Product Reviews - Pocketful of Joules

A few of my Favorite Things: 5 Awesome Toddler Gift Ideas

If you don’t actually have a toddler it can be REALLY HARD to figure out what to buy one for Christmas.

I can’t even tell you how many times I found myself in the toy aisle at Target or Toys R’ Us with nothing more to go on than the kid’s age and gender. Then, you add in the fact that if you choose poorly the kid may only play with the gift for 28 seconds before throwing it aside to play with the tape that peeled off the wrapping paper instead…

Since it’s the season for giving, I figured that I’d help you all out with some toys that have been played with, thrown, pounded on, licked, and played with again by my very own toddler. This isn’t a sponsored post, it’s just what my kid loves to play with.

#1. Little Tikes – Truck & Shopping Cart
I have never regretted spending money on anything from Little Tikes. Their products are made really well, they seem to KNOW what kids like and frankly, they’re pretty darn cute too. Jack has the Little Tikes Cozy Truck, which came with a bonus set of a construction helmet and toolbox (it’s from the Little Tikes website, but is currently sold out so I used a link to Amazon which has them in stock). He loves this truck so much that we’ve had it for 4 months and it’s never even made its way outside.

We also have the Little Tikes Shopping Cart which I actually found at a thrift store for just a few dollars. Even being used by another kid hasn’t made a dent in this thing… it’s in perfect condition and Jack is NOT exactly gentle with it.

#2. Citrus Lane – Monthly Kids Subscription
We’ve been getting the monthly subscription from Citrus Lane since Jack was just one month old. Every single month, they somehow send us the perfect toys for his age. I’m not exaggerating when I say that of all the toys that we’ve gotten over the past (almost) two years, Citrus Lane consistently gives us the BEST ones that actually stay in heavy playing rotation.

See this table?

Almost EVERYTHING on it has come from a Citrus Lane box! If you’d like to give a subscription to a friend for Christmas, use this special code and you will get $10 off.

#3. Fisher Price Little People – Pirate Ship Set
We LOVE Little People! We were handed down a Little People Garage that is constantly being played with at our house. We also have a Little People Plane Set at my mom’s house and recently added the Little People Pirate Ship to our toy area.

Jack LOVES this set so much that he will carry it with him from room to room. It’s reasonably priced, the pirates are adorable and the songs are not even that annoying when you hear them 189 times each day.

#4. Green Toys – Everything!
I was first introduced to Green Toys through an early Citrus Lane box, but continue to buy them whenever I find them. Right now we have: the airplane, chef set, flatbed truck and race car, another race car, a submarine, and a twist teether. Yeah, you can say I’m a fan. I currently have my eye on the Green Toys dump truck, school bus and tractor…so it’s only a matter of time before they are added to our nifty collection.

#5. B.FunKeys – The BEST Kid’s Keys EVER
Kids love keys. Not those cheesy plastic keys that you buy for them to stick in their mouth and gnaw their teeth on, the ones that mom and dad use. The problem is that if you hand the kid your ACTUAL keys they will either set off your truck alarm (Jack does this purposefully EVERY single time) or when you want to leave the house you’ll have to do a scavenger hunt to find them. Believe me, they’re ALWAYS in the most random place ever – I’ve found mine INSIDE a walking toy, in the Tupperware cabinet and behind books on the bookshelf. Jack is like a key-hiding NINJA. Anyways, I saw these B. FunKeys one day at Target and they are literally the BEST kid’s keys I’ve ever seen. The keys are like normal keys (but made a bit thicker) and the ‘alarm’ box plays realistic sounds, like the ‘beep’ of locking your car. They are AWESOME and they’re even on clearance right now for less than $10!

Bonus Idea: On Santa’s List… Step 2 – The Home Depot Big Builders Workshop
Anyone who follows me on Facebook knows that I have been stalking this workshop like prey. Jack LOVES playing with his little tool box, which came with a hammer, nails, wrench and screws. So I KNOW he’s going to lose his mind when he sees this under the Christmas tree. It’s a little pricy for a gift, but it truly is the gift that will keep giving for years. It’s basically a ‘boy’ version of the typical pretend kitchen, if by ‘boy’ you mean FULL OF AWESOME. Ok, I’ll admit it… I’m pretty darn excited to play with this too!

I hope you found this list helpful! I’m hoping the new workshop and a couple other toys that will be opened under the Christmas tree are as big of a hit as the rest of the list. Tell me, are there any toys that your kid just keeps playing with over and over and over again? Let me know your child’s age and the toy they love in the comments and maybe you’ll help someone elses Christmas shopping go smoother!

Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post and none of these companies have asked me to recommend their products. I’m recommending them because we have truly enjoyed them and I think that other kids would like them too. For the majority of links on this page, I do not benefit in any way. However, if you choose to click through the special Citrus Lane link, I will receive a referral credit if you purchase a subscription.

Reviewing Project DIY: Joan of Arc Collection

Wow, I think that this is just going to be a full DIY week.

I had the GREAT REVEAL of the DIY Challenge yesterday, three of my favorite blog friends (aka the Glue Crew) also posted their DIY Challenge results, and then I have today’s subscription kit…which happens to be called Project DIY!

