Dad of Divas' Reviews: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Book Review - The Vertical Self by Mark Sayers

About the Book

It's time for a return to Radical Holiness.

Welcome to the 21st century, where you can now purchase and exchange personalities depending on mood and circumstance; where you are told that you can be anyone you want to be, and identity is no longer based in a sense of self but rather in the imagery you choose at that moment.

The Bible contains a radically different way of understanding our identity. The path that God has chosen for us to discover who we really are is the path of holiness. The most exciting thing is that this path is not for otherworldy saints; rather it is a path of earthy, gutsy holiness. It's a path that is not about basing your life on this world or of shunning your desires. Instead, it is about bringing your hopes, your dreams, your brokenness, your desires, your humanness under the Lordship of Christ. By doing this we don’t just discover a new way of living out our faith, we discover a liberating, revolutionary, life-embracing way of being truly human.

About the Author

Mark Sayers is an author and speaker who specializes in interpreting popular culture from a Christian viewpoint.

Mark is the founder of Über a ministry that specializes in issues of youth and young adult discipleship. He is also the leader of the Red East church in Melbourne, Australia, an innovative Christian community specifically reaching the young adult demographic. He is a highly sought after speaker, trainer, consultant and thinker in the areas of popular culture and faith. Mark is the author of the Trouble with Paris: Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises.

Mark lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife Trudi and daughter Grace.

My Take on the Book

In starting this book I had no idea what horizontal or vertical self even meant, so there was no way that I could answer the question of whether I was a person who cares of the horizontal self or the vertical self? In delving into this book I came to find that the author relates the horizontal self to younger adults that are stuck in the culture that is around them. Vertical self individuals are looking upwards setting aside the societal pull to focus or refocus on God.

Personally, I liked the way Mark Sayers connects everyday culture to Christianity and how we connect with God.The authors spends a lot of time looking into the history and how society has slipped into a state of 'horizontal' self where people's lives are defined by society and circumstances.

This thought that the book was well written, and gave some good insights into culture today and how our view of self today has interceded into most churches. Instead of focusing on ourselves, Mr. Sayers offers practical ideas about how we can refocus back to as he calls is "a vertical posture" or rather, looking to God.

This book was thought provoking and conversation inspiring. I have had the opportunity to speak to a few friends already about the concepts brought up in the book and they too thought that the ideas brought up by the author were ones that they too felt strongly about. Mr. Sayers explains that the "horizontal world" is filled with young adults and with that in mind, I have half a mind to pass the book on to some young adults that I know around my community. Finally, I also liked the fact that the author provides the reader with a ton of practical approaches to thinking about living a more God-centered "vertical" life.

If this book sounds like one you would like as a part of your own library you can find it at Thomas Nelson Publishing or on Amazon!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Product Review - Sothys Self Tanning Cream

About the Product
Let’s face it – although Spring may be just around the corner, the warm weather is more than a few weeks away. And unfortunately, the pale skin trend that has captivated so many Twilight fans is starting to fade. Still, there is no reason why we should wait in vain for the sun to come out. While the cast of MTV’s Jersey Shore may not agree, a healthy year-round glow does not require hours at the tanning salon!
Legendary skin care company Sothys offers a luxurious product line that brings out the warm tones in your skin. The Cellu-Guard® line improves skin tone and firmness even when the weather is most drab. Sothys’ mission in creating their new products was to create a simple approach to year-round healthy color. Let the remarkable results of these tantalizing products speak for themselves.
Face and Body Self-Tanning Cream:

Within a few hours, this non-tinted cream formula gives a natural, sublime and long-lasting tan to the skin. Its velvety texture is enriched with moisturizing ingredients for a supple look and a radiant complexion. The lightweight formula glides smoothly over the skin, ensuring a streak-free application every time. Price: $38 (5 fl. oz.).
Soins Soleil Cellu-guard Age-defying tinted care:
A lotion carefully formulated to protect the skin from aging and to help retain suppleness. A tinted texture gives a sublime tanning effect upon application. Price: $44 (1.7 fl. oz.)
For seamless color, be sure to exfoliate your skin completely before applying a sunless tanner. Before applying, thoroughly rub lotion into your elbows, knees, ankles, and any other extra dry areas to balance out the color. Apply the cream evenly as you would a moisturizer. In just a few hours, you'll look like you spent the weekend in the tropics, without risking damage to your skin.

