Category: brands

Posted on

These Autism Awareness Sneakers Feature Sensory-Inclusive Elements

Vans has dropped a collection of sneakers geared toward kids and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The shoes’ designers consulted with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, who create standardized programs in a variety of industries for people with sensory disorders and other special needs.

The resulting line of sneakers are extra-comfortable, sensory-inclusive shoes that focus on touch, sight, and sound.

The shoes come in a palette of cool, calming shades of blue and gray, include additional padding for great comfort, and loops on the back that make them easy to pull on. One version features a textured, checkered pattern and another is topped with a polychromatic holograph of water.

CNN has reported that many parents with kids on the spectrum are enthusiastic about the product, which will hopefully help their children be more independent and experience fewer clothing-related frustrations.

One parent, whose child still struggles to put on and tie his own shoes, said that “the single strap hook and loop will allow him to put his shoes on and adjust them to the tightness he personally needs. The reinforced toe means that he will be able to wear a pair he is used to longer without the anxiety of changing shoes.”

Plus, they look really cool!

Photo Credit: Vans

Vans is also planning to donate at least $100k of its earnings from the collection to the A.skate Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes the therapeutic benefits of skateboarding for children on the spectrum.

If you’re loving this idea as much as I do, you can shop the collection here.

The company said in a press release that “since 1966, Vans has stood as a champion of individuality and self-expression. With this project, Vans celebrates the unique aspects of all people.”

The post These Autism Awareness Sneakers Feature Sensory-Inclusive Elements appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Disney Park Employees Must Follow These 5 Rules

Disney World is a place where dreams are supposed to come true.

And while we all tend to focus on the riveting rides and captivating castles, we tend to forget about the driver behind it all: the employees.

Well, cast members, actually.

Working at Disney can be a fantastic career, but it takes much more than a great smile and love of cartoons to be successful. In fact, the company implements some interesting rules that its employees must live by while working.

Act Right

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Terminology matters big time in the world of Disney. In fact, their employees are technically referred to as “cast members.”

That title extends to everyone who works in the park, including characters, ride operators and gift shop salespeople. The concept of Disney is that the park is actually a stage, and we are all engaged in one fantastical show.

Measure Up

Disney has strict height requirements for both its rides and its characters. Specific character roles require a prospective “cast member” to check the all-important height box.

For example, a Disney princess must measure in between 5’4″ to 5’8″. Of course, if you don’t meet the requirement, you could always play a different character.

Take Care of Your Looks

Photo Credit: Pexels

In order to capture every essence of a character, Disney makes sure its cast members look the part. And I mean down to the whisker.

Women are allowed to have subtle highlights in their hair, but otherwise it must be styled in a classic and natural look. On the other hand, men are forbidden from having long hair and may only have facial hair no longer than a quarter of an inch thick.

Sound Check

Photo Credit: Pexels

While our favorite Disney princesses and heroes have recognizable voices, you won’t hear a peep from some of the other characters in costume. And that’s done purposefully.

Characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the Beast cannot speak while in costume. That can be a challenge for employees, who often are tasked with acting the part for hours without being able to utter a sound.

No Work-Related Social Media

Photo Credit: Pexels

Playing the part also means maintaining anonymity. Disney employees are not allowed to reveal what character(s) they portray on social media.

And as for backstage sneak peaks? Those are also a no-go in Disney.

Disney employees have to hold up to strict standards, but that plays a large role in why the company—especially its magical theme parks—is such an iconic brand.

The post Disney Park Employees Must Follow These 5 Rules appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Dunkaroos Are Making a Comeback

If you grew up in the 1990s, there are a few things you’ll never forget. Chain wallets. Hey Arnold! Tamagotchis.

So many awesome TV shows, movies, games and snacks were intertwined with my childhood.

And while I am only two years away from turning 30, I am just as excited as the rest of my ’90s brethren about a serious snack comeback. 

I’m not kidding, guys. Dunkaroos are back.

The news became official the day after the Super Bowl with a video clip featuring popular fads from the decade.

General Mills stopped producing Dunkaroos in the United States in 2012. Though they were available online and in Canada up until 2018, the previously popular snack seemed all but retired.

The news of its rebirth sounded like a rounding up of the troops on Twitter.

The snack is set to hit shelves this summer.

And let’s just say the impending sugar rush when you pair Dunkaroos and a Disney flick is going to be epic.

The ’90s generation also featured a number of hit TV series that still exist in today’s streaming-based environment.

Not even the superheroes could escape from Dunkaroos’ delicious reach.

Of course, there will always be detractors/haters/people who don’t appreciate delicious nostalgia.

Obviously this guy must’ve been more of a Go-Gurt fan during his heyday.

For others, the reintroduction of the childhood snack measured up with a few other pretty significant events.

I guess it’s all about perspective, right?

While the launch date is still to be announced, it might be time to get started on your Summer 2020 body now. Because by the time Dunkaroos have danced their way back into stores, all your New Year’s resolutions will go out the door right alongside your favorite ’90s kids snack.

