The CAUSEBOX Winter Box showed up on my doorstep a few days ago! Somehow I had completely forgotten that it was on its way and I didn’t even think that I had personalized it. Looking back through my emails, it looks like I did in fact go through the customization process. Just like with the CAUSEBOX Fall Box, I’ll be going through every product, looking into how much it originally costs and the company that produces it.
CAUSEBOX Winter Box: Unboxing
We did a quick video when we first opened the box! Check it out:
You can see the Fall Box here:
What’s in the Box?
As always, there are six sustainable, ethically-sourced, full-sized products worth up to $270+ items in the CAUSEBOX Winter Box. I got to pick between various options in the customization process and I was able to add items from the members only market. Since I am drowning in stuff, I didn’t add anything to the box this time around.
1. Cozy Cloud Wrap vs. Brushed Gold Kettle
The first step of CAUSEBOX Winter Box customization was between the Brushed Gold Kettle and the Cozy Cloud Wrap. Although I was super tempted by the kettle, I knew I would use the wrap more – in fact, I am wearing it while writing this!
Cozy Cloud Wrap
I couldn’t find the Cozy Cloud Wrap on Thread & Supply so I assume that it was made for CAUSEBOX. Most of their products seem to be around $50 and websites such as Poshmark are littered in used cozy products by them for $30-$40. Some of their products do cost closer to the $115 that the Cozy Cloud Wrap is supposed to cost, but most items seem to be half the price, such as this Seven Wonders Pullover.
Thread & Supply does work with eco-friendly fabrics whenever possible. While they do have products that are made from not-so-green fabrics, they have an entire section dedicated to more sustainable clothing. You can read about the materials they use here.
My wrap DOES say Made in China in fine print on the label… but China also has a lot of plastic. So there could easily be a plastic to fabric conversion factory there. It is a little suspicious that it’s not made locally though and it’s not available on their website. But Thread & Supply does seem like a great company and I’m glad CAUSEBOX introduced me to it.
Plastic Bottles to Soft Clothes?
I don’t quite understand how they manage to turn plastic bottles into something as comfy as this Cozy Cloud Wrap, but they do! Or at least they claim to. According to their website:
“This polyester fiber is made from post-consumer plastic bottles in a process that requires much less energy and resources than conventional polyester. Using recycled plastic lessens our need for petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and diverts plastic trash from landfills.”
Okay fine, I did some Googling and I found this article that explains the process. Turns out this isn’t a unique concept and many companies do it. How amazing would it be if all plastic was converted to clothes? Well… ideally there would be no more single-use plastic. But this is a great solution to the existing plastic waste.
Brushed Gold Kettle
Okay, let me briefly talk about the product that I didn’t pick. The Brushed Gold Kettle really tempted me but both my husband and I are slobs in the kitchen. We drop things, forget to wash them right away and I have caused various fires doing basic things like boiling water. Needless to say, this was WAY too fancy for me and I didn’t want to see it die in my kitchen. But it is an AMAZING product.
I found it on Rose & Fitzgerald right away:
The company has a heartwarming story, that got it on the CAUSEBOX’s radar:
Next time you’re shopping for your fancy friends, consider checking out Rose & Fitzgerald. Their products are high quality, beautiful, unique and employ artisans in a fair trade environment.
2. Marble Geo Coasters vs. Thick Gold Hoops vs. Rejuvenating Body Polish
Part two of the customization was easy for me too. I prefer to wear silly earrings – and sell them on Everyfelt and Oddity Cart. Plus I recently went on a body-cream rampage so I already have too many similar products to the Rejuvenating Body Polish. I also happen to have a lot of coasters, but I feel like it’s impossible to have enough. Plus… they are marble!
Marble Geo Coasters – CAUSEBOX Winter Box
While I love my coasters, I am skeptical about their origins. I didn’t keep the box for reference but it clearly said made in China on them. Now, being made in China doesn’t automatically mean that it isn’t made ethically or by empowered artists like the box said. However, since these coasters and nothing like them are available on Zeal Living. In fact, all of the coasters on Zeal Living are woven and priced at half the cost of these marble coasters.
