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Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Gift Ideas!

February 9, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Poesia Satin Long PJ Set

Valentine’s Day is almost here! Looking for some gift ideas? Here are a few of my favorites!

 Villa Cotton’s PJ sets for women are sure to be a big hit! I love the beautiful long PJ set I received and the fabric is so soft! They also have luxurious bedding!

As the winter season sets in, Villa Cotton’s luxurious bedding is here to elevate your sleep with unmatched comfort and timeless artistry. Crafted from soft, breathable 100% Egyptian cotton with a smooth 400-thread count, Villa Cotton’s duvet cover sets are designed to create a cozy sanctuary for the colder months.

With thoughtful details like corner ties to keep your duvet in place and a silky texture that feels incredible against the skin, you’ll experience uninterrupted warmth and comfort all night long. Plus, their hand-painted Italian designs, digitally printed to preserve every detail, bring an elegant touch to your bedroom that lasts well beyond the season.

I love the Tea from The Spice & Tea Exchange

I love Tea! I prefer it over coffee on most days! I was excited to learn about The Spice & Tea Exchange. I was delighted to try out a few of their teas. My favorites are the Blueberry and the Black Chocolate. They also have a wonderful variety of honey!

I’m pretty sure you will find a favorite tea for anyone from their website and they have some of the cutest gifts for tea lovers too!

Check them out at https://www.spiceandtea.com/

Stonington Designs – High-end, Handcrafted Wood Jewelry

Stonington Designs, a brand specializing in high-end, handcrafted wood jewelry is the PERFECT gift for women and men this Valentine’s Day!

This rapidly growing brand combines artistry, sustainability, and purpose, offering buyers and industry professionals distinctive, story-driven jewelry collections that resonate with today’s conscious consumers. Stonington Designs stands out in the jewelry market with its one-of-a-kind pieces, blending exotic wood and handwoven designs inspired by traditional basket weaving techniques. Each piece is meticulously crafted in their Connecticut woodshop, ensuring exceptional quality and precision.

Beyond their striking designs, Stonington Designs is committed to giving back through their Military Spouse Weaving Program, a workforce initiative that provides military spouses with free training, flexible work schedules, and income opportunities.

Founded in 2023, the brand is committed to sustainability, quality, and social impact.

I love their bracelets and I especially love that they give back to the community! Check them out!

For more information, visit: https://www.stoningtondesigns.com/

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this holiday gift guide. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Books of the Week: February 7th, 2025

February 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Such a fun book!

The Collective Book Studio is thrilled to announce the release of Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest by Alexandra Claire, (The Collective Book Studio / January 2025 / Hardcover: $7.99 / ISBN: 9781685550530) a delightful board book that brings the magic of the forest to life for young readers. Designed for early learners and nature enthusiasts aged 0-4, this charming book combines vibrant imagery with sweet, rhythmic rhymes to captivate little adventurers.

From the first light of dawn to the calm of evening, children will follow playful woodland critters—including foxes, squirrels, rabbits, and bears—as they explore their forest home. Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest offers a heartwarming glimpse into the daily lives of these adorable creatures, making it an ideal addition to bedtime routines.

This beautifully crafted board book engages young children with gentle rhymes and vivid, authentic illustrations that bring the forest and its baby animals to life. Its premium design—featuring durable matte lamination and eye-catching spot gloss varnish on the cover—ensures it will be treasured for years.

Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest is the perfect gift for baby showers and birthdays, a keepsake book that is a thoughtful way to introduce children to the wonders of nature.

“This book is a joyful tribute to the wonders of the great outdoors and the incredible creatures that call it home,” says Angela Engel, owner and publisher at The Collective Book Studio. “With its vivid illustrations and captivating, lyrical storytelling, Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest sparks curiosity and inspires young readers to connect with the beauty of the natural world. We’re thrilled to bring this enchanting book to life.”

Whether it’s for a special occasion or a cozy bedtime moment, Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest is sure to become a family favorite. The book’s stunning photography and playful rhymes make it a must-have for every young nature lover’s library.

