Mrs. Weber's Neighborhood

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Unique Gift Idea: Capture Time With Wave of Memories

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I received a complimentary item from Wave of Memories in exchange for my review. All opinions belong to me.

I don’t know about you all, but I’m always on the hunt for gift ideas for my hard-to-shop-for husband. So when I saw this amazing gift idea from Michigan-based Wave of Memories, I knew I had to get one for an upcoming celebration!

Kalyn, the gal behind the business, works to capture time in the form of a voice memo. I’ve seen those sound wave tattoos being shared like crazy, but I love this version since it doesn’t need to be permanently on my skin!

For my husband’s birthday and Father’s Day, I always try to give one thoughtful gift for an element of surprise. He LOVED this unique gift, and it is now on display in his office. Now when he has a tough day, he can listen to their little voices and remember who he works so hard for 😉

These would be perfect as a grandparent gift, to capture any loved one’s voice, the sound of your baby’s heartbeat, or the song you first danced to at your wedding. The possibilities truly are endless!

Here’s how it works:

  • Visit the Wave of Memories Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/WaveOfMemories
  • Choose your design and determine wording. Current offerings include a rustic wood sign or a floating frame with a space for you to include an image inside.
  • Record a voice using your phone’s voice recorder and send it to Kalyn.
  • Receive your item.
  • Download a QR code reader and listen to your message playback.
  • Enjoy the sound wave for years to come!

Watch this video to here to hear what each of my children wanted to tell their daddy in a ‘secret message’:

Shop for your own gift here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WaveOfMemories

DISCOUNT CODE

Get your own wave art with a sweet discount. Wave of Memories is offering my readers $10 off with the code MrsWeber10.

Shop for those here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WaveOfMemories

Additionally, Kalyn has another business called Hangin’ Round featuring adorable wreaths. Get $5 off those orders with the code MrsWeber5.

Hangin' Round

Shop for those here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HanginRoundMI

What Etsy shops and gift are you loving lately? Drop a link and share your business!

50+ Experience Gift Ideas For Southeast Michigan Kids

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Think back to the best Christmases and birthdays of your childhood…

If you’re anything like me, toy gifts don’t stick out much, but the memories and people do.

I’ve quickly realized my kids are happy with a few gifts to open, but mostly they are just happy to feel special and spend time together. As a mom, I find it so hard to focus on them in my own house due to work, laundry, messes, etc., so I love going on adventures together, even if it’s just a quick trip to the neighborhood park.

If you’re at a loss as to what gift to get a child and they don’t have a need for more toys, I’ve put together a list of 50+ experience gift ideas for southeast Michigan kids!

Experience Gift Ideas For Southeast Michigan Kids

Of course these can be presented as gift cards, but it’s easy to up-the-ante by just including a hand written note or even including a small gift to symbolize the adventure if you think he/she would like to open something!

I hope this list gets your brain thinking less of toys and more about the lasting impact of just being together. I also have a big list of free fun if budget is a concern. Memories don’t need to cost much – promise! 😉

Make sure to visit the bottom for a fun giveaway from Castaway Play as well!

50+ Experience Gift Ideas For Southeast Michigan Kids

SUPPORT THE ARTS

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

GET PHYSICAL

JUST PLAY

Experience Gift Ideas For Southeast Michigan Kids

What spots would you add? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!

GIVEAWAY

I have a 4-pack of passes to give away to Castaway Play Cafe in Howell. My kids ask for gift cards to here for all occasions. It’s Michigan’s largest plindoor ay structure and a ton of fun for kids, especially during these cold weather months! Hint: They have amazing pizza too 😉

Experience Gift Ideas For Southeast Michigan Kids

Enter using the form below. Good luck!

4 Passes to Castaway Play Cafe

Buy Local and Support Bundled Michigan {+ Giveaway and Discount Code!}

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I received a Bundle free of charge for this review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

I’m loving the movement to pare down holiday gift giving to experiences and local products. For those looking to support local businesses, you have to check out Michigan-based Bundled.

Here’s the scoop:

The folks behind the company — Courtney Taylor & Chelsea Gheesling of the ultra-cute blog Chick in the Mitt — search Michigan to discover the best products small businesses offer, and bundle them into themed, personalized, corporate, and even wedding, gift bundles.

Examples include gifts for baby, men, women, coffee and beer lovers, and more. Prices range from $45-$65, and most ship for free.

