Unboxing the Archer and Olive Subscription Box - September Edition

📦 First Impressions

When the Archer and Olive September subscription box arrived, I was eager to dive in and explore its contents. However, the box's arrival was a bit of a surprise since I had skipped the shipment. Despite this, I was excited to see what was inside.

The first thing I noticed was the packaging. Unfortunately, it arrived with some damage. The box had been shipped in a plastic wrapper, offering little protection against the rigors of the postal system. This was a bit disappointing as I like to keep these boxes as keepsakes.

🌲 Enchanted Forest Theme

The theme for this month's box is "Enchanted Forest," which immediately evokes images of Snow White and other fairy tales. The color palette is dark and very much in tune with fall.

Here's a closer look at what was inside:

🎀 Vintage Inspired Ribbon

The first item I pulled out was a set of vintage-inspired ribbons. The colors were lovely, but I wasn't quite sure what I'd use them for. They seemed sheer when unwrapped, which could be interesting for various craft projects.

🖋️ Stamps and Ink Pad

Next up were a set of vintage alphabet stamps and a brown ink pad. The brown color is fitting for the forest theme. I struggled a bit to figure out how to use them without getting ink everywhere, but they come in a cute little holder that makes them easy to store.

🖌️ Acrylograph Pens

We also received a set of fall-colored acrylograph pens. These pens require you to hold them down for a while before the ink starts flowing, which can be a bit of a hassle if you're in a hurry.

📏 Wooden Ruler

The box included a wooden ruler, which is always handy for measuring things like planner dimensions. However, it was marked in millimeters, which might not be everyone's preference. A bit of direction on the ruler would have been helpful.

🎨 Washi Tape

The washi tape included had various patterns, including what looked like summery fruit and acorns. Pattern design is a huge trend, but I found it a bit hard to see the finer details on the tape.

🌸 Flower Press

One of the more unique items was a flower press, complete with instructions. While it's a beautiful item, I don't have many flowers around to press. Still, it could make for a lovely decorative piece.

📚 Notebooks

The box also included two notebooks. The smaller one is brown with gold foil on the cover and measures 5 inches wide and 7 inches tall. It's a good size for a smaller purse.

The larger notebook is more substantial, with a velvet cover and gold foil. It features gilded edges and a dot grid inside. Instead of an elastic band, it has ribbons that you can tie, though I'm not sure how well they'd hold up in a purse.

🔍 Testing the Stamps

Before wrapping up, I decided to test the stamps on the notebooks. I found that pressing lightly resulted in a cleaner stamp without the extra borders. The wooden box that holds the stamps is quite charming, though using the stamps might be a bit time-consuming.

💡 Final Thoughts

Overall, the Archer and Olive September subscription box offers a variety of high-quality, beautiful items. However, I found myself questioning the value for the $90 price tag, especially since I don't see myself using many of the items. Everything is well-crafted and aesthetically pleasing, but it might be better suited for someone more into crafting and creative projects.

For me, the standout items were the notebooks and the wooden box for the stamps. The rest of the items, while pretty, might end up being re-gifted. If you're a fan of Archer and Olive and enjoy their products, this box might be right up your alley. But for those who are more selective with their stationary, it might not be worth the investment.

Let me know what you think! Would you find these items useful, or do you agree that the price might be a bit steep?