Sweet Pennies from Heaven

Add Fireman Minion Stuart to Your Minion Collection this Christmas

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This post brought to you by Walmart. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

My entire family makes fun of my husband because he literally goes to Walmart EVERY single day. Even if we don’t need anything….he just goes to Walmart. I think he spends more time there than the employees do! Lately he’s been looking for Christmas gift ideas for the little man. It’s getting harder and harder to buy for him because he already has so much.

He does love Despicable Me™ and the minions though. LOVES them! We still watch the movie pretty often and we still think it’s hilarious to randomly yell – BANANA – through the house. Only  true Minion fans will understand what that even means. I’m also addicted to using the Minion stickers that are on Facebook now, haha! I use them ALL the time.

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The husband spotted the new Despicable Me™ toys at Walmart, made by Thinkway Toys! Have you seen them yet? I’m in love with the new Fireman Minion Stuart! IN LOVE!!! He’s a soft plush toy and he’s got a megaphone and flashing headgear. Naturally, right?! Cause we are talking about Minion Stuart here! You just press his tummy or hands and you can hear his original voice, or “Bee-Doo” sounds! It also sets off flashing and spinning lights and makes siren sound effects! Ohh, and if you squeeze his left hand you can hear him talk with an echo (which Eli would think is hilarious!) and light effects.

Plush toys are always a great gift idea either for your own kiddos, or for the kiddos on your shopping list. Since all kids adore the Despicable Me™ Minions, you cannot go wrong with Fireman Minion Stuart!!! He’s super soft and huggable! You can’t help but to squeeze him!

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If you’re a fan of the other minions, then there’s also the talking Minion Dave and the Minion Stuart laughing action toys and then of course all the boys’ favorite – the Fart Blaster toys – ughhh! LOL!!

My little guy cuddles up with his favorite plush toys every night. He usually picks one each night, and I can’t wait for him to find Fireman Minion Stuart and talking Minion Dave under the tree this Christmas! Make sure that you check out Walmart for these fun minions and gift them to your minion fans this year!!!

Do you have a favorite Minion?

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Last Minute Gift Ideas for Grandparents and Great Grandparents

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During Christmas shopping, we all have grandma and grandpa on the list to buy for. Sometimes getting them just the right thing can be a difficult challenge. At least MY own parents and grandparents have always been hard to shop for. I prefer to buy them gifts that are useful. Things they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves.

I was introduced to the VTech CareLine phone system awhile back and we love it. It’s the perfect phone system for seniors because of all of the features and functions it offers.

Macintosh HD:Users:jaabramson:Desktop:vtech_careline.jpg    VTech CareLine ™ – Want the senior in your life to stay socially connected?  Seniors are empowered to maintain active lifestyles and close relationships with this home telephone and personal communication system.  This product was designed to answer seniors’ daily communications needs and support hearing, dexterity or vision challenges. Features include large displays, photo speed dial, reminder capabilities, volume boost and a wearable pendant with one-button dialing that directly calls those pre-selected people who seniors communicate with most or for emergencies.

 

Here’s a list of other cool, user-friendly gift ideas for seniors.

