Oneida Stainless Pro Series – Stainless Steel Multi-Pot
The Oneida Stainless Steel Multi-pot is such an awesome part of the kitchen that I wanted to use it as soon as I unwrapped it from the packaging. Whether you’re making pasta, steaming some vegetables, or making a delicious winter soup, Oneida and the Stainless Steel Multi-pot have got you covered. This is the first multi-pot I have owned and I knew I was going to love it from the moment I started using it. Cooking is a breeze no matter what you make with this pot. Just drop your pasta into the colander and you can cook and drain it all in the same pot. Steaming vegetables has also never been easier. Oneida gives you plenty of excuses to make family-style meals that the whole family can enjoy, all in one pot.

You can learn more about the Oneida Stainless Steel Multipot at the Oneida website. You should be able to find this where fine kitchen products are sold online or offline. It currently has a list price of under $70 on Amazon.

Cuisine Foundations: The Chefs of Le Cordon Bleu
It doesn’t seem to matter whether you know how to cook or you’d just prefer to eat, most people are familiar with the Le Cordon Bleu name and reputation. This is one of the reasons that I am thrilled to recommend Cuisine Foundations. Sold in a box set, you receive two books that will take any cook and make them a chef, if only for a meal. Not only that, but if you can’t cook this will be sure to propel you to at least a basic cook status.

If you have no cooking knowledge reading or looking through Cuisine Foundations can be a daunting task, but if you read and follow the basic instructions you will find that cooking is easier than you ever thought it could be. With a wide range of recipes you have the ability to start in your comfort zone and venture into the unknown once you are more comfortable. Each book offers plenty of full-color illustrations, step by step instructions, and the ability to look up cooking terms as you need them. The Cuisine Foundations set also includes a Chef’s Tea Towel.

Any foodie that likes to cook from recipe books needs this set. This will end up being the foundation for any gourmet meals cooked by new chefs at home, so if you’re buying for the person that loves to cook you should really consider this set for their present this year. Amazon has the Cuisine Foundations Set available for around $50.

Capresso Automatic Milk Frother – FrothPRO
The Capresso FrothPRO is the absolute perfect gift for the budding barista. Coffee drinks are incredibly popular these days, but they are also unnecessarily expensive. That being said, with a FrothPRO and a cappuccino, espresso or even a coffee maker there is no reason why someone can’t create the same amazing drinks at a fraction of the price. The froth PRO includes settings for hot, warm, and cold and you can choose to froth or just warm something up. While the froth setting will help to create delicious coffee based drinks, the warm setting is perfect for creating hot chocolate or just warm milk, if you like that sort of thing. The froth PRO is a standalone small appliance that won’t take up much space. It even includes an auto shut-off feature for safety. Two frothing discs and one heating disc is included. All parts are even dishwasher safe, so even cleanup will be a breeze.

I love our Capresso Froth PRO and use it often. While it may not seem to be the normal holiday gift, if you have a coffee shop fan in your family, this will be an invaluable present and they will love it!

The FrothPRO is also cost effective as far as presents go. You can order this through the Capresso website for $59.99. If you really want to splurge (or let your relatives feel like they live in a coffee shop) you might even want to consider the Capresso Impressa C9 One Touch Coffee Maker.

NuWave Oven
The NuWave Oven was something I had been curious about for some time. Whenever I see something on an infomercial I tend to write it off and move on, but I kept coming back to this intriguing item. The thing I liked the most about this was the convenience factor. Cleanup is simple and there is almost nothing that this oven won’t do. The NuWave oven will fry, bake, broil, grill, and dehydrate. I am sure it does other things, but you get the idea. You can cook poached eggs in the NuWave for breakfast and have ribs for dinner. You can even cook meat from a frozen state.

Using three cooking methods (infared, convection, and conduction) the NuWave Oven offers a fast, easy, and simple way to get dinner made in a healthy, delicious way. The NuWave doesn’t take up too much space but it will hold plenty of food. It comes with an extender ring to allow it to hold more food, but to give you an idea, without the ring it will cook a ten pound turkey. If you add the extender, the turkey can be as heavy as sixteen pounds! After hearing about this I considered buying it just for the convenience during holidays. I don’t know about you, but I always need more room in my oven. Foodies might be shocked at this present, but everyone I know that has one loves it. It will just take one meal for them to be incredibly thankful (if they aren’t to begin with).

You can learn more about the NuWave Oven at the NuWave Oven Website. This is available through the website for $120 and you receive numerous free extras at the time of purchase.

Conserving Now – Bring Your Own – Family Starter Eco Kit
If you have someone in your family that wants to make shopping trips easier or that cares about the environment then Conserving Now needs to be on your radar. Offering a host of eco-friendly products including ways to educate classrooms on the environment, Conserving Now offers excellent products at fair prices. We received the family starter eco-kit, which includes two oversized cotton totes, a set of three market bags with a cinch bag for storage, a bag recycler, some door hangers, and some static clings. While things like the door hangers and the static clings have not really been used by us, I have found the bags to be invaluable. They are huge, hold a great deal and are incredibly well made. With that in mind, these make a fabulous gift for shoppers and people hoping to avoid plastic bags in the future. These bags would easily hold the contents created in a small to medium shopping trip.

