2015 Gift Guide

2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Snuggies, Bright Time Buddies, and Shower Wow

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Stay warm and cozy all winter with the Snuggie®. They come in lots of different colors, and one size fits most adults. It measures 71″ X 54″. America’s favorite blanket, Snuggie®, keeps the entire body warm and cozy with its plush fleece fabric. Plus, with its innovative sleeved design, it allows for free use of hands. Now available in new patterns including Grey Leopard, Love, Zebra and Blue Plaid, Snuggie® is available at Walmart and mysnuggiestore.com for $14.99.

Bright Time Buddies®, a night time companion for kids, makes the dreaded bed time routine fun. Available in Dreamy Dog and Shimmer Unicorn, this nighttime friend provides a soothing colorful light – perfect for turning any dark space into a magical place. Bright Time Buddies® are durable and portable, yet soft enough to sleep with like a stuffed animal. Kids can rotate between three different color options, or keep it on the color of their choice with a simple tap. Bright Time Buddies® are available at Kmart, Walmart and Toys R’Us for an MSRP of $14.99.

Shower WOW, makes the dreaded kids’ bath time routine a bit easier. Powered by water pressure, Shower WOW has a universal fit with a high quality chrome finish to match any décor. It’s easy and quick to install. Remove your existing shower head, replace with Shower WOW and turn on the faucet to shower a cascade of colors. Available at Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart for $14.95

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Charles Viancin Kitchen Accessories

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xmas_gift 125 charles viacin This post is sponsored by Charles Viancin

Beautiful Poppy Lids for b bowls or pots and pans.

Charles Viancin has a wonderfully beautiful selection of silicone lids, potholders, cutting boards, and other kitchen accessories for under $30 each. I love the Poppy lids. They can be used on bowls to keep bugs out of food, and to help keep it warm before a meal; or on pots and pans that have no lids while cooking to prevent splatters. The lids are 11″ in diameter so they will fit a large variety of container. Since they’re made of silicone, they can go in the oven, on the stove, and in the microwave. See their accessory products here.

Charles Viancin has a large variety of styles and colors.

In addition to Poppy, they also have Grape, LillyPad, Hibiscus, Sunflower, and more to choose from. These are perfect for the foodie, the hostess, a newlywed, or even for a housewarming gift. And, they make great stocking stuffers!

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Vim & Vigr Compression Socks

Karen · 1 Comment

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This post is brought to you by Vim & VIGR

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Your friends and relatives who fly a lot, either for work or leisure, will love to get a pair of these VIM & VIGR Compression Legwear. Compression socks have always been associated with hospitals to me, and they look like the medical compression socks you are given to wear after you have surgery, or have to lay in bed a long time. The socks from VIM & VIGR, however, are so pretty! You won’t believe they are actually compression socks.

VIM_VIGR_Women_s_Nylon_Fun_Stripes_Compression_Socks_-_Blue_Grey-2_large — VIM & VIGR Women’s Fun Stripes, Blue and Gray Compression Socks

Quality_Women_s_Compression_Socks_Light_Brown_Fuchsia_2_large — VIM & VIGR Women’s Nautical Stripes, Fuscia and Light Brown Compression Socks

VIM & VIGR Women's Compression Socks — VIM & VIGR Women’s Nautical Stripes Navy and Cream Compression Socks

VIM & VIGR, a line of high-quality compression socks for men and women, works to combat cankles and the detriments of poor blood circulation that is common during travel. VIM & VIGR Compression Legwear for women come in lots of pretty styles and colors, from knee hi socks to tights to sleeves, and retail from $24.95 for the sleeves to $49.95 for tights.

4716_VimVigr_large — VIM & VIGR Men’s Compression Socks Straight Up Argile Charcoal & Orange

VIM & VIGR Men's Compression Socks — VIM & VIGR Men’s Compression Socks Straight Up Argile Black & Brick

Cotton_Men_s_Compression_Socks_Dark_Brown_Brick_2_large — VIM & VIGR Men’s Thick Stripe Dark Brown & Brick

The Men’s VIM & VIGR Compression Socks retail for between $32.95 to $34.95 a pair. Your traveling friends will thank you!

