Livinglovingandexploring!

And I’m back! Fall is here – It’s been a while – I took a bit of a hiatus from writing on the blog – life has just been insanely busy. I’m sure you can all relate!

But, let’s cut to the chase – I’ve received quite a few fantastic items that I think would be an excellent fit for your home – or as a gift item! It IS that time of year to be thinking of exceptional gifting items!

1: Eco Lips

I ADORE the way the Eco Lips products work on my lips. Rosel from Publicity for Good reached out to me asking if I’d like to try them out – and who can turn down a good lip product!? The products I received also work as a cheek tint – perfect for me on the go! I highly recommend you go check out this company.

It was hard for me to pick a favorite after trying the three of these items, but after a few weeks, red was the winner! It’s vibrant and pops and gives all of the fall feels!

They also offer masks, sunscreen, insect repellant, and body oils! Did I mention these items are all cruelty-free and naturally based? Not to mention their facility is run on renewable energy, and their packaging is 100% PLASTIC-FREE – talk about a good business!

2: Little Bipsy – perfect for fall!

When I tell you that my boys FIGHT over their Little Bipsy jogging suits – I’m so serious. The tension is real. I have to play mediator and come up with the most simple solutions (you wear this one today, and then we’ll switch after I do laundry the next time! Thank GOODNESS my boys can wear the same sizes for now!)
These joggers are so soft and comfy – and they bring out the fashion sense in my boys. The brand will do the same for any young kiddo in your life! BTW, joggers are not their only clothing item – there are tops, bottoms, dresses, onesies, jackets, hoodies, boxers, and even accessories! As well as an adult + mini section!

A big thank you to Lindsey with ChicExecs Brand Strategy, that brought this goody to my attention!

3: Purell

Yep, that’s right – hand sanitizer! A must-have year-round, but even more critical with back to school and the holidays approaching! I received two of PURELL’S newest products – a natural foam sanitizer and a 2-in-1 conditioning sanitizer. Perfect for in the kitchen, the bathroom, the car, etc. Really, perfect for anywhere. My boys use it all the time at home, especially when they come back inside or home from school.
Kelly with GOJO Industries, Inc. sent me an email about the products months ago (apologies for the delay, Kelly!), and we’ve been using the two products all summer! The best thing about these is you can buy them anywhere you typically shop!

For me, the best part about these two products is the smell! I love cleaning my hands, but I can’t stand the typical smell of hand sanitizers! These items have changed the game. Not to mention that the 2-in-1 moisturizing foam is also proven to make your hands softer over time!

4: The Painted Chair

OK, this one was something I went and purchased on my own. No one emailed me or called me. I just saw an amazing opportunity on Facebook to maybe take my boys for some creative fun! The Painted Chair is local to our home – about 4 minutes away driving, HAHA – but they have an incredible online presence where you can order anything and have it shipped to wherever you need it! Perfect in time for the holidays!
Declan and Tristan went for a kids’ painting class, where they painted a pre-cut sign that says “HAPPY HALLOWEEN,” with a witch’s hat and pumpkin to boot! They are so cute! When we got there, they had everything set up and ready to go – with separate spots, brushes, and paint! Off to the side, there was a completed piece, so you could compare if you wanted to! Of course, the boys chose their path, so some of the items didn’t turn out exactly as planned, but they both showed their respective personalities!
On the website, you can order from a myriad of items, including a monthly subscription box (which I AM SO TEMPTED TO DO JUST FOR ME!!), planter boxes, large clocks, holiday decor, and more! They can personalize just about anything as well!
So, if you’re ever in Farmington, Missouri – stop by! This place is excellent!! #experience #funtimes

5: Zigglebee

This gem is so fresh and fun! I will admit, I was a bit confused when I first heard about this from Lindsey with ChicExecs Brand Strategy. It appeared to be an empty book. So, what’s the fun in that? Well, my boys think it’s genius! A bit of background: twins Lana & Laila were born in 2014, but one of the girls, Laila, was born with a syndrome – Jacobsen’s Syndrome. It can cause many learning delays, making it hard for the sisters to communicate easily.

Lana realized she could communicate with her sister more easily if she utilized arts and crafts. Zigglebee’s was born. It’s an open concept book with five individual stories with written storylines but NO pictures. The pictures can be created however your kids want to make them! Therein lies the beauty of this book! It’s a creative kids’ playground – where they can use their imaginations whichever way they want!
The stories in the book feature The Tooth Fairy, Teddy Bears, Tornados (OH MY!), Sports Cars, & Banana splits! I skimmed the pages when we first received it, and I love the imagination already weaved into each story from Lana’s point of view! This would make the perfect holiday gift! Not to mention, a portion of the proceeds of each book go towards research on Jacobsen’s Syndrome!

6: Nu Skin LumiSpa

Sun, water, aging, and more all wear down your skin. I’ve been blessed with mostly good skin, but I also have insecurities and issues. So, when a FaceBook friend of mine reached out with a good deal on her business’s newest skincare product – I jumped. It’s high time, in my 30s, that I start trying to take better care of my skin.

