Wishing That This Holiday Season….

Lights Up Your Heart & Home With Joy!

FROM ALL OF US AT PARENT REVIEWERS

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Here’s one for the moms out there. This is definitely THE NEW YEAR package you deserve to pamper yourself with. You can win these cool products just for YOU! Check out what they are:

1. The Winkee, created by entrepreneurs Patricia Calamari and Karla Kennedy, is the ultimate solution to plunging necklines. Combining the concept of a tank top layer with the added benefit of being removable, the Winkee is a revolutionary mock camisole which allows women to effortlessly cover up cleavage when they need to. Now you can switch from “day to night” seamlessly without having to change outfits completely! Placed over any bra with two straps, the Winkee offers optimal coverage without compromising style.

According to Patricia, “The Winkee is a must-have fashion accessory that solves every woman’s occasional need to have a multi-purpose outfit. From the jetsetter who simply wants to pack lighter, to today’s multi-tasking woman who wants to go from a day at the office to a night out on the town with friends, the Winkee has you covered – literally!”

The Winkee is easily attached to any bra with two straps in three easy steps:
1. Stick Winkee Dots on the inside of each of the three Winkee tabs
2. Wrap top side tabs around straps of bra
3. Wrap bottom tab under the middle of front of bra

In styles such as Romance, Rouched, and Sweetheart, all in various colors and patterns, there’s a Winkee to fit every occasion. Your “bosom buddy,” the Winkee offers an affordable way to maximize your outfits without compromising their design. The must-have accessory is available for purchase on www.thewinkee.com and is priced from only $17-$20.

2. Beautiful Skin Revealed by New York and Houston Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman

In an effort to separate fact from fiction, Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman, has co-authored the forthcoming book Beautiful Skin Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Better Skin. This comprehensive book offers an expert’s insider view on common skin conditions and treatments that really work, in addition to offering tips on how to maximize the time with your dermatologist. According to Dr. Friedman, “The book is grounded in science and explains why conditions occur. Using before and after photos and real patient testimonials, Beautiful Skin Revealed shows readers the incredible results made possible through the latest treatment options.” The book contains 12 chapters including sections on: Complexion, Acne, Wrinkles, , Rosacea, Birthmarks, Eyes, Leg Veins, Skin Cancer, Scars and Stretch Marks, General Dermatology, Products, and finally Choosing a Doctor. It is available for purchase at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

3. Kymaro Body Shaper – The Kymaro® New Body Shaper is the fastest and safest way to take off inches in all the important places where we can’t seem to lose the weight. Plus, these amazing undergarments smooth out the rolls and bulges, giving the simple look of a sleek and slender body.

Available from : www.ubuyez.com

Price: $39.95

4. KYMARO GLAMOUR EYES Eyelash Extension Kit – The eyelash extension craze actually started in Asia, its sweeping through Europe, and has just taken the USA by storm. Most of your favorite movie stars are already wearing them. But they are getting their eyelash extensions applied at a salon which can cost you over $500 and the whole process can take up to 2 hours. This can be a big hassle to fit these visits into your already busy schedule and lets not forget that it costs a small fortune. But don’t worry because Kymaro’s eyelash extensions are handmade and are professional quality and the cost of the whole kit is just a fraction of the price when applied at a salon!

Availability: www.ubuyez.com

Price: $39.95

To enter and win this wonderful pampering package fit for all moms, please check out the entry requirements below. Remember, there will only be ONE winner!

• ONE MANDATORY Entry – Tell us why you deserve to win these fabulous products.
• One Additonal Entry – If you’re a subscriber, please leave a comment to tell us that you are. If you’re not, be a subscriber here!
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win The Ultimate Beauty & Fashion Products From Parent Reviewers” once a day. Make sure you link back to this post for a valid entry. Leave an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url. You can tweet on a daily basis.
• Three Additional Entries- Blog or share on Facebook about this great giveaway with a link back here . It can be done on a daily basis too! Leave your blog URL or FB id.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends on December 30th, 2010. and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Good Luck!

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

TO THE WINNERS OF

CitiBlocs 100 pc Cool Color Building Set

Jenna M wood #65

Nancy Drews’ Shadow At Water’s Edge Boxed Game

Angie Vinez #4

AND

Outback Foods

Wai Chee #16

The winner is required to do the following:

1. Submit your relevant info via the Winner’s Submission Form Below; AND
2. Leave a comment in this post to let us know you have submitted.
3. If any winner does not claim her prize by the 28th December 2010, we will do a second draw.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAD PARTICIPATED!

