Finally, March Loot Crate

This has been painful waiting to upload this post.  My brother decided to try this month's Loot Crate after I told him that the hint word was Titan.  We concluded that it would be in reference to the video game release of Titanfall this month.  Apparently Loot Crate sends out the boxes for people in a first come, first ordered model.  That meant though that his order went in quite a while after mine, leaving me to not spill the beans while we waited six days for his to arrive after mine.

So let's take a peak shall we...

This month there was a variety of really cool items that go with the video game, Titanfall, but there were some other fun surprises as well.  I was really perplexed as to why there was some saltwater taffy included in the box.  Upon reading the magazine that comes in each month's box, I discovered that it was purposefully green and white and for St. Patricks Day.

The t-shirt in the box is a Loot Crate exclusive.  This design is based off of the shirt that was only for the development team.  Looking online this design is relatively close to the design team's shirt, and I am quite impressed that Loot Crate was able to finagle this one.

This wristband has the Scouting Regiment insignia on it.  To be honest, I know very little about this month's theme and would not have known the significance of this emblem.  The magazine that comes with each month's Crate is probably the best feature of this box.  You can know really very little about the theme, and by the end of your unboxing you are pretty gosh darn amped about what is inside.

Loot Crate also worked with Prima Games to get subscribers an eGuide to go with the game  There is even a sampling inside the magazine to show you what is inside the eGuide.

This is a bundle of the official box's button this month, a Titanfall C101 Lanyard, and a magnet.  The button each month encompasses the theme, kind of as a remembrance.  The lanyard's design mimics that of the custom console and controllers that correlate to this game's release. The magnet replicates the image from this month's magazine.

















The last item in the crate with Attack on Titan 1.  This is a manga series that I have heard of before, but beyond that, I've heard of it... let's leave it at that.  I've never read manga before, and I think this is the perfect way to start.  I must admit, it was probably the item in the box I was most interested in during my initial unboxing.








So is it worth the price?  Loot Crate ends up being $17.66 a month with shipping and handling. It becomes tricky to figure out how much the value of the items are, considering so many of them are exclusive to Loot Crate and aren't for sale elsewhere.  Even if we just consider the two items that are actually for sale, the eGuide and the manga, the total is over $20.  So, there is value greater than the price of the crate.  I'm hoping I know more about next months theme.  That way I'll be a little more pumped about the items and spend a little less time researching them.

Hmm...Sneaky, Sneaky Loot Crate

My Loot Crate came today.  Unfortunately, I can't do an update because my brother is still waiting for his to arrive.  I don't want to be the person that ruins it for him if he happens to see any of the pictures or items while I'm preparing my post.  Instead I'll share an interesting fact.

I have started to turn to social media to see if there are any other additional incentives for the three companies I have purchased subscriptions with for my New Year's Resolution.  Loot Crate has by far the most extensive social media campaign.  Today they shared, via Facebook, that I could get another mystery crate for $20.  I decided to see what this meant.  I ordered one, and I look forward to seeing what it brings my way.

As for my last update describing my Fancy Box, I was able to send in my defective Spoon Spatula, and now I sit and wait for a response.  I did notice, according to all the paperwork explaining returns on damaged goods, that I will be receiving a credit on my account.  I don't know how much this will be, and I don't know if it just automatically applied to my next bill or if this is something that I need to self select for a future purchase.  I think that would be a rather complex system to establish at a subscription-based business.

March Ipsy Box

My only regret is that I didn't take a picture before opening this subscription box, or envelope rather...

Ipsy comes in a great pink padded envelope.  I will have to, have to, have to take a picture pre-tearing into when it comes next time.  Each month has a theme.  To tempt you they send you an email saying that you can login to Ipsy to see what is coming.  I resisted the temptation and was glad I did.  I like the adventure of not knowing what is coming.

This month's theme was Destination Beauty.  There are some travel themed names for some of the shades that I received to tie it all together.  I was super impressed with how well everything matched my tastes.  When signing up I needed to take a quiz about what I liked and didn't like when it came to makeup and skin care.  They did a great job tailoring to what I like.

Each month your items come in a makeup bag.  This month's bag was designed specifically for Ipsy by Klari Reis.  It is apparently the first in a line of a new artist series.  I really like the pattern and am interested to see what comes each month.

The first item in my bag was the Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer.  I myself don't use products like this, but I tried it on my skin and it matched really nicely.  I'd like to try it as a primer for eye shadow to really make the colors pop. 

