Rave & Review

Personalized World Atlas from National Geographic {Giveaway + 50% discount code}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 15

At two and a half years old, my daughter has been to more continents than most adults I know, a fact that I am extremely proud of.  While most children her age have no idea what a Chicago dog tastes like, haven’t been to dozens of Spanish cities, and don’t have their own stuffed camel from Africa, my daughter has a very unique perspective of the world.  But, while she has experienced many different places and cultures, a lot of what she understands about geography is unexplainable to a child – as in the fact that she went to sleep in one city and then she woke up on a plane in another. 

In explaining geography to her, I really struggled with how to put in plain words that these memories she has from our travels are actually from different cities…in different countries… on entirely different continents.  Of course, that’s where National Geographic Kids comes into play.

To show our kids their place in the world and where all these travel memories originated from, we got to check out the new personalized National Geographic Kids Atlas of My World this fall.  By answering just a few short questions about my children and where we live and then uploading a picture, we were able to create a personalized keepsake for them to treasure forever. 

The finished atlas is a hardcover book with 48 pages and has over 200 photographs and maps to make geography really come alive.  With special touches such as political and physical maps, as well as color-coded facts explaining about the people and the customs of the world, your child will love reading about places both familiar and unfamiliar.  These brightly colored pages are all adorable and are absolutely perfect for teaching children all about their world. 

Starting from their personalized cover which opens to reveal a personal dedication from hubby and I, it’s very clear this is a very special book.  As cool as it is that the Atlas of My World has pictures of my beautiful children and all the information about where we live, what really makes the atlas special is the understanding of how children learn. 

There is really no better way to explain geography to children than to start with their place in it, and that is just what the Atlas of My World does.  It starts with your child’s information and the place where you live and then onto the next big city.  From there children can learn about the state in which they live, and then on to the country (US and Canada only at this time), with the geographical region growing with each turn of the page.  This way of starting small with a house in the suburbs in Washington and then working to expand to teach kids all about their world around them is truly unique and makes the atlas an indispensable tool for parents. 

If you are looking for the perfect gift to encourage your child’s love of geography and to teach them about different people and places, look no further than National Geographic Kids Atlas of My World.  As much as I love that it will help my children to learn more about our world around us, I also hope that it helps them discover their place in it and hopefully inspire them to travel and explore together as they get older. 

Visit atlasofmyworld.com and personalize your own atlas today.  For a limited time you can get up to a 50% dicount by using the code below.... enjoy!

http://atlasofmyworld.com
http://atlasofmyworld.com/books/

• 50% Discount plus Free Shipping:  December 1, 2 & 3.  Rave & Review exclusive discount code: rar50gift
• 25% Discount plus Free Shipping:  December 4th - 11th.  Rave & Review exclusive discount code: gift25rar

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Atlas of My World from National Geographic Kids!

To Enter: Simply visit the Atlas of My World site and tell me what personalized features you would include or something you loved about the sample atlas.

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) 'Like' National Geograhic Kids on Facebook

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using the following after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

"Personalized Atlas disc code  @raveandreview @NGKids for 50% off + free shipping! Enter rar50gift at check out (url)"

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage and to http://atlasofmyworld.com (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button in your sidebar on your blog or website  (2 extra entries, 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 December 21st 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: #59 pamela james said... entered the shun edo giveaway

A big thank you to National Geographic Kids for providing the sample for review as well as offering a giveaway and discount to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

MICHE Big Bag and 3 Designer Shells {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Gift Guide: Day 14

Have you heard of the MICHE Bag?  I remember the first time I heard of them I was in labor with my second child and the commercial for Miche Bags came on.  Although I remember thinking “those do look like cute designer handbags”, I was also a little … uh, distracted.  Luckily, I had my sister in the room who reminded me a few weeks later how cute they were and how practical they seemed. 

So when Miche Bags contacted me and asked if I would like the chance to try one out, of course I said yes.  My sister was completely jealous when I called her a few days later and told her they were in fact cooler than I had originally thought (I was in labor, remember, it’s really quite amazing that I even remember the commercial at all.)

