Men’s – Lisa Preziosi

MeUndies: September 2016

Today I’ve got an awesome subscription for you guys, an underwear subscription that claims to be the “world’s most comfortable underwear”. Seriously. The folks at MeUndies graciously sent me a box to review. Strangely enough, I’ve been hunting for the perfect underwear for awhile. My go to has been a seamless boyshort style from Target, but my terrible washing machine pretty much makes them disintegrate so it was time to try something new. Cue my MeUndies box.

About the Brand:
MeUndies wants you to build the “freshest, funnest, underwear drawer” with “new limited edition designs every month.” You can skip a month or cancel at any time. You can also just buy their products individually from their site, but you do get a discount by signing up for the subscription.

How the sub works:
This sub offers four styles for men or women. First you choose your cut:
Options for Women: Women’s Cheeky Brief, Women’s Bikini, Women’s Boyshort, Women’s Modal Thong
Options for Men: Men’s Boxer Brief, Men’s Trunk, Men’s Boxer, Men’s Brief

Next you choose your fabric and size:
Sizes for Women: XS – 2XL
Sizes for Men: S – 3XL
Fabric options are in three categories: Classic, Bold, and Adventurous.

Cost: Men’s pairs are $16 a month and Women’s pairs are $14.00

So my undies arrived in this cute little bag. I opted for the boyshort style in XL because I have a bit of extra junk in my trunk.

These styles appear to be the “adventurous” kind, which suits me just fine. These felt super soft and really well made. The real test was when I wore them. They were in fact very very comfortable and I felt the sizing was a little generous. I think I could have worn a large as well, so if you’re between sizes you may want to go down to the lower one.

The finishing on the edges of this underwear are much better quality than my usual kind and I think they’ll hold up better in the wash.

Verdict: Love!
I think MeUndies has me hooked. I’m definitely going to turn to them when I need to replenish my underwear drawer. While $14 a pair might seem a bit pricey, these are great quality and I think they’ll last longer than the ones that cost just a few dollars less. They also are amazingly soft and come in so many fun prints. This is also a wonderful gift idea – perfectly suited to the guy in your life who never seems to remember to buy underwear or just hates doing it. The MeUndies site also offers some lounge wear options although the current sizing seems more limited than their underwear offerings. I hope they do expand their sizing cause I’d gladly buy some tshirts in their super soft fabric.

BACKSTORY
MeUndies wants you to build the “freshest, funnest, underwear drawer” with “new limited edition designs every month.” Each month they’ll send you a new pair of underwear in your selected cut and size. You can also just buy their products individually from their site, but you do get a discount by signing up for the subscription.

COST: Women: $14.00
Men: $16.00

Shipping: Free Shipping
You can skip a month or cancel at any time

Save

MorningClub Co: May 2016

I’m back from a busy July 4^th holiday which included my anniversary and a lot of house hunting (keep your fingers crossed I don’t give myself a heart attack as I attempt to actually purchase a home). I’ve got another new box for you and this time it’s one for the fellas. The wonderful folks at Morning Club Co., a men’s grooming subscription, sent me a box to review so let’s get down to it.

A little about this sub:

“MorningClub Co. is a no-nonsense, no gimmicks subscription-box company with a mission to ensuring that men never run out of the personal care products they know, use and trust….Monthly subscription prices range from $17.99 to $45.59 per month (all prices in USD), with extra shipping and sales tax in Canada. Depending on your monthly subscription package, you can opt to customize your preferred brand or product selection to better suit your needs.” Boxes include 5 – 7 products, plus socks and a free gift. This box allows you to choose from boxed sets of grooming products and also offers the option of adding on razors. Currently, you can get 25% off your first box.

Since this is a practical grooming subscription for men I’ll be considering this one from more of an overall gifting perspective.

Now let’s get to grooming:

Dove Men+Care Body and Face Wash, Clean Comfort 18 oz
(Estimated Retail: $5.32)

Dove Men + Care Deodorant Stick, Extra Fresh, 3 Ounce
(Estimated Retail: $3.86)

Q-tips Cotton Swabs, Blue Purse Pack, 30 ct
(Estimated Retail: $3.62)
I have to say I find it a little amusing that this is called a “purse pack” and is in a men’s box. I feel like Qtips are something you want to buy a big box of and just have on hand. That being said, this size is perfect for travel or keeping in your gym bag.

Dove Men Plus Care Shave Gel Hydrate
(Estimated Retail: $5.59)

Colgate Wave Soft Manual Toothbrush
(Estimated Retail: $4.70)
I feel like so many folks use battery operated or sonic toothbrushes that this would be a good product for customers to be able to exclude.

