Enter The World Of Soft N’ Squishy with SqwishLand

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If you’re looking for a great gift or stocking stuffer this holiday season, look no further!  SqwishLand is a gift that every kid will love, and you’ll love the endless imaginative play.  If you have little ones, chances are you’ve already heard of SqwishLand and you know all about the magical fun the unravels with these cute little characters.  If you haven’t heard of SqwishLand before, let me introduce you to one of the most popular items kids want this holiday season.

 

 

SqwishLand is a brand of toy that has gained popularity every year since it’s release.  These soft and squishy toys are collectible, with over 100,000,000 (ONE HUNDRED MILLION) toys sold worldwide!  Once you get your hands on these adorable little guys, it will be easy to see why they’re such a huge hit.  After their small start in vending machines to becoming one of the hottest toys in the United States, I can’t believe that we hadn’t heard of these adorable little things before.  Thanks to my new friends over at SqwishLand, my daughter and I were gifted one of the 250 count bags plus a super cute bracelet and trophy case to get our SqwishLand collection started.

 

 

While there are a few different ways to purchase these cute little creatures, the 250 count bag is really the best value by far, and you’ll totally love opening all the little capsules, it’s so much fun!  While these are cute little collectibles, did you know that they’re also the stars of a super popular online game?  When you buy the 250 count bags, each capsule comes with not only a cute little animal, but also with a code to unlock an animal or other prize in your online game, how fun is that?

While SqwishLand characters are super fun to collect, kids will love the online game as well!  SqwishLand is a free, safe online game for kids age 8 and up where you can adopt your favorite SqwishLanders and explore the world of SqwishLand together!  Kids will be able to play games and make friends while earning Sqwash (SqwishLand in-game currency) and leveling up to solve the mysteries behind SqwishLand’s Sqwabbles!

The newest addition is the SqwishLand Connect companion App available for free on both the App Store and Google Play.  This fun new app allows kids to login to their SqwishLand accounts to redeem their codes; play games; watch videos; adopt new pets; as well as take care of the pets that they already have!

My daughter has fallen in love with the whole SqwishLand craze, and she’s got TONS more SqwishLand stuff on her Christmas wish list this year.  The combination of real-word and digital fun is a great way to keep kids of all ages engaged and entertained.  Make sure you have all the little ones on your shopping list this year covered with these cute little SqwishLand characters.

 

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Sanitize Your Floors Quickly And Effortlessly With The Shark Steam Mop

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If you’ve followed me for even a short amount of time, you’ll probably know how much of an animal lover I am.  Recently I found myself in a situation where I was taking on four orphaned puppies that were just 8 days old at the time, and hunkered down for the long haul with the precious little babies.

 

 

Cute, right?  While yes, they may be some of the most adorable things on the planet, my hardwood floor in my kitchen was suffering far more than I and my lack of sleep.  If you’ve never fostered orphaned puppies before, I can assure you that you will be cleaning up 10 times more messes than you could have possibly anticipated, and you will absolutely need to find a quick and effective way to sanitize your floor.  It seemed that just using my regular mop was NOT cutting it, and I had to find a better solution fast.

 

 

I set out to find a better way to clean and sanitize my floor and quickly fell in love with the Shark Steam Mop.  With the help of the Shark Steam Mop, you can effortlessly clean with the power of steam.  All you need is water, and you will be able to quickly cut through any mess with no chemicals, and no residue left behind!  This steam mop was designed to be easy to use, it is lightweight so you can carry it to any room of the house, and it is incredibly maneuverable, allowing you to get into those tight spaces a lot more easily.  I’ve had a steam mop in the past that had a very small water tank built into the unit, so I had to use a special water container every time and fill it up directly at the steam mop each time which led to a lot of frustration and spilled water.  The Shark Steam Mop has a large water tank that is removable allowing you to fill up at the sink, pop back into the steam mop, and you’re ready to clean!

