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Powered ways to stay warm this winter!

11/17/2022

I've got the latest and greatest tech to keep you warm this winter - we're talking battery operated heated vests + jackets, rechargeable hand warmers, electric heated comforter + mattress pad, space heaters, electric fireplace, even a heated foot massager... LET'S GO!

Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by iHood and contains affiliate links, through which I earn commission from purchases made after clicking.

iHood Heated Vest + Jacket

iHood Heated Vest
I was sent iHood's lightweight heated vest to review and it's amazing (watch my full demo here)!! They make one with a detachable hood as well, but this one is without, just a cute puffer vest with 2 hidden zippered pockets on the outside, and 2 on the inside, with one of them holding the hookup for the 7V lithium battery it comes with. Charge the battery and it'll warm up your vest for hours!! You can control the heat right from the button on your chest - so convenient, and toasty warm with heating elements on the stomach, back, and neck. Water and wind resistant, and machine washable to boot! The vest is so flexible cuz you can layer under and over it as needed, keep your core warm and have full range of motion of your arms, which is great for horseback riders and other outdoor enthusiasts. Shop iHoodwarm.com (affiliate link) or Amazon (links follow):

Buy the women's version without a hood here:

Buy the detachable hood model vest here, for men and women:

iHood Heated Jacket

iHood also makes a heated jacket which has independently controlled stomach, back, and neck heated zones with a 12V battery (which can also charge your phone) that inserts into an inner pocket and is controlled with the button on the chest! It's made of waterproof, windproof, scratch proof material, the hood and neck are fleece lined and so cozy! It has a million zippered pockets (8 outside, 2 inside to be exact), and a huge hood with a long brim you can fold back or extend out to keep rain and snow off your face, or cinch closed to keep the wind out. Watch my full demo video here and get $20 off iHood heated jacket on ihoodwarm.com (affiliate link) or buy one on Amazon here:

JINHODY Rechargeable Hand Warmers
Charge them up and turn them on to act as hand warmers in your pockets. You can even charge your phone with them - WIN WIN! These are versatile, cute (coming in pink, green, or black), and a must have this winter! Watch my full demo here and buy a set here (affiliate link):

Sealy Electric Heated Mattress Pad
Getting into a chilly bed in winter is the worst, am I right?! We are LOVING this Sealy electric mattress pad - not only does it warm up your bed for you but it's DUAL SIDED, so you can each control your side to the perfect temp (my husband doesn't usually use his, but I keep mine toasty from fall through spring, so it's perfect for us!!!). It also has a timer so you can keep it on all night or have it turn off after a couple of hours. Watch my full demo here, and buy it here (affiliate link):

ZONLI Electric Heated Blanket
This is a great electric blanket, whether you use it on the sofa, over your legs while working at your desk, as a bed comforter, or all of the above!! It's plush and cozy and SO WARM!
Watch my full demo here, and buy it here (affiliate link):

Feculs Space Heater
It heats up super fast, use the controls on the heater or on the remote! Have it on high or low or set a temperature for it to maintain. It has a timer, and tip over safety mechanism to cut off power. You can even use it without heat as a fan! It's so great for small spaces - heat up your feet under your desk or your bathroom so you're toasty warm before and after your shower! Watch my full demo here and buy it here (affiliate link):

Star Patio Tabletop Heater
No gas required - just assemble, put on top of your patio table, plug in and poof - warm hands and faces all around!! I love this Star Patio Tabletop Heater, they also make taller versions!
Watch my assembly + demo video here, and buy it here (affiliate link):

Cloud Massage Shiatsu Heated Foot Massager
I literally use this at least 5 times a year, without heat in summer, and with heat the rest of the year. No joke, it has permanent residence under my desk. I love it love it love it!!!!
Watch my assembly + demo video here, and buy it here (Thrasio / Amazon affiliate link):

Rintuf Electric Fireplace
If you don't have a traditional fireplace, or you just don't want to mess with wood or gas, then you need this electric fireplace!! Looks cool and keeps you warm! Review coming soon (will add here when published), buy it here (affiliate link):

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Brooklyn Family Vacation: Top Things to Do

11/11/2022

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Guest post provided by Bounce - instantly find locations nearby to drop off your luggage wherever you go!

At the western end of Long Island, Brooklyn is a fantastic place for a family trip with all of the beaches and parks in the borough. It may be small, but it has the most people in the state of New York with over 2.6 million residents. Everyone has heard of the Brooklyn Bridge, but there is a lot more to Brooklyn than that.

Brooklyn has over 30 museums with a children’s museum, toy museum, and museum of food and drink that kids of all ages will love. And just a quick train, bus, or Uber ride away, you cannot forget the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty! But you cannot bring your luggage, so drop it off at a Brooklyn luggage storage facility before starting to explore.

Museums

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

What other kind of museum would kids be so excited to see? Well, BCM is one of the best for kids because it has so many fun activities for kids of all ages. It was founded in 1899 and was the first children’s museum in the US. Kids (and adults) learn to make milk carton boats, coffee filter oysters, and much more.

Toy Museum

Located on the second floor of St. Ann & Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights, The Toy Museum of NY is the only one in the world that puts on live performances. They also have a collection of really cool toys like rare dolls, the original Frisbee, Mr. Potato Head, Easy-Bake Oven, Howdy Doody, and thousands more.

