Kmart Filling Carts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

December 21, 2014 by 5 Comments

We were invited to participate in a wonderful and fun charity initiative at Kmart, to benefit the patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

We went on our very own version of a “toy run” along with Marlo Thomas, a St. Jude patient, and Kmart’s K-Club bloggers, filling our #KmartCarts with as many toys as we could. The toys were then donated by Kmart to be given as gifts to current patients at St. Jude.

pic4Since we were all savvy toy-buying moms, our expert shopping spree resulted in more than $10,000 worth of toys that will be distributed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis!  Along with Kmart’s K-Club bloggers, Marlo and a St. Jude patient will stock the #KmartCarts with the hottest toys of the season to donate to families who will spend their holidays at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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Filed Under: holidays, review Tagged With: , ,

Win Betty Crocker Gift Basket

December 20, 2014 by 107 Comments

If you are ready to get your holiday baking on, you know you need some Betty Crocker.  We love to bake, and we create some great memories together while cooking in the kitchen as well.

pic4The Betty Crocker crew has created a basket filled with baking goodies. The basket (image attached) includes:

  • Kitchen tablet stand
  • Betty Crocker™ Mixing Spoon
  • Betty Crocker™ Oven Mitt
  • “Get Your Betty On” Apron
  • Gingerbread Cookie Cutter
  • Betty Crocker™ Sugar Cookie Mix

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Filed Under: giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With:

Win Sonic Boom for 3DS or Wii U

December 20, 2014 by 114 Comments

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Sonic Boom is speeding its way onto the scene with a brand new CGI show on Cartoon Network, two new distinct games, and a full line of TOMY toys. There aren’t many characters that speak to mom, dad and kids but with almost 25 years of history, Sonic the Hedgehog is one of them!

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric exclusively for the Wii U system, is an original game developed by Southern California based studio Big Red Button Entertainment in collaboration with Sonic Team and its head Takashi Iizuka. Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric finds Sonic and his friends Tails, Knuckles, and Amy as they release a powerful snake-like villain named Lyric from an ancient tomb sealed deep within an island. The group must put aside their differences and work together as a team to save the world from Lyric’s evil plan and his army of war mongering robots!
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Holiday Gift Ideas from Best Buy

December 20, 2014 by 5 Comments

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

gifts

This holiday season, there are lots of options out there. To make those who are special to you feel that way, try to think about what they like, or maybe they have “hinted” about what they would like.  It is the season of giving, and the best way to get a truly heartfelt thank you? The perfect gift has to be found.  Today, we are looking at a few choice items which can be found at Best Buy.

With Expert Service and Unbeatable Price, these top gifts are on my husband’s list this holiday, and here’s why they should be on yours:  First up is the new Xbox One by Microsoft.  Xbox One is the place for games.

pic7What is Xbox One?

Xbox One was built by gamers, for gamers. With the best exclusive titles (Halo, Sunset Overdrive), the biggest blockbusters (Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty) the hottest sports franchises (Madden 15, FIFA 15, NBA 2K15) and top family titles (Fantasia: Music Evolved, Just Dance 15, Skylanders) Xbox One takes gaming to a whole new level.

In addition to being a great gaming console, Xbox one connects consumers unlike any other device.  Xbox One enables access to the latest TV shows and movies through your favorite apps.  With Xbox One all of your media is at your fingertips when you want it.
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Jan Marini Holiday Skin Exfoliators

December 19, 2014 by 2 Comments

This holiday season, get skincare into the spirit – add a little sugar and spice with Jan Marini Skin Research’s (JMSR) limited edition Holiday Exfoliator in Cranberry Orange and Sugar Cookie.  This exfoliant is softer then most are, it doesn’t have the “scratchy-ness” that many of them do.  The scent is not at all overpowering- in fact, there is little smell until you are in the shower, actually using it. It’s sort of s strange consistency- my son called it “peanut butter”, but it worked well and had a great aroma that lingered on the skin for quite a while.

