Subscription Box Review: PetBox

I have never accepted anything to review for my blog before.  Either it wasn't a product that I felt  reflected me, or wasn't something that I thought my readers would enjoy.  However, when I received an email from PetBox asking if I would like to try them out, I knew it was a perfect fit. If you like to spoil your pets as much as I do, I think you are going to like this.

  

As you may know, I have three dogs that I love to pamper.  I also LOVE subscription boxes.  PetBox is a monthly subscription-based service that delivers premium pet products directly to your doorstep.  I received the box about a week after I was initially contacted.  I wasn't home when it arrived, and my husband couldn't resist taking a little peek inside.  He started torturing texting me about some of the cool things he was seeing (he really hates toting around poop, and there was a poop bag holder in the box.  It was a sort of the highlight of his day. I reminded him not to rip any of the paper until I had a chance to get home and take some pictures.  That may be one of the worst part of blogging.  Not ripping the paper.  I have gotten way off topic).  When I got home we dug in, and this is what was inside:

Vivamune Health Chews for Large Dogs:  ($22.95 each)  The pups really seem to like these.  We got a generous sample, which I really appreciate.

Grin Dental Chews: ($6.39)  All of the pups love these.  They smell good too.

Urine Off: ($4.99)  Meh, I didn't really notice that this did anything as far as urine smell, but I didn't try injecting it into the carpet (per the directions).  Not that my little angels ever have any accidents.   Yeah, I want that to be true.  

Life Is Pawfect: ($14.99)  This is a really cute dog picture book.  After reading through it, I found it a home on the nightstand in my guest bedroom for future company to enjoy.

The Fifth Paw: ($14.99)  I haven't tried this yet, but I really like the idea in theory.  No one wants to swing a bag of poop around (especially my husband).  I just need to figure out how to use it with my retractable leash.  

Tino's Dog Couture Bow Tie: ($9.99) This easily fastens to your dog's collar via two Velcro loops. Meatball will be sporting this the next time we have a dinner party.

And if you wanted to see it on a handsome Meatball...

Altogether, the value of this box was just under $100.  The cost of a PetBox subscription is $39.99/mo when paying monthly, and as low as $29.99/mo when subscribing by year.  As you can see, this is a great value.  They make boxes for dogs and cats, and you can also pick the items for your box or have a surprise box sent to you.  I really enjoyed trying these products out, and recommend trying out PetBox for yourself.  

 And if you need a few more reasons to subscribe:

- It’s the only box for both cats and dogs that offers premium pet goodies where you can pick exactly goes in it

- All products are made in the US

- Toys and treats are customized by dog or cat size

- When you order a PetBox, it ships within 2 business days

- For every purchase, the company feeds rescue animals with the help of a new partner called Bogo Bowl

- Every Friday, the huge shipment of dog & cat food that is sent to rescue shelters is picked by PetBox fans

Disclosure: This complimentary box was sent for review purposes. Opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Recent Reads: A Few Autobiographies

Spelling It Like It Is 

I have said this before, but I was not a Tori Spelling fan until I picked up her first book.  I really enjoy her writing style, and I often feel that we would be besties in some other world that involved me being born into a drama-filled Hollywood family .  She leads a very interesting and active life, which has given her lots of juicy stories to share.  She isn't afraid to name drop (in an entertaining way) and tell all when it comes to her celebrity acquaintances.  This book also takes you through her third and fourth pregnancies, many animal acquisitions, and lots of bad real estate decisions.  It really helped me understand how someone that seems to be making so much money is complaining about being so broke all of the time (and hawking her jewelry line on QVC at 3am).

Somehow, Tori is very relatable, even if her problems aren't the same as everyone else's.  She always seems to be searching for a tv sitcom kind of normal that she believes she will find with her next home purchase and a mini-farm, but never seems to come.  With the recent headlines about her husband cheating and a new reality series following the aftermath on the horizon, you may find this book to be an interesting window into how she ended up where she is now.  I give this book 3.5 stars.  It isn't the best she has written, but if you are a fan of her previous three books, this will give you more of the same.

Melissa Explains It All

Growing up, I was a huge fan of Clarissa Explains It All.  Since I do enjoy reading autobiographies, I though I would give this book a whirl.  I have to say, I do not think Melissa Joan Hart and I would be besties.  The book begins with her childhood, and takes us through her life to present.  She shares a tiny bit of dirt about who was a good kisser or who she did not enjoy working with, but it wasn't interesting.  The overall tone of the book was rather dry.  At times, it felt a bit like it was a venue for her to brag about her accomplishments and drop names of people that she had worked with.  It is all very impressive, but she does not come across as relatable.

While I do admire how together she is for a former child star, she is not particularly likeable. Maybe it was the way in which she related the stories, or just that celebrities who live drama-filled lives (see above) have much better stories to tell.  I give this book 2 stars.  It is worth the read if you are a fan, but there will be no mind-blowing backstage secrets revealed here.  I did not want to get a cocktail with her and beg her to tell me more.  However, if you want a detailed account of all of her works, from stage to screen, you might find this book enjoyable.

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I am currently reading the third book in the Divergent trilogy.  I will have a review of the series soon.  What are you currently reading?  I am always looking for y next book.

#100HappyDays

Recently, one of my friends told me about #100HappyDays.  I turned her on to The Happiness Project books, and she knew that this kind of challenge would be right up my alley.  The premise here is that you to submit a picture of what makes you happy for 100 straight days.  It doesn't mean that you have to be happy all day, every day.  Just that you find something that made your day brighter and document it.

I am always trying to make myself slow down and savor the good stuff, so I thought this would be a fun undertaking.  Will I be able to keep this up for 100 days straight?  I don't know, but I am  really going to try.  Do any of you want to do this with me?  You can help keep me honest.  It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

Here are the photos from my first 9 days, in no particular order.

The smell right after a rain storm.

One of my favorite times of the year, time to plant.

Free coffee

My Easter deer

The smell of orange blossoms that have been filling the air all around me.

The rare occasion where my name is spelled correctly (and a green tea latte).

Working from home, with my three best friends at my feet.

Getting the best text message I could ask for.

My frog in a log (his head is poking out of the top).

Comment with your Instagram name if you are going to give this a try.
  If you want to follow along with me: @iluvpugz 

Look for #100happydays

Spring Swap 2014

 Katie from Tomorrow With A Smile and Stormy from Life's A Dance recently hosted a spring package swap.  This was my 4th year participating, and I got a really terrific partner.  I was paired with Brandi from Raising Kid Clammy.  I enjoyed reading her blog and exchanging emails with her to learn what she liked (you can pop over there and see what was in her box).  Then I got to shop.  I love sending these package as much as receiving them, and this was no exception.

I am always stoked to receive fun mail, and let's face it, I mostly get junk and bills.  When my husband told me I had a package waiting for me at home, the work day seemed like it would never end. It finally did.  Just an hour and fifteen minutes worth of traffic later, there I was, box cutter in hand, filled with the anticipation of what was inside.  Here is a peek. 

I love scented candles.  I had been hearing so much about the Target red velvet cupcake candle that has been sweeping the vlogging world, and I was so excited to receive this.  It smells as amazing as it sounds (and so does the French vanilla candle next to it).

Sour candy is my absolutely favorite.  It is also my husband's favorite, and these bags disappeared shortly after this picture was taken.  

Adorable note cards and matching pens.

Two lovely new shades of nail polish to try out.

And finally, this adorable pug card and a treat for my pups.

Meatball loves the way it squeaks.

Thank you, Brandi!