Happy Easter

 

New Edition of Echo City Capers Jr.

Just received the latest edition of Echo City Capers Jr. from our friends Ralph and Joe!  As you may remember, my children and I are big fans of the Echo City Capers books.  Check out my review on Issues 1-4, on Issues 5 and 6 as well as the Christmas Special, on the first 3 issues and the 4th issue of the Echo City Capers Jr. series, and their Holiday Activities Book #3.  

The new edition is titled "Sometimes I Get..." and it's about a little girl and her feelings.  This book would be a great tool in helping children to understand their feelings, emotions and moods.  Everyone has them, and they can change alarmingly fast sometimes.  Sometimes we know why we feel the way we do, and other times we don't-  But that's ok!  Our moods are constantly changing, it's just part of life.  And let's face it, our emotions and changing moods are what keeps life interesting!  

This book would be a great addition to an Easter Basket, or for summer reading. 

Super Cute Easter Basket and Fillers

I received these products from Good Banana for review.  If you're looking for a unique Easter Basket for your child, and some cute surprises to put inside it, let me tell you about these super cute products!

Why settle for a normal Easter Basket when you could give them one of these Shaggy Baggies ($29.99) instead?  These bags are actually totes that can be used long after Easter is over.  They combine the soft, comforting feel of a favorite toy with the utility of a tough carry all bag.  They're available in 6 different styles (Kitty Cat, Cheeseburger, Cupcake, Donut, Pretzel and Rainbow) and can be used for everything from an overnight bag to a beach bag, and everything in between!  They have adorable and ultra soft plush faces, and are made of canvas and nylon for long term durability.  Their measurements vary slightly by style, but they are approximately 13.5" tall, 14.5" wide, and 4.5" deep, not including the handles.  So you can fit tons of candy, snacks, toys and goodies in there for Easter!

 

Give your child a challenge with these cute 3D Puzzles ($14.99).  They'll have a hard time putting these handheld, snack themed puzzles down.  There are 3 different styles (Cupcake, S'mores and Cheeseburger) and each style has pieces unique to that shape to keep you guessing—even if you collect them all.  These interlocking 3D puzzles are fun and challenging and even Mom and Dad will love them!

Chalksters ($9.99) make handling those bulky sidewalk chalks easy and comfortable by holding the chalk in a secure grip.  It's available in 5 different styles (Rainbow, Pencil, Robot, Rocket and Unicorn) and each style comes with 3 different pieces of different colored chalk.  The pencil holds 1 chalk at a time and the rest hold up to 3 chalks, making it effortless and mess free for your little to create those sidewalk masterpieces.  

Visit the Good Banana website to purchase these products, and to see the rest of their awesome offerings! 

Perfect Gift For Anyone Who Loves To Cook Or Bake

I received this product from HELT for review.

The Ocean Breeze Denim Apron ($75) is a great gift idea for anyone who loves to cook.  It's made with sturdy 13 oz. washed denim that provides comfort, function and style.  The navy neck and waist straps are 100% natural cotton and can be easily adjusted for a perfect fit.  It has two large lap pockets and a chest pocket for storing your trade tools (it even has a hidden phone pocket!) and the antique brass hardware ties the look together, adding vintage flair to an updated classic.

 

The waist straps measure 46" for a convenient fit and the apron is wide enough to protect your clothing from the mishaps and perils of working in a kitchen.  It doesn't restrict your movement and is so comfortable that you might even forget you're wearing it!

 

The pockets are large and roomy, and you'll love the way this apron looks and feels.  It's perfect to wear while preparing Easter dinner (or any other meal or snack), and it works equally well for both men and women. 

Universal Fragrance Emitter

I received this product from Unlimiscent for review.

If you love the convenience of a plug in type air freshener to keep your home smelling heavenly, you're going to really love Unlimiscent ($9.95)!  I love the way my home smells when I use a plug in fragrance emitter.  But there are so many different brands that it is sometimes hard to remember which one to buy refills for.  They're all different and the refills will only fit in the emitter for that particular brand.  It's really frustrating when you find a refill on sale for a great price, but it won't fit the emitter you have.  So you have to either buy a new emitter for the brand that's on sale, or buy a refill for the one you have.  Wouldn't it be great if you could use any of the different brands in the emitter that you have?  Well, now you can!

