Dad of Divas' Reviews: September 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

Book Review - Scholastic Guide to Grammar

About the Book
The ultimate resource for proper grammar.

The SCHOLASTIC GUIDE TO GRAMMAR is an easy-to-use, color-coded, tabbed guide packed full of information, examples, and tips for English language arts success. Write a paper, meet new people, apply for a job, and more, with perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Join "Professor Grammar" on this guided journey through the intricacies of the English language.

About the Author
Marvin Terban is a bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books for children, most of them about the English language. Called a "master of wordplay" by the American Library Association's Booklist and "Mr. English for Kids" by the Children's Book-of-the-Month Club, Marvin is truly an expert on teaching the art of language. For over 40 years, Marvin has taught English, Latin, Public Speaking, Theater, and other subjects at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York City.

My Take on the Book
Has it been years since you last considered proper grammar? How long has it been since you looked at different parts of speech or at spelling and punctuation. This book takes all of these areas and more and makes the topics easy to understand for all ages. Parents can look at this as a refresher course to aid them and their children. Children can use this to completely change the way they look at the English language. The book is well laid out and the areas are color coded and well marked. The book was an easy read and one that all should read at least once!

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 Disclaimer 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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Book Review - Barbie: A Perfect Christmas

About the Book
Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea are going to New York for Christmas! Each sister has something fabulous planned. But a snowstorm prevents them from getting to New York! Will the sisters find a way to still have the perfect Christmas?

My Take on the Book
This was a fun book for any Barbie fan. It is a short read, that celebrates Christmas and makes you think about what the perfect Christmas really is. My daughters enjoyed the story and asked me to read it again and again. Even though this is a holiday story I see this story sticking around our home for some time to come!

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

National Honey Month & WINNIE THE POOH Blu-ray & DVD (10/25)

As National Honey Month comes to a close, keep the celebration going with these WINNIE THE POOH-themed recipes and a honey-loving clip! The world's most beloved bear spends his days in search of the naturally delicious nectar, and now you, too, can enjoy some honey-flavored treats with Pooh.

And on October 25th, Disney releases WINNIE THE POOH on Blu-ray & DVD! Journey back to the 100 Acre Wood for a heart-warming adventure with Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Eeyore and Christopher Robin! Bonus material includes the EXCLUSIVE short "Mini-Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: The Balloon," deleted scenes and more!

Walt Disney Studios proudly invites families and audiences of all ages to return to the HundredAcre Wood with some of the world’s most beloved characters, as “Winnie the Pooh,” the delightful all-new animated feature film comes home to Blu-ray Combo Pack for the very first time, as well as DVD and Movie Download on October 25, 2011. Reuniting audiences with Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore (who has lost his tail), “Winnie the Pooh” is a honey of an in-home release containing hours of immersive bonus features, including exclusive animated shorts “The Ballad of Nessie” and “Mini-Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: The Balloon;” a sing-along viewing option; an informative behind-the-scenes featurette for the whole family and deleted scenes with director commentary – all available on Blu-ray Combo Pack.

Inspired by the beloved stories from A.A. Milne’s books and crafted in Disney’s classic style, “Winnie the Pooh,” is the most critically-acclaimed animated film of 2011*. It is narrated by the voice of John Cleese and features the vocal talents of legendary voice actor Jim Cummings(over 350 voices including Gnomeo & Juliet) and a host of other distinctive actors including Craig Ferguson(TV’s ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson’), Tom Kenny (TV’s ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’), Bud Luckey (Toy Story 3) and musical performances by Zooey Deschanel (indie folk band “She & Him”).

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Product Review - Scotch-BriteT Botanical Disinfecting Wipes

About the Product

Many schools nationwide ask that parents contribute supplies, including disinfecting wipes, to help keep classrooms and common areas clean for students.

But Did You Know… that most disinfecting wipes have such harsh ingredients they say you must rinse surfaces that come in contact with food?

