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Lillypost Children’s Book Subscription Box Review

May 28, 2019 by Stacy Craft Leave a Comment

Lillypost Children’s Book Subscription Box review by a mom of two. Choose a board book subscription or a picture book subscription to suit your child’s age and comprehension level.

Wanna know a secret? Okay, more like an embarrassing mom confession. Here it is, I don’t always love reading to my kids.

I mean it is enjoyable sometimes… The educational benefits of reading to your kids is proven. Spending time with your kids away from tv screens is great bonding time. Helping your children develop a reading hobby is nice. It all sounds wonderful but…

BK (before kids), I used to imagine snuggling up in pjs with a big pile of books, reading and soft little giggles before bed. I’m not saying this never happens but most of the time there is loud talking instead of listening, the kids end up fighting, someone gets their hair pulled, a book page is torn. Not exactly that picture perfect storybook evening I had in mind.

And if I have to read Brown Bear Brown Bear one more time. Cute book but I needed something to spice up our reading life and make it time that everyone including me look forward to at night.

So when I saw the Lillypost advertisement on my Facebook recently I wanted to know more. A few new books in our library could probably pull me out of my ‘I don’t want to read’ funk. This Lillypost Children’s book subscription box review details our experience with our first Lillypost box.

Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.

Lillypost Children’s Book Subscription Box Review

This Lillypost children’s book subscription box review explores two of the three subscription boxes that you can choose from when choosing a plan.

There are 3 plan choices to choose from: board book box, picture book box or a mixed box that includes both picture books and a board book. Since I have a 1 and a 5 year old, I chose to try the board book and picture book subscriptions.

You can choose to have the books wrapped for an additional fee. I chose to allow them to come unwrapped because I didn’t want to pay extra for wrapping. And let me tell you, it still felt like a present even unwrapped! The packaging has a clean, updated design and the books shine through all on their own, no gift wrap required!

Board Book Box

The board book box includes four board books. I like that you get one extra book in this subscription since the board books tend to be much shorter than picture books geared at older kids.

In this subscription we got the following books in our first Lillypost mail:

Spot Loves School

Love Monster

One Rainy Day

The Crayons’ Book of Colors

The total retail value of this set was just over $26. I paid $4.73 per book using my coupon code Box30. Definitely cheaper using the Lillypost service and the books were delivered right to the door.

If you have a 0-3 year old, you know that is a blessing. No car seat to buckle on the way to the book store (are those still a thing?) and no screaming kids to deal with at Target.

It was fun opening up the box and seeing a bunch of new books to read. Even though we were familiar with a couple of the books like the Spot series, we did not own these particular books so they were great additions to our collection.

Picture Book Box

The picture book box was impressive as soon as we unboxed the books in the Lillypost. The books were all unique with very beautiful and inviting covers.

Included in our first box were the following books:

A Dog Wearing Shoes

Raybot

Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell

If you price these out at retail, you would spend more than $50 for the lot. Using the coupon code Box30, I got the one month box for a grand total of $18.92 (including shipping). That is only $6.30 per book!

We were excited to see that we had never read or even heard of any of the books in this box! All of the books were enjoyable but our favorite was reading about Norman and his silly shell.

We read all three books in one night! And you know what? We had fun! All of us. Even me.

Charity Donation for Your Purchase

Not only is this company an asset for families that are looking to improve the literacy of their own children, it is a blessing to those in need. For each box that is purchased, Lillypost donates one book to a child in need.

Finding companies that give back to our communities is something that I value and appreciate. Particularly when the beneficiary of that good deed is a child that is less fortunate.

Would I Do It Again?

After reading this Lillypost children’s book subscription box review, are you asking yourself if I would subscribe again? The answer is yes, my account is still active and we just got our second box! Spoiler alert – it was just as good as the first.

We enjoyed the extra excitement and variety that the Lillypost box brought to our reading time as a family. I would definitely recommend the service as a way to save on the retail price of children’s book and also add that fun element of surprise that the monthly subscription offers you every month.

