Usain Bolt & Kasi Bennett Welcome Twins With Epic Names

by Sarah ShebekJune 22, 2021

He has the perfect last name as the fastest man alive. And Usain Bolt and partner Kasi Bennett have definitely capitalized on that when naming their children. In a sweet post over Father’s Day weekend, the track and field great announced new additions to the family: twins Thunder and Saint Leo.

Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt join sister, aptly named Olympia Lightning Bolt, who was born last May. Bennett added her own post featuring the whole family, adding the caption: “Happy Father’s Day to my forever love! You are the rock of this family and the greatest daddy to our little ones. We love you world without end!”

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A post shared by Usain St.Leo Bolt (@usainbolt)

The Bolt babies came just in time for the upcoming Summer Olympics. It will be their dad’s first time in the stands after he retired from racing in 2017. During his career Bolt racked up eight gold medals and 11 world championships. It looks like he’s excelling at fatherhood, too!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Salty View / Shutterstock.com

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You Never Knew You Needed a Brick Sneaker Until Now, Thanks to LEGO

by Sarah ShebekJune 16, 2021

If your family has a passion for sneakers and LEGOs, the following news will make your day. The LEGO Group just announced two exciting drops that combine the best of both worlds: an actual sneaker that’s emulates the look of LEGO bricks and a brick sneaker that you can build and display proudly with the rest of your collection.

First up, the adidas Originals LEGO Superstar sneaker. It will be available in both kid and adult sizes and will likely make people do a double take when it’s on your feet. Purposefully styled to mirror the LEGO brick pattern, it also features the classic adidas black and white leather and three stripes. Don’t forget the gold foil accents! You can buy it as part of the adidas x LEGO collection on July 1.

Want to take it as step further? You’ll also be able to buy a set to make your own adidas shoe out of bricks! The LEGO adidas Originals Superstar 10282 model is life-sized and features the iconic sneaker graphics and branding. It includes 17 extra elements so you can decide if your brick footwear is right or left-footed. It even comes with shoelaces and an authentic shoe box, so we don’t blame you if you try to slip it on. You can find this model exclusively online starting July 1 for $80.

LEGO also has some great ideas for customizing your brick sneaker (spoiler alert, many bricks you own currently can be added on). The company is constantly innovating and we can’t wait to see what comes out next!

—Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of the LEGO Group

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Alexa & Carlos PenaVega Welcome Baby #3

by Sarah ShebekMay 12, 2021

Three’s not a crowd for Alexa and Carlos PenaVega! The former Spy Kids star and Big Time Rush bandmate welcomed their third child, daughter Rio into the world, more than a month early.

“Little Rio could not wait to come out and play with her brothers! Momma is feeling good and baby girl is kicking some serious booty in the NICU. Praying we can all be home together very soon! What a wave of emotions,” the PenaVegas both shared on Instagram.

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A post shared by Alexa PenaVega (@vegaalexa)

Carlos PenaVega added, “I lift up my wifey @vegaslexa on this Mother’s Day. YOU ARE A CHAMP! I could never do what you do,” he added. “The best momma to our 2 boys and now little girl. Thank you for being a solid rock for this family❤️.”

Baby Rio joins brothers Ocean King, 4, and Kingston James, 1 ½. Alexis PenaVega revealed last month on Instagram that her daughter’s due date was in June. Sending good thoughts to the expanded PenaVega family!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Mattell Announces New Takeback Program to Give Toys New Life

by Karly WoodMay 10, 2021

Got old toys? Mattel is here to give them a new lease on life.

The Mattel Playback program is all about recovering and reusing materials in Mattel toys and is a part of the company’s larger effort to reach 100 percent bio-based, recycled and recyclable plastic materials in all of its products and packaging by 2030. Starting out, the program will take Barbie, Matchbox and MEGA toys, with other brands becoming available for recycling in the future.

Participation is easy. First, pack up your Mattel toys that your kiddos have outgrown, then visit Mattel.com/PlayBack to print a free shipping label. Mail off to Mattel, where your box will be sorted ed by material type, processed and recycled.

