Pop It! Top It! Review and GIVEAWAY!

Oh yeah! I was selected to receive these amazing new popcorn treats in order to taste test, review and host a giveaway. Lucky me! Snickerdoodle flavored popcorn? How could I possibly turn that down?

Pop It! Top It! is a delicious new product by Maggie & Mary's of North Aire Market, Inc. I decided to use my samples at a Halloween party I had for my kids, nieces and nephews just last Sunday. It was a hit. My guests could not keep their hands out of the bowl. Everyone was asking me what it was and how I made it, some with mouthfuls of popcorn. Ha! My sister-in-law even said it was, "The best popcorn ever." I think she's right.

What a great idea. Everything you need comes right in the bag. It is so easy to make and is definitely something that kids could help you do. All you really need is a microwave, bowl and spoon. You'll have a tasty treat in about eight minutes.

Maggie & Mary also said that it would be good if you added in other ingredients, like pretzels, candies, peanuts or anything else that sounds yummy. I will try this next time but I wanted to have it "as is" for the review.

Where can you find this fun new popcorn? Visit http://www.northairemarket.com to buy some for yourself. They are based in Shakopee, MN and would love local support, I'm sure. With the holidays right around the corner, I think that these would make great gifts, stocking stuffers or potluck offerings. I hope you get a chance to give this popcorn a try. I can't wait to see what fun new flavors they come up with next.

And now for the giveaway! One of my lucky readers will be chosen to receive their own order of Pop It! Top It! Snickerdoodle Popcorn AND a fun popcorn bucket that automatically filters out unpopped kernels. Bonus! Use the easy peasy Rafflecopter entry widget below. Contest starts at midnight and ends in one week. Good luck!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

All Play Kitchens

I heard about a great new giveaway going on right now by a company called All Play Kitchens. If you have a blogspot, wordpress, personal website or Tumblr account, you are eligible to enter. Check out their website for all the contest details.

They are giving away one item from their site completely free, including shipping, on November 16th. 2013.

I checked out their website with my daughter, Daphne, today and had her choose the item she would like the best. Here is the one she chose for us to try and win: http://allplaykitchens.com/products/complete-wooden-kids-play-kitchen-red.html

Image from AllPlayKitchens.com

COMPLETE WOODEN KIDS PLAY KITCHEN - RED

PRICE:

$269.99

Adorable! Here's hoping! And if you get a chance to enter...Good luck!

Too Much Information - Book Review

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I had the pleasure of receiving a free copy in order to review a new techno thriller book titled 'Too Much Information' by David Haskell. I haven't been able to read much over the last year since the twins were born. I can also be so indecisive when trying to decide what book to read when I actually get the chance, so when an opportunity comes up to read a new book by a new author, I will jump at the chance to check them out. This time I was pleasantly surprised.

I have always enjoyed the techno thriller genre and David Haskell does not disappoint. What do we do when technology advances faster than we are ready to accept? How can we live in a world where security practices start to cross that fine line between being "for the greater good" and alienating the basic privacy rights of the masses? 'Too Much Information' paints an exciting and believable picture.

David Haskell's writing is similar to the style of Michael Crichton. I love the way David can take seemingly random and unrelated characters, get you hooked on each one and then slowly weave them all together. I enjoyed this new book very much.

Where can you find a copy of this new book or get more information on the author? Check out the links below:

Amazon.com    http://www.amazon.com/Too-Much-Information-ebook/dp/B00DV6A8UC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381367441&sr=1-1&keywords=too+much+information

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/TooMuchInformationBook

David Haskell's Website    http://david-haskell.com

David Haskell's Blog    http://mindbla.com



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using <a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOMe66ebab02faa3d9480bdf470b2eb9e84" rel="nofollow">Tomoson.com</a>. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

F.A.S.T. Shampoo & Conditioner: Review & Giveaway!

This post had been a month in the works and I am excited to finally be reviewing and hosting a giveaway for F.A.S.T. Shampoo and Conditioner, a product by Nisim International. I know, I know. Some of you are probably asking yourselves, "Ginny, why on earth do you need to use a shampoo that makes your hair grow faster? Your hair is already very long." Truth be told, for over twenty years now my goal has been to grow my hair out just long enough to brush the chair seat when I sit down and I have never been able to get it there. Those last few inches have eluded me for far too long. When I was approached by Nisim International, a little over a month ago, and offered a free sample in order to try it out for a review, I was all in. Besides, what did I have to loose?...Well maybe just my hair...but that didn't happen. Don't you worry.

