Birchbox Beauty In Bloom Limited Edition Review

Birchbox always has great limited edition boxes, and I like to let my Birchbox points add up for a few months in anticipation of a box being released that I really want. This year's Beauty in Bloom limited edition box ended up being the one!

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

I can't remember exactly when this was released, but it was fairly recently and just in time for Mother's Day. It costs $64 and has a total retail value of $188, per the Birchbox website. It has 11 products inside, but they're not all full-sized.

This only cost me $18.32, thanks to my $40 in Birchbox points and a 25% off coupon (I think it was 25% off, anyway, the point is I got a great discount on this box). The box itself is beautiful and the products are great, but no, I wouldn't spend $64 for this.

When I purchase a limited edition box I make sure that I really am in love with a majority of the products. I saw a few reviews for this one around and I really liked what I saw, so I didn't hesitate too much to order it!

• Umbra Prisma Tray - This beautiful tray is the main reason I wanted this box! It retails for $15, so it's not like I was getting some unattainable item at a great price in this box, but it's a beautiful tray and I love the design! I like that the bottom has a canvas-like bottom so all of the items you place on it stay in place. I'm using this to display my perfumes, which you can see on my Instagram.

• Lollia Relax Shea Butter Handcreme - I love hand creams and always like to have one accessible at all times--one in my car, one at my desk at work, one in my bag...you get the idea. I haven't broken the seal on this one so I can't say exactly how it smells, but the info card says it has notes of lavender, Indian amber, and Tahitian vanilla. It sounds wonderful!
• Smith & Cult The Shining Lip Lacquer in Hi-Speed Sonnet - How gorgeous is the packaging on this?! The color is a pretty pink that would be flattering on all skin tones, I think. The formula is kind of thick, so if you don't like sticky lip glosses this might not be for you, but I like it a lot and I think it feels pretty hydrating.
• Darphin Intral Toner - This is a gentle, complexion-soothing formula that leaves skin calm and refreshed. Or so the info card says. I'm not quite sure about this one yet; I used it for a week and it seemed to make my skin break out more than usual. I'm not entirely sure if it was the toner's fault, but for now I switched back to using what I'd been using before.

• Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist - I already had one of these when I got this box, but this spray is wonderful so I'll be saving it for when I run out of my current bottle. It's rose-scented and balances pH levels and refreshes skin. I like having this on hand in the summer to spray on when I start feeling sweaty (yeah, gross, but it happens!).
• Davines Oi/Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion - I was hoping that this hair oil had heat protection but I don't think that it does. Regardless, it leaves my hair feeling so soft and smooth. I've been using this after I style my hair to tame flyaways and any residual frizz.
• NEST Fragrances Grapefruit Classic Candle - This candle smells so good! It's a small votive and the scent throw isn't very far, but I still love it.
• Laura Geller Beauty Baked Color True Blush - This is a nice pink tone that I think will work well with my skin. I haven't used it since I already have a ton of blushes to use up, but this one will be put to good use someday.

• stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara - I wish I hadn't opened and used this because I hate it. It's basically stila's version of the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, which I also hate. Both of them are way too clumpy and sticky. I know people swear by formulas like these, but I just have never enjoyed them.
• Mally Eye-Amplifying Shadow Liner - I'm not sure if every box has the same shade, but mine is a metallic brown. It's more cool-toned so it doesn't look great against my skin tone. Another product I wish I hadn't opened and used, because I could have potentially swapped it.
• NEST Fragrances Indigo Eau de Parfum - I looooooove this perfume! It's perfect for me. It has Moroccan tea and wild fig and is the perfect balance of sweet and warmth. I want to get a full-sized bottle!

Bottom Line: The mascara and eyeshadow pencil were a bust, but I enjoyed everything else in this box! I think it was an amazing value for $18, but maybe not so much for the full price of $64. But that's why I let my Birchbox points add up, so I can use it on boxes like this one!

May My Monogram Box Review

Subscription services have gotten pretty popular, but I'm still always amazed at the creative new ones that pop onto the scene. My Monogram Box may be one of the most unique boxes yet!

