Tag Archives: gifts

Get Caught Reading: Personalized Books Engage Young Readers (plus Discount Code)

19 May

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Did you know May is National Get Caught Reading Month?  In a digital age where kids are often seen holding iPads or their parent’s smart phone, it’s exciting when kids want to read and are engaged in their books.  I love seeing when my girls pick up a book and read.  Not because I made them or because it was homework but because they love what they are reading. Personalized books are a great way to engage kids and encourage them to “get caught reading”.

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I See Me offers personalized books for kids.  Include your child’s birthdate, gender, hair color, skin color, add a photo of your child, create a message/ dedication to them, choose your child’s favorite color, as well as add the name of their best friend and/ or sibling(s).  Each story will be unique and fun for your child to read.  They are able to relate and will want to read it over and over again.  The books make a wonderful gift for new babies or birthdays.

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My oldest received her first I See Me, My Very Own Fairy Tale  book as a gift when she was born, almost 7 years ago.   When  she was a toddler, I read it to her and she couldn’t believe that the story was about her.  She recognized her name.  Now that she is reading, she loves to go back and read her “very own fairy tale”.

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My youngest, 5, just received her first I See Me book.  She loves when I snuggle in bed with her and read at night.  I chose Sweet Dreams, Fairy for her first book.  The first time I read it to her she leaped out of bed surprised and excited that there were fairies named after her best friend and sister.  She loves it so much, I catch her “reading” all the time-not just at bed time.  She reads it to her dolls and our most recent visitor, my brother’s French Bulldog.  It’s a sweet story with beautiful illustrations.

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I See Me offers personalized products for everyone and every occasion.  In addition to books they offer personalized lunchboxes, puzzles, placemats, coloring books, stickers and growth charts.

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For more information visit: http://www.iseeme.com/. You can also find I See Me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Sweet Dreams Fairy to personalize for my daughter.  This did not alter my opinion.  All opinions and images are my own.

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Valentine’s Day Is Almost Here…

4 Feb

Valentine’s Day is a little over a week away, are you ready? My girls have been ready since we took down the Christmas tree, adding hearts around the apartment, hanging Valentine signs, and making Valentine’s for their friends.  I however, always wait to the last minute to get the girls and their teachers a little something. Every year our Valentine favorites include flowers, something sweet, a good read, and/or a little piece of jewelry.  This year, I’ve come across these sweet ideas for friends, family and/or your little Valenitne(s).

Teleflora’s Sweet Embrace Bouquet: Flowers are one of our favorite gifts for any occasion.  They brighten a room and put a smile on a face.  The Sweet Embrace is a 3-in-1 gift that includes a pink and red bouquet of roses, carnations and chrysanthemums in hand-blown red glass vase wrapped with an adjustable bracelet made of golden wire and shimmering red hearts.  Once the flowers come to an end you can reuse the vase for many more occasions.  The bracelet can be used as a great accessory. The perfect gift for friends, family or a teacher.

Image from Teleflora

Image from Teleflora

From the Heart, Homemade Raspberry Jam:  Ever since the girls made homemade jam for jam cookies, it’s the only jam they want to eat.  We use the Driscoll’s recipe and it is delicious.  They decided they want to make more and give it as a gift to their teachers, friends and family.  Add a special touch to the jar(s) by letting them write a special saying and decorating their jar.  To make a cute saying on the top of your jar, trace the inside of the lid to create a template you can glue or tape on when you jam is complete. Make your own gift tags with this printable.  Use red paint to create thumb print hearts.  Tie your tag to the jar. photo 2-6 photo 1-6 An Awesome Book Of Love by Dallas Clayton: We stumbled across this book at Barnes & Noble and loved it.  It’s an adorable book about the many faces of love.  Recommended for kids ages 4-8.  A great read to snuggle up on the couch to or a great gift for a teacher, to add to their classroom library.

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Image from Barnes and Noble

Vintage Stamp Jewels Rose Gold Heart Bracelet on Etsy:  I love this delicate bracelet.  I came across it on Etsy when I was trying to find Valentine’s ideas.  You can choose any chain length.  My girls have a hard time separating.  This would make a wonderful gift so they could have a reminder of how much I love them and that I will always be there.

