Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2012

Back to School with DreamWorks and Activision Giveaway



Four Welcome to the Motherhood visitors will receive a copy of one of the following prizes:

1 Monsters vs Aliens for Wii
1 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs for Wii
1 Monsters vs Aliens for DS
1 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs for DS

Double your chances by entering this giveaway at Famer Gamer Online.

8 winners in all!

Sign the Google Spreadsheet above.

You can also sign the published form here.



The giveaway will conclude August 14th.



- Link giveaway on your own blog, Twitter, Facebook, and / or Myspace.
- Follow the Famer Gamer Online and / or Welcome to the Motherhood blog.
- Become a fan of Welcome to the Motherhood and / or Family Gamer Online on Facebook.
- Join the Welcome to the Motherhood and / or Family Gamer Online. group.
- Add my blog button on your sidebar.
- Subscribe to the Famer Gamer Online and / or Welcome to the Motherhood blog.
- Stumble this post.
- Add the Famer Gamer Online and / or Welcome to the Motherhood to your blog roll.
- Follow Family Gamer Online and / or Welcome to the Motherhood on Twitter.

Note: The winner will be randomly chosen through Random.org.

Winner must respond within 72 hours of notification.

 

Back to School Savings at The Shelving Store

It’s the end of the summer, and it’s time to get your kids organized for a smooth back-to-school transition. Whether your kids are heading off to college, or just going back to school, August is the time to get all their new school clothes and textbooks organized with help from The Shelving Store.

The Shelving Store offers and extensive line of home organization products and custom shelving units for all of your back to school needs!



The Element System Folding Rack Shelf ($29.99) is ideal for any student going off to college. This shelving rack is not only stylish, but sturdy enough to hold textbooks, clothes, shoes and more! Plus it easily folds up for easy transport between home and the dorm!



Any college student or young child is sure to appreciate the cool styling and functionality of their Mini Lockers (Was $79.99 Now $59.99).

Mini Lockers are available in 7 eye-popping colors to coordinate with any decor. These Mini Lockers look great on their own, plus college kids can use them as a unique nightstand or end table.

Click here for the latest coupons and deals for The Shelving Store.

 

Reality Television Trends: Impact on Our Youth

Teen-centric series such as “Laguna Beach,” and more recently, “NYC Prep,” portray a care free life of partying, social extravaganzas, and manipulative backstabbing - a life seemingly without consequences and consciences. Setting unrealistic standards for what life should be like during those years, these shows claim to revolve around an “average” teenager.



These networks often find the most attractive, articulate, and reactionary teenagers in a 50-mile radius, and script-in additional drama. Sasha Pasulka, Head Writer and Founder of women’s interest site Zelda Lily and entertainment website Evil Beet, is concerned about the messages these shows are sending to our youth:

These are teenagers with exceptional resources, personalities, opportunities and lifestyles. As an adult, I can see that. As a teenager with a narrow perception of “reality” and a still-forming self-image, I would not have seen that. I recall, as a teenager, desperately wanting a life of endless partying and love triangles, like Julia Salinger on Party of Five or Valerie Malone on 90210. But I was aware of the buffer between their lives and reality: These were fictional characters, and in real life those lifestyles don’t always feel so glamorous. I understood that. Had their stories been pitched to me as “reality,” I may have felt differently.

In addition, these young students even manage to do less homework than the kids on Gossip Girl and 90210 – no one ever seems to leave the party to do homework or study.

“We’re sending teens the message that, as long as you’re busy ogling boys and back-stabbing your best friend, the college thing will work itself out,” says Sasha.

 

VolunteerSpot Helps Parents Conquer Back-to-School Chaos

The new school year is just around the corner and with budgets stretched thin, parents are going to play an evern greater role in helping bridge the gaps that have grown in this wobbly economy. Parents are spending as much time at their kids' schools as their kids are - monitoring, supervising, fundraising - to help out where staff cuts leave holes. Fortunately, the web and social media are poised to become the most efficient ways for everyone to pull together to help out at school.



Parent volunteers expect to play a larger role than ever this fall as schools across the country grapple with staff cuts and tight budgets. Whether helping keep peace in the school lunchroom or manning the dunking booth at the school carnival, parents can rely on VolunteerSpot — a free, easy-to-use online tool that takes the hassle and headache out of coordinating volunteers and encourages everyone to get involved.

