Nine Garcia Quarterly Box #NGQ06 Review

Quarterly Company has different curators that curate boxes to send once a quarter. The theme for the Nina Garcia Quarterly box #NGQ06 is travel. Since I travel quite a bit I had to get this box.

 

 

 

 

Pinch Mini-Emergency Kit for Her - $16. I've never gotten this in a sub box before, although I know several other boxes it was added to. I do already own one, keep it in my desk at work. I will probably keep this one in my car! It's the perfect little emergency kit.

Flight001 F1 X-Ray Passport Pink - $10. I did not open this because both K and I already have passport cover books we love, and this one looks pretty cheap. Mine is leather, and this one is plastic. I'm swapping on MSA.

Emi Jay Classic 5-Pack Hair Ties - $11. I love these kinds of hair ties, and these colors are perfect for me. I can never have enough of them, so always happy to get these.

Shoebox Pro One Year Voucher - $60. This is normally $5/month. This has unlimited photo backup, secure & encrypted, mobile apps, desktop apps, and web access.

 

Weleda Skin Food - $12.50. This smooths and softens dry, rough skin with nourishing plant oils. contains soothing and healing pansy, chamomile and calendula extracts. Designed to be used anywhere on the body where skin is dry or rough.

Flight001 F1 Caffeine Supply Eye Mask - $16.I have plenty of sleep masks, and this one is nothing special. Also listing this on MSA.

Jane Iredale Facial Blotting Paper & Compact - $11. This is facial blotting papers. This one looks fancy and the case is classy. And I like the Jane Iredale brand, so this is a win for me.

Flight001 Standby Champion Luggage Tag - $7. I like getting suitcase tags, but this is disappointing. I wish they had sent something cute. This is not cute.

Chic Buds Clutchette Power bag - $49.99. This clutch has a phone charger inside, designed for USB, so you can still use your own apple approved charger cord. I really like this because it will fit perfect in my travel backpack, the battery is not too heavy so it won't weigh my bag down.This was a spoiler item and I was really looking forward to this, and I'm happy with the color I got.

Baggu Solid Navy Canvas Duck Bag -$26. This is an excellent brand for totes, with good quality material. I like that a tote was included, and I like the striped pattern. I do not like the shape of this bag though. I will never like the shape of this bag.

I had items I loved and items I didn't care for this time. The approximate value is $159.49, $219.49 if you count the $60 voucher to shoebox. Still great value for the $100 we paid, and happens to be the exact value of what I actually like/will use. Either way, the curation did well on sticking with the theme and including a good variety of items. Not so great on including quality or cute items, but perhaps if they had skipped the flight 001 items, or substituted for something cuter, this would have been a top notch box.
`A

Quarterly Monthly Discover September 2015 Review

The Quarterly Co Monthly Discovery Box is $35 month, plus $5 shipping. The items they send are a mix of Culture, Home, and Lifestyle. This is said to be “A monthly box of awesome discoveries and happy treats”. I wanted to try it out.

This is the first look. This box does not come with an info card, but the items are centered around a theme. I was not really thrilled to see all food items. I just wasn't.

Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo - $9.95. Made with Avocado Oil and cage-free farm eggsI would have normally thought this was nice to get, but this sat in my locked mailbox all day, and it was really hot when I opened the box. I just can't trust it.

AMRAP Bar - $36.99. This included a full box. This item is a favorite among cross-fitters. The bars are each based on nuts, fruits, and simple sweeteners and flavors like honey and cinnamon. Each bar also gets a protein boost from egg white protein to supplement the protein from the nuts. Has 15g of protein.

Amrap NOB Instant Beet Juice - $24.95. This is supposed to be good for endurance. I've never heard of beet juice being a thing, and all I can think is, why?

 

Pork Clouds Fried Pork Skins Rosemary & Sea Salt - $2. When we got to this point, K wanted the box. She will actually try this stuff. I do not like anything pork skin or pork rinds.