This back-to-school season, try New Scotch Brite™ Botanical Disinfecting Wipes. They kill 99.9% of household germs* and kill cold & flu viruses* – with no rinsing required.

Made from botanically pure plant extracts, these no-rinse wipes are an effective cleaning solution for the many hard, nonporous surfaces where bacteria or unpleasant odors are a concern including: desks, classroom countertops, food preparation surfaces, floors and garbage cans. New Scotch Brite™ Botanical Disinfecting Wipes are here to help you clean easy breathe easy. It’s the no-rinse, one-step solution for effective, everyday cleaning.

Lemongrass Scent Breeze Scent

Available in most Walmart stores beginning August 2011, Scotch Brite™ Botanical Disinfecting Wipes have a suggested retail price of 35 for $2.48 and 75 for $4.63.

My Take on the Product

If you are looking for wipes that clean, and clean well, these wipes are the ones. What I liked about these wipes was the fact that not only do they clean well, but they are natural, using plant extracts to encourage clean environments wherever you go. So whether you are at home or you are on the go, these wipes are amazing and provide you with peace of mind that you are keeping your family and the planet healthy one step at a time.

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 Disclaimer 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 - Clarice: Her Journey Through Life

About the Book
lthough eating disorders affect some 70 million people worldwide, it is one of the most hidden health issues in society. How does this daily, even minute-by-minute challenge play out over a person’s lifetime?

Dr. Harriet Maxwell, a retired physician, gives readers an intimate look into how bulimia controls a sufferer’s life, regardless of what else is going on around her, in the new novel, Clarice: Her Journey Through Life.

“I wanted to introduce the idea of someone, apparently normal, hiding a lifelong eating problem and describe the means of eventually solving it,” Maxwell said.

The coming-of-age tale begins when Clarice moves from her hometown in the country to the city to escape her mildly dysfunctional family. She soon becomes entangled in a world where food is both her greatest comfort and greatest enemy. Complicated romantic relationships and an ongoing war add depth to the plot.

“This book expresses some of my deeper feelings about life,” Maxwell said. “It covers emotions and dilemmas we all face.”

Drawing from some of today’s most relatable problems, Clarice is a story that resonates with anyone who has ever loved and lost, faced insecurities or battled hardships in their lives.

For more information, visit Dr. Maxwell’s blog at http://clarice.authorsxpress.com.

About the author

Harriet Maxwell graduated from the London Hospital Medical College and is a recently retired medical doctor. She lives in the United Kingdom with her red Burmese cat, Oberon.

My Take on the Book
This was a powerful book that makes you think deeply about the issues that each of us deal with on a daily basis. The story is engaging and looks at the problem of eating disorders through a new lens. You are taken on a journey into the lives of the characters and you are able to feel and understand what they are feeling and this thus allows the reader to come to a greater grasp of the issues surrounding eating disorders and even more-so into the psyche of someone dealing with this condition. Very well written and engaging. I would highly recommend!

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 Disclaimer 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 - Professor Atlas and the Summoning Dagger

About the Book
In 1342, an old wizard stands atop a pile of rubble that was once a bustling village, complete with happy citizens, a vibrant marketplace, and a mighty castle. Cursing the conflict that brought this civilization to an untimely end, the old wizard bestows his last bit of magic on a spectacular dagger. He buries the dagger deep within the earth, praying that one day it will be found by somebody brave enough, and smart enough, to save the village from ruin.

Centuries later, Tyler Gerard and his best friend Brandon Giles enter a contest, the prize for which is the opportunity to join legendary explorer Professor Fielding Atlas on his quest to ind the Summoning Dagger of Mercastus. Although both boys have the full and active imaginations that are typical of seventh graders, nothing will prepare them for the incredible adventure that lies ahead...

About the Author
PAUL MAGUIRE lives with his wife and two sons in New York City, a place he has called home since 1990. After working on the New York Stock Exchange for more than two decades, he decided to shift gears dramatically and pursue his lifelong dream of writing. Professor Atlas and the Summoning Dagger is Maguire's first effort in this new endeavor, and he hopes to continue telling the tales of Professor Atlas's adventures in many future installments.

