Hoppey Easter! Filling Those Bunny Baskets

April 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment

It’s already April, and of course that means that for many, the Easter Bunny will soon be hopping his or her way into their houses with a basket of treats.  Here are a few ideas to consider for your kids- or kids at heart.

Tired of hearing your kid’s video games or other noisy electronics? Tell them to put on a pair of headphones, we deserve some peace and quiet once and a while. I don’t need to hear every time your character get a coin, LOL.  BuddyPhones are volume-limiting kids headphones, which are perfect since kids cannot ruin their hearing by playing the volume too loud.  These fun looking and good quality headphones keep the ears of little listeners safe by providing them with the safest, toughest headphones for a decent price. Really- they don’t cost an arm an a leg. They are available in popular colors and designs, including the uber trendy unicorn. Your kids are quiet and  entertained (perfect for car and air travel as well!) and parents are not subjected to the same movies, games, or shows over and over again. Thank you, I’ll have that.

Water resistant and durable with as much as 24 hour battery life, these also sport wireless connection capability. More then one kid? BuddyPhones offers their patented shared BuddyCable, which is a great option for families with multiple kids and only one device, or when one of them inevitably loses one of theirs at the worst moment. Good backup plan.
Available now at www.buddyphones.com or Amazon ($69.90-$79.99).
yoshi's crafted world
Speaking about games, do you have a little Yoshi fan in your life? Yoshi has a new game just out, Yoshi’s Crafted World. This is Yoshi’s first starring adventure on Nintendo Switch, so it’s a big deal for fans. Yoshi will venture through his crafted world, collecting costumes and gems, battling ShyGuys (the most familiar faces in the series) along with thieving mice, and other enemies who await. There is a level that flips stages, and you must do them backwards. Yoshi must help Poochi her puppies back, as they ran off (as bratty pups will do from time to time).  Baby Bowser is back, causing a ruckus, as are an all star team of favorite characters your child will love to interact with.
Fun and funky graphics, with accessible yet challenging gameplay that is perfect for younger audiences but still fun for older ones, this game can be played with two players at a time, which makes it great for family fun.  $60 on https://www.nintendo.com/

For cute additions to your child’s basket, take a look at Rescue Runts Babies. These adoptable mini plush pets let your child rescue, groom, collect and love them. These four-inch plush pets come in small, brightly covered, plastic crates that your child can use at their “home”.  These little stuffed animals are in need love, cuddles, and care. Your child can remove “fleas,” brush their fur, and tie collar ribbons, and more to help them go from ragged rescue to valued and loved pet.

There are more then 20 pets to choose from, including cats, dogs, wild animals, and mythical creatures. Each Rescue Runts Babies is sold separately, and the package comes with the pet of choice, convertible crate, 3 fleas, brush, ribbon /collar, as well as stickers. $10 at Walmart.

easter chocolate

If you, like me, like to give a basket to your partner/spouse (or need a gift for friends, bosses, co-workers, clients, etc), look no further then Godiva. These gourmet chocolates are bound to be a hit,  the melt in your mouth delights will be savored by any chocolate lover. With many sizes and options available, the most inclusive and varied would be the Enchanted Easter Chocolate Gift Basket.

Available in stores or online, this basket comes pre-filled with a collection of the best chocolates as well as GODIVA’s sweet plush 2019 Easter bunny. There are eight different chocolate gifts placed inside, including

One 2019 Limited Edition – Plush Bunny with Chocolate Foil Easter Eggs, One Milk Chocolate Bunny, One Eggstra Special Assorted 5 piece Chocolates Gift Box, 5 One Classic Milk Chocolate G Cube Box with 22 candies inside, One Solid Milk Chocolate Bunny with 5 Foil-Wrapped Chocolate Eggs,One Truffle Crème Egg 4 piece Assortment,One Milk Chocolate Bar, One Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bar. Something for everyone- or just me. Just me it is.

Prices vary per item, this particular basket is $99.95; at Godiva.com with all items included as described and listed.