If you are like me and can’t imagine another toy coming into your house, this would be an awesome gift idea to throw to the grandparents when they are asking for birthday or Christmas ideas!

Terms of the Box Subscription

It is a monthly box subscription. You can save money by committing to several months at a time or you can choose to purchase month to month. The website does state that you can cancel at anytime so if you need to take a pause, it should be easy to do.

Don’t miss some of our top kid posts:

Switching From Cable to Hulu Live TV

April 14, 2019 by Stacy Craft 7 Comments

A great way to save money is to lower your standard monthly expenses. TV subscriptions can end up costing you upwards of $100 to $200 using traditional cable or satellite services. Here I will show you how we drastically cut our bills by switching from cable to Hulu Live TV and the benefits and struggles we encountered.

Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.

A year and a half ago I gave birth to my second child. And if you are a parent already, you know your life kind of stands still that first year or so. This baby did not sleep, like ever. So my normal budgeting practices kind of fell by the wayside for the temporarily more important things like sleep, coffee and taking care of a baby.

But in 2019, one of my resolutions was to get back on the budgeting train. I despise just wasting money for no reason and I knew I was doing it in several areas of our life. The first thing I did was save $800 on my lunch break by lowering our traditional cable and internet bills.

Saving $800 is definitely nice. That is many trips to the grocery store or a fun weekend trip away for us. It wasn’t a flop but I wanted to save more. The TV streaming services had been interesting to me because of the large savings potential but I was scared. And my sports loving hubby was even more scared. He definitely did not want to be left without being able to see his favorite teams.

I knew friends that had taken the plunge and loved it. But I still had questions and reservations. After thinking about it a while, we just jumped in and tried it. Here is how it went. The things we love and the 2 things that we didn’t anticipate.

Switching from Cable to Hulu Live TV

If you are drawn to the streaming services but nervous to cut your ties with your traditional tv provider, check out all the details from my experience. There is good and unexpected issues but overall we are so glad that we did it!

Try it Risk Free

You can try Hulu Live for two weeks free. We did the free trial while continuing our cable service. My biggest fear was that I would cancel my current service, pack up all their equipment, send it back and then not end up liking the streaming service with Hulu.

By entering the Hulu Live free trial, we were able to work out any kinks and test out the programming before fully committing. If you don’t like it, just cancel the before the end of the trial and go back to your old school cable.

The Hulu Live TV Experience & Sections

When we were thinking about switching to Hulu, I had questions. Lots of questions. How does the live tv portion work? Could my husband see the sports events that he wanted? Would my kids be able to watch their shows (because Paw Patrol is just as important as LSU football in this house). Grey’s Anatomy would need to be able to be recorded because while I don’t have much time to watch tv live, I do love to keep up with my shows.

The answer was yes, yes, yes and yes. All of the objections that we had were immediately debunked while we were testing out Hulu during the trial period.

If you haven’t used the program before, it is easiest to explain it in sections. There are different sections or folders for the various programming aspects that you are looking for.

Live TV

The Live TV section will show you everything that is on right now. Just like on your cable subscription, you will see a guide showing you what you can watch right now on live tv. One thing that I really like about Hulu over the traditional cable is that it is “smart” when it comes to your viewing habits.

As an example, I watch the Today Show every morning. So when you pull up the Live TV section in the morning, it puts the Today show up at the top of the list because it knows that I will probably turn that show on. How cool is that? My tv gets me.

Recordings

You will have a “My Stuff” folder that will act act as your DVR area. Anything that you have recorded will be saved by show in this area.

My favorite feature is that it shows you on the front page of this segment which shows you have to watch and the ones that you are caught up on.

Browse & Search

The browse feature allows you to see different categories of material and find things that you like and want to watch.

The search feature allows you to just type in the name of what you are looking for to easily get right to what you want. I really like the “trending searches” part of the search area. You will find the top 30 or so searches from other people. They include regular network channels, Hulu specific content and cable channels in this listing.

