Down The Rabbit Hole Book Box (December 2020 and January 2021)

Hello Lovelies,

 

I have a thrilling new book box to share with you and it’s the Down The Rabbit Hole Book Box. This book box is a bit unique because it’s a box that’s been curated around a dark read (more about dark reads in a bit). As someone who has always loved dark, gothic novels, I was intrigued by this book box.  

Here’s a little more about the box before we dig in.

 

What is Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box? Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box is a monthly book box that sends you one dark, mesmerizing, and gripping read (either paperback or hardback) along with 4-6 individually wrapped gifts that’s been curated around the book.

 Website

Price: $34.99 (plus shipping) at the moment this is only offered in the US

Use the coupon code SIMPLYANGELA10 for 10% off your first box or a year's subscription. This code is not an affiliate code.

How is it shipped and packaged? The box is shipped via USPS and the last two months it has arrived  in a plastic poly mailer. The box itself contains shredded paper packaging that protects the items inside. Each item inside the box (other than the book and pamphlet) is individually wrapped and numbered.

What is a dark read? Per their website, they define dark books as a book without a happy ending. The books we will choose for you will have scary and dark plots, not so nice protagonists that will leave you questioning the world as it is.  There will be no books with happy endings coming from us!

Genres included (but not limited to): Southern Gothic | Dark Fantasy | Psychological Thriller | Horror | Mystery | Dark Fiction | Crime

Because of the content of the dark reads, the website does recommend that this book box is for those 18 years of age and above.

Can I find out the title of the book? Unlike other companies, Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box makes it easy to discover the title. Each month hints will be revealed on their website and Instagram. You can also email the company directly to discover the title. 

Each month you receive a pamphlet that tells you the theme of the month, a little about the author, and how to open your gifts. Because this is an Immersive Experience Book Box, it’s best to open the gifts as you read (you’ll find a little sticky tab on the page telling you which gift to open).

What is an Immersive Experience Book Box? It’s a box that’s been curated to pull the reader further into the sensory experience of the story with sounds, scents, tastes, and objects of interest from within the story. While items like candles, drinkware, and jewelry could be included, it also includes story specific items such as letters, photos and such. 

Before we dig into the boxes, I want to apologize for combining the December 2020 box with the January 2021 and not posting until February. I’ve been under the weather and dealing with horrid migraines, which made it impossible for me to post sooner. 

Here’s what’s in December’s Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box.

 

December’s Book: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (paperback)—published in 2009, this is a very dark/creepy mystery. I have read this and it wasn’t one of my favorites. It didn’t pull me in me in like Gone Girl, but it was still a dark, creepy, and twisty read.

December’s Theme: The Devil Is In The Detail

Item #1—Black Insulated Pom Pom hat

Item #2—Pentagram Necklace

Item #3—Newspaper Clipping

Item #4—Dreamcatcher

My thoughts on the December box: The hat and dreamcatcher were nice gifts. The necklace wasn’t my favorite but I passed it along to a friend. The newspaper clipping, the only story specific item, was a nice touch and will be nice to include in a book journal.

While I thought the items fit the theme, the sticker placement telling you when to open your gifts was a but jumbled up. There was a bit of a mix up and I realized they were placed on the same pages as November’s book. There was also a sticker for a fifth gift that wasn’t meant to be in the book. Teething problems are to be expecting when a box is new so, hopefully they’ll have a check in place in the future to make sure they’ve tagged the correct pages.

Number of Items received: 4 Gifts (1 story specific and 3 bookish) plus the book.

Overall, this wasn’t one of my favorite boxes. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I’ve already read the book—and it wasn’t one of my favorites but that’s the nature of book boxes. I still think that there was a nice variety of items that were of good quality but it just wasn’t my favorite.

 

Here’s what’s in January’s Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box.

January’s Book:  The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides--paperback. This is the 25^th anniversary edition (published in 2018) and it’s such a gorgeous edition. This is one that’s been on my ‘to read’ list and I was so excited to see it as January’s book.

January’s Theme: Suburban Tragedy and Innocence Lost

Item #1—Small, cloth-covered journal

Item #2—Bubblicious watermelon gum

Item #3—Tiara

Item #4— Black zippered jewelry box

Item #5—Invitation

Also included was a bookmark with a quote from the book.

My thoughts on the January box: The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the lovely watermelon scent—honestly, I thought there was a candle in it because the scent was so strong.  

