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Welcome to My World – What to expect from Honeygirl’s World in 2017 and Beyond

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I have always started a new year with positive thoughts and goals and this year is definitely no different.  I shared with all of you my 2017 Goals last week and wanted to take the time to really elaborate a bit on a personal level while sharing with you my thoughts and direction for Honeygirl’s World.  You know, when I started this blog 10 years ago, I started it as my creative outlet, sharing a piece of me while documenting my life as a busy mom maneuvering my way through the Corporate America world and now, 10 years later, I have made so many changes to my personal and professional life, that the outlook of this site has changed gears over the years as well.

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Here’s the deal – Honeygirl’s World is going back to what I love… documenting my life’s journey.  I love reviewing products whether purchased with my own hard-earned money from my own pocket or sent from PR companies for consideration, but I miss what this site used to be.  Does that mean that I’ll be providing a lot less reviews in the future?  Well, I’m not sure… but my goal is to develop the range of posts you see here and incorporate more of what this site originally was aimed towards – My Life!  Whether you are a company reading this post to decide if I am the right fit for your product or brand or someone who stumbled upon my site looking for a mother’s or wife’s perspective… let me break it down for you and share with you what you can expect here.

Let’s talk product reviews… I love love doing them.  Over the last 10 years I have been given the opportunity to try a plethora of products I probably wouldn’t have tried to begin with.  My family – husband, sons and fur baby – have also been given great opportunity to try products for themselves.  I don’t think I’ll be eliminating those types of posts here, but I do have a strong opinion on those types of write-ups and want to be honest here so you know what to expect.  Whether the post is sponsored or the products are sent for consideration know that my view point will never change here.  I am 100% unbiased and truthful in my thoughts for any product you read about here… if I don’t like it, you’ll know about that, if I do – well, you’ll know about that too.  No sponsored post will be biased in anyway – that has been my thought process for this site since the beginning and it will continue to be.  If I do not like a product and cannot say so in my post – I will not take on the task of writing about it.  Yes, my blog pays my bills or forks out spending money for me… but that will NEVER change my opinion and I will never obscure my integrity, my word and reputation for a product that I feel is not up to my personal standard.  This can be a downfall in who I may work with, but that will never change who I am.  I grew up being taught that your word is golden in life and I teach my children the same thing so I would never go against that for a quick monetary pay.  Know that when you read a review here, it is truly my own word and that will not change.  Not all products will receive a 100% pass from me and some may work for me while not for others.

I just turned 37 a few days ago and I’m reminded with each waking moment that blogging and YouTube are so much more different than when I started posting videos and write-ups 10 years ago.  When I started YouTube, many of us filmed in a closet or at our desks, using a webcam or rickety point and shoot camera and just going with the flow.  You know, while I do have my favorites that I still watch – I find myself back to basics, watching and enjoying YouTubers that offer simplistic videos.  Call me cheesy, but I find myself watching YouTubers that provide videos like I do… chit chat and talk story type diaries that are laid back and personable.  YouTube has turned into a cookie cutter type of platform and I’ve lost interest in so many I’ve watched over the years.  Same with blogging…  at 37 years old I find that I do not fit in the stereotypical blogger, that 18 – 25 year old range.  Hey, nothing wrong with that, right; but because of this, I find that the beauty industry I have loved for so long is no longer where I want to be and I want out.  Don’t get me wrong… I LOVE beauty, makeup, nails, skin care… but I’m not going to sacrifice my own identity to please those around me.  I realized in 2016 that I miss the type of videos and posts I used to do when I was in my late 20s and I want to go back to that place again.

Ugh… I’m so tired of the stigma of “Oh – she does YouTube videos and does it for free shit” or “Oh, she’s a blogger so she can get free stuff.”  Um, no and no!  I never started my blog or YouTube channel that way – but it’s been so nice that these companies have been so gracious to share their products with me and my family.  It’s wonderful to be able to be paid for something I enjoy doing too.  But rest assured, all of that – the free stuff and money, it has NEVER changed me… so you can continue to expect the same type of content whether organic or evergreen or whatever term you would like to use, all while I share a little piece of me.  Honeygirl’s World is my indeed – my World, wrapped up into all the pieces that I am proud of.

