On the Plane Children's Activity Book

Taking a flight is always exciting, and On the Plane Activity Book is the perfect companion for your journey. Play ‘I Spy While I Fly’, take a multiple-choice quiz and spot the identical pilots on their way through the airport.

 Packed with plenty to keep kids occupied at the airport or during the flight, this book also includes planes to decorate, matching games, fill-in-the-face drawing tasks, true-or-false airplane and flying facts, and behind-the-scenes diagrams to explore. All children need to do is grab some pens and pencils, get ready to draw, write and play, and let their creativity soar!

A recent study found that kids who spend more time on screens tend to be less happy than kids who engage in non-screen activities like reading traditional printed media or doing activities on printed material. Many parents are looking for fun, non-screen activities for kids to do during the winter months. 

My Thoughts

Let's paint a picture that most of us have experienced at some point, it is just you and your toddler on a flight. They are getting antsy, they do not want to watch a movie and snacks are not working. They are starting to get squirmy and louder by the second. You are starting to feel slightly panicky. I had that recently happen to me, when we flew through a bunch of storms, and they did not turn off the seatbelt sign once throughout the whole flight. I wish I had this book then. 

This book is super cute and chock full of great activities for kids when they are on a plane. Each page is a different activity and the pages are colorful and bright. I actually enjoyed doing a few of the activities with my son, which only goes so far with "Mr. Independent". You can make your own passport, design your own plane, I spy games, multiple choice quiz, removable world map, diagrams of planes. My son is your stereotypical little boys. Everything is planes, trains, and automobiles. He loves this book. Only one small problem, after doing a bunch of activities in this book, he took it upon himself to walk right into the cockpit of the plane. Thankfully the pilots were really cool about it. Save yourself some anguish, bring this book on your next flight. 

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How To Search for an Affordable Apartment in New York City

New York City is notorious for having one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. The median price for a home in the Big Apple is estimated at around $700,000, which is quite expensive considering that the median income in the United States is only at $60,000. Many people are having issues whenever they are trying to search for an affordable place to stay in the Big Apple, but there are applications and websites that they can use to help them find the most affordable home in the heart of the city.

Loftey is an online portal that locates the most affordable homes for those who wanted to live in New York City. Chelsea apartments and residential areas are the most expensive in New York City, and Chelsea apartments for rent has an average price of about $7,000 per month. It can be extremely difficult to find affordable housing. Loftey works perfectly for those who are trying to save a lot of money because the online company does not charge any additional fees for the services that they provide. The company is also providing rent reduction for those who will be using their online portal to find an apartment to rent. Some of the perks working with Loftey would be the access to thousands of websites that offer rent in the New York City area, and they are also the ones who would contact landlords and brokers for the apartment that you wanted to rent. The company would also remind you of the contracts that you need to lease, and they are the ones who would guide you on how you could enjoy your stay in the city’s prime residential units.

Most of the users of Loftey are saying that the company helped them look for the most affordable units in New York City without being ripped off. There are instances wherein rents are not updated, and some have excessive hidden charges. There are also fake listings that await victims who could be scammed. Loftey prevents these unfortunate events from happening, and they are also minimizing the stress felt by their clients for moving into a new property. There are also clients who are experiencing difficulties in making their own decisions, and the company helps them weigh in the pros and cons of living in a particular unit. As a result, Loftey received a high rating from third-party review websites like Yelp.

When using the online portal for the first time, the property applicants will be asked by the system if they wanted to move into a studio or an apartment with 1 to 4 and above bedrooms. The system will check all of the available units around the city, and they will provide the results that the client is looking for. The price range for the unit can also be selected, and one can personalize their choices by adding the facilities that they wanted to see inside the new building. The date when they wanted to move can also be selected with the help from the calendars built into the system.

DISH launches EVOLV - Transform Your Hotel Room!

DISH has some exciting news! They are transforming the hotel industry by giving them the ability to provide guests with premium in-room television entertainment. Today, DISH unveiled EVOLVE^®, a 4K-capable Android TV^TM set-back box that seamlessly integrates streaming apps, live linear programming and casting into one customizable solution. EVOLVE offers guests a more intuitive way to engage with content from their mobile devices using their room’s TV.

Powered by SMARTBOX, EVOLVE is designed to work with any hotel wiring scenario, as well as existing or upgraded infrastructures. It supports video delivery over QAM or IP, and internet connectivity over DOCSIS, Ethernet or Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz).