I have found several things that I might not have otherwise watched by looking at this trending area.

Sports

Ok, this is really my area of expertise. I’m a cheerleader. Take me to the tailgate, I will make you some yummy apps and people watch but the actual game, I could probably skip that. So I’m going to give you my husband’s perception for this part of the review.

We had a moderate package before switching from cable to Hulu Live TV. It wasn’t the most expensive but definitely not the cheapest. We had a couple of the standard sports channels (ESPN, ESPN2 etc). However, it seemed like every year I would have to call and add the SEC Network or some other channel for a few of the games.

With Hulu Live, we got multiple sports channels that we did not have with our normal cable package. That made my hubby happy. I saved money so I’m happy too!

Hulu Content

When I cancelled my tv with my other provider, they tried to offer me their streaming option. It was similar in cost so I decided that Hulu brought a better value because of the Hulu specific original content that they offer. Like the Handmaid’s Tale. Love it!

Pause/Rewind/Fast Forward

You can do all the features in Hulu that you can do on your cable shows. There is no difference. There are some on demand type things that require you to watch their advertisements (usually just around 30 seconds to a minute) but my cable network did not allow fast forwarding on certain on demand items so I find this go be similar.

2 Things I Didn’t Anticipate When Switching to Hulu from Cable

So far, you have read all the things I really like about Hulu. Of course, there are typically a few little hurdles when you make a big switch like this and I thought I would share the two that stood out to me that I did not really anticipate up front.

Incompatible TV’s for Hulu Live

All of our Tv’s are smart tv’s so I really did not think that compatibility would be an issue. And for the regular Hulu service, it was not. However, most of our tv’s are LG and apparently there are only a few models that readily work with the Live TV portion of the Hulu service.

This is another reason that I was glad to be on the free trial. Had this been a deal breaker for me, I could have cut the service and kept my old cable option.

There is a simple fix if you are in the same boat that we were. Buy an Amazon Fire Stick for your tv and it will be instantly compatible. Even if you have a bunch of tv’s, the cost of the stick is pretty low now.

And the money that we saved when switching from cable to Hulu Live TV made up the difference for the fire sticks that we needed to buy. Our first month was a wash when it came to savings because of the fire stick purchases. But every month after that, we have been raking in the savings!

Increase in Data Usage

We work from home, 2 computers on the internet at least 9 hours a day. My five year old gets some time to play educational games on the iPad every day. We have two teenagers that are here every other weekend that basically eat data for breakfast, lunch and dinner! And let’s be honest, I use a fair amount myself when you calculate in my Pinterest habit.

And then, we added in streaming all of our TV. Since we work at home, we both typically have a news channel on for background noise during the work day. Kids have their shows that they want, and then we watch something at night as a family.

I actually thought that our internet package was unlimited but it was not. I definitely don’t think this is a deal breaker but it is something to consider and watch. Thankfully my service provider gave a two month grace period and then I was able to upgrade to a true unlimited package.

Saving Money With Hulu

We switched from cable to Hulu Live TV about three months ago and haven’t looked back. We love the functionality, the Hulu content, the ability to see EVERYTHING that we were watching on regular cable and of course we really love the price!

Hulu Live TV is roughly about 1/3 the cost that I was paying to our old cable company. And we get more content for less money. I just can’t find a problem with that! What is holding you back from making the plunge to steaming with Hulu?

Baby Brezza Formula Pro Review

April 3, 2019 by Stacy Craft 1 Comment

A Baby Brezza Formula Pro review from a mom that has owned two! Find out if you need one for your new baby.

Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.

I am writing this Baby Brezza Formula Pro review all because of an impromptu trip down a Target aisle in the Fall of 2013. My husband saw it and just had to have it. This was going to be his 4th baby and he claimed it would change our lives (this was going to be my first baby so I was relatively clueless).

