Marvel Universe, Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter™ Game #HolidayGiftGuide

 What a year it has been. With us being in the house this much, you can get stir crazy with life sometimes feeling like groundhog day. Living with two teens and a young kid, the hubby and I try to make sure we all check in with each other as often as possible. One of the ways we do that is family game night. What was once a couple times a month has now become our weekly routine. Each week a family member takes turns to pick out a game that we can all play. With Christmas being at home this year and with it just being with our household, we've decided that we are going to have game night on Christmas after we eat dinner. 

I'm excited as we have a few new games that were sent to us and one of them being Marvel Universe, Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter™ Game from our friends over at Asmodee Canada. They have tons of games to keep the entire family occupied as we continue to do our part during this pandemic and stay home. My family and I are huge Marvel fans. We've seen every movie and the last couple of movies we got to see in a theatre, which I truly do miss.





The Avengers movies were our favourites out of all of the Marvel movies because then we had all of our superheroes together on the same screen and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame were amazing. So to receive Marvel Universe, Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter™ Game is pretty awesome as I know my family and I will love and have lots of fun playing this game. Especially with one of us having to play the villain, Thanos! 

The Mad Titan Thanos seeks the Infinity Stones to bend the universe to his indomitable will, but courageous heroes are assembling to stand in his path to ultimate power. Based on the beloved card game and set in the Marvel Universe, Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter Game features the elegant mechanics of the original, re-imagined in a one-vs-many twist for thrilling team play. While one player takes on the role of Thanos on a crusade to change the universe as we know it, 1-5 other players must deploy iconic heroes to defeat him before he can achieve his aims.

Throughout the game, players take turns drawing a card and playing a card, then executing its effect. Hero players can call upon the likes of Iron Man, Spider-man, Thor, and Scarlet Witch for their abilities to battle and gather intel about their opponent’s schemes. A worthy adversary, Thanos plays with a two-card hand, drawing from his own deck of minions and powerful Infinity Stones. The heroes will have to use their abilities in strategic combinations to knock his health down to zero before he can do the same to them—or find all six Infinity Stones and win with a snap of his fingers. Who will prevail in this battle for the universe? I know for sure my kids would want my husband to be Thanos in our first round, who would play Thanos in your family?

The game is for ages 10+, and can have between 2-6 players. It's a pretty quick game that lasts about 15 minutes and comes with 36 Cards, 9 Power Tokens, 2 Plastic Sliders, Cloth Bag and Rulebook. Marvel Universe, Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter™ Game is available where games are sold and retail for $19.99 (CAD). For more information about this game and many others, head to Asmodee Canada.



Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned product at no cost for the purpose of this post. No other compensation was received.

L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix Doll Review #HolidayGiftGuide

 My six year old loves to play with dolls. She loves to create a world of her own and when she's in front of her dollhouse, she can play for hours. She's spunky, creative, fierce, beautiful, and unique and I love her style. Yes, even at six years old, Bailey, can put together a really stylish outfit and has to always match with a headband or bow. Not only can she dress, but her taste in music is pretty good for a six-year-old, so when we were sent a L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix Doll to give her for the upcoming holidays, I was very excited because I just know she's going to love it. 





Introducing new O.M.G. Remix Dolls! There are four remix dolls to collect and each doll is paired to a different genre of music (Pop, Hip Hop, R&B and Country). There's Lonestar, Honeylicious, Pop B.B., and Kitty K! We were sent Honeylicious as I wanted the doll that best represented my little girl. Each doll comes with two outfits, a performance look, and a rehearsal look. There's also a vinyl record in the packaging that is interactive and can play music. They're retailed for $59.99 (CAD). I'm very excited for Bailey to open and play with Honeylicious, I just know she's going to love her and her style.



Honeylicious is all about the hip hop vibes and creating the perfect mix – in music and in fashion – with her comfy casual hoodie and camo print pants. She has stunning features, beautiful, styled hair, and her own fly style. She's the big sister to fan-favorite LOL Surprise character, Honey Bun, and she's ready for the ultimate concert, the So Extra Tour. Unbox the full-size record and play it on her record player packaging. It really plays a Honeylicious' hip hop piece of a surprise song. Then, get her ready for the show.

Honeylicious includes 2 complete fashion looks, but her 2nd outfit got remixed! Collect her BFF, Lonestar, to complete her look just in time to take the stage! She also includes music accessories, so she's ready for the concert. Have her strike a pose to show her off on her included doll stand. She also includes her magazine with the lyrics to her piece of the song.

Collect all the lyric sheets from the whole LOL Surprise Remix line to reveal the whole song. Or, mix & match lyrics to create your own Remix. Collect all 4 LOL Surprise O.M.G. Remix fashion dolls. Collect the whole LOL Surprise Remix line to collect all the song lyrics and complete the surprise song.

L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix Dolls are the dolls to have this holiday season, especially if you have a little one who loves dolls and loves music, these Remix Dolls are perfect. I'm excited to buy Honeylicious BFF, Lonestar, so that Bailey can put them together and match their outfits together. 


For more information about L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix Dolls, be sure to head to L.O.L. Surprise where you can find where to purchase these dolls online or locally. 


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned toy at no cost for the purpose of this post. No other compensation was received.

