Soft Scrub Total, Bath & Bowl Cleaner Review

Soft Scrub Total
Soft Scrub is a product that I have used for years. Back in my mid teens, I did housekeeping for a motel and it was used there. Now in my own home, I have it on hand as it it does a great job cleaning tough grime. Soft Scrub has recently come out with a few new products to help with your cleaning needs. They include:

  • Soft Scrub Total Bath & Bowl Cleaner
  • Soft Scrub Total Kitchen Cleaner

Pros: I was able to try out the new bath & bowl cleaner. This new product is meant to clean the entire bathroom. It’s helpful not to have to use 5 different products. The shape of the bottle is easy to hold, and it works upside down! I don’t know another cleaner that works so well upside down. This is great for cleaning toilets and spraying those places that you don’t always see. Since all of my readers have always wanted to see me clean a toilet, here I am using the bottle upside down to clean mine.

The nozzle also has a cool feature. There is a screen on the front that you can open or close. If the screen is open, the cleaner will come out like a spray. Close the screen, and you have a foam. So not only it is versatile in cleaning the whole bathroom, but you can choose how it comes out. It leaves a nice fresh scent and did a great job on my toilet and sink.

Cons:
I had some tough soap scum in the shower in my master bathroom and I felt that the product had to sit for some time in order for it to wipe away. Even after that, there was still a small amount of soap scum residue.
Overall though, it is a good all purpose bathroom cleaner.

Coupons
Head on over to the Soft Scrub website to get a money saving coupon that will save you $1.50 on one of the new Soft Scrub products.

Price: $3.50-$4.00

Where to Buy: A grocer or retail store near you

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me.  I was part of a Soft Scrub Captains campaign. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

New Arrivals from DownEast Basics – Review & Giveaway (closed)

Ready for Spring?
I’m starting to get spring fever. It’s halfway through February, and March is right around the corner. You know what that means, right? Bright colors, cropped pants, light tees. I think it’s safe to say that DownEast Basics is more than ready and prepared for Spring to come. After previewing their new arrivals this month, and being outfitted in a darling ensemble, I’m ready to give my take on the new line.

Pros: The new line includes lots of bright fresh colors, and is organized into a 28 day style guide. Feminine ruffles, florals, chiffon, and artistic impressions  are what the line is all about. DownEast sent me the Stroke of Art Skirt, and Frosted Flowers Cardigan.

Stroke of Art Skirt
I haven’t ever owned a skirt from DownEast, so I wasn’t sure what size I needed. As mentioned in my denim review, I am tall and usually have to buy my denim in a tall size. I also like a skirt to hit knee length or below. If it is meant to be a shorter skirt, like many that DownEast features, I like it to be right at the knee. When pictured on the model, it does hit right at the knee. I would have normally ordered a small, but decided to order a size medium so I could ensure the length. The skirt is a bit big, so it sits on my hips, but as you can tell from the picture below, it hits the top part of my calf, so it was plenty long. Next time I would order a small, to get more of the length and fit I want.

The detailing and style of the skirt is darling. I like the way that it fits flat on the top 3″ or so of the skirt, and runs into the pleats, which lay nicely.  The inside of the skirt is lined with a slip which I was happy to see. I have owned a white skirt in the past that wasn’t lined, and I felt that you could almost see through it, even with a slip. The material is also nice and it’s not thin like you get sometimes with skirts. It has a zip closure, and is really a comfy skirt. I think the name of the skirt, stroke of art, fits perfectly.  The pattern is beautiful as you can see below.

Frosted Flowers Cardigan
First off, I love this color. It screams spring and summer. In the picture above, you can see the flowers that are appliqued on. They add a fun funky detail and lay better than I thought they would. It is knit cotton, and is lightweight. I feel that it fits true to size.
There are a few different ways to wear cardigans, so I love the versatility of this piece. Buttoned all the way up, or just a few buttons gives you a different look. Plus, it’s casual enough to dress down for day wear.

Cons:
Stroke of Art Skirt
Because this skirt is a cotton poplin it wrinkles a bit easy. It’s not anything that a warm iron won’t get rid of, but it was a bit wrinkly when I was done wearing it at the end of the day. Because it is a cotton, I will also wash it in cold and line dry it. Not sure if it would shrink up or not as I haven’t washed it yet, but I’m not willing to risk it.

Frosted Flowers Cardigan
I got this cardigan in a size medium and wish the length were a bit longer. I’m also going to handle it with TLC when I wash it as I don’t want the adorable flowers to come off!

Another Favorite
I do love this line, and I have my eye on these Heart Throb Shorts. They aren’t in stock in my size right now, but you’d better believe I’m going to watch to see when they are in stock, because I think need a pair of them.

Price: Stroke of Art Skirt – $29.99 Frosted Flowers Cardigan – $34.99

Where to Buy: DownEast Basics

Win It
TWO Babes and Kids readers will win their choice of top, bottom, or accessory from the new line.

Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

Additional Entries

  • Become a Fan of DownEast Basics on Facebook – 2 entries
  • Tweet this giveaway – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me via Google Friend Connect – 2 entries
  • Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on March 1st. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by DownEast Basics.  They are also sponsoring this giveaway. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Bee Well Wishes – Review & Giveaway (closed)

Sending Comfort
Have you ever wanted to do something for someone that is going through a rough patch and you aren’t quite sure what to do? Flowers die, cards might be thrown away, and so on. Bee Well Wishes is a company that is based around giving something that lasts. After all, the founders have been there. After giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, and dealing with a brain tumor at the same time, the strong woman behind Bee Well Wishes realized just how useful certain items were when others were showing support. You can read more about her story here.
The Bee Well Wishes line includes:

  • T-Shirts
  • Pillowcases
  • Lounge Pants
  • Onesies
  • Blankets
  • Sweatshirt Blankets

Pros: I love the entire concept behind this line. My very sweet cousin lost a full term baby back in December. She gave birth to him, didn’t know anything was wrong, and he passed a few hours later. Being a mom myself, my heart literally broke for her. We grew up a few houses apart and I have countless memories and fun times with her. After coming up to the funeral, I thought about what I could do. I wanted to do something or get something for her that would remind her just how much I cared. Bee Well Wishes sent a t-shirt that I gave to her. I hope every time she puts it on that she will remember she is loved, and remember the Bee Well Wishes I have for her.  The picture below was taken of my two cousins and I at Christmas time.  I’m sure it was a bittersweet Christmas for my cousin after her loss.  She has two other beautiful kids to celebrate with, but she was missing her baby.

As far as the actual product goes, I can’t give too much of an opinion because I didn’t try it out. The fabric of the shirt was very soft though and the print of the bee was super cute.

It’s also very easy to order from the website, and I found it appealing and very easy to navigate. Each order comes with a personalized card, the bee well story, and is wrapped nicely in tissue.

