Ah!

I hope everyone has had a fabulous holiday! My little princess had her first birthday and then add on the get-togethers and parties, it's been pretty hectic around here! It seems to be settling a bit, but now work is picking up again. I can't wait to get back to posting regularly!

Not Soap Radio Bubbles and Shower Gel

The following post is for adults.  Images are kid-friendly, but the links are not.  Please don't open them with little eyes watching :)

I recently took the opportunity to try out some new bath products offered by EdenFantasys. If you haven't noticed or haven't heard, their selection is growing!

I'm always looking to try new bubble baths!  I like lots of good smelling bubbles to relax the day away and have a little peace and quiet.  This bubble bath from Not Soap Radio is fabulous!!  I tried out the one pictured, though they have several scents.  "The Phoenix" is said to be an "instant optimizer" because it's infused with optimism-promoting Bergamot. What's Bergamot? According to their description, Bergamot uplifts the spirit, boosts confidence and helps to create a general sense of happiness and well-being by lifting melancholy.

I found it to bubble up nicely and didn't have to use any more than I normally would.  I really like the citrus-y scent too.  You can use this as a shower gel as well, but I've only tried it for bubble baths.

It's a little expensive, I suppose, at about $15.00 a bottle, but it's not really any more than a specialty-store bubble bath and a little goes a pretty long way.  I've used it several times and still have most of the bottle left!

Disclaimer: This post has been compensated by EdenFantasys.com, an online sex toys retailer.

Hasbro Crib Life Dolls #Gift Guide

Don’t judge these babies by their binkies – the CRIB LIFE crew is a cast of tots that were simply “born awesome!” Each funky and fashionable CRIB LIFE doll has a unique style that matches her personality and attitude.

Girls can collect and connect to six CRIB LIFE CUTIES characters: girly-girl SARINA CUTIE, sporty LULU LAKE, free spirit MAKAYLA SONG, music-loving ELLA SONG, tech-savvy LILY SWEET, and confident and worldly HAILEY HULA (each doll sold separately).

Each CRIB LIFE doll comes complete with a keychain and a doll charm featuring a special online code that unlocks a CRIB LIFE character’s world of fun and adventure at CribLife.com (website available for a limited time only). On the interactive website, girls can meet the CRIB LIFE crew and stay up to date by reading the latest babble in “Crib Chat.”

With a special code, girls can also play fun-filled games, check out videos featuring the crew and customize a “crib” of their own.

Buy It!

CRIB LIFE dolls are available for about $14.99 at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.

 
Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Hasbro Littlest Pet Shop #GiftGuide

I remember playing with Littlest Pet Shop toys when I was a kid! Granted, they've gotten bigger and they're different now, but they're still super adorable!  Some of the newest members to the Littlest Pet Shop family are these new "walkables"!

So, stinking, cute!  There are several available, including a dog, seal, snail, fish, cat, spider and others!

With the touch of a button these pets get going, moving across any smooth surface.

Buy It!

Littlest Pet Shop "Walkables" are available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com for about $7.99.


Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

LG DoublePlay

This post brought to you by LG DoublePlay™. All opinions are 100% mine.

My phone isn't smart.  It may even be a little dumb.  It texts when it feels like it, and for a person who texts quite a bit, that can be a pain!  It's a slider, which I like, but I always wished it could have more smart phone capabilities, but hadn't found anything similar that did. 

The LG DoublePlay™ from T-Mobile is pretty much what I had in mind (are they mind readers??)  The DoublePlay has dual customizable touch screens ¾ a 3.5-inch main display and 2.0-inch sub display ¾ that operate independently or in tandem, as well as a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and Swype® for easy text input, LG DoublePlay™ allows users to perform multiple tasks at once such as updating their Facebook pages while simultaneously surfing the Web, texting or checking email.

Love it!  A slider, 2 screens, Swype AND a keyboard?  I mean, really, can this thing have any more features for the texter in all of us?  The DoublePlay also features Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) with access to Android Market™, so everything you could hope to have, it's all in one place.

I would love to try one of these phones, to be able to text and get online and hop onto social networking sites is sort of like my "I wish my phone did that..." dreams coming to fruition!

