Send a "Hello" from Home to Your Kids Away at School This Holiday Season with the Freshman Fun Box - Filled with Snacks, Personal Care and Life Skills Goodies! (Review) #collegecarepackage #subscriptionbox #collegesurvival

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

I live in the Quiet Corner of CT, which is full of farms and countryside. But, it is also home to a handful of boarding and private schools.  And, about 30 minutes away is UCONN, as well as many other well-known colleges in CT as well as in nearby Rhode Island. You could say that we live in the "sweet spot" of CT as it is not only full of open land areas making for a nice scenic drive during all four season, but we are also within driving distance to some of the most prestigious and popular schools for high school and college students.  We have many celebrities sending their children to the boarding schools, as well as other countries including China, Spain, Saudi Arabia, etc.  This offers such a diverse popular of visiting students, and is a great way to get our little "Quiet Corner" on the map.

Surprising with the holidays fast approaching, many children who have come from other counties or far away states end up staying at the schools during the winter/holiday break. Some stay because they don't celebrate Christmas, while others may find it a hassle to head home for a week or two break, or the cost of round trip travel is expensive.  Whatever the reason, I love seeing the communities come together and welcome these students into their homes during the holidays either by inviting them over for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, or even taking them in during the entire break, and getting them out of their dorm rooms.  The students become part of the family and it is a great learning experience for everyone, learning about new customs, nationalities, and traditions.  My husband and I plan to welcome boarding students into our home in a couple of years, when our girls get a little older and can appreciate this experience with the foreign exchange students who come from far away to get a high school or college education, while experiencing life in America on their own.  I am always impressed when I see the boarding school students out and about. They carry themselves so well, and are so well mannered.  I don't know how they can be so far away from home, especially during the holidays, when you want to be together as a family.

In putting together my holiday gift guide this year, I wanted to share some great gift ideas for families who may have children away at school during the holidays, but want to still send them gifts to enjoy for the holidays.  When I stumbled upon Freshman Fun Box a couple of months ago, I knew that I had to include this subscription box to my gift guide, as it would be perfect to send to students away at boarding school or college during the holidays.

Here is more about the monthly subscription box, Freshman Fun Box:

"Your student is going away to school and you’re feeling anxious. What’s going on? Is it because you’re worried about their safety? Whether they will eat? What about all the other things they need? That’s where Freshman Fun Box comes in. We take the guesswork out of what they need, add in a few life skills and a whole lot of surprise and fun!

The items in this college care package change every month to make sure they never lack. And ... it’s easier for you because you don’t have to worry about them calling home for money, or wondering whether or not they went to the store and picked up they what they need. From monthly treats to birthdays ... Freshman Fun Box covers it all. No matter what level of college, they’ll always be happy when you send that hello from home.

--

I was curious to see what types of products were included in a monthly subscription box, so the kind folks at Freshman Fun Box sent along a "Middle School Fun Box" sample box for my girls and I to enjoy. Look at all the goodies included with a box (Note: products change each month)...

 There was a lot of stuff packed into the Freshman Fun Box, including a t-shirt, drawstring bag, notebook and pen, a super cute inspirational coffee mug, and some tasty treats including two cans of Pringles and a Kind bar.  

Every month, the items change to make sure students have what they need and parents are worry free. Each box is guaranteed to have 5-7 items, including school, personal care and life skills goodies.

In addition to the middle school fun box ($49.99) that I was sent, you can also choose from a high school fun box ($49.99), freshman fun box for college students ($69.99), and also the The HBCU Box  ($69.99) for college students of color.  You have the option of sending a one time box, or setting up a recurring subscription (which you can cancel at anytime).