What can you expect here?  Well – more lifestyle posts, of course.  Back in the day I used to write a series on my site called:  Dear Diary or Sunday Letters, all of which were popular and fun and documented my life in a different aspect than what you see online.  Documentation of my weight loss and “back to healthy” journey which will allow me to hold myself accountable for success.  I want to share my Thirsty Thursday episodes and elaborate more on the subjects here on the blog then I do on YouTube and plan to have more Q&A and FAQ posts for those who are always asking me questions.  Since I have an “Ask Honey” segment on my channel, I would like to definitely incorporate that here as well and my overall goal is to post more on my outfits (I’m not your typical fashion lover) and of course share my recipes, food choices and ideas here.  There is so much more I have to list… but this post would be much longer than it should be.

Changing up my role in the blogging and YouTube community is never a bad thing.  I think that while I’m making changes in my presence in the online world, I’m actually enhancing who I really am and what I’m about.  Hey, let’s be real here for a second… does that mean I will no longer talk about Beauty here or on my channel??? Um, have you been listening?  Of course I am, but it will not define what Honeygirl’s World is all about.  If you are looking for product reviews, yes – you shall still see them here and find them here, but you will certainly see much more of who I truly am moving forward.  Those that have followed my blogging and YouTube journey since the beginning – you will see a lot more of the “old Honey” that you were probably accustomed to.  I’ll still continue to put the same amount of time and effort into any of my posts and I’ll still offer you the variety of content you have been seeing over the years – but now, it will include so much more.  I plan to up my game with more lifestyle posts and share a little peek into my world.  So – if you’re willing to stick around for this ride, then hang on tight and have some fun with me.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2017 and years beyond.  It’s going to be a great year and I’m looking forward to sharing it with all of you!

Signature Honey

Check out my 2017 Goals if you haven’t already read it.

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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

Signature Honey

 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

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Productivity, Focus, Organization & Education – With Apps That Are Actually Free, Amazon Underground

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With the boys back in school and in the middle of this year’s football season, we are busy trying to keep ourselves on task and focused while still finding time to enjoy those “life” moments.  Our daily schedules keep us on our toes and we are constantly looking for ways to not only unwind but help assist us in our productivity and our daily tasks.  It doesn’t matter if your a student, teacher or parent… the day to day can get the best of us so any help… counts!  With everything we have available at our finger tips, I knew that there just had to be a way to find something that would not only keep us on task, but also help us relax, focus and unwind some.  Thankfully, there is a solution and a little assistance to help us out.  Whether it be on an android smart phone or tablet, free apps (actually free) from Amazon Underground are to the rescue.

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When you’re looking for something to keep your kiddos busy or to help with learning their alphabets or reading, there are apps that can help.  Interested in getting a bit more organized or need something to unwind and relax your brain for the day – hey, Amazon Underground Always Free apps got you covered.  You never have to worry about your kids downloading apps and games that will cost you money and you can get access to over 3,000 apps and games that are 100% FREE.  Simply download them from Amazon Underground to your Amazon Fire tablet or Android smartphone and you are good to go.

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There are so many apps available in the Amazon Underground catalog that there is something there for anyone – my whole family is enjoying the selection.  100% free apps & games are a part of the Amazon Appstore with access to great content that you would normally have to pay for in “other” App and Playstores, but they are at zero cost through Amazon Underground.  I am loving that some of my favorite games are available through access to premium apps and my family and I get to take advantage of the fun and convenience while we take a break from our busy day.

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As a mother the Amazon Underground apps allow me to take my coloring on the go – letting me take a few minutes to focus on me while coloring – utilizing an easy app I love called Adult Coloring or Zen: Adult Coloring Book.  When my family and I like to work our brains and have some fun together, we enjoy playing Brain It On! or some of our favorite games called Cut the Rope, Sonic Dash and Zootopia also make for some family enjoyment.  For drawing, sketching and note taking, the app Notepad+ is also a great selection for fun as well as productivity.

