Rave & Review

Step2 Deluxe Workshop

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 35

Many of you will remember when my two year old got her own apartment this last summer.  Well, it turns out that living on your own is expensive, because it appears my little one has also gotten herself a job. 

In fact, I think she’s working overtime these days based on the number of hours I’ve seen her clock this past month.  I can’t even tell you how many times she’s said to me “No, I can’t Mama… I’m working”.  One might say I’m cold and heartless for making a toddler work this hard, but if you saw how excited she was to go to work each day you would know why I let her put in such long hours.  But, in all honesty, who wouldn’t want to go to work every day if your work station looked like this?   


Admit it, you’re ready to clock some overtime, too, aren’t you?

Even though my daughter tends towards the pink and girly, I recognized right away that she also was very interested in every home improvement project my husband embarked on and that she has a strong desire to figure out how everything works.  Because I really like my furniture and don’t feel like replastering the walls any time soon, I knew we needed to get her a workbench of her very own that she could use to fix and create. 

Having been a huge fan of Step2 since I was young, I knew they were just the company to turn to when finding that perfect workshop setup for her.  And, even though I imagined that they would make a pretty awesome workshop, I was completely blown away by all the cuteness that is the Step2 Deluxe Workshop. 

Just as you would expect from Step2, the workshop is completely sturdy, it comes with adorable accessories that are scaled for their small hands, and it can entertain more than one child for so much longer than other toys.  But, I really wasn’t expecting a realistic “working” electric drill that even comes with an additional bit to tighten the included plastic screws.  I also hadn’t even dreamed of a working shop light, an awesome saw that makes noise, or the 50-piece accessory set that includes screws, nuts, Durafoam “wood”, hammer, pliers, screwdriver, vise and more as well as the instructions to create actual projects with the included pieces.      

All of these pieces store right in the Deluxe Workshop for safe keeping and make them easy to find when it’s time to work.  Small parts go in the workbench drawer, large pieces go in the cabinet that looks just like a tool chest, quick grab tools hang on the peg board hooks, and nuts and bolts store easily in clear plastic jars hanging below the cabinet. 

The integrated shop vac is there for a deep clean, which doesn’t actually suck up objects (thank you, Step2!) but does have a nice flexible hose for reaching the entire surface.  If, by chance, a toy or 6 does get dropped into the vacuum hose, you will be happy to know that they will simply slide right through to the workbench cabinet for easy removal. 

I am really excited that my daughter loves the Step2 Deluxe Workshop so much and wants to spend hours playing with it each day.  And, judging by how much she adores all of her Step2 toys, I know she is going to enjoy her work bench for years and years to come.  As she grows and is able to create more complex pieces, the Deluxe Workshop projects are perfect for her to try and master – and then she can have fun making her own creations when she tires of the included ideas.   

Besides being a great toy that is hours of fun, great for developing small motor skills, and can grow with your child, it’s also the same high quality construction that I expect from Step2.  Her Step2 play kitchen she got in 2009 and her playhouse she got in March of this year still look absolutely brand new despite the fact that dozens of kids have been playing with them for so many months and the playhouse is outdoors, so I know that the Deluxe Workshop will last through all of my kids and still be a great looking piece.

Price: The Step2 Deluxe Workshop retails for $139.99.  It is currently available at Walmart and can be shipped to your local store or right  to your front door in time for Christmas!

If you are on the fence about getting smaller presents this year or one large gift, I would highly recommend going with the larger Step2 set for all its extended play value as well as the fact that it can be used by multiple kids of multiple ages – all at the same time!  Step2 even has great “Deal of the Holi-Day” on their site that gives you the best prices on some of their best selling toys.  While you are at the site, you should check out the great holiday promotions Step2 is running, including the “Sweet Treat” national sweepstakes and their Step2 Wish Book. 

Little Ones Can Write Letters to Santa
In spirit of holiday wishes, adults can encourage their kids to write letters to Santa via the Step2 Wish Book website (www.step2wishbook.com) and make a wish-list for their favorite toys. Grown-ups can print out the list and email it to share with other family members.

You can start your wishlist and then shop directly from http://www.step2.com/ as well as connecting with Step2 on Facebook and following Step2 on Twitter


A huge thank you to Step2 for sending a workbench for our whole family to adore this holiday season.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

I made the switch to Microsoft Office 2010

Most everyone who knows me knows how much I adore Excel and how I use it daily.  If there’s a way to organize my thoughts in Excel, you can bet I’m doing it.  It’s basically the way I keep track of everything, including my review and giveaway schedule.  Since I have been using it daily for work and personal use as long as I can remember, I have taught myself a great deal and can now create complex formulas and tables within minutes.  The same is also true of the rest of the Microsoft Office Suite, and I really don’t know what I would do without it. 

