Citrus Lane review (June box)

     My June Citrus Lane box for Owen came really early this month and I wanted to share all the fun products that came inside. Baby brother's box hasn't appeared at our doorstep yet, but hopefully we will get it soon. This month we will receive both a box for a 26-month-old toddler boy and a newborn baby boy. The box was definitely summer-themed and had some cute and useful stuff included. 

    Here's the description from the insert provided in the boxes: "Summer is upon us so this month we've picked items to prepare you for a season of fun in the sun. Whether your plans include spending time at the bead, pool, or park, you'll be ready with the essentials - protection from the sun, a sand toy, and something for your little artist to draw with outdoors. Here comes the sun!"

   Owen came running to open his box once I showed it to him. He really loves pulling everything out of the box and knows that its especially for him. 

            And here are the details on what we received in our box for our 26-month-old son:

• Sun Protection Hat from iPlay ($15.00): A Citrus Lane favorite! We love iPlay's Sun Protection Hats for their adorable design and because they provide  the maximum protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Even if your little one is wearing sunscreen, dermatologists recommend wearing a hat whenever possible. Made from UV-protective fabric that's rated 50 SPF, the wide brim provides allover coverage to shield delicate skin and prevent sun damage, while the microfiber fabric helps keep kiddos cool. I think this hat is so cute and I'm really happy with the pattern that we received. The hat is size 2-4 years so it's kind-of big for Owen, but that just means we will be able to use it for a long time. Owen is not a big fan of wearing hats and it's pretty hard to get him to keep one on, but maybe if he's outside playing, he will forget it is on and wear it. 

• Sand Toy from Haba ($5.69): Summer and sand toys go hand in hand. That's why we are so excited to send you one of our favorite finds from the German toy company Haba. Winners of nearly every German and American toy award around, these toys are great fun no matter what time of year it is -use them in the pool or at the beach when the weather is warm and in the bath when it's cold outside. Made in Germany from PVC-free plastic. We received the castle gate sand mold. We don't have a sandbox or a trip to the beach planned for the summer so this isn't super useful to us at the moment. But it is really well-made sturdy plastic and I figure we can use it sometime. In the meantime, it makes a great castle for playing with. 

• Dot to Dot Chalks from Alex Toys ($2.95): These playful polka-dotted chalk sticks are not your average sidewalk chalks. We love the holder, which helps to protect chalk from drops and breaks and helps keep hands clean. Our little product testers loved taking the chalk in and out of the holder almost as much as coloring with it! Fun for drawing on sidewalks, chalkboards, or construction paper. Owen really enjoys sidewalk chalk. Granted, he would rather boss me around and tell me what to draw and with what color, but he still has fun when we draw on our driveway. These will definitely be used and I'm interested to see how well the holder works. It seems like a great idea. I hate the feeling of chalk on my hands. 

•  Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35 from Episencial ($15 for 2.7 ounces): Summer is here and it's time to play outside! We understand the challenge of finding a sunscreen that's both effective and safe. Rest assured, your little one is protected from the harmful UV rays with Episencial's Sunny Sunscreen. Made for sensitive skin using minerals instead of harsh chemicals, it moisturizes while it protects. Naturally water-resistant for up to 80 minutes of sprinkler-proof fun. I am always on the lookout for baby-friendly sunscreen. We typically use The Honest Company sunscreen, but I have heard good things about this brand as well. The tube we received is smaller than the one that they sell on the website at 1.5 ounces. So the total retail value of it would be somewhere around $7.50.

       Citrus Lane has also recently been offering add-on products for purchase to some of their subscribers each month. Of the four months they have been doing it, I have been offered the opportunity to add to my box two of those months. This month subscribers had the option of purchasing extra products from the company Episencial. I bought a bottle of Playful Wash and a bottle of Snuggly Lotion. The prices aren't discounted, but you basically receive free shipping since they are included in your box for that month. I really love the add-on option and think it's a fun way to pad my box a little and receive a little more product to try. 