The Miche Bag company hails themselves as a “recession-proof” fashion accessory, allowing you to completely redesign your handbag however often you like, but at a fraction of the cost of buying a whole new bag.  We all know that when money is tight one of the first luxuries to go is our accessory budget, which means many of us are doing without new handbags this year in light of a rather bleak economy.  Miche Bags hopes to change that and give us ladies a more economical way to update our look frequently, all without going broke! 

By utilizing a unique base bag that you can cover with any of their 40 interchangeable shells, you can potentially have 40 handbags in 1 and be able to update your look within seconds.  For a new look, you simply remove the outer shell of your bag and replace it with a new shell.   

It literally takes seconds to switch from one look to another because the shells attach easily with super strong magnets (these same magnets also keep your purse closed and the contents from spilling out once the shells are in place).  Even better is that Miche makes it easy to make the switch and update your bag without having to move everything from one purse to the next.  I am notorious for forgetting something essential when I transfer bags, so I love that the Miche Bag makes this switch completely easy. 

I got to try out the Miche Big Bag that is similar to a hobo style purse and I absolutely loved it.  The Miche Big Bag base starts out as a black canvas shoulder bag with a camel colored interior lining, which is complete with 4 interior pockets, 2 pen holders, and 4 credit card slots.  I really love a good black bag, but rarely do I find one with a light colored interior, a feature that helps me find items easily at the bottom and keeps my purse from collecting random toys, accessories and gear that weighs it down. 

This is just one of many features I appreciated and right away I really liked the Miche Large Bag.  I even thought it actually would be cute to carry alone without a shell of any kind.  But, because it came with three adorable Miche shells, it was pretty much impossible to use it bare. 

I first slipped the Oakley shell over the large base found it was very intuitive to attach.  You simply fold the magnetic top of the shell over the top of the Miche base and the strong magnets hold the two in place.  Two seconds flat and I had a whole new handbag look! 
Say you want a canvas tote during the day but a sleek and stylish evening bag after work.  You would simply need to bring the evening shell with you and then when work is through, you slip the shell over your base bag and you are ready for an evening out on the town. 

Because they know you like to customize your bag to your activity, the Miche base and shells both have side grommets for attaching a shoulder strap.  This allows you to wear it as a crossbody bag for hands-free days out.  Additionally, many of the shells also have front pockets and side pockets to help when you are out and about.  Some even have removable accessories and ties that can further customize your shell, a feature I absolutely love.

So, instead of using a handbag until I am absolutely sick of it like I have always done in the past, now I can change the way my bag looks multiple times a day if I like.  The Large Miche Bag sells for $39.95 and has Miche shells starting at $14.95, making it possible to own quite a few shells to suit whatever activity is on your busy schedule. 

The Miche Big Bag is 5” (deep) x 15” (long) x 12” (tall).  The handles pictured come with the bag and are 20” long.

http://www.michebag.com

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a MICHE Large Bag with 3 Designer Shells (Sandy, Oakley, and Drew)!

To Enter: Simply visit the Miche site and tell me what Miche shell you would love to put on your Miche Big Bag.

 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 #giveaway and the link to this post (http://bit.ly/fhXyaD) 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 homepage and to http://www.michebag.com (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button in your sidebar on your blog or website  (2 extra entries, 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 December 28th 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: #186 Carrie said...

12/8 Tweet http://twitter.com/gabreviews/status/12679615394873344

A big thank you to Miche for providing the sample 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.

Wiggly Bridge Handmade Hats {Review & Giveaway}

 
Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 13

Both of my kids are "hat kids" and have been since birth.  This is partly because they just look so darn cute in them and partly because I realized quickly that hats are one of the cutest and most affordable accessories you can buy, as well as one of the easiest to store (and keep forever, if you're the sentimental type like I am).

Not only do cute hats completely change an outfit and make any child look put together, they are also attention magnets since no one can pass by an adorable kid wearing an adorable hat and not completely melt.  Trust me.

