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The Children’s Gift That Gives Back To Those In Need

November 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

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I love this next product! I really do! Such a positive message and an unique product, which would also make a great gift idea!

Introducing Kauzbots!

 

This time of year brings friends and families together to celebrate the joys of life and the act of giving back to communities around us. Kauzbots, the company that helps you contribute to an array of charities with their precious plush robots, aims to raise awareness and encourage everyone to give back during this holiday season. Their year-round efforts are especially distinguishable during this time of selflessness and advocacy.

“We strongly believe in embracing the true meaning of the holiday season and sharing the act of giving to those who are less fortunate than others during this meaningful time,” said Natasha Nelson, president of Kauzbots. “Many people go out in search for the perfect toy to give a child but sometimes forget the true meaning of the season. Not only are Kauzbots a great companion for children of all ages, they also provide a learning opportunity about the variety of hardships people encounter throughout the world and can ultimately inspire children to brainstorm different ideas on how they can help those in need.”

In addition to being an adorable gift to give, Kauzbots, the cuddly stuffed “robots with a heart,” offer an opportunity to be charitable through the act of gifting. This group of 10 heroic robots fights a variety of hardships that affect millions throughout the world. 10 percent of the retail price is donated to their individual ‘kauz’, which raise awareness for different charities that support: refugees, homeless children, pediatric cancer and autism research, just to name a few.

Currently Kauzbots has 10 robots for sale through their website and selected retailers. Each bot has a heart for a specific “kauz,” advocating for and donating to separate charities:

  • Kalvin: a heart for homeless children
  • Kale: a heart for the planet
  • Kaprice: a heart for women with breast cancer
  • Karissa: a heart or our environment
  • Karson: a heart for music therapy at children’s hospitals
  • Karthy: a heart for autism
  • Khloe: a heart for oral pediatric health
  • Kiefer: a heart for refugees
  • Kourage: a heart for children with cancer
  • Kruz: a heart for clean water

I received Kruz because clean water is one of the causes dear to my heart! (Although many of the other causes are very important). I love the positive messages of the Kauzbots!

 

The holiday season is a time to give back and the army of fearless Kauzbots presents a playful way to accomplish this. To read more about the philanthropic journey of each individual Kauzbot, please go to www.kauzbots.com.

About Kauzbots, Inc.
Kauzbots, Inc. – and its army of heroically compassionate, plush robot toys – is on a mission to make the world a better place, one ‘kauz’ at a time. Donating a percentage of each toy sale to a dedicated charitable foundation each individual Kauzbot represents, each high quality toy is more than just for warming hearts and raising awareness for noble causes across the globe. Teaching children social responsibility, promoting kindness, encouraging advocacy and acting as a ray of sunshine for an imperfect world is what each individual robot fights for every day. Based in the heart of Tempe, Arizona, specially crafted Kauzbots are available for purchase online and at various retail locations throughout Orange County, Calif.

Join the #KauzKrew on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram at @kauzbots.

Self Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate this post.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Make kids nuts for knowledge and engineering with imaginative squirrel kits that are sure to ignite their own genius through fun

November 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

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With knowledge comes power. To help children stay ahead in today’s knowledge-driven world, we need to stimulate and engage their brains beyond the classroom.  Now parents can make learning outside of the classroom fun and exciting – without their kids even realizing how much they are learning!

 

The fun, unique and ingenious Squirrel King kits (http://www.squirrelking.org/) are a swirl of intellect, engineering and creativity delivered with a hands-on approach that inspires a thirst for knowledge.  Kids build something really cool to play with that also stimulates their minds!

 

Designed for ages 8 and up, the brand new Build with Stickers kits (http://www.squirrelking.org/build-with-stickers/) combine two things kids love — stickers and building.  Each colorful kit includes novel stickering techniques — no glue involved — and all the materials for children to build, create and explore, making awesome toys in the process.  Bonus stickers are included to encourage adding personal touches of fun.

I received a kit to check out and I highly recommend! It’s a great way to get your child to use their imagination and creativity! I love the concept of building and also using stickers! I remember when my son was younger he loved to build and also loved stickers. This really is a rather unique product and would also make a great gift! 

With Build with Stickers kits, STEM (science, technology, education and math) principles are explored in an age-appropriate manner.   Build our race car and learn about axels with Project: Speed Racer.  The physics of stability is explored in Project: Sun Lounge.  And while constructing  garden tools with Project: Green Thumb, kids see leverage in action. All this fun comes with an educational bonus box that spotlights the engineering, physics and math concepts encountered while building with stickers!

