Anti-Aging

Last Minute Mother’s Day Finds – Make Mother’s Day Every Day!

By honeygirlsworld May 11, 2017

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We are literally just a few short days away from celebrating Mother’s Day. As a mother, I look forward to spending this day with my husband and sons because they are the ones that make me a mom, but this year, my eldest son will be off island for a band concert and I’m certainly going to miss him. If you’re wondering why it has taken me so long to share with you a little gift guide as I tend to do each year, well – that’s the reason! I’ve been able to spend this day with all of my boys since they were born so I have been in my own little pity party the last few days knowing that he wouldn’t be home. A few days ago, I realized that I needed to get over myself and be thankful that my husband and sons treat me like Mother’s Day is every day and no special day on the calendar is ever required. So – while I am a bit late at sharing my gift lift with all of you – I figured that I would make this post because any day is a great day to get a treat – right?

The first thing on my list is this gorgeous necklace from The Vintage Pearl which you can find on The Grommet. The Grommet has to be one of my go-to websites for finding unique gifts for my loved ones. This Messy Nest Necklace is a cute treasured keepsake and I absolutely love it. Whether you are getting it for your moms or grandmothers, I’m sure it will be a hit. The necklace starts at $42.00 and is handcrafted in the United States of antiqued silver wire. Each nest is handcrafted and filled with freshwater pearls – one for each child in the wearer’s heart. It’s set on a sterling silver ball chain and can be customized to match the number of children in the family. The creator of The Vintage Pearl is a mom herself and started creating from her kitchen table in hopes to be able to be a stay at home and work from home mom. This is probably one of my favorite pieces to share with you because it’s certainly a sentimental piece. I hope that The Vintage Pearl will offer this in gold one day.

Get a Messy Nest Necklace from The Vintage Pearl here.

Next is another gorgeous piece that can also be found on The Grommet. The Family Tree Necklace by Vintage Stamp Jewels is a great piece that can be worn every day. The delicate family tree charm represents the life connections that matter to each of us. You can choose the color and number of Swarovski crystal charms that accompany your tree. The bezel-set crystals can represent any important moments or people from birthstones of children or grandchildren, milestones and anniversaries or any special date or time that is close to your heart.

You can learn more about this gorgeous piece and get one for yourself or a loved one here.

Now, when I think of Mother’s Day – I always associate a really great face mask as a gift. Here’s the deal, I LOVE an awesome face mask and some of my favorites come from Miss Spa. If you’ve been a long time follower of my blog, then you know I’ve raved and talked about this brand a lot over the years. What I love about Miss Spa is their wide range of masks available for a variety of skin types and textures. You literally can find one to fit your needs or someone you love.

Did I mention that these masks are so affordable? Depending on the type you select, they start at about $4.00 each and go up in price from there and you can easily find a mask that suits you. I definitely love a great face mask for Mother’s Day because I don’t have time for an at Spa pampering so I love doing it at home.

You can learn more about Miss Spa products, purchase your own or get it as a gift here or at your local Ulta or Drugstore.

Bath Bombs are a favorite gift to receive and to give on Mother’s Day. For years my sons and I made creations of our favorite scents and dried flowers to give as gifts, a tradition that my sisters and I did when we were teenagers. One of my long time favorite handcrafted websites for great bath, body and essential oils is Sky Organics. I’ve been using their essential oils for a few years now and I just had to include them in this guide. All moms deserve a little pampering and bath bombs are those little fizzy wonders that just help any mom relax. Sky Organics offers their Organic Bath Bombs Gift Set for just $25.99 (one of my favorites besides my own handmade ones) and it includes 6 beautiful bath bombs in an assortment of scents – Caribbean Coconut (my favorite), Lavender Lemon Muffin, Love Potion, Mermaid Kiss, Strawberry Milkshake and Sugar Rose. These beauties are made in the USA and each bath bomb has a net weight of 5 oz. It’s a total steal for sure.

If bath bombs aren’t your thing, then be sure to check out their wide range of essential oils. They offer a set with all of their oils for just $50. Did I mention they also provide FREE SHIPPING. Head on over to their website here for more information.

LATHER is another company I recommend to anyone and they offer gift sets that are perfect for Mother’s Day or any day of the year. Their Dream On set ($58.00) includes their blue chamomile foaming bath treatment, lavender aromatherapy candle, Art of Tea sleep tea handcrafted loose leaf tea (organic), tea infuser, quiet night relaxing balm, eye mask, and a reusable gift box. All of these essentials are perfect for treating mom to a night of a little peace, quiet and relaxation. With my sleepless nights and insomnia, this kid would be the absolute perfect way for me to just settle down and relax.

Learn more about LATHER’S gift sets and products here.

I’ve been swooning over IT Cosmetics the last few months now and I knew I just had to include some of these beauties. Honestly, I’ve been totally stalking IT Cosmetic’s website now making a VERY LARGE wish list of items I want to try. I have literally only tried their Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment and Bye Bye Under Eye, so I find that this portion of my post has an ulterior motive for me… hehehe! Maybe my friends and family who see this will snatch something from IT for me for Mother’s Day. Hey, one can hope, right. j/k! This year IT Cosmetics is offering a bunch of IT girl essentials that will literally have your Mom feeling her most beautiful on this special day and always.

The Your Beautiful Basics Airbrush 101 5-Piece Face and Eye Getting Started Brush Set $58 is the perfect set for any makeup loving addict. Every woman needs a great basic brush set in her makeup bash and the Airbrush 101 is how you get started with it all. Blend, blur, buff and perfect for a flawless airbrushed finish with a brand of brushes that are known to be super soft and luxurious.

Now – of course, makeup brushes are definitely my thang so I had to share with you the Face & Eye Essentials Mini 5-Piece Face and Eye Travel Brush Set. This set retails for $30 and it wold be a great hit for Mom. An awesome powder, eye shadow brushes and liner brush can help you get ready in a flash. Four brushes are included to line, define, smoke out and blend. Plus, you get an all-over complexion brush for all the basics from foundation to blush and illuminizer. This is a great kit that includes the tools to get that fab look.

The Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment ( I just mentioned about how this is one of the products I have tried from IT) is also a great gift selection. But, this NEW Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment is now available in Rose. It contains the essential butters and oils, hyaluronic filling spheres and antioxidants for your softest and smoothest looking pout while it flushes your lip to the perfect rosy pink. The original is my go-to when I’m in a rush or not feeling makeup but want a little color to my lips. It’s definitely something I’d buy for my mom and something I’d love to receive as a gift. It retails for $24.00

Lastly from IT Cosmetics, I wanted to share with you the Bye Bye Pores Blush (retail $24). This award-winning Bye Bye Pores formula is infused with optical-blurring pigments which instantly diffuse the look of pores and discoloration. It’s filled with skin-loving ingredients like anti-aging silk, hydrolyzed collagen, antioxidants, and peptides which will give any Mom (any body) a youthful flush. I definitely think this is perfect for me or my mom because we love a great blush and anything that is infused with ingredients we love, well – it’s definitely a must have.

You can purchase any of these products on IT Cosmetics website here.

