Saturday, October 30, 2010

Expert Tips on Skincare This November

November is National Healthy Skin Month and it’s an essential time to take care of your skin. Originated by the American Academy of Dermatology, this month raises awareness about the importance of keeping your skin fresh, hydrated and healthy, even in the winter and fall.

A vital way of doing so is by maintaining year-round sun protection. Many consumers don’t know or forget that the sun’s damaging UV rays are present year-round.

Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at NYU and practicing Dermatological surgeon, has tips to keeping your skin healthy especially in November:

Cloudy Days Still Mean UVA rays. Those wrinkle and age-spot producing rays are present rain or shine and indoors or out. Whether you’re driving your car, inside near a window, or outside on an overcast day, sun protection is essential.
Use Lightweight but Equal Protection. Although you may not need a heavy-duty sunscreen this winter, you should still use one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Dr. Hale suggests Coppertone® Oil-Free Faces SPF 30, a lightweight product you can use.
Don’t Forget About Your Lips. Lips are the most exposed to the sun throughout the winter months. Toss an SPF-containing chapstick into your bag for everyday use to keep your lips hydrated and protected.

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Friday, October 29, 2010

15 Travel Packing Tips For Suitcases Of All Sizes

photo courtesy of washingtonpost.com

Packing can be harder than it seems...especially if you are packing for more than one! Women want an outfit for every mood that strikes; men bring too many toys. I wanted to share with you some packing tips from Hotels.com Travel Expert Nicole Hockin. Nicole is author of the Travel Smart Blog, which provides advice for travelers on a regular basis. Today, she posted on packing tips.

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Wondering how to avoid wrinkles in your suitcase or simply how to fit it all in there? Here are a bunch of helpful tips for packing a suitcase whether traveling for business or pleasure.

If you are flying, check the baggage fees and weight requirements BEFORE you pack. I always weigh my bag as I’m packing to stay within the usual 50 lb allowance.
Wear bulkier items on the plane so you have more room in your bag.
Put your name on both the inside and outside of your bag in case your bag is lost; also, a copy of your itinerary or destination contact information inside the bag will make it easier for an airline employee to find you.
Pack a day’s worth of clothes in your carry on. If your bags do become lost you won’t be stuck frantically trying to find something to wear.
Pack a swimsuit in your carry on, too. If you’re going on a cruise, you’ll be able to hit the pool when everybody else is waiting for their bags to be delivered to their cabins.
Pack chronologically. Place the items you will wear first on top (usually pajamas) and leave the last day outfits to the bottom of the bag.
Pack things inside of other things. Women’s shoes inside of men’s shoes, jewelry inside a pair of shoes, etc.
Get a small laundry bag. I happen to like the one at http://www.rojeti.com/. I hang it in the closet and it’s a great way to keep your room picked up and to separate the clean and dirty clothes.
Use plastic baggies. Fill them with anything: jewelry, toiletries that could leak, and your undergarments. For the undergarments, I usually do one bag per traveler. Be sure to squeeze out the extra air. Then at the end of the trip you simply empty them straight into the laundry.
Do more with less. Can you get multiple wears out of a pair of pants or skirt paired with different blouses? Can you get away with one pair of shoes? I can’t – but let’s say two! Leave anything that only goes with one other item at home.
Hang your clothes up as soon as you can. Save yourself the trouble of ironing and hang your clothes up immediately. You can always turn the shower on hot and hang the clothes behind the bathroom door to steam away the wrinkles.
You will save space and avoid creases by packing pants 1st in the suitcase. Lay them across the length of the suitcase with the waist to one side and the legs hanging over the other side. Layer the next pair on top with the waist at the opposite side (on top of the previous pair’s legs). Once pants are in, continue packing clothes on top of them. Fold the legs in on top of your clothes at the end of the packing.
Use plastic dry cleaning bags between shirts/blouses and dresses to prevent wrinkling.
Always put plastic on top of your clothes before zipping the suitcase shut. It will protect your clothes from shoes that you may want to layer on top. And, if the suitcase gets unexpectedly wet while traveling, it will also keep your clothing dry.
Do NOT pack wrapped gifts. Pack the wrapping paper/gift bag/tissue paper and a baggie with the necessary tape/pen/scissors separately and then wrap the gift upon arrival. You will either be disappointed because the wrapping was damaged or that TSA opened the gift for inspection purposes.

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Radio City Sweets and Gifts Store Now Open

The new sweets and gift shop allows customers to satisfy their holiday sweet tooth with a wide selection of bulk and packaged candy from candy purveyor, IT’SUGAR, the company behind FAO Schweetz. From the moment customers step into the store, they will be surrounded by a colorful candy land featuring a wide variety of bulk candy as well as exclusive packaged candy selections from grand finale gummy bears, box office brownie bites, backstage bubble gum, scene-stealing sugar bears and Music Hall malt balls.

