In today's edition of cool toys I never had as a kid, I'm featuring the Stortz AirPuck. At just $25, this AirPuck can provide fun for hours, with no equipment needed -- other than the puck itself. Once you set it up with 4 AA batteries (not included) and power the puck, it hovers across the room (which is why it's tricky to take a photo) and ricochets off corners and objects.

Pass it back and forth, for a really simple, and unique game of floor hockey sans sticks. And the outside ring of the puck is padded, so it won't damage your coffee table or sofa. Want some extra fun? Turn off the lights and watch as the AirPuck lights up the area in the dark.

AirPucks are available in every NHL team, and while you only need one to play, playing with more than one is just added fun! AirPucks are available at most major toy stores and will certainly be a welcomed gift this Christmas.

Disclaimer: This stuff is FUN. It's not messy, stinky and yet, very addictive. I actually played with it for over an hour, pulling it apart and squishing it in my hands -- it was very therapeutic.

In addition to solo putties, you can also buy various kits, including Glow in the Dark options, and make your own colour options. And if you don't want to give it to your kids, that's ok, too.

Crazy Aaron's is designed for kids of various ages, but I would argue it's a fun activity for just about everyone -- keeps your hands busy and it's a little dose of that old-school fun we often think back to.

Crazy Aaron's is available on Amazon and there's still tons of time to order in time for the holidays. Stay tuned tomorrow for more cool toys, games and ideas as we countdown to Christmas!

Do you do stocking stuffers? What do you put in them?

When I was a kid, Santa or my parents didn't fill my stocking, but La Befana (an older Italian lady) would put stuff inside after Christmas on the epiphany. We didn't really carry on that tradition with our kids (it's kind of difficult to explain LOL), but we do add a few trinkets in the stockings to open on Christmas morning, from mommy and daddy.

For me, a good formula for stocking stuffers is this: something practical (socks, underwear), something stimulating (book, magazine) and something fun (makeup, jewellery, toys).

As a continuation to Hump Day with Hasbro, I wanted to feature a few tiny toys that would make excellent stocking stuffers:

Lost Kitties: Lost Kitties are collectable surprise little kittens that are buried inside a colourful compound dough. Dig in and reveal which character you get and keep collecting. My kids love teeny tiny collectables, so this is RIGHT up their alley.

Lock Stars: Another novelty toy, lock stars remind me of the plastic soothers we used to collect as kids/teens. You can attach the lock to your bag or keychain, hide a small item in the centre pouch and stack as many locks as you want. Lock Stars aren't really true locks, but they do come with tiny keys to lock and unlock.

Yellies: I don't know whether to love or be freaked out by Yellies. They are small, handheld, furry spiders. Think a tarantula with a cute face and colourful body. What's really cool about Yellies, though, is that they don't yell at all; rather, they move to voice activations and noise. And when you stop talking, they stop moving.

All these stocking stuffers and many, many more Hasbro toys are available at most major toy stores and online.

Motorization appealed to me for many reasons: firstly, this particular shade is in the kitchen, over the sink. Motorization meant I could just hit a button and the shade would go up or down. You can also program stop-points so your shade always stops at the same mark. Secondly, in case you didn't notice, I'm short. I wanted to make sure I could comfortably open and shut the blinds, without having to grab a chair every single time. Thirdly, the functionality and versatility of the motorization are pretty neat. If and when we upgrade other windows to these blinds, we can sync and connect the windows so they open and shut at the same time, or you can even program them to open when you wake and close when you're not home or asleep.  You can also purchase a wifi connector, and then the motorization feature will sync with Alexa. Fancy.

Sometimes, when you add something new to your home, there is an adjustment or "getting used to it" period. We didn't experience this at all. It's been about a month since we installed these shades and we haven't encountered an issue.

I like that they provide privacy (although not blackout) when they are fully shut, and still allow lots of light when they are partially open or halfway open. I can still open them all the way, too, if I want to let in as much light as possible.

Oh, and did I mention affordable? Without the motorization, this blind (in this size) would be about $120. With the motorization feature, it's about $500. (Tip: you don't need to motorize every window) Every window is different so the cost will vary with size and material. If you're not a fan of Zebra shades, there are also Roller and Triple Sheer Shades available.











Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All opinions on my blog are my own.

We are so very fortunate, in the Greater Toronto Area, to have access to local theatre. What does that mean? It means we have the opportunity to visit and support dance troupes, travelling shows, take in concerts, speakers and orchestras close to home, in an intimate environment.



As a child, I loved going to the theatre, and my parents made a point of exposing my sister and I to all sorts of productions: concerts, plays and musicals. To this day, I have fond memories of seeing Sharon, Lois & Bram and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat on stage. And as a dancer, I had the chance to stand centre stage every single year. It's a feeling like no other.

The Living Arts Centre in Mississauga wants to remind everyone to visit the theatre. With literally hundreds of performances in their calendar, you can enjoy everything from cultural showcases, to kids performances and more.

The theatre is also home to the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra; if you love holiday music, the brilliant voices of the Mississauga Festival Chamber Choir have two feature concerts before Christmas. For many programs, student, senior and child rates are also available.








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It's a great time to get some Christmas gifts, too, as they have merchandise for men, women and children and returns are allowed through to January.





And once again, thank you.