Huggies Clutch N' Clean Launch Event

During a lovely breakfast with other bloggers and editors at the David Burke Kitchen on Grand St. in NYC, Mom Trends gave us a sneak peek at the new HUGGIES Clutch ‘n’ Clean Wipes before they hit shelves.  

Both functional and fashionable, these wipes come in three spring fashions and features a yellow handle and gorgeous prints such as color-blocking dots, stripes and florals. The wipe/clutch is refillable and easily opens up so you can place your wipes for a quick way to grab-and-go whenever you are out and about with your baby or child. I also like that it's nice and light instead of those hard plastic to-go containers. 

Here are some lovely mom models & bloggers, pairing a Clutch n' Clean with their own fashionable style:

I can see this coming in handy for outings where you don't want to take the whole diaper bag 

The fashionable HUGGIES Clutch ‘n’ Clean Wipes will be available in March – starting at $3.99 per clutch. And the Huggies rep hinted that their might be new fashions released in the Fall, thus a clutch for each season.

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Amoda Tea Box Subscription

I love/am addicted to monthly subscription boxes already (Graze, PopSugar and Citrus Lane), so when I heard about the Amoda Tea monthly tea tasting box delivered to your door, I couldn't type fast enough to sign-up.

Amoda searches for premium tea importers and artisan tea blenders from around the globe. Their tea tasters try each one and select the three most outstanding of the bunch to be included in each month's Tasting Box. You receive 3 different teas in each box, enough to make 5-7 cups of each. There might be a monthly theme, but there will always be a great variety to help you better explore the world of tea. You also get a steeping guide, tasting notes and stories that make each tea and its blender special.

Best of all, it's reasonably priced at only $12/month, including shipping! However, I have a special reader coupon for $6 off - half price- your first month. Coupon code: teawithtara valid for one week only. You can cancel anytime too. The cutoff for March's tea box is actually tomorrow, Feb. 25th, otherwise you have to wait to receive the April box.

Here is Amoda Tea's February's Box featuring Verdant Tea blends:

I especially liked the Master Han's 2013 Sheng Pu-er tea, which can be steeped several times. Unlike other Pu-er's this one was much smoother. I also liked the included story about how the Verdant owners bought a brick of tea on their wedding day and drink a cup every year on their anniversary, so sweet and perfect for a Valentine's themed box.

Right now they do not have the option to customize what kind of teas you'd like to recieve, but they said they might build up to that. Personally, I'd love a Green Tea or Oolong-only option with fun flavors. For now, they try to find three different teas that are a wide variety. There's always a caffeine free tea in the box though. You have to like flavored teas though! Finding the best all-natural flavored, scented or blended teas is their specialty.

Disclosure: While I received my first box free in exchange for my honest review, I am continuing the subscription plan at my own expense. :)

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New Toy Preview: The Happy's

During a media breakfast in conjunction with the New York Toy Fair, I got a sneak peek of the newest line from Cepia, the makers of Zhu Zhu Pets.

Meet The Happy’s, the amazingly adorable interactive motorized plush pets. The Happy’s are the only line of interactive puppy and kitty special feature plush pets that play, can be trained to perform tricks and make 25+ silly sounds. Hold the included Happy’s treat and they’ll come running. Each treat prompts your pet to perform a different trick like beg, pounce, follow, chase tail or spin. Their is also a ball accessory that the toys will chase and follow too. Take a look at the Vine I captured from the preview:

During the preview The Happy's kept coming up to my feet like real pets, it was cute. They are also super soft feeling, more so than I thought they'd be. Best of all, the line includes cats for a change and not just puppy pets. I also can't help, but think my cats would like this toy too, not just my twins.

The Happy’s pets, playsets, and accessories range in price from $5.99-$24.99, boys and girls ages 4+. The Happy's hits shelves this Easter.

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Happy Valentine's Day!

 

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Restaurant Review: Ken & Cook NYC dining

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ken & Cook on 19 Kenmare St. courtesy of sponsors Peroni and Rekorderling Cider. Located in the Nolita area of Manhattan, this cozy and chic gem has an intimate brassiere setting with a beautifully stocked bar and delicious seafood.

