Fabletics - April 2015

This month I ordered the 2-piece Nehalem Bay outfit from Fabletics.  My outfit included the Zion Tank in seafoam tie dye & black and the pants are the Salar Capris in black.  The tank has a built-in bra with removable cups, and is made of 89% Polyester/11% Spandex.  The pants are mid-rise, with 20" inseam, made of 88% Polyester/12% Spandex.            

I'm 5'5", 36B, rectangular body shape. I wear size 2 to 4 in jeans and got the tank and pants in Small:

Cost of Outfit:  $49.95 VIP Member price
Outfit Value:  $109.90 Regular price
Impressions:  I love the seafoam color and pattern (the picture of me above was taken in poor lighting so it looks more green than the bluish seafoam that it really is) of the tank top.  I wasn't sure about how much I would like the feel of the strappy back when I ordered it but it feels comfortable and will be nice for hot days.  The elastic band of the built in bra is a bit firm (not much stretch) which made the tank a little more difficult to pull over my broad shoulders but it fit around my bust fine once on.  The removable cups are substantial enough that there shouldn't be any "surprises" showing through when it's cold.

The bra provides enough coverage and support for me and the type of exercising I  do but probably not if you are busty and like to run a lot.  And wearing another sports bra underneath would just look and feel weird with the strappy back design.  The capri pants are the same Salar style that I got with my trial outfit -  which I still really like.  During Checkout, I also got a free 2 year magazine subscription.  I chose Shape magazine but you have the choice to submit a form for a refund of the magazine worth $20.  I plan to take the refund, which takes a few weeks to process, but that would bring the actual cost of my outfit down to $30!  Overall, I'm pleased with the design, quality and value of this outfit.  I mostly do yoga, pilates, and walking so this outfit is perfectly sufficient for what I need. 

In the review of my trial outfit, I forgot to mention that Fabletics VIP Members are automatically enrolled in a rewards point program.  You earn 2 points for every $1 you spend and 20 points for every item you review.  You can also earn points through referrals.  When you earn 1000 points, you get a credit for a free $50 outfit.  This is my second outfit from Fabletics ($50 each), and I have reviewed 3 items earning me 260 points so far.  So at this rate, I would earn a free outfit after buying 7 or 8 outfits.  The points are good for up to 2 years.  If you regularly buy workout gear, this is a nice incentive to joining Fabletics.

UPDATE:  As of April 16, 2015, Fabletics has changed their reward points system: 

FASTER REWARDS
Starting today, you no longer have to wait until you earn 1,000 points
before you’re eligible to receive a reward. Instead of converting your
points into credits, you can now redeem them at any time for your favorite
Fabletics gear in our new Points Shoppe. Rewards start at just 300 points!

According to their email, you can now start redeeming items when you have acquired 300 points but the types of items you can redeem in this point bracket are things like headbands and hair ties.  For 2000 points you can redeem a single clothing item like a tank or pair a pants.  So you would now need 4000 points to redeem for a complete outfit now!  And points are now only good for 1 year which means I would have to buy and review about 14 to 16 outfits in less than a year to gain enough points to redeem for a free outfit or else I lose my points.  This new rewards program is incredibly bad compared to the old rewards system.  In my opinion, it's not much of a rewards program at all now.

Note on Customer Service:  One big negative I realized with Fabletics when I ordered this month is the customer service's inability to efficiently make changes to an order you have submitted.   I originally ordered another outfit but realized I forgot to change the pant color before I submitted my order so I called customer service to change the pants to the color I wanted.  The representative was very friendly but their system for processing and changing orders is seriously flawed.  The rep said that the only way they can make a change to an order, even something as simple as a color choice, is to cancel the entire order and submit it again, piece by piece, with the new change.  In the process of them doing that, the outfit I wanted sold out!  Apparently customer service also has no way of checking item stock to know if something is still available, about to sell out, etc.  So really, they can't do much more than I can do myself on my own computer!   It was a bit frustrating but I'm glad I know that now for future purchases.

