Sunday, December 22, 2013

Unwrap the Savings

Christmas is not so secretly sneaking up on us. Only 2 days left, and if you have kiddos, especially ones who believe in Santa, the gifts better be under the tree when the awake on December 25th. If you are finished shopping, that is fantastic. Hopefully you can relax and enjoy the holidays.

If you still need more gifts, never fear, you can still get the hottest toys of the year, without the headaches, and at fabulous prices. The early bird may get the worm, but the procrastinators can still score some great deals on incredible gifts.

Just visit your local Toys R Us and you will be in the fast lane to savings. Not only that, but Toys R Us has all the most wanted kids gifts. You won't find a better selection anywhere else. And if you want to make it even easier to find what you are looking for, you can order it online at toysrus.com and pick it up in store, so everything is ready when you arrive.

You can also take advantage of sales and even promo codes when shopping online. I just some really great deals on a couple toys that I already picked up for my daughter. I cannot believe that they are even still in stock so close to Christmas, let alone on sale.

I got my little girl the Big Hugs Elmo and Princess Twilight Sparkle. I know she will love them.
Both of these amazing gifts are on sale right now.

Big Hugs Elmo:
I knew my daughter would love this. She is at the hug everything stage as it is, and she is obsessed with Elmo. She has a bunch of the other(older) talking Elmo toys, because they were my son's. This will be the first one that was ever just for her.

I am actually a little worried though, that my son will want this too. He is 6, so not too old for Elmo yet(I'm 25 and not too old for Elmo). I mean, who could resist such a loveable toy? He is so furry and cuddly.
This obviously runs on batteries, which makes the deal really perfect. You can save $5 right now when you Purchase Big Hugs Elmo and Duracell Batteries together. Use code hasbrofsisave5 at checkout to score the savings(you can still pic up in store as soon as today).

Check out Big Hugs Elmo and action. How could anyone not love this toy?

I also got my daughter My Little Pony - Princess Twilight Sparkle.
She is so pretty with her regal crown and sparkly wings.
She has beautiful, flowing, pink and purple hair and comes with her own comb and hair clips to style it. What really makes her even more special though is that she talks and sings. She even moves and lights up.
I cannot think of anything that would make her more perfect for a little diva such as my daughter. I wish I had something like this when I was little. I have always loved My Little Pony. I'll probably play with her just as much as my daughter.

As fabulous as this toy is, I cannot believe that it is $15 off the regular price. That is amazing. If you still have a little girl to cross off your list, I highly recommend this adorable little pony.

Toys R Us has countless other toys for boys or girls of any age, and it is a safe bet that they will have the lowest price(and highest stock) around. Whether you choose in and out service of online ordering and store pickup or the friendly checkout personnel, you are sure to leave with your shopping done, your wallet in good shape and a smile on your face.

Be sure to follow Toys R Us on Facebook and Twitter so you are always up to date on all the latest news. Happy shopping and a very merry Christmas to you and yours.

*Although I received these at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Give Santa a Helping Hand

Whether you are excitedly waiting, or stressfully dreading it, Christmas is only 4 days away. With excited boys and girls all across the country counting the minutes until Christmas morning, there is much to be done.

Santa has so much to do to make Christmas morning perfect. I know that in this house, Santa can use all the help he can get. One thing that makes it so much easier is being able to get the hottest toys of the year from your local store. No need to load up the sleigh.

Give Santa a hand by heading to your local Toys R Us, Walmart, Target or Kmart or visit Amazon.com to pick up something spectacular from Spin Master, like the Zoomer or the Happy Hyper Mall.
I can already see the Christmas smiles expanding s the kiddos open these amazing gifts. I'd even be excited about these.

Zoomer:
Zoomer, in my opinion, is the hottest of the hot toys this year. He is even a Walmart Top 20 Chosen by kids. I can totally see why, Zoomer is a robot dog that can do all the things that a real dog does, if not more. Not all dogs can learn to do tricks, but Zoomer can. He can follow commands and even follow you with his eyes.