Holiday Gift Ideas with Hasbro #HolidayGiftGuide

 The countdown is on, and Christmas is literally right around the corner. Although this year will be different than previous holidays, I'm still excited to see the look on all three of my kiddo's faces as they open up gifts on Christmas morning. Some of those gifts will be from our amazing friends over at Hasbro. If you're still looking for gift ideas, Hasbro has got you covered. With gifts for kiddos of all ages, you'll definitely find something that the kids in your life will love.

Although my older two are in their teens and play with toys less, they love when we get together for family game nights and I'm excited to play both the new games of Monopoly Super Electronic Banking Board Game and Operation Pet Scan Board Game. Both are newly updated games that we've played together in the past and I'm so excited to try the new versions with my family. I just know we're going to have a blast playing both on Christmas day.  




With Monopoly Super Electronic Banking Board Game there is no more cash to hand out, instead each player will be handed a bank card! The Monopoly Super Electronic Banking board game features an all in one electronic banking unit, and amps up the excitement with unique rewards! Each player has a bank card that will earn them different rewards for gameplay: roll a certain number, land on a certain space, or purchase a particular property. Players can also choose to fly to any property on the board, and force another player into trading one of their coveted properties. There is no paper money in this game -- the cards and banking unit track each player's cash. It's an exciting game as players buy properties, collect rent -- and get rewarded for it! The player with the most money at the end of the game wins.



Operation was always a childhood favourite of mine and when we had kids that were old enough to play, they would get a kick out of this game. We've never played with our youngest Bailey who is six, so I am very excited to have her open this game up Christmas morning and for us to play it during the day. With Operation Pet Scan Cavity Sam's dog, Rex-Ray, has eaten a bunch of things he shouldn't have like homework, socks, bunny slippers, and a dog bone. Players try to help him feel better by removing them. Drop an ailment into the dog's mouth and use the magnetic Dog-o-scope to guide it along his belly -- hoping it'll come out his tail end. But watch out for the buzz! If the buzzer sounds the ailment drops. If it falls out of his belly, that player's turn is over. Each ailment successfully removed counts as a point and whoever has the most points wins. Kids will be entertained throughout the game with fun sound effects. Press and hold the pup's nose to hear an instant bark and fart sounds. The Operation Pet Scan game is a great choice for a birthday gift or a fun holiday gift for kids ages 6 and up.




Next up are a few toys we received for Bailey, who is six, and I can't wait to see her face when she opens these up. First off is the Disney Princess Comfy Squad Sweet Treats Truck. Inspired by the Disney Princesses in the movie Ralph Breaks the Internet (sequel to Wreck It Ralph) these princesses were so popular that they have given them their own toy line, Comfy Squad and we are here for it. The Disney Princess Comfy Squad Sweet Treats Truck lets kids can imagine that the comfortably dressed Disney Princess characters from Ralph Breaks the Internet are visiting the Comfy Squad Sweet Treats Truck for some delicious goodies. Kids can roll this toy vehicle on its wheels, then open it up to reveal a whole sweet shop inside, complete with cotton candy machine, ice cream freezer, and even cash register accessories. The roof comes off to become a picnic table shaped like an ice cream sandwich with chocolate bar-shaped seats. On one side, the window flips up and the other side features a counter that flips down. Set also includes accessories like ice cream scoops and a scooper, cotton candy and cones, and more, so kids can make believe they're putting together tasty treats for customers. This doll vehicle makes a great addition to a collection of Disney Princess Comfy Squad dolls, which are sold separately. 



Bailey absolutely loves Play-Doh. She has an entire collection of different Play-Doh kits and this Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Candy Delight Playset is definitely going to be one of her new favs, especially since she loves to create food with her Play-Doh. It's crazy candy galore at the Play-Doh candy store! This Play-Doh candy factory is a treat for the imagination as kids create their own silly gummy bears, pretend candy bars, and play candy cups. Fill the top with Play-Doh compound, then turn the crank on the candy machine to see the crazy colorful Play-Doh candies pour out. Scoop the creations into the pretend candy buckets to show them off to friends. 5 cans of non-toxic Play-Doh compound work like modeling clay to crank up the creativity. It's a great arts and crafts activity or gift for kids 3 years and up!




Lastly, we received a Power Rangers Beast Morphers Beast-X King Morpher. IT’S MORPHIN TIME! I'm not sure if some of you remember from our earlier posts, but my family and I are huge Power Ranger fans. My husband and I loved the show when we were kids and we've managed to get all of our kids to fall in love with the series as well, so receiving this Morpher for Bailey was awesome and I can't wait to see her face when she opens it up. From the Beast Morphers back to the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the Power Rangers have brought teamwork, action, and adventure to generations of fans. The legacy continues with figures, vehicles, collectibles, and roleplay toys from Hasbro, celebrating ranger teams from Mighty Morphin to the Beast Morphers.


All of the toys I've mentioned are great gift ideas for kids and if you still are looking for gifts to buy this holiday season, head over to Hasbro to find where you can purchase each of these toys online or locally. 


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned toys at no cost for the purpose of this post. No other compensation was received.





Beerman, Coors Light's New Holiday Hero! #HolidayGiftGuide

 The holidays are here and look a lot different than previous years with all of us still living in a worldwide pandemic. Our province is currently on lockdown, and it's stated that you spend the upcoming holidays with just your household. It's been a long year.  With lockdowns across Canada, this season may feel a little lonelier than usual with fewer friends and family around. 