I recently heard about the Etsy store, Wiggly Bridge, and got to check out their line of exquisite handmade hats for all seasons.  Since you all know by now how much I adore handmade, it’s really no surprise that I fell hard for Wiggly Bridge’s offerings.  When trying to decide on a hat to keep my little one toasty this holiday season, I spent quite a bit of time checking out all the designs and imagining how cute they would look on either my daughter or son.

Unfortunately, no amount of time made my decision any easier and it was impossible for me to decide on my own.  Luckily for me, Jessica, the owner of Wiggly Bridge, helped me make a decision and even picked out the perfect hat sizes for both of my kids so we could take some holiday pictures.

She sent out two striped holiday hats from her pre-made selection for my kids and they arrived incredibly fast even with some crazy winter weather that came early to the Pacific Northwest.  Over the past few weeks my kids have been wearing them just about every day and we have gotten more compliments than I can count about how cute they are in them.  

If you can’t tell from the pictures, the Wiggly Bridge Holiday Hat is a red and white striped cap that has a long, pointed top and is finished with a whimsical pom pom for extra adorable-ness.  They look like a cross between a striped santa hat and a knit snow hat for an adorable elf, and either way, they are absolutely adorable. 

Not only are they perfect for all this cold weather that hit even earlier this year than normal, they are also the perfect way to get everyone around us in a holiday mood.  My kids have been wearing the hats for two weeks now and are clearly on a mission to thoroughly melt everyone's hearts around us.  It’s really hard to imagine not being in a jolly mood when you’re hanging out with this little guy, isn’t it?

We've still got a few weeks left until Christmas, so I know that the holiday hats from Wiggly Bridge are going to have quite a few more photo opportunities ahead of us.  This may be a bit of a long shot, but I'm actually hoping that the hats will stretch enough so that they can each wear them again next year as well.  If not, they will certainly end up in their special keepsake boxes and something that will always remind me of the first year as a family of four.

Even if holiday hats are not your thing, the Wiggly Bridge shop has a hat that is guaranteed to melt your heart.  Since most hats are custom orders, you can always contact Jessica directly and she can work with you to create the perfect hat for your kiddo at no extra charge.  Please do keep in mind that since most hats are made to order, you should allow for at least a week for her to create your masterpiece and then allow for shipping. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWigglyBridge

 

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a hat of your choice from Wiggly Bridge!

To Enter: Simply visit the Wiggly Bridge site and tell me what hat you would love to put on your little one.

 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) Subscribe to the Wiggly Bridge feed or "favorite" the shop on Etsy (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview #giveaway and the link to this post (http://bit.ly/eFjdcO) after following (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 and to http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWigglyBridge (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button in your sidebar on your blog or website  (2 extra entries, 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 December 14th 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: #77 Karine Traverse said... Voted for you, Current Rank: 6

A big thank you to Wiggly Bridge for providing the sample 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.

Britax Parkway SG Belt Positioning Booster Seat {Review & Giveaway}

Moving your child from one car seat to the next is a very big deal and one that we don’t take lightly.  When shopping for a booster seat there were a few things we were looking for, the first of which was versatility, adjusting to fit a wide range of sizes so it could grow with our children.  The second thing we were looking for was side impact protection, as we appreciate that extra security for us and the extra comfort for kiddos. 

But the one thing that sold us on the Britax Parkway SG was a feature we didn’t even know we were looking for when we started our search.  That feature is the Secure Guard strap (the SG part of the Parkway) that prevents submarining.  Although this sounds like something aquatic, it really is just a fancy term for when children slide down in the seat due to a lack of belt anchor at the bottom.  Since we were moving from a 5 point restraint system to a booster, this was something I hadn’t even considered before but I really appreciate now.  

In addition to preventing submarining, the SG strap also helps keep the seat belt in the proper position while still allowing your child freedom of movement.  The shoulder belt guide paired with the SG strap turns your standard 3 point lap belt into a four point harness and helps keep the car seatbelt along the strongest parts of a child’s body.  This helps keep them safe in an accident and minimizes abdominal injuries in a crash, a feature that really is paramount for us.