Museum of Illusions

Let your mind play tricks on you at the Museum of Illusions in lower Manhattan. Your eyes tell you one thing, and your brain tells you something else. This mind-boggling place has over 70 exhibits from optical illusions to holograms and the kaleidoscope to the rotating room. This is also a great place to get some unique souvenirs.

Museum of Food & Drinks

Also known as MOFAD, you and the kids can learn a plethora of fun things about the food and drinks we enjoy every day and some of the ones we really don’t want to. These exhibits help you learn through smell, touch, and taste to experience other cultures and the variety of foods and drinks we all consume.

Theme Parks

Coney Island

Coney Island is on the tip of Long Island, which is actually a peninsula. It is several amusement parks in one, with Luna Park being the largest. In fact, they have more than 30 rides from the toddler’s tea party to the thrilling Coney Island Cyclone. And 15+ games like Fried Frogs, Whack a Mole, and Stinky Feet.

Fantasy Forest at Flushing Meadows Park

For the smaller kids and parents who do not want to walk 20 miles through a huge park, Fantasy Forest in Queens is a small but fun park with eight rides and a bunch of games. They also have live shows, carnival food, and gift shops where you can get some cool souvenirs. And the unique carousel from 1964 is perfect for group selfies.

Nickelodeon Universe

Although it’s actually in New Jersey, Nickelodeon Universe is only 15 miles from Brooklyn. This indoor fun park has rides, games, and other attractions like the Angry Birds mini golf, the Mirror Maze, Sea Life Aquarium, Ren & Stimpy’s Space Madness, and Spongebob’s Jellyfish Jam. They even have an indoor water park.

Victorian Gardens Amusement Park

This park is not as huge as Nickelodeon or Coney Island but is bigger than Fantasy Forest. Victoria Gardens, in Manhattan's Central Park, has 12 rides with most of them geared toward toddlers to tweens. Take a ride on the Mini Mouse coaster, race each other in the Grand Prix, or fly high on the Aeromax. They also have several games where you can win prizes.

Attractions

Madame Tussauds

Known as the best wax museum in the world, Madame Tussauds has locations from NYC to London. This is the selfie spot for everyone where you can get shots with actors like Julia Roberts, Leo DiCaprio, and Angelina Jolie or musicians like Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift. And the kids will love Iron Man, ET, and the Hulk.

Brooklyn Bridge

This iconic bridge opened in 1883 and it was the longest suspension bridge in the world spanning over 1,500 feet. Take a walk or ride bikes through the middle of the bridge on the elevated walkway. It stands about 18 feet over the car lanes where you can get some amazing views of the city and some fantastic selfies.

Empire State Building

The most recognized building in the world, the Empire State Building in central Manhattan is over 1,450 feet tall and is known for its role in video games, TV shows, books, and films. Go see King Kong on the second floor where you can hear him growl and feel the vibrations from his giant paws. Or go up to the 102nd floor for a stunning view.

Statue of Liberty

Another well-known icon, you can visit the Statue of Liberty by taking a ferry to Liberty Island. Go visit the museum and theater before heading up to the pedestal or crown for a unique view of the city. The 305-foot statue was a gift from the French in 1885 to commemorate the relationship between the US and France.

Animal Fun

Prospect Park Zoo

With 12 acres and 864 animals, Brooklyn's Prospect Park Zoo may not be the largest, but it is nonetheless a fantastic way to spend the day learning about the wildlife and how they touch our lives. They have three buildings including the World of Animals, Animal Lifestyles, and Animals in Our Lives.

Central Park Zoo

Even smaller than Prospect Park, Central Park Zoo in central Manhattan has 6.5 acres with 1,487 animals in 163 species. The main zoo has three areas including the polar, temperate, and tropical. The granite buildings are covered in vines and they surround the square sea lion pool. See pythons, foxes, lemurs, leopards, monkeys, and more.

Queens Zoo

In Flushing Meadows Park, the Queens Zoo features hundreds of animals on 18 acres. They have an aviary full of birds, a section of domestic animals like sheep, cows, and rabbits, the sea lion pool with a bunch of these funny water creatures, and the animal trail section has pumas, bears, lynx, bison, and coyotes.

Bronx Zoo

The largest zoo in New York, the Bronx Zoo boasts 265 acres with more than 4,000 animals in 650 species. Their exhibits include the Congo Gorillas, Jungle World, Wild Asia, Madagascar, Tiger Mountain, African Plains, World of Reptiles, and the World of Birds. Don’t forget to grab some cool souvenirs before you go.

Between all these visits, you have to stop and eat. Shake Shack is a favorite for families with locations throughout Brooklyn and New York City. Stage Door Deli and Pizzeria in lower Manhattan has sandwiches, pizza, and all kinds of other yummy foods. And for dessert, go to Laboratorio del Gelato in NYC's Lower East Side (or New JerseY) where they have 15 kinds of chocolate and 40 flavors of fruit gelato.

To further plan your visit (or staycation if you're a NYC local), check out some of these great resources:

Our Brooklyn Borough Guide and "Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from NYC"
Brooklyn-USA.org
Brooklyn Guide
NYC Go
Trekaroo
Mommy Poppins

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Powered ways to stay warm this winter!

Brooklyn Family Vacation: Top Things to Do

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