Rave and Review

Däv Rain Boots Review and Giveaway

Every woman needs a fabulous pair of rain boots.  Why?  Because it rains everywhere.  The Pacific Northwest, in particular, sees more than their fair share of inclement weather and rain is just a natural part of life around here.  But, no matter where you are, being prepared with a great pair of comfortable rain boots makes you almost excited to see those rain clouds roll in.  Almost. 

When I first found the Däv Rain site, I couldn’t have been more thrilled.  Däv Rain truly makes boots for every woman, with so many styles and colors available for every taste that it’s nearly impossible not to fall in love with at least one pair.  I should know; I have completely fallen for just about their entire collection of boots and rain gear for both adults and children.  They have high heeled boots, sporty boots, sneaker boots, and even boots that look like a dress pump or cowboy boot, as well as umbrellas, bags and more to make even the wettest and most miserable day that much more bearable.

Sporty and sleek: I first fell in love with Däv Rain for their sporty style of boots that I was sure would be perfect for gardening, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and chasing after kids on playgrounds.  I loved that their boots came with a Poron insert for maximum comfort and shock absorption, and that they had some of the cutest and most stylish boot options I had ever seen, as well as accessories that coordinated and added extra flair.  With numerous flat soled boots available in both traditional and funky patterns and designs, I would be hard pressed to pick an absolute favorite. 

One of the first ones that stood out to me and made it to the actual test drive was the Victoria Scot Boot, which has numerous features that makes these very traditional looking boots anything but ordinary.  This English riding boot style rain gear has a rubber spur-stop and an original hand-drawn print that is both classic and eye-catching, but when paired with the corset back lacing, the result is really beautiful.  The fleece lining means that they can even be worn with short socks, so if a day suddenly turns cloudy and grey you won’t have to pick up socks as well.  I absolutely love how comfortable these boots are, even for long days walking in rain, mud and dirt, and find myself looking for reasons to wear them.  And lucky for me, even though these boots are bold and colorful, they go with a surprisingly large chunk of my wardrobe and can actually help dress up even my blandest rain clothing.  Available in size 5-11 US whole sizes and comes with vinyl drawstring bag for easy storage.

Fashion and Fun: Next, I found Däv’s Fashion Solid Rain Boot and I actually didn’t realize it was made of rubber at first, since it looked so sleek and sophisticated.  I had been on the hunt for a fabulous pair of boots to wear through the Fall and Winter with a 2”-3” heel and was coming up with nothing that was comfortable enough to wear longer than to the mailbox and back.  But, when I slipped on the high heeled Däv Fashion Solid and zipped it up, I was instantly in love.  Not only are they supremely comfortable and fit my very hard-to-fit foot perfectly, I loved that they didn’t look like rain boots at all.  With the exception of an almost imperceptible line that runs down the length of the boot, the Däv Fashion Solid Rain Boot looks like a high quality leather boot and even fooled my shoe-loving little sister at her initial inspection. 

In fact, these Fashion Rainboots are some of my cutest footwear I own, and go with just about everything.  They can literally go from garden to gala and back while still remaining comfortable enough for long distance and daily wear.  I am normally the last person to fall in love with a heel of any size, but I was absolutely shocked by how comfortable these boots are.  I don’t know if it’s the rubber heel, the Poron insert, or something else entirely, but these boots add a little bounce to your walk that cushions your foot with each step and makes these substantial rubber boots feel surprisingly lightweight.  Available in sizes 4/5, 6/7, 8/9 and 10/11 US, comes with vinyl drawstring bag for easy storage.  

Raingear and Accessories:  Däv Rain makes a full line of bags, umbrellas, socks and more that compliment or match their footwear and can withstand drizzle and pour.  From printed designs to chic and sophisticated, their rain accessories are some of the cutest I have ever seen.  And lucky for me, they can be used in Seattle year-round!

