Are You Ready For the Summer?

I know it's still a couple of months before the summer officially kicks in.

But I'm already excited. It's been a painful(!) long winter where we are. The cold and the rain kept on going for days on end.

The days were dark and the nights so cold.

But here alas is Spring! The poppies are out. The fields are looking very colorful and my happy mood is back.

Oh the things that the sun brings with it. Isn't it nice?

How about you? Have you had a winter as bad as mine?

Here's a nice lovely picture of Tulum Mexico. Don't you just wish you were there?

Photo by Joanna Szumska on Unsplash

Summer Mix

If you're in the mood for a bit of summer music (I know I am!), you'll love this summer music mix that I found on Youtube.

I usually just have this in the background while I'm working. But if you have the time, have a look at all the images that go with the music, they can lift your spirits up! :-)

Thinking Of Parties

So this summer music mix makes me think of spending long summer days in the lake with the family. 

Long lazy hot days. Sure looking forward to it. Can't wait.

Looking for some great summer ideas? check these out!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/782148660259562972/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/782148660259562976/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/782148660259562982/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/782148660259562987/

https://gallykids.tumblr.com/post/173918719909/large-floats-for-the-lake-the-best-inflatable

https://wefindcool.tumblr.com/post/173918968404/large-floats-for-the-lake-the-best-inflatable

https://twitter.com/outdoorlivingme/status/996324386587250688

https://www.facebook.com/UltimateOutdoorLiving/posts/2077251218974352

https://flipboard.com/@outdoorliving/water-and-other-pool-toys-and-activities-mdenkt0vy

https://flipboard.com/@OutdoorLiving

https://plus.google.com/u/3/111465332848668817931

https://plus.google.com/u/3/111465332848668817931/posts/FogW65Tiy4u

Christmas Stocking Ideas For Kids

I can't believe it's going to be Christmas once again in just a few short months. My 5 year old can't stop asking me about it. "When is Christmas? How many days more are left?" "How many presents will Santa give me this year?

I have to say I can't help but get excited about it too. It's one of those holidays that even at my age I still look forward too. I'm not much of a party person, but Christmas is different. I make sure I plan everything. I think about a Christmas decoration theme months beforehand, I think about presents to give and make a list and I think of all the chocolate drinks and wine we'll be partaking on Christmas week.

Now that I have children and nieces and nephews, one of the things I also always plan in advance are stocking stuffers for kids. I like to find ones that are nice, useful and reasonably cheap. One of my earliest Christmas memories is opening these little presents and just being excited at how many presents I have. And I think in a way, as commercialized an idea it seems, the idea of having so many presents to open in a space of minutes is the whole essence of opening Christmas presents.

This is why I prefer to buy smaller cheap things for stocking stuffers. This isn't always as easy as it sounds because finding cheap presents that are also useful can be a big challenge. So months beforehand (or even right after Christmas!), I make a list of possible gift ideas for kids. I prefer them to be under $10. Here's one site I've found over 100 ideas of stocking stuffers for kids.

Princess Sofia Invades Our Living Room

If you have a little girl, you probably know exactly what I mean. Princess Sofia and the whole gang has invaded my living room. We're all about princesses right now. Congrats, Disney.

Sofia the First first joined us a month before Christmas last year when Disney released the movie. The movie touched the little girl's heart so much that she wanted to become a princess too and started asking me if I could marry a King so she could become a princess.

And then Disney released the tv show and it all went haywire from there. The little girl could not get enough of princesses. And I, as a mother, despite my annoyance at stereotypical girls love princesses childhood theme started giving in to her cute requests. It started with a cute Sofia the First doll and then came the party.

Yes, the party. My four year old wanted a Sofia the First party. And I, dutiful mom (?) gave in to the request -- it was a party of purple Princess Sofia dresses, purple cake, tiaras and of course Sofia the First toys.

She was so happy and all the little friends we invited over liked the party too. Every little girl her age seems to know about the little Princesss and it was a good time for them to make pretend that they were princesses in a far away castle.

And here comes Halloween and she's already talking about going around the neighborhood in her Princess sofia dress up costume. The good thing? We already have it from the party and that only means I don't have to buy another one specially for Halloween -- it makes everything so much easier.

Do your children love Princess Sofia too?

Fisher Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Ogre

 The Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Ogre is a great toy

The castle is not complete without this Imaginext Eagle talon castle ogre. Buy it now.
Living in medieval times is one of the fascination for many kids. Fisher Price has brought this fascination to life with the Imaginext Eagle talon castle.

