normally would select. I was very happy with what I finally decided on and couldn't wait to see them in person. Golden Tote has been changing the tote bag design more frequently and I was in love with the nautical design this month!

Here is what I received. Many people received the same surprise items this month in different colors, so you might recognize what was in my tote already.

My first chosen item was the Hourglass Lilly maxi dress in navy. I don't usually wear strapless dresses and am not usually comfortable in them, but I fell in love with this dress the moment I saw it and knew I needed to try it. The great thing about Golden Tote is I have had excellent luck trading the items that don't work for me in the Golden Tote Trading Group Facebook site. It lets me take a chance on items, even if I'm not sure they'll work for me. But the moment I put this dress on, I knew it was a keeper. It fit perfectly and was very comfortable. It looks long in this picture (I'm wearing flat sandals), but it's actually the perfect length for me. I'm also wearing the Michael Stars sun hat from my Popsugar Must Have July box! I love this dress!!!

The next item I chose was the Lace Open Back Boheme Top by De Phil. This top is completely different from anything I own and much more bohemian than I would normally choose for myself, but I loved it and thought I'd try it. Also, some people have tried it backwards, as a cardigan, and it works! This is very versatile. It looks great worn as intended with dark skinny jeans and a tank underneath. I've been really into lace details lately. And I love the unexpected open back. I was very happy with this top and plan on wearing it a lot!

Now onto the surprise items. The first one was a Priddy by Puella open back dress. I love how this fits and am so happy you can wear it with a regular bra! I wasn't crazy for the pattern I received and was hoping for a different one, but my guy thinks this one looks great, so it's a keeper. I'm a little unsure of the color on me. What do you all think??? And why are there so many paisley fabrics everywhere. I'm really not a fan. I was dreading getting the blue paisley pattern, at least this one just has some paisley detail on the bottom.

I also received a Roly Poly lace detail top in navy. This shirt is very comfortable and I love the lace detail on the arms and back. I'm not too sure about the tie in the back, but I'm going to try to figure out a way to make it work. I was hoping I would receive this shirt in navy or the mint green color, so I was happy when I saw this in my tote. Please excuse Winston my photo bomber. He was posing, so I had to use it!

The final two surprise items I received were the Cut + Sew by Golden Tote floral top and the Celebrity Pink Jeans chambray shorts with drawstring. I love that this makes a cute summer outfit! They showed this shirt as a spoiler and I was hoping for this color. I was so excited it showed up in my tote! I love both these pieces so much and am glad they fit perfectly.

My whole Golden Tote was a hit this time! I love to trade, but it makes it even better when I don't have to and still love everything!!! The August sale starts Monday, August 4th and I'm going to try to skip a month, but we'll see how much willpower I have when Monday rolls around.

*This subscription was purchased and financed by me, unless noted otherwise. Posts may contain referral links and I totally appreciate it when you use them!

Citrus Lane July 2014

Rating: Love It!!!!
Cost: $29/month

My 25 month old daughter's Citrus Lane box arrived. We're always so excited to see what they send each month. I was hoping for some products I hadn't seen. This month's box was about travel, and they included some of their favorite products for on the go.

Here is my first look after I ripped open the tissue paper.

Citrus Lane always includes an information card describing everything included in the box.

Citrus Lane has been letting subscribers choose one item in their box lately. This month I was able to choose between a camera or phone. My daughter has lots of pretend phones, so I opted for the camera. We received My First Camera by Plan Toys and my daughter loves this. It's so cute with it's kaleidoscope lens and working button. She loves going around pretending to take pictures of everything! It's the cutest thing!!!

The next item was Aqueduck Faucet Extender from Peachy. These are the types of products I love getting from Citrus Lane. It's something so useful, but I would never think to buy it. This makes it easier for little kiddos to reach the faucet water. Genius!! My daughter loves washing up, so this is perfect. She's at the age where she has to do everything herself, so with this she can! I love it!!!

The next item was a Silicone Placemat from Oogaa. We actually received this same placemat in a previous box in pink, but I'm fine with it because this one is purple and we use these. We actually own the bowls and spoons by Oogaa too and love all their products! I would never be disappointed to have duplicates of any of their items.

We also received something that wasn't on the information card. It had a little note inside that said we may have received a duplicate product from a previous box, so they sent us a little extra treat. In the Garden with Van Gogh is such a cute book!!! I'm so happy we received it! I felt like we won something when I noticed we had something extra and that is never a bad thing!

