Monthly Archives: October 2012

October 21, 2012 · 1:19 am

DC Super Friends, Step Into Reading Hero Story Collection Review and Giveaway!!!

If you have a little boy they are probably superhero fans. At our house my little boys dress up way more than my daughter ever did and you will find the Hulk in full dress at breakfast or Captain America driving his power wheels around outside. Truth be told, you would be hard pressed to not find them either wearing a super hero cape, their costumes or at the very least their super hero pajamas. Their collection of super hero paraphernalia could easily rival any girls princess collection, so it goes without saying they love reading books about superheros. When we received review books recently we were sent quite a few books featuring them and I want to share one with you now.

If you have an early reader, the Step Into Reading books are so great, they start off on level 1 which is for preschool and kindergarten. The Step 1 books are perfect for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. The books have big type and easy to read words. The story has rhyme and rhythm and includes picture clues. Step 2 level is good for preschool to grade 1 and is perfect for children who are recognizing sight words and know how to sound out words with help. The stories have basic vocabulary, short sentences and simple stories. I received the DC Super Friends, Step Into Reading Hero Story Collection for review. This book is 5 Step Into Reading Books in one big book. The book starts with Step 1 and moves on to Step 2. My 5-year-old is reading sight words and sounding out words so this book is perfect for him. He loves the superheros and so he is eager to read it with us and learn to read it on his own. The stories our full of adventures featuring Superman, Batman, Robin, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and more. The titles in this collection are: Flying High, Going Bananas, Brain Freeze, T.Rex Trouble, and Crime Wave.

Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of DC Super Friends, Step Into Ready Hero Story Collection. Than you Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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October 20, 2012 · 6:47 pm

Personal Creations, Unique Personalize Gifts For Life’s Special Occassions Review!!!

Go to Personal Creations Homepage

I cannot believe how this year has been flying by. I mean, I remember being upset the summer went so fast and now I feel like Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Christmas coming so fast I am stressing over everything I want to do in preparation and feeling there is little to no time. One way I do save time is finding great gifts online. It is so nice not to have to waste my time and gas driving to the store, wrestling with the crowds only to find what I went to get is not in stock or in the right size. I would love to share a great site with you where you can shop right from the comfort of your home and find gifts for everyone that you can have personalized to make them super special.

Personal Creations is an online merchant that has personalized gifts for babies, kids, women, men, pets and families. I was recently asked to do a review of their site. I was thrilled to participate and the selection was tremendous. I think I browsed for 2 days before making the decision to get my little guys personalized hoodie sweatshirts. The site was super easy to navigate and once I had made up my mind it was as easy as picking the color, size and adding the personalization. From the moment the order was placed I received emails to let me know the status of my order, when it shipped and when it would arrive. It arrived quickly and packaged well. The hoodies are high quality and the monogram is very nicely done. The boys love their hoodies and I was glad I sized up so they will get a lot of use from them. So you might want to just make things easy on yourself when you are shopping for any kind of gift and visit Personal Creations.

Embossed Initial Sweatshirt and Hoodie

A Personal Creations Exclusive! Your child’s name and first initial give our sweatshirt and hoodies a personality of its own! We emboss the front with any single initial and then embroider any name, up to 10 characters. Our hoodies feature a jersey-lined hood and side seam pockets for toddler sizes and a front pocket. Our sweatshirts are made of cotton/poly blend. Available in red, blue, or pink in toddler sizes 2T, 4T and 5/6 or youth sizes S (6-8), M (10-12), L (14-16). Hoodie available up to XL (18-20). Machine washable.

This is a sponsored post and I was provided with a gift code in which to purchase the items in my review. My review is 100% honest and my own.

Alert Works, Emergency Alert Weather Radio (EAR) Review & Giveaway!!!

Alert Works® is a leading manufacturer of safety devices that ALERT you to impending danger, designs and produce high quality safety products with the purpose of protecting your family and home, as well as your piece of mind. I was recently chosen to review the Alert Works, Emergency Alert Radio. My husband and I like to be prepared for an emergency and have experienced many storms living in the mountains that have caused us to lose electricity and so we have a generator and a large stash of emergency supplies to keep ourselves safe and as connected as we can with what is going on. An emergency radio is an essential part of any emergency kit. The EAR will alert you of threatening civil emergencies and weather emergencies. The information comes directly and immediately from the source of the warning at your local National Weather Service office. Information can be tailored so that you receive only the warnings that are important to you and your family.

