Helen Keller Joins the Class of Barbie Inspiring Women with New Doll

by Karly WoodMay 18, 2021

When it comes to inspiring women, there is no shortage of leading ladies who have made the world a better place. This month, the Barbie Inspiring Women series is getting a new doll, and she’s the perfect addition as the school year draws to a close.

The first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, Helen Keller will serve as the newest collectible in the Barbie lineup. Keller’s achievements include being an educator, speaker, author and advocate during the early 1900’s.

photo: Courtesy of Mattel

The Inspiring Women series doll’s outfit is inspired by Keller herself, with a striped skirt and ruffled lace blouse. She comes with a braille book, complete with molded dots on the cover.

To ensure the new doll was authentic, Barbie paired up with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), a membership and advocacy organization for blind Americans. The duo worked to make sure the doll mirrored Keller and that the packaging, which contains braille on the front, was accessible for the blind and low vision community.

The Helen Keller Inspiring Women doll is available now at Barbie.com and retailers nationwide for $29.99.

––Karly Wood

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Summer Just Got Extra Sweet with Hershey’s Chocolate World Experiences

by Sarah ShebekMay 10, 2021

Your vacation plans just got extra sweet thanks to Hershey’s Chocolate World! The beloved chocolate attraction is rolling out some delicious diversions just in time for the upcoming travel season, including custom stuffed Reese’s cups and adult beverage candy pairings.

Visitors will be able to experience Hershey candy with a twist by personalizing a larger-than-life Reese’s peanut butter cup with mix-ins of their choosing. For a grown-up experience, Hershey’s is offering local Pennsylvania craft beer and chocolate bar pairings, or wines paired with the classic Kisses.

“We know that families are ready to get out of their homes and reclaim their summer, so that’s why Hershey’s Chocolate World is adding sweetness this year more than ever,” said Todd Kohr, Marketing Manager, Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction.

And that’s not all—Hershey’s Chocolate World is offering a dazzling array of new treats for purchase, including a Hershey’s Kisses Birthday Cake Milkshake, KIT KAT Key Lime Pie Milkshake and extra creamy Hershey’s Ice Cream Shoppe Bars. They’re all only available at the Hershey, Pennsylvania location for a limited time. Fortunately, it’s an easy drive from most East Coast cities and if you’re located elsewhere in the country, it might be time to check this iconic destination off your bucket list!

—Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of Hershey’s Chocolate World

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One Cool Thing: Infant Optic’s New Upgraded Video Monitor

by Jen WatroApril 16, 2021

One thing that’s universal in parenting, especially in the earliest days, is the need to keep an eye on your little one. Whether you’re trying to squeeze in some me-time (or a snooze yourself!) while the baby is napping or need to keep a watchful eye on an adventurous toddler trying to climb out of their crib, a baby monitor is essential for being able to look in on the kids without disturbing them.

Parent-favorite baby monitor brand, Infant Optics, has a new model that is up for the challenge of growing with your kids and your needs as a parent. The new DXR-8 PRO from Infant Optics has upgrades from the previous DXR-8 model fueled by feedback from parents.

One of the most prominent feature upgrades, and a first for baby monitors, is their new Active Noise Reduction (or ANR) technology which, when enabled, reduces background noises like fans and air conditioners so your child can be heard more clearly.

It is also a non-WiFi, closed-loop system, providing a sense of security and privacy for parents. There’s aren’t any apps to download and the system is expandable to use up to four cameras paired with the display.

The DXR-8 PRO includes a large 5-inch display (up from 3.5-inches on the previous model) with 720P HD video resolution. The unit also comes with a zoom lens included which is interchangeable with a wide-angle lens (sold separately) giving parents the ability to use a lens that best fits their viewing needs in a particular space. This can be especially useful when traveling or using in different rooms for optimal viewing when paired with the pan, tilt and zoom features of the camera.

The video monitor is available at Target, Amazon & BuyBuy Baby for $199

––Jen Watro

All photos: Courtesy of Infant Optics

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New Kellogg’s Cereal Mashup Is Breakfast Bliss

by Erica LoopMarch 3, 2021

If your kiddos just can’t decide which cereal is their fave, they no longer need to pick one over the other. Kellogg’s is bringing breakfast fans two cereals—in one!