With just a few simple clicks, VolunteerSpot enables anyone to organize a group, no matter the size, to sign up for any activity — from reading to the first-grade class to staffing the football concessions stand to attending parent-teacher conferences. Organizers can mobilize parent volunteers with an easy e-mail sign-up invitation, and parents can volunteer for tasks with a simple click on an online calendar. No registration required. Automated e-mails remind folks of their commitments and schedule. No more mass “reply all” e-mails, late-night phone calls, dreaded clipboard sign-up sheets or confusion over exactly who will be doing what.

Teachers, parents and administrators across the country are singing VolunteerSpot’s praises and find the site inspires greater involvement to help fill the gaps.

“In these times of limited resources, you can be certain that VolunteerSpot will be used by our staff and parents to help with activity organization for the next school year, including fundraising,” says Linda Mora, principal at Laurelwood Elementary in San Jose, CA. “The word goes out, and the volunteers sign up. It's that easy. Student success is built by a community of caring parents, teachers and staff — and using VolunteerSpot allows us to get the needed volunteers in just a fraction of the time.”

“You made it so easy for our parents to sign up to help and saved me many hours worth of e-mail exchanges and fussing with spreadsheets to fill the schedule,” notes Amanda S., the Recess and Book Fair Coordinator at Eanes Elementary School in Austin, TX, and a VolunteerSpot devotee. “The teachers, parents and all PTO event chairs love those automated e-mail reminders!”

VolunteerSpot also includes helpful tools for organizers looking for a little creative input or just plain inspiration, including free eBooks and an active blog featuring ideas and user suggestions for successful event planning. Head to VolunteerSpot.com to see how it works and learn more about how DOING GOOD Just Got Easier for schools in your community.

 

Moms Organizing Their Lives with Their iPhones

For busy women who need to get their life organized there are new, easy-to-use tools for your iPhone.



Bento, a personal database for the Mac and iPhone from FileMaker (a division of Apple), comes with 25+ colorful templates to get your family, home and life in order. Plus, newly-launched Bento Template Exchange (BTX) lets women swap customized templates online so there's never a shortage of new ideas, including:

Summer Trip Planning -
Track itineraries, things to remember, contacts and photos - even key phrases to keep in mind when in town.

Cocktail Recipes -
So many fun summer cocktails, so little time to search for the right one when your favorite fruit is in season.

Shopping Lists -
Track routine purchases, take inventory and then print your list before heading out - or carry it with you on your iPhone.

Medical Records - Never forget an appointment, address or pharmacy, and track medical notes and expenses all year around - accessible anytime, anywhere.

Pet Care - Tracking family medical needs is tough enough, but don't forget Fido!

Soccer Team - If family and pets aren't enough, this team organizer will let you track the entire team's emails, addresses, uniforms and more. You can even create player cards or a photo team roster.

Home Inventory - Take stock of the things around you, complete with images, date purchased, item descriptions -- and even a copy of the receipt!

Baby Book - Track your baby's milestones from Year One -- their "firsts" (tooth, smile, steps), stats (height, weight), important events - even copies of key documents. And of course, photos and videos!

Wine Collection - Never forget a vineyard, vintage or varietal - complete with iTunes-style searching.

Vacation Diary - Gather photos, journals and memories from your favorite destinations.

Recipes - Keep it simple - and easy to find what you need, when you need it!

Yarn Projects -
Ever wonder what yarn you used, how much, how long a project took? Now you'll know.

 

The DIY Trend POPS Up Summer and Back to School

As kids’ late-summer boredom kicks into high gear, keep their hands entertained and their minds working with a new DIY craft that’s not only fun for them but reusable during any occasion – from summer picnics and birthday parties to back to school supply décor.



Pop Flower Shop’s new Make-Your-Own bouquet kits come with everything to let kids (and parents) be their own “Pop Florist.” It’s easy to create a unique, pop art-inspired bouquet from flower pails filled with die-cut flowers and stems of every color and variety. Spring blooms all year with the everlasting, eco-friendly bouquets, flexible single buds and even hair accessories made from Pop Flower Shop’s kits. Kids will love the versatility- they can wrap Pop Flowers on headbands, school pens and decorate their rooms.

 

Belli Invites Shoppers to This Summer’s Hottest Online Summer Bash

Forget the long lines or red velvet ropes. Don’t worry about rude, burly bouncers or dress to impress door policies. This summer, the biggest party of the year is taking place right in your own home! On August 10th, Belli, a line of luxe and teratology-tested skincare products to address the specific issues of pregnant women, new moms and babies, will be hosting their annual online party. To kick-off the party, Belli and its partner sponsors will have a drawing for a prize each day during the two week promotion. On August 24th, a grand prize winner will be picked to take home each of the prizes awarded during the promotional period.