Cons: On their website, it says that all clothing has a very generous fit, or are unisex sizes. When ordering, I was told that they were men’s sizes. I think this would be good clarification for buyers to somewhere let them know that they are mens sizes instead of just a generous fit. I ordered a medium and it still seemed very big. In fact, it looked about the same size as my husbands shirts, and he wears a large. Not sure if it will shrink up though.
Seems like a silly con, but I think it’s important for readers to know. So now that you know, you can order the right size. :)

Price: $15 and up

Where to Buy: Bee Well Wishes

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a Bee Well Tshirt

Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

  • Tell me who you would like to win this t-shirt for.

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Grab my blinkie or button – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on February 23rd. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Pom Wonderful Review

Pom Wonderful
In passing the refrigerated juices at the store, I’ve often seen Pom Wonderful and wondered exactly what it was. I remember looking at the label one day, seeing that it was 100% pomegranate juice and thinking, “Oh, that’s nice.” I think a lot of times I don’t necessarily try new food/drink products unless someone recommends it or it looks just too good to resist. So, I’ve never picked any up just because I didn’t know that much about it.
They have a bunch of different products, but the one that I tried out and will be focusing on is the 100% pomegranate juice.

Pros: Pom Wonderful has a commitment to wellness, and is backed by over $32 million in research. One thing that I really love about this juice is the antioxidants it offers. Not sure what an antioxidant does? Click here to find out more.  I like that the juice is 100% with no added sugars or fillers.  It’s definitely sweet enough that it doesn’t need added sugar anyway.
The packaging is really fun, and the 8 oz size that I got to try out was perfect to throw in my lunch bag for work.
The taste is a blend of tart and sweet, and is actually very strong.

Cons: The flavor did remind me quite a bit of a cranberry juice, it was very tart. In fact, the first few times I drank it, I found myself trying hard not to pucker. I’ve had pomegranates in salad before, but never 100% juice by itself. I noticed that Pom Wonderful offers other varieties and I have to wonder if I would like the taste of one of the others instead, like the Pomegranate Blueberry.
An 8 ounce bottle is also 160 calories which I think is quite a bit for a drink. I try to limit my calories from beverages as I’d rather eat a piece of fresh fruit than drink it. I think it would be a great idea to offer Pom Wonderful in a light option with less calories, but then again I don’t know if it would affect all of the health properties it offers.

Where to Buy: A local retailer near you.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Dentyne Limited Edition Designs – Review & Giveaway (closed)

Dentyne Gum
At any given time, if you ask me if I have gum, I usually do. I tend to carry some in my purse at all times and usually have some in our candy dish as well. (Having it in the candy dish is a good reminder to grab a piece of gum instead of a high calorie treat.)
Dentyne Gum has teamed up with artist Anthony Yankovic to bring you a limited edition badge edition bottles with his artwork.

Pros: I will be the first to admit that I am a person affected by advertising and packaging. Hubby studied advertising in college, and it really opened my eyes to how I am affected by how a product looks. I am the type that will be at the store and try something new or purchase it just because of the packaging. To some brands, yes I am loyal. To others, packaging is important enough to sway me one way or another. You might wonder where I am going with this, and it comes down to the artwork on the bottles. I think the art done by Anthony Yankovic is different and refreshing and it is exactly the type of product that I would put in my cart at the checkout because the packaging is cool.
I also like that the bottles offer 60 pieces of gum, and have an easy flip top cap. The cap is also strong enough that it doesn’t just come open if you tip the bottle upside down, which lets you knew it won’t spill if you have it in a bag. It also comes in three great flavors; Arctic Chill, Spearmint, and Peppermint.

Cons: Most of the time, I carry gum in my purse. Because of the size of the bottle, I wouldn’t carry it in my purse. Having kids, I have too many other things to carry in there, so a pack is easier to carry than the bottle. The only place that I would put the bottle is in my candy dish as I mentioned above or maybe my car.
I would like to see it offered in a fruit flavor as well. It seems that fruit flavored gum has become increasingly popular, and I think it would be nice to have the choice.

Where to Buy: At a retailer near you. I’ve been in a few different stores and seen these new bottles at the checkout.

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will 3 bottles of Dentyne, one in each flavor. (Arctic Chill, Spearmint, Peppermint.)

Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

  • Tell me what you think about the bottle, artwork, or any other feature.

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on February 17th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Yummy Eats from Farm Rich & SeaPak, Review

Rich Products
It’s always nice to have food that is quick and convenient to eat. Sometimes you sacrifice taste with convenience though. I like to try new products and have them on hand, especially if they are freezer friendly. Rich Products offers a wide variety of frozen and convenient meals. Some of their brands include Seapak, Farm Rich, Casa Di Bertacchi, World Catch, Byron’s and Rich’s. The last few weeks, we have been trying out a few products from Rich, including Seapak Shrimp, and Farm Rich Mozzarella sticks.

Pros: With the SeaPak breaded butterfly shrimp, and Farm Rich cheese sticks, preparation was easy. I pan fried the shrimp in olive oil for 2 1/2 minutes and served with french fries. My boys aren’t big shrimp eaters, in fact they won’t touch it, but both hubby and I really like it. I thought the taste was great and I felt like the shrimp were large. Sometimes with frozen breaded shrimp, all you get is breading and this definitely was not the case. Shrimp is also a lean protein.  There were 11 grams of protein per serving in the breaded butterfly shrimp.

The mozzarella sticks were really good as well if you ate them right out of the oven. Both boys really liked these, and they made a fun and tasty appetizer.

Cons: My cons for both products are about the same. First, there is a lot of sodium added in both. The shrimp has 28% of your daily value with 1 serving, and I assume it is to preserve the food because it is frozen. It also had 1/4 of your daily value of cholesterol. Cooking instructions for the mozzarella sticks included oven baking which is a healthier option, but the shrimp was to be fried in oil. I used olive oil as a healthier option. I try to be somewhat health conscious for my family and would consider buying these products more often if the sodium and cholesterol levels were less. Right now, I would use them occasionally as a fun different meal because we love the taste.

Where to Buy: At a grocer near you. I picked up my items at Walmart in the freezer section.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by Rich Products. I was provided with  coupons to try SeaPak and Farm Rich products in return for a review. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

DownEast Basics Clothing – Review & Giveaway (closed)

My Favorite Things
DownEast Basics is a store that has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. In fact, at almost any given time, you can find me wearing one of their wonder tees under just about every top as an undershirt. I love that the line offers modest clothing, while still giving you that trendy, in style feel. DownEast just introduced some awesome new products into their line this month, and I was more than excited to get to sample a few of them.

Pros: DownEast sent me Sprinkles on Top from their tops line and a pair of denim, Double Take.

Sprinkles on Top
This top comes in two different colors, light blue & white, and black & white. It’s made of a polyester chiffon, and has some super cut detailing at the top where there are two ties. I love the gathering around the neck line and around the bottom of the sleeve as well, it adds a nice feminine touch.  It’s the perfect shirt to dress up with a skirt or to wear casually with a pair of jeans. At 5’9″ and just under 140 lbs, I usually wear a medium top. I felt that this fit true to size, and thought that it lays nicely. It washes up nicely as well, and I didn’t experience any shrinking or fading.  Their tops are also available in sizes xs-xxl.