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Tips to ensure your kids are staying safe in the Cyber-World…

By Lynette Owens, founder and director of outreach for Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids and Families program

As this holiday season officially kicks off, shopping is in full force for most of us parents. This is the right time to ask ourselves, “Are my kids ready for the latest tech toys that they will undoubtedly be asking for this year?” While most kids know the fun side of tech toys, they are not always aware of the responsibilities and risks associated with them.

As a high-tech mom of two and the head of Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids & Families program, I’ve put together some tips to help you make sure your kids are using these tech toys wisely and safely. Along with their new technical abilities, we need to teach them how to be responsible, gadget-owning citizens.

Some ways to approach the basic question, “are they ready?”

If your kid wants a cell phone or a smartphone, consider this:

• Determine first what they will use it for and when, where and with whom. If this is their first phone, it might be best to limit calls to you as parents, only. There are phones that are designed only to call select numbers – mom and dad buttons but nobody else.

• For older kids who want more freedom, think about whether you want them to receive and make calls to anyone they want. One way to limit open access it to consider family plans that offer number limits.

• Ask yourself honestly, “do your kids need Internet access or text messaging on their phone?” These extras can not only be costly, but can also open up opportunities to come across things they may not be ready for online. Consider phone plans that exclude or limit these offerings.

• If you allow your kids to have Internet access on their phone, consider adding a filtering service that blocks inappropriate content.

• Many phones have cameras. While fun to have, there are risks. Talk to your kid about what is and isn’t appropriate when using their camera phone. Let them know that if they take pictures they’d be embarrassed to show you or their teachers, then the pictures should NOT be taken. Inform them that some pictures could even be illegal (child pornography is a felony, after all). Also, be sure to tell them that if they receive inappropriate images on their phone, they should tell you immediately so you can report it to other parents or teachers, depending on the situation.

If your kid wants a video game console, remember:

• Keep it in a common area where you can supervise what is on the screen and set usage time limits.

• Be sure to check recommended age-ratings on the box as a guide to whether a child, kid or teen should be playing certain games. Like movies, video games have age-ratings. Also, the consoles have settings to prevent age-inappropriate games on the device, so be sure to take advantage of those and turn them on!

• If the game consoles in your home can connect to the Internet, consider either blocking Internet access, or turn on the filtering setting.

• If your kids are into social networking gaming, again keep it where you can see it. Let your child or teen know that while their use of it is harmless, other players can lie about who they are, their age, gender and where they live. Therefore, you need to remind them to NEVER to meet a stranger in person.

If your kid wants a new computer or any other gadget that connects to the Internet, some tips to remember:

• If you allow your kids to get online, supervise their online time. Keep the PC, gaming device, or mobile device in a place where you can check in on them and set limits on their time online.

• Get to know the sites your kids are using or want to use on the Internet. If they are old enough to be using it, ask yourself who else might be using the site.

• Some sites require registration, which requires personal information. Therefore, it is important to know what the sites your kids are visiting and what each site’s security and privacy policies are.

• The rules for being a good citizen offline also apply online: Talk to your kids about treating people with respect and the importance of keeping private information private. Remind them not to talk to strangers and that they should always report any odd or suspicious behavior to you, whether online or offline. I’ve found that a great way for us as parents to teach our kids safe online habits is to model these habits ourselves as an example to our children.
  Some of the most reputable security software can help block websites based on kids ages. However, even with filters, kids may still innocently click on or download something they never intended to, such as a virus or spyware. Bottom line: use security software and keep it up-to-date.

Most important, stay involved and stay educated!

Internet safety topics and issues change with new websites and new laws. New issues will continue to grow as new technologies arrive and as kids grow up. Making Internet safety a priority for the family means being an active participant in it.

About The Author

Lynette T. Owens is Director of Corporate Outreach for Trend Micro’s Internet Safety for Kids and Families (ISKF) program. Lynette founded the ISKF program to help deliver on the company’s vision of making a world safe for the exchange of digital information. Ms. Owens is the author of Trend Micro’s ISKF blog, which covers several topics related to Internet safety for kids and families, and is a strong advocate for youth and the importance of their role in helping to educate as much as be educated. In early 2010, she helped launch the company’s first annual Internet safety video competition, named “What’s Your Story?”, showcasing the voice of youth on a wide-range of topics related to their internet safety.

