Rave & Review

Art Prints for Kidz Vintage and Original Art {Review & Giveaway}

 
Cozy At Home Event: Day 12

Since I’m a photographer and my sister is an amazing painter, wall space is really at a premium in our house.  It’s not that I don’t love other people’s work, it’s just that I have a hard time choosing between pictures and paintings we already own so introducing other’s work is always a difficult decision.  But, when it comes to decorating my daughter’s room, I truly want her to enjoy her space and make it personal without decorating too young or too old.  It’s for that reason that I have actually avoided hanging anything on her walls while I waited for inspiration to strike. 

But, that all changed when I found Art Prints for Kidz and decided that she was definitely ready for some art of her own.  Art Prints for Kidz offers a wide selection of vintage prints for children that are taken from pre-1923 picture books (thus compliant with all US copyright laws) as well as beautiful original watercolor prints done by their family artist.  The vintage children’s book illustrations are all scanned and restored in color and brightness by Art Prints for Kidz to their original glory to make them ready for framing. 

Not only are the prints offered on their site adorable, they have that great vintage quality that makes them classically beautiful.  This makes them something that will grow with your child from birth until adulthood and will be pieces they can cherish for years.  And, since they are taken from well loved stories and books, I love that they are pieces of history as well as reflections on childhood.   

My daughter and I sat down together and looked through the impressive collection offered on their site.  I let her choose two pieces from one of my absolute favorite children’s authors ever, Robert Louis Stevenson in the book A Child’s Garden of Verses.  After much debate she and I chose two beautiful pieces together, Happy Hearts Happy Faces and Kites on High, both in 8x10, which I plan on framing on her wall.

We were really excited when they arrived just a few days later rolled securely in a cardboard tube.  I carefully unrolled the prints and ran them up to the nursery to hold them against the wall to see how they look.  They were absolutely beautiful and I am now really excited to get them permanently mounted on the wall.  The colors in the prints were deep and vibrant and they looked as I imagined the original work did.  This is something I was really relieved about because I hate when art has been overly “fixed” and ends up looking cartoonish and overdone.

Because the prints had a slight roll to them from shipping, I set them in between photo albums to gently flatten so I could mat and frame them for her wall easier.  Just a day or two later, they were flat and ready to be framed and displayed.  Now I’m on the search for the perfect frame for the two, something that will showcase how beautiful they are without overpowering the images themselves.       

Like most pieces of art, the prints from Art Prints for Kidz should be carefully protected until they can be preserved under glass.  All watercolor prints and vintage restorations are printed in your choice of 5x7 or 8x10 size on acid-free and lignin-free, 32 pound archival linen paper which is both simple and elegant. 

You should note that they are not laminated or sealed to protect against spills and little fingers, so you should plan on keeping them out of reach of young ones.  I’m hoping Art Prints for Kidz eventually offers an option to buy prints matted, or even pre-framed, since I know quite a few people who get overwhelmed with framing and I think that would make it even easier on non-artists.

If you’ve got a nursery to decorate or a playroom that needs a touch of art, literature, and history, you should look no further than Art Prints for Kidz.  In addition to being beautiful and classic, they are also incredibly affordable so it’s easy to get numerous prints for an even more impressive display.  Now that I’ve got two rooms to decorate, I will definitely be returning to Art Prints for Kidz periodically to check on the newest watercolor prints and see what new vintage finds are being offered. 

Price: $10 for each art print in your choice of 5x7 and 8x10 size

http://www.artprintsforkidz.com/

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win two Art Prints of their choice from Art Prints for Kidz!

To Enter: Go to Art Prints for Kidz and tell me which prints you would choose.  If you would also be so kind as to give Art Prints for Kidz a suggestion or an improvement you would like to see for the site they would welcome your feedback.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

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

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview with the link to this post (http://tinyurl.com/2dyt9jl) after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com and ArtPrintsforKidz.com homepages (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each button, must have an active link to R&R)

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

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

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On November 3rd at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canada!

