NextSock August 2016

August 31, 2016August 25, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

NextSock is a monthly subscription that sends you out completely random socks. You can choose between mens or womens and you get two pairs each month for $20.00. I picked this one up on a Groupon and got a three month plan for $30.00, which is half price. There is $4.00 shipping to Canada but that’s not so bad. One of my other sock plans has ended so I thought this would be a good way to stock up for the summer.

This months to pairs are AWESOME!!! These are the kinds of socks I keep hoping to get from a subscription. They are somewhere beyond normal, loud, and colourful. Yup, I’m a happy camper.

This is my last mailing from NextSock and while they have provided me with some good socks I do have a few things that didn’t work for me. They say nowhere on their package who it’s from, inside is the same way. For all I know these are socks they are buying in packages and sending out as individuals. Some type of branding is important. Also their customer service left me feeling less then great. I had sent an email to make sure my plan did not renew, as per their instructions on the website. The entirety of the response I got??? “Sure”. That was it. Not a name of the person sending the email, not a thanks for subscribing and we hope you come back some day, nothing. I might have used another Groupon but I for sure won’t now. They obviously could care less about their customers. I think that if I’d paid full price I’d feel maybe a bit ripped off. $10.00 a pair is way more than I’d normally pay. However since I got these on a deal I’m okay with $5.00 each. They shipped pretty quickly and besides not knowing what was in it arrived fine. This Groupon is still on so if you fancy some new socks make sure you go grab it!

L.V.Kiki August 2016

August 30, 2016August 25, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

L.V.Kiki is a monthly subscription box of 4-6 fashion accessories. You can either sign up for the plans or if you want to see what type of things they send out you can order a one off trial box. The boxes may include jewelry, shoes, scarves, gloves, hats, legwear, belts, and hair accessories. Boxes start at $19.00 per month and shipping to here was less than $1.00 per month. I was in the market for an accessories box and after finding a discount code for this one I got it at a great price. Shipping was super quick and I can’t wait to see what’s inside.

This turns up in a different box every month. I never know what’s going to be in it or how big it will end up being. They pack things into little bags if they can or sometimes it’s just under the tissue.

My first thought on pulling these out of the box was that they are so not for me. I changed my mind once I had them on. Maybe the distance from my head made them seem less out there. They will be good with a pair of jeans for a night out, not so much for just running around even though I were thongs all the time in the summer.

You really never know what you’re going to pull out of this box. This is a small glass trinket box. It is velvet lined and will join the other glass plates and things on my dresser for catching stuff I remove at the end of the day.

A summer staple, some footie socks for those super low shoes. I like that these ones are not just the nylon ones that make my feet cry. These are almost actual sock like.

I’m always a little iffy on statement jewelry, not because I don’t like it but I’m just never sure if I can pull it off. This necklace is very summery and has a good heft to it. It will match a few of my shirts so that’s another bonus.

This set falls into the same category as above. I will more that likely wear the bracelet but the earrings seem a bit much. I don’t have a real need to go so big and in your face but one never knows.

This is soooo useful! It’s one of those bracelets that holds a hair elastic so you don’t get those marks on your wrists. It makes having a spare hair tie into a fashion statement. Very happy to get this.

I am also thrilled to get more of these headbands! I think they are a great way to get away with wearing a headband at work. They do the job and look professional enough that no one thinks you just tossed your hair into the easiest thing you could.

I need a new one of these! I am using a few small ones and this one is large enough to hold all my makeup and face goo and whatever else I think I might be needing. I like the polka dots too.

All of the items come with the L.V.Kiki brand tags on them so I found a few of them on their site. I have a few misses with items in these boxes but it’s just one of two of the things, never a whole box. It almost seems like a steal at the prices I paid. If the rest of my boxes are as good as this one was for me I will be more than happy. I think this will be one of those boxes that was a great find!

White Willow August 2016

August 29, 2016August 24, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

White Willow is a monthly lifestyle box that sends out surprise items from beauty, fashion, home, culinary, or all around lifestyle themes. They ship out four to five items and are a Canadian company. That makes me so happy I was okay paying slightly more than I normally would for a box. They promise a value of $70, so let’s hope they meet that. Subscriptions start at $35 a month but do go down a bit with longer plans. Shipping to here is $8.50/month. They are changing all that up starting now. If you subscribe now you will get boxes every other month. Anyone who was already on a plan will continue to get boxes monthly until their time is up.

The have a beautiful box that safely arrives inside a plain shipping box.

