Syosaku Japanese Knives #MothersDay

Is your mom the best cook around? If her happy place is the kitchen, she will love some fancy cookware for her big day. What better way to show you care then to show you know what she loves- as well as love to eat what she makes you? After all, food is love. Well, at least an expression of it.

One brand that has cookware down is Syosaku, one of Japan’s –and arguably the world’s– finest tableware brands. They specialize in creating Urushi Glass Plates and knives that are suitable for both home cooks and professional chefs alike.
syosaku knife

Urushi is a lacquer that has been used on wood in Japan for over 9,000 years including in building the Kinkaku-Ji (the Golden Temple). Syosaku’s innovative process allows them to create beautiful glass plates. Each plate undergoes a one-month process of layering the Urushi, drying the lacquer, and painting. Since each plate is made individually, they are all one-of-a-kind pieces. Syosaku is able to fulfill custom orders, featuring any size, shape, or design that can be desired, as well ready-to-purchase plates.  Urushi glass plates have incredible depth and provide vividness that cannot be found in china or porcelain.

These are truly beautiful, and one of a kind.

glass plates

Each plate is individually wrapped in a newly designed package that matches the beauty of the product itself. 

syosaku tableware

In addition to creating beautiful plates, Syosaku is one of Japan’s –and arguably the world’s– finest knife producers. Syosaku crafts knives that are suitable for both home cooks and professional chefs alike. 

Syosaku’s knives are made in Sakai, a port city in Japan that has a centuries-long history of creating knives, originating from forging samurai swords. Each part of the knife making process is divide among different artisans and small producers who specialize in each making each part of the knife, forging the metal, creating the handles, combining the knives and finishing them. Depending on the knife, it can take up to six months for the artisans to craft a fully finished product. each knife can be custom ordered to cater to the consumer’s preference in a variety of different wooden handles, handedness, and each knife can be engraved with a name in Chinese characters. Syosaku makes kitchen knives that can be used by professional chefs and home cooks alike, ranging from $50 to $3,000.

syosaku knives

Syosaku’s collection makes for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for Mother’s or Father’s Day and all other celebratory occasions. There is a wide selection of ready-to-order designs and price ranges to choose from, as well as the ability to place a custom order.

Tea and Tea Related Products to Cozy Up With #Gifts #MothersDay

Do you have a tea lover in your life? Perhaps you are one yourself. Married to an Irishman, you can bet tea is in stock here at all times, in a lot of variety. Whether it’s the feeling of a hug in a cup you enjoy, aid for a sore throat or cold, part of your daily calming ritual, or simply a tasty liquid to boost your antioxidant intake, tea has it all. Luckily, we have the perfect brands that make the best tea and tea related products to treat yourself and any tea lovers.