Although we may be stuck at home, we can still get creative and find new ways to enjoy this holiday season. Who says all the fun stuff is just for kids!? Coors Light is celebrating with a festive new tradition made just for grownups. Introducing, Beerman, their perfectly imperfect holiday drinking buddy, designed to keep your beer cold and your spirits up!

This year has been stressful and uncertain about what may come next. Adults deserve to enjoy the holidays every bit as much as kids, especially after the amount of stress, worry, and high anxiety we all have been through. That’s why Coors Light is on a mission to create new and fun-filled holiday traditions. Introducing their newest holiday tradition for adults only, the Coors Light Beerman, the holiday hero we need in 2020. 



We were sent a case of Coors Light to help celebrate the introduction of Beerman and although there's been no snow this week where I am, it looks like snow is on the forecast soon. Canadians can get into the holiday spirit with Beerman, and create their own. Just roll up some snow, add some eyes, give him a couple of beers to chill and you’ve created a new holiday drinking buddy! We're pretty excited for the next snowfall so we can create our own Beerman for the hubby and me to enjoy together.


 

Check out the video above and you’ll notice he’s not your average holiday mascot...More importantly, Beerman is built for function over form, and anyone can replicate him with piles of snow and a few cans of Coors Light chilled to ice-cold perfection. We encourage you to build your own Beerman as you sit back and chill with a Coors Light in hand this winter season. A great way to keep you entertained while we stay home, stay safe, and help do our part. 


For more information about Coors Light and their newest holiday mascot, be sure to head to their website.


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a case of Coors Light at no cost for the purpose of this post. No other compensation was received.


BritBox: The New Streaming Service You Didn't Know You Were Missing! #HolidayGiftGuide

 

With us being home now more than ever, I found that I've watched tons of movies and binged so many TV shows I've seen before on some of my favorite streaming services, but what I was missing was BritBox. If you're like me and love to watch movies and television series that are based in the UK, this streaming platform may be just what you have been missing. 


BritBox is a digital video subscription service offering the largest collection of British TV in the U.S. and Canada. Created by two British content powerhouses—BBC Studios, the subsidiary arm of the BBC, and ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster—the service features iconic favourites, exclusive premieres, and current series and soaps—most available within 24 hours after their UK premiere.  BritBox also offers expert curation and playlists that enable fans to easily find programs they know and discover new favourites via the web, mobile, tablet, and connected TVs.   


I have been a huge fan of British shows and movies since I was a young kid who came across the British television show, Absolutely Fabulous. I think I was about nine years old. Probably too young to be watching, I remember loving everything about that show from their accent, their love of their friendship, the fashion, and all of their shenanigans they would get into. That was just the beginning of my love for British shows and movies. From there I would come to love the show Mr. Bean, Doctor Who, the movie Pride and Prejudice, and later in life the popular show, Downtown Abbey and so many more. 


Over the last month, I have been streaming some amazing shows and movies from BritBox. Some that I use to watch when I was younger and lots of others I've watched for the first time. I've been really enjoying this streaming platform and so has my family. My six year old has started to pick up on a Britsih accent and it's been so cute to watch, she's actually pretty good. 


With a variety of shows and movies, including a handful from Agatha Christie, BritBox would be a great gift to give this holiday season as a gift to family and friends or as a gift to yourself. BritBox is available for $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year, after an introductory free trial period, and is available on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku®, Apple TV 4th Gen, Samsung, LG, Chromecast, and all iOS and Android devices, as well as online. BritBox is also available on Amazon Prime Video Channels for Prime members. 

Give the perfect gift without leaving the comfort of your home, a subscription to BritBox. For more information about BritBox, be sure to head to their website

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a 3-month subscription to Britbox at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Quo Beauty Holiday Collection Pop of Glitz Brush Set Review #HolidayGiftGuide

Although this Christmas will look a lot different than previous ones before, we will be home with only the members of our household as we're continuing to do our part while we're still living in a worldwide pandemic. With that being said, on Christmas morning, I still plan on getting dressed up and doing my make-up because, why not? 

 I finally got a chance to step out of work mode and into glamour a couple of weeks ago when I was sent the Quo Beauty Holiday Collection Pop of Glitz Brush Set. The brushes are of excellent quality, smooth, and flawless. The set comes with six makeup brushes in varying sizes; a powder brush, a foundation brush, a fluffy crease brush, an all-over shadow brush, a smaller smudge brush, a pointed liner brush, and my favourite - a gold metallic canister to safely store them all. The set is beautiful to look at. With glittered handles and a hard metallic case, it's the perfect solution to keeping my brushes clean and handy when I'm on-the-go. This was a must-have for my purse for me to keep on hand at all times, I'm in love with this set!


This would be a great stocking stuffer or gift to someone in your life this holiday season who loves to do their make-up or for anyone who is always on the go as this set of brushes can easily fit into your purse. Not only are these brushes beautiful to look at, but they also work amazing and I love how easy they are to clean. Retailed for $25, this set is valued at $50. You can find this set at your local Shoppers Drug Mart. 


For more information about the Quo Beauty Holiday Collection Pop of Glitz Brush Set and other products from Quo Beauty, head to Shoppers Drug Mart.


