Guinness World Records Books . . . Easy Gift Ideas for Kids, Teens & Adults (Gamers Included!)

Thank you to Guinness World Records for providing a copy of Guinness World Records 2016 and Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer's Edition for this review.  All opinions expressed are our own.

Guinness World Records is a company that makes annual record books that have exciting records and amazing pictures. Each year, they release a new book with hundreds of new records. Since the Guinness World Records book is produced annually, it is also great for people who like to collect things. It is the ultimate gift idea for the holidays!

Also, there is the Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer’s Edition that is completely filled with records about amazing gaming feats, like finishing a game on hard mode in fourteen minutes, or scoring 321 goals in FIFA soccer. This is a great gift for gamers of all levels, with gaming records about Fallout, Minecraft, Call of Duty, and much more.

Personally, my favorite record from the Guinness World Records 2016 book is the ‘Most Layers in a Sandwich’ with 40 awesome layers of bacon, fluff, and peanut butter. My favorite record from the Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer’s Edition is highest score on Fruit Ninja’s zen mode because I feel that I can beat that record.

As you can see, these records are interesting, awesome, and sometimes funny. I would recommend these extremely awesome books for people ages 7 to 200.  To see more amazing world records, visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com!

Have you read one or both of these books?  Share your favorite records with us on Facebook!

Home Decor Gifts for Everyone On Your Shopping List from Zazzle

Thank you to Zazzle for providing a sample round pouf for us to base this review upon and for providing a gift certificate for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Over the years, Zazzle has grown significantly as far as the types of custom products they offer.  Take their home decor selection, for example.  You may expect to see throws, pillows, mugs, and tree ornaments when you visit their site, but you will find so much more.  Upon visiting Zazzle.com recently, I was delighted to find lamps, cutting boards, serving trays, plates, bowls, tree skirts, Christmas stockings, and even wrapping paper!  Of all the wonderful home furnishings items I had discovered, the poufs were my favorite of all.

When I first saw the Luck & Longevity Round Pouf, I knew it would be perfect for our home.  I love the Asian flair and it was an easy way to add another seat in our living room without adding a large piece of furniture.  Of course, you would need to find the right pouf for you.  With currently 43,513 cube and round poufs to choose from and the ability to customize your item, I don't foresee a problem with finding exactly what you need.  There are styles that are suitable for nurseries, dorm rooms, mancaves, and everything in between.  Many styles can be personalized with a name or a monogram, whether your are choosing a trendy chevron pouf or one that's in your favorite team colors.

If you truly cannot find exactly what you're looking for, then you always have the option to design your own pouf by uploading your own images for the top and sides.  I always thought it would be cool to create a mosaic image using photos of my children, my husband, and myself from different stages of our lives.  What design would you put on a custom square or round pouf?

To view all the home decor items available, visit www.Zazzle.com, where you could finish almost all your holiday shopping in just one stop!  Be sure to sign up for the Zazzle newsletter to stay in the know about special offers and Zazzle promo codes during the holiday season and throughout the year.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Give the Gift of Music This Holiday with the SOL Republic PUNK Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

Thank you to SOL Republic for providing a PUNK wireless speaker sample for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I have been privileged to have reviewed so many SOL Republic products over the last couple of years. I am always excited to see and test the next one. So far every SOL Republic product I have tested has received an outstanding review from me and I would be lying if I said I was not partial to their products, but frankly they have earned that bias from me. SOL Republic makes great personal audio electronics and their pricing is always better than the competitor for comparable items. However I always try to find at least one imperfection when I do a review for them. I am not always successful….

I received the SOL Republic PUNK Bluetooth speaker in black for review. And as always, I was excited to get it as I love my DECK and wanted to see how a smaller speaker compares. The basic rule of thumb with speakers is that bigger is almost always better. Could the PUNK sound as nice as my larger DECK?

I wont keep you in suspense: The DECK has a bigger and richer sound, but wowee the PUNK wireless speaker sounds extremely good for a 3-1/2" speaker and I was impressed. It boggles my mind how much sound SOL Republic can jam into a speaker that can fit into your palm.