About the Author:

Alexandra Claire attended UCLA, earning a degree in English Literature. She has a deep love of learning and teaching and created a series of books to gently introduce young children to their very first letters and numbers in a fun and interactive manner. She is also the author of Baby Animals First 123 Book; Animal Adventures: Day at the Farm; and Little Chunkies: Animals in the Forest: With Adorable Animals to Touch and Discover. She lives in Bonita, California, with her two young children, who are both avid readers and artists.

Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest is available now at retail and online outlets.

About The Collective Book Studio

The Collective Book Studio is a woman-owned independent publisher dedicated to producing high-quality books that inspire, entertain, and educate. Known for their beautifully designed and curated titles, The Collective Book Studio connects readers with stories that matter, making their books ideal for gifts and personal collections alike.

The Collective Book Studio’s books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. For more information, visit www.simonandschuster.com.

All-new chapter book series from Good Dog author Cam Higgins called Ratnip

Kids will love the all-new chapter book series from Good Dog author Cam Higgins called Ratnip! This series follows a loveable rat on his adventures and hijinks through the city he calls home. The series is launching with TWO illustrated books on February 4th, called, Ratnip Lost and Found in the City and Ratnip Pizza Dreams Do Come True. Both of which come out just in time for National Pizza Day on February 9th, because nothing goes together quite like Pizza and Rats especially since the viral Pizza Rat video is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025!

Follow Ratnip as he goes dumpster diving to return lost items to their rightful owners in book #1, and as he makes a mess while sneaking into an abandon pizza parlor to make pizza in book #2.

Both books are so much fun to read! Ratnip is just a really fun character that children will love!

In the illustrated chapter book, Ratnip Lost and Found in the City, by Cam Higgins (out: 02/04/25) readers will get to meet Ratnip the rat, and see how he lives in the City. Where Ratnip lives there’s always plenty of food to eat if you know the right places to find them. Dumpster diving isn’t just for finding food, though, it’s also for discovering knick-knacks and adventure! And tonight, Ratnip is on a very special mission to return treasure to its rightful owner. But will he make it home before sunrise? Readers will have to find out more in the first book of this heartwarming series.

The second illustrated chapter book, which is perfect for National Pizza Day on 2/9, Ratnip Pizza Dreams Do Come True by Cam Higgins (out:02/04/25). Readers will join Ratnip inside his home in an abandoned pizza parlor, where one night he has a massive craving for pizza. Ratnip can’t seem to find so much as a single leftover crust in the trash. There’s only one thing to do- make your own pizzas! This book offers a well-crafted and imaginative story, all while maintaining the fun of an enjoyable delicious adventure.

Perfect for young children ages 5-9.

A Thrilling New Adventure Unfolds in James Ponti’s CITY SPIES #6: LONDON CALLING

James Ponti’s highly anticipated CITY SPIES #6: LONDON CALLING (on sale February 4, 2025). This thrilling addition to the New York Times bestselling City Spies series is perfect for fans of action-packed mysteries and smart, heartfelt storytelling!

Coming in hot off the launch of James Ponti’s newest series, The Sherlock Society (9/3/24), LONDON CALLING takes the City Spies team on a dramatic mission across Rome, Istanbul, and their new home base in London. Brimming with high-stakes intrigue, humor, and heart, this fast-paced adventure is packed with edge-of-your-seat suspense and fun contemporary references that will resonate with readers of all ages.

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK:

Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?

ABOUT JAMES PONTI:

James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of four middle grade book series: The Sherlock Society following a group of young detectives; City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists, and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Why We Eat Fried Peanuts (January 2025, becker&mayer! kids), a story of ancestral bravery that teaches young readers about Chinese history, language and food.

Why We Eat Fried Peanuts: A Celebration of Family and Lunar New Year Traditions by Zed Zha, illustrated by Sian James, invites readers to join Mèng, a Chinese American girl, as she prepares for the Lunar New Year with her family. Through Mèng’s conversation with her father, children will learn about the rich significance of ancestral stories, the history of the Mandarin language, and the traditional foods that make the holiday so special. Mèng’s father shares the inspiring tale of Tài Nǎi Nai, Mèng’s great-grandmother, whose act of bravery a century ago left a lasting legacy and offers timeless lessons for today’s generation. As Mèng learns, food plays a vital role in the celebration, with fried peanuts serving as a special snack tied to the family’s traditions. The story concludes with a simple, fun recipe for fried peanuts, offering a hands-on way for readers to bring the spirit of the Lunar New Year into their own homes.

