Popsugar 2014 spoilers – Lisa Preziosi

Popsugar: January 2015

I just got an email that my February Popsugar box has shipped so it’s definitely time for me to review the January one. Popsugar is probably my favorite subscription, because even when I don’t love everything I always feel like I get am excellent value for my money (plus it’s helped me discover some really great gifts.)

Now January boxes usually bring a plethora of fitness and “health” stuff in our sub boxes which can be good or bad (see last January’’s “juicing book”) thing.

Jack + Lucy Pom Pom Hat (Suggested Retail: $32.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “Stay warm and cozy during Winter with this slouchy heather-gray hat! The faux-fur pom-pom offers an unexpected element to your average beanie.”
Verdict: Like
This winter I’ve been collecting hats even though I usually just grab my tried and true slouchy knit hat from Urban Outfitters. This brand has been featured before, but it’s not available through any online store (unless you’re buying it from a reseller). The style of the hat is pretty neutral and it’s actually quite large. I’m not sure if I love or hate the pom-pom but I’ll keep this with my other knit hats when I want to mix things up a little.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (Suggested Retail: $30.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “Banish dry skin for good with this cream that delivers moisture from head to toe. Allergy tested and free of fragrance, harsh chemicals and parabens, it’s safe for even the most sensitive skin.”
Verdict: Love!
To start this is a giant size of cream so great value right there. I’ve heard amazing things about First Aid Beauty so I’m psyched to try out one of their products. This is rich without being greasy and there is no fragrance so this is perfect to share with that guy in your life. This was a fabulous choice by Popsugar because this winter has been pretty harsh and I think most subscribers could probably use this.

KeepCup Brew 12-Ounce Reusable Coffee Cup (Suggested Retail: $26.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “This colorful coffee cup is the perfect replacement for disposable cups. KeepCup’s smart and consumer-friendly designs will keep your beverages warm time and time again!
Verdict: Hit!
This reusable coffee cup is attractive, practical and a nice change from the mugs and plastic travel cups we often see in boxes. I’m probably not going to use this for travel (because of the glass) but I will enjoy it with my next homemade Café Mocha.

Manduka eQua Hand Towel (Suggested Retail: $16.00)
Category: Must Have Fitness
Description: “Retire your old gym towel for this superabsorbent multipurpose Manduka towel instead. The lightweight yet durable microfibers are perfect on the yoga mat and beyond!
Verdict: Like!
We knew there’d be a fitness item in this box and I think this was a thoughtful pick. It’s a “yoga” hand towel but it can be used for any workouts and I think most folks will be able to use this no matter what their workout of choice. Bonus points for the cheerful turquoise shade.

ToGoSpa EYES (Retail: $12.50)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “For a mini spa treatment, pamper yourself with these refreshing gel eye pads from ToGoSpa. It’s the convenient and cool way to reduce dark circles or unwanted puffiness.”
Verdict: Love!
I love face and eye treatments and these sound like they’ll be perfect after a long day at work with an even longer commute home through the snow.

Skin Jewel Tattoos EMPIRE (Suggested Retail: $18.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “Add even more shine to the New Year with these Skin Jewel Tattoos, sponsored by the new hit drama Empire on Fox. The decorative mix of gold and silver can go anywhere on your body, and check out POPSUGAR Beauty to see how they can work as nail art.”
Verdict: All the single ladies…
I can’t decide if these are more Hoochie Mama or Spring Break. Thankfully they can work as nail art, but I do think I’m just going to set them aside for a gift to some college-aged relative. They’ll work great with that glow-in-the dark orange lipstick from my last Memebox.

Nature Valley Peanut Butter ‘n Dark Chocolate Protein Granola (Suggested Retail: $3.68)
Category: Must Have Food
Description: “Eating healthy and feeling satisfied just got easier with Nature Valley’s Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Protein granola. It’s the delicious way to add protein to your day and stay on track.”
Verdict: Hit!
I always love it when I get free breakfasts from these boxes and this granola is generously sized. It definitely doesn’t skimp on the peanut butter which makes it quite filling. This would be great with some Greek yogurt, or my favorite healthy treat, ice cream. (Listen you can interpret “heart healthy” your way and I’ll interpret it mine).

OVERALL:

Verdict: Hit!
I was a bit worried this box would be full of stuff like raw food cookbooks and kickboxing DVDs but this box had a nice balance of healthy “new year” items and some practical things as well. I paid $42.75 for this box and received an estimated retail of $138.18. I will use everything but the skin tattoos so I’m quite happy with the box. I feel Popsugar’s curation on their monthly boxes has gotten a lot tighter over the last few months and I’m interested to see what February brings.

What did you think of the January Popsugar Box? Did you like the practical theme or were you looking for more excitement?

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 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

Popsugar Must Have: December 2014

So I’m powering through the last box stragglers of 2014, so it’s time for my last Popsugar box of 2014. Onto the December box which I hoped was full of Holiday goodies…

SPUN by Subtle Luxury Speckled Metallic Scarf (Suggested Retail: $62.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “To feel even more festive this Winter, add this speckled metallic scarf to any outfit for a subtle sparkle and added warmth.”
Verdict: Love!
I love this scarf. It’s soft, beautiful and surprisingly warm. You can dress it up or down and wear it in different seasons. This was a great way to start the box.

Sparklepop Sydney Necklace (Suggested Retail: $42.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “Dress it up or down – this gorgeous 18K gold-plated necklace is a must have showstopper that can be worn long or layered with shorter necklaces.”
Verdict: Love!
We so rarely get long layering pieces in sub boxes so I was thrilled to grab this. It’s versatile, classic and can be worn in a myriad of ways. It also looks great paired with the metallic scarf from this box. Another winner!

Canvas Dauville Platinum Bowl (Suggested Retail: $29.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “The hand-painted platinum interior will keep all your little gems or snacks tidy in a unique way!”
Verdict: Love!
This adorable bowl is the perfect size to collect jewelry on your vanity or paperclips on your desk. I love the organic outside paired with the glamourous inside. I checked out the Canvas Home site and fell in love with nearly everything. Popsugar followed up with an email code for 25% off anything off the site just use the code CANVASPOP. There are some seaglass colored bowls that are just screaming out my name….

