Sudsy Box Soap Subscription Review, August 2014 + 20% Discount Code

I haven't found a lot of soap subscription box companies but one really good one is Sudsy Box. They make all natural, gluten free and vegetarian soaps using olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and essential oils.  Their soaps are free of artificial colors and fragrances and contain no chemical preservatives.  

Every other month, Sudsy Box sends you three hand crafted bars of soap and a free sample of a bath or body product.  Their soaps are scented with classic scents such as lavender, rosemary, orange, lemon, clove, peppermint and cocoa. The cost is $20.00 per box with free shipping. Your subscription automatically renews and can be canceled at any time.

If you missed my first Sudsy Box review, you can check it out here for more details and pricing on longer term subscriptions.

My August Sudsy Box arrived recently.  The soaps come in a small branded box and are nested in a bed of pink crinkle shreds and wrapped in pale pink tissue.

The information flyer inside the box is printed on paper that is embedded with wildflower seeds. Just plant it in shallow soil, add water and watch the flowers grow!  How cool is that?  (The labels on the soaps are also plantable.) There is a card with a code (BOX20) that is good for 20% off your order at Heidi's Artisan Soap. You can buy additional products from the box or choose from a wide array of other bath and body products.

The sample product in this box is a 1 oz. bottle containing Naturally Clean Hand Sanitizer which contains aloe vera, Vitamin E and an essential oil blend of lemon, tea tree, clove and lavender. This conditions and moisturizes your skin without drying has a nice clean scent.

I remembered to take the soaps out of their wrappers before photography this month!  So, here they are "undressed"!

The first soap in the box is called Takesumi Soap (upper right in above photo).  This deep black bar is strongly scented with anise and orange.  Takesumi is Japanese for Bamboo Charcoal which has purifying properties.  This soap embodies that same clarifying power. Since I am not a fan of licorice or anise scents, this one is not a favorite for me.  I will probably just use it as a hand soap.

Next is a pure white soap called Soleseife Spa Bar.  This recipe has been used in German spas for over a century.  It combines sea salt water with rich moisturizing oils and butters to create a cleansing bar that is scented with eucalyptus and spearmint essential oils.  This one has an invigorating and refreshing smell!

The third soap is called Tranquility French Soap (bottom bar in the group photo above). This deep purple bar has a strong lavender scent that is made with olive oil and naturally colored with alkanet root.

The next two Sudsy Boxes come out in October and December and I'm guessing those soaps will be scented to reflect the fall and winter seasons.  If you're interested, you'll need to sign up by October 15th to get the October box and by December 15th to get the December box.  Use code SUMMER20 at checkout for a 20% discount which is good on bi-monthly and half year memberships.  

Go ahead and indulge yourself or get a gift for someone else.  I think you will enjoy Sudsy Box!

Cheryl

Lip Monthly August 2014 Review + Discount Codes, First Box for $2.99!!

This is my fourth Lip Monthly review in a row.  I've given them quite a bit of attention because they are a new company and I was interested to see where they were going. Lip Monthly definitely provides product worth the price paid. For $10 a month (plus shipping), they could send two or three mid-range products or they could send four or five really low-end brands.  So far, they've chosen to do the latter most of the time.  That means my lipstick drawer is quickly filling up with Jesse's Girl, City Color and even a couple of "no names".  To be fair, there have been a few products from Stila, Hard Candy and John Frieda but the majority have been the lower cost brands.

So, let's see what came in Lip Monthly's August box. There is one eye pencil, four lip products and a cosmetic bag.  All of the cosmetics are full size!

The bag is cute; it looks like Lip Monthly has taken a cue from Ipsy's popular practice of sending a new cosmetic bag every month.  This one is teal blue with their logo repeating on it.

