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You are here: Home / Archives for 2015 Gift Guide

Four STEM Toys That Stretch The Mind

December 28, 2015 by Momstart Leave a Comment

We received samples.

I love stretching the minds of my kids and by doing that I get them lots of different activities, games, and experiences in science and math. Kids with a vast imagination need toys that compliment their ambitions. This next year don’t hold them back, encourage their aspirations with STEM toys and other motivational toys. These toys allow kids to explore the life of their dream jobs and have fun at the same time they learn about their favorite topics.

For future Astronauts: Talking Planetary Mat ($19.97)

The Talking Planetary Mat allows you to see how much you weigh on each planet and doubles as a fun way to interactively discover the changing forces of gravity. In addition, the mat, which features all eight planets and the moon, provides fun facts and quiz questions to help kids understand gravity, weight, mass and basic astronomy.

image

For future Scientists: Stepping into Science ($35.95)

The Assessment Service’s Stepping into Science Kit provides 25 fun experiments in five different areas: nature, physics, chemistry, air and water. Explore everything from static electricity, to evaporation, to observing capillary action. This science kit also comes with a 48-page guidebook to help guide scientists through their experiments.

For future Archeologists: Anatomics Dinosaur ($13.95)

Learn about the anatomy of a 17-inch tall dinosaur. With 50 anatomy pieces complied of skeletal structures, organs and the skin, future archeologists will be able to assemble and study the insides of a dinosaur. This kit features interlocking pieces and even comes with a step by stop manual.

For future Environmentalists: Wind Power ($48.95)

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This wind power kit allows you to conduct more than 20 different experiments using the wind turbine. This includes experiments with rotor blades, different blade angles and profiles, different wind speeds and different gear ratios. The future environmentalists will also learn the physics of force and motion in terms of wind power technology.

 

We received the Wind Power kit and I can’t wait to share with you how the kids enjoyed putting it together.

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, review

Tough Tested: Kid-Proof Tech Accessories!

December 23, 2015 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Tough Tested

Samples provided.

Over the hill and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we drive! As you keep your kiddos occupied during holiday travel, you will surely be pulling out the iPods, tablets, and portable DVD players to keep everyone happy. That’s why you need kid-proof tech accessories that won’t get damaged en route, like those from Tough Tested!

First up, there is this Braided Fabric Cable Micro USB Cable that gives you 6ft of lead to charge devices in the back seat of the car as they are being used. It’s meant to be durable and withstand being yanked/stepped on! Pair it with the Power Share Instasense Dual USB Car Charger up front, a sturdy charger meant to stay put! And once you get to your destination, bust out the Power Share Instasense Pro USB Wall Charger to keep everyone powered at their destination.

Trust me, you don’t want to get caught short during a trip when you realize you don’t have the right charger. Luckily, you can pick these up at stores like Home Depot and Lowes, so it’s easy to grab what you need! Pssst…these also make excellent stocking stuffers for the tech lover on your list!

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, review, Tech

A Gift For The Wine Lover: Personalized Champagne Bucket

December 23, 2015 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Personalized Champagne Bucket

Sample provided.

I have another great personalized gift idea from The New York Times Store for you: A beautiful wine and champagne bucket, custom engraved with your recipient’s name, hometown and special date. This is a gorgeous gift for holidays, housewarmings, and weddings – I had this specially engraved with mine and Jai’s names so that we can use this at our wedding and have it as a treasured keepsake for years to come. It also comes with a printout of The New York Times’ coverage of the Prohibition repeal back in 1933! Check out my video for more:

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, review

What to Buy a Star Wars Fan?

December 23, 2015 by Beeb 1 Comment

History of The Force

Samples provided.

When someone on your shopping list is a member of a particular fandom, it makes shopping easier and harder at the same time. Easier, in the sense that you know that they love a particular series, but tougher in the sense that they have probably already collected everything there is. So what do you get them? Something unique. For example, if you’ve been wondering what to buy a Star Wars fan this year, you’re probably racking your brains to think of any action figure, t-shirt or special edition they won’t already have. That, my friends, is why you should look at the personalized gifts from The New York Times Store!

For example, take this History of The Force book and wallet set. This book is filled with 90 pages of Star Wars news stories that have run in The New York Times over the years, personalized with your recipient’s name on the cover. The book also comes with a cool wallet in your choice of designs! Check out my video below, which was filmed in a Gift Guide far, far away….

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, review, Star Wars

Teleflora’s Snoopy Cookie Jar Holiday Flowers Are Here! #SendCheer #Teleflora

December 21, 2015 by Jessie Leave a Comment

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Sample provided.

I arrived home from a very long and challenging day at work to find Teleflora’s Snoopy’s Cookie Jar bouquet sitting on my door step. I love Snoopy and I love flowers so it was a nice little surprise at the end of the day. I loved the mix of evergreens and red and white flowers that brought it to life.  Better yet, it brought me back to life from the towering edge of Homework Mountain and the insane amount of rain that has been falling outside my window.

I set it on my mantle and thought, “Well I may as well bring out some lights to hang around it.” And then I hung up a stocking, and eventually out came the tree. The arrangement was long lasting, eye catching, and simple and elegant. It would make a good table center piece or mantle piece. I liked the colors and style that carry this bouquet through any of the holidays this season, including New Years Day.