About Sothys
In 1946, Sothys was a beauty institute in Paris, where a list of exclusive customers enjoyed fine French products created by Dr. Hotz, a medical biologist. Sothys was acquired by the Mas family in 1966 and by 1970 Sothys had entered the US market under the direction of esthetician Christian Garces. Sothys became an instant hit for estheticians looking for a professional, results- oriented product line. Over two decades later, it continues to be the forerunner in the beauty industry. Much of Sothys' success is due to its focus on continuous, complementary education to estheticians and therapists. At the Sothys Institute in Miami, and at regional Sothys offices throughout the US, classes are offered, with topics ranging from hands-on body workshops to cosmetic chemistry. For more information, please visit http://www.sothys-usa.com/.
My Take on the Product
I have never really used self tanning cream in the past but seeing that the Diadom will be spending time in the sun in the near future, it seems that this might not be a bad idea. With this in mind I was excited to try out the products from Sothys to see if they were as good as they were stated to be.

I had heard horror stories in the past regarding self tanning creams leaving a person't skin too orange and unnatural, which led me to stay away from them in the past, but as I started to try this cream I came to find that the cream itself went on very smooth and the results were not orange in any way. In fact, I was quite impressed by the overall results of the cream itself and it left me with a nice tone that will make folks not look and say "Ah...a northerner".

Needless to say I would recommend this cream to those looking to self tan, I think you will be quite pleased with the results!

If this product sounds like something that you would be interested in trying, you can find it on Amazon!

Book Review & Giveaway - Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom

About the Book
A mother's job is never done, but in Thanks Mom, she gets the praise she deserves. Children of all ages share their words of gratitude and appreciation in this new collection of stories for moms. Daughters and sons retell tales of love and learning, celebrating moms, their wisdom, and all that they do. These stories of special memories, loving and hard lessons, unforgettable moments, laughter and tears, support and encouragement will bring any mom joy, inspiration, and amusement. Mothers of all ages, whether new moms, experienced moms, or grandmothers, will feel good about the recognition they receive. Expect plenty of celebrity contributors!

Purpose of the Books
After 15 years of bringing real people and their stories together to touch the lives of others, Chicken Soup for the Soul® has gone beyond the bookstore to become a world leader in life improvement. Chicken Soup for the Soul is home to the largest catalog of user-generated, life-changing stories. Through books, movies, DVDs, online resources and other partnerships it brings hope, courage, inspiration and love to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Chicken Soup for the Soul authors and readers belong to a one-of-a-kind global community that shares advice, support, guidance, comfort, and knowledge.

About the Company
Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC, publishes all the latest titles in the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series which are distributed through Simon and Schuster, Inc. Since 1993, books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series have sold more than 112 million copies, with titles translated into more than 40 languages. Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing also licenses the right to use its famous trademark to high quality licensees through IMG, the world’s premier licensing agent. The company is currently implementing a plan to expand into all media, is working with TV networks on several TV shows and is developing a major Internet presence dedicated to life improvement, emotional support and inspiration. In 2007, USA Today named Chicken Soup for the Soul one of the five most memorable and impactful books in the last quarter century. For more information visit: http://www.chickensoup.com/.

Facts About The Reach of The Books

Total retail sales of Chicken Soup for the Soul branded merchandise have topped $1.3 billion.
The Chicken Soup for the Soul book series of over 200 titles has sold over 112 million copies, with titles translated into more than 40 languages.
In 2008, Chicken Soup for the Soul became the best-selling trade paperback series in the history of publishing.
Chicken Soup for the Soul is one of the world’s most well-known brands-- 88.7% of the US public not only recognizes the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, but knows what it is (source—Harris Polls).
Chicken Soup for the Soul holds the world record for having the most titles on the New York Times bestseller list at one time.
Chicken Soup for the Soul receives millions of monthly media impressions, with cross-promotion relationships in place with top media brands like King Features, Woman’s World, BeliefNet and others.
Many of the world’s leading consumer brands have looked to Chicken Soup for the Soul for co-branding opportunities, including American Idol®, Coke®, NASCAR®, Marriott®, Campbell’s®, Arby’s®, Golf Digest® and others.
Time Magazine called the Chicken Soup for the Soul series the “Publishing phenomenon of the decade.”
In 2007, USA Today named Chicken Soup for the Soul one of the five most memorable and impactful books in the last quarter century.
In 2008, Chicken Soup for the Soul and dick clark productions entered into an agreement to develop a television series based on the brand.

