Blog POP! Culer SOLO Flash-Evaporative Cooler Giveaway~ 4/6

Momma Told Me: You're just blowing hot air.

Living in Southern California the Summer weather comes early and stays late- Recently I've been jumping into the car and flipping on the A/C only to enjoy a blast of extra hot air. I assure you, nothing is wrong with my air conditioning- it simply has been that hot, and tipping the 100s at the height of the afternoon. Where we live, in fact, most buildings built after 1980 have central air. Unfortunately, we do not live in one of those buildings. Starting the cooling process early in the morning, at sunrise, is crucial to keeping air flow and circulation. Unfortunately, I can't leave my house wide open when I go out to run errands, and by the time I get the box fans in the windows upon return I'm doing little more than blowing hot air.

Fans can work great, but they can also be an exercise in futility, and not everyone can afford the power or invest in a bulky and expensive air conditioner. I know our HOA does not permit 'window' units that hang out of the exterior of the unit, so our cooling options are very limited.  When looking into cooling you typically pay per square foot, so cooling a home with independent appliances is usually impractical for the modern family budget. It's also not cost effective, or eco-friendly, to cool a large home or space when there is only 1 room occupied. Even worse, previous investments in costly stand alone air conditioners have proved a failure with expensive parts failure and bad warranties. Last Summer Momma Told Me to stop blowing hot air and invest in a more affordable cooling option; and evaporative cooler like the Culer Solo CS10.

Evaporative Coolers such as the Culer Solo CS10 are not right for everyone, but their optimal performance range (climates over 90F and humidity less than 30%) is ideal for our Southern California condo. Since I work out of the house, it's typically only me occupying a single room at any given time and the immediate area coverage of units like the Culer Solo CS10 is just right. Not only does this space age, compact, air cooler have a discreet water basin to draw in moisture and cool outgoing air up to 22 degrees, but it's easy to operate as well. With 3 distinct air speeds, a directional air port, and easy to transport handle I've been able to keep my surroundings equally cool with minimal fuss.

One of the reasons I especially like air cooler devices like the Culer Solo CS10 is the low energy output that allows the device to operate unattended for hours at a time with it's 1 gallon base. Up to 10 hours of cooling time on a full tank, to be exact. And, at 10.3lbs empty, it's also lightweight enough for me to envision moving it from the office to the master bedroom at night! If your climate meets the optimal settings for an evaporative cooler investing in one for each main room is often more affordable in operation and initial costs than a larger air conditioning unit. The CS10 consumes less than 60 watts and includes an optional car adapter for use on the go. I'd also consider it much safer than freon and chemical containing refrigerant devices.

I'll admit, I was fairly skeptical at first- and the Culer does make a fair amount of noise (about the same whir as our bounce house blower (not that that's a typical point of reference for the average consumer.) Let's just say it's a nice white noise that is not loudly obnoxious but I do turn the TV up when using it. As far as cooling- the impact of this device can be felt immediately from my frequent vantage point 8-10' away on the couch. We usually keep the cooling feature on and the fan on medium- rarely finding the need to put it on high. I feel very refreshed- and have even gotten a blanket, or turned it off after a few hours during a hot afternoon.

It will not cool a large living room, or necessarily an entire room- though I do feel the change in ambient temperature on other areas of the room the impact is intended to be directional, with the closest impact being in the most immediate area. And, because it is using active, fine, moisture to cool the air, there is some humidity on surfaces within a close1-2' radius. This is not enough to be a concern and evaporates quickly.

In all, for the energy consumption, size, and cost, I consider the Culer a great investment for evaporative cooling climates. Let's face it, I could buy a dozen box fans for $200, but they simply won't do much when they're just blowing hot air. If your home or office is in need of a controlled cooling option consider looking into the affordable and impressively stylish option of modern evaporative coolers such as the Culer SOLO CS10.

How do you keep your home cool during the Summer?

What Daughter Says: Consider the right cooling solutions for your home and stop blowing hot air.

As a part of the Blog POP! Spring Fling event one Momma Told Me reader will win a Culer SOLO CS10 Flash-Evaporative Cooler of their own! Enter below then check out the event giveaway LINKY for more great giveaways!

