Gift Review for Baby’s First Halloween

When parents, grandparents, aunties and besties need to shop for a baby gift, taking into consideration the time of year and subsequent holidays often sparks helpful ideas for a unique gift.

For October, Halloween is a fun holiday to coordinate into the planning of a baby gift. 

The following are a couple of suggestions for a Halloween-themed gift. 

My First Halloween Pumpkin Toy by Genius Baby

Plush playhouses are popular toys for babies and toddlers as they are handy as a tote to carry around the toys and animals they come with, as well as a place to store them. The cute plush toys in the totes introduce babies to various textures and sounds making them adorably educational. 

Genius Baby - The Original My First Halloween Pumpkin Toys for Babies - Plush Stuffed Pumpkin with 4 Sensory Toys (Cat, Ghost, Spider, Candy Corn) - Fun Keepsake Baby Halloween Toys for Baby

For a fun Halloween gift for a baby in your life, Genius Baby, a mom-owned company in Charlotte, North Carolina, created this My First Halloween plush pumpkin filled with a set of four sensory Halloween themed toys. 

The four plush toys include a black cat that meows, a squeaky ghost, a purple spider that rattles and an orange & yellow crinkle candy corn. These toys are just the right size to fit in small hands and they all fit inside the plush pumpkin basket which features hand embroidery and a gingham handle. 

The plush pumpkin playset measures 7 x 7 inches and unzips to reveal the toys inside. A darling pumpkin toy gift for a baby's first Halloween or first Autumn / Fall. It can also be used as a trick-or-treat basket as they grow up. 

My First Halloween Outfit

My First Halloween Baby Romper on Etsy

No need for a Halloween costume for your baby with this adorable First Halloween Outfit. 

Celebrating Halloween for the first time! How very exciting. Dress baby up in this My 1st Halloween outfit.

Your little pumpkin will look just adorable in this baby romper. You can also choose the personalized pumpkin hat to complete the look and add personalization to the outfit. 

Created by Cindy for her Esty Shop Sassylocks. 

Happy Halloween

October 31st

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The Authenticity Project - Book Review

The story of a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even love

Cast of Characters

• Julian Jessop
• Monica
• Hazard
• Alice
• Riley 
• Lizzie

Location: London, England

Synopsis of The Authenticity Project

The Authenticity Project: A Novel

Julian Jessop is a rather eccentric, though quite lonely, artist in his late 70s.  He believes that most people aren’t really honest with each other. He begins to wonder what would happen if people actually told the truth about themselves. 

Julian decides to tell the truth about his own life ~ writing in a plain green journal. He ends his story with:

How well do you know the people who live near you? How well do they know you?

Everyone lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth instead? The one thing that defines you, that makes everything else about you fall into place? 

….maybe telling that story would change your life, or the life of someone you’ve not yet met.

Then he leaves the journal in a local cafe. 

The cafe is Monica's Café, owned by the incredibly tidy and efficient Monica. Monica reads the journal entry, finds Julian’s story and his philosophy about truth intriguing, and eventually adds her own entry. She then leaves the book in the wine bar across the street. 

Before long, the other characters in this charming story find the green notebook, add the truths about their own deepest selves, and, amazingly somehow find each other In Real Life. 

The Authenticity Project's cast of characters--including Hazard, the charming addict who makes a vow to get sober; Alice, the fabulous mommy Instagrammer whose real life is a lot less perfect than it looks online; Riley, the vacationing gardener from Perth, Australia, and Lizzie - who brings the ‘authentic’ to The Authenticity Project - are quirky, funny, sometimes heartbreakingly sad, and very true-to-life. 

The Authenticity Project is a story about being brave and putting your real self forward. The new friends discover this is not as scary as it seems. In fact, it appears to look a lot like happiness. 

A heartfelt story you will read with deep pleasure. 

Summary

The Authenticity Project is a delightful, feel-good, novel by Clare Pooley, a British author, speaker and blogger who has written a half-dozen novels to date. More reviews of this author’s interesting books will be coming soon.

