Facebook PixelIdea Chic Stationery Box Review + Coupon - September 2016 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Idea Chic Stationery Box Review + Coupon – September 2016

Anna Reilly
ByAnna ReillyOct 10, 2016 | 1 comment

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-box

Idea Chíc
0 overall rating
0 Ratings | 0 Reviews

The Idea Chíc Stationery Box Subscription is a monthly stationery and paper subscription box from a craftsy husband-and-wife team out of Denver, Colorado. Sets include letterpress, flat-printed, and sewn stationery and cards, all made by Idea Chíc, plus surprise stickers to coordinate with each month's theme.  

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-inside-box

Idea Chíc also has a quarterly subscription box called Idea Chíc Parcel Post, which includes brand new designs for each season, plus gifts and other fun finds. Be sure to check it out if you like what you see here!

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

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-review

The Subscription Box: Idea Chic Stationery Box

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.

Check out all of our Idea Chic Stationery reviews and the Paper Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-booklet

This month's theme is "Nature". An info card was included about future month's themes and shipping info.

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-cardinal

Mini Cardinals Gift Card - Value $3

Being that this is just a September box, I was a little surprised to see a card with such a strong holiday vibe. Then again, I'm the person who would finish Christmas shopping on Christmas Day if she could, so maybe I'm not the best gauge of these things!

Regardless, it is a cute little card—last month there was a mini card with cardinals on it, too, though the design was less wintry. Idea Chíc has a knack for creating sophisticated, yet simple designs, and this periwinkle and crimson print is the perfect example of that aesthetic. The understated card is probably no more than two inches square, blank inside, and printed with Idea Chíc's info on the back. And of course, it comes neatly packed in a plastic sleeve alongside a brown craft paper envelope that's just the right size.

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-fox-owl

Great Friends Wood Veneer Greeting Card - Value $5.95

This critter-printed card is made of actual birch veneer, which is a unique experience to see and touch—holding it in your hands, you can feel the grain and subtle sheen of the wood, but it's almost as light and flexible as cardstock. I'm an animal fan, so I was charmed by the birds, fox, owl, and hedgehog that grace this cute card. And I like how the arrow patterns at the top and bottom of the card (single lines of them appear on the reverse side on the top and bottom, too) mimic the knit of a cozy scarf or sweater. It's not as grown up as other designs from Idea Chíc, but I like the playful spirit.

I feel like you could easily treat this piece like a postcard, but it does come with a coordinating butcher-paper envelope.

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-wishes

Birthday Wishes Stars Greeting Card - Value $4.00

I like the all-purpose sentiment and simple, sincere design of this navy blue card. It's blank inside, and like the other cards, it comes packaged in a clear plastic sleeve alongside a brown paper envelope. I like the hand-drawn feel of the white stars and text on this birthday card—you can see flecks of blue throughout the lettering, as if someone painted them and you're seeing the texture in the brushstroke. The best part is how the blue ink gives the front of this card a smooth, almost velvety finish that feels very high quality.

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-adventure

Adventurous Greeting Card - Value $4.00

This blank-inside card is perfect for someone moving out, moving in, or moving onto a new chapter of their career, life, or relationship. Something about the fine weight of the airplane design on this card makes it feel like it was lovingly stamped by hand, rather than printed. It gives it an extra-special feeling. I love the vibrancy of the red-orange plane against the blue shades of the other elements, and the loopy text (and dotted path of the plane) keeps this card as playful as it is classy.

I'm not certain how it fits into the "Nature" theme (I guess because of the globe), but I definitely don't mind having this card in my collection.

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-postcards

3 Wood Grain Postcards - Value $3.88

To be clear, these postcards aren't the same as the Great Friends card that was printed on actual wood. These postcards are printed on cardstock that has the same feel as craft paper. On the front, wood grain (the same pattern is on each card) is printed in black ink, and on the reverse, there's 1920s style lettering articulating where to pen your note and write your recipient's address. The flourish of old-school typography feels a little out of place alongside the nature-inspired simplicity of the wood pattern, but these cards are definitely unique. I've never thought of postcards as stationery before but seeing these identical, all-purpose postcards packaged together, I can totally imagine using them the way you would a set of notecards.

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-leaves

Leaf Vine Letterpress Card - Value $4.00

This was my favorite card in the box. Printed on slightly thicker cardstock, this postcard-style notecard features a moss-green vine pattern that creeps up one of the shorter ends. Because of the thickness of the card, the vine pattern is recessed just slightly from the letterpress process. This beautiful detail could frame a note on the front of the card, or introduce what's written on the back. Understated and lovely. Plus, it comes with a leaf-green envelope for an extra accent.

idea-chic-stationery-september-2016-trees

Tree Stickers - Value $3?

Finally, there are four patterned evergreen-tree stickers to complete the box. I like the muted color scheme across each different sticker. The colors definitely keep nature in mind, even when the patterns don't do so explicitly.

Verdict: This Idea Chic Stationery Box was full of useful items and versatile designs. I think the "Nature" theme was stretched here and there, but that concern was an afterthought when looking at all of the high-quality, thoughtfully made products. The value of the box exceeds the subscription cost, so if you're on the hunt for a fun way to expand your stationery collection and love more simple, handmade items, I think this monthly subscription is a wonderful choice.

Do you like this month's Idea Chíc theme?

Starting at $12.00
Active Deal
Get 20% off your first selection of cards!
Use Coupon Code MSA20
Subscribe Now
The Idea Chíc Card Club is a monthly card club where members select any four greeting cards or single stationery notes for only $12/month. Our Card Club catalog includes letterpress, sewn, and wood veneer cards at a discounted price. We update the card catalog with new releases three times per year.... read more.
Anna Reilly
Anna Reilly
Anna loves collecting little treasures, be they pop-culture finds, handmade mementos, or new potions to put in her makeup bag. Beauty boxes got her interested in the subscription world, but now she's swooning for all things kawaii!

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

1 comment

Idea Chíc

Thank you for the detailed reveiw Anna. Your effort towards a thorough reveiw for your readers is impressive!

Reply ButtonReply