Beauty

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

By honeygirlsworld December 8, 2017

Christmas is usually my favorite time of year, but I’ll be honest with all of you… this year has been a difficult one to wrap my mind around. After losing my Dad in June unexpectedly, I didn’t think that I would be struggling as much as I am with the Holiday Season. But, now that we are smack dab in the middle of holiday shopping, I feel the pressure. I usually get my holiday shopping and my gift guides up earlier in the season (in November), but found myself struggling to write. But, Christmas is about time with family and I figured this would be the perfect time for me to share this list of holiday gift ideas with all of you. I hope this holiday season keeps you and your family warm, cozy and safe. And, now… gifts!

I love to journal and I find myself using a journal more now than ever before. It helps me to collect my thoughts and write about memories I want to cherish. This gorgeous leather journal from Soothi is the perfect addition to any workspace. Soothi’s goal is to inspire and offer a sense of individuality and they offer products to transform writing desks and elevate standards. Their master craftsmanship shows in their journals, notebooks, and stationery. Each journal is customized with vision shaping phrases that can change the outlook of any moment or an entire project.

Made of genuine leather and embossed with a quote. This journal offers a string tie closure, stitched in paper and an old-world feel. Paper is tree-free and environmentally friendly.

Retail: $40.00 – Soothi.com

I really think a great practical gift for men works wonders. I’m always on the hunt for something that my husband would like and a well-made wallet to stand the test of time is definitely a great choice. Mr. Lentz just had to make my selection choice this year because their craftsmanship and quality is absolutely wonderful. The offer a variety of leather goods and to help you care for your product(s) they also include a free tin of their own handmade leather conditioner.

The Mens Leather Wallet is built for the man on the go that wants to be minimalistic, while still needing the function of a wallet. The leather is full-grain so it will last through heavy use for years to come. No stitching to break on these so you will enjoy it for years to come. It holds 8 cards and a medium stack of cash. I had my husband’s wallet engraved with “K & H Forever” because it is one of our favorite sayings and wrapped it up for the perfect gift.

Retail: $70 (now currently on sale for $63) – mrlentz.com

I think that a great shave kit or a stylish tie also make great gifts for the men in your life. Clarence Henningham offers a variety of ties in different styles and designs. The perfect way to pair professional and lifestyle while still offering the man in your life to show off his own personality. Their mission is to provide quality professional business garments for the bold and brave person in each of us.

First, let me start by saying… ties are not easy to photograph. lol But, I digress. Clarence Henningham offers a variety of ties and bowties for the perfect gifts.

Retail: $20 – 30 clarencehenningham.com

When it comes to gifts for my favorite men… I always include some kind of shave set. My husband has his favorites and Van Der Hagen in one of those brands that he will gravitate to. Van Der Hagen and Beard Guyz Beard Products are brands that are tried and true and offer a variety of different products for the guy in your life. If you’re looking for quality products and sets that are easy to find, you’ll absolutely love any of these. They make great stocking stuffers and are perfect gifts because they are easy to buy from your local retailers.

I have several brother-in-laws, a father-in-law and a husband and brother to shop for. These gifts are not only affordable on my pocket book but they come from brands our husbands and men most likely have tried and enjoy.

Van Der Hagen sets retail: $13.99 – $29.99

Available at: Vanderhagen.com, Walgreens, Amazon, Target and Rite Aid

Beard Guys Beard Care Products retail: $9.99 – $14.99

Available at: Beardguyz.com, Amazon, Walgreens and CVS

Essential Oils and body products that offer zen are definitely important for me. Speaking of which… “Santa, I need a new diffuser, I broke mine last week.” I love trying new products from different brands or new to me brands and I just had to share with you Oh Organics. Certified Organic Ingredients go into their handmade soaps to cleanse, moisturize and exfoliate the skin naturally. Their Essential Oils contain nothing but pure, therapeutic grade, certified organic essential oils. Each product is handmade and ship for free. With each sale, Oh Organics also contributes $1.00 to American Forests which plants one tree.

Gift products include:

Combination Pack – 2 soaps (4.5oz), 1 essential oil (15mL), boxed and ready to wrap $19.99 ($28.95 if bought separately)
5 Pack of their best selling essential oils (15 mL) for $37.00 ($55.55 if bought separately)

Oh Organics offers quality products that you will enjoy using. Purchase: ohorganics.net

Compendium products make wonderful gifts for anyone in the family. I have a few that I wanted to share with you that I think would make anyone you gift them to, smile.

Thoughtfulls ($6.95) Holiday Cheer Thoughtfulls are little pop-open cards that have little messages inside. These were the first products that Compendium made and they have been one of the most popular products since. Each box includes 30 cards, each with a different inspiration quotation. They are packaged perfectly to stick directly into a stocking as a stuffer and make the perfect gift for anyone that needs a little inspiration and motivation in their lives.

Thoughtfulls from Compendium on Vimeo.

The Christmas Memories Guestbook is the perfect addition to any holiday party and a great way to thank any hostess or host. We attend a plethora of holiday parties each year and I thought the Christmas Memories book would be awesome because it allows you to savor the season and relive the tradition for years to come. This beautiful book is a place to gather all of the seasons for you and record the guests, family, and celebration in a book that will be a treasured keepsake for years to come.