Culer SOLO CS10 Evaporative Cooler

Blog POP! Fellowes AeraMax™ 190 Air Purifier #Giveaway

This feature was brought to you by Penny Wise Office Products and Fellowes. All photos and opinions contained below are original copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.

Momma Told Me: Do you know what you're breathing?

The air- its the one thing you are guaranteed to come in contact with on a daily basis, and it enters and leaves your body every single moment. I was raised more aware of the atmosphere and my surroundings, than the average kid, as Momma lost the majority of her lung capacity to cancer when I was just 4. While her lungs remained physically in her chest the surface area within them was so badly scarred she could only process a fraction of normal oxygen absorption. As a result we avoided smoke (and smokers,) pollen, pet dander, and anything that might irritate her lungs and inhibit her breathing further. Because of this I consider my own lungs quite virgin, and am extra sensitive to the particles in the air I breathe.

But you don't have to have a loved one with asthma or allergies to appreciate the quality of good, clean, air. You do, however, have to realize that contaminants to that air can come from a variety of places, no matter how clean or buttoned up you keep your home. That's why a medium size (150-20 sq feet) Air Purifies such as the Fellowes AeraMax™ 190 Air Purifier makes a logical gift for your own home or family this season. Believe it or not indoor air can contain up to 5 times the number of pollutants as the atmosphere just outside your home's walls! Pollutants such as the air borne influenza virus, which the AeraMax™ 190's 4 stage purification system can actually filter out of the air you breathe!

We've had the Fellowes AeraMax™ 190 Air Purifier, from Penny Wise Office Products, in our house for about a month and I can definitely sense and see the difference. See? Yes, see! This air purifier not only has an easy remove and replace HEPA filter, where I can see visible contaminants that have been trapped, but the front touch screen display has an easy to read AeraSmart™ 190 Sensor system that detects and conveys the current air quality. Simply take a glance at the sleek front profile of this unit and take note of the Blue, Amber, or Red quality alert marker; the purifier will automatically adjust fan speed to increase or decrease filtration based on it's readings. How's that for a smart appliance?

My father was a bit skeptical that an air purifier could actually be of use in his home, so I was happy to bring it over for a demonstration. The Felowes AeraMax™ 190 Air Purifier has a convenient hidden handle cubby for transport and the generous cord length means the unit can be conveniently tucked away (or strategically placed) for optimal treatment. With a 190' impact radius, the Fellowes AeraMax™ 190 Air Purifier is appropriate for most medium sized rooms such as average living rooms and master bedrooms. While the dust in my father's home was visible (sorry dad!) there were other obvious contaminants present. Even the oxygen providing plans can house allergen spores, and pets with their dander can easily spell big time trouble for sensitive noses and lungs.

I was happy to note the AeraSmart™ Sensor never went from Amber to Red, but it did spend a decent portion of its initial time in the moderate (Amber) zone. Unexpectedly, one of the benefits of having a great air purifier around was some odor filtration. Lingering smoke (and even the particles from cooking odors) are neutralized and absorbed noticeably. We were even able to effectively situate it between the two main couches for higher traffic days with guests and visitors, thanks to the tall profile with side venting.

As someone who was raised to be sensitive to mites, dust, smoke, and pollen, having a high quality intelligent Air Purifier like the AeraMax™ 190 on hand is priceless for my piece-of-mind. Gone are the days when I'd have to hide in my home wondering if I'd still suffer an allergy attack behind closed doors. And this device is pretty darn discreet when it comes to quiet- which is even better when on Smart Mode and left running throughout the day. Order your Fellowes AeraMax™ 190 Air Purifier from Penny Wise Office Products and be sure to keep an eye out for other household and office innovations by this great brand!

What Daughter Says: Feel a little more confident in what you're not breathing in with a home air purifier system for you high traffic rooms.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a Fellowes AeraMax™ 190 Air Purifier! Enter below and click the banner above to be taken to the official event Giveaway LINKY!

Blog POP!: Mantry: The Modern Man's Pantry Curated Box #Giveaway #bpopevents

**I received a complimentary Mantry crate at launch, in hopes I would share my honest thoughts here on Momma Told Me Blog 2014. All photos and thoughts below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.

