Deleting the naughty...with Goodies Co. November

My first Goodies Co. box by Walmart Labs arrived. This is a box that I signed up for while it was in Beta mode. The wait was long, I think I signed up in late September so it took a while to go through the process. I saw a news release that says Goodies Co. has now gone live and is taking subscribers. To sign up, I took a little quiz to find out what kind of a food person I was. I am an Explorer, and got a special badge on my profile.

My first impression?  It's a big box, about the same size as Cravebox. My second impression? I was shorted the delicious looking candy bar...Waah! I didn't get one!! There's a picture of it on the website! But then, I realized...I was an Explorer, so I suppose my box is different than the one shown because of my profile. I wasn't shorted a product, I was given a different one. And other products were different flavors. So in some respects I was disappointed, but in others, I realized that I have a bit more of an adventurous side and like to try something new. So, I am not sure what to think because I am truly bummed about a couple of things, and will mention why in the product review. My third impression? For being one of the first subscribers I received a really sturdy, simple farmer's market bag with the Goodies Co. logo on it. I use these bags constantly, so I appreciated the nice touch.

This month's box was focused on entertaining made simple, with products that are easy.

Oogie's Gourmet Popcorn:
Yay! I got the white cheddar flavor! This product also comes in others, like chili con queso and movie theater butter. All natural with no cholesterol, trans-fat or gluten, is Non GMO corn and whole grain. There is nothing not to love about this snack! My husband is a popcorn whisperer. He can make a batch of fresh popcorn popped on the stove in hot sauce, then add the perfect amount of salt to make it addictive, and no butter added, so no popcorn will ever be as good as that. But for a pre-package, pre-popped treat, this is a great substitute.

The Lazy Baker All Natural Cookie Mix:
I received the Brown Sugar Pecan Shortbread flavor. I think this sounds delicious! At first I was really jealous about not getting the candy bar everyone else seemed to get, but I am over it. The story behind this product is that as a little girl, the creator loved to bake with her grandma, but didn't like to do all the prep involved, so her grandma would get all the ingredients ready and she would say "Where's my Lazy Baker?" The little girl, Gina, comes running and just dumps all the ingredients in. These cookies will be perfect to make with Peanut...she loves to be in the kitchen with me but sometimes it is a real challenge because she's a very independent "I can do it myself" kind of girl. I can't wait to make these with her! All you have to add is softened butter. That's it. Put them in a muffin tin and you are done!

Flourless Bliss Pumpkin Souffle Mix:
All natural and gluten-free, this easy kit has everything you need to make a souffle, except an egg, half and half and butter. This wouldn't be a challenge for me since I usually have those three things on hand almost always, but just to be clear, it does not have everything you need. Other people got a chocolate souffle kit, which I would have preferred...but I need to keep in mind I am an Explorer, right?

Lotus Bakeries Smooth Biscoff Spread:
You know those little cookies you get on a flight instead of pretzels or peanuts? This is those...all ground up into a spread that tastes a little like caramel. It's not good for you at all, made of flour, sugar, oil, more sugar, oil and more sugar. But, for a decadent little treat, the suggestion of fruit slices, like apples, is slightly redeeming and a hit with the kiddos.

Bobbysue's Nuts:
I got the original flavor, a sweet and cinnamon taste with a nut mix of almonds, cashews and pecans. I really liked them, especially cashews. Not too full of sugar, but has enough and you can taste the cinnamon without it being overpowering. And what's even better, Bobbysue's has a mission, where a portion of every dollar goes toward building a shelter for homeless animals.

Bigelow Tea:
I received Eggnogg'n, a black and green tea blend made to taste like creamy eggnog. Ingredients besides the black and green tea include natural eggnog flavor and cinnamon. It's not bad. I added some half and half and was a nice afternoon treat on the wintry day!