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On night that I need to unwind and relax and fall asleep soundly and easily, I love using the White Noise Sleep Aid – the Forest Noise is ideal for falling right asleep and feeling rested the next morning when I awake.  You see, the options are endless and the Amazon Underground app store offers you a variety of selections for the busy mom and dad, student and school performance and studying and even the college bound teen that needs a little help making the transition.

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If you are looking for something fun to do, get productive or organized or just have a little “me” time, I highly suggest checking out Amazon Underground.  It’s easy to use and many apps and games are available at your fingertips.

If you’re interested in checking out the Amazon Appstore and learn more about what it has to offer, click here and check out the Amazon Underground catalog of 100% free apps and games.  You can also access the Amazon Underground on your Android smartphone by visiting here.

 

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

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Back To School Finds – From Affordable to Celebrity Favorites

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As the season starts to change and the weather gets a tad bit chillier, the kiddos make their way back to school for the 2016-2017 year.  I remember as a kid, going back to school was my favorite time of year because it meant that I would have the opportunity to impress a new set of teachers and meet new friends.  My boys returned back to school at the beginning of August and while it has been a busy month so far, we are so excited and they have been absolutely loving school.  Today I share with you a few of their favorite finds for Back to School from affordable selections that we love and a few Celebrity faves.  Since back to school can be a fun time for kids or some may feel a bit uneasy, it’s the perfect time to pick up some new goods that will surely put a smile on your littles’ faces.

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Going back to school after a fun summer break isn’t always easy for littles.  But, finding cool Back to School gear and supplies always make for a great start.  This year I wanted the boys to be able to develop their own sense of style (see the twins with their mohawks and sunglasses in the photo above? lol), but I also wanted them to select basics that would make their year fun and functional.

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A quality made backpack is always an important part of back to school.  My eldest Kevin has a full schedule of classes and a heavy workload and homework sometimes.  It’s important that he has a backpack that can take him to and from school while still offering him the option to use for extra curricular activities and sports.  His choice of gear for this year was the Mountainsmith Approach 25 backpack (retail: $89.95).

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This multi-pocket backpack is perfect for on the go for work and office, school or sports, or for a hike to climb the highest summit.  It features a dual-anel loader system which is idea for travel and trail), a front panel stretch-mesh pocket with daisy chain attachment loops, Anvil Airway ridged EVA back panel padding which make it comfortable on the back no matter what you carry in it, tool / trekking pole carry, side compression straps, dual side-panel mesh pockets, an internal hydration sleeve to hold 3 liters and an eleastic sternum strap and bit valve catch with a safety whistle.

This backpack is sturdy and unisex.  He has it in burgundy with brick red trim and it looks stunning and manly.  It’s comfortable on and Kevin can stuff this backpack with his school supplies and homework without worrying about it falling apart.  It’s a great backpack to have for anyone of any age and is not only for school but anything.  I plan to pick one up for myself as well since it will be great for my forest treks.

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Luke opted for a fun and stylish backpack from Chooze.  Chooze is a brand selected and loved by celebrities alike.  Matthew McConaughey’s little girl is a huge fan of the versatile and affordable clothing and accessories Chooze offers.  Luke wanted the reversible ChoozePack in Quest (retail $43.95).

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These ingenious packs feature a reversible design that has two functional sides to give your kiddos the power to choose which print to display.  It offers padded convertible straps (which Luke says are BOMB because they are so comfortable) and you can flip each strap from side-to-side to provide a different look.

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Of course, no back to school list and gear would be complete without a way to carry your lunch and snack to and from school.  Kevin opted for something he could use for school and sports and went with the Mountainsmith Takeout insulated lunch pack (retailing $17.95).  It is the perfect sized carry-all for school, office and tailgating and has a look that any teen would enjoy.