The first product is the Lid Last Shadow Pen by Pixi in the shade "Gilded Mink", which is a goldish brown color.  This doesn't seem like a particularly practical shade to me but it is a nice quality product.  Retail $18

The second product is a Lip Balm by City Color in "Ultra Pink", an intense pink shade.  I got the same thing last month in "Bright Pink" which I haven't even opened yet so really wish they hadn't sent a repeat so quickly.  Retail $2.99

The next item is City Color's "Magic Balm" which looks like a colorless moisturizing stick similar to Chap Stick but in a cute chubby lipstick type tube.  Retail $2.99

In a trendy rectangular acrylic tube is a Be Matte lipstick by City Color in "Phoebe", a bright pink shade.  I would wear this color in a gloss but probably not in a matte. Retail $3.99

Finally, there is a Liquid Glass lip gloss by Jesse's Girl in "Idyllic" which is a pretty frosty pink shade.  This is not a great formulation but it has the most wonderful candy-like smell and taste.  I could eat this stuff!  Retail $4.99

Wow....that is a LOT of pink for one month!  As I mentioned above, the value ($33.96) is there (largely due to the Pixi Shadow Pen) but I'm not sold on the curation. Quantity is important of course but there really needs to be some diversity in colors and brands as far as I'm concerned.  The addition of the cosmetic bag is a nice touch!

Lip Monthly is a great source of inexpensive lip products.  They do offer significant discounts for longer term subscriptions. If you'd like to give them a try, the cost is $10 per month plus $6 shipping.  If you sign up for a four month term, the cost is $32.99 + $24 shipping.  With a four month subscription, use coupon code 1ST299 to get your first box for just $2.99.  If you subscribe for a full year, use coupon code 2FREE to get two months for free, making the cost $100 + $72 shipping. Plans automatically renew and you can cancel at any time.

Check out Lip Monthly and let me know what you think!

Cheryl    

Disclaimer:  Views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my own.  Product discussed in this post was purchased with my own money. Post may contain referral or affiliate links.

Q Box Review, Products from Japan and South Korea, August 2014

And now for something completely different!  Q Box may not appeal to your mature side but their boxes definitely contain what they say they will...hand selected cute items in beauty, fashion, accessories and home. Q Boxes contain 5 to 7 full size products and premium items valued at over $60.  Every box includes at least one piece of jewelry. Most of the brands are from Japan or South Korea. (By the way, of all the Asian countries, South Korea seems to have jumped on the subscription box bandwagon the most enthusiastically!)

The Q Box is shipped from Canada which means the shipping cost may be higher than most U.S. buyers are accustomed to paying. The cost for sending my first Q Box to my zip code was $5.01. However, when I checked the site before doing this review, I noticed that the shipping charge for me has now increased to $7.50...a 50% increase in one month!  For three months, the shipping is $22.50.
    
Shipping aside, Q Box is a non recurring service but there is a discount available if you sign up for three months or more. Unlike other subscription companies, the discounts do not increase after three months.  So unless you are really committed, you'll get just as good a deal with a three month subscription as with a full year subscription.

One month - $24.95
Three months - $68.85 (22.95 per mo.)
Six months - $137.70 (22.95 per mo.)
Twelve months - $275.40 (22.95 per mo.)

My August Q Box came in a good sized branded white cardboard box with a red ribbon design that weighs a little under a pound. 

Inside the contents are neatly wrapped in pink tissue sealed with a sticker and tied with pink twine.

There are eight items and a tri-fold color informational brochure.

The explanatory leaflet shows pictures of everything in this month's box and gives retail values.  

