Love With Food September 2014 Subscription Box

What is great about Love with Food is that they will match each box sold and donate a box. One box donated for their small box.. Two boxes donated for their deluxe boxes. I have the smaller box. I love that all of the snacks are within my 100-150 calorie range that I like to be at for my midday snacks. Boxes start at $12 a month but there is almost always a discount going on..Current discount is getting your first box FREE only charge is $2.00 for shipping! Please feel free to use my referral link to take advantage of this wonderful deal...(if for some reason you do not like the box you are under no obligation to keep the subscription and can cancel at anytime).. My personal Love with Food referral link:  http://lovewithfood.com/invite?m=r&ref=GNQ

I had canceled my subscription a couple months ago. Love With Food sent me an email asking me to come back and offered a FREE box. So I signed back up. :) This month's theme is "Spice It Up" . This is what I received:

WAY BETTER SNACKS-  (Simply So Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips)... had these today for a midday snack.. I had heard of Way Better Snacks but had never tried them. They had a really nice heat and good crunch to them. I enjoyed them.

FOGG CITY SPICE CO- (Lemon Rosemary Seasoning)...Can't wait to try this..thinking it would be perfect on both roasted potatoes & roasted chick peas!

ZIGGY MARLEY ORGANICS - (Roasted Hemp Seeds..Sea Salt & Pepper flavor)...love hemp seeds and always throw them on salads or in smoothies. These are really good and will be used on salads for sure. They reminded me of when you eat sunflower seeds and eat the shell as well, either by accident or on purpose!  LOL

AMAZING GRASS - (Green Superfood..Chocolate Infusion flavor)..This one looks intriguing. I think this will be great in a smoothie with some almond milk, banana, and maybe some coffee ice cubes. 

SHOTWELL CANDY CO - (5 Spice Caramels) .. Barry is more of a caramel fan so these will be making their way into his lunch bag.

MARUSOY- (Ghost Soy Sauce).. Can't wait to try this although my mouth is burning just thinking about it. It's made with ghost chili powder! Still trying to decide what to use it for...maybe to marinate some mushrooms for a veggie mushroom burger.

MANDY'S- (Rich Chocolate Cookie Thins).. These are perfect for a midday snack. Package is 5 thin cookies for 90 calories and only 6g sugar. To me they taste like a thinner version of an Oreo cookie (just the black part not the filling) but a lot less sweet.  Just had a tiny taste..saving them to enjoy with a nice cup of tea

LOVE WITH FOOD-  (Churro Kettle Corn) package is 140 calories, 6g sugar.. so fits nicely into my snack guidelines.. Nice way to get that great cinnamon churro flavor experience without eating a deep fried churro and then feeling guilty later on..lol 

Overall review of this box:  I thought this was a great box! I appreciate that Love With Food reached out and offered this box to me. It is always a fun box and I highly recommend trying their FREE box offer! Again feel free to use my referral link:
http://lovewithfood.com/invite?m=r&ref=GNQ

Farm to People September 2014 Subscription Box

Farm to People "connects independent farmers and craft producers with consumers."  They offer two tasting boxes "The Casual Foodie" (3 to 4 products $29.95 shipping included)  & "The Food Critic" (5 to 8 products $49.95 shipping included). I came across a discount code and purchased "The Casual Foodie" for $23 total price. I was very excited about my first box.

When I went out to get the mail today I noticed that I had received my Farm to People box! BUT then I saw the dreaded "damage to your box" label from the Post Office. As I picked it up I could also smell a very strong pickling smell. When I opened the box I was very sad to see that there had been a problem with a jar of pickled asparagus. There was NO lid on it and all the juices had spilled. What a mess. Luckily 2 of the other items were also in jars and could easily be cleaned off and still used. So I will break up this review into 2 categories. The damaged & the usable.

Damaged:
ERIC PICKLES from York, PA (Pickled Asparagus)... Jar opened, packaged with NO lid. While they sound delicious they had to thrown right into the garbage...

NUTS &  BOLTS from Brooklyn, NY (Almond Cookies - Gluten Free & Vegan) ..Again these sounded delicious but upon further inspection one end of the package was open and they also had to be thrown out. Actually made me sad to throw them away...would have made a great snack with a cup of green tea..


Usable:
BETTER OFF SPREAD from Brooklyn, NY (Spicy Peanut Butter)...I couldn't resist and just had to have a quick taste. Spicy & delicious. I can't wait to use it in an Asian style noodle recipe!

RED JACKET from Geneva, NY (Grape Jam) ..Honestly I have grape jam on my shopping list for the weekend to make Barry more of the BBQ Grape Jam meatballs that he loves. So I was very excited to see this in my box.  Might have to sneak a taste of it for myself on some toast in the morning first.

Overall review of the box: Of course I am so disappointed that I lost 2 of the 4 items I received. The items I can use will be put to good use... The Farm to People did get back to me and got my subscription canceled for now...and also offered to send out the 2 replacements.  I do appreciate them doing that.

UPDATE (Sept 24th): Replacement box received. Asparagus received in perfect condition. Cookies AGAIN were open.  Not asking for anymore replacements. Giving up on getting all 4 items... :(

PopSugar Must Have September 2014 Subscription Box

PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly subscription box that offers fun products from fashion, beauty, home & fitness. Boxes are $39.95 a month (shipping included). I had been wanting to try the box for awhile. I was very lucky to come across a $10 off code for the September box so had to get it!