You can learn more at the Conserving Now website. The Family Starter Eco Kit is available on the website for $40.99.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Large Apple Green Colander
Green Ostrich offers a host of products that are all eco-friendly. Offering everything from kitchen products to various school supplies, Green Ostrich has you covered. I was shocked to find out how much I loved the Preserve line they carry. We recently moved and I was missing some key kitchen essentials so we decided to focus on those things. We received one of the Plastic Large Apple Green Colanders and its been love at first use ever since. Not only is it sturdy and made to last, it’s also incredibly inexpensive. I have priced other (non eco-friendly) colanders of this quality and found then to be in the $20 range. The Preserve colander is $8 less than that. It’s also a vibrant, gorgeous color. If you’re looking for practical gift options, I highly suggest putting this towards the top of your list.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Apple Green Colander at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Colander is available on the Green Ostrich website for just over $12.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Pack
Preserve eco-friendly tableware made me consider switching to completely eco-friendly dishes. While I have yet to make the full transition I will say that for about the last month this set of dishes (cups, plates, and bowls) has been our main set. We use them for the majority of our casual meals and snacks. As someone that needs to diet, I love the plates because they are a tad smaller than some dinner plates, which means less food. I still end up getting enough, but find that I am not taking too much because there just isn’t room for extras. Cleanup is simple and these packs come in a variety of great, vibrant colors. We chose the green and I absolutely adore them! These would be great for young families, college students, and people considering the switch to eco-friendly products.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Set at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Tableware Set is available on the Green Ostrich website for just under $20.

George Foreman Healthy Cooking Smart Kitchen Multi-Cooker
One of the coolest brands for cooking with small appliances these days is George Foreman Healthy Cooking. I have used George Foreman products in the past and it seems that everything works fabulous for my needs. We have an Evolve Grill that we received awhile back and I use it often. I was thrilled to try the Multicooker because it’s not what you’d normally expect from the George Foreman Healthy Cooking name. However, it works just as well as other products in the brand. Sporting a 26-cup (5 quart) cooking space, the Smart Kitchen Multicooker can steam rice, cook vegetables and meat, and is the perfect space to make delicious soups and strews. Like other Smart Kitchen products, this Multicooker is nonstick so you do not need to use excessive amounts of butter or oil. It’s also a cinch to clean. The Intelli-Probe has cook settings for rice, steaming, and different temperature settings including searing for stews and other foods. A stainless steel steaming basket is also included for fish, vegetables and other foods. Best of all, when you’re done cooking you can remove the pan (which is quite stylish) and bring it to the table for some delectable family style meals. This makes an excellent gift for the entire family or your favorite foodie.

You can learn more about the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. Some other great options (I have yet to try, but have my eye on) include the Skillite Searing Skillet and the Panini Grill. You can order the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. It’s normally $80, but is currently on sale for $40 so it’s the perfect time to buy one. We’re also giving one away so make sure to enter for your chance to win one!

TJ Maxx Kitchenware Products
I have been a TJ Maxx shopper for years. While the clothing section can always be hit or miss, I often find amazing deals on home products. If you’re looking for a brand name cookware set at the fraction of the price or you want some beautiful accent pieces to brighten up your kitchen TJMaxx is the perfect store to look. On a recent trip I purchased some glass canisters for around $12. They sit on my counter holding dried pasta, sugar, and flour. This is just one of the great finds that was available that day. From knife sets to gourmet pans, TJMaxx has just about everything your kitchen might need and could be missing. This makes TJMaxx an excellent option for holiday shopping. If you have any picky relatives or friends you’re buying for, TJMaxx offers such an eclectic range of products that you shouldn’t have a problem finding something for everyone. If you find you like what you see, but can’t find that perfect gift you can even consider a gift card, which would allow the gift participant to do the shopping for themselves.

You can visit the TJ Maxx website to find a store near you!

Novica Hand Blown Glass Products
We have had the pleasure of writing about Novica products in the past. We received a few items from them when we moved into our home. One of the items that we received, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue were a huge hit. These handblown glasses are absolutely amazing. They are thicker than your average glasses and the art work involved in creating these offers something simple yet dynamic. The spirals running through the glasses are fabulous. Our friends love them and we use them all the time. Purchasing from Novica also allows you to support artisans from around the world. The glasses we purchased were made by a duo of artisans that are incredibly talented. The men hail from Mexico and offer a number of different products through the Novica website.

You can learn more about The Spirals of Thought glasses at the Novica website. You can currently purchase these glasses for under $40 and there are a host of other amazing products available on the site.

Noodle and Boo Reed Diffuser
I’m a sucker for any product that adds a light, breezy scent to the room. The Crème Douce scent of the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is simply exquisite. It combines the scents of peach, water blossoms, mixed berries, clover honey, milk and vanilla beans. You’ll get a whiff of the individual scents, which combine to form a sweet, delicate flavor within the air. What I love about the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is that the scent isn’t overpowering. Just the right hint of each scent combines to form a new, layered scent that gently wafts through the room or any other environment where you place it.

This gift is great for those who are looking for ways to make their home unique. This is definitely an original product. So many air fresheners do not last, but this reed diffuser is continuous, leaving the room smelling delicious. To find out more about Noodle and Boo visit the following website.