YAY for DIY and being crafty. Not the sneaky kind of crafty though… the kind covered in glitter and glue.

M&J Trimmings sent me their Project DIY: Joan of Arc Collection box which included their starter kit of tools, as well as everything I needed to make a Joan of Arc inspired cuff and necklace.

The first thing I noticed was that the quality of the kit was quite impressive. The chain, bracelet cuff and all the details were quite heavy and well-made. I was initially disappointed that the instructions were online (and not provided in the kit), but once I visited the link I found the instruction breakdown and images really helpful.

The first project was the Joan of Arc necklace:

Necklace - 1 — Here are all the pieces that need to magically come together into a necklace…

Necklace - 2 — First phase done, the pendant and tube beads are attached to the chain mail.

Necklace - 3 — I tried a few different variations until I came up with my favorite… and then changed it again when I broke out the glue.

Necklace 4 — Look, I’m gluing. You guys smile when you’re gluing right? Maybe not Katie though, who has a history of glue gunning stuff to her face.

Necklace - 6 Joules — I let it dry for 30+ hours and here’s the finished look!

Then, I tried my hand at the Joan of Arc cuff bracelet:

Bracelet - 1 — Only a few pieces needed for this project. YAY!

Bracelet - 2 — Once again, I tried out a few different designs only to change it all once I started gluing.

Bracelet - 3 — It’s like Wonder Woman’s cuff — don’t mess with me!

I think that this kit was definitely high on the ‘coolness’ scale. Each collection is based on runway and street styles, so this would make a great fit for the crafty fashionista friend that is hard to buy for.

I also really like that they included a starter kit with needle nose pliers, a wire cutter, chain nose pliers, a jump ring opener, assorted clasps, earring hooks, jump rings and chain extenders. It’s a nice little package of everything you really need to start with this type of jewelry work… and much better than trying to wrap the wire around a pencil or wrench or something.

If you are interested in trying out a subscription for yourself or purchasing one as a gift, check them out here .

Disclosure: I was provided a Project DIY kit to review; however all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. I am not rewarded or compensated in any way if you click through to purchase a Project DIY kit.

November Stitch Fix: Help Me Decide!

I can’t believe my THIRD Stitch Fix is finally here. I feel like I’ve been looking forward to this Fix as soon as I scheduled it. That’s how they suck you in, right?!

If you are interested in checking out my first two Fix’s, you can see my first Stitch Fix box here and my second Getting Warmer Fix here.

Claire styled this month’s fix and I think overall she did a really great job. It’s actually my FAVORITE Fix so far… even better than last months Fix. Which is why I really need your help in deciding what to purchase!

They updated the styling cards that come with the Fix so that now the outfit suggestions are all on one sheet of paper. I actually really like the new design because you don’t have a big laminated tag poking you while you try on the clothes. I also like that I have all the outfit suggestions in case I want to mimic any from my own clothes.

Here’s my first item, which is the only one that wasn’t a winner AT ALL. I really like the color of the shirt… but there is no way that I’d ever pay $78 for a extremely thin short-sleeved blouse. You can’t see it in this picture, but it’s so thin that you can easily see my bra. As you can tell by my face, Joules no likey and this isn’t even included in the voting.

So I need your opinion on this top. It’s a Dolman Sleeve Jersey top, which means that I kinda look like Batgirl when I lift my arms. Is this a good thing? Do I WANT to be Batgirl? I thought it looked cute as a date night top (even though I accidentally cut my head off in the picture…) and maybe for a more casual work outfit. What do you think?

I really like the feel of this sweater, but the color and shape doesn’t really do anything for me. Thoughts? The jeans are also from this Fix (also worn in the last picture) and I love the way they fit…however I JUST bought an identical pair of jeans a month or so ago.

When I pulled this jacket out of the box I was like, “UM…didn’t I JUST leave feedback on how awful asymmetric jackets look on busty girls?!” and kind of glared at it for a while. I really didn’t even want to try it on because I was convinced that I’d look like a busty heifer. I was pleasantly surprised though that when I actually tried this top on…it looks kinda cute. Right? Or am I fooling myself? I like that the two zippers on the front are working zippers, so you can wear the jacket zipped asymmetrically or straight up the middle. I think this could be really cute as a more badass version of a work suit jacket. Do you think I should buy this one?

After trying everything on with my clothes, I’m strongly considering purchasing the black and white dolman sleeve top and the asymmetric jacket. I have until Friday to make my final decisions though… which is why I’d love to know what you think. Feel free to use this snazzy voting tool or just leave your comments below.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Stitch Fix, I pay for the $20 styling fee and any clothing I purchase with my own hard-earned money. I do have a special referral link though and if you decide to click through and sign up I will receive a small referral reward. Here’s my link. So thank you for anyone who chooses to click through and support my shopping addiction.

11/21/13 Update: Thank you so much to everyone who gave feedback! I ended up purchasing the black and white BATGIRL top from this Fix. I was on the fence on the asymmetrical jacket… but after trying it on for the 10,000th time, the zipper stuck and I figured it was a sign that I should pass. I already scheduled my next fix for December and requested a holiday party dress and all fun tops!

Psssst…Do you love checking out what other people received in their Fixes? I added quick links to every single one of my reviews on my Stitch Fix Reviews page!