Archives for June 25, 2023

Summer 2023 Must-Haves!

Here are some of our Summer favorites!

PaddleSmash – The perfect mix of Pickleball & Spikeball

The perfect mix of Pickleball & Spikeball, this new backyard game was created to get your competitive blood flowing. Play anywhere, any time of year (think portable Pickleball) – All you need is a flat surface. Enjoy in your backyard, at the park, at the beach, or while waiting for a pickleball court to free up! PaddleSmash is best for adults and teens (ages 12+). Starting at $199.99 – paddlesmash.com 

This next one is great for road trips and camping this summer!

No kid travel kit is complete without Fandex Kids: Space

The end of the year is marked by many things: cold weather, hot apple cider and, for many families, packing up the trunks of their cars to hit the road. Road trips are exciting, filled with the buzz of going somewhere new and the prospect of a vacation. Exciting, that is, for the first five minutes – until kids realize just how long they’ll be stuck in the car.

Every parent knows there’s nothing worse while traveling than a kid begging to get out of the car. But kids will be begging to stay in with Fandex Kids: Space (Workman Publishing; on sale January 3, 2023; ages 8-12; $12.99). The newest installment in a beloved, kid-friendly series, Fandex Kids: Space contains 50 illustrated cards, filled to the brim facts about the galaxy. The perfect road-trip ride-along, the cards in this deck are bound together, making them impossible to lose.

This deck is for everyone – those just discovering the galaxy, the space-obsessed, and everyone in between. Ever wondered where the word astronaut comes from, or what the Oort Cloud is? We’ve got you. A thoughtful introduction to space, with lively illustrations and text made for kids ages 8+, this Fandex Kids: Space sneaks education into pure fun. Instead of making rockets out of mentos and soda, these cards will have kids dreaming of the Lucy Spacecraft. You can find it here.

This next one is fun for teenagers (who are driving!) and for adults!

Carlashes® are the original, superior-quality eyelash accessory for cars and trucks, thanks to their patented technology and revolutionary design. The next time you look in the rearview mirror, don’t be surprised if a pair of stunning Carlashes® catches your attention! In case you’re wondering if people are into this diva-worthy accessory, they’re sold in more than 100 countries and have a devoted audience of over 340,000 followers on Facebook. This has led to an expansion of more products since the brand’s beginning in 2010, such as crystal dice for the rearview mirror and rhinestone eyeliner to accompany the lashes, of course!

Price: $59.99


 

Now that school’s out parents want an activity that will keep kids busy for hours! Get them moving outside with the Original Stomp Rocket Ultra, which is celebrating 30 years since it’s release! No batteries required, easy to set up, and it helps teach STEM-based principles such as gravity, motion, and force. Various rocket sets are available from ages 3 and 9+. My kid reviewers had so much fun playing with the Stomp Rocket!

Price: $14.97

Available in Walmart stores and at Walmart.com

Good sunscreen is important for the Summer!

Summer and sunscreen go together like peanut butter & jelly! Kōkua Sun Care Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50 is the revolution in REEF SAFE water resistant zinc sunscreen. No toxic chemicals and no eye sting! Deeply nourishing the skin with rich Hawaiian antioxidant ingredients, it rubs in clear and smooth with high performance broad spectrum protection using the highest percentage of non-nano zinc oxide at 25% as the only active ingredient.  Natural extracts give it a light coconut vanilla scent.  Professionally formulated to go on like a moisturizing lotion and light enough for everyday use, this sunscreen with its superior 80 minutes of water resistance also stays on through sweat and swells and protects you from the harshest UV rays. Price: $28.00. Available on Amazon

This next one is a real must-have for the Summer!

The Adventure Bundle From Gladly Family

The award-winning wagon from Gladly Family just got an upgrade with the NEW adventure wagon. The Anthem2 Adventure Set combines everything consumers loved about the Anthem2 with premium features to make for the ultimate adventure! The cruiser is an all-terrain workhorse with rugged wheels, sturdy frame, two XL canopies, a parent cup holder and more. Prep for your spring adventures with a cooler bag, fitting 12 cans, a mosquito net to keep bugs at bay, quilted comfort seats and a travel bag! Available on Amazon. Price: $649.00

Ditch disposable plastics and head out on your next adventure with Smelly Proof reusable bags. Whether you are camping in bear country or looking to pack snacks for the little one, the 100% odor-proof, puncture resistant bags are perfect for your next big adventure. FDA-approved, eco-conscious and made in the USA, Smelly Proof offers a variety of sizes so you don’t have to fret over having enough storage. Available on Amazon. (Price varies on size)

Clothing is a must for any season but I simply love this next one! Have a toddler? This one is a must!

