2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Willow House Wirework Treasure Trio

 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, Reviews  15 Responses »
Dec 282011
 

I love shopping for Christmas ornaments, decor, and other items after the big day has come and gone because you can score some amazing deals.  Willow House is one company that has some great discounts on Christmas products right now. For those of you not familiar with Willow House they are a home-based company that is represented by Design Consultants – consultants like Paula Jolly who wanted to help introduce Willow House to all of you.

Willow House products are both unique and lovely.  They believe that a product should make you happy each time you use or look at it. Good design should be accessible and affordable, because the days of fussy and overpriced products are gone forever.  And like their namesake willow, Willow House sways with the trends but are not overwhelmed by them.

I’ve been checking out their “Seasonal” sale and found this Roxy Reindeer Cheese Plate and Spreader that I’d love to have. It was originally $39.96 and is now marked down to $11.96.  I’d fill the plate up with crackers and use the spreader to help serve my hot artichoke dip. From the Outlet section, I’d like to have the Gramercy Triple Dip Stand, regularly $19.96, now marked down to $7.96.


I recently received the Wirework Treasure Trio and I have lots of plans for them next year. In addition to filling them with small wrapped candies, I think I’d like to use some reindeer moss in one, maybe some tiny round glass ornaments in another.  I think the round and star one could also be used for an extended season by filling them with “wintery” items, like acorns, evergreen trimmings, etc.  They’re very sturdy and seem like the would hold up to multiple seasons of usage.

I received a product in order to facilitate my review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% mine and my family’s.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Sing4 The Hits Edition (With Microphone!) for the Wii – Review & Giveaway (US; ends 12/26)

 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, family, family game night, For Her, For Him, For Teens, Giveaways, holiday gift guide, Reviews, Sing4, Sing4 The Hits Edition, video games, Wii, Wii games  20 Responses »
Dec 202011
 

2011 Holiday Gift Guide – Suggestions For Teens/Him/Her
(Be sure to check out all the other great Gift Guide items and giveaways here.)
We enjoy most of those singing shows that are on TV – you know, the ones that pluck people out of relative obscurity and give them a chance to be a star?  A1 even considered trying out for one when they came to town a few years ago (she should have; that girl can sing).  So when we had the chance to try out the new Sing4: The Hits Edition, I knew it was going to be a winner.
Sing4 is unique in the fact that it’s the first singing game with high-precision lyrics that can tell the difference between actually singing and just humming.  It also comes with 40 songs from artists like Train, the B52s, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Michael Bublé, Queen and many others.  You can also download additional tracks to give you even more to choose from.  The game has four modes: Solo, Duet (sing together, each taking a different part; highest score wins), Battle (up to four compete by singing the same piece, highest score wins), and Co-op (combined score; everyone sings the parts they’re best at).
The words come up on the screen, just like karaoke.  And once A2 pointed out to us that the next line of lyrics was on the screen in the line under the current lyrics, we were all much more successful.  The bars that are superimposed on the video (see below) let you know if the notes will be high/low or go up/down and also give you a sense for how long the sound should be held.  You’ll also get instant feedback – like “Perfect!” and “Try Harder!”.
We’ve had a lot of fun with this game.  There is a good mix of songs, so everyone is able to find something they like or at least remotely know the words to.  I am glad, too, that there are more songs available via download (I hope they add more soon, too).  Everyone took a turn – some braver (younger) folks took a few.  Even Baby C. was doing her little “dance” while everyone sang.  There was a lots of friendly competition; I have to be honest and say A1 and A2 kicked our butts.  Still, it’s nice to be able to find a game the whole family can play together.
Sing4 is also sponsoring a contest right now.  You could win $10,000 just by singing one of four songs and uploading your video.  Videos must be uploaded by January 31st, 2012; visit their YouTube page for more info.
Where to Buy:
Sing4: The Hits Edition retails for $39.99; Amazon also has it with free shipping.
Want to Win?
One winner will receive a copy of the game plus the microphone.  To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a product in order to facilitate my review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% mine and my family’s.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Twas the Night After Christmas Storybook

 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, books, For the Kids, Reviews  1 Response »
Dec 202011
 

2011 Holiday Gift Guide – A New Christmas Book

(Be sure to check out all the other great Gift Guide items and giveaways here.)

