Universal Yums May 2016: Greece

Universal Yums is a subscription service that sends you food from a different country every month! If you're into travel and you're a foodie, this box may just be for you! They have two sizes. The Yum box ($13/month and sends 5+ snacks) and the Yum Yum box ($25/month and sends 12+ snacks) Note: This is a review on the "Yum Yum Box." 

If you're interested, sign up here! 

http://www.universalyums.com

When you first open the box, the tissue paper is made out to be the flag of the country you'll be sampling! You also get a pamphlet of all the foods, some country facts and trivia, and a playlist of songs from the country! 

Let's get started:

Tottis Oregano Chips 

These were one of the first potato chip company's of Greece! As my boyfriend would say, these taste like an "Italian" chip. They're extra good and flavorful and they're not as oily as an American chip!

Totti's Garlic Bread Chips

YUMMMMMM! These get a 5/5 from me! It's like you are eating garlic bread in chip form. They also pack a crunch, which is my favorite kind of snack! 

Serenata Chocolate Croissant 

According to the pamphlet that's included in this box, the Greek enjoy eating this as a "grab and go" breakfast. In my opinion, this tastes just like a croissant with chocolate frosting in the middle. I wouldn't eat this for breakfast but maybe as a dessert! Not bad though! 

Rose Mez Pastilles 

They gum drops are actually rose flavored mints! They're SUPER interesting in flavor and actually TASTE like roses infused with mint!

Serenata Chocolate Wafers

These taste like your basic wafer chocolate! Better than our wafer chocolate snacks here in America, but nothing super exotic!

Ion Assorted Chocolates

This company is the "Hershey's Chocolate" or Greece! YUM!

Orino Soft Nougat with Peanuts

This snack was not for me. Not gonna lie, it tastes like throw up with peanuts in it. 

Pavlidis Chocolate Ygeias Orange

This chocolate bar is dark chocolate with ORANGE PEELS infused inside. Super unique! The flavor of it wasn't for me... I personally don't think orange and chocolate go together...

MiKio Sun-Dried Tomato & Olive Breadsticks

These were so good! 👍🏾 they taste like pizza breadstick crunch snacks! 

Ouzo Candies

These little candies were inspired by the Greek liqueur, ouzo! It's an anise flavored vodka, and tastes like black licorice! And that's exactly what it tastes like!

Pavlidis Gioconda Chocolate

Yep, that's the Mona Lisa on the packaging and yes, these chocolates were delicious!

Ion Chocolate Hazenut Bites

These taste like Ferrero Rochero! Yum!

Saffron Herbal Tea Packets

The Greek LOVE Saffron Tea, and I'll agree, it's delicious! Each flower of saffron produces only three threads, which must be hand-picked for consumption. In Greece, saffron grows in only one part of the country, the north Kazani City! 

*Note: Actual prices of items were incredibly rare to find, so I didn't include them!*

Clue to next months box:

-we've searched high and low for the best of the best, we've tried snacks in the north, south, east, and west, we've looked in the mountains, prairies, and oceans with foam. And we've reached our conclusion-there's no place like home.

I'm going with United States.. This should be interesting! 

7/10 💫 this month for Universal Yums!

Birchbox May 2016

Birch box is a beauty subscription box that sends you 4-5 deluxe size samples of hair, skin, and beauty products! This box was one of the first to do a monthly subscription service! They have a box for women and for men! The subscription is $10 a month (shipping is included in the price) 

If you're interested, sign up below here!

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/mxjzg

I like the design for this months box! The colors are watercolor and perfect for spring! The company "Keds" actually paired up with BirchBox this month and are offering a limited edition spring shoe with the same design!  How cool is that?

Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm in the shade "Pink Blossom" *Full size $7*

*Note, I attempted to swatch the color on my hand but in return, it looks like I burned myself and applied Neosporin😂*

This company has always been one of my favorites when it comes to lip balm and face cleansers. But when I saw that they were coming out with a tinted lip balm, I was excited! This has the same awesome formula that you're used to if you have used this product before but with just a hint of color! 

Beauty Protector Detangler Leave in Conditioner *Full size $23.50* (This is not full size... Sample size has retail value of $3.20)

First off, I love the smell of this! It smells like pure vanilla! I've never heard of this company before but from the reviews that I have read, it gets good feedback! This product is an instant Detangler, protector against thermal and UV (perfect for hot summer days at the beach), it's supposed to lock in color and shine, and be weightless and non-greasy! I haven't tried this yet, but I'm expecting it to be similar to "Its a 10"! Can't wait to use it!

Vera Bradley Appleberry Champagne *Full size $48*

This fragrance is great for summer! It's smells similar to a scent I already own, and I can't quite pin what that is yet but regardless, this is great if you're a fruity perfume fan! 

