PopSugar Box ~ August Love ~ Giveaway Link!

PopSugar ~ August Box 1st Peak!

....It came, it came, it came; finally! No, it wasn't late, I just was impatient and couldn't wait. Last month was my first PopSugar MustHave Box and I must admit I loved every bit of July's box (maybe minus the rose gold necklace) so I couldn't wait to see what August surprises were in store! I knew this was their "anniversary/1st birthday box."

Must Have Anniversary Gift - value $65

And that they were sending a "special gift" of a Gorjana and Griffin Open Circle necklace, which has a value alone of $65 (they sent out a spoiler email) and I must say I love it even more than I thought I would. It's really delicate and classic. I'm actually wearing it as I write this and compared to the necklace from last month, this one doesn't weight a thing! I couldn't wait to see what the rest was!

Let's just say PopSugar didn't disappoint! The boxes are $35 a month, less if you sign up for a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription and right now you can use code REFER5 to save $5 off your first box. I'd say if there was only one box I was going to get for myself, this would be it! It's a little bit of everything and is best described as a "lifestyle box." The total contents of the August box had a retail value of approximately $175; not bad considering it only cost $35. They're sold out for September already, but if you sign up now, you can still get in on October's box... check it out here! And if your interested or feel like a splurge, they're currently offering a special edition Fall Style Box for a limited time only; this is definitely out of my budget at $100, but I'm curious to see what all will be in it just the same. Also, at the bottom of this review there is a link to a giveaway from another blogger who is generously giving one of those coveted boxes away ~ good luck!

The August PopSugar box was crammed full with an amazing mix of products aimed at "getting organized, staying healthy, and taking care of yourself" - awesome!

Each box comes with a hot pink information booklet that tells you all about the products in that month's box. I love that they do this and think it's such a fun layout. This month all the products were categorized as either "Must Have Home" or Must Have Beauty" but they still managed to include a wide variety of items!

Must Have Home

 How cute is this San Francisco designed adorable little red Lunares Apple Bowl?

 I love the candy apple red color and while it says it's food safe for both hot and cold foods it's fairly small. It might make a great nut dish, or dip dish if you were so inclined and only needed a little bit. I think I'll be more inclined to use it for an earring holder, or a place to leave stamps and lip balm by my front door. It's a solid little dish and if I decide not to use if for myself I can already think of several people who would probably love it as a gift.... Gotta love endless possibilities.

List maker? Yes, I am! I love writing things down on paper and crossing them off, it makes me feel more productive. So this May Designs Weekly Agenda Notebook  was right up my alley!

Plus I love that it's got enough room to write in but still flat enough to fit in your small purse or day bag, this thing could go anywhere! This little book has you covered all you need is a leak proof pen and you're set! It's also such a fun design and the color couldn't be better!

Finally, the Bentgo.

Okay, so I was really hoping this one was going to be leak-proof according to the website it's not "Note: Bentgo is NOT leak proof. It does seal very well, but to be safe when packing dressing, fruit, and other liquids, be sure to keep the Bentgo upright during transport." I guess I'll have to test it for myself and see. It is very generously sized and is microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe which is awesome. This comes in 4 colors and if I'd chosen it, I would have picked any color (blue, green, gray - love the gray!) except the purple. Again, purple isn't a color I love... my daughter does. This is an item my husband would definitely get tons and tons of use out of and once we try this one out (depending on how well it does seal) we may get him one of his own, since I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be thrilled to be rocking the purple one to class and to work everyday. I love the idea behind this bento box a lot though and I'm glad it was in my PopSugar box!

Must Have Beauty

I love getting new products to try and things I've never heard of and Lulah Body Wash is definitely one of those!

That being said, I've already used it and not only have I fallen in love with this product, I love the way it smells. I got the Tamarind-Ginger and I must say, it's not one I would have picked out on my own without smelling it first, but I love how refreshing and clean smelling it is. The absolute perfect pick me up fragrance after a hot day or a great wake up call in the morning! Lulah has five scents in total and I'm pretty sure I would love them all. I'm also pretty positive this is going to be my new go to company for everyday fragrance products, they're made and filled in the USA and they're all free of parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, mineral oil, sls/sles and they don't test on animals! Awesome! PopSugar hit this one out of the park in my book!

