Saturday, June 20, 2015

Red Paw Paw June (winter) 2015

 Look what arrived on my doorstep yesterday!  Now, i'm not sure whether this will be my last box or not, they're changing up their payments again, so my subscription is null and void.  The cheapest a RPP subscription will be from now is $10 plus postage (which if the postage hasn't changed will be $22 for me), and there are only limited amounts of them.  If i can nab one i will. 

I'm also slightly concerned about the longevity of the company.  The Redpawpaw facebook page has disappeared, which never bodes well.  The company has a new box, Spiced Fig (which is at a much higher price point than RPP), and since it came on to the market, the RPP box seems to have suffered.

Customer service is still on the ball, though.  I had a double payment taken, i emailed CS late on the Friday of the long weekend, had a reply on the Monday (public holiday), and the money was back in my account by Wednesday!
 My box was heavy!  And as you can see, fair full.
 Rice Bubbles Multigrain Shapes-$4.99-full size  These were breakfast for at least 1 child this morning.  They're yummy!
Ritz Paprika-$2.00-full size  These are a new flavour on the market.  2 packets too
Dolmio-$2.49-full size  Hubby started drooling when he saw this.  Another new item on the market
 Sunrice-$5.00-full size  I was part of the original trial team for this!  They're really yummy
Belvita-$4.00-full size  These will always get eaten in this household
 Sipahh straws-$2.13-full size (kind of)  This size pack is sold in supermarkets, but were also sent out as a free sample from Sipahh.  The kids love them, though, so another pack will get used
Lipton Caramel Chai Latte-90c-sample size Yum!
Uncle Toby's Quick Oats-$1.37-sample size  The older kids have been loving these sachets for breakfast, they can make them themselves. 
Air Wick Silhouettes-$9.99-full size  This is probably the only thing i'm slightly iffy over.  They aren't on the coles or the woolies website (i took the price from a review i found), and i saw some on a woolies clearance trolley yesterday.  So they may not be available any longer.  But they are very pretty, and are making the area near my front door smell lovely.

Total=$48.86 As per usual the majority of my prices are taken from Woolworths online shopping

I'm slightly divided over this box.  The value is there, but almost half of it is taken by a product that no longer seems available.  There are some brand new products, though, which makes up for it.

I plan on trying to secure another subscription, the value is still in it for me at the moment.  So we'll see.

Are you still a RPP subscriber?  Do you plan on continuing?

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Violet Box/Sportsbet Box

Morning all!

Violet Box had a promo running a couple of months ago, the first 500 (i think it was 500) people to sign up to Sportsbet and place $5 in their new account would receive a special VB.  You could bet on any market, in any mix of smaller bets (i know a lot of people get up in arms over VB 'encouraging' betting, it isn't something that worries me.  There are more than enough betting agencies advertising their wares on tv etc, for something like this to stress me out).  Hubby likes to place small bets on NRL games, so he signed up for the offer, and 'his' box rocked up this morning (on an offside, from that $5 he's claimed over $50, so in reality this box cost us nothing).
The box is made up of products from previous boxes, with no card (which would have been nice).
Naobay Oxygenating Cream Moisturiser

By memory this was quite an expensive sample.  It's what i'm using currently, and i really like it, so an extra sample is welcome (originally in the December 2014 Box)

Clarisea SeaSalt Rapid Detox Charcoal Exfoliant

I love this stuff!  And i love having another sample size.  This lasts roughly a month, and leaves my skin feeling amazing (originally in the November 2014 box)

Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel

Another nice product, although i haven't finished my original sample yet (originally in the January 2015 box)

Lonvitalite 24K Active Gold Eye Mask

Meh.  They'll get used, but not something i'm overly impressed with (originally in the January 2015 box)
The Cosmetic Kitchen Raw Chocolate Clay Mask

I'm getting the impression the Jan box really didn't sell well, as this is the 3rd product in this box that also appeared there.  I haven't opened my original, so yeah (originally in the January 2015 box)
Doucce Mineral Matte Lipstick

I wish this was in a different colour, as i love my original.  However this colour is right up my mum's alley, so it's going to go to a good home (originally in the March 2015 box)
Coastal Scents Go Palette

These came out in boxes last year, i got the Cairo but desperately wanted the Beijing.  This is the Beijing!!!  Yay!  (originally in the December 2014 box)

Swatches!
Middle row

Bottom row

Top row


All in all it's not a bad box for $5. The 2 full size products are worth close to $50 alone, and i got the colour of 1 i wanted!  Win.



Friday, June 5, 2015

Violet Box May 2015

Afternoon lovelies!

First things first, i'm so sorry for the lack of posts the last month.  I've been battling a bout of depression (don't ask me why, i don't know myself), and i'm finally on the other side.

