There's always an informational booklet that gives details about the items received, a note from Lisa (the founder of PopSugar) and sometimes extra 'fun' things (like a seasonal bucket list). Three of the items (because of color choice) were "spoilers," those were the lipstick, purse and ring. I really struggled with the purse color as I liked all three quite well. The lipstick and ring were much easier for me to choose from.  The first item was the purse from The Cambridge Satchel Company. I ended up going with the stone color (grey) although I really struggled because I liked the blue (dapple?) and the brown (putty?). There was some confusion over the actual colors as the lighting really affected it. If it helps at all, the purse (below right) is against a baby blue blanket and the tags are brown and black. It's very much a light grey color. I find the picture below (with the little snippet) very true to actual color. When I lived in Scotland, I lusted after a larger satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Company but it cost 150+ GBP (at the time well over $230 dollars). I was trying to save my money for experiences in between my studies but I super wanted that bag. I still kinda do. I ended up using the money for a flight to Tenerife with my friends, which is in the Canary Islands. It's a huge hotspot for British partying--a new phenomenon for me--but we did other non-British partying things while we were there. The point is, I'm quite thrilled to get a purse (especially the small one) in this box. It's a nice company, very nice product and I've lusted after them for awhile. I gravitate to huge purses (and sunglasses...and hats...) but I use my tiny little Osprey purse I have like mad. It's nice to have another one in a similar size. The inside of the purse is austere, with no dividers or pockets. It's like a little box. I swear I took pictures of the One Love Organics charcoal mask...but apparently I did not. You can kinda see it below (I was going to have a picture of the ingredients from the box). I failed. I haven't used this at all, or anything from the brand, but I kept it to try out. It's cruelty free (but I don't know which organization they received the status from as of yet). Three of the ingredients listed in the pamphlet are lactic acid, activated charcoal and rose clay. It is a clay mask...I don't have a clue about rose clay but I love lactic acid for my skin. 
The next choice was a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick. I've followed Charlotte off and on when she posts on Youtube ("dahhhhhling") but I don't actually have a single product from her. I also would not have normally picked this up because I avoid matte for the most part (I'm dipping my toe back in recently though). I'm not sure she was accessible for me in stores for awhile and then I just forgot to look. Her brand is in several US stores now (and on Beautylish) but I'm trying to stop my rampant beauty consumerism. All this was a huge lead into me saying I was glad to get the lipstick as I haven't picked up any of her items and I'm trying to behave but its scratching an itch (one lippie instead of my hauling). There were two colors to pick from, Pillow Talk and Walk of Shame. I picked Pillow Talk because I think it's the color that might work on me and I hate the phrase Walk of Shame. If anything, it's a Strut of Whatever the Woman/Man wants. I'm really starting to hate the overly sexual names of beauty products. Maybe I'm just older and a curmudgeon. Anyways, I have not tried it at all yet, because I'm trying to figure out how to wear lipsticks with my Invisalign retainer. So far, no go. The second item was a ring from TAI jewelry. It's very delicate (and somewhat adjustable). It features two stones, labradorite and a dark blue opaque stone (?). That's not an actual name of a stone, and it doesn't seem to be listed...but it kinda looks like a turquoise or amazonite type stone. Who knows. This is not my area at all. PopSugar tends to send jewelry that is delicate which is not something I normally pick out myself. I tend to pick overly gaudy, artsy-fartsy pieces ("statement" everything) as I apparently don't understand how to be understated. I also like antique pieces...anything to have pieces no one else can have. I don't always keep everything PopSugar sends jewelry wise (f*cking tassel necklace!) but I have kept some of the more delicate pieces and I do wear them. This might be the only item I've used in the box. I've worn it to work and it did well. I picked the silver piece (as opposed to gold) because I don't look amazing in gold and most of my jewelry is silver. The ring is handmade in Thailand. 
I was super excited about the Soma brew bottle. I love tea, almost anyway I can get it. From the sugared southern sweet tea to the fruit teas to the high tea, I'm down. I'm not really a purist or expert though. I can't tell you what's good or not good. I don't order tea cakes or have a ceremony. I'm plebeian when it comes to tea (sometimes I buy based on if the canister is pretty). I'm not a coffee drinker and I'm trying to cut out soda (I'm pretending my dentist has outlawed it for my braces treatment. Which, he hasn't really but he did say it wasn't great). I drink tea with a small drop of honey. I might add milk and froth it but I can drink it straight. It's like a slightly flavored water. I'm such a pleb. The brew bottle can be used for coffee as well (or anything as the filter is removable). The glass is double walled for insulation and liquids can be hot or cold. If I'm working from home (or at home) I put tea in a french press so I can make multiple cups throughout the day, as I can't have hot liquids with these retainers (they'll become misshapen) I drink it room temperature now, which I realize might not be palatable to others. I have another brew bottle that I bought from Homegoods awhile ago but it's not double walled.  Also included...TEA!! It's Vahdam Teas and it's a whole range of samples (a turmeric tea sampler to be exact). It's a perfect fall taste. I haven't tried them yet but they're in my tea caddy. It's a new brand for me. I'm curious about the turmeric as I fear I have bland tastebuds and when I bought ginger tea I almost died. Spicy tea is not my norm but I'm going to give it a go. I'm not sure about luke warm or cold spicy tea...so I might save it for when I have time for a longer sip. I've talked a bunch about my retainers...but they have to stay on most of the time, so having longer tea breaks is not possible everyday. I might save it for when I've had a week where I can give myself an extra thirty minutes. I didn't pay this much for my teeth to not follow directives. There was extra printed information for the teas, which I'll include below. The teas are 100% all natural (which I mean, tea is tea) from India and some caffeine-free options were included. Brew time is important for teas as it tends to prevent some extra bitterness. Also water temperature. You can always be a full on beast and just dump the tea into just boiled water...but uh...I would never. (::cough::) The only "flavor" I've ever tried listed in the packet is ginger...and it's hit or miss depending on how much is actually in the tea. It's going to be a full on experiment for me. Vahdam Teas has other tea options (like, all the others), tea ware, samplers, and sets. I'm quite in love with the tins they have (and presentations). They're not yet certified as fair trade (I don't know how long that takes) but they claim to be complying and they're honest about the certification, I'm thinking it's positive.
The last two items were the extra items (usually smaller samples given to try out a product). I know nothing about Neocell or peptides nor have I tried it. There were three packets given to try out. Adding collagen to my drinks is a new thing. I'm not even good about protein powder. So I don't think I can really comment...I know squat. I think it's something to ask my doctor about. because they went to medical school and I did not. The other item was a purse mirror and 75% coupon for a Vanity Fair bra. They make nice bras and I did need a new bra so that worked out. All my bras in college were from Victoria's Secret which is a mess. I'm slowly replacing them and trying out new (to me) companies.
PopSugar has a breakdown and links (affiliated) to the items and other items. Their pictures are far more professional.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