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

My Monogram Box sends fashionable items made just for you! As you can guess by the name, each item is monogrammed with your initials. They have two different subscription options:

• Single Item Box - $19.95 per month for one specially chosen item, valued at at least $40
• Delux Custom Box - $34.95 per month for three specially chosen items, valued at at least $70

Currently they ship only to the contiguous 48 states (sorry Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories). Their FAQ page also says they ship to international locations, including Canada. When I typed in my address on the check out page it said shipping was free (I live in New York).

This review is for the May Deluxe Box. When you subscribe you'll receive a questionnaire via email to fill out so that they can get to work on creating your customized items. The questions included what name I'd like to use if they personalized something with my full name and not just initials, my top three favorite colors, favorite monogram fonts (see photos below), my age, t-shirt size, if I had pierced ears, and if I preferred a standard or king pillow case.

The initials are listed in the order shown above, and there are four fonts to choose from.

I was really excited to see what I'd receive. I didn't own anything monogrammed prior to getting this box so no matter what it would be something I knew I didn't have already! The total retail value of my items was $74.

I received a t-shirt in my favorite color, an umbrella, and a cup wrap. Everything is so cute! My initials are DHS, and I knew from the questionnaire that they would be ordered by first name, last name, then middle name, but it still throws me off that they're listed as DSH on the items.

The Classic T-Shirt is form fitting, so if you like your shirts looser I would recommend requesting a size up when filling out the questionnaire. I chose a small and it fits fine, but I just wanted to advise for anyone who doesn't like tighter fitting shirts. And I listed green as my favorite color on the questionnaire.

The Umbrella is black with purple writing (I listed purple as one of my favorite colors) and came at the perfect time. Spring is rainy season and I like to have umbrellas everywhere. I keep one in my desk at work and one in my car, and now I'll leave this one in my apartment.

The Cup Wrap is something I never would have thought to order but it's really practical and a great idea! I love the stripe pattern. The monogram is on a light purple background, which kind of got washed out due to the lighting in the photo above, but I think you can still get a good idea of what it looks like in person.

I think My Monogram Box is a stellar deal for $34.95. If that's not in your budget, don't forget that they also have a one item box for $19.95. I know monogramming can be pricey, so this is a fun and affordable way to add some unique items to your monogrammed collection!

• Visit My Monogram Box to subscribe!
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a unique box for yourself or to gift to a friend, I think My Monogram Box is an excellent choice! I love that they customize everything to your interests (favorite colors, etc.) and give you lots of options for the designs.

March Freedom Japanese Market Review

Regular readers of my blog know that I love snacks, and I especially like Japanese snacks because they're so much fun (and delicious)! Freedom Japanese Market is great subscription that sends hand-picked Japanese snacks right to you, directly from Japan.

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

Freedom Japanese Market ships all of their products fresh from Japan, and most of the items are sold exclusively in Japan. They note that, although some of these snacks might seem familiar in U.S. or other markets, the "made for foreign market" versions are often made in third party countries. The snacks that Freedom Japanese Market really are authentic and from Japan (more on that later).

They have three subscription options:

• Puchi Pack ($12.99/month) - This is a mini version of the original subscription box that contains five to eight snacks.
• Original Subscription Pack ($24.99/month) - Each box contains 12 to 16 full-sized and sample snacks.
• Family Pack ($45.99/month) - This has double the snacks of the original subscription.

Each subscription option has free worldwide shipping! You can also purchase one-time sample packs for $15, $27, and $50, respectively if you don't want to commit to a renewing subscription.

As you can see from the customs sticker on the photo above, the box really does ship straight from Japan. I received the March Original Subscription box to review.

I was surprised at how many snacks were packed into the box! 17 total individual snacks were included, and they had a good mixture of sweet and savory. There's a print out inside, too, that describes each snack, so even if you don't read Japanese (I do not) you'll know what you're eating.

Each box also comes with a different origami piece each month, made by Freedom Japanese Market product coordinator Sanae. She and her husband, Ken, along with their two kids, Juliet and Kevin, are the family behind Freedom Japanese Market!

