Google is providing a new way for consumers to support Black-owned businesses and honor their legacy. With Google Search interest for “Black-owned businesses” growing over 600% from last year, it’s obvious there is a desire to funnel purchases to support this area of of business.
Google has launched a new attribute on the Google Shopping tab to identify businesses as Black-owned. Business owners will be able to add the attribute by visiting the Google Merchant Help Center, making it easy for shoppers to see whether a business is black-owned and to discover brand new places to shop and support.
photo: Google
As of now, the features is slowly rolling out, with visibility becoming available to shoppers and U.S. Google Merchants in the next few months. The new attribute follows on the heels of last summer’s Search and Map attributes to make search results more inclusive of black-owned businesses.
The new lineup includes lots of travel-friendly gear including luggage, a backpack, sweatshirts and baseball hats––all with the iconic NatGeo logo and colors. The collection is ready for your next adventure. Keep scrolling to see some of our faves.
National Geographic Pullover with Pocket for Adults
With so many people staying at home, now is a great time to bake with your kids. Add a tasty baking craft to your everyday in-door routine with some sticky sweet one-on-one time. Not only is it a fun activity, you also get to eat something yummy when it’s done!
Best of all, what’s better than a DIY twist on the classic candy bars? Take a closer look at two of the top favorite treats from my collection of recipes that are absolute family favorites.
Are you low on flour? Coconut balls will save the day. They are soft and chewy, and when you dip them in chocolate they are irresistible. You can call these whatever you want but these yummy treats remind me of a Mounds candy bar, only with a citrus zing! I swapped out the honey/maple syrup for 4 Tbsp. of my tangerine marmalade to this recipe I found @pinchofyum.
Ingredients
2 cups dried coconut (I only had the big flaked coconut on hand so pulsed in a food processor until coarse but not too fine)
4 Tbsp Marmalade
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 Tbsp. Coconut oil
Directions:
1. In a medium-size bowl, mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
2. Squeeze into small balls and place on a cookie sheet and put in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes.
3. While the little treats are chilling, slowly melt 4 oz dark chocolate in a bowl over hot water. I used chopsticks to roll the balls in the chocolate and lay them on parchment paper. Place them in the refrigerator to chill or just eat them up.
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or bar broken in pieces
1/2 c. heavy cream
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/2 c. Just Jan’s Seedless Raspberry Spread
Pinch of salt
Unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted) to coat truffles
Directions:
1. Place chocolate pieces in a bowl.
2. Heat cream and butter together in a heavy bottom saucepan until it comes to a boil.
3. Pour cream and butter over the chocolate and let stand for a minute or so.
4. Stir vigorously until smooth.
5. Add Just Jan’s Seedless Raspberry Spread and pinch of salt.
6. Stir until well combined.
7. Put plastic wrap on top of the chocolate in the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hrs. (may leave it overnight).
8. Sit on counter to warm up a bit before forming the truffles.
9. Using a teaspoon, scoop chocolate mixture into your hand and roll between your hands until you have a ball. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Roll in sifted cocoa powder on a plate.
Ruthi Davis is a the Founder of Ruth Davis Consulting LLC with over two decades of success in advertising/marketing, media/publicity, business development, client relations, and organizational optimization for a variety of clients. Ruthi is a proud mom and influencer in the parenting and family market as founder of the Superfly Supermom brand.
We love a good book: snuggling up in your coziest PJs with a hot cup of tea and a page turner is one of the greatest joys in life. So how do you make reading more joyful and less of a “chore” for kiddos? Answer: Find books they can relate to and actually enjoy, building confidence and a lifelong love of reading.
Think there isn’t much innovation in the book world for kids? Think again. We are super excited that our friends at HarperCollins publishing has created HarperAlley—graphic novels for early readers, ages 6-10. Graphic novels harness the power of visual learning to engage kids and help emerging readers build their literary skills to become confident, independent readers. And, reluctant readers who might be intimidated by a book with a higher page count can dive right in. Read on to learn about three new graphic novel book series that your child needs on their bookshelf now!
Pea Bee & Jay, by Brian "Smitty" Smith
Like all peas, Pea loves to roll. So when a no-good strawberry dares him to roll all the way off the farm, he swears he can do it—eazy me-zee! But along the way, a powerful thunderstorm strikes and bounces Pea off course...and right into two unlikely new buds: a bee named Bee who thinks she knows it all, and a bird named Jay who can’t figure out how to fly. On their own they may not look like much, but if this trio can stick together, they just might help Pea find his way back home!
