November Conscious Box Review

I was really excited to receive my November Conscious Box because they advertised on Facebook that it would be packed with lots of items, from beauty products and balms to bamboo toothbrushes.  So to my dismay, I opened up my box and found that it contained none of those things: it only contained food items.  After an email to their customer service department, I learned that there was a mix-up where their marketing person confused the packing lists and that all of those fun items were actually only in the vegan box, to which I'm not subscribed.

November marked Conscious Box's one-year anniversary, so I had high hopes for this box.  I have to be honest and say that I was really disappointed with what it turned out to be.  I've mentioned in past posts that sometimes they'll have boxes that are mostly food, which is fine every few months or so, but I've noticed that recently there have been more food items than anything else.  I actually sent them on email to cancel since I figured that by now I've seen all that CB has to offer, but they convinced me to stick around for December.

But aside from that, Conscious Box has been one of my favorite subscription services.  They've had some hiccups recently with political posts on their Facebook, shipping delays (mostly USPS's fault), and recalled items, but overall I still enjoy them.  I'm also getting the hang of video unboxings, check it out below (and please subscribe!):



If you'd rather read than watch, keep scrolling.

• Simply Organic Minced Onion - I was craving a cheesy snack the other night, so I sprinkled some of this onto some garlic bread I made.  It was good.  Pretty standard onion, but good.
• SweetLeaf Sweet Drops Sweetener in Vanilla Creme - No matter how hard I try, I do not like stevia (or any sweetener that isn't sugar, for that matter).  This is a liquid stevia product and it didn't have a terrible flavor, and I'm sure it would be really yummy to those who like stevia, but I just don't like the weird aftertaste I get from these types of products.
• Justin's Organic Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - These little guys caused some controversy!  Some people (myself included) received items that were included in a recall of Justin's products for potential salmonella exposure.  I'm not mad at CB about it, nor do I care to have them send me a replacement.  It's not worth making them pay the postage; I know I can pick these up at my local grocery store so I'll grab some the next time I'm out.

• Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix - This mix is gluten-free and contains 8 grams of whole grains per serving (the package itself is one serving).  I love pancakes and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this tastes.
• Lush Nuts in Dark Cocoa Chili - I haven't tried these yet but I think they're going to be delicious.  They're chocolate-coated peanuts, and I love when dark chocolate is paired with chili.
• Teeccino Herbal Coffee - There were three Teeccino products total, but the one in this photo is a bag of the 75% Organic Mocha flavor.  I don't really understand what this is supposed to do -- it's "naturally caffeine free," but is supposed to replace coffee.  I drink coffee for the caffeine, so I'm hoping that this gives me the same boost.  Oh well, I'm willing to try it.

• Freekeh Grains - How fun is that to say?  According to their package, it's pronounced "free-kah."  I've never heard of this grain before, but apparently it's similar to quinoa.  I'm not in love with quinoa but I'm willing to try this.  It's the Tamari variety.
• L'Ecuyer's Gourmet Caveman Rub - This rub sounds suuuuper yummy.  I'll probably put it on some chicken.
• Organic India Tulsi Tea - There were two packets inside, one Green Tea and one Original.  I'm up to my ears in tea, so whenever I get more it doesn't really stand out to me anymore.
• Bloomers! Snow Peas Seeds - The packaging on these is so cute.  I'm going to save these for if I ever start a vegetable garden.  I keep saying I want to, but I just never end up doing it.

• Teeccino - Lastly, we have the other two Teeccino packets.  One is Hazelnut and the other is French Roast.  These are in tea bag form, which is interesting.  Also USDA organic.

Bottom Line: In the past I've said that I never planned to cancel my Conscious Box subscription, but recent boxes have only been so-so.  If December's really blows me away I might stay on for a few more months, but as of right now I plan to go on a hiatus after December to try out other services.  November's box didn't have the variety I was hoping for, but my past boxes and interactions with customer service have been great.

*Disclaimer: I purchased this box with my own money and was not asked to review it.  I was not compensated for this post in any way and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.

November Daily Dose of Green Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]

When Christi, the owner of Daily Dose of Green, contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing one of their boxes, I eagerly said yes.  I love trying new subscription services, and this one appealed to me because it focuses on eco-friendly lifestyle products that can run the gamut from food to beauty to items for your pets.  They also offer a reward points system for members, where points can be earned for referring friends and leaving feedback on items.  These points can then be used for discounts on future purchases.

Users are able to fill out a profile about their lifestyle so that Daily Dose of Green can send them products that would suit them most.  Since I'm not a true member I didn't have the option, but I was still really impressed with the box and I loved all of the items they sent me!

