June 2014 ~ A Kitchen Box Review!

This is my third "A Kitchen Box" subscription box and this month's theme was  the "Grill Box."  May's theme was the "Egg Box" and April's was a "Tasting Box." 

I love the little designer printed envelopes..I've been saving and reusing them!  Here is the little card insert that tells you about the items in the box. 

Four Cedar Grilling Planks by NW Plank Co. ($12.95)  - At first I was like..hmmm...I don't eat fish. But it says it can be used for chicken and pork also.  I'm debating whether to keep them or regift the planks.

Hazelnut Rub by NW Plank Co. ($6.00) - The best part about my kitchen is opening up my pantry and seeing all these beautiful gourmet jars and spices from A Kitchen Box!  I have not heard of a hazelnut rub..sounds interesting!

Black Garlic Finishing Salt by Salinity  (this is a sample but most salts on their website range from $15-$29)
- This tiny package is FRAGRANT! In fact the whole box smelled like it. Excited to use this finishing salt!

Flour sack towel - each box contains a new towel which is a nice touch!

Also included...recipe postcards, music download to Call Me by St. Paul & Broken Bones, two grill menus with recipes, and shopping lists.

I enjoy receiving all these artisan food items that are new to me! I have really liked the music downloads that have come with each box and I look forward to seeing how the box is curated and themed each month! If you would like to find out more about A Kitchen Box click here!

*I was not compensated or asked to write this review and all opinions are my own. : ) 

May 2014 - A Kitchen Box Review!

This is my second box from akitchenbox.com and this month's theme was "The Egg Box."   I saw the postman through the window and I saw him grab a package from the back of his truck...I stopped my husband in mid-conversation to zip outside and collect my box of hand selected kitchen treasures and treats!

The box might be small in comparison to other boxes I subscribe to but it is PACKED with unique items and delectable recipes! There is always a free music download in the box to go along with your cooking experience! This month's box featured Lisa Loeb: "No Fairy Tale & The Disappointed Pancake Music Downloads." 

At first I couldn't figure out what this was... a bottle opener? ..an egg slicer?  The description read "egg topper." ..Still no had no clue.. I googled it and found out that it takes the top part of the shell off of a soft boiled egg!  If I had actually read the recipe card that came in the box first it would have told me that. : )   I love to cook and I have almost every known cooking gadget known to man in my kitchen so it was nice to be introduced to something new!  

Egg cups - I love that they are white because they match my dishes... again...white egg cups are something I don't have.  I do have polka dot Easter themed egg cups but white are nice for everyday use.

Green kitchen towel - I'm not a fan of green but  I am going to add this to a gift basket for a friend and she loves green! April's box featured a white flour sack towel which I love!

I have never used pink peppercorns but one of the recipe cards in the box calls for them. That is one of the many things I like about A Kitchen Box is that you are introduced to unique and uncommon items that you would not see in a general grocery store. My peppercorn mill was getting low anyways and now I can fill it up with these!  In April's box I received some spices from this Whole Spice company..I am wondering if every box will include spices from the same company. I really like the amount of spices I acquired also.  They are not just for a one time use. 

So that's how it works!! :) I want to make a soft boiled egg now so I can try out this nifty tool!

Here is the beautiful recipe card that came in the box!
 The recipe is "Soft Cooked Egg with Buttered Toast For Two" by Michael Ruhlman and art by Donna Turner Ruhlman. This is actually a recipe/photo postcard and there is another postcard in the box of fried eggs. 

Inside this month's box there was also a Rip Van Wafel which I have seen but never tried!  The package listed instructions for heating the treat so immediately I wanted to try it out with my morning cup of tea!  You are supposed to open the wafel from the packaging and let it sit over your hot coffee or tea. The steam heats up the caramel goodness inside the wafel.

It was scrumptious!

 I ordered the Spring Quarterly Subscription which means I have one more box coming my way!  As I have said before,  I think this box is perfect for anyone who loves to cook, entertain, and try new recipes! It makes a lovely gift for an aspiring culinary student, a home cook, a friend who loves to entertain, or any foodie!

Read my A Kitchen Box April review here!
To find out more about A Kitchen Box click here!

*I was not compensated or asked to write this review and all opinions are my own. : ) 

Subscription Boxes!

I am obsessed with subscription boxes lately!  There seems to be a subscription box for every theme or idea imaginable! If you don't know what a subscription box is...let me explain.  It is a monthly box you receive from a company, shipped directly to your home, filled with goodies and trinkets!  Most subscription boxes are surprise boxes and you don't know ahead of time what you will get. Who doesn't like a monthly surprise box?! I sure do! There are subscription boxes themed around cooking, crafting, pets, kids, beauty products, travel, fashion, etc. A great place to start researching subscription boxes is My Subscription Addiction.  On the My Subscription Addiction website you can read reviews, research boxes based on price and theme, manage your subscriptions, and create wishlists!

Dottiebox was my first subscription box I ordered. So far I am way beyond impressed with the overall cuteness of the box, attention to detail, and unique handpicked items from independent artists/designers!  Read my April 2014 review here!  Currently, Dottiebox offers a recurring $20 monthly subscription or a $60 pre-paid three month subscription. Also, the website offers mini box subscriptions. April and May mini boxes are $10 each, a recurring monthly mini box subscription is $13/month, and a three month pre-paid mini box subscription is $36. A mini box features 2-3 handmade items plus coupons.  Dottiebox website also sells lip balm and  individual gift dottieboxes you can send to a friend! 