Filed Under: entertainment, holidays, review Tagged With: , , ,

CanvasDiscount.com to Make Your Photos into Wall Hangings, Blankets, and More #CanvasDiscount

March 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment

If you are anything like me, you take a lot of photos. Like, have to download all the time or you crash your phone a lot of photos. And I don’t just leave them online or on my computer, I’m the weirdo that still prints them and makes photo albums and hangs up photos on the wall- a real traditionalist like that. Sometimes you want a little more then your average photo, and that’s where a company like CanvasDiscount.com comes in.

The #1 Best Rated canvas shop in the USA, CanvasDiscount.com gives you plenty of options in size and items. Calendars, wall portraits, throw blankets, and more- whatever photo gift you would like, you can get at a great price at Canvas Discount.

We just got these two wall portraits made. We are so excited, they look great. Recently, I noticed I’m not in any photos, not since my kids. I became invisible- I think this happens to a lot of moms. We are always behind the camera, behind the scene- but we matter too. So I decided to make sure I’m in more photos both that are taken AND that are hung and in photo albums. I should be represented in our lives, in my own life especially!

canvas discount

One is a photo of myself and my partner on a recent trip to New Hampshire, on a hike to some lovely waterfalls.  The second is the family at one of the organizations we volunteer for, the Alzheimers Association. We spend a lot of time working with them, plus it’s rare to have a decent shot of the whole family, haha.

canvas discount

We really love how the photos came out.  CanvasDiscount.com did a great job. If you want, you can also include frames and other items to help you hang your canvas prints on the wall as well, there are all sorts of accessories and ideas on the site.  There are also many sizes to choose from so you can get what works best for you.

Filed Under: home, review Tagged With: ,

Healthy Bodies, Inside and Out

March 6, 2019 by 1 Comment

This winter, as Spring is (hopefully) around the corner, you might be having a hard time holding onto those New Years Resolutions or even trying to stay healthy or active as a part of your regular lifestyle. I know for me, February is my “ugh” month, I often find myself with a case of the winter blues and really just “done” with the gray and the cold. I find it hardest to be motivated in February, and not just grab a bag of chips and pop on the Netflix. What to do? Try something new, a little change can often be just the thing you need, a little bump to get you moving.

DIY kits

Have you ever heard of Purple Carrot? You have probably  heard of similar ideas, pre-ordered meal kits delivered to your home that you cook yourself. This is the ONLY 100% plant-based meal kit company of the kind, where you can get pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions for cooking healthy, vegan meals at home. As we are learning, eating plant-based meals even if only one day or a few times a week, has a positive impact on people’s health, the environment, and animal welfare. The food is very good, but it definitely takes time to make, so prepare to spend some time in the kitchen. While not difficult, some of the items made were challenging and to me very unnecessarily time consuming, like making my own veggie burgers. But we learned new things, so that was something. I can honestly say, even as vegetarians, we had never made any of these recipes before, so they were interesting and new.  Find out more here-

Trying to get yourself moving? It can be challenging in this weather. One of the fitness groups I belong to recently posted a meme which said “I was sad, then I bought some new workout clothes and now I’m running!” I was clearly amused, but it’s also true. Sometimes a new pair of leggings or shirt or sneakers makes you feel good, and then when you feel good, you move. Also, you of course need to show them off, right? Your couch will not be impressed. You however will be impressed with the Brooks Running Ghost Tight. I can’t say enough good things about it. I thought they were going to feel like shrink wrap when I saw them, but they are wildly comfortable. It’s ultralight fabric keeps  you cool and wicks sweat and the color options (3 total) are fun. Price $120 at  https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/brooks-ghost-tight-womens/221347.html

Winter can be rough on the skin, rough all over. The new Limited-Edition NIVEA Creme City Tins from NIVEA® Creme are easy to carry around. They are tiny- easy to toss in your purse, backpack, or pocket, and give you a “protective layer of care that prevents the loss of moisture throughout the day” as per the brand. Smooth and soft, it has provitamin B5, which helps it last longer. You can use it on your face, hands, lips, and body- it’s good all over. These limited-edition tins are now available for $.99, get yours at www.NIVEAusa.com.

give back

For your love, no matter if they are one or a hundred and one, take a look at these. Not only are they amazingly adorable, but each toy funds 10 meals for a hungry person. These ethically produced, hand-knit dolls and stuffed animals give 10 meals to hungry children around the world for every item sold. Hand made by artisan knitters in Peru, these handcrafted, heirloom-quality dolls are great for anyone who loves stuffed cuddles. There are 27 toys to choose from currently, and two sizes are available in most cases.

