November 2016 - Rave & Review

Looking for unique gifts? NOVICA has you covered!

Have you heard of NOVICA before? It's basically an online artisan market where you can get the most unique gifts and jewelry anywhere, and it's one of my very favorite places to shop. NOVICA works in association with National Geographic to offer an extensive collection of over 2,000 master artisans around the world and give you one easy place to buy – no traveling required.

They have a great selection of pieces that you just can’t find anywhere else and I love that each of their pieces comes with their own story and information about its country of origin. Looking for a hard-to-find item? Want truly unique gifts? NOVICA really has it all and is now my go-to site for those that are impossible to shop for.

The Rockboard RBX scooter is a rocking good time

During the spring, summer, and fall, we’re on our bikes and scooters just about every day. Whether it’s a park date, just a way to get some energy out, or we’re on our way to friends or out to eat, bike and scooter is just the way we roll.

Since we’re on scooters so often, we’re always excited about trying new models. And, with so many options these days to choose from, this is a fun time to be a kid – or a kid-at-heart. Our latest obsession is the Rockboard RBX scooter that is unlike anything else we’ve ever tried. Instead of a traditional flat, kick scooter, the Rockboard has a rocking base. We’re not talking a slight rocking motion, this scooter base moves by inches, which is why it’s rated for ages 8 and up.

Amazing battery operated candles from Luminara

There was a time when I lit candles each night while we were dining, watching TV, or just hanging out with friends to add a little ambiance. Now, I'm lucky if my meal is timed right so we can all eat at the same time, and by the time I flop down to watch TV for the day, the last thing I'm thinking about is lighting candles that I could potentially forget about if I fall asleep on the couch {which, I do 90% of the time}.

After having tried numerous other electronic candles, I found myself unimpressed with every single one I tried. They just didn't look like real candles when they were on, and I realized a lot of what I loved about real candles was the flicker of the flames, not just the light of the candle itself. Even when I tried "flicker" electronic candles, they just felt so fake.

But, then I found Luminara candles. I first found the candles at Pottery Barn and bought three with a gift card. Once I had a few of them at home and saw how beautiful they were placed throughout the house, I was addicted.

Take relaxing outside to a whole new level with the Tentsile T-Mini double hammock

I will never forget when I saw camping hammocks for the very first time and realized that it might be possible to go camping without all the things I hate about camping. No cold and bumpy ground, no worrying about strange bugs and pests crawling in, and no tossing and turning all night trying to get comfortable.

Tentsile makes lust-worthy hammock tents that combine the comfort and versatility of a hammock with the multi-person-occupancy of a tent, but they also make non-tent hammocks as well. Their idea is to create living space while suspended between the trees using three anchor points, and their hammock is just another way to enjoy the elevation while relaxing in comfort. We got to check out the Tentsile T-Mini Double Hammock this month, and it was perfect for hanging out outside even though the ground was damp from all the rain we get this time of year.

Bring home the magic with Pete’s Dragon on DVD and Blu-ray today

When I think of my kids getting older, what gets me most emotional is thinking of the magic of childhood being over. Throughout the years of parenting, that childhood magic and wonder had made even the mundane a little more special. There is something really amazing about watching the magic of childhood right in front of you, and it makes me long for that type of magic in my everyday life.

So, when choosing films, TV shows, and books to read with my kids, I err on the side of magic. And, since my son is obsessed with dragons and hasn’t stopped talking about seeing Pete’s Dragon in the theater, I knew that this DVD was one we were going to have to own. Honestly, it was pretty much made for families like mine that love magic and fantasy, but can’t handle films that are so unrealistic that they become unwatchable to anyone under the age of 10.

After being away for a few months, it was really fun to return to the world of Pete’s Dragon and experience the magic for a second, third, and fourth time this year. The cinematography of the sun drenched fields, rolling hills, and beautiful old-growth forest is just amazing and it is fun to return over and over again. The kids immediately recognized the film as being set in the PNW, and now whenever we’re in the forest they love to imagine themselves becoming one with nature along with the characters in the film and having their own dragon friend.

Disney’s Moana is now playing in theaters everywhere

My daughter has been trying to get me to take her to see Disney's Moana ever since she saw the Moana toys hit stores this summer. She was 100% positive that the movie had to be out if the toys were, and she tried her best to persuade me to take her. So, when the Seattle pre-release rolled around, I knew I had to make it work even with our busy holiday schedules.

In my mind I thought I was doing her a favor, but it was only minutes into the film when I realized that I was really glad I didn’t miss it. It had all the heart I’ve come to know with Disney films, all the laughter, and all the beautiful animation.

In short: you should definitely see it.

The movie is set in the Pacific Islands and the animation of the lush islands surrounded by turquoise water and coral reefs were simply gorgeous. Seeing the beautiful island scenery immediately took me back to the Cook Islands where my husband and I spent our honeymoon, and it was my first real introduction to the Polynesian culture and its mythology.

RAYCOP Purifiers give you peace of mind this holiday season

Do you ever wonder what’s really on your upholstered furniture and your mattresses? Do yourself a favor and don’t look into it. Just trust the EPA findings that a single mattress may be home to as many as 10 million dust mites and a multitude of bacteria and viruses.

Clearly, that is not the clean surface you want to be laying your head on. So, what’s a girl to do if she wants to sleep in peace, knowing she’s not sharing her bed with parasites and germs? She should get a new RAYCOP unit that cleans and sanitizes those surfaces and sleep soundly. Is your interest piqued? The new RAYCOP purifiers, available for the first time in the U.S, extract more than 99% of bacteria and pollen from fabric surfaces throughout the home including bed linens, upholstery, drapes, decorative pillows, and even clothing, etc. It has three settings: delicate, normal, and heavy, which can accommodate just about any type of fabric.

Little House on the Prairie Laura Ingalls doll and accessories from The Queen’s Treasures

If you know my children, you understand their love of dolls. But love doesn’t even come close to describing how they feel about the new Little House on the Prairie® line from The Queen’s Treasures. I can’t even get over how adorable this set is, and how much I would have adored it as a … Read more

Two new apps let you enjoy the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade whenever you want

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.Thanksgiving was always a busy holiday for us growing up with so much family to see and so far to drive, so I never got to experience a lazy Thanksgiving morning as a child. It wasn’t until I was a teen that my husband {then my boyfriend} insisted that I sit and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with him. I was expecting something like the local parades with a few marching bands, some done up parade floats, and lots of parade waving from people I had no idea who they were.

But, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade just blew me away. With tons of giant character balloons, elaborate floats, the nation’s best marching bands and performance groups, celebrities and favorite television personalities, and, of course, the official entrance of the one-and-only Santa Claus.

From that year on, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade became our annual tradition and we would watch it every year – sometimes live and other times after we got home from running around to see our families.

I’m happy that now the tradition continues with my kids. They look forward to the parade as soon as anyone even casually mentions Thanksgiving and they ask about it daily until Turkey Day finally arrives. The day of, our family tradition always starts with snuggles in our bed as we watch the first part of the parade, and by the middle we’re dancing like the Rockettes in the middle of the living room.

Month: November 2016