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Another great Father’s Day Gift idea! (Great for other occasions too!)

June 17, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Looking for something on trend for Dad this Father’s Day? How about this matte black & blue plated with black CZ bracelet for the Dad who enjoys all things blue—his favorite color (shown above)!

INOX’s men’s jewelry line has something for every dad, but we were especially overjoyed by how many fun pieces were available to mix and match in blue. In addition to an entire collection devoted to Blue, INOX has created STAX. Presenting mix and match stackable bracelets without the effort, STAX is a curated collection that ups the style game

Whether a fashion-forward blend, or worn separately as individual components, each STAX bracelet can be altered for the day’s look. The men’s blue fabric, stone bead, and curb chain stackable bracelet works with the perfect blue jeans, as well as an accent to black leather for an edge (shown below). For those who prefer the metal rush, there are gold and silver-toned styles for warm and cool variety, through the yellow leather, bead and gold-plated curb chain stackable, as well as the black braided leather, stone beads, and stainless-steel curb chain stackable bracelet. Earthy and alluring, the tiger eye bead, rose gold plated chain, and brown leather stackable bracelets are ideal for animal kingdom documentary watching—be prepped for that safari when the quarantine ends.

INOX Men’s Jewelry Elevates Casual Style


I like the quality and the style of the bracelet I received to facilitate this post, from INOX’s Blue Collection. You can find it locally online here.

INOX Jewelry has a lot of other great gift choices, and even some very cool rings and pendants!

About INOX Jewelry
INOX’s design-driven aesthetic has established the company as a leader in men’s jewelry. Since 2007, INOX has partnered with international retailers, crafting elevated accessories for men in mixed precious and industrial metals and gemstones, including: gold, silver, diamonds, carbon fiber, Damascus steel, jasper, and exotic woods. INOX Jewelry—strength in style.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Image Credit: INOX Jewelry.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Top Ways to Save Budget in Modern Life

June 17, 2020 By Leave a Comment

People living in modern times have easy access to a variety of products. Even if you decide that, indeed, you want to eat cereals for breakfast, you still have to make a lot of choices. The flavor, the type of grain – if you go to the grocery store, you will find plenty of different brands. The worst part is that before you get to the cereal aisle, you’ll walk next to a plethora of different products. What was initially a trip to the grocery store for cereals, soon could turn into much more serious shopping. The temptations are, by no means, limited to brick and mortar shops. While you browse the internet, you are bound to encounter ads at your every step. If you worry that you spend too much money, we have prepared a list of ways to limit your spendings.

Coupons

In the past, you could usually find coupons in newspapers. It is 2020 already, which means that now all that you have to do is to search the internet for coupons. Various brands often offer coupons to customers as a way of increasing brand awareness. This way, both sides can win! You can even find websites with lists of coupons that can be used while shopping for specific products. Just remember only to buy products that you really intend to use. It might sometimes be difficult to control yourself if you see particularly enticing discounts, but remember that you want to save money.

Track your expenses

At this point, it’s almost like a mantra. It doesn’t mean that the message behind the phrase is somewhat less important just because it has been repeated thousands of times already. Many people almost never check their bank accounts until they encounter some problems. The thing is, it is easy to forget about some small purchases that you made 2 or 3 weeks ago. As a result, you might not feel a bit of reluctance when your coffee machine breaks down. Why shouldn’t you buy a coffee maker that will last you for years, even if, at the same time, it costs almost half of your monthly earnings? If you had monitored your monthly expenses, you would know that it wouldn’t be a wise financial decision. Or, you could visit BestBudget.com, and stick to kitchen appliances that wouldn’t be as costly.

Don’t go shopping while hungry

It would be difficult to find a person that occasionally does not overspend. It applies to all kinds of purchases. Maybe you have found a dress that looks really nice so that you are willing to ignore the price. Or maybe those avocados look so delicious, and you feel compelled to buy a bunch of them, regardless of your chances to consume them all. It might be especially difficult to resist the urge if your stomach is completely empty and there is nothing that you would love more than to fill yourself with any type of food, no matter how unhealthy. As a result, you might spend a horrifying amount of money on things that you don’t even normally like. It’s just that your brain was scared that you might die of hunger, which is why it convinced you that it’s better not to be too picky. Because of that, your wallet could become much lighter. It might not always be possible, but if you have a chance to eat before you go to the grocery store, you will certainly decrease your chances of overspending.

