Wednesday, November 27, 2013

HGG 2013...TOMY Mr. Color Maker

A fantastic new toddler toy that teaches colors.




 TOMY Mr. Color Maker is a really cool toy that is very interactive. Your child will learn the primary colors, how to mix colors to make new colors and even help mix colors as it sings them a rainbow song. It features 50 different phrases and helps promote learning which of course gets my seal of approval. This will be an excellent toy for Jacey and any other baby/toddler this holiday season.

Description:
Place a mixing pot into Mr Color Maker and watch as he magically lights up in that color
Use the magic color brush to mix colors and watch as the bristles light up to become a colorful torch too
3 Color pots and 1 brush included
3 learning modes: free play, directed play, and songs.


 You can purchase this toy online at Amazon, Target and Walmart for $39.99.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

HGG 2013...CAPEL RUGS

"I was sent a rug to review. All opinions are my own." 

Looking for a unique gift idea for anyone on your list this year. How about an area rug?

Capel makes some excellent high quality rugs that will make your house beautiful.

About Capel

Rugs From original braids and the finest hand-knotted rugs to innovative indoor-outdoor and youth-friendly collections, Capel offers more rugs in more categories than any other rug company. The company's complete product line includes one-of-a-kind, Capel proprietary, private label and licensed designer rugs. Capel's rugs adorn the floors with color, craftsmanship. classic and creative patterns.

Capel, Inc. is based in Troy, N.C., where the company still does the spinning, dyeing, weaving, braiding and sewing for Capel's American Original™ braided rugs. To view the complete Capel Rugs program of more than 10,000 unique designs, visit CapelRugs.com.

For Shane's big christmas gift this year we are redoing his room in a Super Mario theme. He will be getting the Mario bedding for Christmas but even with the bedding we felt there would be something missing to tie the room together.

What better than to tie a room together than a new area rug. We were very lucky to be given the chance to pick a Capel rug for Shane's room. We had such a hard time deciding because of all the nice rug options but finally picked the Ridgeway Red rug.  We are very happy with our choice. The rug is so thick and soft. A nice deep red color.  You can tell the quality is excellent the moment you feel it.  Plus his room looks so much better even with his current Cars bedding.

See the before and after




What a huge difference a rug can make. The right Rug can really make a room!
We are so impressed with the rug, we are thinking of getting this Hearts rug for Jacey's room



You will want to follow Capel to be the first to hear about their new rug designs and get inspirations for your space.  



Also you can find their designs and stores near you as well as order online at http://www.capelrugs.com/




Stay tuned for a second post after Christmas with Shane's new Super Mario Room!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Boon Thanksgiving Contest

Dress your Boon FLAIR High Chair in its best Thanksgiving attire and share via social media using #turkeyflair and you will be entered to win $150 in Boon products**. Check out the creativity at tagboard.com/turkeyflair.




 Boon knows how crazy things can get during the holidays, so they’ve already done some of the work and created a handy feather template for you... Or, show ‘em what you got and make your own feathers. Use any materials you have laying around including construction or scrapbooking paper. Boon encourages any Thanksgiving themed FLAIR!

 The contest period ends Nov. 30, so get going! Details are on Boon’s website, and **official rules are available here.


 Winner Selection: Selection of prospective winner will be chosen at random by Boon from all eligible entries received via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest and designated with the hashtag #turkeyflair during the contest period.


All entries will be monitored and gathered on tagboard.com/turkeyflair. The prospective Prize Winner will be notified electronically via a comment by booninc on the photo used to enter on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest, or via a direct Tweet to the prospective winner’s Twitter handle from booninc.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

HGG 2013...Fisher Price Bedtime Peppa

"I was sent a peppa to review. All opinions are my own"

This is an adorable toy that was inspired by a British Children's TV show called Peppa the Pig that airs on Nick Jr.



Introducing Bedtime Peppa, new for Fall '13! Peppa is a soft and cuddly 11" plush who makes a perfect bedtime friend. Lay Peppa down for a nap and she sings and makes cute little snores - her cheeks will light up as she sings a lulaby and falls asleep. Wake Peppa up and she will say good morning phrases, oinks and giggles. Includes a plush soft blanket to cover Peppa.

My daughter Jacey is going to love this toy. Very interactive and she can even take it to bed with her. Plus the Peppa the pig series is very popular for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

This would make an excellent gift for your little one this holiday season.  It can be found at Toys R US for $24.99.





 

HGG 2013...Mobile Command R/C by Toy State

"I was sent a review item. All opinions are my own."