Colgate Max Fresh Liquid Toothpaste with Mini Breath Strips, Cool Mint, 4.6 oz
(Estimated Retail: $2.50)

Conceited Cowboy Socks
(Estimated Retail: $????)
I couldn’t find this one online, but they look like cute socks and I love the name.

Our Free Surprise Gift…

MILWAUKEE 24-Piece SHOCKWAVE I
(Estimated Retail: $22.45)
This is a drill bit set…but you need to have a drill first. I’m not sure what type of quality this is, but it’s a cute little set.

OVERALL

I’m not sure how much this box would cost as it seems most similar to the “Feel Energized with Dove” set which is currently priced at $25.19, but it doesn’t have quite as many items. Since the lowest cost listed is $17.99 we’ll assume this box costs between that and $25.19. Excluding the socks which I couldn’t price, our total comes out to an estimated $48.04 (although a lot of that comes from the cost of the extra gift).

I think this sub would be a great gift for a teen guy going off to college. Their budget is limited and this would be a great way to give them the necessities each month plus a couple fun extras. The value is definitely there, but you could also buy these items in bulk via Amazon for a bigger discount overall and a bit more customization. However, you don’tget the fun of the free gift and socks, which is probably a nice bonus to your monthly pharmacy purchases. I could see a busy guy who’s really brand loyal enjoying this sub. I do think MorningClub Co should consider some additional add-on options like shampoo/conditioner, electric brush head replacements and so on. If a guy could get all their grooming needs from this one box, then I think it would have an even bigger appeal especially factoring in that you would now know exactly how much you need to budget for your grooming items each month.

Have you ever purchased a box subscription for a man in your life or tried one yourself?

BACKSTORY
MorningClub Co. is a no-nonsense, no gimmicks subscription-box company with a mission to ensuring that men never run out of the personal care products they know, use and trust. Depending on your monthly subscription package, you can opt to customize your preferred brand or product selection to better suit your needs. Boxes include 5 – 7 products, plus socks and a free gift.

COST: $ prices range from $17.99 to $45.59 per month (all prices in USD),
(Extra shipping and sales tax in Canada)

Spiffster Tie Box: June 2016 & 20% off Coupon

Been procrastinating on Father’s Day?
If so, I might have just have a solution. The wonderful folks at Spiffster, a premium tie subscription, sent me a box to review and a fabulous 20% off coupon.
Just use SUBSCRIPTIONTHERAPY to save 20% off your entire subscription (not just the first month, but the whole sub)!

How it works:
After you become a member, they send you a short survey that allows you to build your profile and deliver ties tailored to your preferences. A fresh tie gets delivered to you monthly. All ties are shipped on the 16th of each month.

What really sets this sub apart is that you get to customize the tie you receive, plus it’s super affordable. A month to month sub is only $8.95, with discounts for prepaying 3 or 6 month subs.

Spiffster also offers the ability to purchase ties separately from the subscription in their Spiffster One Time Shop.

Now you may be wondering what $8.95 will get us?
(Me too). Let’s jump in.

We start with really cute packaging:

The Tie
Now subscribers typically choose their own tie, but mine was selected by Spiffster. It’s a nice classic style and the quality is excellent. I’ve gotten a lot of ties from men’s boxes and this is one of the few my boyfriend actually wanted to keep.

Also included was a card, with instructions on how to tie a specific knot. I thought this was a great inclusion and I think a lot of guys would be interested in learning some of the different methods that they may not be accustomed to using.

Verdict: Hit!

I’m really impressed with the quality you get for only $8.95. I also really appreciate that this subscription is completely customized. For a gentleman that needs to wear a tie every day, this is an easy, inexpensive way to build up a tie wardrobe. I could also see this as a great gift for a recent grad that is heading into the business world. If you’ve been looking at tie subs, this is definitely one to move to the top of your list.

Have you ever purchased a subscription as a gift?
If so, tell me about it in the comments!

BACKSTORY
After you become a member at Spiffster, they send you a short survey that allows you to build your profile and deliver ties tailored to your preferences.

A fresh tie gets delivered to you monthly. All ties are shipped on the 16th of each month.

“Our neckties are trendy and fashionable. Handcrafted from premium materials and created to instill a sense of success.”