Keeping up with the Joneses

Most of us spend too much time on social media, looking at what other people’s lives look like. Unfortunately, it can make us feel inadequate. If you only look at the high points in the lives of your friends, you might start thinking that your lack isn’t really that great. You don’t have expensive clothes, your car has seen better days and you have never been on a trip to South America. To make yourself feel fine, you might feel a need to spend more money to prove to yourself that your life is going somewhat okay. As a result, your financial situation might suffer. Do you really think that your friends will really look down on you if you don’t keep up with all the trends? Ads might sometimes indirectly suggest that you really need to buy a particular product to become happy or to become less sad, but you need to remember that sure, material goods can make your life more interesting, but you shouldn’t compare your situation with that of another person. You would only be doing harm to yourself.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

KinderlyteAdvanced, Provides Natural Rehydration for Adults and Children!

June 16, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Kinderfarms, maker of Kinderlyte®, the first natural and effective, doctor-formulated oral electrolyte solution (OES) for children, has expanded its product offering with the launch of Kinderlyte Advanced.

Designed for people of all ages, liquid and convenient powder formulations are now available online and at retailers across the country. I like that this is for both children and adults and comes in a variety of flavors! So, if you have a child who does not like orange flavor or berry, there are other choices!

Kinderlyte Advanced Electrolyte Powder achieves World Health Organization (WHO) standards for hydration and provides four-to-five times more electrolytes and 80 percent less sugar than sports drinks. Easy for on-the-go hydration, it is sold in packs of six .5 ounce sticks and comes in two flavors: Wild Berry and Lemon Lime. Suggested retail price is $12.99.

Kinderlyte Advanced’s liquid formulation is made with the same electrolyte absorption technology as the natural electrolyte powder and is sold in a one-liter BPA-free resealable bottle. It comes in three flavors: Wild Berry, Raspberry Lemonade and Coconut Lime. Suggested retail price is $7.99.

How is Kinderlyte Advanced different?

●      Delivers the same rapid hydration as conventional OES brands that are used in hospitals, without unnecessary artificial ingredients

●      Has four-to-five times more electrolytes and 75-80 percent less sugar than sports drinks

●      Uses PreMax™ prebiotics to support digestion

●      Instant Absorption Technology™ (IAT™) uses the perfect ratio of Non-GMO Project Verified dextrose (from vegetables) to electrolyte sodium, offering faster transport of electrolytes and nutrients to the bloodstream  

●      Lightweight .5-ounce packets are easily mixed with water for rapid hydration on the go

For store locations, click here. 

About Kinderfarms:

Dedicated to making better health & wellness options accessible to every family, Kinderfarms is committed to providing values-driven alternatives to outdated health and wellness products. Kinderfarms first line, Kinderlyte, is doctor-formulated to provide safe, natural and effective oral electrolyte solutions (OES) for families, and it includes a variety of uses from illness to sports, or even a late night out. Delicious and worry free, Kinderlyte products are made without artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. Kinderlyte never contains artificial ingredients like sucralose, acesulfame potassium, Yellow #6, Blue #1 or Red #40 and is Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan and naturally gluten-free. Kinderfarms donates one percent of sales to life-saving water relief efforts through “1% For The Planet.” www.kinderlyte.com, and @kinderlyte on Instagram and Facebook; @kinderfarms on Linkedin

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Pet of the week! Lucille Nolley!

June 16, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Imagine a lovely summer day in your yard or patio, relaxing in a lawn chair with an icy lemonade and your dear old friend Lucille Nolley on the chair next to you. Or on the floor, or the grass. Lucille is a grande dame, a sylish senior citizen at age 14 who happens to be a Lhasa apso mix. She’s what you call spry—she loves her walks and is a real sweetheart to her friends and anyone she meets. She’s a mellow soul and would love the company of someone content to spend lazy days with her. Because the shelter is closed to the public, adoption appointments are conducted through appointment, so call 562-570-PETS or email AnimalRescue@longbeach.gov to meet Lucille Nolley. Ask for ID#A643709.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Filed Under: Pet Corner

Gigantosaurus: Dino Tales * Excellent Animation, Fun Characters, Really Good Lessons

