Ellen’s May List of Favorite Things Has Us Officially Dreaming of Summer

by Karly WoodMay 9, 2019

Ellen has done it again. The talk show superstar has released her May list of favorite things at Walmart and we are officially excited for summer!

From products that will rock your BBQ, to summer styles and toys, Ellen’s list for spring is affordable and just what we need to look forward to warmer days. Keep scrolling to see some of our top picks from this month’s collection.

Favorites for Spring 2019

Adulting : How to Become a Grown-up in 535 Easy(ish) Steps

Summer is for catching up on all those books stacking up on your nightstand! Ellen's book pick for this month, Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 535 Easy Steps ($9) is a funny take on how being an adult, doesn't mean you always act like one.

Igloo Daytripper Picnic Tote with Pack-Ins

Gear up for the shore, lake or pool with the Igloo Daytripper Picnic Tote with Pack-Ins ($43). This handy carry-all contains a bamboo cutting board, stainless steel cheese knives, corkscrew, foldable mini picnic table, two main compartments with push-aside dividers, a detachable 50" crossbody strap and extra dry storage pockets on the sides.

Ombre Heart 3/4 Sleeve Baseball Graphic Tee

It's all about the love when it comes to this Ombre Heart 3/4 Sleeve Baseball Graphic Tee ($12) from Ev1. Made in a breathable cotton and tagless style, this colorful tee pairs great with shorts or comfy leggings.

Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker

Ok, we admit––this is the most expensive item on Ellen's list but it's a Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker ($190)! This 400-watt appliance makes 36 ounces of frozen margaritas in one simple step and even has manual "shave only" and "blend only" controls to customize your marg.

Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Gift Set For Men

Ellen's got your man covered, ladies! The Billy Jealousy Beard Envy Gift Set For Men ($17) includes a hydrating beard wash with aloe and soy protein, an extra-firm, boar bristle brush, and a styling beard control product with jojoba oil.

Cuisinart 13-Piece Bamboo BBQ Tool Set

Take charge of your cookout this spring and summer with the Cuisinart 13-Piece Bamboo BBQ Tool Set ($30). Coming in a bamboo carrying case, this set includes a chef’s spatula, silicone basting brush, locking tongs, 4 stainless skewers, 4 corn cob holders, and a cleaning brush with palm stalk bristles.

Hamilton Beach Quesadilla Maker

Ok, we know––quesadillas are super easy to make. But come the hot weather, the last thing you want to be doing is standing over a hot stove, and that's why Ellen loves the Hamilton Beach Quesadilla Maker ($20). Perfect for busy nights or giving your young chefs some responsibility to make their own dinner, this inexpensive appliance whips up 'dillas in roughly five minutes. Bon appetit!

Favorites from 2018

EV1 from Ellen Degeneris Love Shirt

You can never have enough T-shirts, including this basic EV1 Love shirt ($10) from Ellen herself. The soft jersey fabric in neutral gray means you can wear this for the entire fall season and never go out of style.

Huffy Nel Lusso Women's Cruiser Bike

Cruise the town in style on Ellen's favorite bike choice, the New Lusso from Huffy ($129) in yellow or blue. You won't believe all the features––basket, rear rack and cup-holder! Mama's got a new ride!

Harvest Wreath

You can't let fall pass you by without a Harvest Wreath ($65)! This 28-inch sized wreath is made with gold and russet leaves, pumpkins gourds and berry springs and is perfect for anyone in your home.

Keurig K-Classic K50 Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

Keep family and friends warm this fall when you have a K-Cup coffee maker ($80-90) on hand. Coming in either red or blue, this machine brews the most popular size cups of coffee and has a huge water reservoir to brew 6+ cups of coffee before refilling––perfect for holiday gatherings!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Flavored Single-Cup Coffee

Enjoy the best things about fall (duh, the food and drinks!) and keep a box of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice K-cups ($11) on hand. The makers of the famous PSL have packed the perfectly flavored drink into a tiny pod, that costs less than $1 a cup.

Ozark Trail 30-Ounce Double-Wall Tumbler

Enjoy coffee on the go and make a small investment in an Ozark tumbler ($8.74). Coming in nearly 10 color choices, the double-walled, vacuum-sealed cup keeps your coffee hot until you can enjoy it.

Tree Hut Almond & Honey Shea Sugar Butter Scrub

Ellen's top beauty pick, Tree Hut Almond & Honey Shea Butter Sugar Scrub ($6.48) sounds as delicious as it does luxurious. But don't be fooled by the tiny price tag––it's made with organic Shea Butter, sweet almond oil, safflower seed oil, avocado oil and real sugar almond bits for the ultimate in skin repairing and moisture replenishment.

Burt's Bees Tips & Toes Kit

Keep your toes, hands and lips in tip top shape this fall with Burt's Bees Tips & Toes kit ($11.92). The 6-piece kit comes with Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Cream, Coconut Foot Cream, Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, Almond & Milk Hand Cream, Hand Salve and Pomegranate Lip Balm in travel sizes. Perfect for those fall getaways or carrying in your purse.

iRobot Roomba 670 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum

Every mom can get on board with Ellen's top pick for cleaning equipment: the Roomba ($294). The robot has a 3-Stage Cleaning System and Dual Multi-Surface Brushes and comes with a full suite of intelligent sensors, an edge-sweeping brush that moves in 27-degree angle and can run for up to 90 minutes before automatically docking and recharging.