COST: $8.95 Month to Month
$24.95 Every three Months
$56.95 Every 6 Months

Shipping: Free Shipping on all U.S. orders.
Cancel at Any Time
Free US Shipping

COUPON CODE: SUBSCRIPTIONTHERAPY – save 20% off for the duration of your subscription

ONLINE SHOP: Ties are also on sale for Individual Purchase in the Spiffster One Time Shop

Gentlemen & Co Noire Style Box: May 2016 & $5 off your First Box

Since Father’s Day is fast approaching, I figured for this lovely Monday, I’d focus on a Men’s subscription. The wonderful Gentlemen & Co Noire Style Box, a men’s fashion accessory subscription, graciously sent me a box to review.

A little about this sub:
The Gentlemen & Co. Noire Style Monthly Subscription costs $28 per month, with free US shipping and you can cancel at any time. (International subscriptions are available for $35 and do not include Esquire magazine.)

“Each monthly box will contain anywhere from 4 to 6 dapper accessories, such as pocket squares, lapel pins, tie bars and more… alongside the recent issue of Esquire Magazine. Each box will be completely coordinated by the members here at Gentlemen & Co. and easy to style, making it simple to dress to impress those around you. “

Something really special about this box is that 25% of recurring sales are also donated to a scholarship program set up to help students from low income families afford college. So not only does Gentlemen & Co help you “dress to impress”, they are helping make the world a little better, box by box.

In addition to the items I received, subscribers will also get an issue of Esquire magazine.

Unfortunately, this box didn’t include an insert with info on the items and because I’m a lady (at least some of the time) I’m just going to leave out a verdict on each piece and instead comment on the overall box as a gift option.

Very stylish box, nice graphic logo:

Tie Bar
This is a very classic tie bar that would match any tie or outfit. A very nice professional choice.

Cotton Pocket Square
A simple white pocket square is another very classic choice. It will go with everything.

Skinny Necktie
Skinny neckties seem to be in fashion and I actually think the fabrication of the tie makes it a bit unique. It seems like a wool blend and it gives a sort of casual chic vibe.

Lapel Pin
Not sure about this one. I don’t know too many guys who would wear it, but it’s definitely a fun piece and the red would be a nice pop of color against a dark jacket.

Beaded Bracelet
My boyfriend doesn’t wear jewelry but I’ve known quite a few guys that do, and I thought the colors of this bracelet were nicely understated and it had some lovely detail.

OVERALL

So let’s start with the value. For $28, you receive all of the above plus an Esquire magazine. The items all seemed well made and the colors would complement a wide variety of suits, so I think $28 is a more than fair price. The box itself has nice packaging for gift giving, and I feel like the guy who really enjoys dapper accessories would dig this box. These types of subs are a fun way to keep fashion fresh and fun for men who need to wear suits regularly. I personally love companies that give back, so knowing a portion of the sales go toward scholarships is a great bonus. My one small criticism is that I’d really want an insert with info on the items and perhaps some suggestions for styling. Hopefully future boxes will include that.

Have you ever purchased a box subscription for a man in your life? If so, what did they think?

BACKSTORY
“Each month, Gentleman & Co Noire Style Box will send a box containing, ”anywhere from 4 to 6 dapper accessories, such as pocket squares, lapel pins, tie bars and more… alongside the recent issue of Esquire Magazine. Each box will be completely coordinated by the members here at Gentlemen & Co. and easy to style, making it simple to dress to impress those around you. “

25% of Recurring Sales will be donated to a scholarship fund to assist low income students.

COST: $28 per month for US subscriptions
((International subscriptions are available at $35 but do not include Esquire magazine.)

Shipping: Free Shipping on all U.S. orders.
Cancel at Any Time
Free US Shipping

COUPON CODE: USE CODE WELCOME5 TO SAVE $5 OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH.

Selected by Harrison Blake: February 2016 & Coupon Code!

So I promised you all you’d see more men’s subscription boxes and today I’m delivering. The lovely folks at Harrison Blake Apparel Co. graciously sent me their February box to review.

A little about this sub:
“SELECTED by Harrison Blake is a $25/mo. subscription club that delivers 5 classy accessories and unique products. Each box will contain 1 necktie and 4 additional accessories, such as pocket squares, lapel pins, tie bars and more… – each box will be completely coordinated and easy to style, making it simple to dress to impress. Each of these items will be exclusive and hand selected – not just items currently for sale on our website!”

This box costs $25 per month and shipping in the US is free. This sub ships to Canada and internationally but that will cost additional in shipping. For 30% off anything on the Harrison Blake website use code MAR11 at Checkout.

Now let’s check out the box. Super cute logo.

H.B. Scissors Tie Bar
(Suggested Retail: $14.00)
I thought this was a really fun and unique tie bar. Definitely not a run of the mill style.

