2009 Holiday Gift Guide

T-Mobile MyTouch

2009-12-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: I was given this device on a loan agreement in order to review for this feature. The phone has been returned and all opinions are of my own, your opinion may vary.

T-Mobile myTouch 3G is the follow up to the T-Moblie G1 - the worlds first Android Device. The phone features a touch screen with a virtual keyboard built into a very slim and smooth design. The weight of the phone was a surprise - it is heavier than I would expect it to be, but being so slim it does make up for it. I can easily fit it into my purse or even can slide it into my pocket when not carrying a purse. With this phone you can personalize it to match your style and interests. My Touch customers can take advantage of Sherpa - an application that features GENIE (Geodelic Engine for Interest Evaluation), a learning engine that automatically customizes itself to the user's preferences. The phone features full HTML web browser which I used a lot of while on the road. It was a bit slow, but if you are in an area where you have full bars it won't really seem like too long.

As a family we are on the road a lot! We love to go out and living in the remote high desert, that usually means we have to drive at least an hour when going out to an event. One thing I just fell in love with was Google Maps. Living in Los Angeles, the traffic can be horrific out here. All I would need to do is hit "my location" and it would find us on the map and give us the easiest and quickest way to our destination. Now my husbands favorite part of this was the traffic map. I thought it was pretty cool myself - but we were able to see the upcoming traffic and the flow the traffic was moving at.

All in all we loved the phone! I loved it for all the fun apps and being able to keep up with twitter & my blog, my husband loved the Google Maps and my kids all loved the fun games they could play on there!

Visit T-Mobile for more information - myTouch 3G

The Boys Store

2009-12-30T21:19:00.002-08:00

How frustrating is it being a mother of boy's and not having many options when it comes to choosing our son's clothing. I remember when my son was younger - I would take the kids shopping and there would be tons and tons of options for my daughter, then when it was my son's turn we were stuck in a little corner in the back of the store with about two racks of clothes!! When I heard there was an online store that carried only boys clothing I could not wait to check it out!! Even better that it was online as I am a huge fan of online shopping! The Boy's Store is also very friendly and always willing to help you find what you are looking for - and just for being on their mailing list you are entered to win a $25 gift certificate!! They sent my son an outfit to wear, he loved it, said it was so comfy! He goes through his clothing pretty fast and I am always having to wash his clothing two to three times a week. We have had this outfit for a couple months now and I have to say it has upheld nicely! He is very picky - especially for being a boy, he will only wear certain styles and colors. So....if he is happy - it makes me happy!

Visit The Boy's Store at www.theboysstore.biz

The iGo Charge Anywhere

2009-12-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: iGo provided us with one device to review for this feature. No monetary compensation was received.

The iGo Charge Anywhere ($49 MSRP) is small enough to fit in your pocket and can power two low power devices (cell phone, PDA, MP3 player, GPS and gaming devices) at the same time without the use of a wall outlet. Small and lightweight, the iGo Charge Anywhere has foldable wall blades that easily store away and functions as a standard wall outlet as the battery recharges.

This device is perfect for families who like to travel a lot, who are on the go a lot, or even for those who don't always remember to charge their devices at night, the iGo Charge Anywhere allows you to pack one charger to power multiple devices, which frees up valuable luggage space. The Charge Anywhere is also perfect for camping and other outdoor trips where you would want to stay powered up, but do not have access to a wall outlet.

Our family is on the road a lot - most of our family is at the least an hour away. We love going out, to events and letting the children just explore what life has to offer. We don't always have time to charge our devices, either that or we simply are so tired when we get home we don't think about plugging our devices in before hitting bed. This was great, it was so easy to use and we never had a problem with it not charging. What I loved most about it is that it was not some large device we had to drag with us, it easily fit in my purse - where I always keep it!

Great device - thumbs up for any on the go, busy parent! For more information visit www.igo.com

BEARPAW

2009-12-29T21:07:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: BearPaw provided four of our family members with boots in order to write an honest review for our readers. No monetary compensation was received. The opinions below are that of my own and your opinion my vary.

One of my absolute favorite things about fall / winter is I get to bring out the boots! I love these shoes, they are so comfortable, keep your feet nice and toasty and easy to just slip on and go. I also love that they are so versatile - and can easily be pared up with just about anything. BEARPAW was founded in 2001 - can you believe they are that young? Feels like we have been wearing BEARPAW's forever! They use sheepskin to help create the most comfortable and stylish shoes. BEARPAW is not only available in the US, but in thirteen other countries too. My husband was sent the boots to the left. This is the Stowe Men's Boot. With genuine suede and water-resistant properties this is a very comfortable boot for any working man. The only drawback that my hubby found with the boot is it's weight. It was a bit heavy, but kept the feet very warm and secure. BEARPAW is a gift that will make any receiver happy - even my children loved their boots. My youngest daughter wears her's almost everyday and my youngest son wanted to sleep with his the first week he had them! My children a very rough with their shoes, like most children, keeping their shoes clean is not something they think about. The quality of the shoes is outstanding - that is one thing I love most about their shoes. I don't feel like I have to tell my daughter something every time she scrapes her shoe or her brother steps on her shoes! BEARPAW again, is a wonderful, and a must have for every winter season!

Visit BEARPAW at http://shop.bearpawshoes.com/

American Girl

2009-12-28T14:35:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: American Girl provided us with one doll and dinner at American Girl. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions below are of my own and your opinion may vary.

If you have not visited an American Girl Store, I suggest on planning a trip soon. We had the pleasure of visiting American Girl here in Los Angeles. We were not that familiar with American Girl, but as soon as my daughters heard it was a store all about a doll they started counting down the days! American Girl celebrates girls and all that the can and and inspire to be. American Girl helps girls grow up in a wholesome way, while encouraging them to enjoy girlhood through fun and enchanting play. There are many aspects and opportunities that American Girl offers to support girls through play.

American Girl Magazine carries the message to girls around the globe that "You're great - just the way you are"
Bitty Baby is their baby line all about babies that promote nurturing play among girls ages 3 and up.
Just Like You Dolls that celebrate that every girl is unique in her own way.
American Girl Stores that engage girls to become a part of their doll's lives.

We were sent an American Girl to help in the review of this feature. When my daughter received the doll she was ecstatic! I have to say, being a lower middle class family unfortunately this is something that would be hard to come by and not be accessible to many of the girls that would benefit from them the most. Most of the dolls start at around $100. The dolls each have their own name with their own story. I was actually surprised at the size of the doll, it was a lot larger than expected, and the quality was outstanding!

Our visit to the American Girl store in Los Angeles was amazing - an experience all of its own. The place is any girls fantasy! It is huge with two levels of dolls and fun. Each doll has their own section with their own accessories. The store is really like the dolls own little mall with everything they need all in one place. The have a photo studio where you can take pictures with your doll and even had a movie theater in the store for when the American Girl had one of their dolls star in their very own movie! It gets even better.....inside the store they even have their own restaurant! We were treated to dinner which was amazing. The staff was wonderful addressing the needs to the children and their dolls. They brought a high chair for my daughters doll, and if you forget your doll or do not have one they will provide one for you - which they did for my son. The portions of food too are very generous! As you can see below my son ordered the tic-tac-toe pizza and it was huge, he did not even finish half of it.

