When I signed up for Causebox, I chose a year's subscription. This is the last box in the yearly subscription. I chose not to renew. Mostly because while I liked quite a few items sent to me, I think overall it wasn't quite up my alley.
They've since rebranded to AllTrue (AlTrue?). I think they still have a marketplace to shop from and they have later shipping. The late shipping didn't really bother me but that was because I was aware that this was a problem from the get-go and I wasn't desperate for anything coming my way. That being said, there are some items in this box that I quite like. I did get the box very late. One of the items I chose was the last packaged, so I don't believe I received my box until mid to late May.
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This month's Book Drop is a "Books for Bubbly" which is the romance/friendship option. I'm trying to read them earlier than I normally would so I know if I want to keep the genre or move it around again. I read two this past week (a "nope" and an "okay"). I haven't read this month's book yet.
The Book Drop is a subscription box that sends a book, bookmark, the Indie-list, and sometimes author letters. You pick your genre (all named after drinks of some sorts) or combination of genres. I've had the "Books for Tea" (not quite my cup of tea), "Books for Bubbly" (sometimes hits, sometimes misses), and I moved to a new combo of romance/friendship and then fantasy. This is late on my end. But I'm almost caught up. Mostly. Anyways. This is the first box of the Lavish Bath Box seasonal boxes.
There are ten full size items in the box (it was heavy!). The first item (not one of the 10) is actually the pamphlet included which has descriptions of the product and the shops included. I like things like this personally. Oh God. JANUARY!!! I'm so behind here! I don't even have the other months uploaded! Get it together girl!
This is Macy's Beauty Box, which is a subscription from Macy's. It's a monthly box filled with skincare, makeup, and haircare. Also sometimes another goodie. I think this is a great box because I tend to prefer the brands here, plus if I really like something I can pick it up via Macy's. They have a waitlist to join, they don't do spoilers, and you don't get choices. Still, I prefer it. I've had it for awhile now (at least a year) and I tend to keep most of the items they send me. Maybe not the men's cologne since I don't personally need it. There's always a coupon, usually for $5 the next beauty purchase at Macy's. This month's card was for $5, but I waited for them to send me a $10 one so I could buy a Dior lipstick. I don't need another lipstick...I was just enchanted. The coupons only last for the month, so you can't stack them together. This is my "Bubbly" selection, which is the genre encompassing friendship and romance. I switched it up after this month and went with a mix of romance/friendship and fantasy/sci-fi. I can't remember what it is off the top of my head.
The subscription gets you one softcover book, usually an author goodie, a bookmark and the Indie booklet. I signed up for the Postmarked (I guess it's Postmark'd) box awhile ago. Mostly because I love stationery and I'm in a penpal group. Do I already have a huge amount of stationery...yes. But I always want more.
They ship fairly early in the month and I get mine before the 10th (usually) so the turn around time for me is nice. The box comes with stamps that match the "theme", cards, at least one postcard, and a little stationery extra. All of the items are beautifully packaged. I enjoyed this month's box but there were some oddities for it. I kinda felt that one of the items was left over summer stock, but since it was useful, I wasn't going to complain.
The box also had some great things that I adored. I'm a big fan of quite a few of the products. So it was overall a great box. Macy's does not provide spoilers. The only time they did something like that was for the Jo Malone box. You sign up and then get the box. It's samples of skincare, makeup, fragrance, and usually another item. Sometimes there's a makeup bag and sometimes not. I prefer this box over other similar priced ones because I think the brands are higher quality. Plus, it's usually easier for me to get them at Macy's if I like it. I'm going to double up so I can attempt to catch up. I didn't mean to get all behind. Yikes.
I also changed up my genres again, but not until the new year. So this is the last section of just the romance only. I went to every other month romance/friendship and the other month fantasy. The Book Drop is a subscription box for books from Bethany Beach Books. It's pretty much just a book and bookmark with some info on new releases. Occasionally the author featured writes a letter or does a FAQ (or something is copied from the website). All the books that are sent in the mailers (all genres) and other things like puzzles and mugs are available on the website. The next two books are from the "Books for Bubbly" which are the genres romance and friendship. I've liked this category a bunch. I normally stick to less contemporary romances when I pick any out, so I like getting stuff I would normally pass by. There are zero serial killers/FBI agents running around in these so not like my normal contemporaries. I've started some new subscriptions but I'm not sure I've posted them (or talked about them...). So, I'll start with this one as if it's the first in case I've never mentioned it.