Bundled Michigan Examples

How beautiful would these be for a gift? Perfect for in-state and out-of-state friends and family!

I received my own limited edition holiday bundle, and I just love it to pieces! Included are:

I honestly LOVE it all, and will definitely be seeking out these companies to learn more about what they do.

What stands out to me about all the products is the fantastic quality of the items. I love everything about it — from the scents featured to the graphic design elements. They are so well thought out and each individual Bundle would be the perfect gift to surprise someone with in the mail, or given directly this holiday season.

Another reason to love Bundledthey also employ adults with disabilities from Services to Enhance Potential (STEP), a Wayne County nonprofit. By purchasing a bundle, you directly help them provide hands-on job training and paid employment to help them reach their life goals.

COUPON CODE

I’m excited to offer a coupon code for 20% any bundle! Simple use the code MICHIGANLOVE to get the discount.

Follow Bundled on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram and make sure you think of this fabulous local company next time you need a gift for friends and family!

GIVEAWAY

I am excited to give away one holiday bundle {as shown}. Shipped directly to the winner. Must be a U.S. resident. Giveaway ends on December 4, 2017 at midnight. Good luck!

Bundled Michigan

At-Home Science: Growing Caterpillars, Hatching Butterflies

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This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase items through these links, Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood gets paid a small commission.

If you’re looking for a fun experiment to conduct with the kids or a birthday gift for this summer, I highly recommend growing caterpillars and hatching butterflies.

This cute kit from Amazon comes with everything you need – food, a butterfly house and even 5 live caterpillars. {Just try to be home when they are delivered so they don’t sit out in the heat too long!}

Our family loved watching this process, which took 2.5 weeks. The caterpillars arrived teeny tiny and we were able to watch them grow quickly, turn themselves into a chrysalis, and eventually, morph into a butterfly. I’d never seen the process myself, and it was amazing to witness — like the miracle of life happening right before our eyes! We felt lucky that all 5 of us grew healthy.

Growing Caterpillars, Hatching Butterflies

A few FYIs:

  • The little balls that appear in the caterpillar cup? Yeah, that’s poop.
  • When the butterflies emerge, it looks like blood coming out of the chrysalis {thanks for the heads up, Kalyn!} — it is actually meconium from the metamorphosis process. I put a small piece of napkin in the bottom to catch some of it.

Butterflies can live for up to a month indoors while being fed fruit or homemade nectar, which is just sugar water. We had fun holding them {careful not to touch the wings} before releasing them into the wild after ours hatched.

Aren’t they gorgeous?!

Such an easy and fun experiment and great learning tool for kids. We can’t wait to oder more caterpillars and do this over and over again now that we have the kit.

Purchase the kit here and additional caterpillars here.

What other at-home experiments have you conducted? We’re always looking for new ideas!

4 Gift Rule for Easter Baskets

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4 Gift Rule for Easter Baskets

The post below is sponsored by Peaceable Kingdom. I received products in exchange for promotion. All opinions expressed belong to me.

I’m a huge fan of the 4 gift rule for Christmas {something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read}, but what about for Easter? It’s so easy to get carried away with special occasion gifts — especially if your kids are like mine and love surprises and have the cutest reactions ever. Personally, I’d rather go a little lighter on Christmas and birthdays so we can make sure to get a little extra on Valentine’s Day and Easter, two of my other favorite holidays!

Having a plan while shopping is crucial for me so I don’t go overboard. I’ve written a list of fun Easter basket fillers, but this year I went a different route and followed this 4-Gift Rule and made sure to include an item that celebrates spring, is practical, promotes learning and, of course, candy.

Because let’s be real: If your kids are like mine, Easter = a chocolate bunny. {Don’t worry, we will be discussing the real reason our family celebrates} 😉

Following this rule, here’s what I put together this year:

4 Gift Rule for Easter Baskets

4 Gift Rule for Easter Baskets

1. Something for SPRING.

Spring is the perfect time to get outside and explore! Give your kids some new tools to have fun with. A few ideas:

  • Umbrella/rain boots
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Bubbles
  • Kite
  • Jump rope/hula hoop
  • Yo-yo
  • Squirt gun
  • Beach toys
  • Gardening gloves/tools

2. Something PRACTICAL.

If you find yourself in need of a few new items with the season change, stock up and give them as presents. Additionally, consider getting a “basket” they can use for storage or for play. Thought starters:

  • A new outfit or pajamas for spring
  • A fun toothbrush
  • A new water bottle
  • Sunglasses
  • Hair accessories or nail polish
  • Sandals
  • Swim suit
  • A gift card to their favorite store or restaurant

3. Something CANDY.

Maybe candy for your family means organic dried fruit — that’s OK too! I try not to go overboard — we can leave that part to the grandparents 😉 Favorite treats here:

  • Pez
  • Peeps
  • Chocolate…anything {Reese’s Eggs!}
  • Yogurt raisins
  • Fruit snacks
  • Small bag of chips or trail mix

4. Something to promote LEARNING.

I love including a colorful element that encourages learning and introduces a new concept. Bonus because these items help keep kids busy!

