August Nicky Hilton Fancy Box

Nicky Hilton is impressing me with this month's Fancy Box.  She curates a subscription box that is quirky enough to keep me subscribing.  This month it is full of some random items that all seem to fit together rather well in my opinion.  The value is also exceptional this month, but more about that later.

There is a definite cat theme to this month's box.  From the kitten pouch, to the cat eye sunglasses, to the cat greeting card, it's all there.  I have actually looked at purchasing the kitten pouch before.  I told myself it was one of those things I shouldn't get because I have bags similar to it already.  Well, problem solved.  Fancy and Nicky Hilton helped bring it into my home.  I wear glasses, so the only downside to this box is that the sunglasses will be passed on to someone else.

 

The book Paris versus New York is hilarious.  I actually read the whole thing right after unpacking the contents of the Fancy box.  Each two page spread contains two pictures and two words/phrases.  The left side features something from France and the right side features New York's compliment.  I really enjoyed the read.

 

 My favorite item in the Fancy box is the Athena Wrap Around Ring.  It is adjustable, so you can wear it on any finger.  It comes sized so that it is a mid-finger ring.  I'm starting to see rings pop up in jewelry departments like this, and it appears the fashion world is hoping it will be an upcoming trend.  I really like it sized this way and will leave it.  I'm really enjoying wearing it.

So, is it worth it... The price of the box with shipping is $44.95.  This month the items in the box total $120!  This is really generous considering they only promise you a value of $80 in the box.  This subscription is FOR SURE going to continue to for me.  I can't wait to see what comes in next month's box.

Values 
Your the Cat's Pajamas Greeting Card..............$5
Paris Versus New York...................................$20
Kitten Pouch......................................................$16
AJ Morgan Sunglasses......................................$24
Athena Wrap Around Ring...............................$55

August Loot Crate

The theme for August's Loot Crate is Heroes.  This is perfect!  Everything in the box is a great fit for me!

 

I'm a huge fan of the connection that Loot Crate has made with Funko.  This limited edition Groot figure was one that I'm really happy to add to my collection.  I also like that it wasn't the only figure in this box.  The Raphael figure and the Groot figure both have glow in the dark elements which I haven't seen on an action figure since I was a kid.

 

 I had no idea that Shwings existed.  When I think of "shwing" I have flash backs to Wayne's World.  I feel like everything in this crate is a flashback.  The Sonic air freshener makes me think of all the hours I spent hunched over my Game Gear.  I think that's why this crate is so close to my heart.  It's like a look back at my childhood with so much of its contents.

 

So, was it worth it... Loot Crate is $17.66 a month.  The past few crates have really focused on items that could only be found through Loot Crate.  I kind of like that this box had a lot of items that are "main stream."  I didn't feature it, but there were also three codes included in this crate that allow for nearly $35 in App downloads for gaming.  I definitely think this box is worth my money.

August Qbox Subscription Review

Qbox is a brand new subscription box service for me.  It is different in that it doesn't have automatic renewal.  That means, if you really like what you are getting, you need to return to the site to keep renewing on your own.  There are options for subscribing, and I selected the three month option.  There were positive reviews all over the internet, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Qbox promises to send you five to seven items each month that are from Japan or Korea.  The tricky thing I found out though, was that because this box crosses boarders the element of surprise is taken away due to the fact that they need to declare what is in the box.  Each box has a printout right under your home address.

This also means you have, in what Qbox's opinion is, the value of all the items in the box.  There are no hidden or inflated values this way.  There is also another risk of having the mysteries of Qbox ruined for you if you take notice to any of their presence on social media.  They release pictures of what is in that month's box via their website, Instagram, Facebook, and elsewhere.  The thing is, there are different reveals on different social media outlets.  A person could know almost the entirety of the box before it gets to their door.

Qbox also includes a pamphlet telling you how much each item supposedly is.  These values are greatly inflated over the declared values.  I think what makes this box so popular is the fact that it comes from overseas.  There has been some interesting foods and make-up that people have found worthwhile.  I think this has caused the inflated online positivity.

This lunch box was the first item to be teased.  It works well if your lunch has no need for refrigeration as it isn't insulated and doesn't even zip shut.  There is a snap, but things easily fall out.  The cookies are/were really good.  They remind me of Koala Yummies, if you ever had them as a child.

I'm going to call this photo, the impracticable pile.  The cat picture is actually a set of six postcards.  I don't think I've sent a post card to anyone since the internet was readily accessible in American homes.  The headphones are fine, I just have ones that are a lot nicer.  I feel like they would just sit in my desk drawer, so these will be passed on to someone else.  The prize for weirdest item, is the Happy Wing.  This gets stuck on to your toilet seat.  That way if someone leaves the toilet seat up, you can use this handle to put it down without touching the actual toilet seat.  I feel like there would be just as many germs on this, so what's the point?

The lip pigment is an interesting concept from 3CE.  While it didn't photograph well, it is actually a bright coral color.  You squeeze it onto the small brush that comes with it and apply it to your skin.  If you purchase the additional pigments, there is a yellow and white set that you can use with any of the colors.  That way if you want a color darker or brighter you can mix the yellow or white in with your original color selection.  Interesting idea if you get the other set.  Without it, just a nice coral option.