Momma Told Me: Men aren't complicated. They simply want to be fed.

They say a way to a man's heart is through his stomach; for me, there's nothing more attractive than a man who can cook. And I'm not talking about laying out a platter of Cheez Wiz on Ritz crackers- I mean a spatula wielding, sauce basting, meat grilling kind of guy. There's a reason every Hallmark mom is portrayed by a woman in bed with a freshly prepared platter of food. Beyond the desire to reverse roles, or feel pampered, there is something sexy about a man with a palette; just look at the business Gordon Ramsay has devised with his likeness and name alone! And now, more than ever, the modern man is becoming more and more discerning about what they put on their plate.

Finally there is a subscription box for the Man's Man the man with a stomach that has a voice of it's own; the man that considers baby carrots a garnish rather than food, the man who picks his coffee for the aromatic notes rather than the licensed picture on the side of the bag. The Mantry box truly is the modern man's pantry, a carefully curated monthly collection of fine flavors and epicurean indulgences sampled and picked from hidden gems across the country. It's a gathering of authentic flavors that represent regions and lifestyles; independent and artisan brands that, in most cases, deal exclusively with  specific product (brittle, sausage, rubs) to hone it's perfection. And, most importantly, a frills free guide to these products and how to put them to work to ignite taste buds.

Considered 'Food For Men,' the Campfire Cookout themed monthly box I received from Mantry was certainly the ideal curation for any man in my life. Packed with coffee rub, bourbon nib toffee, summer sausage, heat infused salsa, beer bread mix, and hickory smoked bacon, this was a cookout begging to happen. With full size 'products,' most individual indulgences or highlighting ingredients, the value of the Mantry was evident from the get-go. This was not your ordinary box, there were no fluffy crumpled paper or tissue fillers, it was 100% Mantry. Pure, delicious, artisan sourced foods with a beautifully illustrated preparation and pairing booklet.

There are few men one couldn't win over with a slab of Broadbent's Hickory Smoked dry cured bacon- a shelf stable perfection for any camp out or lazy afternoon skillet. I was happy to indulge my creative side when pairing the Just Cook Herbed Coffee Rub as a crisp cure to the bacon's edges. Crafted in San Francisco, Just Cook is a hearty blend of herbs and flavors that, in this case, pairs ground coffee for a slightly acidic rub base to compliment the inclusion of chipolte and cumin. Yes, it smells as delicious as it looks, and a little goes a long way to flavor town!

It wouldn't be the modern man's pantry without a little chocolate and bourbon, so The Campfire Cookout collection included something a little sweet with a box of Olive + Sinclair Bourbon Nib Brittle. From Nashville, TN, this delicacy features stone ground single-origin cacao beans cured in local bourbon barrels and melted into the golden river that is brittle toffee. These generous chunks of chocolate topped brittle were hearty in portion and a decadent indulgence as the rich semisweet coating melted with each crumbling bite. As a red-blooded chocolate loving woman, this spoke to my very core.

Hailing from New York, and made with traditional techniques by a Mexico City expat, the small batch handcrafted La Fundidora Fuego salsa brought a manly sense of heat to the collection. Perfect for a rustic morning omelet, or over a slice of the collection's Soberdough Green Cheddar Chili Brew Bread, the easy spread texture of this mellow heat salsa was full of tomatillo and arbor chile flavor. In general, all of the savory flavors of the Mantry box lent themselves to pairing with one-another; particularly in a hearty skillet or breakfast style meal.

Which lead me to create the above breakfast skillet featuring Mantry's Campfire Cookout Vermont Smoke + Cure Summer Sausage. Scratch made in small batches, using local Vermont meats, this Summer sausage has refined the flavors of rustic and made a classic 'man meat' staple even better. With a few slices grilled in a skillet, some fried hasbrowns, a sunny side up egg, and bagel core topped with Fuego salsa, I created the perfect breakfast surprise and secured my amazing girlfriend status for yet another month. Best of all, where some 'boxes' disappear quickly, we were enjoying the provisions of our Mantry box for weeks in cooking endeavors and midnight brittle samplings.

