Product Reviews

  • Best Wooden Toys for Kids

    This Best Wooden Toys for Kids Gift Guide contains affiliate links!

    As a mom, I’ve seen a lot of toys circulate in my home. I’ve noticed that some toys stand the test of time while others don’t. I’ve noticed that a lot of those are wooden toys. While wooden toys do not always have the same appeal as some of the holidays’ hottest toys, they’re usually made of better quality and are a good investment for families. As the holiday season nears, I wanted to share this gift guide with the best wooden toys for kids. I shared options from different online retailers so you can take advantage of any sales and deals within the upcoming weeks.

    Click on the links and photos below to purchase or learn more about the products!

    Wooden toys for Toddlers

    Wooden Rainbow Stacking Game

    If you look around any Montessori classroom, the chances of you finding this wooden rainbow stacking game are very high- and for a good reason. The vibrant colors will draw any child in for playing, and its unique shape helps kids’ imagination to soar and helps them develop their engineering skills through the hundreds of builds that this toy can create.

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    Wooden Blocks Set

    For generations, parents have been keeping toddlers engaged and happy with wooden blocks. I think we all have fond memories of creating with them during our childhood. These sets are fantastic for imaginative play as well as to encourage independent or collaborative play. Like the rainbow stacking game above, this set has bright, vibrant colors that make them even more fun and attractive to toddlers. Some of these wooden blocks sets are also magnetic.

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    Wooden Shape Sorting & Stacking Toy

    This shape sorting and stacking toy is the perfect educational gift for toddlers. They can learn color recognition and shapes and gain basic knowledge of geometry through play with this toy. 

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    Wooden toys for Preschoolers

    Wooden Sensory Bin Tools

    Sensory bins are great for open-ended play for preschoolers in the classroom or at home. They help preschoolers develop and perfect for learning through play. A wooden sensory bin tools set is a beautiful gift for kids. You can just about any container as a sensory bin, but it’s great to have the tools to facilitate play.

    Montessori Screw Driver Board for Preschoolers

    One of my kids’ past teachers suggested the Montessori Screw Driver Board as an excellent gift to strengthen kids’ hands for writing while they’re having fun. It’s such a cute toy yet very practical and useful for their developmental skills.

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    Wooden Lacing Beads

    Another classic that many of us played with as children! Wooden lacing beads are perfect for helping little hands develop fine motor skills and help your kids focus. 

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    Wooden Clocks for kids

    My two older kids both learned to tell the time with these wooden clocks. They’re an excellent way for kids to learn and to play.

    All About today

    With many of us parents opting to delay preschool this year because of the pandemic, we can bring preschool home to our little ones by investing in a toy like the All About Today.

    You can use it to help your preschooler learn about the days of the week, weather, seasons, and time. 

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    I hope you found some great gift ideas for the kids on your nice list this year. Check out other gift guides here.

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  • I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness! Here’s my Experience.

    This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of BOTA!

    Over the last few weeks, I’ve been really intentional about taking good care of my skin. My face, I’ve religiously taken care of but my body needed some love. My three pregnancies didn’t help, my skin texture changed, I got acne marks on my back and my hands were started to show signs of aging. All of this made me realize that I needed to do something. As most of you know, self-care is very important to me and as I seeked out wellness products, I’ve been hearing a lot about CBD skincare products and the benefits of using them. It can be overwhelming because there are a lot of different brands CBD skincare products on the market so I want to share my experience using the Bota skincare products which contain less than 0.3% THC and made from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD),

    Bota Skincare Products

    Bota Calming & Nourishing All-Day Body Lotion

    I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness!

    While some moms love to start their day with coffee, I start with a shower to wake up, and I’ve been using the Bota Calming & Nourishing All-Day Body Lotion soon as I step out of the shower. This lotion keeps my skin moisturized ALL DAY LONG, even the dry patches that are sometimes itchy. Am I the only one with those dry skin areas? This lotion is intensely hydrating, and just a little goes a long way. It’s is made with Avocado Oil + hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).

    Bota Age-Defying Hand Lotion

    Bota CBD Skincare Products

    Just like you, I’m washing my hands non-stop and using drying hand sanitizer when I’m out and not able to wash them. I hate the way my hands feel when the skin is dry, so I was excited to try Bota Age-Defying hand lotion. It’s also very hydrating and keeps the hands on my skin feeling soft and smooth yet non-greasy. The Bota Age-Defying Hand Lotion is made with Apricot Kernel Oil + hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) .

    Bota Ultra-Rich Satin Body Cream

    My skin loves shea butter and jojoba oil, so the combination of those two and hemp extract is glorious. This is my favorite product in the Bota product line and I love using it at night to hydrate my skin. It’s thick and rich and the type of product that can easily become part of your holy grail.

    I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness! Here's my Experience.