F.A.S.T. stands for Fortified Amino Scalp Therapy. This product claims to help your hair grow up to two times faster than average. Our hair normally grows approximately a half inch each month. After using this shampoo and conditioner combo for one month, I'd say it works! My hair grew somewhere between three quarters on an inch to an inch in one months time. Here are my before and after pictures:

Before 8/5/2013

After 9/6/2013

I had my hair trimmed and dyed the day before I began using F.A.S.T. As you can see, there was significant hair growth. I would also like to add that F.A.S.T. did not make my red hair dye fade any faster than any other shampoo treatments I have used in the past. I feel like the amount of fading was completely normal, in my case. F.A.S.T. also smells nice and it did not dry out my hair in any way. My hair still feels super soft and healthy. I am quite pleased with the results of this product. I received one 10 ounce bottle of both the shampoo and the conditioner and with the amount of hair that I have, these both lasted me the month and there is hardly any left in them. Someone with shorter hair than I would definitely get more time out of their purchase.

Here is a blurb from their website:

NEW F.A.S.T. Shampoo and Conditioner! No Sulfates, Parabens, DEA 

This fast hair growing shampoo conditioner works best when they are used together. Leaves your hair feeling clean, smooth and manageable. Clinically proven to grow your hair up to 99% faster! The more you use this fast hair growing shampoo and conditioner the better it works. The new formula of F.A.S.T shampoo and conditioner with no sulfates, parabens and DEA is just as effective as the original version and guaranteed!

So, where can you get your hands on F.A.S.T. Shampoo and Conditioner? Here are the links:

Website: http://www.nisim.com/FAST-Shampoo-and-Conditioner-with-No-Sulfates-p/su2018.htm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FASTshampoo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nisimintl  or  https://twitter.com/FAST_SHAMPOO

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/longhairgrowth/


And now for the giveaway! One lucky reader will receive a 10 ounce bottle of both the F.A.S.T. Shampoo and the Conditioner, a value of nearly $35.00. Just use the Rafflecopter link below and good luck!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

* I received a free sample (and I might receive $5.00) in order to complete this review. All of my opinions are honest and my own. The pictures speak for themselves. 

Hormel Rev Wraps

Reviewing new Hormel Rev Wraps is my first campaign for a company called BzzAgent. I received one free wrap for my teen to try so I can tell you all what we think of them. First impressions? Easy. Inexpensive. Yum!

Here's my handsome teen deciding which flavor to try first. He went with #8 Spicy Italian Style. He liked it. He really, really liked it! At first I think he was just humoring me but after the first couple bites he was making yummy noises. Score! Then yesterday, after taking care of the kids all morning, I realized I had forgotten to eat lunch...again. So I grabbed a #2 Ham & Cheese and was pleasantly surprised. Not bad...and WAY better than those old Hot Pockets that I ate as a teen. This got me wondering how the nutritional facts compared between these two products, so I did some online research and here's what I found:

Nestle Hot Pocket Ham & Cheese, Image from: http://www.hellawella.com/top-5-deceptive-food-labels-we-bet-youve-fallen-for/2989

Hormel Rev Wrap Ham & Cheese

The Rev Wrap has less calories and carbs but more sodium. My guess is this is because they are not frozen. You'll find them in the sandwich meat section of your local grocery store. The fat is almost identical and the protein is higher. All in all, as a mom, I would choose a Rev Wrap over a Hot pocket for my kids any day of the week.

#Hormel #RevWraps #GotItFree #BzzAgent

Haven: A Stranger Magic - Book Review

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I was lucky enough to be picked to receive, read and review two books by the new up and coming author D.C. Akers. I finished and reviewed the first book just last week. It was originally published back in 2010 and I enjoyed it. Then, I moved onto his next book, Haven: A Stranger Magic, that was released this year. Wow! What a difference a couple of years makes.

I am beyond satisfied with this book. After reading and becoming completely hooked on both the Harry Potter and Twilight series, I am rarely completely happy after reading a new book. I have gone so far as to reread each of those series almost seven times each. My husband thinks this is silly, funny...and hopefully a tiny bit endearing, as I will surely read them at least that many more times in my lifetime. I truly feel, and am predicting here in writing, that Haven is going to be the next big thing when it comes to young adult fiction. I finally have a new series to look forward to, with ants in my pants, anxious for the next book to come out.

Haven: A Stranger Magic begins the tale of two average teens stumbling upon the extraordinary. Not only is the story the beginning of an exciting new adventure, but D.C. Akers captures the tone of family life, sibling squabbles and being a thirteen year old kid in general perfectly. I will not spoil it for you but I will warn you that this book is going to go too fast and you will, like me, be counting down the days until book two, Haven: Revenge of the Viper, can be in your hands, curled up on the couch, ready to dig into. Happy reading!

P.S. ... D.C., keep that phone in your pocket because I see a movie deal in your future.