Cotton Pocket Square
(Suggested Retail: $10.00)
I loved the print on this pocket square and the finishing at the edge is really lovely. Definitely a nice quality item and I think I’ll be stealing it for myself and keeping it in my purse for a classier alternative to a Kleenex.

Knit Necktie
(Suggested Retail: $16.00)
I thought this tie was another unique style and had some hipster type charm to it. It’s a younger style and I think it’s definitely a fun choice as we head into spring.

H.B. Polka Dot Socks
(Suggested Retail: $12.00)
I couldn’t find these on the Harrison Blake website so I’m going with the value listed on the included card. I’m a sucker for polka dots and these coordinate nicely with all the other items.

Beaded Bracelet
(Suggested Retail: $15.00)
This one also wasn’t available on the website so I’m using the value from the included card. I don’t know too many guys who wear these style bracelets, but this one seems comfortable and matches back with the other accessories.

OVERALL

Obviously I’m not a guy so I can’t really review this the way I do a lot of my other boxes. So to start with let’s look at the value. The cost of the box is $25 and I get a estimated retail value of $67. Now that can be tricky since these items appear to be exclusive to Harrison Blake, however just looking at the quality of what’s included I do think $25 is more than a fair price for this box.

I really like that the accessories have more unusual styling than a lot of other boxes I’ve seen. These seem to skew a bit younger and more fun and I appreciate that they all coordinate with each other.

The March box is currently sold out, but I’m sure there will be more available for April. If you know a guy who has a lot of fun with his accessories, I think he’d really enjoy this box.

Do you any of the men in your life purchase subscription boxes? If so, which ones?

THE BACKSTORY
“SELECTED by Harrison Blake is a $25/mo. subscription club that delivers 5 classy accessories and unique products. Each box will contain 1 necktie and 4 additional accessories, such as pocket squares, lapel pins, tie bars and more… – each box will be completely coordinated and easy to style, making it simple to dress to impress. Each of these items will be exclusive and hand selected – not just items currently for sale on our website!”

COST: $25 per month
Shipping: Free Shipping on all U.S. orders.
Canadian shipping is a flat rate of $12.
International shipping is a flat rate of $20

COUPON CODE: For 30% off anything on the Harrison Blake website use code MAR11 at Checkout.

Tie It On!: December 2015 & 20% off Coupon Code

So today I’m kicking off what is soon to be a flurry of men’s subscription box reviews with the Tie it On! Box.

A little about this sub:
“Tie It On! is a subscription service based out of Central Texas and our goal is to offer men stylish accessories at an affordable price, without all of the hassle of driving to the mall or searching for hours online for that item to wear to work or your next big event. Essentially we’ll do all the work to keep you looking good so you don’t have to.”

As I’m sure you can guess this is a tie subscription, along with the traditional neck ties they also feature bow ties and socks. There are a variety of box options (jump down to the Backstory for details). To get 20% off your first month (new customers only) use the code Tieiton20.

The box I received was the Tie It On! & Socks Style Pack which costs $25.00 and includes one tie and one pair of socks.

Merona Socks
(Suggested Retail: 3 for $9.29)
I know Merona as a Target brand so I was a little surprised to find it in this box. I sort of expected more independent or unusual brands. It’s an interesting print, but not one that my boyfriend really liked. I ended up donating this to a sock drive at my work.

JF J. Ferrar Tie
(Suggested Retail: $30 for set with tie bar)
It looks like this brand is available at JC Penny, but most come in a set with another item. I didn’t see a tie bar in my bag, but it’s possible I missed it. This seems like a nice quality tie but nothing special enough to be included in a sub box. I’ll pass this along to a friend who wears ties enough to make use out of this.

OVERALL

Tie it On! offers higher end options and I think that type of box makes more sense. I think most men could probably grab a pair of socks or a tie when they are already at a department store shopping for other items. Higher end or indie makers offering coordinating accessories each month would be a lot more interesting and something a lot of men might not have the time or interest to explore for themselves. This box retails for $25 and when you exclude the additional set items from the suggested retail of similar items I found, we seem to break even so I don’t see a ton of issues with the actual retail cost. In addition to the more interesting brand options, I’d also love to see an insert that tells us about the items and why they were chosen (the one included did not mention the items). I think this sub has a lot of potential, but based on this box alone I’m not convinced that most men would be interested in subscribing.

For my guy readers – what would you think of this box? Would you want to pick it up for yourself?

And for the ladies, what do you think of this as a gift? Would you consider signing up that favorite guy in your life?

