Rave & Review

DYMO LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo Professional Label Maker

I resolve to... streamline my office

Even a casual reader of this site knows how excited we get about organization.  And, if you saw our daily comings and goings you would completely understand why.  Like most parents, we are extremely busy with two small kids, work, a blog, and very busy social lives.  So, whether it’s a new magnetic board that we can jot notes on and keep coupons where we will use them or it’s an awesome system for mailings that keeps us on top of things, we love companies who know that simpler is better.

When talking about simplifying and organizing, you are likely talking about labeling as well.  Who wants to go digging for what they need when they can just label something once and always know where everything goes?  Now that we have so much to organize, a label maker really is a necessity more than a luxury, and it’s why I have had a DYMO on my wishlist for quite some time. 

Whereas other labelers simply create professional-looking stickers, DYMO takes label making to a whole new level.  This next level of labeling actually has some really cool real world applications other than making your files look pretty, and it’s really no wonder that people who are serious about labeling turn to DYMO first.

Case in point: we had a good friend stay with us last week who runs a very successful small company.  This friend used to ship all over the world for his company and spent an awful lot of time getting professional looking mailings ready for his customers.  He took one look at the DYMO LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo being reviewed on our desk and not only knew what awesomeness he was looking at, he also knew the model number.  Some might think this is a completely surprising response from a young guy barely in his 30s, but not to those who know DYMO. 

So, what’s so cool about this little label maker that it would actually spark conversations?  A lot, that’s what.  The LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo by DYMO is really the gold standard in professional label making for a number of reasons, which is why you will find it in small businesses, medical offices, and busy homes everywhere. 

The first thing I am raving about is the ease of setup of the 450 Twin Turbo and the very intuitive DYMO Label software that comes with it to help you make the most of your purchase.  The software makes it easy to get everything set up for professional looking mailings and even helps you manage your many addresses and contacts.  By being able to create labels directly from Microsoft Word or Outlook, it makes it easy to access your entire address book without having unnecessary data entry.

As someone who has created more labels than I care to remember in word document programs and have done my share of copying and pasting addresses and information into the labels on a blank sheet, I really love having all the info I need in one place and being able to retain it for future use.  It also solves another headache of the blank document for label making, and that is the struggle to get the right margins and label sizes programmed before you can print your first sheet.  Being able to print directly to the label maker without having to set up each label first and being able to print labels directly from your Outlook contacts is a huge time saver for me. 

What’s really cool is that after you import your addresses, the DYMO 450 is actually smart enough to correct US addresses with their Address Fixer ™ software and add the zip+4 codes that are recommended by the post office.  It even adds that fancy barcode system to the bottom of the address to make it even easier for your letter to make it to its destination with the added bonus of looking incredibly professional. 

Speaking of professional, it brings me to one of my favorite features of the 450 Twin Turbo, and that is the secondary roll printing capabilities that allows you to print both address labels and postage labels without swapping rolls in the middle of your project.  But, better yet is that I love that all I need is a simple scale (that weighs in ounces) and I can actually save a trip to the post office by printing my postage at home, which just might add years to my life.

When you are all plugged in a ready to go, you simply send your addresses to the label maker and marvel at the amazing speed of this little unit.  Having worked as an office manager for over a decade, I don’t think I have ever seen anything print quite like this at this quality.  We’re talking up to 71 labels per minute, which means you can have all your mailings done within minutes instead of the hours it used to take.  It also doesn’t require ink or toner because it uses a thermal printing process to make labels, a fact that is somewhat glossed over on the DYMO site but a feature I absolutely love.  

Before you go thinking that the DYMO Twin Turbo is only for people who ship mass quantities of stuff, you should also know that it is also really awesome for general labeling – which is what my doctor’s office uses it for on all patient files – as well as creative uses like name badges, home and office organization, and more.  

Find out more about the awesome DYMO LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo at Dymo.com  and connect with them @DymoTechnology on Twitter. 

A huge thank you to DYMO for sending the Label Writer 450 Twin Turbo for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Wheel Town Deluxe Roadway and Harbor Set from HearthSong {$50 Giveaway}

I resolve to… buy toys that grow

When you’re talking classic toys that grow with your children, you are most certainly talking about HearthSong.  They have one of the most amazing selections of toys that inspire the type of child’s play we all want for our kids and last for years instead of seasons.  Whether it is imagination inspiring toys that can become just about anything your child can dream up, outdoor toys to burn off energy, or games and puzzles to pass time during the cold and rainy days of winter, HearthSong has a huge selection of gifts at a great price.