The last items were listed as two separate pieces, but were packaged together because they are from the same company.  Most of the necklaces I've been getting in my subscription boxes the past few months has been micro-sized. By this I mean that instead of large statement pieces, there has been one small item on the chain.  I'm not normally a fan of this style, but I'll give it a go since I'm amassing so much.

So, is it worth it...the three month subscription from Qbox is $68.85 for three months.  Broken down that means each month needs of a value of at least $22.95 to be financially worth it.  Even with the lower declared prices on the shipping box, there was still a gain of a few dollars on my end.  There were also eight items in this box, which is more than they promised.  There were though four items in this box that will probably never be used by me.  So, I'm on the fence with this subscription.  I know I'll be getting two more, but I really don't think I'll be renewing it unless there are some mind blowing items in September and October.

August Ipsy Subscription Box

The theme for August is Beauty Schooled.  I feel like I got schooled by Ipsy on this one.  I would say there are more misses than hits for me this month.  I really can't complain at all considering that up until this point, I had been really impressed with everything that has come in my Ipsy bags.

Let's start with potential re-buys. This bag doesn't have much for me.  The only thing that I would potentially re-buy is the mascara from Urban Decay.  The formula isn't anything that extravagant, but the brush offers nice coverage.  The sample has quite a bit considering that it isn't overly large.  I just wish that Urban Decay would offer up a full-size item because I would have my socks knocked off by that!


This is also the first month that I feel like there were items offered in other versions of Ipsy's Glam Bags that would have been a better fit for my tastes.  Ipsy always shows you what other people recive based on the interest inventory completed by fellow subscribers.  Normally I'm really happy with what I get.  This month I felt like I was saying, "Darn I would have loved to get that."  I think this just proves that with every subscription service there are risks.  I honestly am not going to complain by what I've gotten thus far because I've been exposed to some really great brands and products courtesy of Ipsy.  I'm just a little disappointed by what I got with four of my items this month. 

First of all, the dry shampoo by Klorane. I've now gotten a wide variety of dry shampoos from different subscriptions.  The thing is, I have a ridiculously sensitive scalp.  Don't even try to tell me about how great a new shampoo is, because I'll probably not have the luxury of trying it.  I feel like deep down in my heart there is going to be a dry shampoo that will solve my conundrum, and I can wear black t-shirts without fearing looking over my shoulders.  This dry shampoo didn't solve my scalp woes.  Then there is the "sheer glow" by Mannai, it works fine, I just don't want to take the time to mix it in to my lotion for added shimmer.  I also then don't see the point of putting it on my skin without mixing it in to a lotion first.

My full size item this month is a lip balm by Jersey Shore Sun.  This, I must admit, does everything it says it will do. The only thing is, it is not available in stores near me, to my knowledge. I don't think I would ever take the time to order it online because it works just as well as any of the other brands I can find in my local stores.

What I feel was the biggest bust was the kohl eyeliner by Lord & Berry.  It is a tiny sample, and I have not tried it yet.  Now you probably wonder how I can judge something that I haven't tried yet.  I looked in the comment section on Ipsy for this product and people commenting fell into three groups. 

Group 1) I love this and am happy I got it
Group 2) This smears up the wazoo and I hate it
Group 3) I'm afraid I'll poke myself in the eye if I try it because it's so small. 

Now I may fall into Group 1, but I am also fearful of losing my vision or smearing it inadvertently and looking like a raccoon, only to go get my mail, frightening my mail lady into never returning.  Now this may be a little extreme, but it is a pretty small sample, and I haven't been brave enough to try it yet.

So, is it worth it...while this review was a little more tongue in cheek than usual, I'd still say that this subscription is worth it.  Ipsy is just $10 a month and with the exception of this month I have gotten amazing products.  I will still keep this subscription going, and can't wait to see what next month has to offer.

August Julep Subscription Box

August's Boho Glam Julep Box is spot on for me!  This month's theme is Wanderlust.  They are also pushing a new Julep app, that means we all got a really impractical screen cleaner for our phone.  After getting one in a Loot Crate box earlier this year, I see no reason as to why anyone would really need one.

 

Julep always opens up a secret spot on their website to show you the color options in your subscription.  I logged in to look and felt like their preferences quiz was perfectly aligned with my tastes. After looking at what the other boxes had, this box was for sure the colors I would have wanted.

Color Name ~ India

Color Name ~ Waleska

The beauty item this month is a gel eye liner pencil, or in Julep terms "eye glider".  I'm thinking that it is going to be really hard to top the two quality liners that I have gotten with my Ipsy subscription. I also don't like that it is brown.  I only use black eyeliner, so we'll have to see if this wins me over.

Color Name ~ Rich Brown

So, is it worth it...Each month the box costs the subscriber $19.99.  Something deep down in my heart is telling me that I'm not going to get my money out of the "Eye Glider."   The eye glider is valued at $12.80 for those who are Mavens (have subscriptions).  The Maven prices for both of the nail polishes come in at $11.20.  Let's say that I end up not using the eye liner, so we subtract that value, the box is worth $22.40 for me.  It still saves some money, and there is also the fact that if I buy nail polish through Julep when I am not a subscriber, the price hops up to $16.00 a polish.  That makes the value even greater.  Since these colors are perfect for me, I say it's worth it.