Petit Vour Aug 2014 Subscription Box

Petit Vour is a monthly beauty box that "helps you discover the latest luxury vegan beauty products"...  Boxes are $15 a month (shipping included).  You can also earn PV points when your name is used as a reference.  Please feel free to use my name Kimm Jones Furlotte in the "How did you hear about us?" box when you sign up. Thank you in advance! ;)

This was what I received in my first Petit Vour box:

BEAUTY WITHOUT CRUELTY (Natural Eyeliner black)... love getting to try new eyeliners! Love how smoothly it glides on..

EARTH BODY (Beauty Cleanser & Mask) ..excited to try this!...it says it can be used as a face wash when mixed with water..or as a mask when mixed with agave nectar & coconut oil...

HARVEY PRINCE (Journey perfume).. I had tried other Harvey Prince perfumes but never this one before. I have a sensitivity to perfumes but found this one very light and clean. No sneezing yet!  LOL

MI-ME (Tangerine Hydrating Lip Butter)...LOVE this! I usually stick to the same brand I have been using for years, but have to say I really am impressed with this. My lips felt instantly hydrated and smoother..! I already know I will be sad when I run out of this! LOL

ROSEMIRA ORGANICS (Sweet Coconut Body Butter) ..I am a coconut fanatic so I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it. Tried it right away on the back of my hand and love the way it feels. Excited to try it with my freshly shaven legs..LOL :)

Overall review of the box: LOVED it.. so many great new products to try. Best of all no animals were harmed in the making of any of them! :)  Again if you decide to sign up please use my name as your reference (Kimm Jones Furlotte)  :)

Ipsy Aug 2014 Subscription Box

Ipsy is a monthly sample beauty subscription box/"glam bag". The cost is $10 month (shipping included). Each month you will receive 5 beauty products + a makeup bag. When you first start your account with Ipsy you are asked to take a beauty quiz so that your monthly selections can be tailored to your preferences.  If you would like to check it out, please use my referral link:                   http://www.ipsy.com/r/c7b6

This was what I received in my first Ipsy:

MAKEUP BAG..a cute little orange polka dot bag that will be great for holding all of my eyeliners

LABORATORIES  KLORANE ...(Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk)...curious to try as I have never used a dry shampoo before

COASTAL SCENTS ..(Forever Blush Duo) ..I don't wear blush but with some color mixing I think I can make them work as an eyeshadow instead! :)

JERSEY SHORE SUN (Mongongo Lip Conditioner)... I have dry lips so had to try this right away. It was nice, a little waxy but not bad. Nice light mandarin orange smell.

J. CAT BEAUTY (Flying Solo Eyeshadow- Half Naked) ..Love the natural color. Container was very cute and even came with a small mirror and applicator

URBAN DECAY (24/7 Velvet Glide On Eye Pencil-Plushie) ..LOVE eye liners/pencils! I am new to the Urban Decay brands and I was really impressed. It really does glide on with no smudging.

Overall review of the box: I really liked my first Ipsy. I was not familiar with any of these brands before, and I think it is a great way to get to know them without making a huge purchase and possibly being disappointed.  Again if you would like to try out Ipsy for yourself feel free to use my referral link:   http://www.ipsy.com/r/c7b6

Graze Aug 2014 (Box 6) Subscription Box

The Graze subscription box is a portion controlled snack box. You receive 4 snacks in each box for a price of $6 (including shipping!). You can choose to receive the boxes anywhere from once a month to every week ($6 per box). You can cancel at anytime. You can use a fellow Graze members referral code and receive your 1st and 5th box FREE.  You can go through the Graze snack list and read each description and "trash" the ones you are not interested in trying.  I try to keep all my snacks in the 150 and below calorie range and also watch the sugar grams.  If you would like to try a FREE box please feel free to use my referral code/link: https://www.graze.com/us/p/BARRYF3NU   

This is what I received in this box: 

YAKI SOBA -  (Soba peanuts, edamame beans, noodles, & chili broad beans) 160 calories, less than 1g sugar ... This was good because it didn't have a ton of the edamame beans in it. Saved some of this to use in an Asian style salad for some extra crunch.

KEEN BEAN - (Edamame beans, chili broad beans, & redskin peanuts) 160 calories, 1g sugar .... I had 2 "trashed" selections show up in my box, this was one of them. It was mostly just edamame beans..didn't care for it.
 
