Style - June Yogi Surprise Jewelry Box Review

Last month was my first time trying the Yogi Surprise jewelry subsciption box, and you can consider me in love! Each month's box has a different theme, and the June box was inspired by the summer solstice celebration on June 20th. The note for this month encourages members to "let these pieces be a reminder to share your own light with a glowing smile and positive energy" as we embrace the arrival of summer.

Here's how Yogi Surprise works: there are two boxes to choose from, a Lifestyle box and a Jewelry box. The Lifestyle box is $44.95 each month (with a $70 average retail value) and includes 6-8 full-sized items such as organic skincare items, natural sunscreen, yoga gloves, herbal teas, and healthy snacks. All products are GMO free and vegetarian. The jewelry box, which is $24.99 each month, includes two handcrafted pieces, most often a bracelet and a necklace, and a seasonal chocolate treat. Yogi Surprise jewelry is nickel, lead, and cadmium tree, fair trade, and made with sustainably harvested materials. Subscribers are automatically charged on the 15th of each month and boxes ship out on the first week of the month. Yogi Surprise also hosts a monthly giveaway - each month, one member can win $1000 cash to go on the yoga retreat of his/her choice by posting a photo with their box on social media. This summer, Yogi Surprise is also hosting the Yoga Summer Sweepstakes, with the grand prize of a 5 night "Revive an Renew" package at The Retreat Costa Rica ($2500 value). The package includes daily yoga classes and wellness workshops, customized fresh cuisine, and luxurious accommodations in a healing environment - click here to enter!

Once again, the June jewelry box featured cute packaging and spot-on branding. I like that Yogi Surprise includes the information card explaining the significance and symbolism behind each item. This month's box included a desert-inspired necklace, stone bracelet, and chocolate energy snack. The jewelry was packed in sheer pouches that I'll be able to reuse for travel or gift-giving.

My Chakra Love necklace was made of agate and represents the sacral chakra. In this Yogi Surprise jewelry box, members could receive a variety of stones from Chakra Love's Desert Collection, representing the seven different chakras (energy points on the body that many yoga practitioners focus on). The sacral chakra (svadhishthana) is associated with emotions, relationships, sensuality, pleasure, and movement. In addition to being linked with fertility and known as the "seat of life" (as a woman with PCOS, I like the reminder of a little positive energy in that department), Svadhishthana is also considered to be connected to creativity, joy, and enthusiasm - I like having a piece of jewelry that represents those aspects of my personality, and the vermillion color of the agate stone is really unique in my jewelry box.

The second piece in the June Yogi Surprise jewelry box is a yellow and white jade bracelet featuring a silver Om charm. Yellow is obviously one of the main colors associated with the sun and solstice, and yellow jade represents purity, bravery, and honesty. According to the card that came with my box, in China, yellow jade is a symbol of "wealth, good fortune, friendship, and loyalty." 

I really like the bracelet styled with my Jawbone UP2 band, copper bead bracelet, and friendship bracelet from India. The golden color of the jade is very neutral and adds a nice bohemian touch to a summer arm party!

This week's chocolate treat was a Rawxies Mint Chocolate Chip heart - yum!

I was very satisfied with my June Yogi Surprise Box. I love being able to add yoga inspired jewelry to my everyday essentials, and Yogi Surprise is a great deal (the total value of this box was $53). The card included in the box also features a six-pose yoga sequence and invitation for friends to join (if 3 friends join, your next box is free) - if any of you are interested, click here!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way by Yogi Surprise or asked to write a review - I just thought this was a cool subscription box worth sharing with my readers! I paid for my own subscription and this is my honest review. This post contains a referral link.

Linking Up With:
Mix it Mondays with Fizz and Frosting
Hello Monday with More Pieces of Me and Sincerely Jenna Marie
Style Sessions at Style Elixir
Let It Shine at Still Being Molly
Tuesday Fashion Party at Two Peas in a Blog
Confident Twosday at I Do DeClaire

Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet

Ageless Style at Happiness at Midlife

Style: Yogi Surprise Subscription Box Review

It certainly does seem that there is a subscription box out there for every interest and hobby: as you all probably know, I'm a little bit addicted to Stitch Fix, and I'm mighty tempted by all of the lovely looking YA book and geeky subscription boxes that are out there. For a while, Mr. Q even got in on the action with a cycling subscription. When I started to see ads for Yogi Surprise boxes, I was intrigued - I've really become devoted to my yoga practice over the past few years as I've seen my mood become more stable and even my bone density improve (I can't prove that was because of yoga, but it certainly seems to be the case). I stalked the Yogi Surprise website and Facebook page for a while, but when I saw that a jewelry item I'd been coveting for a while was going to be included in the May box, I had to treat myself to a little early birthday gift. 

