May 8 2012

Who Loves Me? Personalized Book

[ABOUT] It is often said that there is no better gift that you can give a child than love. Who Loves Me? features the names of family members and friends who love the child, and encourages the child to reach to the sky when asked “how much” each of one of them loves him or her. This beautifully illustrated book reassures the child that he or she is loved “so much” by each person, with melodious rhymes describing the depth of each individual’s love. Written by Jennifer Dewing, with colorful, whimsical illustrations by Maria Carluccio, this hardcover book is a perfect gift for a new baby or young child!

[REVIEW] This is the sweetest book and you can include all the extended family member names in it when you personalize it. The story is sweet and on each page, your child is reminded of someone else they know that loves them. It makes a wonderful gift and one we will order again.

May 8 2012

If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home Now

[ABOUT] Rickie left home a long time ago-so how is it that at the age of twenty-five, she’s living with her parents again, and sleeping in the bedroom of her childhood home? At least one thing has changed since high school: She now has a very sweet but frequently challenging son named Noah, who attends the same tony private LA school she herself attended. Rickie fit in fine when she was a student, but now her age and tattoos make her stand out from all the blond Stepford moms, who are desperate to know why someone so young-and so unmarried-has a kid in first grade.

Already on the defensive, Rickie goes into full mother-tigress mode when her small and unathletic son tells her that the gym teacher is out to get him. She storms the principal’s office, only to discover that Andrew Fulton, the coach, is no dumb jock. As her friendship with Andrew develops, Rickie finds herself questioning her assumptions-about motherhood, being a grown-up, and falling in love.

[REVIEW] This was a quick read. I was not prepared to enjoy this book as much as I did. As a mom of 3 tween and teen daughters, it was affirming. It was interesting to watch the dynamics between this self-centered and young mother dealing with her child but also still dealing with being a daughter herself and working on her issues with her own mother.

Toward the end of the book, there was a section that really hit home… The young mom says to her own mother, “My son takes everything out on me.”
Her mother’s response was, “That is kind of how it works with mothers. Kids get scared or they make mistakes and get angry at themselves, and you’re there, you’re always there, so they take it out on you because you’re the only one it’s safe to take it out on. Kids need to know that there’s someone there who won’t ever go away or leave them, no matter how horribly they behave. So you give that to your child.”

This is not always the answer we want yet as a mom when you are feeling beaten down, it is a good reminder that although our kids do not always show their appreciation, we are still the center of their lives.

Feb 23 2012

Alphabet Napkin Rings – Uncommon Goods

[ABOUT] Get your table talking with porcelain alphabet napkin rings by Gail Garcia. Modern, lovely and interactive, these rings encourage you to get creative at every meal. Use them as abbreviated place cards or to spell out “pasta” on spaghetti night or to send a cheeky message to guests. Handmade in New York. WEBSITE

[REVIEW] We ordered these because we wanted a way to “Go Green” with our family. We were tired of using paper napkins but we found as a family of 5 that using cloth napkins was a hassle because nobody ever remembered which napkin belonged to them. These Alphabet Napkin Rings solved the problem! Each family member has their own napkin ring and we are now eco-friendly at meals.

Feb 8 2012

Animal Heads – Swim Caps

[ABOUT] Animal Heads allow children of all ages to enjoy swimming and splashing around in the water while looking cool with swim caps featuring fun animal designs. Animal Heads swim caps feature a soft 100% silicone material which is more durable and comfortable than latex swim caps. The fun animal designs feature soft ears or fins protruding from the top of the head and are specifically designed for smaller heads. They also feature a rippled edge which creates a secure fit around the base of the cap and a snug fit that keeps hair pulled cleanly away from the face and neck while swimming.

[REVIEW] Our kids do swim team and since swim gear tends to be pretty boring, they loved these fun caps to jazz up their workout.  They are reasonably priced and a fun gift idea for any young swimmer.

Feb 8 2012

Cushi for your iPhone

[ABOUT] Style with Protection… Cushi, soft foam pad, is made with durable EVA foam to not only counter scratches but to absorb shock for your iPhone while adding soft and delicate texture on its surface.  Cushion-like EVA foam also aids in improved grip dynamics to your iPhone reducing the chance of accidental drops. Easy On Easy Off… Anti-residue adhesive makes Cushi extremely easy to apply with no residue left behind after removal.  The adhesive allows you to reposition Cushi to achieve a perfect fit. Cushi is precision-cut to fit all iPhone 4 perfectly, and is compatible with Apple Bumper.  Be creative with Cushi’s universal compatibility.

[REVIEW] The designs are fun, the Cushi is easy to apply. I think you  will really want to have the iPhone bumper if you use the Cushi for added protection. The Cushi has a lot of pop and I have received several compliments on mine.