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Imge from Esty

What are some of your favorite gifts you’ve received or given your kids for Valentine’s Day?   Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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A Gift For Mom #MothersDay with @Teleflora & @SpaFinder (#GIVEAWAY)

15 Apr

It’s hard to believe we are half way through April already and Mother’s Day is only a month away! It wasn’t until I had my own kids, that I really appreciated everything my mom did for my brothers and I. She continues to always show her love and support and at the drop of a hat she’ll come to NY to help me with my girls. I received a sample of Teleflora’s Lavender Grace Mother’s Day bouquet to send to my Mom from my girls and I. We won’t be together on Mother’s Day but she recently came up to visit so timing was perfect.  I had them delivered the day she arrived. She was so surprised and taken back by the gorgeous arrangement. She loved them and said it was the fullest and most beautiful bouquet she has ever seen or received.

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To say I Love You and Thank You to Mom this Mother’s Day, Teleflora and SpaFinder have teamed up for the ultimate gift for mom, flowers and a gift card for a SpaDay! The floral gift combos include beautiful, fresh arrangements in lovely collectible containers, plus the option of adding a SpaFinder gift card in increments of $25, $50 or $100, so mom can choose from an array of spa services, beauty treatments or other premier wellness offerings available at any SpaFinder partner location worldwide. As an added bonus, beginning April 14 through May 11, online shoppers who visit Teleflora.com and purchase any of the featured Teleflora Mother’s Day bouquets will be entered to win a luxurious SpaFinder vacation package, as well as other daily spa prizes.  Featured bouquets include: Lavender Grace, Everything Rosy Gift Set, Pink Bliss, Butterfly Serenity, and Enchanted Garden.

The Everything Rosy Gift Set, Image from Teleflora

The Everything Rosy Gift Set, Image from Teleflora

GIVEAWAY:  One lucky reader has the opportunity to win a Teleflora Lavender Grace Bouquet. Enter here. Ends 5/1/2014 at midnight. Good Luck!

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Lavender Grace Bouquet, Image from Teleflora

 

About Teleflora: Teleflora has connected customers with the nation’s best florists for more than 78 years. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Teleflora has over 16,000 member florists throughout the U.S. and Canada, with an additional 20,000 affiliated florists outside North America. This extensive network, coupled with our commitment to exceptional customer service, means that when you send flowers from Teleflora, you can be confident that you’re sending the best.  Teleflora offers flowers and gifts for every occasion.  Make sure to visit their site for and follow on twitter,facebook, pinterest and Instagram.

 

Disclaimer:  Thank you Teleflora for the beautiful bouquet.  All photos (unless otherwise noted) and opinions expressed are my own.  Information in italics came from Teleflora!

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A Heartfelt Valentine’s Day (@Teleflora #Giveaway)!

4 Feb

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Valentine’s is a little over a week away!  My daughter has been hard at work handwriting and decorating cards for her friends close to her heart.  I was sitting with her while she was decorating and she asked “do you get presents on Valentine’s Day too?”  I told Valentine’s is about showing someone you love them.  You can give flowers, chocolates, jewelry or just say I love you and show an act of love.

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Image from Teleflora

Flowers are personally my favorite.  Flowers can brighten up a room and also put a smile on a face, especially when you aren’t expecting them.  Make your Valentine smile and enter to win A Heartfelt Bouquet (pictured above) from Teleflora, a $69.95 value.  Enter HERE! Giveaway begins now and ends Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 11:59 pm!

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Congratulations, please e-mail your information to tastefullychildish@gmail.com! Thank you to everyone who entered, followed, and tweeted about the giveaway!  Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Image from Teleflora

Image from Teleflora

This Valentine’s Day, Teleflora has teamed up with the NBA for a “Send & Score Campaign“.  When you purchase one of Teleflora’s participating bouquets, you will be entered in a sweepstakes for the chance to win a trip for four to an NBA playoff game and a year of Teleflora flowers! learn more here.