The bookish items (the jewelry box, tiara, and journal) are nice quality and the gum was a fun item to open. The story specific item (the invitation) will be nice to include in my reading journal when I record my thoughts on the book.

Number of Items received: 5 Gifts  (4 bookish items and 1 story specific) plus the book and bookmark.

Overall, I really liked January’s box. The items fit the book perfectly and I thought it brilliant that they included a book-themed bookmark that wasn’t one of the gifts. 

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

 

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice" of Kinnakee, Kansas.” She survived—and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, the Kill Club—a secret secret society obsessed with notorious crimes—locates Libby and pumps her for details. They hope to discover proof that may free Ben. Libby hopes to turn a profit off her tragic history: She’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club—for a fee. As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started—on the run from a killer.

 

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

 

The shocking thing about the girls was how nearly normal they seemed when their mother let them out for the one and only date of their lives. Twenty years on, their enigmatic personalities are embalmed in the memories of the boys who worshipped them and who now recall their shared adolescence: the brassiere draped over a crucifix belonging to the promiscuous Lux; the sisters' breathtaking appearance on the night of the dance; and the sultry, sleepy street across which they watched a family disintegrate and fragile lives disappear.

Vine Oh! Oh! La La Winter Box

Hey Lovelies,

 

I have my second Vine Oh! box to share with you and it’s the Vine Oh! Sips & Surprises Seasonal Box.  While I’m not a wine drinker, I love this box because the ‘Surprises’ are curated to help women unwind. I’m all about self-care, so having a box that gives me comfy, cozy items and fun gifts/treats is right up my alley. The wine, well that makes the perfect gift to give to friends and family members.

 

Before I get into what was in my box, let me tell you a bit more about Vine Oh! 

What is Vine Oh!? Vine Oh! is quarterly subscription box that includes 5-6 FULL-SIZE PRODUCTS that’s fun, rejuvenating, and delicious along with 2 bottles of wine.

Website

Price: $59.99 (seasonally) free shipping

This link*: http://vineoh.refr.cc/angelasimmons will save you $10

Guaranteed box value? Each box will have a MSRP value of at least $120 value (it’s often higher).

Where do you ship to? Vine Oh! ships to all states expect for Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Utah.

How is it shipped and packaged? Vine Oh! ships free via FedEx Ground, expedited shipping is available for an additional price. ID and an adult signature are required when the box is delivered. The box and wine ships together in a larger outer box with the box on top and the wine nestled in cardboard cradles in the bottom.

They offer SMS text messaging for shipping notifications to let you know when you need to be home (or arrange for an adult) to receive your box.

Can I pick my wine? You can selected Red, White, Sweet, or Mix.

Are product cards included? Yes. Each box contains an envelope which contains individual product cards, a box value card, and a Vine Oh! wine card. While the product and value card offers a lot of info, the wine card is general information about the company. I think it would have been nice if the wine card offered info on the types of wine included in the box.

Items included the Oh! La La! Box

 

1—Kenra Platinum Air Dry Crème ($22)—this is a new-to-me brand and, since it’s air dry crème, I think it will be nice to try out during the Spring and Summer. It’s just a little too cold where I live to go around with wet hair at the moment but I do like hair crème and this is a nice size tube.

2—Wooden Three Little Words Sign from Sixtrees ($12)—this is a heavy little wooden desk or shelf sign. This would make a nice little gift but it’s slightly disappointing that it’s not sealed and it leaves a white chalky residue on any surface it touches. I would recommend giving this a little spray with a sealant.

3—Zaxie by Stefanie Taylor Round Gold Necklace with CS Stone ($28)—this is a cute little necklace. It’s a little different than my normal style, slightly more modern, but I think it would look cute with a sweater.                                                                      

4—Aqua De Soi Bamboo Water Lily Single Wick Candle ($20) —this has such a cute design on the packaging so I was slightly disappointed that this was a white candle in a clear glass. When unlit, this has very little scent to it so I’m hoping it will have more fragrance once it’s lit.

5—Moonstruck Creamy Milk Chocolate 31% Cacao ($4)—this is a new-to-me chocolate company and I’m sure it’s delicious but I’m more of a dark chocolate 70% cacao type but I’m sure this would make a nice cup of hot cocoa.  