There are two Yogi Surprise boxes: a Lifestyle box and a Jewelry box, both centered around a monthly theme. The Lifestyle box is $44.95 each month and includes 6-8 full-sized items such as body oil, organic skincare items, a neti pot, yoga gloves, herbal teas, healthy chips, granola bars, and peanut butter cups. All products are GMO free and vegetarian. According to the website, the boxes have a $70 average retail value. The jewelry box, which is $24.99 each month) includes two handcrafted pieces, most often a bracelet and a necklace, and a seasonal chocolate treat. Yogi Surprise jewelry is nickel, lead, and cadmium tree, fair trade, and made with sustainably harvested materials. Subscribers are automatically charged on the 15th of each month and boxes ship out on the first week of the month (June boxes shipped yesterday). On top of my box, I found a card explaining the May theme and explaining the monthly giveaway - each month, one member can win $1000 cash to go on the yoga retreat of his/her choice by posting a photo with their box on social media.

The first thing I noticed about this subscription box was the cute packaging - even the outside of the box was well branded. Underneath the information card was a cute packet of chocolate candies and nice jewelry pouches that I'll definitely repurpose for traveling.

The flip side of the card gives information about each piece and the candy. My two jewelry items were a sandalwood, pearl, and amazonite mala (the yoga jewelry of my dreams!) and a labradorite and jade bracelet.

Here's a closer look at the 'Balance' Sandalwood, Pearl and Amazonite Mala. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that tassel jewelry, especially necklaces, is a major trend this summer. Until recently I didn't know that most of these pieces are actually inspired by the tradition of 108 bead malas (thanks to Kara from Boho Berry for the education!). 

While, as a Christian, I do not believe that stones or other natural materials have healing powers, I do think that being reminded of nature is a positive thing! I've been a little bit obsessed with minerals and gemstones since elementary school, when my truck driver dad used to bring me samples of rose quartz, pyrite, amethyst, and tiger's eye from the Southwest (just like this commercial that gives me major ugly cry face). I think that by associating a specific intention, like living a more balanced life, with a specific material, we can help remind ourselves to work toward those goals. Sandalwood is associated with calmness and mental clarity - and it smells really nice. I couldn't resist the combo of natural wood beads with pearl and amazonite when I saw the preview of this Yogi Surprise Box, especially when a mala alone can cost around $120 on Etsy or in stores. I like to wear this mala necklace with my chambray shirt (from last week's style post) or even a t-shirt and jeans to step up my "preppy bohemian" style.

Since the mala was teased on the Yogi Surprise website, the 'I Am Healed' Labradorite and Jade Bracelet was the real surprise for me. I wish this photo was a better representation of the beautiful gray-green color of the labradorite beads and how luminescent they are in the light! It's a stone associated with protection and strength. White jade is connected to focus and clear decision making. Featuring pretty silver beads, rhinestones, and a lotus charm, this bracelet is a great reminder to have faith in my choices, and looks great dressed up or down.

Finally, the chocolates, which went way too quickly during exam time at school! These  all-natural "Chocolaty Fudgee Rolls" by the Lovely Candy Co. were chocolaty indeed without the waxy texture associated with other rolls which shall remain nameless.

Overall, I really loved my first Yogi Surprise Box. My only complaint about this subscription box is that it follows a traditional subscription system - boxes are sent each month unless the subscriber cancels; there's no way to pause a subscription or skip a month. While I love yoga inspired jewelry, and Yogi Surprise is a great deal, I'm still not sure I could justify buying 24 new pieces each year - or find room for all of them in my jewelry box! The Yogi Surprise Box was a nice treat to myself at the end of the school year, and I also think it would be an awesome gift for a yoga-loving friend.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way by Yogi Surprise or asked to write a review - I just thought this was a cool subscription box worth sharing with my readers! I paid for my own subscription and this is my honest review. This post contains referral links for Yogi Surprise.

Linking Up With:
Mix it Mondays with Fizz and Frosting
Hello Monday with More Pieces of Me and Sincerely Jenna Marie
Style Sessions at Style Elixir
Let It Shine at Still Being Molly
Tuesday Fashion Party at Two Peas in a Blog
Confident Twosday at I Do DeClaire

Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet
Ageless Style at Happiness at Midlife

this week's clicks: let's start carving our own path...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• Though the video there says "Imaginary Friend," this band is actually called Imaginary Future and their song "Love is Beginning" is from the album Sunlight, which is full of lovely tracks.

SWOON.

Jamee Photography via Wedding Chicks

• Wedding Chicks features a vintage-meets-rustic ranch wedding.
• Apartment Therapy features a cozy Oregon family home tour.
• Bliss at Home's AMAZING chic gold kitchen transformation.
• From Bridal Musings, a simple hometown wedding... in Hawaii.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Cross Cards, Kate Spade, Pop Goes the Reader.
• Oscar ballots from Almost Makes Perfect and Lia Griffith.
• These preserved flower rings are fit for a princess.
• Supermodels as superheroes, via Pret-a-Reporter.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I reviewed  a lovely scarf from MoonCats, shared my favorite Oscar looks and an Oscar-inspired outfit for the PMT Style Challenge, rounded up my fave pins, and spotlighted my 2015 blog loves.
• Two years ago, I rounded up my blog loves and shared my fave Oscar fashion, hair, makeup, and accessories.
• Three years ago I featured my fave Oscar looks, easy cupcake decorating inspired by Gold Rush, City Hall wedding inspiration, and my winter in Instagram.
• Four years ago I shared inspiration for a feminine winter wedding.
• Five years ago I featured my favorite folk and classical instrumentals for weddings.

inspiration for a blush and pewter winter wedding.