About Teleflora: At Teleflora, we’re proud to have been connecting customers with the nation’s best florists for more than 78 years. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Teleflora has over 16,000 member florists throughout the U.S. and Canada, with an additional 20,000 affiliated florists outside North America. This extensive network, coupled with our commitment to exceptional customer service, means that when you send flowers from Teleflora, you can be confident that you’re sending the best.  

Teleflora flowers are fresh and gorgeous.  They have gifts for every occasion, not just Valentine’s Day.    Make sure to visit their site for and follow on twitter, facebook, pinterest and Instagram.

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  Information in italics is from Teleflora.com.  All opinions expressed are my own.  A Heartfelt Bouquet was given for the purpose of this giveaway!

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Harvard Sweet Boutique: Tasty Treats for the Holiday Season!

18 Dec
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Image from Harvard Sweet Boutique

The Holidays are a busy time of year.  There are so many gatherings, I never know what to bring. I recently discovered Harvard Sweet Boutique, an online gourmet baking company based out of Harvard, MA.  Baked goods are made-to-order, baked in small batches, and baked from scratch using all natural ingredients.  They are then beautifully packaged in a unique gift box!

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Build Your Own Gift at Harvard Sweet Boutique for a friend, a grandparent, a teacher, a co-worker, an employee, or the host/hostess at your next Holiday or New Years Eve gathering!  Choose between cookies, brownies, toffee, truffles and other Harvard Sweets flavors and treats! Try one flavor or combine a little of everything! Gluten-Free and Low-Carb options are available to meet your dietary needs, however, all products are made in a facility with NUTS so are not recommend for anyone with NUT allergies.

I received a sample of gluten-free treats I shared with friends!  They were DELICIOUS.  The box featured a sample of a chocolate toffee cookie, a chocolate dipped peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, a double chocolate chip cookie, a mint brownie, a vanilla sea salt caramel brownie and milk chocolate almond toffee.  Each treat was individually packaged inside the gift box.  Have one to satisfy your sweet tooth or display them all at once for guests to enjoy.  I cut up the samples so everyone could try a little of everything.  The only one missing was the double chocolate chip because my husband had snuck into the box before I got to it!  All of the desserts were very tasty and rich in flavor. The favorite among the group was the Mint Brownie.

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In addition to being a great Holiday gift, Harvard Sweet Boutique is perfect for any occasion!  Use their boxes and treats as centerpieces for a baby shower, a bridal shower, a wedding, or a birthday party!  Favor boxes are also avaiable!

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Images from Harvard Sweet Boutique

For more information visit www.HarvardSweetBoutique.com, facebook, or follow on twitter!

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Information in italics is from Harvard Sweet Boutique!  I received a sample for review.

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Fun Friday: Elf on the Shelf Hide and Seek Game

13 Dec
Snowflake, our Elf!

Snowflake, our Elf!

My girls love their Elf on the Shelf.  They were anxious for their Elf to return after Thanksgiving.  Every morning they search for Snowflake to see where she is hiding or what she has gotten into.   I was at Barnes and Noble recently and came across the Elf on the Shelf Hide and Seek Game.

Image from Barnes and Noble

Image from Barnes and Noble

Hide and seek is a game we always turn to when we have play dates and we run out of activities.  However, with the cold winter months ahead it’s hard to play hide and seek in small NYC apartments.  The Elf on the Shelf Hide and Seek Game comes with a musical Elf with a shelf base and makes our favorite game easier to play indoors.  For ages 3 and up.  Two or more players are required to play. There are multiple ways to play, mix it up and make it different each time you play.

The Basic Game: Someone hides the elf and everyone else tries to find him!  The elf talks and plays Jingle Bells to help you find him.  Three additional ways to play are included! 

To Win:  Every time a player/team finds The Elf on the Shelf they get to put a gift token in their sleigh.  The first player/ team to collect three gift tokens in their sleigh wins!  

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Includes The Elf on the Shelf Game Unit, 4 sleighs, 13 gift tokens, 4 high/low cards, North Pole Token, and rules Image from Walmart

We have brought our Elf on the Shelf hide an seek game to many play dates and family gatherings.  Fun for the entire family and kids of all ages.  The girls love hiding it in hard spots like cabinets or under blankets to make it harder for adults who play with them.  We keep it simple at play dates, and we don’t use the game pieces and take turns hiding the Elf.  A great gift for the Holidays or to have for a Holiday get together!