Children’s Boots and More: If you thought Däv Rain Gear was cute in adult sizes, well, you’re not going to be able to take the kind of cute that is Däv’s new Kid’s Line.  From miniature versions of the Sporty Däv Boots for women to the rubber cowboy boots to boots that look like sneakers, the Däv Kid’s Line has some serious personality and still has all the quality features of their larger counterparts. 

I love that their Kid’s Sport Line has a thick clear transparent outsole over the patterned boot, with reinforced seams and toe, as well as having a wider ankle opening to allow for thick layered socks to take these boots into mild winters.  The Sport treads are textured and grippy, and the Leopard Print boot even has animal tracks across the bottom so kids can really leave their mark in the mud.  Umbrellas and accessories are also available for kids to allow for maximum puddle jumping enjoyment.  Available in 10 – 2.5 US Kids sizes.

In Love:  I would have never guessed this, but it turns out rain boots are the way to my heart, more so than chocolates or champagne.  Every time I think of my Däv Rainboots my heart skips a beat or two and I think of yet another place that Däv would make less dreary.  So this is what it’s like to be in love with your footwear.  

Price: $30 for Kid Boots and starting at $60 for Adult Boots.  Umbrellas and accessories starting at $30

http://www.davrain.com/
   
And now for the Giveaway...

One Rave and Review reader will win a pair of Däv rainboots of their very own!  To enter, just visit Däv Rain and tell me which boot you would choose, in either the women's or the children's collection and your color preference. 

This Giveaway is CLOSED.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to:

ANA CELINA, she said...

City Houndstooth
Black

On December 30th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

A HUGE thank you to Dav for making the rainy season bearable with their super cute line of rainboots, and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this rave review. 

Shutter Buddy Review and Giveaway

Have you ever watched people as they take pictures?  It can be pretty amusing to observe as they squint and contort their face and/or body as a means to get that perfect shot.  When someone is attempting to get a great picture of a baby, now that’s when the real comedy starts.

You see people playing peek-a-boo with their camera, shaking their keys around, babbling some sort of high pitched baby language that we all swore we would  never utter, and for really tough babies, calling in for backup.  That’s when everyone in the room is huddled around the photographer, cooing and waving their arms, all of them babbling crazily at the poor subject, trying to hold baby’s eye so they can direct their gaze back to the camera. 

Of course, all these attractions seem to rarely grab baby’s attention and seldom do you get that perfect shot you were hoping for.  That’s why new parents take a million pictures of their kids - so the chances of them taking at least one or two shots for the scrapbook are much greater. 

The Shutter Buddy is a simple tool that was designed by a dad who thought taking pictures of babies would be a whole lot easier if he could somehow make the baby interested in the camera, instead of bringing in the whole dog and pony show to get their attention.  The Shutter Buddy was the result of an almost failed Christmas picture shoot in which he was trying desperately to get at least one good picture of his daughter under the Christmas tree. 

The Shutter Buddy solution is brilliant in its simplicity; It simply slips onto your camera and secures with elastic bands to create a squared-off flared shield over the camera to help grab baby’s attention.  The Shutter Buddy is covered with black and white checkered fabric and red trim, reminiscent of the baby toys designed by psychologists that are said to be more intriguing for babies with their limited color palette.  

The Shutter Buddy slipped nicely onto the two point and shoot cameras we tried, and didn’t cover the lens or flash as the directions specify.  We were still able to take pictures easily with the Shutter Buddy on, but did have to be careful not to let the contraption shift and cover either as we snapped away.  As an extra bonus, we found that the Shutter Buddy was also great on our blackberry phones and still allowed full use of the camera and built-in flash. 