Feb 8 2012

Zip ‘n Hang – over the door hook

[ABOUT] Zip ‘n Hang is the first adjustable over-the-door hook that won’t damage doors. It uses flexible lines to go over the corners of the door quickly, easily and with no tools required. Great for hanging a backpack, diaper bag, door decorator, clothing or shoes. With a push of a button, you can raise and lower the Zip ‘n Hang to the desired height! So it gives kids easy access to their stuff. The Zip ‘n Hang comes with a Jumbo Hook perfect for wreaths, and also a Small Hook great for towels, clothing, backpacks and bathrobes.

[REVIEW] We have tried so many over the door hooks and they never work because they either chip the paint or the door will not close We have also tried the adhesive hooks which always seem to fall off when there is any weight on them. I was skeptical about this gadget… however it has a soft rubber texture on the back of the Zip ‘n Hang that keeps it from scratching and also helps hold the hanger in place. You can easily adjust it up or down on the door and it holds a surprising amount of weight. These would even be great for traveling when you need to hang items in your room.

Feb 8 2012

Comfy Critters – Huggable Hooded Blanket

[ABOUT] Comfy Critters is the first and only huggable stuffed animal that is also a cozy, snuggable hooded blanket.  You can hug, love, wear and cuddle up in your Comfy Critters Huggable Hooded Blanket, and it’s great for all kinds of occasions: naptime, playtime, sleep over time, car time or anytime!

[REVIEW] These are so wonderful to travel with. Our kids took their Comfy Critters on the airplane and snuggled up. They also used it as a pillow in the car. We will be giving these as gifts from now on! Fabulous gift idea for Valentine’s Day!

Feb 8 2012

Teddy Needs a Bath – finally a way to clean stuffed animals!

[ABOUT] Teddy Needs a Bath is the first wash-and-dry bag for toys, stuffed animals and everything in-between to keep your kiddo germ-free and happy. TNB is one of the best ways to steer clear of unwanted germs and bacterias. Mommy-invented, kid tested and consumer approved, Teddy Needs a Bath is 100%, eco-friendly and your new house hold helper.

[REVIEW] Theses bags are fantastic! I am constantly getting rid of stuffed animals because they are just dust collectors and most of them say you can only surface wash them. I was THRILLED to test this bag and yes, it works! The bags are large and can hold plenty of animals. No more dust collectors!

Feb 8 2012

Game Night? Goliath Games for every age!

POP THE PIG
[ABOUT] Everyone takes turns to roll the die to see how many chomps the pig will take. Push down the pig’s head to chomp the burger. With every pump, the pig’s stomach will get bigger, bigger, and bigger. But don’t feed him too much because if he pops, you lose! [Goliath] 4+ YEARS

[REVIEW] This is an entertaining game for young kids. Our young reviewers got a little frustrated at how much effort it took to inflate the pig’s tummy but the kids were always fascinated with the results of the popping belly.

NAME 5 – CAN YOU NAME 5?
[ABOUT] Can you name five things that could make a person sneeze? How about five TV dads? Five video games? Vegetables beginning with the letter a? Name 5 is the outrageous party game from Endless Games that asks the easy questions you know the answers to, but can you get them off the tip of your tongue? Sure you know a couple of Tom Hanks movies and a few Tina Turner songs, but can you name five? [Endless Games] 12+ YEARS

[REVIEW] This game is a blast to play with a group and at family events. Everyone will get involved. We had the most fun playing in teams! You will not be disappointed.

FLIPPIN’ OUT!
[ABOUT] Flippin’ Out! was inspired by the classic game of Categories, Flippin Out! is a wild and fast-thinking party game were a letter or a player is eliminated with each Flip of a Chip. Chips representing the letters A-Z are spread out amongst all players. A category is read (eg: “Produce”), on your turn, you have 10 seconds to say something within the category and flip over the first letter of that word. (Lettuce – L; Apples – A; Pears – P… etc) Each letter may only be used once, and you never know what the next person may say! Say a word and Flip a Chip within the 10-second time limit, and you Stay IN the round. Can you come up with a Rock Band beginning with the letter “P”? How about a board game that starts with “N”? Scroll through your mental rolodex and think fast because you’re either FLIPPIN or you’re OUT! [Endless Games]  8+ YEARS

[REVIEWS] As parents, we were constantly amazed at our kids creative answers playing this game.  There are enough categories that engage all ages in playing. This is another keeper for family nights.

Dec 7 2011

DryCASE – waterproof case for electronic devices

[ABOUT] DryCASE is a flexible, crystal clear waterproof case that allows complete use of your tablet or e-reader while keeping it dry and clean. Keep Your Devices Dry Underwater.

[REVIEW] Parents, you will want this for beach and pool outings with your kids. You can take your phone or iPad, camera, Nook or any device and know that it is protected from water and sand! You may even want it on hand when you are bathing your toddler. It is not ideal for taking photos through the bag but we are not using it as a camera. We are using it to read the iPad and make phone calls on our cell phones.