In fact, there was a short period of time when my computer had a series of programs called “Star Office” and didn’t have Microsoft Office installed.  My husband can attest to how angry I got at these programs and cursed whoever thought they would be an adequate substitute for the Microsoft Office Suite.  It was a matter of days before my computer was updated to include the Excel, Word, and Publisher programs I rely on.  

Since I am such a huge fan of Microsoft Office, it would be surprising for most to find out that I was still running on Office 2003 up until a few days ago.  Sure, I had used other versions here and there, but on my home computer and laptop I had the old antiquated versions running. 

Most of my experience using the newer Office versions was at my last job when my boss was having a hard time with his upgrade to Office 2007 and would repeatedly call me in to help him out.  Ironically, my old work computer was also running Office 2000, but I have always been pretty good about figuring things out for myself and the newer Office Suite was no exception.   

Even though I had never worked on Microsoft Office 2010 before, it really only took me a few minutes to familiarize myself with the new menu functions and find all my old standby tools I use daily.  In fact, I found the 2010 to be much better looking and easier to navigate than my boss’ 2007 version which seemed very foreign at first and never got to the point where it felt natural.  The basic change between the two that I found was in the top menu bar which, in the 2010 version, is more of a mash-up of the old programs I adore and the newer Office Suites, which I think makes it far superior to the 2007 version. 

Those that have not made the upgrade from the old versions of Microsoft Office will adapt fairly easily to the 2010 version after a few days.  The hardest part for me was relearning the top navigation bar (or “ribbon interface”), but I found it very intuitive after only a day or two.  Instead of the huge change from 2003 to 2007, the switch to 2010 is more akin to getting a new laptop with all your old programs on it and then having to learning where to find your favorites.   

It even adds some features I am really excited to try out and hopefully teach myself how to fully utilize them as well, like OneNote and Microsoft Access, both of which I am completely unfamiliar with.  I am also thrilled to finally have PowerPoint (yes, I am a bit behind on the curve here) and create my own presentations. 

The new release is also designed to help you use web applications more effectively and import information into your documents.  I haven’t found all that useful so far, but I am really excited to explore them more, especially between Office and my smartphone using Microsoft Office 2010 Mobile. 

Another big change is the document sharing options.  Since I share documents with numerous other users, I like that the sharing options for your files are easier to navigate, which makes it more seamless to track changes and see everyone’s additions.  But, by far the best sharing option is the fact that you can now share documents and open them simultaneously on different computers instead of getting the “read only” notification. 

The one issue I do have with Microsoft Office 2010 is the fact that the other 4 computers in our house are not updated which makes sharing documents completely annoying.  The new Microsoft Word .docx files cannot be opened by older Word versions, which means that you have to save your document differently if you are going to be using it on un-updated workstations.  The same is true for Excel, which is a pain when I move from the laptop to the desktop and back.  While 2010 can open older documents just fine, going the other way causes quite a few headaches. 

Although I know how to save my files to avoid this incompatibility, the issue comes when you are sharing with other people via email and you don’t know what version of Office they have.  I would love it if the upgraded versions worked more seamlessly with the older versions, which would be much better than what I currently have to do just to move from each of my computers at home.  Hopefully I will be updating all of my computers this year, because it’s hard to remember to save my documents correctly to open them on all of my computers and this incompatibility might get old after a few months.

Microsoft Office 2010 Professional is available now and can be purchased with one license or you can get a bundle pack and install it on all of your computers at once.  I would highly recommend the bundle pack so you and other family members can share documents more seamlessly.  If you skipped the 2007 update, I would highly recommend upgrading to the 2010 version to see the new features and usability of the Microsoft Office Suite. 

Check out the Office Blog for more holiday inspiration and ways you can use Microsoft Office everyday:

•Save your recipes to OneNote 2010. Back up all your family’s favorites in this digital notebook, and never lose a recipe again using key    word search to locate that eggnog recipe.

•Check your shopping list twice with Excel 2010. Organize your holiday budget and keep track of wish lists for family, friends and loved ones. Access your shopping list on the go with Excel Mobile 2010 on your Windows Phone 7.

•Use the photo editing tools in Word 2010 to create your own greeting cards with real refrigerator status this year.

Price: Microsoft 2010 Home and Business single version download is $199 or $279 for the 3 user license.  The Microsoft 2010 Professional single version download is $349 or $499 for the 3 user license.  It should be noted that there is no longer an upgrade price, Microsoft has decided not to offer upgrade pricing anymore.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/
•         See more features and benefits of Office 2010 Professional {here}
•         Free trail available at www.office.com

A huge thank you to Microsoft for finally upgrading my computer and making me love Office even more.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation for this Rave Review.