         My verdict on Owen's box? Pretty good, though I do miss the months where I used to receive five items in my box and the retail value seems a bit low. But overall, I liked the products I received and am happy with the brands they selected. I don't remember having seen Haba or Alex Toys in their boxes before and I am glad to see iPlay and Episencial again. 

       The retail value of this box is about $31.14, a little more than $5 higher than the cost of the box, which is typically $25 (though I paid a bit less because I purchased a multi-month subscription which is discounted.) The value of Citrus Lane's boxes are always more compared to the price you pay for the items, but I have noticed their overall value has decreased in the year that I have subscribed. Still, I hardly ever have a month where I didn't use everything in the box and I always feel like I'm getting good value for what I spend. 

         If you would like to try Citrus Lane, you can use the code TAKEHALF to receive half off your first month in a month-by-month subscription (making your first month $12.50). Multi-month subscriptions are already discounted and there are currently no coupon codes for a discount on those. Though, if you sign up using a referral link, you will receive a $10 credit in your account. You can find my referral HERE if you wish to use it. I have really loved Citrus Lane and highly recommend it over other similar subscription boxes. 

The Little Book Club review (May box)

 

     I received my third shipment from The Little Book Club Saturday. It was technically the May box, but it arrived in June because shipping for this company is extremely slow since they ship Media Mail. 

     The Little Book Club is a new monthly book club that delivers three brand new books chosen based on your child's age. As your child grows older, the books they send become more advanced. For instance, babies receive sturdy, colorful board books while five-year-olds receive books that will help them develop their reading skills. It costs $24.95 a month and is directed at children from birth to age 6. The books are chosen based on popularity and also the recommendations of education and literary experts. They pull selections from The New York Times bestsellers lists, winners of the Caldecott Medal, and recommendations from the American Library Association and the National Education Association. 

      The company is still in its infancy so they seem to be working out the kinks and have changed some things since they first started. Some differences I've noted recently is that they used to promise at least one hardcover book, but now their website just states that you will get a combination of hardcover, softcover, or board books. (Kind-of a big deal since this affects the retail value of your books which can be lower than the price you spent if you get all softcovers.) And they used to credit you $12.50 if you already owned a book they sent you, but now that is down to $10 (no big deal since that's still more than a third of the price you pay).

        I still love the fact that the box comes addressed to my child. I think this personalization is so special and I bet an older kid would love to receive their own package addressed to them in the mail. 

   Each month, the different age groups receive a different theme that ties their books together. Our theme this month (for a 25-month-old) was "Food!" Another theme I have seen this month is have Dogs and Cats.

We received three paperback books: 

"The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear" (retail value $7.19 on Amazon): This softcover book was first published in 1984 and is the story of a mouse who is trying to protect his red, ripe strawberry from the hungry bear. It's a very cute little book with sweet illustrations. 

"Jamberry": (retail value $7.99): We received the 25th anniversary edition of this book. It is the story of a boy and a bear romping through a land of berries. ($7.63 on Amazon)

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs." (retails for $6.99): Everyone knows this story, which has sold over four million copies. I think it is a little advanced for Owen because there are a lot of words on the page and he gets a bit impatient sitting through them. But it is a great book for older kids and he will get there someday. ($6.29 on Amazon)

      The retail value of the books is $22.17 ($21.11 on Amazon), which is about $2 or $3 less than what I paid. Last time I reviewed this subscription, my books had a retail value slightly higher than what I paid. I was disappointed this month that I received less value. 

     While I really love the concept of this company, I have since canceled my subscription and will only receive one more box. I know I'm not getting my money's worth and I prefer to pick out books for Owen myself. I also don't like that based on my billing cycle, I am charged twice before I even get one box. Hopefully this company can get better organized and get into a rhythm because I think a book subscription box is such a good idea for young children. Reading is so important and I know that Owen loves it.

       If you want more information, you can visit The Little Book Club HERE. Just be aware that this book club isn't about getting more value for less money. It's about convenience and exposure to new books you might have never heard about before. 