Bacons Heir Pork Dust Fried Pork Skins - $3.49. Not even sure what you do with this. Really, no clue. It's not like it's planko chips.

Paleonola Pumpkin Pie Granola - $8.95 I would have tried this, but by this point I had already given K the box. She definitely wanted this.

G0 Chomps Beef Jerky - $6.75. There were 3 different flavors included, Original, Crankin Cran, and Hoppin Jalapeno. Nope. Not trying any of these either.
The value is approximately $93. This is a good value. However, this box was a complete bust for me. I would have liked the Avocado Mayo, but just can't trust it with the heat this month. K did take the box with her, but with her vegetarian roommates, I don't think it'll be a hit in that house either. I just hope she listens to me and throws the mayo out. I'm disappointed it was all food items. I so was looking for a box of random items from other boxes.
`A

Bianca Jade Quarterly MizzFit #MIZ08 Review

*this post may contain affiliate links*

Bianca Jade curates a Quarterly Box, and this review is for the #MIZ08 box. The cost is $50/quarter. Her box is centered around fitness and includes items that are centered around this theme. few more reviews to post, I stopped everything this morning to open this one. MizzFit Quarterly box is curated by Bianca Jade. Her fitness philosophy is “Style Up 2 Shape Up.” And she aims to inspire and guide you to radiant style and a strong life. The theme this month is "Earn it. Burn it. Flaunt it. This box is designed to celebrate your body as a take charge athlete and empowered woman."

As with all Quarterly boxes, a card is included from the curator telling about the selected items. I like reading about these things, so I'm happy that Quarterly includes them.

Jafra Oil Free Facial Sunscreen SPF 50 - $14.50. I love that SPF 50 was included, because I don't use less than this on my fair skin. Usually sub boxes will have an spf 30, but it's rare for one to be included that even I can use. And it's oil free. This is a hit for me.

Jafra After Sun Lotion - $14.50. I like getting after sun care lotions, I do not use them nearly enough. It helps cool and hydrate the skin. If you use it properly, you can avoid the peeling that sometimes accompanies over exposure.

Winky Designs Watch (Custom made for this box) - $45. This was the spoiler item, so I knew about it ahead of time. This is a white band, with a black face, a combination I could not find on the website. This is slap wrist style, so I think it will fit most people. It's sweat resistant. I do not wear watches while working out, but if I was an outdoor runner this would really come in handy for staying on schedule.

Kore The Multi-Tasker Pre/Post Sweat Sesh Leave-In Conditioner-  $8. I do not have a value because this is not yet available for sale online. I researched what another blogger guessed and I'm going with that. This spray in conditioner is paraben free and safe for colored hair. This has UV and thermal protectant. I bet that means it's great for your hair on sun days.

Glide for Her - $7.99. I really like that this was included. This is not something I would have thought to purchase, but definitely something I can use. Great for chafing everywhere, suggested uses are thighs, toes, and bra line.

Shred 415 Bonnie and Tracy Ankle Band  & Workout Rental- $6.99. This is an ankle band. I need instructions on how to utilize it. Thankfully, there was also a coupon included for a rental on how to use it. There are also more free mini workouts at BonnieandTracy.com.
Patchology Illuminate Flashmasque - $6.25. I love getting face masks like this. It's really easy to just keep on for about 5 minutes, practically effortless. I personally tend to use these more in the winter when my skin seems dryer, but I still think it's a great addition to a summer box.

Sparituals's 2-step Gold Manicure - $36. I am a fan of this brand, it really does hold up. K has already called this, which is ok because she can pull off the color much easier than I can. The new and improved brush is added to these, which include over 600 bristles that fan out over your nail as you are applying. I like that both a color and top coat were included. Reapply the topcoat after 3 days to extend the life of your manicure.

