Looking for a beautiful painting of a loved one? Instapainting.com  is a wonderful website to check out because I am so impressed with this beautiful painting I received of my dog! This photo does not give this painting justice! It is even more beautiful than it looks in this photo. They let people get custom oil paintings directly from independent artists just by sending a photo of something they want painted. It’s completely hand-painted, on canvas, with real paint (or pencil, watercolor, depending on the medium), by a real artist. I love how easy it was to communicate with the artist about the painting and how you receive a preview before the product is shipped! You can also have the artist change the background. In the above photo, there was not a beach background and the Artist did an amazing job adding a beach background.

I received a 16″x 20″ framed oil painting where the artist received a photo of my dog and I was not expecting this quality! I am simply amazed!  It is hands-down one of my favorite paintings in my house!

Check out their website this holiday season!

Self Disclosure: I received a free or discounted item to facilitate this post.

Looking for a Stereo Headset that is perfect for on-the-go?  The NoiseHush NS400 Bluetooth Sports Headset from CellularOutfitter is one that I really recommend! My main reason is that it has a comfortable Behind-the-Neck Design! I wasn’t sure how comfortable these would actually be but I am actually impressed! They are also easy to fold and to also store in the included carrying case! I like the pink color but there are other colors available.  Another thing that I really like is how lightweight they are and they have Easy Touch volume and Track Control Functions. Now, how cool is that?! These are a must have for an active lifestyle. You can run, dance and even play sports with this headset!

You can find them at CellularOutfitter!  They have other great gift suggestions for the holidays! They have a huge inventory of over 250,000 products and lowest prices- 110% price match guarantee!  There is also 90 Day returns.

CellularOutfitter also offers the largest online selection of cell phone accessories worldwide. They know the importance of quality products with low prices and are committed to guaranteeing your satisfaction.

Check them out for gift ideas this holiday season!

Self Disclosure: I received a free product sample to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received.

Do you have high  blood pressure? I do so being able to check it myself is pretty important!

I like this one because it is really easy to use and it seems to be  pretty accurate! It also stores your readings. It is important to follow the directions for the most accurate readings. I would recommend this one for home use and I also store my readings and show my Doctor.

You can purchase on Amazon.com.

Self Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received.

Looking for some great gift ideas for younger children?

Here are some of our favorites and since it is early in the holiday season, you can order now and have them for the upcoming holidays!

This is just the cutest kit!  I gave this to my niece and she just loves it! Her BTFF sits on her bed every day! This gives a very special meaning to the Tooth Fairy!

My BTFF
My Best Tooth Fairy Friend, or BTFF for short, is soon to be a much-loved lifetime companion for kids and a captivating way for parents to be involved in one of their child’s most memorable experiences. BTFF is a spunky, lovable companion for children who are about to lose a tooth. Inside the gift box is everything parents need to create a lifetime of memories. It’s easy and fun for the whole family! This adorable and naughty character was dreamed up by three parents and encourages children to use their imagination. The gift set comes complete with a handmade BTFF doll, a beautifully illustrated book, tooth vessel, keepsake notecards and sticker badges. BTFF magically appears at the first sign of a wiggly tooth and stays until the tooth comes out. When the tooth falls out, My BTFF takes it back to Tooth Fairy Land, leaving behind special notes and stickers. My BTFF comes back at the next sign of a loose tooth. Children get to name their BTFF, and unlike other magical characters, they are encouraged to touch them! Gift set available online at www.mybtff.com; $34.99. Great ideas and activities are available on the website’s blog.

I wish this one had been available when my son was a baby! Your Life in Letters is just precious! I remember than I made my own journal for my son and I write in it on his birthday every year. But, this is so much more! I love that you can add pictures and it is perfect for ages 1-18.

Your Life in Letters

The perfect gift for a new little one, “Your Life in Letters” is a beautiful keepsake collection of once-a-year letters written to your child from ages one through 18. Share hilarious moments, special memories and document your child’s milestones as they grow. No need to keep up with the monthly baby book, “Your Life in Letters” will be a gift your child will never forget at their high school graduation, on their wedding day or even the day they have a child of their own. Available in a boy and girl version at Nordstrom stores nationwide, Target.com, BuyBuyBaby.com, BedBathandBeyond.com. www.yourlifeinletters.com; $29.99.

I just love these! They are helpful and really cute too! These labels are really handy!

InchBug  Orbit Labels
Orbit Labels® from InchBug are unique, reusable, easy-to-use labels for children’s bottles, sippy cups and snack containers (for school, daycare, after school sports. etc). These labels stretch and release for a snug fit around a variety of containers, sippy cups and sports bottles. Invented by a mom, and they can be moved from container to container since they are non-adhesive and reusable – a great alternative to the traditional method of one-time-use sticky labels! They are also great for labeling shampoos and toiletry containers for camp and college-bound kids. Dishwasher and microwave safe, will never peel, fade or wash away and are non-toxic! $12.95 for a 4-pack; http://www.inchbug.com/custom-orbit-labels.html

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Photos and info were provided but I highly recommend all the above products!

