Category: 2019 Holidays

2019 Holidays, Toy Reviews

The Best Gifts Come from Build-A-Bear Workshop

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for feature. Opinions are 100% my own. May contain some affiliate links within post

With Frozen 2 out and the natural love of plush bears, some of this years best gifts can be found at Build-A-Bear Workshop®. Not only can you build your own furry friend, but many more characters and friends are available to purchase. With the 2019 Holiday Collections, they always make popular gifts.

Disney’s Frozen 2 Olaf has a snowflake pattern on his fur. His smile is so wide and contagious so wherever your child carries Olaf too, he is sure to bring smiles from others.

And how adorable is Happy Hugs Teddy Fleece Navidad? I don’t know if I’m melting more over the shirt of those shoes!

This is my absolute favorite! Sorry kids, this online exclusive Polar Express Bear is Mom’s. From the robe to the bell, you’ll be popping in that DVD for a Holiday movie night in no time hearing the story of the Polar Express all over again.

There are so many Christmas friends to go search for at Build-A-Bear Workshop ® all season (and year) long.

Beginning today, Giving Tuesday, Build-A-Bear Workshop is matching your gifts with donations to Toys for Tots.  Now through December 15, when Guests purchase a gift card for $25 or more, Build-A-Bear will donate a teddy bear to Toys for Tots.

2019 Holidays, Healthy Living, Home

VEO Active-Probiotics Surface Cleaner

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for feature. Opinions are 100% my own. May contain some affiliate links within post

Did you know that or kitchens is the germiest place in the home (according to a recent CNN story)? Now think about where you will spend a lot of time over the Holidays; probably in the kitchen. Yuck!

Your choice of cleaner DOES matter! I hold a lot of regard for certain cleaners I choose to bring into my home and many I will never buy. The VEO Active-Probiotics Surface Cleaner is a must for getting your kitchen holiday-ready and then to clean it back up again.

Why VEO Active-Probiotics Surface Cleaner?  VEO uses the cutting-edge science of active probiotics to biodegrade dirt and grime for a deeper, long-lasting clean like you’ve never seen. It keeps cleaning deep down for up to days after you wipe it down!

Seriously! It keeps cleaning for you for days! Think about most cleaners on the market, they are causing more harm than good. They can leave behind potentially dangerous bacteria and grime you thought you reached in the grooves but didn’t. Kind of gross, isn’t it? Veo is a peace of mind for a deep clean.

Veo Cleaner is currently available on www.veocleaner.com and Amazon with expansion into retailers soon. It comes in two delightful scents – Apple and Jasmine and Citrus Blossom.

2019 Holidays, Recipes, Reviews

Cook Fast, Cook Slow and Sous Vide with the Fissler Souspreme Multi Pot

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for feature. Opinions are 100% my own. May contain some affiliate links within post

Fissler Souspreme Multi Pot

Who is asking for a pressure cooker? Chances are that someone on your list wants one or perhaps you have a College student our new couple on your list that needs quick cooking options. The Fissler souspreme Multi Pot is so much more than a pressure cooker.

This little pot is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, sous vide and it steams, sautes, ferments to make soups, meats, stews, poultry, eggs, grains, beans, chili, yogurt, dough, cake and more.

  • 18 one-touch cooking programs
  • Sous-Vide function
  • Pressure seal system & safety lock
  • Instant pressure release
  • 18/8 stainless steel interior pot with encapsulated base
  • Interior pot is dishwasher safe
  • Cool-grip handles and lid holder
  • Adjustable cooking times
  • Child safety look

I love the lid design. It seals so well and releasing pressure is safe and easy. It cleans up easy too. You can visit Fissler.com for more great cooking products and find the souspreme Multi Cooker on Amazon.

Want a great Pressure Cooker winter recipe? See my recipe for Chicken Mexican Soup!

2019 Holidays, Reviews

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Printer and the Instax Hybrid Mini Liplay Camera

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for feature. Opinions are 100% my own. May contain some affiliate links within post

What could be better than a day of creating memories? Ending the day with physical memory from the Instax Mini Link. This little printer comes in modern colors – Dusky Pink, Ash White and Dark Denim. This printer connects with your phone via bluetooth and the free app allows you to add filters and frames along with other fun features.

  • INSTAX Camera Mode – control your Smartphone with the printer. Simply tilt the printer forwards and backwards to control the zoom on your Smartphone and take photos by pressing the INSTAX button!
  • It creates 800 x 600 pixels and 318 dpi into every mini print
  • LED strip around the INSTAX button, tells you the app’s mode and status
  • Print Mode – Zoom, crop and rotate any photo then swipe up to print
  • Prints video from your smartphone (any still frame from video)
  • Make collages, add frames, add filters to any photo and print
  • Want a duplicate copy? Turn printer upside down and press the INSTAX button
  • Match Test – Take a photo of you and a friend, both answer questions and print your match results on the photo.
  • Party Print – add your friends names, select layout, add photos together or in secret, print your creation

Of course, I used my good dog, Maya, to try out my new INSTAX Mini Link. No flashing lights or loud clicks, just aim my phone and take the photo, edit, add any filters and print. It takes just a moment to develop and see the image. Uses Fujifilm INSTAX Mini Instant Film.

Available on Amazon – Target – Best Buy

Below is the INSTAX Hybrid Mini LiPlay camera. It prints and takes the same film as the Mini Link above, but also is a camera that works with a free app and your phone. Print from your phone or your LiPlay. Use the LiPlay to grab photos from your phone to edit and print. You control how to shoot and print your memories.

  • Angles – combo of digital LCD screen and selfie mirror 
  • Once you’ve finished snapping, select the best one, two or even three shots to print before sharing
  • Use LiPlay as your Smartphone’s personal printer
  • 30 creative and fun frames and filters to pick from, plus a flash you can turn on or off
  • When the new ‘record and covert to QR’ mode is selected, a short sound clip is recorded with every shot
  • Working with your Smartphone, you can control this clever little instax camera remotely via Bluetooth
  • 3 shortcut buttons located handily on the side of the camera. Pick your favorite design frames, program them in and they’re ready when you are
  • Image sensor -1/5-in., CMOS with primary color filter
  • Approximately 45 images in internal memory, approximately 850 images per 1GB in micro SD/micro SDHC memory card

When you find the filters or settings you love most, it is easy to save 3 of them to quickly select for the shot you want. I love this with the Instax Hybrid Mini Liplay Camera because I tend to choose hearts and ‘love’ filters for my dogs and now I have it all set and ready to choose for their photos so I am not finding them each time.

It only takes 90 seconds for the picture to develop. The LCD screen gives you added view or use your phones view mode or live mode.

The INSTAX Mini LiPlay is available at Macy’s – Staples – Walmart