EVOLVE Features

• Google Play Store – An Android TV-based platform, EVOLVE gives guests access to thousands of Android TV applications from the Google Play Store, including music, movies and games.
• Chromecast built-in – Cast content from apps like Sling TV and YouTube, as well as music, photos and videos, from mobile devices to hotel room TVs without ever having to enter credentials.
• Advanced program guide – With an interactive program guide featuring genre filters and 23 hours of future programming data, EVOLVE improves the way guests discover, navigate and watch live TV in their hotel rooms.
• Channel preview – When in the program guide, hover over any title to view a pop-up window that displays live video from the channel. This allows guests to view exactly what’s on before selecting.
• Configuration tool – Customize EVOLVE’s UI with branding, welcome channels and pre-loaded apps.
• PMS integration – Provide guests with personalized messages on the home screen and automatically clear their personal information from EVOLVE as they check out.
• Bluetooth LE with audio support – Watch TV with Bluetooth headsets to eliminate disruptions when multiple people are staying in the same room.
• 4K capability – EVOLVE will continue providing guests with a premium television viewing experience as hotels deliver more 4K offerings.

To learn more, visit www.dish.com/evolve.

Flying with Children

If you think that your child is the only kid out there with a methods fear of flying, you’re not alone. Many kiddos have a fear of flying and while it is unknown whether this issue is truly a phobia or simply a reaction to certain events, it can be frightful and limiting to the person suffering from it.

 Keep the Kids Occupied

A great way to keep your children calm while flying is to simply distract them. Coloring books are a great way to keep younger children entertained and their mind off of what is going on around them. If you’re headed on a long vacation, you may even try to talk your children into doing their homework on the plane so they won’t have to worry about it later!

 Reduce Anxiety

There are numerous coping strategies that can be used to make flying less stressful. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America recommends taking the following steps on the day of a flight: Stay focused on the destination and the fun that you’re about to have. Anxiety is reduced when a person thinks of what they are traveling for in the first place, and how rewarding it will be to arrive at their destination. Calming your children before the flight can help greatly before they even board. If you can find an empty area in the airport, try playing games that will tire them out a bit so they aren’t so focused on the upcoming flight. Of course, remember to respect the space of other people in the airport! Avoid sugar and other foods and drink that may energize your kids before you board. If your children continue to struggle with flying anxiety over numerous trips you may want to consider addressing with them where the fear is stemming from. Sometimes it may just be the noise, or even the confined space that makes them feel anxious, versus actually flying through the air.

Take a Flying Course

Both European and American airports offer courses to assist people in overcoming a fear of flying. These courses are operated by airline staff and cabin crews. However, these courses may not be beneficial for young children who don’t fully understand the concepts of flying. The courses typically help people understand how flying works, explain misconceptions about air travel and introduce relaxation techniques to deal with turbulence.

Get TSA ready for Makeup Academy from CVS

Don’t let TSA regulations come in the way of your vacation beauty routine! With Makeup Academy’s new mini-sized beauty products, it’s easier than ever to look on point, on-the-go and on a budget. Please see below for some of the best travel beauty picks from the collection, available at select CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide.

Additionally, beginning this summer, 100 travel-friendly beauty and wellness products from bestselling brands at CVS Pharmacy will be placed conveniently in the checkout aisles for on-the-go grabs. Brands you love such as Ahava, Weleda, Maybelline, SkinFix, Olay, Rimmel, Yes To and Dr. Hauschka are offering mini versions of your favorite drugstore finds, perfect for your purse or your next summer weekend getaway.

Find Makeup Academy at CVS

Website

My Thoughts

These are all adorable and perfect sizes. Not only would they be great for travel, but also your purse. You could get a mini bag and be able to bring along all your favorite make-ups with you. 

I got to test out the Makeup Academy brand. This was a new brand for me. I liked on the back of each packet, it gave tips on how to use the make-up or ideas on how to make your thin lips look thicker. A company putting in little details like that for me, go a long way. While I like to put on make-up, I'm not expert and little tips help me a lot.

The eye shadows went on lightly and not overly dark. I liked the range of browns so I could define my eyes. I've never been a lipstick fan, but I did like the lipstick duo that they sent me to try. Both colors were flattering and worked well with the color palette they sent me that went well with the eye shadow. I also got to try a few of their brushes, such as an eyebow comb, and angled brush, and a powder brush. The brushes were soft against my skin and applied the make-up evenly.

Over all, I really liked this make-up line and will be looking at more of Makeup Academy products, which are sold at CVS. Be sure to stop by and pick up travel sizes of all your favorite make-ups to keep in your purse or be TSA ready with your favorite face products.

Tween Seat Belt PSA

Got Tweens? They aren’t little kids anymore and want to be treated differently. But here’s one rule that should not be up for debate – the car doesn’t move until everyone is wearing a seat belt. I have this rule with my children. We say it and buckle up ourselves and our kids have to buckle up. And if they don’t, that’s a fight worth having. It might just save your tween’s life.

