November 2020 Spiffy Socks Review

Spiffy Socks is a fun and affordable way to add some color to your wardrobe. They send high quality socks in a variety of designs, and their November package was so cute!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

You can get men's and women's socks from Spiffy Socks for $11 per month. Here are their subscription options:

• Monthly: $11 per month
• Three Months: $31 every three months
• Six Months: $61 every six months
• Yearly: $119 every 12 months

Shipping is free to the U.S. and extra to other countries; the exact shipping price will vary based on where you live.

You can also buy individual pairs as a one-time purchase for $20 per pair.

Spiffy Socks are different from your average pair because they're made with bamboo fibers, which are twice as soft as cotton. These socks feel so good on my feet! They're thin but still keep your feet nice and cozy. The bamboo is also great at regulating temperature, so they'll keep you warm when it's cold out and won't overheat your feet in warmer weather.

I love the November pattern! The socks are blue with little black sharks, or I suppose they could be another fish? But they look like sharks to me.

• Visit Spiffy Socks to subscribe

Bottom Line: Spiffy Socks is a really fun subscription. I love their fun designs and high quality socks. They'd make a great gift for yourself or someone else!

December 2020 Gramma in a Box Review

The holiday season means lots of cookies and treats for many families, and Gramma in a Box makes it easy to share candy and cookie creations with your loved ones!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Gramma in a Box is a monthly subscription that sends everything you need to create candy and cookie crafts. Each box has three crafts with enough supplies to create 15 to 20 individual treats.

Here are their pricing options:

• Monthly: $20 per month
  
• Three Months: $60 every three months
• Six Months: $120 every six months
• Baker's Dozen (13 Months): $245 every 13 months

You can also purchase a single box for $22 with no subscription. You can save 10% off the monthly, 3- and 6-month options by signing up for auto-debit, and 15% off the Baker's Dozen.

Shipping is included in all price options. Boxes ship on the first of the month and cancellations must be submitted by the 25th of the month to avoid the next month's charges. 

The December box featured holiday treats. All of the ingredients are individually sealed in plastic packaging. The only items you'll need to supply are basics like a bowl and spoon for mixing.

The first craft was my favorite this month, the California Snowman Pops. Gramma in a Box always has the most creative crafts, and this one is no exception!

I melted the included white chocolate discs and then spread them out on the (included) wax paper to form melted snowmen, then added the Reese's Cup, cut in half, as the hat. The eyes, carrot nose, M&Ms, and pretzel stick arms were all added in random spots to enhance the melting look.

The second craft, Holiday Wreaths, used the rest of the melting chocolate. I added in the green discs to the already melted white chocolate, then mixed in the cornflake cereal. The mixture was then spooned onto a pretzel ring base and decorated with green sprinkles and red hot candies.

The third craft is always cookies. The cookies are pre-baked and vacuum sealed, but it's still best to do your crafts within a week of receiving the box so that they're at their freshest. The December cookies were a Winter Cookies theme and had ornament, snowflake, snowman, and tree shapes. Red, white, and green frosting and various sprinkles were included for decoration.

• Visit Gramma in a Box to subscribe
• Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Bottom Line: The creativity of the crafts from Gramma in a Box always impresses me! I loved making these December treats and am excited to share them with my family for Christmas.

Perfect Hydration Alkaline Water Review

One thing I've always been good about when it comes to healthier living is drinking water. When I get thirsty, a cold glass of water is the only thing that will adequately quench my thirst. Perfect Hydration is committed to creating the finest water possible, and I tried them out.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect Hydration: What is it? It's a bottle of water, but it's far from your basic tap water. The water is clean, purified, and goes through a proprietary filtration and alkalizing process. Staying hydrated is so good for you in a number of ways: it helps keep your skin pump, your mood up, and your body functioning properly. 

The alkaline level of Perfect Hydration water is 9.5+ pH. This means it is high alkaline, creating a fresh, crisp taste. Alkaline foods are known to counteract acidity, so this is a great way to balance out your diet. Perfect Hydration also adds a unique blend of electrolyte minerals after purification, without sodium or chlorine that is often used by most water brands.