My favorite thing about Japanese snacks is the colorful and cute packaging! Here's what was inside:

• Lifeguard Candy - This is a thick candy paste that can be squeezed onto chopsticks or a spoon and then be licked like a lollipop! I'm a bad Korean--I haven't purchased any chopsticks since moving into my new apartment almost a year ago. I need to get on that. But, I digress--I haven't actually tried this yet, but it looks interesting!
• Puku-Puku Tai - I've heard of these fish-shaped wafers before and I was really excited to try this! It's filled with strawberry chocolate and it tasted so good.
• Tako-Yaki Senbei - I love senbei. This package had about five or six senbei inside, along with a syrup packet to pour on top. See the end of this post for a picture of the crackers outside of the package.

• Kurabete Neru-Neru - I've seen Japanese DIY candy kits all over the internet but I've never tried one myself. I still have yet to try this, but the candies are pineapple and melon flavored.
• Takenoko no Sato - These are tiny bamboo shoot biscuits coated in matcha milk chocolate. They're a spring exclusive and certainly sound interesting. The matcha milk chocolate sounds yummy, but I'm not so sure about bamboo shoots. Are they real bamboo shoots? Like the pandas eat? Guess I'll have to try them and find out!

• Umaibo - I love these puffed corn tubes! They remind me of cheese puffs, except these weren't cheese flavored. The orange package was salami and the yellow was yakitori (chicken).
• Whistle Ramune Candy - It's hard to tell from the photo above, but inside the package are three Lifesaver-like white candies. They are "ramune" flavored, which is not a flavor I'm familiar with, but I've read from other reviews that they're sweet.
• Umai Candy - These are little hard candies from the makers of the aforementioned Umaibo.
• Kirby Gum - I love Kirby! This is exactly what it sounds like. Little pieces of gum with Kirby on the package.
• Buta-Men Curry Ramen -  What a cute little ramen cup! I'm going to take this to work with me. Or maybe I'll have it as a late-night snack sometime.

• Chocolate Pen - This pen is a bonus item that has little chocolates inside.
• Smartphone Candies - Inside the package are a bunch of little fruit-shaped candies.
• Punch Cola - This is interesting; inside there are tablets that you drop into water to make soda!
• Rice Crackers (Yakiniku) - I love rice crackers so much and I reached for these right away! They had a light, airy texture and good salty flavor.
• Origami of the Month - March is graduation month in Japan, so this month's origami features a fancy kimoni with plum blossoms. It's really beautiful!

Tako-Yaki Senbei

Puku-Puku Tai

This box is so much fun! I love that Freedom Japanese Market sends snacks straight from Japan that aren't readily available in the U.S. I also like that they send a variety of salty and sweet things.

• Visit Freedom Japanese Market to learn more and subscribe!
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram

Bottom Line: Freedom Japanese Market is a great subscription box for anyone who wants to try fun Japanese snacks! The fact that they ship worldwide for free really makes this an affordable subscription that's well worth the price.

Endangered Species Chocolate Review

I love a lot of things, and chocolate and animals are two things that I really love! Endangered Species Chocolate combines these two loves by crafting delicious candy bars and donating 10% of their net profits to partners who help protect, you guessed it, endangered species.

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

The newest addition to the Endangered Species Chocolate link is the Dark Chocolate with Caramel and Sea Salt bar. As with all of the chocolates, this bar is made with fair-trade certified ingredients. It's verified by the Non-GMO Project and is certified gluten-free and vegan. Using ingredients that meet their strict standards for quality, ethical trade, and environmental sustainability is a top priority for Endangered Species Chocolate.

The Dark Chocolate with Caramel and Sea Salt bar is So. Good. The organic caramel center has pink Himalayan sea salt in there as well, which I appreciated--normally I find that candy bars have the sea salt on top of the bar, which can get a little messy. The flavor is just beyond amazing. The bittersweet dark chocolate balances perfectly with the sweetness of the caramel, and the salt cuts through to give you a bit of savory, too.

The wrapper features a Bald Eagle on the front, and inside there's information about the species and the Endangered Species Chocolate 10% GiveBack partners.

