We love gift guides, largely because we get introduced to new products we didn’t know existed, are able to test out products and services we think are useful to our readers and test out new versions of brands we love. We hand-picked a handful of useful items this season that you could use yourself or purchase as a gift for a friend, family member or loved one.
JBL Boombox
We have long been fans of the JBL brand and have covered some of their smaller Bluetooth speakers over the years. We were excited to review their Boombox 3 which comes in a gSport Carbon Fiber Hardshell Case and has a gSport Zippered Accessory Pouch.
What makes their Boombox 3 so special? First, it has a powerful JBL Original Pro Sound and Deep Bass. JBL‘s speakers have great sound in general but this one is the largest of their current offerings, making it the loudest and most powerful. You see, the product has an updated subwoofer for even deeper bass than previous versions. We can vouch for it – the sound is amazing!
The other thing we love about the Boombox 3 is its long 24 hours of playtime. It has 24 hours of battery life, making it a godsend for long barbecues, days on the beach or around the pool. It also comes in two different designs: black and camouflage.
The JBL Boombox 3 comes in black and camouflage
This robust device is also dust and waterproof, which is a must have for any avid traveler or adventure enthusiast. The PartyBoost feature allows you to pair two JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers together for stereo sound or link multiple JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers via the JBL Portable app to amplify the sound and overall effects.
So far, so good. The sound has exceed expectations and we can’t wait to test it out on the boat in the midst of the summer season.
Check out their wireless speakers here and you can also get the Boombox on Amazon.
Vero Adirondack Chairs
We were just introduced to the most modern styled Adirondack Chair we’ve ever seen. We had the opportunity to review them just in time for the summer season. The Vero Adirondack Chairs bring sleek style and comfort from the pool or patio to the beach or back yard. Known for its ergonomic design, they are also remarkably comfy.
You can use it in a pool’s perimeter or in up to 15 inches of water on the beach, pond or lake. When used on a tanning ledge or sun shelf, its optimal weight cavity helps to securely anchor the chair and keep it from floating when not in use. We love its height because so often chairs are too short, making it sore on the neck, especially when you’re sitting for several hours.
Their outdoor chaise lounge chairs feature high-performance, weather-resistant construction and marine grade 316 stainless steel hardware that resists rust and corrosion, even with prolonged exposure to water. The dimensions when fully assembled are 93.9 H x 76.2 W x 96.52 D.
A practical note for children: the lounge chair is not to be used as a floatation device. They offer other chairs, storage devices as well as accessories for the chairs as well. For example, take a look at their Vero Pool Lounger below — looks pretty relaxing right? Their chairs are great for the summer season.
The Vero Pool Lounger
Currently, the chairs unfortunately only come in white; however, because it’s white, it’s super easy to spray paint your favorite color. We opted for dark brown because we’re on a windy lagoon that picks up dirt easily. How fun, right? A creative idea in case you want to match your pool or garden decor/style.
For more information on their pool products, visit their website where you can also place an order.
Tesalate Sand-Free Towels
We discovered these amazing sand-free towels a couple of years ago and were excited to see that they had new designs and offerings – check out their latest, a couple of which were sent in for review.
These very unique Australian-designed towels are made from high-performance AbsorbLite fabric, and they tout a feature we all need: sand-free. How many times do you go to the beach, lie on your towel only to want to use it an hour later but it’s covered in sand? Tesalate towels deliver sand-free, ultra-absorbent, super-compact and rapid-dry tech for what they call “simply better beach days.”
In addition to the towels, they have a beach blanket, which is twice the size, making it optimal for a romantic day for two on the beach or by the pool. The beach blanket is 63 x 63 vis a vis the regular sized towel they offer which is 63 x 31.5 inches.
Whether you opt for the beach blanket or the beach towel, you receive a handy pouch you can carry it in, making it ideal for beach or pool parties you go to over the warmer months or whether you want to toss it in your luggage for an upcoming trip.
Other great features of the Tesalate towels are their rapid-drying capability. By rapid-drying, they tout half the time of a regular towel. The towels and beach blankets also have a double-sized design and come with a useful hook, which means you can easily hang it anywhere. The latter is super handy when you travel since you never know where you’re going to use it.
