Food Fun Family

Give the Gift of STEM This Holiday

Lolli — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:00:31 +0000

This post is sponsored by Sylvan Learning, but all thoughts and ideas are my own.

Are your kids into STEM education? What are some of their favorite STEM activities? How would you like to give the gift of education to your child this holiday season? From December 1st through December 21st visit Sylvan’s Facebook page to enter to win your own STEM-themed educational holiday stocking!

The weather has turned cold for good, the kids are well-established in the not-so-new-anymore school year, the holiday cards are ordered, and it is officially time to get the holiday shopping done. As my kids have gotten older, finding the “perfect” gift to put under the tree has become more and more difficult.

I used to be the cool mom that knew what to get my kid and now I feel like a fish out of water, trying to figure out what that perfect gift might be. The last thing I want to do is waste money buying them gifts that will be forgotten in two days. And although I know that they could all use new socks and underwear, I don’t think they’d be too thrilled to open those gifts on Christmas morning. Luckily, I did a little brainstorming and I have some ideas for filling their stockings this year that I’m so excited about, and I know they will be, too.

My kids are all about hands-on activities. I love seeing my kids excited about learning (especially when they don’t even realize they’re learning because they’re having so much fun). Whenever I can incorporate learning and fun together, I’m on it. We’ve always been a STEM family (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), but even more so as they get older.

Getting a STEM education is something that is becoming more important in today’s educational system, especially as we consider how prepared our kids will be for the future job market. STEM classes and activities help them master critical skills for their future careers.

American kids are already behind their peers from other countries when it comes to STEM proficiency, and the earlier they get involved in and excited about STEM, the better.

Luckily, we’ve discovered STEM programs available through Sylvan Learning that encourage kids to “find their edge” and experience how STEM learning can be fun. I’ve always believed that the first step in creating confident, life-long learners is to help them feel confident and recognize that learning can be enjoyable as well as rewarding. The latest Sylvan EDGE STEM classes – focused on robotics, engineering, coding, and math – do just that. Best of all, they’re fun!

That’s why I’ve decided that the perfect holiday gifts for my kids this year includes fun, hands-on STEM-related toys or activities and an EDGE course certificate for a Sylvan EDGE program of their choice. The courses are six weeks long and I’m sure my kids will have a great experience!

Here are a few stocking-stuffer ideas that will go perfectly with a Sylvan Learning EDGE course:

Insta-Snow Powder: This stuff is so cool! You literally get to experiment with snow. There are tons of activity suggestions. I can’t wait to watch this stuff expand (it expands up to 100 times its original volume). I think we might need to save a little snow to wow their friends next summer!
Solar Robot – Grasshopper: My son loves robotics, and he was drawn to the solar robot grasshopper. He carefully read the instructions and was able to put it together by himself.
Water Vanish: This is one of my favorites. It’s simply science, but it’s also magic. My wanna-be magicians love tricks that can be explained with science but still look like magic.
Energy Stick: Exploring electricity and circuits is fascinating, and my kids had lots of fun seeing how they could complete a circuit. I love seeing my kids working together to test ideas out and make discoveries about how things work.

Instead of spending money on things my kids will just forget about, I’m excited to invest in their future with STEM activities like Sylvan EDGE and learning toys that will keep my kids active and growing.

Holiday Gift Guide: Family-Friendly Games

Jody — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 13:00:13 +0000

Whether it is a weekly thing or just a couple times of year, family game night is a great way to bring everyone together. A little friendly competition, a whole lot of laughs, and a great excuse for good snacks!

Family-friendly games are an ideal holiday gift idea when you’re shopping for an entire family. Not only are games useful all year long and enjoyed by multiple age groups, but they are the type of gift that brings people together. Snacks, laughter, and family bonding. Who could ask for a better gift?

Note: Amazon affiliate links are used for products.

