Innotab MAX – Great tablet for kids

December 8, 2014 by Samantha 4 Comments

VTech are the constant innovators of the children’s software and hardware market gearing their products toward kids and education, they meld fun and learning so kids get play time and learning time together in one durable package. Their most recent addition to their tablet line is the InnoTab MAX.

The MAX is VTech’s first Android based children’s tablet and opens the door to thousands of learning based apps from such developers as Spinlight Studio, Thup Games, Brainchild, 22learn, and Cupcake Digital. All of which are available through their personal app store the Learning Lodge. Learning Lodge carries software for all their tablets and learning platforms all of which are educator approved. Each app teaches kids a topic in new and inventive ways, from Wubzy’s ABC Learn and Play to Geography Drive USA. You’ll be able to find something interesting and new to you and your kids.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With: kids tablets

Craft Beer Club – The Perfect Gift For Dad

December 8, 2014 by Samantha 6 Comments

One of the best gifts you can get someone is one that keeps on giving. So the “Of the month” kind of gifts are often well received. There are fruit of the month clubs, wine of the month clubs, and of course The Craft Beer of the month club (which Daddy is thoroughly enjoying).

The Craft Beer Club sends out 12 beers a month to enjoy, as well as a free bottle opener when you order 3 months of delivery and a free set of tasting glasses when you order 6 months. The beers are all craft beers, which means they come from small breweries which take special care to make unique beers. This months features where Saint Arnold Brewing Company and DL Geary Brewing Company, each which 2 varieties of beer- Geary’s Pale Ale and Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale from DL Geary, and Fancy Lawnmower and Santo from Saint Arnold. Dl is from Portland Maine and Saint Arnold is from Houston Texas. Each brewery is descried in detail on a News Sheet which also included facts about the brewery(s), the beers, and even some fun facts and recipes either to be made with the beers or to complement the flavors of the beer.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With: beer, Holiday Gift Guide 2014

Stocking Stuffers for Dad

December 7, 2014 by Samantha 1 Comment

Looking for a few little “somethings” to stuff in dad’s stocking this year? Check out these fun books that are sure to make him laugh- and be fun (and even useful) as well.

World Bottled Beers: 50 Classic Brews to Sip and Savour

This is actually what the book looks like- a bottle of beer 🙂

“A delightful gift for any discerning beer drinker, this shaped book features 50 of the world’s best brews from Adams Broadside in the UK to US classics such as Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and the unmissable German lagers and wheat beers that include Ayinger Celebrator and Schneider Weisse. For each beer, a shaped bottle image is accompanied by detailed tasting notes and a list of other similar beers to try. Beers range from best bitters and IPAs to stouts and porters, Trappist ales and oak-aged brown ales to lagers and wheat beers. The author, Adrian Tierney-Jones, is an award-winning beer writer.” The book is available for $10.72 at Barnes and Nobel.com.
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Filed Under: book review, Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With: book, books, Holiday Gift Guide 2014, men

Must Have Christmas Kids Games from Wonder Forge

December 6, 2014 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Disclosure: The games from Wonder Forge mentioned below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

I am sure that many of you remember that my family loves to play games. My husband and I have always enjoyed playing games and that love has definitely passed on to our daughters. We aren’t quite to the point that we have a designated game night a week, but I know that time is coming :). Wonder Forge is and will always be one of our favorite game companies. The games that we have of theirs are wonderful in every aspect. I have not received a game from them that left me disappointed.

About Wonder Forge:

In 2007, Jacobe Chrisman (Founder & CEO) and a small group of creative types with a passion for children’s entertainment came together to develop extraordinarily fun, original play experiences for kids and families.

Since it was originally launched, Wonder Forge has always offered top-quality experiences, raising the bar for preschool and family games everywhere. The preschool games help to celebrate the “can do” attitude in all kids – engaging them physically, socially, and creatively. The family games bridge generation gaps and create wholesome family moments and lasting memories.

Wonder Forge additionally always works to create strong, long-lasting partnerships with licensors. This is wonderful when your children love certain characters.

Today, Wonder Forge makes over 85 games that have won more than 160 top awards for product excellence. They are sold nationwide and in over 11 countries.

About the games :

Frozen Surprise Slides: (Pictured Above)

In this wonderful Frozen game, you get to take a Journey high up into the mountains above Arendelle with all your favorite Frozen friends. You can take shortcut slides and zoom ahead, or push you backward. It’s a game that will always be different every time that you play this game.

