I've Been Shopping (Target & Amazon)

I've been doing a little shopping for Valentine's Day as well as just for a few other things so I thought I'd share some finds with you.
  

The dollar Spot at my local Target is hit or miss, but I did fairly well this week. I found this hot cocoa sign along with these sweet dishtowels..both around $3.00.
 

The mug was not in the dollar section but it was only $4.00.

   My oldest son is studying in Illinois and I plan on sending him some homemade treats for Valentine's Day. These tins are perfect for the goodies. Again..dollar spot find. $3.00 each.
   

We can't go to Target without picking up some snacks. These pretzels are always a favorite in my house. I always buy them around Halloween when they are shaped like bats and pumpkins. Found these cute X and O shapes that I couldn't pass up.
  

My son Mikey loves lollipops and gummies so these fit the bill. I try not to buy them often(we want to avoid cavities), but for Valentine's Day, I'll make an exception. The fact that they are organic is just an added bonus.
   

I also did a little Amazon shopping this week. I saw these bags on this blog and thought they were adorable. They make great snack or lunch bags for little ones, but I think I am going to use them to leave sweet surprise treats around the house for my boys. So cute!
 

Using a lot of plastic is always a concern for me so when I saw these recyclable bags, I ordered a box. They are self adhesive, made of glassine and aren't bad for the environment. Did I mention how cute they are? They come in different designs and are made by the lunchskins company.
  

We love hot cocoa around here, so when I read about  this snowman from Kate Weiser chocolates, I had to get it.  I bought one for the boys for Christmas, but since I shared it on my instagram page, so many people have asked about it. I'm sharing the link for anyone interested. It is a bit pricey, which is why I gave it as a special gift, but it was definitely fun and delicious. If you enjoy real,dark, rich cocoa, then you will like it .
 

Well, those are a few of my recent finds.If you are dealing with frigid temperatures,please stay safe and warm! Don't forget about elderly neighbors and outdoor animals!

Houseplants For a Healthy Home Environment

January is typically the month when my son and I start planning our spring vegetable garden. We pick out and order any seeds we might need and decide what will be planted where. Gardening is a hobby we started quite a few years ago, and it has just grown into a wonderful thing for our entire family. Along with our outdoor garden, we started purchasing a variety of houseplants as well .Today, I want to share some information about them and why having them in your home is a great idea.

   Houseplants are a wonderful way to improve your home environment. Not only do they look nice and add to the decor of a home, they serve an important purpose as well. Many plants actually improve air quality. This is extremely important during the winter months when our windows are shut throughout most of the country.  They absorb gases through both the leaves and roots, which is called phytoremediation. Without getting too scientific, they can help in the removal of some toxins from the air. Now, houseplants certainly aren't going to completely transform the air quality in your home, but they help a bit and can improve health in other ways. Caring for plants has been shown to lower stress levels, make people happier,and have a positive effect on moods overall. In fact, some studies have suggested that  that the smell of soil may ease some symptoms of depression.

   I've compiled a list of plants for you that are considered healthy for the home environment.

Golden Pothos:

Spider

Snake Plant

Philodendron

Boston Fern

Dracaena

Peace Lily

Rubber Plant

Fiddle Leaf Fern(not to be confused with fiddle head ferns)

Garden Mums

Aloe

Garden Mums are considered one of the best air purifying plants, and the Fiddle Leaf Fern is all the rage right now. These are just a few common houseplants that can easily be found at your local nursery or even on Amazon. With the exception of the Boston Fern,which can be tricky to grow, these plants do not require a tremendous amount of time or care, but can add both beauty and benefits to your home.    Many people claim they do not have a green thumb, but I promise you can grow some of these. A little care goes a long way. Don't be afraid to try ...you will be happy you did! The addition of plants to your home is a great way to start the New Year!
   

Christmas

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Maybe it is just me, but I feel as if Christmas came and went quickly this year! It was a quiet one for us, with a few visits from friends and relatives,which was very nice. Today I am sharing a little bit of our holiday and favorite goodies with you.

   Earlier in the week I went to Costco and picked up these beautiful floral arrangements.

 

 I also stopped by our favorite bakery to pick up a few things, including these bell shaped gumdrops that my boys love. I set them out with some flameless candles and candy shaped ornaments  on my new tray( a gift) from Hearth and Hand.

Christmas Eve was a day filled with baking and eating.Naturally,cookies were on the menu.I made quite a variety of treats because I was assembling platters to give as gifts.Here are a few of them..

 Wreath cookies about to go in the oven.

Peppermint sticks

A cookie board for us to nibble on.

Lights,mittens and assorted goodies.

I had to stop myself from eating these crackers from Trader Joe's while I was baking...so addictive! Fortunately, they are a seasonal item, so now I won't need any will power when I go shopping.

These seasonal themed ice-cream flavors from ecreamery were a hit in our house as well.

When it comes to giving gifts, I always try to find something fun and different and I love to give edible gifts..This year, I gave my son Timmy this gift from Butter, Love and Hardwork in Beverly Hills. It was a bit of a splurge to say the least, but he never really asks for anything and he loves all things gingerbread.It was made of chocolate and came with a mallet to smash it open. Inside were gumballs,peppermint candies and handmade truffles. He and my son Sean had fun smashing and eating it. One thing to note..when I originally ordered,I received one that was scratched and broken. When I contacted the company, they sent me another immediately . The customer service was excellent!
 

It was a nice, quiet night, filled with family,sweets and loads of gift wrapping! My only complaint was that it was over in no time at all. I hope you enjoyed your holiday as well!