I tried to do this with an American subscription (less hassle on the shipping) but that company was not being cool at the time...so I went across the pond. I've shopped with Ohh Deer (plus, some of their cards are available at my local indie) before, so this wasn't a totally new thing for me. Ohh Deer is a British based stationery shop. They also have a few different subscription boxes. I choose Papergang, which is a stationery box. Each month's box has a different designer collaboration, which is a very cool touch. They also plant a tree every once in awhile to offset some of the paper + shipping. It's 14 GBP a month with the shipping free (for UK subscribers). They also have a quarterly and annual pay plan which might save some money. Shipping to other countries has a different cost structure. This is the last monthly box from Lavish. They moved to the quarterly model after this (I have received my first quarterly box, which was a success). I shall miss my monthly box of course, but I'm sure it's a total pain to get it all packed up every month.
The monthly box has about six items, which are often available at the website shop (if you want doubles). I'll see if I can find them in the shop, they might not be available after all this time. The card also tells what shops created the items, with the website address. So I'll link that too. Lavish's website has a large selection of bath bombs, which I really like (amongst other things) but I've found some great indie bath bomb makers through them and that's kept me quite supplied. The theme for this month is "Snow Kissed." I love a good theme. November's box was quite snuggly themed, with the overarching theme being "Sweater Weather." Very comfy. It had some different types of products and I really liked them. I've used most of the items so I can talk about them! My Chronicle Book Box is a subscription from the UK, that I fell in love with. I willingly pay for the international shipping, that's my level of love. The "extra" goodies are better quality (and less) which I appreciate. I don't need any more junk.
I also like that most of the books included are British or European focused. As I'm across the pond, I don't always have access to them (or get the media, so I might miss the roll out). This is a seasonal box, with three books (sometimes signed). it's a mix of hardcover and paperback. The options are mystery or science fiction/fantasy. I think. I get the mystery box so I don't always pay attention to the other box. They also have an online shop, so if you miss a book in another box, it's available (sometimes) for purchase. There are always letters from the authors (or author Q&As), plus a letter from Louise, who is the CEO of the box. I know, I know. So late. I feel like it's a reoccurring theme of my life being in chaos (or at least, my office) so I'm behind. It's really because I can't decide on a layout or organizational method that works for me.
I finally have my TBR pile slightly under control. It doesn't look like it because it's so large, but I'm making huge amounts of progress. I'm in the middle of a project though, so everything else is just piled in a thematic way whilst I plow through it. Right, the box then. This was such a fun box (and I've used most of it). Since it was October, the theme matched the fun season. It was "witchcraft and wizardry." The card featured a cauldron, broomstick, witch's hat, potions and all sorts of books. Super cute. I actually don't know who designs these cards but they do such a lovely job. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but Lavish is changing up their model and going quarterly. Mostly because every box I like does this to me (ok, ok, that's not the reason). I've signed up for the new quarterly model but I don't know how they're going to play it as they haven't shipped anything my way yet. I have seen some sneak peaks and it looked good. I'm excited! Oh my god...so behind! This was the second box (I haven't edited the other pictures. I don't mess with the saturation too much but I'm way too careless about setting the angle. So I have to straighten and crop quite a bit. No one needs to see my messy office!
I subscribed to Causebox after Popsugar. I loved PopSugar for the luxe items and the fun items, Causebox is different of course with a focus on sustainability and more earthy items. I'm a little crunchy but only in the "trying to be better" category. I'm otherwise not really loving the trends that are so crunchy-minimalist. Like, I'd like to whittle down and be a minimalist but with color and fun. Also, I kill plants so that's a no go. Anyways, this is the first full box after my introduction box. I paid for an annual membership so I was able to pick out some of my choices. I also ordered some items from the open market for this go round (Christmas gifts and personal fun items for me). I think if the items in Causebox are of interest, it's a great little subscription. I would note that their shipping schedule is slower and in batches (so if you order the Winter box for Christmas or New Years gifts, that would be a mistake). It's something to realize. This is from November 2020, which is not remotely on time on my end but I've had a full day of doctor's appointments and I just can't get much out this week. I feel like I'm full of excuses but I've got a new computer on the way so maybe things will be easier when I'm not precariously balancing my laptop on a pile of paper on my desk. I obviously have to clean.
