Book Review: Coco Chanel

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

I want both of my children to grow up with appropriate heroes. I want my children to find inspiration in people that worked hard to achieve what they have, not that shook their booties to get attention. One person that I have always found inspiring and would like Kodabug to understand her story and what she achieved is Coco Chanel.

Coco Chanel ($14.99), by Isabel Sanchez Vegaraand Ana Albero, is part of the Little People, Big Dreams series. This book takes us through the inspiring true story of an orphan that has a dream and makes it reality. Today, Coco Chanel is a houshold name, who would have thought her story would start out the way it did.

In this new series, discover the lives of outstanding people from designers and artists to scientists. All of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. The first book follows Coco Chanel, from her early life in an orphange--where she is a genius with needle and thread--to her time as a cabaret singer, hat maker, and, eventually, international fashion designer. This inspiring and informative little biography comes with extra facts about Coco's life at the back. 

I have loved reading this book to the kids, hearing Tbomb talk about the story and seeing Kodabug's face light up at the pictures. As she grows, I'm sure we will revisit this book many times and I'm so happy to be able to show her what a truly inspiring story that Coco Chanel had.

Book Review: The Stick Book

Disclaimer: I received a book to review. All opinions are my own.

Tbomb loves to be outside. It doesn't matter if we are doing school, if he's running, bigfoot finding, riding his bike, or finding sticks to play with. When I came across this book from Quarto Knows, I knew he had to have it.

The Stick Book ($11.96), by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield is an amazing book for kids of all ages. Whether they love being outside or you want to get them outside, this book is the one to do it. It contains projects for kids with all interests.

‘A beautiful and inspiring book, bursting with practical suggestions which will appeal to every child’s imagination. Reading it, I wanted to rush out to my nearest wood immediately!’ Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo 

This book gives directions for building a den, making bows and arrows, making a sun clock, playing capture the flag, and many other projects. I think we are going to build a fairy forest from some of the ideas.

Tbomb was given a couple of bows last summer- one for practice and play, the other for actual practice. He's getting pretty good at it, so he was super excited for the bow and arrow section, as well as the slingshot since his dad is really good with one (although it worries me for his sister - ha!). He also got a teepee for his birthday (see, really an outdoors boy), so now he is on to making a teepee and bow for his sister out of sticks.

This book will be amazing entertainment and education for both kids for many years to come.

Press Release: SkyMath Launches Innovative New App To Boost Confidence And Skill Level In Elementary Kids

~New educational platform offers kids a fun, personalized math mentor 

in the palm of their hand~

December 16, 2015 – San Francisco, CA – Circumventure Learning has announced the national launch of SkyMath, a new app designed to boost math confidence and skill level in children grades K-4. Now available in the app store for all iPad devices, SkyMath allows parents to access skill level, monitor growth and celebrate the mathematic achievements of their children.

SkyMath assesses a child’s skill level through an adaptive diagnostic test to identify areas with the greatest opportunity for growth. The app then creates a personalized learning profile for each child with recommendations on educational apps to help them tackle math skills at their skill level. Once the child is confident in that skill, they return to SkyMath to re-assess their proficiency so they can move on to the tackle the next skill set.  The diagnostic test and first section of the learning profile on SkyMayth is available at no charge.  Many of the recommended apps are free, while the others cost between $0.99 and $3.99. 

“There are an overwhelming number of math apps in the App Store,” said SkyMath CEO Scott Hamilton. “As a father I wanted a tool that allows parents to assess their child’s skill level but also offers guidance from educators on what apps are most beneficial for each child’s individual skill level.”

CEO Scott Hamilton has been working to improve learning opportunities for American kids for 25 years.  He designed and for 5 years led the effort to grow KIPP (the Knowledge is Power Program) from two schools in 2000 to over 160 of the celebrated inner-city public schools.  He served as Massachusetts’ Associate Commissioner of Education and has worked with many different private schools, public schools, and learning tools.

Hamilton has worked with Teach for America alumna Kristen Cragwall to assemble a team of former math teachers, Teach For America corps members, software developers, designers and mobile game programmers to create an application that is engaging and educational to help kids excel in math. SkyMath is designed to supplement what children are already learning in school and meets high standards for math, including new state standards that are in line with the Common Core standards. 

SkyMath is available for download at: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/skymath/id973986137?mt=8

About SkyMath 

SkyMath is a new app that turns iOS devices into the most fun, most personalized math mentor imaginable. The app assesses a child’s skill level through an adaptive diagnostic test to identify areas with the greatest opportunity for growth. SkyMath then creates a personalized learning profile for each child with recommendations on educational apps to help them tackle math skills at their level. www.skymath.com

###

Product Review: EightyFive Storage Boxes

Disclaimer: I received a product in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

As I have mentioned before, I have been taking on a huge project- getting kid clutter organized. The hardest of this is all the toys! One toy box just doesn't work. They have a ton of toy sets and when they are mixed together, it creates chaos. When I was given the opportunity to review these EightyFive Storage boxes ($16.99 on Amazon), I knew they would be perfect.