The largest and most useful item in the box is a pretty floral lunch bag from Cath Kidston Japan.  Although the size is petite, this bag opens out to be surprisingly wide with a pocket inside.  It's made of a washable vinyl and I can think of a number of uses for it besides carrying lunch...but it would be great for that too! Retail $28

Next is a package containing a set of noise isolating earphones from Rilakuma, a Korean company.  The earbuds are in cute little bear shapes.  Anybody could use this of course but seems to me that it would make a fun gift for a little boy.  Retail $15

There is a box of "Cereal Choco" by Lotte from Korea.  Through subscription boxes and Amazon, I have come to really enjoy Lotte products.  These are very tasty little pillow shaped squares (the size of Wheat Chex) filled with chocolate cream.  Retail $2

A set of six adorable cat themed post cards caught my eye because the one on top SO reminds me of my long gone kitty. Spooky was a gorgeous white cat with one blue eye and one green eye.  He won a regional cat show which netted us a trip for two (plus a hefty cash prize and all the cat food he could consume) to show him at Madison Square Gardens in NYC many years ago. But that's a story for another time! Spooky is in heaven now which is why the white kitty with wings reminds me of him. Retail $4-5

Next is a big tube of full cover concealer by 3 Concept of Korea.  This is a light hued concealer which almost perfectly matches my skin tone.  I tested this; it's nice quality and works flawlessly....so it's a hit with me!  Retail $20  

The two jewelry items in the August box are very cute but probably best suited to a young girl.  One is a very delicate gold necklace with a tiny strawberry pendant and the other is a pair of white bunny rabbit stud earrings.  Both are from the brand Jouetie of Japan. Total retail $23

And now...drum roll please....for the absolute weirdest item I have ever received in a subscription box. Ladies and gentlemen, we have the "Happy Wing Toilet Seat Handle" from Korea!  I have no clue as to why such an item (however useful it might be) would be included in a subscription box geared towards women and girls...but include it they did! Draw your own conclusions.  Retail $6  

So that's it for the August Q Box!  Do you need ANY of this stuff?  No. Is it a fun box to go through? Absolutely.  I'm guessing that most buyers will find something tasty, wacky, slightly useful and perhaps a decent cosmetic in these boxes. There are definitely several items that will appeal to teenage girls or children so it helps if you have a few around to whom some of these items can be gifted.  

However dubious the practicality and/or value of many of these items, the fact is that Q Boxes are popular and sell out quickly.  The September boxes are already out of stock so sign up soon if you're interested in receiving the October box. U.S. residents definitely should take the cost of shipping into consideration.

Just my snarky personal opinion here but if you're not getting a further discount for a six or twelve month purchase, I don't see an advantage in signing up for more than three months. There really doesn't seem to be a loyalty incentive (beyond three months) for those who commit, which is somewhat of a transgression in the Subscription Box Rule Book...ha!

If you've tried Q Box, please comment below.  I'd love to know what you thought!

Cheryl 

Cate & Chloe VIP Jewelry Subscription Box Review, August 2014

If you've ever shopped Cate & Chloe's fashion jewelry website, you know that the buying experience with them often results in VERY nice surprises.  Read more about that below!

Cate & Chloe has recently introduced a subscription box option called "The VIP Box". For $39.99 a month, you get over $200 worth of designer jewelry.  Shipping is free for the box. VIP status also gets you 20% off any other item on their site and free shipping. Longer term subscriptions options that offer substantial savings are available:

3 Months - $108.00
6 Months - $204.00
12 Months - $384.00

In the process of signing up for The VIP Box, you can take a quiz which helps pinpoint your jewelry style preferences. I've filled out quite a few personalization profiles for other sub box companies and was not holding my breath that my choices would really be reflected in the items I received. As you'll see, I was happily proven wrong!

You're seeing TWO pink boxes here because shortly after enrolling, I received a completely unexpected complimentary gift from Cate & Chloe....a stunning Princess Diana inspired pear-shaped pendant called the "Diana Divine Necklace", which is valued at $115. (You may be skeptical about the retail values shown in this review but I can attest that all the C&C pieces I received are of beautiful quality.)

The pendant came in this charming little box tied with a black ribbon bow.