Ground 2 Table Spices (Salsa, Cinnamon Spice, and All Purpose) - $6. Their motto is Buy Small, Use it All. I kind of like the idea of smaller spice packets, because I do not ever go through an entire jar. But I do think the price of these packets is equivalent to what I can find at the supermarket in much larger quantities. Either way, I think this was a great addition and I'll use for sure. Bianca recommends using the salsa spice for guacamole, I'll definitely need to try that.

Level Life Chocolate Shake - $2.24. This is a chocolate milk protein shake. LEVEL Life Bars and Shakes are great tasting, precisely formulated snacks that fight hunger, support healthy blood sugar, and are low glycemic and gluten free.

Hammer Gel Raspberry Rapid Energy Fuel - $2.80. Two packets were included. This is said to raise blood sugar levels fast, is smooth and easy to digest, and gives you energy. Vegan, Kosher, and gluten free. I tend to get low blood sugar, and it hits me quickly. I am actually looking forward to trying this and will be throwing in my desk at work for the next time I need a quick fix.

Velvet eyewear $75 Voucher - $75. If you aren't familiar with Velvet eyewear, they are pretty pricey. There will not be anything available for $75. This is a great coupon code for this brand, but if you plan to use it you will need to be prepared to spend a little. Also, this is not available with any other discount offers (I tried). I did pick a pair of sunglasses out, and after the discount it still cost me $124. I've never had a pair of velvet sunglasses, so I sure hope they're worth it. They look cool on my laptop.

This pic is of all the other coupons that were included. It may have made better sense for me to put the coupons next to the related products, but I didn't do that so it is what it is. I am disappointed to see that Winky Designs did not include a coupon for us, because I would have already used it!

Patchology 20% Coupon - This line is pretty pricey so I can't imagine purchasing without a coupon.
Shred 415 - The 2nd pic is of the online workout rental that was included to go with the ankle band. These are on-the-go workouts.
Salted 3 Month subscription - $30. Salted has a ton of online cooking courses, for those of us who aren't born naturals. K has used a subscription to them in the past, and I'm sure she will utilize this one as well.
This months #MIZ08 value is around $150 without counting the $30 Salted subscription or the $75 Velvet eyewear coupons. I'll be using both those, so this is a pretty good value for us this month.
`A

 

MizzFit Quarterly Box #MIZ07 Review

*This post may contain affiliate links*

The second I noticed the mailman this morning I ran out looking for my Quarterly MizzFit box! This is the last box I'm expecting this month, but the one I was most looking forward to. So, even though I have a few more reviews to post, I stopped everything this morning to open this one. MizzFit Quarterly box is curated by Bianca Jade. Her fitness philosophy is “Style Up 2 Shape Up.” And she aims to inspire and guide you to radiant style and a strong life. The theme this month is 90/10. This is where you aim to be your best self 90% of the time. I kinda like that idea. This is our first Quarterly MizzFit box and we were super excited for it.

This box was much larger than I was expecting. I had read some spoilers and knew this would be heavier than usual. I was guessing wrist weights would be included once I heard that. The timing of a fitness box is great as swimsuit season will be here in just a few weeks and I'm starting to panic.

This is a pic of the first look. You're getting extra pics today, because not only is this my first MizzFit Quarterly box, but also because it was super fun to go through. The second pic is a letter from Bianca describing why she picked the items she did.

Cap Fitness Ankle/Wrist Weights in color blue - $6.90. Perfect for walking, lower body toning and aerobics. So I guesses right and I am thrilled to see this. I've been trying different things lately with workouts so this will only add to it. I plan to use today when I get around to jumping on the elliptical. I like that you can use on either wrists or feet.

better body foods PB fit Chocolate Peanut Butter Powder 8 oz - $5.39. As a healthy alternative to peanut butter, peanut butter powder helps to keep your food low in calories keeping peanut butter’s fresh, traditional taste. You can use this in shakes and smoothies, baked goods, sauces, confectionary treats, or as a basic spread on sandwiches. AND this has 75% less fat than traditional peanut butter. K loves to make smoothies and shakes. She also loves peanut butter. I'm saving this for her next trip home as she will love this.

