It’s Monday and time to start week 6 of our Distance Learning for the boys. Week 5 has ended, thank goodness – because it was a doozy. It seems like the days are flying by, which is unusual – considering that it also seems so long in comparison. Maybe it’s just me – maybe it’s the world. Some parts of the state are starting to reopen again but distance learning is still a new norm and will take till the end of the school year. Now that it’s May – that means there is about 3 weeks left (for the most part), till the boys are able to truly enjoy some time off.
What’s New – Any Challenges?
I think the boys are starting to get cabin fever. A few days ago they followed my Father In Law to take in the recyclables. There truly is no people interaction there, but they kept their masks on while unloading. It was the first time they actually left the house (other than walking in our neighborhood) and you could tell the twins enjoyed it. My eldest followed me to the store (of course, social distancing and protected) and it seemed to help him a bit.
The boys have been in the house for over 5 weeks and I could tell that they were going stir crazy. While we’ve given them all the tools to keep them busy while staying home, I know that they miss being outdoors and my little fish certainly miss the water. If the ocean or ponds are calling my name, I can only imagine how much it is affecting them.
Luke’s Homework assignment – a card to the frontliners for Covid-19
We’re Thankful
While the boys are struggling with what seems to be their new norm and it shows… they are making the best of the situation. Who said distance learning was easy, right? But, I know that while the boys are having a difficult time, they are truly thankful to all of the people on the frontline – tackling Covid-19. They know that by staying home, we are keeping us safe, as well as the frontliners that are working so hard and diligently for all of us. It’s difficult to teach a little person the importance of social distancing, especially when we try to teach them to limit television and screen time. But, we’ve been able to do our best and I’m thankful for this opportunity that I have more time with these little bugs.
They Can’t Get Away From School
If there is one thing I’m starting to notice as we wrapped up Week 5 – it’s that the kiddos are getting frustrated with doing school work from home. I am realizing that they are having to give up their love of home life because it’s now their place of school as well. Homework is no longer an assignment or two like a normal school day, it now feels like an all-day affair. What was once a place they could use to escape from school is no longer. Their sanctuary from reading, writing, and math – is now the all in one.
I don’t think that it would be so bad if they were able to leave the house, go to the park, take part in sports or even go to the beach. But, since we are on lockdown – they spend all day and all night at home. If I’m struggling with it myself – I can only imagine how difficult it is for them. I try to set a schedule for them each day – so that we are done with school work and they have time to relax and play. But, if I’m honest – it’s that it is not really working and they are not only frustrated but definitely not happy with me.
Favorite Things from last week
We take solice each week in some new found things or something to help pass the time. Here are a few favorites that did just that:
Operation – the board game – Yes, that is still a fun and exciting thing in 2020. We pulled the game out and had a blast. My 10-year-old twins thought the concept was hilarious. The game also helped to make the day go by faster a few times this past week. Who says childhood board games are lame? Certainly not me!
Frozen Pizza – Cooking dinner each night is a normal thing usually in our house. But cooking diner along with breakfast and lunch every day of the week – WOWZERS! It’s a challenge to constantly think of what to make – with or without meal planning. I picked up a bunch of frozen pizza to throw in the freezer. Let’s just say – LIFESAVER! It works when our day is fruitful and no one wants to cook. Add some of your favorite toppings and you have a winner of a pizza dinner.
Razor Electric Scooter and E-Punk Bikes – Walking is great exercise, but electric scooters and bikes are fun. The boys were blessed with an E-Punk Electric Bike from Razor (review coming soon). But, they also received an Electric Scooter gift from their Aunt. It has helped to make our outdoor time a little different and fun. The boys have been enjoying it and we can’t wait to tell you all about it later this week.
Off to the next Adventure
Well, that’s it for last week’s recap. We’re doing what we can to keep busy, keep inspired, and keep going. It’s been a struggle – but we make it work to the best of our ability. This past week has reminded me that sometimes we just need to regroup. Reminder: know that we are not in this alone. The boys are doing the best they can and I will continue to encourage them as much as possible. We can only look forward to our next adventure.
If you’re reading this – we hope that your Week 6 is off to a great start. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay home!
