In-Depth Review: Vancity Subscription Box

Vancity Subscription Box

I'm lucky to live in an area full of indie boutiques, but for those of us who don't have the time to window-shop in Mt. Pleasant or live too far away, there is a solution! Enter Vancity Box, a new subscription box service that spotlights Vancouver makers. Marketed as "the city in a box" and "a farmer's market in a box," each month's curated selection aims to introduce subscribers to new-to-them labels and products from the Lower Mainland. The Vancity Box format previously featured one maker's wares at a time, but starting April of this year, this switched things up by offering a hodgepodge of products from different artisans. Here's what was in the April 2017 box I received for review.

Vancity Subscription Box Gift A Green front
Vancity Subscription Box Gift A Green back

Item: This Gift a Green pouch is a mini garden and greeting card all in one. Simply follow the instructions on the back of the envelope, snip the opening, and water. (There's soil already inside.) In 1-2 weeks the recipient will have edible cress microgreens.

Would I purchase this myself? No. This might just be me, but I'm really not into greeting cards with seeds in them. I'm too lazy to do anything with a card's seeds, but I'd feel guilty and wasteful just throwing out or composting the seeds. If you ever want to send me a card, just send me a normal card I can display, enjoy and recycle guilt-free. Please and thanks.

Vancity Subscription Box Emsay concrete cork coaster front
Vancity Subscription Box Emsay concrete cork coaster back

Item: This Em-say handcrafted concrete coaster is shaped like a hexagon with a mountain motif painted on the front and a cork backing.

Would I purchase this myself? No, because I'm pretty particular about my coasters. I prefer a matching set to having random ones and I don't like heavy ones. But getting the coaster did prompt me to check out the Em-say website and I'm intrigued by the concrete planters. So cute!

Vancity Subscription Box Wake Up Your Face Facial Mist

Item: This Wake Up Your Face spray by Whiffcraft refreshes and energizes with its all-natural blend of water, alcohol and essential oils. The scent is heavy on spearmint and eucalyptus, the product comes out in a fine mist, and the stainless steel bottle keeps contents cool. Simply shake and spritz in the morning and anytime you need to perk up.

Would I purchase this myself? Yes and yes! This spray is awesome for 3pm slumps and refreshing my face after a sweaty workout or walk outside, or for deodorizing linens and closets around the condo. I've been getting into more green beauty and aromatherapy lately and this was a pleasant introduction to new-to-me, made-in-Victoria Whiffcraft.

Vancity Subscription Box Forest & Waves Thank You Card front
Vancity Subscription Box Forest & Waves Thank You Card back

Item: It's always nice to have spare thank-you cards on hand. This one by Forest & Waves features an amateur astronomer on top of a mountain, staring at a starry night sky.

Would I purchase this myself? Maybe. The card design isn't one I'd necessarily choose for myself, but it's whimsical and the design and paper quality are there.

Vancity Subscription Box Forest Garden Natural Soap
Vancity Subscription Box Forest Garden Natural Soap
Vancity Subscription Box Forest Garden Natural Soap

Item: A sizable block of Forest Garden all-natural soap in lavender.

Would I purchase this myself? Yes. For green beauty devotees, it's often easier to find locally made, all-natural soap than body wash, and soap is usually more affordable too. The lavender scent is strong and luxurious.

Vancity Subscription Box Flower Ink Card front
Vancity Subscription Box Flower Ink Card back

Item: This small, square Flower Ink card features an ink drawing of a mountain on the front with the words "Nothing is insurmountable." The textured seed paper can be planted in soil and used to grow wildflowers.

Would I purchase this myself? No. See above.

Vancity Subscription Box contents

Final verdict

Out of the 6 products that came in the Vancity subscription box, I'd purchase 2 of them on my own. 1 was a maybe, 2 were definite misses, and 1 wasn't to my taste but came from an intriguing maker. All of the products were from local makers and labels that were new to me and that I wouldn't have otherwise come across on my own. If you're open to trying new things and you're not as particular as I am, the Vancity subscription box is a fun way of supporting, buying, and discovering local.

4 comments

  1. I've never heard about this box!
    But that lavender soap seems really great.

    Nathalie
    www.nathalie-alexandra.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It made the whole subscription box smell good!

      Delete
  2. I get super excited when I get things with wildflower seeds in them (microgreen seeds sound even better) but I NEVER get around to planting them and then I feel guilty and wasteful, so I'm with you 100% on that one.

    ReplyDelete

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