2022 UPDATE!! Bespoke Post, Allture, & Fabfitfun

Wow! It's been some years since I was on here! Last time I made a post, I was in my last semester of nurisng school. Now I'm SIX years into being a nurse and trying to get out of it LOL. Especially with covid, I have realized it's extremely important to follow your true dreams, which, for me, has always been interior design! So, now I'm working part time at the hospital and creating an interior design business on my off days :) 

I was feeling nostalgic so I checked this old blog out and thought I would give a little update on the subscriptions I'm still using :). 

Bespoke Post, is #1. Definitely the best consistently and hands down best value. I still shop there throughout the year and highly recommend it. I buy a ton of gifts from them for other people too. I'm just floored by the quality of most of the items I've received. These are actually good deals. The items are usually sold on their marketplace later on for much more, so you know you're getting a deal by getting the box. I just looked at my order page and I've made 52 orders since I discovered them in 2013!! That definitely says something! Use my link for $20 off!

Up until recently, I had been subscribing to Alltrue (CauseBox), which ended up going under and they took everyone's money. So, theyre not recommended obviously... If you were scammed by them, call your bank! Mine was able to get me some of my money back. 

Fabfitfun: This one is good too, I have gotten some really good deals through them. BUT, they can be hit or miss like all the subscription boxes. I had some trouble with them at the beginning of my subscription but they were accommodating and helped get me to a resolution that felt ok with me. I don't think I had problems after that, but it did seem like I was getting all the lower value options. I don't know if I got on a sh*tlist or something? Anyway, I'm not suscrbiing to them at the moment because we bought a house and became house poor and then this crazy inflation that has at least doubled all our bills... but I would like to restart it when I'm financially able to again :). Use my link to get $10 off if you want to give it a try!

Other than that, I found the subscription boxes were more scammy than good deals. You really have to spend more to get better products, no one is giving stuff away. They are all businesses that need to pay their employees and themselves, they're not benevolent organizations trying to give people free quality items lol. That said, the two I mentioned above, are the best ones I've experienced, and if you've read my posts, you know I've experienced a lot of them. In the future, I woud like to try the Rachel Zoe box, which seems higher quality, but its pretty pricey. Have any of you tried it? What do you think?

If I get time later, I'm going to put together a list of the places I shop now. I'm very much into sustainable, clean products and would love to get other people on board too! They are good for you and for the environment. 

Signing off for now!!

xo, T

Bespoke Post - Seared Review + 30% off COUPON!!

Bespoke Post - "Seared" Review
EDITED on June 1, 2016 -- Bespoke Post Coupon Code!!

Hi! It has been a SUPER long time since I have posted! This past semester of nursing school was a killer!! I was at school literally 6 days/wk, clinicals on weekends as well. Ugh... One more semester left though! :D

Anyway, I just thought I would post about the Bespoke Post "Seared" box. We got one each for my Dad and my bf's Mom for Christmas. They both loved it and are super excited to use it. Sorry, I had to use the Bespoke Post picture because I forgot to take pics of the items that came. I got to see the contents of my Dad's box and it was exactly as pictured and super nice quality. Bespoke Post never fails in that regard! 

Bespoke and Birchbox are my favorites (and regulars) in terms of subscription boxes. I don't get Bespoke Post as often as Birchbox because of cost, but once I'm working full-time, that may change! ;) Seriously though, if you're new to subscription boxes, I would def try Bespoke and Birchbox first. (Get 30% off your 1st Bespoke Post Box with code "RESCUE" and get 50% off your 1st Birchbox with my link!)

Happy New Year!! Hope you enjoyed the holidays! :)

xo, T

September 2014 Birchbox Review!

September 2014 Birchbox Review!

(Catch-Up Day #3) :P

Overall, I was pretty happy with this box. Mostly because of the lip balm & anti-aging serum (but not so sure later... read on!)

Harvey Prince: Hello perfume (sample vial) = ~$1 value

The scent is as you would expect from the packaging, lol. Flowery & spring-timey! It's not too overpowering, which is good. 