The head restraint on the Parkway SG looks different than other boosters because it is – instead of a hard flat booster back, the Parkway SG wraps around the child’s head and provides superior comfort, keeps the neck and head in place when riding, and gives your little one a great place to rest their heads should they fall asleep.   

The Parkway SG fits children from 40lbs to 120lbs and up to 63”, a feature we love because it means we can utilize the seat as long as possible.  My hope is that we can keep our kids in boosters until they hit the height limit, which is safer than just buckling them in a traditional car seatbelt.

Because my kids are all above the 90th percentile for height, I also love that the back of the Parkway SG has a large range of height adjustments.  Accommodating seated heights of 14 - 21.5 inches, the Parkway SG has an almost absurdly adjustable back.  In fact, I have a 24 year old sister who still could ride in this booster based on her seated height and her weight (sorry, sis).

Other features of the Parkway SG that are just icing on the cake are the built in cupholders that slide into the base when not in use and comfortable arm rests for little ones.  It also has color coded vehicle belt guides to help caregivers put the seatbelt in right the first time, a removable back that gives you the option of converting to a smaller and more portable booster, and a narrow footprint that allows you to fit three seats across in most vehicles. 

If you are looking for something more than the bare-minimum booster seats that line the shelves of most stores, you should definitely check out the Britax Parkway SG.  It has so many practical features that make this the most versatile and long-lasting booster we have found anywhere.  This ease of use paired with the fact that it is extremely comfortable for kids means you may actually use the Parkway SG for as long as experts recommend, which makes it worth every dollar. 

Features of the Parkway SG from the Britax website:

• Armrests help provide a secure fit and a comfortable place to rest tired arms
• Color-Coded Vehicle Belt Guides indicate the path and positioning of the vehicle lap and shoulder seat belt
• Energy-Absorbing Foam Liner (EPS) absorbs and distributes crash forces
• Narrow Footprint is ideal for 3-across seating
• High Density Comfort Foam provides an extra layer of padding to gently cushion your child
• Removable Back allows the booster seat to easily convert to a backless booster while maintaining safety of SecureGuard
• Cup Holders are designed to hold sippy cups, soda cans, and water bottles
• 120-pound Weight Capacity for safety and comfort as your child grows
• MSRP (USD) $119.99

http://www.britaxusa.com/

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Britax Parkway SG Belt Positioning Booster Seat of their very own - {ARV $120}! 

To Enter:  Watch the video of the Britax Parkway SG and tell me something you learned about the new SG Belt Positioning Booster Seat.  

And, as always, there are extra entries available:

1) Like PTPA on Facebook and Britax on Facebook - trust me, it's a great way to keep up to date on all the products needing testing and all the great things going on at Britax

2) Enter again on the PTPA Blog for even more chances to win!

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using the following after following us all (daily Tweet, just post link here)

"I'm entering to win the @PTPA winning @britax parkway SG positioning booster from @raveandreview #ptpawinner http://bit.ly/f49GF3"

4) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count - leave two comments)

5) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the Rave and Review homepage and to PTPAmedia.com (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

6) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

7) Comment love.  Leave a new comment on any non-giveaway post and/or any of my current giveaways!

On December 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 Canadian addresses only.

A huge thank you to the PTPA winning Britax for sending their Parkway SG to be reviewed as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

Whirl Balance Scooter from Prince Lionheart

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 11

When I was young, all the kids in my neighborhood got together and created an impressive inter-city transportation system that we spent all summer perfecting.  We had a series of two lane roads, one highway, and even a "country road" that led us around our made up city.  Included in our system were various modes of transportation to get us around our metropolis, including a wagon (bus), various bikes (motorcycles, scooters), and two powerwheels (a car and truck).

When I think back on that summer now and all the fun we had creating our own special city complete with gas station, drive thru, supermarket, and county building where the important decisions for our little town were made, I can't help but smile.  I love that every age of kid in the neighborhood was included and we all had at least a dozen roles we would play daily, from mayor to gas station attendant, and I also love that even though we were playing, we were also building some pretty cool skills that we all took with us when our town eventually shut down for the winter.