Stork Stack review (June newborn box)

      I recently received my second box of my three month subscription to Stork Stack. Shipping took an extra three days more than what it took last month, which was weird. Stork Stack is a monthly subscription box for babies and toddlers ages newborn to three. The company sends a box (called a stack) of five items each month for $28. Multi-month subscriptions offer discounted prices and the company also donates a box to charity for each membership purchased for 3, 6, or 12 months. Shipping is generally super fast for this company. This month was definitely an anomaly. Boxes ship at the beginning of the month and you should receive them sometime between the first and the fifth of the month normally. 

   The theme this month was "Picnic Party," which I think is a really cute theme for early summer. Here's the description from the insert in the box: "Happy Summer! June is the month that hosts the fist day of summer, and various special occasions inspire BBQs, picnics, and outdoor activities. With the anticipation of this outdoor fun, our June Stack is a Picnic Party! We have selected some of our favorite snacks (for both moms and little ones), as well as great picnic accessories included to inspire fun, independence and good health. After all, an outdoor picnic or BBQ is not complete without great food, fun activities, and proper gear!"

      The box we received was tailored to a newborn boy. Here's what we received in our box:

• Under the Nile Gingham Kimono ($28.00) - This sweet kimono gown is a simple and classic style. Side snaps make dressing easy for babies who don't like clothing to go over their head, and the open bottom makes for easy diaper changes. Made of 100 percent GOTS-certified soft organic cotton. Cute gingham check print is made of soft cotton interlock knit and available in three colors. I was really surprised and pleased to find this item in our box. It is such a nice quality and I've never gotten clothes in a children's subscription box before. I suppose because it's a box for a newborn, that they can assume it will fit him for a while while it would be harder to accommodate the varying sizes of older babies and toddlers. I couldn't find this exact outfit on Under the Nile's website, but they have lots of cute, simple baby clothes. I love the ice blue gingham print of this kimono style nightgown and it is super soft. I can't wait to put my baby boy in it. I may even take it with us to the hospital as one of his first outfits. 

• Sassy Baby: Freezies Watermelon Terry Teether ($7.00): Products with a purpose. Our products embrace proven developmental theories and are designed to help develop through the senses (hearing, touch, sight, smell, and taste.) We, as parents ourselves, are proud of our 25 years of growth and development, providing the highest quality toys and continuing to stay ahead of hot-button issues, like using safe plastics and no paint, to bring our consumers a brand and product that is trusted, durable, safe, and - most of all - with purpose. Obviously, our baby has a long while before he begins teething, but I definitely think this seems like a pretty neat product. We used to freeze a washcloth for Owen to teethe on and this seems basically the same, but better. And it's stinkin' cute. 

• Baby Paper ($6.00): Baby Paper is a unique toy, that in it's simplicity has become a hit with babies and parents! Small enough for tiny fingers to grasp, Baby Paper is made of a soft material that has a paper sound when it's touched. You know those products you see and then think, "Why didn't I think of that?!" This is one of those products. Owen loved the sound of crinkling and ripping paper when he was a little baby, so this product seems pretty obvious. I can't wait until our baby is old enough to play with this. It is such a fun idea and so simple. 

• Mealtime by Priddy Books ($4.95): This is a pretty cute book that is labeled as the mystery product of the box. I'm not sure if this is the same product in all boxes or if this is a way to split up products that they don't have enough of to include in every box. It seems strange not to include information about it otherwise.

• GimMe Health Foods: Roasted Sesame Seaweed Sheet ($1.19): GimMe's seaweed is grown in an agriculturally protected region of the Yellow Sea, off the coast of South Korea. The special environment where this seaweed grows allows GimMe Roasted Seaweed Snacks to be the first (and only!) seaweed products on the planet to be certified organic and verified non GMO. This is the "mom treat" of the box. This is the second month in a row where my "mom treat" was a food item. I much prefer getting beauty products instead of food items. And after tasting them, I don't think they could qualify as a treat at all. They were a really strange texture and the flavor was just too fishy and terrible. Tim tried them too and agreed they were disgusting as well. 

