Summer is here! Here are some of the Must-Haves for the season!
Build or Boom from Goliath Games is a must for both boys and girls! I love that this one does not have gender stereotypes and Build or Boom helps reinforce STEM skills such as analytical thinking and shape recognition. In addition, eye-hand coordination and deductive reasoning help build foundational skills. The best thing…is that the kids will really think that they are just having fun!
Find out more about this game and others at https://www.goliathgames.us/ and this game can be found at Walmart!
Are you hoping to prevent summer slide and keep children reading and academically engaged this summer? Read on!
The Nocturnals book series and summer reading kit, by film director and author Tracey Hecht, brings a unique opportunity to engage children and their families off their digital devices. The Nocturnals is a critically acclaimed middle grade and early reader series for readers who love animals, adventure, and a hint of mystery. The books combine these elements with real-life scenarios that are relatable to elementary and middle school children, particularly regarding the topics of bullying, confidence, friendship, self-acceptance, and empathy. These books are delightful and I recommend highly!
About the Nocturnals:
The Nocturnals by Tracey Hecht features three unlikely friends: Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin and Bismark, the loud mouthed, pint-sized sugar glider. The stories all play out in their nighttime world with teamwork, friendship and humor in every adventure. The brand is boy/girl and appropriate for kids ages 5-12 years old.
A website featuring animated shorts and fun downloadable activities for parents and their children as well as educator guides for teachers and librarians supports the brand. The first book in the middle grade series, The Mysterious Abductions was chosen by the American Bookselling Association as a Kids’ Indie Next List pick. Fabled Films Press is planning a ten-book middle grade and six-book early reader series as well as a merchandise program for The Nocturnals.
Fabled Films Press, the imprint of Fabled Films, a children’s media and entertainment company, is thrilled to announce Grow & Read, a new early reader program for The Nocturnals. Through this series, which was created under the supervision of reading specialists, children will develop confidence for success in reading while being delighted by traditional storytelling. The books are perfect for shared reading and reading aloud in both the classroom and at home.
In The Moonlight Meeting, the Nocturnal Brigade: Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin and Bismark, the loud mouthed, pint-sized sugar glider introduce their nighttime world to early readers who discover the meaning of friendship and sharing. The book has gorgeous illustrations, which strengthen the understanding of the story while adding whimsy and humor.
Book 2 of the Grow & Read series, The Slithery Shakedown, was released in April, 2018.
The books further engage kids via a free summer reading kit that includes Makerspace and STEM-connected fun activities on NocturnalsWorld.com. These unique activities include constructing a model crater and volcano, making animal masks, and playing Nocturnals Bingo with fun animal facts. Developed by educators in partnership with Fabled Films Press, the kit helps children learn, sparks their creativity, and makes summer reading more fun – even for reluctant readers.
It’s Summer! Time to head to the beach or the pool! This next product is a must!
Toweltails® Towels are a great product for children between the ages of 3-16 – they are 100% cotton, machine washable, and crafted at the highest quality. Our step-in towels are not only posh and fun, they are useful too and retail for $24.99!
These are really cool and the kids will love them! There are 9 fun and attractive styles to choose from and my favorite is the Mermaid one! I wish it was in my size! Our little reviewer just loves it! They have mermaid styles for girls which consist of classic prints and designs. Their classic prints come in 4 styles; pink, aqua, pink and blue chevron, and hot pink and purple stripes, and their designs come in 3 styles; blue seashells, Hawaiian flowers, and stars. For the boys, they offer a gray shark with a chevron pattern, as well as a blue and green dragon. They also come in a stunning retail box which makes them a perfect gift item!
Find them at https://toweltails.com/
Currently, for the month of June there is a 30% sale so hurry and order yours today!
I know that Men could be difficult to shop for but I bet they will love the next ones!
At Sunglass Warehouse there are many choices for sunglasses! My husband received the above two pairs (Anderson and Harlem) and they passed his test! I like that they are quite affordable and he says they are comfortable to wear. Whether it’s a pair for golfing or even a magnified frame to read a book better – their glasses will be a hit!
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel has long been a favorite of Kiehl’s male customers, and they now have two new ways to fuel up with Kiehl’s: introducing NEW Eye Fuel and Body Fuel Deodorant & Antiperspirant!
Eye Fuel ($22.50, available now on Kiehls.com): Kiehl’s instantly cooling under-eye formula provides weightless hydration and refreshing relief for tired-looking eyes. With continued use, the formula with Caffeine and Vitamin B3 helps reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.
This one seems to be working on my husband and he really likes how it absorbs!
Body Fuel Deodorant & Antiperspirant (16, available for pre-order on Kiehls.com): Their first ever, global roll-on antiperspirant deodorant provides 48-hour protection against sweat and odor. The quick-dry formula with Caffeine, Vitamin C and Zinc glides on easily without sticking. This one really is not sticky at all and is a hit with my husband!
Safety is also an important thing during the Summer!