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To help carry his favorite mom’s delicious soups to school for lunch, he also selected the Hydro Flask Food Flasks.  He has them in the 12 oz. (retails for $29.99) and the 18 oz. (retails for $34.99).  These flasks are perfect to carry his favorite soups or a hot cocoa on those chilly mornings.  They fit perfectly into any lunchbox and are the perfect way to give kids a balanced healthy meal.  They offer improved temperature control technology and can keep hot food items made in the morning steamy until lunchtime.  He also enjoys holding his milk in these and pours a small box of cereal inside for breakfast on the go.

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Luke & Isaiah decided that getting a traditional lunchbox was the way they wanted to go this year.  Each of them selected a Personalized Lunchbox from I See Me! (retailing for $29.99 each, currently on sale for $17.99.  Isaiah chose the Kick, Score, Run Lunchbox and Luke chose the Outerspace Lunchbox.  I See Me! is a brand and leader in personalized storyboks and gifts for kids, offering over 30 customizable book titles.  They also offer lunch boxes, stickers, growth charts, puzzles and so much more.  This fun company is a favorite of celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Brooke Shields.

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Did I ever mention how much I enjoy Quinoa?  Well, I couldn’t resist putting some of these yummy snacks in the boys lunch boxes.  I Heart Keenwah snacks are perfect for any kiddo on the go or to pack with their lunch.  These Grab n Go (1.5 oz) snacks are great afterschool or lunch treats that taste great and are fun and nutritious.  I Heart Keenwah quinoa Clusters and Puffs are a healthy alternative to chips, crackers or sweets.  They are made of organic, Non-GMO ingredients.  They are a protein-rich superfood snack and gluten-free with the perfect crunch to fill and fuel your little ones bodies.  I love them myself and the boys think they taste great.  We find them at our local Safeway and Wholefoods at a reasonable cost.

Setton Farms International Premium Quality Snacks are also a great buy.  Our favorite are the Creme Brulee Blend that has cashews and toffee peanuts.  The Creme Brulee Blend incorporates all the creamy sweetness and crunch of the traditional Creme Brulee without the spoon.  It combines freshly roasted cashews and toffee peanuts with creamy butterscotch and white chips for an irresistible treat.  They are available in 5 oz resealable bags and available in major grocery store chains across the country – Price Chopper, Market Basket, King Kullen and more.  Setton Farms sent us a variety of treats to try but the Creme Brulee Blend is our favorite.  I hope we can find more of these in our local stores, so far I’ve only found them at http://www.puritan.com/ and I’ll need to be purchasing more soon.

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When it comes to back to school, the boys are simple shoppers which makes my job easiest.  I remember as a child wanting to have all the pretty notebooks and pens for back to school supplies.  This year, when I did the boys school supply shopping, I also took advantage of some discounts for myself too.  Whether it’s Crayons or Pens, Notebooks and Planners or a tablet, the options are endless and come in a variety of price points.  Some of our favorites included:

  • Crayola Crayons 24 Pack – these are perfect on the go or to keep in the desk or at home.  When shopping during the sales you can get these for about $0.25 each.
  • Calendar or Planners – some of my favorites are the Blue Sky Planners from Target.  Of course, you can’t go wrong with an Erin Condren Life Planner, Happy Planner or your traditional binder planners like Kikki K, Filofax or Dokibook.
  • Pens – anyone who knows me, knows that I’m a huge pen collector.  Some of my current favorites include the Paper Mate Ink Joy Gel 0.7mm Pens, Pilot Frixon Pens and Pilot G2.
  • Pencils – Oh, how I love me some pencils.  Currently my favorites at the moment are any type of Mechanical Pencil with 0.5mm lead, BIC Pencil 0.7mm (the metallic ones have won me over), Dixon Ticonderoga #2 Pencils (have you seen the beautiful metallic ones?)  The Ticonderoga pencils are perfect for sketching as well as writing and erase cleanly.
  • Notebooks – Spiral, composition tablet… you name them and they are available in all kinds of paper style and cover design.
  • Folder / Filler Paper – ah, hand me a ream of college ruled please!  The twins use Wide Ruled, Kevin uses College Ruled.  I love that they are available from a variety of brands and price points.
  • Amazon Fire Tablet – for less than $50, you can get your hands on a Tablet that acts as a Reader or Internet hub.  The Amazon Fire Tablet is affordable but gives your student (or you) the option to get online, use amazing apps or just play games.  It’s definitely a great tool to have for the student or the mentor.

