Mass Effect: Andromeda Loot Crate Unboxing

Despite the negative reviews of the game, I LOVED Mass Effect: Andromeda, and can't wait to see what's in store for the future of the franchise. While I wait with bated breath for DLC, I suppose this crate will inject much needed Mass Effect newness in my life. So, let's wrap up our calibrations, assume direct control and OPEN THIS BOX!

I was a little upset at my postman/postwoman, because they left it on top of the birdbath, and not under the covered porch. Where I live, we get pop up thunderstorms, and yep, you guessed it, we had one the day this was delivered. The birdbath overflowed, the corner of the box got soggy, and a bit wet. However, it made itself safe inside, and here we have it:

The first thing was this awesome Andromeda Initiative hoodie. I have my trusty N7 hoodie, and this A.I. hoodie is definitely thinner and more light-weight. I could see this being my "wear to the movies during the summer" hoodie, because I am ALWAYS cold.

I liked it so much, I felt the need to pop it on right away and snap a selfie, because it is so soft and lightweight! I'm also quite surprised something this expensive was included in the box, but I'm not going to argue. THIS is how a Loot Crate should be. 

Like I said, I was super pumped about the hoodie, so I forgot to take a photo of the box before taking that out, but this is the box full o' goodies that were still in the box after removing the hoodie. I was glad to see that the rain hadn't ruined anything in the box.

The next item I opened was VERY surprising, but will be very well loved in our house. Blast-Ohs cereal bowls!

In case you're unfamiliar with the reference. Blasto is, within the Mass Effect universe, a fictional hanar that shows up in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 as the subject of movies. He makes his way to Andromeda by way of a box of Blast-Ohs cereal, which can be found in the museum on Aya.

These bowls are cute, made of study plastic, and will be great for snacking while gaming! Nice job, Loot Crate!

The next item is an Andromeda Initiative patch, which is great. I collect patches on this old, raggedy messenger bag I use for dog walks, so this will bring my bag into the present (and future) since the last thing I added to it was a patch of Ralph from the Simpson picking his nose...

The next item was this ADORABLE diecast model of the Nomad. I immediately knew where I was going to put this guy in our study/game room, so he is a welcome addition to my Mass Effect collectibles.

Here is a close-up of the replica. I think it looks pretty darn realistic, and ready for all of the terrains Andromeda holds for us!

The next item is this Andromeda Initiative commemorative coin. I'm going to put mine in my car, that way I always have a little bit of the A.I. with me. I actually am going to use it as a glorified paper-weight. You see, I keep this parking receipt from my trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter from 2014 on my dash. I do this so I remember the good times I had there, and a part of me has to believe I never left, because the place is SO magical, if I know how far away from it I really am, I will literally burst from despair. This will be sure to hold it in place when I roll down my windows or if something were to attempt to shift the receipt into precarious grounds. In short, thanks Loot Crate!

Here's another REALLY COOL thing about this box. Since I pre-ordered, I received not one, but TWO loot crate pins. One being the Tempest, the other being the Andromeda Initiative pin, which I can, and will, pin to my work clothes, so I can flaunt my geek chique style as well as my power as an agent of the Andromeda Initiative.

We also received a limited edition Mass Effect: Discovery #1 comic. I'm REALLY excited about this, because I've been looking for more comics to read - right now, the Walking Dead is the only series that I've gotten into - I haven't read it yet, but I believe this weekend will be PERFECT for sitting down and reading this!

Another surprise item were these really wickedly-twisted Vortex (the club on the Nexus) tumblers. They twist and turn, and are nice, thick, heavy glass. Another quality item in this box that I was not expecting to get. Loot Crate, you KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!

I really liked the style of the item description card. It was a heavy, and had a personal message from Mac Walters, creative director of Mass Effect Andromeda. Not to mention, the obverse looks like a data pad with a message to the Pathfinder - hello cosplay opportunities! 

