CandleLit is a monthly subscription box that features books by authors of color, soy candles, organic tea, and handmade wellness products created by people of color.
CandleLit simplifies scheduled self-care despite your busy life. We partner with POC-owned brands to support a holistic wellness lifestyle.
CandleLit offers monthly and quarterly subscription plans, as well as single box and gift box options. Subscribers have the option to receive an e-book (Kindle) or hardcover book.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About CandleLit
The Subscription Box: CandleLit Box
The Cost: $40 every month or $120 every 3 months + free shipping
The Products: A new hand-picked hardcover or e-book by an author of color, a soy candle, organic tea, and other handmade wellness products
Good to know: Boxes ship the first week of the month
Ships To: the US only
CandleLit October 2018 Review
Included in the box is a card that highlights this month's box. The front of the card reads:
This box is an ode to women who continue to light our flame. We are here to light yours.
The back of the card highlights the box partners and featured editor for the month, as well as other useful information about the box.
One of the box partners featured this month is Amor Mas. Amor Mas creates luxury home scents. The back of the card highlights Amor Mas’ mission to combine self-care and travel.
Another box partner featured this month is Melaku Aromatherapy. Melaku Aromatherapy creates handmade and 100% vegan beauty and skincare products.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi - Retail Value $17.99 (Found here for $12.32)
I couldn’t wait to grab a hot cup of tea, light my candle, and dive into this book. I loved Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and fondly recall reading it as a young adult. Because of this, I was very hesitant about this remake. How often have you been let down by a remake?! For me, it happens all the time! But, I went into this young adult book with an open mind.
Book summary from Amazon:
Pride and Prejudice gets remixed in this smart, funny, gorgeous retelling of the classic, starring all characters of color, from Ibi Zoboi, National Book Award finalist and author of American Street.
Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.
When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.
But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.
In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic.
I'm about a third of the way through the book, and it’s really engaging. I love the relationship between the Benitez sisters, especially the two oldest girls, Z and Nae, and the budding relationship between Janae and Ainsley. And, seriously, what is Darius’ problem?! The joy thus far in reading this book is the Bushwick setting, the families, and the block parties that take me back to my childhood neighborhood and all the joys growing up there. So far, so good!
Amor Mas Marrakech Candle, 3.5 oz – Buy an 8.8 oz version for $25.00
I received the Marrakech ginger, saffron, and orange blossom scented candle this month. Here's how Amor Mas describes the fragrance: "spicy ginger + soft saffron meet with orange blossoms to give off a spicy, slightly floral scent that transports you to the souks of Marrakech.” It smells so good, but I can’t distinguish the individual scents, so it’s difficult to describe aside from it being really light and calming. The soothing smell of the candle and the slight crackle from the wooden wick are very relaxing.
Amor Mas Matches
Included with the candle is this cute little box of matches. Amor Mas makes candles that are perfectly sized for travel. These matches can be stored away in your purse or carry-on item so you don’t have to worry about finding matches while on vacation. Tip: TSA does not allow matches in your checked luggage. One book, like this one, can be carried on.
Cuples Tea House ‘Tea Tube Testers" in Mango Green Tea, 1 oz. – Retail Value $6.00
Cuples Tea House is a family owned business offering loose-leaf teas, tea sets, tea accessories, and “urban tea experiences”. This tea smells so good! Green tea, of course, has so many benefits, including weight loss and aiding in cardiovascular health. Mango is a great source of vitamins A and C. This tea has a combination of these two super ingredients. I give this aromatic tea an A+.
Melaku Aromatherapy Pure African Black Soap, 4 oz. – Retail Value $4.50
Black soap is traditionally used to address a number of skin conditions including acne and discoloration. This soap is handmade in Ghana, is vegan, and is free of parabens, phthalates, and animal ingredients. It contains plantain ash, cocoa pods, plant extracts, and shea butter. I suffer from skin discoloration from acne, so I can’t wait to give this bar of soap a try!
CandleLit Affirmation Notes
This month’s box also included CandleLit affirmation notes. The sticky notes read, "I love myself unconditionally–my love is my calm during the storms." I love using affirmations as a way to train my mind to believe, without a doubt, the stated message. Yes, I do love myself, and self-love and self-care are paramount.
Verdict: This is becoming one of my favorite boxes! Who doesn’t enjoy curling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea? This is the type of self-care that I enjoy and can fit into my busy schedule. I noticed that the candle and tea brands for this month's box are the same as last month’s box. This could have been a bit disappointing, but the Amor Mas candles and Cuples teas are of such high quality that I don’t mind receiving more! I also love that this box highlights authors and partners that are people of color.
This CandleLit Box costs $40.00, and I estimate that it has a retail value of at least $40.99 (not including the affirmation notes and matches, and estimating the proportional cost of the candle). I initially felt like the cost of this box was too expensive, but considering that shipping is included, the cost then becomes comparable with other boxes of similar offerings. I think it's a fair value for a newly released book, candle, tea, and wellness item featuring people of color.
To Wrap Up:
Can I get this box if I sign up today?: If you subscribe by the end of October you will receive the November CandleLit box. You may also be able to purchase this box as a Single Box order from the CandleLit Shop.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $40 + free shipping, which means that each of the 5 items in the box (counting candles and matches as one) has an average cost of $8.
Check out more self-care subscription boxes in the Women's Subscription Box List!
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What do you think of this CandleLit Box October box?
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