Retail: $24.95 Hardcover with slipcase, 9″ H x 9″ W, 80 pages total

My Mom In Her Own Words Book

Each family has their own little treasure of memories and experiences. There are a number of things that define who Mom is and that reflect the love she shares. This keepsake book invites mom to speak from her heart, in her own words. It’s a priceless keepsake for generations to come.

My Mom can be a gift for them to fill out or a meaningful way to “interview” and create family dialogue around each story. Moms also fill them out on their own and give them as a gift to younger generations. Things like this remind me that the legacy I leave behind can be documented for my children to remember and read for years to come.

Retail: $10.95 (Hardcover, 5.75″ H x 5.75″ W, 80 pages)

*Also available – My Dad.

Purchase these products at: live-inspired.com

BeBibs Fashion Adult Bibs are a great gift that is practical but something no one will ever think about. An adult bib that is fashionable but that provides a safeguard for your clothes against perils of the morning routine such as makeup, coffee and even toothpaste. These bibs are so easy to wear with any outfit and they are there to help protect against any mishaps that may occur any time of the day. This stylish product was featured on The TODAY Show and is an absolute hit.

The BeBibs come in different prints and I am absolutely loving it, so I just had to share with all of you. I like to get dressed in the morning and put all my clothes on for the day, before makeup – because makeup is always “in case I have time”. I simply place BeBid over my clothes and it catches any fallout, spills or anything else. Such a great gift for any lady in your life. Perfect for Brides or the Business Woman. Each Big comes with a silver plated necklace with pearls. They are lightweight and easy to use.

Retail: $29.94 – $50.00 (all BeBibs must have a necklace to hold in place so make sure to purchase as a set.)

Shop: BeBibs.com

Pieces of Me is a young brand that is reimagining personalized jewelry. I wanted to share this with all of you because I’m a huge fan of personalized jewelry myself and love getting it as gifts, but this is different. The cuffs or necklaces from Pieces of Me are reminders of how appreciated and valued they are for their unique personalities and personality traits.

Pieces of Me offers unique gifts that are a meaningful way to express your appreciation for what you love about someone. They offer a variety of over 30 different traits to choose from so there is something for everyone. Each product is made in the USA and cuff bracelets retail for $29.99

Pictured: Stamped Cuff Bracelet – Passionate (You see a spark when passionate people talk about what excites them. They love what gets them up in the morning and what keeps them up at night.) n All cuff purchases include a cuff, trait description card, and a drawstring storage bag. Each piece is hand-made and has its own unique character. No two pieces are alike – a great representation of a person’s individuality. Handcrafted in the United States and 14K Gold Plated.

Purchase: piecesofmeco.com

Cold cozy weather is perfect for socks and boy are we experiencing sock weather here in Hawaii. It’s been consistently in the mid to high 50s and 60s lately and a great pair of socks makes great gifts. Bombas Socks has easily become one of my all-time favorites and I love them. These socks are comfortable (seriously, some of the best socks I’ve used in a long time) and innovative. They are so comfy, I struggle to take them off, so I’m glad I have one for each day of the week.

But, that’s not the only reason why I support this brand. Because socks are the #1 most requested clothing item at homeless shelters, for every pair purchased, Bombas donates a pair to someone in need. Bombas has donated more than 5 Million pairs of socks and this little act of human kindness is what drew me to Bombas, to begin with.

1 Million Pairs of Bombas Socks Donated from Bombas on Vimeo.

There are socks for all – Mens, Womens, Children. This concept started as a big idea, a small tattoo and millions of pairs donated. I’m a fan and a Bombas lifer! Of course, I am named Honey, so bees, honey… I call it a win.

Retail: $15 – $30 Bombas.com

For this little gift guide, I wanted to include at least one fun educational toy for the kiddos. I introduce all of you to GIANTmicrobes. GIANTmicrobes are a collection of critters that are inspired by the invisible microscopic world. These little guys might seem terrifying to some, but they are a great way to educate kids with a little cuteness.

Now – GIANTmicrobes comes in terrifying collections as well as E. Coli or the Brain-eating Amoeba Plagues so they would make an interesting gag-gift for any adult. But, My sons absolutely loved how soft these creatures were and enjoyed hours of researching these microscopic things so that they could get more information on the critter as well. I think these would make great gifts for Teachers and kids who like learning about science. Choose from over 150 different microbes and cells. Available in 4 sizes.

Featured in the photo: Blood Cells, Amoeba, The Common Cold, Waterbear and Brain Cell.

Retail: $5 – $30 www.giantmicrobes.com

I’m sure you are probably seeing the next toy in Walmart Stores as you do your Holiday shopping this year. The Nano Metalfigs are some of the coolest tools I have seen in a long time and offer top licenses from DC Comics, Harry Potter, Marvel, Disney/Pixar, WWE and Street Fighter. These awesome figures are 1.65″ scale and 100% die-cast. They weigh about 25-30g and has that distinctive die-cast feel. They are sold in packs – 5 packs and 10 packs that offer exclusive figures. These not only make great collectors, they remind me of my childhood with some of my favorite characters from comics and of course – Harry Potter.

Each brand offers more than 20 figures to collect and every 8 weeks a new product is released. Diorama sets are a way to display these Nano Metalfigs and it would make a great gift for any child or collector.

Retail: Starting at about $1.00 per figure walmart.com

I realize that my Holiday Gift Guide is quite eclectic, but I love to feature products that my family and I enjoy and that make us happy or inspire us. This gift guide includes a variety of products that are tried and true and that we have given as gifts before or have purchased or used ourselves. Each year Honeygirl’s World tries to feature products that are not necessarily on anyone’s radar, but nonetheless, they would make great gifts. I’d love to try and get more gift ideas up this year so keep an eye out on my social media as well as here to see if I have added any additional selections.