My girls and I really enjoy checking out the different goodies in the Freshman Fun Box we were sent.  They love cooking in the kitchen and couldn't wait to try out the recipes that were included on recipe cards in the box.  All of the recipes with easy to prepare, and tasted great. I could see kids away at school whipping up these quick and easy recipes when they don't want to head to the cafeteria for a meal, or are up late studying or working on a paper.  I lived away at college for four years, and would have loved to have received a Freshman Fun Box care package in the mail. My dorm mates would have been impressed and envious of the goodies I would be receiving each month, and would have been asking their parents to sign them up so that they could get some fun mail during the school year. :-)

You really do get a lot of stuff in these care packages, which ship nationwide.  My girls liked the branded t-shirt and drawstring bag, and were quick to eat the snacks included.  Even though they live at home, they asked me to sign them up for a Freshman Fun Box, as they love getting mail, and what student wouldn't want to get a box filled with snacks, personal care products and life skills goodies to help them get through the school year?  With winter break for boarding schools and colleges over the country, now is the time to sign up and send off a Freshman Fun Box to your kids who will be staying on campus during the holidays.  They will love getting unexpected mail that is filled with goodies they will love and actually use.

Be sure to use coupon code WELCOME at checkout to save 10% off our order!

You can learn more about the Freshman Fun Box subscription care package boxes that can be sent to students in middle school through college, away at school by visiting https://freshmanfunbox.com/.  The college and boarding school boxes ship once a month, while the middle and high school boxes are quarterly.   Check out the special birthday-themed box for students who will be celebrating a birthday while away from home.  

These care packages would even make for a great gift ideas for families who will be hosting or taking in nearby boarding school and college students for the holidays. 

They will be surprised and feel loved when they open up a Freshman Fun Box and see all the goodies inside for them to enjoy, while away from home, this holiday season.  

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Explore, Discover & Experience a Different Destination Every Month with Spice Madam and Their Curated Boxes - Only 16 Days Left to Sign Up for the January Box! (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Time left to sign up for the next culinary adventure: 16 days

I am so excited to introduce you all to Spice Madam, a Texas-based, woman-owned spice-subscription box company.  Which each and every box, customers are taken on a culinary journey to different parts of the world, sampling authentic cuisine you cook up with your family, from each destination.

This year as part of our homeschooling, my girls have been learning geography and history from around the world, thanks to our "Galloping Around the Globe" lessons.  In addition to making stops in each country, learning about the different regions, cultures, etc., my girls and I have also been cooking our way through each country.  I have a few cookbooks that we choose recipes from and at the end of each lesson about a particular location, we make a meal for the whole family to enjoy.  And, while enjoying each authentic meal cooked with spices from that region, the girls share about things they learned.  I love seeing my girls get excited about Geography, as I know this isn't a popular subject for kids to learn about in public school and homeschool.  I, for one, never was a fan of memorizing states and countries and their capitals.  But, maybe if it was taught like I am doing with my girls, then it would have been more enjoyable.  I find that hands on learning and immersing ourselves into a culture, that the girls gain so much and retain so much more information, than just by learning through textbook study.

So, when I was contacted by the folks at Spice Madam and asked if I wanted to review and feature their monthly subscription box as part of my holiday gift guide, I jumped at the opportunity, as I knew it would be perfect for me to do with my girls, and something my readers would love to learn more about, especially foodies and homeschooling families.

Grab your passports (well not really) and get ready to journey around the globe with Spice Madam.  First stop will be a surprise...but, you are in for the travel experience of a lifetime, without having to leave your house. Well, you have to grab some ingredients to make the dishes (recipe cards included), but other than that, no jet lag or worrying about packing and lugging heavy carry on bags. :-)  We just received our first Spice Madam box and are journeying all the way to Pakistan. 

This is one place we hadn't studied yet with our schooling, so it will be fun to dive right in next week learning all about Pakistan, which is located in South Asia, and borders India, Afghanistan, Iran and China.  I took a peek in the box with the girls, as we could smell the spices, and they were curious as to the destination we would be learning about.