The radio was very easy to set up right out of the box and whenever there is a weather alert it comes right through. It is easy to read with the large backlit display and just having this in the house makes me feel better with how unpredictable the weather has been all over the country. We think the Alert Works Emergency Alert Weather Radio is such a great gift to get someone you care about this holiday season that we are adding it to Mommy Rambling’s 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

Emergency Alert Radio® Weather Radio
with S.A.M.E. Localized Programmability

Alert Feature
Radio automatically activates to warn of pending danger from weather or civil emergencies.
7 NOAA Channels
Listen to the latest weather forecast with the touch of a button, directly from the National Weather Service.
S.A.M.E. Reception
Localize reception for only the alerts you want to hear. Select your county only or multiple counties in your area.
Time and Alarm Clock
Multi-function and large backlit display make it ideal for any room in the house.
User Selectable Warning System
Select from voice or siren alerts.
90 Decibel Alert Siren
Loud enough to be heard from any room in the house or to awaken the soundest of sleepers.
LED Alert Level Indicators
3 lights indicate the alert level (Watch, Warning, or Statement) and remain on for the duration of the alert.
Emergency Battery Back-up*
The monitor will stay on even during a power outage.
*Requires (4) “AA” batteries (not included)

Alert Works is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky reader will win their own Alert Works Emergency Alert Weather Radio. Thank you Alert Works for the review radio and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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· 1:55 am

Breadman Convection Bread Machine with Handles TR2700 Review!!!

I was thrilled to be asked to do a review of the Breadman Convention Bread Machine TR2700 with Handles. This bread machine is super easy to set up and use right out of the box. All you need to do is wash out the bread pan and attach the paddle, decide on a recipe and set the bread maker with your preferences. This bread machine is great because it has 16 baking functions as well as three loaf size options and 3 crust browning options. If you love the settings and want to be sure to get the same results you can save them for the next time. Lots of flexibility like a 24 hour delay bake timer, power failure protection and a 10 minute pause timer will help you get the most out of this bread machine. The recipe book that is included has loads of recipes and you can use the machine to make doughs and then shape and finish baking in the oven for pretzels, rolls, shaped breads and more. Great additional functions like low-carb, gluten-free and Rapid Bake. Automatic Fruit & Nut Dispenser adds extras automatically, so you can have fresh-baked fruit & nut breads without waiting around for a signal.

The first recipe we tried was a french bread with a crispy dark crust. Well, let me tell you this bread was cut before I could even take a picture of the loaf. Supposedly my husband “forgot” we were reviewing it. Anyway I did get there in time to take a few pictures before it was devoured. It was delicious with a very nice, crispy crust. The machine lets you choose 3 loaf sizes from 1 lb to 2 lb loaves.

The second bread we made was a buttermilk white and we programmed a dark crust. It came out wonderful and so unbelievably delicious. It is my new favorite. It is so simple and fast to put just a few ingredients in, set the machine and you are done. You put the liquid ingredients in the bottom then the dry ingredients on top and on yeast breads make a well and put the yeast on top. I love the handles make the machine so easy to move and carry.

If you are in the market for a bread machine, please take a good look at the Breadman Convection Bread Machine with Handles TR2700. It is such a great idea for a holiday gift so we are putting it on our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

The Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics Dragons Review and Giveaway!!!

I was delighted when I found that I was going to be reviewing another Orb Factory product! Their Sticky Mosaics sets are so much fun for kids to put together! This time we got the Dragons Mosaic to try out! My 5-year-old and his 7-year-old cousin enjoyed this stick by number set, and the girls even joined in this time. They had no problem interpreting the legend that shows which number each brilliant, textured sticker tile goes on. The finished product looks amazing, each iridescent lizard-skin tile compliments the ones around it. The large Flipmotion accent stickers add movement to each mosaic and make them more lifelike! You can hang up your masterpiece on the wall or stand them up on a shelf with the 4 hangers and stands that come with the set.

The Orb Factory has numerous other mosaic products, like a treasure box and jewelry boxes to decorate, many different styles of collages, licensed products, notebooks and diaries and 3D mosaics!! An Orb Factory Mosaic is a great project you can do with your kids, they can feel satisfied with the work they did, and they get an awesome product result to hang on the wall, or decorate their room with!

Mommy Ramblings has added The Orb Factory Dragons Sticky Mosaics Set to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide!!!

The Orb Factory is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Dragons Sticky Mosaics Set of their own! Thank you Orb Factory for this awesome review Mosaic and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway!!! Open to US residents!!!

The Orb Factory is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Dragons Sticky Mosaic set of their own! Thank you Orb Factory for this awesome review Mosaic and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway!!! Open to US residents!!!

The Orb Factory Dragons Sticky Mosaics Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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October 18, 2012 · 6:11 pm

Big Apple Circus is coming to the Lincoln Center 10/20 – 1/13 Get your tickets today!!!