They are larger than I thought, making them absolutely perfect. Not only are the colors bright and gorgeous, but the design in general is. They collapse for easy storage, have velcro closures, and handles on each side. I have found so many uses for these boxes that I might need a couple more sets! Use them for electronics, stationery, toys, clothing, accessories, crafts, and more.

• This DURABLE Storage Bin measures Small - 25x20x14cm, Medium - 30x25x10cm, Large - 34x30x19cm
• CHILD-FRIENDLY and Perfect to store and organize Art and Craft Books Toys, Makeup and more
• MINIMAL SPACE used with the Collapsible design and stores away neatly when not in need
• 100% Nonwoven polypropylene Material
• Foldable bin set comes with a cardboard base keeping cube STURDY

Thee boxes seem plenty sturdy enough, even for toys. I have actually put mega blocks in the largest. The kids have gotten so many sets of these over the years, that I was clueless as to how to store them, but this box holds almost all of them (the rest I will either store or use with school). 

Product Review: Monster Power Bank

Disclaimer: I received a product to review. All opinions are my own.

These Monster Power Banks ($29.99 on Amazon) are amazing. First of all, let me say how much I just adore the design. Being a monster (bigfoot, chupacabra, lizard man, aliens, and other cryptids), there is a certain bit of humor to me when using these on a hunt. (Don't worry, we are no kill). Each amazing design has its own myth it is designed after. The skull is Necromancer; the blue skull with braids is Whitewalker, and the awesome (mine) sea monster is Cthulhu. My husband is trying his best to steal it, but I'm holding firm! The eyes light up, adding to their creepiness, which you all know I love!

Here are some of the amazing features:

• SUPER CAPACITY:8000mAh capacity Monster power bank with Dual USB port output: 5v/1.2A and 5v/2.4A. Input 5v/1A
• Compatible with iPhone 6s,iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6 Plus, 5 5s 5c 4 4s, iPad, Samsung, htc, Nokia, Blackberry，LG, Moto and more smartphones, tablets
• MONSTER DESIGN: The realistic print of our Monsters gives the feeling that you are having a monster for real. Available in three different Monster designs, our power bank is not only with the best construction beneath, but also has the coolest interface + it comes to you with fancy pouch to keep the smooth skin of your monster unscratched.
• LIGHTING EYES: Simply shake your Monster to activate its battery indicator eyes, and you will be able to tell at a glance when it needs recharging. (Blue means fully loaded; Purple means from 70 - 30%; Red means bellow 30%; Red flashing means bellow 10%) 
• Package includes:1*Hoox 8000mAh Monster power bank, 1*USB Cable， 1*User Manual

This is definitely a product I would have purchased, even without the promotion. I am always looking for new power banks to charge my gear on the go and this design makes it a perfect choice. You may wonder why I use so many, but I promise I do not go through phone juice that bad. When I am on an investigation, I am using apps on my phone and tablet, causing the juice to run out faster. I also use a GoPro Hero3, night vision camcorder, digital audio recorder, Bushnell Equinox Z Night Vision Binocular, and other gear that can charge via USB. I also have several things that use traditional batteries but have a USB battery charger and GoPro USB charger. So, with this handy device, I can charge it all even when I am out in the middle of nowhere, with no access to power!

Removing Biological Hazards from Your House

Black mold brings with it a host of dangers. It can cause allergic reactions to one's skins and eyes. It can also cause respiratory problems in the healthiest of people but especially in people who suffer from asthma, COPD, and other breathing illnesses. If you see black mold growing in your bathroom, kitchen, bathroom, attic, or elsewhere in your house, it is not advised that you try to remove it yourself. Rather, you can click here to learn how to hire professional services that will remove this threat permanently from your home.

Scheduling the Initial Visit

The primary step in determining how the mold can be removed involves scheduling an initial visit to your home. You can contact the service online and set up a time for the company to come to your home and do a thorough inspection.

Once the contractors examine the mold problem, they can then devise a plan of action to remove it safely and effectively. However, before this plan can be drawn up, the contractors must determine what is causing it to grow and what can be done to make sure it does not come back. The options available for your own individualized plan can vary.

Mold Removal Options

One of the ways that mold can be removed involves cleaning out the air ducts in your home. Mold that grows in the vents can pose a particular danger because the mold spores are blown out in the air. When they are in the air, the spores could then be inhaled by the home's inhabitants, causing them to become very ill.

Another method of removing the mold from your home involves painting over it with mold-killing paint. The paint kills the spores and prevents them from regrowing. This option can be a solution for treating bathrooms that have no windows or ventilation systems needed to control the moisture in the room.

Professional Service

It is important for you to realize that it may take professional services to remove the mold. If you try to do it yourself, you could breathe the spores in and get sick.

You also may inadvertently spread them to other parts of the home. Rather than risk mold overtaking your home, you may find it better to hire professional mold remediation services.


Mold can make you and your family ill. You can remove it for good with professional help.