 

The Unlimiscent is a universal fragrance emitter that is designed to work with most standard major brand fragrance bottles such as Glade, Febreze, Renuzit, WalMart Generic Brand, Pura, Airwick, Bath and Body Works Wallflowers, Yankee Candle and Better Homes and Gardens.  Just plug the Unlimiscent into a 120V outlet, adjust the emitter dial, and keep your house smelling fresh and clean with your favorite fragrances.

You'll love the freedom and convenience Unlimiscent gives you.  It's easy to use and will keep your home smelling great.  You'll want one for every room!

Beautiful Personalized Name Necklace

I received this product from JoyAmo for review.  They offer a variety of beautiful personalized jewelry that's perfect for those looking for an Easter gift with a personal touch.

The Personalized Carrie Name Necklace with Figaro Chain (regularly priced at $99.95, currently on sale for $69.95) makes an elegant addition to any Easter Basket.  Whether you're shopping for your wife, girlfriend, daughter, mother, sister or any other special lady in your life, this is the perfect choice.  It even comes in a cute gift box!

You can choose between 3 different types of metals (925 Sterling Silver, 18K Gold Plating and 18K Rose Gold Plating) and 5 different lengths (14", 16", 18", 20" and 22") for the Figaro chain.  This allows you to completely personalize your necklace.

What I really love about this necklace is that you can specify any name you want.  My daughter has an unusual name, and you can never find on any of the items that come personalized with common names.  She's always disappointed when she see pencils or keychains with names on them because hers is never there.  So being able to specify any name you want is a huge plus for me.   

This is a beautiful personalized gift that you will be proud to give, and she will be thrilled to wear!  Browse the JoyAmo website to see their full selection of jewelry for all occasions.

Waffles and Pretzels For Your Easter Basket

I received these products from Eastern Standard Provisions for review.  If you're looking for something a little more sophistocated than candy for an adult Easter Basket, then this is a perfect choice!

The Happy Easter Variety Box ($34.99) is a deliciously unique way to elevate your Easter celebration.  It's packed with a tasty variety of gourmet snacks for you to enjoy.  These artisanal soft pretzels and gourmet Liège Belgian waffles are perfect for Easter when you use the included all natural sprinkles and sweet sauce.

Imagine waking up on Easter morning to a basket like the one pictured above.  It's a wonderful alternation to (or addition to) a basket full of candy.  You can share with your partner if you like, but we won't judge you if you keep it all for yourself!

The "Happy Easter" Box includes:

• (2) Wheelhouse Signature Soft Pretzels
• (6) Turnbuckles Soft Pretzel Sticks
• (2) Dark Chocolate Dipped Liège Belgian waffles
• (2) Classic Liège Belgian waffles
• (1) Peanut Butter Caramel Sauce
• (1) Jump For Joy Sprinkles
• (1) Classic Pretzel Salt
• (1) "Happy Easter" sticker on the outside of the box

The pretzels are vegan, kosher certified and made with simple, natural ingredients.

 

This Knife Will Make Your Easter Dinner Food Prep A Breeze

I received this product from KUMA for review.  They offer high quality kitchen knives that combine razor sharp performance with lightweight maneuverability, all packaged in a beautiful aesthetic design.

The KUMA Chef's Knife Classic ($34.97) is razor sharp straight out of the box.  If your family is anything like mine, then Easter dinner is a huge affair.  I come from a large family (I'm the youngest of 9), so there are TONS of people at our family gatherings.  This, in turn, means that there's tons of food that needs to be prepared and served.  This chef's knife makes that food prep easy and even fun.

This 8" kitchen knife is super versatile and cuts like a dream.  It combines lightweight materials, a smooth ergonomic handle and an elegant Japanese inspired profile design to deliver the control and comfort that all cooks dream of.  Its elegant and razor sharp design makes it easy to carve a roast, delicately slice and chop vegetables and expertly fillet fish.  You can even cut through thin bone with this awesome knife!  And the comfortable bolster will protect your fingers from accidents.