But how does it taste? I drank this during my hapkido (Korean martial art) class and I have to say, I truly did taste a difference from standard filtered water. I know the word was already used in the description of the product, but the best way I can describe it is "crisp." It felt so much sharper, but in a good way, and refreshing to drink, especially during a high-intensity workout.

Perfect Hydration is available at conventional grocery and convenience stores and online at Amazon. The prices are affordable, with a 16.9 oz can at $1.49, a 20 oz bottle at $1.49, one liter at $1.99, 1.5 liters at $2.49, and one gallon at $5.99.

• Visit Perfect Hydration to learn more and purchase 
• Connect with them on Facebook and Instagram
  

Bottom Line: I was impressed by the quality of Perfect Hydration and would definitely add this water to my hydration routine. Drinking enough water is so good for your health, and it's an easy way to help keep you feeling your best.

Eco Lips Cyber Weekend Deal and Gift Guide

Eco Lips created the first organic lip balm on the market and I'm a huge fan of their products! They make great stocking stuffers or gift to yourself for the holidays.

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

 
Eco Lips has a USDA-certified organic facility that is powered by renewable and solar energy. They sustainably and ethically source all of their ingredients from trusted sources around the globe. They are Fair Trade Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Leaping Bunny Certified as cruelty-free. Their lip balms are also gluten-free.

The Mongo Kiss lip balms are oversized balms made with Mongongo oil from Africa and fair trade certified cocoa butter. Mongongo oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, meaning they stay on your lips and keep them hydrated for longer than saturated fatty acids like coconut oil or monounsaturated oils like jojoba oil. The Mongongo oil is sourced from rural villages in Africa that help women create more self-worth while increasing their net worth. 

These balms are available in individual Blood Orange, Vanilla Honey, Peppermint, Yumberry, Pomegranate, Acai, Banana, Coconut, Strawberry Lavender, and Unflavored balms and as 3-, 4-, 6-, and 7-packs. You can also buy a set with one lip balm and one lip scrub, as pictured above.

I tried the Peppermint, Vanilla Honey, and Pomegranate balms and they all smell so good. The Mongongo oil feels so soothing and really does provide hours of moisture. The texture is very smooth on my lips.

The Brazilian Lip Tint is available as individual balms or with a bonus vegan vanilla lip scrub in the pack pictured above. The lip tint is also vegan and is made with ethically sourced Babaçu and Pracaxi oils and Cupuaçu butter from Brazil to nourish your lips.

The tint in this pack is flavored with passionfruit and provides matte coverage for every day use. The lip scrub preps lips for the colored tint and is made with sugar. The tint is lovely and provides just enough color for everyday use.

The Seasonal Balms are especially perfect for gift giving! They're available in Gingerbread, Raspberry Truffle, and Candy Cane flavors and are made with certified organic coconut oil, beeswax, and a dash of flavor. There are no artificial fragrances, colorants, or petroleum.

My favorite is the Candy Cane flavor, but all three smell great and are a festive way to keep your lips hydrated.

The LIP FOOD lip balms are available in Nourish, Pump, and Protect. Nourish is made with Lemon with spirulina blue-green algae, Plump is Rosemary Mint with chamomile mushroom extract, and Protect is Vanilla Lavnder with pumpkin seed oil.

These oversized balms are made with plant-based ingredients and organic jojoba oil and Fair Trade Certified cocoa butter. The plant-based ingredients vary per balm and provide nourishment and soothing moisture. These balms feel great on my lips and I love that they're made with organic and nutrient-rich ingredients.

• Visit Eco Lips to browse their full line
• Use coupon code HOLIDAYSHOP20 for 20% off everything through Monday, November 30th
  

Bottom Line: Eco Lips has a bunch of lip balms and other lip products at affordable prices. They make great gifts and there's surely something for everyone on your list!

 

Bombay Hair Curling Wand Review

Bombay Hair is creating hair extensions and styling tools to make sure your look is always on point! I tried one of their curling wands and am excited to share the results with you today.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Bombay Hair aims to provide the best hair extensions and styling tools at revolutionary prices. Instead of thin, expensive extensions, they wanted to create thick, lush extensions from Remy and virgin human hair at the best price possible.

