Reviews & Giveaways

I don’t want this blog to become a review blog, but I do post reviews and giveaways about great products once in a while, preferably green or organic or eco-friendly products. I only review products I think would interest my readers. Enjoy!

02-16-2010

Hasbro NYC Toy Fair Blogger Event and Giveaway

Hasbro invited me to an exclusive sneak peak of all the new toys they are showing off at Toy Fair that is happening right now is New York City. When I read that they make Play-Doh, one of Landon’s favorite things to play with right now, I immediately said I’d come. Even if that meant getting up at 6 in the morning.

After being greeted by the PR firm ladies and receiving my badge, I grabbed some coffee and started talking to some other mom bloggers. There were about 25 of us. I knew Kelly from Centsible Life and Niri from Mommy Niri from previous blogging events, and made a new friend, the Toy Queen, Keri.

After a quick bite, we sat down to listen to Brian Goldner, Hasbro CEO; Jane Ritson-Parsons, Hasbro’s Global Consumer Insights Leader; and Jerry Perez, Hasbro Senior Vice President Global Brand Leader Preschool Marketing. Hasbro wants to reimagine their brands with innovative products, and all three pointed out how being able to get consumers’ input via social media and mommy blogs has changed how they develop their products. They thanked us for taking the time to come and told us how much they really valued our input about their new toys.

After that we were lead through the showroom in small groups to look at all the new toys. Gosh, I had no idea that Hasbro is behind games and toys like Playskool, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, Twister, My Little Pony, etc.. It was overwhelming how many new toys they are launching and reintroducing!

I am not a big fan of action figures or all those loud toys for boys, but who knows, maybe that’s something that’s in my future once L gets older. I wish he would play with TinkerToys all day :)

I gravitated more to the girl toys. I thought theses are adorable and affordable: this is one of the “Furreal Friends Snuggimals” palm-sized pets. When you push her tummy, she comes to life and her head moves. There are 20 different kinds of these and they will be available this spring ($7.99). I think L would like these — I know I want one!

The display of Play-Doh was extensive and L would have been in heaven!

Another toy I liked for L was this little computer called Alphie. This learning pal boasts an LCD screen to depict facial expressions, a friendly voice and a playful, inquisitive personality. He comes with thirty double-sided cards containing over 350 fun questions and challenges. I liked the fact that he never says that an answer is wrong and encourages the child to try again. He’s going to be $39.99 and available in the fall.

This is my favorite toy of all of them: as a passionate attachment parenting mom, I love the fact that this little pony has a sling for her baby! This is called “My Little Pony Family Sister’s Day Out” playset ($14.99, available in fall 2010).

I had such a fun time going to the Hasbro event, and I want to pass on one popular Hasbro game to you!

Win Clue Carnival!

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This giveaway ends Sunday, March 7, 2010 @ 10:00 p.m. EST. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have three days to claim their prizes. I received a a bag of asorted Hasbro toys at the event. I did not receive any other compensation and this is my honest opinion.

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Review and Giveaway: Rainbow Brite Adventure Pack CD

I was sent some Rainbow Brite Adventure Pack CDs to let you know what I think of it and to give some of them to my loyal readers! So Landon and I sat down the other day and had a look. The CD contains games, puzzles, the theme song, and an animated short.

We tried the puzzles and they would be fun for any kid 4 years or older, but Landon is still a little too young for them. My favorite part was that after we customized the picture of the horse or doll to our liking, we were able to print it out so L could color it in.

I didn’t grow up with these dolls in Germany, but I gather a lot of you remember these dolls and horses and their wholesome stories from your childhood. Now you can share their stories, and new fashion dolls (available at Target and Toys R’ Us) with your children!

For more info — and four new animated mini episodes — check out Rainbow Brite’s website.

Win one of 6 Rainbow Brite CDs!

This giveaway ended Tuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 10:00 p.m. EST. The winners were chosen via Random.org and will have three days to claim their prizes. For this review, I received a pack of Rainbow Brite CDs. I did not receive any other compensation and this is my honest opinion.

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Book review: Katharine McMahon’s The Crimson Rooms

I love reading, so when I was asked to review Katharine McMahon’s new book The Crimson Rooms, I said “sure, send me a copy!” McMahon also wrote the bestsellers The Alchemist’s Daughter and The Rose of Sebastopol.

The book promised to be interesting since it is about a young lawyer, Evelyn Gifford, after World War I in London. I love books set in the past and was hoping for a romantic love story. The first few pages are a little tough to swallow, the writing is so precise that it captures the gore of the war in detail, but the book is an enjoyable read after that.

