Fab Fit Fun: Spring 2016 Box

I have been a Fab Fit Fun Subscriber for quite sometime and I love this subscription! In the past, I have found that when you subscribe to something for a while, it gets old or they start sending repeat products, but from a different brand. This is NOT the case with FFF! 

Fab Fit Fun is a seasonal box that is $49.99 a quarter or $179.99 a year. I bulked a little bit at the price tag, but the value of the boxes are amazing and you get full size products and the value of the box well exceeds what you pay. Also, I like that Fab Fit Fun is not just a beauty box, they send a variety of products.

 

A couple of boxes ago, FFF did a bit of a rebrand- which I really like! Instead of sending their standard black box, they know have a fund design on the box to reflect the season. They also went from a product card to a magazine. The magazine includes all of the information that was on their product card, plus full page articles/interviews related to the various products. My favourite element of the rebrand is that FFF partners with a different non-profit each season! This is a great way to learn about non-profits and raise awareness. 

So, what did I get?

• I Am That Girl card: This is the non-profit partner for Sprint 2016. I Am That Girl is an organization with a focus on self-love, confidence, and support. They are doing some great work. This card is a great reminder to work to make the world better and that we are enough. This card has found a home on my bulletin board.
  Value: N/A
• $25 Gift Card for 31 Bits: I am not a fan of gift cards in subscription boxes for a variety of reasons. 31 Bits is jewelry made by artisans in Uganda and allows them to rise above poverty. I don't usually use gift cards that I get in subscription boxes but decided to try something new. Everything on the website is over $25, including their sale items. I was able to find something that I thought would be a great gift for a friend so I decided to buy it. With the gift card, the item ended up costing me about $2 USD plus $15 in shipping. Shipping to Canada is ridiculous, which is one of the reasons I don't usually use gift cards.
  Value: $25
• Bath Bomb Trinity by Jus D'Amour: There are three different bath bombs in this box, they all serve a different purpose (based on the essential oils used to make them), and they all smell so good! While I love baths, I often find myself too busy to take one. I'm hoping to have some free time to test these out soon!
  Value: $28
• Shaving Emulation Lotion by HelloLegs: This is a body lotion and shaving cream combination. This is a product that I wouldn't normally use. I'm interested to see if the body lotion portion will be able to add moisture to my beyond dry skin.
  Value: $19.95
• Argan & Hemp Oil Therapy by Marrakesh: I am a fan of Argan oil, and I have been using Macadamia oil for the past year- which I love and was introduced to in a subscription box! I will definitely be giving this a try- especially since it's supposed to leave you frizz free- and can't wait to see how it works!
  Value: $22.99
• Keratin Gloves & Socks: I have never heard of this product, but it makes sense. Not only will this product strengthen nails, but also moisturizes skin. As we all know, I'm always on the hunt for products that can hydrate my desert dry skin. I have high hopes for this product.
  Value: $9.98
• Yoga Mat Strap by Merrithew: FFF always includes a fitness product, which I like. For this box it is a yoga mat strap. I've never felt that I needed a yoga mat strap...but this product can also be used as a resistance cord or as a yoga strap to help hold poses; both things I will use it for. I like that this product is multi-functional.
  Value: $14.99
• Tag Necklace by Jook & Nona: FFF VIP Members (which I am) have the benefit of picking their items, if there are multiple choices (ex different colours, scents, etc). There were four tag necklaces to pick from: Love, Happy, Inspire, Dream. All four of these resonate with me and I had a hard time deciding which one I wanted. Realizing that my blog and social media handles are Dreams and Colour, I realized the obvious choice was 'Dream', so that's what I picked! The necklaces are gold plated and classic.
  Value: $65
• Herb Garden by MakersKit: I saw this item in a spoiler that FFF put out and I was beyond excited to know we would be getting this!! I have been eyeing a DIY Herb Garden for months but never got around to buying one. This kit comes with everything you need to grow thyme, mint, and basil. As a bonus, every MakersKit results in the donation of a school supply to public schools. I am looking forward to nurturing and growing my little herb garden!!
  Value: $35
• $30 Gift Card to Sterling Forever: Another gift card...sigh. I've come to expect at least one in every FFF box, which is fine because without the gift cards, the value of the box is amazing! Again, I decided to try something different and actually use the gift card. There was nothing on the site for less than $30. I think the lowest price point was $36. I found a necklace for $37 that will be part of my sisters birthday gift. As a bonus, shipping was free! It was a little disappointing that both gift cards in this box were for jewelry websites, especially since a piece of jewelry was already included in the box.
  Value: $30
• Contour Kit by ISH: ISH is a new makup line by FFF and Joey Maalouf. I love that the palette includes blush, highlighter, contour and bronzer- everything you need! Unfortunately, I do not wear a ton of makeup, and when I do blush/highlighter/bronzer/contour aren't even in the mix. I do like seeing a full size palette, so I think it's a great item for this box- just not for me.
  Value: $32

Total Value: $282.91

 

The value of this box is incredible! Even though I won't use all of the products, I do think that all of the products are great; if I won't use them, I know someone who will. Not only is the value of the box fantastic compared to what you pay, but they send a variety of products. To me, this subscription is a must have!!

Hey, It's Ok Tuesday

To be excited for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to start tomorrow!! It's too bad that no Canadian teams are in the playoffs this year, but I'm so, so, so happy that the New York Rangers have made it!! GO RANGERS!!!!

That I am counting down the days until Kentucky Derby!! Less than a month until May 7. I would love to host a Derby party this year, but I'm not sure that I will have the time to do so...April is a busy month, lots going on.

