2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for kids

 

 

It’s that time of the year when we parents run out to buy gifts for our kids that they will play with for a couple of days and then quickly lose interest in. It’s a depressing reality in most cases so I decided to create a gift guide with some very cool items for the holidays that are fun, and hopefully will be a hit with both the parents and the child.

If you haven’t completed your holiday shopping yet, take a look at my guide to see if there’s something you haven’t thought of yet!

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Tuck Shop Trading Co. Hat
 

 

I bought my first Tuck Shop Co. hat this year, and I’m so excited they come in kids size as well! Not only can you find American cities now, but also Canadian provinces, cities and neighbourhoods.

 

 
 

 

Holiday gift guide for kids

AKID Shoes
 

 

Everywhere my son wears his AKID shoes, people stop to tell me how cool they are. Even Kardinal Offishall gave them a nod of approval and a smile at a party a couple weeks ago! I love that most shoes lace up but also have a zipper so my son can take them off and put them on himself.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday gift guide for kids

Gnome Crayons

 

 

Who wouldn’t love crayons in the shape of gnomes? Even I want to colour with them!

 

 

 

 

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BRIKA Mi Cielo Mr. T Toddler Shirt

 

 

Last week I was at the Brika Pop-Up at Yorkdale mall (review coming next week!), and I fell in love with this Mr. T shirt. It also comes in a onesie, and it’s such a conversation piece! Who doesn’t love Mr. T?

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids
 

 

MimiTens Mittens

 

 

MimiTENS solve some cold weather problems all parents seem to encounter. Mittens never stay on, and it’s such a struggle when it’s freezing and you are trying to get mittens back onto your child’s freezing fingers. mimiTENS are thumbless mittens for babies (or they include a thumb spot for older children) and they include and extra long cuffs so they comfortably stay on. The line has become so successful more items are being offered such as booties, neck warmers and hats. All items are made in Canada, and there are some super stylish options to choose from.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Smile Led Lantern

 

 

The Smile Led Lantern is the perfect nightlight because it lets off a soft light, and it’s safe for a child to take it to bed without the parents worrying. I love that it looks like a lantern you would use camping.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift guide for kids

 

 

2015 holiday gift guide for kids

Little Live Pets
 

 

Last week I reviewed and gave away a Little Live Pets Lil’ Turtle Tank, and later this week I will be reviewing and giving away a Little Live Pets Lil’ Mouse house! Both toys have been tested by my toddler and have been big hits!

 

 

 

 

2015 holiday gift guide for kids
 

 

2015 holiday gift guide for kids

Sago Mini Plush Gift Pack
 

 

I have written a few times about my son’s love of Sago Mini apps because they are pretty much the only thing he is interested in when he is on our iPad. He loves his plush Jinja the Cat so much he brought him on our vacation!
 

 

Sago mini
 

 

Included in the Sago Mini Plush Gift Pack are characters Jack, Jinja, Harvey and Robin. The packaging even turn into a house for the characters! Anyone who has children that have played these amazing apps before know that this gift would be a big hit with them.

 

 

 

 

2915 Holiday Gift Guides for Kids

Chalktrail

 

 

Chalktrail attaches onto a child’s bike or scooter to make a trail of chalk wherever they ride. What child wouldn’t love seeing the trail they would make on the road?

 

 
 

 

Good luck with all of your holiday shopping this year!

 

 

Mandy Furnis

 

Review of Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation

Silk Crème Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation Review sparkleshinylove

 

 

Last month when I ran out of my Yves Saint Laurent LE TEINT TOUCHE ÉCLAT Illuminating Foundation I decided to try something new! I loved this foundation, but at times found the look to be a little too dewy for me. I am prone to oily skin, so dewy isn’t always the best look for me.

At the recommendation of a beauty expert at Sephora I decided to try Laura Mercier’s Silk Crème Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation. The only Laura Mercier item I had tried in the past was their tinted primer which I liked, but it wasn’t something I bought again just because I always forget to wear primer.
 

 
Laura Mercier SILK CRÈME MOISTURIZING PHOTO EDITION FOUNDATION review sparkleshinylove

 

 

This foundation was completely different then the YSL formula! It was very very matte. It was a totally different look, and I really liked it! I didn’t see my oily t-zone break through the foundation which can often happen. It mattified my whole face which was amazing.

I found the colour I chose matched my skin very well. So well it was hard to see exactly where I had this foundation on.
 