If there are materials that cannot be recycled, Mattel PlayBack will convert them to energy or downcycle into other plastic products. The program is currently available in the United States and Canada, with France, Germany and the United Kingdom using a third-party partner to launch similar options.

“At Mattel, we are committed to managing the environmental impact of our products,” added Pamela Gill-Alabaster, Global Head of Sustainability, Mattel. “The Mattel PlayBack program helps parents and caregivers ensure that valuable materials stay in play, and out of landfills, with the aim to repurpose these materials as recycled content in new toys. It is one important step we’re taking to address the growing global waste challenge.

For more information on the Mattel PlayBack program, visit Mattel.com/PlayBack.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Mattel

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Marie Kondo Is Now a Boy-Mom As She Welcomes New Baby

by Erica LoopApril 23, 2021

Marie Kondo recently announced the birth of her third baby! The organizer extraordinaire posted a sweet pic on Instagram of one of her daughters holding the newborn.

Her upcoming Netflix show isn’t the only think “sparking joy” in Kondo’s life right now. The Tidying Up and soon-to-be Sparking Joy star is now a boy-mom.

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A post shared by Marie Kondo (@mariekondo)

Kondo captioned her IG post, “It’s a boy! I am over the moon to welcome this bundle of joy into our family.” She added, “We are all doing well. Now comes the fun part—spending this special time with our little guy.”

This is the first boy for Kondo and her husband Takumi Kawahara. The couple are already parents to daughters Satsuki and Miko.

The new mama-times-three first revealed her pregnancy earlier this year, posting, “I have some news! Another bundle of joy on the way” along with a baby bump photo on IG. Congrats go out to Kondo, her husband, and her two new big sibs!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Shutterstock

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Strawberry Glaze Is Back At Krispy Kreme—For a Limited Time

by Erica LoopApril 22, 2021

2020 wasn’t exactly jam-packed with goodness. That is, expect for the Strawberry Glaze craze.

Given the popularity of this sweet, spring-time flavor last year, Krispy Kreme made the decision to treat the brand’s fans to another round of limited-time Strawberry Glaze doughnuts. The pink pick is available starting Apr. 26, 2021 at participating Krispy Kreme locations.

photo courtesy of Business Wire

Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer, said in a press release, “Last year, fans couldn’t get enough of Strawberry Glaze and have been asking for it to come back ever since.” Skena added, “So we’re bringing it back. Hurry in and enjoy!”

The delish doughnut flavor is back in two forms—a Strawberry Glazed Doughnut and a Strawberry Kreme Filled Doughnut. The glazed version is similar to the Original Glazed Doughnut, but with a tangy strawberry taste. If that’s not enough strawberry sweetness for you, the Kreme Filled version is exactly what the name sounds like. This sugary selection is filled with the brand’s beloved Kreme, in a strawberry flavor.

—Erica Loop

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Nick Carter & Wife Lauren Announce Birth of Their Third Child!

by Erica LoopApril 22, 2021

Nick Carter and wife Lauren are parents—for the third time! The couple recently announced the birth of their baby, following some minor complications.

The former boy-bander posted an Instagram pic from the hospital showing himself dressed in delivery room blues.

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A post shared by Nick Carter (@nickcarter)

Hours later Carter tweeted a birth announcement, writing, “We are proud to announce that our baby has officially arrived.” The Backstreet Boy continued, “But as a parent knows all to very well, sometimes things don’t turn out the way you plan it. We have been experiencing some minor complications but things are looking a little better after the first night.”

Earlier this year Carter’s wife Lauren opened up to PEOPLE about the road to this pregnancy and the couple’s multiple miscarriages, “I was fully set on just having two children and I had prepared for that and made arrangements for that.” Lauren added, “We were going to have two children and it was a surprise. I didn’t find out I was pregnant till I was about five-and-a-half months pregnant. I didn’t have any symptoms; I didn’t have anything indicating that I was pregnant.”