But, what made the Shutter Buddy one of my favorite baby photo accessories ever was that it can fit over my SLR’s lenses as well, with no need to secure with the elastic straps.  It didn’t work over my really chunky wide angle lenses, but did fine for standard sized Minolta lenses nicely.  As an added bonus that we only found once we started using it on the SLR lenses we loved that the auto focus feature actually made the Shutter Buddy rotate and move from side to side while we got ready for the shot.  Unfortunately, the Shutter Buddy does render the pop-up flash useless, but since I rarely use the on-board flash (especially when photographing babies), I really can’t see it becoming that much of an issue. 

The Shutter Buddy is quick to remove and can be easily placed in a camera bag for impromptu photo shoots on the fly.  The design is great in that it takes up minimal space when folded in half, but can be ready whenever your little subject is.

Price: $19.99

www.shutter-buddy.com

And now for the Giveaway...

One Rave and Review reader will win a Shutter Buddy of their very own!  To enter, just visit Shutter Buddy and tell me who this would help you photograph or tell me a bad photo experience you've had and how the Shutter Buddy would have helped. 

This Giveaway is CLOSED.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Chelsea who has won the Shutter Buddy!

A thank you to Shutter Buddy for providing their invention be reviewed, and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this rave review.

Darda Victory Lane NASCAR Race Set Giveaway

The first time I saw a Darda racetrack set, I couldn’t help but think that it looked like it had been designed by kids.  Surely no grown up would dare put so many twists and loops in a racetrack.  They would, of course, know that even little toy cars have to obey the laws of gravity.

Yet, almost every one of the Darda tracks has not only loops for the cars to race, but they also have loops that corkscrew through even more loops, then out and around in another loop before flattening out into long straightaways and sweeping curves.  As it turns out, there are some very smart adults working very hard at Darda to make their cars seemingly break all those natural laws we studied in grade school science class with every lap to delight all gravity-defying kids.

It all starts with the Darda track, which comes in a multitude of colors in each set to guarantee that race day at your house will be an eye catching affair.  The track comes in different lengths of curved and straight pieces which are easily assembled using the included instructions, or you are free to use your imagination.  The pieces attach to each other by tabs that slide into grooves on the underside of the track so that each transition is smooth and won’t hinder the cars as they pass.  In some sets there is also a base plate that has the same tabs built in that you use to build up the track on while giving it structure.

All this great track would be useless if you didn’t have cars that could handle it, and Darda makes the fastest in the world at up to 600 scale MPH.  And, even better than that is the fact that they are completely “kid powered” so you don’t have to buy any batteries - ever. To power up a Darda car, you simply push down over the back wheels and then roll the car back and forth before you let it go and away it zooms.

Let me clarify in case you missed the subtlety of that last sentence; Merely pushing the car forwards or backwards a few times powers the car up for it’s high speed journey around the raceway. Unlike wind up cars from our youth where you had to pull it back then hold the tires, lift it up, pull it back again, hold the tires, then put it where you wanted it to start from, the Darda cars can simply roll back and forth and then roll up to the starting line. And in another example of modern technology, you can’t over crank the cars, meaning that even the littlest racers can help without leaving their car sputtering to a stop just after the starting line.

We received the Victory Lane NASCAR Race Set, which combines side by side racing with Darda’s imaginative and expansive tracks. One of the coolest parts of this track (and my daughter’s favorite) is that it has a start/finish line that actually holds the cars in place until you hit the green start button. Of course, she likes to start the race with one push of a button, and then run to the straightaway and last curve to watch the cars finish. 

These little cars are fast, and it really is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of thing, so we really appreciate that when the first car crosses the finish line, the track has a little checkered flag that turns to point at the winner. This single addition to the track will certainly save us all from countless arguments over which car really won.  Between this and the push button start, which virtually eliminates the argument that someone let their car go early or held on to their opponent’s longer, you are almost guaranteed a fair race.  A collective sigh of relief is heard from all parents, everywhere.

Now, all that’s left to argue about is who gets what car...

Price: $64.99 for the Victory Lane Nascar Race Track, with other Darda Race Tracks available

Visit www.dardatoys.com to see the choices!