HearthSong is the kind of site I could spend all day at, checking out their vast selection of goodies and wishing that I had an unlimited toy budget for all the children in my life.  It’s not just that they have all the items that I am searching for; it’s that they have them at a great price as well.  If that wasn’t enough, they also have a great selection of HearthSong exclusives that you won’t find anywhere else. 
One of the HearthSong exclusives we recently fell in love with is the Wheel Town Deluxe Roadway and Harbor Set.  If you think wooden railways are cool then you will love the newest trend – wooden roadways that allow your little one to create their own tiny town with little wooden cars, buildings and more.  The HearthSong Wheel Town Deluxe is the coolest wooden roadway we have ever seen, offering some really cool touches that make it so much more fun than a simple road set. 

For one, it has an awesome wooden suspension bridge that is elevated to allow your roadway to go over another road or even a waterway.  Secondly, it actually comes with a felt waterway to add to the fun, complete with boats to float in the harbor.  The Wheel Town set also includes numerous wooden buildings to set up along the roadways in your tiny town. 

In addition to all the extras that come with the Wheel Town Roadway, the design of the wooden roads is also incredibly cool.  Instead of being a flat piece of wood with a dashed line down the center to designate roads, the Wheel Town Roadway actually has lane divots that give kids clear lanes of travel as well as a raised median between them to prevent fast cars from crossing lanes. 

Although the set does not come with cars, we found the road size to be pretty standard and we could use most small scale cars easily in the town (and even wooden trains worked on the roads, a fact that my two year old loves).  The one exception we found was that vehicles that have really grippy rubber wheels still fit fine on the roadway but aren’t able to make the tighter turns in their lane unassisted and often cross the median into oncoming traffic when launched.  If you are nervous about whether your collection of small scale cars will work in the Roadway, you can also buy specific Wheel Town Roadway vehicle sets as well (P.S. they are on sale now). 

The other really cool thing about the Wheel Town Deluxe Roadway is that it has two sections that allow your vehicles to enter and exit the roadway, making it so your town can be infinitely expandable.  Whether you have a train set you would like to weave around your roadway or you have the Wheel Town parking garage, crane set, or other small scale buildings, or simply if you want to add some off roading courses, the wooden entrance ramps make it possible. 

In addition, the design of the road pieces themselves really stand out and are great for building and rebuilding your town over and over.  Instead of having fitted puzzle piece connectors to allow you to create your roadway, the Wheel Town Roadway has unique ball shaped connection pieces which allow for less precise placement.  This makes it easier for toddlers to manipulate and build as well as making it more fun for complete custom roadway creations because the connection points can be at a slight angle to each other and still connect fine. 

The Wheel Town Deluxe Roadway and Harbor Set from HearthSong is absolutely beautiful and sure to inspire hours of play, as well as being very reasonably priced.  Having seen firsthand the quality and attention to detail that goes into a HearthSong exclusive, I will absolutely be recommending HearthSong to family and friends who are looking for that perfect gift that will inspire their children and will last through multiple kids.  As well as having great quality merchandise at already low prices, you can find some amazing deals in HearthSong’s sale and clearance section to stretch your toy budget.   

The site is incredibly easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for quickly and easily.  With headers offering drop down lists and a side bar with numerous ways to search for the perfect gift, shopping can be as quick as you’d like it, or you can spend hours browsing their selection like my daughter and I do.  If you have a particular item in mind, you can use their search function, or you can shop by price, interest or age range, amongst other categories.  These are perfect for the seasoned kid’s toy connoisseur like myself, as well as for aunts, uncles, godparents and grandparents to pick up that one special gift that is sure to be the hit of the party.    

I mentioned it before, but HearthSong has a really awesome outlet sale page that you should definitely check out.  This isn’t the place where they pawn off the toys that didn’t sell throughout the season, these are the hottest toys sold at unbelievable prices.  I did some really great after-holiday shopping in the outlet section just yesterday and got a birthday present for a niece, a nephew, and my daughter and even got free shipping with a coupon code!

Although the first picture shows the entire Wheel Town line with cars, signs and the add-on buildings, the 46-piece Wheel Town Deluxe Roadway and Harbor Set is still fairly expansive and includes 29 road sections, 4 boats, 1 felt harbor playmat, 7 buildings, and 5 roof top blocks.

Shop HearthSong's after holiday sale and clearance and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter!

http://www.hearthsong.com/

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $50 Gift Card to spend at HearthSong for some post-holiday shopping!