Who says hair products and tools don’t make great gifts? Not me! I would love to get a fab hair tool for Mother’s Day so I figured I would include something that would help mom eliminate the “hair tool storage” and get a 3 in 1 that can do the trick. The CHI Ellipse 3-in-1 Styling Iron is a great tool to make convenience mom’s game. You can create a multitude of looks using this very versatile styler that includes 3 styling options in one tool. With Teflon and Titanium plates to create smooth and sleep styles on a non-stick surface. You can great smooth hair, curls and waves with just one tool. The styler has adjustable temperature settings that heat up to 410 °F / 210 °C. It has a ceramic heater for consistent temperature and an LED touch sensitive temperature control and display. You also get a temperature lock feature (oooh… fancy) and a 1 hour shut-off. I also love that it comes with it’s own glove, so you have everything you need for the perfect hair style. The CHI Ellipse 3-in-1 Styling Iron retails for $110 but the price is reasonable considering the quality of the product and the fact that you can use it for more than one style.

You can learn more about this tool or grab one for yourself or your mom here.

This next gift idea is untraditional, but definitely something worth mentioning. The Revolar Instinct (I’ll have a full review on this product in the next week or so) has been a very important part of my everyday. Retailing for $80, this little device can be the perfect gift in a big way. The Revolar is a product that is brand new (the Indiegogo campaign has just completed) but a tool that I think is very worth the while. It’s a quarter sized connect button that with 1-3 clicks, the Instinct can send different custom alerts to friends and family to let them know where the user is and what level of help they need. Unfortunately, sexual assault is on a rise here in the United States and violence against women is at an all-time high. You can send help to your location with a few clicks of this wearable device. It not only empowers you to be proactive about your safety, but this little Instinct will help ou stay in touch with loved ones as well. Did I mention it also tracks your steps? There are no chords, and easy to use device and you can replace a battery in about a year so you don’t have to worry about charging it. Last year my mom was sitting in a parking lot when someone tried to attack her. Luckily she was in her car and was able to escape. When I was 4 years old, a man attempted to kidnap me, I was in his car and he was about to drive away when my dad stopped him in his tracks. Devices like this are easy to use and definitely worth it. I wish I had one for each person in my family. I had to share this with you because it’s a gift I think that would be invaluable to any mom and anyone. Like I said, a full review will be coming soon – so stay tuned.

Learn more about the Revolar Instinct and find out how to get one for yourself here.

I’ll be honest, as a mother, I can honestly say that any type of gift is such a wonderful sentiment, but I never expect it. I think that Mother’s Day is every day of the year for me and I’m so lucky to call myself a mom. I love creating handmade gifts for my mom and my mother in law from all of us because I think it’s special and I’m quite good with a glue gun. Little flowers or hairpins decorated in fabric or paper always seem to make our loved ones happy. At the end of the day – a gift should come from the heart, whether purchased or made. My sons make me handmade cards each year and I cherish them with all my heart.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

I want to remind you that Mother’s Day is every single day of the year. If you’ve been following me a while then you know that I believe this to be so with Valentine’s Day too. Hmmm… I wish Christmas and birthdays were every day of the year also, hahaha! Anyway – no matter the gift or sentiment you give to the moms in your life, make it special. This last minute gift guide was not intended to be late, but I’m reminded that a present for mom doesn’t have to be given only one day a year so even if you miss picking up one of these for that special lady in your life – feel free to use this as a guide to put together a special treat for her at anytime.

I want to take this time to wish all of the mommies out there (whether you have human children or fur babies) a wonderful Mother’s Day this Sunday. May your day be filled with lots of love and hugs and a whole lot of warmth and happiness.

“To the world you are a Mother, but to your family you are the World.”

Disclaimer: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for review consideration, while others were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased, as with anything you see on this site. Affiliate links may be posted throughout.

Children

A Diaper Bag Turned Work and Planner Bag – CiPU Baby Diaper Bag | What’s In My Bag

By honeygirlsworld March 7, 2017

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No matter how old my boys get, I find myself still utilizing many of the items that I had for them when they were babies. Since I’m a work from home and stay at home mom, the number one thing I find I still use is a diaper bag. Now, hold on – obviously I’m not going to be using this particular bag to hold diapers, the boys don’t use those, ha ha! But, I don’t use my old diaper bags in the traditional sense. I turn my diaper bags into work and planner bags so I can take my work on the go. About 5 months ago I was sent this very cool bag from CiPU and today I’m going to share my thoughts on this accessory as well as how I utilize it for my personal use. It may not be traditional, but it’s functional and we all know I love anything that offers function to my life.

Now, it’s no secret that I’m a laid back simpleton, basically – I’m a casual gal. So when I can find something that works for me… I’m excited. I was contacted by CiPU and asked to try out this “diaper bag” and if I enjoyed it, if I could kindly provide a review. Here’s the deal – since I was using my Coach Diaper Bag from the twins as my work bag, I thought to myself… “hmm, this will be interesting to see how it would work for me.” And, so I accepted.

CiPU is pronounced – ‘Shee’ (translated to “happiness” in Chinese) and ‘Pu’ (translated to “store” in Chinese) like “shee” in sheet and “PU” in put.

CiPU was founded in 2009 by a group of mothers and brand owner Jarrah, all of whom had one shared inspiration – an idea to gift mothers love, happiness and affection. CiPUs focus is on style by exploring colors and patterns to suit every occasion, however – each bag is full of functionality (you see that word there, it’s golden to me) and created to meet a mother’s everyday needs.

“The Bowknot in their logo represents the ribbon on a gift, meanwhile it also looks like an “infinity” symbol. Since children are such a precious gift and a parent’s devotion to their children are testimonies of “infinitive love” the bowknot symbolizes infinite love and the power of gifts in a single wish, a wish that every mother can enjoy blissful, long-lasting memories with their children – the greatest gift in life.”

Each CiPU bag is hand-crafted with lots of love and many of the bags are limited in quantity since they only make a few of each design. They are each made from environmentally friendly materials and I love that CiPU offers Free US Delivery. All CiPU bags were created with different styles and patterns to focus on women because mother’s are still women and looks matter. Perfect for function while providing lightweight carryalls to take the load off your shoulders.

Check out my video review and come chit chat about this bag with me. My video can be found here or embedded below.

CiPU offers a variety of bags to fit the mothers’, fathers’ and even babies’ style. From Large tote bags like the one I have here to diaper backpacks in every type of color and design. I have my eyes set on a camouflage one, a plain black bag and the Leopard next. Let’s talk a little about this awesome diaper bag shall we?

I have the CiPU Tote Diaper Bag in Heather Gray (Large). This bag retails for $158.80 and comes with 13 large compartments to hold all of my necessities. Now, as I mentioned before, I’m not using this bag as a diaper bag, but as my work bag so this is perfect to host all of my planner supplies, planners and even my laptop and tablet all fit inside perfectly.

