Rave & 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. 

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!

Xtrema Green Bakeware by Ceramcor - A Giveaway Just in Time for the Holidays!

Most of you know about hubby's and my addiction with kitchen gadgets, and most of you are already familiar with the Xtrema Cookware line we profiled last month in which I raved for 11 straight paragraphs about how much I love their products.  It's been months since we started using our Xtrema Cookware on a daily basis, and I have to say that I am just as happy with it - if not more so - than the day it arrived. 

The Xtrema Cookware set is beautiful, cooks a darn good meal consistently, and has the best heat distribution of any other cookware we have ever used.  Add that to the fact that Xtrema is quite possibly the world's most versatile cooking line ever, and you will completely understand why I am so excited that their new Xtrema Bakeware is now available - and just in time for the Holiday cooking season!

Sure, I was reasonably happy with my old bakeware, but I was also reasonably happy with my pots and pans before I met Xtrema, and now you should see most of them gathering dust on our pots and pans rack.  Since I absolutely love to bake, especially around this time of year, it makes perfect sense to profile what is now my new favorite Bakeware line and introduce you to baking Green, the Xtrema way.  

In case you missed my last Xtrema post, their Cookware and Bakewear has been engineered to withstand amazingly high temperature settings and conditions that make their line able to handle just about anything.  Xtrema Bakeware can go from stovetop to toaster oven to broiler to microwave to barbeque grill to tabletop and then to the freezer with ease, and all without the risk of thermal shock.

How's that for versatile?  The Xtrema Bakeware can cook just about anywhere there's a heat source that gets up to cooking temperature and does so without risk of shattering or cracking due to temperature fluctuations.  Going from the fridge or freezer to oven can crack glass and ceramic baking dishes instantly, never mind putting it somewhere unheard of in Bakeware, like the BBQ grill or microwave.  But not Xtrema, the Bakeware that can go just about anywhere.

Xtrema Bakeware and Cookware is made of a high-temperature ceramic with a non-toxic non-stick ceramic surface both inside and out, which makes oiling or greasing all but unnecessary in nearly every trial we have run it through, whether it was casseroles, pasta dishes or brownies.  The Xtrema cookware can withstand temperatures of 2,700 F, which is 500 F past the point at which steel melts, and still the non-stick surface wipes clean at the end of the meal.  

The multi-functional nature of the Bakeware set means that you can thaw, cook and serve a meal all in the same baking dish, which is great because I am adamantly opposed to using more than one pan per entree.  Before, when we were making a casserole or pasta dish, we would take items from the freezer and put them in a glass dish to microwave and then after they were microwaved we would dump them in a pan to brown before getting out yet another dish to bake the food in.  For formal meals, we would then transfer to a serving dish to bring to the table.  When you’re talking multiple dishes and sides, the sheer number of pans and dishes dirtied can be absurd.

With the Xtrema set, we put the frozen food in, microwave and then set on the stovetop or in the oven to cook without worry.  And then once the meal is cooked, we can serve right from the pan – even using metal utensils!  After dinner is over, you can store leftovers in the Xtrema Bakeware in either the refrigerator or freezer immediately without any worry of thermal shock.

Because the high-gloss ceramic glaze is extremely non-stick, the Xtrema Bakeware is easy to wipe clean without harsh scrubbing, but should you ever need to, it's great to know that it can even withstand steel wool, the traditional non-stick nemesis.  Xtrema Bakeware is naturally bacteria resistant and contains no trace metals or chemicals that can leach from the cooking surface into your food and no non-stick surface that can peel, warp or scratch.

Okay, but how does it cook?  Better than every single set of Bakeware I have ever tried in my life.  The Xtrema Bakeware set has the most efficient heat transfer hubby or I have ever seen, retains heat longer than traditional Bakeware, and allows us to use a lower heat setting than we do normally, all of which saves energy while cooking.

