MunchPak April 2014 Review + Silly Contest (Contest Now Closed)

***Congratulations to Taketha for winning my little contest!***  

Please note that the contest mentioned below is now closed.

  The answer was "shrimp chips". Thanks to all who entered!

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If there is a monthly subscription service that screams "Guilty Pleasure", it has to be MunchPak!  There is almost NO redeeming dietary value in a MunchPak.  In a PC crazed world, that IS much of the appeal.

Since I recently reviewed the March MunchPak, I'll skip the details.  But if you need to catch up, click here.

You never know what you'll see in a MunchPak.  From the three boxes I've received so far, I'd classify the snacks into four categories:  current favorites, throwbacks to childhood, international and just plain weird! Every month there is at least one snack that makes me do a double take...like "Did they REALLY include that"? (Fortunately, I signed up right AFTER the giant pickle debacle.)          

Now for the silly contest.  There is one product in this month's box that I won't touch. Guess which one it is in the Comments section below.  The first person who gets it right wins.  I will either mail that item to you or Paypal you $3.00...your choice. (Hey...this is a low budget blog!)  One guess per e-mail address, please.  With that out of the way, let's dig in.....

This is the second or third "Hello Panda" product I've received in a subscription box. The brand comes from Singapore and features tiny biscuit type cookies with various panda prints on them.  The cookies have some kind of filling, cream, chocolate or strawberry. Since discovering these, I've found there is quite a sub-culture of "Hello Panda" aficionados out there. Fortunately for them, it's usually possible to get a fix through Amazon.

This probably falls in the "current" product category.  It's a big reclosable package of Pringles cheese flavored baked crispy sticks.  (Since there is such a high stakes contest underway, I'll refrain from opinions for once.)

Next we have a Cadbury "Curly Wurly" and a "Chili Rokas" hard candy.  The Curly Wurly is a repeat from February.  I believe it's a milk chocolate strip with a caramel center. The Chili Rokas is from Mexico and the flavor is pineapple.  

I am guessing that there aren't too many U.S. manufacturers who would name their product "Pocky"!  This comes from Thailand and as you can see, is a box of chocolate covered biscuit sticks.

Next up is a package of Shrimp Chips from Calbee.  These actually come from California and are described as "a toasted light snack, with a touch of shrimp".  

I had not heard of a Nestle Drifter candy bar before but it is a "crispy wafer dipped in chewy caramel and covered in chocolate".  The Nature Valley granola bar is an unusual flavor, "Dark Chocolate Cherry".

OK, I can't stand it. I'm giving you a freebie here since I'm unable to restrain myself. MunchPak hit it out of the park as far as I'm concerned with a BIG dark chocolate bar by a French company called Falize.  This is at least 47% cocoa solids with sea salt crystals. It is also the main reason I'm in a hurry to finish this review!

This is a 3 oz. package of soy crackers that is labeled in English.  The package says it comes from the U.S.A., but with a name like "Yaki Mochi" and the brand "Hapi", I'm guessing these originate somewhere in Asia and are just re-packaged in the U.S.

  

This "Choco Pie" by Lotte strikes me as one of the throwback to childhood products. It's like a smaller version of the traditional moon pie.

"Fruit Pastilles" by Rowntrees were included in the March box but packaged differently.  Rowntree is a U.K. company that is related to Nestle's.  The MunchPaks I have received have included quite a few of their products, which are mostly fruit flavored.

Squarely in the "weird" category is this "Jelly Ice Bar" with cartoon pictures on it. This comes from "Candy Planet" and believe it or not, the third item in the ingredient list is "seaweed extract".  The feel of this stick is really odd; something like vacuum-packed Jello.  

  

Last but not least is a package of New York Style brand baked pita chips. These come in several different flavors; this one is seasoned with sea salt.

So there you have it, the April MunchPak!  This one was the middle size which they term the "Original".  As promised, the box weighs slightly over two pounds.  