This bag features 1 hidden compartment (which I love to put the boys wipes in or even store their dirty clothes while out and about so it doesn’t mess up any of my papers. You also get the following accessories to go with your bag:

Personal belongings pouch – this pouch comes with detachable straps and you can use this to store your diapers, wipes and changing mat. I use this particular pouch to store my tablet for safe keeping and a few notebooks.
Foldable Changing Mat – this soft and easy to clean mat is perfect for changing baby, but again – I use this bag for work – so this changing mat is used as a little sitting mat for me when at the park or in case I want to put my bag down without sitting it directly on the floor. It’s machine washable which makes it perfect for on the go.
Retractable Key Hold – probably my favorite thing now to keep my eyes on hand at any given time.
Chest Strap – this helps to keep my strap in place to prevent slip-downs
Slip Proof Should Straps – these soft on the shoulder straps are great and comfy. It made long hours at the airport easy because my arms were not sore from carrying my bag too long.
Stroller Clips – These are great to clip to a wagon or stroller to keep your bag with you. I use it to attach to my sports cart so I am not taking up real estate of the wagon with my bag.

The material is very soft and easy to spot clean or wash should I need it. I love that this bag is water repellent (inside & out), especially since I always take it with me, that way I don’t have to worry about spills. This bag comes with a gorgeous hot pink and bright lining which makes it so easy to be able to see inside and grab everything that I need at any time. And, since this bag is made of quick dry material – it helps to prevent mold (so you don’t have to worry much about spills from milk bottles or juice causing mold if you don’t get it dried up quickly.) This bag is perfect for outdoors – whether rain or shine and I love that it’s so easy to take with you.

The CiPU Large Tote is very lightweight at just 1.2 lbs. – one of the lightest on the market. And, remember how I said CiPU offers different bags for different personalities and sizes, your littles can have their own little backpacks too.

So, now that you have a bunch of information to make an informed decision on whether or not this bag is for you… let me keep it real for you all. This bag is costly, but I am a handbag lover and most of my bags cost well over this amount already so I would spend this money in a heartbeat – especially after my great experience with this one over the last 5 months or so. When it comes to how I spend my money, I tend to look at things as an investment. These bags are an investment in not only your style and longevity of having them, but your comfort. They are easy to carry and hold, giving you various options and so easy to clean. As a busy mom, I know that the last thing we want to be doing is scrubbing a bag of strains or water spills. While I don’t currently use it strictly as a diaper bag, I know the quality of the bag will hold up in that if and when I should have another child – I’ll be able to use this. I also love that this is functional for me and allows me to use this as a “mommy bag” no matter the age of my children. I can carry all my work stuff inside while still have a ton of room for mommy stuff too – whether it be wipes, extra clothes, toys, books for reading on the go or games – whatever tickles your fancy.

We all know I am brutally honest here and I have to say – Yes, this bag is worth the cost and definitely high quality. Like I mentioned before – I have my eyes on a few others and I plan to get them.

Check out my video review:

You can check out the full range of products available at: https://www.cipu.us/

Purchase from their Amazon store here.

So what about you, have you heard of CiPU before and do you think you could utilize something like this? Are you a mommy looking for a little more help in the organizing and diaper bag compartment? Comment below and share your thoughts with me.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. I was not paid to provide my thoughts or to feature this product. Affiliate links are posted through out.

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

Children

The Cuddly Buddy – Buddy Balls Review {Holiday Gift Idea}

By honeygirlsworld November 4, 2016

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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.

Children

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

By honeygirlsworld September 24, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

#AmznUnderground via the @amazonappstore is one of the assets to keeping my family and I organized and focused while having some fun. Head on over to the blog to read about the apps we’re loving at the moment as well as how we make Amazon Underground work for us. #ad

A video posted by Honey 🌺Honeygirlsworld.com (@honeygirlk) on Sep 24, 2016 at 6:36pm PDT

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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Introducing Our Robot Vacuum – bObi from bobSweep

By honeygirlsworld September 16, 2016

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As a busy mom, I’m always looking for ways to cut my cleaning time in half. Whether it be delegating the duties at home to a “willing” helper or accomplishing each chore a little at a time to get it done… I try my best to make it happen. Though, I’ll be honest – I always think to myself, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could all have our own personal Robot like they had in Bicentennial Man?” Well, not really… because I’d probably develop a motherly bond and have difficulty letting go, just knowing me… lol. But, I think I have a solution and my family and I have been loving it the last month. Today, I introduce you to bObi Kaho’ohanohano, the new baby in our house. But, bObi is not your traditional or typical baby. Nope – she is a robotic vacuum.

When my family and I was given the opportunity to give bObi a test run, let’s just say we were quite overjoyed and completely ecstatic to receive her. She came bundled in a sturdy box, well packaged and even included a little card that welcomed her to our family. The directions are easier to follow than I would have ever imagined and getting her going and started was a complete breeze. We were all excited to try her out… well, almost all of us. Ikaika who is our King Charles Cavalier Spaniel is still currently on the fence about her and still hasn’t decided if he likes her or not.

Our family has a traditional vacuum, which I’ll be honest – I really enjoy. It does it’s job but obviously, it can’t do it without someone behind the wheel actually doing the vacuuming. I don’t mind running the vacuum, it’s kind of soothing – but finding the time in my hectic schedule can pose many issues. We have a small house in general, so a standard vacuum will surely do the job without issue in very little time, but finding the time in my day is what seems to be the biggest problem.

Immediately after receiving it, my boys were so excited, they couldn’t contain their excitement. While our living area is small, we were eager to try bObi out for ourselves. I plugged her in the night prior to let her charge through the evening and then the next day, we were able to take her for a run. Our biggest challenge is a small living area and the fact that things move around in our house consistently. The boys have a table they do their homework on and it gets folded up and put away when we vacuum usually, so we wanted to be able to leave it out and have bObi work around it. The vacuum learns a pattern of where everything is in the house, or you can easily use the remote control and guide it in the direction you want for yourself. There is also a sensor on the vacuum so you do not have to worry about it bumping into things. It has run me over a few times, but I noticed it’s normally when the sensor is on the opposite side of the unit.

bObi has a small sweeper attached to it with brushes that work to pick up all the little pieces or sweep them into the cleaner… it’s awesome. I love that it gets near to the base boards in my kitchen or in the areas where dog hair gets caught and sweeps it up quickly and easily. bObi does not get all the rubbish in certain areas all the time, but it’s still learning to make its way around our house the the boys ever-moving their things around the rooms. While it won’t get that piece of lint or hair the first run sometimes, as it comes back around – it picks it up and leaves my house clean. With bObi’s dirt sensors, she is determined to go back around and get it done – so no lint or dust will be left behind.

I set bObi on a timer so it will run a sweep through the house and kitchen area each day at 10am while I’m sitting at my desk working. It’s so convenient for us that I think our traditional vacuum is starting to feel a bit left out. I use bObi daily and run my traditional vacuum on Saturdays to get a really good, deep into the carpet clean. bObi will reach under the beds and tables and below the cabinets because she’s so petite. It’s nice not having to bend to get under those areas with my traditional vacuum.

bObi Classic retails for about $269.00 on Amazon ($749 USD on bobSweep website) and comes with all the attachments to get it done. A charge overnight and you’re good to go and ready to clean the next day. Mop, sweep, sanitize… have lots of fun and get a few moments of breathing time for yourself.

You can see bObi in action while she goes through our hang out area. As you can see, Ikaika (our dog) is not yet a fan. But, he’s warming up to her… especially since she keeps his area where he sleeps, nice and clean! We are looking to replace our carpet and I can’t wait to see how bObi performs on the new one.