Number of products in box: 5 items 

Wine Received ($24 a bottle)

2018 Speechless California Chardonnay

2018 New Crush California Pinot Grigio

2017 Night Vine California Merlot

Total Value of the Oh! La La!  Box without the wine: $86

Total Value of the Oh! La La! Box with the wine: $158

Rating: 4 out of 5 (1 point each for the hair crème, the candy bar, and necklace, half a point for the sign because it’s chalky, and candle because the scent is very mild)                                                           (Each box will receive a rating. If I liked a product 1 point, if I’m unsure .5 point, if I don’t like the product 0 points)

Favorite item in the Oh! La La! Box: Kenra Platinum Air Dry Hair Crème

Least Favorite item in the Oh! La La! Box: Sixtress Home Décor Box Sign

My Overall Thoughts: this was an okay box. Vine Oh! is supposed to be a box that allows  ‘today’s modern woman to recharge, unwind and have some time just for her’, so basically it’s a box that promotes cozy, self-care time and I just didn’t get that feel from this box.  

I had a really hard time picking my favorite item from this box because, for me, the items were rather lackluster. It almost seemed as though someone went through TJ Maxx and threw random things in their cart. Not my favorite box but still an okay box.

The Oh! Ho Ho! Holiday Box (check out my review HERE) was brilliant and definitely gave me that cozy, self-care vibe. This box was supposed to be their Winter box and I didn’t see anything Winter-related in this box, which was a bit disappointing.

As for the wines, I haven’t a clue. I’m not a wine drinker but I have been trying to use them in a couple of recipes. So far I’ve made a lovely roasted leg of lamb in a red wine sauce using the Speechless Red Wine and an herb roasted chicken in a creamy white wine sauce using the Mad Love Pinot Grigio (both I received in the holiday box). I’ve also passed some on to a friend.

 

What would I like to see in the future from Vine Oh!

-I would like to see them offer a profile you could fill out that included things such as if your ears are pierced or if you have food allergies. Perhaps a complexion profile as makeup items are included.

-I think that a corkscrew should be included in your first box along with bottle stoppers.

 

 *affiliate link. I earn $10 to spend on Vine Oh! when the link is used

Walmart Beauty Box Winter 2021 Edition

Hey Lovelies, today I’m going to be sharing with you my Winter Walmart Beauty Box.

Let me tell you a little about this box. It’s a quarterly beauty box containing 5 beauty items from beauty brands sold at Walmart. These boxes are $5 (plus tax)

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll know that I’m not the biggest fan of this box. I keep saying I’m going to cancel but I was intrigued when I received an email letting subscribers know they’ve revamped the boxes and they would be better than ever.

Walmart Beauty Box Website

Let’s see if these boxes are ‘New and Improved’…

This is the second season of the ‘New & Improved’ boxes…so let’s see if they are indeed ‘improved’.

In this box, I received 6 products, the previous boxes were only 5. The Winter Edition still has a Product Card and this time all 6 of the products I received were listed (the card contained a total of 14 products).

The product card does contain a bit of information (for 4 of the items I received) along with the full size MSRP. Unfortunately, there’s no price listed for the sample/travel sizes.

Now, on to the products I received…

Here’s what was in my Winter Walmart Beauty Box

1-DermaFix Blemish Custom Patch (trial size)—these are cut-to-shape blemish patches that I have no use for so I’ll pass them to a friend.

2-Lola Regular 100% Organic Cotton Tampons (pack of 8)—as I prefer pads, I’ll pass these on to a friend.

3-My Bite Chocolate Vitamins (sample pack)—my body struggles with vitamins and it’s very rare that I find a vitamin that doesn’t make me sick so I’m not going to try these. I do have to say, I find these candy bar like vitamins a little odd and worry about children getting ahold of them and thinking they’re candy.

4-Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream (trial size)—this is for dry, dehydrated skin and I’m eager to give this a try. I do like the brand and think that I’ll enjoy this cream.

5-No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate (trial size)—I’m a bit on the fence about this one. I do like the brand but retinols either work for me or irritate my skin. I’ll do a test patch to see how my skin will react before trying this out on my face.

6-Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel (foil packet)—this is so small, I’m not even sure the contents would cover a dime.  

Rating: 2 out of 6                                                                                                                                 (Each box will receive a rating. If I liked a product 1 point, if I’m unsure .5 point, if I don’t like the product 0 points)

My thoughts on my Winter Walmart Beauty Box: this is supposed to be a ‘re-vamped’ version containing ‘the latest and greatest products from the buzziest beauty brands’, ‘super-hydrating skincare’, and ‘beauty brands and products you won’t find anywhere else’. The notification email stated there would be no repeat products in the ‘re-vamped’ boxes (happy to report no repeats for the first time ever) and at least 1 full size item (sadly, I did not receive a full size item).