Hawaiian Natural Tea MANA (Tea for Immunity) by Tea Chest Hawaii – $7.95 for 20 bags
restorative tea
The award-winning gourmet tea company based in Hawaii has come out with even more blends as unique as the islands only this time, focusing on the well being and overall health of the tea drinking community. Tea Chest Hawaii presents Hawaiian Natural Tea‘s MANA – Tea for immunity. Sip on this blend of organic cinnamon, organic mint, organic hibiscus and Hawaii grown adaptogens, moringa and mamaki to embrace the spiritual power within all of us. With each sip you will boost resilience and immune fitness. You can try MANA or one of Hawaiian Natural Tea‘s other brand new triple health defense teas, NANEA (Tea for anxiety and stress) and OLENA (Tea for inflammation), now, or wait for their Maika’i Gift Box (including all three blends) dropping in a few short weeks for the ultimate health support.
flights of tea
Every month, Tea Runners delivers a curated collection of four top quality loose leaf teas, along with tasting notes and brewing instructions. Within those boxes, you can customize your subscription even further, really delving into exactly the taste and variety you’d like. If you’re not looking for a commitment, you also have the ability to shop individual teas, choosing from rare and award-winning brands which is of utmost importance to those that truly love to brew and steep. These are fun, and the flavors are interesting as well.
Also available on Amazon.
Winter Warmth Tea Flight from Chariteas – $36.00+
holiday teas
Cozy up by the hearth with Fireside Orange. This black tea blend contains orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, and all things nice. Wake up to a cup full of Christmas Morning; a smooth rooibos blend with organic cacao nibs. Lastly, uplift the soul with Minty Meadow, a Chinese green tea blended with peppermint and spearmint. Chariteas Tea Flight is sure to keep you and your loved ones feeling good season long. Each season has different teas and flavors, and you can always shop flavors as well. Chariteas works with sustainable tea farms in order to craft custom blends. Chariteas cares about the environment and with each purchase of tea, they replant trees. There’s noting we don’t like about these teas, from the flavors to their environmental commitment.
natural candles
Emme Essentials Rose Tea – wood wick candle – 8.5oz – $33 | 4oz – $15
No steeping necessary, just set a light and floral tone by lighting a Rose Tea candle and indulge in notes of rose, hibiscus, and Spring musk. Hand-poured in micro-batches in New York City, Emme Essentials is a collection of luxury candles dedicated to Asian influenced flavors. The Asian-American-owned brand elevates the industry with candles beautifully representative of Asian culture. The brand “smells like memories” for those who’ve enjoyed an Asian upbringing (I’m told!) Now everyone can partake in the traditional scents of this beautiful culture and also set the fragrant atmosphere to make new favorite memories. All wood-wick candles are free from gluten, toxin, paraben, and phthalate and come from renewable sources. The brand’s shipping is carbon neutral to minimize its environmental impact with all candles offered in reusable glass vessels with up to 80 hours of burn time. Another tea related scent that will catch tea lovers attention is Matcha.
natural candle
Available at emmeessentials.co
matcha powder tea
Matcha – Price Varies
The vegan and organic matcha tea starter set is a best seller. It includes a bowl, scoop, whisk, sifter, and a premium, Tenchi Ceremonial Organic 30g size of matcha green tea. Perfect for those new to the art of matcha, it may be customized with either a black or white bowl; each accessory is hand-made. With well-balanced, sweet and full flavor, Matcha’s cultivation requires that each stone-ground leaf receive the absolute highest level of attention — the perfect blend of ancient cultivation techniques and modern agricultural science. My son is a huge matcha fan- we tried out these “on the go” packets, and he really loved them. Easy and he could make the drinks himself, they were flavorful and he really enjoyed them.
Who’s ready for tea time? These adorable, dress style socks are super soft, ultra comfy, and made to last for years to come. The bottom of the socks read “If You Can Read This, Bring Me Some Tea,” printed in non-slip ink. The design features tea bags, kettles, lemons, sugar spoons, tea leaves, and steaming mugs. Perfect for surprising tea lovers and aficionados, Sunday tea party favors, birthdays, Christmas, graduation and other special occasions. The tea enthusiast in your life will be sure to love them.
Also available on Amazon.
loose tea
Pennie’s Tea – Price Varies
Pennie’s Tea is good for the mind, body, and soul. The selections include herbal, detox, black, green, flavored, and loose leaf teas, a variety so good you’ll have no problem finding the blend that works best for you. Sip to relax with a hot or iced tea, or help address common ailments, such as bloating, acid reflux, and an upset stomach. Feel good enjoying these flavorful teas and know that proceeds support victims of domestic violence (the founder is a survivor from an abusive relationship). Pennie’s Tea is more than tea, it’s a movement.

Perfect Mother’s Day Gift Ideas #MothersDay #Gifts

Moms are our heroes, our MVPs, our rocks, and our best friends. As such, it can be a daunting task to find them the perfect Mother’s Day gift. To try to help you out, we have put together a list of fun and interesting Mother’s Day gift ideas for every kind of mom.