How about you?  Are you a big texter?  Would you find ways to take advantage of two screens on one phone? 

Boot Stroot #Review

I love my boots, but I HATE the way my jeans look if I'm not wearing skinny jeans and they're all bunched up.  It's such a peeve of mine that sometimes I'll wear regular shoes and end up with soggy pant legs just to keep myself from having the frustration of crazy pants.

I knew there had to be some kind of solution, but didn't know what it might be.  When I was introduced to the Boot Stroot, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head!  The Boot Stroot is a product designed to wrap around the bottoms of your jeans (or whatever pants you may be wearing) and it keeps them down where they're supposed to be!  I'm sure this would work for kids too, it would probably save some parent frustration and keep little legs warmer.  I think it would also keep their regular pants down where they're supposed to be when you're trying to get snow suits on. (Another pet peeve!  Nothing like kiddos having their regular pants pulled up the their knees when they're trying to get snow pants on!)

As you can see, the Boot Stroot is very easy to use, just cuff your pants, wrap the Boot Stroot around the cuffed area and pull on your boots!  I keep mine down in my boots so I don't misplace them, and it's easy enough to leave them in the boots if you're out visiting this holiday season.

You pants stay dry, unbunched, and you look like you've got the pants-in-boots thing down to a science!

Buy It!

The Boot Stroot comes in three colors, brown, black and blue and is available for $8.99.

Disclaimer:

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas #Giveaway

ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS on Blu-ray and DVD

A perfect family gift for the holidays, ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS landed on Blu-ray and DVD November 26 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and features the original voice talents of Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Sean William Scott.  Available for a low price ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS arrives on single disc DVD and a Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy combo pack with extra features, making it a great holiday stocking stuffer for the whole family to enjoy.

In ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS, America’s favorite arctic herd is busy decorating for the holiday season.  In his rush to help, Sid (John Leguizamo) destroys Manny’s (Ray Romano) favorite decorations.  Manny is so upset he convinces Sid he is now on Santa’s naughty list.  Sid, Crash (Seann William Scott), Eddie (Josh Peck) and Peaches (Ciara Bravo) take off for the North Pole to plead their case to Santa (Billy Gardell).  Meanwhile, Manny, Ellie (Queen Latifah) and Diego (Denis Leary), worry over Peaches’ safety and race to find her.  Back at the North Pole, Sid and his crew accidentally destroy Santa’s Workshop on Christmas Eve, and it’s up to these newfound friends to orchestrate a Christmas miracle.  The instant holiday classic, directed by Karen Disher, also features the voice talent of Chris Wedge, T.J. Miller and Judah Friedlander.

With over $4 billion in box office, home entertainment and consumer products sales, the “Ice Age” franchise is a perennial hit, and continues to grow with next summer’s all-new animated feature “Ice Age: Continental Drift.”  From Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios, the film features new characters voiced by Jennifer Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Keke Palmer, Aziz Ansari and Drake, among others.  Share in the all-new adventure as they join the original cast voiced by John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Seann William Scott, Queen Latifah and Denis Leary.  “Ice Age: Continental Drift”

Win It!

 

Giveaway Prize: One (1) copy of Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas on DVD!

Entries: I must be able to easily find an email address for the winner. If it isn't in your visible profile, please include it in your comment. If you're chosen and I can't find an email address, I'll be forced to choose another winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before another winner is chosen.

This giveaway will run from today, December 8, 2011 until Thursday, December 15, 2011.


**This is a short running giveaway given the nature of the prize!**

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Mandatory:
1) Tell us who you want to win this for!

Extras: (Please leave separate entries for each, each extra is worth 1 entry unless otherwise stated.)
2) Follow Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings via GFC.
3) Follow Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings on Twitter.

4) Tweet this giveaway (1 extra entry per day, please leave the tweet link) To make it easy, feel free to use the Twitter button at the bottom of this post!

5) "Like" Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings on Facebook.

6) Subscribe to my blog feed.

7) Grab my button and display it on your blog.

8) Enter any of my other giveaways (1 extra entry for each giveaway entered, post separate comments)

9) Blog about this giveaway (5 entries, please post 5 comments)

New and Old Cinema Christmas Traditions!