What Daughter Says: Ditch the garnishes and get down to flavor. You don't have to be a man to eat like one.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a MANTRY crate! Enter below and click the banner above to be taken to the official event Giveaway LINKY!

Blog POP!: Anthony's Hidden Veggie Pasta Bacon Mac Recipe + Jamie Oliver T-Fal Cookware Giveaway~ 4/6

Momma Told Me: Eat your veggies!

No matter the parents all children have their dietary challenges. Most mothers go straight from discouraging the eating of paste and Play-Doh (and everything else in sight) to defiant tight lipped mouths demanding consistent rations of pizza and chicken fingers. And the older they get, the harder it can be to 'sneak' in the nutrition their growing bodies need. When I was a child Momma found solace in the fact she could coax me to eat just about anything dipped in ranch. While mothers today might be horrified, it got the job done and was considerably better than the phase  where I swallowed undesirable food whole to circumvent the taste. With most children, the sheer concept of something being 'healthy' is enough to turn them off from even trying it, despite taste. In our house, we have a child with an aversion to meat, who will thankfully eat veggies and fruit happily. Even that presents it's own jumble of challenges.

Perhaps one of the oldest 'Mom Tricks' in the book is to hide undesired ingredients to trick children into eating them. As the lead chef of our household, I do this constantly with the other half. It turns out eating sensibly does not always get easier with age! I rcall, at one time, watching Jay scarf down an entire pot of Macaroni and Cheese with the fervor of a starving Doberman and thinking, 'I wonder if I could hide veggies in there?' A crunchy, cheesy, delicious casserole later I had my answer. Luckily, thanks to Anthony's latest pasta, mother's and wives everywhere can solve a similar problem with new Hidden Veggie pasta. Packaged much like their classic counterparts these pasta varieties feature minimal indication of their ulterior motive. Okay, so the front of the box does say 'Veggie' but it's sure to sneak past most of the younglings, and from below counters it's easy to miss. You'd be surprised just how 'normal' this Hidden Veggie pasta looks, and even more impressed with how it tastes!

I'll admit, I hymmed and hawed a bit when Anthony's approached me with a chance to review the new Hidden Veggie pasta line. We have a pantry full of boxed pasta in ever conceivable shape, and I've been known to sample high fiber, whole grain, and veggie variations in the past. My family has detected my ruse every single time. While the results have been edible, thoughtful smiles were quickly followed with "This is good but.....can we have the real pasta next time?" comments. What convinced me to sample Anthony's new range was the unique veggie composition that supplemented the traditional 'semolina' grain ingredient. The three proceeding ingredients are; dried sweet corn, dried carrot, and dried squash. Unlike cauliflower veggie pasta blends made by other companies, Anthony's had carefully crafted a truly unsuspecting blend that would have the toughest critics fooled. And 2 servings (4oz) of Hidden Veggie provides 1/2 C of vegetables, that's 1/5 the daily recommendation!

Deciding how to prepare Anthony's Hidden Veggie pasta was a cinch; there's an abundance of simple recipes on the Anthony's website. You can not only browse by health factor, and kid friendliness, but simplicity as well. While there are recipes directly on the boxes, I opted to make Anthony's 'kid friendly' recipe for Baked Macaroni with Cheese and Bacon. It didn't take much convincing, really, I'm sure I could serve my family re-purposed garbage with bacon atop and they'd scarf it down! As it turns out, I think the bacon brought out a little bit of the unique flavor of the pasta, and the two worked together quite nice in this from scratch 30-minute recipe. I loved how mellow the cheese was, and how the sauce clung to the Hidden veggie noodles, and never seemed thin or runny. For our bread crumbs I smashed some Italian Croutons and drizzled them on with butter prior to baking for a crunchy 'crust' that was truly adored.

Baked Macaroni + Cheese With Bacon

Ingredients:

* 1 PCKG (12oz) Anthony's Hidden Veggie Twisted Elbows

* 4 TBSP Butter, Divided

* 2 TBS All Purpose Flour

* 2.5 C Reduced Fat Milk

*  2.5 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese (we used Sharp)

* 1/2 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese

* Salt and Pepper (to taste)

* 8oz Diced Bacon, cooked until crisp and drained

* 1/2 C Fresh Bread Crumbs

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 375F

Prepare an 8" x 12" baking dish with nonstick spray

1.) Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.