pic4 This uniquely designed scrub eliminates harsh abrasives to gently and safely scrub and resurface the skin.  The popular, clinical-strength resurfacer that immediately refines texture, leaving skin with a radiant, polished glow has two new scents for the season.
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Filed Under: beauty, Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With: ,

Febreze Air Purifiers – Get one Before Your Next Gathering

December 19, 2014 by 3 Comments
Disclosure-  We received a copy of the below in order to facilitate this review. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
 

It is now closed window season.  The time of year when fresh cold air can stay outside for a little while.  Long gone are the days of cracking the window a bit to let some fresh air in.  So what are you to do when you just need to air out the house a bit?  Why not an air purifier from Febreze.  From the makers of wonderful fresh scents, comes a new spin an air cleaner and scent releaser.

pic4The Febreze air purifier line contains three simple yet needed characteristics: Powerful Air cleaning, Odor Elimination and Freshening with Febreze Scent.

Power Air Cleaning is done by capturing up to 99% of airborne pollutants including dust, pet dander, pollen, and smoke as small as 2 microns.  Giving the air a clean fresh feeling.


Odor Elimination is done through a four step process- dirty stale air is pulled in using a strong fan.  A special dual action filter  traps household odor and larger airborne particles like pet hair and dust.  After passing through the dual action filter, the next step is a HEPA-Type filter which catches up to 99% of the microscopic particles in the air.  Finally, the fresh Febreze scent is added to the air in the form of linen and sky scent, leaving the filter cleaner, fresher and scented. As of now there are various strengths and sizes of Febreze air purifiers, including tower sized air purifiers which retail for $94.99, to the mini tower at $74.99, and tabletop at $64.99.  Each works well at its job- cleaning the air we breathe.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, home, review

INTO THE WOODS – In Theaters December 25

December 19, 2014 by 5 Comments

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We recently attended a screening of Disney’s “Into The Woods”, which will be in theaters soon.  My son and I love the theater, and have seen local productions, so I was nervous about seeing the movie.  (You know when you LOVE a book, and the movie isn’t what you thought it would be?  Or when they remake a classic movie and you are horribly disappointed- same goes with sequels.  “Dirty Dancing, Havana Nights” made me want to egg Hollywood.  Somebody should have put the director in the corner.)

However, I am pleased as punch to say we loved it!  All four of us did- my son and I, who were familiar with the play and songs, and my good friend and her son, who had never even heard of it before.  I figured it would be good to get all views, right?

We all thought it was great- funny, the music was great- and thankfully, the actors could actually sing.  Unlike some Broadway shows made into movies where they cast for star-power and not singing ability (cough, Les Miserables) I was thrilled that all the actors could sing- and well!  Yay!  There is nothing worse for a moviegoer and music lover then to have to sit through tragic singing, LOL. Not only are the stars in the movie bright (Hello?  Meryl Streep?) but they are talented actors AND singers, which this musical requires.
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Filed Under: disney, entertainment, family, movie, review Tagged With: ,

Build a Bear for the Holidays

December 18, 2014 by 2 Comments

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

superman teddy bearSuperman Bear is now available at Build A Bear.  It is approximately 18 inches tall, just perfect for carrying around (which is exactly what my son loves to do). He loves him not only because he is a fan of all things superhero, but also because SuperBear (or Superman Bear) is easy to bring with him.  There are several other “supers” available as well, like Spiderman and Batman Bears.

build a bearAs with all Build A Bear plush, Superman Bear is well put together, and as snuggly and soft as you want him to be. He is one of the Special Edition plush at Build A Bear. Your child can also build the other “super” bears and include their own costumes- as well as include your special personal love and care as you build them. Also available at Build A Bear are all the accessories you’d expect your pink buddy to have, like a surf board and even a grass skirt and lei if you really miss the summertime, ha.  You can also have any bear or animal of your choice shipped to someone you love- choose the character, then choose the outfit and accessories, and send away!  It will come in this cute little box, all wrapped up for them.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, review, toys Tagged With: ,