Double Take Denim
Remember back in the day when it was hard to find denim in a tall length? I definitely do. I was done growing by the end of 8th grade and always had jeans that were way too short which didn’t contribute to my self esteem. Then a company or two started making jeans in a taller length, which I totally appreciate. DownEast offers their denim in 32, 34 and sometimes a 36″ length. I need about a 34 inch inseam, and the Double Take Jean is offered in that. The Double Take is a lowrise bootfit jean, with adorable detailing on the back pockets as you can see below.  Plus they are flattering, which you feel like you need after having babies.

Sometimes I am a bit wary of jeans that are lowrise because sometimes the rise is a little two low in the back and I don’t exactly want my rear end hanging out. I was pleasantly surprised to find more coverage in the back of the jean, without sacrificing the lowrise in the front. These are also lightweight and have spandex in them which gives them a nice stretch. Can you say comfortable? My new favorite jeans, hands down. They also retail for only $54.99, which I think is a great price for a cute pair of denim.

Cons: I always try to look for cons when I’m reviewing different products, because no product is perfect, right? I’m struggling here at this point because I can’t really find anything wrong with the top or the jeans. Fit is true to size, great quality, washes up nice, doesn’t shrink, super trendy. Nope, no cons.

Price: Sprinkles on Top - $24.99 Double Take Denim – $54.99

Where to Buy: DownEast Basics

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win their choice of top, denim, or accesory from the New Arrivals.

Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

  • Visit DownEast and tell me what you will pick if you win.

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. (daily entry) – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me via google friend connect – 2 entries
  • Comment on any non giveaway post you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries per post you comment on.

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on February 4th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Casio Exilim EX-S5 Review

Last August, I had a chance to review a digital camera from the Casio Exilim line, the EX-S12. It was an awesome little pocket camera with a ton of cool features. Casio sent me another camera from the Exilim line to try out for a bit, the Casio EX-S5. It functions much as the same as the EX-S12 but is almost half the price, so it’s great for those on a budget. There were a lot of things that I did like, and things that I didn’t. I’m going to outline the most important parts for me on this little camera.

Specs:
The EX-S5 is a sleek and sturdy 10.1 megapixel camera priced to travel with you everywhere. It features a youtube capture mode, bestshot mode, face detection, focus frames, and 3x optical zoom. You can visit Casio’s website to view all features and specifications.

Throughout this post are photos taken with the EX-S5. None of them have been edited, but I have added my logo for copyright purposes.

Pros:
Body and Style
I love the sleek look and feel of this camera. It comes in five different colors including black, gray, blue, pink, and purple. It is less than an inch thick at .7″ and is .5″ at it’s smallest point.

Easy Mode
Let’s face it, a lot of us aren’t camera guru’s and when it comes to digital cameras, we just point and shoot, hoping for a good picture. The EX-S5 has an easy mode which takes a lot of options away which can be confusing for some people, and makes it that much easier to point and shoot.

Video Mode
Taking videos on the EX-S5 is very simple. You don’t have to choose a different mode like you do on some cameras. You just press the record button on the top right hand side of the camera to begin filming, and the same button when you are done again.
You can also take pictures while you are recording, and are able to zoom in and out. The picture quality is really nice as well. To see a video done with this camera, check out my Waterpik Review.

Face Detection
I think it is safe to say that a lot of users will use their cameras to take pictures of people. With the face detection feature, the camera recognizes faces in the picture, focuses on them and your end result is beautiful pictures.

Sizing Options
There are seven different options when it comes to sizing. They include: 10m, 3:2, 16:9, 7m, 4m, 2m, and VGA. Obviously if you have your camera set on 10m, it is going to take less pictures, but you will be able to blow them up larger. If you are looking for a wall print, this is nice. Sometimes I like to choose 2m or VGA if I want to e-mail or upload a photo quickly without having to resize it in my editing program.

Best Shot
Like the EX-S12, this camera has tons of options when it comes to shooting the right picture. 23 options to be exact. You can choose from things like Portrait, Scenery, Food, Sundown, and Pets. The photograph below of the cupcake was taken on the food setting. Apart from the photo being a bit dark, (I like to shoot with the natural light), the detail on the cupcake is great and you can tell the camera really picked what it needed to.

Cons:
LCD Screen
The lcd screen on this camera is not very clear. The first few pictures and videos I took with this camera, I was unimpressed. The pictures looked dull and grainy on the screen. Once I plugged the camera into the computer, I couldn’t believe how nice and clear they were. So the lcd screen does NOT do the pictures justice on this camera.

Processing Time
Like the EX-S12, the processing time can be up to 5-6 seconds. I don’t have a lot of patience for this when I’m trying to shoot pictures of my kids. I like to have a quick turnaround time because you never know when you are going to miss that perfect opportunity to get a good shot.

Charging Unit
This was also something that I didn’t like on the other Exilim camera that I reviewed. While I appreciate that it came with a lithium battery, a definite plus in digital camera, charging it is a bit of a pain. You have to take the battery out of the camera, and plug it into a separate charger. The charging unit consists of the actual charger, and the cord which plugs into it. It seems like more to keep track of. I have had digital cameras in the past that have chargers that plug directly into the camera so you never have to take the battery out. I actually prefer that.

Memory Card
I think it would be a nice improvement for the camera to come with a nice sized memory card. This particular camera did not come with one. When you buy a camera for the first time, it’s frustrating to get it out of the box, charge the battery, and are ready to take pictures…..only you don’t have a memory card to hold anything! I like to have a 2 GB memory card with me, because it takes hundreds of pictures and about an hour and a half of video on this camera. So a nice improvement – including a memory card as part of the package deal.

Overall Impression
I think that the Casio Exilim EX-S5 would be a good option for a person looking for a reliable point and shoot camera that has a lot of features, but is easy to use. It takes nice pictures most of the time, is small and compact, and takes great video. At $129, it’s also easy on the pocket book.

Price: $129

Where to Buy: Retailers listed at Casio

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by Casio.  I was given the camera for a period of time for trial and review purposes and then returned back to the sponsor.  The views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Waterpik Ultra Dental Water Jet – Review & Giveaway (closed)

Oral Health
Oral Health is something that has always been important to me. Maybe it’s because I have the world’s weakest enamel and have to work hard to keep my teeth clean. Or maybe it’s because I wore braces for over 3 years and really learned good dental hygiene at that point in my life. I owned a waterpik once upon a time while living with my parents. I haven’t had one in years, but I don’t especially love flossing, so I was excited to get the chance to review the Ultra Dental Water Jet by Waterpik. I know that a lot of people don’t like to floss, me being one of them. I have all sorts of permanent retainers to work around and it’s a bit of a pain. Did you know that using a waterpik is up to 93% more effective than flossing?

