Ink & Wink September Kit 2015

What's in

the box?

Ink & Wink is a subscription box for planner junkies.  You request an invitation to join and when they have spots available, they send you an email to purchase the monthly box.  It is $23 a month and that includes shipping.  There were variations in every item of the box except the Ariel bookmark and the Masking Sticker Set.

Glitter Zebra Striped Washi Tape -   ($1.98)  What planner junkie kit would be complete without washi tape?  I do not have anything like this so it is perfect for me.

Trees and Children Washi Tape -   ($2.50)  I love this washi tape - I had never seen it before getting this kit.  It is my favorite item in the box.

Ariel Bookmark -  ($2.95)  This is handrawn by an artist named Dalyn and her work is just beautiful.  This bookmark is the reason I snatched up the Ink & Wink kit - I love it!  She has more great artwork on her site so check it out.  There was a coupon code as well to get a discount in her shop.

Masking Sticker Set -  ($1.99)  These are like washi tapes on a card.  There are 27 sheets of different designs with slim, regular size and dots.  There are lots of versions of this set on Etsy and they range is price. 

Rilakkuma Cream Bear Paper Clip - ($3.12) I am so happy this is the one I received in the box.  It is the cutest!  I will use it with my new Hello Kitty travel notebook.

Kitty House-it Note Pad -  ($1.75) I have been looking at these online but I think it will be a perfect gift to include in a pocket letter for my cousin who loves cats. 

Lion and Lion Cub Note Pads -  ($1.80)  I cannot believe I do not own any of these.  They are so cute and fun!   There is a whole line of different animals to collect.

Cat One Point Marker -   ($2.20)  More fun page markers!  I love these cats so much and the colors are so pretty. 

Yellow Marker -  I like getting markers in boxes because it does not happen often.  I am not sure what company makes these and I could not find any info on them online.

Orange Macaroon -  ($3.50) This cute little macaroon trinket box was also included.  I have a few of these but not this color so this was perfect.

Hawaii Paper Party Card Candies -    These are the other hand made items in the kit.  These little goodies can be used to make paperclips, decorate your planners, scrapbooking or card decorating.  There was also a coupon code for this shop in the box.

 The only thing I am a little concerned about is that the website says you will get 12-14 items in the box - I received 10 unless she is counting those three little paper embellishments individually.  I believe that is stretching it - and the value was hard to figure out but it is close to what you pay for the box.  I do like the items she has enclosed in her kit. 

Purchased.  All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Birchbox August 2015

What's in 
the box?

Birchbox came in so early this month - I think I got it on the 11th.  It has been doing that the last couple months and I am thrilled - there is quite a drought the last week of the month till the boxes start arriving.  

If you have followed my blog, you know I am a fan of BB - mainly because I love getting rewarded for doing reviews and little things like posting on social media sites.  No one else rewards you like BB does - you are earning actual points to turn into cash in their online store.  This online store is fantastic - if you want to save up for a makeup item, have at it!  If you want to just save a little every time you order, that is your choice too!  Love the flexibility!   I have never had points expire - mainly because I love to shop in there and if I can save $10 on my order right then, I do! 

This month's theme was Soak It Up, summer, of course!  The box looks like a cute pool.  It is not my favorite art work for a BB, but it was right on point for the time of year.

 

A nice thing about BB is that they always include an information card.  It addresses every item in the box, the full size value and sometimes a nice tip or bonus about your item. 

 

Dr Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Deep Hydration Sheet Mask - ($6) I am not a big fan of sheet masks.  I would rather have a mask that you apply - probably because I do not want to lay down to keep the mask on.  I have other stuff to keep doing lol.  I swapped this with a fellow BB subscriber.  I love my Perfectly Posh face masks, I rarely buy any for myself anywhere else.

  

St Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower - (full size $25)  I do not know what BB was thinking when they sent this out to the pale, red haired girl in my profile.  I really look kind of funny with a fake tan.  I do not tan naturally - I go from pasty pale white to lobster red and back to an off white that is not tan.  I passed this on to my swap buddy.