And in the end, my dog has an adorable little Snoopy treat jar for her dog treats!

Teleflora was surprisingly fast and made use of a great local florist here in Astoria. (Thank you Erickson Floral!). I have seen a number of their arrangements at a convention in NYC as well and enjoy their elegance.

Teleflora are cordial and friendly and a pleasure to work with! I will definitely be going with them for my flower-needs in the future.

Check them out at teleflora.com and then check out their Peanuts Holiday Collection, because there is a little something for everyone.

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, review

Tech Accessories That Rock From Pelican

December 20, 2015 by Beeb Leave a Comment

U100 Urban Elite Laptop Backpack
Samples provided. This post contains Amazon Associates links.

When someone on your shopping list is a techie, it can be hard to know what to get them that they don’t already have. That’s why I was so happy to be introduced to Pelican, a line of fantastic tech accessories.

Inside the U100 Urban Elite Laptop Backpack

I had a chance to check out the U100 Urban Elite Laptop Backpack, and it’s a fantastic travel bag for the tech enthusiast on the go. Learn more in my video review:

Click here to find a Pelican Products retailer near you, or look for their products on Amazon.

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, review, Tech

The iCoffee Opus Single Serve Brewer: iLove it!

December 20, 2015 by Beeb 2 Comments

iCoffee Opus
Sample provided.

If you want to treat the coffee lover on your list this holiday, nothing says “I know what you like” better than a specialty coffee brewer. As someone who lives on her daily coffee, I’ve amassed a collection of practically every type of coffee brewer and press over the years. But this month, I was introduced to a brewer that has features my other coffee makers don’t: The iCoffee Opus Single Serve Brewer!

This single serve coffee brewer is unique because it comes with a reusable “iCup”, which you can fill with your own coffee to create a single serving anytime! It’s also compatible with K-cups, RealCup, OneCup and private label brand cups, making it very versatile. Watch a demo of the iCoffee Opus in action:

Click here to find an iCoffee retailer near you, and make the coffee fanatic on your list very happy this holiday!

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, coffee, review

4 Great Toys From Hasbro

December 18, 2015 by Beeb 1 Comment

Holiday gifts from Hasbro

Samples provided.

Among the products seen at TNT Portland were a selection of toys from Hasbro. There were four in particular that caught my eye as great holiday gifts:

  • Scrabble Twist
  • Twister Moves Hoop
  • Twister Moves Hip Hop Spots
  • Fur Real Friends My Jumpin’ Pug

Watch them in action in my video review:

Look for these fun items in a toy store near you or online at HasbroToyShop!

What toys are on your kids’ wishlists this year?

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, toy review

Tech The Halls: 4 Great Gifts From Epson

December 18, 2015 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Epson Family Holiday Picks

Samples previously provided.

As I look back on some of the great products I’ve reviewed this year, I wanted to share four of my top tech picks from our friends at Epson. These are great gifts that will keep on giving all year long!

  • Small-in-One printers: The Expression Premium XP-630 Small-in-One is the newest release in this line of fantastic printers, allowing you to print everything from documents to photos and even DVDs! We reviewed the XP-420 from the line earlier in the year, and have been getting constant use from it.
  • The PowerLite Home Cinema 2045 is a new projector from Epson’s popular line. We love the Home Cinema 600 that we reviewed this past Spring!
  • Ideal for small businesses, the Epson WorkForce ET-4550 EcoTank™ All-in-One Printer comes with 2 years worth of ink in the box – enough to print 11 thousand black & white documents or 8500 color pages. I should look into one of these for printing my paperwork come tax time!
  • The Epson PictureMate PM-400 Personal Photo Lab is an amazing, lightweight photo printer that we featured in our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide video series.

What tech items are on your wish list this year?

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, Tech

Preserve Holiday Memories With The Epson PictureMate Personal Photo Lab

December 18, 2015 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Epson PictureMate PM-400 Personal Photo Lab

Sample provided.

Nowadays, all of our memories are captured digitally through cameras and phones. This is certainly convenient, but can be inelegant when it actually preserving these photos: Whenever I want to frame or mail a photo, I have to hunt around for the right printer paper and trim it down to size, and oftentimes just don’t bother at all. This is especially frustrating for our grandparents who just want to put cute grandbaby photos on their fridge without learning their way around a bunch of new devices! Enter the Epson PictureMate PM-400 Personal Photo Lab.

This small photo printer is a winner for a number of reasons. Not only does it instantly print individual, quality 4×6 and 5×7 photos in a snap, it’s also easy to use and works over wifi so you can print those memories directly from your smartphone without muss or fuss.

Epson PictureMate Printout example

An example photo printed with the Epson PictureMate Personal Photo Lab

It’s small, lightweight, and easy to use, making it ideal for scrapbooking, crafts, printing family photos for Christmas cards and saving those special memories all throughout the year. Watch me demonstrate how this photo printer works in my video review:

Look for the Epson PictureMate PM-400 Personal Photo Lab on Epson.com, and start making those Instagram photos suitable for framing!

Filed Under: 2015 Gift Guide, 2015 Holiday Gift Guide, Tech

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