Radio City Sweets and Gifts will also offer a selection of traditional gift items from Radio City Music Hall, the Rockettes, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular including books, DVDs, t-shirts, ornaments, and accessories that customers can purchase to remember their visit to this iconic venue. Located on 6th Avenue between 50th and 51st Street, there will surely be a sugar rush with free candy being offered the week of October 18th in celebration of the opening – while supplies last!

To satisfy your sweet cravings even more, Radio City Music Hall and IT’SUGAR have also launched a new bulk candy kiosk inside Radio City Music Hall’s Grand Lounge. The kiosk is open for all concert performances as well as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, running November 5 – December 30, 2010.

Whether you choose to rock out with rock candy at a concert or enjoy the sweet swirl of Christmas with peppermints during a performance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Sweets and Gifts offers something for every sweet tooth!

5 Apps That'll Make your Life Easier this Holiday

5 Apps That’ll Make your Life Easier this Holiday:

·         CheckPoints – a shopping app that rewards you for checking-in to stores while you do your holiday shopping and scanning barcodes.   Accumulate points and earn real world rewards like airline miles, gift cards, and gadgets. The app that gives back!

·         Epi – This app by Conde Nast provides you with thousands of recipes, helps you make shopping lists, and gives you user reviews to help all your holiday cooking go off without a hitch. Perfect for dinner parties this holiday.

·         Pandora – Put it on a Christmas carol channel, and voila – you can keep you and your friends singing all the way to grandmother’s house. Don’t forget to “like” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” – a modern classic.

·         Pageonce Personal Finance – Stave off the influx of bills during the holidays with this app that consolidates all of your accounts and helps you keep them under control.

·         Kyte– This app allows you share photos the instant you take them, so you can share your holiday memories with friends and family who aren’t celebrating with you. Or, instantly upload embarrassing pictures of your coworkers at your office holiday party.

THQ JACKS UP VIDEO GAMERS THIS WINTER WITH YOU DON’T KNOW JACK

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced that the award-winning YOU DON’T KNOW JACK^® franchise is scheduled to come to the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ system and the Nintendo DS™ family of hand-held systems this winter.

The pioneer of the interactive game show format, YOU DON’T KNOW JACK combines the social dynamics of classic board games with the entertaining story arcs of great television game shows. Returning with all-new questions and classic features such as Screw Your Neighbor™ and commercial parodies, the homecoming of YOU DON’T KNOW JACK is sure to thrill excited fans as well as launch a new generation of devoted players.

“YOU DON’T KNOW JACK has been a phenomenal worldwide success,” said Martin Good, Executive Vice President, Kids, Family, Casual Games, and Global Online Services. “Now, the irreverent trivia party game is back with its signature style and humor, and we’ve heightened the hilarity and challenge with an all-new multiplayer mode and entertaining online play over XBLA and PSN. Add in popular classic challenges like the DisOrDat™ and the Jack Attack™, and YOU DON’T KNOW JACK is poised to deliver the ultimate trivia game experience to America’s living rooms.”

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.

Day & Night From Toy Story 3

“The Most Beautiful Things in All the Universe are the Most Mysterious.”

ABOUT THE MOVIE
When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other's unique qualities--and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world—the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.
Running time: 6 minutes

TEDDY NEWTON (Director)

Biography

Newton came to Pixar in July of 2000 to work on Pixar’s sixth feature film, “The Incredibles,” and has since contributed his considerable character design skills to many of Disney•Pixar’s award-winning feature and short films, including “Ratatouille,” “Your Friend the Rat” and “Presto.” He was also instrumental in the creation of the End Titles of “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille” and is frequently cast as a voice in Disney•Pixar films, including the role of Chatter Telephone in “Toy Story 3,” which hit theaters on June 18, 2010.
For his Disney•Pixar directorial debut, Newton teamed with producer Kevin Reher on “Day & Night,” a new short film released with “Toy Story 3.”

Prior to coming to Pixar, Newton worked in the story department and in character design at Warner Bros. on “Iron Giant.” He also served as writer/producer for the independent feature film “The Trouble with Lou.”

Newton is inspired by the drawings of Al Hirschfeld and early Warner Bros animation. He grew up in Dana Point, Calif., and attended California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts).

Q&A

Q: How did you develop the idea for “Day & Night”?
A: When coming up with the idea I just wanted to make sure I made a distinction between Day ideas and Night ideas. So Night would have a moon, where Day would have a sun. Day would have a rainbow. Night would have fireworks and, you know, it would keep going like this. I was just laying out drawings with these little distinctions within them and once I had enough drawings I could see a connection between what is going on with these pictures that makes the story. And it really was about differentness—that's the main theme I started to play with—how do they relate to each other and how do people respond to something that is new and different.

