Build excitement for imaginative play with Mad Mattr!

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We got this Mad Mattr free in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are our own.

 

We fell in love with Mad Mattr last year and have played with it every day.   I love that this is one of the few products that says will never dry out and it does not dry out.  We have left ours out for months I never put it away and it is just like day one.

They have a ton of great new colors and even have sets for building now.  You can make castles and more and then it goes right back to squishy fun.  If you have an autistic little one like me this is going to be a must have sensory toy.  He can mix the colors together or leave them as it and its a great calm down sensory feeling.

 

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Funko Expands Award-Winning Snapsies Toy Line

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We got the Funko Snapsies  free in exchange for an honest review all opinions are our own.

As most of you know I LOVE Funko.  I had a great unboxing video of this great Snapsies  and my phone lost everything.  No worries all I have a new phone now.  the only thing that saved me was I had already downloaded my pictures to the site.  Sorry no video this time but make sure to take a look at the great pictures.

This is the first Snapsies  that I have had.  It took me a few minutes to figure them out.  Once I did I was in love.  The trick to them in right in the name Snapsies.  That’s right all they mix and match and snap together.  Each ball came with blind bags so they will always be a surprise.  I love these for stocking stuffers.  No wrapping because the surprise is in the ball.

 

Expanding its existing slate of cute snap-and-match collectibles from the 2021 NAPPA Award-winning toy line, Snapsies™ Series 2 will feature a new lineup of characters that include French Bulldogs, Alicorns (a mix of a Unicorn and a Pegasus), Leopards, Skunks and Koalas. Each Snapsies™ is packaged in a blind capsule container and includes one head, one body, two butts, two faces, five accessories, one sticker sheet and one checklist. Recommended for children ages 3 and up, Series 2 will be available in stores at Target and GameStop, and online at Target.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Funko.com (MSRP: $9.99).
In time for the holidays, Snapsies™ GEMS comes in the same mix and match blind capsules as packs of two (MSRP: $19.99), three (MSRP: $29.99) and five (MSRP: $49.99). Featuring dazzling new seasonal-themed characters like Ivy Shimmer, Sugarplum Sparkle, Snowflake Glitz and more, GEMS will be available at Target stores, and online at Funko.com and Target.com. Additional retailers will be announced in the coming months.
Best known for its iconic POP! figures, Funko‘s Snapsies™ first debuted on December 7, 2020, marking the company’s expansion into the toy category. Originally sold exclusively at Target stores, and on Target.com and Funko.com, Snapsies™ expanded its retailer availability to Walmart stores, Walmart.com and Amazon.com in 2021. Images of Snapsies™ Series 2 and Snapsies™ GEMS can be found here.

For more information on Snapsies™, GEMS and other Funko products, fans can follow Funko via its official website here, and Funko Kids on Instagram and YouTube.

Trolls Music Stars Mobile App – Now Available

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Become a music star and bring your favorite DreamWorks Trolls characters to life with Trolls Music Stars, an all-new mobile app featuring official Trolls music.
This beat-slashing, rhythm remix app allows players to create their own Trolls avatar using customizable accessories, dance moves, and music, and challenge their favorite Trolls– including Poppy, Branch, and Tiny Diamond– to epic dance battles to become a Trolls Music Stars master.

Out now, Trolls Music Stars is free to download on the Apple App Store, Google Play and Amazon App Store.

#TrollsMusicStars
#DreamWorksTrolls
#TrollsWorldTour
#Trollstopia

THE UNOFFICIAL HOGWARTS COOKBOOK FOR KIDS

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We got The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook Free in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are our own.

As most of you know We love every thing Harry Potter and Hogwarts.  When I saw this cookbook I knew I had to have it for my collection.  I know it says its a cookbook for kids and it really is.  Nice easy recipes to follow.  What I love it that almost everything in this cookbook I will eat.  There is also a ton of stuff I have never made.  So even though it is made for kids it is great for adults too.

Each recipe also have pictures.  So you and your kids can see the finished product and your kids will know before they start cooking that they will eat it.  I love and was truly impressed with this cookbook.

COOK UP FAMILY MAGIC IN THE KITCHEN WITH 50 SPELLBINDING RECIPES: THE UNOFFICIAL HOGWARTS COOKBOOK FOR KIDS

 

The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids: 50 Magically Simple, Spellbinding Recipes for Young Witches and Wizards

Calling all young Potterheads! Make magic in the kitchen with easy, friendly recipes designed for kid chefs and inspired by the Harry Potter series.

Introducing The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids: 50 Magically Simple, Spellbinding Recipes for Young Witches and Wizards [978-1-64604-181-7; $17.95; Ulysses Press; Au- gust 2021], a new hardcover cookbook packed with 50 delicious recipes, easy step-by-step instructions, and spellbinding full-col- or photographs.