Don’t forget to visit our other holiday guides:
Food – Books – Toys

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Gift Giving, Ten Items, List of Ten, Home, Kitchen, NuWave, TJ Maxx, Novica, Recycled, Preserver, Capresso, Le Cordon Bleu, Oneida

So without further adieu, here is the best of the best in our Beauty and Body Care lineup!

Must-Have Make-Up

EyeCandy Eye Coolers: These little pads you put over your eyes really cool you down, especially when you are experiencing a headache. Shaped like small, blue (I received blue, but they come in a variety of colors), cucumber slices, you just pop these babies in the freezer and when you need them, you get them out. Before you place them over your eyes, you will have to lay down or lean back, otherwise they will fall off. You won’t want to move much either while the Eye Candy Eye Coolers do their magic. Not only do these tiny, blue, round healers help with headaches, they are also great for removing puffiness and swelling around the eyes. Best of all, you can reuse these, by placing them in the freezer, fridge, or even in a glass of ice water. With their compact size and large ability to benefit most people, the Eye Candy Eye Coolers make the perfect stocking stuffer!

To find out more about Eye Candy Eye Coolers, visit the http://www.eyecandycoolers.com/ website.

CND Super Treatments Nail Polish Duo: Super Treatments offers a duo of nail top coats. In the pack you will receive a bottle of Super Shiney and a bottle of Super Matte. The Matte offers your nails a suede finish, while the Shiney offers a patent (like patent leather) finish. You just have to apply a base coat, two coats of the color of your choice and finish with a layer of one of these top coats. These are great because you can get a totally different look, even if you use the same color of polish beneath the top coat. They are also affordable, allowing for longer lasting, stronger nails. Just an FYI, this works great with the Silver and Gold Sparkling Effects nail glitter, by CND. If you want a glossy, shiny, or matted look to your nails, these make the perfect stocking stuffer.

To find out more about all of the great products by CND, including the CND Super Treatments Nail Polish Duo, visit http://www.cnd.com/.

MAC Cosmetics: How do I love MAC? Let me count the ways. The MAC line of cosmetics offers professional quality makeup, for the average woman. I am not going to lie. MAC is more expensive than many other brands, but oh so worth it! Every woman who knows about makeup knows the name MAC. You will be giving that special woman in your life quite the extravagant gift when you get her MAC cosmetics, but the price tag attached is oh so worth it. I would say everything from lipstick to foundation would fit great in a stocking, but if you plan to pamper her with MAC cosmetics, you’ll want to wrap whatever you buy up and put it under the tree. No matter the time of year (but especially during the holidays) MAC cosmetics are worth their weight in wrapping paper.

To find out more on MAC cosmetics and to see all the offerings, from eye shadow, to skincare products and even accessories, visit the MAC website.

Arbonne Lip Polish: Give the gift of luscious lips this holiday. The Lip Polish I received came in a set of three, in a little bag. There were three unique colors; nude, raisin and brown sugar, but the Arbonne Lip Polish product page lists several other colors to choose from, when picking out this silky smooth, lip covering delight. What I love about Arbonne Lip Polish is that it gives you that glossy sheen, which is classic for a lip gloss, but instead of wearing off relatively quickly, Arbonne Lip Polish stays on longer, like lipstick does. It does not have that waxy lipstick feel, it is not heavy on your lips, and it is also not sticky, which is more common with a lip gloss. Overall, Arbonne Lip Polish is the perfect way to provide a little color and shine to your lips without being annoyed by how it feels when you wear it.

To check out the other colors available, visit the Arbonne Lip Polish Product Page.

Sinful Colors Nail Polish: Sinful Colors has quite a selection of colors and styles of polish. I recommend you check out the Sinful Colors Nail Art Wild About Color Set, Dark Red, Neon Green, and White. You will also want to consider the Sinful Colors Professional, which I recommend in Silver, Gold, Red, Blue or Green. What I like about this set is the versatility of colors. I received at least ten different colors, and I still did not have every shade. With neon, sparkly, glossy, and even emo shades like black, there is a Sinful Colors Nail Polish for everyone, regardless of gender. The color when you paint your nails, with two coats, is brilliant. This is not a polish that mutes in color when coming out of the bottle. The shade you buy is the shade you’ll wear. I also like how strong this polish is. I work a lot with my hands and the polish did not chip easily. This year, make sure to get a variety of colors and stick Sinful Colors Nail Polish bottles in her (or his) stocking or gift basket.

To see the massive selection of Sinful Colors Products and Polish Colors, please visit the Sinful Colors Color Guide.

Cosmoholic Lip Gloss: Make a bold statement this holiday with Cosmoholic Lip Gloss. These are super bright colors. I received Cosmoholic Lip Gloss in Pink and Red and we’re not talking light pink or soft red. These shades are Hot Pink and Candy Apple Red. While I prefer a more muted, darker look, I have some friends who love the more vibrant colors. After trying these out myself, I decided to purchase a set for a friend who enjoys showing off her lips! What I noticed about Cosmoholic Lip Gloss is its lack of stickiness. I love lip gloss, but I often find my lips get stuck together when wearing it. Not so with Cosmoholic Lip Gloss. Also a chemist is said to have designed this gloss to nourish the lips, which is always an added bonus. If you know someone who wants to show off her lips this holiday and beyond, get her Cosmoholic Lip Gloss. She’ll thank you for it.

You can find out where to buy Cosmoholic Lip Gloss and more about the product at the Cosmoholic website.