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned product at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Glory: Magical Visions of Black Beauty Book Review #HolidayGiftGuide

 



By: Kahran & Regis Bethencourt
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 20, 2020
ISBN: 9781250204561
Pages: 256

From Kahran and Regis Bethencourt, the dynamite husband and wife duo behind CreativeSoul Photography, comes GLORY, a photography book that shatters the conventional standards of beauty for Black children.

Featuring a foreword by Amanda Seales

With stunning images of natural hair and gorgeous, inventive visual storytelling, GLORY puts Black beauty front and center with more than 100 breathtaking photographs and a collection of powerful essays about the children. At its heart, it is a recognition and celebration of the versatility and innate beauty of black hair, and black beauty. The glorious coffee-table book pays homage to the story of our royal past, celebrates the glory of the here and now, and even dares to forecast the future.

It brings to life past, present, and future visions of black culture and showcases the power and beauty of recognizing and celebrating oneself. Beauty as an expression of who you are is power. When we define our own standards of beauty, we take back that power. GLORY encourages children around the world to feel that power and harness it.


MY REVIEW

Growing up in a black home there weren't many books I came across as a kid that represented me. Over the last few years I've noticed more and more people of colour on covers of books and who are the main characters in stories and it just warms my heart to hear that because people of colour need to feel represented too. I was sent an advance copy of Glory earlier this year and was also gifted a hard copy once it was released. I absolutely loved my advance copy, but when that hard copy came, I squealed. You guys this book is absolutely stunning! From start to end, there are so many beautiful pictures representing so much black beauty and I am here for it. 


Being a mixed-race family and having kids that are biracial, my goal is to have books in our home library that represent any and every person in the world, especially books that help my kids feel represented and heard. I would have loved to have Glory on my bookshelf as a kid to look through and read stories of other kids that look like me.   

Glory is such a beautiful book from start to finish and I currently have this book on my coffee table so that my kids can reach for it whenever they are in our family room and look through it. I can't wait for the day when we get to have family and friends over again to visit and share my love for this book in person with them because I've shared with so many family and friends over videochat any chance I got. It's truly a book of beauty and each picture just makes me smile.

No matter what race you are, Glory is definitely a book you want on your coffee table. The pictures alone will have you in awe and the added stories of some of the kids are a bonus and make this book even better. There are pictures of black kids from all over the world, from California to Ghana, to South Africa, there is so much representation in this book. This would be a perfect gift to give someone this holiday season who loves photography and who would love to learn a bit more about the different black cultures around the world.

For more information about Glory and where to purchase this book, be sure to head to Raincoast Books.


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Glory at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.


Osmo Genius Starter Kit Review #HolidayGiftGuide

With the majority of the world continuing to stay home to do our part, this school year for my kids is a bit different. Like most, my kids are attending virtual school. My youngest is six and is in grade one. She's been doing great with this school year and making the best out of having to be home all day long. 

Last year she was sent a Little Genius Kit from our friends at Osmo and she loved it. She still continues to play with it, now, more than ever with us being home. She loves to learn and she loves to be creative. If Osmo merges tactile exploration with innovative technology, actively engaging children in the learning process. Their many different kits use tangible pieces to create a unique, hands-on learning experience.


This year we were sent their Genius Starter Kit for her to dive into. She's a year older and this kit is perfect as it is aimed at kids between the ages of 6-10. To play with these interactive kits you need either an iPad or an Amazon Fire Tablet. Bailey has an iPad mini, and that works great. The Genius Starter Kit is a great entry to the Osmo universe. The kit includes everything your kids need to experience hands-on learning and digital fun in five different ways. The kit comes with an Osmo Base for iPad or Fire, Tangram pieces, Numbers Tiles, Words Tiles, and Stackable storage. 

I'm very excited for Bailey to open this gift on Christmas morning to see that she has a more advanced kit for her to play and learn. What I love so much about Osmo and their interactive learning kits is that I can allow Bailey to have more screen time because I know that she's not only having a great time while playing, but she's learning as well. We know kids learn by doing, so each game uses physical action. Whether it’s arranging tangrams, zooming number tiles around, or even freehand drawing, Osmo sees and reacts to every real-live move.

There are five different activities for your kiddos to do with the Genius Starter Kit. Tangram is a timeless game reinvented using a fully interactive video experience. Playing Tangram is a great way to exercise spatial and visual problem-solving skills and will have your kiddos thinking with shapes! With the Tangram pieces included in your kit, you can create different shapes and forms. Animals, numbers humans, and more. 

Words are another activity your child can play on the Genius Starter kit and the more the merrier. They can definitely play alone, but with words, your entire family can get together and play when switched to the multi-player mode. There are over 150 puzzle images and endless new albums created by the community and if you and your child are feeling creative and want to participate, you can create and share your own Words album to the Osmo-community at myOsmo! 

Next is Newton. This is where Physics meets creative problem-solving. Your child can guide falling on-screen balls into the correct target. With 60 levels, Newton will challenge your child bouncing balls, accelerating platforms, and fans as your child advance each level. You can play with anything and everything. Start with a pen and paper, but also try objects like Osmo Tangram pieces or toys to help get the falling balls in the target. 

Masterpiece allows your child to take a picture of anything and Masterpiece will transform it into simple outlines so you can draw it to perfection. Kids can combine their love of technology and draw while learning useful skills. When their drawing is done, they can share an awesome time-lapse video of their work, which is always great to see. I can't wait for Bailey to try out Masterpiece. All of my kids absolutely love Art and love to create, so I think this is going to be one of her favourites. 