The bass is better than I would expect from such a small form factor (SOL Republic signature bass) and the rest of the range was pleasantly complete. At max volume there was no cracking or static. This is no quickie-mart-as-seen-on-TV speaker that I see everywhere. I tested a few different genre’s of music to hear a variety of sounds as well as some video to really test the PUNK. It all sounded fantastic.

The PUNK is also water and dust resistant, something that even my DECK can't do! The exterior is rubbery and soft offering some light shock resistance and toughness. The PUNK is so tough, it doesn't come with a case like its peer does. Just grab and go.

You can plug the PUNK into analog and USB ports for wired audio and charging. Not that you need to plug it in for audio, the Bluetooth connection was as easy to set up as can be and the range is superb. Although I have yet to prove if the PUNK can go for 8 hours on a charge, I hardly doubt it as my DECK can play all day long. SOL Republic knows how to do wireless batteries!

Are there better sounding Bluetooth speakers out there? Sure. But not one as small as the PUNK and certainly not as inexpensive. I also bet none are as tough as the PUNK or can get wet and keep playing.  The PUNK is truly designed to just grab, throw in a bag or big pocket, and go. With the punk you can have quality music anywhere you go.

And guess what? I don't have a single negative thing to say about the PUNK. I failed to find my obligatory imperfection. At $69.99 you simply cannot go wrong with this speaker. It's tough and easy to use, perfect for teenagers, college students, and anybody who needs great sound that's easy to take with you.

The SOL Republic PUNK wireless speaker comes in 7 colors.  To see them all or to learn more about this compact Bluetooth speaker, visit www.SOLRepbulic.com.

CYBER WEEKEND SPECIAL:  Order a PUNK speaker and get a pair of JAX in-ear headphones for FREE. (Valid thru December 1st, 2014 @ 11:59p Pacific Time.)  Also, $1 from every order over $50 from the SOL Republic website will be donated to the Children's Cancer Association.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Although every effort will be made for the winner to receive the prize by December 24th, 2014, delivery in time for Christmas is not guaranteed. The color of the prize to be sent will be based on availability.

Tech Tip: Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores + Zact Offers Nationwide Coverage with No Contract

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.  All opinions expressed our my own.

With more and more people dropping standard landline phone service and relying on their mobile phones, the need for inexpensive and easy to manage options is increasing. Fortunately there are more options than ever for mobile service providers and plans. Traditionally there were just two options for us to choose from: Contract or prepaid plans. But in the last year or so, another option is growing in availability, the no contract or pay as you go plan.

Although there are a few providers offering no contract mobile phone plans, there is one company that that offers all of the benefits of a contract plan and a great deal more. Zact Mobile, available offline exclusively at Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores, is a no contract phone plan that uses the extensive Sprint network.

With Zact Mobile, you only pay for what you use, all unused money is credited towards your next months service. Not only do you get to roll over any unspent money into the next month, you can tune your services by choosing options a la carte right from your phone further maximizing your money. In fact, the average bill from Zact Mobile is just $22! Zact mobile offers a fully customizable mobile experience to get the most from your device for the very least amount of money.

Any of Zact Mobile's plans are shareable, so you and your family can share the data and minutes for maximum convenience. Providing a phone for each member of your family could not be any easier. With Zact you can not only manage all of your services right from your phone, you can also manage parental controls for any younger users of the service. Parents can set talk, text, and data limits as well as set curfews, block contacts, and control what apps are allowed. I am pretty sure my contract plan does not allow me to do any of that from my smartphone.

You can checkout Zact Mobile phones and plans at any of the 414 Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores across the United States.  Find the store nearest you using their website, www.BestBuyMobile.com. You can also see an excellent video HERE that covers all of Zact Mobiles features, showing you why a Zact phone would make the perfect Holiday gift for anyone one your list, young or old, who would like the convenience of a mobile phone without the high monthly bills.