The beloved brand has an all new mashup that combines Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks. Kellogg’s Mashups Cereal with Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks will hit store shelves this summer.

photo courtesy of Kellogg’s

The green and red-hued fruit-flavored cinnamon-y Apple Jacks are sprinkled throughout the sweet, sweet Frosted Flakes. The Frosted Flakes-Apple Jacks Mashup isn’t the first mixed up batch of breakfast cereal Kellogg’s has created. Last summer the brand paired Frosted Flakes with Fruit Loops. It looks like the success of the first cereal combo creation has spawned yet another tasty blended treat with a summer-time release.

Look for Kellogg’s Mashups Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks in cereal aisles nationwide starting June 2021! Score this limited-timed cereal blend for the suggested retail price of $3.99 (for a 9.8 ounce box) or $5.69 (for a 15.6 ounce box).

—Erica Loop

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Nanit’s New Camera & Smart Sheets Will Have You Saying “Bye-Bye” to Growth Charts

by Jen WatroFebruary 3, 2021

Trying to get a wiggly baby to be still long enough to take a measurement can be just shy of impossible. Struggle no more, because the new Nanit Smart Sheet, paired with the Nanit Pro camera, aims to solve this problem for parents. Read on to find out how this dynamic duo will have you tracking those milestones easier than ever.

How It Works

Using AI technology, parents lay their baby down on a Smart Sheet in the crib, then access the Nanit App, select the best image and mark the key measurement points on the baby. The camera processes the baby’s height in relation to the proprietary pattern printed on the sheet.

In the app, you can get baby’s real-time height measurement and can store them to track growth over time. More features including a growth chart and time-lapse video compilation will be available later in the year.

What to Buy

The Smart Sheet is actually compatible with all models of Nanit’s baby cameras, so if you’re already part of the Nanit family, you’ll be able to purchase the sheets solo for $34.99 later this month. If you’re new to Nanit, the brand new Nanit Pro has a sleek design & includes enhancements for clearer day & night vision, a small breathing band to track your baby’s breathing motion, faster processing and higher quality sound including for two-way talk, real-time sound notifications and a variety of white noise/background audio.

The Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System bundle starts at $379, will include a new Nanit Pro camera and one Smart Sheet that gives parents the ability to measure their baby’s height and growth through the camera and associated app.

These new products are currently available for pre-order on Nanit.com and will launch later this month at retailers including Amazon, Target & buybuy Baby.

––Jen Watro

All photos: Courtesy of Nanit

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This New adidas x AriZona Collab Is the Tea’s Knees

by Karly WoodJanuary 15, 2021

There’s nothing more 90’s than two of the most iconic brands out there: AriZona Iced Tea and adidas. Now the duo has paired up for a can’t-miss lineup featuring your fave drink growing up.

Releasing on Feb. 4th, you’ll be able to shop the AriZona x adidas Original Superstar sneakers on adidas.com for $100 each. This is the pair’s second collab, the first of which dropped in 2019.

The new lineup is inspired by AriZona Big Cans and features four colorways on the adidas Originals Superstar silhouette. And of course, you can bet the iconic cherry blossom design is included!

The collection also brings back details from AriZona’s “Have an Iced Day,” with the slogan embroidered on the exterior. Each pair of shoes will also come with a cherry blossom laced pouch to hold that $1 bill––the perfect amount to buy a can of tea.

Head to adidas.com on Feb. 4 to buy your pair.
––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of adidas

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Natalie Portman Released a New Children’s Book, Just in Time for the Holidays

by Kenzie KramerDecember 15, 2020

We all know the story of the three little pigs… or do we? Just in time for holiday gifting, Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman has introduced a new book that retells classic fables with a modern twist. Natalie Portman’s Fables, an instant New York Times bestseller, reimagines three popular fables—”The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Three Little Pigs” and “Country Mouse and City Mouse”—with wit, wisdom and a playful, kid-friendly voice.

Natalie Portman’s Fables is now available wherever books are sold. Get your copy now!

The idea for the book came from Portman’s experience reading to her own kids, where she found books either had only male characters or were specifically “books for girls.” Rather than toss aside the popular stories—and the lessons that come along with them—Portman made her own edits, beginning with adjusting the pronouns.

In Natalie Portman’s Fables, Portman keeps the original messages of these timeless fables, like how hard work pays off (especially when a Big Bad Wolf knocks at your door), while adding modernized lessons, like the importance of respecting our planet. Each of the three stories is paired with charming artwork, making the book a timeless gift to teach kids about empathy, acceptance, and kindness while passing down classic fables.