The newest baby joins the couple’s five-year-old son Odin Reign and 18-month-old daughter Saoirse.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Kathy Hutchins via Shutterstock

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A Prequel to “Soul” Is Coming to Disney+ & It Answers Some Important Questions

by Erica LoopApril 21, 2021

Disney recently announced the upcoming release of a brand-new short from Pixar Animation. Based on Tina Fey’s sarcastically witty soul 22 from the 2020 animated hit flick Soul, the short explores the meaning of life and more!

The prequel to Soul, titled 22 vs. Earth, tells the tale of soul 22 and her attempt at a rebellion in The Great Before. Instead of entering Earth, 22 has other things in mind—namely staying exactly where she is.

photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar

Not only does 22 refuse to go to Earth, she teams up with five other new souls to rebel against the rules. 22 vs. Earth director and 21-year Pixar veteran, Kevin Nolting, said in a press release, “While making ‘Soul,’ we talked about the why of a new soul not wanting to live on Earth, but it didn’t ultimately belong in that movie.”

Nolting added, “22 vs. Earth was a chance to explore some of the unanswered questions we had about why 22 was so cynical. As a fairly cynical person myself, it felt like perfect material.”

22 vs. Earth will stream on Disney+ starting Apr. 30!

—Erica Loop

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Tubular! Igloo’s New Collection Is Radically Retro

by Erica LoopApril 15, 2021

Get ready for a 2021 summer full of retro 1980s and 1990s fun. Igloo recently released its rad Retro Collection—and these cute coolers are like totally tubular!

Igloo’s Retro Collection will take you back to your own childhood camping trips and outdoor outings. The awesome ’80s and ’90s themed line features bold hues, such as jade, magenta and a sunshine yellow.

photo: Courtesy of Igloo

Along with bright colors, the radically retro collection also includes styles straight from the beloved brand’s 1992 lines. Look for the Picnic Basket, Half-Gallon Jug and Barrel of Fun. You can also nab five Retro hardside coolers in sizes ranging from the seven-quart Little Playmate to an all-new Family 36-Quart Cooler.

As if that’s not enough Igloo coolness for the summer, the line also features four Retro softside coolers. Instead of the typical softsided zip cooler, these nostalgic nods to the ’80s and ’90s include a fanny pack, backpack, lunch bag and duffel bag styles.

Brian Garofalow, Chief Marketing Officer at Igloo“Two years ago, we launched with three throwback designs from our 1992 product catalog, added on three more styles last year, and this year we’re taking Retro to the max! We’re already seeing our fans planning for an amazing summer of outdoor adventures and know our Retro Collection.”

Find the Retro Collection right now online at Igloo’s website here!

—Erica Loop

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HGTV’s Erin & Ben Napier Announce They Are Expecting Second Child

by Erica LoopApril 12, 2021

HGTV stars Erin and Ben Napier are expecting! The couple recently announced the pregnancy—and this May their family will grow from three to four.

2020 was a busy a year for the Napiers. While most of the country was stuck inside working from home, the husband and wife celeb pair was filming two shows at the same time: Home Town in Laurel, Mississippi and Home Town Takeover in Wetumpka, Alabama. Not only did the couple spend the fall working on two shows simultaneously, in September they also found out that Erin was pregnant.

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A post shared by Erin Napier (@erinapier)

In an interview with PEOPLE, Ben said, “The last six months of 2020 really, you know, it was rough. It’s all a blur.” Erin added, “We were like, ‘Ooh, this is going to be tough, but we can do it.’ We don’t remember anything, but I’m glad somebody was filming all of it.”

Erin and Ben officially announced the pregnancy on Home Town in a very special double reveal. Along with Erin’s baby news, they also shared another family pregnancy. Ben’s brother Jessie and his wife Lauren were featured on the episode as the couple’s clients—but that wasn’t all. They also announced their own pregnancy too.

Despite doubts that she could conceive, following a decade of abdominal pain brought on by a perforated appendix, Erin learned she was expecting the couple’s first child Helen in May of 2017. Four years later, in May of 2021, the family will welcome their second child!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: iStock

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