 

 

Inside the box you’ll find 2 of these super awesome Shark Dirt Grip microfiber washable pads to capture and lock in dirt.  The best thing about these floor pads is that they are washable and reusable, so they’re easy to clean when they get dirty!

 

 

I have to tell you that I am beyond impressed with how the Shark Steam Mop has handled the abuse I’ve put it through in just a short time frame.  Despite what 2 adult dogs, 2 cats, 4 foster puppies, 3 kids and a husband have been able to put my floor through, the Shark Steam Mop cleans the mess and keeps coming back for more.  My floors have never looked better and the best part is I’m not having to use chemicals!  No more messy buckets of dirty mop water for me, I’m a Shark Steam Mop Girl For life!

If you’ve got someone who loves to clean on your holiday shopping list, you can’t go wrong with this amazing steam mop.  With a retail value under $80 it’s an affordable gift option that will be the best gift of the year.

 

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

The Best Holiday Gifts For Teachers From Teacher Peach

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Looking for a great gift for that special teacher on your holiday shopping list and not sure where to turn?  Teacher Peach has some of the most amazing gifts for teachers that really show these gifts came from the heart.  Teacher Peach gift products acknowledge teachers for all of their hard work and commitment to kids everywhere, and what better time of year to show our appreciation?  Teacher Peach products are designed to inspire confidence, reward and recognize, and enhance a positive school climate.  By providing effective, creative, and economical classroom products and thoughtful teacher gifts, Teacher Peach is the number one brand for teacher gifts giving every day of the year.

 

 

My youngest child entered kindergarten this year, and I have to tell you her teacher is absolutely amazing!  This woman lives her life day in and day out for these kids and her passion for her job really shows.  I wanted to find the perfect gift for her this Christmas, so you know it was only natural that Teacher Peach is the place I turned to.  I was able to find a couple of items that were absolutely perfect for my daughter’s teacher, and I can’t wait to stuff some goodies into the bag and give her the reward she deserves.

 

The I Teach Jumbo Tote is the absolute perfect gift for teachers this holiday season!  This tote bag is full of great features that any teacher would love:

  • Colorblock microfiber jumbo tote teacher bag, is the perfect gift for new teachers or to show your appreciation and say thank you to all teachers
  • Measuring 21″ wide, 15″ high, and 6″ deep at the bottom, it’s big and sturdy enough to carry a purse, shoes, lunch, binders, notebooks, and much more
  • Zippered inner and outer pockets make it easy to organize and separate supplies
  • 26″ Adjustable shoulder strap allows you to customize for comfort
  • Inspirational quote reads “Yes. I Teach. So, I inspire, manage, coach, engage, solve problems, listen, detect, explore, believe, care, worry, & always make time to laugh with my kids.”

 

 

This cute Teachers Rock The World Stainless Steel Water Bottle is the perfect way to keep teachers hydrated and healthy all year long.  At a super affordable price, you’ll be able to get one for every teacher on your shopping list.  Check out all the cool features that make this one of the best stainless steel water bottles around:

  • Stainless steel water bottle holds 25 ounces, is BPA-Free, and is the perfect thank you gift for teachers, teacher appreciation gift, or a special gift for new school teachers
  • Cleverly designed 2 inch wide mouth with a twist off cap makes it easy to clean or add ice to any beverage
  • Circular flip handle allows for an easy grasp or easy attachment to a carabiner
  • Perfect for in the classroom or on the go activities such as camping, hiking, or sports
  • Inspirational messaging reads “Teachers Rock the World”

 

Whether you’re looking for tote bags, water bottles, stationary, positive cards or even just great classroom supplies, you can’t go wrong with any of the fabulous finds at Teacher Peach.

