Holiday Gift Guide VIDL Water Bottles

Engraved with messages of inspiration, VIDL provides a unique alternative to a common object Portion of proceeds go to support Thirsty Child, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating the global water crisis

Created by a pastor, a business leader, and an inventor, VIDL’s aim is to take an everyday object and elevate it with a social mission as a way to remind the people in your life that they’re vital.  Thoughtfully designed, with an emphasis on personalization, the VIDL water bottle raises up an everyday product by adding an underlying faith-based message of your choice to a top-of-the-line product for daily use. 

VIDL’s key design elements include:

-       Easy-to-clean lid, bottle, and storage base to contain any additive -  from protein powder to snacks to dog treats to the spirit of your choice

-       Four different bottle colors and 14 interchangeable storage base colors equaling 56 possible color combinations

-       A wide-mouth, twist-off lid with an easy-to-grip ergonomic handle

-       Unique personalization via your choice of engraved inspirational messages and biblical verses

“Sure, the world might not need another water bottle, but the world certainly needs some positivity and to celebrate others who are vital—vital to you, to society, and to the world,” says VIDL CEO Rick Fessler.  “VIDL was created with this in mind while ensuring we maintained a best-in-class product that stands up if not excels in the category.”

VIDL bottles can be purchased at https://vidllife.com/. With the partnership with Thirsty Child, for every 50 bottles sold VIDL raises enough money to supply a family in Honduras with a clean drinking water system.    

 

Holiday Gift Guide - SpaRitual Nail Polish

SpaRitual, the first vegan nail and body care brand offers a gorgeous collection of four mini lacquer shades from their Winter Awakening Collection, a perfect stocking stuffer for the nail polish addict in your life.

The collection features a grey crème (In the Wild), a lilac gold duo with chrome shimmer (Creative Activist), an aqua shimmer (In Service) and a plum crème (Bright Future). The collection inspires us to embrace the holiday spirit with colors that challenge our way of living.

*All SpaRitual products are 5 free and do not contain DBP, Toluene, Camphor, Formaldehyde, and Formaldehyde Resin.

The mini collection contains 4 shades and is available for $26. You can also purchase full size bottles for $12 at www.sparitual.com.

My Thoughts

SpaRitual has taken nail polish to a whole new level with their beautiful mind-opening colors. The variety we received is the perfect selection for the holiday season, but also offer an inspirational message that will carry over into the New Year.  Each polish has a great name like: In the Wild, Creative Activist, In Service, and Bright Future.

This winter, shimmering hues are the in thing, and SpaRitual has you covered.  My daughter absolutely loved these new colors. With shades of purple and blue, you'll have trendy colors suitable for any season. The polish is quick drying and long lasting. Her fingers stayed painted about a week, and her toes still look freshly painted after two weeks.  In addition to offering fun colors at affordable prices, SpaRitual is also a functional polish that really lasts. Plus, its cruelty free!

If you're looking for a fun stocking stuffer, this is a great choice for women of all ages.

Holiday Gift Guide - Shoeps Shoelace Bands

SHOEPS are a unique and convenient way to securely fasten shoes with ease and style.
They are the perfect STOCKING STUFFER for your holiday gift guides at just $10

• Shoeps can make a fashion statement. Mix and match to represent favorite sports team, celebrate a holiday or show your school spirit.
   
• Shoeps are great for athletes who don’t want to worry about the inconvenience of re-tying their shoes during a sporting activity. Activities like soccer, baseball, basketball, running and hiking can all benefit.
   
• Shoeps are great for kids who can’t tie their shoes or for a parent who worries about kids tripping on laces.
   
• Shoeps have been recognized by the Autism Society of San Diego to help increase independence.

Shoeps replaces traditional shoelaces with a flexible silicon shoelace band that utilizes the existing shoe eyelet holes.  The responsive bands conform to both your shoes and the motion of your feet, transforming every shoe into a convenient slip on that solves tripping over laces.
 
Shoeps are available in 11 colorways for $10. Each pack comes with 14 bands, enough to lace a pair of adult shoes or more than a pair of kid’s shoes.

