LOL Surprise dolls are all over BOTH of my children's Wish Lists this year. My kids are obsessed and love these little collectibles. They are so hard to find in stores, but Amazon has been amazing with pre-orders and stock levels! Links may be affiliate links.
The dolls are available in all sorts of packages! The Big sister dolls include outfits and accessroies and can be found in the series: Under Wraps Dolls - Series 1, Under Wraps - Series 2, and Glam Glitter. Walmart will be releasing a BLING series for the holiday and as soon as they do, I'll post in my Facebook group- along with tons of other discounts and coupons! The Pearl Surprise includes a Big sister, a lil sister and accessories. The Bigger Surprise is new this holiday season and includes wigs for the 2 dolls included!
My kids especially love the Lil Sisters. They newest Eye Spy series is our favorite! There are even a few boy characters!
Additionally, they have Pets Series, and the animals come with their accessories as well! Emmalee is asking for a Biggie Pet, which is a very large pet, that has extra surprises with it! There is also a new Interactive Pet - which is just like those interactive monkey toys that go on your finger, but with a LOL twist!
The biggest LOL item this summer will be the House! It comes with 85+ surprises! The house includes a family and so many accessories!
LOL clothing exists too! From Fur Duffle bags to Tshirts and pajamas, there is so much!
My favorite LOL item this year is the #OOTD Countdown. With more than 25 pieces and with 25 doors, it will make the most perfect countdown to Christmas calendar as well! Emma is going to be so excited when she sees how many LOL items she will be getting this holiday!
It's not always easy to have an on hand gift or to have something for your 24 cousins when you head to your grandma's for the holiday, and since I'm not made of gold, I thought these would be an adorable and easy way to gift everyone!
I had to think of a few favorite combinations but I'm always known to go for a Malibu and pineapple juice or a vodka and sprite so those were first on my list! David is a Bacardi and Diet soda fan, and who doesn't love a Jack and Coke? A few dollars at the packie and I was set to assemble!
After all is said and done, it cost me roughly $5 each, and honestly, I'd rather get this than a $5 gift card to the convenience store down the street! What other combinations would you gift?
Whenever someone asks for my Christmas wishlist, this song gets stuck in my head...
Admit you, you thought about this song too, and if not, you will now.
I honestly don't have many wishes this year, and most of what I want actually counts as stuff for the house instead of just for me, and honestly it's a true wishlist.
I'd love a new living rug, one like this or this, since the kids have destroyed the one we have over the past 3 years.
I'd love if the fence around my house actually went all the way around my house.
I'd love electric plugs in the basement.
I can't wait to tile our backsplash. I fell in love with the blue color of this glass tile, but so far it's a no go- this one might be pretty too.
I'd love a new sofa -- I'm particularly obsessed with beige 3 seat sofas but a standard Ikea Ektorp wouldn't be bad either.
I'd love a side board/server/hutch for my kitchen, that could go next to our desk. We have a great gallery wall and I'd love to have a piece to anchor and offer storage so I'm not always going down stairs for my fancier dishes, etc.
And I'm so hard to shop for clothes for. I'm so picky. However, I took advantage of great sales and just bought basically a new wardrobe-- new pants and tops and shoes! I spent under $150 for all of it so I'm happy to do it myself and get the things I love for super low prices! And did I mention I bought new slippers?! I can't wait for those to come in the mail!
I did say I'd come up with a few things I really want under my tree so... A Kendra Scott Elisa necklace. Honestly, the one I want doesn't exist but thankfully, Kendra Scott allows you to use the color bar and create your own! I'd do a Rhodium plated with either the Dichroic glass or the Emerald Kyocera Opal. Both are so gorgeous!
Taylor Swift tickets. Don't judge me. I am loving her new album. I saw her over 10 years ago and then stayed away but after Reputation, I'd love a seat as a Christmas gift! A Heat Press or the Cricut Easy Press. I've been having so much fun using my Cricut machine to make shirts for Emmalee and Tyler, but it's difficult using the iron to apply as much pressure as I need. The Easy Press is new and people seem to love it, but it's only 9" by 9". However, it's super portable and since I'm often carrying things up from my basement to the kitchen table to work-- it would be so convenient! There are so many heat presses on Amazon for around the same price (or less!), like this one, this one, and this one that have a bigger area, but I'd honestly be happy with either! An Instant Pot. It seems like everyone has one lately and honestly, I held back since I love my crockpot but so many mornings I forget to set it up and then I'm scrambling for dinner. With an Instant Pot, I could throw in frozen chicken and still have a delicious meal shortly after!
