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.