Original Fancy Box: May 2014

So I know this Fancy review is overdue, but it got delayed because I was waiting on a resolution to my many issues with my April Original Fancy box. As you remember I received a repeat item, an item in a category I did not have checked and none of the items seemed to fit the theme they mentioned. Well, apparently dry shampoo, a USB drive, a magazine, chalk board decals and lightning bolt stud earrings are actually “one of a kind” with an “outdoorsy” and “rustic” feel. Who knew? Anyhow, I went back and forth with their customer service for weeks. At first I was told you can only return one item, then I was told you can return any repeat items. After much angst, I was able to return the USB drive (the repeat item) and get $20 credit which I am putting toward a different Fancy box.

Now enough about the last box, let’s dive in to this one.

So once again it seems that Fancy has gone with a theme for the box and this one is “going away for the weekend”. I think that’s a fabulous theme and I’ve got my fingers crossed that the items actually fit in this category.

Y-Split Headphone Splitter by TYLT (Fancy Retail: $15.00)
Verdict: Miss
While I understand the idea of “sharing” music or sound with these, are they really that useful? I mean, wouldn’t a Bluetooth speaker be better? Most folks either want to listen on their headphones or share with a crowd. I guess if you really want to share music with someone sitting next to you on a plane, this would be useful, but beyond that I’m not quite seeing it.

Beauty is Skin Deep Travel Kit by evo (Fancy Retail: $30.00)
Verdict: Hit!
This travel beauty kit certainly hits the theme and it has adorable packaging. I used this on a recent work trip to Baltimore and I found the products to have a lovely light citrus scent, but the shape of the bottles made it a little difficult to get out some of the products with a thicker consistency. Still, I really liked this and found it to be very useful.

AJ Morgan Sunglasses (Fancy Retail: $25.00)
Verdict: Miss
So you may be getting that sense of déjà vu. Don’t worry you’re not having a stroke, you have seen this before. Since they sent the same brand in the March Jennifer Love Hewitt box. The only difference was they were a different color. Let’s not forget we also got sunglasses in the May Jennifer Love Hewitt, in fact, I’d argue that I’ve gotten sunglasses in more Fancy boxes than I haven’t. On the positive side these are a nice classic pair. But Fancy really really really really needs to stop sending out sunglasses. Really.

What Filter Should I Use? Nail Wraps by NCLA (Fancy Retail:$16.00)
Verdict: Like
Along with polish, I am now accumulating lots of nail wraps thanks to my subscription box addiction. I think these are fun and go right along with the travel theme. The pattern makes them more suited for accent nails. My one beef is that for the same month the Jennifer Love Hewitt box also had nail wraps. If Fancy really wants customers to subscribe to more than one box at a time, they need to put more effort into not having overlapping products in the same month. I can see a few months down the line, but you shouldn’t be getting stacks of the same item each month.

Weekend Warrior T-Shirt (Fancy Retail:$28.00)
Verdict: Sigh
I’m going to be frank with you guys. I have big boobs and have since like 6^th grade. This means that if I want a tshirt with a logo or a picture to not be oddly stretched, I need something roomy. So I set my WOMEN’S size for extra large. Yet Fancy likes to send out unisex or as I call them “men’s sizes” instead. This means that this tshirt is super damn gigantic. As in my over 6 foot tall, broad shouldered boyfriend can wear it with room to spare. For the love of all that is holy, STOP WITH THE UNISEX TSHIRTS!!! Or if you must send them, make two areas on our profiles to list our tshirt sizes. One for your men or women’s size and another for the unisex size. I actually liked the design on this one, but I passed it along to my boyfriend since there’s only so many shirts I need for sleeping in.

Overall
Verdict: Mostly a Miss

So let’s start with the positive. Fancy actually chose a good theme and picked products that mostly fit with it. So that’s a definite improvement. I also like the idea of a having a unified box each month. Unfortunately, they still keep recycling items or making them overlap with boxes in the same month. I’m like one box away from setting up a sunglass hut in my living room. I paid $45.95 (with my $1.00 discount) and received $114.00 worth of items. Unfortunately the only one that was a real hit was the travel kit.

So I finally opted to cancel my original Fancy box. I know, I know, but it was time. I still however, have my Jennifer Love Hewitt Fancy box and am definitely eyeing their new offerings. As soon as that Isaac Mizrahi box is available, I’m on it. (But god help him if he sends me sunglasses).

Do you subscribe to any Fancy boxes? If so, do you see a lot of overlap or repeated products?


THE BACKSTORY

Fancy Box is a monthly subscription service that curates items that are popular on the Fancy website. There are a few different subscription options. They all cost $39 (unless otherwise noted) plus shipping (an additional $7.95).

#1 –Fancy box (Original)
This box features a collection of some of the most fancy’d items, curated by the fancy community. Each box includes $80.00+ of products in the categories of your choice.
The categories you can choose from include: Men’s, Women’s, Kid’s, Home, Gadgets & Media. It also lets you customize your Tshirt size and your cell phone type.

#2 Fancy Food Box
Each Fancy Food Box includes five or more food products – anything from cookies and chocolates to teas and sauces – along with a selection of tasty recipes and pairing suggestions.

#3 Celebrity Curated Fancy Box
Each box includes $80.00+ of products. Most boxes are geared toward men or women though they do include unisex items.

They include:

• Verbal Fancy Box
• Cocha Rocha Fancy Box
• Tyler Florence Box
• Jennifer Love Hewitt Box
• Kelly Rowland Box
• Snoop Doggy Dog Box(This box is is $42 before shipping)
• T-Pain Box
• Nicky Hilton Box
• Isaac Mizrahi Box 

  #4 New Mystery Boxes!
  You’ll receive $30+ retail value worth of goods. Just pick an option, Men’s or Women’s, and they’ll pick out some items that tickle your Fancy. Cost is $10 plus shipping (estimated 7.95).

COUPON CODE: FOLLOWUP10 to Save 10%

Author: Writer Preziosi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Lisa attended Syracuse University where she studied singing in a giant castle surrounded by ice and snow. After she earned her music degree, she headed to the island of Manhattan, down to the West Village, to a place called the New School. There, she earned another degree in the great art of writing stories for children. She currently works on that same island trying to help real people, while making up stories about imaginary ones. Her first book, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale,” a fairy tale adventure, was released on May 30, 2017 and is up for sale on Amazon. View all posts by Writer Preziosi