They outline current threats to the bald eagle, but do show that the population is increasing! There's also information about The Peregrine Fund, which is not a current GiveBack partner but may be a past or future partner. In the meantime, you can check them out to learn how to help endangered birds like the bald eagle.

Aside from this bar being incredibly delicious, I really like that each purchase helps support programs that promote conservation. Endangered Species Chocolate's current partners are the African Elephant Foundation, which trains rangers, uses sniffer dogs to help prevent poaching, and empowers communities to help benefit both wildlife and humans; and The Xerces Society, which protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

The Endangered Species Chocolate Dark Chocolate with Caramel and Sea Salt bar is available online from Amazon and Lucky Vitamin. It's also available at Kroger, and I saw it at Wegmans recently, too.

• Visit the Endangered Species Chocolate website!
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram

Bottom Line: I love this chocolate bar and I will definitely be purchasing more. I want to try the other flavors that Endangered Species Chocolate has to offer, too! I love that they give back 10% of their net profits to their GiveBack partners, because environmentalism and conservation are causes that I hold close to my heart.

April Snakku Review

Spring is cherry blossom season in Japan, and April's Snakku box celebrates that with sakura-themed snacks! Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossom, and this box did a wonderful job of celebrating the season.

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

Snakku is a unique Japanese snack box because they feature authentic foods that are only available in Japan. And they really mean it! I fell in love with the Tirolian snacks in January's box and was so bummed when I couldn't find them for sale in the U.S.! They also include more popular snacks, like Pocky, so it's a nice and well-rounded selection.

Boxes cost $38.95 per month, and while that may seem high at first glance, consider that they're sending snacks you can't really get a hold of anywhere else. They also package everything up beautifully and include lots of information about all of the snacks.

Here are the authentic snacks for this month. As you can tell from the pretty pink packaging, there's lots of sakura going on here! The snacks are listed clockwise from top left:

• Sakura Senbei - These are seasonal senbei (rice crackers) made with real sakura flowers, cooking sake, dried squid, and wheat. I am not a fan of seafood and I could taste the squid right away, so I didn't care for these, but if you aren't seafood-averse like me then I think you'll love these!
• Sakura Mochi - Mochi are very popular Japanese snacks that are made with a fluffy, jelly-like exterior. These have a sakura blossom and red bean paste filling.
• Japanese Sake KitKat - These are extremely limited edition KitKats celebrating "Hanami," the Japanese tradition of enjoying the blooming cherry blossoms. They're made with real sake, white chocolate, and wafers (with a .8% alcohol content, so not for kids!).
• Kobe Sakura Cream Sandwich - These are so good! The wafer is so light and fluffy and the sakura cream is delicious. I wish I had more of these.
• Morihan Roll Crepe - These cookies are made by Morihan, a tea shop in Kyoto that's been in business since 1836. The pink cookies are made from a mixture of cream and sakura blossoms, and the green is chocolate and premium, hand-picked green tea from Uji Kyoto. I preferred the sweetness of the pink cookies the most, but the green tea ones were great, too!

There was also a really good selection of more widely-available snacks this month!

• Niigata Salt Senbei - I love savory rice crackers and these were absolutely delicious. They're mini sea salt rice crackers from the rural farm prefecture of Niigata.
• Kusugai Peach Gummy - These little gummies are popular in Japan, and I can see why! They're delicious and have a really juicy peach flavor.
• Vegetable Yasai Boro - These are soft wheat cracker balls. The green are spinach and the orange are pumpkin. They're filled with beta-carotene and calcium.
• Baka Uke Sesame Cracker - I loved these! They're twice-toasted soy sauce rice crackers embedded with baked black sesame seeds. The soy sauce flavor was delicious.
• Bourbon Green Tea Cookie - These bite-sized matcha cream filled chocolate cookies are made with high-grade green tea from the Uji Kyoto region.

Here are the Sakura Senbei, Morihan Roll Crepe, Sakura Mochi, and Kobe Sakura Cream Sandwich outside of their packaging.

• Visit Snakku to learn more and subscribe!
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram

Bottom Line: I loved getting to try these sakura-flavored treats! I think this box had a good mix of savory and sweet snacks and it was fun learning more about the cherry blossom season in Japan.