  • Books
  • Educational magazine subscription
  • Flash cards
  • A toy that encourages imagination
  • Craft or science kit
  • Play-doh paired with pip cleaners and google eyes
  • Activity books paired with crayons or markers
  • Games that promote learning

4 Gift Rule for Easter Baskets

What’s So Funny Joke Journal | Alphabet Bingo | Zoo Animals Game | Fire Rescue Game

We love all of the cooperative games and items from Peaceable Kingdom. With bright colors and fun concepts, my kids get so excited. We love many of their games and look forward to trying some new items with the kids! Many of these items are available at large retailers. An added bonus is they replace lost, broken, or even eaten game pieces for free!

Find Peaceable Kingdom on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

I’m looking forward to following this rule in the years ahead. Can’t wait to see how excited the kids get this year and create some wonderful family memories. Happy Easter, friends!

What are your favorite items for Easter baskets?

Experience Gift Ideas for Michigan Couples

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I don’t know about you and your partner, but my husband and I have hit a crossroads: There are just no tangible gifts we really want any more. If we want something — we get it — simple as that {within reason of course!}.

I’m not a fancy girl and he isn’t a fancy dude, and we share the sentiment that the best gift is just time spent together.

Instead of buying each other gifts with a credit card we share, we’re always thinking ahead to a future adventure together, so I’ve put together a list of experience gift ideas for Michigan couples.

Forget the things and focus on what really matters: Making memories together.

experience-gift-ideas-for-michigan-couples

ADVENTURE

NATURE

  • Purchase an annual pass for the Metroparks and commit to exploring each one {metro Detroit}
  • Plan a fly fishing adventure at the Red Moose Lodge {Gladwin} or on another chartered tour
  • Ski, snow board or zip-line at Snow Snake {Harrison}
  • Try ice luging like an Olympian {Muskegon}
  • Plan an adventure ice climbing at a Michigan destination
  • Visit Crystal Mountain for skiing, snowshoeing, a horse-drawn carriage ride, fat tire biking and more {Thompsonville}
  • During warmer months, try your hand at FootGolf {think golf with holes fit for a soccer ball}
  • Book a Michigan campground located on the beach of one of the lakes {these book fast!}
  • Plan a getaway to visit the beautiful scenery and waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula

ROMANCE

PURE FUN

See my list of 50+ date ideas around SE Michigan and 50+ date nights in Detroit for even more fun!

What are your favorite experience gifts?

Try Bundled for Michigan-Inspired Gift Giving

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I received a Bundle free of charge for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Have you all heard of the newest local craze that is Bundled? I am SO digging it.

Here’s the scoop:

The folks behind Bundled search Michigan to discover the best products small businesses offer, and bundle them into themed, personalized and corporate gift bundles.

Current examples include gifts for baby, men, women, and Michigan/Detroit lovers. Prices range from $39-$44 and ship for free.

How beautiful would these be for a gift? I personally am eyeing that Michigan bottle opener and coaster below {hint, hint husband} 😉

Bundled from Michigan

It’s a company made from deep Michigan love, and is run by Courtney Taylor & Chelsea Gheesling of the ultra-cute blog Chick in the Mitt, and Michael Haddad of Detroit Grooming Company.

My mom’s birthday is this weekend, so I decided to nab one for her that I knew she would love — the Deluxe Ladies Bundle. What stands out to me about all the products is the stellar quality. I love everything about it — from the scents featured to the graphic design elements. I just know she is going to love it!

Bundled for Michigan Gifts

Inside each package there is also a guide to what you are getting. I love this because you bet if my mom says she loves something specific, I’ll be making note and purchasing it again.

Bundled Box

If you don’t love them enough already, they also employ adults with disabilities from Services to Enhance Potential (STEP), a Wayne County nonprofit. By purchasing a bundle, you directly help them provide hands-on job training and paid employment to help them reach their life goals.