This curated Pakistan box included the following spices, which we will be cooking with:

• Chili and Tumerica Spice Blend
• Cardamon
• Cumin Seeds
• Garam Masala

There is a card added to the box that tells more about each of these spices, including how they smell and taste, what they are made up of, and health benefits (if any), along with recipes you would use them in.  

I appreciated this spice information card as it gave me more information of each spice for me to share with the girls, for the couple I haven't used before.  In addition to the spice info card, there was also a full-color fact card included in the box from Spice Madam.  

Knowing that I would be using this with our homeschooling, I loved the addition of this fact card which showed the Pakistani Flag, a postage stamp, the famous Badshahi Mosque located in Lahore, and a map view of Pakistan so that the girls could locate on their big world map in our hallway.  There is even a link to a musical playlist you can listen to while you cook with your family some of the recipes included in this curated box.  I took a quick listen and love their selection of traditional music and modern Pakistani pop songs.  The tabla drums is typical of classical Pakistani music and can be heard on this playlist, which will set the mood for you to cook amazing dishes from Pakistan.

There is also a shopping list you can bring with you to the market, so you know what you need to purchase, as well as a list of pantry items you should have on hand already like salt, olive oil, basmati rice, dried beans, evaporated milk, etc.  

For this particular box, we will need to buy stew beef, potatoes, white onions, fresh cilantro, fresh mint, garlic, fresh green Thai chili, Fresh ginger, Roma tomatoes and a lemon.  We also need to pick up plain unsweetened yogurt and 1 egg.  If you are a vegetarian or eat a gluten-free diet, you will be happy to know that the recipes and shopping list cards include substitutions for these two diets.

These are the recipes we will be making once we do our shopping over the weekend:

• Appetizer -- Aloo Tikki with Mint Chutney
• Side Dish #1 -- Tadka Daal
• Side Dish #2 -- Aloo Gosht (Beef and Potato Curry)
• Main Dish -- Pakistani Rice Pulau
• Dessert -- Kulfi Popsicles

I am eager to make and try the main dish and Kulfi Popsicles.   

The recipe cards include full color pictures of each recipe, which will make your mouth water, and get you excited to get in the kitchen and start cooking with your new spices.  Stay tuned next week when I will share photos of the dishes we make from our Pakistan Spice Madam box.  But, in the meantime, why not consider signing up for your very own Spice Madam box to share with your family, or to share with the special foodie or arm chair travel enthusiast in your life. :-)

Head on over to Spice Madam and sign up for their monthly subscription service today.  You can sign up for one box, a Every box takes customers on a culinary journey to a new destination every month, which is a fun way for families to have the travel experience each time the box arrives!  Available for online order and shipping is free all over the US..  You can choose to sign up for month to month, or a 3, 6 or 12 months prepaid.  Month to month is only $20, making it a great price to try out Spice Madam before signing up for a longer pre-paid subscription.  I know that once you try out their box you will want to get more.  I, for one, can't wait to sign up and see what places my family will be visiting through this curated box of global spices, recipes, music and fun facts.  

More about Spice Madem and their monthly curated boxes:

"Our mission is to bring love to homes by bringing family & friends together through the spices and flavors of the world!

Travel/Wellness aspect: Research has shown the value of face-to-face time with friends and family, which is becoming more and more important in an 'always-on' world where phones and laptops can often replace in-person conversations and quality time. Spice Madam boxes are a fun way to connect with others around a themed dinner night with music, food and discovery about other countries. 

Lifestyle/Health aspect: By introducing customers to spices + recipes from around the world, Spice Madam encourages home-cooking and healthy eating. Spices add exciting flavor in place of added fats, sugars and salt.

What's in each box:

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For $20 a month, customers will receive a culinary adventure subscription box filled with spices, recipes and a Spotify music playlist from a different destination every month, as well as fun facts and travel tips from the destination country. 

Each box comes with a menu plan and a shopping list to help with planning. This helps busy customers save time on trying out cuisines from other countries, searching for the spices, looking up recipes & finding a way to tie it all together. "

Two interesting things about us:
(1) Every box sold support a non-profit that impacts youth education.
(2) We also hire refugees to give them opportunities to work.