June 14, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Rocky, Bill, Tiny and Mazu are four young dinosaurs growing up in the Cretaceous period. Life is always an adventure: new volcanoes are popping up all the time, long-necked brachiosauruses and enormous triceratopses roam free, meteor showers light up the night sky and the big bad Gigantosaurus reigns over it all! On this exciting DVD, join Rocky, Bill, Tiny and Mazu as they explore the world of Cretacia. Embark on a mission to help find a lost egg s missing parents. Join the four friends as they venture out on a sleepover at the lake and camp among the herds in the desert. The adventures don t end there! Race with Mazu to see a once-in-a-lifetime comet and join Bill as he becomes invisible during a game of hide and seek. Enjoy these adventures and more with our Dino pals! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ethan P. comments, “I like the Gigantosaurus Dino Tales DVD because it is very entertaining and funny.  This show amuses younger children as well as older children like me.” Bailey Rae F., adds, “What stands out in these animated episodes are the minute details of each dinosaur and the positive relationship between the four characters. The dinosaurs are very distinguished so that the viewer can determine their various types. The lead character Rocky pretends to be very brave, but his friend assures him that it’s okay to have fears. The character Bill shows his loyalty as a friend. Mazu and Tiny are committed to their friendship. It’s also fun that the dinosaurs have human-like qualities, making them anthropomorphic.” Arjun N. wraps it up with, “The animation is easily the most impressive feature here. The character models appear swiftly, and the environments fully capture the Cretaceous aesthetic. The episodic plots follow similar patterns, and the characters lack distinct personalities. The antagonists are all juvenile bullies. Granted this show is made for preschoolers, so this will not be as obvious to them as it is to an older viewer such as me. “The Island” is the one episode that really stands out for me, featuring a touching plot about friendship as Bill helps Rocky face his fear of swimming.” See their full reviews below.

Gigantosaurus Dino Tales
By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11


I like the Gigantosaurus Dino Tales DVD because it is very entertaining and funny.  This show amuses younger children as well as older children like myself.

This DVD is a compilation of eight funny episodes with each episode a duration of 11 minutes approximately.  The episodes do not follow a sequence.  Each one has its individual story line. This DVD is about four “dino” friends, named Rocky, Bill, Tiny and Mazu, who explore the world of Cretacia, where they live and make missions along the way.  This show is very entertaining for young audience, keeping their attention their entire time.

The graphics are very bright and colorful.  I especially like the jungle background.  The voice-over talents suit each character.  The music is appealing, especially the theme song.  The episodes are short and interesting.  My favorite episode is “Mazu’s Comet,” which is about Mazu wanting to see a comet with his name, because he is actually named after the comet.  This is a special day for him because the comet only passes by every 100 hundred years.  He makes a telescope, but the lens of the telescope breaks, so he scavenges to find a new lens in the desert.  He only has a limited time to get back to the mountain to watch the comet.  Finally, he finds the lens he needs but he gets distracted by another dinosaur in need of assistance and forgets all about the lens that he needs to see this special comet.  He travels back without the lens and keeps helping more fellow dinosaurs along the way.  When he finally arrives at the mountain he realizes that he forgot his lens. All the dinosaurs that Mazu helped along the way help him get his lens back and Mazu watches the comet successfully. My favorite character is Rocky because he is very adventurous dinosaur.    

The moral of this DVD is that “teamwork makes the dream work,” while having fun together.  There is nothing like having a strong bond with our closest best friends to experience adventures together while exploring our surroundings or hometown.

I give Gigantosaurus Dino Tales DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults can watch this DVD with their children as well.  This DVD is available now so look for it!

Gigantosaurus: Dino Tales

By Bailey Rae Fenderson, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

What I like about DVD is seeing all the characters of different types that all get along as great friends. I like how they work together as a team to solve problems. I also love the animation.

This DVD is a collection of episodes from the TV show by the same name. The story line is four young dinosaurs growing up in the Cretaceous period where there is a new adventure every day from volcanoes popping up, to meteor showers lighting up the night sky to all the various dinosaurs that you might run into at any time. The young dinosaurs, Rocky, Bill, Tiny and Mazu invite the audience to join them in their adventures.

What stands out in these animated episodes are the minute details of each dinosaur and the positive relationship between the four characters. The dinosaurs are very distinguished so that the viewer can determine their various types. The lead character Rocky pretends to be very brave, but his friend assures him that it’s okay to have fears. The character Bill shows his loyalty as a friend. Mazu and Tiny are committed to their friendship. It’s also fun that the dinosaurs have human-like qualities, making them anthropomorphic.

The message of this DVD is to demonstrate friendship, acceptance and compassion. The episodes focus on taking care of one another and being thoughtful. I learned to continue to value my friends and enjoy fun times together. I also learned how to pronounce some of the difficult names of dinosaurs.

I give Gigantosaurus: Dino Tales 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages w to 5. It is available now on DVD or digital, so look for it.

Gigantosaurus: Dino Tales
By Arjun Nair, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 18

Gigantosaurus: Dino Tales is an English dubbed collection of episodes from the titular French CGI-animated preschool series. Kids learning through early childhood education will find plenty of great messages and funny characters. Most of the episodes follow a repetitive structure, with a few standouts.

