Subscription Boxes

Have you heard of or tried Subscription Boxes? I recently over the summer fell in love with both the IDEA and the actual service of curated items being delivered to my door. In Canada we have access to several strictly Canadian sub services along with a few from other countries (Shipping can kill the savings though)

Liz over a subscription addiction has a great list of American ones that you can check out here (Some offer shipping to Canada)

http://www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com

I also found out about a few from

http://www.subscriptionboxes.com , this site also offers user reviews to help you make your choice a little easier

My first sub choice was Topbox because of all the rave reviews, but this was back in January and I had to go on the 8 month long waiting list. (my opinion is down below as I am now off the waitlist)
http://topbox.ca/

My First Sub was Glossybox, (was $15 now its $21 a month)

http://www.glossybox.ca/referal?CI=MTMxMzQ=

I ordered GB in June and received my first box in July, now my opinion of Glossybox has been sort of hit and miss, some boxes have been amazing and others less so. Glossybox's website promises "5 deluxe beauty samples delivered each month." but some months we have received drugstore items such as Venus Razors (don't get me wrong I love them :) ) or other items that have come in P&G sample packs, basically stuff I could pick up at SDM for cheap. There has been a general uproar on Facebook in the last few months due to the fact GB raised there price (which was already the highest at $15.00 a month) to $21.00 and their reasoning for doing so being the "Making a North American Standard Pricing (GB USA has always been $21) and so they can continue to improve and provide us with great products" So I am sticking it out for a few months to see if there is an improvement or at least less of a variance with the types of products and samples, I have not been taking pictures of the boxes or doing reviews, but I will starting November. 

My Second Sub was Glymm ($12 a month)

http://www.glymm.com/share/mmayer2009

Glymm has been pretty consistent with their type of samples, I have pretty much had a use for everything I have been sent (even the baby butter hair creme, its perfect for my daughter's hair), I have no complaints except the high number of Shampoo and Conditioner samples as I m don't really feel that you can get a good sense of a product in three or four uses, I don't foresee cancelling this in the near future. Once again will start reviewing and posting pictures with the December bag.

Third Sub...TOPBOX (was $10 now its $12 a month)

Finally off the Topbox wait list, and was a bit disappointed with my first few boxes from them, as prior to this all I heard was RAVE reviews everywhere but I guess you can't win all the time and they are trying to accommodate lots of subscribers at this point, but I m looking forward to future boxes and I haven't received anything terrible or drugstore quality, so again I do not foresee cancelling this one.

Fourth Sub - Indie Giftbox -- Not a Beauty Box ($20 plus $10 shipping)

http://indiegiftbox.com/

I was put on a waiting list for this one for several months, Indie Giftbox describes itself as "We curate great items from independent artists and small businesses every month and organize them into themed boxes that you can purchase. Our goal is to help you discover new artists and companies, and to help those artists and companies grow their businesses! "

I was very happy to be able to get in on the Winter themed box for November, as Indie has a limited amount of boxes available and you have to be on the ball to order one when they become available.
I paid a little more for shipping as this is an american box, but once I received the box I was extremely happy with the contents I received: 

1. a wonderful travel size candle in a great reusable tin from (Will update with the scent when i get home)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/plainjbodyandhome

2. a really cute Christmas Ornament from 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shopofworldlydelight

3. a Loveley Snowman Gift Tag (plus one to make yourself, my daughter loved this)

as seen here (Also a link to her Etsy Shop) http://www.etsy.com/transaction/102825503

5. Lovely Christmas Card, thats almost to cute to use ( I love note cards and it was extremely good quality)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/112429864/peace-mistletoe-holiday-card-qty-1


6. Snowflake necklace (Not exactly the same as the chain is different, but still wonderful for winter)

http://eef.storenvy.com/products/684750-proper-snow-at-last-silver-tone-snowflake-necklace

I also received coupons and gift cards from the following:

issa.ino:handmade, Wired Essentials, Megandowntherabbithole, My So Called Chaos, and Sebastian Design.

All of which would make finding a gift for that hard to shop for person easier, plus your supporting small business!

6th Subscription Box - GOLDEN TOTE ($49.00 for 2 to 3 items, or $149.00 for 5-7 items, plus $20 shipping)
http://www.goldentote.com

I have been considering this one on and off since I discovered it Via Liz's website (link to Liz's website above)
This is a little more pricey then a beauty box but its CLOTHES!! amazing clothes !!

One of the reasons's I was hesitant to try this was not only because of the higher cost, but the lack of reviews out there from actual subscribers, that of course was until Liz posted her review and I immediately went a bought the $149 dollar tote







These are the choices for I made for the 1st Item and the 2nd, the remaining items in your tote are a complete surprise, One of the main reasons I ended up ordering is the Aztec swear is absolutely gorgeous.

The Girls behind this sub are the clothing designers behind Puella, so you know the stuff is going to be quality, I ordered my November Tote today and the December one goes on sale on Monday (hehe I maybe reviewing these both at the same time)

 I don't know if this is something that I will indulge in every month at $170.00 including shipping or $70.00 for the other version, unless I can wiggle the room in my budget else where, but then again that's whats great about this sub, if you don't like the choices for 1st and 2nd you can skip the tote all together. I love the idea of adding to my closet( Which is sorely lacking) without hitting the mall and with pieces that are curated and seem to be high quality. 

(Below are the two choices that I passed on)










That's all for now folks I will be revealing and reviewing my boxes and posting pictures starting with Glossybox November Edition, followed hopefully by Golden Tote and then Topbox and Glymm then Golden Tote and Glossy HAHA what a great month for mail!!