I had been interested and tempted by Kona Kase for quite some time, but I never made the jump in until now… and I wish I had sooner. This box is a little different than others as it combines healthy … Continue reading
Kona Kase ~ July 2013
Author Archives: kenziedegen
Peckish ~ July 2013
Since I was so fond of Peckish last month, I decided to order it again (and paid the full $14.99 for it!). However, I switched up the type of box that I recieved from the Energy Box to the Sweet Tooth Box. As you’ll notice in a few more reviews I have coming out shortly, I must have been craving fruit, chocolate and sugar this month because many of my boxes were sweet!
As usual, they used a cute simple brown box, and once you popped it open it had an image with “From the Earth To Your Desk” along with the nutiritional information and details card. They have such simple, yet attractive and earthy packaging.
Now, onto the goods! Each month Peckish sends you three assorted items, and since last time I had a mix of sweet, salty and savory (click here to see my last review so you can see what may be included in an Energy Booster Box) I was beyond excited for my fruity, sweet selections this month in the Sweet Tooth box!
The three included were: Sweet Americana (can you say perfect for a July box!), Sweet & Tart, and Rise of the Almond Queen. This box is an in-between in terms of surprise: you don’t get completely surprised, and you don’t get to choose all three items included, but you do have a general sense of what may be included… However, it’s as if they read my mind and knew exactly what to give me!
Sweet Americana is simple and delicious, while also patriotic: it’s a combination of raspberries, blueberries and bananas, all dried and ready for snacking! When I say simple, I mean if you look at the list of ingredients, those are the only three ingredients… no sugar, preservatives, etc. Yay!
Sweet & Tart mixes the sweet and healthiness of fruit with a bit of chocolate and the protein of nuts! Made with Almonds (I think they’re Marcona- spanish almonds, but not definite), dried pineapple, and chocolate chip bits, this is sure to curb every craving regardless of what you’re fiending.
Rise of the Almond Queen is adequately named for the amount of delicious almonds that are included in it! While the base to this mix may be almonds, there are also coconut chips/shavings and chocolate chip bits as well. This is a good combination, for you get all the protein and nutrition you need, while also feeding your sweet tooth (and a change from the fruity blends).
Fun fact: these mixes are all 160 Calories or less per serving, with Sweet Americana weighing in at only 80 Calories per serving. So not only are you getting fresh ingredients without preservatives, but they’re also good for you and the perfect alternative to a bag of chips or cookie with lunch.
Only downside was that I didn’t get a free sample this month 😦
What am I hoping for in next months box? Right now, I’m feeling: Strawberry Banana Sundae, PB&J or Tropical Island (again- I got it in last months box… amazinggg!) But then again, I wouldn’t mind getting any of these as repeats because they were THAT good. Props to you, Peckish Co.
xo, Kenzie
Whats On My… July 17th! Featuring: Fun Samples, European Pictures & More!
What’s on my Mind:
Well, to start this post off, I reaaaaally don’t want to be back in reality: working 9-5, Monday to Friday, staring at the sun glaring down and knowing it’s 85 degrees outside and I could be laying on the beach, drink in hand, getting tan. Sigh.
(Positano, Italy <3)
But, there is an upside…..
What’s in my Mailbox:
I have so many awesome things to play with and test out when I get home from work! I came home to a huge pile of boxes, sample packages and magazines the other day, and here are some of the samples I got!
Animal Rage: It sounds so intense that I think it may provide the workout help I need! Created by Universal Nutrition, the two product samples I recieved are pre-workouts called Amp’d Up in Orange Juiced and Slaughter Melon… hehe get it!? It also comes in Apple Jacked, but that was not one of the samples in my pack.
Their belief is: “Energy. Focus. Intensity. Insanity. With each preworkout pack popped or powdered “shot” banged back, Animal Rage delivers the goods. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, a current of raw power coursing through your veins, an ultra-concentrated dose of Animal Rage packs a knockout punch of energy, focus, performance and endurance ingredients. With minimal fillers and no unnecessary additives, Animal Rage is loaded with only the uncut raw actives, specifically combined for one express purpose—fueling the best workouts of your life. Get in touch with your Rage.”
Next up, Nature Box offered samples to their fans on Facebook in celebration of their success! They offered 1 free sample (out of 3 different ones to choose from) to everyone who Liked their page and signed up with their e-mail and shipping information. I chose the Salsa Spiced Nut Mix to try something new and different, and it was delicious! It encouraged me to sign up to recieve their usual monthly box.
More blogging so I can get caught up, and then I get to see Kevin! Fingers crossed that the hot tub is on, because I need to RELAX!
xo, Kenzie
Back to Blogging!
Hi all, I hope you didn’t miss me too much (well, to be honest- I hope you did!) but I am back with a whooooole lot of posts and pictures for you! I was welcomed home yesterday to this amazing … Continue reading
GlossyBox ~ June 2013
I had been waiting and waiting for my first ever GlossyBox, the June edition, curated by Dallas Shaw. With the spoilers and great reviews I was more than willing to pay for the box, it was just the waiting that was killing me!
Packaging was MIND-BLOWING. It started with this cute polka-dot logo brown and light pink box, then there was another box inside, white with gorgeous artwork and a mini magazine/brochure…
…AND THEN within that box, it was all wrapped up with tissue paper and a bow. Lots of effort.
It came with a guide that showed all of the brands and products included, just in case you weren’t sure about an item or wanted to read more up on it.
So, here’s the first look!
Items included:
c. Booth Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist not only smells amazing, it felt great too! I know this brand already, so I was really excited to see it included in this months subscription box, plus it was an item I had not tried before. I will definitely be using this, and still can’t get over how yummy it smells.