Oh, I forgot my favorite part… bObi mops. My bObi unit comes with a mop extension and 2 mop cloths which can be attached to the unit to do a quick mop. bObi comes with a UV light that kills bacteria and filters the air with her built-in HEPA filter. She’s seriously genius! I use this specifically for my kitchen. This is the perfect way to “spot mop” or do a quick mop during the weekdays until I do my thorough cleaning and mopping on Saturdays.

Charging bObi is really easy. It comes with a charging station and you can either let it run it’s course for it’s usual vacuuming and let it return to its dock or press the “juice” button on bObi or the remote control and it finds the docking station and recharges itself… simple and easy.

I think technology advances are so fun and exciting and I’m so thankful to have bObi to help me complete a few of my chores – mopping & vacuuming… check! I have never tried a robotic vacuum before so this is an experience my family and I are enjoying and we’re very thankful for. If you are in the market for a new vacuum, I highly suggest giving bObi or any of the other bobSweep family members a try. After having bObi in our house for just about a month now, she’s settled in and is a great addition to our family. Even Ikaika is starting to enjoy her (since she’s so quiet in comparison to our traditional vacuum), he has made her his friend and even rides her from time to time, lol.

Now that you’re done reading my thoughts (and my family’s) on bObi, do you think she will join your family? We’re just a humble family with a little home that we love and I figured instead of staging or prettying up the post, you could see bObi in real life and experience what we experience – good cleaning and a little less hectic-ness and stress for mom. Hope you enjoyed!

Check out the rest of the bObi family here or the whole bobSweep family here.

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

Beauty

Just In Time For Back To School – Made to Matter Handpicked by Target

By honeygirlsworld September 6, 2016

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With all the kiddos heading back to school for the 2016-2017 school year, Target has you covered. The “Made to Matter – Handpicked by Target” product collection includes leading natural, organic and sustainable brands for you to choose from. At the heart of Made to Matter is an assortment of great products made with simple, recognizable ingredients that are designed to be higher quality for everyone and accessible to anyone. Are you a Target shopper? If so, read on and check out some of these brands that you can add to your list the next time you’re out shopping.

Target is one of my favorite stores to shop at and I’m excited to share a few fun brands for you to check out as a part of the “Made to Matter Handpicked by Target” collection. These brands and products offer an assortment of great products and today I’m going to share them with all of you.

Pacifica is a brand that I know and love and I’m very thankful to be a Pacifica Beauty Ambassador. The Made to Matter product from Pacifica is the DreamBIG Lash Extending 7 in 1 Mascara ($15.99) which I wrote a review on previously (you can find that here). This mascara provides instant amplification with natural plant fibers that build and build plus fortify your lashes with an innovative peptide serum. It also includes a magic wand that changes up your mascara game with a twist. Fake it till you make it with this awesome mascara.

Shea Moisture Made to Matter Products – Peace Rose Oil Complex Nourish & Silken Shampoo and Conditioner ($10.99 each). I’m a huge fan of the Shea Moisture products but have not tried this particular line from the brand until now. These nourishing recipes are made with natural and certified organic ingredients and are designed to hydrate and soften dry, brittle hair. Key Ingredients include: Peace Rose Oil Complex (Alpine, Damask and Must Rose Oils) to help soften and silken dry hair. Date Pam Extract to provide protective moisture barrier with sensitivity pathway blockers and Camellia Leaf Extract contains antioxidant properties, soothing minor skin and scalp irritation. I have been LOVING these hair products and plan to have a full review up on the blog in the coming weeks.

Method Rebecca Atwood + Method Pumpkin Clove Gel Handwash ($3.49) is a design-driven, planet-friendly home and personal care product that was designed in collaboration with Brooklyn-based designer Rebecca Atwood. The line includeds four custom painterly patterns and fragrances that span a variety of method products in this limited edition collection for fall – bringing sophisticated style to everyday products. The bottle is gorgeous with a chic design that is show stopping and the scent of the soap is awesome. Method met the clean label challenge for the Made to Matter program by sharing all product ingredients with Target’s Sustainability Index team so that they could verify the safety and sustainability.

Suja Pressed Probiotic Waters in Raspberry, Orange, Ginger Pineapple, Pineapple Lemon Cayenne & Ginger Lime ($2.99) are the perfect back to school drink. Suja has created the first enhanced water on teh market with no additives of any kind and no natural or artificial flavors. Suja’s Pressed Probiotic Waters are Organic, Non-GMO and Cold-Pressured. Suja’s waters are the first-ever enhanced water made with nothing but organic fruits, vegetables and vegan probiotics. 10 calories and one gram of sugar or less, the pressed probiotic waters offer a subtle sweetness and no additives of any kind. They also contain 2 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of vegan probiotics, these waters provide a clean dose of immune and digestive benefits.

Annie’s Snacks ($3.45/box) and Justin’s Peanut Butter + Banana Chip Snack Packs ($1.99) are delicious snacks that are perfect for back to school. These treats are conveniently packed to put into the lunchbox and are a nutritious snack for the whole family. They are tasty and fun and I love that they are perfect for on the go.

Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Paper Masks ($2.99) are single use Ultra Hydrating paper masks that naturally hydrate and provide the skin with and extra dose of tropical scented moisture.

Tom’s of Maine just launched their first natural antiperspirant for Men – Naturally Dry North Woods. Selected for the “2016 Made to Matter-Handpicked by Target” Program. 48 Hour odor and wetness protection with no petrochemicals or artificial fragrances. It’s also non-irritating and with every purchase Tom’s of Main donates 10% of profits back to helping people and the planet. Tom’s Main Naturally Dry Deodorant ($4.49) is reasonably priced and smells nice. But I especially like that it will not cause irritation to my husband who has sensitive skin like me.

Tom’s of Maine Luminous White Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste ($4.99) is their newest, most advanced natural whitening toothpaste designed exclusively for Target. Luminous White offers effective whitening with only naturally derived ingredients that work to remove surface stains. Most importantly, it’s safe on enamel and selected for the 2016 “Made to Matter – Handpicked by Target program because it contains no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or artificial sweeteners like saccharin. It’s also gluten free with no animal testing and clinically proven, dual silica whitening technology.

The Honest Company has been one my family has really grown to love. The Organic Healing Balm ($12.95) is a favorite mainly because it is very similar to those that I currently use from other brands. It’s an all purpose salve for dry, chafed or sensitive skin and a favorite in our household because I can easily carry it in my purse and take on the go for when I need it most. It’s all natural, soothing and hypoallergenic which make it all great for my sensitive skin and my family. Award winning, this balm is a must have, super versatile salve to help soothe my very dry and sensitive skin and so much more. With organic sunflower, olive and coconut oils along with shea butter to nourish and moisturize, my dry skin gets the relief it needs. It’s also made without petroleum, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances, dyes and most ingredients that cause common allergies.