Two thumbs up. They offer quite a few different designs, so be sure to see their collections here — you can also order from their site.
Books to Deepen Your Connection
Here are some great reads that focus that mix awareness, spirituality, history and science. Below are our latest picks.
The Lost Art of Scripture is a riveting read by Karen Armstrong. The book explores how scripture and the misunderstanding of it is a root cause of many of today’s controversies. She describes it this way: “the sacred texts have been co-opted by fundamentalists, who insist that they must be taken literally, and by others who interpret scripture to bolster their own prejudices. These texts are seen to prescribe ethical norms and codes of behavior that are divinely ordained: they are believed to contain eternal truths.”
But Armstrong suggests that for most of their history, the world’s religious traditions have regarded these texts as tools that enable the individual to connect with the divine, to experience a different level of consciousness, and to help them engage with the world in more meaningful and compassionate ways.
It’s an amazing read. Find it on Amazon.
Living in Flow by Sky Nelson-Isaacs focuses on alignment in life and how it shows up. Are we paying attention? In other words, “when we align with circumstance, circumstance aligns with us.” Using a cutting-edge scientific theory of synchronicity, Sky Nelson-Isaacs presents a model for living “in the flow” – a state of optimal functioning, creative thinking, and seemingly effortless productivity.
The book explores how each of the choices we make every day create meaning, translating current and original ideas from theoretical physics and quantum mechanics into accessible, actionable steps that we can all take to live lives in better alignment with who we are and who we want to be.
Find it on Amazon.
The Land of Hope and Fear was selected as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. The book is written by Isabel Kershner who talks about the divisions that exist in Israel today, the external threats they face, and all at a critical period of time. She spent decades covering Israel as a correspondent and now uncovers in this riveting book what it is that holds the country together.
The country is still divided and the state’s democratic foundations are being challenged. She says, “Israel is now largely comprised of native-born Hebrew speakers, and yet any permanent sense of security and normalcy is elusive.”
In The Land of Hope and Fear, she writes about Israelis: Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, Eastern and Western, liberals and zealots. Through this tenuous time of change and conflict, she talks about what it means to be an Israel and asks: who are these people and to what do they aspire? The book aims to decode Israel and covers where it has exceeded and failed the ideals and expectations of its founders. Find it on Amazon.
Indian Spirituality by Joshua R. Paszkiewicz explores the culture and spiritual practices of India. What I loved about the book is that it covered the origins and beliefs of a wide range of beliefs, including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
The book also explores why practices from India have had such an enduring impact around the world. Covered in the book include the four Dharmic religions and their beliefs, various yoga practices and the evolution of them, as well as tips for integrating some of these practices into your daily lives. Meditation and chanting are also naturally covered as well.
The author is a multireligious cleric and scholar uniquely trained and transmitted in the Zen traditions of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. He has studied and taught Zen throughout the world and has served as an official delegate to numerous notable events, including the first White House Buddhist Leader’s Conference, and the United Nation’s World Day of Vesak.
You can grab the book on Amazon.
Also new this spring is a book exploring Norse traditions. Also part of the Mystic Traditions series is Norse Mysticism by Disa Forvitin.
This gem explores the gods and goddesses of the Norse pantheon. Norse Mysticism introduces you to these deities and the customs and traditions that surround them, including the Oral Traditions and mythic gods and goddesses, a deeper nose dive into runes and vocal magic, techniques for spellcasting and divination, histories behind Nordic teachings and customs and records of ancient prose works and poems.
With this guidebook for both newcomers and experts alike, experience the magical and beautiful spirituality of the Vikings and foster a deeper connection to yourself and the world as a whole.
Disa Forvitin is a lifelong practitioner of mystical traditions and is passionate about Norse history and culture. As a pagan, she casts runes and leaves offerings to the nature spirits where she lives in Minnesota. You can grab this on Amazon.
The Mystic Traditions series explores mystical and spiritual traditions and magical practices from around the world from a modern perspective. These guides offer concise introductions to the origins of mystical practices; explain key concepts, figures, and legends in these traditions; and give straightforward and engaging instruction on how to connect directly with these practices through rituals, spells, and more.
Other reads can be found here, here, here and here.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