Q: “Day & Night” is created using both traditional and computer-generated animation—why the combination?

A: I wasn’t sure we would make a hand-drawn picture at Pixar, so I thought I could compromise and do part of it with hand-drawn characters as well as some CG elements. That's really where it started. I initially thought of it completely as a 2D project but with all this new 3D technology that people have been playing with around with here, I thought this might actually get more dimensional.

Q: How did you approach the hand-drawn aspect of the film?
A: Well, a lot of people at Pixar do draw and they draw really well, but they haven't done it in a long time. Especially in animation, there's no need to do drawn animation at Pixar for most pictures until this one. So it was great to bring out a lot of the guys who maybe hadn't done it in 10 years—it was invigorating for them to get back to the erasers and pencils.

Q: How did you incorporate 3D into the film?

A: We wanted to use the 3D in a way that reflected the story, so when the characters are introduced the 3D is quite conservative. It's almost as if we're using the 3D to show how deep they're looking into the other and once they start to actually get interested in one another you'll notice the 3D actually starts to get deeper, as if they are looking deeper into each other. And I think that's kind of a fun idea just visually to play with that kind of teams itself with the story line.

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.

Book Review - The Gateway: : Discover the Power to Create an Outrageously Prosperous and Happy Life

About the Book
Have you always believed life is meant to be a joyous, exciting adventure? Have you felt that you have hidden talents and abilities just waiting to be developed? Are you ready to awaken to a beautiful future?

The Gateway is a simple, easy-to-understand book that will give you a new, optimistic vision of your potential for prosperity--of all kinds. Unlike so many other programs that focus on tangible, nonspiritual objectives, The Gateway reveals deep truths gentle but transforming lift toward your spiritual awakening.

As you follow a natural progression of action-oriented tasks, you will learn that passing through the gateway requires an internal as well as an external metamorphosis. Looking within as well as without brings forth life-changing revelations and reveals the path to ultimate joy.

Written by a prominent attorney who achieved success only after overcoming tremendous personal obstacles, this book weaves a personal story with insights learned from a lifetime of action, introspection, and learning. Including examples from the lives of well-known people, such as Andrew Carnegie, Albert Einstein, and Walt Disney, as well as the personal success stories of everyday people, The Gateway offers a view of the life you've always dreamed of living.

About the Author
Robert B. Sidell is a motivational speaker, attorney and minister. An honors graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Sidell realized early on his career that this world has unlimited potential and dedicated the rest of his life to sharing the truths that are contained in his book.

My Take on the Book

What I loved most about this book was the real life examples included in the book. You grasped a much better understanding of the concepts within though reading others stories. This book was an easy read and one that was truly motivational on what one can do to make changes within your own life, helping you become, not only a better person, but to have a better life altogether.

If this book sounds like one that you would like in your own library you can find it 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.

MathRider Provides a Fun Way to Learn Math!

About the Game
Ride your horse on noble quests through the magical MathLands. MathRider combines fun game play with a highly sophisticated question engine that adapts to your child. The game propels your child to mastery of all four mathematical operations using numbers 0 to 12. Recommended for elementary / primary school children.

MathRider is designed to help elementary school kids practice and master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

The software takes kids on various quests, all the while learning where they are at in the fundamental arithmetic skills. It then hones in on what needs to be practiced, with rewards and animations that match their levels of mastery.

This has worked wonders with quite a few kids, who, having rescued the princess, suddenly realized that they were now "masters of addition" or whatever operation they were playing.

Have your child master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division all for the cost of less than 1 hour professional private tuition!

You will know when your child has completely mastered an operation. And more importantly, your child will know it, too!
This is the fastest way to mastery of all four math operations. The artificial intelligence rehearses what is needed most, at a rate that is tailored to each player.
The game recognizes and rewards improvement, not just perfection. This builds confidence and propels children naturally towards complete mastery.
Noble quests exemplify positive values such as family, caring, honesty and kindness.

My Take on the Game
My oldest daughter is in Kindergarten and she loves to learn and to challenge herself. So when I heard about this program I had to try it out. The program is both fun, educational and entertaining and I can say that she got a kick out the game itself. We first tried some of the practice rounds to get the hang of the game. For a younger child, I will say that it does take a little time to get used to the speed in which you must be able to provide the answers to the questions, so we had to start on an easier level than we had initially tried.

Once she got the hang of it she was off. This is not to say that you still did not have to concentrate and focus on the math problems, which you did, but it did provide you with the answers if you missed them. I particularly liked the fact that as you get into the game you are on a quest and the better you do in each part of the quest, the more you can achieve. Thus, you are part of the story that is unfolding right in front of your eyes.

Overall, a great game and one that I can see will be a staple in our homes for a while, as I can truly see the educational benefit of the repetition that the game provides, and I know it will only assist to strengthen Diva-J's math skills.