Family-Friendly Games for the Families on Your Holiday Shopping List

Here are a few tried-and-true family games that promote family bonding and family togetherness:

1. Uno – This game is a classic: simple, fun, and basic enough that even the little ones can play. You can also find it in many characters and themes – everything from Frozen to a Holiday edition – as well as more complicated versions.

2. Hedbandz – Several different versions of this are available – Disney, Adult, and one for children – any of which are sure to have you rolling with laughter as you try to guess what object is on your hedbandz.

3. Sorry – This is a game we all remember from our childhoods, and it is still as much fun as it used to be and should be in every family game closet!

4. Pie Face – This new game has gained in popularity and has become quite a sensation with adults and kids alike. Preschoolers to high schoolers in your house are sure to love it.

5. Monopoly – There is a reason that this game has stood the test of time for family game night. It has been bringing more families together while causing more fights than any other game – keeping it at the top. You can go with the classic version or choose the game in themes like Star Wars, Minions, Dog Breeds, and a whole lot more.

6. Yahtzee – This game is definitely taking it back to old school times! I love the original packaging on this one. It is also sneaky math practice for the kids!

7. Catch Phrase – This one is a favorite in our house – even the littler ones can throw out their guesses and feel like they are part of the team.

8. Pictionary – This is another classic game that is good for multiple age groups Pictionary will have you laughing with and at each other until the tears start rolling!

9. Apples to Apples – This is a fun game of comparison where everyone takes turns being the judge. It’s a different game every time you play.

10. Clue – Clue is the classic mystery game that involves problem solving, deduction, and reasoning. Who knew how educational Clue could be? A fun Whodunit? for the family.

{Bonus} CAMP: Travel Edition – This is a new game that Lolli’s family was just introduced to. Here’s what she had to say about CAMP –> Please note: I received a game to review with my family. All thoughts are my own.

This is the perfect game to play at home or in the car during a family road trip! My kids played CAMP: Travel Edition recently while we were on a day trip in the car. I loved hearing the trivia questions from the front seat. The question cards include nature-based trivia on the 50 states – from state insects to National Monuments and Parks and more. So while the kids were playing their game, they were learning more about the 50 states. I love it!

I also love that it fits nicely in a plastic carrying bag. The only complaint the kids had was that the pieces didn’t stay on the board very well when we were driving. They came up with a whole plan on how to make the game pieces stay, though!

What games would you add to this Holiday Gift Guide for family games?

Traveling? Don’t Leave Home Without Comfortable Shoes

Lolli — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:54:27 +0000

December tends to be a huge traveling month. I just got back from one trip and I’ll be heading on a family road trip in less than 2 weeks. What are the most important items in (and outside) YOUR suitcase? I know that I don’t leave home without a pair of comfortable shoes! This post is sponsored by Aerosoles but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am all about comfort. I’ve never been much of a fashionista, but I do want to look nice when I leave the house. However, with very sensitive feet, having something comfortable on my feet is a #1 priority, especially when I’m traveling.

Traveling? This is When You Need Comfortable Shoes:

Comfortable shoes for walking through the airport
Comfortable shoes for spending hours in the car
Comfortable shoes for sight seeing
Comfortable shoes for a night out dancing
Comfortable shoes for walking (because there is always a ton of walking when I travel!)

Basically, I need comfortable walking shoes for everything that I do – from my travels around the country to my trip to the grocery store to the time I spend standing in my kitchen. I love Aerosoles brand shoes because I know that I can do it ALL in the same pair of shoes – they’re a brand that represents extreme comfort to me, but they’re also CUTE.

I wore my new Aerosoles boots (High Gear faux fur mid calf boots) on my recent day trip walking around Washington DC with my family. I also wore them as I trekked through ZooAmerica in Hershey this past weekend. And to a Christmas concert with a wintery dress and a scarf. I’ll be wearing them again tonight as I head to see the Nutcracker at the Warner Theater in DC. They are so comfortable that I feel like I’m wearing moccasin slippers. There was no “breaking in” period – they were comfortable right out of the box.

