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Gift Idea for Boys: Prime Time Toys Air Zone Blasters

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This Christmas has been an awakening for me.  Long gone are the days of the “cutesy” toys for my son, who is almost 10.  He wants all things BOY.  100% testosterone.   The challenge has been finding things that are “cool” enough for him but safe enough for me!  One perfect solution is Air Zone Blasters from Prime Time Toys!

Ready....Aim....FIRE!

Sold exclusively this season at Toys R Us, these brightly colored foam blasters will catch everyone’s attention!  Affordably priced, Air Zone offers a variety of high-powered fun for your sharpshooters.  My son loved his Quickfire Twin Pack and had a ball recently in the backyard with a friend.  The foam darts mean that you can relax a little….they are soft enough to make play fun and safe, even indoors.  Best of all, the darts and clips in the Air Zone blasters are universal.  They will easily make the switch from one blaster to another.  This is a really cool feature as some other blasters have darts that only work in certain shooters, making organization somewhat difficult.  The bright colors mean they won’t get easily lost under the bed or in the bushes!

With two nephews that are close in age to my son, these will make perfect Christmas gifts for them too.  Each year it becomes more and more difficult not over-spend, and with many Air Zone blasters priced in the $20 range,  it’s easy to get a lot of bang for your buck!  Any boy on your list would love this fun gift!

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of The Experimental Mommy.  While a product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Waterpik Water Flossers {Review and Giveaway}

December 13, 2011 By

The entire time I was pregnant with both of my children, I prayed.  Of course, I prayed they would be healthy….but selfishly I prayed they would get their Daddy’s long legs and my teeth.  I was blessed with perfectly straight, healthy teeth.   Don’t be too jealous!  I still got the adolescent experience of wearing coke-bottle glasses, but I never had to have braces.

Well, God has a sense of humor, because both of my children have had teeth issues galore.  My son is currently in his first set of braces, with another set to come later.  We’ve also had the fun experience of having a palate expander.   Now, we all know how much fun it is to try and floss your child’s teeth, right?  Try flossing your child’s teeth with a mouthful of metal.  I’d rather walk on hot coals.  That is, until we got the Waterpik Water Flosser.  This product has literally changed my life.

To invest in the health of your teeth and gums is a no-brainer.  We all know that good oral health and hygiene takes time and daily commitment.  The Waterpik Water Flosser is more effective than string floss, and more fun, too!  A study at the University of Nebraska found that adding a water flosser to tooth brushing was up to 93% more effective at improving gum health than toothbrushing and string flossing. Whether using a manual or sonic-powered toothbrush, adding a water flosser resulted in better reductions in gum bleeding, gingivitis, and plaque, the common signs of gum disease.  That’s why I was overjoyed to test out both the Ultra Water Flosser and the the Water Flosser For Kids.

My son is diligent about using his Water Flosser. Hooray!

We recently spent an afternoon at the dentist and then the orthodontist the following week.  Both the dentist AND the orthodontist commented how clean my son has been keeping his teeth!  I was so excited as Nicolas has been in braces on the top for just about a year and I have been a nervous wreck about him keeping his teeth clean around the braces.  We have worked really hard on brushing, but until the Water Pik Flosser became part of his daily routine, I really don’t think our flossing was effective enough.  For one thing, it took so long I always felt like we weren’t thorough enough.   He loves the water flosser and I NEVER have to remind him to use it because he loves it.  He even commented how his mouth felt so clean!

Not to be left out, I have been using the Ultra Water Flosser and I love it.  With different tips for different jobs, my overall gum and oral health has never been better.  Water Pik products would be a perfect gift for anyone this year to show them you care about their  health!

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive the Water Pik Water Flosser for Kids and one winner will receive the Ultra Water Flosser!

How to enter:

1. Tell me which Water Pik Water Flosser you want to win!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @Waterpik on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook and Waterpik Oral Heatlth on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 27th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion Jennifer of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , ,

Gift Idea for Mom: Cutey Charm Bracelet {Giveaway}

November 28, 2011 By

I was shopping with a friend this morning and she was all excited because she got a charm for her niece’s charm bracelet as a Christmas gift.  The reason she was excited is because she got it half off.  While impressed with the charm, I had sticker shock, even at the half off price!  These popular bracelets can break you!  I told my friend it was too bad she didn’t already know about Cutey!  Based in the UK and founded in 2011, Cutey provides a quality range of customizable jewelry. Their initial range is designed as an everyday accessory that can be used at any time.  The range is designed with the ability to be easily changed, allowing the jewelry to be changed based on mood, time or outfit.  Best of all, Cutey is affordable!