Follow Bundled on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram and make sure you think of this fabulous local company next time you need a gift for friends and family!

What is your favorite small business to support in Michigan?

25 Last Minute Gift Ideas Under $25 {From the Grocery Store!}

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I have an ongoing partnership with Meijer and am compensated for posts. All opinions and content belong to me.

25 Last Minute Gift Ideas from the Grocery Store

Let’s face it, it never fails…Just when you *think* you are done shopping, Christmas creeps closer and you realize you forgot someone important on your list. For those times, finding the time to get to a boutique during the day or battling the crowds at the mall can feel like a daunting task, especially with kids in tow.

Since it’s likely you’re going to need something at the grocery store — whether it’s a gallon of milk or butter for cookie making — here are 25 items that can easily be purchased at Meijer as last-minute gift ideas. So while you’re out getting the necessities, consider these last minute gift ideas for friends, neighbors, spouses, or whomever else you may have forgotten to buy for!

For women:

  • Bottle of wine paired with chocolate truffles
  • Box of crayons or colored pencils and an adult coloring book
  • Colorful candy in a mason jar with a fun label tied around it
  • Mini pampering set with nail polish and lip balm Mini Pampering Kit
  • Cute notecards and fun pens, tied together with a pretty ribbon
  • Box of brownies paired with a note saying “Thanks for being a sweet part of my life”
  • Bag of nice coffee paired with cookies in a cute container {or paired with cookie mix and a cookie cutter}
  • Ingredients for an Italian dinner girl’s night in {pasta, sauce, bottle of wine}
  • Mini bar gift in a jar {grab a clear jar or drinking glass from the kitchen section and fill with the mini bottles of liquor sold at Christmastime}Bar in a Jar Gift

For men:

  • A popcorn tin and a new movie
  • Slippers and PJ pants
  • A holiday sampler pack of beer. Add reindeer decor by hot gluing on googly eyes and a red button and wrap around brown pipe cleaner for antlers. Beer Reindeer
  • A gift box with summer sausage, cheeses and crackers
  • Frame a favorite photo from the past year or make a calendar or mounted print with the help of the photo department
  • Faux survival kit with beef jerky, trail mix and a new flash light
  • A bag of nuts with a label saying “Nuts for you” Nuts for You Gift Idea
  • Breakfast in bed kit with pancake mix, maple syrup and coffee
  • New grilling tools paired with marinades and spices + a few nice steaks
  • Lotto tickets!

For kids:

  • Fun water bottle paired with Mio water flavoring
  • Movie night kid with pajamas, a movie and popcorn
  • Board game paired with juice boxes and treats for a family game night Game Night Gift Idea
  • An age-appropriate book paired with a stuffed animal or soft blanket
  • DIY art jar: Buy a clear container in the kitchen area and fill it with craft supplies like stickers, yarn, googly eyes and more
  • Ice cream sundae kit — fill a box with sprinkles, chocolate syrup and candies for an ice cream sundae bar
  • Cute mug with a box of hot chocolate and bag of marshmallows

Consider packaging!

As you can see from my photos, I’m a big believer that anything store-bought can be made  special with a simple personalized touch. Whether it’s a homemade label or a hand-written note, dress up your simple ideas to make them more memorable 😀 My personal favorite kind of packaging includes pieces of evergreen from the Meijer floral department and brown mailing packaging paper.

A few reminders…

  • Make your mobile mPerks work for you! If you have a reward for a total purchase, work toward it with your gift purchases.
  • Check mPerks for coupons before walking into the store.
  • Follow Meijer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for other great gift ideas.

What are your favorite last-minute gift ideas?

5 Tech Gift Ideas Families Will Love from Verizon {+ UE Roll Speaker Giveaway ENDS 11/23}

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I received a product in exchange for my post. Opinions expressed belong to me.

Last week I visited Verizon’s newest Smart Store in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Oh.My. It was so awesome! Such a tech lover’s dream store. I had a blast playing with all the devices and coming up with some wish list ideas.

The Ann Arbor location is Michigan’s 13th Smart Store to open. This concept is a major facelift from what I recall from my last visit to Verizon, and is much more aesthetically pleasing. There are several lifestyle “zones,” organized based on what you’re interested in, and even a workshop area for those who may need help learning their new devices. Verizon is working on transferring all stores over to this model, and I think they will create some happy customers in the process.