And, what’s even more impressive is that I’ve gotten compliments every single time I’ve worn them. People love these boots!

Did You Know?

All Aerosoles shoes feature Diamond Flex Soles designed to disperse friction away from the foot as well as a Memory Foam Insole that soothes and pampers your feet. Running late and can’t find any socks? – Aerosoles shoes have a Sueded Sock and Lining to provide you with a breathable, soft layer to rest on.

There are so many beautiful, comfortable shoes to choose from at Aerosoles. I already have a few additional shoes on my wish list. Which shoes would you add to YOUR holiday wish list?

Connect With Aerosoles:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Items on a Food Blogger’s Wishlist

Jody — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 03:30:13 +0000

Being a food blogger is a rewarding and at times frustrating business (especially for those of us that didn’t start out as food bloggers). A lot of work goes into setting up what can seem to be a simple shot – cooking, staging, lighting, adding props, keeping little hands out of the food before you shoot, and a whole lot more. In preparation for the holidays and inevitable gift wish lists, I gathered 10 ideas that make the food bloggers life a little easier. Note: Amazon affiliate links used to products.

10 Things a Food Blogger Would love to Get For Christmas

[1] Backdrops – With food photography luckily you do not need huge backdrop setups. 3’x3’ is generally an adequate size. There are a ton of pretty patterns and colors out there to choose from, right now simple wood is all the rage.

[2] Camera Strap – Even if they already have one or two camera straps, a unique and fun camera strap is a photographer’s favorite accessory. They can switch straps out to match outfits or moods.

[3] Camera Cleaning Kit – I am bit ashamed to admit that my camera gets a bit of build up on it. I try to give it a quick wipe down after each food shoot but sometimes there is still debris in the cracks and crevices. A good cleaning kit is a must have.

[4] Dishes – Simple white dishes are the most popular and give your food a clean palette, but a pretty colorful dish now and then can really set off your food.

[5] Fabrics – Burlap, muslin, cheesecloth, runners, scrap fabric – they can all come in handy to set up shots and add texture to them. We all have a collection and are always adding to it.

[6] Props – Pretty food related props often help make the shot. Simple, useful tools are best like a salt cellar, rolling pin, and measuring spoons.

[7] Extra SD Cards – I know it seems I never have enough space to keep all my shots. There are tons on my computer, burned to discs, on memory cards, flash drives, etc. I try to keep them separated by month and then also keep mine separate from my clients. Multiple SD cards are just a great idea.

[8] SD Card Holder – This goes hand in hand with #7 – if you are going to have many memory cards you need a convenient place to keep them organized.

[9] Books – Most food bloggers are always looking to improve their game, and books with helpful tips can teach new techniques or inspire new point of views.

[10] Light Box – Nothing is more frustrating to a food blogger than having a perfectly set up shot except when the weather decides not to cooperate on your most productive day. Light boxes with a set of good lights can give you a natural light look on overcast and downright gloomy days.

Give The Gift of Premium Angus Steak This Holiday Season

Lolli — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 21:51:39 +0000

I love a good steak. There’s nothing quite like it. So when I was offered the opportunity to review a selection of premium Angus steak – some of the best beef in the country – I didn’t hesitate. Although I was sent a sampling of steaks from Chicago Steak Company, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have always considered myself to be a good cook, but I was painfully ignorant about steaks until just the last couple of years. I remember buying steak at the grocery store (whatever was on sale…because that’s how I rolled) and then wondering why my steaks didn’t taste anything like the steaks I ordered at my favorite restaurant.

Then I would go to a friend’s house for his famous BBQ and HE would be able to duplicate that amazing taste and tenderness that I loved. I thought it was about what this friend (or the restaurants) were putting on the steaks to make them taste so good. For some reason, I never made the connection that the quality of the cut of meat made more of the difference in how it tasted.

