February Julep Maven - Bombshell

My February Julep Maven box arrived today! Just in time, as my current manicure is going on two weeks and looking awful. I switched base coats to Revlon Colorstay Longwear Enamel Base Coat and love it! Minimal wear and chipping, I just started experiencing peeling today which is Day 10. Best $8 I have spent in a while. 

Back to the Julep Maven box!

I picked the Bombshell box this month. I really loved the look of the Olive Khaki and Sand Holographic. 

Oxygen Nail Treatment and Freedom Top Coat

Currently, the Freedom Top Coat is only available as a pre-order with shipments starting February 7th. I am very excited about this top coat. 

Here are the details from the Julep site:

• Polymer force field protects nail color from chips, dings, and dullness twice as long as regular top coats
• Quick-dry formula cures under regular light in three to five minutes (depending on brightness and proximity to light source); no UV light required
• For best results, cure under a 60-watt light bulb for two minutes and re-apply every two to three days
• Remove with ANY polish remover, including gentle, non-acetone formulas
• Dark sealed bottle keeps light-curing formula safe and pliable
• 4-Free formula contains no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene or DBP

Laura - Olive Khaki Creme and Ginger - Sand Holographic

Both polishes included the new swatch stickers on top. 

Extra Goodies:

Eyelash Curler - I can't figure out how to work this one. It is also slightly damaged. Hopefully I can just push the part that has popped out back into the curler. This is not yet available on the website yet.

Hello, grout line! 

Chocolate Hearts - Cute touch for Valentine's Day

I love everything in this box. Hands down, this is my best sub box so far this year. Well worth $19.99.

Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox

I'm not quite sure why it seems I am always one of the last to get my sub boxes, but today my Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox was finally delivered.

I am one of the most impatient people I know, so I already knew what was in the box thanks to spoilers posted by others who had received their boxes last week. Nonetheless, I was still pretty excited to get this box. My family and I are big fans of Zatarain's products. They are one of the few boxed/processed products we eat. 

This box did not disappoint! I am glad they doubled up on the products. This box is a good value at $15 with the doubled quantity, but would have been pushing it with only one of each item.

Zatarain's Family Size New Orleans Style Jambalaya Mix (2)

Zatarain's New Orleans Style Red Beans and Rice (2)

Zatarain's Creole Seasoning (2)

Zatarain's Creole Mustard (2)

True Lemon Iced Tea (2)

I am very pleased with this box, though I don't really get "Big Game". If anything I would say this was more a Mardi Gras box. Mardi Gras is just around the corner and the the creole and New Orleans style food, plus the Mardi Gras beads just scream Fat Tuesday! 

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! 

January Goodies.Co Box 5 Review

After a long wait (okay, it wasn't that long - maybe two months) I received my first The Goodies Company box this month.  According to the website and the shipping email, I received box number 5.

I was very excited about this box and had very high hopes because I had read such good reviews. Based on the low price, only $7 shipped, I also had some reasonable expectations. Goodies.Co is a Walmart company and has the size and buying power of Walmart behind it. 

I really like the packaging and presentation. The insert card was very nice as well. 

The goodies!

Nature's Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bar - $3.49 box of 6

Stretch Island Fruit Chews - $3.49 box of 6

Go Nola - Maple Pecan Madness - $5.94 6 pack

 Skeeter Snacks Cookie - Chocolate Chunk - $3.49-$3.99 box of 12

Wild Garden Tradition Hummus and Pita Chips - $5.97 / 3 pack

Cascal (Natural Soda) Fresh Tropical - $7.98 / 6 pack

Flamous Brands Falafel Chips - Spicy  - $4.99 / 8 oz

All of it looks good, but I am excited about the falafel chips. Why? Check out the ingredient list.

Chock full of ORGANIC and non-GMO ingredients! I can't wait to try these.

I would like to apologize for the quality of my photos. I took them with my cell phone camera and just could not get the lighting right so many of the photos have a glare. I will work on posting better quality pictures in future blogs. 

FREE Love With Food Box!

Have you been wanting to try out Love With Food? Love With Food is a monthly subscription box filled with gourmet goodies. As a bonus, for every box purchased Love With Food donates a meal to a hungry child. Boxes are normally $10 per month with $2 shipping for a monthly subscription that you can cancel at any time. 

For a limited time, Love With Food is offering a 1st Month Free Trial. Just sign up for a monthly subscription by January 31st using code JAN13FREE and get your first box for only $2 (shipping charge). 