This post was written for Family Review Network and Math Rider who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest review.

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.

Book Review - Second Helpings

About the Book

HELP YOURSELF

Paula Deen’s cousin, Johnnie Gabriel, is back for seconds after phenomenal success with debut book

Though she began baking in 1989, it could be said that the ingredients had long been in the pantry.

Yes, it could be said that Johnnie Gabriel’s talent for cooking and baking is genetic. Paula Deen is, after all, her first cousin. But, it wasn’t until 1989, when she began baking cakes and catering out of her home to support herself and her family during a tough time, that her career really began to cook – as seven short years later, the demand for her desserts had become so overwhelming that Gabriel and her husband Ed decided to open “Gabriel’s Desserts” in Marietta.

Fourteen years later, Gabriel’s Desserts is virtually an institution, having been chosen Best of Atlanta seven times and Gabriel has sold nearly 50,000 copies of her first cookbook (Cooking in the South, Thomas Nelson, 2008). And now – the much-anticipated follow-up, Second Helpings, is hot and headed for tables across the country.

Divinely delicious recipes with delectably simple ingredients are the trademark of Johnnie Gabriel’s cooking. Filled with the perfect, fresh flavors of fall, Gabriel’s new cook book, Second Helpings, features more than 150 scrumptious Southern dishes, appetizers, and desserts that are the perfect complement to your Holiday dinner tables.

For an added twist to your Holiday Menu, give one of these Second Helpings recipes a try:

Autumn Root Vegetable Gratin
Crown Pork Roast with Maple and Cranberry Rice
Apple Pecan and Caramel Cheesecake
Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
Cornbread Salad
Pumpkin Ice Cream

My Take on the Book

This book was an amazing collection of recipes and culinary creativity. I loved the diversity of recipes within the book and was amazed at seeing how easy most of these recipes seem to make. I am really looking forward to trying more of the recipes. I have tried a few of them and they were simply succulent. So if you are looking for a great book with awesome recipes, stop looking, this book hits the spot!

If you would like to get a copy of this book for yourself you can find it on Amazon!

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Book Review - If I Could Keep You Little

About the Book
If I Could Keep You Little takes the reader on a journey of memory and expectation, exploring real insights into the human spirit. Marianne's artwork beautifully illustrates these complex emotions and her insightful prose showcases the fleeting little moments that reveal how a child changes and grows.

"If I could keep you little,

I'd decide on matching clothes.

But then I'd miss you choosing

Dots on top and stripes below

If I could keep you little

I'd cut your bread in shapes.

But then I'd miss you finding

"Hey! I like ketchup with my grapes!"

My Take on the Book

I am a sucker for a book that really talks to the experiences and feelings that I have had as a parent. This book does have a great message that all parents will understand and relate to. I also loved the images that were included in the book, they tapped the heartstrings and made me realize yet again that I only have my girls for a short amount of time, and that time is fleeting!

If you want this book for yourself, you can find a copy on Amazon!

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Book Review - Extreme Pumpkins

About the Books

Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors

Pumpkins are supposed to be scary!

Based on his popular and addictive website ExtremePumpkins.com, Tom Nardone has created a full-color guide to pumpkin carving that's truly frightening. Featuring the website's signature Puking Pumpkin, and spanning everything from Drowning Pumpkin, Crime Scene Pumpkin, and Cannibal Pumpkin to Electrocuted Pumpkin and other never-before-seen designs, this gleefully gory guide is nothing short of a manifesto to take back Halloween from the cheerful, the cutesy, and the parent-sanctioned. For the egg-throwing, toilet tissue-streaming, window-soaping teenager in all of us, finally- a whole new way to celebrate October 31.

Extreme Pumpkins II: Take Back Halloween and Freak Out a Few More Neighbors

The outrageous follow-up to last Halloween’s surprise bestseller.

From the power-tool wielding author of the national bestselling Extreme Pumpkins and the popular website Extremepumpkins.com comes a new collection of even darker, creepier, and more outrageous do-it-yourself designs to impress friends and horrify neighbors. The demented designs include Projectile Sneeze Pumpkin, Baseball-in-the-Eye Pumpkin, Doll-Eating Pumpkin, and Full-Diaper Baby Pumpkin, along with cool gourd designs, practical jokes, and more. This gleefully gory guide reclaims Halloween from the cheerful, the cutesy, and the parent-sanctioned.

About the Pumpkins
This book is one that definitely open my eyes to the creativity that some people can come up with. Some of the pumpkins in this book were very cool, but others were ones that were a bit too gory for my taste. I will say though that for the person that is trying to make a statement, and one that is trying to either scare and freak out the kids and neighbors that are looking at your masterpieces, these books are definitely ones that will help.