Each item on Ipsy can be reviewed and also has a link with a redemption code for another deal.  With Pixi, they offer 25% off any purchase.

I had never heard of the brand Be A...Bombshell.  I really like the colors in this eyeshadow quad.  I received the Bora Bora set.  I like that it can be used as both an eyeliner and as a shadow.  Be A Bombshell... has an offer through Ipsy that gives you 40% off a purchase and a free lip crayon.  

I have used bareMinerals powder before, but I didn't know they had a lipstick.  This is a really smooth lipstick that reminds me of a lip balm.  It lasts a long time and the color is just intense enough without being obnoxious.  I received Marvelous Moxie Get Ready.  By using the link through Ipsy you are able to get free shipping and a free mascara sample.

The last one is my absolute favorite.  It is Roughless by Nicole by OPI.  I was sent the turquoise shade titled "On What Grounds?"  There is a slight texture to it, and I really like it when applied.  There isn't a bonus deal through Ipsy, but I did get a full size bottle.

So...is the value here?  It gets tricky because you don't always get full size items and there are so many great deals through your account online.  If we take into account just the full size items, Roughless and Bora Bora, there is a value of about $22.  The subscription is about $9.00 a month.  That puts me way ahead again.  So far, so good with Ipsy!

March Fancy Box

I got my first Fancy Box last week.  I wasn't planning on waiting to write this, but our home lost the internet for the latter half of the week.  They had to send some pieces, and we even had to go to the company to get it up and running again.  At any rate...here is my first Fancy Box!

Fancy Box is $39.00 each month plus $7.95 for shipping and handling.  I selected the Tyler Florence Fancy Box.  There are a variety of celebrity boxes and some generic themed boxes as well.

Southern Culture Artisan Foods Website Price $12.99

Inside of each box there are cards that explain why Tyler Florence picked that item..  Not all items in the box have cards.  This leads me to wonder if there are a few key items picked by him, while the rest are selected by the folks at Fancy.

Amazon Price $17.50

The two items selected this month, as stated on the inserts, by Tyler Florence are the above coffee press and the below spoon spatula.  I agreed with what was stated on the card, and am excited to try the spoon spatula.  I don't drink coffee so that will more than likely find a home other than my own.

AR+Cook Citrus Zester Amazon Price $ 16.18
AR+Cook Spoon Spatula AR+Cook Website price $6.99

My Spoon Spatula came cracked though.  I found upon investigating my shipping paperwork that if an item is damaged in shipping, you can return it for a replacement or refund for 30 days following the shipment.  I am in the works of figuring out how to send it back for a replacement.  When I know how it goes, I'll update.

Both editions sell for $12.00 each on Short Stacks Website

I had looked at these cookbooks when the were on Kickstarter, and to be honest these were the most exciting items for me in the box.  I had almost backed them, but was hesitant.  It must have been fate to bring them into my life.

So was this box worth it...I paid 46.95 for shipping and handling.  The items in the box totaled $77.66.  You also have to take in to consideration that a lot of these items are "online onlys" that would have charged shipping and handling.  Face value alone to me meant take the shipping and handling off my price to compare.  That meant that I got a bonus $38.66 off my initial price. I'd say the value is there.

I'm interested to see what the next theme is.  I think if you aren't into that month's theme, the box could be disappointing.  That is the risk you take with any themed box though.  Here's to next month!

New Year's Resolution (A Few Months Late)

I have never really made New Year's Resolutions, but this year I decided I was going to try something outside of my norm.  I decided that I was going to find some subscription services and commit to them.  I didn't really know what this meant other than the fact that I knew that they existed, and I have had this fascination with getting the mail out of my mailbox.  Each day I watch for the mail to come and quickly walk out to get it as soon as it arrives.

This then meant it was time for hours of sifting through random sites online to find things that appealed to me.  This narrowed me down to a few things that piqued my interest.  I didn't want to just settle for a few subscriptions that fell into the same category.  I wanted to branch out and try to get a variety of things mailed to me.  

These are what I settled on:

I selected the Tyler Florence Box
which is said to be filled with all kinds of
kitchen gadgets.

You can get more information by following this link to Fancy.

A survey is taken when activating your
account to find the right beauty products for each consumer.

 You can get more information by following this link to Ipsy.

I have been watching LootCrate on Twitter and have
been really impressed with the gamer/geeky goodness.

You can get more information by following the link to LootCrate.

Now that you know what I've selected, it's time to sit back and wait for the first box to show.  I can hardly wait to see what comes my way!