When I first saw the Whirl Balance Scooter from Prince Lionheart this past year, I immediately thought of our made-up town that has long since been erased from our old neighborhood.  Besides being adorable, the Whirl Balance Scooter is simply begging young kids to let their imaginations run wild.  The retro design is easily at home in a European countryside, a metropolitan city, or even zipping to your job as the town photographer, and that makes it adaptable to any game they can dream up.

And, with quality touches throughout, who wouldn’t want to ride one of these and play make believe all day long?  With its 100% birch frame from an FSC certified forest, nice and solid rubber handgrips, a slightly padded seat that can adjust over 3 ½ inches, and 12 inch rubber tires for a smooth ride, it looks just as comfortable as it does cute.  It also has numerous little design touches that really add to the charm of the Whirl Balance Scooter and make it every little girls’ dream… even us big girls. 

What's great is that because it's a balance scooter that doesn't have pedals or a noisy motor, it means that just about any age kid can ride it for hours of good, active fun.  Since they will be having so much fun imagining that they are exploring Montmarte and winding down the twisty back roads of Paris in view of the Eiffel Tower, it will be easy to forget that they are also developing their sense of balance, working off energy, and preparing themselves to ride a two wheeled bicycle without assistance.

By allowing your child to sit comfortably on the seat and still keep both feet on the ground, it lets them to get familiar with the feel of balancing in a natural and familiar way.  They may start out walking while sitting on the scooter, but soon they will be gliding and scooting all over the place with confidence.  And then before you know it, they will be ready for pedals, the next step in learning to ride!

If you're like me and you think a kid's job is to play and imagine, then you will appreciate how the Prince Lionheart Whirl Balance Scooter encourages kids to expand their play.  Even better is that as they play and create all these memories they are also developing crucial skills that will help them grow both mentally and physically and prepare them for the next big milestone. 

Judging from how much my daughter simply adores the retro scooter, I know this is not going to be a toy she easily abandons once she is able to ride a bicycle on her own.  I see many, many years of imaginative play ahead for the Whirl Balance Scooter and I can’t wait to see where it takes her!

Price: $110 and available from http://www.princelionheart.com/ 

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

Shun Edo 8 ½” Chef's Knife {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 10

There are certain things that I firmly believe you should buy top-of-the-line and knives are absolutely on that list.  Not only do they make food prep so much easier, it also makes the time spent in the kitchen so much more enjoyable.

Since this time of year we all are spending a lot of extra time in the kitchen, I thought this would be the perfect time to profile the knife that completely changed my mind about what top-of-the-line meant.  In fact, if you read my post a few weeks back where I declared my love for my knife set my husband and I got when we first moved in together, you will remember how I was singing their praises.  Well, I'm sorry to say that the honeymoon is officially over and I am now looking to upgrade.

The knives that have caused this wandering eye are Shun, the handcrafted knives from Japan.  If you've been out shopping for knives recently, you will instantly recognize Shun knives with their bold lines and artistry.  But, besides being the most artistically designed knives on the market, Shun has made a name for itself with its superior performance in cutlery.

 The specific Shun knife that I have recently fallen for is the Shun Edo 8 ½ inch Chef’s Knife from Williams-Sonoma that comes in its own bamboo display stand.  Designed in the tradition of Japanese sword-making but made using state-of-the-art technology, the Shun Edo Chef’s Knife has an incredibly dense VG-10 “Super Steel” blade that is tempered for exceptional hardness and edge retention. 

This VG-10 blade has a unique hammered finish (called “tsuchime” in Japanese) that does more than offer a gorgeous display piece, it also reduces drag and keeps food from sticking to the blade as you are slicing.  Since we do a lot of veggie slicing that has a tendency to stick to other blades, this is a feature I really love and part of why I fell so hard for it.   

The 8.5” Shun Edo Chef’s Knife has a contoured resin-infused PakkaWood handle that provides a solid and comfortable grip as well as providing lasting moisture resistance.  It also has a tear drop shaped wide and thick bolster as well as an ergonomic grip to reduce tension and fatigue while chopping. 