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to... 60 Tiffany said...  Voted for you today, #10!
A big thank you to Art Prints for Kidz for providing us with the vintage art prints as well as a giveaway for our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Destruction of a Pepper

 

Novica Home Décor and Gifts {Review & Giveaway}

Cozy At Home Event: Day 12

Everyone who knows me well knows that I would shop only at farmer’s markets and art fairs if I could.  In fact, our summers are usually planned around the next artisan market within driving distance.  This is partially because I love having pieces that are truly unique but mostly because I adore having a story to tell about each of my purchases. 

When I was contacted by Novica and asked to check out their site, I truly felt like I was in the middle of the world’s biggest artist fair in the comfort of my own home.  Because NOVICA works in association with National Geographic, they offer a hugely extensive collection of over 2,000 master artisans around the world and give you one easy place to buy – no traveling required.

Looking for a hard-to-find item?  Want something truly unique for you, a gift or for your home?  Novica really has it all and is now my go-to site for those that are impossible to shop for. 

Novica has a huge selection of items from home decor to fine arts to sterling silver jewelry.  I will be honest that it can be a little overwhelming to shop at a site that has so many things you would love to buy, but because it does have a good search function and detailed categories, it is easy to find the category or subcategory of gifts you are looking for. 

I had a great time browsing categories and making wishlists of items I would love to own.  The pictures and descriptions were great as well as the artist profiles listed on each page that give you an idea of who you are buying from.  This feature makes it a truly unique shopping experience and why I could easily spend days shopping and searching.

After all of my searching, I finally settled on a parachute hammock to help make our backyard (and anywhere with two sturdy trees) cozy and relaxing.  Made of the same fabric used for parachutes, the parachute hammock is the definition of lightweight.  It is easily folded and packable, but still is incredibly durable and insanely comfortable.  The parachute hammock is made in Sudanayasa and comes in a variety of colors all with the same sewn on pocket that is also a convenient travel bag for the hammock.  As cool as all these features are, what was really exciting was the insanely low price.  Whereas similar style hammocks are sold for twice, if not three times the price, Novica offers a truly affordable version with all the quality features I expect. 

But then because I couldn’t resist and hubby was helping me shop, I found myself a little something that I can proudly wear and show off, the agate and carnelian Y necklace called Summer Flower.  It was a toss up whether I would go colorful or choose some beatiful silver jewelry like a new pair of earrings, but in the end we decided to be bold and I'm glad we did.  While I always love a fancy earring to dress up an outfit, I am truly a necklace person at heart.   

The orange agate and carnelian Y necklace is a gorgeous addition to my display of necklaces on my wall and even prettier when worn with a colorful top or dressing up a plain tee or sweater.  The floral pendant is a nice unique touch that makes it truly eye catching without becoming overwhelming and it can even be adjusted to the length you would like.  It comes boxed in a beautiful leaf print paper jewelry box and nestled around a small pillow, a presentation which I absolutely adore.  The necklace is made in Thailand and truly makes me wish I could go traveling right about now even though I’m so enjoying being Cozy At Home.

One thing to note when shopping is that when you purchase from Novica, your items come directly from the country of origin.  This can add a little bit of time to shipping, but to me that’s a small price to pay for handcrafted and unique gifts, décor and more.  And, when your gifts do arrive, they are beautifully wrapped and ready for gifting.  Even better is that they come with an artisan card to tell you the story of Novica and your specific item, a feature I found so endearing about the company.  Not only does it give your gift recipient information on their unique item, it also makes it easy to reference later as the compliments pour in.

http://www.novica.com/

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $50 Gift Card to shop at NOVICA!

To Enter: Go to Novica.com and tell me what you would buy with your gift card as well as the artist who created it. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

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

2) Interact with Novica on Facebook by commenting on a post or picture or writing a message on their wall about a product you found on their site.

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @Novica with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/bIMCpb) after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each button, must have an active link to R&R)

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

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

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On October 30th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open worldwide!

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to...