My Thoughts 

What a great idea! After all these years someone finally invented elastic shoelaces. I ordered these for my 10 year old daughter she's always running around with her shoelaces untied ,a few weeks ago she fell and got really scraped up. While I was browsing ,shopping online I saw these Shoeps  elastic laces  I just couldn't pass them up. They arrived a few days . What fun the kids and I had just playing with them the colors are so  vibrant and bright we had a lot of fun just playing around. So first I figured I would use them on my 10-year-old shoes I put them on her sneakers they really are very simple to apply, no trouble at all .so she used them for about two weeks what a wonderful success not one trip and fall from untied laces! And since they were so simple and easy I decided to get them for my other two children I think they are an absolutely wonderful invention That can help us keep our kids safe ,sometimes they can really get hurt when they fall. They are a big hit with the kids besides the great  colors they look really cool and that's what really matters for the kids.

Recently I had done some volunteering at a local assisted living facility . While  I was there I took  notice ,occasionally there  were residents who needed help tying their shoe  laces or have their laces coming untied often, clearly this is the potential for danger if one of the elderly people had fallen and could really have broken some bones and or suffered other injuries

So after talking to the person in charge I set up an appointment to speak to the Physical Therapist And the occupational therapist. I had brought along some shoeps elastic shoe laces. The therapist was very excited to see them I had explained to them that I have been using them for my children for a couple of weeks and there had been no problem with untied shoelaces or falls. We worked out a plan and picked five select residents to see if they would benefit by these shoeps elastic laces. After a training session with the residents ,they were able to use the laces without any problems . Best of all the residents absolutely love them they love the colors they love the concept and they loved that it made them feel just a little bit safer.

NJ Lottery – The Perfect Holiday Gift For Anyone On Your List

There are a lot of people that I want to remember on the holiday season, but as a single mom with four kids, I can’t really afford to buy expensive gifts for everyone. The NJ Lottery is the perfect solution. This year, the New Jersey Lottery released four brand new NJ Lottery Holiday Instant Games including Holiday Cheer, Holiday Luck Times 10, Holiday Sparkle, and Season’s Gold. Prizes range from $1 to $10, so they are a fun and affordable choice for all the people on your list. These Holiday themed games are fun, festive, and make a great holiday gesture.

For as little as a dollar, I can give the perfect gift that will really brighten someone’s day and let them know I’m thinking about them. Plus, they have the chance to rake in some serious cash. Here are just a few people who will be getting a stocking stuffed with possibilities this holiday season.

The Mailman – My mailman, Frank, probably comes by my house a lot more than the others in our neighborhood. Being a blogger, I get dozens of packages every week and I really make him hustle. What better way to say thanks than with an NJ Lottery Ticket?

The Gas Attendant – In case you didn’t know, Jersey Girls (and guys) don’t pump gas. We have people that do that for us, and those poor people have to stand outside in all sorts of weather. Handing him a lottery ticket as his frost bitten fingers pumped in those last drops of gas helped warm him up a little.

The Handyman – It seems like I always have some work to be done around the house, and I have a regular handyman who always makes time to help me out, whether it’s a paint job or putting together a piece of furniture. Let him know you appreciate him by giving him a few NJ Holiday Scratch Offs.

Teachers – My children each have several teachers they want to remember. We send a card to each teacher with a lottery ticket in it. I can tell you they like that much better than getting yet another mug or candle.

Cousins – I have more cousins than I can count, and while I would love to get them all something extra special, it’s just not in my budget. NJ Lottery makes it easy for me to give a little something to each of them. Last year, one of them even won $500! 

NJ Lottery gifts are perfect for stocking stuffers or party favors. Instant games offer the wonder of a wrapped gift, the entertainment of a game experience, and the potential for a large cash payout! No wrapping required so they are easy to give or send. Plus, the recipient can win anywhere from $2 to $1,000,000.  If you want to grab a few tickets for a friend or even for yourself, you can find these Holiday Instant Games at any local NJ Lottery retailers including Acme, Wawa, 7-11, and many more. For more information visit New Jersey Lottery.

Disclaimer: You must be 18 or older to buy a lottery ticket. The New Jersey Lottery reminds players, it's only a game...remember to play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1800-GAMBLER®.

