January Loot Crate Revew - Launch

The Box: Loot Crate

The Price: $13.37 plus shipping

The Goods: 6-8 items perfect for a geek or gamer.

For some reason, it takes us a lot longer to get our Loot Crate than it does most people.

January's theme was "Launch."

Loot Crate has started including a button that corresponds to the monthly theme.  The Launch theme was chosen because Loot Crate became the first subscription box to send a box into space.

Star Wars Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide: ($8)  J isn't SUPER into Star Wars, but he did carry this off as soon as I took a picture.  (Which is why you're stuck with this blurry one.  I can't find it to retake one!)

Star Wars Order 66 Game Pack: ($2.50) J has a weakness for TCGs.  I'm sure he's already added these to his stash.

Funky Pop! Heroes General Zod Vinyl Figure: ($8.50)  We never saw Man of Steel.  If we'd have gotten the Domo figure, J would have been all over it but this one he's kind of disinterested in.

Minecraft 2014 Calendar: (~$8)  This might be the first calendar J ever got excited about putting up somewhere.  He has periods when he's crazy into Minecraft.

Nasa Patch, Star Trek Wall Decal and Rubik's Cube Decal: ($2.95, $1.50 and ~$2)  The decals are awesome.  We're going to have to find a wall or door or something were we can collect all the awesome wall decals Loot Crate sends us.

 Total Value: ~$33.45

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Friday Favorites - Birthday Freebies!

So, I had a birthday this week.

Woo.

I'm not really one for partying and celebrating my birthday, but I DO love all the freebies and discounts that companies offer as "gifts."  These are some that I took advantage of this year:

Alamo Drafthouse: They recently launched a rewards program and as a part of that, you get a free movie ticket on your birthday.  If you don't have an Alamo near you, I feel sad for you and your movie-watching experiences.

Victoria's Secret: Angel Card holders get $10 off a non-clearance item.  I know, I know...since discovering True & Co I've all but sworn off VS, but deals like this are what make me keep my card active.  I combined it with a couple other codes and it made for a pretty sweet deal.

Firehouse: You get a free medium sub sandwich on your birthday - you don't have to join a club or anything, just walk in and show your ID.

Sephora: Every year, I use Sephora's Beauty Insider birthday gift as "justification" to buy myself pretty presents.  Yes, I KNOW I could just walk into a store, get it and walk out but shhhhhh...

Starbucks: If you've got a registered Starbucks card, you get a free drink or food item or free drink in a Teavana store, plus 15% off an online purchase.  If you don't have a registered Starbucks card, get one.  The app - plus the periodic deals and presents - is great.

Ulta: This year, Ulta is giving members a free CK One mascara in store.  I haven't picked mine up yet, but it's good for another month.  The hard part will be resisting the temptation to buy all the Gwen Stefani OPI polishes while I'm there.

Of course, there are a TON of other stores who give you discounts - AE, World Market, and DSW to name a few - and the majority of restaurants and ice cream shops give you a free dessert.  If I had been so inclined, I probably could have spent all day running around getting free food and discounted presents for myself.  (I opted to spend most of the day snuggling Stella and letting J treat me like a princess. ;))

January Barkbox Review

The Box: Barkbox

The Price: $29/month

The Goods: 4+ products for your dog, selected based on his or her size.

Thing Dog Natural Louisiana Alligator Jerky Treats: ($6.99)  I don't think Stella's ever had alligator!  These are made in the USA, wheat free, corn free, and soy free.  They're also super cute, shaped like alligator foot prints.

Loving Pets Barksters Sweet Potato & Beef Treats: ($8.99)  Stella isn't a fan of crunchy treats, so these are going into the "donate" pile.

Barkworthies Bully Stick: ($2.63)  I think this is the same thing we got last month too?  Stella hasn't even had that one yet.  She's got some crazy allergies right now so we've not been letting her get crazy with the treats and chews.  

Harry Barker Cotton Rope Tug and Toss Toy: ($6)  I'm not entirely sure that Stella will play with this, but we'll see.  It's machine washable - which is always nice - and seems pretty durable.

Wigzi Pocket Bone: ($7.99)  In general, Stella refuses to play with rubber toys like Kong and such.  The idea with this is that you can stuff treats in it, but she'd probably just eat the treats and move on.