To Enter: Simply visit HearthSong and tell me what you would buy with your gift card.

 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 HearthSong on Facebook - it's a great way to know about all their great promos! (2 extra entries, just leave your FB name in comment)

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

"I'm entering to win a $50 HearthSong Gift Card from @raveandreview and @hearthsongtoys http://bit.ly/gjoMWg What should I buy?"

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage and to HearthSong (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 February 5th 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 congratulation to: #639 sarah said... fan of hearthsong on FB #2 (sarah p n)

A big thank you to HearthSong 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 very Rave Review.

PlasmaCar Ride-On {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 45

There are many things children outgrow very fast in the first few years of life, such as clothes, shoes, and baby toys, but I really believe that there are some things that should last for years.  For instance, ride on toys.

In just a short amount of time our family has gone through such a surprising number of ride on toys that it's hard to keep track.  Since most riding toys are designed for a very specific age group, you have to buy them carefully and plan just right to make sure your child will be able to use them during the right season.  If you guess wrong, or if you buy too late, you are often left with a very small window in which your child can make use of it.

This is why I love companies like PlaSmart that create toys that kids can use forever.  The PlasmaCar was my first introduction to this great company and immediately I was sold on the fact that toddlers and grownups alike could master this unique toy in no time flat.

Because it is constructed of a sturdy ABS plastic that can handle quite a bit of weight (220 lbs) and because operating it really couldn't be any easier, just about anyone can ride it.  In fact, the first time my newly two year old daughter hopped on one, she knew instinctively what to do to make it go. 

The movement of the PlasmaCar is unlike anything I have ever seen.  Instead of batteries, pedals, motors, or feet, the PlasmaCar works by wiggling the steering wheel from side to side which propels the car forward.  Using the principles of inertia and friction mixed with a little bit of magic, the PlasmaCar is 100% kid-powered goodness. 

  Once your child gets the hang of the Plasma Car, they will be cruising right away.  Because you only have to control the steering wheel, and don’t have to master pedals, brakes, and balance, it really is a great riding toy to start a kid off on.  And, since the movement of the PlasmaCar is so unique, it also makes it a great toy for older kids to ride on and master going forward as well as in reverse.

The PlasmaCar Ride-On Toy is 100% parent-approved: it requires no batteries, is nearly silent in operation, and it’s a great way to burn off energy.  It is rated for both indoors and out and can be ridden over just about any smooth or semi-smooth surface easily, and can last for decades, all of which makes it very rave-worthy! 

Find out more at: http://www.plasmacar.com/ and watch a PLASMA CAR Video {here}

Price: $69.95 and has an assembled size of 31" x 14" x 16".  It is recommended for ages 3 years and up

Worried you won't be able to order one in time?  Check out their store finder guide on their site to see where you can pick on up in-store near you!

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Plasma Car of their very own!

To Enter: Simply visit Plasma Car and comment below with something you learned about the company

 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" PlaSmart on Facebook (just leave FB name in comment)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @PlaSmart with the link to this post (url) 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 (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 January 24th 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.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to: #117  Steve S said... I voted, R&R was #6

A big thank you to PlaSmart 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.

Twister Hoopla for Family Game Night!

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 43

A little over a month ago I caught an Ellen DeGeneres show and was laughing as her audience members played a game that involved contestants holding various colored rings with different parts of their bodies.  Much like the beloved Twister floor game of my youth, the game required contestants to contort their bodies to compete and the result was a hilarious tangle of limbs.  While the game was reminiscent of Twister, there was one huge difference - there was no mat required.  

When I heard that this game they were playing was the new Twister Hoopla and that it could be bought at various retailers near me, I was really excited.  But then when I found out that there were 5 different ways that you could play that range from hoop toss to more of an old-school Twister rendition, I knew it was perfect for my10 year old niece this Christmas.

Game 1 is the game Ellen played where your bodies are used to hold the rings in place and the last team standing wins.  Game 2 is a ring toss, but the twist is that you use your hands and feet to catch.  Game 3 is a race to make it to the finish line with colored rings in hand.  Game 4 is an updated version of the traditional TWISTER game: you just scatter the rings and then call out the moves and the last one standing wins.  Game 5 is even trickier as you reach for rings, hang on to your TWISTER “T” and try to stay on your feet. 

Like traditional Twister, Twister Hoopla is a great party game and can be played both indoors or out.  And, also like the original Twister, you want to make sure the people you’re playing with are good, close friends because in just minutes you will be very well acquainted. 

