Kohl's Gift Guide and a Giveaway!

Winner - Nancy!

I love shopping at Kohl's! They always have stylish items - clothing, toys, luggage, coats, jewelry etc - at affordable prices. Plus they have a great return policy. That's just one of the many reasons why I'm here to tell you all about the amazing gift guide you'll find at Kohls.com to celebrate the upcoming holidays. This guide easily allows us to find a fashionable and inexpensive gift for anyone.

Gifts at the Right Price
Kohl’s and Kohls.com are making it easy to find this season’s most popular gifts at every price point. To find the perfect gift for the right price, shoppers can use Kohls.com as a research tool before they go in store.

• Under $100

• iHome rotating alarm clock for iPhone ($99.99)
• Sharper Image speaker dock ($99.99)
• Remote control robot car ($79.99)

• Under $50

• Leapfrog Tag game ($49.99)
• Travel charging valet ($49.99)
• Digital photo key chain ($29.99)

• Under $25

• Assorted Nintendo Wii games ($24.99)
• HoMedics speaker on-the-go ($14.99)
• Ghirardelli chocolate gift sets ($8)

And so much more. Check out more at http://www.kohlsholidaycollection.com/. My list is close to overflowing thanks to this Gift guide and that's after my Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping! How about you? Tell me and you may just win a gift card to make your shopping a bit easier.

Prize - A 25$ Gift Card to Kohls

To Enter - Visit http://www.kohlsholidaycollection.com/ and tell me what you've added to your list from there. (The more detailed your answer, the better your chances of being picked a winner!)

Deadline - Midnight CST of December 15, 2009

Eligibility - US only

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Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration.
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Some tidbits from Around the Cyberworld

First, good news from a  favorite sponsor - See Kai Run is offering Free Shipping for the Holidays! Offer ends Thursday, Dec 3rd. So hurry now!

Worldwide Jewelry and Gifts Sale is happening NOW at Novica.com.

go natural baby is offering winter special. Plus price matching, free shipping on most items and no sales tax!

Spreadshirt is running a 25% off your total order with a minimum purchase of $40.00. Additionally, Spreadshirt is offering free shipping promotion today, Cyber Monday!

Cyber Monday Deal - 20% Off Today Only! Just enter the code "cybermonday" at checkout at www.bellebabycarriers.com.

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Fitness and Health Tips

No matter how big the goal, from losing over 100 pounds to losing the last stubborn 5, you don’t have to be on TV to find sold trainers and fitness advice to get the help needed to start losing weight for good.

John Rowley, fitness expert and best-selling author of the sensational hit Climb Your Ladder of Success Without Running Out of Gas, offers the below health and fitness tips to Americans across the country looking for fitness tips to lead a healthier life. Rowley, who is also the Director of Fitness and Wellness of The American Institute of Healthcare & Fitness, also offers health and diet insights to jump start weight loss.

FITNESS TIPS

• MOVE MORE EVERY DAY – Make it a daily challenge to find more ways to move your body. Take the stairs over the elevator, walk your dog, take brief walks during lunch breaks, ride your bike to work – any small step goes a long way in improving your overall fitness.
• MELT AWAY FAT WITH MUSCLE- Your metabolism is a direct reflection of your muscle mass to fat mass ratio.  A good resistance training routine will supercharge your metabolism in just 90 minutes a week. Simply do 3, 30 minute sessions a week.  Cardio is great for over all health and burns fat while you are doing it, but when you do resistance training you build muscle and muscle burns calories even at rest, hence supercharging your metabolism.
• BE SMART, WORK YOUR HEART – There are many conflicting opinions on cardio vascular exercise and a study to back up each of them.  Some say do very short, very intense interval training and others endorse going slower but for a longer time period.   I know people that get great results doing both.  I think the best form of cardio is the form you will do on a consistent basis.  Getting your heart rate into the fat burning zone is important and the best way to judge this is that you are exercising hard enough that you can barely carry on a conversation, in other words you can speak but just barely but not so hard that you are gasping for air in order to finish a sentence.  
• THE POWER OF FLEXIBILITY - Keeping your muscles flexible is very important especially as you age.  Today with yoga, Pilates, etc there are many fun ways to incorporate this into your fitness routine both at home and in the gym.
• YOU ARE YOUR BEST INVESTMENT – Everyone today is worried about their investment portfolios, their income, their home, business's, jobs and tend to over look their greatest asset.... themselves.  You can have the most incredible God given talents, abilities and skills and the best education money can buy and still fall flat on your face, it happens every day.  Action not assets is the key to an extraordinary life and by not taking care of yourself you are minimizing your greatest asset and your ability to take action. It is difficult to take action when you are exhausted.  Also keep in mind that the same blood that flows through your body flows through your brain.  Do you think you will be more aware and alert if the blood flowing through your brain is fat laden or if it is rich in oxygen and nutrients?  Take care of your greatest asset by following some of these simple tips.

