October 2012 Eco Emi

Eco Emi is a monthly green product sampler service. Each month, for $15 (or $30 for non-U.S. residents), members receive between five and ten samples of organic makeup, skincare, candles, food, and/or other items.

I like the orange and black packaging. The confetti pieces are cute too. Here's what this box contained:

Star Anise & Coffee Handmade Natural Soap by Dew Puff.

ZenSociety Tea Tree Facial Cleanser.

SheaRadiance Maximum Curl Defining Cream.

The All Natural Face Vegan Lip Gloss in Copper Kisses.

Get Clean Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate.

Ola! Vanilla Almond Granola.

Organic Smoothie Fruit Snacks by Tasty Bite.

Today was also the first day of POTM! I walked 9 miles today!! :) I'm visiting my friend in San Francisco - it is crazy hilly here!!! I'm positive my glutes got a good work out. Tomorrow I'm going to try to find a slightly flatter area to go for a jog.

Crazy hills!

Mileage today: 9 miles

Total mileage: 9 miles

~ Susan

July 2012 Pink Moment

Pink Moment is a monthly subscription service. Each month subscribers receive an eco-friendly bag filled with eco-friendly samples. Most of the samples are beauty and skin care samples, with some food products. There are three types of memberships ranging from $12 to $14 a month.

This month I received:

Olivella Bath & Shower Gel
 

 I've already used this. I was able to wash half a leg. If they keep sending us free samples (as this packet is clearly marked), I hope that they start sending at least two of each.

TheraNeem Organix Neem Therape Cleansing Bar

I actually really like using bars to cleanse my face. I just ran out of my gel facial cleanser, so I'll start using this.

EarthScience Gentle Skin Peel

Another free sample packet.

Teamotions Apple Cinnamon Chamomile
 

Loose chamomile tea.


Pharmacopia Verbana & Green Tea Body Lotion

Free sample packet number three.

Eden Organic Kamut Ditalini

Kamut is an ancient grain, I think it's still a form of wheat, but maybe it's meant to be healthier than regular whole wheat.

Pink Moment never includes a print out with information about the products like other sample services usually do. They also don't provide any discount information (coupon codes) from the companies that have products included. I like Pink Moment, because they're exposing me to a lot of brands I've never heard of. However, this just doesn't seem like it's worth $14.

What do you think?

~ Susan

July 2012 Julep Maven

The Julep Maven program is a monthly mail subscription of nail polish/nail polish related things. There are several different sets of boxes that are sent out each month. This is the Boho Glam set/box. American Beauty was the style assigned to me when I took the style quiz when I initially signed up, but each month subscribers receive an email with the option to switch to whichever style you prefer. You can also choose to forgo a month or sent your box to a friend.

They've started adding sweets to each box. I usually end up giving these to the children I teach.

This box contained three nail polishes:

• Georgia -golden coral micro-shimmer
• Mischa - a cherry scarlet micro-shimmer
• America- The Beautiful - a shiny red with royal blue glitter and silver stars

I'm going to paint my nails with Mischa and America- The Beautiful tonight for July the 4th tomorrow! 

•  Julep Lip Vernis in Poppy, a peachy coral creme

I'd much rather have had another nail polish... but whatever. It's a pretty color, but the only thing I have more of than nail polishes are lip glosses.

If you'd like to receive monthly Julep Maven boxes, you can sign up here. Use the promo code "COLOR2012" to get your first box for only a penny.

~ Susan

June 2012 Julep Maven

I got my June Julep Maven box. The Julep Maven program is a monthly mail subscription of nail polish/nail polish related things. There are several different sets of boxes that are sent out each month. This is the American Beauty set/box. American Beauty was the style assigned to me when I took the style quiz when I initially signed up, and I have to say that they really got my style down! However, each month there's the option to switch to whichever style you prefer. You can also choose to skip a month or send your box to a friend.

I adore the orange and yellow packaging. :) They also sent some pixie sticks. The food stuff they're sending is becoming a bit odd - I don't think of sweets when I think of nail polish. They also sent two extra nail polish caps/brushes because some people complained about the quality of those sent in last month's box.

My box contained:

• Courteney - green nail polish 
• Lily - pink nail polish

• Julep SPF 30 Daylight Defense for Hands & Face
• Julep SPF 15 Daylight Defense for Lips

 You can sign up for the Julep Maven subscription service here. Use the promo code "COLOR2012" in order to get your first box for only a penny!

~ Susan

June 2012 Green Grab Bag

Green Grab Bag is a subscription service run by White Apricot, a website/newsletter about eco-friendly shopping.

Each month, for $15, you get at least six samples of eco-friendly products. These usually include skin/hair care products, makeup, and fragrances. You can also buy a year's subscription for $145 (20% off).