It was expensive and I am a penny pincher. We didn’t have to have it and so I initially said no.

He talked me into it and into the cart the “Baby Keurig” went (as we have lovingly called her for the last 5 years). Here I will give you all of the highs and lows of the product. My experiences with the product and my ultimate opinion of the Formula Pro.

Baby Brezza Formula Pro Review

The Baby Brezza Formula Pro can make caring for a newborn a lot easier. Understanding the product ins and outs will make the process run much smoother.

How To Use Baby Brezza Formula Pro

Using the Baby Brezza Formula Pro is pretty easy. You load the water reservoir with fresh water. Fill the top container with the formula of your choice. Select the number of ounces that you want to make. Put a bottle under the funnel and press start.

That is it. A perfect bottle, at the perfect temp, every time.

Why I Love it

If you are about to be a new parent for the first time, you may not fully grasp this concept… yet! My mamas of a kid or two will understand completely, having two hands with a newborn or an infant is a rare occasion.

You are going to have a wailing baby that wants milk like NOW. And if it is 2 am, just add on a little extra stress.

You know what you don’t want to be doing at 2 am? Fumbling around one handed (while holding the screaming baby with other hand) for a tub of formula, trying to fish out that stupid scoop that always gets buried, getting water the perfect temp so that it isn’t cold but also not too hot, and shaking that bottle like a mad woman to get the formula dissolved.

It is so easy to breeze in, push one button, console that baby for a couple of seconds while your formula “brews” and then feed that baby! I even leave a fresh bottle under the spout before I go to bed to make those nightly feedings even easier.

Easier for Other Caregivers

I also love that it is easier for others to help me care for my child. Whether it is a grandparent, older sibling or a babysitter, I don’t have to communicate ounces of formula or the correct water ratio.

I can set it up and the caregiver only has to push the start button. It is so nice to be able to ensure that my baby is getting exactly the correct amount of nutrition. Not to mention making it easier on the caregiver.

Preventing Issues with the Baby Brezza

If you read some reviews, there have been reports of some issues with the units. In this part of the Baby Brezza Formula Pro review, I will identify a few issues that I know of and helpful ways to prevent them.

Mold

I think this is probably the most concerning of the issues to a new parent. Mold and newborn babies don’t mix. My first piece of advice is to actually read the manual that comes with the product. I know, I know. No one actually reads those things anymore but you need to. It shows you what you need to do in order to prevent mold from growing in the Baby Brezza.

Frequently cleaning the unit and drying it completely will prevent mold growth. My weekly routine was to make a bottle for nap time and then while baby was napping, I would clean the unit.

You take it completely apart. The water reservoir, the two orange spinners, the formula container, the funnel and the vented drain that the bottle sits on. Put any remaining formula into a clean bowl and then wash all the parts with warm soapy water. Rinse well and let air dry on a towel. Once everything is totally dry, assemble it again, refill the formula and water. Now you are ready to go!

If you stick with a routine cleaning schedule, you should not have any mold issues. The only place that I ever saw mold grow was after returning from a trip out of town (and I forgot to take the Baby Brezza apart). There was a slight mold growth under the white top on the water reservoir. I scrubbed it with some white vinegar to remove all traces of the mold. Once that was gone, I completed the cleaning process described above.

You regular Keurig will also grow mold if you don’t keep it clean. It really isn’t a reason in my opinion not to buy the product, you just need to properly care for it.

Electrical or Performance Issues

So you know I have owned two of these Baby Brezza’s but in reality I have actually owned 3. As I said, my first Baby Brezza was purchased in late 2013. I think this was one of the first models on the market.

We sold that unit before we moved a few years later (thinking that we were not going to have any other children). Surprise, our 2017 baby was a sweet little gift from God and after our experience with the first Baby Brezza, we wanted another. So we purchased another one to use for our 2nd child together.

I used the 2nd one from October 2017 until August 2018 without any issues. But at the end of August the formula abruptly stopped dispensing formula. I contacted customer service with the issue. They had me take a short video of the problem and email it over.