One of the first things we noticed about the Cookware was that the heat spreads out over the entire pot or pan, not just the part directly on the center of the burner.  The same is true of the Bakeware, which means that items cook evenly, even in a non-convection oven such as ours.  This reduces hot spots while baking and actually cooks the food quicker and more evenly, allowing you to get dinner on the table faster than ever before.  Fair warning: the heat transfer of these pans is so efficient that every bit of it gets hot, including the handle and lid, use caution… and a pot holder. 

The Xtrema website explains their revolutionary cooking technology like this: The ceramic material used in all Xtrema cookware has an inert and non-reactive quality that produces a far-infrared heating process that's considered the most effective and beneficial type of heat for all types of cooking. This penetrating heat process cooks food from both the inside and outside at the same time. The end result is the emergence of a full range of subtle and nature flavors, an increase in nutritional value and a more enjoyable eating experience. The overall result is Healthy Cooking = Healthy Eating = Healthy Body.

For those of you looking to go Green, you will be happy to note that the Xtrema Bakeware set is environmentally friendly and so much more than Green.  Their patented ceramic material is made from 100% natural ceramic materials and organic water, including the Nano-Glaze™ surface.  The company also reduces its environmental impact by using clean-burning and safe natural gas, which Ceramcor claims is part of their pollution-free process.  As if that’s not enough, they even recycle all their water. 

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, my Xtrema Bakeware set is looking forward to hours upon hours of cooking and baking for our family gatherings.  Get yours now and by Christmas, you too, can be baking for your family with the most even cooking, easy to clean and Green Bakeware available. 

Xtrema has created, and continues to create, some of the coolest Cookware and Bakeware lines around, which is why they are worthy of the "Dual-Rave", and why I would recommend them for any cook on your Christmas list.  

www.ceramcor.com

Price: Prices range from $39.99 to $149.99 and are available at www.ceramcor.com or at the growing list of Xtrema retailers.  You can save 15% off entire Xtrema Healthy Ceramic Bakeware order by using the coupon code-- cx15, expires 1/15/09

Overall: Stovetop, conventional, microwave or toaster oven, broiler, barbeque, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher safe... which means there is literally nothing this Bakeware can’t be used for!

This Giveaway is CLOSED, thank you to all who entered and congrats to Crystal who was the lucky winner!

A Thanksgiving-sized thank you to Ceramcor for providing the bakeware to be reviewed, and offered up one of their bakeware pieces for giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this review.

 

ESLA Kicksled for Snow Travel

The snow is falling in the mountains all around Seattle and I can't help but get giddy with excitement about all our coming adventures in the snow this winter.  My daughter will finally be old enough to play in the snow, I'm planning on building a really sweet Snow Guy with my nephew, and we've got all sorts of gadgets and gear to make the most of the winter conditions.  Last year we profiled what is quite possibly the coolest winter toy ever, but I couldn't help revisiting the ESLA Kicksled now that it looks like we will get to use it sometime in the near future. 

When I first saw the ESLA Kicksleds, my first thought was “I want one” but then it was quickly followed with “but what would I do with it?”  Clearly the desire to try something new and exciting beat out any doubts I had about whether or not I could actually use it; I just had to have it.  Once it arrived, I was literally speechless at how the Kicksled package engulfed our abnormally large front porch.  It was clear to me that this was no toy; this was a mode of transportation.  Case in point: the footprint of the Kicksled is bigger than most motorcycles.   

But, before I get too far, I have to answer the question I know most of you are asking.  A Kicksled, eh?  Allow me to explain…. Handmade in Finland since 1933, the ESLA Kicksled is like a scooter-ish, ski-ish, sled-ish seat that sits upon rails that you can ride with reckless abandon over both ice and snow. The Kicksled's standard metal ice rails come with plastic covers that attach easily for snow and allow you to ride over drifts instead of through them.  To manuever the Kicksled, you simply kick the ground between the rails like a scooter while riding on the foot plates on top of the metal rails behind the seat.  Unfortunately, in this case, a picture really is necessary to properly describe the Kicksled... 