Pros: I feel like Waterpik has come a long way over the last 10 years. They’ve always had exceptional products, but it’s neat to see improvements in design and functionality as well as new accessories.
The waterpik works by shooting streams of water out of a special tip. You aim the water down towards your gums and it cleans in between your teeth and along your gumline. You control the intensity of the water with a small dial that goes from 1 to 10. 1 is the least amount of pressure, 10 is the most. As you become accustomed to using the Waterpik, you can increase pressure on your jet.
The compact design is a huge plus as I have next to no counter space in my bathroom, and I like that the reservoir has a top.
The button on the front of the jet is a pause button, and there is also an eject button if you need to change tips. It’s very simple to use and is very effective.
One more feature that I was really impressed with was the different tips that the jet comes with. To see more about the tips and see the waterpik in action, watch the video below.

Cons: The waterpik is quite loud, but I think this is expected. I really can’t find any other cons, this is a well made product and does it’s job.

Price: $59.99

Where to Buy:
Waterpik Store or a retailer near you

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a Waterpik Ultra Dental Water Jet

Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

  • Visit Waterpik and tell me another product they carry.

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me  via google friend connect – 2 entries
  • Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries per post you comment on.

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on Feb 1st. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by Waterpik.  Waterpik also provided the additional product for giveaway. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Eshakti Custom Clothing – Review & Giveaway

Clothes That Fit
It’s easy to say that clothing purchased off the rack doesn’t always fit everyone, because everyone isn’t built the same. When it comes to dresses, I have a really hard time buying something off the rack. Because I am tall but only wear a 4/6, everything is usually too short. If I do go up a size where the length is longer, it looks like a bag on me because it is too big everywhere else. Eshakti has an awesome solution for this – custom clothing for women, tailored to fit you.

Pros: I was able to customize this beautiful surplice shirtdress in a black cotton/satin. It retails for only $49.95 and you can get it custom fit for not too much more. I sent all of my measurements over to Eshakti, chose my sleeves and length and they started making it. Shipping was quick and the end product was beautiful as you can see. The fabric is nice and washes up well.


They have a great selection of dresses, jackets, skirts, pants and tops. There is also a nice selection of jewelry and accessories at reasonable prices. I noticed today on my facebook page that they also just came out with a new spring line of dresses. I’m totally wanting this ruffle sleeve cotton print dress. Isn’t it adorable? Sizing is also very versatile and goes from a size 0-26w meaning there is something for someone in every size.

Cons: I think the presentation of the delivery could be improved upon. My dress came in a tiny package and was just in a clear plastic bag. It was really wrinkled as well and needed some TLC with my iron. I always appreciate when companies take time to add extra special touches to packaging.
I also couldn’t find the care instructions at first. I finally found a tiny, and it was quite tiny, tag inside the side of the dress. It would be nice to have them printed a bit bigger.

Price:The dress featured in this review is priced at $49.95

Where to Buy: Eshakti

Win It
Two Babes and Kids readers will win a $20 gift certificate to Eshakti

Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

  • Visit Eshakti and tell me another product they carry.
  • Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries
    • Become a fan of Eshakti on Facebook -2 entries
    • Follow Eshakti on twitter – 2 entries

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 27th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms Cookbook – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    What’s for Dinner?
    It’s dinner time and you aren’t quite sure what to make. You go from the fridge to the pantry, back to the fridge and back to the pantry again. A stupor of thought sets in and you have hungry mouths to feed. What are you going to make for dinner? Does this scenerio I just described sound familiar? It is to me. Making dinner and other meals seems like a chore sometimes and takes more time than needed. What if you could have most of your meal prepared ahead of time? Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms is a cookbook by Jan Doiron that helps you do just that.

    Pros: I really do like to cook. When I get a new cookbook, I sit down, leaf through the pages and decide what looks really good. The Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms is a cookbook that not only has great recipes, but gives you tips for preparing most of the meal ahead so that you can either freeze it, or put it in the refrigerator for the next day. I’ve always wanted to cook freezer meals but wasn’t sure where to start. At the front of the cookbook, helpful tips are included when it comes to freezing. A few helpful tips and I was on my way. The book is divided up into 6 different categories including:

    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup

    After picking out a few recipes and including a family favorite of our own, I did a small cooking day for freezer meals. I ended up with chicken chimi’s for two meals, two chicken broccoli casseroles and a cream cheese chicken mix for pasta. All in all, I spent around 90 minutes in the kitchen and had 6 meals when I was done. (We ate set of the chimis for lunch that day :) )

    Make Ahead Meals has 140 different recipes to choose from, and also includes a measurement equivalent guide and index. The instructions for each recipe include how to make the recipe a day ahead, cooking directions and freezing instructions for recipes when appropriate. I also felt like the recipes had a lot of everyday ingredients and were simple to prepare.

    Cons: I prefer to have cookbooks that are spiral bound and hardback. I feel like they are more durable and will stay open to the recipe I am working on. This particular book is a paperback and isn’t spiral bound. I also like tabs in cookbooks for easy reference.

    Price: $17.95

    Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Make Ahead Meals website for E-book

    Win It
    One Babes and Kids reader will win a copy of Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    Additional Entries

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 25th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Get Set Placemats Review & Giveaway (closed)

    Have you ever been out to a restaraunt and had your child start acting out because they are bored? What about a child that resists meal time because they don’t want to eat? I’ve experienced this with both my boys way too many times. Hello Hana Get Set Placemats are perfect for mealtime, whether it be at home or out and about.

    Pros: Get Set Placemats are pop up kid’s placemats that can be customized with stickers that they come with. The idea behind this is really great, because it keeps kids entertained while they are waiting for their food and also makes them excited to eat. With the help of his dad, Chandler customized his placemat and even helped set out his plate, silverware and cup.
    Each set comes with 8 placemats that are 11×17″ and 8 sticker sheets. The placemats are a heavy uncoated paper stock and are actually quite durable. There are three different varieties of placemats including:
    hello robot
    hello me
    hello jungle

    Although these are recommended for kids ages 5+, they were a hit with 4 year old Chandler.

    Cons: I’m not sure how many uses these are meant for, but after a few, we would have to throw the placemat away because it got dirty or torn. I think it would be a great improvement if the placemat were laminated and had resuable cling on stickers. It would make for less waste and would last longer. Because this is a product that we would take with us to a restaurant, I’d also like to see these come with a small carrying case.

    Price: $14.95 per set (Just under $2 per placemat)

    Where to Buy: hello hanna

    Win It
    One Babes and Kids reader will win a set of hello hanna get set placemats

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    • Visit hello hanna and tell me a product that they have coming soon to their line

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. (daily entry) - 2 entries
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries
    • Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on.

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 20th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    EcoStore Cleaning Products – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    Earth Friendly Cleaning
    Another resolution that I am going to be making this year is staying on top of my house when it comes to cleaning. I’ve been told numerous times by my sisters and mom that if I would just stay on top of it then I don’t have to spend hours one day cleaning. It seems to work for all of them, so I thought I would set a goal for myself this year to keep my house cleaner. And why not do that while keeping the environment in mind? EcoStore USA has a line of products that includes Eco friendly cleaners, and green bath and body and baby care products.