The Honest Company Hand Sanitizer Spray ($2.98) is also a favorite in our house. It smells so refreshing and bright with an orange citrus scent and moisturizes with aloe vera. Kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria, this antiseptic + moisturizer offers antimicrobial protection made with plant-based ingredients. Soothing botanicals help to reduce drying, redness and chapping and there are no harsh chemicals. I love that it is in a convenient (easy to travel and use on the go) packaging and it’s a favorite to always have on hand.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Vinegar Gel Cleaner ($3.99) is something new to our family and I have not used it prior to this. Heritage-inspired specialty cleaners that are bleach-free but still work hard on grease, grime and soap-residue. Mrs. Meye’s Vinegar Gel Cleaner in Lemon Verbena smells nice and is naturally thickened vinegar with the Lemon Verbena fragrance to help clean stainless steel to a bright, brilliant shine without needed to rinse. Use to clean countertops, the refrigerator, handles, knobs and all those little do-it-yourself vinegar jobs but with more of a pleasant scent. I love it… I am someone who keeps a bottle of vinegar on hand just for cleaning the house and this product is awesome.

Happy Family Organics Brand Happy Tot Super Smart Organic Pears, Peas & Mangos ($1.60) I have been seeing kiddos around our neighborhood and at football practice sipping on these pouches over the last couple of weeks and I was excited to be able to try one. Since a toddler’s brain doubles in size from birth to age 2, it’s essential to give them the proper support for a tot’s growth. These Super Smart pouches contain 20mg of DHA and 100mg of choline, both important nutrients to help support brain health in a growing toddler. But, while these are formulated mainly for toddlers, the boys tried them and really enjoy it. I know they have a variety of flavors for older kids too so we’ll be checking those out in the next week or so and stocking up.

Babyganics Moisturizing Lotion ($7.29 for 11oz bottle) is the only baby lotion designed specifically for baby’s developing skin, featuring NeoNourish Natural Seed Oil Blend and the 100% natural scent of chamomile verbena (also available fragrance free). It’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, dyes or synthetic fragrances and the boys enjoy it as well as I do. Non-allergenic, pediatrician & dermatologist tested and never tested on animals, this is a really nice brand that includes Shea butter, Aloe, Vitamin E, Olive and Avocado Oil and the Babyganics 100% natural NeoNourish Seed Oil Blend.

Bitsy’s Brainfood Smart Crackers ($3.99) has been a fun new treat for us. Clean Label, USDA Organic, Non-GMO, nothing artificial and low in sugar, high in nutrition with 1/2 serving of vegetables. Smart Crackers are baked in a zero waste die and no scrap dough and the boys love that there are puzzle games on the 1005 recycled paperboard. The crackers are made with real organic veggies and come in three yummy flavors: Cheddar Chia Veggie, Mapple Carrot Crisp and Sweet Potato Cinna-Graham. They are made with love in the USA in a peanut and tree nut-free bakery. My sons really enjoy them and I think they taste really good… YUM.

Nature’s Path Organic EnviroKidz Granola Bars ($4.99 / 6 bars) are made with gluten-free rolled oats, chocolate chips and chocolate drizzle. The first and only granola bar made totally organic, gluten free and peanut free so they’re the perfect allergy-friendly lunchbox snack. The boys love these and love the way they taste, plus – the cute monkey on the packaging is a total fun way to snack.

Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs ($12.99) include Seventh Generations trusted Free & Clear laundry formula that is now available in EPA safer Choice certified all-temperature laundry packs. These bio-based laundry packs use quadruple-enzyme power to remove stains and leave your clothes looking good as new. The product includes 45 toss-and-wash single-dose pods to make laundry day simple and mess-free. Their EPA Safer Choice certification means that every ingredient in their laundry packs have been reviewed by the EPA to ensure it meets their stringent human health & environmental criteria. What I enjoy the most about these laundry packs is that they are perfect for sensitive skin and my family is full with sensitive skin bodies. I think this will become a favorite our ours in the future and you may see a full review on this in the months to come.

As I mentioned before, “Made to Matter – Handpicked by Target” is a collection of products of leading natural, organic and sustainable brands. At the heart of Made to Matter is an assortment of great products made with simple, recognizable ingredients that are designed to be higher quality for everyone and accessible to anyone. It is always a great thing to walk into my local Target store to see the “Made to Matter” logo and emblem on product displays because I know what they are about and am proud to support these brands. This year I was introduced to brands I have never tried before and some that I have loved over the years and my family and I have been enjoying them all.

It’s always great when a company offers such great quality but higher standards and I’m excited for my readers and friends to try some of these brands for themselves.

Make sure to shop all of these amazing #MadeToMatter favorites on Target/MadeToMatter website: http://www.target.com/c/made-to-matter or at your local Target Store.

Thank you Target and Pacifica Beauty for sending my family and I this awesome gift of goodies, we surely love them and look forward to trying more.

Disclaimer: The products discussed in this post were sent for review and feature consideration and as gifts. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Children

Back To School Finds – From Affordable to Celebrity Favorites

By honeygirlsworld August 29, 2016

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crayola Crayons 24 Pack – these are perfect on the go or to keep in the desk or at home. When shopping during the sales you can get these for about $0.25 each.
Calendar or Planners – some of my favorites are the Blue Sky Planners from Target. Of course, you can’t go wrong with an Erin Condren Life Planner, Happy Planner or your traditional binder planners like Kikki K, Filofax or Dokibook.
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

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

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

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

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

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

Children

Keeping My Kids Energized for School & Sports With CLIF Kid

By honeygirlsworld August 26, 2016

As a family, our lives tend to be a bit hectic and busy. I just consider us busy because we are out in the world, making memories and enjoying life. This year all three boys started school the same week they started Football practice for Pop Warner. Let’s just say it has been a busy month so far and keeping the littles on task for school while still getting them to and from practice and games can be a challenge but overall rewarding and we make it work to the best to our ability. With a schedule that starts from 6am and ends at 8:30pm for the boys, they have a long day and their little bodies keep truckin from rise to bed. To keep t hem on top of their game and play, I try to incorporate great tasting snacks like CLIF Kid Zbar® that have important nutrients for active kids.

It seems like I have a household full of guys that literally eat like crazy, but with three growing boys that’s exactly what is going on. To keep them on their toes, I give them CLIF Kid Zbars, which are nutritious snacks that are made from organic ingredients, all of which are specially-crafted for kids’ developing taste buds and active lives. My sons absolutely love how the CLIF Kid Zbars tastes and they have asked me to purchase them many times.

CLIF Kid Zbars are the perfect portion size for kids. I especially love that they come in flavors that they love and they fit perfectly in their lunch box or backpack to take with them to school. All three boys snack on their CLIF Kid Zbars during break for that mid day snack so that they are not starving when they come home from school. I enjoy that they are made with organic ingredients, are Non-GMO (something we try to steer clear of in our household) and have no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or synthetic preservatives.

CLIF Kid has been an essential part of our back to school routine and the boys have been loving the taste and flavors of the snacks they have tried. But, what I love is that they don’t need to be used for just school. CLIF Kid is dedicated to reclaiming play! With balance and active play laying the foundation for skilled, healthy, resilient and successful society, we are keeping our kids active and still providing them fun. This is one of the reasons why my sons are engaged with Play time, no matter what it is. Our play time is football and the boys enjoy CLIF Kid Zbars as a part of their snack after practice.