HEALTH AND DIET TIPS

• CALORIC INTAKE IS IMPORTANT – This is simple math. Burn more than you consume. Your caloric intake must not exceed the amount you normally burn, since any excess would then be converted and stored energy into fats.
• PUT SOMETHING WITH A FACE AND SOMETHING GREEN ON YOUR PLATE- If you don't like counting calories you will like this.  Eat something with a face...protein and green vegetables and avoid all the starchy carbohydrates like bread, cake, potatoes, rice,etc then your body will learn to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates and you will become a lean, mean fat burning machine, without counting calories. Then once a week have a victory meal or victory day when you eat what ever you want.
• THE SKINNY ON FAT - Cut out the bad fats but get some good fat in your diet.  Avoid fried foods, food high in saturated fat and focus on lean proteins such as chicken and turkey breast, fish, egg whites, no fat cottage cheese. And make sure you get your good fats from fish and fish oil, olive oil, avocado and nuts like almonds.
• WATCH YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE - While recent studies show a glass of wine a day can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. And one drink can pack in 100 calories or more and make it harder for you to reach your fitness goals. 
• DRINK WATER- Drinking water does several things, it keeps you hydrated, it helps flush your body of fat and toxins and it will also help curb your appetite.  You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water a day.
• SET A REALISTIC GOAL – Weight loss and fitness goals should be three things: realistic, believable, and exciting. Despite what is seen on TV, losing more than 2 pounds a week can make permanent weight loss difficult, set a steady but realistic goal and reward yourself for reaching milestones along the way. Make goals believable but also exciting, challenge yourself and take everything one day at a time, towards an overall goal of a healthier life.  The key is to make this part of your lifestyle to enhance your life.
• CONSISTENCY IS KEY- Success in an endeavor follows consistent action. Remember it requires discipline to do the things today that you don't necessarily want to do, so you can do the things you dream of doing tomorrow!

Consistency - that's the one I have the most problem with. What about you? How do you stick to your exercise plan?

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The Original Wee Squeak Shoes

The Holidays are literally just around the corner. If you're planning to go shopping with the kids or even for a kid, then you just have to consider buying the Wee Squeak Shoes! Wondering why? Read on...

As the name suggests, these shoes actually make a funny squeaking sound as the child walks. A cushion in the heal squeezes air through a tiny nozzle making the squeak sound. That makes them immensely popular with kids, as evinced by the ecstatic kid you'll find in my home who insists on wearing his new Black Combo Wee Squeak shoes everywhere. He puts his hands inside them to make them squeak when I refuse to let him wear them 24/7!

The squeaking noise did get irritating after a while when my son just wore them in the house. But they proved to be a godsend when I took him out grocery shopping. Now my son loves exploring stores/malls/any-huge-place on his own - his own!! This time he ran away as usual. But I didn't run around like a headless chicken as I could hear exactly where he was thanks to the squeaking sound! That effectively takes care of a big headache!

If I haven't convinced you by now, then let me explain some more - apart from the squeaking sound, these shoes are stylish, comfortable and great for any season. They come in a variety of styles and colors for both boys and girls. They even help children walk properly! Here's how : In order for the shoe to squeak a child must walk heal to toe. This encourages crawlers to begin walking and toddlers and young children to walk properly and not up on their toes.

As an added bonus : For those occasions when the shoe needs to be silent, the squeaker can be removed by an adult!

With unique style, great quality and that great little squeaker, Wee Squeak Shoes are a great buy this holiday season! For more information, visit http://www.wesqueak.net/.

Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration.
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The Happy Company

Want to feel good about yourself this Holiday season? Then you've got to visit The Happy Company (the name speaks for itself!). Check out their Mission statement :

Our mission is to create unique, high-quality, affordable, products that bring you a sense of wellbeing and provide stress-relieving solutions for the pressures of today’s fast paced world. We want our customers to feel good about themselves and project vitality in our communities, creating a happier world.

Well, their soothing Cozy Slippers certainly made me happy! Running around two active kids all day along with the never ending chores leaves me with very tired feet towards the end of the day. And in winter, I also have to endure ever-frozen toes on top of that. These slippers certainly took care of that problem with their reinforced plush soles and flax seed filled inserts that soothe tired feet with long lasting heat therapy. They even have removable scent sachets infused with lavender and ginger to deepen the relaxation experience with aromatherapy! I can warm them up in the microwave for chilly toes in winter and put them in the freezer to cool them down in summer!

Product Features:

• Cotton ties at ankles
• Soft Jersey Knit lining
• Plush Chenille uppers
• Grip dot fabric soles
• Machine washable covers
• Heat quickly in the microwave
• Chill easily in the freezer
• One size fits most (most comfortable for women sizes 6-10)
• Slippers weigh approximately 4 ounces each
• Available in Cranberry, Earth, and Sage colors.
  

Among other great products like Lumbar Wrap, Dream Mask, Moisturizing Slippers, Warming Scarf, Happy Massager, etc there's yet another one I want to tell you about. And that's the Benji Warming Belly Blanket.

As Moms, we know that placing babies on their bellies on a heating pad helps relieve gas pains and bloating. The Happy Company went a step further and developed a fun, soft way to turn the floor or Mom's lap into a belly soothing experience for baby. Just heat the grain filled warming mat in the microwave and soothe baby’s developing digestive system with natural heat therapy. They've even added natural lavender herbs to help baby relax with aromatherapy.

It's a great way to soothe a fussy baby and a wonderful natural alternative to a traditional electric heating pad which I never like to use as my kids always end up playing with the cord!