This is probably my least favorite Walmart box. Everything I received was sample size and they are exceedingly small samples (think the size that comes in magazines). And the foil packets are back, which weren’t supposed to be in the ‘new’ boxes.

Out of the six items I received, I’ll only use two (the retinol and glow cream) and both are so small I doubt I’ll have enough product to see if they make a difference in my skin. I’ll pass the tampons and blemish patches to a friend. There’s really not enough of the Bio Oil to use and I’m tossing the Vitamins (I was going to give them to a friend but I just don’t want to take a chance on one of her kids getting ahold of them).

Overall, the previous boxes before the ‘improvement’ were leaps and bounds better than this Winter box. Honestly, it’s the worst box that I’ve had from them. We do fill out a small beauty/lifestyle profile and, so far, the boxes haven’t even come close to my profile, which makes me wonder why we even have to fill out a profile.

Normally I write this box off by saying that it’s only $5 a quarter and someone (a friend or family member) will get use out of the products, but I think they could have done a lot better than what they’ve put in this box. Very disappointed. 

LitJoy Magical Subscription Crate: The Burrows January 2021 Review

Hello Lovelies,

 

Today I’ll be sharing with you the fun and unique subscription box, The Magical Subscription Crate from LitJoy. This is the second Magical Crate I’ve received and they’ve been so fun to open. If you enjoyed themed boxes or are a HP fan, you’ll probably want to snag one of these up.What is a LitJoy Magical Crate? It’s a quarterly magical-themed subscription crate that’s curated around a magical theme and contains 6-8 items appropriate for ages 8 and up.

What is a LitJoy Magical Crate? It’s a quarterly magical-themed subscription crate that’s curated around a magical theme and contains 6-8 items appropriate for ages 8 and up.

Items are focused on quality, usefulness, and excellent design.

They proudly support independent artists and small businesses.

Price: $54.99 (plus shipping) they do ship internationally

This link will save you $5 http://rwrd.io/lsiil6o (affiliate link)

 

How does it ship? There’s no outer box. The box itself is heavy cardboard and, while it did have a few little dings and scratches, the box arrived in good condition with no real damage to the box art. This box will have a themed design on it that corresponds with the theme of that quarter. For $3 extra, you can purchase a Poly Mailer Bag in the Magical Add-ons Shop.

 

 

Theme: The Burrow

Number of Items Received: 11 items

Is there a pamphlet? Yes, there is a pamphlet but, because the items were created for LitJoy, there’s no prices.

In this box, the pamphlet is actually the Witch Weekly Magazine with Gilderoy Lockhart on the cover. On the inside of the magazine, there is information that tells you about each item, the artist, and snippets from the HP books.

I really like the way this was done because rather than just sitting in a drawer somewhere, the could be framed and hung on the wall. If you’re an HP fan or if your kid is, it would be perfect as a picture. I liked that this is a no waste type of pamphlet. I have a friend who is during their little boy’s room in HP, so I’ll pass this on to her because she said she wants to frame it and hang it on the wall.

Here’s what was in the Burrows Magical Crate

1-Weasley Family Alarm Clock

2-Molly Weasleys’ Recipe Album

3-Molly’s Marmalade Candle

4-Weasley Family Framed Photo

5-Mr. and Mrs. Weasley’s Marriage Certificate

6-Molly’s Letter to the Dursley’s Zipper Pouch

7-Ron Weasley Beanie

8-#2 Collectable Lumos Spell Coin

9-De-Gnoming Spray

10-Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes Photo Booth Strip

11-Burrow Theme Art Print

My thoughts: I first want to say that this box was brilliantly crafted right down to the gorgeous—and highly detailed—packaging. I can see a lot of HP fans keeping the packaging for display. The items are high quality and very unique.

The alarm clock, recipe album, zipper pouch, beanie, and de-gnoming spray (I actually needed a mister like this for my plants) are nicely crafted, high quality items. Each piece, not only fits the HP books and the Burrow theme but they are practical items that you can use.

The spell coin is nice. The print, the photo strip (great for bookmarks), marriage certificate, and framed Weasley Family photo are brilliant book-centered items that collectors will love to display. The candle’s not my favorite scent but it is a nice size.

I can’t complain about any of the items in The Burrow Magical Crate box. Although I do have to say that, I think the age 8 (this box was recommended for 8 and up) is a little too young for some of these items.

