May 2014 - My Cotton Bunny Box

This month's My Cotton Bunny box was called "The Essence Bundle." This is my second MCB box and I just canceled so I can continue subscribing to Bonjour Jolie.  Which sells for the same monthly price of $16, but offers more items.  I'm glad I canceled because next month's item is this unusual Angel Wing Ear Cuff that I am not into. 

Here is everything in the box... I didn't order liners, I ordered something else instead, but it's okay since my Bonjour Jolie box included what I wanted. 

I was pleasantly surprised by this cute charm bracelet! From the photos on the MCB fb page I wasn't attracted to it at first.  I already have three charm bracelets and this one doesn't fit my small wrists. I am going to gift it to a friend and I think she will really like it!  

Next was Galleon Tea ... I have never heard of Galleon Tea Company. They are based out of Manhattan Beach, California.  The teas are Apricot Peach and Mango Passion and give directions for ice tea on the back of the packets.  I love teas and I have jar full of all kinds of different teas to try from my subscriptions!

It's not a terrible box but I just wish there was more items included in the monthly subscription.  Check out my My Cotton Bunny/Bonjour Jolie comparison review here! 

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

My Cotton Bunny vs. Bonjour Jolie

Bonjour Jolie is a monthly subscription box for your "time of the month" ..and as I've said before, there is a subscription box for everything! The company is based out of Pensacola, FL and the boxes cost $16/month + shipping.  A card appears first when you open the box. The card lists the theme, (this month's was "A Few of our Favorite Things") a brief description of items in the box, and a retail price of each item.  This months retail value is almost $30 and well worth the price I paid for it.  I also like. upon ordering your box, you can choose how many feminine pads, tampons, or liners you would like (up to 25). You can choose your brand, size, and create combo packs. 

Cute packaging of items..and as I've seen on other review the packaging will be different each month. 

In the first gift bag there was Torie and Howard Organic Hard Candies, a Cougar Mountain Gourmet Cookie, 2 Caramels for Karson, a Peach Cobbler Leccare Lollipop, and a sample of Bigelow Teas!  I was surprised by how many treats were included. I tried one of the caramels first and then immediately told my husband that he HAD to try one! The caramels are soft, chewy, sweet, and slightly salted...best caramels I have ever tasted.  I will be ordering more of those!  I'm thrilled to have received six teas! The cookie looks yummy and I'm saving it to go with a cup of tea some night this week.  The lollipop and candies are from companies I have not heard of before so that will be something new to try! I also found out that Cougar Mountain Gourmet Cookies have a cookie of the month club..that would be a fun gift idea!

In the next bag there was Starfire Creations Honeysuckle Soap (smells SO good and Honeysuckle is my favorite scent), Bonny Bubbles Body Powder, Scaredy Cat Cosmetics Eyeshadow, Advil, and Vaseline Hand Lotion.

Also, in the box there was a silk sarong imported from India and the feminine products in a discreet bag.

My Cotton Bunny was the first time of the month subscription that I subscribed to.  The box is the size of a shoe box and has cute bunny tail branding. The company is based out of Los Angeles and you can pick what brand/combo of feminine products you would like. Like Bonjour Jolie, you select when your cycle is and your box should arrive in time before your next cycle.  

The bundle is wrapped in black tissue and comes with an item list description as well.  On the MCB facebook page there are monthly special messages you can complete to receive more items in the next box.  June's box features a charm bracelet and I wrote about my favorite relaxation destination (Quebec City!) on their fb page so I should receive extra charms. I'm not in love with the bracelet myself but I have an idea of who I want to gift it to.  MCB box is $16/month.

This MCB "Spa Bundle" themed box contained the feminine products, an LA Fresh Makeup Remover Wipe and Always Radiant Wipes-to-Go, a Natural Loofah Sponge, A Loofah Soap Bar, Bart and Judy's Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies (photo below), Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate Mini (not pictured), and True Lemon - Raspberry Lemonade packet (not pictured).  The mini chocolates were good, although I wish there were more! 

Bart & Judy's Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies... hmmm.. it's a lot to boast about having THE BEST chocolate chip cookies in the world.  I was really interested in trying these..there's actually directions on how to enjoy them on the back of the package...lol. For best results, you open the package and let them breathe for a few minutes. And you can microwave them for 10 seconds for a fresh baked cookie experience.  I shared them with a few friends at work and we all agreed that although they were not the best cookies we'd ever tasted they were still a good quick chocolate fix!

So, I have one more My Cotton Bunny box to go through and I've canceled my subscription because I do not feel there is enough extra fun items in the box to suit my liking. I feel Bonjour Jolie offers more items for the money and provides nicer packaging and well that always gets me. : )  Looking forward to my next Bonjour Jolie box!

*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!