“We are thrilled to partner with best-of-class brands that offer products of distinction for mom and baby,” said Annette Rubin, Founder and President of Belli. “At Belli, we understand the importance of quality products, convenience and accessibility for shoppers, especially for today’s busy mom. Through our Web site, we have created an online Mecca for the best and safest skincare products. Not only will visitors have access to every Belli product with a simple click of a mouse, they will also have access to the expertise of Belli’s founding physician and medical director, Jason Rubin, M.D., to answer any skincare health or Belli product line questions.”

To thank current Belli customers for their support and to invite new customers, starting August 10th and running through August 24th, Belli will be offering up to 30% discounts and amazing deals such as free ground shipping for purchases over $100.00. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enter a daily drawing for fabulous prizes including Belly Bar, Lizzie Parker, Swaddle Designs, Angel Dear, Japanese Weekend, Happy Family Brands, 4 Moms, Little Giraffe, Plain Mary and many more.

 

Local Hardwear Giveaway



Four winners will receive The Princess - Tiana Purse Hanger (a $21.95 value) from Local Hardwear.

Sign the Google Spreadsheet above.

You can also sign the published form here.



An amazing gold plated crystal embellished 3D crown purse hook to stir the Princess in all of us! From the inset Czech crystals to the elaborate detail in the crown featuring our new streamlined purse hook design, there is nothing lacking in this stunning purse hook. Designed in the USA by LHStudio, this crown is unparalleled in quality and beauty. Sparkly enough for the Bling fanatics but sophisticated enough for the refined. This purse hook will make royalty proud! The name Tiana (black) was inspired by the most recent and first African-American Disney princess – Princess Tiana. The Princess purse hook will soon be available in Bella (pink/gold) and Zara (white/chrome).

15% off $25+ with coupon code: MOTHER15 and $5 off any purchase of the Tiana Purse Hanger with coupon code: TIANA5



The giveaway will conclude August 10th.


- Link giveaway on your own blog, Twitter, Facebook, and / or Myspace.
- Follow me on this blog.
- Become a fan of this blog on Facebook.
- Join Facebook group.
- Add my blog button on your sidebar.
- Subscribe to this blog.
- Stumble this post.
- Add me to your blog roll.

Note: The winner will be randomly chosen through Random.org.

Winner must respond within 72 hours of notification.

 

Review - Clicktoy The Meadow - PC



Clicktoy The Meadow

Platform
– PC (also available for Mac)

Publisher - Clicktoy Interactive

Rated – Early Childhood





"Experience Storytime in a brand new way!"

The Meadow allows children to venture through a pop-up book come to life as the screen fills with beautiful 3D illustrations, music, sounds and activities at the touch of any key. A peaceful meadow scene is recreated with movie like quality featuring familiar animals in their natural habitat complimented by melodic original music. There are no time limits, point systems or structured play, so little ones are encouraged to explore and experience at their own pace.


The Meadow puts a host of animals at the touch of your child's finger tips. Targeted at toddlers, this virtual storybook allows them to play with various woodland creatures. Different animals react in different ways, all depending on which buttons are pressed. With a wonderfully animated environment, soothing music, and the ability to interact with various animals, this education title will thrill and entertain many a toddler and put a smile on their face.


ClickSafe technology transforms your computer into a safe toy for toddlers. Parents can set this game up, and let the children play without fear of them exiting the game and accessing anything else. The proprietary ClickSafe technology ensures that children can safely play within a contained computer environment using the keyboard, without the risk of accidentally leaving the game and encountering anything else on the computer. Not only does this keep your computer safe, but allows your toddler to play freely and have an enjoyable time.


The Meadow is fun and easy Windows PC interactive software for children ages 1 and up. There is a lot of replay value in The Meadow. The unstructured play encourages exploration and imagination in a wholesome, family friendly entertainment. I highly recommend this educational title to anyone with young children.

For more information, and a free trial, be sure to check out http://www.clicktoy.com.

 

Parents = The New Economic Stimulus Package for Ed

Back to School season is here – how are you planning to support your children’s education this year?

I wanted to let you know about a new campaign to encourage greater parental involvement in education: The Great Parents Pledge being launched this week by GreatSchools, the national education nonprofit that 35 million people turn to in order to find the right school and support their children’s education.

