Meet Mandy and Randy: a review and giveaway
Posted on | July 31, 2012 | 38 Comments
I absolutely adore supporting family-owned and operated businesses. I think that’s kind of the beauty of blogging. We can get behind companies we truly appreciate and support. Mandy & Randy is one of those special businesses that just stand out in a see of competitors. With a military history in the bloodlines of the creator, Mandy, you know I can’t help but have a soft spot for them. The company was born out of the search for safe, toxin-free toys that could be trusted. After yet another recall of a popular toy, Randy, a long-time wood-worker, and his daughter Mandy, set out to make 100% safe, wood toys. Mandy’s son, Emerson, was the inspiration for it all, and a company was launched.
The toys are beautifully crafted out of Maple and Cherry woods. Both woods are safe, poison-free, and sweet to boot. Rattles are filled with dried corn kernels, and any glue is natural and FDA approved. Toys are sanded smoother than you would think possible, so splinters simply won’t happen. The wood is harvested from local, sustainable farms. These toys are truly heirloom gifts that will last for generations to come.
The boys received a “Stanley the Stegosaurus” and a “Peace of Wood” to review. The packaging was adorable, and you could trust that these toys would make beautiful gifts to send.
We’ll start our review with Stanley.
Sully is in a dinosaur loving phase, so Stanley couldn’t have come at a better time. He currently believes that every little boy should have a pet dinosaur (as seen on “Dino Dan”), so he was thrilled to see Stanley arrive on our doorstep. Stanley is made of natural Cherry wood and has a 100% beeswax finish. He’s smooth as can be, and his wheels make for the perfect rolling toy. If you tie on a little piece of string, you’re good-to-go. Sully actually prefers just pushing him along the ground as fast as he can and pretending that Stanley is “running,” so there’s always that. You’re looking at a $55.00 price tag for ‘ol Stanley, so not exactly chump change. But when you compare the hand-crafted beauty of Stanley and the fact that he will surely last you through several generations of little boys or girls, his price tag doesn’t seem so hefty. Not to mention, Stanley became one of Sully favorites toys almost immediately. We’re getting way more play out of Stanley than any of the cheapie plastic bits of toys that were mass-produced in China. Take that to the bank. Bottom line? Stanley makes the perfect gift for any special occasion. We love him.
Next up, we have a Peace of Wood (see what they did there?).
This Peace of Wood is Arlo’s buddy (though, Sully likes to steal it, too). While it’s the “Rattles” category on their site, it works as a Teether. It also functions as a fun rattle because it’s filled with kernels of corn. It’s made Maple wood with a 100% beeswax finish, and it’s handcrafted like the rest of the toys Mandy & Randy offer. It’s the absolute perfect shape for a young teether. Arlo is getting older, so he doesn’t have as hard a time handling toys as he used to, but he can hang onto this even when he’s extremely tired and cranky from those awful teeth coming in (why must babies go through teething?!). It’s super smooth, and it seems to really help sooth his gums when he’s had enough. I’ve taken to tossing it in the fridge or freezer for a little bit to make it nice and cold when we’re having a particularly hard day. Even after over a month of gnawing, this teether looks brand new. It’s the first teether/rattle Arlo has taken any real interest in, and I think it’s all sorts of awesome. Coming in with a price tag of $28.00, it’s going to be pricier than the plastic ones you find in the grocery store, but it is absolutely perfect as a gift or that “special” toy you give your little one every now and then.
Also? You have the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting an awesome, US company.
It will be hard to find a better company to support than Mandy and Randy. The products you receive are simply top-notch and beautiful. These toys are toys you can love for a long, long time. Yes, you’re going to pay more than you would pay for a big, China-based company. Toys like these may not be ones you can just toss in your cart any old time. They may be ones you have to save for the special events or as a way to make memories. But, believe me, I can’t find a single bad thing to say about them or the company that creates them.
From now until August 7th, 2012, receive 20% off your order using the code “militarymama.” When this code expires, there is a military discount code for all service members and their families. Use “redwhiteandblue” for 10% off!
Mandy and Randy are sponsoring a giveaway of Tye the Turtle Teether for one of my lucky readers! ($23.00 RV)
To enter: Comment below on which toy from Mandy and Randy you love the most.
As an additional entry, like their Facebook page here!
Good luck!