Here is what I received in my first box:

TILO SCARVES (Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin) ...When I saw this hand dyed scarf as a spoiler for the September box it sealed the deal for me. Loved the look of it just in pictures. In person I can't even describe in words how LOVELY & BEAUTIFUL it really is. I don't normally put values in my box reviews because so many of the items I receive are by brands I have never heard of making their value priceless to me. BUT. This scarf has a retail value of $125! Tilo scarves are sold at Saks Fith Avenue, Fred Segal, & Ron Herman. I have never been in any of those stores, ever! I am a thrift store girl.. LOL  Now if we could only get some cooler temps here in Vegas so I could actually wear it outside and show it off! 

NICOLE MILLER (Stereo Earbuds) ...Barry grabbed these away from me before I could even get a close up look at them... He uses earbuds every day  Good thing they came in blue and not pink!  LOL

URBAN REMEDY (Almond Brownie) ...A vegan, gluten free, raw brownie..perfect for me! Similar ingredients to a brownie I make except I also add black beans.  Had to sneak a small bite even thought it wasn't time for my daily snack...delicious! Urban Remedy also sent a $10 off $50 purchase gift card.

ORIBE (Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray) ...not really a big hair spray person, did all that in the 80's/90's ...lol  but I am dressing for Halloween this year so will use it then on my hair.

LETTER C DESIGN (Gold Foil Arrow Pencils)...I don't even think I have one pencil in the house and wasn't sure what I would use them for...LOL  Then remembered that Barry can use them when he paints to sketch out his design on his canvas!

RIFLE PAPER CO  (Garance Dore Assorted Girls Set 4 designs (2 of each design)).. This is a really cute note card set. Since I am a card maker myself I may have to add a few embellishments to them before I send them out. Just to give them my own personal touch,

NIKE ($20 Gift Card)... We don't normally wear anything Nike but I'm sure Barry can find something to spend this on.

GHIRADELLI (Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Almond Minis).. Probably not the best idea to send these in the summer time to Vegas!.. I knew as soon as I picked up the bag it was more like a bag of chocolate soup!  LOL  but put them right into the freezer and I think I was able to save them. Will send them in Barry's lunch bag tomorrow, he loves anything with chocolate & almonds.

Overall review of the box:  LOVED it!!  If all they had sent was just the scarf I would have been happy. Everything else is just a nice bonus.  Last I read there are still September boxes with this scarf still available! If you are interested in trying the PopSugar Must Have Box feel free to use my referral code and save $5!  http://bit.ly/1sqeEeX

Ipsy September 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:

MAKEUP BAG..a cute little grey bag that I think I will use to store some of my hair ties.

HARVEY PRINCE ...(Hello perfume)...I have received this before in other boxes. It is a nice scent. Not too strong or overpowering

BEAUTY WITHOUT CRUELTY ..(Sweet Lavender Hand & Body Treatment/Lotion) ..Lavender is always such a nice calming scent..It's a nice lotion not greasy or oily at all

HIKARI (Lipstick-Cabernet)... The color is a bit bright for me..but I love mixing colors. With the right gloss it will be perfect.

PACIFICA (Eye Liner- Gun Metal) ..I love all eye liners. I have never tried this greyish color before, normally just wear black Will be fun to experiment with it.

BE A BOMBSHELL COSMETICS (Smooth Criminal Powder) ..I don't normally use powder so this may end up finding a new home.

Overall review of the box: I really liked this bag/box. Like last month I was not familiar with any of these brands. Again if you would like to try out Ipsy for yourself feel free to use my referral link:   http://www.ipsy.com/r/c7b6

NatureBox September 2014 Subscription Box

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".   In their monthly Deluxe NatureBox you will receive  5 full-sized bags for only $19.95 per month + FREE SHIPPING.  Last month I was able to try their sampler box for only $2..we liked what we received so decided to continue with them.

This is what I received in this box:

5.5oz package
SANTA FE CORN STIX (5 servings per bag ..1/3 cup each..per serving 140 calories, 1g sugar)...I opened these and divided them into servings and put them back in the bag so I can grab them when I am on the go. Love these, they are always my favorite part of any snack mixes that I have bought before.

4.3oz package
CHILI MUNCH MIX: Spicy Trail Mix with Nuts and Seeds (4 servings per bag..1/4 cup per serving 160 calories, 1g sugar).. Also divided these up into individual servings. Really good, nice seasoning on them.

3.3oz package
COFFEE KETTLE POPCORN: Kettle Corn with Coffee Caramelized Popcorn (3 servings per bag.. 3/4 cup per serving.. 120 calories, 15g sugar)... Obviously with the sugar grams this was an indulgence!..LOL  This is really good, nice coffee flavor. This would make a great addition to a coffee themed gift basket for a friend.

3oz package
CASHEW POWER CLUSTERS: Nut Squares with Cashews (3 servings per bag.. 1/4 cup per serving..150 calories, 4g sugar) ...These are going into Barry's lunch bag!

3oz bag:
PISTACHIO POWER CLUSTERS :Nut Squares with Almonds, Cashews and Pistachios (3 servings per bag.. 1/4 cup per serving 150 calories, 5g sugar) .... We received a bag of these in last month's sampler box and Barry loved them. I made sure he would get another bag in this months box.

Overall review of the sampler box: Every month you choose what bags you want to receive. So if you prefer a more savory box it's up to you.  I do wish they had an option of receiving already portioned out packages, mainly to stop myself from over indulging!  LOL   Feel free to use my link to receive $10 off of your first box! :)   http://fbuy.me/-ULI