Luckily, I’ve learned the error of my thinking, and I’ve become much more picky about the meat that I’ll buy. A quality steak makes a fantastic meal. But a low-quality steak is almost always a disappointing waste of time and money. If I’m going to grill a steak, I might as well do it right. Right?

What’s In a Great Steak?

I have learned a ton about steaks simply by browsing through Chicago Steak Company’s website. There, you can find information on:

Grade – Chicago Steak Company only offers USDA Choice and USDA Prime steaks, which represents only 2% of all American beef. The USDA describes USDA Prime as “the ultimate in tenderness, juiciness and flavor.”
Aging – Aging meat is a process that breaks down a steak and makes it more tender and flavorful.
The Importance of Hand Selection – Variations in marbling, texture and color are just a few of the variables that can affect flavor and tenderness. Chicago Steak Company carefully selects beef from the top of the grade.

You can also watch videos about how to cook and season meat as well as what cuts of beef you should buy.

Premium Angus Steak from Chicago Steak Company – The Perfect Holiday Gift Idea

Want to “wow” a special family member, friend or co-worker? A package from Chicago Steak Company is sure to be noticed and appreciated! There are tons of options – from gifts under $100 to decadent desserts (that Greek yogurt mousse cake looks incredible!) to steak gift clubs (steaks all year!) and more.

I would highly recommend the package that I received – it’s not Chicago Steak Company’s most popular combination of Premium Angus steaks for nothing! The “Chicago’s Best Seller” includes:

2 (6oz) Complete Trim Filet Mignons
2 (10oz) Boneless Strips
2 (8oz) Sirloin Steaks
2 (8oz) Ribeyes

The steaks come individually frozen, and all I had to do to get them ready to cook was to move them from the freezer to the fridge the day before I wanted to cook them.

I seasoned my steaks with some Chicago Steak Seasoning and then melted a little butter in my cast iron skillet. I’ve learned that I prefer my steaks prepared simply so that I can savor the natural flavors.

The first thing that I noticed about the steaks was the tenderness and the texture. Each bite was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I tried the boneless strips, ribeyes, and sirloin (I’m saving the filets for a special occasion!) and my favorite cut was the boneless strips. In fact, we were fighting over those cuts!

Exclusive Chicago Steak Company Discounts for Food Fun Family Readers

If you would like to try some steaks from Chicago Steak Company for yourself to see the difference, I’ve got a discount code to share! Just ender code K10OFF for 10% off your order. Or use code K3FREE for Free Shipping + 12 (4oz) Gourmet Steak Burgers on orders of $99 or more and a $25 gift check to use on an order $150 and above.

Which premium combination from Chicago Steak Company would you choose?

Connect with Chicago Steak Company:

Facebook: Facebook.com/ChicagoSteakCompany
Twitter: @MyChicagoSteak
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/mychicagosteak
Google+: Plus.google.com/+Mychicagosteakco
Youtube: Youtube.com/user/MyChicagoSteak

7 Great Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Family

Lolli — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:02:01 +0000

We are all explorers. And this Christmas, my family is celebrating that fact with a different kind of holiday gift-giving. This list of 7 great gift ideas plus giveaway are sponsored by Sierra Trading Post, but all thoughts are my own.

We Are All Explorers

My oldest daughter, who is away at college, has started to comment (complain?) recently that she thinks her family has been abducted and replaced by outdoorsy adventure-seekers. She claims she doesn’t know who we are anymore. I just chuckle.

I suppose it’s true. After we drove across the country to drop her off at school 2 summers ago, we got a taste for travel and adventure and the outdoors and we haven’t looked back.

This year, we’ve made a conscious decision to focus on experience-based gifts versus toys and frivolous things. That’s where Sierra Trading Post comes in. If you’re planning outdoor activities, you need to be prepared. Sierra Trading Post makes it easier to explore by offering incredible savings on the best brands of outdoor apparel and gear from around the world. And right now, they’re offering a 15% off plus half off shipping promotion with code ASAVENOW5.