Holiday Gift Idea: U Star Novels . . . Classic Novels Starring You or Your Loved Ones

I think it is really cool to have our names published in a Peter Pan book.  U Star Novels lets you enter people's names on their website and replace characters in the stories of classic novels.  I got Peter Pan, but some of the other books you can get are Dracula, Frankenstein, Treasure Island, and many more.

You can replace more than one character with another name.  In Peter Pan, we replaced Wendy with my sister Makenzie, John with me (Jake), and Michael with my little brother Luke.  The name switches really went well with the story.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

On the front cover it will say the title, the author, "Starring (your name)".  It says the same thing, but also says "customised first edition" on the title page.  On the second title page, it says "This book is dedicated to (your name)" and you fill out that information on the U Star Novel website.  You also can put a special message and the date.

On the back cover, it says the title again and a description of what is going to happen in the book.  It is modified with the names of me, my sister, and my brother.

I think that it is neat that U Star Novels can turn your name or other names into characters in a classic novel. I think one of these books would make a good Christmas gift during the Holidays for a child that is really into classic novels.  I would like to get other books, like Dracula, in the future.

To learn more about U Star Novels for children, visit www.UStarNovels.com.  (PLEASE NOTE:  If you are visiting the website with your children, the sections for personalized books for men, women, and couples, may not be appropriate for them.)


Thank you to U Star Novels for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Holiday Gift Idea: Kipling USA Deadre Crossbody iPad Bag

Named after Rudyard Kipling, the company Kipling features fun carryall bags for every lifestyle. Founded in 1987, this company has grown to the point that 23 Kipling bags are sold every minute! Their trademark monkey logo and keychain with every bag add to the personal and fun touch that the makers of Kipling products had in mind. Kipling sent me a fun and cute iPad bag named Deadre from their new collection.

This awesome bag features a padded compartment specially designed for iPads of all generations as well as two extra pockets on the front side. The smaller of these compartments is perfect for headphones or other smaller items.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

The larger has one large pocket and several smaller ones for a stylus, pen, earbuds, and more. The magnetic clasp ensures that the bag closes securely each time and the adjustable strap makes this messenger-type bag easy to wear on the shoulder or across the body. I got the black variety which looks classy and stylish with it’s stand-out pink logo and bright pink Kipling monkey keychain.

I love this bag! It fits my iPad easily and the padding is just enough so it’s not too bulky but also protects the tablet nicely. The color and shape of it are perfect as well and I love being able to carry it. I usually carry my iPad in my purse, but this is even better and isn’t any harder to tote, even though it’s adding one more carrying item. It is made with durable materials as well, so it’s sure to last a good, long while. If you are in the market for a nice, sturdy, and well-designed bag to carry your tablet in, the Kipling Deadre bag would be perfect. I keep all my iPad supplies in it always so that when I need to leave, I can just pop my iPad in and go.

You can learn more about Kipling on their website, www.kipling-usa.com. The Kipling Deadre Crossbody iPad bag retails for $79 and can be purchased at Macy's.


Thank you to Kipling USA for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

3G2S "Top Picks" 2012 Holiday Gift Guide for Teens

1.  Custom Personalized Paper Coterie Memory Box ($36.00) - This is a 10x10 Memory Keeper Box that resembles a book.  It can be completely customized with your own photos and text on the front, side, and back.  I love how it looks like a book and can keep precious keepsakes easily hidden because it would fit right into any book collection on a shelf.  I chose to create a Memory Box for our oldest son as a tribute to his being an extraordinary big brother.  On the back of the box, I added a photo of our son when he was just 2 days old, plus a special message from my husband and myself.  This 10" square box is approximately 2" deep and would make a wonderful gift box to hold something like a stock certificate, a savings bond, a gift certificate, or a gift card.  I think this would make an especially perfect gift for a teen who will be studying abroad or heading off to college soon, who will want to take along special keepsakes to remind him or her of home.  These 10x10 Memory Keepers are currently available in 14 different customizable templates.  Visit www.papercoterie.com to view all the styles and sizes available.

