PopSugar MustHave March 2015

PopSugar MustHave is a monthly lifestyle subscription box. I call it a Christmas stocking in a box and I look forward to it every month.  It's filled with items that I might not purchase for myself, but that I will use and love. Just a bit of luxury.

The usual subscription box is $39.99/month, but if you purchase 3 or 6 month subscriptions, there is a little discount. And, they have discounts every month if you find the codes.The April box is currently sold out, so new subscriptions would start with the May box. There is a waitlist so it is possible that some new subscribers could get the April box. The current discount code is MUSTHAVE5 for $5 off your subscription.  Black Friday they had a special for $75 off a 6-month subscription. So, my $214.70 ($35.78/box) came to 139.70 ($23.28/box). Not a bad deal when you consider all that's in it. 

Inside each box is a card detailing the items included. This month was a bout Springtime and Traveling.

PopSugar ships via FedEx Post, so sometimes it can take longer than expected to arrive. Thankfully, I was stalking shipping and it arrived sooner than expected.

Bliss Micromagic Microdermabrasion Treatment: This was one of the spoilers and had mixed opinions. I personally like it. I’m a big fan of daily to weekly exfoliation and I like Bliss products. It has a nice fine grain and I’ll get good use out of it. Retail $48

Greenmarket Purveying Co. The Archivist Lemon+Cucumber Reed Diffuser Kit: I have sometimes thought about trying the diffusers, but never really wanted to spend the cash to try it out. It’s a nice subtle look and simple. Just put the reeds in the bottle and let it do its job. I like the scent, but maybe it's a little too subtle or my room is just too big because I don't even notice a hint of scent unless I am standing right next to it. Hmmm...  Retail $20

Samudra Pink Pina Zip Pouch: This was made specifically for PopSugar. It’s a good size zip pouch. I’m a fan of pouches to organize when I’m traveling. See through will be handy to remind me what’s in. I have been known to go through pouches looking for something, so this will be handy. It’s hard to tell the value since its exclusive. Suggested Retail $40

Knock Knock What to Pack Pad: Interesting. I have friends who make lists before packing. I’m a bit more random. It’s too hard to make a list. But that could be why I tend to way overpack … or, alternatively, forget something important. This has 60 pads and I don’t travel often enough to get use out of that many. I am undecided if I am going to keep it or gift it to my traveling friends. Retail $7

Wet Brush The Squirt: I’ve heard good things about this hairbrush and it’s small enough for travel. Apparently it's for use in the shower, but I'm not sure if it's for during conditioning or after. And, I'm a bit hesitant because I have really thick hair. I've heard it works with thick hair, but, I’ve been using a wide-tooth comb for years. My hairstylist back in the day (best I ever had) advised against brushes as he said they would break my curls. I don’t know if he meant all brushes. But, today, I was a tangled mess and the comb was painful … maybe the brush would have helped. Also undecided if I will keep or gift. Retail $4.99

Halfpops Halfpopped Popcorn: I received Buttern and Sea Salt flavor. It contains dairy so I won’t be sampling. I’ll be gifting. Retail $1.69

Special Extra: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara and POREfessional: OK … the mascara is supposed to add length and curl to my lashes … yes, please. But, when will I get around to actually trying it? I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but mascara gets used more than other things. I have a lot of mascara from kits and subscription boxes. Maybe this will be the next one I open. The POREfessional sample is a lightweight primer. I’ll give it a whirl next time I apply make-up. I’ve recently discovered primer and like how it makes the makeup have a better looking finish.

My opinion of the box: It wasn’t my favorite and didn’t make me go WOW!!! But, I am also not disappointed. Ambivalent, I suppose. I don’t dislike anything, just not blown over by anything, either. The travel theme was evident and I like being able to appreciate a theme. Retail: $121.68 That's well over the $23.28 I paid for it.

(This post contains affiliate links. I don't receive any compensation for my review.)