#533 LAMusing said... I like Novica on Facebook and commented on their wall
(as AdrianeCoros)
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

A big thank you to Novica for providing us with the complimentary gift card to shop for whatever we wanted as well as the gift card for one fabulous reader.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

 

Yo Gabba Gabba! There's A Party In My City! {Prize Pack Giveaway}

I can’t tell you how sad I was the last time YO GABBA GABBA! THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! Tour was making waves and I found out the party actually wasn’t in my city.  For all of you that were as sad as I was that your city was passed by, I’ve got great news… the new tour is underway now and this time it’s nationwide as well as into Canada!  And, as it turns out, they are coming to my city… kind of. 

The whole YGG! crew is going to be live on November 13th mere driving distance from Seattle at the Tacoma Dome and we're going!  I can guarantee you the party is going to be all up and down the 1-5 corridor all the way to the Tacoma Dome and back as we rock out to Yo Gabba Gabba!: Music is Awesome Volume 1.  If you remember, I was raving about Music is Awesome! earlier this year, which I must confess is the one and only children’s album I have ever listened to after the kiddos fell asleep in the car.  I can’t help it, it’s got The Shins, The Roots, and a whole bunch of other really great tunes, even if they were sung for preschoolers… seriously. 

I’m guessing that the whole way there will be an intense conversation about who will be the Dancey Dance special guest or what band will be featured on the Super Music Friends Show, information which is kept super top secret up until the event.  The way home I’m sure will be nonstop chatter about all the partying that we just partook in.  Well, at least until the little one inevitably falls asleep after all that excitement.   

If you’d like to get in on the party, you should check out the Yo Gabba Gabba Live website and see all of the remaining tour dates and pick up tickets today.  

KIA Motors presents YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! www.yogabbagabbalive.com or www.yogabbagabba.com

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a YGG! Prize Pack!

Prize Pack Details:

BOOK: Yo Gabba Gabba!, Party in My Tummy - Lift the flaps, sing along, and find out what everyone in Gabba Land is bringing to the party!
CD: Yo Gabba Gabba!: Music is Awesome! Volume 2 is out now and I get to give one away!  I’m so excited to hear this album since I love the first one so much.  Volume 2 has music featured from Seasons I, II & III including Weezer, MGMT & Jimmy Eat World.  You can get a sampling of the record with a free download of Weezer’s track “All My Friends Are Insects” A deluxe edition with bonus tracks is now available for pre-order at iTunes.

To Enter: Tell me where you are planning on seeing YGG! There's A Party In My City! or where you wish you were seeing it.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

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

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @YoGabbaGabba with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/bRxlZh) after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each button, must have an active link to R&R)

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

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

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On October 22nd at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

#22 Erica E said... I subscribe #2

 
A big thank you to the Tacoma Dome for providing us with the complimentary tickets to the event and to Yo Gabba Gabba for providing the giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review

Silver Condiment Stand from ATGStores {Review & $75 Giveaway}

Cozy At Home: Day 10

Since I’ve been spending the last few weeks Cozy At Home, I've been doing quite a bit of online shopping and research to find the things we need most for our expanding family.  As I have been searching, over and over again I am absolutely shocked by all that you can purchase online these days.  Whereas before I had to spend all day searching retail stores to find the perfect houseware, fixture, or gift, now I can comparison shop with just a few clicks of a button.  It's sites like ATGStores.com that have completely changed the way I shop and have made searching for just about anything easier, quicker, and ultimately cheaper… all without even leaving home.

But, as much as I love finding a really great deal on a product I've been eyeing for a few months, sometimes it's even better to find a totally unique item that you didn't even know you needed.  Even better is when that item is on sale and can be purchased with just a few clicks.  Such was the case on my last shopping trip at ATG Stores when I promptly found four items I had been searching for in retail and so much more.  

In addition to finding a toddler bed for my tot and a storage system for mail, I also found something special just for me.  That something special was a gorgeous silver condiment stand that matches perfectly with my pewter collection.  While the antique-looking condiment stand certainly wasn't on my shopping list when I began searching, I knew it was far too perfect - and too unique - to pass up.  