GlassesUSA Review

My current pair of glasses are ancient and have been broken and fixed several times over the past few years.  I finally admitted to myself that the poor things needed to be put to rest and replaced.  I decided to give GlassesUSA.com a try because I wanted to experiment with a new frame style without committing a large sum of money.  GlassesUSA offers the convenience of ordering glasses online and at very affordable prices.  You input your prescription information and their lab cuts and install the lenses into the frames you select.  They have a virtual try-on feature that allows you to get an idea of what the glasses will look like on you.  You can select one of the preloaded face shape images or upload your own image:

They also give detailed measurements and information about the frames to help you gauge the size and fit:

They do offer some designer brand frames but most are not designer .  Designer logos, especially on my glasses, are not that important to me.  I actually like when logos are inconspicuous.  What I care about most is that the item is made well and justifies the cost.  I purchased the Freddy Black frames by Poster Wear ($58) because I wanted to switch from my current bronze metal oval frames and try something new with black, rectangular frames.  You have the choice to get pretty much any type of lens treatment that you would through any other eye glass store.  I added Scratch Resistant Coating, UV Protective Coating, and Anti-Reflective Coating for an extra $29.  But because this was my first purchase, I got a 50% off discount on my frames which brought my total purchase price back down to only $58!  It took 12 days from placing my order to receiving my glasses in the mail.  My vision is pretty bad and it always takes a while for my lenses to be cut even when I order glasses through my local optometrist office.  If your vision isn't that bad or if you're ordering the frames without a prescription I doubt it would take that long.

Overall, I'm pleased with the quality for the price.  I've paid more for equal quality from other places in the past.  I was a little concerned about how the glasses would be shipped and the possibility of damage during shipment but the glasses came in a hard-shell storage case.  And I really like that they offer free shipping and free returns if you're not happy with your order!  I'm still getting used to the look of these new rectangular frames but I think I will keep them.  But since returns are allowed, I could try a different frame style if I find that these don't work for me.  Another plus is that your glasses come with a 1-year warranty.  You can also purchase prescription sunglasses through GlassesUSA.  I desperately need a pair of sunglasses so I plan to order a pair since the frames/lenses are so inexpensive.  I've received several emails since I first placed my order advertising discounts and sales so I'm sure I'll be able to get my sunglasses at a very cheap price too.  If you're in the market for inexpensive prescription glasses, sunglasses, or if you're looking for frames simply for fashion, GlassesUSA is worth considering.  I'm glad I gave them a try.  And since I'm hard on glasses, I will not feel so bad about damaging/breaking the pairs I order through their website because they are so much more inexpensive than what I typically spend on glasses!

Goodebox - April 2015

I am so excited to have another beauty box subscription that caters to my preference of natural products!  Goodebox features trial-sized, and occasionally full size, samples of natural and organic beauty and personal care items. You can sign up to receive a box monthly or bi-monthly; I signed up for monthly delivery.  They have one of the most extensive beauty/skin care/hair/etc profile questionnaires I've ever come across with a beauty box before so I'm hoping that means they do a more thoughtful job of matching samples to subscriber's preferences than most other beauty boxes do. Here is what I got in my April box:

Info Cards:

Preserve Razor ($8.50)

Portland Bee Balm - Oregon Mint 0.15 oz ($2.99)

Gressa Renewing Polish 0.25 oz ($5.70 value)

Derma E Evenly Radiant Brightening Day Creme 0.5 oz ($7.49 value)

CV Skinlabs Rescue and Relief Spray 1 oz ($5.67 value)

Cost of Box:  $19 (includes shipping)
Total Box Value:  $30.35
Impressions:  The first thought that went through my mind when I opened this box was, "Yes! No makeup!"  I tried to make my lack of interest in makeup as clear as I could when filling out my questionnaire so I'm glad they didn't include any.  I hope that continues with future boxes.  I like that they include little info cards with information about the product, ingredients, how to use, etc.