Holiday Beauty Round Up

Looking for a few fun stocking stuffers? Younique and Palmer’s have some great ideas that are the perfect size for stockings.

Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes+- You'll be the life of the party with these 3D Fiber Lashes. They add to the thickness and luster of your lashes, allowing your eyes to really stand out.

Younique Refreshed Rose Water - This rosewater is a refreshing way to tone your skin. Just spritz a little on your face after washing and your skin will glow!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick - This is a great product because it can be used on both skin and lips.  The smooth formula glides on easily without leaving skin feeling greasy. It soothes dry skin and heals chapped lips.

You can find these products in retailers nationwide including Target, CVS, Walmart and many more! Grab a few today and gift the gift of beauty this holiday season.

Holiday Gift Guide - Snappers

Havas Formula is thrilled to partner with Snappers®, a delicious, gourmet snack candy blending creamy caramel or savory peanut butter, decadent chocolate and the salty crunch of pretzels.

Snappers® snacks combine 100-year old family recipes for caramel, specialty peanut butter, proprietary pretzels and signature chocolate blends to create delicious, classic treats designed to be shared with family and friends. Crafted in small batches using only the finest ingredients, Snappers® treats evoke nostalgic memories of home baking. The current family of Snappers® includes Original Milk Chocolate Snappers®, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Snappers®, Milk Chocolate Peanut Pretzel Snappers®, and Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Snappers®.

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My Thoughts 

If you're looking for a tasty way to stuff your stockings, Snappers could be just what you're looking for. These delightful morsels combine the best of both worlds and bring you a salty and sweet concoction that will have you drooling and begging for more.

I got to try the Salted Caramel variety in both milk and dark chocolate, and they were both amazing.  There are several layers of crunchy pretzels held together with rich, creamy chocolate drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with salt. This is a luscious and satisfying combination that offers just the right combination of salty and sweet.

If you'd like to give Snappers a try, visit their website to find a location near you. So what are you waiting for? Snap into Snappers this holiday season and enjoy a truly indulgent creation.

Holiday Gift Guide - Natural Twig Colored Pencil Set

Many little ones spend countless hours coloring, drawing and creating. It may seem that they have every art supply known to children. However with many art supplies brings many messes, from markers left without the cap on in the car to melted crayons stuck in between the car seat art on the go can become a big no no. Education Outdoors has the solution to the art work mess, the Natural Twig Colored Pencil Set is a great addition to your little artist’s designs. The pencils make coloring fun and are a rustic, eco-friendly set of natural twig colored pencils. The pencils are handcrafted out of real recycled wood that makes each pencil unique as they vary by nature. Not only will your little ones have a new mess-less addition to their collection but they will also have a unique and earth friendly tool.

My Thoughts 

 These are a very fun and unique item that are sure to make any child feel special. They might look too pretty to use, but they actually work great. They are nice and thick so they will be easy for little hands to grip.  They come in sets of eight, and are bound in twine.  Colors include Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Brown, and Black. But the really cool thing is that the crayons are made from real recycled wood. They would just be destroyed, but instead they are finding their way into a child's art box.

To sure to check out the Natural Twig Pencils and all the cool products at Education Outdoors!

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Holiday Gift Guide Essentials from Band-Aid, Neosporin & Johnson's

Band-Aid, Neosporin and Johnson’s offer several fun, useful and inexpensive stocking stuffers that are holiday must-haves! With these products, you're giving a gift that is definitely useful and will come in handy all year long. These are some of the top stocking stuffers on my list:

Gift fashionista’s the newest solution for relieving blister pain instantly -- COMPEED® Blister Cushion, which uses hydrocolloid technology that fits like a second skin and stays on all day long, unlike ordinary bandages. SRP $8.99

This is a great choice for my mom. She's always getting blisters on her toes when she joins us on family outings.  With Compeed, this isn't an issue anymore because she gets immediate relief and can keep on walking. There's no better gift than spending quality time with your family. 