They also have a line of beautiful styling tools made from various precious metals to help style both extensions and natural hair.

Bombay Hair has several heat styling tools, including curling irons with and without clamps, flat irons, hair dryers, a hair waver, and Curling Wands with 5-in-1 and 3-in-1 attachments

I received the 25mm Rose Gold Curling Wand, which is currently on sale for $52 for Black Friday!

The barrel is 100 percent titanium with a beautiful rose gold color and no clamp. It comes with a wand stand and heat resistant glove. The temperature is adjustable from 150˚F to 450˚F (65˚C to 230˚C).

Bombay Hair also offers a one year limited warranty on the wand and you can return or exchange full priced items within 14 days of receiving your order (items sold at a discount qualify for an exchange only and are subject to a restocking fee).

 

 

I love this wand! This was my first time using a clampless curling wand and I think the results are pretty nice. I like that it gives looser waves than a curling iron with a clamp, making it look more natural. It was pretty easy to use, but the heat glove is a nice accessory if you're just learning how to curl your hair (to keep you safe from any potential burns).

• Visit Bombay Hair to browse their full line of products
• View their Black Friday Sale for up to 75 percent off!
• Connect with them on Facebook and Instagram
  

Bottom Line: I think the Bombay Hair 25mm Rose Gold Curling Wand is a great investment. It gave me lovely loose curls in just a few minutes. The product is high quality and I have no complaints!

TONYMOLY All You Need Mask Set Review

I recently picked up the TONYMOLY All You Need Mask Set as a gift for myself. It would also make a great gift for the skincare lover in your life!

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, love!

TONYMOLY is one of my favorite Korean skincare brands. Their products are affordable, effective, and often really cute, too.

This set contains 13 of their best-selling masks for only $25 (a $48 value). I purchased it directly from their website, and they are currently offering free shipping on orders of $50+.

The back of the box lists all of the masks and their ingredients (click the photo to view larger). There are 10 face masks and three under eye masks.

I love sheet masks. I've heard some criticism that they don't do anything, but I disagree. I'm not a dermatologist or expert in any way, but I use sheet masks at least twice a week and they make my skin feel soft and hydrated after, plus it's a soothing way to relax at the end of the day.

The TONYMOLY masks are shaped well to fit my face (I've had others that hang too long on the nose or chin areas) and have enough serum inside to be effective but not drip everywhere.

There are three Master Lab masks:

• Master Lab Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask (moisturizing)
  
• Master Lab Vitamin C Sheet Mask (brightening)
  
• Master Lab Collagen Sheet Mask (elasticity)
  

Three under eye masks:

• I'm Lemon Gel Eye Patch (brightening)
  
• I'm Charcoal Gel Eye Patch (purifying)
  
• I'm Red Wine Gel Eye Patch (firming)
  

And rounding out the set are seven of their "I'm..." masks, which are the ones I see in stores most often:

• I'm Lavender (hydrating)
  
• I'm Aloe (moisturizing)
  
• I'm Honey (nourishing)
  
• I'm Hemp (calming)
  
• I'm Charcoal (pore care)
  
• I'm Rose (vitalizing)
  
• I'm Cherry Blossom (brightening)
  

I love this mask set. I usually spend anywhere form $3-$8 per mask when I buy them individually from various brands, so $25 for 13 of them is an excellent value. I'll use all of these and I like that they have several mask types for all different skincare needs.

• Visit TONYMOLY to purchase
  

Bottom Line: The TONYMOLY All You Need Mask Set makes a great gift! You can treat yourself or someone else to this great kit.

November 2020 Gramma in a Box Review and Black Friday Deal

With all of the holidays coming up, Gramma in a Box is a fun way to create and share treats with your loved ones. The November box had Thanksgiving-themed treats, of course!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Gramma in a Box is a food and craft subscription that sends supplies to make three projects each month. The box includes everything you need to make 15 to 20 individual treats, and the only items you'll need to supply are basics like a bowl and spoon for mixing.