Total Value: $32.60

This was Stella's final Barkbox.  She's got such a massive pile of toys and pantry of treats that it's just silly to continue right now.  You know what I wish someone would make?  A dog-fashion box.  (Stop judging.)  Stella loves getting dressed up, so I'd totally subscribe to a box that sent out jackets, sweaters, shirts, collars, etc. for her.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Friday Favorites - Baby, It's Cold Outside

This morning, all of Central Texas has shut down because there were three flakes of snow on the ground.  It's 28 degrees outside, so obviously all of us are about to freeze to death.  (Meanwhile, Northerner transplants are outside in shorts I'm sure. ;))  Here are my favorite things on this day, "Central Texas Snowpocalypse 2014."

 This is how you'll find me all day today.  (Actually, all day most days.  Working from home FTW!)  Pajamas, no makeup, bedhead and a mug of something warm and tasty.  Adult onesie pajamas are one of my guilty pleasures.  This one and my Christmas Elf one were both from Target and are no longer available online.  I'm currently in love with several on Boohoo, though, and trying to decide which to add to my collection next.  (I'm leaning towards Millicent.)

Speaking of mugs, I love coffee as much as the next girl, but y'all...this hot cocoa.  Oh my gosh.  It's like a warm, liquid Girl Scout Samoa.  So effing good. 

I bought myself a purple Big One Throw from Kohl's during their Black Friday Sale.  It's become like a security blanket.  It's SO cuddly and soft.  Stella and I have often fought over it.

Image property of Kohl's

So, that's what's getting me through this "winter weather."  Hope y'all are staying warm, especially if you live somewhere that has ACTUAL winter weather! <3

Thursday Thoughts

I'm doing the linkup that Jennifer hosts over on Ramblings of a Suburban Mom.

 - My cell phone went for a swim on Monday.  I should have the replacement today, but paying $100 a couple of months before I upgrade is still pretty frustrating.  Also frustrating - realizing just how much I rely on my phone.

- This cedar needs to chill the eff out.  My allergies have made me feel fuzzy for a couple weeks now and it kills any motivation I can muster to do anything productive.

- A year and a half after buying this house, J has finally started working on making his room more than just an extension of his closet.  We spent all day Saturday painting and he steam cleaned his carpets Tuesday.  Hopefully he'll finish moving everything back in today.  All I have to do is throw a post up on our house blog.

- I can't decide which subscriptions I want to try out next!  I know I want a food one to replace Naturebox, I'm not sure what else.  I have a long wishlist to pick from.

- It took us a month, but this weekend we will finally finish our Christmas festivities.  Since we didn't get to go to our families' for the holiday, we've been trying to make them up for the past month and we're going to meet up with J's mom Saturday.

- We have "winter weather" again for the next couple days.  It's supposed to sleet/snow today and tonight.  The temperature is supposed to be around 25-41 degrees...until Sunday when it's 76 again.  Texas, I get it, you're crazy.  Can you at least stick with one season for a week though, please?!

January Popsugar Must Have Review

The Box: Popsugar Must Have

The Cost: $39.95/month

The Goods: Hand-picked food, fashion, beauty, home, and/or fitness items.

Pipcorn Truffle Mini Popcorn: ($6)  This is the third time in eight months that Popsugar has sent popcorn.  I do love popcorn, and this isn't bad popcorn by any means, but I'm kind of bored by it. 

Revlon by Marchesa Box O'Files: ($3.49)  I feel like I constantly need a nail file and can never find one.  This little matchbox-type container is perfect for me to haul around in my purse.

Rifle Paper Co Cities Calendar: ($16)  This calendar is pretty enough, but I don't have much of a need for a desk calendar.  (Partially because I have no desk.)

The Juice Generation Recipe Book: ($15.93) I don't have a juicer (yet!) but I'm happy to see that there are a decent number of smoothie recipes as well.  I'm going to have to make a trip to Sprouts to pick up supplies soon.

Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask: ($40)  This face mask foams, so you can use it as a cleanser.  Apparently it can be used as a facial shaving cream as well.  I have an overwhelming supply of face masks, but none quite like this one.

Jack + Lucy Tech Gloves: (~$15)  I usually buy youth boy's gloves, so these are a bit too big for me.  Tiny hands FTL!  Hopefully I can find someone who will make use of these, though. 

Total value: ~$96.42

I'm starting to get bored with Popsugar.  Don't get me wrong, I still think it's a great value and a good subscription but a good number of their "Must Haves" aren't exactly musts for me, personally.  I'm not disappointed by anything this month, but I'm not excited either.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Sunday Confessional - Give 'em kale.

Hi, my name is Katrina and I'm an addict.  My 'drug' of choice: Kale.  I don't know how it happened.  I used to think I could stop whenever I wanted but now...now, I crave it constantly.  It doesn't matter the form: chips, salads...anyway I can get it, I'll take it..