To be sad that Mitch was evicted from Big Brother Canada. He was my favourite and I hoped he was going to win. With that being said, I can't believe that Joel is still in the house. He has got to go. Also, with that accent, hoe can anyone take Nikki seriously?!

That I am hoping, after almost 6 weeks, I hope to be able to sleep in my bed again. I've been sleeping on my pullout couch and it's not that comfortable.

To not really care that baseball has started...but, I guess, Go Blue Jays!!

House Box: February

A couple of weeks ago, A Year of Boxes hosted a giveaway for a 6 month House Box subscription...and I won! This was the same day that I was offered a full-time permanent position with my company AND I got to try a buttertart from the BEST buttertart place (according to my co-workers). It was a pretty great day, 

Allison (House Box founder) had an extra February box and sent it to me. House Box is a newer subscription box and I have not tried a  house/home subscription box before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. 

House Box is a Canadian subscription box that showcases Canadian products. This fact alone made me excited to try this box. There's also an emphasis on natural products, which is fantastic. House Box also has an online store where you can purchase past boxes and select products that were featured in boxes.

House Box ships every other month and subscriptions start at $21.95 plus shipping.

So, what was in the February House Box?

• Blue Wonder Try Me Cloth: Apparently, you just need to add water to this cloth to clean- no need to use additional cleaning products. The cloth can be used for household cleaning, including windows. I'm not one of those people who loves to clean, but I will give this a try,
  Value: $15
• Handmade Soystick by Earth Elements Farm Products: I like that this is all natural. It's basically chapstick made with soy. With the cold winters and humid summers, my lips are always chapped, so I can never have too many products like this. I've already tossed this product into my purse.
  Value: $5
• Kienna Cup by Kienna Coffee Roasters: These cups are Keurig compatible, which is great because I have a Keurig! The cups also came with some coffee packets to try out. I will admit that I love the idea of this product; being able to use my Keurig and cut down on waste. However, it seems that you have to buy Kienna Coffee packets to put in these cups; I don't think it can easily be used with other products. With that being said, I already have reusable Keurig cups that I can put whatever I want in; loose leaf tea, ground coffee, hot chocolate. Again, I like the idea, but likely will end up gifting it to someone.
  Value: $5
• Sugar Bears: This is the item in this box that I am the most excited about!! Sugar Bears keep your brown sugar moist for up to three months and can be used to keep other things moist, like cookies. This is a product that I will actually use, if it works. Can't wait to try this!
  Value: $6
• Elbow Grease by Live for Tomorrow: This is a coconut and citrus based all purpose cleaner. It does smell good! I will definitely be giving this a try. I liked to use as many environmentally friendly cleaning products as possible, so we'll see how this works. It;s $9.95 for 34oz
  Value: $0.30 for 1 oz (which is what I got)
• Soy Tealight by Earth Elements Farm Products: I am not much of a candle person, but this smells really good! This is a natural product (NGI-GMM free soy wax, pesticide and herbicide free, food grade quality, kosher certified) and soy burns 'cleaner' compared to traditional candle wax.
  Value: $3.50

Total Value: $34.80

The value of the box as compared to what you pay are pretty much on par (with shipping, you end up paying about $30 for the box). While this box might not have a high value, you do get an equal value for what you paid. This box reminds me of the now-defunct My Dream Sample Box, which I was a fan of. You get introduced to small business products and/or direct sales consultants, you get a great product to try out and the value of the box is on par with what you paid to get it.

I think there is a market for this type of subscription box, As someone who is a declared undomestic godess, I am not in that target market. With that being said, I think this box has some great products and will appeal to people. This is also a new subscription= the February box was only their third box- they are just starting out and I think they have a lot of potential!! It'll be interesting to see what their next couple of boxes are like.

Hey, It's Ok!

To be making a big commitment. I can't wait to share more once everything is finalized!

That, while watching the Country Music Awards, I was reminded how hot Luke Bryan is and how much I love him!

To not watch The Walking Dead. I have never seen an episode and I don't intend too. However, I did say the same thing about The Bachelor...

That I may have gone a bit overboard and bought one too many Old Navy dresses. I can't help it...they are super cute, super comfortably and super appropriate for Spring/Summer.

To not be impressed with this blast of Winter weather we are having. Apparently, it's not over yet either.

That I am binge watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. This is not a show I got into when it was on...but it's pretty good and I want to be caught up for the revival that Netflix is doing.

You Are On The Right Path

There has been A LOT going on the past few months...time has passed quickly and I can't believe that we are in April already! The past few months, while busy, have been fun...rewarding...fantastic! I've been really happy and I have experienced some positive 'everything happens for a reason' situation, including meeting people. 

There has been one situation that was a bit...troubling to me. Late last week, I decided to do something, make a change. I told some people about this and it was met with a lot of support and encouragement. Things started to snowball and happen really fast, maybe too fast. I started to question myself and my decision. I started to panic. I wanted to put everything to a halt. 

Yesterday, I was out for a drive when something caught my eye. I pulled over and walked out to look at it. As I was heading back to my car, I saw something else...two Inuksuit:

The shores of Lake Huron were covered in Inuksuit up until last week when they were all demolished. I don't know if these two Inuksuit survived to the demolition or if these are two new ones that were built. 

Inukshuk are built by Inuits and mean both "someone was here" and "you are on the right path."

I have decided that seeing these Inuksuit was a sign...the universe is telling me that I am on the right path. 

I am headed in the right direction with my decision. I can't wait.