Other supporters of the Great Parents Pledge include best-selling author Po Bronson; actor/comedian/former Daily Show correspondent Rob Corrdry; Debbie Phelps, mother of Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps; DonorsChoose.org CEO Charles Best; actor and CafeMom co-founder Andrew Shue; writer and education activist Sandra Tsing Loh; children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner; and Webby Awards founder Tiffany Shlain – all of whom are encouraging parents nationwide to take The Great Parents Pledge and commit to greater involvement in their kids’ education during Back to School and the coming school year.

As parents confront the most challenging economic climate in recent history – with family, state and school budgets tighter than ever – The Great Parents Pledge calls on parents to exercise their influence by committing to three free, easy and effective ways they can dramatically increase their child’s academic success:


1. Read or talk 20 minutes a day with your child.

2. Partner with your child’s teacher.

3. Volunteer at your child’s school.
In this way, parents may well be the new economic stimulus package for education as the Great Recession persists.


 

Help 500 Rural Haitian Families Fight Hunger

Feeding Families" is a sustainable farm project to help 500 families address hunger in Haiti through vegetable gardens, fruit tree plantings, and the breeding of goats, rabbits and chickens.



Project Needs and Beneficiaries


Responding to the current food crisis in Haiti, this project will provide an on-going supply of locally grown food to 500 families in rural Haiti. Vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and livestock products will balance diets and help fight malnutrition. The project will provide hope and keep people from leaving their land for the slums of the larger cities in Haiti. This self-help project will serve as a model for farmers who struggle to survive with subsistance farming.

Activities

The project will provide start-up supplies and training for square foot gardens, fruit tree nurseries, and animal husbandry. MAKOUTI Agro Enterprises, a grassroots organization in Haiti, and the POA Farmer to Farmer Program will provide support.



Click Here to Help at Global Giving

$10 - Provides seeds and watering can for a square foot garden
$20 - Buys a rooster and a hen for a family to start egg production
$25 - Plants two fruit trees for a family
$30 - Buys two rabbits, supplies and training for a family
$50 - Pays for a complete square foot garden with training
$100 - Buys a goat, supplies and training for a family

 

Review: Children's Choice Clothing



Children's Choice Clothing has a wonderful selection of children's clothing and gifts that won't break the piggy bank. This store is perfect to shop for clothes for back-to-school.

My little man was stylin' and profilin' in the BT Kids Surf Club Short Set ($25.95) on our recent trip to Illinois. Not only does this outfit look cute on my son, but I love the quality of the set. This set features grey shorts, a pale blue two button polo shirt, and deep yellow over shirt with toned grey stripe pattern and surf club palm tree print on left side.

Feeling lucky? Buy a raffle ticket for $3 and have a chance to win anything of your choice from Children's Choice Clothing.

 

Sears Back-to-School Offers and Free Shipping

Shop incredible summer savings up to 60% off all week long during Sears Back to School Sale! Don't miss out on Free Shipping and Online Only offers running all week long! Starting today, receive $5 off $50+ with coupon code: SEARS5OFF50 Exp. 1/31/10. Starting 7/28, receive $5 off $25 with coupon code: BUYSAVEJUL9 Exp. 7/30.



Shop their 12-Hour Sale from 5pm Sunday 7/26 - 5am CDT Monday 7/27 and their Thank You Sale Credit Event from Friday 7/31 - Saturday 8/1 to save an EXTRA 5-10% off thousands of items! They also have a Night into Day Sale from 5pm Friday 7/31-12 noon CDT Saturday 8/1 with more great online savings!

 

Lend a Little Helping Hand, Quiznos Offers a $1 Toasty



Quiznos just yesterday launched its Toasty Toasty $1 Sub Sale promotion, where you can buy one sub and get another for just a dollar. I thought this would be interesting to our readers since today we’re all looking for easy and inexpensive alternatives to show our appreciation for others and enjoy a little time with friends and family. Now, for only an extra $1, you can treat a friend, babysitter or someone else to a Quiznos toasty sub. You can choose from their of four popular subs and get a second sandwich of the same size and recipe – small, medium or large – for $1.

The promotion includes these Quiznos favorites: the Classic Italian, Turkey Ranch & Swiss, Mesquite Chicken and the Traditional.

 

Review: Eden Fantasys



Prepare to have your fantasies fulfilled with Eden Fantasys collection of sexy lingerie and adult toys.