Mobile Command offers endless fun for young racers. Each car is designed after popular licensed sports car styles with working headlights. These cars aren’t just cool looking, they’re fast too! Models include Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang 5.0. Controller requires three “AAA” batteries (not included). Vehicle requires four “AA” batteries (not included).




These remote controlled cars are a great toy. My son has loved remote control cars since he was 3. He is now almost 6. The toy state mobile command vehicles light up and are constructed very well. Shane will have hours of fun driving his around the house. A great pick for the special little boy or girl in your life.


 

Monday, November 18, 2013

HGG 2013 The Sea Squad™ Puppet-on-a-Stick™by Educational Insights

"I was sent a promotional item. All opinions are my own. "

As I have said in previous reviews I am a big fan of Educational Insights.

A great company that makes fun and educational toys.  So I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review the The Sea Squad™ Puppet-on-a-Stick.



  • Go fishing for fun; Meet Flipper, Dipper, Chomper and Bob
  • Express yourself with these silly creatures from the sea Choose a shark, angler fish, octopus, or clam and get hooked on dramatic play
  • Each puppet measures 11" x 3"; Inspires dramatic and creative play





What better to promote imaginative play than puppets and cute ones at that. My son is going to love putting on puppet shows for my family. It will be so fun to watch him engage in such imaginative thinking. I just love to watch his creativity come alive and with these puppets I am sure to be smiling as I observe him play. Simple yet very educational, Educational Insights has done it again bring another awesome toy into houses for this holiday season. 

The The Sea Squad™ Puppet-on-a-Stick™by Educational Insights can be purchased on Amazon.com for $39.99



 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

HGG 2013 Dino Construction Company™ by Educational Insights

"I was sent a sample for review. All opinions are my own."

Dino Construction Company™ by Educational Insights




 I love toys that are both educational and fun. These kind of toys are the ones I look for to buy for my children. So I was excited to be given the opportunity to check out the Triceratops Bulldozer Vehicle. One of several vehicle toys by Educational Insights.




 I love that the Triceratops Bulldozer Vehicle is fun both inside and outside. Shane has already said he cant wait for it to warm up outside so that he can dig in the dirt and in his sandbox with it. It has many great features including a moveable jaw, a smashing tail and a push blade head that lifts and lowers.

 About Educational Insights

 Educational Insights Based in Southern California, Educational Insights specializes in the manufacturing and innovation of educational toys and games. Early childhood, math, language, Spanish, science, and social studies are all subjects they tackle in fun and inspiring ways. Teacher resources, classroom products, and games like Jeopardy are all a part of Educational Insights rich inventory designed by experienced educators and parents because they know best! Make learning fun with Educational Insights.

 This is a fantastic company that makes some great toys. Check them out on Amazon.com. The Dino Construction Company Triceratops Bulldozer Vehicle is $39.99 and for ages 3-12!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

HGG 2013 The Children's Place

"I was sent a promotional item. All opinions are my own"

If your looking for adorable holiday outfits for the kids for reasonable prices you have to check out The Children's Place.




 The Children's Place has always been a go to store for me for my son's and daughters clothing year round and especially during the holidays.





This year we had the opportunity to shop at the outlet and I was so impressed. There were tons and tons of stylish clothes at fantastic prices.  I just love the above beautiful plaid christmas dress.



We picked out Shane an adorable Christmas button up shirt perfect for holiday pictures this year and we got it for $6 after the extra 30% off they were offering. What a deal!



Plus they offer online exclusive items.  The dress we decided on for Jacey is the Jacquard leopard dress an online item. I can't wait for it to get here.


We are Children's Place members.  It's free to sign up.  Earn 5 points for each dollar you spend in store or online and after you get 1000 points you earn $5 towards your next purchase. They e-mail you all the current deals, plus get in store and online coupons!

Check out the Children's Place in store or online. You are sure to find the Perfect Holiday outfit!


 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

HGG 2013 Chuggington StackTrack die-cast Railway Rescue at Rocky Ridge Playset

"I was sent a sample to review. All opinions are my own" 


One of the hottest toys this year is the Chuggington StackTrack die-cast Railway Rescue at Rocky Ridge Playset.



 Beware of the tumbling boulder, steep hills and crash gates in this playset based on the 2013 “Rescue at Rocky Ridge” Chuggington episode! This height-defying four-level playset—featuring the same innovative track used to build the World’s Tallest Toy Train Track and earn a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title in 2013—includes a mine tunnel, boulder trap and High PerformanceTM Wilson and Koko engines.

This is a really fun set for ages 3 and up.  My son rally likes to watch Wison fly down the track as the boulder goes after him.  It is plastic and seems to sit better on hard surfaces verse carpet. The Rescue at Rocky Ridge Playset would make a nice present from Santa, Mom and Dad or grandma and grandpa for this holiday season.