      The total value of this box was $47.14 which is a really good return for my investment and about $20 over what I paid for it (since I got a discounted subscription using a referral credit). From looking at past month's reviews, Stork Stack seems to have a good variety of items and brands and is a fun monthly surprise. I am interested to see what I will get in my next month's stack. 

       If you're interested in learning more about Stork Stack, click HERE. By using my referral link, you can save $10 on your first month or a multi-month subscription. There is a 20 percent off code available for your first month currently, but that gets you less than $10 off so you are better off using a referral code. 

Thursday Thoughts

I'm linking up with Jennifer at Ramblings of a Suburban Mom for Thursday Thoughts.

~ I am expecting fun stuff in the mail this week: Stork Stack and The Little Book Club (hopefully). Later this month I should be getting Citrus Lane for both boys, Cotton Booty, and KLUTCHclub Mom for review.

~ Tim and I tried Ben and Jerry's Liz Lemon recently and were so surprised at how good it is. It's part of their new Greek frozen yogurt line and is lemon Greek frozen yogurt with a blueberry lavender swirl. It is super yummy and has a lot fewer calories than their normal ice cream and a lot of protein. 

~ Owen's big boy bedding came in the mail earlier this week and I love it even more now that I see it in person. I think it is absolutely perfect and will really grow with him for the next several years. 

~ In case you hadn't heard, Erin Condren revealed their new 2013-2014 Life Planners on Tuesday. I love my planner from last year and it runs out in August so I'm looking to replace mine. Picking a cover design is really hard though. I like so many of them! What I love most about Erin Condren planners is that they take everyone's critiques and suggestions to heart and find little ways to improve the planners each year. And the monthly tabs! Love them!

~ Tim and I watched the movie Warm Bodies last night for a little mid-week date night and while we didn't particularly like how the ending was altered from the ending in the book it was based on, overall we really liked the movie.  The movie just came out in Redbox this week and is based on the book "Warm Bodies" by Isaac Marion. Not sure how people who have never read the book will respond to it, but it is really clever and cute.

~ After making the decision to cloth diaper our next baby, I have been doing tons of research online and I'm starting to figure out why some people call it addictive. I think Tim believes I am nuts because I am constantly watching how-to's on Youtube and reading blogs about cloth diapering. But the more I know about them, the better our chances for succeeding in using them will be. I have also been entering tons of cloth diaper giveaways in the hopes of winning us some free ones. I've also started a registry on my favorite diaper site Kelly's Closet so I can keep track of what I still need and so family and friends who might want to get us something can contribute. Our password is 1234. (We really don't need much else since we have basically everything of Owen's leftover). 

~ If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my giveaway for a $100 certificate for Kelly's Closet. Even if you don't use cloth diapers, they have tons of other stuff for your kiddos.  

Cotton Booty review (May box)

       Since I've been researching cloth diapers for the past couple of weeks, I have found so many awesome online resources to learn more about them. And of course, you know I would find a subscription box specifically for cloth diapering mamas. Cotton Booty is a brand spanking new box subscription that just shipped out its first month's boxes this May. And because I am interested in trying out different types of diapers and related products, I thought this would be a fantastic subscription box for me to order! 

       Cotton Booty costs $24.99 a month (extended subscriptions are discounted) and includes one name brand cloth diaper, a "fun" item, and a cloth diaper related sample. You customize your box by selecting between girl, boy, and gender neutral options. The box ships first class mail and mine took six days to arrive at my house in Kentucky from their store in Pennsylvania. The package arrived in just a plain cardboard box, but that didn't matter because the brown paper and cute sticker concealed some really awesome stuff inside! 

        The theme for May's box was "Easy Does It" and it featured items that make cloth diapering easier: an all-in-one one size diaper, Baby Legs leg warmers, and cloth diaper safe diaper rash cream. I chose the boy box this month so my items were all tailored to a baby boy. 

        Here's what came inside my May box:

• BumGenius Freetime All-in-One One Size Cloth Diaper ($19.95): This is how the insert describes this diaper: "One of the easiest to use diapers on the market. Using the snaps on the front of the diaper, adjust the size if needed, put the diaper on your baby, wash, dry, and reuse. These one-sized diapers are designed to fit most babies weighing between 8 and 35 pounds." I am really excited about receiving this brand and kind of diaper because they were recommended to me by some cloth diapering friends and I definitely wanted to check them out. I was really impressed that Cotton Booty sent a really good quality, more expensive diaper from such a well-known company. And it is stinkin' adorable!

