Popsugar: April 2016 & Full CFDA Spoilers!

So it’s that time again to get caught up with some of regular subscriptions, so we’re heading back for my review on the April 2016 Popsugar box plus I’ve got the full spoilers for Popsugar’s uber expensive Limited Edition CFDA box.

Let’s get to it. Popsugar introduced some new packaging, but it’s really not too different than the ones we’ve received before.
BoxOpen Box
New Must Have New Popsugar Note

Now to get actually get inside the box:

CookbookCookbook Open
Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat

(Suggested Retail: $17.99)
Description: “When cracking open this gorgeous book, prepare for big flavors and even bigger personality from supermodel and foodie Chrissy Teigen.  These craveable concoctions include some of husband John Legend’s top picks. We dare you to declare your favorite.”
Verdict: Love!
I love cooking and I’ve pinned a bunch of recipes from Chrissy Teigen’s blog so this right up my alley. This cookbook has had a ton of buzz so it’s definitely on trend in the foodie category.  Chrissy is a supermodel but these are not healthy recipes. (I think I became lactose intolerant just by reading how much cheese was in the mac & cheese), so consider this book geared more toward the occasional indulgence.  I’m going to use this  to fill my “book written by a celebrity” slot for my 2016 Popusgar Reading Challenge, so come back for a full review and my attempts at making a few recipes from this bad boy.

Salt & Pepper
Canvas Home Tinware Salt & Pepper Shakers
(Suggested Retail: $12.00)
Description: ”When we first laid eyes on these vintage-looking hand-glazed salt and pepper shakers from Canvas Home’s bestselling Tinware collection, we knew we had to have them.  Like something from an antique fair, a combination of functionality and beauty makes these shakers a fabulous addition to any kitchen.”
Verdict:
Like/Gift
I’m a sucker for vintage things, and while I like the look of these ceramic shakers, I wish they actually were enamel tin rather than just painted to seem that way.  I already own salt and pepper shakers I love, but these are a nice size and I’ll either use them for when I’m hosting or give them as part of a gift.

Espresso
Next by Nature Dark Chocoalte Covered Espresso Beans
(Suggested Retail: $3.99)
Description: ”These dark chocolate espresso bites are a natural alternative to your favorite candy – free of gluten, corn syrup, and preservatives, they are a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth.  Made with real espresso beans, try a handful of these instead of your usual cup of coffee!”
Verdict: Miss
I love espresso and dark chocolate, but I’m not a fan of eating espresso beans straight up.  I imagine a lot of other subscribers feel the same way.  Next by Nature has a ton of products including chocolate covered fruit which I think would have been a nicer option for the Spring and appealed to more customers.

Pharmacy CreamPharmacy Packaging
FARMACY Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm
(Suggested Retail: $48.00)
Description: “After applying this lightweight balm before bedtime, it transforms into a gentle oil gel to replenish your skin overnight.  Firming, protective, and nourishing ingredients work to balance skin and prevent the appearance of wrinkles.”
Verdict: Love!
FARMACY is a brand that is popping up everywhere and was also featured in Popsugar’s April Mini Box.  I find this product to be far more interesting than the lip balm included in the mini.  I love night creams and the description of this turning into a gentle oil gel sounds really intriguing.  I’ll be adding this into rotation with my current night mask.

Tea Towel
NOON DESIGN SHOP “Lemons’ Flour Sack Tea Towel
(Suggested Retail: $18.00)
Description: “Handmade in the US, this supersoft towel isn’t just cheery to look at – its cotton fabric gets better with every wash.  Don’t be afraid to use this beauty around the kitchen; you can throw it in the washer and dryer anytime.”
Verdict: Love!
I know this will sound weird but I’m kind of obsessed with kitchen towels—tea towels in particular.  I love stocking my kitchen with all kinds of funky designs and the cheerful print fit right in my drawer full of flowers, bunny and nautical prints.

Poppy Lotion
Royal Apothic Field Poppy Conservatories Hand Creme
(Suggested Retail: $24.00)
Description: “Royal Apothic’s rich formulas are inspired by recipes from an antique apotheraries manual – this hand crème’s sentimental note of fig, tea, jasmine, lily, moss and leaf will instantly transport you to a meadow of vibrant blooms.”
Verdict: Hit!
This hand cream is so pretty.  I know I should use it as a gift since I have a giant product stockpile, but I think I want to hoard it for winter so I can throw it in my commuter bag and think of brighter days.

Special Extra
Bloom Card

BLOOM THAT $20 Gift Card
Description: “BloomThat transformed the floral delivery market by creating a stress-free way to send gorgeous blooms to those you love.  Use this $20 to treat yourself or a love done to one of its beautiful arrangements!”
Verdict:
Miss
I don’t like extras that are strictly gift cards where you need to spend money in order to use them.  I’m sure this was helpful to the subscribers wanting to send flowers on Mother’s Day but it just wasn’t for me.

OVERALL:
April 2016 Popsugar Must Have
Verdict:
Hit!
With my prepaid discount this box only cost me $24.91 and the estimated box value (excluding the special extra) was $123.98. I loved the big ticket items in this box and except for the espresso beans, I felt like it had a fresh spring theme that was very cohesive.  Popsugar’s been doing a great job this year with the curation on their regular subscription.  I’d love to see that attention translate over to their mini and LE boxes.

FULL CFDA BOX SPOILERS!
CFDA Spoilers

Popsugar released this full spoiler for their CFDA Box.  I’m guessing it’s probably because sales didn’t go as planned since this box is still available for purchase at $225.  If you like what you see, head on over to Popsugar and check out the Limited Edition boxes and order one for yourself.