“cuddle+kind has partnerships with several respected humanitarian agencies including World Food Program USA, Children’s Hunger Fund, Breakfast Club of Canada and WE Charity to guarantee that every purchase directly benefits children in need.” (Information given by the brand)

Choose your favorites here- https://cuddleandkind.com/collections/hand-knit-dolls.

Filed Under: clothes and shoes, cooking, fitness, health, review Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

VIZIO P Series 55 Inch 4K HDR Smart TV @BestBuy @VIZIO #ad

December 24, 2018 by 1 Comment
Are you looking to upgrade your TV this year? Now is the perfect time, you can get some great deals in time for the holidays. One of the deals that you can get at Best Buy right now is for a VIZIO P-Series® 4K HDR Smart TV. Our TV is on it’s last legs, it keeps getting these black lines in the corner, so we are looking for a new TV ourselves.
vizio sale
It seems that every pixel is a masterpiece of color, clarity and contrast with the 2018 VIZIO P-Series® 4K HDR Smart TV. With expansive colors, superior HDR performance and pristine 4K detail make each frame a jaw-dropping experience. VIZIO’s Ultra Color Spectrum® technology paints each scene with over one billion colors. Dolby Vision HDR with UltraBright 1000 brings extraordinary contrast, depth and brightness to the screen. And a high-performance Active Full Array Pro™ backlight with up to 120 local dimming zones produces picture-perfect blacks.
best buy
The all-new VIZIO SmartCast™ offers unprecedented control and streaming options. Browse favorites like Netlifx and YouTube right on the TV. With Chromecast built-in, you can stream thousands of Chromecast-enabled apps from your phone to the TV. Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant makes the P-Series a perfect smart-home centerpiece. Offering a gorgeous edge-to-edge screen design, VIZIO’s P-Series 4K HDR Smart TVs will thrill the most-demanding videophiles.
sale on vizio
You can some some amazing deals on Vizio right now.  You can get a TV for $699.99 after $100 savings (MRSP $799.99). This offer is valid 12/18-12/24, get yours now.  Get more information here http://bby.me/p8xfm
Filed Under: electronics Tagged With: , ,

The New @StarlinkGame Now Available at @BestBuy #StarlinkGame #ad

December 22, 2018 by 14 Comments

My son is really into video games, like so many kids his age.The new Starlink Game, Starlink: Battle for Atlas brings toys into gaming by giving kids a buildable space ship toy as their controller, and other toys as interactive game pieces.

starlink game

In a similar fashion of “Toys to Life”  games such as Skylanders, Lego Dimensions, and Disney Infinity which were very popular but no longer produce much product (if any),  Starlink: Battle For Atlas breathes new life into the genre. It combines space exploration and toy space ships which kids will not be able to resist. Fun side note for New Jersey residents- all the humans in the game hail from the Garden state. Get outta here indeed!

Starlink: Battle for Atlas is an open-world space saga that features modular toy technology that allows players to assemble and customize real-world physical starships, link the starships to their game controller, and launch into an epic adventure across the Atlas star system, either in single player or with a friend in two-player split-screen local co-op. Each modular component and pilot attached to the starship appears instantly in-game, allowing players to directly affect the course of their battle in a meaningful way.

This game and set is available on Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.

There are a ton of extras- toys, figures, ships, weapons, and more- that are available for purchasable as well.  Lots of add ons for extra fun, we’ve gotten a few for the kiddo and he’s really enjoying himself.

