Forget the ease of never having to leave your couch – I’m convinced online shopping is such a hit because getting a box in the mail feels like you’re getting a christmas present (even if you did buy it for yourself and it’s not wrapped)…
‘Of the Month’ clubs take it one exciting step further and urge you to give yourself a gift every thirty odd days. Here, a few reasonably priced options in case you’re in the mood to ‘treat yo’ self’.
Nest: We’ve all heard of the wine and cheese clubs, but iGourmet makes it so much more interesting with their ‘Connoisseur’ of the Month club. Each month a particular country or region is featured (or even just a particular flavor – say wasabi) and you receive a package to help introduce you to a perhaps unfamiliar taste. An amazing wedding gift idea for a couple that hopes to someday do a bit of traveling, or simply to help get yourself out of that pizza rut.
Dressed: Stylemint, Shoemint, Intimint and Jewelmint all follow the same basic premise. You pay your monthly dues (in Jewelmint’s case $29.99) and in turn can pick any piece from their collection to make your own. Jewelmint’s collection nails it every time – modern statement pieces that no one will guess you didn’t buy on Shopbop for triple the price.
The Rest: Olive Box breaks the ‘of the month’ club mold. This fairly new company sends out a surprise package to you each month focused on the joy of paper goods (a beautiful notecard, hand stamped stickers, washi tape, etc). They all focus on a particular seasonal theme and hold a collection of brands they feel their audience would love. The best part is that you can pay for just one month (and say, gift this to your Mom for a super unique Mother’s Day gift), or for a year and make every month feel like your birthday.
If you follow me on facebook then you already know that the Steele Maiden home was undergoing a bit of a makeover this weekend. Between a slew of stores, scouring our local flea market and a handful of DIY projects, the place is really starting to come together and I can’t wait to share a full home tour here on the blog soon. Until then – a snippet of what’s been added, including a silly little soap dish in the guest bathroom that always makes me smile, a pretty vintage tray on our dining table to hold coasters and the occasional fresh flower, and a vintage piano bench from the 1920’s that was just the thing to display our record player.PS – to celebrate the kick off of Paris Fashion Week tomorrow The Steele Maiden is going en francais (not really, but I will be highlighting my take on the best of Parisian style, design and travel tips), so be sure to check back!
