Birchbox August 2015 Review & Coupon Code!

Disclosure: This post contains referral links.

I am a brand new subscriber to Birchbox and just received my first box in August! I've gotten a couple of their boxes before, which were gifted to me by a friend, but this is my first time as a subscriber and I am so excited!


About Birchbox:
Every month, Birchbox subscribers will receive a curated box of beauty, grooming, and/or lifestyle samples, picked to match your profile. Customize your shipment by picking a sample or adding subscriber-only product deals! The box includes five products and costs $10/month. Earn points by giving feedback on your samples each month and use those points to purchase full-size products in the Birchbox Shop.

Outer Box:
The shipping box is pretty small and fits inside of my mail kiosk.


Inner Box:
OMG, how cute is this?? I love how it looks like a little swimming pool! I'll be saving this box. I don't know what I'll use it for, but it's just too dang cute to throw away!


Birchbox ships via Newgistics and USPS. My order was processed on the first of the month because I was already a subscriber and I received my tracking number on August 9th. It arrived on August 14th.

First Look:


Second First Look:


I went ahead and peeked ahead of time, so I knew which samples I was going to get.

Front of Information Card:


Back of Information Card:


The inspiration for the August 2015 Birchbox was "Soak it Up!" and celebrating the final days of Summer. Let's check out what I got!

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle (Full-size: $21.95): This is a leave-in spray that offers a TON of different benefits. It's an instant detangler, thermal protector, UV protector, and it seals the cuticle, smooths hair, locks in color, and adds shine. Whew! I'm excited to try this product. I love hair products. I live in Florida and definitely need the UV protector and the smoothing features because my hair gets frizzy in the humidity. And I like that it has a thermal protector because I blow dry my hair. The size of this sample was 2 oz. The size wasn't listed on the bottle, but I found it in the Birchbox Shop shown in a travel kit and the picture was the same size as I received. Based on the retail price of the full-size 8 oz product being $21.95, it costs $2.74 per oz, making this sample valued at $5.49.


Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Deep Hydration Sheet Mask (Full-size: $6): I've seen these masks online and have been wanting to try one! They are like a sheet that goes over your face with cut outs for the eyes, nose and mouth. They are so creepy looking, but I am fascinated by them! I can't wait to try it. No calculation needed to figure out the price of this sample. It's $6 per mask and I received one mask.


R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo (Full-size: $17-$29): I LOVE dry shampoos. I can't get enough of them. I don't wash my hair everyday, so a dry shampoo is a MUST HAVE on non-washing days. This one says that it adds volume and body, which I need because my hair is getting thinner and flatter as I get older! Super excited about this product. The size of this sample was 1.6 oz. Based on the retail price of the full-size 6.3 oz oz product being $29, it costs $4.60 per oz, making this sample valued at $7.37.


Sometimes Birchbox puts their smaller samples inside another small box. Isn't it adorable? I reuse these for mailing small items to people! The next two products were inside of this box.


Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35 (Full-size: $32): I love Supergoop as a brand already, so I'm excited to try out this CC cream. I love that it has SPF in it, which I need daily in Florida. I also like using CC creams instead of foundation during the hottest summer months because it's lighter coverage. When it's over 100 degrees, your face feels like it's melting off the second you walk out the door! The size of this sample was 3 ml. Based on the retail price of the full-size 47 ml product being $32, it costs $0.68 per ml, making this sample valued at $2.04.


TheBalm Cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush (Full-size: $21): This is a tiiiiiiny little sample! I hope my makeup brush will be able to pick up enough product to try it out! A friend used it and said that it's beautiful on, so I'm looking forward to using it. I love using bronzer as a contour in the hollows of my cheeks and at my jawline. I haven't figured out all of the other contouring products out there, so bronzer is a perfect beginning step at learning! The size of this sample was not listed. I would estimate it to be about 1/4 the size of the full-size product. Based on the retail price of the full-size product being $21, a quarter sized sample would be valued at $5.25.



I'm really happy with the samples that I received in my first Birchbox! I feel like they were tailored to my profile really well. I'm excited to try out everything! Based on the price per ounce of each item, I estimated this box to be valued at $26.15. Definitely worth the $10 that I spent on it and the $5 worth of points that I got back by reviewing the products!

