Idea Chic Stationery Box Subscription Review – August 2016

Note from Liz: I’m so happy to introduce our newest reviewer to the MSA team! Welcome, Anna!

The Idea Chic Stationery Box Subscription is a monthly stationery and paper subscription box.

It’s produced by Idea Chíc, which is run by a craftsy husband-and-wife duo out of Denver, Colorado (how sweet!). Sets include letterpress, flat-printed, and sewn stationery and cards all made by Idea Chíc, plus surprise stickers to coordinate with each theme.

Today, we’re reviewing the August “Love Notes” box.

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

The Subscription Box: Idea Chic Stationery Box Subscription

The Cost: Individual boxes are $19.95/box, or you can choose from three subscription levels: 3 months ($59.00, or $19.67/box), 6 months ($99.00, or $16.50/box), and 12 months ($190, or $15.84/box)

The Products: Handmade stationery and gift items.

Ships to: Worldwide (International shipping is $6). Free shipping in the U.S.

Mini Cardinals Gift Card - value: $2.25

How cute is this tiny gift card? Stamped on the front in strawberry-red ink are two cardinal silhouettes, along with a little heart. The inside is blank, so you can customize the sweet nothings to your liking. On the back, Idea Chic stamped their info — this appears (in a few different configurations) on the back of each item in the box, except for the stickers and envelopes. And speaking of envelopes, there’s a perfectly sized brown craft-paper envelope to accompany this small card.

For such a simple design, there’s a lot of attention to detail here. In particular, the texture! The ivory cardstock has the feel of cardboard, rather than perfectly smooth paper, and the cardinal design is recessed just-so into it. I could totally picture it tucked into a bouquet or alongside a thoughtful little gift.

XOXO Envelope with Love Note Heart Card - value $2.25

There’s another blank card that’s barely bigger than the palm of my hand. This one is “fold-over” style, with subtle flecks of gray and brown fiber throughout the ivory cardstock. The cardstock is a bit thinner on this card, and the petite red heart is flat against the surface. What’s fun is how the envelope opens on the short end, almost like a teeny tiny document envelope. “XOXO” is printed in red on the front.

I Love You More Greeting Card for Anniversary, Wedding and Love - value: $4.00

I love the unconventional shape of this long, skinny card and its envelope. The sentiments are very cute, too (”I love you more than… Cupcakes”—now, that’s true love!). This one’s blank inside, too, with plenty of space to write a long message, and room to tuck a few dollars or a fun gift certificate.

Love Note Card Sewn with Red Thread - value: $5.00

I’d never seen a stitched card before, so this “love note” was a fun surprise! The words and heart on the front of this fold-over card are printed on, but the wavy line is actually thread stitched into the lightly flecked ivory cardstock. Because it’s sewn through, the wave design appears on the inside of the card, too, which adds a fun accent alongside your message.

This one’s envelope is still craft paper, but it’s a bit smoother than the rest, and features a little template in which to write your address. The red dashed line here is printed, not sewn, but I like how it hints at the details of the card inside.

Birch Tree with Carved Red Heart Letterpress Love Note Card - value: $3.19

This notecard so minimalist and yet so special. The soft-gray trees and red heart are pressed into the sturdy, thicker ivory cardstock. That little bit of texture echoes the “tree carving” theme of this card in such a unique way. It comes with an envelope, but you could use it as a postcard just as easily.

The Perfect Match Greeting Card - value: $5.00

What a clever idea for a card! This paper on this periwinkle “matchbook” has a nice, slightly glossy finish, and the little lilac and cocoa hearts make this extra sweet. It might look stapled shut, but the top flap can easily be slipped out so that you can write your message inside!

Red Heart Stickers - value: $0.02

Six red heart stickers, each a little over an inch big, for sealing your envelopes, decorating your cards… or sticking on your sweetheart’s shirt.

Verdict: There were a lot of simple, yet sweet surprises inside this box. Idea Chíc individual boxes are priced at $19.95, and this box’s value added up to just above that at $21.71. I like that having these thoughtfully made, heartfelt cards gives me an excuse to send a greeting to friends and loved ones, so I’m happy to have received it!