The restaurant just launched a new menu from their brand new chef, Chef Hido. I started off our extravagant meal with some raw oysters that were delicious. Their oysters are also offered during their happy hour specials.

We followed up with a new appetizer on the menu a Salmon Avocado Tartar. I had never had anything like this. I'm used to Tuna Tartar, not salmon and it was wonderfully creamy and equally refreshing. Just look at the pretty presentation too:

For a main entree, I chose the new Bouillabaisse with wild shrimp, squid, mussels in the shell, branzino and basmati. It was decadent. It's a very generous portion, so much so that I could barely make a dent into it, despite my best efforts.

If you're looking for a romantic night out in NYC or an elegant dinner with friends, I'd definitely recommend Ken & Cook. They are also participating in NYC Restaurant Week from Feb 17 - March 7, so make you reservation now!

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My Boys Test out the Playskool Roctivity Set

I was not paid and did NOT receive a sample to do this review. I simply think this toy is a great value and I had fun seeing my boys play with it.

While I was browsing the "Sale" section of Babies R' Us website I saw that the Playskool Rocktivity Sit, Crawl and Stand Band Activity Arch was on sale from $89.99 to $34 so I quickly purchased it online.

The set arrived weeks ago, but I chose to store it away for a rainy day, or rather a snowy day as the case may be. So, while snowed in and outnumbered by my stir crazy duo, I brought down the box from our attic. It was truly a life saver. The boys were entertained until bedtime and have been playing and dancing with it all week. Just take a look at them go:

I also like that the music is bearable for mom and even includes tunes from Jackson 5 and JLo, finally no more Old McDonald. I easily assembled the arch myself, which made me feel accomplished since I'm not typically handy and I didn't have to ask their dad to help. I'm a writer not a builder :)

My boys also love playing with a similar activity center, the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Home Playset, however, it's much more money at $89.99. 

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ZHENA’S Slim Me Diet Detox Tea

ZHENA’s Tea, which is known for its line of organic teas and herbal infusions (Gypsy Tea) has just launched its NEW 100% natural wellness tea called Extra Strength Slim Me Tea. Absolutely delicious, Extra Strength Slim Me Tea has been carefully formulated to promote natural weight loss using powerful weight loss herbs.
Replacing sugary drinks with tea is one of the easiest and safest ways to monitor weight gain and drinking tea (non-herbal) is also linked to increased metabolism, boosting energy and suppressing appetite. Having read this and blogged about the Diet of Tea, I already drink tea every day (green, black or oolong) for those reasons and it works, but Slim Me has 10 additional ingredients in every cup renowned for weight loss such as Raspberry Ketone, Green Coffee Extract, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit and African Mango Seed. Who knew?

ZHENA'S Slim Me Tea is especially unique for a few different reasons:
• Can be served as a hot or iced-cold brew.
• Helps increase metabolism and energy levels without the jitters of caffeine.
• Promotes healthy digestion assimilation and elimination.
• Helps suppress appetite.
• Does not require any dramatic diet or lifestyle changes.
• Detoxes and cleanses the body. 

I was skeptical of replacing my favorite loose leaf teas with Slim Me, but it actually tastes good and still makes me feel just satisfied and peppy as my other teas. As their label claims, I found this tea also aided my digestion better.

It's recommended to have a cup before each meal. You can also simply throw the long lasting hemp bag in your water bottle and sip throughout the day or in your travel tea mug while you’re on the go. It also comes in four delicious flavors: Raspberry Mint, Cranberry Ginger, Peach Vanilla and Superfruit Mixed Berry. The Peach Vanilla flavor is my favorite of the four. Each ZHENA’S Slim Me Tea tin contains 30 tea bags and retails for $9.99. You can also re-use the tin after to store more tea too. The tea is now available at Rite Aid Stores nationwide or online at www.ZHENAS.com.

You can win a one-month supply of the Slim Me line which includes all four flavors, simply enter the giveaway below. Good luck!a Rafflecopter giveaway

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