Note: Offer available 11/23 through 12/7. Clearance items are excluded from the 15% off, but you’ll still save with 50% off shipping!

7 Great Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Family

As we make plans for our winter adventures in Florida, our next family road trip or just explorations around our home town, I’ve been eyeing a few fun gift ideas that are perfect for the adventure-seeking family.

For the trail runner or hiker (like my husband), these Adidas Outdoor Terrex Swift R Trail Running Shoes (For Men) would be the perfect gift. A good pair of trail shoes will help him explore even more miles…in comfort!

For those times when you have to pack light, this Single Travel Hammock would be ideal. My husband likes to take the kids on bike rides down the C&O Canal in the fall. As beautiful as the bike ride is, they can’t carry much gear on their bikes, so light weight travel hammocks are a welcome comfort when they stop for the night along the trail.

For the anywhere explorer, a good backpack is a must, like this Kelty Redtail 27 Backpack. Whether you’re heading on the airplane or on the trail, a backpack is a critical part of your trip to keep snacks and other essentials close at hand.

For after a day of exploring, nothing beats a warm, cozy blanket like this Woolrich Meadow Creek Throw Blanket. I get a throw blanket every year for Christmas. It’s something I look forward to each year. You can never have too many cozy blankets!

For the adventurous girl, these waterproof, insulated Lowa Yukon Ice Gore-Tex® Hiking Boots for women will take you far. My girls go to a fun week-long camp each year and they need good hiking shoes. Nothing is worse on a long hike than wet, sore feet. My girls will be leading the group with these boots.

For the curious kids (little kids and big kids alike) these Steiner Predator Pro Binoculars are perfect for taking in the surroundings and taking explorations to the next level. Whether it’s watching for birds or other critters or enjoying the view up close, we love traveling with a good set of binoculars.

For the outdoor-loving cook, you can’t do without a classic Lodge Cast Iron Deep Camp Dutch Oven. I use cast iron for indoor cooking all the time, but I’ve been eyeing a 5 quart Dutch oven with a camp fire lid. Next time we go camping as a family, I won’t go without this staple for outdoor cooking.

Don’t forget – from now until December 7, you can save on all of these items and more with the 15% off + half off shipping promotion when you use code ASAVENOW5

About Sierra Trading Post:

Sierra Trading Post has great long-term partnerships with the best brand names in the business so they are able to offer super low prices on their very best closeouts, overstock items, and 2nds — then they pass the savings on to you!

Closeouts are always first quality; brands often make design tweaks or add new colors to their products. When they do, the previous product is offered at a great price.
Overstock items are always first quality, too. If an item is designated as a closeout item, it simply means that the manufacturer’s inventory is too large and they need to sell these extras.
2nds have minor cosmetic flaws or slight irregularities that don’t affect the fit, performance, or longevity of the item, but a small flaw means big savings for you! The labels for these products may be clipped or marked.

Enter to WIN a $300 Amazon Gift Card

Enter below to win a $300 Amazon gift card! Giveaway ends December 7. U.S. residents ages 18 and up only may enter.

How to enter: Tell us your favorite item from Sierra Trading Post and why you like it in the comments below.

Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

String Art and More {Handmade for the Holidays} #KLUTZhandmade

Lolli — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 03:43:48 +0000

I am so pumped about this Handmade for the Holidays campaign. So are my kids (and I love that!!). Samples and prizing were provided by Klutz. All thoughts are my own.

Some days (most days, actually), I love my job. Some days, going to work means making adorable string art to give to one of my kids as a pick-me-up, just-because-I-love-you gift. That’s what I did today. I had been eyeing one of the Klutz kits that I received recently – the String Art kit – and I decided that some time away from the computer was just what I needed.