My Take On The Book
As a part of the award winning Chicken Soup for the Soul books, this book does a great job at continuing the tradition of great motivational and inspiring stories that readers have come to expect within these books.

This book is full of emotional stories that will make you want to call your own mom! It is very well written with skill, depth, and is full of a variety of strong writers. Chicken Soup For The Soul,Thanks Mom is a great book to make you appreciate the one woman who brought you into this world. So whether you buy it for yourself or buy it for your mom or another mom you know, you will not be disappointed.

If this book sounds like something that you are interested in, you can find it over at Amazon!

Giveaway

How would you like to win a copy of this book? I will be giving away 3 copies to lucky readers! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this book to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 7, 2010.

Bonus Entries

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

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Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or any forum, including the name of the prize and a link to this post. Here I'll make it easier on you, copy and paste this:" @dadofdivas is giving away 3 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul- Thanks Mom - http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/ " (Then leave the link to your post. One entry per place per day)
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Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until April 7, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

Winner must be a resident of the U.S or Canada.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Hershey's Better Basket Blog Hop Raises Huge Amount for Charity!

This Easter season Hershey is all about helping you to create Better Easter Baskets with their special limited edition Reese's Easter candies found at Walmart.

More importantly, Hershey wants to promote the idea of going good in our own communities. The Hershey Company is committed to making a difference in the communities where we live in, and has a heritage of giving back to the community.

This Easter, The Hershey Company teamed up with 20 bloggers creating Easter Baskets for charities of their choice. In addition we are hosting a Hershey's Better Basket Blog Hop.

Better Basket Blog Hop started a a joint effort with bloggers and The Hershey Company promised to donate 10$ per each Blog Hop post, up to $5,000. Within a week, 200 bloggers had participated, soon it was over 400 bloggers - all caring for simple message: caring and paying it forward.

The Hershey Company was so happy to have so many caring people to support their charity of choice that they decided to make a donation of $7,000 for the Children's Miracle Network in honor of the blogging community.

You can still join the cause!

We believe that in addition to the great contents of your Easter Basket, it is also the act of kindness of giving it to someone unexpected that makes a Better Basket.

Join us in the #BetterBasket movement this Easter season and give someone you know a Better Easter Basket, real one or a virtual! Together we can make a difference.

Book Review - Finance for Kidz: Choice

About the Book

Finance For Kidz is designed as an educational tool as well as an enjoyable read at home for parents and their children. “We teach our kids to be careful about all sorts of dangerous things, such as when crossing the street, or washing their hands before they eat,” said Dr. Dheeriya. “We spend a lot of time on their physical health, but rarely do we teach them anything about their financial health.”

The author believes Finance For Kidz will help parents sow the seeds of financial wisdom. He is confident that teaching these imperative lessons at a tender age will allow today’s youth to grow into financially independent adults, develop a healthy relationship with their own money, and have a better understanding of how the global economy works. Dr. Dheeriya is offering specials on books purchased from the official Finance For Kidz website as well as a “guarantee of lifelong and priceless return on investment!”

A volatile stock market, shady lending practices and mortgage fraud are just a few ways that personal finance has become more complicated today than it was just a decade ago. In an unstable economy, it is more important than ever to provide children with a foundation of good financial sense. Inspired by his wish to prepare his two young sons to be “good financial citizens,” finance professor Dr. Prakash Dheeriya authored Finance for Kidz, a 20-volume series that teaches children about money management, personal finance and planning for the future.

This book covers a number of important topics including:

Parents: why you must monitor your child’s financial health, too
Warnings signs that your family is headed for financial trouble
Children as young as five are able to grasp financial concepts – why they should be taught at an early age.
State of financial education in America’s school systems
Teen health

About the Author
Prakash Dheeriya, Ph.D
Dr. Prakash Dheeriya is a Professor of Finance at California State University-Dominguez Hills. He has been teaching finance and investments for over two decades. Dr. Dheeriya has several publications in the field of financial markets. A frequent speaker at conferences, chambers of commerce and rotary clubs, he has received several research awards, has over 30 refereed publications to his credit. Prakash takes particular pride in caring for and educating his two young boys, ages 5 and 6 years, a role which he shares with his wife of 10 years. His motto in life is what he usually tells his kids: “Don’t worry. It’s going to be OK!”