Mixbook Custom Photo Book {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 32

If you haven’t created your own photo book yet, now is the perfect time to give it a shot.  I recently found Mixbook and was so excited to see that it solved all of my reservations I had had about photobook software in the past.  I got to create my own custom Mixbook online this past week and was quite impressed by how quick and efficient it is as well as all the various options to make it truly personal. 

After having tried four other photo book sites in the past, I can honestly say that I am a quickly becoming a photo book expert.  The one complaint I have had with other photobook sites is the fact that a lot of the time my pictures don’t fit within the pre-made templates the site offers.  While some allow a little bit of customization here and there, you typically are choosing between templates that have already been designed and I find myself getting frustrated that I don’t have pictures to fit their specific layouts.   

With totally custom layout and design functions as well an easy photo upload from various photo sharing sites like Flickr and Facebook, it was easy to get started on Mixbook.  Whereas other photobook programs I have tried tended to be too basic for my needs, I thought that Mixbook was the perfect option for those who desire a greater element of design.

If you’ve never tried making a photo book and are scared by the idea that you have full design control, you will be happy to note that there are also pre designed templates that you can use if you get overwhelmed when faced with unlimited possibilities.  This makes it great for those who haven’t created a book before as well as those who desire a good starting point before customizing. 

The Mixbook process is simple, just upload your photos from your computer or the photo sharing sites and then choose between book designs and templates or choose “blank canvas”.  You then drag and drop your pictures into the book however you would like.  As well as adding pictures, backgrounds and more, you can also customize your book with scrapbook type design elements if you desire. 

The one thing I absolutely loved on the Mixbook photo book software is the photo editing tool, which allows you to edit the picture easily once it is placed in the book.  Whereas other software site require you to click on the picture and an edit screen will pop up, it makes it so much easier to edit directly in the book as well as making it so you can see what the finished product looks like better. 

Being able to drag the picture around and zoom while still in book mode is so much more efficient and shaved a good hour off the designing of the book for me.  For someone that likes to do a lot of editing, this is definitely a huge selling point for me and something I am incredibly excited about.  Even better is that you can add in some really cool features like borders, shadows, photo shapes and more, which are instrumental in making your book really come alive. 

When you are finished editing and reviewing your book, you then order it directly from their site and it is printed, professionally bound and then shipped to you within days.  I chose an 8x11 custom landscape hardbound photo book that comes with 20 pages you can fill however you like.  While I haven’t seen the finished book yet, I can honestly say that this is the most excited I have ever been about a photobook creation! 

I will definitely be returning to Mixbook for more photo books to help record all these important milestones as our children grow.  If you’re looking for ideas for making your own customized photo book for yourself or for holiday presents, here is some inspiration: Baby’s firsts, Grandparent brag books, travel journals, family heirloom books, wedding albums, birthday books, anniversaries, or even to showcase your kids {or your own} artistic abilities by scanning in original artwork!

If you would prefer a smaller book or a large coffee table masterpiece, there are other mini and large format options to choose from, as well as different covers, themes and templates to help you get started.

http://www.mixbook.com/

And, enter promo code RAVEMX20 at checkout to receive 20% off at Mixbook... no expiration!

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a 20 page 8.5 x 11 Hardcover Mixbook of their very own (with free shipping)!

To Enter: Simply visit Mixbook and tell me what theme you would choose for your book

 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" Mixbook on Facebook (2 extra entries, just leave FB name in comments)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview, @Mixbook and #giveaway with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/hCgsL3) 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 (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 12th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Gift Card code will expire on 1/31/11, so you must be able to order your book by then!  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US Addresses.

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

#194 Ashley said...I would make a baby memory book, because my son is 2 now and I have yet to start one. atayner0183 at yahoo dot com

A big thank you to Mixbook 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.

Natura World Sleep Envelope - Natural, Organic, and Green!

Cozy At Home: Day 34

Sometimes it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out what chemicals and toxins surround us on a daily basis.  While there may be quite a few environments you cannot control, your bed shouldn’t be one of them. 

Your bed should be a place where you can breathe and sleep easy, confident that you are free from all harmful chemicals.  This is why I have turned to Natura World to help me create a relaxing and cozy sleep solution that is not only incredibly comfortable and cozy, it’s also green, natural and organic.

Natura World Sleep Envelope:  We received the The Natura Sleep Envelope™ for review which includes a Washable Wool Comforter and a NaturaProtect Deluxe Mattress Protector.  I absolutely love that this set is certified chemical-free, as well as free of all allergens and synthetics, which helps me feel better about the 1/3 of our lives that is spent in bed. 

In addition to being a natural and organic sleep solution, the Sleep Envelope helps to keep you regulate temperature and keep from overheating while you sleep.  This is especially important when you share a bed but don’t share the same internal temperature.  I’m always cold while hubby and both my kiddos need far less blanketing, so I especially love products that work for all of us instead of having to store special blankets for our snuggle parties.