In fact, the only marble on their website is a hand-carved planter from India. And while I do believe that Zeal Living empowers artists and all that jazz, I do not believe that these marble coasters have anything to do with the company. Why? Let me explain.
Not From Zeal Living?
First, Zeal Living mainly employs artists from Africa. Some items are created by people in other countries as well. However, even if something was made by artists in China, I doubt it would have a ‘made in China’ sticker on it.
Second, the packaging is questionable. I am not hating on China, in fact, I lived there and continue to buy many Chinese products because they are high in quality while being low in price. I have no problem buying marble coasters from China, as long as they don’t lie about their origin. One of the many issues with Chinese products is that they are over-packaged.
These beautiful coasters were wrapped in paper but then also a lot of bubble wrap. They were all individually wrapped which is unnecessary since marble is a sturdy product so the paper should have been enough. My last CAUSEBOX also contained some unnecessary plastic which makes me question their whole mission statement. Wrapping sustainable products in plastic kind of defeats the purpose.
It also makes me wonder where the CAUSEBOX is assembled. Do they hire people to go through and package everything carefully? In which case, they should remove unnecessary plastic and dispose of it sustainably. Larger companies have the means to do so better than consumers after all. Anyway, enough rambling about plastic.
Mass-Produced?
Finally, when I search for these coasters on Google, the only links to Zeal Living are people reselling them from CAUSEBOX. You can find the exact same coasters on various websites:
These seem to be the same marble coasters on World Market, although they are supposedly made in India:
The exact same coasters are sold on West Elm for more money:
Okay, I’m done beating up on Zeal Living and these coasters. I don’t know who is lying or if they are, but I do not believe that they are made sustainably by Zeal Living. Although, I could be horrible wrong – this is just speculation. I also want to point out that I buy many questionable products knowingly. But when a company promises that everything is sustainable, I am hard on them when I suspect something fishy.
Thick Gold Hoops – CAUSEBOX Winter Box
While I personally had no use for thick gold hoop earrings because I don’t wear gold colored jewelry, hoop earrings or any sensible earrings in general, I am obsessed with their message. I found them on Sanctuary Project right away:
In case the text in the image is too small:
“The Hoop Breaker Earrings circular shape reminds us of the cycles of violence we found ourselves in. We wear this statement gold-plated 16mm hoop earrings to show the world, those cycles have been broken.”
About Sanctuary Project
Sanctuary Project are a nonprofit social enterprise providing meaningful employment and job training to women who have survived lives of trafficking, violence, and addiction. They are a survivor-run organization, offering a safe community for women in transition to grow in practical skills while restoring their lives and hearts. Their jewelry is designed and packaged by the women we employ, and 100% of our sales go directly to providing more job opportunity and job training to survivors.
Needless to say, I will be shopping here, or simply donating to support this cause. Consider buying your jewelry-wearing friend or family member something from this store for their next gift! They also sell their products on Target’s online website. However, buying directly from their website makes the biggest impact.
Rejuvenating Body Polish
I found the Rejuvenating Body Polish on True Moringa easily. They say:
“We’re thrilled to partner with Vega Coffee – our favorite farmer-roasted coffee company – to bring you this deliciously rich and rejuvenating body polish. Wake up your shower routine and revive dry and dull skin with a blissful aromatic blend of Nicaraguan coffee beans, organic sugar, cold-pressed moringa and a sweet and spicy essential oil blend.”
Good Cause – CAUSEBOX Winter Box
Rejuvenating Body Polish is paraben free, sulfate free, vegan. True Moringa works directly with a network of 5000 smallholder farmers throughout Ghana to plant over two million moringa trees, providing sustainable livelihoods through access to credit, agricultural training, nutrition programs, and fair wages.
Vega Coffee works with small-scale Nicaraguan farmers, giving them the tools and training to roast and package their coffee, which allows them to earn up to four times more per pound. Vega Coffee is grown, roasted, packaged and shipped from its point of origin.
About Blue Moringa
Blue Moringa are responsible for planting more than 2 million moringa trees and quadrupling the income of local formars! Read the full story here.