 
Laura Mercier SILK CRÈME MOISTURIZING PHOTO EDITION FOUNDATION review sparkleshinylove
 

 

It is actually a very watery foundation which I was surprised by since it was so mattifying. I would need to shake the bottle with each use which I was not used to. Normally I would just pump my foundation and go, but with this one I would need to shake and then squeeze it out of the bottle. If I didn’t, often times water would run out of it. I would forget sometimes and get this watery mess on me, but once I shook it the formula mixed well.

The coverage was long lasting as well. It claims to offer 12 hours of coverage, and I believe it to be true. It was so comfortable, and seemed to last all day.
 

 
Laura Mercier SILK CRÈME MOISTURIZING PHOTO EDITION FOUNDATION review sparkleshinylove
 

 
Laura Mercier’s Silk Crème Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation claims to also be photo-ready. I think it looks very well in photos, and hides imperfections well.

Is it my forever foundation? Maybe! I love to switch things up, but I found this foundation was one of the more flattering ones I have tried.

To learn more about this product, please visit their website here, and you can purchase it from Sephora here.

 

 

Mandy Furnis

 

Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup

Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove
 

 

Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove
 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove
 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove
 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove
 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove

 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove
 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove
 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove

 

 

I pretty much wear a plaid shirt every day. I’m wearing one right now as I write this! My closet has flashes of what I would call “lumberjack chic” all over it. The next obvious step was to add a plaid winter jacket to the mix.

I was just minding my own business and doing my grocery shopping when I saw this adorable jacket I’m wearing in the post. It was actually in the kids section of Joe Fresh, but it fit so I scooped it up. Not only was the price right, but it was exactly what I was looking for. Sorry it’s not online, just in stores right now!

I’m looking to add one more plaid jacket to my winter wardrobe because of the whole plaid addiction thing I’m dealing with, and here are a few more of my favourites below.

 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove

Old Navy Plaid Jacket

 

 
Plaid Winter Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove

Zara Wool Coat
 

 
Plaid Jacket Lineup sparkleshinylove

Forever 21 Longline Plaid Coat

 

 
Plaid Jacket Roundup sparkleshinylove

Nasty Gal Bloody Hell Plaid Drape Jacket

 

 

Mandy Furnis

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove
 

 
When I created this holiday gift guide I have to admit I was mostly thinking about what I wanted for Christmas!

It can be so hard to choose a gift for someone, but when it comes to yourself it’s just so much easier. I had way too much fun putting this list together! I’m also giving away with a few of the items on this list at the end of this post. Enter to win a few of these items as a gift for someone, or a little gift for yourself for all of the hard work you are doing over the holidays.

Check out my 2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her below!

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove
 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

1. Diptyque Mimosa Candle & Kate Spade Pretty and Witty Candle

The small version of this diptyque candle is always sold out! Both in stores and online it’s a hard one to find. The smell is pretty fab, and who doesn’t love mimosa’s? It needs to be mine. I love to see how people find ways to use the glass after the candle is long gone as well. This Kate Spade candle is such a cute decorative candle – perfect for a desk or vanity!

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove
 

 

2. Anthropologie Shimmered Pocket Scarf

I love scarves, and I love sequins – it doesn’t get any better when the two are combined! And pockets? This may be the most amazing scarf ever.
 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove
 

 

3. West Elm St. Jude Brass Love Object

How beautiful is is “love” paperweight? It would look fabulous on a desk or on a coffee table, and West Elm will donate 50% of the purchase price of each one sold to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove
 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

4. Bouquet from Tonic Blooms

Free delivery, and in less than two hours? It sounds to be too good to be true. Oh, and the bouquets are gorgeous. The arrangements change often, and the delivery area continues to expand which you can view on their website. Just in Toronto now, but if you live outside of Toronto like myself it would be the perfect gift for a friend or family member in the city. We aren’t talking about your average cookie-cutter bouquet wrapped in cheesy paper! A flower delivery like this would feel like a truly special gesture.

