subscription box – Beaches & Brie

“It’s the best day of the month!” – the moment we start singing this, Rico and Melo KNOW what’s up. They start wagging their tails and jumping with excitement because their BarkBox has arrived! A treat for both humans and pets, BarkBox consistently brings us joy every month.

Rico enjoying his “Puppy spice latte”
Melo getting ready to play with “Sweater Weather Heather”

How does BarkBox work?

It’s very straight-forward. When you sign up, you are able to customize your subscription based on your pup’s needs. You start by telling them your dog’s name and choosing your dog’s size (all BarkBox plans are the same price, regardless of the dog’s size). Then, you select what plan you want (the more months you commit too, the cheaper it is) and you can also let them know if your dog has any allergies.

What comes in a BarBox?

Every month has a special theme and even though I realize that Rico and Melo don’t care about the fun details as much as they care about the “chew appeal”, it’s the little things that bring us humans entertainment. From a “Voulez Chew Croissant” toy in their “Frenchies in Paris” box to “Hamleg” pork dog treats on their “Shakespeare in the Dog Park” box, the team at BarkBox consistently deliver awesome boxes every month.

Each box in our plan contains:

Two toys: Each toy is made by BarkBox’s toy designers, following the theme and offering something unique for your dog. Some toys are squeaky, others have other toys inside of them! It varies each month which keeps it interesting. I wouldn’t say Rico and Melo are ultimate toy destroyers but they know how to give them a good chew and yet, all of their BarkBox toys last a whiiiiile. If your dog is a true toy destroyer, I recommend you check out their Super Chewer option.

Two bags of treats: The puns they use for naming these are always on point. More seriously though, all of the BarkBox treats are made in the USA and Canada from domestic and imported ingredients. In two years, there has not been a single treat Rico and Melo have not liked.

One chewy treat: This one lasts only seconds after the box is opened. It is our tradition for “the best day of the month” that we split the chew between Rico and Melo right away. For both treats and chews, BarkBox seems to be able to accommodate allergies and/or dietary restrictions.

How much is BarkBox?

We currently pay $22 every month under the 12 month plan. This gets billed monthly. We do one box for two dogs which honestly is perfect for us. Like I said earlier, we split the “chewy edible” and then technically they each get a toy and a bag of treats. I think it’s very reasonable pricing if you were to buy each thing individually, especially when you consider the quality ingredients you get on the BarkBox vs. cheaper brands.

Rico and Melo love BarkBox.

Sure, Rico and Melo love their BarkBox but as a marketer, I am also consistently amused and delighted by BarkBox’s creative efforts and attention to detail. When we moved from Hoboken to Atlanta and I contacted them to change our shipping address, they sent us a little note wishing Rico and Melo a happy move, including a list to popular dog parks and other resources in the area. They also get super creative about referrals and coupons. One time, they got cute little Valentine’s Day cards to send their puppy friends… including a BarkBox referral code, of course!

While we are on that subject 😉 … if you are interested in trying BarkBox, feel free to use Rico and Melo’s discount code via this link! (We will get a free box too!)

So, is BarkBox worth it? For us, it definitely is. Have you tried any service like this before? If so, let me know your thoughts.

Want to keep up with Rico and Melo? (Of course you do)

Follow Rico and Melo on Instagram! @Ricoandmelo

I don’t need to tell you Valentine’s Day is coming, a simple visit to your nearest pharmacy will suffice. Whether you are in a relationship or not, this holiday is capitalistically designed so that you are probably thinking of getting someone something, whether they are a significant other or your best friend.

On my end, I like to take Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to be creative and encourage you to gift beyond the classics which are expected. I’ve compiled five top choices below to spark some ideas.

Try The World Box ($198/year) – Have you ever been obsessed with something you have not even been able to try? That’s how I feel about Try The World. Still, I can tell it’s amazing and I can’t wait to try it. Try The World is basically the best option for when you want to travel the world and eat all the food, but you can’t afford a plane ticket. You get a box every two months and each box features gourmet foods from one new country.
Cast Iron Fondue Set ($39.95) – Melted cheese at home? Whenever you want it? Who doesn’t want that? There are a lot of fondue set options out there, it really depends on what you are really planning to do with it. If you are just looking for a one night thing, then don’t spend big. If you see yourself, however, using it for dinner parties or even chocolate fondue, there are some fancier options like this one from Sur La Table.
Baking Mix Tin – Cornflake Marshmallow-Chocolate-Chip Cookie from Milk Bar ($17) – This is baking made easy and delicious. Have you had anything from Milk Bar yet? You have to. This gift can be a good activity to do together or a nice surprise if you want to skip ahead and make them beforehand for quick enjoyment. You can look at more flavors here. The mix of marshmallows and cornflakes is a delicious combination of crunch and softness, highly recommend it! This is also a good option for a more low key gift.
Sur La Table Cast-Iron Oyster Pan ($39.95) – I’m not gonna lie, this one is tricky. I have never really cooked seafood on my own. Sure, I love eating it, cooking it is just not my specialty. Still, since Valentine’s Day merits something special, why not cook an aphrodisiac meal? Just looking at this image gets me excited… for food. Don’t ask me where to get the oysters, I have no clue, BUT here’s some wine to drink with them.
Club W ($ – Varies) – Speaking of wine! Here’s another aphrodisiac that doesn’t need much explanation. I don’t really think you can go wrong with wine. If you can, plan a wine tour or local wine tasting. If you can’t, there are a lot of wine clubs out there that will make great gifts. I’m currently trying out Club W and so far, so good!