Disclosure: If you make a purchase through the links posted below, I may receive a small compensation. Read the full disclosure.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Escape Monthly
Cost: $49.95/month (Full Size). $24.95/month (Escape Mini)
Ships To: United States and its territories.
I know I just got back from vacation, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t excited to see my vacation in a box when it arrived today! Yep, my July 2014 Escape Monthly box is here!
If you aren’t familiar with them, Escape Monthly, which is $49.95/month is a monthly vacation in a box. Each month you will discover products from a different location. Products consist off local and destination-inspired foods, relaxation and beauty essentials, and the highest quality products that bring the life of the destination right to you. They have also recently launched an “Escape Mini” ($24.95/month) and contains 4 to 5 luxury, locally-made products and a travel brochure.
Escape Monthly ships via USPS Priority Mail, which I love, and generally takes only two days to arrive.
I know I should be looking at the products in the first look, but my eyes are always drawn to the chevron. Â Typical right?
The July 2014 Escape Monthly destination was “India” and included the following unique scents and tastes to take you on a refreshing trip into the unknown:
~Moon Travel Guide – Taj Mahal ($9.48):  I am amassing quite the collection of Moon Travel Guides.  I think the ones in the states will probably come in less handy than the overseas ones since I could easy hop on the internet on my phone here and find out whatever.  But if I were in India I am guessing it wouldn’t be that easy.
~Maya Kaimal Kashmiri Curry ($6): I do like Indian food so I am hoping that B can come up with something amazing for this.
~Banyan Botanicals Healthy Hair Oil ($8.65) & Cedar Eucalyptus Trial Sized Soap ($1): I am super excited about the hair oil!  I tend to compare all hair oils to moroccan oil so we’ll see how this one stacks up.  The soap smells very good and will work nicely for B to take to the gym.
~Pure Indian Foods Grass Fed Organic Ghee ($2.95): This is described as a healthy alternative to butter. Â I am not totally sure if I should just go wild and use this in my next batch of cookies instead of butter or what. Â I may need to do some more research!
~Saffron Road Korma Simmer Sauce ($3.99): The information card actually lists a different sauce, but I am sure we (he) can figure out something fabulous for this one.
~Masala Pop Chai Masala Popcorn ($5.49): I did not think this was going to be good, but much to my surprise it is!  It’s not something you need / want a ton of though, so this is a good size.
~Amber & Musk Amber Perfume Oil ($9): This is another one I wasn’t expecting to like.  It’s lighter than I thought it would be and I like the idea on the card of getting the authentic experience by putting it on and then just giving yourself the time and space to not think about anything.
~Bonus: Indian Bindi ($2): I don’t know where I will wear this, but I think it’s so cool. Â The information card says that binds have become less spiritual and more decorative these days, but I still don’t think I would be okay wearing it anywhere!
All totaled I came up with a value of $48.65. Â I paid about $40 (I get the 20% off lifetime discount) so I got my money’s worth, but I wasn’t wowed by it.
What do you think of Escape Monthly this month?  If you are interested in subscribing or just want to learn more, click here.  You can use the code “MYSCAPE” to score 20% off, not only your first box, but all your other boxes for the life of your subscription.  That gets you a discount of $10/month on the regular box which is awesome (it doesn’t look like the code works on the Escape Mini)!  The August 2014 Escape Monthly destination is “PARIS”, which I am thrilled about!.  I was thinking of switching to the Mini for August, but now that I know it’s Paris, there is no way that is happening!
I think the Ghee is to be used with the simmer sauce thing, if I remember reading correctly.
Thanks!
Weird, as I thought all boxes were the same. I got a Juice Beauty hand cream instead of the musk perfume oil sampler, and my bindi was a different design. I actually thought of you and your love for hand creams when I saw it in my box! Someone told me that it was left over from the California box, so it was a nice surprise! Nothing to do with India, but still nice. 🙂
Can’t wait to see what comes in the Paris box!
I know that sometimes there are variations, but the Juice Beauty seems odd! That is left over from the CA box!
I re-subscribed just for the Paris box! I love everything Paris related!!!!
I was also going to switch to the mini box after this one, until I saw that Paris was next! I’m hoping they offer a deluxe box for Paris like they did with India. I’m curious about what was in the deluxe India box!
I am also curious! And I don’t know if I could resist a deluxe Paris box!
I use all those sauces. I love them. I end up using more spice to make them hotter. But oh so good
Everything is the same for me except the Bindis. We use Ghee on popcorn and to make scramble eggs. I can’t say much about the popcorn except the boys ate it quickly and said it tasted like gingerbread. I did use the soap today and like it. Can’t wait to use the hair oil.
I’m excited about the Paris box. I decided to continue on now that my Groupon is fulfilled. I think this box will show up before the Quarterly 1000 Places box. Rebecca (Escape CS) if you are reading – I want macarons and something to represent the Eiffel Tower’s 125th Anniversary.
I am SO excited about the Paris one. I wouldn’t be sad with a mini eiffel tower. And some fancy french soaps.
The mailman changed his route and now my mail arrives earlier in the day. I received my Escape Monthly India Luxe box. I love it. I’m a little loopy from antibiotics which never get along well with me so bear with me. I added descriptions from the card.