I can’t believe we are midway through week 4 since distance learning has become the new norm. The boys are feeling the pressure as the sanctuary they call…
We are almost done with Week 3 of this Stay-at-home order in Hawaii, due to the Covid-19 Global pandemic outbreak. Schools have been closed and homeschooling has become…
It’s been a few weeks now since the coronavirus pandemic has affected us globally. It’s caused many shutdowns and quarantines throughout the world and Hawaii is no exception. My sons have been out of school since Spring Break started and now we are doing distance learning and homeschooling to keep them up with their studies. It’s a difficult time for everyone and finding activities to do while social distancing has been a challenge. To help get in our important Vitamin D and sunshine, I’ve been working with my children to play outside in our yard. With this crazy time in the world, it can seem like an uphill battle. Our lives are being turned upside down and while it’s difficult, we can get through this together.
Schools are closed, how do I keep my kiddos busy?
One of the main issues that I know parents are struggling with right now is ideas and ways to keep their kiddos busy during their school closures. They not only have to go to school from home, but they have to stay home and it can be a challenge. Thankfully, Razor has provided me some awesome suggestions for kipping kids busy and entertained during this time. This list of things is perfect to help our kids get up and active inside or outside and allows them to take in some of that Springtime sunshine. It’s perfect for getting some fresh air and having some fun while still social distancing from others.
Indoor Activity Ideas to Keep Kids Busy from Razor
The Spring weather is here and you may have the option of getting kids outside for some fresh air and play time during these school shut downs…and bikes, skateboards, scooters and electric rides are the perfect solution for kids with some energy to burn….
But what about when they are inside?
Let’s Unplug & Play
Razor has got some great energy-burning activity ideas perfect for indoor play!
Get kids of all ages to unplug, get up, and MOVE, even inside, with ideas like:
Simon Says – This classic game gets an indoor twist with commands like “Simon says hop to your pillow and back,” “Simon Says run up the stairs and back,” and “Simon Says bring me a spoon”
Dance Party – Nothing gets kids going like a dance party! Pick a favorite playlist and crank up the jams! Learn a new move on YouTube or try a round of freeze dance, pausing your music and holding statue-still til it starts up again (Alexa is a great freeze dance partner!)
Tape Shapes – Clear some space on a non-carpeted floor and use painter’s tape to make large triangles, rectangles, squares, and circles on the floor. Assign each child a starting space, then call moves like “crab walk to the circle,” “crawl to the square,” or “jump backwards to the rectangle.”
Balloon Ball – Blow up some balloons, toss a sheet over two chairs to make a “net”, and serve up a round of indoor balloon volleyball – just don’t let that balloon touch the floor!
Laundry Basketball – If your kids are bonkers for basketball, empty out a laundry basket and take turns tossing a Nerf ball into the basket, backing up two steps each time you score. See who can shoot from the farthest distance!
Soda Bottle Bowling – Dig some empty soda or water bottles out of the recycling and set up an indoor bowling alley in your hallway. Roll a soft ball toward your targets and see who can knock down the most “pins” and reset them the fastest.
Long Jump – Using painter’s tape, lay six 2-foot strips, each about a foot apart. Assign a starting spot and see who can jump the farthest!
Potato Pass – Kids waddle their way toward a bucket or bowl – with a potato between their knees – and see who can drop it in first in this half-baked indoor game! Make it tricky by placing the bucket in another room, forcing turns or steps along the way.
Be My Mirror – Pair up your kids and assign a starter to make a series of moves while their partner tries to mirror what they’re doing. Get through the series and switch roles – miss one and begin again!
Hula Hoop Marathon – Grab a hoop and set the timer to see who can last the longest. Expert “hoopers” can try swiveling their hula hoops on their necks, arms, and ankles.
Just because they are playing inside doesn’t mean they have to be couch potatoes. Get creative and your kids will follow suit. And these can all be played outside as well!
Thank you Razor for providing me with this list of awesome activities. My sons are all having cabin fever and it can be a challenge to keep a little one entertained. While electronics are helpful, there are a lot of things we can do to keep our kiddos busy while they have fun.
Interested in learning about Razor and the products their offer? Visit them at: https://www.razor.com/
How about you, what are you doing with your children during school shutdowns? For Moms, if you’re interested in a little Netflix & Chill, check out my list of shows and movies that you can watch too.
