Review: Citrus Lane / September

Citrus Lane did it again this month.

I was beyond impressed with the quality of the products we received,

and although there wasn't much in the way of toys for my little man, 

it was a home run in my book! 

Our box for September

Long-Sleeved Graphic Tee from Tea Collection $24.50

Links 3D Foam Bath Pieces from Boon $11.99

Adhesive Bandages from Ouchies Jr. $5.00

Snack Bag from Bumkins $4.95

I'm going to start off with my absolute favorite item this month. 

My little man's brand new Tea Collection shirt. 

The Tea Collection is 

"Globally inspired children's clothes, for little citizens of the world."

So each shirt from the Tea Collection is inspired by the designer's

travels around the world.

Seriously... How fun is that?! 

We received the Baumhaus shirt.

"Baumhaus (bow-m-house) means "tree house."

This graphic is inspired by the story of a tree house in Berlin

that was built out of garbage, but is now a garden center for kids."

A cute little story to go along with each shirt, yes please! :)

And yes, fall is officially here as of tomorrow.

However it's still hitting 100 here in Arizona. 

This shirt came in a size "2" and I am so thankful.

I already tried it on my little man 

and it is going to be a PERFECT fit for the winter. 

This is one of the softest shirts in my son's wardrobe, and also one of the cutest. 

I mean seriously, look at the detail. :) 

Next, we got the Mickey Mouse snack bag from Bumkins. 

We have a couple waterproof bibs from bumpkins and I absolutely love them,

so I was super excited to get this in our box. 

Bumpkins snack bags are reusable bags made from a waterproof fabric

 which makes them super easy to clean, just like their bibs.

They are machine washable and dishwasher safe

(although I've yet to find a reason where I'd want to throw it in the dishwasher!)

They are also eco-friendly and a GREAT 

alternative to plastic bags.

Not only does my son love Mickey Mouse but he is just months away from his 

very first peanut butter and jelly...

which I'm already assuming he'll love,

(waiting on the two year introduction to peanuts) 

and just how perfect is this large snack bag for a delicious sandwich on the go!

I was also very excited about the next product we got, 

the Links 3D Foam Bath Pieces from Boon. 

About a year ago, we received the Dive Bath Appliques from Boon

and they are one of my son's favorite bath toys.

So I was so excited to see these new Bath Appliques, but with a twist.

These Links 3D Foam Pieces fit together

to create five different sea animals

which is not only fun, 

but also makes this product great for problem solving and motor skill development.

An added bonus:

Boon products don't absorb water (really!) 

so there is no chance of mold or mildew buildup (great news to any mama!) 

And last, we received a lead-free tin filled with some adorable bandages

from Ouchies Jr.

This tin came with 20 bandages, and although they are not 

Mickey Mouse, or Thomas The Train, 

I'm sure if my son got hurt and needed one, he would absolutely 

not complain about having to use one of these.

I didn't open any of them, because let's be honest

I have a little boy, wasting bandaids is not something I want to be doing

but judging by the tin, they are super adorable, colorful, and fun.

I will definitely be keeping in the diaper bag just in case! 

Summary:

Monthly Box Subscripton Cost: $25.00*

(locked in rate, subscriptions are now $29.00)

(Approximate) September Box Value: $46.44

This was the second month in a row that I was very happy 

with my box, and that hasn't happened for quite some time. 

I came out ahead by $21.44 and loved each and every item.

And in the almost two years since I've been a Citrus Lane member,

we received an item of clothing, which I absolutely loved

and hope they add more items like these in the future.

I look forward to being a continued member of Citrus Lane, 

and can't wait for the next months ahead!

This post was not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.

Review: Citrus Lane / August

Okay. I'm bringing back my Citrus Lane reviews.

I know, everyone is so excited, right? :) 

So, lets start here for those of you who are not familiar with Citrus Lane. 

"At Citrus Lane, we’re passionate about finding the best products for kids and parents, and sharing them with you. With a subscription, you’ll receive a signature Citrus Lane box each month with four or more products selected especially for the age and stage of your child. You’ll discover new parenting solutions and trusted brands--all delivered right to your door!"

Jackson (and mommy) love our monthly boxes!

He gets some of the cutest, fun, and even practical items

from a lot of great companies I've never heard of.

(Which I usually end up loving- example Petit Collage this month!) 

So, here we go.

I bring you our box for August!

Woodland Growth Chart from Petit Collage $20.00

ABC 123 Blocks from Melissa & Doug $14.99

Cool It Buddy from Me4Kidz $3.00

Yum-a-roos from Nuturme $2.50

Okay- let's start with this adorable growth chart...

So, my only complaint about the growth chart is that my son is already 20 months.

However- 

it's not really a complaint because we've been keeping track of his height all along,

Seriously... it's so cute, right?!

This Woodland Growth Chart by Petit Collage 

was an exclusive to Citrus Lane members,

but they have about six other adorable designs to chose from here.

Not only did this growth chart come with leaf stickers

 to write your little one's stats on (not pictured, sorry!)- 

it is made with such great quality and I am 

confident it will hold up over the years, until Jackson outgrows it. 

