Categories
books

Time for a new calendar! @PlanAhead

It is that time of year when I look for a new, hard copy calendar. Yes, I still use a calendar that you actually write in and not my iphone. I just like seeing my schedule in writing. Plus there are ones that have room for all your kids activities. That is why I love this one from Plan Ahead.  It is their mother’s 18 month planner which starts July 2014 and runs to December 2015. It has room for a photo of your kids up front. It shows a month at a glance and the week at a glance with space for you to list out your kids activities. It is small enough to carry around and it’s just perfect.  This one also has a space in back for notes and a vacation planning section too.  Plan Ahead has lots of organizers and address books to choose from. And yes, I still have my contacts in a hard copy book, because you never know. I’m odd school like that. Check out all their products from back to school online and then head to your favorite retailer like Walmart or CVS to purchase.

Disclosure:  Plan Ahead sent me the calendars and address books to review. All opinions are my own.

Calendars and address books from Plan Ahead
Calendars and address books from Plan Ahead

 

 

 

Categories
Products

Tween Trends: 10 year old testing out @Instax @Fuji_Instax

After cleaning out my dad’s apartment as he was moving, my daughter became curious with what she called the funny camera. Yes, it was an instant camera from the 70’s! Her friend had a new version of an instant camera and she was excited to be able to test out the Fuji Film Instax Mini 8. It comes in fun colors, it’s real easy to use and of course offers immediate photos!

My kids were so used to taking iphone photos (and a million of one pose) so I had to explain to her you really have to want the photo because it’s film and each film cartridge only had 10 photos. You simply press the button beside the lens to turn power on, adjust the dial depending on if you need to shoot in the sun/clouds, etc. and shoot. It’s that easy and so much fun. It really reminds me of my childhood. Pictures that pop up instantly – now that is a nice change of pace instead of wondering what to do with my thousands of photos on my laptop!

My 10 year old loves the camera. She really thinks about the pose and frames the subjects just so. A fun gift idea and perfect for summer vacation memories! It’s affordable too – less than $70!

Disclosure: The company sent me the Instax to test out. All opinions are my own.

Instax film
Instax film
Instax Mini 8 camera
Instax Mini 8 camera
Here is all you need for instant photos from Fuji Film Instax Mini 8
Here is all you need for instant photos from Fuji Film Instax Mini 8

 

 

 

final product: fun, instant photos!
final product: fun, instant photos!

 

Categories
Products

Tween Trends: 10 year old testing out @Instax @Fuji_Instax

After cleaning out my dad’s apartment as he was moving, my daughter became curious with what she called the funny camera. Yes, it was an instant camera from the 70’s! Her friend had a new version of an instant camera and she was excited to be able to test out the Fuji Film Instax Mini 8. It comes in fun colors, it’s real easy to use and of course offers immediate photos!

My kids were so used to taking iphone photos (and a million of one pose) so I had to explain to her you really have to want the photo because it’s film and each film cartridge only had 10 photos. You simply press the button beside the lens to turn power on, adjust the dial depending on if you need to shoot in the sun/clouds, etc. and shoot. It’s that easy and so much fun. It really reminds me of my childhood. Pictures that pop up instantly – now that is a nice change of pace instead of wondering what to do with my thousands of photos on my laptop!

My 10 year old loves the camera. She really thinks about the pose and frames the subjects just so. A fun gift idea and perfect for summer vacation memories! It’s affordable too – less than $70!

Disclosure: The company sent me the Instax to test out. All opinions are my own.

Instax film
Instax film
Instax Mini 8 camera
Instax Mini 8 camera
Here is all you need for instant photos from Fuji Film Instax Mini 8
Here is all you need for instant photos from Fuji Film Instax Mini 8

 

 

 

final product: fun, instant photos!
final product: fun, instant photos!

 

Categories
Products

Tween Trends: 10 year old testing out @Instax @Fuji_Instax

After cleaning out my dad’s apartment as he was moving, my daughter became curious with what she called the funny camera. Yes, it was an instant camera from the 70’s! Her friend had a new version of an instant camera and she was excited to be able to test out the Fuji Film Instax Mini 8. It comes in fun colors, it’s real easy to use and of course offers immediate photos!