see through tote

Sustainable & Reusable Every Day Tote from Junes
Price: $36
Junes offers a line of stylish, sustainable, reusable bags, designed to carry anything. The original Junes bag is the perfect shoulder tote, made with a sustainable Bio-Knit. It’s durable, washable, and will last practically forever for you, but not in the environment. This bag gives back to women and the planet. Junes provides a sustainable income for a female sewing co-op in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. For every purchase, Junes makes a donation to help empower and protect women from violence. I love what this represents (side note, I pretty much use it for toting around the gardening stuff as it’s easy to wash out).
The SPINTRAY by Top Form Design – Add-Ons For Your Peloton
Price: $30 to $59.99
Throw the SPINTRAY on and bust out a dual-purpose work out event! Working out on your Peloton just became multi-functional thanks to the add-on accessories by Top Form Design. The brand’s made in the USA accessories are super cool, with their flagship products like The Adjuster, to eliminate sore neck, shoulder pain, and pool noodles on the handlebars, the The TFD Cell Mount which allows you to easily mount your cell phone or baby monitor to optimize your workout while staying alert.
The SPINTRAY is their flagship best-seller. Fits on handlebars and supports a laptop, phone, tablet, book, or anything else you may want to multitask with while taking that casual scenic ride.
protective glasses
Price: $75
Pixel Eyewear offers stylish blue light protection. Pixel Eyewear has a large selection of unisex styles to choose from including amber glasses for nightshift workers and gamers, reading glasses, and blue light glasses for both kids and adults. Pixel Eyewear provides breakthrough lens technology that filters 50 percent of blue light and up to 95 percent at the strongest wavelengths, without the yellow tint. Lenses also contain nanotechnology that reduce smudges and repel water and dust. For comfort, each lens has an anti-reflective coating, eliminating computer glare and reducing the stress on your eyes.
Price: $155
Moms are always on the go and they need a comfortable yet stylish slip-on! Raum Goods crafts bespoke footwear that loves mother earth. The company makes ethically-sourced shoes with all-natural materials conductive to the earth. Each shoe is handmade by a skilled group of artisans in Southern Turkey that have been making shoes for more than five generations. All products are shipped in natural linen bags and an outer shipping envelope that is biodegradable, made from corn. The company has partnered with 1% For The Planet to donate 1% of yearly sales to a variety of approved nonprofits and charities that align with their values. Follow them on Instagram @raumgoods.
tea flights
Chariteas is committed to sourcing the world’s finest quality tea from the road less traveled. Chariteas works with sustainable tea farms in order to craft custom blends. The company is giving a platform to teas from other countries in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia and Vietnam. Chariteas cares about the environment and with each purchase of tea, they replant trees. As such, this is another product that we love here, and gladly support. It’s also just really good tea that everyone enjoys. There are lots of flavors to choose from- any tea lover will enjoy this.
Nesting Days – Newborn Baby Carrier & Nursing Cardigan
Need an extra hand? The Nesting Days Newborn Baby Carrier is designed to be used from day one with newborns. It has the sleek and comfortable feel of a baby wrap but uses a patented ‘wing’ design that is much easier to put on. It also includes a postpartum body shaper for added midsection support. At Nesting Days, their mission is to let every new mother know about the benefits of skin-to-skin, and to provide them with an innovative carrier that makes it easier, safer, and more comfortable to bond with their baby. Bundle the new Peach Newborn Baby Carrier with the Cream Nursing Cardigan for 20% off. Check out their carriers for men too. Made in San Francisco, CA with love.
Give your hair a shiny new treatment while soaking in a soothing bath. This supernatural potion is all about giving you shiny smooth locks, no matter what your hair type.
For those with fine and thin hair, in particular, it’s a game-changer. The carbon black formulation increases hair’s strength and elasticity, with hair looking and feeling fuller and gorgeous! New moms experiencing hair loss will especially love it.
Black Magic protein infuses a healthy shine and smooth condition to your hair similar to a keratin treatment. Use it once a week regardless of your hair color or type. Three minutes is all it takes for your hair fibers to retain the moisture from the Soya proteins. Priced at $17, one pouch is packed with five to six treatments.
All Healium Hair products and ingredients are cruelty-free, PETA-certified, paraben-free, and sulfate-free, with each item containing up to 25 botanical ingredients to heal your scalp and nourish your hair.
goat milk skin care
Price: $52.76
Gift mom the benefits of fresh Canadian goat’s milk. Nature by Canus has created the ultimate self-care package in a “ready to gift” bundle. The Discovery Gift Set includes their Pure Vegetal Base Soap bar, Foaming Milk Bath bottle, Silky Body Wash bottle, and Creamy Body Lotion bottle. Using plant-based ingredients traditionally saponified plus fresh Canadian Goats Milk, Nature By Canus products are wonderful for all skin types, especially those with dry or sensitive skin. Since 1998, the Canus laboratory has developed a proven technique that transfers the benefits of fresh goat’s milk to their various product lines. Goats milk is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B12, and E helping it contribute to delaying signs of skin aging due to its high content of AHAs such as lactic acid.
Price: $12.00 – $48.00
Audra Style has paved the art-fashion industry as the unique creator of wood and leather jewelry for women featuring a mix of her signature prints and patterns created from her original artwork. With a wide selection of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other accessories as well as art and home decor, Audra Style’s line is unique, fun, and affordable, plus no two items are identical. With bright, bold colors and patterns, the shapes are cut from wood, acrylic, genuine leather, and brass to mix and match the pieces and patterns in unexpected ways. There are countless styles and designs to choose from, making every item an Audra Style original.
Follow them on Instagram @audra_style and browse their new spring collection: https://audrastyle.com/collections/spring
coffee gift box
Price: $29.99
Don Pablo Coffee is a world-class grower and roaster of specialty grade, small-batch roasted-to-order coffees sourced from the world’s best coffee-growing regions and delivered throughout the world. Their Specialty Coffee Sampler Box features three of Don Pablo Coffee’s best-selling beans packaged in a beautiful gift box with custom-printed graphics and info on each specialty coffee inside. Box Includes: Don Pablo Signature Blend, a special combination of Colombian, Guatemalan, and Semi-Washed Brazilian beans, Subtle Earth Organic Coffee is organic certified, full body with a deep, rich chocolaty flavor and a clean finish, and Pablo’s Pride Honduran Dark Roast is a fine 100% Arabica, certified organic blend with a deep, rich, smooth milk chocolate with tones of honey, caramel, and cocoa. I don’t know too many moms (or dads, or human beings, LOL) who start their day without a cup of coffee or 12. This coffee is likely nicer then what she usually drinks, so it will be a treat instead of regular morning joe (moms aren’t known for putting themselves first, after all) and is definitely fun and indulgent- chocolate, honey coffee! We liked it,
and I think most moms will, as well.
flavored coffee
This would be a great gift for Fathers Day as well- or birthday or holiday gift for the coffee lover- this is one gift that you will want to bookmark, it’s really handy- AND they deliver!
Caramel gift box
Ditto on this one- so many reasons to give these amazing candies, and they deliver, so it’s easy for you. Bookmark time, for sure.
Price: $50.00
Southern Caramel bakes up melt-in-your mouth, handmade, small batch caramels with a variety of unique flavors to choose from. The fresh ingredients are simple – sugar, cream, and butter – but in the hands of an experienced candy confectioner, founder Sarah Smith, they turn into golden gourmet delights! The method for caramelizing sugar makes all the difference.
Gift Box Includes: (1) 1 lb. box Sea Salted Caramel; (1) 1/2 lb. box Old Fashioned Caramel; (1) 1/4 lb. box Bourbon Caramel; and (1) 8 oz. jar Caramel Sauce.
hand made caramels