A Kitchenaide Stand Mixer, either a classic or a mini, but honestly, the classic seems to be less than the mini everywhere I look! I'd love a silver or matte grey one to go with my kitchen, but I'm not choosy! My husband bought me a stand mixer a few years back but, unfortunately, the beaters didn't go down far enough in the bowl so if I only had a couple egg whites in it that needed beating, the blade didn't reach! I had to hold the bowl up in the air and that really defeated the purpose of having a stand mixer!
A hand lettering kit. I love hand lettering and would love to actually get better at it! Kits like this one and this one (and obviously some markers to go with) would be awesome to find under the tree!
However, there are a few things that won't fit under the tree that I'd love. I'm a big fan of experiences as gifts and I'd be so excited to find out I was going to have my palm read or would be able to attend a cake decorating class (like at Michael's), or a cooking class (either fun with my friends or romantic with the husband!), or a photography or hand lettering class. There are so many on Eventbrite, I'm sure I could find something local! Honestly, a night of free babysitting so Dave and I could grab a drink would be more than enough!
I know I'm getting old since I have such a boring Christmas wishlist but I kind of love it! What are you asking for?
It's almost December which means it's almost time for Advent Calendars!
Growing up my mom always bought us the chocolate Advent calendars and I seriously looked forward to it every year!
Since having my own kids, we've continued the tradition of countdown calendars and I'm amazed by what is offered now a days! check out these great advent calendars for both kids and parents!
I was provided this toy in exchange for a review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own. Shopping for both of my kids has been ridiculously easy this year. They love all the toys that are out and I think so many of them are actually adorable and fun! Tyler has been a huge fan of Paw Patrol over the past year and it's one of those shows that I am actually okay with him loving! The characters are super cute and the show is literally based around being helpful and good to others! It was no surprise to me that much of Tyler's holiday wishlist revolves around Paw Patrol: more characters, the Ride on Quad, the Air Patroller Plane, and the Paw Patrol My Size Lookout Tower.
The Lookout Tower would absolutely be a WOW present this year. It's 3 feet tall and works with all of the other regular size Paw Patrol vehicles he already owns. Here's a quick commercial:
But let's be honest, watching our own kids play with the toys is so much better! I love that the My Size Lookout Tower is large enough for Tyler to play with his friends.
The end of the slide is the coolest- it shoots the pups in the air and into their vehicle! The rortating base allows each pup to jump into their own vehicle.
He's always all smiles when it comes to Paw Patrol!
The working elevator moves the pups up and down if needed. The My Size Lookout Tower also has lots of different buttons that activate things like lights and sounds, or the pups' signature catch phrases!
It's such a great toy and we are hoping Santa leaves it under our tree! Otherwise, you can purchase it at Amazon, Target, Toys R Us, or Walmart, as well as lots of other major stores! Let me know who you'll be picking it up for!
The LuvaBella Doll was provided in exchange for this review, however, as always all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links and I may get a commission or credits for sales when you use my affiliate/referral links. You are not required to use my links though I appreciate when you do.
If you've been watching the hot holiday toys at all, you know that Luvabella and Luvabeau are HOT this year! These interactive dolls provide hours of playtime for kids. Your kids will never get bored with Luvabella because she's constantly changing! You can cover her eyes for a game of peek-a-boo, tickle her tummy and toes to make her giggle, or place a hand on her chest to gently listen to her heartbeat. You can even hold her feet to hear her say “mama” and begin to babble! The more you play with her, the more she’ll talk! Her babble will transform into over 100 clear words and phrases! We are so lucky that one was sent to us to try out and play with!
Luvabella comes with four fun interactive accessories, including a spoon, bottle, pacifier, and Lambie toy. When she gets hungry, she’ll open her mouth and chew as she eats! Tyler loves burping her after she eats!
I will admit that at first I was a bit on the fence about the doll. The idea of a robotic, interactive doll was a bit frightening to me but the doll is actually really cute in person! I love that both my kids enjoy playing with her!
Now I'm still learning video but you absolutely have to see the doll in action to understand how fun it is! Check out our quick video and let me know your thoughts!
Luvabella dolls are sold at Amazon, Walmart, and Target, but can be super hard to find right now so if you see one, grab it! My kids love Luvabella so I'll be looking for another to add to our toy box!