This is the first book in a new early graphic chapter book series about the friendship between Arlo, an arrogant crow, and a sarcastic little bird named Pips. Like most crows, Arlo has a big brain. But Arlo has something else: a little pal who’s not afraid to tell him when he’s being insufferable! In the first of three stories, a battle of the brains and bird-to-bird banter soon turns into an unexpected friendship. Arlo and Pips' adventures include a visit the big city and a trip to the beach on their hunt for shiny things and French fries. Plus, cool crow facts are included throughout the book.
A brand-new early reader graphic novel series about finding friendship in unexpected places! Ally the alligator is perfectly happy being alone... until one day a noisy bird named Beak lands on her snout. Much to Ally’s annoyance, this chatty bird likes to sing constantly and has chosen a nearby tree to build his new nest. Even worse, he insists that he and Ally should be best friends. In fact, he has all kinds of friendship goals in mind, and it seems nothing Ally says will convince him that she’d rather just be alone. Nothing beats peace and quiet... except for maybe a new best friend?
Last year Dude Dad, a.ka. Taylor Calmus, had us rolling in the Target aisles with his spoof of his Christmas-enthusiastic wife. This year, Dude Dad takes it to a new level with a mash-up of not one but five different family members at Christmas many of whom may strike a chord with parents everywhere. Meet The Christmas Queen, The Oblivious, The Impatient Child, The Humbug and The Teen. Click the video below to enjoy them all.
It’s a much-needed laugh we all need this season. Grab your “eggnog” and watch it on repeat.
Need a laugh? This punny gift wrap from Laffy Taffy is here to help you “sleigh” the holiday season. The new Laffy Taffy Laff Bites wrapping paper is now available on the brand’s Facebook Shop.
This laugh inducing wrap will elicit a smile from even the biggest grinch on your holiday list. Wrap up your gifts in jokes, puns and dad jokes galore!
The limited-edition wrapping paper (available while supplies last) costs just $1.01 (lol). Grab a roll while supplies last or “yule” be sorry!
The absolute perfect gift for L.O.L. fanatics, this transforming playset from MGA Entertainment goes from plane to car to recording studio to mixing booth in a snap — no tools required! And before kids are ready to send their favorite dolls off to their next performance, there are more than 50 surprises to unbox and uncover, including working lights and sounds, a drink cart complete with plates and cups, rolling suitcases, and so much more. Parents will also love that this set ditches the traditional plastic blind bags and instead features paper bags — a more eco-friendly option, part of MGA Entertainment’s overall commitment to environmental sustainability.
The Toy Insider is the go-to source for product information and the latest news about children's toys, tech, and entertainment. Its team of toy experts publishes two annual gift guides—one for summer and one for holiday—and reviews toys 365 days a year on thetoyinsider.com, a trusted resource for parents.
Forget about a plain bowl of cereal. Now you can dress up breakfast with Cinnabon’s Rolled Pancake Kit!
Even if you’re not a “Top Chef,” you can still create ooey, gooey, icing-filled pancakes for your next family breakfast. With this easy-to-use kit, you’ve got everything you need to make rolled pancakes that taste like they’re straight out of the mall’s food court.
Not only does the kit come with enough Cinnabon rolled pancake mix and frosting mix to make six servings, but it also includes hot cocoa mix, too.
So where can you get the Cinnabon Rolled Pancake Kit? You can pick up a kit of your very own at Walmart for $12.98.
I am a wife, a Mom of 2 boys, and founder of NYC home organizing company, Stylish Spaces.Not a minimalist but a realist. Passionate about helping fit big lives in city sized homes.
Parenting is hard. Even in the best of times, it can seem overwhelming to manage all the responsibilities that come with having children. Then a global pandemic hits and well… we’re now in charge of navigating the “new normal” and everything that entails, including virtual learning.
The struggle is real for both parents and kids alike; social interactions have been replaced by hours of Zoom calls, and digital homework needs to be completed despite the distractions of home.
We could all use a little help these days. So I’m sharing my top tips for organizing your home to set up your kids (and you) up for success:
Tip 1: Eliminate distractions:
It seems simple but let’s face it, little kids make big messes and the mess is distracting. Clear surfaces = clear minds. If you don’t already have a system in place, I would suggest drawers. This is a simple, inexpensive, freestanding solution that toys and other distractions can be placed into and closed until the class is dismissed.
Tip 2: Get a Calendar:
This new schedule is hard and having a calendar in your kids’ room is a great way for them to understand their schedule. Whether that means managing their time throughout the day or keep track of “in-school” vs “virtual” days. Kids have an incredible ability to adapt, but children thrive when they’re given structure and know what’s expected of them.