By using NaturaWool both above and below you as you sleep, it wicks away moisture without leaving your bedding feeling wet to the touch.  Since wool can take in and release a greater amount of moisture than synthetics can without becoming wet, it means that you will stay cozy and comfortable without freezing or overheating. 

The comfort below: The Natura Sleep Envelope begins with the NaturaProtect Deluxe Mattress Protector that includes an anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic barrier with Natura Silver Technology.  The plush top of the Deluxe Mattress Protector is designed to reduce the amount of tossing and turning while you sleep, which in turn, allows for a more restful sleep.  Since the mattress we tried it on was on the firmer side, I really liked the additional cushioning of the NaturaWool lining. 

The NaturaProtect Deluxe Mattress Protector is 100% waterproof and can be machine washed and dried, which makes it perfect to guard against spills, stains and accidents associated with having two kiddos in the house.  This also means that you can ensure you make the most of your mattress investment by not having to replace ruined mattresses before they are worn out. 

All wrapped up in comfort: The Washable Wool Comforter is made from Natura Smart Wash Wool wrapped in 100% cotton sateen, which means that it is cozy and comfortable straight out of the package.  The comforter is fully machine washable and can be dried in the dryer, but I imagine most will opt to cover the Natura comforter with a duvet of some sort as well.  Since white never stays white in our house, we covered it promptly with a cotton duvet that matched the décor of the room a bit more.  

Paired with the NaturaProtect, the Washable Wool Comforter is the perfect year-round solution to the fluctuating temperatures of the Northwest.  The fact that the Sleep Envelope is free of all toxins, chemicals and dyes makes it great, but when you add in the fact that it regulates temperatures, can be machine washed and dried, and is extremely cozy, you truly have an outstanding product.  

Since the quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity, I really love knowing that we are getting both luxury and natural goodness all in one package.  Or, make that an envelope… A NaturaWorld Sleep Envelope. 
 
•Solve the “I’m hot, she’s not” struggles in your sleep retreat
•Create a naturally hypoallergenic sleep environment
•Halt the spread of viral contaminants and bacteria
•Protect against accidents and spills with a breathable, 100% waterproof barrier
•Enjoy the luxurious comfort of cotton sateen
•Keep it fresh with washable wool

Connect with Naturaworld on Facebook and Twitter!

Visit http://www.naturaworld.com/ for more information and ways to purchase

A huge thank you to Natura World for sending their Sleep Envelope and making it so we can sleep a little easier knowing we are completely enclosed in comfort and quality.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

KaZAM Balance Bike {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 30

Riding a two-wheeler is a huge milestone in a child’s life and one that puts fear into the hearts of most parents.  That’s why we do crazy things like keep them on tricycles for longer than we should and adding training wheels to their big bikes.  My husband even went so far as to suggest wrapping our children completely in bubble wrap when they first are learning to ride.  As much as this seems like a great way to recycle our packaging, it also makes for difficult playdates and days on the bike trails.

Since bicycling is a way of life here in the Northwest, we needed to come up with a solution for cycling as a family that didn’t include training wheels… or packing materials.  That solution is of course a balance bike, so now the trick was to find one that was practical for our riding conditions.  When we found KaZAM Balance Bikes, we knew we had finally found the perfect training bicycle. 

If you haven’t heard of a balance bike before, you’re not alone.  Literally every time we go out with the KaZAM, we get a crowd of parents wanting to know why on Earth our bike doesn’t have pedals.  Although it’s hard to explain the benefits of biking without pedals, it’s not hard to see them once you witness a KaZAM in action. 

Instead of having to learn to balance, work the pedals continuously while steering away from danger, and master the brakes all at once, the KaZAM bike lets your child begin with the fundamentals of balance.  Allowing your child to sit on a bicycle seat and keep their feet flat on the ground, it gets them used to the idea of being on two wheels safely. 

They start out “walking” the KaZAM around while seated and then as they get more comfortable they can begin striding on the bike, leaving more and more time when their feet are not on the ground.  Kids usually pick up the idea of the KaZAM pretty quickly and most are coasting fairly soon after hopping on, something you would never see on a first try on a pedaled bicycle. 

 Braking is also really intuitive, you simply place your feet on the ground to stop.  This makes it great for children who can’t manipulate hand brakes and is easy to explain to kids.  Since they feel so in control, it makes it easier for them to relax and get the balance part down as well as helping them figure out steering and the coordination required to ride a traditional bike. 