Two people can ride the Kicksled at once, one on the rails and the other in the birch seat (which can support up to 300 pounds), which means that riding an ESLA Kicksled is really double the fun.  However, the Kicksled can also be ridden alone, with one person riding on the rails and then you're free to really rip it up on snow and ice.  As much fun as it is to ride, it really can be practical in really snowy climates.  Some people actually use their Kicksleds as transportation, taking it grocery shopping, to pick up and drop off kids at school, and even to work.

The next question I'm guessing you're asking is how you steer the the Kicksled.  Instead of having a steering wheel, or handlebars that turn the rails, you simply twist the handlebars in the direction you would like to turn and push with your feet at the same time and the whole frame torques to allow for sideways steering.  It takes some getting used to at first, but before long we were pros at it, being able to navigate down hills and turn without using the entire cul-de-sac.

On our first trial run with the Kicksled was on a vacant lot that had been sitting under snow for quite some time.  The conditions were not the best for snow sports of any kind since the snow was deep and slightly crunchy.  The areas with pavement underneath compacted well under the Kicksled rails and were fairly easy to navigate through, but, the farther into the field we went, the more the ground underneath the snow gave and would cause us to sink in the snow when we stepped off the sled.  The Kicksled still performed well under these conditions, but it was quite a workout to move fast across the field and carrying a passenger in the seat made for an even harder run, especially when your kicking leg only had non-compacted snow to push off with.

Exhausted but exhilarated, we wore ourselves out within an hour.  We dusted off the Kicksled and got it ready for transport by car (or rather, SUV), which consisted of unscrewing 2 wing nuts and folding down the Kicksled seat and handle so that the entire sled was as flat as possible for the ride back home. 

Our next run with the Kicksled came with a surprise snowstorm that hit the Seattle metro area and iced over our neighborhood completely.  Even though it was almost midnight, we text messaged our favorite late-night loving neighbors and asked if they wanted to try out our awesome winter toy with us.  Bundled and excited, we quickly re-assembled the Kicksled and a minute later we were off.  No planning, no SUV and no mountain.  But, it was oh, so much fun.

We kicked down the slushed sidewalks and onto the ice covered road, gliding along with ease and very little effort, even with full-sized adult passengers on the Kicksled seat.  The most amazing aspect was how little snow was actually required to keep you moving.  We found ourselves cruising over six inch drifts, through patches of barely an inch and onto bare ice you could hardly see.  We weaved back and forth from the streets to sidewalks, up and over the driveway cutouts catching air the average eleven year old would scoff at.  But it was fun nonetheless, and much more exciting than our average weeknight.  From back alleys to main drags, flat surfaces to hills, we conquered them all, while getting curious looks from every passing car. 

Going downhill is just as fun as you'd imagine, with all the speed of a sled but with more control.  But, what was extremely surprising was how much fun even a level surface could be on the Kicksled.  It’s the kind of fun that makes you (almost) wish you lived in the arctic and had snow year-round so you could ride it everyday.  Picturing yourself running errands, taking long winding rides through your town and parking it at your office pop into your head and really make you wish you didn’t have to wait so long between snow seasons. 

http://www.goslide.ca/ is the Canadian distributor of the ESLA Kicksled, and happily ships to the U.S.  They have a great site where you can see videos of the Kicksled in action.

Price: $209 - $279 (CAD) for the various size sleds.  Sizes are small to extra-large, a sizing chart for which is available on the GoSlide site… for anyone who actually knows the metric system.  We ordered the extra large because hubby is tall (6'3"), and I'm glad we did because I'd rather have it too large than too small.

Overall: Simple and fun to use, yet completely functional as a form of transportation...  and you can race it.

**Photos courtesy of TLC Photography, ESLA, and our late night neighbor

Friday Random Rave - Pink and Girly

It’s not going to be a gender neutral Christmas at our house!  For the past two years, all of our kid’s purchases have leaned towards the gender neutral, in some cases bypassing the girl’s section entirely and shopping only in the boys aisles.  Our daughter didn’t care what color her toys were, and I refused to have piles of pink I was forcing on any kids down the road, or even friends and consignment shops when our family was complete. 