And now for the Giveaway...

One Rave and Review reader will win a Darda Track Set of their very own, with your choice of the Victory Lane ($65) set or the Power Loop Pyramid ($70)!  To enter, just visit Darda Toys and tell me which Darda set you would love to have if money were not an issue and why you chose that set.  Remember to tell me whether you would like the Victory Lane or Power Loop Pyramid in your comment!

This Giveaway is CLOSED.  Thank you to all who have entered and congrats to Margaret who has won the Darda Power Loop Pyramid!

A personal thank you to Darda Toys for providing the Victory Lane Set be reviewed, and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this rave review.

The Pretty Peacock Personalized Jewelry Giveaway

There are two things that all mothers want; the first is obviously sleep, and the second is a way of keeping their babies close even when they have to be apart.  The Pretty Peacock offers one of the most extensive selections of personalized and custom jewelry pieces to keep your babies near and has some of the most reasonable prices anywhere. 

The Pretty Peacock’s newest creation is the Guardian of Treasure pendant that focuses on that instinctual desire to keep your children close while offering protection from all harm.  The handcrafted pendant is made from an eco-friendly fine silver that has been patterned, textured and then formed into a graceful “nest” shape.  Beautiful silver “eggs” are then placed inside the nest to represent each member of the family. 

The Guardian of Treasure pendant is looped through an adjustable silver chain so that it doesn’t slide around while you wear it, and then finished off with The Pretty Peacock logo delicately inscribed in the adjustable toggle.  The piece may be a little smaller than a dime in diameter, but it sure does make a big impression.  It is delicate, refined and dainty enough to be worn every day but yet unique enough to be a conversation piece. 

Any parent can understand the symbolism of the nest as shelter and security, but the piece is all the more powerful when opened with the “Guardian of Treasure” poem by Richard Macwilliam.  This has become especially poignant to me as I am feeling the first of many “growing pains” as my daughter is asserting her own independence for the first time ever and is just now walking fearlessly on her own. 

I know there will be a time in which she walks alongside me unassisted, and then a time when she walks away from me, but I will never stop wishing I could be there to shield her from all of life’s pain and disappointments.  This little pendant serves as my reminder that even though that time will come, I will never truly be away from her because she will know that no matter what, I will be there waiting for her when she comes running back into my arms.

In addition to the Guardian of Treasure pendant, The Pretty Peacock offers an extensive line of personalized jewelry and designs, with special requests and designs always welcomed.  In fact, it seems like The Pretty Peacock has a new design every week, each one just as beautiful as the last.  Another favorite of mine is the Silver Sparklettes, which are adorable patterned and jewel inlaid taglettes that you can customize with initials and birthstones.   

Random Rave: If you are looking for guy’s jewelry or unique accessories for a certain man in your life and are frustrated by the incredibly limited men’s jewelry options, you should definitely check out The Pretty Peacock.  Besides the standard cufflinks, they have chunky men’s rings, bracelets, and even silver guitar picks.  My hubby doesn’t usually get too excited about jewelry, but even he had a few favorites in the guy section.   

In addition to very reasonable jewelry prices, The Pretty Peacock is offering a 10% discount to Rave and Review readers by using the discount code "RAVE" until Dec. 31st!  Remember that personalized jewelry should be ordered by December 4th to be delivered by Christmas!

http://www.theprettypeacock.com/

 And now for the Giveaway...

One Rave and Review reader will win a Silver Sparklettes Personalized Piece of their very own from The Pretty Peacock! To enter, just visit The Pretty Peacock and tell me something you would love to give this Holiday Season. 

 

 

 This Giveaway is CLOSED.  Thank you to all who have entered and congrats to Bridgette who has won the Sparklettes Taglettes from the Pretty Peacock!

A personal thank you to The Pretty Peacock for providing the Guardian of Treasure Pendant be reviewed, and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this rave review.