If you would like to see the unboxing video that I created for this box, visit my YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

If you received the August 2015 Birchbox, how did you like it? What was your favorite product? Comment below and let me know! If you haven't subscribed yet and would like to get the September box, you can click HERE and use the coupon code "SUBSCRIBENOW50" to earn 50 free points to add to your account! That's like $5 to use in the Birchbox Shop!

Visit www.birchbox.com for more info!

~MamaBreak contributing blogger, Samantha

Aurorae Aqua Sport and Swim Towel Review and Coupon Code

This post contains affiliate links. 

Ok, so one of my weird things that I have as a "must have" item is a towel. It is a weird obsession. Every year, I get so excited because we buy new beach towels in the Spring. We also buy new bath towels in the Fall. And I am PICKY. VERY picky. They have to be large enough, soft enough, absorbent enough, etc. And we have towels in our house for certain activities: swim towels, beach towels, yoga towels, bath towels, hair towels, etc., etc. I was so excited when Aurorae told me they had a new towel! I told them immediately that I would love to review it on the blog!

Aurore Aqua Sport and Swim Towel

First off, the Aurore Aqua Sport and Swim Towel is incredibly soft! I love how great it feels on my skin. I did use it at the beach first, but it was so soft and so large it quickly became my favorite bath towel too!

Aurorae Aqua Sport and Swim Towel


It absorbs water like nothing I have ever experienced. It REALLY absorbs the water. I actually used my regular bath towel this morning, and I was wondering why it was not getting me as dry!!! I have gotten so used to this towel after only a short while, that I don't know that I can go back to regular bath towels.
Aurore Aqua Sport and Swim Towel Colors

I asked if we could include something extra special for blog readers, and Aurorae agreed! So, right now, you can use coupon code 2MAMAS15  and save $5 off the price of the Aurorae Aqua Sport and Swim Towel! You can choose any of the fantastic colors you see above! Just order through Amazon, apply the coupon code, and the towel is only $19.99!  (coupon code expires 9/13/15)


MamaBreak received an Aurore towel to review on the website. We did not receive any other type of compensation. This post contains affiliate links. 

Orkin Back to School Mom on the Giveaway

Are your kids starting school yet? We start THIS week. Lots of BIG changes. One child starts Kindergarten, one starts the 3rd grade, and one starts JUNIOR HIGH!!! This weekend is all about getting everything together and READY!!

Let's CELEBRATE with a little giveaway-- just for moms!


This price pack includes: 
One (1) Silver USB Portable Charger – We know you’re on the go from sun up to sun down and you can’t afford not to be accessible. This emergency charger is small, sleek and can help your phone keep up with your busy lifestyle!
One (1) Double Wall Stainless Steel Travel Mug w/ lid - Your car isn’t the only thing that needs fueling up in the morning … this stainless steel travel mug is a great way to ensure your morning coffee is always within arm’s reach.
One (1) Orkin “Protect Your Home” PDF Checklist - This handy checklist from the experts at Orkin will help you think like a pest in order to help protect your home from pests.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

POPSUGAR Must Have Box September 2015 Spoiler & Coupon Code!

Disclosure: This post contains referral links.

POPSUGAR Must Have Box released the first official spoiler item for the September 2015 box yesterday!!! Let's take a look!


Every September 2015 POPSUGAR Must Have Box will include the Too Faced Brow Envy Brow Shaping & Defining Kit! It is valued at $39.

I am SO excited about this! I just had my eyebrows threaded for the very first time last week. I had never had them waxed or anything before. Just at-home plucking on my own. So now I am totally obsessed with brows and I can't wait to try out this product!

In case you haven't seen it yet, here is the inspiration for the September 2015 POPSUGAR Must Have Box.


Fashion Fix. Travel. Refresh. Beauty Recovery.

I think this brow kit could fit in with the "Beauty Recovery" portion of the inspiration. If you have messed up your brows by overplucking, here comes this kit to the rescue!

If you are interested in ordering this box and are a new subscriber, use the coupon code “MUSTHAVE5” when you checkout to get $5 off your first box! Click here to order your September 2015 PopSugar Must Have Box before they are sold out!

About the POPSUGAR Must Have Box: Price: $39.95/month. POPSUGAR Editor-in-Chief Lisa Sugar curates a monthly subscription box full of fabulous surprises. The best in fashion, beauty, home, fitness, food and more are delivered straight to your door! The box includes five to six full-size products with a value of over $100.

