After Popsugar decided to leave me (sob!) I looked around for a replacement. I don't need one but I enjoy getting things in the mail. The beauty box message board I visit was keen on Causebox and I liked a few of their past boxes. They have a different vibe than Popsugar but I decided to try out a year's subscription (so four boxes) to see how I liked it. My first box was the (second?) intro box for the summer season. There was a discount for the box (as it has fewer items than the normal box). It was fast shipping, which I note because it seems to be the main complaint about the box (late shipping). I received the second box fast as well but it's under a few more books I need to photograph, so I'll get to it eventually. An annual subscription costs around $200 (with the discount from the first box) and you get to customize the box as you see fit. Doing a season by season deal, it costs around $50 but you don't get to pick your items. They have a general focus of companies or items that are green/"good" for the environment. There has to be a "cause" basically.
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I wasn't sure I was going to be keen on the romance/friendship genre choice with The Book Drop but I've been loving it. I started on literary fiction type books and then moved over to this one. I assumed I'd eventually land back on mysteries but I think my current choice is what I need during this pandemic.
I'm not sure what the governor is doing in my state but I'm staying home until Dr. Fauci says it's safe. Look, it's hard and annoying and I'm legit stir-crazy but I think it's only responsible to listen to the grown-ups here. At least I've gotten a lot of reading done during the break. I've been reading about four or five books a week. Sometimes as many as seven. I still have a huge pile of books to go through. I might photograph it one day but...I'm not really ready to commit to that. Maybe at the end of the year to show how much I've got to read and stuff. People get twitchy at my hoard but eh. I'm really enjoying this subscription. Granted, it's a bit pricy since I'm in the USA and it ships from the UK but it has great choices in books and nice add-ons.
This is my third box from them (I think?) as I started with the Spring/Winter/February box. They have a monthly box but I choose the quarterly model. They also have sci-fi/fantasy but I wanted the mystery genre. I don't know how to title them though. The website goes by months (next grouping is November than February) but I'm so used to going via seasonal. I guess I should do monthly so it's less confusing. Anyways, this box is the Chronicle Book Box, a book subscription from the U.K. As I'm not in the U.K., it's an international service although I'm not sure the pricing for every distance. I shop quite frequently from the U.K. and still have a bank overseas so it's not as terrifying for me. Their checkout process is simple though (one of the easiest) with multiple options. (card, online payment/banking, etc.). I will say that the monthly and quarterly boxes don't always have the same books and items. Sometimes there's overlap (like when we got the coasters from FortyVenus.) They have an online shop for books and items, so it's easy enough to buy. Which is nice if you prefer the U.K. cover for a book or want an item that was in the monthly/other genre. You can check out their social media for more book unboxing/content. Instagram and Twitter. I'll go through the books and I received and put a synopsis (plus link in the shop if they're still available) below. This was the last ever box for Popsugar, which is a bummer for me as I tend to really enjoy this subscription. Alas.
PopSugar the website is less of a destination for me. I honestly remember it being far more useful when I first started going (when it was different pages for money [Savvy Sugar], fitness, celebrity and fashion). Going through my bookmarks (it's a process) I've found a bunch of things from them I've saved that are all fluff. For example, one thing I had saved was about block scheduling. At no point did this article ever mention how to block schedule, what it was, or show any examples. Nope. All fluff and filler words and a waste of my time. The box was nice though. This was a pretty thick mailer (more goodies than normal). It was also the roll-out for the first illustrated bookmarks from artists. There was some call for artwork or something via instagram that I saw but I'm not too on the news there.
The Book Drop is a book subscription with various genres. It's from Bethany Beach Books (in Delaware), a independent bookstore. I have the 'Books for Bubbly' which is a mish-mash of two genres: romance and friendship. So far it's good. Since my usual genre is filled with serial killers this is a much slower pace for me but it is nice. I get to try different authors and books that I normally skip over (in favor of all these murder-y books). I'm just going to do a bunch of unboxings until work calms down. It's been a bit hectic.
