Magic Milk Straws: Halloween Candy Alternative

September 29, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 177 Comments

We’ve all been there: the candy aisle at the nearest convenience store, either the day before or the day of Halloween. We’ve paid ridiculous prices for candy, maybe not even the “good” candy since we waited so long to buy any.

This year, I’ve already got my “candy” tucked away at the top of my pantry, ready to go. And my “candy” isn’t actually candy at all. But it sure is sweet! Here’s what I’m handing out this year:

Magic Milk Straws

Have you seen these in the stores, yet? My mother actually introduced them to us, and since that time, I got connected with the folks over at Magic Straws (which I just call milk straws) to learn more about their products. They sent me several flavors to test out (tough job, but someone’s got to do it!), and that’s when it hit me that these would be a VERY cool alternative to Halloween candy this year.

Magic Straws was already thinking about that very same idea, and that’s why they are offering a 48 count Halloween Value Tube this year! The straws in the value tube will be individually wrapped, which makes them perfect!

Ok, Tiffany, but what the heck are Magic Straws? Well, my friend, they are straws that when used, will turn milk (any kind!) into a flavor party! The milk becomes flavored with the cool little beads inside the straw while you sip it. When the beads run out, the flavor is gone. I’ve found the straws to last through a decent sized glass of milk. Darah often still has some beads left over in her straw by the time her milk is gone, which usually prompts the request for, “more milk, please!”

Magic Straws contain NONE of the following:

high fructose corn syrup
artificial colors
lactose
fat
cholesterol
gluten
preservatives
allergens
mess(!)

They come in an awesome variety of flavors, too. They have a Dippin’ Dots line that has birthday cake and s’mores flavors (we handed some of those out at Darah’s birthday party as favors!). Their Got Milk line includes chocolate, strawberry, vanilla milkshake and cookies & cream. And they have a limited edition flavor line that will really blow you away! It includes strawberry/banana, orange cream, wild berry, banana cream, cinnamon roll, neapolitan, cotton candy and chocolate candy cane!

If you aren’t ready to go big, you certainly can purchase Magic Straws in packages of 5, 6 or 24. And they are sold all over the place! Find your nearest retailer online with just a few simple clicks.

What will you be handing out at your front door this Halloween?

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Halloween 48 pack of Magic Straws, just in time for trick-or-treating!

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Cora the Smart Cub Review and Giveaway!

September 27, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 120 Comments

Thanks to VTech for sending us Cora the Smart Cub for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

We have been playing with Cora the Smart Cub, by VTech for about 3 weeks now. And she has already traveled with my family on a road trip, which is a high honor (only the most favorite toys travel!). Cora is intended for children ages 6-36 months, but I can tell you that my 4-year-old also likes to play with it, almost as much as her 16 month old sister!

Cora is an interactive plush toy that can be hooked up to the VTech Learning Lodge online by an adult (a USB cord is included with the toy) so that it can get access to over 20 different stories and 130 different melodies(!). You can also customize the bear to be able to say your child’s name, know your child’s birthday, and know what time of day it is so that the bear knows whether to say good morning or good afternoon.

I have to say, this is a pretty darn cool toy. I’m not typically a big fan of toys that are electronic, but I don’t think this toy is just a “noise maker.” Rather, it is introducing Layah to a wide variety of songs, helping her understand daily routine, working on identifying parts of the body, and encouraging engaged play time.

Our Favorite Car Toy

Cora is a source of much entertainment in the car, which is a sweet relief to me, as Layah is going through a phase now where she hates being in the car seat so much that she tries to get herself out of the straps. She needs something to take her mind off of it, and Cora is the perfect solution.

The Price is Right!

Perhaps what impresses me the most about this toy, though, is the price point. When you think about just how many different things the bear can say and do, and how long it can keep your child engaged, wouldn’t you expect this toy to be in the $50-$75 price range? I would. But no…it is just $19.99! How many cheap, plastic toys have you purchased at that price point that didn’t do anything cool and that broke in a month? I think the value is absolutely outstanding, and I would highly recommend Cora (or Cody, a similar dog but in blue) for a toddler this holiday season.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win your own Cora the Smart Cub!