I am quite pleased with this month's box but as I said, there is one product I will NOT be opening, much less eating. Guess which one it is in the Comments section below and you just might be the lucky winner!  (Siblings who know me very well are disqualified.) Winner will be announced on April 14th.

Let the snacking commence....thanks for reading!

Cheryl  

Blush Mystery Beauty Box April 2014 Review + $10 Gift Card

OK, I'll admit that, like MANY other beauty subscription box subscribers, I have been completely spoiled by the vast array of products which are usually included in the Blush Mystery Beauty Boxes. The quantity and diversity of products they send has pretty much become the standard by which I judge their competitors.  So, I was a little disappointed with the April shipment which included only seven products, two of which were small foil pack samples and one of which could be described as a luxury sample size.  However, the other four items are full size which somewhat compensates for the smaller number of items this month.

The first item in April's box is a full size Jonathan Infinite Volume Shampoo for fine/thin hair...of course, the opposite of my hair's texture.  This is one real drawback of subscribing to a beauty subscription service that does not do any upfront profiling; you get things that are not right for you.  Theoretically, the "no quiz" services can operate at lower cost so you SHOULD get more for your money than for the highly curated beauty boxes.  Not sure that was the case this time. 

   
The luxury sample is a face product called Stimulskin Plus Divine Multi-Corrective Cream by Darphin.  This is a French product that contains sea emeralds that supposedly have anti-aging properties.  It smells nice and I'll give it a try.

The two foil pack samples are "The Liquid Airbrush Foundation 5" by Kevyn Aucoin and a "Hair Inhibiting Swipe" (huh?) in "pomegranate" by Whish.  The instructions on this one are sufficiently vague that I know not to ask questions or attempt to explain further.  (Do your own research!)

A full size Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray by Oscar Blandi was included.  The exact same product was included in the Spring FabFitFun box, so those of you who subscribe to both probably received two of them.  Seems to me that the beauty industry has been over-hyping dry shampoo for the past year or so.  I'm sure that some find it useful, but honestly, I don't know a single person who uses it on a regular basis.  Wish the industry would move on to some other new product that more of us would actually use.  (Yes, I know I'm being a bit cranky but you should see how many dry shampoos I have!)

A particularly nice product this month is a beautiful Cult nail lacquer in the shade "Runyon". This is a grayish green shade that I haven't seen before.  Really like this!

Then they included a very odd choice....another nail polish by Vapour in the shade "Ether". Ether???  That's what you spray in the carburetor when your car won't start!  I don't know what Blush was thinking on this one; this was probably one of those products that they had a warehouse full of that they needed to get rid of quickly.  I suppose it will make the hard core Goths happy!

In my opinion, the big winner this month is the lip crayon duo by La Bella Donna.  One end is a lip liner and the other end is a lip color.  I received the "Luscious" duo, a beautiful color that works perfectly with my skin tone.  So glad to receive this!

To get the full details regarding subscription to the Blush Mystery Beauty Box, please click here to read my February review.    

If you'd like a $10 gift card from Blush, send me an e-mail at thelonestarshopper@gmail.com and I will submit your e-mail address to Blush. Please note that this will NOT work if your e-mail address is already signed up with either Blush, Dermstore or Hair Envy.  The gift card is good for any purchase on their site but I am not sure if it works for the Blush Mystery Beauty Bag or not.  (If anyone has experience with this, please e-mail me or comment below.)    

Thanks for reading and let me know if you would like the $10 gift card.

Cheryl

Taste Trunk (Sweet Trunk) Subscription Box Review March 2014 + 25% Discount!

One of the hazards of writing a subscription box review blog is that you really can't tear into some of the more delicious looking items until a) they are photographed and b) have been written up.  So I'm in a hurry to write this post.  When you see some of the items below, you'll understand why!