What’s great is that once your child gets really confident in their abilities, they can use the integrated foot rests on the KaZAM frame to rest their legs while cruising, a feature I have not found on other balance bikes.  This also goes a long way in preparing them for riding because they get used to the idea of their feet resting on something instead of keeping them down while they are riding. 

As well as integrated foot rests, the KaZAM stands out in other ways as well.  One thing we really love is that the KaZAM looks and rides like a real bike.  It has a nice lightweight metal frame, is available in multiple colors, has full steering, hand grips, and even has real bicycle wheels – shiny spokes and all.  This makes your kid feel more like they are really riding a bicycle and prepares them for what to expect with their big-kid two wheeler.

Having mastered balance on the KaZAM, the idea is that the transition to a two wheeled bike will be so much easier.  Better yet is that it’s also safer for your child, as well as being packing material-free.  My ultimate hope for the KaZAM is that it allows our children to keep up with us on the trails earlier than most kids are able.  Instead of putting training wheels on our children’s bicycles that teach them to rely on extra wheels which we will eventually remove, the KaZAM teaches them to rely on themselves.       

To read more about the KaZAM Balance Bike that has been collecting awards since it was released, head over to http://www.kazambikes.com/ and check out these awesome bikes and even watch some customer submitted videos to get a better idea of how it works. 

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a KaZAM Balance Bike of their very own!

To Enter: Simply visit KaZAM and comment below with something you learned about the company or the balance bicycles and what color you would like

 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" KaZAM on Facebook (2 extra entries, just leave FB name in comments)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/eKWjWb) 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 (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 20th 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.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to: #318 brandy nelson said... I like KaZam on fb
brandy leigh nelson

A big thank you to KaZAM Bicycles 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.

Cisco Valet Wireless Router {Review & Giveaway

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 27

I really like things that just work.  No complicated installation or start up process, no huge manual to read through, and I especially don’t like having to decide between options I don’t know the difference between.  Unfortunately, my previous wireless internet experience included all of these. 

After our first phone company supplied wireless router died, I decided I would just go buy a new one and have us up and running in no time, but the reality was a little different.  I ended up spending hours signing in to our network and running from computer to computer trying to get everything communicating like it had been.  If only I had the new Valet wireless router from Cisco back then. 

After my previous wireless experience I was pretty hesitant to go through the whole process again, but Cisco’s promise of setting your network up in minutes had me intrigued.  And sure enough, within minutes of opening the box I had our first computer running on our new wireless network.  And, when I say minutes I mean about five.  The process is completely automated for you and whittled down to as few steps as possible to make it so even someone with almost no computer experience can do it.

The setup includes connecting the wireless router to your modem and power, and then plugging in the included Easy Setup Key into your computer, and that’s pretty much it.  The Setup Key starts the installer software automatically, you then click on the button that pops up saying you’d like to connect to your new modem, and it does all the rest from there.  The next thing you know you are wirelessly connected to the internet with all your password and security settings programmed for you! 

Adding more computers or other devices is just as simple, you simply open the Cisco Connect software that was installed on your computer, select the option to add a device, and then take the Easy Setup Key to that device when prompted.  Once again all the settings are programmed in for you so you know it will work properly when you are done.

Once your wireless network is set up it’s easy to maintain by using the Cisco Connect software to make any necessary changes.  With Cisco Connect you can even set parental controls for each device on your network to ensure your children stay as safe as possible while on their computers by limiting the time they can go online as well as blocking particular sites.  You can also set up a wireless network here for when guests come over that is completely separate from the one your family uses so that all your computers stay locked down at all times. 

Having gone through this process on my own before and feeling like I was taking a correspondence course on computer programming to complete it, I was absolutely amazed at how simple Cisco has now made it.  This is great for people who are inexperienced with computers, but also great for those who have the necessary skills but would rather have it done for them.  Really, who doesn’t want something that just works, right out of the box?

For more information, visit http://www.thevalet.com/

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Cisco Valet Wireless Router of their very own!

To Enter: Simply visit thevalet.com and comment on something you learned about the company or a product feature you love

 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" Cisco Valet on Facebook

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @CiscoValet with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/fF9Pao) 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 (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

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

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

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

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

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

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

#168  pamela james said... entered the mixbook giveaway

A big thank you to Cisco Valet 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.

Mauviel M'héritage Professional Copper Cookware {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 26

When talking about the ultimate in kitchen luxuries, there really is no disputing the fact that copper cookware is at the top of that list.  Whether you are a gourmet cook or are just getting started, chances are that at one point or another you longed for a set of copper pots and pans. 

When you start dreaming of copper cookware, you are most definitely picturing this, which is the M'héritage collection from Mauviel.  Exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful styling in each of their cookware pieces really sets them apart from other brands, and makes them the most recognizable copper cookware anywhere.  Made in France since 1830 and coveted by me since 1990, the Mauviel copper collection is nothing short of legendary. 

