POPSUGAR Must Have Box - January 2013

Happy New Year everyone (I know, a month late!)  I don't know about you but I always set resolutions for the year and about half way through January, they're all but forgotten.  Enter POPSUGAR's Must Have Box for January - a jam-packed package with goodies to help keep me on track.  POPSUGAR'S Must Have Box costs $35 plus tax (free shipping) and it includes a variety of must have products from the worlds of beauty, fashion, fitness, food, and home.

My January Box contained the following items:

Fitness - Merrithew Stott Pilates Stability Ball - 65 cm - www.merrithew.com; $38.99 - This stability ball is a great size and comes with a pump.  Great for a variety of exercises or just sitting on it to strengthen your core, this baby is awesome!  POPSUGAR even included a special insert for an exclusive workout from Susi and their fitness team.

Fashion - The Remix Timebomb Watch - www.remixwatches.com; $44.95 - Large watches have been a trend for quite some time.  Remix brings the large face style to a fun watch that is great to wear while working out.  The silicone straps are durable and easy to clean.  The band is comfortable and there's a button to activate the LED light which illuminates the watch in a variety of colors.

Beauty - Epicuren Discovery Lip Balm - Tea Tree Oil - www.epicuren.com; 0.25 fl oz./7 ml/$8 - Winter just wreaks havoc on my skin and my lips.  Just in time to soften mine up for Valentine's Day, this balm soothes and replenishes lips.  The built in SPF protects from further damage….how great is that?

Food - POP-BAR Hot Chocolate on a Stick - www.pop-bar.com; 1.55 oz/44 g ea/$2.99; 2 bars - Nothing like hot chocolate during the winter.  These bars make hot chocolate fun to make.  Simply stick a bar in a mug of steamed milk.  There are a number of flavors available so you can mix one to your liking. YUM!

Food - Kraft Jt-Puffed Vanilla Mallow Bits - www.facebook.com/jetpuffed; 3 oz./$6.49 - This just completes my hot chocolate….these melt in my mug as well as in my mouth. Nom, nom.

Special Extras:

Food - Think Thin Bars; $1.69-$1.99 each; www.thinkproducts.com - POPSUGAR introduced me to these tasty goodies.  They sent 3 different bars: Think Thin Divine Dark Chocolate Coconut (1.48 oz/42g/$1.69) - like a healthy Mounds bar; Think Thin Creamy Peanut Butter (2/1 oz/60g/$1.99) - very yummy indeed; and Think Thin Crunch Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts (1.41 oz/40g/$1.99 - similar to a Kind bar.  These are available for individual purchase as well as in multi-packs.  A coupon for $1.00 off any two bars was included.

Home - Casetagram - Voucher for $15 off a purchase; www.casetagram.com - Use our own Instagram or Facebook photos to create an awesome, personalized, phone or tablet case.  How cool!

Overall rating: Booyah!!!  If you have not yet tried POPSUGAR Must Have Boxes/Bags, you're truly missing out.  The value and selection of items are not to be believed!!!  The value of this box was over $100.  How can you beat that?

If you're interested in trying POPSUGAR, please click here and enter the code REFERFRIENDS for $5 off your first order.  This code is only good for new subscribers and is valid until 2/28/2013.

POPSUGAR Must Have Box - Luxury Edition for Her

As many of you know, I have been a huge fan of POPSUGAR and their Must Have Boxes and Bags.  For the month of December, they also had an offer for the Luxury Edition.  I couldn't wait to check that out so I placed the order for the Luxury Edition for Her.  This special edition box cost $100 plus tax (free shipping), which is more than the usual Must Have Box, but as you will see, it was well worth it.  It too includes a variety of must have products from the worlds of beauty, fashion, food, and home.

Here's what was in my Luxury Edition Box for Her:

Fashion - JewelMint Clutch - www.jewelmint.com - I could not find this or any of the clutches offered on the JewelMint website so I can't tell you its retail price.  The one I received is accented in finished stones that look like precious stones.

Beauty - Epicuren After Bath Moisturizer - Lemongrass - 8 fl. oz./250 ml/$38 - www.epicuren.com - I have never tried any Epicuren products. I couldn't wait to shower and try this moisturizer.  It had a pleasant scent and left my skin feeling velvety smooth.