    Pros: EcoStore sent me a few of their cleaning products to try out, the Citrus Spray Cleaner and Dishwash Liquid. I always keep an purpose cleaner on hand that I use in my kitchen and other hard surfaces around my house. I try to make sure my boys are not too close by because I know what harsh chemicals a lot of brands use in their cleaners.
    The Citrus Spray Cleaner from EcoStore works with a Citrus based solvent to clean even the toughest of messes and contains no nasty chemicals at the same time. All of the ingredients are listed on the website and I knew what they all were which doesn’t happen very often when I read a label in a cleaner.
    The smell is nice and fresh without being overpowering, and the packaging is nice too. I like that the spray nozzle has a flip top rather than having to turn it to get it to spray.
    The Dishwashing Liquid is also natural and is great at cutting the grease. It’s ultra concentrated so you get the job done with just a tiny bit. I used about a half teaspoon in the picture below and as you can see, it was more than enough for my dishes.

    I also felt like this liquid wasn’t over drying. I have very dry and sensitive skin to begin with so doing the dishes always makes my hands feel really dry. My hands still felt a bit dry after doing the dishes but it wasn’t nearly as bad as when I use my normal dishwashing liquid.

    Cons: I could see that maybe the price points may be a bit of a con for some. The Citrus Cleaner retails for $9 and the Dishwashing liquid for $8.50. However, the Eco benefits are worth the price and the dishwashing liquid is actually very cost effective when you consider how little you have to use.
    You also always get free shipping on orders of $25 or more, and it saves you a trip to the store!

    Price: $9 for Citrus based cleaner (17 ounces), $8.50 for the Dishwashing Liquid (17 ounces)

    Where to Buy: EcoStore USA, Meijer Grocery Stores

    Win It
    One Babes and Kids reader will win a $25 gift certificate to EcoStore USA

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    • EcoStore offers many different Earth Friendly products besides what I reviewed here. Visit EcoStore USA and tell me a product that interests you.

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
    • Sign up for Ecostore’s Newsletter – 2 entries
    • follow babesandkids and ecostoreusa on twitter – 2 entries
    • Become a fan of Ecostore on Facebook – 2 entries
    • Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 18th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by EcoStore USA. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Dancing with the Stars Workout DVD’s – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    Dancing with the Stars is another show that I follow. Having dance background myself, it is fun to see what the professionals are able to teach the celebrities in such a short amount of time. Although my dance training is not in ballroom, it’s something that I’ve always thought would be fun to learn. Dancing with the Stars has two new workout videos out, just in time for the new year. They include:

    • Dance Body Tone
    • Dance off the Pounds

    Pros: The way both of these dvds are outlined is pretty much the same. You have a main menu which consists of dances, custom and special features.
    Once you choose the dances options, it takes you to a menu where you can choose to learn the dances with music and instruction or just with music. It’s nice to have the instruction when you workout with the dvd for the first time, but becomes more convenient to just choose the music as time goes on.
    In Dance Body Tone, Kym, Dmitry and Lacey take you through Latin, Tango and Freestyle. This dvd was definitely about toning and I really liked the part with Kym and the Rumba. It was an awesome ab workout and I can definitely feel how much I worked them.

    Dance off the Pounds features the Swing, Jive and Quickstep and seems to be more of a cardio workout. I never realized how much work the Jive especially could be and my heart was pumping after all of that kicking. Each professional teaches you steps and then builds on what you know which contributes to the overall workout. Each section is 15 minutes and definitely burns the calories.

    Each dvd is over 51 minutes in length and includes a cool down at the end. There is also a custom preset that you can choose if you only want to do certain dances for your workout. This was nice as there were a few dances I favored doing over the others.

    Cons: I found some of the instruction to be confusing at first and had to practice quite a bit before I could get it. Since I spent many of my years dancing, I find that I do pick up on steps somewhat quickly, but it seemed that instruction was rushed at some points which might be hard for those who do not tend to pick up as fast.
    Dmitry’s section on the Quickstep felt like it didn’t flow nicely. He would count with his steps and then stop and you were never quite sure when to start. Therefore it was hard to follow. Since I have done the dvd a few times now, it’s easier to follow just because I can predict what he is going to do.

    Price: $12.98

    Where to Buy: Lionsgate – Dance Body Tone, Dance off the Pounds

    Win It
    Lionsgate is giving away a Dancing with the Stars dvd away to 2 Babes and Kids Readers

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    • Tell me how you make your workout fun or how you shake them up.

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries
    • Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 16th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 2% [?]

    Need for Speed Nitro for Wii – Review

    Written by Marshall, The Babes and Kids Review hubby
    Men have a need for speed. Any good man that claims to be a man secretly hides a love for fast cars.  I’m talking about anyone from boys, teens, to adults. It really doesn’t matter- we all secretly dream of sweet rides, racing, and… nitro blasts!  It starts when we’re young. You know your baby boy is going to amount to great things in life when you see him naturally pick up a car and start racing across the carpet. He’s officially on the path towards true manhood. Need for Speed Nitro for Wii captures all the glory of what makes us complete. I secretly share my 4-year old’s enthusiasm for the nitro blast at extreme speeds or the thrill of being chased by cops. Maturely I hold my composure revealing only a slight grin of approval.

    Pros: Graphically the game seemed advanced and captured the different levels around the world very well. Loved the ability to select the type of remote you were using- nice feature. The selection of cars was simple and excellent. The music made the game exciting and also allows the user to disable if needed which was nice for little kids. I also like the animated character portrayal.  There were points in the game when it went Nitro and you had to shake the controller while driving.  I thought that was fun as well.

    Cons: I would prefer the car selection part of the game to give you a much larger shot as you’re scrolling through options. The size seems unnaturally small? We used the Wii steering wheels and there were times that it didn’t feel like I could quite hit the turn correctly. At one point I actually rotated the wheel sidweays 90 degrees and it seemed to work better? It seemed odd that happened randomly.

    Other Specs
    Genre: Racing
    Publisher: Electronic Arts
    Developer: EA Montreal
    ESRB Rating: E10+ for Mild Lyrics, Mild Violence

    Price: $49.99

    Where to Buy: Amazon, or a retailer near you

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Biggest Loser Workout DVD’s – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    I love reality tv. I have quite a few shows that I record on my dvr and watch faithfully. The Biggest Loser is one of them. I often joke with hubby that it’s a great show to watch while eating a pint of ice cream. Ok, so not really, but I love the show just the same and have followed almost every season. I tend to get teary eyed when a contestant gets voted off and cry almost every week. Yes, I’m a sap.  I also find so many of the stories inspiring and love to watch the contestants transform. I already had a biggest loser dvd workout in my collection, Cardio Max, but now I have two more that are just as good. These two dvds are going to help me with New Year’s Resolution #1 – Get Back Into Shape!

    Pros: The two new workouts just released are:

    I started out with the 30 Day Jumpstart. It has 5 different workouts including 10 minute cardio level 1, 10 minute cardio level 2, 10 minute upper body, 10 minute lower body, and 10 minute abs.
    I really love to do cardio, so those segments were my favorite. In level 1, Tara does some great exercises that get your heart pumping. I didn’t think I was too out of shape, but I was breathing hard just 3 minutes into the workout. Tara was a machine in her season and it showed by all of the challenges she won and her perserverence. It’s no difference in this cardio workout.
    Level 2 is with Ali, and she ups the intensity even more. After completing both cardio workouts, I feel like I’ve gotten in a good workout.