Keep your kids safe while out and about, playing in the neighborhood or at night with the Personal Alarm with Clip and LED Light. Perfect for any age, this alarm clips on to shirts, pants, backpacks or purses to light up a dark night and alert of impending danger. This weatherproof device will alert of dangers up to 600 feet away. The easy-to-use gadget will help keep your kids safe with the 120 dB alarm and LED lights, with three modes for optimal security in all conditions and situations.
I like that these are easy to use and are great for kids!
These and many more SABRE safety products will help everyone stay safe and keep fun at the forefront of the holiday weekend. For a full list of all SABRE’s safety products, please visit their website at https://www.sabrered.com/.
I always find that I have more time to Journal in the summer and I just love these Journals!
Dean Russo, Brooklyn-based artist is currently one of the biggest names in the pop art world. Known for his signature pet portraits, his bold paintings explode with color. He recently kicked off the launch of his new journal series by signing copies of his Dog is Love journal at the NY Stationery Show.
Dean Russo’s journals will be released August 2018 with Quiet Fox.
The story behind Russo’s classic kitties and dynamic dogs is a humbling tale of animal rescue awareness. Russo would visit shelters and ask for photos of adoptable pets to paint. He would then donate proceeds from the paintings back to the shelter. Shortly after this activity, both he and his unique paintings developed an impressive following.
About the Artist:
Brooklyn-based pop artist Dean Russo is a popular animal illustrator with a vibrant graphic style. His work is widely distributed in fi ne art prints, custom commissions, and licensed products. Dean studied graphic design and fi ne arts at Pratt Institute and The School of Visual Arts in NYC. Being an avid animal lover he started his career creating soulful animal portraits in a signature style that has evolved over a period of 10 years. As a professional musician Dean has also been inspired to paint portraits of infl uential music icons.
Keep up with Dean Russo at www.dean-russo.myshopify.com, and connect with Dean on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Looking for a great snack for summer travels?
The leading freeze-dried fruit snack in the nation just got a new look, designed to get your attention and better reflect its wholesome, single ingredient – 100% fruit! The bold brand color palette and added “focus on fruit” was a collaborative design effort by Crispy Green’s brand and packaging design firms, Fastlane Communications, LLC and Foerstel Design, LLC.
The brand makeover includes a new logo, logo icon, typography and photography treatments, primary and secondary color palette and supporting messaging platform to support its active, healthy lifestyle positioning.
I had the opportunity to taste these and just love them! I highly recommend for kids and adults!
All Crispy Fruit snacks are available in convenient, single-serving “grab & go” bags (MSRP: $1.49 each) or a “family” six-pack that includes six, single-serving bags (MSRP: $7.99). Each bag provides approximately one serving of fruit and 55 calories or less per bag. For more on Crispy Fruit and nutritional labeling information, visit www.crispygreen.com/products/
apple. About Crispy Green, Inc.
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Fairfield, NJ, Crispy Green, Inc. is the number one freeze-dried fruit snack in the U.S., according to the latest Nielsen research, ending 12/31/17. The company’s category-leading Crispy Fruit line of 100% pure, freeze-dried fruit is made from only the finest, non-GMO fruits available with no sugar added (*not a reduced calorie food). Crispy Green’s purpose is to provide the highest quality, natural food products and inspire others to live a healthy and better life.
Crispy Green’s Crispy Fruit can be found in many major grocery retailers nationwide as well as through Amazon. Crispy Green is a delicious, convenient way to add more fruit to your daily diet. For more information, visit www.CrispyGreen.com or our sister lifestyle site,www.SmartLifeBites.com. For news updates and special offers, you can also follow Crispy Green on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Here are the perfect toys for the Summer! These are from a brand that I am quite familiar with!
The toys many of us grown ups have played with as a kid – Frisbee®, Slip ’N Slide®, Boogie® boards and Hacky Sack® – are still available after all these years and can bring back some wonderful memories while introducing a new generation to fun outdoor games.
My favorite then and now is their Boogie Board! I received one to try out and I love it! I especially love how lightweight it is!
There’s also the new ‘square’ Frisbee® called the Frisbee® Sonic. That’s right. Wham-O, the toy company that has been producing some of the most trusted toys in the market for 70 years, has reinvented the way the Frisbee® and all other discs will fly in the future.
Not only is the Sonic a completely unique Frisbee® experience, it actually works better than the traditional Frisbee®. The square-like, sine wave shape mimics many things in nature. The alternating twists and turns of the design resemble a bird in flight as it spins through the air.
The Frisbee® Sonic will also be a hit! It’s easy to grip and I love the new shape!
Find out more here! You can find most of their products on Amazon.com.
Looking for something to keep food hot when you’re out this Summer? HotLogic has the answer!
I love that this is perfect for on-the-go! You can keep foods hot easily! It’s super compact and really works! It’s like an electric lunchbox! Now, how cool is that?! Check them out at https://hotlogicmini.com/
Absolutely Gluten-Free Gets Creative with Great Tasting Savory & Sweet Gluten-free Snack Options that are great for Summer outings!