‘Manly Men’ Meat Lovers Flowers for Valentine’s @manlymanco1

Before you click off in haste- wait a second! These are fun, and I think you will find them unique and fun and silly- your meat loving significant other will really enjoy them.

valentines gift for men

If you are anything like me, (and since you are here, I guess you are) you probably try to be as open minded as possible. So then, you might not love the term “manly man”. Perhaps for the stereotypes it conjures, or the way that it forces societal gender types onto people. It can be unhealthy and quite bad for people’s self esteem and self worth- more and more educators, scientists, and psychologists are finding these types of terms destructive. However, if we are tongue in cheek, and I assume that they are, the The Manly Man Co. specializes in gifts for men- and those who like to eat meat or receive unusual gifts, LOL. We all know people who are really hard to get gifts for, and not everyone of either genders likes to get flowers. If you look at their twitter feed, the company doesn’t seem to be pushing toxic masculinity or anything like that, just some fun and humor.

gift box

Also? My son really, really loves these. He loves the flavor, and he really thinks the bouquet is cool. And if you know teenagers, it’s hard to get them to admit they love anything except video games, their phones, and figuring our how to save enough money to get a car, LOL.

Plenty of people don’t really want flowers for Valentine’s Day, or even a traditional card. Instead of a polite ‘thank you’ this year for less than original gifts, The Manly Man Co. is offering an array of meat-based gifts to celebrate the meat lover in your life.

valentines day
Meathearts™
That’s not a typo, The Manly Man Co. has reimagined a classic Valentine’s Day candy into a very manly handmade version crafted in beef jerky. Meathearts are laser-etched with messages like “BEEF MINE,” “MEAT ME, AND XOXO.
$22.50 for 1 oz (approximately 21 pieces)

meat flowers bouquet

The famous Beef Jerky Flower Bouquet
What could say that someone loves a ‘manly man’ more than a dozen beef jerky ‘flowers’ in a handsome bouquet delivered in a pint glass vase?
Ditch the pretty flowers for the perfect meat-based manly version.
$99.00 for a full dozen, available in 3 flavors.

Meet THE MEAT CARD™
Why would any man want a boring cardboard card when they could get a custom (and potentially titillating) custom card laser-etched on beef jerky? Customers are encouraged to print whatever message they want to deliver directly to their manly man (we don’t judge.) Messages vary widely in naughtiness levels; here are two (relatively) clean examples: “Can we exchange meats?!”, “Your meat is officially off the market.”
$22.50 for 100 custom characters laser engraved on a card-sized (4″x9″) sheet of delicious beef jerky.

Bacon Scented Wrapping Paper (scratch and sniff)
Everything is better with bacon, so why not up your wrapping game with the glorious smell of bacon? Even if a manly man gets soap on a rope, it will be a big hit if wrapped in something that smells like bacon when you scratch and sniff.
$19.95 for a 30″ wide roll (8′ long.)

And speaking of bacon …

The Meat Bouquet
Here’s another radically superior beefy bouquet choice for men. It’s a tasty and tasteful arrangement of ready-to-eat thick-cut slices of gourmet bacon and beef sticks in multiple flavors.
$59.00 includes 9x beef sticks and 8x gourmet bacon in various flavors. Also available as a bacon bouquet and beef bouquet.