Product Features:

• Cover is machine washable
• Features aromatherapeutic lavender herbs
• Heats quickly in the microwave

Like with anything heated in the microwave, careful and proper handling is a must.

To check out more of their wonderful products, visit http://www.thehappycompany.com. From personal experience I can tell you that their products certainly make for happy customers and I'd definitely encourage you to consider them this Holiday season!

Disclosure - This product was received for review consideration.
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Crocodile Tears: An Alex Rider Adventure

As long as I've been reading, I've been a fan of Penguin Books. They have a long standing reputation for quality books. Which is I accepted at once when an opportunity was given to review this book which is about a reluctant teenage spy, Alex Rider, who works for Britain’s MI6 and unlike James Bond, does not have a license to kill.  Instead, he uses his wits and cool gadgets to incapacitate the bad guys.

Crocodile Tears: An Alex Rider Adventure (Philomel Books, 9780399250569, $17.99, fiction, 388 pages, ages 10 and up) feels ripped from the headlines, with a charity broker con artist raising millions of dollars in donations, only to invest them in a form of  genetically modified wheat that has the power to release an airborne strain of virus so powerful, it can knock out an entire country in one windy day – a catastrophe so far-reaching that it would raise millions of dollars more in charitable donations, all of which would be embezzled by one man. The antidote? Alex Rider, of course, who survives gunfire, explosions, and hand-to-combat with mercenaries – just another day in the life of an average teen super-spy kid.

I loved the book - it's fast-paced with plenty of hi-jinks to keep a reader eagerly flipping the pages. The author does a great job of maintaining the suspense and the kick-ass action is so visual as to be easily imagined.

About the Author - Anthony Horowitz (www.anthonyhorowitz.com) is a world-renowned screenwriter for television and film, a playwright, and the author of the #1 New York Times best selling Alex Rider Adventures. Crocodile Tears is the eighth title in this blockbuster series, which has also spawned a major motion picture and a line of graphic novels. Anthony lives in London with his wife Jill, and their two sons, Nicholas and Cassian.

Some Links:

• Alex Rider’s Official Site: http://www.alexrideradventures.com/ 
• Alex Rider on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alexrideradventures 
• Anthony Horowitz’s Official Site: http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com

Disclosure - This product was received for review consideration.
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Oprah's Cover Dress!

Oprah graces the cover of her O Magazine this month in a classic, figure flattering look from Teri Jon!

The knee-length portrait-collar taffeta shirt-dress is not only super chic but real-world-affordable at $380. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s nationwide. Visit www.terijon.com.

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Innate Gear Stainless Steel Products

As a parent, I've been increasingly concerned about the health risks posed by BPA, a known endocrine disrupter that mimics the human hormone estrogen. But did you know that even polycarbonate or lacquer lined aluminum drinking bottles contain varying amounts of BPA?! As such, Stainless Steel water bottles are indeed an attractive alternative.

Innate Gear, a Canada-based retailer, prides itself on “Clean Design” - which combines an efficient use of materials and a minimum amount of embellishment to create products with pleasing aesthetics and excellent suitability to task. These design principals are followed up with a environmentally and ethically “clean” approach to producing their products, a collection that includes food and beverage containers and travel accessories. I just love their motto : Your planet. Your choices. Your gear

The stainless-steel Innate Me-Me Gripper they sent over is a good alternative to plastic sippy cups. As you can see from the picture, it also has a unique look that my little one just loves, and it's 100% BPA free! Features:

• Ergonomically shaped, spill-resistant spout features an inner silicone valve to control the flow rate of liquid
• Easy-to-hold handles provide a secure grasp; handles and lid are removable for cleaning
• Bottle is made with premium stainless steel that is toxin free
• Inner surface is finished with an electrolyte charge and dolomitic sand blasting; finish is completely BPA free
• Certified food-grade polypropylene threaded opening and screw-top lid seal securely to eliminate leaks
• Lid is interchangeable with other Bilt bottles

I've used it to give water and juice to my kids and there's been no difference in taste or anything else.  And I just wash it in the dishwasher when it comes time to clean and it has emerged unscathed.

The second product I received was the Innate Vite V2 stainless-steel bottle which gives kids a colorful and safe container to keep their water in. Its features include:

• Easy-to-use sip top enables drinking on the go; loop on lid lets you clip bottle to a bag with an accessory carabiner
• Bottle is made with premium stainless steel that is toxin free
• Inner surface is finished with an electrolyte charge and dolomitic sand blasting; finish is completely BPA free
• Certified food-grade polypropylene threaded opening and screw-top lid seal securely to eliminate leaks
• Bottle is sized to be held by small hands and features easy-grip indents on the sides; bottle will fit in most car seat beverage holders
• Bottle opening and thread pattern are compatible with many major water filters

With both these products, I found the same con. The tip of the flow control valve comes out the top of the lid and my toddler loves nothing more than to dislodge it by pushing it down or trying to pull it out. It can't be pulled out. But when pushed down or even when it is shaken (or thrown, as kids love to do with their bottles), the valve easily comes loose and falls into the cup. Whatever liquid it happens to contain then comes sloshing out and the controlled flow is a thing of the past. The sippy cups we've used before just had a tiny hole above on the lid, corresponding to where the valve is inside the lid and as such there wasn't much a curious toddler could do to it.

