Monday, November 30, 2015

Holiday Gift Idea: Ozeri Ceramic Knife Set #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


Another fantastic idea for the home chef, the Ozeri OZK1 Elite Chef Ceramic 3-Piece Knife Set:

A necessity for the serious chef, the Elite Chef Black Ceramic Knife Set includes 3 ultra-sharp 100% ceramic knives that slice through fruits, vegetables, and boneless meats with unmatched ease. Coupled to perfectly balanced ergonomic handles, the Elite Chef Ceramic Knives render a wide variety of cutting tasks effortless, from chopping, to mincing, slicing and dicing. 


These distinctively shaped knives utilize the purest ceramic, with each blade close in hardness to diamonds and able to preserve its razor-sharpness 10 times longer than traditional steel blades. Unlike metal knives, the Ozeri Elite Chef Black Ceramic Knives do not corrode, rust or leach metal ions into food. They are impervious to moisture, oils and acids in common foods, and preserve their freshness despite long-term exposure to such foods. 


Finished with a reflective black veneer, each Ozeri ceramic knife weighs less than half of an equivalent metal knife, thereby reducing fatigue and pain associating with preparing big meals and repetitive cutting. 

We love these knives!  We have several ceramic knives in our knife cache and these are among the best.  The weight is perfect, light, but sturdy.  It's handy to have a variety of sizes to match the chopping chore.  These lovely knives can tackle pretty much every cutting challenge you throw their way and they look great doing it!

Any home chef would be happy to receive these fabulous knives as a gift this Christmas!


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Holiday Gift Idea: Time-of-the-Month Subscription Service from Tomboxes.com #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


Tomboxes.com is a TOM (time-of-the-month) subscription service that helps you stay prepared and pampered every month. 


This TOM box arrives every 28 days and is packed with essentials for that time of the month plus gifts to give you something to look forward to.


In each box you'll get your choice of brand name tampons or pads, a piece of fashionable jewelry customized to your tastes and name brand makeup. These boxes start as low as $16/month and are only $5 the first month to try.


You can also double your jewelry and makeup for just $11 for the first month and $22/month after that.  The standard box is valued at $40-$60 and the double box is valued at $60-$90.


Tomboxes.com also offer a noflow box (shown above) which is everything in the regular box minus the pads or tampons which is $10 a month or $16 a month if you double the makeup and jewelry.

Personalize your subscription and get something to look forward to each month at Tomboxes.com!



Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Holiday Gift Idea: Give the Gift of Relaxation with the InstaShiatsu Plus Massager! #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


Could there be a better gift during the stressful holiday season than the gift of relaxation?  I think not:)  The InstaShiatsu Plus Massager is my favorite gift guide item yet!


Perfect for at home, in the office, or on the go, this cordless InstaShiatsu Plus massager has multiple settings and versatility so it can relieve achy muscles all over the body.  The internal rechargeable battery holds enough power for hours of use, and self-adjusting settings allow the user to customize the pain-relief that works best.


You can change direction of the massage at a the press of a button or leave it to the auto-reverse operation.  You can choose heat for extra comfort and relaxation.  You control the pressure of your massage by using the comfy wrist supports.  Just pull your wrists down for a deeper massage or lift up to ease the pressure. 


The truMedic InstaShiatsu is your new best friend - ready at a moment's notice to massage that particular spot in the center of your back that is just out of reach... that sensitive area that needs just the right touch and that area that really needs a strong, deep-kneading, heated pull-out-all-the-stops kind of massage. 

  
Massage has been found to help with relaxation, sleep, circulation, pain relief, blood pressure and so much more which makes the InstaShiatsu Plus Massager an amazing gift that lasts all year long!