So, when searching for copper cookware for myself, there was only one company I considered, and that is Mauviel.  After reading all the benefits of copper and stainless cookware for years, I had always hoped to try out a piece from the Mauviel line and see if it really was worth all the hype. 

Then, after years of visiting the Mauviel copper collection at all my local cooking shops with its gleaming shelves of polished cookware dreaming about what I would create, I was truly in disbelief when I had one in my hands the first time.  I will admit that once the Mauviel M'hé Copper & Stainless Steel Round Frying Pan was in my hand, I thought it might be too pretty to use. 


Clearly, I got over that quickly. 

It’s the mix of 90% copper to 10% stainless steel in the Mauviel M'héritage collection that truly gives you the best of both worlds.  The copper base gives you unsurpassed heat conductivity and control while the 18/10 stainless steel interior makes it ideal for daily use as well as preserving the taste and nutritional value of foods.  This mix of copper and stainless makes it suited for not only professional chefs but also for those who cook for a clientele of kiddos, family and friends.   

One meal in and I was a firm believer in Mauviel and the benefits of copper cookware.  Never in my life have I seen such great heat control while cooking or such superior heat retention.  It was perfect for searing meats and stir frying veggies as well as for cooking delicate foods such as eggs that I normally struggle with.

Besides making me look like an amazingly talented chef, the Mauviel M'héritage fry pan is also astonishingly fun to use.  It’s hard to describe exactly how smooth of cooking surface the fry pan has except to compare it to glass.  The spatula literally glides along the pan on its smooth stainless steel interior leaving absolutely no food left it in its path.  As well as making it so foods are cooked evenly and keeping them from burning on the bottom, it also makes cleanup so much easier.

It’s the superb combination of heat retention and smooth cooking surface that make the Mauviel frying pan my absolute favorite and the first one I grab when I’m at the stove.  With its smooth and easy to clean cooking surface, fast heating copper, fabulous heat retention and distribution, as well as its beautiful finish, it’s really no wonder why I have now been spending a whole lot more time pining over the Mauviel copper and stainless collection recently. 

The Mauviel M'héritage fry pan comes in a range of sizes as well as with various handle options including cast iron, bronze or cast stainless steel.  We got to try out the cast stainless steel model and love the aesthetics of the copper and stainless look as well as how awesomely solid it feels in my hand, making it the perfect fit for my retro-inspired kitchen. 

If you were like me and are on the fence about trying a copper pan, I would highly suggest making the leap.  Not only is the Mauviel copper collection guaranteed for life, it is also truly a work of art and easily adds a couple of stars to your cooking abilities. 

Price: The Mauviel M'hé Copper & Stainless Steel Round Frying Pan, 8.6 in, cast stainless steel handles, 1.5mm retails for $190.00 

http://www.mauvielusa.com/

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Mauviel M'hé Copper & Stainless Steel Round Frying Pan of their very own!

To Enter: Simply visit Mauviel USA and comment on another item that you would love to own... good luck choosing 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 Equip My Kitchen Blog (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @equipmykitchen with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/gLEUmV) 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 (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

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

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

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

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

On January 15th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US Addresses.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to: #518 @nola727 said... ERGO Doll Carrier 12/31

A big thank you to Mauviel 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.

ThinkGeek for Hard-to-Buy-For Teens

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 25

No one wants to open presents on Christmas and find the same old boring presents that you've seen a million times.  I remember one year when I was a teenager that I opened up the exact same present from three different people, which was, coincidentally, a present most of my friends also received.  I ended up returning all three of them after the holidays were over and selecting something a bit more unique for myself.  While I absolutely hated doing that, I didn't like the idea of having the same thing everyone else my age had at the time.

If only I had known about ThinkGeek at the time, I would have spent that money there instead.  I like to think that it would have made my teen years less awkward and that it just might have been the push I needed to make me the most popular girl in school.  Really, how could you not be cool with a bunch of awesome gear from ThinkGeek?

It may be too late for my teen self, but ThinkGeek is now my go-to online store for the most unique gifts you can buy anywhere, and at great prices.  Looking for a pet rock?  Look no further!  Dying for some palm-sized battle tanks?  Dream no longer!

We all know how notoriously hard teenagers are to buy for, so I am really grateful I have ThinkGeek now to turn to while searching for the perfect gift.  Not only do they have a huge selection of items, each one arguably cooler than the last, they also have these great gift finder features that allow you to find what you didn't even know you were looking for.

So, rather than searching through a whole website of coolness blindly, you can simply enter in one or two interests of the recipient and let the ThinkGeek mainframe do the rest.  So, say you have a teen on your list that isn't incredibly easy to buy for {just take a minute and imagine} but you know they like music, you can still get the perfect gift by checking the corresponding box on the ThinkGeek gift finder system.