Must-Have Skin Care

CND Scentsations Sparkling Champagne Hand and Body Lotion: More than anything, I loved the smell. They don’t call this product Scentsations for nothing. This Body and Hand Lotion actually smells like champagne and the scent lingers, once you rub it on, for quite some time. CND has a variety of other Scentsations Hand and Body Lotion scents, so even if you are not fond of champagne you can purchase another Lotion. Other scents include Black Cherry & Nutmeg and Cranberry. Many of the Gift Sets offered by CND provide smaller sized bottles, which is great, because I just slip them in my purse and take them everywhere I go. Scentsations Sparkling Champagne Hand and Body Lotion is amazing for those with dry skin as it mosturizes well, leaving skin feeling smooth and silky.

You can check out Scentsations at the CND website.

Body Essence Tea Tree Oil Ultra-Moisturizing Body Wash: I hate the smell of Tea Tree Oil, but there is no doubt the oil has amazing benefits. I have been trying to find both body wash and shampoo that offers the benefits of Tea Tree Oil without the nasty smell. Body Essence offers a few different Body Gels for showering. Besides the Tea Tree Oil, there is Cucumber Melon (with extracts of Cucumber and Papaya fruits) and Sweet Pomegranate. I love the Tea Tree Oil, because it leaves the skin feeling smooth and clean without irritating it. I use it on Dom, who has a lot of skin problems, and it is one of the few body gels he has never complained about when using it. The Body Essence Tea Tree Oil Ultra-Moisturizing Body Wash helps to prevent skin irritation, smooths and sooths dry skin, and it even helped to relieve some of Dom’s itching, which is common when a person has dry or dead skin. The bottle we use is 28 oz. It is well worth the $4 price tag and lasts quite a while. If you know someone with skin sensitivities this is the perfect gift for them, plus it smells absolutely divine.

For more information on the Body Essence Body Gels and other skin products, visit http://www.body-essence.com.

Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash: While I prefer the Pomegranate and Mango SoftSoap Moisturizing Body Wash, there are a variety of scents to please any consumer. The Pomegranate and Mango contains actual extracts of Pomegranate and Mango. It is also incredibly thick and lathers really well, so you do not have to use a ton of soap. This means Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash lasts longer, and you get more bang for your buck. I find that after using Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash, my body feels clean, smooth, and silky. Plus I smell great and the scent lasts longer than it does with most body washes. If you want to brighten that special someone’s day, get them Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash. It will leave them feeling clean, refreshed, and smelling amazing!

To see all of the SoftSoap products and choose the right scent for you, visit Colgate’s website.

St. Ives Moisturizing Body Wash: If you want to moisturize and hydrate your skin, then you need to check out the Oatmeal and Shea Butter St. Ives Moisturizing Body Wash. I am in love with many of the scents available by St. Ives, from Creamy Vanilla to WhippedSilk, but the Oatmeal and Shea Butter has to be my favorite. St. Ives is a brand I have used and trusted for years, when buying lotion. Now, I trust the brand for my body washing needs, as well. I chose this specific scent because I know how great oatmeal is for your skin. It leaves it looking shiny, smooth and healthy. Adding in shea butter, this gel moisturizes to help dry, cracked and itchy skin. I will alternate this with the Body Essence Tea Tree Oil Body Wash, for Dom, and together, these two Body Washes have made a difference on his dry, cracked, and damaged skin. He itches less and complains less about skin sensitivities. Whether you have sensitive skin or not, Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Wash by St. Ives will leave your skin feeling vibrant and looking brilliant.

You can visit the St. Ives website at http://www.stives.com/.

Eshu Skin Assist: Made in Australia, the Eshu Skin Assist is part of a Skin Care line that is made entirely for men. While most of the aforementioned products are primarily for women, this one is perfect for the man in your life that cares about his complexion. Men battle acne and blemishes, too. They often care as much about keeping their skin healthy, vibrant and clean, as women do. This works really great. It is very light and does not take much to get the job done, making this an economical option to more commercial brands of skin assisting products. Eshu Skin Assist can be used by younger men who still may be facing the dermatological affects of puberty or by older men to prevent the occasional blemishes that every person is prone to getting. If you have a guy who cares about how he looks, make sure to get him Eshu Skin Assist this year.

To learn more about Eshu and its various products for men, please go to http://www.eshu.com.au/.

Smith and Vandiver Aroma Therapy Treatment Packets: You can receive healthy, nutrient-enriched packets through Smith and Vandiver. Their all-natural Treatment Packets are convenient and affordable. These are great if you are going on a business trip or even heading out to stay with the family during the holidays. There are a variety of Treatment packs available, each for under $2. They include Body Gel, Soothing Foot Soak, Green Tea Bath Oil, Conditioning Hair Mask, Salt Body Scrub, Face Mask, Foot Cream, Face Polish, Invigorating Body Scrub and Toning Face Mud. Depending on the packet, what you receive may be enriched with natural healing ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Chamomile, Honey, Sea Salt, Clays, Geranium and Rosewood, to name a few. These packets brought my skin back to life. I felt vibrant and energized after using the Shower Gel, Face Mask, the Foot Soak, the Body Scrub and the Hair Mask. With these packets being so affordable, if you are looking for great stocking stuffers and are on a budget, I highly recommend Smith and Vandiver Aroma Therapy Treatment Packets.