Perfect for any young fan of Harry Potter, The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids by Alana Al-Hatlani will have as- piring witches and wizards brewing potions, baking stellar treats, and cooking creative dishes in no time. From breakfast all the way to dessert, this book makes any meal or snack extra special (and educational!), with recipes like:

Rock Cakes

Granola Bars “Owl Food” Magic Star Fruit Salad Pumpkin Pasties Cauldron Cakes

 

Sticky Toffee Pudding Butterscotch Beer, and much more!

Sticky Toffee Pudding Butterscotch Beer, and much more!

The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids is the perfect primer to get the young chefs-in-training active in the kitchen with their parents. As a family, you’ll have fun learning cooking terms and kitchen skills with recipes that range in complexity so that all kid chefs and their potions masters (or parents) can whip up something amazing.

“With The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids, you’ll find magical, fantastical recipes inspired by what students might eat in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, plus some other meal ideas that witches and wizards-in-training might eat at other magic schools around the world. After all, there’s only so much meat pie a kid can handle!” author Alana Al-Hatlani said. “If you are just start- ing out in the kitchen, you can begin with some of the recipes

in the Snacks and Small Treats section, as well as in the Drinks section, and make sure to read through the helpful advice for beginner cooks.”

Bring the wizarding world into your kitchen with The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids!

by Alana Al-Hatlani

Ulysses Press

Hardcover; August 24, 2021

Available on Amazon   

About the Author

Alana Al-Hatlani is a baker by morning and food writer by night. Her writing has appeared in Saveur, Eater, the Seattle Times, the Seattle Weekly, and the Independent. She is a cake-stand collector, a very compet- itive bowler, and Great British Bake-Off zealot. She started baking as soon as she could reach the counter with a step stool and hasn’t left the kitchen since. Alana holds a BA in journalism from New York University and a pastry degree from the Seattle Culinary Academy. To see more of her baking or

Is It Good For Your Health To Live Near The Sea

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The open sea, a determining factor in being happy? If we tend to associate the sea with our happiness on vacation, it is not without reason. Calm, fine sand, exceptional sunsets, a breathtaking view, there are, there are many benefits. It is also known that on holiday, if you have accommodation with a sea view also allowed, it will offer you even better mental health? If you live near the sea, your long term mental health will be vastly improved.  Not long ago, researchers proved to us that green spaces had a direct influence on our productivity and helped lower our stress level. Because beyond a good socio-professional situation, it is our living environment that can present itself as an obstacle to our happiness. Now, it seems that the call of the sea plays even more significantly on our mood, according to a recent study conducted in collaboration between the University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and Michigan State University (USA). The sea and the ocean denotes freedom and that is why many of us now opt for a luxury home by the sea. You can find more and more luxury homes near the beach today!

 

The studies conducted in New Zealand are particularly interesting because New Zealand is full of green land and blue seas. An ideal ground therefore, to study the impact of green spaces and blue spaces on a population. In total, the study was carried out among 450 inhabitants.

So, what makes it so good?

Green belt and forests can also be good for us. Nature, the fresh air without the pollution of the city and more, can bring us physical and mental benefits. The business of a city stresses us out. Traffic, poor weather conditions and more is a breeding ground for negative thoughts.  We can’t wait to get home, and get our feet up on the couch. We reach for the poor choices of food, such as quick and easy foods. It is also said that people who live by the sea are likely to make better dietary choices. Thanks to local production, you will enjoy the benefits of

the sea even on your plate. Crustaceans, fish and molluscs are made up of a multitude of vitamins (B12 and D), calcium, not to mention iodine. Let us also think of fatty acids which make it possible to fight against bad cholesterol. Everything is here! And if you want to go further, opt for seaweed and more specifically, salicornia. Also called “sea bean”, it is an inexhaustible source of benefits: calcium, zinc, manganese, silica, phosphorus, vitamins, and iodine. Not to mention that it is an excellent diuretic. 

 

It is known that blue spaces are beneficial and especially if other factors come into play such as the sensory stimuli generated by the sound of the waves or the smell of the sea air.  It can improve the conditions of people with chronic pain or depression and anxiety. So is it time to move to the coast yet?

Hape GROWING GARDENERS GREENHOUSE

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This new, eco-friendly greenhouse playset is the perfect way for little ones to learn about how to grow their very own garden! 

I’m excited about the Nature Fun Growing Gardener Greenhouse that I received from Hape Toys USA. It has everything needed to teach little gardeners how to start their own gardens.  Such a great learning experience for kids and adults. I’m looking forward to starting my own little garden once I’m back on my feet again.

 

 

• Plant seeds of your choice in the greenhouse and care for them until they’re ready to be brought outside! It’s the perfect indoor to outdoor activity for kids to get back in touch with nature this season.

• Made from sustainable bamboo and BIO plastic from sugar cane, this little greenhouse is eco-friendly in more ways than one and comes with a bamboo, paper roller with marked lines to make biodegradable vases, a base with six little molded pods for kids to plant their own seeds, and a clear dome cover to watch them grow before their very eyes!