There are several Weapons Kits available, my son has the Starlink Battle For Atlas Weapons Pack Crusher + Shredder, which right now is on sale for $4.99. They give you more ways to fight your enemies and save Atlas.  He also got (one of many available) Pilot kits and Starship packs, which let give you different messages and more ways to play. All of these are on sale now, and will keep your kids busy over winter break. 

Priceless.

Some basic information

The Starlink: Battle for Atlas starter pack is the main set and is required to play with Starship, Pilot, and Weapons packs. All Starlink modular toys only work with Starlink: Battle for Atlas video game and controller mount on PS4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. These innovative modular toys allow you to build unique starships which can be customized on the fly for a new way to play as you adapt to overcome any challenge you encounter in this epic open world adventure. You can connect your modular toys to your controller mount and see them come to life in real time in the game. Your child can craft his or her own starship loadout from their arsenal of wings, hulls, weapons, and pilots. Adapt to any challenges you face in real time and have fun doing it.

From 12/16-12/22: Save $25 on Starter Packs. Plus, save 30% on Starlink toys. Check it out now! Here is my son and his thoughts on the game.

Filed Under: technology Tagged With: , , , , ,

Reindeer In Here book and plush #GiftGuide

December 6, 2018 by 1 Comment

Not everyone is a huge fan of “Elf of the Shelf”, for various reasons. Some people don’t like the elf’s antics, some feel that the kids should not have bad behavior reported to Santa. While I have no such qualms (and our Elf does NOT get into mischief that takes hours of prep time and then more to cleanup, thank you) there is a cute alternative or addition to the Christmas Elf.

elf on the shelf

According to RIH, “Since its 2005 release, Elf on the Shelf has proven to be both a Christmas tradition and commercial success, leading holiday sales charts each year. As time wore on and its popularity grew, the story began to receive criticism from both parents and experts on child psychology.

Owner and creator of Reindeer in Here was looking for a Christmas tradition to start with his own family after the birth of his daughter and quickly discovered that he too became one of the parents questioning the elf’s effectiveness. REINDEER IN HERE is his attempt at providing a friendlier, more positive tool for parents and children to get into the holiday spirit.  As the children bond with their Christmas friend the entire family creates a lasting Christmas tradition as everyone looks forward to REINDEER IN HERE coming back year after year.

“Not only have we shelved the elf,” says Reed. “But in doing so we’ve created LESS STRESS for parents and MORE CHRISTMAS for families across the globe.  I couldn’t be more proud of our little REINDEER IN HERE and all it has accomplished in such a short time.”

“For those ready to change things up,” begins the glowing review by The National Parenting Center, “Reindeer InHere offers a cute, loving and stress-free alternative to help you celebrate the magic of Christmas throughout the month of December.”

Created by a Dad, the Reindeer In Here book and plush “magically” arrive in early December, setting the stage for a new yearly Christmas tradition.  It’s the child’s very first gift of the holiday season from Santa — and can return year after year.  Read part of the delightful 2018 Seal of Approval review, below:

“Parents couldn’t wait to embrace a new, positive and refreshing tradition. The reasonably priced kit comes in a beautiful box and includes a book introducing the Reindeer tradition to your children, as well as the cute Reindeer plush. The plush is a good size and struck parents as being of a great quality, which meant that it could last through several Christmases.”

Reindeer In Here can be found at many specialty stores including Hallmark and Learning Express. To find a neighborhood store nearby, simply click on their online Store Finder map at www.ReindeerInHere.com. There is also a limited supply available on Amazon.

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, review, toys Tagged With: , , ,

Love To Travel? You Will Love These Bags

November 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment

If you love to travel as much as we do, then you will love these bags. Good for overnights and weekends at Grandma’s, they are just as useful for long trips.

have sippy will travel

The National Geographic luggage line by Eagle Creek is extremely durable, with weatherproof tarpaulin outer that makes the pack easy to wipe clean both inside and out. What’s not to love about that? Especially if you have kids- but anything you are dragging around is bound to get dirty, all the better if it’s easy to clean up. Since it’s easy to clean, it makes sense that the zippers are water resistant (and self repairing!). These lockable zippers have protection from thieves, wind, water, and more. It has a laptop compartment that can also be locked, as well as zippered mesh pockets and key fob. You can separate your dirty or wet items from clean items and main compartment with the front zipper compartment, and there is even a hidden space for your passport, wallet, phone- whatever items you want to keep close and safe.  Designed to be secure, it has compression straps, internal gear attachment, D rings, and it comes with an emergency whistle and spots that reflect light to help keep you visible.  Several types of bags available, prices vary, see https://www.eaglecreek.com/national-geographic for options.

