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I’m often asked about how I find small shops to buy from. There are a few different ways I go about it. One is by checking out where our friends on Instagram are shopping. Don’t underestimate the power of a tag in a photo. And we have some very stylish IG friends with the cutest kiddos. I also like to tell people that once you find a shop whose style you love, head over to their Instagram page. Check out what other items people are pairing with the shop’s clothes. Looking at photos from one shop will lead you to another shop, and then another, and then down the rabbit hole you go. Another simple way to discover small shops is through a subscription box like Why and Whale.
I received this box for free in exchange for this review. All words are completely my own.
So how does it work? Once you’ve signed up, a box of small shop goodies will arrive at your door each month. Why and Whale’s boxes include 3-6 items that have a total value of more than $59. And every box includes something to wear, something to play with and something to try. I love that it’s a variety of different things instead of just one category like clothes. You can tailor your box according to your child’s gender and age. The boxes go from 6-12 months all the way up to 6 years old.
Want to check out what was in our box we got this fall? (p.s. this packaging is super cute!)
We got a 6-12 month boy box for Caleb. It included all of this:
A tee from Prefresh Apparel, which fits Caleb perfectly and is super cute. It retails for $32.
Mummy peg doll from Turtles and Tiaras, which retails for $7.50. Caleb puts everything in his mouth, so it’s not quite the best toy for him at this age. But I’m hoping it won’t take long for him to grow out of that habit. Plus, Liam thinks the mummy is great, so I’m pretty sure this mummy is here to stay.
Brown bear ears from Opposite of Far. These ears are too big for Caleb right now (they’re generally recommended for kids 3+), but they’re definitely something he can grow into. Also, since the ears come with a ribbon closure, they’ll probably fit soon since I can adjust the sizing. Opposite of Far ears cost $22.
Bat sippy cup from Bitten. These cost around $14.
Overall, I’m super pleased with our box. The tee is the perfect size for Caleb, plus it’s super cute. We’re just beginning the sippy cup stage now, so the bat cup works well for us also. The bat wings make it easy for Caleb to hold on to. Our family loves Opposite of Far, so even though this isn’t a new brand to us, I’m more than happy to add something new to our collection of masks, ears and tails. I love the mummy peg doll and think he’s adorable. Although I’m a little disappointed Caleb will have to wait to be able to play with him, I have no doubt that he’ll become a playtime regular in the near future.
We received four items in the box that total $75.50. The month-to-month plan costs $59, with a discount if you prepay for more boxes at once. So you can see that the Why and Whale box was a pretty great deal. No matter what plan you choose, you’re still getting the products for less than you would if you purchased each item individually from their respective shops. You can also stop, cancel or restart your subscription at any time.
Opposite of Far was the only brand that we’ve purchased from before. I’ve heard of Prefresh, but I’ve never bought any of their shirts. And our Why and Whale box introduced me to two new brands/products that I didn’t know about. What I really like about Why and Whale is that they work with some of the bigger names in the small shop world like Whistle & Flute, Savage Seeds, Slumberkins and Bannor Toys. So you’re not just getting things from random shops in your box, but rather a curated box of cool products and popular brands.
Not interested in a monthly box? That’s okay too! Why and Whale actually has a few of their favorite products that you can purchase individually and without a subscription. You can shop those items here. And if you’re curious as to what’s been included in past boxes, you can check out the photos on their Instagram page.
Shannon says
This is adorable! I hadn’t heard of them before! Great to know!
Lauren Seitz says
These are adorable! This would be a great gift as well! Thanks for sharing!
Julie says
The bat sippy cup is super adorable! It definitely is perfect for a little boy to use.
Meghan V says
I’ve never heard of this before and I love it! What a cute idea and that bat cup is just adorable. I think my boys would love this.
Helen says
I love shopping small! This is awesome! And that bat sippy cup is so cute!
Kat says
I never thought of subscription boxes as a way to try new, small brands. That’s a good point. I think the products that came in this one. Such a cute box!
Toni says
I’ve never heard about Why & Whale before! This is definitely something that I need to check out!!
Amanda says
OK! I need this. I had no idea this even existed! What a cool thing for kiddos and such an affordable price for all that it’s worth!