My Take on the Book
This is the type of book that keeps having you come back for more. The story draws you in and has you using you imagination from beginning to end. There is a ton of adventure and action for all, but beyond that there is strong writing as well as characters that lead you to believe that this could definitely be the start to many additional books in a series.

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 Disclaimer 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 White Fox

About the Book
Teenager Jack Lawson lives an average and ordinary life in a typical southern English town, until the day a white fox introduces himself as Jack’s guardian spirit and gives to him a mysterious talisman. Jack’s life continues to spin out of control when his friend Alex, after warning that the town is in grave danger from demons controlled by the Cult of Dionysus, is kidnapped by the cult. Enlisting the help of his friend Lucy, Jack embarks on a journey unlike one he could have ever imagined—one filled with sublime mysteries and fantastical adventures. A story written by a teenager for a teenage audience, this work encourages readers to reconsider their assumptions about the fantasy genre while deciphering the book’s parallels with real-world mythology and philosophy.

My Take on the Book
This book was one that kept you on the edge of your seat and kept bringing you back for more. I have to say that I could not put it down. The story is well written and engaging and what I liked best was the attention to detail that the author used to develop his overall character base. While this book is considered fantasy it is written in such a way that lovers of any genre will truly love this!

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Free Scary Face Pancakes Return to IHOP in October

IHOP announced recently that participating restaurants nationwide will serve up ‘no tricks – just treats’ this October, featuring a month-long celebration with pumpkin pancakes as well as All-You-Can-Eat Buttermilk pancakes, culminating in a free Scary Face Pancake giveaway for kids 12 and under on Friday, October 28 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (one per child).

Additionally, parents can sign up all month long on ihop.com for a wake-up call on October 28 from Count Spatula with a friendly and fun reminder about the free Scary Face Pancake giveaway.

“We are celebrating fall traditions in a tasty and playful way,” said Natalia Franco, IHOP's senior vice president, marketing. “Our ‘no tricks – just treats’ October is a seasonal celebration designed to excite the senses with unique additions to our regular menu and thank our guests for their loyal patronage with our free Scary Face Pancake giveaway.”

From October 3 through October 31, IHOP's Pumpkin Pancakes, made with real pumpkin and spices and topped with a creamy whipped topping, as well as All-You-Can-Eat Buttermilk Pancakes,* are available a la carte or in a combo, which starts at $4.99 and begins with fluffy pancakes, eggs any style and golden hash browns. Guests can add pork sausage links, crisp bacon or ham for an extra charge.

In observance of Halloween, IHOP’s famous Funny Face Pancake turns scary with “design-your-own” Scary Face Pancake for kids 12 and under. Count Spatula was the winning name chosen from more than 1,000 entries to the “name-the-Scary-Face-Pancake” contest last October. The Count Spatula Scary Face Pancake is an oversized signature buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini OREO® cookies and candy corn on the side to allow kids to create their own Halloween hotcake. It will be offered throughout October and, like all IHOP Kids menu items, is less than 600 calories. On October 28, kids will be treated to a free Count Spatula Scary Face Pancake as an early Halloween treat.

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.ihop.com. Prices may vary by location.

*All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes are served three at a time until guests are satisfied.

ABOUT IHOP

For 53 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers its guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of June 30, 2011, there were 1,522 IHOPs in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the licensed name IHOP at HOME(TM) consumers can also enjoy a line of premium breakfast products available at a leading nationwide retailer. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

New Book - ABC Dream

I wanted to share with you a beautiful new book that is now on the market. This book is the perfect gift for new parents and children, but it’s so beautiful that anyone would love to receive it! The images you see here give you an idea of the wonderful artwork within the book itself.

The retail price is $32.00 and the first 1,000 copies will be signed and numbered by the artist, Kim Krans. Kim is a Brooklyn based designer who creates gorgeous prints and calendars that are all printed and silkscreened (on recycled paper!) locally in support of her fellow Brooklyn dwellers. The book will be sold exclusively at catbird in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and on http://catbirdnyc.com/ beginning November 1^st.