When my sons are on the filed, they not only get a little active time, but they have a lot of fun and CLIF Kid helps to encourage that. Let’s face it, play is disappearing at home, in school and in communities now a days, especially since technology, television and video games have a little part in that. I remember as a kid, I played outside all the time and it’s sad to see that 70% of moms like me played outside while only 31% of our kids play outside today. I encourage outside play whole heartily and enjoy that my sons love to play and keep active.

Whether it’s back to school or on the field, foraging through the woods or riding a bike – no matter the play time your family enjoys, get out and enjoy it all. Remember, like I said before… make memories while having some fun.

What about you? Do you remember being out exploring and playing till the lights came on? What are your favorite memories of your play time? Encourage play time with your kids if you don’t already, have some fun and create memories.

Check out the CLIF Kid Video.

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

Children

Day Trip to the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm

By honeygirlsworld July 12, 2016

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The boys and I have been enjoying our summer months together since my husband is usually working on the weekdays. Come on now, we live on Maui, which has been rated the number 1 Vacation Destination by Conde Nast many years in a row, so we do have a plethora of sites to see and lots of fun to be had. While we live on the mountain, we experience really hot days so I decided to pack the boys up into the car and take a drive up to Kula to cool down – since the air is much cooler there. Our journey led us to the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm, a place we have visited many times before – but it’s been years since I bought the twins here, so I decided it would be a perfect place to venture.

The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is located on the slopes of Haleakala and overlooks some of the most beautiful views on the South side of the island. It is a 25-30 minute drive away from the Kahului Airport (the main airport into Maui) and a popular spot for visitors to stop at and have lunch after watching the sunrise at Haleakala or hiking the crater. At one time, it used to be free to enter the Lavender farm, so I was surprised to see a guard house at the entry (it was not there my last visit a few years ago) and entry for adults is $2.00. It’s well worth the cost however. You can bring your own lunch and have a picnic or hike the grounds for a great adventure. The air is so cool up there, it was a perfect place for the boys and I to getaway to beat the heat.

There is a little shop that sells tasty delectables featuring the fresh picked lavender, but the boys and I decided that we would just take in the sites and cool down and head home to eat lunch instead. We walked around the gardens and admired the fragrant lavender as we took in the sites.

It was a short little adventure, but a beautiful day out so I took this opportunity to take some shots of the boys and my eldest son Kevin helped take a few photos of my casual outfit I wore.

The best part about our little drive and excursion today was that I was able to spend it with the boys. They go back to school in about 2 1/2 weeks and this summer break flew by too quickly. The twins are off to 1st Grade and Kevin is off to 7th Grade. With Football season starting for all three boys August 1st – I know that times like these will be few in between, so I’m glad we made great use out of our Summer break.

Kimono Cover up – Forever 21 Plus

Ribbed Tank – Old Navy

Linen Shorts with pockets in black – Torrid.com

Flip flops – Guess Jeweled Slip ons

Watch – Invicta Angel

Sunglasses – Maui Jim Maui (style no longer available)

Nail Polish – Sinful Colors Kylie Jenner Trend Matters Collection in Kozy

My embedded video above also showcases our dinner for that evening… I made my homemade poor man’s rissotto (recipe coming soon) and we watched a beautiful sunset from our porch to end a wonderful day. If you’re not following me on Snapchat – my code is in my side bar, come and follow me on my daily journey. What about you, are you enjoying the summer months? I’m thankful to live in Hawaii and blessed to have a lifestyle where every day is an adventure and a vacation.

Since my DSLR hasn’t been working, it’s been really nice to find reasons to take my phone out to practice shooting with it… all the images that you see in this post were taken with my Samsung Note 4.

Disclaimer: Everything mentioned or featured was purchased with my own money. Affiliate links may be posted through out.

Children

5 Reasons We Collect Box Tops For My Kids’ Schools

By honeygirlsworld July 6, 2016

Since all three boys will be heading back to school in a month after a fun Summer break, we have been preparing diligently for the upcoming school year. There is so much going on, with sports and fundraisers to volunteering and buying school supplies that we are busy prepping and planning away. One of the things we love to do as a family to help our children’s schools is collect Box Tops for Education. These little “coupons” are easy to collect and come on different products from brands like Hefty and Reynolds and when your child turns them into school – the school can redeem them for a little money. It’s a fun way for us as a family to work together and have a little fun while doing so.

My boys look forward to shopping and checking out our goods to see if there are any Box Tops on them. Each child takes out their pair of scissors and collects the Box Tops to take to school. It’s a fun little task and we enjoy the reward that it gives the school and our community. Today I want to share with you 5 reasons we collect Box Tops for my kids’ schools and how you can do so for yours too.

Collecting Box Tops allows my children to have a sense of pride in their school and their work. They can help the school by clipping these “coupons” and we are helping the school by buying products we already need and use and enjoy.
My children learn that giving and helping others (their fellow students and school) is a great and awesome thing.
It teaches my children about being organized, helpful and helps to improve their counting skills.
The money that is raised from the Box Tops collected gives my children and their fellow classmates a better school experience by helping to provide for the school. Two years ago – my sons’ school was able to raise enough money to buy new laptops thanks to the Box Tops collected from the families whose children attend the school.
Collecting Box Tops also gives our community and family a sense of pride and accomplishment and they help and get involved by giving their Box Tops to my children to take to school.

So what the heck are Box Tops for Education anyway?

Box Tops for Education is a program where you and your family (include your children) can collect Box Tops from designated Reynolds and Hefty products and trade in for $0.10 each. This may sound like a little amount, but let me just tell you – the Box Tops add up and they add up quickly. One year my family and I turned in well over 500 Box Tops for Education and we also collaborated with our neighbors and family members who saved their Box Tops and gave them to the boys to collect as a part of the program. It’s a fun way to keep my kiddos busy year round because they enjoy shopping and looking for products that include them. Like I mentioned, there are so many Reynolds Consumer Products and Brands that participate in Box Tops – you’ll be amazed at how many you already have in your pantry.

Since all of my sons part-take in different extra curricular activities like band, STEM and sports – those and many more activities can benefit from Box Tops for Education and help to provide funds for equipment, technology and so much more. Honestly, your trash (the Box Tops) can easily be clipped and saved to help contribute to your child’s school and you are donating directly to benefit the programs and school as well.

Collecting Box Tops for Education is a huge family affair and one that is kind of considered a tradition. While I collect them with my children (going on 10+ years), I have collected Box Tops with my parents for myself as a child and also with my siblings. As I stated before, my sons’ schools have collected enough Box Tops in the last couple of years to help get new computers for the children to use. Since my twins go to the same school as my eldest had gone for Elementary, they also utilize those computers that we helped collect Box Tops for. It’s a huge sense of pride for myself and my children and a tradition we have been doing since I was their age. I love seeing programs like these progress over the years and I’m proud that it continues now for my children.

You can get ready for school in the Hefty and Reynolds Box Tops for Education “School Supplied” sweepstakes and daily instant win game. They’re giving away thousands of product prizes PLUS 10,000 eBoxTops to 5 lucky schools!

