Mommy Mail Order Subscriptions: Citrus Lane + Bluum

January 25, 2012

I posted a review of Citrus Lane a little while ago and had a discount code to go along with it. I used the code to sign up for another 6 months and was delighted with the box I got for January.

Everything in the box is organic and, with the exception of a bag of baby snacks (I’m allergic to mangos so we don’t give that flavor to Eva), it’s all usable immediately. She looooves her new tugboat and I have to admit I was having bath envy with all of the fun happening. All together we got a tugboat, two packs of snacks, a bottle of organic lotion, yummy lavender chapstick, and $10 to Plum benefits, all for my $17-per-month fee.

I also got a box from Bluum, which is almost the same kind of service, except that they send out samples instead of full products. It’s a lower monthly fee (Bluum starts at $9 per month and Citrus Lane starts at $25 without the discount) but the difference between the two boxes was still pretty surprising…

I have to admit that I was pretty disappointed with the Bluum box. I know that part of my disappointment was because I was comparing it to the larger, more expensive Citrus Lane box, but honestly I just wasn’t that thrilled with anything Bluum sent me. The samples are tiny and they were things that I don’t know I’ll use (baby teeth wipes, stretch mark lotion, etc.). That flat thing is a little magnet, but it’s not strong enough to hold anything to our fridge, so…

I don’t know. I love the subscription service idea and I’m so happy with Citrus Lane’s boxes, but I don’t think Bluum is for me. It’s a little too random and the samples didn’t feel like they were worth $9, or even the $6 I paid by signing up through SaveMore. I didn’t want to be unfair, though, so I reserved judgment until I got the next Bluum box…

Lotion samples, a few baby wipes, some teething gel, a packet of apples, and one tea bag. Eh…like I said, it’s not really worth the $6 I paid for it, let alone the $9 (or more) that others pay with the subscription. I just don’t feel like these products are actually being carefully selected to go together…they seem like random products this company just happens to be working with. Again, it’s kind of fun, but not thrilling. I think I’ve been spoiled by Citrus Lane!

Comments (3) | More: Product Review

snow_white725 on January 26, 2012 at 4:57 pm said:

Yay – I can finally leave comments! (I had to get a google account for my new phone.) Anyhow, I'm really enjoying Citrus Lane. Thank you so much for posting about it the first time. We got the year subscription.We got a hat in the December box that was too small for baby. I called them to see if I could swap it out, and instead they sent me another box of goodies from the past. They were super nice about it!

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J.R. on January 28, 2012 at 9:31 pm said:

I just love this idea! Definitely a difference between the two. After your first entry about Citrus Lane, I knew I must have. So, it is nice to get a confirmation of how great of a service it is in comparison to other companies.I am currently debating about just ordering now, so when the baby comes in the summer, I can look forward to a surprise….since I am sure I will forget I did it by then. I seem to forget everything lately. lol.I did have a question for you. On the order form it asks if you want gender neutral items or gender specific items. I am wondering if you picked girl or neutral?I noticed when you posted your boxes, you didn't seem to have girly items. I am just afraid to hit pink overload if I specify.

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Carly on January 29, 2012 at 4:22 am said:

I think I picked the girl box, because I got socks in the last box and they were pink. In retrospect, I probably should have picked gender neutral so I could use any duplicates/extras for the next baby or baby shower. C'est la vie…

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