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Listen to find the Elf

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Happy Hiding!

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post!  All opinions expressed are my own.

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MD Anderson Children’s Art Project: Gifts That Keep Giving

9 Dec

20131209-120723.jpgTis’ the Season of Baking and Gingerbread House decorating!  Every year we make Gingerbread Houses and bake Holiday cookies for teachers, parties, friends, family, and Holiday dinners.  My mother-in-law loves to bake and my girls love baking with their Babcia (granny in Polish), especially my oldest.  Last Christmas, my oldest spent an entire afternoon cutting cookie dough, filling them with jam, and watching them bake in the oven with her Babcia.   This Holiday season my mother-in-law will be visiting and my oldest is ready to bake with Babcia.  It’s a great way for the girls to bond with their grandmother and they will have lasting memories, not to mention her cookies and cakes are AMAZING! My girls have been in the Christmas spirit for quite some time and are anxious to make Holiday cookies and decorate gingerbread houses. Our Elf on the Shelf, Snowflake, left adorable aprons and a santa plate designed by two pediatric patients at the MD Anderson Cancer (Children’s Art Project) Center along with an Elf on the Shelf Gingerbread House to use for their afternoons baking and decorating! What a great way to celebrate the holiday spirit!

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The Children’s Art Project began in 1973 at the MD Anderson Pediatric Cancer Center.  A volunteer had an idea to use a child’s artwork for a Holiday card.  Since then it has grown from Holiday cards to other products including decor, jewelry, stationary, iPhone covers, Christopher Radko ornaments, clothing and lots more.  This Holiday season you can purchase gifts that keep giving from the MD Anderson Cancer (Children’s Art Project) Center.  Through worldwide sales of young cancer patients’ original artwork featured on seasonal note cards and gift items, the project has returned more than $30 million to programs that benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families. The Children’s Art Project’s highest priority is ensuring young patients have opportunities to live a more normal childhood. Each year, the programs funded through sales touch more than 26,000 pediatric patients and families.  For more information about MD Anderson Cancer (Children’s Art Project) Center click the link or follow them on twitter and facebook.

About the products we received:

The Deer Trio Apron designed by Caitlyn is available in sizes for Grandma (or Mommy) and Child.  A great gift or stocking stuffer this Holiday season!  The aprons tie at the neck and waist. Machine washable!  Click the link to see Caitlyn’s story and other products with her artwork.

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The Santa Fluff Plate by Agostina is great for displaying snacks or cookies for play dates and Holiday gatherings.   Leave some cookies and carrots out on Christmas Eve for Santa and his reindeer.  You can also use a plate wall hanger to make this cute plate part of your Holiday decor.  A great gift to go along with the aprons for all the grandma’s who love baking with their grandchildren.  The plate is 11-¾” x 9-¼” made from translucent, fused glass. Hand wash.  Not for microwave! Click the link for other products designed by Agostina!

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As we use our plates and aprons, pictures will be posted on Instagram.

Cherish the Season!

Disclaimer:  I received products for the purpose of this post.  All ideas and opinions expressed are my own.  Information in italics came from the MD Anderson Cancer (Children’s Art Project) Center!  

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Win It Wednesday: A #Holiday #Giveaway!

4 Dec

I’m behind on my Holiday shopping.  If you are like me and haven’t begun, this giveaway will help you get started:

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What you will win:

Safety First BoostAPak (link to my review): The BoostAPak isn’t your average booster seat.  The booster seat/ backpack designed by Safety First and Trunki makes traveling fun and easy with enough room to pack favorite toys and art supplies or clothes for an overnight stay.

Easy-Bake Oven Signed by Gail Simmons: At the Easy-Bake Oven 50th Anniversary Celebration, Gail Simmons shared recipes and signed Easy-Bake Ovens.  Here is your chance to win one!

Pillow Pet Magical Unicorn:  A pillow and stuffed animal in one.  Great for long car rides so you child can rest his/her head or snuggle up with.  The unicorn is a favorite for us.

