Awesome Pack Review from Crafty: March 2015

After months of Boxy telling me that I needed Awesome Pack, I gave in. I wasn't sure I wanted to put out the money, but Mr. Crafty agreed it would be something worth trying for the kids.

Wantable Accessories Review: March 2015 (#1)

As we have made clear, we are big fans of Wantable here at Outside the Box. We have found they do an exceptional job of matching items and even when the items don't work, they are responsive and make the process of returning easy.

For me, another sign of a company's ethics and value is how they handle mistakes. Although I am sad to report that I had a pretty major issue with my collection this month, I can also say that I rarely see customer service this prompt and helpful - and that makes me even more enthusiastic about Wantable.

I was SO excited when I opened this box, because at the top was a sealed card containing a personalized note, and I was very impressed by that. In addition, I could see the list of items on my card before I opened them and I saw that a watch was included! I have been hoping for a watch, so I even said to my husband that I finally got a watch.

Before we get to the watch, let's go through the rest of the box. I did keep this box with the one exception I will address momentarily, but my least favorite item that I kept was this bracelet. It's a bit too big for me. I'm really picky, though, because my other Wantable bracelet was too small/delicate, so finding a balance is a challenge. I like everything else about this bracelet, though, especially the way it clasps, but I just wish it was about half the size.

Black Box Review: February 2015

Black Box is a very unique subscription box. Technically it has a goth theme, but really it's more a customized box based on each person's quirky weirdness. For me, it's a mix of some of my favorite things so far so I'm loving it! You fill out a detailed survey when you sign up and each month, you receive jewelry, makeup, and other random items based on your personality. I think that the box is one of the best at curating to each person.

I was iffy about this box and signed up for one month, prepared to call it a day after the first month. However, I liked that box so much that I decided to keep going and this box was a total hit again. I look forward to getting this because I have no idea what to expect!

Fortunately, my box was in piece when it arrived this month!! :)

Wine Awesomeness Review: February 2015 (with deal to get your own first box for only $15!)

Sometimes, I am just easily swayed by deals. I saw a deal to get the first box from Wine Awesomeness for only the cost of shipping, and I signed right up. Of course, I drink maybe three glasses of wine a year, so I have no business subscribing to a wine box. But deals are deals.

I don't what to praise first - the incredible customer service at Wine Awesomeness or the amazing wine! To start, let me say that since I don't drink much wine, I intended to try this box and cancel, because three bottles of wine will last me forever. (Literally forever, I think.) But I wanted to try it to offer a review, because I know there are lots of wine lovers out there. So as soon as the box shipped, I canceled. Later that day, I got an email from Logan, the CEO of Wine Awesomeness, who wanted to know if there was something they could have improved to retain my business. Okay, first of all, all subscription boxes need to take a note from Logan. Sure, there are lots of us who maybe try boxes when there are deals, but there are others who find that the boxes are just subpar and it's really good business to pay careful attention to what customers have to say. They, after all, make or break your business model in the end.

So I admitted to Logan that I am just not much of a wine drinker and I can't imagine I could drink three bottles in a month. Wine Awesomeness also offers the option for you to get boxes quarterly instead and I may consider that if I end up drinking three bottles in three months. But I told him that there was really nothing they did, and that I simply didn't drink enough for it to make sense (for the record, it costs $45 for a shipment - which is $15 a bottle and beyond reasonable). Instead of making a sales pitch and convincing me I needed to drink more wine, Logan instead asked for the blog address - and then provided us with this special link so that you, as readers, could get your first box for only $15 (free - but you pay shipping, which is normally included)! I was so impressed and honestly flattered, because they don't have to do anything, but chose to even after I canceled.

Anyway, on to the wine, so you can decide that you definitely want to try this (because, seriously, the deal is awesome and the wine is even better).