My kids were so used to taking iphone photos (and a million of one pose) so I had to explain to her you really have to want the photo because it’s film and each film cartridge only had 10 photos. You simply press the button beside the lens to turn power on, adjust the dial depending on if you need to shoot in the sun/clouds, etc. and shoot. It’s that easy and so much fun. It really reminds me of my childhood. Pictures that pop up instantly – now that is a nice change of pace instead of wondering what to do with my thousands of photos on my laptop!

My 10 year old loves the camera. She really thinks about the pose and frames the subjects just so. A fun gift idea and perfect for summer vacation memories! It’s affordable too – less than $70!

Disclosure: The company sent me the Instax to test out. All opinions are my own.

Instax film
Instax film
Instax Mini 8 camera
Instax Mini 8 camera
Here is all you need for instant photos from Fuji Film Instax Mini 8
Here is all you need for instant photos from Fuji Film Instax Mini 8

 

 

 

final product: fun, instant photos!
final product: fun, instant photos!

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Summer Skin Solver? @DesertEssence

Summer is in full swing and so is dry skin and scalp! That is why I am glad I have some products from Desert Essence. The company sent me a few of their products to test out including their newest just launched soap bars and lotions in Island Mango and Italian Lemon. All of their products smell so good! But what I like best about them is that they are made without any chemicals, are 100 percent vegan and gluten free. All of their products are great and you can order them online or head to your local whole foods to check out the product line.

The exfoliating Italian lemon soap bar is so unique and smells just great! After you wash with it try the Italian lemon hand and body lotion. This soap is perfect, especially if you use self-tanner this season.

My girls are swimmers and the company recommended they shampoo with the Italian Red Grape Shampoo or the Tea Tree Replenishing Shampoo. Both smell great. The Red Grape is perfect for color treated hair and has anti-oxidents in it which acts as a UV filter – just what you need for the summer season. The Tea Tree shampoo is great as you head into back to school season as I read that it is a natural protectant during lice season.

Desert Essence’s 100% Pure Jojoba Oil is available in full size and travel size, so you can have one in the pool or swim bag! Use it for hair protection and massage it into hair before swimming for protection against chlorine and salt water. It’s also great for pedicure prep!

My favorite scents during the summer are vanilla and coconut. Desert Essence has a great travel kit of coconut body wash, shampoo, conditioner and hand and body lotion. They smell heavenly! I will use them all year just to enjoy the scent!

Disclosure: The company sent me the above products to test out. All opinions are my own.

 

New Products from Desert Essence
New Products from Desert Essence
Categories
Uncategorized

Summer Skin Solver? @DesertEssence

Summer is in full swing and so is dry skin and scalp! That is why I am glad I have some products from Desert Essence. The company sent me a few of their products to test out including their newest just launched soap bars and lotions in Island Mango and Italian Lemon. All of their products smell so good! But what I like best about them is that they are made without any chemicals, are 100 percent vegan and gluten free. All of their products are great and you can order them online or head to your local whole foods to check out the product line.

The exfoliating Italian lemon soap bar is so unique and smells just great! After you wash with it try the Italian lemon hand and body lotion. This soap is perfect, especially if you use self-tanner this season.

My girls are swimmers and the company recommended they shampoo with the Italian Red Grape Shampoo or the Tea Tree Replenishing Shampoo. Both smell great. The Red Grape is perfect for color treated hair and has anti-oxidents in it which acts as a UV filter – just what you need for the summer season. The Tea Tree shampoo is great as you head into back to school season as I read that it is a natural protectant during lice season.

Desert Essence’s 100% Pure Jojoba Oil is available in full size and travel size, so you can have one in the pool or swim bag! Use it for hair protection and massage it into hair before swimming for protection against chlorine and salt water. It’s also great for pedicure prep!

My favorite scents during the summer are vanilla and coconut. Desert Essence has a great travel kit of coconut body wash, shampoo, conditioner and hand and body lotion. They smell heavenly! I will use them all year just to enjoy the scent!

Disclosure: The company sent me the above products to test out. All opinions are my own.

 

New Products from Desert Essence
New Products from Desert Essence
Categories
fashions purses

Need to charge your iphone asap? #Mighty Purse to the rescue!