Absolutely Gluten-free packs a flavor-filled punch with its full line of unique and delicious gluten-free products that satisfy everyone’s craving for sweet and savory snacks, whether they’re eliminating gluten from their diets or not. The company received the 2017 Gluten-Free Trailblazer Award from Grocery Headquarters in recognition of its innovation and impact on the gluten-free and diabetic foods space.
The newest Absolutely Gluten Free product taps into two of today’s hottest food crazes: tahini and energy bars. Absolutely Gluten Free’s ’s 100-calorie TahiniBars™are gluten- and dairy-free, vegan, and made with natural sesame seeds, a.k.a. “super seeds.” These grab-and-go bars are available in Vanilla, Cocoa Nib, and Pistachio flavors, making gluten-free living tasty and convenient.
Try Absolutely Gluten-free Flatbread in three varieties (Original, Everything, and Toasted Onion). These flour-free light flatbreads can be used to make pizza, sandwiches, and lunch for kids, topped with just about anything from melted cheese to roasted veggies and sliced fruit. They are all soy, corn, and rice-free.
Absolutely Gluten-free Crackers are available in three varieties including Original, Cracked Pepper, and Toasted Onion. They are flour-free with no soy, corn, or rice, and are light, crispy, and delicious. Serve them as appetizers with dips, crumbled atop salads and soups, or in place of breadcrumb coating.
For a perfectly sweet and crunchy surprise, Absolutely Gluten-free Blondie and Brownie Crunch snacks don’t disappoint. Blondie Crunch is available in Vanilla Chocolate Chip and Brownie Crunch in Chocolate-Chocolate Chip flavor. They are packaged in a handy resealable bag to eat on the go. And they are great toppers to ice-cream, yogurt, cakes, and mousse desserts.
For those who love a chewy snack, Absolutely Gluten-free Raw Coconut Chews are a great choice. Choose from Cocoa Nibs with Chocolate Drizzle or Cranberry with Chocolate Drizzle. Made with raw coconut, these all-natural treats are vegan and paleo-friendly, and contain no dairy, eggs, or soy.
There’s even more variety for those with a sweet tooth on a gluten-free diet. Absolutely Gluten-free Macaroons are yet another tasty snack from the AGF line, in Chocolate or Coconut flavors.
My favorite is the Brownie Crunch! They are delicious and not too many calories either!
In the Summer..sometimes easy dinner meals are something to really love and I love MODERN TABLE MEALS®!
Modern Table Meals® has an entirely reformulated product line of protein-packed pastas and meal kits. Sporting redesigned, recyclable packaging, the new and improved product line embodies Modern Table Meals’ ongoing commitment and dedication to providing convenient, nutritious meal options while never sacrificing great taste.
For the first time ever, Modern Table Meals enters the Mac and Cheese category with a fresh, nutritious take on a time-honored dish. Three delicious, complete protein flavors deliver a gooey, creamy cheese experience that’s sure to satisfy those Mac and Cheese cravings without the guilt normally associated with the classically indulgent meal
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Classic Cheddar Mac and Cheese – (16g Protein) – Elbows and cheddar cheese sauce – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
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Three Cheese Mac and Cheese – (17g Protein) – Penne and three cheese sauce (cheddar, monterey jack and romano) – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
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Jalapeno Cheddar Mac and Cheese – (16g Protein) – Elbows, jalapeno cheddar cheese sauce (peppers and cheddar cheese) – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
All three new Mac and Cheese flavors serve two people and, starting this summer, will also be available in Target, Whole Foods and more nationwide – each for $2.49-$2.99 MSRP.
In addition to the reformulated pastas and new Mac and Cheese flavors, Modern Table Meals is reintroducing its popular meal kit line with six new and improved flavors. Delicious flavor profiles, like Sundried Tomato Basil and Parmesan Pesto, are sure to please those looking for new, tasty meal options but don’t have the extra time to whip up their own recipe:
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Creamy Garlic & Herb – (18g Protein) – Rotini, garlic, onion, broccoli, carrots and spices – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
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Creamy Alfredo – (18g Protein) – Penne, parmesan cheese and peas – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
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Creamy Marinara – (18g Protein) – Rotini, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, paprika, and spices – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
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Cheddar Broccoli – (19g Protein) – Rotini, broccoli and cheddar cheese – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
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Sundried Tomato Basil – (17g Protein) – Penne, garlic, basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, romano cheese, tomatoes – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
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Parmesan Pesto – (18g Protein) – Penne, parmesan cheese, spices, garlic, peas and carrots – GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free
All six, new meal kits will also be available starting this summer in Target, Whole Foods and more nationwide – each for $4.99 MSRP.
I have tried many of these and my favorites are the Cheddar Broccoli and the Sundried Tomato Basil! I love how easy these are to make!
For more information please visit www.moderntable.com.
Self Disclosure: I received samples of the above items to facilitate this post. Images were also provided except for HotLogic (my own photo).
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