If you haven't heard about SpouseBox, the new snail mail subscription service for military spouses, by military spouses you are missing out in a major way.
UPDATE: The March SpouseBox sold out in just under two hours! They will be doubling their inventory for April, so stay tuned!
What I found in my mailbox. Hellooooo SpouseBox.
Let's clear one thing up -- this is not an unbiased SpouseBox review. I loved SpouseBox before it even landed in mailbox. And it's not just because I know and greatly admire the creators Adrianna, proprietress of NextGen MilSpouse and Krystel, mastermind of Army Wife 101. Together they run MSB New Media.
And it's not just because I adore - adore! - getting mail, even if it's the kind I have to pay for. It's because I love the genius of a box subscription service focused not just on what military spouses might like to receive, but on sharing products from military spouse and veteran owned businesses. That is a win-win.
What in the world is a SpouseBox and why are you doing a SpouseBox review?
A box full of spouses? No. Let's break it down easy.
SpouseBox, launched late last year, is the first monthly subscription box for military spouses, by military spouses. Adrianna and Krystel choose the products themselves, and many of them are supplied by businesses owned and operated by military spouses or veterans. So, not only are they military spouses running a company aimed at military spouses, but they are running it in a way that supports other businesses in our community. Mind blown.
The boxes, which go on sale monthly and land in your mailbox early the next month, cost $24.99 plus $5 shipping. If you subscribe to have them sent to you automatically (which you should because boy do they sell out fast) they are $24.99 and the SpouseBox ladies eat the shipping price for you.
This is what greeted me when I opened my SpouseBox. Cue giddy excitement.
That seems pricey. Is what is in there worth it?
According to their handy little insert, definitely. The February box, my first (after missing the boat on the January box and suffering acute jealousy for a month) has a total worth of $45.50, not including the value of a few discount coupons and a fun photo frame that was included as a bonus in this box.
This card insert in the box explains the products and their value.
But let's also remember -- a subscription box isn't supposed to be a new way to bargain hunt. Instead it's a way to treat yourself (or a friend you order for) to a fun surprise designed just for them. I think this accomplishes that goal handily.
Get to the goods. What was in the February box?
Pure awesomeness. (I warned you this wasn't going to be super objective).
The February SpouseBox was jammed with great products.
The February box contained a few brownie bites from a small bakery, a hot chocolate sampler from Lock-N-Load Java, a veteran owned coffee roaster that donates some proceeds to military charities, four adorable letterpress coasters from a spouse owned business, a small bottle (not sample size but not full size either) of a perfume I, surprisingly, did not find repulsive (I'm not really a perfume girl), a print from a MilSpouse designer and a frame to go with it, a little tote bag and coupon from Shari's Berries and, surprisingly, a coupon for free toilet paper (everyone uses that, am I right? If I'm wrong, keep it to yourself).
What was your favorite part?
The chocolate, obviously.
This cup of Lock-N-Load Java natural hot chocolate was exactly what I needed after a crazy day.
You should be impressed that I managed to wait until the morning after finding the box in my mailbox to eat the brownie bites with my coffee (yummmm) and alllll the way until that night to go to town on the hot chocolate. It was my little reward for surviving a personal ISIS attack.
So how do I get one?
You're going to have to be ninja-fast. I'm not the only one who thinks these boxes are amazing. Last month they sold out in three hours. THREE HOURS.
March's box goes on sale Friday at midnight ET to give the folks stationed at APO locations a shot at purchasing one, too. I subscribed last month for auto shipping, so I don't have to worry about it (phew!)
But if you want in on this (and you do - you definitely do) you better bust a move first thing Friday morning -- and the west coast, Alaska and Hawaii folks are at a big advantage for watching the clock Thursday night/evening. You could also beg a friend in one of those time zones to do the buying for you.
Surprise! SpouseBuzz is listed as one of their favorite resources. Now we love them even more than before.
Have you received a SpouseBox? What did you think?
No products were provided by SpouseBox for this review and I was not paid for it. The cost of the February box came out of my linty pockets. All opinions are my own.