 

 

 

 
2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

5. Paris is Always a Good Idea Mug & Starbucks Rainbow Macaron Mug

I completely agree that Paris is ALWAYS a good idea, and this Starbucks is beyond adorable. Although, I would probably need to eat macarons every time I drink from it. Maybe the mug isn’t a good idea.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

6. Pottery Barn Alphabet Throw

Who wouldn’t want a customized throw? Not only is it cozy, but you can have it personalized with colour, and with a letter. Monogrammed items always seem to feel like such a thoughtful and carefully planned gift because of the extra effort to make it for the receiver.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

7. eos Holiday 2015 Limited Edition Decorative Lip Balm

My obsession with lip gloss basically runs my life. If I leave the house without one I usually drive back home to get it, or I run to a store to buy one enroute to wherever I’m going. How cute is it that you can customize your lip balm with sparkles? Obviously everyone needs this in their life.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove

 

 

8. Phantom Glass Screen Protector

Can you believe that as I was installing this case I dropped my phone on the floor and cracked my screen? Oh the irony! After fixing my screen I easily installed my chic new Phantom Glass screen protector and was instantly in love. Not only was my screen being protected with Corning Gorilla glass (sounds serious right?), but I LOVE the gold cover on mine! It looks fabulous, and I can’t tell at all the glass is covering my screen. I can’t say enough about how much I love it. I am totally buying one for my iPad.

Rose gold is also available along with a clear version or other colours, and they even have screen protectors for cameras. Trust me, you don’t want to pay for a cracked screen on your phone, tablet or camera.

 

 

 

 

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Her sparkleshinylove
 

 
9. Humans of New York Stories

If you don’t follow the Humans of New York blog by Brandon Stanton you are missing out. Brandon takes photos of people he stops walking not only in New York, but lately on his blog he has been travelling around the world. He asks them about themselves, and some of the stories are incredible. This book is the perfect coffee table book that anyone would love to read.

 

 

Now, a giveaway! I’m giving away 4 fabulous items from my Holiday Gift Guide. They are:

An iPhone 6 Gold Phantom Glass Screen Protector

Bouquet from Tonic Blooms

eos Holiday 2015 Limited Edition Decorative Lip Balm

Paris is Always a Good Idea Mug

To win, all you need to do is comment below this blog post with what your favourite item was from this gift guide. That’s it! One entry per person, and this contest is open to Canadian residents only. The contest ends on Thursday, December 10th, 2015 at midnight, and one randomly selected winner will be announced on Friday, December 11th, 2015.

Good luck to everyone who enters!

 

 

Mandy Furnis

 

Little Live Pets Lil’ Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

Little Live Pets Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

 

 

With the holidays coming up, it’s always helpful to get ideas of what toys kids really like before you go shopping! This week my son received the Little Live Pets Lil’ Turtle Tank for review, and we are going to share our thoughts on it with you!

When my son first saw the toy he was pretty excited because he thought I really got him a turtle. When I told him the turtle was just pretend, he was probably just as excited because it was his to keep. I’m not sure we are at the stage where he could understand caring for a pet, so this was a much easier opportunity to see what his attention span would be.

 

 
Little Live Pets Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

 

 

Little Live Pets Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

 

 

We unpackaged the turtle and his tank, and I had to add a AAA battery to the turtle. There was a pretty large on button on the bottom of the turtle which my son was able to turn on and off himself.

The turtle walks on the ground, or he swims in the tank. When you dunk him into the water he also rights himself so he is upright and swimming. All I needed to do for set up was add water, and that was it! The tank can be closed with a snap so the turtle can be put away for next time.

 

 
Little Live Pets Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

 

 

Little Live Pets Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

 

 

Little Live Pets Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

 

 

Little Live Pets Turtle Tank Review + Giveaway!

 

 

To get a really good idea of how the toy works I took this video on what the Lil’ Turtle could do! My son’s laughter is really cute – he really loves his new pet! The turtles name is supposed to be Stary, but he calls him Fred.

 

 

http://youtu.be/s2VzTKzkAI0

 

 

I thought the Lil’ Turtle Tank would be a great way to teach a child how to learn responsibility with a pet. You can purchase the Little Live Pets Lil’ Turtle Tank at Toys ‘R’ Us, TV Showcase, Loblaws, and at other major retailers.

I’m giving away a Little Live Pets Lil’ Turtle Tank on the blog! Head over to my Facebook post here, and tag a friend in the comments section to enter! One reader will be selected randomly. The contest ends on Wednesday, December 9th, 2015 at midnight. This contest is only open to Canadians, and you may enter multiple times as long as each entry is done separately and you are tagging a different person.

Good luck to everyone who enters!

For more details on this product visit www.LittleLivePets.ca!

 

 

Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review, but all opinions are fabulously my own.

 

 

Mandy Furnis