product-reviews

Transformers: Beast Wars Season One DVD

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:41:28 +0100

My husband started sharing his childhood loves with our son a very long time ago. One thing that they've always shared an intense interest in is Transformers. From the toys to the tv shows to the blockbuster movies, Transformers enthrall and enchant both my husband and my son. In the mid 90s, a Transformers tv show debuted and ran for three years. My husband and son may have missed it back then but, thanks to Shout! Factory, they can both experience all the fun of Transformers: Beast Wars now!

Transformers: Beast Wars is the story of the conflicts between the heroic Maximals and the evil Predacons who are the descendants of the Decepticons from the original series. In this series, Transformers disguise themselves as the fiercest and most ferocious animals on Earth. A fun twist from the original Transformers, this series proves entertaining for boys and men of all ages. The Transformers: Beast Wars Season One DVD contains four discs featuring all 26 episodes from the first season of this fantastic show.

My son and his friends love to pop in one of these discs for a background imagination booster while they play with their Transformers toys. Just like all the superhero stories out there, Transformers is something that is just quintessentially loved by boys.

Even better than this 4 disc set of season one, fans can now get the whole series on dvd! Transformers: Beast Wars - The Complete Series Collector's Edition is an 8 disc set that contains the entire series along with tons of extra features including featurettes, a 12 page book plus a collectible comic book. Whether you go with the Season One DVD set or the Collector's Edition box set, Transformers: Beast Wars makes an amazing gift for any boy (or man!) in your life. I highly recommend them both!

You can get Transformers: Beast Wars in retail stores nationwide and from online locations like Amazon.com and shoutfactorystore.com.

MMCH: Mickey's Great Outdoors

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:04:09 +0100

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is one of my daughter's favorite shows. I'm not surprised though. Disney has been enchanting kids with Mickey and the gang for so many years and just keeps coming up with new ways to make kids happy. Just in time for all the adventures of summertime, this new dvd set is guaranteed to please your small children! Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Outdoors features four episodes from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse tv show and a new "never before seen" episode. It's packaged with a DVD, a Digital Copy and the always fun Mickey Mote.

The episodes included in this set are as silly and fun as ever, with Mickey and the gang enjoying the outdoors and their friendships while getting your child involved with the adventures, games and songs. The Mickey Mote makes the experience even more fun for children by really putting them in the story. As a beginner "video game", a MMCH movie with a Mickey Mote is simple and incredibly fun for even toddlers. Turning a favorite show into an interactive experience takes the fun to a whole new level. My daughter has such a blast with all of her interactive Mickey Mouse Clubhouse movies.

Are you planning vacation trips this summer? Not looking forward to having the kids in the car for long hours at a time? Take the included digital copy from the set and download it onto another device for easy watching on the go! Turn that car time into fun time for your kiddos!

There are so many cartoons out there that just aren't suitable for small kids but, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is one that you can always count on to teach valuable lessons and entertain kids of so many ages. I highly recommend the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse tv show, which you can catch on Playhouse Disney, and all the MMCH DVDs!

You can get the MMCH: Mickey's Great Outdoors set from retail locations nationwide and places online like Amazon and Disney.com.

Cellars Wine Club

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:44:48 +0100

I'm a big fan of giving really unique gifts. I'm always searching for cool items to give the hard to shop for people in my life. Cellars Wine Club offers something that is incredible for gifting to those kinds of people and just as incredible for gifting to yourself!

Cellars Wine Club features 12 distinct wine of the month clubs and offers hundreds of individual bottles of wine. Whether it's a one-time gift or the gift of enrollment into one of the clubs, Cellars Wine Club completely solves the problem of finding unique gifts for the unique people who are impossible to shop for. I love this idea for a Father's Day gift, Christmas present or even an amazing Wedding gift.

Cellars Wine Club has so many different clubs and wines to choose from but, you can be sure that you're getting quality wine from a great company with impeccable customer service. Unlike other monthly clubs, there is no minimum time frame to sign up for when you order. Each shipment also includes paperwork with information on the wine, it's region, other wine related information and specials.

