Rave & Review

Cinemek Hitchcock iPhone App Release Party

 

Interior Room

Camera Fade In

[Partygoers fill an industrial loft in Seattle, skyline visible through window]

Narrator: When Cinemek throws a party, you can bet there will be bacon.  No, not fatty bacon strips; that would get grease all over their iPhones. We're talking Bakon Vodka.

 

Celebrating the release of their Hitchcock iPhone app, a mobile storyboard creator that every filmmaker {with an iPhone or iPod Touch} needs to own, the folks at Cinemek whooped it up all night long. Jonathan Houser, the Hitchcock creator and mastermind, was on hand to hold baby and keep us all up well past our bedtimes.

 
[Narrator enters from left]

 

Narrator: If you are a filmmaker, know a filmmaker, or just really love storyboarding in your spare time, you should also know Hitchcock.

 

The app itself is an intelligent and easy to use program that allows you to create photograph driven storyboards from virtually anywhere.  Simple enough to use that us non-filmmakers can jump right in, but complex enough that even a seasoned filmmaker won't outgrow it, the Hitchcock app solves the stick figured storyboard problem for good.  Until now filmmakers had two options for getting their ideas on to paper; they could either learn to draw or hire someone who can. 

 

I had fun creating what I know would be the next big blockbuster (if only I could find a director) with zero history with an iPhone** and even less experience storyboarding. I'd tell you all about it, but then I would run the risk of losing the rights to the film.  Trust me when I tell you it's that good, and we'll leave it at that.  Unless, of course, you're interested in directing a heartwarming movie about two girls (one of them is a giant, the other is regular sized) and they both go visit the pyramids.  Lots of crazy camera angles, pans, tilts and high speed zooms will tell their tale as they each discover that what they are searching for has been right in front of them the whole time: Bacon. It's got blockbuster written all over it.

 

Fade to Black

** please note that no one at Rave and Review owns an iPhone and we have no interest in reviewing iPhone apps. However, we always make an exception when the company, the app and the party are this darn cool.

Portrait Professional - Review and Discount Code

I have found it - the perfect photo editing program for both amateurs and advanced photographers alike.  Portrait Professional is a simple program that is user friendly and intuitive, even for the casual photographer.  Portrait Professional delivers high quality work in a fraction of the time it takes to completely retouch a photograph on other editing programs, and is actually really fun to use. 

I cringe whenever I am doing an hours-long photo shoot and the subject casually says “you’re going to Photoshop these, right?” as if it’s just a button I press and her wrinkles magically disappear on all 3,000 images.  All photographers out there know Photoshop is great, but it does take a lot of time.  The Photoshop masking and layering functions are perfect if you have found The Image and need to make adjustments before you blow that baby up to 16x20, but pixel-by-pixel retouch really is not a huge multi-image photo session option.

 

Before                                   After

Portrait Professional is a simple download from their website and there are no manuals to read or necessary classes to take just to learn the basics.  Instead, the Portrait Professional program walks you through the entire portrait retouching and makes the whole process incredibly easy.  Once you open the Portrait Professional program, a simple “mark-up” stage begins, which asks you to identify certain markers on the face so the program can recognize your subject’s unique facial characteristics.  Once the markers for the portrait are set, the image automatically is altered to clean up imperfections and any lighting or color issues in the original file. 

I’m usually not a huge fan of “automatic fixes” as the result usually overcorrects any issues and tends to undo any purposeful artistic flair I have put into the photograph, but the Portrait Professional program was leagues smarter than I had anticipated.  Their facial recognition is based on an algorithm of biometrics and automatically alters images to fit the extensive Portrait Professional database of the natural beauty we are all drawn to.  Once the program has given you the corrected image, you can simply move sliders to enhance the after image or undo anything the software has auto corrected for you. 

The program offers options to do total facial resculpting as well as enhancing any number of your subject’s features.  You can smooth skin, widen eyes, remove blemishes and even change the color of your subject’s hair in minutes.  Once you’re done with that, you can add a sunkissed skin tone, whiten teeth, thin out the face and neck and then plump up lips – all without plastic surgery.  The program also offers small retouching brushes, but for the most part the image is corrected using the sliders and master control which requires no proficiency in photo retouching tools. 