Macintosh HD:Users:jaabramson:Desktop:rgleash.jpg  The RuffGrip® Dog Leash – This leash makes walking a dog easier for people with gripping or dexterity problems due to arthritis in the joints of their hands.  The extra padding and no-slip grip is lightweight and provides extra control, while the super soft leather lining makes the leash extremely comfortable to hold.
Macintosh HD:Users:jaabramson:Desktop:2007_02_29-Peeler.jpgChef’n® PalmPeeler – For those folks in your life who have hands that are aching or shaky, this peeler is amazing.  All you do is Just slip your finger through the soft rubber ring on top for a natural feel and extremely easy peeling.  The users hand force is also minimized due to the unique design.
Macintosh HD:Users:jaabramson:Desktop:tp-pro-300x300.jpg  Tee Pal Pro – Having a bad back doesn’t mean that your aging loved one needs to give up golf.  In fact, the low-impact nature of the sport makes it an ideal physical activity for mature adults.  However, there are still challenges, including bending over to tee up the ball.  The Tee Pal Pro is a unique, lightweight, and ergonomic golf ball-teeing device, allowing users to remain upright so they don’t have to bend over to “tee up the ball”.
Macintosh HD:Users:jaabramson:Desktop:wraps_and_capes.jpg  EasyWear Jacket and Pocket Cape – This versatile, practical, and super soft, Janska’s EasyWear Jacket and Pocket Cape is a wardrobe staple. The minimalist design and thoughtful details, such as oversized buttons and generous armholes, can make getting dressed easier for people with gripping, dexterity, bending or reaching challenges. This unique clothing line was actually created by a caregiver who was frustrated with the scarcity of functional, stylish clothing options available to those with limited mobility.
Macintosh HD:Users:jaabramson:Desktop:makinglifeeasier_2264_164922258.jpeg  Easi-Grip Cheese Slicer – The contoured handles of this product were re-molded in a soft feel plastic, which gives a firm comfortable grip in either hand. The stainless steel tools are set at 90 degrees from the handle, keeping the hand and wrist in a neutral stress free position.  Easi-Grip Knives and Kitchen Tools are super comfortable for everyone to use, but will be particularly beneficial for those with gripping and dexterity issues.
mages-1  The Radius Trowel – This lightweight senior-friendly gardening tool features an innovative curved handle (called the Natural Radius Grip), making it user-friendly and comfortable even for people with arthritis of the joints in the hands. Intuitive and easy-to-use, this grip helps enable digging, even in tough soil, without putting excess strain on the hands or wrist.
mages-2  Bathtub Steps – These steps add a great deal of safety and stability when getting in and out of the bathtub. The product provides a four-inch boost, with a slip-resistant textured top and rubberized feet enabling users to confidently climb over the tub wall, even in wet conditions.
mages-3  Two Handle Coffee Mug – This mug features extra large handles that allow for multiple gripping and lifting options for those with decreased dexterity. The two handle ceramic mug has a curved rim that helps prevent drips, and can be used with hot or cold beverages. The mug was designed to provide drinking independence for those with limited strength or other challenges that might prevent them from holding a traditional mug.
Macintosh HD:Users:jaabramson:Desktop:Swim-Headphones.jpg  FiNIS SwiMP3 Headphones  – Swimming is one of the best activities a senior can do for their body!  It’s easy on the joints and works nearly every muscle….all the while taxing their heart and lungs.  But…no doubt – even swimming can get boring at times.  Thankfully, there are these fully submersible headphones that transmit music through ones cheekbones and are said to provide a meditative rhythm to the swimmers stroke.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar Recipe

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Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar

Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar Recipe

These gifts in a jar are so much fun to make and to give!! Who doesn’t love cookies and who doesn’t love personal gifts like this?! We have lots of extra Christmas gifts to give this year, including teachers and bus drivers so I love to make these up to have on hand! They’re so easy and the kids really like to help assemble them. This one I’m sharing is a Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar but I also have this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Gifts in a Jar that you can check out too!

Because mason jars are fairly cheap, you’d be able to make several gifts for not much cost at all. If you’re like me, you do alot of baking through the holidays anyway and always have the ingredients on hand. Here’s how to put these Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar together. There is also a printable version below if you’d like to print it and stick it back in your recipe box.

Make sure to click here to get your printable Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar labels. They include directions for baking too so you don’t want to forget those!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar ingredients

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar

INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cups Flour
3/4 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 tsp Salt
1 1/2 cup Chocolate Morsels
3/4 cup packed Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Sugar

DIRECTIONS
Mix flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar.
Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer.
Seal with lid and decorate with labels and ribbon.

chocolate chip cookies gifts in a jar mixing

Chocolate Chip Cookies Gifts in a Jar Recipe
Author: Jenni
Ingredients
  • 1 3/4 cups Flour
  • 3/4 tsp Baking Soda
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
  • 3/4 cup packed Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
Instructions
  1. Mix flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
  2. Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar.
  3. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer.
  4. Seal with lid and decorate with labels and ribbon.

What other gifts like this do you love to give at Christmas time? We’d love to hear your ideas, make sure to share by leaving us a comment below!!