The LumiSpa is excellent! I just started using it a few days ago, and I can already tell a huge difference. My skin feels softer, and I’ve noticed it feels clean. That “I just got out of the shower, clean” feeling. Without the actual shower. I can tell that my pores are starting to get smaller, just with a few days of use!
This is another of those items I bought on my own and want to share with you, as it’s that good! So, if you feel like trying it out, they offer a money-back guarantee per the website. I’m sure my friend would love it if you purchased it through her, as she’ll get a commission on it! Let me know if you want her information!

7: The Emotionally Intelligent Child

Looking for a book that will clue you into some new and beautiful techniques for parenting in today’s crazy society? This book has it all! The book is split into two areas of focus; encouraging your child’s development and the mind framework. Essentially, be there for your child, and learn how and why they act the way they do. How are you going to respond to their actions and words.

Navigating parenthood is a struggle that many people go through. Or they may know a parent but not have kids of their own. Perhaps they’re the grandparents. Tyler and I are fortunate to have both sets of our parents still with us, and our boys adore their grandparents! Regardless of how you or someone you know may be involved in a child’s life, this book is a fantastic resource and just a good book all-around.

Its focus on helping children (and their adults) learn to be flexible, develop compassion, and not be judgemental, along with a multitude of other ideas and commentary, can be instrumental for many people. This book by Rachel Katz & Dr. Helen Hadani would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone you know! Thanks to Zach Heitling with Newman Communications for allowing me to read this gem!

8: Liberation Nails – perfect Fall colors!

Bright Light (hot pink) for the pretty, pretty princess in your life! 90’s Kid (neon green) for St. Patrick’s day! New Friend (teal) for birthday parties over the weekends! High Spirits (bright yellow) for sunny days and sunshine! Seriously, the Libbi Kids line of nail polish is fantastic! I was blessed to have a girlfriend who has a little girl, and she loved the color options! I mean, who am I kidding, I love them too!

The colors are fantastic, and the whole line uses non-toxic ingredients across the board! The polish is long-lasting and vegan as well! 21-Free, too. Now, if you’re like me and not “in the know,” you may wonder what the heck 21-Free is. Essentially, there are 21 known toxic chemicals that Liberation Nails REFUSES to use in their products! That explains why it’s safe for kids and adults alike! Not to mention GORGEOUS! Another thanks to Lindsey (ChicExec) for this beautiful product!

9: Better Than New

Do you know a child that wants to make a HUGE difference in the world? Making a lot of minor differences can lead to BIG change. The highlight of this book is showing kids – and people of all ages, to be fair – how recycling impacts our oceans and life in general! The minute I received an email from Stephanie at Wild Ridge PR about this book, I KNEW it was a must-have for my kids!
My hubby and I have preached, practiced, and helped our kids practice good habits by recycling everything we possibly can since they were born! Declan, my oldest, was two and a half or three the first time he picked up trash from a playground we were at (much to my dismay LOL). Thank goodness for baby wipes! Regardless, to this day, Declan still stops whatever he’s doing when he sees trash on the ground or anywhere and does his duty to clean it up even though it was left by someone else.

We’re still working on learning the difference between recycling and trash, but this book is a great helping hand! My youngest, Tristan, brings the book with us everywhere we go – and even though he can’t read (yet) – he enjoys looking at the pictures and explaining to us all what is going on with the trash and recycling on the pages – and all of the sea creatures that are affected by it! This is a must-read for people of all ages and a great gift item!
BONUS on this one – it’s printed in both English AND Spanish!

10: Global Discovery – for Fall getaways!

It’s fall, and a couple of big holidays are right around the corner, Christmas being the biggest. Maybe you’ve had a tough year; perhaps it’s been a breeze (I highly doubt that – COVID has undoubtedly turned this world upside down, lol!) Regardless, we could all use a break.
Maybe one in the form of a cruise down South to avoid the terrible winter weather some of us face. Perhaps an excursion to Europe, to prowl the streets of Rome and imagine what it was once like to be surrounded by Gladiators. Or, a short trip to New York to see the fascinating displays of Christmas brought to life – or earlier to see the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving parade – a staple there!

My husband and I were fortunate several years back, before children, to go on a FREE trip to Florida, where we met with members and associates of Global Discovery Vacations. They showed us all the incredible opportunities you receive by being a member – best of all, the vacations. Now, with kids, we don’t go as often as I’d like, but we have been to several places, all courtesy of Global Discovery – which makes it 10X cheaper than anywhere else!
Ireland – a cottage tucked away in the countryside of Clare, for seven days – $200.00.
South Carolina – Myrtle beach – a towering hotel with beach views and multiple condos, seven days – $200.00.
Virginia City, Nevada – a fantastic resort right next to the hot springs they’re famous for – seven days – $200.00.
Do you get the picture? Sign up today and let me know what you think! Tell them I sent you – my member # is GD307691.

There you have it – 10 Fall essentials I can’t do without – and neither should you. I hope you’re having a fantastic day! Flashback to last fall – when I wrote this post. Can’t believe it’s been a year already – sheesh.

Love ya,

Kelly Ann

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