Smashbox Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer (Suggested Retail: $24.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “Look and feel legendary with this long-wear lip lacquer—the deep Bordeaux color and maxed-out staining pigment will ensure your color stays put all night long!.”
Verdict: Hit!
I have a fabulous Smashbox palette and some cream shadows, but I had yet to try their Lip Lacquer so I’m psyched to get this. I didn’t include a swatch because I am currently overwhelmed with lip products and didn’t want to open this one just yet.

Knot & Bow Parcel Tags (Retail: $4.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “After you’ve wrapped the perfect present, make it complete with tehse classic parcel tags or get creative and use them as organizing labels around the house!.”
Verdict: Hit!
These tags are really versatile and as far as wrapping items go this was a perfect choice for a sub box. The blue color means you can use them all year long, with everything from birthday gifts to labeling boxes of handmade treats.

Williams-Sonoma Cupcake Mix in Vanilla Bean (Suggested Retail: $14.95)
Category: Must Have Food
Description: “When you’re craving gourmet cupcakes, get your fix with this easy vanilla bean mix for sweet perfection”
Verdict: Hit!
Now I’d never pay $14.95 for fancy cupcake mix, but I love baking and am always up for trying new things. I made these for my friends and their kids and topped them with chocolate frosting. They were tasty (as cupcakes always should be) but I didn’t find them all that much better than good old Betty Crocker. So while I enjoyed the mix, I wouldn’t purchase it on my own.

OVERALL:

Verdict:Love!

Looks like Popsugar saved the best for last.
I love, love, love this box. Did I mention I love this box? Popsugar really made up a lot of ground with this one. It was so thoughtfully curated and not only did these items all fit the season, they made a beautiful cohesive box. This is my favorite Popsugar box of the year and I hope they keep this momentum up in 2015.

This box cost me $42.95 and I received $175.95 worth of product. I loved or really liked everything in this box and I will use every single item.

In Popsugar News, they released a $65 Limited Edition Fitness collaboration box with Target which sold out in record time. After my recent disappointment with the Limited Edition Neiman Marcus box I’ve been opting out of Popsugar LE boxes, but after this December box I’ll probably be changing my mind.

What did you think of the December Popsugar Box? Was it your favorite of the year?

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar Must Have: November 2014

So with all the holiday fuss, I of course have gotten behind on my reviews and now it’s time to catch up. Today I’ve got my review of the Popsugar November box. I’ve been on the outs with Popsugar since their customer service shenanigans and lackluster Neiman Marcus box so I’ve been slowly letting them woo me back.

Now let’s get to the goods.

The Secret Recipes by Dominique Ansel (Suggested Retail: $20.47)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Great for both novice and experienced bakers – or a pretty addition to your coffee table –The Secret Recipes explores never-before-seen recipes from Dominique Ansel, the pastry chef behind the Cronut..”
Verdict: On the fence
Okay to start, has anyone in the history of ever, stated “You know what I need? More coffee table books.” Yeah, I didn’t think so. Maybe sub boxes could start taking note of that. At first I was thrilled with this – I love cookbooks, especially ones with cool stuff for entertaining, but these recipes seem unnecessarily complicated and not that appealing to the average baker. It does have nice pictures and the idea of a baking cookbook around the holidays was a good one, but I just don’t think this particular choice was a good one.

Sorial Saffiano Wallet on a Chain (Suggested Retail: $49.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “As chic as your favorite clutch but way more functional, this wallet on a chain fits all your essentials for a hands-free night on the town or an easy-to-find item in your large everyday bag.”
Verdict: Gift
Oh, *another* tiny blue bag from Popsugar. I’ve lost count at this point as to how many we received in 2014. This isn’t a bad bag, but in the context of this sub we have received so many items with similar styling and color that it’s just redundant. It is a cute bag so I was able to gift it. I could no longer find it available for regular retail sale so I used the Popsugar suggested price. I believe that $49 is quite high since, in December, I found one on sale at TJ Maxx for less than half that.

K. Hall Simpatico Ambergris Shea Butter Cream (Suggested Retail: $36.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “For smooth and delightfully fragrant skin, lather this shea butter cream freely and enjoy the sweet musky scent and intense moisturizing qualities.”
Verdict: Hit/Gift!
Come winter time in the northeast you can always find a place for extra moisturizer. I love, love the packaging of this. As much as I wanted to hoard it for myself, I thought it would be a fabulous addition to a Christmas gift I was putting together so I reluctantly let it go.

Tiny Prints Thoughtful Heart Stationary (Suggested Retail: $15.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Designed by Lisa Sugar and Tiny Prints, this watercolor design gives you aonther reason to write your loved one something special. In addition, enjoy this $25 gift card for more spectacular stationery perfect for any occasion.”
Verdict: Like
I’m torn because normally I really like stationery but I’m just not wild about this print. Maybe it’s because this royal blue color pervades Popsugar boxes or the heart makes it feel a little young, but I would have preferred a different design. I’m sure I’ll get some use out of it though, so it’s not a terrible addition, even if it’s a bit boring.

Wine Glass Writer (Retail: $9.95)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Made exclusively for Popsugar Must Have, these fast-drying, nontoxic glass writers ensure you’ll never lose your wineglass again.”
Verdict: Hit!
At first I thought I’d use these as a gift, since I live in a small apartment and therefore don’t typically throw parties where people lose track of their wine glasses, but when I checked out the website I realized these can be used in more ways. You can write on ceramics or glass and then just wash them off. I think I’ll have some fun using these for decorating during my next get together.

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popped Corn (Suggested Retail: $3.69)
Category: Must Have Food
Description: “With so much flavor and deliciousness in one bite, you’ll be amazed this caramel and cheddar cheese corn mix is all natural, non-GMO, and gluten free!”
Verdict: Hit!
You know that horrible feeling when you can’t decide if you want cheese popcorn or caramel? Well this bag totally fixes that problem because it gives you both. This snack was really delicious and my boyfriend and I finished it off pretty quickly. I’d definitely buy this again if I came across it in a grocery store.

OVERALL:

Verdict: Like

This box cost me $42.95 and I received $120.11 worth of product along with a $25 coupon for Tiny Prints. While I didn’t love everything, I understood most of the logic with the curation and I could use some of the items as gifts. I do want to see Popsugar move away from the same shades of blue though. I’d love to see some red show up in 2015.

