Bride Box and Updates

First of all I know I am waaaay behind my Bride Box and Birchbox "reviews". This is the November Bride Box I received, and I believe this is my last one from my 6 month subscription.
I really like the idea of Bride Box and loved their first 3... after that I felt like the quality of the boxes had gone down hill. They are more about advertising (which I understand you need to do) than filling the boxes with fun stuff for the bride or the big day. As I am partially sad I will not be receiving it anymore, I am kind on glad I wont be faced with any more disappointing boxes. I still get my Ipsy bag every month and those have been great!!

Here is the November Bride Box:

My last box

First quick look of contents

 

This is one of the nice surprised from this month. I am not "sweating for the wedding" but I plan on wearing this while vegging on the couch with some potato chips. It also has an adorable pink bow in the back.

I have no idea what this is, what it's suppose to be, what I am suppose to do with it.
Bride box no longer gives out the info cards they once did and I can not find this on the website (I will have to stalk one of my favorite blogs and see if she has an explanation for this)

By the way: It's basically an ornament filled with beads and tinsel and little "diamond" thingy. A 5 year old could have made this.

Blood orange scented candle. I love the candle and the smell, they are passing it off as a favor for guest. Not sure how I feel about that. It's nice but not overwhelmingly great.

(Gray bag): The gift bags you give your guest as they check into the hotel, cute bag, but that's all it is, there is NOTHING inside. Like at least pack it like you would a guest bag. (FYI: We have decided not to do welcome bags, sorry to disappoint any one)

The second item is a sample of skin care product stuff. Eh.

 

 

The only thing that was "WOW great!" was the tank top. Also as we move closer to the wedding, I am realizing I have A LOT of my components already taken care of, so I find a lot of the bride box items unless. Like I said, I loved my first 3 boxes, they were great, and there were little things in each of the others I loved.

All opinions are my own.

 

Updates:

 

 

We have officially booked our officiant. Josh and I sat down with him this morning. He is great, very warm and welcoming. Its also very soothing to have someone to take all the stress and pressure off of me, but still preform the ceremony the way we want it, individualized.

 

Josh has also pulled off the most rocking rehearsal dinner ever!!!! I'm so excited. Referring again to the previous post, I apologize to out of town family, but we just can not have that big of a rehearsal, so it is being kept to the bridal party, parents, and grandparents.
Thank you for your understanding.

 

We are sitting down with Josh's dad in a few weeks to make a final decision on wedding invitation and get those printed.

 

Things are moving along very quickly, but I cannot wait until wedding day to finally be Josh's Mrs.

5 Months to Go

We are down to just 1 hand in counting, 1 hand, can you believe it!?!?!

I feel like everything is going to snowball from this point on. I am literally going to trip and it's going to be wedding day!
The snow ball effect all starts with Josh's step-sister getting married this last Saturday, and it was wonderful.
This Friday is the start of hockey season (I know, not really wedding related, but it is where we met, and it was the opener game we met at too).

There isn't my usual check list for this month:

• The ceremony venue has completed its renovation/remodel and we are planning a walk through to decide final decorations.
• I did a trail for my hair, it did not come out exactly what I wanted, so I am moving to plan B and we will try again.
• Have a final settlement on the centerpieces and a firm plan on how to attack DYI them
• We have decided what the Mothers will be given to wear on the wedding day to replace a corsage.

To continue with the snowball effect: Halloween, we are seeing Michael Buble, then one of my best friends (who is 1 of my maids of honor) and I her bridesmaid bachelorette party, then Thanksgiving, then her wedding, off to TSO after that, then my wedding crafting and DIY party, the Christmas, my bridal shower, Valentine's day, my bachelorette party, Josh's bachelor party, rehearsal and WEDDING!!!!
See I trip and its wedding day! :)
I could not be more excited though and I keep having dreams and visions of me walking down the aisle to my hunny.

Also: I am behind on my Bride Box and Josh's Birchbox. For me, I wasn't overwhelmed with my Bride Box and kind of just let it pass, hopefully this month will be better, my last box it Nov from the 6 month subscription. I may/or may not depending on time, get Josh's up this month. It was more or less the same as the other boxes, same stuff, different brands, and the "big" item wasn't anything to write about.

On another side note: When all is said and down with the wedding (and possibly honeymoon) I can turn this blog into a book as a forever keepsake!!
I believe I have mentioned this before, that this blog will not just stop after the wedding, I plan on keeping up with it through our time as newlyweds, and any adventures along the way.