2.) Return hot, empty, pan to medium-high heat. Add 3 TBS Butter to the pan and allow to melt. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk and continue to cook, stirring frequently until mixture begins to simmer. Remove from heat.

3.) Add Cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stirring until evenly melted. Add cooked Pasta and Bacon, blend gently.

4.) Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs. Dot with remaining TBS butter. Bake uncovered 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

New Orleans Shrimp Fettuccine Skillet

Ingredients:

* 12oz Anthony's Hidden Veggie Spaghetti (I know, it says fettuccine in the title)

* 1/4 C Butter

* 1/2 Onion, Chopped

* 2C Chicken Broth

* 2 Cans (14.5oz each) Diced Tomatoes w/Green Peppers and Onion, drained

* 1/2 TSP Sriracha Sauce (Or Pepper Sauce substitute)

* Salt and Pepper (to taste)

* 8oz Shelled, De-veined, Large Shrimp

Directions:

1.) Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes, stirring often.

2.) Break uncooked pasta in half and add directly to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently 2 minutes, or until onion is tender and pasta is coated evenly in melted butter, and beginning to brown.

3.) Add broth. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 8 MINS, stirring often.

4.) Add tomato blend, pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered, at a gentle boil for 4 MINS, or until pasta is tender.

5.) Stir in shrimp. Cook 2-3 MINS, stirring often, until shrimp turns pink and is done.

Okay, so I know the photos clearly don't show fettuccine noodles, that's because I received Hidden Veggie Spaghetti- same noodles, different shape. I think the whole pasta name game is pretty pretentious if you ask me ;) In any case, I made the Anthony's New Orleans Shrimp Fettuccine Skillet recipe from their website, so the adults could have a hearty meal. This turned out amazing for such minimal effort, and really felt like an indulgent and pricey dish. This is where I could really see the Hidden Veggie pasta perform, I didn't tell a soul, and nobody caught on! I don't see a reason why I wouldn't choose Hidden Veggie for all of my pasta dishes in the future. I am always in need of a little extra nutrition, and the price point is right on target with competing brands. For now, the only downside I see it the select market range Anthony's seems to be targeting. The local Los Angeles area stocks Hidden Veggie, but you will want to check with the product locator to determine if it is in stores near you. If it's not, don't be afraid to make a request with your local grocer! Visit the Anthony's Facebook page for an exclusive downloadable coupon to try new Hidden Veggie pasta.

What Daughter Says: With Anthony's Hidden Veggie pasta I can get away with fooling the entire family into eating healthier!

One Momma Told Me reader will win the above 10PC Jamie Oliver T-Fal Cookware Set and 8 Boxes of Anthony's Hidden Veggie pasta! When you're done entering, be sure to check out the event LINKY for more giveaways!

Blog POP!: Awesome Xorbee Furniture Giveaway~ 4/6

Momma Told Me: *See: Bean Bags are for Time Travelers.

As a child, there are few things more exciting than 'fun furniture.' As a parent, one would lump inflatable couches, bean bag chairs, video game rockers, and see saws into this category. Things designed especially for youngsters, but with some very clear design flaws. That is, these things will delight children and adults of all ages, but fail to withstand the test of time. I've often wondered, myself, if there is a world record for longest period a bean bag chair has remained in tact upon deliverance to a 10 year old. And we can't put ALL the blame on the kids- how many times has a bewildered wife followed a trail of misplaced legos into the rec room to find Pop passed out on an abstract arrangement of play furniture? There's a reason air, water, and bean furniture exists; because it's comfortable. It's more than novel to sit on a giant piece of foam, a-la preschool mat style, it's oddly comforting to feel enveloped by these new textures and unconventional ideas.