While I’m continuing with my regular Popsugar subscription, I did opt out of their holiday box because of my unhappiness with their Neiman Marcus box and their level of customer service the last few months. If you picked up a Holiday box I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar: Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Box – November 2014

So it’s time to review the most expensive sub box I order: The Neiman Marcus Popsugar Limited Edition box. Thankfully it is only offered once a year, although after this box I will probably not be ordering it again. With taxes I paid a whopping $267.50 in anticipation of some awesome high end goodies. Last year I got a great box so my expectations were high.

As usual fancy box with nicely packaged items and a foldout card.

Clare V. Foldover Clutch (Suggested Retail: $220.00)
Description: “This signature foldover clutch is the best of both worlds: style and versatility. Depending on your mood and outfit, choose a side to complete any look. Toss it into a larger bag to keep your most important necessities organized, or let it be the star of your outfit as you make the rounds at holiday parties.”
Verdict: Gift
Is this a nice, well made clutch? Yes, it is. Does it look remarkably similar to other bags from recent Popsugar boxes? Yes, yes, it does. The clutch included in the LE Resort box looked remarkably similar in both color and shape. And in our November box, what did we receive? Another small blue bag that is nearly identical in color to the blue on this one. Tell me Popsugar, why do we need so very many small blue bags? Why? If they had just done this bag in another color scheme it would have been a huge hit. Imagine this in a metallic mix, like a rose gold with silver or a metallic with a winter white…how amazing would that be? This doesn’t scream out holiday party to me and we’ve seen this same blue and black color scheme with Popsugar accessories over and over again this year. I think this purse will make a nice gift for someone, but in the context of being curated for a Popsugar box this was not a good choice.

Mariebelle Azetc Hot Chocolate Tin (Suggested Retail: $14.50)
Description: “Stay warm during Winter with this natural hot chocolate mix. Made with South American cacao and rich dark chocolate, this decadent treat is perfect for sharing with loved ones on a cozy night.”
Verdict: Like/Gift
Hot chocolate made sense for the season and this is an attractive tin. I think this will be the perfect addition to someone’s Christmas gift, so it is being added to the Great Christmas Stash of 2014.

Swing Design Mia Glass Storage Box (Suggested Retail: $55.00)
Description: “Keep valuables safe and tidy in this gorgeous hexagonal storage box. The two-toned detailing, beveeled edges and soft interior make it an elegant place to store your jewelry or other sentimental pieces.”
Verdict: Uninspired
This is a nice trinket box, but there’s just not much to it. It’s pretty, but boring and I think the curators could have found something more compelling that actually screamed out “must have”. I think I may end up using this on my desk to hold little odds and ends since I think it looks more interesting as an upscale office organizer than a jewelry box.

ChanteCaille Brillant Gloss & Supreme Cils Mascara (Suggested Retail: $33.00/$52.00)
Description: “This duo works double duty to keep your lips supple and your lashes fierce all day long. The Brillant Gloss, with green tea extract lives up to its name by naturally hydrating and plumping your lips. The Supreme Cils Mascara, with its rosewater infused formula, plays up eyes with long-lasting volume add definition.”
Verdict: zzzzzzzz, sorry I fell asleep
There are two items that beauty box junkies have in a huge quantity (besides credit card bills). Black mascara and pinkish nude glosses. They come in every other box. But I don’t mind them in a $10 Birchbox or even a $40 Popsugar Must Have, but I expect a hell of a lot more from a limited Edition $250+ box. Last year we got an amazing kaleidoscope beauty palette from Metier de Beaute and this not even close to how special or interesting that was. Chantecaille makes some other cool makeup and for some reason they chose this snoozefest to include. Very disappointing.

Lancer, The Method Nourish (Retail: $125.00)
Description: “Celebrity secret weapon Lancer delivers the Fountain of Youth with this potent antiaging moisturizer. Nourish boosts your skin’s oxygen level and increases its metabolism for a visibly renewed and you youthful glow.”
Verdict: zzzzzz, sorry, still asleep
I like moisturizers and I like trying fancy ones, but I just can’t get excited about this one. It just doesn’t seem that interesting and I have so many moisturizers in my beauty horde that I’m waiting to try out. I think I would have been more intrigued by this if the other beauty items had been more fun.

Monica Rich Kosann Cream Enamel Frame (Suggested Retail: $100.00)
Description: “This beautiful picture frame gives us another reason to show off those precious holiday memories. This frame looks flawless at every angle, with a suede back and cream-colored enamel border.”
Verdict: Seriously? SERIOUSLY!
This small 5X7 frame costs $100. No, really take that in. This is like the over-priced wedding frames that people put on their registries and I always wonder who buys them since you can get nicer ones at TJ Maxx for $12.99. Now I know. Popsugar. This is so, so painfully boring. Like school filmstrips about plankton boring. And when did we just get a picture frame? In the October Popsugar box, only it was a lot more interesting than this one. Is it a decent frame? Sure, as far as white enamel frames go. Is it worth $100? Maybe if you had a box with ten of them in it. I don’t even know who to give this to – it’s like “I don’t know you enough to get you a personal gift, but I want you to feel obligated by an item with a high price tag. Enjoy the frame.” This is the item that tipped me from disliking this box to hating it. This is some lazy, half-assed curation which is not as big a deal for a $40 box, but if I’m shelling out a fortune I expect better than a small white picture frame. Popsugar, you can do better than this. Shame on Neiman Marcus for pawning off the stuff nobody wants to pay full price for in this box and double shame on Popsugar for letting them do it to your subscribers.

Missioni Home by Apothia Candle (Suggested Retail: $88.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “Easily incorporate Missoni’s iconic designs into home décor with this stunning candle. IT’s an excellent pop of pattern for any room or gift for the stylish hostess in your life. Partnering with Apothia, Missoni captures the scent of Italian breezes and night-blooming jasmine in this candle.”
Verdict: Love
Finally, something I really love. One thing in this whole damn box and it’s an $88 candle. But, this has a nice design and it’s Missoni, which is a super cool brand. When the candle is finished I will definitely be reusing the canister. The scent on this is fresh, unusual and appealing. While candles aren’t super exciting on their own I think this was a good example of taking a basic item and offering us an interesting spin on it. This has a cool design, a unique scent and is from a prestige brand. Everything in this box should have been more like this.