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Books For The DIY’er From Quarto Books

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xmas_gift 125 logo3 This post is sponsored by Quarto Books

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Everyone knows the do-it-yourselfer, that girl or guy who always has a project going on. These books are perfect gifts for the D-I-Y’er on your list:

The ubiquitous five-gallon bucket can do more than carry things! It can also be hacked, hot-rodded, reengineered, and upcycled to create dozens of useful DIY projects for homeowners, gardeners, and hobbyists. Each project has simple step-by-step instructions, as well as parts lists and images of the completed projects. The wealth of projects collected in this book includes inventions that range from useful to just plain fun, and from as simple as it gets to fairly involved. These can serve apartment dwellers (Small-Room Air Conditioner, page 12); homeowners (Cyclone Dust Collector, page 34) and their children (Air Cannon, page 94); small farmers (Chicken Feeder, page 72); hobbyists (Post-Mounted Birdhouse, page 137); and even back-to-the-land homesteaders and survivalists (Camping and Composting Toilet, page 48). The odds are good you’ll find something to make that’s fun and handy! Available for purchase at Quarto and retails for $19.95. It is also available at Amazon.com in paperback or for Kindle.

**Black & Decker Home Planner & Logbook**

Every homeowner should know the answer to these questions, and many more, but keeping up with every little thing can be a challenge. It helps if you have a system! That’s where the Black & Decker Home Planner & Logbook comes in. This book tells you what you need to know, how to get the information, and gives you lots of room to keep records about everything you do to your home, including:

House History
Financial Information and Warranties
Scheduled Maintenance Log
Appliances
Heating & Cooling
Repair Projects
Decorative Log including Paint & Floor Coverings
Outdoor Areas & Home Exterior

Why not just use a blank notebook? Because the Black & Decker Home Planner & Logbook is full of photos, illustrations, and tips to help you decode every system in your house, such as how to read a water meter or estimate the shelf life of paint.

The book is organized in four segments. The first three, “Understanding Your Home”, “Your Home’s Systems”, and “Your Appliances” gives a tour of the various components and systems of a home that need ongoing vigilance, inspection and maintenance. These are organized with intuitive logic, starting from the roof, moving down to the foundations and landscape, then moving indoors to examine the structural and surface elements, like walls and floors, and examining the appliances and other add-ons. The fourth section, “Home Logbook” is the journal itself, where the homeowner can document everything that has been done to the home, or who to call when your home needs attention.

Two large pockets attached to the back cover help you securely store receipts, warranties, manuals, and other documents, so you won’t have to scramble to find your plumber’s phone number during an emergency! Whether you’re an avid-do-it-yourselfer or a novice to the complexities of owning a home, the Black & Decker Home Planner & Logbook is the all-in-one repository for keeping track of everything that’s done to your home

Preview the book here: http://bit.ly/1FxvmWT Available for purchase at Quarto and retails for $24.99. Also available on Amazon.com in Flexbound.

**Barnyard Kids: A Family Guide to Raising Animals**

Parents and young kids now have a go-to resource to get started on raising chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, cows, horses, and rabbits. Written so parents and kids can read the book together, it’s filled with essential information, from choosing the right ones animals, to the work, time, and space that’s needed. Each chapter on each animal has four sections. “What Makes Them Tick” discusses food and water needs, hygiene, instincts and the animals’ social needs. “What Makes Them Sick” includes signs and causes of illness, medical supplies and vaccination info. “Where Do They Live” covers housing the animals. “What Can They Give” covers just that – from the various by products each animal gives – from food to milk to the usefulness of excrement.

Kids have helped take care of animals for generations, learning responsibility and self-reliance in the process. Barnyard Kids gives kids and parents the tools to dream about and plan for raising farm animals, empowering anyone who reads it to imagine a life with farm animals and make it real.

Preview the book here: http://bit.ly/BarnyardKidsPDF Available for purchase at Quarto and retails for $24.99. Also available at Amazon.com in Flexbound and for Kindle.