Inside was the amazing Diana Divine Necklace. My photography skills really don't do it justice but it's a spectacular little sparkler!  The pendant measures about one half inch from top to bottom and is suspended from a delicate silver chain. What a tremendous first impression of this company!  Retail $115

A couple of weeks later, I received the first actual box in the subscription.  I was expecting two pieces but once again, Cate & Chloe exceeded expectations; I received THREE beautiful pieces! The first box contained a pair of earrings that matched the necklace I received earlier.  Here are the beautiful Diana Divine Stud earrings! Retail $125







                                                            
                         

The second pair of earrings in the box are called the Nadine "Hope" stud earrings. These are gold with tiny crystal accents and measure about 3/8" in diameter. Absolutely beautiful and just my style!  Retail $99  










My August Cate & Chloe box contained a "Perk of the Month", which turned out to be these fabulous Lynne "Pretty" Crisscross earrings!  Once again, a drop dead gorgeous design featuring a silver plated arc crossed by another CZ-encrusted arc.  These elegant studs measure just under an inch in width.  Retail $99

Of course, different subscribers will receive different pieces based on the answers given to their style quiz, but I am really impressed at the amazing job Cate & Chloe did at matching my preferences.  I really feel like a personal stylist picked these pieces for me!

For the record, I have purchased individual pieces of Cate & Chloe jewelry before and the start to finish buying experience has ALWAYS been stellar. With fashion jewelry this beautiful, I have to wonder if there is any point in paying for the real thing?

Forgive the gushing, but I'm so happy with my first Cate & Chloe box; I think I'll go upgrade my membership right now!

Thanks for reading,

Cheryl  

Disclosure:  Views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my own.  Product discussed in this post was purchased with my own money. Post may contain referral or affiliate links.

Wantable Makeup Subscription Box Review for August, 2014

It's rare for me to be on the fence about a beauty sub box but that's kinda where I sit on Wantable Makeup. They do a great job of  sending cosmetics that fit the profile you create during the sign-up process. The products are full sized and generally of very good quality. But...at $36 per month or $40 for a one time box, Wantable is definitely among the priciest of beauty sub boxes.  The personalized attention is a big plus but I'm guessing most of us will think twice before committing $36 a month to a selection of unknown products. Wantable apparently doesn't do much discounting either, which doesn't help.     

Another issue with Wantable is that they don't offer discounts for longer term subscriptions.  I feel strongly that loyal subscribers should receive incentive pricing so this fact alone may result in the termination of my subscription sooner rather than later. Having said that, I did receive a nice collection consisting of four products in my August box.  

As always, they included a copy of my preferences as a reminder of what I chose. That way, you can judge for yourself as to whether the products in the box met your criteria. This insert also gives the retail prices of the products.

First is a big "La Riviera Sun Bronzer for Face & Body" by Vincent Longo in the shade "Beauty Sin".  This is in a sleek black case with a considerable amount of product in the pan.  Unlike most bronzers I've seen, this one is lighter in shade and contains flecks of other colors.  The technique of pressing several layered shades into a unique color dispersion pattern is intended to provide versatility that allows perfect color. Retail $32

The next product is a beautiful shade of Nailtini nail lacquer called "Mango Rita"....an elegant sparkly peach. (My camera definitely didn't do it justice!) This is an unusual pastel shade that I think is versatile enough for year-round wear.  Retail $13

There is a Crayon D'Eyeliner by Mica Beauty Cosmetics in the shade "Silver".  This is pretty much a miss for me as I have almost no use for silver anywhere around my eyes.  I would have loved this big eyeliner if it had been a more useful color!  Oh well, maybe I can use it for a tiny bit of highlighter here and there.  Retail $20

The last product is a volumizing mascara called "It's So Big" by Elizabeth Mott.  The wand has an unusual hourglass brush shape which gives great buildable volume and length.  My only complaint is that once again I've received a black mascara; no other color is EVER sent by any of the beauty box companies!  Retail $19.99

So that is my Wantable Makeup box for August....three hits and a semi-miss.  I feel that two of the products, the bronzer and the nail polish, clearly reflect a stylist's personal attention to my preferences.  The total retail value is $84.99, not the highest I've ever received but certainly enough to justify the price of the box.