Vegan Cuts Chocolate Box

I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!! But, so many chocolates contain dairy. Boo. Sad face. Even dark chocolate, which I naturally like better than milk chocolate (even when I did eat dairy) often has milk in it. So, when I heard about Vegan Cuts Chocolate box, I had to give it a try. Lots of new chocolates to learn about and decide what I like so I can search for them to satisfy my chocolate craving. The box cost $27.95 and I feel like I got a real value. When the box arrived, the first thing I noticed was just how heavy it was. And, it was jam-packed full!!! I wanted to give an honest opinion about each product, so my review is later than I received it because I thought everything deserved a sampling. 

Lovebean Superfood Fudge Spread (variety of flavors) - 28 g
Coconut and chocolate are meant for each other and this spread is meant for your next sundae, toast or snack or velvety, dreamy dark chocolate spread is the perfect topping for a romantic dessert for two.
Tastes just like rich chocolate frosting. Yes, I spread it on a cracker and ate it right up.

Emmy's Organics Dark Cacao Macaroons - 2 oz   Macaroons made with melt-in-your-mouth dark cacao for an brain-awakening treat. Really tasty and rich. Great dark chocolate

 Wild Friends Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter - 1.15 oz
A smooth, natural nut butter that combines chocolate, peanut and coconut for a sweet and savory treat. ITSingle serving treat. It was OK. I admit, though that I'm not the biggest fan of flavored peanut butter. But at least it wasn't super sweet like some flavored nut-butters. I didn't taste any coconut and the chocolate wasn't really strong. No complaints, but not really "wowed." 

Creek House Patisserie 2pc Truffles - 0.95 oz. Decadent double dark chocolate truffles with a 72% bittersweet chocolate outer shell.   I sampled one of these immediately. Rich, smooth, dark chocolate. Perfection!!! Some famous brand name truffles have nothing on these!!!

 Jen's Zen Chocolate Sauce (variety of flavors) - 9.6 oz
Award-winning chocolate dessert topping and spread made with sweet and creamy organic coconut milk and coconut oil.   Amazing on ice cream. Just like hot fudge. 

Substantial Chocolate Magical Maca Bar - 1.25 oz  Classic exotic superfood bar made with maca and chocolate to produce a harmony of toasty butterscotch, light cacao, and maximum aphrodisiac powers.

My first thought sampling this was that it was a little dry and had an odd sweetness to it. It has very few ingredients and after the first bite, I REALLY LIKED IT!!! It became smooth feeling and smooth tasting. I think this is a win. 

Cocoa Cravings Criollo Chocolate Bar - 1.76 oz All natural chocolate bars made from the fabled "Criollo Arriba beans" using a recipe based on a simple combination of cacao beans, cane sugar and pure vanilla.

Bixby & Co Bar (variety of flavors) - 1.5 oz
Fair trade chocolate that features a delicious medley of fruits, nuts,spices, and brown rice crisps.Not too sweet, but just right. Actually reminded me of Carnation Breakfast Bars. Do they make those anymore? I wouldn't know, but I liked this bar. It was just right, but I didn't eat it as a meal ... it was more of a snack. That's OK, right?

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates Eli's Earth Treasure Bar - 1.5 oz Organic, fair trade chocolate bars that combine a smooth peanut butter crunch with a layer of caramel coated in delicious melk chocolate.    OMIGOSH!!! When they say candy bar, they mean it. This was sooo delicious. Really satisified my peanut butter, caramel, chocolate cravings. Some things you just can't find vegan very easily. I looked at their website and they are only available January 1-29. WHAT??? NEED MORE!!!

The Good Bean Fruit & No-Nut Chocolate Berry Bar - 40 g   A lower fat, high fiber alternative to other bars to cure your chocolate craving.
This was pretty good. A little sweet. Good crunch. I didn't notice a lot of chocolate flavor though. Of course, it could be because I was wolfing it down after a hard morning run. 

 Earnest Eats Baked Bar  - 1.9 oz --A healthy, whole food bar that combines oats, nut butter and delicious chocolate flavors. I already know about Earnest Eats ... and I love them. Double Chocolate Espresso ... yes! Please!!! 