ARV $140


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Holiday Gift Idea: Matching Mother and Daughter PJs from BedHead! #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


I think pjs are always a great gift idea.  My all-time favorite pjs have been from BedHead, so I was super excited to get the chance to work with them this holiday season on a review for matching mother and daughter pjs in one of the new Hello Kitty patterns:


In celebration of Hello Kitty's 40th birthday, BedHead Pajamas launched their new line of sleepwear in partnership with Sanrio. The BedHead and Hello Kitty series is both stylish and collectible. 

The Hello Kitty Floating Hearts Stretch Classic PJ for mom features a button down top and a pair of bottoms, while the tween set comes as a pullover top and a pair of bottoms.  



Both are made with the super comfy, super stretchy cotton/spandex blend BedHead is known for.  You also get a bonus headband that matches your pj set.  This exclusive print is by BedHead founder Renee Claire Bertrand.


BedHead Pajamas are proudly made in the USA and they are a company that gives back.  A portion of each purchase goes towards several deserving charities!

This holiday season, treat your daughter and yourself to what are, in my opinion, the best pajamas ever with BedHead!

BedHead's big Black Friday Sale is happening now, so many gorgeous women's sets down to just $69 from their regular prices of $99-$140!  



Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Holiday Comfort Courtesy of Lee!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


The holidays are always a super busy time for us.  Both my family and my husband's family live about 4 hours away and we spend our holidays hopping from one house to another.  One of the most important things to get me through the hustle and bustle from point A to point Z and every stop in between?  Comfortable clothing.  Of course, you don't really ant to show up in your cozy sweats:)  The next best things I've found are from Lee!

Yep, Lee has more than just great fitting jeans.  They have stylish tops to boot:)  Since our weather here in Texas can be a bit finicky this time of year, I like to have options on hand that can transform depending on the weather.  This Pintucked Henley fits the bill!


The Henley gets a stylish update with pretty pintucking around the neckline, push-up sleeves secured with a buttoned loop, and a flattering curved hemline front and back. Not to mention this beautiful new shade of heather blue! It's also machine-washable which is a MUST in my wardrobe.

What better to pair this lightweight, gorgeous top with than a pair of flattering Lee jeans?  I am really loving the Curvy Fit Casandra Bootcut lately.  


Designed with your curves in mind, the Curvy Fit collection features a no-gap waistband that is midrise in the front (a 9 3/8" rise) and higher in the back for curve-hugging comfort. Knit like denim keeps its shape all day (no bagging out!). The Casandra's bootcut silhouette is cut with an 18" leg opening from stretch cross hatch denim that's handsanded and finished with back flap pockets and contrast stitching.  


Stylish and comfortable, doesn't get much better than that:)
Find your must-have wardrobe additions for the holiday season at Lee!


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Holiday Book Roundup from Sky Pony Press! #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


Sky Pony Press has 3 lovely new books to add to the Christmas book collection:


Called “[a] fine choice for Lego diehards” by Publishers Weekly, The Night Before Christmas: A Brick Story by Clement C. Moore (author) and Amanda Brack (illustrator) is a fresh take on a holiday classic and is perfect for LEGO and Christmas lovers alike.


Spread the Christmas cheer with this whimsical retelling of Clement C. Moore’s cherished poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” This new edition of the classic features the text of Moore’s original poem, illustrated with beautifully detailed LEGO brick scenes and characters.
See the colorful stockings hung by the chimney in the fanciful brick house, and look on at the visions of dancing brick sugarplums. Turn the pages to reveal Saint Nicholas with his bundle of toys and his eight trusty reindeer, and watch as he magically slides down the chimney to bring presents to the good little girls and boys before shouting, “Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!” This treasured Christmas poem in brick will quickly become the highlight of your holiday storybooks and a great new tradition for the whole family!


From the minds of Halloween picture book The Runaway Pumpkin (Sky Pony Press), The Runaway Santa: A Christmas Adventure Story by Anne Margaret Lewis (author) and Aaron Zenz (illustrator) is a sweet and endearing story of relationships, adventure, and following one’s dreams.