Plus- do yourself a favor- and check out their website-

I am already working on Jackson's Christmas list which I'm pretty sure needs to include 

the Petit Collage beginner puzzle and memory game

and their Alphabet Art Cards as well!

Anyone that walks into our house will notice

that we are huge Melissa & Doug fans over here.

We have puzzles, toy cars, planes, car carriers, a music set,

and now blocks!

We love our ABC 123 Blocks- 

the are solid wood, hand painted, and come with a storage pouch.

(That they never stay in, thank you Jackson!) 

They measure just 1x1 inch so they are smaller than our other blocks,

but the size makes them perfect for small hands

And, as much as we loved the first two items above- 

these two did not score as highly.

We've gotten the Cool It Buddy ice packs before, which come in a set of two. 

These are supposed to be instant ice packs- 

great for emergencies or on the go. 

However- the couple times I've tried to use them-

neither worked and got cool, 

which makes me very happy I did not save them for emergencies. 

I would say I got a faulty pack- however my friend received the same item, 

and she had the same experience.

It was only a $3 item, so I didn't mind getting them again- 

if they do what they are supposed to.

We'll see if they work this time, but I'm not counting on them to come through. 

I'll have to try one out for an emergency that's not really an emergency. :)

The Nuturme Yum-A-Roo's are made from quick dried 

organic ingredients and each pack contains 1.5 servings of fruit and vegetables.

I was very excited to have a new healthy snack to try 

but when I saw it contained pees and sweet corn I was not hopeful.

I feel as though I can't give this product a honest review

since my son is SUPER picky. So I'll leave that one as is. 

Snacks will always be a hit or miss item.

Summary:

Monthly Box Subscripton Cost: $25.00

(Approximate) August Box Value: $40.50

So I have to be honest, I've always LOVED Citrus Lane,

and we've gotten some of the BEST items that Jackson

is seriously obsessed with 

but the past couple months have been a little disappointing 

and I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue my subscription.

However

our August box had a couple great, high value items that restored my faith

just a little longer.

There were a few disappointing items- BUT they were minimal in value

and didn't really effect how I rated my box. 

I was very happy this month, and can't wait to see what next month will bring!

Review: Citrus Lane

It's been awhile, but I did my first Citrus Lane review (here) back in September. I'm so obsessed with my monthly boxes, that I thought it was time to start sharing again! 

So, here we go, a look inside my January box!

Let me start with this adorable car from Plan Toys.

I'm a sucker for wooden toys. So, I was in love with how stinkin cute this toy car was the second I saw it, and so was my son! The age on this toy is 6-12 months, and my son got it just as he turned one. This toy car is super easy for him to hold, and it has "easy-grip wedges that move up and down with each touch" which makes it super fun for him to play with!

All Plan Toys are made from chemical-free, recycled rubberwood with non-toxic paint. 

...As if I needed a reason to love them any more! 

Baby Car from Plan Toys $15.00

Zoo Plate from Skip Hop $6.00

Octopus Opposites from Barefoot Books $7.99

Octopus Opposites was the fourth Barefoot Book we've received. I am always so excited to see books in our Citrus Lane boxes. For one, my son is obsessed with them. Two, it gives us something new to read. Three, you can never have enough books! 

The Skip Hop Zoo Plate was perfect timing for us! At one, my son was more interested in feeding himself, and was wanting to eat off plates. Although this plate does not fit on the highchair tray we have, it is perfect for snacks on the coffee table! And... it is adorable!

I also got a travel size sample of Dapple Dish Soap ($2.29), which I had received before, but no worries there. It's all natural and baby safe, so I've already put it to use and it's almost gone! 

My box for January totaled $31.28, so again, I came ahead with my $25.00 a month subscription. And I continue to be a very happy customer. It's so fun to try new products each month, and Jackson is starting to enjoy it more too. He is now the first to go through the box once we get it, and pull out his favorite toys! :) 

If you haven't signed up for Citrus Lane yet, and want to try it out, copy and paste the link below to receive $10.00 off your first order! 

https://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/citrus.lane.1564

Citrus Lane : September

A look into my Citrus Lane box for September!

Skip Hop | Hug & Hide Stroller Toy: $10.00

AMMO Books | Charley Harper 123s: $9.95

Episencial | 3.4 Ounce Playful Wash: $4.00

NurturME | NurturMeals: About $2.50 (Target)

Julep | Nail Color: $14.00 (Non Member)

I have a month to month subscription to Citrus Lane which runs me just $25.00 a month (with free shipping), and my box for September was valued at approximately $40.45. 

I am always excited to see what the new month will bring, and this month did not disappoint.

The breakdown:

I absolutely loved the Charley Harper book. The artwork was beautiful, and Jackson does not have a counting book yet so I, as a mommy, was so happy to see this. Also, my little man LOVES books, and is a pro at turning pages these days, so he was very excited for this as well. 

The Hug & Hide Stroller Toy from Skip Hop is another one of those toys that is great for on the go! The clip on the owl is great, and Jackson has yet to find a way to unhook it, and throw it on the floor while out and about running errands with me. It also comes with a teether attached. A definite win in my book.