OVERALL:

Angry.

As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, this box cost me a ton of money – $267.50 to be exact. I don’t expect sub boxes to fit all my expectations or match my interests perfectly every time. What I do expect is curation to be on par with previous boxes and with the expectation that the brand has set up. Last year’s Neiman Marcus box was interesting and high end. I gifted parts of it and some items I didn’t personally use, but overall I could see why they chose the items they did and each one fit with the type of aesthetic you expect from Popsugar and Neiman Marcus.

Technically this box is “worth” $714. I honestly, don’t even see my $267.50 in there. Nearly all the items were boring and the ones that weren’t boring, were repeats of stuff we just received in Popsugar boxes. This was some incredibly lazy curation. You do not drop the ball on the $200+ box.

Based on Facebook posts and blogs I was not the only customer hugely disappointed with this box. And to add insult to injury, Neiman Marcus offers this box on their site and just had a sale where you could get $50 off your purchase. So you could get this “oh so special, limited edition, will sell out asap box” for a huge clearance price. Doesn’t that make all of us ~~loyal Popsugar Subscribers~~ idiots who paid over $250 feel oh, so good?

Adding this horribly curated box to all of the customer service issues in October and I am quite angry with my previously beloved Popsugar sub. They continue to offer special deals and discounts to “new” customers while ignoring their existing ones and allowing a horrific level of customer service. I have seen no coupon deal or extra item for existing customers to make up for all the late October deliveries and ongoing customer service problems.

They have now released their Holiday Limited Edition boxes for him and her and this is the spoiler for the women’s box:

I adored last year’s Holiday box and I have purchased every Popsugar LE box since I joined in Fall of last year. I even like the item in this spoiler. Will I order? Most likely not. I’m so disappointed with the Neiman Marcus box that I don’t feel like handing over another $100 to Popsugar, especially during the holidays when money is tight. It’s sad because I’ve been an extremely loyal customer, so if Popsugar can lose me, then I can only imagine how many other customers are feeling the same way.

What did you think of this box? Do you think it was worth the high price tag or was it just a big disappointment in a fancy package?

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar Limited Edition Fall Box: September 2014

So it’s time for one of my favorite reviews – a Popsugar Limited Edition box. If you are a frequent reader, you know these boxes are like crack to me. As soon as they come out, I must grab them, so when Popsugar introduced the Limited Edition Fall box I just couldn’t help myself.

Now one of the things I love about Popsugar LE boxes is the actual box it comes in. They are sturdy and full of win. I use the giant Neiman Marcus box to house my polish collection, while the others like this one, hold my gift stashes from boxes.

Now enough of my love and adoration for the box and let’s see what’s inside.

Marchesa Voyage for Shopstyle Printed Scarf (Suggested Retail: $140)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “Impulse makes a great accessory. Inspired by designer Georgina Chapman’s own scarf collection, this printed scarf details an all-over floral pattern that encircles the Marchesa’s logo. A vibrant accent, it instantly wraps a flash of luxe to any look.”
Verdict: Ambivalent
I love Marchesa, (or better said I have loved Marchesa from afar because I am mostly poor), so I should be psyched to get this, but I just can’t muster up to much feeling for it. It’s soft and excellent quality but the print feels very ho hum to me. I also don’t understand why Popsugar would put a scarf in the September box and a scarf in this box when they come out at about the same time? The ombre scarf from the September box was more my type of vibe. This scarf is also being given as a free gift if you purchase the knit zip dress or moto jacket if you use the code SCARF at checkout. The fact that it’s a free gift and not all that interesting sort of lowers the value to me. Don’t get me wrong it’s a nice scarf and I’m going to keep it because I want a Marchesa piece in my collection, but I’m just not as thrilled with it as I expected.

Make Silk Cream Lipstick in Radicchio (Suggested Retail: $25)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “When it comes to lipstick, long –lasting color and hydration should go hand in hand. Using a unique blend of waxes and oils, this creamy lipstick delivers both intense color and luxurious nourishment for pigmented perfection.”
Verdict: Like
Red lips are huge for fall and I really like this brick red shade. I am unfamiliar with the Make brand so I’m excited to try it out. The packaging on this was a bit unique as well which made it a little more interesting than the usual lip product. I currently have a ton of lipsticks and glosses in use, so I didn’t swatch this one and am setting it aside until I finish up a few more products.

Sugarpova Chic Gummy Candy (Suggested Retail: $5.99)
Category: Must Have Food
Description: “
Verdict: Hit!
I have a weakness for gummies. As you can imagine this low carb diet crap has been very very sad news for my gummy addiction. Good news is that I am going on a carb bender for my birthday so I am reserving this bag for my little birthday trip. I probably wouldn’t have grabbed this on my own as I am partial to Swedish Fish and Twizzlers, but it’s a fun, cute treat.

Capsule Parfums Byway Eau de Parfum (Suggested Retail: $38.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “Influenced by fashion, beauty, and street culture, this boutique fragrance might just become your new signature scent. With notes of crystal spun sugar, vanilla essence, amber petals and twilight jasmine, this sweet and playful blend is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.”
Verdict: !#$#$@$
Damn it Popsugar! How many times have we had this conversation? Stop sending large perfumes in these boxes!!! I don’t care if you think a scent is a “guaranteed crowd pleaser”, the odds are a lot of your subscribers won’t like it or just won’t be able to use it. I don’t mind small parfum sprays, but it’s always a bummer when I see a perfume as a large item. It’s doubly sad when it shows up in a LE box. We had this same problem with that awful Coconut perfume in the May Must Have Box. Setting aside my inherent dislike of perfumes, this one is super sweet and to me reads a bit young. I don’t hate it, but I don’t like it either. It also seems much more like a summery scent than a fall one.

