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The last of my February subscription boxes arrived today and that just happened to be bluum. Β It appears that bluum is having some trouble switching from their small baby boxes (for 12 months and younger) to their bigger customized boxes by age (up to age 3 I believe). Β I certainly understand going through growing pains, but I also feel like you shouldn’t be charging customers for their March boxes when you haven’t shipped their February ones yet you know? Β It annoyed me with the Fancy box and it’s annoying here as well.
Okay, now that we got that out of the way, let’s get started ;). Β The minute I opened the box, I was annoyed no more. Β They hit it out of the park this month! Β I did a comparison between the old baby box and the new larger boxes last month, so I thought I’d skip right over the box picture this month.
Our bluum theme this month was “Strong Hands”. Β I mentioned it last month, but I aged WB up, so he is a getting a 14 month-old box instead of an 11 month-old box. Β bluumΒ doesn’t include product information on their information cards anymore, but they do send you an e-mail with all the details you’d ever want the day you get the box.
~B Kids Bath Duck FamilyΒ ($8.99): Ahh, the boys will love these! Β L saw them and immediately was like are those for me? Β We can never get enough bath toys around here and you can’t go wrong with a classic duck set ;).
~mOmma Straw Cup ($9.99): I love this brand (we have a few teethers by them and WB loves them) and am excited to try the cup. Β I am not sure how WB is going to do with a cup with no handles, but we’ll see. Β I did age him up for bluum boxes because I had felt that some of the items he was getting in the baby boxes were too baby’ish, so I can’t complain that this is “too old” for him. Β I’d rather have the box include something for him to grow into than something he has already grown out of you know?
~Ella’s Kitchen Nibbly Fingers ($4.09): WB loves these. Β While he has no teethm he takes these things down and has been for a few months! Β He is going to thank whoever at bluum decided to put Nibby Fingers in the box.
~Edushape Sensory Ball ($7.99): Β We got this ball in our December Stork Stack and was pleased with it then, so while we already have it, I do love it. Β Plus, with all these boys in the house, someone is always throwing something at someone. Β You can never have too many balls(*)!
~Baby’s First Words (over 150 words and pictures) bookΒ ($12.95): I know the link says this is like $3, but that also says it’s a paperback, which this book isn’t? Β But if it’s the same book for $3, I am buying one for everyone I know! Β This book is adorable and we’ll be reading it asap!
~Bathtime Baby Bathing Baby Hair & Body Wash ($15.50): I have never heard of this brand before, but I checked out their website and it looks like they have a lot of great products. Β And it doesn’t hurt that it smells yummy.
~Boiron β OscillococcinumΒ ($10): We actually got this last month as well and actually haven’t used it yet, but that’s fine by me. Β Maybe just having it around the house is what’s keeping us healthy??
~Dapple Dish Liquid Travel Size ($2.29): At first I wondered who would need travel sized dish soap and then I realized, umm, I do. Β I can’t even tell you the number of times I have stood at a hotel sink getting ready to wash a bottle or a sippy cup or whatever and realized I had no soap. Β I’m putting this in my suitcase right now!!!
All totaled, the February bluum box had a value of $71.80. Β Way way way over the $24.95 cost of the box and every single item is usable to us which is always a bonus!
Do you subscribe to bluum? Β What’d you think of this month’s box? Β Other than the shipping delays of course. Β bluum swears that the boxes are going to be on time this month and I really hope they are, because their FB page might must implode if these delays keep happening! Β My account is actually already showing that I am getting the “Balancing Act” box this month, so I am crossing my fingers this means it’s coming on time! Β If you are interested in subscribing or want to learn more about bluum, click here.
I’ve never read your blog before, stumbled across it from Mama Laughlin’s website, but are you in to homeopathic medications? I wondered about that Oscillococcinum because I have not heard good things about homeopathic remedies. Basically, homeopathy takes an active ingredient and then dilutes it thousands of times until there is no trace of the active ingredient left. Homeopaths believe that the ingredient leaves an “imprint” on the dilution. At best, they are essentially a sugar pill with no beneficial properties at all. At worst, they use some “natural” toxic substance like belladonna and there is no FDA regulation of homeopathic medications so you just have to hope that they did in fact dilute your batch enough to make it harmless. Oscillococcinum doesn’t appear to have toxins, it’s apparently derived from duck liver and heart. The manufacturer of that medication recently settled a $5M class action lawsuit over false claims of relieving symptoms. Still, I recommend you do your own research before giving your kids any homeopathic medications.