I was mostly interested in the love story, which there wasn’t enough of for my taste in the many pages of descriptions of Evelyn’s home life and courtroom drama she is involved in. She is working on two cases while trying to figure out what to make of a woman who shows up on her doorstep with a little boy who looks just like her beloved brother James, who was killed in the war. This certainly is a very intricate, well-written story. I liked the book but was disappointed to read how the love story ends. I wanted more romance :)

The Crimson Rooms will be available on February 8 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Indie Bound.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by MotherTalk on behalf of G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Riverhead and received a copy of the book to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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01-22-2010

Review: Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan To Launch Your Dreams Into Reality by Allison Maslan

“The secret is to spend less time doubting, and more time doing.” Allison Maslan

I had the opportunity to read Allison Maslan’s new book Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan To Launch Your Dreams Into Reality and I would whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to change their life for the better and pursue making a living with what they are truly passionate about. Too many people get stuck in a rut and are unhappy with their job but fear change, and that is so sad to me. As Allison pointed out in the guest post she wrote for my blog, it is NEVER to late to change course and follow your dreams!

I already found my calling — I love nothing better than to write about what I am passionate about: motherhood, breastfeeding, attachment parenting, green and frugal living, and my addiction to social media. I love sharing my life and my experiences on my blog, Dagmar’s momsense. I love connecting with my amazing readers and fellow bloggers and getting invited to exiting blogging events. And as a freelance editor and proofreader and writer, I have the best job in the world: I am able to work from home and get to be with my little boy a lot because my schedule is flexible. And yet I learned a lot from Blast Off!

Do you want to create positive change in your life? You can — regardless of your age. In Blast Off!, Allison tells motivational stories about her own life and gives you strategies and specific action plans to help you to tap into your life’s purpose. She wants you to “achieve abundance in all areas of your life” (business, health, finding the love of your life), and that’s how this book differs from other self-help and entrepreneurial books. Since Allison is also a homeopathic physician, she wants to make sure you take care of your health while pursuing what you love, and she included a whole chapter on a “Healthy Body and Mind.” Since I am a big believer in homeopathic remedies — I used them for the drug-free birth of my son — I really appreciate that approach.

Allison credentials are impressive: she is an author, speaker, homeopathic physician, and serial entrepreneur. She has successfully started nine businesses and now helps others infuse their passions into an inspiring career and personal life. Her holistic approach to success is the result of many years of coaching people reach their full potential. She has personally applied the principles in her book to reach her own success and to even find her soul mate.

Blast Off! is now #1 on the Amazon list for all books on entrepreneurship in the U.S.! That is very impressive, but not very surprising to me. Do you want to get inspired? Then run to get Blast Off!

I was given one copy of Blast Off for this review and no other compensati0on. This is my honest opinion.

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01-09-2009

The Best of New York in Just 10 Seconds — Book Review and Giveaway

I was approached to review Baffled by Travel’s new The Best of New York in Just 10 Seconds guidebook, and since I am still pretty new here and I know that there is always something exiting to discover in New York, I said yes.

I am glad I did — this book is so informative and beautiful with all its incredible photographs. And since the book is so well organized and easy to navigate, it really only takes second to find what you are searching for.

Locals and visitors alike will love this guidebook, which has been compiled by people who express their personal experience.

This giveaway ended Saturday, January 30, 2010 @ 10:00 p.m. EST. For this review, I received a The Best of New York guidebook for review and four for my readers. I did not receive any other compensation and this is my honest opinion.

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12-14-2009

Yoga By The Dozen Review and Giveaway!

Since Don was a yoga teacher when I met him, I was delighted when Yoga By The Dozen™ contacted me to find out if I wanted to review their yoga products for kids. Absolutely! Yoga By The Dozen™ is an independently women-owned company. The Yoga By The Dozen DVD is a fun, interactive children’s yoga video designed especially for kids ages 2 to 6. It promotes a healthy lifestyle in children regardless of their fitness level and teaches them about body awareness, strength, and flexibility.

In the video, JoAnna Ross — an accomplished yoga teacher, dancer and fitness educator — and her 12 little friends demonstrate a dozen fundamental poses that introduce your child to the exciting world of yoga. Landon loved the DVD; he couldn’t get enough of seeing the children demonstrate the poses and having fun interacting with JoAnna. He especially loved the additional song on the DVD, the yoga mat that features prints of hands and feet, and the colorful T-shirts.

As a former yogi himself, Don was in his element when he watched the DVD with Landon and helped him with his poses. Landon has since requested watching the DVD again and again, and he is very proud when he shows his daddy and me some of the poses. As a parent, I am exited that the Yoga By The Dozen products introduce Landon to yoga and its many healthy benefits at such a young age. It is too cute to see a three-year-old do the tree pose!

Want to preview the DVD, see celebrities wear the YBTD T-shirts, and get more information on Yoga By The Dozen? Then check out their website.