Like D.C. Akers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDCAkers

Follow on Twitter: @DC_Akers https://twitter.com/DC_Akers

Visit the website: http://www.dc-akers.com/books

Or find him on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dcakers1/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Haven-Stranger-fantasy-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B00CR4IR7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376946636&sr=8-1&keywords=d.c.+akers

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM69170bbd70059a32811e01ee0ef70459">Tomoson.com</a>. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Great Clips: The Great List!

I am sure most of you have heard of Great Clips. I have been taking my two older sons there for haircuts for many years now. They are close to home, have great customer service and are nice and quick. My husband also switched over to Great Clips after we couldn't afford for him to go to Kalla Lily Salon anymore. Great Clips offers online check in, which is very nice for a busy mother like me. I can go online, see how long the wait is and then add my sons to the list while we are out running errands. Very convenient. Very user friendly.

Great Clips is running a contest right now called The Great List! It is super easy to enter. Upload a picture of or file with your child's back to school supply list along with the online entry form and you could win school supplies! You have through Sunday 8/18/2013 to enter the contest. They are announcing winners daily. Hurry up and get your school supply list in! And good luck.

Website: http://www.greatclips.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/GreatClips

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/GreatClips

* I received two free haircuts, one for each of my older sons and some of their school supplies as compensation for this post. My opinions are honest and my own.

Terra Vonnel & the Skulls of Aries: Book Review

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Image from: http://www.dc-akers.com/books

Terra Vonnel & The Skulls of Aries is a novella written by D.C. Akers. It is about a precocious young female pirate, holding her own in a world full of violence and men. She is determined and driven, not allowing a single obstacle to stand in her way. This book would be a great addition to the library of any young adult reader in your world.

I would rate this book PG-13 for the violence, but it is not gore and no worse than a typical teen video game. It was a quick read for me: an hour and a half at most. Reading it was like eating a piece of hard candy. Delicious at first and half way through you chew it right up and suddenly it is all gone, leaving you wanting another piece. I would be excited to see this as a young adult series and the adventures that Terra could encounter in the future.

Curious? You can find a copy for your self here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Terra-Vonnel-Skulls-Aries-ebook/dp/B003ZK5PXY/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Like D.C. Akers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDCAkers

Follow on Twitter: @DC_Akers https://twitter.com/DC_Akers

Visit the website: http://www.dc-akers.com/books

Or find him on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dcakers1/

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM1e6e61fcc531d15ed6b53cbd6731cc87">Tomoson.com</a>. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Lullaby Babies: Review & Giveaway!

Let me begin by saying that I have never been a fan of children's music. Besides the Disney animated major motion picture soundtracks, most children's music gets on my nerves. Be it lullabies, cartoon theme music, specifically written for children CD's and what have you. I do not know where they find their musicians and their singers. I usually feel like the music is lazy. As if they don't try as hard because it is just going to be for children and what do children know anyway. As a musician and someone who was raised around music all of my life, most doesn't make the cut for me.

I was recently given a free download of a new lullaby album so that I may review it here for you. Goodness knows, I love free, so I had to give it a chance. I was pleasantly surprised. Lullabies The Classical Collection is literally music to my ears. When I first played it for my ten month old twin sons, they each immediately stopped what they were doing and just sat and listened. Big smiles spread across both of their faces. One of them crawled over to me, climbed into my lap and let me just cuddle him quietly for half the album. It was so sweet. He also attempted to baby hum to the music. I call it baby humming but what he actually did was open his mouth and let out long happy baby noises to go along with the beautiful music, as if he were trying to sing. It was very precious.

All ten tracks are beautifully and tastefully done on a classical guitar. Simple and gentle. My personal favorite is Eine Kleine Nachtsmusik by Mozart. (German for A Little Serenade) This version is a little slower than I have heard it in the past and makes for a wonderful baby lullaby. Not only am I listening to it all over again while I type, this album will be a part of my regular routine for the babies now. If all children's music were this beautiful, I would own a whole lot more of it.

Where, you ask, can you find this spectacular music for your own little bundle of joy? Lullaby Babies is a company based in the United Kingdom. You can visit their website at http://www.lullaby-babies.co.uk to purchase and download your own copy today. You can also listen to free audio clips of the tracks on their website, which is a nice touch. They have a whole website of unique baby gifts to choose from, too. One great option they offer is a personalized lullaby that you can download. There are hundreds of baby names to choose from that can be added into one of their specific lullabies. I found both my twins names, Eddie and Zayne on the list. You can even listen to what it will sound like before you buy it. I let Zayne listen to his name version in the audio clip and he looked up at me and giggled when he heard his name. Adorable!

Website: www.lullaby-babies.co.uk

Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lullabybabies.co.uk

Find them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lullabybabies

One of my lucky readers will be given a code to download their own copy of the beautiful album Lullabies The Classical Collection! Enter here:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


* I received one free download in order to complete my review. All of my opinions are my own and truthful.