Coola Classic Face Sport with SPF 50 White Tea *full size $32)

For being such a high SPF, this formula goes on incredibly sheer and doesn't feel heavy on your skin! On top of that, it smells amazing! I'm a little bummed at how small the sample was but I would definitely consider purchasing this! 

Cargo Cosmetics Blush and Bronzer Duo *full size $35* 

Cargo is known widely for their pigmented shadows but this duo is GORGEOUS! I'm not a fan of the color of the blush.... It's a little too pink for my skin tone (and liking) but the BRONZER is beautiful! Perfect subtle glow to the skin! Super pigmented and long lasting. However, once again, I'm disappointed in the size of this sample. It's hard to fit a blush or bronzer brush in such a small area! 

7/10 💫 for Birchbox this month!

 

Love with Food: May 2016 Box (Tasting Box)

Love with Food is a monthly subscription that sends "good for you" organic snacks from all over the U.S.  Each monthly box you purchase, the company donates 1-2 meals to the hungry; depending on the size box you purchase.  Prices range $7-10 for the "Tasting Box" (This is the smallest size box. You get 8+ snacks.), $17-20 for the "Deluxe Box" (This is the largest size box and you get 16-20 snacks) or you can choose the "Gluten-Free Snack Box" filled with 10-12 snacks for $20-25. Whatever plan you decide on, this is a great box if you're looking to eat healthier while doing some good! Let's get started!

This is all the goodies put together from the box this month!

KUTOA PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY BAR *PACK OF 12 IS $23.99* The company will also send out a meal to a foodbank for every purchase bought. Free shipping on orders of $50 or more!

This tasty chia and flax seed bar was tasty. When you think of healthy, this normally isn't something that would cross your mind! The peanut butter in this bar provides you with protein to enrich your body for the day! The jelly infused within is made up of real fruit (not that fake artificial stuff) and it's "Gluten and Soy Free", "Vegan", and "NON GMO" The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the texture of it. Very grainy.

Smooze! Fruit Ice Bar in the flavor Coconut & Pink Guava *$9.99 for pack of 10 fruit ices* 

If you're looking for a new summer Popsicle that's refreshing and new... look no further. These tasty, juicy, little guys are a hit. (At least for me!) While the price is a little steep for popsicles, they are high fructose corn syrup FREE and made with real fruit puree and juices. Nothing artificial in these!

Sheila G's Brownie Brittle Chocolate Chip *$3.99 for ONE 5 oz bag* (Available at Walgreens and Walmart) + coupon for $1 off TWO bags or 20% off your online order!

These were DELICIOUS! They have tons of chocolate flavor. With only 120 calories per bag, it's a MUST try for the sweet tooth in you! However, they use bleached enriched flour... 

Skinny Pop Popcorn *2.99 for 4.4 oz bag* + coupon for $1.00 off one large bag

These are made with ZERO artificial flavorings, they're Gluten-Free, and Non-GMO. The dark chocolate infused popcorn pieces were a treat. However, not a huge fan of dark chocolate so I'd be biased when I'd say, I wouldn't purchase these. However, I'd love to try the normal popcorn! Yum!

Biena ChickPea Snacks in flavor "Rockin Ranch" *$4.49 for a FOUR pack of these little guys*

Okay, I'll be honest. I absolutely CAN'T stand ChickPeas after this. The texture, the taste, everything about this snack was un-appetizing. However, if you like Chick-Peas.. give them a try. It has a high amount of protein in it to make it a snack worth grabbing. (Unless you're a wimp like me)

Glee Gum Pops in flavor "Green Apple" *$4.55 for bag of 10*

These lollipops are made with natural sugars and fruit flavors. Nothing artificial in these. They're gluten-free, allergy-friending, and vegan. They're certified kosher. I love all candy, mostly, and these did not disappoint!

Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans *$1.99 for 2.75oz bag*

After doing my research on this product, I've discovered that this company has TONS AND TONS of candy choices. THEY ARE ALL ORGANIC AND GOOD FOR YOU! They're reasonably priced as well. They're made with organic sugars and drenched with REAL fruit flavorings.

BONUS ITEMS THROWN IN THE BOX THIS MONTH:

Smarty Pants Women's Complete Multi + Omega 3s + Folate Vitamin Supplements

*$24.95 for 120 count* (You can find at target)

These are vitamins. Not much more to say about them. They are gummy vitamins and the flavor is super vitamin-tasting. If they do what they're supposed to (which is to provide my body with nutrients and what-not) then I like em'! 

Simple Micellar Cleaning Water *$5.99 for 6.7 fl oz bottle*

I've been using the Simple Cleansing Makeup Remover Wipes for about 3 months now and they're bible. I love THEM! So, naturally, when I received a sample of this cleansing water in my box, I was excited. However, after using it, I find that I actually didn't like it all that much. Wipes are so much more for me than actually putting the product directly on my face and wiping. I felt like I needed to wash my face after using this. Great concept though, and its good for sensitive skin!