On that list of musical gifts you will find the Stylophone Beatbox and Stylophone Retro Pocket Synth, which would be the absolute perfect present for anyone who seems interested in creating their own music or already plays an instrument.  Besides being truly unique and memorable, they can literally be hours of fun and just might make for some cool sounding music.  Since entire musical albums were successfully created out of much simpler instruments in the past, I find myself imagining the Beatbox and Retro Synth someday making their album debut as well.

What drew us to the Beatbox and Pocket Synth was their cool retro styling and limitless possibility for entertaining.  Besides being able to make up your own sweet rhythm and beats, both the Beatbox and Synth have an MP3 input built right in that allows you to play along with your favorite music with separate volume controls for each.  Add in different options for distorting and modifying your music and you can see why we all love these little instruments. 

On the Stylophone Beatbox you even have the ability to record your musical masterpieces, a function that really takes cool to the next level.  Try recording your beat slowly and then playing it back quickly to really impress your friends.  Trust me, it works.  If I didn’t already have the ring, I’m pretty sure my husband would have proposed on the spot when he heard my sweet loop I created this past weekend.  Unfortunately my daughter promptly recorded over my masterpiece and now the recording sounds a bit like a cat playing a tuba.  Luckily, she’s cute.      

While it has admittedly been a while since I was a teen, I can still appreciate how much fun it is to make my own music and enhance my favorite tunes.  We have spent quite a bit of time playing with both pocket Stylophone instruments as a family and even though there is a wide age range between us, we all love the Stylophone Beatbox and the Retro Pocket Synth.  I can easily see sitting down with friends and seeing how creative we can get as well as seeing if we were able to produce something truly awesome together, whether that was for its musical or comical appeal.

Besides musical gifts, ThinkGeek has something for every teen in numerous categories, whether they are a Star Wars buff, video game junkie, or computer genius.  Buy from ThinkGeek and you can be sure your gift will be memorable this holiday season and it will, in turn, make you the coolest present giver ever.  They certainly won't be opening the same gift from two other people and definitely won't be returning your present to the store.  Who knows, it just might make their teen years less awkward.  Or, more likely it will just make all those awkward years more fun.    

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

A huge thank you to ThinkGeek for sending the Stylophone Beatbox and Synth to play with this holiday season.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

Professor Kobré’s Lightscoop for Flattering Holiday Photos

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 24

Anyone who knows my family knows that we love to take pictures.  With photographers on both sides of my family tree, I’ve seen {and owned} my share of gear throughout the years, especially during my years getting my fine arts degree in photography.  While I now know how to properly illuminate a subject and how to use shadows and light to record the beauty I see around me, it’s just not always practical for me to perfectly light a subject each time I snap a picture.

Most of the time it’s a lack of portable equipment, but sometimes what limits me is a lack of space or time, or a subject that’s unwilling to wait while I illuminate it.  And, sometimes it’s just pure laziness.  With an active toddler and a little one almost always in my arms, I really don’t have the time or the patience to set up studio lighting – or to get them to demonstrate all of their adorableness in just the right spot for me to get that perfect picture.

While the summer months allow me to use the shadows and light of the sun for the natural photos I love, every year around this time I lament about the fact that my time for photographing is seriously limited – especially with the rainy and cold winters Seattle usually gives us.  This rain and cold usually keeps us indoors most of the winter months, which is great since my wardrobe has very little gortex in it, but awful for my photography. 

The result of these short days and damp weather is that I have a lot of pictures that are taken with the pop up flash on my camera, leaving the subject looking flat, over-exposed, red-eyed, and usually, surprised.  I needed a solution that moved with me and allowed me to have makeshift studio light, but something I didn’t need to worry about someone knocking over.  My solution is Professor Kobré’s Lightscoop® which has given me the ability to be spontaneous again.

While the Lightscoop isn’t a replacement for studio lighting and good old fashioned know-how, it is the easiest and simplest way to take natural looking photos of people, pets and hard to photograph subjects.  The concept is simple and uses a trick photographers have known for years, but it’s the fact that it can be attached to your on-board camera flash that makes it so exciting. 

I’m sure you’ve seen photographers use their large flash units to bounce light off the ceiling to photograph in low-light situations like wedding receptions, parties and more, and the Lightscoop works on the same principle.  By using a simple mirrored system that slides easily over your camera’s hot shoe to direct your pop-up flash upwards, it bounces the light off the ceiling before it hits your subject.  This bouncing of light diffuses the flash and makes for much more natural photos.  The result is less red-eyed subjects, fuller color and life in your photos, and natural looking subjects with no harsh shadows.  In short, it makes for much, much better photos.   