I'll admit that adult toys is something that I'm not interested in, but I love their collection of sexy lingerie and costumes. Thanks to Drew and Eden Fantasys, I had the opportunity to review the Dreamgirl Bra Top and Tanga Shorts ($38.99) and the Leg Avenue Dirty Cop Costume ($42.99), and I'm not disappointed with either selection!

Whether you want to feel like Pocahontas or a Cowgirl, the Dreamgirl Bra Top and Tanga Shorts is perfect set to play out western style fantasies. I don't always have the best of luck finding a bra that fits perfectly, but this one does. And, did I mention that it is sexy? The "rawhide" lace-up front was what attracted my attention. The back of the bra is microfiber, and the shoulder straps are adjustable for an exceptional fit. Featuring "rawhide" lace-up sides, the matching tanga shorts has a soft microfiber back, and identical embroidery on the front.



I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from the Dirty Cop Costume before receiving it. I wear a size medium. Therefore, I was afraid that this costume would run small. I requested for a large to play it safe. Not only this costume fits perfectly, but I love the quality of it. Halloween isn’t the only occasion for dress up! The Dirty Cop Costume is a fun and frisky way to spice up your love life or or play dress up without breaking the law. Something like the Lace Top Fence Net Stockings ($5.99) would make this costume complete. I like this costume so much that I made it my main picture on Facebook.

This 7 piece costume comes complete with a dress , a hat, a belt, a tie, a pair of gloves, and the walkie talkie. The dress comes with a front button closure and it features a ruffled hem, garters, and short sleeves. The gloves are made of vinyl and they perfectly match with the included belt. Slip on the cute tie to complete this daring sexy outfit. A pair of fishnet thighs highs is a perfect accessory to complete this erotic costume.

 

Review: CSN Rugs



I was thrilled when CSN Rugs contacted me to do a review on one of their rugs. I wanted something that would go with my vintage black and white theme that I'm in the process of working on in my bedroom. The options were endless and I spent countless hours trying to decide on the perfect rug. I almost threw my hands up in frustration since they have rugs galore, which is not a bad thing at all. I finally settled for the L.A Rugs - Fun Shags Black Chenille Cotton Shag Rug ($79) and I love, love, love it! It is absolutely stunning in person and the quality is great. It is a steal at $79. They also offer free shipping!

CSN Rugs is a site that has the best selection of area rugs from top notch brands such as Kathy Ireland, Lynette Jensen, Bob Timberlake, Phillip Crowe, Andy Warhol, Angela Adams, Jaclyn Smith and many more!

 

"JOIN THE BAND" AND TAKE CENTER STAGE AT BANDHERO.COM

Band Hero invites music and video game fans of all ages to log onto BandHero.com and immortalize themselves and/or their band within a mosaic tribute to the newest game in the Guitar Hero family. Submitted photos will populate the mosaic and enter the individual’s or group’s names into a weekly contest where randomly selected winners will score a Band Hero band kit for the platform of their choice and a Nintendo DS Lite band kit. Head over to BandHero.com to learn more.

This November, family and friends will come together to ascend the virtual stage and rock their way to superstardom with Band Hero, which features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone’s favorite acts including No Doubt, Lily Allen, The All-American Rejects, Snow Patrol and Jackson 5. Headlined by some of the biggest names in music as in-game artists and playable characters, Band Hero is the ultimate party game where players of all ages will be able to create the band they have always dreamed of by using any combination of guitar or drum controllers and vocals, providing rockers and performers of all ages the chance to experience and interact with their favorite music.

 

Review: SKLZ



SKLZ has been built around the popularity of the company’s legendary baseball swing trainer, the Hit-A-Way ($29.99).® Starting with a complete line of baseball and softball trainers, they have added basketball, football, tennis, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and a full spectrum of golf training products. With exceptional products and a strong team of players to both endorse and collaborate on the development of their trainers, the
SKLZ brand is growing aggressively.

SKLZ doesn't fail to please their customers with their new Sport-Brella ($69.99), which is available in red or green. The Sport-Brella is perfect for the beach, picnics and sporting events. It opens to 7' wide for plenty of sun shade. I couldn't imagine not having the Sport-Brella with me at the following occasions mentioned above. It is very easy to set up and it is portable. I like that it also offers protection from the sun, rain, and wind and UPF 50+ quick shade protection.