I think the razor is pretty neat because it is made of recycled plastic and is sustainable.  A razor is a very practical item that every girl needs and this one will be used.  I cannot stand the feel of dry lips so I  am all about lip balms and will definitely be using the mint Bee Balm.  And I thought the packaging with the wood label is pretty cool.  The renewing polish arrived half melted and leaking but it solidified when I put it in the fridge for a little while.  I normally stay away from using gritty exfoliators on my face and the lavender and rosewood scents are a little strong but I'll give this polish a try anyway because it has honey in it.  I've had good results using honey masks on my face in the past.  I'll probably just apply it more like a mask rather than using it as a scrub.  I've been wanting to try the Derma E brightening creme for a long time so I'm glad I got this sample.  The item I'm most excited about trying is the rescue and relief spray.  I often spend time outdoors in the sun so the aloe juice and cucumber extract in this spray sounds perfect for spritzing on my skin afterwards.  The downside is that it does not smell good in my opinion.  I think the company should really consider adding some kind of fragrance to make it a little more appealing.  This box also included a card with a discount code for a clean energy power company which I thought was a little weird but I get that it goes along with their Earth Day theme.

Overall, I thought this month's box was pretty good.  The value is about $11 more than what I paid and I plan to use all the samples.  Goodebox looks like it may be a good fit for me so I'm looking forward to next month's box.

Rachel Zoe's Box of Style - Spring 2015

Designer and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe has jumped on the subscription box bandwagon and released the first installment of her Box of Style this month.  A box will be released quarterly (4 times a year).  The box is advertised as featuring fashion, beauty, and lifestyle items with a combined retail value of over $300 in each box.  The seasonal or quarterly subscription rate is $100 for each box but an annual subscription is $350 (receive 4 boxes total).   Each box will contain what Rachel calls a "hero" item which will make up most of the box value.

Here is what was included in the first box:

Miansai Modern Screw Cuff ($200)

Tom’s Traveler Sunglasses ($68)

Zoya Nail Trio (custom curation by Rachel Zoe) ($30)

tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara ($20)

Bristols Six Stylin’ Tape ($10)

Cost of Box:  $100 (quarterly, includes free shipping)
Total Box Value:  $328
Impressions:  This is the first time I've splurged this much money on a subscription box, and since this was the first release of this box, I knew I was taking a pretty big gamble when I signed up.  But with the bracelet as a spoiler, I knew I was guaranteed to get my money's worth which is why I still went through with signing up.  I think the bracelet has a very cool design and I prefer gold jewelry when I do wear jewelry but, being honest with myself, I realize this is something I realistically will not wear often.  With some of the research lab work I do, wearing bracelets and rings is impractical.  And the high polish, modern style of this bracelet would look a little odd considering my simple, casual personal style when I'm not at work.  If it was a simple charm or chain bracelet, I'd probably wear it more often.  I noticed on subscription box community sites that many people mentioned they couldn't wear the bracelet because with an interior circumference of 6.25" it is certainly not a one size fits all kind of bracelet.  It was a snug fit on me:

I really need a pair of sunglasses and really like the mission behind the Tom's brand.  Unfortunately I will not be putting these sunnies to use because I have to wear prescription glasses (no contact lenses) and don't want to spend extra money to have prescription lenses put in.  Otherwise, I would use these because I like the simple yet fun design and that they're not obnoxiously big.  Plus the case is so pretty!  I don't wear nail polish or makeup so I wouldn't get any use out of the polish and mascara.  I don't normally wear garments that need styling tape but I can see it being quite handy for keeping bra straps in place when sporting sleeveless tanks during the summer or preventing the embarrassing peek-a-boo gap between buttons on blouses!