 

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Surprisingly Good Snacks You’ll Find At Convenience Stores On Your Next Road Trip

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If you’re headed out on the road this holiday season chances are you’re struggling to find great snack options in an ever-unhealthy world.  I’m sure most of us remember road trips with the family being full of convenience store stops so we could fill up on ‘junk’ and head off again.  Chances are this holiday season you’ll find yourself making a few pit stops at convenience stores and I’m willing to bet you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised at all of the new healthier snack and beverage options now out on C-Store shelves.  If you’ve been into any convenience stores lately, I’m sure you’ve noticed healthier options like fresh fruit and yogurt, but the options go so much deeper than that!  I’ve put together a travel basket of our favorite goodies that you can find at most C-Stores nationwide so your basket can be replenished along the way, and who knows, maybe you’ll even find some great items I happened to miss!

 

HEALTHY OPTIONS are some of the most important to keep in mind (I toss these in before we head out so our basket is complete with balanced options for everyone):

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables are often by the cash register or in a refrigerated case, either served whole or in a convenient size to fit into a cupholder.
  • Nuts and dried fruits are popular snacks, and many come in cups or resealable pouches for easy transportation.
  • Bottled water is a staple we all take along on road trips and needs to be restocked along the trip.  Convenience stores sell approximately 50 percent of the country’s single-serve bottled water!
  • Oikos Nonfat Yogurt Drinks is a new line of deliciously smooth, drinkable yogurts that pack in 10 grams of protein without any added sugar, artificial sweeteners or fat.

 

ALTERNATIVE SNACKS continue to gain popularity as we all strive to seek out high-protein energy-rick snacks:

  • Think Thin Protein Cakes are available in delicious classic cake flavors, and they provide a balanced way to satisfy sweet cravings.  Each cake has 12 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar, and they’re gluten- and GMO-free!
  • ZonePerfect Revitalize Bars get your mind and body moving with energizing green tea extract, choline and caffeine, while super scrumptious flavors make your taste buds happy.
  • PowerBar Plant Protein Bars are made with protein from plant=based ingredients and nuts, with no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.  Available in three amazing flavors: Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Cashew, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter.

 

MERGING FLAVORS is a hot trend in snacking-whether sweet and spicy, sweet and sour, or sweet and salty.

  • Skittles Sweet Heat is spicing things up this December!  Each pack features fruity flavors with a spicy kick including: Fiery Watermelon, Blazin’ Mango, Flamin’ Orange, Sizzlin’ Strawberry, and Lemon Spark.
  • Snickers Peanut Butter Crisper also debuting in December, provides the perfect balance of
    sweet, salty, creamy and crispy.  The satisfaction of real peanut butter with the crunch of
    crisp, it comes in four squares that fans are sure to love.
  • Trolli Twisted Sour Brite Crawlers are chewy on the outside and soft on the inside, with
    a burst of sour berry flavor for a totally unique texture and flavor experience. Flavors
    include blue raspberry, strawberry, and green apple.

 

FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGES quench thirst while packing protein, vitamins or other nutrients.  We’re always multi-tasking, why shouldn’t our beverages multi-task too?

  • Pedialyte Powder Packets are formulated to help prevent dehydration from an illness,
    travel, heat exhaustion or even alcohol consumption. And that’s why adults and teens
    now comprise 36% of Pedialyte consumption.
  • Vitamin Water Active Nutrient Enhanced Performance Drinks offer 100% RDA of
    vitamins B5, B6 and B12 to support energy metabolism and electrolytes from natural
    sources like coconut water and sea salt.

 

GOURMET SNACKS AND TREATS are available at convenience stores, rewarding those of us seeking
indulgence while we’re out on the road:

  • Pearson Ranch introduces exciting and fun Character Bags of savory Elk, Buffalo,
    Venison and Wild Boar Jerky. Each resealable bag includes 2.1 ounces of bite-size pieces
    of jerky, which is made with premium quality lean meats and contain no gluten, nitrites
    or MSG.
  • SmashMallow is a sweet-tooth satisfying pick-me- up made with organic cane sugar and
    simple naturally sourced ingredients. It’s a guilt-free indulgence at around 80 calories
    and less than 1 gram of fat on average per serving.