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Every Suitcase Has a Story: My Trip to Unclaimed Baggage Center

September 26, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 36 Comments

Special thanks to Unclaimed Baggage for providing gift cards to facilitate my adventures searching through the treasures of lost luggage! Don’t miss the SWEET Unclaimed Baggage Center coupon I have for my readers!

When you travel by air, do you ever wonder about where your fellow passengers are going? If you are chatty, like me, you may hear some of the story of your seatmate, but you will likely not hear any others. Are they coming or going? Business or pleasure? Was their trip planned for months on end or did they book their flights last night?

Unclaimed Baggage

Every passenger has a story, and those stories can often be gleaned by simply seeing what they packed in their suitcases. The vast majority of travelers reach their destinations with their suitcases, but every once in a while, a bag does get mishandled, and eventually, lost from its owner. And it is those bags that head to Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama to be sorted through, so that is contents can find new owners, either through being sold or being donated.

Unclaimed Baggage Center has the look and feel of a large retail store, with everything cleaned, categorized and tagged for sale. In addition to having more clothes than you can imagine, they also have a whole slew of other fun things!

Tablets

Jewelry

(All jewelry has been appraised and is sold at roughly half its appraised value. There are some GREAT deals in this case!)

Lost Treasures

Unclaimed Baggage even discovers some real treasures from time to time. Below you will see some antique religious artifacts, various currencies, an animal from a hunting expedition, some unique bicycles, a gorgeous model ship, and a ruby belt buckle worth over $10,000!

During my visit, I was treated to many cool stories, and I soon realized how a trip to Unclaimed Baggage is so much more than a trip to a big store with some good bargains. The store itself tells a story, and so do the people who work there!

As part of my visit, I was treated with some gift cards and sent on my merry way. Since I was without the kids, I was able to shop in peace! But that doesn’t mean I took my time. I had just 2 hours to shop. That might sound like plenty of time until you realize just how big the store is. I was shopping like a mad woman, and honestly, the thrill of it was so much fun. Here’s my buggy about 1 hour into my trip. This is when I realized that I might have a problem…

I made it to the check out line with mere minutes to spare, and then headed straight over to the part of the store where they were hosting something very fun that they do every day: the unpacking of the bag! This is something the center has been doing for a few months now, after hearing feedback from customers who wanted to know what really happens when a piece of luggage reaches their facility. A member of the audience was selected to unpack a bag that had only been viewed by one person at the facility (just to make sure that nothing dangerous or overly embarrassing was inside). We got to help make decisions about what would be cleaned, what would be sold immediately, what would be donated, and what would be trashed. It was so exciting to see this come out of the bag. Treasure hunt, indeed!

Finding the laptop was fun, but what was even more fun was piecing together the story of this bag. Based on the contents, we determined that this was a young adult female who made a trip to Russia. The luggage was lost on the return trip, as she seemed to have her souvenirs (such as nesting dolls) in the bag with her. This was a very cool experience, and one I highly recommend you make the time to see while at the store!

Refueling

I was so happy to see that Unclaimed Baggage had its own cafe on site, AND that it served Starbucks coffee. I had a delicious sandwich for lunch, a big, fat rice krispie treat, and of course, some iced coffee. This got me refueled and ready for more shopping!

My Personal Treasures

Just before leaving the store, I took one more glance at the jewelry section. And something very special caught my eye. I found a little sterling silver bunny that would look so perfect on short sterling silver chain to give to Darah for Christmas (I found the chain in the case, too!). Darah has had the nickname “bunny” since the day she was born. It wasn’t something I had planned on calling her; it just happened the moment I laid eyes on her! As I was checking out, the person helping me said, “Oh my. This is a John Hardy piece. This is VERY special!” I had no idea who John Hardy was, but evidently he is a famous jewelry designer, and his pieces are highly sought after. All I know is that he made a sweet little bunny charm, and I simply had to have it. This was my favorite find of the day!

