Escape Monthly August 2014--Paris

Escape Monthly is a destination-inspired monthly delivery of luxury products to help you relax, renew and escape! Indulge in experiences inspired by luxurious spas, tropical getaways, cultures of the world and more! - See more at: http://escapemonthly.com. If I can't take a real vacation every month, at least I can pretend with a vacation in a box. One monthly box includes a trip to the destination. If you just can't live without any extras of items in the box, you can buy them at escapemonthly.com/offers for a discount. All you have to do is enter your email address and they will send you a coupon code for the discount. They are now offering a less expensive (but no discounts) on a mini-box. It has fewer items (4-5 instead of 8, and no travel guide), but still full-size and costs $24.95. 

August was Paris. I love Paris in Springtime, but it's beautiful in August, too. I haven't really seen, or noticed, spoilers for this subscription before so I was pleased that early in the month they announced a spoiler. Unfortunately, the spoiler, and high-ticket item for the month had some delays in customs and the boxes were delayed in shipping. I was pleased that customer service posted this on Facebook, so people were kept in the loop. I was happy to receive my box when it arrived and the blue chevron makes me smile and they seem to know that "I Deserve It." Sadly, I didn't "deserve" the trip to Paris this month. Will I ever be the lucky one with the golden ticket? 

Rick Steves Pocket Travel Guide: The full-size box I subscribe to always contains a travel guide. I like this one more than some of the others. It's small enough to fit in a handbag and it's colorful with lots of pictures. I am a visual person, so a picture is worth a thousand words to me. It includes a fold-out map. I have to admit, seeing the photos, makes me want to plan a trip. Retail $12.99

Pierre Buiscuiterie French Butter Cookies: Once upon a time, I would have loved traditional recipe butter cookies. But alas, I no longer eat dairy. I am absolutely certain these are wonderful with the fruit nibs in them. I am sure my friend who gets all my gifted food items will really love these. Retail $4.25

Intsitut Karite Paris Shea Butter Hand Cream: This was what caused all the trouble in customs. I have to admit, I really do like the industrial packaging. The cream is thick but not greasy. I really like it a lot.  There were a variety of options and  people got different scents. My scent was Honey and Almond. How lucky was I? This will be used. Retail $26.00

L'Abbaye De Flavigny Gourmet Candy: I like these lemon candies a lot. They are apparently flavored with anise, but I didn't really get that flavor. They start out hard like lemon drops, so no biting. But, the sugar coating melts and then I nibble and I am satisfied. 5 calories per "mint." Because they are hard candies, I can get by with just one at a time. Retail $5.00

Edmond Fallot Mustard: I am a fan of Dijon mustard. I haven't opened this jar and won't until the jar in my refrigerator is used, but it looks creamy and I am looking forward to trying it. Retail $6.25. 

Nuxe Body Scrub and Shower Gel: I like that the Orange & Almond Blossom Petal scented shower products are entirely plant-based. I received 2 shower gels instead of one of each. From reviews I have seen, lots of people did not receive the scrub. I really like shower scrubs and it is supposed to be thick, which I like even better. I have inquired with customer service about a replacement. The scent of the gel is light and fresh. Retail $16.00. But, I looked on-line because I wasn't convinced. The shower gel was a 50 mL/1.6 oz bottle. On-line, they onlly sell 6.7 oz/200 mL bottles. The shower gell is $15 and the scrub is $24. Sooo... for 1/4 size of 2 gels only, my estimate is closer to value of $7.50. If I had received the scrub instead of 2 gels, then I would estimate a value closer to $10.00. Let's see how customer service responds to the packing error.
  UPDATE: I did contact customer service and they responded promptly. They apologized for the packing error and apologized for being out of the scrub. They made me an offer to either a) an extra 20% off my next box, or b) send me a few items from previous months including a scrub. I elected option b. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be keeping the subscription. I received: Iadora Charcoal Salt Body Scrub from the Las Vegas Box and Ayate Fiber Exfoliation Cloth from the Mexico Box. 

Bonus! Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves. I cracked it open and used it the next morning on toast. It's very tasty. No high fructose corn syrup is a bonus. Retail $3.00, but since it really is a single serving size that you might find at a breakfast restaurant or hotel that serves breakfast, I think it may be overestimated. Maybe closer to $1.00? 

I'm still on the fence about this subscription box. It's pricey at full price $49.95. I have 20% off for life, so I pay $39.95, which is similar to other boxes I get. The value of this box was $$62.99-$73.49 including the travel guide. I would like to see higher value to make me feel like I got a bargain. I have considered cancelling the subscription, but then they tempt me with things like this ....next month Puerto Rico. Caribbean Island? Yes, please. They are still young and I do think they will learn and grow. Each month does seem a little better and a little more interesting than the one before. Maybe, please, can I have the box with the free trip?  

(This post contains affiliate links. These opinions are my own and are unsolicited. I have not received any compensation for my comments.)