Finally, there was a deluxe sample set of Dermalogica Precleanse and Special Cleansing Gel. These two products, used together are apparently "going to change my skin regimen." Well, technically they would if I used them I'm not 100% I'm sold on this one. I may try it just to see what it's all about, I have them right? But I'm one of those people who tends to stick with what works and I'm all about the least amount of steps to get the job done and this one has a lot of steps... there are 8 of them!

Bonus Item

In the box this month there was also a bonus item (not included on the informational booklet) and something I shockingly haven't tried yet from a *gasp* subscription box we don't currently subscribe too. While I must admit these Nature Box Granny Smith Apples do look pretty tasty, Nature Box

just doesn't seem like a box we'd be in love with. These will be going in our snack bag for our taxi-2.5 hour airport shuttle-to airport-cross country flight-pick up by Opa & Nana-drive home cross border trip, in a couple of weeks. We honestly eat fairly healthy, and while like everyone we snack, we make a lot of our own. Plus we live in the heart of apple country and can make these ourselves to the dryness that we like them year round. There was a special 50% off code for new subscribers to join Nature Box and while it has been tempting at times to maybe just do one and try something new, so far we've been good and resisted this one. It seems like this is a pretty common special offer for Nature Box though, so I don't really feel like I'm missing out.

 Final Thoughts on the August PopSugar Box?

I loved it! It's my second box of a 3 month gift subscription and I must say it's one of the most fun gifts I've been given in a long time, especially because it's spread out over time and it's truly a surprise and while it's a box for me, so far there have been things in each box that the rest of my family can use/share or that I could end up saving for future gifts. I think PopSugar is definitely a box I would enjoy subscribing to for myself in the future and would definitely love to be given another subscription too! If you want to try your own PopSugar monthly box or longer subscription or give it as a gift (it's a great one) you can sign up for it using my referral link http://popsu.gr/gVNf and code REFER5 to save $5 off! 

*PsstPsst: if you want to take your chances and possibly win a Limited Fall Must Have Box hop on over to MommySplurge's Blog and enter her giveaway! I know this is one I'd love to win; it's the only way I'd ever get it as it's definitely not in our budget for the next few years. If you don't want to take your chances on winning one and our up for the $100 shell out to purchase it you can do so here; while they last! 

PS: Here's a spoiler picture for that box!

PopSugar Must Have was a gift to me from someone I know. I am a current popsugar subscriber. I was in no way compensated for this review. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. If you purchase your own Popsugar Must Have box using my referral link I may eventually receive a free box from the company. Once you create an account you will receive a referral code of your own to share.

August Stork Stack "Damaged Goods"

So excited that our August Stork Stack was out for delivery today! ...at lest until we got to the mailbox and found this...

This is what was waiting for us in the mailbox. :(

The box wasn't just soggy and falling apart; it stunk. The product that leaked smelled awful mixed with the cardboard.

Much to K's- utter disappointment, she didn't even get to help open this box up. I honestly didn't even want to bring it inside it stunk so bad. But I wanted to take pictures so that I could email Stork Stack's Customer Service and hopefully they'll replace the damaged items! Also, I really hope that the product that leaked doesn't actually smell like the box inside the plastic bag (thanks to the US Postal Service) smelled or we definitely won't be using it if they do replace it. Yuck!

From what I could make out of the box, it looked like a fun one. Stork Stack chose to go with a "Splish, Splash, Bed and Bath" theme this month and that seemed like a great one to us! The products listed on the information card as best I could make them out included: a green toy product (I'm guessing sub, seaplane or tug boat) - I'm hoping it was the new seaplane, but I don't know as I can't read my card and this item was missing from our box; a Rich Frog Soap Sack; a book called "It's Time To Sleep" by Nancy Tillman which I was so sad to see covered in soap because I love her books and we don't have this one yet!; Bionee Pure Hair and Body Cleansing Foam and the culprit of the damage and destruction that was our box this month, also the culprit of the horrible stench... hmm, not thrilled about this one; and finally, Chivas Bath Salts - a treat for mom!