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide: #10Aziam Girlz Yoga Dolls

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This post is brought to you by Aziam Girlz

Celebrity yoga-instructor Alanna Zabel (among her clients, Adam Levine, Kelly Lynch, various NBA and PGA players, etc.), is changing the way kids look at fitness. She’s created the AZIAM Girlz, theWorld’s First Yoga Doll™ collection -the dolls that empower, inspire, and do yoga – with proceeds of sales donated to charities that encourage better living and health.

Alanna Zabel, the creator of Aziam Girlz Yoga Dolls

With childhood obesity rates more than doubling in the last 30 years, using toys is one way to teach kids about the importance of health and fitness. AZIAM Girlz inspires young girls everywhere to appreciate their unique selves and practice a healthy, grounded lifestyle during playtime and beyond. It truly is a doll to continue fostering a healthier generation.

Alanna creatively merged modern-day play patterns of young girls today with the ancient philosophy of Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga. Self-funding the five year development process, Alanna poured her passion into the collections, with the focused intention of providing young girls with a doll that is not solely focused on looking glamorous but instead is focused on positive states of being and giving back while inspiring girls to be active, kind, and love themselves AZ.I.AM.

A percentage of profits from the sale of each Asana Doll benefit the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, dedicated to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and to empower kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. Nama the Om Dawg is the pet companion of Asana. (The plush doll version speaks, “Nama-STAY” when his belly is squeezed). 10% of Nama doll sales benefit Karma Rescue, dedicated to saving animals in need by finding them permanent homes and providing the resources for successful companionship.

Here are ten Yoga poses girls and their moms can do together:

1. Helicopter Pose: One of Asana’s favorite poses! Start on your hands and knees. Extend your right arm forward at the same time extend your left leg back. Feel the strength building in your back as you stretch and lift. Hold for 8 breaths and switch sides. I AM Active! #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

2. Plank: “Ya, I’m a girl,” says Asana, “A very strong girl.” Hold the top of a push-up for 8 breaths. Keep your shoulders over your wrists and your hips lifting for good form. I AM Strong! #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

3. Cobra: Lay on your stomach, then press your upper body up into backbend. Great stretch for your spine while building strength in your back. On days when she feels more flexible, Asana also bends her knees reaching her toes toward the back of her head for a greater stretch. Hold for 8 breaths. I AM Flexible! #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

4. Downward Facing Dog: Every Yoga Girl loves Down Dog! Try to get your heels down towards the floor by pushing your hips and legs back. Spread your fingers as you push into your hands. Hold for 8 breaths. #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

KLzoRaQSGrmIiKmh0aKheawoQ6YNmKQYb8CwAwPmfxs — Camel Pose

5. Camel: Start on your knees with your hands on your lower back. If it feels OK try reaching both hands for your heels. If that doesn’t feel right today, keep your hands on your lower back while stretching back into a backbend. Push your hips forward to get more stretch. Great form! Hold for 5-8 breaths. #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

6. Pigeon: One of the greatest yoga poses to stretch our your hips, legs, and lower back. Try to hold for 1-2 minutes, although Asana will want to stay in the pose for longer. #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

7. Mermaid: Asana’s second favorite pose! You get so many benefits here: hip and leg stretch, backbend, as well as your chest and shoulders opening. Hold for 5-8 breaths. #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

8. Yogi Bicycles: Lay on your back and alternate lifting your right elbow to your left knee, and then switch. The extending leg will stay above the ground for greater ab work. Keep going for 1 minute! Asana exhales on each twist, follow along with her. I AM Fit! #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

9. Wheel: Who doesn’t love wheel pose?! Lay on your back with your feet flat on the floor under your knees. Then flip your hands onto the floor with your thumbs next to your ears. Then push your hips upward, opening into the ultimate stretch for the front of your legs, hips, abdomen, and chest. Hold for 5-8 breaths. Keep practicing – as Asana knows, this gets easier with practice. I AM Committed! #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

10. Savasana: Asana’s favorite pose! Allow your body to rest, as it is just as important to rest as it is to work-out. Imagine you are floating on a raft in a pool, nowhere to go, nothing to do. Just be. I AM perfect, AZIAM. #Asana #AZIAMGirlz

Asana the AZIAM Yoga doll is available for purchase at the AZIAM website, and retails for $29.95.