Violet Box is again lacking a product that was promised from their May box, hence it's late arrival.  I don't know why all the boxes don't plan ahead so that everything is at the warehouse by the start of the month, ready to ship, but i know i'm not overly impressed that a last minute substitution had to be made again.  It lowers the value of each box.
Hmmm, looks interesting......
Mistura Kabuki Brush-RRP $14.95-full size

This was a sneak peek.  It is a synthetic brush, without a handle (to fit the palm of your hand, making contouring easier).  It's lovely and soft, although i tend to gravitate towards brushes with handles.  Still i'll have a play around with it.
Soak Skin Booster Body Lotion-RRP $29.95-sample size

This is infused with chia seeds (oh la-di-da!), so that it delivers 'super nutrients' to your skin.  Ummmm, firstly, what uppity sounding crap, and second of all, why does everything have to be a 'super' something.  There's probably as much of the nutrients they're talking about in an apple.  However, this leaves your skin feeling amazing, so soft and moisturised.  It doesn't really smell of anything distinguishable, but smells 'clean', and absorbs instantly.  I can see myself buying more.
Hair & Me Rejuvenation Treatment-RRP $19.95-full size

This was supposed to be in the April box, however didn't arrive in time to be shipped.  This is a prewash treatment, so you put it through your hair for 45 minutes, then wash your hair (twice!) and condition as normal.  Sounds interesting.  It contains organic coconut, macadamia, jojoba and almond oils (and that's it!), so in warm climates could be quite liquidy (to the point that they recommend fridging it so it's easier to use, here in Canberra that isn't a concern at the moment, it's a solid at room temp).  It doesn't really smell of anything.
Urban Skincare Co. Backstreet Collection Infuse Body Balm-RRP $12.95-sample size

This smells amazing!  Like lemongrass (if you read this blog regularly you might get the idea i like lemongrass.  I in fact LOVE lemongrass!).  I don't think this absorbs as easily as the Soak, but it smells pretty!  It promises the world (reversing visible signs of aging, blah, blah, blah), although how you'll discover any of that with a sample is beyond me.
Meraki Body Body Scrub-RRP $17-sample size

I went hunting to find out a bit about this brand, and the info from VB is slightly incorrect.  VB says this is from Meraki By Design, however the beauty products are by a spin off company, Meraki Body (if you search for Meraki By Design you'll find an empty store, Meraki Body will take you to these products).  And their RRP is off (card says $15.95, shop is $17).  But, this is from a fellow Canberran!!!  That's exciting, i like discovering local things.  This is a body scrub, mine's strawberry-coconut (not that you'd know, there is nothing on the sample packaging to tell you what it is.  I know it's only a small company, but if you want people to buy your products, let them know what they're sampling).  Since VB have given their subscribers 5/8's of f all info on the company and the product (and the info they have given is about the parent company), I'll let you know what the Maker says about her scrubs.

"Meraki Body "Strawberry & Coconut" Scrub will leave your skin feeling soft, fresh and absolutely amazing, but don’t take my word for it, give it a go!

So what makes our scrubs so amazing? We use a mixture of some amazing oils that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, spider veins, age spots, acne, scars, eczema, psoriasis and also nourishes the skin beautifully.

Coconut Oil – Is a “super” ingredient in our body scrubs. The revitalising properties of organic coconut oil are ideal for the use on the skin, scalp and hair. It contains medium fatty acids which are easily absorbed into the skin providing all the energy your skin needs to heal and maintain itself; it acts as an emollient providing a softening and soothing effect. It also processes proven antibacterial and antifungal properties as it limits the amount of microbes on the skin cleaning up various conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and acne.

Sea Salt – Is the perfect exfoliate which heaps remove dead skin cells, without scratching the skin. It also has the added benefits of being a natural detoxifier that absorbs all the toxins from the skin, increases the circulation, reduces fluid retention and also has antiseptic properties.

Grapeseed Oil – Containing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, Grapeseed oil also contains linoleic acid which is great for promoting skin health. It has astringent qualities that help tighten the skin and close up pours, thus helping you avoid clogging which leads to pimples. It also improves the elasticity of the skin, for a youthful glow.

Another benefit of our Body Scrubs is that they are 100% vegan & cruelty free.

Our Body Scrub is a 220g which makes approximately 5-6 full body scrubs and because it is free of any preservatives, we recommend you open your scrub within 2 months of purchase, and once opened has a shelf life of 6 weeks, when stored in a cool, dry place."


Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Sodium Chloride (BFA certified Natural Sea Salt), Sucrose (Organic Raw Sugar), Vitis Vinifera (Grapseed Oil), Pink Clay, Shredded Coconut, Strawberry Extract, Colours

Meraki Body

As you can see the scrub sounds amazing, i just wish VB had actually given a stuff about the brand.

So, 4 new brands for VB!  I'm not overly impressed at having 2 body creams in 1 box, but it makes up for it in other ways.  Hopefully they get back on track this month, and our June boxes contain everything promised.

How has your last month been?  I've got a lot to catch up on.