Last is Numbers, which lets kids learn through experimentation in a stress-free environment with real-time feedback. When kids get the idea that there are multiple good ways to solve a problem, math becomes creative and fun. I've seen this a lot throughout Bailey's grade one class. Her teacher does number talks every morning and puts up a problem for all of the kids to think and solve. There are no wrong answers, which is great for kids thinking out of the box. Letting them be creative with math makes it less stressful and gets them interested in wanting to explore math a bit more. 




I absolutely love Osmo and their many different kits for kids of all ages. I also love that there are tons of other games for you to download for your child to enjoy and add-on games that include your kiddos favourite characters. Last year we received the Disney Princess add-on and Bailey absolutely loved it. Knowing how much she loved it, we bought her the Frozen 2 add-on to enjoy and she's been loving both ever since. This year Santa bought her Disney's Incredible 2 add-on game that she will have to open when she opens up her Genius Starter Kit. 

Currently, Osmo is having a 30% wide sale on all of their items, so if you want to give the gift of interactive learning to a kid you know this holiday season, head over to Osmo! Osmo kits can also be purchased at the following stores: Best Buy, Indigo, Mastermind Toys, Amazon, and Apple (online only).


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Osmo Genius Starter Kit at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.


Toasties by Totes Ladies Plush Mule Slippers Review #HolidayGiftGuide

 As the weather continues to get colder, and as all of my kiddos are home attending virtual school, I make sure they are kept warm throughout the day by having them wear a robe and have on slippers or socks as they walk around the house. I had buying a new pair of slippers for myself listed on my to-do list, but you know as moms, sometimes we forget or we keep procrastinating when it comes to buying for ourselves. I was very happy when our friends from Shoppers Drug Mart sent us over a pair of Toasties by Totes Lady Plush Mule Slippers in the colour grey. 


 For the homebody (aka all of us this year), what better way to treat your feet than with a pair of warm and cozy slippers? From Sherpa-lined mules to adorable cat-faced ballet slippers, there’s an affordable pair at your local Shoppers Drug Mart for everyone. Retailed at $19.99, these slippers have become a staple in my home wardrobe, lol. I've been wearing them for well over a month and they are still as comfy, warm, and soft as the first day I slipped them on. 

These long-lasting slippers are beautifully designed, including a small bow on each slipper, and has a bit of sparkle to them towards the bottom of the slippers. They're easy to slip on and come with a warm soft lining that is assured to be durable and resilient to wear and tear as these slip-on slippers are made from the finest quality materials. To keep your toes warm and cozy, these pair of slippers have a close toe design. 

As I've stated above, I've been wearing these slippers for over a month and I am still loving them. They would make a great gift for this upcoming holiday season. They're affordable and would be the perfect gift for a gift exchange. With all of us being home now more than ever, and with the cold months ahead, cozy plush slippers are a must-have. This holiday season, give the gift of comfort.

For more information about these slippers and more, head to Shoppers Drug Mart

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned product at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.


Give The Gift of Loot Crate This Holiday Season! Review #HolidayGiftGuide



Have you ever loved a TV show, movie franchise, or videogame so much that you become obsessed and part of their fandom? If obsessed is a strong word, I'll say you love that show, movie, or game and watch or play it multiple times and even quote it when around others? 

I don't know about you, but I know I have a handful of TV shows and movie series that I've fallen in love with, and love being part of their fandom community. Some of my all-time favs include The Vampire Diaries, The Office, Friends, Harry Potter, Twilight, Marvel all movies and any and everything related to the '80s and '90s that bring back childhood memories. I love collecting memorabilia that remind me of my favourite characters that I've come to love so much, so when we were sent a Welcome and Wizardly subscription box from our friends over at Loot Crate, I was very more than thrilled.

If you haven't heard of Loot Crate, it is a curated collection of awesome items from the best pop culture franchises, delivered to your door every month. From television shows to movies, anime, and video-games if you're looking for unique collectibles, look no further. Every month, you'll get a crate of 3+ items from your favorite pop culture franchises, including licensed and exclusive collectibles, gear, figures, and more! This amazing monthly subscription box will bring you so much joy as you open it and find unique items to love.


The first box we received was their welcome box. This box was filled with so many goodies from my childhood that I absolutely loved, like a Pinky and the Brain coffee mug, a Gizmo (Gremlins) drawstring bag, a Jaws themed sink stopper, a couple of Lord of the Rings goodies, Sherlock Holmes decal, a couple comic books from Dr. Who, and our favourite turtles, TMNT. Each item made me so happy as it all brought back some happy memories from when I was a kid. I think my fav from the box has to be the Pinky and the Brain mug. I just loved that cartoon as a kid and so did my husband. We're going to definitely need a second mug so we both can use them at the same time. 

With Loot Crate they'll send mystery crates for us pop culture fans filled with incredible items and apparel from our favorite movies, TV shows, games, and more! They have some of the best licensed figures, t-shirts, home goods, and more and I love that not only can you receive items from your favourite fandoms, but there's also a community where you can share your experience on social media by using #LootCrate.




The next box we received was their Wizarding World themed box. With this box, you can show off your Hogwarts™ house pride with a surprise mix of unique and officially licensed Wizarding World collectibles, apparel, figures, and more delivered to your door every other month! This box is perfect for fans of both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. 