The perfume samples included, all wrapped in a a silk bag were 6 samples from the Oscar de la Renta Essential Luxury Collection! I never tend to buy a full-size perfume until I have sampled and worn a perfume quite a few times, and so this is a great set because you can figure out which scents work for you! Perfect travel size + a little bag to keep it all together.
Philip B. products were included in this months box, I believe I’ve seen at least 3 different variations of hair products, however I received the African Shea Butter Gentle & Conditioning Shampoo. This brand has a good rep, so I am willing to give the product a try! I wish it was a summer sea-salt tousling spray or something of that theme, but I’m sure it’ll be great.
Next up is the SpaRitual Nail Polish in Days of Wine and Roses! I loveee this color, and I apologize because my pictures never do nil polish any justice (something with the glare and lighting) but it’s this perfect purple-burgundy color, dark enough for winter, but light enough for summer. It has a slight shimmer/sheen, but is not something I would consider sparkly or glittery. Can’t wait to use it!
And now, the whole reason I signed up for this box in the first place (well, the real push!) was the full-size tarte Complexion Enhancing Lipstick in Fair/Light. First off, I’m a fan of tarte, so when I saw this two-tone lipstick which was not only something I had not owned or tried yet, but also in colors that were supposed to boost my complexion, I was sold. It basically covers 75% of the cost of a GlossyBox too!
PLUS: I got a FREE natural duo eyeshadow from MODELco for using the code Love when GlossyBox had a promotion going on! Although the promotion is no longer active, they almost always have something going on, like 10% off a subscription, a free lip gloss, etc.
So.. why havn’t you signed up yet? Prices start at $21 (inc. shipping) per month and get cheaper based on the more months you sign up for!
There are already promos and spoilers for next month like a Figs & Rouge Lip Balm tube (Value $9)
xo, Kenzie
Wantable ~ June 2013
Call me the beauty blogger of subscription boxes, but I always get an adrenaline rush when I know a surprise box filled with makeup, hair and body products are arriving! I love snacks (well, food in general) and working out (these two seem to contradict each other, oops!) but trying new products, and getting ones I love from renowned brands is my specialty.
So where am I going with this? The Wantable Beauty Box subscription of course! Wantable is a subscription box company that allows you to choose between two different options: beauty or jewelry and accessories. For me, a no brainer, I want all the mascara and lipstick in the world! And so Wantable was lovely enough to send me a complimentary box to review… so here we go!
First look: Always my favorite part- I love companies that use cute packaging!
They include an invoice that shows your preferences as well as shipping and contact info in case you would like to return anything. One of the great things about this company is that if you are not satisfied, you can return the items!
The items I received were:
Lise Watier Eyebrow Essentials in Brunette: A two-tone palette of brown eyebrow powder to use to fill in this brows, and add definition! I love the case it comes in, a classy metal snap-close case, along with a brush to use. I definitely will be using the lighter shade, but the dark one will have to wait until the wintertime.
At first I started jumping up and down thinking this was liquid eyeliner (my life staple!) and then I steadied for a second and began to read the packaging.. hmm Manna Kadar Transfix Eyeliner. I was thoroughly confused for a good few minutes until I realized that you use this formula and brush to turn dry eyeshadow into liquid eyeliner! Mind blown. Now I have a use for the crazy weird eyeshadows I’ve been getting in gold, purple and blue.
I really liked the packaging for the Besame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick in Coral. The little bag made it special and seem like a prized possession while the box reminded me of old-school, classy Paris. I actually don’t have any lipsticks or glosses that are coral-colored so I’m intrigued to give this one a try!
This Cala Retractable Blush Brush is great! It feels like a good-quality brush, and it has it’s own case/cover to slip it back down into so you don’t get powder all over your bag. I may end up using it for foundation since it’s on the bigger side, but my current brush is getting a bit old, so I will definitely be using this.
I’ll be honest, I don’t really do sparkly or shimmery nail polish (which I’m pretty sure I marked as a dislike) and so when I saw that I got the Rainbow Honey Nail Lacquer in Pink Cloud (a pink glittery polish), I was kinda bummed. When looking at some other bloggers boxes, I wish I had received the EcoTools false eyelashes or FACE Stockholm Volumizing Mascara (or even one of the other polishes, like the skinny white bottle I’ve been seeing), however Lara Eurdolian (creator and curator) and the Wantable crew did well with the rest of the items and I give them props for that. I’ll find a friend who enjoys glitter more than myself so that she can enjoy the polish.
Finally, there was a Apothederm Serum Sample (with Gift Card) which is a good size to try out the firming serum, and if I do end up liking it, I get $25 off any purchase of $75 or more.
For $36 per month (or $40 one-time buy) I think this box was well worth it, and if you don’t agree, at least you can send it back or change up your beauty profile. Sign up by clicking my link here!
xo, Kenzie
Bon Voyage ~ Vacation Time
Well all, it’s time for me to head out for my vacation! I do have 2 pre-planned blog posts that will be coming out this week, however I will away on a European Getaway, cruising throughout Spain and Italy for the next 10 days so I will not be able to post, comment or open any new boxes until I return.
I hope you’ll all check out my new posts, as well as feel free to comment n them and share with your friends!
I have a whole boat-load (get it, get it? Boat-load, going on a cruise..!?) of boxes arriving between this week and the next 2-3 weeks, so be prepared for some major Subscription Box reviews, “What’s on my…” posts, vacation pictures and more!!!
P.S. Happy 4th of July!
xo, Kenzie
Stylish in Suburbia 