After dinner we went back downstairs and on the way out stopped at the salon to get my daughters doll's hair done. I was very impressed with the prices - we paid only $10.00 for them to brush and style the doll's hair. As we were waiting for dinner to start we wondered around a bit being that there was so much to see. We walked by an area that was the doll hospital admission area. If the doll needs repairing, simple drop the doll off at the "hospital" and when your doll is ready to go home they will call you. It was really so cute - it really looked like a hospital admission area and they were even dressed up as doctors with clipboard in hand.
American Girl Pros -

Gives girls an opportunity to "just be girls"
Shares different cultures and ways of life
Life like features
Store experience is amazing for any little girl
Food portions are huge

American Girl Cons -

Prices are very high for a doll and accessories - a price the "most" cannot afford

***as a note also - food choices sometimes change and do not match what is posted online, so I would advise to call ahead to see what the menu items for that day are***

For more information on American Girl visit www.americangirl.com

Oceana Adopt-A-Creature

2009-12-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

One gift I really believe is so often forgot about is the gift of giving back, helping others, creatures and the planet we live on. This is a fun and unique gift that is perfect for not only children, but those on your list that you may not be sure what to get them. The Ocean Adopt-A-Creature Kit allows you to make a donation to Oceana and in return receive an adoption package based upon your donation. Your donation to Oceana helps to prevent overfishing, protect ocean habitat, and help to stop seafood contamination which helps all marine creatures. I think this is really a cute gift idea for any occasion and especially for someone who has everything that you are not sure what to get them!

"Your donation helps Oceana carry out important campaign work. Right now, teams of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates are fighting to reduce overfishing, seafood contamination and habitat destruction. Although your donation is symbolic, your adoption package can include whales, sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, polar bears, penguins, seals and octopuses."

Their adoption packages start at $35 and include a cookie cutter in the shape of the animal you choose, a personalized adoption certificate in a cardboard frame, and CakeLove sugar cookie recipe. Their adoption packages vary depending on the amount of donation and some also include a stuffed animal like the one above.

For more information about Oceana or adopting a creature visit http://na.oceana.org/

Jump Start

2009-12-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: JumpStart provided me with a year member ship for this review, in order to be able to give you honest feedback. I have not received any monetary compensation for this feature.

With the kids out of school and the crazy winter weather some of us have had, we need something to help keep the kids entertained while stuck indoors. When ever the kids have some time off from school, I always try to keep them up on their work so that when they go back to school they will be fresh and ready to go.

JumpStart helps to inspire kid's minds in the way that as they play they learn with out even knowing it! As a mother to four children, this is really something I believe in. I think that children learn best when they are having fun at something. My two youngest love JumpStart - I always have to do a coin flip to see who is going to get to go first.

"JumpStart is an award-winning adventure-based 3D virtual world that is super-personalized, wildly imaginative and really fun, but don't let that fool you - it also teaches math, reading, and critical thinking skills so kids get a real jump start in life."

They have different levels for different ages - all in a virtual world where they can actually step in to a place they can call their own. My daughter loved to play the games to earn rewards - for example some of the reward you can earn are decorations for your house and music to dance to. My youngest son he just likes to play the games to test his knowledge and to see how far he can get. He will play over and over - it makes him proud when he can complete a level. Jump start has many varieties and it's really a great way for the children to spend their free time.

Visit JumpStart for more information at www.jumpstart.com

Sibu

2009-12-23T21:53:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: I received no compensation or products for this feature.

Sibu is a beauty system with an unique inside out / outside approach to promote healthy skin, hair and nails. Sibu products are free of preservatives, it is a 100% all natural product.

"From our innovative liquid supplement and soft gel supplement, to our facial soap and daytime facial cream, beautiful skin, hair and nails are nourished from both the outside in, and the inside out. Each Sibu Beauty product is packed with nutrients from the sea buckthorn berry to revitalize, renew and replenish. High in the Tibetan Himalayas (12,000 feet above sea level) grows a tiny but resilient fruit that resists the harsh weather conditions and high altitudes. The sea buckthorn berry fortifies itself against the elements by producing an array of powerful nutrients. With over 190 bioactive compounds, sea buckthorn is an unsurpassed source of Omegas 3, 6, and 9. And it's a rich source of the elusive essential fatty acid, Omega-7, an essential fatty acid vital to collagen production and healthy skin, hair and nails. " (Sibu)

(This is what I will be getting Grandma for Christmas :) I love that it is 100% natural - as I get older I think more and more about what I put on my skin and more about taking the right approach to keep that "young" look! I have not tried this product yet - you can visit Sibu for more information at www.sibubeauty.com

TJ MAXX

2009-12-23T21:32:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a place where you can save money this holiday season, but still want the latest fashion and name brands? T.J. Maxx is just that place. Your one stop shopping for those on your list expecting name brand items. I have to admit I am a clearance shopper, I will never ever pay full price for something! Why should I, when I can get the same thing, somewhere else at a lower price?

A couple weeks ago we decided to go ahead and get my youngest son a new pair of jeans. He just could not wait until Christmas, they were that bad. Believe it or not my son, yes son, is the pickiest when it comes to his clothes and shoes. And he's only six years old!! Anyway, we had gone to "another department store" because we were not looking to spend much at the time and figured he could find something under $10 - boy was I wrong. First we ran into the trouble of him jeans that even fit - he is really thin and tall. Then the prices were a bit high. T.J. Maxx was right next door and I thought, we might as well give it a try since we are here - I was not in the mood to travel anywhere else, it was late and I was tired. We walked next door and found the boys section pretty easy. They had many name brands for more than 50% than they regularly run for. With in ten minutes we had six pairs of jeans over our shoulder and ready to try on. We found a pair that fit - or should I say he liked - and now I am hooked!! I am a huge huge name brand lover and seeing all those name brands for more than half off just made me want to buy and buy LOL luckily my husband was there, or should I say I am sure he is thankful he had gone that night :)

Visit T.J. Maxx to find a store location near you

Shabby Apple

2009-12-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: I was given a dress in order to write an honest review. No other compensation was received

With the holiday season here, I had started to look through my closet to pull out the holiday attire for this years parties and family gatherings. I am one that does not like wearing the same thing over and over. As I was searching around the net (where I love to do a majority of my shopping) I came across Shabby Apple, a stylish boutique with dresses that will flatter any occasion.

A big plus is that I loved that their dresses were stylish while not showing too much skin. The were sleek, classy and very hot!! They carry women's and girls dresses as well as fabulous accessories. The dress I received was very simply - which I felt made it more classy looking.
If you are not sure which dress to get - try Fit To Flatter; simply answer three easy questions and they will suggest a dress for you. Every woman deserves to feel beautiful. I can honestly say I am not big on dressed, but as soon as I put this dress on it gave me that extra self esteem that felt pretty darn good!

Visit Shabby Apply at www.shabbyapple.com

PeaceLoveMom

2009-12-21T19:19:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: I was given the thermal above in order to write this review. All opinions below are that of my own and your opinion may vary. No monetary compensation was received for this post.

Are you having a hard time trying to decide what to get Mom this year? PeaceLoveMom is the perfect site to find just what you are looking for! PeaceLoveMom is the celebration of Motherhood. Being a Mother, just the meaning behind the company is wonderful! They had sent my youngest daughter and I matching PeaceLoveMom Thermals - it was like an early Christmas present to myself and daughter. It had started getting cold outside when we received ours so it was perfect timing! First I have to say I love these thermals! They were so soft and the sleeves were a bit long which is how I love it so that my hands get the added protection. They are made here in America and are 100% cotton. I usually wear an XL, but thought that this might shrink a bit being all cotton, so ordered an xxl, that still was too small. It fits, but I would have liked it a bit bigger. So if you order, make sure you order a size bigger than you normally would wear.
PeaceLoveMom also carries a wide variety of other items such as tote bags, note pads, accessories, and kids shirts. The thermals start at $50.00 which I found to be the only downfall - it's a bit more than I would spend on a thermal let alone a shirt at all. On the other hand their customer service was great, the quality was decent and the story behind PeaceLoveMom is amazing! Mothers supporting Mothers!

Visit PeaceLoveMom at www.peacelovemom.com

FlipShare Mino HD

2009-12-21T18:33:00.001-08:00

**Disclosure: I was given the product in this feature for review purposes only - I was not given the product to keep, the product was returned and I did not receive any monetary compensation for this posting.

I love to take video and pictures! With four children and a very busy family, luckly I always have an excuse to pull out the camera. Back in the day I remember it would be such a pain to carry both a video camera and a camera to record the days events. With the Flip Mino HD - it is all wrapped up in one. This cam in handy when we went out to events. It is so sleek that I can just stick it in my pocket or purse. This is the worlds sleekest HD camcorder!