It retails for $29.99  and can be found at most major retailers. 

Monday, November 11, 2013

HGG 2013...The Original toy Company

"I was sent a review item. All opinions are my own" 

 The holidays are fast approaching and holiday shopping has already begun.

 When shopping for my kids I always look for quality educational toys that will last them a long time. So of course, I checked out the toys from The Original Toy Company.

The Original Toy Company offers all kinds of toys from trampolines and activity play, to marbles and construction, to classic toys.  I love that they not only make some amazing toys but they have amazing customer service and fast delivery.



We were sent the Marble Maze. A 45 piece set of bright colored pieces that all connect together to make endless runs for your 10 Marbles. This set will provide hours of fun for shane as he connects the pieces in all different ways and watches the marbles roll down the mazes he creates. How many maze combos can he make and how long will it take the marbles to get to the bottom.  So many fun challenges in this great toy.



We were also sent one of their most popular items a What Zit "Cube.A fun little  multi colored 2" x 2" cube that you move around to put together.This would make an excellent stocking stuffer. This is also a fantastic toy to keep kids busy in the car. I highly recommend The Original Toy Company. Take a minute to check out all the fun educational toys they offer. You'll be sure to find something great for the special kid(s) in your life this holiday season!

 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Top Chef University's To-Go App

"I was given a free copy of the app and a promotional item. All opinions are my own"

So excited to share with you the coolest new app out. Top Chef University To-Go app.

 With this app you can Cook and learn from the top 11 chef’testants at Top Chef University. There are over 200 lessons organized into 20 courses.  It's so much fun to learn to cook using the video lessons from this app. This is a fantastic app to have especially if you enjoy cooking or are wanting to learn how to be a good cook.

The Top Chef University To-Go app has a wide variety of lessons from knife skills to grilling lessons. The high definition videos on my ipad are an awesome feature.  I really enjoy this app. I have learned a lot already and I highly recommend it to my readers.

This is a free app.

Check out a clip from the app on how to make french fries



Here are the links to learn more about and to download the app



-Twitter: @TopChefUApp






 

RSV AWARENESS... A MUST READ

"I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for MedImmune. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”

World Prematurity Day is November 17th. 


This is a day to help Parents fully understand the increased risks that come with premature birth and the specialized health care that preemies often require.

 Having a preemie makes that baby increases their risk of contracting a life threatening illness'. Young infants are very susceptible to infection in the early weeks of their lives, so contracting something as small as the common cold can present danger. This is especially true for babies born early, because they have underdeveloped lungs and immature immune systems.

Did you know that 79 percent of preemie moms have a baby who was hospitalized due to a severe respiratory infection?

 One virus in particular that parents of preemies should know about is respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV.









RSV: A Risk to Preemies
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common seasonal virus, contracted by nearly all children by the age of two, and typically causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms in healthy, full-term babies. Preterm infants, however, are born with undeveloped lungs and immature immune systems that put them at heightened risk for developing severe RSV disease, often requiring hospitalization.

RSV infection is more likely to root in premature lungs where developing airways are narrowed and especially fragile 

Preterm babies carry fewer virus-fighting antibodies—a precious gift from mom that all infants need while their own immune systems mature after birth


Key RSV Facts:
RSV occurs in epidemics each year, typically from November through March, though it can vary by geography and year-to- year

RSV disease is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies during their first year of life in the United States, with approximately 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 400 infant deaths each year

RSV disease is responsible for one of every 13 pediatrician visits and one of every 38 trips to the ER in children under the age of five


Despite being so common, many parents aren’t aware of RSV; in fact, one-third of mothers have never heard of the virus

Speak with your child’s doctor if he or she may be at high risk for RSV, as a preventive therapy may be available Know the Symptoms Contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:


*Persistent coughing or wheezing

*Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails 

*Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths Fever [especially if it is over 100.4°F (rectal) in infants under 3 months of age]


How Can I Help Protect My Baby From RSV?

RSV is very contagious and can be spread easily through touching, sneezing and coughing. Additionally, the virus can live on the skin and surfaces for hours. There is no treatment for RSV disease once it’s contracted, so prevention is critical. To help minimize the spread of RSV disease, all parents should:


Wash their hands and ask others to do the same 

Keep toys, clothes, blanket and sheets clean 

Avoid crowds and other young children during RSV season

  Never let anyone smoke around your baby

  Steer clear of people who are sick or who have recently been sick

Please take a moment to visit RSVProtection.com to learn more about RSV!