Here are their pricing options:

• Monthly: $20 per month
  
• Three Months: $60 every three months
• Six Months: $120 every six months
• Baker's Dozen (13 Months): $245 every 13 months

You can also purchase a single box for $22 with no subscription. You can save 10% off the monthly, 3- and 6-month options by signing up for auto-debit, and 15% off the Baker's Dozen.

 Shipping is included in all price options. Boxes ship on the first of the month and cancellations must be submitted by the 25th of the month to avoid the next month's charges.

Black Friday Deal: You can get a Baker's Dozen subscription of 13 boxes plus 20% off for $230 with coupon code BLACK2020. This includes the December 2020 box and all of 2021. The coupon is good for one day only, on November 27th!

Each project has a card with instructions and all ingredients and allergen information on the opposing side.

The first project for November was Acorn Kisses. I melted the chocolate and placed a dollop on each side of the small Nilla Wafer cookies, then attached a Hershey's Kiss on one end and the chocolate chip on the other. These are so cute and look just like acorns!

The second project was Goofy Turkey Buddies, another creative snack. I used the remaining melted chocolate and placed a small circle on the (included) wax paper, then added some to the pretzel rod and stuck them together. I then used the candy corn and eyes and beaks (chocolate-covered sunflower seeds) to complete the design.

The third project is always cookies. The Fall Cookies featured turkey, leaf, acorn, and candy corn shapes. The cookies are pre-baked and shrink wrapped in plastic to preserve freshness. You should complete your crafts within a week of receiving the box, though, to maintain the best freshness.

Three colors of frosting (brown, orange, and yellow) and various sprinkles were also included. Unfortunately I did not frost the candy corn shapes because I cleaned up and disposed of the remaining frosting before I realized I hadn't done them! They still tasted great on their own.

• Visit Gramma in a Box to subscribe 
• Use coupon code BLACK2020 on November 27th only for 20% off the Baker's Dozen subscription option!
  
• Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Bottom Line: I love Gramma in a Box. It's a fun and affordable way to make delicious snacks and the projects are always so cute. It's a great box to share with your friends and family!

October 2020 Book of the Month Review

Book of the Month is one of my favorite subscriptions. The price is great and I love getting a new book each month.

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, Love!

Book of the Month costs $14.99 per month for a new hardcover release. You can choose from one of five titles that have been hand-selected by different judges. You can also add on any title from their store for only $9.99 and can skip a month (your credit will carry over) if there aren't any titles that interest you.

My October selection was Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. I had high hopes for this book, especially because Book of the Month described it was "weird." Here's the synopsis:

Amanda and Clay head out to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a vacation: a quiet reprieve from life in New York City, quality time with their teenage son and daughter, and a taste of the good life in the luxurious home they’ve rented for the week. But a late-night knock on the door breaks the spell. Ruth and G. H. are an older couple—it’s their house, and they’ve arrived in a panic. They bring the news that a sudden blackout has swept the city. But in this rural area—with the TV and internet now down, and no cell phone service—it’s hard to know what to believe. 

Should Amanda and Clay trust this couple—and vice versa? What happened back in New York? Is the vacation home, isolated from civilization, a truly safe place for their families? And are they safe from one other?

Overall, this was just okay. It's an apocalyptic scenario with strange but beautiful imagery that examines the connections we think we have to one another. It was good, don't get me wrong, but for some reason I wasn't blown away. It almost felt like it was trying too hard to be profound.

• Visit Book of the Month to subscribe
  

Bottom Line: Book of the Month is a great subscription for readers and would make a great gift for the upcoming holiday season. You can't beat the price for a brand-new hardcover book!

Winter 2020 Walmart Beauty Box Review

The Walmart Beauty Box is a quarterly box from Walmart that features beauty samples of products that are all available at their stores and website. The Winter box featured samples to help transition to the colder months.

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, Love!

The Walmart Beauty Box is advertised as a free box but it costs $5 to ship to U.S. addresses, so in reality this box costs you $5 every three months. Still not a bad deal.

The box features deluxe samples from brands available at Walmart. I've noticed there are some repeats, but overall it's a fun box for a low price.