My other favorite find was a brand new teal winter coat. It still had its tags! It looked fabulous, if I do say so, myself. The red pea coat I wear most often in winter has been with me since 2000, no joke, so I was definitely due for something new!

Additionally, I found several pieces of clothing for other members of my family, as well as a few Christmas gifts. It was an awesome experience, and since it is only an hour from where I live, you’d better believe that I’ll be back. The merchandise is different every day, so there are always new treasures to find!

Have you ever visited Unclaimed Baggage Center? What did you find? Is this the type of place you’d love to get to visit???

Primary Science Plant & Grow Set Review (and Giveaway!)

September 25, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 91 Comments

Learning Resources, one of our very favorite online shops for educational toys, recently sent us the Primary Science Plant & Grow Set to review, and I’ve really been looking forward to telling you all about it!

It comes with lots of great (and sturdy!) tools to use for various experiments, all related to plants and watching things grow. This is a topic of much interest for my 4-year-old, which has made this set a real hit with her.

I especially love the cards that contain several different experiment ideas. Last week, on the way home from preschool, we stopped by our local grocery store to buy some carrots so we could do a really fun and easy experiment together.

We filled up our observation jar about halfway with water, then added 10 drops of food coloring. We cut all but an inch off the carrot top and cut the bottom tip of the carrot, as well. The we put the carrot into the water and waited. The waiting part was tough for Darah, since we needed to wait 2 whole days!

This experiment teaches about how root vegetables get their nutrients, and how water travels throughout the vegetable. After two days we could see blue food coloring at the top of the carrot, as well as on the inside. It was very cool!

If you know of a child who is interested in plants, or who just loves a good experiment, the Primary Science Plant & Grow Set, available through Learning Resources, is a terrific find! After all, the best learning happens when kids are having a lot of fun!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Primary Science Plant & Grow Set!

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Starting the Tradition of Afternoon Tea with #AmericasTea

September 25, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This #AmericasTea shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

While some people are all about tea time, I make no secret of the fact that I LOVE coffee, and specifically, iced coffee. It is my near-constant companion throughout my day, starting well before the sun rises (between 3 and 4 am when I start my work!). I usually have my second coffee between 9-11am, just depending on how tired I am feeling, and then I have a third coffee around 2pm.

Time to Switch to Herbal Tea?

It’s the third coffee that causes the trouble, though. You see, by that time of day, I’m starting to feel groggy and feel the effects of a headache (caffeine withdrawal, I’m guessing). I feel sort of gross without that last cup. But I also feel sort of gross after I drink it. I feel sort of like an exhausted person who got a cold splash of water and was giving marching orders. That’s not at all how I feel with my first two cups of the day. But what to do?

I was recently offered the opportunity to give Bigelow Tea products a try, and to see if I could make the switch from coffee to tea. Now I’m telling you true, those first two cups of coffee aren’t going anywhere, thankyouverymuch! I feel as happy as a lark with them! But I was definitely willing to try something new for my third cup of the day, and I thought transitioning to something with less caffeine but that could be equally as refreshing would be smart. After all, there’s a reason that so many people partake in the afternoon ritual of tea time. They must be on to something, right?

But for me, tea time was going to have to happen on MY terms, and that meant that it was going to be iced. Sounds strange, I know, but the Bigelow website has some great recipes and tutorials for making a delicious glass of iced tea using their products. I don’t like hot coffee, so I don’t think I’d like hot tea, either. But if I could find the right iced recipe, we just might be in business! I really appreciate how many creative options Bigelow Tea presents to consumers. It can help a tea novice like me find the right drink choice, and it can even help an herbal tea aficionado make new discoveries! Definitely check out the Bigelow Tea blog for lots of great ideas and inspirations.

My Bigelow Tea Experience

I purchased several different flavors of Bigelow Tea so that I could easily find the right blend for me (you can check out my entire shopping trip at Walmart here). I started off with Vanilla Chai based on the smell alone. Oh it smelled DIVINE!!! I heated up my kettle and poured a small amount of water into a glass, and then let the tea bag steep for 3 minutes. Then I added 1/4 cup milk and a spoonful of sugar (yes, I like it sweet!), and then I poured the contents over a glass full of ice.