The KUMA Chef's Knife is a must have in any kitchen.  Whether you're preparing food for a special occasion or holiday, or simply preparing every day meals for your family, this knife is an invaluable tool that will let you breeze through the preparation.

These Wooden Christian Wall Hangings Are Perfect for Easter

I received these products from Agape Woodwork for review.  If you're looking for a uniquely beautiful gift this Easter, Agape Woodwork has lots of gorgeous wooden wall hangings to choose from.  The religious theme makes them perfect for Easter.

One of my favorite church songs has always been "The Old Rugged Cross", so when I saw this particular wall art hanging, I was immediately drawn to it.  With some of the lyrics printed on the background and wooden cut out of a cross prominently displayed in the foreground, it's a stunning piece of wall art.  

This "He Is Risen" wall art is the perfect choice for an Easter gift.  It displays three crosses on a hill and is printed with the story of how they found the tomb empty after the crucification.  Jesus' body was gone, He is Risen.  

Agape Woodworking offers a variety of beautiful Christian Wall Art, all handcrafted from wood and made in the USA.  These wall hangings will remind you of God's love and His promises.  Browse their catalog to choose the perfect piece of wall art to gift to a loved one, or to grace your own wall.  But be warned, they're all so amazing that it's really hard to choose just one!

The Cutest Snuggle Buddy For Babies

I received this product from Baby Starters for review.  They offer the cutest products for babies, from layette sets, to snuggle buddy sets, to baby toys.  These products are the perfect choice to put in an Easter Basket for a new Mom or as an alternative to candy for your littlest bundle of joy.

This super cute 2 Piece Snuggle Buddy and Blanket Set ($14.99) is absolutely adorable.   I received this sports themed Blue M.V.P. Puppy set, but they have lots of other adorable style to choose from including an Aqua Bear, Blue Dino, Elephant, Sock Monkey, Pink Bunny, Lion, 2 styles of Dolls and 2 styles of Unicorns.  Choose your favorite or get them all!

This Snuggle Buddy is a soft, cute puppy rattle with an attached security blanket that's satin trimmed and is embroidered with a paw print and "M.V.P." on the front.  Your baby will be entertained by this adorable rattle and the security blanket it's attached to is lined with satin for tactical stimulation.  It's super soft and sized perfectly for little hands to grip as your baby snuggles with his new best friend.

The blanket is made of soft plush velour and features a sports theme that's perfect for your future All Star (whether you have a boy or a girl!).  This  high quality blanket is generously sized at 30" x 36", making it appropriate for newborns, as well as toddlers. 

The Snuggle Buddy and Blanket Set is perfect for at home, as well as on the go.  It's perfect for snuggling and cuddling at at nap time, and for soothing your baby when he's fussy.  It's also great for bonding during tummy time or keeping your baby warm and entertained while traveling.  It's a great gift choice because it will be loved and adored by both the baby and the mother!

Perfect For Easter

I received these products from Demeter for review.  If you're looking for a great alternative to candy to add to an Easter Basket for a teen girl, or as a surprise for any woman you care about, Demeter has many wonderful fragrances to choose from.  I was lucky enough to receive 4 different floral based scents that are perfect for Easter.  They will instantly bring to mind Springtime when flowers begin to bloom and you can smell them on the gentle breezes that caress your face and blow through your hair.

 

The traditional Easter Flower is the daffodil, so this Daffodil Pick Me Up Cologne is perfect as a basket stuffer.  Demeter based their subtile, yet playful floral scent on the Poeticus Daffodil, one of the many different types and variations of daffodils.  This is a very feminine and slightly sweet fragrance that is inspired by the living flower, rather than a concentrated, perfumed version.  Daffodils are known by other names, including Narcissus and Jonquil. They are linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus, who was so obsessed with his own reflection that as he knelt and gazed into a pool of water, he fell in and drowned.  The narcissus plant sprang up and marked the place where he died with its beautiful, fragrant blooms.

Demeter has captured the scent of the sweet living hyacinth flower in full bloom.  When you wear the Hyacinth Pick Me Up Cologne, you’ll feel like you’re standing in a field of Hyacinth.  If you close your eyes, you will almost feel the gentle breeze as it surrounds you in this extraordinary fragrance.