2.  M-Edge "Design Your Own" Tablet or eReader Case ($30 - $50) - These are two custom Kindle cases I created using the M-Edge Store design app.  We actually have a Kindle and a tablet that are very similarly sized, so I was happy to be able to design one monogram case using the tools included in the app and a second case using a photo we had taken of the liger at King Richard's Faire.  I am extremely pleased with how the two cases turned out both front and back.  If your teen is tech-savvy, then he or she is likely to own an android tablet, a Kindle or a Nook, or an iPad and would appreciate a case created just for them.  If you are gifting a tablet or an eReader this Holiday, then this would be the perfect accessory to go along with it.  Visit www.medgestore.com to view all the customizable tech cases available.

3.  Shainsware Metal Urges Bracelet Kit ($25.00) - This is a bracelet that is made of recycled rubber that can be personalized using the included 33 silvertone letters.  The bracelet kit comes in a compact ready-to-wrap recyclable box that is made of recycled materials.  Although I think the silvertone letters look fantastic on a black bracelet, there are 21 bracelet colors to choose from, including some in translucent glitter.  This would make a perfect gift for any teen who likes to express him or herself.  These bracelets look great layered so you may want to consider purchasing more than one color.  You can even buy additional element packs for more ways to dress up your Shainsware bracelet.  Visit www.shainsware.com to browse the entire selection of Shainsware accessories.

4.  Kipling Jinan Large Backpack ($109.00) - Kipling USA is a well-known brand of quality crinkle nylon bags in all shapes and sizes.  The Jinan Backpack with its classic unisex style would be a perfect gift for a high school or college student.  This backpack measures 11.5" X 16" X 5.5" and has a built-in padded compartment to hold a laptop, netbook, or a tablet.  There are two features that I love about this backpack . . . it has snaps on the side to close when you are traveling light or to unsnap when you need the extra room and it has a faux buckle closure that hides the actual Velcro closure, which allows for easy access.  The backpack above is pictured in Sporty Blue, but there are additional colors available on the Kipling website and on Amazon.com.  Free shipping is currently being offered on both sites for this laptop backpack. Visit www.kipling-usa.com to learn more about this and other Kipling bags and luggage.

5.  WallPops! Enamel Frames by Jonathan Adler ($42.99) - These enamel frame wall decals from WallPops! are the perfect thing to create a wall of inspiration in your teen's bedroom, dorm room, or first apartment.  This kit comes with 12 repositionable and removable frames in bright modern colors.  All you need to do is peel them off the sheet and stick them onto your wall over your favorite photo, magazine clipping, or artwork.  There are 2 colors of each of the 6 frame styles.  The smallest frame measures 4-1/4" square and the largest measures 9-1/2" x 7".  These frames are a perfect alternative to putting holes in your walls or resorting to using tape that will ruin your paint or wallpaper.  To learn more about this frame kit, visit www.wallpops.com.  This kit is currently selling on Amazon.com for $32.38 with Free Super Saver Shipping.

6. Blurb Facebook Photo Book or Instagram Photo Book ($10.95 and up) - Since most teenagers are avid users of Facebook and Instagram, a custom photo book filled with their favorite photos would be such a cherished gift.  The Blurb software is free to use on the retail site and is extremely user-friendly.  You can customize the layout on each page or let the software do all the work for you.  You can also add captions and blocks of text.  The front and back covers are also customizable.  If you would like to give your teen the opportunity to create their own book, then a Blurb gift certificate, which can be for any amount between $20 and $500,  would be the perfect choice.  Our 30-page book is 7"x7", has a hardcover with an image wrap (as opposed to a dust jacket), upgraded black end sheets (as opposed to grey), and costs $30.95 (not including sales tax and shipping).  Visit www.blurb.com to learn more about all their options for custom photo books.



Although complimentary product samples were sent to facilitate this gift guide, all opinions expressed are my own.

The 3G2S "Top Picks" 2012 Holiday Gift Guide is Coming Soon!