Now my second love of this camera was the amazing video it took!! I could not believe how clear the picture was, just totally amazing!! So clear - more clear than my own camera had ever been, even when it was new. All of the recent video on my blog has been from using this new camera. It was so easy to use, simply plugging it into any USB port on the computer. FlipShare software makes it easy to email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still-image snapshots, and upload video to social sharing sites.

Here is the Product Description from the manufacturer -

MinoHD Overview

All-new MinoHD is the world's sleekest HD camcorder
Slim, sleek design fits in any pocket or purse--perfect for shooting video on the go
Captures 120 minutes of stunning HD video on 8 GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
Simple user interface--power on and press record to start capturing HD video in moments
Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software
FlipShare software makes it easy to email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still-image snapshots, and upload video to Facebook, YouTube and other sharing sites
Large, 2-inch anti-glare color display to play back and delete videos
Internal Lithium-ion battery recharges through built-in USB; also recharges when connected to Flip Video Power Adapter (not included)
HDMI output (mini-HDMI connector) makes it easy to watch your videos on your HDTV
All-new design features a unique brushed-metal front and soft, rounded edges
Features a flat-back panel with touch-sensitive, backlit buttons
Video: 16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per seconds (fps) progressive scan; recorded as MP4 files

For more information visit www.theflip.com

Band Hero

2009-12-21T07:27:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about this? I was so excited to be able to review this for you all!! Ever since Rock Band and Guitar Hero came out the kids (well, ok and I) could not wait for them to come out with more songs of today that the kids would know. Our favorite about this game - it features Taylor Swift!!! The girls and I loved this!! I think we sang that song over and over! LOL!! Band Hero features over 60 recordings from some of the hottest artists today. Here is a sample of what is included -

3 Doors Down - "When I'm Gone"
The Airborne Toxic Event - "Gasoline"
The All American Rejects - "Dirty Little Secret"
Alphabeat - "Fascination"
Aly and AJ - "Like Whoa"
Counting Crows - "Angels of the Silences"
Duran Duran - "Rio"
Fall Out Boy - "Sugar, We're Goin' Down"
Hilary Duff - "So Yesterday"
Hinder - "Lips Of An Angel"
Jackson 5 - "ABC"
Janet Jackson - "Black Cat"
Jesse McCartney - "Beautiful Soul"
Taylor Swift - "Love Story"
Taylor Swift - "Picture To Burn"
Taylor Swift - "You Belong With Me"
Tonic - "If You Could Only See"
The Turtles - "Happy Together"
Village People - "YMCA"

and many more!!! You can also team up with a player on a Nintendo DS Lite for an all new level of competition. "Band Hero is the ultimate party game to play on the road or at home, where players of all ages will be able to experience the signature, easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master Guitar Hero gameplay. "

This is a great family game! So much fun for everyone! What I love about this game is it gets everyone involved and it has songs on it's play lists that the kids actually know and enjoy singing!

Visit Band Hero for more information - you can find the game at most major retailers.

Inspire Your Walls

2009-12-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: Our family was given a sample product of one of our son's name for this review. No monetary compensation was received. The opinion below is that of my own, your opinion may vary.

From the moment we find out the sex of our child, we start thinking about their room, the theme and our decorating diva comes out in us. Inspire Your Walls is there to help you with that. They are an inexpensive, fun and affordable way to add decor to your home. I love decorating, and when I saw this, it took me hours to go through their designs to pick my favorites. They not only have sayings, but can do names, pictures, and even cute children's themes. They had sent us my youngest son's name. We already had my daughters name in her room, so my son wanted the same. He put his name right above his bed, it was very easy to apply. It ended up being a bit crooked and I was so afraid to take it off, that it would not look good reapplying it. We thought we would test it out and if not we could always use tape. We removed it, positioned it right and reapplied. I even got the kids involved by rubbing the back of the sheet, then rubbing on it once it was placed on the wall. I think it gives my son a little pride seeing his name up on his wall - he loves it and now says no one call say this is not "his room"!! LOL!!
Wall words are a great addition to any room, my favorite spot being above the hall entry or above the main entrance. It brings a warm feeling into the home and a sense of security.

Wall words are a great house warming gift and a great way to start off the new year with! Inspire Your Walls also carries vinyl lettering, wall art and home decor.

Visit Inspire Your Walls at www.inspireyourwalls.com

Tony Hawk: The Ride

2009-12-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: I was provided with a review copy of Tony Hawk: The Ride. The review below is that of my own, your opinion may vary. No monetary compensation was received.

I have been anxiously awaiting for them to come out with a game like this. I am a mother to two boys who are very much into skate boarding. Ever since the Wii came out they have told me there should be a game like this. Finally!! I have not really seen this advertised much so did not really know much about it and the boys did not even know it existed. I have also heard some mixed reviews about this game on properly working.

Tony Hawk: The Ride gives anyone the real life experience of skateboarding. This unique motion-sensitive board controller redefines the action-sports genre by translating your body motions into the game. We live in an area of California where 90% of the time it's either too hot or too cold to play outside, so something like this is perfect for the boys to get their skateboarding fix!
I can't tell you how much the boys love this game! If you have a skater in your family this is a must for the holidays! There are a 100+ moves for you to master while traveling to locations all over the globe. There are four different modes you can play - free skate, speed, trick and challenge. My husband and I even loved jumping on the board to take it for a "ride". I think this is also great for those young ones who have the desire to skate board, it gives them some practice and helps build their confidence.

Tony Hawk: The Ride gets thumbs up from my family!! Visit www.thride.com for more info

FotoBox Plus

2009-12-20T10:42:00.001-08:00

**Disclosure: I was given a FotoBox Plus to review so that I can give you an honest and complete review. No other compensation was received. The opinions below are of my own and your opinion may vary.

As a Mother of four beautiful children I love taking pictures! I don't have my pictures printed out much, usually I will just store my photos online to share with friends and family via email. FotoBox Plus by honestech is an easy to use slide show creator. With the device above you simply plug it into your USB port after you have inserted your camera's SD card. The FotoBox user interface appears on your computer screen to create a slideshow. I love that there is no software to install, you simply plug it in and create!!

FotoBox has many fun ready-made themes to help create your own slide show. The device allows you to crop, rotate, remove red-eye, adjust brightness and even add graphic effects to pictures. What is fun about it is you can also add music and voice-over narration to your favorite pictures.

Visit honestech at www.honestech.com for more information

The FotoBox retails for $79.95

BamBoo Pet Products

2009-12-19T21:27:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: I was provided with a sample of this product. No compensation was given for this feature

Trying to decide what to get your family pet for the holiday's? DogToids is a yummy breath mint with a yummy flavor combination of beef, liver and fish that your dog is sure to love! The kids loved that they came in fun bone shapes and just giggled and laughed thinking it was so cute to give our dog these cute, yummy bone shaped breath mints. My youngest daughter was very happy to see these come. She thinks dogs have the smelliest breath!! "yuck" she always says! LOL!!

DogToid breath mints are made with parsley to help freshen breath. Who would have known to use parsley to get rid of that sticky breath! The breath mints come in the cute stylish tin case you see above which makes it easy to take on the go, but I would be very careful - as my kids love to get in my purse to grab a mint; wouldn't want them to grab the wrong tin!!

The best part? They are made in the good ol USA! My dog loved these breath mints, in fact we went through the tin pretty fast. They also have CatToids!