One of the biggest complaints photographers have with photo retouching software is that usually it is overdone.  The great part about Portrait Professional is that you can see the “before” image in the same window if you’d like, so you don’t find yourself straying too far from the original image.  You can add as much or as little enhancement as you’d like with the uncorrected image to guide you, and you won’t end up with an ultra-retouched image that looks more alien than human when you’re finished.  Sure, you can still create glamour shots of your subjects easily and expertly, but you can also just add a more polished look to even a casual photograph. 

My dad said it best when he said that the Portrait Professional is still you, only better.  Instead of highlighting your blemishes or imperfections, Portrait Professional merely shows you what everyone else sees when they see you, whether that is your beautiful smile or the way your eyes captivate.  And that’s something we all can get behind.

To see a demo of the Portrait Professional software, click HERE

http://www.portraitprofessional.com/

Price: $69.95, with an additional 10% off for Rave and Review readers with the discount code "RR05".  If you aren't sold on it yet, you can download the free trial version and in minutes you can play with and enhance your favorite photos. 

Looks: Like software, naturally.

Overall: A cheap, yet sophisticated photo editing software.

SodaStream Soda Maker - Review and Giveaway

Join the Soda Club

You know that product you just can’t imagine how you got along without but no one seems to have heard about but you?  The SodaStream is absolutely that product, and something not nearly enough people know about.  SodaStream is the maker of a line of at-home carbonating systems that allow you to make your own soda and seltzer water in just seconds.  It’s eco-friendly, it’s delicious, and most of all, it’s by far the most fun I’ve ever had with fizzy water.   

When hubby was younger he had family friends that had what he still refers to as “the coolest house ever”.  The qualifications for that honor?  The movie Tron and their own personal soda maker.  We’ve now owned Tron for quite some time, but when our SodaStream Soda Maker arrived on our doorstep, our house finally lived up to his childhood dreams.  Hubby was ecstatic, but what was surprising was how much I immediately loved it.  I’ve never been a huge fan of soda, so nobody could believe it when I fell so hard for the SodaStream…. or at least they couldn’t until they tried Leanne’s Special Brew for themselves.

The SodaStream Soda Maker is a genius design that requires no batteries, electricity or plumbing and very little counter space.  All of their Soda Makers are sleek and slim and come in numerous designs and colors to fit in just about any kitchen or bar.  The Soda Makers are sold in packages with the CO2 to make over 100 liters of soda, 2 reusable BPA-free carbonating bottles, and their own hermetically sealed caps to keep all the soda you create fizzy and fresh longer than store-bought soda.  Add in some cold tap water and the Soda-Club syrups and you’ve got all you need for months of the best tasting soda you’ve ever had. 

The SodaStream instructions are simple: fill carbonating bottle with fresh tap water, connect bottle to the Soda Maker and press carbonating button to fizz to your liking.  Once carbonated, you just add syrup and lightly agitate to mix.  In seconds you will be enjoying soda that is exactly the way you like it – just the right amount of carbonation and just the right amount of flavor – because you control the amount of both!

Since I wasn’t a huge fan of soda before, we almost never had fizzy beverages when guests popped in unexpectedly or hubby had a craving.  When we did have a party or event, we would run to the store and grab a 24 pack or two and then hope we had the right mix of flavors and the perfect number of sodas so we didn’t end up storing a garage full of beverages until the next shindig.  The SodaStream solved both of those problems by allowing us to mix soda as we need it in whatever flavor our guests would like.  No more last minute trips to the store to stock up or replenish and no soda storage required. 

On top of it all, the soda making is a fun activity in itself and something just about anyone can do.  And, when everyone leaves, there are no bottles and cans to recycle and no waste, at least none from the beverage table.  For those of you having wild and crazy bar nights, you will be happy to note that the SodaStream Soda Maker also makes seltzer, tonic and more that are perfect in mixed drinks.  Recipes are even available on their website for all sorts of drinks that are kid-friendly and nightlife approved. 

All this variety requires very little storage space in your pantry or cupboard and doesn’t require refrigeration.  Each one of the 500ml Soda-Club syrups makes 12 liters or 33 cans of soda and takes up roughly the space of a ketchup or mustard bottle, which means you could pretty much own all 25+ soda flavor mixes in the space that 24 pack took up.

Included in those Soda-Club syrups are a large variety of regular and diet sodas as well as energy drinks and caffeine-free varieties.  SodaStream’s regular soda mix contains no high fructose corn syrup and diet flavors contain no aspartame.  Even their regular selections contain 2/3 less sugar and calories than the national brands as well as less caffeine.  And they are just as delicious, if not more so.  Really.  I’m pretty much addicted to the Orange Soda Mix and could drink a liter all myself.  Luckily for me, it would be a fairly cheap habit, considering that I can make 12 liters for $4.99, or even cheaper if I bought the Soda Mix in bulk. 