The post Dunkaroos Are Making a Comeback appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Dunkin’ Donuts and Franks RedHot Are Taking Sweet and Spicy to a New Level

The tastebud-tantalizing combo of sugar and heat is a serious game-changer that will instantly make your dish the talk of the party.

But as much of an advocate as I am of full-flavor eating, sometimes some ideas are best left as just that. But I’ll leave it to the professionals to decide what’s delectable and what’s disgusting.

Apparently, the combination of America’s signature breakfast item and a popular condiment were a match made in heaven – otherwise known as the Frank’s RedHot Jelly Donut at Dunkin’ Donuts.

The campaign launched on Super Bowl Sunday and instantly became a hot topic on social media.

Safe to say some people were skeptical at the odd flavor pairing.

However, you can be assured there was plenty of research put into this fantastical idea.

Rick Golden, Dunkin’s manager of donut excellence, and his team tested more than 12 different flavor combos. Ultimately, the Frank’s RedHot Jelly Donut won out.

Donut aficionados are all too familiar with Dunkin’s tried and true offerings. But this spicy special offered only in two Miami locations on February 3 was a stark departure from anything the iconic brand offered previously.

Those lucky enough to get their hands on were able to savor over the apple- and raspberry-flavored jelly stuffed donut with white icing and a hot sauce drizzle.

Both Dunkin’ and Frank’s RedHot encouraged people to respond on social media with their own innovative ideas. Considering both brands have extensive product lines, the possibilities are truly endless.

And as we’ve seen with other restaurant titans like Taco Bell, ideas that start out as local specials can quickly grow into national offerings.

So if you’re down with the sweet and spicy, start cookin’ up recipes that could make their debut in your town.

The post Dunkin’ Donuts and Franks RedHot Are Taking Sweet and Spicy to a New Level appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

‘Baby Snowdas’ Are Popping up and They Are Delightful

It’s winter, so you know that a lot of kids (and some adults) and playing out in the snow and trying to come up with awesome snowmen to impress their friends and neighbors.

Ladies and gentlemen…I present to you…the Baby Snowda!

You knew it had to happen at some point, right?

Here are some that might just inspire you to build your own in your front yard.

1. That is awesome.

2. A night shot.

3. Wearing a sweater and everything.

4. A lil’ green guy.

5. Holding a cup of coffee.

6. Towering above the plains.

7. Made some friends.

8. That is HUGE.

9. Keeping warm.

10. Go ahead and carry that one around with you.

11. I love it!

Those are awesome!

Have you made a Baby Snowda yet? Or any other kind of snow creature?

Share some photos with us in the comments!

The post ‘Baby Snowdas’ Are Popping up and They Are Delightful appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Jameson Is Releasing a Limited-Edition Cold Brew

Yes!

I love whiskey. I love Jameson. I love cold brew.

So I think I’m really gonna love the new Jameson Cold Brew. The iconic Irish whiskey brand is releasing a limited-edition whiskey with a cold brew coffee flavor.

It seems like a lot of companies are jumping on the cold brew train, so why not a famous company like Jameson?

The drink is made with 100% Arabica Beans from Columbia and Brazil. You can enjoy this concoction any way you like, but the company recommends drinking it on its own, poured into a cold brew, or in an espresso martini. I’ll take all three, please!

AND – this is the best part – Jameson Cold Brew has 17mg of caffeine per shot of whiskey, so you should get a shot of energy while you start to get boozy. It’s a win-win!

On their website, the folks at Jameson said, “This is a perfectly balanced combination of our smooth Irish Whiskey with hints of toasted oak, dark chocolate and a rich coffee aroma.”

A lot of alcohol companies are getting into the coffee game, so this is not out of nowhere. Last year, Pabst Blue Ribbon released their “Hard Coffee” to consumers, while Jägermeister launched a cold brew coffee in 2019, as did SKYY Vodka.

Remember, this is a limited-edition special, so don’t sleep on it – you can order the James Cold Brew HERE. Count me in!

What do you think? Are you gonna give it a shot? Do you like your booze with a little caffeine? Tell us what you think in the comments! Bottoms up!

The post Jameson Is Releasing a Limited-Edition Cold Brew appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Patagonia’s CEO Donated Company’s $10 Million Tax Cut to Fight Climate Change

As much as some people (and organizations) out there would like to bury their heads in the sand and pretend climate change doesn’t exist, it is very real, and its effects are growing more drastic.

Because of the 2018 rewrite of America’s tax laws – a tax code revision that greatly benefited corporations by lowering the corporate tax rate by almost a third for most companies – Patagonia paid $10 million less in taxes that year than it had anticipated. So the company’s CEO, Rose Marcario, decided to donate the $10 million to non-profit groups that are working to fight climate change and help the environment.

Marcario believed the corporate tax cut was not a good thing, and she wrote, “Based on last year’s irresponsible tax cut, Patagonia will owe less in taxes this year—$10 million less, in fact. Instead of putting the money back into our business, we’re responding by putting $10 million back into the planet. Our home planet needs it more than we do.”

Speaking about climate change deniers, including many in government, Marcario wrote, “Far too many have suffered the consequences of global warming in recent months, and the political response has so far been woefully inadequate—and the denial is just evil.”

