So as we head toward Mother’s Day this weekend, I thought I’d feature one of my favorite subscriptions: Popsugar Must Have Box. If you’ve been procrastinating on picking up a gift, a subscription box is your best friend. You can check out my handy dandy new page of sub boxes listed by category and my easy reference page of coupon codes and special links for help with that last minute shopping.
First some news!
Popsugar just launched their Summer Limited Edition Box!
Summer Limited Edition Box!
Description: “Wishing everyday was a beach day? This box will set you up for an endless Summer of looking chic with must haves for the beach, heat-proof goodies, and more that will continue to make you daydream about your favorite outings at the shore.”
Quantities are limited, so don’t delay! Boxes will be shipped by May 26 via FedEx SmartPost.
Cost: $100.00
My budget is currently being spent trying to drag my house out of 1976, so I’ll be skipping. Personally, I find it best to wait for at least a spoiler or two before committing to the Popsugar Limited Edition boxes. If you know you like at least one or two of the items, it’s a lot easier to gamble a hundred books.
Now onto my box:
MARCH MUST HAVE BOX
Kate Spade New York New York Photo Album
(Suggested Retail: $20)
Description: “Start bringing past memories to life by printing and storing them in this Kate Spade photo album. The cute polka-dot design will liven up any coffee table, and you’ll love reminiscing over the content you create inside forever.”
Verdict: Gift
I adore Kate Spade (and no one start me on a rant about Coach buying them out) but I was disappointed with this. I don’t think most people use these kind of albums much anymore. They either go the digital route or have albums made. It’s a cute design though and I’m going to use this as part of a gift.
Stephanie Johnson Camera Crossbody Bag
(Suggested Retail: $45)
Description: ” Protect all your favorite necessities in this adorable Stephanie Johnson crossbody bag. Whether you’re at the beach or the pool, the vinyl texture will help to keep everything inside dry, and the cool see-through finish is right on trend for 2017.”
Verdict: Hit!
At first I thought this would be too young and I’d pass it along to a kid, but it’s actually made very well and fits my camera perfectly. It’s definitely bright, but it works great as a camera bag and I think it would be fun for the beach and water parks.
Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener™ in Stella
(Suggested Retail: $24.00)
Description: ”’ Thrive Causemetics’ cruelty-free, vegan highlighter lets you put your best face forward by giving you a long-lasting, luminous finish. From a company that is all about female empowerment, this handy eye brightener gives every woman a boost of confidence while also being perfect for those on the go.”
Verdict: Like
I couldn’t find this product for sale on its own on the Thrive site so I linked to the set where it’s available. I think an eye brightener sounds like a great product as we move into warmer weather. Dewy, luminous makeup looks are perfect for Spring and Summer.
Sunnylife, LLC® Eco Lunch Box Watermelon
(Suggested Retail: $18.00)
Description: ”Just looking at this Sunnylife watermelon lunch box makes your mouth water. Carry your favorite snacks or lunch in this dishwasher-safe model, which is perfect for enjoying outside in the sun.”
Verdict: Love!
I try to bring my lunch to work every day so I am always on the hunt for durable and adorable food storage and lunch boxes. This is so cute and fun, it will definitely be going into my weekly rotation.
SmashMallow TM Cinnamon Churro
(Suggested Retail: $4.00)
Description: “Two of our favorite sweets — churros and marshmallows — come together to make the ultimate SmashMallow. This light but decadent treat will catapult you into Spring with its carnival-like feel and guilt-free appeal.”
Verdict: Sad Panda
I love marshmallows and cinnamon is my favorite spice so I was super excited to see these. The taste was not good and the texture was grainy. I so wanted them to be delicious and they just weren’t.
SPECIAL EXTRA
Velvet Eyewear® $25 Gift Card
Description: “Inspired by history, passion, a love of color, and a bit of rock, Velvet Eyewear sunglasses are just what you need this season. With this $25 gift card, you’re on your way to owning a brand-new, sleek pair of sexy specs.”
Verdict: Not really an extra!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Giftcards that require you to spend more than the face value are not “special extras”. They are just coupons. Sunglasses on this site are beautiful and cost upwards of $195. I’d have no problem if this was just included as a nice coupon offer, but calling it a “special extra” is a bunch of crap. Sorry for the lack of a photo, since it wasn’t an actual item, I forgot!
OVERALL:
Verdict: Like!
Now, I heard a lot of people complaining about this box and I can definitely see where they are coming for. First the box value is a little low for Popsugar coming out at an estimated $111.00. While that’s still more than the $39.95 cost, it’s not as much as a typical box. On top of that this doesn’t feel like a March box at all. It seems more like it has a bit of a travel theme and seems like it should be something you receive in July.
For me, I still had boxes left on a fab deal I nabbed last year so I only paid $20.46. I adored the lunch box and grew to love the overly cheerful crossbody bag. I’ll use the brightener and gift the album so excluding the marshmallows and gift card everything will get used.
I’ve got lots more box reviews coming up including new sub boxes, old favorites and even a free one.
If you want sneak previews of the box contents, be sure to follow me on Instagram!
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 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
Lisa Preziosi 