We also received Mighty 4 Pouch from Plum Organics. My daughter still eats these, so I'm happy to receive them. They're great for the car or when we're on the go and she needs to eat right away.

The final item was a mom product. It was Pur Protect SPF 30 from Pur-Lisse. We've received products from this brand in previous boxes and I've been very happy with them. I haven't tried this yet, but I definitely will. I use sunscreen every day, so I'm always happy to have more.

I'm always thrilled with the Citrus Lane box each month and this was no exception. I'm not lying when I tell you the toys included in these boxes each month continue to be my daughter's favorite. I can't wait to see what they come out with next!!!

*This subscription was purchased and financed by me, unless noted otherwise. Posts may contain referral links and I totally appreciate it when you use them!

Birchbox July 2014

Rating: Like It!!!
Cost: $10/month

My Birchbox arrived for July. I thought this box would get to me much quicker, because it seemed to ship out early this month, but I think it was stuck in the mail for awhile. I looked at what I would be receiving in my account, because I just couldn't wait, so it wasn't a surprise! This month's theme was Power Up. They teamed up with Women's Health Magazine this month and the samples included were to energize your routine.

Birchbox always sends an information card with the theme of the month and everything included in the box. This month they offered a choice of Ruffian Nail Polish in 3 colors or lip gloss. I chose the Ruffian Nail Polish, but that wasn't in my box. I was a bit disappointed, because I was really looking forward to it.

Here is a look at the samples I received this month. I wasn't too excited about them, but you never know until you try them.

The first item I received was Caudalie Divine Oil. I'm not too sure why I keep getting oil every month. I'm not too crazy about it. Oil kind of scares me because I have oily skin and it's at its worst in the summer months. This Caudalie Divine Oil can be used on skin, cuticles, or hair. I've tried it on my skin and it's nice, but no spectacular differences with a couple uses.

The next sample I received was Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Deep Bronze. I am very very very very pale, so this won't work for me. I did receive an e-mail from Birchbox shortly after receiving my box, and they recognized that they sent me this product, but it did not match my profile. They generously added points to my account to make up for their error. Birchbox has the best customer service!

I also received Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect. This is a sulfate-free leave in conditioner that safeguards color, strengthens, and nourishes. I've tried multiple kinds of these sprays and get similar results with all of them. I love them as detanglers and this seems to work well. I'm not crazy about the scent though. It's a bit too perfumed for my liking, but it does dissipate quickly, which I actually prefer.

The next item is surprisingly my favorite item in the box. It's Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Raina. This is a very nice blue colored eyeliner that goes on really smooth. I'm not a fan of eyeliners and very rarely wear them, but I find myself reaching for this one every day. It may just make me convert and I'm completely fine with that!

The last sample I received was a BB Exclusive, Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream in Acai Grapefruit. I'm really excited to try this. I love the packaging and have never tried any Whish products before. I already know I like the way this smells. It has a very fresh, light, and fruity scent!

This month I didn't receive any amazing products to try or anything that I was really excited about, but I still managed to find at least one great product that I'll probably buy in full size. I was really hoping for a Ruffian Nail Polish, but I guess something went wrong when I chose mine because it definitely wasn't included in my box. I'm hoping for some more interesting products next month.

*This subscription was purchased and financed by me, unless noted otherwise. Posts may contain referral links and I totally appreciate it when you use them!

Popsugar Must Have July 2014

Rating: Love It!!!!
Cost: $39.95/month

I received my July Popsugar Must Have box yesterday and I couldn't wait to see everything inside. I love seeing what Popsugar decides to send each month and can't seem to resist the spoilers to this box. Of course I peeked, so I knew what I'd be getting, but I was still excited to see everything in person.

This month I didn't receive an information card detailing what was in the box. I'm a bit bummed because I really do read them, but oh well. Though I didn't have an information card, this month's box definitely had a beach theme. Here was the first look. All I could really see was a hat.

So, the first item I'll talk about is the Michael Stars Sea Grass Crusher hat. I received a dark brown version, but I've also seen people receive a lighter tan version. I'm not sure I cared which color I received. I'm not a hat person, but I love how chic one of these hats can look on the beach, so I'm really going to try this look! I am leaving for a beach getaway this weekend, so I need some styling tips. Any suggestions of how I can pull this hat off?!? I'm not really sure how the brim should be, but it has wire in it, so you can bend it however you want.

The next item was Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen and Cool Down Lotion. I love this and it will be perfect for my trip this weekend! Considering I usually just slather on my daughter's sunscreen, this will look much nicer to take to the beach. I'm happy that we also received cool down lotion, just in case I get a little too much sun. But even if I don't I will still try this because it has aloe, vitamin E, and cocoa butter which will be good for my skin!

