My good friend Tanya will be coming for a visit next week and I can hardly wait.  We will be heading out for  a day of shopping and girlie activities.   It will be nice to leave all the testosterone at home and get some well deserved me time!  We are planning a day of shopping, lunch and dinner out, and just a little R&R.  Everyone just needs a time out from time to time, so I am greatly looking forward to a little “me time” break!

I love the Fall because the leaves are changing and the weather is getting cooler.   I love all the sites and smells of Fall and especially having nights around the firepit out back.   We are thinking about planning a get together around the fire one evening and I was trying to find some fun foods that we could make around the campfire.  I ran across some unique ideas, but my most favorite is making smores!

Another idea I found was to take the core out of an apple, fill the inside with cinnamon and sugar and wrap it up in foil and put it on the fire for 10-15 minutes, it’s supposed to make it like applesauce that you can eat right out of the apple!  I am goin got give it a try.

Leave a comment with some of your favorite “around the campfire” foods!

About Venettini Shoes

For almost 20 years, Venettini has been designing and manufacturing luxury children’s footwear with a large emphasis on fashion and style.  Founded in 1989, the brand has grown steadily under the management of Kinderland Inc, a family business dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and distributing high-end and luxury children’s footwear.  Fashion, fit and comfort are the driving forces behind Vennetini designs.

When it comes to dressing my boys, I must admit (sheepishly), that I love putting on all their new clothes and shoes.  I am happy in my sweats, but love to give my boys the best fitting clothes and shoes.   I know for me, when it comes to shoes, I look for a shoe that is well made and comfortable.   Venettini shoes offer both when it comes to shoes for children.

When opening the boxes for the first time, I was busy ohhing and ahhing over how adorable and classy these shoes look and feel.  Both of my boys (they are only 2) were already telling me to put them on…  “On mommy on” as they would say.  I guess they love their new shoes too, because they ask to wear them all the time now.  I don’t think I will ever return to the realm of boring, clunky, and uncomfortable shoes for my kids again.

The new Fall/Winter collection is to die for with adorable names like Bert, Ace, Billy and Able just to name a few.  Whether you are getting your little ones all gussied up for the holidays or just going out on the town, Venettini shoes will compliment any outfit, and are total class right down to the tiniest details.   Venettini will definitely be top choice in my new shoe addiction, when it comes to buying new shoes for my little men.  Venettini shoes can be found at Zappos.com or Endless.com

New frames have just arrived at Zenni!  Coming from a family that almost all wear eyeglasses this is a great place to shop.  This day in age saving money is definitely a plus.  Zenni Optical has been recommended on a popular U.S. talk radio host of the nationally syndicated consumer advocate program The Clark Howard Show. You will find a huge selection of frames, with single vision lens, sunsensor (potochromic) lens, tinted sunglasses lens, bifocal lens and progressive lens.  I know that my family will benefit from these huge savings and love the huge selection of stylish frames to choose from. I don’t wear glasses and I would consider getting myself some non prescription eyeglass just for fun.

If you are looking for a great deals on eyeglasses
, I would definitely head on over to Zenni for some great deals and wide range of styles to choose from, and dress your eyes in style!

At Vista Print they offer a ton of fun and reasonable options for all your printing needs.  I have used their services on a few occasions and everything has turned out wonderful.  They can print fun gifts for the grandparents like t-shirts with pictures of their grand kids. It is a fun and easy way to add a personal touch to your gift giving. You can even make t-shirts from the kiddos for Dad or Mom.

I am usually a big procrastinator but looking at all the fun things I can do at Vista Print is a big motivator to get started early! If you are looking for a fun way to create something special, why not try making a t-shirt with Vista Print. If you enter the coupon code: TShirts25 you will receive 25% off of your t-shirt! That is a great deal, so head on over to Vista Print and get started on your holiday shopping!

Both of my boys received their first set of legos for their birthday and they love playing with them.  They love to try and figure out how to stick them on top of each other.  I like to get fancy and build little archways for them to drive their cars through.  They are great for developing thier spatial, cognitive and perception skills.  Legos have been around since I was a child and that is a long time (wont elaborate on how long that is!).  This day in age the things you can do with legos has grown beyond my imagination.  With the upcoming holidays I am sure there is a little guy or gal on your list that would love to have them!

DoubleBugs would like to give you the opportunity to let your little one build their dreams with a $10 Lego gift card!`

Here’s what you gotta do:

Leave a comment and tell me what you would get your special someone

Leave me an email so I can contact you if you win

If a winner does not respond in 2 days a new one will be chosen

All winners chosen via random.org

Contest starts Sept 30 and Ends Oct. 14th

Good Luck!!!

Haba Stack the Trix Mix Pull Toy ($50)

This is such a bright and whimsical toy for your little one ages 1 to 6 years. It is designed to stimulate the child’s creative skills, large motor skills and spatial thinking. There is no right or wrong way to stack the brightly colored spools each with a color or unique feature like a face or a fabric tail.   It encourages your child to think creatively.  Then your little guy or gal can pull it around showing off their new creations.   I even found myself playing with it.  Haba toys are well worth the money because these toys will stand the test of time.

Haba Curioso Fabric Shape Sorter ($45)

Which blocks fits where? The Curioso shape sorter is a matching game designed for ages 12 months and up, that acquaints children with shapes and colors.  Each block has a special optical or acoustic element about it such as a bell, or a mini kaleidoscope that stimulates perception.  Each block has a different shape which encourages your little one to develop cognitive skills as well.  I must say that I am impressed with Haba’s quality and the blocks have such bright and fun colors.  When you are holding them in your hand they don’t feel cheap and are well made.  The boys love trying to fit them through the shaped slots and even love to stack them.  These will definitely be on my list of things to give for Christmas.

You can tell that Haba takes pride in designing toys that can stand the test of time and can be passed on from generation to generation.  Many of their products have received German and American awards such as Parents’ Choice, and Dr. Toy and Best Toys of the Year recognition.  Haba toys can be found at many online specialty toy retailers such as Maukilo.com

My boys love to go with my husband in the wagon up to the schools playground, so I usually take advantage of this time to get a few things done. So I ran to get a little shopping done and on my way home I stopped at the playground. My husband tells me that Alex is “soupy man” and at first it didn’t register that he was saying he is Superman lol! My husband was grabbing him and flying him off the jungle gym and saying he was Superman and Alexander says he is “Soupy Man”….so cute. I guess I need to get my little superhero a cape!

The watchery has a huge selection of watches to chose from at some reasonable prices.   They have a wonderful selection of Tag Heuer watches that I can only just drool over.  I love the tag heuer aquaracer. It is such a beautiful watch and most importantly it has a blue mother-of-pearl diamond dial. I am usually not a big jewelry fan but this watch is simply gorgeous and I would love to get a gift like this for our anniversary from my husband (hint hint)!
I had actually never heard of Tag Heuer watches until I visited the Watchery but now that I know I love their stuff. If the budget isn’t too tight I would definitely recommend a Tag Heuer watch for your special gal or guy. They would make a great Christmas gift or a really nice stocking stuffer and would be a pleasant surprise for a special someone in your life. Check out the Watchery today and take a look at their incredible collection of Tag Heuer watches!
I have always had a thing for watches and I own three, but would love to have this sweet little addition to my collection. I might not take it off.