Below is a chart of how Soda-Club drink mix selection nutritionals compare to store-bought brands. 

	Calories	Carbs	Sugar	Sodium	Caffeine
Pepsi®	100	27g	27g	25mg	25mg
Coca-Cola®	100	27g	27g	35mg
Pepsi® Edge™	50	13g	13g	25mg	25mg
Coca-Cola C2™	45	12g	12g	30mg	23mg
SodaStream Cola	34	9g	9g	2mg	15mg
7-UP®	100	26g	26g	50mg	0mg
Sprite®	100	26g	26g	45mg	0mg
SodaStream LemonLime	36	9g	9g	25mg	0mg

The advantages of SodaStream’s Home Carbonation System, fresh from the Soda Club website:

• Value for Money: Great savings compared to pre-packed carbonated water and beverages.
• Environmentally-Friendly: Soda-Club is an "Active Green" solution that minimizes the huge eco-footprint caused by the manufacture, transport and waste of plastic bottles.
• Convenience: No need to carry heavy bottles from the store. The Soda-Club system is simple to use and requires no batteries or electricity.
• Variety: Soda-Club offers over 60 flavors to suit everyone’s taste. Regular, diet, natural, fruity flavors, ice tea, energy drinks, sport drinks, tonic and many more.
• Space Saver: No need to store bottles of beverages or empty bottles for recycling in your home.
• Personalization: Make drinks just the way you love them… more bubbles, less bubbles, sweeter or lighter, even create your own flavor!
• Family Fun: The system is quick and easy to use. It's fun for everyone and kids just love it!
• Satisfaction Guaranteed: Soda-Club drinks makers are of extremely high quality and include a money-back satisfaction guarantee and Lifetime Warranty to our customers.

For more information on SodaStream / Soda-Club visit the corporate website

Price: $99 and up for Start-Up Kits.  SodaStream Soda Makers are available online at http://www.sodastreamusa.com/ as wells as sold in retail stores across the country, click here to find a store near you.

Looks: Unobtrusive and matched with your decor or colorful to make an impact, there's a SodaStream model for any kitchen or bar.

Overall:  The best thing to happen to soda since fizzy water.

And now for the Giveaway...

SodaStream was so kind as to offer a Rave and Review reader a Fountain Jet Soda Lover's Start-Up Kit (approx. $100 retail value.) The kit includes the winner's choice of black/silver, white or red/silver Fountain Jet, CO2 to make over 100 liters of soda, 2 reusable carbonating bottles, a sample pack of flavors, and 3 full-sized flavors of the winner's choice.  To enter, just visit the SodaStream website and choose your favorite 3 Soda Club flavors that you would love if you won.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway (1 entry for every Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway (1 extra entry)

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

5) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs (there is no need to sign up for anything, simply clicking this link is a vote for us.  You can vote one time each day, leave comment each time you vote)

6) Share this post on Facebook (1 extra entry)

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc [email protected] for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

Please leave a comment below for each of the extra entries
On September 24th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

Thank you to SodaStream for sponsoring this review and giveaway

***Winner Announced!! Winner Announced!!**

Congratulations to  Jennifer McLachlan who said:

daily tweet! http://twitter.com/kenziesmum2009/statuses/4331416641

I have emailed you and you have 48 hours to contact me!

Click here to see the entire Blog Hop List....

Kokopax Carrier Review

Babywearing is to thank for at least 90% of our productivity since baby was born.  Hands free snuggling equates to parenting bliss, and as baby neared her first birthday I was terrified that it would all come to an end once baby got too big for the front pack or the carrier got too cumbersome to maneuver around.  Thus began my search for a designated back carrier that would enable me to carry baby around well past her 1st birthday.  The search ended with the adorable Kokopax Carriers and confirmed our love of babywearing has months of good hands-free productivity remaining.

Kokopax was created out of a love of classic backpack style frame carriers and the desire to make them both stylish and hip.  Inspiration for the adorable Kokopax prints came while founder Sara Spoor was visiting a Washington boutique just a ferry ride from Seattle and fell in love with their trendy fabrics.  An idea was born and she went to work designing the coolest and most coveted back carrier on the market.  The result is a fashionable and chic lightweight back carrier that is suitable for everyday use. 