Available on Blu-ray and DVD November 26

It’s a frosty December.  Better sit back, sip your hot cocoa and see what the Whos down in Whooville are doing.  Classics like the How The Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas are perfect to watch during the chilly nights spent indoors getting cozy by the fire.  New classics including Shrek The Halls, Merry Madagascar and now Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas expand the family holiday repertoire.  In this feature we take a look at some of the most beloved animated holiday films that are perfect to watch year after year with your loved ones.

A perfect family gift for the holidays, ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS landed on Blu-ray and DVD November 26 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and features the original voice talents of Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Sean William Scott.  Available for a low price ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS arrives on single disc DVD and a Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy combo pack with extra features, making it a great holiday stocking stuffer for the whole family to enjoy.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

1964’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been telecast every single year since its release, making it the longest-running Christmas TV special in history! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is also unique because it was produced in stop motion animation. In this classic Christmas story we learn about Rudolph’s childhood full of ridicule for his glowing red nose, and the events that lead up to his famous flight on Christmas Eve. Along with his friend Hermey the elf, Rudolph helps save his friends and family, and leads Santa’s sleigh through a blizzard, saving Christmas.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas was originally aired in 1965, and has since become a classic that many families love to watch during the holiday season. In this holiday special, The Peanuts gang attempts to put on a Nativity play, and Charlie Brown picks up his iconic feeble Christmas tree, that droops with the weight of just one ornament. As Charlie Brown fights the commercialization of Christmas, he and his friends begin to realize – with the help of Linus – the true meaning of Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Originally released one week before Christmas in 1966, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of the few Christmas specials from the ‘60s that is still shown regularly on television. This tried and true favorite tells the tale of the grouchy, green Grinch, who tries to spoil Whoville’s over-the-top annual Christmas celebration. After stealing all of the Whos’ decorations and presents, the Grinch finally realizes that the true meaning of Christmas doesn’t depend on material goods, and returns everything to its rightful place.

Frosty the Snowman

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The Frosty the Snowman TV special was released in 1969, and consistently ranks on “best of” lists for holiday specials and movies. In this story, Frosty is able to come to life from a magical hat that was stolen from the mean Professor Hinkle. Frosty and his friends, Karen and Hocus Pocus (Professor Hinkle’s rabbit), then voyage to get Frosty to the North Pole where he will not need to worry about melting due to rising temperatures. With Santa’s help, Frosty is preserved, and returns to celebrate Christmas with Karen each year.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol

Mickey’s Christmas Carol is a 1983 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novella, A Christmas Carol. This was the first original Mickey Mouse theatrical cartoon in more than 30 years, and it didn’t disappoint (the film was even nominated for an Academy Award as Best Animated Short Film). This short film features your favorite Disney characters in the famous Dickens tale: Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge, Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, Donald Duck as Fred, Goofy as Jacob Marley, and Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Shrek the Halls

Shrek the Halls originally aired in 2007, and features all of your favorite characters from the Shrek films. In Shrek the Halls, we find Shrek celebrating his very first Christmas, and trying to make it special for Fionna and their children. Not knowing anything about Christmas, Shrek buys a “Christmas For Village Idiots” book, and decorates the swamp. Unfortunately, Donkey, Puss in Boots and Gingy ruin Shrek’s plans. But, after apologizing to one another (and a quick snowball fight), Shrek’s friends and family are able to enjoy their first Christmas together.

Merry Madagascar

Merry Madagascar was first broadcast in 2009, and features the lovable animals of Madagascar trying to save Christmas. When Santa’s sleigh is accidentally shot down in Madagascar, leaving Santa with amnesia, it is up to Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melvin and the penguins to deliver Santa’s presents and save Christmas. When the animals return from delivering the presents, the run into Santa with his sleigh, curing his amnesia. After Santa and his reindeer leave, the group decides to celebrate Christmas in their own way as they are now filled with the holiday spirit.

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas is this year’s must-see holiday special! Spend the holidays with your favorite prehistoric friends as they try to save Christmas for the whole world! After accidentally destroying Santa’s workshop, Manny, Sid, Diego and all the other animals must work together to save Christmas for everyone. Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, and Seann William Scott all lend their voices to this hilarious tale of a group of friends out to save the holiday season.