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Great Tips for Kids Cell Phone Safety

Can you hear me now? According to research, 22 percent of young children own a cell phone (ages 6-9), 60 percent of tweens (ages 10-14), and 84 percent of teens.

Now that it's back-to-school time, many parents make the decision to arm their kids with cell phones.

Parents generally say they do so for safety reasons; they want to be able to reach the child anytime. Cost is also a factor. Cell phone industry experts say phones and family plans are both becoming more affordable. Also, as adults swap out their old devices for newer smart phones, it is easier to pass down a used phone.
But for children, it is all about social life. A Pew study found that half of 12- to 17-year-olds sent at least 50 text messages a day and texted their friends more than they talked to them on the phone or even face to face.

Of course, owning a cell phone comes with possible outside threats. Here are 10 tips from Safetyweb.com to help keep your kid safe while using a cell phone:

1. Get Educated and Prepared. Talk to your kids about the dangers and consequences associated with inappropriate cell phone use. Discuss topics including sexting and texting while driving. Make sure you get caught up on the lingo of popular acronyms and initialisms. Ask your kids to save any abusive or problem messages to show an adult.

2. Select Appropriate Phone Features. If your child is under 10, they probably don't need a phone with unlimited social networking or email capabilities. Likewise, the actual phone itself doesn’t need built-in features like a web browser or video messaging. For a young child, look for basic phones. Review all pre-programmed apps and phone capabilities beforehand.

3. Use Parental Controls. If your child’s cell phone has access to the internet, find out if your service provider offers some sort of parental control feature to which you can subscribe.

4. Limit Usage. Designate time slots for talking — perhaps after homework and chores are completed, or before dinner. Don't let constant calls interrupt family time. It's easy for a chatty teen to cuddle up to a phone at bedtime, so check periodically.

5. Consider Monitoring Services. Perhaps your child is older, but you’re still not comfortable with him or her texting and emailing unmonitored. SafetyWeb provides parents with comprehensive alerts and reports on their child's cell phone calls and text message activity. This allows you to keep track of when they are using the phone (during school hours or late at night), and who they are communicating with most frequently.

6. Wait - Before Answering. Instruct your child not to answer calls or text messages from numbers they don't recognize. If it is important, the caller will leave a message and then he can decide how to respond. Explain how to block calls from unwanted numbers.

7. Pre-program numbers. To help keep your kids safe, make sure their cell phones have all important phone numbers preprogrammed into it so they can always get a hold of someone if they’re in trouble.

8. Stay Organized. Always keep your child's cell phone charger in the same place. It's best to find a central location — like maybe the kitchen counter, or a table by the door. Mark the end of the monthly billing cycle on a calendar to remind her how long those dwindling minutes have to last.

9. Practice Privacy. Tell your teen to use caution when giving out a phone number. Make sure they don't publicize their number on the Internet or social sites like Facebook.

10. Be Careful of Download Overload. Fun ringtones, games, and backgrounds - oh my! But, be careful. These such features can come with potential bugs or hidden fees.

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Pure-Ecommerce.com’s Survive & Thrive Business Giveaway

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and survivors everywhere, Pure-Ecommerce.com is excited to introduce the Survive & Thrive Business Giveaway, beginning today, September 29.

Survivors are encouraged to submit a video to Pure-E-Commerece’s YouTube site or an essay via email sharing the story of how they have thrived after disease, tragedy or other life-changing event. Pure-Ecommerce.com will select the finalists and post them to their site for fan voting. The winner will receive a complete turnkey website business package.

Surviving and thriving are both subjects Pure-Ecommerce.com CEO Jennifer Varner knows something about. Varner’s husband was diagnosed with cancer just three weeks after their wedding. Not long after, while her husband was undergoing treatment, Varner discovered she was pregnant. The young family beat the odds and beat cancer and Varner went on to launch a successful Internet business.