I found that the Edo felt incredibly natural in my hand and my husband remarked the same thing when he picked it up the first time.  It is perfectly balanced so that it is light enough for fast chopping but weighted so that everything you slice feels like butter.  That sounds like an exaggeration, but it really isn’t. 

The Shun 8.5” Chef’s Knife is by far the sharpest blade I have ever cut with.  Whether slicing pork loin or chopping hard vegetables or fruit, this knife performs absolutely effortlessly.  In a side by side comparison between the Shun and our comparable and newly sharpened chef’s knife from our old set was not even a competition.  Since we all know that a sharp knife is a safer knife, I really appreciate this superior sharpness as well as the fact that Shun knives are known for their lasting edge retention.

As a busy mom of two, I’m certainly not one who looks for projects, but with how much I love the Shun Edo, it truly makes chopping and slicing fun.  This makes me far more likely to slice up veggies and fruits for lunch for the family or get creative with our meals.  Since home cooked meals and fresh ingredients are incredibly important to me, I consider good knives an investment in this endeavor and can easily justify buying a premium knife such as the Shun Edo.

In fact, there are literally two things on my husband’s and my holiday lists this year and one of them is another Shun knife to add to our collection.  Our hope is that we can slowly purchase the knives we use the most throughout the year and eventually completely replace our old knives. 

If you are like me and the next few weeks are going to be spent fixing a wide variety of meals, dishes, and snacks, you should definitely consider getting yourself a little pre-holiday present of your own.  Even though I normally dread those marathon kitchen days, this year I am excited to try the Shun Edo and continue to give it a thorough testing. 

If the next few weeks go anything like the first few weeks of testing, there just might be a Shun knife waiting under the tree for us this year (like the Shun Edo Dual-Density 8" Utility Knife… hint, hint).

Shun Edo 8.5" Chef's Knife Features:
• 8” long blade.
• 5" long handle.
• 9.75 oz.
• Includes a bamboo display stand.
• NSF-certified knife meets the high-level hygiene standards of commercial kitchens.
• Handcrafted in Japan.

The Shun Edo 8.5 inch Chef’s Knife is available exclusively at Williams-Sonoma, and can be found on sale right now, as is the entire line of Shun Knives available at Williams-Sonoma.  To sweeten the deal even more, if you purchase Shun cutlery worth $500 or more between now and 12/31/2010, you will get a $50 Williams-Sonoma Gift Card!

You can also check out Shun Knives at Kershawknives.com

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win this awesome Shun Knife to adore like we do!  Awesome, right?!?

To Enter: Simply comment below with another Shun Knife you would love to own or give this holiday season.

 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 #giveaway with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/eaG277) 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 homepage (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, 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 December 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 to US Addresses.

A big thank you to Shun Knives for providing the sample 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.

First Alert Wired Security Camera - Model P-520

Cozy At Home: Day 27

A big part of how Cozy At Home we are is dependent on how safe we feel in our own homes.  First Alert knows how important safety and security at home is and has created a whole line of products to ensure even private citizens have the highest in security protection in their own homes.

From carbon monoxide detectors to fire safes and more, First Alert is a great place to start securing your own home.  From their vast array of products, we got to check out the First Alert home security camera model P-520 this past fall during our Cozy At Home Event.

From initial set up we were impressed with the simplicity of the camera.  While First Alert offers full security systems, this particular camera is a stand alone unit that can be added into other systems or connected directly to a TV, VCR, or DVR.  Even though it was incredibly easy to set up, just having it hooked up makes me feel like our house is now an impenetrable private lair.

With simple connections for audio, video and power, the camera can be set up and running in no time, and with 100 feet of cable included you will have plenty of mounting options.  And, since the First Alert P-520 is rated for indoor and outdoor use and has automatic night vision, you really can put it wherever you want.   Here at Rave Central, we mounted the camera on our front porch and ran the cable to our TV at the rear of our house.  Now we can see and hear what is going on at the front of our house by simply changing the channel on our TV.  This makes us feel cozy and secure as well as fulfilling childhood dreams of having the ultimate high tech security system. 