A few weeks back I shared with you some awesome info on the Hotel Transylvania 3 movie. On September 25th, the movie became available on Digital HD and…
As a mom, I’m all about making sure my sons get exactly what they need to flourish, but I also love a great pampering as well. What mother doesn’t love the whole Hollywood treatment anyway? Just in time for Mother’s Day, I’m going to be sharing with you a little sneak peak at Hollywood celebrities’ Mother’s Day Gift Bags. 25 Celebrity moms are getting the exclusive assortment of different products this holiday delivered right to them and I figured I would share it with all of you. Many of these are “new to me brands” so why not share them with you.
AlexAnne Beauty: Cruelty free, long lasting liquid matte and cream lipsticks. www.alexannebeauty.com
Alexis Seletzky: 10 personal training sessions in a private West Hollywood gym with celebrity trainer Alexis Seletzky.
ARIZER: Our most powerful portable vaporizer yet! High Quality Components and an all-glass vapor path delivers pure & tasty vapor every time. www.arizer.com
ARTLORD:An Original 1/1 Hand embellished fine art screen print, as well as a gift certificate towards future artwork by Los Angeles Artist, Artlord. www.artworkbyartlord.com
Bangarang: Handmade wooden box filled with 199 cards of positive actions and quotes. For every Positive Cube purchased, a donation is made to a charity or a cause. www.gobangarang.com
BeBibs: BeBibs are fashion adult bibs that safeguard your clothes against the perils of everyday life. BeBibs easily cover any outfit to protect from makeup, food or beverage spills and drips and can be worn at any time of day. www.bebibs.com
Coobie Seamless Bras: Inexpensive, ultra comfortable, and supportive, the Coobie Seamless Bra truly fits 32A-36D with full sizes available. 70+ trending colors and patterns with 7+ styles! www.shopcoobie.com
CPR Anytime: CPR Anytime allows anyone to learn the core skills of adult Hands-Only CPR in just 20 minutes using their own personal kit. The program also includes other lifesaving techniques such as child CPR, choking relief and AED awareness. This kit from the American Heart Association is designed to be shared among close family and friends. www.heart.org/cpranytime
Crayola: Customized Crayola My Way Inspiration Art Case filled with crayons, markers, and colored pencils. Each art case will be customized with a Mother’s Day themed graphic and personalized including the celebrity’s name on the front panel. www.crayola.com
Crayola: Mess-Free Creativity on-the-go. Crayola Color Wonder Stow & Go Studio Includes Color Wonder Studio Case, 4 Color Wonder Mini Markers and 12–page Color Wonder Activity Book www.crayola.com
Crystal Hills Organics: Revitalize your soul and indulge the skin as you bathe in Crystal Love. Experience the healing and purifying properties of rose quartz, Dead Sea salt, Himalayan sea salt, rose petals, rooibos, hibiscus and fireweed. www.crystalhills.com
Dragon Mist: Dragon Mist is an all-natural topical spray formulated for after piercing care as well as soothing and treating skin irritations. www.wickeddragonmist.com
FXP Hula Hoop Fitness: FXP Fitness is bringing recess back with the world’s first portable fitness Hula Hoop! With exercises based on pilates, barre and yoga, our 4-DVD series is proven to burn up to 800 calories an hour for a smile-inducing sweat-fest. Recipients will also receive our exercise mat and 3 in-home personal training sessions that can be used in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, New York, or Boston. www.fxpfitness.com
Genexa: Genexa has created the world’s first certified organic and non-GMO over-the-counter medicine.Gift sets include Stress Relief, Sleepology, Allergy-D for Children and Calm Keeper for Children. www.genexahealth.com
Hasbro: Visit www.HasbroGaming.com to learn more about the latest and greatest games from Hasbro, including the Fantastic Gymnastics game and the Monopoly Token Madness Edition game!
