Friday Finds #3

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Holy toledo folks! Y’all are in for a treat with the Friday Finds this week. We’ve got tons of great books, products, ideas and more to share this week so let’s get to it!

Friday Finds for the Week of March 30, 2018

Testing out a new feature here so let me know how you like the table of contents!

Spoken Petite Charms from Chamilia

This Mother’s Day, Chamilia (www.chamilia.com), a Swarovski Company, will be offering more than 50 charms (including alphabet charms) for $30 or less in its Petites Collection. (Click here to view the collection.) When paired on a neck chain, the pieces offer customized sentiment messaging signature to the brand. And together they form a tiny treasure for Mom’s jewel box.

The entire Chamilia line is made from sterling silver or 14 karat gold and features genuine Swarovski Crystals and Swarovski Zirconia. The brand follows strict Swarovski Group guidelines for quality and aesthetic standards.

I fell in love with just about every one of these beautiful charms!

The Little Girl with the Big Voice

the little girl with the big voice

I’m holding my head up high. I know my dreams will touch the sky…

These words were written by teenage singer-songwriter Wé McDonald. As a timid young girl with a soft, squeaky speaking voice, Wé was often bullied and had few friends. She just didn’t fit in. (Boy, can we relate!)

Written in Wé McDonald’s own words, The Little Girl with the Big Voice is a captivating story about a young girl who courageously embraces her uniqueness and discovers her true voice, no matter what others think or say. Wé’s story inspires kids to work to fulfill their dreams and to expand their own understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Book is available April 24, 2018 from Amazon. You can order now, and it will be delivered once back in stock. This is a definite favorite for any young girl who is struggling to find her authentic self. 

Neema’s Reason to Smile

Neema’s is full of big dreams, like becoming a scientist, an inventor, or a teacher.

Neema’s Reason to Smile is the story of Neema, a young Kenyan girl who dreams of one day being able to afford to go to school. Slowly, and with great purpose, Neema plans to save money in her dream basket and make her dream come true. One day, a mysterious young girl skips down the street wearing a red skirt and white shirt. Soon, she guides Neema all the way to a new school.

Neema’s Reason To Smile

Author Patricia Newman’s award-winning books show kids how their actions can ripple around the world. With titles such as Neema’s Reason to Smile; Zoo Scientists to the Rescue; Sea Otter Heroes; and Plastic, Ahoy! she hopes to empower kids to think about the adults they’d like to become. Available May 1, 2018 — Pre-order nowThis is going to be a memorable book for your children!

Look, See the Farm!

Look, See the Farm! is a hand-drawn, beautifully illustrated children’s book which seeks to not only promote curiosity in children about the natural world around them, but also to establish the universal quality of having a connection with nature.

Look, See the Farm!
Look, See the Farm! is the heartwarming story of two sisters visiting their grandparents’ organic farm during each of the four seasons, discovering the many interesting creatures that make the farm their home. Young readers will gain a look at farm life and the animals living on the farm, as well as discovering the wild birds that thrive there.

Having grown up on a farm, this book touches my heart. It gives children the chance to see all the wonders that I was able to see first-hand growing up. 

Look, See the Farm! teaches children about connecting with nature, as they join Kelsey and Avery in learning about local birds and their habits. Beautifully illustrated, with a universal message and an enduring appeal, let this exciting journey be the start of a newfound appreciation for nature’s beauty!

Available now on Amazon – would make an excellent Easter gift!

Jill Yoga

For the fit and fun girl in your life! Jill Yoga’s Leggings in the Ice Cream print are the perfect fit. All over print full length legging is cute and comfortable! Available in girls’ size 7-16.

Sunshine and Glitter

Fabulous skin protection as fun and amazing as you are. Sunshine and Glitter adds a sweet and sparkly twist to sunscreen with their Sea Star Sparkle in Very Berry! It is nourishing and loaded with antioxidants, all while providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and 80 minutes of water resistance. It is also, PABA and Paraben free with non-irritant glitter.