Learn more about Spice Madam by visiting https://www.spicemadam.com/ today.

Don't forget to follow Spice Madam on their social media pages below:

• Spice Madam on Facebook
• Spice Madam on Twitter
• Spice Madam on Instagam
• Spice Madam on Pinterest

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Give the Gift of a Monthly Succulents Box This Holiday -- Save 15% Off Your First Order Now from Succulents Box! (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

One thing I wasn't born to be was a gardener.  Oh, how I wish I had a green thumb, but I never seem to have any luck with flower or vegetable gardens.  I thought I got lucky this past spring when I planted our vegetable garden. Everything started to sprout up and fill out garden bed.  But, thanks to living in the country and sharing land with deer, rabbits and a groundhog who made his home under our shed, I came back from a weekend vacation with my family to find all my plants were eaten, right down to the root.  We had cucumbers and tomatoes that were changing color and almost ready to pick, but they ended up being a meal for the critters who live in our woods. I hope they appreciated all the time and effort I put into the garden. :-)  After this last garden mishap, I decided to hang up my gardener's hat...that was until I walked through a local flower shop and saw succulent plants, and learned from the horticulturist that they are the easiest thing to care for, and hard to kill.  This sounded right up my alley.  I went home and did a little more research, as I didn't want to buy them right on the spot and find that you needed to have  green thumb to keep these plants alive. 

After a little more research, I did learn indeed these were easy to take care of, all you had to do is keep out of the cold and spritz them with water when their soil gets dry -- something manageable on my family's busy schedule.  So, I looked online to see if I could find a store that sells and ships succulents and found myself browsing the Succulents Box website, which offers a monthly succulents subscription box that ships directly to your door each month.  Wow!, they had a lot of succulents, air plants and accessories to choose from, in addition their subscription options.  :-)

I reached out to the folks at Succulents Box and they graciously sent me a sample of their  4 succulents/month subscription box to review and enjoy. 

Within a few days of conversing, the box arrived at my door, ready for me to enjoy these succulent plants.  I couldn't wait to open the box and the see the succulents they sent.

Not only were each of the four succulents wrapped in bubble wrap to protect them during transit to me, but the box also contained care instructions (which for a non green thumb like me is a must), as well as little identification cards so I could tell what each of the four succulents I sent were, in case I wanted to buy more, or brag to friends and family how my Crassula Moonglow was flourishing. :-)

Succulents included in the box were:

Titanopsis Calcarea, Lapidaria Margaretae, Telephiastrum Variegata, and Crassular Moonglow

Pictured about are the four succulents I was sent.  They all are unique, which I love, and based on the care instructions are so easy to take care of.  During the winter months you only have to water the soil one time a month to keep it moist.  In the summer, it goes up to watering them every 1-2 weeks.  But, less water is needed in the winter as the plants are dormant. I guess this is the perfect season to gift succulents to friends and family as there really isn't much care needed for these plants, and they will not need tending to if you are doing any sort of holiday travel.

Because I was sent four succulents to admire and care for, I decided to let my two girls pick their favorite succulent from the Succulents Box to put up in their rooms and take care.  They love helping me in the garden and planting flowers to see if they will grow.  So, I knew they would love these succulents, which are the easiest plant to take care, as it only need water when the soil is dry.  My girls were all smiles when I told them they could have their own succulent, and they were quick to choose their favorite, before running up to their bedrooms to find the perfect spot for their new succulent plant.  They both ended up putting them on their bookcases on the opposite side of the room, that way they could lay in their beds and admire them, and it would be the first thing they would see each morning when they wake up.  They even added the next watering date which is 1/11/19 to their calendars so that they know when to check the soil and water again, during the winter months.