So what about you? Do you and your family collect Box Tops for Education? If you do – that’s awesome, we hope your school benefits tremendously and if you don’t, definitely check out the program and see if it’s something you and yours can utilize.

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

Children

A Cherished Keepsake – My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear

By honeygirlsworld July 1, 2016

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It’s been a few years since I have had the twins, well – almost 7 years to be exact and while they are growing too quick for me to fathom, my pregnancy with all of my children are still dear and near to my heart. Each pregnancy I have had have been challenges and that doesn’t count the numerous miscarriages I have had over the years. So – when I look back at those memories, I’m always thankful for the little keepsakes I have from that time. Recently my family and I were introduced to the My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear, a company that offers adorable stuffed animals (bears, monkeys, giraffes, hippos and more) that come with a heart shaped recording device. I thought the idea was such a wonderful thing to have as a mother or for any loved one, that I wanted to share it with you.

So – what is the My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear?

The My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear is a cute and adorable stuffed animal in available in a variety of types – bears, monkeys, giraffes and so much more. The stuffed animal comes with a heart shaped recording device that a mommy can take the device to their ultrasound appointment and use it to record the sound of their baby’s heartbeat in utero. The recorder is t hen inserted in the stuffed animal (through a Velcro and drawstring closure in the back) and you can simply press it at anytime to hear this precious sound.

There are more than 16 cute creatures to choose from – we got the Monkey, because – well, monkeys are adorable. Baby’s Heartbeat Bear was created by Purusha Rivera, an OBGYN Ultrasound Technician who wanted to make the experience more special. The bears are sold online, in hospital gift shops and at ultrasound studios across the country. Each My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear kit comes with your stuffed animal friend and a red “heart” recorder. You can order a second recorder to include a voice message from someone special if you would like. You can easily capture 20 seconds of your baby’s heartbeat or in our case, I recorded my voice telling the twins good night, saying I love you and reminding them to say their prayers. At the touch of your Baby’s Heartbeat Bears belly, your recording will play.

The My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear makes an excellent shower gift and a great addition to the nursery decor. It’s safe for children 3 and older and will also become a source of fascination for growing kids who love to know what they were like as babies. The bear is so easy to use and the little red heart recorder is as simple as pretty the button to record. The stuffed animal is crafted from the softest, highest quality fleece-like material and polyfill. It’s soft and perfect for cuddling.

Since I’m not expecting a new baby any time soon – I thought this would be the perfect addition to the twins collection of stuffed friends. They loved him and absolutely cherish the fact that they can hear my voice any time they want. This is especially ideal on those nights when they are having a hard time sleeping or a bad dream… because just a press of Monk’s tummy and my voice will soothe them right back to sleep.

I wanted to share My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear with all of you, my beautiful readers because this wonderful stuffed friend can mean so much more to many people than just recording a baby’s heartbeat during an ultrasound. As I mentioned before, I use it as a way to calm the twins at night so they can hear my voice, but as a mother who has also lost children through miscarriage, I know how much this keepsake could bring happiness and peace to someone who has suffered similar lost.

A mom named Kailee reached out to My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear. Her baby was dying and she hoped to make a recording of her daughter’s heartbeat before she passed away. With a video of the baby’s heartbeat, the My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear team was able to preserve the sound of Kailee’s daughter’s heart so she will have a memory to treasure forever.

My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear and the creator – Purusha Rivera offer a Gifting Program for those that could use this wonderful gift. And, you never know what this could mean for another mom, dad or loved one. You can learn more about the Gifting Program here and watch some videos from those that benefited from this wonderful Gift. (P.S. They are tear jerkers, so grab your kleenex)

My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear is a wonderful gift for anyone expecting a beautiful child to come into this World or anyone else. I highly suggest this gift to anyone that could benefit from it and our new monkey friend named “Monk” has bought many days of joy since he has joined our family. These lovely friends retail anywhere from $29 – $40.00 depending on the style and type you get and as I mentioned before, they are made well and are soft and ready to cuddle.

Do you know someone who could benefit from a new friend? Head on over to http://mybabysheartbeatbear.com/ and take a look at all of the wonderful stuffed animals they have available. If you are looking to pick up a gift for a soon to be mom or a loved one, I highly suggest checking them out. After my sons have had Monk the last month, I realize how much they love and appreciate him and I know that I will be ordering from My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear for years to come for loved ones to cherish.

Disclaimer: This product mentioned / featured was sent for review consideration. Any compensation or product sample was received for purposes of this review. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased as with anything on this site. I was not obligated to write a favorable review and if I have done so, it is because I have genuinely enjoyed the product.

Dear Diary

Thirsty Thursday – Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, I Am Lazy and I Push My Kids Too Hard

By honeygirlsworld May 19, 2016

The last few weeks have had me talking about relationship advice on my Thirsty Thursday episode I do each week but I have been saving some motherhood topics for today. As many know who follow my blog or YouTube channel, I am a Stay at Home / Work from Home mom and honestly, I’m proud of it. I wish each mother could experience staying at home with their children and spending the time with them watching their child or children grow. But, being a stay at home mom comes with a certain personna, or stigma I shall say, that can sometimes hit a few nerves. Today we are going to do a “Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom” segment – something I used to do a lot on my channel and blog in the past and we are going to touch base on the following subjects. These questions were emailed to me for advice and topic consideration…

” Do you think Sta at Home Moms are lazy? What do you think about what is said about Stay at Home Moms, calling them lazy or that they have an easy life and don’t do anything.”

” Do you feel you push your kids too hard to be successful? Do you think some parents can push their kids too hard to be great?”

Be sure to watch the video embedded above or click here to watch the episode directly on YouTube. Remember that this is just a chill and relaxed conversation and I’m simply stating my opinion as a person and not bashing on anyone else’s opinion on the subject.

Thanks so much for joining me on this episode of Thirsty Thursday. Don’t forget – if you are interested in submitting questions or topics for future episodes, you can email them to thehoneygirlk@gmail.com. As a reminder, I am not a professional at all and do not get paid for my advice. All opinions are my own – my honest thoughts on the subject and I am in no way judging anyone for the choices they make or their own opinions, these are just mine.

Beauty

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

By honeygirlsworld April 29, 2016

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I love getting flowers for Anniversaries, Birthdays, Mother’s Day or “Just Because”, but I’m always open to fun ideas and little things that make these occasions fun, exciting and sentimental. While flowers are nice, I love finding products that are practical and will have a purpose. This year, I wanted to share a few items that I have been loving lately that would make GREAT Mother’s Day gifts. Whether you are buying this as a treat for yourself or making the day of that special mommy in your life, these gifts are definitely some that will make any woman happy. Read on if you want to check out this round up of Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.

I have had my fair share of great Mother’s Day gifts. My husband and I are so in-tune with one another that we usually know exactly the gift we want to get for one another or something that is practical and we’ll get a lot of use out of. My goal for this list is to offer a variety of goodies for any woman, whether the stay-at-home or work-from-home mom, busy business woman or the granny with style, these gifts will surely please.