American Vintage Wine Biscuits:
These are round melba-toast like little biscuits made with real wine. My package was white wine, shallot and cayenne flavor. They didn't come with a spread or a cheese, so not sure what to eat these with. I am going to try some Laughing Cow and see how that tastes. I will update.

Verdict: Not a bad box for the buck. I enjoyed almost all the products and so did my kids. Looking forward to the next one!

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Deleting the naughty...with Beauty Box 5 November

Yay! Beauty Box 5 day! This is my second box with this company. As I wrote in a previous blog, I wasn't all that interested in what I received in my first shipment. The items just didn't pertain to my lifestyle. So, I am super excited to see if the game has changed or if we are still lackluster.

This box is now in direct competition with Birchbox (also affectionately known by its long time subscribers as BB) for me, since my invitation and spot to subscribe came, and I will need to pick one or the other, for what my budget allows.

So, game on. Excite me, entice me and be useful to me, the winner gets my loyalty.

On to the contents:

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion:
I am very familiar with this product. I have used the gentle facial cleanser in the past, and I have many friends who swear by this product. I am not opposed to using it again, but am kind of a Clinique Facial Wash junkie right now.  What I love about Cetaphil is that is in the most widely lauded sensitive skin care product that I know. The lotion is no exception and I don't hesitate to use it on my 4 year old daughter who has been cursed with eczema. This is nice to use on the other parts of her skin that aren't affected by eczema, because I know it is gentle and fragrance free.

Envie De Nuef Eye Mask:
This little packet contains one platinum lineless eye mask. The description on the packet says it is a comprehensive eye treatment providing option nutrition and hydration. Containing colloidal platinum, peptides and squalane (whatever that is), it lifts wrinkles and fine lines, reduce puffiness and bags and lightens dark circles. I am very excited to try this, because my 40 year old face needs some lifting and reducing. I am going to try this after I wash and tone my face. It doesn't say the best time to do it, but bedtime works for me, as that is when I have more time to myself. A full size purchase of these rings in at a pricey $30 for 10, to be used once or twice a week.

Global Goddess Upgrade Complexion Face Primer:
I got two packets of this. You can use it alone or before makeup. I have freckles, wrinkles and some of those brown spots you get during pregnancy and I don't use a base foundation, so it would have to be a stand alone product that doesn't turn my face that white pasty look you can sometimes get with primer, but even out all those mild blemishes. It contains pearlescent pigments to brighten and create a glow. Containing vitamins A and E and licorice extract, it is supposed to nourish the skin giving it a silky finish, while antioxidants protect.

Swagger Eye Shadow:
I was the lucky recipient of an eyeshadow pot in what I can only guess is "Dirty Martini." The pot itself is not labeled but it is kind of brownish-bronze and very metallic looking. It goes on very dark so I would only use it on my lower lid line. I will use it though, mostly for nights out. It wouldn't be a day to day going to the office look for a conservative company.

Model Co Ultra Shine Lip Gloss:
This is a full size product in the color "Strip Tease."  I really like this color, it's soft, light and very natural, giving my lips the natural healthy color of just having well, you know...got a work out, as you can see. Please ignore my wrinkles. The gloss is smooth, went on easily and isn't sticky. It's also got a sweet little mirror on the side of the tube, which makes applying a fresh coast a breeze, and versatile in the little tiny going out on the town clutch with just the necessities.

Verdict: I was very excited to try all these products actually, especially the eye mask, so this was a good month for me. I wouldn't purchase any of these products, with the exception of the cetaphil without sampling first, so the box was a success.

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Deleting the naughty...with some thankfulness

I am a day late and a dollar short on the whole "What am I thankful for?" blog. I really wanted to have something insightful and witty to publish on Thanksgiving but I just couldn't find it in me. Not that I'm not thankful, because I am. But because I just lost track of it this year, and because I try to say a little prayer of thanks every day, to remind me how blessed I am that I have two healthy children, family near me, a job, a warm home and most of all, that I was raised to be Christian and have a foundation I believe in.