This quarter they included an insert with information about each of the products, which is a new feature. Previously there was no detailed description about what was inside, if I recall correctly.

The info card lists seven products; however, my box came with only five. I wonder if there was variation with the products, or if my box was missing products?

• Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Lotion: I thought this was full-sized since it's 5.9 fl oz, but the full-sized version is 8.3 fl oz. Still, this is a pretty good sample size. Unfortunately it's not something I can use, since I don't have curly hair, as it's a lotion for curls that provides lightweight definition.
• Biore Rose Quartz + Charcoal Cleanser: This is not listed on the info card, so maybe I received it as a replacement for something they ran out of. Either way, I've gotten this sample before and I do like this cleanser because it has salicylic acid. I like to keep these for when I travel (if we can ever travel safely again!).
• LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops: At first I didn't care for these (I've sampled before), but they've grown on me. I don't get redness often, but the few times I do, these have done a good job of reducing eye redness in only a few seconds.
• Gold Bond Ultimate Strength & Resilience: Gold Bond is a great lotion brand and I like having strong formulas like this one for winter. My hands get really dry and flaky, and this one has seven moisturizing ingredients to help replenish skin's moisture.
• NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss: This is a buttery, silky-smooth gloss that provides sheer to medium coverage. I received the Red Wine Truffle shade.

The products on the info card that were not in my box were the COLAB Unicorn Dry Shampoo, found Assorted Sheet Masks, and Dickinson's Alcohol-Free Gentle Balancing Toner.

• Visit Walmart Beauty Box to subscribe
  

Bottom Line: The Walmart Beauty Box is an inexpensive way to receive beauty samples each quarter. The brands are not prestige, but for only $5, I think it's a nice way to treat yourself.

Choate BODY Review and Coupon

Choate BODY is a Black-owned organic skincare company from founder Rhandi Kai. They offer a broad range of products to soothe skin and keep you looking and feeling amazing!

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Choate Body (pronounced ko-ate) was created by Rhandi to relieve her eczema and extremely dry, sensitive skin. The products are handmade in Cleveland, Ohio with organic ingredients for skin that can't handle conventional skincare. Choate means to be complete and perfected in yourself, your skin, and being you.

I received three products from Choate BODY. The Matcha Peppermint Facial Cleanser comes in a glass bottle with a stopper applicator. It's made with  turmeric, honey, Matcha green tea, French clay, and Castile soap. It soothes sensitive and acne- and eczema-prone skin and naturally helps balance the skin's oil and pH. The natural antioxidants also work to reduce signs of aging, dark marks, and scars.

The liquid has a low viscosity and two drops are enough to use on the entire face. When applied with a bit of water, it lightly foams up and has a refreshing tingling feeling from the peppermint. It was gentle on my skin and left it feeling clean and soothed.

The Organic Body Butter is a hydrating moisturizer that relieves itchy, dry, inflamed skin with raw butters and organic oils. It's great for soothing itch from eczema and psoriasis and also repairs elasticity and minimizes scars and stretch marks.

This is a very rich butter that feels amazing! It has a natural scent from the cocoa and shea butters and the thick texture is great all over, but especially on my hands, elbows, and heels. A little goes a long way, so this jar will last me a while.

Last up is the No. 4 Calm Lavender and Honey Organic Face and Body Scrub. It's made with a blend of organic lavender essential oil and raw honey to help unwind and relax. Exfoliating with this scrub can help release ingrown hairs, and rid skin from dead skin, dirt, and oil that clog pores. It also restores moisture, softens rough, dry skin, lightens dark marks, and reduces scars.

The scrub is quite soft in the jar, once broken apart with the included spoon, and is made with brown sugar. It also contains chamomile, burdock root, grapeseed oil, and kaolin clay. The granules are quite large and would be too rough on my facial skin, but this is great as a body scrub. The scent is lovely, too.

•  Visit Choate BODY to shop their full line
• Use coupon code SEESHOPLOVE20 for 20 percent off your purchase!
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
  

Bottom Line: Choate BODY creates beautiful organic products that are perfect for the dryer winter months (and all year, of course). I'm happy to support this Black-owned business and their high quality products!