My family and I would love to wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season. Thank you for making Honeygirl’s World so successful over the years. This coming January 2018, this site will be 10 Years old and the site would not be where it is without all of you. May you and your families have a safe, fun and blessed holiday.

Disclaimer: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for review consideration or feature. Some products were purchased with my own money. Affiliate links are through out. This is not a paid post.

Books / Reading

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss – A Few Of Our Favorite Quotes

By honeygirlsworld March 2, 2017

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. To think that he would 110 years old today, well – that is just amazing. I’m sure he would be absolutely proud to see that his works and rhymes are still so relevant today was it was back then. By the time Dr. Seuss died in 1991, he had produced more than 60 children’s books – many of which I have read as a child and continue to read to my children till this day.

Dr. Seuss’ first children’s book – “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street”, was published in 1937 and thereafter his popular best sellers like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham became household names.

“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”

Today is what we know in the Nation and Worldwide as Dr. Seuss Day – to not only celebrate this great writer but his birthday. I figured it would be a great time to share a quote or two of his that are some of my favorites.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

A DIY on the costume the twins’ are wearing can be found here.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

Books / Reading

Holiday Gift Guide – For the Children in Your Life {Honey’s Favorite Things}

By honeygirlsworld November 29, 2016

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I love Christmas shopping, especially for my children. When it comes to Christmas, my boys are so laid back and easy to shop for, that it makes surprising them each year that much easier. I think children should have a wide range of gifts from clothes and toys to books and games and I’m always excited to write up my list of treats for my boys each year. Shopping for kids can be a challenge, at any age… so I have compiled a list of presents that are reasonably priced for any child. No matter the age, I’m sure you will find something in my list that your children may enjoy. Let’s get started, shall we?

Trekz Titanium Mini Wireless Headphones ($129.95) – These headphones from AfterShokz are the ideal gift for my teenager. Kevin Ka’eo is at the age where he works on projects for school on his iPad and Tablet and needs a quality headphones that can take the beating that teens dish out. He also runs and jogs so I really want to ensure I have a product that will work for him and provide him with quality sound.

The Trekz Titanium Mini Wireless Headphones are lightweight and comfortable. The are stereo headphones which are the safest alternative to traditional sport headphones and earbuds. With bone conduction technology, an open ear design and a suite of convenient features, the Trekz headphones deliver premium music play and crystal clear calling without any compromise. This headphone is designed with athletes in mind and are sweatproof and secure – making them ideal for my son. They will allow you to hear your surroundings – no matter where life takes you.

4id Power Spurz Light Up Heels ($19.95) – If you have little ones or even teenagers (heck, I even use them), Power Spurz are a great gift. They keep you safe and visible through your outdoor training, walking, running or everything in between where you need to be lit up so you are visible. The lightweight heel spur has two available settings – pulse and continuous light. The piece slides conveniently on the back of your shoe and glows in a vibrant LED light. Since my family and I often do night time walking around our block, or are out and about at the local festivals, these work perfect for the boys and they were a hit at Halloween. They come in five different colors and I definitely suggest it. They fit on my shoes as well as the boys so you have many options to utilize these.

LUX – The Principled Block Lux Blox ($29.99 +) – All three of my sons LOVE Legos or anything that will allow them to build creations to their heart’s desire. I love encouraging their imagination and the fun without the screen, so Lux Blocks are definitely a fun toy for anyone to play with – kids and adults too.

Lux is Made in the USA and was created by artist/inventor Michael Acerra because he and his wife Healther wanted to give the world a block that could bring everything as nature does. These construction blocks allow you build and make structures that curve, bend and move. The come with a unique, patent-pending snap and lock hinge system that allows you to build a structure that flexes, twists and turns.

There are different sets available and like I mentioned before, it doesn’t matter your age or your child’s age – they will love Lux as much as we do. While we still LOVE Legos in our house, Lux has easily become a building block we enjoy and I have it on my list to purchase several sets for my nieces and nephews.

Magic Sketch Art Tablet For Kids ($29.95) – I love As Seen on TV finds and the Magic Sketch is definitely one of them. This fun and new way for k8ids to draw, play and learn is flexible with an LCD screen that is transparent. The Magic Sketch allows kids to trace with the provided stencils or from their own images and creating all kinds of amazing art is fun for all ages. Unlike most tablets, the Magic Sketch is super kid proof. Kids can drop it, toss it, even step on it and it won’t break. It’s completely water resistant, so if they have a spill, it will wipe off and they can keep going. It’s got advanced internal electronics so you can clear the screen with just a push of a button.

Each Magic Sketch retails for $29.95 and includes:

Magic Sketch
Protector Guard
1 Roller
3 Stamps
20 Learning Stencils
20 Games Stencils
20 Art Stencils

I especially love this as a gift because it’s perfect for travel, mess free and I don’t have to worry about replacing an expensive device if it breaks or gets lost or stolen. It’s an ideal gift for all ages and I can’t wait to doodle on it myself.