If your Valentine is a meat lover, this is a site you will want to use- for now, and to bookmark for further use. Enjoy the shopping experience!

Looking for a Gift for Mother’s or Father’s Day? Photo Gifts and Decor for 2021 from Mpix

Looking for a great and personal gift to give your partner, parents, or loved one? How about checking out Mpix to see what they offer? They offer professional photo prints, books, gifts and prefabricated gallery walls all under the umbrella of the number one professional photo lab in the country – Miller’s.  I had my son’s newborn photos done by Millers (just coincidentally) and I loved them. They did such a great job and were so patient with him (and me, the new and nervous/anxious mom).

photos via Mpix.com

We recently had the opportunity to try out Mpix, and while my order hasn’t arrived yet, I will certainly update the post once it has arrived. I didn’t want to wait to post until  received it, because right now you can save %25 just by opening the website! As soon as you open the page, they give you a great deal for %25 off as well as free shipping over $49.

Not something to wait and pass up. The site was easier to use on the PC- I had a problem trying to log in and/or create a username and password while on my phone. It didn’t work from my husband’s phone either, so either the site is glitching out when it comes to android phones, our phones specifically, or maybe it doesn’t like phones that use autofill? We didn’t have the change to to to type, it would just shut down the keyboard each time. However, as soon as I got on the PC, it ran smoothly and without any issues.

Besides traditional canvas or photo prints, you can order lots of cool things such as collage art, pictures on wood, photos on metal, acrylic, and a number of other choices. We had a hard time choosing, but ultimately chose to try the wood because I don’t have anything like that in the house and it seems both pretty and whimsical.

havesippywilltravel

We chose a photo of myself and my husband with two of our dogs on a recent day out at a park. Normally, everything is all about the kids, the kids, the kids- but it was nice to have myself in a photo for once, honestly, haha. Also, I’m trying to get all the dogs AND recent pics of all the kids on the wall- no small feat considering they are at “that age”- you know what I mean. So, a move in the right direction for that small goal.

Head over to the site, check it out and see what you think your person would like best- or maybe pick something up for yourself as well, why not? The prices are good, may as well. Visit https://www.mpix.com and save yourself some money while still getting the gift mom, dad, your wife (etc) will like best.

Looking for Non-Candy Valentines Gifts for the Kids? #Ideas

Looking for fun Valentines Day toys and games for the kiddos? Since we are stuck indoors (too cold to be outside for long, and the pandemic is keeping us from being out and about), you’ll want to have boredom busters. Not to mention, no way you’d want to fill the kids up with candy when they can’t burn off all the sugar, haha. CHeck out these fun finds, you are sure to find something you will love.

ARTS & CRAFTS

iLY Pura Loom Bracelet Maker from WeCool Toys

Making beautiful friendship bracelets doesn’t have to be difficult! The new iLY Pura Loom Bracelet Maker by Activity Kings is the easiest way to make the most beautiful and trendy friendship bracelets! Learn different techniques to make a variety of textured and colorful bracelets for you and your friends! Create colorful twisted designs with beads, charms & more! It’s easy to create, wear, and share with your BFF! The combinations are endless, the only limit is your imagination! Ages 6+, MSRP $19.99.

STEM/SCREEN FREE EDUCATION

Smarty PAD™

The new Smarty PAD™ interactive LED tablet gives preschoolers and kindergarteners a new way to play and learn with 12 smart games and age-appropriate curriculum. Motion sensors give the lightweight tablet an innovative spin, encouraging unique sensory play. Smarty PAD™ speaks in both English and Spanish as kids play with colors, patterns, ABCs, and numbers up to 25. Smarty PAD™ teaches phonics, language, early math, and beginning coding, nurturing small motor development and critical thinking. Positive reinforcement, helpful encouragement, and over 100 different responses keep kids engaged every time they play. Ideal for kids 3 to 6 years old. MSRP: $34.99.

Smarty JOJO™

The Smarty JOJO™ is a super-charged interactive airplane that gets high-energy preschoolers learning on the go. Motion sensors encourage physical activity while JOJO teaches directions, shapes, colors and opposites. JOJO’s kidspeak conversation also nurtures emotional intelligence, calling out feelings and helping kids recognize their own emotions. Bi-lingual JOJO speaks in English or Spanish. The newest SMART technology enables JOJO to identify colors. “Can you find something blue?” “Yes, you can!” Over 150 random actions and reactions make the experience different every time a child plays!  Ideal for kids 2 to 4 years old and $24.99.