After reviewing the issue, there was some type of major malfunction. The customer service rep stated that this was not typical of their units and that they would replace the unit at no charge (enter my 3rd Baby Brezza). I did have to produce my receipt so my biggest piece of advice is to keep that receipt just in case you have a problem!

I was very happy with their willingness to replace the product since there was a problem. I only used it for a couple of more months and then once my baby was off of formula, I donated it to a friend.

Baby Brezza – Yes or No?

As a family, we definitely recommend the Baby Brezza Formula Pro. In fact, I have purchased a couple for friends that were expecting new babies.

The Formula Pro isn’t one of those items that is necessary to have when you bring home a new baby but it sure does make it a little easier. And let’s get real, being a Mom (or Dad) is hard enough. Why not make it a little easier on yourself?

Make sure you pin these super simple homemade baby food recipes for when your baby is ready for solid foods! Pin the 5 minute Banana, Blueberry, Pear baby food and the 5 minute Avocado Banana Puree.

Personalized Easter Basket Fillers for Kids

March 23, 2019 by Stacy Craft 4 Comments

The Easter Bunny has a tricky job. The kids want to wake up to baskets overflowing with toys and egg shaped candies. While the parents are hoping that that cute little bunny brings some useful items and not too much sugar. This list of personalized Easter basket fillers for kids fits the bill with adorable, fun and practical items that will bring joy on Easter morning.

And if you need some extra basket stuffers for a low price, check out Easter stuffers under $5 for preschool kids and for infants.

(Affiliate links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

Personalized Easter Basket Fillers for Kids

These items don’t just look pretty in a basket! Some are functional, some educational, and some are just plain fun! They are all cute and the Easter Bunny can support some small businesses in the process of filling all those baskets this year!

Your kids will love seeing their name on a bunch of stuff in their basket on Easter Sunday.

Shark or Mermaid Popsicle Holders

I actually ordered these for my kids a couple of months ago. We got one shark for my son and a mermaid tail for my daughter! They are adorable and serve such a functional purpose! No more trying to wrap a paper towel around the bottom to prevent freezing fingers!

We like to freeze the kid yogurt tubes for a slightly healthier option and the kids love them just as much! Shipping was as described and the product was great quality.

Personalized Name Crayons

These are such cute personalized Easter basket fillers! Crayons encourage creativity and imagination. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a crayon shaped into their name?

Chocolate Bunny with Personalized Carrot

A chocolate bunny belongs in every Easter basket! Make it even cuter with a name on the carrot.

Personalized Cookie

Another cute Easter treat with your child’s name added to the cookie. Adorable!

Personalized Bunny

There is nothing sweeter than a little stuffed bunny inside the Easter basket.

Personalized Kids Camelbak Water Bottle

I seriously love these! These are the best water bottles and the addition of the name helps to get it back home after it goes to daycare or school.

Sand Bucket

Beach toys make an appearance into our Easter baskets almost every year because we usually have a summer beach trip planned. And truly, my kids play with buckets in my backyard to tote things around and while playing in their blow up pool. These are adorable.

If you have older kids, don’t miss these 11 personalized Easter basket stuffers for Teen girls!

Personalized Easter Basket Fillers for Teen Girls

March 19, 2019 by Stacy Craft Leave a Comment

Tweens and teens get harder and harder to please as time goes on! Of course the coolest electronics and expensive makeup make happy girls. But since the Easter bunny has lots of baskets to fill (5 at our house), he likes to keep the treats reasonable.

Here is a list of cute personalized Easter basket fillers for teen girls that they will love.

(Affiliate links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

Personalized Easter Basket Fillers for Teen Girls

Here are 11 unique and custom items for your teen or tweens Easter basket this year. It is always nice to find items that are made by other moms or small businesses to support!

These personalized Easter basket fillers for teen girls range in price range but I think you will find many to be very affordable.