August Fabletics Review!

*I'm not compensated in any way for these reviews.  All opinions are my own.  However, reviews do contain affiliate links *

I am a workout junkie.  I don't feel like my day's been productive unless I've done something that really makes me sweat, so you can find me at the gym most mornings.  I have been wearing a variation of the same workout outfit for six years at this point: black "supermodel" pant from Victoria's Secret Sport, an American Eagle boyfriend tank top, some manner of zip-up sweatshirt, ponytail and a silicon-backed Goody thin headband.  I've branched out a little lately, working a few new, more loose-fitting cotton tanks into the rotation, but I always go back to my favorites.  My husband makes fun of me for wearing so much clothing to the gym, and it's true; the pants are somewhat thick, though they wick away sweat nicely, and I sometimes feel like the slightly flared bottoms get in the way when I'm spinning.  I was eager for a change, and when I saw an ad for Fabletics (affiliate link) that boasted a full workout outfit for $25, I decided to give it a try!

Fabletics is the same sort of subscription model as Jewelmint, ShoeDazzle, etc: become a "VIP member," pay a monthly fee, in this case, $49.95, and pick out an outfit.  You can skip a month by the 5th by clicking a button on the site.  Otherwise, the credit card on file is charged, and you will have a credit for $49.95.  You can shop the site without becoming a VIP member, but prices are higher.  You also take a short quiz to determine what outfits fit your style and needs.  You can buy separate pieces, but the outfit deals are way better.  New styles come out each month.  Kate Hudson collaborates on the designs and often models them.

There is no earthly way I need a new workout outfit every month, even with all the exercise I do.  I just can't see spending $50 a month - I have a washing machine!  Also, I'd rather spend that money on other clothes.  But for $25, I figured it was worth a try... I plan to skip months unless there is something I love.

Outfits generally consist of 3 pieces: a top, a bottom, and a sports bra.  One glance at the bras they have on the site, and I knew they weren't gonna cut it.  I'm busty, and I do hardcore cardio.  I need maximum strapped-in support and an underwire, and the bras they have are more like shelf bras.  Too bad; some of them are cute!  A few outfits had a scarf (huh? who needs a workout scarf) or socks or a headband with them, so I went for Sept: a pair of patterned "Salar" black/grey/white capris, a "Leon" black racerback tank, and a peach headband.  The tank comes in other colors, but they were sold out.  Apparently, styles/colors sell out quickly in desirable styles.

Standard shipping is free.  You can't mix and match items to create your own outfit, though, which is a bummer.  I wanted a different pattern, but it only came with outfits with sports bras, which are basically useless to me.  I received my order relatively quickly.

Each piece comes separately wrapped in plastic.  You can return items, but they must have tags attached.  When I tried on the top, the tag fell off.  Oops.  It's okay; I planned to keep it anyway.  The top and pants are both made of a combo of polyester and lycra.

I wore the outfit to a typical sweat session today.  The pants are definitely thinner than my VS ones, but not in a bad way.  They felt lighter and made it easier to move, though the somewhat shiny fabric squeaked a little against my bike seat.  They are definitely tight, but I think that's because a) they are compression pants, and b) I'm used to my VS pants, which I bought before I lost weight but still fit, more or less.  They're also very opaque; there's no seeing through these bad boys, even the white parts!  I liked the top quite a bit; it was definitely body-skimming but not overly snug, and the small mesh panel in the back kept me cool.  It seemed to wick away perspiration nicely, so while I was still very, very sweaty by the end of my time at the gym, I didn't feel disgusting.  The headband was definitely comfortable and soft.  It stayed put during a jog, but I had to readjust once during spin class.  I hardly ever have to touch my cheapie, silicon-backed Goody headbands, but adjusting once isn't so bad.  I also just generally liked the way the outfit looked; I thought it was pretty flattering for gym attire, and I got compliments on my pants.

So on  the whole, I give Fabletics a 7 out of 10.  I like the product, but I really hate getting roped into these monthly charge websites.  I'll inevitably forget to "skip" a month, and then get mad and cancel.  For what it's worth, you can cancel at any time, but you have to call them to do so.  I also don't like how quickly desirable colors/sizes sell out; I would have liked this tank in a different color, but only black was left.  On the plus side, the clothes are very cute, and they're a pretty darn good deal at $49.95 for a full outfit.  I've skimped on workout clothes before (hi, Old Navy!), but it never works out.  My 4 pairs of VS pants, despite being washed probably once a week for the past 6 years, have held up impeccably.  Fabletics say to wash their items cold, tumble dry low, so we'll see how that goes.