Lynette spends most her time helping to raise awareness and educate the public on the issues of internet safety for kids, recruiting employee volunteers to get involved or volunteering her own time in her community. She devotes the rest of the time to her own kids and husband, and with any remaining minutes, loves to travel with her husband, discover new music, and spend time with friends and family around the world.

Congratulations to the following three winners of November 2010′s email subscriber draw. Each will get a copy of  “Opposite Day” DVD.

1. Betty Nations

2. Cherie Japp

3. Pending for subscriber to reply

Just in time for the holiday season, this month’s giveaway will be three copies of Chicken Soup For The Soul : Christmas Magic ~ a copy of the book to each winner. On top of that, we will be choosing one winner to win the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic Audio Book. That’s a total of FOUR prizes for FOUR WINNERS. Best of all, shipping is not only open to US addresses but to Canada as well! As I have yet to receive my copy of the book, I am unable to share with you my review. To give you an idea of what this book is all about, here’s an excerpt from it’s press release:

With stories from personalities such as morning radio show host Mike Morin and award-winning journalists such as Tracy Rasmussen and Laurie Higgins, this book is filled with 101 holiday tales of inspiration, love, wonder and just plain fun that will delight every reader, from the young to the young at heart, and celebrate the magic of the holiday season. In addition, since Chicken Soup for the Soul wants to keep Christmas magical for everyone, all of the stories are “Santa-safe” for kids!

It is so easy to enter, just subscribe to our feed via email. We will be doing a monthly draw with different prizes each month. That’s all there is to it. Good luck!

Disclosure : Giveaway copies of the above book courtesy of www.chickensoup.com

Aqua Leisure has come up with some great solutions for children- their First Fitness products have taken the hard work out of encouraging children to exercise by making it FUN!!  Their great selection of amazing child directed products gives parents the added support to make sure their children are as healthy as possible.  The products are perfect for those of us who homeschool as well- adding an important dimension to our physical education programs.

From the kids jump rope to the great balance balls, obstacle courses, exercise bicycles and even an elliptical trainer, there truly is something for every child- regardless of fitness level.  Although you cannot put a price on your child’s health, these products are reasonably priced as well and made of super durable material so they will last through multiple children.

 

About Aqua Leisure- First Fitness:

 Today kids are not active!

…and it has become a national epidemic. Children are increasingly spending more time indoors in front of computers, television and video games than ever before… Inactivity is the major reason for the growing rate of obesity among children.

The government along with numerous health professional organizations universally agree that today’s children are not getting enough daily exercise. Studies have shown that the impact of keeping children active is remarkable.

But children, not unlike adults, associate exercise with “work”. But exercise doesn’t have to be “work” – it should be fun!

That’s why Aqua-Leisure is introducing FirstFitness.

Designed to let children play and along the way take their first steps towards a lifetime love of fitness.

FirstFitness keeps it fun so children will want to come back for more!

We recently received the Aqua Leisure First Fitness Balance Battle Combat Fitness Game for my kiddos to try out.  The game teaches balance equilibrium and forms agility skills, plus helps children learn to react and recover in a “battle” situation. It includes 2 soft inflatable battle sticks and 2 inflatable balance pads.  The day it arrived in the mail happened to be a very rainy day which put a bit of a damper on the excitement of it’s arrival. 

I opened the box and was very happily surprised with the quality of the pieces and quickly blew up the two battle sticks.  I was a bit disappointed to find that the balance pads needed a bicycle pump to inflate as it did not state that anywhere on the box or in the description, however we quickly found one so it was not a big problem.  Once I assessed the game, I decided it would actually be possible to play in the house without much worry of injury or destruction. 

From the first game my children were hooked.  They both very much enjoyed the challenge of the balance pads and it actually makes the game very fair regardless of the size or skill level of the players.  Balance is the key and often my much smaller and weaker daughter would win over my son simply because her balance is much better.  We have been playing it for a few weeks and it is holding up very well- even from all the abuse my children have given to it.  I have also seen marked improvement in my daughter’s ability to hit a target and in my son’s balance- so it’s not only fun, but it also works!!

Buy It: You can purchase Aqua Leisure First Fitness products on Amazon.com and at many of your favorite stores.  Click here for a complete list. 