SUMMER BERRY FLAPJACK - (Rustic rolled oat flapjack with berry infused cranberries) 230 calories,  16g sugar...I received a flapjack option in my last 2 Graze boxes and really enjoyed them. Since they are over the calories and sugar grams I like to be at for a snack, what I ended up doing  is instead of using it as only 1 snack I stretched them out into 3 snacks. I either pair 1 flapjack with some fresh fruit or a couple raw nuts.  :)

SMOKEY BBQ CORN - (Smoked cashews and jumbo corn) 150 calories, less than 1g sugar ... I had "trashed" this option so not sure why it was sent..I do not like smokey flavored anything, but thought it might be ok. Took one bite and into the real trash it went. :(

Overall review of this box:  This unfortunately wasn't my best Graze box. Two of the snacks I received I had previously "trashed" so I was very disappointed to find them in my box.  I still enjoy the Graze boxes and will continue to recommend them.

Naturebox Sampler: The Taste of Better Box (Subscription Box Aug 2014)

Naturebox  is monthly subscription box that delivers "nutritious and delicious snacks for under $20/month. For every box we deliver, we donate one meal to provide food to the hungry"  Right now they are offering a sampler box so you can get to know their products for FREE, you pay only $2 for shipping. You will receive 4 (1oz) packages and 1 (3oz) bag.  I couldn't pass up that deal.  If you like their products and choose to continue with their monthly Deluxe NatureBox you will receive  5 full-sized bags for only $19.95 per month + FREE SHIPPING.  If you would like to try the sampler box use this link to get started:   https://naturebox.com/sampler

This is what I received in my sampler box:

1oz packages:
SEA SALT SUN CRUNCH (Sunflower and sesame seeded crackers) 140 calories, 1g sugar...Had to try these when I opened the box...I had 4 crackers and paired them with some strawberries & grapes. Delicious!

CINNAMON SWIRL KETTLE KERNALS (Cinnamon roasted kettle kernals) 130 calories, 2g sugar.. This looks like a perfect way to satisfy both a sweet and crunchy craving!

GARDEN TOMATO CRUNCHIES (Tomato flavored almonds) 160 calories, 2g sugar..Thinking about throwing these into a salad for a nice crunch!

COCONUT CASHEWS (Coconut cashews) 140 calories, 8g sugar ...LOVE anything coconut..saving these to help when I get a sweet craving!

3oz bag:
PISTACHIO POWER CLUSTERS (Nut squares with almonds, cashews and pistachios) per 1/4 cup serving 150 calories, 5g sugar .... I already know Barry will be swiping these to go in his lunch bag!  LOL

Overall review of the sampler box: I love the little 1oz packages..So convenient for daily snacks and all within the calorie and sugar gram range I like to be in. Wish I could get a box of the 1oz bags rather than the full sized bags!  For $2 it's well worth it to try the box!  https://naturebox.com/sampler

My Bakers Box August 2014 Subscription Box

My Bakers Box is a box for anyone that loves to bake & decorate. "Each month you will receive a special box full of unique baking supplies, recipes, ideas and so much more" .Boxes are $25 a month (including shipping). In July they ran a special Buy One Month, Get One Free Month which I signed up for right away! I received my first box last month (BEE theme), today I received my August box that was FREE! The theme for the August box is ICE CREAM.

This is what was included in the box:

MINI ICE CREAM CONES (8 cones)... you can fill these with brownies, candies, mini cupcakes and more...Thinking I will try them soon with some angel food cake & strawberries..

 ICE CREAM SUGAR DEC-ONS ...(8 pcs)... shaped like mini ice cream cones & popsicles.. so cute!

ICE CREAM CONE COOKIE CUTTER (1)...it is absolutely adorable!

J & K  CHOCOLATE GOURMET CHOCOLATE SAUCE.. I'm sure Barry will enjoy this on some ice cream ASAP!