Visit Bamboo for more information and to locate a store near you

Gotta Catch Santa Claus

2009-12-19T21:02:00.001-08:00

**Disclosure: I was provided with a sample copy of the movie. No other compensation was received for this feature.

One of my favorite things about the holiday's are all the wonderful holiday movies. It's the one time of year you can truly find a good decent family movie to watch without all the violence and non-sense in so many movies today. The kids are so realistic in the movie and were someone the kids today can relate too. Since receiving this movie I think the kids have watched at least five times already! Here is a bit about the movie -

"Funky music, holiday magic and a supersonic sleigh are all wrapped up in this CGI-animated family adventure starring William Shatner as the voice of Santa! Trevor is a true believer in the holiday spirit, so his skeptical best friend, Veronica, challenges him to show the world actual proof that Santa is real! Trevor and his friends embark on the adventure of a lifetime to catch Santa in action and reveal the true magic of Christmas. But they've got to find Santa before LeFreeze - a dim-witted monster who's carrying a serious 100-year-old grudge - and his snowman minions put Christmas on ice forever! Join the race to save Christmas in GOTTA CATCH SANTA CLAUS, the jolly, jammin', modern-day holiday classic destined to become a family tradition!"

This movie is sure to become a holiday classic and a movie that will join our holiday Christmas collection for years to come!

Simply Divine

2009-12-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: I was provided with a sample product of Simply Divine in order to give my honest opinions in this review. I was not compensated in any way. The opinions below are of my own, your opinion may vary.

Simply Divine is a product offered by Glowology - products which carry exclusive formulas developed to nourish, replenish and protect delicate and sensitive skin. Simply Divine is simply luxury for sensitive skin. Simply Divine comes as a deluxe gift set that includes Heavenly Honey Wash and Lovely Body Lotion.

I live in a higher elevation and as the seasons change so does my skin routine. As we make the transition from summer and the hot humid heat to the forty degree chilly winds my skin needs some extra special attention during times like that. What I liked about Simply Divine is that it did not leave a greasy feel on my skin and that even though it was made for sensitive skin, that did not take away from the fragrance.

Visit Noodle & Bro for more information at www.noodleandboo.com

Beatles RockBand

2009-12-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: We were provided with a copy of The Beatles Rock Band Game to review in order to write an honest review. No compensation was received for this feature.

If you anywhere near my age and grew up listening to rock music that our parents always had playing then you will love this game! Beatles music is the kind of music that will get anyone moving and singing along. I was so excited to have RockBand come out with a Beatles version. I can honestly say that The Beatles RockBand is amazing and so much fun!! With six of us in our family it was so much fun and good quality time! Us three girls were the singers and the boys played the instruments - that was the most fun I have had in a long time!!! It felt good to be laughing and having fun with the kids while sharing some legendary music at the same time.

The Beatles RockBand features 45 classic songs including "I saw her standing there" and "Yellow Submarine" This is the first music game to offer harmonies as part of game play. The girls and I had a great time singing along. My youngest daughter who is five could not read the words so she just hummed and it still picked it up. My only problem and downside with this game is that the words were so small I really had to concentrate and squint to be able to see the words and get through the songs. But.....the quality time with the family and fun we had made up for that! The boys were great on the instruments! Even my youngest who is six turned out to be a pro on the drums! I highly recommend this game for any gamer or rock lover on your list!

Visit www.thebeatlesrockband.com for more information. The Beatles RockBand is available for Wii, Xbox, PS3 and can be purchased at most any major retailer.

F-Secure

2009-12-16T12:22:00.001-08:00

**Disclosure: I was provided with a downloaded edition of F-Secure Internet Security in order to provide this informational post. I was not compensated in any other way. Please visit their website for more information.

F-Secure is real-time protection against viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, rootkits and zero-day attacks. Automatically-updated protection from world-renowned F-Secure Labs and F-Secure DeepGuard cloud protection against unidentified threats ensure you can safely use your computer, now and tomorrow. F-Secure Internet Security 2010 offers better security online without slowing down your computer. **Cited from F-Secure

The completely redesigned new version is significantly lighter and faster while offering enhanced protection against all Internet threats. The new Browsing Protection feature tells you which websites are safe to enter and which you should avoid. Harmful sites are blocked automatically to ensure safe surfing while renewed Parental Control keeps children safe from inappropriate web content. Automatic updates and advanced DeepGuard cloud computing technology ensure the fastest protection against all new threats. Extensive usability studies have helped us design a user experience that ensures safe PC use. You are safe, whatever you do online. **Cited from F-Secure

What I love most about F-Secure is that it is so easy to install and the software updates are automatic. I am not too computer savvy when it comes to tech issues and installing software. This program was very easy to install, simply following the prompts. I have an older computer and sometimes it can slow down when I install software or download a program. Since installing I have had no issues with the software and the added protection is great.

Supported Platforms
Windows 7 (all editions)
Windows Vista (all editions)
Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Media Center Edition

Visit F-Secure for more information http://www.f-secure.com/en_US/

PaperSpring

2009-12-14T20:35:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: PaperSpring provided us with birthday invitations for a birthday in order to preview their products and service. I was not monetarily compensated for this post. The opinions below are of my own, your opinion may vary.

As the holiday's quickly approach us, we try to go through our "to do" list in our minds making sure everything gets done and in time. It seems like it all goes by so fast, sometimes without even having a chance to really take the time we should to enjoy it. Something I almost forgot about this year was sending out our Christmas cards. I am usually pretty good about it, but this year just seems to be moving a bit faster than others. Luckily there are companies like PaperSpring that help make it easier and faster to get done.

PaperSpring has many options to choose from for your holiday cards. One of my favorites is above the digital name art holiday cards. I thought this would be fun for my nieces, cousins, and nephews that would love to see their name in a fun, festive way. They also have plenty of fun, cute holiday photo card layouts that are always a big hit with the family. PaperSpring is also green! They are officially certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as a chain-of-custody provider of recycled paper made from environmentally sustainable forests. All of the matte cards are printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled thick cardstock.

I love this company!! They really have so many fun designs, fast service and outstanding customer service. Visit PaperSpring at www.paperspring.com

Leap Frog

2009-12-10T21:38:00.000-08:00

**Disclaimer: Leap Frog did provide my family with a Leapster 2 and games for this review / feature. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review and the opinions below are of my own, your opinions and experience may vary.

Leap Frog has been around for many years. My oldest is about to turn 14 and I remember buying Leap Frog products for him when he was a toddler. As a Mother, it is a brand I trust and know I can comfortably allow my children to interact with their products. I have to admit I am one of those parents who do not like my children to watch violent shows , but these days it is so hard to limit because almost everything they watch there is something that is not acceptable, including the violence in video gaming.
The Leapster 2 Handheld is the newest member of the Leap Frog family. The Leapster 2 has an expanded-memory, which is the only educational gaming handheld connected to a comprehensive online learning world, designed especially for children ages 4-8 years old. The additional memory and virtual experience allow an unprecedented synergy of offline and online play, for anywhere fun. We drive a lot and this has become very handy in the car. My two youngest children are five and six; one boy and one girl. Online they have an opportunity to go beyond learning ABC's and 123's through games in which players can explore concepts to see what happens in addition to learning right and wrong answers.

Leapster two has over 40 great titles that your children will love. With the opening of Disney's Princess and the Frog this weekend, your little ones will love Leap Frog's newest game Disney The Princess and the Frog.

"Get swept away by this American fairy tale based on the Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog ! Tiana and Prince Naveen have been turned into frogs. Help them safely navigate New Orleans and the Bayou so they can return to human form and be married! Features expanded play for the Leapster2 system, so Leapster2 players can connect online for extra games, activities, and rewards, and parents can connect online to the LeapFrog® Learning Path to see what their child is playing and learning."

Teaches:

-Number and letter recognition
-Counting
-Logic and reasoning skills
-Music

You can visit Leap Frog @ www.leapfrog.com The new Leapster 2 is currently on sale for $59.99

Hooked on Phonics

2009-12-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: Hooked on Phonics provided our family with a set of products to review. No other compensation was received. This opinion is of my own. Your opinion and results of the product may differ.