The Kokopax Carrier was our first introduction to frame carriers and now I wonder why we were hesitant to make that leap, as the Kokopax is easily one of our favorite carriers we have ever tried.  The Kokopax arrived packaged nicely and then enclosed in an adorable fabric carrying case, which makes it easy to keep clean and transport in the trunk or store in a closet when not using.  Immediately we tried it out, with baby {safely} helping me cook by drooling on my neck as she slept, something I previously could not enjoy with our front carriers.

For the rest of the night baby did everything with me, strapped on my back and content to be facing forward for the first time ever.  Now that baby can grab nearly everything I can, having her behind me means that I can now safely use both hands without worry and without her insistence of help.  Cute as it may be, sometimes her help is anything but helpful and means that I have to save most of my daily tasks until she is sleeping.  With the Kokopax, I can still interact with her while I clean, cook or help my mom clean out her garage but don’t have to worry about what she’s getting into. 

Since we received it, we have used the Kokopax for all sorts of activities and love it more every time we use it.  Weighing in at approximately 2.7 lbs and with great features like an opening base that allows for easy loading, the Kokopax is perfect for everyday use no matter where your day takes you.  

I found the back carrier to be much easier to maneuver efficiently and I loved how comfortable it was, even for long periods of time.  Their ultra padded shoulder straps and comfortable lower back lumbar support are both easily adjustable to fit a large range of body types.  Hubby and I both were able to use the carrier comfortably with only quick adjustments necessary before we were off.  It did take some getting used to it since I haven’t carried a backpack since early high school, but once I broke in the , I found it to be surprisingly natural.   

Features from the Kokopax website:
• made with 100% cotton canvas
• anodized aluminum frame
• comfortable shoulder straps
• adjustable frame to fit individual user
• padded waist support
• handy storage pocket
• kickstand for easy loading
• 5-pt. safety harness
• ties to secure pax protector™
• toy ring to attach koko™ or other toys
• weighs approximately 2.7 lbs.
• fits in airline overhead bins
• for use from 6 months to 2 years (or up to 35 pounds)
• includes green carry bag

www.kokopax.com

Price: $179.99

Looks: Modern and stylish patterns make frame carriers fun as well as functional

Overall:  Highly recommended for anyone interested in prolonging the babywearing experience

Blush Topless Undershirt Giveaway!

I really wish I had found Blush Topless Undershirts when I was pregnant.  I love my Topless Undershirt so much and wear it all the time, making me wish that I had gotten them earlier and used them instead of all the maternity belly bands I tried.  Blush Undershirts are far superior to the stretchy tube design of other belly bands and are infinitely more comfortable. 

The Topless Undershirt by Blush has an a-line flared design that fits virtually any body type and is made out of t-shirt material instead of spandex or nylon, which means it is super comfortable under anything.  What makes it unique is that the top of the Blush Topless Undershirt has a completely sewn in and non-binding elastic that can be worn just under the bust line or lower and then the Blush Undershirt drapes like the bottom of an empire waist shirt – not too tight, not too loose.  Nothing clings, nothing rides, and it feels like you are wearing nothing at all.  It’s the kind of comfortable that you will want to wear everyday, and probably will.

The Blush Topless Undershirt is perfect for shirts that are a bit too short, for maternity sanity, or even for achieving the layered look without the added bulk.  I love my Blush for making any shirt a discrete nursing top and for adding a little flair to just about any outfit.  They come in 6 solid colors, two patterns and 4 lace trimmed designs that can go with virtually any outfit. 

R&R Tip: There are two tabs on the Blush website, one that says “Maternity” and the other is “For Everyone”, but there is only one line of Topless Undershirts.  Refer to the sizing chart on their website to determine which size works best for those with baby and those without.

http://www.toplessundershirt.com/

Price: $15 for solid colors, $20 for patterns and lace trimmed.  I would recommend you get at least one neutral color (with lace or without) and then a fun bold color, or pattern to help spice up any bland nursing wear or regular t-shirt. 

