Nordstrom Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas #nordstromstyling

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Nordstrom offers a wide array of Valentine’s Day gifts suitable for men and women.

Here is my top 10 gift suggestions for each:

Top 10 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Men:

1. Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneakers

A stylish and versatile sneaker choice for everyday wear.

2. Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum

A sophisticated fragrance with notes of citrus and sage.

3. Ray-Ban Highstreet Round Sunglasses

Classic sunglasses that complement various styles.

4. Cole Haan GrandPro Topspin Sneakers

Comfortable and sleek sneakers suitable for multiple occasions.

5. Hydro Flask Water Bottle

A durable and insulated bottle for hydration on the go.

6. Polo Ralph Lauren V-Neck Undershirts

High-quality undershirts for everyday comfort.

7. Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Face Wash

An invigorating cleanser to refresh the skin.

8. UGG Robinson Robe

A cozy robe for relaxation.

9. Crowley Radio C8 Turntable

A modern turntable for vinyl enthusiasts.

10. ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS Knife Block Set

A premium knife set for culinary endeavors.

Top 10 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Women:

1. Tory Burch Romy Pebble Leather Bucket Bag

A chic and functional accessory for daily use.

2. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Robe

A luxurious robe offering ultimate comfort.

3. Dior Lip Glow Oil

A nourishing lip oil that provides a natural glow.

4. Skims Fits Everybody Lace Scoop Bralette

A comfortable and stylish undergarment.

5. Kate Spade Monroe Bracelet Watch

A timeless piece that adds elegance to any outfit.

6. Ilia Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

A skincare and makeup hybrid for a radiant complexion.

7. JeW Pei Gabbi Ruched Faux Leather Hobo Bag

A trendy bag made from sustainable materials.

8. Ugg Women’s Classic Ultra Mini Boots

Cozy and fashionable boots for casual wear.

9. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer

A hydrating cream that enhances skin’s appearance.

10. Coach Shoulder Bag

A playful yet sophisticated accessory.

School Supplies for Homeschooling Families Under $10

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Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular educational choice for families around the world. With the flexibility and personalized approach, homeschooling allows parents to create tailored learning experiences for their children. Just like traditional schooling, homeschooling requires certain supplies to enhance the educational process. In this article, we will explore some essential school supplies that can greatly benefit homeschooling families. Specifically, we'll focus on the usefulness of flash cards, notebooks, tactile toys and workbooks in creating an engaging and effective learning environment.

1. Flash Cards:

Flash cards are versatile tools that make learning fun and interactive. They are compact and easy to use, making them ideal for homeschooling. Flash cards can be used in various subjects, such as math, language arts, science, and foreign languages. They help reinforce concepts, improve memory retention, and develop critical thinking skills. With vibrant visuals and concise information, flash cards engage learners and enable them to review and practice key ideas independently.

1. Math War Addition and Subtraction Game Cards

2. Alphabet Flash Cards Letter-Picture Recognition and Word-Picture Recognition

3. Go Fish Alphabet Game Cards Uppercase and Lowercase Letters

4. Scholastic Flash Cards Colors and Shapes

5. Time and Money Flash Cards 

6. 2 Pack Math Flash Cards - Addition and Subtraction Practice 

7. World of Eric Carle (TM) Spanish-English Flash Cards

8. Scholastic Flash Cards Sight Words

9. USA States and Capitals Flash Cards 

10. Scholastic Flash Cards Numbers 0 - 100

2. Notebooks:

Notebooks are essential for homeschooling families as they provide a dedicated space for students to take notes, write assignments, and document their learning journey. Having separate notebooks for different subjects helps maintain organization and makes it easier to review previous lessons. Notebooks also allow students to express their thoughts and ideas, aiding in the development of writing skills and critical thinking abilities. They serve as valuable records of a student's progress and can be used as study materials in the future.