Includes 2 spinners, 16 TWISTER HOOPLA rings, 4 TWISTER “T”s and the official TWISTER HOOPLA game guide.

Some minor assembly required.  For 2 to 4 players ages 6 and up

Buy Twister Hoopla at the Hasbro Toy Shop and learn more about how to plan your own Family Fun Night!  You can also connect with them on Facebook.

A big thank you to Hasbro Games for sending the Twister Hoopla for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Last-Minute Gifts from ThinkGeek

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 40

Do you have a husband who's gorgeous and strapping but has a tendency to be a little bit geeky?  You can admit it, you did just call him strapping.  Even guys with only a slight inclination towards geekiness have a tendency to swoon over the ThinkGeek catalog for hours at a time, which makes it a safe bet for gifts {including last minute ones} for just about anyone.

I've talked about ThinkGeek before and its wide variety of gifts for the absolutely impossible to buy for, but now I've got a whole bunch of suggestions for the guy in your life.  Whether he's your husband, your brother, or the guy who shares a cubicle wall with you, you can bet there is something at ThinkGeek that he would adore.

 I’ve shopped at ThinkGeek for the past few holidays for just about everyone on my list and bought a wide variety of gifts in that time.  From great office gifts like the ever popular Annoy-a-Tron (hubby) and the Phantom Keystroker V2 (aunt) to techy gadgets like the flip-out keyboard iPhone case (cousin) to the Retro Handset (also hubby), there’s really no end to the awesomeness that is ThinkGeek. 

Our novelty item of the year is one that my husband has had on his list for years now, and that is a remote control helicopter.  But, because ThinkGeek can’t just stop at “cool”, they have taken the helicopter to the next level and added a miniature spy camera inside the R/C Hoverspy.  Yes, a camera INSIDE a remote control helicopter that actually flies.  Seriously, does it get cooler than that? 

We are still getting the hang of the ThinkGeek-invented Hoverspy Video Cam R/C Copter, but even moving up on the learning curve has been a ton of fun.  With its full control remote which allows you to move up/down, left/right, forward/backward as well as controlling the start and stop recording on the camera, there is plenty to keep you busy mastering the miracle of flight.  Whereas other toys might be abandoned mere months after opening, I know the Hoverspy is going to be a huge hit here at Rave Central for years. 

We started off only being able to fly backwards, and then we sent it on a nose dive off the kitchen island, and then we accidentally crashed it into the pink n’ girly corner that houses my daughter’s baby dolls and each time we thought “there’s no way it’s going to survive that”.  But it did, and is still going strong, showing that even though it may look dainty, is sure isn’t flimsy.  

As much as ThinkGeek is heralded for their off-the-wall gifts and novelty items you can’t find anywhere else, they also make a huge selection of extremely practical gifts like the Coffee Cup Power Inverter or the PowerMonkey that are pretty awesome.  I got the Coffee Cup Power Inverter for my husband last year and we use it all the time in the car because it fits perfectly in the Jetta cupholders.  This is great when it’s in use as well as when we’re storing it because it doesn’t roll around in the car.

New to our practical collection this year is the pocket sized PowerMonkey which is an emergency charger that is 10 times more powerful than a conventional battery and can be used on just about anything you own that needs charging.  It has an amazing 1 year standby charge and even comes 60% pre-charged which means you can use it right out of the package!  The PowerMonkey kit contains a huge variety of charging tips {including one for your iPhone/iPod, a mini USB, and a standard USB amongst other connectors}, a universal mains charger that will work in over 150 countries, and a handy carrying pouch.

The PowerMonkey paired with the Coffee Cup Power Inverter basically ensures that our gadgets and gizmos will never run out of juice no matter where we are.  Whether it’s an overnight backpacking trip, an impromptu photo session, or it’s merely to make sure my blackberry and hubby’s iPhone are charged at all times, the PowerMonkey is worth its weight in gold.  It’s the perfect gift to give your spouse/children/parents so they can never claim they couldn’t call because their phone died.  Truly the gift that keeps on giving!

There is still a few days left for Christmas orders from the ThinkGeek catalog, but you really need to act fast if you want it here before the holidays.  From stocking stuffers to large presents, ThinkGeek really does have it all for every guy on your list and has AWESOME customer service to boot.  But, the really superb thing is that just by shopping there you seem a little bit cooler… which just might make up for the fact that you actually use the word superb.