BACKSTORY
“Tie It On! is a monthly subscription service that sends stylish accessories such as neckties, bow-ties, and socks to gentlemen looking for great items at affordable prices.”

COUPON CODE: 20% off the first month’s subscripton to all new customers with the code Tieiton20.

There are various box options with a discount for prepaying:
Tie It On! Style Pack: “Receive one our amazing neckties handpicked by our stylists for you every month “
Cost: $18 per month; $51 pre-paid 3 months

Bow -Tie It On! Style Pack : “Super Stylish and Super Cool Bow-ties selected just for you!”
Cost: $18 per month; $51 pre-paid 3 months

Premium Tie It On! Style Pack: “Receive a great designer necktie from J.Crew, Perry Ellis, Pierre Cardin, Banana Republic, Express, or other great designers every month.”
Cost: $27 per month; $79 pre-paid 3 months

Premium Bow-Tie It On! Style Pack: “Receive a great designer bow tie from J.Crew, Perry Ellis, Pierre Cardin, Banana Republic, Express, or other great designers every month.” (Choice of Self-Tie, or Pre-Tie).
Cost: $30 per month

Bow-Tie It On! & Socks Style Pack: “Get one of our great bow-ties and a matching pair of socks each month!”
Cost: $25 per month; $72 pre-paid 3 months

Sock It Too Me! Style Pack: “Receive a great super stylish pair of socks delivered to you every month!”
Cost: $10 per month; $27 pre-paid 3 months

Tie It On! & Socks Style Pack: “Get one of our great ties plus a matching pair of socks each month!”
Cost: $25 per month; $72 pre-paid 3 months

Teeblox: October 2015

Now that I’m recovered from the Thanksgiving holiday it’s time to get back to boxes. Today I’ve got something fun and whimsical. The folks at Teeblox graciously sent me a box to review. Their sub features a licensed geek/gamer tee along with some other extras for only $9.99. As far as sub boxes go that’s a great bargain.

The way it works is first you select your Tshirt theme. Your options are: Games, Movies & TV Shows, Beers and Liquors, and Hot Meex (which I assume is a little bit of everything). After that, you select your size. The range is from small to 2X and the shirts are unisex style.

For this sub I let my boyfriend choose the options and he went with a “Large” in the ”Games” category.
A cute bag arrives
.
Nintendo Tshirt
Verdict: Love!
Remember the good old days when controllers were simple and you didn’t have to remember to hold like 8 different buttons just to make your character move forward? In any case, I loved the design of this tee and I thought it was very nice quality. Totally worth the $9.99. A similar shirt is on Amazon is on sale for $15.40 to $19.99 so we definitely got our moneys worth. My boyfriend did think the shirt ran a touch small, so consider sizing up.

The other gear included:

Seventh Son Poster
Verdict: What you talkin’ bout Willis?
This had to be some freebie out in a dusty box in the back shelf of a warehouse somewhere. I have absolutely no recollection of this movie and I doubt most folks would be such big fans they want to stick this on their wall. The reverse side is white so I’m thinking that I can get crafty with this paper. It’s either that or toss it. This one seemed really unnecessary and I think the box would be better without it.

Stickers & A Pin!
Verdict: Gift
I don’t really have a use for gaming stickers, so I’m just going to pass this along to my friends with kids. They’ll have fun with them.

Hyperion Supreme Hyperion Versus Nighthawk Comic
Verdict: Almost…
I love the inclusion of a comic book, my problem with this is that it’s number 3 of 4 in the series. You have to go out and buy 1 and 2 if you want to understand the story. If this was the first in a series, it would definitely be a win.

OVERALL

Verdict: Hit!

This sub is about the tshirt, everything else is really just silly little extras. So it all comes down to whether the tshirt is worth the 9.99 and I think it is. The quality is there, the design is fun and it’s not super easy to find a comparable product for that pricepoint. I would have easily grabbed the Nintendo tee in a store if I’d seen it for under $10. If you have someone in your life who likes to have fun with their shirts this could be a great gift. It would work really well for that high school teen or college student that you just have no idea what to get.

Do you wear graphic tees? If so, what’s your fave?

THE BACKSTORY
Each month, Teeblox subscribers receive an epic package that includes a premium licensed shirt and two super awesome free gears in the genre of their choosing. We are giving you a little bit of a surprise, but just the right amount.

A BLOX is valued at over $30, and you’re getting it for $9.99. We’d say it’s the best of both worlds.

