"Insight" on The Mob: ShaveMOB

 "FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS GE RIPPED OFF." -That's the tag line of the new company ShaveMob. They're all about "shaving smarter" and saving money while doing so, or making money while you save money doing so. If you're interested you can check them out at http://shavemob.com/ where they sale disposable razors for both men and women. If you use code: BUDDY3F76G at checkout you'll save $1 off of any $10 purchase.

Prior to the company launch, ShaveMob ran a promotional offer of free razors for 2, 6 or 12 months depending on how many people you knew signed up to be "in the know" via email. #ShaveSmarter was all over social media. I received 6 months of ShaveMob razors free via this promotion. This is how they arrived in my post box.

 

They came in a recycled cardboard tube with a little white paper cap covering each end and taped on. Minimal packaging, no tissue paper or padding of any kind to keep them from getting jostled about or snapped. The razor heads did come packaged in fairly standard snap in plastic containers, so at least they weren't just knocking around in the tube. Only one of them fell out during shipping. I like the minimal packaging. It's unique and I'm sure it keeps costs down... that being said it was also pretty underwhelming and I wasn't at all excited by the presentation. But then again, they're razors, how excited should you be?

My 6 month trial came with came with one handle and 3 plastic cases of 4 razor heads each, so 12 in total. Honestly this will probably last me more than 6 months, unless the blades dull or rust really fast as I just don't shave my legs all that often in the winter. Each head has 4 blades and a very thin moisture strip on the top. Honestly, I like all the moisture I can get while I'm shaving, so I was skeptical about these. I definitely wouldn't use them without the aid of shaving gel, foam or cream! That being said I was excited to try them out and see just how they compared to my current Venus razor. The result? I got a great, clean, very smooth shave! Okay, so I was thrilled. Free razors and they work alright! Even better, I actually love the weight and feel of their handle. I know it's not a big deal, but it's weighted at the top and the thumb hold fits my hand just right. Somehow holding this razor was just perfect for me and I really liked that. 

So, I suppose the real test will be how well will they continue to work over time? If I continue to get such results over the course of the month I may just be tempted by the low cost to make the switch, although I might splurge and by the ShaveMob razors with 6 blades if I do. They offer 3, 4 and 6 blade razors and prices start as low as $2/month with no long term commitments or hidden fees. At any rate, I'll definitely use the ones they sent me from their promotion... thanks ShaveMOB!

All photos and opinions are 100% my own. I was not compensated in any way for this review, nor were the products provided specifically for review purposes. I receive no benefit from any associated links in this post. It is purely informative.

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 Strok Stack Replacements: Follow Up

Original August Stork Stack

Okay, so a few days back we received our August Stork Stack in less than ideal condition in the mail box and boy was it a sad day. I took pictures of the damaged goods, the same ones I posted in my initial review and emailed them to member support.

 Stork Stack has Awesome Customer Support!  

I must say Mary was awesome and not only emailed me back in less than 24 hours she shipped the replacement products to me the same day via priority mail! How's that for awesome customer service in action? There was absolutely no issue with them sending out replacement products; except they didn't have any of one of them left and so had to send us an alternate product instead. Here's a look at our replacement products packaged in a regular sized Stork Stack box. 

August Replacement Items

They happily replaced the missing Green Toys Submarine and since we already have one of these and love, love, love it for a bath time and pool toy, it will be given to one of our many expecting friends for fun in the tub with their new little one when they get to that point! They also happily replaced the book that was damaged by the liquid cleaner in the original box. I was so glad to get this new book as we own another Nancy Tillman book called Where Ever You Are, My Love Will Find You and we love reading it for a bedtime story, so couldn't wait to start reading this new one! It's Time to Sleep My Love, doesn't disappoint, it's adorable. Unfortunately it's not currently being used as a bedtime story because K- has decided that her "new book" should be read only while sitting on the big girl potty in the bathroom. So it's become one of our go-to reads for potty time - hey, whatever works right?

Customer Support, I'm sure would have been happy to replace our Bionee Pure Hair and Body Cleansing Foam but unfortunately after all the stacks went out this month they didn't have any left. I will admit I was a little disappointed in that since this was a product I hadn't tried before and I was looking forward to using. My husband on the other hand thought it stunk and was happy we didn't get another one, so I guess it ends up being a wash. Instead of the Bionee Pure Hair and Body Cleansing Foam, Mary included some "alternate" products to make up the value of the original one and now we'll have some other things to try.

The Rest of the Replacements

The Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and Body Wash is a product that we've used before, love and will happily use again! In fact I've already got it packed in our bathroom kit for our vacation in Canada to see Nana and Opa in a few weeks! It is a lot smaller than the Bionee Pure Hair and Body Cleansing Foam, but it's a product that I love, so I can't really complain too much.