You can use my link to get your first outfit for $25 - if you use it, I get $10 off my next order!  And you'll get your own referral link when you sign up, too!

Little Black Bag Review 2014!

Hey guys!  My last review of Little Black Bag inspired a bunch of you to sign up yourselves - yay!  I hope you found the review helpful, and since you used my referral link, I got a bonus item in my next bag!  I thought I'd do another review of my latest bag.

I've been really enjoying the variety of items available on LBB.  If you want a detailed rundown of how it works, please see my last post - but it's basically a website where you pick an item (shoes, bag, jewelry, accessories) that you want.  The item is then bundled with a few "surprises," and you can then trade everything for a week with other site users.  All the trading happens before the items ship, so you know you're getting exactly what you see online in brand new condition.  New items come up almost every day.

One of my favorite things about LBB is their promotions.  Seems there is always something going on - free bonus items, sales on bags, or just a plain ol' coupon.  I got $10 off and decided to take the plunge on a Betsey Johnson bag I'd been wanting.

I reloaded until I got "bonus" items I thought I might like - a beauty product from Minerologie and accessories from Dye Ties, plus an extra bonus for referring someone.  Your referral bonus is a product worth $50 - not one that costs $50.  I got something called a "bangles case."  What the heck is that?! I stared at the item for a long time and still couldn't figure it out.  LBB, I love you, but you need to hire some better writers to describe the items.  I guess a bangles case is a pouch to keep your bracelets in so they don't get tangled... except my bangles never get tangled... and is that such a global problem that they needed their own pouch?  Anyway, I knew I had to get rid of that ASAP.

The beauty item was an eyeliner, and eyeliner freaks me out, I traded it pretty quickly.  Here's what I ended up with:

Betsey Johnson Front Stripe Speedy Satchel:

My husband actually said, "Wow, that's a cool bag."  Which is saying a lot.  He thinks the quilting looks like the seat of an old car, haha.  I got a lot of offers for this bag, but I turned 'em all down.  I like that it will go with anything, and I'm willing to overlook the subtle (but kinda cheesy) heart details.  It's the perfect size, and the strap drop is just right - fits under your arm comfortably. Tag says $98.00, but who's paying that for a non-leather bag??  Came nicely wrapped and had no flaws.

Jules Smith Bow Charm Necklace:

Cute and easy to wear - it'll go with lots of stuff.  Looks like it's good quality, and the bow charm is sparkly but delicate enough to be wearable.  Original price was $65, but again, I find that hard to believe.  I'm seeing them on eBay for around $30, which seems more reasonable.

K. Kreative Rope Chain Link Bracelet:

Looked interesting and funky online.  In person, it's kinda cheap-looking.  The gold chain is really lightweight and flimsy, probably just painted plastic.  I actually can't find this brand sold elsewhere, which is odd, but it's the kind of jewelry I wouldn't pay more than $5-$10 for.  I'll probably skip this brand in the future.

Dye Ties At World's End Headbands:

These were a huge surprise.  I was curious about these, since they are always floating around LBB.  I figured if they were a total bust, I'd use them for working out.  I actually really like them!  They're super sparkly, and not in a cheap way, either.  They're not too snug, though I must admit that the fabric is just a little itchy due to the sparkle.  Not much of a problem except for places where it touches my neck - but I got used to it.  On the Dye Ties website, each headband sells for $10 apiece.  I believe LBB had them listed as $18.

Here I am looking matchy-matchy, but I was making dinner and already had my hair up - the headband was the perfect way to keep hair out of my face (and food) but still look presentable.

All in all, I continue to feel like LBB is a good deal for the occasional accessories purchase.  The cost for all the above items (plus shipping/tax) was $50.40, which seems like a great deal to me.  I'd pay $40 for the bag alone.  The trading element is super fun, though it can also be stressful, so make sure you have time to trade during the week you choose!  Just make sure to skip the month before the 5th, or you'll be charged $9.95 on the 6th, though it goes to your next bag.  You can cancel at any time.