Joie Zorina Knit Hat (Retail: $98.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “As the cooler months approach, this knit hat will keep you warm in style. With a wool-cashmere blend, this chic cream-colored hat will prepare you for the chilly days ahead.
Verdict: Hit!
I love that we finally got an item that totally screams out Fall. My current go-to Fall/Winter hat is a slouchy knit cream, so this is write up my alley. This one is a bit more fitted, but I think it will look great with my hair and complexion. I’m psyched to try out the Joie brand and I think this is a nice classic piece that a lot of ladies could use.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser (Suggested Retail: $32.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “…this cult-favorite brightening cleanser is your one-stop shop for flawless skin. The all-natural pink formula oxidizes into a buttercream hue to exfoliate, tighten, and soothe your skin to perfection.”
Verdict: Hit!
As you know I love trying out new beauty products and this one sounds particularly intriguing with its whole “oxidizes” spiel. It’s also fun to try out “cult-favorites” and see what all the fuss is about.

OVERALL:

Verdict: Like, but with some reservations…

This box cost me $107 and according to my math skills (aka Excel spreadsheet) we received $344.99 worth of product. So from a strictly technically standpoint I got plenty of retail value out of this box. So what’s the problem?

Well, this box really felt like it was missing a lot despite the high retail value. There was no home item included at all, and as much as I love the Marchesa brand I think a piece of jewelry would have been a much better choice given that a hat is already in this box and loyal subscribers already snagged a scarf with the September Must Have. Not only is the perfume a frustrating item to receive for so many of us, but the scent had nothing to do with Fall and neither did the food item. For me, the two “Fall” items were the hat and the lipstick. The others could have been in any box at any time. Fall has so many visceral connotations that this box just doesn’t work in that context.

What did you think of your LE Fall Popsugar Box? Did you love the contents or were you missing the “Fall” part of the box?

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar Must Have: September 2014

So it’s time for one of my favorite boxes – the Popsugar Must Have. I loved the August box so I was super excited to see what was in store for September.

Tilo Scarves Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin (Suggested Retail: $125)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “Sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Fred Segal, and Ron Herman, this hand-dyed modal scarf provides warmth and style as you layer your way into Fall.”
Verdict: Love!
Do I have a ton of scarves? Yes? Can I find room for more awesome ones? Of course. This scarf is super soft and I adore the ombre effect on it. I love that it’s neutral but has an edgy vibe. I can already see this becoming a staple in my fall wardrobe. This scarf definitely feels expensive so I can understand where the high retail value comes from. This scarf is also quite large so it has a lot of versatility. This item alone is worth the cost of the box.

Nicole Miller Stereo Earbuds (Suggested Retail: $20)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Listen to your favorite tunes with these fun and functional earbuds with three ear-cap sizes.”
Verdict: Gift
Before my subscription box addition, I used to go through new earbuds nearly every other month because they just couldn’t stand up to my daily commute. Then I got a pair of random Sony ones that somehow still haven’t died. Meanwhile I have accumulated a stack of earbuds and headphones including the super fancy ones from the last Nina Garcia Quarterly box, so I think I’ll be gifting or trading these.

Urban Remedy Almond Brownie (Suggested Retail: $6.00)
Category: Must Have Food
Description: “Made with 100 percent organic, quality ingredients, this almond brownie from Urban Remedy, for which Cindy Crawford is a brand ambassador and partner, is the smart way to indulge.”
Verdict: Miss
Okay so I’ve been doing this low carb thing for a while, so it annoys me when packages (particularly those labeled “healthy”) don’t include detailed nutritional info. This lists the ingredients but not things like calories, carbs or portion size. I had to look this up online to determine that it had way more carbs than I’m allowed so I couldn’t try it myself. Based solely on its appearance and ingredient list, I’d skip this. It lists “almond flour” as a main ingredient which sounds great, because almonds are delicious, but almond flour is a lie. A giant evil lie. If you use too much it makes your baked goods taste like mold. I don’t know why because almonds are awesome, but almond flour. No. Just No. Trust me on this one.

Oribe Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray (Suggested Retail: $21.50)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “When you need to tame those fly-aways in a pinch, this purse-size hair spray from celebrity favorite Oribe will give you reliable hold.”
Verdict: Hit!
Once again, we receive a product from the awesome and super fancy pants hair brand Oribe. I have their texturizing spray from other boxes and it’s wonderful. I’ve been accumulating different hair products in a sad attempt to get into actually styling my hair so this is a great little guy to add to my collection. Maybe I can finally go all Jersey girl and attempt some big hair.

Letter C Design Gold Foil Arrow Pencils (Retail: $5.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Ditch your average number two pencil and write down all your bright aideas with these hand-foil-stamped arrow pencils instead.
Verdict: Like
I’ve been revamping my desk area so I’m happy to pick up some more fun office supplies. I like that this came with a little sharpener which I promptly used to sharpen all the Clueless pencils I got from my July Jennifer Love Hewitt Fancy Box.

Rifle Paper Co. Garance Doré Assorted Girls Set (Suggested Retail: $18.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Partnering with Garance Doré, Rifle Paper Co. presents a stationery set with blank interiors and iconic illustrations – it’s fabulous and versatile.”
Verdict: Hit/Gift
Looks like we got some stationary to go with our pencils. The Rifle Paper Co. is a staple in subscription boxes and they have lovely designs. These have a Paris Fasion type feel to them. I tend to hoard stationary so I’m not sure if I’ll use them myself. I have a few folks on my gift giving list that I think would adore these.

Special Extras

Nike $20 Gift Card
Category: Special Extra
Description: “After you’ve found your perfect Nike Pro Bra, use this $20 gift card to make the look complete. This new bra collection features over 25 sizes to give you the desired support for the perfect fit.”
Verdict: On the Fence
I know this is a “special extra” but I’m just not typically a fan of items that require you to spend a significant amount in order to use them. The Nike store isn’t cheap so I’ll have to spend some time looking around to see if there’s anything that makes this worth it.

Ghirardelli Milk chocolate Sea Salt & Almond Minis
Category: Special Extra
Description: “Individually wrapped, these mini Ghirardelli sea salt and almond crunch cholates make snacking on the go so much simpler”.
Verdict: Gift
So once again the low carb thing spoils my snacking fun. But I can totally add these to my stockpile of candy for the Halloween trick or treaters so this is still a win.

OVERALL:

Hit!

Excluding the “special extras”, this box had a value of $195.50 and I only paid $42.75 (with tax). The scarf alone is well worth the $42 and the other items are just fun extras. I thought that the plethora of upscale brands in this box gave it a luxury fall fashion type of aesthetic that really appealed to me.

What did you think of your September Popsugar Must Have Box? Did you love the scarf as much as I did?

