How Subscription Boxes Saved Christmas

Okay.  Maybe that title is a tad dramatic.  But really this year is the year that the gifter AND receiver will be surprised.  I have the hardest time shopping for family now that everyone is an adult.  These days there are boxes for everyone from toddlers to terriers available in every price range.  Once you start looking I am sure you will find something for yourself or loved one.

 There are referral links for all these boxes so feel free to click through to each website to browse.

Try Bespoke Post Here

 I refuse to just get my brother a Brooks Brothers gift card for Christmas and do actually want him to have something he will enjoy.  Well this year I decided to get him a box from Bespoke Post  www.bespokepost.com  This is a subscription box for the Brooks Brother set.  You have the option of getting a monthly subscription for $45 a month or you can look at some of their still available boxes and get them for $55 each.  The items are high quality and well organized.  I decided to get my brother one of the currently available boxes so I know already what the items will be.  They also have a store to purchase from as well.  Right Now for Black Friday Sales they are including a mini mystery box worth at least $45 for free with any $45+ order.  Sounds like I might have this and next year's presents already taken care of. ;)    Feel free to use my link to browse and shop.  If it seems like it might work for one of the men in your life I do not think that he will be disappointed.

Try the World

I asked my father what he wanted for gifts and he said he does not really need anything.  It's true he really does not have anything I can think of in terms of wants or needs.  He just gets anything himself that he needs.  So after looking around I decided to get him a subscription to Try the World. www.trytheworld.com  This is a bi-monthly gourmet food box that I hope he can enjoy.  Out of all the food boxes out there I think this will appeal to him most.  Right Now for Black Friday Sales When you start a subscription you will get an additional free Holiday Box.  So if you just want to try the new month box, Paris, then you get an additional one. It seems like a perfect city because I know he loves Paris.  I will probably keep the subscription going until a location comes up that he would not enjoy.  Click my link if you think this might work for someone in your life.  I could see myself getting something like this to expand my pantry too.  Bi-monthly boxes at $39 or less depending on the number of months you sign up for.    www.trytheworld.com

Try Bulu Box Here

I needed a little stocking stuffer type of gift and came across this nifty little Bulu Box for the health conscious one in your life.  www.bulubox.com  Right Now for Black Friday Weekend Sales you can get 3 months of boxes for just $10 with code:  Wowzas!  Thats it, ten bucks.  Now these are almost all sample assortments of sports nutrition with some fitness extras thrown in.  You get 4-5 deluxe samples and when you review them on their link you get credits back.  So if you review all the products in your box you get up to $10 back, or the price of the box.  I'm not  sure how long I will keep this box, but if the recipient is happy after three months I may keep it going.  But really $10 for 3 months of boxes.  Seems like the best stocking stuffer gift for the athlete in your life.  Oh, I almost forgot.  You choose which assortment box you want; Regular or Diet.

Try PopSugar Here

So that just leaves one more real larger gift that I have to get for a family member. www.musthave.popsugar.com I had purchased the PopSugar Must have Special Edition Neiman Marcus box thinking I would be able to gift a couple items but after looking at it I realized that anything I gave would be promptly re-gifted or donated to charity.  I was crushed.  I vowed to not purchase another box or start a subscription to PopSugar...until the Black Friday sale was posted....  Right Now for Black Friday Weekend Sales you can get $15(GIFT15), $25(GIFT25), or $75(GIFT75) off a subscription to their monthly Must have box.  *doh* so now a 6 month subscription for a $39 a month box is down to $139!  I couldn't not get it.  What I will end up doing is gifting the first month's box as a christmas present.

I have recently purchased a LootCrate gift for a friend.  We were blown away by the items and theme!  Look HERE for the review.  I recommend this box highly for any gamer or geek in your life.  Each theme is given ahead of time so you can decide if it might appeal to you or someone you know.  Prices are about $19 including shipping and they ship worldwide.  Right Now Cyber Monday Sale Extended Through 12/2!  $5 off if you use code:  CYBERMONDAY

Well I hope this has given you some inspiration for the hard-to-shop-for person in your life.   There is no guarantee how long these sales will last.  I'm sure there will be sales of some sort on Cyber Monday and leading up to Christmas. Good luck and happy holidays!!! 

#christmasgiftideas  #lootcrate  #popsugarmusthave #trytheworld #bespokepost #bulubox #Holidaygifts

Old Factory Candles Giveaway!

Enter now to win your choice of an Old Factory(olfactory ~get it~) scented candles gift set worth $25!  The perfect travel and home candles around.  Give a set as a gift or save it all for yourself!