But guess what? There's no fun in the castle without some evil villain and the Fisher Price Imaginext Eagle talon castle ogre is just the right villain that many kids would like to have. Buy it if you have the castle already and you won't regret it.

Have A Look at the Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Ogre

Stamps out figures and communicates with the castle

• Features Turn-Tech technology and will communicate with the castle
• Cool sound effects and light up features
• Features Turn-Tech technology and will recognize approaching Dragons, Ogres, and battlements

Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Accessories

Aside from the ogre, there's also the dragon, bad knight, good knight and more....
The castle itself is already good value for money. However, if you want to expand your child's collection, there are a few accessories like the Imaginext Eagle talon castle ogre that are for sale.

Jake And The Neverland Pirates Toys

Lots of fun with these Jake and the Neverland Pirate Toys!

The best pirate toys are here courtesy of Jake and the Neverland pirates gang. From the 7-piece figure playset to the bestselling ship, buy these Jake Neverland Pirates toys which are sure going to make your little one's day.

Fisher-Price's Jake's Musical pirate ship Bucky is currently one of the top-rated toys on Amazon. The reviews are in and many parents are quite happy to have Bucky in their homes :-).. For a fan of the show, these Jake Neverland Pirate toys are going to be very well-received indeed.

But listen, the musical ship is not the only one available. There are a whole set of toys that can fully recreate Jake and his friends magical land. This includes action figures, bath toys, talking spyglass, telescopes, a playhut, Captain Hook's battle boat and so much more!

So what are you waiting for? Check out Disney Neverland Pirate toys and let's start the fun, shall we?

Jake Neverland Pirates Figures
Figurines Best For Gift Giving

The Jake and the neverland pirates 7 piece set figures is the best present for a true fan.

This 7-piece set is an authentic Disney product and includes Jake, Izzy, Cubby, Skully with treasure chest, Tick-Tock Croc, Captain Hook and Smee. Absolutely great for creative play with all the main cast of the show included in the gift set.

Victorian Vampiress Costume

The Victorian vampiress costume is one classic attire for Halloween. Know which ones are the best with the list that I have made on this lens.

Know where to get the best ones at a cheap and good price without sacrificing quality at all.

Scroll down below to see the ones that are highly rated by many customers times and time again.

Seductively Wicked Victorian Vampiress Costume
Wicked Yet SExy

This is the one featured on the intro above and is one of my personal favorite. It's fierce enough to evoke that vampire image. It's also sexy yet not too sexy that it strays away from the whole point of a vampire costume.

This is available in sizes 2-14. So a pretty good range for small to medium size women.

This costumes comes with the dress itself as well as the velvet foam collar which I think completes the vampiress image.


Plus Size Vampiress Costume
Plus Size and Gothic

Here's a plus size vampiress costume with a gothic look. This happens to be one of the more popular plus size costumes if this is the look you desire for this Halloween.

This is available in sizes 16-20.

I like how conservative this vampiress costume looks like. Here's one buyers review:
"I needed a sexy, yet not too revealing costume that I could wear to work and in front of my kids. This one is very cute... Good quality"


Gothic Vampiress Costume
Gothic Vampire Costume You Will Surely Love

I love this gothic vampiress costume. It is also one of the costumes on this category that is getting good reviews due to its quality and wow factor.

Many reviewers have mentioned that the sizing is pretty good and that many have commented on just how good it is.

This comes at a price though and will set you back $80 (more if you're getting a large size)

This is available in large, medium, small and extra large.


Burlesque Victorian Vampiress Costume
All sexy victorian vampire

Now if you're looking for a much sexier vampire look, this burlesque victorian vampiress costume will not disappoint at all.

Get all sexy with the black skirt, panty lace-up, top hat and vampire collar. Plus the black and red combination is quite stunning as well.

The price for this costume ranges from $49-$100 depending on where you buy it from and of course size.

Vampiress Costumes For Kids
Fun to scare costume for kids this Halloween

Children have good fun putting on a vampiress costume and with a vampiress costumes for kids, you're bound to make one little vampire happy this Halloween.

There are a few victorian vampiress child costume, but my favorite is the one pictured on the right.. This is just pretty and really gives a very defined victorian look.

This is available in small, medium and large sizes.

Angry Birds Card Game

For little Angry Birds fans...

Here's another Angry birds toys that little kids will have fun playing.

It's a very simple card game that kids enjoy playing a lot. It might be a bit too simple for the parents among you but it's can be definite winner during game nights at home or during holidays.

Take this with you when you're traveling and it should be easier to "coral" your older kids at the airport as they will surely be busy playing with this card game.

Just don't be surprised when other people crowd around you when they see familiar Angry birds characters!