Origins: Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum (15mL) = $27.50 value

Hmm, not sure if I'd really put that value on the tiny sample... I'd probably value it at $3 tops (but I wouldn't buy that sample for $3 if someone was selling them). I used it on my face and I'm not sure if it was this or the peel that also came in this box... but I started getting dry, bumpy skin all around my eye area. It was SUPER ugly!! I haven't used this since (it's Nov. now), but I think I'll try it out one more time because I'm pretty sure I used it wrong. I was supposed to moisturize afterwards, and I didn't... soooo...

Perlier: Moisturizing Body Balm in Shea Lavender (30mL) = $4.29 value

Smells like lavender lotion, absorbs quickly for me, but my skin is pretty dry right now. Pretty average body lotion to me, but others seem to love it :)

Pixi: Shea Butter Lip Balm in Ripe Raspberry (1 full-size tube- comes in set of 4 for $28) = $7 value

I really liked this lip balm! Awesome that it's full size :) It gave more color than I expected, which can be good or bad, and it helped my lips feel less chapped.

Real Chemistry: Luminous 3-Minute Peel (5mL) = $4.77 value

Blehhhhh! This was an awful sample! It was super empty! I didn't even have enough for half my face so I'm not sure how well this works... I was excited about this one too :(

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Total Value = $44.56 but no... 

If I was to value it with the Origins serum at $3 (like I said above) and take out the Real Chemistry Peel (since it was practically empty and didn't even function as a sample, but was in a huge tube that tricks you into getting excited about receiving a big sample...)...

Total (re)Value = $15.29

This seems a little more accurate, lol

Still a good deal when paying $10 or less/month + 10 points for reviewing each sample (this box I get 50 points, which is halfway to the $10 reward when you get 100 Birchbox points! That means this box was really $5, assuming you would spend the other $5 on stuff from the birchbox website haha!

Ok, I'm done with my crazy ranting. I aced my exam today so I'm in a good mood :)

Oh, and it snowed yesterday!! I looove it

-xo,

T

Birchbox November 2014 Review +Coupon Code!

Birchbox November 2014 Review + Coupon Code!

I just received this yesterday:) At first I was happy with my box, but became disappointed as I started picking up the samples (some of them felt pretty empty) :( I'm thinking of contacting Birchbox for replacements. 

On to the review!

Amika Nourishing Mask (20mL/0.7 fl.oz.) = $1.60 value

Dr. Brandt: Pores No More - Blackhead Extractor Mask (0.25oz/7.5g) = $11.25 value?

Ok, so I was super excited to try this out bc I'm always picking at my blackheads and need to stop, so I was hoping this would do the trick and get me to stop abusing my face skin... well, the tube feels like there is barely anything in it, if any at all! I doubt I'll even have enough to get a real idea of how well it works for my skin. Hopefully Birchbox will send me a replacement so I can really sample this product.

Harvey Prince: Petaly Noir perfume (sample vial) = ~$1.10 value

This perfume has a nice flowery smell. It reminds me of spring time. It's a bit potent though, so I think I'd only wear it if I was going to be outside or in a large space so it's not overpowering.

Laura Mercier: Full Blown Volume Supreme Mascara (5.7g) = $0.47 value

I tried this mascara today and was pleased with the results I got! It was similar to my L'oreal Double Extend mascara-2 step application) but with only 1 step! It made my lashes look twice as long and full. However, It was kind of hard to apply because there was barely any product in the sample tube! The wand would only get 1/4 covered so I it took forever to get one eye done. I'm going to ask Birchbox about a replacement sample for this one too, it was pretty ridiculous how little there was to try!

They included this dinky tinted moisturizer sample. I had these little foil cards or whatever they're called. There's barely ever enough product to really sample it. 

Tocca: Crema da Mano - Bianca (1 fl.oz./30mL) = $2.50 value

This hand cream is awesome! I looove the smell (Green Tea + Lemon) and it absorbs SUPER fast! It's not greasy and seems like it provided slight hydration to my dry hand skin. I may need something thicker for the middle of winter, but this is great for fall, spring, maybe even summer!

Chuao: Honeycomb ChocoPod (0.39oz/11g) = $1.00 value

I usually don't like it when they include food items in my box, but YUMMY i LOOOVE chocolate!! I tried this around the same time last year from a Birchbox and have wanted more since but never bought any (I'm trying to lose weight lol), so this is a nice treat :)

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COUPON CODE: 

*Harvey Prince "for extra magic" code = "Orchid" (not sure what kind of discount you get, or if you get something else. It was on the paper that the perfume sample came on.)