  

Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color -  (full size $59) Looking at this price tag, I will probably never get the full sized one unless I manage to hoard my BB points, so it was nice to get a great size sample.  This smells amazing!  I am waiting to try till after I color but I am excited about it!

  

theBalm cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush -  (full size $21)  This is the tiniest sample ever!  Like I think the actual product is the size of a dime - small! I do not know what theBalm has against samples - all their pressed samples are like this - the lip products are a nice sample size.  I will probably put this up on my Pinterest swap board but if I do end up using it, it will be as a blush.  As my swap buddy says, it always looks like I just have a dirty face. I am crazy about the packaging for this brand though - and they do go up on Hautelook once in awhile so you can save money on your addiction there.  Kohl's has this brand in their cosmetics section for anyone who wants to check out in store.

 

Rusk Volumizing Mousse - (full size $18)  I do love the Rusk brand.  

 Oribe Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful color - (full size $14-42) This is probably the item I am most excited about trying.  I color my hair as the gray has started appearing so I want to see how this effects it.  I am saving it for right after I color - I am desperately in need of a dye job right now.  Here is the thing about foil packets - I do not mind getting them if they have resealable options.  I could get two uses out of this but I hate having them in the shower to get water in or leak out.  We have gotten some great resealable packets from Ipsy before and I loved that about them!

 So that is my Birchbox for August.  I do think my boxes are getting so much better.  My first two boxes were pretty bad.  I think as you start reviewing stuff and telling them what you like and didn't like, BB does listen to you.  This box had great value for my $10 and I look forward to earning those review points.

What did you get this month?  Did you find any holy grail products?

Kawaii Box 2015

What's in

the box?

Kawaii Box is the cutest box of fun accessories I have ever seen.  These items are from Japan and Korea.  It is $18.90 a month and there is free shipping. 

Banana Plush Charm - ($4.50)  This is really fun! I love the little Kawaii banana.

Harakuja Sweet Crepe Charm - ($1.80)  This box usually has a small charm and I love this months.

Alpaca Eraser -  ($1.90)  These came in three colors and I love that I got my favorite color, blue.  I think I need the other two now.

Leatherette Alpaca Cardholder -   ($7.90)  This is probably my favorite thing in the box.  I can put this on one of my purses.  The perfect little accessory.

Rilakkuma Mimi Letter Set -   This little set is the only item I could not find on the site but I bet it is under $3.  I love it too - it is perfect for my pocket letters.  This is a very popular bear overseas. 

Chima Chima Friends - Alpaca and Sheep Stickers -  ($1.60) I have loved stickers since I found out what they were - probably at 3.  These are puffy and adorable!  AND there are TONS of them! LOVE!

Neon Bow Hair Band -   ($1.80) This is probably the item I like the least.  It will probably used more to decorate something or will be added to one of my pocket letters.

Okitoki Notebook Set -  ($5.90)  I would have loved to get this when I was a kid.  It has a little cord to hang on your neck, a notebook, and a pen.

Squishy Neko Ribbon Donut -  ($3.40)  I love this!  It is big and squishy!  I thought it was a bagel at first, but since it has colored sprinkles, my daughter guessed it was a donut.

Colorful Animal Friends Ink Pen (Cat) -  ($2)  There are several of these on the website to choose from - I like the panda and bear ones the best. 
 

Small Chocolate Mirror and Comb -   ($3.30) I got the pink chocolate but there is also a brown one.  I had no clue what this was when I first saw it.  I thought they were pink wafers but no clue that it had a comb and mirror in it.

Meiji Petit Gum - Soda -  ($ 4.90)  There is always a candy item in the box and this time it is gum.  My daughter will love this.

They also sent us an ad for the new box on the Blippo site - the Japan Candy Box.  This box is $19.90 a month and you can cancel at any time.  I like that all three sites take PayPal. 

What a great month of cuteness!  I am happy I signed back up to get this - it has office accessories, stickers, charms, and candy.  What more do you want in a Kawaii box? This box had a value of over $40, which is twice the cost of the box.