Key Benefits of yoga for children:
* Increased cognitive and motor skills
* Confidence, courage, and self-esteem
* Balance and coordination
* Memory retention and concentration
* Nurture creativity and self-expression
* Respect for themselves and each other

This giveaway ended Friday, January 1, 2010 @ 10:00 p.m. EST. For this review, I received a Yoga By The Dozen Starter Kit, one extra T-shirt, and one extra DVD for free. I did not receive any other compensation and this is my honest opinion.
Update 01-01-2010: Congratulations, Tori and Gaileee, Random.org decided you are the winners!
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12-09-2009

The Ultimate Cloth — Clean Anything With Just Water!

I was contacted by the makers of The Ultimate Cloth to review their cloth that cleans anything you can think of — with just water. I was skeptic after I read that it cleans basically everything — windows, mirrors, glass, blinds, floors, walls, tiles, chrome, granite, marble, leather, car paint, you get the idea. Since I like to be green and frugal, and The Ultimate Cloth promises to cut down on my use of paper towels and expensive cleaners, I was eager to try it out. And let me tell you — I have never seen anything like it!

Here is the proof, because I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes: I wet the cloth as instructed and cleaned three surfaces I had previously wiped down and thought to be clean — my kitchen table, my living room table, and my TV. And what did I find? I don’t know how this cloth does it, but look at this:

I am almost embarrassed to show you this picture, because it looks like I never clean, but that’s not the case. The Ultimate cloth, made from MiraFiber TM, was able to lift more dirt from the surfaces than cleaners and paper towels together— with just water!

The Ultimate Cloth cleans streak-free and is washable, bleachable, and chemical free.

Here is the best deal ever: The makers of the Ultimate Cloth are so exited about their product, they want you to try it for free (retails for $6) — you only pay for shipping. My tip: get it while you can! You are going to want to give everyone you know one of these!

I was given one Ultimate Cloth for free and did not receive any additional compensation. This is my honest opinion.

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11-29-2009

Need Some Great Gift Ideas for the Holidays? Run to Staples!

Staples recently sent me a $200 gift card and basically said, “Hey, here is a gift card, have fun shopping and let us know about your shopping experience.” Well, twist my arm! I go to Staples for all of my office supplies anyway, and there were a few things I needed for my proofreading/editing and blogging businesses. So I went to Staples the other day when Landon was in preschool and I had plenty of time to look around and enjoy this shopping spree.

This is what I ended up buying:

I have been meaning to buy an external hard drive to back up all the information on my computer, because there is nothing worse than a computer crashing and losing all your data. Being very organized, I had made a few notes about the products I should be looking for, but in the end I was not sure about the choices. I was able to find a Staples associate right away, and he gave me some information and even went to the back room to see if they had a hard drive with smaller capacity. And they did – the Seagate FreeAgent Go Portable Drive with 250 GB (79.99). I appreciated that he made the effort to look and was glad I had found someone knowledgeable to help me right away – that isn’t always the case. Don’t know what to buy someone for Christmas? If that person uses his or her computer a lot, an external hard drive will be very much appreciated. Don’t want to invest that much money? Think about buying them a portable zip drive; they can be bought for around $15.

Then I moved on to get the smaller items on my list: I wanted a cordless mouse for my laptop, and I found a nice one with a plug-and-forget Nano receiver (V45 Nano Cordless Laser mouse for notebooks, $49.99). I also grabbed another envelope of Avery two-sided clean edge business cards ($16.79). I love them because I can instantly update and print new business cards when I run out of my old ones – no waiting for them to arrive in the mail or picking them up at a store. They also make a great present for someone with his or her own business since you can never have enough business cards.

I am all about being green and being kind to the environment, so I bought a box of Staples 100% recycled 3-tab file folders ($14.99) instead of the non-recycled ones. I was looking for a pretty notebook so I can take notes in style the next time I am out and about for my blogging adventures and decided on a Staples notebook made out of sugarcane-based paper (80% sugarcane waste, $2.49). I always make a point to buy the recycled product if I have the choice. Even though it might be a little more expensive, I think it is very important to let companies know that recycled products are demanded and bought by their consumers.

After all the items where rung up and I had used my $6 Staples credit voucher I had recently received for recycling two print cartridges, I still had over $30 remaining on my gift card. Instead of looking for another item, I had them put $25 on a separate gift card. I like having gift cards handy for various occasions, and if I don’t end up giving this one away, I can still use it during my next trip to Staples, which undoubtedly will be soon!

I was given a $200 Staples gift card for this review (Staples.com/holidayblogger). I did not receive any additional compensation.

