I’m changing things up around here with the new year approaching. I have posted open box style videos of my monthly subscriptions on my TBBB YouTube channel for a few years and in the past year added a coordinating blog post as well. I’ve decided to simplify things by cutting out the videos and sharing one post a month featuring my current subscriptions.
I like the idea of sharing all of my subscriptions in the same post, because you can really see how different each one is. My current subscriptions include Julep Maven, Eco Emi Beauty, KnitCrate, and PopSugar Must Have. Read on to see what came in each box this month:
Julep Maven
It’s no secret that I love nail polish. I’ve been a Julep Maven subscriber for a couple of years now and I always look forward to my monthly box from them. The Julep formula is one of my all time favorites. The Maven Box costs $24.99 a month, or $19.99 a month with a three-month prepaid subscription. They ship to the United States and Canada only. I love that you can select between several different offerings each month or even skip a month if you’re not feeling it.
I received the Bombshell version of the Countdown Collection for December which includes two festive polishes and an Orbital Eyeshadow. The two polishes in my box are Soleil, a “lustrous rose gold chrome,” and Paula, a “Persian blue with gold microshimmer.” Both polishes are festive wintry shades with a twist! The box also came with an Orbital Eyeshadow, which I was able to select the color of ahead. I picked Airglow, a pretty champagne color. It’s the perfect year-round party shade for me!
Each Maven box comes with a quote. This month’s quote is: “No one looks stupid when they’re having fun.” – Amy Poehler
If you’d like to learn more about the Julep Maven program, I recommend checking out their website. Join now and use code HIFRIEND to receive a four-piece gift free!
Eco Emi Beauty
The Eco Emi Beauty Box includes four to five deluxe or full sized natural and cruelty-free products ranging from bath and body to beauty and cosmetics. It costs $22 per month for US customers, which includes shipping. The box is available internationally at $34 a month. It’s not clear to me yet if the beauty box revolves around a theme, although the accompanying card’s title, “Holiday Season,” is fitting for this month.
I received four full size products in my December box, including three beauty products and one bath item. The Whole Seaweed Detox Bath consists of sustainably harvested bladderwrack seaweed, which contains “valuable nutrients, amino acids, and oils that nourish the skin.” The two cosmetic products included are a natural volumizing mascara by Sante Naturkosmetik and a mineral powder eyeshadow by Cailyn Cosmetics in the color Sable, a pretty blue, with a neat built-in sponge applicator. The last product is a Hair Butter by Shea Radiance, which is “specifically formulated to soften and smooth thick hair.” It’s the one product in the box that is something I will probably pass on to somebody else since my hair is so fine and not suited well for this formula.
KnitCrate
I absolutely love KnitCrate, which is a monthly (or bi-monthly if that seems like a bit too much yarn coming at you) subscription service geared towards knitters. There are eight different subscription options, which you can see here if you’re interested. The prices range from $23 to $75 a month depending on which kit you choose and where in the world you live (they do ship internationally). I subscribe to the Beginner’s KnitCrate, which includes a pattern suitable to that level, enough yarn to complete that project, a couple of bonus items (ranging from soothing to sweet to fun), and promo codes for knitting related products. It’s basically the most awesome care package a knitter could ever dream of!
The yarn included this month is two hanks of Buffalo Skies DK by Buffalo Wool Co, which is a 50% bison down and 50% superwash merino wool blend. I had no idea people made yarn from bison! If you’re curious, the company website shares more about this here. Apparently, bison down is hypo-allergenic, water-wicking, and easy to care for. I love the gorgeous burgundy shade. There are two patterns, including the “I Mean Business” Pocket Scarf and the Bells & Beads Stole, both by Le Tissier. The fun extra is a super soft Luxury Fur Pom Pom, perfect to pop onto a knit hat. KnitCrate usually includes a food item, as well, and I’m very happy about the Peppermint Hot Chocolate on a Stick by Ticket Chocolate in this month’s selection. There’s nothing like sipping on a tasty cup of hot chocolate while knitting during the winter! As always, KnitCrate subscribers receive promo codes each month. This month includes discounts on patterns from Leah Oakley and BohoKnitterChic Spins. They have also provided a coupon code to use at TicketChocolate.com.