I love that Cellars Wine Club price ranges adequately go from incredibly affordable to a little more extravagant. There is certainly a price range for every gift giver and wine lover.

Cellars Wine Club sent me some of their wine to review and it simply made me even more apt to highly recommend them and their service. The west coast Abbey Page Pinot Noir is a light white wine that boasts aromas of raspberry and black cherry while still having a little undertone of forest floor and earthiness. As someone who rarely drinks wine, I absolutely enjoyed this Pinot Noir. The Chateau Sainte-Marie Bordeaux Superior Reserve was the big hit of our little wine tasting party. My guests enjoyed the richness of the cherry aroma and commented on it's nice medium body and smoothness. We also enjoyed the Huru Wines Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough with it's melon and citrus aromas. It has a nice fresh and crisp finish that my more experienced wine drinking friends really liked.

I absolutely recommend the wines at Cellars Wine Club, for the amateur or advanced palates, whether as a gift or for your own home. As summer gives way to fall, holiday parties will fill the calendar. For an amazing gift for your party host or to ease the stress of planning your own parties, head over to Cellar Wine Club and let them take care of you!

The Wild Thornberrys Season One DVD Set

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:22:01 +0100

I'm always looking for shows that my kids can watch and enjoy that don't entirely irritate me. A while back, they discovered a new show that I absolutely love and that completely cracks them up. The Wild Thornberrys is a classic Nickelodeon show that, like all of the classic Nickelodeon shows, is entertaining for both kids and parents.

The premise of the show follows the Thornberry family as they travel the world looking for rare animals to film and focuses on their daughter, Eliza, who has the ability to speak to animals. Not only is the show adventurous and hilarious but, the focus on different continents and animal species gives it an educational value as well. And, the fact that Tim Curry lends his amazing voice to the cast just makes it all the better for me!

I know that there are a lot of parents out there that are like me, looking for fun cartoons that appeal to different aged children. Both my 4 year old and 7 year old enjoy The Wild Thornberrys equally and it's nice to have something they can watch with no arguing. Whether you've never seen The Wild Thornberrys or are already fans, I definitely recommend the recently released season one dvd from Nickelodeon and Shout! Factory. Also, check out the movie Rugrats Go Wild that pairs up the Rugrats cast with the Thornberrys for a fun adventure. My kids love it!

Tune in to Nickelodeon for all their great shows and be sure to check out their fall lineup that will include a block of programming called "The 90s Are All That" and will include a rotation of iconic 90s animated and live action shows! I personally cannot wait for that!

You can get The Wild Thornberrys Season One DVD in retail stores nationwide and online at places like amazon.com.

Professor Kobre's Lightscoop

Sat, 07 May 2011 04:30:09 +0100

I've been an on-location, natural light photographer for a while now. Shooting in natural light is easy and makes editing painless. Moving indoors, without all the fancy schmancy equipment, is another story. I had put off indoor shooting for quite some time, aside from the Momtogue shots I take of my kiddos or at family functions. Like many others, I assumed that to get amazing indoor shots that didn't require tons of editing, I'd have to splurge on some top of the line equipment and flashes.

I was wrong. Professor Kobre's Lightscoop proved me wrong.

Let's get back to those poorly lit indoor shots for a moment. Shots like these....

Not horrible but, not speedy editing. It's possible to change one of those to this...

...but, it's not ideal, nor is it ideal to have to edit for long periods of time simply because the flash didn't light properly.

Professor Kobre's Lightscoop is a simple concept turned into a low-tech device that is insanely affordable and gives you gorgeous lighting indoors. Created by Ken Kobre, head of the photojournalism program at San Francisco State University, the Lightscoop simply slides over your camera's pop-up flash and redirects the light from your flash onto a ceiling or wall. This gives you a broader scope of light that is softer and more diffused and comes from a more natural location than straight on. While it doesn't replace an external flash or all the high-tech and expensive gadgets, it is phenomenally better than a standard pop-up and affordable enough for anyone to use.