Other than that, I'm happy with these safe, stainless steel alternatives to other products, even if these aren't exactly up to par.

Innate Gear has a variety of other products for kids as well as adults. To check them out, as well as for information, visit http://www.innate-gear.com/.

Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration.
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Cheap Holiday Gifts

I've been looking at Black Friday Deals a lot closely this year to try and make every penny count. I know, the economists say the things are looking better. But I don't see it, at least not yet. Prices are still high, discounts are still low and not plentiful as before. Which is why I've created many price alerts in my quest for Cheap Holiday Gifts at Shop.com.

Haven't visited them yet? You must, if you're searching for the lowest price online this holiday season! They're a shopping comparison site specifically designed for women! And ladies, we're the champions of bargain shopping, aren't we?!

The items on my list this year include the Leapfrog Didj Game System for my son, a Barbie doll for my little girl (her very first one!!), a Blu-Ray Dvd player for my husband, a Sony e-reader for myself etc etc. What I've done is create price alerts for these items.

How it works is I set a price limit for each item (it's the amount I'm willing to shell out for it) and if the price of becomes less than or equal to that set limit at retailer online then Shop.com will immediately email me! That's it. All I have to do is just go and grab the deal - easy peasy!

What's on your holiday list? Whatever it is, you'll probably find them all at Shop.com, listed for the lowest price. Be sure to visit them and tell me your thoughts.

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Believe in Macy's Once Again!

The Holiday season is just around the corner and once again Macy's, one of the world's largest retailers around, is asking America to Believe in and embrace the holiday spirit of love and charity.

This year, Macy’s BELIEVE campaign is building upon the great success of last year’s holiday effort to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. And they're doing it with a ton additional stuff such as the national Santa Tour, an honorary National Believe Day, a “Yes, Virginia” animated special, and a new TV commercial featuring Queen Latifah!

As you already know, the nostalgic holiday campaign was inspired by the New York Sun’s famous “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial from 1897 and includes letter-writing “Believe Stations” in Macy’s stores across the country. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million.

For more details, please visit www.macys.com/believe. You can also visit Macy’s on Facebook and Twitter.

Don't forget to check out the Yes, Virginia Trailer below:

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Ikookie - 100% organic cotton Children's clothing

I love finding new and enterprising online retailers who carry comfortable, safe and most importantly, affordable children's clothing. And if they carry children's clothing made from Organic Cotton, which in my opinion is simply one of the best fabrics around for kids, then I love to spread word about them! That's why I'm so glad I stopped by at Ikookie! Their baby clothes are made with 100% organic cotton, grown with natural fertilizers and free of toxic chemicals.
They sent over the Blush Sleepsuit (love the name!) and the Cute as a Bug Long Sleeve Tee for my little ones. And they totally rock! The sleepsuit is oh-so soft and my baby took to it right away - no squirming or anything. It keeps her comfy and warm all night long. And the long sleeve tee is my toddler's latest pride and joy. He wears it everywhere and has even taken off his jacket to show the cute bug motif off to others! And I'm happy that my kids are happy, comfortable and wearing clothes that are so safe! (as a Bonus, it has drawn admiring comments, especially from other moms!)

But that's not all! ikookie's organic cotton baby products include bodysuits, t-shirts, yoga pants, sleepsuits, blankets, towels and more. Soft, good for baby and environment and reasonably priced - what more can you ask?!

For more information, visit http://www.ikookie.com.

Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration.
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Black Friday Deals : Sprint

Today M80 contacted me on behalf of Sprint with information about some great phone deals they have set up for the upcoming holidays.

Currently there are 3 devices that begin their sale this week, with more devices (Samsung Reclaim, LG LX370, LG Rumor 2) coming later in the month.  Users can access more details, and purchase the phones on http://holiday.sprint.com/
 
Current Deals This Week:

• Sanyo SCP2700 phone – FREE – starting 11/1/2009 to 1/9/2010
• Sierra Wireless 598U mobile broadband card – FREE – starting 11/1/2009 to 1/9/2010
• RIM Blackberry Curve – Buy 1 for $49.99, Get 1 FREE, with a $100 mail-in rebate – starting 11/1/2009 to 1/9/2010

Sprint will also be offering great deals for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday holiday, which I'll bring to you soon.

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Bebe Dulce - Review & Giveaway

After having her daughter and always dreaming of starting her own company, fashion graduate Claire Eads took her retail experience and transformed her hobby into a business. Today Bebe Dulce features Handmade jewelry, Mom's Gifts, great body and relaxation products, an all natural body care line and more products are continually being added to their growing repertoire. Some of their new products include: baby blankets, soy candles, natural lotions and many many more!

Claire kindly sent over one of their adorable Holiday Applique Onesie & an adorable snowflake fleece hat for my little girl. The Christmas set (pictured here) features an adorable snowman applique onesie with matching shoes. I hate dressing up my kid forever in pink just because she's female. And that's why I loved this onesie. It the perfect outfit to celebrate the holidays in style! It's available in green snowman print or red santa print, short sleeve or long sleeve. The onesie is soft, made of 100% cotton. Like all their onesies, it has a generous fit and will last my daughter long after the holidays. And the hat is so soft and comfy that I wished they had one in my size!

For quality clothes that are also fashionable, Bebe Dulce is ideal! For more information, visit http://bebedulceaspen.com.