Total Value = $17.92 ($10.50*)

*(I don't feel that it's worth this much though bc of the 2 dinky less than half full products... I'd probably count 1/3 of the value of the dr. brandt's face mask, which would make the total closer to $10.50)

So, I was happy and unhappy with this month's box. We'll see what response I get about the dinky samples. What was in your Birchbox this month?

-xo,

T

Birchbox Review [May 2014] + Coupon Code!

May Birchbox Review!!

Again, I wasn't too excited about my box. There were a bunch that I've seen online that are soooo much better than mine. I didn't really want anything that I received, but I am getting a little use out of the samples, so it's ok ;) 

When I put this on my hand to see the color it looked super frosty and I was totally turned off. However, I just tried it on my lips (duh!) and it's actually pretty nice! It's more of a nude than it looks in the pic and the bottle, and MUCH less frosty lol! I'll use this again :)

ANOTHER Supergoop sunscreen sample?! Didn't I get one in the last box?! No more sunscreen samples pleasssse! The last one I got may not have been water resistant but... Oh well, I'm in the sun every day for at least an hour, while walking my dog, so it'll get used. It's just kind of a bleh sample haha

Oh goddd, really?! Nail art stuff? I got one in a Cult Box a few months ago; actually I got two because my 1st box got broken in the mail. Now I have three white stripers. Oh well, Birchbox doesn't know what I have, but I'm pretty sure my profile says I like the "low-maintenace" style... low maintenance striping nails? Mmmm... nope! I'll give this away to a friend who's really into nail art. 

Blehh... shave cream. I tried it out, and wasn't that impressed. I prefer my Dollar Shave Club shave butter! But, this will be handy on trips! I received the Whish Pomegranate lotion in a previous Birchbox and really liked the smell, so I guess this sample wasn't toooo bleh :P

Nooooo, more tea?! My profile says NO FOOD! Oh well... I like Chai so I'll drink it and hopefully it'll make me a little less annoyed, hahah

My tea collection is EXPLODING!!

I'm too broke to spend $75 at Kate Spade in order to $25 so if any of you want to spend $50 there send me an email and I'll give you the coupon code! (I think it only works once-- I'll check it, if it's a generic code I'll post it here)!

Sooo... another bleh-ish Birchbox. I'm hoping next month will be better! I'll prob need it after finishing up Pathophysiology! I just started the summer class this week, it's pretty intense! I'm SUPER glad I decided to get it out of the way this summer so, I won't have to take it along with all my nursing classes! So far so good, but the first test is on Monday! Wish me luck! ;)

xo,

T

Spicy Subscriptions [March 2014] Review (+Coupon!)

Oops, yet another I forgot to post :(

Since it is a late post and there's better stuff I want to spend time posting on, I'll just give you pictures of what was included for reference, in case you're curious about the types of products Spicy Subscriptions includes in their boxes:

I just have to include that I wasn't happy with their service at all. Communication was terrible and it was just done in a shady way. It took forever for them to respond to questions and concerns. They weren't clear about their terms, its impossible to log in to your account, they include less items than what is advertised... Just saying, I'll probably try a different box for this type of stuff. I like the idea! It was just very poorly done by them... From what I've read online, many people have been unhappy with their service :(

February Birchbox Review (+Coupon Code)!!

Oops! I thought I posted this February Birchbox review and I just received my March box, lol! Oh well, that one is coming up shortly! I was out of town and came home to a bunch of boxes... always a fun time :D

The February Birchbox was curated by Us Weekly, I guess? I don't read celebrity gossip stuff so this partnership wasn't exciting to me, but I don't care because the contents of the box were great!

  

Benefit: It's Potent Eye Cream (for dark circles & fine lines) [3.0g] - ~$7 value

**Full Size Benefit product purchase = Free POREfessional pore minimizing primer with code at checkout: "POREfessional"**

I love Benefit's packaging and have used their products before. I've always been fairly pleased with their quality too. I started using this eye cream the night I received the box. I like how it feels on my skin. A little goes a long way with this cream. Just dab and smooth around your eyes, it feels like it tightens up your skin slightly after application but not so much so that it feels weird. After a few seconds it seems to absorb. As far as the de-darkening and smoothing fine lines... I'm not sure if I see a difference yet, I think there may be a little bit of an improvement but not drastic. 

