July 2014 ~ Dottiebox Mini!

WOW! DO you think I shop online much? or too much? All of this was sitting on my doorstep today..with the July Dottiebox Mini right on top! The mini price was $10 plus $3 for shipping. 

Honeyrun Farms Beeswax Candle ($3) - It's so cute..I don't want to burn it! Wouldn't these be fun favors for a "What will it Bee?"  themed shower or "Meant to Bee" wedding reception!  

Honeyrun Farms Beeswax Candle ($3) - On the Dottiebox facebook page they advertised that the first 20 new mini orders would recieve a 2nd Honeyrun Farm candle.. So this was my first mini order..I did want that 2nd candle! : ) 

Brooklyn Love Designs Key Fob ($9) -  This is from an Etsy shop designer that hand makes these in Alaska!  I checked out their website and I like their cute assortment of patterned key fobs, coin purses, and wallets...

I really enjoyed this mini box and love my regular subscription of handmade items from Dottiebox! If you would like to find out more about Dottiebox subscriptions click here! 

*I was not compensated or asked to write this review and all opinions are my own. : ) 

July 2014 ~ Dottiebox Review!

This is my fourth Dottiebox and I am always excited to receive my monthly bundle of handmade treasures made by artisans across the U.S. (and now the world!)....I have found so many new Etsy shops to follow! I love shopping online and on Etsy for unique products for gift giving! A Dottiebox subscription by itself makes a great gift!  Read about my other Dottieboxes here!

Here are the items that were in this month's box:
(Usually there are more than three items in the regular sized boxes..but the bracelet retails for $48!)

Two A.M. Designs Small Makeup Pouch ($11) - A mix of prints went out..and I am so happy with my mod leaf printed bag! It is orange and white polka dot on the inside. It makes a great purse organizer!  The stitching is absolute perfection!  Their shop features pencil cases, small makeup bags, cosmetic pouches, wristlets, and even key fobs in many colorful prints! These would make great little bridesmaids gifts!

Honeyrun Farm Summer & Lavender Honey Sticks (prices range from $6-$25 listed in their Etsy shop..depending how many you buy and of what flavor)  I received two lavender and 2 summer honey flavored sticks.  I keep a bundle of honey sticks next to my tea jar..and I've never tried lavender honey before!  Dottiebox has a special going on right now..The first 20 people who order a new July single mini dottiebox or mini subscription will receive not one but TWO beehive candles from Honeyrun Farm. (I ordered mine!) PS. My Bonjour Jolie July box was also honey themed this month!

A Global Friendship Project Home Bracelet ($45) -  My pretty pink and brown woven bracelet was made by an artisan in Thailand! The mission of A Global Friendship is to help improve the quality of life, by providing sustainable income and community development for women and their families in Thailand, Peru, Indonesia, India, and the US.  I am proud to wear it and so happy that it fits perfectly! 

Here is a closer shot of the gorgeous woven bracelet!

If you would like to start a subscription or find out more about Dottiebox..click here! 


*I was not compensated or asked to write this review and all opinions are my own. : )

Caramels for Karson!

These are some of the BEST sea salt caramels I have ever tasted! They came in my Bonjour Jolie  subscription box. They were so good that I decided to be nice and share them with my husband..we both tried half of one and then fought over the last one...(I won!) We decided to order a full size bag and they arrived today.. I've already eaten two before he gets home!

 Proceeds go to support a little boy, Karson, who was born with a serious heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia. His grandmother makes these yummy caramels.. they come in vanilla, sea salt, and pecan...Buy some today to help this family out and help support Caramels for Karson! : )

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112572886/caramels-for-karson-homemade-candy

June 2014 - Dottiebox Review!

This is my third Dottiebox and I enjoy the selection and variety of items I receive every month!  This box arrived a little damaged and a little flattened.. the post office had put string around it to keep it together..I don't know what happened but none of the items were damaged inside.  

 This was a summer essentials themed box and included:

Starrily Glitter Nail Polish - I like the gold and black color combo..my school colors where I work!