Keep your eyes peeled for the "Top Picks" 2012 Holiday Gift Guide in November on 3G2S!  There will be six categories in our guide . . . Gifts for Kids, Gifts for Tweens, Gifts for Teens, Gifts for Women, Gifts for Men, and Gifts for Grandparents.

Just to be clear, this is a guide of my personal picks for thoughtful and unique gifts for each category.  I tried to provide gift ideas ranging in prices at under $10 to over $100.  This is not a list of the newest and hottest toys and gadgets.  You can find those all over TV commercials and store circulars without my help.  All the gift ideas included are items I would personally be proud to gift to a loved one.

When will you know that our gift guide is live?  Look for the series of buttons above to appear at the top of the 3G2S homepage.  Then click on any of the six buttons to be taken to the gift guide for that category.  Easy, right?

As always, I will be open to any feedback you might have after the Gift Guide goes live.  What improvements can be made?  Would you like to see something similar for Holiday 2013?  Should I make changes to the categories?  Anything would be helpful!

8 "Gifts & Stocking Stuffers For Her" You Can Find at the Drugstore

It's crunch time guys!  If you still have not completed your holiday shopping and are trying to avoid heading to the overcrowded mall, here are some ideas of thoughtful gifts that you can purchase at your local drugstore.  You might even be able to find a few of these products at your neighborhood supermarket.  For most women, young or old, beauty and self-care is an investment.  Here are 8 holiday gift ideas for the women in your life to help her with that investment . . .

1.  CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lip Color - This is just about the best lipstick I have tried (and I have tried many from mainstream brands to department store brands).  Lip Perfection lipstick would make a perfect stocking stuffer.  The color actually stays put so well, that I actually had to scrub to get it off at the end of the day.  It is currently available in 44 different shades and retails for just $6.50 each.  I put several shades on my wishlist for Santa this year.

2.  Oral-B ProfessionalCare 1000 Electric Toothbrush - This gift would actually be perfect for a man or a woman.  Once you go electric, you will not go back to a manual toothbrush because the difference is very apparent.  Without looking in the mirror, you know that your teeth and gums are cleaner just by the way they feel.  This powered toothbrush is rechargeable and retails for $74.99.  Through December 26th, 2011 you can take advantage of a $20 mail-in-rebate on select Oral-B electric toothbrushes.

3.  CoverGirl SmokyShadowBlast Eyeshadow and LashBlast Fusion Mascara Value Pack - This set retails for $9.98 and would be perfect as a stocking stuffer or a small gift for a teenage girl, who would be thrilled to receive some of the products they have seen on America's Next Top Model.

4.  Braun Satin Hair Active Ion Brush - This is no ordinary hairbrush.  It is actually powered and makes hair shiny, while removing any static and frizziness.  The active ions released by the brush protects the hair similarly to how a conditioner would.  This brush retails for $75 and is a unique gift that any woman would likely love to receive because she may not splurge to get it for herself.

5.  Crest 3D White 2-Hour Express Whitestrips - Having white teeth can be quite costly, so whitening kits would be a much-appreciated gift.  This new Crest Whitestrips product retails for $54.99 and gets the job done in two hours.  A box or two would make the perfect gift for a man or a woman who is busy and does not have a lot of time to spend on beauty regimens.

6.  Olay Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol - My own mother has requested anti-aging beauty products in the past for Christmas, her birthday, and on Mother's Day.  Retailing for $62, this is a gift that will remind the woman in your life that she is important and should take care of herself as much as she does her family.

7.  Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System - If she already has a smartphone and an iPad (and everything in between), this is a gadget she may not have.  It is a facial cleansing brush that would be great paired with any Olay anti-aging moisturizer.  This product retails for $29.99 and comes with the Olay Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser.

8.  Pampering Gift Sets - There are many gift sets offered at your local drugstore with products from her favorite brands, such as Olay.  These gift sets start at $9.99 and have everything she needs to pamper herself a bit.  Some specially marked boxes even include a one-year subscription to 1 of 6 beauty and fashion magazines.

Thank you to Procter & Gamble for providing complimentary product samples of select items featured in this article.