Ten years later, Varner was again pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She endured two surgeries and chemotherapy, fighting for her life while waiting for her baby to be born. Her son Kilian was born healthy, and both mother and baby proved that they would not only survive, but thrive.

The Survive & Thrive Business Giveaway starts Thursday, September 29, 2011 and will run throughout the month of October. To learn more about Pure-Ecommerce.com and the Survive & Thrive Business Giveaway, visit www.pure-ecommerce.com.

About Pure-Ecommerce.com

Pure-Ecommerce.com creates and sells complete turnkey Internet businesses. Their complete business-in-a-box solutions come ready to go with everything needed to run a successful online business, saving months of research and simplifying the process so that their customers can step directly into owning the business of their dreams.

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

New Garage Door Controlled via Smartphone

The Craftsman® brand debuts a ground-breaking technology for homeowners this fall with two new garage door opener models - AssureLink™ DC Chain Drive Garage Door Opener and AssureLink™ DC Belt Drive Garage Door Opener with DieHard^® Battery Back-up. The AssureLink™ Gateway technology incorporated into these two new models allows homeowners to monitor and operate their garage door from virtually anywhere* with an internet connection from a smartphone, internet-enabled mobile phone, computer or tablet. Even from thousands of miles away, users can check open/close status and then operate the garage door as desired.

The Craftsman AssureLink™ Garage Door Openers provide a number of convenient solutions for homeowners:

· Are you worried that the garage door was left open? There’s no need to turnaround. Simply check and close the garage door from anywhere with a smartphone.

· Have you ever gone to bed and woken up wondering if the garage door was closed? Now, there’s no need to get out of bed. Simply check and close the garage door with a smartphone.

· Are you running an errand when a package arrives? Allow safe delivery by opening the garage door for the carrier with a smartphone.

· Are you running late due to traffic and expecting the kids or a guest to arrive at home? No worries…simply use a smartphone to open the garage door for safe entry to the home via the garage.

“From storage, to flooring, and the tools that line the walls, Craftsman products offer the most innovative solutions for the garage. Now, the new Craftsman AssureLink™ Garage Door Openers provide our customers the ability to operate their garage from almost anywhere in the world,” said Kris Malkoski, vice president and general manager of the Craftsman brand. “Imagine the possibilities to simplify your life. Homeowners and their family members can virtually eliminate the inconvenience of wondering if the garage door is closed, waiting at home for deliveries, or feeling the frustration of being locked out.”

Craftsman AssureLink™ Garage Door Openers provide the peace of mind, convenience and freedom of controlling entry to the home when homeowners are not present. To use AssureLink™, requirements simply include a personal computer, home internet connection and an internet router. Set-up is easy with just three simple steps:

1. Connect the AssureLink™ Gateway to the Internet router using the included Ethernet cable.

2. Go online to register and activate the AssureLink™ Gateway.Beginning with year two, there will be an annual activation fee of $19.99, or less than $2 per month.

3. Download optional FREE AssureLink™ apps available for an iPhone® and Android™ or use Craftsman’s mobile website or PC website.

Since the garage door is being operated remotely, the highest safety standards are in place. When a door close command is issued via a smartphone, Underwriter Laboratories-approved audible and visual alerts warn anyone nearby that the garage door is about to close. In case someone does not hear or see the alerts, or something is inadvertently left in the door’s path, AssureLink™ garage door openers also include infrared safety reversing sensors and a contact reversal system that can detect obstructions during the closing process, stop the door from closing, and reverse the door to the fully opened position.