 

Random Rave: Thankful

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to do something a little different today.  Instead of raving about a product or service I love, I thought I would do a post raving about all that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for:

A daughter who simply enchants everyone that she meets, starting first with hubby and I.  I guess I hadn’t realized I had a hole in my life that just happened to be exactly her size, but I will never stop being grateful for her and the fact that being her mom makes me the luckiest woman on earth.

High school boyfriends that turn into husbands and then into fathers, and the fact that I have already grown “old” with the man that I love.  Twelve years in and I still love him more every passing year and yet still managed to be surprised that he loves me back.   

Six sisters who are also my best friends, even though they knew me in high school.  Six people I can call at all hours of the night, six people that know me better than anyone else and six people who have forgiven me for the “experimental hair dye” phase.

Five brothers who know how to walk the thin line between protector and pal, and can always be counted on when you need them most.  Every girl needs a brother (or 5), especially little girls who think they can play like the big kids and are constantly finding themselves in situations where the water is just too deep.  

Nieces and nephews that shook me out of that teenage funk and made me realize how loving someone unconditionally makes you enjoy all aspects of life more.  I love that I am aunt to the positively silliest, cutest and most lovable kids anywhere.   

A Mom who put up with 5 times more dirty diapers, sleepless nights, kids’ messes and heartache than I’ve had to, and yet still managed to make motherhood look fun.  I can only hope that my daughter’s memories of me have as much laughter and life.

A Dad who let me figure out my mistakes on my own but never stopped holding the safety net for me, even after I insisted I was fine on my own.  Now that I’m a parent myself, I know that there is no net big enough to protect against all of life’s pain and sadness, but that won’t stop me from holding the largest one I can create under my daughter.  And, just like my Dad has done for me, this net will be there forever…especially when she insists she’s fine on her own. 

My daughter’s grandparents (and “greats”!) that are the classic example of what being a grandparent is all about and who make it clear that their love is absolutely unconditional.  Some day she will know how lucky she is to be surrounded by so much love and laughter. 

A family tree that is stuffed with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and the “great” version of them all.  There is never a shortage of people to see, friends to go out with, and willing babysitters and I am never alone unless I choose to be.  I only wish everyone was as lucky as we are to have such a wonderful and loving family that is truly involved in our lives. 

Friends to pretend to do yoga with just so our kid’s can run around together.  As much as the kids really need time with each other, it’s nice to have a group of moms that realize playdates are as much about parents as they are about kids. 

A house that was built, furnished, decorated, and even painted with love.  I never dreamed I would live somewhere with a whole cabinet just for tea or with a space designated for pirates, but now I can’t imagine having it any other way.

Our stacks and stacks of pictures and albums that prove that we really did all those things that created our wonderful memories.  Those pictures cover 4 continents of exploration with hubby, our annual family vacations at the beach, weddings, birthdays, 4 generations of family, and all the daily joys of being a sister, daughter, cousin, niece, granddaughter, aunt, wife, and now mother.

The four beautiful seasons of Seattle and the fact that there is so much to see and do that is just a car ride away.  As much as I would love a few more sunny weekends a year, I just can’t see ever moving away for good. 

Making the time to really fill out my daughter’s baby book before all the little memories faded.  Sometimes I look at her and I have the hardest time seeing that baby I brought home from the hospital and remembering all those little moments of having a newborn, but every time I reread her baby book, it’s like I’m reliving it all over again. 

All my wonderful readers that take the time to reach out to me and remind me that I’m not here talking to myself.  As much as I am so grateful to all of the opportunities this website as afforded our family and all of the fun we have had testing, reviewing and writing about the fun we have as a family, I never forget that it is our readers that truly make this all possible.  If there is ever anything any of you need, or help that I can offer, just let me know… but in the meantime, be sure and enter to win one of the 14 (and counting) giveaways we have going on and take a piece of Rave and Review home with you

Happy Thanksgiving from Rave and Review!