Now, photos come straight out of the camera looking like this...

...and editing them to perfection takes no time at all...

It's also been a dream to take pics of sleeping babies without having a flash going off right in their face waking them up!

Taking pictures of a sleeping child in an almost totally dark room turn out like this....

...and childhood memories can be saved with no editing at all.

My Lightscoop has been making me sublimely happy lately. The images I'm capturing in my small home studio far surpass any I thought I'd be able to do indoors. It's not just about getting great lighting either. It's the fact that the lighting I get when using the Lightscoop is just more natural looking. I love that. I highly recommend Lightscoop to anyone with a DSLR. Whether you are a mom taking pics of your kids on Christmas morning or a budding photographer not wanting to spend a ton on flashes and equipment, Lightscoop delivers fantastic results every time.

Until 6-15-11, use the coupon code LOL15 and get 15% off your Lightscoop!!

Bambi - Diamond Addition

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:11:44 +0100

I know so many people who can describe to you their first memory of one movie in particular. No movie really seems quite as beloved as Bambi. I know that watching my kids watch Bambi for the first time was a magical experience. Watching it in all of it's digitally remastered glory really made it unbelievable.

For a limited time only, Disney has released Bambi from the vault and is adding the timeless movie its coveted, cutting-edge Blu-ray™ Diamond Collection line-up of Disney’s greatest animated-classics.

The Diamond Edition of Bambi is still the same heartwarming tale of a young fawn who learns valuable life-lessons about friendship, love, and the miracle of life. Though, now it's been completely overhauled to become an interactive hi-def home entertainment experience with a newly enhanced digital restoration, enhanced picture and sound, games, activities and more.

Disney’s new “Second Screen” technology, which is being introduced for the very first time on the BAMBI Diamond Edition release, will further transform the at-home movie watching experience by empowering viewers with the ability to engage with film content on multiple media platforms and bring them to life in their own hands at the touch of a button. By simply downloading the new Disney Second Screen App onto an internet-connected computer or iPad™* and synching it to the movie, consumers will instantly be able to dive deeper into the film by engaging with fun interactive elements like animated flipbooks, galleries, photos, trivia and more.

Bambi has been loved by generations for decades and I'm thrilled to bring it into my home and my children's hearts. It's a movie that defies age and brings magic and happiness to all who watch it. Bambi has always been a must-own movie but, now that it has been added to Disney's Diamond Collection, I urge everyone to scoop one up before it goes back into the vault. It will be a family favorite for generations to come.

You can get Bambi Diamond Edition in retail stores nationwide but, only for a limited time!

Click HERE for a $10 off coupon!

Just for fun, check out this great "how to" for budding artists!

Draw Bambi!

CLICK HERE to Download printable activities from this Disney title!

Pearls of Joy - Luxury You Can Afford

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:22:04 +0100

If you're anything like me, you're dreaming of getting a pretty little package from your sweetheart on Valentine's Day. For some it may be just this time of year that gets them longing for jewelry but, getting gorgeous jewelry doesn't have to be limited to only a day or two and with prices like those at Pearls of Joy, it's easy to make any day a special day.

The first time I found Pearls of Joy I was astonished. Not only are their pearls tremendously beautiful but, their prices are so insanely affordable. As a photographer, I often recommend Pearls of Joy for Bridal Jewelry. A stunning pearl necklace and earring set that doesn't break the bank is perfect for the bride on a budget and photographs really well. For over 10 years, Pearls of Joy has been offering fine pearl jewelry at 85% off mall jewelry store prices. Their pearls are exquisite and their dedication to customer service is wonderful. What started as a small E-bay business has grown into a large international company that leads the industry with a satisfied customer base all over the world.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's possible that there are still some out there floundering for the perfect gift. Though, truly, the pearl jewelry from Pearls of Joy makes the perfect gift any time of the year. If you or someone you know is still currently searching though, take special note that Pearls of Joy has a 15% off sale until 2/14/11.