SUBSCRIPTION THERAPY NEWS!
I’ve finally gotten off my rump and started an Instagram account.  Writing posts takes lots of time, but if you’re anything like me, you want to see what’s in the box now.  So I’ve started posting Instagram spoilers as soon as I get my boxes!  So for the scoop before the scoop, follow me on Instagram at subscriptiontherapy.  I’ve got full spoilers for my most recent boxes (including Rachel Zoe’s Summer Box of Style) plus some fun pics from my travels.

THE BACKSTORY
Popsugar is a women’s lifestyle subscription that delivers a monthly box of fun, full-size products hand-selected by Popsugar editors.

In addition to Popsugar’s monthly must have boxes, they have some seasonal special edition boxes that contain uber luxe items.  The price tag on these boxes is higher, but the products you receive are high end.

Popsugar Mini Pricing:
(Features 2 Full Size Items)
Monthly – $18.95

Popsugar Must Have Pricing:
Monthly – $39.95
3 Months – $109.85
6 Months – $214.70
12 Months – $404.40

Coupon Codes:  REFER5 = $5 off site wide
POPSUGAR10 = $10 off a 3 month subscription to Must Have

Popsugar: April Must Have Mini & LE CFDA Box Spoiler!

Popsugar recently launched a downsized version of their subscription box called The Must Have Mini. The box costs $18.95 and features two full sized items with no overlap for their regular sub, so you can opt to receive both if you want some extra Popsugar in your life.
Mini

Despite my ongoing issues with Popsugar customer service, I usually love the items I actually get so I decided to give this one a chance for a month or two (and of course it’s super exciting to review the inaugural box of any sub).

So let’s see what our very first Must Have Mini box has inside:
Box Open Box

CandleCoupon
Greenmarket Purveying Co. White Melon Pantry Candle

(Retail 7 oz: $16.00)
Description: “Hand-poured in small batches by a US artisan chandler, this soy-blend candle has notes of fresh melon, sweet peach, zest citrus, and comforting vanilla.”
Verdict: Like
To start this candle smells amazing, like the best watermelon candy except not cloying at all. The only thing is, it’s well, a candle. I love candles don’t get me wrong but if you’re a sub box subscriber, you get tons of them. It just seems like a bit of a boring choice for one of two slots in the very first box of the subscription. It also came with a coupon for a discount on Greenmarket Purveying Co.’s site, which was a nice bonus.

Lip BalmLip Balm Packaging Lip Balm Open
FARMACY Lip Bloom in Lavender Mint
(Retail: $16.50)
Description: ”Farmacy’s unique variant of Echinacea works with natural seed oils to form a protective barrier that leads to softer, fuller lips – combine these natural benefits with the refreshing scent of your favorite herbs, and you’ve got the perfect lip balm.”
Verdict:
Lovely but boring
Think of the very next thing that overflows from sub boxes right after candles? If you guessed lip balms, ding, ding, you are a winner! This has lovely packaging, and the scent seems nice, but it’s just a fancy lip balm. Not really much to write home about.

OVERALL:
Popsugar Must Have Mini April 2016
Verdict:
Phoned In
We’ll start with the positives. With tax I ended up paying $20.28 for this box and the retail value came out to $32.50, so it definitely delivered in that regard. This box had a spring feel and was seasonably appropriate. Each item was high quality and well suited for gift giving (particularly Mother’s Day). Unfortunately, the items were painfully dull. The only thing missing from making this the “crap you always get in sub boxes” was the inclusion of a mascara. And it’s probably only absent because Popsugar was limited to two full size pieces. With a box of only two items, at least one needs to be a rockstar and both of these were painfully ordinary sub-box fodder. They would be fine in a box filled with other things, but as a set they just don’t scream out “must have”. Also consider that this is the very first box of this subscription and it seems even less inspired. Popsugar really phoned this one in. I’m going to hold on to the sub for another month or two, just to see if it improves, but if I end up with a stack of mascara and lip gloss I’m bailing.

What do you think of Popsugar’s new lower cost offering? Would you have enjoyed this box for the price or found it as lackluster as I did?

POPSUGAR NEWS!
CFDA Box Launch & Spoiler!
CFDA
Description: “For the second year in a row, we’re proud to launch our limited-edition Must Have box with the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This fashion collaboration has little luxuries perfect for a relaxing day by the pool or a weekend filled with sun and music. Fifty percent of POPSUGAR’s profits from each box will be donated to the CFDA, in support of the CFDA mission to strengthen American fashion in the global economy.”
Cost: $225.00
Spoiler: every box includes a classic split cover up from lemlem by supermodel Liya Kebede
Last year’s CFDA box was probably Popsugar’s most controversial box ever. There was all kinds of drama from changing prices to misrepresented items, so Popsugar actually broke down and offered returns. Head over to my 2015 review for all the dirty details. This year they’ve opted to release a spoiler and it certainly looks intriguing. Last year’s box was painfully devoid of actual fashion items, so it seems Popsugar learned their lesson. After last year, I’m not willing to risk so much money on a Popsugar LE box, but if you love the spoiler it may be worth the gamble to you.

THE BACKSTORY
Popsugar is a women’s lifestyle subscription that delivers a monthly box of fun, full-size products hand-selected by Popsugar editors.

In addition to Popsugar’s monthly must have boxes, they have some seasonal special edition boxes that contain uber luxe items.  The price tag on these boxes is higher, but the products you receive are high end.

Popsugar Mini Pricing:
(Features 2 Full Size Items)
Monthly – $18.95

Popsugar Must Have Pricing:
Monthly – $39.95
3 Months – $109.85
6 Months – $214.70
12 Months – $404.40

Coupon Codes:  REFER5 = $5 off site wide
POPSUGAR10 = $10 off a 3 month subscription

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