 Chocolita Pine Pollen & Lemon Raw White Chocolate Bar - 1.23 oz Known for its immune supporting and energy boosting powers, pine pollen helps give this superfood chocolate bar its unique and irresistible flavor.  White chocolate is always a winner. This was surprisingly great. I'm not a white chocolate fan ... to rich. This was just right with a hint of lemon. It's not a white color, though. 
 Molly Rose Chocolate & Roses Lip Balm - .15 oz. Rich, smooth cocoa butter and rose essential oil with a hint of sweet chocolate to bring smoothness and a smile to your lips.   I tried this immediately and found it to be a little bit ... soft and wetter than I'm used to. But, it may be the naturalness and purity of the ingrediets. It seems like it might melt if left out in hot Texas sun, so I will be careful with it and I'm not writing it off. It tasted AMAZING though. If you had children, you might want to keep them away from it because they might think it's candy.

Thesis Chocolatier's Gift Raw Cacao Face Mask - .5 oz  Handmade organic face mask that uses cacao to nourish and regenerate dry skin  I wasn't sure what to think at first. This is a very very fine powder and I haven't ever used a powder mask. So, I poured a bit into my hand,added water and turned it into a paste, spread it on my face. Smelled good enough to eat ...I didn't. After a few minutes it dried and I rinsed. I always feel good after a mask, so I can't say if it was any different. .

 ...and some surprises!

I brewed the Chocolate Spice Black Tea immediately. It smells amazing, but not chocolatey and didn't have a lot of chocolate flavor. That's OK, though, it had great flavor, the chocolate just didn't come through very strong. 

The Vegan Protein was pretty good chocolate protein shake. It had the usual powdery feel as any other protein shake powder does, but no funny aftertaste. 

Check out the haul when it's in one big pile. 

Wantable March 2015

So, I tried the box in January and was unsure about continuing. I really have to justify it to myself because I have been spending a little too much lately. 

Wantable has 4 subscriptions: an Accessory box (I am not a good accessorizor), their Intimate box, and their Fitness wear box (try on at home and keep what you want). They also have a new Make-up box. For the Accessory, Intimate, and Make-up, the cost is $40 the first month and then a 10% discount subsequent months if you keep everything. You can return individual items, though, so it's not a keep all or none sort of thing. When you sign up, you set up a style profile an select things you love, like, and dislike. They will never send something you dislike. Each box is selected for you, so my box will be different from everyone else's box. And, you can return if you want. That's a bonus most boxes don't allow. I chose the Intimates box. Assortment of undergarments, socks, loungewear, etc. Should be 3-4 items per box depending on value of items. 

So, I signed up to try again in March and I will do it a few months to see if I think it's worth keeping. I was sent shipping notice and the package arrived quickly. The items were picked for me based on my profile.

realUnderwear Fusion Tank: This is a black version of the blue tank I received in January. Personally, I don't think you can ever have too many tanks. This is microfiber, which I like. It has a V-neck on one side and Scoop neck on the other, so that's cool. It is very snug and form fitting, so if I don't tuck it in, it does roll up. That I don't like. I'll get good use out of it as a layering piece, though, so I'm keeping it. Retail $32.00. My price to keep $18.55. 

Third Love Mesh Bikini: This nude bikini is semi-sheer. I will admit, I have mostly very functional undies and I felt a little daring. Nice, though, they are like second skin. I hate thongs and wearing these, there were no panty lines. Because they run small, Wantable sized up and it was the right decision. Retail $13.00. My price to keep $7.54

Finally MukLuck Slipper Socks: Yes, no doubt, I like them. They are double layered and have grippie bottoms. I am always traipsing around the house wishing I had something warm on my feet. These do the trick. They are cute and comfortable. Retail $24.00. My price to keep $13.91.

Overall, I'm pleased with the selection this month. I kept it all. Next month will be $36 instead of $40. Total retail value was $69. I like everything, it's just a matter of justifying the extra monthly expense at this point. Is it a "want" or a "need?"