November Loot Crate Review

November's Loot Crate had a theme of BATTLE!  I was pretty excited when they teased this one.  There were hints of great items from Street Fighter and Mega Man.  They also kept teasing that there was awesome t-shirt this month.

I loved when we got a t-shirt from this company last time in a previous box from Loot Crate.  I think that this one is a little overwhelming.  I think that this one is harder to read, and it kind of doesn't really make sense to mix ninja with pirate.  I think this kind of just sets up the rest of the box to be like this shirt, almost cool.  The Street Fighter head band...almost cool.  The Halo mini-figure...almost cool.  The Megaman helmet...almost cool.  The thing that I found to be the best in this crate was the Assassins Creed Unity coin.  The thing is, what do you do with it...other than put it in a drawer?

So, was it worth it...Loot Crate is $17.66 a month.  This one missed the mark for me.  I'm hoping that Loot Crate will win me back.  This past year has really been hit or miss when it comes to Loot Crate.  I think you have to be really open minded with this subscription and realize that some months may not be that great depending on your interests.

November Fancy Box(es)

November in a nutshell.  I currently have four Fancy box subscriptions.  With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays...I didn't get any of these up in a very timely manner...so here are all four in one post.

The Culinary Box this month was all about Thanksgiving.  I'm not sure how often a lot of these items will get used though.  I will for sure use the whisk, but beyond that I don't really know if the taste injector will ever get used.  I'm going to go back to what I said a long time ago about this box.  If you don't have much in your kitchen when it comes to gadgets, then this my friend is the box for you.

The November Nicky Hilton box threw me for a loop.  It came the same day as my Culinary Box.  I opened this one first and thought it was the Culinary Subscription.  There are some fun things in here, but the Nicky Hilton boxes have become less and less appealing as time has gone on with this subscription.

This month's Rockettes's box is summed up in one word.  Boo!  I feel like it's a trip through their gift shop.  Fancy has totally given up on including why items are selected for any of their subscription boxes, so I'm left wondering why I was given a package of business cards giving me the "opportunity" to draw my own pictures on before giving to someone.  I honestly would cancel this subscription if it weren't so close to Christmas.  I have high hopes for the Rockettes in December because that is their month to shine with all their emphasis on Christmas.

The only box that I was really excited for this month was the iJustine Box.  The theme was video games and I got some really great things.  I feel like because this box is still new, there is still hope for it. No promises though... I've gotten GamaGo tattoos before, and I always love the designs.  I really like the "Gameboy" cell phone holder, even though it's too small for my phone.  I'll be using it for something else for sure.  The sunglasses don't work for me, since I wear glasses.  They have already been gifted on to my brother and worn a lot.  I also really like the throwback with the art she selected for her box this month.  I like the funny spin on the Mario Bros.  It has the look of the video game with just a hint of the very unsuccessful movie from their franchise.  This is a great pick, and will be hung up for sure.

Tetris always has a special place in my heart.  I'm really liking these cookie cutters.  I can't wait for the craziness of the holidays to go by, so I can start baking things other than Christmas Trees and Gingerbread people.  The sticky notes are pretty impractical, but I'm thinking that they will be a great size to use as bookmarks.  I really like these offerings.

So, is it worth it... for the most part I'd say no.  Each of these subscriptions are $39.00 plus shipping and handling.  The only box that I liked this month was the iJustine box.  Which basically means this month was a bust.

November Ipsy

November's Ipsy theme is "Girl Meets Glitter!"  It is very evident from the bag that we are going in a sparkly direction this month.  The funny thing is...I didn't get anything with sparkle, except for the bag.

There was this exciting and sad moment when I opened my Ipsy bag this month.  I was disappointed that my hair spray by Marc Anthony came mangled.  The cover is ruined, but the product still works and didn't seem to gush everywhere while in transit.  I was just left with cosmetic damage, no pun intended, to the container.  I think the big deal item in my package was the concealer by itCosmetics.  The downer, I already own and use it.  It's nice, but already gifted on to someone else.

The Starlooks pencil and lip paint by J. Cat aren't really that exciting to me.  And the creepy thing comes from SeaRx.  People were posting on the forums for Ipsy that you shouldn't use this product if you are breastfeeding.  This fact creeps me out.  What is so potent in this moisturizer that it could harm a baby?

So, was it worth it...This month was a little disappointing, but I think if I didn't already use the itCosmetics product it would have been one of my favorites because I'm always excited to try things from that line.  I'm interested to see what comes my way next month from Ipsy!

November Julep

This month Julep did me well.  I was also able to cash in on some of my Julep Jules.  I feel like there is a really nice assortment of items between my monthly subscription and the bonus items I selected with my Jules.

The pearlescent bronze polish this month is by far the best polish that I have gotten from Julep.  It seems like every change in light creates a new color.  I am so happy that I got this in my assortment.  The plum color is a great matte polish.  I feel like if I had gotten it in a different month's box I would have been more impressed.  It's just really hard to compare it to the bronze.  This month's beauty produce is Julep's new mascara.  I got the lengthening formula.  I'm ok with it, but it's nothing that I'll start shopping for online.