My Take on the Book
In reading this book, I was amazed at the idea of teaching kids about finances at such an early age. To be honest, I wished that these books were around when I was growing up.

The books were written on the level of young kids. I read the book that I received on Choice to my daughters. While my youngest is still to young to understand the concepts in this book, Diva-J was definitely interested in the story as she has challenges at times making choices when it comes to money. Many times like most kids, she thinks that money just appears. Fortunately, this book does a good job at making the choices available for kids transparent.

I would definitely be interested in seeing other books from the series as if this book is any indication on what the other books encompass.

If this book sounds like something that you would like within your own library, you can find it over at Amazon!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Book Review - Sustainability: a personal journey to a built sustainable community...and an amazing picture of what life will soon be like

About the Book

Sustainability: A Personal Journey to a Built Sustainable Community...and an Amazing Picture of What Life Will Soon be Like by Stuart W. Rose, Ph.D. offers guidance on how and why to live sustainably. He strives to show a way to reduce the depletion of Earth's natural resources and strives to predict global changes which could occur in the next few years. Rose hopes that Sustainability will help suppress the fears connected to living on Earth's natural resources by sharing how sustainability has worked in an actual housing development.

"The book is different because it's built on the actual experience of creating ‘Net Zero’ sustainable housing," says Rose. "I also feel it relies on a broader base of research than other books. I want to take sustainability considerations further."

Along with his business partner, Rose has built a small sustainable community of homes that are designed to provide 100 percent of the heating, cooling, power, water and improved air quality with what comes naturally to the home site. According to Rose, another benefit of the homes is the use of materials that do no harm to and take nothing away from the earth's resources. Sustainability works to describe an eco-friendly way of life through the example of the housing project and strives to show the financial benefits that come with lower utility bills.

"My goal in writing this is to provide a real, practical and positive picture of what we can do to make it through the coming transition - and realize a fantastic new way of living," says Rose.

About the Author
Stuart W. Rose, Ph.D., a registered architect, has bachelor's degrees in architecture and structural engineering, a master's degree in architecture and a doctorate in organization development. Rose has worked as a professor and as a consultant to architects, engineers and environmental scientists internationally for several decades. He has also published books and articles, as well as presented his work on the Garden Atriums project at three international sustainability conferences.

My Take on the Book
I have been trying to find ways to incorporate sustainable concepts in my everyday life and at this point, some days are good and some days are not as good as I would like. This book looks at sustainability through a different lens than I have considered in the past. It provides the reader with both the good and bad of the issue itself.

For me, my eyes were opened by this book by many of the fact provided in the book itself and at the same time the ideas that were put forth in the book were very practical and the author has very deep ideas about what can make your personal world and society a better place.

You can tell that the author has truly dedicated his life to sustainability and making the world a better place. I was impressed by his passion and ideas.

In my opinion, this short book has huge ideas that can change all of our lives!

If this book sounds like one you would like in your own library, you can find this on Amazon!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Mr. Clean Eraser Review & Giveaway

About the Products

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bathroom Scrubber with Febreze fresh scent is the latest cleaning innovation from Mr. Clean and provides superb cleaning with a pleasant scent. It removes soap scum and grime better than the leading bathroom spray and helps reveal the natural shine of bathroom surfaces.

What do you get and how does it work?

-A scrubber that removes tough dirt and grime-All you need to do is wet it; no need for gloves, buckets or additional cleaning implements-30% larger than previous models-New Febreze scent-No fumes-Useful on tubs, ceramic tile, grout, sinks, counters, showers and shower doors

My Take on the ProductWe have always loved using the original magic eraser as it was one of the products that actually removed some of the craziest marks on the wall that the kids can place on them. While we have never used the eraser before in the Bathroom, but in receiving this product to try out, we were excited to see if it worked as well as the ones we had used in the past.

As we tried out this product I will say that we had high hopes. We have pretty hard water and it at times does leave a bit of soap scum that is quite difficult to get rid of and I was hoping that this would help with this problem.

In trying this product, I can tell you that it did do a good job to clean the bathroom and to take off much more of the soap residue that other cleaners seemed not to touch. I also liked the scent that was infused into the eraser as well. The scent was pleasant, unlike many of the cleaners that leave a bleach smell behind.

Overall, I was impressed by the eraser and I believe that we will continue to use this product into the future!

If this product sounds like something that you would like to have as a part of your own home, you can find it on Amazon!

