Everything is Nerdiful

Subscription boxes are all the rage right now. There’s just something about subscription boxes… something reminiscent of Christmas – it’s like a present to yourself.

I’m always hearing fellow bujoers say, “I wish there was a bullet journal subscription box!” This caused me to wonder if there actually is one and I set out to research the elusive ‘bujo box’. 

I have been given the Busy Bee Stationary Box in exchange for an honest review.
Although the product was a gift, all opinions are 100% my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

Although I failed to find a true bullet journal subscription box, I did find the Busy Bee Stationary box. I was intrigued after discovering October’s box contained a Leuchtterm1917 and January’s box had a Rhodia notepad! I worked up some nerve that night and decided to ask Busy Bee if I could receive a box in exchange for an honest review.

The next day I received an email saying yes! (How exciting is THAT???) A month later, this beauty arrives on my doorstep:

 

February Busy Bee Stationary: 
Subscription Box Review

When I first opened my Busy Bee Stationary box, I was initially sad. 

And it had nothing to do with the product itself.

It has everything to do with February’s theme…

As you can see – it says ‘traveler’s notebook’.

But I am 100% dedicated to my bullet journaling ways… so I was like, what am I going to do???

However, this prompted me to do a little research as to what exactly a traveler’s notebook is, what purpose it serves, and if there is a place in my life for such a notebook.

 

What is a Traveler’s Notebook?

I found the name brand of Traveler’s Notebook is Midori, and originally Traveler’s Notebooks were to hold travel papers and sketches of places you had traveled. 

Now they are essentially used like a planner/diary/life organizer, quite similar to the bullet journal. The key differences I found were:

1. The Size – Traveler’s Notebooks come a skinny A5 size and a smaller, miniature version.
2. Reusable – Unlike typical bullet journals, the Traveler’s Notebook consists of inserts. When you are finished with one, you can simply take it out and replace it. Therefore, you never ‘switch’ Traveler’s Notebooks… it simply evolves.
3. Case/Notebook in One – The nature of the Traveler’s Notebook means that it serves as the case and notebook. It is easy to carry items in the notebook and make it a wallet, of sorts.

So what do I think?

The Traveler’s Notebook is a wonderful idea, but not for me.

I savor the idea that my bullet journals are like memoirs, and that I can keep them forever. I also like how bullet journal notebooks are linear in nature – it just suites me.

However, for those who are not memory hoarders, I think this is great! So now back to the box review…

 

The Contents

The traveler’s notebook itself is lovely. 

It is made of a sturdy, blue-purple faux-leather material. Inside it has two bands for notebooks, as well as a much need elastic for a pen, and several pockets to make this into a wallet-esque notebook cover.

Along with the notebook came a decorative tassle. It is cute as can be, although I myself am minimalist when it comes to frills. Perhaps if it wasn’t purple with pink I would use it… but I think it’s a no, regardless of the beautiful pink!

I also received two writing utensils. The Zig Calligraphy marker is going to take a little getting used to, since I’ve been using brush tip markers in  my bullet journal.

However, just from a quick try, it seems like it wouldn’t be that difficult to learn. I really wish I would have come in a more generic color, like black, but I think that’s the bujoer in me!

The Staedtler Pigment Liner is a definitely keep! I already enjoy my triangular Staedtlers, but I just love the feel of this one (similar to a Micron).

The Deco Pen Decorative Tape was definitely the most novel item in the Busy Bee Box. I would never have purchased an item like this, but it’s so fun!

The Deco Pen works like white out, except that you can swap the cartridge. It even has a clicker so that when you aren’t using it, the tape is safely stored inside the pen.

 

 

Let’s Talk Numbers $$$

Each Busy Bee Stationary Box costs $39.90, with – wait for it – free shipping!

I did a little detective work and found prices for each of the items (although the Zig marker can only be gotten in a set.) Items included in the the February Busy Bee Stationary Box:

• Webster’s Pages Periwinkle Traveler’s Notebook – $32 value
• Webster’s Page Tassle Charm – $5 value
• Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.3 – $3 value
• Zig Kuretake Calligraphy Marker – $2 value
• Deco Pen Decorative Tape – $7 value

Total approximate value – $49

So is purchasing a subscription worth it? Let’s look at the pros and cons…

PROS:

• Value: You definitely get your money’s worth in materials.
• Fun: It’s like Christmas when you receive a subscription box!
• Quality: The box has top-notch items that are definitely usable.
• Unique: New items each month mean you’ll never get tired of your subscription.

CONS: 

• System: Each box has a new theme, which means if you are already dedicated to a system – like bullet journaling – then you might not know what to do with a new type journal.
• Supplies: If you are minimalist, you may not like getting random supplies that may not immediately serve a purpose.

In the end, the decision to subscribe is a matter of personality.

If you are in love with bullet journaling and have all the supplies you need, then you may not want to pay $40 for more supplies.

BUT, for those of us who are stationary and art supply hoarders, this is a great monthly fix!

 

Thanks again to Busy Bee Stationary for sending me February’s box for a review.

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