Summer is the time for travel, fun and go, go, go.  How many times have you been some place to snap a photo with your iphone or call someone and the phone’s battery died. ugh!! Thanks to the creative minds at Handbag Butler there is a fashionable way to charge your phone without carrying a bunch of power cords or asking if anyone has a outlet.  The Mighty Purse is the original purse that charges your smart phone on the go. It comes in so many fun colors and textures (most in real leather) and you can fit not only your phone but other small items as well.  Each wristlet type purse (with removable wrist strap) contains a rechargeable battery pack with micro-USB cable to charge your smart phone. It is rechargeable via any USB port. Charge the purse, drop your phone in and you have the power built right in to charger anytime you need it.  So if you are traveling or heading out for the evening you always have a charger right in your bag.  Plus it’s a really cute purse too. The one in the photo is the two tone snake print! I just love this idea and convenience as I have been gone all day at meetings without any access to a power and it would have helped to have this. Pick up one in a fun color and always stay fashionable while your phone stays charged!

#MIghtyPurse by @Handbagbutler
#MightyPurse by @Handbagbutler
Love all the details in the MightyPurse!
Love all the details in the MightyPurse!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure: The company sent me a purse to review. All opinions are my own.

 

Categories
food

Eat Your Veggies! Party Planning with Veggies #cruditecreation

We just had our family birthday celebration as both my kids birthdays are in July, 5 days apart.  We usually have a low key barbeque but getting in something healthy is always a challenge.  I am so glad that crudite creations sent us a lovely arrangement to help celebrate!  When family members walked into the party they immediately noticed this colorful arrangement but did not realize it was vegetables!  Then everyone began to dig in – kids too.  All the veggies were so good and the dips they have taste great. We had humus and white bean dip. It really is a nice way to bring color (and a healthy serving of veggies) to your gathering and/or centerpiece for a get together.  I really liked the fact that it was delivered to your door. It is perfect for a hostess gift, shower or any special party. AND yes, it really it all veggies – those longer stems that look like a beautiful flower is actually celery. So elegant!

Disclosure: Crudite Creations sent us the arrangement and dips to try out (we are glad they did!) All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.

Get your veggies and a nice display with #Cruditecreation
Get your veggies and a nice display with #Cruditecreation

 

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Doggy/Family Event: This Sunday at Fenway #FuturesatFenway #RedSoxFamily @RedSox

For those of you with dogs it can be hard in the summertime to go to many different events as you don’t want to leave your fur baby at home. Well, here is a great event that is dog friendly! This Sunday, the Red Sox will host the 9th annual Futures at Fenway minor league game, followed by a showing of the movie “Field of Dreams.” Tickets are just $15 for this fun event and you can bring your dog too!!

The Red Sox is partnering with the MSPCA, who will be on site at the event with adoptable dogs and information on the MSPCA. For more information check out their website.

 

CLEVELAND INDIANS VS BOSTON RED SOX

 

 

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Fun Toys/Collectibles: Shopkins!

There is a new tiny collectible toy for girls and my girls love them!

They are launching exclusively at Walmart stores in Hartford and will be available nationwide by the end of the year. Called Shopkins – they are super tiny, grocery-themed collectibles from Moose Toys.

Shopkins are inspired by items from each aisle in the grocery store and housed in adorable shopping bags. There are 140 different characters to collect and trade and there are limited edition characters that feature special finishes and are grouped by different sections of the supermarket, from Sweet Treats to Frozen Food to Toiletries.

The company sent me a couple packages and the kids tore into them. They are for ages 4 and up but my girls (ages 9 and 12) thought they were adorable. We also had a 6 year old with us to test them out (she literally squealed when she saw the package).  Immediately they were discussing collecting, trading and playing. Prices are pretty good too. For the 5-pack it’s $4.99 and for the 12-pack it’s 9.99.

Girls will love adding cute fruits, sweets, dairy and more to their Shopkins™ collection with the 5-Pack! In the 5-pack it includes five characters and five shopping bags so girls will get a ‘taste’ of what it’s like to build a Shopkins world. The Shopkins™ 12-Pack features twelve characters, four shopping bags, one shopping basket and a collector’s guide. What a cute invention. It is sure to keep the little ones busy for a bit!

Disclosure: The company send me the packages to review. All opinions are my own.

shopkins