This game promotes:

color recognition
turn-taking and playing together
Ideal first game for preschoolers

About Dr.Seuss Charades:

In this fun charades game, your child can draw a card to act out for their friends. It is developed specially for young players, this game uses familiar and whimsical images from the world of Dr.Seuss for silly, laugh out loud fun for everyone.
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Filed Under: disney, entertainment, family, gaming, Holiday Gift Guide, kids, review, toys Tagged With: Childrens Games, disney games, Frozen, Frozen Games, games for kids, Gift Guide 2014, holiday gift guide, kids games, Wonder Forge, Wonder Forge Games

Getting Your Big Kid Ready For Christmas

December 6, 2014 by Samantha 4 Comments

Disclosure- we received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

As the children were nestled all snug in their bed….you noticed their bedding was getting a little shoddy looking. Or maybe your little one’s Pooh Bear bedspread no longer fits the bill. Either way, with the holidays upon us, and company coming over you want to replace it sooner rather then later. I was in the same boat as well (I have a tough time admitting that my son is growing up, what can I say), and decided it might be time to pick up something a little more his speed.

He loves his new SpongeBob SquarePants Twin Comforter and Sheet Set, it fits his room (and his age) perfectly. He really likes the colors, and of course, SpongeBob is a hit. The sheet set is $21.99 sheet set and $32.99 for the comforter, and is available at Kmart and Kmart.com.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With: bedding, home, toys

Taylor Bluetooth Body Fat Smart Scale

December 5, 2014 by Samantha 1 Comment

Disclosure- we received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

If you are like me, you are on a constant battle to lose or maintain your weight. Have you seen this new scale? The Taylor Bluetooth Body Fat Smart Scale is not just a really easy to use scale, but a piece of fitness technology as well.

This was a cool scale to check out- a smart scale (that is also internet enabled!) that can be synced with fitness apps via Bluetooth is really interesting and adds a whole new level. If you are trying to lose weight or just maintain, it makes it easy to keep track. The new technology helps me stay focused and easily hold myself accountable. This is a good one to have, especially with New Years resolutions right around the corner. It runs on 3 AAA batteries, and they last awhile. The scale can weigh up to 400 lbs, so even those with the most to lose can use this scale with no worries. It’s easy to use- just step on the scale, wait a few seconds (stay still) and bam- there you have it. That’s you! You can grab yours on Amazon. It’s a great gift if you know someone on a diet or fitness program, but it’s a good thing for you to have in your own home as well.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, review

Win a GOLiFE Care Activity Tracker

December 3, 2014 by Danielle 25 Comments

Disclosure: The GOLiFE Care Activity Tracker fromPAPAGO! mentioned below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

I have been really big into working out lately and I have really enjoyed ‘getting back into shape’. I had been looking at all the different activity trackers that are available for awhile. There are a wide variety of them out there and it’s hard to know how you can get the best bang for your buck :). I must admit that I have been completely impressed with my GOLiFE Care.

About Papago:

Vision: PAPAGO! Inc. has devoted itself to offering better services and driving technology for every consumer. Our goal of constantly innovating and communicating new ideas to the public are paying off.PAPAGO!Inc. keeps researching the latest driving technology, seeking breakthroughs and creating a different future.

They believe that working out is one of the best ways to express pressure and maintain a healthy body, and it is better to have friends who can share this interest with you.

About GOLiFE Care:

This wonderful activity tracker is a very helpful tool for those that are active. You will see that it has a wide variety of activities.

Record Fitness Data and Sleep Patterns– The GOLiFE Care can help you record the number of steps that you walk, the distance you walk, and how many calories you burn daily. It will also even tell you if you are getting enough sleep at night.
Never Miss a Call Again – It will send a vibrating alert when you receive an incoming call from your smart phone. This is very helpful when your phone is on silent mode or not right with you.
Stylish Design with a High-Resolution Screen – It is designed with a stylish brushed metal face and silicone band making it comfortable and versatile for everyday wear.

Win a Beautiful Wood Wall Art Sign

December 1, 2014 by Danielle 12 Comments

Disclosure: The Wood Wall Art Sign from Beach Frames mentioned below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

I always seem to be on the lookout for new great items for my house. I haven’t really ever seemed to have the house completely decorated, so I always think I need that one more item. I must tell you that my new Repurposed Wood Wall Art that I received from Beach Frames might have been just the touch that my living room was waiting for.

About Beach Frames:

At Beach Frames, they are about simply living their passion. Their passion has been inspired by beach life, creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and ultimately a desire to depart from the “rat race”.

“We wanted to do something that fed our creative souls and that would give back to the earth in the form of incorporating reclaimed and recycled materials in most of our products. We capitalized on our talents both artistically and from what we have learned in the business world…and that’s when we launched the Beach Frames company after many years of product design and collaboration.”

Beach Frames has continued to grow rapidly throughout the United States, South America, Japan, and the Caribbean. Their products have been sold by some large retail chains and over 500 retail furniture and home decor shops, gift shops, galleries, resort shops and 1000’s of retail customers. Due to the uniqueness and consistent high quality of their frames, consumers have responded wonderfully and continue to come back for more! All of their products are handcrafted in the USA.