I am so happy we had a chance to try out the Succulents Box subscription service, and I will definitely be buying more of these unique succulents.  And, right now, my readers can save 15% off their order over at SucculentsBox.com by entering promo code LOVEPLANTS at checkout.  

I plan to get this Christmas Gift Box which include an air plant for only $17.45, and gift to family and friends this holiday season!

I am loving this air plant, too!

So, if you are still looking for last minute ideas for friends and family, or need to get yourself a few more gifts to leave under the tree for yourself for Christmas morning, why not order a succulents subscription box from Succulents Box today?  You will not be disappointed with the quality of the succulents.  


Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Lego Fans Will Love Receiving a Brick Loot Box Each Month -- Save 12% on This #LEGO #subscriptionbox from @brickloot Now! (Reivew)

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Invented by a 9 yr old, this box is fun for ages 6 - 99!

My youngest daughter, Bella recently celebrated her 6th birthday and instead of a birthday party she wanted to go into Boston and check out the LEGOLAND Discovery Center.  This attraction has been open for a couple years now, but we haven't made it down there yet to visit. Both of my girls are really into LEGO building.  If you were to visit our house, you would see different shrines or areas around the house and in their bedrooms dedicated to their LEGO builds. They are really good at making houses or landscape scenes, but really love making build kits, where they follow the directions to make a cool LEGO piece or structure. 

We had so much fun at the LEGOLAND Discover Center in Somerville, MA.  The only thing I would have done different is not go on a "no school" day.  We went down the Friday before Veteran's Day.  And, because we homeschool, I don't keep up on public school day off schedules.  We showed up and the place was crazy busy.  But, that was also a good thing, as it showed that there are so many LEGO fans out there, young and old.  I couldn't get over how many parents were pulling up a seat next to their child and building things.  It was really nice to see, as we love to do LEGO building with the girls.

Before leaving the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, we stopped into the store and picked up a few LEGO sets for the girls.  They love the Best Friends series, as well as the new Ninjago movie, so those were the sections the girls gravitated towards.  As soon as we got home the girls got right to building their new LEGO sets.  By the next day we had new finished pieces to add to their growing LEGO shrine area -- you can look, but don't touch the girls tell us when we are near their shrine areas. :-)  The girls asked when we would be going back, or if we could go to the store one of these days to spend Bella's birthday money on more LEGO set.  I guess they are addicted...and, I can't blame them as I also loved LEGO kits growing up, and love being able to sit down and help the girls build them.

You may recall a couple weeks ago me sharing about Brick Loot and a special 12% off coupon code just for Inspired by Savannah readers.  In my post I said I would be sharing a review of one of their monthly boxes, that are a must have for LEGO and Brick fanatics, like my family.  

What is Brick Loot?:

"Brick Loot is a box subscription company for LEGO and Brick fanatics! Subscribers will receive a monthly box filled with unique, custom and never-before-seen items including Custom LEGO Kits, LEGO Minifigures and more."

Our November Brick Loot box showed up the other day, and I couldn't get over how much stuff you get in these monthly subscription boxes.  It was filled to the bring with LEGO kits, mini figure and accessory packs, and more.  Both of my girls' eyes lit up when I showed them the LEGO goodies we got, and they couldn't wait to dive right in and get building.

Check out what was included in the November Brick Loot box...

Here is the double-sided card that is included with each Brick Loot box letting you know about each item in the box...

And, here is everything you get in the box...

"Brick Loot boxes are filled with 4-8 items that were hand picked by Brick specialists who scour the world for the newest and coolest products for you to collect."

So much stuff, right?  I really was impressed with this subscription box and will definitely be extending my subscription so we don't miss out on future boxes.  My girls were quick to grab thing from the box as theirs.  Bella chose the mini figure and accessory, along with the cotton candy cart building set shown below.

See, these are full size LEGO pieces and not knock off pieces.

Savannah wanted to do the Mini City Candy Shop, and also snagged up the Candy Shop sticker and mini picture, to display in her room...