 

Create an avatar for your Build With Sticker projects with the original Squirrel King Craft kits.  Crack open the ever-popular and award-winning Squirrel King Craft kit, which comes in a 100% recycled molded-pulp acorn with all the materials needed to construct three colorful and cheeky squirrels.  This kit encourages both creativity and the values of reusing (the instructions turn into a fast-paced, squirrel match game) and recycling (plant the envelope holding the googly eyes, paper ears, arms and legs and grow wildflowers)!

Squirrel King Craft and Build with Stickers kits are great for a fun afternoon of kids building with their brains and your hands! Plus the festive packaging makes for excellent stocking stuffers and birthday gifts. The new Build with Stickers kits are available on the Squirrel King Craft website and at select retail stores, priced from $5.99 to $7.99. The original Squirrel King Craft kit is also available on the website and in over 200 stores across the country, and in a range of choices for $9.99 to $69.99.

 

Visit http://www.squirrelking.org/ for more information this holiday season!

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate this post. 

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Olay Age Defying Body Wash is a Beauty Must-Have!

November 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Age Defying Body Wash

My skin always seems drier when Fall and Winter arrive! So, I am always looking for products that help moisturize my skin. Olay is one of my all-time favorite brands so I was quite excited to receive the Olay Age Defying Body Wash. It is not a brand new product but it is new to me. It really helps with dry skin too!  I like that it not only cleans but really leaves my skin soft! It also really works to defend against the visible signs of aging. I noticed a difference in my skin after a few weeks of using. It really is a beauty must-have!  The price is very affordable too! Retails for $5.49 for a 23.6 oz body wash.  I really like everything about this product! Only a small amount is needed, it smells good and goodbye dry skin! You can complete the regime with the Age Defying Beauty Bar, $5.99, 6-bar pack and the Age Defy hand & body lotion, $5.49 for 11.8 oz.

Olay Age Defying Body Wash is available at mass, drug and food stores.

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free product sample for review purposes. Photo Credit: Olay.

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Beauty and Fashion Corner

Joan Jett is Pet of the Week!

November 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Joan Jett, Nov. 5 Pet of the Week

You get a cat that combines attitude with coyness, and you can’t help think of Joan Jett. And that’s her name. This 3-year-old tabby was touring the shelter grounds when an ACS officer found her and brought her in. Wouldn’t you love a permanent gig with her? Her favorite song’s “I Love Tuna Roll,” by the way. Meet Joan Jett on the shelter side of Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A460559.

 

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Credit: Thank you to the Companion Animal Village.

Filed Under: Archived Content

Whole Foods Market® Downtown Los Angeles adds Roy Choi’s Chego to offerings

November 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment

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In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Whole Foods Market has partnered with Roy Choi to open a second Chego outpost inside the Downtown Los Angeles store, opening Wednesday, Nov. 4 at  788 South Grand Avenue, on the corner of 8th Street and Grand.

 

Located in the 41,000 square foot store’s prepared foods section, Chego will offer a menu of “favorites” with $12 big kid meals –  the Sour Cream Hen House, Leafy T, Chubby Pork Belly Bowl, Beefy T Bowl and $7 snacks – TheSpiiiiinach Salad, Housemade pickles, Seasonal Veggies and Ooey Gooey Fries.

 

All menu items are made on site and meet Whole Foods Market’s quality standards.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. beginning Nov 4.

 

“With its mix of flavors, ingredients and dishes inspired by a blend of cultures much like our city, Chego’s menu  offers L.A. in a rice bowl, ” Patrick Bradley, president, Whole Foods Market’s Southern Pacific Region Foods Market.  “We work hard to bring shoppers unique and delicious local offerings and can’t imagine a better Los Angeles-based chef and concept to represent this.”

 

The approach is simple.  “We want to serve food that will bring a smile to everyone’s face,” said Roy Choi, co-founder, Chego.

 

For more on Whole Foods Market downtown Los Angeles, click here. For more on Chego, check out @RidingShotgunLA and@EatChego on Twitter and Instagram.

Credit: Whole Foods Market.

 

Filed Under: Announcements

101 MOVIES TO SEE BEFORE YOU GROW UP by Suzette Valle

November 3, 2015 By 4 Comments

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101 Movies to See Before You Grow Up

Be your own movie critic–the must-see movie list for kids

By Suzette Valle

 

 

The perfect handbook for movie-lovers of all ages, helping both kids and parents choose classic and contemporary movies appropriate for the entire family.