As a mother of four children, I have learned that my children learn and absorb the most while having fun at the same time. I have to admit, I myself am not great at learning new things sitting in front of someone just listening to them talk. The best way to learn is with an interactive approach. Over two million families have turned to Hooked on Phonics to help their children enrich in learning through fun and interactive activities and DVDs.

From Hooked on Phonics -

"The easy-to-follow learn-practice-play approach works like this:

Learn new skills or concepts.

Practice the concept until it is mastered.

Play fun games or read great books to apply and reinforce new knowledge.

Children learn at their own pace, mastering each new skill before they move on to the next. Practicing and reinforcing new skills is designed to be fun, and every experience ends with a celebration."

Hooked on Phonics can be used starting at a very young age. They specifically have products for babies up to age 18months and go all the way to eight and beyond.

Are you a parent who likes to test drive before buying? You can try it online through an online demo which can be accessed on their home page - www.hookedonphonics.com

Shred Sled

2009-12-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: We were provided a Shred Sled for review at no charge. The opinions below are those of my own and your opinion my vary

Shred Sled is the first 4-wheel in line, dual-deck board. It is two decks connected by a flexible middle component that revolve around horizontal and vertical axles. Basically its like snowboarding, surfing and skating all wrapped up in one. We were not too sure what to expect. When it arrived only us parents were home with the two little ones and none of us could get up on it!! I could not wait for my teenage son to try it out, he's pretty good at skateboarding and I knew he would be excited to try this. We took it outside and without any hesitance he hopped right on and off he went! I was in awe, this was so amazing to watch - it was so easy for him -

He is still the only one who can get up on the Shred Sled, but he loves being the only one who can ;) I still cannot believe how easy it is for him to hop up on it and go. If you have a skateboarder in your family this is the perfect gift!

You can visit Shred Sled at www.shredsled.com The shred sled starts at $119 and for a limited time you can get free shipping.

Give A Share

2009-12-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: Give A Share provided us with one share of stock and a shareholder kit for review of their products and services. The opinion below is that of my own of the product and company.

Give A Share is a really unique educational gift that will truly last a lifetime. Isn't it a fact that time and time again all the money you spend on gifts that end up not being played with or shoved under the bed to never be seen again? Give A Share sells one share of stock ownership with over 100 of the most popular companies in the world to choose from. Companies include Disney, Domino's, Starbucks, and even Mattel.

I really love these kind of gifts - they don't get forgotten about, shoved under the bed or in the back of a closet, and do not get worn out or broken. The best part is that it is something that your children can learn about and possibly help them in their future. When you buy the one share of stock you become a true shareholder with that company and are entitled to dividends, annual reports, and sometimes companies will have other perks for their shareholders. Prices of the stock are the market price listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ plus their fee, which is less than a stock broker would charge, and a lot easier too. For someone like me who does not know much about the stock market, the process makes it so easy in becoming a shareholder! The I'm A Shareholder Kit is great for teaching kids the in and outs of the stock market. The Shareholder Kit starts at $17 and comes with a ten dollar off coupon for their first share.

Give A Share is a part of Leading Edge Gifts which is home to five unique gift sites. Another one of those site is Give A Caricature. This is kind of like those artists drawings you see walking through the amusement parks but even better! I love this site and am considering it for my blog. They really make it simple - all you do is upload the photo you would like recreated, describe the scene you want and let them do their magic! Now pricing starts at $99 which is a bit steep, but if it's for something like your blog / website then it is worth the price, in my opinion! You can visit Give A Caricature at www.giveacaricature.com

MySims Agents

2009-12-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: A product sample was giving to me for review in order to give you a honest and informational review. I was not monetarily compensated for this post. Below is my opinion of the product - your opinion may vary.

Ever dream of being a special agent? Love solving mysteries? My Sims Agents is a mystery solving game with you as the main character. You are a special agent hired to uncover the plans of Morcubus, the corrupt CEO of MorcuCorp. As you go along you pick up cases and are given clues to help solve these cases. One of the most exciting parts about this game is that you get to travel the world while solving mysteries. You can hop in your helicopter and even jump on the subway.

Your agents can be dressed, their hair styled, facial features can be changed, and you can even change the tone of their voice. One downfall of the game is that you can not understand a word of what they are saying. They talk in their own language, sounds like blubberish talk....... This makes it harder for the little ones to play and sometimes can slow the game down since you have to read everything that is being said. Both of my younger children who are five and six love this game, but when they want to play we have to sit there and go through the game with them, reading out loud the agents conversations.

Pros -

Opportunity to travel the world solving mysteries
Can personalize your agent
Tons of adventure and mystery

Cons -

The only con I have is that the agents do not speak in a way we can understand them

For more information you can visit www.mysimsagents.ea.com/en/home

You can also purchase this game at most all major retailers and has a starting price of $49.95

Greenie 2 Steps

2009-11-30T20:39:00.000-08:00

Greenie 2 Steps is an original collection of Whimsical Wall Art that is both educational and eco-friendly. The prints are peel and stick prints that can be removed and reapplied. We did not have any problem making them stick and stay on the wall without starting to peel off. I remember when I was pregnant and trying to decide on a theme for our new arrival. I wanted something different, something out of the norm, but cute and that would appeal to my little one. I forgot what we went with as that was five years ago....lol, but can tell you that this is something that I would take a second look at. It is unique, cute, eco-friendly (which is a bonus) and so adorable you just want to hug it!! Aren't they cute? The elephant is named Greenie and she travels the world teaching children how to make our world a better place to live. This would not only be great for new arrivals, but for any age. My youngest who is five wanted these up in her room. I would even love to see stuffed animals come out of these products. The collection is fun and safe, made in the USA and the materials are eco-friendly. Prices start at only $19.00 for a large 9.5 inch tall stick up. Greenie 2 Steps is offering our readers a 10% discount with the code HULAMOM now through December 31st.

You can find Greenie 2 Steps at www.greenie2steps.com

EA Video Gaming

2009-11-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: EA Sports provided us with a copy of Madden NFL 10 for the Wii to review for this feature. No monetary compensation was received.

Sports and Video Games - two things that most all boys live for, and some men for that matter! The boys in my family have played this game almost every day since it's arrival - the youngest is six and I think he has played it more than anyone else. My husband - well I have seriously never seen him get into video games like he does with NFL Madden 10.

Product Description from the manufacture -

"Madden NFL 10 epitomizes what fun looks like on the Wii, delivering the most social and dynamic experience from the franchise to date. Completely redesigned and built from the ground up, Madden NFL 10 introduces a unique art style that will redefine the look of sports games on the Wii. All-new player models embody characteristics of your favorite athletes, plus new larger-than-life stadiums showcase the unique details found at each of the 32 NFL stadiums. Madden NFL 10 is the perfect game to play with friends and family, whether you’re starting a cooperative season with the all-new Road To The Super Bowl, or crowning a "King of the Coach" in the brand new Madden Showdown party mode! Whether playing alone or with a living room full of friends, Madden NFL 10 is what fun looks like on the Wii!"

We had a ton of fun with this game and still do - the competition that arises from the boys in this house is so hilarious to us girls :) but we are always up for some good gaming!! Bring it on boys...

For more information visit maddennfl.easports.com/wii.action

Fairytale Brownies

2009-11-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

**Disclosure: Fairytale brownies sent us a dozen brownies to try one of each flavor. The opinion below is that of my own, your opinion may vary.

Don't these look good?? I don't know if I would be able to order as a gift for someone without ordering some for myself as well, especially after trying them! Fairytale Brownies is pretty much just as it sounds - heavenly brownies! It all started with a family recipe and has turned out to be a magical blend treasured by many. Also a something you would never guess by eating one is that they are all-natural with certified kosher and free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, preservatives and artificial colors.

Every box includes instructions on how to care for your brownies to help them keep their freshness. Each brownie is individually wrapped. They have 12 different flavors, all of which we loved without question!! Our favorite was the toffee crunch. These brownies did not last more than two days at our house!! If you have someone on your gift buying list, I highly recommend these brownies. I am a huge chocolate lover and these satisfied my chocolate craving plus some!