See my review of these great candles HERE

Old Factory Candle Gift Set

#OldFactory  

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Youphoria Sport Towel Review

• 
  



#youphoriasport can be found at Amazon.com 

I received this sport towel from Youphoria to try out.  I really like the color and feel of this sport towel.  I have found many uses for it in the last few weeks.  I like that it is large enough for travel use but very soft and the right size for a heavy workout.  I have been using this towel for aerobics and Yoga.  I like how absorbing and lightweight this towel is.  It is large but not at all bulky.  It also comes with a hanging hook in the middle if the towel so it can hang and dry quickly without dragging on the floor like a corner hanger would.  

• I was able to use this towel for my hands for Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga.  I like to do yoga in a warm room and I always have a hard time with slipping.  This towel helps out and does double duty in keeping me sweat free.  For aerobics classes I sweat a lot and I mean A Lot!  This towel was great for helping me not look like a drowned rat after class.  I can also use it for toweling off and it does a good job as a hair drying towel.  I have gobs of long hair so this towel really helps to cut down dryer time.  This Youphoria sport and travel towel comes with a half mesh bag so it will come in handy for packing when you want to take it along for travel or camping.  It is nice and compact so it will not take up much room and dries a lot faster than a regular terry towel so you do not have to worry about packing it wet with your bags.  When you are traveling in hot & humid/damp locations mildew is a constant issue and having items that can dry fast is a must!  I hope you go and check out this Youphoria sport & travel towel.  They come in three sizes so you can pick one to fit your budget and your needs.  

www.youphoriayoga.com

MAXIMIZE SPACE AND PACK MORE: The Youphoria Sport Travel Towel is extremely light-weight and compact and is the ULTIMATE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE TOWEL. The compact design enables you to conveniently pack and take it anywhere! These towels pack 5X smaller than a traditional terry cloth towel. Available in 3 sizes: 20x40, 28x56, and 32x72.
FAST DRYING AND SUPER ABSORBENT: The Youphoria Sport Travel Towel is made of 100% MicroFiber and dries up to 10X faster than normal terry cloth towels. MicroFiber can hold up to 4X its weight in water, so it is every bit as absorbent as a standard cotton towel, but only a fraction of the weight.
CONVENIENT HANGING LOOP: With a Convenient Hanging Loop you won't have to worry about finding a place to dry your Youphoria Sport Travel Towel. Rest assured that you can easily hang dry the towel anywhere for the fastest drying, leaving the towel fresh and ready for your next use. Never again worry about a dirty towel that fell on the ground at your campsite, at the gym, or at the pool.
MULTI-USE MAKES FOR THE PERFECT GIFT: The most exciting thing about the Youphoria Sport Travel Towel is that it has so many practical uses! Whether you are at the Gym, playing a round of Golf, relaxing at the Beach, hiking the Swiss Alps, or packing for your next Expedition across the globe, this towel is PERFECT FOR ANY SITUATION! This is why it makes the PERFECT GIFT for anyone living an active lifestyle.
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE! We believe you should make the final decision on quality and performance! You can BUY WITH CONFIDENCE because Your Satisfaction is Our #1 Priority! If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can easily reach out to us for our Hassle-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, leaving you with ZERO RISK to try out this awesome towel for yourself!

Old Factory Candles Review

Old Factory Candles can be found at Amazon.com

I was so excited to receive these Old Factory Candles in the mail.  I had seen posts about these candles and wanted to try them myself. Looking over the themed boxes I had set my heart on the Spa Day set.  When placing my order I happened to ask Mr Man his opinion on what would smell good.  He looked at the options and firmly said 'Vacation, that's what I want.'  What about the Spa Day set with the light and relaxing scents?  nope.  Well he has been a good sport with product reviews so I ordered the vacation as the three scents did sound nice and in the cold winter that will soon arrive I would be looking forward to some warm 

olfactory (get it?!) scents.  

#oldfactory

Well when I got these in the mail I really liked the packaging.  The box is sturdy and compact and perfect for storage or gifting.  The printing on the outside is indicative of the the style of the candles.   The compact size and colors can blend in with most decor.  The look is a little rustic but will not look out of place in a modern styled room.  All three candles are independent scents that can stand by themselves or can be combined to give a lovely blended aroma throughout a room.  Each candle has a screw-top lid so you can recap and store or travel with.