Books & E Readers Make Great Gifts ($10 +) – My sons all love to read, so a great book (or two or three) or an E Reader like the Amazon Fire Tablet make great gifts. These items make fabulous stocking stuffers or fun gifts for unwrapping. Each year, I select at least two books for each of my boys and wrap them up. This year – I’ll be purchasing an Amazon Fire Tablet for the three of them to download some of their favorite Kindle books (that way there is more room for my books on mine… lol) and with Amazon Prime and Amazon Underground – many books are free to read and download. A basic Amazon Fire Tablet will make a great gift because it provides a plethora of apps and internet capability at reasonable costs. You can easily get a Tablet for $50 now a days and it’s worth it.

A few books that the boys have been loving lately – The Adventures of Camp Nana Papa and The Spinfords are great classics that I think any child would like. My eldest is currently reading The Kingdom Oceana (not currently pictured) and highly suggests that one.

Stompeez Slippers ($19.99) – Slippers with Personality. These slippers are absolutely adorable and perfect for my twins. They are fun, soft and comfy. Walk, stomp or jump and Stompeez will pop to life.

I thought these would be the perfect gift for Luke & Isaiah because they love soft and cuddly things. They come in different sizes and a variety of different designs – 9 total. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Batman, Nemo, Dori, Shopkins, Happy Puppy, TRex Dinosaur and so much more.

Buddy Balls ($19.99) – Zip it, Flip it, Love it! The boys and I have talked about Buddy Balls here on the blog before and it was a rave for a product. We love Buddy Balls and definitely thought it would make a great Holiday Gift to include in our gift guide. Buddy Balls are soft, cuddly and so sweet. They are little bears that you can zip up and flip into a ball to play with. The boys love them and I love them so much, I’ve purchased several of these as gifts for the holiday.

You can read about Buddy Balls and our review on these sweeties here.

I realize that most of the gifts I listed in this post are really for boys, but hey – I grew up a tomboy and I loved to play with all the boy things when I was younger, so I guess many of these things really gravitate in my mind as fun gifts. The fact of the matter is – they are all unisex and the gifts like Stompeez and Buddy Balls are sweet presents for little girls as well as any of the items I’ve chosen here. Each of these were selected because we have tested them ourselves and the boys and I really went through and found the ones that we would love to get or enjoy. At the end of the day, gift giving is about love and the thought is always what counts in our house.

I do have something fun for all of you. The boys and I are working in collaboration with AfterShokz and giving away a Trekz Titanium Mini for someone this holiday season. Check out the Giveaway Widget below to enter.

Looking for more ideas for your holiday shopping? Be sure to check out the following links for my guides and inspiration: (this list will be updated periodically as new guides become available)

Holiday Gift Shopping – Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals 2016

Holiday Gift Guide – Skin Care and Body Care {Honey’s Favorite Things} 2016

Holiday Gift Guide – Hair Care {Honey’s Favorite Things}

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for the Skin Care Lover

So, what about you? Are any of these items a part of your children’s wish list this holiday?

Disclosure: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for editorial consideration, while others were purchased by Honeygirlsworld.com. This post may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details and outline of my product review disclosures and policies, affiliate links, etc. please visit my Disclosures page.

Trekz Titanium Mini Headphones Giveaway

Books / Reading

Book Talk: Finding Inspiration in the Little Things – Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Joy of Less

By honeygirlsworld July 20, 2016

When it comes to inspiration, sometimes we can get it from anywhere or anything. I find myself staring out a window sometimes or finding inspiration from a smile from one of my sons or husband. I also find inspiration from different books and when I least expect it – a light bulb can go off in my head and inspiration opens the doors to greatness, whatever it may be at that time. Why all this talk about inspiration you ask? Well, in the last few months I have literally been in a rut, looking for inspiration for my writing, for life, for planning and have found some of that inspiration from a book I’ve been reading. Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Joy of Less is a compilation of 101 Stories about having more by simplifying our lives. It’s a great read and I’m going to share a little about it with you today.

A collaboration with Amy Newmark & Brooke Burke-Charvet, The Joy of Less is a book that includes a variety of stories (101 and to be exact) that help you to say “no” to the things that don’t matter and say “yes” to the things that do. Let’s face it – after so many years on this earth, we evolve into people that just kind of go with the swing of things and every day life and sometimes we need a little guidance to pull us down to earth and remind us that we need to do for ourselves sometimes in order to be successful. I’m still making my way through the book, but I just had to share my thoughts on it so far with all of you. These types of books are the kind that usually have me picking it up and reading a story or two at a time when I need a little inspiration, or need to establish goals for myself.

“Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” – Minor Myers

Chicken Soup for the Soul has been a favorite from my childhood – offering myself and my siblings an array of inspirational stories over the years. In fact, I still have a few of those books from my elementary school years on my current book shelf today. But, while they all have a special place in my heart, I think this one really resonated with who I am. It’s a book that really brings about stories on how other people simplified their life… whether it be because they learned to let go of the clutter that surrounded them (sell them, donate or just throw them out) or learn to remove the “people” clutter from their lives to really just focus on building themselves as a person. This book includes stories that help you (or me, or anyone) learn how to really get rid of the things that weigh us down – no matter what it is and find things that will uplift us emotionally, physically and in general.