My boxed contained a total of eight items, which is a good amount for a box costing $15.  There was a nice variety of items, something that has been lacking in a similar service I subscribe to, so I was very happy to see that.  Here is what I received:

• Essence of Vali E.O.V. Perfume - A little perfume vial was included in the orange package in the upper left corner.  It's the brand's signature blend, which was created over 10 years ago for a private client.  I like that it has minimal ingredients (SDA 40B, essential oils, and water), but I didn't care for the scent.  It smells slightly citrus-y, but more appropriate for an older woman I think (no offense is meant by that, it's just the best way I can think to describe it).
• Be Natural Organics Hyaluronic Serum - This is a pretty good sized sample at 4 mL, and it's an anti-aging blend for all skin types.  The informational card states that hyaluronic acid can be found in ever cell in the body, and this serum helps replenish what gets lost as you age.  I'm interested to try it because it also works to keep pores free and clear of dirt and bacteria.
• Earth's Beauty Lipstick in Rose Diamond - This was the other item wrapped up in the orange paper.  It's a cute little lipstick sample, and the color is a very pretty pink/mauve.  I have a close-up photo that I'll post below.
• Original Sprout Miracle Detangler - This Quick Release formula "makes tough tangles history."  I'll definitely spritz this on my hair after washing it because my thick, Asian hair is definitely prone to tangles.
• Boulder Granola Original - I love Boulder Granola!  I've reviewed their products before, and I was really happy to see a bag of their original blend in my box because it's really delicious.  It's just sweet enough, as well as being USDA organic and gluten- and dairy-free.
• Eli's Earth Bars Celebrate Bar - This brand is entirely new to me.  The Celebrate Bar has chewy vanilla caramel, dried coconut, gourmet California almonds, and is coated with a dairy-free milk chocolate.  It sounds heavenly and I can't wait to eat it!  It's also USDA organic.
• Margo's Nutz - I received the Cinnamon Almond Slices.  I would consider mixing these in with a plain Greek yogurt, or eating them on their own.  I don't love almonds, but I think I'd like these because they're coated with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla.
• Humble Seed Tongue of Fire Seed Packet - This is the item that I'm least likely to use because I don't garden.  Maybe I should change that.  These do sound pretty interesting to me, and the package says they're the 'best flavored horticultural bean."

Overall I am very impressed with this Daily Dose of Green box and I would definitely recommend it.  I'm going to add myself to their waitlist and hopefully I'll be able to get a subscription slot soon!  They have two subscription options: monthly for $15/month, or $165 for a year (which adds up to one box free).  I also appreciated how quickly the box arrived at my doorstep -- three days to get from Rochester, MN to Rochester, NY!

If you'd rather watch than read, check out my unboxing video:

• Visit Daily Dose of Green and learn more about their program
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: If you're interested in finding new ways to green up your lifestyle, Daily Dose of Green's monthly subscription service is a great and affordable option.  I highly recommend it!

Want to WIN a Daily Dose of Green box for yourself?  Christi was kind enough to provide a box for one of my readers, so enter after the cut (and check out more photos, too)!

Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow Review

A few months ago I happened upon Dragonfly Beauty Blog, a fantastic blog with plentiful natural beauty resources.  Tiffany, who writes the blog, hosts monthly "Green Your Routine" giveaways that feature high quality natural beauty items, and I was lucky enough to win the September giveaway (you can view the package here, if you're interested).  I was obviously very excited to have won, especially because there were a bunch of new brands in the package for me to discover.  I was already familiar with Tatcha and Revolution Organics, but a new favorite emerged: Alima Pure.

The two shadows I received in this package were Aubergine and Opal.  Aubergine is a gorgeous purple and Opal is a shimmery white.  I had heard of Alima Pure in the past but had never tried any of their products.  I'm so glad I was introduced to these eyeshadows because they're amazing!

Aubergine is on the left and Opal is on the right in the above swatches.  Clearly you can see how great their pigmentation and color payoff are.  I love anything purple, so Aubergine is so perfect for me.  I don't know if I'll use Opal as often, but when I do need a good highlighter color it's an excellent choice.  Since it is so very pigmented, though, you only need a very little (meaning the 2.5 grams will last you a long time!).  These shadows also have a silky texture and apply easily and evenly, both with fingers and with a brush.  I like to pair Aubergine with gold for a fun weekend look.

Another reason to love Alima Pure is because they're certified cruelty-free by PETA.  The shadows are made in the USA and contain only five ingredients, mainly mica.  The others are naturally-occurring oxides that may be byproducts, I'm assuming--given the "may contain" disclaimer.

• Visit Alima Pure's website and view their entire line of products
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: I think these two eyeshadows by Alima Pure are amazing, and I can't wait to buy more!  They retail for $12.50 and are available in 46 different colors.

Check out more photos after the cut.

Tilth Beauty Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]

I found Tilth Beauty after they followed me on Twitter, and I contacted them regarding their products.  I was intrigued because they're a Leaping Bunny certified company, and I was also looking for a new skincare line to use.