Even the inside is all wrapped up like a great gift. Couldn’t see much of whatever is hiding in the squiggles.

They have a beautiful info card too. They take great care in making this feel like a special treat for their subscribers. The card tells you what you received, it’s value, and a little bit about them.

Ceramic Berry Basket-$18.00

This could have been sent out in either yellow or the blue, which I got. I like it but I don’t know what to do with it. My kids will break it of I have it out at a reachable level. I’ll need to make it a decorative item somehow.

Julep Glass Dish by Mudlark-$16.00

I have a similar one of these on my dresser right now and it works for my rings so I think this one will end up there too. It is very pretty and will make it easier to keep things from wandering around my dresser.

Citrus Amaro Hand Cream by Skin & Co. Roma-Bonus Item

This smells great! It is a nice cream, very think and absorbs quickly. It is just a small size which I think is why they made it a bonus item instead of including it.

Sephora Collection Sleeping Mask-$5.00

You could have received any of the five options Sephora sells and I got the Green Tea. I think is is actually the one I would buy if I was going to. It can help reduce oil and the look of imperfections, and leaves your skin smooth and matte. It’s more of a night cream in that you apply it before bed and then just leave it on until you wash your face in the morning.

Herbs de Provence Oil by La Tourangelle-$11.00

This is an infused oil. It has rosemary and thyme in sunflower oil. You can use it in any dish you would normally add oil with and sunflower has a high heat point so it’s good for cooking with as well.

Citrus Amaro Shower Gel by Skin & Co. Roma-$23.00

So remember that awesome lotion from above? Now we get the full sized shower gel in the same scent. So happy right now! This is going to be so luxurious to use! Must keep it away from the kids though.

Box number five…..still awesome! The value this time is $73.00. This month had items more to my personal tastes than last month. As a result, I like everything in it and will gladly try it all out. Sometimes you find things you can no longer live without and sometimes not so much. I am always happy to find a Canadian box and this one is a good one! If you want to try them out click here.

Warm Hug July 2016

August 28, 2016August 24, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

Warm Hugs is a subscription box that reminds you that you need to take care of yourself as well as others. They are also Canadian so yay to that! Boxes will include affirmations, tea, gemstones, essential oil blends, chocolates, bath salts or soaps, earrings, and a surprise. They make the oils and bath products themselves and sell them on their site. They also sell the boxes alone and have a Postpartum box that has items new moms can use to sooth sore areas. You can even order a subscription and get that as your first box if you let them know. Boxes are $20 plus $7 shipping (Canadian funds!!!!!) but if you go with a six month plan you get 10% off.

The ship in a pizza box with their logo on a sticker.

Inside I found a note thanking me for being a subscriber and telling me that since this was my last box they included a bonus gift for me. Underneath the tissue I could see all of the lovely items they send out.

They don’t have an info card but include a letter telling you about the items.

Affirmations

They send out four so you have a new one for each week of the month. You are supposed to keep them where you can see them everyday and repeat them to yourself.

Tea

This months blend is Blooms of Beauty and it is a mix of lemon balm, spearmint, chamomile, rose, nettle, alfalfa, dandelion, raspberry leaf, and marjoram. All of their teas have been very good. I have mostly been using them for iced tea and they work great.

Handmade Bath Salts and Soap

Normally you would only get one soap but the orange sheep one is my thank you gift. The actual soap of the month is strawberry. The bath salts are lemon. They contain essential oils which can improve your mood and are a natural disinfectant.

Chocolate

Once again slightly melty but no big mess. It doesn’t affect the taste in the least and they are a nice treat.

Gemstone

This months stone is Picture Jasper. I have never received a shaped stone from them before. This gem can help with cravings, fertility, initiative, and to quit smoking. I’m struggling with my weight loss so maybe this can give me a bit of a boost.

Essential Oil Blend

The blend this month is Beat The Heat and will cool and refresh you on a hot day. As usual I cannot identify the oils but it smells nice and maybe has some mint? It is bright and refreshing on my face.

Earrings

Well these are fun summer earrings. They have little drink glasses with fruit in the rim as the charm. Cute.

Surprise

The surprise item for this month is a Manicure/Pedicure set. I’m tossing it in my bag right now because I have been needing a file and clippers for the last few days while we are camping and didn’t have one! Now I have no excuse.