Tzumi PopSolo Glow Wireless LED Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone

Ellen's quirky personality shows through on her pick of this wireless LED bluetooth karaoke microphone ($19) for her October favorites list. The Bluetooth-powered wireless microphone is universally compatible with tons of karaoke apps and works with smartphones. It's even perfect for on-the-go performances!

Farberware Baker's Advantage Ceramic Deep Pie Dish

You can't very well embrace the fall season without a pie or two! This deep pie dish ($13) is big on value and a must for your desserts this autumn. This professional-quality stoneware with a glazed red exterior and cream interior easily and stylishly transports from oven to table.

Hershey's Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Chocolate

It's time to step up your candy game with a bag of Hershey's Halloween glow in the dark candy ($19.54). The 230-count bag is packed with favorites like Kit Kat's and Reese's in fun, glow-in-the-dark wrappers.

––Karly Wood

All Photos: Courtesy of Walmart

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5 Local Kid-Preneurs You Need to Know

by rtguiomarJuly 13, 2017

Earlier this spring, the second annual Acton Children’s Business Fair of Washington, D.C. hosted more than 114 young entrepreneurs in Cleveland Park. The second largest entrepreneurship event for kids in the U.S., this one-day marketplace gives children ages 6 to 14 the opportunity to create a business, sell to real customers, and decide themselves what to do with the profits. In addition to selling their products, entrepreneur judges awarded thirteen $50 cash prizes for best businesses. Below we highlight five of these cool, local kid businesses.

Little Green Home
Avajane, Zoe, and Will won a Highest Growth Potential award for Little Green Home, a company that makes homemade bath bombs and practical household goodies with all non-toxic all natural ingredients. The trio knows these items can be purchased at your local store, but they also know store-bought products could have toxic and harmful chemicals. Their goal is to educate and introduce their version of these all-natural, non-toxic products to local families.

Places They Like in the DMV: Avajane loves all the Smithsonian museums, monuments as well as hiking trails around where she lives. Zoe loves to move around! She enjoys rock climbing at Earth Treks in Crystal City. Cactus Cantina is her fave restauraunt. Will likes to eat at Guapo’s! The Palisades Rec Center if his favorite place to hang out, he likes shopping for toys at Sullivan’s on Wisconsin Avenue and the Air & Space is his fave museum!

Happy Maker
Sixth grader, Sara Arlett’s business is called, Happy Maker (saramarlett@ gmail.com for inquiries). She uses clay and felt to make charms, key chains and earrings. She enjoys making jewelry because it allows her to be creative and at the same time relaxes her. She hopes to improve her design by diversifying her creations with other materials and also hopes to learn how to better promote her business via social media.

Places She Likes in the DMV: Sara loves the National Museum of Natural History where she can spend hours exploring rocks, bones, and fossils. The Spy Museum and National Gallery of Art are two other favorites. An avid read, Sara loves spending time at the MLK and Georgetown public libraries. She also has a special affection for her parish, St. Patrick’s Church, where she has volunteered for years. The Hamilton is her fave DC restaurant.

Lauren’s Edible Bites
Lauren began baking two years ago. She entered her first cupcake competition in 2015 and won first place! She knew then that baking was a hobby she needed to pursue. She was hesitant to join the Acton Business Fair but, with her parent’s encouragement, she entered and had a great experience with lots of sales. When she’s not baking, Lauren likes to make clay figurines, sew, and draw. Interested in placing an order from Lauren? Call 301.850.4307.

Places She Likes in the DMV: Lauren’s favorite restaurant is Sala Thai and she (hearts) sushi! Her favorite place to visit is Make Meaning.

Joshy’s Soap Bars
Six-year-old Joshua, launched Joshy’s Soap Bars because he has very sensitive skin and can’t use a lot of the soaps found in stores. He wanted to make cool and fun natural soaps for every skin type. His soaps come in different shapes and sizes and some even have toys in them! Each bar of soap is made with organic ingredients like coconut oil, palm oil, safflower oil, vegetable glycerine, shea butter and jojoba oil. They are all 100% vegan and never tested on animals. Joshua is in the process of setting up an Etsy store. In the meantime, he is accepting orders through their business email address: JoshysSoapBars@gmail.com

Places He Likes in the DMV: Joshua loves learning computer programming and robotics, reading, playing basketball and spending time with his family. He loves trying new foods and going to Watkin’s Park.

Lenee V Designs
Lenee V Designs was founded by nine year old Riverdale, Md resident, Laila Lenee Vidal. She designs cross body bags and hair accessories for girls. Laila took up sewing after observing her aunt sew and using her leftover scraps of fabric. Her parents bought her a sewing machine and the rest is history! Laila is a girly girl who loves to be adventurous and travelling. You can shop for her items on her Etsy page.