1. Composition Notebook Video Gamer Wide-Ruled Lined Paper Journal 110 Pages

2. Unicorn Notebook and Sketchbook Journal and Notebook

3. Draw and Write Paper for Kids Blank Dotted Lined Notebooks

4. Dinosaur Composition Notebook

5. Blank Sheet Piano Music Notebook for Kids

6. Hardcover Faux Leather Notebook for Journaling

7. Scratch Art Notebooks for Kids

8. Kitten Composition Notebook 100 Pages Wide Ruled

9. Math Notebook for Kids Graph Paper

10. 4 Pack Floral Mini Spiral Notebook 

3. Tactile Toys:

While traditional school settings often incorporate hands-on activities, homeschooling families can achieve a similar experience with tactile toys. These toys engage students' senses and provide a hands-on approach to learning. Tactile toys can include building blocks, puzzles, models, and other manipulatives. They are particularly useful for subjects like math and science, where physical interactions with objects can deepen understanding and promote problem-solving skills. Tactile toys also offer a break from screen time and stimulate creativity in young learners.

1. Educational Insights Playfoam Sparkle 4 Pack

2. Giraffe Wooden Puzzle Alphabet and Number Building Blocks

3. Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case

4. Hasbro Play-Doh Sand 2-Pack Assortment 

5. LEGO Classic Creative Monsters

6. 14 Pack Colorful Galaxy Slime

7. DIY Bird House Kit for Children

8. Cat's Cradle Klutz Activity Kit

9. Paint by Sticker Kids Under the Sea

10. ArtSkills Activity Bucket Arts and Crafts

4. Workbooks:

Another essential school supply for homeschooling families is workbooks. Workbooks provide structured practice and reinforcement of concepts across various subjects. They offer a systematic approach to learning, allowing students to work through exercises, solve problems, and apply their knowledge. Workbooks come in a wide range of subjects, including math, language arts, science, social studies, and more. They provide a comprehensive curriculum resource that ensures coverage of key topics and skills. Workbooks also serve as a tangible record of progress, allowing parents and students to track their achievements and identify areas for improvement. With their structured format and interactive exercises, workbooks complement homeschooling lessons and provide a valuable tool for independent study.

1. Little Skill Seekers Early Math

2. Scholastic Perfect Poems For Teaching Phonics

3. ABC Letter Tracing Practice Workbook for Kids 

4. My First Book of Pencil Control Practice Pattern Writing

5. Little Skill Seekers Sight Word Workbook

6. How to Draw: Step-by-Step Drawings for Kids

7. Learning About Sea Animals

8. United States Coloring Book

9. My First Codes and Puzzles Workbook Crosswords Word Search Riddles and More

10. The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness

As homeschooling continues to gain popularity, having the right school supplies becomes essential for creating an effective learning environment. Flash cards, notebooks, tactile toys and workbooks are just a few examples of supplies that can greatly benefit homeschooling families. These tools enhance engagement, reinforce concepts, promote organization, and provide hands-on learning experiences. By investing in these essential school supplies, homeschooling families can foster a stimulating and enjoyable educational journey for their children, tailored to their unique needs and interests.

November 1st Celebrate the Fall with Pumpkin Spice Fudge

 

Happy November 1st! My favorite time of year is October and November. It rained today in California and it's kind of a big deal! To celebrate I made Pumpkin Spice Fudge. I love the scent that fills the house when I make it. Smells like Fall!

For my fudge there are specific brands I love to use for the ingredients. For the sugar, C&H is one of my favorites. When we drive into San Francisco we drive past the factory and the jingle from the commercials always plays in my head. Jet-Puffed is a must for the marshmallow creme. I have tried other brands and it is not the same. McCormick is a great brand for spices. They make a great pumpkin pie spice mix. I am trying to find a really good organic one, let me know if you have any recommendations. This year I am trying the Target brand Good & Gather for the pumpkin and maple syrup. My butter, not pictured, is always Land O' Lakes.

RECIPE:

3 Cups of Sugar

1 Tablespoon of pure Maple Syrup

3/4 Cup of Butter (1 1/2 Sticks)

2/3 Cup of Evaporated Milk 

1/2 Cup of Pumpkin Puree

1 1/2 Tablespoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 Cups of White Chocolate Chips 

1 jar (7 oz.) Marshmallow Creme

I always use a deep pot for candy making to prevent the hot ingredients from splashing me.

Instructions

1. Grease a pan with butter to make the fudge easier to cut out to serve. I used a 10x14 pan since I was looking for smaller pieces of fudge, if you want it thicker pour into a smaller pan.