Since I first reviewed Taste Trunk last month, I'll just provide a link if you'd like to read more details about who they are, what they offer and how their service works: Taste Trunk Review February 2014

Here is March's hefty treasure chest printed box:

Inside, a black envelope contains four explanatory cards for this month's contributors, one each for New Canaan Farms, Carol's Cookies, Dancing Deer Baking Co. and Torie & Howard.  

Half the box is occupied by three of the biggest individually packaged cookies I have ever seen! This photo really does not do them justice.  Each one of these gargantuan cookies weighs almost half a pound and measures more than four inches across. These come from Carol's Cookies in Highland Park, IL. They are handmade and the ingredient list on the back of each package actually reads like a recipe you'd make yourself without a single unrecognizable additive or preservative.  The three flavors I received are Peanut Butter Chocolate, Oatmeal Raisin and Toffee Crunch. Fortunately for me, these can be frozen for up to a month.   

Next is a tin of individually wrapped organic hard candies by Torie & Howard in the "pomegranate & nectarine" flavor.  The same thing (in a different flavor) was included in last month's box.  The candies are good and the tin is reusable.  

  
A brown paper bag printed with vintage advertisements contained ten gold wrapped milk chocolate half dollars. I SO wish these had been dark chocolate!  Oh well, they are fun and will go to a friend who prefers milk chocolate.  (I'll give you three guesses as to why there are only NINE coins in the photo!)

An elegant gourmet item in this month's box is a full size bottle of "Strawberry Chocolate Dessert Sauce" by New Canaan Farms. This stuff smells decadent and the label suggests using it on ice cream sundaes, cupcakes or dessert crepes.  The crepe idea really appeals to me!  

And last but not least is a six ounce box of Lemon Daisy Cookies by the Dancing Deer Baking Co. These all natural cookies are made from quality ingredients and packaged in a whimsical way. There are 12 cookies in the package.

Now you can see why I was in a hurry to get this post finished!  My Taste Trunk awaits!

If you would like to try Taste Trunk, they have provided a generous 25% discount code for new customers:  Lonestarshopper25.  

Enjoy and thanks for reading!

Cheryl

Co-Ed Supply March 2014 Subscription Box Review + $10 Discount!

Co-Ed Supply is a subscription service geared towards college students.  But after seeing their March box, I think almost anyone could benefit from most of the products in the box.  The boxes come in two sizes:

• The Classic - $20/mo. - 7-9 products on average, free shipping
• The Deluxe - $35/mo. - 12-15 products on average, free shipping

You can also gift just one box for the same prices.  When you sign up, you indicate whether the box is for a girl or a guy and the contents will be curated accordingly.

I received the Deluxe box for a girl.  When the box arrived, I was immediately impressed because, at more than three pounds, it's the biggest subscription box I have received to date. Size does count when it comes to subscription boxes! 

Inside was the standard information card which describes the products and gives their retail values.  

The biggest item in the box (and I suspect the main difference between this box and the smaller "Classic" box) is a Paper Desk Set by Kikkerland.  This is a brightly colored and coordinated set of 10 paper boxes that fit together to make a tray to organize desk clutter. Wonderful creative idea for a college student or any home office!

Next is a bag of Medley's Original Zesty Mix by El's.  This is a gluten-free snack mix made of flaxseed corn ships (which I love), corn nuts, pretzels, potato chips and various seasonings. Looks really good!

There is a single serving package of Chia Boost whole seeds by Salba, which I've heard is good sprinkled on oatmeal or cereal or mixed in various drinks.  A small box of "Energems" is another dietary supplement that provides "great tasting energy" pieces made with milk chocolate.  These are both new to me but seem appealing enough to try.

  
Then we have a package containing four sturdy red plastic "Knorks", grandly described as "The World's Newest Multi-Functional Utensil".  Supposedly, these are made in such a way that they serve as both fork and knife.  They look like they are meant to be used more than once and are marked "dishwasher safe".