 BAND-AID^® Brand Adhesive Bandages by Oh Joy! feature bright, colorful patterns and designs, offering a fun way to protect cuts and scrapes. Exclusively designed by leading DIY star Joy Cho, the bandages offer an assortment of 12 styles; available only at Target stores and Target.com; SRP $2.49

These cool designs are great for kids who've outgrown the cartoon characters. The stylish and trendy designs are almost like a fashion accessory instead of a bandage. 

 Make healing fun and entertaining with BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages featuring Star Wars, BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages featuring Peanuts and BAND-AID^® Brand Adhesive Bandages featuring Inside Out. Kids can now cover up cuts and scrapes with designs featuring their favorite characters! SRP $2.49

Little ones always feel better after they get a band-aid on their boo-boo. These exciting new characters will help make it even easier for them to bare. Snoopy, the cast of Inside Out, and Star Wars heroes are just a few of the selections you can choose from.

 Keep NEOSPORIN^® + Pain Relief Ointment close by for easy application to unwanted minor cuts and scrapes from decoration or cooking mishaps this holiday season. It helps prevent infection and provides temporary pain relief. SRP $5.50     

Any parent will appreciate having a tube of  this handy. Even if it's not a gift, I like to have one on hand at our holiday gatherings since many people wind up with some nasty paper cuts when they rip open those packages .

 
JOHNSON’S® baby take along pack is perfect for holiday travel. The pack includes JOHNSON’S® baby shampoo, JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE® wash, JOHNSON’S® baby lotion, JOHNSON'S® baby powder pure cornstarch with aloe vera & vitamin e, and DESITIN® rapid relief cream. SPR $3.47

This set is a must-have for anyone traveling with small kids this holiday season. All the bath time tools you need are included in one portable set that is easy to tuck into a suitcase or a diaper bag.

Keep JOHNSON’S® hand & face wipes on-hand to rid of dirt and germs before any holiday event. SRP $2.49

My youngest is four, but I still keep a package of these in my handbag at all times. They are great for cleaning hands before eating snacks, wiping down shopping carts, and so much more.

Look for all these fabulous brands at retailers nationwide. They will help keep your family protected through the holiday season and beyond. 

 

 

HALFPOPS for the Holidays

HALFPOPS are the delicious new half-popped popcorn snack. They released their newest flavor, Caramel & Sea Salt, just in time for the holiday season. It's  the perfect party snack or foodie stocking stuffer. Particularly on the entertaining side, crunchy Halfpops are a great substitute for traditional bowls of nuts, so hosts need not worry about guest allergies. The new flavor is seasoned simply with brown sugar, sea salt, sweet-cream, and accented with all-natural caramel flavor.

Halfpops are made from non-GMO corn kernels that are magically half-popped and seasoned with only natural flavors and ingredients. So instead of the usual fluff, you get a flavorful satisfying crunch. They are also gluten-free, have no preservatives, no corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils and no artificial flavors. They are currently available in Butter & Pure Ocean Sea Salt, Aged White Cheddar, Caramel & Sea Salt, and Chipotle Barbeque (Halfpops’ first dairy-free and vegan offering!).

Halfpops are available in 2 oz. bags that retail for $1.49 each, and 6 oz. bags that retail for $3.99. The new Caramel & Sea Salt and Chipotle Barbeque Halfpops are expected to be available in a variety of grocery stores and specialty markets throughout the Northwest – including Costco, Whole Foods, PCC Markets, Metropolitan Markets, Haggen, Central Markets and more – and is available nationwide at retailers in more than 30 states. A complete store locator is available at and product can also be purchased online at Halfpops.com. 

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My Thoughts

I thought I was the only person who liked half-popped kernels. I usually pick them out of the bottom of the bowl and my family looks at me like I'm crazy. But apparently this is a fad that is catching on! Now, thank to HALFPOPS, I can get a whole bag of popcorn just the way I like it. It's a crunchy treat that is GMO free and low in calories.

I got to test out the newest flavors of HALFPOPS, and they were both a hit with my whole family. The Chipotle Barbeque are vegan friendly and a little on the spicy side. The caramel sea salt is the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Both are a satisfying snack you can enjoy day or night. They come in single servce bags that are perfect for snacking, whether you're at home or on the go.  They are a crispy and delicious treat that are an awesome choice for holiday parties or to stuff the stockings of your favorite foodies.