Once there was a jolly Santa who wanted to leave the North Pole on a worldwide vacation! He decides he wants to visit Mount Rushmore and see the stone faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Then he’ll ski the silky slopes of the Swiss Alps. And after that, he’ll ride an elephant in South Africa on a safari. Santa is eager for a new adventure, but Mrs. Claus isn’t so sure he’s ready just yet. Before he takes off, she’s going to make sure he’s got his rock climbing gear. And his skis, and his hat. He must be ready!
It isn’t long before Santa realizes that maybe his adventure would be more fun with a friend. Mrs. Claus is clearly an expert adventurer herself, and so the two take off together on a runaway adventure. They have a little time before Christmas, after all, and everybody needs a break sometimes!


Tough Cookie by Kate Louise (author) and Grace Sandford (illustrator) is the story of a ginger-less gingerbread man who learns an important lesson about being kind and finding happiness through helping others.


When this gingerbread man was baked, someone forgot to put in the ginger. He’s made of eggs and cinnamon and flour and butter and sugar, but he’s missing a key ingredient! Without ginger, the gingerbread man feels like he’s not really a gingerbread man at all! He can’t be sold in the bakery, so he lives at the back of the store. And there he causes all kinds of trouble.
This gingerbread man eats the baker’s decorating candy. He throws sprinkles across the counter and squirts frosting on the walls. It’s not long before the baker has had enough of the gingerbread man’s mischief and orders him to leave. The gingerbread man realizes he’ll have to change his ways, and the baker decides to help. He teaches the gingerbread man that his ingredients don’t make him who he is—it’s his character that defines him. So the gingerbread man begins to help the baker decorate the other gingerbread men and women. He helps prepare them and makes sure they find their way on their journey from the oven to the bakery shelf. And he always makes sure to add the ginger.

This is a story about being kind and finding happiness through helping others. Sandford’s cute illustrations accompany Louise’s sweet story, and children won’t be able to resist its delightful charm.


All three of these books went over really well with my 7 and 9 year old kiddos and they were super excited to add them to our "Countdown till Christmas" book collection.  These Sky Pony Press books would make great gifts leading up to Christmas this year:)



Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Mrs. Freshley's Semi-Homeade Thanksgiving Treats!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


It's that time folks!  Thanksgiving is just a few days away!  Creating Pinterest-worthy desserts to wow your guests does not have to break the bank. Mrs. Freshley's has created some recipes that are the perfect combination of taste and presentation for upcoming Thanksgiving celebrations.

Caramel Apple Trifles make the perfect single serving treat!


 Bring out the kid in your guests with the fun Turkey Cake Pops!




Each of these recipes are no-bake and utilize Mrs. Freshley's delicious treats with a few extra ingredients to create delicious Fall goodies that are sure to have guests begging for the recipe!


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Bob the Builder Returns to PBS with All New Episodes!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


A beloved childhood friend is making his return to preschool television with a whole new look and feel this November with the premiere of the newly reimagined Bob the Builder series, now including the voice talent of Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt as Bob’s friend Wendy. The iconic kid’s series Bob the Builder debuted on PBS November 7th (check local listings for specific times) with updated CGI-animation, a brand new look for the series.

In honor of Bob the Builder's return, we had a screening party:


We are so excited about Bob and the crew returning!  Meet Bob the Builder and his team in the video below and don't forget to check your local listings to find out when to catch them on TV!

Holiday Gift Idea: SunRidge Farms Goodies for Stuffing Stockings! #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


Looking for a couple of yummy snacks for stuffing those stockings?  SunRidge Farms™ offers up healthy, delicious treats that are free of highly processed or refined ingredients.


They source Non-GMO ingredients whenever possible.  SunRidge Farms™ is committed to the planet and supports organic farming and sustainable practices and believes that it is essential to aid in the conservation of ecological diversity, wildlife, and natural terrain in order to preserve our world. Their contributions include substantial donations toward the successful resolution of environmental, social, food related issues on both local and global levels.