Next is a package of Mama's Magic Mix, "a snack that's naughty & nice".  This one is called "Banana Split Baby Mama Drama"....not sure I'd want to send this one to a college girl!  But it does look good; it's an interesting mix of freeze dried banana chips and strawberries, peanuts, caramel puffs and chocolate covered graham crackers.

  
Another cute Kikkerland product in this box is an Owl Laundry Bag.  This is a gray nylon bag with a blue owl on the front.  It holds up to two loads of laundry and has a pull string closure.  Very cute and useful!

There is a box containing a Secret Clinical Strength solid deodorant.  At .5 oz., this one is about half the normal size.  Would be great for travel.

There are two packets of first aid powders by Urgent Rx.  One is "Headache Relief To-Go" and the other is "Ache & Pain Relief To-Go", both in lemon-lime flavor.  I believe the powder form is intended to make these products work more quickly than pills.

Packaged cookies don't normally appeal to me, BUT....we're talking mini double chocolate chip cookies here.  I can make an exception.  These are by Home Free and are gluten free and all natural.

And finally we have two substantial looking food/energy bars by Two Degrees, one in apple pecan flavor and the other chocolate peanut.  These look delicious!

As you can see, this was quite an interesting box to open.  It was fun to find several new items that I have not seen in other subscription boxes. The box contained 13 products, 6 or 7 of which were full sized.  Some of these I will keep for myself and some will be gifted to nieces. This would definitely make a GREAT gift for any college student! 

Click here to get $10 off your first box!

Subscribe on!

Cheryl

PopSugar Must Have March 2014 Box Review + $5 Discount!!

One of the most buzzed about and highly anticipated subscription boxes every month is the PopSugar Must Have box. I suspect this is because it usually contains an interesting and diverse collection of products that closely reflect current trends and that have broad appeal to women.  The boxes contain a meticulously curated mix of beauty, fitness, fashion, food and home items.

When you sign up for PopSugar Must Have, you have an opportunity to fill out a profile that helps them get to know you.  I am not sure if they are currently using this information to customize the boxes as most of the ones I've read about seem to contain the same mix of items each month.  A nice feature of this service is that all the items in the box are full size.

Like many subscription services, PopSugar offers discounts for longer term subscriptions. Currently, their pricing is as follows:

• Monthly for $39.95
• 3 Months for $109.85 (save $10)
• 6 Months for $214.70 (save $25)
• 1 Year for $429.40 (save $50)

I have a discount code for you at the bottom of this post but keep in mind that PopSugar runs frequent promotions and their discount codes change frequently. Be sure to check their Facebook page where all current promotions are announced.  (a good rule of thumb when signing up for ANY subscription service!)

PopSugar's March 2014 box contained an especially fun group of products.  The piece de resistance (in my opinion) was the chrome elephant ring tree from Bauble Bar. Now I love almost anything from Bauble Bar but this little guy is not only useful...he is absolutely adorable!  Retail value is $12.

Next is a good size (3.3 oz.) package of Snapea Crisps.  I discovered these at Whole Foods about two years ago and have been a fan ever since.  People seem to love them or hate them but for me, they are a tasty alternative to potato chips.  They are lightly salted and high in fiber.  They are great on their own or can also be added as a crunchy topping on a salad.  Retail value $2.

One of the most anticipated items in the March box was the blue and white ikat scarf by Brokedown that was designed exclusively for PopSugar subscribers.  I had to look up "ikat"; it refers to a method of printing woven fabric by tie-dying various threads before weaving. This scarf has a beautiful watercolor like print that should make a versatile and comfortable wardrobe accessory.  Suggested retail value is $72.....uh, o.k.  It IS pretty, but $72?  I don't think so.

My box contained one skin care item this month....a full size bottle of Jurlique's Advanced Face Serum which has the anti-aging properties of diminishing dullness, reducing fine lines and increasing hydration.  This seems like a product that would lend itself to box customization based on age but since the description is printed on the card that came with the box, I don't know.  I am happy to try this but it might not be so welcome by younger subscribers.  If you received a different beauty product in your box, please comment below! Retail value $27.