Once it arrived, I eagerly unwrapped the silver condiment stand and its 4 glass cruets with tops and assembled it.  Immediately I was really impressed by how well the silver stand and glass pieces were cushioned in the box for transport.  It actually took me about 15 minutes to get it fully removed from all the careful packaging, something I really appreciate as I hate when you receive something in the mail that has shattered and you have to go to the time and expense of sending it back to the shipper.

The condiment stand is even prettier in person than it is on the ATG Stores site and it has this great antique feel about it.  Besides being gorgeous and matching my pewter collection perfectly, I also love that the condiment stand is sturdy and solid, not some cheap and flimsy silver tray.  Even when fully loaded with oil, vinegar and more, the condiment stand feels really secure while carrying it to and from the table.  And, because I have a variety of pewter items that need homes, I was really excited to find out that my pewter pepper and salt grinders fit like a glove in the condiment stand, which makes it perfect for leaving out on the table year-round.    

I would have never guessed that a huge online retailer like ATG Stores would carry awesome specialty items like the condiment stand we received.  Before I found the ATG Stores website, I would have had no idea where to start searching to find a product like this other than trying my luck on an auction site or antique stores.  But, because ATG works with numerous companies and vendors to give you over 3 million items to choose from, it also means you have so many more options for finding that perfect item you're looking for, whether you knew you were looking for it or not. 

If you are looking for fixtures, furniture, décor, kitchen gadgets, home furnishings, and even baby gear and toys, you can find it at one of the ATG Stores 500 specialty shops.  But, the really cool thing about a shopping site like ATG is that it still only has one checkout, one return policy, and one great customer service team that has been helping people find that perfect item since 1999.

Condiment Stand With 2 Glass Bottles With Stoppers And 2 Glass Covered Jars

• Height: 8.75"
• Length: 8"
• Width: 6"

http://www.atgstores.com/

ATGstores.com has some really great stores like LightingUniverse.com, FixtureUniverse.com, DecorUniverse.com, HomeFurnitureShowroom.com, SportingGoodsCentral.com, NewBabySupply.com, OutdoorLivingShowroom.com and CookingandTableware.com.

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $75 ATG Stores Gift Card to spend however they like!

To Enter (mandatory): Go to ATGStores.com 500 websites and pick out another item you would buy with your $75 credit.  Post the URL link for the item you would choose to purchase in the comments below.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review. You can subscribe at the top of right sidebar (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Follow Rave and Review on Twitter(1 extra entry)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway "@raveandreview and @ATGStores are giving away a GIft Certificate #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/25pxxkq"(extra entry for daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Rave and Review and ATGStores.com (this is good for 5 entries so leave 5 comments with a link to the blog post)

5) Follow @ATGStores on Twitter (2 extra entries)

6) Become a fan of ATGStores on Facebook (2 extra entries)

7) Follow the ATGStores Blog (2 extra entries)

8) Subscribe to ATGStores Email List (3 extra entries)

9) Add Rave and Review to your blogroll - see HTML code in sidebar (Good for 5 entries so leave 5 comments with a link to the blogroll) 

On October 15th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian addresses only, no PO Boxes.  Anyone currently hosting a ATG Stores giveaway is not eligible to enter.

Winner, winner! This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to...

#136 Corrie Gompf said... Subscribed to ATGStores Email List. Supermomonwheels(at)gmail(dot)com

A big thank you to ATGStores for providing us with the complimentary condiment stand in exchange for my honest review as well as the $75 Gift Certificate for one lucky winner.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Wordless Wednesday: A Windy Coast

WheelyBug Ride-On from Prince Lionheart

I must admit that I fell in love with the wheelyBUG from Prince Lionheart well before my daughter even knew they existed.  Besides loving their multi-directional castor wheel style movement that allows kiddos to spin 180s and get around with ease, they are also beyond adorable.  It’s these reasons that make it one of my favorite ride-on toys ever and why I would recommend it for every child.

