Wonderful Objects by Wonder and Company is a quarterly subscription service that brings imaginary adventures to life. This box is always full of unexpected, playful surprises. This month, the theme is Time Travel!
There was a teaser box that arrived for this quarter's subscription, too. I wonder what mysteries it holds!
Wonderful Objects offers mystery boxes for both Adults and Kids.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is of the Whimsical Adult, $72 a quarter, box.
The Subscription Box: Wonderful Objects
The Cost: $72 per quarter with discounts available for longer subscription commitments
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $10 off any subscription!
CODE: WONDERADDICT10
The Products: Hand-picked items and custom-designed ephemera that bring an imaginary scenario, place, or story to life.
Ships to: U.S. for free, Internationally for $25 per quarter
Check out all of our Wonderful Objects reviews and the Women's Subscription Box Directory!
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The journey begins with this teaser box.
There's a bit about the subscription inside. I love the idea of being "made magical by you".
Whatever's inside here is just an object—it's my curiosity and willingness to play along with the box's story that makes them really come to life!
There's another card inside the box. This one has a note seemingly addressed to me. Who is Madeleine? Where did I leave the item in this box? The mysteries make me eager to dive in deeper...
There's more on the back. I'm so curious to start unearthing these details. The "Don't you remember?" line is really clever—no, I don't remember going on any great adventures, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen! Haha!
Buried in the navy crepe paper, I found this tiny envelope.
Pendant Necklace with Dandelion Seed - Value $20.96?
Inside, there's a long pendant on a brushed silver chain. I wasn't sure where to find this exact item online, but I linked to something similar (if with a different finish to it).
Inside the glass ball at the end of the pendant, there's the most delicate dandelion seed—one of the little fluffy white sprigs that floats into the air when you blow on a dandelion. The pendant is very pretty as a piece of jewelry—it hangs low, just a few inches from my belly button, actually—but I'm curious to see how I'm meant to use this "tool" in my adventure. According to the information that came in this teaser package, other "travelers" may have different tokens (in other words, not all subscribers got this same item). I'll have to hop on social media and track down what others got!
Okay, onto the main box.
This envelope sits on top of the same kind of deep navy paper that came in the teaser. I love that it's sealed!
Inside, I found this card, which presents the theme of the box in the form of an engaging hypothetical: What if you could time travel? The note continues, setting the scene for the experience. "Now that time sickness has eased from your bones, the moon is whispering in your ear again"—I love the suggestion that I'm already a seasoned time traveler ready for more. But apparently, I only have an hour of exploring before I have to make my way back to this era. I love the call to action here. Is time travel possible? I'm not so sure, but my imagination is now fully committed to finding out!
The back of the card lists the items in the box, including the "Time Travel Token" I received in the teaser.
Illustrations of Natural Philosophy Print - Value $5.00?
This postcard-sized print is so cool! I love vintage scientific art like this. The colors, the fine lines, the tidy precision of the drawings—it's such a distinct style. This print comes neatly packaged in a plastic sleeve, alongside a cardboard backing to keep it nice and flat. The print itself is on stiffer paper with a subtle texture to it, almost like a thinner version of a traditional letterpress card. I think the "purpose" of this card in my adventure is to inspire ideas around time and perception. What do I "see"? Can I bend my reality? This would go along with the token I got in the teaser box—looking through the glass ball, the world appears inverted.
I couldn't find this print, nor many like it in this size online, but other prints I saw on Etsy around this size and quality hit around $5-$10 dollars.
Beeswax "Traveler's Candle" (or "Candle by the Hour") - Value $23.99?
This has got to be the coolest thing I've ever gotten in a subscription box. Like, ever. I couldn't find this exact item online (especially in a similar size), so I linked to something similar to estimate value.
Where do I begin? So, this coiled candle functions like a timer. You thread the candle up into the metal cup at the top, so that it can only burn for a certain amount of time.
According to these instructions, you get about 25 minutes per inch of candle, after which, the clamp will automatically extinguish it. The instructions recommend you only pull about 2 inches through at a time, so you can get just short of an hour with each go. That's perfect for me, as according to the notes I've received so far, I only have about an hour to spare! Comparing sizes of other "candles by the hour" online, I think this one probably gets you about 48 hours of burn time, but don't quote me on that!
I am so smitten with this out-of-the-ordinary piece. I love candles, but I never even imagined something like this might exist. And I love how it plays into the story!
Celestial Notebook - Value $6.98
This next item is another great example of vintage-style science art. I love this intricate map of the solar system and the astrological chart. The mixing of astrology and astronomy mirrors the experience of the box— you're part in reality, part in something one step beyond.
The notebook itself is about a quarter-inch thick, too, so there's plenty of room inside. The pages are gridded in light blue ink, which really adds to the feeling that this is meant to be filled with "scientific" observations and accounts on my time traveling journeys.
The most important thing about this journal is what comes tucked inside. It's a letter from the mysterious "Madeleine", who was mentioned earlier. I love her quirky tone. She sounds like she (and Aberlin) could be found at Hogwarts, puttering about, taking relaxing salt baths and drinking hot chocolate (time sickness doesn't sound so bad, does it?). I think the best part about this note is that it brings some levity to what's thus far been a mysterious and just slightly eerie box. Reading this note from Madeleine brings out the playful, joyous side of the experience. What's make-believe if not a whole lot of fun, right?
Calliope Estelle Apothecary Bath Salts Organic Trio - Value $10.00?
In keeping with the letter, there are indeed bath salts in the box, too! I couldn't find this exact set online, so I linked to something similar.
Each corked vial has about enough salts for one bath. I think my favorite is the Jasmine and Clementine. The aroma is exotic and slightly sweet, like a delicious tea.
Drinking Chocolate from Pavonia Confections - Value $6.00
Last but not least, there's a tin of drinking chocolate. I love hot chocolate (and, well, all things chocolate), and I particularly enjoyed this dark, rich mix.
I don't know that I've had time sickness before, but I'd certainly fake it if it means enjoying more of this cocoa!
Verdict: All I can say about Wonderful Objects is "wow". I adore this quarterly box as much as I envy the creativity and cleverness of the people behind it. Every item was fascinating and unique. If you've got even the littlest bit of an imagination, this box will surely delight you! The value I estimated hit right at the $72.00 price point, though that's not counting the detailed letters and story elements that really bring this box to life. What's more, I found the items enjoyable inside and outside of the context of the time traveler story (whether as decor or jewelry, etc.). This might be my favorite subscription right now. What a great excuse to make time in your life to just play.
What do you think of this quarter's Wonderful Objects?
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