With a wide variety of charms, all at an affordable price, Cutey bracelets would make a perfect gift for anyone on your list, or as a treat to yourself.  I received a Moirae charm bracelet and I love it!  I can easily change out the charms to suit what I am wearing and it goes perfectly with a variety of things I wear on a regular basis.  It’s well-made and not so heavy that it weighs my wrist down.  Another favorite is the Aether bracelet.  I love the combination of colors on this one!

Right now, Cutey is offering 10% off orders until December 30, 2011!

GIVEAWAY

One reader will win one Cutey Charm Bracelet!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me which bracelet you love the most!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @CuteyJewellery on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Cutey on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 12th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of the Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

Rudi’s Organic Bakery: Review and Giveaway

November 27, 2011 By

My children prefer to bring their lunches to school on a daily basis.  The only downfall (besides the fact that this means I pack 360 lunches in a school year) is that they get sandwich burn-out.  I am always looking for ways to vary it up so that they don’t get bored.  One great way to add some variety, nutrition, and taste to your sandwiches is Rudi’s Organic Bakery! Never heard of Rudi’s before?  They’ve got 30 years of experience!  From the website:  “Over 30 years ago, the founders of Rudi’s Organic couldn’t find a bread that was good enough to make their families happy. They had a healthy, holistic & optimistic approach to life and believed that eating healthy went along with being happy. They wanted food, and specifically bread, that fit this belief.”

Not only does Rudi’s sell organic breads, rolls, and buns, they also have a gluten-free line for individuals who need gluten-free foods as part of their healthy diet.  Recently, they were also recognized as one of the top foods for vegetarians.  Why buy Rudi’s organic?  Rudi’s breads are free from potentially harmful synthetic ingredients, chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Rudi’s  products are USDA Certified Organic, which tells you that at least 95% of their ingredients are organic. This is good for you, your family and the environment.

Em is loving her ham on Rudi's toasted Sourdough bread!

Rudi’s sent my family a loaf of Harvest Seeded Bread and Rocky Mountain Sourdough.   My kids both loved the Harvest Seeded Bread, which is baked with pumpkin and sunflower seeds with organic whole wheat flour, oat bran and cornmeal for an incredible texture and taste.  The Sourdough is delicious too, and it’s easy to see (or taste) why it’s one of Rudi’s most popular breads.   We thoroughly enjoyed both during a recent Saturday lunch!  The kids asked if I could send “that good bread” in their lunchboxes on Monday!

What I liked the most about both varieties is that the list of ingredients was easy to read and pronounce!  Check out Rudi’s Website for a store near you where you can be tempted by their delicious variety of breads.

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive two coupons for a free loaf of

Rudi’s bread and 2 sandwich boxes!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me which variety of Rudi’s breads that you are most excited to try!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @RudisOrganic on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Rudi’s Organic on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 12th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , ,

Thankful

November 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As the Thanksgiving holidays approach and another Hurricane Season comes to a close, I am thankful.  While I am always thankful for what we have, I feel as if my life and attitude forever changed during Hurricane Katrina.  In the days after the storm, we had to learn to live without.  Without power, fuel, the simple ability to wash clothes or shower, and worst of all in my opinion, the ability to prepare food and eat a normal meal with my family.  My children, at their young ages, can’t fathom what it means to be unable to take care of yourself in a time of crisis or natural disaster.  They have no memory of our family having to spend hours in line once a local grocery got up and running to try and buy emergency foods that wouldn’t spoil due to lack of refrigeration.  Once we were able to get a few things to eat, the problem came of dealing with emergency food storage. Most of what we could buy was ready-to-eat, but for staples the kids needed like milk, the lack of ice was a serious issue.  Not to mention, we all bore the frustration of having thrown away hundreds of dollars in food from our refrigerators and freezers as it all spoiled after the power went out…..too bad we didn’t have food insurance!

A "Katrina Fridge." Lovely, isn't it?

So this year, as I prepare our turkey, mash our potatoes, and bake our pies, I will remember those that have to go without, whether it be temporary or a part of their life.  And, I will thank God for the experience we had….for although hard, it made me more grateful for what I have today.