Suny Island Blu Sea Salt Hair Spray - Smells SO good! This is the third beach waves spray I've received in boxes this summer..but love using all of them! ..Interested in trying Suny Island Blu hair care products!

Elastic Hair Bandz - These are popular and have a couple of packs from other boxes. I really like the tie-die bandz on their website.

Pink Jewel ring by Nzari Jewelry - Pretty but gifting to a friend!


All in all..not a bad box.. I like the emphasis on beauty items this month and will continue subscribing to Dottiebox..it is one of my favorite subscriptions!

*I was not compensated or asked to write this review and all opinions are my own. : ) 

May 2014 - Dottiebox Review!

This is my second Dottiebox and still can't get over the attention to detail each item has!  I love the packaging, the crinkled paper stuffing, and the attention on handmade items from independent artists/crafters! 

This type of card insert comes in every box and I usually save it to read after I unbox the items so I don't spoil the surprise! 

What's this? A cute little package with a dainty tied ribbon for me? 

Thankfully I read the insert in this tiny box before I popped one of these "bon bons" in my mouth.. I mean they look just like chocolate, right? They are actually Birds and Butterflies seed truffles made of clay with seeds mixed in for planting by Garden Bon Bons!  I am terrible at growing and/or keeping plants alive... I've already let go of 20 pre-k kids' non growing potato plants, one dried up chia plant, and quite possible our class squash plant this year!  So when I opened this, as cute as it is, someone will take better care of these truffles than me!  I gifted it to my work secret sister and paired it with a couple of cute pots and a garden flag.  I think these bon bons make an adorable gift for someone with a green thumb! 

Next was mineral makeup eye shadow by Beauty Bar Baby.  I haven't tried this yet but it is a brown shimmery color and  I do wear brown shimmery eye shadow often!  The Beauty Bar Baby Etsy shop not only sells eye mineral makeup, but blush, eyeliner, lip color and more!

Lucy wants a makeover...sheesh ..she thinks everything's for her! 

This box had not one but two jewelry items! These are purple beaded earrings by Pagan Cellar Jewelry. I already have a pair almost exactly like them so I gifted them to a friend and she loved them!  It is always a treat to receive handmade jewelry!  

I was super excited about the last item! It is an Esther & Mila gold feather bracelet!  I rarely find bracelets to fit my small wrists and this one fits perfectly..plus the shop sells matching earrings!

I am already excited about my June Dottiebox.. the June vendors are posted and it looks like I will possibly be receiving hair bands, nail polish, soap, and jewelry! If you would like to find out more about Dottiebox click here! 

*I was not compensated or asked to write this review and all opinions are my own. : ) 

Subscription Boxes!

I am obsessed with subscription boxes lately!  There seems to be a subscription box for every theme or idea imaginable! If you don't know what a subscription box is...let me explain.  It is a monthly box you receive from a company, shipped directly to your home, filled with goodies and trinkets!  Most subscription boxes are surprise boxes and you don't know ahead of time what you will get. Who doesn't like a monthly surprise box?! I sure do! There are subscription boxes themed around cooking, crafting, pets, kids, beauty products, travel, fashion, etc. A great place to start researching subscription boxes is My Subscription Addiction.  On the My Subscription Addiction website you can read reviews, research boxes based on price and theme, manage your subscriptions, and create wishlists!

Dottiebox was my first subscription box I ordered. So far I am way beyond impressed with the overall cuteness of the box, attention to detail, and unique handpicked items from independent artists/designers!  Read my April 2014 review here!  Currently, Dottiebox offers a recurring $20 monthly subscription or a $60 pre-paid three month subscription. Also, the website offers mini box subscriptions. April and May mini boxes are $10 each, a recurring monthly mini box subscription is $13/month, and a three month pre-paid mini box subscription is $36. A mini box features 2-3 handmade items plus coupons.  Dottiebox website also sells lip balm and  individual gift dottieboxes you can send to a friend! 