We pass them on the street (yes, literally the side of the road here) all the time. I can feel my heart racing and my foot panicking on the gas pedal as I silently pray the light up ahead will turn green before the wandering eyes in my car notice. There is absolutely no way I would allow a 'bean bag' chair in my home. We have pets, 3 of them, and one child hearted adult, plus 10 year-old. My pockets, and patience, is notdeep enough to tolerate those pesky PVC pellets and the tears that would follow it's retirement. So, when I discovered Xorbee, I knew I would soon be trading my villan's cap for one of a hero. Not only does the Xorbee range of foam furniture rely on a 2 piece system that features a washable cover, but the inner foam shell is impressively durable. Because this memory foam like filling molds to the pressure of it's users, there will never be any stiff or sinking points. These products return to their normal shape slowly after the lounger has emerged, and hold their structure quite well for multiple modes of lounging. The foam will also compress under extreme weight or pressure, meaning no bursting seams or nasty tears.

We received our Xorbee Xquisite lounger just before Christmas and I was happy to promise it's release as soon as the (fake) tree had been dismantled and hauled to the garage. Once we again had our living room back I decided to toss our storage ottoman to the corner and give the giant, heavy, white Xorbee box a go. These loungers weigh upwards of 50lbs upon delivery and arrive vacuum sealed into a very swollen box. I highly recommend visiting the brand website to view an unpacking video prior to attempting this task at home. While the Xorbee does not expand as rapidly as I'd envisioned, you do have to be on your game to stuff it into the cover before it becomes unmanageable. Speaking of covers, Xorbee offers a multitude of colors in Twill, and easy to clean micro-suede materials. I love that the covers can be removed and washed, and even better, changed to match a decorating re-design.

The company also produces a unique range of foam based furniture and mats for young children, in addition to their wildly popular Big Pillows. Think of these big pillows as personal Xorbee loungers, 3' x 4' at the smallest size. I recall seeing these sell out all last holiday season (as I'd had in mind to get one for the other half). In my opinion, having seen one of these pillows in person at a neighbor's house, this is the Xorbee gateway product. Once you invest in a pillow, you'll end up with a wall of them for the entire family. Before long you'll be contemplating one of the loungers for parties and guests (we can fit about 4 children on our lounger, happily playing the Wii at once). Beginning March 25-29,  there will be a National Groupon deal for these unique Xorbee XL RelaXer Pillow (a retail value of $160), at just $69 with FREE Shipping. Stock up on these for holiday and birthday gifts now, you won't be disappointed.

So how has our Xorbee lounger stacked up over the past few months? It's certainly received daily and extensive use. After holiday break I moved the, very large, Xorbee to our living room corner, where it can still make it's way in front of the TV if needed, but serves as additional seating when not. Daily Sabrina arrives home from school and sets up 'base' on what she has called her 'world.' She will complete her homework, then begin her assigned reading (though she hardly ever makes it through her 30 minutes without dozing off, it is that comfortable). We pull the Xorbee out to play Wii together, spend lazy afternoons watching movies on Netflix, and even carried the monstrosity downstairs and across the street as a makeshift 'tattoo bed.' (I know, I know- but that particular artist swears she is buying one for home and shop; she was in love instantly!)

With it's big pop of bright and bold red, the Xorbee is without a doubt the first thing seen when guests enter our home, and the first piece of furniture they want to use. We have several friends with larger frames, which our couch does not accommodate, and this adds the added freedom of ample lounge space. As far as durability, I've yet to notice any tears or rips along the beautifully sewn seams, and am constantly impressed as to how easy the micro-suede material is to clean with a damp cloth and water. I would highly suggest the added investment of a micro suede cover; I've scrubbed everything from nail polish and paint, to food off of the cover and it is just as beautiful as the day it arrived! Save 15% on your next Xorbee order with code MOMMATOLDME!

What Daughter Says: If you're looking to move your home into a new century of modern lounge furniture, look no further than Xorbee!

One Momma Told Me reader will win an amazing Xpert Gamer with Twill Cover of choice!

Blog POP!: Starlooks Spring Beauty + Starbox Giveaway~ 4/6

Momma Told Me: Beauty is on the inside.