Fatty Sundays Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Pretzels Sprinkle- $0.50  I couldn't find a price so I'm estimating. Pretzels, Dark Chocolate & Sprinkles all combined? Awesome! Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows I love my snacks. And it's not often I get the pic before I started eating it, which is why there tends to be pics with bites missing, or even just the packaging. Bianca mentions in her letter she likes to know what's for dessert, so she can workout hard enough to earn it. Reading this is what stopped me from immediately tearing into the bag (I'm basically pretty proud of this). Work hard then get your treat? Hmmm, I hadn't thought of it like that. I'm generally a "Now I need to work this off" kind of girl. I'm willing to try something new today, so I'll wait.

Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Day Cram SPF 15 - $3.19. I do like this brand. The product is lightweight and a pretty good moisturizer. I love that this one has SPF 15. That is not quite enough for my fair skin during prolonged exposure, but will provide enough protection for normal daily use.

Rumba Time Chelsea Clutch - $20. This was one of the spoilers I actually knew about ahead of time. I know Bianca envisioned this for your gym bag, but I'm heading off to a Cancun resort pool party in a couple weeks, and will totally be using this silicone clutch! I love the bright color and I love that's it's big enough to fit essentials like my camera, hair ties, room keycard, and any other items that tend to get lost in my beach tote.

Tribetats Arm Bands - $7 - This is also going directly into K's coming home bag. She just asked me to get her some last week. I really love the musical notes one. These should last 4-6 days. They can be easily removed with rubbing alcohol or baby oil. This also included a 30% off code for more.

 

Healthy HooHoo Feminine Wipes - $4.79. These are gentle wipes that are fragrance free, paraben free, and glycerin free. Who couldn't use this? This pack included 10 wipes and can easily fit into a gym bag. I like the compact size. Bianca included a 20% off coupon to use as well. I will probably use this coupon since these wipes are fragrance and paraben free.

Clean Energy Patches - $6.66 - Bianca included two patches, so when we try them we would know it is not just a placebo effect. I have never heard of this, so I had to look this up. You apply the patch somewhere, such as arm, chest, abdomen, or hip. You can wear it up to 8 hours. It's designed to provide the positive benefits of caffeine (non-jittery alertness) to give you sustained energy for work, play, sport. You are then supposed to be at peak performance naturally. I plan to try this out maybe on a day this week when I'm feeling too tired to work out but want to get a workout in anyway.

Butt'n Booty Gym Selfie Button - $7 - This is so cute it made me laugh. Bianca had this custom made for her subscribers. It's a cute button that can go on your gym bag. I'll probably add to my yoga mat strap.

New Beauty Magazine - $9.95. I haven't received this magazine in awhile, so it was a nice surprise to see it included. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is on the cover this month. One of the funniest women ever on TV, and she looks so great. Oh my gosh, I just googled her age and now I need to know her secrets.  How does she do it?! Bianca is on page 187 and shares her thoughts on some of her favorite products, one of which was included in this months box.

Crunch Live 45 Day Voucher and Workout Plan from Crunchlive.com - $14.98. Crunch Live is an online fitness portal bringing the best of Crunch’s fitness classes to the web. The cost is $9.99/month. They are known for high quality workouts that are ahead of the curve for fitness trends. I am curious about crunch classes, but there are no crunch gyms in my area. So, it's really nice Bianca included this extended free trial voucher. The flipside of the voucher card has suggested daily workouts, including a built in "day of rest". I love this even if it is unlikely I will get to all of them in six short weeks.

The Quarterly MizzFit box had an overall value of approximately $86.36, which is more than the $55 we paid for it. I always feel inspired every time I read Bianca's blog, but this really gets me in the workout mind frame going through her fitness box. I would love to continue writing more, because I'm seriously thrilled with this box, but I gotta go put those weights to use before my day gets any more away from me! If you are interested in the MizzFit Quarterly box, or want to check out Quarterly Co curators, please use our link here.
~A