I've heard of Rockin GREEN Laundry Detergent before, but I've never tried it. I believe it's actually watermelon scented as it's "Featuring: Smashing Watermelon;" hmmm, not sure how I feel about that as we're a family that uses "free and clear" laundry products with no scents, dyes etc. I think I'll try using it for our towels, bathmat and possibly socks the first time around just to see what it's like. I'm curious, so I'll give it go and it's only 2/4 loads worth, but unless it's absolutely amazing I doubt I'll be switching anytime soon, especially since watermelon is one of my least favorite scents! 

Finally, they sent us two small samples of Dr. Robin all natural chemical-free sunscreen for children. Okay, here's another one I've never heard of. I'll toss these in the pouch on the baby carrier or stroller bag though and we'll use them since we go through sunscreen like it's madmen around here. K- doesn't consistently wear a hat and I'm terrible about wearing one unless I'm on vacation or it's cold outside (go figure). Since we spend a lot of time outside, whether we're commuting on foot, bike or bus (we don't own a car,) playing in the yard, gardening, or at the park we're constantly getting sun exposure. We pretty much use sunscreen at least on our faces, necks and backs of our ears year round, so these will get used. Plus we'll get to try something new.

All told, while I was disappointed not to just have my regular stack show up like it should, I was really pleased with the response and reaction I got from Stork Stack Customer Support. Mary was great and easy to work with, I didn't feel silly for contacting them and it was possibly the fastest replacement products I've ever received. I honestly feel like a company's customer service department says a lot about the company as a whole and I would give my one and only interaction with Stork Stack's customer service a 10 out of 10! Just one more thing to love about them! 

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.

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.

Weekend Wrap: Potty Training?!

So it's been an interesting week/weekend. We apparently got over the heartbreak of last weekend, although we haven't fully recovered from the "dog separation" and constantly ask daddy to "buy it." <--- An awesome new trend (not)! Wonder how long that will last?

Getting over the "heartbreak" has brought an obsessive shift in needing to use the potty.... Hmmm. I have mixed feelings about this. K- had her 18 month well baby visit on Monday and she passed with flying colors, got her immunizations and we were on our way. Yipee! We of course were given early reading literature by her doctor on toilet training our child, but honestly I was sort of hoping this stage could wait a little longer. Or, at least until we got back from our vacation to Canada in September. In fact I was really hoping it would hold off until she was closer to 2 and it started to rain all the time and we were trapped inside more anyway. K- of course has different plans. She wants to do it now. So now is what we'll try.

In other words, we've spent a lot of time "almost making it to the potty" and "sitting on the potty" and we've got wiping and flushing - at least the actions down pat. But we haven't had very many successful "hits" in the potty yet. Oh, and of course we cannot even think about using the toddler potty chair anymore. K- must sit on the big toilet to attempt to go. I guess I've got my homework cut out for me in the next couple of evenings since I really haven't done a ton of reading about this one yet and I'm really curious to find out just what sort of travel potty options are out there. We don't own a car and use public transportation - the bus or walk a lot. Neither are super friendly for a potty training toddler. This is definitely shaping up to be a messy adventure. At least we have most of the home potty training necessities.... That's a start. However, I spent the weekend realizing my husband and I are definitely in over our heads on this one! Yikes....

Weekend Wrap: Heart Break

Watching K's- Heart Break

My toddler may actually be experiencing her first "broken heart" and "lost love" and we're all sad because of it. We spent a wonderful weekend with my best friend and her little girl. We shopped for wedding guest outfit accessories, we played with the girls, we watched the girls play together, we talked, we laughed, we discovered my daughter now loves to ride in a car seat in the car - oh the novelty, we took their dog for walks and played ball, we talked some more, we had late nights and nap times that didn't want to happen, we went to the park, the mall and just hung out; ultimately, we had a great girls weekend with toddlers and dog in tow. 

Then they left early this morning in hopes of making it home by dinner time and I wish them a quick, safe and quite drive home this afternoon. While the visit didn't go as planned or as we'd hoped, we had a ton of fun! Saying goodbye is always hard and it's sad to watch them drive away.  As adults we're used to it, my best friend and I have long since stopped living in the same state and our visits are infrequent. Our conversations aren't. In fact they happen daily, sometime multiple times a day. For our toddlers, saying goodbye is a different story. The girls are only a year and a half and two. Ultimately, they don't wholly understand what is going on. My toddler, at 18 months was  devastated this morning that they were leaving and we weren't. She was sad that we had to say "goodbye" and stay. I'm not sure she understood why they got to "go home" while she had to "stay home" no matter how hard we tried to explain it to her. 