In our Wizardling World box we received seven Harry Potter themed items that I am absolutely loving. Included was Dumbledore's Army Hogwarts House Neck Warmer for Slytherin, Half-Blood Prince Long Sleeve Shirt, Death Eater Dummy Pillow, Travel Wizard's Chess, Dumbledore's Army Spinner Coin Keychain, Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem Key Cover, and Borgin & Burkes Pin. Each item brings back memories of reading, watching, and falling in love with the entire world of Harry Potter. I think my fav from this has to be the keychain. I love how it looks, how sturdy it is, and how I can have the gang from Hogwarts with me whenever I leave the house. Let Loot Crate bring the magic to you with unique and officially licensed Wizarding World collectibles, apparel, figures, and more! Choose your house, and prepare to get your curated box sent to you. 


What I love most about Lootcrate is that no matter what you geek out about, they have a subscription box for you that's delivered right to your door. Treat yourself every month or give the gift of geeking out to a friend or loved one, especially with the holidays near. This would make a great gift! 

For more information about Loot Crate and all of their different themed subscription boxes that vary in price, be sure to head over to Loot Crate.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned products at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.


ZERO Natural Hand & Nail Cream Review #HolidayGiftGuide

Although Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st this year, the weather outside is pretty chilly out in our neck of the woods and as we've shared with you all before, it's important to make sure you keep your skin hydrated during the cold months. I try to make sure I always have some type of moisturizer on hand wherever I go throughout the year, but especially during the winter months. I usually keep hand cream in my purse, in my van, and on my nightstand so that I make sure to keep my skin moisturized throughout the day. 




I was very excited when we were sent ZERO Natural Hand & Nail Cream from our friends over at Shoppers Drug Mart. All products from ZERO are truly 100% natural, and vegan. Their Natural Hand & Nail Cream is enriched with sweet almond oil and shea butter to help heal dry and cracked hands. Both almond oil and shea butter have so many great benefits. Almond oil can improve complexion and skin tone. It helps to balance the absorption of moisture and water loss. Because it is antibacterial and full of vitamin A, almond oil can be used to treat acne. Its concentration of vitamin E can also help to heal sun damage, reduce the signs of aging, and fade scars. Shea Butter is an excellent moisturizer for the face and the body. It locks in the moisture in the skin and keeps it hydrated. Shea Butter is also used to heal cracked heels, dry cuticles, and rough patches on your skin. 

I've had this hand cream on my nightstand to use before bed for the last few weeks and I absolutely love it. Not only does it keep my hands moisturized, but I love that the scent isn't overpowering. It's a calming fragrance that makes me feel relaxed. The hand cream quickly absorbs in my skin and I love that it's not too heavy or oily. To use all you need to do is massage in hands and nails and use as often as needed. 

This would be a great stocking stuffer for 2020! Give the gift of soft skin with this luxurious, nourishing 100% natural hand cream. It's a great cream to have to help combat dryness from so much hand-washing and sanitizing we've all been doing this year.

ZERO Natural Hand & Nail Cream is retailed for $19.99 and can be purchased at your local Shoppers Drug Mart.


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned product at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

It's A Wonderful Life: 4K Ultra HD Combo Steelbook (Review & Giveaway) #HolidayGiftGuide



Experience the life-affirming message of director Frank Capra’s enduringly popular classic all over again when IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is now available in a collectible 4K Ultra HD Combo Steelbook from Paramount Home Entertainment.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE in 4K delivers amazing clarity with sharper and brighter images for a sensational home viewing experience. An ideal holiday gift, the 4K Ultra HD Combo Steelbook boasts collectible packaging and a mini reproduction of a vintage film poster.

The Combo includes the black-and-white film in 4K high definition, as well as a colourized version on Blu-ray™, along with three special features: “Restoring a Beloved Classic,” “Secrets from the Vault,” and “It’s A Wonderful Wrap Party.”


MY REVIEW
I spent some winter snuggle time watching this timeless classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a flashback look at the life of George Bailey, in Bedford Falls on Christmas Eve, 1945. The hubby and I got snuggled together on the couch with some hot beverages and snacks and watched as George is rescued by a guardian angel and given a glimpse at what life would look like without him, a reminder of how far our good deeds can stretch! 

Its been years since I last watched this movie, so it was nice to go back in time a bit and remember the storyline and familiar characters on the screen. It also reminded me of childhood and watching this movie with my parents and siblings, but with a way better version. The crisp and clear quality of this movie was so much better and I loved being able to watch this movie in colour with the colourized version being on Blu-ray.

This perfect Christmas classic is a heart-warming must-watch about family, love, and small-town community pride. I’m happy to add this timeless classic to my Christmas collection.


GIVEAWAY:
I'm excited to team up with our friends from Paramount Home Entertainment to offer one lucky reader (Canada Only) to win a copy of this beautiful movie that comes in both the original black and white version as well as the colourized version. To enter, comment below sharing your favourite Christmas movie!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned title on 4k Ultra and blu-ray at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Soap & Glory: Best Washes Body Wash and Scrub For Joy Body Polish Review #HolidayGiftGuide



I am the first to admit that I have a serious addiction to bath and body products. I am the one that grabs whatever body wash is on sale off the shelf at my local retail store. I use any typical product that washes my body and keeps me clean, bonus if the scent smells lovely. So when I got the chance to review a couple of products from Soap and Glory, I was very excited as I've seen this brand at my local Shoppers Drug Mart before, but never tried their products. 