Filed Under: My So-Called Life Tagged With: ,

Get Active with Rockboard Scooter! {Giveaway}

November 19, 2011 By

Looking for a neat gift idea for your ‘tween or teen that’s not another electronic device? Look no further than the new Rockboard Scooter! Combining the propulsion of a bicycle with the practicality of a kick-scooter, the new Rockboard scooter will catch your kid’s interest and the attention of all the neighbors.

Available in both the full-size version that can hold up to 200 pounds and the mini that can hold up to 90, both are available in a variety of colors and will get your kids out and about with its sleek style and fast capabilities. The more you rock, the faster you go!

My 9 1/2 year old son was very excited to test out the full-size Original Rockboard Scooter. After a few minor adjustments from the box, he was on board and ready to roll. It took him just a couple of minutes to get the hang of the motion and then he was zooming all over the street. I liked how this scooter has him moving his legs, unlike the electric scooter he has. While he loves that one too, he obviously gets more exercise with the Rockboard and that is definitely a plus in my book! Built to last, it features reinforced handlebar assembly for safety and an oversized nylon coupler that allows handlebars to be folded for compact storage. The height adjustment lock on the scooter lets you adjust the handles to your exact height, and the comfort grip and aluminum alloy brake handle allow for hours of Rockboarding with perfect control on the pavement. The two-position locking joint for dual-mode scooter capability and easy folding lets you take it anywhere.

Getting the hang of it!

The Rockboard Scooter is available at Target or Amazon and it’s a MUST for your Santa list!  We are incredibly excited that we have one to give away as well!  You don’t want to miss out on this innovative new ride-on!

GIVEAWAY

One winner will win a Rockboard Original Scooter in White!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me why you want to win this Rockboard Scooter!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @RBScooter on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Rockboard Scooter on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 6th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of the Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , ,

Magnificent Holiday Cards at Minted.Com {Coupon Code}

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It seems like every year, stores put out the holiday items earlier and earlier.  This gets me excited and nervous at the same time!  One of things I always love to get crossed off my to-do list is our Christmas cards! Luckily, a talented friend of mine just took some great pictures of my kids for me, so when I got the chance to get my cards from Minted.com, I was jumping for joy!

Minted.com is the top-notch website to get your Holiday cards without paying a mint!  Not only do they have the best designs in town, but from now until November 28th, Minted.com is offering Experimental Mommy Readers 15% off of your orders by entering the code READERS when prompted at checkout!

I love cards like this that are full-photo! This one is really tasteful and timeless!

Ordering from Minted.com is a snap.  Once you decide on a design (and this is the hardest part because they are all fabulous), you simply upload your photo, type in your text, and you’re all set!  Minted.com offers the “Find it fast!” option so that you can view your photo in many cards at once to help narrow down your decision as quickly as possible.  Card choices vary from the traditional to the whimsical, and offer styles for one, two, or three or more photos.  You can even select your choices down by format or style.  I finally settled on the Holiday Dot Christmas Photo Cards and I love them!

Worried that even if it’s this simple your holiday-crazed brain will botch it up?  No worries!  Minted.com will send you via email a sample within a day or so for you to proof!  Once that’s done, you will get notification that your cards are on the way!  The timeline from project to print is so fast, blink and you’ll miss it!

Don’t forget to check out Minted.com for Holiday gifts too!  From stationery to journals and notebooks, they have got many beautiful and customizable options for everyone on your list.  Even better, Minted.com offers a referral program that can’t be beat!  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more news that’s really worth a mint!

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Little Space Heroes Online Game {Giveaway}

November 13, 2011 By

For yucky, rainy, or sick days, kids’ computer games can be a lifesaver.  This happened in my house recently when I was sidelined for a week with a terrible flu-like sickness.  While my fever was running its course, my children were left to entertain themselves.  Thankfully, I recently had the opportunity to review a brand-new interactive game for kids ages 5-12 called Little Space Heroes!

Little Space Heroes is a fun and safe multiplayer online game for boys and girls in every part of the galaxy!  Part of the intrigue of Little Space Heroes is that you create your very own Space Hero and explore galaxies full of different planets instead of just being stuck in just one land or world. Players can create their hero, explore the galaxies, try their hand at challenging quests and missions, team up for group-based play.   If Moms or Dads are worried about online content, you don’t have to be with Little Space Heroes.  Suitability of content and safety is an important component of the game. Rated E for Everyone,  multiple safety features are integrated into the site including trained game moderators, age-appropriate content, word filters, and 24/7 customer support.  Need more reassurance?  Check out the Parent information page.