To find out about Smith & VanDiver and their Treatment Packets and to purchase them directly from the site, visit the Smith & VanDiver website.

Antica Farmacista Champagne Body Gel:
If you want to pamper yourself (or that someone special) you owe it to yourself to try Antica Farmacista Champagne Body Gel. While I cannot say how realistic the scent of champagne is in this body gel, I can say that the body gel does smell quite scrumptious. More importantly, the pleasing smell is long lasting. A little bit goes a long way. Everything about this body gel screams luxury from the beautiful body to the soft, smooth, lavish bathing experience that it helps to provide. This would make an excellent stocking stuffer for the holiday or a wonderful smaller gift for family or friends that love luxury and want to be pampered right from home.

You can check out all of the Antica Farmacista Bath and Body products by visiting http://www.anticafarmacista.com.

Must-Have Beautiful Hair

Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener: I have very thick, heavy, naturally curly hair. Because my hair is so thick, it only curls in the most inappropriate places, such as my bangs and at random spots in the back of my hair. I also am prone to headaches due to the weight of my hair, but I prefer to keep my hair longer because I look cuter. I was looking for a straightener that would both lighten the weight of my hair and straighten those problem areas. I initially chose the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener because it cost under $25 and straighteners can be quite expensive. However, I have come to absolutely love this product. It heats up in seconds, so if you are running late you still have a chance to do your hair. The setup of the plates makes it impossible to burn yourself with the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener. I can also use it to curl my hair if I want more control over the location and style of my curls after straightening it. I have always hated my bangs, but with the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener they look super cute. Straightening it makes my hair feel lighter, look thinner and it looks more together. I cannot recommend the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener more highly if I tried.

Check out ConAir’s selection of Straighteners at the ConAir website.

John Frieda Root Awakening Health Infusing Shampoo: I try not to buy John Frieda because let’s face it. His products are expensive. That being said, I LOVE John Frieda products. I use the John Frieda Root Awakening Health Infusing Shampoo once a week. This way, it lasts longer, but I still get the benefits of using a John Frieda Product. When you use it on a schedule as opposed to every day, I find that it takes the residue off that is left from daily use shampoos. With John Frieda Root Awakening Health Infusing Shampoo my hair feels fresh and almost as if it have been awakened. It is alive, energized, bouncy, shiny, and makes me feel like a million bucks after using it. If you are looking to splurge this holiday, a bottle of John Freida shampoo is the way to go!

Check out all of John Frieda’s Root Awakening Products at the John Frieda website.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

CND Snuggle Set: CND products are a great way to create that spa experience right from home. Offering a range of products for the hands, feet, and all over the body, CND has you covered when you want to feel good and look your best. The Snuggle Set includes Almond hydrating lotion, Solar oil, and a pair of toeless pedicure socks. These socks are absolutely soft and wondrous. If you know someone that loves painting their toenails these socks will keep their feet toasty while they do their toes. Of course, the socks are just an added bonus that goes with the hydrating lotion, which smells great and keeps skin hydrated and feeling alive and the solar oil that also offers your skin a number of benefits. All of these items together in one set make for a great gift this holiday season.

You can find out more about this Snuggle Set from CND at the CND website.

AmeriBag I Love My Life Healthy Backbag: The Healthy Backbag was created because of all the problems that people may encounter when using a traditional backpack. The Healthy Backbag is a cross between a backpack and a purse. It might not be big enough to hold things like school books or a laptop, but it will handle all of your smaller items with ease and it is aerodynamically designed to ensure that it does not hurt your back in any way. The Ameribag is black and offers a beautiful, yet subtle design. This is great for women that do not want to use traditional purses or teens that need to carry things with them, but don’t necessarily require a backpack or a purse. When I first saw the Healthy Backbag it reminded me of a trendier version of the fanny pack for your back. Combining comfort and style, the Healthy Backbag is sure to become a mainstay in any woman’s grab and go fashion arsenal.

You can visit the AmeriBag website and find out more about the AmeriBag I Love My Life Healthy Backbag at www.ameribag.com.

Kiwi Leather Care Kit: This leather kit makes the perfect offering for anyone that has a newer pair of leather shoes. Suitable for both black and brown leather, the Kiwi Leather Care Kit includes everything you need to make sure that your new shoes are protected from the elements and the majority of things that can do damage to your leather. The kit comes with two daubers, a shine cloth, and a shine brush. Two tins of polish, one for black leather and the other for brown are also included. While this might seem like an unconventional gift, it’s also an invaluable one. Treating your shoes is so important if you want them to last for longer periods of time and the Kiwi Leather Care Kit can definitely help to make sure that this happens.

You can check out the Kiwi Leather Care Kit and other Kiwi products at the Kiwi website.

Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle: I have to admit, I was sold at Pumpkin Pie Spice. I was further sold when I learned that is smells even better than I thought it would. This fabulous candle just screams sex appeal. Candles are nice enough on their own, but this one is a special candle. You see, not only does the Scandle candle smell great, it also doubles as a massage candle. Using a low temperature wax, these candles turn into massage oil when melted. Just burn your candle down and the next thing you know you are able to use the wax for a massage. A Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle massage mixed with the tempting aroma of pumpkin pie spice makes for one relaxing evening. This makes a perfect stocking stuffer or would go great in a homemade spa gift basket. Either way, this is a must have gift for the special, over-worked woman in your life.