Receive a receive 15% Discount off your entire order by using this exclusive code : "abd15"

GIVEAWAY

The Prize

The lucky winner can choose one item up to $25 value from their store.

To Enter

• Visit Bebe Dulce online and comment here with your favorite product.
• Anonymous comments without a contact email address will not be considered.
  

For Extra Entries

Please leave a NEW comment for each extra entry you do.

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• 10 ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway including links to the Sponsor and this giveaway
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Deadline   Midnight CST of 11 Dec, 2009.

Eligibility  US only.

Please read the Disclaimer. Good luck!
Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
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Unique Family Ways to Honor Veteran's Day

As you may know, today is Veteran's Day, an American holiday honoring military veterans on November 11.

Tributes.com, a website designed to memorialize our loved ones lives, recently announced the launch of a new section on their website dedicated to military tributes. Tributes (www.tributes.com) is now providing families with an easy and enjoyable way to memorialize the vets in our lives, complete with information on their loved one’s time of service, duty stations, deployments and photo slideshows for military memories, as a way to honor and remember their fallen heroes.

Tributes.com has partnered with SplashFX Inc., an interactive solutions firm that provides engaging military shadowboxes that can be customized to showcase the deceased veteran’s awards and badges earned during their time of service. This is an exciting way to preserve and celebrate their accomplishments. These capabilities add to the site’s existing tribute creation tools that allow the addition of videos, music and the creation of photo slideshows, making it simple for users to share meaningful remembrances of their beloved veteran.

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DVD - Ice Age : Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Get ready, for the dawn of a new age! Manny, Sid, Diego and Ellie are back for more pre-hysterical hijinks in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. The third film in the outrageously popular Ice Age franchise, the sub-zero heroes return another wild and fun adventure. Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut (while maybe finding true love); Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth; Diego the saber-toothed tiger wonders if he’s growing too “soft” hanging with his pals and Sid the sloth gets into trouble when he creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs. On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna, run amuck, and meet a relentless, one-eyed dino-hunting weasel named Buck.

The beginning was way too dull, for kids and adults alike. But once the herd goes into the underground world (in the tradition of 'Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne'), the adventures and hi-jinks begin as does the laughter. From there on, it's fun, fun, fun. I have to say, Scrat, the saber-toothed chipmunk (or is it a squirrel?), is the star of the show for all he shows up only now and then, in everlasting quest for the acorn. Thankfully there's a separate dvd in the Double Dvd combo pack, which has, among other things, a ton of short features starring this indefatigable rodent. We also fell in love with Buck - hopefully we'll see more of this Aussie-accented, daredevil weasel!

For more details, keep reading!

“Scrat Pack” Double DVD Pack Special Features:

Disc One:

• Filmmaker Commentary

Disc Two:

• Two Scrat Shorts
• Gone Nutty – Scrat’s Missing Adventure
• No Time For Nuts
• The Sabre-Toothed Squirrel: Natures Nutty Buddy
• Scrat: From Head To Toe – learn how to draw Scrat tutorial
• Scrat: “Breaking Story”
• Scrat: “News Report”
• Fox Movie Channel Presents: Making A Scene
• Buck…Easel to Weasel
• Falling for Scratte
• Unearthing the Lost World
• Walk The Dinosaur Music Video
• Activities
• Scrat Pinball
• Eggshell
• Bubble Trouble

Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration.
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Black Friday Deals - Restoration Hardware

It's not exactly BF, but close to...

Just in time for holiday shopping, the Annual Restoration Hardware Friends & Family Event is just around the corner. Starting on Thursday, November 12 through Monday, November 16, shoppers can receive a 20% off discount for Restoration Hardware and Restoration Hardware Baby & Child merchandise.  The offer applies to purchases made via catalog, web and in both retail and outlet stores.

Feel free to invite your friends and family – be sure to include the following discount code for catalog and web orders: FFS2009.

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Green Toys - Review

In case you were living in a cave somewhere, Green is in. Which means that eco-friendly products and services are at an all-time high these days. This holiday season, be sure to check out Green Toys Inc for they make an awesome line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. Their toys are made out of recycled milk containers, the very same one sitting in your recycle bin at this minute. And you couldn't tell that by looking at them, that's for sure.

Reasons to love Green Toys :

• 100% made in the USA.
• Packaged in recycled boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties, and are 100% recyclable.
• Contain no traceable amounts of Phthalates or BPA. 
• Designed without any lead paint.

Check out this amazing Cookware and Dining Set from Green Toys - all ready for any aspiring young chef's make-believe culinary efforts. My kid has already served me countless tasty and imaginary dishes with them. And believe me, the joy they get out of making that food is nothing compared to the joy you get out of watching them imitate you oh-so carefully and proudly and all the while have fun doing it!

I don't know about you, but my son lives for trash-pickup day. Watching those giant arms come down and lift our tall trash cans is a delight that has yet to lose its charm. His joy at getting a Green Toys Dump Truck for his own was to be seen to be believed! Our home is now the cleanest one around! (yeah, right). And yes, like all their other toys, these too were made out of recycled milk cans.

No wonder Green Toys is gathering accolades from satisfied parents everywhere. For more information, visit http://www.greentoys.com/.