In addition to internet connectivity, Craftsman AssureLink™ Garage Door Openerscome with the following features:

· Soft-start/stop DC motor and chain drive for quiet, durable, operation

· Premium motion detecting wall control with timer-to close feature (program garage door opener to automatically close after one, five, or 10 minutes

· Keyless exterior entry pad

· Three-function remote controls (two)

· 200-watt, twin-panel lighting

· Automatic sleep mode, which conserves energy while the door is not operating

AssureLink™ DC Belt Drive Garage Door Opener with DieHard^® Battery Back-upadds the following:

· DieHard^® Battery Backup, which operates the garage door for up to 20 cycles after the power goes out

· Belt drive (steel reinforced), for the ultimate in quiet, durable, operation

· Upgraded wall control that adds LCD screen with time, temp, and garage door opener diagnostic functioning

Specifications

· Drive type: Chain (#30437) or Belt (#3043)

· Motor type: DC motor

· Voltage: 120-volt

· Certifications: UL (Underwriters Laboratories and FCC Federal Communications Commission) product certifications

· Motor warranty: Limited 10 year

· Carton dimensions (inches): 10.0W x 27.25L x 13.1H

· Shipping weight: 34.8 lbs. (#30437) and 37.8 lbs. (#3043)

The Craftsman AssureLink™ DC Chain Drive Garage Door Opener and AssureLink™ Garage Door Opener with DieHard^® Battery Back-up are available now in Sears stores nationwide and at www.craftsman.com. The AssureLink™ DC Chain Drive Garage Door Opener, Model #30437, will be sold for $289.99. The AssureLink™ DC Belt Drive Garage Door Opener with DieHard^® Battery Back-up, Model #3043, will be sold for $329.99. For a limited time, purchasers of AssureLink™ Garage Door Openers will receive one year free AssureLink™ internet gateway activation. Beginning with year two, there will be an annual activation fee of $19.99, or less than $2 per month.

For more than 80 years, the Craftsman brand has developed innovative products. To learn more about The Craftsman brand’s assortment of hand tools, power tools and lawn equipment, visitwww.craftsman.com, www.facebook.com/craftsman or one of the many Sears stores nationwide. The 2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study, conducted online by Harris Interactive, awarded Craftsman Brand of the Year in the Power Tool category.

*Annual activation fee required. See craftsman.com for details.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

DVD Review - How I Met Your Mother Season 6

About the DVD
Take a comedic trip down memory lane with Ted Mosby as he re-lives the story about his single life in New York with his best friends and the tale of how he met his soul mate when How I Met Your Mother Season 6: The New Is Always Better Edition arrives on DVD September 27 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Golden Globe® and Emmy Award® nominee Neil Patrick Harris (“Doogie Howser, M.D.”) leads a stellar ensemble cast including Alyson Hannigan (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”), Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Josh Radnor (“Freaks & Geeks”) and Cobie Smulders (“The L Word”) in the hit comedy that dissects the trials and tribulations of dating life in New York City. The show is narrated by an older version of Ted (Bob Saget; “Full House”) as he fondly recalls adventures from his single days with his friends to his children.

How I Met Your Mother Season 6: The New Is Better Edition comes with all 24 episodes and is filled with hilarious never-before-seen footage including deleted scenes, featurettes, a gag reel, commentaries, an extended performance of “Stand By Me” and much more. The ARP for the DVD is $29.99.

The highly acclaimed series and Emmy Award® winner, "How I Met Your Mother," is a comedy about Ted's (Josh Radnor) hilarious journey to meeting his future wife. It all started when Ted's best friend, Marshall (Jason Segel), dropped the bombshell that he was going to propose to his long-time girlfriend, and now wife, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realized that he had better get a move on if he too hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a friend with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted met Robin (Cobie Smulders), it was love at first sight, but when things didn't work out, Ted realized destiny must have something else in store. The series is narrated though flashbacks from the future.

My Take on the DVD
I have been watching this series ever since the beginning and every subsequent season seemed to get better and better. This last season in my opinion was one of the best that I had seen and this set truly captures the best if the writing that you either saw in its original premiere or now in this series. What I love about the show is the humor and the writing. Also, the characters in the show are so memorable. I have always loved Barney's characters are!