I mean, look how pretty it’s organized now:

Verizon Smart Store - Ann Arbor

While buying gifts online is much easier at times, there are some things you just need to see in-person, and more importantly, learn about from the pros. I appreciated store manager Steve walking me around to each zone and explaining what each device did and how it could make my life better. Every employee I encountered had the same tech passion.

After my tour, I was inspired to come up with this list of 5 tech gift ideas families will love from Verizon. We all know phones and tablets are sure to be on the top of most Christmas lists, but I wanted to cover some alternative ideas, too! Be on the lookout for Verizon’s Black Friday ad for the best deals.

Tech Gift Ideas Families Will Love

GizmoPal {$79.99 + $5/month with a 2-year contract}

This is perfect for school-aged kids who like to explore solo in the back yard or play with neighbor friends after school, but aren’t quite ready for the responsibility of a cell phone. The gadget can program two people to receive/send calls to {mom and dad for example}, and parents can also use its tracking to locate their child via GPS. Plus, it’s worn like a watch, so kiddos can’t easily lose it. Available in kid-friendly designs.

GizmoPal at Verizon

UE Roll Bluetooth Speaker {$89.99}

Don’t let the small size fool you — these bluetooth speakers pack the sound! These are perfect for jamming to some Disney Pandora while making dinner or bringing some classic rock to the beach in the summer. I have loved using the bungee cord to hang ours on our kitchen cabinet hardware to keep out of reach of little hands. The UE ROLL has up to 9-hour battery life on a single charge and have a 65-ft wireless range. Think a mini boom box but without taking up precious counter space.

UE Speakers

KidzSafe Headphones {$29.99}

My kids love watching videos on the YouTube Kids app. Unfortunately though, I do not always enjoy hearing the music they like. I love that these headphones can be personalized with stickers to make them unique, but they are also recommended by audiologists due to the volume limitations that keep sound below 85 dB so little ears are protected. Perfect for long car rides or for places where you don’t want to annoy everyone around you with the 80th rendition of “Wheels on the Bus.”

KidzSafe Headphones

mophie powerstation {$59.99-$149.99}

If your kids tend to drain your cell phone battery playing games like mine do, the mophie powerstation charges your phone at super-fast speeds when an outlet isn’t around to help . Another great solution for travel and camping in a remote areas {or if you’re a blogging mom like me and often need a full charge for events}! Just charge your mophie powerstation with the included USB cable and you’re ready to go. It easily fits in a purse, too.

Mophie at Verizon

Kwikset Kevo {$219.99}

After locking my toddler in the house by accident while she was napping once, I have hated house keys. I love that this product can turn your compatible device into an electronic key for your home. Just keep your phone nearby and unlock the door by touching it with your hand. Use the Kevo app to make electronic keys for kids, friends, relatives or the babysitter. Kevo uses multiple levels of encryption to help safeguard your home. You can use a traditional key with the lock too. Pretty sweet, right?

Kwikset Kevo

Make sure to visit the new Ann Arbor Smart Store, located at 3143 Ann Arbor Saline Rd. for the latest and greatest gadgets! Follow Verizon on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.

GIVEAWAY

I have the chance for one lucky reader to win a UE Roll Bluetooth Speaker from Verizon. I can’t stress how much I love this little device for streaming my music. It rocks!

Just follow the prompts below. Must be a U.S. resident age 18 or up to win. Giveaway ends on 11/23/15 at midnight.

UE Roll Speakers

UE Roll Speaker from Verizon

30 Gift Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers {That Moms Will Love Too!}

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Gift Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Post contains affiliate links. When you click on these links and purchase items, you help support this blog.

With three little ones, I often am asked for gift recommendations. I think I finally have it down as far as which toys get the most love and will be played with for many years.

I’m personally all about experiences over gifts, but sometimes that is just not something grandma wants to hear! She wants to see the look on her grand babies’ faces as they tear open the paper unveiling a new fun item. Understandable, I suppose.

So with that taken into consideration, I decided to put together a fun list of suggestions. These toys are low-tech and offer hours of fun, all the while developing skills or burning energy! Additionally, many of these are easy to find for great prices on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Be on the lookout!