Teaspressa

Add some sweetness to your drinks with the creative sugar cubes from Teaspressa. Each are boldly infused with all-natural flavors and cane sugar. Just drop a cube into your tea, champagne, or sparkling water for a unique flavor boost. This momma is totally craving some of these to try!

Poppy Popcorn

Made with all-natural ingredients – no preservatives, artificial sweeteners and made ​with ​N​on-GMO popcorn and ​non-GMO corn ​syrup​, Poppy Popcorn is the kind of snack you’ve always wanted to eat, perfectly sweet and not too sugary. Their Cotton Candy is a must! Sweet, light and crunchy flavor contains nothing artificial – the pink color comes from radish and the flavoring is all natural. Anyone else craving some popcorn now?

Mill Creek Botanicals

Indulge in Candy Cane bliss with this all-natural skin quenching lotion! Infused with mint to cool and tone your skin, raspberries full of antioxidants and cherries to help fight off the effects of free radicals all working together for a pure, natural experience compliments of mother nature’s finest ingredients. MillCreek Botanical uses advanced nutraceutical technology, their anti-aging products are formulated with Mung Bean stem cell extract, peptides and antioxidants. I can hear my skin sighing in moisturized bliss right about now!

Yummy Cupcakes

Everyone knows the fastest way to the heart is through the stomach! Known for their out of the box thinking, Yummy Cupcakes sits at top of the competition when it comes to the art of gourmet cupcakes. From Cupcakes in a Jar to Cupcake Truffles, this award winning cupcakery creates offers an impressive collection of unique flavors so you’ll never run out of new cupcakes to try. Ships nationwide! You can even check out each of the stores to see what the flavor of the day is … can you say ‘died and went to cupcake heaven’ people?

Dazi

Know a sweet man that needs to step up his tie game? Dazi has on-trend, handsome designs that will keep him looking sharp. They are perfect for any special night out. With a wide array of colors and patterns, like this Candy Cane Skinny Tie, these fine-crafted ties will have anyone ready for whatever the day brings. This is such a versatile tie, it can be used for just about any season or holiday!

National Cherry Blossom Festival

March 17 to April 15, 2018 is the National Cherry Blossom Festival and there are more activities and events than you can shake a cherry blossom at! Take a look at the website for loads of events around Washington, D.C. and the surrounding counties.

For an added treat, The Angry Cherry Rosé Cocktail will be available at Café Deluxe and Tortilla Coast in Washington D.C. for the duration of the festival. 

You don’t have to drive to Washington, D.C. to get this cocktail – because we’ve got the recipe for you right here!

Angry Cherry Rosé Cocktail

Ingredients: 

  • 5 oz. Angry Orchard Rose Cider
  • 1 oz. Brandy
  • 0.75 oz. Lemon
  • 0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
  • 1 tsp. Cherry Preserves 

Method: 

Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake then strain over ice in a pint glass. Top with Angry Orchard Rose cider. Enjoy!

Homemade: 707 Products to Make Yourself to Save Money and the Earth

With Earth Day just around the corner (Sunday, April 22, 2018), some simple DIY projects could save you a fortune and reduce the amount of useless packaging that goes to waste.

Go green and save some green with tips from Homemade: 707 Products to Make Yourself to Save Money and the Earth (Reader’s Digest). Reader’s Digest offers crafty low-cost, all-natural replacement recipes for the name-brand pantry staples and other household products you buy week in and week out.

  • DIY Solutions for Everything Your Kids Use
  • Home & Garden Supplies You Can Make with Ingredients Already in Your Kitchen
  • Food for Your Face: Beauty Products You Can Make For Under $1
  • Clever Pet Products You Can Make at Home
  • Surprising Things You Didn’t Know Could Remove Stains
  • Brilliant DIY Cleaning Products For Every Room in the House
  • DIY Pantry Staples You Can Make For Under $1

With over 700 clever recipes, Readers Digest can help reduce waste and save money on food staples (cereals, pickles, pasta sauce, peanut butter), beauty products (moisturizers, face masks, aftershave), pet supplies (liver snaps, flea dip, hamster fruit cups), garden products (fertilizer, weed killer, snail traps), and more. This Readers Digest book is a must have for everyone who wants to save some money and reduce their carbon footprint.

