Lindt’s New Lindor Valentine’s Day Truffles Are a Strawberry Dream

by Shahrzad WarkentinDecember 25, 2019

If you’re already missing your holiday sweet fix, don’t fret. Valentine’s Day treats, like Lindt’s Lindor Strawberry truffles have already arrived to help.

Nothing spells love quite like strawberries and chocolate and Lindt has brought the delicious combo together for two new Lindor flavors just in time for Valentine’s Day.

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The Lindor Strawberry Dark Chocolate Truffles combine rich dark chocolate with Strawberry Creme. If you’re not a fan of dark chocolate, you might like the Strawberries and Creme flavor, which is made with white chocolate.

Both flavors are a limited edition so grab them while you can. They are currently available at Target for $4.79 each.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Target

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Costco Just Solved Your Gingerbread House Woes

by Jennifer SwartvagherDecember 10, 2019

Building a gingerbread house is not a task suited for the fainthearted. If you make the dough from scratch, it will need to be refrigerated for hours before you can manage it. Even if you decide to pick up a store-bought kit, you still need to build the structure. By the time you get the walls to stand up on their own, there is royal icing everywhere. Even then, there’s no guarantee the house won’t collapse on itself. You may even be tempted to grab your glue gun to get the job done.

Don’t fret! Costco has just released pre-built gingerbread houses as the answer to our holiday cookie woes.

These pre-built gingerbread house kits were spotted on Instagram by Costco Hidden Gems, and it seems that this is not the first time Costco had these stocked during the holiday season. They wrote, “The pre-built gingerbread houses are back at Costco! We love these and not having to deal with trying to sloppily build a stable structure!”

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The pre-built gingerbread houses are back at Costco! We love these and not having to deal with trying to sloppily build a stable structure! 👍🏻👍🏻 #costcofinds #costcohiddengems #gingerbreadhouse #costco #christmas

A post shared by Costco Hidden Gems (@costcohiddengems) on Dec 3, 2019 at 6:38pm PST

The kit includes a pre-made gingerbread house, assorted colorful candies, and a pre-made icing bag with a tip. All you need to do is pull the house out of the box and decorate. It’s that simple!

Costco does not have further information about the kit available on it’s website, but Costco Hidden Gems states that it costs $9.99. That’s cheaper than buying all the ingredients and doing it yourself, plus you are saving yourself tons of time and frustration.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured Image: Snapwire via Pexels

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The New Disney Stores at Target Are Officially Open & They’ve Got “Frozen 2” and “Star Wars” Galore

by Shahrzad WarkentinOctober 11, 2019

Target and Disney announced their new collab earlier this year and now the magical moment has finally arrived. Disney Stores are now open at select Target locations across the country.

Just in time for Triple Force Friday and Frozen Fan Fest, Disney Stores are now open at 25 Target locations. The shop-within-a-shop set-ups are situated near the toy aisles and kids’ clothing departments. They feature over 450 items, including more than 100 of which have only been available at the Disney Store until now.

These Disney Shops aren’t just a place to check off your shopping list, however. They also feature music, interactive displays and a cozy seating area where families can relax, play games and watch Disney movie clips and more. Target says they also include photo ops where you can try on Mickey’s magic hat, pose with a life-size lightsaber and wear a prince or princess crown.

In honor of the grand opening, Target rolled out some brand new Frozen 2 and Star Wars toys. Several are already on the Bullseye Top 100 Toys List, like the LEGO Star Wars Resistance Y-Wing Starfighter and Disney Frozen 2 Arendelle Castle.

These can now be found among other must-have holiday items at Target stores and online. Some of the Target Disney store exclusives include Elsa’s Black Sea Dress, Sing & Swing Olaf, Anna & Elsa Baby Dolls, as well as action figures and droids from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian among several others.

“We’ve brought the magic of Disney to Target, bringing together great merchandise amidst an experience that’s truly immersive and unique,” says Mark Tritton, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target. “Guests will be able to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love in a meaningful way, while accessing the latest and greatest Disney products, including items previously only available at Disney retail locations.”

Don’t fret if your local Target doesn’t feature one of these Disney Stores, you can still shop all the awesome merchandise online at Target.com/Disneystore and in the Target app. Customers who shop in stores or online on Oct. 5 will receive a $10 Target GiftCard with a $40 purchase of Frozen or Star Wars toys. From Oct. 6 to 12, guests spending $50 on toys at Target will save $10 and those who spend $100 will save $25.

You can check out the full list of the 25 Disney Store locations here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Trader Joe’s New Cinnamon Bun Spread Is the Perfect Condiment for Fall

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 11, 2019

The new fall products are beginning to line the shelves at Trader Joe’s, but if you’re not a fan of everything pumpkin, don’t fret. There’s a new fall flavor in town and it’s called Cinnamon Bun Spread.