P.S. ThinkGeek allows you to create a wishlist and save it on their site, which is great for those who have a hard time remembering all the things their spouse mentions they would love throughout the year - just enter it in on the site and you can just shop by the wishlist come holiday time.  Better yet is that you can actually LOOK UP other people's wishlists just by entering in their email addresses!

Visit http://www.thinkgeek.com/ to start shopping {or wishlisting} today!

A huge thank you to ThinkGeek for just being awesome... and for sending us a few items to review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review!

Weider X-Factor Gym from Hayneedle.com {$100 Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 38

I know the holidays are still over a week away, but like most of you, I’m already thinking of the fast approaching New Year and figuring out what my resolution for 2011 will be.  While I have never been one for a formal New Year’s resolution, every year I like to challenge myself and hopefully see some positive changes at the end of each year.
 
One of those changes I would like to make in 2011 is to get in better shape.  I’m not hoping for six-pack abs or anything, but with two growing children to cart around, I could certainly use some more endurance and muscle mass to get me through the day.

Since neither a gym membership nor a spare bedroom for fitness equipment is likely to happen now that our family size has doubled in the span of two years, I knew I needed to find a compact and inexpensive workout solution.  But, even though I don’t have a large space designated for working out, I still really wanted to avoid workout equipment that is flimsy and a waste of time and money.

When I found Hayneedle and browsed through their strength training equipment section, I was incredibly excited.  Not only do they have a huge selection of equipment that you just don’t see everywhere, they also have a great easy to navigate website that can help you narrow down items in your price range, and in our case, within our space limitations. 

After searching and comparing various home gyms on the Hayneedle site, I ran across the Weider X-Factor door mounted gym and was more than intrigued.  I had heard of doorway gyms in the past, but the fact that I heard of Weider before and that a reputable site like Hayneedle stocked them made me far less nervous about ordering something that was so far out of my comfort zone. 

The X-Factor honestly seemed pretty genius the more I thought about it and I got more and more excited for my package to get here so I could get a head start on my New Year’s resolution.  Once it arrived, we tore into it and examined the X-Factor contents.  I was happy to see that it comes with everything you need to get started (except a door, of course), and includes an awesome exercise chart to hang on a wall or door, 6 workout DVDs, and a nutrition guide, all of which are great for someone like me that is just starting out.  

The X Factor consists of 6 sturdy bands, 2 handles, 2 ankle straps, and 4 connection clips.  It comes basically assembled and all that is needed to start your workout is to stretch the bands into an X formation to all four corners of a door.  It will work best on a door that has good clearance on the bottom and at least a little bit on the top for the unit to slide over it easily.  It is also a good idea if you can find a door that opens out, which will allow you to use the door jamb as an extra support.   

Within minutes we had the X-Factor Gym set up in our living room on a closet door and then we started up a DVD to check it out.  Immediately upon setting it up we were impressed by the quality as well as the design.  Really, the more I played with it and realized how many different ways you could use it, the more genius it seemed.  Even though it is based on a pretty basic idea of resistance bands, it’s the execution of the Weider X Factor that makes it rave-worthy.

With the X Factor you don’t need to find a place to store big and bulky weights or have to change the weights frequently while you work out.  Since the X-Factor works by merely clipping your handle or strap to the resistance band of your choice, changing the amount of resistance or your point of connection takes mere seconds.  It’s this flexibility that gives you the ability to do an insane amount of different exercises and easily switch between them during the course of your workout. 

I must admit that when I was first looking at the Weider XFactor on the Hayneedle site, I had no idea how cool this system really was.  I was absolutely shocked when I got to try it out this past month and realized how completely versatile and expandable the system is.  With varying amounts of resistance from 15lbs all the way to 210 lbs, it can really be used by both beginners as well as experienced weight trainers and can mimic just about any strength training exercise you can imagine.   

Also rave-worthy is the smoothness of the resistance band workout that makes it ideal for just about anyone.  Instead of the jerkiness of typical weightlifting, the resistance band workout allows you to use more fluid motions, which reduces impact on your joints and decreases the possibility of injury.

I am so excited to use the Weider X-Factor Gym throughout 2011 and really make the most of the space we have.  With a different DVD to watch nearly every day of the week and a quick start poster that allows you to exercise literally any time you find a free minute, it’s going to make my 2011 goal that much easier for me. 

Quite honestly if it wasn’t for seeing the X-Factor on the Hayneedle site surrounded by the biggest names in home gyms and workout equipment, I don’t think I would have ever tried a doorway mounted gym.  Just knowing that if I had opened the package to find a cheap piece of junk that I could have used Hayneedle’s No Hassle Return Guarantee made me really confident in my purchase.  This piece of mind allowed me to try a product I might have otherwise missed out on but now am really happy I gave a chance. 