I received both their Scrub For Joy Body Polish and Best Washes body wash, a new luxurious duo of mood-boosting bath and body care products from Soap & Glory. The first thing you will notice is the cute bottles, which are see-through with pink liquid. I love how Soap and Glory Best Washes has an incredible scent, the scent is rhubarb and grapefruit. The scent is fruity but not overpowering and lasts for hours. As a body wash, I love how well this lathers up and does not feel like it's drying out my arms and legs.  After the first few days of trying out Best Washes, my skin was left feeling healthy, silky, and full of vitamins.

With Best Washes you can take your shower to uplifting new heights with this gently cleansing and revitalizing body wash. Best Washes is scented with a mood-boosting blend with uplifting notes that were expertly designed to uplift the senses. It is enriched with a multi-vitamin mix (B5, C & E) for skin that feels healthier and happier. Vitamin B5 is used to soften and keep your skin healthy, Vitamin C is known to brighten and improve the appearance of your skin and Vitamin E is known to nourish and keep your skin hydrated.

After using Best Washes, and absolutely loving it, it was time for me to try their Joy Body Polish, which is to die for! I am not one that uses body polish after a shower, but I am happy I did. It smells like heaven and you can tell it’s made from natural products because of the way it dissolves when you wash it off. It smells so so good, I get so many questions when I use it because the smell is just so nice and fruity. I would use it about 3 times a week (because I am lazy) but it's great and makes my skin feel so smooth and smelling good.

With Scrub For Joy Body Polish, you can scrub away those worries and leave yourself feeling sensationally smooth with this gently exfoliating body buffer. It's scented with a mood-boosting blend with uplifting notes of grapefruit and rhubarb and enriched with a multi-vitamin mix (B5, C & E) just like Best Washes. The body polish also includes walnut shell powder which is used to help gently exfoliate for softer, healthier skin. 

Pair both Best Washes and Scrub For Joy Body Polish for a gently cleansing experience that will leave your skin feeling invigorated, refreshed, and revitalized. I can't say enough great things about this duo. I'm definitely going to buy more once I'm all out.  I LOVE the scent for both of these products, so much! I finally found some bath and body products that I really like and I'm not just settling for. 

Both would be great gifts this holiday season and would make great stocking stuffers for that person in your life who's like me, and addicted to bath and body products. You can find Best Washes retailing for $14 and Joy Body Polish retailing for $18 at your local Shopper's Drug Mart along with tons of other great bath and body products from Soap & Glory. 


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned products at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received

Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures Officer Class: Optimus Prime Review #HolidayGiftGuide

The boys in our house are huge fans of Transformers. I am talking about my youngest son and my husband. My husband has been a fan of Transformers since he was a kid, and we both love that our seven-year-old loves them just as much. They were quite excited when they received Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures Battle Call Officer Class Optimus Prime from our friends over at Hasbro.



 The Battle for Cybertron is on! Join heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons as the Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures animated series continues! Discover the unique powers and skills of each Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures character, and see how those powers will be used to defend Cybertron… or threaten it. Use voice activation in the Battle for Cybertron! With Battle Call Officer Class figures, voice activation offers an exciting new way to play with Transformers.

Optimus Prime’s Armor unfolds through oral activation, accompanied by sound effects. The figure also illuminates, allowing to excite my son! Like all transformers, it is 2 in 1 and can be transformed into a small truck, stimulating creativity and imagination. It was a bit difficult for my 7-year-old to transform at first, but with the help of my husband, my son got the hang of it and it was great fun. 

A big advantage with this toy, it is a perfect size for kids to enjoy and it includes voice activation. A battle call feature is just a flip on switch on Optimus Primes shoulder and requires 3 AA batteries which are not included. Voice activation will make Optimus Prime talk with seven different phrases, and any sound three seconds or longer will activate the “Energon Armor”. My son was fascinated with the armor and how Optimus Prime's voice changes in armor mode. My son is very happy about this toy and can't wait to show and play with his friends.

Retailed at $34.99, kids can collect Optimus Prime other Battle Call Trooper Class and Officer Class figures (each sold separately, subject to availability) to discover more exciting characters from the Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures series! This would make a great gift for any kid who loves Transformers. For more information about Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures Officer Class Optimus Prime and others, be sure to head to Hasbro


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned toy at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received



Paramount Christmas Movie Bundle Giveaway

 The holiday season is here and I'm very excited about it. Although this year's holiday will be different as we continue to social distance with the second wave of Covid-19, our friends over at Paramount Home Pictures wanted to offer our wonderful readers (CANADA ONLY) a giveaway filled with holiday entertainment. 

This giveaway offers some classic holiday movies as well as a couple new ones that include, It's A Wonderful Life, Scrooged, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Sonic The Hedgehog Collector's Edition, Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, Trading Places and Office Christmas Party. 



It's A Wonderful Life:
George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all - and it's Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence - who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years.


Scrooged:
A cynically selfish TV executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. With the help of the ghosts of the past, present and future, he realises that he must reform himself.