Big Apple Circus has it’s ALL NEW SHOW coming to the Lincoln Center 10/20 – 1/13 Get your tickets today! Click HERE to get your tickets. In honor of the momentous 35th season, the Big Apple Circus is proud to present a brand new show: LEGENDARIUM! Enter the intimate Big Top circus of years gone by, where the World’s Greatest Circus Artists perform spectacular feats and no one sits more than 50 feet from the ring! See the hijinks of hilarious clowns, magnificent horses and playful pooches, soaring aerialists, flawless jugglers, astounding acrobats and a contortionist with a backbone flexible as an archer’s bow! With an affable Ringmaster as your guide, watch as an amazing inventor spins in a giant steel hoop and a fearless finambulist astonishes the onlooker! Big Apple Circus is coming to the Lincoln Center 10/20 – 1/13 Get your tickets today! Click HERE to get your tickets.

The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books by Dr. Seuss Review & Giveaway!!!

Dr. Seuss books were some of mine and my husband’s favorites as children. I imagine most of you feel the same. We all have certain ones that we liked best and if you are like us, you just could not wait to share those books with your child. I started right from the get go reading aloud to my pregnant belly and even had the Dr. Seuss book that was made to be read to your unborn baby. It is amazing how even young babies have an interest in looking at books. However we all know babies are rough on things and drool and so books with paper pages won’t last very long if given to them. This is the reason I love board books because they take the abuse of babies, toddlers, preschoolers and are easy to clean. Now if you were to put all that I said together and put it in a box with a bright yellow carrying handle; you would have The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books by Dr. Seuss.

This delightful little box opens to reveal 4 fabulous board books; Hop on Pop, Oh the Thinks You Can Think!, The Shape of Me and Other Stories and Ten Apples Up On Top! My three-year old just did a project in preschool that was based on the Ten Apples Up On Top book. The books are the same as the regular versions, nothing left out or shortened. They just come in a pint-sized, sturdy version. This set makes a great gift and Mommy Ramblings thinks it is a perfect gift for little ones this holiday season and we are adding it to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books by Dr. Seuss. Thank you Random House for the review box and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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October 16, 2012 · 11:24 pm

Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon” 35th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Review and Giveaway!!!

Celebrate imaginary friends, big and small!

Get Ready to Celebrate Disney’s Classic Musical Adventure

PETE’S DRAGON

35^TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION BLU-RAY™

Available Today!!!

Rediscover with your family the endearing story between Pete and his invisible dragon friend Elliott as they develop a special bond and share a magical friendship. With memorable characters and heartwarming songs including the 1977 Academy Award® “Best Original Song” nominee, “Candle On The Water,” Pete’s Dragon 35th Anniversary is the perfect timeless classic every member of your family will love.

Wow, was I taken back to my childhood with this Disney classic. What a fun movie with invisible dragon Elliott that gets poor Pete into so much trouble at times, especially at school. With a phenomenal cast like Mickey Rooney, Helen Reddy, Sean Marshall, Red Buttons, and Jim Dale. I could not wait to see my son’s faces as they watched this for the first time. It is amazing how heartwarming it can be to share that special first viewing of a Disney movie with little eyes that quickly open as big as saucers as they experience the magic that is truly a Disney masterpiece. Enjoy this Disney treasure with your family very soon!

Disney is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One Lucky blog reader will win “Pete’s Dragon” on Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack!
Thank you Disney for the review copy and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents

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October 15, 2012 · 11:09 pm

Freeplay Energy, Indigo LED Lantern Review & Giveaway!!!

Living in a four season state in the mountains we like to be prepared for emergency situations such as losing electricity or if there was ever some type of attack that leaves us in survival mode. We have a generator but we do have a stash of emergency supplies. We recently had the chance to do a review with Freeplay Energy. Freeplay Energy is the leading manufacturer of windup and solar-powered products, specializing in Outdoor Leisure, Emergency Preparedness, and Aid and Development. My husband chose the Indigo LED Lantern.

This lantern could not be easier to use, our five-year old can wind it up and that powers the bright LED light, it has a handy handle to carry it has no bulbs to burn out or disposable batteries to replace. There is a dial that allows you to adjust the brightness and the built-in crank allows you to easily power the light when needed. LED Lantern is the most dependable lantern on the market and we can certainly see why. The quality is excellent, the light source is fantastic and this is a must have whether camping, keeping in your car, or as part of your emergency kit.

– Built-in crank means never running out of power.

– Rechargeable NiMH battery built-in.

– 7 ultra-bright white LEDs all positioned for optimum light output efficiency.

– Dimmer switch adjusts brightness from night-light to ultra-bright.

– Separate task light for spot beam and flashlight use.

– Ultra tough reinforced ABS.

– Up to 70 hours’ constant shine time on low setting.

Mommy Ramblings thinks the Freeplay Indigo LED Lantern would make a wonderful and useful gift this holiday season and so we are adding it to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

Freeplay Energy is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a Freeplay Indigo LED Lantern. Thank you Freeplay for the review lantern and for sponsoring this very bright giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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