Giveaway

How would you like to win a copy of this product for yourself? I will be giving away a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to a lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this book to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 4, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

Grab my badge to your sidebar

Subscribe to this blog either by RSS or email for one entry (top right hand corner, if you already do leave in a separate comment)
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Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or any forum, including the name of the prize and a link to this post. Here I'll make it easier on you, copy and paste this:" @dadofdivas is giving away a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser - http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/" (Then leave the link to your post. One entry per place per day)
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Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until April 4, 2010 at approximately 12:59 pm Eastern.

Winner must be a resident of the U.S or Canada.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Guest Post & Giveaway - Babyproofing Your Life

Babyproof Your Life: Helpful Tips For New Dads

Provided by State Farm

Take help when it’s offered - New babies are a lot of work and while you’ve spent a lot of time preparing, caring for your new son or daughter still requires a lot of work. Delegate simple tasks (like grocery shopping) to others. This way, you can focus on the most important part of caring for your new baby and ensure you get a chance to rest too.
Think long-term - Caring for your baby requires lots of attention now, but you can take small actions now to help solidify his/her future. Consider starting a college fund for your baby and take advantage of long term saving and planning. State Farm has numerous options to serve your saving needs.
Stock up - If you think you have enough diapers and baby wipes on hand, you don’t. You can always use more. Babies go through them – fast.
Babies Move – Before you know it, your baby will be mobile and have their hands in everything. Set up safety rules at home for your family to follow around the stove, sink, bathtub and electronics. Baby-proofing cabinets, doors and gates is never a bad idea.
Mistakes Happen - Don’t expect perfection. You’re going to make mistakes sometimes and that’s ok. Your baby will still be healthy and happy if you forget to turn on his or her light night one evening.
Check-in on your insurance – Make sure your family is covered and prepared for the unexpected. Talk to your insurance agent to be sure your health, home and auto insurance include everything you need to keep you and your new addition covered.
Take turns - You and your wife are a team – so don’t be afraid to pitch in with a late night feeding.
Learn the different kinds of crying – Not yours, your baby’s. Pay attention to how your newborn’s cries may differ based on what they need and you’ll be more ready to help them.
Trust your gut. As you care for your little one, don’t overthink and overcomplicate things. Giving into fears makes you doubt yourself, and after all the preparing you’ve done, you’re definitely ready to be a new parent. Trust yourself – you can do it!
Enjoy yourself – Take the time to enjoy your new baby and being a Dad. There will be a big learning curve and some challenges along the way, be sure to stop along the way and enjoy the time with your baby, it goes fast!

Giveaway

How would you like to win a “Good Neigh-bear” baby gift package (including a baby bib and silverware set) for yourself? I will be giving away one of these gift packages to a lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this book to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 4, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

Grab my badge to your sidebar

Subscribe to this blog either by RSS or email for one entry (top right hand corner, if you already do leave in a separate comment)
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Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or any forum, including the name of the prize and a link to this post. Here I'll make it easier on you, copy and paste this:" @dadofdivas is giving away a "Good Neigh Bear" Baby Gift Package - http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/" (Then leave the link to your post. One entry per place per day)
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Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until April 4, 2010 at approximately 12:59 pm Eastern.

Winner must be a resident of the U.S or Canada.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Review & Giveaway - Green Golly and Her Golden Flute

About the CD

Classical music, storytelling, and comedy combine in the children’s CD, Green Golly and Her Golden Flute by Flute Sweet and Tickletoon (otherwise known as Barbara Siesel and Keith Torgan). The album introduces children to the magic of classical music via a humorous and lighthearted embellishment of the traditional tale of Rapunzel. The real experience of this album, however, is entwined in the lovely sound of the flute, an instrument that has enchanted young ears since the time of the Pied Piper of Hamlin.

Rapunzel may have suffered isolation and distress during her days trapped in that big old tower, but her alter ego, Green Golly, has a wonderful golden flute to express her deepest feelings and a large stack of music by the world’s greatest composers to explore. A keen observer of all that whizzes by her window, Green Golly is inclined to rely on her musical abilities to help her unravel the mysteries of life in this funny, engaging tale of romance and rescue, interwoven with works of Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Gossec, Elgar, Bizet, Chopin, and Copland.