 

 

• Simply cut and roll cylinder vases out of biodegradable paperusing the provided bamboo roller, place them in each of the molded circles in the base of the greenhouse and pour the soil and seeds. Be sure to water regularly and place the greenhouse in a nice, sunny spot! The clear greenhouse cover provides nice insulation for the plants to thrive! When the seeds begin to sprout, rotate the lid 180° to aid circulation.
• Once the plants are bigger and stronger, transfer them to the backyard soil and watch them flourish into the magical garden, made by little hands!

Ages: 3+ years | MSRP $12.99 
 

Celebrating 35 years of leading the industry in manufacturing affordable, high quality toys, Hape (“hah-pay”), represents the next generation of play, with all the products made with sustainability, education, innovation, and fun in mind. 

Hape toys are introduced at 0M to 4Y+ and are built to develop with your child as they grow and learn new skills.

Disney Store Giveaway for AUGUST

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OMG its August and we have joined in with a few great bloggers to bring you an awesome new giveaway. Who wants the chance to win an awesome Gift Card?

One winner will receive a $100 Disney Store eGift Card. See below for terms and conditions. Open to U.S. residents. You must be 21 years old to enter to win. This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on 8.27.21.

All entries will be verified—only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Any person who has won a prize (or whose household has won a prize) in any promotion sponsored by the Sponsor in the past thirty (30) days before this contest start date is not eligible to win a prize in this contest. Entrants who have created social accounts purely to enter Competitions or Sweepstakes will not be eligible to win. All social accounts used must be public.

The winner will be chosen randomly through Sweep Widget and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 48 hours before a new winner is chosen. Void where prohibited by law. One person entering per household, please.

True Stock Studios Giveaway

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True Stock Studios are makers of gorgeous and fun hand carved wooden art and holiday decorations inspired by the seasons and the good vibrations of life.

Each piece is beautifully designed and very nice quality.  I was sent two wooden art pieces to review and I am so impressed with the size, quality and packaging of these pieces.  They’re fun, inspirational, festive and decorative. Best of all, you can even have custom pieces made.  

This hand carved art is perfect for your home, business, party centerpieces, landmark events, gifts and more. 

Which piece from the shop catches your eye? 
 
The holidays are approaching and these beautiful hand carved signs make great gifts for anyone on your list, including teachers.
 
Stay Connected 
 
 
Receive a 25% Discount on your purchase!
 
Enter code Chatty Patty’s Place in the Discount Code section at checkout
 
 
GIVEAWAY 
 

4 Alternative Foods To Grill On Your BBQ

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BBQ season is in full swing and it’s getting to the point in the summer where you’re maybe starting to get sick of burgers and hot dogs. You’ve already had the grill out a few times, but there’s only so much BBQ food you can eat before it gets repetitive. Most of us stick to the classics, so it helps to switch things up and try something different now and then. It’ll ensure you get more use out of your BBQ without being sick of the same foods. 

 

So, here are four alternative foods to grill on your BBQ in the coming weeks:

 

Scallops

Did you know that fish on a BBQ works really well? For starters, fish is great for you as it’s a good protein source and contains fatty acids that help your brain health. Secondly, a lot of fish products are super easy for you to cook. Scallops are a delicious treat to try on your BBQ, offering a rich and chewy texture with the perfect charred crispy BBQ flavor. Learning how to cook scallops on the grill is easy, but you will need a griddle or some type of BBQ-safe pan to use. They get cooked for a couple of minutes on each side until brown, and the whole process takes maybe 4 minutes in total. A simple food to add to your barbecue meals. 

 

Lamb chops

Typically, beef and chicken are the two most commonly used meats in BBQ season. You get a bit of pork in there too with the sausages, but have you ever thought of cooking lamb chops on the grill? Lamb takes on such an amazing flavor when it’s grilled on a BBQ, and it goes well with minty sauces and other fresh sides. It’s a completely different experience from the other meat options, and one you should consider trying. 

 

Sweetcorn

A great side to add to your barbecues is some chargrilled sweetcorn. It cooks easily on the grill and develops a smoky flavor that’s hard to resist. Use a pastry brush to douse the corn in herby butter before grilling and you will have the tastiest side ever – it might even steal the show from the main dish. 

 

Pineapple

Fancy a sweet treat? Pineapple is a very fun thing to grill in the summer as it develops such a sweet and juicy flavor. You can have this after your meals as a sort of dessert – it actually goes so well in some vanilla ice cream! Or, you can have it as a side with your main meal. Most people coat their pineapple in brown sugar and cinnamon for extra sweetness, then grill it until it starts to char and get very sticky and delicious. It’s proof that you don’t need to have meat to make something tasty on the barbecue. 

 

Add some new flavors to your summer BBQ with these four alternative ideas. Swap them out for burgers now and then, but don’t forget to go back to the classics when you crave them!