Disclosure - This product was received for review/feature consideration.
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The information provided here at the A Bookworm Mom's Diary blog is for entertainment purposes only and reflect only the personal opinion of this blogger. Readers of this blog reading and/or using any of the information they glean here, do so at their own risk.
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Book Feature - Shoptimism: Why the American Consumer...

Over the past 12 months, the American consumer has gone through a huge transformation – morphing from devoted and enthusiastic shoppers to cautious and worried customers. But Lee Eisenberg, the author of the national bestseller The Number, believes that this is an opportune time to re-examine both the dark and bright side of our national pastime. In his new book Shoptimism: Why the American Consumer Will Keep on Buying No Matter What (Free Press; November 3, 2009), Lee explores the evolution of our long-standing relationship with consumption.

He’s spent the past three years researching the Buy world, interviewing shoppers and industry experts, and takes readers on an entertaining and thought-provoking tour of the world of malls, megastores, and online shopping. Lee also has firsthand experience in the shopping world – he was a senior executive at Lands’ End for several years, and is currently a creative consultant working on several women’s brands. And, in order to experience the madness of the holiday shopping season, he even worked at Target as a floor walker in 2007.

In Shoptimism, Lee interviews everyone from the industry’s best known retail consultant Paco Underhill to brand expert Albert Muniz to his own wife whom he joins on her quest in search of the perfect little black dress. The first part of the book is an exploration of the interconnected worlds of marketing, retailing, advertising, and consumer research – “the Sell Side,” as he calls it – all of which conspire to captivate our hearts and capture our minds in the effort to convince us to open up our wallets. Lee visits neuroscientists using state-of-the-art technology to scan the brain – did you know that some of us are wired to be cheapskates, while others of us are predisposed to being spendthrifts? It has to do with how the brain registers “the pain of paying,” which is signaled by specific regions of the brain.

The second half of Shoptimism is a journey directly into our hearts and minds – Lee asks, “Why do we buy?” Social status? Feel-good therapy? Are we attracted by specific brands that reflect our personal identity, or the identity we aspire to? What’s the difference – if any – between what we want and what we think we need? Lee explains why we behave in rational but usually irrational ways when we walk into a store, alone or with family or friends. With Shoptimism, Lee Eisenberg has created the ultimate guide for shoppers.

For free-spending Americans, as well as those of us who have pulled in the reins on our shopping habits, Shoptimism is an engaging read perfectly timed to illuminate the American consumer’s mood and behavior in this most unusual moment in Buy time.

Lee Eisenberg's last book was the New York Times bestseller, The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life, chosen by BusinessWeek as one of the best books of the year. He is the former editor in chief of Esquire, and currently lives in Chicago with his family. Lee is blogging about shopping at www.LeeEisenberg.com.
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*** This product was received for review consideration. No other compensation was provided. The information provided here at the A Bookworm Mom's Diary blog is for entertainment purposes only and reflect only the personal opinion of this blogger. Readers of this blog reading and/or using any of the information they glean here, do so at their own risk. ***

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Free Weekend - Care.com

Starting today, Care.com is opening up its site to everyone for free. From Friday to Sunday, anyone can search for caregivers, post jobs, and get contact information.

It’s a great opportunity to try out the site, post jobs, and find a caregiver.

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Giveaways (6 Nov 09)

Everything Up Close – DAS Foods’ Caramels (2 winners) - Ends November 9th
http://www.everythingupclose.com/2009/10/das-foods-review-giveaway.html

Starting on October 29, you’ll be able to nominate a caregiver who deserves to be called a Care Hero by visiting www.facebook.com/caredotcom and nominating them.At the end of November, Care.com will choose a Grand Prize winner to be the 2010 Care.com Care Hero. The winning caregiver will receive a $500 "Care Package" including hotel stay, tickets to a show, and dinner on them. There are many other prizes as well.

Win Bed Bouquet at http://dewgin.blogspot.com/2009/10/bed-bouquet-review-giveaway.html

Cooking with your kids is a great way to harvest healthy eating habits, and the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) wants to reward “kids of all ages” for learning about the Idaho® potato harvest – $10,000 to be exact ($5,000 for them and $5,000 for the school of their choice). Visit www.IdahoPotato.com now through November 20 to enter the sweepstakes.

The EarthCare Challenge, presented by Hickory Springs, is a nationwide competition that will follow contestants as they aspire to live more sustainable lifestyles entirely on social networking communities Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. One lucky grand prize winner will receive an earth-friendly home furnishings makeover for their home, valued at $5,000! For rules and entry information, visit EarthCareInside.com.

For the 8^th consecutive year, parents and kids across the U.S. can spend some quality time together in the kitchen to come up with this year’s Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich. The contest encourages kids to get excited about cooking and allows children the chance to win a college scholarship fund. One winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship fund and four runners-up will each receive a $2,500 college scholarship fund. For Official Rules and entry form visit www.Jif.com.  

Moms also have the chance to exercise their creativity for a chance to be a judge at the finals event of the 2010 Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest. From August 21, 2009, through November 13, 2009, adults can submit an essay, 250 words or less, answering “How do you make the best choices for your family?” The winner will earn a seat at the judging table at the final live judging event in New York City.  Adults can enter and see Official Rules for complete details by going to www.Jif.com. 
  