     The diaper that I received in the boy box came in the Albert print, which is part of BumGenius's special edition Genius Series. I included a picture of the back of the diaper so you can see the print better. It's so cute and looks kind-of like a little diaper tuxedo. Girls received the Lovelace print (pictured below right) and the neutral box came with a diaper in the color Clementine (pictured below left). I believe all diapers came with the snaps and not the aplix (aka Velcro).

• BabyLegs Leg Warmers ($12): The insert describes them this way: "These leg warmers will not only keep your baby warm, but also protected them from the elements, makes diaper changing and potty training easier, and protect their soft knees while crawling. BabyLegs are a parenting essential around the world because of their utility, practicality, and stylish appeal." We have a pair of these already for Owen and I am super excited to get another pair. I think they are definitely more useful on a smaller baby and I can't wait to put them on our next little boy. The print I received is the Edward. A different design came in the girl and gender neutral boxes (girls were pink with hearts and gender neutral were a black and yellow striped bumblebee design).

•  CJ's BUTTer ($1.50): This product is described as "a miracle in a tube by some, CJ's BUTTer has been used on adults and children to help relieve: eczema, rashes, dry/chapped skin, rug burns, mechanics hands and cuticles, and hand nails. The only ingredients in original butter are shea butter, olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, and gluten free colloidal oatmeal. CJ's BUTTer is completely cloth diaper safe. It will not cause repelling or staining." I am happy to receive a cloth diaper related product sample so I can test stuff on our little man and pick the ones we like best in the future. I received the Lavender and Tea Tree scent. I can't attest to the smell because it is sealed and I don't want to open it until I'm prepared to start using it. 

  
      I came up with a total retail value of $33.45 for the items in this box, which is $8.46 more than what I paid for it. This is a great value for a box with such a niche market that is just starting out. I am really happy with my first box and look forward to learning more about cloth diapering and testing out more products in the months to come. If you're interested in trying Cotton Booty, check out their Facebook page or sign up on their website. If you use my link, you will receive $5 off your first purchase.  

Fun in the Sun (Kelly's Closet Giveaway!)

      Summer is almost here and with it comes lots of outdoor play, vacations, and more. We aren't going to beach this year, but my son loves being outside and I have to find ways to keep him cool and safe from the harmful rays of the sun. Here are some of our favorite things to do during the day this summer and some of my must-have products for Owen. 

• Playing in the Pool

      Like most people, we love spending a lot of our summer in the water. We aren't members of a local pool, so we've been hanging out in an inflatable pool in our backyard. This is a cheap way to entertain your kiddo and I swear Owen would spend the whole day in the pool if I let him. My must-have for playing in the pool is a reusable swim diaper. At Kelly's Closet, I like the My Swim Baby Swim Diapers. They come in several cute patterns (my favorite is Navy Swim Friends) and they cost only $9.95. There are many reasons to use a reusable swim diaper: they are more economical, they are more effective than disposable swim diapers at containing No. 2,  they're eco-friendly, and they are free of the chemicals and hold their shape better than disposable swim diapers. Kelly's Closet also offers coordinating rash guard shirts which provide even more sun protection!

• Playing Water Games

       Another way to keep cool during the summer while entertaining a toddler, is to play games with water. Our favorite is one we call "Put the Fire Out." I draw a house with a ladder up to a "fire" on our driveway using sidewalk chalk and then instruct Owen to use a bucket of water with a sponge to carry up and down the ladder to squeeze on the fire to put it out. He loves playing fireman and its a great way to expend some energy. Even though he's not in a bathing suit, I make sure to cover Owen with sunscreen to protect his skin from the harmful effects of the sun. I prefer to use natural and organic sunscreen on Owen because his skin is so sensitive. Kelly's Closet offers one of my favorite brands: Episencial Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35. This sunscreen is perfectly safe for babies and toddlers and has been okayed by the Environmental Working Group as free of harmful ingredients. 