30 GIFT IDEAS FOR TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

Inexpensive {$15 and under}:

  • Puzzles
  • Craft Kits from the dollar store {My kids love coloring those black fuzzy pictures}
  • ALEX Toys Early Learning Sets – These are great for helping children to learn how to cut, paste, and craft. They have a great variety of kits available for under $10. Alex Toys
  • Stickers! I especially love these big reusable sticker pads from Melissa & Doug
  • Books – You can never have too many 😉
  • Play-Doh and coordinating accessories
  • Animal action figures – I haven’t met a little kid yet who doesn’t enjoy playing with these. Bonus points if you get a great variety and provide a fun container for them to all go into! {This bucket set is super cute!}
  • Dot Markers – These are amazing for the mom who doesn’t have time to clean-up the mess paint creates. Great for helping little hands to practice ‘squeezing’ skills.
  • Bath Toys – Look for water scoopers and animals that can easily be cleaned!
  • Games – Favorites for this age range include Hi-Ho Cherry-O, Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and Cootie {These often can be found for $5 on Black Friday}
  • Mr. Potato Head – This toy never goes out of style. Many skills can be learned playing with it, too.
  • Doodler Pro – This is an excellent toy for learning to draw, and it’s great in the car.
  • Sleds, or any winter fun items.

Mid-Range Pricing {$16-$40}:

  • Easel – Help young artists discover their budding talents. You can easily make this a larger gift by adding on paint supplies, paper and more.
  • Shopping Cart – The classic Little Tykes red and yellow one is one of our home’s most used toys.
  • Doll Stroller – It’s not just for pushing a baby. My kids love to push around their animals and transfer toys to different rooms using ours.
  • Dress-Up…Anything! Fabulous for pretend play. You can never have too many ways to dress up. Think accessories too!
  • Band In A Box – A great way to introduce your young child to the world of music. Kids love to play marching band and try all the instruments. {P.S. Forgive me moms…I promise this is the only toy on this list that makes noise!}
  • LEGO anything. We especially love these big boxes that aren’t kits so the kids can create on their own items. {The Duplo brand is perfect for toddlers}
  • Create an “Adventure Kit” with items like a bug house, a magnifying glass, a net and a cool flashlight {This age range LOVES flashlights! This one from Melissa and Doug is super cute.}
  • High-Five Magazine Subscription {For ages 2-6} – This magazine focuses on your child’s development by giving you fun activities to complete together — stories, poems, crafts, recipes, games, and puzzles.
  • Cash Register – The perfect toy for starting to talk about money.
  • Gears Play Set – These are perfect for providing opportunities for young children to experiment with simple mechanics and science
  • Bed Tent – These can be a great space for quiet/reading time, or for helping to transition a toddler into a twin size bed.
  • Sleeping Bag – These can be perfect for snuggling up to enjoy a movie or reading time during winter. How cute would it be to pair with this pretend camping set too?
  • Little Tykes First Slide – If you have a little one who loves to explore the park, this is an excellent toy for both indoors and outside.

More Pricey {$40+}:

  • Plasma Car – These pedal-less car is a very highly rated toy. Adults can take a spin too, as it hold up to 220 pounds. Keep an eye out because these often go on sale on Amazon! My kids love ours.Screen Shot 2014-11-19 at 11.39.45 PM
  • Dollhouse – Amazon has great ones for both boys and girls. {We have this one from KidKraft and it is high-quality and a less expensive than most}
  • Magna-Tiles – These are amazing for kids of all ages and can grow with a young child to offer fun for years to come.
  • Bounce House – The ultimate toy for burning energy! {This one from Little Tykes is highly recommended from friends.}
  • Mini Trampoline – Another great idea for helping to burn off that energy.

What are your favorite ideas for gifts for young kids? Drop a comment and let me know!

Holiday Gift Ideas from HP + Meijer Gift Card Giveaway {3 Winners!} ENDS 11/21

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The post and giveaway below is sponsored by HP. All opinions and experiences highlighted are my own.

Wake Up Your Walls with HP

Warm up your walls with fun holiday gift ideas from HP!

Anyone who knows me personally on Facebook knows I’m a crazy picture taker/sharer. I can’t help it. I worked my butt off for months saving up for my DSLR, and to date, it is the best present I’ve ever given myself.

There’s one issue…When I find a photo I like, it’s SO hard for me to justify spending a fortune on prints and canvases. I was beyond ecstatic when HP reached out to me about capturing memories and warming up my walls by way of the Meijer photo center. I love any excuse to play with my photos! 😀

I generally order prints and such online, but decided to go in-store for this opportunity. I was SO happy I did! My Meijer had tons of examples of what things looked like — something you cannot get just looking online.