You can check out all of the different Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle scents available besides Pumpkin Pie Spice by visiting www.abodycandle.com.

Schick Ultimate Skin Comfort Gift Set: Good razors can not only be hard to come by, they can also be rather expensive. Knowing this, Schick is offering the Schick Hydro 5 gift set for a reasonable price. The set includes the Schick Hydro 5 razor with extra blades and a can of Moisturizing Shave Gel. Considering the cost of most razors (which usually do not come with additional blades) this is a great deal and one that the man in your life can truly appreciate. Schick offers high quality razors and this gives a person the chance to sample them before buying them on their own. This also makes a great gift for the teenage boy that is just beginning to need to shave. Not only will it serve a purpose, it will likely make him feel good just by receiving it!

To find out more about this Schick Hydro line and all of its assorted products, visit the Schick Hydro website.

Arbonne Pampermint Gift Set: I adore everything about the Arbonne Pampermint Gift Set from the snuggly, fuzzy candy cane socks all the way to the exfoliating cream and the foot lotion. The whole set is divine. Everything smells great and the large jars of cream and scrub help to keep your feet smooth and relaxed. The Pampermint set includes a jar of FootWork Foot Scrub, a jar of SoleMate Foot Cream and Signature candy cane fuzzy socks that are all wrapped up in an adorable holiday gift box. This makes a great gift for mom, but would work for anyone that suffers from dry, cracked feet or other assorted foot problems. Fuzzy sock lovers would like this too, for the socks if nothing else!

To find out more about Arbonne and the Pampermint Gift Set (which may only be available during the holidays) please visit the Arbonne website.

Smith and Vandiver Bath Products: Smith and Vandiver is going to be a savior for anyone having trouble getting their little ones to take a bath. Offering some truly fun products for younger people and some spa essentials for adults, it seems as if Smith and Vandiver offers it all. For kids alone, Smith & Vandiver offers some totally fun stocking stuffers like Dino Fizz Eggs (bath fizzy beads), Ducky or Dino Bubbles (all natural bath suds), Frog Bath Fizzies and other Bath Party essentials. If you have friends in college that have showers but no bath tubs, Aroma Therapy Energize or Destress Spa Shower Tablets offer a spa-like aroma therapy experience without a tub. Just place one of the spa tablets into the shower stall and the aroma envelops you offering you all the benefits right from the shower! I have yet to find a Smith & Vandiver product that I wouldn’t recommend to a friend. I highly suggest checking out Smith & Vandiver for all of your supplemental gift giving needs.

To discover all of the wonderful Bath Products Smith and Vandiver offer (for both kids and adults), please visit the Smith and Vandiver website.

Frownies Face Lift in a Bag: Frownies Face Lift in a Bag was the perfect gift for my mom, who is always on the lookout for a good face product that will make her look and feel younger without costing her a fortune or leading her towards surgery. Face Lift in a Bag is excellent. Even if you’re using it as a facial regime without hopes of taking off years it’s wonderful. The bag includes a number of products that will peel the years off your skin and keep you looking younger and fresher, while offering a beautiful, more youthful appearance. Each kit comes with pH Balancing Complexion Wash, Biologically Active Immune Perfect, Rose Water Hydrator, Forehead & Between the Eyes Facial Patches, Corner of Eyes & Mouth Patches, Gel Eye Patches, and Immune Shield. Each product works to tone your skin and remove those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

To order a Face Lift in a Bag or find out about more Frownies products, visit www.frownies.com.

Axe Men Gift Sets: All of the men in my life like to smell good. My brother, Dom, EmoTeen and even my nephew, Lil B. All of them enjoy the fresh feeling of using Axe Body Wash, Shampoo and Deodorant. This year, I decided to give Dom and EmoTeen Axe Body Sets (early, of course, otherwise I would ruin it in this guide!). I bought Dom the Dark Temptations and EmoTeen the Axe Twist. Both sets include Body Wash, Spray, Deodorant, and Sample Size Shampoo and Conditioner. These sets both smell great and Axe always leaves them feeling clean and refreshed. The only complaint Dom has is that the scent does not last nearly as long as he would like it to, but that is a minor complaint, in the grand scheme of things. If you have a man in your life that likes to smell great, consider getting them an Axe Men’s Gift Set for the holidays.

Check out Axe at the Axe website, http://www.theaxeeffect.com/.

Yantra Mat: I was nervous when presenting this mat to the family, because it seems sharp and spiky. Dom has excessive amounts of pain in his legs, hip and back. EmoTeen has Asperger’s Syndrome so he is very finicky when it comes to tactile sensations. Both of them absolutely loved the Yantra Mat. EmoTeen would lay his back against it, and he said it helped to sooth him and calm him down. Dom would have me tuck it in the side of his wheelchair so it created constant pressure against his ailing hip and leg or I would lift both legs up and lay them on the mat. It creates pressure that makes the pain tolerable without pricking the skin or being too abrasive. The mat is a source of acupressure that can relieve tension, stress and fatigue, as well as pain, as we found in Dom’s case. If you have a lot of stress in your life, chronic pain or tension in your muscles, the Yantra Mat is a soothing, natural solution to help you feel better.

Check out the Yantra Mat and all its benefits at the Yantra Mat website.