Use coupon code: welovebloggers to get 20% off 2 undershirts or more

And now for the Giveaway…
Blush was so kind as to offer a Rave and Review reader a Topless Undershirt of their choice. To enter, visit the Topless Undershirt website and chose your favorite design/color and then come back and tell me about it. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway (1 entry for every Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway (1 extra entry)

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

5) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs (there is no need to sign up for anything, simply clicking this link is a vote for us.  You can vote one time each day, leave comment each time you vote)

6) Share this post on Facebook (1 extra entry)

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc [email protected] for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

Please leave a comment below for each of the extra entries
On September 10th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

Thank you to Blush for sponsoring this review and giveaway.

 

Off! Clip-On Insect Repellant

I can’t tell you how much I wish I had been reviewing this Off Clip-On a month ago when the fam and I were on a very ambitious two night backpacking trip miles away from civilization.  It turned out that our campsite just so happened to be double booked for the long weekend – our party of six and what had to be some sort of mosquito convention - and the bugs were not going to give up easily.  At one point it was half-jokingly suggested that maybe this species of mosquito was actually attracted to the sticky, stinky and gooey mess we were pretty much bathing in, since the amount of spray we were using was enough to repel full-size adults, but curiously didn’t even seem to affect the swarms of bugs at our site. 

The Off Clip-On is an alternative to the spray-on insect repellant and allows you to clip it onto your clothing or set near you to enjoy all the insect repellant properties without the sticky spray.  When I first received the Off Clip On, I was surprised by the larger size of the unit as I had been picturing a pager or cell phone sized device.  Once I realized that the Off Clip On had a fan and moveable parts, I realized the need for a slightly bigger unit was a necessary evil.  A somewhat bulky unit is a small tradeoff for a product that makes the great outdoors that much more great.

How it works: The Off! Clip-On has an internal fan that is run by batteries (included) and works to circulate the scent-less insect repellant from head to toe.  Each Clip-On Refill lasts for 12 hours and extra refill packs can be purchased separately (sold in packs of 2, and give you 24 hours of coverage).  The Off! Clip-On has an on and off switch so you can turn it on when you need it and then store it once you come inside.  They recommend that each refill be used within 14 days of opening, which means that one refill can easily last through an entire vacation or camping trip.  

What I’m Raving About:  Nearly all of my really, really bad bug attacks were when I was going outside “for just a minute” and therefore couldn’t be bothered with applying bug spray.  The Off Clip-On solves that by offering temporary bug repellant that won’t leave you stinking like bug spray hours after you’ve come indoors.  Pretty cool, really.  The easy on/off makes it perfect for a quick BBQ dinner, picking squash from the garden, a 20 minute lemonade break, or for the infamous 30-minute long standing-by-the-car goodbyes my family is famous for.

What I’m Raving About, Part 2: When baby is in my arms or I am babywearing with the Off! Clip-On, there is no need to spray her with insect repellant, either.  No one likes to douse a baby with bug spray, especially one that is young enough to still be in the “everything in the mouth” stage. 

Suggestion to make it even more Rave-tastic: 1) The Off Clip-On should say in big BOLD letters on the package that all 12 hours of the refill do not need to be used at one time, and that you can turn the unit on an off to prolong the refill pack.  I was so scared to open the refill and start it up because I mistakenly thought I needed to find a 12-hour block to use it in.  I was really relieved to find that you can control the output of the Off Clip-On.  2) The Off Clip-On is not as effective while moving, as it takes a few minutes to rebuild its protection, according to the Off! Website.

Speaking of the Off! Website… Off! also has a neat tool called the Mosquit-O-Meter which is an interactive quiz that shows you how attractive you are to mosquitoes (extremely, as it turns out).  I guess mosquitoes enjoy fruity lotions and bath products as much as I do!

http://www.offprotects.com/

Price: $12.99 for the Off! Clip-On and $8.49 for refills

This post was written for the Family Review Network as part of a program by SC Johnson and Off!, who also supplied the product for review.

Fill In The Blankie

"For when 20 characters just isn’t enough."

Are you looking for the perfect baby shower, first birthday, christening or new baby gift?  If so, you should definitely check out Fill In The Blankie, the ultimate personalized baby blanket site.  With an incredible selection of fabrics and designs as well as many different personalization options, you are sure to find that perfect blanket for any occasion. 

Now, I know personalization on baby blankets is not exactly cutting edge.  I’m pretty sure that roughly 75% of baby blanket manufacturers offer a personalized option, which usually includes 10-25 characters of personalization space and is just enough room for a name and birthdate if you’re lucky.  Well, lucky for you, Fill In The Blankie is not your average baby blanket company. 