Meijer HP Photo Products

Just a cell phone pic, but I wanted to snap it to show how awesome many of the items were displayed. The gals at the counter even let me touch some of the items so I could feel the quality. Excellent experience.

There were so many options, including:

  • HP Photo Canvases
  • HP Mounted Photos
  • HP Multi-Panel and Multi-Image Canvases and Mounted Photos

I knew I wanted a few, so I looked for what would give me the most bang for my buck. That ended up being mounted photos, which essentially is a photo on a piece of wood.

YOU GUYS. I am obsessed! The 8×10’s I purchased were $12.96 each! So affordable and they look fantastic on my wall, don’t you think? {I am also slightly obsessed with Pewabic Pottery if you can’t tell!}

HP Warm Up Your Walls

I like that I didn’t spend a ton of money because as I mentioned, I take a ton of photos, so I like swapping them out so they are fresh and fairly up-to-date.

MEGA BONUS: They were ready in an hour!

HP Mounted Photos

I am definitely going to Meijer in the future for all my photo needs. I’m so impressed with how they turned out thanks to HP, and the many affordable options available.

Superstar TIP: Print out THIS COUPON from Meijer to get $15 off any order of $60 or more through 12/14/13. Hello, Christmas presents!

Learn more about ideas on how to warm up your walls from HGTV’s own Genevieve Gorder here.

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the generous folks at HP, I am giving away 3 {!!!!} Meijer gift cards so you can go play and warm up your walls! Just follow the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends on Nov. 21. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Diamond Candles Giveaway + Review! {ENDS 9/16}

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Disclosure: I was provided with my own candle for the purpose of this post.

Have you all heard of the concept behind Diamond Candles? If you haven’t, prepare for a mind explosion of awesomeness!

Here’s the scoop: You buy a candle. You burn it. After it burns for a while, you will find a ring. It could be made of real diamonds and worth up to $5,000, or it could be fake and worth $10. Either way, you come out smelling like a winner! {I mean that literally too, because these candles smell so good!}

After being contacted to do a Diamond Candles giveaway, I picked out a scent I thought sounded unique and a bit out of my typical spicy scent realm — vanilla lime. I am so glad I did, too — it’s the perfect mix of fruity and savory scents and smells delicious in our kitchen. The candle itself is made from natural soy, which is grown locally to the company in the Durham, NC area.

The moment the box appeared on my doorstep, I scooped it up and started to burn it {out of the reach of children of course!}.

Diamond Candles1

I am the type of person that always has a candle burning because I am paranoid of my house smelling like baby poo. I loved the fresh scent that immediately filled my house while burning this candle. Typical of me, I got distracted and started cleaning the house and forgot about it for an hour or so.

Then, OH MY! I could see the little package containing the ring starting to appear.

Diamond Candles2

Not being a patient person, I blew out the candle and started digging in the wax with a straw. Victory! Out popped the ring. I felt like a man proposing to his bride…I was nervous to find out what was inside!

Diamond Candles3

After some careful peeling of the layers {the ring itself is wrapped in plastic and foil to protect it}, I unveiled the ring.

Here’s what I got:

Diamond Candles Ring Reveal

How fun is that?! It did not have a 14k inscription inside, so I knew it wasn’t real, but the weight of it and the look is definitely higher quality costume jewelry. I just love the yellow stones too, and it fits perfectly on my right hand. {Most rings are sized 6-8.}

Diamond Candles Ring

How perfect would one of these babies be for a gift for a girlfriend, bridesmaids or even for a Christmas gift exchange? I am definitely keeping these on my radar. They are very affordable, too — priced at $24.95 each. That’s pretty much the same price as that other big candle company I won’t mention by name…but there’s a ring in these to boot!

Be sure to give them a follow on Facebook and Twitter to learn about special deals, too. Also, if you are curious what other rings look like, check out their Pinterest page or Instagram. I am digging all the rings pictured. Funky and fun!

Each new candle truly is like a Cracker Jack box for adult women. Thanks for bringing such fun to our lives, Diamond Candles 😉

Want to learn more about Diamond Candles? Watch this video. It is short and interesting to learn about how this ideas was born {by a man!}.

GIVEAWAY!!!

I am very excited to offer the chance for one of you to win your very own Diamond Candle. Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below. It’s super easy! The giveaway will end on September 16, 2013. I will provide the winner with their own promo code for a free candle {shipping included}. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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