2. Put sugar, maple syrup, evaporated milk, pumpkin, butter and pumpkin pie spice in a pot. Bring to a full boil over medium heat. Stir constantly!!! (You will burn the sugar in the fudge if you let it sit and reach a boil) When it reaches a boil, keep stirring for 5 minutes or until your candy thermometer reaches 230 degrees.

3. Take the mixture off the heat and immediately add the white chocolate chips and marshmallow creme. Stir until all the chocolate chips are melted and the marshmallow creme is incorporated. 

4. Pour the mixture into your greased pan and let cool for about 2 hours. Cut into 1 inch pieces and serve. Store in covered container in the fridge. 

After pouring the fudge into the greased pan I always scrap the inside of the pot for a warm delicious, sweet treat of the leftover fudge.

I happily bring my fudge to work for my coworkers. I love sharing my favorite fudge recipe with them. I put them into individual clear bags to make them easier to hand out to my favorite employees. They always rave about how delicious the fudge is and I love making it.

Halloween Cake Pops: Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

I have always wanted to make Cake Pops. For as long as I have been baking and making candy, I oddly have not attempted cake pops. I say attempted because these were a bit harder to do than I had expected! A big round of applause from me for the bakers that have perfected these. 

I started out with the idea of making some ghost cake pops for my family and coworkers. (My photo above, we call him the Forkey Cake Pop) My coworkers have been my taste testers for years and always give me good honest feedback. I thought mine turned out too moist, but they all agreed that the cake pops were delicious and better a moist cake than the cake pops being dry. 

I started with a basic box cake mix. I selected Betty Crocker Spice Cake Mix; I bought the super moist one that had pudding in the mix. Now I think it might be why the consistency was off. Next time I will buy a different one for cake pops. It was a delicious cake and the house smelled amazing like pumpkin pie. Follow directions on your cake mix. Mine required eggs, oil and water to be added to the box cake mix. Allow the cake to cool for 30 min to an hour after baking.

When cake is cooled you can begin the process of crumbling the cake. I started with a small container and quickly realized I needed a bigger container. (I yelled "We're gonna need a bigger boat!" my husband rolled his eyes at my ever-present movie references to all life situations LOL) Let me know if you know the movie.

After crumbling the cake into tiny pieces, I added 3 heaping dollops of cream cheese frosting to the cake crumbles. Stir in the frosting to make an even mixture of cake and frosting with a wet sand like consistency. Roll cake into 1 inch size balls. Set in fridge for 4 hours or freezer for 30 minutes. 

I opted to freeze mine for 30 min to get the Cake Pops set for dipping. I prefer to use melting wafers when dipping items for treats since it is easier to use than other chocolates. I purchased a cake pop kit from Amazon for the sticks, bags and twist ties. I also bought Candy eyeballs and Halloween sprinkles at Walmart.

I did say I like to use melting wafers since it is easier BUT that is not to say you still can't ruin them! HA! I accidently burnt the chocolate in the bowl on the right and wanted to share how it can be burned in the difference of a few seconds in the microwave. Follow the instructions for melting on the bag you purchase. Mine did not look melted but if I had stirred them while in wafer form after the set time for melting, I would have realized they were ready. Trial and error are expected when learning to make something new.

I poured out my toppings of eyeballs and Halloween sprinkles onto a plate to be ready to place on the cake pops once dipped in chocolate.

Dip the tip of your cake pop stick into your melted chocolate and insert it about halfway into the cake ball. Dip the cake ball into the chocolate. Remove and gently tap on the side of the bowl to allow excess coating to drip off. I did have some cake balls fall off into the chocolate, but I spooned them out and put them back on the stick.

So, I am going to definitely point out that I forgot a crucial item in my Cake Pop adventure. A cake pop stand to allow the chocolate coating to dry! I improvised with an oatmeal box that I poked holes in with a pencil. If using this method, I suggest removing the oatmeal packets from the box before poking holes with a pencil. How I know this, well again trial and error. HA!!

My first handsome Halloween Cake Pop made with Spice Cake and Cream Cheese frosting. Delicious!

None of my cake pops look the same but I think it made them each more special.