Havenly: Havenly is gifting a Full Room design package. This includes professional online design services for one room re-design. www.havenly.com
Healing Saint by DrJane360: Healing Saint Luminosity Skin Serum uses a polypeptide complex and natural botanical extracts to gently and effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines, fade age spots, minimize uneven tones and increase luminosity. Healing Saint Hair Follicle Stimulant replaces what has been lost due to aging and replenishes the essential growth factors, preventing further hair loss. www.drjane360.com
Invisible Fitness:Invisible Fitness Formula – 5 Secrets to Release Weight and End Body Shame. www.jjflizanes.com
Kiklos Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil by The Olive Fruit: Kiklos is a limited production, single varietal Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil, that is cold pressed from delicately harvested Peloponnese Koroneiki olives, which bear its famed antioxidant-rich “Kiklos Kick” flavor. www.theolivefruit.com
Lady Amber’s Reviews: 5 paperback books: Winter in Sweetwater County by Ciara Knight, In My Dreams by Cameo Renae, Little Moments by Madison Street, Perfect Imperfections by J & L Wells, and Broken Wide Open by Susan Griscom. www.ladyambersreviews.com
Lansinoh Laboratories: A Smarter Way toPump! Lansinoh’s New Smartpump™ Double Electric Breastpump uses Bluetooth® technology to connect seamlessly to the Lansinoh Baby App to track pumping sessions, baby’s activities and more, simplifying your pumping routine. Three customizable pumping styles mimic baby’s natural feeding pattern to maximize milk production and comfort. Hygienic closed system design guarantees no milk backup in tubing or motor for easier cleaning. www.lansinoh.com
Medice: Amazing Medice Foot Cream helps make heels smooth and crack free. www.medicehealth.com
Naples Soap Company: Pink Grapefruit Body Butter, Sea Salt Scrub and Body Oil; Oatmeal Goat’s Milk & Honey Natural Soap; Morning Wood Sea Salt Soap; The Muscle Stick; Unscented Moisturizer Stick; The Eczema Soap; Unscented Body Butter; and Bath Bomb Barrel. www.naplessoap.com
N.B.T.F. Nothing But The Fruit: Introducing N.B.T.F. Nothing But The Fruit™ Real Fruit Bites. 100% fruit-picked, pureed and pressed into bite sized pieces for healthy snacking on the go! Each pack contains 1 serving of fruit that’s non-GMO, vegan & gluten free, with NO refined sugar, artificial preservatives or flavors. www.nbtf.com
Oatbox: Oatbox is a breakfast subscription-based company that delivers monthly-curated boxes of natural, healthy and delicious granola mixes and high-protein breakfast bars. Each month, customers can choose from two new Monthly Discovery mixes featuring seasonal ingredients, in addition to the house flavors – all delivered right to customers doors for $20 including free nationwide shipping. Eating oats is often suggested to new moms to increase milk supply, as they are rich in iron and help in lowering cholesterol levels. www.oatbox.com
Parasol Ultra-Soft Diapers: Parasol ultra-soft diapers are safe, responsible and crafted for performance. www.parasolco.com
Paris Honoré: Paris Honoré is redefining natural skincare by using the fewest yet finest organic ingredients that yield visible results. Our Flawless Face Care Trio, Our Hand Bag Essential set and the first cosmetic-grade, alcohol-free hand and skin sanitizer highlight our commitment to less is more. www.parishonore.com
Phobia Relief: From Fear to Freedom: International bestseller book.www.phobiarelief.org
Pirate’s Booty, Aged White Cheddar: Pirate’s Booty—’tis the most delicious gluten-free snack to ever set sail. Every perfect rice and corn puff is baked with aged white cheddar cheese. With no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, you’ll never find a more craveable crunch!www.piratebrands.com
PonyDry: PonyDry is the first product designed to allow moms with long hair to wash only the part of their hair that really matters – the roots – while keeping their ends dry, and maintaining their style. www.ponydry.com
Reloved: The Loved Shirts by Reloved were created to make women feel loved and to know that you are helping women you don’t know feel loved. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to help women in need.www.reloved.com
Rest-Rite Sleep Positioner: Instead of pushing your partner over all night because of snoring, you can simply pop a Rest-Rite Sleep Positioner under his back or shirt and within seconds you have solved the problem. Now when your partner tries to roll onto his back, this positioner gives a gentle nudge to remain on his side. www.restrite.ca
Revision Skincare: Nectifirm® helps the skin appear more firm and lifted. It is the highest rated neck product on the market, according to Kline & Company, a respected provider of world-class market intelligence. www.revisionskincare.com
