Saturday, September 27, 2014

Golden Tote September 2014

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

I received my September Golden Tote this week and I couldn't wait to see what my surprises were. I also love that they have been changing their tote bags so often. For this month, they actually created 2 designs, one has leaves all over it and the other had wheat stalks on it. I really liked both of the designs, and didn't want one design over the other. I'm happy with the leaf one I received!

This month Golden Tote also changed their packaging slightly. Normally everything comes in plastic bags, but now the clothing is folded together and wrapped in a headband, which is a very cute idea. And then the items are placed in the tote bag. It felt more like opening up a gift and more special, for some reason. Like someone had to actually think about what they were choosing for me and fold them up and wrap them together, instead of just grabbing some bags of clothes and putting them in a tote. I really like the changes this month!


Now onto the clothes. Here's what I received in my tote!


Golden Tote always includes style cards for the items you chose for your tote.



I ordered a $149 tote this month and was able to choose 2 items. My first choice was this Puella maxi dress in a chevron print. This was the one item I knew I had to have, and surprisingly it wasn't that popular until people started receiving their totes and trying it on! It is now sold out in this print, but can be purchased in a tile print, which is still very nice. When I tried this on I loved it immediately! Puella items are so effortless and comfy and just pretty. I can throw this on and look pulled together. And I can't wait to style it with boots and cardigans for the fall. The print was different than I expected in person, but I love it so much! This was my favorite item in my tote!!!


The next item I chose was also Puella. It's a Puella cocktail dress in a blue print. I love how this is different from the dresses Puella usually offers. I do not own any high necked dresses, so I knew I wanted to add this to my wardrobe, plus I loved how flowy and pretty it was! This will be great any time of year, but I'm looking forward to wearing it with tights and boots and a black blazer.



My first surprise item was something I had requested. Golden Tote released a few spoilers for surprise items and this was one I knew I had to have. It's a Skies are Blue blouse. I love the yellow and blue embroidery and it's different from anything I currently own. It is very comfortable and will look great dressed up or down. I was very happy they included this in my tote as I had requested! I love it!!!



The next item was a Le Lis sweatshirt. They sent me a size medium in this shirt (though I'm normally a small) and I'm so glad they did. I like my sleeves to be long and these are slightly shorter than I prefer and I can only imagine how short they would have been with the small. This is very comfortable and I love the color combo I received! This was by far my favorite from all the ones I had seen. And I'm happy I was sent the medium, so it fits me the way I like. The black part is quilted, which makes it unique and different from anything I own. I think I'm going to try to wear this dressed up and casually, because it's just that cute!



I also received the Priddy pants with faux leather waist band in charcoal. These are so comfortable! They fit like ankle length and I'm 5'6". I was so happy I received the charcoal color. It was the ones I liked the best and was hoping for. I think I'll be getting a lot of wear out of these with blouses and blazers and cardigans and everything!


The final item I received was a Color Thread tee with red plaid. This shirt was so comfortable, but was not me at all. I couldn't see myself wearing it and really didn't feel like myself when I had it on. I knew I had to trade it, so this shirt went off to a better home. I will just post a picture of what it looked like, but do not have a styled picture of it. It was comfy and cute, just not me.

And since there are always surprise items that I don't get in my tote, but have to have I end up purchasing items from the Golden Tote Trading Group. This month I tried to refrain myself and not buy too much, though there is a red and tan Aztec print promesa skirt that I can't stop thinking about and may have to break down and buy from someone. Another item I couldn't resist this month was this Hourglass Lilly dress. I feel like it has a 70s vibe to it, but I fell in love with the color and everything about it. It's very soft and comfortable and I can wear it belted or not. It will be great with tights and boots in the fall or cute booties. I can't wait to wear this styled in so many ways. It's very short, so it would also work with leggings.




My September Golden Tote was a hit with only one item that I wasn't crazy about. I can't wait to wear everything!


*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!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Citrus Lane September 2014

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

My 27 month old daughter's Citrus Lane box arrived. This month the items included were celebrating the fall when more time is spent inside. Bed and bath products were included to help out with those times of the day. I had no idea what to expect this month, because I didn't receive any e-mail to choose a product of my choice. And I didn't look at spoilers, so I had no idea what I would see in this box.


Citrus Lane always includes an information card explaining everything in the box. This box didn't seem very full this month, but I was liking what I saw when I opened the tissue paper.


The first item included was Twinkles To Go from Cloud B in pink. This is a really cute nightlight that projects stars and bubbles. It's so adorable and will go in her room perfectly! We do already have the turtle that projects stars, but this actually looks better in her room, so we may be moving the turtle so this one can take it's place.


The next item was something we ripped open immediately and used right away. The Pieces Foam Bath Puzzle from Boon is a fun puzzle that sticks to the wall of a tub. My daughter is always excited about a new bath toy! We worked to put the puzzle together, but once she found out how great the pieces were for splashing me with water, it turned into a much different game with lots of giggling.


We also received the Radish Dish Soap from Mrs. Meyers. I wasn't sure what this would smell like, but I like it! It's different and will definitely be used.


The final item included in this month's box was Write On Your Own Shoe Label from Emily Press. These allow kids to match up the image on the label so shoes go on the right feet. It's such a cute idea!


I love everything in this month's Citrus Lane box! It felt a little emptier than some months, but I know we will use every item, so I'm very happy with it. I always love getting new and different things I wouldn't think of buying and don't already have. I can't wait to see what next month brings!

