Spreading Christmas Cheer with Kmart & St. Jude
Christmas shopping can be hella stressful. Waiting on long lines, figuring out budgets–all of it can get really crazy really fast! Last week I had the opportunity to work with Kmart to go on a shopping spree for the kids of St. Jude in the Astor Place Kmart location and it was a blast!
Marlo Thomas
The National Outreach Director of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Marlo Thomas, was on hand to help shop for the kids.
She was super fun and personable as always and did a quick tour with the kids, then it was our turn!
All of the bloggers present got to fill their carts with as many gifts as possible, and the sky was the limit. I of course, had to be super strategic with the shopping so I could get as much as possible for the kiddos.
This wasn’t my first rodeo, as I did this event a few years ago–so I knew the key to getting the most is all about cart organization. Oddly shaped toys tend to take up more space than needed, and perfectly square toys mean that we could put a ton more toys in the cart!
We filled up our carts to the brim with tons of toys for every age with a special preference for playdoh and legos, of course. I sure hope the kids of St. Jude Children’s Hospital enjoy their toys because they were picked with love!
Last Minute Christmas Gift
This is super late considering that we are just two days out for Christmas, BUT I decided to actually activate my (very latent) DIY side and make a craft as a gift for some of the teachers and staff at the boys’ school. I scoured the internet because as you guys know, my crafty side only goes SO far but lately I’ve been gaining more confidence in creating with my hands.
I decided to create these awesome looking Hot Chocolate in a Jar from Love Grows Wild. The ingredients were super easy to get and honestly even easier to assemble.
I got a some tan card stock paper ($2) and Ribbon ($2.50) from Michael’s and I already had Mason Jars in the house because really can you ever have enough?! I printed the tags, punched a hole in them and boom! I had a handmade gift from the heart. Who knew?!
–>5 Fun Mason Jar Gift Ideas<–
Next year, maybe I will be more adventurous, but for now I’m happy. 🙂
I will be around next week, but not much. I’ll have our popular monthly Workout For Runners on Wednesday but that may be the only time you see me. 🙂
I wish you all a VERY Happy Holidays filled with laughter, love and delicious treats. Don’t let the kids drive you nuts on Christmas Break and remember to take some time for yourself too. <3
I went to the Williamsburg location which is right on the tip of Brooklyn and reasonably close to Queens and just one train stop away from Manhattan. The location was gorgeous. The decor and vibe of the facility was really nice!
 I’ve decided to incorporate more fruits and vegetables, which has always been a weak point of my diet. An easy and worry-free way is incorporating them into smoothies! 
The cup also makes things super easy. I think I struggle a lot to figure out the right amount of ingredients when it comes to smoothies. The cup shows clear lines of how much greens to add, fruits, protein and everything else you might want to add. 
The 
