Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Review: Austin Lloyd | November

So, as excited as I was to bring you my first
Austin Lloyd box review last month, 
(click here if you missed it!)
I'm even more excited to be able to share their November box 
with you this month! 



One of the things that makes the
Austin Lloyd box subscriptions stand out, 
(and I totally forgot to share this last month)
is that each month
they have a theme which their boxes are centered around. 

I absolutely love that! 
Not only do I think it makes it so much fun for the little ones,
it's even more fun for the Mama's to be able to tie all the fun toys 
together for some really great play time!

So, 
here is a look at November's theme!


Austin Lloyd will release the theme of their box
prior to you recieving it... so if you purchase your box monthly
it gives you time to decide if you want to continue your subscription
and if you purchase a 3 / 6 month subscription-
it gets you really excited to start thinking about what you  may receive!

Here is a look back at some previous themes,
and there is not one that I would have passed up! 



If you missed my original post, you can click here for all the details,
but for now, I will just recap your subscription options.
Again, you can do a monthly, three month, or six month subscription plan,
and Austin Lloyd boxes go up to age three! 



And just in case you are wondering just what an Austin Lloyd box consists of:

Austin Lloyd boxes include unique high end toys that are not
typically sold at chain retail stores, and toys that are bpa and phthalate free.
They include engaging toys that are targeted at improving fine motor and cognitive skills.
They typically include a book- and no food, snacks, or samples!
Another plus- no battery operated toys!

Okay... so lets get to the good stuff,
here is a look at my November box! 



Isn't their packaging beautiful?
It also comes customized with your little one's name 
which I absolutely love! 
It's the little things, right?!

And here is what was in our box...


Austin Lloyd | November Box
Goldilocks & The Three Bears (Book) illustrated by Gavin Scott | Retail $5.99
Owl Wizard Pupped from Trudi | Retail $29.99
Rolling Story Blocks from edushape | Retail $9.95
Knight Arthur Battle Puzzle from Janod | Retail $15.99

All of the items this month were so amazing I don't know where to start, 
but we love books, so let's start there! 

I absolutely love that all Austin Lloyd boxes include a book,
as we are ALWAYS looking to grow our little library!

We don't have any "fairy tale" books just yet,
so I was so excited to see this little cutie,
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in our box this month!


Everyone knows the story of little Goldilocks...
she enters a little cottage to get some food and rest,
and ends up meeting three grizzly bears.

This story is not only so fun to read, (my son already loves it)
but the illustrations are beyond adorable, and that is always
such a great bonus!


Next up is our Owl Wizard Puppet.


Seriously... how  beautiful is this little guy?!
Not only is he super adorable, but the quality is unbelievable! 

With this month's theme being "fairy tales and make believe"
I could not think of a better toy!

We haven't come up with a name for him yet
(suggestions welcome!)
but I see him joining us for LOTS of story times in our future!

Then, we got this super bright, colorful, and fun


This is a 12 piece jigsaw puzzle that is just perfect for little hands!

My son gets the 2 year box, and this is such a great toy 
to help with shape recognition, while enhancing fine motor skills as well.

While my son is just a little on the young size for "big boy puzzles"
he is not far behind being ready to dominate them!

The best thing about this item-
the plywood puzzle has a cut out on the frame that allows you 
to easily take out all of the pieces, 
and then, there is a removable poster underneath!
Having the poster to help is great for beginners, 
but then removing it gives your little ones more of a challenge 
as they get older.

I have never seen a puzzle like this before, and think it's a genius idea! 


And last but not least,
we received these amazing Rolling Story Blocks


Now I had heard of story blocks before, but never paid much attention,
so I am here to tell you, don't ignore them like I did!

These are SO great, and SUCH an awesome way to help children 
refine their imagination, and help their creative thinking skills grow!

So how do these work?!
So. Simple.

With each cube having a different theme,
you start with one cube, toss it, and you start telling a story with the
image that is on the top.

Then you can either toss a second cube, third cube, and so on
adding to the story and watching it grow-
OR you can toss all the cubes at the same time,
and create a story right from the beginning linking all the cubes together.