This anthology follows the adventures of Rocky (Dylan Schombling), Bill (Nicholas Holmes), Tinu (Aine Sunderland), and Mazu (Nahanni Mitchell) who are four young dinosaurs growing up in the Cretaceous period. Surrounding these tales is the overarching mysterious Gigantosaurus who helps them on a few adventures.

The four leads share great banter allowing for believable friendships. Keep in mind; they are all child actors who are slowly coming into their own. Dylan Schombling, as Rocky, is easily my favorite of the bunch overcompensating his masculinity towards his inner fears. His dynamic with Bill, voiced by Nicholas Holmes, is strongest with a touching episode addressing how he helps his friend face his fears. The dynamic between Tinu, Mazu and other pair-ups are not as strong, although Aine Sunderland and Nahanni Mitchell give charismatic performances.

The animation is easily the most impressive feature here. The character models appear swiftly, and the environments fully capture the Cretaceous aesthetic. The episodic plots follow similar patterns, and the characters lack distinct personalities. The antagonists are all juvenile bullies. Granted this show is made for preschoolers, so this will not be as obvious to them as it is to an older viewer such as me. “The Island” is the one episode that really stands out for me, featuring a touching plot about friendship as Bill helps Rocky face his fear of swimming.

The message of this film is to always value friendships. All four of the dinosaurs have a great dynamic that revolves around trust and teamwork. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 7. This DVD is available now on DVD and digital so check it out.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Looking for fun enrichment opportunities for the kids this Summer?

June 14, 2020 By Leave a Comment

With summer finally upon us, and homeschooling coming to a close, many parents are looking to find exciting summer enrichment opportunities for their children.

Storymakery, the first self-publishing experience designed uniquely for children, offers just that! Located in Laguna Hills, Storymakery is a one stop shop where kids can create a character, write a story, design illustrations and print their book – a total hands on, captivating, educational experience! 

Beginning June 13th, Storymakery will be reopening their doors for individual in-person experiences and summer camp opportunities – both in-person and virtual formats are available! These workshops provide kids the ultimate creative outlet allowing them to expand their writing, self-expression and cognitive thinking skills by developing and publishing their very own storybook!

Rest assured that Storymakery will be taking the following precautions for our in-store guests by using masks, temperature screening, frequent cleaning and camp groups of less than 8 students total. You can see their full COVID-19 Response and Measures listed on their website.

Here are a few of the options they are offering this Summer:

ONLINE SUMMER CAMPS BEGIN JUNE 15TH!  Ages 5-6, 7-9 & 10-12 Our popular Young Author Fiction Writing is now ONLINE, with fully guided writing lessons, studio time, art, and engaging self-express activities. Students across the country can join! Our half-day Summer Camps delve deeper into writing mechanics and topics for fiction writing while creating loads of enriching, imagination fun!

Each online camp is 5 days, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. US Pacific.  Up to 3 softcover books included. 
Choose a week from June 15th through August 17, 2020. LEARN MORE & REGISTER

ONLINE WRITING ADVENTURE CLASSES: Ages 5-6
Our Online Writing Classes  are shorter and ‘lighter’ than our camps! Classes are Monday through Friday (45 minutes) and include fully-guided instruction over Zoom, 1-2 Soft Cover books, engaging activities, remote access to character studio, and free shipping.  Class listings below! 
SUPERHERO WRITING ADVENTURE
There’s a big bad villain who is scarier than a goblin and that needs to go. The citizens in need are dear friends. Create your own plot to make this all end.
Weeks of June 8th & July 6th (Mon – Fri)
1:00-1:45 PM (US Pacific)
Enroll Today

ONLINE WRITING ADVENTURE
A fully-guided virtual class where students will choose their own genre.  Includes up to 2 softcover stories, writing time, art activity, remote studio access for character & illustration design & book shipping.
Weeks of June 15th, July 20th, & August 3rd (Mon – Fri)
9:00-9:45 AM US (US Pacific)
Enroll Today
ONLINE STORY WRITING CLASSES: Ages 7-12
Online Writing Classes are five-day classes Monday through Friday (1.5 hours) and include fully-guided instruction, 1-2 Soft Cover books, engaging activities, remote access to character studio, and free shipping. 
Enrollment Fee: $200 
ONLINE WRITING ADVENTURE: AGES 7-9 A fully-guided virtual class where students will choose their own genre.  Includes up to 2 softcover stories, writing time, art activity, remote studio access for character & illustration design & book shipping. Weeks of June 15th, July 13th, July 27th or August 10th
10 AM – 11:30 AM (US Pacific)
Enroll Today
SHORT STORY WRITING: AGES 10-12 A fully-guided virtual class where students will learn basic mechanics of creating a short story. Also includes 1 softcover (longer book), fun activities, and art
Weeks of June 15th, June 29th, July 27th or August 10th
1:00 PM -3:30 PM (US Pacific) Enroll Today
Credit: Storeymakery.