As produced by Randall Keith Horton – chosen by Duke Ellington as his composing and conducting assistant, succeeding Billy Strayhorn – the heart of Green Golly and Her Golden Flute is the gorgeous sound that world class flutist Barbara Siesel creates, making music by some of the greatest composers of the 19th and 20th centuries come alive with an impeccable sense of style and phrasing. Add to that the frolicsome energy and fun of Keith Torgan’s storytelling and guitar playing, and you have an album that’s truly something extraordinary in children’s entertainment. Torgan fairly dances through the voices of the new characters he’s created to grace the beloved old tale, from Vlotek the Gypsy to Mousey Tongue.

Please visit Flute Sweet and Tickletoon at http://tugboatmusic.com

My Take on the CD
I am a fan of classical music (at least some of it), the melodic tunes and varying rhythms take me to another place when I need a place away from the grind of everyday work. This CD examines and introduces children to a wide array of classical artists while still telling a fun story that all skids tend to love.

My girls particularly enjoyed the storyline, as anytime there is a "princess" or something that sounds or looks like a princess, they are on board.

Siesel and Torgen have done a wonderful job at making the arts enjoyable for the people who already enjoy it, or those who are just getting introduced to this type of music for the first time!

I encourage everyone to check this out!

Giveaway

How would you like to win this CD for yourself? I will be giving away the CD to a lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this CD to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 3, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

Grab my badge to your sidebar

Subscribe to this blog either by RSS or email for one entry (top right hand corner, if you already do leave in a separate comment)
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This contest will run until April 3, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

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Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

New NESTLÉ Cherry RAISINETS Review & Giveaway

About the Product
NESTLE® RAISINETS® announces the newest addition to the beloved RAISINETS family, NEW! NESTLE® Cherry RAISINETS®. With the introduction of Cranberry RAISINETS® last year, cherries are the second new fruit to be introduced to the brand portfolio in more than 80 years. This delicious treat follows the lead of its chocolate-covered predecessors, with premium whole dried fruit covered in 100 percent NESTLE chocolate, making them an indulgence that is a cherry on top of anyone's day!
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100315/LA70096)

Cherry RAISINETS are the ultimate treat for snackers of all ages. Premium, whole dried cherries are sourced from one of the premier cherry growing regions in Michigan. These Montmorency Tart Cherries are drenched in rich NESTLE® Dark Chocolate, creating a mouthwatering combination that is both sweet and creamy while also juicy and tangy. For anyone looking for something different, Cherry RAISINETS provides a win-win option with 1/2 a serving of real fruit in every 1/4 cup and 30 percent less fat than the leading chocolate brands.

A Smart Choice
According to experts from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT), good-for-you foods are one of the Top Five Trends in 2010.* With natural, whole dried cherries that are bursting with flavor and a natural source of antioxidants and 30 percent less fat than the leading chocolate brands, NESTLE Cherry RAISINETS are a better-for-you treat in line with this trend. Coupled with dark chocolate, another source of antioxidants, Cherry RAISINETS truly give snackers something new to be excited about.
"Deprivation is a diet disaster because people tend to binge on tempting foods when their diets are too restrictive," said Laurie MacDonald, R.D., Nestle USA. "Trying to make smart eating choices to maintain a healthy weight is a great approach, but many people make the mistake of depriving themselves of some of the foods they love. This is a recipe for diet disaster because most people eventually give in to their cravings. A better approach is to allow for foods that you enjoy in moderation. Cherry RAISINETS are an ideal better-for-you treat: you can enjoy the indulgent flavor with less guilt."

A SWEETstakes You Can't Resist

Sweetening the launch of Cherry RAISINETS, the newest series of webisodes, featuring the sassy, fun loving crew of Raisinets, begins March 23rd. In these new adventures, the group embarks on a cross country road trip in search of a new member to add to the RAISINETS family. Starting April 1st, viewers will be able to enter for a chance to win a daily "road trip" prize, such as a GPS system, iPods and more. All who enter the daily sweepstakes will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a chance to win the RAISINETS Ultimate Road Trip for the winner and up to three friends.

No purchase necessary to enter. Open to legal residents of the 50 US & DC, 18 or older. Sweepstakes ends 11:59p.m. ET 6/30/10. Subject to entry periods, prize details and full rules at Raisinets.com/roadtripsweeps or Youtube.com/raisinets. Void where prohibited.