Tip 3: Designate a space to learn:
Whether it’s a desk or a seat at the kitchen counter, designate a spot for learning to occur. Clear surfaces of everything that isn’t school related. I love using a desk mat for kids because not only are they easy to clean, in case of a spill or marker slip, but they also define the workspace.
Tip 4: Organize school materials
There is value in organizing your kids’ school materials. Supplies should be easy to reach and easy to put away. For example: a cup for pencils. It’s easy to grab what you need and easy to throw it back in the cup! A file sorter is another easy way for kids to organize what they need. Whether it’s a shelf for each subject or one for paper, one for homework – everyone knows where to find what they need.
Will these tips magically transform virtual learning, maybe not, but you might be surprised at the big impact of small changes.
1
Rolling Drawer Storage
Clean it up and roll it away
$39.99
Bonus: you have some control over this storage! If you can’t trust your kids to stay out of those drawers, simply wheel it next to your WFH station to keep it under control. This could also allow for your kids to choose one drawer to access during break and it makes clean up easy when it’s time to get back to work.
This particular calendar set gives you the option to use 1 or all 3 calendars and break down the week, and/ or the month. The dry erase is easy to use and it is a peel and stick calendar meaning no need to hang it or worry about kids knocking it off the wall when writing on it.
You can get desk mat's in all different colors and I suggest having fun with this one. This desk mat is waterproof and will protect your desks/ countertops but the occasional slip of a marker or glue stick. Easy to pick up, clean and move. This mat even comes with a wrap for when you're traveling or need to store it.
This is an easy place to organize all paper/ folders/ homework etc. Not only will this cut down on kids constantly asking for help because they can't find something but it makes it super easy to grab what you in for in-school days.
I love these magnetic storage solutions because it allows kids (and adults) to take the whole containers right off the wall, use them and replace them back on the wall when they are done. For everyone who is trying to keep their homes tidy and preserve space, this is a fantastic solution.
Let's face it, we're talking about getting kids to be successful at virtual learning... we've got to remember to have some fun with it. This spinning pencil/ pen holder is just that.
This product is great for kids who might be at a kitchen counter or table somewhere that isn't a designated desk because it can be rolled over and moved so easily. Everything you need to store can be placed on this cart which ultimately becomes a traveling desk caddy.
Kraft Heinz wants to bring delicious fun to family game night. In light of these unprecedented times as families spend more time at home Big G Creative has just released the new Kraft Heinz Variety Game Pack. This three-in-one boredom-busting set of games is inspired by iconic Kraft Heinz food brands HEINZ Ketchup, JELL-O Gelatin and KRAFT Macaroni and Cheese.
KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Game: Satisfy your cravings with the KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Game! Roll the dice to play matching noodle cards and push Cheesasaurus Rex piece up the Noodle Meter … but make sure you don’t run out of noodles!
JELL-O Jiggler Slap Game: This card game is a quick-thinking, hand-slapping treat. Be the first to slap the correct card on the JELL-O gelatin flavor that’s called out to win. You might even have to wiggle and jiggle for your favorite flavor!
HEINZ Ketchup Dice Game: It’s HEINZ ketchup or bust in this press your luck game of risk versus reward! Roll the dice and collect as much ketchup as possible to score 57 points. America’s Favorite Ketchup game is definitely worth the wait.
“For most families, more time at home means getting extra creative with day-to-day routines and seeking out fun experiences in between,” said Steven Anne, creative director at Big G Creative. “Kraft Heinz has always brought a playfulness to the dinner table, and now we’re thrilled to bring that same spirit to family game night.”
The fun with food starts from the moment families open the pack, as each game is packaged like the original food favorite. For example, the HEINZ™ Ketchup Dice Game comes in a bottle just like the classic condiment, which also acts as a dice-rolling cup.
“We are always looking for ways to surprise & delight consumers who love our brands, so we’re excited about this opportunity, especially with the extra time everyone is spending at home right now,” said Chris Urban, Vice President of Marketing at Kraft Heinz.
All three games are designed with inclusive play in mind — whether kids play while their parents cook dinner or the whole family joins in together. The games are easy to learn, fun to play, and only take about 20 minutes — or about the time it takes to whip up a box of KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese. Plus, the games accommodate families of all sizes, allowing two or more players ages 8 years and older to go head to head.
Big G Creative’s Kraft Heinz Variety Game Pack is now available exclusively at Target stores and at Target.com for a suggested retail price of $19.99. To learn more about the game pack and how each game is played, please visit BigGCreative.com.