By now, we've had some time to adjust to Pantone's unprecedented decision to name two colors of the year for 2016, and I'm currently obsessed with rose quartz. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'm envisioning soft blush pink wedding details paired with lace and pewter for a perfectly romantic winter wedding.

Jodi Miller Photography via Grey Likes Weddings

Classic letterpress stationery will never go out of style. I love the idea of a bride using a family heirloom cameo or lace from her mother's wedding dress as her "something old."

BHLDN | Elizabeth Fogarty Photography via Style Me Pretty

For "something new," BHLDN's collection of vintage-inspired chandelier 

earrings is full of stunning pieces to complete a bride's look.

 

Elizabeth Fogarty Photography via Style Me Pretty | Gemma Clarke via Style Me Pretty

Lovely floral robes would make the perfect bridesmaids' gift, and if your girls are 

up for it, a centerpiece making party can help ease the pre-wedding jitters.

 

Gemma Clarke via Style Me Pretty | Jodi Miller Photography via Grey Likes Weddings

Abby Grace Photography via Southern Weddings

Buffy Dekmar Fine Art Weddings via Snippet and Ink

Jenny Wohrle via Every Last Detail

Abby Grace Photography via Southern Weddings

The silvery leaves of dusty miller add a perfect wintery touch to a 

blush and ivory garden rose bouquet.

Elizabeth Fogarty via Style Me Pretty | Kayla Barker Photography via Wedding Sparrow

Which of these Pantone-inspired details is your favorite? 

Let me know in the comments!

2015 Oscars: My Favorite Looks

I haven't been quite as award-show crazy here on the blog as I was last winter with the Grammy Awards and the Golden Globes, but I couldn't resist Hollywood's true night to shine, The Oscars. I always like to see how the looks on the red carpet reflect runway trends and influence fashion for the rest of the year! I found information about fashion and jewelry  designers on People. For image sources, check out my winter Pinterest board.

Best Dressed Ladies

I love coral and I love Anna Kendrick, so I fell head over heels for her sophisticated halter dress. It's a 70's-inspired look that is totally contemporary.

There were a lot of black dresses and white dresses on the red carpet as well, and I loved Margot Robbie's 70's-inspired v-neck dress and 30's-inspired Van Cleef & Arpels tassel necklace, along with Lupia Nyong'o's pearl-encrusted Calvin Klein halter dress.

Lovely Lace

Texture was popular in Oscar dresses last year, but ruffles have given way to lace that is both elegant and sensual. Gone Girl's Rosamund Pike looked every bit the movie star in her red lace strapless dress with a dramatic slit. I thought Kelly Osbourne's dress was stunning and ladylike while still perfect for rock royalty.

Trendy Taupe

Last year nude dresses with fabric appliques were a huge trend at the Oscars, with Cate Blanchett and Idina Menzel both rocking the look, and this year a similar tonal color was popular, but in sleek shapes that accented the actress' figures. Viola Davis' boatneck Zac Posen dress was perfectly elegant paired with a diamond and pearl Van Cleef & Arpels necklace.

Guardians of the Galaxy's Zoe Saldana and Cake's Jennifer Aniston both showed off toned figures in tonal dresses that were both from Versace - I love the sheer bottom part of Jennifer's dress.

Metallics

Metallic sparkle was also a hit, with Anna Farris looking great in gold and Jennifer Lopez stealing the show in  with her long copper train.

Best Dressed Gentlemen

I love when a man's not afraid to break the basic tux mold, so I loved David Oyelowo's take on Pantone's color of the year, Marsala, accented with pops of bright red in his vest and tie.

Celebrity Doppelgangers

Kevin Spacey and Jason Sudeikis both rocked navy tuxes on Oscar night last year; this year the bold color belonged to Best Actor winner Eddie Redmayne and The Fault in Our Stars' Ansel Elgort in nearly identical looks.

One of last year's most memorable Oscar looks was Matthew McConaughey in a dapper white jacket; this year, Benedict Cumberbatch and Adrien Brody both managed to pull of white jackets without looking like cater waiters.

Best Beauty

I'm not really sure why Zendaya was at the Oscars, but her pulled-back faux dreadlocks and draped gown, paired with soft, romantic makeup made her look absolutely gorgeous. Kerry Washington was glowing as always with rose-hued makeup.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum's makeup also stood out to me - her smoky eye and tangerine lipstick looked great with a pulled-back, sleek ponytail and statement earrings.

 Best Accessories

It looks like last year's ear cuff has some competition: both Big Hero 6's Jamie Chung and Best Actress winner Julianne Moore wore half round fan-shaped earrings. I hope this style catches on.

Other notable bling: Marion Cotillard's interesting earrings and Jessica Chastain's simple but stunning Piaget diamond necklace.