Brigit True Organics Magic Skin Balm

This healing herbal salve combats everything from bites to burns. I'll stick this with my travel supplies to take on vacations.

Pangea Organics Facial Scrub

Polish your skin with this award-winning scrub that scrub that is gentle enough for daily use. I just finished up my exfoliator, so the timing of getting this is perfect.

JourneysMother Lotion Pellets

The natural alternative to liquid lotion, these little pellets melt with skin's heat for major moisturizing. Cocoa lavender vanilla sounds like an interesting combination - I love lavender/vanilla stuff, so I hope I like this too.

Lily of Hawaii Hale O Moani Aromatic Balm

Bring the beauty of the islands to your beauty routine when you slather on this delicious smelling balm. I'm assuming this is the sample - all the container says is "Earthen Spice."

Glam Nation Natural Perfection Eye and Makeup Remover

This organic cleanser can tackle even the most stubborn mascara. This packaging is strange - it looks like there are supposed to be two other samples.

Organic Indulgence Lip Butter

Yummy chocolate mint flavored balm keeps lips lusciously soft and kiss-ably smooth with a blend of all natural ingredients.

I like this bag - there's a fair amount of stuff, the products aren't cheap, but they're also not so expensive that I know I'll never buy them.

~ Susan

May 2012 Eco Emi

Eco Emi is a monthly green product sampler service. Each month, for $15 (or $30 for non-U.S. residents), members receive between five and ten samples of organic makeup, skincare, candles, food, and/or other items. 

The May Eco Emi box contained:

• Beanitos - these chips are made from Pinto beans and flaxseed... I tried them out and had to toss them because they tasted like cardboard
• Balsam & Citrus Candle Tin by Beeluxe - this candle is made from 100% clean, natural ingredients

• Barlean's Omega Swirl Vegan Oil in Blackberry and Fish Oil in Mango Peach - these "swirls" are a natural way to get your Omegas. I have tried their fish oil before, and (at least for me) I'd rather have straight-up fish oil than a fruit/fish hybrid. I'll try the Vegan Oil in the hope that it's remotely palatable.

•  The Seaweed Bath Co. Wildly Natural Seaweed Argan Shampoo and Conditioner - These hair products contain a combination of seaweed extract, argan oil, and Vitamin E which helps to leave your hair moisturized after a shower

• Elbee's Original Garlic Seasoning and Rub - this seasoning is packed full of garlic and peppers. It came with two different recipes both tailored to the exact amount of seasoning that we received

• The All Natural Face Tangerine Vegan Lip Exfoliant - natural exfoliating ingredients remove dead skin while nutritious oils leave your lips deeply moisturized

• Chocolat Lip Balm by Beeluxe - a chocolate lip balm made from organic ingredients

• The All Natural Face Mint Infused Vegan Lip Gloss in Peppermint Icing - peppermint oils simultaneously plump and soothe lips 

• Glee Gum in Spearmint - Glee uses natural chicle to get a chewable texture as opposed to the synthetic resins many other companies use

~ Susan

June 2012 Pink Moment

Pink Moment is a monthly subscription service. Each month subscribers receive an eco-friendly bag filled with eco-friendly samples. Most of the samples are beauty and skin care samples, with some food products. There are three types of memberships ranging from $12 to $14 a month.

This month I received:

• Eden Organic Small Vegetable Shells
• Deep Steep Grapefruit Bergamot Body Lotion
• Giovanni Daily Color Defense Shampoo and Conditioner (one of each color)
• Moist Stik Natural Lip Protection
• Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap
• Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid

This month's offerings seem pretty good, but by searching online I found that several members were unhappy with previous months. So, I think I'll see what I get next month and decided whether or not to keep signed up.

~ Susan

P.S. - there were absolutely no animals out tonight when I went running... I have no clue why there were so many last night

May 2012 Green Grab Bag

My Green Grab Bag came in the mail a couple weeks ago.

Green Grab Bag is a subscription service run by White Apricot, a website/newsletter about eco-friendly shopping. Each month, for $15, you get at least six samples of eco-friendly products. These usually include skin/hair care products, makeup, and fragrances. You can also buy a year's subscription for $145 (20% off).

My bag contained:

Egyptian Magic Face and Body Cream

This hydrating cream can be used for almost anything. You can read The Glamorganic Goddess' review of it here.

Aura Cacia Shower Tabs

These are aromatic, effervescent pure essential oil tablets.


Elemental Herbs Sunscreen

An all-natural, broad-spectrum sunscreen.


Golden Earth Chakra Wellness Oils

 

These oils are derived from specific plants that resonate with each chakra.