The Juppy: Review & GIVEAWAY!

I am extremely excited to be doing my first ever product giveaway. An opportunity presented itself for me to review this amazing new product and I knew it would be perfect for me. As most of you know, I have nine month old twin boys. They are very busy babies; crawling, rolling, climbing, walking around all of the furniture and so on. At nine months old, they still have no fear of danger and not enough coordination to fulfill their daring attempts at walking. I have been a little on edge. Lucky for us, I found The Juppy!



The one I have is a Blue Juppy Baby Walker Momentum. This is a baby walker that helps little ones learn better balance while practicing walking upright. It is to be used with a parent, so rather than bending down and holding on to their little slippery fingers while doing a number on your lower back...you can stand upright and walk them around the room or yard or anywhere you want to go!



See that?! It folds up to fit in a little pouch. I can throw it in my purse or the diaper bag and take it anywhere. It even fits in my husband's cargo shorts pocket. No other walker on the market can do that! And as for my back? This walker is great. After my pregnancy with the twins and having their weight in my belly, putting all of that extra stress on my lower back and the epidural tenderness I actually still experience, this walker really helps me a great deal. I have no discomfort when I am walking them around. The Juppy walker was also very convenient to send along to the grandparents house when they babysat the kiddos. Much easier to transport and utilize.

I am very confident in this product and it's durability. The stitching and materials are solid. The Velcro reinforcements on the back side are a great touch. It is very easy to put on and take off of my wiggly baby boys. There are soft hand grips for the adult to hold on to and they are quite soft and comfortable.



The babies seem to love it. They really do not know what they are doing just yet. It is new and fun and interesting to them. They like to hold onto the straps, try to bite them, hang their heads back and smile up at me and then play jelly legs. They are enjoying it very much though. If I gently nudge their heels with my feet to help them step left, right, left, right, in turn, they are starting to catch on. They smile big the whole time. It is not going to work magic and make them walk overnight, but it is super safe, nice and sturdy and a whole lot of fun and bonding for me and my baby boys. I am now a fan of The Juppy!



Now, for the GIVEAWAY! Enter below daily for your chance to win an amazing new Blue Juppy Baby Walker Momentum. The giveaway starts at midnight tonight and will run for three weeks. I will announce and notify the one winner on July 27th, 2013. Good luck and see below for a listing of all the places you can check out and purchase a World Famous Juppy Baby Walker today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit their Website : http://thejuppy.com/

Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJuppy

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejuppywalker

Check them out on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thejuppy/

Read their blog: www.thejuppy.com/news/

All Bears Need Love: Book Review

I actually won something! I was tickled that I did and when I told my three year old daughter that I had won her a new book, she was tickled too. It is titled All Bears Need Love, By: Tanya Valentine. Daphne looked forward to the mail everyday until it arrived. Adorable.

All Bears Need Love, By: Tanya Valentine

We, of course, had to read it right away. Daphne has a thing for bears, so it was pretty perfect. It is a very touching story that all children will love. It is so simply put and yet deeply moving to an adult, like myself, at the same time. I must admit that the last page gave me goosebumps on my arms. I love when something beautiful makes that happen; a song or a voice, a special moment in a movie or even a darling childrens' book. Daphne has had me read it to her every night before bed since it arrived.

I won't give the story away. I will say, from what I have read, that the author wrote this book after adopting her son. Following the adoption, there were so many questions and opinions thrown her way, by so many different people, that this book was her answer, both to her beautiful son and to the rest of the world. Knowing this makes the book that much more special to me.

I have not adopted a child, but I have always thought about it. Now that I have five children and a husband who was raised as an only child, I probably won't. But, I wouldn't say never...just yet. (Although, I would love to be a fly on the wall to see my hubby's face when he reads that part. Ha!) I remember when I was pregnant with my second child, all those years ago, thinking and worrying about how I could possibly love another child nearly as much as I loved my oldest son. I was scared about having to share my love and that I did not want either of my babies to suffer or feel like there was not enough love to go around. I soon learned that those fears were just plain silly. My heart has expanded to encompass all of my children, none more or less than the others. My love has grown by leaps and bounds with each new addition to our family. All my bears are loved.

I hope you get a chance to check out this great new book. There are many places you can pick up a copy for a child in your world. 

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Bears-Need-Love-Tanya-Valentine/dp/1480184810/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371518993&sr=1-1&keywords=all+bears+need+love

Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/127087290/all-bears-need-love-an-adoption-picture

Please LIKE it on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/AllBearsNeedLove

And visit Tanya's website

http://www.allbearsneedlove.com/

It's "Beary" Good!