Now – you don’t need to pick up these particular items.  Honestly, I just wanted to include some of my favorite school supplies (or mommy supplies) because I was feeling a bit left out. lol

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Last but certainly not least in our Back to School finds are some great threads.  Each child is an individual and I really love seeing them shop and select their own clothing, accessories and shoes – even their own hair cuts.  All three of my boys are simple guys but they do enjoy fun pops of color to their outfits and clothing selections.  Whether it be plaid shorts with a solid color shirt or fun hats and accessories, the boys take pride in finding something to wear that is not only comfortable and functional – but reveals their style.  Isaiah is absolutely enjoying his Rocket in Listen modern sneaker boot style shoes from Chooze ($54.95) and he wanted to show them to our readers today.

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This modern sneaker boot style shoe comes with a side elastic gore added for comfort.  It has a signature dual design with easy access side zipper entry making the shoe easy to take off and put on.  It has padded throat for extra comfort and soft canvas uppers.  The flexible support offers comfort while the removable, padded, anti-stink insoles make these the perfect footwear for an active little guy.  They wipe clean easily with a damp cloth or can be washed in cold water and air dried.  Chooze offers a variety of footwear designs for both girls and boys and they are stylish and fun to allow your child to make a statement all their own.

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Luke likes a shoe that can allow him to run and play with a little swagger and Kevin, well – if he’s not in his Nike Basketball shoes most of the time, you can find him in a pair of flip flops (rubbah slippahs as we call them here in Hawaii) and a cool pair of shades to finish off his look.  The boys were quite ecstatic to return back to school because the new school year meant that they were all beginning their football season for Pop Warner but most importantly, they got to go back to school and learn… I mean, hang out with their friends, just kidding lol.  The boys love school and love learning new things so shopping for new gear for back to school is always a huge highlight.

No matter what you decide to get for your child (or yourself) this Back to School season, make it fun and colorful and let it represent your own individual style.  Have your kiddos gone back to school yet?  If so, do they sport a relaxed and casual style or do they really like to dress up and have some fun?  Wishing all the students a wonderful 2016-2017 school year filled with lots of fun, friendships and learning.  From our house to yours… Aloha!

Signature Honey

Disclaimer:  Some of the products mentioned in this post were sent for review and feature consideration.  All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to feature these products.  Some products were also purchased with my own money.  Affiliate links are posted through out.

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How I Contribute To My Community As a Blogger – Giving Back

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Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Clevergirls, giving back, community service, blogger, vlogger, volunteer, community leader, influencer, donation, makeup, donating makeup, donating time, volunteering time,


As a child – I knew that I had the power to make things happen.  Honestly, I’m thankful that my parents instilled in me that anything is possible and taught me that you or I could make a difference in anyone’s life – all we had to do is want to “be the difference!” (or at least try to make a difference)  I have always taken that advice and used it to my benefit and as inspiration to share my talents, my success and my hard work with the world.  Over the years, I have taken part in a plethora of community service and involvement and it’s always been a part of who I am.  I find joy in it but most importantly – I find joy in knowing that the time I took to assist someone or help out would make a difference in my community and hopefully, my world.  Today I share with you a few things I do as a Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger and Vlogger to contribute.  Many people say that they don’t have the resources to be able to help in their community – but the fact is, anything and everything you do counts towards making an impact – you just have to want to do it and make it happen.  Support comes in all forms, you just have to figure out what works best for you and get involved in Giving Back!