The wheelyBUG consists of a padded seat in bright bug and animal designs that is complete with super cute antennae or ears, depending on the style you choose.  This cushioned “bug” seat is made from thick sponge covered with polyurethane leatheroid which is incredibly easy to wipe clean as well as a small sturdy handle for pushing or riding.  All of this adorableness sits upon a wooden base with easy to spin castors on the bottom.  Although the design may be incredibly simple, it’s this adorable simplicity that draws kids to it and begs them to ride it.  And then once they do, watch out, because they are never going to want to get off of it.  
 
When my daughter's growth was delayed and she lagged behind all the other kids her age with her strength and ability to maneuver ride on toys, I did an exhaustive search to find one that she could easily handle.  In my search, I ran across the Prince Lionheart wheelyBUG once more and realized that it was the perfect toy for her to try so she could still experience riding with her friends.  The best part was that this wasn’t a baby toy that she would quickly grow out of and then would sit taking up space, but rather one that would last for years and that numerous children could ride. 

Instinctively all kids seem to know what to do upon hopping on the wheelyBUG the first time, even with no instruction or guidance.  Because of its simple and straightforward design, the wheelyBUG couldn’t be easier to ride which makes it easier for young children to keep up with older kids and have just as much fun. 

Because you are not limited to moving in straight lines and all steering is done with your feet instead of by a separate turning handlebar, getting moving is so much easier on a wheelyBUG than any other riding toy I've ever seen.  It's this unique combination that makes it perfect for those who are struggling with traditional ride on toys as well as great fun for experienced riders as they get good at weaving around in tight places and spinning around completely.

In truth, one of the best things about the wheelyBUG is that there isn’t really a wrong way to ride it.  Since the wheels spin in every direction, your child can move any way they choose by merely pushing off with their feet.  As they ride more and their skill level increases, they will be able to refine their movements and get even more enjoyment from their newfound control. 

I will never forget that first time my daughter saw a wheelyBUG and got a chance to ride one.  Her excitement was really contagious as she voomed about the room, alternately holding on to the antennae or the handle as she rode.  It was one of those moments as a mom that made me so proud of what my little girl was able to overcome.  I think it was then as I watched her cruising around that she began to look like a full fledged kid to me instead of my little baby.
 
It’s been incredibly fun to watch the subtle difference in my daughter spinning goofily through the kitchen not realizing she was favoring one foot, to now seeing her spin purposefully around as if on some crazy slalom course.  Even better is that she doesn’t get “stuck” on the wheelyBUG like she can other ride on toys.  Since she is able to move forwards, backwards, and side to side with ease, she never finds herself in a corner she can’t get out of.  If, by chance, she ever should, it’s good to know that the wheelyBUG’s low profile is easy for her to get on and off of all by herself.

As most parents know, it can be very hard to match toys to your child’s skill level.  I have always said it’s better to get something that is too old for your child since they will grow into rather than out of it and let your child dictate when they are ready for more.  Better yet is when you can get a toy that grows with your child during all the development stages without frustrating them now.  With the award-winning wheelyBUG, I’ve definitely found a ride-on toy that fits in this category and one that all my children are sure to be using for quite some time.

http://www.princelionheart.com/

The Wheely Bug is available in two sizes:
Small 15" L x 9" W x 8 ¾ " H (seat) for 1.5 yrs +
Large 18 ½ " x 11" x 10 ½ " for 3yrs +

Features of the Wheely Bug:
• Totally new concept to encourage gross motor skills while having heaps of fun.
• Bright, soft, unisex design... an instant attraction to little girls and boys alike.
• Tough PU covering, resistant to the inevitable “little accidents”, easy to clean.
• Padded with a 1” layer of soft sponge.
• Entirely non-toxic and contains no PVC.
• Weighs only Small: 4lb, Large: 5lb
• Constructed with only the highest quality components.
• Design Patented and Trademark Registered.
• Multidirectional castors, no more getting stuck against obstacles.
• Children love the easy, unlimited mobility.
• Researched and developed in child care centres (designed for “industrial” kid use.)
• Certified tested to ASTM 963, CE EN71, JP ST05, AS/NZ ISO 8124.
• Intended for use on smooth floors, ideal for indoors, runs quietly.
• Recommended rider weight 50lb.
• Stainless steel spring mounted “feelers”, which wobble much to the delight of children, have an internal cord to prevent pull out.
• Plywood base made from renewable plantation timber.