I have been preparing myself mentally for a few weeks for major changes in my life. I have been impatiently waiting for my stitched up toes to heal and it hurts. I have been battling fatigue with kids who have been coughing. I've just plain had a lot on my mind. But I wasn't inspired to talk about thanks until today.

We did a little Christmas shopping.

I knew it was going to be tough. There were odds and ends that had to be taken care of first, like a new winter coat for Monkey as his broke, we needed a Christmas dress for Peanut, and I had a return from my birthday. But lastly, we had done little to no gift shopping. I am running out of time and help to get it all done so I forced myself to go to the mall...kids, husband, sore foot and all. Ugh.

I am so thankful for my husband today. I forget all to easily how much he really does for us and how much he loves us when I let little pet peeves distract me. It's been a tough couple weeks. I really knew deep down this wouldn't go well, but he took it and ran. We got the coat done, I grabbed a couple Mrs. Field's cookies for the kids, and he took them to the mall playland so that I could hobble myself down the halls alone and as slowly as I needed to. FOR OVER 2 HOURS. He didn't complain once. He didn't act impatient or bored. I even got myself a latte. Then, when I had to make one more stop, he went and sat on a couch with the kids and looked at fish swimming in a small tank. This may not seem like much. But right now, this day, it meant a lot.

I am thankful. I don't show it often enough. I have a husband who is a stand-up guy, a loyal best friend and a real dad. I often wondered why God was taking so long in helping me find a husband. I really believed I was just not meant for a life in marriage. But, God did have a plan, he had a lot of lessons for me to learn (and I do continue to learn) before I could really appreciate the kind of man he was sending my way.

I need to renew my spirit and renew my faith in my marriage today. I am thankful.


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Deleting the naughty...with Birchbox November

The long awaited Birchbox has arrived! I am anxious to see what's inside, since reviews of Birchbox as a whole have been a mixed bag. They do things a bit differently than other sub boxes in that they have you fill out a beauty profile as to what kind of a makeup person you are, and then I guess they send out some 30 different boxes with different products in them to match your profile.

Price: $10/month and free shipping.

This month's box was about giving. Inside was a special box envelope that you fill with a little gift. There were options printed on the side you could check, Because and P.S. and there were cute sayings on it.

Here are the products I received in my very first box:

SoyJoy Snack Pack:
This is a baked whole soy and fruit bar in Cranberry. Advertised as moist and fruity, the bar is made with whole soy, real fruit, gluten free with 0g trans fats. The bar is ok. I wouldn't say it was all that moist, it seemed dry to me. The flavor was good, but I don't foresee myself going out and buying them voluntarily. 

Archipelago Pomegranate Body Soap:
This was a 1.8 oz sample size bar of a gentle triple-milled soap with white tea, cranberry and chamomile extracts and pomegranate to act as antioxidants. Pomegranate is said to repair cell damage and encourage collagen production. I like the scent, it is not fruity like you'd think, but soft and a bit floral, the white tea and chamomile stand out. Very gentle and rinses off nicely. I am old fashioned and I love to use the exotic bar soaps.

Model Co Fibre LashXtend Mascara:
This is the second Model Co product I received this month, getting the lip gloss in the Beauty Box 5 November box. This is another mascara on the market that creates the illusion of longer eyelashes with the tiny fibers mixed into the mascara. I received Extreme Black. I don't normally wear heavy mascara, but as I've gotten older my eyes need a little pick-me-up. I didn't think I would want to  use this as my everyday mascara, but I actually really like it. It didn't get all clumpy, went on smooth and provided enough length to still look natural for me with one coat. The black gave a nice line to my eyes that made them pop. Bonus? This also had a mirror on the side of the tube, just like the lip gloss. Another regular addition to my purse!

Mox Botanicals Lip Butter:
This little lip butter pot was in pomegranate and fig. Made in Portland, OR, this product contains avocado oil and shea butter. It smells really good, light and fruity, but has no flavor to it. Just natural. You can never have enough lip stuff, especially with the cold weather working its way in.

