September… probably my favorite time of the year, and not just because it’s my Birthday month, but also because I love that early Fall weather, and the bright colors of changing leaves. September is also an important month for the fashion industry [ever heard of “the September issue?”]. Let’s see if POPSUGAR MustHave Box for September 2014 is on-trend this year!
HOW IT WORKS
With POPSUGAR Must Have, you’ll get an exciting monthly box, full of hand-selected items from POPSUGAR editors. Each box will include a variety of full-sized products and premium items worth over $100 (ARV). It costs $39.95/month and you can use the code REFERF5 to get a special one-time $5 discount off your first box.
If you would like to use my referral link please click here to subscribe to PopSugar Must Have. Thank you!
Tilo Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin – First big ticket item, and we have a winner! POPSUGAR hit the nail on the head with this season-appropriate scarf, that feels lightweight and luxurious, yet very warm and cozy. As you can see, it’s huge in size, but it doesn’t look bulky at all when wrapped around the neck. I already know that it’s going to be my staple this Fall.
Oribe Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray – I don’t think I bought a hairspray in years! It’s not like I don’t use it, but I get so many travel-sized bottles in my subscription boxes that they cover all of my styling needs. I normally don’t use it much anyway, and certainly don’t blow dry every day, so one travel-sized bottle lasts me several months. Oribe is a brand I love and respect [it’s on the same level as Alterna for me], and their products always feel luxurious and effective. I can’t see myself splurging on it often, but if I ever run out of hairspray, I will probably start looking for good deals on these.
Rifle Paper Co. Garance Dore Assorted Girls Set – I love pretty much everything from this company, their prints are always so pretty! This stationary set gives me a good excuse to write some Thank-You notes, or maybe I will keep it and use instead of the regular Birthday cards, I don’t know… One thing is certain – it will definitely be used!
Letter C Design Gold Foil Arrow Pencils – There is something very vintage about wooden pencils. I remember when my Mom used to buy them for me in elementary and middle school, and I always loved bright and colorful ones. Nowadays the only way I’d ever use one is when I’m at IKEA or something. I don’t know how much actual use I’ll get out of these, but at least they will look pretty on my desk 🙂
Nicole Miller Stereo Earbuds – I already have a pair of Sennheiser earbuds that I really like, but mine don’t have a built-in microphone, so I might actually give these a shot. I wonder what the sound quality is like?
Nike Gift Card – I’ve been thinking about getting a new sports bra or a pair of sneakers, so this gift card came just in time. It’s only valid at Nike.com and expires at the end of October, so hopefully I can find something I like before that date. Even if I don’t, I can always get some socks or something 🙂 By the way, this is an actual gift card, with balance and everything, so it can be used multiple times.
Urban Remedy Almond Brownie – Yum, almonds! Yum, brownies! Now mix two of my favorite things together and you get this crazy concoction. My brownie came smooshed, so it looked more like a meal bar. Despite high expectations, my experience was very weird. First of all, it smells like mild rye bread, but first bite tasted like… alcohol??? The flavors just didn’t work for me; the brownie was way too sweet, and I couldn’t get that bread & wine smell out of my nose. I know it’s bad to throw away food, but I just couldn’t finish this one.
Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Almond Minis – This was included as an extra, and a good extra indeed; I think considering POPSUGAR’s target demographic, this was the perfect little something to add to the boxes. Ghirardelli squares are pretty much a staple in my house, and getting a bag in a subscription box is only one less bag for me to buy.
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| Told ya, that Tilo scarf is huge! |
THE VERDICT
I think this was a great box, both in terms of value and usefullness. I’m really excited about the scarf, it looks and feels high quality, and it’s the second most expensive scarf I own [I have one Hermes scarf that I treasure so much, I almost never wear it lol]. Usually I end up gifting a few things, but this time I will actually keep everything for myself… well, except for the cards, but gifting them is the whole point 🙂
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| Tilo Modal Gradation Scarf in Raisin | $125.00 |
| Letter C Design Gold Foil Arrow Pencils | $7.50 |
| Oribe Superfine Purse Size Hair Spray | $21.50 |
| Rifle Paper Co. Garance Dore Assorted Girls Set | $18.00 |
| Nicole Miller Stereo Earbuds | $20.00 |
| Nike Gift Card | $20.00 |
| Urban Remedy Almond Brownie | $6.00 |
| Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Almond Minis | $5.95 |
| Box Retail Value | $223.95 |
I am so miffed! I was really unimpressed with July and August so I didnt get Sept. Of course it would be amazing. [Insert baby fit]
You know, I swear they do this all the time! It seems to be a pattern with PSMH – two-three bad/ok/meh boxes and one amazing, it’s sort of like bait and switch tactics. I don’t know if it’s intended to be that way or just a coincidence, but I’m pretty much expecting October and November boxes to be just okay, with December box featuring some really fun festive goodies. I actually kind of liked the August box, but the July one was “mehh”. I was really excited about that monkey head sunscreen duo but my skin hated that formula… and pretty sure I didn’t use anything else in that box.