 

ENERGY BOOSTING BEVERAGES are a MUST for this tired mom when we’re on a long road trip.  Only problem is…warm liquids make me sleepy and tired.  Cold energy boosting drinks are a great option whether you’re a tea or coffee drinker:

  • Heyday Cold-Brew Coffee is crafted by soaking the coffee grounds from Fair Trade beans
    in cool water for several hours, then triple-filtering it, and adding a touch of pure cane
    sugar and a splash of cream for a refreshingly light, smooth taste. Choose from Original,
    Espresso, Chocolate and Vanilla.
  • Celsius is a fitness drink that accelerates metabolism, burns body fat, and provides
    healthy energy. The product is loaded with vitamins and good-for- you ingredients, such
    as Green Tea with EGCG, Guarana, Ginger, Calcium, B Vitamins and Vitamin C.

 

Keep an eye out for these and SO MANY other great options at your convenience store stops this holiday season.  Safe travels and happy snacking 🙂

 

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Crash Bandicoot Is Back And Better Than Ever In The New N. Sane Trilogy

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Got a gamer on your holiday shopping list that you’re trying to find the perfect gift for?  Just in time for the holiday season, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is here and ready to delight gamers of all ages.  In this fun new game, your favorite marsupial Crash Bandicoot is back!  He’s enhanced, entranced and ready-to-dance in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Triology.  This entertainment packed trilogy lets players spin, jump, wump, and repeat as they take on the epic challenges and adventures from the three games that started it all: Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. and Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped.  Now we can experience our beloved 90’s video game icon like never before in this remastered game collection.  Relive all of your favorite moments in fully remastered HD graphical glory and put som UMPH in your WUMP!

 

 

Original storylines you’ll love:
  • Crash Bandicoot – Dr. Neo Cortex has a plan to take over the world, and he wants to creategenetically engineered animals to do his bidding. To create his minions, Cortex kidnaps as many animals as he can; Crash Bandicoot’s girlfriend just happens to be one of his victims. Take control of Crash as he runs, jumps, and spins through 30 levels of intense action on three different Australian islands. Only you can help Crash save the animals, save his girlfriend and foil Dr. Cortex’s plot.
  • Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – The evil Dr. Neo Cortex is back…out this time to save the world? And he’s asking for help from his arch nemesis, Crash Bandicoot? Is this just a conniving plan to lure Crash into Cortex’s next dastardly experiment? Can Crash win again or will he join Cortex’s mindless zoo? Bigger free-roaming 3-D environments, all new animations and a whole host of colorful characters – watch as our hero Crash, ice-skates, rodeo-rides a polar bear and jet-packs through zero-gravity in the continuing adventures of Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – This time he ain’t joking!
  • Crash Bandicoot Warped – Oh yeah…he’s back…AND he’s ready! It’s a Whole New Time-Traveling Adventure! All new-style gameplay action – scuba dive, ride a motorcycle or a baby T-Rex and go free-roaming airborne in a plane! Play as Coco! Gallop along the Great Wall of China on a tiger, go extreme on a jet-ski and other high-flying surprises! Prove your skills with the new Super-charge Body Slam, Super Slide, Double Jump, Death-Tornado Spin and a Laser-Guided Bazooka. All new enemies include a new Big Boss, Uka Uka, N. Tropy, a menacing Dingodile and of course, the return of some favorites like N. Gin and Tiny. More action. More fun. More puzzles and secret levels. And you didn’t think it could get any better!