(This giveaway will end on August 7th at 11:59PM. Must be 18 or older to enter. Winner drawn with random.org and emailed. Winner must respond in 48 hours or another winner will be chosen)
Comments
38 Responses to “Meet Mandy and Randy: a review and giveaway”
"I'm a twenty-five-year old mama to two little boys and married to the love of my life. I have a serious Diet Coke addiction and a tendency to overshare. My biggest dream is to write a book. A good book that tons of people buy and relate to and love. In the mean time, this is the story of us as we flounder through raising our wild, little boys, moving a million times, and buying and renovating our 1968 Ranch home."
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July 31st, 2012 @ 5:15 pm
I liked Mandy and Randy on FB!
Wow.
July 31st, 2012 @ 5:16 pm
I love love love Sophia the Swan!!
It’s my fav on their site!
July 31st, 2012 @ 5:17 pm
My favorite toy is Allen the Spinning Alien! He actually looks kinda like an octopus to me and my son loves octopus!
July 31st, 2012 @ 5:21 pm
I love the blocks. Its so hard to find finely crafted wooden blocks like they used to make.
July 31st, 2012 @ 5:21 pm
I love the heirloom blocks but I also really love the stanley the dinosaur:)
July 31st, 2012 @ 5:27 pm
I love the Heirloom blocks!
July 31st, 2012 @ 5:29 pm
Liked Mandy & Randy on FB
July 31st, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
I love the Allen Spinning Alien. Will put back for Laura.
July 31st, 2012 @ 6:07 pm
I love the alphabet soup!
July 31st, 2012 @ 6:07 pm
I like Mandy and Randy on fb.
July 31st, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
These toys are precious! I love the the turtle teether. My son’s room is all turtles. But I also love Stella and Stanley. They would be the perfect gift for our friends who just had twins!
I liked y’all on FB too!
July 31st, 2012 @ 8:46 pm
I love Stella the swan!
July 31st, 2012 @ 9:48 pm
Love the toys, and those boys are pretty darn cute, too!
July 31st, 2012 @ 9:48 pm
I like both Bella the butterfly and Tye the turtle teethers!
July 31st, 2012 @ 9:48 pm
I like Mandy & Randy on FB
July 31st, 2012 @ 9:55 pm
I love their heirloom blocks – so pretty! Thanks for the chance!
July 31st, 2012 @ 10:33 pm
I am a FB fan! Such cute stuff!
July 31st, 2012 @ 10:34 pm
Those heirloom blocks are gorgeous!!
July 31st, 2012 @ 10:49 pm
the alphabet soup rattles, aww!
August 1st, 2012 @ 12:54 am
Stanley is all kinds of gorgeous!!
August 1st, 2012 @ 9:33 am
LOVE the Heirloom Blocks, but also Tye the Turtle!
August 1st, 2012 @ 9:33 am
liked on facebook!
August 1st, 2012 @ 11:49 am
Sophia the Swan is very cute, but the blocks take the cake. They look like they are such high quality.
August 1st, 2012 @ 12:49 pm
Love the personalized tether. So cute.
August 1st, 2012 @ 4:35 pm
Allen the spinning Alien is my favorite! My son would love him!
August 1st, 2012 @ 4:36 pm
Liked Mandy and Randy on facebook
August 1st, 2012 @ 6:50 pm
I like the spinny alien
August 1st, 2012 @ 7:18 pm
I like the Cherry on Top Blocks. I think my little guy would love them!
August 2nd, 2012 @ 10:11 am
I adore the Alphabet Soup Rattler! What a cute shower gift idea.
August 2nd, 2012 @ 11:59 am
I really like Tye the turtle teether!
August 2nd, 2012 @ 12:00 pm
I like Mandy and Randy on Facebook!
August 3rd, 2012 @ 3:35 am
I really love the Stanley The Stego as well as those lovely blocks!!
I liked them on Facebook. =D
August 3rd, 2012 @ 11:36 am
Heirloom Blocks! my little guy would love them
August 3rd, 2012 @ 11:37 am
liked on facebook!
August 5th, 2012 @ 9:33 pm
I would love to get the turtle.
August 6th, 2012 @ 6:11 am
I love Stanley the Stegosaurus!!!
August 6th, 2012 @ 4:13 pm
I love the turtle And the alphabet soup! All the pieces are amazing though!
August 7th, 2012 @ 11:09 am
I liked them on facebook!