I honestly always thought that good pearl jewelry was still many years out of my reach. My husband and I are extremely practical gift givers and extraordinarily expensive jewelry just isn't in the cards. After finding Pearls of Joy, I'm much more apt to think that some of this fantastic jewelry will be finding it's way into my hands sooner than I thought. The White Freshwater Pearl Necklace is top on my list and at such an affordable price it makes it double swoon worthy. The pearls on this necklace are picked from the highest quality freshwater pearls and all of the necklaces are hand-knotted between each pearl for security, strung with a 100% silk thread and finished with a 14K white or yellow gold clasp.

To me, pearl jewelry, whether it's pearl rings or necklaces or bracelets or earrings, is just the epitome of class. Very "Jackie O" and makes me think of the days where women were ladies and men were gentlemen. I adore the selection of pearl jewelry at Pearls of Joy and really love the company for offering such high quality jewelry at such affordable prices. If ever asked my thoughts on where to find great pearls, my answer will inevitably be "Pearls of Joy".

Decorative Ceiling Tiles

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:13:58 +0100

Last year when I did my home makeover, one of the things that I left undone was my ceiling. It remains unfinished for several reasons, though I desperately want to redo the entire thing. Our ceilings are the old popcorn ceilings. While doing my renovations, I considered two options for my ceilings, neither very appealing. Either I can cover everything in my house and make a humongous mess to scrape all the popcorn off and then paint the whole area or install new ceiling. One is incredibly messy, the other incredibly expensive. Like I said, neither too appealing. Recently I discovered a company that made my jaw drop by giving me an option I didn't know existed.

Decorative Ceiling Tiles is a company that offers large ceiling tiles that look like tin, solid copper, aluminum, and decorative ceiling tiles that are lightweight, inexpensive and easy to install. They sent me a couple of samples to check out their products and I was absolutely floored. The Faux Tin Decorative Ceiling Tile is made of pvc. If the look of a tin or metal ceiling is appealing to you, this is absolutely the way to go. You can achieve the gorgeous look without having to worry about rust, metal echo in a room or high cost.

As a photographer, these ceiling tiles really intrigue me. Used as photography backgrounds, any of these ceiling tiles can create amazingly beautiful images. My ceilings aside, I am absolutely planning on purchasing some of these ceiling tiles to use in my photography. So unique, so easy and so affordable. I'm in love with this idea.

Decorative Ceiling Tiles also sent me a sample of their foam ceiling tiles. This is the type of ceiling tile I'm planning on going with for the ceilings in my home. The best part? The go over the popcorn ceiling easily! No mess, no fuss and I'll have new ceiling that I can use as-is or paint. The fact that these ceiling tiles are so lightweight also means that, when it comes to installation, I could actually do this on my own.

The selection of ceiling tiles in this online shop is impressive. Many of the tiles come in more than one color. I also really appreciate that many of the tiles have sample pictures to show you a completed room with that tile. It's sometimes hard to imagine how more than one will look and this really helps when shopping. I'm really leaning towards something like this in my home.

While browsing their site recently, and dreaming of how amazing I can make my home look with these products, I discovered that they also offer faux tin backsplash rolls. When I was renovating my kitchen, one of the suggestions I got from friends was to go with a tin backsplash. One of my close friends is in the process of shopping around to do this in her kitchen. I decided against the idea because of the cost. The backsplash that Decorative Ceiling Tiles offers is affordable and would completely transform a kitchen or bathroom. When I start my bathroom renovations, I'll surely be coming back to these backsplash choices and I've already alerted my friend to this amazing alternative.

The prices at Decorative Ceiling Tiles are really something to take note of. Comparing them to the prices at major home improvement stores is astonishing. With tiles that start at under $4, Decorative Ceiling Tiles will allow you to redo your room at a fraction of the cost of one of the big stores. Plus, they offer samples of their tiles so you can be sure it's exactly what you want.