 

 

Features that will keep you coming back:

  • Play as Coco – For the first time, Crash’s smart and spirited little sister, Coco, will be playable throughout the trilogy. Fans can switch between playing as Crash or Coco. Both characters have an N. Sane set of special attacks – each with their own style!
  • Now in Face-Melting PS4 Pro HD – Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy has brand-new lighting,animations, and recreated cinematics in stunning “N. Hanced Fur–K” and PS4 Pro HD. New animations, visual effects and environmental details let players spin, jump and jet pack their way through the lush — and furriest — Wumpa Island yet!
  • Bringing Back the Beat – The new collection features a fully-remastered game soundtrack, packed with all the didgeridoos, xylophones and thumpin’ bass lines fans can handle!
  • Original Story, New Tech – Full analog stick support, a unified save system and unified checkpoint system make it easier than ever to enjoy the classic adventure. Plus, improved bonus levels, time trials everywhere and online leaderboards will make this an epic trilogy for the hardest of the ‘Coot core!
  • New Cinematics – All the beloved cinematics in this trilogy are being lovingly re-crafted. In the intro cinematic, Crash Bandicoot’s origin story shows our villains, Dr. Neo Cortex and Dr. Nitrus Brio, try to evolve Crash into an evil mutant general, but it doesn’t go quite as planned!
  • Say What? – Fans of the Crash Bandicoot games may recognize some familiar voice actors whosenewly recorded dialogue appears in Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, including Jess Harnell, Lex Lang and Debi Derryberry, among others.

 

To check out all the exciting Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy action, make sure you check out the trailer below:

 

Those who don’t own Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy yet have the perfect opportunity to get in on the fun with two special Black Friday bundle deals:

  • GameStop has revealed that its Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy Black Friday Bundle will include the game — and a never-before-released pair of collector’s edition Crash Bandicoot socks! Hitting fans with the nostalgically-designed socks, this GameStop Black Friday exclusive is bringing back the ‘90s. These premium socks feature an iconic in-game image of Crash’s face with his tongue sticking out, perfect for fans who want to spin, jump and wump just like Crash!
  • Walmart also has announced that its Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy Black Friday Bundle will include the game, as well as the Stormy Ascent level. Those who purchase the Walmart bundle will get their hands on this notorious and insanely challenging level chock-full of vial-throwing lab assistants, flying birds, retracting steps iron spikes, and much more!

Shoppers with Crash fans on their lists will have plenty of options to choose from this holiday season, so there’s never been a better time to delight that Crash-loving gamer on  your list.

 

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

5 Tips For Finding The Perfect Family Vehicle

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This is a sponsored post on behalf of my sponsors Cars.com, however, any thoughts and opinions stated are my own.

 

Are you on the hunt for the perfect vehicle for your family but don’t know where to start?  Believe me, I understand…the struggle is real!  My husband and I recently went through this same experience when we were choosing a new vehicle for our family.  There were so many things that we took into consideration, but it all boiled down to a few areas where neither of us would compromise in what we wanted and ‘just settle’.  I’ve put together this list of ways to find the perfect family vehicle in hopes that it will save you all some frustration and major headaches, as well as making the road to finding the perfect vehicle just a little more smooth.

 

#1 What size/type of vehicle do you need?

Probably the biggest factor in choosing a family vehicle is taking into consideration the size and space you need.  How many children do you have?  Do you plan on having more children and need room to expand?  Do you have to accommodate car seats or carpools?  All of these are things that you HAVE to take into consideration above all else.  If you have children you’ll obviously have to look at a practical vehicle vs. a little sports car, and if you’re a single person, you can have fun looking at all those sexy sleek sports cars while avoiding the larger vehicles.

 

#2 What’s your budget?

After considering the size or type of vehicle you need, you’ll want to realistically look at your budget.  What you can afford to spend will help you narrow down the large categories and point you to your more realistic choices.  If you’re paying in full, you may be able to look at higher priced options and negotiate a better price with your salesman.  If you’re planning on financing, you need to figure out what you can afford for a monthly payment, also taking into consideration the cost of insuring the new vehicle.

 

#3 What kind of power do you need out of your vehicle?