Cherry RAISINETS hit shelves beginning this month in a convenient 4.0 ounce resealable Stand Up Bag (SRP $3.29). The go-to choice for any occasion, enjoy them at home during your favorite movie or add them to trail mix for a satisfying afternoon treat. For even more creative ways to enjoy Cherry RAISINETS, visit www.meals.com to download delicious dessert recipes that use this great new product as an ingredient.
"We're pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to Cranberry RAISINETS and are looking forward to hearing consumer responses to Cherry RAISINETS," said Tricia Bowles, spokesperson, Nestle Confections & Snacks. "They are a great choice for anyone looking for a better-for-you treat and part of our ongoing commitment to provide delicious better-for-you options."

For more information and to watch the fruitful, fun-loving webisodes, be sure to visit www.raisinets.com. And don't forget to check back after April 1st for more information on the RAISINETS Ultimate Road Trip sweepstakes.

My Take on the Cherries
I have had chocolate covered cherries before and have loved them every time! I do have to say though that these were always an indulgence due to the cost. These new chocolate covered cherries from Nestle are wonderful tasting and very inexpensive. Not only this, but they also are good for you, as every 1/4 cup has 1/2 serving of fruit as well as being a natural source of fruit and dark chocolate antioxidants.

I was so impressed with the taste that these cherries did not last long and I know that we will be looking for these in our stores as my whole family loved these sweet treats!

Giveaway

How would you like to win this product for yourself? I will be giving away 2packages to 5 lucky readers! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this product to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 3, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

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Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or any forum, including the name of the prize and a link to this post. Here I'll make it easier on you, copy and paste this:" @dadofdivas is giving away Raisinete Choc Covered Cherries - http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/" (Then leave the link to your post. One entry per place per day)
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This contest will run until April 3, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

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Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Threesom Hair Products Giveaway!

Threesome: The girlfriend approved 3-in-1

Threesome is an innovative all-in-one hair care solution for the active waterman looking to get rid of a little extra baggage (and salt): a high performance shampoo, conditioner and body wash in one convenient bottle. Indulge with a powerful cleansing formula that utilizes a blend of proteins and nourishing botanicals enriched with vitamin B5 to help eliminate salty hair and skin that results from those long sessions. Infused with natural peppermint and tea tree oils to create a multi-sensory experience and stimulating tingle, Threesome replenishes moisture to tired hair and skin worn by the elements. Except for the sandals and smile on your face, no one will know you just got out of the water. From beach break to board meeting, make it a Threesome.

■3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and stimulating body wash

■Good to you and the environment: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, not tested on animals, contains no animal products or by-products, environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic.

■Detangles, protects and leaves your hair and skin sinfully clean

■Lather into wet hair, rinse, and repeat (if you can handle it)

■$12.00/ 8 oz bottle

Luster: For the knotty girls!

Luster is a leave-in conditioning mist with powerful UV-inhibitors and natural botanical oils designed to protect hair from the damaging effects of sun, salt, wind and chlorine. Use before or after your outdoor exploits to avoid embarrassing stares, awkward silences and multiple trips to the bathroom mirror. Our unique cream-to-mist technology doubles as a luxurious moisturizer that re-hydrates dull skin with aloe vera and grapeseed oil, leaving a subtle scent of remote tropical island. Think French West Indies meets the Caribbean with a delicious blend of vanilla, banana and a hint of sparkling orange extract. Luster is the answer to split ends, breakage and dry, tangled hair. From knotty to nice, give a new meaning to surfer hair and luster your locks!

■Leave-in conditioning mist and luxurious body moisturizer made with aloe vera, grapeseed oil and wheat protein, for added volume and protection.

■Good to you and the environment: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, not tested on animals, contains no animal products or by-products, environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic.

■Spray on wet or dry hair, comb through, use generously for sleek, shiny hair. Enviable!

■$14.00/ 8 oz bottle

The Chronic: Highest quality for all the homies.

The Chronic shampoo and conditioning system is a potent formulation of superior plant-infused ingredients created to cleanse and fortify weather beaten hair. The lightweight formulas gently cleanse and restore balance while improving the overall condition of your hair with intense shine and added volume. Infused with a calming blend of flower and plant aromas. It’s The Chronic, yo!

■Daily shampoo and conditioner regimen specifically formulated for normal and color treated hair.

■Good to you and the environment: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, not tested on animals, contains no animal products or by-products, environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic.

■Leaves hair silky and smooth.

■Shampoo: massage into wet hair, lather and rinse. Conditioner: apply to clean, damp hair; comb through and rinse thoroughly. See you in the green room!