For my wife, this is because when she was growing up my brother-in-law would share his dream about one day having a top-notch security system with cameras, motion detectors and more.  Not surprisingly, he grew up to own a room we called "the casino room" which had the highest in security systems and steel reinforced walls.  While I certainly don't dream of owning my own casino room, I really love knowing that my home is as secure with its own high tech video surveillance.

Best of all, by utilizing products from First Alert, I was able to get the same level of security while saving a lot of money by implementing the systems all by myself.  If you have even a small inclination and electronic know-how, you can easily and simply create your own elaborate security system that is comparable to those you would have professionally installed. 

Features of the First Alert P520 Wired Security Camera: 
» Wired, color indoor/outdoor CMOS camera

» Equipped with LED night vision technology

» Audio Surveillance

» 100 ft. of BNC cable included

Even if security camera systems are not on your wish-list, there are a wide variety of security and safety items you can shop for at First Alert that can make you feel safer, more secure, and Cozy at Home.  You can find out more at http://www.firstalert.com/

Connect with First Alert!  Be sure to check out First Alert's Facebook page and follow First Alert on Twitter so you can keep up to date on news and product developments.

Thank you to Jarden Products and First Alert for making us feel even cozier at home these past few weeks.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Personalized Baby Block from Craft-E-Family {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday GIft Guide: Day 7

 
It seems like everyone around me is having babies right now, so it’s perfect timing that I have just found the perfect present for new babies.  That present is the Personalized Baby Block from Craft-E-Family which is just the right amount of sentimental keepsake paired with classic good looks, both of which make it a welcome addition in any nursery.  When you add in the fact that it’s also easy to store, beautiful displayed, and completely affordable, it’s really no wonder why we are absolutely raving about it.  

Whereas most baby keepsakes are rather gaudy and overdone, the Craft-e-Family 2” Personalized Baby Block is made with an all-natural maple block and has a natural finish.  This refreshing lack of primary colors, pastel color scheme, or cartoon characters makes it unlike any other personalized products you can buy elsewhere and also makes it perfect for little boys as well as little girls.  

The personalized baby block is the perfect way to show off all the details of a baby's birth.  Each side features a different statistic of the big day laser engraved into the block: the baby's full name, weight and length, date and time of birth, day of the week, names of parents, and birth location.  You can even include names of siblings, the name of the gift giver, or even a special message to the baby.

In addition to being the best baby keepsake I have ever seen, I love that the personalized baby block is a great tool to help children learn all the specific details of their birth.  With 5 children in my family growing up, the details of our births were sometimes less than accurate so I can really appreciate special keepsakes that help keep these statistics fresh for both parent and child. 

Although the Craft-E-Family Personalized Baby Block is absolutely adorable displayed on the shelf in the nursery, I love that it can easily slip into my son’s baby box if he ever decides he doesn’t want a baby block in his room.  That is of course unless I order a personalized baby block for everyone in the family and we can display them stacked up or in a row like I have planned. 

In addition to personalized baby blocks, Craft-E-Family has a great selection of personalized gifts for all sorts of occasions.  Family run since 1980 in Mooresville Indiana, Craft-E-Family is a different kind of company with a different kind of product.  I currently have my eye on quite a few items on their product page including the alphabet blocks that would be perfect for stacking, displaying, and playing.     

Price: $15.50 for the personalized block, available at http://www.craftefamily.com/         
 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a personalized baby block of their very own from CrafteFamily!

To Enter:  Let me know what personalized products from Craft-E-Family you would like to customize this holiday season.

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 Craft-E-Family of Facebook by leaving a comment on one of their posts, pictures or on their wall (2 extra entries, leave FB name used in entry)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/aIv0IZ) after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

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

5) Place my button or the Ultimate Gift Guide button in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries for each, 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 December 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 worldwide. 

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: # 104 Heather R said... Tweet
https://twitter.com/THRansom/status/13219289712566272

Thank you to Craftefamily for sending us a personalized baby block for our newest reviewer 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.