Turns out K's- devastation was multiplied. Not only were our friends leaving, but so was the car and the worst blow of all the dog left too! It was their dog, of course it was going to go with them, but K- became super attached to it in the 2 full days they were here. She couldn't wait to get up to see the "doggie" and followed her around saying "black, nice, like it, pretty, love it, pet, dog, doggie, cute, soft, fluffy, drinking, running, barking, walking." D- and I have no intention of owning a dog right now, nor is our apartment complex animal friendly, so having a dog around for 2 days was the ultimate treat and than seeing it leave was akin to the ultimate betrayal in K's- eyes. Oops.

Watching the car drive away was a close second. K- (and I to a lesser extent) got spoiled while they were here for 2 days, because we didn't have to walk or take the bus. We could just drive wherever it was we were going, making getting from point a to point b a lot faster. 

D- and I don't own a car. We will, I'm sure in the future have to move to a large city where it's not an absolute essential because public transportation is just that good, or we'll have to finally suck it up and join the vehicle owning masses. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I owned a car when we got married. About a week after we tied the knot, my car was totaled in an unfortunate, but possibly fortuitous freak accident (shortly after that we moved abroad) so that was the end our our car ownership. With D- being a student and me being at home with K-, living on a tight budget, and not knowing whether we'll stay in the States after D- graduates a vehicle isn't an absolute necessity and not currently owning one for expense alone makes sense. We live close enough to everything we need to walk, ride bikes or take the bus and our city just isn't that big. It's a life style choice that we've committed ourselves to while D- is in school. We'll reassess our decision when he graduates and starts working full time if we remain in the US. But that's not something that can easily be explained to a toddler who has decided her car seat is "comfy" and she loves riding in the car.  This bodes really well for our upcoming trip to Canada at the end of the summer! I hope that her love affair with her car seat maintains itself at least throughout the duration of our trip as it will make everyone's life easier and the trip itself that much more enjoyable for everyone. But it's hard to say. 

In the meantime we spent all morning mourning the loss of the dog alternating crying inconsolably because the dog is "missing" and talking seriously about how we'll "See it. Tomorrow" - her words not mine. Poor girl, she's optimistic that they've only temporarily left while somehow also recognizing that they're not here now. We spent the rest of the morning wanting to be buckled into our car seat on the living room floor and pretending to ride in the car and wanting to go places in it. Well see what happens when we wake up from nap and find out they're gone all over again. 

...It may be a very long day....

First Look! 10 Storks Subscription Box: Month 1 Review

10 Storks: Oh how pretty and so exciting....A healthy start!

Possibly the prettiest subscription box presentation I've yet seen; beautiful done!

Today in my postbox, I had an extra special box from Shoua Kue & the 10 Stork Team and let me just say, it was an awesome package to receive! I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Month 1 10 Storks box and I'm not even currently pregnant. I can't imagine how much anticipation there would have been for this box if I was currently expecting!

For those of you who don't know, 10 Storks is a new subscription box company for expectant mothers. They offer a regular monthly subscription for consisting of 10 boxes total, 9 are paid for and the 10th box is free for any mom who continues through her 9th month of boxes no matter when she starts her subscription! Each of the 9 regular boxes is $40/month and they will have the option to ship to Canada! For those who aren't interested in or able to commit to a monthly subscription they also offer a 'Best of" box for $60/once that will include some of their best products for mom-to-be throughout her pregnancy. 10 Storks officially launches on August 1st and if you want to be first to know about promotions, boxes and other news sign up for email updates on their website or check them out on facebook. If you want to learn more about the company and what they offer check out my preview post here.

Inside 10 Storks Box: Month 1

The signature silver silver box arrived within a medium flat rate mailer and it was so heavy. The weight of the box is almost always a good sign when it comes to subscription boxes, as it usually means they are full and this one definitely was. When I opened the silver box there was a very cute handwritten note from Shoua and the 10 Stork Team and of course this beautiful packaging. I actually think the presentation is important and this totally feels like you're being given a very special gift just for you. Always a nice feeling and even nicer when you're pregnant!

Now to what everyone's been waiting for. Let's look inside this beautifully wrapped package and see what it holds!

This box was stuffed full of things for mom-to-be to use and enjoy in her first month of pregnancy, and the box was so well packed that I just have to share what it looked like before I took everything out. First look after pulling aside the tissue paper; awesome! I mean pregnant or not, who doesn't love chocolate, right?

Okay, here's a look of all the contents and it's a great selection of goodies for mom-to-be. I'd say the focus of Month 1 is on helping mom-to-be set out on a healthy path as she begins her pregnancy. Even if your pregnancy is planned, learning your pregnant and knowing where to start is often overwhelming. I was inundated with information and important dates when my pregnancy with K- was confirmed. This box gives you the tools and treats you need from the moment you read the positive sign on your home pregnancy test kit!  