One of the things I love most about Klutz creative kits is that they come with a thorough, colorful book full of ideas and instructions for making your craft along with an attached box full of the supplies you’ll need to complete the craft projects.

I pulled out the String Art kit and had a blast creating an owl wall hanging (I’ve got a daughter who loves owls!).

When my kids came home and saw my finished project, they were so excited that they asked me to teach them how to make their own string art. I think we’re on to something brilliant! What could be better than making one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends?

As the kids and I were working on their projects, one of them said that their string artwork would be the perfect teacher gift. I loved that the kit was easy enough for the kids to understand, and that the finished projects were cute enough to hang proudly on the wall.

I can’t wait to open up more of our new Klutz kits – they are all so perfect for making handmade gifts that people will actually want to keep and use!

ABOUT THE PRODUCTS

Shrink & Link Jewelry

With more than 2 million Shrink Art Jewelry and Shrinky Dinks books in print, we at Klutz are pretty much shrink plastic experts. But when it’s as easy as tracing, cutting, and baking . . . you can become a shrink art expert too! Even if you’re totally new to this whole shrink art thing, our step-by-step instructions will have your friends admiring your “did-you-really-make-that?!” jewelry in no time.

This is the only book out there that lets you make reusable, transferable, dimensional pendants and attach them to a ring or a necklace. With Shrink and Link Jewelry, you can create brilliant shrink art charms from over 50 traceable designs – and then mix and match them for a limitless wardrobe of unique, colorful jewelry!

Make Glitter Clay Charms

Design your own bracelet with itty-bitty glittery charms! As a follow-up to our beloved bestseller Make Clay Charms, this book comes with 35 new charm designs, new clay colors, and two packets of accent glitter to make your charms sparkle and shine.

Starting with a few basic shapes and easy-to-mold clay, you can sculpt mini food, tiny aliens and robots, pocket-sized unicorns, and dozens of other cuties that you can customize with extra personality. Just pop your creations in the oven to set (with an adult’s help, of course), use our special glaze to give them polish and add as much glitter as you want, then attach them to the included bracelet. Each project has clear instructions and a true-to-life sizing guide to help you craft your own glitter charms.

Pop Collage

Nothing is cooler than a look that’s unmistakably you. Luckily, when it comes to sprucing up your stuff, Pop Collage has you covered (pun intended). We make collages simple with our crystal-clear instructions and everything you need to get started.

Learn to tear, cut, hole-punch, and layer the included Pop Pages in unexpected ways. It’s a no-mistake, anything-goes activity-chaos encouraged. Tackle the 10 projects included in the book like paper bowls, a bookmark, an owl, an accessory tray, a frame, and more. Then get inspired with ideas from the book so you can make anything pop!

String Art

String art used to be just for squares (and triangles and other geometric shapes), but our new string art system opens up a whole new world of possibilities. From cute critters to fashionable flowers to trendy typography, kids can make everything in the book after learning just three simple methods.

The final results may look intricate, but we include an only-from-Klutz pin-pushing tool so even a string-art newbie can create awesome art with this classic craft. And our pin-pusher solves string art’s prickliest problems by making sure that every pin goes in straight and at the same height. With instructions for 20 projects and enough materials for six, kids will be making amazing art in no time.

Finger Knitting

Cozy knit accessories are right at your fingertips-literally! Make scarves, hats, jewelry, cat ear headbands, boot toppers, and much more with easy instructions for 15 projects. Even if you’ve never knit a stitch before, you’ll be amazed by what you can make without needles. And with 200 yards of metallic-sparkle yarn right in the box, you can whip up 2 extra-large scarves or several smaller projects.

How do you finger knit? Simply weave the yarn back and forth between your fingers, and then pick up the loops. Really, it’s that easy! When you’re ready to take a break, use the handy stitch holder until it’s time to continue. Then braid, fold, wrap, or tie your finger-knit chains into cool creations, such as a flower-embellished scarf, a beaded necklace, or a boho-style fringe. Everything you need comes with the book (fingertips not included).

