Uggggggh. I have been SO SICK for the past week. I'm not sure where I got it or why it torments me so, but I've had the worst case of the flu for what feels like forever. Might have something to do with the fact that I work in a germ factory full of tiny germ machines, (aka children)? Possibly. Anyway, I'm pulling myself out of the funk of illness to bring you today's post because it's really, really awesome: I got this month's BOOM Box from Espionage Cosmetics!
Espionage Cosmetics is an indie company that creates cruelty free loose pigments and glitters, lip products, bath bombs, and of course their most famous product - the "Nailed It" line of geek inspired nail wraps! This box comes out bi-monthly and has a variety of prices depending on your payment plan. Paying per box is $30.00 (plus tax and shipping) every other month, while a four month subscription (two boxes) is $56.00 ($28.00 per box), a six month subscription (three boxes) is $81.00 ($27.00 per box) and a year (six boxes) is $150.00 ($25.00 per box). The December box is currently sold out, but you can sign up for the next box in February. The boxes will include a wide variety of items from clothing and accessories to makeup, collectibles, art and more. Also included will be at least one brand new nail wrap design per box.
The theme for this box is "Most Ardently" and it's based around the works of Jane Austen. Perfect for Valentine's Day, right? There's a wide variety of items this time around, so let's get started!
First up we have this month's information card - This card has little blurbs about each product in the box, plus instructions on how to use some of them, which would definitely be handy if you were not familiar!
For the nail wraps this month, subscribers received one of two different designs - "Most Ardently" based on Jane Austen's works, or "Gothique Lace". I got "Most Ardently" and it's a perfectly gorgeous design that feels very spring-like! (Hey, it's almost spring, right??) There was also a second "Mystery Wrap" design that wasn't listed on the card so hey, bonus! I thought the "mystery" meant that you would get a random nail wrap design in the package (since it doesn't have the usual clear window in front that lets you see the design) but, nope! It's actually the same question mark design that's on the front. Not complaining, it's a very cool design!
Next up are two more "Espionage Debut Items", a loose eyeshadow pigment and a loose glitter. These items, like the nail wraps, will be available soon on the Espionage website but they are making their debut here in the BOOM! Box.
The shadow is called "Tea and Crumpets" and it's a lovely "neutral with a twist" color with a dark brown base and gold glitter. The glitter, "Sensibility" (and this is how you know I love you guys, I actually swatched this one) is a mix of coral and gold. Very pretty, and very, very messy.
No Jane Austen box would be complete without SOMETHING tea related, and this one is no exception. This tea is called "Raise the Dead" and it's an "ultra caffeinated" blend of black and white teas with cranberry. It's also pre-sweetened, which I have never tried before, so I'm super excited to brew my first cup! This tea was produced by The Geeky Hostess and oh my gosh, if you haven't checked her site out yet, you need to! Tardis. Sprinkles. Need I say more? There were two other blends subscribers could have received - "Darcy's Delight" or "Mrs. Bennet's Nerve Tonic".
This month brings with it another amazing art print from the enormously talented Sam Skyler. Fitting the Jane Austen theme is a lovely Regency zombie that, as with the Mad Max print we received before, was created using Espionage Cosmetics' loose pigments! There's also a QR code on this one that can be scanned to watch the video of this artwork being created.
Now the reason that this particular print was included in this month's box is that it was specifically designed to go with the next item - a copy of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (now a Major Motion Picture TM). I actually wasn't very interested in reading this book (by all accounts its just "Pride and Prejudice" with the word "zombie" put into it occasionally, which seems like kind of a waste in what could have been a really cool concept) but now that I have it in my hands I just might give it a try.
Sam Skyler also provided the artwork for a really neat bookmark this month called "Teacups & Zombies" and the teacups all have motifs that match some of Espionage's best selling nail wraps. Along with this is a pin with a Jane Austen quote on it -"Know your own Happiness"- that also matches the "Most Ardently" nail wraps, and a tiny notebook made with re-purposed Jane Austen themed bridge cards.
And finally, the last item for this month is a pendant necklace from Optimystical Studios. The bottle contains moss, pebbles, and a tiny sheet of paper with text from "Pride and Prejudice" printed on it. According to the information card, this represents the "green, rolling hills surrounding the rectory at Steventon, Hampshire that Austen penned a few of her most treasured works in." There is also a tiny gold fountain pen tip.
Final Thoughts: I have no idea how Espionage manages to cram so much stuff into one box! Again, I really enjoy the variety of items they send, and while I may not be a Jane Austen fangirl (Yes, I've read "Pride and Prejudice" but not much beyond that) I still will get lots of use out of these items! To me, that's the sign of a successful geek/nerd subscription box - it will have things in it that can be enjoyed even if you are not a member of a particular fandom.
What did you think of the Espionage Cosmetics' BOOM! Box? What's your favorite Austen novel? Are you going to see P&P&Z in the theater? Let me know in the comments!
And thanks for hanging out!
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