Smart Art Monthly Art Projects Review #smartartbox

December 13, 2015 By Marijean

I love to paint! I am not a painter though by any means…I must follow step by step instructions for my masterpiece. Smart Art makes it easy to make monthly art projects in the comfort of your own home!

Each month, your box will feature a range of top-shelf FULL SIZED art supplies – from acrylic paint to polymer clay – plus a project to go along with it to help teach and inspire your inner artist. These projects are for everyone since they include step by step instructions. Each month a different artist highlights their time period. Each monthly box is $49.95, no tax and free shipping within the U.S. You can cancel at any time.

Now, let me tell you about the December box I received. I received an acrylic paint kit, everything needed to make a beautiful winter landscape.

THE SUPPLIES

Creative Inspirations Acrylic (6 PCS)
Simply Simmons Oil and Acrylic Brush Wallet (3 PCS)
10-Well Plastic Paint Palette
Mona Lisa Pink Soap 4OZ
Creative Mark All Edge Media Cotton Canvas 8″X10″
Educational Pamphlet

These are top quality supplies and I am very please with my December box. I have not made my art project yet, but once the holidays are over I can’t wait to sit down and start painting. Even my 7 year old daughter wants a subscription for herself! This monthly subscription is great for anyone who loves to create fun art projects. This makes the perfect gift too, you can order just 1 box or 3 boxes as a gift. I love how I now don’t have to go out to those “Wine and Paint” classes all the time, I can spend the exact same amount and keep the art supplies as well!

You can purchase your monthly subscription here.

Connect with Smart Art: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram

***I was given a product in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the product. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Bowls of Happiness and What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor? Children’s Book Review

December 11, 2015 By Marijean

I was asked to do a book review on the books BOWLS of HAPPINESS and What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor?. My children love learning and hearing about different cultures, and always have many questions. These books have been great for understanding more about Chinese culture!

To introduce children to Chinese culture at an early age, China Institute in America released a four-book series called “We All Live in the Forbidden City.” The books are part of China Institute’s children’s programming, which aims to bridge the Asian culture gap through educational resources and regionals workshops.

Here is a little about BOWLS of HAPPINESS:

Piggy’s mom loves her so much that she has decided to make a special porcelain bowl just for her. As mom makes the bowl, Piggy enters the world being painted on its surface. There she meets and learns about the plants, animals, and other natural elements used on Chinese artworks and the messages of happiness and good-fortune that they convey.

This book is beautifully Illustrated, and my 7 year old loves reading it. At the end of the book, it even tells you how you can make your own porcelain bowl! This book is hardcover and retails for $12.95, and you can purchase it on Amazon.

Here is a little about What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor?

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be the Emperor of China? In this book, readers will get the chance to ask the emperor all the questions they might have about life in the Forbidden City. How was the emperor chosen? What was school like? How did he celebrate his birthday? Who were his friends? What were his favorite foods? How hard did he have to work? Could he be punished?

My daughter loved learning about the life of the Emperor, and about the people who lived in the palace. She had so many questions, and I loved seeing her so interested! This is a great book for kids to learn more about Chinese culture. This is a hardcover book and retails for $12.95. You can purchase it on Amazon.

For more information on these books, please check out these links: Website, Twitter

For more information about the China Institute: Facebook

***I was given a product in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the product. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

The Avenues Mall Working With Local Non-Profits #RonaldMcdonaldHouse #Salvationarmy #UrbanServ

December 10, 2015 By Marijean

THE AVENUES WORKING WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS
Jacksonville community is invited to give-back this holiday season

Tis the season for giving! Simon Property Group is pleased to announce that this holiday season, The Avenues is supporting three local not-for-profits including Ronald McDonald House Charities, The Salvation Army and UCOM UrbanServ in an effort to spread generosity and cheer to the less fortunate. The Avenues will accept donations for each organization until December 21, 2015.

“We are thrilled that the Jacksonville community is so supportive of our local not-for-profit groups, and are pleased to be working with these dynamic charities during the holiday season,” said Carla De Maria, director of marketing and business development at The Avenues. “Giving back is truly the reason for the season, and it is a joy to see the city working together for these special causes.”

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville supports the health and well-being of children by providing lodging and other services for critically ill, chronically ill and seriously injured children and their families. The 30-bedroom house allows families to stay together and close to their children during a very trying time. To help provide for these families, The Avenues is serving as a drop-off location for Wish List items, which include items such as paper towels, laundry detergent, non-perishable foods and cleaning supplies. For a detailed list of wish-list items, please visit: http://rmhcjacksonville.org/how-you-can-help/wish-list/

The mission of The Salvation Army during the holiday season is two-fold. The organization has set up their traditional red-kettles outside The Avenues to support the agency’s hunger and homelessness programs, such as the food pantry, throughout the year. The Avenues is also participating in The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, a 36-year old program that provides Christmas gifts for children ages 0-12 whose families have proven financial hardship. The community is invited to pick an angel from the tree. When you pick an angel from the tree, you will have the information you need to make that child’s Christmas brighter, including the child’s first name, clothing size, age, and details about what kinds of gifts they might like to receive.