The Little Lemons Company Toddler Tee

Take your child on the ride of their lives with this fun and adventurous toddler tee! This summer collection is sure to make your little one stand out from the crowd with the words “And So The Adventure Begins!” printed boldly on a soft cotton fabric. Get ready to take a journey – your little one’s gonna look great! The Little Lemons Company is creating heartwarming moments through beautiful and personalized baby and kids’ essentials. Price: $20

Have a Toddler at home? This one will be a hit for the bath and any type of water play this summer!

PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3. AQUA

A new line of interactive and imaginative bath toys helps kids enjoy endless bath time fun! With three new sets, Water Seesaw with Boat, Water Wheel with Baby Shark, and Water Slide with Sea Animals, this playful line encourages a toddler’s fine motor skills and encourages creativity! Available on Playmobil.us (MSRP: $24.99 – 19.99)

Puzzles are always a fun way to keep both kids and adults entertained and I love these colorful ones! And, just enough pieces!

WerkShoppe – Modern Puzzles

Great indoor fun with WerkShoppe’s modern puzzles!

250, 500 and 1000 piece puzzles available

Screen- free boredom buster

Eco-friendly and made in the USA

beautifully made puzzles designed to help you press pause, featuring really interesting artists. Price: Starting at $12 – werkshoppe.com

I absolutely love this one, especially for teens and adults! But, it really can be used for any age!

Screen-free mindfulness tool to help you get in a relaxed state of mind

All you need is water! 

Simple dip your brush in water and paint

No ink, paint, or chemicals – mess free! 

Taps into your creative side

Fun for all ages (even young children!)

2 designs available – Mini and Original 

Calm the mind and relieve tension by redirecting your focus to the art of creating. This is perfect for summer travel too!

Price: Starting at $17.95 – buddhaboard.com

Little kids need Sunglasses this Summer! Sunnies has them covered!

Sunnies – Kids Polarized Sunglasses

While having fun in the sun, help keep your kiddos’ eyes protected with the polarized, adorable, & affordable children’s sunglasses from Sunnies!   $25

  • Polarized sunglasses for kids!
  • Anti-slip natural to keep them on kid’s faces
  • 100% UVA/UVB Protection
  • Your kids will love them!
  • Protect your kids eyes from harmful sun rays
  • Comes in tons of colors & designs
  • Sunglasses scraps available

Happy Summer! Stay tuned! More Summer products will be featured next week!

Self Disclosure: I received samples of the above products to facilitate this post. Images and information were also received. As always, I only feature products that I recommend.

100 Years of Art History at Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove Conservancy, the nonprofit public benefit organization partnered with Crystal Cove State Park, will continue the century-long tradition of art at Crystal Cove State Park with exciting summer art events beginning June 21. From painting a masterpiece on the beach to meeting local artists, art aficionados will have the chance to take part in the living history of art at Crystal Cove. 

Crystal Cove State Park has a rich art history spanning over 100 years. The tradition continues today, as artists trek down every year to paint the scenic cottages, iconic ocean-side bluffs, and relaxing sandy beaches, setting up their easels to paint en plein air— on site, in the open air.

The Conservancy’s popular Great Plein Air Art Experience classes will return to the Crystal Cove Historic District on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 13 through August 31. Participants will spend the day capturing the beauty of the Cove on canvas, as they paint the beloved seaside landscape. Crystal Cove plein air artist, Debbie Morines, will be an artistic guide, taking participants through the process of creating a plein air painting from beginning to end. All supplies will be provided. Class size is limited to 12 and the minimum age is 18. Pricing is $120 per workshop or $100 for Crystal Cove Conservancy members.

For those who are looking to be an art observer rather than a participant are invited to experience the new Meet the Artist events on June 21 and July 5 from 11:00AM – 2:00PM. Held on the deck of the Crystal Cove State Park Interpretive Store in the Historic District, attendees will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite Crystal Cove artists as they create a masterpiece right before their eyes. On June 21, Long Beach-based artist Anne Kupillas will demonstrate her impressive watercolor technique. Then, on July 5, Gobind Boyes will sweep attendees away with her beautiful seascape paintings. Each Meet the Artist event is open to the public and free to attend.

For more information about summer art events at Crystal Cove and to register for the Great Plein Air Art Experience, visit CrystalCove.org/Events. To learn more about the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District and the history of art at the Cove, join a free Historic District Walking Tour happening every fourth Saturday of the month. More information about upcoming Historic District Walking Tours can be found at CrystalCove.org.

Credit: Crystal Cove Conservancy.