3. Travel Beauty Pillowcase vs. Heathered Slouchy Socks
I love that the CAUSEBOX Winter Box had something like this for me to pick from. Normally, I go for shiny things or skin-care products when I have the choice. However, it is the simple things like comfy socks or good pillowcases can REALLY improve daily living. I went for the Travel Beauty Pillowcase because my dog recently chewerd a hole in my silk pillow case. I’ve been meaning to get a new one ever since – new pillow case, not dog 😉
Travel Beauty Pillowcase
I did not find the travel pillowcase on Ettitude, but I did find similar travel products. I am accustomed to fancy pillowcases and I love this one as much as my others. It is made out of bamboo and is super soft. Since I am not traveling much these days, I am using it as my regular pillow case. Unfortunately, I have purple hair so my light gray pillow case is now stained. However, it is still comfortable!
About the Company
Ettitude is a great company that prides itself on its environmental impact. They even show a full report detailing the difference they made and how they did it for 2020. Ettitude has a wide variety of products including clothes, accessories and more. Check out their sales page for great deals.
Heathered Slouchy Socks – CAUSEBOX Winter Box
I typically don’t like long socks so it was a no-brainer to pick the pillow case. However, these are a great product and the company sells short socks too!
“Soft, comfortable, functional, with organically grown cotton and wool from small farms in the U.S., Argentina, Peru, Tanzania and India. Made by skilled workers who are treated with dignity and respect, earn fair wages, and work in co-ops that we helped them build as well as family-owned and operated shops. We’ve traveled near and far to make sure our clothing is made the Maggie’s way: Ethical, sustainable, and transformative. In the process, we’re changing lives for the better.”
I recently wrote about Greenwashing. The same thing happens with companies claiming to be fair trade. Maggie is as fair trade as it gets. Read about it here.
4. Reusable Zip Pouches vs. Reusable Silicone Baking Sheets
I spend more time storing food than baking, so this was another easy choice. I picked the Reusable Zip Pouches, although the Reusable Silicone Baking Sheets are genius if you’re into baking.
Reusable Zip Pouches
The set of five reusable zip pouches replaces more than 1,500 single use bags. While I already store food in silicone to-go containers, these are better for certain foods and they take up less space. I found them on Boon Supply easily.
About the Company
Boon Supply is all about everyday decisions for an eco-conscious lifestyle. Here is whwat they say about themselves:
“Join us in an eco-conscious lifestyle based on better decisions every day.
All of us are trying to do our part to serve the world. At Boon Supply, we bring those decisions to one eco-conscious place. From detergent strips, to reusable bamboo nesting bowls, to refillable deodorant, here, the little things add up.
Every time you shop, we make it easy for you to give 40% back to your cause of choice. Boon Supply brings communities together to dream big and get big results. Don’t see the school or organization you want to give your savings back to? You can easily set up a fundraiser and start sharing to instantly give back to your community.
Founded by Lily Kanter, co-founder of Serena + Lily, Boon Supply has been featured on The View, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Real Simple Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and more.
Here at Boon Supply, it’s about eco-conscious living and giving.”
Reusable Silicone Baking Sheets – CAUSEBOX Winter Box
I found the reusable silicone baking sheets easily on Activated Eco.
“Make the switch to our silicone baking mats and never buy baking paper or aluminium foil again! These handy baking mats are an essential addition to your eco-kitchen and eliminate the need to use single use baking paper.”
Their silicone baking mats are made from 100% food grade BPA free silicone. The baking sheets are generously sized at 40cm x 30cm, making them ideal for completely covering and protecting your oven trays.
About the Company
“We are Jesse and Chris, lifelong friends, animal lovers and eco enthusiasts. We have always been earth-conscious and tried to reduce waste in our own families where possible. After a conversation comparing our recycling methods one day, we realised that there were a lot of misconceptions about what it means to “live green”, and that many everyday people felt that it was an “all or none” situation”. So we decided to do something about it…”
I will 100% show here next time I’m buying gifts for my friends who love to cook!
5. Yearly Planner vs. Peony Foot Masks
As I already mentioned, I am drowning in beauty products. That is why I opted for the Yearly Planner. Sorry if I jinxed 2021, it is not my fault!
