Keep those points sharp

As parents soon as the kids started school we like to have a pencil sharpener available at home. Early on we decided on electric pencil sharpeners. This year we have one from Vic Tagen. Not that we needed a new one we just can't find out old one from when we moved. We know it is somewhere but no where it should have been so far so we picked this one up.

I like that it can be used in three different ways. One with 4 AA batteries, through USB, or with the included AC cord. Makes having it portable and ready great for our family.

This pencil sharpener also is safer since it will not turn on when the pencil shaving cover is not in place. Gives me a little piece of mind for when my grand daughter is over that she won't get hurt while using it.


The pencil shaving cover held about 12 pencils worth of shavings without binding up the sharpening area before having to empty. Great for home or school use. Has strongest sharpening when used with AC cord.

Now that we have all of our pencils sharpened it is homework time here in Marksville. What items do you like to have on hand for your children during school time?

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Lebice Popsicle Molds Set

Audiobooks.com Subscription Giveaway

Every parent knows that kids’ brains are like sponges, soaking up drops of information and words (even the four-letter ones we don’t always want them to). But did you know that 85 percent of what we learn, we learn by listening? According to the Audio Publishers Association, listening increases reading accuracy by 52 percent, and combining print and audio increases memory 40 percent over print alone. Audiobooks.com is making it easier (and more fun!) for kids to expand their vocabularies, increase reading speed, improve fluency, and teach pronunciation. No matter what genre your child gravitates towards, Audiobooks.com has lots of exciting kids content that can be enjoyed while waiting for appointments, before bedtime, and during car rides (the age-old question “Are we there yet?” will become a thing of the past, even for reluctant readers). Just in time for back to school, make any time learning time.

 Enter The Giveaway! One lucky entrant selected by the entry form will receive a FREE one-year subscription to Audiobooks.com. That means 125,000 premium audiobooks of your choice that you can instantly stream and download to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get listening tips, recommendations, and more. Open for entry from September 4th to September 18th, 2018. Open to entrants in the US, 18 years and older. The selected winner will have 24 hours to respond to the notification email to claim this prize or a new winner will be selected. Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment. Best of luck!

I have yet to try this. Would be great for my daughter and grand daughter though. I know we enjoy audio books while we are driving as a family so this might be something to look into in the near future. MarksvilleandMe would like to wish all those who enter

Good Luck!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Primp and Pampering before Back To School

We love the products that Smitco has available. They make great gifts, are affordable, and the kids love them. Each time my daughter has a hard time making a choice which one she likes best. This time she chose the Pedicure Party set  from Hot Focus which includes:

3 Peel-Off Nail Polishes 

1 Pair of Fuzzy Socks 

Hand or Foot Cream

4 sided nail file & buffer

Eye Mask 

Glitter Toe Separators

A nice set to give my daughter for a little pampering before School Starts in September.

Below are just a few of the items they have available to choose from. Quality, affordable gifts for girls ages 2 to 12. SmitCo has several different diaries with lock and keys and diary sets for girls in Emoji and Diva themes, as well as light up diaries to provide hours of fun.

SmitCo sells all kinds of practical products as well which includes the following:

5 star Exfoliating gloves
5 star Bamboo baby towel set
Various glue and epoxy adhesives for use in and around the house and car
4. 5 star wood wine glass racks for under cabinet installation

But Wait! My readers get to save!


Get 20% Off Entire Cart Of Gifts! Go to: http://amzn.to/2a3d3v8 and use coupon code N3CQD6AE 
on checkout









Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Pictures in Lights

I really love lights like this one from Aostar. I have several sets from different companies but so far this is the first one that I have that has 40 clips on one string and comes with remote control. So easy to use just pop in 3 AAA batteries and you are ready to go. We have used sets like this one for displaying pictures, holiday cards through out the year, as well as birthday cards, and art projects. Our favorite is to use them to display photos of our family. 

One of the ideas we have this year is to attach this to our Christmas tree, clipping on photos, holiday cards, and gift cards for our family. Of course if you would like to see this please check out my instagram around Christmas for pictures. These are also great for parties for both lighting and to hang up pictures of those who are invited or remembering. They can be used inside and outside if covered, say under a tent. The span is 16.4 feet. Great for many arts & craft ideas.

What would you use these for? 

Below is video review done for me by my husband who didn't see the remote control included.



AOSTAR 40 LEDs Photo Clips String Lights (16.4ft, Warm White) Remote Control Fairy String Lights for Bedroom Hanging Photos, Cards and Artworks







Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.