Filed Under: Featured Services

Looking for a great Graduation gift? Pura Vida has you covered!

June 13, 2020 By Leave a Comment
I just love the bracelets from Pura Vida!

Looking for graduation gifts or summer birthday gifts? I think you will find some great gifts from Pura Vida.

Pura Vida’s recently-launched Engravable Collection ($20-30) provides a sweet reminder of your grad’s high school or college days! The collection includes a variety of customizable metal options (rose gold and silver) as well as four different fonts (including Greek letters) and various playful characters such as a pineapple, tree, heart, and waves. 

Pura Vida offers a variety of other grad-friendly options as well, including a jewelry subscription box and a number of charity bracelets (with proceeds from each sale supporting various causes) and more. 

Photo Credit: Pura Vida.

I just love the bracelet set I received and wear them to work every week. I plan to purchase another set soon to give as a birthday gift to a BFF!

About Pura Vida Bracelets:

Pura Vida is a La Jolla, California-based company that sources ethically-produced handcrafted bracelets and accessories from artisans worldwide. Created by friends and co-founders Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman, the idea for Pura Vida Bracelets was sparked during a surfing trip to Costa Rica in 2010. While on the search for their next wave, Griffin and Paul had a chance encounter with two bracelet artisans named Jorge and Joaquin and quickly became enamored with their simple, bright and colorful creations. They also developed a profound respect for Jorge and Joaquin’s embrace of the  “pura vida” lifestyle — the Costa Rican philosophy meaning “pure life” that encourages the appreciation of simple treasures — despite living in a state of poverty. In an effort to support their new friends, the duo returned home to San Diego with 400 bracelets in tow and decided to sell them at a local boutique. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and they depleted their stock within a few short days. Through this small victory, Griffin and Paul saw boundless potential and asked Jorge and Joaquin to partner with them to help spread the “pura vida” spirit with others. 

Ten years later, the brand has grown exponentially. Pura Vida now supports a family of over 800 artisans in Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, and beyond. Giving back has also remained a priority for the Pura Vida team. To date, they’ve partnered with over 185 charities to donate over $2.4M to various environmental, health, and humanitarian causes. Pura Vida also became a key player in 2019’s viral VSCO girl moment and has accumulated a cult-following of 1.9 million on Instagram and on Facebook as well as claiming the title of #1 Most Engaged Brand in the jewelry category, thanks to Griffin’s social media prowess. In part due to the business’ social savvy, Pura Vida sold a 75% majority stake to Vera Bradley for $130M in June of 2019. 

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Bottom photo credit: Pura Vida.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Looking for Father’s Day Gift Ideas? New Foodie Faves For Father’s Day!

June 13, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Father’s Day Soda & Candy Game Crate

Are you still searching for the perfect Father’s Day gift?
GourmetGiftBaskets.com has you covered! They have created a whole new batch of delectable Dad’s Day Gifts. I really suggest the Father’s Day Soda & Candy Game Crate, $89.99! The Father’s Day Soda & Candy Game Crate is a checkers gameboard that doubles as the lid on this wood box crate. A Dad-pleaser and a crowd-pleaser, it’s filled with a selection of soda and movie theater-sized boxed candy, crackers, cheese, and summer sausage. The perfect addition to any man cave, Dad will enjoy hours of fun with friends and family with this thoughtful gift. I love the variety of sodas and food goodies in this gift box! Dad is sure to find something he loves! If you’re lucky…he may even share! I also think it is very clever that the gift includes checkers and that the lid is a checkers board. Very cool!

A great variety of delicious goodies!

Here are a couple other suggestions from the same company:

Fresh Bagel Delivery, $49.99 — For the Dad who considers a bagel and cream cheese one of the great delights of life, this is the gift for him. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. (SKU 5020) 

 Dad’s Survival Kit, $29.99: Give Dad all of his favorites, and everything he needs and wants this Father’s Day with Dad’s Survival Kit. This unique gift comes complete with eight cookies in four different flavors and two classic whoopie pies for his tasting pleasure! (SKU 4668)

Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it? You will find great gift ideas for any Dad on your list!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this holiday featured post. Images: SoCal City Kids.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week
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