 

A Closer Look

Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamins +DHA ($9.10/60 on Amazon). Multivitamins containing folic acid and other key nutrients are recommended for healthy fetal development. This is one of many on the market and one I would consider taking if I were expecting. Plus it has the added benefit of being free from synthetic dyes, color, artificial flavor, preservatives, yeast and gluten. This is definitely a practical addition to the month 1 box.

What to Expect: Eating Well When You're Expecting, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel. ($11.48 on Amazon). Okay, so other than taking your multivitamin, exercising with your doctor's okay and getting enough sleep, eating well when you're pregnant is a must for a healthy and positive pregnancy. While, I don't necessarily love the "What to Expect" series, and I read plenty of them when I was pregnant with K- along with tons of other pregnancy books, I did get a lot of use out of this one. It not only gives you facts about what's healthy and what foods should be eaten in moderation or avoided altogether when you're expecting, but it has a whole section on cooking while pregnant with 175 recipes. Some of which I still find myself making even though I'm not pregnant. Some of the recipes in this book are just that good and I found all of them really easy. Honestly, I thought this was a great addition to the box! Why not get off to a simple healthy start from day one and it's something every mom-to-be can easily do.

Bare Fruit 100% Organic Apricots ($13.66/3 2.2oz packages on Amazon). Dried apricots are a super healthy and  powerful snack anytime, but especially when you're pregnant and craving something sweet. I kept these, almonds and frozen blueberries on hand throughout my pregnancy with K-. A serving of dried apricots not only gives you a whopping 20% of your Vitamin A intake they also contain, calcium, iron, protein, dietary fiber and vitamin c. They're easy to incorporate into meals and even better to have on hand when the munchies hit and you're looking for a healthy snack that's on the sweet side.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares: Milk & Caramel ($3.99/5.32oz). Even during a healthy pregnancy one needs to indulge every once in awhile and if you're like me chocolate was one of the things I craved early on. Typically, I always choose dark chocolate as dark does have more health benefits, but anything Ghirardelli is divine and these squares are the perfect size for a single serving treat now and then. As a side note, even though I prefer dark chocolate about two months into my pregnancy all I wanted was milk chocolate, so maybe this is just perfect after all? Plus, what would a box for mom-to-be be without a treat or two to indulge and pamper her with? I loved seeing such an iconic product in a box curated in San Francisco as well, it was a nice touch and nod to the box origin location!

Finally, a jump from eating well to looking good and staying organized. Something that seems to get harder as pregnancy progresses, at least the staying organized bit did for me!

Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes and Replenishing Lip Balm ($4.99). Let's face it, these two items are going to come in handy whether you experience the delights of morning sickness or not. If you do, than these are probably going to be your purse's new best friend's for awhile along with either a travel tooth brush or sugar free mints or gum. If you don't, lucky you (hope it stays that way!) then you may just find yourself using them for their normal intent. Either way Burt's Bees products are 99.1% natural, making them a great choice for those who are pregnant. I regularly use this lip balm and love it, it smells great and works wonders.

PlanAhead Mom's Organizer July 2013-December 2014 ($14.99 on Amazon). In the age of "everything digital" I still like to make lists and write things down. I love having all my thoughts, notes, contacts and important dates all in one place. This little book does that and more. It's an 18 month planner with both monthly and weekly options. It has a pull out contact section, a small photo holder, a section for notes/lists and a special resource section including places for vacation ideas/planning, party planning and expenses. I love research and I took notes as doctor's appointments and while I was out shopping or doing other things and was constantly having to transfer them from whatever I wrote on to my book at home when I finally got there. This book will easily fit in your day bag or large purse and as pregnancy brain hits, you'll be glad you have the handy reference you've created! 

 

Final Thoughts on 10 Storks: Month 1?

I loved it! Based on the first box, this is a subscription box I would love to receive as a gift or I would purchase for myself for the duration of my pregnancy. It's definitely something I will keep in mind for when my husband and I are ready and are expecting our second child! From a usability stand point, I loved that everything in the box was helpful and usable right away.  It's very obvious that this box was curated with a lot of thought and care for a positive and healthy pregnancy and that it's both practical and indulgent all at the same time. I also love that the edible treats in the box are from California and that the Ghirardelli Chocolate is from San Fransisco as is 10 Storks. It's a very well balanced box and all told it has a $58.21 value for only $40 shipping is free within the US (shipping on my box alone was $12.35) shipping to Canada is possible but there will be an additional cost associated. For more info, or to sign up for your box on August 1, 2013 when 10 Storks officially launches, visit http://10storks.com/ and don't forget to check them out on facebook as they'll be revealing sneak peaks and more prior to the big day!

This box was provided to me by Shoua Kue and the 10 Storks Team free of charge for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. All thoughts, opinions and photos in this post are my own and as always they're 100% honest!