Food - Vosges Mini Chocolate Bar Library - Box of 9 bars - $25 - www.vosgeschocolate.com - These awesome chocolate bars are exotically flavored and created by Chief chocolatier and founder Katrina Markoff.  They come individually wrapped and packaged in a lovely box with ribbon.

Home - Compagnie de Provence Liquid Hand Soap - Olive and Lavender - 16.9 fl. oz./500 ml/$24 - www.compagniedeprovence-usa.com - This long-time favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow comes in a glass bottle.  This soap is made with natural vegetable oils and it doesn't dry my hands.  I will definitely re-purchase this soap as it is a lovely addition to both the kitchen and bathroom.  Can't wait to try their other products as well.

Home - Tocca Scented Candle - Kyoto - Peach Nectar - 10.6 oz./300 g/$38 - www.tocca.com - This candle is absolutely lovely and simple in its design.  Nothing crazy or ornate, just an elegant design similar to their fine fragrance collection.  The candle is encased in white glass and boasts a 60-hour burn time so it's sure to grace my home well into the New Year.

Fashion - Heather Belle Cuff - Classic Gold - $110 - This polished brass cuff is classic and timeless.  The insert indicates that Charlize Theron has been spotted wearing one.  This versatile cuff is a lovely accessory for both day and evening events.  This bracelet alone retails for more than the entire luxury edition box.

Beauty - Deborah Lippman Lip & Nail Duet - Love Notes: Let's Do It & My Old Flame - Lipstick: .13 oz/3.6g; Polish: .50 fl. oz./1.5 ml; Set: $38 - The holidays inspire me to bring out golds and reds and this duo is just perfect for the holidays.  The lipstick is a sheer, deep red and the polish is a classic shade.  I can't wait to try more Duets.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  The value of this box was incredible!  I also ordered the Luxury Edition for Him and will be certain to share with you the contents of that box as well.

POPSUGAR Must Have Box - December 2012

With 2013 right around the corner and Christmas festivities yet to come, I was eager to see what was inside my POPSUGAR December Must Have Box which arrived yesterday.  POPSUGAR'S Must Have Box costs $35 plus tax (free shipping) and it includes a variety of must have products from the worlds of beauty, fashion, fitness, food, and home.

My December Box contained the following items:

Home - Bodum Bistro Mugs - 10 oz. capacity - www.bodum.com; $30 - This pair of double-wall glass mugs are perfect to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold all without messy condensation.  I definitely need to get more of these so I can serve everything from a festive punch to hot toddys.

 

Food - Tea Forté  - Variety Box - www.teaforte.com; 29.5g/1.04oz/$15 - On cold winter days/nights, I love to have a nice cup of tea.  This sampler box includes 10 silken infusers including Earl Grey, Black Currant, White Ambrosia, White Ginger Pear, Green Mango Peach, Jasmine Green, African Solstice, Chamomile Citron, Raspberry Nectar and Ginger Lemongrass.  What a great way to break in my new Bistro Mugs!

Beauty - Jabonería Marianella Soaps - Dama de la Noche - www.marianellasoap.com; 6 oz. bar/$14 - I just love shower gels and can't remember the lst time I used a bar of soap.  However, with the wonderful ingredients of anti-aging argan oil, soothing oatmeal, and cocoa butter, I couldn't wait to try this lovely, fragrant soap which is made with Goat Milk, rich in AHAs and Vitamin A.  These bars are a definite must for those looking to rejuvenate and moisturize their skin.

Fashion - Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit -www.pinchprovisions.com; $15 - All my friends know that I always have a ton of solutions in my bag of tricks.  With the Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit, I am more than prepared. This cute little pouch includes a bandage, safety pin, earring b acks, deodorant, nail polish remover, stain remover, clear elastics, lip balm, tampon, emery board, hair spray, clear nail polish, dental floss, a mending kit, pain releiver, double-sided tape, and breath freshener.  This makes for a perfect stocking stuffer.  Pinch Provisions also has varieties for college, men, brides and grooms, not to mention the ability to order refills.

Food - Bogdon's Peppermint Poles; 2.6 oz. - www.bogdonschocolates.com; $3.99 - Something about the holidays and peppermint takes me back to my childhood.  These handy peppermint sticks are covered in dark chocolate and can be dipped into coffee or hot cocoa or on its own.  Each stick is 17 calories so not a bad way to indulge.  Nom, nom.