• One Mandatory Entry- Go to the Aqua Leisure website and pick out your favorite item.  Come back and let us know what you would by for your little one.
• Two Additional Entries- Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway with a link back to this post.  Leave us an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url.
• Three Additional Entries- Go through our archives and find your favorite product we’ve reviewed this year.  Come back and leave us a comment telling us what it is and what is on your little one’s Christmas list this year.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends December 20th, 2010 (11:59pm) and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

TO THE WINNER OF

Moore Unique Skin Care Products

 Maria #2

The winner is required to do the following:

1. Submit your relevant info via the Winner’s Submission Form Below; AND
2. Leave a comment in this post to let us know you have submitted.
3. If any winner does not claim her prize by the 14th December 2010, we will do a second draw.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAD PARTICIPATED

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GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

I’ve been a mom for just over 8 years and in that time there is one unrelenting fact that has forced me to pay close attention to the little details of our everyday experiences.  That fact reminds me daily that I will not have these moments again and that I should treasure them, the good, the bad, and the not so pretty.  That fact, the one that hovers over my shoulder daily, is that time does not stand still- in fact it moves so much faster that one could even imagine.  I once had a very wise lady tell me the days move so slowly but the years fly by-  that is so much more true than I could ever have imagined as a young mother.

So- in response to that daunting fact, Growth Chart Art has provided a beautiful way for families to track those important milestones that continue to come at faster and faster rates everyday.  Their amazing selection of growth charts are true to the label “Art” and are beautiful charts that will help to mark the days and years that parents will truly treasure in years to come.

About Growth Chart Art:

We were recently sent a beautiful Sunflower Growth Chart to try out with my kiddos and I have to say I was truly amazed at the beautiful piece of art that arrived in the mail.  It truly is a piece of artwork and I had such a hard time deciding where to actually place it in our home.  Before it arrived, I thought I wanted to put it on the wall in my daughter’s room However, when it actually arrived, I decided it needed a more prominent placement in our home and, it is now located in our main hallway for all to enjoy.

It was super easy to put up and the directions for including the measurements were super easy to follow.  The only problem we have encountered is my children wanting to re-measure themselves EVERYDAY!!  They are convinced they have grown inches in a day and are constantly measuring each other to see who’s grown the most.  An added bonus for us are children who are much more eager to eat their vegetables- trying to “grow faster”.  What a great problem to have!!

Buy It!: You can purchase your own Growth Chart Art piece on their website. Go check out their amazing selection and pick one out for the little or not so little ones in your life.

Win It!: Growth Chart Art has generously donated  a Growth Chart of your choice to one of our lucky readers.  To enter:

• One Mandatory Entry- Go to Growth Chart Art and pick out your favorite growth chart.  Come back and leave us a comment telling us which one you would pick
• Two Additional Entries- Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win a gorgeous Growth Chart Art at parentreviewers.com“.  Leave us an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url.
• Two Additional Entries- Share this on Facebook!  Leave us an additional comment including your FB id.
• Three Additional Entries- Tell us what is your favorite product that we have reviewed this year.  Leave us a comment telling us what great products are on your little ones Christmas list this year.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends Dec 15th, 2010 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

Good Luck!!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Her Interactive has recently added another Nancy Drew game, which is available for the Mac as well PC. I received my review copy via the downloadable purchase option which is available on Her Interactive’s website. Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water’s Edge is the third of three Nancy Drew titles – to celebrate her 80th Anniversary this year. It’s definitely one of the scariest games amongst the ones I’ve tried out so far.

In this adventure, Nancy Drew travels to Japan for a vacation, to meet up with some old friends as well as teach young students English in order to fund her trip. While staying at a traditional Ryokan Hiei (inn), strange encounters seemed to point to the possibility that the inn was haunted. Reports of ghost sightings and paranormal activities were scaring guests away and our young sleuth decided to uncover the mystery behind the haunting.

The game starts with a choice of Junior or Senior Detective level which sets the level of difficulty. As with its predecessors, the point and click function enables the player to inspect clues, pick things up, explore the surroundings and select Nancy’s choice of interaction as well as respond to other characters in the game. Once more, Nancy’s cell phone plays an important role in the game as players can use it to take pictures and call Bess and George for advice when needed. There’s also the usual checklist to help the player keep track of things to do.