You can visit Fairytale Brownies at www.brownies.com Prices are a bit high, but for sure worth it. Right now they have a holiday special where you can save up to 20% on select items!

WB Holiday Movies

2009-11-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Blu-ray):

Every who down in Who-ville likes Christmas a lot, but the Grinch who lived just north of Who-ville did NOT! So the cuddly as a cactus Grinch (with termites in his smile and garlic in his soul) tries to wipe out Christmas for the cheerful Who-villains, only to discover: maybe Christmas, he thought doesn't come from as store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more! Magnificently narrated by Boris Karloff and animated by cartoon legend Chuck Jones. Price: $19.16 and you can purchase this at WB.com **Our review of this movie is that although most may find it entertaining, my youngest who is five did not want anything to do with it. Even my six year old boy was not too sure about this movie. I loved it, I thought it was cute, a good Christmas Story and if you love Dr. Seuss you will love this movie. It is great to use as a family tradition - a movie watched every year with the family.

I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown

This is a really cute movie! When I was growing up I remember my mom loving the Peanuts Gang; anything snoopy! I even worked at Knott's Berry Farm as my first job - home of of Snoopy. This cute holiday movie centers around ReRun - the younger brother of Linus and Lucy. It's Christmas Vacation, and as you probably understand sometimes one my become a bit bored, ReRun feels just that and decides to turn to his best friend Snoopy for some holiday cheer. If you know anything about Snoopy you know he's always up to some snooping around or even trying to help out others not know what he is really getting himself into. This is the deluxe edition which you can buy for only $15.16 from WB.com Our family loved this movie and as a parent I especially love it because there are no weapons, foul language, and all in all a good family holiday movie!

Artistic Sensations

2009-11-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Artistic Sensations is a family based company that specializes in helping to create your child's "dream" room. They offer hundreds of unique items to dazzle up any child's room. Sometimes it can be hard trying to decide on the perfect gift for the children on your list. An easy, simple gift that any child would love no matter what age would be anything that would help accessorize their room.

They sent us this cat pillow, which at first I was not sure what to expect. I know though that my five year old daughter would love it no matter what. When it arrived I was a little surprised. It was something I could easily make myself. This pillow sells for $35.00 - too over priced for the quality you get. Again, it was cute and cuddly, but.....something that would so easy to make. I do not sew as a hobby, but could easily do this one.

Pros -

Cute
Soft
Kids love it, especially the younger ones
Most of their other items are so cute and great to accessorize any child's room

Cons -

Too much to spend on something you could easily make yourself

Visit Artistic Sensations at www.artisticsensations.com

Baby Alive

2009-11-23T14:09:00.000-08:00

Baby dolls seem to always be a the top of every little girls wish lists. Baby Alive is an amazing life like doll that comes to life. This doll actually pees and poops! Now I have to say as a mother who is done with diapers, I was not sure how I would like having to clean up after another baby, and especially that baby being a doll. My daugher loved it! She loves playing mommy and taking care of her babies. So to be able to actually change a "dirty" diaper was wonderful for her!

The doll comes with a rattle, bottle, two juice packets and a diaper. The Baby Alive Whoopsie Doll giggles, coos, eats, pees and even poops - yes I said poops! It also comes with two apple juice packets you mix with water for only the doll to drink. The mix is non toxic so you don't have to worry too much about your little one drinking it, but would monitor the feeding anyway.

You can purchase this doll at most any major retailer including www.hasbro.com starting at $29.99

Pros -

Really sounds like a real baby cooing and giggling
Juice mix is non-toxic
Easy to care for
A big hit with my daughter
Price is reasonable and affordable

Cons -

If you are not prepared, it can get messy
I could not really tell the difference between the pee and the poop
If your daughter enjoys feeding, you are once again bound with diaper costs! lol

Fancy Fortune Cookies

2009-11-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

Celebrating 20 years of fortune cookie innovation, Fancy Fortune Cookies makes the perfect gift for anyone on your list. Their cookies are baked fresh in an on site bakery. The cookies ordered are baked the same day they are shipped out, how many companies can say that?

If you have friends and family that come and go through out the holiday's this is a good thing to have around. You can keep these stored in a cool place to have on hand for any unexpected guests. They can also be used as a fun, inexpensive gift for the kids. These specially decorated fortune cookies are great for any occasion. They weigh over one pound, are dipped in a milk chocolate, and are elegantly packaged complete with a personalized fortune inside. Our family received a fortune cookie to try and I have to say, honestly this was the best fortune cookie I have tried. They were very fresh, lasted days, and something the whole family could share. The kids loved breaking it apart and pulling out the fortunes for me to read. This could even make a great center piece on a buffet table! It's decorative and yummy!

The giant fortune cookies start at $29.95 with 100% satisfaction

Visit Fancy Fortune Cookies at www.fancyfortunecookies.com

Disclosure: The featured product in this review was provided to me, at no cost for the sole purpose of product reviewing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I or my family have personally used, and all opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Chic Canvas & Erin Condren

2009-11-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

What do your pictures bring out in you? I love looking through old photos and keep them up around the house. For me, when I am having a stressful day, or things just don't seem to be going the way I plan - all I have to do is take one look at the pictures I have hanging on the walls and it gives me a warm feeling of family, security, and love. It's amazing how a picture can wipe away all your worries and makes all the little things we stress about seem so trivial.

Chic Canvas is a professional printing service that provides personalized photos on canvas. As a mother I love getting personalized items for the holiday's. It has so much more meaning and can be treasured for years. Our family was sent a canvas to check out - below you can see our canvas, although I have to say the camera does not do justice. I did make the mistake of choosing a picture with a dark side, the side with the boys is in the shade and I had to place the canvas in the light to always get a good view of it. It makes a wonderful addition to any room. The canvas is also "gallery wrapped" meaning that the canvas wraps around the side and then is secured to the back of a frame.

Pros -

This would make a wonderful gift for anyone
Great quality, durable and sturdy
Friendly customer service, always available to help you if you need it
If you are not happy with the product you can return for a replacement, no questions asked
Quick turn around; close to 3-5 days
Many different sizes and options to choose from

Cons -

Can be a little pricey for some starting at $63.20 for an 8x10 (quality & customer service makes up for that)

You can visit Chic Canvas at www.chiccanvas.com/home

erin condren . com

Erin Condren designs offers personalized printed items for every occasion including invitations, thank you cards, table name cards, as well as life planners. Personalized life planners make a great gift for that busy and stylish person on your list. While I love the stylish aspect of it, what I found got in the way a bit was that the dates (numbers) actually overlapped the days so it was not like I could get a quick look at it and know what date it was or day. Everything else was great, I loved the little stickers that came inside the planner, it helped to make that date stick out more and not get forgotten.

Getting ready for the holidays you want to be "younique" - and Erin Condren has just that! Their holiday designs combined with their state-of-the-art technology ensure that your holiday cards are extra special! Each card will also come with a colored envelope and will be sealed with a style matching return address label. They have so many options available, it fun to see all the different styles and so hard to choose one!
You can visit Erin Condren at http://www.erincondren.com/store/#

SwitchFlops

2009-11-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

Do you love a good pair of sandals? I am not one that is big on tennis shoes, just have not been able to find the pair that really hits me. One thing I love about the summer is the wide variety of sandals that are out there. You can find a different pair to go with every outfit. My husband laughs at me for my love of sandals. SwitchFlops are really two pairs in one. The straps are Velcro and can be flipped over for an entirely new look. Lindsay Phillips is the inspiration behind SwithFlops. Simply choose a shoe, then a strap. They also carry ballet flats, travel bags, and kids shoes.

Pros -

This is a great gift for the female in your family - she will love it as much as I do!
There are many straps to choose from as well as a wide variety of sandals
Prices are good, and if the price seems high to you - they make it up in quality!
As you shop you can see what the strap will look like on the shoe
Easy to navigate website

Cons -

Price might be a bit high for some, but I can say the quality makes up for it and you get two looks for the price of one.