*Book review of ‘The Authenticity Project’ written by Wednesday Elf

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A Review of Oktoberfest

A Cultural Folk Festival Holiday Review

What is Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a festival held each year in Munich, Germany. The origin of the festival began on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria (later known as King Louis I) to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

Why is it called Oktoberfest when it is in September?

Because the weather in October in Germany is already getting colder, with the days being shorter, the festival coordinators elected to have the festival begin on the first Saturday after September 15 and last until the first Sunday in October. Thus, for this year, 2024, Oktoberfest begins Saturday, September 21 and ends on Sunday, October 6. 

This two centuries long event has become best known for featuring beer, pretzels, and German food. The fest includes a parade, music, and a traveling carnival. 

Costumes

The traditional costumes for Oktoberfest are:

• For men - Lederhosen with suspenders. The lederhosen are the part-pants, part-shorts combination that are held up by suspenders.

• For women - the costumes include the Trachtenblouse - a distinct blouse style due to the lace trim on the sleeves and neckline and a Dirndl skirt, which is characterized by its laced straps and circular cut, which starts at the waist and falls below the knee. A matching pinafore (or apron) is worn over the dirndl. 

*Important Note: The knot on the pinafore indicates your relationship status. If the knot is on your right side, that means you are taken. If you tie the knot on the left side, it means you are single. 

Oktoberfest Around the World

A number of U.S. cities, particularly those with large German American populations, hold Oktoberfests modeled on the original Munich festival. These popular celebrations, which feature beer and German food, are an attempt to reproduce the Bavarian sense of gemütlichkeit—cordiality.

Many of the U.S. Oktoberfests are shorter in length than the two weeks normally set aside for the Munich festival. For instance, the Kansas City Oktoberfest in 2024 is just a two-day event held on the final weekend of October 4-5, 2024. 

The German town of Hermann, Missouri celebrates the town’s German heritage every weekend in October by hosting Oktoberfest. The backdrop of Missouri fall colors this time of year also pays tribute to the Autumn season. What better way to celebrate than with good food, wine, beer and music. 

Summary

Whether you dress up in traditional costume or wear just regular clothes, the fun and happiness of this Fall Celebration will be a fun time of traditioning into the holiday season. 

Find an Oktoberfest near you ~ and enjoy. 

*Oktoberfest Holiday is review by Wednesday Elf

 

Dirndl Oktoberfest Outfit Women Dress Bavarian Fancy Costume Halloween 3 Pieces Set Carnival Traditional

BAVARIA TRACHTEN Oktoberfest Lederhosen Men - Real Leather - The Original Men's Lederhosen from Germany - Authentic German Octoberfest Outfit Dark Brown - Short

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A Review of Twinings Chai Tea

Chai - the Hindu word for tea. 

Chai tea is a flavored black tea made from a blend of the sweet & savory spice flavors of cinnamon, cardamon, clovers and ginger.

In India it is a cherished beverage thought to bring peace of mind and to preserve health. 

I was first introduced to Chai tea by my darling daughter-in-law who grew up in South Korea where she learned her love of tea. 

Chai Tea by Twinings

Image Source: Wednesday Elf

While there are a number of brands on the market producing Chai Tea, the only one I’ve tried (to date) and the one featured in this review, is by Twinings - a well-known British marketer of tea and other beverages since the early 1700s. I am quite sure Chai tea by other brands is equally as good, but I am very pleased with the taste of the Twinings Chai tea blended with delicious spices. The multiple health benefits of Chai Tea is also nice to know. 

Twinings calls their Chai Tea a delicious wellbeing drink that tastes great and will do you good. 

How to Brew Chai Tea

I do not like strong coffee, so for years, whenever I made tea with tea bags, I only put the bag in the water for a short amount of time, worried the drink would become too strong. I did not realize, until I (finally) tried it, what a difference ‘steeping’ your tea makes in the taste.