I also received Dang Toasted Coconut Chips. I've seen people receive these in other subscription boxes and I think I've also seen them in stores and always wanted to try them. I finally had the chance to try them and they are already gone! They were very yummy!!! My daughter and I ate the whole bag! I'll definitely be buying more of these.

The next item was my least favorite in the box. It was a TKO Soft Grip Jump Rope in Glacier and Ash. I don't think I've used a jump rope since I was a kid and though I should be better about exercising, the thought of jump roping just doesn't appeal to me. But, I'll keep it around for awhile in case I change my mind, plus I can't think of anyone I could give this to.

These Acme paper straws in chevron are so adorable! I can't wait to sip lemonade through these on a hot summer day on my patio. So cute!!! My daughter will also enjoy them. At 2 years old, she enjoys drinking everything out of straws. These not only included pink, orange, and yellow, but also silver, light blue, and teal are on the back. I don't think I've ever been so excited about straws before!

I also received French Bull Salad Servers in a rainbow chevron pattern. I also love these! Who could resist these? I can't wait to use them for my next salad. It will just make it more colorful and exciting!

The final item included was Revlon Bold Laquer mascara in blackest black. I'm always fine with receiving mascara in subscription boxes. It's the one beauty product I never leave the house without putting on. You will never see me without mascara and chapstick/lipgloss. I've never tried this brand of mascara before, so I'm excited to see how it compares to my normal brand.

I'll be honest, when I saw the spoilers for this month's Popsugar Must Have box, I was a bit underwhelmed and thought I wouldn't get much use out of the contents. My mind definitely changed when I saw the items in person, in a very good way. I'm excited about the hat and sunscreen for my weekend getaway (this box could not have arrived at a more perfect time). The coconut chips were so good, they're already gone. And besides the jump rope, I loved everything. I don't compare the cost of the items to the cost of the box, because Popsugar does a great job of far exceeding the value each month (I think the cost of the beach hat this month is more than the cost of the box). As long as I like and will use a majority of the products I consider it a good box, and this definitely met and exceeded my expectations. Now I just need to figure out how to wear this hat. Please let me know if you have any tips. This is very very new to me!

*This subscription was purchased and financed by me, unless noted otherwise. Posts may contain referral links and I totally appreciate it when you use them!

Popbasic Jane Collection and Le Breton

Rating: Love It!!!!
Cost: $75

My Popbasic Jane Collection arrived this week as well as the Popbasic Le Breton I had pre-ordered. I know I say every collection is my favorite and I truly mean it at that time. The Jane Collection is no different. I love it! Everything fits me perfectly and the pieces are high quality fabrics. And it ships so quick! Within a few days of ordering, the package is on my doorstep. That makes me very happy!!!

The Jane Collection included the Jane Blush Tee, a Basic Black Pencil Skirt, and a Deux Loop Necklace for $75. Popbasic also includes a small extra item in the package. 

Popbasic always has a handwritten postcard and a style card, that includes different ways to style the pieces. Here are the extras this month. I think these are my favorite so far. There is a card and envelope from Pennie Post. I'm constantly using stationary, so I love this so much! There was also cleansing towelettes from The Creme Shop in blueberry. I'm excited to try these!

The Jane Blush Tee is so soft and I love the color of it, it's a pale pink. It looks great with the pencil skirt and also looks great with jeans. It has a cute puckered detail in the back and is longer. I love the shape of this tee and how it fits loose. I will get a ton of wear out of this, as I do with all my Popbasic pieces!

The Basic Black Pencil Skirt is perfect! It fits amazing and has a slit on the back. It's comfortable, but still looks pulled together. I tried this with a few different outfits and it looked great with everything. I was searching for the perfect pencil skirt and this is definitely it!

The Deux Loop Necklace was pictured in the first outfit with all 3 pieces of the collection. This is a classic looking necklace in a gold tone. It looks great with the tee and the pencil skirt, but I think I'll be throwing this on with lots of outfits. Here is a closer look at it.

I love the Popbasic Jane Collection. I know I'll be getting a lot of use out of the pencil skirt for work and the blush tee is so comfy that I want to wear it every day. If you love this collection also, you can still purchase it on the Popbasic website! And if you are new to Popbasic and haven't used a referral credit yet, you can save $15 by clicking on any of my links in this post.