Planes, Trains & Automobiles:
Neal, who needs to reach home for Thanksgiving, goes through a series of misadventures when his flight gets cancelled and he ends up meeting Del, a goofy salesman.


Sonic The Hedgehog Collector's Edition:
An extraterrestrial hedgehog is discovered by a scientist with evil intentions and plans to use his superpowers for his selfish needs.

Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone:
When realization strikes Micheal Corleone, he takes a tough call and decides to end his family's criminal empire. He chooses his nephew as his successor, however, the mob refuses to let him go.

Trading Places:
Two callous millionaire brothers conspire to switch the fortunes of a snobbish investor and a wily street con artist, owing to a bet.

Office Christmas Party:
An office Christmas celebration gets out of control after Clay, the branch manager, throws a party to impress a client and retain his branch and employees from his sister.


GIVEAWAY:
To enter the giveaway, comment below on which movie you would watch first, that's it! 


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5 More Sleeps 'til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon (Book Review & Giveaway) #HolidayGiftGuide

 


Title: 5 More Sleeps 'til Chistmas
By: Jimmy Fallon
Publisher: Feiwel Friends
Publication Date: October 27, 2020
ISBN: 9781250266477
Pages: 48

Just 5 more sleeps 'til Christmas!

Can you believe it's here?

I know that Santa's coming soon

'cause I've been good all year.


Everyone who grew up celebrating Christmas remembers the excitement that built up to the most magical day of the year. But why not make the last week until Christmas more fun by counting how many sleeps until the arrival of Santa and his reindeer?


Accompanied by the beautiful and energetic artwork of Rich Deas, enjoy the humor of Jimmy Fallon as he prepares readers for the most exciting week of the year in this new holiday tradition for your family--5 More Sleeps 'til Christmas.


MY REVIEW
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and 5 More Sleeps 'til Christmas is such a cute and festive book to have to celebrate the upcoming holiday. Bailey was very excited when we received this book from our friends over at Raincoast Books. 

This book starts on December 20th, which happens to be my birthday, so that made me love this story even more. Diving right into the story we read as the main character lets us know how many days left until Christmas. He shares what he's done to stay on the nice list and at the end of each night, we see him having a hard time falling asleep from all of his excitement, and just when he thinks he'll stay up all through the night, we see him snoozing on his bed. 



This was a beautifully illustrated book with a great story, which has Bailey excited and ready to countdown for Christmas. She's sent her letter to Santa, keeping her room clean, and she helps mom and dad out around the house. 

I love that we get to enjoy this book around the holidays and we've added it to our Christmas book collection that continues to grow. With Bailey being in grade one and continuing to learn to read, we read her this story once and from then on she has read it to us before she goes to bed. I found this book great for kids six and up to read and enjoy with a parent or on their own. The beautifully illustrated pages keep your kid's attention as they read to the countdown for Christmas. 


GIVEAWAY:
I'm very excited to be able to offer one of our Canadian readers a chance to win this festive book. To enter, comment below your favorite Christmas/Holiday book!

5 More Sleeps 'til Christmas is a great book to have this holiday season for the kiddos in your life. Big thanks to our friends over at Raincoast Books for sending this festive book our way to add to our library. For more information on where to purchase, be sure to head over to Raincoast Books.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above mentioned books at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received


Squishmallows: Super Soft Plush Toys! (Review) #HolidayGiftGuide

 

They're squishy, soft, cuddly, and adorable, they're Squishmallows! I don't know if your kiddos are like mine, but my kids absolutely love stuffed animals. From my six-year-old, all the way to my fifteen-year-old, my kids love receiving stuffed animals as gifts and still love to collect them. The softer the better, and Squishmallows are super soft!  

Squishmallows plush toys are here to fill your hearts with love and affection. Since 2017, these cuddly plush toys have grown into an international phenomenon and offer comfort, support, and warmth as friends, couch companions, bedtime buddies, and travel teammates. With more than 500 Squishmallows characters to collect, kids can aspire to be like their favorite characters. Each Squishmallow has its own unique name and storyline to add to the fun.



We were sent Lucille the Seal Pup from Squishmallows holiday collection, and this has now become Bailey's favorite plush toy to sleep with and to cuddle with for every occasion. She even brings Lucille with her to virtual school and loves to cuddle with her on the couch while we watch movies together. 


I love how squishy and soft the 
Squishmallows are and the joy that it brings to my six-year-old. Like I said above, all of my kids are fans of stuffed animals, and my thirteen-year-old son was pretty bummed out that I gave Lucille to Bailey and not him, lol. So guess what Santa's going to bring him for Christmas?! 

The lovable buddies come in a variety of sizes from 3.5-inch, to an extra-large 24 inches. Our Lucille was 8 inches. They're even safe to put in the washing machine, which is amazing, especially when you have young kids, we know spills and stains happen when it comes to our kiddos, so Squishmallows being safe to wash, is great! For regular washes, Squishmallows SHOULD NOT be washed on their own. Squishmallows should be washed in cold water with bedding and similar materials to ensure the machine does not damage them and so they will maintain their squish magic.

Squishmallows are available in everyday and seasonal styles and distributed through major, online, and specialty retailers. You can find them here in Canada at your local Shoppers Drug Mart retailing at $12.99 for their 8-inch Squishmallows. These cute and cuddly friends would be a great gift for any kid in your life this holiday season.



 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the above Squishmallow at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received