Y’all, it was GOOD! I was honestly surprised at just how much I loved it. And after I realized that it was a winner, I transitioned the contents into my see through iced beverage tumbler (that is a BIG honor, and the tea had to earn the right to it!).

While I still rock my coffee in the morning hours, I actually find myself looking forward to my afternoon tea. I’ve been truly shocked by just how many fun flavor combinations I can dream up, which gives me something different and full of flavor to power through my afternoon. One of my favorite concoctions is what I call the Bigelow Chocolate “Mintea” Beverage. I steeped a bag of Mint Medley tea in about 2 ounces of boiling water for 3 minutes. Then I added 1 tsp chocolate sauce (oh yes I did!), followed by a splash of milk, and a cup full of ice. Give it a try; it tastes like a yummy treat!

Since I have been having tea for a few weeks now, I actually noticed a difference in my overall disposition in the afternoons. We actually just got back from a vacation where I didn’t have easy access to caffeinated beverages, and the afternoons didn’t give me one bit of trouble. I definitely attribute that change to the fact that my body is now used to low-caffeine Bigelow Tea.

So, what’s in your cup or glass around tea time each afternoon? Is it time for you to switch to something that tastes incredible and won’t leave you feeling cranky?

Bento Made Easy (With a Little Help from Mott’s!)

September 24, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Thank you to Mott’s® for sponsoring this article. Grab goodness on-the-go with Mott’s®.

Can we talk about this whole bento box craze? You know, the concept of turning your food (or your child’s food) into animal shapes, and having everything nice and neat in different compartments, colorful, artistic and simply a sight to behold?

Ain’t nobody got time for that!!!

No, I’m serious. How on earth do you people have time to do this??? Don’t get me wrong, I see so many cute bento box ideas popping up on Pinterest, and they definitely make me want to go out and find a baby panda to cuddle with just so that I can be half as adorable. And every once in a while I’ll find myself pinning a few ideas because I get this notion in my head. This dangerous notion. This, “I can do that!” notion. Lord have mercy…

When the folks at Mott’s®. approached me to talk about fun and EASY lunch ideas, I was so excited to learn about some of their new products that can help make putting together an “out-of-the-box” lunch box much easier. I think most folks already know about Mott’s® for Tots, the brand of apple juice that has 40% less sugar than Motts 100% Apple Juice, which makes it the perfect choice for the little ones. And now you can purchase it in a convenient to-go form! Additionally, they offer Mott’s® Snack & Go applesauce pouches. These are the PERFECT addition to any lunch box. They are HUGE hits with both of my girls.

So I headed to the store and got stocked up on these great Mott’s® products. And while I was in the store, I realized that with the beverage and the fruit already taken care of, maybe I could actually handle putting together a bento box for Darah. She would be so surprised to find something other than a peanut butter & jelly sandwich waiting for her at lunch!

Now it is time for my confession: it was REALLY fun putting together a bento box! And thanks to getting a little help from Mott’s, it came together really quick! I decided to do a prehistoric theme, and I made a “Dino Diner” for Darah. Check it out!

Let’s take a closer look at the components and how long they each took me to make. First, you will notice the Mott’s for Tots apple and white grape juice drink, and the Mott’s Snack & Go applesauce. I filled ⅓ of the box with these ingredients in about 6 seconds. Score!!

I then added a “dinosaur-sized” pepper. My daughter likes to eat bell peppers raw. Strange, I know, but NOBODY TELL HER. She likes the crunch!

I also made some lava rice. Now, believe it or not, this came together in 10 minutes, total. I used minute rice and added 2 drops of food coloring to the water. Once the water boils, the rice cooks for 5 minutes. All done! The sun is just a little foam cut out. All of the foam cut outs I found in the school supply section of CVS for 50% off! Huge score!!!

Additionally, I took a piece of string cheese (this was bi-color string cheese, just for extra color and fun), and I cut it in half length-wise. Then I cut it in half by its width so that it would lay flat. I plopped a flower cut out on top to make a giant prehistoric flower! SO easy!