DIY Projects for Cats & Dogs

It can be challenging to pamper your pet while saving a dime. For pet owners who want the best for their pooch or kitty without spending a fortune, the DIY movement is the answer. It can be an especially rewarding activity to ensure your pet paradise is stylish as well!

Armelle Rau, a communications manager at Scandinavian decorating group Søtrene Grene West and creator of the chic decorating blog Mocassin Headband, wanted to create functional and fashionable furniture for her furry friends. A pet lover, she put her two passions together and created DIY Projects for Cats and Dogs: 20 Easy-to-Build Creations for Your Best Friend. The book is set for release in May 2018 by CompanionHouse Books, a lifestyle imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing. 

Projects in Rau’s book are extremely practical, all while retaining that sleek Scandinavian style she knows so well. Imagine a cat bed that hangs off of a radiator to keep kitty warm or a litter box that doubles as a leash rack. These are not your average pet beds or cat boxes. The author explains it best. “I’ve never been able to find store-bought items that keep my cat entertained and hide unsightly necessities,” Rau says. “The projects in this book are more original and attractive than anything you’ll find in a pet store!”

uKeg from GrowlerWerks

Richmond, VA was named The #1 Beer Destination in the WORLD by Vinepair.com … did you know that? More and more women are exploring – and loving – craft beers.

The women who crafted us deserve a toast and a fresh pour. And that’s something the uKeg is happy to provide. For the mom with enough engraved frames to place in every room of the house, GrowlerWerks‘ pressurized growler is a welcome gift this Mother’s Day.

Their stainless-steel, vacuum-insulated, pressurized growler keeps beer fresh for two weeks or more! With a uKeg, a mom can drink her favorite draft beer at her leisure. She can also sparkle wine or craft speciality cocktails. You can even get your uKeg engraved before gifting it! Take that frames and heart-shaped necklaces!

GrowlerWerks’ resident mother says, “Have you been to many playdates with a gaggle of kids? A growler filled with fresh beer or a group cocktail would be divine.” She adds, “Enjoying fresh pours at home when the kids go to bed is a gift. I can’t get out to craft beer, but I can keep it on tap at my home.”

A recent survey commissioned by GrowlerWerks suggests men shouldn’t be the focus of all the craft-beer fun. Filling growlers is an activity employed by both genders. Among survey respondents filling growlers in the past year, 47 percent were women. And close to an equal number of men and women purchase uKegs. That the uKeg is gorgeous doesn’t hurt. The uKeg gives flowers competition for the ability to brighten a room.

Located in the beer mecca that is Portland, Oregon, it’s easy for GrowlerWerks to see that beer lovers come in all shapes, sizes and genders. But coast to coast, women brewers and women who love craft beer are changing the beer landscape.

Giving mom a uKeg for Mother’s Day could make you her favorite. Check out their uPints and cocktail-aiding infuser in the shop, because they are the perfect uKeg accomplices.

Neeka and the Squirrel Highway

This little gem of a book just grabbed my heart! I know your kids are going to love this!

When Neeka was very little, she loved watching the crazy squirrels play in her backyard. Now five years old, she doesn’t have time for squirrels, especially since she’s busy with school and her little sister, Gel. Neeka is happy with her family and her home, but she feels so far away from her school friends. She wishes she had a playmate, and Gel is much too young.

One day, she comes home from school and finds a furry surprise on her parents’ bed. What she thinks is a pair of brown socks turns out to be a sleeping squirrel! When the squirrel sees Neeka, he is terribly frightened and tries to find a way to escape. Neeka is scared, too, having forgotten how she used to love watching the cuddly critters play when she was little.

With her family’s help, Neeka faces her fears and sets the squirrel free–after he’s had a good time exploring their house, of course. Outside, the squirrel doesn’t seem so scary anymore. In fact, Neeka begins to think maybe the little squirrel took the path inside because he wanted a friend, too. Together, Neeka and the squirrel might not be lonely anymore.

Neeka and the Squirrel Highway is based on a true story which occurred in author Charlie Wes Harris’ own home. Grab it on Amazon today!