With Zoomer, you get all of the fun, "love" and bonding of a real dog without any of the mess, late night barking, feeding, or walking.
What a great idea for homes where pets are not allowed. I know my kiddos love animals, but only on their terms. They want something that will sit and be pet all day, without licking or jumping up, and that is not how real pets are. Zoomer is perfect for my kids.

The only problem that we will face with Zoomer is that my kids WILL fight over him. I already know it will happen. I wanted to get them each one, but I figured they would still find a way to fight, and they need to learn to play together more. With a real pet they would have to, so this is great practice.

Zoomer is so awesome though that the kids are going to have to get extra good at sharing, because I know that hubby and I will want to play with him too. Who wouldn't?

Even though they will share it, Zoomer is going to be for my son, so for my daughter I got the Happy Hyper Mall by Kawaii Crush. It is so adorable.
Just like a real mall, there is so much to do. You can shop(or course) in the boutique, Strike a pose in your fab new outfit in the fun photo booth, adopt a furry friend in the pet shop, and grab a bite to eat at the snack bar.
That sounds like a blast, I wish I could have a day like that. I know my little girl is going to love this. And actually my son(who is 6 and autistic) will probably try to play with it too. He actually loves this kind of thing because there is so many things to do.

If it was just a play house or something, he wouldn't give it a second thought, but with a photo booth, snack bar and pet shop, I know it will catch his attention.Who could blame him, this is one fabulous toy. The whole design is cute as can be and the activities are great.

I am wrapping up the joy this Christmas thanks to Spin Master. My kids will be thrilled, and so will Santa, because I just made his job a little easier.

If Santa could still use help where you are too, just head out to any of the multiple locations where Spin Master toys are sold and pick up one of these fabulous gifts. They are sure to make the special day even more exciting.

*Although I received these at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Be a Hero, Hire a Hero. #WWEmoms Twitter Party Tonight!!

With my dear husband having diligently served our country during Operation Dessert Storm, risking his life for the safety of me and my family, long before I ever met him, this is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart.

I have tremendous respect and gratitude for each any every man and woman who is serving(or has served) our country. I had actually given great thought to enlisting myself when I was a teenager, but then I met hubby(at 16) and started a family. Although I am extremely happy with my life now, I still wish I could have served, just so that I could be giving back a some of the effort that has been given to ensure my freedom.

At the very least, I always do as much as I can to support our troops. Whether or not you agree with the wars(current or previous), our soldiers should always be respected and supported. Whether is is sending a card or care package, for the holidays, or just to say thank you any time of year. or it is donating to one of the numerous organisations that support our troops, or visiting the VA and lending a helping hand or receptive ear, or using your voice to support a cause that helps countless heroes all over the country, like Hire Heroes USA.

As the saying goes, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine". While that is obviously a saying from the Marine Corps, it is true of all branches of military. Once a Hero, always a Hero. Why wouldn't anyone want an employee with the dedication, character, strength, bravery, honesty and integrity that are indicative of military veterans?

These men and women have risked their lives and spent countless days way from their families, and often when the return home, they find themselves struggling to obtain employment. I cannot express how wrong that is to me. They should be at the top of the list. Thankfully there is an organization like Hire Heroes USA that helps unemployed veterans find jobs- good jobs.

Even better, the team is comprised of Veterans, so they are uniquely qualified to teach these veterans self-marketing skills and help network then into good jobs with great companies. The personal approach makes it incredible effective, and there is a confirmed 9 veterans hired every week. There is always room to improve, and with your help, Hire Heroes USA can expand and help even more veterans.

Tonight WWEmoms will be having a Twitter Party to raise awareness of the Hire Heroes USA program and help gain support. I will definitely be attending, and I really hope that you will join me to support this incredible worthy cause.