About the author:

Zed Zha is a first-generation immigrant from China and an important voice for change in the AAPI space. Zed’s medical career and patient advocacy for people of color has garnered her a following on social media, but so has her personal writing. As a Chinese American, she is passionate about telling stories about ancestry and traditions. Zed lives in Yakima, WA with her family and you can follow her online at zedzha.com and @DrZedZha.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature. Cover images and information were also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

A New Home for Cape Vultures Opens at the L.A. Zoo

February 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Photo Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo is announcing the opening of its new Cape vulture exhibit that will bring the species back for public viewing in a habitat specifically designed to replicate their natural range. Guests can see the “committee” – the name for a group of vultures – of seven birds in the Animals of Africa section of the Zoo beginning Feb. 6.

“This was an unused exhibit that has been fully renovated to meet the needs of this species. It gives guests an up-close look at this African vulture and how they live and behave,” said Denise Verret, Los Angeles Zoo CEO and Zoo Director. “The new space will undoubtedly help Angelenos continue to foster a deeper connection to wildlife and an appreciation for a species that plays a vital role in the environment.”

The L.A. Zoo has cared for Cape vultures since 1985. Guests have been able to see Cape vultures soaring over the Zoo in the Angela Collier World of Birds Show. The new exhibit space allows a closer look at their roosting, nesting, and social interactions among the members of the committee.

“This habitat incorporates elements that are specifically designed for the species like colony nesting nooks in the rock wall, and ample room for sunbathing,” said Rose Legato, Curator of Birds, L.A. Zoo. “Not only does it put the birds’ natural behaviors on full display, the design showcases the high priority that the Zoo places on animal care and wellbeing. I’m excited for our guests to experience the space and observe this special vulture.”

The new Cape vulture habitat was made possible by a $3 million gift from the Fritz B. Burns Foundation and additional support from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Plaques recognizing the generous donations adorn the facade of the viewing pavilion.

Cape vultures are named for their South African range which includes the Cape region. Like other vulture species, they are carrion feeders. By swooping in to remove dead animal remains, they act as nature’s “clean-up crew,” disposing of large carcasses that could carry diseases like rabies, botulism, or anthrax. They can digest meat in any stage of decay, and strong immune systems allow them to safely eat dangerous pathogens that would sicken or kill other animals.

The Cape vulture is a large bird with a wingspan of up to eight and a half feet. It stands at about three feet tall and weighs 15 to 24 pounds. This scavenger has a sharp, hooked beak designed to tear flesh and large feet to hold down carcasses while eating. Its primarily white feathers have taupe tips at the wing and tail, and its fleshy head is a complementary gray. As an Old World vulture, the Cape is more closely related to eagles and hawks than to New World vultures like turkey vultures and California condors.

The species is categorized as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and, like many vultures, they continue to be threatened by human activities including hunting, poisoning, habitat fragmentation and loss, and climate change. The Los Angeles Zoo has a long, successful history working with this species and has produced more Cape vulture offspring than any other AZA accredited facility. The Zoo is a proud partner in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program for African Vultures. The program aims to address the threat of poisoning, monitor wild populations, and increase knowledge and awareness of African vultures across broader communities.

Guests can see the Cape vultures in their new home in the Animals of Africa section of the L.A. Zoo daily, beginning Feb. 6.

About the Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is dedicated to providing exemplary animal care and wellbeing. As a trusted leader in local and global conservation efforts, the Los Angeles Zoo is saving wildlife and connecting Angelenos to the natural world by delivering diverse learning opportunities and creating unforgettable experiences. The lush 133-acre campus and its passionate and dedicated team welcomes all to be inspired by the Zoo’s vision to create a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together. The Zoo is located on Zoo Drive in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 2 to 12. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A. Zoo website at www.lazoo.org.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

PST ART Continues with Full Slate of February Programming

February 5, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Photograph of a page within The Gift book. The Music Center Presents: The Gift. Original artwork featured in the book by Amy Myers.