*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!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Popsugar Must Have September 2014

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

I received my September Popsugar Must Have box this week. I looked at spoilers and wasn't too thrilled with this box. I was hoping I would like the items better in person. The inspiration for the September box was autumn leaves, long walks, new tunes, back to school, fashion week, and football.


And here is a look inside.


The star of the box was the Tilo Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin that retails for $125. I really like the scarf. The color is great for fall! But, I'm so tired of getting scarves. I have lots and I wear them, but it's rare. I'd love to see some different fashion items in some of these boxes. I'm really over scarves for awhile. Of course, I'll wear it, because it's beautiful, but just wish they would have sent something different and unique for fall. What would be your dream item to see in a subscription box???


I also received Nicole Miller Stereo Earbuds. These are a fun blue color, but I really do not need any more earbuds. Fortunately, for my niece, she was just asking for some, and I remembered I was getting these, so these will go to her. I'm happy they will go to good use and I'm sure she'll love them!


Ok, this next item looked plain gross when I pulled it out of the box. I mean the packaging was nice, but I thought, no way am I eating that. It was an Almond Brownie by Urban Remedy. Right before writing this review, I thought I should try it to give it a fair review, so I tried it and it seriously was delicious! I'm not kidding, I really liked it. It's 100% organic and tasted good! I'm not sure it'd be for everyone, because it's not your normal brownie texture or flavor or shape, but I really loved it and therefore will probably also use the gift card to buy more or browse for other goodies.


I also received Oribe Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray. I do like other products I've tried from this brand, but I don't tend to use hairspray, so this probably won't get much use. I haven't tried it either, so I don't have too much to say about it.


I understand why Popsugar Must Have included the Letter C Design Gold Foil Arrow Pencils, because they go with the back to school theme for September, but to be honest, I probably will not use these and am really struggling to think of someone I could gift them to that would enjoy them. I love that they came with a pencil sharpener. And maybe I'll try to use them, if I ever need a pencil! They are a cute design, just not sure it was something I needed or will use.


The Rifle Paper Co Garance Dore Assorted Girls Card Set was my favorite item in this month's box! I love the designs and I will use these!!! I would have loved Popsugar Must Have to include some cute colored pens or markers to use with them instead of the pencils.



Popsugar Must Have also included a couple Special Extras in this month's box. The first was a $20 Nike Gift Card to promote the Nike Pro Bra. I will have to check it out to see if the gift card is worth using. I didn't take a picture of the gift card. The other special extra was Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Almond Minis. I love these!


After seeing everything in person, I'm not too excited about this month's box. There are a few things I will use and everything seems to be good quality and the items in the box far exceeded the cost, but it just wasn't for me. I'm hoping October will be better! I actually began subscribing to Popsugar Must Have in October of last year and that was one of my favorite boxes, so we'll see how it compares to this year.

*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!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Birchbox September 2014

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

I received my September Birchbox and couldn't wait to dig in and try my samples. I knew I was happy with all my samples this month because I peaked in my account to see what I would be getting before my box arrived.


And here is a look inside the pretty box. They gave the boxes a new look for their anniversary month. Birchbox is now 4!



Birchbox always includes an information card explaining everything in the box and describing their theme. This month the theme was Fresh Paint. "September means turning the page on summer, and diving into fall's colors, textures, and inspiration." 


And now onto the samples I received this month. The item I chose to sample this month was Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Starter Kit. Other people had received this in earlier months' samples and I wanted to try it, so I was very happy it was included in the choices for this month. This cleanser made my face so smooth after just one use. The cloth provides skin with just the right amount of exfoliation and I liked the consistency of the cleanser and the eucalyptus scent! I can't wait to keep using this to see if I see any other improvements.


I also received Harvey Prince Hello Perfume. I usually do not like perfume, but this smelled amazing in the tube. I loved the citrus scent blended with subtle florals. I couldn't wait to spray it on myself. On me....I hated it! It's too strong and floral. If I could get it to smell like it does in the sample bottle when it's on me I would love it, but unfortunately this scent doesn't work for me.


The item I was most excited to receive in this month's Birchbox was Tocca Crema da Mano Luxe Hand Cream in Bianca. I love hand cream and this felt luxurious and soft on my hands. The Green Tea and Lemon scent was subtle and very nice! I couldn't stop smelling my hands. I definitely want to buy more of this!!!


I also received Skin & Co Roma Sicilian Light Serum Vitamin C Brightening Face Serum. It seems I get quite a few serums to sample from Birchbox and I enjoy sampling them, but honestly I don't see much difference in my skin after the use of the sample size. I tried this serum and it's nice. It doesn't feel heavy on my face and doesn't have a strong scent, which I like. But, I didn't notice any drastic improvements in my skin after a couple uses. 


I received Temptu Highlighter in Champagne Shimmer. It looked quite dark in the sample and I wasn't sure it would work on my pale, pale skin, but it blended in nicely and gave a subtle glow. I applied it on my cheekbones and above my eyelids. It wasn't totally noticeable, but just what my face needed for Monday morning skin! 


The final item I received was a Birchbox find, ChapStick Dual-Ended Hydration Lock in Moisturize & Renew. The moisturize end smooths and reduces the appearance of fine lines and contains CoQ10 and Hyaluronic spheres. The renew end has natural butters like Shea and Mango to condition and instantly soften lips. I like ChapStick and can never have enough, so I was happy to see this, especially going into fall when the weather changes and my lips need some extra care. I also love both ends with different purposes!


I was very happy with the samples I received in my Birchbox this month. I hope subscribers get to continue to choose one of their samples each month. It's nice knowing one item is something you've been wanting to try. I can't wait to continue to use these samples throughout the 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!