Protect Your Mobile Devices with Otterbox

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We pay a lot of money for our mobile devices so it only makes sense to keep them protected from drops, bumps, scratches and everything else under the sun. We have hardwood floors through our home and little man loves to play with our phones and tablets. I can’t let him carry them off unattended because if he drops them on the floor without a case on, it would be the death of my phone or iPad. I mean, I would cry and would hold a burial service and everything.

otterbox logo

Otterbox is well known for their cases for mobile devices. They have several styles and lines of cases for many different brand phones/devices. Their prices are also very good when you consider the protection you get out of it. They’re almost bullet proof. Okay, not really…but you get the idea. Otterbox are a great type of “insurance” for your devices so I definitely recommend buying them as gifts this Christmas!! Especially for your kiddos who tend to drop things easily!

preserver otterbox iphone case

They recently sent me a case for my iPhone from their new Preserver line. I love the Primrose color it came in…I’m just a “pink” girl. One thing I really enjoy about the case is that there isn’t a flap over the camera lens like my other case had. I used to have to pull the plastic cover off the lens before I’d take a picture — now I don’t have to do that. The phone is completely covered…every square inch of it so it’s super duper protected! Love it.

 

reflex otterbox case for ipad

They also sent me an iPad case from their Reflex series. This is a nice case for someone who likes the lighter weight cases. It’s not cumbersome to carry or use, and it’s really easy to install. Keep in mind, with this case, you might want to buy a screen protector because this one doesn’t have one installed with the case. It covers the backside of the iPad and has a front cover that you remove when you’re ready to use it. You can also use the front side when removed, as a stand to work upright.

Click here to shop Otterbox cases!

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be giving away (2) Otterbox cases for a lucky reader. One for their phone and one for their tablet. WhooHoo!!! Our Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event will be going live on Black Friday so stay tuned!

Disclosure: Otterbox is paricipating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Use Energizer Flameless Wax Candles for a Safer Alternative to Regular Candles

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I love to fill my home with yummy smelling candles – but candles that burn are not a safe alternative for those who have pets and kids. You think you’ve got the burning candle pushed back out of the way, but still yet…kids have sticky fingers and it’s like they’ve got those Mr. Gatchet go go extendo arms!! Remember him? Yeah…so I’ve been more in favor of the flameless candles over the last few years.

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Energizer has a gorgeous line of flameless wax candles that run by battery and are scented. Included in the line are pillar style candles that are 3×4″ and also 3×6″. Not to mention the votives and the tealights. The burn time is approximately 150 hours for the pillars and about 75 hours for the small tealights which is decent!! That’s a lot longer than a real tealight burns for…those babies are gone in NO time! I love the flameless candles and I know all of my friends and family do too. Because they’re not expensive at all, they make great gifts!

Energizer Flameless Wax Candles can help create the perfect holiday ambiance in your home, as well as the gift.  Energizer Flameless Wax Candles have the realistic flicker of a traditional candle, but without the worries of open flames, soot or dripping wax – so safe around pets, window treatments and kids.  These are perfect for everything from home decorating and tablescapes, to stocking stuffers and hostess gifts.  These candles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and are a great decorating alternative.

energizer line of flamelss candles

They’re available at Target.com and you can also find them here on Amazon! We’re happy to be partnering with Energizer this holiday season and we’ll be giving away some of these pretty flameless candles during our Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event! The shindig kicks off on Black Friday so stay tuned!!

Disclosure: Energizer is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Sustainable Play with Plan Toys – Gift Giving Guide

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I’ve always been about giving my son toys that were educational and helped him to develop skill. Plan Toys is an excellent source for sustainable play. With problem solving, interaction and creativity – their toys are beyond amazing and we’re truly fans. Plan Toys is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and we’re so happy to tell you about them!

plan toys fairytale blocks

Fairytale Blocks from Plan Toys priced $28 on Amazon.