From science community days and multimedia dance performances to futuristic film screenings and immersive installations, February is full of free, enlightening activations bringing PST ART – Getty’s wide-reaching arts initiative – to everyone. There’s also still time to see many of the PST ART exhibitions exploring the intersections of art and science at cultural spaces across Southern California, with 40+ exhibitions open. While some of these projects will close in February, Wired for Wonder: A Multisensory Maze, an exhibition presented at Kidspace Children’s Museum in collaboration with Getty, opens February 10 and select exhibitions will remain open through the fall. Visit pst.art/en/events for a range of partner programs.

Thursday, February 6

How Can Our World Rethink Climate Mobility?
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County | Free with RSVP | 7:00-9:30PM
Join us for a night at the museum, including a panel conversation at the new NHM Commons Theater moderated by New York Times International Correspondent Simon Romero, with artist Tanya Aguiñiga, paleobotanist and curator Regan Dunn, climate mobility scholar Liliana Gamboa, and New Nomad Institute co-founder Badruun Gardi. They’ll discuss what it would take to build a more interconnected, resilient, and nomadic world on the international, community, and individual levels. An after-hours reception featuring local artists and celebrating the diversity and resilience of Los Angeles will follow.

Saturday, February 8

Never Stop Planting – Social Forest Community Celebration
The Broad x Elysian Park | Free with RSVP | 11:00AM-2:00PM
Join The Broad for an outdoor celebration as we kick off the first day of planting for The Broad’s reforestation PST ART: Art & Science Collide project, Social Forest: Oaks of Tovaangar, at Elysian Park. Enjoy a day filled with nature-based workshops and engaging activities designed and led by Indigenous Tongva (Gabrielino) artists and educators, and local environmental groups. Shuttles between The Broad and the Elysian Park planting site will be available.

The Music Center Presents: The Gift and Special Event with LeVar Burton
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center
LeVar Burton and Co-Curators Special Event | Free with RSVP | 4:30-6:30PM
The Music Center Presents: The Gift | Free | 6:30-9:30PM  
Step into a music-filled reading room at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to explore what we can learn about ourselves—and each other—by observing the stars. The Music Center Presents: The Gift, is an immersive experience for Angelenos of all ages exploring deep emotional themes of grief, loss and human connection through an illustrated book, which will be available in five languages—English, Spanish, French, Simplified Chinese and Korean—with large-print text for enhanced readability,  that conveys the story of two stars whose fates are intertwined. The Gift is a 30-minute experience open to the public.
Ahead of the presentation, actor, director, producer and literacy advocate LeVar Burton will join the co-curators of The Gift for an intimate conversation exploring the powerful themes of connection and loss.

Saturday, February 15

Free the Land! Free the People! Farmers Market & Closing Party
Crenshaw Dairy Mart | Free | 11:00AM-5:00PM
Join Crenshaw Dairy Mart for the exhibition closing event for Free the Land! Free the People! a study of the abolitionist pod, themed around the CDM tenet of Healing and featuring extended gallery hours and interactive gatherings. Featuring Prosperity Market, a mobile farmers market featuring Black farmers and food producers, workshops from Teach to Reach and Huma House, and a Black Farmers Meetup led by WOW Flower Project, the event will foster community engagement, support small businesses, and provide educational and healing experiences through art and agriculture.

Sound Experience with Colloboh
Getty Center | Free with RSVP | 6:00PM
Visit the Getty for an evening of sonic experimentation with producer and composer Colloboh inspired by the Getty Research Institute’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide exhibition Sensing the Future: Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.). Presented in partnership with dublab, this performance celebrates collaborations between artists and engineers—integrating technological processes, multi-sensory environments, modular synthesizers, and activated visual effects—tying the historical significance of E.A.T.’s groundbreaking pioneers with contemporary electronic experimentation. 
*Advanced registration for this event is now closed, but there will be a standby line and walk-ins are welcome.