Have a little girl?  You must check out Lucky & Me! This Fall these fashionable undergarments are a must!  Lucky & Me makes soft underwear for girls (and boys too!) that stay in place so young children can be comfortable and not worry about underwear being tight, uncomfortable and not staying in place. Girls can choose from beautifully made bikinis or hipsters while boys options include boxer briefs and boxer shorts. Lucky & Me also makes an organic cotton line – the Grayson and Lily collections. For girls who like wearing dresses and also climbing monkey bars or doing cartwheels, the Jada Bike Shorts provide her with coverage. The tri-blend fabric is breathable with a beautiful lace trim around the thigh and a tagless back ensures she won’t itch.

I received samples of the Underwear for girls and the Jada Bike Shorts for my niece who is 2 years old and she loves them! Her favorite are the Jada Bike Shorts! She would wear them every day if she could! They come in pretty colors and are very comfortable!

See all the Lucky & Me products at https://www.luckyandme.com.

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

Parental fears and busy schedules are found to be leading contributors as to why parents say they struggle to get their kids outside to play and reduce the amount of time spent in front of a screen. This finding, announced today, is part of a nationwide survey on how kids play by EnviroKidz — North America’s largest organic kids’ breakfast and snack brand by Nature’s Path. To help kids capture the lifelong health and social benefits of outside play, EnviroKidz has launched a new outdoor nature discovery program called “ecokeepers™” (envirokidz.com/ecokeepers). Free to schools and camps, it complements science and physical education curriculum by blending tactical hands-on discovery with geocaching — a modern-day treasure hunt that uses GPS on smartphones to find hidden caches.

Of the parents surveyed, 94% say they would like schools to help their kids get outside and discover nature. The free ecokeepers program delivers on this need and can be easily adapted into existing school and camp programs. Suitable for both urban and rural schools, ecokeepers can be used in nature trails, local parks, schoolyards and city neighborhoods. Adds Mahaffy, “When you look, kids can find nature anywhere.” Each ecokeepers program kit includes: 12-page, passport-sized explorer guides for kids to capture their observations, a geocache to customize and hide, parent resources plus EnviroKidz organic peanut-free bars to help support a healthy snack break while on their journey.

“Playing outside in nature is critically important for kids’ development. Research shows it improves everything from problem solving to cognitive ability to social relations,” says parenting expert Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions. “Between screen time and the busy schedules of both parents and kids, today’s children are spending less time outside and missing out on this fun and beneficial part of childhood.”

Looking into how kids play, the Nature’s Path survey, which polled 525 U.S. moms (ages 25-45) with children under the age of 13, revealed that:

• Today, 81% moms indicated that their kids have adult supervision when they play outside compared to 37% of moms when they were kids
• 54% of moms say their kids spend more time playing in front of a screen than playing outside, while 11% say their kids are not interested in playing outside and 11% said their kids would prefer to play on an electronic device
• 35% of moms cite fear of letting kids play outside alone, 22% are too busy juggling other priorities and 15% say they do not have the time to supervise outdoor play
• When they can, 58% of moms do try regularly get their kids outside to discover nature; however, 94% agree it’s important that schools also help kids to discover nature.

I received a free kit to sample and this is a great kit! It included:

1 x Official Medium Geocache with Logbook & Pencil

–         Ecokeepers program materials: 3 activity books for kids, 1 x parent’s guide, 1 info sheet

–         1 x GPS trackable ladybug

–         6 boxes of EnviroKidz Peanut Free Bars

–         7 x Free Product Vouchers ($35 value)

–         1 x EnviroKidz  Choco Chimps Lunchbox

EnviroKidz recently launched the industry’s first peanut-free, organic and gluten-free granola and crispy rice bars for kids. Available in four flavors — Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Berry Blast and Strawberry — the bars are packed with gluten-free rolled oats or wholegrain brown rice to provide lasting energy for kids while they’re on the go and enjoying nature. EnviroKidz donates 1% of all product sales to help support animal conservation and education. To date, the company has donated over $2.6 million dollars to animal charities around the world.

My son’s favorite is the Chocolate Chip! I like that they are a healthier snack! I love the kit because it’s great for motivating kids to go outdoors!

For more information about ecokeepers, including how teachers and kids’ club coordinators can receive a free kit and parents can download a free activity guide, visit: http://www.envirokidz.com/ecokeepers.

Self Disclosure: I received a free kit to facilitate this post. Photos/info and video was provided.