Though there were a few pumpkins that were a bit too extreme for me, the book did open my eyes to the possibilities that could be with pumpkins. The book does have some quite simple instructions to follow, and though there are no patterns, one can easily follow the instructions to recreate the pumpkins in the book. One thing that I did like was the great photographs that were within the books as well as the instructions as they provide the tools and the steps that need to occur to create the same strange masterpieces.

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.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Parent Alert: New Deadly Threat

Parent Alert: New Deadly Threat
by Roger McIntire, Ph.D.

Epidemic hits high schoolers!

Death rate quadruples among 16-year-olds!

No immunity in sight.

Medical community has no vaccine that will help.
All your efforts to protect your teen from childhood diseases, accidents with sharp objects and running with scissors pale to almost nothing.
Is it a virus? A cancer? A new mind-splitting drug?
No. It's cars.
A study by Ezekiel Emanuel and David Wendler from the National Institutes of Health shows that daily hospitalizations and emergency room visits remain low among children. Then the daily death rate, which is steady at 1 per million per day in childhood, skyrockets to 10 per million per day for teens.
Everything that we do to protect our kids by using car seats and seat belts, lecturing about looking both ways and following the rules is overwhelmed and swept aside by the shocking statistics of driving and riding with reckless friends.
Not long ago boys were at a greater risk of injury and death from car-related accidents, but recently girls have closed the gap and are now at almost the same risk level as the boys. For example, in 1990, 160 of every 1000 girls wrecked their cars but by 2000 the number had risen to 175 per thousand. Boys stayed at a steady rate of 210 per 1000 per year over the same period.
Nothing else you have done, or do, to protect your teen during their growing-up years means as much as your riding and driving rules.
Now a new threat has entered the teen driving scene. With one hand on the wheel, attention is often focused on the other hand holding a cell phone complete with a keypad with keys barely the size of a grain of rice. Cell phones are taking teens' attention away from the main task at hand.
In a national study conducted by Pew Research, they found that 30 percent of teens surveyed send over 100 messages each day, and that only 22 percent send less than 10 messages per day.
So how do parents make an impression upon their teenager that many young people just like them are dying behind the wheel of their cars every day? It is a serious discussion every parent and teen must have -- frequently.
The trick for parents is to keep the flood of shocked reactions in check and yet remain a good listener.

Whatever your comment, the first filter in your teenager's mind is "What are you saying about me?" Parents often say to me, "He takes things so personally." So first of all, keep the subject on a third person basis as much as possible. Use "it" and "what" instead of "you."
Also avoid the "quick fix" temptation:

The real subject may not have come up yet. "Why don't you..." "You should try..." "Don't be so..." all have the potential of closing a conversation.

They also indicate a superior position and may put off your teenager.

If you tell me you had trouble getting to work, and I tell you to try another route and start earlier, you would think, "What nerve!" You just wanted to gripe a little, and I turned it into a driving lesson!

Keep listening skills handy. Maintain good eye contact and avoid shrugs and postures that say you don't agree or are not paying attention -- there's more to conversation than what is said and heard. Watch your signals: folding your arms, getting louder, and turning away all have their messages.
Put down your TV remote, and all other hand-held devices. A "talking ritual" with your teen driver can help you keep up with what's going on. You need good listening skills to keep the conversation flowing.
Saying, "Be careful" is not enough. Limitations and restrictions need to be enforced. You need to know where and with whom your teen is riding.You need to ride with them whenever possible to judge their driving skills. Make sure they know they can call you for a ride home anytime -- no questions asked
You don't want that terrible late-night phone call, "This is Officer Smith of the State Police, your son (daughter) has been . . ."

SNEAK PEEK: The Search for Santa Paws

On November 23rd, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment kicks off the holiday season with the release of THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS on Blu-ray & DVD! A heartwarming prequel to 2009’s Santa Buddies, this film reveals how the legendary friendship between Santa Claus and Santa Paws began. Bonus material includes a Sing-a-Long mode, deleted scenes, and more!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Book Review - Answer Keys

About the BookCovering everything from teaching children to make good decisions to working with your children in the way they learn best, Answer Keys: Teacher's Lesson Plans for Successful Parenting is written by four extraordinary women that have eight children - ranging from toddler age through college - and over 25 years of K-8 teaching experience among them. With practical and informative ideas, Answer Keys provides lesson plans on:

Anger Management
The Proper and Effective Use of Time Out
How to Work with Disorders
Fostering Independence
The Importance of Routines
Joining Playgroups
Creating House Rules
Car Talk
Developmental Readiness

And many more. With research and tips interspersed with personal stories and humor, this resource will make readers feel heartened and encouraged because, in the beautiful and often challenging journey called parenting, no one should ever feel they are walking the path alone. And no, you're not the only one who has burst into tears after attempting to clean permanent marker off the wall, the carpet, the furniture or your face.