Native to China and Japan, the tiger lily flowers in July and August.  The bloom is an orange spotted color and it has a brightly sweet scent.  This Tiger Lily Pick Me Up Cologne captures this fragrance perfectly.  It's quite a unique fragrance that will transport your senses to a warm summer day.

Nothing is better on a sunny summer day than watermelon, and Demeter has turned this idea into an amazingly fresh fragrance.  Inspired by an imaginary flower, this Watermelon Blossom Pick Me Up Cologne brings to mind the freshest, most perfect watermelon, on a perfect summer’s day.  The fresh scent of a burst of watermelon settles into a soft and fresh floral foundation, centered with Jasmine, White Musk and Heliotrope.  You'll have the sensations of a beautiful sunny day no matter what the weather is actually like.

All of these fragrances and more are available on the Demeter website.  Browse their full selection and choose the perfect scent (or scents) for Easter gifting.

Glowing and Youthful Skin This Easter

I received these products from Eva Naturals for review.  This Easter, you can have radiant, glowing and youthful looking skin using these natural, healthy skin care products.

Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Vitamin C+ Serum is loaded with antioxidants that will help protect your skin against UV rays.  It can even help repair any skin that has been damaged by the sun.  Made with natural ingredients, this serum is safe and effective for all skin types.  It's packed with vitamins, essential oils and organic ingredients like Aloe, and can be used to treat adult acne and dry facial skin.  It contains Hyaluronic Acid, which provides incredible hydration by holding up to 1000 times its weight in water, and Niacinamide which will help balance the red and uneven skin tones that result from acne and other skin conditions.  It can also effectively correct dark spots and hyperpigmentation.  It has Retinol to cleanse your pores and Salicylic Acid for exfoliation.  It's a great way to fight blemishes and improve acne prone skin, resulting in a glowing, radiant and blemish free complexion.

Eva Natural Vanilla Bean Night Cream is a soothing moisturizer that's safe for all skin types.  It uses the revitalizing properties of Vanilla Bean to promote younger looking skin, while CoQ10 helps kick collagen production into high gear to visibly reduce wrinkles, and Shiitake Mushroom helps even out your complexion.  Vitamins E and B5 work together to reduce damage and fight free radicals, and the antioxidant rich Green Tea minimizes puffiness.  It contains Coconut Oil to soften the complexion, while Rosehip and Rooibos hydrates your skin.  This natural night cream has a rich, creamy texture that makes it the perfect way to pamper yourself at the end of a long rough day.

Beautiful Necklace For Your Daughter

I received this product from Aeares for review.  Aeares is a family run business with the core values of trust, passion for their work and dedication to their valued customers.  They offer a range of gift items that are perfect for every occasion and everyone on your gift list.

This beautiful Easter Necklace Gift For Daughter will be a treasured keepsake for years to come.  The pendant is in the shape of a Love Knot, which represents an unbreakable bond between souls and symbolizes eternal love.  It's brilliantly crafted with 14k white gold over stainless steel and is set with a 6mm cubic zirconia crystal as the center stone.  Surrounding this center stone are smaller cubic zirconia, which adds to the sparkle, shine and beauty of this gorgeous work of art.  It hangs from an 18"-22" adjustable cable chain and fastens with a lobster clasp, allowing you to decide the length of this beautiful necklace.

The necklace comes ready for gifting in a 2 tone presentation box, but you can choose to upgrade to this luxurious mahogany style LED gift box instead.  It has a built in LED that lights up when you open the box, illuminating the pendant so it sparkles and shines.

Regardless of the box you choose, the pendant comes with an enclosed sentiment card which reads: 

"To Our Daughter,
On the occasion of Easter, we wish that your heart should be filled with love, happiness and joy. You truly are a wonderful daughter, and loved more than you could possibly know.
Mom and Dad."

This necklace is perfect for every day wear, as well as dressy occasions.  It would be an awesome addition to a teen's Easter basket.  She'll be reminded of the love her parents have for her every time she opens the box, and every time she looks at the beautiful pendant.  She'll wear it with pride for years to come!