The sweet, spiced flavor of a cinnamon bun is now available in a jar, thanks to Trader Joe’s. Like the magical Cookie Butter before it, this new spread is just itching to be put on anything and everything from breakfast to dessert.

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Use it as a dip for crisp fall apples or spread some on your pancakes for an extra special breakfast. Or just enjoy a spoonful after you put the kids to bed (we won’t judge). No matter how you use it, for just a little more than $3 a jar, Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Bun Spread is definitely the must-have condiment of the season.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: TheSnacksofLife via Instagram

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Vrbo Now Has a Teddy Bear Hotline & Your Worst Vacation Fears Are Over

by Shahrzad WarkentinAugust 2, 2019

In spite of all your planning, there’s one thing that can ruin a family vacation in a hurry: losing or leaving behind a favorite stuffed animal. Vrbo has come to the teddy bear rescue with the new Vrbo Teddy Bear Service.

If you’re already halfway home from your family vacation when you finally discover that Mr. Teddy (or Sir Swan or Ellie the Elephant( has gone missing, don’t fret. Thanks to Vrbo’s new teddy bear hotline all you have to do is call 1-774-VRBOTDY or email TeddyBearHotline@vrbo.com to report a lost teddy or other item of sentimental value. Vrbo will then track down the lost stuffed animal and return it to you.

photo: Marina Shatskih via Unsplash

A survey conducted by Ipsos for Vrbo revealed that 55 percent of those surveyed said stuffed animals were the most important things kids brought with them on vacation and 69 percent said their child has left a toy or stuffed animal behind while away from home. Parents also admitted to the lengths they would go to replace that lost toy. Nearly half (48 percent) said they would buy a duplicate toy and pretend it was the original.

Luckily now parents won’t have to go such great lengths if they’ve booked a stay at a vacation home with Vrbo. “We know how easily teddies can get left behind under beds, in canoes, or in a vacation home’s best hide-and-seek spot,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo travel expert. “Our goal is to make sure every teddy finds its way back home and to help kids and their families keep happy vacation memories fully intact.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Visit the Hollywood Bowl for Free (& Without the Crowds!)

by Christina Montoya FiedlerJuly 22, 2019

We’ve got the scoop on LA’s best-kept secret: free summer rehearsals at the Hollywood Bowl. Whether you’ve got a tween in middle school band or a toddler obsessed with instruments, you can take them to hear a bona fide orchestra at the city’s most iconic music venue. (And did we mention it’s free?) Plus, with little to no crowds, open seating and easy parking, it’s way less stressful than attending your typical Bowl concert. Read on for everything you need to know about summer rehearsals at the Hollywood Bowl.

Call Ahead

Matthew Field via Creative Commons

This season, Hollywood Bowl rehearsals are open to the public on Tues. and Thurs., beginning the week of Jul. 9 through mid-Sept., when you can catch the LA Philharmonic at practice from 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. Don't fret about arriving on time or making it through the full three hours (as if your kids would sit still for that long!). You're free to come and go throughout the session. Also, remember that rehearsal schedules are subject to change (and additional rehearsals may even be added), so call on Mon. to confirm days and times.

Park Wherever

Loads of free parking is another major incentive for visiting the Hollywood Bowl during rehearsal mornings. No stack parking to contend with or pricey pay lots requiring you to take a second mortgage on your house. Simply pull up and park directly behind the amphitheater and go in via the artist's entrance. Helpful Hollywood Bowl staffers are on hand to help steer you in the right direction.

Pack a Picnic

Margaret Napier via flickr

To really give kids an authentic Bowl experience, you can bring a meal and dine during the show in the box seats. As for strollers, they can be parked off to the side, but with loads of stairs, you might want to leave them at home. It's easier to carry tots with tired little legs or bring a sling for baby.

Bring Sun Protection

John M. via Yelp

Because this is LA in Jul. through Sep., you can pretty much expect the sun to be shining every day, and with little to no shade at the Bowl, you'll want to bring sunscreen, hats, plenty of water and maybe even an umbrella or two.

Use "Inside" Voices

Margaret Napier via flickr

While the LA Philharmonic happily welcomes tykes to their rehearsals, out of respect to the musicians, they ask that parents remind children to use low "inside" voices while artists are on stage (even though you are outdoors). If kiddos become disruptive, they may be asked to leave, so be sure to have this important conversation with talkative tots ahead of time.

Stay Cool

DWP

Need a break from the sun? Stop by the Hollywood Bowl Museum during your visit (another free activity). Little ones will love seeing photos, videos and more of famous performers from over the years. It takes about 20 minutes to go through the museum but you may want to stay longer to enjoy the air conditioning.

The Hollywood Bowl
2301 N. Highland Ave.
Hollywood
323-850-2000
Online: hollywoodbowl.com

–Christina Montoya Fiedler & Jennifer O’Brien

featured photo: Margaret Napier via flickr

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Chrissy Teigen Gets Real about Her Post-Pregnancy Body & It’s So Refreshing

by Erica LoopApril 1, 2019

Chrissy Teigen is one honest mama. When the supermodel—and super mama—recently tweeted about losing baby weight, things got real.