And now I want to show you the most hilarious part of the whole box: the main ingredient! I managed to turn a hot dog into a triceratops with a little help from some pretzel sticks and the top part of a Townhouse cracker! The legs took a little work, but I promise you, the entire effort took 2 minutes. It was the most labor intensive part of the whole box, and it was totally worth it!

Notice the flower and grass that the dino is munching on! It’s a herbivore, after all!

And finally, for dessert, I plopped treats in a little box (the container was also on sale at CVS in the school supply section). I called these “future fossils” and told Darah that they were creatures covered in mud! After I explained that the “creatures” were actually peanuts and the “mud” was just chocolate, she ate every last one!

Once I had a plan for what I was going to do, the execution took about 10 minutes (and that includes having the rice cook while I was working on other elements). It was actually a lot of fun to put together, and while I was working on it, I even came up with other ideas for clever ways to present lunch to Darah. Will I be making bento boxes every day? Probably not. But I could see myself doing something like this once a week. Especially if I get a little help from Mott’s to fill the box!

Want to see what Darah thought of her dino diner?

She giggled and laughed and we went over every single component of the box. I was so curious to see what she would go for first. And wouldn’t you know it? It was this!

Even a triceratops hotdog can’t compete with a Mott’s® Snack & Go applesauce pouch!

Thank you Mott’s® and Technorati for being sponsors of this article. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Stitch Fix Review #3: Personal Stylist Service, How I Love Thee!

September 24, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 10 Comments

Did you miss my first two stitch fix reviews? (Referral links ahead) To get you caught up, here’s where you can find my introduction to having a personal stylist, and then you can check out my second stitch fix review. Two very different boxes, but happy results both times!

The moment I felt the slightest breeze of cool in the air, I hopped online and requested a box from Stitch Fix. Remember, this is not a clothing subscription service where you hand over your credit card information and get charged monthly, but you just order a box whenever you are in need of some new apparel. You can even make special requests (for example: perhaps you are going on vacation, or have a wedding to attend, or need extra sharp to wear while giving a presentation at work). Whatever your styling needs or preferences, just let your stylist know and she’ll take care of you!

I requested some casual-yet-cute pieces for fall in a mild weather climate. I also asked for one LBD (little black dress) for upcoming holiday cocktail parties. Here’s what arrived!

This was the least expensive piece in my box (remember, you can set a general price range, starting with, “the cheaper the better”, which of course is how I roll). This sweater was the perfect color, a very soft material, a reasonable price, and looked great on me if I stood up straight, sucked in my stomach and stopped breathing. Even though it was a size large, I could tell the second I pulled it out of the box that it wouldn’t fit. Bummer! Final verdict: RETURNED.

Well now, isn’t this cute? Stitch Fix totally nailed the style that looks nice on me (fit and flare…kind of throw back ’50s style). And I goofed on the price tag in the photo (yikes!). It was an even more reasonable $68. Tim absolutely loved the dress. And I really WANTED to love the dress. It was exactly right, except for one thing: SO MUCH CLEAVAGE! I think many women with similar size tops would feel perfectly comfortable in this dress with this amount of cleavage for something like a cocktail party, and I tried to convince myself that I could, too. But I noticed that I just kept fidgeting with the dress and thinking about if I looked decent or decidedly indecent, and so, with a twinge of regret, it went back in the box. Final verdict: RETURNED.

This top is SOOOOO me! I’m actually not a huge floral print fan, but I love things that are soft and feminine, and I feel like I’m wearing a Monet painting when I have this top on. And yes, I’m totally the type of person who would WANT to wear a Monet painting! I also like the pickup in the sleeves. It is just a lovely top that I feel lovely in. Final verdict: KEPT.