100% AUTHENTIC. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. CANCEL ANYTIME.
Cost: $9.99 per month

Herobox: Boyscout Men’s Edition – February 2015

I’m always excited to review new boxes and products that that are a touch unusual so I was psyched when HeroBox offered to send me a box to review for you lovely folks.

HeroBox is a one time purchase box containing a tshirt plus other items that all feature a supehero theme. You can opt for a specific superhero (like Batman or Deadpool) or purchase a mystery box that offers a new theme each month. You select gender and tshirt size (S-XL). The theme for February was “Boyscout”. Because I rarely review men’s items and I figured my boyfriend would enjoy the Tshirt, I opted for the Men’s Box and his tshirt size.

Now while I enjoy superheroes I’m more a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” girl than a Wonder woman so I’m going to rate these items just by their value and how interesting I think they are. I apologize in advance for some blurry pictures. My regular camera was malfunctioning so I had to pull out an old one.

Now upward and onwards or some other superhero jargon to tell us to see what’s inside this box.

Shazam Captain Marvel Tshirt
(Estimated Retail: $19.99)
Description: “Made from 100% Cotton, this red t-shirt features an image of the Big Red Cheese himself, Shazam, arms akimbo and confidence high, posing right in front of the icon of his power. Shazam is the world’s mightiest mortal. He might even be able to take Superman. Maybe. If Superman had a cold, or something. This Shazam t-shirt is absolutely for you, fan of the freakin’ Captain Marvel family!!!.”
Verdict: Hit!
Okay, so I’ll admit that I had to go to Wikipedia to learn who the hell Shazam was (Apparently he is an ancient wizard who gives Billy Batson the power to transform into the superhero Captain Marvel.) This isn’t the most manly t-shirt I’ve seen but I think it fits the theme and I dig the cheerful red. I also imagine it’s not a shirt every guy would have so probably a good option for this box.

Superman Water Bottle
(Estimated Retail: $12.99)
Description: Because even the man of steel needs to hydrate.
Verdict: On the Fence
I couldn’t find this particular bottle on the superherostuff.com website. Superman definitely fits the theme but I feel like the functionality of this design of water bottle just isn’t that great (like it’s bulky and would be hard to use for something like working out). I wish the drinkware included was more like this Superman stein.

Captain America Athletic Socks 2-Pack
(Estimated Retail: $14.99)
Description: “The Captain America Athletic Socks 2-Pack seems to be made from some kind of material! Did you guys get I was going with an Avengers reference? No? Argh! Sorry! Made from 98% cotton 2% spandex the Captain America Athletic Socks 2-Pack are two different pairs of socks showing off the stars and stripes with half cushioning and a supportive fit.. One pair are navy with the famous shield symbol while the other pair emulates the look of Cap’s costume. I guess the hardest part about this is figuring out which pair to wear first!
Verdict: Hit!
Captain America is a perfect fit for the theme and I really like the practical items (moreso than say action figures that will just collect dust).

Superman Silver Symbol Pewter Keychain
(Estimated Retail: $7.99)
Description: “DC Comics’ Man of Steel wants to keep your keys in order for your Car of Steel! Okay, so your car might not be made of steel but fiberglass doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, now does it? The 2 inch high Superman Silver Symbol Pewter Keychain is a thick and durable keychain showing off Superman’s rather prolific symbol in a raised and bold fashion! Pretty sweet, eh? The Superman Silver Symbol Pewter Keychain will make sure that your keys are protected from the likes of Lex Luthor, the DEA Agent from Boardwalk Empire, and Brainiac..”
Verdict: Hit!
This keychain is a bit heavy but I like the simple design of it. It’s like Superman goes sophisticated. The fashionista in me approves.

X-men Cyclops Head Button & Captain America Symbol Button
(Estimated Retail: $1.75 each)
Descriptions: “The 1.25 inch diameter X-Men Cyclops Head Button has not yet caused a schism in the X-Men. Well, let’s be honest…I think that tension between him and Wolverine (after a couple of decades) was definitely going to result in a mild difference in opinion. Nothing killing Professor X won’t solve, right? Rendered by John Byrne, the X-Men Cyclops Head Button is just as cool as ruby quartz glasses.”

“A is for Apple, Airplanes, Alligators, and AMERICA! Those are some pretty sweet things now that I think about it. That’s what Captain America fights for….Alligators flying airplanes eating apples. See? That’s nice and condense and makes absolutely perfect sense. Suppose you missed that issue, didn’t you? That’s okay. The important thing is that you understand the message being brought to you by this 1.25 inch diameter Captain America Symbol Button. I wouldn’t suggest implanting it on your forehead, though.”
Verdict: Like
I expected some type of button in here and again both superheroes meet the theme (plus I dig Xmen).