Makeup is a world of color, a masque to apply before we hit the stage of life. In our society little girls grow up sitting at their mother's vanities, and folding through magazines full of pictures of modern goddesses. We are taught that we can be whatever we desire to be regardless of where we are born, or what we look like. Yet, from mechanics to supermodels, we are all still instilled with a need to emulate perceived beauty. Not to deceive, but to express ourselves on the canvas that is our body. I especially love the Spring season for the softer, and even more vibrant, palette it brings into my hands for play. Bold pastels and cheery glitters help bring the feminine side truly out; reminiscing of memories amid an Easter basket of Lip Smackers and jelly beans. And now, thanks to subscriptions box services such as Starlooks, I can enjoy a hand picked palette of creamy colors and cosmetics at a fraction of the retail cost.

Some of you may recall reading about Starlooks before, here on Momma Told Me, and already know of my respect and adoration for them. I have subscribed to many similar services for cosmetics and otherwise, and few have delivered so consistently with full size, quality, products I enjoy using. With the exception of the December 2012 Starbox, these monthly collections consist of multiple products from the in-house brand, painstakingly curated to help the customer recreate a mood or look. When you visit the website you'll find yourself lost in beautiful snapshots and beauty how-toos to capture the season's mood, and a plethora of non-featured products to shop from. The simple truth is that the product Starlooks puts out at full price does not vary from the product presented in these boxes. For just $15 you can receive an exciting bundle of the brand's products to keep you looking gorgeous from brow to lips.

Each month's box is always delicately wrapped in color-themed tissue paper, with a whimsical 'crystal' and quite card to help unlock the inspiration inside each recipient. Boxes that do not go out to current subscribers are sold at a slightly high price (often $25), until supplies run out, though replacement products can be bought individually through the Starlooks store. The business model is ingenious really, as most women enjoy sampling cosmetics for shade or application, and are extremely loyal to re-stock when low. What I personally like best is that the collections seem to universally appeal, never too sharp, but always an edgy twist on cosmetic style. That is, I have not received a Starbox that was full of products I would never use. On occasion, I might not find a use for them together, as the prompts may try to inspire, but all of the pieces work their way into my daily makeup wardrobe.

As a woman prone to sensitive skin, I also love the lack of fragrances found in most Starlooks products. Their cosmetics go on smooth, wear long, and don't irritate my skin. Speaking of skin, when a Starlooks box calls for pigment compatibility the company will consult for your skin tone, or other necessary info, ahead of time, to ensure you have the best box for you. March was all about Professional Makeup Artist, Lauren Clark, who arguably looks much more toned down in her flyers and paperwork than the sultry woman seen advertising her collection on the website. Consisting of 3 unique textured lip products; "Tipsy" Lip Liner, "Princess Diaries" Infinity Pot Liner, and "Pink Oasis" Lip Color Tube, as well as bonus "Barbie" Fluid Blush, this collection was easy to layer with complimenting pinks and purples.

Despite it photographing a plum-pink here, the Pink Oasis Lip Gloss is actually more of an iridescent Lavender that  lightly tints through rich shimmer, and wears creamy for hours. I loved that my lips didn't get 'sticky,' and actually experienced some moisture relief. I'll admit I don't normally dress up my lips, unless going out for a special occasion, so I didn't find an immediate use for the trio of lip products, though the colors do appeal quite a bit to me. I was most intrigued to play with the Barbie Fluid Blush, which wore like a fluffy cream foundation, and easily blended for a natural color I quite liked. I've already been back to the Starlooks website to scout out the other hues, and create a wish list for more of the Fluid Blush colors.

I love Starlooks Starbox subscription because it is one of the simplest, well put together, beauty subscription services. I attribute it's success to the fact the company manufacturers all of their included products, which maintains a certain level of quality the  customer learns to expect. I also feel the interactivity of the website, and monthly pictorials help inspire some of the less creative fashionistas to use the products for their own self expression. I get to play with new textures, applications, and hues for a fraction of the cost of risking to buy the full sized products on their own. And, when I fall in love with a product, like the Fluid Blush, I can visit the online store and browse the entire palette and re-stock. I've yet to be disappointed by a Starlooks Starbox and highly suggest it as a treat to any beauty curious or obsessed.

What Daughter Says: Starboxes are packed with beauty steals and secrets!

One Momma Told Me reader will win 2 months of Starboxes from Starlooks! Visit our Blog POP! giveaway LINKY to hop on over to all of the other amazing event giveaways!