This will probably be my last Bluum box. I had a Living Social subscription that expired in February–I paid for March only because they sent me a “come back” email that showed me what was in it and I wanted the stuff. But I am tired of having to email their customer service on every. little. thing. Their account technology and website seems really messed up!
@LMG: I cancelled my bluum box. I just didn’t want 2 “big” baby boxes, and I like Citrus Lane better. I will hopefully get February today, and if it’s like this box, I’ll be happy to part ways on a good note, and hopefully for bluum’s sake, I’ll have good things to say about them π
@Mary:
Yep, I’m trying to decide between Citrus Lane, Stork Stack, and Bluum. I’m trying a 3-month to all three. So far Citrus Lane has been hitting it out of the park (after a first box that was far too old). Stork Stack is good, not great (yet–just got 1 box so far).
For February Bluum, I got:
–silicone spoon
–plastic lunch bags w/monsters
–aloe butt gel
–watermelon scented laundry powder (?!?)
–dried peas
–baby ECOS laundry soap
A big “meh.”
So I had signed up for a three month subscription through PlumDistrict (Jan/Feb/Mar) and got my Feb box the other day and it was still the smaller size….I guess I assumed it moved me automatically to the larger box but I guess not? The whole thing has been confusing. Wasn’t a huge fan of the box I received either… :/ I got (for the tiny chompers theme):
Boiron – Camilia Teething Relief
Adagio Pai Mu Tan Tea
green sprouts? Fruit Cool Soothing Teether
Burt’s Bees? Lip Shimmer (which they gave away in the disney box a few months ago)
Love Munchkin – Baby oil (small sample)
Spiffies – Toothwipes-Baby Apple
7 A.M. Enfant – Coupon
Darn, I was jealous when I saw you posting this. I feel like I need this box now.
Wow. my box was light..as a feather.
-the same dish washing detergent.
-laundry detergent.
-pack of Velcro straps for bottles or toys.
-a bib.
-a plate.
-a placemat.
$25 worth?? no. my kid is 17 months.. he doesn’t use bibs(and you can buy a bib for $1) he is vegan so a lame plate with “meat & eggs” written on it will certainly not be used.(similar plate can be purchased for $1) 1 single placemat..
I mean… who is packing the boxes to give some moms a full box of useful products & others cheap garbage floating in a half empty box?! Absolutely canceling after I get my next box I’ve already paid for ..
so frustrating.
sorry to vent on your blog
I also got the deal from Plum District. I think I’ll get my March box and then call it quits on Bluum. Our box was so-so. My twins are 16 months and we also received the dish soap, Boiron (also in last month), socks, a book, bubble bath, lip balm and lotion. We also got a baby toy that was similar to a tag blanket.
Have you seen their Facebook page? They seem to have quite a few unhappy customers.
I’m hoping I got the same box as you, as we have the same theme listed on the website, as well as the same age. So fingers crossed! Otherwise I will be disappointed π
So disappointed! I signed up for Bluum through Plum District and I’m glad that I just purchased one month’s box. The contents are similiar to what Crystal received. There’s not a single item that I like. I would not even spend $5 on this box.
@Sandra: I would have been happy if I just got a book and lip balm. But none of these items are even useful. (Cheap looking bib, cheap looking plastic plate, samples of laundry detergent and dish soap, a velcro strap for holding sippy cups, some boogie wipes. The placemat is made by Crocodile Creek so I guess it’s probably not cheap but I don’t like the design.
Wow, this box looks great! I’m really tempted to try. We get Citrus Lane and like it, but another wouldn’t hurt. π Do you know anyone with slightly older kids who also get it? My daughter’s 2 1/4, so I assume I’d get different stuff (though she’d probably still love several of the things in this box), but I wonder if it’s as good for her age.
I FINALLY got my February box today! I got almost the same box you received last month (baby proofing for 13 months) minus the Strivectin; really wanted to try that. Overall, I’m satisfied. It’ll be cool if this month ships on time. Hope my Strong Hands is similar!
@Sandra: I just checked the comments on Facebook. There are a lot of upset people. Compared to some, I received a good box. Nevertheless I’m unlikely to give Bluum another chance. If I decide to try a child subscription box again, I’ll probably go with Citrus Lane. I guess I was so disappointed initially because this is only the second subscription box I’ve tried.
Hi Jennifer – I was wondering how you aged up your little guy for this box? Did you do it when you first signed up or later? Thanks!
Does anyone know how to contact bluum my son did not get his February box! Already irritated with the company!