As we embark on a new journey to Andromeda, I'm continually amazed by the support and passion we receive from our fans. Mass Effect has always been about more than just the experience in the game; It's a universe filled with friends and places that for many of us seem as real as the world we live in. I hope you enjoy this uniquely curated Loot Crate of Mass Effect collectibles and memorabilia. And thank you for making Mass Effect something special.

- Mac Walters

Pathfinders:
Once in Andromeda, it will be up to you to discover, salvage, and build whatever you need to survive. While you will face many challenges ahead, you are not alone in your journey. Scattered throughout the Heleus cluster will be caches of useful (and nostalgic) items for you to discover. These crates are a small reminder the hundred thousand brave souls eagerly waiting to being their new lives in Andromeda.

Good luck and godspeed, Pathfinder. 

Overall, Loot Crate did an amazing job working with Bioware to curate a truly excellent limited edition box. I feel this encompassed the excitement and adventure of not only Mass Effect: Andromeda, but also of Mass Effect in general.  I am so very glad I was able to snatch one of these up, and will not hesitate to order future Mass Effect (or Dragon Age) boxes.

While the fresh injection of new Mass Effect goodies in my life, I look forward to re-playing Andromeda, and connecting with other Mass Effect fans within the multiplayer extensions. I do hope we see more for Andromeda, particularly in the form of DLC. Anyone who can woo over fans with the Citadel DLC following the ME3 ending drama, can definitely pull out a great DLC to compliment an already awesome game like Andromeda!


In closing:

Thanks Loot Crate! Thanks Bioware!

I'm Pathfinder Westberry, and this is my favorite subscription box on Habitat 7!

Harry Potter Loot Crate Unboxing (May 2017)

This month's Wizarding World crate caught me by surprise. I am currently in the process of moving, and this showed up giving me a respite from everything that goes along with moving. What also really excited me, was the theme. I forgot this month's theme was Dark Arts!

As you can see the seal is embellished with the Dark Mark. While I am primarily a Good-Doing Ravenclaw, I have a small part deep within that is a dark, dark wizard.

I REALLY love the inside look of this box. 

The Death Eater mask print is sooo pretty. I would buy this and wallpaper a room in my new house with this print if it were a thing! The first thing on top of the box, was this great shirt featuring Percival Graves (portrayed by the ever-so-yummy Colin Farrell). My go-to Harry Potter t-shirt is a Bellatrix Lestrange mugshot tee (told 'ya I have a dark passenger) I picked up at Hot Topic many a moon ago, so I'm excited to have another dark and gloomy shirt in my collection!

This next item I was SUPER PUMPED to find in this box. It is a letter stamping set!

It comes with embossed letters featuring the Sytherin snake door. It is not very clear, but I see what it is. Also, I don't know if they are trying to make gel pens a thing again, but I'm not sure how without gel pens or a silver sharpie I'm supposed to write on black cards.

The Sytherin wax seal is something I've been looking for for a long time. Not specifically looking for Slytherin, but a wax seal in general. I think for special mail, it would be really neat to get a letter with a wax seal on the back! So, this is really exciting and saves me a purchase! The whole kit comes with envelopes, wax, the seal, the note-cards, and a black velvet bag. SO NICE.

The next item (or set of items, I should say) is this collection of Umbridge kitten plates. Now, I was pondering of a theme for my new sun room, and these plates gave me an idea so wickedly awesome I HAVE to do it. Yes, that's right, we're going super girly, super dark, and super evil KITTENS! No, seriously, I'm thinking about making the sun room bright pretty and somewhere Umbridge would enjoy torturing reprimanding students.

The next item is an Azkaban slate pencil case, though I'll be using it as a makeup bag or clutch. It feels like a quality bag, and is SO cool. It'll go great with my new t-shirt included with this box.