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey

A few years ago, I remember cleaning out our storage unit and discarding my old yearbooks from when I was in school. I had several from elementary school and middle school I decided I would part with. Let me tell you, the job and task at hand was easier than I had thought it would be. I didn’t give it a second thought and just threw them out, making room for other things or just leaving the space void. I couldn’t understand why it was so simple for me to do. Then after reading The Joy of Less, I stopped and thought about those moments in silence. Hmmm… why was it so simple for me to move on past them and get rid of it. Well, the answer now was staring me in my face… I realized that those items didn’t feed me or who I am currently and nothing in them would benefit me now or my future. They were reminders of my childhood that I didn’t need… people who I don’t even remember now were in those, so why would I keep them around. I realized then, that while memories are wonderful things – I could always keep what I wanted to remember and throw out what wasn’t needed. It was a lot easier now that I realized why and cleaning has been fun and exciting since.

If you are looking for a little inspiration or need to know that all your purging that you’re doing is a good thing – I definitely suggest you picking up The Joy of Less from your local bookstore. There is everything in this book and stories on how some people learned how to “unplug from the world when they needed to”, “sharing and donations” and learning how to “count your blessings”. While this is a book I’ve been thumbing through and reading all about, I find that I also enjoy going back to re-read some of the stories I have already gone through. Sometimes, it’s really nice to see that others are living and going through the same struggles you are and find out how they were able to get passed it. Like I said – inspiration can be found EVERYWHERE and reading these stories reminded me that if these people who have shared their stories with us have gone through it and succeeded, well – then, I certainly can too. It’s practical and definitely reminds you that you are not the only one going through this – there are others out there too.

Fans of the New York Times bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo will find CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: THE JOY OF LESS an inspiring read, and those looking to simplify their lives will find motivation and freedom by letting go of material possessions and focusing on what matters most in their lives.

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL

Chicken Soup for the Soul, the world’s favorite and most recognized storyteller, publishes the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. With well over 100 million books sold to date in the U.S. and Canada alone, more than 250 titles, and translations into more than 40 languages, “chicken soup for the soul” is one of the world’s best-known phrases and is regularly referenced in pop culture. Today, 23 years after it first began sharing happiness, inspiration and hope through its books, this socially conscious company continues to publish a new title a month, but has also evolved beyond the bookstore with super premium pet food, television shows and movies, and a variety of other digital content and licensed products, all inspired by stories, as it continues “changing the world one story at a time®.”

With school starting up again for the littles, I think this book would make great gifts to teachers, parents who have some extra time in their life to declutter and anyone else looking for a little inspiration. Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Joy of Less is sold at most book stores and online. I definitely suggest checking it out. It’s a book that will offer you so much inspiration over and over again and a great read. You don’t have to worry about this collecting dust on a shelf because I’m positive you’ll make great use out of it.

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post was sent for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased, as with anything you see on this site. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Books / Reading

Book Talk – The Natural Baby Sleep Solution by Polly Moore, Ph. D.

By honeygirlsworld March 8, 2016

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Let’s face it, raising a child at any age can be a challenge – but the first few years of a child’s life are a learning curve. As my children grow each and every day, I’m reminded of how different they are – all three of them have their own personalities. My eldest, well – as a baby and a toddler, he was very easy going and after he was a month old, he pretty much slept through the night allowing me to get rest and still go to work full time while caring for him. The twins… well, that’s a whole different story. They were up at all hours of the day and night and at different times. They nursed differently – though they did everything together and still do – they have consistently kept me on my toes, well – they still do that too. But, one things for sure… as a parent, while all advice may not be specifically geared to be a “fix all” for each child, they are great stepping stones for you to develop a pattern and a solution to fit your needs. Today I share with you a really cool and interesting read called The Natural Baby Sleep Solution by Polly Moore, Ph. D. This book has been a great addition to my library and I’m going to share a few of my thoughts with you on it today.

If you are a mother… then you know that we have all been there… a time when we are feeling a heavy dysfunction and disarray that plagues our daily thoughts. The lack of sleep due to a crying or fussy baby or the stress of feeling like we have failed. Mothers (fathers too) often experience these times within the first year of their child’s life or right around the age when your baby starts teething. It’s natural but no matter how many times I tell you that we’ve all been there, it doesn’t make the situation any better. The Natural Baby Sleep Solution literally is the answer to many parents’ prayers. This book is written by a scientist whose mind is naturally geared towards scientific research and connection, but also by a mother who an relate to how we as mothers are feeling. Polly Moore understands the ins and outs of being a parent and this book is a great approach at working a little bit of experience, science and research and love into an equation that parents have struggled with for years.

By utilizing the N.A.P.S. Plan in the book – Polly Moore explains that this simple plan will help in encouraging longer sleep periods. It’s basically a mother’s natural instinct in science form. The plan is relatively simple: When your baby wakes up – keep a clock for 80 minutes and then start winding your baby down for a nap when it hits that time point. By the 90 minute mark, get your child to bed. Even if the naps are short, back to sleep at 90 minutes to establish not only a routine but a cycle.

When my twins were younger, they NEVER took a nap. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not because I wanted to keep them up – but because they just wouldn’t fall asleep. Later in the day when they were beyond exhausted, they either fell asleep unable to keep their eyes open or they were so wired from the lack of a nap, they stayed up all night. The Natural Baby Sleep Solution allows you to use a few tips in guiding your child into sleeping so that they know what it feels like to be tired and want a nap – therefore giving your child the skills needed to stay asleep longer at night. The concept is genius and one I wish I had known about prior to having my children. Should I have any more kids in the future, I’m glad that I was able to read this book and hope to incorporate the teachings in this book for later.