Similarities aside, Shadow at the Water’s Edge provided better quality graphics and more life like 3D characters than its last installment. The voice over and sound effects were just as good. I have to admit though, that some scenes were quite dark, which made it harder to see but I guess this was unavoidable due to the night time scenarios. If you are a person who enjoys learning about other country’s culture, then you will be delighted to know that this game gives player the opportunity to learn about origami, Japanese tea ceremonies, bento and calligraphy. Players also get to explore a wider environment in different areas around Kyoto, Japan via the subway system. I personally enjoyed the lovely and unique Japanese garden settings the most.

As far as solving the mystery is concerned, there are puzzles popping up all over and they feature a variety of matching games and number challenging Sudoku, Pachinko, Renograms and Nonograms. I seriously wonder if players who are weak in numbers would be turned away by them. But then again, perhaps those like me who enjoys number and logic puzzles may find them more appealing.

Shadow at the Water’s Edge does have some spooky scenes with eerie music which may not be suitable for the younger and more timid kids. However, as an adult, I enjoyed the horror story and the beautiful graphics was a definite plus. Overall, this is one gaming experience fans of Nancy Drew would not want to miss.

BUY IT : You can buy the downloadable version, boxed game via http://www.herinteractive.com or even call 1-800-461-8787 to order your copy of Shadow at the Water’s Edge.

WIN IT : Thanks to the good folks at Her Interactive, we are giving away a boxed game of the above title valued at $19.99 to ONE very lucky reader. Now, here’s how you can enter for a chance to win this giveaway:

Disclosure of material connection : http://cmp.ly/2

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

My kids are little builders and destroyers. It’s like they take their lessons from construction workers and create an elaborate plan, and then destroys it with just as much precision to create the optimal mess!!

When the CitiBlocs found their way to my door two weeks ago, my toddlers were giddy with excitement! I opened the perfectly proportioned block that they were in knowing they would NEVER be so contained again.

These blocks are awesome!

We received the 100 block set and it has 20 of the following colors: Turquoise, dark blue, light green, dark green and natural wood. My daughters are still getting used to the idea of sharing, and we are working hard on getting them to play with the blocks and NOT knock over the other persons “creation” even if it looks like an alien baby put it together.

I am excited for Jacob to come home this weekend and get his hands on these! He’s a meticulous kid that can focus when he wants to…. It would be a lot of fun to create some of the cool ships and buildings they have in the “idea book” that comes with the blocks. Great bonding time, right?

Here’s the product description in detail available from Fat Brain Toys’ website:

Citiblocs are high quality wooden construction blocks which inspire both traditional building and modern design. The secret behind Citblocs is that every piece is exactly the same shape and size. Each block is precisely cut from Grade A Radiata Pine from certified renewable forests in New Zealand. Citiblocs Building requires no glue, no snaps, no connectors and no magnets: just gravity, balance and imagination.

Building with Citiblocs is simple: stack one block on top of another. Their specific size and shape and weight allows building that is simply not possible with other building toys. Build a small cabin by the lake or a tower that reaches the stars!

100 perfectly cut flat rectangular blocks encourage engineering and architectural abilities. Build towers, trains, creatures and more. Assorted Cool Colors are Blue, Green, Turquoise, Dark Green and Natural. The blocks are all the same size – measuring in inches approximately 1/4 inches thick x 1 inch wide x 4 1/2 inches long.

BUY IT : The Citiblocs 100 piece wooden building set are made from certified safe non-toxic water based stains. Perfect for builders, because there is no glue, snaps or batteries needed, just add imagination! Building guide with design ideas included.  Ages 3 and up.

WIN IT : One lucky winner will get a set of this Citiblocs 100 piece wooden building set for your stocking stuffer. To enter for a chance to win, here’s what you need to do:

• One mandatory entry – Visit Fat Brain Toys and let us know which is your favourite Citiblocs
• Two additional entry – Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win Citiblocs Wooden Building Set at Parentreviewers.com” with a link back to this post. Please leave an additional comment including your twitter id and your tweet url. You can do this daily until the giveaway closes.
• Two Additional Entries- Post this on FB and share this piece of good news with your friends!!!! Let us know if you’re a fan too!
• FIVE Additional Entries – Leave a comment in one of our parenting article and come back here and tell us which article you had commented on.
• Giveaway is open to US  shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends December 6th (11:59pm) and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2