Visit: http://musthave.popsugar.com for more details!

~MamaBreak contributing blogger, Samantha

POPSUGAR Must Have Box August 2015 Review & Coupon Code!

Disclosure: This post contains referral links.

POPSUGAR Must Have Box is my FAVORITE subscription box and I am so excited each month when it arrives on my front step! Total happy dance time.


About the POPSUGAR Must Have Box:
POPSUGAR Editor-in-Chief Lisa Sugar curates a monthly subscription box full of fabulous surprises. The best in fashion, beauty, home, fitness, food and more are delivered straight to your door! The box includes five to six full-size products with a value of over $100 and costs $39.95/month.

Outside of Box:


POPSUGAR Must Have Box ships via FedEx Smart Post. My order was processed at the beginning of the month because I was already a subscriber and I received my tracking number on August 6th. It arrived on August 13th. I received this box for free because of their AWESOME referral program!

First Look:


Second First Look:


As usual, I had already read about the full spoilers, but I still get excited when I see this first peek inside the box and I can't wait to dive in!

Information Card:


As you may recall, the inspiration for the August 2015 POPSUGAR Must Have Box was: Organization, Morning Routines, Celebrations, and Back to School. They also added "Caffeine" to the info card, which wasn't on the original inspiration photo that they shared. Here's what came inside the box! I'll start from the beginning of the information card to make it easier to follow along.

American Colors Mediterranean Plaid Scarf (Retail: $79): OMG. LOVE. Seriously. So many great things about this scarf. The colors are great for a casual Fall look with jeans. It's double-sided, so you can show off either of the patterns or you can wear it so that both patterns show. The smaller plaid print is a great accent to the larger plaid print. And it's SO SOFT. I want to wrap up in it like a blanket. It's 100% cotton gauze and it's just so cozy. I am ready for Fall to get here just because of this item! Note: The link doesn't take you to this exact pattern, just the one on the website that is the most similar.



Royal Apothic Tea Balm Firming Eye Treatment (Retail: $36): I haven't used this yet, but I can't wait to try it! I'm 32 and I am all about using anti-aging products to try and stay looking youthful. Plus I have 2 small children. I need all the help I can get with refreshing my tired eyes! In case you were wondering, I couldn't detect any scent when I opened the jar.


Pastel Best Day Ever Mug (Retail: $12): I don't drink coffee or tea, but I just love this mug! The phrase "best day ever" just makes me happy. I might just use it for drinking water or juice at breakfast! Note: The link will take you to the same mug, but with gold writing instead of blue. I couldn't find it in the blue online.


Happy Jackson Yay Lunch! Lunch Box (Retail: $10): This is such a fun lunch container! I have several Goodbyn containers, but I will definitely add this into the rotation. It has an elastic band to hold it together, and underneath the band, it says "Yum!" It doesn't have any dividers inside, but you could make it into a Bento box by using silicone cupcake liners.



Southern Culture Shortstacks Pancake & Waffle Mix (Retail: $7.99): August is considered POPSUGAR's birthday month, so I think this product is to fit with the "Celebrations" portion of the inspiration for this month's box. This is a birthday cake flavored pancake & waffle mix. Really can't go wrong with that combination. Can't wait to try this out! My boys will love them.


Meri Meri Toot Sweet Pink Stripe Napkins (Retail: $5.95): I have a bit of an obsession with fun party napkins, so I will gladly add these to my stash!


MyYogaWorks 3-Month Trial (Retail: $45): This was a card with a unique code for a 3 month trial at this website. I've tried yoga and have always wanted to get into it more, so I'm excited to check this out!


Special Extra: Folgers Iced Cafe Caramel Macchiato Flavored Coffee Drink Concentrate (Retail: $4.99): I don't like coffee, but my husband will gladly drink this!


All together, I came up with a total value of $200.93 for the August 2015 POPSUGAR Must Have Box. I LOVED this box! My favorite items are the scarf, lunch box, coffee mug and eye cream.

If you would like to see the unboxing video that I created for this box, visit my YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

What do you think about the August 2015 POPSUGAR Must Have Box? Comment below with your favorite item! If you haven't subscribed yet and would like to get the September box, you can click here and use the coupon code "MUSTHAVE5" to save $5 off your first box!

Visit http://musthave.popsugar.com for more info!

~MamaBreak contributing blogger, Samantha