Rumi X: eco-friendly leggings, sports bra, tank top and headbands made from recycled plastic bottles and coffee grounds. www.rumixfeelgood.com
Rustic MAKA: Rustic MAKA is a family-owned natural body care company, dedicated to work towards reclaiming our customer’s well-being. We embrace simplicity and offer the highest quality products that go beyond today’s standards of natural, through the use of exceptional ingredients, sustainable applications, no animal testing and above all, honesty. Our products are made in small batches with plant-based ingredients and absolutely no animal testing. They are designed with the sensitive to normal skin in mind and each product has been crafted with organic butters and oils, fortifying minerals, vitamins and nutrient-rich botanical extracts that will stimulate and nourish the skin. www.rusticmaka.com
Slimware: Chic portion-control plates with the diet concept disguised in the design.www.slimwareplates.com
SweetCheeks Cellulite Massage Mats: Sit on your sweetcheeks for a daily 30-minute massage to increase circulation and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Just sit again every day to maintain your results. Nothing to plug in – powered by you. www.sweetcheeksproducts.com
VEERAH: VEERAH is a mission-driven luxury shoe company founded for women to conquer the world in impeccable style and make a positive impact. Our core design and business philosophy rests on the belief “Do Good. Look Incredible.” www.veerah.com
youtheory: sleep powder, collagen and turmeric packets. www.youtheory.com
The list of this year’s famous mommies and mommies-to-be includes Kerry Washington, Katherine Heigl, Mila Kunis, Anna Chlumsky, Ellie Kemper, Blake Lively, Vanessa Lachey, Blac Chyna, Amber Tamblyn, Tori Spelling, Amy Smart, Beyoncé, Lily Rabe, Amanda Seyfried, Ciara, Lauren Conrad, Audra McDonald, Natalie Portman, Alanis Morissette, Chrissy Teigen, Tyra Banks, Hoda Kotb, P!nk, Lake Bell and Janet Jackson.
Definitely check out some of these products to include in your Mother’s Day gifts for your favorite Mom or Mom to be. And, if you’re window shopping for yourself (by the way, Happy Mother’s Day), I definitely suggest checking these out as well.
Have a wonderful week,
Honey
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Samples of products are sent for review consideration. However, as with anything on this site – all opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are posted through out.
I’m quite impressed with myself – to be honest, that I was able to release most of my Holiday Gift Guides by the first week of December. Let’s all stand and give me a round of applause, shall we? lol – All kidding aside, I’m pretty happy with myself this year because I laid out a schedule and I kept with it. Today, I’m sharing with you a gift guide that I’m absolutely excited about, because it’s one of my favorites to do each year. When it comes to Stocking Stuffers, I find that they can be the easiest gift to buy for anyone on your holiday gift giving list. Why? Well, because anything that you can fit in a Christmas stocking goes… and for me – that means I get to pick up all the little nifty products that I would love to get or receive as a gift and it can always be something fun, practical or unpractical and definitely interesting. I have a wide list of products that fit into this list so this is going to be a long post – so without further adieu, let’s get started.
Hickies Lacing System is by far one of my favorite gifts to give for the holiday. Each pack is small enough to fit into a stocking (of most sizes) and anyone who wears shoes with traditional laces will love these. I own about 8 pairs myself, using them to change up my shoes from time to time and to fit my personality for the day. Sneaker designs change but one thing that remains the same, are laces. You’ll never have to tie a shoelace again and once you go Hickies, you’ll never go back to traditional laces.
Hickies come in a huge array of colors and sizes for adults and children and are so easy to put on and take off. Hickies is running a Winter Holiday Sale right now – purchase Hickies 1.0 for $13.99 (reg $14.99), Hickies 2.0 for $14.99 (reg $17.99) and Hickies Kids for $9.99 (reg $11.99)
Purchase Hickies at: https://www.hickies.com/
I couldn’t mention a cool pair of laces without mentioning something along the lines of fitness and the MilestonePod is definitely a great stocking stuffer. This little device is perfect for any runner or walker and whether you’re training for your first 5K or just getting into shape or staying active, this is the perfect gear for you. This wearable pod not only tracks your running metrics, but it also tells you when it’s time to replace your shoes and it helps to prevent many common injuries a new running should definitely have in their toolkit.