Fill In The Blankie offers an ultra personalized version of the classic baby blanket and something that is sure to become a sentimental keepsake for your lucky recipient.  Instead of just a few characters of personalization space, Fill In The Blankie makes use of the entire edge of the blanket and allows you to personalize all four sides with up to 200 characters.  That’s a lot of personalizing.  It’s so much personalizing that they actually offer a helpful “Text Ideas” page that gives you ideas for personalizing your special blanket.

I’m usually not at a loss for words, but when I was asked to personalize my daughter’s blanket, I drew a blank as to how to fill all four sides.  One side was easy – her full name and birthdate was a given, but the other 3 needed something fun and sweet that she could grow with but was still a representation of our relationship.  In case you aren’t following, that’s kind of a tall order.  I checked out their Text Ideas section and found some really good ideas that I could play around with to create my own messages to baby. 

A few phone calls to hubby later and we had decided on the perfect four messages for baby.  One was sweet and cited a nickname given to her in utero by my sister, the other was a reference one of her “first words”, which was “awww” and was a response to snuggles, and the third is hubby’s favorite play on words, “we love you, Lil Bit”.  I placed the order and waited as patiently as I could while Fill In The Blankie took mere days to process, personalize and ship.  In fact, hubby hadn’t even realized I had ordered it yet and it appeared on my doorstep.  Maybe Fill In The Blankie knows that when you finally decide on the perfect blanket, you’re bound to be as impatient as I was and extremely grateful Fill In The Blankie takes your order as seriously as you do.

When our package arrived, I was thrilled at the soft satin-trimmed blanket and the way that the font and text were fun and unique, but yet still looked classic and sweet.  I even surprised myself by liking that the embroidery is visible on both sides of the blanket: one printed backwards and the other printed correctly.  It adds visual interest on the other side of the blanket and the wrong side out image doesn’t look like the backs of my sewing projects with my hanging threads and numerous “re-dos”; in fact, the backside looks nearly identical to the top side’s print, only backwards. 

Really, there’s not a whole lot not to like about Fill In The Blankie.  Offering some of the cutest fabrics and patterns around and personalization to fit any occasion or recipient, Fill In The Blankie baby blankets are now my go-to baby shower gift for new parents.  Baby’s blanket is soft, cuddly and personalized just for her by her loving parents and the result is a perfect memory of baby’s first year and our first year as parents.  It’s the kind of sweet keepsake that is heart-melting as baby snuggles it now, but when baby is older and I’m packing it up (*sniff, sniff*) it’s only going to be more so.

http://www.fillintheblankie.com/

Price: $39 and up, price varies depending on blanket fabrics.

Looks: From simple to stylin’, there’s a Fill In The Blankie for everyone and every need

Overall:  If you’re looking for the perfect baby gift, you should be looking at Fill In The Blankie

A personal shout-out to Fill In The Blankie for melting our hearts and helping commemorate baby’s first year.

Rosie Hippo Online and Catalogue Toy Store - Plus Discount Code

 

Gone are the days when I would spend my time flipping through magazines and catalogues for me or for the house.  Now, given an extra few minutes, I tend to reach for children’s catalogues more often than my own.  Envisioning all the things baby and I are going to do together once baby can play make believe, I find myself drawn to kids catalogues, dreaming of the relationship I can’t wait to have with my daughter.  Rosie Hippo, a catalogue and internet toy store, offers a vast selection of Earth-friendly toys that are the kinds of things these dreams are made of. 

We’re talking wooden classic pieces, hand knit items and just about anything you can think of that can spark imaginations and lead to hours of interactive play with your little ones.  I literally could spend hours thumbing through the Rosie Hippo catalogue with baby on my lap, pointing at all the cool toys we both wish she had.  They have arts and crafts supplies, pretend play items, as well as one of the best selections in unique and interesting toys for kids of just about any age. 

When Rosie Hippo saw me on Buzz Mommy and invited me on their blog tour, I absolutely couldn’t believe that I had never heard of their company before.  Rosie Hippo has a huge selection of toys from around the world and they all have the classic toy look and feel, the kind of toys you hand down from generation to generation and the sort that I wish filled baby’s toy box.  Even better, their selection is entirely Earth-friendly and kind to the planet.  If you are looking for eco friendly toys or simply toys that are made of quality materials such as organic fabrics, sustainable woods and reclaimed materials, Rosie Hippo should be your first stop.  With a selection that includes some of the largest toy manufacturers as well as smaller companies and one-of-a-kind originals, I challenge anyone with young kids to not create a long wish-list after viewing their varied assortment of children’s toys.  