Wanna know something else that’s cool?  It’s FREE SHIPPING Day on the Hayneedle site today – as in right now.  Just visit http://www.hayneedle.com/ and enter FREESHIPDAY at checkout before 11:59 EST and ship all your packages for free.  How cool is that?!  

Price: $94.99

 One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $100 gift card to use at any of the 200 Specialty Hayneedle Stores!

To Enter: Simply visit Hayneedle and tell me what you would spend your gift card on

 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" Hayneedle on Facebook or follow the Hayneedle Blog (1 extra entry for each)

3) Tweet about this giveaway using @raveandreview and @Hayneedle with the link to this post (url) 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 (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 January 31st 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 for all who entered and congrats to: #259 Heather H. said... Voted for you today (#6) 12/26

A big thank you to Hayneedle for providing the X Factor Gym for review as well as 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.

The Best Gift I Ever Gave...

SWAGG is a free mobile app (download here) that lets you shop smarter using your mobile phone. Buy, send or swap SWAGG GIFTS and organize your old school plastic gift cards.

For every download of the app between now and Dec. 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), up to $125,000.

Clever Girls Collective and SWAGG are sending a pair of movie fans to the Sundance Film Festival! Download the SWAGG app and then visit the Ultimate SWAGG Getaway Sweepstakes site to enter to win a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival. Entry deadline is January 3, 2011, 11:59pm, PST.

Seriously, could you get a better prize?  All I want for Christmas for the next few years is to win this... seriously.  But, as cool as I think the prize is and how awesome SWAGG and Clever Girls are for sponsoring it, I also want to take a moment to applaud SWAGG's commitment to the SU2C organization.  It's why I'm urging all of you to download the FREE app now...  Well, maybe after you read my story about the greatest gift I have ever given someone.

It was Christmas Day two years ago and even though I was having a wonderful Christmas with my husband and my 6 month old baby girl, I was sad because I was really missing someone I'm very close to.  My little sister was half way around the world and I knew she was having a hard time being away for the holidays. 

For the past 3 and a half months my sister had been part of a year-long study abroad program in Cadiz, Spain through the University of Washington.  In that time, we had only been able to talk via Skype every other week when we were able to mesh schedules with the time difference.  Needless to say, it really wasn't a replacement for the twice a week {or more} we were accustomed to seeing each other.  Even though her host family had been good to her, I knew that Christmas that far away from our whole family was incredibly hard for her.

But, all Christmas Day I was looking forward to the rare phone call with my sister scheduled for that evening and I couldn't wait to surprise her with what I was fairly sure was going to be the best present ever.  The call was pretty routine at first, my sister first talked to me and then to my husband, and then we put our baby girl on so she could show off her brand new laugh that was melting all of our hearts. 

But then it was time for presents, so I put the call on speakerphone so we could all talk at once.  My husband first started by asking if there was somewhere special she had gone to dinner in her small Spanish town since she had been there.  After my sister answered I casually asked if there was anyway we could get a table for 4 there. 

The line was silent for a moment and my sister said, "I'm not sure what you're asking..." but it was very clear in her voice that she knew exactly what we were saying.  Before we could even respond she finished with, "are you saying you're coming to visit?" and you could tell she was tearing up on the other line.  "Yes, yes!" I responded, barely able to contain myself because I was so excited, "Dad is sending us and we will be there in less than two weeks!  I hope you don't mind your present is going to be a little late."   

As great as that call was and the joy in her voice when we told her, the best part was hearing how happy she was even as we finished the call and hung up, which is normally really sad for all of us.  It felt so good giving her something really exciting to look forward to and just knowing that she was going to go to bed happy that night made me so incredibly happy.

Two weeks later, the four of us were bear hugging in an airport in Madrid, the first day in our amazing roadtrip that would take us all around the lower part of Spain and into Morocco.  When I look back now it all just seems so magical.  From exploring big cities to old castle villages and then to the town that my sister called home for over a year, the whole trip really is one of those priceless memories that only happen once in a lifetime. 

Even though she was in the middle of her studies and my husband and I had taken time off work and flown overseas with an infant, everything seemed just so effortless and carefree those weeks we were together in Europe.  Having all these memories of our trip together makes being away from my sister for so many months all seem worth it.  We all now have some really awesome memories of the four of us exploring Spain together and it's something I wouldn't trade for the world. 