Image Source: Pixabay

Chai Tea is good hot or iced.  The brewing instructions on the Twinings package of Chai Tea are as follows:

For Hot Tea: pour boiling water over the tea bag and steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bag. Enjoy! 

For Iced Tea:  Fill half a pitcher with boiling water. Steep 4 tea bags for 3 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add ice to desired strength. 

For a single glass of iced tea, use one tea bag in a heat resistant glass.

Summary

Happiness is finding a delicious new (to me) tea drink I really love. Give Twinings Chai Tea a try today and see if you don’t agree. 

Twinings Chai Individually Wrapped Black Tea Bags, 20 Count (Pack of 6), Sweet, Savoury Spices, Caffeinated, Enjoy Hot or Iced

Twinings Chai Black Tea K-Cup Pods for Keurig, 24 Count (Pack of 1), Naturally Sweet and Savoury Spice Flavours, Caffeinated, Enjoy Hot or Iced | Packaging May Vary

*Twinings Chai Tea Review written by Wednesday Elf

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The Calming Effects of Crafting

 A Health Review

Crafting projects are good for your brain and helpful to your body.  Positive benefits are found no matter the medium you use. Crafting can elevate your mood, improve your self-confidence and reduce stress. Mentally it can decrease cognitive decline. Physically, it improves both gross and fine motor movements and control. 

Who would have thought that a fun hobby could have health benefits? That it could lower your blood pressure and reduce tension, giving you an overall sense of well-being.

Benefits of Yarn Crafting

All crafting is helpful, but yarn crafting is particularly beneficial.  

Image Source: Pixabay

Knitting and crochet can reduce anxiety and relieve stress.  The repetitive action of these crafts help release serotonin, your body’s feel-good hormone, which is a natural anti-depressant. What a fun way to feel happier. 

Crocheting and knitting help improve fine motor skills and have been shown to be effective in maintaining dexterity. 

Knitting in a social setting reduces loneliness and isolation.

The creative process of crochet, providing a creative outlet for self-expression,  can boost self-esteem and instill a sense of accomplishment.

The calmness of these crafts can help reduce insomnia. By getting relaxed into a repetitive rhythm with your crochet hooks or your knitting needles, your mind is allowed to unwind. 

Crochet can  be a form of meditation. By allowing you to focus on the task at hand, concentrating on the stitches and following a pattern, your mind becomes present-moment focused - helping you to achieve a meditative state.

Summary

So, don’t forget to set aside a period of time each day for the health benefits of crafting. Get out your favorite craft project and enjoy a relaxing time.

If you don’t already have a craft hobby, consider the benefits of taking one up. Following are a few suggestions for How-To learning. 

Crochet for beginners: The Ultimate Guide to Learn Beginner Knots & Patterns From Scratch. Design Beautiful Creations with Step-By-Step Instructions

How to Knit: Learn the Basic Stitches and Techniques. A Storey BASICS® Title

How to Quilt: A Beginner’s Guide to Learn How to Quilt Step-by-Step (Crafts for Beginners)

For more reviews of Craft Projects, Craft Supplies, Books and How-Tos, check out the Crafts & DIY section here on ReviewThis!

For more Health Reviews, Click here.

*Health Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Croissant Toast - A Food Review

 Anyone who knows me knows that bread is my favorite food of all. I could live on that old food punishment of only ‘bread and water’... as long as I could choose the kind of bread. 

You see, along with my love of breads, I am also somewhat a ‘bread snob’. I have certain breads I prefer, and know where I can get them. For instance, the very best French Bread is found in only three places - San Francisco, New Orleans, and, believe it or not, Houston. No other French Bread tastes as good. 

Bakery breads are my very favorite and fresh baked breads are next in line. I no longer get store-bought bread, but go to the bakery section instead. I also keep frozen bread loaves in my freezer for stormy winter days when it is not easy to get out to the stores and bakeries.