You can visit SwitchFlops at www.switchflops.com and at Twitter

Disclosure: The featured product in this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the PR agency representing this product for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I or my family have personally used, and all opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Boon Inc.

2009-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Boon Inc.

innovations for modern parents

Boon Inc. offers a wide range of modernized products to help parents cope with the daily tasks that come with raising children. Our youngest daughter is five, so I was not sure if I was going to find a product to meet our needs. She just turned five, and I think up until then I still considered her a toddler. As I was browsing Boon's website, I came across these Groovy Plates. I thought how neat is that; and something that can fill a need for our kids. This is definitely something we could use, even for our six year old son. I loved how it had separate little bowls for the side dishes or dipping sauces. I could wait to get the bowl, my kids did not like it when all their food piled together, or the melted butter touched the meat....so figured this would be great! Just looking at the picture I loved how it has a little bowl that I could use for soup or a salad. Well....the Groovy Plate arrived and I could not believe how small it was.
Look at how small that is!! Even for dipping sauces that would just not do. My daughter who just turned five is a ketchup lover and this would be gone with one french fry! It does say this is for toddlers, but I would say more for newly eating babies.

Pros -

Durable
Bowls are removable and can be placed anywhere along the plate
Scratch resistant and dishwasher safe
Slip resistant base

Cons -

Way too small for a child other than a baby who is just beginning to eat

To purchase this plate, find out more information or see their other innovative products visit www.booninc.com The Groovy Plate retails for $12.99 and is available in a variety of colors.

The featured product in this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or PR agency representing this product for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I or my family have personally used, and all opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Hasbro Nerf Football

2009-11-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ready for some football? Growing up I remember every Sunday, we could not bother our Dad - he sat in his rocker all day watching Football or Baseball. I have two boys now myself, and sports is a big part of their life, and I have to say I love it!! Watching them be involved in something other than video games, and that helps them to keep active is always a plus in this Mama's book.

The Vortex Mega Howler Football gives you that mega experience with an added howling sound as it flies through the air. The boys love this! They spent an entire afternoon outside tossing the football around, and even got a few neighbors peering out to see what was going on. It almost became a competition to see who could throw it the farthest and who could make the louder howling sound. As a family we found no flaws in this product. It's a great, affordable Holiday gift that any boy would love. It retails for around $7.99, it very durable and gets the kids out of the house for a bit.

The featured product in this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or PR agency representing this product for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I or my family have personally used, and all opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

I-Carly Remote

2009-11-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

I-CARLY

I-Carly has become one of the hottest TV shows kids are watching these days. I know as a parent, I think I have seen almost every I-Carly episode at least three times! LOL!! Every night before the kids go to bed, we all gather around the TV and watch our nightly episode of I-Carly. The kids just love it! Playmates recently introduced us to the I-Carly Sam's Remote.

The Remote allows the kids to be just like Sam (my kids loved it as you can see them playing out their own I-Carly show) It has fun sound effects like applause, laughter and booing.

Make sure you turn up the sound as it was a bit low when recording. The kids made me record them over and over doing different variations of the I-Carly show. I highly recommend this product! The remote was much larger as I thought it would be, and the sound was loud and clear. A must have gift for any I-Carly fan! (Average price runs around $21.99)

Disclosure: Thank you Playmates for providing a product sample for our family to review. No other compensation was received for writing this post.

SodaStream

2009-11-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thinking about all the money the average family spends on soda you could probably make a couple car payments with that, and then some. When I heard of SodaStream, a machine that allowed you to create your own soda creations at home, I was skeptical that it would taste like real soda. I have tried those store brand drinks and they do not even come close to what real soda tastes like. The SodaStream system includes products to make fresh, fizzy, sparkling water and soda at home.
With the SodaStream machine there is no electricity used, and no batteries needed. It is actually a very easy process, and really does take less than 30 seconds to make. Simply use cold water and fill up the bottle that comes with the starter kit. Screw the bottle onto the machine. Press the button on top until you hear about three buzzes or carbonate to your liking. Put the lid on quick, turn it upside down a couple times and that's all there is to it! Very easy! It took us a couple times to get the right carbonation mix, but now that we know how much to add, there is always a full bottle in our fridge. I think it comes very close to the "real" soda taste. My husband on the other hand is real picky and won't drink it unless there is absolutely nothing else to drink.

Pros -

Quick & Easy to make
Saves money in the long run
Many different flavors / varieties
Regular soda mix contains no high fructose corn syrup and diet soda mix contains no aspartame
All-natural MyWater flavor essences are unsweetened and calorie-free
Each 500ml soda mix bottle makes the equivalent of 12 liters (about 33 cans!) of soda
Eco-Friendly - Reusable bottles reduces packaging
Comes real close to the taste of "real" soda

Cons -

Start up cost is a bit high (but so is a case of soda at the store)
Tastes does take a bit getting use to, but that goes with most anything

For more information on SodaStream visit www.sodastreamusa.com The start up kit starts at $99.00. They have a wide range of over 25 regular, diet, energy and caffeine-free flavors.

Disclosure: Thank you SodaStream for providing a product for a review. No other compensation was received.

Kidorable

2009-11-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Little girls and fancy umbrellas just go hand in hand, as do little boys in seek of imagination. Without a doubt children of all ages love to look cute and have fun while doing so. Kidorable gives them just that with the cutest umbrellas, most with matching rain coats. From Ladybugs to Pirates Kidorable brings you the latest in kids fashion.
This is the perfect gift for the little ones in your life. When we received ours, my little girl wanted to wear it everyday, rain or no rain! We do not have any cons about this product or the company. You can find Kidorable at www.kidorable.com
Umbrellas are only $13.50!! How cute is the one above for the little boys! You can also sign up for the Kidorable Birthday Club - Thirty days before the birthday of the children you sign up, they will send you a free gift, plus a special offer only available to Kidorable Birthday Club members.

***Kidorable is supporting Toys for Tots by donating $1 for every new Kidorable Facebook Fan that signs up between Nov 1-Dec 25! (up to 500 fans). In addition, if Kidorable reaches 2,000 Facebook fans by Dec 25, it will donate 250 umbrellas to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Please help them to reach their goal - visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kidorable

Auntie Anne's

2009-11-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

If you have a pretzel lover in your family this is a must have gift! Ever since I was a little girl every time I went to the mall, the fair or even big events like the circus I would have to have a pretzel. It has always been one of my favorite snacks. There is just something about pretzels that is so comforting. Maybe it's the soft fresh dough, the warmth, or even the salty side kick - but the pretzel is just one good snack! Auntie Anne's freshly baked, hand-rolled soft pretzels come in a variety of flavors from Cinnamon Sugar to Sour Cream & Onion, all with a pretzel perfect guarantee; if a customer does not love his or her pretzel, Auntie Anne's will replace it with one he or she does love. Auntie Anne's also serves Pretzel Stix, Pretzel Dogs and its signature lemonade, along with a selection of dipping sauces to complement every pretzel flavor.

For the times that you cannot get out and to an Auntie Anne's they have created their Anne's special recipe, just for at-home baking kit. Mix, twist, and bake 10 Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels. You supply the vegetable oil, non-stick spray, and butter. We were able to get more than ten out of the mix and they turned out just like the ones you buy in the store! I was very impressed, I had doubts that they would not turn out as good.
We did half cinnamon and half salt. My favorite was the salt, the kids loved the cinnamon. They were quick, easy, and best of all provided that good old taste of the pretzel at the mall!

Pro's -

Same taste as the pretzels they sell at their stores
Quick
Easy
Very little ingredients needed
Came with both salt and cinnamon sugar
Great low price of only $12.95
Fun Gift

Con's -

We did not find any con's for this product!

Visit Auntie Anne's Online Store at www.shopauntieannes.com. Sign up to get Pretzel Perks here and become a V.I.P. - Very Important Pretzel Lover. VIP's get coupons, great offers and are the first to hear about new products.

