Coffee and Tea Junkie Advent Calendars! Coffee and Tea Junkie is the brainchild of Patti Snell, a “happy mad scientist with coffee” and entrepreneur. She had to give up caffeine, so she started exploring the world of coffee roasting to find a way to get maximum flavor. She only uses certified organic coffee beans, too, […]
product reviews
Smart Games & Toys IQ Flow and Cats & Boxes by Guest Writer George Gensler! @SmartGamesUSA #SmartGames @TheToyAssoc #gifted #AFF
Smart Games has long been a favorite. If you’re not familiar with Smart Games, they make logic puzzles for solo game play. They have several lines, including games for children, people with limited dexterity, different sizes, and even a series of two-player games. I especially love the IQ line, which are single-player logic puzzles that […]
Fine Art Christmas Advent Calendar Review by Guest Writer George Gensler! @europuz #ChristmasinJuly @TheToyAssoc #ToyFairNY #jigsawpuzzle #puzzle #adventcalendar #gifted #AFF
It’s time for Christmas in July 2026! We love advent calendars so much! Counting down the days to anything is exciting, but the Christmas calendars this year are stunning. You’re going to love these. And our first review is a crossover with our fine art in toys series! The Fine Art Christmas Advent Calendar from […]
Building a Charcuterie Board! By Guest Writer By J. Stein! @Specialty_Food #fancyfoodshow #wefancy #summerfancyfoodshow #food
Nobody wants to see another boring charcuterie board. You need the correct mix of soft, hard, sweet, smokey, and interesting foods. Everyone has their favorite flavors and textures. When putting together a better board you need to think about just who will be eating it. The following brands mentioned below are all amazing choices when […]
Sauce Is Boss This Summer! By Guest Writer J. Stein! @Specialty_Food #fancyfoodshow #wefancy #summerfancyfoodshow #food
A great sauce elevates the foods they are on. They make a meal come alive and add flavor. Some sauces add texture and vibrant color to food to make them pop off plates. Picking the best sauce for a dish is key. Here are some amazing sauces for summer foods, grouped by what they pair […]
Keith Haring Monopoly Game Review by Guest Writer George Gensler! @Hasbro #KeithHaring #Hasbro #HasbroGames #monopoly #gaypride #pride #toyfair #gifted #AFF
Our final Pride Month post is from WS Game Company and includes a Gay NYC icon. WS Game Company has created a Monopoly version using Keith Haring’s life, art, and legacy to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pop Shop, which was opened by Keith Haring in 1986. So, this is really both a Pride Month […]
Fancy Food for Father’s Day, by Guest Writer, J. Stein! #FathersDay @Specialty_Food #fancyfoodshow #wefancy #summerfancyfoodshow #food
Father’s Day is celebrated all around the world. It is a day filled with fun, food, family, and usually a bit of friction. The menu can be anything, but for many it has BBQ, meats, pies, and salads. Celebrations can be just a meal but for most, it usually lasts a day to honor our […]
Jonathan Adler Rainbow Hand Jigsaw Puzzle Review by Guest Writer George Gensler! @galisongift @NYNowMarket @TheToyAssoc #TFNY2026 #JonathanAdler #toyfairlife #pride #jigsawpuzzle #puzzle #gifted #AFF
We’ve got a new Fine Art in Toys review. Jonathan Adler’s Rainbow Hand is another wonderful puzzle from Galison. Jonathan Adler is famous for his pottery and interior design. His Rainbow Hand jigsaw puzzle is not only an expression of modern home décor, but it is also a great Pride Month gift for yourself or […]
Game of Queens Game Review by George Gensler, @chocophilenyc @laurencekingpub @hachetteus #PrideMonth #Pride #gaypride #gifted #AFF
Here is your weekly dose of Pride toys! We’re back with Laurence King and Greg Bailey with their Game of Queens. As with Drag Match, you don’t have to be a Ru Paul’s Drag Race fan to enjoy this game, but it doesn’t hurt. In fact, it might even help. What’s in the box? There […]
Christian Lacroix Heritage Collection Love Who You Want Jigsaw Puzzles Review by Guest Writer George Gensler! @galisongift @NYNowMarket @ToyFairNY @lacroixofficiel #christianlacroix #PrideMonth #pride #jigsawpuzzle #puzzle #gifted
Pride Month continues on in all its glory! Our next Pride Month review is of this gorgeous puzzle from Galison. Christian Lacroix’s Love Who You Want jigsaw puzzles are absolutely fabulous and the message is perfect for Pride Month. And who better than queer icon Christian Lacroix to represent Pride Month! Galison, a fine art […]
Drag Match Game Review by George Gensler! @laurencekingpub @HachetteUS @hachetteuk #GayPride #PrideMonth #Pride #games #gifted #AFF
It’s the most colorful month of the year! Happy Pride, everyone! This June, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite LGBTQIA? inspired toys. We’re starting off strong with Laurence King’s Drag Match. You don’t have to be a Ru Paul’s Drag Race fan to enjoy this game, but it doesn’t hurt. What’s in the box? […]
Hape Toys and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Toy Collaboration is Brilliant! By Guest Writer George Gensler! @hapetoys @metmuseum @TheToyAssoc #TFNY2026 #fineart #toys #toyfairlife #puzzles #puzzle #AFF #gifted
Hape Toys and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Toy Collaboration is Brilliant! Hape Toys and the World-Famous New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art collaboration on Fine Art toys is brilliant! The MET Museum in NYC is located entirely in Central Park. A destination for almost every visitor to NYC, they come from all over […]
Eating Desserts (Mostly!) in Paris, Guest Article by J. Stein! #travel #Paris #desserts #pastries
A week eating in Paris is decadent, rich, and emotional. The food is so flavorful and intricate. I see weight watchers in my near future due to the high fat content of the classic dishes. I don’t understand how all Parisians are not clinically obese. For those that do not like spicy food, you are […]
