My Subscription Life: Brandi

My Subscription Life is a new series designed to help you get to know the MSA team a little bit better. Each profile introduces a different member of the team, showcasing their favorite subscriptions, and exploring the impact they make on their lives. 

Hi, all. Lindsey here. Maybe I'm a little partial, but I think the writers and editors we have here at MSA are the cat's pajamas. It's almost like MSA is a magnet for incredible people; I've honestly never worked with a group so kind and supportive. Best of all, we're all subscription-crazed, so even though we largely work remotely and miss out on those classic "water cooler chats," we still find ways to nerd out online about subscription box news, new launches, and products that catch our eye.

Even though you've probably gotten the chance to know a few of us through our writing and reviews, we wanted to find a way let you get to know us all a little bit better. We've decided to use this series to break down those walls. Each week, I'll profile a different member of the MSA team. We'll talk subscription boxes, favorite products, and how subs make our lives better and more fun.

To kick things off, I spoke with Brandi, a writer here at MSA who reviews kids subscriptions, clothing boxes, and a few lifestyle subscriptions. She also reviews Book of the Month Club, which is one of the reviews I personally look forward to most each month. Brandi joined the MSA team in January 2018, and she's based out of Maryland. She's a homeschooling mom of 3 (with another on the way), and she just found out that she's having another boy! That will make 3 boys and 1 girl, which is new territory for her because she grew up with sisters.

Now, without further ado, let's take a peek into Brandi's subscription life!

My Subscription Life: Brandi

Lindsey: Hi, Brandi, thanks for helping me kick off this series! Let's start at the beginning: when and how did you first discover subscriptions?

Brandi: I found FabFitFun through MSA and was sold after reading Liz's thorough review. From there, I branched out and tried a few new boxes, but I didn't really take off with my love of subscriptions until I began reviewing and realized how many options there were!

L: What are the subscriptions you’re getting now? 

B: I am actually not personally subscribed to any boxes at the moment (other than what I review) which is a little boring, but my husband and kids have a few favorites they receive. My husband loves Wohven tees, while my kids really love My Zoo Box.

L: Do you have a favorite subscription?

B: My favorites each month are Lillypost, Kiwi Crate, and Bespoke Post. They are all so consistent in sending great boxes with quality products!

B: If you could only subscribe to one box or service, which would it be? 

B: Hmm, I think I would subscribe to a meal box if I could only choose one. While we don't subscribe to any at the moment, they have a huge help in the past! I am so bad at planning out meals and being creative in cooking that I love having everything shipped right to me!

We have tried HelloFresh, GreenChef, HomeChef, Blue Apron, Gobble and a few others; pretty much any major meal kit box that has offered us coupons. One of our best meals was a Barramundi dish from Gobble, but we have probably utilized HomeChef the most because they have a lot of yummy dishes and are easy to use! We also love the unique side dishes that GreenChef comes up with.

L: Describe your perfect subscription. 

B: I am really into natural and non-toxic beauty, but I have not yet discovered a box that offers options that are up to my standards, deliver on value, and are trustworthy. Organic Bunny was a box that I used to enjoy, but I haven't found anything quite as great since!

L: Which subscription categories (beauty, food, geek, etc.) do you enjoy most and why?

B: I love all things kids because I think there are some super unique options out there that can really make parenting easier!

KiwiCo boxes are fun and easy to use to educate and engage my kids. We are able to use them with homeschooling which is a bonus! There are also fun art boxes like WeCraft that allow us to spend some time being creative without any planning on my part. I love a good box that we can just open and go! I also love Sensory Theraplay for the super fun and unique toys they include - my kids are always eager to test out a new putty or fidget toy!

L: What is a subscription item that you’ve received in the past that stands out as most memorable to you? Why did it make such an impact?

B: I have received so many things over the years and while some are memorable, I think one thing that always makes a big impact is presentation! When everything is packaged up and presented so nicely, that it feels like a gift and almost as though you were being pampered, that experience makes a big impression!

L: People gravitate to subscriptions for different reasons. What are your primary reasons for subscribing?

B: I love to try out new brands and products. I also really love getting a great value!

L: If someone offered you the opportunity to curate your own subscription box, what would you send out to your subscribers?

B: Wow! I don't know! Maybe a mom and kid box? There used to be a lot of options out there that catered to both, but I haven't found any great ones lately that offer something for kids and a little treat for mom in quite awhile!

Ecocentric Mom was one of my favorites, but we outgrew it since they only go up to a certain age.

Mama & Baby was a cute one that always had at least one great find in it whether it was for myself or for baby.

L: What types of items might you include for kids?

B: I would really focus on the discoveries that I know have made my life easier or more enjoyable with my kids! I think it would include games and unique little toys (much like the ones you would find in Sensory Theraplay or Bluum boxes), and lifestyle items that grow with you, like the useful ones you would find in Ecocentric Mom for example - we have little bowls with lids that we still use to this day for snacks and wet bags, which are perfect for storing bathing suits now that we are out of diapers.

My kids are getting older, so now we love to play games and we just found a fun one called Sleeping Queens. It's great for the whole family and the perfect size to fit inside a box! I would also probably focus on little toys that travel well like these adorable animal tins. I put one in my purse and they can play in the car, at a restaurant, wherever! Just make sure your child is old enough for tiny toys and magnets.

L: What about for the moms?

B: For moms, I would focus on clean beauty - after being pregnant and nursing for such a long period of time, I became more aware of the products I was using and love to find cleaner options from smaller companies! I am also a big fan of bags and accessories, so those would probably make it into the box as well!

Two things I use in my everyday life - this exfoliating mask from Fytt Beauty which makes my skin feel so clean and refreshed and this turban towel from Aquis that actually stays on and has improved my hair!

Thank you so much to Brandi for taking the time to sit down and talk about her subscription life.

Questions for Brandi? Want more natural beauty recommendations? (I know I do!) Slide into the comments section below and let us know!