I can’t tell you the last time I purchased a pair of $88 pants, you guys. The last pants I purchased were some rad polka-dot jeans for $12.50 at Target. And the most expensive pair of pants in my wardrobe are my $68 turquoise pants from Stitch Fix box #1. These are supposed to be “ankle biters” meaning that they look kind of short and are kind of tight around the ankles. Except here’s the thing: I’m just barely over 5 feet tall! So these didn’t hit me the way they should, and they were (for me) kind of crazy expensive. BUT….oh my goodness they are soft, they fit great, and they are such a pretty color. They go great with my new favorite top (see above) and since they are meant to be short, by giving them a little cuff flipped under, they actually fit me really well, without having to take them to be altered! So final verdict: KEPT.

I thought this top was really cute, and just right for fall. But it also didn’t breathe well at all, so I felt a little sweaty in it. And y’all, I don’t sweat. I glisten, but only when absolutely necessary. Also, the pattern, while totally on-trend, just didn’t give me warm fuzzies the way my floral top did. I did like the top, but honestly, once I decided to keep those Kensie jeans, I knew I needed to make another sacrifice. Final verdict: RETURNED.

So what do you think about my choices? Tim thinks that LBD will be the one that got away. What would you have picked? And have you tried Stitch Fix yet? Treat yourself to just one and you’ll see how very “worth it” Stitch Fix is!

I’m linked up to Wordless Wednesday, today, if you want to find more cool outfits!

Things I Never Thought I’d Say: “This Cat Litter Smells Great!”

September 23, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

This post brought to you by Sam’s Club. All opinions are 100% mine.

“This cat litter smells great!” said no one, ever.

The litter box just is what it is: a box that sits in our house, and has cat pee and poo in it. Super “on their game” cat owners clean out the litter box every single day to help keep it from smelling terrible, and to keep their feline friends super happy.

As for us, we are a bit more, shall we say, “relaxed” about how often the litter gets changed. We try to keep a regular schedule, but cleaning it out daily just isn’t happening for us in the midst of all the other chaos of life. Hattie, our 11 year old cat, is also really great about letting us know when we have waited too long. She’ll do really helpful things to clue us in, like poop on our bed. Thanks, Hattie!

Everyone in the house, therefore, is pretty darn excited about the dynamic duo that has just come together to make a litter that does, in fact, smell great! Introducing Tidy Cats with Glade Tough Odor Solutions. You can find this product in twin packs (for a great price!) at Sam’s Club. We are members there, so I’ve just added this to my shopping list for our next trip! Check out the video below to learn more about just how Glade and Tidy Cats are taking care of business and keeping litter box odors at bay!

What do you think about this combination? Have you tried Tidy Cats® with Glade™ Tough 
Odor Solutions, yet?

Greek Yogurt Meets Nutrition Bar: ZonePerfect (Giveaway!)

September 23, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 114 Comments

Greek yogurt is all the rage, and it is no wonder why: it is thick, rich and nutritionally dense. I remember the first time I ever tried it…I was pretty blown away by the difference between greek yogurt and the watery yogurt I was used to!

Greek Yogurt Nutrition Bars

(Special thanks to ZonePerfect for providing product for review. Affiliate links may be included).

ZonePerfect has recently launched a line of nutrition bars that combine the delicious creaminess of Greek Yogurt with other protein-rich ingredients to provide a nutrition bar that can really give you a boost when you need one. I’ve been eating a ZonePerfect Greek Yogurt bar every morning when I get up (between 3 and 4am). I used to try to not eat breakfast until the family was up around 5:30, but then I read that my body needs some fuel within 30 minutes of waking up, whether I get up at midnight, 3 am, or 9 am (I honestly can’t even imagine sleeping in until 9am….I think the last time I did that was college).

ZonePerfect bars have been EXACTLY what my body has needed to get going. They are delicious and leave me satisfied until breakfast time rolls around, and even then I find that I’m not craving a huge breakfast.

ZonePerfect bars also make a great snack to combat that mid-afternoon slump so many of us experience. They come in 3 fantastic flavors: vanilla berry, raspberry and chocolate (my personal favorite!). You can find them at your nearest local grocery store or you can order them on Amazon.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win 15 ZonePerfect Greek Yogurt bars (5 in each flavor)!

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