BBC America Shop #Giveaway

Are you still looking for the perfect present to pass along to friends or family members?  Have you checked into the BBC American Shop?  They have all kinds of gifts for every budget from your favorite BBC shows!

Not only that, they have a fun giveaway going on now, you can check out those details below!

Just "like" the Facebook page for your chance to win!

Now, getting into the holiday spirit, who would like to win a fabulous prize package exclusive to readers of Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings?  Yep, thought so!

Win It!

Giveaway Prize: One (1) BBC America Prize Package to include the following:

Connemara Marble Mirror Compact
Pottery Mugs
BBC Holiday Drama
Gavin & Stacey: Season 3 plus 2008 Christmas Special
Last of the Summer Wine: Holiday Specials 1986 - 1989
Spot: Spot's Magical Christmas

Entries: I must be able to easily find an email address for the winner. If it isn't in your visible profile, please include it in your comment. If you're chosen and I can't find an email address, I'll be forced to choose another winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before another winner is chosen.

This giveaway will run from today, December 7, 2011 until Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only.

Mandatory:
1) Go check out BBC America and share with us something you would like to RECEIVE!

Extras: (Please leave separate entries for each, each extra is worth 1 entry unless otherwise stated.)
2) Follow Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings via GFC.
3) Follow Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings via Networked Blogs.
4) Follow Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings on Twitter.
5) Tweet this giveaway (1 extra entry per day, please leave the tweet link -- feel free to use the Twitter button at the bottom of this post!)

6) "Fan" Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings on Facebook.

7) "Fan" BBC America Shop on Facebook.

8) Subscribe to my blog feed.

9) Grab my button and display it on your blog.

10) Enter any of my other giveaways (1 extra entry for each giveaway entered, post separate comments)

11) Blog about this giveaway (5 entries, please post 5 comments)

Disclaimer: Giveaway prize is being sponsored by the above company. No other compensation was received.

Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches #TysonGoodness #Review

Tyson makes lunch super easy and FAST with their new mini chicken sandwiches!  Lunchtime (and dinnertime, for that matter) can be a little hectic around here if I lose track of time!  When the boys get hungry, they want food NOW or there will be fights, tears and overall melt downs.  I picked up some of these new sandwiches at Walmart in the freezer section.  They have some with cheese and some without, I grabbed the ones with cheese because, well, they love cheese.

Preparing the sandwiches was super easy!  You microwave them in the bag and everything heats up just the way you would want it to.  The bun stays soft and the chicken is hot in the middle.  Each package has 2 sandwiches in it, so the boys could split a package and have some other things with their lunch.  I tried some too and thought they were pretty tasty for such a fast snack!

I know, it's a chip he's chomping on and not the sandwich, but he chowed right through his whole plate and was one very satisfied little man!

I like that they're fast to prepare, they taste pretty good and there's virtually no mess.  These sandwiches would be great any time, for a snack, for lunch, whatever!

Buy It!

These aren't available at all Walmarts just yet, so check out the store locator before you go hunting for them.  Depending on where you are, it could save you some time!  When I got them, they were right around $5 for the box of 8 and if you check out the link below, you can get a $5 Walmart gift card when you buy two!

  

Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Mom Spark Media. All opinions shared are my own.

iRenew Wellness Bracelet #GiftGuide

I recently had the opportunity to try out an iRenew bracelet.  I'm sure you've seen them on TV, and if not, read on!  The iRenew bracelets are infused with Selective Frequency Resonance technology, which makes them different from every other wristband on the market. A recent study concluded that iRenew's SFR technology may promote, balance, strength and endurance. Unlike other wristbands, the iRenew bracelets contain no magnets or uncomfortable metal pieces that may be distracting during your workout.

I tried out the above sport bracelet in blue, but there's another type as well, it's slimmer and less "athletic" looking.

Buy It!

You can find the iRenew bracelets online for $19.99!  It would be a fun stocking stuffer for anyone!


Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Twister Mania for Kinect #GiftGuide

TWISTER™ Mania on Kinect for Xbox 360 combines the colorful, expressive and cooperative gameplay of the iconic TWISTER® board game and transforms it for the video game generation. Twist into fun with friends and family in this light-hearted, fast-paced game that supports up to eight players with deep gameplay, three game modes with 16 different variations and over 1,800 shapes to twist in to! Don’t hold back as you duck, squeeze, twist and move your body to match your opponent’s silhouette, knock down blocks against the clock and fill in thousands of crazy shapes of all sizes and themes! 

This is a fabulous party game! It would be a blast at a casual holiday party or for New Years! This happened to arrive near Tiny Man's 2nd birthday and we brought it out to play with family! Even Talker Man got in on the fun, though some of it was a little difficult for him since he's so short!  This game reminded me of the show "Hole in the Wall" with some of the crazy shapes you had to make yourself "fit" in to.

Buy It!

You can find Twister Mania on Amazon for $50.36.


Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Hickory Farms for the Holidays!

Hickory Farms has been a part of holiday tradition for as long as I can remember!  We always had it as part of our New Year's Day snack-all-day festivities.  Talker Man has already picked up on the love for the delicious summer sausage and cheese and Tiny Man is right there with him!

Thanks to Mom Central Consulting, we had the opportunity to have a Hickory Farms party for family and friends!  Everyone had a blast and LOVED the food and time together!

As you can see, there was no shortage of goodies for anyone to say, "I didn't get to try that kind of cheese!"  There wasn't one complaint and from the fruit to the sauces magically disappeared!

Thankfully I was able to get pictures before everyone descended onto the table, I wish I had thought to get the "after" shot as well!

Just in case you may be interested to learn just what happens when you place a Hickory Farms order, let's check it out!  You can read on, or just check out the fun red graphic ;)

Day One: Your order is placed.

Day Two: Your order is filled! (Yum!)

Day Three: Your order arrives!

How awesome is that?  Your food isn't sitting around in a warehouse for days on end just waiting to be picked up and delivered, it's done when you place your order.  Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed, so you realy can't beat that either!

I also love that Hickory Farms is a supporter of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® Campaign.

Share Our Strength® is the leading non-profit organization working to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. This holiday, for every signature Party Planner gift sold, Hickory Farms will donate $5 to the No Kid Hungry Campaign. Each $5 contribution can help connect children in America to 50 meals. (maximum donation $500,000, through 1/31/11). You can also add a donation of your own as you complete checkout. To learn more, visit nokidhungry.org.


Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of HickoryFarms and received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Country Dance 2 for Wii #GiftGuide

Country Dance 2 is the ultimate country music video game experience featuring more than 30 tracks from the biggest names in country. The Country Dance 2 star-studded lineup includes music from Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, George Strait, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and many, many more. Building upon the simple gameplay loved by fans of Country Dance, Country Dance 2 amplifies the fun with an all new sing-along features, duet dancing and a new calorie-counting exercise mode.

Whether you’re cutting the rug on your own, line dancing side-by-side with your partner, or taking on friends and family in a dancing duel, Country Dance 2 will transform your living room into an energetic dance floor with today’s hottest country songs from America’s best-selling country artists.

We had a blast checking out Country Dance 2!  The kids were dancing and playing alongside me!  

Buy It!

You can purchase Country Dance 2 on Amazon for $39.99!
 

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Victoria's Secret FREE Secret Rewards Card!

Hurry over to the Victoria's Secret Facebook page for your chance to snag one of the free Secret Rewards cards!  Each one is worth a minimum of $10!  They're valued at $10, $50, $100 and $500.  These go super fast, but they'll be available daily at 9 am EST through December 15. (Only one card per person.)

@ThinkGeek LED Binary Clock #GiftGuide

ThinkGeek is one online store that I can get lost in!  There's so much cool stuff that's perfect for holiday gift giving!  It's not just the same things you see in store after store, they're unique and, well, geeky!  Take the LED Binary Clock, for example.  How fun is this?  It's unique and can be a great conversation starter!

• Clock displays time using binary representation
• Black with red LEDs or silver with blue LEDs
• Choose between true binary or powers of two mode

In case you can't read it, maybe this will help...

Buy It!

You can pick up one of these directly from ThinkGeek for between $19.99 and $27.99! 


Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.