Overall, I think the box is very well curated and indicative of Rachel Zoe's style.  You can tell she put some real thought into it; it's not just a bunch of random junk.  All these items serve as the finishing touch to creating a chic look.  The packaging of everything is quite impressive and substantial so you know that the items are quality.  Even the package of styling tape looks fancy!  The retail value is most definitely there for this box (the bracelet alone makes the cost of this box an incredible deal!) but I personally would not get much use out of it's contents.  They don't exactly fit along with my personal style and lifestyle.  I decided to cancel my subscription for that reason only, not because I think it's a poorly curated or low value box.  I'm game to trying Box of Style again in the future if the spoilers are enticing enough.  I will either sell this box or gift the items to my girlfriends who would love and put the items to much better use than I would.  If you are a fan of Rachel Zoe's style, then I would say this box is definitely worth trying.  If this first box is any indication of future boxes, the quality and retail value will definitely be there for the $100 subscription price. 

A note on shipping:  This box ships via UPS and it took 9 days to arrive in South Carolina from California.

Update:  The summer box went on sale April 9th and will ship July 1st.  Here is the spoiler for the "hero" or big-ticket item:

I like the design of the bag, which you can also carry as a clutch by removing the strap, but I know I would never carry a white bag.  If it were brown or black, I would have re-subscribed. 

Subscription Box Trades - March 2015

The upside of subscription box services is that you can score some great items well below the retail value but the downside is that you may end up with some items that leave you feeling like you wasted your money.  Some box services will release a theme or a spoiler for items that will be featured that month, but usually you have no clue what you're getting until you open the box.  Surprise!  So you're just as likely to end up with something you love or as you are to get something you really don't want and will never use.  Of course, you could always gift the items you don't like to friends, family, and co-workers or try selling them on eBay.  I've also found that by being a part of a subscription box community site, I can make fair trades with other friendly, like-minded subscription box lovers.  Both parties walk a way with less stuff they don't want and more of what they will actually use.  It's a win-win!  I trade or "swap" my unwanted items on the My Subscription Addiction swap page.

Here are the swaps I made in March:

• Bliss Micro Magic Microdermabrasion Treatment - swapped for ->  Mitchell and Peach English Growers Body Cream and The Body Shop 100% Natural Lip Roll On (Rose Version)
• Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash and Porefessional Minis, The Wet Brush Squirt, and Coastal Scents Revealed Palette Sampler in Latte - swapped for -> Lauren B Nourishing Hand Creme with Orchid and Peony and Essential Elements Rosemary Shower Gel
• Baggu 3D Mint Striped Small Bag, Dr Brandt Microdermabrasion skin exfoliant, and Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara - swapped for -> Burt's Bees Brightening Even Tone Moisturizing Cream 

Fortunately, I was able to get rid of a few of the items from the March PopSugar Must Have box that I really was not impressed with along with a few makeup samples from various beauty boxes I subscribe to.  I'm in a bit of hand cream and lip balm phase right now so I've been on the hunt for these types of items on the swap board.  The Lauren B orchid and peony hand cream smells wonderful.  The shower gel I didn't like so much because it smelled like rosemary and menthol (I guess it would be great if I had a cold!).  The Mitchell and Peach body cream ended up not smelling or moisturizing as nicely as I had hoped but I'll still use it.  I really like that the Body Shop lip balm is all natural, but it is a bit too sticky (somewhat like a lip gloss) for my preference.  I'll use it in a pinch but would never buy it.  I got the Burt's Bees brightening cream to hopefully help lighten a couple of small hyper-pigmented spots on my face caused by acne.  Overall, I'm pleased with the trades/swaps I was able to make this month!

Beauty Fix - April 2015

BeautyFIX is a subscription box from DermStore.com that features skin care, hair care and beauty products.  Each box includes a mix of full size, deluxe, and trial-sized samples worth over $100.  You can purchase the box as a one-time purchase ($34.95) or sign up for a renewing monthly subscription ($24.95 each month).  I signed up for the monthly subscription.  I like that Dermstore was founded by a dermatologist and that the online store offers an extensive selection of natural and organic skincare products.  Skin care items seems to be the primary focus of the subscription box and the online store.   