Ewww!

Should have been a fun box, isn't the soap sack cute?

Anyway, I emailed Customer Support as soon as I put my little one to bed tonight and am hoping for a speedy and helpful response and some replacement products soon! I've never really had any dealings with Stork Stack Support to date so am curious to see what they're like. I will be sure to update here as customer service is incredibly important to me in any company I deal with.

If you're interested in checking out Stork Stack and want to save $10 on your first order feel free to use this code F9DE8478 at checkout! All of our past Stacks have been phenomenal and I'm sure we'll have some sort of resolution soon for this one! The items in this box with the Green Toy included would have retailed for about $47.00 which is pretty awesome considering that you can get your first Stack using F9DE8478 for only $17.99.

I am a current stork stack subscriber. I was in no way compensated for this review. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. If you purchase your own stork stack using my referral code I may receive a $10 credit on my next stack. Once you create an account you will receive a referral code of your own to share.

PopSugar Must Have - July Box & August Anniversary Preview!

I was so excited to get an email yesterday saying that my Popsugar Must Have box should be arriving. This was my first box from them, but I've been interested in getting one for what seems like forever! It was a belated Mother's Day gift, but hey, I'll happily take it! For those of you who don't know, Popsugar is a life style box that targets women between 18-40 (I believe they also have men's boxes too) and every month they curate a box of the most "it" items and accessories of the season. The box is $35 a month including shipping, but if you sign up for a longer subscription you can get a box free. If you're interested in checking it out for yourself you can follow my referral link http://popsu.gr/gVRD (I'll thank you now for doing so!) and if you use code SAVE5PSMH or REFER5 you should save $5 on your first month! A lot of people thought that July was going to be their 1st year anniversary box, but it looks like based on an email they sent out earlier today that they're saving the birthday bash for August and even sending a special gift with a $65 value! So if you've ever wanted to give Popsugar a try, now is the time!

Now for my box.... Here's what came in the July Box

So, most of this is stuff I would have never bought for myself. First off, because we're on a tight budget - my husband is a student and I'm a stay at home mom and that means there isn't any money for extras and fun extravagances right now. Secondly, because I usually shop safe. If money weren't an issue, than I probably wouldn't hesitate to buy the Supergoop! because I've heard and read the most wonderful things about this sunscreen and I'm over the moon happy to try it out! I also would buy the Mighty Leaf Iced Tea, because both my husband and I love iced tea, especially in the summer time and anything mango is always a hit! But the rest of it the NCLA nail lacquer, the Baublebar chain necklace in rose gold, the cookie chips (which are dark chocolate and oh so tempting), and the Tolvolo King Cube XL silicone Tray for ice cubes? I never would have thought to purchase any of it! Almost all of these things would have been "a step outside the box" for me. And yet, I must admit while it didn't live up to the reviews I read about June's box and the final push for me to go with Popsugar, I'm thrilled by my July Box. It's totally about and for me, but I can share half of it with my family and it's the best gift because it allows me to try things I wouldn't have otherwise tried!

For instance, I'm wearing the NCLA nail polish in "As If !" a very pastel matte purple with cool undertones on my toenails as I write this and I have to admit that I might have to give purple a bigger chance in the future. Anyone who knows me, knows that I mostly detest anything purple or pink as a general rule. Since having a little girl a year and a half ago, that's changed a bit, but it's still not a "go to" color for me. The more I look at this color, the more it makes me happy (gasp) and I can't help but think how cute it would look with a pair of peep toes and a dress for a date or just shorts and sandals for a day at the beach. I don't wear nail polish on my finger nails, except for very, very special occasions, so I don't have reason to buy much of it and when I do, I stick to colors I know are "safe" with my skin tone and the season. This is the first bottle of NCLA 5 Free Luxury Nail Lacquer I've ever owned and so far I'm hooked. It goes on smooth and covers well. I can't wait to see how it holds up to everyday wear!