And we round off this box with Loot Crate's signature item - a collectible pin. This pin, I am OVER THE MOON about. It is Tom Riddle's Diary AND the basilisk tooth used to destroy it. I like this pin. It is dark, it is creepy, and it goes with most of the things I wear on a daily basis, so I could clip in on my jacket, bag, etc.!

The only thing in this box I was a little sad about was the new way they are doing the product descriptions. As you can see, this month's box did not have a scroll. Instead it was a mock letter that folded open. I would have felt better about it had it actually been in a white envelope with wax seal, but a printed fold-open letter felt less magical than the usual scroll.

This month's box exceeded my expectations. The last box or two have been really great, but this crate blows them out of the water. I hope Loot Crate continues to fill these boxes with quality items with varying uses like this!

Until then, I'll be painting, unpacking, and practicing my defensive spells to tide me over until July, which is when we'll get the box themed:

Harry Potter Loot Crate Unboxing (March 2017)

Welcome back, my little muggles, witches, and wizards! It's time to open our third Harry Potter Loot Crate! Again, this is a bi-monthly service you can order via lootcrate.com. 

This month's theme: HOUSE PRIDE.

This time around, there were no issues with timing or shipping, so perhaps those howlers I sent made a difference in post, or perhaps muggle delivery has indeed started to get with the times. Either way, I was SO very excited to come home and find my magical mystery box sitting on my doorstep, and even more excited when upon opening, I see THIS:

EVERY witch or wizard who attends Hogwarts MUST be sorted into his or her house. This is done by the enchantingly enchanted Sorting Hat. The hat originally belonged to Godric Griyffindor, but each Hogwarts founder (Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin) bewitched the hat to be used for sorting students. If you'd like to know more about the sorting hat and/or the sorting ceremony, I'd recommend visiting the Pottermore page about our worn and torn friend, and while you're on the site get sorted yourself!

If you are a muggle, and not too familiar with the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as mentioned above, there were four founders of Hogwarts, and each founder has a house named after them:

Gryffindor

Hufflepuff

Ravenclaw

Slytherin

For more information on each house, feel free to click the names above. You will be taken to the Pottermore site that describes each house. 

I've always known I was a Ravenclaw, and Pottermore helped solidify that with its sorting hat ceremony. Speaking of hats... 

The first item I pulled out of the box is this AWESOME Ravenclaw beanie. I was really excited to see this item, because in 2014 I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, FL and bought a pair of Ravenclaw gloves and matching scarf. I could only afford two items, so the hat had to be left behind. However, now I have a complete winter set of Ravenclaw goods to sport my house pride! 

Not only will I be able to sport my house pride in winter, the next item (my favorite in the entire box) will allow me to sport it year-round. 

I love, I repeat, LOVE, 3/4 length sleeves. I'm also over-the-moon about baseball tees. This Hogwarts crest shirt is THE shirt I've been searching for all of my life! Loot crate DEFINITELY tickled my inner sleeping dragon with this! The rest of the box had a hard time living up to the shirt and the hat, which seemed to fit perfectly into my life, however I will definitely use the items.

The Platform 9 3/4 lanyard will definitely come in handy for me. My job requires an ID scan to enter our building, so this will be my handy ID holder. I always find myself digging through my purse to find the darn thing, so this included item was something I needed that I didn't even realize I needed. I'm definitely impressed with Loot Crate's Legilimency skill!

The next item I pulled out is this handy, dandy Ravenclaw duffel bag. I'm afraid to say there was not an undetectable extension charm placed on it, but I can take care of that later. This will definitely be used for short weekend trips or as my new personal carry on bag!

As usual, Loot Crate ALWAYS includes a pin in each crate. I'm collecting my Harry Potter pins to create a awesomely nerdy, punk, pinned-out (faux) leather jacket that I can wear around like I'm too school for muggle school! This one was the Sorting Hat, which is great to know I can have the Sorting Hat pinned on my person for any impromptu sorting issues or requests.