There is no way for me to value this box but it would be about curation more than value anyways. I fell I got my $20 worth and I love that it is Canadian. All of the bath products are wonderful, the oil is useful, chocolate can never be bad, tea is welcome, and the gemstone and affirmations are great reminders to stop and think for a minute. If you want to get your own Warm Hug, click here to check them out.

House Box August 2016

August 27, 2016August 24, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

House Box is a Canadian bi-monthly subscription box that sends you 5 or more assorted home product samples. Plans start at $21.95 but do go down with longer plans and shipping is $9.95. Taxes are included in the pricing. The site says you can review your products and shape future boxes but so far I can’t figure out how to make that happen. The items included are Canadian companies too! After you have tried them out you can purchase the full sized version from the website or they have links direct to the companies. Let’s see what was inside this month.

They have such a cute little box! It fits easily in a mailbox and yet is still full of useful things.

As you can see from the card, this is the back to school box. The reverse tells you the items are to help you pack lunches in style and be gentle on the environment. It also tells you the items, prices, and companies they are available from.

My first peek gave nothing away as this bag covered everything.

Snack Pack Reusables Snack Bag-$7.00 and Sandwich Bag-$9.00

I am having the best luck lately! I was searching for how to make these and now this is the second box this month to send me some! These are washable and keep food fresh for the day.

Fox Run Brands Tea Kettle Descaler-$5.00

This little guy prevents the buildup of that white scale on the inside of your tea kettle. I don’t think I’ve ever worried about it before but now I wonder if I should have? You pop this in and it attracts all the sediment that would normally just cling to the sides.

Detour Coffee-60g $3.40

I don’t drink coffee but luckily my Hubby does so this will go to him. This is a blend called Los Naranjos and it says it has notes of cola, grapefruit, stewed fruit, and vanilla. That actually sounds delicious but not enough for me to drink it. These are whole beans.

The Soap Exchange Envirowash-75g $0.89

This is a concentrated powder laundry soap. It has a lemon scent and you only need a tablespoon per load so it’ll last a while. I love getting laundry soap samples! I know I’m weird but it’s just such a great thing that you always need and who doesn’t want to try new things???

I am very happy with this box. This months has a value of $25.29, which is still a little low but better than last month. There was a mix of all sorts of items for the home and with them all being Canadian it’s a bunch of good finds. I have been on a mission to find more Canadian boxes since the exchange rate is so crappy right now and I’m glad to have found this one. The boxes have been consistently good, I wish they did a monthly box. If you want to sign up let me know and I can send you a link!

MayaMade Herbal C.S.A. Herb and Soap of The Month August 2016

August 26, 2016August 23, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

MayaMade is another of my Etsy finds. They use Community Supported Agriculture model to produce and share their products. Each month you will receive 2 bars of soap and one bonus bar in winter. All soaps are 7oz. They are hand crafted with organic oils and botanicals. You can also request them to send out specific soaps from their collection if you don’t want to have that surprise. This one is $13.32 including shipping a month. Well let’s see what soaps we ended up with this time.

This was everything that was in the bubble mailer. The whole thing was heavy and seeing the size of these soaps I can see why.

The Earth Stood Hard As Iron-$8.61

This one is a blend of cedarwood, sage, and lemongrass. I can’t believe how big these bars are!! I will be using them forever before they get used up. This one is a nice soft smell and will be good for both myself and my hubby.

Alice’s Wonderland Of Fire And Brimstone-$8.61

This one is a blend of Clary’s sage, geranium, acacia, and tolu. This one is a bit more girly scented and I like it. I think this one will be a great daily soap and I can’t wait to use it.

Bath Soak-Bonus

They sent out a sample of their bath soak this month. You dump the salts and herbs into the muslin bag and toss it in you r bath with you. I like that they gave you the bag to because these can be such as mess sometimes.

This one has the biggest soaps of all the ones I get. The value is $17.22, which for only 2 bars of soap is really good and covers the box price. They have a few different plans if you want to get some of their other products as well. I have no idea how we’re going to use all this soap up each month!

The Crafty Mail Back To School Handmade Subscription Box August 2016

August 25, 2016August 23, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

The Crafty Mail is an Etsy shop that sells planner clips and glitter dipped tumblers. They also put together a subscription box of items from themselves and other sellers, which is what I went with. Boxes can be pre-ordered a few month in advance and you’ll know the theme before you buy. Boxes are $38.47CAD a month or go down quite a bit if you buy more than one at a time. Shipping is included in the price. I used to get a similar box a while ago that had a different mix of items and liked it so decided to give this one a try. The nice thing about boxes like this is that not all of the companies will ship to Canada so you’d never get to have their products any other way. This month is all about Back To School.

