Escape Monthly is a monthly “vacation in a box” subscription. Each box comes with food, beauty items, and other souvenirs from a new destination. There are three versions – the regular box (what I’m reviewing here), a mini version, and a luxe version. In the regular subscription, you get a tour guide book, which may be of use in planning your next vacation!
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Escape Monthly
The Cost: $49.95
Ships to: US (free shipping)
The Products: Each box is a destination-inspired monthly delivery of luxury products to help you relax, renew, and escape.
Check out our past Escape Monthly reviews!
Normally, the box comes with a full-color trifold brochure with more information about the items and the destination. This time, my box didn’t have one. I had to go to their Facebook page to figure out the destination – New England. I went to college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, so I have spent a lot of time in New England, but I graduated 15 years ago so my memories are a little hazy. At any rate, I was excited about the destination!
Frommer’s Easy Guide to Boston, Cape Cod, and the Islands – Value $12.63
The listed price is for a new copy on Amazon. I had fun flipping through this and looking for things I remembered from my college days.
Body Brush with Strap – Value $2.30 (?)
I linked to something similar. Without any context, this is just strange. This is the third month in a row we’ve gotten a body-exfoliating tool. Perhaps if there had been a brochure, I would have better understood the inclusion of this item. (It sheds bristles like crazy, by the way.)
Plum Island Soap Co. Face Moisturizer – Value $4 (?)
Plum Island Soap Co. is based in Newburyport, MA. This moisturizer has a lemony scent and lots of good, natural ingredients. The value is just a guess because there is no indication of a size on the jar I got nor on the product page on the company’s website. I’m guessing this is a sample size?
Nature’s Mysteries Lavender Roll-On Perfume – Value $18
This looks to be a full-size bottle, but that’s another guess. This is pretty much straight lavender oil diluted in a carrier. I’m thinking it will be good to use around bedtime to help me get to sleep. (This company is based in Vermont.)
Lake Champlain Chocolates Rum Caramel Filled Dark Chocolate Bar – Value $4
This is made in Vermont in small batches. I haven’t tried it yet because there is only so much chocolate one person can eat at a time (see below). I am looking forward to it, though.
True North Maple Vanilla Granola (2.9 oz) – Value $2.24
Maple vanilla is a great flavor combination for fall. I nibbled a bit on this and I like it but am saving the rest to put on yogurt. This is gluten free (does contain oats) and nut free, although a lot of the other flavors contain nuts so proceed with caution if you have allergies. This is from another small company from Vermont.
Delights of the Earth Cran-Lavender Handmade Lip Balm – Value $3 (?)
You can only buy this wholesale right now (or locally in some New England area shops and Whole Foods locations), so the price is a guess. This is nicely moisturizing, but be forewarned that the flavor is far more “lavender” than “cranberry” (at least to me). This is from a small Massachusetts company.
Dan’s Chocolates, Assorted Bars (6 pieces) – Value $7.50
Dan’s Chocolates is based out of Vermont with a factory in Rhode Island. Their website has some beautiful chocolate photography – I am drooling and itching to pull out my credit card, even though I don’t *need* any more chocolate right now. I went for the peanut butter one first, followed by white chocolate. They were delicious. I am trying to pace myself with the rest of them…
Verdict: I calculated a value of about $54 for the December Escape Monthly box. Granted, several of the values were total guesses due to lack of size information, and the Amazon price for a book is almost always going to be lower than the MSRP. But even if I’m off by a bit, that’s slightly over the cost of the box, and there are often coupons and deals available for this subscription.
However…this was a really weird box. There were SEVEN chocolate bars! I like chocolate, don’t get me wrong (I will eat every bit of it eventually), but I feel like this box could’ve been a lot more (and more varied). The only companies represented were from Massachusetts and Vermont. What about Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut?
Anyway, I am crossing my fingers for next month. The destination is India. I love stuff from India and there are a lot of possibilities for handicrafts, spices, foods, etc.
What do you think of the December 2015 Escape Monthly Box? Do you subscribe?
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