While I do have an external flash unit that mounts on a flash bar that I connect to my SLR, I really love that the Lightscoop is much more portable, doesn’t take batteries, and doesn’t require a separate flash unit or flash bar.  This makes it perfect for throwing in your camera bag just in case or simply leaving it attached to your camera while you’re at home.  Since it is so lightweight and portable it’s so much more likely that you will actually carry it with you – which, in turn, means that you just might have it when you need it most.    

While the Lightscoop has worked in every situation I have tried it in, including a room with a vaulted ceiling, it should be noted that the instructions recommend ceilings no higher than 8-12 feet or walls no further than 3-4 feet from the camera for best results.  For more information as well as a list of compatible cameras, you can click {here} to be redirected to their instruction page.  

If you have an SLR camera and are looking for a fairly cheap accessory that will give you much better indoor pictures, I would highly recommend the Professor Kobré’s Lightscoop®.  Priced at $34.95, the Lightscoop would be the perfect addition to a photographer's stocking this Christmas!

http://www.lightscoop.com/

I apologize for the lack of personal images in this post.  I took the most gorgeous picture of my grandmother with the Lighscoop but technical difficulties (unrelated the the Lightscoop) prevented me from uploading them.  A big thank you goes to Lightscoop for sending the sample to be reviewed.  Even though I borrowed their pictures, you can rest assured that I did not borrow anything else for this review and all opinions are 100% ours.

Villeroy & Boch Sets Your Holiday Table

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 29

A great deal of the magic of Christmas is the special items you adopt that then become a part of how you and your family celebrate the season.  Whether it's a pair of handmade stockings or a collection of heartfelt ornaments, their arrival in your house signals the start of the holiday season.  Villeroy & Boch knows all about preserving these holiday traditions and has been producing heirloom quality ceramics for over 260 years, including their newest holiday collections.

 We all remember that special set of dinnerware or the miniature Christmas Village that came out of storage each year and made the holidays come alive as kids.  Once I was out on my own, I was determined to start my own traditions and I was incredibly lucky to find a guy who adores the holidays as much as I do.  I can honestly say that each year the holidays get even more magical as we develop our own traditions together.  Add in our two kiddos and the holidays at our house really couldn’t get more magical. 

Our newest tradition is the inclusion of Villeroy and Boch in our Christmas decor, a custom which I hope our children can grow up with.  Starting from our first holiday party of the year, which happens just after Thanksgiving and all the way through to the annual New Years Day Christmas celebration, Villeroy and Boch will be part of our celebrations from now on. 

Most of you are probably familiar with Villeroy & Boch and could easily point out their distinctive dinnerware, accessories, and crystal stemware, but you probably don’t know that it has been family-owned for 260 years.  Their classic and beautiful pieces have been found on the tables of the Pope, royal families and the rich, famous, and elite worldwide as well as families around the world for decades. 

Well, now you can add Rave Central to that list, because it will definitely be decking our table every holiday season from now on.  Our favorite line in the new Villeroy & Boch holiday series is the Toys Delight holiday pattern because of its timeless appeal.  We got to try out the Toys Delight Serving Platter this past month and were absolutely shocked at how beautiful and eye catching it is in person. 

Not only is the Villeroy and Boch Serving Platter a large piece that can hold a great deal of food, snacks, and more, it is also truly beautiful and classic, which means it will fit with just about any holiday decor.  Since 90 percent of our potluck-style dinners occur during the 5 weeks leading up to New Years, this means that our extended family and friends will also get to enjoy this recognizable piece each year and come to anticipate its arrival on the holiday table each December.

Also setting our table this year are some adorable candlesticks from the Nostalgic Market series from Villeroy & Boch.  We now light the Carol Singers and Snowman candlesticks in the evening and it makes the whole room look magical.  These adorable ceramic figures remind me of the decorations my grandmother used to decorate our holiday table with when I was young, which makes me really excited that my kids {and grandchildren} will have these to look forward to lighting every year.

Speaking of family traditions, I was really happy to see that Isabelle von Boch is now blogging on the Villeroy & Boch blog.  She posts recipes, decorating ideas, and inspiration for entertaining as she encourages readers to use their good china every day, a cause I can really get behind.  Life’s too short to not appreciate your best dinnerware every night, so I love good, quality pieces that can withstand daily use.

Since I absolutely adore classics, it’s really not surprising at all that I fell hard for Villeroy & Boch.  Because really, what more do you need for a classic Christmas meal than a house full of loved ones and a table set with Villeroy & Boch? 

You can now connect with Villeroy & Boch on Facebook to find out about all their news and promotions.  Be sure to visit Villeroy & Boch and choose the pieces that you would love to deck your tables year-round!       

A big thank you to Villeroy and Boch for setting our table with the season's best.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.