Kids will love zooming around with their jetpacks!

Both of my kids thoroughly enjoyed the game!  They loved the fun, colorful graphics and getting to create their own characters.  Both kids really liked learning how to use their jet packs so they could zip around through the galaxy.  Little Space Heroes kept them both entertained for an afternoon so that I could get some much needed rest!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a Little Space Heroes Prize pack, including unlimited fun and adventure with a 12-month premium membership pass to Little Space Heroes, and  mazing reusable Little Space Heroes wall stickers.

How to Enter:

1. Tell me why you think your kids would love Little Space Heroes!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @LilSpaceHeroes on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Little Space Heroes on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on November 30th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With:

Delicious Domino’s Artisan Pizzas {Review}

November 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

At least one night a week I am scrambling to get dinner together.  Sometimes, a rescue call is necessary.  No, not 911….but when we need something delicious, fast, and inexpensive, we have long relied on Domino’s for help!

Recently, Domino’s was kind enough to send me samples of their new Artisan pizzas.  My kids are pretty straightforward cheese and pepperoni kids, so I was a little nervous about what they would think of the new flavors.  Featuring Spinach and Feta, Tuscan Salami and Roasted Veggie, and Italian Sausage and Pepper Trio, I was a little afraid I might be fixing grilled cheese for them.  Was I wrong!

YUM!

After our friendly delivery driver made it to our door in about 30 minutes, both kids loved the mild but delicious flavor of the spinach and feta and gobbled it up!  My son, who has a little more adventurous palate, also loved the Italian Sausage Trio and says this one was his favorite, along with my husband.  My fave was the Tuscan Salami and Roasted Veggie, but I honestly had a hard time deciding because they were all so good.  In fact, I am not so sure we will  go back to plain old pepperoni again!

All of Domino’s new pizzas feature artisan-style crusts and mouthwatering ingredients like blends of Parmesan and Asagio cheeses, oregano, fresh spinach, and roasted red and green peppers.  I also liked how the pizzas are all a convenient 9×13 size that feeds 2.  The three pizzas we received easily fed my family of 4 and we had plenty of each pizza left over.

With online ordering and coupons available, there has never been a better time to try Domino’s Pizza! Don’t forget to follow Domino’s on Twitter and Like them on Facebook for all the latest news on your favorite pizzas!

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of Experimental Mommy.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Unique, By Emma Jewelry {Review and Giveaway}

October 31, 2011 By

How many of you have been invited to the popular “jewelry parties” in the last few months?  I have…..to six.  Yes, six.  While I love seeing friends and the new fashions, the number of things I have bought?  Zero.  Although most of it is beautiful, most of it is also very pricey and not in my current budget.  For those of you who have been avoiding the jewelry party invites but are still interested in picking up some versatile pieces to spice up your wardrobe, you need to check out Unique by Emma.

Based in Manhattan, Unique By Emma offers classic, beautiful jewelry within every price range.  From the website:  “each piece of Unique, by Emma jewelry is intended to be worn by women and girls of all ages and styles and all designs maintain a timeless look, making them wearable for years. each piece is specially made to order and is constructed carefully by hand using fine gemstones, pearls, metals, and other special findings.”

I really loved all the items in Emma’s Back To Basics Collection, which includes necklaces with enough “oomph” to complement what you are wearing without weighing you down like Mr. T.  Remember him?

I am big on bracelets and Unique By Emma has tons to pick from.  From the simple green aventurine and gold to the attention-getting turquoise and pearl, Emma has something to meet everyone’s taste.  I was happy to receive the pearl and gold tube bracelet and love it.  It’s the perfect weight and well-made, with a sturdy clasp and a brilliant shine.  It’s the perfect complement to many things in my closet and has become my “go-to” bracelet for quite a few days now.   Her earrings are phenomenal too!

Love this bracelet! Simple and beautiful!

Unique By Emma would be a great place to get some Holiday shopping done for your moms, aunts, teachers, you name it!  With great prices and excellent customer service, there IS really something unique about Emma.

Can’t wait until the holidays to get something Unique By Emma? The Experimental Mommy is thrilled to have a little something to give away!

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive a pair of the three drop lace filigree earrings!

How to Enter:

1. Check out Emma’s Back to Basics Collection and tell me which piece you would love to own!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Barber Foods (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @UniqueByEmma on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Unique By Emma on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on November 21st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of the Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion of the product.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , ,
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