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

DVD Review - Lie to Me Season 3

About the DVD
Complete your collection and experience the final adventure of this thought-provoking and highly addictive series when “LIE TO ME” The Complete Third and Final Season comes to DVD October 4th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Inspired by the scientific discoveries of a real life psychologist who can interpret clues embedded in the human face, body and voice, this enthralling drama series exposes the truth and deception in compelling mysteries. Follow Cal and The Lightman Group one last time as they tackle new investigations, detect deception, and take a closer look at their suspects and each other.

Featuring an all-star cast, Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth) heads a team of experts at The Lightman Group who assists federal law enforcement, government agencies, local police and private individuals with their most difficult cases by focusing on the details everyone miss. Dr. Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams) is a gifted psychologist and Lightman’s professional partner brings balance to the partnership by looking at the bigger picture. Eli Loker (Brendan Hines) is Lightman’s lead researcher who is fascinated by herd mentality and group think. He says everything on his mind and often pays the price. Lightman’s protégé Ria Torres (Monica Raymund) is one of the few “naturals” in the field of deception detection. Her raw, untrained ability to read people makes her a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Lightman discovers the truth is harder to face at home, as his teenage daughter, Emily Lightman (Hayley McFarland), begins dating.

Filled with never-before-seen bonus features, “LIE TO ME” The Complete Third and Final Season is the ultimate must-have DVD.

My Take on the DVD
This DVD brings home the series for anyone that has been following the series in the past. The series is compelling and has characters that you will never forget. I missed seeing most of the last season of this so I was excited to see how they would pull it all together. The DVD's were totally complete and I was amazed at the writing within the show as it was truly engaging and entertaining. The show was definitely addictive and I found that I could not stop watching the shows and I know that you won't be able to either!

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Stopain Offers Relief when you Need it

About the Product
Created by a California pharmacist, sold on QVC, now stocked in stores across the United States!

It is perhaps natural to assume that a successful nationally sold brand such as Stopain is the product of a faceless international corporation. But it couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, this highly effective pain relief brand has been nurtured by only a handful of dedicated professionals from its beginnings through to today. To a person,they believe in the power of the product they sell and take great pride in helping millions of pain suffers find immediate relief from their aches and agonies.

My Take on the Product

As I get older I find that I ache in places I have never ached before and I try to find solutions that work and work well. Stopain is one product that I have found that works extremely well. What I like best about this product is that too often you find yourself having creams or topical agents that smell terrible, that can stain your clothes or that are just messy overall. Stopain is none of these. Instead, Stopain take the immediate opposite tact and allows people to work on their pain with any of these worries. All you have to focus on is getting rid of the pain which is what you want to get rid of in the first place. So if you are dealing with pain and you are looking for a different option, look no further than this product!

Monday, September 26, 2011

CD Review - Lady Antebellum: Own the Night

About the CD
After selling out every city on the group's first-ever headlining tour, multi-platinum group Lady Antebellum announced that they will launch the first leg of their Own The Night 2011 Tour on Nov. 11 in Knoxville, Tenn.

The first leg of the 21-city arena tour will feature special guest Josh Kelley and a combination Eden’s Edge and Randy Montana in the opening slot. Tickets for the opening night in Knoxville, Tenn. will be available on Aug. 26 to the public.

Own The Night 2011 Tour
11/11 Knoxville, Tenn. Knoxville Coliseum*
11//12 Macon, Ga. Macon Centreplex*
11/13 Pikeville, Ky. East Kentucky Expo Center*
11/16 El Paso, Texas El Paso County Coliseum*
11/17 Phoenix, Ariz. Grand Canyon University*
11/18 Las Vegas, Nev. The Joint @ The Hard Rock*
11/25 Huntsville, Ala. Von Braun Civic Center**
11/26 Florence, S.C. Florence Civic Center**
11/27 Savannah, Ga. Savannah Civic Center**
12/1 Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Springs World Arena**
12/2 Lubbock, Texas City Bank Coliseum**
12/3 Wichita Falls, Texas Kay Yeager Coliseum**
12/4 Belton, Texas Bell County Expo Center**
12/8 La Crosse, Wis. La Crosse Center Arena**
12/9 Sioux City, Iowa Tyson Center**
12/10 Springfield, Mo. JQH Arena**
12/11 Murray, Ky. CFSB Center**
12/15 Amherst, Mass. The Mullins Center**
12/16 Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Mohegan Sun Arena**
12/17 Roanoke, Va. Roanoke Civic Center**
12/18 Morgantown, W.Va. WVU Coliseum**