A Kitchen Box is the second box I subscribed to. As a past culinary student, home cook, and foodie, this box is definitely one I had to try!  Read my April 2014 review here!  This box features special curated ingredients, a flour sack towel, recipe cards, a surprise item for your kitchen, and a music download.  Everything was so elegantly packaged in my April box...it is a treat to unwrap and explore each item! The website sells past boxes for $34 each or a subscription to future boxes. A quarterly subscription is $89, a semi annual subscription is $175, and an annual subscription is $350. This box makes a fantastic gift for anyone who loves to cook! 

I have been wanting to try the Popsugar Must Have box for awhile now and I finally placed my order last week.  Not only is opening a subscription box exciting but watching unboxing reviews is addicting!  It's kinda like being five again and watching the birthday kid open the presents!  Popsugar Must Have reviews are really fun to watch because they feature A LOT of stuff! TheMissAllieCakes and Jen at The Busy Bee create really helpful reviews when deciding what box to choose next!  So Popsugar Must Have box offers a $39.95 monthly box, 3 months for $109.85, 6 months for $214.70, or 1 year for $429.40.  The boxes feature home, body, or fashion products hand selected by Popsugar editors. And every so often a special edition box comes out. I've seen reviews on the special edition summer box, resort box, and the special edition Neiman Marcus box. These special edition boxes show up randomly, cost more, are in limited amounts, and sell out fast. I am due to receive my Popsugar Must Have box any day now and will post my review!  I am excited that I waited to order for the summer months..somehow I feel like this box is going to be amazing! 

Didn't I say there was a box for everything?!?!  My Cotton Bunny is a subscription service from Los Angeles for ..your time of the month! No more awkward feminine product aisle!  On the website, you can pick when your cycle occurs and the box should arrive around that time.  The box features tampons or pads (your choose what kind and from where.. Tampax, Always, Playtex, Kotex, or o.b.), chocolates, and a surprise gift!  I think this box is just about the greatest idea ever.  My box is on it's way and will post the review soon. Boxes are $16 per month.

I have been looking for a "travel" box and this one seems to be the one! I have read many positive reviews about Hammock Pack.  I ordered my subscription yesterday and cannot wait to see what May's box brings!  The box is supposed to feature 5-6 products that represent a getaway or destination. The products are a snacks, bath products, housewares, and accessories. May's box is supposed to be Florida so I'm expecting some fun beach items..possibly sun tan lotion or beach scented candle?  Each box is $25 plus $5 for shipping. A 3 month subscription or full subscription is still $25 a month.  You can look at past boxes on their blog!  I will post my review soon! 

I subscribed to Fancy Box recently and I really like how they allow you to set preferences.  You first choose three general preferences to what you like..I chose Women's, Home, and Media.  After you make your purchase, then you can manage your subscriptions and set preferences such as clothing and shoe sizes, cell phone brand, ring sizes...and you can enter your birthday to receive a special surprise. Besides the regular Fancy box, there are other different variations and types of subscriptions. There are celebrity Fancy boxes like the Jennifer Love Hewitt Fancy Box and chef boxes like the Tyler Florence box (which btw might be my next subscription!). There are Fancy Food boxes and Mystery boxes! The celebrity boxes vary from $39-$42 a month, the Mystery box is just $10/month, and the regular Fancy box and Fancy Food Box are $39/month.  A Fancy box for 3 months is $115, 6 months/$225, 9 months/$330, and 12 months/$425. There is also a $7.95 shipping fee. I have read many Fancy Box reviews and watched unboxings and it seems that it is well worth the price! Fancy Box states that the box features $80+ worth of products! There is also a referral program ..when one of your friends sign up then you get a credit...ooooh!  The only disappointment I have is that I wish I ordered this box last month..I saw an April unboxing and a Kinfolk magazine was in the box! 

April 2014 - Dottiebox Review!

I am so excited to receive my first subscription box! I love the concept of Dottiebox because the items are handmade from independent artists. I shop online for gift giving and home decor mainly from Etsy so I was so thrilled to explore what was in this box! 