• Picnics at the Park

        There's just something about eating outside that makes lunch more fun. Sometimes when we're stuck in a rut with our day-to-day routine, I will take us "out" for lunch. No, not to a fast food place, just outside. And when we're driving to visit family or going on vacation, we typically pack a picnic to eat at a rest stop rather than eating at a restaurant to save money and give Owen a place to run around and stretch his legs. Kelly's Closet sells reusable snack and sandwich bags that make taking our lunch on the go or to a picnic that much easier. And it saves us from using (and trashing) tons of disposable plastic bags. I like the Planet Wise Zippered Sandwich Bags. They come in more than a dozen different patterns and cost just $7.99. 

• Hiking/Sightseeing

     We love being outdoors as a family. One of the things we like to do is explore the area where we live now and do a little sightseeing and hiking. The above photo is from our trip to Cumberland Falls last summer. We are hoping to hike the Pinnacles soon. My must-have for hiking with a baby or toddler is a comfortable, supportive carrier. Owen likes to walk, but sometimes we want to move a little faster or he will get tired and having a great carrier makes it so much easier. We have a Beco Butterfly II carrier, but Kelly's Closet sells several great looking carriers. In particular, I am interested in the Moby Wrap Moby Go. We love our traditional Moby Wrap and they had not come out with this product when we were buying baby gear. It only costs $79.95 and will accommodate a baby from 15-45 pounds!

       For more of the best products for summer, check out Kelly's Closet's Top Five Summer Must-Haves for Baby HERE. In addition to my must-haves of a swim diaper, sunscreen, and reusable snack bags, they include a swim shirt, a swim hat, and a wet bag. These all would be necessities for us this summer if we were headed to the beach! 

      Now, here's the really fun part! Kelly's Closet is offering a giveaway for a $100 gift certificate to purchase all the items you need to keep your little one healthy and happy this summer. Complete the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter. The giveaway ends at June 30 at midnight EST. One winner will be selected. Must be over 18 years of age and a resident of the United States.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
    If you can't just can't wait to purchase some of these great items, Kelly's Closet is also offering a special coupon code through its affiliates that you won't find anywhere else! Use the code SUNANDFUN to save $5 on your purchase of $25 or more. 

Owen Lately

       I have abandoned doing monthly updates on Owen now that he is two, but I want to post some more random updates on him every once in a while to keep the grandparents happy. He is at such a fun age right now. Here are some fun facts about Owen lately:

• Owen's favorite song is "You Are My Sunshine." He loves singing in general and wants us to sing with him a lot. He has also starting humming little made-up tunes which is really cute. 
• Owen used to be a complete Daddy's boy, but recently he has been asking for me to put him to bed every night. A tiny part of me is really enjoying this. I only have a few more months with him as my baby. He is going to seem so old and big once the baby is born. 
• If Owen had his way, he would play cars and trains and play in the pool all day long with some book reading thrown in. 
• His current favorite foods are scrambled eggs and pepperoni, which he pronounces "pepper-honi."
• Owen has gotten really mischievous lately. He has started to ask us to leave the room when he wants to do something that he knows he's not supposed to do. And yesterday, he came and shut the door to our bathroom while I was drying my hair so that he could play on my tablet in the bedroom without asking (something we've been working on getting him to do). 
• He has an amazing memory and can remember the names of people he has met only once. He knows the names of people at the library and the post office and church. And at a recent work barbecue with people from Tim's job, he impressed several of them by calling them by name.
• Owen hates having his hair washed lately and screams like a banshee whenever we bathe him. We have tried doing it all different ways and nothing helps. Hopefully this stage will end soon. He still likes playing in the bath after we're done washing him. 
• We have started teaching Owen to recognize lower case letters. We call them "little" letters. He is a super sponge lately so it shouldn't take long. 
• Owen loves Barefoot Books books that come with a CD of the book as a song. We watch them on Youtube and he has memorized a lot of them.