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JourneeBox “Tubingen” Subscription Review

Christen Russo
ByChristen RussoDec 31, 2022 | 22 comments

JourneeBox
4.1 overall rating
29 Ratings | 24 Reviews

JourneeBox delivers a quarterly lifestyle experience that features designer-produced, sustainably-made fashionhomebody, and culinary goods. The JourneeBox direct-to-consumer business model — meaning they design and produce all of their goods — keeps costs and environmental impact down. This model guarantees subscribers quality, vetted products made from sustainable materials that are ethically made.

For $59.99 per quarter, you receive 6+ sustainably-made or fair-trade items with customizable products focusing on accessories, apparel, home, and beauty goods.

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

Opening The Box

 

JourneeBox is back with its beautiful blue box fastened by a ribbon closure. Under the lid is a map of Tübingen, Germany, another location on the in the world that is near and dear to the box's curator, Kevia. Inside the box is a curation of products that tie Kevia's experience to the city and give subscribers an intro to its history and culture.

 

Here's a glimpse inside the included booklet, which outlines what we received, and tells the meaning of it. There are tidbits about the city, and photos, interspersed throughout.

Here's What's Inside

Tübingen Basteln Apron — Listed Value $45

 

The box kicks off with the item I'm most excited about, this apron. It's beautiful with its blue patterned pockets and leather-inspired accents, but it's also really sturdy. I will likely use this apron for cooking, but I can see it being really useful for an artist or craftsperson.

 

The apron has great coverage, and feels really secure with its crisscrossing back. It's made from organic cotton, and its quality is apparent.

Tübingen Swabian Market Candle — Listed Value $39

 

Meant to evoke the scent of the German Christmas Markets, this large soy candle is a juniper-vanilla delight. It's poured in frosted grey glass and has a burn time of 45 hours. The box printed with a map of Tübingen on the outside and finished off with a wax-like seal—but the candle can be accessed without breaking the seal. My box did get a bit stained from the soy wax, but either way I would say it's worth saving to store special keepsakes in! The candle smells so good, and both the scent and the aesthetic seem quite unisex to me, which is a nice change. (The same could be said for the apron, depending on the person!)

Tübingen Coloring Book & Colored Pencils — Listed Values $15 and $9

Kevia's tie to Tübingen is through her aunt-in-law and uncle-in-law, with whom she stayed at the end of her 1997 European travels. There are nods to Kevia's family throughout the items in this box, and this coloring book is a special collaboration. Kevia took a series of photographs of Tübingen taken by her aunt-in-law and created colorable illustrations of them—60, to be exact!

 

With the coloring book comes this tube of colored pencils. I love that they're self-contained and that the lid has a built-in pencil sharpener. The pencil set is made from FSC-certified wood! Their matte black finish is really sleek and they have soft pigment that colors nicely.

Plätzchen Rolling Pin & Gingerbread Cookie Recipe — Listed Value $20

 

I've always been taken by rolling pins and dough molds that leave you with gloriously patterned treats, but I could never justify buying one because they seem so specific. I've said this in past reviews, but the best thing about subscription boxes is when they fulfill those types of wishlist items! According to the info booklet, embossed cookies trace back to 14th century Tübingen and surrounding regions. This rolling pin is made from German AA-Grade beech wood, and it feels so nice to hold in my hands. I can't wait until I've used it enough to look work. Unfortunately this pin arrived after I'd already made my Christmas cookies for the season, but I know that the throes of winter ahead will call for some special baking extravaganzas to brighten the mood!

Wrapped around the rolling pin is a gingerbread cookie recipe. I love reading recipes from cook books and recipe cards (as opposed to online), especially when my daughter is helping me. We have delicious gingerbread cookies in our future!

Tagebuch Fountain Pen — Listed Value $15

 

Another tidbit that the info booklet shares is that the fountain pen was invented by a German scholar in 1636. It was the first that a pen and ink were portable. I love the concept of using a fountain pen, and learning calligraphy to make it look all the more beautiful, but I actually gifted this pen to my brother straightaway. He is a historophile and I know he will set aside time to figure this pen out before I'd have the chance to. The pen is heavy in the hand, comes in a quality storage box, and comes filled with an ink cartridge. It's made from stainless steel and carbon fiber. I love that the box has the JourneeBox dragonfly on it!