    Last Chance Workout is with Jillian Michaels. If you know Biggest Loser, you know that Jillian is ruthless. She pushes contestants to their limits and beyond. This dvd includes a warm up, a 25 minute last chance workout, upper body sculpt, lower body tone, and a cool down. If you do everything from start to finish, it is a 55 minute workout. It definitely pushes you and you will feel and see results.

    Cons: If you don’t have hand weights, the workout dvd’s aren’t as effective. They are recommended, and I definitely feel like you need them. I have 5 lb hand weights and feel like it was a good challenge, but I would like to invest in 7 lb weights in the future to push myself a bit more.
    Both dvds also require a bit of navigating if you don’t want to do the entire workout. We lost our dvd remote a while back so I wasn’t able to navigate around at first. After swapping with the boy’s dvd player though it was fine. Definitely a workout series you need your remote for.

    All in all, I feel like both workouts are a great new addition to the Biggest Loser dvd collection.

    Price: $14.98 on sale for $11.98 right now at Lionsgate

    Where to Buy: Lionsgate or a Retailer Near You

    Win It
    Lionsgate is giving 2 Babes and Kids Readers a Biggest Loser Workout dvd

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    • Tell me why exercising is important to you.

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 12th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 2% [?]

    Knock Knock Functional Gifts – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    Functional Products for Gifts and New Year’s Resolutions
    I like to cook and I like to try to be organized. Sometimes I feel like we end up spending more money on groceries when we don’t have an organized budget and meals planned out. Weekly meal planning is something that I have tried to incorporate, but it doesn’t always happen. And what about those pesky lists that you make only to chase all around the store because you don’t have the items in any particular order.
    I decided that this year I needed to resolve to be more organized with meal planning and grocery shopping. Knock Knock’s Plan-a-Meal Bundle is going to help me do just that.

    Picture 1

    Pros: The plan-a-meal bundle includes:

    • All Out Of Pad: The essential grocery list—the miracle of checking off depleted items as you go
    • What to Eat Pad: Helps you plan, track, and execute household meals with ease
    • Takeout Menu Organizer: Unites everything necessary to feed oneself via telephone or Internet, including tipping sheet, helpful ordering advice, frequently called numbers list, and more

    The All Out of Pad and What to Eat Pad have a nice strong magnet on the back of each, which means that it stays put on your refrigerator. I really like that the All Out of Pad organizes groceries in categories where you would find them in the grocery store. For example, I marked that we were out of mushrooms and onions which are obviously in the vegetable section, and cold cuts which are in the deli section. This cuts down on your shopping time. Sometimes there are also products that I forget to write down on a list. I can quickly go down the all out of list and it reminds me of things I may have forgotten that we were out of.

    knock-knock-all-out-of-pad

    The What to Eat pad is so nice. How many times do you open the fridge and it’s full, only to walk away feeling like there’s nothing to eat? You are able to plan meals each day of the week, as well as what there is to eat for breakfast, lunch, and the “grab bag” or snacks. It’s definitely an innovative idea that will help keep me organized.

    The Takeout Menu Organizer is also a great idea. It is a 3 ring binder with a pen and pad which helps keep your take out organized. There is a tipping chart, cuisine organizer labels, and folders to keep menus in. There’s also places to keep notes of your experiences with that particular restaurant.

    takeout-menu-organizer
    The design of the entire bundle is modern and appealing as well as functional.

    Cons: I did find that the All Out of Lists did have areas that I knew I would never use. For example, we don’t have pets and there is an area for Pet Items so obviously we will never use this section.
    I also feel like while the Takeout Menu Organizer is a fun idea, I’m not sure how much we will use it. As we are on a tight budget we only eat out maybe once a month as a special treat. I thought of what a good idea this would be for my workplace though and am thinking about taking it there. We often order out food at work so this would be more appropriate there.
    Overall, the bundle is well thought out and an awesome idea.

    Price: $34.95

    Where to Buy: Knock Knock

    Win It
    One Babes and Kids reader will win a Plan a Meal Bundle from Knock KnockPicture 1

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    • Visit Knock Knock and tell me another product they carry

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries
    • Comment on any non giveaway post you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries per post

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 5th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative.  The giveaway product was also provided by the sponsor. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor and The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus – Review

    Written by Jeralee, guest reviewer

    The book series are short fantasy/historical fiction chapter books that center around Tyler Thompson, a quiet struggling student with few friends.  Many times he retreats to a corner in the back of a classroom to escape so he won’t be bothered.  It is there that he discovers a trap door that leads to a room filled with old books that are guarded by a magical talking dog, name Barnabus. With the help of Barnabus, Tyler is able to explore history first hand.

    From the website:

    “ The first book, Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor, introduces Tyler, a struggling student who accidentally discovers a trapdoor beneath his desk that leads to a magical world in which he can visit any time in history. Readers will join Tyler as he takes several brief visits back in time and learns the value of understanding history.”   

    In the second book, The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus, Tyler  tries out for the basketball team, and has to prepare a report about Christopher Columbus, which he is quite unsure about.  Thank goodness for the trapdoor!  Tyler and Barnabus travel back in time and he witnesses all of the set backs of Christopher Columbus.  Tyler learns to persevere and not to give up,  just as Columbus did.

    These books kept my 10 year old very engaged.  She read through them very quickly, then read through them again.  Then she read them out loud to her 8 year old sister, who really enjoyed them.  Then she proceeded to indicate that she wanted the rest of the books in the series for Christmas.  This was matched by disappointment when I told her that they haven’t been published yet!

    Pros:

    • The author, Lori Jordan-Rice is a former elementary school teacher, so she understands what appeals to children and perhaps the most creative way in which to teach students about important events which occurred in history.
    • Illustrations are bright, with clean lines and a picture is included in each chapter.
    • Chapters are brief, anywhere from 3 – 6 pages at the most.
    • Easy to comprehend without using complicated verbiage that an elementary aged student might struggle to read.

    Cons:

    • None!

    The Bottom Line:

    • A short creative, fantasy/ historical fiction chapter book series, intertwined with facts and fictional characters.  This is a quick read and would appeal most to elementary school aged children, grades 2 through 5.  A good addition to any student’s library or elementary school teacher’s classroom.  Can’t wait for the next books in the series to come out!

    Price:

    • List price is $12.95 for each individual hardback book, but I noticed that you can purchase them for less at Amazon.