August Bride Box

I received my August Bride Box a week ago. I am a little behind on my blog post.
Also Saturday was my 27th birthday! It was an amazing birthday weekend and couldn't have asked  for anything better! Friday night Josh took me Bonefish Grill for dinner. Saturday mom made me empanadas and I have my friends come over for dinner also. After dinner we went out to a hookah bar. Sunday morning we went back to Bonefish for brunch, with endless mimosas! YUM! Then the big finale of the weekend was a Backstreet Boys reunion concert. I felt like I was 12 all over again! I squealed and sang along with almost every song and I had a goofy, blissful smile on the entire time! :)

So back to the Bride Box. I got my shipping confirmation in my email almost 2 weeks ago, but it took a while for the box to actually get on the move, but it final arrived!

The info card. The theme this month was "Beautify You"

 

Sample size tinted moisturizer

Apothederm Anti-aging skin care

I guess I can start an anti-aging regiment at any time, why not before my big day

Tucker Hill- Bubble bath

These look so nice and relaxing. I can't wait to get into the bath tub with some wine or champagne

Zosimos Botanicals- natural beauty

The left is a small (sample size) lip gloss, its a great small size to store almost anywhere. I'm not sure about the color in the tube, it looks a little dark, but I haven't tried it on yet. The left is an eye shadow color is purple, but I especially love the lose power eye shadows that's always what I find myself using the most.

Willow Tree Minerals- finishing veil powder

I am excited to use this. Its a finishing powder to put on top of your makeup when you are finished to help minimize pores & shine.

Noell Desiree earrings

I love these. Although I don't often wear dangles, these seem like a lot of fun and they are a pale yellow. Now I already have my earrings picked out for my wedding. I may be wearing these for the bridal shower and rehearsal

 

 

Also included in the box was a $15 gift certificate for Hearts. I browsed their site quickly, but I'm sure I can find something to spend my certificate on.

 

Was this my favorite box? No, but I still love the concept of The Bride Box and I'm excited what the next 3 months hold!! :)

 

In other news: Josh and I are looking at houses. We aren't forcing anything and don't have a specific time line to do this one, so we can relax during this process. If we find the perfect house during this time then so be it.

I do have wedding news and updates but those will come in the monthly update in a few days :)

Subscription Boxes

Ok so there is this whole new world out there of subscription boxes. They have one for EVERYTHING!

Here is a review of the 3 I received for July:

BirchBox Man: is a $20 a month subscriptions for men. They usually have samples of men skin care products and some fun things in there for them as well. Since I was receiving the Bride Box, I figured I'd get one for Josh to enjoy. I received this box on Saturday July 13

The box. It was a very nice, no frills box. July's box was inspired by the show on USA Suits

 

 

The information card. I like how it tells you what each product is and how to use it

 

The flip side of the information card give you info on the show Suits and what you can expect from the products inside and what best situations to use them in.

 

Contents:

Billy Jealousy (Adrenaline junkie energizing facial scrub) & Toweldry (Thickening shampoo) both sample sizes. Josh has yet to try either one, but the facial scrub smells amazing! Facial full size $24 & Shampoo full size $16

 

Balla Power (sample size) full size $15

A premium talcum powder to sprinkle everywhere and anywhere on the body to curb perspiration and order

Wukin Stiffs $20

2.5 inch power stays. I am very excited about these, they are wedding worthy. I typically hate the rental shirts they give you when renting the suit or tux, so I am getting him a new bright white, slim fitted button down shirt and these will be perfect for keeping the points picture perfect.

 

Roosevelt supply card case $25

Slim leather hold forbuisness cards, credit cards, and cash. I think this is great and very suave. I change my giant purse into a smaller wristlet when we go out, why shouldn't guys? This would be great for a date night or night out, without having the bigger bulk of the full wallet. All they need is an ID, card, and cash.

 

 

Would I continue this box? I like that the collar stiffs and the wallet are double the cost of the box, so it paid for itself. Yes, probably. I think its nice to get the dude in on the action and from what I've seen in previous boxes, they get really super spoiled!

 

Josh's perspective: Lately I've been watching this one with her bride boxes and I thought to myself, Hey, how come I don't have one? Well, a couple of days later, she hands me a small box, and I realize, she DID get me a box. I was both surprised and pleased. I really liked the magnetic collar stiffs just because it's gadgety cool and the card case because its slim and the smell of leather is always good. the other stuff is all hygienic and hair thickening shampoo which I'm going to try soon.

 

 

Ipsy: is a $10 a month subscription for women beauty prodects. I chose them over birchbox for woman because you get a little more variety and typically full size/travel size items. I have been stalking this bag's tracking for weeks and it finally arrived. I have also been trying to avoid spoilers via facebook or instagram.