In a recent tweet Teigen asked herself, “how do you eat like this??” She followed up the self-directed question with an awesomely honest explanation: she just loves food too much. But that wasn’t the only amazing gem from her self-interview.

"how do you eat like this??" – basically I am 20 pounds heavier than I was before miles. he's 10 months old, I never lost the last bit because I just love food too much. Just coming to terms with my new normal, when I had this certain number for so long!

— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 30, 2019

Teigen reveals in the tweet that she’s 20 pounds heavier now than before she had baby Miles 10 months ago. Along with adding that she hasn’t lost the last little bit of baby weight because of her adoration for eating, she also tweeted that she’s coming to terms with her “new normal.”

This isn’t the first time Teigen has opened up about her postpartum body. Back in September, Teigen told Women’s Health, “Since I was 20 years old, I had this weight in my mind that I am, or that I’m supposed to be. I’ve been so used to that number for 10 years now. And then I started realizing it was a swimsuit-model weight. There’s a very big difference between wanting to be that kind of fit and wanting to be happy-fit.”

So if you haven’t lost the baby weight, don’t fret; we’re loving Teigen’s refreshing approach about coming to terms with your own “new normal,” whatever that looks like to you.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Chrissy Teigen via Instagram

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Amazon Is Hiring for 3,000 Remote Jobs—If You Have This Unique Skill

by Shahrzad WarkentinMarch 27, 2019

More parents have turned to remote jobs as a way to maintain a balance between parenting and work life. If you happen to be looking for a new position, then you’ll be happy to hear 3,000 work-from-home jobs at Amazon have just opened up!

Amazon recently announced that they’re hiring for 3,000 remote customer service positions across 18 states. The customer service positions typically consist of 20 to 29 hours of work per week, though that number can go up to 60 during peak shopping seasons. Associates earn $15 per hour and are eligible for a healthcare coverage plan after 90 days. There’s just one major catch—you have to be fluent in Japanese. Don’t speak Japanese? Don’t fret, there are some other great opportunities as well.

photo: Courtesy of Amazon

Amazon also has dozens of virtual job openings across the globe in other areas. Some of the current open remote positions at Amazon include Hardware Security Engineer, Senior Developer Advocate, Senior Manager Loss Prevention, Recruitment Marketing Specialist and many more. Check out the full list of Amazon’s open virtual positions here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Google’s Hotel Search Tool Can Score You Some Spring Vaycay Travel Discounts

by Erica LoopMarch 20, 2019

Spring Break is on the horizon—and you’ve still yet to book a hotel, fret not. With the newly revamped Google Hotel search, selecting a hotel stay is super-easy—and you may even save money, too!

There’s pretty much no way that you’re booking a hotel without going through Google. Before you start stressing over the overabundance of options while Google searching for the perfect hotel, Google wants to help narrow your options. All you need to do is visit Google’s search page.

photo: Davidlee770924 via Pixabay

Here’s how it works. Just type in your destination, check-in and check-out dates and number of guests. Get more specific and search by guest rating, amenities (such as free Wi-Fi, onsite fitness centers, free breakfast, pet-friendly or onsite pool) or other filters, right in the Google search bar.

If you’re vaycay budget-conscious, use the “Just deals” option to search for discounted hotel picks. Google One subscribers are also eligible for special deal alerts.

Beyond the savings, you can also get a picture of where your potential hotel is in relation to attractions and just about anything else with Google Maps. The search tool ties in to the mapping tool, making planning easier on everyone.

—Erica Loop

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Target’s New Wine Collection Is Under $10 & We’ll Toast to That

by Shahrzad WarkentinFebruary 27, 2019

As if you needed any more reasons for a Target run, break out your wine glasses and get ready to sample Target’s new wine collection—because it’s all under $10.

The Collection is the name of the new Target wine line that will be sold exclusively at your favorite retailer at just $9.99 per bottle. The new line is made entirely from California-grown grapes from Delicato Family Vineyards, a family-owned winery established in 1935 which uses sustainable and environmentally-sensitive farming practices.

photo: Courtesy of Target

The new line includes a cabernet sauvignon, red wine blend, rosé, pinot grigio and chardonnay. The colorful label features abstract pastel designs created by in-house artists at Target, inspired by the process of making wine. In addition to this new wine line, Target will also roll out four-pack cans of Wine Cube in sparkling white wine and sparkling rosé.

No alcohol at your local Target? Don’t fret. According to Food & Wine, Target will expand alcohol sales to 90 percent of its locations in 2019. The entire line hits Target stores on Mar. 3, just in time to pair with your favorite Girl Scout Cookies.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Justin Aiken via Unsplash

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