The Pod is easy to use. Simply clip the Pod onto your shoe once and leave it there. The Pod collects data as soon as it senses movement. The Pod is always ready to go and it knows when you start and stop. There is no need to run with your phone to keep track of the data and you can sync your Pod to the MilestonePod App to view detailed performance data and gait metrics. The Pod works everywhere, even indoors and no charging is needed.
The MilestonePod retails for $24.95 and can be purchased at: http://www.milestonepod.com/the-product/the-milestone-pod/
Handcrafted jewelry pieces make GREAT stocking stuffers. Pura Vida Jewelry offers gorgeous handmade pieces and each bracelet is carefully handcrafted by artisans in Costa Rica. The commitment to their craft is conveyed through the quality of their gorgeous work. Pura Vida Charity Collection was created to give back to different causes all over the world. Pura Vida is partnered with over 190 charities and have donated more than $935,358 to date. Pura Vida also donates 1% of their annual net revenue to environmental organizations worldwide. The goal of Pura Vida is to continue to expand the charity line and support as many causes as possible. These gorgeous bracelets (pictured above) have been favorites of mine to use on a daily basis because they are dressy, yet casual and work well with anything that I’m wearing.
Pura Vida Bracelets retail for $5.00 each or you can select a Style Pack that retails for $65+. You can purchase your bracelet(s) from Pura Vida at: http://www.puravidabracelets.com/
When it comes to gift giving – I do my best to offer functional gifts to friends and family. A gift that you can expect from me or a stocking stuffer for all to see would be a reusable tote. Here in Hawaii, plastic bags are banned and unable to be given out at grocery markets so a great tote makes a perfect gift for anyone. Urban Market Bags to the rescue. With Urban Market bags you get 3 or 6 bags per drawstring pack which means you basically have your needs covered with bags should you need them.
Urban Market Bags come in contemporary colors that look great (I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of that bright blue bag you get at one of those big box stores) and they are made of high quality, durable and machine washable fabric. What I love about them is that they fold up small to fit in a handbag or cupholder of your car as well as a Christmas Stocking and they are just perfect for everyday.Urban Market bags are great to take to the soccer or in my case football field, gym or grocery store and I love that you have three or more bags to take with you and have bags that are stylish.
3 Pack Set retails for $28.00 and 6 Pack Set retails for $40.00 – Urban Market Bags can be purchased at: http://www.urbanmarketbags.com/shop
Get 20% off from Now till December 16, 2016 (Friday) with code: GIVEORKEEP2016.
Probably one of my favorite stocking stuffers to give out this year comes from Topperfino. If you follow me on Instagram (if not, hello -what are you waiting for? lol) you would have seen me post about Topperfino a few weeks back. Coffee is such a huge part of our everyday lifestyles – well, in my case, it’s now cocoa and tea since I can’t drink coffee as much as I would like. Topperfino is a great coffee innovation, a chocolate topper that not only gorgeous but delectable.
Topperfino is the perfect mix for coffee to create an unparalleled coffee art, but it’s a chocolate topper that can be enjoyed with any frothy hot chocolate or foamy drink. These toppers make fabulous presents.
Get the Limited Edition Holidays Mix – 10 count box for $19.99 or select the design that you think would make a great gift for just $13.99 a 10 count box. Purchase your Topperfino for yourself or a gift at: http://topperfino.com/
I have mentioned LATHER in a previous Gift Guide for Skin Care and Body Care and couldn’t possibly resist sharing them again. LATHER has made great stocking stuffers and ornaments packaged appropriately for the holiday season. The Soap & Candle sets ($18.00 each) make great stocking stuffers as well as the Sugar Plum Kisses Set ($15.00 each) and Vanilla Bath Fizz Combos ($18.00 each). Each set would make a great addition to anyone’s gift collection and are packaged and ready to go for holiday gift giving. Simply add a little bow or hang on a tree and you’re ready to go.