My Take on the Book
Full of great practical advice from teachers who are moms, now you can use the same tested classroom methods at home and make things run even smoother! I loved the ideas that were shared in this, and J-Mom being a teacher could easily see the coorelation between what these teachers were sharing and what she used to use in her own past classroom experiences.

So if you want to get some great parenting advice on how to get your kids to act like they do in school at home, check out this book. You may be quite surprised.

If this book sounds like something that you want in your own library you can find it 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.

WASA Flatbread -Light, Refreshing and Addicting

About the Snack

Not all snacks are created equal. Wasa, the world’s largest and most renowned baker of crispbread, introduces new Wasa Thin & Crispy Flatbreads to help make eating well easy and fun. This line of whole grain thin crackers has a delicious taste and a satisfying crunch – a winning combination that’s a perfect fit for a healthy lifestyle.

Available in Original, Sesame and Rosemary, Wasa Thin & Crispy Flatbreads are made with just a few simple, all-natural ingredients, delicately seasoned and oven baked for a one-of-a-kind taste and texture. This healthier cracker alternative offers endless topping possibilities; they can be used as a blank canvas for creating infinite varieties of meals and snacks that are uniquely your own and are great for entertaining or glamorizing everyday meals. In addition, the “Stay Fresh” packs make them a great on-the-go snack solution.

“At Wasa we take pride in offering healthy products made only with simple, all natural ingredients, that help people in their quest to eat well and live better” says Kirk Trofholz, President of Wasa North America LLC. “We believe the new Wasa Thin & Crispy Flatbreads will appeal to a broad audience and offer unlimited options for healthy snacks and alternative meal accompaniments.”

Wasa Thin & Crispy Flatbreads hit the specialty cracker aisle in stores including WalMart, Safeway and Kroger, nationwide November 2010 for a suggested retail price of $2.99. For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.WasaFlatbread.com.

About Wasa
Since 1919, all-natural Wasa (pronounced “Vah-sah”) has been the world’s most renowned and largest baker of all-natural, whole grain crispbread. As for its name, Wasa is associated with the name of the Swedish king Gustav Vasa and was picked by Wasa founder Karl Lundström to create an easily recognizable brand for all Swedes. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, since 1999

Wasa has been owned by the Barilla Group. Wasa products are baked in facilities in Fillipstad, Sweden; and Celle, Germany, and sold in over 40 countries throughout the world.

Wasa Crispbread is available in 10 varieties: 100% Whole Grain, Fiber, Hearty, Light Rye, Multi Grain, Sesame, Sourdough, Whole Wheat, Crisp'n Light 7 Grain and Crisp'n Light Mild Rye.

My Take on the Product
Light and refreshing, I found myself snacking on these thin wafers and simply loving it! I tended to find that these snacks hit the spot what I was looking for a light snack that would tide me over till the next meal. On top of this though, they taste great. The one flavor that I just love was the Rosemary one. This one is simply infused with Rosemary and delicious. Saying this though, the other flavors were great as well!

If you are looking for a healthy (and tasty) treat, I highly recommend that you check out these snacks. Your kids will even love them, I know my two girls could not get enough!

If you can't find these in your local store, you can find some of the crispbreads varieties on Amazon!

Book Review - Hired!

About the BookIn today’s tough economy, most people are too desperate to get any job, rather than seeking one that will provide the career satisfaction and growth they deserve. Worse, they treat the interview as an opportunity to focus on themselves.

In HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews, Elinor Stutz asserts, “The interview is not about you; it’s about how well you will solve the company’s problems and fit in with the company culture. This is the only way you will get a job you actually enjoy!”

Learning to persuade potential employers that the best candidate for the job is sitting right in front of them is key to landing that dream job.

HIRED! is a must-read to learn:
   •   How to achieve the right mindset for successful interviewing.
   •   How to conduct specific research prior to the interview.
   •   The leadership skills required for advancing a two-way interview.
   •   Specific questions you must ask on the interview.
   •   Strategies for negotiation.
   •   How to steer conversation to learn what the company is seeking.

The goal of Hired! is to help job-seekers get the interviews they want and to make the most out of every interview. What works for one person might not work for another. Making the style and approach unique is the key to winning an interview and hearing the word “Hired!”

HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews (EAN 978-1-60163-142-8, pages: 224, price: $14.99) was published by Career Press. The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon.com, and many other booksellers.

About the Author

Elinor Stutz is CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC, a sales training company. Her previous book, Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results, is an international best-seller. Stutz hosts the Smooth Sale Success Show on TheWINOnline.com, writes a blog, contributes articles to magazines, and may be found as @smoothsale on Twitter. Her website is www.smoothsale.net. She is available for speaking, coaching, and training. Stutz resides in Petaluma, California, with her husband.