This may seem like an odd thing to consider for some, but for my husband and I, this is something that ABSOLUTELY made all the difference in the world.  We live in an extremely rural area of Arizona and need the durability of a more stout vehicle.  When it’s monsoon season here, the washes we have to drive through to get to our home are no longer dry, and run with a large volume of moving water.   A little 4 cylinder sedan just isn’t going to cut it in our neck of the woods so we stuck to looking at larger, heavy duty vehicles.  You should consider the various scenarios your vehicle will face year-round and what you need out of a vehicle to get your through all these situations.  Also take into consideration whether or not you’ll be towing a camper or trailer.  If you want to pull heavy gear, you should consider a six-cylinder (V-6) engine.  They’re generally smoother and quieter than four-cylinder engines and offer a lot more power.

 

#4 What features are you looking for?

Yes, this may seem silly to some, but for others the features are what makes or breaks a deal.  If you’re in the vehicle for extended periods of time, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got all the creature comforts you’re looking for.  Do you want heated seat and steering wheel options?  Do you want a remote start?  Do you want a backup camera or brake assistance?  Make a list of all of the features you just can’t live without, and narrow down your list of possible vehicles based on what makes and models meet your needs.

 

#5 The test drive

Before making your final decision on any vehicle, make sure you test drive the models that you’re interested in.  If you have children, BRING THEM ALONG!  Bring along any car seats and strollers that you’ll need to accommodate so you can make sure everything fits the way that you want it to.  How easy is it to get all the necessary items in and out of the vehicle?  How comfortable is it to drive?  How does the vehicle handle?  A simple test drive will allow you to answer all of these questions first-hand so you can make the best, most informed decision when it comes time to purchase that new family vehicle.

 

While we all have different needs, these are the steps that I took into consideration when purchasing our new family vehicle.  We typically drive mini-vans but the terrain of our new location just didn’t allow for that any more.  We decided on a heavy duty truck with 4 wheel drive to allow us to get through the precarious terrain out here in the middle of nowhere.  No matter what your budget, what size/type of vehicle you need, these simple steps will help you pick the very best vehicle for all of your needs without all the headache and hassle.  Good luck and happy shopping!!

Find Out Why The Zoomer Show Pony Is On Every Little Girl’s Wish List This Holiday Season

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If you’ve got a little girl on your holiday shopping list, chances are you’ve heard of the Zoomer Show Pony, and it’s probably her #1 most desired gift this holiday season.  We’ve seen SO many commercials and YouTube videos of this adorable little pony, you know my daughter has been so anxious to get a Zoomer Show Pony of her own.  Thanks to my friends at SpinMaster, we’ve had a blast playing around with this cute little pony that’s got an adorable attitude to boot.

 

 

One look at this cute little pony and you’ll see why every little girl can’t wait to get their hands on one.  The new Zoomer Show Pony is a fashionable, interactive pony you can feed, groom, and train to perform different tricks.  She moves on her own and has expressive light-up eyes that show you exactly how she feels.  Zoomer Show Pony knows when you’re petting her cheeks and nose, and responds with loving pony sounds.  She’ll nuzzle into your hand, shake and move her head, and even neigh “I love you.”  When you press the heart badge on her chest, she’ll perform tricks, including dancing, singing or doing a figure eight. 

 

 

Zoomer Show Pony gives you the real pony experience.  She makes sweet pony sounds, neighing and whinnying in response to your actions.  You’ll always know exactly what’s on her mind as her LCD eyes light up to communicate her feelings.  Whether she’s hungry, full, or sleepy, her bright eyes will express everything you need to know!  This pony can perform many tricks!  She is quick to learn the show time moves you teach her.  Use the carrot to train her and she’ll play music and dance!  Pet her nose and she may even prance and wiggle!  As her owner, it’s up to you to get her ready for the big show.  When your little pony has been good, reward her with a sweet treat!  Feed her the delicious sugar cube accessory and she’ll make licking sounds, how cute!  But watch out if she has too much sugar…Zoomer Show Pony will get hyper and she’ll do her crazy sugar dance!

 

 

Zoomer Show Pony comes with four interactive accessories, including an apple, carrot and a sugar cube.  Try feeding your pony an interactive apple and she’ll crunch, chomp and munch happily!  Use the hairbrush accessory to brush and style her, so she’s ready for the big show!  