These Fairytale Blocks are great for kids age 3 and older. Fun fairytale building. Any little girl would LOVE her own set of fairytale building blocks!! Little princes and princesses can create a happily ever after world with this beautiful set of Fairy Tale Blocks from Plan Toys. Use the gorgeous 35-piece set to construct endless variations on castles and smaller houses. The magical building set includes a variety of colored PlanWood blocks and non colored wooden blocks (see image). There’s even a prince, a carriage and two horses included in the set Prince doll can sit in the carriage, which can be constructed with open or closed top. Horses can pull the carriage with the attached sturdy cord loop. Encourages creative, cooperative play.

 

gears and puzzles

 

Plan Toys Gears and Puzzles Standard Set on Amazon, $21.44

The Gears and Puzzles set is super duper fun too! Explore and build endless possibilities by combining this colorful assortment of gears. Take them apart and assemble them a new way Then watch them move as you twirl the gears. This enchanting puzzle encourages creative play and problem solving. Children will learn cause and effect as they discover how the shapes fit together. The 12-piece set is made of ecofriendly, safe and sustainable PlanWood. Appropriate for children aged 2 and up. Dimensions of each gear: 3.4 in x 3.0 in x 0.9 in.

plan toys curvy click clack

Plan Toys Curvy Click Clack, $44.95 with free shipping on Amazon

Watch the marble ride the curves, winding down the tracks with a pleasant click-clack The Curvy Click Clack toy features colorful tracks with speed bumps that keep the marbles on track. Grooves at the base hold the marbles. Designed by Plan Toys to help children develop fine motor, concentration and coordination skills, plus an understanding of visual relationships and cause and effect. Appropriate for children ages 3 and up. Made from ecofriendly, safe and sustainable PlanWood. Easy for an adult to assemble.

You can find all of the Plan Toys here on Amazon! There’s a great selection and the prices are very affordable! We’ll be giving away the toys shown here very soon when our holiday Gift Guide goes live! More about that soon, just keep your eyes and ears open for our announcement on Black Friday!!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Plan Toys. All opinions are my own.

The Lundby Smaland is a Little Girls Dream Doll House

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I was just recently introduced to a company called Lundby, a Swedish company, who makes awesome doll houses!! With the Lundby Smaland doll house, there is plenty of room for play and it’s easy to add an additional floor and a garden for more play! The windows can be opened and get this —  all the rooms are prepared for electricity!! YES! You can add an electric pack to turn all the lights on in the joint! When I was little, I thought I was lucky to have an elevator that you pulled up by a string!!

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What I love about Lundby is the craftmanship in their houses and the furniture. A lot of thought went into the creative aspect and building process. I know any little girl would love to have one of these doll houses. Hours and hours of playing, rearranging furniture and decorating!

When you visit the Lundby site, they offer a lot of tips, inspiration and DIY instructions on how to decorate your new Lundby house. From sewing pillows to fit your chairs to making flower arrangements for your new doll’s home! How much fun I’d have!!!

There are so many different additions and pieces that you can add to your house. Lots of different furniture sets and decorations! Check out some of the pieces that I received with the doll house below.

lundby smaland doll house  Lundby Smaland Doll House – $99 with free shipping

Plus, below are the extras I received…

lamps

Set of 2 Lundby Doll House Lamps – $18.99

kitchen

Lundby Kitchen Sink and Dishwasher – $30

sitting room

Lundby Doll House Sitting Room – $38

brass bed

Lundby Brass Bed Set – $33

family

Lundy Smaland Doll House Family Set of 4 – $28
(Adult dolls measure 4.3”, Children measure 3.3”)

Power Adapter to add electricity to the Lundby Doll House – $30

There are so many other sets and pieces to collect and add. You can view them all here on Amazon! Lucky for you, we’re giving away 1 doll house with all the things mentioned above!! Stay tuned to our site for more information about the giveaway and our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide! It’ll be going live soon!

Disclosure: Lundby is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

I See Me! Personalized Kids Books and Gift Ideas for Christmas

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One of my son’s most favorite books EVER is his personalized book from I See Me! He just loves that it has his name ON the book and IN the book too. I See Me! offers so many other cute things on their site, from books to lunchboxes, placemats to coloring books. All that can be personalized!! I’m really impressed with their Christmas gift line!! There’s a few different things to choose from and for any age! These would make great stocking stuffers too!!