Natalie Portman’s Fables is now available wherever books are sold. Get your copy now!

The Best New Trend: Screen-Free Entertainment

by Jamie AderskiDecember 2, 2020

We all love screens for games, movies, video meetings (well, maybe not that last one). Too much of a good thing is too much sometimes; kids (and adults!) need a break. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a new way for kids to play, something totally different…dare we say magical even? We’ve found it and have to share: meet tonies! We were blown away by how different and cool this is (and it’s so much more than just a toy). Keep reading to learn why tonies are your family’s new lovable storytime companion!

What Is a Toniebox? Interactive Listening and Imaginative Play in a Whole New Way

The Toniebox is an imagination-building, interactive and screen-free digital listening experience that plays stories, songs and more. It comes to life when paired with a Tonie: hand-painted characters with stories to tell, worlds to explore and songs to sing along with.

Made for kids three and up, tonies are simple to use, so kids can play all on their own or together with friends and family! Pro tip: Tonies are a huge help for bedtime routines since the Toniebox is soft, squeezable and bed-friendly! Soft and strong, the Toniebox is made for hands-on play and can handle it all, plus you don’t have to worry about shattered screens—what a relief!

What are Tonies? Characters With Unique Stories To Tell

Each collectible Tonie character magnetically attaches to the Toniebox, making it simple for little listeners to control their audio adventures. Content Tonies come pre-loaded with a ton of content, including stories from Disney’s The Lion King and Cars, and fun new characters like The Gruffalo and so much more.

This is so cool: there also Creative Tonies, which you can customize with up to 90 minutes of your own content. You can upload your own favorite songs and stories or have grandparents record their favorite book to share with your child on the Toniebox for an extra-special bedtime treat!

How Does It Work? So Easy, Your Three-Year-Old Can Do it All By Themselves

The Toniebox is smart technology that instantly recognizes any Tonie, so the storytime magic begins right away! The Toniebox will start telling a story, playing music or leading your child on an audio adventure! Kids just pick any Tonie they like and pop it onto the box. When putting a Tonie on for its first adventure, their story automatically downloads to the Toniebox. You can then play the Tonie anywhere; take it to a friend’s house or on a road trip—no Wi-Fi needed and seven hours of battery life between charges!

Learn more about tonies and this extra-special deal: Now through the end of 2020, get a FREE Tonie with the purchase of a Starter Set!

—Jamie Aderski

Duncan Hines Gives You an Easier Way to Bake Holiday Cookies

by Jennifer SwartvagherOctober 30, 2020

The holidays are approaching so it’s time to start all the baking! Duncan Hines has a range of cake and cookie mixes made to make things easy for us. Now they just released a new Holiday Mega Cookie that would be great paired with a hot mug of cocoa.

Duncan Hines’ Mega Cookie line is filled with a wide variety of fun flavors. Eah box includes the mix and a 6-inch baking pan. The only way they could make this simpler is if they came into your home to mix it up for you!

Like the other varieties the Holiday Mega Cookie comes complete with the pan and mix. Stir the sugar cookie mix with melted butter and water, spread the batter in the pan and top it off with red and green tree shaped sprinkles. Pop it in the oven for 20 minutes or if you can’t bear to wait that long there is the option to microwave your cookie.

You can find the Duncan Hines Holiday Mega Cookie at Walmart for $2.50.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Walmart

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Hello Bello Launches Training Pants in Fun Big Kid Patterns

by Jennifer SwartvagherOctober 26, 2020

Hello Bello is all about growing with your family. The brand recently released a line of kids’ specific products because they know kids are not babies. Now they are happy to announce the launch of their new training pants line.

Potty training will be more pleasant with Hello Bello’s cottony-soft stretchiness paired with cute “big kid” designs and premium leg cuffs to prevent leakage both day and night.

These training pants give your little one more control with their easy on and off fit that is designed to look and feel more like underwear including elastic that doesn’t leak or sag. These reimagined potty trainers feature premium leak guards for active kiddos and stress-free up and down use with disposal tape for quick cleanup.

Hello Bello’s new training pants are made of chlorine-free fluff pulp from sustainably managed forests, a unique high-performance Spherical Super Absorbent Polymer, polypropylene/ polyethylene/ polyester nonwoven fibers, plant-derived PLA nonwoven fiber, spandex strands and an elastomeric film. Made without lotion, latex, artificial fragrance, phthalates, chlorine processing, TBT, DBT and MBT.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Hello Bello

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