LEARN MORE

Visit KLUTZ.com | Follow KLUTZ on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. | #KLUTZhandmade

KLUTZ HANDMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS GIVEAWAY

Klutz has so many fun and educational projects to choose from – there’s something that fits almost everyone on your holiday shopping list. And you can enter to win your own KLUTZ collection to create beautiful, unique, meaningful handmade gifts this holiday season!

One (1) winner receives a set of 5 KLUTZ activity kits, including:

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Klutz. This giveaway will end on November 13 at 11:59 ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

Entry -Form

DIY Holiday Teacher Wreath #HandmadeHolidays

Lolli — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:00:26 +0000

I struggle each year to find an original holiday gift for my kids’ teachers that they will appreciate and be able to use. This year, I had the opportunity to create a fun holiday wreath for my youngest son’s elementary school teacher with supplies from Staples, and I am so excited to share it with you before we share it with his teacher. This post is sponsored by Staples but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Around this time of year, I hear from a lot of teachers that their classroom supplies are running low. At the start of the school year, classroom donations are on everyone’s minds, but by the time winter break rolls around, a lot of those supplies have been used up…and no one is thinking about restocking them. While gifting a teacher a package of pencils and dry erase markers is not the most exciting holiday present, I know that supplies for the classroom are appreciated.

I decided to create a wreath filled with teacher supplies, based loosely on the “diaper cake” idea. Ordinary gift. Fun presentation. And if it’s given early enough in the season, it can be a fun classroom decoration to ring in the holiday spirit. What’s better than a handmade gift that’s useful, too?

DIY Holiday Teacher Wreath

Supplies Needed:

The greatest thing about a DIY gift like this is that you can customize it for the needs and style of your teacher. Staples has just about everything you could ever dream of for a classroom, so there’s plenty to choose from.

Wreath (you can make your own fresh pine wreath with clippings from your Christmas tree or pick up a fake wreath at the store)
Red and green binder clips, medium size
Twine or ribbon
Large bow
Paper clips (I used red, green, and white for a festive look)
Assorted classroom supplies
Chalkboard tape (optional)
Chalkboard pens (optional)

How To Make a Holiday Teacher Wreath:

1 – Gather school supplies. Tie a piece of twine on each item so that they can be easily attached to the wreath with the binder clips.

2 – Optional: I covered packaged of sticky note pads with chalkboard tape and drew holiday messages and designs on them to decorate the wreath.

3 – Attach items around your wreath using binder clips.
4 – String a “garland” of paper clips and weave it around the wreath.
5 – Finish off with a large bow, handmade or purchased at Staples.

I am so happy with how our wreath turned out, and I can’t wait for AJ to give it to his teacher! Check out more fun DIY holiday ideas for decorating, gifting, and more by searching hashtag #HandmadeHolidays on social media and by checking out Staples’ DIY Holiday Pinterest board.

My Favorite Things Holiday Edition

Lolli — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 01:00:05 +0000

It’s the holiday season (it’s pretty hard to miss!) and that means it’s time for another AH-mazing My Favorite Things giveaway hop! I participated in my first My Favorite Things giveaway last December and had a blast (and, yes, I enter the other blogger’s giveaways, too!!) and then I hosted another summer My Favorite Things giveaway last July.

Here’s how it works: 16 of the best bloggers around have joined together to provide some of the most awesome prizes ever. Each of us put together a prize package filled with some of our FAVORITE things, each with a prize value of at least $50 (some I know are MUCH higher than that!). Each giveaway prize is self-hosted by the bloggers (in other words, no sponsors…we’re sharing these prizes with you because we love them…and YOU…so much!).

Here’s all you need to know:

Take a look at the gift collage above to see all the amazing giveaways you are about to enter!
Scroll down to see my giveaway up close. (I’m #9 in the collage and the list below)
Enter to win My Favorite Things prize package at the bottom of this post.
HOP around to all the other sites, check out their amazing prizes, and enter to win their gifts!