I was really surprised, and very thankful, when they sent me five products to try!  It took me a little longer to get through them all since I like to use skin care for at least a month to see how it reacts to my skin, but I was really happy with the results.

• Rose Protection Cleansing Gel - This is the cleanser I ended up using the most.  It's good for all skin types, and it contains French Rose Flower Extract to spur anti-aging effects.  When I read the label I thought it would be more of a thick gel consistency, but it actually was a nice liquid that lathered up nicely.
• Argan-Tangerine Deep Cleansing Lotion - This cleanser is one of Tilth Beauty's most popular products.  It contains "infusions of the tantalizing tangerine blossom aroma, which wake up even the sleepiest of heads."  It also contains essential oils to leave skin feeling soft and help remove makeup.  I didn't like this cleanser as much as the Rose Protection Cleansing Gel, but it was mostly a personal preference.  It performed well and lathered nicely, but for some reason I just preferred the Rose.  I think it was because I liked the scent better.
• Gentle Poppy Seed Exfoliator - This was my favorite product of the bunch.  It's a dry exfoliator that needs to be mixed with a base, and the label suggest water or a cleanser.  I thought I'd try using it with one of the cleansers to kill two birds with one stone, but it ended up not working so well.  It didn't glide over my skin as well with cleanser, so I ended up using water and it worked just fine.  What I liked the most about this cleanser is that it was the perfect roughness to use on facial skin.  It wasn't too strong or weak.  I used it once a week and my skin felt baby-smooth after.
• Berry Extract Toner - I haven't used toners very much in the past, so this product was one that I was the most unfamiliar with how to use.  I used it after cleansing and dabbed it on with a cotton swab.  It's a pretty blue color in the bottle, which I liked simply for aesthetic purposes.  Regular use works to "restore, revitalize, and refine skin, while greatly reducing clogged pores and dead skin, and keeping it smooth, soothed, and properly moisturized."  To be honest, I didn't notice much of a difference in my skin after using this, but that may be because I'm still not entirely sure how my skin is supposed to feel after prolonged use of a toner.
• Refresh Peptide Mist - This is my second-favorite product because I have oily skin and I hate when I start to feel it taking over my face throughout the day.  I kept this in my purse and spritzed it on during work and it took the edge off.  It's made from botanical extracts with a peptide to help protect skin.

L to R: Berry Extract Toner, Argan Tangerine Deep Cleansing Lotion,
Rose Protection Cleansing Gel, Refresh Peptide Mist, and Gentle Poppy Seed Exfoliator

As I stated before, my favorite aspect of Tilth Beauty is that they're a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free company, meaning their products and ingredients are not tested on animals in any stage of manufacturing.  They are also free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petroleum, silicones, synthetic fragrance, and GMOs.  Some of the ingredients in the products I tried were unfamiliar to me, for example, "Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylclucoside Crosspolymer" is the second ingredient in the Rose Protection Cleansing Gel, but I feel better knowing that they don't contain the above ingredients (information taken from their website).

Tilth Beauty's CEO, Anthony Vargas, has over three decades of industry experience in research and development and has worked to create these and many more consumer-based skin care products.  They also practice environmentally-friendly manufacturing by using wind power to generate 100% of the electrical energy needed to make their paper packaging.  Their packaging partner is an active member in the Green Power Partnership, an "EPA-sponsored program that recognizes organizations demonstrating environmental leadership through green power."

• Learn more about Tilth Beauty and browse their full line of products
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

Bottom Line: I'm impressed by Tilth Beauty's products and eco-friendly practices.  I also love that they're cruelty-free.  I would recommend their anti-aging skincare to anyone who is looking to support a company that shares these ideals.

Want to win a Tilth Beauty cleanser for yourself?  They were kind enough to provide me with an Anti-Oxidant Foaming Cleanser for one of my readers to win.  Enter using the Rafflecopter form after the cut.

$50 Zenoobi Gift Card Giveaway!

I love to support all natural, organic, and eco-friendly companies, so when Terri from Terri's Little Haven & jenn too! contacted me about hosting a giveaway for a $50 gift card from Zenoobi.com, I browsed around the site to explore all of the green products they had available for kids and mom. After careful consideration, I knew this was something my readers would be definitely be interested in participating in.

To enter this giveaway, I have provided a simple to use giveaway form (Rafflecopter). The only mandatory entry required is to leave your email address and first and last name (so you can be contacted if you win). There are multiple extra bonus entries included that I'm sure you will want to take advantage of. This giveaway is open to US residents aged 18+ only and it ends on December 5th.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: See Shop Love! is not responsible for sending the giveaway item to the winner. After all entries are confirmed, Terri from Terri's Little Haven & jenn too! will be responsible for sending the winners information to Zenoobi.