Skin MD Shielding Lotion Giveaway

Sometimes it feels like I wash my hands 200 times a day, but in reality, it’s probably only 195 times.  Between diapers, dishes, drool, toddler messes and a job that requires frequent hand washing, I’m pretty crazy about hand cleanliness.  And although germaphobes would thank me for my anti-bacterial due diligence, I have a really hard time keeping my hands from cracking and bleeding in cold weather.

I’ve tried numerous lotions and creams to try and reverse the damage done by frequent washing, but I have had a hard time finding one that works but yet doesn’t leave me feeling greasy and my hands slippery.  Skin MD Shielding Lotion was the first one that really did work to heal my skin, but wasn’t oily or heavy like the others I had tried.

So, what is Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion?  Shielding lotions, such as Skin MD, add moisture as well as creating a barrier over your skin to prevent moisture loss.  The Skin MD website says that the Natural Shielding Lotion increases skin’s natural ability to protect and hydrate.  It states that by utilizing the latest developments in skin care technology, Skin MD protects against dangerous toxins and irritants as well as reducing the loss of natural oils and moisture.  Sure, that sounds wonderful, but how does it work?  Honestly, I couldn’t be happier with it. 

I love that the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion soaks into my skin almost immediately and leaves my hands, face and body feeling clean and fresh, but yet still seems to work better than the heavy creams.  I’ve been using the Skin MD lotion for a few weeks now, and my skin looks and feels better than it did before I started using the Shielding Lotion.  Even after a whole sink full of dishes or a prolonged baby bath time, my hands feel much more hydrated and haven’t been cracking and bleeding like they were before I started using it. 

Even better, though is that Skin MD was the first one that passed the hubby test.  He happens to hate lotions of all kinds and the greasy feeling they leave behind, and refuses to even hold my hand after I apply lotion.  With the Skin MD Shielding Lotion, he doesn’t even know that I’m wearing anything at all since lotion is unscented my skin just feels fresh and clean.  It also is paraben free, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and dermatology tested.

The only real problem I’ve had is remembering to apply the lotion periodically throughout the day.  Since I’m on the go from the moment I wake up, I tend to set things down in one room and forget to grab them when I leave, so it takes all my concentration to remember my daughter, baby necessities, my phone and my head, so lotion unfortunately, usually gets overlooked.  I think I’ve found a solution for the perpetual lotion hunt, and that is always having a few bottles of Skin MD on hand. 

Overall, I love the Skin MD Shielding Lotion and I really want to try the Skin MD SPF 15 Shielding Lotion as well since I’m prone to burning in even overcast conditions, so I am going to buy some SPF lotion to use every morning, and then keep a bottle of Shielding Lotion in my purse, at my desk, and on every level of the house.   

Price: $18 for a 4oz bottle, the very definition of a little goes a long way.  Can you say stocking stuffer?

http://www.skinmdnatural.com/

And now for the Giveaway...

One Rave and Review reader will win a Skin MD Shielding Lotion of their very own! To enter, just visit Skin MD and tell me something you are excited about. 

 And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review - link in top right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

4) Place my button or my 2009 Gift Guide logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

6) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Divine Caroline or Top Baby Blogs, logos are in right sidebar (daily entry)

On December 19th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

A big thank you to Skin MD for providing the Shielding Lotion \to be reviewed, and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this review.

   

Toy Industry Association Launches Two New Consumer Websites

Every parent wants the best possible toys and games for their kids, items that have the highest safety ratings and toys that won't get discarded minutes after they've been opened. Just in time for the Holidays, the independent Toy Industry Association (TIA) has launched two web sites for consumers that help parents sort out what toys are the best for their kids.

· ToyInfo.org provides you with information to choose the right toys for your family and how to make the most of playtime with your little one. From toy safety facts to free downloadable play guides, the new site is a one-stop resource for caregivers and parents to discover everything about toys and play.  They even have a toy history timeline that shows classic toys and their popularity throughout the years.  I don't know about you, but I have a weakness for classic toys and history, so this was quite possibly my favorite part of the site.

