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Bitty Play: Try the new Kinetic Sand
As the kids begin gearing up for back-to-school, why not start them with some fun learning and sensory/motor activities to get them prepped.
Kinetic Sand is a sand-like substance that is easily moldable, yet free flowing. It has the properties of wet sand, but isn’t wet and it also sticks to itself without being sticky. It’s hard to describe this wonderful, stress-free, colored sand until you have it in your hands.
Michaels’ recently introduced the Kinetic Sand in some fun and bright colors, such as blue, green, orange, pink and purple, as well as the neutral.
Some of the major benefits of playing with Kinetic Sand, while of course just being fun are:
– Fine Motor Development
– Sensory Processing
– Drawing and Pre-writing skills
– Creative Thinking
– Pretend Play
– Speech and Language Development
– Increased Attention
– Sense of Calm
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August 31st is National Trail Mix Day
A powerful high-energy snack, trail mix done right is great for days on the trail or behind the desk. In honor of National Trail Mix Day, leading food dehydrator brand, Excalibur Dehydrators, shares some recipes for trail mix you can make right in your own kitchen. These at home versions are preservative, additive and junk-free, but best of all taste great!
More about Excalibur’s Food Dehydrators: Since 1974, Excalibur Food Dehydrators have changed the way people all over the world prepare and preserve food. Compact enough to fit on your kitchen counter, the Excalibur Dehydrator replaced sun drying, solar drying, and oven drying. The electrical dehydrator created a more predictable dehydration method that allowed people to dry 24 hours a day, come rain or shine. Excalibur Dehydrators are the only home appliance that incorporate the Parallexx™ Horizontal-Airflow Drying System for best performance, thermostat adjustability, speed, durability, clean-ability and versatility. Dehydrate fruits, vegetables, meats and fish for jerky, herbs and nuts in the comfort of your home.
Harvest Granola
4 cups Rolled old fashion oats
1/2 cup Chopped pecans
1/2 cup Raisins
1/2 cup Dried pineapple
1/2 cup Craisins
1/2 cup Walnuts
1/2 cup Chopped dried apples
1/2 cup Chopped dried apple peels
1/2 cup Chopped dried bananas
1/2 cup Olive oil
1/2 cup Honey
1/2 tsp VanillaHeat wet ingredients – stir olive oil, honey, and vanilla together then drizzle over the dry ingredients stirring as you go to coat all ingredients. Put in Excalibur dehydrator at 125 degrees and let dry to the consistence your family will enjoy. You may add so many other things of your choice – here are a few ideas. •Wheat Germ•Wheat Flakes•Coconut•Agave nectar•All kinds of fresh or dried fruits •Differentkinds of oil to replacement the olive oil – possibility would be coconut oil • Seed of different kinds, like pumpkin – sunflower seeds – flax seed • Other kinds of chopped nuts – like almonds – Brazil nuts – peanuts – the list is endless • Bee pollen • ½ cup maple syrup instead of honey • Sprouted buckwheat or sprouted sunflower seed • Sea salt • Cinnamon • Orange juice or other juices you enjoy added to the wet ingredients as desired
Crunch and Munch Bars
4 Cups Rolled Oats
1/3 Cup Oil
½ Cup Honey
½ Cup Sunflower Seeds
½ Cup Sliced Almonds
½ Cup Dried Apricots or Cranberries
½ Cup Raisins
Mini M&Ms or Mini Optional
Mix oats, oil, honey and brown sugar in a large bowl. Add sunflower seeds, apricots and almonds and mix well. Spread on dehydrator trays about ½ in thick. Dehydrate at 135°F/ 57°C for 5-7 hours or until dry.
For more snack recipes, images or information on Excalibur Dehydrators (www.ExcaliburDehydrator.com), please contact me at 212.584.4279.
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Bitty Style: King of Harts New Kids Fashion Line
Actress Melissa Joan Hart and her husband Mark Wilkerson have teamed up to launch their first ever kids’ line, King of Harts. As the parents of three young active sons they were motivated to create a line of cool, functional, and resilient clothing options that could keep up with their frog catching, mud-puddle jumping, tree climbing boys.
Melissa and Mark wanted to start their vision with a simple jean and T-shirt boys collection but couldn’t resist featuring other pieces to complete the outfit such as military inspired outerwear. All items are manufactured in America, which was a huge priority for them while developing this line.