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar Must Have: August 2014

So it’s time for one of my favorite boxes – the Popsugar Must Have. I really loved the July box so I was excited to see what would show up in my box for August.

Kendra Scott Elle Earrings in Slate (Suggested Retail: $52.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “With a slate-gray stone and delicate shape, these drop earrings will go with anything!
Verdict: Hit!
I couldn’t find this exact shade on the Kendra Scott site, but there are tons of beautiful colors that you can grab these earrings in as well. I’ve been in the market for some dangling earrings so these will be a perfect addition to my jewelry collection. This also came with a coupon for the Kendra Scott site, so I may end up grabbing something else for my Fall wardrobe.

Paddywax Ocean tide + Sea Salt Mini Jar Candle (Suggested Retail: $10.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “With fragrance notes of sea salt and the ocean tide, this soy-wax candle brings the beach to you.”
Verdict: Love!
I swear Popsugar has singlehandedly redecorated my bathroom this year. I have two Turkish bath towels from past boxes and now this adorable candle. I love ocean scented things and the color is perfect for my mint, white & blue bathroom. I would have totally grabbed this if I saw it in a store.

Goodbyn Purple Meal and Dipper Set (Suggested Retail: $8.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Keeping track of meal portions in a portable way has never been easier, thanks to Goodbyn’s container set. Dishwasher safe and versatile, this set is ideal for packing food on the go.”
Verdict: Hit!
I bring my breakfast and lunch to work every day so I this is perfect for me. I don’t own a ton of plasticware (most of my Tupperware is glass) so this will be perfect for packing snacks and lunches. I’d love to see Popsugar include more items for those of us who brown bag it. I didn’t find this exact configuration on the Goodbyn website but they have some similar sets with a few extra pieces.

The Mason Jar Cookie Company (Suggested Retail: $12.00)
Category: Must Have Food
Description: “Make any celebration even more festive with your mason jar cookie mix. Just add butter and an egg to this premeasured baking mix for a delicious treat.”
Verdict: Gift
Sadly, I am on a low carb diet, so there are no cookies (are there any phrases sadder than “no cookies?”) In any case, I’ll either bake these for guests, pass them along to someone who’ll bake them and love every delicious bite, or hoard them until my 35^th birthday (at the end of October) where I will to drown my sorrows carbs and excessive shopping. Subscribers received our cookie mix in a packet, but it looks like most of the ones on the site are available in actual mason jars and you can even customize your own mix.

Lollia At Last Perfumed Shower Gel (Retail: $22.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “Infused with shea butter and jojoba oil, this shower gel will keep your skin refreshed and smelling divine.
Verdict: Miss/Gift
So thankfully this tube was packaged in its own little bubble wrap baggie, because it was leaking when it came. It wasn’t broken, but the lid was loose. I managed to clean it all off and not get it on any of the other items. Unfortunately this scent is hardcore floral—as in your grandmother’s friend Philomena whose perfume is so damn strong it gives you a headache every time you have to spend just one minute making small talk with her. I usually welcome shower gel since it’s something I use constantly and always need, but this one is too much for me. I’ll have to pass it along to someone who enjoys heavy floral scents. I really wanted to like this because of the pretty packaging, but it’s a miss.

Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip (Suggested Retail: $22.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “To celebrate Popsugar Must Have’s second birthday, Bite Beauty created this new shade just for the occasion. With nourishing strawberry, coconut and avocado oils, this gloss is a superferuit smoothie for your lips”
Verdict: Love!
In a sub box, nothing is more fun than an exclusive item. I love lip glosses and this one is a pretty sheer pink. I’m currently working my way through a giant stockpile of lip products (a horde second only to my polish stash) so I’m setting this one aside to use for Fall. There are other great shades from Bite Beauty on the Sephora site.

Brownie Crunch High Protein Bar (Suggested Retail: $1.99)
Category: Special Extra
Description: “Packed with 20 grams of protein and zero grams of sugar, they’re a delicious and healthy way to fuel your day.
Verdict: Gift
I appreciate the inclusion of this item, but once again my low carb diet keeps me from even the healthy sounding protein bar. Putting aside my own personal dietary habits, I think this makes sense as a freebie and I’ll just pass it along to someone who’ll enjoy a free breakfast.

OVERALL:

Hit!

Including the protein bar, this box had a value of $127.99. I had referral credits so I got this one for free, but I would have gladly paid the regular price for it. The earrings are lovely, the candle is perfect for my home and I’ll get plenty of use out of the lunch box and the lip gloss. Despite the items that were misses I felt that this box was nicely curated and would appeal to a lot of ladies.

So what did you think of the August Popsugar box? What were your favorite and least favorite items?

POPSUGAR NEWS!

A spoiler for the September Must Have Box has been released!

Each September POPSUGAR Must Have box will include the Fall essential scarf by Tilo Scarves, valued at $125! This is a great deal, so if you’re ready to take the plunge and subscribe be sure to use one of my coupon codes below.

Because Popsugar limited edition boxes are like kryptonite for my wallet, they have of course released their Fall Style Box, and I, (of course), have purchased it. It’s still available for any of you peeps that are interested. It is a one time box, priced at $100, but the value is typically well above that. If you’re on the fence, I’ve got lots of great reviews on past Limited Edition boxes including the Fall 2013 Box.

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar Must Have: July 2014

So rounding out the couple of stragglers from the July boxes is my Popsugar Must Have. This is one of my favorite boxes and my most consistent in terms of items I enjoy and will use. Let’s dive in and see what’s inside.

Michael Stars Beach Hat (Suggested Retail: $34.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “Hats are a stylish and practical necessity when it comes to long,leisurely days outside in the heat of Summer, but can be a pain to pack for vacation. That’s why we love this hat—it’s bendable and flexible, making it ideal for travel.”
Verdict: Like
Being a ginger, I have built myself a nice collection of silly beach hats so I have no problem adding another to it. The coloring on this one makes it go with pretty much anything you wear and the bendable rim helps it keep it’s shape when you smush it into a bag. I have to say I was so relieved not to see another baseball hat or pair of sunglasses, so this hat won some extra points with me.