Gender nuetral was a hard sell to grandparents who really would like to see a baby girl with something pink and girly, so we would throw in little bits of girliness here and there to appease.  Hey, we gave her the pink curtains, didn’t we?  I think they went a long way in making her blue, green and brown painted mural seem like it was always meant for a girl’s room.  I even sprung for the flower lamps to really complete the garden-themed motif and hopefully she will never realize that there was supposed to be cars, trucks and scooters zipping around her walls, not birds, butterflies and squirrels. 

I thought those pink curtains and lamps would also make up for the black and grey baby seat, the blue bouncer, the fire-engine red stroller, the brown and orange car seat and the fact that we brought her home from the hospital all dressed in taupe (hey, ultrasounds aren’t always 100% certain, I was not bringing a little boy home in pink).  Most of the time since then she’s been dressed like a girl, usually has a pink pacifier, and every once in a while will get to drink out of the three pack of pink cups hubby bought her to counteract the green and blue collection I had amassed.  Heck, she’s even wearing pink pajamas as I type.  I think we did quite well in turning brown hoodies and blue shoes into girl’s clothing, and only three to four times a week does someone get her gender wrong.   

But baby toys were just one of those things that I always insisted must be gender neutral, even returning most pink items and exchanging them for their red and blue counterparts when some well meaning family member would buy pink “because we have all that blue already” (shhhhhh!).  But not this year.  This year our little girl has opinions and ideas about what she likes, and she naturally gravitates towards the pink aisle.

I guess I didn’t realize how that was going to affect me until the pink presents began to arrive at the house.  All their sweet girliness that reminds me of Christmases growing up and makes me so excited to play with all of her toys myself.  I can’t wait to see her eyes light up when she unwraps her first real baby doll and her little cooking set I’ve been dying to let her play with ahead of time.  I realize our house is going to have a huge shift the day after Christmas and our living room will now be accented with pink, but I never ever thought I would be happy about it. 

No, not just happy, ecstatic. 

It’s as if it’s just hitting me that there is only more pink and girly to come.  Pretty soon there will be hair to braid, fingernail polish on her toes, and maybe even a ribbon or two in her hair and I get to do that all with her.  Mom, the keeper of the nail polish, the only one who can braid the hair of a wiggling child; I can see it now and the best is yet to come.  So, this year I say bring on the pink!

LeapFrog My Pal Scout Giveaway

I would like to introduce you to the only toy my daughter asks for by name, the My Pal Scout interactive puppy (This is of course assuming that his name is, in fact, "Woof Woof" as she insists that it is).  When I got to meet the LeapFrog rep at the Time to Play Holiday Showcase and he showed me the different interactive features on the My Pal, I knew instantly it would be a hit with my 16 month old.

But I didn't realize what a huge hit he would be at the time.  From the moment she opened the box, she snuggled him like an old friend and didn't let him go.  She even carried it right off to bed with her, with My Pal Scout singing her 10 minutes of bedtime music so she could fall asleep.

This actually caused a bit of a problem because I had to try and sneak him away from her to sync it with the Leap Frog connect.  Amazingly, only two hours after they were introduced she couldn't imagine life without him, so I had to wait until she fell asleep to connect him to the computer to personalize his interactions.

The My Pal Scout and the My Pal Violet are unique interactive toys that can be programmed to remember your child's name as well as a few of their favorite things.  As is the case with anything personalized, we were incredibly excited to use the customized name feature.  We connected Scout (sorry, “Woof Woof”) to the computer and got to choose between hundreds of preset names and spellings until we found her name and the correct pronunciation.  Once we set it, we then got to choose from a huge list of items to set her favorite food, color, and animal.  After those were all set I got to choose the music Scout plays for daytime music as well as his nighttime lullabies.

