So now that 2013 is behind us, it’s time to take a look back through all the awesome stuff my wonderful addiction to subscription boxes brought to my doorstep. I’ve chosen my favorite 13 items from all of my boxes. It was so hard to choose, but these turned out to be the ones I either loved the most or got the most use from.
AUGUST
Jelly Fish Tripod for Smartphones from the August 2013 Original Fancy Box
(Retail: $10.95 on Amazon)
Original Fancy Box
I had just delved into the world of smartphones when I got this little gadget from Fancy. It’s great for taking video or watching Netflix.
SEPTEMBER
Julep Cleansing Oil & Konjac Cleansing Sponge from the September 2013 Maven Box
(Retail: $28.00/Maven Price: $22.40 & Retail: $12.00/Maven Price: $9.50)
Julep Maven Box
This cleansing oil smells amazing (like oranges) and removes your makeup without drying out your skin. It’s one of my favorite Julep products ever. The konjac sponge exfoliates without being overly harsh and works great with so many other products.
Fancy Power Grid by Tego: from the September 2013 Original Fancy Box
(Retail $60.00 on Fancy)
Original Fancy Box
One of the things Fancy does best is bring practical little gadgets that I know I need but never get around to picking up for myself. This is a great backup charger that can help your dying Iphone battery last a bit longer.
Rachel Zoe Gold Knot Ring: from the Popsugar Fall Must Have Special Edition Box
(Retail: $75.00 on Piperlime.com)
Popsugar Must Have
I tend to gravitate toward white metals and super sparkly things so this understated gold ring was a great addition to my jewelry collection. I would never have picked it out myself but it adds a touch of elegance to my outfits and I’ve worn it a lot more than I would have guessed when I first pulled it out of the box.
OCTOBER
Ciara Polish from the October 2013 Maven Box
(Retail $14.00/Sale: $4.99)
Julep Maven Box
October brought my favorite Julep collection. It was the only time all year that I did a full upgrade. And within that awesome “Rebel set” was my favorite polish ever: Ciara. It is somehow edgy, vampy and ethereal all at the same time. It’s a magenta polish with a teal microglitter and pictures do not do it justice. Pick it up, you’ll love it (I promise).
Contort Flexible USB Hub from the October 2013 Original Fancy Box
(Fancy Retail: $25.00/Amazon Retail: $7.39)
Original Fancy Box
As usual, Fancy delivers another gadget I know I needed but just didn’t bother to buy. I used to have to take turns plugging in my thumb drive and then my camera. Now with a USB hub I can do it all at once. (Fancy needs to hope I never get gadget-savvy because then I might not need a subscription).
Midnight Clutch by Emilie M.from the October 2013 Original Fancy Box
(Fancy Retail: $50.00)
Original Fancy Box
I thought this bag was really cute when I first got it and since I actually didn’t own anything in this style it was a nice plus. It ended up being my go to bag for my nights out. You can easily fit your phone, wallet and other essentials plus it matches everything.
NOVEMBER
Jack Vartanian Ear Cuff from the November 2013 Nina Garcia Quarterly Box.
(Retail: ???)
Nina Garcia Quarterly Box
I can’t tell you how badly I wanted to be the uber edgy cool girl that can wear stuff like ear cuffs. And then Nina Garcia sent me a fabulous one by a fancy pants jewelry designer. I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to try this on my own, but once Nina sent it my way I realized I could rock it.
Le Métier De Beauté – Pretty in Punk Eye Shadow Palette from the Special Edition Neiman Marcus Popsugar Must Have Box
(Retail: $95.00)
Popsugar Must Have
This beauty palette opened up a whole new world of eyeshadow application. Did you know we were all doing smoky eyes wrong? And who better to tell us how to do it than the French! This is the most luxurious eyeshadow palette I’ve ever owned and I love that it’s opened up a whole new world of makeup for me.
Nest Candle in Birchwood Pine from the Special Edition Neiman Marcus Popsugar Must Have Box
(Retail: $34.00)
Popsugar Must Have
Sometimes I fall in love with candles. Okay, I frequently fall in love with candles. But I really, really mean it when I say I love this candle. It is so pretty and while it looked awesome with my Christmas decorations it’s going to look amazing all year long.
DECEMBER
Erickson Beamon Rocks Blondie Stone Bangle from the Limited Edition Popsugar Holiday Box
(Estimated Retail $98.00)
Popsugar Must Have
Okay maybe I’m just a sucker for sparkly things, but I loved the rhinestones on this bracelet. They were just ethereal and twinkly and the captured my imagination the moment I took this out of the box. They look so much better in person than in my photograph.
Tokyomilk’s Dark Body Soufflé in “Chance” from the Limited Edition Popsugar Holiday Box
(Retail: $40.00)
Popsugar Must Have
You know when it comes to beauty products I’m pretty easy. You can win me over with gorgeous packaging so this body cream had me at hello. It proved itself with a soft fragrance and rich, but not greasy formula. This is a great gift for the girl who thinks she has everything.
Graphic Image 2014 Datebook: from the Limited Edition Popsugar Holiday Box
(Retail: $97.00)
Popsugar Must Have
Okay so I’m going to be honest. A planner that costs $100 is for some other girl. I would never even think of buying something like this and maybe that’s why I love it so very much. Along with calendars, maps and room for notes it has lists of common words and phrases with translations in English, French, Dutch, Italian and Spanish (including the dates of all their different holidays!) Just ask me how to say chicken in Dutch (Huhn) or for two nights in French (pour deux nuits). ASK ME! Okay, I got a little carried away, but this little book makes me feel like I’m a jetsetting socialite who spends spring time in Paris and summers in the Hamptons, which is exactly what I need when I’m trapped in my windowless, basement office in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Now a few winners in the larger subscription categories:
Overall Favorite Subscription:
Popsugar Must Have & Nina Garcia Quarterly Box
Since Nina’s box was brand new and only had one come out this year it was hard to judge it against the others, but it was cohesive and chic and exactly what you expect from Nina Garcia. Popsugar is the most consistant when it comes to awesome items I can use in my life so I chose it for the top spot.
Favorite One Time Box:
Popsugar Limited Edition Holiday Box
As super fancy as the Neiman Marcus box was, the Holiday box just fit my needs and lifestyle so perfectly (as you notice it had three of my top thirteen picks).
Did you subscribe to any boxes in 2013? I’d love to hear your favorite things.
Lisa Preziosi 