Join WWEmoms for a
HIRE HEROES USA TWITTER PARTY!
When: TODAY, Thursday, December 19, 2013
7 - 8 pm ET
4 - 5 pm PT
#WWEmoms

Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA) is dedicated to transforming military service into civilian success for our nation's veterans and their spouses. Join hosts @WWEmoms and @snowinRI TODAY at 7pm ET as we learn more about this valuable program and look at the ways in which we can all lend our support!
RSVP and join the chat for a chance to win a Longchamp tote bag, an iPod Nano, or a WWE 2K14 video game for Xbox 360!

(You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
Email WWE@theonlinemom.com subject line: WWEmoms
Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/rFtON 
Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#WWEmoms) today between 7 and 8pm ET
Tell your Twitter followers!    

I wish that my hubby had access to something like this when he got out of the service. He has a job that pays well enough, be he has t work his butt off for long hours in any harsh weather for that. He deserves much better, as to all heroes. I love my dear husband and am so thankful for his service and for the service of all or military men and women, active duty and veterans. Thank you all!

Make The Holidays Even Sweeter With Yummes!

The holidays are here and with them comes the flood of parties and gatherings. Of course the celebrations are those of togetherness, joy, giving and love, but one of the biggest physical characteristics of these parties is food.

While everyone things about the huge holiday dinners and such, there is one food category that is equally, if not more, important to a successful gathering. That, of course, is dessert. Dessert is often the favorite part of any good meal, and it is the last thing your guests will eat, so it needs to be extra memorable.

You certainly don't want to serve a delicious dinner only to have it be tarnished by a ho hum dessert.

While baking is a huge part of the holidays(and a lot of fun at times), not everyone has the time or the skills to make amazing desserts. I am one of those people as a matter of fact. I will say that I do make some pretty delicious baked goods, and I can find the time when needed, but I still do not like to serve my desserts to people outside my home.

Why? Because no matter how great they taste, they do not look nearly as appealing. I am good at making food that tastes good, but making it look fancy or even presentable is not my strong suit. My cakes look like the icing was hurled at the cake by a 2 year old. Even if the cake tastes like it came from the finest bakery, looks do matter on this kind of thing.

I have often bought desserts from the supermarket, but not only do they not taste great, anyone else who shops there could easily recognize where it came from, which is not something I like.

This year, we will be spending the holidays with my husband's family, most of whom I have never even met. It is a long story, but he and his family were estranged for over 10 years, and this will be the first holiday he has spent with them in over 16 years.

Needless to say, I want everything to be perfect for him, and I want to make a great first impression. I do not plan on serving desserts that look like a child made them or plain old supermarket staples. I need something extravagant.

Thankfully, I know just the thing. Having recently discovered the most delicious and beautiful confections I have ever tried, I knew that Yummes would make my holiday dessert unforgettable(and as easy as clicking a mouse).

No matter what you choose from Yummes, it will make any day feel like a holiday, but I was really excited about their seasonal collection. Now they will look even more festive.
Yummes offers an incredible selection of gift boxes and towers. There are so many combinations, and everything tastes divine. These are perfect for gifts or for serving a wide selection of individual desserts, all of which look gorgeous.

I tried 3 of these amazing collections, and I love them all so much.

Holiday Chocolate Lovers Collection Of Mini Brownies:
This collection contains:
  • 3 Salted Caramel Craziness Mini Brownies
  • 3 Triple Threat Chocolate Mini Brownies
  • 3 Chocolate Chip on my Shoulder Mini Brownies
These are all delicious, but the Salted Caramel Craziness is my favorite of the three. That worked out perfectly too, since hubby preferred the other two flavors.

Seasonal Assortment Mini Tower:

This collection contains:
  • 2 Pumpkin Whoop-d-doos
  • 1 Peppermint Crunch Whoop-d-doos
  • 1 Salted Caramel Craziness Brownie
  • 1 Good Karma Apple Brownie
Although I wish this collection had more of everything, this is probably my favorite. All of these flavors are incredible. That Peppermint Crunch is to die for, as are the Pumpkin. As much as I adore all the other flavors, I could be happy with just the Peppermint and the pumpkin.

