Yearly Archives: 2013

wūka squares quiet books …

December 10, 2013

I love interactive toys for my children that make them use their minds.

I was excited when I was contacted by Wūka to check out their designs and educational squares.  I love how each square teaches my children an essential skill, and they can quietly work on each square and learn something new.

Whether it is learning to tell time or buckling up buckles, or buttoning up a button, there are several squares to choose from teaching different skills.

My children had a lot of fun going through each page, and learning and interacting.

I love that it will provide hours for fun and learning for them, while I can get a project done or keep them busy when times they are expected to be quiet like at church.

I was very impressed with the overall quality of the squares, I loved how they used their silicone links to link together the book so easily, and you can change the order of the book no problem.

I have tried my hand at making my own quiet book, and let me tell you it is very labor intensive (like WELL over 40 hours).  I feel like the Wūka squares are well designed and very well made with a great price point.

I think the Wūka squares would be a great Christmas gift for your children or friends!

Be sure to check out all the squares they offer on their Wūka squares page, and their Facebook page!

And, good news! Wūka is offering my readers a 10% off code that expires December 31, 2013.  Just type in “armelleblog” at checkout.

This is a sponsored post by Wūka.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

stocking stuffer ideas …

December 5, 2013

This post is brought to you by Linqia highlighting Hello breath sprays, an amazing breath spray that leaves you good to go.  The perfect dose of freshness when you are out and about! No alcohol, no ouch, and no worries.

When I put stockings together I love the idea of filling it with items that you love and will use on a regular basis.  It is nice to have a few treats, or some little gifts, but items that you use often are nice to give or receive in your stocking because you will have a purpose for them later on!

I love to throw in miniature versions of products I already like, or products that aren’t too big and will be able to fit in the stockings!

Here are a few ideas of items I like to fill stockings with:

1) Lip balm- essential for those dry winter months

2) Hello Breath Spray– it comes in some amazing flavors like supermint, pink grapefruit, mojito mint, and sweet cinnamint!

I am not a huge fan of gum, I don’t really like to chew it very long and a lot of them have a lot of un-natural ingredients like aspartame, and dyes that I try to avoid.  I love the Hello breath sprays because they are “naturally friendly,” not tested on animals and are made in the USA.  I love the sleek packaging and that you’ll be mistletoe ready, and “greet friendly” at a moment’s notice this holiday season.

You can find Hello oral care products at Smiths, Walmart, Target, CVS stores, and more.

3) Relaxing bath salts- a gift of relaxation is always a good idea.

4) Tea tree foot repair balm- to pamper your feet.

5) Dry shampoo-  helps freshen your hair without daily washing.

6) Nail polish- for holiday ready hands.

7) Scented soaps- for aromatic shower experience.

So, what are your favorite stocking stuffer staples?

 This is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recipe // steel cut oats

Steel Cut Oats Recipe
If you have never tried steel cut oats you are in for a treat.  It is similar to your regular rolled oatmeal, but before they roll the oats flat, leaving a nice chewy texture after you cook them. [for a picture of steel cut oats pre-cooked, click here.]  Steel cut oats are the inner part of the oat grain, known as the groat. The groats are cut in two or three pieces in such a way as to enhance the naturally nutty flavor. They are golden-colored and shaped roughly like small grains of rice. Some other names for them are Irish oats, Scotch oats, coarse cut oats, and pinhead oats.
Besides being deliciously chewy, steel cut oats are highly nutritious. They’re especially high in the B vitamins. They also provide protein, calcium and fiber to your diet. An interesting fact about oatmeal is that it is the only food with naturally occurring GLA, or gamma linolenic acid. GLA is an essential fatty acid. [Text found here.]
I like to cook them on the stove top with this basic recipe.
{Steel Cut Oats}
Serves 4
4 cups water
1 cup steel cut oats
pinch of salt [optional]
1. Bring water to a boil
2. Slowly stir in oats
3. When oatmeal begins to thicken, [about 5 minutes] reduce heat to medium, medium low [a simmer]
4. Simmer about 30 minutes or desired consistency.
note: microwaving steel cut oats is not recommended.
I like to eat it with fresh fruit, milk and honey  or agave nectar to sweeten it up!
*For instructions on cooking them overnight in a crock pot click here.
enjoy!