    Bota Warming Muscle Melt Cream

    As an island girl, I love cinnamon in just about everything but I haven’t used cinnamon oil in years. The Bota Muscle Melt Cream is made with Warming Cinnamon Oil + hemp-derived cannabidi. It’s another bedtime favorite and I love using it on the nights when I have a backache or my muscles are sore. It’s also perfect for massages.

    Bota Spearmint Tincture

    Last but not least is the product that’s perfect for those days when you’re filled with anxiety, stress, and need to relax a bit. The Bota Spearmint Tincture has been a savior for me recently, helping me to feel grounded and calm. It’s become a wellness must-have for me, and I love the coconut flavor!

    I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness! Here's my Experience.

    Anyway, I hope this post is helpful! If you’re looking to switch to plant-based skincare products or just want to try CBD skincare products I would recommend the Bota skincare line. Get 15% off your order from Bota with the code PLANTPOWER15 until May 31st, 2020.

  • The Best Non-Toxic Feminine Care Products

    The Best Non-Toxic Feminine Care Products, I’ve tried! ps: I am not a medical professional, all information are based on my experience using products mentioned.

    This post contains affiliate links.

    I never considered feminine care products to be unsafe until a few years ago. I read an article in a magazine that made me question everything and inspired me to make some changes. According to the article, some feminine-care products had carcinogens, bleach, and chlorine plus other chemicals that could lead to fertility issues, heavier periods, and even cancer. This information was concerning to me, and I started to experiment with non-toxic feminine care products safer. I’ve tried a few products on the market, and I wanted to share the ones I liked the most — the best non-toxic feminine care products from tampons to menstrual cups, pads, and cleansers in my opinion.

    Best Non-Toxic Feminine Care Products: Menstrual Cup

    It took me a long time to get around to trying a menstrual cup; it sounded really messy and possibly uncomfortable. I finally gave in two years ago after a few friends in a group chat shared how much they like using them. I planned to try a few brands until I found one I preferred but ended up sticking to the first one, Diva Cup.

    Diva Cup

    Honestly, it took some trial and error to figure out how to properly insert the Diva Cup, but once I figured it out, it was a much better alternative. My favorite thing about it is I learn more about my flow; there are measurements, so I’m more informed when I go to the doctor. When I use the Diva Cup, I usually remove/clean it in the shower to avoid creating a mess. There are other popular brands like Lunette, Saalt and Lena menstrual cups that some of my friends prefer, but I’m happy with Diva Cup so far.

    Best Non-Toxic Feminine Care Products: Pads

    If you’re a pads kinda gal, I’ve tried a few different brands over the last few years. I’m not a big fan of pads (I have major trust issues), but they’re always great for backup to feel confident in the first few days of your period.

    L. Cotton Pads

    I’ve tried a few of the L. Cotton pads, and I like them all. They’re made of pure cotton and are comfortable. They have a wide range of sizes, and their overnight pads are like no other, I wish I has their overnight pads to use in the first few days post-partum after having my babies.

    The Honey Pot Herbal Pads

    I started using The Honey Pot cleanser and since I like it decided to try out their cotton pads. Their herbal pads are different from any other pads I’ve ever tried.

    Wearing them is a whole experience as they give a bit of a tingling sensation, which I must admit takes a bit of getting used to. These pads are designed for women with cramps and other discomforts, and since I rarely have cramps, so I can’t tell you if they help, but I think they’re definitely worth giving a trying if you need relief. I do think they would also be great for new moms, and I know that they have products designed just for pregnancy and post-partum.

    Always Pure

    Always has been my go-to brand for years, and I believe they’ve mastered making pads. Always Infinity, for instance, keeps you so dry it’s lifechanging so when they debuted their cotton, chlorine-free pads, Always Pure I had to try them. These pads are great; they offer good protection and are comfortable.

    Best Non-Toxic Feminine Care Products: Tampons

    Tampax Pure

    I’ve been a die-hard Tampax user since my late teens. It’s a brand that I trust enough that I would wear white and light colors without worrying, so I was thrilled to discover Tampax Pure. I read on Consumer Reports that natural tampons are less likely to cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS is still a worry with menstrual cups). Tampax Pure works just like the products I’ve used all these years, and I always keep one in my bags in case of an emergency.

    Best Non-Toxic Feminine Care Products: Cleansers

    The Honey Pot Cleanser & Wipes

    I discovered The Honey Pot at Target and became such a big fan that I always keep their wipes and cleanser on hand. In the past, I’ve never been a huge fan of feminine care cleansers as my skin is sensitive, but The Honey Pot cleanser and wipes are really gentle, and I’ve no reactions or issues using them.

    Anyways, these are some of the best products non-toxic feminine care products I’ve tried over the last few years. There are other products that I tried that didn’t make this list because I strongly disliked them, and I will be happy to update this list as I try out more brands. Also, if you would like me to try a particular product, let me know in the comment section below.

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