• Monthly Archive:: December 2013

    Happy (almost) New Year! Have you joined the resolution-making camp? You know the drill: The road to 2014 may be paved with good intentions, but as most folks know–whether they’ll admit to it or not–most resolutions fizzle out before spring. If you vow that this year will be different–you will put that gym membership to good use and get up at 5 a.m., even if it kills you–then we commend you and aim to help you achieve your goal (just don’t expect a gym buddy). Instead, we’ve been checking out some of the newer activity bands, and have found one worth treating yourself to. Oregon Scientific’s Ssmart Dynamo has all the bells and whistles you expect from a fitness tracker, but with an ease of [&hellip

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    Let the countdown begin! Our eyes and ears are peeled for the sound of Santa’s sleigh. Did we just hear reindeer hooves on the roof? If your kids can hardly wait another moment, we’ve found an entertaining way to maintain the momentum and keep them occupied (you do have all those presents to wrap, don’t you?). We got our hands on School Zone’s new app Jolly Try-n-Spy, a clever app that lets kids show just how observant they can be. Each of the 10 jolly Christmas scenes contain hidden pictures. They start out black and white, but once you locate the hidden images, the screen turns full color as Santa and team ride across the sky. Each time you play, the time it takes for [&hellip

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    Today marks our third snowfall of the season, and it’s not even Christmas! The very thought of getting through winter while traversing our local, windy roads with kids in tow gives me the shivers. Keeping them safe is my job as a parent, so I want to be sure I make the right decisions, and that includes keeping them buckled up in the right safety seats. Because my 9-year-old is on the petite side, she still rides on a booster seat, as does her 5-year-old sister. As you can imagine, being “almost double digits” means not wanting to feel like a little kid. But that doesn’t mean forgoing what’s important, like your life. Fortunately, some booster seat manufacturers recognize this desire for style, while still [&hellip

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    Got a guy who’s glued to the tube when he should be putting up the Christmas decorations? Know a man who knows his Peyton from his Eli…and then some? Then have we got a gift idea for you. The 2013 Topps Football Complete Set has everything your resident football fan needs to know about his game, no matter which team he favors. (And hey, let’s not discriminate; we know a few female fans who can quote all the stats with the best of ‘em.)  The whopping 440-card set is the encyclopedia of the NFL, and will satisfy the most diehard of your game-watching buds. So, if you’re hard-pressed to come up with a suitable gift for your sports-loving guy or gal, this is one that [&hellip

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    How many foodies do you have on your gift list this Christmas? We’ve got a few ourselves, not to mention out-of-state peeps who appreciate a package of sweet treats. But rather than stick with the same tried-and-true gift baskets you’ve been known to send out, how about a delectable dessert that also has some health benefits? We were recently treated to Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet caramel apples, and have now found ourselves a new holiday favorite. These juicy apples are first rolled in creamy caramel, then dipped in chocolate and topped off with a variety of nuts. The result is a crunchy, delicious taste that satisfies a sweet tooth without the guilt. We love that we get our vitamin C from the fruit, while still getting [&hellip

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    When I was a kid, I chopped off my Barbie doll’s hair and gave her a bob. I figured she’d need a sensible hairdo if she’d be blasting off into space. That may sound like the makings of a future scientist, but alas, I became a writer. I still like the fact that I was able to transform my doll into something that was more my speed: a thinking hot chick rather than a fashion doll who aspired to nothing more than acquiring 100 pairs of heels. Sure today’s Barbies have morphed into career girls and the like, but I still can’t relate to their kitten heels and tiny waistlines (and neither can my girls). Lucky for today’s kids, British-based Lottie Dolls have made their [&hellip

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    Our first day of snow this season, and I’m already sick of the white stuff. OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration (it does make all the outdoor Christmas decorations more picturesque). But the freezing temps and slippery travels that go along with it? Yeah, I’d be happy to skip all that. Because we can’t exactly fast-forward to spring (heck, it’s not even technically winter yet!), we can fantasize about hopping a plane and flying far, far away to a remote tropical island, “a land where palm trees sway,” as a favorite Christmas song of ours goes. Once you’ve gotten your head out of the clouds and your feet are back on snowy ground, consider getting creative with your decorations to make all this [&hellip

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    Only 19 shopping days left ’til Christmas and counting! If you’ll be bravely hitting the malls this weekend and therefore loading up on caffeinated beverages to get you from Point A to Point Z without collapsing in a tired heap, may we suggest a colorful travel cup to keep your spirits jolly and bright? We love the just-released collection of Pantone Universe Thermo Cups that deserve a permanent spot in your cupholder. (Just be sure to take them out and wash them from time to time ;-). Naturally, the Flame Scarlet and Macaw Green styles are our personal favorites this time of year, but you can certainly pick up one (or a few) to suit your mood. The Thermo Cup does a stellar job at [&hellip

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    Is a tablet on your kid’s wish list this year? If you’re in the market for a model that will keep him happy, but that won’t break the bank, we’ve found what you’re after. We got our hands on an advance copy of the VTech InnoTab 3S, and think it’s going to make many a kid very happy this Christmas. Targeted at ages 3-9, this tablet spans a wide age range–and with good reason. It comes loaded with plenty of apps–20 in all and others you purchase separately–including a MP3 player, art studio, calendar and friends list. We don’t personally know any 3-year-olds who are penciling in their playdates, but this definitely offers big-kid appeal for budding tweens making note of their friends’ b-days and [&hellip

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    Someone once said if you talk to your plant, it just might help it grow. But did anyone ever think that your precious greenery would talk back–or, at least, have something to say? It’s the very reason we are loving this very cool gardening gift that makes a perfect present this Christmas. DuneCraft’s Message Beans are like no other terrarium set we’ve seen before. This all-in-one-kit comes with everything you need to produce a plant with a hidden message. Simply open the planter, put your terrarium together, plant your seeds, water…and wait. In a week’s time, you’ll be treated to a delightful surprise: leaves declaring a special message. We love the Merry Christmas Bean, a seasonal sprout that certainly makes a statement for your favorite [&hellip

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