#oldfactory

All right, so how do they smell?  Well ask Mr Man and he responds 'nice.' (That was actually high praise from him for a non-manly item)

Don't worry I will also let you know my thoughts.  I found that smelling them right out of the jar was wonderful and relaxing.  The Awapuhi has a nice tropical floral like the flower of the same name.  I only know it from a shampoo I used to use.  The Hawaiian Lei scent is nice and light as well.  I really liked the Sea Breeze scent as it was very calming.  We lit the candles and soon we could smell the wafting aromas of the three candles.  The scents really blend well together.  The scent is lighter than expected but I was very happy that the scent was true and not over sweet or cloying.  

I found these candles to burn clean and evenly.  I have used these several days now and feel that I will get the full 20 hours out of each candle.

I believe these candles are a great addition to any home and with the variety of sets you can find something for everyone, even him!  These Old Factory Candle sets are perfect for gifting too.  The compact sturdy box are the types of gifts to have on hand for when you need an emergency gift.  I remember my mom always had 3-4 emergency gifts in a closet because you never know when a housewarming or birthday will pop up and you don't want the worry of getting an appropriate gift.  A friend just got some unpleasant news?  Well cheer her up with the Spa Day candles and relax and talk it out.  There are sets for the seasons and holidays like Hall Harvest, Happy Holidays, Winter Wonderland.  Sets for a man in mind so you can show that you are thinking about him like Man Cave and in my case Vacation.  Great everyday sets like Coffee Shop and Fresh & Clean. They even have tailored sets for whatever your hobbies are like 50 Shades, Romance, and High as a Kite!  I can't wait to get another several sets.  I think that Fresh Linen will become my travel candle of choice.  Maybe lemongrass....sea breeze... olive blossom...

#oldfactory

Old Factory Candles

The size and screw-top make this the perfect travel candle!  How often do you walk into a hotel room and you are turned off by the smell that is not really your own.  You can take one or more and throw in your toiletry kit to make you room seem more like home.  I used to have to travel a lot for work and I would always pack a travel candle to make my mid-range hotel room seem more relaxing.  You can travel with your own scent and not pay the $55+ for a small high end travel candle tin!  Trust me, they are out there in the pages of glossy travel magazines.  

Well that is about it for my review.  Be sure to look at all the scents over at Amazon.com where they are available to be shipped to your home.  At $25 for a set of three candles they make a lovely gift or decorative item at home.

Enter HERE to win a set for yourself!

Shandali Hot Yoga Towel Review

• No. 1 Rated Hot Yoga Towel from #shandali

I received this hot yoga towel quickly in the mail and I am happy I did!  I have been taking Bikram or hot yoga off(mostly off) and on for about 4 years.  I recently got back into group practice and I have used this towel every other day for the past 3 weeks.  I normally bring a big beach towel or rent a yoga towel from the studio.  Not having a towel is not an option for me!  I am one of those people that look like a drowned rat after 90 minutes of Bikram torture practice.

When I got the towel in the mail I really liked the soft pink color and liked that it was a match for the picture shown on Amazon.com.  But what I really liked was the size!  This Hot Yoga Towel is really big at 24"x72".  It stretches about an inch over each end of my yoga mat and about a half inch on either side.  Which is great if you are like me and want to try to contain your body and sweat in your personal space.  I feel like my yoga mat and towel are my safe zones when there are dozens of people all around you panting and dripping with sweat themselves.
I found this towel to be better than my beach towel in keeping me from slipping in my poses.  I do find I need to lightly dampen the ends where my feet will be when doing standing poses.  This helps suction my feet to the ground to keep from slipping.  I have to dampen all my towels for Bikram or Vinyasa yoga so I was not surprised that I did the same with this towel. I was able to focus on my pose instead of how to keep my feet from slipping and found that this has allowed for deeper stretches into my poses.  I liked that this towel kept soaking up my sweat and by the end of standing poses was still able to keep my grip.  This does not happen with regular towels for me.

I have washed this towel after every practice(I would think everyone does this) and the color has stayed.  Because I have been using this towel so frequently I have been tossing it in with every load and no matter the wash temp or setting the towel has not bled or faded.  The stitching on the edges has not snagged or frayed at all.  Another plus is that this towel has remained nice and soft  I also like the round Shandali design in the corner.  Finally, because it does not have the grips on the bottom of the towel it can also be used as a bathsheet, blanket, cover, or towel!  So many uses and at a great price of $24.99 you don't have to break the bank to buy one.  Very zen indeed!