I have yet to use the Playful Wash from Episencial and I also haven't tried the NurturMeals just yet. As soon as I am done with the shampoo & body wash from The Honest Company that I received in a previous box, the Playful Wash will be next on my list. I love that it is pH-balanced, so it is safe for the eyes, and it is completely organic and safe for all ages. 

 NurturMeals from NurturMe is very different from any baby food I have tried to date. I normally make my little mans food, however I always have a stash of "packets" for quick and easy on the go feeding. With NurturMeals, you simply add milk, formula, or water to make purees. You can even mix them into food for an added boost of nutrients. NurturMeals are organic, gluten-free, dried fruit and veggie meals for your little ones 6 months- 4 years. Although they are not as easy as "packets" for on the go, I am looking forward to giving these a try! 

Last but not least. I saw quite a few complaints from Citrus Lane members who got the Nail Color from Julep in their September box, stating that they did not want  anything for themselves, and would rather have had another item for there little ones. I'm not sure if this makes me a bad mommy or not, but I was so excited to see a full size nail polish in a beautiful color for myself. I'm sure there are many mommy's like me out there, living on a budget, and I very rarely, if ever spend money on myself anymore. 99.9% of the time, I'd much rather get something for Jackson than for myself. SO this was a pleasant surprise that I am not complaining about. :)

*If you missed my first post / review on Citrus Lane, you can see it here*

If you haven't signed up for Citrus Lane yet, and want to try it out, copy and paste the link below to receive $10.00 off your first order! 

https://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/citrus.lane.1564

Every Week

via pinterest

Yup. Every Week.

I feel as though being a stay at home mom does NOT make the whole "Monday" thing any worse. 

The beginning of a new week. Husband back to work. A long list of to-do's, while trying to make the most of the days for my little man. 

Monday's are usually a twomugsofcoffee kinda day for me. 

Looking forward to sharing some posts this week including a new Citrus Lane review, an amazing go-to crock pot recipe for my family, and some festive Halloween themed backing recipes I'm dying to make!

Sign up for updates via email to right so you don't miss out!

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend. And if you missed it, be sure to check out my very first Simple Things Sunday post. I'm so excited to be joining in! 

Review : Citrus Lane

Ever since I got my very first Citrus Lane box back in January, I was hooked. Seriously hooked. 

Lets start here for those of you who are not familiar with Citrus Lane. "At Citrus Lane, we’re passionate about finding the best products for kids and parents, and sharing them with you. With a subscription, you’ll receive a signature Citrus Lane box each month with four or more products selected especially for the age and stage of your child. You’ll discover new parenting solutions and trusted brands--all delivered right to your door!"

As far as subscribing you have four options: monthly, three months, six months, or twelve months. With free shipping, a monthly or three month subscription will cost $25.00 per month. If you chose a six or twelve month subscription the cost comes down to just $21.00 per month. Although it is always nice to save a little money here and there, I do like that there is a monthly option for those of us on a budget.  

Since I just started this blog, and have been a member of Citrus Lane for nine months. I will spare you and only update you on my favorite products so far. However, fair warning, I will update monthly going forward. :)

I will start with my very first Citrus Lane box that I received in January.

Mommy's Bliss - Gripe Water | $8.00 (4oz Bottle)
Tiny Love - Frankie Frog | $6.99

Pearhead - Keepsake Ornament  | $14.95

Chewbeads - Skinny Charles Bangles | $19.50

Before the sample of delicious sea salt caramel corn for the mommies, my very first Citrus Lane box totaled $49.44 which was an amazing deal, considering I paid just $25.00. 

Did I mention it was like love at first sight?!

Where to being (I promise I will try to keep this short!) The gripe water was a great size to try, and it came in handy a handful of times. Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water is an all natural herbal supplement used to ease gas, and also fussiness that comes from teething, colic, and even hiccups. I would highly recommend all new mommies have a bottle of this on hand! My son was too little for both Frankie Frog and the Chewbeads when we first got our box, however they are now two of his favorite things. Frankie Frog has an amazing clip which makes him great to take out of the house while running errands. (Especially since Jackson has learned how to throw!) and the Chewbeads make one of the most fashionable teething toys! Not to mention they are made of 100% silicone, dishwasher safe, and BPA free. Last but not least, the Pearhead Keepsake Ornament was actually something I debated buying in the store on multiple occasions... Good things come to those who wait! I was so excited for this. I used it to make my son's hand and footprint, and gave it to my husband for Valentine's Day. I look at it all the time and compare just how big our little man has grown since then. 

I'm not just saying this so my very understanding husband will let the Citrus Lane subscription continue (did I mention it goes until age five!) but some of my son's most absolute favorite toys have arrived in this little brown and yellow box! They are definitely doing something right when choosing their products, and I have yet to be disappointed. I will stop before this gets too long, and update on Jackson's Citrus Lane favorites in a part two! :)

If you haven't signed up for Citrus Lane yet, and want to try it out, copy and paste the link below to receive $10.00 off your first order! 

https://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/citrus.lane.1564

Hoping everyone has a safe and happy weekend!