I'm almost caught up on Watch What Crappens Podcast and finishing the Aurora Teagarden series. I have to be honest, I think I'm a little off with The Book Drop unboxing. I just opened (and photographed) Septembers box (at the end of August) but I'm constantly worried that I've mis-labeled the photos when I upload them. Even with the included materials. It's nonsense. I'm pretty sure this is July's unboxing (as it does say July). The Book Drop is a newer subscription (to me) and I've switched from the literary (tea) to the romance/friendship (champagne?). I might switch again but right now it's working. It's a subscription of newly released paperbacks from an indie bookstore in Delaware called Bethany Beach Books. Woo-hoo! I'm officially caught up with Lavish's unboxings. Lavish Bath Box is one of my longest running subscriptions. It delivers bath items from indie bath shops every month. It's about $38 per month and includes six items. Usually one or two bath bombs, a bubble bar, and then a variety of other bath products.
I'm writing this early (instead of a book post) because I know the hurricanes are going to take me out all weekend and possible week too. It's been a bit crazy in my house. My Auntie has called numerous times wanting to talk about the Fallwells (Fallwell Family?) and their sex/exhortation/blackmail etc issues. She's a big follower and this seems to have rocked her world in a bad way. I don't know what she wants from me as I'm more interested in if people from Trump's campaign softly blackmailed them for support...which my Auntie is not interested in. She's more on if the sin can be forgiven. I don't know, I'm not Jesus.
Luckily I have more bath bombs to get me through the crisis. And by crisis I mean listening to my Auntie, she's a character. This is also the reason I'll never be a subscription box insta affiliate whatever person. I'm not a seller. I'm a gossiper. Like, sure, lets talk about bath bombs/make-up/books but only after we talk about the what the Falwell man was doing with his ding-a-ling. It's none of my business but if you're going to denounce other people you might want to wipe the shit off yourself first. Granted, this post is early, so maybe he's repented for my Auntie's worry. He's probably checked himself into a celebrity recovery clinic for some rehabilitation by now. Right! Bath bombs! Non-sex-adjacent bath bombs. Lavish (who is not affiliated with me or the Fallwells) has a monthly subscription that I get (about $38 per month). There are about six products (sometimes more) that always include a bath bomb and bubble bar per box. I'm behind on Lavish I believe (by a few months) but that's a quick fix. I also got news on the Macy's Beauty Box! It will resume in October (ish? September) and the first box back will be the Jo Malone box. There's a wait-list currently (see link above) in order to join. I don't know if you get on the wait-list, you'll get the Jo Malone box or not. Back to Lavish. This was the May monthly box. Lavish Bath Box is a monthly subscription that features indie bath products. I do the month to month (it's automatic) and it's about 38 USD. They do ship internationally (I'd read the FAQ first to get an idea on shipping prices). Lavish is also how I find other indie bath companies (usually on Etsy, sometimes their own site) to supplement my bubble bath hobby. I'm so excited! I signed up for a pen-pal exchange. It's global but I forgot to check that box so I need to email the person in charge and tell them I'll be on the list for extra letter writing in case someone drops out, and I'll be willing to post international. I've got all the supplies. Plus, I ordered cute stamps for this. I'm not sure what I'm going to write to a stranger but it's going to be fun.
On to the unboxing! The Book Drop is a subscription service from Bethany Beach Books. They have eight different options for book choices, including genre mixes. You can change your option easily (it just takes an email). I changed from the "Tea" to "Bubbly." The bubbly option is romance and friendship genres, which I thought I needed to give some lift to my reading tone. Less "murder-ey" Nordstrom's having their annual sale (it's been moved to August) and every blogger, instagrammer, YouTuber, etc. is creating a wishlist and sharing. I don't have a Nordy's near me so I have to order online when I shop (which is fine). I've always missed the sale because I'm oblivious. Anyways, yeah, it's been interesting to see everyone's choices. None of this is interesting really. I always get my Ted Baker stuff from Nordys.
This took me awhile to put up! I received this in May (even though it shipped from the UK)! It's the Spring/May My Chronicle Book Box from my quarterly subscription. I chose the Mystery and Suspense version of this box (there are several different options). The quarterly box costs 48 GBP per quarter. I received three books (signed) with some little extra goodies. I saw one of the items on their insta for a monthly box and I was desperately hoping it would be included in the quarterly box (and it was!). I'm on a big deadline so I think the next two weeks I might pull back a bit from the blog. (Like, two posts instead of three!). I'm also a little worried about the rising number of Covid-19 cases....I'll probably be bunking down with work. Between this project for work and not wanting to get sick, I'm just going to be a bit MIA.