POLKA DOT NUT CUPS ...(8 cups).. these can be used to bake cupcakes in or to serve ice cream

RAINBOW & CHOCOLATE JIMMIES... (1 bag of each)..I had some of the chocolate ones also in the last box..they just look like "sprinkles" to me..again not sure why some people call them "Jimmies"...  I think they would sound strange to say "can I have some jimmies on my ice cream?"... LOL

Overall review of this box: This is a really fun box. You can tell that a lot of thought & care is put into the gathering of supplies and the packaging.
I hope that everyone who loves to bake will give them a try! :)

Nibblr August 2014 Subscription Box

The Nibblr subscription box is a portion controlled snack box. You receive 4 snacks per box and can choose from their list of mixes which ones you are most interested in. Example if you hate coconut, you go through their list of snacks and click on "not interested" for all the coconut mixes.. Boxes are $5.99 each, that includes shipping!.  If anyone is interested in trying a FREE box you can use my friend code of 3842 to sign up. I choose to keep all my snacks under 150 calorie range and to keep the sugar grams low.  Love having snacks portioned out and ready to go..

This box included: 

AUTUMN CRISPS (80 calories, 5g sugar) -  Mini Crisps with Cranberries, Pecans, Sunflower Seeds, and Sesame Seeds.. Excited to try these. Saving them to enjoy with a nice cup of tea.

WASABELOVE (150 calories, 1g sugar) -Corn Nuts and Wasabi Peas Snack Mix ...I have had this before and I did like it..but was a little disappointed to already start getting repeats when there are still so many more to try.  Will just have to easily change it to "not interested" for now so it doesn't show up again in the next box too.. ;)  It is worth a try if you haven't had it..those wasabi peas are great for clearing the sinuses...lol

MAPLE CHOCO BLISS (130 calories, 9g sugar) - Granola Clusters, Chocolate Cookies and Maple Toffee Snack Mix.. Unfortunately this was a melted mess and is in a giant clump because of the heat. Have to go through my list again and make sure anything that can melt is off my list until at least November..lol

SALTY CHICKS (130 calories, 3g sugar) - Sea Salt Chickpeas... Roasted chickpeas are one of my favorite snacks. The best is when they are hot and freshly roasted right out of the oven, of course. With our hotter temps right now, the last thing you want to do is fire up the oven. So these make a great substitute!

Overall review of this box: I always like Nibblr delivery days..although this was a 50/50 box for me.  As I said though, easy to adjust the preferences on the snacks to better ensure a better box next time..
... Again feel free to try the FREE box with my code 3842...

The Music Box August 2014 Subscription Box

The Music Box "is a monthly subscription based promotional service that provides a free opportunity for your music to be heard. Each month included in the box are cool items such as CD's, mp3 downloads, stickers, posters and other various promotional material provided by bands/artists" Boxes are $10 a month (including shipping)

This was what we received in our first box:

CD's:
1. BY DESIGN (Make the World Move) ...They are a "rock/ post hardcore" band from Orange County, CA...So far I have only listened to this CD and I really like the track called "Calm Before the Storm" !
2. RAGS & RIBBONS (Magnesium Dreams) ..they are an "alternative rock" band from Portland, OR

3.CHRYSALIS (Focus on the Center)..they are a "rock/metal/ experimental" band from Barstow, CA

also included in the box..sunglasses and assorted stickers & cards from other bands & artists to check out. There is also a code to pass along to anyone that would like to try a box for 10% off ...use code: 10OFF

Overall review of the box: I think it's a great way to discover new artists you may have otherwise never heard of!

  If you know anyone with a band recommend them to The Music Box, they are in search of new artists!

Hatchery July 2014 Subscription Box

Hatchery "delivers small-batch artisan ingredients and condiments to your doorstep every month." This is my third Hatchery box..as with the first two boxes ,the packaging and presentation were wonderful.  Even the tasting guide is beautiful, including a short story about the founders of each company and recipe suggestions.  Such great thought and care is taken into preparing this box to be sent out. Boxes are $20 a month, but they do run promotions all the time to try your first box for $10. 

This is what I received in my July box (slight delay in delivery this month so didn't receive it until Aug 6th):

LAFAZA VANILLAS (Oakland, CA)- Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean ..I always look at the vanilla beans in the spice aisles but I have never used one before. I was very excited to get this and can't wait to use it.

BELLA NUT BUTTERS (New Orleans, LA)- Sunflower Maca Cinnamon Honey Nut Butter ...Opened this one right away to taste it as I have never had a sunflower butter before. It's very good and I'm already trying to think of a good way to use it. I have always loved peanut butter on warm French toast so may try some of this instead.