A Kitchen Box is the second box I subscribed to. As a past culinary student, home cook, and foodie, this box is definitely one I had to try!  Read my April 2014 review here!  This box features special curated ingredients, a flour sack towel, recipe cards, a surprise item for your kitchen, and a music download.  Everything was so elegantly packaged in my April box...it is a treat to unwrap and explore each item! The website sells past boxes for $34 each or a subscription to future boxes. A quarterly subscription is $89, a semi annual subscription is $175, and an annual subscription is $350. This box makes a fantastic gift for anyone who loves to cook! 

I have been wanting to try the Popsugar Must Have box for awhile now and I finally placed my order last week.  Not only is opening a subscription box exciting but watching unboxing reviews is addicting!  It's kinda like being five again and watching the birthday kid open the presents!  Popsugar Must Have reviews are really fun to watch because they feature A LOT of stuff! TheMissAllieCakes and Jen at The Busy Bee create really helpful reviews when deciding what box to choose next!  So Popsugar Must Have box offers a $39.95 monthly box, 3 months for $109.85, 6 months for $214.70, or 1 year for $429.40.  The boxes feature home, body, or fashion products hand selected by Popsugar editors. And every so often a special edition box comes out. I've seen reviews on the special edition summer box, resort box, and the special edition Neiman Marcus box. These special edition boxes show up randomly, cost more, are in limited amounts, and sell out fast. I am due to receive my Popsugar Must Have box any day now and will post my review!  I am excited that I waited to order for the summer months..somehow I feel like this box is going to be amazing! 

Didn't I say there was a box for everything?!?!  My Cotton Bunny is a subscription service from Los Angeles for ..your time of the month! No more awkward feminine product aisle!  On the website, you can pick when your cycle occurs and the box should arrive around that time.  The box features tampons or pads (your choose what kind and from where.. Tampax, Always, Playtex, Kotex, or o.b.), chocolates, and a surprise gift!  I think this box is just about the greatest idea ever.  My box is on it's way and will post the review soon. Boxes are $16 per month.

I have been looking for a "travel" box and this one seems to be the one! I have read many positive reviews about Hammock Pack.  I ordered my subscription yesterday and cannot wait to see what May's box brings!  The box is supposed to feature 5-6 products that represent a getaway or destination. The products are a snacks, bath products, housewares, and accessories. May's box is supposed to be Florida so I'm expecting some fun beach items..possibly sun tan lotion or beach scented candle?  Each box is $25 plus $5 for shipping. A 3 month subscription or full subscription is still $25 a month.  You can look at past boxes on their blog!  I will post my review soon! 

I subscribed to Fancy Box recently and I really like how they allow you to set preferences.  You first choose three general preferences to what you like..I chose Women's, Home, and Media.  After you make your purchase, then you can manage your subscriptions and set preferences such as clothing and shoe sizes, cell phone brand, ring sizes...and you can enter your birthday to receive a special surprise. Besides the regular Fancy box, there are other different variations and types of subscriptions. There are celebrity Fancy boxes like the Jennifer Love Hewitt Fancy Box and chef boxes like the Tyler Florence box (which btw might be my next subscription!). There are Fancy Food boxes and Mystery boxes! The celebrity boxes vary from $39-$42 a month, the Mystery box is just $10/month, and the regular Fancy box and Fancy Food Box are $39/month.  A Fancy box for 3 months is $115, 6 months/$225, 9 months/$330, and 12 months/$425. There is also a $7.95 shipping fee. I have read many Fancy Box reviews and watched unboxings and it seems that it is well worth the price! Fancy Box states that the box features $80+ worth of products! There is also a referral program ..when one of your friends sign up then you get a credit...ooooh!  The only disappointment I have is that I wish I ordered this box last month..I saw an April unboxing and a Kinfolk magazine was in the box! 

April 2014 - A Kitchen Box Review!

I was thrilled to receive my first akitchenbox.com box subscription!
I absolutely love cooking and trying out new recipes....

first glimpse into the box.. I really like the "unpacking your taste box" card that tells everything in the box...

Presentation is everything! Tissue, tuck-ins, and surprises! 

A beautiful box indeed! 

Whole Spice Sea Salt - Napa Valley
I was actually running low on sea salt! 

Whole Spice Nigella Seed - Napa Valley

I honestly didn't know how to use these but the recipe card that came in the box called for them! 

This is a recipe postcard that is pre-stamped to send to a friend! 

Every box comes with a flour sack towel..you can never have enough! : ) 

Good things come in cute little wrapped packages, right? 

Oh yes!  A pair of white tasting spoons.. did I mention that I love this box?

Red Ridge Oregon Olive Mill Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I use olive oil quite frequently so this is a plus! 

Now this is impressive!
A letter-pressed recipe by private chef, blogger, and entertaining expert Sarah Ashley Schniear...

Here is everything that was included in the box..which was a lot!
2 tasting spoons
Recipe postcard
Sea salt and nigella seed
Letter pressed recipe card
Oregon Olive Mill olive oil
Flour sack towel
A thank you note from akitchenbox.com
Free music download by Future Historians

Also included in the box was this quote by Chef Marcel Boulestin... the designs on all of akitchenbox.com's tuck-ins and postcards are pristine and correlate well.. I love it all! 

I downloaded the code right away... totally my style of music and I added it to my kitchen playlist...

Overall, I am very impressed with akitchenbox.com and so glad that  I ordered the Spring Quarterly Subscription which means I have two more boxes coming my way!  I think this box is perfect for anyone who loves to cook, entertain, and try new recipes! It makes a lovely gift for an aspiring culinary student, a home cook, a friend who loves to entertain, or any foodie!