The Wayfinder Waist Packs from Eagle Creek has been crazy useful, I’ve used it pretty much nonstop. It comes in two sizes, small and medium, and it’s great for going hands free. And shoulder free- I get so tired of dragging stuff around on my back sometimes, and it’s often inconvenient. Biking, climbing, kayaking, whatever. If you only have a few things to take with you, the Wayfinder is perfect. High capacity, quite a few compartments and zippers for organization, water resistant, and just all around easy. The water resistant coating? It’s made from recycling the PVB coating in windshields. Really. It also makes them stain resistant, which any parent or traveler will love. $30-$40 at https://www.eaglecreek.com

wet bags

Packing Cubes, Folders and Sacs are great for keeping organized and efficient. I have no way of expressing how much I appreciate these, or how often I use them- which is always. Always. When I’m going somewhere, which is often, I always, always use these. They make traveling so much easier. The Pack-It Active™ lets you organize all your gear, you can get more of your stuff into less space, as well as keep it clean. It features antimicrobial treatment to keep the stink out, and out of the rest of your luggage if you use it to keep your dirty stuff inside. Plus, you can wash it. The Pack-It Original holds its shape very well, regardless of what you have inside it. Once opened, everything is accessible and easily found and organized inside the hotel drawer or your suitcase. Packables are super, super useful- they are small and easily packed into your luggage, luggage. Yes, I know. Why pack luggage into your luggage? Because sometimes you run out of space. It’s harder to pack laundry, or maybe you just bought too much stuff on your trip. Don’t want to buy a new suitcase, or pay for a checked bag? Enter Packables. They come in Daypack, Duffel and Tote/Pack and are useful to keep on hand whenever you travel. No reason to be caught wanting! Prices and colors vary, all under $40 at https://shop.eaglecreek.com

gym bags

Go Dash Dot is a great “go to” bag for women on the go. With several bags (and lots of color options) and sizes to choose from, it’s a fantastic gym bag, weekender, or work to weeknight bag. It can even function as a diaper bag if you so choose. Sturdy, though heavy, it comes in tote, backpack, crossbody, and more. Some have spaces for your yoga mat, sneakers (for an easy change), carabiners, and more. There is a lot of space inside, and multiple compartments to separate your items. Keep work separate from play, night life, or whatever suits you. Prices vary, go to https://godashdot.com to see what strikes your fancy.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: , , ,

Whirlpool Sunset Bronze Gas Convection Range at @BestBuy @WhirlpoolUSA #ad

October 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Whirlpool® smart home appliances are purposely designed for the way you live. Features like Control from anywhere connect you when you need it, wherever you are. Our appliances keep up with you, so you can keep up with the ones you love.   Enjoy mealtime flexibility and control your appliances from any room in your home, managing mealtime with the click of a button to make holiday cooking and entertaining smarter, and easier. Whether using the touchscreen or controlling your range or microwave from your phone, Whirlpool’s connected appliances help keep mealtime hassle-free on your busiest days.

gas range

More Info:

Whirlpool Sunset Bronze Gas Convection Range
  • Care for your family right from your smartphone or tablet. Check your oven timer right on your phone, preheat your oven from any room in the house, and even reduce the temperature on your oven to keep dinner warm.
  • Please only demonstrate or speak to all the above actions being done from within the house. For safety reasons, we don’t want to convey that someone should run their oven away from home.
  • Get instant access to the settings you use most with a touchscreen that learns, adapts and suggests customized presets based on your family’s routines.

Visit the site to see what Whirlpool offers!

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ,