With the boys back in school and in the middle of this year’s football season, we are busy trying to keep ourselves on task and focused while still finding time to enjoy those “life” moments. Our daily schedules keep us on our toes and we are constantly looking for ways to not only unwind but help assist us in our productivity and our daily tasks. It doesn’t matter if your a student, teacher or parent… the day to day can get the best of us so any help… counts! With everything we have available at our finger tips, I knew that there just had to be a way to find something that would not only keep us on task, but also help us relax, focus and unwind some. Thankfully, there is a solution and a little assistance to help us out. Whether it be on an android smart phone or tablet, free apps (actually free) from Amazon Underground are to the rescue.
When you’re looking for something to keep your kiddos busy or to help with learning their alphabets or reading, there are apps that can help. Interested in getting a bit more organized or need something to unwind and relax your brain for the day – hey, Amazon Underground Always Free apps got you covered. You never have to worry about your kids downloading apps and games that will cost you money and you can get access to over 3,000 apps and games that are 100% FREE. Simply download them from Amazon Underground to your Amazon Fire tablet or Android smartphone and you are good to go.
There are so many apps available in the Amazon Underground catalog that there is something there for anyone – my whole family is enjoying the selection. 100% free apps & games are a part of the Amazon Appstore with access to great content that you would normally have to pay for in “other” App and Playstores, but they are at zero cost through Amazon Underground. I am loving that some of my favorite games are available through access to premium apps and my family and I get to take advantage of the fun and convenience while we take a break from our busy day.
As a mother the Amazon Underground apps allow me to take my coloring on the go – letting me take a few minutes to focus on me while coloring – utilizing an easy app I love called Adult Coloring or Zen: Adult Coloring Book. When my family and I like to work our brains and have some fun together, we enjoy playing Brain It On! or some of our favorite games called Cut the Rope, Sonic Dash and Zootopia also make for some family enjoyment. For drawing, sketching and note taking, the app Notepad+ is also a great selection for fun as well as productivity.
On night that I need to unwind and relax and fall asleep soundly and easily, I love using the White Noise Sleep Aid – the Forest Noise is ideal for falling right asleep and feeling rested the next morning when I awake. You see, the options are endless and the Amazon Underground app store offers you a variety of selections for the busy mom and dad, student and school performance and studying and even the college bound teen that needs a little help making the transition.
If you are looking for something fun to do, get productive or organized or just have a little “me” time, I highly suggest checking out Amazon Underground. It’s easy to use and many apps and games are available at your fingertips.
A video posted by Honey 🌺Honeygirlsworld.com (@honeygirlk) on
If you’re interested in checking out the Amazon Appstore and learn more about what it has to offer, click here and check out the Amazon Underground catalog of 100% free apps and games. You can also access the Amazon Underground on your Android smartphone by visiting here.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
With all the kiddos heading back to school for the 2016-2017 school year, Target has you covered. The “Made to Matter – Handpicked by Target” product collection…
As the season starts to change and the weather gets a tad bit chillier, the kiddos make their way back to school for the 2016-2017 year. I remember as a kid, going back to school was my favorite time of year because it meant that I would have the opportunity to impress a new set of teachers and meet new friends. My boys returned back to school at the beginning of August and while it has been a busy month so far, we are so excited and they have been absolutely loving school. Today I share with you a few of their favorite finds for Back to School from affordable selections that we love and a few Celebrity faves. Since back to school can be a fun time for kids or some may feel a bit uneasy, it’s the perfect time to pick up some new goods that will surely put a smile on your littles’ faces.
Going back to school after a fun summer break isn’t always easy for littles. But, finding cool Back to School gear and supplies always make for a great start. This year I wanted the boys to be able to develop their own sense of style (see the twins with their mohawks and sunglasses in the photo above? lol), but I also wanted them to select basics that would make their year fun and functional.
A quality made backpack is always an important part of back to school. My eldest Kevin has a full schedule of classes and a heavy workload and homework sometimes. It’s important that he has a backpack that can take him to and from school while still offering him the option to use for extra curricular activities and sports. His choice of gear for this year was the Mountainsmith Approach 25 backpack (retail: $89.95).
This multi-pocket backpack is perfect for on the go for work and office, school or sports, or for a hike to climb the highest summit. It features a dual-anel loader system which is idea for travel and trail), a front panel stretch-mesh pocket with daisy chain attachment loops, Anvil Airway ridged EVA back panel padding which make it comfortable on the back no matter what you carry in it, tool / trekking pole carry, side compression straps, dual side-panel mesh pockets, an internal hydration sleeve to hold 3 liters and an eleastic sternum strap and bit valve catch with a safety whistle.
This backpack is sturdy and unisex. He has it in burgundy with brick red trim and it looks stunning and manly. It’s comfortable on and Kevin can stuff this backpack with his school supplies and homework without worrying about it falling apart. It’s a great backpack to have for anyone of any age and is not only for school but anything. I plan to pick one up for myself as well since it will be great for my forest treks.
Luke opted for a fun and stylish backpack from Chooze. Chooze is a brand selected and loved by celebrities alike. Matthew McConaughey’s little girl is a huge fan of the versatile and affordable clothing and accessories Chooze offers. Luke wanted the reversible ChoozePack in Quest(retail $43.95).
These ingenious packs feature a reversible design that has two functional sides to give your kiddos the power to choose which print to display. It offers padded convertible straps (which Luke says are BOMB because they are so comfortable) and you can flip each strap from side-to-side to provide a different look.
Of course, no back to school list and gear would be complete without a way to carry your lunch and snack to and from school. Kevin opted for something he could use for school and sports and went with the Mountainsmith Takeout insulated lunch pack (retailing $17.95). It is the perfect sized carry-all for school, office and tailgating and has a look that any teen would enjoy.
To help carry his favorite mom’s delicious soups to school for lunch, he also selected the Hydro Flask Food Flasks. He has them in the 12 oz. (retails for $29.99) and the 18 oz. (retails for $34.99). These flasks are perfect to carry his favorite soups or a hot cocoa on those chilly mornings. They fit perfectly into any lunchbox and are the perfect way to give kids a balanced healthy meal. They offer improved temperature control technology and can keep hot food items made in the morning steamy until lunchtime. He also enjoys holding his milk in these and pours a small box of cereal inside for breakfast on the go.
Luke & Isaiah decided that getting a traditional lunchbox was the way they wanted to go this year. Each of them selected a Personalized Lunchbox from I See Me! (retailing for $29.99 each, currently on sale for $17.99. Isaiah chose the Kick, Score, Run Lunchbox and Luke chose the Outerspace Lunchbox. I See Me! is a brand and leader in personalized storyboks and gifts for kids, offering over 30 customizable book titles. They also offer lunch boxes, stickers, growth charts, puzzles and so much more. This fun company is a favorite of celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Brooke Shields.
Did I ever mention how much I enjoy Quinoa? Well, I couldn’t resist putting some of these yummy snacks in the boys lunch boxes. I Heart Keenwah snacks are perfect for any kiddo on the go or to pack with their lunch. These Grab n Go (1.5 oz) snacks are great afterschool or lunch treats that taste great and are fun and nutritious. I Heart Keenwah quinoa Clusters and Puffs are a healthy alternative to chips, crackers or sweets. They are made of organic, Non-GMO ingredients. They are a protein-rich superfood snack and gluten-free with the perfect crunch to fill and fuel your little ones bodies. I love them myself and the boys think they taste great. We find them at our local Safeway and Wholefoods at a reasonable cost.
Setton Farms International Premium Quality Snacks are also a great buy. Our favorite are the Creme Brulee Blend that has cashews and toffee peanuts. The Creme Brulee Blend incorporates all the creamy sweetness and crunch of the traditional Creme Brulee without the spoon. It combines freshly roasted cashews and toffee peanuts with creamy butterscotch and white chips for an irresistible treat. They are available in 5 oz resealable bags and available in major grocery store chains across the country – Price Chopper, Market Basket, King Kullen and more. Setton Farms sent us a variety of treats to try but the Creme Brulee Blend is our favorite. I hope we can find more of these in our local stores, so far I’ve only found them at http://www.puritan.com/ and I’ll need to be purchasing more soon.
When it comes to back to school, the boys are simple shoppers which makes my job easiest. I remember as a child wanting to have all the pretty notebooks and pens for back to school supplies. This year, when I did the boys school supply shopping, I also took advantage of some discounts for myself too. Whether it’s Crayons or Pens, Notebooks and Planners or a tablet, the options are endless and come in a variety of price points. Some of our favorites included:
Crayola Crayons 24 Pack – these are perfect on the go or to keep in the desk or at home. When shopping during the sales you can get these for about $0.25 each.
Calendar or Planners – some of my favorites are the Blue Sky Planners from Target. Of course, you can’t go wrong with an Erin Condren Life Planner, Happy Planner or your traditional binder planners like Kikki K, Filofax or Dokibook.
Pencils – Oh, how I love me some pencils. Currently my favorites at the moment are any type of Mechanical Pencil with 0.5mm lead, BIC Pencil 0.7mm (the metallic ones have won me over), Dixon Ticonderoga #2 Pencils (have you seen the beautiful metallic ones?) The Ticonderoga pencils are perfect for sketching as well as writing and erase cleanly.
Notebooks – Spiral, composition tablet… you name them and they are available in all kinds of paper style and cover design.
Folder / Filler Paper – ah, hand me a ream of college ruled please! The twins use Wide Ruled, Kevin uses College Ruled. I love that they are available from a variety of brands and price points.
Amazon Fire Tablet – for less than $50, you can get your hands on a Tablet that acts as a Reader or Internet hub. The Amazon Fire Tablet is affordable but gives your student (or you) the option to get online, use amazing apps or just play games. It’s definitely a great tool to have for the student or the mentor.
Now – you don’t need to pick up these particular items. Honestly, I just wanted to include some of my favorite school supplies (or mommy supplies) because I was feeling a bit left out. lol
Last but certainly not least in our Back to School finds are some great threads. Each child is an individual and I really love seeing them shop and select their own clothing, accessories and shoes – even their own hair cuts. All three of my boys are simple guys but they do enjoy fun pops of color to their outfits and clothing selections. Whether it be plaid shorts with a solid color shirt or fun hats and accessories, the boys take pride in finding something to wear that is not only comfortable and functional – but reveals their style. Isaiah is absolutely enjoying his Rocket in Listen modern sneaker boot style shoes from Chooze ($54.95) and he wanted to show them to our readers today.
This modern sneaker boot style shoe comes with a side elastic gore added for comfort. It has a signature dual design with easy access side zipper entry making the shoe easy to take off and put on. It has padded throat for extra comfort and soft canvas uppers. The flexible support offers comfort while the removable, padded, anti-stink insoles make these the perfect footwear for an active little guy. They wipe clean easily with a damp cloth or can be washed in cold water and air dried. Chooze offers a variety of footwear designs for both girls and boys and they are stylish and fun to allow your child to make a statement all their own.
Luke likes a shoe that can allow him to run and play with a little swagger and Kevin, well – if he’s not in his Nike Basketball shoes most of the time, you can find him in a pair of flip flops (rubbah slippahs as we call them here in Hawaii) and a cool pair of shades to finish off his look. The boys were quite ecstatic to return back to school because the new school year meant that they were all beginning their football season for Pop Warner but most importantly, they got to go back to school and learn… I mean, hang out with their friends, just kidding lol. The boys love school and love learning new things so shopping for new gear for back to school is always a huge highlight.
No matter what you decide to get for your child (or yourself) this Back to School season, make it fun and colorful and let it represent your own individual style. Have your kiddos gone back to school yet? If so, do they sport a relaxed and casual style or do they really like to dress up and have some fun? Wishing all the students a wonderful 2016-2017 school year filled with lots of fun, friendships and learning. From our house to yours… Aloha!
Disclaimer: Some of the products mentioned in this post were sent for review and feature consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to feature these products. Some products were also purchased with my own money. Affiliate links are posted through out.
As a child – I knew that I had the power to make things happen. Honestly, I’m thankful that my parents instilled in me that anything is possible and taught me that you or I could make a difference in anyone’s life – all we had to do is want to “be the difference!” (or at least try to make a difference) I have always taken that advice and used it to my benefit and as inspiration to share my talents, my success and my hard work with the world. Over the years, I have taken part in a plethora of community service and involvement and it’s always been a part of who I am. I find joy in it but most importantly – I find joy in knowing that the time I took to assist someone or help out would make a difference in my community and hopefully, my world. Today I share with you a few things I do as a Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger and Vlogger to contribute. Many people say that they don’t have the resources to be able to help in their community – but the fact is, anything and everything you do counts towards making an impact – you just have to want to do it and make it happen. Support comes in all forms, you just have to figure out what works best for you and get involved in Giving Back!
and I’m off to deliver donations…
As a blogger or vlogger who talks about makeup, I get makeup, skin care, hair products and other samples at events or for editorial purposes consistently. These products often times are sent to me to cover and write about on my blog or feature on my YouTube channel and many brands send a variety of different products for me to try. Let’s be honest here, not all products can be utilized and it can be impossible to use them all before they expire. Often times some products do not mesh well with my skin or hair so they may not be used. A few years ago, I vowed to not let these products go to waste and have been donating them to different causes to help in different situations. I donate my unused makeup to a women’s shelter or a local Theatrical Guild to help the students and artists create their many looks and costumes for performance. The women’s shelter donations are sent in collaboration with my personal time, as I also offer up a small class that teaches these women easy skills on how to properly apply makeup for the workforce to help them build self confidence. It’s been something I’ve been doing for years and I absolutely love it. Since I get more products than I can use and I love teaching others to put on makeup, this is not a job for me, but rewarding in that I can use my experience and still give back to my local community. Each time I go to the women’s shelter, I make little bags filled with things like shampoo, conditioner, cleansing wipes, body wash and some makeup that will allow them to put together an easy look. I also pick up some items from the dollar section to help them apply their makeup – like tools from Eyes Lips Face, etc. It’s not only rewarding to me to see that I can help build these women’s confidence, but I can offer them a tool to help get them on their feet. Some of these women have had to leave their homes in a hurry, so they have left everything behind. This is another way to help give them a little confidence while giving them a little hope too.
While monetary items are so essential for community contribution, donating my time and things I already have make such a huge difference. Since Honeygirl’s World is a lifestyle based blog, I also get a variety of products like food, school supplies, clothes and toys (to name a few) and those get donated to local shelters to help people who are down on their luck or need a little help to get on their feet. Children’s books are popular and we donate those to our local school libraries or doctor’s offices to provide reading material for the keiki (keiki means “kids or children” in hawaiian). I also like making little zip lock bags filled with shampoo and body wash or soap and deliver them to the local shelters for those who need them when they are staying there.
the giving bags are in progress…
As a crafter I enjoy spending some time volunteering at schools, teaching children how to make fun crafts to take home and share with their families and I also love talking at the local High Schools about bullying and self confidence. All of these things keep me busy, but they are beyond rewarding and I’m able to not only teach my children how important community contribution is, but I can also help where I can – so I enjoy doing so. Reading to children in the shelters or offering my time to play games and talk story with the elderly are just a few things that I love to do to contribute to my community. I love that I can get my children involved because they help with donations and volunteer work and they enjoy it just as much.
These little guys are always so excited to help in the community.
As I mentioned before – while money and actual donations make a huge difference in anyone’s life – sometimes it’s not feasible for us to provide that. Many of us however, do have skills so I love to utilize that when I myself are a little down on my luck. By donating my time helping or by teaching other people how to apply makeup or get them prepared for the workforce, I’m helping to build confidence and hopefully stability in these people’s lives. I also enjoy working in the mountains and fields to help my Hawaiian culture, by perpetuating what my ancestors built and helping to self-sustain our islands. Like I mentioned before, it’s little things that add up to be big things to make a difference. I also feel that teaching my children to provide community impact will help in that they will influence their peers to want to get involved too.
We Can All Band Together!
Today I want to share with you another way you can Give Back. The “Band Together” Campaign from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is a great way. The Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is set to donate a total of $2 million to support three important causes – health, home and hunger through their corporate giving campaign called Band Together. The nonprofits benefiting from this cause are: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America or Food Banks Canada.
So how can you take part? Band together with Jewelers Mutual to help decide how to disperse the record-breaking donation. It’s easy to do! Simply vote for your choice of causes from July 11, 2016 at 11am CT to July 31, 2016 at 11pm CT. The cause that receives the most votes by the end of July will receive $1 million donation from Jewelers Mutual. The runner-up will receive $700,000 and $300,000 will go to the third-place winner.
Of course, voting to support the cause is such a wonderful act, but throughout the three-week campaign, voters will be entered for a chance to win weekly jewelry prizes from STACKED New York. Each week, one lucky winner will receive a set of 3 stacking bands ($450 retail value). You can vote daily to increase your chances of winning!
What are your favorite ways of giving back or how do you contribute to your community? Comment below and let me know how you make a difference and don’t forget to head on over to help Band Together with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
My husband and I have been married for over 15 years and together for almost 20. I knew that when we started dating, there was a possibility that he would be in some form of Law Enforcement because – well, it’s a legacy honestly. His Dad, brother, sister, uncles and Great Grandfather are well known in the industry of law enforcement, so I had expected that he would follow in their footsteps one day and that would be his calling. A few years ago he made the commitment to become a Corrections Officer, or a CO which is a common term used in the field. I knew what we were getting into as a family, but little did I know how it would affect us and our lifestyle moving forward.
It’s been almost 3 years since my husband was sworn in to be a Corrections Officer and since this is a Lifestyle site, I figured I would turn this particular post into a series, like my “Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom”. After a few years, I’ve decided that this would be a great way for me to vent, share my ramblings and my support for this man I love. So – stay tuned for more of these types of posts in the future. Now, let’s get into what it’s like to be a Corrections Officer’s Wife.
What it is like to be a CO’s Spouse… the shortened version!
Let’s start with the statistics, shall we? Corrections Officers have a 39 percent higher suicide rate than any other occupation, with a life expectancy of only 58 years. Many don’t realize that that is 20 years less than the average American. With mental illnesses like PTSD, anxiety and depression being a huge issue for CO’s in the industry and high divorce rates increasing consistently over the years. As a couple, my husband and I knew the statistics, but we also know how strong our relationship is, though – I’ll be honest, this job has had its challenges on our strength over the years.
As if those statistics were the only thing we had to look forward to, there is the actual job itself. Each day my husband walks through the gates of the facility he works in and each day I think about the dangers he faces behind the doors. As I watch him leave the house, I’m consistently reminded of what lurks in the buildings he works in and I have to entrust his co-workers, his comrades to have his back when I struggle to give up that right to anyone already. Disease, murderers, criminals – all of which he has to deal with on a daily basis, I have to entrust that he will have the right judgement calls to protect himself and believe that God will bring him home safely to me.
I understand that many in the field of law enforcement may have similar and high demands of what my husband has to deal with daily, but I also see that due to misconstrued issues, assumptions and past issues lend for Corrections Officers to have a bad reputation. The fact of the matter is, most Corrections Officers do the job of a Police Officer day in and day out with little to no protection or weapon outside of their own bodies, their fists – to protect themselves. They are the EMT (Emergency Medical Response / Paramedic) on scene, the Fireman to put out fires and the Police Officer with little to no recognition and much less resources than many of those uniformed enforcers have. They are unrecognized in their job and what they do – day in and day out and many people scoff at what they are because they are ill informed of their daily job or duties. My husband took an oath to serve a community and protect a population (inmates) and it can often be held against him or his fellow CO’s. Or, held against me, because I am married to a CO. The fact of the matter is – Police Officers spend a small portion of time with these criminals, inmates, those that are doing time… only to drop them off at the Correctional Facility where my husband spends his entire day with them until they are released, if they are released. Again, during this time only protecting himself with his own fists, no weapon to protect himself other than his eyes and his own body.
“He’s a Police Officer, EMT, Fireman all in one!”
I’ve often been asked why my husband doesn’t make appearances as often as he used to on my channel and blog and frankly, it has a lot to do with the safety of our family. It may seem like it is not a big deal or small sacrifices for great reward but the fact of the matter is – my husband is in a field most people know little about and those that think they know, are assuming or using strong allegation, rumor and no knowledge to judge appropriately. As a family, a job like this really pulls at the heart strings and waiting as my husband comes home each night safely is one of the hardest things I could have ever experienced as a wife.
We are a strong family that is close and we always have each others back, but something like this can definitely test your strength, your beliefs and your love. I’ve had sleepless nights, more so now after there have been issues in the modules where my husband has already been injured and I’m sure that this job will continue to weigh on my heart over the years. I’ve had to explain to our children why their dad could not come home in time to watch a performance, because there are times when there is a lock-down or he is required to work overtime. I’ve had to fight back tears when my husband comes home to tell me what he had to deal with at work. I am the protector of my household and children while my husband is away – bearing arms to protect us from dangers and staying strong when I know I just want to fall apart. But, as a proud wife of a Corrections Officer, I stand tall and thank God for his blessings and for protection over my husband as he continues in his career. It’s not an easy task, but hey, such is life – right?
If you are a CO’s wife, know that you are not alone. And while times can get tough and everything and anything will test your strength, there are women like us that are here for support. Like I mentioned before, I hope to have more of these in the future, so keep an eye out for that. Even if it’s just something to give you a little guidance or a few words to remind you that you’re not alone, I want to be able to share this with you.
The last few weeks have had me talking about relationship advice on my Thirsty Thursday episode I do each week but I have been saving some motherhood topics…
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