· Toyawards.org lists the best toys of the year, as selected by toy industry experts. The site showcases the top toys nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) broken down into categories of play. Not only will you discover which toys the experts think are best, but for the first time on the Toy Awards site, kids and parents can register for one (or more) of 12 prize packages, and can also vote for their favorite toys. Visitors to www.toyawards.org will find descriptions of each TOTY-nominated toy and links to each manufacturer’s website where they can access more detailed information.  To help make toy shopping easy, the Toy Awards site features a free, downloadable gift shopping list which parents and caregivers can take with them to stores to aid in selecting the most innovative and desirable toys this holiday season.  I was happy to note that quite a few of the toys we've profiled this year are included in the TOTY Awards, with even more to come!

What do you think about the new TIA sites?  Is there another site (besides this one, naturally)that you go to for advice and gift ideas for children?

Be sure to check out our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide and enter to win some really awesome prizes - with thousands more to come!! 

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Holiday Gift Guides Around the Mom Blogs

Are you loving the 2009 Holiday Guft Guide and all the fabulous prizes we're giving away this Holiday Season?  Stay tuned for even more great reviews and giveaways in the coming weeks and chances to win thousands more in giveaways!

If you're looking for even more great Holiday Gift Guide sites, be sure to check out the following links for some great prizes and reviews to give you great gift ideas for everyone on your list:

Holiday shopping season is here again and the Global Influence network has some great gift ideas for you, tried and tested by real moms. Click on the links to check out what our team of reviewers had to say about each of these gift ideas, and then take a moment to enter our fun giveaway and take a chance at winning some of these fabulous products.

Featured Reviews

  Pouchees - Busy moms need all the help they can get to stay organized and keep life as simple as possible. The Pouchee is the perfect solution to keeping all those little things together, putting everything you need, right at your fingertips.

Duck Hunter - Duck Hunter turns the excitement of the hunt into an activity the whole family can enjoy. Launch the duck in the air and try to hunt it down with the toy shooter as it flies freely in the air. A fun choice for those who love outdoor sporting.  Stay tuned for the full review in our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide!!

CardStore cards -Personalized holiday cards are an important item on everyone's to-do list and often a hassle to create and print. Cardstore.com has everything from family photo cards to invitations for your big holiday party, simplifying your holiday season.

Great Holiday Gift Ideas Things Remembered Custom Couture Jewelry Just Elfin' Around Card Cubby Harumika By Bandai Harumika Runway Showstopper Harumika Style Starter Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo Strawberry Shortcake Playset Kota Monty Rex Wall to Wall Basketball Nerf Pocket Vortex Busy Ball Popper Talking Chuck Truck Leapfrog My Pal Scout Leapfrog Tag Jr Leapfrog Scribble and Write Animal Planet Polar Land Playset Animal Planet Dinosaur Playmat Onionhead Adult/Teen Feelings Pack OnionHead Children's Feelings Pack Onionhead A-Z Feelings Magnet Set FotoboxPlus MeTime Tees

Fun Holiday Giveaway! To enter to win one of the following fabulous prizes, simply fill out the form here: http://tinyurl.com/y8t92rw Prizes include: Things Remembered Custom Couture Jewelry Pouchee Elfing Around Harumika Onionhead Feelings Pack Nerf Wall to Wall Basketball Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo MeTime T-shirt Entries will close on December 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be contacted by email after the close of the contest.