You can get this towel in four colors:  Pink, Grey, Violet, or Placid Blue

#1 Rated Hot Yoga Towel from #Shandali

---Product Description---
#1 Rated Hot Yoga Towel - Mat-Sized, Microfiber, Super Absorbent, Anti-slip, Injury Free, 24" x 72" - Best Bikram Yoga Towel - Exercise, Fitness, Pilates, and Yoga Gear; Lifetime Guarantee

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO AMAZON: Increase your confidence and focus while your mat stays dry and you stay safe on your mat - no more slipping around!
ULTRA-ABSORBENT & QUICK-DRYING: The GoSweat towel was designed to soak up more sweat and moisture than any other yoga towel. And it quick-drys in minutes! Just hang and dry!
YOGA | GYM | BEACH - LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY: The GoSweat towel is a perfect companion to any activity. Lightweight, so you can carry it easily to and from your yoga studio. Versatile so you can use it at the gym, pool, beach, and other activities.
SAVES YOU MONEY: Extends the life of your yoga mat by creating a hygienic layer between you and your mat. Survives countless washings (cost-savings)!
HASSLE-FREE MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE! If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied, within 30 days, please return your Shandali GoSweat for a no-questions asked, full refund.
#HotYoga #Shandali  #HotYogaTowel #Bikram
 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Shandali UltraSport Travel Towel Review

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• #1 Rated Travel Towel - MICROFIBER - Guarantee Bleed Free - Includes Hook

• #UltraSportsTravelTowel

I am a big time world traveler.  I like to just get away for 3 or 4 weeks at a time.  I like to mix up budget and higher end travel, but no matter what I always pack light!  You want to have everything packed as small as possible when you are traveling through several countries.  I have been on the lookout for a good travel towel.  I had just never been able to justify the high price associated with them. 

I received the medium size travel towel (24"x 48") as I want anything I use for travel to have many uses(beach cover, towel, blanket for overnight travel).  It arrived quickly.  I also got it in morning sky blue because I did not want to risk leaving it behind while traveling.  Well I have been using this towel for a couple weeks and I am impressed!  Like others have said I was surprised at how lightweight and thin the material is.  I am not disappointed, just surprised.  After the first time I was hooked with this travel towel.  I like that you can just wrap it around each body part and just let it blot and soak up the water.  It is excellent after drying myself I use it to wrap up my hair to help it dry quickly as well.  I have washed it several times and the stitching has held up well.  I am looking forward to taking this backpacking in Thailand soon as every ounce and square inch is precious when backpacking. I have not noticed any smells from the towel after several uses; probably because it drys so darn fast.  I liked that the drying loop is in the middle of one side for easy drying on a hook. Between the great quality, the size, and the price I definitely recommend this Shandali Travel and Sports Towel. 

• #UltraSportsTravelTowel

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO AMAZON: Lighten your load and stay dry all day long with new and advanced microfiber lightweight material
ULTRA-ABSORBENT & QUICK-DRYING: Support your active lifestyle with a towel that absorbs wetness and drys 10x as fast as a cotton towel
TRAVEL | SPORT | CAMPING | BEACH: Shandali UltraSport Travel Towel is multi-purpose towel that allows you to use the same great towel in multiple places. Enjoy it during a relaxing day at the beach, a kick-*** workout at the gym, or while you're camping out on a kayaking trip
100% MICROFIBER MATERIAL: Soft on your skin, super-durable, and extra-compact so you hardly notice it's in your bag. Take it backpacking and keep your load light
HASSLE-FREE MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE: If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied, within 30 days, please return your Shandali UltraSport for a no-questions asked, full refund
  

It currently comes the following sizes:
Small (20”x40”)
Medium (24”x48”)
You can choose from the following colors:
Morning Sky (Light Blue), Pebble & Stone (Light Gray), or River Blue (Dark Blue)

Purchase it here on Amazon 

  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Chapstick Dual-ended Hydration Lock lip balm

#chapstickplease

Chapstick Dual-ended Hydration Lock lip balm

I received a free sample from Smiley 360 in exchange for my opinion about this product. This opinion is 100% my own. I really liked that there were two products in one. I used the two sides at different times of the day. The moisture side for daytime and the Renew at night. while I enjoyed the feeling of both sides I wondered why they couldn't be combined into one all powerful lip product. I would have understood if one was SPF for sunlight and the other without, but I guess the two formulas were made for different issues. Both sides seemed to hydrate and protect. Neither side seemed to last more than an hour though so I had to reapply often. I did not get chapped lips as I was applying the Chapstick on a regular basis but I could tell when it was time to reapply when I was outside and my lips would get that tight feeling. The scents for both were nice and light.  

After a couple of weeks with this in my purse I put this by my nightstand and used the renew side before sleep.  I have really noticed a difference when I wake up!  In this dry cool weather I used to wake up with crackly lips but I have been waking up with nice soft kissable kips.  Now if ChapStick could do something for morning breath...