Noblo Umbrella Buddy

Kathleen Pisano, mom, former forest firefighter, and nurse, witnessed an awful fly away beach umbrella injury while at the beach with her kids. Always in fear that her beach umbrella would blow away and hurt her kids or other beachgoers, Kathleen used a homemade solution consisting of a plastic bag filled with sand tied to the beach umbrella with rope. This created an anchor and it worked! 

Kathleen’s simple device has transformed into a beautiful sturdy product called the Noblo Umbrella Buddy and we think it’s the perfect addition for those spring and summer vacations! 

After winning multiple accolades including Martha Stewart’s 20 Must-Haves for a Natural, Organic, Eco-friendly Summer, Kathleen is yet another example of how necessity is the mother of invention.

How to use (after you set up your beach umbrella):

Step 1:  Fill the reusable Noblo bag with sand and cinch closed.
Step 2:  Attach Velcro strap above umbrella spokes.
Step 3:  Set Noblo on the site and enjoy your day at the beach

For best results: Face the Noblo on the sand in the direction the wind is coming from.

Unique Features and Benefits:

  • Gives peace of mind knowing your beach umbrella will not blow away
  • Compact and lightweight — easy to pack and carry to the beach
  • Eco-Friendly — reusable bag and uses sand to create anchor weight
  • Simple to use — set up in three easy steps
  • Bright colors helps create beach umbrella safety awareness when others see it
  • Lifeguards can focus less on beach umbrellas and more on people

Other interesting facts:

  • Noblo is manufactured in NJ, USA
  • Noblo is packaged by physically and mentally handicap people
  • Noblo donates part of the proceeds to the USLA – the lifeguards.

Char-Broil Great Book of Grilling – 300 Tasty Recipes for Every Meal

Spring is in the air (finally!) an the temperatures are warming so you know what that means … it’s time to get outside and join the fun with hundreds of easy-to-follow recipes from the grilling experts at America’s favorite grill brand!

  • 300 easy-to-follow grill recipesthat will have family and friends licking their fingers
  • Recipes includedelicious grilled & barbecued appetizers, main courses, salads, vegetables, and desserts
  • Step-by-step instructionsand color photographs for each recipe
  • Tips & techniquesfor the juiciest steaks, roasts, ribs, chops, wings, shrimp, kabobs and more
  • Expert advice for great resultson charcoal and gas grills, grill rotisseries, infrared cookers, and The Big Easy Oil-less Turkey Fryer
  • Backyard-tested techniquesfor grilling, barbecuing, brining, and smoking, along with everything else you need to know for a fun & memorable grilling fiesta
  • Developed in partnership with Char-Broil, one of North America’s leading grill manufacturers

Char-Broil Great Book of Grilling is the definitive cookbook and how-to guide for everyone who loves preparing meals in the great outdoors.

Developed by Creative Homeowner in partnership with one of North America’s leading grill manufacturers, Great Book of Grilling features hundreds of easy-to-follow recipes for grilled and barbecued appetizers, main courses, sides, salads, vegetables, marinades, and even desserts that will have family and friends licking their fingers.

There are also expert tips for brining, smoking, and marinating that are guaranteed to yield succulent, flavorful ribs, seafood, chicken, and vegetables; plus the latest tools and techniques for getting great results on charcoal and gas grills, rotisseries, infrared cookers, and The Big Easy. Over 300 mouth-watering color photographs illustrate these delicious recipes.

The Top 10 Picks at the beginning of the book will give you a place to begin with favorite comfort food, summertime party, veggies, and world cuisine recipes. Then, learn all the tips you need to cook outdoors successfully, from safety and grill care to temperature guideline tables and essential tool lists. Finally, dive into the 300 amazing recipes covering appetizers, snacks, beef, lamb, veal, pork, poultry, seafood, vegetables, sides, salads, desserts, marinades, sauces, and rubs.

Live it up with sizzling burgers, succulent steaks, lip-smacking ribs, and savory seafood that will have family and friends hollering for more!

There you have it! A wonderful collection of items for your enjoyment this week! I hope you’ve enjoyed our selections and found some great gift ideas for Easter or Mother’s Day!

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