Global Influence Member Guides! Need more ideas for this holiday season? Check out the guides that some of our Global Influence members have put together on their own sites! Thrifty Jinxy, Happy Healthy Hip , And Twins Make Five , Because Two People Fell In Love, Mommy Musings , Lipstick to Crayons , Bargain Briana , Mommy PR , Shop With Me Mama, Santa Picks, Rave and Review, Connected 2 Christ , 3 Boys and a Dog, The Classy Closet , Contest Corner, Lisa Reviews , A Giveaway Every Day, HulaHoopinMom, Spalibrations, High Impact Mom, From Cribs to Car Keys

All reviews listed in the Global Influence gift guide were product provided. Featured positions were purchased by sponsors. Member gift guides are not affiliated with Global Influence.

SuperStructs Giveaway from GlammaTOYS

We all want the same thing from kids' toys - to encourage our little ones to explore, learn, and interact as well as hold their attention for any length of time, which is why I'm so excited GlammaTOYS.com has compiled a selection of toys that any parent can appreciate.  Specializing in Toys that Teach, GlammaTOYS is an e-retailer of educational toys as well as specialty toys, games and gifts.  They carry over 4,000 toys that spark imaginations, teach valuable skills, and provide hours of play for little ones. 

Their diverse selection of toys for kids of all ages includes classic offerings as well as some of the hottest new releases in children’s toys.  We got to pick from a selection of some of their bestsellers for review, including a fort building kit, learning kits, and imagination building products.  Because it’s pink and girly, we chose the SuperStructs Pinklets Fairy Garden building set for ages 3 and up. 

The Fairy Garden Pinklets are buildable sets that contain plastic dowels, connectors, flowers and wheels to allow you to create an unlimited number of SuperStruct vehicles, people, structures and play sets.  The SuperStruct Pinklets Fairy Garden set contains 110 building and decorating pieces in a hard cardboard 6.5" x 6.5" x 13.25" (LxWxH) canister for storage.  The set is, of course, geared towards those with a love of pink and fairy-like, which makes it one of the only building sets made just for girls.  As a girl who always loved to build and create, I know I would have put this set on top of my wishlist and it turns out my daughter wholeheartedly agrees. 

If she had her way, we would play with the SuperStructs Pinklets set every day and build her little characters (one of which is a dinosaur) a playground or vehicle for them to drive in.  The set includes designs to build 5 structures and two fun fairies, but the fun certainly doesn’t stop there.  A little bit of creativity and imagination and you can create almost anything!  I am really excited to add to our SuperStructs collection and eventually have enough pieces to create a whole garden or playground scene for her, but for now she doesn’t mind building and playing with one or two structures at a time. 

I love it when I find a really cool online toy retailer that makes buying toys easy and GlammaTOYS is definitely one of those stores.

Some other really great things about the GlammaTOYS site:

1) They offer all sorts of ways to save parents money, including FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75. 

2) They also have a Customer Loyalty Rewards program. Every purchase you make at GlammaTOYS earns GlammaBUCKS Rewards Points that can be used towards future purchases at GlammaTOYS! Click here for full details on their customer loyalty program.

3) If that’s not enough, they also offer a Refer-A-Friend program. You'll receive a Gift Certificate worth $5 for each friend you refer, that can be used towards the purchase of any toys or games they sell, and your friends will save 10% on their first order! Click here for full details on that program.

4) GlammaTOYS also offers a special program for teachers and other educators called Educator's Corner. They offer 10% off their regular selling price on toys and games for classroom use to educators of grades Pre-K through 12 as well as Double Rewards points when purchasing for classroom use. Click here to find out more.

5) They also have a wonderful program for children with Special Needs, which I think is really cool. Click here to find a list of toy categories organized by area of need and recommendations from their Advisory Board.  You'll find extremely useful information about the benefits of the toys they offer in relation to specific Special Needs, as well as answers to many common questions.

https://glammatoys.com/  If you would like to have any items that you order for Christmas arrive on time, you must order them no later than the second week in December!

This Giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Amy P who has won the SuperStructs Pinklets Fairy Garden Set!

A open-ended thank you to Glamma Toys for providing the SuperStructs set to be reviewed, and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this review.