 

Review: 50 Calorie Fiber One Yogurt



Yogurt usually doesn't have any fiber unless you add nuts, granola or whole-grain cereal to the mix. The 50 Calorie Fiber One Yogurt has real fruit and taste, and it is very delicious! We had the opportunity to try the the Strawberry and Key Lime Pie, which is my favorite so far! Best of all, it has much fewer calories than most yogurts out on the market. I definitely want to try out the other flavors, the Peach and Vanilla. Hungry Girl approves of this yogurt and so do I!

Click here for a $1 off coupon.

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Walmart’s $9 Offerings and Every Day Low Prices Add Up to A+ Savings for Back to School

Recent research shows that, in the current economy, consumers are being more conservative about their back-to-school purchases with a greater focus on affordability. At the same time, a recent American Research Group survey found that 22.3 percent of consumers are planning to shop at Walmart for back-to-school items this year, up from 15.4 percent last year.

Walmart is committed to making back-to-school shopping easier for consumer and today announced $9 product offerings for added savings on back-to-school shopping. The $9 offers include a diverse collection of back-to-school necessities ranging from backpacks to socks and eyeglass frames to folders.



Showcasing its ongoing commitment to unbeatable price, Walmart today announced $9 product offerings that make it easy to do the math when it comes to adding up savings on back-to-school shopping. The $9 offers include a diverse collection of back-to-school necessities ranging from backpacks to socks and eyeglass frames to folders.

“In light of the current economy and challenging job market, we know that parents and teachers are going to be looking for a little extra financial help this year,” said Andy Barron, senior vice president of merchandising. “Walmart can make a big difference for shoppers who take advantage of our unbeatable prices, including our $9 offerings, to meet all their school supply needs.”

In addition to every day low prices on all back-to-school necessities, the $9 collection includes:

· Elementary school supply basics bundle, all items purchased separately: 24ct Crayola Crayons, Elmer’s 2pk Glue Sticks, Crayola 10ct Markers, Crayola 12ct Colored Pencils, a pair of 5” scissors, Sterlite School Box, Dixon 24ct Pencils, 2pk Pink Erasers, one two-pocket folder, one wooden ruler, one 70ct notebook, Expo 2pk Dry Erase Markers

· Six Mead Five Star 1-Subject Notebooks

· Starter and BYO Lunch Kits

· San Disk 2G Flash Drive

· Select youth eyeglass frames

· Texas Instruments TI 30Xa Scientific Calculator

· A selected variety of boys and girls basics, like socks and underwear (two packs for $9)

· Select boys and girls backpacks

· Boys and girls Starter and Danskin Now brand retro sneakers

· OP girls tops and young men’s tees, $9 or less

For more information on Walmart’s back-to-school offerings, visit Walmart.com.

Prices and availability may vary in AL, HI, OK, WI and at Walmart.com.

Their stores will match the price of any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restrictions apply. See store for details.

Professional eye exam and lenses not included. Valid eye doctor prescription required. Eye exam by independent state licensed doctors of optometry. Good through October 5, 2009 on selected youth frames.

 

Emily Elizabeth Jewelry Giveaway



One winner will receive the Adjustable Fern Leaf Bangle (a $100 value) from Emily Elizabeth Jewelry.

Sign the Google Spreadsheet above.

You can also sign the published form here.



A wonderful alternative to the "Brass Fern Leaf Bangle". This bangle because of it's open nature is more suitable for smaller wrists. Because of its open shape you can easily pull is open a bit, slide your wrist through and have the bangle lay beautifully at your wrist without worrying it is too big and may fall off.

The giveaway will conclude August 4th.



- Link giveaway on your own blog, Twitter, Facebook, and / or Myspace.
- Follow me on this blog.
- Become a fan of this blog on Facebook.
- Join Facebook group.
- Add my blog button on your sidebar.
- Subscribe to this blog.
- Stumble this post.
- Add me to your blog roll.

Note: The winner will be randomly chosen through Random.org.

Winner must respond within 72 hours of notification.

 

THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road Hits DS Fall 2009



The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road

Platform - DS

Publisher - XSeed

Rating Pending

Release Date -
Fall 2009





THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, for the Nintendo DS is currently in development and scheduled for release in North America in Fall 2009.

THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is an RPG inspired by the beloved tale of Dorothy and her magical journey through the Land of Oz, showing a unique new perspective on what happened after reaching the end of the Yellow Brick Road.

We're Not In Kansas Anymore

THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road takes gamers through the endearing adventure of protagonist Dorothy and her lovely dog, Toto, turning these charming characters into classic RPG heroes.