The box was small enough to fit into my mailbox and arrived sooner than I expected.  Being an artist/graphic designer myself, presentation is everything to me! The box has their professional logo plus two pieces of cute washi tape...who doesn't love washi tape? :)

The box was neatly packaged in bright teal tissue and cute dotted logo sticker. 

Lucy was almost as excited as I was to find out what was inside! 

I appreciated the detailed info card that lists everything in the box, where to get it, and prices.  Again..presentation is everything.. and rounded corners are tedious! : )  From the packaging, this tuck-in, and themed item selection, I can tell that a lot of time and thought went into this box! 

This month's theme was "April Showers" and there were scents galore!  Six items were packed in brown crinkle filler.  

Spring Rain 8oz Soy Candle - $10


The first item I pulled out was this tin candle from Second Star to the Right .  The scent is "Spring Rain" and is exactly the kind of scent I would select for myself!  Sort of like a jasmine scent crossed with a French linen scent..but unique indeed! I checked out their Etsy shop and they definitely have some whimsical scented candles ...buttered popcorn, maple pancakes, fruit loops...to name a few. The shop describes the Spring Rain candle as "an aquatic floral fragrance, it intertwines hints of fresh hyacinth, combined with nuances of jasmine, rose petals, and ylang."  The wick is wooden so it burns slowly and crackles! I have never burned a wooden wick candle before. I think this is a great price for a handmade candle and I have seen higher prices for smaller candles in boutique shops. I will definitely be stopping by their shop in the near future to try out some of their other candles! 

Home Sweet Home Hand Painted and Illustrated Print - $8

The next item that grabbed my attention was this hand painted print by Lindsee Jo Art . I recently started using ink and watercolors for my own illustrations and appreciate that this kind of art is being showcased in this Dottiebox! I checked out this Etsy shop and I really like her "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck" print! I am going to pair the print I received with a rustic frame and give as a housewarming gift.

2 Bubbles n Balmes Bath Bombs - $5.78

This is not something I would buy for myself so it is nice to be treated!  I received not one but two fragrant fizzy bath bombs from Bubbles n Balmes.  They are shrink wrapped inside the plastic bags, however one still cracked/crumbled. There is a disclaimer on their shop page that says one may crack or break during shipping and it will not affect the performance of the fizzy. They do not offer refunds or replacements on broken bombs. So...I think I will keep the in tact bomb for the jacussi and use the crumbled fizzy for some aromatherapy in the shower! Besides bath bombs, their shop sells milk soaps, lotions, body and lip butters. 

Just Add Honey Tea Co.  Pomegranate Pear Fruit Tea - $6.50

I am super excited about this selection for this month's Dottiebox! This tea by Just Add Honey smells AMAZING!!  I cannot wait to try it!  I love love love tea and when I clicked on their website I found out THEY have monthly tea subscription boxes..oh boy! :) For $20 a month you will receive three 1oz bags of loose leaf tea, honey from a small batch beekeeper, and a surprise! Did I mention I love honey in my tea as well?! annnnd...six and twelve month subscriptions receive a tea traveler cup with their first box..whoohoo!

The ingredients for this tea are: apple, rosehips, hibiscus, elderberries, ginger, pomegranate, pear, currants, and natural flavors.  This Just Add Honey Tea Co. box subscription would make a GREAT gift! 

Ebe and Ash Anchor Bracelet - $5

This is a cute anchor bracelet by Ebe and Ashe. This IS something I would usually buy for myself but, since I already own  a similar one in style and color, I will be gifting this to friend. I cannot find the Ebe and Ashe Etsy shop so perhaps it has closed or they have opened a new shop somewhere else. 

Besides the six items the Dottiebox,  a few shop coupons were included, which was nice..I will for sure be using those! Overall I really enjoyed my first Dottiebox experience and it was well worth the price!  I paid $20 for the box and $6 for shipping. I am impressed with the packaging, attention to detail, and admiration for independent artists. I look forward to seeing what May's Dottiebox brings!  If you would like to find out more about Dottiebox click here! 

*I was not compensated or asked to write this review and all opinions are my own. : )