Because of the price, I'm still ambivalent about continuing my Wantable subscription but I have a couple of shiny new products to distract me for the time being!

I hope this review was helpful.  If you enjoy reviews of this type, please subscribe to this blog so you can get e-mail updates automatically.

Thanks for reading!

Cheryl

Disclosure:  Views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my own.  Product discussed in this post was purchased with my own money. Post may contain referral or affiliate links.

Taste Trunk (Sweet Trunk) August 2014 Review + 25% Discount Code!

Taste Trunk is a curated gourmet food subscription service that sends small batch quality desserts. Four different trunk themes are available....Gourmet, Sweet, BBQ and Health. I am subscribed to the Sweet Trunk (duh!) and always eagerly anticipate the monthly box. If you missed my last Taste Trunk review, you can catch up here. The Sweet Trunk focuses on artisanal treats and desserts with a nice array of different flavors and textures.

The pricing structure for Taste Trunk is as follows:

One time trunk - $29 + S&H (for me, the S&H works out to $5.99)
Monthly subscription - $29 + S&H
3 Mo. Membership - $99 (shipping included)
6 Mo. Membership - $195 (shipping included)
1 Yr. Membership - $380 (shipping included)

As with most subscription services, there is some savings associated with longer term subscriptions.  Unlike other services, you can make a one time purchase for the same price as a month to month subscription. That's a great no-commitment opportunity to try a Taste Trunk!

Taste Trunks always arrive in a branded cardboard box that is printed to look like an old trunk.

Inside the lid is a vintage photo that looks like a train depot scene for the well heeled circa 1900. Completing the look is a gold wax seal with a stamped "T". 

The goodies are wrapped in black tissue, packed in black crinkle shreds and tied with a maroon ribbon. The vintage print envelope contains cards that tell a bit of the history of each represented vendor and details about their product.

And here is a group shot of all the delectable treats inside the August box and the explanatory cards.

The largest item in the August Sweet Trunk is a tub containing four cream-filled chocolate cupcakes called "Penguinos" by Mariposa of Oakland, CA...great name! These moist little cakes are gluten free and look like gourmet versions of Hostess Cupcakes. I ate one and although it was good, I would say the taste was somewhat compromised by the lack of gluten.

Another treat from Mariposa is a large coconut lemon square, layered with pecans. This is also gluten free and wheat free.

There is a package containing five individually wrapped Cocomels by JJ's Sweets in Boulder, CO. (home of one of my alma maters)  These are in the original coconut milk caramel flavor with added sea salt.  Since I had read a lot of rave reviews about Cocomels, I really expected to like these.  The flavor IS very good but I didn't like the oiliness of the candy.  I think that is because these are made with 100% natural ingredients without preservatives.

A cute vintage tin contains individually wrapped Mango Ginger Chews from Chimes of Pomona, CA.  I'm not usually a fan of ginger based candies but the mango really saves these for me.  They are sweet and chewy and have quite a sharp "zing" to them from the ginger.

Last but certainly not least is a package containing four hefty peanut butter brownies by Dancing Deer of Boston, MA.  Dancing Deer has been a frequent Taste Trunk contributor and I always look forward to their yummy baked products.  These dark fudge brownies are a bit dry but they have the added interest of peanut pieces added in....plus peanut butter drizzled across the top.

That's all for the August Sweet Trunk.  If you are interested in trying one (or more) of the Taste Trunk options, use code Lonestarshopper25 at checkout for a 25% discount. Also, they often run different promotions on their home page, so check there for other current discount codes.

You can always count on Taste Trunk for quality gourmet products, but in the case of the Sweet Trunk (the only one I've tried), I've found that it is pretty important to consume the products quickly. Most of them are hand made and preservative free so they won't last long unless you freeze them.  Just a friendly caveat based on personal experience!

Enjoy Taste Trunk and thank you for reading,

Cheryl

Disclaimer:  Views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my own.  Product discussed in this post was purchased with my own money. Post may contain referral or affiliate links.