Today I'm going to show my Book Drop subscription for May 2020. The Book Drop is a subscription from Bethany Books. There's usually a paperback book, maybe a bookmark and a card talking about the book. Also included is a brochure talking about new releases. Every once in awhile there's a letter from the author or something like that. May's book looks super cute (haven't read it as of yet). It wouldn't be something I picked out but I like the cover and I think it has an interesting premise. Granted...the books I pick out tend to be....murder-mysteries. So, that's not an really a significant statement from me. I do think Lavish might be one of my older boxes now that PopSugar has stopped. Lavish Bath Box is great if you like bubble baths, indie bath makers, or anything of that nature. I've had it for years now and I've never had a bad box. I've also discovered a few bath bomb makers that I supplement my bath bomb supply with. The price is about $39.00 (USD) but there are different options (month to month, three and six months, etc). I have the month to month, which is is the $39 one. There's usually six items each month-a bubble bar, a bath bomb and then the rest of the items are different variations. Sometimes more bath bombs, body wash, bath salt, candles, bath oils, body oils, and hair spray. The scents differ for each item (usually connected to the monthly theme but sometimes not) so I've gotten some scents that I absolutely love and some that I didn't like as much. I would say that it's helped my nose differ some scents (if they're strong enough). March 2020March's theme is "Oh Honey" and was Honey themed. They had a previous box that had a similar theme and I really liked that box so I'm glad we have another similar theme. It smelled SO good. SO, SO, SO good.
I've got to configure my news settings. I was looking at different stocks so my news aggro decided I was desperate for news on Disney parks re-openings (I am not). One piece of news was that they're getting to redesign splash mountain. Apparently the theme was "Song of the South" which was news to me. I've never seen that particular Disney movie (and I'd assume they'd prefer no one see it but I digress). The new theme will be The Princess and the Frog theme (with Tiana). I welcome this for a variety of reasons, getting rid of the tie-in to the movie is fine but like...Disney World needs some updating big time. I actually thought it looked really tired last time I went (I go every year more or less). None of the new movies are really represented in the park, which is a shame.
It looks like it's been in the works for awhile so hopefully the rest of the park gets a refresh. I'm not going to pay out the ass for a run-down park Disney. I'm actually more concerned that they're reopening (Disney World is). It'll be a cold day in hell that I'd go to Disney during a pandemic but apparently some people are desperate. I'm not that obsessed with the mouse. Anyways, since I'm not going to Disney anytime soon, lets talk about PopSugar. They announced that they're no longer going to do the boxes. This is bad news because I really enjoyed them (although good news...no more tassels). I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I might try a different lifestyle box or I might just decrease my subscription. My issue with many subscription boxes is that sometimes the items included are really not worth the value claimed. We shall see. This was the last box before Macy's paused their boxes because of Covid-19. The next box (May) was supposed to be the Jo Malone box which was exciting as I've never given Jo Malone a go.
Whilst the box is currently not open for subscription, I'd keep an eye on the page because they're going to eventually start up again. I've heard July as a month being tossed around. Supposedly the Jo Malone box is the one they're going to start up again. The subscription costs $15. There's always a $5 or $10 coupon included for use in the beauty department. Well, I can only sigh. I was almost back to normal then this hurricane began. Hurricanes are odd. Sometimes it will be an outright monster level storm and I'll be just fine. No migraines. Other times it's a tropical storm--states away--and I'm down all weekend. I need to go grocery shopping and take care of myself but I'm not going out to Publix unless it's the morning as people don't seem to wear masks in the afternoons. What's up with that? The protests are still ongoing. They're very peaceful where I live and I'm all for them. I'd be out there but since I have people staying with me who are elderly (with compromised immune systems) plus my own busted immune system, I figured it would be better for donate money and write more letters to my congress critters (who are overall useless but still). If you're looking to donate money locally or nationally I'll place some links below. Also how to contact your local critters. Hopefully yours will be more useful than mine. To be honest, I sometimes check to see if mine are still alive. I know they're brain dead but honestly, I'm not sure one of them is going to make it through the year with the vapors he seems to have. He's still not sure if Covid-19 is a hoax. So... This is important and hopefully a transition into a better world. That always involves change and dragging the rest with you. DIRECT LINKS: Black Lives Matter Black Lives Matter Donate How To Find Le Critters (good ones and bad): Congressional Directory for National Links for all state officials The unrealised segue here is absolutely awkward. Let's do it. I received this box in March but life has been a bit crazy with Covid and people moving in with me so I just loaded older pictures from my camera this week. The good news is that I can see the floor of my office.