*Tour Dates with Randy Montana
**Tour Dates with Eden’s Edge

For a full list of tour dates and ticket info, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

More on Own The Night:

After sweeping the 2011 GRAMMY Awards earlier this year, the singer/songwriters returned to Nashville to focus on writing and recording the follow up to their top selling NEED YOU NOW.

“We took more time to write and record this record than we've ever done before,” says Charles Kelley. “I remember looking at Hillary and Dave at the GRAMMYs this year, on the wildest night of our lives, and saying 'this is amazing…we'll never get to experience a moment like this again, but now we have to go home and get to work.'"

"We're definitely more in tune with each other musically and personally than ever," said Haywood. "It's an exciting place to be. This album was created from the ground up—we are writing these songs, playing these instruments and creating these arrangements. With OWN THE NIGHT, more than ever before, I think we share a real feeling of accomplishment both as a band and as friends.”

“One of our favorite songs on the new record is called 'We Owned The Night,' which is about a special once-in-a-lifetime moment, and we thought that naming the album around that same sentiment was really appropriate," says Hillary Scott. "It's also about the experience we want to create every night in concert for our fans…together, we own the night!"

For a preview of Lady Antebellum’s new single, "We Owned The Night," Click Here:http://www.thegreenroompr.com/ladyantebellum.html

Lady Antebellem Official Site: http://ladyantebellum.com/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ladyantebellum

Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/ladyantebellum

MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/ladyantebellum

YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/LadyAntebellum

My Take on the CD
Even though this group has become amazingly popular in a short amount of time, this CD shows that they have not lost track of their roots. With many of the songs holding onto the country roots in which the band was founded, the CD was a breath of fresh air and demonstrates their versatility and range. The song "Own the Night" is one of my favorites on the CD, so much so I did want to share it with you all here. So many of the songs on this album touch your emotions and make you see and feel the beauty of the music as well as the emotions of the human condition. This was a great album!

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 Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Handvibes Offer Fun for All Kids!

The Handvibes are novelty rubber rings with interesting words on them in different colors. Featuring words and sayings such as “Rad,” “BFF,” “Epic,” “Dude,” “Boo-Yah,” “ROFL” and many more, HandVibes are a fun way for kids to display their attitudes on their fingertips. Adding to the collectability of HandVibes are ten rare black or blue swirl emoticon designs featuring smiley faces, winks, smirks and more, which are randomly inserted into just one out of every six ring packs. Since HandVibes are sold in packs with two visible rings plus a third ‘Mystery Ring’ contained in a hidden compartment, every purchase will have an element of surprise as kids discover if their Mystery Ring is one of the rare emoticon designs.

www.handvibes.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HandVibes/189269214458822

With nine vibrant colors, 25 unique sayings and ten hard-to-find emoticon designs for a total of 235 unique rings in all, HandVibes are poised to become the newest craze in kids’ collectible, tradable fashion.

My Take on the RingsT
hese rings were fun and my daughters thought that they were cool. I was provided with two variety packets so I was able to try out six rings (Yes I said six... as at first it looks like only two rings, but then you are surprised to find that there is an extra one). When I gave them to my daughters they wanted to put them on right away. The words that I received were appropriate. I checked out the website and saw that there were so many ones that were available (some of which were ones that I did not think my daughters needed to wear). All-in-all though these were a new take on the silly ring as they had the fun saying on them. They also are much thicker than silly bandz or silly ringz. I did like these and I know my daughters did also. If they are a baromoter of the future, these rings may have a BIG future!

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 Disclaimer 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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