By reading this book, I think it’s a great asset in teaching a parent to watch for the signs of when a child is ready to rest. It’s not a sleep training type of book but instead gives you the tools to be able to better see the cues from your child to help with that type of situation. It also helps in you guiding your child to be able to sleep easily – “goodnight” and close the door, etc. Like with anything else you read that are “baby help” books, you must have an open mind and know that what might work for you and your child may not work for others and vice versa. Again, each person is an individual – as are their children and books like these should be used as a guide and a tool – not a strong arm.

I enjoyed reading through The Natural Baby Sleep Solution by Polly Moore, Ph.D. and I am glad I was able to experience this book and the N.A.P.S. Plan. I look forward to including this book for other mothers at baby showers or baby gifts as I think it would make for a great read for anyone with a new born or little one. I look forward to trying out some of this technique should I have any more children or nieces/nephews in the future.

Have you read or heard of this book before? If so – what are your thoughts, if not – is this something you could utilize or incorporate into your mommy guide library?

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post was sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased – as with anything on this site. I was not paid to provide my thoughts on this product or to feature it. Affiliate links listed thorugh out.

Books / Reading

Book Talk – Town Red By Jennifer Moss, Kindle Edition

By honeygirlsworld March 3, 2016

PRESS SAMPLE / AFFILIATE LINKS

I’m not a closet reader… in fact, anyone that knows me, knows that I LOVE to read and it’s one of the things that helps keep my mommy brain sane for long periods of time. I wish I had more time to cuddle up with a great book, but lately – life has taken over. My mom used to tell me as a child… “hey, speed read through it – utilize the skills I have taught you so you can get through the book faster.” But, I hated to speed read… I wanted to be able to get lost in a book, feel every emotion and live every situation. Because of this reason, it has taken me months to finish reading this book I’m talking about today. I’m ashamed to say it has taken me so long… but I literally had to read it while in the car waiting in the parking lot for my twins to finish with school each day; When it was quiet and I could hear every thing described, smell everything and feel like I was a part of the story. I struggled to be able to put the book down the last several months even if it took me a long while to get to the end. But, today I finally give you my thoughts on Town Red, by Jennifer Moss.

Now, I’m just letting you know now that I am not the type of person to ruin a good story line or offer up all the info prior to the other person reading it, so you won’t really get much of that here if that is what you are looking at. I do suggest you get the book – available via Kindle Edition and read it for yourself. The story line goes quickly and you’ll easily enjoy reading it without needing any spoilers.

I am usually someone who loves to read about romance and you can find collections from Nicholas Sparks and Danielle Steel in my library at home quite frequently – so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began reading Town Red. I had hoped it would offer up a little bit of romance with a crime mystery entwined through out the story. It was just that and so much more. See, many do not know that I married into a family of law enforcement, so when it comes to crime novels or anything along those lines, I pay great attention to detail with regard to accuracy and protocol. I was consistently amazed with what I was reading and how accurate each detail was with regard to story line and the law enforcement side of it all, even the lingo. The detectives lives seemed realistic, like it was plucked straight from the precinct and every word was not only believable, but it allowed you to really get into the story and feel the emotion and life of each character.

After his partner is killed and girlfriend takes off, Chicago homicide detective Ryan Doherty has one last chance to save his career with the double murder of ad execs Scott and Carly Redding. Ryan quickly learns that life wasn’t so lush at the Reddings’ agency, Town Red Media, where the list of ex-employees runs fifteen pages long. At the top of this list is Catharine Lulling, a former Vice President at Town Red.

He becomes obsessed with Catharine from their first meeting. She is charming, intelligent, wealthy, and possesses abilities even he can’t understand. Catharine draws Ryan into her unconventional world where he will risk the case-and his life-to find out if she’s for real, or if she’s the real killer.

There were many times I laughed, felt sad or emotional and darn right angry because of the actions of some of the characters. It was easy for me to not only relate to them, their lives – but their situation. As a reader, I look for books that can take me to the place where it is all happening and put me right in that spot as if I was there and this book did that and did it well. It was well written and you could tell that Jennifer really took the time to research information regarding the story prior to completion. This book has a unique twist to it and I can usually tell the outcome of a mystery prior to finishing it… but was stunned and held my breathe up until the last moment. I also loved reading about Jennifer Moss and how she was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois which made the story real and each detail outstanding.

This book is whitty but captivating. It is a page turner that is difficult to put down and I struggled to do so when I needed to break from the read. The characters are not only realistic but her descriptions of each one make you feel like you are literally a real person in the book’s story line.

I actually own Jennifer Moss’ first book – The One-in-a-Million Baby Name Book and absolutely loved her debut of Town Red and how different it is in writing style and mystery than what I had expected. If you love crime and mystery with a little romance and suspense, Town Red is a great book and one you will surely enjoy. I can’t wait to start reading some of the others that Jennifer has written because if they are anything like this one, I’m sure I’ll love them.

You can check out Town Red and other books from Jennifer Moss in the Kindle Store through Amazon. Thank you Jennifer for giving me the opportunity to read Town Red, I truly enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me free of charge in exchange for my review – which is long overdue. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to provide my thoughts on this product. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Books / Reading

Book Character Dress Up Day – Easy DIY Dr. Seuss Cat In The Hat and Sam I Am Costumes

By honeygirlsworld November 24, 2015

SELF PURCHASED / AFFILIATE LINKS

Today in Microfashion… A few weeks ago, Luke & Isaiah’s school celebrated Spirit Week and included Book Character Day for the students. Each child was to work with their families to create a costume (or inspired outfit) from the child’s favorite book. Choosing a favorite book in our household is near to impossible since everyone in our home loves to read – but the twins settled on characters from their favorite Dr. Seuss books – Cat In The Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Creating the costumes were very fun and luckily I had most of the supplies on hand. I promised the twins that I would share how I created their costumes with all of you – so today I bring to you a little Easy DIY Dr. Seuss Books Costumes.

