Citrus Lane Review May 2013

I got a deal on a Citrus Lane box about a month ago and I can't resist testing out a new box, so I went for it! I think I got this box for $12, but it's normally $25/month. This is a box for kids up to age five, and Citrus Lane personalizes the box down to the month. I think it's pretty amazing how much they cater to a child's age. I don't have any children, but I do need gifts for people with kids, and I was shocked by how many of the items I'd be able to use as well.

The Gigantic Turnip ($8) This book is adorable, and I think it would be great for a wide range of ages.

Clean Well Disinfectant Spray ($4.50) and Deep Steep Moisture Stick ($6) I can use both of these, even though I don't have kids. I can see how moms would love them too though. Perfect for overworked mommy hands and dirty kid (and anyone else) hands.

Melissa and Doug's Kids Gardening Gloves ($5) Most people won't already have gardening gloves for their kids, and these are perfect for spring!

Snackimals Cinnamon Crunch Cereal ($1?) Any kid loves crunchy cereal to snack on.

Green Toys Planting Kit ($6) Hmm...I already planted my seeds and this kit only had ONE seed in it. Bummer! I'm going to have to pick up some other seeds next time I'm out.

Over $30 value, and shipping was included! What a great box for people with kids. This is definitely one of the best subscriptions for children that I've seen so far, and I was lucky enough this month to be able to use many of the items myself.

Bluum March 2013

I am back from vacation so I had LOTS of packages waiting for me upon my arrival! The first of these was March's Bluum box. Bluum has recently stepped up its game, offering full-sized items in boxes for $25 a month instead of samples at a lower price point.

So what's in the box? Here's the view when we open it up.

Of course the first thing we see is the Paul Frank monkey. ($4.49) He's pretty darn cute and his long skinny limbs are perfect for a toddler's small hands. He's soft, too, and he'll be easy to toss in a lingerie bag when he gets dirty (that's bound to happen).

The next items are food items, surprisingly enough. Apple rice cakes? ($2.99) Weird. Yogurt covered fruit snacks? ($3.27) Even weirder. Weirdness aside though, I think these will be tasty for toddlers and adults alike.

I'm not sure how to use this "bubble buddy" ($6.99), but I bet we'll figure it out. Bubbles are super messy of course, but they're perfect for toddler aged kids and I just know we'll have a blast with this.

I decided for this item not to take a picture and instead show you how it's actually intended to be used--it makes way more sense that way. It's the KidKonserve Kozy Snack ($4.50). These are basically reusable plastic circles with velcro on them to enclose snacks and sandwiches. The Bluum insert also says that it can double as a placemat in a pinch, which I could definitely see. These are a great idea, but the thought of having to mess with folding them so that no food is exposed and having to rewash them after each use makes these a no go for me. I'll try them, but I have a feeling I'll be back to Ziplocs before you know it.

Finally, they included a Burt's Bees tinted lip balm ($5) in Rhubarb as the gift for mom. This is great because I ALWAYS lose lip balms. And if I'm not losing them, I still pretty much always need one. I keep one in each purse, in my bathroom, on my nightstand, in my makeup bag, in the car, at work...you get the picture. I go through each one very slowly but I need a LOT. This one is extra nice because it has a little color to it without going overboard.

Additionally, enclosed was the My First Sticker Coloring Book ($2.91). I love this! The pictures are super simple for younger kids, and there are tons of small stickers that they can place as they please throughout the book. Definitely a good item!

My theme for March was "Spring Fling." I love the theme, but I just don't think it fits the box at all. Maybe the bubbles, since you blow them outside? I would suggest they just scrap the theme idea, because I loved the box otherwise! The value ended up being $23.16, but since shipping and tax and everything was included in my $25 payment plus I get to test out new products, this box was well worth it for me. I probably won't go for another one unless I can get a coupon code though.

DEAL ALERT! The Happy Trunk

Plum District has a deal going on right now for a subscription to The Happy Trunk!

• They're offering a 3 month subscription (usually $69) for only $29.
• This box is for kids ages 3-11 (there's a box for ages 3-7 and another for ages 8-11). 
• Shipping is included in this deal.
• You can get an additional 4% cash back using Ebates.com.
• Each box for younger children contains 2-3 activities that fit within a theme.
• Each box for older children contains one science project and one arts and crafts project.
• The Happy Trunk ships on the 17th of each month.

If you have kids (or know and love any), this may be the deal for you!