I accidentally downloaded a podcast based in Limerick, Ireland. Since I'm home all day with this pandemic, I've been playing it and I know the most random things about Limerick now. It's a news podcast I guess from one of their stations. Apparently there was a massive street party that might have involved students from University of Limerick (or Limerick University?) plus younger kids. It's been the leading story for the past three episodes. The only reason I mention it, it's like a local (for Limerick) version of Talk of the Nation, which was one of my favorite NPR shows. It was canceled and replaced with Here and Now on my local NPR. Which like, it's fine...but I still miss Talk of the Nation. Anyways. This is the November 2020 beauty box from Macy's. The theme was "Post Workout Wonders" and featured minimalist type touch ups and skin fixes. Today is starting late because I spent all morning taking the older relatives at my house to get the vaccine. So, yay on that! Hopefully, this plague will end soon. Let's get right into it. I have some letters to write and an office to clean. So, rambling needs to be at a minimum. Lavish's September box had a theme of "Fall Y'all." I always find it amusing that y'all is becoming more normal outside the Southern part of the United States. It's been awhile since someone mocked me for using it (outside of the South). So that's nice. It also just makes sense as a contraction: "you all" = y'all. Yup. Luckily, I have used some of these products, so it won't be so embarassing on my end when I "review" the product. The Book Drop has multiple options for book genres, and I have the "Books for Bubbly" which is the romance and friendship books. It's been a nice choice during a pandemic since they're usually happy and have lovely resolutions.
You can now upgrade the subscription and get additional products. I haven't done that as of yet because I've got too much stuff. If you like book store gifts (I mean, I do) this seems like a good thing to have. Lavish Bath Box is one of my longer subscriptions and one that I truly enjoy (I love bubble baths and reading in the bath). They've decided to change things up (I think in 2021 is when it starts) and instead of monthly, we'll be getting quarterly boxes. This is fine with me as I was having some overload on products. I still have a few months left to review...I was hoping to catch up on the products so I could talk about them but eh.
August 2020's theme was "Create and Celebrate." It was a school themed box. Ah, a bit late on my end. I'm having a day. Spotify won't load, so I think I'm going to have to move my podcasts to another app. Oh well. I could probably spend some time and figure it out but I really don't want to bother today.
I signed up for some more subscription boxes, but one wouldn't let me pay. Which is strange. It was the same card I've used on every purchase with them before but apparently now it was an issue. I went to their social media (after sending an email) and there are a lot of comments from people having similar issues (or not receiving products) so Covid is really messing with them. They eventually wrote back and told me that they didn't take my card (ummm..ok?). So, I don't know. Macy's took a small break in the summer with their beauty box. I've had a few issues with orders from them...usually in my favor. I ordered pillows recently (standard size, cheapest option) only to receive King size, most expensive option. Look, this is NOT a complaint and Macy's told me to keep them. They're nice pillows and now I'm in love. I played myself. I'm behind on subscription boxes, so I might do a few a week to catch up. Or intersperse while I clean my office and catch up on work. It's a mess right now. I was one of the lucky group who received October (or the Jo Malone takeover) box. I also received an email telling me that my box this go round would arrive delayed (verses canceled outright). I understand there are some issues at the warehouse/packaging. I'd rather have a slower roll out and safer workers (what I hope is happening). So I'm fine with it all (well, I've been in the good group, so that was rude of me to say). I'm trying out a bunch of new subscriptions this year but I've kept The Book Drop. The Book Drop is from Bethany Beach Books in Delaware. There are a lot of different options for genre choice, but I've kept "Books for Bubbly," which is the genre including romance and friendship. While I normally pick mysteries, it's been nice to have something lighter with happy endings. I tried the more book club type book subscription (Books for Tea I think? Or Coffee? One of those) and while they were all great picks, I needed something with a guaranteed happiness level for this pandemic. This subscription totally scratches that itch.
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