Clothing Must-Haves

Out of Print Clothing: I love, love, love, love LOVE the t-shirts we received from Out of Print Clothing. We received the 1984 and To Kill a Mockingbird shirts. These shirts are soft, comfortable, and feel amazing against your skin. They are also stylish and as a bookworm I am totally down with the fact that they promote literacy. Out of Print Clothing comes in a variety of sizes and is perfect for either genders. Dom has exceptionally large shoulders, which often prove to make t-shirt wearing uncomfortable for him. These shirts are plenty big without being humongous on him and are able to accommodate his shoulder width without feeling tight in the shoulders and arms. The material stretches back because after he wears it, I can wear the shirts, too and my shoulders and body are smaller than his. The material is also durable without being harsh or abrasive. If you want to buy a cool, well-designed, comfortable t-shirt, you owe it to yourself to check out Out of Print Clothing.

This holiday, go buy a tee from Out of Print Clothing at their website. You will love them!

Crazy Dog T-Shirts: I could give you a million reasons why you should buy a Crazy Dog T-shirt. First off, they have some of the best designs if you’re looking for anything nostalgia-oriented. This is especially true if you want something from the 80s or that deals with movies or television pop culture references. While this is definitely a necessity in a good tee, more importantly is the fact that these shirts are crazy comfortable! This has to be some of the softest cotton I’ve ever felt. These shirts are amazing for wearing around the house, but they are fashionable and funny enough to wear whenever you go out, too. We received the Dick in a Box T-Shirt and the Ninja’s Don’t Kill People T-Shirt and we love them both! They are comfortable, funny and illicit responses (usually laughter) from those who see us wearing them. Crazy Dog T-Shirts make great gifts for pop culture junkies, movie lovers, and anyone emo that’s in need of a good black t-shirt with some smart ass saying on it.

To view all the cool T-Shirts Crazy Dog Tees has available, visit www.crazydogtshirts.com.

Future Oxygen Ecowear: The special thing about Future Oxygen Ecowear is that it’s jewelry that you can wear that eventually becomes biodegradable. What’s even neater than that is that inside the jewelry there are seeds for flowers or plants. Essentially, by offering someone Future Oxygen wear for the holidays you’re offering them fashion and beauty that later turns into flowers, plants or something else equally as beautiful. This is such a unique gift people can’t help but smile when they receive it. Teenagers will love them (or at least ours did) because you’re offering them something that will benefit the planet but that also is designed with style in mind for them. Each necklace lasts for over a year, so you get plenty of time with it before it goes into the ground to release the seeds. From there, it begins to grow into something new. The Dragon Necklace we received was one of our all time favorite gift guide submissions this year. Future Oxygen takes eco-responsibility to a fashion-friendly level that we won’t soon forget!

To learn more about Future Oxygen and view all of the Ecowear they have available, visit www.futureoxygencards.com/.

Crocs: Prior to receiving these Crocs for review for this guide I had never owned a pair. Immediately, I was shocked at just how many styles are available. It’s hard to imagine that a shoe lover would not find something they were looking for in the Crocs lineup. I received a pair of Mary Janes and a midlength knee boot that goes by the name of Berryessa. The Mary Janes were the perfect casual shoe and the boots worked with casual outfits or with something a little more fashionable. Crocs are incredibly comfortable and they work in a variety of settings. If you need a pair of shoes that aren’t tennis shoes I highly recommend checking out the amazing selection and finding something for you and the rest of the family. Whether you’re buying shoes for gifts or because you need some new shoes, Crocs is a good place to start your search.

You can check out all of the varieties of Crocs available at the Crocs website.

Technorati Tags: Must-Have, Beauty, Body Care, Products, Clothing, Miscellaneous, Makeup, Skin Care, Hair Care, Gift Set, 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Presents, Holiday

Roku HD: This is a nifty little device that is also affordable. The Roku lets you watch Netflix, MLBtv, the NFL channel, Hulu Plus, Vimeo videos, view Flickr galleries, listen to Pandora, and utilize a variety of other media services. For most of these, there may be an added fee (such as buying Netflix each month). However, it beats using these programs on your computer, which often has substandard graphics. We use the Roku on our Big Screen television and it looks like we are watching shows or movies as they would air on television. A Roku HD costs around $60, but this is a one time fee. This is a low cost option to watch Netflix on your television, especially if you do not have an Xbox 360, Wii or PS3. This won’t be for everyone, but it is certainly going to be a great purchase for non-gamers who enjoy movies and television.

You can find out more about the Roku HD by visiting the http://www.roku.com/roku-products webpage.

Apple iPod Shuffle, 4th Generation: Having a teenager means we end up buying more electronics than toys these days. Our son is a bit obsessed with technology, so we wanted something he could play with, but that we knew would be safe for him to use. Enter the iPod Shuffle. You will be hard-pressed to find a kid (let alone anyone) who does not like music and with the sleek, 4th generation design to the iPod Shuffle, this is the perfect, portable device. On the outside, the new shuffle is small and comes in five different colors, but inside it packs quite the punch. There is 2 GB of storage room for plenty of songs downloadable through iTunes, and easily accessible track, play and volume buttons. The iPod Shuffle is not loaded with features that will allow your teen to browse the web, which we like, because those sorts of gadgets can get kids in trouble. The iPod Shuffle is also relatively affordable, unlike many of the other Apple products out there! This mp3 player is a simple yet stylish music player your kids are going to love receiving from you this holiday.