I was left with the LEGO ice cube mold and a 50% off coupon to shop over at the online Sweet Pete's candy store.  Even though I called the Lego mold, I did end up sharing the ice cubes I made. 

I also experimented with the mold and poured melted chocolate into them and let them set.  They came out great, and as a chocolate lover, I thoroughly enjoyed my own homemade LEGO chocolates. :-)

It didn't take us long to complete the two build kits in this month's Brick Loot box.  And, we can't wait to see what will be included in the December box. Do you have a LEGO or Brick fanatic in your life?  Why not sign them up for a Brick Loot subscription as part of their holiday gift?  You don't have to go crazy trying to figure out which build kits they already have, or which ones they would like best. Instead, let the folks at Brick Loot surprise them every month with a jam packed box of LEGO and brick goodness. My girls really enjoyed the box especially the surprise aspect of it -- not knowing what was inside was a big draw for them.  And, once they saw what was included in the box, they were all smiles and couldn't wait to dive right in.

Like I mentioned about, right now Inspired by Savannah readers can save 12% on a Brick Loot Subscription.  All you have to do is head on over to https://www.brickloot.com/ and use promo code "usfamily12" to take advantage of this limited time savings.  So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to Brick Loot today and sign up so you don't miss out on the December box.

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2017: #LEGO Fans Will Love Brick Loot, a Monthly #subscriptionbox - Sign Up and Save 12% Now! @brickloot

Disclosure: In exchange for promote this product I will be provided with a sample to help facilitate an honest review in an upcoming post. All views about Brick Loot are mine and mine alone.

Do you you have a LEGO or brick building fanatic in your house?  Both of my girls and my husband love to build and get creative with their growing LEGO and building bricks collection.  So, when I heard about Brick Loot, I thought this would be a great subscription service to try out with them.  I will be receiveing the November box in the coming weeks, and can't wait to try it with my family and also share a review with you all.  But, in the meantime, I wanted to get Brick Loot on your radar in case you were starting your holiday shopping early.  

Here is a little more about Brick Loot, which would make the perfect gift for both kids and adults who love LEGO and brick building:

"Brick Loot is a box subscription company for LEGO and Brick fanatics! Subscribers will receive a monthly box filled with unique, custom and never-before-seen items including Custom LEGO Kits, LEGO Minifigures and more.

You will receive a Brick Loot box filled with LEGO and brick related items. We search high and low for the newest, coolest and most outrageous items you will not find at your local toy store. All items are hand picked by our LEGO loving team and sure to leave you with a BIG smile.

Brick Loot boxes are filled with 4-8 items that were hand picked by Brick specialists who scour the world for the newest and coolest products for you to collect.

EACH BOX MAY INCLUDE: (BOXES ARE A SURPRISE EACH MONTH SO ITEMS WILL VARY)

• Exclusive Brick Loot Minifigures
• Custom Build with LEGO Bricks (Instructions and pieces) in EVERY BOX
• LEGO Accessories
• LEGO compatible products
• The newest brick items in the market
• Exclusive Brick Loot items you can not get ANYWHERE else!
• Join our creative and fun community of brick builders
• Create an un-boxing video and get entered to win a HUGE LEGO PRIZE!

Invented by a 9 yr old, this box is fun for ages 6 - 99!

Stay tuned in the coming with my personal review and photos of what you get in an average Brick Loot monthly delivery. I, for one, can't wait to see what is in the box, and I know three members of my family who will be having a blast getting creative with the contents. 

--SIGN UP NOW!--

Just in time for the holidays, I am excited to offer my readers a 12% discount when you sign up and subscribe to Brick Loot today.  Just use promo code "usfamily12" at checkout to save 12% of the membership you selected.  Then, sit back and wait for your first Brick Loot box to arrive. 

Disclosure: In exchange for promote this product I will be provided with a sample to help facilitate an honest review in an upcoming post. All views about Brick Loot are mine and mine alone.

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