My Take on the Book

As a person who works with students that are getting ready to enter the workforce, I strongly recommend that check out this book. The author looks at interviewing in a completely different way and helps you to see the interview process through a new lens. Using practical, real world examples and advice that all can understand, this book provides great resources for the would-be job seeker.This book will definitely open your eyes to the job market and give you tips that may just land you your dream job!

If this book sounds like one that you would like for yourself, you can find it 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.

Build-a-Bear Makes for Great Holiday Gifts!

Build-A-Bear Workshop^® is the place for holiday gifting. With gifts that give back, classic friends and holiday traditions, personalized gifts with sound, stocking stuffers and more - there’s something for everyone on the list and for every budget. Fulfill gift requests with one-stop shopping at any of the more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores globally or online at buildabear.com^®.

Survey Says: Moms Prefer Items That Help Charities
A new survey conducted by Build-A-Bear Workshop has found more than 60 percent of moms polled said when selecting holiday gifts they prefer products that benefit charities. And nearly 89 percent said it was important that Build-A-Bear Workshop offers special animals and other items that donate to charity and promote awareness of the importance of giving back to your community, particularly during the holidays.
Gifts that Give Back: Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a variety of options for charitable giving. For instance, when you purchase the new Turner Owl™, Build-A-Bear Workshop donates 50 cents to First Book to provide new books to children from low-income families and 50 cents to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to support other literacy and education programs. This makes a great gift for teachers or any other cause-focused folks on the gift list.


Awesome in Argyle Turner Owl™	Jack Russell Terrier	Snowflake Style Champ – A Champion Fur Kids	WWF Gray Wolf

Turner Owl is just one example of animals from Build-A-Bear Workshop that supports special causes through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation. Other furry friends benefit domestic pet programs (Jack Russell Terrier is a favorite in the Bearemy's Kennel Pals^® series), children’s health and wellness causes such as juvenile diabetes, autism and children’s cancer research (Champ – A Champion Fur Kids), and endangered animals and their habitats (WWF^® Gray Wolf).

Classic Friends
Have a classic holiday with the entire Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer^® Collection. A make-your-own Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with light up nose is sure to brighten the holidays. Clarice^®, the beary special friend of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, has a light up heart and the two “talk” to one another when you press their ears in sequence. Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster^® completes the trio. The entire collection is available starting Nov. 1 (while quantities last). All of these classic characters also are available ready-made in “Gifts to Go” packaging. In addition, all furry friends, including the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Collection, can be brought to life online at buildabearville.com^®, where Guests can celebrate the holiday season with fun activities and exclusive free virtual gifts.


Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer^{^®}	Clarice^{^®}	Bumble™

Other cool, classic holiday gifts that are sure to bring smiles include: Casually clad Frosty the Snowman™, Santa Bearemy^®, dressed head to paw in a Santa style outfit, Fairisle Style Snow Hugs Teddy and Beary Merry Teddy 2010 (available beginning Nov. 29).


Frosty the Snowman™	Santa Bearemy^{^®}	Fairisle Style Snow Hugs Teddy	Beary Merry Teddy 2010

In addition, Build-A-Bear Workshop is excited to announce that after its success in 2009, “Holly & Hal Moose™: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure,” will air for its second holiday season on ABC Family as part of its Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas programming. The holiday television special is an extension of Build-A-Bear Workshop initiatives in entertainment. Check local listings for show times. Make-your-own Holly Moose™ and Hal Moose™ with light-up antlers also will be available beginning Nov. 19, while quantities last.


Hal Moose	Holly Moose

Personalized Gifts
One of the best things about Build-A-Bear Workshop is the opportunity to make or buy a unique gift, add a personalized Build-A-Sound^® message and give it to someone special. From best friend to new baby, soldier to sports fan, foodie to music lover, Star Wars fan to snowboarder, Build-A-Bear Workshop has personalized options for everyone.

For Star Wars fans and collectors: Check out the exclusive STAR WARS™ products designed to turn furry friends into the coolest characters to ever hit the galaxy. Start an out-of-this-world friendship with the Star Wars Bear with navy fur and Star Wars logo on its paw. Or, personalize out-of-this-world gifts with bear-sized Star Wars character costumes and accessories including Darth Vader, Jedi Knight, and the original trilogy: C-3P0, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.


Dimples Darth Vader	Star Wars Bear	C-3PO Champ – A Champion Fur Kids


Happy Hugs Princess Leia	Dimples Han Solo

For music lovers: Speaker Starz Bear is a rockin’ new friend from
Build-A-Bear Workshop that serves as a speaker for MP3 players. A Velcro opening in the bear’s side hides a wire that plugs into the MP3 device of choice. The speaker is in the bear’s left paw. Available in pink or black beginning Dec. 10, the pink version features stars and musical notes and the black version has guitar picks on the fur and sports a Mohawk.