Let’s start with a little makeup – shall we? I recently was introduced to Youngblood Cosmetics, a beautiful line of mineral cosmetics created by Pauline Youngblood. From Foundation to lipstick and everything in between, Youngblood Cosmetics offers a wide range of color cosmetics that is made with quality ingredients and great black and chic packaging. I have been using a few of the products from the line and look forward to trying more. Anything from Youngblood is gorgeous, but two of my favorites is the Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow Quad in Shanghai Nights ($43 USD) and Mineral Radiance Compact (pictured) in Splendor ($43 USD). Each or any of the products are perfect for the sophisticated woman that is looking to add a little color to their life or the makeup and beauty loving mom that wants to try something new.

A great cleansing oil and a fantastic mud mask is perfect for that mother in your life. One of my favorite gifts to give to my favorite gals is the Borghese Fango Active Mud Mask for Face and Body so I just had to include the Fango Active Duo Set as a gift option. This two piece set retails for $60 USD but the Fango Active Radiance Facial Oil retails for $60 on it’s own, so it’s like you get a free product or gift with purchase. This set is gorgeous and I love how Borghese products display on the vanity. The Radiance Facial Oil has a blend of botanical oils that help to transform the skin’s texture, soothe dull and dry skin and nourish and restore lipid loss due to aging and environmental damage. The Fango Active Mud for Face and Body is one of my holy grail masks, offering a detoxifying mineral-rich mask that hydrates and firms the skin while reducing fine lines and providing you with smooth and toned skin. Paired together, this not only makes a wonderful gift – but a great treat for anyone.

Can we just talk about the design of this unit for a second? My gosh, it’s so pretty and girly and would make the most wonderful Mother’s Day gift for any mom. The Michael Todd Soniclear Petite is one of my favorite skin cleansing tools. I have raved about it time and time again here on my site and would recommend ANY of these units for a gift. This cleansing tool is the petite version, smaller than the original and the elite but perfect for travel and comes with a universal USB enabled charger which makes this great for those on the go. It’s a waterproof unit with 3 speeds to help tailor to your cleansing needs and is antimicrobial. What makes it so great is not only the design (and the pattern) but that this product is reasonably priced at just $109.00. I seriously wouldn’t mind unwrapping one of these as a gift and I know it would make a fabulous present for anyone.

I wrote about these two products from LATHER on my blog a few weeks back and they continue to be favorites of mine so I know they would make any mom or mom to be happy. The LATHER coconut creme body whip ($22 USD) is one of my favorite body butter / lotions to date. I have used MANY, trust me, and I find that it not only smells yummy – it moisturizes my skin wonderfully and leaves a light fragrance that is so delish. This body creme is silky and whipped to perfection and my skin is left soft and hydrated for hours. This is the perfect creme for any mom or mom to be. I highly suggest this as a gift to that “mom to be” because this would make a great body creme to lather on the body while pregnant too. The Vanilla & Argan Lip Scrub ($10 USD) is a must have for anyone. It is moisturizing and tastes delicious and sloths away any dry skin on your lips leaving them plump and soft for your favorite lip product or for kiss… teehee. What’s great about these products is that they come from a great brand and are made with quality products.

With the summer months just around the bend, nothing says beachy and ready for some sun like a great tote. This gorgeous striped Sportswear Tote by Helly Hansen ($50 USD) is lightweight and the perfect bag to store your everyday essentials for all your summer fun activities. It’s available in three different colors: Navy, Aquamarine and Sorbet and has a shoulder strap and carry handles. Marine stripe fabric and detailing give this tote the perfect look for sporting and toting around this summer. As a handbag lover, I know that I would love to get this quality made bag as a gift this Mother’s Day.

The next gift is one of my favorites… for moms like me who like to take their hair ties and rubber bands and turn them into an unsightly fashion statement as we wear them on our wrists. The Bittersweet Hair Tie Bracelet ($45 USD) was created by Maria Shireen – a functional fashion accessories company. It was a gift from her husband as he had it designed and created so that she could eliminate the pressure on her wrist from the elastic bands but also make her hair tie look like a stylish bracelet, by creating a channel that holds the hair tie in place. Hello – total genius, simple, unique but functional. This bracelet has literally changed my fashion game up hugely. If you have seen any of my outfit posts here on the blog – then you know that I have turned my many hair ties into the ugliest thing to grace my wrist, but I NEED them at a moments notice so I keep them handy that way. Now with the Bittersweet bangle I can literally look fashion forward without being a fashion faux pas. This literally makes a great gift for any mom and I know they will make use of this bangle as much as I do. I love it so much – I have my eyes on the gold and rose gold too.

You can’t go wrong with buying your favorite mom a perfume for Mother’s Day and Pacifica Beauty offers a set of three for just $19 USD. The Daydreamer Roll-On Trio offers three delectable scents that would make any mother happy. Tuscan Blood Orange, Tahitian Gardenia and Indian Coconut Nectar (one of my favorites) this set offers a roll-on perfume for everyone. Pick up the whole set and gift it together or break up the set and make three mother’s happy this Mother’s Day. Pacifica offers cruelty free products and are available on their website: Pacificabeauty.com, Target and Ulta stores.

Now, of course – I know there are moms out there that may be stationery, planner, pen or paper addicts… like me. So, I wanted to make sure that I included something that would satisfy those moms too. I LOVE pens and some of my favorites come from PenGems and from their signature collection. I probably have 8 or 10 of them and I love them not only because of the way they write, but because they are beautiful, stylish and just a great statement to any planner, purse or notebook. Pens, pencils and notebooks can be great gifts for mom from children or grandchildren. I love searching through Target’s One Spot Dollar Spot section for cute notebooks, pens and pencils as well to give as gifts. You can get a great selection for about $1 to $3 and you’re bound to find something you will enjoy as well as the favorite mother(s) in your life. These kinds of gifts are easy to personalize and make great little presents to open.

Of course, we can’t leave out the techie gadgets and nothing says awesome like the gift of a camera. The Sony RX100 iv ($950.00) is the perfect gift to give that will help that special mom capture every moment that her family has. It’s compact and powerful. With the ability to capture images in 21MP at up to 16 frames per second and record videos in 4K or HD – this is the perfect camera for a beginner or camera enthusiast, offering an impressive compact camera for every day use or for special occasions.

Whatever gift you decide to get that mom or moms in your life, I’m sure it will be wonderful. These are just a little suggestions of products and goodies I’ve been loving lately. Of course, as I mentioned previously – I love flowers and welcome them with open arms (especially my favorites) but when you want to think a little outside of the box, some of these presents would be perfect gifts for your loved one. I look forward to Mother’s Day each year because it reminds me that being a Mommy is so much more than presents – it’s love and happiness year round. I look forward to my sons making me beautiful handmade cards that take them hours to complete and while Mother’s Day is everyday in my house, I think it’s a day worth celebrating. Besides, I wouldn’t be a mother myself without the help from my mom and those that have come before me… right?

Disclaimer: Most of the products discussed, mentioned and featured in this post were sent to me for review and editorial consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to feature these products. Affiliate links are posted through out.

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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Motherhood

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

“To the world you are a Mother, but to your family you are the World.”

CiPU is pronounced – ‘Shee’ (translated to “happiness” in Chinese) and ‘Pu’ (translated to “store” in Chinese) like “shee” in sheet and “PU” in put.

“Zip it, Flip it, Love it!”