Did you know that one child passenger age 8 – 14 is injured every 8 minutes in a car crash? From 2009 – 2013, 1,522 kids ages 8-14 died in car, SUV and van crashes. Of those who died, almost half were unbelted. As children get older they’re sometimes less likely to buckle up. The percentage of child passengers who die while riding unrestrained generally increases with age and is most pronounced among 13 and 14-year-olds regardless of seating position.

Check out this Battlefield MiniVan Video: Buckling-up is an important habit to instill in children at a young age. Parents can lead by example by wearing a seat belt themselves and by insisting on seat belt use for every passenger in their vehicle. Seat belts and safety seats, if used correctly, dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury to children.    

Learn More: -Visit www.safercar.gov/kidsbuckleup; for more info about buckling up! -Learn when to transition your child out of the booster seat to a seat belt and find out how it should properly fit. http://www.safercar.gov/parents/SeatBelts/Beyond-Booster-Seats.htm -Parents are the #1 influence on children’s seat belt usage:http://www.safercar.gov/parents/SeatBelts/Number-One-Influence.htm

Holiday Travel with Lassig

Over the river and through the woods… can you believe it? The holiday travel season is just around the corner!  According to AAA, every year around 40 million Americans are expected to drive more than 50 miles to their Thanksgiving and/or Christmas destinations. Lassig distributed by HABA has travel solutions for the whole family.  

Whether traveling for the holidays or running to the grocery store, every mom wants to look good on the go. Unfortunately diaper bags often lack the style that fashion loving moms crave.  Lassig has solved this issue by creating a diaper bag that not only has room for all of baby's needs but is also incredibly chic! Oh, and did I mention it is eco-friendly?! Made out of recycled plastic bottles, Lassig's Green Label Diaper Bag has it all!

MSRP: $169.99

The rolling Wildlife Trolley from Lassig will help make traveling a little easier. Not only will little ones love venturing around the train station or airport with luggage just like the grown-ups, but it allows for adults to focus on juggling their own bags! In addition to the wheels, features include telescoping pull handle, deep main pocket with mesh pockets and zipper divider within, carrying handle, and front zipper pocket.

MSRP: $49.99

My Thoughts

 Every year, sometime around winter break, my kids wind up breaking and/or losing their school bags. This time of year, the selections are minimal in my local stores, so I was lucky to learn about Lassig from Haba and their trendy bag designs. My daughter really needed a new bag to get her through the rest of the school year and she loved the bright colors and the trendy themes at Lassig The Lassig Mini Backpack we received is gray and pink with a mushroom design on the front and it's absolutely adorable.

This particular bag is a little smaller than most school bags, but for her it was the perfect size. She's in Pre-K so they aren't carrying much around with them yet. It's large enough for her keep all her necessities organized and it great for school or a trip to grandmas house. On the outside is an extra zippered pouch perfect for pencils or crayons. It's very well made with sturdy zippers and seams. I know we'll get lots of use from this backpack and she'll most likely use it as a beach bag once the school year is over.

To learn more about Lassig and all the fashionable accessories they offer, be sure to visit their website or follow their social media.

Holiday Gift Guide - Evolution Pillow from Cabeau - Review & #Giveaway

With the holidays coming, lots of people are making travel plans. Is there anything worse than being stuck on long car or plane ride and just not being able to get comfortable? No matter how you twist and turn, you can't get your head positioned just right. If you actually manage to doze off, your head nods forward and jolts you awake. This can quite literally put a cramp in your holiday celebrations, but with the Evolution Pillow from Cabeau, you can travel in comfort and get the most of your family get-togethers.

The Evolution Pillow is a neck rest unlike any other. First off, it's made from the softest memory foam that conforms to your body. You can wear it forward or backward to prevent your head from bobbing while you sleep, or simply to give your neck a little extra support while you listen to music or relax. Both the velour cover and the memory foam make this one of the softest and most comfortable travel pillows I've ever tried. However, comfort is only one of the perks the Evolution Pillow offers. Each pillow comes with its own water repellent bag. The pillow squeezes down to a manageable size inside the bag, making it easy to slide it inside your travel bag without taking up nearly as much space. There are also a pair of ear plugs included and a side pocket on the pillow that is perfect for storing cell phones or other devices.






The Evolution Pillow comes in a variety of lovely colors including camo and a special pink pillow that supports breast cancer awareness. The velour covers can be machine washed. There's a zipper on the cover and it's easy to take it off. When you put it back on the pillow doesn't loose its shape. Even the packaging is made from recycled paper, making it hard to find anything to dislike about this awesome product.

If you would like to purchase one of these amazing pillows for yourself or as a gift, you can find them on the Cabeau website. Shipping is free on all orders of $60, so grab a few and spread the holiday joy!

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The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Evolution Pillow in either pink or camo. To enter just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below Open to the US only. This giveaway will end on 12/15/14 at 12:01 am EST. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Cabeau for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form