Dec 7 2011

Toddy Smart Cloth

[ABOUT] Carefully handcrafted microfiber cloth provides effective, scratch-free cleaning for your iDevices, screens, lenses and more, features an antimicrobial coating, and is offered in a plethora of fashionable designs

  • Functional and fashionable toddy cloth built for cleaning extremely sensitive surfaces including iPhone, iPad, TV’s, glasses, cameras, etc.
  • Dual-sided cleaning: Plush microfiber material on one side to clean and a distinctively patterned silk microfiber on the other side to buff and polish
  • Four different collections include a total of 42 vibrant print and pattern options, guaranteeing a trendy choice for everyone

[REVIEW] For the price, I would yes, it is worth it and the fact that they took a boring cleaning cloth and created some fun patterns only makes it more desirable than using my shirt sleeve. Our kids handprints are all over my iPad and it drives me crazy. The Toddy is thin and light and I can keep one on my desk and the other on my nightstand. These would be excellent stocking stuffers.

Dec 7 2011

Letz Talk CareMail

[ABOUT] Letz Talk is a new product line that gives kids and teens a creative way to help them to open up and share their thoughts, concerns and dreams with the adults in their lives.  Whether it is their parents, grandparents, aunts, teachers or simply a friend they want to chat with. The CareMail is aimed at boosting self-esteem, growth and building confidence.

Check it out at www.letztalknow.com. Age choices are: 5-8, 9-12, or teen. Category choices are: question cards or combination cards.  Question Cards allow children to open up and share their thoughts. Effective communication increases self-esteem, encourages growth and builds confidence.  Combination Cards allow children the opportunity to feel worthy and proud.  The opportunities are endless. This group includes intriguing questions, motivational messages, and challenges to develop confidence and pride.

[REVIEW] We were not quite sure what we were doing when we first opened these cards but quickly realized they were a wonderful way to create discussions with our kids. I am planning now to use them with a group of teen girls that I meet with on a regular basis. There were even cute little magnets so the kids could personalize their mailbox where we get to exchange cards. I love that there are cards aimed at older kids since conversation can become more challenging in the teen years. It creates a wonderful way to spend time together and get to know each other.

Dec 7 2011

I See Me – Personalized Children’s Books

[ABOUT] My Very Own Name is a beautifully illustrated personalized children’s book that helps children to learn to recognize letters and spell their names. In this hardcover, professionally bound book, animals bring letters one by one to create the child’s first and last names in rhyme. A jackal brings a J, an ostrich brings an O, and so on. At the end, the animals celebrate because they’ve created the perfect name.

MY VERY OWN PRIVATE TALE – In My Very Own Pirate Tale, entertaining sea creatures bring letters one by one to spell out your child’s name, and they describe why he or she is the perfect candidate to be the captain’s first mate. The sawshark brings the S, the octopus brings the O, and so on. At the end of this adventurous pirate story, your child’s name is revealed as the secret to opening the treasure. Includes an illustrated encyclopedia of 62 sea creatures with fun facts about each. Filled with beautiful, hand-painted illustrations, this hardcover book is a unique keepsake that will be cherished for a lifetime.

[REVIEW] These are beautiful books and the perfect gift for a child. They will truly delight the way ours did in discovering that the book is all about them. We love that the book encourages the child to learn to spell their name. We would make this a baby gift for every new parent.

Dec 5 2011

Go2Bras — AMY Go2 Bras – Cami Style

[ABOUT] This sexy cami style bra in ivory, toast and black can be shown and no one will know it is your bra. It is a full coverage bra with an embroidered lace that can be worn under plunging necklines and jackets giving the appearance that you wearing a beautiful cami, without the extra layer. WEBSITE

[REVIEW] I love this bra. I often have blouses and sweaters that I wish came up a little higher so I could wear them without a shirt or tank underneath. This is a fabulous option and they are comfortable and sexy. This Go2Bras website is also a great resource for bra purchases.

This company also gives back with their Buy ONE, Give ONE campaign with Clothes4Souls… “We are thrilled to partner with Clothes4Souls and help provide hope and clothing to those in need,” said Connie Elder, Founder and CEO of Connie Elder International. “We hope you will join us in this effort by purchasing a gift or something for yourself from our Go2 Bra collection and help someone else at the same time,” she said. Clothes4Souls has distributed more than 1 million pieces of clothing since the charity’s inception after the Haitian earthquake in 2010.

Dec 4 2011

Wicked Audio Cellular Jaw Breakers & Metallics

[ABOUT] Popular earbuds and headphones now feature built-in mic to support all mobile devices. Tours, Jaw Breakers and Metallics include a microphone so you can now make and receive calls. Cellular Jaw Breakers include four bold colors with a candy theme, guaranteeing a match to anyone’s unique style.

Fill your ears with Wicked Metallics and prepare for mind blowing sound. Stylish and vibrant earbuds produce great sound at an affordable price Noise isolating earbuds deliver mind blowing sound. Light weight form delivers the ultimate in comfort.  Available in 4 metallically brilliant colors: Pink, Blue, White, Green and Black… website

[REVIEW] I love how bright and trendy these buds are. Great sound quality for the price and the colors are fun for everyone. The fact that I have the option to use the Jawbreakers as a microphone when I am driving or traveling without having to take a second headset is an added bonus.