 

Movies are made to entertain! Movies can make you think, teach you a lesson, or just let you escape into a fantasy world for a few hours. This book serves as an interactive bucket list of films for children ages 8 and up to watch before they grow up. 101 Movies to See Before You Grow Up goes beyond mainstream films. From modern flicks to classic films, the list offers a wide selection of “must see” movies. The book is divided into categories and acts as an interactive film journal where kids can document when they see the movie, if they liked it, and how they would rate it. Each page focuses on a single movie with basic information about each film, including the director, runtime, rating, and date of release. There is also a “Film Critic” section at the bottom of each page that allows young movie buffs to write in their own opinions and observations about the movie. 101 Movies to See Before You Grow Up is the perfect handbook for movie-lovers of all ages, helping both kids and parents choose classic and contemporary movies appropriate for the entire family.

I received a copy of this book and love how it is great for both kids and adults! A great way to keep track of movies that you see. I like that this is a way to get young kids writing too! 

We have teamed up for a Giveaway! One winner will win their own book! To enter, leave a comment below telling us one of your favorite movies and why! Deadline to enter is November 8th, 2015 at noon PST. One winner will randomly be selected via Random.org.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzette Valle is an award-winning mother of two and freelance writer focusing on family entertainment. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of San Diego, and has a Master’s Degree from Oxford University, England. Suzette has been a director and board member of several non-profit organizations in her community, including the Parent Teacher’s Association, Islander Sports Foundation, and is currently a board member of the San Diego-based international charity Foundation for Women. She also has her own blog, Mamarazzi Knows Best.com, where she writes about parenting in a celebrity-driven society and all aspects of entertainment. She is a featured Hollyblogger at the award-winning Hollywood publication The Wrap.com where she contributes film reviews, interviews with celebrities, and has covered and written about pop-culture events like Comic-Con International where she’s interviewed actors, directors, producers and writers about current and upcoming projects. Her articles have been featured on YahooMovies.com, MSNentertainment.com, and REUTERS among others. She wrote over 30 articles for the monthly column Parent Talk for AOL’s Patch.com, and headed this publication’s Parents Council in her community. Suzette lives in the seaside town of Coronado, California. This enchanted island is also known as the Emerald City because L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, penned several of the Oz books here. Suzette enjoys watching movies, and walks on the beach with her husband of 25 years and Bella, her adorable dog.

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to participate in this blog tour and giveaway.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Hallmark Flying Ace Snoopy Ornament is a Must-Buy this Holiday season!

November 2, 2015 By 19 Comments

I love Hallmark and I love Snoopy and the Peanuts! I really can not wait for the movie to come out this week! I actually already have my tickets for Friday morning. So, I was quite thrilled to receive the Hallmark Flying Ace ornament featuring Snoopy to review. It is so cute! You can even hear Flying Ace sound off! Batteries are included! (You do have to install them) It’s just too cool like Snoopy himself! Or should I say Flying Ace?

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This one is a Must-Buy this Holiday season!

 

Check out all the fun Hallmark Peanuts products here.

We have teamed up for a special Pre-Holiday Giveaway! One winner will win their own Hallmark Flying Ace ornament! To enter, leave a comment below telling us your favorite Peanuts character! Mine is Snoopy, of course! Deadline to enter is November 8th, 2015 at noon PST. One winner will randomly  be selected via Random.org.

Self Disclosure: I received a free product for review purposes. No other compensation was received to post.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Cat Condo Giveaway ($106.95 value)

November 2, 2015 By Leave a Comment

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From 2nd to 16th of November 2015, you have a chance to win this nice cat condo.

It is very important for every indoor cat to have plenty of stimulation and places to explore and that is why this cat condo was made. It features cozy condo two story to hide and play, 5 attractive levels and resting perches for your cat to relax on and 7 scratching posts covered with sisal rope which will prevent scratching of home furnishing. It is also perfect height for perching and looking outside through the window. Full description with the measurements read here.

One lucky reader will win this cat condo furniture made with just cats in mind. Just enter the Rafflecopter Draw below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. I have reviewed a product from this company in the past. This giveaway is hosted by SoCal City Kids but is not affiliated with my website and I do not choose the winner or send out the product.

Filed Under: Uncategorized
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