FAB Nails by Beauty Junkees is the perfect little size for travel and on the go, but most definitely makes a great gift for anyone’s holiday stocking. It’s small and fits perfectly inside and it makes a wonderful gift. FAB (File and Buff) Nail File is a 2-in-1 Set that includes the best glass nail file and a case. The file is perfect for natural fingernails and a great nail care alternative to nail polish
This nail file is a great solution for men and women and if you can’t wear nail polish – you’ll enjoy this one. You can keep your nails looking FAB with a high gloss finish that lasts up to four weeks. FAB Nails crystal glass file lasts up to a year, depending on how you care for it and your use. It’s gentle on the nails like a chamois and can be used as a buffer in a back and forth direction, sealing the keratin layers together and preventing peeling and chipping. Unlike harsh Emery boardst hat can cause the keratin layers to shed, leaving your nails thin and sometimes peeling – FAB Nails is a great solution for a smooth, ridge free glossy finish.
This awesome nail file retails for $14.97 and can be purchased here.
I’ve been a long time fan of The Body Shop and I’m absolutely loving their new releases for the year. Any makeup lover would absolutely adore these Down to Earth Eye Palettes that have been recently released. These Limited Edition Eyeshadow Quads are a winter must have and are a part of The Body Shop’s Cruelty-free makeup collection. With 100% vegetarian formulation, which contains no carmine, petrolatum, gluten or mineral oil – these gifts will make a great find for anyone that wants to do good, feel good and look good this holiday season and always.
Available in 5 different shade selections (quads) and retailing for $24.00, these shadows are buttery, feel luxe and are winners this holiday for any makeup lover. You can purchase these at your local The Body Shop store or at: http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com
Speaking of beauty lovers, lippies make great holiday stocking stuffers. Having to narrow down my favorites is nearly impossible, so I figured what better product to choose than a lippy that will protect the lips during the colder months. FarmHouse Fresh Hydrating Lip Balms have been a staple for my lips this Fall and Winter and I thought these would make great stocking stuffers. Available in Coconut Beach and Whoopie! Cream, these lip balms are so sleek and ready to rock out any pout.
Made with jojoba oil and shea butters, these lip balms promote healing and hydration with a long-wear formula that lasts and lasts with one application. They have a light fragrance and taste, but overall I love that they leave my lips hydrated all day long. These lip balms are perfect for travel and on the go and will be a great gift for anyone that needs a little lip therapy.
The FarmHouse Fresh Hydrating Lip Balms retail for $15.00 and can be purchased at: http://farmhousefreshgoods.com
The perfect little nail kit for the nail lover’s Christmas Stocking would be great nail wraps or decals. I was recently introduced to Glossique Nail Deco which makes it easy for anyone to have a gorgeous manicure at anytime. Say goodbye to dry-time, chipping and harsh chemicals and have a wonderful manicure for those holiday parties. I picked up a few of these to put in each of my nieces stockings this year because they are so fun and easy to use. Glossique offers a variety of different designs and they literally can be put on in minutes at anytime.
Glossique Nail Deco Decals retail for: $15.00 and can be purchased at: https://www.glossique.com/shop
Personalized gifts make great stocking stuffers too. Whether they are handcrafted using your own creativity or you utilize a service and put your own spin on things, I love a great personalized gift in my stocking. This cute square compact mirror you see here is a great gift. Retailing for $15.95 you can create your own by adding your own text and image. I used a photo of a sunflower that I took in my garden and added fun text that I love. The options are endless and you can personalize it with a family photo or anything you see fit.
Personalize your own gift at: http://www.zazzle.com
I certainly didn’t forget about the kiddos in our lives. Stocking Stuffers are so fun to shop for when it comes to kids because they are so happy to get fun little things that they can play with. My sons are no exception and I love that we can easily put small and fun gifts into their stocking and they will cherish it all. Lego Mixels are one of my favorite things to stash into a stocking each year. Mixels are created by Lego and are similar to basic lego in that you can build different characters utilizing a set of legos to create from. My sons love them and have quite a collection of these little guys so it’s always fun to add to their sets.
Lego Mixels can be purchased at different locations like Walmart, Target and other stores and I love that they range in price from $4.99 and up so there is a Mixels set for anyone.