Get any 12-month Gift Subscription by December 31, 2014 and use promo code KCG2014 during checkout to receive a KnitCrate Welcome Kit!
I also subscribe to the 5 Mini Add-Ons package available through KnitCrate. Each month I receive five 30-yard mini hanks in hand painted/indie dyed yarns. It’s a nice way to try out a variety of hand-dyed yarns from different providers. I use the mini hanks I receive through this subscription for my Beekeeper’s Quilt. This month’s selections includes five variegated shades from the Sunrise Fiber Co. This hand-dyed classic sock yarn is a high-twist 100% superwash merino wool that is incredibly soft to the touch and quite vibrant in color. I love all of the variety I get with this subscription for my ongoing quilt project!
If you’re interested in purchasing the Beekeeper’s Quilt Kit or other items from KnitCrate you can receive 10% off your first KnitCrate purchase (not including monthly or bi monthly subscriptions) by clicking here!
PopSugar Must Have
This subscription is so much fun! PopSugar Must Have is a monthly subscription service where you receive a selection of full size and premium beauty, fashion, home, and fitness items for $39.95 per month (this includes shipping and is available in the US only). The December box theme is inspired by “Cheers, Party Ready, Indulgence, Holiday Treats, Sparkle, & Glamour.” As usual, there is a nice variety of items in this box ranging from beauty to leisure.
I absolutely love the selection of goodies they included this month! Everything is festively stylish, even the Vanilla Bean Cupcake Mix from Williams-Sonoma. What a perfect thing to whip up in a pinch or pop into a hostess gift basket for a holiday party. The Parcel Tags by Knot & Bow will also come in handy over the next week as I put the final touches on gifts for family and friends. You should have heard my squeal of delight when I pulled out the simply stunning Sydney Necklace by Sparklepop. It sparkles like you wouldn’t believe and definitely see myself wearing it to dress up a simple cashmere sweater. The Platinum Bowl by Canvas Dauville is the perfect place to store jewelry, coins, or even use at parties for small snacks. I’m excited to try the Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer by Smashbox in Bordeaux. Come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve ever tried a lip product by Smashbox. The deep berry color is very holiday in my books! My favorite item in the box by far is the gorgeous Speckled Metallic Scarf by SPUN by Subtle Luxury. It is incredibly soft and I can’t get over how beautiful the gold metallic spots are on light grey. PopSugar delivered another smashing box, as per usual!
Click here to learn more about the PopSugar Must Have Box. Use code REFER5 to save $5 off your first box!
I like to order the special limited edition boxes that PopSugar offers from time to time. I share a look at the “for him” and “for her” limited edition holiday boxes in this video:
I picked up an additional For Him and For Her box as a special gift for two of you! The PopSugar Must Have Holiday Box Giveaway will run until Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at 1 PM CT. The giveaway is open internationally. All entrants under the age of 18 must have parental permission to enter. One person will win the the PopSugar Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box For Him and another will win thePopSugar Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box For Her. You can enter by following the directions in the Rafflecopter widget posted below (check out this blog post for more information on entering Rafflecopter giveaways). When entering you’ll be able to choose which box you would like to receive in the event that you win. I’ll announce the winners on THIS blog post and contact them directly through email, as always. Good luck!
Sometimes Rafflecopter experiences technical difficulties. If you can’t enter for some reason, try again later and it will probably work.
I hope you enjoyed my new style of sharing my monthly subscriptions! Feel free to share your thoughts on my round-up post in the comments. I’d love to know if you receive any monthly subscriptions, too! Happy Holidays!
* All products mentioned are part of the Julep Maven, Eco Emi Beauty, KnitCrate, and PopSugar Must Have monthly subscription programs, for which I pay for my own memberships. Post contains affiliate & referral links. All opinions are genuinely my own. *