We were sent the Two Monkeys stuffed plush set from Rosie Hippo’s vast Stuffed Animal collection and are thrilled with baby’s new plush companions.  This adorable little set of playmates is made from wool yarn with felt embellishments and is perfect for either displaying (they are that cute) or actual playing (they are that durable) and as the name implies, they come in a set of two.  A set of two that you can either keep together (they do seem pretty chummy) or split between kids if you can bear the tears.  For now, baby and the two are going to hang out and we’ll see if we can pry one away if baby ever has a sibling.     

Rosie Hippo has a new owner that I hope will eventually lead to a Rosie Hippo catalogue on every parent’s coffee table.  Kim Bloom purchased the company in 2008 after searching for toys that lead to imagination play, says Kim, "Rosie Hippo was perfect –a combination of my love for children, my interest in child development, my creative side, marketing background and business degree.  I love bringing toys and books and music to children that will help inspire them, teach them about the world --- issues like diversity, giving, greening -- and help instill good values and a foundation from which to grow.”  After leaving the corporate world to focus on parenting and running an independent toy boutique, she has grown Rosie Hippo considerably as well as maintaining her commitment to cancer research foundations, as well as numerous children's, and environmental foundations - even donating a portion of her profits from Rosie Hippo.  And you thought you were busy :)

Now here’s something super cool – Rosie Hippo has graciously offered a 15% off coupon for Rave and Review readers: RAVEANDREVIEW0709 (good through 09/15/09)

Now I’m dreaming of all the super cool toys I can get at 15% off….

A big double thank you to Rosie Hippo and Buzz Mommy for introducing me to my newest kid’s toy obsession and for sending the Two Monkeys set for review

Looks: I’m looking for a word that means adorable, only doubled.

Overall: A huge range of toys in any price range makes it my go-to catalogue and website for birthdays, showers and more. 

Chariot SideCarrier Bicycle Trailer - Enter to Win $1,500 Prize Pack

I am scared to death of motorcycles, but if someone offered me a ride in their motorcycle sidecar, I would take them up on it without hesitation. There is something incredibly cool about sidecars and we all know that coolness always trumps fear.  When I found Chariot Bicycle Carriers made a SideCarrier for bicycles similar a traditional motorcycle sidecar, I was already in love. What I didn’t know then was how incredibly practical this bike trailer would turn out to be and how it would get more action in one summer than a blender at Margaritaville, quickly becoming our go-to bike trailer. 

If you prefer an off-bike child carrier or trailer, you definitely owe it to yourself and your coolness to check out Chariot Carriers. Not only does the SideCarrier offer supreme handling ability for ease of riding, it is the best option for keeping our littlest bikers engaged and truly sharing the biking experience with them. Since the Chariot SideCarrier allows your child to ride right alongside you, it is much easier to keep them entertained while you ride and really enjoy each other’s company. Not only did all the kids (even a ten year old who was far too old to ride*) enjoy it more than all our other trailers and carriers, they were actually begging for rides in the SideCarrier and didn’t want to get out when their turn was over. Since the goal of biking as a family is to connect and interact with each other, the Chariot SideCarrier would be our top pick for an off-the-bike trailer.

Unlike a typical tow-behind bike trailer, the Chariot SideCarrier is more like a unified extension of your bicycle and therefore offers superior handling and maneuverability. Clearly, this is a product for those who love their bikes, but also love their children and want to take them along without compromising all of their speed, agility and mobility. The Chariot SideCarrier is the result of excellence in engineering as well as an extreme attention to detail and quality of construction. When you first see the Chariot Carriers in retail, their quality and durability are easy to detect, even from a distance. The full-line of Chariot Child Carriers stand out amongst their competition as the clear premium Bike Trailer, and their distinctive good-looks make adding it to your beloved bike much less painful than we imagined.  In fact, once you’re out with it and baby, nothing turns heads faster than a sporty-looking SideCarrier and a clearly overjoyed child.      

