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How long have you been blogging? I started a blog when L was about a month old. B was out of town for a few weeks, and I wanted to share pictures with him, my family, etc. And then I just stuck with it. The blog was mainly about L and what he was up to, but sometimes I would post other non-L things on it. Then I started a second craft / decorating ideas blog and had some fun with that but realized I didn’t want to be stuck with a theme. That’s where this blog started (I believe it’s official start date was February 2011?). It’s my everything blog that has kind of turned into lots of subscription box related stuff because I am loving all that right now, but down the road who knows what I’ll be into!
How did you start reviewing subscription boxes? I learned of subscription boxes in the summer of 2012, subscribed to a few and figured why not start reviewing them? Â And then sometime in the fall / winter of 2012, I decided to make a FULL subscription box list (which took ages by the way). Â And it just kind of snowballed from there. Â And I love every single second of it.
How do I go about starting a blog? And after I start it, how do I get people to read my blog?  I get a lot of questions about this so I did a blog post about it a while back which you can find here.  And if you still have questions after that, don’t hesitate to e-mail me.
What blogging platform do you use? Â I use WordPress.org and am hosted by Bluehost. Â I love Bluehost and they have saved my butt more than once. Â I’d recommend them in a second. Â (ETA: Sometimes I love them and sometimes I don’t. Â They do always go above and beyond when I am in a pinch though).
How can I make money from blogging? Â Well you just happen to be in luck because I did a post on that a while back too. Â Click here and hopefully it’ll help you out!
How many boxes do you get a month? Â Now this my friends is a good question. Â Hmm. Â I have my “core” boxes that I always receive: Bespoke Post, Birchbox, Citrus Lane, Fabletics, GLOSSYBOX, ipsy, Love With Food, Mantry, PopSugar, Wantable, etc. and then there are always new boxes I am trying. Â And then of course there are ones I get sent to me to review. Â I was going to guess around 60+ a month and ended up counting June 2014 just to see how close I was. Â I counted 82 boxes. Â That’s not too far off….
How do you afford so many boxes? Â I get this question all the time and honestly, it used to put me off. Â I mean I wouldn’t ask someone how they could afford a Range Rover you know? Â But I realized that people just want to know because they want to get a bunch of boxes too. Â So, here’s the scoop. Â I pay for some on my own, get some free from referral credits and get some sent to me for free to review. Â So pretty much, I don’t afford them all!
How do you get companies to send you free boxes? Â All the boxes I get sent to review are because companies reached out to me and asked me to review them. Â I feel weird e-mailing companies and requesting to review boxes. Â That’s just me though and I know people have had luck with it, so you are into it, it never hurts to ask!
How can you “review” a product if you have never tried it? Â Ahh, I have gone back and forth on this one many times. Many times. Â In the end I decided that it’s the boxes I am focusing on, not necessarily on the products in the boxes themselves. Â I definitely don’t consider myself to be a beauty blogger or a fashion blogger by any means. I focus more on the curation of the box, the value you get with the box, what kind of products the box contains, etc. Â At the end of the day, only you will know if you like a certain subscription box or product. Â Seeing the types of products they send, how they operate, etc. will hopefully allow you to make a decision on if a certain box is for you.
Why don’t you blog about X or Y? Â How should I put this? Â If I wanted to share it or discuss it, I would. Â It really does blow my mind the things people share on the internet. Â You will never read about religion, political views, medical stuff, money, etc. It’s just not my style.
Why don’t you use real names? Pretty much because I am lazy and it’s easier to say B and L and WB rather than their names. But also because I don’t want our names showing up in search engines and being linked back here.  Why?  Just because.
What kinds of dogs are Buddy and Baxter? Â Baxter (who turns 9 in June) is a Shorkie (1/2 Yorkie, 1/2 Shih Tzu) and Buddy, who turns 8 in May is a pure bred Yorkie.
Where can I get a dog like Baxter? I only wish I knew the answer to this one. Everyone that meets Baxter falls in love. Â Maybe because he is so flippin cute. Â Maybe because he’s so nice and sweet and calm? Â Who knows. Â If I knew where to get another Baxter, I’d be first in line.
Love this new section 🙂 It actually answered a few things I didn’t know that I even wanted to know lol!
Hey, found your blog while searching on subscription services. Here’s a tool for comment spam. It’s $5 a month though WordPress should have already included it. My old job was using it to great results. http://akismet.com/
Hi – I wondered if you knew about his new subscription box – My Ireland Box.
http://www.myirelandbox.com
“Pretty much because I’m lazy” LMAO!!!!!
Your rock! And are such a big help to me!!! I love buggin you!!
xoxo!
Have you ever thought about giving away the things from your boxes that you don’t want/need to your readers? =D
How do I start a blog like yours? You’ve really inspired me to finally try to start one.
nevermind i see your post! 🙂
I have a somewhat random question for you. 🙂 If you could choose only one subscription box, what would you choose? I’m currently subscribed with Citrus Lane (for my 2 year old), and Ipsy (which is okay, but I want something different), and I’m contemplating a new box. Which ones are you absolute favorites?
Coming soon to a Suburban Mom near you 🙂 http://sapphiresoul.com/
Great
The box is what I want and my dog loves. To pick up the poop without touch and eco-friendly paper material. Absolutely ?GREEN? dog poop picker ? ipoopicker . Monthly box and 14 boxes for yearly subcsription. http://www.ipoopicker.com
hi i love my item’s that i get each month but i don’t know how to let you know i like soft pink for lip gloss or any lip stick thank you
Question on Appleseed Lane. If I have twins, age 4, should I order one or two boxes each month?
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…Well said, on the 'Prince' and the 'Commoner' link. But it's also the legacy of Princess Di, who Americans also fawned over, as this is her son getting ma;g.edi&rt;>>>>>r>>I think you mean white americans, because I can't think of a single Black or Hispanic American that cares!
I want to know I stumbled across your blog when I came across these things called curated boxes and subscription boxes last year when I started my Christmas shopping. I have a lot of southern sass, so I must tell you, your blog has saved my bacon. We are a family of four in a lower income area of the nation. With two teenagers, a boy and a girl, these boxes have been pure gold. Your reviews have been insightful as well. There is M, my daughter the fashionista, and my guys J and S. The Dollar and Shave Club alone was a blessing. I honestly look forward to your reviews because I can read them on my phone. M and I look through our products, I get first dibs and we usually split evenly and agree to share what neither of us are into. So again, much praise and appreciation in the South where it already feels like Spring but could snow in March. Blessings!
Hello Jennifer,
We are a new startup since 2015. We do not have a subscription box, however we do have a new product that requires “changing habits”. Public Throne Tioletseat Spray comes in 6 different fragrances. Would you consider putting us on your blog?
We do not test on animals, it’s is a green biodegradable, non-toxic and Eco-friendly solution, made with 100% naturally derived ingredients. You can take it to all public places. You can read more about it on our website: PublicThrone.com – We would also like to place a small ad on your blog. Hope to hear from you soon!