Yearly Planner – CAUSEBOX Winter Box
So after customizing my CAUSEBOX, I also happened to buy a million planners from various companies. I talk about the different Personal Development Planners here. None of them are actually for regular planning so I 100% have a use for this yearly planner!
I found it on the Idle Wild website easily, it was sold out at the time of writing.
“Our spiral planners are the perfect size for toting to the classroom or office. Each design features full color, wrap-around graphics, complemented with gold hardware & foil accents. We’ve designed sections for daily, weekly, and monthly plans, as well as handy year-at-a-glance, goal-tracking, and notes sections. Fun and functional additions like a pocket folder, inspirational quotes, and sheets of colorful planning stickers assist in making sure all your plans fall in line.”
- 8.25″ X 8 1/2″
- GOLD FOIL COVER FINISHING
- GOLD SPIRAL BIND WITH CORNER PROTECTORS
- JANUARY 2021 THRU DECEMBER 2021
- US HOLIDAY AND MOON PHASES NOTED THROUGHOUT
About the Company
Idlewild Co. is a boutique paper goods & gift company founded in 2010 by artist & designer, Katie Gastley. What would become a nationally distributed stationery line began with a tiny pop-up at the Renegade Craft Festival in McCarren Park, Brooklyn. A few shoppers noticed her whimsically hand-painted Brooklyn neighborhood prints and asked if Katie would create wedding stationery based on the artwork- and shortly thereafter she was working on her first commissioned invitations.
With a robust collection of hand-painted wedding suites under her belt, she expanded her work into a line of greeting cards and hand-bound notebooks that debuted at the National Stationery Show. In a few short years the brand has established itself as a go-to independent source for creative gift products, selling through hundreds of stores across the globe. In 2013 Idlewild Co. relocated to the sunny shores of Vero Beach, Florida, where the team operates from today.
Our mission is driven by a passion for unique, artisanal-quality products that offer a breath of fresh air in today’s gift market. We aim to produce a distinctly graphic line of covetable goods with an independent flair; a fun & fresh alternative to correspondence of yore.
6. Truffle Therapy Face Toner
There was no choice here, but the Truffle Therapy Face Toner is a great product!
I found it on SKIN&CO easily. The toner is gentle, powerful, soothing, and healing. Truffle Therapy Face Toner deeply cleanses and purifies pores with the antiseptic power of Witch Hazel and Sage, effectively removing impurities, clogged pores and dead skin cells to treat, heal, and prevent blemishes. The natural extracts and antioxidant properties of Black Winter Truffle, Rosemary, Calendula, and Cucumber soothes and protects from environmental and free radical damage.
Ideal for all skin types, Truffle Therapy Face Toner is an essential step in the beauty routine for healthy and radiant skin, as well as balancing and refreshing the complexion.
What it Does:
- Purifying: plant-based oils antibacterial extracts purify and prevent acne producing impurities from entering pores, tightens the appearance of pores and skin, and reduces irritation and redness in sensitive skin
- Protecting: antioxidant extracts rescue cells distressed by environmental aggressors and free radicals while protecting skin from further damage
- Brightening: botanical extracts repair skin cells damaged by free radicals and environmental aggressors, protects skin from further damage, and brightens blemishes and discoloration
About the Company
Founded and slowcrafted in Italy, SKIN&CO Roma is an advanced botanical skincare and body care brand offering natural products harnessing the remarkable antioxidant properties of the Black Winter Truffle, harvested under the most exacting conditions. Powered by research in partnership with the University of Bologna, indulgent textures and innovative formulas seamlessly blend the past with the present and tradition with innovation to deliver radiant results.
Summary: CAUSEBOX Winter Box
I love the items in my CAUSEBOX Winter Box! However, I do question when I can’t find the products on the websites of the companies that supposedly produced them. Even if the marble coasters are made in China, CAUSEBOX used them to advertise Zeal Living, a company that does a lot of good. And if I cared as much as I claim to, I would have done the research prior to customizing the box. Overall, I continue to be impressed with this subscription box and there is no question that I get my money’s worth of products. Subscribe to CAUSEBOX today!
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