■The Chronic Shampoo: $14.00/ 8 oz bottle

Giveaway

How would you like to win these products for yourself? I will be giving away all 3 to a lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this product to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 2, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

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This contest will run until April 2, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

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Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

New Hallmark Kids Collection Really Motivates! Review & Giveaway

About the Cards
This collection was developed keeping in mind that everyone needs to be cheered on– kids included. Whether it’s school, sports or trying to make new friends, the children in our lives are on a journey of growth and self-exploration. Few things are more helpful to kids than the support of a parent or grown-up who believes in them and is there with a few heartfelt words of encouragement.

But sometimes, what kids hear “goes in one ear and out the other,” meaning that kids are often missing out on something they really need: encouraging words. In fact, Hallmark research revealed that the moms they surveyed think they are encouraging their children all the time, but in the moments when their kids most needed encouragement, the kids didn’t feel like it was there.

To help grown-ups better connect with and encourage kids, Hallmark recently introduced the all-new Kids Collection, a line of cards and gifts designed specifically to cheer kids on, cheer them up and make them smile. You can check out some of Hallmark’s Kids Collection at www.hallmark.com/kids. There, you’ll see a sampling of the gifts and cards that are available for grown-ups to share with the kids in their lives.

My Take on the Cards
I loved these cards. Not only were they funny, but they truly were on the kids' level and I know that if I were the recipient of the cards, I would have a smile on my face! I was impressed by the variety of cards available, from basic to cards that can be electronically personalized or that provide you with keepsakes, they all are unique and special and do a great job of cheering and motivating your child to be the best that they can be, no matter what that is.

So if you are looking for a unique way to tell your child how you feel about them, look no further than the new Kids Collection from Hallmark.

Giveaway

How would you like to win these cards for yourself? I will be giving away all 5-6 Hallmark Kids Collection Cards to a lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this product to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 2, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

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This contest will run until April 2, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

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Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Product Review & Giveaway - Mastermind

About the Game
Test your code-cracking prowess with Mastermind, "the challenging game of logic and deduction." The codemaker sets a code of four colored pegs--choosing from yellow, red, orange, blue, green, or white--and conceals it behind a flip-up shield. Your mission: replicate the code in 10 moves or fewer. With each of the codebreaker's attempts, the codemaker uses red and white key pegs to offer cryptic clues about color and position. Make the game even more difficult by using multiple pegs of the same color or by leaving one or more peg holes empty. With more than 2,000 possible code combinations, every game is guaranteed to be a brain-bender. All of Mastermind's components can be stored in the game board. Mastermind is for two players.

Do you want to see this game in action? You can see a commercial of the game in action on Youtube .

My Take on the GameI was impressed with the Mastermind Board Game and how challenging it was! While I know that the game has been around for many years, I can honestly say that this was the first time that I had ever played it myself. My first impression was how does this game work, but quickly I learned after reading the easy to understand instructions how this game would challenge my reasoning skills.

The game itself states that it is for ages eight and up. My 5 year old said she wanted to play it, but to be honest once I played it with J-Mom I knew that Diva-J was not ready for the game yet. In a few years maybe, but not yet.

The game itself is a game of strategy with you arranging your pegs in a certain order and the other person is required to guess the correct scheme or run out of chances.

I found that the game travels well (even though the one I have is a bit larger). There are a number of Mastermind versions as well that are available as well for the Mastermind enthusiast so you can play the game in many types of locations and with people of all ages!

This game will really make you think! Time for a family game night!

If this game sounds like one that you would like in your own home, you can find it online by visiting
Pressman Toy's MASTERMIND: http://shop.pressmantoy.com/products/category/2422.0.1.1.65859.0.0.0.0

Giveaway

How would you like to win a copy of this game for yourself? I will be giving away 1 of these games to a lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in this game to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on April 1, 2010.

Bonus Entries:

Blog about my Giveaway by linking back to this post (1 entries per blog post. Please leave each entry in separate comments with your URL link in order for it to count)

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Follow @MASTERMINDgame on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MASTERMINDgame
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Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or any forum, including the name of the prize and a link to this post. Here I'll make it easier on you, copy and paste this:" @dadofdivas is giving away a Mastermind Game - http://dadofdivas.blogspot.com/" (Then leave the link to your post. One entry per place per day)
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Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

This contest will run until April 1, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

Winner must be a resident of the U.S or Canada.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

Pages

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Monday, March 29, 2010

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010