Meyer-VanLeer Heirloom Leaf Earrings & Necklace — Listed Value $110

Note: The necklace is for annual subscribers only; the earrings are for all subscribers. All subscribers may choose between silver plating or 18K gold.

 

JourneeBox always includes a jewelry item, and this month it's a set of myrtle leaf earrings and a necklace in either gold or silver. It's common for JourneeBox's jewelry to have rhinestones in it, which is not particularly my style, but I adore the nod to nature with its sprig design so I might just make it work. I also really like the design on the drawstring pouch it comes in!

 

I'm a gold jewelry wearer, so here are the gold earrings and necklace on. While I have maybe never worn a matching earrings and necklace set together at the same time, I think they look particularly pretty here, and not overdoing it. The earrings in particular are so elegant!

Here's a peek at the silver edition. This set was designed by Kevia, and has a really special story behind it. I'll save the story for subscribers—make sure you flip to page 24 of your booklet to read about the family connection and inspiration!

Value - Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: $59.99

Shipping: Free for current subscribers; starts at $6.99 for new orders.

Value Breakdown: The total retail value of this quarter's JourneeBox is $253. The promised value per box is $250+, so that's right on par. The box costs $59.99, so if you're an annual subscriber the 7 items break down to $8.57, and if you're a quarterly subscriber the 6 items break down to $9.93. Honestly, that feels like an appropriate price for the coloring book and pencils, and an incredible discount for everything else. Multiple items in this box exceed the cost of the box itself. 

Key Takeaways

Tübingen was my favorite JourneeBox in a long time! Every single product seemed quality and to be included for meaningful reasons. My top items are the apron and rolling pin. I gifted the fountain pen. And I look forward to burning the candle and seeing how I can incorporate the jewelry into outfits.

Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Other Things You Should Know

When is this box available? This box is seasonal, shipping out 4 times a year. JourneeBox has experienced many shipping delays over the past couple of years that have altered the schedule of their quarterly boxes. Keep an eye on our Journeebox spoilers—any news we receive about upcoming boxes will be posted there!

Can I still get this box if I sign up today? Yes, the Tübingen box just began shipping. Other past boxes are available to choose as your first box if you wish, too!

What did you think of the long-awaited Tübingen JourneeBox? Click below to write a review!

Want to get your own JourneeBox and join the community? Subscribe here.

Starting at $59.99
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Launched in 2019, JourneeBox is a sustainable luxury lifestyle subscription box that is carefully curated by founder and designer Kevia Jeffrey-West. Each box has 6+ items inspired by travel, art and nature. Getting a box is like receiving gifts from a well-traveled friend. Subscribers are guaran... read more.

Christen Russo
Christen Russo

Hi there, I'm Christen. I am all sorts of things:

🌳 a writer who loves to convey feeling

🌲 a mother who wants to have just as much fun as my kids do

🌳 an outdoors-lover who's achieved #1000hoursoutside with my family

🌲 a low-maintenance self-carer

🌳 a general hungry person with an unstoppable sweet tooth

You'll find me collecting stationery and squirreling away stickers, riding bikes and swimming with my family, creating outfits in colors and silhouettes that make me feel amazing, wearing big earrings, drinking beer and asking my husband to feed me harmonies to sing, taking my vitamins, living for dancing to live music, roping everyone into a craft, being human and vulnerable, and celebrating the phenomenon of being alive.

...and doing it all with energy, delight, and jokes along the way.


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22 comments

JJ Casuals

Is this box even still going? Not a peep from them in 2023 as far as I can tell.

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Mary L.

In the forum, somebody posted that they sent an email to subscribers saying the box was discontinued.

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V

I got this box today, and was surprised when I received an email about it shipping. I thought I was done with my annual subscription, but it seems the delays had this one still lingering.