You can use my referral link to save 25% on your first bag/bundle - now THAT's a great deal.

Hope you found this helpful!  What do you think of Little Black Bag?  Have you scored any great deals?  Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!  LBB maintains its 8 on the Awesome Meter for stylish and affordable accessories and a very fun way to shop!

Graze Box - US Review!

Happy New Year!  I'm back with more fun reviews to help you get an awesome start to 2014.  

A friend of mine recently tried Graze Box, a new snack delivery service.  She had great things to say, and she even had a code for a free box.  Hey, I'll try anything once, and I particularly love subscription "surprise" boxes, so I eagerly signed up.  The company is popular in the UK and is now branching into the United States.  Lucky us!

How it works:  Sign up for a Graze Box on their website.  Each box is $6, including shipping, and contains 4 individually packaged healthy snacks.  There are more than 90 varieties, most including some sort of dried fruit, nut, or seed, and all with a healthy benefit.  Before you receive your first box, you can go through the selections and rate each of the snacks: trash, try, like, or love.  They default to "try," and you can leave 'em there if you're open to trying any of the items.  However, if you have allergies, are vegan, or simply dislike certain foods, you can through and "trash" items you never want to receive.  For example, I don't like spicy food, so I eliminated anything that looked too zesty.  I know, I know... I lead a bland life ;)  Once you get your box, you can rate your snacks to determine what future boxes will contain.  Thus, your snack selection is a guided surprise.

You can also choose between their regular Graze Box and their Lightbox.  Snacks in the Lightbox are all under 150 calories each.  In my ongoing efforts to be healthier, I selected the Lightbox.  You still have a decent selection of items, though their granola bar-esque "flapjacks" are unavailable.  You can switch between types of boxes at any times.  

Boxes ship out every 2 weeks or 4 weeks, depending on your preference.  You can cancel at any time.  

So what did I get in my first Graze Box?

Olive and Rosemary Bruschetta: Tomato-flavored breadsticks, rosemary and garlic cashews, and kalamata olive croutons.  

Black Pepper Pistachios: Roasted pistachios sprinkled with black pepper.

Tropical Daiquiri: Lime-infused raisins, dried green mango and pineapple.

Coco Paradise: Milk chocolate drops, dried cranberries, and dried coconut flakes.

Overall, a good selection - a nice mix of nuts, savory items, fruit, and sweets.  I've got a major sweet tooth, so I went for Coco Paradise first.  I found the coconut flakes a little tasteless, but the rest was great and very fresh.  The "bruschetta" was equally yummy, especially the cashews, though the croutons were somewhat artificial-tasting.  Tropical Daiquiri was interesting and flavorful; I've never had a lime-infused raisin before, and it was intriguingly sweet and sour.  The black pepper pistachios were my favorite; the serving felt generous, and the seasoning added just enough kick.  Each sealed packet contains perhaps 1/4 cup of food, depending upon which snack you get, and I found them very satisfying.  I prefer my snacks around 100 calories, since I work at home and tend to graze during the day, so this service worked out really well for me.

Verdict: I love the variety, and the snacks really are tasty, healthy, and fresh; they're made with real ingredients and very little "filler."  No weird ingredients!  If you like unique trail mixes, you'll love Graze.  I didn't feel limited by my Lightbox, either - I still enjoyed the snacks and even got some chocolate.  Packaging was streamlined yet eco-friendly, and the little packets are well-sealed and convenient.  I even took one to a movie theater in my purse and ate it in lieu of popcorn or overpriced candy!  Not a bad swap.

I give Graze a 9 on the Awesome Meter.  Lots of flexibility, tasty, filling, natural snacks, and a good price.  I've already gotten my second box and can't wait for my third.  I only wish you could get more than 4 snack pouches per delivery!

If you would like to sign up, head over to www.graze.com/us.  You can use my friend code (click here) to get your first box free.  If you choose to continue getting boxes, you'll also get your fifth box free.  As mentioned earlier, you can cancel at any time.  Once you sign up, you'll get a friend code, as well.  For each friend that signs up, you will either get $1 off your next box, or you can choose to donate $1 to a school of farming in Uganda.  Pretty cool!

In case you have trouble with the link above, my friend code is: JANS2WJ3P

Here's to a wonderful 2014!