Places She Likes in the DMV: Laila loves visiting the monuments and museums in DC. She enjoys going to restaurants such as Olive Garden, TGI Fridays and La Chiquita. Her dream is to donate her headbands for girls who are ill whether in a hospital or recovering.

Do you know any other awesome kid entreprenuers? Tell us about them in the comments below.

–Guiomar Ochoa

10 Eco-Friendly Toy Cars & Trucks That Take the Gold

by Beth SheaDecember 2, 2012

Toy cars and trucks zoom straight to pole position on many kids’ holiday wish lists and letters to Santa. If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels for your car-crazy kiddo, we’ve rounded up ten eco-friendly toy cars and trucks that tread lightly on the earth. Some of these magnificent looking, classic rides can even double as decor, and all of them are destined to become sure-fire favorite toys. So start your engines and get ready to rev up the fun meter in your household by bringing these automobiles home for the holidays.

Tree Hopper Toys Hopper Jalopies 6 for $80
The more the merrier, so why not buy your tyke a six-pack of these all-natural, wooden Jalopies from Tree Hopper Toys? Each car is handmade from midwestern hardwoods, sanded super smooth and finished with 100% custom beeswax blend. Jalopies double as rattles and grasping toys that also roll along as toy cars in a unique variety of fun and intriguing shapes. They are the perfect starter set of wheels for the tiniest tots. (Jalopies are also sold separately).

Automoblox $26.36 for set of three
If your kid likes cars and blocks, then Automoblox are just the ticket. These engaging vehicles may be completely dismantled and put back together again, which encourages the development of problem-solving and fine motor skills. Automoblox are best for kids age 3 and up because they contain small parts which could pose a choking hazard. These clever, interchangeable cars are sustainably made and they have won many awards for their innovative design.

Green Toys Dump Truck $20.25
Think pink! It’s not every day you see a pink and purple dump truck, but Green Toys’ thinks outside the box by employing the feminine hue on their hunky truck. Made from 100% post consumer recycled milk jugs and delivered in 100% recyclable packaging, Green Toys’ dump truck is free of harmful BPA, PVC and phthalates, making it truly green. Also available in red/yellow version.

Tegu Cars $22-$38
It doesn’t get any cooler than Tegu’s collection of toy cars, which feature removable, magnetic wooden wheels and various options of silhouettes which may be constructed and disassembled until your kiddo’s heart is content. Tegu blocks and cars are made in Honduras from FSC certified wood and the company donates a portion of sales to reforestation while making it their mission is to support the local Honduran community by providing living wages and supporting long-term career growth.

Hape International Bamboo E-Offroader $17.80
Get a load of this beauty. If your wee one likes off-roading, then this rugged red car is the perfect match for him. Durably made with bamboo and finished with water-based, nontoxic stains and paints, this vibrant, easy to maneuver red vehicle is sure to become a favorite toy car instantly.

Playsam Organic Streamliners $45
This sleek ride doubles as a showpiece and would look just as glorious on a nursery or playroom shelf as it would cruising across the floor. These Scandinavian toy cars were selected as a Swedish Design Classic by the Swedish National Museum for their savvy innovation. Comprised of solid beech wood, the Streamliners achieve their sheen via a clear, nontoxic enamel gloss which makes them shine in more ways than one.

Hape Bamboo Mini Hot Rod $6.47
Have car, will travel. Hape Bamboo Mini Hot Rods are available in an array of body styles ranging from beach buggys, racers and monster trucks to this sweet hot rod. These lightweight minis can fit in the palm of your kiddo’s hand — which will make them the go-to toy of choice for on-the-go fun. Made from sustainable, renewable bamboo, minis feature nontoxic finishes in aesthetically pleasing, eye-popping hues.

Black Toy Car Roadster $24
Designed and built especially for toddlers, this wooden roadster (with a removable wooden passenger) is made to order with a 5-7 day lead time, and handcrafted out of poplar. Multiple coats of tung oil and beeswax give the beauty its satin sheen. Designed by Etsy shop Hill Country Woodcraft, the toymakers are currently offering free personalization, so you can get the lucky recipient’s name or initials emblazoned into one of the roadster’s inside wheels.

Little Sapling Toys Wooden Toy Car & Truck with Bridges $36
This charming play set comes complete with one maple car with walnut wheels, one maple truck with walnut wheels and two nesting bridge/tunnels — all conveniently packaged in a cotton drawstring carrying pouch. Little Sapling Toys makes each of their toys by hand using FSC certified hardwoods and they plant a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold. Their cars and trucks are sanded to a satiny smooth finish and topped off with local beeswax and organic jojoba oil to enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

Plan Toys Fire Engine $13
What’s the ultimate truck in a toddler’s eyes? A fire truck. You’ll really light their fire with this offering from Plan Toys. Made from recycled natural rubber wood and dyed with vegetable and soy dyes, the bucket on this rescue vehicle extends up and down to promote interactive, imaginative play.

Note to parents: always check and adhere to the manufacturer’s age recommendation for each toy car you purchase to make sure it is safe and appropriate for your child.

Which of these four-wheeled toys looks like a good fit for your kiddo?

— Beth Shea

ML Interest Tag: jojoba-oil