If you'd like to see some video of an adult riding a small Wheely Bug, click this link HERE.

A huge thank you to Prince Lionheart for sending their beloved WheelyBUG to be reviewed.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

George Foreman Evolve Grill {Review & Giveaway}

Cozy At Home Event - Day 9

When I think of George Foreman, I automatically think of the iconic grill that was wildly popular during my adolescence.  I still remember all the healthy cooking commercials and the fact that just about everyone I knew owned their own George Foreman Grill.  In fact, my family owned two - one that was large enough to grill up four steaks and one that was designed for two people or for smaller snacks.

Having been pretty familiar with the George Foreman Grill of a decade ago, I was extremely excited to find out that the line has since been expanded dramatically and now offers even greater possibilities for Healthy Cooking.  The Evolve Grill is the newest release from George Foreman and is so much more than that first basic grill.  In addition to grilling meats, veggies and more, it actually replaces numerous appliances and gadgets most of us have in our cupboards.

From baking muffins and casseroles to perfect waffles and pancakes, the George Foreman Evolve Grill covers a whole range of cooking that is completely unexpected in a grill.  Whether you are cooking up breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, the Evolve Grill offers a quick and easy way to customize the grill to suit your menu.  With the addition of removable plates, you can easily convert the grill to make a huge variety of foods and give you a greater versatility in the kitchen as well as easier cleanup.

As with all George Foreman Grills, the Evolve Grill plates have a “George Tough” nonstick coating that makes it so food doesn’t stick to the grill as well as the patented slope that allows excess fat and oils to drain away from your food.  This allows you to make healthy meals for your family with no oils added and no scrubbing required, something I’m sure we all can appreciate.  Even better is that all the George Foreman Evolve Grill Plates are all dishwasher safe, which was really surprising to me and made for incredibly simple cleanup.    

The Evolve comes in 3 different starter sets, each with 4 special grill plates that depends on the model you choose.  We received the Grill, Bake, Mini Burger Evolve Grill set that comes with two grilling plates, a deep dish baking pan, and a burger slider insert.  What’s really great is that you have the ability to expand your grill down the road by purchasing more Evolve grill plates to make pancakes, waffles, muffins, cupcakes, paninis, omelets, and so much more.  I am incredibly excited to try out the muffin pan and the waffle grill plates soon, which would help us clear out even more of our cupboards and make the Evolve even more essential in our kitchen. 

  Every single thing we have tried on the Evolve Grill has been delicious and I actually look for things I can cook just to get an excuse to use it.  The first thing we tried was the cross-hatch grill plates to make some grilled chicken breasts and I was absolutely shocked by how delicious and moist the finished chicken was.  Even my daughter who would prefer if we all went vegetarian took one bite and said “mmmmm” and then proceeded to eat almost a whole large chicken breast by herself – before we even sat down to dinner.

Since I am notoriously bad at cooking meats, I really loved how easy it was to grill up a great tasting dinner in a matter of minutes.  Straight out of the box, all I had to do was connect the grilling plates, make sure the Evolve was at a slope, set the time noted for chicken in the included grill guide and then start it preheating.  Once preheated, I just put the chicken breasts directly on the lower grill plate and shut the Evolve so the upper grill plates pressed down on the meat as it cooked.  Once the grill beeped to let me know the food was done, I then checked the internal temperature for doneness.  Perfection!

