Stork Stack Review: February 2014

Okay, so I know subscription boxes are all the rage. I already receive and regularly review both Citrus Lane and Bluum boxes. But I have to admit that I am a big enough fan of those that I was willing to try another one: Stork Stack. Stork Stack is a little different from the other two. From what I can tell from their previous stacks, there seems to be very little brand overlap between Stork Stack and the other, more well known child subscription boxes. This is what I experienced in my first box as well, receiving brands I had never received from either Citrus Lane or Bluum, while those two often overlap in brands and products. The other difference is that they are slightly more expensive than the other, two, at $27.99 per month versus $24.95 per month for Bluum, and as low as $21 per month (with a six month subscription) for Citrus Lane (NOTE: Citrus Lane has recently increased their per month pricing to $29 per month!). They also do not offer a discount when you order 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions like the other companies do, and instead send gratis boxes to children in need, which is a nice touch. Last month was severely disappointing, and I told myself that if this month was terrible as well, I would discontinue my subscription.

I intend to review my Stork Stacks based on value and usefulness and be as helpful as I can to you consumers out there! This month my daughter received a gender neutral box for an eighteen month old.

1. Good Morning Bluebird from Parragon
Price: $6.99
Status: Great
Comments: So much for very little brand overlap! I’ve gotten books from Parragon in my Bluum boxes before. That aside though, I love to get books in subscription boxes, as Baby Girl can’t get enough of them. This is a nice sturdy board book, it’s pretty, it feels like spring, and I know it will be a big hit.

2. Flatopus from North American Bear Co.
Price:
$16.99
Status: Meh.
Comments: This is a well made, sweet stuffed animal, but what kid actually needs a stuffed animal? Baby Girl doesn’t even play with stuffed animals outside of her teddy, so they just sit around my house taking up space. It really is nice though.

3. Wacky Wash Mitt from Rich Frog
Price: $6.62?
Status: Meh
Comments: I have to admit I guessed on the value of this particular item because mine didn’t come with a mini mitt, so I subtracted a third of the cost from the $9.95 they sell the adult and mini mitt pair for on the website. That aside, this is a sturdy wash mitt, it’s cute, and it fits the “spring” theme that seems to be dominant in this box. I don’t think I have any use for it though, since I’m just fine using wash cloths and Baby Girl actually really loves bath time, so I don’t need a duck washcloth to convince her or make it more fun.

4. PureLove Universal Surface Cleaner from BuggyLove
Price: $4.99
Status: Meh
Comments: It looks like buggylove is changing it’s branding, as I couldn’t find this product on their website at first. After reading all the labels, it appears to be the same as their Organic Multi-Purpose Cleaner, only in an 8 oz bottle with a pump sprayer instead of a 16 oz bottle with a trigger sprayer (hence the price difference, if you clicked on the link and noticed). I’m not sure that I will actually use this, as I’m not a fan of the organic orange smell, and I have a set of cleaning supplies I rather like, but you never know.

5. Oatmeal Cranberry Bar from Credible Cravings
Price: $3.00
Status: Meh
Comments: Once again, a “mom” item. I just don’t get excited for stuff they reportedly put in these boxes for me. As mom stuff goes though, I do prefer it when they’re edible. I’ve already eaten this, and it seems a bit expensive for what it is, and it really didn’t even taste that good. The KIND Bar last month was way better.

Summary: So was it worth it? I wasn’t blown away by this box, but I feel like it was a come back after the horror show that was last month’s box. As far as value goes, the total value of the box was about $38.59, up against a purchase price of $25, so not bad at all, actually. Even when you subtract the stuff I won’t use, I’m still over the purchase price. I still feel like this subscription is on probation though. We’ll see how next month goes, but it may be canceled if it doesn’t go well.

Use Code 4A49E165 to Get $10 Off Your Stork Stack!

Bluum Box Review: Movin’ and Shakin’

Okay, I know this is silly, but I decided that after subscribing to Citrus Lane for almost a full year, perhaps I should check out some of the other boxes out there! Because of that and a great coupon, I decided to try out Bluum. Bluum‘s pricing is very similar to Citrus Lane, at $25 per box on a month to month basis, $23 per month for a three month subscription (less than CL), $21 per month for a six month subscription (the same as CL), and even less than that for a one year subscription. Also of note is that Bluum offers more ways to earn rewards and free boxes than Citrus Lane does (which is why I’m on the month to month plan at the moment, hoping to earn a free box!). Anyway, I got my first box today, and I am very impressed! I was told that Bluum would primarily send samples, but I love my box, and I believe it to be of phenomenal value.

My box this month was the Movin’ and Shakin’ box for thirteen month olds.

1. Snack Trap by MossWorld Enterprises
Price: $4.99
Status: Pretty Great
Comments: I had already bought what I believe to be a better version of this that is manufactured by Munchkin, and I love the idea. It’s always great to have another one on hand, and I’m thrilled to have gotten one!

2. Calendula Baby Cream by Weleda
Price: $12.00
Status: Pretty Great
Comments: Did I need yet another baby lotion/cream? Nope. Am I excited to get this one? Kind of. I had already received some Weather Protection Cream by Weleda in one of my Citrus Lane boxes, and it is one of the brands I really like (along with Episencial). It isn’t always fun to have a baby with sensitive skin and eczema, so it’s nice to get these things! I’m even more excited that this was a full sized item and not sample sized as I had been told to expect.

3. Peek-a-Boo Panda by Melissa & Doug
Price: $7.99
Status: Pretty Great
Comments: I love Melissa & Doug products, and their little wooden toys are awesome. We actually had already received their Peek-a-Boo Turtle in a previous Citrus Lane box, and it had been quite a hit. I think I like the Panda even more, as he covers his eyes and really plays Peek-a-Boo!

4. Baby Play Day Book by Priddy Books
Price: $12.99
Status: Pretty Great
Comments: Is it the best board book for babies ever? Nope. Are the touch and feel features awesome? Meh. That said, I’m always happy to get books in these boxes, Baby Girl loves to read her board books, and this one is of a good quality and I know she will love it.

5. Vanilla Blueberry Luna Fiber Bar by Luna Bar
Price: $2.03 each (sold in a pack of 12)
Status: Interesting
Comments: Being used to Citrus Lane and how they do things, I don’t often receive items that aren’t for baby. This was timely however. I work a job that makes it hard sometimes for me to stop and eat, and with a lot of fiber, Luna Bars could be a great solution for me, and I don’t know why I hadn’t tried them before. I’ll definitely be packing this in my work bag on my next job!

6. 100 Best Fresh Salads Cookbook by Love Food, an imprint of Parragon Books
Price: $9.99
Status: Interesting
Comments: At first I was pretty excited about this item. I love cookbooks (have a bit of an addiction, in fact), and I love salads. I actually didn’t own a dedicated salad cookbook. But, being a vegetarian, I was a tad disappointed to find the book very meat and fish heavy. So I won’t be keeping it, but I know it will make a great gift!

7. $25 Voucher by Paper Culture
Price: $25.00
Status: Interesting
Comments: I’m not usually fond of these types of items in subscription boxes, but I can tell you why this one was different. This wasn’t a coupon, it is a voucher, and it wasn’t available to anyone who signs up, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve used the service before, you still get it. A nice touch, actually.

Also included: Two manufacturer coupons for Happy Family products. No real value, but perhaps useful.

So was it worth it? I think definitely. The total value of the box was $74.99 (higher than any Citrus Lane box I have ever received), compared to a $25 purchase price. Even if you subtract things that I will probably regift, the value was still a whopping $65.00! I will be continuing my Bluum subscription!

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