Friday, February 21, 2025

Women, Surrealism, and the Occult in Los Angeles
USC Fisher Museum | Free | 2-4 PM
Join curators Ilene Susan Fort and Laura Whitcomb and independent scholar Lisa Janssen at the USC Fisher Museum for a panel discussion on the role of Surrealism and the occult in Sci-fi, Magick, Queer L.A. Renate Druks and Cameron, two prominent artists in the exhibition, will be the starting point to consider the important contributions of women to midcentury Los Angeles art and occult history more broadly. Both creative muses for queer filmmakers Kenneth Anger and Curtis Harrington, Druks and Cameron were also highly prolific artists whose work was informed by their travels to Mexico and interests in Surrealism, psychoanalysis, astrology, and tarot. Their impact on art today is more palpable than ever; for those seeking alternative visions of the world, their indelible artworks offer enchanting possibilities.

Tuesday, February 25

Conceptualizing the Multiverse: Josiah McElheny, David Weinberg, and Michael Govan
LACMA | Free with RSVP | 7:00-8:30PM
Join artist Josiah McElheny, astrophysicist David Weinberg, and LACMA director Michael Govan as they explore the multiverse—the idea that countless universes exist alongside our own—embodied in Josiah McElheny’s striking installation Island Universe, currently on view in the Resnick Pavilion. They will discuss our evolving understanding of this fascinating concept and representations of coexisting universes.  The event is presented in conjunction with LACMA’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide exhibition Mapping the Infinite: Cosmologies Across Cultures and Josiah McElheny: Island Universe.

Friday, February 28

Scientia Sexualis Convening: Reckoning and Repair (Day One)
Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles | Free with RSVP | 6:00-8:30PM
Presented in conjunction with ICA LA’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide exhibition Scientia Sexualis, join a three-day convening titled Reckoning and Repair to facilitate deep engagement with the exhibition’s timely themes. The weekend will include dynamic conversations between artists, writers, curators, researchers, and historians committed to in-depth explorations of the intersections of art, sex, and science from the perspectives of trans, feminist, anti-racist, and decolonial studies. Visit the ICA LA website for a full schedule of the weekend’s events.

PST ART Exhibitions on View

Last chance! These PST ART exhibitions are closing in February:

PST ART exhibitions to see in February and beyond:

Credit:  PST ART: Art & Science Collide

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man * Fantastic Return To Form For The Spider-Man Universe

February 4, 2025 By Leave a Comment

This animated series follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a compelling new series on the early life of Peter Parker. It is created in a classic comic book animation style, making it something old that new fans can enjoy. The music is perfectly in sync with the story at every crazy twist and turn in this fantastic return to form for the Spider-Man Universe.” See his full review below.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

By Jackson N, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a compelling new series on the early life of Peter Parker. It is created in a classic comic book animation style, making it something old that new fans can enjoy. The music is perfectly in sync with the story at every crazy twist and turn in this fantastic return to form for the Spider-Man Universe.

This ten episode series follows Peter Parker as “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” cruising the streets and teaching the villains that he encounters what happens when you mess with his hometown of New York City. However, when teaching these lessons, he gets caught up in some shady business that leads him to come into contact with his first big villain. The show has a legendary finale you don’t want to miss!

The show’s music, by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson, is enough on its own to make it a must watch. When you add the great storyline and characters, such as Harry Osborn (Colman Domingo), The Scorpions, and the mysterious inventor (Hugh Dancy), to the mix you get something timeless. The actor who voices Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) is terrific at taking this well-loved character and making it his own. The show incorporates characters from the early comic series in new and interesting ways – which kept me, an avid fan, on my toes. Spider-Man without comedy is unheard of, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is no different. It has great comedic timing and one liners that make it an instant classic.

The main message of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is to always be yourself and push yourself to do your best. The series shows the importance of friendship, standing up for yourself, and working hard. Parents should note that this show has minimal gore and includes infrequent, but noticeable, cursing.

I give Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The series debuts with its first two episodes on Disney+ on January 29, 2025, with the remaining eight episodes being released weekly in groups of two or three until February 19, 2025.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Eva the Owlet: Season 2 * Imaginative And Family Centered * I May Even Start To Journal

February 4, 2025 By Leave a Comment

“Eva the Owlet” stars Eva, a creative, cheeky owlet who lives next door to her best friend Lucy in the woodland world of Treetopington. With big ideas and an even bigger personality, Eva goes on high-flying adventures, expressing herself in her diary along the way!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Luna C. comments, “Eva the Owlet is a cute series for younger kids and I am excited to talk about Season 2 because I like this show a lot. It is imaginative and centered towards family which makes it endearing to watch.” See her full review and interview below.