When using the specialty plates included with the Evolve Grill, you simply turn a small handle in the back of the unit to level the grill out and then attach whatever grill plate you need.  This makes it possible to make casseroles, muffins, cupcakes, waffles, pancakes and more without having them bake at an angle.  As much as I love the new Evolve Grill for making meats and more for dinner, it’s this versatility that makes me really excited about what I can do with the Evolve and has me making up all sorts of crazy recipes.

My recipe favorite so far has to be an egg casserole I whipped up within 10 minutes that fed the whole family and is now on our “easy weeknight dinner” list.  I was thrilled with how evenly and how quickly it cooked, which meant that I got dinner on the table fast and every bite was delicious.  I’m really excited to try a veggie casserole soon as well as trying out a baked good to see how it does.  If it’s at all like the first dozen experiments, the Evolve Grill may never make it make to its new home right near the pantry.

We seriously love the Evolve Grill from George Foreman Healthy Cooking and use it almost daily, sometimes just for fun.  In all my years of owning my own home and cooking for a family, I can't think of another cooking gadget I can say that about!

Specialty Grill Plates available with the George Foreman Evolve:

• Cross-hatch grill plates (2) – Perfect for grilling chicken breasts, fresh fish and more.
• Mini-Burger plate – Serve up low-fat turkey sliders in minutes.
• Griddle plate – Cook up breakfast, lunch or dinner without adding extra oil or butter for healthier meals.
• Cupcake/muffin plate – Whipping up six muffins or cupcakes is a snap with this easy-to-use plate.
• Panini plates (2) – No need to butter bread when making panini in the George Foreman Evolve™ Grill.
• Deep-dish baking plate – From lasagna to veggie-packed casseroles, the deep-dish bake pan provides another versatile usage for the George Foreman Evolve™ Grill.
• Omelet plates (2) – Flipping omelets used to require lots of butter or oil to prevent sticking, however, with the George Tough™ nonstick coating, making omelets is simpler and healthier than ever.
• Waffle plate –The waffle plates makes preparing golden, delicious waffles on the grill easy and convenient.

Key Product Features from the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website:

• George Tough™ nonstick coating for oil-free cooking
• Patented slope for fat to drip away
• Drip tray that is dishwasher safe for collecting grease drippings
• 84 square-inch cooking surface
• Precise Digital Time and Temperature Control
• Removable dishwasher-safe plates
• Extra-high floating hinge adjusts automatically to the thickness of food to perfectly press thick cuts of meat and stuffed panini
• Embedded heating elements provide even heat from the center to the sides of the plate and faster temperature recovery

Price: The Evolve Grill with 4 removable plates is available for $129.99, and you choose between three different George Foreman Evolve Grill sets to best suit your cooking tastes

http://www.georgeforemancooking.com/

Visit the George Foreman Cooking Blog for recipes, tricks and tips and more

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve Grill of their very own!

To Enter: Go to the George Foreman Cooking website and tell me another product you would love to try.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

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

2) Interact with George Foreman Cooking on Facebook by commenting on a post or picture or writing a message on their wall about a recipe you're dying to try out

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @GeorgeForemanCo with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/bIMCpb) after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each button, must have an active link to R&R)

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

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

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On October 25th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and congrats to...

1293 Jennifer Tilson said... I voted for you on Top Baby Blogs. You're currently in #9 spot.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

A big thank you toGeorge Foreman Healthy Cooking for providing us with the complimentary Evolve Grill in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review

Misikko Professional Styling Products {Review & Giveaway}

Cozy At Home - Day 8

Just because you’re planning to stay Cozy At Home doesn’t mean you should let your beauty routine suffer.  Whether or not you have anywhere fancy to go, fixing your hair always makes you feel better.  These past few months of working at home have taught me that sometimes the most important person you dress up for is yourself and you should always find the time to do something with your hair.  

Recently, I was reminded again that my beauty routine could use a little help and that help came in the form of two bottles that arrived in a beautifully wrapped package dropped off on my doorstep.  The package was direct from Misikko, the experts in hair care who supply the pros (and the amateurs, such as myself) with top quality tools and beauty products.  Misikko carries a huge variety of name brand and professional styling tools including flat irons, hair dryers, curling irons, hair care products, makeup and even some skin care items that they ship to professional salons and consumers.  The Misikko site even lets you compare tools directly on their website by brand or rating, helping you find the exact tool that is right for you.