The bad news is I smell totally of menthol as I've rubbed it all over myself. I can't tell if Icy Hot works with migraines or if it's a sensory overload. I'm going to pretend it's chic. Yup, this one is not even close to being on time. This is my last un-posted subscription box which I've been sitting on. The migraine I had messed up my sleep schedule and I'm just really behind on life. Well, mostly a day after everyone. Because I'm waking up when everyone is going to sleep so I'm missing all the day's activities. This is okay when there isn't mass protests, a pandemic and general anger. It's not so great otherwise.
So, while this is all really late, it was such a neat box that I'm going to share it regardless. It fits a "spooky" theme. Nothing is available anymore from Lavish (as they sold out of this awhile ago) but I can link the shops in case they have re-occurring items or similar designs. This was a great box. I've used every item (I mean, it's been awhile) and really enjoyed them. I'm normally behind on product usage vs. posting so this might be a first. I'll be frank, I'm not one for horror movies, so I probably missed quite a lot of the references of the items included BUT I still really enjoyed them. I got the Jason (from the movie franchise) and Edward Scissorhands but the rest passed me by. This is my newest subscription...although I've had it for a few months, but I picked the quarterly model. There's also a monthly model and multiple genres. I picked quarterly (even though I'd prefer monthly) because this is a British based box and I wanted to cut down on the shipping cost. I ordered in January and the box shipped out for February. Their website is functional and takes all sorts of payment. I can't remember how I stumbled upon this subscription (maybe Instagram?) but I liked how the extra goodies aren't....cheap junk. I've received my second quarterly box (this May) so I figured I'd post this last one.
I have the crime and mystery quarterly box (about 48 GBP), but they have a crime and mystery monthly box (about 25 GBP) and a quarterly science-fiction and fantasy (about 48 GBP). For the quarterly boxes, we get books (three), author interviews/questions and answers, etc, and a little extra item. The books are signed and are first edition (usually hardback). They begin the subscription the month before, so February Box opened January first, the May box on April first. The other two boxes are August and November. Ah....Covid-19. You've been a pain in the bum. My area is sorta getting into the swing of things but I swear to God I'll be the last one out of quarantine. I'm a bit suspicious of this gung-ho attitude towards this. I kinda think we're going to get another wave of sickness with everyone out and about. That's because I'm a cynic.
So instead, I'm just going to keep cleaning the house. It's a long process. Basically, I inherited a bunch of items from one parent, some grandparents and cousins. Some from death but some from their divorces. One of my cousins gave me all her wedding china. I'm going through it all (it's been sitting here since before I went to Scotland) and trying to organize stuff as well as get rid (as environmentally as I can) of all this excess. I have no idea how I became the clearing house for everyone's stuff! What does this have to do with this box? Nothing. I mean, I guess we could link a pandemic to medicine or something but that's not quite it. I stumped upon this box when I was looking for a new book subscription. It was on cratejoy but I can't find it on there now (I only received one month before it canceled from there). Cratejoy tends to have some long running companies on there and then some that move off for one reason or another. I usually have one subscription from there at any given time. Anyways, this was a medical book club, with coffee, created by a doctor to help fund surgeries. You can find Pheo on their own website and on Etsy. I was hesitant to post because Pheo had announced that it was closing but I decided to go ahead and do one post with the links in case. I'll put all the information I gathered below. I do appreciate that they're so transparent about shuttering---unlike some boxes that just vanish. I'm behind. It's my fault (obviously...who else would it be?). I've also got to transfer pictures from my camera and do upkeep. I'm just behind, which is the story of my life. You'd think with work being nonexistent I'd get more stuff done but alas.
Macy's Beauty Box costs $15 (including shipping) and there's usually a $5 or $10-off card included for shopping in the beauty department. At the moment, Macy's has halted their boxes due to the Covid-19. I hope they start up again but I understand why the program is stopped. Sephora had a similar box (which I had petty issues with on it's own) which they've stopped for one time purchases. The sad thing about Macy's stopping their boxes (besides the pandemic, of course) is that May's box was going to be a Jo Malone box. That's exciting. I don't have any Jo Malone products, so I hope that starts up again when it's safe. For purely selfish reasons (I wanna try Jo Malone!). |
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