When I thought about some of my current favorite things, the very first thing that came to my mind was essential oils. I have become slightly obsessed (yes, they really can be life-changing!). I have gotten totally hooked on Edens Garden Essential Oils (which are available on Amazon and on Edensgarden.com). I love that they are 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils and that they are so affordable!

I use a ton of essential oils every day. I use tea tree oil for tons of skin issues (like acne and dandruff, plus I mix it with coconut oil and lavender oil for healing cuts and dry skin). I also use lavender oil in my face lotion and a bunch of other things. I use Head Ease in my diffuser to clear up headaches (it’s amazing! It’s a blend of basil, chamomile, frankincense, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, sweet marjoram, and wintergreen) and Breathe Easier to clear up my sinuses at night (a blend of peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary)….and then my favorite may just be Thieves, which is a well-loved blend of cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemon to boost immunity.

What I’m giving away:

I am letting YOU chose a set of 6 essential oils from Edens Garden. I’m happy to give you suggestions of fabulous oils to choose from! Note: the oils pictured are just some of the oils I own. You’ll be able to choose your favorites.
I will also be adding a carrier oil – an essential oils ESSENTIAL! (I use almond oil)
Plus a diffuser.

Enter on the giveaway tools form below and good luck! I can’t wait to send these essential oils to one of you! After the giveaway ends on 12/8 at midnight, a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Happy holidays!

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RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub

Lolli — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:09:36 +0000

Looking for a last minute gift for someone on your list this holiday? There’s still time! (Amazon says that the deadline for orders if you want them to arrive by Christmas is Sunday night, 12/22!). I received a RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub to feature here on Better in Bulk. All opinions are my own. Amazon affiliate links included.

This is a great little gadget to have ALL year long. Here is an over-view of what the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub can do:

Transfer photos/movies/music between iOS and Android Devices, or between mobile devices and SD Card/USB HDD
Charge smart phones (or anything that can be charged thru USB) with the built-in 3000 mAh power bank/ External Battery Pack
Connect up to 5 devices (laptop, mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer, etc) at the same time
WiFi Hotspot: Can connect to your existing WiFi network so you can share files and access internet at the same time
Act as a wireless storage for your mobile phone, tablet, etc

I received my RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub just before leaving on my trip to California last month. Perfect timing! Since I don’t own a laptop, I always worry about being gone from my computer for extended periods of time. While I am able to do almost all of my work on my iPad with an external keyboard, it’s a challenge to deal with all of the pictures that I take with my dSLR during my trips. I typically just resort to taking a few pictures with my phone and using those to write my blog posts while I’m away.

With the 5-in-1 FileHub, however, I was able to connect to the device’s WiFi while I was in the car, on the airplane – literally anywhere! I popped my SD card into the slot on the Filehub, opened up the free file managing app (see below), and was able to view, save, and edit my pictures on the go.

Another awesome feature of the 5-in-1 FileHub is that I can load files (documents, images, and even movies) that I know I’m going to need while I’m away from my computer (this is perfect for the frequent traveler or the person who likes to work at Starbucks for the day).

When I’m not sharing files, I can use the FileHub to charge my cell phone – something that I need to do often when I’m out!

I like the fact that the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub is slim and light – it’s just slightly wider than my cell phone, so it fits easily into my purse. At $44.99 on Amazon right now (that’s a HUGE savings, so grab it up!) it’s a great value and a perfect gift.

FREE Apps to use with the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub

AirStor app on Apple iOS
Solid Explorer app for Android

Tips and tricks:

Once you’ve got your RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub, use these tips to easily connect to your favorite device:

The default Wireless Name for the device is WiFiSD-158E
The default SSID (wireless key) is 11111111

Who on your gift list this year would love the RAVPower 5-in-1 FileHub?