Hasbro hosted it's first ever HasCon this year in Providence, Rhode Island and we were lucky enough to attend, thanks to some tickets provided by Hasbro. Emmalee was absolutely in love with the toys. We're huge Hasbro fans anyways, but we're taking a quick minute to highlight her absolute favorites from the show!
Emma has been asking for a Baby Alive for months. She loves the idea of feeding and changing the diapers! There are so many different ones, ranging from as low as $15 so they are a great toy to keep on hand for the girls in your life!
Emmalee loves Pandas and was extra excited to find a Fur Real Pet Panda at HasCon! It's an adorable little toy! Tyler preferred the bigger Tiger, aptly named Tyler!
3. My Little Ponies
There are so many new ponies! Pirate Ponies and Mer-ponies! We could have spent all morning just coloring and playing!
The Littlest Pet Shop Animals are adorable and now they are micro-sized to wear around everyday!
5. Equestria Girls Dolls
These dolls premiered at HasCon- how fun! Sadly, they won't be out until Spring but Emma is obsessed and I'm sure we'll be adding them to the rest of our MLP collection!
I was actually surprised that Emmalee loved the Doh Vinci! We recieved one a couple years ago and she tried it, got bored , and walked away. At HasCon, she would have been occupied for hours with it! It even made it's way on to her Wish List! I can't really even describe it- it's almost like PlayDoh (but it doesn't get under your fingernails!) but you use the device to use it almost like a caulking gun and then it hardens!
The Descendants quickly became a favorite of Emmalee's- she's even being Evie (the duaghter of the Evil Queen) for Halloween! I love the premise of the show, and any show that helps kids deal with their own feelings of belonging are great in my book! The detail on these dolls are gorgeous!
Such a simple toy, but always a favorite-- even when I was a kid! Check out the huge one in the background... seriously bummed they wouldn't let me have that one.
Trolls are pretty adorable already, but these mini, super soft plush toys are the cutest version of Trolls I've seen! They're the perfect size for stockings!
These dolls are seriously B.A. I love them and I love that the show gives my little girl a strong, courageous show full of strong females... not just one that starts as meek and learns to be strong, although, knowing my kid, Barbie and Rey will be swapping clothes at some point.
13. Disney Frozen Collection
This is another set that isn't actually out yet but will be soon! Even though Frozen has been around for years, with a new short coming out, the characters got an update. A few pieces are already available on Amazon, but the rest will be coming up soon!
There was so much to see, we absolutely didn't get to share it all in this post but these are a few of Emma's favorites! Which is your favorite?
Disclaimer: I was provided product to facilitate this post, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may be compensated for purchases made through these links. For more information, click here.
I've been talking about Christmas shopping a TON, especially in my savings group on Facebook, but I seriously think I'm done this year. IN addition to the normal dolls, board games, and clothes that Emmalee normally gets, I've found myself adding a new category to her toy pile: STEAM! STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics; all integral things for my little girl to be confident in doing.
Emmalee has always loved art but STEM is a new speciality in her school, right alongside music, library, and gym, and since she's started, everything has become a project. We mix food coloring in water to blend colors, we have "water discoveries" to see what sinks and floats, and build towers with obscure objects to see what we can create. I love that it pushes her brain!
Build & Imagine has lots of play sets that encourage kids to think. Each magnetic play set comes with multiple pieces at allows the kid to build and create as they want!
The Draw & Build Dollhouse comes with four dry-erase markers, one character, four dual-sided panels with wipe-off surfaces, four equilateral triangle building panels, a functioning front door, and a microfiber eraser. It is complete freedom for my girl! The first time she used the set she wanted to just stick to solid colors and patterns, but as she grows older, those pieces may become flower shops, post offices, or a grocery store.
The pieces are magnetic so they connect to each other in as many ways as your kid can imagine. Sometimes it's 4 pieces standing next to each other and some times it's a 4 sided home. One of my favorite features is that since they are stand alone pieces, Tyler can be working on one piece while Emma works on the others.
I love that the Draw & Build Dollhouse can stand alone or it can work with the other sets that Build & Imagine has like:
Emma has used it every night since we opened it and even brought it on vacation with us since it was such an easy to pack toy! I think I'm going to buy the Career Dolls next so she can start customizing her Draw & Build pieces to go with some o those amazing careers!