PLAYHUT

2009-11-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that PlayHut has only been around since 1992? As one of the largest toy producers in the United States PlayHut has been around enlightening children of all ages with it's EZ Twist toys. The Crawl n Play is such a versatile toy. It can be taken along with you on trips to the park, beach, camping or can simply be set up in the home. This can even be set up in a variety of configurations, using the child's imagination for hours of fun play. It also comes with a carrying case for easy storage and travel. My two youngest children are five and six. I would recommend this for younger children. The bottom is not weighted, so as the children played it moved all around the room. It did hold up though, and has not ripped at all. The kids loved to bring their toys inside and play in their secret tent, or even peek out and watch TV.

Pro's -

Folds easily for easy storage
Spill proof - can easily be wiped down
Provides hours of fun for the kids
You can connect other EZ Twist toys together with this one

Con's -

The price is a little more than I would pay for this
No way to hold this down (like a tent), is not weighted

You can buy the EZ Twist most places toys are sold. Amazon is selling this one for $35.95 (this price cannot be guaranteed and is the price as of today only)

Disclaimer: Thank you PlayHut for providing our family with this Crawl N Play to review. This did not influence the post in any way.

Featured Post for October 30th - CID The Dummy

2009-10-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

CID The Dummy is an exciting full of energy video game that reminds me of the original games we all use to play when we were kids. This is a cute cartoon character made to look like the crash test dummy. He sets voyage to find a kidnapped girl while running into all sorts of obstacles. There are two tutorial levels that teach the basics of control and helps you to learn the moves that will get you through the game. The tutorials were real fun and helped alot, preparing us for our adventure. Our family has an age range from five all the way up to 39 and this was a big hit for everyone in our family. It was a bit difficult for the younger ones, I would recommend this game for anyone ten plus - the rating was right on. It has a rating of E for Everyone 10+ for light cartoon violence. The boys loved it as they found it challenging to get through each level.

CID The Dummy retails starting at approximately $19.99. It is available for the Wii, PC, XBOX, and PS2. Publisher is O-Games.

Featured Post for October 29th - Kaskey Kids

2009-10-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have two boys and they both love action figure, what boy doesn't, right? I am not a big fan of weapons, I do not let my children play with toy guns and I do not like them watching violence on TV. It is so hard these days to keep them away from all that. Even watching cartoons with them you see it, things are so different today than they were back then. Kaskey Kids provides children with high quality sports action figures that encourage the imaginary play of children. Pairing up two of kids favorites activities; playing with action figures and sports; children will spend hours playing with safe, fun and ideal toys. Kaskey kids recently won the 2009 Mom's Best Award meeting the strict Mom's Best Award approval process.
My youngest son is a baseball player. He loves the game and we love watching him getting involved in something he is so passionate about. When he received the baseball set of action figures he was thrilled! All the kids played, including dad for hours that day. What I loved also about this set is it can help those involved in the sport learn more about the game. With my son being six he is just learning the game, this set was good to teach him where the positions are and the rules of the game. It was great watching him get some bonding time with dad too!

You can purchase Kaskey Kids at www.kaskeykids.com For $24.99 you can get the entire set, including a container to hold everything in and a felt field.

Pros -

A great bonding opportunity between Father & Son
Helps to teach the child the rules / positions of the sport
Reasonably priced
Comes with a storage container w/handle
Durable and long lasting

Cons -

No professional teams are available as of now, although that might change soon....

My son gave this product 4 out of 5 stars simply because you cannot purchase your favorite team. Only college teams are available for now.

Disclaimer: Thank you Kaskey Kids for providing us with a sample of the product. This in no way hindered our review of the product.

Featured Post for October 28th - Your Picture Book

2009-10-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

I always love it when the kids make the gift that they give me. It has so much more meaning knowing they spent so much time on it and put that extra love into it. It is always a gift that will be remembered and will hold many memories. The same goes for children - they love seeing themselves in a way they have not seen before or maybe in something they dream about doing. Your Picture Book has taken personalized books to a new level. Your child will not only hear their name, but see themselves on every page. Before adding your child's picture to the storybook illustrations, they digitally convert the child’s photo to appear as a painting. "This gives a seamless blending of child and illustration that looks almost like the child and illustrations were painted together."
The book being featured in this post is the one they sent for my youngest daughter. She absolutely loved it. She loves playing teacher and uses this book almost daily to "teach her students" their numbers!
Your Picture Books are reasonably priced for a personalized item starting at $34.95 for hard cover, but you can always go with soft cover for $8 less. Their coloring books start at only $14.95, and DVD's start at $29.95. For the holiday season they have "My Christmas Adventure" personalized DVD. Your child will be the star when Jack Frost sets out to ruin Christmas. Packed with bonus features, this 30 minute action packed DVD features the child's face in full color throughout as they become one of Santa's favorite elves.

Pros -

A gift that has deep feeling, holds many memories and will be loved by all
Simple wording and easy for the kids to read
Personalized picture blends right into the book
Reasonably priced
Available in hard cover, making it last longer
You can personalize the inside of the book for no extra cost

Cons -

Not many options available (you have three book choices)

My daughter gives this 5 stars out of 5 stars! She uses this book almost everyday to play class and reads this book more than any other book she has.

You can purchase from Your Picture Book at www.yourpicturebook.com

Disclaimer: Product was provided for the review. Thank you Your Picture Book for providing the sample product.

Featured Post for October 27th - Plasma Car

2009-10-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Remember being a kid back in the day? We would have to pedal and pedal, using up all of our energy and tiring out quickly. With the Plasma Car there is no pedaling, you just move your body side to side while turning. The kids get plenty of exercise without even really knowing it. Get this - the Plasma Car can hold up to 220 pounds giving us adults that opportunity to have some fun with the kids. We had races at our house and used it in an obstacle course that my daughter created. It was fun to know my husband & I could ride it without breaking it!!

The Plasma Car is built to last with high-quality plastics, rugged and durable, simple to operate, no pedals, no gears, and is fun for the entire family. You can purchase the Plasma Car here and at specialty shops across the U.S. The car comes in many different colors and can be bought for $69.95.

Pros -

It's lightweight
Easy to operate
Can hold up to 220 lbs allowing fun for the entire family

Cons -

Price is a bit more than I would pay for this
The surface must be very flat for this to work properly and get the full effect

My youngest son who is six gave this 3 out of five stars in his "fun" rating. He said it was fun and he did like it, but would "rather ride my scooter or bike."

Featured Post for October 26th - YMI Jeans

2009-10-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

As a woman a must have item in our wardrobe must be a good quality, long lasting pair of jeans. You can do so much with jeans, whether it's just a day out on the town running errands, taking care of the kids around the house, or a night on the town - they are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing we have. A fairly new company, founded in 2000, YMI Jeans is the leader in junior denim. As a mother in my early thirties, and having four children, I am not lucky enough to shop in the junior department. But also as a young mother of four I like to stay up to date in fashion and always try to look my best when out, even when running errands! Their jeans are so stylish and fun, with many options to choose from.
Pros -

Stylish & Cute
Perfect Fit around the hips and throughout the legs
They run about two sizes smaller than the norm - boosting your self-esteem with a smaller size!
Price is average running from about $19.99 up to $48.00
Free shipping on orders over $50, shipped ground and in the U.S. only

Cons -

They do not carry petite sizes and run long in length
No refunds on sale merchandise (you can exchange or receive store credit)

Shop YMI Jeans at www.ymijeans.com YMI is also available in upscale department stores such as Nordstrom, Dillards, Macy's and other select specialty stores across the U.S. and worldwide. YMI products are available in sizes 0-13 in juniors, 14-24 in juniors plus, XS-XL in sports wear and 7-16 for girls.

Disclosure: Thank you YMI Jeans for providing me with a pair of jeans for the review. This in no way had any influence on this posting. The opinions here are of my own.