A tornado suddenly strikes a small farm in Kansas, savagely uprooting Dorothy and Toto with just one gust. After hours of dancing around in the bushel of wind, the pair eventually settles in an unfamiliar countryside. It is here Dorothy learns that the only way to return home is by following the ominous voice calling out to her to the end of the Yellow Brick Road.

On her journey, Dorothy encounters some unlikely characters who eventually decide to join her on her quest.

Dorothy and Toto, together with their newfound companions - the Strawman, Lion and Tin Man- embark on an enchanting voyage filled with many obstacles. Upon reaching the castle at the end of the Yellow Brick Road, the group learns from a mysterious wizard that the magical land has been taken over by four evil witches that are running amuck.

Dorothy and her friends are tasked with defeating the witches with a return trip to Kansas as the reward, but is this new mission beyond the Yellow Brick Road everything it appears to be?


THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road presents an unorthodox yet accessible method of gameplay in a beautifully realized 3-dimensional Land of Oz with an original soundtrack.

Utilizing the touch screen capabilities of the DS, all actions are completely controlled by the stylus, including Dorothy's movement and speed which respond to the rotation of a large trackball on the bottom screen that is spun using the stylus.


THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road also features turn-based battles from a first-person viewpoint, with multiple customization options allowing the game to recommend the best actions per turn for expedited play, or manual entry for more involved gameplay.


Key Features

- A New Take on a Beloved Story - A new interpretation on one of the most beloved tales of all time, showing what happens after Dorothy and her friends reach the Emerald City.

- High Production Values - Ranking among some of the best visuals seen on a DS, the brilliant colors of the Land of Oz come to life, while the original soundtrack captures the spirit of the magical land.

- Innovative Controls Requiring Only a Stylus - All inputs are performed using the stylus on the Touch Screen, including a revolutionary new trackball that controls Dorothy's direction and speed based on how the trackball is rolled with the stylus.

- Accessible for Beginners, Depth of Experienced Players - Turn-based combat can be automated with computer suggested moves for easy, one-touch implementation. For experienced RPG players, actions can be customized manually and additional hidden boss battles await.

 

Jewelry City and More Giveaway



One winner will receive a $30 gift certificate from http://www.jewelry-city-and-more.com.

Sign the Google Spreadsheet above.



Exclusive: 15% off Diamond Jewelry Orders with coupon code: fashionfling Exp. 8/4/09

The giveaway will conclude August 4th.



- Link giveaway on your own blog, Twitter, Facebook, and / or Myspace.
- Follow me on this blog.
- Become a fan of this blog on Facebook.
- Join Facebook group.
- Add my blog button on your sidebar.
- Subscribe to this blog.
- Stumble this post.
- Add me to your blog roll.

Note: The winner will be randomly chosen through Random.org and the prize will be sent by the sponsor.

Winner must respond within 72 hours of notification.

 

Chicco Talking Vacation Car Giveaway



One winner will receive a Chicco Talking Vacation Car (a $34.99 value) from Chicco.

Sign the Google Spreadsheet above.

Note: You can also sign the published form here.



Let's set off for a new adventure and learn many new words everyday! Talking vacation car will accompany children on vacation and talk to them in English or Spanish. The child will first discover new words, complete stories, and finally when they become an expert, complete the car's riddles. Three increasing levels of learning with which to play: Words mode - the child discovers the name of the objects and the corresponding sound; story mode - the child completes the stories by recognizing the missing objects; riddle mode - the child solves 6 riddles. The child can also follow the stories by using the included picture book, which is in the shape of a suitcase.

The giveaway will conclude July 31st.



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Note: The winner will be randomly chosen through Random.org and the prize will be sent by the sponsor.

Winner must respond within 72 hours of notification.

 

AWARD WINNING GUITARIST CARLOS SANTANA TO LEND SMOOTH GROOVES AND TRADEMARK MOVES TO GUITAR HERO 5‏

Video Game to Feature the Genre-Blending Guitar Virtuoso’s Music and Likeness


Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 11-time Grammy Award winner, Carlos Santana, is set to appear as an exclusive in-game artist in the upcoming Guitar Hero® 5. Santana’s accomplishments span four decades and more than 40 albums including the self-titled album, Santana, that launched one of the most recognizable Latin-infused classic rock anthems, “No One to Depend On.” The live version of the song will be featured in Guitar Hero 5 with Carlos Santana jamming on stage as a playable character.