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Mellow Mushroom Gift Cards

Karen · 13 Comments

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Are you lucky enough to live near a Mellow Mushroom? If so, then you may have already eaten there and know why they have been in business since I was a young girl. Their pizzas are worth driving fifty miles for (at least for me!). Not to mention that you can get just about every pizza they make on a gluten free crust. Whether you go for the ultimate Mighty Meaty Pizza, with enough meat to satisfy even the hungriest carnivore, or Kosmic Karma with a red sauce base with feta and mozzarella cheeses, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and Roma tomatoes with a pesto swirl is more your style, there is a pizza with your favorite toppings waiting for you there.

Mellow Mushroom also has Calzones, Hoagies, Soups, Salads, and more. And they added Hamburgers to their menu this summer. The burgers, both Carnie, the beefy meaty one, or Herb, the veggie burger, taste so good!

You can gift yourself, your family, or your friends with the best pizza ever. With two ways to send a gift card, it’s easy to do, and it will make sure you give the favorite gift of the year. I know I want one. Or two or three, LOL.

Sending an e-mail Mellow Mushroom gift code is easy peasy. Just choose, click, send. Your gift recipient will get there card just seconds later!

Sending a Plastic Mellow Mushroom Gift Card in the Mail is just as easy.

To find out if you, your friends, or family live near a Mellow Mushroom Restaurant, use the store locator at the Mellow Mushroom website. Traveling for Christmas? Check to see if there one where you are going. You’ll thank me, you know.

WIN A Gift Card! One very lucky reader will win a Mellow Mushroom $50 gift card! Use the Giveaway Tools entry form to enter the giveaway!

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint

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xmas_gift 125 logo I received product from Pencil Grip.

Tired of the endless mess of painting? Fear not! Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint sticks take the mess out of painting while keeping all the fun! Simply uncap, twist, and paint! Kwik Stix have a fast drying formula that allow them to dry in 90 seconds while still leaving a paint-like finish! No cups, smocks, water or brushes required. Kwik Stix come in assorted vibrant colors with coverage that won’t crack. Great on poster paper, cardboard, wood and canvas. They come in two package sizes: 6 count Kwik Stix retail for $5.99, and 12 count Kwik Stix retail for $11.99 at The Pencil Grip, Inc.

They are also available at Amazon.com

WIN IT: One lucky reader will win a 6 count package of Kwik Stix! Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter.

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Nunet NuPower Multifunction Jump Starter

Karen · 22 Comments

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You can never be over prepared, especially when you are driving in winter. This Multifunction Jump Starter with Air Pump comes in it’s own case, and stores conveniently in the trunk of your car. Use it to start your car, charge your phone or laptop, inflate tires. Also has a flashlight, and adaptors for several different cell phones.

Here is a list of features of the Multifunction Jump Starter:

16800mAh high-capacity high-power rechargeable battery, support fast charging, low self-discharge, and cycle discharge & charge times up to 1000 times ;car jump starter starting current: 200A; Peak current: 600A (3s)
Work as a portable power bank to charge your laptops (with adapters and 16V/19V output), mobile phones, ipads, projector, etc.
150 PSI air compressor with a brass tipped nozzle for secure connections; Perfect for inflating your car tire, bicycle tires, balls, inflation pool or air mattress etc that needs to be pumped up.
Emergency Survival Kit – Hammer to break glasses; Survival Blade to cut off rope and seat belts; LED light with 3 lighting modes for illumination and SOS use. (Long press the Power button to turn on the LED light)
Road Trip Essential Kit – Multi-function Car Jump Starter; Support starting a 12V vehicle, diesel or gasoline

BUY IT: The NuPower Multifunction Car Jump Starter can be purchased at NuVending, and retails for $94.99.

WIN IT: One lucky reader will win one of the NuPower Multifunction Jump Starters. Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter.

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