Who doesn't like free? Click here to sign up!

It's Here! January Pop Sugar Must Have Box

My Pop Sugar Must Have box arrived today! I had already viewed spoilers online so I knew what was in it and the suspense was not really there. 

It's here, it's here!

I have to admit, I was still just a little bit excited to open it up.

I wonder what could be inside!

The Details

Sorry! The picture quality sucks!

Must Have Fitness

Merrithew Stability Ball - 65cm (with pump and workout) $38.99

I am not quite sure if this is something that will get any use in my house. I may end up giving it to my mom, or *gasp* putting it on Ebay.

Must Have Fashion

The Remix Timebomb Watch - Black  $44.95 (link is to a similar watch)

The packaging indicates that this is a Pop Sugar Exclusive. It is a huge watch and my teenage son ending up snagging it. The LED lights are neat, but definitely have the potential to be seizure inducing. 

Must Have Beauty

Epicuren Discovery Lip Balm - SPF 15 - Tea Tree Oil $9.00

OMG, I love this stuff. Thank you, Pop Sugar for feeding my lip balm addiction. 

Must Have Food

Popbar Hot Chocolate on a Stick - Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate $2.99 each

My husband snagged the milk chocolate one and broke off a piece before he read that you are supposed to stir it into a mug of steamed milk. It is really good! The chocolate is very smooth and I doubt we will use either one in its intended manner.

Jet-Puffed Vanilla Mallow Bits

These taste just like the little marshmallow pieces in Lucky Charms cereal. They have the exact same texture as well. I always used to pick out the little marshmallow pieces when I was younger so I am thrilled these were in there. It's the little things that make me happy. 

Special Extras

Think Thin Bars (3) - Creamy Peanut Butter, Crunch Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts and Dark Chocolate Coconut 

I was glad to see these are gluten free, but disappointed to see so much soy in the ingredient list. I try to stay gluten and soy free as much as possible due to food allergies so I don't think I will be trying these. I guess my boys will have a few surprises in their lunches on Monday.

Casetagram $15 off coupon

Unfortunately, Casetagram does not have cases for my phone so I may be passing this along to someone in my family who has an iPhone. Cute concept and a high value coupon. The cases appear to be in the $35-$40 range so $15 off is a great deal.

Verdict

All in all, the retail value exceeds the $35 price tag. Was it a good value for me? Not really. I don't have a need or desire for the high value items (watch and stability ball). Was it a good value for others? I am sure it was, just not for me. 

I will probably get the February box, but if that one fails to wow me I don't think I can continue to justify the high price tag. I already subscribe to Love With Food, Cravebox and Julep; and just found out I will start getting The Goodies.Co box as well. I want to like Pop Sugar, I really do. Please wow me in February!

Julep Maven - February Selections Now Open

The Maven selection window is now open for the February Julep Maven box.

I am much happier with the February offerings and will be definitely getting a box this month. I was not impressed with the January offerings. Neons and Nudes just aren't my thing. February's theme is Hollywood and I love the colors! I am also really excited about the Freedom Polymer Top Coat. Waiting for my nails to dry is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Anything to speed up the process and a gel-like finish is exciting to me.

My style survey pegged me as a Classic With A Twist girl, but I really like the olive khaki creme and sand holographic in the Bombshell box. I also like Joan, but I have so many polishes already that are similar to that color. The olive khaki and sand are really outside my comfort zone and nothing like anything I already own. 

Another option, which I will not be taking advantage of unfortunately, is the Glamour Nail Wardrobe upgrade offered this month. I just really don't need that many colors, nor do I have the space. 

For an additional $35 you get:

• Sally: Antique ivory crème
• Joan: Raspberry plum with rose gold shimmer
• Julianne: Smoky grey blue crème
• Ingrid: Burnt orange crème
• Laura: Olive khaki crème
• Ginger: Sand holographic
• Helen: Smoky pastel lavender crème
• Claudette: Smoky brick red crème
• Marion: Smoky blue with silver shimmer
• Rebel: Silver holographic
• Oscar: Ultra chic, multi-dimensional gold glitter
• Ellie: Opalescent seashell pink with holographic shimmer
• Oxygen Nail Treatment: Strengthening 'makeup for nails' with a subtle tint
• Freedom Polymer Top Coat: Smudge-free shine in five minutes
• White Lacquer Jewelry Box: Hand-made limited edition white lacquer box with high shine finish