Smarty FLUTTER™

Flycatcher’s Smarty FLUTTER™ learning toy teaches preschoolers on-the-go as they fly through a room or a yard. Smart Technology identifies colors, and kidspeak conversation calls out feelings, helping kids recognize their own emotions. Fun missions teach right and left directions, shapes, and opposites. Motion sensors encourage active physical play. Over 150 random actions and reactions make the experience different every time a child plays. Smarty Flutter™ also speaks in both English and Spanish. Ideal for kids 2 to 4 years old and $24.99.

STRESS FREE TACTILE FUN

Insta Studio Hands-Free Video Station from WeCool Toys

The new Insta Studio by WeCool Toys has everything one needs to shoot their very own viral videos. Equipped with an adjustable base and rotating head to shoot at the best angle possible, this device allows kids of all ages to shoot viral videos hands free! Kids can use their Insta Studio to shoot all types of videos. From cooking, crafting, and sliming, children have the freedom to create fun videos. Includes fun and trendy backgrounds, mixing tools, various slimy compounds, and sparkly mix ins! The only limit is your imagination. $19.99, 4 and up.

Angry Putty from Crazy Aaron’s

Turn your frustration into fun! Angry Putty™ features a unique formula that builds resistance as you play. This amazing putty actually absorbs your tension— getting tenser and tenser with each stretch—to leave you feeling happy and relaxed. The line includes three skus’, Hot Head, Stress Ball, and Drama Queen.

scenty putty

Holiday SCENTsory from Crazy Aaron’s

Cozy up with these four delectable holiday scents featuring fun SCENTsory texture that will joy to anyone’s world. The line includes two skus’, 4” Jingle and 4” North Pole. MSRP $3.50

Vibes SCENTsory Putty from Crazy Aaron’s

Vibes SCENTsory® putty is great for gamers, all-night study sessions, and anyone who is craving a little more intensity from their SCENTsory® experience. This collection features bright colors and bold scents that are perfect for powering up. The line includes Jam Session, Flower Power, Crunch Time.

Mixed by Me kits from Crazy Aaron’s

Mix up your very own custom-colored Thinking Putty! Each kit includes 5 tins of clear putty, 3 color concentrates, 3 special effects, and an instructional mat—everything you’ll need to make cool colors that are all your own! You can even use the included colored pencils to decorate your tins to match. Two sets to choose from, Holographic and Glow in the Dark.

SUSTAINABILITY

shore buddies

Shore Buddies Plush Line

Shore Buddies stuffed animals collection are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The bottles are collected and sorted by recyclable collectors before cleaned and shredded into plastic flakes. Some of these flakes are used for the Shore Buddies’ stuffing, others get melted and turned into polyester yarn for the soft outside. It takes six plastic bottles to make one 12″ stuffed animal and the line features a fun array of characters including Sammy the Seal, Stephen Seagull, Shelly the Sea Turtle, Emma the Whale and Finn the Dolphin. Each of the five Shore Buddies also has its own unique authentic sound when pressed. All ages MSRP 19.95

Cargo Plane from Green Toys

All systems go! The Green Toys™ Cargo Plane is filled with freight and ready to take flight! This bright yellow and blue flier features a three-wheel design and handle on the body, so little pilots can easily go from taxiing on the ground to soaring in the sky on an eco-friendly adventure. Access the spacious cargo hold through a flip-down door that doubles as a ramp, perfect for loading up the included Green Toys™ Mini Car or anything else imaginations want to stow away. Great for indoor and outdoor play, the super-safe design has no metal axels or exterior paints or coatings. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic with no BPA, phthalates, or PVC. Packaged with recycled and recyclable materials printed with eco-friendly inks. For ages 3 and up. MSRP $19.99.

Green Toys™ Disney Baby® Mickey Mouse Stacker

The Green Toys™ Disney Baby® Mickey Mouse Stacker takes a classic toy and makes it safer and more playful, with no sharp edges, small parts, or interlocking pieces that can pinch fingers and an adorable Mickey Mouse-themed topper and base. The seven brightly colored red, blue, and yellow nesting pieces stack easily from large to small, while also allowing children to use their imagination and stack in any order. This eliminates frustration when they’re little, and leaves room for learning and improvement as they grow. The set is designed with no center post, making it a perfect first stacking toy for babies. With this toy, babies and toddlers can gain practice in important developmental areas, including but not limited to motor skills, coordination, categorization and sorting, problem solving, spatial reasoning, and color identification. Like all Green Toys™ Disney Baby® products, the Mickey Mouse Stacker meets FDA standards for food contact and is dishwasher safe, making it safe for teething babies to put in their mouths. It’s made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic and free from external coatings, eliminating the fear of toxins and lead paint. No BPA, phthalates, or PVC. Packaged using only recycled and recyclable materials printed with environmentally responsible inks. Recommended for ages 6 months and up.