New Christmas Books - The Night After Christmas
I know you’ve heard me say a number of times how much I love books, and especially Christmas books.  Now someone has found a way to extend the joy and excitement that comes with Christmas stories; there is “The Night After Christmas” book.
“The Night After Christmas” picks up where the iconic “The Night Before Christmas” book leaves off.  It takes you back to the North Pole with Santa after the presents have all been delivered and the children are all snuggled in bed with their new gifts.  I always wondered what Santa did on Christmas night – and now I know!
Baby C. has let me read this to her a few times and she loves the illustrations.  I’m sure this will find a home in our yearly reading rotation.  I’ve heard from a few others that it’s quickly become a much-loved book in their homes.  I think you will love it, too.

Where to Buy:

“The Night After Christmas” is available in both soft cover ($8.99) and eBook ($0.99) form from retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Buy.com.

Want to Win?

Giveaway closed.

What is your favorite “new” Christmas book?

I received a product in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% mine and my family’s.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: World Vision Gifts

 2011 Holiday Gift Guide  No Responses »
Dec 172011
 

2011 Holiday Gift Guide – Suggestions For Her
 

Charitable Gifts from World Vision
If you’d like to purchase a unique gift that will make both you and the recipient feel good World Vision gifts is a nice place to start.  World Vision provides help both abroad and here in the United States; some of  your donations could be helping a neighbor down the road.  Some of the ways your money can help people here at home include distribution centers that provide school supplies, disaster relief, and life skills training for high-risk youth. Continue reading »

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Deck Your Nails With Julep Polishes – Review & Giveaway (US; ends 12/23)

 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, cosmetics, For Her, For Teens, gifts, Giveaways, holiday gift guide, Julep, nail polish, Reviews  17 Responses »
Dec 172011
 
2011 Holiday Gift Guide – Suggestions For Her
(Be sure to check out all the other great Gift Guide items and giveaways here.)
You may already have your outfits selected for all the holiday parties this season, but have you thought about your accessories yet?  One item I consider an accessory – and that I love to shop for – is nail polish.  Nail polish to me is really quite awesome; it finishes off any look, is easy to change and allows you to keep up with seasonal trends without breaking the bank.
If you’re like me in your love of polish – or you have someone on your shopping list that is – you will love Julep’s holiday sets.  Whether as a gift or stocking stuffer any of their polishes would be sure to please.
Julep is a boutique nail salon that is also a place where girlfriends can go to take a moment for fun and style.  They want to be a space where women can gather and find themselves, to connect and celebrate as part of a community.  They are very focused on their message and they put their money where their mouth is; $1 of every nail color sold goes to organizations that support women.  Check out the below pilot clip of the PBS show “Trendspotting” to see more.

I love burgundys and other shades along those lines so I’m really enjoying the Demi polish in the Julep Holiday Reds set (see below).  The Brooklyn shade is my next favorite of the three; I enjoy the touch of sparkle that really steps it up for the holidays.  The third shade is called January and it’s a real, tomato-red with a bit of shine to it.  I’ve never tried wearing true reds but I’m looking forward giving it a try at one of my upcoming parties.  I love the quality of the polishes and how easy they are to apply.  They also wear nicely; a lot of polishes chip I use chip after the first day or two because of the amount of time I spend at the keyboard and these did not.  I’m totally in love.
I also really like the Silver Belle’s Holiday Polish Collection (I’m a sucker for silver and slate gray).
And if you’d like to make an entire group of friends smile for the holidays, consider purchasing the Julep Spa Pedicure At-Home Party for 6.  It comes with four polish colors, topcoat, basecoat, Pomegranate Body Creme, Cosmopolitan Mix and 6 each of the following: orange sticks, nail brushes, toe separators, nail files, and pedi slippers.  (If Santa’s elves are reading I want this please.)
Where to Buy:
All of the holiday collections – and much more – can be found on Julep’s site.  Both the Holiday Reds and Silver Belles collections retail for $42 and the Pedicutre Kit for 6 retails for $84 (a $145 value).  As a special for you all Julep has given us promo code SHOPPINGFORSAVINGS – use it to take 15% off your purchase!
Want to Win?

One winner will receive the Holiday Reds Collection!  To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a product in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% mine and my family’s.
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