Tech - GoSwype - Lips; $1.99; www.goswype.com - This handy microfiber cloth works great to clean my iPhone and my iPad.  It removes dirt, oil, fingerprints and up to 98% of germs and bacteria.  How cool is that?  It is available in 20 styles.  Check them out!

Fashion - Rent The Runway - Good for $30 off a future rental between now and 3/31/2013; www.renttherunway.com;  - A fun and economical way to wear designer clothing and add it to my wardrobe for 4 or 8 days for 10-15% of the retail price.  They also include a second size for free.  Returning costs nothing as they inlcude a pre-paid envelope.

 

Overall rating: Booyah!!!  If you have not yet tried POPSUGAR Must Have Boxes/Bags, you're truly missing out.  The value and selection of items are not to be believed!!!  The value of this box was $80 not counting the coupon code for Rent the Runway.

If you're interested in trying POPSUGAR, please click here and enter the code REFERFRIENDS for $5 off your first order.  This code is only good for new subscribers and is valid until 2/28/2013.

POPSUGAR Must Have Box - November 2012

Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are gearing up for the holidays and entertaining.  In my house, Christmas and Hanukkah are observed.  I couldn't wait to tear into my POPSUGAR Must Have November Box to see what was the POPSUGAR team put together for the holidays.  POPSUGAR'S Must Have Box costs $35 plus tax (free shipping) and it includes a variety of must have products from the worlds of beauty, fashion, fitness, food, and home.

My November Box contained the following items:

Fashion - Gorjana Parker Bracelet - www.gorjana-griffin.com; $55 - This leather bracelet is perfect for this season as it is burgundy and is accented in gold. I love the trendy wrap-around look and it can easily be appropriate for work, a party, or casual outings.

Beauty - MOR Lip Macaron - French Vanilla - www.morcosmetics.com; 10g/.35oz/$10 - Who doesn't love lip balm, especially during the cold weather.  With the wind picking up here in the Northeast, I am just loving this lip balm!  MOR Lip Macarons are inspired by french pastries and this one is just yummy!  I can't wait to try other scents.

Home - Snow & Graham Thank You Notes - Dogwood - www.snowandgraham.com; Box of 6/$15 - Technology, in my humble opinion, has added more value to receiving a "snail mail" card.  Something about someone taking the time to write out a card, stamp it, and mail it, makes it invaluable. These are just lovely and I look forward to purchasing more of these babies as my stationery needs grow.  The selection from this Chicago-based store is wonderful!

Food - La Boîte Spice Mixes - Sweet & Savory Spice Collection - www.laboiteny.com; 3 .5 oz jars: Cancale, Yemen, Reims; 7.5 oz collection/$28.99 on ingredientfinder.com - I just love trying new recipes and I look forward to trying the recipes included in this month's Must Have Box and put these spices to use.  Chef Lior Lev Sercarz is a master spice mixer and his NYC store is just a wonder for those of us that appreciate the culinary arts.

Food - Stonewall Kitchen Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix; 18 oz. - www.stonewallkitchen.com; $9.99 - I just love fresh doughnuts, but I have never tried to make my own.  This package yields 10-12 baked doughnuts, not fried ones.  Of course, this means I need to run out and get a doughnut pan, not just to make these but because Stonewall Kitchen offers a whole host of other types of doughnut mixes.  Nom, nom.

Fitness - Mandy Ingber's Yogalosophy DVD; $14.98; www.gaiam.com - Yoga Instructor Mandy Ingber is a yoga instructor to the stars and for those of us planning to incorporate yoga into our fitness routine, this is a wonderful introduction to the basics of Mandy's practice.

Special Extras:

Fashion - Stylemint Credit; Good for one tee; www.stylemint.com;  - Who doesn't love supersoft t-shirts?  There are tons to choose from on Stylemint thanks to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.  Can't wait to grab one of these babies!!!!

Home - CanvasPop - www.canvaspop.com; $30 gift certificate - CanvasPop converts any photo in a canvas print all with just the click of a mouse.  Trouble is, I can't figure out which photo I'd like to convert first.

Overall rating: Booyah!!!  If you have not yet tried POPSUGAR Must Have Boxes/Bags, you're truly missing out.  The value and selection of items are not to be believed!!!

If you're interested in trying POPSUGAR, please click here and enter the code REFERFRIENDS for $5 off your first order.  This code is only good for new subscribers and is valid until 2/28/2013.