Recently, my son asked me if I liked Croissants. I assured him that I did and he told me about a new bread he had just discovered that was delicious. He brought me a loaf to try.  It’s called Croissant Toast.  The loaf he brought is made by La Boulangerie, a San Francisco bakery begun by a Frenchman, but I have since discovered that there are several other brands out there.

Croissant Toast

Croissants are a French Pastry made from puff pastry usually in a crescent shape - a buttery layered treat often served for breakfast in Europe.

Croissant Toast is a super flaky bread made with real butter in the style of croissants. It is a loaf-style bread made from yeasted pastry that has the taste and smell of a croissant but slices like bread. The flaky crust and the soft buttery interior is unbelievably delicious. It combines a favorite pastry into a loaf style bread

As toast for breakfast, it melts in your mouth.

It is absolutely fantastic when fixed as French Toast ~ fluffy and thick, and very tasty.

Summary

Croissant Toast breads are available in several different brands and found in many stores, including online at Amazon. To date, I have only tried the Croissant Toast by La Boulangerie, which was delicious, and which I highly recommend to fans of breads and croissants.  But, if you try this tasty product from other companies, come back and give me your opinion. Toast has never tasted better! 

Happy Eating!

Croissant La Boulangere Pains Au Chocolat, Chocolate Croissants, Individually Wrapped, Non GMO, Free From Artificial Flavors & Colors, Kosher d, 1.59 oz

Thomas' Croissant Bread, 13.5 oz

LA BOULANGERIE Croissant Toast, 15 OZ

Check Review This Reviews! 

For more Food Reviews and Recipe Reviews

*Croissant Toast Food Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Wild About Wildlife Month - A Holiday Review

In 1984, the International Fund for Animal Welfare named the month of July as Wild About Wildlife Month. It is a time to highlight the different kinds of wildlife around the world and encourage people to do their part in conservation efforts to protect the wildlife that is such an integral part of our ecosystem.

On December 20, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 3rd to be World Wildlife Day.  This is an Awareness Day, along with the month of July, to raise awareness about threatened and endangered plants and animals.

Wildlife Conservation Efforts

The need for conservation efforts to protect our wildlife has been a critical part of the future of our ecosystem.

In 1973, the United States passed the Endangered Species Act. In 1993, the United Nations added more than a million species to the endangered section for the first time. By 2020, the population of about 21,000 mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, and amphibians had declined by 68%. 

A species becomes classified as endangered when the total population drops to less than 250 mature individuals and shows a 50% to 70% decline in recent years.

So this Wild About Wildlife Month is a call to action.

Reasons for Wildlife Extinction and Endangerment

• habitat loss
• climate change 
• invasive species 
• overfishing and hunting

Some Recent Examples of the Benefits of Worldwide Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Ecology, Conservation, and Management

The whales of the Atlantic 

They were close to facing near-extinction due to hunting in the 1970s. Conservation efforts have brought the whale numbers back to their pre-70s state.

The beavers of England

Beavers had become extinct in the U.K. prior to 2008 until conservation efforts reversed it. 

The gorillas of Africa

The gorilla population in Africa increased from only 48 in 2010 to more than 100 in 2016.

The gray wolves of America

In 1960, there were only 300 gray wolves left in America. Conservation efforts have brought the population back to nearly 5,400 by 2010.

The tigers of India

India’s wild tiger population has seen a 33% increase since conservation efforts began in 2010.

Summary

Wildlife Conservation Decoded: How Anyone Can Unlock the Secrets of Wildlife Management and Biodiversity, Even Without a Science Background

With wildlife conservation becoming more important than ever, it’s nice to have a whole month set aside to help as a reminder for each of us to do our part. So, celebrate in whatever way suits you best all during Wild About Wildlife Month in July. 

July is Wild About Wildlife Month 

March 3rd is World Wildlife Day

For more holiday reviews, check out 

ReviewthisReviews: Holidays

*Holiday review for Wild About Wildlife Month was written by Wednesday Elf 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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