Neighborhood Toy Store Day was a Success!

This past Saturday was a big day for us at Rave Central.  As we made our way through Seattle to the Yo Gabba Gabba Live show, we made a really special stop on 85th Street in Greenwood.  This stop was at Top Ten Toys, one of that many stores near us participating in Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

I must admit I wasn't expecting much of a party when I walked in, which is partly due to the fact that I didn't see any signs outside of what was going on inside the store.  So, imagine my surprise to open the doors to find jugglers, a science table, face paints and even activity tables set up for party guests.  

Nestled in between the aisles of toys and games in the 7,000 square foot store were all sorts of activities for all ages of kids, as well as some really great prizes that kids could get simply by visiting the activity tables.  Our favorite activity was the science table where kids could make their own “snow” which would magically spill out of their cups and onto the table in front of them and then could be played with.  We loved it so much that we actually got the kit to make our own fake snow at home, which I know will be a huge hit with the kiddos.

In addition to our fake snow kit, we got a wooden food set for our little ones as well as a few surprises for holiday presents.  I know we will be coming back at least once or twice before the holidays are here, but it's always nice to get a few small things each time you go so the holidays are easier to plan for! 

If you live in Seattle or might be passing through sometime soon {and you should, you’ll like it} you should stop into one of the two locations of Top Ten Toys in Seattle and check them out.  By stocking their shelves with the best in imaginative, educational, and active toys, they keep true to their mission to keep old fashioned healthy play alive.  The buyer for Top Ten Toys said they never miss a chance to party which means I'm going to make sure I'm on the invite list for all of their parties from now on.   

Hopefully all of you have a great local toy store near you like this one and you made your way there this past weekend to celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day as well.  If you would like to read   more about Neighborhood Toy Store Day, check out my previous post {here} or go to http://www.neighborhoodtoystoreday.com/ or at http://www.astratoy.org/  

I received no compensation for this post at all, I just thought you would want to hear about a great toy store and a great celebration!

There Was a Party In My City!

Okay, it wasn't exactly in my city, but it was close.  Of course I'm talking about Yo Gabba Gabba Live!, that just made two appearances at the Tacoma Dome in Washington on Saturday.

Wanna know who was at the party?  There was the REAL DJ Lance Rock, the whole Gabba Gang, and even Biz Markie in attendance, as well as a whole room of super cool parents and their adorably dressed tikes.  Also at the party were the multi-talented Keller Williams and Chris Ballew from Seattle's own Caspar Babypants (or from the band Presidents of the United States of America if you’re over the age of 10).

Quick rundown of YO GABBA GABBA! THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY!: confetti flying through the air, balloons dropping from the ceiling, free DJ Lance cardboard glasses, and some of the cutest dancing you will ever see.

The concert was laid out like the actual Nick Jr. show with all the familiar segments, but was twice as long to allow for all the dancing and singing of the gang and the audience.  Unfortunately, that hour goes by really quick, and there was a lot of "more please" from our daughter at the end of the concert.  Since Saturday she has continued to recount all the details of the concert to whomever will listen, telling them all about everything she saw and how we danced.

As you can imagine, it was a pretty special day for our little reviewer.  Once we got her into the show and told her what we had come to see, I think she was in complete shock until the intermission when she finally took her eyes off the stage for a moment to play with the piles of balloons that fell around us.  She even got her own 1st concert tee at the merch stand, a souvenir that she has snuggled with, sang to, and even helped me launder this afternoon because she wants to wear it so badly. 

Hubby and I are admittedly quite a bit out of the typical Yo Gabba Gabba demographics, but even we had a great time at the show.  The music was great, the dancing was adorable, and we felt like the best parents ever for bringing her to such a cool place with all her favorite stars!

 

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! visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com or www.yogabbagabba.com

I received tickets to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live with my family this past weekend and wanted to tell you how fun it was and how I felt like the best parent in the world afterwards.  If it's coming to your city, you're going to want to check it out!  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.