Okay, so I know a surprise trip to Spain is a little hard to top, but it made me realize that the best present you can give someone is a great memory.  So now, every year my family makes it a point to get together even more around the holidays.  From ornament making to days walking around in downtown Seattle shopping, Christmas just feels more magical when you're making memories with family! 

Learn more about the coolest new app that revolutionizes the whole shopping, gifting, and gift card-organizing experience and Download the SWAGG app to your iPhone or Droid.  I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity

More Elf-Magic Elfcapades

As most of you know, we have been hosting an elf these past few weeks at our house.  From the moment we wake up until it's bedtime, you can usually find our elf, Ryan, with us.  Well, that is if you can keep track of him. 

Even though he still sleeps a lot of the time (he hasn't fully acclimated to our time zone), he's gotten pretty good at hiding and is always popping up in surprising places.  I know he's never far but yet I'm always caught off guard when I open a drawer and find him peeking up at me.  Don't worry, though, because we have our share of fun with him, too, like when he's sleeping so soundly that we are able to put him to sleep in the pink canopy Corolle doll bed (he hates pink).  His reaction when he wakes up there is just priceless, which my daughter thinks is hysterical.

Here's what Elfcapades Ryan has been up to these past weeks...  What fun Elf-Magic!

Hanging out in the kitchen waiting for breakfast.
 

And in the little one's kitchen.
 
Or giving us hints about what he would like for his snack.

Ryan has already jokingly mentioned quite a few times that he would like less pink bedding next time he visits, so we're going to try and fix him up some more masculine accommodations for next year.  I'm sure that either way he will end up sleeping in the pink canopy bed at least a few more times now that we see what a great reaction we get from him.   

These past weeks have been really fun with Ryan and it's going to be hard to see him go on Christmas Eve... but I do feel better knowing that he is off to help Santa!

Connect with www.elf-magic.com via Facebook and Twitter to see great stories of Elf-Magic elves all over the world!

A big thank you to Santa for answering my daughter's letter and sending Ryan the elf to adore this holiday season.  He will be a welcome addition to our family each holiday season!

Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser for a Healthier Smile

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 37

There are at least a few of you out there shaking your heads wondering how a water flosser made its way onto a gift guide.  For all of you, I would like to submit the fact that both my husband and I have had a Waterpik Water Flosser on our Christmas lists for the past few years. 

The addition of a countertop Waterpik to our wishlist stemmed from our purchase of a cordless Waterpik flosser back when we were first married.  We absolutely loved the portable and cordless version for years, but unfortunately when we moved we found that the water reservoir didn’t fit underneath our bathroom faucets anymore.  This meant we had to take the unit to the kitchen to fill it up each time we wanted to use it, which ended up being quite a pain.

Once I heard that Waterpik made an easy-to-fill compact countertop unit that held a good deal of water but was about half of the industrial sized model my parents used to have, the Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser WP 100 was immediately added to my Christmas list as well as my husband’s.  I’m sure you can imagine my excitement when a finely dressed delivery driver brought one to my door one day.  At first I was mostly excited to be able to fill the unit from our bathroom sinks, but that was quickly overshadowed by the fact that the countertop unit has so many cool features I had no idea existed. 

With a large tank reservoir that allows for 90+ seconds of flossing action and the various included tips that all serve a different function, we were soon wondering how we ever lived without it.  I love the various pressure settings to choose from that allow you the most options and the best control while using the various tips. 

Even though the countertop Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser has a larger reservoir than the cordless model, it is still very compact and fits on the counter nicely.  I also love that it is quieter than our old model and has a covered reservoir with in-lid tip storage, which solves the dilemma of where to keep your tips where they can stay clean in between flossing.

It has 10 settings from 5 to 90 psi and is easy to adjust just by the turn of a knob, which makes it easy to adjust the pressure even while using it.  It also has a pause button on the handle that keeps you from accidentally spraying your counters when you are done flossing, a feature that I really appreciated after the first use. 

I think we can all agree that no one looks forward to flossing their teeth.  In fact, I think it’s one of those tasks that rates up there with your annual physical, but with one difference – flossing needs to be done daily, not yearly.  With the WP 100 it actually makes flossing fun, especially with all the attachments and settings to choose from and the fact that you can even fill it with mouthwash to spice things up a bit.  Now, instead of dreading my flossing each day, I actually enjoy it and water floss 2+ times daily, which my dentist would be happy to know.      

