I'm not really one for subscription boxes but this year's PSMH Limited Edition Summer Box had me signing up as soon as the first spoiler was released!
The item in question was a Mar Y Sol basket that was almost identical to a basket I had owned previously which I had loved and used so much that the handles had finally broken. I had been looking at Mar Y Sol bags in Bloomingdale's recently so I knew that they were not only attractive but also well made, they were a tad pricey though, so I had been hesitant to buy one. And then there was one in a $100.00 box (which was almost $40.00 less than the bag alone would have cost me with NYC taxes).
Honestly it was a win win situation if ever I saw one - even if I hated everything else in the box I would have still have saved money and have items to give away or donate.
Mar Y Sol Collins Tote Basket (Retail Price $129.00).
I'm not a beach goer but I love having a basket for running errands or when I go to the greenmarket or grocery store. I find that the rigid structure and shape means that they are the best way to carry produce without it getting squashed and ruined and it is practical for carrying parcels to the post office, library books etc.
The shape and size of this basket is identical to my old one. It's not too big and bulky and the colour and design are something that I would have chosen. It looks great with jeans and a tee shirt or a casual summer frock.
The basket has a small inner pocket and leather covered handles that make it comfortable to carry and more resistant to wear and tear. The pom pom detail is very on trend for this summer but you can easily remove them (I have).
Polaroid 6003 Sunglasses (Retail Price $65.00).
These are perfectly fine sunglasses but they are a little too big for my face and, I'll admit it, I'm a sunglasses snob who only wears high end glasses, so I will be giving these away. They are very lightweight with mirrored lenses and they come with both a high quality solid case and a soft draw string bag to carry them in. However, they simply aren't something that I would ever buy and I can't see myself wearing them so I will be passing them along.
Hampton Sun Bronze Shimmer Spray (Retail Price $32.00).
This refreshing spritz contains aloe and chamomile to soothe sun kissed skin. It looks incredibly shimmery in the bottle but when sprayed onto skin it appears as a barely there shimmer rather than leaving the disco ball effect I had feared. It has a light green floral scent that is quite subtle. I probably wouldn't have picked out a shimmery spritz for myself but I will definitely use this on my arms and legs in the warmer weather as I have used Hampton Sun products before and enjoyed them a lot.
Hint Sunscreen Spray (Retail Price $24.00).
These sunscreens are made by the folks who make Hint flavoured water and they aren't something that I have seen before. This SPF30 broad spectrum spray is paraben free, the spray is very fine and the formula is very light. The sunscreens have various fruit fragrances. I received a pineapple scented one that smells exactly like a freshly cut pineapple - very beachy and tropical! The fragrance is quite strong when first sprayed but it quickly dissipates.
It is always good to have extra sunscreens around in the summer and although I wouldn't use this on my face, I will use it for my body on hot days when I am out and about. $24.00 seems quite a lot for a spray on sunscreen and it isn't something that I would have bought for myself but it is something that I am happy to get in a box.
Jane Iredale Lip Fixation Lip Stain/Gloss (Retail Price $32.00).
This is a two part lip product with a lip stain at one end and a clear lip gloss to apply over the stain at the other. The shade is called 'Craving', a barely there nude which is very easy for me to wear. I haven't used anything from the Jane Iredale range before. The products are designed to work as both make up and skincare so I am expecting this to be non drying and very comfortable to wear. It is another product that I wouldn't have purchased for myself, especially as $32.00 is at the higher end of what I would pay for a lip product, but it is one that I will certainly use.
Sunnylife Reversible Coasters. (Retail Price $18.00.
These are laminated cardboard coasters with a lobster design on one side and an anchor design on the other. They are bright and jolly and I like the fact that the two sides have different colour schemes. I use cardboard coasters around the house all the time so I'm happy to have some extra ones. I think that these would be perfect for a casual seafood dinner table.
Big Picture Farm Milk and Chai Caramels (Retail Price $10.00).
These soft caramels remind me of fudge. They are made from goat's milk and are very creamy and quite delicious. I must admit that I consider Chai to be more of a winter flavour and think that a fruity snack would have been more appropriate for a summer box but that won't stop me from eating them! I rarely buy candies so these are a bit of a treat for me.
Overall.
I think that this is a very good box and it is very summer appropriate (apart from the caramels lol). The box cost $100.00 and has a retail value of $290.00 which, as I will use all the items except one, means that it was a good deal for me. The only thing I don't love are the sunnies but I'm sure that I will find somebody who will be happy to have them.
I was expecting that the box may have had a sunhat or beach towel but I'm pleased to get beauty items instead. Perhaps if I bought more sub boxes I would be less excited by this, but as it is I'm very happy. I have a basket that I love which I paid less than retail for and all the other things were 'free' and so they are simply a bonus.
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