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and I’m off to deliver donations…

As a blogger or vlogger who talks about makeup, I get makeup, skin care, hair products and other samples at events or for editorial purposes consistently.  These products often times are sent to me to cover and write about on my blog or feature on my YouTube channel and many brands send a variety of different products for me to try.  Let’s be honest here, not all products can be utilized and it can be impossible to use them all before they expire.  Often times some products do not mesh well with my skin or hair so they may not be used.  A few years ago, I vowed to not let these products go to waste and have been donating them to different causes to help in different situations.  I donate my unused makeup to a women’s shelter or a local Theatrical Guild to help the students and artists create their many looks and costumes for performance.  The women’s shelter donations are sent in collaboration with my personal time, as I also offer up a small class that teaches these women easy skills on how to properly apply makeup for the workforce to help them build self confidence.  It’s been something I’ve been doing for years and I absolutely love it.  Since I get more products than I can use and I love teaching others to put on makeup, this is not a job for me, but rewarding in that I can use my experience and still give back to my local community.  Each time I go to the women’s shelter, I make little bags filled with things like shampoo, conditioner, cleansing wipes, body wash and some makeup that will allow them to put together an easy look.  I also pick up some items from the dollar section to help them apply their makeup – like tools from Eyes Lips Face, etc.  It’s not only rewarding to me to see that I can help build these women’s confidence, but I can offer them a tool to help get them on their feet.  Some of these women have had to leave their  homes in a hurry, so they have left everything behind.  This is another way to help give them a little confidence while giving them a little hope too.

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While monetary items are so essential for community contribution, donating my time and things I already have make such a huge difference.  Since Honeygirl’s World is a lifestyle based blog, I also get a variety of products like food, school supplies, clothes and toys (to name a few) and those get donated to local shelters to help people who are down on their luck or need a little help to get on their feet.  Children’s books are popular and we donate those to our local school libraries or doctor’s offices to provide reading material for the keiki (keiki means “kids or children” in hawaiian).  I also like making little zip lock bags filled with shampoo and body wash or soap and deliver them to the local shelters for those who need them when they are staying there.

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the giving bags are in progress…

As a crafter I enjoy spending some time volunteering at schools, teaching children how to make fun crafts to take home and share with their families and I also love talking at the local High Schools about bullying and self confidence.  All of these things keep me busy, but they are beyond rewarding and I’m able to not only teach my children how important community contribution is, but I can also help where I can – so I enjoy doing so.  Reading to children in the shelters or offering my time to play games and talk story with the elderly are just a few things that I love to do to contribute to my community.  I love that I can get my children involved because they help with donations and volunteer work and they enjoy it just as much.

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These little guys are always so excited to help in the community.

As I mentioned before – while money and actual donations make a huge difference in anyone’s life – sometimes it’s not feasible for us to provide that.  Many of us however, do have skills so I love to utilize that when I myself are a little down on my luck.  By donating my time helping or by teaching other people how to apply makeup or get them prepared for the workforce, I’m helping to build confidence and hopefully stability in these people’s lives.  I also enjoy working in the mountains and fields to help my Hawaiian culture, by perpetuating what my ancestors built and helping to self-sustain our islands.  Like I mentioned before, it’s little things that add up to be big things to make a difference.  I also feel that teaching my children to provide community impact will help in that they will influence their peers to want to get involved too.

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We Can All Band Together!

Today I want to share with you another way you can Give Back.  The “Band Together” Campaign from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is a great way.  The Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company is set to donate a total of $2 million to support three important causes – health, home and hunger through their corporate giving campaign called Band Together.  The nonprofits benefiting from this cause are:  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America or Food Banks Canada.

So how can you take part?  Band together with Jewelers Mutual to help decide how to disperse the record-breaking donation.  It’s easy to do! Simply vote for your choice of causes from July 11, 2016 at 11am CT to July 31, 2016 at 11pm CT.  The cause that receives the most votes by the end of July will receive $1 million donation from Jewelers Mutual.  The runner-up will receive $700,000 and $300,000 will go to the third-place winner.

Of course, voting to support the cause is such a wonderful act, but throughout the three-week campaign, voters will be entered for a chance to win weekly jewelry prizes from STACKED New York.  Each week, one lucky winner will receive a set of 3 stacking bands ($450 retail value).  You can vote daily to increase your chances of winning!

What are your favorite ways of giving back or how do you contribute to your community?  Comment below and let me know how you make a difference and don’t forget to head on over to help Band Together with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

Signature Honey

 

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

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