In addition to making flossing more fun, the WP 100 is also perfect for those who have pain when flossing.  This is especially important to me because when I was pregnant with my son I had the worst time with bleeding gums every single time I would use traditional string floss (which, apparently, is a very common symptom.  Go figure).  Obviously, going 9 months without flossing isn’t an option, but getting a Waterpik sure is! 

In addition to sensitive gums, the Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser is also the perfect solution for those with braces, crowns, bridges or other orthodontic work that makes flossing difficult or impossible.  Besides making tooth care easier, it’s also the only alternative to traditional floss that is proven effective in removing plaque biofilm. 

Are you ready to add it to your Christmas list yet?  Maybe you will be after you see this…

Benefits (from the Waterpik site)
•    Clinically proven to be twice as effective as traditional string floss for improving gum health1
•    Proven in laboratory tests to remove 99.9% of plaque from treated areas with a 3 second application
•    Clinically proven 3 x as effective as string floss for cleaning around braces with the orthodontic tip
•    Removes bacteria deep between teeth and below gumline where brushing and traditional flossing can't reach
•    Massages and stimulates gums to improve circulation and keep your gums strong and healthy
•    Great for people with implants, crowns, bridges, and veneers
•    Leaves your mouth feeling incredibly fresh and clean
•    Healthier Gums in 14 Days Guaranteed
•    Can be used with water or your favorite mouthwash
•    Three-year warranty

Price: The Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser WP 100 retails for $59.99 and includes six unique, color-coded tips: the Plaque Seeker Tip, Classic Jet Tip, Tongue Cleaner, Orthodontic Tip, Pik Pocket Tip, and Toothbrush Tip.

Visit http://www.waterpik.com/ for more information, including where to find them in-store near you

A big thank you to Waterpik for sending their WP100 for review and crossing one of our new favorite items off our Christmas lists.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Holiday Shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls {Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 36

This past year has been all about saving money, which means that we really only go shopping when we have a huge coupon or when we’re headed to a discount store.  Because of this, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls have been my main source of new clothing purchases and gifts throughout 2010.  Naturally, they are also the first place I turn when my holiday list starts growing and I need to get good, quality gifts for everyone on it without spending a huge amount of money.

We recently visited our nearby TJ Maxx with our list in hand and got so many great deals (that unfortunately I can’t tell you about… don’t want to spoil anyone’s holidays).  However, I can tell you that we ended up with a cart full of bargains that were too good to pass up and had a great time shopping together. 

But, the best part is the fact that no digging was required.  I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I really hate discount stores that are 90% junk and so overstuffed that you cannot move down the aisles without dragging half of the store behind your cart.  In all of my many {many, many} trips to TJ Maxx and Marshalls, I have always found a very organized store and well displayed merchandise, something that I cannot appreciate enough.

Besides all the great deals on clothing and gifts, we always find great household items at both T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.  From lamps to pictures, and pans to kitchen gadgets, we always have a blast seeing what treasures we can find.  Since 10,000 new items arrive in store each week, it’s really like visiting a new store each time you go, and with prices up to 60% lower than what you will find at the mall, it’s really no wonder I’m raving about them.  

This year we found some seriously awesome treasures in the kitchen aisle for numerous people on our lists – including roasting pans for under $20, copper sauté pans for under $30, and a whole bunch of gadgets, sauces and more that would be perfect for filling a gift basket.  They also have a ton of Christmas decorations, great electronic gadgets, stocking stuffers, kids' toys and more that are at huge discounts and perfect for gifting {and receiving…} this year.   

If you’re like me and still have people on your list you’re shopping for, you should definitely check out your local TJ Maxx or Marshalls – or both – this holiday season and see what deals you will find.  With quality gifts for everyone on your list and name brands at discount prices, you are sure to leave happy. 

Visit http://www.marshallsonline.com/ and http://www.tjmaxx.com/ online today to see what new arrivals are coming to a store near you.  You can even purchase gift cards online for your recipients to spend on whatever they would like after the holidays!

 

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $25 gift card to use at TJ Maxx or Marshalls for some after-holiday shopping!

To Enter: Simply visit Marshalls and TJ Maxx online and tell me what you are excited to search for 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) "Like" TJ Maxx and Marshalls on Facebook (1 extra entry each, just leave FB name in comment)

3) Tweet about this giveaway using @raveandreview, @Marshalls, and @TJMaxx with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/fy12HX) after following us all (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 (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 January 4th 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:

#755 JASMINE said...  I love their housewares section, too! So many great deals!

A big thank you to TJ Maxx and Marshalls who provided a gift card for review as well as 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.