I pre-ordered the Le Breton and it finally arrived! I was sad I missed out on this shirt when it was offered as part of a collection. I was so happy when Popbasic decided they would bring back some of their popular items to order. The Le Breton was the first piece they offered. Right now you can pre-order the Le Breton in red/white if you are interested. It will be available until July 18th.

*This subscription was purchased and financed by me, unless noted otherwise. Posts may contain referral links and I totally appreciate it when you use them!

Golden Tote June 2014 Surprise Tote

Rating: Not For Me!
Cost: $99/tote

Golden Tote announced a Surprise Tote on June 20th. It would contain 4-5 surprise items for $99, and you could select to receive all new surprise items or past surprises. Of course, I jumped at the chance and ordered a surprise tote immediately. I chose to receive new surprise items, since I order quite often. I was excited and nervous to see what they would select for me! From the spoilers I had seen the totes were very hit or miss, and I knew I'd be very happy if a few of the pieces showed up in my tote. Of course I don't have the best luck in these types of things, so I was betting I'd get the worst items. Their was a pair of wide leg yoga pants that I was hoping I wouldn't get. And also a lot of skin colored/beige items I knew wouldn't work for me.

When my tote arrived yesterday, I was busy at work and couldn't wait to get a break to rip open the box. So, now on to what I got. If you're on the Facebook Golden Tote Trading Group, you may notice a few familiar pieces in this picture.

I've been modeling my clothes lately, but I couldn't for this tote, because I was so disappointed in most of the items. Not that the clothes aren't great, but I am very very very pale and can't wear the beige colors. I seriously contemplated returning this tote, which I probably should have, but I'm also addicted to trading, so I tried my luck at that. Not having much luck :(

I'll start with my favorite piece I received. It was this Fantastic Fawn Striped Dress. I had requested Fantastic Fawn dresses, since everyone received such cute ones in their June totes. This was perfect! Totally adorable and fit great, but I had seen a maxi dress I fell in love with and had to get my hands on in the trading group. So, I sadly traded this dress for it, but I'm hoping I love the new maxi even more! Maybe I'll add some pictures of me wearing it, if I love it!!!

I also received a Miss Love Crochet Detail Top. I loved the detail on this top and it fit loose and would have been great for summer, but this color was awful on me. Like this would never ever leave my closet if I kept it. You know when you have a shirt on that's too close to your skin tone and makes you look like you're not wearing anything. This was it! (Sorry for the wrinkles and bad pictures. These were used for trading purposes and they're all I have. But luckily this is already off to a new home!!!)

The next item I received was Jolie Black Linen Drawstring Shorts. These are very short (2 1/4 inch inseam) and not flattering on my very small, very pale frame. And these seem so boring for a Golden Tote piece. I keep buying totes to get different items I don't see everywhere. And these are definitely not that! So, they're up for trade, if anyone is interested!

The final item I received was a Collective Concepts Ruffle Dot Detail Top. This would be cute if it was a different color. I just can't pull off this beige with my skin tone. The ruffle goes all the way around to the back too. It fits well and has adjustable straps, and if it was any other color I would love it. So, this is also up for trade, if anyone is interested!

My Golden Tote Surprise Tote was unfortunately a big dud. And the one item I liked, I ended up trading, go figure. I really don't have luck at totally surprise type grab bag things, where some people get great things and some don't. And trading is great, but do you know how difficult it is to trade the duds. Let's just say, I won't be ordering a surprise tote anytime in the future.

If you have better luck than me, and want to order a Golden Tote Surprise Tote they are still available in the boutique.

UPDATE: I ended up keeping the above Collective Concepts tank and thanks to the styling tips from the wonderful girls on the Facebook Golden Tote Trading Group, this is how I'm wearing it!

And now for the trades. I received this Under Skies Floral Tank. I wasn't sure how this would fit or if I would like it in person, but I love it!!! It's very versatile and can be worn to work or casually. ( I really have to work on my facial expressions. Can you tell I hate getting my picture taken?!?)

This Miss Love Blue Maxi Dress is the reason I traded the only item in my surprise tote I liked. When I first saw this dress I knew I had to have it! I love the color and style of it. It has a slip underneath the skirt to about my knees and then the bottom part of the dress is sheer. It has a pretty detail around the armholes. I am completely in love with this dress and extremely happy it fit me! I styled it with a belt, but it also looks great without a belt, because it has a cinched waist. This dress makes me so happy!!!

*This subscription was purchased and financed by me, unless noted otherwise. Posts may contain referral links and I totally appreciate it when you use them!