Speaker Starz Bear in Pink	Speaker Starz Bear in Black

For girls and Sanrio^® collectors: This make-your-own Furshionable in Fuchsia Hello Kitty^® in fuchsia polka dot dress and black bow kitten heels will wow all Hello Kitty fans. Beary stylish! Cool & Casual Peace & Friendship Bear is another fashionable option. Dressed in sweet style from head to paw, this new friend is sure to be a hit.


Furshionable in Fuchsia Hello Kitty^{^®}	Cool & Casual Peace & Friendship Bear

For soldiers: Camo Bear with camouflage fur and a Build-A-Sound^® 10-second personal message – a touching gift for servicemen and women and their families. Green camouflage jacket, matching pants, black hat, black boots, dog tag and American flag each sold separately.
For babies: Happy Hugs Teddy with Baby's First Christmas Bib & Diaper Set – a sweet gift to celebrate the newest arrival.


American Soldier Camo Bear	Baby Bear Happy Hugs Teddy

For those with allergies: Snuggle up with the loveable stuffed Velvet Pup with ultra-soft brown fur and a furry nose. This stuffed animal meets asthma friendly^® standards according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Dress this furry friend in fuchsia dream PJ’s and slippers to make this pup pawsitively cuddly.

For sports fans: Dress a furry friend in the uniform of a favorite sports team. From football to basketball, hockey to baseball, there are official licensed sports uniforms, tees, caps and bandanas available from professional and university teams around the country.


Sweet Dreams Velvet Pup	Furbulous Football Bearemy^®

Stocking Stuffers
Options abound for stocking stuffer ideas from Build-A-Bear Workshop:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mini Collectifriends^®, including Misfit Doll™, Charlie-In-the-Box™ and Misfit Spotted Elephant™ ($8.50 each or three for $15) are perfect for popping in stockings. Plus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Tiny Clips, featuring Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Clarice and Bumble, are fun to use as ornaments or gift toppers (available as a gift with the purchase of a full-sized Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Clarice or Bumble from Nov. 1 - 11, or for $5 at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores).


Misfit Doll™	Charlie-In-the-Box™	Misfit Spotted Elephant™


Santa Tiny Clip	Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Tiny Clip	Clarice Tiny Clip	Bumble Tiny Clip

Give the Build-A-Bear Workshop experience with Bear Buck$^{^®} Gift Cards. If purchased online, Guests can customize an e-gift card with a message, character and special background. Sized just right for stuffing in stockings.

Bear Buck$ Gift Card

Virtual gifts also are popular stocking stuffers. Anyone who receives a furry friend from Build-A-Bear Workshop can register that friend free at buildabearville.com, a virtual world where friends hang out, play games and shop for cool virtual stuff.

Purchase three-month, six-month and one year “V.I.B.” Subscription Cards with monthly credits and bonus Bear Bills^® and/or Bearville Outfitters^® Virtual Stuff Game Cards with credits for virtual rides, clothes, homes and furniture for furry friends at the Bearville Outfitters store and become the coolest gift giver ever.


V.I.B. Subscription Card	Bearville Outfitters Virtual Stuff Game Card

Quick, Great Value Gifts
Shoppers strapped for time can choose from an assortment of customized furry friends that are stuffed, dressed and conveniently packaged in “Gifts to Go” gift sets. This option makes it fun and easy to find the perfect present for anyone – family member, teacher, babysitter, boss, co-worker, college student and others. The sets are modestly priced starting at $15 and ranging to $40, with an array of price points in between.


Gifts to Go

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball^® mascot in-stadium locations, and Build-A-Dino^® stores. Build-A-Bear Workshop extends its in-store interactive experience online with its award winning virtual world Web site at www.buildabearville.com. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $394.4 million in fiscal 2009. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning Web site at www.buildabear.com.

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.

Dad of Divas' Reviews

Pages

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Expert Tips on Skincare This November

Friday, October 29, 2010

15 Travel Packing Tips For Suitcases Of All Sizes

Radio City Sweets and Gifts Store Now Open

5 Apps That'll Make your Life Easier this Holiday

THQ JACKS UP VIDEO GAMERS THIS WINTER WITH YOU DON’T KNOW JACK

Day & Night From Toy Story 3

Book Review - The Gateway: : Discover the Power to Create an Outrageously Prosperous and Happy Life

MathRider Provides a Fun Way to Learn Math!

Have your child master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division all for the cost of less than 1 hour professional private tuition!

Book Review - Second Helpings

Book Review - If I Could Keep You Little

Book Review - Extreme Pumpkins

Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors

Extreme Pumpkins II: Take Back Halloween and Freak Out a Few More Neighbors

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Parent Alert: New Deadly Threat

SNEAK PEEK: The Search for Santa Paws

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Book Review - Answer Keys

WASA Flatbread -Light, Refreshing and Addicting

Book Review - Hired!

Build-a-Bear Makes for Great Holiday Gifts!

Reviews & Contests