Yes, that's right, you get to preview and choose your own songs for the Scout My Pal to play!  For every parent out there who has had to hear their least favorite song played over and over and over again on their child’s favorite toy, the folks at Leap Frog have heard your screams.  I actually thought the selection was quite good and had a hard time narrowing down my top choices.  Even better than being able to customize the Leap Frog® My Pal is that you can change your mind at any time and choose new favorites, new music, or even a new name for him to say.

The next day, baby was so excited to find that Scout hadn't left her after all and was even more so when she heard him say her name for the first time.  Hubby and I thought it was hilarious when Scout will pause slightly before inserting baby’s name in a song or salutation, but mostly we just thought the whole thing was adorable.  Seeing baby’s eyes light up when he calls her and hearing her name spoken by his super cute voice cannot be described as anything but sweet. 

Baby loves the LeapFrog® My Pal Scout so much that she insists on taking him with her when she goes to bed at night and he sits and sings to her until she falls asleep almost every evening.  But, far cooler than her new bedtime routine is Scout’s soothing capabilities in the middle of the night.  Numerous times now I have heard her wake up after midnight and reach over to start Scout’s bedtime music again.  Just as I’m about to get up to check on her, I will hear his instrumental music start up and I will see her cuddle into him on the video baby monitor.  Thank you, Scout!!

My Pal Scout touches on some really important learning aspects like first words, introduction to numbers, and learning through song that really captivates baby when she’s playing with him.  When he is singing his daytime music, she likes to dance along to him and bob her head.  She also really likes that Scout makes animal sounds, which are one of her very favorite new things, hence the name “Woof Woof”. 

The only issue we have had with the My Pal Scout actually had more to do with my computer than with Scout himself.  I didn’t have the Adobe Flash Player 10 installed on my laptop and was trying to run the Leap Frog My Pal software with the previous Adobe version as the instructions specified, but it turns out that version 10 is required in order to fully customize your My Pal Scout or Violet.  At first I didn’t think my computer was fast enough to load the customize screen, but was incredibly relieved when tech support at Leap Frog diagnosed the problem within seconds of my call.  Just a few minutes later and Scout was singing baby’s favorite tunes. 

Price: $19.99

Overall: I absolutely love the My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet and think this is one of the coolest baby and toddler toys this Holiday Season. 

This Giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Karen who has won the Scout My Pal!

A big thank you to LeapFrog for creating a best friend for baby and sending Scout to be adored.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

Masala Baby India-Inspired Children’s Wear – Review and Giveaway

I’m always excited when I find a line of children’s clothing that is so unique and different that it stands out in the crowd.  When I met Masala Baby at the ENK Show in NYC, I was so excited to see something so new, and yet so traditional and beautiful at the same time.  We absolutely love to travel and find new things from all the places we visit, and Masala Baby is one of our favorite New York finds yet. 

As America is introduced to more and more aspects of Indian culture through the great food, Bollywood movies, and music, it seems only natural that a children’s company should emerge that celebrates the rich history of textiles India is known for.  I think Masala Baby is just the company to bring these distinctive fabrics and styles to the playground. 

Started in 2009, the Masala Baby Signature Collection combines elements of traditional fashions of India with a modern and urban twist to create something truly new and exciting in children’s wear.  The result is an eclectic and unique collection of prints and patterns that are anything but run of the mill and surprisingly wearable. 

From bodysuits to tees and skirts to hoody sets, the Masala Baby line has you covered from 6m to 4T for both boys and girls.  Their designs are exceptional in a number of ways: to start with, they are even more beautiful in person than online, and the textures and fabrics are even softer than you'd imagine.  Their fabrics and patterns are bright and fresh, and look adorable on any little one. 

I think the Masala Tunic is what really shines in the Signature Collection, taking a traditional style and adapting it to look and feel natural on kids.  Instead of looking dressed up and ultra formal, their line can be dressy but yet still remains wearable and comfortable for kids of all ages.  The Tunic would make a perfect fit for formal family portraits, as well as for a family gathering or even a playdate or two.  They look great when paired with the Masala pants, but my favorite is when they are worn with a pair of jeans for the perfect mix of fashion and comfort. 