To be honest the only reason I cashed in my Jules on this Julep assortment is because I wanted to try their base coat.  This was a good choice.  This is the best base coat I've ever tried.  I love how it works.  The nail polish is just meh.  The hand scrub has yet to be tried, so yeah... I'm glad the base coat is so great; otherwise I'd be pretty disappointed in this selection.

So, was it worth it...This is the best assortment of items I've gotten from Julep yet.  I'm hoping that I can try a top coat from them sometime.  I'd like something that can really seal in the polish from top to match the base coat at the bottom.  I'm more than happy with everything this month!

October/November New Beauty TestTube

Last time I said that New Beauty was going to work on getting more high end products into their TestTube.  Let's take a look and see if they held up their end of the bargin.

First of all I'm going to get my snotty remakes out of the way and say that in no way should a candle (Votivo's Red Currant) be included in this subscription.  I feel that this is totally out of sorts here.  Phew...now that that's out of the way I can continue.  The, by far, most used item for me in this box is the Donell Lip Saver.  It's a nice neutral lip balm and has done a nice job of helping my lips during the winter months.  I have gotten the Klorane towelettes before, so it's nice to see them included here.

I have seen Philosophy products in stores before and being sold on television.  This is a nice way to give them a try.  I'm always a little hesitant when something is a body wash and shampoo.  This one has a nice smell.  I'm pretty picky with hair care products and to be honest, have yet to crack into either of these other two.  I feel like when I try something new it needs to be a Saturday in case I regret my choice to try it.  That way I'm within walking distance of my shower.

The eyeliner pen from Mally is a big time surprise.  The color is black, but there is a sneak attack here.  There are purple undertones.  So much so, that when you use it be mindful of getting your picture taken.  The use of a flash causes the eyeliner to be a hardcore purple.  Don't believe me...see the picture.

This was quite the surprise when using it the first time.  The Dermalogica samples were a waste for me.  I'm don't like getting small samples like these because I feel like you really don't get a feel for what the product can really do.

So, was it worth it...the TestTube ends up being $38.90 with shipping.  Considering all the "high end" items in this box, and how most miss the mark...this month is not worth it.  I'm saying three strikes and you're out to New Beauty TestTube.  I had such high hopes for you in the beginning, but you've broken my heart twice.

October Fancy Cullinary Box

Late Review, but totally worth it.  Fancy did a nice spin on this month's Culinary Box.  They focused in on baking.  I can definitely get behind that choice.

I am really happy that I got two more from the Short Stacks cookbook series.  The Tyler Florence box started my love for this series, so it's nice to see some back in this mix.  I'm curious to find out how this cupcake pen works.  It will either be glorious, or I'll hate attempting to use it.  I'm also on the fence about a cloth piping bag.  I've always used disposable bags.  But if I like this one, I won't have to worry about running out in the future.

I love using off-set spatulas when I decorate.  It's great that I have another one.  I've not allowed myself to get more because I always tell myself..."now, now, you already have one."  Problem solved, thanks Fancy.  I'm hoping that I like this candy thermometer.  I'm more a fan of digital read thermometers, but I like that this one will attach to the pan/pot while using it.  I've never used a dough roller before.  That's probably the best part of subscribing to this box.  You get all kinds of gadgets that allow you to experiment.

 The set of cookie cutters is really neat.  You can totally just use them to cut out the basic skull shape, or you can flip them over and press the design into the cut shapes to help in decorating.  I'm really liking all the cookie cutters I'm getting from Fancy as of late.

So, was it worth it...This box is about $45.  The value of the items comes in at about $73.  The box is supposed to be worth $80.  This is a little disappointing, but at the same time there are quite a few items in this box, so I'm happy.  It will be interesting to see if undervaluing the box is a continued trend.

October Nicky Hilton Fancy Box Review

This is a box full of surprises!  And, being a true Nicky Hilton Fancy Box there has to be a candle :)

The big ticket item is the hair straightener by eva.nyc.  Fancy guarantees that you will receive at least $80 worth of merchandise in each Fancy Box.  Nicky Hilton did it in one item this month.  Not only is it a high price point item, but it also has a pretty dang spiffy design to it as well.  I have never used a hair straightener before, but I have had them in my cart in various stores numerous times.  I'm glad I held back and waited for Fancy to provide.

The remaining three items have a lower value, but that is to be expected when you get a high value item.  The first is a cat ring from a shop on Etsy.  I really like the design.  I can't believe how often there are cat items in Nicky Hilton Fancy Boxes.  If you like cats, subscribe to this box...enough said.  There is also a ring holder shaped like to snuggling bunnies.  This is awesome, because there have been two rings already, and this leads me to believe there may be more.  And, there of course, is a candle.  I feel like candles and cats are Nicky Hilton's trademark in these boxes.

So, was it worth it...INDEED!  I have yet to be disappointed by her Fancy Box currations. This box has a value of a little over $112.  Not bad considering it is a box that is $39 plus shipping.  I feel like I will be really sad if this box ever comes to an end.