Superman New 52 Car Decal
(Estimated Retail: $5.99 each)
Description: “Superman…doesn’t handle so easy! Well, installing the 5 inch wide by 8.5 inch high Superman New 52 Car Decal is pretty easy but I was, um, referring to the quote from the newly rebooted Justice League in DC Comics’ New 52! Superman has gone through some radical personality shifts, but that’s okay. He’s still good ol Supes to us! The Superman New 52 Car Decal shows off the Man of Steel with arms open and looking for a fight. I would suspect that this stance will keep people from getting too close to your car!”
Verdict: Like
I’d much rather see Superman on a car then crap about someone’s honor roll kid, so thanks superhero box for fighting the good fight.

Captain America Large Shopper Tote
(Estimated Retail: $6.99)
Description: “Marvel’s Sentinel of Liberty wants you to protect Freedom and this gracious world with the 14.5” by 14.5” Captain America Large Shopper Tote! Made from 100% polyester, the Captain America Large Shopper Tote will help you save on using up some paper and plastic. You want to save the trees from turning into plastic and the oil from turning into paper! Wait, no. That isn’t right. You get the jist with the Captain America Large Shopper Tote which has Cap’s color scheme on the broadside and comic images on the thin side!”
Verdict: Like
I collect reusable tote bags like Lindsay Lohan collects probation violations, so I really like this item. My one issue is that there is no way on earth this bag is worth $6.99. It’s super lightweight and really shouldn’t be valued over $2.00. I would have absolutely loved if they’d included a sturdy fabric bag instead.

Superman Eraser
(Estimated Retail: $2.25)
Description: “When you want to erase things with Superman’s face.”
Verdict: Okay
I couldn’t find the Superman eraser on the superhero site so I linked to some other erasers. This is sort of a little filler item although I wish they’d just included something like a pen or pencil instead.

Doc Savage Comic Book
(Estimated Retail: $???)
Description: When you’ve read enough about Superman and Captain America
Verdict: Like
I couldn’t find a price on this and the card that came with box left this as a mystery with “prices will vary”. It makes sense that every box should have a comic book and it’s nice to see something that isn’t Captain America or Superman.

Superman Foldable
(Estimated Retail: $1.00)
Description: When origami paper cranes just aren’t manly enough
Verdict: Miss
This seems like it should just be a freebie and not included for a specific value. I couldn’t find this on the site and I’m not quite sure it adds anything to the box.

Ultimate Frisbee Magnet
(Estimated Retail: $1.99)
Description: So your fridge can be heroic
Verdict: Miss
I feel like the box just had a bit too much of the Captain America logo. I don’t mind another Captain America item, but I wish the magnet had a pic of the superhero or something a little different.

OVERALL

Verdict: Mixed

This is a tough one for me to judge because these items aren’t things I would buy for myself so instead I’m judging on whether the box delivers on its promises. I do think the “boyscout” superhero theme ran through it and, it scored well in that regard. The items were varied, but I do wish there had been something a little more unique, like superhero stationary or superhero ice cube molds or something just a little more useful (but still fun). I also like that these boxes are a one time purchase so you can treat yourself (or a superhero loving friend) without committing to a stockpile of Marvel paraphernalia. My biggest problem with this box is that cost on this seems high for the items received. Excluding the comic book, the “retail value” came out to $75.69 and the cost of this box is $49 plus shipping. While on the surface that sounds great, many of the items are overvalued or valued when they really should be freebies (like the foldable superman). The bigger items are all available on the superhero site which also offers sale codes, so you could probably snag those at a discount as well.

If you really love Marvel and superheroes and want a fun surprise, the box isn’t a bad option, but you may be better off just picking your favorite items from the site and building your own “best of” box.

A superhero box is an fun concept and if I was creating my own it would be all Buffy the Vampire Slayer and my tshirt would feature Spike saying “I may be love’s bitch, but I’m man enough to admit it.”

So if you could build your own superhero box, who would you include and why?

THE BACKSTORY
Get a true superhero thrill-ride without ever leaving your desk! Order a HeroBox and the best part: it’s a mystery! You won’t know what’s inside until it gets to your front door! Every box is jam packed with $70+ of SuperHeroStuff plus a few exclusive bonus items you won’t find anywhere else! There are 10 themes to choose from including 9 of your favorite heroes PLUS a themed box that changes every month!
Cost: $49.00 plus shipping

Wet Shave Club Review: September 2014

So today I have something a little different for you guys. The folks at Wet Shave Club graciously sent me a box to review. It’s a shaving subscription for men. I don’t often get a chance to review men’s subscriptions so it’ll be fun to see what’s inside.