Patagonia has been a friend of the environment for many years now and their website says the company has donated more than $89 million to environmental groups to fight climate change.

Let’s hope that more corporations and individuals make their voices heard about the extreme consequences of climate change that are occurring around us every day. This isn’t something that might happen in the future, this is taking place right now.

The post Patagonia’s CEO Donated Company’s $10 Million Tax Cut to Fight Climate Change appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

The New Barbies Include Dolls with Vitiligo, No Hair, and Prosthetic Legs

Normalizing inclusion of people of all shapes, sizes, colors, and walks of life for kids is extremely important, especially when they’re very young.

That’s why it’s so commendable that Mattel has launched a new line of Barbies – it’s “most diverse doll line” yet, covering a broad spectrum of different body types, hair types, skin types, and disabilities. The new line includes several dolls of color, a doll with the skin condition vitiligo, a hairless doll, and a doll with a prosthetic limb.

Posted by Barbie on Tuesday, January 28, 2020

The Barbie Fashionistas line of dolls now has 176 dolls with 35 skin tones, 94 different hairstyles, and 8 body types. I’d say they’ve come a long, wouldn’t you? Mattel said the Fashionistas line is “designed to reflect the world girls see today.”

A spokesperson for Mattel said, “For 2020, Barbie is continuing the journey to represent global diversity and inclusivity in the fashion doll aisle by showcasing a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion.”

Heck, even Ken has long hair now!

In order to design the doll with the skin condition vitiligo, Mattel worked with a dermatologist to make sure the condition was depicted in an accurate manner. A Mattel spokesperson said, “As we continue to redefine what it means to be a ‘Barbie’ or look like Barbie, offering a doll with vitiligo in our main doll line allows kids to play out even more stories they see in the world around them.”

These dolls are great – keep them coming, Mattel!

And keep expanding your Fashionista line to include more and more people of all kinds because kids who can now see dolls that look like them really appreciate it.

The post The New Barbies Include Dolls with Vitiligo, No Hair, and Prosthetic Legs appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Dessert for Breakfast Is on the Menu with Cinnamon Toast Crunch Ice Cream

Cereal lovers can celebrate a new way to chow down on Cinnamon Toast Crunch. And yes, you’ll still need a bowl and spoon.

Or a cone.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch-flavored ice cream is officially a dream come true. This sugary cereal-inspired confection is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and will be available in stores soon.

The news broke on Instagram in late January of the upcoming release.

For flavor enthusiasts, the ice cream will feature a cinnamon-flavored base, a cinnamon graham swirl and pieces of the iconic cereal. Honestly, my mouth is watering just writing this.

As an admitted ice cream addict, the harmonious marriage of cereal and my favorite dessert treat is almost too good to be true. After all, I’m proud to say I’m one of the thousands of people whose favorite part of eating cereal was drinking the cereal-infused milk that remained.

Now I will be able enjoy that same signature flavor of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in a cold, frozen form? Whatever food engineer concocted this idea deserves a round of applause, and a free lifetime supply of his or her creation.

As for those who think pints are entirely too small, good news is that the flavor will be available in both 14-ounce and 48-ounce containers. According to Delish, Nestle confirmed that their newest ice cream offering will be available in major retailers in just a few months.

Oh, and the good news doesn’t stop there.

The company confirmed that the Cinnamon Toast Crunch flavor will be a light ice cream. Suddenly my future breakfast sounds a lot healthier.

I’ll have my bowl and cone(s) ready for scooping.

The post Dessert for Breakfast Is on the Menu with Cinnamon Toast Crunch Ice Cream appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

19 Toys You’ll Remember if You Grew up in the Glorious ’80s

The ’80s were great for many reasons: music, cool movies, ridiculous hairstyles and parachute pants, the list goes on and on.

You know what else was really cool from that decade?

THE TOYS!

We had all kinds of awesome gadgets and toys to play with. Let’s get all nostalgic and take a look at some of the best toys the ’80s had to offer.

1. Remember Popples?

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

2. My Buddy and Kid Sister.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

3. Fisher Price Medical Kit.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

4. Fisher Price Music Box Teaching Clock

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

5. Monchhichis were a big hit in Japan before coming to the U.S.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

6. Tree Tots Tree House.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

7. Sit ‘n Spin.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

8. Fisher Price Stove.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

9. I definitely had the See ‘N Say Farmer.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

10. Wuzzles even briefly had their own TV show!

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

11. The classic Big Wheels.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

12. Fisher Price Gas Pump.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

13. Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

14. Micky Mouse Talking Telephone.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

15. Fisher Price Cash Register.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

16. Sesame Street Poppin’ Pals.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

17. Care Bears were HUGE.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

18. Little People Play House.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

19. Fisher Price Record Player.

Photo Credit: Throwbacks

Wow, that sure was a trip down memory lane!

Did you own any of these awesome toys from the 1980s?

Tell us all about it in the comments!

The post 19 Toys You’ll Remember if You Grew up in the Glorious ’80s appeared first on UberFacts.