Brush Pet Magical Unicorn and cover: New from the makers of Pillow Pets, Brush Pets  talk and teach kids the right way to brush for the recommended 2 minutes.  They let you know when brushing is over.  A fun way to encourage good dental habits early.

Click the link to ENTER the giveaway!  All entries must be received by December 10, 2013 at 11:59pm! Good Luck and Happy Holidays! 

Disclaimer:  I received items for the purpose of this giveaway.  All images came from the companies website.

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Take A Trip Around the World This Holiday With Green Kid Crafts

19 Nov

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Most afternoons turn into a play date with friends but some days it’s nice to come home and take it easy.  When we aren’t having a play date with friends my oldest likes to sit at the table and do some kind of art project.  Usually, she just pulls out her crayons and colors because I am in the process of getting dinner together and don’t want to pull out a million art supplies.  Green Kid Crafts, an eco-friendly company that designs creative activities to do with kids through art boxes that spark creativity, build confidence, and cultivate respect and love for the environment.  Discovery boxes are filled with supplies and instructions for hands-on learning, making afternoon crafts easier. We recently received a sample of the Around the World II discovery Kit.  The kit included materials to make:

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A Chinese Hand Kite that really flies

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Guatemalan Worry Dolls and a Worry Box

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Aboriginal Rock Art from Australia

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I LOVED this box because it teaches about other parts of the world.  The instruction cards for each project also explain the history behind the culture and the traditions.  My daughter,5, had a lot of fun making the projects but needed help on the activities.   She loved learning about the different cultures. Her best friend was in Australia at the time and was excited to tell her about the rock art when she returned.  Her cousin was adopted from Guatemala.  She wants to ask him if he ever received a worry doll.  After the Chinese hand kite was complete, her and her sister ran around the apartment trying to fly it for luck.  A passport is also included in the box.  After visiting each county, my daughter was so excited to stamp her passport.  This Holiday I will be purchasing the Around the World I which includes projects from Japan, India, and Africa!

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Around the World I, Image from Green Kid Crafts

Check out all the Discovery Boxes available at Green Kid Crafts! Stocking Stuffers, Holiday boxes and Party Favors are also available!

Give Green Kid Crafts as a gift this Holiday Season or join now to get started on your first discovery box:

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Disclaimer:  I received a sample discovery box to review.  This did not alter my opinions.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Information in italics is from Green Kid Crafts.

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Getting Ready For The Holidays with Kiwi Crate

4 Nov

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In September, I attended the Fashion Forward Conference where I discovered Kiwi Crate.  My girls LOVE doing crafts and LOVE receiving packages in the mail.    Kiwi Crate mails a crate of materials and inspiration for 2-3 activities to your home.  Perfect to have handy when stuck inside on cold and/or rainy afternoons!

Join and have a new theme crate sent to your home every month.  Examples include gardening, dinosaurs, and space.

Image from Kiwi Crate

Image from Kiwi Crate

Additional materials can be added to the crate for $9.95 a month so siblings can create and do the activities together.

Purchase Single Crates and choose your craft!  Perfect for gifts.  Holiday crates are available too!

From L to R: Space Hero, Fairy Fun, Antarctic Adventure, Thanksgiving Turkeys (all Images from Kiwi Crate)

From L to R: Space Hero, Fairy Fun, Antarctic Adventure, Thanksgiving Turkeys (all Images from Kiwi Crate)

We recently had the opportunity to try the Thanksgiving Turkeys Crate.  A wonderful activity to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit.  The crate includes materials to create Turkey Place Cards and A Turkey Game!  Picture Instruction cards are included for each activity, making it easy for you child to put it together with little help.

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Easy

Easy to make! My 5 year-old was able to put them together on her own, with little help.  These place cards would be adorable to have at your Thanksgiving feast.

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A fun game to play with friends and family this Thanksgiving. Color the Turkey and feathers. Follow the picture instructions to put together. Throw the ball to see if you can knock over the feathers.  Our Turkey wouldn’t stay up so we used our Kiwi Crate box to add support.

I’m excited to order the girls more crates especially the Christmas Crates and stocking stuffers!

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  I received a sample crate for the purpose of this review.

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