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Black Friday Deals - Fashion Bug

Black Friday Doors open early at 7:00 a.m. with 60% off clearance items the store (when you take an extra 20% off already reduced fall fashions)

The all day door busters are:

• Turtleneck Sweaters ($6)
• Velour Active Jackets and pants ($10 each)
• Right Fit pants and jeans ($12 each)
• Puffer Coat ($20)
• Luxury gift sets ($16)

All Black Friday deals will also be available online at www.fashionbug.com

If your store is having a black friday sale, then I'm interested in getting details to post. Thanks!
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Dove's "Thank You for Making a Difference" Campaign

Dove’s mission is to reach 5 million girls with self esteem programming by 2010. Since 2005, Dove has reached over 3.5 million girls globally. In 2009, Dove wants to recognize those who have supported the Campaign for Real Beauty. Because of this previous support, Dove is now promoting the “Thank You for Making a Difference” campaign.

Want to participate? Here's how! Share what your daughter feels makes her beautiful or what she learned from a self esteem program. Then upload your daughter’s 30 second video to the Dove Self Esteem Fund Facebook page by 11/20/09. Directions and link to post here: http://www.facebook.com/DoveSelfEsteemFund?v=app_10467688569

DON'T FORGET - leave a comment here that you uploaded your video! The top 5 sites with most videos (including the #1 site) will receive a $1000 donation from Dove in their site’s name to the local chapter of a partner charity that builds self esteem.

Lastly, your Dove purchase also helps build self esteem. Enter your Dove UPC on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/DoveSelfEsteemFund?v=app_10467688569 and select a charity. Dove will donate $1 to inspiring self-esteem programs at a charity partner of your choice. Select one: Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Girls Inc.

Thank You for Making a Difference!

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Beibi Shoes - Review & Giveaway

This product was received for review consideration

With winter coming up fast, it's important to keep covered up. Especially the little ones. And what better than cute baby shoes from Beibi, the same people that brought the Wee Squeak shoes that you might seen mentioned in a variety of publications, both in print and online.

About Beibi Shoes:

As parents of infants and toddlers, our inspiration for WeeSqueak shoes was watching our children in these shoes. We discovered these little gems while in China adopting our oldest daughter, Chloe. However, during the adopting of our youngest daughter, Ellie, we had the idea to bring some shoes back for our friend's children. Our company, WeeSqueak, was born! We are fun parents, with fun shoes for fun kids! Wee Squeak donates 5% of our profits (up to $1,000 contribution per charity per year) to Half the Sky and to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

My daughter absolutely loves her Iris Silver Baby Shoe. Shiny silvery pink with a happy butterfly perched on the toe, these shoes are so adorable and keep her little feet warm and comfortable. They come in a variety of sizes from 0-6 months, all the way up to 24months. One thing though - unlike the popular Wee Squeak shoes, the Beibi shoes do not squeak. My daughter hasn't worn them for long, but I have no doubt these well constructed shoes will wear well and hopefully, she won't outgrow them too soon!

They also have a nice collection of the Beibi line of shoes for little boys as well.

GIVEAWAY

The Prize

A lucky reader will get one pair of the Beibi line of shoes of their choice.

To Enter

• Visit Beibi online and comment here with the product you'd choose to win, if picked the winner. (Must be from the Beibi line of shoes, not the others)
  
• Anonymous comments without a contact email address will not be considered.
  

For Extra Entries

Please leave a NEW comment for each extra entry you do.

• 1 ENTRY - Subscribe to A Bookworm Mom's Diary Feed
• 1 ENTRY - Subscribe to A Bookworm Mom's Diary Email Updates
• 1 ENTRY - Add the A Bookworm Mom's Diary Button (see right sidebar) to your blog
• 1 ENTRY - Add A Bookworm Mom's Diary text link to your blog roll
• 1 ENTRY - Add A Bookworm Mom's Diary to your Technorati Favorites
• 1 ENTRY - Become a fan of A Bookworm Mom's Diary on Facebook
• 1 ENTRY - Follow this blog 
• DAILY ENTRY - Follow A Bookworm Mom's Diary on Twitter AND tweet this giveaway @callmeabookworm
• 10 ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway including links to the Sponsor and this giveaway
• UNLIMITED ENTRIES - Comment on any non-giveaway post. Comment here with the title of that post for each you do.

Deadline   Midnight CST of December 4, 2009 .

Eligibility  US only.

Please read the Disclaimer. Good luck!

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Freebie - Brainy Baby DVD

This is a good way to get a free dvd, but in my opinion, it's not a TRUE freebie since you have to pay S&H. Anyway, here it is...

Due to the overwhelming response of Brainy Baby’s DVD giveaway since it’s July launch, the company is now extending the DVD Giveaway until the end of the year to help support families, childcare centers, teachers, and grandparents that have not already participated.

To take advantage of the FREE DVD campaign, participants can choose one DVD from a selection of four of Brainy Baby’s most popular titles (ABCs, Music, Laugh & Learn or Shapes & Colors).  The DVD’s are FREE ($17.95 value) until December 31, 2009.

Participants only have to pay $6.95 for shipping and handling (residents in the Atlanta area can make arrangements to pick up their free copy at Brainy Baby’s office).

For additional information and details about the FREE DVD GIVEAWAY, visit www.myfreebrainybaby.com.