First a little info on what this sub is all about:

“WetShaveClub is about bringing back the manly ritual of traditional shaving. A warm lather, a sharp blade, and 10 minutes of bliss. Experience the joy of wet shaving, with a monthly box filled with different soaps, blades, aftershaves, and more from around the world.”

The box I received is the same first box subscribers would so this is not a special blogger perk. Everyone who signs up will get this box (or something very similar).

Now let’s jump right in.

Great packaging and we get two cards. One is a membership card and the other is a 10 step description on how to do an “Awesome Wet Shave.” I have to say that I don’t envy guys having to run a blade over their face. I manage to injure myself just on my legs and those are easy enough to cover up.

Because some of the items don’t have specific brands and seem unique to this box, I will find as close an item as I can for comparison.

Wet Shave Razor & Cover
(Suggested Retail: $31.49)
I spent some time googling razors (and scrutinizing the handles) to find one that seemed the closest to the one included in this box. This razor feels very heavy and seems excellent quality. It comes with a leather cover and has “Wet Shave Club” etched on the top.

Shave Brush
(Suggested Retail: $10.98)
This brush doesn’t feel quite as heavy duty as the razor, but I’m sure it would do an adequate job and the retail price seems accurate.

The Legends London – Alum Matchsticks Aftershave Astringent
(Suggested Retail: $2.59)
At first glance this is the item that confused me the most. I was like why are there matches in here? But apparently they are just called matchsticks and are some type of after shave paraphernalia. On the back it says you use after shaving “to calm razor burn, soothe and help keep recently shaved skin in good condition.” It includes 20 matchsticks.

Blades
Gillette Silver Blue (5): Suggested Retail: $1.80
Gillette 7’o Clock SharpEdge (5): Suggested Retail: $1.07
Obviously if we have a shave box we need razors. According to the card included they suggest changing your razor every 3 days, so this is a one month supply. The cost of these is negligible so I think it would have been nicer if they’d thrown in a couple other types of blades. If you happen to dislike this brand or style you’re going to need to buy others on your own since there is exactly enough for one month. Since they only cost around $1, an extra package of a different brand would have been nice.

Whiskey Ink & Lace Cedarwood Aftershave 30 mL
(Suggested Retail: $4.80; Retail for 50mL: $8.00)
This aftershave is described as “Woodsy cedarwood paired with notes of eucalyptus and a touch of aloe help soothe a freshly shaven face, leaving it smelling clean and manly.” Clean & Manly? That sounds just perfect for an aftershave. The size included in this box is not available on the website so I did a little math and scaled the price for a 30mL, but you’d have to buy the larger size if you want to pick this up. I really like that they included a handcrafted toiletry and if your guy likes to try new products this would probably appeal to him.

Red Leaf Shaving Soap in “English Coast” & “Oatmeal, Milk & Honey”
(Suggested Retail: $3.25; Retail for 8: $12.99)
These soaps both smell great. They are clean, fresh & not too feminine. I really love the “English Coast” scent. Again I didn’t see this size for sale so I’ve scaled the retail price down based on the cost for a set of 8. This is another cool find for the guy who likes to try new products. I’ve never heard of the Red Leaf Bath & Body company but they have a great variety of products including vegan soap bars so I’ll definitely spend some time checking out their site.

OVERALL
According to my googling skills, I get an approximate retail value on this box of $55.98. If you’d opted for the monthly sub you’d have paid $29 for this box. So you know I can’t actually use these items myself, so I’m just looking at this from a gift perspective. When I give toiletry & beauty type gifts I really love including unusual brands and high quality items. To me the razor seemed very sturdy and I really liked the handcrafted and interesting brands included. If your guy wants to expand his toiletry horizons this would be a fun gift. Your best bet would be to go with at least the 3 month option which will save you $5 a month.

For my guy readers – what would you think of this box? Would you want to pick it up for yourself?

And for the ladies, what do you think of this as a gift? Would you consider signing up that favorite guy in your life?

BACKSTORY

There are different prices based on how many months you prepay:
Pricing:
1 Month Subscription = $29 per month (Free Shipping)
3 Month Plan = $24.00 per month (Free Shipping)
6 Month Plan = $22.00 per month (Free Shipping)
1 year = 19.00 per month (Free Shipping)

Plans automatically renew on the 1st of every month you may cancel at any time *$7.99/month shipping applies outside the contiguous 48 states and Canada

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