The Masala Tunic is exceptionally crafted with hand woven handloom fabrics, unique embroidered accents, and contrast stitching throughout, as well as what is quite possibly my favorite design feature ever – the adorable wooden button.  One part classic, one part modern, and a few hundred times cute, the Masala Baby Collection is a perfect mix of style and sweetness.

http://www.masalababynyc.com/

Masala Baby is running a special promotion through Dec. 31st that offers 40% off their entire collection when you purchase from their website.  How cool is that?

And now for the Giveaway...

One extremely lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Masala Baby Tunic of their very own ($48 ARV)!  To enter to win the Giveaway, just visit Masala Baby and comment below with your Tunic color and size that you would like to win.  I apologize to our international readers, this contest is U.S. only! 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review - link at top right sidebar (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview after following! (1 entry for daily tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway or the 2009 Holiday Gift Guide with links to this post and www.raveandreview.com (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 to www.raveandreview.com)

5) Sport the 2009 Holiday Gift Guide logo on your blog or website - HTML code in right sidebar (2 extra entries, must have an active link to www.raveandreview.com)

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)

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

9) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs: just click this link to vote daily! (1 entry for daily)

On December 14th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

 A big thank you to Masala Baby for making baby extra cute and cozy this winter with a signature tunic.  No type of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Shel Silverstein’s Underwater Land CD and Booklet

Every kid loves Shel Silverstein, and for a very good reason; He speaks to them on their level and does so with comedy and energy to spare.  Dark and somewhat taboo subjects are addressed with lighthearted and easy humor and the mundane is anything but when Uncle Shel’s narrating for you. 

Before his death in 1999, Shel was working on his final children’s recording, a collection of music called Underwater Land that takes listeners on an undersea adventure.  Or, rather, takes you on 17 separate adventures in its 17 underwater themed tracks.  Any fan of “Where the Sidewalk Ends” or “A Light in the Attic” will appreciate his trademark humorous wordplay and the absurdity that only a child, or a child at heart, could appreciate.

Underwater Land is written, produced and illustrated by Shel Silverstein and comes complete with a beautiful 32-page book of Silverstein illustrations as well as lyrics.  The CD is truly a treasure for the Shel Silverstein fan, and complements his other children’s pieces beautifully.  The music and vocals are performed by singer-guitarist Pat Dailey with appearances by Shel Silverstein himself on many of the tracks.  The two create an enthusiastic and lively mix of melodies that had the whole family grooving for the full length of the album. 

The music is bluesy and playful throughout with fun and easy to follow rhythms that will keep kids and adults singing along to the final track.  Encouraging us to play with our words and enjoy music, the Underwater Land lyrics are full of clever puns and silly stories that are sure to have your little ones giggling.  Sure, some of the lyrics might be predictable to proficient rhymers, but I think it only adds to the singable nature of the album, and something the kids are sure to love. 

Some of our favorite tracks include “Speedy the Snail”, a tune about a snail who lived at lightning speed, and “Captain Octopus”, which looks at both the positives and negatives of having an eight-legged octopus as a shipmate.  Ironically, these are two of the darker tunes on the album, but both tracks remain clever and entertaining, even after a few listens apiece. 

If I hadn’t been a Shel Silverstein fan from a very young age, I certainly would be after Underwater Land.  Witty and whimsical lyrics combined with highly listenable vocals and melodies make this a true stand-out family album.  No Silverstein collection is truly complete without it; Underwater Land should be part of every family’s playlist.

Take a listen to a sampling of tracks from Underwater Land by visiting the website.  Warning, music play automatically, so no surfing at work.

http://www.underwaterland.com/

A big thank you to The Underwater Land Project for introducing our family to the music and poetry of Shel Silverstein.  No type of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.