Eva the Owlet: Season 2

By Luna C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

Eva the Owlet is a cute series for younger kids and I am excited to talk about Season 2 because I like this show a lot. It is imaginative and centered towards family which makes it endearing to watch.

Eva, a little owl with a big family, lives within the woodland world of Treetopinton. She is lucky enough to live next door to her best friend, Lucy and together they go on adventures, take care of her baby brother, and make notes about all of it in her journal, which encourages young viewers to follow along.

The second season follows Eva, the middle child of the Owl family. Eva is voiced by Viviane Rutherford, a young actress whose voice inflection conveys emotion perfectly. This cheeky Owlet reflects on her days by writing in her diary where she contemplates the importance of friendship, happiness, and sharing feelings with someone or something. One of my favorite things about the second series is that there are tiny projects Eva does that are totally doable with your own family – like making superhero acorns or moon wishes for summer solstice.

The show’s message, which comes from the original books, book series, is about how doing good for others makes you happy. There is a lot of focus on helping others, appreciating your family, and being creative with your friends. It inspired me to do those tiny bits of good that make a big difference to someone else. Maybe I will even start to journal!

Eva the Owlet: Season 2 gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 2 to 5 or anyone young at heart. Eva the Owlet: Season 2 premieres on Apple TV January 24, 2025. Until then, catch up on the now available season one.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

It’s a Time to Stay Positive!

February 1, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Stay motivated! Photo Credit: Free Luma.

I don’t know about you but I have been finding the New Year to be a difficult one. I won’t go into politics, although you probably know where I stand if you follow me on IG. But, I have been looking for ways to stay motivated and positive the past week.

Introducing  Free Luma™, a company empowering individuals through custom daily message bracelets. Each day, the innovative bracelets deliver inspiring messages to your smart device tailored to your unique style, fostering a sense of connection, mindfulness, and motivation. I am finding the positive messages are helping me on a day to day basis!

Free Luma comes in adult and kid sizes and they have Christian lines along with mental wellness and positivity.

The founder, Gary Rakes, is a software engineer who was motivated by his own experiences with mental health and the desire to create a space where people could truly feel supported and connected. Transforming lives by RFID bracelets, Gary struggled with telling loved ones that he was gay.  He will always promote inclusiveness. 

How does Free Luma™ work?

  • Scan your bracelet for a daily message to brighten your day – place your smartphone to the Free Luma™ logo each day for a new message.
  • Free Luma™ are inspirational RFID bracelets. An RFID bracelet uses a ‘smart tag’ embedded in the wristband itself which stores and transmits information to an RFID reader.
  • With just a tap, wearers access a range of uplifting content, including daily Bible verses, motivational quotes, chapters read aloud, meditations, and exclusive videos from the Free Luma team. Additionally, the platform allows users to create personal profiles, interact through likes and comments, and share their reflections with fellow members worldwide.

How they give back:

  • Giving Back: With partnerships with charities worldwide, we’ve helped make a positive impact on numerous causes.
  • Eco-friendly Packaging: We ship all our products in eco-friendly, recyclable packaging and provide an option for plastic-free shipping.
  • Support Local Artisans: We collaborate with local artisans to craft handmade products, ensuring sustainable and fair employment opportunities.

Find them at Website: https://freelumabracelets.com/

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Buster, Jan. 31st Pet of the Week

February 1, 2025 By Leave a Comment
AWWWWWWWWWW!

Buster is an influencer! First of all, he’s pioneering the single-stocking look with his white knee sock. Then, he can play ball well enough for any league. He also has the unique skill of professional-level tongue roller! Look at that pink ringlet! Most importantly, Buster is one heck of a nice boi! He’d love to be your Valentine. Speed the process to adopt or foster Buster or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors. Ask for ID#A730286.

Filed Under: Pet Corner
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