ACTIVE PLAY

Mobo Explorer Balance Bike

With the Mobo Explorer Balance Bike kids can experience the thrill of riding California freestyle with the security of having two feet on the ground. As your child masters the use of the explorer you will see them go from small steps to riding with ease. With its multiple safety pads and extended frame your child will be extra safe while learning. The cushioned premium seat accommodates children 2-6 years old. The included two seat posts accommodate most kid sizes! As your child builds strength, balance and confidence they’ll have a blast using the integrated footrest to roll in style. With never-flat tires your child will have many years of maintenance free fun. The sturdy frame and optimized geometry makes it stable and easy to handle. A child’s first bike encourages their sense of freedom, curiosity and wonder. Let them experience that feeling in style and safety with the Mobo Explorer Balance Bike. MSRP $89.00.

BOOKS

Guion the Lion

Guion The Lion is a new children’s book that celebrates the differences in all children through a colorful and exciting journey. The book, which follows the adventures of an imaginative little lion who sees things a little differently from his friends, was penned by mother, entrepreneur and author Rebecca Wilson Macsovits and inspired by her three children including Guion, her oldest son who also has Down syndrome. Full of whimsical delights, discoveries and beautiful watercolor illustrations, this book teaches children that appreciating individual differences and embracing others’ ideas can lead to unimaginable adventures and endless fun. Guion The Lion is available now via Amazon and online at www.Guionthelion.com. MSRP $17.99.

diverse dolls

DOLLS

I’M A GIRLY

I’M A GIRLY fashion dolls encourage children to play creatively and help them find their very own style. All dolls are co-designed by the brand’s own kid design team, KIDS4KIDS. The design panel, made up of 8 to 14-year-old boys and girls, tells the brand exactly how the products should look. Kids can customize a doll just for them with more than 150 accessories, interchangeable wigs in many colors, and dolls with different skin tones. I’M A GIRLY fashion dolls are made of 100% high-quality vinyl. The hair can be styled and combed in various ways, thanks to the procurement of first-class Kanekalon. Kanekalon is a material used for the production of adult wigs. For the first time, one can even cut the doll’s hair and simply exchange the wig afterwards. The packaging is made of recyclable materials and can be used as well to store the fashion doll or for crafting.

RELATIONSHIP GAMES

Fog of Love – from Hush Hush Projects

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Playing Fog of Love is like starring in a romantic comedy, it’s a rollercoaster ride of awkward situations, laugh out loud moments and difficult compromises you have to make. Two players will create and play two vivid characters who meet, fall in love and face the challenge of making an unusual relationship work. Just like in a real relationship, you each might want different things. Do you stay true to yourself, or do what your partner wants for the good of the relationship? You can even decide to break their heart. There’s no guarantee it will end happily ever after, but you will always get a story full of surprises that will make you smile. Available at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Barnes & Noble. Learn how to play Here. Suitable for players ages 18 and up, MSRP: $50.

INTERGENERATIONAL GAMES/RELATIONSHIP GAMES

What’s Wrong with Grown-Ups? – from Authentic Agility Games

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How often have you wished that your teen would stop playing video games, sending friends videos you can only hope are appropriate, and going out, and instead, share what they’re thinking… with you? What’s Wrong with Grown-Ups?, a new intergenerational card game from Authentic Agility Games, can help. A fun way to engage kids of all ages, the 500-question card game creates an open two-way dialog that allows you to make new connections and deepen your bond. They may think you’re cool — for a few minutes. Authentic Agility Games donates a portion of proceeds from your purchase to organizations advancing education and entrepreneurship. Available now on Amazon. MSRP: $24.99, all ages.

STRATEGY GAMES

Sagrada – from Floodgate Games

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As a skilled artisan, you will use tools-of-the-trade and careful planning to construct a stained glass window masterpiece in the Sagrada Familia. Players will take turns drafting glass pieces, represented by dice; carefully choosing where to place each one in their window. Windows have unique color and shade requirements, and similar dice may never be adjacent so placing each die is more challenging than the last. Fortunately, you’ll have just the right tools to help you through. Gain prestige by adapting to the preferences of your fickle admirers, and of course, by adding your own artistic flair while completing your glass masterpiece in Sagrada. Available now at Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Hobby Game Stores. Suitable for players ages 6 and up, MSRP $39.95

Holi: Festival of Colors – from Floodgate Games

Every spring, celebrants gather to spread color and cheer during one of India’s most vibrant festivals. Move around the festival grounds throwing colored “gulaal” powder onto your friends and the crowd. Aim higher and let your color fall from above on as many people as you can. For Holi is a time for playful mischief and a little friendly rivalry is just what the festival calls for… Playing Holi In Holi [hoh-lee], players gain joy by throwing color on the boards (higher levels are worth more points), getting color on others, and from collecting sweets. Play your color cards cleverly, climb up at the right time, and spread the most joy! Available, November 10, 2020 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Hobby Game Stores. Suitable for players ages 13 and up. MSRP $39.95