 

While you will need 4AA batteries, you can expect to find these fabulous items inside your Zoomer Show Pony box:

  • 1 Zoomer Show Pony
  • 1 Apple Accessory
  • 1 Carrot Accessory
  • 1 Hair Brush
  • 1 Sugar Cube Accessory
  • Instruction booklet
  • Cheat Sheet

 

To see Zoomer Show Pony in action, check out this awesome video that teaches you step by step how to play with your new best friend:

 

This holiday season make sure that special little girl on your shopping list has one of these super cute Zoomer Show Ponies under the tree.  I’ve already seen it in a couple Black Friday ad circulars so there’s never been a better time to spoil that deserving little princess in your life.

 

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Cupcake Surprise Dolls Are The Cutest Stocking Stuffers With A Sweet Surprise

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Looking for a super cute stocking stuffer for that special little girl on your shopping list this holiday season?  Mini Cupcake Surprise dolls are the cutest little dolls that transform from cupcake to miniature doll!  A super cute toy that doubles as a second hidden toy is always a big hit with my little girl and she just can’t get enough of these Cupcake Surprise dolls.

 

 

Each Cupcake Surprise looks just like a beautifully decorated cupcake until you transform this sweet surprise into a pretty princess.  Each cupcake surprise princess doll comes with her own unique outfit and scent, and the larger dolls come with a hairbrush as well to keep her hair looking its finest.  The Mini Cupcake Surprise dolls are smaller versions of the larger dolls and they’re just as adorable (if not more so) as the larger dolls.  There are 12 different styles of doll available with 6 different scents to collect including: strawberry, vanilla, grape, chocolate, lemon and caramel.  Kids can collect all 12 of the princesses: Brittney, Candie, Esther, Debby, Jenny, Kaelyn, Lorie, Maya, Ailly, Liza, Marilyn, and Sabrina.  Each princess has her own unique style, whether it be bright patterns or bold colors with sparkly accents. 

 

 

These cute little princesses are sure to be a HUGE hit with your little princess.  My daughter absolutely loves how the top of the cupcakes make totally adorable hats that accessorize the outfits perfectly.  Keep the hats with the princess they came with or mix them up and give a funky flair to each doll!  The materials that these little dolls are made from are a really high quality so you don’t have to worry about ripping or tearing after excessive transformation.  The tops of the cupcakes fit nicely onto the cupcake base when the doll’s dress is folded upwards so they stay together nicely even when tossed into a bag and carried to a sleepover 🙂 .

 

Whether your little princess wants the larger dolls or mini’s, they’re the perfect size to fit into any little one’s stocking so you can make sure that Christmas is the most magical one yet.  

 

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Artificial Intelligence and Video Games

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First and foremost, a super huge thanks to my sponsor Andrew Charlton for making this post possible.

 

If you have ever played a video game, no matter what era you played it in, you have interacted with artificial intelligence.  Regardless of whether you prefer race-car games like Gran Turismo, strategy games like God Of War, or shooting games like Call Of Duty, you will always find elements controlled by AI.  Even things that you don’t think would be AI controlled, are!  AIs are often behind the characters you typically don’t pay much attention to, such as enemy creeps, neutral merchants, or even animals and other background characters.

 

 

When it comes to video games, artificial intelligence has grown leaps and bounds, allowing us to have some of the most realistic gameplay experiences yet.  Video game AI’s have come a long, LONG way from Pong on Atari and Goombas in popular Nintendo games marching along a set path.  Video games are now able to carry out complex commands, and artificial intelligence is the key behind it all.  AI developers are now able to create AIs that can actually think, learn, and even develop their own personalities.  AI not only affects how we interact with and play video games, but it affects almost every aspect of our life (whether you realize it or not).