Favorite Item in the January Magical Crate: De-Gnoming Spray Bottle

Least Favorite Item in the January Magical Crate: Magnificent Marmalade Candle

Overall, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, like fun and unique items, or want to purchase this for an HP fan, I don’t think you can wrong with this crate. It is a little pricey but the items are high quality, heavy duty items and I really do think you get your money’s worth and more. This could also be broken up for gift items as well, which is what I intend to do with some of the items.

I also want to take a minute and say that the art, even on the boxes, is brilliant. You can tell a lot of thought went into creating each piece.

The Theme of the Spring Magical Crate is…

The BIG Seven

Featuring items representing Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Luna, and Draco

 

Here’s what was in October's Magical Alley Crate:

While I put up a quick review on Instagram, I wasn’t feeling well enough to throw together a blog post for October 2020’s Magical Alley Crate. The items were just as lovely as the one’s in the January 2021 box. Here’s a quick rundown of what was in the box.

1—Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley Enamel Pin Set

2—Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes Staff Pin

3—Three-Toed Tree Toad from the Magical Menagerie

4—Ollivanders Wand with Wand Properties Card

5—Madame Primpernell’s Glass Perfume Bottle

6—Eeylops Owl Emporium Candle Carousel

7—Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor Chocolate Raspberry Tea (from Riddles Teashop)

8—Collectible Alohomora Spell Coin

9—Theme Art Print

10—Hagrid and Harry’s Photo Strip 

 

When you subscribe to any of the LitJoy Subscriptions, you can pick up a LitJoy Passport that you can fill with the stickers you receive in each subscription box.

January’s Theme was The Burrows so each crate included a lovely little Burrow ‘passport stamp’ sticker.

 

 

Glossybox February 2021

Hello Lovelies! I have a fun—and possibly my favorite—beauty subscription box to share with you today. Not only is Glossybox beautifully packaged, it contains amazing products that truly feels like a little treat each time I open the box. 

What it Glossybox? Glossybox is a monthly beauty box that contains 5 deluxe-sized (occasionally full-sized) beauty products that can include makeup, skincare, haircare, and more.

Price: $21 a month (plus tax, if applicable) shipping included for the US, shipping to Canada is $5

Use my referral link HERE to save 20% off your first box (works on 12 month subscription also) or use my code: ANGELA-R2BA

How is it packaged? Each month Glossybox arrives in a sturdy outer shipping container. Inside, you’ll find a lovely box (sometimes themed) that is not only sturdy but reusable. Inside the Glossybox you’ll find your products nestled on a bed of shredded paper packaging and wrapped in tissue paper that’s tied with a ribbon. Honestly, this is one of the most beautifully wrapped subscription boxes that I’ve ever had the pleasure of unboxing.

Is a product card included? Yes, each box comes with a little booklet that contains prices and tells you about each product.

 

Website: Glossybox US

February’s Theme: Sing, Dance, Love, Repeat (seriously, how cute is this box?)

Here’s what I received in my February  Glossybox

 1-Avant Skincare Velvet Perfecting Rose Sugar Lip Scrub (full size, $71)—yes, you read that right, $71 lip scrub. Insane! This feels like a thick lip balm with a slight bit of exfoliation. Does it seem like it will be a good lip scrub? Yes. Would I pay $71 for it? No. Honestly, it’s very rare that I buy a sugar lip scrub even if they only cost a few bucks because I have the ingredients in my kitchen (sugar, honey).

2-SYS Moisturizing Cream (Deluxe Mini, $19.99)—I’m always excited to get any moisturizer with prickly pear because I know it will hydrate and seal in the hydration. I can’t wait to try this one out.

3-Natura Pataua Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner (Deluxe Mini, $8 set)—my first thought when I opened these was the little bottles were adorable. The second was that they could have actually filled the bottles all the way. These have a subtle fresh scent and I’m eager to give these a try.

4-Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Wow (Full Size, $15)—this is an icy pink multi-use loose powder. I don’t usually reach for these types of loose powders but I do think this would make a lovely eyeshadow.

5-Lapcos Collagen Eye Mask (Full Size, $4)—I never say no to eye masks and I’ve heard that this brand is very hydrating. I’m going to toss these in my fridge then give them a try for my next spa night.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1 point a piece for the lip scrub, shampoo/conditioner, eye mask, moisturizer and half a point for the shimmer powder)

 

Favorite Product in February’s Box: SYS Moisturizing Cream

Least Favorite Product in February’s Box: Bellapierre Shimmer Powder

 

Value of January’s Box: $117.99

3 Full Size, 2 Deluxe Mini

 

My thoughts on my January GlossyBox: I’m still trying to get over the $71 lip scrub. Would anyone really pay that for a lip scrub?