The variety of awesome nuts, trail mixes, candies, dried fruits and more is super impressive.  You are sure to find something for each and every stocking this holiday season.  We tried the Milk Chocolate Cranberries, the Green Tea Chai Almonds, the Mammoth Pecan Halves and the Caramel Toffee Nut Mix.  All were absolutely delicious!

Stock up on healthy, indulgent treats for the whole family!


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas + Giveaway!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas!: 101 Joyous Holiday Stories

This collection of 101 heartwarming and entertaining stories of holiday traditions, family, and goodwill will spread the wonder and joy of the holiday season. A fantastic holiday gift and a great way to start the season!

Christmas is a festive and joyful time of year, a time of family, friends, and traditions. You will delight in reading the 101 merry and touching stories of love, joy, and wonder. And all the stories are “Santa safe” so they can keep the magic alive for the whole family.

Get Connected:
Twitter: @ChickenSoupSoul (https://twitter.com/chickensoupsoul)
Instagram: @chickensoupsoul (http://instagram.com/chickensoupsoul)

Win It:
Enter to win one of three copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas:

Holiday Gift Idea: Wooden Architectural Building Sets from HABA! #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


I love giving kiddos presents that are educational, engaging and encourage creativity.  It's a huge plus if these toys can also be well-made and can stand the test of time.  HABA toys do all of those things and always exceed my expectations.

We recently got to try out a Master Builder Architectural Set.  The kiddos decided they'd like to try their hand at constructing a Russian Cathedral:


HABA offers an extensive line of wooden building sets featuring many of the architectural wonders fro all over the world.  This set was truly exceptional!  This set combines many of the domes and arches that Russian czars and religious leaders used in constructing buildings in Moscow and St. Petersburg.  


The wooden blocks are solid and sanded to a smooth perfection making them easy and fun to build with.  This set has 16 different shapes and 55 pieces.  The kiddos have built the design on the packaging and experimented with other variations of Russian architecture.  They are really enjoying their building set from HABA!


HABA is a wood manufacturing company known for their high-quality baby and children's toys, as well as their children's games and block sets. HABA also offers plush toys, games and textiles. The designers put great care and thought into the creation of their products. HABA products may be found in well-stocked toy stores around the globe.

If you are looking for wonderfully constructed toys that are sure to fuel little imaginations, you are sure to find them at HABA!

The Russian Blocks MSRP is $42.74.



Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Holiday Gift Idea: Lassig Duffle Bags for Kiddos! #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


Doing any holiday travelling?  A Lässig Mini Duffel will be your kiddo's new favorite travel companion!


Whether going on an overnight or weekend trip or even something a little longer, this adorable bag can hold what you need once you get there.


It has tons of storage space, both inside and out, but is still small enough that a child can easily carry it.


It comes with durable, yet comfortable handles and an additional adjustable shoulder strap.  It even has a shoe storage spot separate from the main bag.


The Lässig brand embodies an ideal blend of versatility and innovation, with convenient features and chic details to combine fashion, safety and sustainability. A company dedicated to creating consciously-crafted diaper bags, kids' bags, bibs, dishware and other high-quality accessories for the modern family. In addition to being sustainable, Lässig ensures that their products are durable and made to last. Lässig production adheres to strict quality control measures and is constantly monitoring production standards.

Lässig is a branch of another of our favorite companies, HABA.  This duffle has given us even more reasons to love the brand!

Gift a Lässig Mini Duffel to any of the kiddos on your gift giving list and watch their face light up:)

The Mini Duffel Bag MSRP is $49.99. 



Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Holiday Book Roundup From Candlewick Press! #HGG

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


One of our favorite holiday traditions is the Advent Calendar or Countdown to Christmas.  We've done them several different ways, celebrating each day of December with a holiday treat or activity or movie, but one of the most fun for the whole family is the Holiday Book Countdown.  Each day we read a book from our holiday collection and it really is so much fun!  Our collection includes books from several winter holidays and we were really excited to get several new additions from Candlewick Press this year!  Some of these are going in the holiday books and others will be great for year round use, but we were absolutely thrilled about all of them!