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Jennifer

I just got my box today, and I really like it! The curation of this one seems really well balanced, at least for the annual. I haven’t written with the pen or colored with the colored pencils, though. I was surprised to find the coloring book also had photography in it, it’s pretty cool actually.

I also tried out the mystery bundle (simple/classy one) and got five pieces of jewelry for $25 with that. (I’m not sure how many normally come with it or if it varies.) Three pairs of earrings & two necklaces – I wouldn’t have minded a bracelet for more variety though. Three I will definitely wear and two I may gift as they aren’t quite my style. I’ll probably get another bundle next box.

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Jennifer

My box still hasn’t come, or even shipped. I never got a customization email, either. This box looked great, too, it just needs to come!

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Jennifer Rothnie

After my email to CS being ignored for a week, I tried the live chat. Fortunately, that went well! (About a ten minute wait, though.) Leo helped me (the issue was I’d never gotten the customization email, and apparently that is indeed necessary – they don’t just send you a random colorway without it) so he got me a link and I was able to check out. 🙂

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Mary L.

So even though I have unsubscribed more than once, it seems as though I keep getting added back to the JourneeBox mailing list. Is this happening to anyone else or am I just special?

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Jen

I was really looking forward to this box but now I’m just really frustrated. I still have not received it. I did receive 2 emails telling me it had been delivered & to contact them if not received. No tracking number provided it was a newsletter sent in bulk.
I’ve contacted them 4 times since & every time I get an auto reply that states they are out of the office today 1/2 for New Years’s but will be back tomorrow. Getting really frustrated. Was I scammed?.

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KatS

I’m so sorry to hear that. You may want to reach out to them in multiple ways – email, website chat, Instagram, etc. Some boxes (looking at you Oui Please) only respond when you post things publicly. Also, you can find your tracking number by logging into your JourneeBox account, select order history, and click on the order number. Hope that helps.

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Nurse

Is everything actually from Germany? That’s the only reason why I would consider subscribing.

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Steph

Everything in these boxes are made in China. The only exception will be small items like candy or chocolate. JB tries to hide it by putting their own labels on but rest assured it’s all manufactured in China. You can easily search these items on Alibaba or import records. I hate to say it but 99% of these subscriptio boxes source from Alibaba. Even some of these “good causes” boxes…cough cough AllTrue.

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Nurse

I was worried about that!

Carol

all labels showed items made in China, but we’re told a German ink cartridge is inside pen, & that the rolling pin (mine looked a bit cracked) was made from German beechwood.

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Xtina

This is the first box I’ve received. (It arrived several days before Christmas.) I was happy with the items, both the quality and variety. However, I didn’t see anything from Germany which was a disappointment.

The cardboard box itself is so beautiful, I was hoping to keep it but it arrive absolutely destroyed! The contents were fine at least.

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Jen

Not sure how many received this but mine hasn’t shipped yet. The label has been created but that’s it. Same bs as before, always ridiculously late.

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Jen

Hi Jen- no box yet, no movement on my box. I firmly believe no one has received their box except review websites and that other reviews are fake. This box and OuiPlease have been my biggest mistake. It’s been years of annoyance! -the other Jen

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Kevia

Apologies Jen, please reach out to customer service and we will get back first thing Tuesday. I’m approving a free item added to your box for the delay. We had 99%+ of the customized boxes delivered before the 25th. Happy New Year,
Kevia

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Jennifer

Mine still hasn’t arrived or even shipped. I never got a customization email, either (I didn’t last box either, so had to manually email.) 🙁

The box items look nice, though.

Jen

Curious if you actually ever received the box.

Marie

I do like some of the boxes I have received. I’m not renewing since this is the first of 4 boxes I got on time. It took almost 2 years to get all 4 boxes plus I had to have them refund money last year when they charged me for renewal even though I was still owed 2 or 3 boxes.

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Alice

I haven’t subscribed in a while…used to be an annual. This is a beautiful curation.

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Kristin

Funny I was a long time subber and don’t like it. Grant it, it is probably the best this year but that isn’t saying much. Miss the old boxes.

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