The National Geographic Bug Dig Kits are something my sons love and that I love giving out as gifts. Each set allows you to dig up 3 real bugs and kids love to uncover these perfectly preserved insect specimens (spiny spider, fortune beetle and scorpion). Of course – there are a bunch of different bug kits online and National Geographic and Dr. Cool’s kits are our favorites. These make great stocking stuffers or gifts and offer an educational adventure for each child that gets one. Children will learn all about their speciments as well as many other fascinating anthropods and it becomes a cool interactive lesson with a hands-on science kit. The bugs can be kept and inspected in all angles as the bugs are preserved in transparent acrylic for easy examination.
These fun sets retail for about $10 – $20 and can be purchased here.
Like most of my gift guides this 2016 – this one is particularly lengthy, but I wanted to ensure to provide all of you, my readers with a variety of different things to help inspire your holiday gift shopping. Christmas is 13 days away and if you’re still out shopping, I definitely suggest checking out some of these finds. A few things I didn’t include in my gift guide but definitely suggest are:
Pens or Pencils (I love getting new fun gel pens for the holiday – they are great gifts for a planner lover or student)
Candy Canes (I absolutely love seeing all of the different candy canes now available in stores, grab a box of canes and put a few in a stocking. Because, everyone loves a great sweet treat)
Body lotion (I didn’t include this one in the list, but I love getting some new body lotion for holidays – anything sweet smelling is right for me)
homemade goods (I make a pie or chex mix, homemade fudge or something delectable to give to my postman, delivery guys and friends and family. Sometimes making things from the heart are the best goods anyone will receive)
** Holiday Gift Giving Tip: Keep in mind shipping times and delivery schedule when ordering online and find out from the company prior to purchasing if it will be shipped and delivered in time for holiday gift giving.
If you’re 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)
The Holidays is probably my favorite time of year and when it comes to Christmas gifts, I love shopping for family and friends. Any of these gifts would make a great selection for anyone this holiday season – even you, if you’re planning to treat yourself. What about you, are there any gifts on this list that you hope to find in your stocking this year, comment below and share!
Happy Holidays!
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.
I am participating in an Ambassador program on behalf of Influence Central and hosted by Claritin®. I have received compensation to thank me for my participation. All opinions…
The boys and I have reviewed toys here in the past and today is no exception. With the holidays just a few short weeks away, I wanted to make sure to share a fun toy concept with all of our readers. Today – we introduce you to Max and Landry, the Buddy Balls.
Buddy Balls was created by a little guy named Max. One day, he came home with a school project and had to create the “best toy ever”. He decided to combine two of his favorite toys – his love for sports and his beloved plush sleep buddy. With a little help from his parents, Buddy Balls were born. MaxLand Toys was inspired by Max’s creation with a goal of producing a high-quality plush toy that would become a childhood favorite. And, in our household – it certainly has.
The original collection of Buddy Balls includes four stuffed friends – Max, Landry, Sam and Eva and MaxLand Toys has since added four more additional buddies in the Sports Collection. With a few twists and flips and a push and pull – Max and Landry transform into a bright colored plush ball.
The twins absolutely love their new furry friends. Each of the buddies are so plush and soft and they use their friends’ zipper area as storage for their favorite toys – cars, legos, etc. The bears come in four different colors and the pattern on their paws show what color the ball is.
“Zip it, Flip it, Love it!”
The twins have found a new cuddly buddy and love sleeping with Max and Landry because their fur is so soft and smooth. Each bear we received is very plush and would make the perfect gift for any child or child at heart. And, did I mention that Buddy Balls offers accessories for their buddies? Sports uniforms & jerseys are available for purchase to give your buddies clothes and extra love and care.
Buddy Balls are Award Winning and have been honored with a Parent’s Choice Foundation Award. Buddy Balls also helps to support Child Life Services Hospitals and chronically ill children. Do you have someone in your life that would love a Buddy Ball? This would make a great gift for anyone.
You can learn more about Max, Landry and MaxLand Toys as well as purchase your own Buddy Ball as a gift or for yourself here: http://www.buddyballs.com/
Disclaimer: The products featured in this post were sent for review consideration and feature. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are posted through out.