Serge Normant: Dry Conditioner Spray [1.2 oz/ 34g] - $9.38 value 

Yay! A dry conditioner to go with my dry shampoo! Btw, I purchased a full size dry shampoo that I sampled through a previous Birchbox. Their sample trick is totally working :P 

I used this dry conditioner after the dry shampoo once last week and it seemed to work fine. I just put my hair up in a bun so I'm not too sure. Also, my hair has been thinning out since I started college about a decade ago so I'm a little careful to not use products that weigh down my hair or that accelerates the greasiness factor haha.

Juicy Couture: Couture La La Malibu Perfume [.05 fl oz/ 1.5 mL] - ~$2 value

I'm not a huge perfume user but I do enjoy getting these little samples as an introduction into the world of scents! This Juicy Couture scent reminds me of Spring or Summer. My sense of smell isn't fantastic so I can't get too specific with the different smells hahah. It's light though, not offensive and young-ish I think.

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W3LL PEOPLE: Universalist Multi-Use Color Stick in #8 Dusty Rose - ~$3? value

I really like this color stick! It took me a little bit to get the spreading technique down for using it as blush. The color is perfect for me, a slightly dark pink. I use it for eyeshadow, blush, and lip color. It really is universal, lol. I may have to purchase this one when my sample is finished! Oh, and it smells nice too:)

Extra Sample! Benefit: Big Easy Complexion Corrector [sample card] - ~$0 

(I put not value because it's so tiny, probably worth less than 50cents haha idk)

**The PROMO CODE: "POREfessional" applies to this product too**

I have yet to try this out. I'm waiting for a day when concealer alone won't cover up my breakouts :P

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Total February Birchbox Value: ~$21

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Oh Birchbox, always doing it right ;) Seems like the boxes just keep getting better! I'm really bad about putting up pics of the products on my skin, but I'll try to start doing that so you have a better idea about what the products look like on and the different consistencies.

What did you get in your Feb Birchbox? 

-xo, T

Spicy Subscriptions February 2014 Review! (+Coupon Codes!) [NSFW]

**NSFW**

("Adult" themed Subscription Box)

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Got my 1st Spicy Subscriptions Box the week of V-day

Ordered: Deluxe Spice Box (used coupon code to get almost $15 off of $34.95)!

What is it?: Adult-themed subscription box with sex toys, lubes, games, adult/sex-themed etc.

Cost: $24.95 - $34.95/mth (3 box options)

**[Coupon Codes at bottom of post! $5 of 1st box or $10 off a 4-month subscription]**

(Nice! Free 2 day shipping!)

It felt pretty light.

So far, looking good and neatly packaged...

Ok... random plastic piece (lower right)? and oh great! "Sexy" card games... Not looking too much like a "Deluxe" box...

Price list... SUPER inflated. The items were definitely not worth what Spicy put on this card.
**(For each item the "value" price I put down is the cheapest price I was able to find online)**

Ok, the idea of relationship tip cards is kinda cute. Common sense type of things, but they can be easy to forget as well. Reminders are always nice :)

 

Pipedream Le Reve: Silicone Sensual - ~$25 value (Spicy Price: $49.95)

You can all guess what this is! :P I'm not a seasoned "toy" user so I had to google instructions lol and I'm still not too clear hahah, I'm such a noob when it comes to this haha!

Hmm... I found it online for MUCH cheaper than it's listed on this price list!

Quality: Nice, seems fairly well-made. The only "nice"/well-made/worth-anything piece in this box.

Verdict: If I was a regular buyer of products like these, this would probably be an item I would've considered; but at the price I found online... I never would've paid over $50 for this thing!

 

31 Sexual Favors: For Him - ~$7 value (Spicy Price List: $9.99)

LOL!! "Wrestle naked with him."?! Ummm, no thanks!! LOL! I'd want to be in PERFECT shape to be rolling around WRESTLING naked! Maybe "wrestling" is code for "sex" Hahaha!