    

An extra in this month's box is a Strawberry Fig Bar from Nature's Bakery.  This is a great tasting all natural treat that is cholesterol free and non GMO.  

A fun little piece of jewelry this month is a Lucky Horseshoe "Make A Wish" necklace by "Dogeared".  This is a charming little gold dipped horseshoe strung on sturdy thread. Judging from the message on the card, I think the idea is to wear it until the thread breaks, then your wish will come true!  Well, I don't think I will be THAT committed to it, but the charm is really cute.  May be a good present for a young teen I know.  Retail value $30.

  

Last, but certainly not least, is this month's fitness item which is a mini fitness ball by ActiveForever.  I was able to quickly inflate this ball with the included straw (no pump needed).  It is very lightweight and about 7-1/2" in diameter.  Suggestions on how to use it for exercising the thighs, abs or arms can be found on the PopSugar blog: musthave.popsugar.com/blog.  This seems like a fun item which could easily be worked into anybody's exercise routine.  Retail value $9.95.

The March box contained the usual pink fold out card with information about all the products, a 15% off Jurlique coupon, a 20% off Bauble Bar coupon and a 20% off coupon for Dogeared.  I know I'll be using at least one of those, maybe two.

So, the total retail value of the March box was $152.95.  Even allowing for the inflated retail prices (especially the scarf), that's still a very good value for the $39.95 box price.  

If you'd like to try PopSugar Must Have, click here.  Use the code "REFER5" to get $5.00 off your first delivery.

Thank you for reading,

Cheryl 

P.S.  Don't forget to subscribe so you won't miss out on upcoming subscription reviews and discounts!

Starlooks February 2014 Starbox Review

OK, this review is a bit late, like a MONTH late, but as it is one of the lesser known subscription boxes, I thought I'd give an introduction.  Starlooks Cosmetics has a line of professional quality makeup that is advertised as being natural looking and comfortable with emphasis on ease of application and blendability.  Their products are all cruelty free with no animal testing.  The monthly "Starbox" features three or four full size products, all from their own brand.  The cost for Starbox in the U.S. is $15.00 plus $2.68 for shipping.

After the lavish packaging I've become accustomed to with other beauty subscription boxes, I was initially underwhelmed by the small size and simple packaging of my first Starbox. This little box literally measures only 6.25"x5"x1".

Inside was the usual explanatory card showing descriptions for the four products inside:

The first product is a full-size Starlooks lipstick in the color "Drew".  This is an edgy metallic shade in sort of a light pinkish plum color.  It retails for $12.

Next is a Starlooks cream eye shadow in the shade "Phaser", a shimmery lavender color. This is a buildable shadow that allows customizable depth and color.  This also retails for $12.

The third cosmetic item is a container of Starlooks Pigment called "Tungsten", an extremely pigmented and shimmery charcoal gray shadow which retails for $17. There is a LOT of product in this little container!

Last is a beige colored nylon headband, not exciting, but always useful for keeping hair out of your face when applying makeup:

The information card mentions a crystal but there wasn't one in my box.  Apparently, you are supposed to collect them and make your own brush holder.  Oh well.

For me, the jury's still out.  I am reserving judgment until I see the next box. The total retail value of this box was $41 so I definitely got my money's worth and I believe these are all quality products.  However, this company is promoting only their own Starlooks branded cosmetics so it may be difficult for them to provide enough variety to keep subscribers interested for long.  They don't seem to be well known or widely reviewed so this might be a good time to try them out.  I have not been able to find any coupons or discount codes for Starbox, but if you're open-minded, at $15 plus shipping, I think you'll get some quality items at a good value.

Click here if you'd like to try them out!

As always, thanks for reading!

Cheryl