 I'm still on the fence about the necklace by Baublebar that came in the box. I did try it on and I must admit I do like the rose gold, better than I like yellow gold, but more often than not I wear white gold or sterling silver accessories. I also don't usually go in for big, chunky or clunky and these chains are solid. Hmm, maybe I'll find a good place to wear them when we go on vacation this September, or maybe I'll just put this one up and use it as a gift for someone else who would enjoy it so much more. Popsugar did send a coupon code for 20% off your first order at Baublebar as well a great deal for those in the market for some awesome fashion jewelry. I'm not sure I'll be using this either, unless I find that I need to pick up a certain accessory for the wedding we're attending at the end of summer. We'll see. I was excited to be introduced to this new company though!

Okay, Like I said before, my husband and I love iced tea in the summer. Actually we could both probably drink it year round and ice disappears fairly fast around our house. So, the addition of a new XL cube ice tray is awesome! The cubes are HUGE compared to a normal ice cube, so all you need is one. I'm guessing the larger size will also take longer to melt and keep our drinks colder longer too? Okay, maybe that's just wishful thinking. Haven't tried it out yet, as it's in the freezer making ice right now. I can also see this making great frozen treats as well. All you'd have to do is put some cake-pop or Popsicle sticks in and you'd have easy iced treats on a stick which my toddler will love!

We love trying new foods, and it's hard to go wrong with something that's dark chocolate! I'm excited to try and share the Hannahmax Baking All Natural Crunchy Cookie Chips with my family. But we'll probably take them on our next picnic adventure, if they don't get opened before that. H/M Baking is another new to us brand and I love that they're both all natural and that the ingredient list isn't a mile and a half long!

The iced tea by Mighty Leaf in Calypso Mango is divine! I love fruit infused tea and what screams summer more than tropical flavors like Mango? I am more cautious when picking black teas as fruit infused green tends to by my favorite, but this one is definitely getting added to our summer iced tea selection! It's just that good. It's smooth, it's fruity and so refreshing!

Finally, the product I was the most excited about was the full sized bottle of Doctor T's Supergoop! SPF30 PA+++ Anti-Aging UV Damage Repair Complex City Sunscreen Serum. The first I heard about Supergood! was the end of last summer and I've been wanting to try it ever since. I fully believe in the power of sunscreen and I'm one of those people who definitely regret it and burn when I don't put it on. I used to be terrible about remembering to apply it, but with a toddler in tow and since we're always outside, I've gotten much better about it. However, I could never justify the cost of Supergoop! Especially when I still had sunscreen to use up and for whatever reason it seems to multiply around our house. I did receive a couple of samples in my daughter's July Stork Stack last week, they're a different formula, but they're awesome so I can't wait to try this one out on me!

 
Final thoughts on my first ever Popsugar box, it could have been better, but overall I'm excited and it was so much fun to get something in the mail that was just for me! Not baby related, not bills, just a fun, gift like box of goodies. I love that I can use most of it right away and that there was a nice mix of items. The only possible "dud" in my book was the necklace and I'm still on the fence on that one.

Did you get your own box? What did you think? Are you interested in getting one? Check them out here, sign up for August before they sell out as it promises to be good based on the "celebrate with us" email I received from them this morning!

August is going to be their Must Have Anniversary and every box will include the Gorjana and Griffin Open Circle necklace, which has a value of $65! It is gold but I love, love love it! If I was ever on the fence about it before I wouldn't want to miss out on August's box. You can always sign up for one month and then cancel before you're billed for the next one. You'll be getting a necklace worth $65 if you do and if you use code REFER5 or SAVE5PSMH it will only cost you $30, shipping is included! You'll get your money's worth too! Each box has a value of at least $100. July's Box would retail for around. $102.24.

PopSugar Must Have was a gift to me from someone I know. I am a current popsugar subscriber. I was in no way compensated for this review. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. If you purchase your own Popsugar Must Have box using my referral link I may eventually receive a free box from the company. Once you create an account you will receive a referral code of your own to share.