Here are our favorites from Candlewick Press this season:  

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Unfold this enchanting Panorama Pop celebrating a classic story, then tuck it inside an attractive slipcase for next time. Curiouser and curiouser! The British Royal Mail’s special stamps honoring Alice in Wonderland’s 150th anniversary inspire a beautiful gift edition of Lewis Carroll’s classic.

Where's Waldo? The Sticker Book!

Waldo has sticking power! Find hours of fun in this compact book of stickers derived from classic scenes.  


Know anyone who's stuck on Waldo? Packed in this book are hundreds of stickers just waiting for fans old and new to get their hands on them. Use ones from Waldo's original classics to decorate cards and wrapping paper or create a wacky story. Other stickers are large enough to hide everywhere for a fun Waldo hunt with friends. Look for lots of other sticker activities throughout.

The Best Parts of Christmas

A boy who really loves his Christmas tree finds a way to preserve its spirit year-round in this sweet and child-friendly holiday story.Fritz knows that the best parts of Christmas happen around the tree, whether decorating it with traditional and unexpected ornaments, sharing snacks, or opening presents. And Fritz gets to pick out the perfect tree: one that can be the centerpiece for his family’s celebrations, but can also make for good company when he needs some quiet time. But when Christmas is over and the tree begins to drop needles, Mom and Dad say it’s time to say good-bye. But Fritz isn’t ready to let his tree go. How can Fritz keep his Christmas tree—and the happiness gathered around it—with him all year through?

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. The moving, lyrical tale, gloriously illustrated by P.J. Lynch, has been widely hailed as a true Christmas classic. This beautiful anniversary edition includes a new note from the author and an audio narration by James Earl Jones available as a complimentary download.

The Iliad

A strikingly illustrated retelling of Homer’s classic from the team who brought us The Odyssey—Carnegie Medalist Gillian Cross and illustrator Neil Packer.


After nine years of war between the Greeks and Trojans, tensions are heating up among men of the same faction as well as those on opposing sides. Two proud and powerful Greeks, King Agamemnon and legendary warrior Achilles, quarrel over a beautiful maiden, causing Achilles and his myrmidons to drop out of the fight. Meanwhile, fueled by rage and pride, honor and greed, soldiers on both sides—Odysseus and Patroclus for the Greeks, Paris and Hector for the Trojans—perform heroic deeds, attempting to end the war. Depicting their actions, and those of the gods they invoke, are vivid, stylistic illustrations reminiscent of Greek pottery, giving this large-format volume an extra measure of authenticity and appeal.

Jingle Bells: A Magical Cut-Paper Edition

An elegant cut-paper edition of the classic Christmas song transforms with each turn of the page and offers a spectacular pop-up finale.


Written by American songwriter James Lord Pierpont for Sunday-school children to perform at an 1857 Thanksgiving concert, "Jingle Bells" is now an irreplaceable part of Christmas traditions around the world. Niroot Puttapipat’s exquisite cut-paper edition, with his silhouetted illustrations at once bold and delicate, follows a sleigh ride across a snowy landscape. Featuring scenes that change on every spread and a stunning 3-D pop-up at the end, this holiday keepsake captures the thrill of a winter adventure and the magic of the season.

Historium

Discover more than 160 exhibits in this virtual museum, open all hours.


Welcome to the museum! There are more than 160 historical artifacts to be discovered in Welcome to the Museum: Historium. Wander the galleries of this museum whenever you wish—it’s open 365 days a year!—and discover a collection of curated objects on every page, accompanied by informative text. Each chapter features a different ancient civilization, from the Silla dynasty of Korea to ancient Rome.


This large book was D's favorite.  It is jam packed with really cool artifacts, each with a ton of information about them...a great gift for history buffs!

Candlewick Press books make great gifts and stocking stuffers!


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.