Check out their Christmas Gift selection below:

Personalized Christmas Book

 

i see me christmas 2

I love that they offer an awesome discount each and every month too! If you haven’t already, you can sign up here to get their discount alerts letting you know what the month long discount is!

Their books are made of great quality. The images are rich in color and texture and they’re just so much fun. I’ve given I See Me! products as gifts before and the parents love the goodies just as much as the kids do! I’m excited because I See Me! is part of our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and we’ll be giving away an awesome prize pack! Keep your eyes and ears open…the giveaway will go live the week of Black Friday!! Whoohoo!

Follow I See Me via their social media below:

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/iseemebooks/     #iseemebooks

Disclosure: I See Me! is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are 100% my own.

Amazing Sound with Flips Audio Headphones

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Finding a great set of headphones can be a difficult challenge. I have found a set that I love…called Flips Audio! These are not your ordinary set of headphones. The cool thing about these is that they’re headphones and speakers all in one. Turn them in for regular headphones and turn them out for rocking speakers!

Flips Audio

I love the style of these. I don’t do well with ear buds. I never could find a set that fit in my ears good so I really REALLY like these Flips Adio headphones. You can choose from either white ones or black ones. They fold up and fit in a sweet little case too. These are USB chargeable headphones and the charge lasts for quite some time. I use them everyday while I work online because I love to listen to music while I work…helps keep me focused. 🙂

The headphone sound quality is amazing!! When they’re in speaker mode, the sound quality is just as awesome! I turn on my favorite playlist and turn them on to speaker mode when I clean. I can hear the music all over the house when it’s playing. These are a great gift idea for anyone on your list who loves music!! You can find these here on Amazon for $119 and FREE shipping!! Keep an eye out…we’ll be giving a set of these away for our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event!!

Disclosure: Flips Audio is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are 100% my own.

Tech Geek Gift Idea – Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPads

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I spend a lot of time online from both my laptop and my mobile devices. I really enjoy working from my iPad because it’s not as restrictive as my laptop is but I really wanted to find a nice wireless keyboard. Logitech offers a really cool Keyboard Folio for iPads that fits the bill, plus it’s in it’s own case.

logitech keyboard folio

The Logitech Keyboard Folio is perfect for anyone. It’s also a great option for kids and teens who use iPads to do their homework. The keyboard helps them be more efficient. It’s easy to use straight out of the box. You just put the iPad into the folio and turn it on, using the Bluetooth Logitech keyboard on your device.

The keyboard features EasyType keys for comfortable typing plus iPad shortcut keys. You just open it to wake it up and close it for sleep mode. Magnets hold the iPad in typing mode and keeps the folio closed…or use it in the browsing mode. I love the functionality of it. It’s very easy to use and the keyboard is the perfect size. I’ve had some others that were super small and I was always making mistakes. Here are some other great points about the Logitech Keyboard Folio:

Logitech Keyboard Folio

  • Protective Keyboard Folio for iPad 2, 3rd and 4th generation: Full wraparound protection for both the front and back of your iPad
  • Integrated EasyType Bluetooth keyboard: Full-size keys give you the feel and comfort of a traditional typing experience for your iPad
  • Striking style: Designed to perfectly complement iPad with a choice of rich colors and fabrics to match your personal style
  • Convenient magnetic stand and closure: Holds your iPad at the ideal angle for typing; keeps the Folio closed when you are on the go; auto wakes/sleeps your iPad when opened/closed
  • Long-lasting rechargeable power: Get up to three months of power on a full charge. Includes USB charging cable for easy recharging while you type (*Based on average use of two hours per day)

If your kids have been asking for a bluetooth keyboard for their iPads, this is one I’d highly recommend because it comes with the case too.  You can find the Logitech Keyboard folio here on Amazon for around $99 with free shipping. The one I have is black but they have several other colors as well. They have lots of great reviews! Stay tuned — we’re promoting this item in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide! We’ll be giving one away around Black Friday so keep a look out!!

Disclosure: Logitech is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on behalf of them. All opinions are 100% my own.

the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!

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