There was no info card in this one but they do have a list of their sponsors, with the items that are from each shop so it’s kinda the same. It also makes it really easy to find more of any item that catches your fancy.

Apple Bookmark-$3.99

What a great way to start this box. I always need more bookmarks and this one is super cute. My own crochet skills are not anywhere near this level and so I’m happy to appreciate someone else’s work.

Cinnamon Apple Green Tea-$2.00

I love tea and when I’m not camping (like I am now) I have a cup every night before bed. Green tea is a nice change from the standard herbal tea that’s my go to.

Planner Clips-$4.58 x 4 and Washi-$1.99

These are from the site that puts together these boxes and I love them. My planner is sadly lacking much more beyond some stickers but all of these things will help remedy that.

Truffula Tree Pencil

Who doesn’t want a pencil with a tulle flower on the top??? Seriously this is awesome. Love it. Nothing more to say.

Reusable Snack Bag-$2.33

I honestly was just looking at online tutorials to make these things and I got one in a box! Bug is starting Kindergarten in a few weeks and she’ll need lunch so anything that can make it fun and be useful is a win.

Note Pad-$3.19

I love notepads and a checklist is probably the best notepad of all. It makes my OCD so very happy! This is right in there with the theme and just a great addition. Also the pages are thick cardstock not regular paper.

Planner Stickers-$3.32

Yay!!! More things to make my planner great! I keep thinking about getting a planner sticker sub and can’t quite commit so this is a good way to see if I’ll actually use them or just have big hopes to use them.

Harvest Apple Bath Melt-$1.33

Sadly this little guy did not travel well. He was just in the organza bag and there are bits of bath bomb all over everything. It’ll still work and is whole enough to fizz up so while I wish it was in better shape I’ll use it anyways.

I’m happy with my first month of this box. It all fit into the Back To School theme really well and there was a good mix of items. The products had a value of $36.47 which does cover the box price with shipping so that’s great. I enjoy these mixed boxes a lot and I think will keep this one around for a while.

Miss Tutti TuttiBag August 2016

August 24, 2016August 22, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

Miss Tutii is an Asian beauty subscription that offers a few different options. You can choose from the TutiiBox, TutiiBag, or the TutiiMask. Plans start at $12.00 and there is a shipping charge to Canada. They ship out popular or trending items from Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Your package may include skincare, makeup, hair care , beauty tools, or body and you can expect 4-5 deluxe or full sized items. The TutiiBag is just a smaller version of the TutiiBox so if you subscribed to both you will get duplicates.

Miss Tutti sends you all your items in an organza bag. They include an info card that tells you all about your items, which country they are from, the price, and last but not least, the instructions in English.

Etude House AC Clean Up Pink Powder Mask-20mL $2.50

This mask is for acne prone skin. It helps to remove oil and impurities, while moisturizing and softening skin.

Mizon Water Full Aqua Gel Cream-45mL $12.00

Oooo I like this! This is a facial moisturizer that is super light and has a cooling effect. It says it’s made with water from a glacier in Alaska, ocean water, coral water, and birch tree sap…….that seems unlikely but it smells nice, feels good on, and it full sized so I’m all in.

Sally’s Box Love Recipe Sheet Mask in Kiwi-$2.50

There were various types of masks sent out and I got the kiwi. This one has Vitamin C to clear and brighten your complexion. There seems to always be at least one mask in any Asian beauty box and I’ve got a good assortment for any occasion at this point.

Shiseido Super Mild Shampoo-50mL $1.00

I hate when you get only one of the set. Both shampoo an conditioner were options to receive but not in one bag. This shampoo is supposed to protect your hair from dryness and friction. It has a pleasant smell and I’m sure works great but I’d love to use it with the matching conditioner.

Etude House Styling Twist Eyeliner in Black-$6.00

I don’t even know how many black liners I have received at this point but since they are a staple item I guess it’s okay. This glided on easily and it says it should be smudge-proof but I was able to rub it around. I now judge all liners against the Julep ones that really do not move at all so I’m not sure if any will compare.

I’m still liking this bag! The items are useful and there is a good mix of products. I would love to get a bit more makeup in this bag but Asian cultures really do seem to focus on skincare more so that is probably why it’s rare. There is nothing in this one that I would want to swap so I’ll have to try that feature out later. This month had a value of $24.00. That’s a little lower than it has been but still good. I like getting the Asian beauty products and it’s been a while since I got many so this subscription should be a fun one.