In addition to music from Santana, Guitar Hero 5 features a wide variety of today’s hottest rock ‘n’ roll bands mixed with classic tracks. Brand new game features let fans tailor their experience to meet the evolving ways consumers are interacting with their favorite music and allows them to challenge themselves as a solo act or band member, or kick back with friends and enjoy their personalized set list.


“We’re thrilled to showcase one of the top guitarists of all time in Guitar Hero 5 and offer fans the opportunity to experience Carlos Santana’s signature sounds and iconic likeness first-hand,” said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs for Guitar Hero. “His accomplished career and breadth of musical style are a great illustration of the variety of rock experiences we have included in the game and we are excited to announce him as the first of five playable in-game artists.”


This September, living room legends will rock any way they want in Guitar Hero 5. The entire set list is at players’ finger tips from the start, featuring genre-defining hits from some of the biggest rock artists and bands of all time, including The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Vampire Weekend. Players take complete control as Guitar Hero 5 allows gamers to personalize and customize how they experience music by being able to play with any controller combination -- multiple vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers, in any game mode. With the game’s all-new Party Play Mode, getting the band back together has never been easier. Players can now jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly, without interrupting their jam session. Elevating the Guitar Hero® series to new heights with unmatched social gameplay, an enhanced style, new in-game artists and more rock legends, Guitar Hero 5 features new surprises and challenges that will fire-up long-time fret board fanatics and create a new generation of addicts.


The game is rated “T” for “Teen” by the ESRB. For more information about Guitar Hero 5, please visit gh5.guitarhero.com

 

Review - Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs The Video Game



Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Platforms
- Xbox 360, Wii, PS3, DS (also available on PS2)

Publisher - Activision

Rated - E10+

Release Date -
July 30, 2009








Survive the Dinosaur World in Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs The Video Game! Join Scrat, Sid, Manny and Diego, an unlikely herd of prehistoric pals, in their wildest, wackiest, most exciting adventure yet! Embark on a rescue mission across melting snow, travel across the tundra and beyond, and stumble upon the lush Dinosaur World, teeming with jungles, mysterious plants, fierce dinosaurs, wild new adventures and several new friends.


Revisit the humor, characters and prehistoric environments from the movie by taking on the role of more than six playable characters. Players get to relive adventures from the film and beyond and for the first time ever in an Ice Age game, players get to play as multiple characters. Earnest and goofy Sid the Sloth, big-hearted Manny the Mammoth, courageous Diego the Saber-toothed Tiger and inadvertent troublemaker Scrat, as they all return and join new friends on a wild quest across the frozen Ice Age to the lush Dinosaur World.


Players get to master each characters unique skills and abilities through a wide variety of gameplay including action-platforming challenges, side-scrolling missions and puzzle solving, across more than 15 action-packed levels. In addition to the expanded features of the single-player gameplay, for the first time ever in an Ice Age game, players can team up or go head-to-head with friends and family in eight competitive multiplayer mini-games.


With more than 15 levels to explore, every level presents new and exciting challenges as players learn and master each character’s abilities in order to defeat enemies, traverse dangerous landscapes, avoid obstacles and escape from perilous situations.


The actors that brought the movie to life are on board for the game as well. The game features the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah and Josh Peck reprising their roles from the movie for an authentic Ice Age experience.

The music, the graphics, the animation, the story, the humor, and yes even the voice acting are all there to ensure that players get the full authentic Ice Age experience. Fans of the series will be pleased, and families have yet another wonderful game to add to their collection of games the whole family can enjoy.


The console versions of Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs are rated E10+ for Cartoon Violence and the DS verison is rated E for Mild Cartoon Violence. My personal favorites are always the DS versions and the Xbox 360 versions, the DS version my son gets to take with him everywhere he goes to enjoy and the Xbox 360 version we get to enjoy together as a family while earning those precious Achievements. The PS3 version offers trophy support (which is a big plus), and the graphics are virtually the same as the Xbox 360 version. The Wii version offers outstanding graphics for a third-party Wii game. The graphics were surprisingly almost as good as the Xbox 360/PS3 versions, while also incorporating the Wii based motion controls to offer a unique experience for Wii owners.


Enjoy a Family Game Night with Ice Age Dawn of Dinosaurs. No matter which version of Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs you decide to play, families will be in for a treat. Yet another marvelous and well done movie-based title to add to your collection.

Review also available at http://www.familygameronline.com

 

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