Here's what was featured in the April box:

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil  ($28, 6.7 oz, Full Size)

Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer  ($45, 2 oz, Full Size)

One Love Organics Healthy Locks Dry Shampoo Powder  ($12, 0.6 oz)

Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum and Treatment  ($7 value, 2 ml sample)

Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask  ($16.17 value, 0.5 oz sample)

Dermstore Lip Quench Sheer Tints in Coral  ($12, 0.28 oz, Full Size)

Laura Geller Baked Liquid Radiance Foundation  ($6.08 value, 0.16 oz sample)

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels  ($3.75 value, 1 pair sample)

Random Single Use Samples (Free Extras)

Cost of Box:  $24.95 (Includes free shipping)
Total Box Value:  $130
Impressions:  I tried a mystery grab bag from DermStore a couple of weeks ago and was pleased with the items I received so I was open to trying their BeautyFix box.  Once I saw spoilers that the DHC cleansing oil and Juice Beauty moisturizer were going to be featured this month, I immediately went and signed up!  I've been really curious about how well oil cleansers work.  I use sweet almond and jojoba oils as my skin moisturizer but it seemed an odd concept using oil to cleanse.  A lot of reviews state that this cleanser is great for removing makeup and for general cleansing, without being harsh and drying your skin.  You massage the oil onto your dry face then rinse off.  It turns a creamier white consistency once it's mixed with the water.  It rinsed off cleaner than I expected given that it's an oil but I still followed it with a quick once over with my facial brush and African black soap (I have dry skin and need to exfoliate regularly).  Even with the second cleansing, the olive oil from the DHC cleanser still left my skin feeling moisturized and supple.  The Juice Beauty moisturizer is certified organic, 100% natural, vegan, paraben free, and cruelty free!  I like it but I'm not sure yet if I like it more than my plain old sweet almond oil.  I'm African American with natural hair and maintaining the natural oils at my roots is important to the health of my hair.   Dry shampoos are not good for my hair type and hair regimen, plus it's a light colored powder which I imagine would be difficult to apply to dark hair like mine and have it not be noticeable to others.  I love serums but I'm a little conflicted about using the Sunday Riley because it does include a couple of paraben ingredients.  I may use this sample occasionally but I doubt I'll ever buy it because of the parabens.  I also want to point out that the moisturizer, serum, and renewal mask contain some fruit acids (such as lactic, glycolic, tartaric, citric, and hyaluronic) which could be irritating if you have very sensitive skin.  These types of acids help with skin cell turnover/regeneration which give you that glowing skin look.  My skin is somewhat sensitive so I definitely do not plan to use all these products simultaneously or on a daily basis.  And I'll be especially sure to use something with good SPF sun protection to help protect the new skin cells after using the Ren Glycol Lactic renewal mask which is essentially a facial peel.  I'll save the eye gels for the next time I have to pull an all-nighter and need to de-puff my eyes!  I don't currently wear makeup so the lip tint and foundation will be traded or given away.  I will never ever understand why beauty box services send out something as specific as foundation if they don't allow subscribers the option to select the right shade for them.  Why on earth they would think every woman that subscribes would be able wear the one random shade they decide to send out is beyond me.  That's about as crazy as a clothing/styling service never asking what size you wear because they just send everyone the one size they happened to get a bulk supply of that month!  At least the foundation is only a small portion of the box value.

Overall, I got a great deal with this month's box!  The retail value of this box is over 5 times what I paid and I plan to use everything except the two makeup items and dry-shampoo.  I am really happy that the DHC cleansing oil and Juice Beauty moisturizers were full size.  It's not too often that I get a full size item in a beauty box, very rare to get more than one.  The full size cleansing oil alone is valued at more than the subscription cost of this box!  This box has a high "use" value for me because I plan to use most of the items, and the full size cleansing oil and moisturizer will probably last for months for me personally.  I like to point this out because just because a box has a high retail value does not mean each subscriber will get a lot or the same amount of use out of it as others.  I liked that this box consisted primarily of skincare items but if you prefer sampling mostly makeup items in your beauty boxes, the BeautyFix box will probably be disappointing to you and not worth the cost.  I'm looking forward to future boxes because skincare is my primary focus right now.