Real Soaps Soap Of The Month August 2016

August 23, 2016August 22, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

Real Soaps is a company out of Chicago making handmade soaps and natural body care products. They don’t use any sulfates, parabens, phthalates and are cruelty-free. They also have no dyes, preservatives, or artificial ingredients and only pure essential oils for scents. I found them on Etsy but they also have a website. You can buy individual soaps or they have six and twelve month plans starting at $47.00 and shipping to Canada was under $20 for the whole term. I’m not sure why I’m on a soap kick lately but they are fun to get.

With your first month they send you a wooden soap dish. This will help your soap last longer and not be a gross melty mess sitting in water.

The soap is all packaged up and looking professional. The front tells you what month you’ve got and the back the type of soap and all the ingrediants. As you can see they are all readable and simple.

They included a little card that details all the reasons this bar of soap is awesome. It explains the scent and the benefits that is has. To me it’s mostly mint scented but I do get the underlying hint of Starbucks like they say. This bar weighs about 3oz and would retail for $5.99 if you bought it off the site.

I am always looking for bath type products and soap is such an easy way to shake up your routine. I tend to not share these with my family but it I find a scent that is too strong or not to my liking then I give it to my hubby who is less picky.

LookFantastic Beauty Box August 2016

August 19, 2016August 14, 2016 / Prairielily / Leave a comment

Look Fantastic Beauty Box is a box from the UK and you will receive a minimum of six products. Those products will be an assortment of skin, hair, cosmetic and body products. There also are sometimes high value surprises added to a few boxes randomly. They promise to have a much higher value than what you pay each month as well. They have free worldwide delivery on the boxes or things you order from the website. Boxes are $26 a month but go down with 3,6 or 12 month subscriptions. Shipping was pretty quick for overseas and I received tracking notices as well. The stuff I’ve been getting in this box has been really nice. This one was a find and I really enjoy it. I had ended my subscription but with the exchange rate being better right now and the fact that I love this box I signed back up.

They have great boxes that tell you the theme each month. Also included is the latest edition of ElleUK. This month is all about The Best Of British, their favourite brands and beauty treats.

Inside the box is a mini magazine that details all the items plus tips, ideas, and other products that might help you out each month. They nestle everything in the dreaded squiggles but it arrives safe all the way from the UK so I guess it’s worth it.

Ren Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist-9mL $6.26

This spray helps to shield your skin from pollutants which can contribute to breakouts and toxins being absorbed. I was glad to find that the smell was not horrible. It doesn’t leave my face feeling like I put something on it and I felt refreshed from the spray as well.

Renu Lip And Eye Active Lift-7mL

This is the Editor’s Pick for the month. This eye cream is for mature skin, which I don’t quite qualify as having yet, however I have begun noticing some lines around my eyes so I think tarting early is a good thing. This not only firms and plumbs the skin it also helps to reduce dark circles.

Bloom And Blossom Rejuvenating Facial Spritz-40mL $9.74

I find it slightly odd that they sent out two face sprays in the same box but I really like Bloom And Blossom products so I won’t complain too loudly. This one is made to make you feel fresh while reducing fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, and brightening you up. I enjoy facial sprays and usually have at least one on the go at all times.

Percy & Reed Wonder Balm-30mL $12.49

This balm is made for your hair. It smoothes frizzes, adds moisture and shine, and gives your styling products a base to make your style last longer. I like any hair care products because I have such ling hair that anything that might make it seem controlled is great.

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum-7mL $14.62

This is a blemish cream. It doesn’t use any harsh chemicals and is non-greasy so it works for all skin types. I need this type of thing once a month so yeah for zit cream!

Bee Good Vanilla And Honey Lip Balm-10mL $8.27

I love a good lip balm and this fits that bill totally! The beeswax takes a second to melt from the warmth of your lips and it feels so nice on. It also smells more like the beeswax than vanilla, and that is one of my favourite scents in the world.

This month had a value of $51.35, plus the eye cream and the magazine. This month’s mix was great. The best part about LookFantastic is that they have sales all the time and free worldwide shipping so if you want more of anything or find other things on their site it’s simple to get. I’m really glad I went for them again and the new billing procedure is simpler than before so there are no worries there. If you are looking for a beauty box to try, this would have to be my recommendation, hands down.

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The Prairie Subscription

A blog about subscription boxes, momhood, and life

Month: August 2016