I got the opportunity to try out two of those professional hair care products Misikko offers, the Hana Shine Shield and the CHI Silk Infusion, and it has inspired me to spend a little more time on me – and on my hair.  The two products are perfect for using together as a full hair routine, or you can use either one alone for great results.  Because I wanted to see some dramatic results, I decided to shampoo and condition my hair like normal and then use both products together the first time. 

I was a little worried that the two products might be a bit much for my baby fine and thin hair, but was really surprised by how healthy and soft my hair felt after using them.  Just a few drops of each massaged into my damp hair really went a long way towards taming my mane and making it extra smooth and silky even after heat styling.  In fact, I found that using both products together actually made it easier to dry my hair and then straighten it, a benefit I hadn’t been anticipating.  

I let my sister try the two products out as well so she could see how they work and she agreed her hair was noticably softer and shinier and made her hair feel lighter.  She also said she noticed her hair felt fuller and the added texture from the products was really nice with her fine hair.  After trying many other shine enhancing products and heat therapy products that weighed my hair down and made it feel greasy, I can absolutely agree that the Misikko styling products had the opposite effect and made my hair feel lighter and even fuller.   

The CHI Silk Infusion comes in a small, 2oz bottle, proof that a little really does go a long way.  It contains no alcohol and helps protect you hair against thermal styling damage while giving you silky soft locks. 

Farouk CHI Silk Infusion, 2oz, Price: $12.99:
  Leave in, alcohol free reconstructing treatment
  Enriched with pure natural silk, wheat and soy proteins
  For soft manageable hair with incredible shine and no build up
  Protects the hair against thermal styling and environment

The Hana Shine Sheild comes in a larger 6oz bottle, but is still used very sparingly.  The Shine Shield is also a leave-in conditioning treatment that protects against thermal styling, but has an added benefit of removing buildup caused by other hair care products.  Besides leaving hair feeling clean and silky smooth, it also smells great.

Hana Shine Shield, 6oz, Price: $29.99:
  Lightweight leave-in conditioning therapy
  Designed to protect and restore both hair and scalp from environmental and styling stress
  Jojoba absorbs quickly without a greasy feel for thorough deep conditioning
  Jojoba naturally dissolves soil, removing build-up from other styling products to leave hair clean & supple
  Jojoba naturally excels at thickening keratin layers, bringing out your hair's natural color overtones, highlights and brilliance
  Periodic use over time is proven to advance the quality of your hair & the health of your scalp

I would highly recommend checking out both the CHI Silk Infusion and the Hana Shine Shield and even buying them together at a discounted rate through the Misikko site to protect against the inevitable winter frizz and styling damage.  Hard to beat super shiny, silky smooth hair, even if the only place you have to be is cozy on your sofa. 

While you are checking out the Misikko site, you should also take a look at a CHI hair straightener or professional hair dryer or two and get additional discounts for buying them together.  While I currently have my eye on one of their awesome travel irons, there are dozens more styling tools I would love to have - whether I'm Cozy At Home or on the road. 

http://www.misikko.com/ 

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win these two products from Misikko to enjoy!

To Enter: Visit Misikko and tell me another product you would love to try.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

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

2) Join Misikko’s newsletter

3) “Like” Misikko on Facebook (1 extra entry) and interact with them in some way by commenting on a post or picture, asking them a beauty question or telling them a product you saw on their site you have your eye on (1 extra entry)

4) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @misikko with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/atX2Mk) after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

5) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

6) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each button, must have an active link to R&R)

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

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

9) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On October 10th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to...

#142 tanyab79 said...http://twitter.com/clerk79/status/26032239449

A big thank you to Misikko for sending their fabulous styling products for review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Wordless Wednesday: Trump Hair