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Prisma Arena – from Hub Games

Begin your training as a Guardian of Hope in this fun, tactical, all-ages game of over-the-top arena combat. Spar alongside Mo’kon – friendly creatures that embody emotions. As you train, customize your hero with unique powers and costumes that reflect YOUR unique personality and play-style. Suitable for players ages 10 and up. MSRP: $40.00

MEMORY GAMES

Flip Over Frog – from Hub Games

Help your brightly colored frogs take control of your tiny corner of the rainforest. Pay attention and cleverly place your frog tiles, causing those around you to flip face down OR face up. When all squares are occupied, the game ends and the player with the most face-up frogs is the winner. Suitable for all ages, Flip Over Frog packs a surprisingly tactical area control game into a small portable box. Suitable for players ages 6 and up. MSRP: $15.00 alentin

Simple Ways To Show Your Guy You Care

You don’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day to show you care and strengthen your your relationship. Besides special occasion gifts, there are things you can do anytime as a “just because I love you” gesture. Some of the tips below may be ideas that can make any day a special day for the man in your life.

Give a Gift of Service

Doing something special to let him know he still comes first is always a welcome gift. Have his automobile professionally detailed and washed as a surprise. Leave a sweet note in the visor or console. Speaking of notes, leave a dozen or so notes hidden around the house in places he will find them over time. This may include a drawer in his desk, his sock drawer, or even his side of the medicine cabinet. It may sound trite, but make him breakfast in bed – and do not forget to make enough for two. Chances are he will enjoy it twice as much if you share that time with him.

Give Him Something He Needs

When you give him something he has been needing, it shows you are paying attention to him and that you want him to be happy. This might include such things as the missing piece to his chess set, a book he has been looking for, or a special tool he needs for his hobby. If he is a sports enthusiast, you might consider a new duffle bag or the Luminox Men’s 3051.BO sports watch. He may also get excited about tickets to watch his favorite team play rather than tuning in on the television.

Give Him the Gift of Time

Take him out to your favorite restaurant, whether that is a fine dining establishment or a dive that makes the world’s best fries, what matters is that you both have some connection to it. The same goes for taking him to a concert by your favorite musicians. Try a group painting class where there is no pressure. Take a series of cooking classes or a culinary walking tour of the city. Pack a picnic for two and go fishing together, attend a flea market or street fair or take a walk along the river and feed the geese.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you want something that makes him happy and meets his interests. It will be all the more special because he will know you thought of him.

 

Aquabeads For Creative Holiday Gifting #HolidayGiftGuide

 

Aquabeads arts and crafts products are new and improved as they allow for a quicker drying time to create even more incredible designs in less time.  The new sets feature an innovative Flip Tray and Bead Receiver to set art work aside for faster drying while continuing to create additional masterpieces.  This is a great gift for kids of all ages- my son is 12 and he still enjoys playing with Aquabeads. The pieces are small, so supervise small children. 

Kids can make Aquabeads creations from included templates or their own imaginations. They place beads onto the layout tray, then spray with water to fuse the beads together, letting them set with time.  Once dried, the creations can be shared with friends and family. 

best gifts for kids

 

Kids can get started with the Beginners Studio. They can create designs even faster than before using the flip tray to let one creation dry, as they work on another. With more than 840 shining jewels and solid beads in 16 colors, there are plenty of options for creative play. Beginners Studio includes the case, flip tray with bead receiver, sprayer, bead pen, template sheets and instructions to ensure kids have everything to get started. As kids collect studios for more fun, they can connect them for easy storage and travel. Beginners Studio, Ages 4+/ $19.95

art toys for kids

Kids can double the fun with the Deluxe Studio as they can now create fun 3D designs with 2 flip trays This Deluxe set contains more than 1,300 jewel & solid beads in 24 colors, a container, and two flip trays and bead receivers, rainbow bead pen, easy trays, sprayer, template sheets & instructions. This set connects to the Beginners Studio or Glamorous Designer Set for even more fun. Deluxe Studio, Ages 4+/ $29.95

frozen toys

Just in time for the premiere of Disney’s Frozen 2 on November 22nd, kids can craft their favorite Frozen characters of Arendelle with included templates featuring Anna, her sister Elsa and friend, Olaf! To play, place beads onto the layout tray, then spray with water to fuse the beads together and bring the artwork to life. Once dried, the character creations can be shared with fellow movie fans, friends and family. Aquabeads Frozen 2 Character Set for ages 4+/$9.95.