Looks aside, the Chariot SideCarrier has the performance to back up its style as it is sturdy and well crafted and able to handle any trail or road. The SideCarrier is engineered in a way that does not “tug” on your bike when you change speeds and does not push on your bike when braking. The low center of gravity makes this carrier extremely stable and secure, even while turning. Speaking of turning, the pivoting hitch that connects the SideCar to your bicycle allows you to turn and lean the bike from side to side while the SideCarrier stays completely upright and stable. We found that during extremely sharp right turns the SideCarrier would brush our leg, but it wasn’t painful at all and could be avoided by making wider and less sharp turns when possible, a small trade-off for ease of turning and full range of motion with your child in tow.

One particularly useful function of the Chariot SideCarrier is for biking in metropolitan areas or those utilizing a bike lane. When biking through town, whether that is on the sidewalk or in the bike lane, I am incredibly nervous with baby riding moments behind the bicycle. My fear is that most drivers aren’t expecting you to be towing a child behind you and won’t be as cautious as I feel they should be when my child is cruising down the road sans airbags a few feet behind me. With the SideCarrier, baby rides right up next to me on the right side, which just so happens to be the furthest from traffic and the safest spot for kids in town and on bike paths and trails. Always an arm’s length away and completely secure in a padded seat and solidly built lightweight aluminum frame, I feel so much more relaxed with baby by my side.

Another great aspect of the SideCarrier is that you don’t have to ride around nervous about how wide your bike and trailer are. With a traditional rear trailer, no matter how much we rode we never seemed to get comfortable with how wide the trailer really was. The off center design of tow behind trailers prompted slowing almost to a stop to get through tight spots like posts at trail-heads, with contortionist level twisting to look behind to make sure we weren’t clipping a wheel or worse. With the SideCarrier, it is much easier to get used to the size and footprint since it is right next to you and feels more like an actual extension of your bike as opposed to an add-on, even though the width of the side carrier with your bike is almost identical to that of a typical two child tow behind trailer.

As a one child bike carrier, the Chariot SideCarrier is not the pack mule that a rear trailer can be, but we feel the added maneuverability is well worth the reduction in storage capacity.  Besides, who ever complained about hauling around less weight? From our experience, owning a two child carrier is the equivalent of being the one person in your family who owns a truck. Suddenly everyone has a purse, jacket or flea market rocking chair for you to haul home. While the SideCarrier can’t lug your entire nursery, we found that a little creativity ensured just enough space for the essentials.

Chariot's SideCarrier is a unique solution to the tow-behind trailer and is perfect for keeping your kids close and giving them the best view of the road ahead while still maximizing the performance of the bicycle it’s attached to. Sleek, stylish and sporty, the Chariot SideCarrier is impossible not to ogle as it passes with its irresistible charm and good looks. 

From the Chariot Website:
 Ultra-stable with an extra-low center of gravity
 SideCarrier hitch installs in minutes on most standard bikes. You can then attach or remove the SideCarrier in seconds
 The SideCarrier mounts on the bike’s right-hand side, so the child is on the safer side of the bike paths, away from oncoming pathway users
 The SideCarrier stays upright at all times, however, the pivoting hitch allows the bike to lean gracefully into turns
 The axles of the bike and SideCarrier align, so the SideCarrier’s wheels don’t scrub or skid when turning, even when stopped
 6063-T54 and 6351-T6 lightweight aluminum frame, stiff oversized 1.5” lower frame protects child, wheel and underside of SideCarrier
 Stiff oversized 1.5” lower frame protects child, wheel and underside of SideCarrier
 A bike and SideCarrier are the same width as a traditional two-child trailer, yet much shorter
 The SideCarrier can be folded up to the bike when parked in a narrow space
 Enclosed single child cockpit
 Quick-folding design
 Rear storage bag and large mesh pocket
 Deluxe padded shoulder harness
 Mesh upper seat
 Tinted side windows
 20” spoked stainless aluminum wheel with push-button release
 Maintenance-free cartridge bearings
 2-in-1 weather cover
 600 denier polyester fabric
 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material
 Limited Lifetime Warranty

Random Rave: Riding beside the bike instead of behind it means that you are not kicking up dust and dirt right at your baby while you ride. In our pull-behind trailers, baby ends up a grimy mess after any distance of bike ride unless you put the plastic and non-breathable rain shield up. Not only is this not a great option for airflow on hot summer days, it makes it even harder to communicate with your little passenger. 

http://www.chariotcarriers.com/

Price: $500 and definitely an investment, but something that will last through years and years of use

Looks: As sporty as a bike trailer but as cool as a motorcycle sidecar

Overall: Highly recommended to bicycling parents, especially those on urban trails or city streeturer's posted weight limit.