***SPOILERS***
1. Authentic Indian Pashmina Scarf. I have poor lighting in my house. It’s gorgeous. The label says Peach Couture. It looks like a mauve color. I sent a picture to my sister who says it looks like a dark pink. It’s cloudy so I will take it outside later to see the color better.
Card – Worn by ancient kings and queens, this high-quality cashmere wool scarf is a beautiful traditional garment and a practical tool for any season. Keep your face shaded this summer or add that extra layer of warmth during the coming winter months.
2. Auromere Aromatherapy Eight Fragrances – This is an 8-Fragrance Sampler with each packet containing 3 mini-sticks. I received Amber, Jasmine, Indian Cedar, Lavender, Lily, Patchouli, Rose, Sandal.
Card – Beautifully packaged in handmade paper and featuring traditional scents, this aromatherapy pack will help you relax and reach a new height of spiritual bliss.
3. Amber Perfume Oil – A bigger bottle than what was in the regular size box. This one I can open and it smells good.
Card- Amber is coveted as an alchemical blend of sacred oils, powders, and resins ideal for preparing one for meditation. For an authentic experience, apply a few drops and relax into a short meditation, allowing yourself the space & time to not think about anything.
4. Ayurvedic Himalayan Rose Soap – Smells good.
Card – Extra gentle and moisturizing this Damascus Rose Soap is blended with Ayurvedic herbs and oils selected for their soothing, conditioning properties. Each use will leave your skin soft and nourished, ready to take on the next day of summer heat.
5. Masala Pop Chai Masala Popcorn – Don’t groan. It is in a 2 ounce resealable package.
Card – With flavors inspired by original Indian ta recipes, Masala Pop’s Chai Masala Popcorn is a savory, unique Indian take on a modern snacktime favorite. The perfect complement to a Bollywood movie (search Amazon Instant Video for Andaz Apna Apna)
6. Urban Accents Tandoori Gotta Cook Tonight Mix 1.5 ounces. Serves 4-6
Card – Cyclindrical clay ovens, called Tandoors, have been used in India for over 5000 years to draw the most delectable flavors from food, just like Tandoori Chicken. This recipe originated in the Punjab region of India. and has quickly made its way into our hearts (and stomachs!)
7. Earthern Light Brown Handmade Teacup – I was hoping for a decorative teacup, yet this one has its own charm. I may use it for something else because it looks like a tiny bowl. I do like it.
Card – Inspired by the history of India’s finest artisans, this delightful teacup makes for beautiful company at any meal or reading time. brew up a cup of your favorite tea and take this piece of India home with you!
8. Tao of Tea 500 Mile Chai Tea Tin. Organic. 2 ounces.
Card – Tea is at the center of life in India, especially Chai, which translates to “Tea” in Hindi. Known for their powerful yet sweet blends, small Chai stands called “Dhabas: would sell this tea to travels looking to stay awake “for another 500 miles”
9. Earthhenna Classic Kit – It looks like you put the stencil on and use a henna pen to fill it in. I think I will do this with my sister the next time I see her. 16 different stencils. Looking forward to doing this.
Card – Mehndi (or Henna) is an ancient Vedic custom intended to be a representation of the outer and inner sun. Mendi is especially used religiously and during traditional events, such as weddings, but has grown in popularity around the world because of its beauty.
10. Kala Namak Black Salt – 7 ounces. I enjoy using different salts when cooking.
Card-With subtle scents and flavors of egg yolk, Kala Namak is an essential spice in Indian cuisine, Just use on just about any dish to add a savory, Indian spin!
11. Auromere Mother’s Symbol Teak Incense Burner – I have no idea what an incense burner should look like. This looks like it could also be a decorative item in the house. It reminds me of a flower.
Card – The Lotus flower has deep meaning in India. It was a universal favorite of the gods, with esoteric and sacred significance in spirituality. It also represents the Mother Goddess Kamalamba (which should have an accent mark over the 3rd a, but can’t figure out how to do it on the keyboard) who resides in a thousand petal lotus found in our Sasharara (accent mark over 3rd a) in the head. Meditate to the burning of your incense and practice focus of the mind.
12. Rub with Love Bengal Masala Rub – looks like a spicy hot rub
Card -With exotic spices characteristic of South Asia, namely India, this delectable Masala Rub is the perfect seasoning for lamb, chicken, beef, or vegetables.
I think this is a wonderful box and will do another Luxe edition depending on the local. Wish I felt better so I feel more excited. I’m going to use some of the items now and hopes it will help me feel better.
Thanks for sharing! I might be tempted into a Luxe box if they do a Paris one!!! That scarf sounds awesome!
I did the scarf no justice in its description. I tried it on for a few minutes. It’s more like a shawl size. When I put it on as if wearing it shawl it overs my whole back, 3/4s of my arms, and then goes almost down to my knees with the fringe about an inch above my knees. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I took it outside during the brief bit of sunshine and think it looks like a deep mauve. Hopefully I’m making sense since I’m not feeling the best. I think this is the single most nicest item I ever received in a subscription box.
I’m so annoyed with myself. Locale not local in the second to last line. I’m not feeling well. Sorry I missed it.