NOT KETCHUP (Santa Monica, CA) - Cherry Chipotle Dipping Sauce.. Love the description of this (cherries, chipotle peppers, apple cider vinegar and red onion)..I am going to be making some mushroom nut burgers that I think this will go perfect with!

MODERN GINGHAM PRESERVES (Denver, CO)-  Coffee'd Tart Cherry...Montmorency cherries blended with coffee liqueur and organic strawberries... YUM!  Suggested recipe is  a Plum Crustada but I think I am going to make an apple pie and mix some into it.. :)

FOGG CITY SPICE CO (San Francisco,CA) - Smokey BBQ Seasoning ..Has a great smokey smell..I know Barry will really enjoy this. He loves experimenting with new spices and rubs.

OTHER BROTHER COMPANY (San Francisco, CA)- Growers Blend "Shorty" Extra Virgin Oil Oil..I had already been planning on making some bruschetta very soon..I will include this into it!

Overall review of this box:  Hatchery never disappoints! Always such a great mix in every box. I love that it really gets me excited about trying new recipes and ingredients. Love it!

Graze August 2014 (Box 5) Subscription Box

The Graze subscription box is a portion controlled snack box. You receive 4 snacks in each box for a price of $6 (including shipping!). You can choose to receive the boxes anywhere from once a month to every week ($6 per box). You can cancel at anytime. You can use a fellow Graze members referral code and receive your 1st and 5th box FREE.  You can go through the Graze snack list and read each description and "trash" the ones you are not interested in trying.  I try to keep all my snacks in the 150 and below calorie range and also watch the sugar grams. This was my 5th box so this was one FREE!  If you would like to try a FREE box please feel free to use my referral code/link: https://www.graze.com/us/p/BARRYF3NU   

This is what I received in this box: 

JALAPENO HOT CHIPS -  (Jalapeno jam with flax tortilla chips) 70 calories, 7g sugar ... hoping that the jalapeno jam has some spice to it!

SALSA CORN CHIPS - (Cilantro and lime salsa with flax tortilla chips) 60 calories, 2g sugar ....My Graze box came just in time for a snack today and this is the one I chose. I really liked the flax tortilla chips..I do like a spicier salsa though..this one I found to be too sweet. Added a few drops of hot sauce and that helped a little. Will end up "trashing" this option.  Would love to see some spicier options in the future.
 
APPLE & CINNAMON FLAPJACK - (Rustic rolled oat flapjack with apple and cinnamon) 240 calories,  16g sugar...I received a flapjack option in my last Graze box and really enjoyed them. Since they are over the calories and sugar grams I like to be at for a snack, what I ended up doing  is instead of using it as only 1 snack I stretched them out into 3 snacks. I either paired 1 flapjack with some fresh fruit or a couple raw nuts.  :)

EL PICANTE - (Paprika baguettes, spicy chili peanuts and jumbo corn) 130 calories, less than 1g sugar ... I can already tell I will like this one...!

Overall review of this box:  This was a good box, with a nice mix of flavors.  Just wished that the salsa would have had some heat to it.  As always though I love when my Graze box arrives and look forward to the next one in a couple weeks! :)

Whimseybox July 2014 Subscription Box

Whimseybox " is the monthly subscription and ecommerce shop for the DIY and craft community". Each month they will send a box full of  all the supplies needed to complete a DIY craft project. Boxes are $15 a month (including shipping). When I signed up for a Whimseybox account they sent an email to get my first box for only $10.

This is what I received
:

July's project is a jewelry making kit. Anyone who knows me, knows I never wear jewelry..LOL  not even a wedding ring!  So I did get a laugh that of all the DIY projects out there I would get a jewelry craft. I will however attempt this project (necklace) and if it turns out great you know what I will be giving away for Christmas!  LOL 

Inside the box: Glue, Ear Posts (for earrings), Snake Chain (for necklace), Bail,  Sculpey Oven Bake Clay (1 white, 1 purple), Glass Glitter,  Razor (for cutting the clay)

Overall review of the box: Of course there was a bit of disappointment with this being a jewelry craft, but will give it a try. There was also an issue with late shipment delays on this months boxes. (July box didn't arrive until Aug 5th) With that said, in reading past reviews of Whimseybox there are a lot of positive comments and people enjoy trying new crafts. Hopefully I will be one of them and don't end up with a giant mess!  LOL