Beauty from Flowers Serums and Cleansers


This skin care line is created from a wide variety of flowers and filled with plant antioxidants, nutrients from the sea, essential oils, and more. Somehow I've lost this sample... but I'm pretty sure I got a small vial of the Iris Florentina Elixir Serum, which is meant to refine pores and reduce the depth of wrinkles.

Clairvoyant Beauty Toners

This is a really large sample! I think it's full-seized. This toner restores your skin to its natural state, removing traces of cleansers and stimulating pores to tighten.

~ Susan

May 2012 Julep Maven

I received this box the first week of May. I received the American Beauty selection.

Julep Maven is a monthly subscription service that costs $19.99 a month. Each month, Mavens receive nail polish and other products for nails, hands, and feet. Every month, you get an email letting you know what you'll receive with the option to switch to a different set of items if you don't like what you see. You can also choose to forgo a month or sent your box to a friend.

I have to say though - the style quiz I took when I signed up was pretty accurate. I usually stick with my chosen selection.

They seem to add more and more extras each month!

My box contained:

• The Best Pedi Prep Ever! - Super exfoliating AHA's combine with chamomile extract to soften and prepare calluses for foot filing. It's easily applied with a roll-on.
• Eva Nail Vernis - a juicy raspberry creme
• Renee - a spring lilac creme
• a magnet
• a foot file
• a small sample of The Best Pedi Creme Ever! - this creme exfoliates with alpha hydroxy acids, hydrates with shea butter and coconut oil, and nourishes with vitamin E. Julep suggests that you apply it nightly.

While I really like what I get each month, I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep subscribed to Julep Maven - a girl can only have so many bottles of nail polish!

You can sign up for the Julep Maven subscription service here.

~ Susan

May 2012 Conscious Box

Conscious Box is a monthly subscription service that focuses on "sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility."

According to the Conscious Box Website each month subscribers:

• Get a variety of unique pure & natural products
• Sample organic food to vegan beauty products
• Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes
• Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use the box

While month-by-month subscriptions costs $12 plus $7 shipping, I paid $64 for six months plus $7 per month for shipping. This comes out to about $17.67 per box.

The boxes usually ship around the 6th of each month, I received this box on the 10th.


The theme of this box is "Refresh."

My May box contained:

• Better Life - a nutrient-rich, hydrating body lotion that is free of parabens, silicones, and synthetic ingredients that has not been tested on animals
• CANFO Natural Products - Flush Me - pills to promote a body detox, they promise to "have you feeling lighter and more energetic in just one weekend"
• Good Nature Tea - this tea is grown in the mountains of Macedonia
• Mayesa - an organic cacao and hemp protein drink
• Natural Vitality - a liquid way to drink your vitamins that contains more than 200 antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and health-boosting enzymes
• Ultima Replenisher - a plant-based and naturally sweet ---- that provides a fresh boost of nutrients
• Mate Factor - Yerba Mate tea is rich in anti-oxidants
• Vaska - a hypoallergenic laundry soap that is free of NPEs, chlorine, phosphates, alcohol, and EPA-priority pollutants and dyes
• Bambooee - a sustainable alternative to paper towels, each sheet lasts up to a week and a half and is biodegradable when you're done
• Wembe - soap
• Dr. Tung's - toothbrush sanitizer that works by releasing essential oil vapors
• TDPO Unlimited - organic cedar wood soap that is blended with mandarin essential oils

~ Susan

April 2012 Eco Emi Box

Eco Emi is a monthly green product sampler service. Each month, for $15 (or $30 for non-U.S. residents), members receive between five and ten samples of organic makeup, skincare, candles, food, and/or other items.

Love the color combo. However, there seems to be something on a couple of my products. Maybe one of the bronzers broke open at some point, because there is metallic brown stuff on some of my things. The actual bronzer if fine, but when I was going through the package I was like - why are my hands turning brown?! This happened in my last Eco Emi box too...

My April box contained:

• Natural Toothpaste by Dr. Collins
• Mate Factor Tea Yerba Mate Tropical Lime Tea
• Seaweed Bath Company Seaweed Body Wash in Eucalyptus and Peppermint
• Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Raw Fair Trade Honey
• Burts Bees Lip Shimmer in Plum 
• Shea Radiance Whipped Shea Butter with Kalahari Melon Seed Oil
• Alabu Skin Care Baby Me Ultra Moisturizing Goat Milk Soap
• Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Bronzer in Golden
• Catalyst Gourmet Enchanting Chai Line Gourmet Enhancers, Finishing Sugars, and Spiced Chocolates

The box also contained a pamphlet made out of...

ELEPHANT POOP!!! (or, pooh, as the creators call it)

Crazy. To learn more about elephants and their poop, check out www.meelliepooh.com.

~ Susan