Lulu Organics Hair Powder:
I have never used a dry hair powder before. You take a dime sized amount and work it through the roots of your hair, then brush it through. This is supposed to lift day old hair and revive it. I got the scent lavender and clary sage. It smells really nice. I don't know if this product would work for me though. I have naturally curly hair, and if you know anything about curls, you can't really comb through that kind of hair. It turns to frizz and you look like a lion. But, for a quick oil absorber, then pop hair into a bun or pony, it would work well.

Verdict: I saw reviews of some of the other boxes that people got and I was happy with most of my products. But I will be honest, I was a little jealous and very disappointed that I didn't receive the Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray, as that seems more of a fit for curly hair than dry powder, seriously...so I don't know that they actually read the profiles and match you with the products that fit you. So all in all, I will use 3 out of the 5 products. I didn't receive 6 like some. Come on BB, send me some Blandi!!

Referral link:  https://www.birchbox.com?raf=glbt8

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Deleting the naughty...with Cravebox Knorr "Ultimate Thanksgiving" November

Happy Thanksgiving!  I was the lucky recipient of the Knorr sponsored "Ultimate Thanksgiving" Cravebox. This company is currently going through some changes with how they are doing the boxes, and I am not sure if they are doing subscriptions anymore. I joined and was waitlisted, but then there were special edition boxes that you could sign up to win but still pay for, which I did.  If you are selected, they automatically charge your payment method whatever the rate is for that box, this one was $14. On to the products:

Knorr Homestyle Stock:
The product I received for this was the chicken flavored stock, and it was one of the little cups. I have used this product before and actually have some in my cupboard, and it does taste good. I add it to soups if I don't have a homemade broth in mind.  I have to be honest, though...For this being a box sponsored by Knorr, that is all you got from their label...one little tub of the broth, not even a whole package, which makes no sense to me because you wouldn't have enough to make a whole pot of soup with only one. 

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits:
There was a coupon for one free can of grands biscuits. Most people are familiar with these, so I won't go into detail. I personally like the buttery, flaky ones. You can peel apart the biscuit layer by layer, smothering it with butter. I like 'em!

DelMonte Whole Green Beans:
Canned green beans are canned green beans. I am one of those green bean casserole junkies, the cheesier and onion-ier (is that a word?) the better.

McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix:
I have never used a gravy mix. I am weird. I actually love the process of making gravy and I think I'm good at it. A person should be able to eat gravy as it's own side dish, or like soup. A woman I know has a great hot turkey sandwich recipe...after you take the turkey off the bone and its all pulled, add an packet of turkey gravy mix and a can of chicken broth, stir and voila, a thick juicy turkey sandwich that is already in gravy. So good. We eat it at church potlucks.

Duncan Hines Frosting and Flavor Mix-In:
I have seen these on the shelf at the store for a little while now. I am not opposed to using canned frosting, I use the chocolate kind. But I don't use a lot of artificially colored products. I think these would be fine if you used them, but the packet of strawberry shortcake flavor does contain Red #40 and Blue #2.  I avoid Red #40 as much as possible because I personally think it's just plain bad for you. I wish companies would stop using food coloring all together or use natural coloring. My kids don't care what color something is, they just want it to taste good...at least my kids anyway.

Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate:
I think these are the star of the box. I absolutely LOVE these. They remind me of one of the chocolates in Brach's Bridge Mix, the one that the inside is a jelly? Do you know which one I mean? I am kind of leaning toward not sharing these or putting them in the snack bowl for Thanksgiving.  Is that wrong?

Verdict: The box is ok. I think Knorr could have sold themselves better, from a marketing standpoint. But those little chocolate bits...5 stars! I was notified that I won a Holiday Spruce Up Cravebox, coming shortly so I am stoked about that...not about cleaning my house.


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