    Where to Buy: Available directly from the Author,  Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

    The book series reviewed was a sample provided to Jeralee.  Opinions and views expressed are her own and she was not compensated from this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Vtech Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    It’s amazing to think what kind of toys were cool when I was a kid. I remember getting excited over a little keyboard or a baby doll. Then I look at what types of toys kids have to play with today and am in awe. There are toys that are interactive, encourage kids to exercise and even help them learn.   The Vtech Ride & Learn Giraffe is all of that and more. It’s a fun and entertaining toy for kids aged 18-36 months.vtech-giraffe

    Pros: The Ride & Learn Giraffe is so easy to put together. Below are the pieces that it came with. Sometimes I cringe when I see that a toy has a lot of directions or is complicated when it comes to putting it together. It took me less than 10 minutes and was really easy.

    vtech-ride-and-learn-giraffe

    Once it was assembled, Rowan hopped on and kept saying, “Wow! Wow!” It was fun to see his reaction as he explored the different functions. The Ride & Learn Giraffe has a lot of fun features such as:

    • Five modes of active play
    • The more your toddler pedals, the more they learn
    • Has an LCD screen
    • Adjustable bouncy seat

    Although it is recommended for kids aged 18-36 months, it can also accomodate a child up to 42 lbs. Chandler had fun playing on it and even though he just turned 4 he is only about 37 lbs so I was ok with him playing with it. The base is sturdy, overall it’s a pretty fun toy.

    Cons: Rowan is 23 months and didn’t quite get the pedaling at this point. I’m sure in a few months or with some practice it will get better.
    I also felt like it would be nice if the seat were a big closer to the handle bars. He had to learn forward pretty far to hold on, even with the seat all the way down. It would be nice if the seat could slide forward and back.

    vtech-giraffe-bike

    Price: $49.99

    Where to Buy: Vtech Kids or a Retailer Near You

    Win It
    One Babes and Kids reader will win Ride & Learn Giraffe

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    • Visit Vtech Kids and tell me another product they carry.

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries
    • Comment on any non giveaway post – 2 entries

    Unlimited Entries
    You may enter unlimited times as long as you have completed the mandatory entry and your comments stay centered around Vtech, toys, or Christmas.

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on December 30th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.vtech-logo

    Popularity: 2% [?]

    Little Tykes Cozy Coupe Ride On Review

    Last month, I posted about the wide variety of shopping options you get from CSN stores. I mentioned that they have over 200 stores so you can find just about anything you need. One store in particular that caught my eye was for ride on toys. Whenever we go to someone else’s home that has a ride on, one or both of my boys bolts to get on/in and push themselves around. So when my two little boys saw the Little Tykes Cozy Coupe, they were more than excited.

    Cozy+Coupe+30th+Anniversary+Ride-On

    Pros: The Cozy Coupe has been around for 30 years! CSN stores sent us the 30th anniversary ride on and it’s fun to see how it has evolved. It has a classic design with a door that opens and closes on the drivers side. The horn honks, the gas cap pulls back, and the key turns over inside the car. The front wheels turn 360 degrees which makes it easy to maneuver. There’s also the option of a removable floor and parent handle on the back so that you can push your child along.
    Rowan loves the face of the car on the front. He is really fascinated with eyes and faces right now so he just smiles and talks to the Cozy Coupe. It’s pretty cute to watch. It seems quite durable and accommodates both boys. It does break down some for storage. You can take the top part off the car to make it a bit more compact. It also makes a great indoor or outdoor toy which you can’t say for every toy.

    I also have to add that the experience with CSN stores was wonderful. I had an order confirmation one day, and the product was shipped the next day. I was sent updates with tracking information so I knew when to expect the product. This is always nice when a company keeps you updated like this. It definitely makes me much more likely to buy from them in the future.

    Cons: I definitely think this was a pain to put together. I’m not so patient when it comes to assembling toys. I helped my hubby put it together and it took over 45 minutes. The instructions weren’t as clear as they could have been, although I noticed there was place you can go online to see video instructions. I’m wondering if we should have done that.

    cozycoupe3
    The front part of the roof never popped in right and we can’t get it to fit quite right. I’m not sure if this is just our cozy coupe or if other cars would be like that. The front wheels were also very stiff at first and didn’t move 360 degrees. Hubby pounded them with a hammer to make them looser so they would turn. After taking care of the assembly and wheels, it seemed like a great ride on vehicle for the boys to enjoy.

    Price: $49.99 – (47% off retail price)

    Where to Buy: CSN Stores

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by CSN stores. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    The Imposter by Kip Kreiling – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    Transformation Memoir
    I’m always looking for a good read to take with me to work. Sometimes it gets slow in the middle of the night and it’s nice to have a good book to dive into.
    The Imposter is A Transformation Memoir by Kip Kreiling. It’s the story of how he survived the unimaginable as a child and teen. He actually did more than survive though – he became an inspiration.

    The-Imposter-Kip-Kreiling

    My Take on the Book
    Throughout the book, Kip shares 8 principles of human transformation that will help inspire and uplift.  They help you realize that your goals and aspirations can become a reality.

    I admit I’ve read very few self help books in the past. I usually force myself to read them and get bored about halfway through. I do consider this a self help book simply because of how I felt when I was done reading it and the 8 principles that are outlined.
    However, it’s so much more than that. The author combines the right amount of story, his story, and then some application and examples towards the end of each chapter. It has such an honest and vulnerable feel; for him to expose the worst times in his life and how he overcame them.

    I also love that this book made me reflect on my own life. Sometimes I feel like I am generally very sheltered because quite honestly I had it very good growing up. I’m not saying my childhood or teen years were perfect, but I thrived in a loving home with great parents.  Not everyone has that chance, and this was a real eye openener for me.
    The author shares his story of addictions and horrific circumstances and really lets you in on what happened to him – how he felt, what he experienced. Then he gives you hope to overcome, because he did what most people would deem to be impossible in his circumstance, he overcame.

    One phrase from The Imposter really struck me, and I wonder if it’s because I fail to take action at times in my life, which in turn could change me for the better. It states: “Victory is achieved by taking action and allowing that action to change us.” It made me analyze where I should be taking action in different areas of my life.

    I honestly could go on and on about things that I loved in this book. I mentioned above that I have a hard time reading books that aren’t in story format. There were a few points when I felt like the book was slow and I might be losing interest. I always noticed at those points that the chapter was wrapped up by a profound principle and the author moved onto the next story.

    This book has taught me that no matter what you’ve been through, no matter what your circumstances may have been or are, you CAN change.

    I would definitely recommend this book to others that I know. It’s a pick me up, it’s self help, it can be life changing if you let it.