Sun Bum Sunscreen and Lotion (Suggested Retail: $20.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “While under the sun, use the moisturizing sunscreen for protection , and afterward, apply the cooling aloe lotion for hydration.”
Verdict: Miss/Gift
I know I’m a broken record, but so long as boxes keep sending me sunblock that’s only SPF 30, I’ll be complaining that it’s too low for me and passing it along. Dear sub boxes, mayhap we could start thinking outside the box with the sun protection? Kbyethanks.

ACME Party Box Company Chevron Straws (Suggested Retail: $7.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Sip on Summer’s most refreshing drinks with these old-fashioned paper straws. The graphic chevron pattern will make any occasion feel exra special.”
Verdict: Hit!
I always see these straws in shops, but never want to spend so much on them. (I find $7.00 on a box of straws a bit much). But I think they’ll look adorable in some summer drinks during my next BBQ.

French Bull Ziggy Salad Servers (Suggested Retail: $12.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “Your Summer BBQ won’t be complete without a colorful salad and these equally vibrant salad servers! They are scratch and shatter resistant and dishwasher safe, making them a long-lasting household staple.”
Verdict: Love!
These Salad servers are so cheerful and I think it was a nice touch that they coordinate back to the Chevron straws in this box. These will brighten up your simple white dishes or coordinate back to a ton of different colors. They are nice quality and really a steal at the retail price. I would totally grab these in a store if I saw them and I highly recommend them as a hostess gift or a cheerful addition to your BBQ buffet.

TKO Jump Rope with Soft Grip Handles (Retail: $13.00)
Category: Must Have Fitness
Description: “For a fast yet efficient workout, TKO’s Jump Rope With Soft Grip Handles is just what you need. Built for speed, this jump rope will help you burn up to 170 calories in just 15 minutes! Check out POPSUGAR Fitness for tons of ideas on how to squeeze in a quick session to stay healthy and fit for Summer and beyond..”
Verdict: Like!
I couldn’t find this exact jump rope on TKO’s website so I’m using Popsugar’s estimate on price. Normally I’m sort of meh about fitness items, but this is compact and easy to use (no instructions required). I’m sure I’ll be dragging it outside on some not too hot days.

Dang Foods Toasted Coconut Chips (Suggested Retail: $4.65)
Category: Must Have Food
Description: “Satisfy your Summer cravings the healthy way with these Dang Toasted Coconut Chips. Non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan, these chips can be eaten straight out of the bag or sprinkled onto just about anything for a delicious treat..”
Verdict: Like.
These were tasty but a little awkward to eat. I think they would actually be awesome as a dessert topper on cakes or cupcakes. They have a nice sweetness and a great crunch.

Revlon Bold Lacquer Length & Volume Mascara (Suggested Retail: $7.99)
Category: Special Extra
Description: “Take your lashes to new heights with Revlon’s Bold Lacquer Length & Volume Mascara. This ultrablack mascara will give your lashes the definition you’ve been dreaming of”
Verdict: On the Fence
This is billed as their “special extra” so it’s not really supposed to be considered part of the box. I don’t mind trying out drugstore mascara, but this one just didn’t do much for my eyes. I typically prefer a bit higher end mascaras, but if you’re looking in the drugstore category this one just doesn’t compare to the drama and “boldness” I get with Covergirl Lashblash.

OVERALL:
Hit!

Including the mascara, this box had a value of $98.64. I had referral credits so I got this one for free, but I would have been happy to receive it at the regular price. Even with a couple misses, the remaining items more than made up for it. I also found this box to have a nice cohesive summer theme and the items to be high quality. I can’t wait to see what comes in for August.

So what did you think of the July Popsugar box? What were your favorite and least favorite items?

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar Must Have Box: June 2014

So as I mentioned in my earlier this month, July is going to be chock full of posts since I was out of town for a chunk of June and playing catch up with boxes. So I’ll be interspersing all my July box reviews with June ones. So today we’re going to dive into the June 2014 Popsugar box. Popsugar is usually one of my favorite subscriptions, but the May box was a bit of a miss. Let’s see if the June one is an improvement.

Emily Giffin’s The One & Only (Suggested Retail: $16.52)
Category: Must Have Entertainment
Description: “New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin returns with this highly anticipated novel of an unlikely romance and lifelong friends set against the backdrop of Texas football.”
Verdict: Like
Romance novels are one of my guilty pleasures and while the “backdrop of Texas football” doesn’t exactly thrill me, it will be fun to explore an author I haven’t read before.

Sachajuan Shiny Citrus Body Lotion (Suggested Retail: $24.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description:“Using Swedish oats, this lotion reduces the appearance of wrinkles and calms irritation – keeping your skin replenished all summer long.”
Verdict: Love!
I don’t know about the healing properties of Swedish oats, but I love the scent and feel of this lotion. It goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly. This is the same brand that I got in my Popsugar Summer box and I’m so happy to have them both as a nice set.

Turkish-T Beach Towel (Suggested Retail: $32.00)
Category: Must Have Home
Description: “This Turkish-T towel acts as a lightweight beach towel by day and as a glam wrap by night. It’s loomed from the world’s finest cotton, so trade in your overused beach towel for this chic alternative..”
Verdict: Love!
This matches perfectly with the towel that came in the Popsugar Resort Box. Instead of using this for the beach, I’m pairing it with the other towel and using them in my newly updated bathroom. The colors are blue, white and mint and these two towels look great in the space.

You Smell Lemon Wet Wipes (Retail: $5.00)
Category: Must Have Beauty
Description: “These naturally antibacterial wipes are not only durable, but also gentle.”
Verdict: Hit!
You can always find a use for antibacterial wipes and I love that these are lemon scented and gentle. A very useful addition.

Lollies Basics Hair Ties (Suggested Retail: $8.00)
Category: Must Have Fashion
Description: “Made from swimwear fabric, they’ll look cute on your wrist and we love that these braided ties don’t’ stretch over time like your average hair bands”
Verdict: Love!
This is my year for accumulating hair products and I’m always looking for more hair ties and barrettes. I love the circle design on these and how cute they look on my wrist. I wish they made more of this style in solid colors.

One Potato Two Potato Hawaiian BBQ (Suggested Retail: $2.00)
Category: Must Have Food
Description. “Cooked with all-natural ingredients and packed with flavor, these chips serve as an amazing party snack.”
Verdict: Like
I passed these along to my boyfriend and so this verdict comes from him. He said they were “good, nothing spectacular, but good.”