For more than 35 years, UCOM UrbanServ, Inc has worked tirelessly to serve the hungry and poor in our community. This year, Jacksonville residents can drop off nonperishable goods at The Avenues during the holiday season and help UCOM UrbanServ ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.

About The Avenues
The Avenues is Jacksonville’s premier family-friendly shopping destination. A multi-level indoor shopping center offering more than 1.1 million square-feet of shopping, The Avenues is home to 5 department stores including Belk, Dillard’s, Forever 21, JCPenney and Sears, plus more than 150 of the most exciting stores in Northeast Florida. Retailers include Aeropostale, Aldo, American Eagle, Banana Republic, bareMinerals, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Charming Charlie, Express, Francesca’s Collections, H&M, LOFT, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, New York & Company, The Limited, Victoria’s Secret, and more. The mall is open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. For additional information, please contact the mall management office at (904) 363-3054 or visit www.shoptheavenues.com.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Fun At Adventure Landing! #AdventureLanding @AdventureLandin

December 8, 2015 By Marijean

I am always looking for fun places to take my children. Now that we have moved to Florida, there are so many fun places to take them! However, some are 2 hours + away, and when we are just looking for a fun morning or afternoon out, we want to stay close to home. When I heard about Adventure Landing, and how one of the locations was about 15 minutes away, I was excited to take my family to check it out!

Adventure Landing has locations in the following States:

Florida: Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville Blanding and St. Augustine
New York: Buffalo, Greece and Wheatfield
North Carolina: Raleigh, Gastonia, Winston-Salem and Charlotte
Texas: Dallas

My family and I received tickets, tokens and meal vouchers to the St. Augustine location, which isn’t far away from home. We went twice, first time we went it started raining, so we played in the Arcade and had lunch. The second day we went on the go-carts and played mini-golf.

As you can see, Adventure Landing has many ticket and family options you can choose from. Each day they have a new special going on. We went on a Saturday and received that special of the day. We received the Super Saturday package which includes Unlimited Golf, 2 Go Kart Rides and 40 Arcade Tokens. The cost of this is $9.99 per person and is valid 10am-12pm. So, if you come in the morning before noon you get the best deal. We also received Family food special that they serve daily. We had 1 Large Cheese Pizza, 4 Sodas and 40 Arcade Tokens.

The arcade is huge!!! There are so many games to play. My kids were having fun playing the games and receiving tickets to get a toy. They have all kinds of games and even crane machines to win stuffed animals, tickets and candy!

Once the rainy weather was behind us, we went back to Adventure Landing a few days later. The attractions that this location has are: Mini Golf (outside), Batting Cages (outside), Speedway Go-Carts(outside), Max flight Simulator(inside) and Arcade. First, we played 18 holes of Mini-golf. My kids had fun and loved it. Then, we went on Go-carts. They have single/double adult carts, and a separate track for kiddie carts. My 7 year old and 4 year old LOVED the kiddie carts. They had such a big smile on while driving. My husband and I took the kids on the Adult carts, we each got double rider tickets. It was a lot of fun!!! The whole staff is very friendly also, and answer any questions you may have. They are very helpful and always asking if we are doing ok!

Adventure Landing is a fun place to take the family! So much to do, whether it is a rainy day and you just want to enjoy pizza and the arcade, or a sunny day and enjoy everything, your whole family is sure to have a great time.

Connect with Adventure Landing: Website, Facebook, Twitter

***I was given tickets in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with Adventure Landing. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Gotta Bandage? TXTpressions Adhesive Bandages Review @gottabandage_ #txtpressions

December 6, 2015 By Marijean

As a mother of two very active children, I always have bandages for cuts and scrapes in my home, and keep them in my purse & car. You can never have enough bandages. I was sent a package of bandages to review from Gotta Bandage.

Gotta Bandage sent me the TXTpressions bandages. Fun text phrases such as LOL, SMH and expressions are on these bandages. My daughter loves them! She had a cut on her arm and she was excited to put one on! These would be perfect for anyone who loves to text, especially Teens & Tweens! They are great quality bandages that I will be purchasing in the future.

Features:
• For use on minor cuts, scrapes and burns
• Absorbent non-stick pad for gentle removal
• Not only a bandage, but a fashion statement as well

The TXTpressions isn’t the only design that Gotta Bandage makes. They also come in Boo Boo Monsters and Xtreme bandages. You can view all of the products on their website.

Connect with Gotta Bandage: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.

GIVEAWAY

You can win this awesome prize pack! A winner will be picked on 12/20!

Each pack will include:
(2) TxTpressions Combo boxes
(1) Mini bandages tin
(1) Flip ‘n’ Fan (cute foldable & collapsible handheld frisbee fan)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I was given a product in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the product. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.