    Price: $17.77

    Where to Buy: Amazon, Kip Kreiling Website

    Win It
    Five Babes and Kids readers will in a copy of The ImposterThe Imposter

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    • Tell me why you would like to win

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. (daily entry) – 2 entries
    • Become a fan of Kip Kreiling on facebook
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on January 5th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The book reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the author, Kip Kreiling. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Project of the Month Club

    Winter is here in full force. The snow just seems to keep coming and it’s been abnormally cold. This means I have to find ways to entertain my boys. Rowan still naps, but it’s hard to keep Chandler active and busy the entire day as he doesn’t nap anymore. I love to be able to do crafts with Chan because I know it is important developmentally and it encourages his creativity. Sometimes I am at a loss of what to do. Project of the Month Club is a service that specializes in encouraging that artistic creativity by shipping projects and crafts for kids straight to your home for a monthly cost.project-of-the-month-club

    Pros: One of the projects that we received for Chandler to do was the step stool.  Here are the pieces that we had to work with.project-of-the-month3

    The instructions were very easy to follow and straight forward. Chandler helped me pound in the nails and was impressed as we made progress.project-of-the-month2

    Once the step stool was assembled, Chandler went to work putting his touch on it. He loves to paint and thought it was so fun to paint something other than paper. I think he did a pretty great job for a 4 year old. The stool is very sturdy and we are now using it in the bathroom as a step stool for Chan to wash his hands. I love that we were able to spend time together putting it together, that he had fun painting it, and now he is experiencing more independence as he can wash his hands by himself using his step stool.

    project-of-the-month
    There are different plans available, and plans by age group. For example, you can choose to get projects monthly, quarterly, 4 in a row, or bi-monthly. You can also place a one time order if you are interested in that as well. The options that they give you are great!

    Cons: I really like the concept behind this, but the price may be a bit high for families on a tight budget. Projects are as low as $19 with a high quantity plan, or as high as $33 for a plan with not as many projects. It appears that you pay for your entire membership upfront which I think could also be a turn off. I’d love to get the 1 project a month for Chan, but the cost is $325 and that’s a lot to come up with at one time.

    Discount Code I mentioned that a con for some may be the price. To help alleviate the cost use code BABESANDKIDS at checkout to get 10% off your order. It would make a great holiday gift for any child.

    Price: Price Varies. See membership chart here.

    Where to Buy: Project of the Month Club

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Smelly Towel Cleaner – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    Stinky Towels?smelly-towel-cleaner
    A few months back, I had the opportunity to review Smelly Washer, a natural cleaner which claims to get rid of mold and mildew in your washing machine. Smelly Washer is coming out with a new product, Smelly Towel. It does the same thing that Smelly Washer does, but is for your towels. We’ve had all of our towels 5 1/2 years as we got most of them when we got married. I admit, they are super stinky but I don’t exactly have the budget to go and buy all new towels. I notice the mold and mildew smell most after I’ve showered and the towel is wet again. I don’t exactly feel clean using a towel that I think is clean but smells horrible. Towels and clothing can build up mold and mildew from overuse of detergents and softners, washing your clothing in low temperatures, and washing in a washer that already has mold spores.

    Pros: I love that this product is all natural and gentle enough to use on clothing and towels. I’ve used it in multiple loads and have to say it is quite gentle. You use it in place of your regular detergent, and only have to use a tablespoon which means the 12 ounce bottle will go a long way.
    The smell is a really nice citrus and is not overpowering but makes my towels smell great. I like that it is easy to use and I don’t have to take any extra steps. When I reviewed the Smelly Washer, I noticed that there were directions to get rid of mild and mildew in towels but there was a long soaking process involved where there isn’t with the new Smelly Towel Cleaner,
    I think the packaging is fun and innovative, and I’m excited to be using a product that really works.

    Cons: The detergent itself is a crystal like powder. I did have clumps at the top of my bottle which didn’t help with measuring it out. They were easy to break up however, so that seems like a minor con.
    I also noticed with my towels that were extra stinky that I had to soak and wash them a few times before I noticed the smell was completely gone.

    Price: I’m not 100% sure of a price at this point as this is a fairly new product and will be available to buy soon.

    Where to Buy: Coming soon to Smelly Washer

    Win It
    One Babes and Kids reader will win a bottle of Smelly Towelsmelly-towel-cleaner

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

    Additional Entries

    • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
    • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
    • Follow me – 2 entries
    • Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries per post

    Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on December 28th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by Smelly Washer. Smelly Washer did compensate me for my video review.  These views and opinions are my own.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    I See Me! Personalized Children’s Gifts Review

    Put your child into a book this holiday season with I See Me. Specializing in personalized children’s gifts, A Christmas Bear for Me is bound to be a hit.

    1myveryownname_2083_0

    Pros: Children always love products that are personalized to them. This book is very fun and has a great story line. It is a hardback book and comes with a mini plush bear and letter from Santa. You are able to personalize your child’s name into the book, select the gender, and what year it will be given. For an extra $4.95, you can get it with a keepsake box and bow. The book can also include a message and who it’s from which adds another special touch. In this book specifically, you can also add names on the stockings inside the story, so everyone in your family can be there!
    The pictures in this book are bright and captivating, and the story is really cute. Want to see more? You can take a virtual tour here.

    I-See-Me- Personalized-Children's-gifts

    Cons: For some, the price point may be a con. The book is $34.95. As we have a tight budget this year, it would be hard to justify spending that much on a book, even though it is personalized. As far as the personalized aspect goes, it is hard to give my child’s opinion as the book we received was not personalized to him. He loved the story and book but I’m sure he would have loved it even more to see his name in the book.

    Price: $34.95

    Where to Buy I See Me

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    Paperspring Christmas Cards – Review & Giveaway (closed)

    Christmas Card Choices
    Oh the choices that you have anymore when it comes to Christmas cards. I feel like there are a lot of companies that offer them, but sometimes I feel like I am looking at the same designs over and over. Paperspring is exactly what their tagline claims to be, fresh ideas on paper.
    Picture 31

    Pros: Paperspring has a great line of Christmas cards. They have three different types to choose from:

    I was immediately drawn to the wide assortment of photo cards. There were 100 different designs to choose from and they were all fun and fresh. I went for a folded card with an elegant look as you can see below.

    paperspring-holiday-card

    I uploaded my photo easily and painlessly and was even given the option to zoom and crop to make it look nice. It was printed on 100% recycled card stock which made me know that I was doing a bit to help the environment. You initial to approve your design and then it’s off for printing.
    They have free shipping on orders which is SO NICE. Sometimes a high shipping cost can turn me off a website, so I love that paperspring does this. They shipped via UPS and came quickly.   I’m excited to start mailing them out to friends and family tomorrow.paperspring

    Cons: I felt like there were a few things that could be improved upon. You can only buy the cards in multiples of 25′s or 50′s when you order a lot. So you could order 25, 50, 75, etc. The last few years we have sent out around 35 Christmas cards. With this amount, I don’t want to have 15 extra cards lying around, but I also don’t want to have to pick and choose who I send to because I don’t have enough.
    I also never received any tracking information or updates of when my order shipped. Although they came quickly and I had no problems with them getting here, I like to be able to know where my order is when I order online. I also was not able to see any progress when I logged into my account.

    Price: Designs are as low as $1.29 depending on the style and quantity.

    Where to Buy: Paperspring

    Discount Code
    Now through December 13th, get 20% off any Holiday Cards using promo code HOLIDAYCARD

    Win It
    One Babes and Kids reader will win a $50 gift certificate to paperspring to create Holiday Cards of your own.Picture 32

    Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)

  • Visit paperspring and tell me which style you would order if you won.
  • Additional Entries:

  • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
  • Follow paperspring on twitter – 2 entries
  • Become a fan of paperspring on facebook – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on December 12th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

    The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

    Popularity: 1% [?]