Every once in a while I come across a company that has products that I love or that make my life so much easier. Decorative Ceiling Tiles is both. After seeing and feeling their ceiling tiles, my husband, who is hard to please when it comes to inexpensive home improvement products, was just as impressed as I was. This is a company and product that I would and will recommend to everyone I know and will be using myself. If you've been putting off redoing your ceiling because of cost, I encourage you to check out Decorative Ceiling Tiles and be amazed at what you can do for so much less.

Until 2/26/11 you can use coupon code bestmommyblogger and get 10% off your order!

GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:08:45 +0100

I've got a family of four, I cook most of our meals from scratch and I've got no dishwasher.

I spend a lot of time in front of my sink. Washing dishes.

I don't mind washing dishes. Most women think I'm crazy but, I really enjoy it. What I do not enjoy is spending that time standing at my sink uncomfortable.

For several weeks, however, that time spent at the sink has been much more comfortable. Why? Because I got a new floor mat for my kitchen. How could that make such a difference? Because it's a GelPro floor mat and it's amazing.

GelPro is the original gel filled anti-fatigue floor mat. Before I get into my raving, let's start with the features and technology of it all. GelPro mats have a revolutionary, shock-resistant, gel core designed to evenly distribute your weight and give you the most comfortable surface to stand on. The non-slip bottom is made from material with anti-microbial additives. The top surface is stain resistant, soft and easy to clean. Unlike a foam mat, the GelPro gel mat contours to your feet as weight is applied and continues to do so as you move around.

There are several styles and sizes of GelPro mats to choose from and they also come in different color options. All of the GelPro mats are made of the highest quality materials and are incredibly durable. With 9 styles, 11 sizes and 50 colors to choose from, you're sure to find a mat that is perfect for your house.

I'm completely in love with my GelPro mat. I have one in front of my kitchen sink but, I'd love to get one of the longer mats and have it run the length of my kitchen. In fact, I'd love to just line the floors of my house with these mats! They really are unbelievably comfortable to stand on. My daughter, who loves to sit on the kitchen floor and play while I cook, sat on the new mat and exclaimed "This rug is so soft!". I completely agree with her.

Whether you are a professional chef, an amateur cook, a dishwashing mommy, a hair stylist or have some other reason to be on your feet often, GelPro floor mats are amazing and I highly recommend them. Something with style and function that is good for your body and looks great in your home or business is a rare thing and the GelPro floor mats surely meet all those items and exceeded my expectations.

You can get more info and purchase GelPro floor mats HERE.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:04:58 +0100

You know, there are a few movies from our childhood that just don't lose their sparkle and magic. One of my favorite movies that will forever be magical for me is Mary Poppins. For others, it's The Sound of Music. Added to that list of classic children's movies that will forever stand the test of time is absolutely Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It seems that Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews pretty much made movie gold out of all the kid movies they made.

This November, old and new fans are now able to experience Chitty Chitty Bang Bang like never before. MGM Home Entertainment has released an all new remastered version of the classic movie on BluRay. Not only is the film remastered and sounding phenomenal but, the disc also includes new interactive games. In addition, this disc contains an all-new “Toot Sweet Symphony” melody maker and “Chitty Chitty’s Bang Bang Driving Game!”. Other special features include “Remembering Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” with Dick Van Dyke, song demos from the Sherman Brothers and a featurette entitled "A Fantasmagorical Motorcar." As if it couldn't get any better, disc two contains a Sing-Along version of the film!

"Based on the children’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming, the film tells the story of an eccentric professor (played by Dick Van Dyke) who invents wacky machinery, but can't seem to make ends meet. When he invents a revolutionary car, a foreign government becomes interested in it, and resorts to skullduggery to get their hands on it. The all-time family classic evolves from there and viewers are taken on a magical ride with the professor and loveable motorcar."

Parents and grandparents will remember the joy they felt watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a child and being able to share that with their children is so much fun. Relive the magic of the classic and memorable movies by giving a child you love Chitty Chitty Bang Bang this holiday season.

The remastered BluRay version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is available in retail stores nationwide. Just in time for the holiday shopping season!