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Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

In the age of convenience, bottled water has become a very popular drink, fitting in well with many new, modern lifestyles, providing portability and easy access to purified and sanitized drinking water.  The debate between whether or not bottled water or tap water is better to drink has recently become a hot topic for discussion.

ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner, Dr. Raymond Hatland, DDS shares his expert advice on the bottled vs. tap water debate, stating:

“Fluoride in water is both positive and negative, depending on who is drinking it.  There is concern that the fluoride in tap water reacts with trace chemicals in tap water making them more carcinogenic.  In my opinion, fluoride is best applied topically by your dentist or hygienist for the most effective protection of your teeth with minimal systemic side effects.”

Dr. Hatland breaks down the pros and cons of each type of water:

Bottled Water
PROS:

• Safe from bacteria
• Can be free of fluoride
• Portable
• Can have an alkaline pH

CONS:

• Expensive
• Usually has a very acidic pH
• No fluoride
• Few nutritional minerals
• May contain unacceptable levels of the plastic chemicals (bisphosphonates)

Tap Water
PROS:

• Cheap
• Basically safe
• Easily available
• Contains fluoride which can help prevent tooth decay
• Neutral or slightly alkaline pH
• Usually contains some good minerals

CONS:

• Can be polluted with many industrial chemicals not totally removed by water purification systems
• Potentially contain excessive amounts of iron, sulfur or fluoride
• May draw lead or copper from pipes
• Can be contaminated with bacteria and waste products from occasional flooding

I prefer tap water, usually filtered, as I believe in developing a certain amount of resistance to bacteria and other stuff from daily use. I fill them up in reusable and eco-friendly stainless steel bottles and take them with me wherever I go. Easy, cheap and simple.

What's your choice?

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Uncle Sam's Cereal - Review & Giveaway

Winner : BETH!

As is well known, Eating the right kind of breakfast, like a high-fiber choice, can aid weight loss and start the day on a positive, healthy note. A recent study showed that Women who ate breakfast regularly tended to eat fewer calories throughout the day, and both men and women had lower overall fat intake. And, as mentioned in the article, high-fiber foods are recommended because they help satiate hunger. That's why we love Uncle Sam's all-natural, 100 percent whole grain Cereal.

Uncle Sam comes in two delicious flavors - Original (A unique blend of toasted whole wheat flakes and flaxseed) and Mixed Berries (the same wholesome cereal as the original, with the addition of real blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

Its Benefits include:

• 100% Whole Grain – The “rolled berry” flakes in Uncle Sam Cereal preserve the natural fiber, nutritional value and flavor of the wheat, making every flake of Uncle Sam Cereal a true whole grain. Whole grains are a rich source of several vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants and phytochemicals, which may reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and the effects of aging.
• Omega-3’s from Flaxseed – Nearly all of the fat in Uncle Sam Cereal is heart-healthy fat from flaxseed, which is one of the best sources of plant omega-3 “essential” fatty acids that cannot be made by the body. Flaxseed also contains lignans, plant compounds that influence human metabolism. Omega-3 and lignans may help reduce the risk of some cancers, heart disease and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• High Fiber – A single serving of Uncle Sam Cereal contains a whopping 10 grams of dietary fiber (8 grams insoluble, 2 grams soluble). Fiber helps maintain blood sugar levels, which is important for those trying to lose or maintain weight and improve energy. It also may help reduce the risk of diabetes, aid in lowering cholesterol and promote regularity.
• Less than 1 g Sugars (per serving) – Uncle Sam Cereal uses only a touch of barley malt to enhance the natural sweetness of the wheat flakes. Unlike other high-fiber cereals, it contains no cane sugar, no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial or synthetic sweeteners.
• Uncle Sam Cereal is also low sodium, low glycemic, and contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Buy it! Uncle Sam Cereal is available at most supermarkets nationwide for approximately $2.39. It is also available in natural food stores, Trader Joe’s and Walmart supercenters.

GIVEAWAY

The Prize

A lucky winner will get 2 boxes of Uncle Sam plus a coupon keeper.

To Enter

• Share with us your favorite healthy foods/recipes.
  
• Anonymous comments without a contact email address will not be considered.
  

For Extra Entries

Please leave a NEW comment for each extra entry you do.

• 1 ENTRY - Subscribe to A Bookworm Mom's Diary Feed
• 1 ENTRY - Subscribe to A Bookworm Mom's Diary Email Updates
• 1 ENTRY - Add the A Bookworm Mom's Diary Button (see right sidebar) to your blog
• 1 ENTRY - Add A Bookworm Mom's Diary text link to your blog roll
• 1 ENTRY - Add A Bookworm Mom's Diary to your Technorati Favorites
• 1 ENTRY - Become a fan of A Bookworm Mom's Diary on Facebook
• 1 ENTRY - Follow this blog 
• DAILY ENTRY - Follow A Bookworm Mom's Diary on Twitter AND tweet this giveaway @callmeabookworm
• 10 ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway including links to the Sponsor and this giveaway
• UNLIMITED ENTRIES - Comment on any non-giveaway post. Comment here with the title of that post for each you do.

Deadline   Midnight CST ofDecember 12, 2009.

Eligibility  US only.

Please read the Disclaimer. Good luck!


DISCLOSURE - This product was received for review consideration.
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