Using what the twins had in their closets – we chose out clothes like a black and yellow (neon yellow) shirt to use with their outfits. Since it was a chilly day we opted for a pair of denim jeans which worked and offered a casual flare while still giving the twins their own identity. I picked up a few items at the store – like red, white, yellow and green felt, but most of the supplies I needed to create their costumes, I already had on hand.

Isaiah chose to be the Cat in the Hat. While his costume was simplistic, it required a little more work than Luke’s with the hat having so many steps to create it. Here’s what I did.

Starting with the hat, I first used foam core board and cut out a round base to use as the brim of the hat. Then taking the red and white felt (I had them in 8″x 10″ pieces from Walmart), I cut them down to size – 2 inches in width and glued each strip together to create parts of the top hat. I used my hot glue gun to do this as it was faster for me then sewing since I sew by hand (no machine). I adjoined the pieces together to form the hat using white thread and stitched it by hand and then glued it to the brim that I created and covered with white felt.

I used the same red felt to draw a bow and glued it to a white strip of felt and then sewed a button on it so it could attach to his neck and could be easily taken off or put on. He wore a black shirt and his jeans and his outfit was complete.

Supplies needed:

1 square foot of foam core board
red felt – I used approximately 3 and 1/2 – 8″x 10″ sheets
white felt – I used approximately 3 – 8″x 10″ sheets
scissors
glue gun with glue sticks (or sewing machine / thread and needle)
thread and needle
black permanent marker (to trace the outline of the bow)
red button

The video where I show the details and explain each item can be found here.

Luke chose to be Sam I Am from Green Eggs & Ham. His costume was fairly easy to put together though it took me a little while to figure out how to create the ham on his plate. Starting with his sign – I took a piece of foam core board and cut it out so that it looked cartoon-ish, writing the words “Sam I am” similar to that from the book. I then hot glued a wooden dowel to the back of the sign so that he could hold it in his hands.

Making the red hat for Sam was a little trickier. I had to take 3 pieces of red felt (the 8×10 I mentioned) and pieced them together with hot glue so it would have a similar shape to what Sam wears in the book. It kind of looks like an elf’s hat, with a triangle shape so that when we turned it inside out, it would have a slight curve at the top. The Green Eggs and Ham was simple… by cutting a round shape out of the foam core board, I covered the board with yellow felt and created the shapes for the eggs and the ham, which I stuffed with scrap felt from the pieces I had cut. Everything used to create Luke’s costume was sewed together with a hot glue gun. I also glued an elastic band on the back of the plate so Luke could slip the plate on his wrists and not have to carry it around with him.

Supplies needed:

2 square feet of foam core board
red felt – I used approximately 3 and 1/2 – 8″x 10″ sheets
white felt – I used approximately 1 – 8″x 10″ sheet
scissors
glue gun with glue sticks (or sewing machine / thread and needle)
black permanent marker (to write on the sign)
elastic band

Check out my video where I walk you through the steps here and show you the detail of each item I created. I apologize that I did not film tutorials or take photos as I was doing this project since they were kind of impromptu.

The boys absolutely loved their costumes and were so proud to tell their friends and teachers at school that I created them and they got to help. I spent very little money – less than $15 to create the whole thing and if I had to add in the cost of their shirts, it would be less than $25 for both. What we enjoyed about these costumes were that they were easy to put on easy to take off. If the boys decided that they no longer wanted to wear them, they could remove the props and put them away. These costumes are very easy – they just take a little creativity and time to pull it all together. I think they would make a fun choice for Book Character Day for any school or even Halloween.

Be sure to check out the video above where I explain each step and show you all the little details of each prop. If you decide to create your own costumes using inspiration from ours, please be sure to comment and let us know. What about you? What would you select for Book Character Day as your dress up costume?

Happy DIY and Fun!

Books / Reading

What To Expect When You’re Expecting – The Perfect Mommy Guide

By honeygirlsworld July 14, 2015

It’s been almost 6 years since I have given birth to my twins and the day is still quite fresh in my mind. All of my pregnancies were difficult and this particular one was no exception – but more so because it was VERY high risk and I was carrying two instead of one. About four months into my pregnancy a family friend gave me a bunch of books about twins (since she had just delivered her own about 6 months prior) and mixed in the bunch was the book What to Expect^® When You’re Expecting. During the remainder of my pregnancy, I read through all of the books, but carried this particular book with me and read it consistently. To say it was a lifesaver, is an understatement.

While I’m not expecting any children in the immediate future, I keep these books on hand because they contain a wealth of information for both myself and my husband and they are a great reference for friends, family and ourselves to turn to when we have questions. There is a reason why they are the #1 Bestselling Pregnancy Book – it’s one of those books that you just can’t donate or pass on because it’s that valuable. Have you ever read a book that referenced anything, especially pregnancy and felt like you were reading something written in Greek? Well, that is why Heidi Murkoff & Sharon Mazel’s What to Expect^® When You’re Expecting, What To Expect^® the First Year, and Eating Well When You’re Expecting have in common? They are easy to read and literally lay everything out in easy terms that make it simplified for you to understand. It’s a timeless book series that I love, will reference during each of my pregnancies in the future and suggest to any mother or father expecting their own child.