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11-25-2009

Wowgreen — Green, Non-Toxic Household Cleaning Products

Did you know that millions of children are accidentally poisoned each year? Wowgreen is a new company that develops cleaning products that are safe, effective, and all natural. Their mission is for families to be able to go green and create a safer environment by exchanging toxic cleaners with non-toxic products.

I had the opportunity to try their Green Trial Pack, which includes five of their products, and was very impressed with them. All Wowgreen products are enzyme based, which gently lifts the stain from the surface, compared to chemical-based cleaners that attack the dirt. Their carpet cleaner was able to help me with a gum stain, which is amazing. The laundry detergent worked just as well as my usual detergent, and I love that all their products don’t have an overpowering scent and cost no more than harmful cleaning products. Wowgreen products are delivered in two types of containers: recyclable and reusable. I also sampled their all-purpose cleaner, their glass cleaner, and their stain stick, and these products are also very effective. To get the maximum benefit from these products, apply the cleaner and let it sit for one minute so the enzymes can do their work.

Wowgreen encourages you to sign the Kid-Safe Chemical Act at kidsafechemicals.org and also offers fundraising opportunities for schools, churches, and other organizations.

Bonnie Rogers, one of their distributors, would like to give one of my readers a full-sized Wowgreen product of their choice (choose from glass, all-purpose, or carpet cleaner). Note: This giveaway ended December 5, 2009, 10 p.m. EST.

For this review, I received a Green Trial Pack for free from Wowgreen (Bonnie Rogers). I did not receive any other compensation.

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11-12-2009

Little Music Lovers Review

Little Music Lovers is a four-CD series for children that was released just in time for this holiday season. The music collections provide a great opportunity for parents to introduce their babies and toddlers to music from famous composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Mozart along with well-known lullabies that can accompany little ones through all of their daily activities, including play time, story time and, of course, bed time.

I received the Little Music Lovers sampler CD to listen to and share with my family from Role Mommy. It has eight sample tracks on it (two from each of the four CDs). Landon and I enjoyed listening to the selections. I am familiar with many of these tracks, so I wasn’t as interested in the music, but these classical songs were new to Landon and he liked them very much, especially the upbeat pieces. Classical music is wonderful to stimulate children’s brain development and is believed by some researches to cause the “Mozart Effect,” which potentially aids in the development of math, reasoning and memory skills. Hey, if listening to classical music helps L learn more easily, I am all for it!

Some selections are also available on the Little Music Lovers website.

For this review, I received a sampler CD for free from Role Mommy. I did not receive any other compensation.

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7-DVD Set of SNL!

I am giving away a 7-DVD set of the complete Fourth Season of SNL! Here is the entire post about it. This giveaway ends Friday, November 27, 2009, so hurry! I hope you’ll win!

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08-12-09

Ebeanstalk — Manhattan Toy’s Automoblox Minis

The toy website ebeanstalk, dedicated to selecting quality, safe toys, contacted me to see if I am interested in helping them pick the toys they feature. They send us Automoblox Minis ($30) from Manhattan Toy, who makes great developmental toys.

These three cars (one C9 red sports car, one S9 blue sedan, and one T9 green pick-up truck) are just the kind of toy Landon is into right now. They have a universal connector system that enables the rapid interchange of parts, and L was busy for quite a while learning how he can pull the cars apart and put them back together in different configurations. I encouraged him to learn about colors while using these cars when I asked him to put all the green or red or blue pieces together.

I have to say I have never seen a more unique, well-crafted wooden toy — these cars are truly beautiful and encourage creative play. Designed by world-class industrial designer Patrick Calello, they are toys L will be interested in for a long time, and when he is done playing with them, we can display the cars in his room as an heirloom. This toy was awarded the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award in Platinum. Thumbs up from me!

For this review, I received one box of Automoblox Minis with three cars and no additional compensation. This is my honest opinion.

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07-07-2009

Namely Newborns – Luxury Personalized Gifts for Babies

I was approached by Namely Newborn to review one of their many unique items. Roz Stuzin and Denise Glasser began Namely Newborns five years ago when, upon becoming grandmothers, they were frustrated by the lack of selection and personalization of many baby products and their questionable quality.

They send me a sample of the beautifully crafted Caden Lane Personalized Baby Hooded Towel ($34.95):
This 26 inch by 29 inch hooded towel features soft cotton terry lining. It comes with a matching terry washcloth. The towel is piped in chocolate brown and tied with a brown satin ribbon. Personalization is available for an additional fee.

I love the fact that Namely Newborns donates 25 percent of their profits to children’s charities and that they offer free personalization on most blankets ($20 value). Check out their website, there are countless products they offer, like plush toys, blankets, gift sets, and slings. I adore the Rosy Cheeks dolls; I might have to buy a little boy for Landon!

I was given a sample blanket for this review and did not receive any other compensation. This is my honest opinion.