Native Union $15.00 Gift Card (Suggested Retail: $15.00)
Category: Special Extra
Description. “Native Union creates unique and simple designs in the digital age. With this $15 gift card, peruse the site full of geek gadgetry to find something that fulfills your techie dream”
Verdict: Miss
Unfortunately most of the items at Native Union are priced so high you’d need to spend a substantial amount to use this gift card. I got the oh so hyped Native Union monocle speaker in a long ago Fancy box and gifted that to my boyfriend. It’s pretty terrible. We can’t figure out what to use it for and the sound quality is poor, so I’m not too impressed with them in general.

Overall:
Love!

Once again I am back to enjoying my Popsugar boxes. I found this one to have a lot of items that worked for me and the only real disappointment was in the gift card (which was technically just an extra). I had referral credits for this box so I didn’t pay anything and received $87.52 worth of items (not including the extra gift card) but I would have been happy with this box even if I’d paid the full price.

So what did you think of the June Popsugar box? Would you use the Native Union giftcard?

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

Popsugar Limited Edition Summer Box 2014

While it’s always fun to unbox surprises, opening up the Popsugar Limited Edition Boxes is always extra awesome.

My Summer 2014 Popsugar Box arrived in this unassuming (yet substantially heavy) cardboard box.

Once opened it reveals the lovely Popsugar box that is a great size and shape for storing all kinds of odds and ends in your house. I hoard these boxes (along with the Birchbox ones). They are uber useful.

Okay now that my toddler-like interest in the actual box is past, let’s dive into the items. They are all individually wrapped up and packed so nicely that they really do make you feel like someone sent you a present.

And what’s inside the box? Another box (very meta) – and it’s pretty heavy….

Sisters of Los Angeles City Rocks Glasses (Suggested Retail: $45.00)
Description: “…Sisters of Los Angeles City Rocks Glasses made just for Popsugar. In honor of four of our office locations, we featured SF, LA, NY and London..”
Verdict: Love!/Gift
These glasses are really high quality and so fun. I love the colorful designs and the weight of them is quite hefty. Unfortunately I have a lot of classes in this size, but I know a ton of folks who would love these for a gift. (Although I may break down and find some room in my cabinet for them since they are so cute). This company makes products emblazoned with cool graphics of various cities, so check them out if you want a fun gift for that chic urbanite in your life. Since this set was put together exclusively for Popsugar it’s unavailable on their website so I used a similar set for pricing.

Samudra Blue Tropics Pouch (Retail: $60.00)
Description:“Keep all your essentials in your statement bag for an easy transition from beach day to evening soiree.”
Verdict: Love!
I’m not sure if you know this about me but I’m slightly obsessed with organization and this giant pouch is perfect for travel. It’s even big enough to hold a tablet. The tropical prints really give that summer vibe and I love that there are different ones on either side. I’ll be using it asap for my upcoming work trip to Baltimore. After that I think it will be making daily appearances in my work bag to corral notebooks, my kindle, pens and other odds and ends.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist (Retail: $28.00)
Description. “Cult favorite Sachajuan’s Oceamn Mist will give you perfect waves without your ever stepping foor in the water. Spray on dry or damp hair for an effortless yet voluminous Summer look.”
Verdict: Love!
This is my year of experimenting with hair products and I love all the ocean and sea salt sprays where you can just spray on damp hair and boom, your styling is done. My hair is naturally wavy and I think this product will work perfectly with its texture and my propensity for being lazy with hair styling.

Soixante Nefu Jewels by Joie Jager Horn Necklace (Suggested Retail: $155.00)
Description: “…This vintage-inspired accessory is sure to be a Summer staple in your collection..”
Verdict: On the fence
I really like the idea of this necklace, the long length and the combination of colors. It’s pretty pricey and according to the description its 14K gold plated, but somehow it just feels a little cheap to me and I can’t imagine paying $155 for it. Apparently lots of celebrities wear this design so maybe it’s just overpriced. I don’t love it, but it’s not terrible either. It may look cool layered with some other chains I have, I’ll just have to see how it works out. At the moment, I’m not sold.

The Ingredient Finder Eliunt Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Suggested Retail: $16.65)
Description: “…The Ingredient Finder handpicked the best olive oils to transport you and your food around the world. Each Eliunt Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes with its own custom taste and cultural background to make your dish unique.”
Verdict: Hit!
Being that I am Italian, it is a requirement that I always have an ample supply of olive oil in my pantry. My bottle came from Australia and I don’t think I’ve ever tried an Australian olive oil so this will be something new. It’s a pretty small bottle so I’m going to save this for dipping with bread or drizzling over something special. I couldn’t find individually priced bottles (it looks like the smallest is in a set of 3, so I’m going to estimate the value based on that). I wasn’t familiar with the Ingredient Finder website before but it seems like a really fun foodie site for finding high end international cooking ingredients. It even lets you search by cuisine. If you like cooking you should check it out.

Tarte Cheek Stain (Suggested Retail: $30.00)
Description: “…Let your skin glow this Summer with Tarte’s restorative Cheek Stain…”
Verdict: Love!
I love Tarte’s products and I already own one of their cheek stains in a different shade. I love the natural flush and the easy application. I can’t wait to try out this new color.

Tarte Lipsurgence Power Pigment (Suggested Retail: $24.00)
Description: “….This peppermint-infused tint will nourish your lips for a naturally fuller and healthier pout!…”
Verdict: Love!
As I mentioned before I really love Tarte’s products, so I’m very excited to try out this lip tint. The shade seems like a lovely neutral for summer and should work well with my albino skin tone.

OVERALL:
Love!

This was an amazing box that totally made up for the lackluster Limited Edition Resort Box and the disappointing May Must Have. I love nearly everything in this box and all the choices feel theme appropriate and cohesive as a collection.

I paid $107.00 for this box and received $358.65 worth of products. Even discounting the overpriced necklace that is an amazing value. After this box, Popsugar has set the bar really high for their limited editions. I can’t wait to see what the next one brings.

So what did you think of the Popsugar Limited Edition Summer Box? Did you like it more or less than the Resort one?

LIMITED TIME COUPON! Use code XL25K3Z to save $15 off your first POPSUGAR Must Have box

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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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