Love with Food: now with more purpose

November 15, 2012 - Mel

The Thanksgiving Box (aka: Fall Favorites) from Love with Food was curated by Amy Roloff of TLC’s “Little People, Big World.” As always, it’s such an exciting box of goodies to receive on a monthly basis.

Each box received, a meal is donated to a hungry child via food banks across America. For November and December, Love with Food is doubling its donations to help support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in the hardest hit areas of New Jersey and New York.

This month’s box included:
Truffle Piglet from Hagensborg Chocolates
Inka Corn from Inka Crops
Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Skeeter Snacks
Mango Pear Pineapple from Fruit.o
Mini Crunch from Mrs. May’s (LOVE!!!)
Turkey Bak Kiva Jerky from Little Red Dot Kitchen (um, boyfriend ate this immediately)
Original Mulling Spices Blend from Aspen Mulling Co.
Pumpkin Spice Tea from Stash Tea Company

Check out last month’s box here.

Disclaimer: this post includes referral links, to which I earn “cash back” for all new subscriptions. I donate these funds back to Love with Food to help the organization feed more hungry children.

LoveWithFood: continuing your love of monthly subscription boxes

October 23, 2012 - Mel

Group Therapy Time: Let’s talk a little about these monthly subscription boxes.
I. Am. Addicted.

Monthly beauty boxes.
Samplers of nail polishes.
A personal stylist who ships me a package of designer clothes so I can “shop” at home.
A box full of healthy, organic snacks from small, independent companies.
A box full of snacks that contributes to a GOOD CAUSE.

That last one? Let’s welcome to the group: Love With Food. I mean, who doesn’t love food, right?!

Every month, Love With Food subscribers receive a curated box of unique tasty bites based on seasonal themes. For your $12/month (or $120/year) membership, you get to sample different products each month, earn points by leaving feedback on your shipped products and enjoy exclusive discounts to full-sized products featured in your monthly box. Points can be used to buy products for FREE, and there’s a wonderful online community to discover great recipes and connect with other food enthusiasts.

My box this month included these samples:
Organic tea from Pu-erh Tea
Honey straws from Nature’s Kick
Cranberry Orange cookies from Natasha’s Health Nut Cookies
Mountain Mambo Mix from Enjoy Life Foods
Cheddar Cheese Baked Fries from Snikiddy
Applesauce from GoGo Squeez
Acai Sesame Strips from Mrs. May’s Naturals

Even better? Love With Food helps more than 16 million children in the U.S. who are at risk of hunger. For every box sold, the organization donates a meal to various food banks, such as the Feeding America Network and Share Our Strength – No Kid Hungry.

Snack time feels good, doesn’t it?

Disclosure: Affiliate link used throughout post. Subscribers receive monetary compensation for referrals, to which I donate back to Love With Food for them to continue the Good Work.

My last Birchbox…

June 23, 2012 - Mel

You know that instinct when something is just not “clicking.” That’s been the relationship between me and Birchbox for, well, longer than I care to admit. Yet, I continued on, hoping that “things” would change. Those “things” mind you, were the possibility of receiving ACTUAL makeup.

birchbox box

The monthly beauty subscription boxes were fun at first, but the excitement quickly faded. And all I was left with was yet another face moisturizer and smaller-than-a-sample size of hair treatment. Meh.

Last month, I said goodbye to Birchbox… of course, they were still a little attached to me and my credit card — charging me for my monthly subscription and sending me the box anyway. To BB’s credit, the amount was refunded, but not until after canceling again, submitting a cancellation survey, emailing their customer service… and then tweeting about it. Again, meh.

PS: This is one of several issues that I’ve had with their site. A prior problem was showing double items in my cart & I couldn’t remove the extra for days. And another wouldn’t let me use my points (again, eventually corrected itself).

Without further ado, the contents of the final box — JET SET box:
Faux lashes – winks by Georgie » LOVE faux lashes. SUCK at faux lashes. I can’t hate getting another pair to practice once again, however.
Shampoo – Hair Rules » yet another hair sample. BORING.
Packaged face cleanser wipes – La Fresh » I’ll use these. Straight to the skate bag!
Stainiac – theBalm cosmetics » haven’t used yet, but added it to all the other lip things that I hope to use one day. I just love my sugar fresh too much to use anything else right now.
BONUS: a printed plastic travel pouch from tili. I’ll use this, for sure.

For what it’s worth, I would definitely recommend the sample subscription service — it’s fun and a surprise at only $10 a month. I’m just underwhelmed by the promise of AWESOME THINGS and frequently disappointed in return.

Alas, for now I bid adieu, Birchbox!