Yet again, I am pleased with this crate. I received some items that surprised me with their usefulness, and fell in love with the shirt included. I do wish there would have been a vinyl Pop! in these crates (maybe a notable character within each house), but that's just because I've got the collecting bug for those things.

I am eagerly awaiting May's crate, because, while I am a Ravenclaw, I have a bit of a Slytherin side, and May's crate's theme is:

DARK ARTS

Until then, stay happy, stay safe, and always enunciate when traveling via the Floo Network!

Harry Potter Loot Crate Unboxing (January 2017)

Welcome back, my little muggles, witches, and wizards! It's time to open our second Harry Potter Loot Crate! Again, this is a bi-monthly service you can order via lootcrate.com. 

This month's theme: TIME.

Funny thing, time. It is also EXTREMELY ironic that this crate came late. On January 6th, I received the following email from LootCrate:

Now, this could have sent a fangirl into a panic, however, I let it slide, since obviously the Ministry was not going to help with the time turner issue regardless of how many howlers I sent. Fortunately, the crate was not terribly late, I received it today (Friday, January 27th, 2017), with only minor delay from FedEx Smartpost - it was supposed to be delivered on Wednesday, but alas muggle postage can be finicky at times. I digress...

This afternoon after a long day of work, I returned to my domicile to find my "muggle worthy" package sitting outside my front door. Quicker than you could say "alohamora" I let myself in and took to opening this much-awaited crate.

First impressions were great. Two of my very favorite characters were staring right at me! The box was lovely and time-themed. As you can see, the lid is decorated with a time turner, and the grey objects are also time-turners that create this beautiful pattern!

My first thing to grab is my very own Luna Lovegood POP! Vinyl figure.

       


I've started collecting these, and Luna is one I do not have. So, I'm excited to take her to work and put her next to Dobby and Bellatrix on the bookcase in my office!

The next item up is this lovely shirt:

Why oh why didn't this crate come with tissues?! Alan Rickman's passing is still a tender topic in this household, and this shirt does him (and Snape) justice. This beautiful quote is Snape's from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the full conversation in which Dumbledore and Snape are discussing Harry and Snape's protection of him is as follows:

I have spied for you, and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter’s son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter—’  

‘But this is touching, Severus,’ said Dumbledore seriously. ‘Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?’  

‘For him?’ shouted Snape. ‘Expecto patronum!’ 

From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe: she landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.  

‘After all this time?’  

‘Always,’ said Snape.

This exchange reveals Snape's unending love of Lily Potter, Harry's mother, is what has motivated his protection of Harry throughout his life. It's a beautiful moment in the book, and a moment by which most of us were very moved.  

Having peeled myself off of the floor, drying my tears, and blowing my nose, I moved on to see what mysteries lay beneath these two wonderful items.

Next up were these awesome Platform 9 3/4 socks. Hopefully, they'll keep my tootsies warm while I think about making it through the wall. One would look rather funny just running head-first into a wall at the train station. 

What better way to DEFINITELY make sure you make it through to the platform than making sure you are on time! You can definitely be sure this next item, a beautiful Deathly Hallows pocket watch, will help with that!

And if for some reason, your watch is running slow or some Niffler pilfered your beloved watch, maybe, just maybe, the next item can help...

Yes! A time-turner! Now, I'm 100% certain this is Ministry approved, or else I'm sure it would have been confiscated along the shipping route. 

We also got this lovely Harry Potter Prophecy Pin - here's hoping I don't drop and shatter it while in a fight for my life with Death Eaters. 

And, as usual, I save my item list for last (I like to be surprised), but again, it was in this really awesome scroll that I am going to keep and create a mini ancient library in my study with the ones I receive. 

All-in-all, I LOVED this crate just as much as the first crate. 

I will use every single item that was sent, and this is a definite value and a fun gift I gave myself that keeps on giving throughout the year. I can't wait to see what March's crate holds, I'm super pumped for it's arrival, because the theme is....

HOUSE PRIDE!

Now the countdown begins...