 

Ipsy comes in a bag that stores everything. However this may not be my favorite color or bag (I've seen past ones that are ADORABLE) It will be a great bag to put all my beauty contents into from my purse

Second view out of the bag

Coola

This is a sample size of mineral sunscreen and tinted moustirizer (and its organic). I don't typically use things like this, but if its given to me I will give it a try. I cant find the exact one, but full size is about $42

Pop

Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush. Looks like you can get a 6 pack kit at Ulta for $25. I would not have picked this color off the shelf, but with the orange/coral lip color working it way around Hollywood its not obnoxious on.

BHcosmetics California Collection

I browsed their site very quickly and they are not overly priced. Again not colors I would pick off the shelf, but I do need to get out of my black rut, and the purple looks like a nice alternative.

 

Benefit tinted lip & cheek stain

I am a SUCKER for lip stains, I have tried a bunch of brands and types. This really excited me. I have the benefit brand foundation power and LOVE it. They are pricey full size for the lip & cheek tint is $30.  

Big Sexy Hair: Weather Proof

I don't usually use a lot on my hair, but this may come in handy with FL weather's and all. This appears to be travel size. Full size $18.95 at Ulta





 

 

I really like this ipsy bag, and will continue with my subscription.

 

 

Bride Box: this is my second bride box, I signed up for the 6-month subscription so I should be receiving it up until September. I was in LOVE with my first box from them and was super excited to get this month. They ship from West Palm area, so I literally get mine the next day. I get it before they even send out the email with the tracking info. :) I got to get a sneak peek at this box as soon as it was delivered, but didn't get to dig through it until I got home. I was SO EXCITED to start digging in it! First look was awesome, and didn't disappoint!

 

The box. I love the sticker and the plain white box!

 

Inside first look with the info card. The theme was "Last fling before the ring". A bachelorette inspired box! YAY!

 

The information card

 

The second look. See that green bubble wrap? Its the best for last!!!

Custom Printed Eyewear

These are kind of cool. They would make a great photo booth prop (which my friend is doing for her wedding) and to wear and take pictures for the bachelorette party. $14

Dare to Do It Cards

I flipped through a few of these when I opened the package and they seem like fun! They go from extreme to mildy inappropriate. They are available at the Bride Box shop, but are not up there yet.

The Crafty Vixen

Again this is something fun for photo booths or to wear at the bachelorette party. However I wish it said something other than "team bride", maybe something more like "bride to be" or "future Mrs." They have a lot of options on the site and customizable ones. $16

Plastic shot glass

I cant really write much more that that. It is coupled with the deck of card to be available on the Bride Box shop.

Sticker Ship wine glass

This is AWESOME! One can never have too many wine glasses. The site does so much more than wine glasses, I am going to have to browse it more in depth. $12-16

 

 

I am even more excited for my August Bride Box! They keep getting better and better! They are definably worth the $30 (because I had a coupon) a month

 

*Please remember you can leave comments on the blog for a particular post. Would love to hear your feedback*

 

June Bride Box

I signed up for The Bride Box. I got a coupon discount via facebook. I have been looking into signing up for one when I saw the May box on facebook. I'm glad I did! I opted for the 6 month subscription. I am super excited to see what is in store for the next  5 months.They are a fairly new company, I think the May box was their very first. But I think this a great thing for any bride.
There are similar versions of "boxes" one is Birch Box, which is makeup and beauty products. (visit the small things blog to learn more about those.) I think it's great there is one veered mostly to brides. :)

 

While planning the wedding and making decisions on things you need or want its nice to get a little surprise once a month on things you would have never thought of! This box was filled with things I would have never gotten for myself, but they instantly put a smile on my face. I spoke with the creators of the box, and filled out a survey, and they sent me an extra bonus of the "I do" rhinestone stickers for the bottom of your shoes (which was included in the May box).
Below are pictures on the items:

 

lollipop, flower petals, wine charms, hair ties

Bath bombs

Cookies

 

You can purchase each of these items individually via the  links or at www.thebridebox.net

A few things that I am most excited for are:

• The bath bombs, because even now they smell FANTASTIC!
• The non-damaging hair ties, because there is 1 in my wedding colors, and another that is sparkly white! YAY!

The cookie mix was an awesome unexpected surprise, and while it may not be "bridal" what girl doesn't love cookies!

The lollipop is super cool, and I'm thinking of using it as a favor for some event, be it mine, or another friend that is getting married. I would have never thought of this without it being including in the box. According to the site you can customize them as well, with  over 1,000 flavor combos. (And chances are I'm looking for boozy ones).

The rose petals are really neat too, you can customize them by what you want to have written on them. These would be nice to use as an outer edge to an isle runner or scattered on the table at the reception.

The sparklers are sparklers, I am most excited to use them at the wedding for the slow shutter time whimsical, fairy tale looking pictures. :)

 

The "I do" stickers were a great  surprise. They can double as my "something blue". And since there is going to be a shoe change at some point in the evening I want to get/makes ones that say "I did" for the reception shoes.