We love story time in our home, 
and this just made it a little more exciting.

I can't wait to take a different approach, and help my little one's
imagination grow!
I honestly feel like every home should have a set of story telling  blocks!

AND remember that little owl at the beginning of this post,
I think he would be a GREAT help telling some of these stories! 

November Box Summary:


I was sent my November box to review courtesy of Austin Lloyd, 
but I promise you that all views are mine and mine alone.

Austin Lloyd went above and beyond and exceeded my 
expectations two months in a row.

With toys that are not normally found in retail chain stores, 
the Austin Lloyd box subscription service
 gives you a step outside the box, and refreshing new toys each month 
that are not only fun, but educational for your little one

As my son gets older, I find myself getting more passionate about
making sure my son enjoys, and hopefully loves learning new skills,
and of course reading.

These toys are not only engaging, and educational, but so much fun!

As far as the value of my box,
a monthly box subsctiption will run you $49.99 per month
and this month my box retailed at $61.92
so I came out ahead $11.93! 

(The savings is of course greater,
if you purchase a three or six month subscription!) 

If you are looking for a unique gift this holiday season,
I highly recommend giving an Austin Lloyd box subscription
it's not only fun for the Mama 
to get new toys to help her little one grow each month,
but so much fun for their little ones as well! 

I have personally given box subscriptions as gifts,
and they have always been a hit! 

(I have to hid my box until I get pictures taken, or my son freaks out!)

If you are looking to sign up for yourself, or as a gift for the holidays,
don't wait!
You only have unitl November 30th to sign up for the December Box!

AND here is a sneek peek at the theme..



22 comments:

  1. These toys are really cute! I'm not sure that I could come off of almost $50 a month for my daughter's new toys--she's got so many of them already, and we don't spend nearly that much on new stuff each month. Still, I could see giving a few months for a gift when she's a little older: who doesn't love getting mail?! :)

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    1. They are a little more than some of the other subscription's out there, but totally worth it in my opinion for what you get. I love the idea of getting new toys each month since my son plays with the same things day in, day out, haha! They also have an option where you can donate your toys back, which I think is great! :) Thank you for reading, and for your comment! :)

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  2. Thats SO ADORABLE!!!! I've always wondered what they had inside! Super cute idea for monthly surprises for our little ones! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I know I always wonder too, whenever I see any type of box subscription! I'm nosy! Haha!

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  3. I love themed boxes like this. That Owl is absolutely adorable.

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  4. It's SUCH an adorable idea for kids - but I think it's so much more expensive than it should be. Not many people can afford that much!

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  5. I love it! I haven't heard of Austin Lloyd so it is wonderful to read about it in your review. However, I must admit that their subscription price of $50 per month is a bit hefty. But I do understand that the cost justifies the means because they are toys made for cognitive skill building.

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  6. Great idea for kids! I have never signed up for these monthly programs but I do enjoy learning about them.

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  7. The toys are really cute. I am sure children are really excited to open their boxes each month.

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  8. Very cute! Love themes, and this would be a great gift idea. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  9. Such a fun subscription box! I love the little cubes.

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  10. Austin Lloyd seems like the perfect subscription box for little ones! Such cute stuff <3

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  11. This is an awesome box, i love the puzzle more they are all too adorable and like that they send the themes out to give you chance to cancel if not a fan.

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  12. This is super sweet. I haven't heard of this box yet, but it will be perfect as a gift for a new mom.

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  13. What a neat box! That looks like it would make a great Christmas gift for a new parent!

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  14. I like that you are able to sign up for an every other month sub. That's what we have for our three year old. It makes the cost much more reasonable.

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  15. I got an Austin Lloyd box before and while I loved it I thought it was a little too pricey.

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  16. I had never heard of this box before, but I absolutely adore that little owl!

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  17. After following your reviews these last weeks, I am getting a few subscriptions for xmas gifts this year. Thanks for sharing. I know my sisters would LOVE this.

    Thrifting Diva
    www.thriftingdiva.com

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  18. This is so much fun! Maybe once I have kiddos!

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  19. That is such a cute subscription service! I think my niece and nephew would love it!

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