Melissa says, “With this line we not only wanted to create a really great durable product for boys but we made it a priority to keep the production of the line local to where we live. Our country isn’t only represented in the clothing design but every piece is also made in America.”
The duo reached out to veteran kid’s designer Souad Acha, who immediately came on board. Souad used modern details with a vintage feel to create a collection that is fun, edgy and different from anything in the market.
King of Harts will be working with Youth Villages, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing the most effective local solutions to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully, by donating a portion of sale proceeds to the organization.
The line will range from sizes 2-12. The Winter 2014 line is currently available for pre-order online at Kingofharts.com. The Spring/Summer line will be available in specialty stores in March 2015 and is currently available for wholesale.
Please visit Kingofharts.comfor more information.
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End of Summer Beauty Routine
It’s the end of summer and I am not sad! I am excited to transition into cozy sweaters and boots! While your closet is having a slight change, so should your beauty routine. For my hair, after my Keratin and Ombre treatments last 6 months – it is finally getting back to normal. I have been using restorative Aubrey Organics Green Tea Shampoo and then Frizz Ease Conditioner. Once the temperature drops, I will have to blow-dry my hair again. The Dove Dry Oil is the perfect finish for any kind of heat treatment. It is easy to use and I put it on the ends of my ponytail or braids to keep it moisturized.
After the summer, I probably won’t use BB cream as much and will use a heavier type of concealer and foundation. The best way to keep your face clean is use a family favorite. I will never forget the smell of Pond’s Cold Cream my mom used to use when I was young. This Pond’s Exfoliating cleanser is helping my skin transition into fall!
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Bitty Style: Back to School Cute @Redbubble
Back to school time is just around the corner! That means fall fashion is in order and what better way to head back to class but with some very fun graphic t-shirts from duvet covers for dorms.
Just in time for back to school and fall, Redbubble is adding to their line of interior design products with the addition of duvet covers! Say goodbye to the traditional ho-hum duvet cover and say hello to individuality and personal flare. With more than 11 million designs to choose from, Redbubble has something to match everyone’s style- from foxes to bikes to sci-fi. Made of a polyester-printed topside with a soft cotton/polyester off-white underside, the duvets start at just $93.44. Available in three different sizes, twin (68″ x 88″), queen (88″ x 88″) and king (104″ x 88″), the duvets are perfect for any bed from college dorm rooms to master bedrooms, Redbubble has you covered, literally.
Now for your BITTY! Redbubble has a slew of incredibly cute products for your bitty – From Onesies for newborns to pillows for studying and reading. My cousin Michael was so kind to try out both for us! Here is the Original COPY CAT T-Shirt by Budi Satria Kwan in his favorite color RED! He will be turning 3 in October! T-Vest Dino pillow by AnishaCreations is his new favorite nap buddy.
You can get this Throw Pillow on Redbubble too! It is the perfect size for hugging and sleeping with. You can also sit on it while doing craft projects and homework too!
Check out Redbubble for your back to school cute!
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DIY Flower Crowns for Your Puppy
Pit bulls tend to get a bad rap in popular culture, usually being portrayed as ferocious and aggressive beasts. Sophie Gamand, a U.S.-based French photographer, has set out to change all that by photographing pitbulls posed with beautiful hippie flower crowns.
Her photo series, entitled, “Flower Power, Pit Bulls of the Revolution,” aims to show the sweeter side of these oft-misunderstood animals.
The models in Gamand’s photos are just a few of the dogs looking for homes at three rescue groups in New York. The proceeds from photo print sales will go to these shelters as well!
Inspired by Sophie Gamand, you can make your very own Flower Crown for your dog.
Step 1. Measure your dog’s head with a shoe lace, string or measuring tape.
Step 2. Create a circle with Floral Wire
Step 3. Fold the wire in half and twist each end so that you have a loop.Step 4. Trim the flowers and wind the wire around the stems. Secure the stems with a little piece of floral tape.Step 5. Once you have all your flowers placed and taped to the wire, tie a piece of ribbon to each loop. The ribbon doesn’t have to be that long – just long enough to tie the crown around your dog’s head or neck.You can put it above or below the ears to secure it