 

Artificial intelligence isn’t just being used to make games better, it’s actually learning to develop games!  You read that right, AI can recreate a game, just by watching it!  Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are developing an AI that can recreate a game engine simply by watching gameplay.  This technology is being created in an effort to aid video game developers to speed up game development and experiment with different styles of play.  During the researchers’ most recent experiments, the AI they’re developing watched two minutes of Super Mario Bros. gameplay, and then was able to build its own version of the game by studying frames and predicting future events.

 

 

Video games have always been at the forefront of experimentation with artificial intelligence systems and the gameplay has become more engaging and entertaining along the way.  Rather than getting stuck in a frustrating loop with a partially intelligent NPC (non-player character), these background characters will also learn and evolve so when you play the same level more than one time, it won’t be the same allowing a unique experience each time you play the game.  Imagine playing Super Mario Bros. where the Goombas and other characters can actually change path and move in ways that they never could before.  Imagine your opponents learning your strategy and making you think outside the box to change the pattern and beat the AIs.  Imagine possibly being able to play your favorite games like Super Mario Bros. in virtual reality, stomping Goombas in real life!  I’m super excited about where AI and video games are headed, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

 

I hope you’re all ready to see where AI and video games are going next!  Thanks again to Andrew Charlton for sponsoring the fun content 🙂

5 Ways To Keep Your Customers Satisfied

Published on by stephanybissonetteLeave a comment

 

Looking for ways to improve your customer success?  Read these 5 ways you can help keep your customers happy and coming back on a regular basis:

 

#1 Treat customers like you want to be treated

The number one golden rule in life is do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.  That should also be your mantra when it comes to dealing with your customers.  This is going to get your miles farther than any other tactic you can try.

  • How are your customers being greeted? — Make your customers feel welcomed and their business desired.  This will help set the tone for your entire transaction.
  • Let your customers know that they are valued — Let your customers know you think they are important.  Your sincerity makes them feel good about you and the organization and will keep them coming back time and time again.
  • Ask how you can help your customers — Find out what they want. It is important that each customer encounter makes them feel satisfied and understood.
  • Don’t challenge disgruntled customers —  Remember that the customer is ALWAYS right.  Listen, reassure them that you’ll escalate or act on their complaint and follow through until resolution.
  • Help customers — You should be willing to go out of your way to get your customers what they want. Make it easy for customers to locate or obtain the information they need.

 

#2 ALWAYS say ‘Thank you’

Kindness and gratitude will go a LONG way!  As many as 3 out of 4 customers say they have spent more with a company because of a history of positive experiences.  Kindness and gratitude towards a customer is an sure fire way to further enchant them for the long term.

Sending a thank-you note in a e-mail won’t impress anyone. A handwritten note is a great idea – not only is it more personal, but also very original. This applies mostly to situations where the sale or transaction is arranged personally by a sales representative.  Your customers will want to engage with your staff and come back again and again.

 

#3 Add a personal touch

Adding a personal touch to your relationship with your customers is a great way to show you care.  You can add personal touches with hand written Christmas cards or birthday cards, or even an email about your work anniversary. Even though these are small actions, they help show that you care and enforces your position as the top choice for your customers.

 

#4 Always listen and hear what your customers are saying

Really listen to what your customers are telling your.  Talk to your customers, take their opinions into account when making large scale changes.  Your customers fell in love with your business for a reason, you want to make sure you maintain what it is that drew them in.  If your customers have reasonable requests, listen to what it is that they want.  There may be other customers who desire the same product/service which will in turn help grow your customer database.

 

#5 Be Consistent

Consistency is key in life and that’s no different when it comes to your business and keeping customers happy.  To keep customers happy, you need to be consistent in providing quality products and services.  Regularly schedule meetings with your employees to get new ideas that might help increase customer satisfaction.  If you’re able to, setting up focus groups is also a great way to gather information!

 

If you’re a business owner, you know the importance of having a great customer success platform.  I hope these tips will help you all grow your business with happy, recurring customers for a long time to come.