I would also like to mention that this box, and orders from DermStore in general, are processed and shipped quickly.  They ship via USPS and I received this box within 4 days of ordering; it would have been quicker than that if not for the weekend.  Most subscription box services typically take several days to over a week to reach me, even those that use FedEx or UPS for delivery, so I'm impressed with the relatively quick delivery of BeautyFix. 

What I'm Reading - Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekback

I love to read but lately I've noticed myself slipping into watching a lot more television than I used to watch.  Not sure why, I find most of television to be mindless "reality" show dribble that I forget about as soon as I turn off the TV.  There are not too many shows or movies with an actual story line anymore.  So back to books I go!  I bought a Kindle about a year ago for the purpose of reading more on the go and to save a little money by purchasing the kindle version versus the hard-copy of books but ended up not using it very much.  I found that I actually missed the feel of a paper book in my hand.  And reading a book digitally somehow made the story seem less tangible or real.  I guess I'm an old school book lover but I'm not ashamed of it! 

What I'm currently reading:  Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekback
Amazon pricing: $19.71 for hardcover, $9.10 for Kindle version.  I was able to purchase and ship a hard-copy on eBay for $11.  I discovered this book through the Indiespensable subscription book club, which I recently joined.  It was featured in their #51 installment but my membership starts with the #52 installment (currently sold out).

Synopsis from Amazon:

‘Wolf winter,’ she said, her voice small. ‘I wanted to ask about it. You know, what it is.’  He was silent for a long time. ‘It’s the kind of winter that will remind us we are mortal,’ he said. ‘Mortal and alone.’

Swedish Lapland, 1717. Maija, her husband Paavo and her daughters Frederika and Dorotea arrive from their native Finland, hoping to forget the traumas of their past and put down new roots in this harsh but beautiful land. Above them looms Blackåsen, a mountain whose foreboding presence looms over the valley and whose dark history seems to haunt the lives of those who live in its shadow.

While herding the family’s goats on the mountain, Frederika happens upon the mutilated body of one of their neighbors, Eriksson. The death is dismissed as a wolf attack, but Maija feels certain that the wounds could only have been inflicted by another man. Compelled to investigate despite her neighbors’ strange disinterest in the death and the fate of Eriksson’s widow, Maija is drawn into the dark history of tragedies and betrayals that have taken place on Blackåsen. Young Frederika finds herself pulled towards the mountain as well, feeling something none of the adults around her seem to notice.

As the seasons change, and the “wolf winter,” the harshest winter in memory, descends upon the settlers, Paavo travels to find work, and Maija finds herself struggling for her family’s survival in this land of winter-long darkness. As the snow gathers, the settlers’ secrets are increasingly laid bare. Scarce resources and the never-ending darkness force them to come together, but Maija, not knowing who to trust and who may betray her, is determined to find the answers for herself. Soon, Maija discovers the true cost of survival under the mountain, and what it will take to make it to spring.

Started:  March 18, 2015
Finished:  April 14, 2015
Thoughts:  The first third of the book is a little slow and somewhat confusing getting all the characters organized in your mind.  It took me a long time to figure out who Jutta was and whether or not Maija and Frederika were talking to an actual living person, a ghost or spirit, or just their memory of Jutta.  I didn't like how choppy the sentences read; like random incomplete thoughts that the writer expected you to piece together and make sense of.  Often times, it's difficult to differentiate who was speaking.  Don't get me wrong, I like when a writer makes the reader more engaged with the story by allowing them to figure some things out on their own but in this book, the amount of random, incomplete thoughts/sentences is a bit much at times.  Overall, I like the story Ekback is trying to tell, just not the choppy and confusing writing style.  
I rarely read mysteries but I liked the storyline and the "who done it" twist at the end of this book.  But the sometimes difficult to follow writing style prevents me from highly recommending this book.  I'm doubtful I'll read any future works Ekback.