The Jingle-Bell Tower:
As you can see, this tower also contains my beloved Peppermint Whoop-a-doo, but it also contains the incredible Chocolate Chip Champ sandwich cookies that I love so dearly. That along with Mini Brownie Bites makes for an unstoppable combo that is perfect for any gathering and a fabulous gift for anyone.

As if the amazing towers and boxes were not impressive enough, the cakes are equally divine. This Peppermint Hot Cocoa cake is to die for.
With real marshmallows and crushed(soft) peppermints, this cake is so over the top.
Don't even get me started on the amazing icing and chocolate ganache. The moist chocolate cake itself is heaven on it's own, but when everything is combined it becomes a true masterpiece.

The only problems with all of these decadent Yummes treats is that they are not self replenishing and they do not make you lose 20 pounds overnight(which is obviously the case with all treats). Aside from that, they are perfection.

I am so sad that my Yummes treats are gone now. I was racking my brain trying to think up every possible excuse to buy more, and then I realized the Yummes are not only for a special occasion, but rather they make any occasion special.

And as something extra special for all of you, Yummes is offering a giveaway to you all. One lucky winner will receive their choice of any 3 tier seasonal tower. Enter below for your chance to win. Good luck!

*Although I received these items at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Pierre's Ice Cream Review & GIVEAWAY!!

With cooler weather upon us and Christmas on the horizon, there is so much focus on warm fires, hot chocolate and fresh baked pies, and while all that warm and toasty stuff is wonderful, that doesn't mean winter can't still be cool.

And by cool I mean cold...and creamy. While warm desserts are delicious, a great dessert will warm your soul no matter the temperature, and I just happened to discover a cold dessert that will melt your heart. Pierre's Ice Cream will make a cold winter day feel like a warm summer night.
While it may seem strange to reach for a cold treat on a cold day, it really isn't so strange. People eat hot foods on hot days all the time. Plus, it's not like you have to eat it while standing in the snow. You wouldn't believe the shock I was met with when I offered ice cream to my guests.

It quickly faded when I proceeded to dig in without them. Once they laid eyes on these amazing Pierre's creations, they all but begged me to join in. And who could blame them? This is the best ice cream I have ever tasted.

I tried three of Pierre's fantastic lines. All of them were incredible.

Pierre's Signature Ice Cream:
This ultra premium ice cream comes in tantalizing flavors like Banana Fudge Chunk, Chocolate Lava Cake, Nun Better Snickerdoodle and Cherries & Chocolate Chunks.
My husband devoured the Chocolate Lava Cake pint the same night we got it. I didn't try it, but he said it was fantastic. I know that is was, because I polished off the Nun better Snickerdoodle as well. It was so rich and creamy, it was like eating silk, only far more delicious of course.

Hola Fruta!:
Hola Fruta is premium, All-Natural pure Fruit Sorbet. Hola Fruta is naturally low in fat and cholesterol and high in antioxidants. It is available in 7 wonderful flavors including Pina Colada, Mango, Strawberry and Pomegranate & Blueberry.
These are all so yummy. I love that they are low in fat and yet they still have the velvety feel of ice cream. They are so vibrant and bright with a deep flavor. The Pina Colada really surprised me and ended up being my favorite. I thought I would like Mango best, since mangoes are my favorite fruit. The Mango was still to die for though.

Yovation:
Yovation is an irresistibly smooth and creamy frozen yogurt that provides indulgent taste as well as probiotic benefits. Not only is Yovation lower in fat than ice cream, it tastes just as good, and it even comes in all the exciting flavors, such as Vanilla, Cappuccino, Black Cherries & Chocolate Chuncks and Vanilla Pomegranate Blueberry.
These are so tantalizing. If you did not know this was frozen yogurt, you'd be hard pressed to tell it isn't ice cream. It is so smooth and creamy. The Cappuccino is amazing. All of these are so good.

Pierre's has other product lines as well, including frozen novelties and more. It is now my mission to try those as well. No matter which line you choose, one thing is for sure, Pierre's is synonymous with quality.