Getting back to the box, I thought it was a decent box and a nice mix of everything. I don’t really see a theme here. When I opened the shipping box and spotted the cassette tape design I was expecting to get a ‘80s or ‘90s vibe from the products, especially when the product booklet said ‘retro’, but that wasn’t the case. I’m not really sure what they were aiming for but I still love the products in the box. 

One of my favorite things about Glossybox is that it’s like getting a little self-care treat each month. 

Another plus with this subscription is the boxes they come in are reusable. They’re perfect for storing things in and make wonderful gift boxes. The boxes themselves are also protected by an outer shipping box, which I love because that reduces the chance the items will be damaged and it saves the reusable box from being dinged up.

My code also works on all subscription choices. Using my code: ANGELA-R2BA or clicking HERE will save you 20%, meaning a year’s subscription will cost $183.40 instead of the regular price of $210.00

 

Give the gift of Glossybox.

All links in this post are affiliate links. I earn credits to spend on future boxes.

Coloring and Classics Subscription Box Review (January 2021)

Hello Lovelies,

 

I’m back again with the Coloring and Classics Box.  Adult coloring books and activity books are great stress relievers as well as great items to use while carving out a little ‘me time’. Because I’m such a fan of adult coloring books and activity books, I was eager to give this box a go.

 

Before I tell you what I received in January’s Coloring and Classics Box, let me tell you more about the box. 

What is Coloring and Classics? It’s a monthly subscription box that contains one hardcover book in your chosen genre, an adult coloring book, and an adult activity book.

There are two options: a Coffee option, which will contain 12oz of premium hand roasted coffee in your choice of ground or whole bean and a No Coffee option.

There are seven genres to choose from: Acclaimed Fiction, Acclaimed Nonfiction, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, or Sci-Fi.

Your first box will contain a pack of colored pencils. Each box is 2 to 3 times the value of what you pay.

Cost: No Coffee Option: $18.99 (shipping included) Coffee Option: $30.99 (shipping included)

How it is packaged: The box is a sturdy cardboard (there’s no outer packaging) and on the inside. The items were wrapped in lime green tissue paper.

Is a product card included? There was no product card included but most of the items did have prices listed on them. 

Website: Coloring and Classics or Amazon (not affiliate links)

What I received in January’s Coloring and Classics

(I selected the No Coffee option and Romance Genre)

1—Love is Blind by William Boyd  (hardcover $26.95)—this is a 2018 release and, while it looks interesting, I think it’s going to be one of those books you have to read a few chapters to see if it’s going to catch your fancy. Still it was a nice selection.

2—Mind Bending Mazes ($9.99)—these are some intricate mazes and I know the perfect person who will love this book.

3—Ancient Aliens: The Coloring Book from The History Chanel ($9.99)—this is a fun looking coloring book filled with images from the show Ancient Aliens on the History Chanel. While this will be fun to color, I’m actually going to turn some of the images into thread painting embroideries, which will be fun considering Serpent Mound—a local site—is included in the book.

 

And of course, the Chupa Chups lollipops are back and this one is orange flavored. 

Total value of January's Coloring and Classics box:  $46.93

Rating: 3 out of 3                                                                                                                                 (Each box will receive a rating. If I liked a product 1 point, if I’m unsure .5 point, if I don’t like the product 0 points)

My Overall Thoughts: This was a nice box. The coloring book was nice quality with crisp white, heavy pages and I really liked that this was something a bit different from the coloring books they’ve included in the past. The book has me intrigued and I like that it’s one I haven’t heard of before. While I’m not keeping the maze book, it’s great quality and I know that my cousin will love working the mazes and it saves me from having to order one for her birthday.

 

I’m very impressed with this box although I do wish that they would include some type of coloring utensils or maybe some pens or pencils to work the activity books with. Maybe a bookmark every so often since books are included each month. I know I say it almost every month but it would be nice to get something other than the lollipop—I have so many orange flavored ones now.

What I would like to see in future boxes:

-I would like to see a tea option for us non-coffee drinkers.

-It would be nice to have a subgenre offer

-I would like to see additional coloring implements included in each box (such as sharpeners, pencil cases/pouches, blenders, burnishers, and such)