I really enjoy that this series of books offers you not only a wealth of information, but it is something that you can pass down for generations, sharing with your own children. The books offer everything from the beginning through the first weeks after pregnancy and well into your child’s second year (What to Expect^® the Second Year) making it a hub of information. The books were my guide in Postpartum where I struggled and continue to struggle today and have been such help in combating an issue that many women experience. After having my twins, I experienced major depression and my hands were so busy with my sons, I didn’t realize what was happening to me. A quick glance at the book and I was able to determine that it was time to visit my doctor and I’m glad I did because I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression. Without a little push from the book, I may have allowed such a big deal to take over and I may have not realized what was happening. I still deal with my depression today as a result of postpartum, but thankful it was caught in time before anything drastic occurred.

It’s amazing that with a plethora of information on the internet, I still found that a book would be my number one reference – till this day. The What to Expect^® When You’re Expecting series is based around the main book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting which has been the Bestseller Pregnancy book for over 600 weeks. It’s a definite necessity in my book and America’s Bestselling Parenting Series for a reason. As a mother who experienced some of the most difficult pregnancies, I am thankful that I have the books to fall back on for information. There is a wealth of information and covers everything you can think of. No question is odd, weird or embarrassing and sitting down with this book is like chatting with your best friend.

What to Expect^® When You’re Expecting is the long-running book on the New York Times Bestseller list and recommended by moms (myself included) and doctors alike. In fact, my OBGYN hands this book to her patients that are expecting and makes it a point to keep them well informed with a great read. This book is definitely “mommy survival guide” status for me!

Have you read this series of books from Workman Publishing? If not, is this something you’ll be adding to your must-have list when you are expecting?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Books / Reading

Last Minute Gift Giving Ideas… Easy to Download Kindle Books

By honeygirlsworld December 20, 2014

PRESS SAMPLE / SELF PURCHASED

I’m not normally a late shopper when it comes to the Holiday months and try to get all my Christmas shopping done in a timely manner to beat the crowds and the mail man. But, I know that life happens sometimes and it can be a difficult thing to get your shopping done in time to make the Christmas rush. While we are less than a week away from Santa stopping by our houses, I wanted to share with you a few quick buys for those on your shopping list. While presents to open under the tree or gift cards and money are great, let’s not forget the people in our lives that love to read. What’s so awesome is that the Kindle books offers so many gift giving ideas… simply at the click of a button. The receiver can easily download their selection and enjoy their read on the go or at the comforts of their own homes. Here are a few books that I have added to my reading list for myself and my husband as well as my boys.

What better way to start the new year with some clean eating. This book includes 50+ natural recipes for healthy living. Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m not turning Vegan on you… I love my animal friends but giving up my carnivore ways are just impossible, but at least I can incorporate some of these healthy recipes into my diet. The Clean Food Diet by Jonathan Vine offers a variety of recipes for your heart’s desire.

Terry Treetop and the Lost Egg is the perfect adventure and educational book for your child(ren) between the ages of 2 and 6. This book is about a little boy with red hair and freckles who loves to climb trees. He goes on a little adventure and takes your children along with him. Filled with photos and stories, this is the perfect book for your preschooler and includes rhyming text as well.

Have you heard of Ally Nathaniel? Ally is a children’s author who has published 10 books via Amazon (ebooks). Her books include a wide range of subjects for Toddlers and Preschoolers as well as elementary school children. Some of her books talk about Self-esteem and self empowerment as well which makes it great reading for your littles. The selection she has is great and I highly recommend checking out what she has available.

If you have been a reader of my blog for a while now, you know that my husband experiences severe back pain after an injury. To try to help with the pain so that he doesn’t have to have surgery on his spine, we are always looking for alternative solutions and the Low Back Pain Program by Sherwin Nicholson offers some techniques that can be used to help relieve pain. In this book you can learn how to self treat chronic lower back pain easily and safely. This guide is designed to carefully teach you the correct methods to move, train and strengthen your body to properly relieve your back pain. While I suggest that you first discuss with your physician before any treatment, I definitely think giving this a look see will be beneficial – especially at its price point.

The Paleo Kid is one of my absolute favorite ebooks, offering 26 easy recipes that I can incorporate into my families diet and making the transition easy peezy for the children. This book includes Gluten Free recipes which make it great for those that are on a Gluten Free diet and the recipes are easy to make. Kid Tested Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snack meals that are not only great for your kids but the entire family.

The list on my kindle is ever growing but I wanted to share a few books that I have recently added to my reading list and a few that I have loved this past year. While this list is small, I wanted to offer ebooks that I know would be great for families alike. I will be sure to share more of these in the coming months but for now, if you are looking for some ideas for last minute Christmas / Holiday gifts, give these a try and see if they are something you’ll enjoy. Happy Holidays!

Some of the books discussed in this review were provided to me for free download for review and consideration via Tomoson. While some of them may be free, my opinions are 100% honest and my own.

About Honeygirl's World

Honeygirl's World is a Lifestyle blog by Honey Kaho'ohanohano. Honey is a Maui girl, born and raised on the island of Maui with a background in Sales and Marketing, Resort Management and Motivational Speaking. This blog is a way for her to document her life's adventures while sharing her best tips and tricks for all things lifestyle, beauty and Hawaii. Learn more about Honey and the entire family that is featured here on the blog.

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