Pierre's can turn any day into a party. In fact, for one for you, Pierre's will be sending you a party in a box. One lucky winner will receive 12 pints of Pierre's (4 each of Signature Ice Cream, Hola Fruta and Yovation) and some party supplies. Everything you need to have a super cool(pun intended) celebration. Enter below for your chance to win. Good luck!

*Although I received these products at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 16, 2013

Lems Boulder Boots Review & GIVEAWAY!!

Christmas is less than 10 days away, and it is very important to kick things off on the right foot(pun intended). The best way to do that is with the best quality footwear. I am very picky in that department. Of course style is important to me, but comfort trumps all else.

With my husband's job being very demanding, proper footwear is even more important to him. He is on his feet ALL DAY at work. He is standing, walking, running and even jumping on and off the work truck for sometimes 12 hours a day. The wrong shoes can be disastrous.

Not only has he had numerous issues with blisters and sore arches, ankles and toes, he can also slip in the wrong shoes, and anything heavy weighs his whole body down causing leg and back pain.

So many shoes and boots nowadays are really poor in terms of performance. I cannot even count the number of times we have been let down. I usually buy him new boots ever 3 months(or less), and they are completely unwearable before we replace them. It is so aggravating.

What's worse is the shoes are heavy, yet somehow none of the weight in on material that makes them durable. The soles are hollow and get holes in a matter of days, and the upper does not hold it's shape and even detaches from the sole, you'd think they were bargain bin rejects, even though they are not cheap(in price).

I have searched high and low for a boot that is durable, stylish, and most importantly, lightweight. My poor hubby cannot lug around steel toes all day just to get a durable shoe, and even still those are uncomfortable and are more likely to cause blisters on the toes. They certainly don't travel well either.

I finally found a boot that met(and exceeded) every single one of my high hopes. Boulder Boots from Lems are perfect!
I got a pair each for hubby and I, and they are wonderful!

For my hubby I got black since they WILL get dirty from his job.
What makes Lems so special(aside from their incredible aesthetics) is that they are Ultra Lightweight(9.9oz), made with Air Infused Rubber, have a wider toe for a natural, feel-good fit, a true barefoot experience. Even more amazing, they are collapsible, so you can easily pack them anywhere.
They fold even way smaller than that, but you get the idea. Have you ever seen a pair of boots do that? I haven't. I am still amazed by it.

These boots are so stylish though, I just can't get over it. I love the little logo tag.
The little touches always mean a lot to me. What I love even more though, is the fabulous 100% cotton lining in a bold checker print.
As thin as these are, they are still cozy. My husband loves how comfortable they are. He said he's never felt so goon in a pair of shoes. I love that he is so comfortable in them, because he is the kind of guy who never goes barefoot even in the house, so it is so great that he can have a barefoot experience in these amazing boots.

Me on the other hand, I hate shoes, and I go barefoot as much as possible, which is why the Boulder Boot is ideal for me too. I got a pair in Gravel.
I love the amazing color combo. The variations are similar so they coordinate but different enough to make them POP! I have never had a par of shoes/boots like these, in performance or in style, and I love them in every aspect.

They have the same awesome logo tag and checkered lining. I love the color of the lining on these so much.
They are so comfortable!! I was a little skeptical about how they would feel on me, especially for an extended period, but they really are like being barefoot. They are so breathable and they do not bind, rub, pinch or create any other discomfort. They are not heavy at all, it is like wearing clouds. They are so soft on the inside, it is like barefoot with less impact. Such a treat to wear. I even wear them inside which I NEVER do with any shoes(even slippers).

If you are looking for a way to begin the holidays or start the new year off on the right foot(pun intended), then you have to be wearing the Eco-friendly, High Quality, Collapsible, Breathable, Durable, Lightweight Boulder Boots from Lems. I know they will be the best boots you have ever set foot in.

That is why I am giving you all the chance to win a pair. One very lucky winner will receive a pair of Boulder Boots in the fabulous Gravel color. Enter below for your chance to win. Good luck!

Be sure to follow Lems on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube so you are always up to date on the latest happenings.

*Although I received these at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*
a Rafflecopter giveaway