Quality: the container's wrapping was already starting to peel off, and the cards look old and a bit worn out like they've been used before (ew!).

Verdict: No... Will save to give as a gag gift at a bachelorette party or something.

 

Let's Fool Around: Foreplay Game - ~$8 value (Spicy Price: $11.99)

Mannn, if anything these card games are a good laugh LOL! "Lick everything you can for 20 minutes?!?! What do they mean by "everything"? Does it include furniture? LOL...
Can you imagine how DRY your mouth and tongue would be after just licking stuff for 20 mins?! That seems super unpleasant... 20 minutes?! Geez...

And "demonstrate your make-out abilities"? HAHAHA so good...

Quality: much nicer quality than the 31 Favors... card game. But, still I would never spend $12 on this.

Verdict: [again] definitely No... Will also save to give as a gag gift at a bachelorette party or something.

Some other hilarious cards (from memory): "Show off your sluttiest dance moves", "Try to entrance your partner as if you were a vampire" WOW...

Sinful Sensations: Warming Massage Lotion (1 fl. oz.) [Rich Vanilla] - ~$2.99 (Spicy Price: $6.99)

Ok... seriously? This TINY and definitely not worth $7! When I looked it up, it looks like its part of a sample of 4 or so little bottles. Maybe THEN it would've been worth $6.99! It also looks like it's part of the samples that came with their shipment of the "toy" they included in this box; by some company named Pipedream...

Quality: Haven't even opened this yet; not sure if I will.

Verdict: [again] a No... and further disappointment.

Pipedream Promotional Pen: ~$0.01 value (Spicy Price: $6)

To the say the least, wow... I, and seems like quite a few others, emailed Spicy Subscriptions about this. I received a generic response, judging by responses others also received. It basically said, "sorry, sub boxes are a gamble and hope you liked the next one you spend your hard earned money on! haha!"... Ok?

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February Spicy Subscriptions Deluxe Box Total Est. Value: ~$43

Ok, so the value adds up to more than I paid for the box, but I'm still not happy with it at all. Such a bad intro to Spicy Subscriptions, and it was the Valentine's Day box too! Geez... I would NEVER pay more than a couple dollars for those card games, maybe 25 cents for the oil sample, and wouldn't even accept the free pen sample, lol! Personally, the most I would've paid for this box is maybe $15.

More problems... during Feb I repeatedly tried to log into my account to cancel. I always got an error message, and had to go onto their FB page to see that others were having the same prob and not getting it solved. The company didn't seem to start doing anything about this issue until after we were all charged for the March box! I finally got a response to my email at the end of the 2nd or 3rd business day (which was their max for replying to inquiries, as stated in their FAQ). Below is the 1st response about the box contents and what they told me about not being able to log in to skip the March box...

1st correspondence:

My email:

Their response:

Wow, tricky tricky wording. Nicole seems to be a seasoned PR pro :P Sooo... even though on the website it says Deluxe boxes are supposed to include: 

I didn't receive the "deluxe accessory," I would never count that ugly pen as a sample. So, missing are: deluxe item, and at least 1 other sample. Yea, it's not a huge deal... it's just hte way the company handled the situation, the fact that they overly inflated their price list, skirted around issues by avoiding communication, then wording their responses in ways that don't take responsibility for their actions, etc. 

Anyway, here is my email about not being able to log in to deal with my account.

Their response:

Not. Acceptable. At. All... Oh and I was over-charged for the freaking box as well. I'm finishing up the longest complaint email ever... I'll post the response I receive. Ultimately, I asked for a refund for the recent charge (and not get the box, obviously) and for the account to be cancelled. We'll see what happens...

I should note that, I've read lots of great and satisfied reviews of the company, so althoguh I''ve and some others haven't had a great experience with them, yours may be different!

If you're still interested in trying it out for yourself you can use my link (if they haven't cancelled it, yet lol!) to get $5 off your 1st box: here and use code "5off"

--OR--

Get $10 off a 4-month subscription with code " SPICYMARCH"

Did any of you get the Spicy box? What experience have you had with them? I'm providing links, because my communication is not over with them, so it may still turn out well but we'll see...

I'm done ranting now! :P

-xo, T