You can check out the Apple iPod Shuffle at http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/.

Apple iPad: It is hard to say anything bad about the iPad. I admit, initially we did not get the appeal of the iPad and we were two of the people who made jokes about it. Truth be told, it was not long before we wanted an iPad of our very own. The unique thing is that the iPad is a great device for everyone. This mini-computer/apps house is showing that it has the potential to allow for communication with children and adults with disabilities who may not be able to talk and many who cannot handle using a traditional computer with keyboard and mouse. From those with autistic spectrum disorders to muscle diseases, thanks to the touchscreen interface, the benefits of using an iPad are becoming vast. For everyone else, the iPad is convenient, portable and an asset to any work/business situation. If you splurge on anything this holiday, splurge on an iPad. You won’t regret it.

The Apple website offers more information on the Apple iPad. You can get there by visiting http://www.apple.com/ipad/.

Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player: This media player is awesome because you can take the external hard drive and fill it with music, movies and other media from your computer and then play it on your television. It is also a bonus that the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD offers HD quality. If you are using the Seagate without the external hard drive, it can be used to stream NetFlix. This is great for televisions that are not connected to gaming consoles, such as the TVs in your bedroom. It is also thin, stylish and takes up very little space, making it much more economical than other, similar media systems. The Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player can be used to stream YouTube videos and view pictures from Picasa and Flickr. Widgets and programs continue to be added to this device, such as the weather widget and the Text and Video Feeds RSS.

You can get more information on the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player by visiting its product page at the Seagate website.

Rockin’ Accessories

Lexar JumpDrives: If you are looking into USB devices, you will want to check out Lexar’s line of JumpDrives. They can be pricey (for the bigger drives), but are well worth the price you’ll pay. Our favorite was the Lexar JumpDrive TwistTurn USB Flash Drive. The TwistTurn is available for as low as $14 for a 2 GB storage device to $200 for the 64 GB device. Depending on the capacity of the drive, the TwistTurn USB Flash Drive comes in a variety of colors. There are white, red, silver, blue, and black options. The TwistTurn comes in a small package, in order to connect to your USB, but it packs quite the punch. With the Lexar JumpDrive TwistTurn USB Flash Drive you can easily and quickly store, transfer, and share large amounts of data from your computer. These are especially great for college students and business professionals who need to transfer and share data with other computer systems on a regular basis.

To see about pricing considerations and find out more about these JumpDrives, check out the Lexar website.

Duracell Rechargeable Batteries GoMobile: This holiday, you’ll probably be using a lot of batteries. It is always good to have some on hand, and they make a great stocking stuffer. Your kids may not get why they received batteries until you start putting all their toys together, but once you do they will be grateful for the purchase. This is an eco-friendly option, because you will not be purchasing an array of disposable batteries. You can charge up to four AA or AAA rechargeable batteries and it takes just one hour to get them going, with the Duracell GoMobile. This nifty little device also features a car adapter, so you can charge while on the go with minimal effort. This is great for charging batteries during the long ride home from Grandma’s house after a holiday meal or in your living room after the kids open their presents (and even the grown ups) and then want to play with all the new items they’ve received. The GoMobile comes with the charger, External AC power, a car adapter, and either 4 AA or 4 AAA rechargeable batteries. This is one item you will not want to be without this holiday.

You can check out the GoMobile, and some of the other Rechargable Battery options from Duracell at http://www.duracell.com/en-US/product/gomobile-battery-charger.jspx.

Duracell Holiday Promotional Packs: This Holiday, pick up one of the Duracell Multipacks. These are available specifically for the holiday. We go through loads of batteries, once all the presents are open. Most families do. Of course, the nice thing about the AA and AAA multipacks is what comes with them. During this holiday season, you can pick up a AA Multipack and also get a box cutter. With all the boxes you will receive this holiday, you will find this item to be quite useful. The AAA Multipack comes with a mini-screwdriver. Then, when the presents are opened, you will be ready to start installing batteries in all the goodies you (and the kids) receive. This is a special holiday promotion, so pick up a Duracell Multipack while you can.

Note: This picture shows the 10-pack. We received the 24-pack.

In the meantime, feel free to check out the Duracell website, to learn more about the company and their various products that can make the holidays easier.

Epson Stylus NX420: We love this printer. It is an all-in-one and it works great! The Epson Stylus NX420 can be used to scan, print, and copy documents, pictures, fliers, and pretty much handles any other printing needs you have. The cool thing is that you can network it (without a wire) to your computer for easy control over your printing, copying and scanning. We have been using our Epson Stylus for quite a while and we have not had to change the ink. For the quality of printer you will receive, the Epson Stylus NX420 is quite affordable, running at just under $100. We cannot say enough good things about this printer. You need to order one for yourself (or that special someone) and see all of the great things it can do for you when it comes to your printing needs.

To find out more about the Epson Stylus NX420, go to its product page on the Epson website. While there, you can read over 300 reviews posted by others using this printer, with the majority of them satisfied with their purchase.

NuPower Charge & Sync+: Developed by Newer Technology, the NuPower Charge & Sync+ offers a portable way to easily charge iPhones, iPod Touches, micro-USB devices and mini-USB devices. The small charger is light, stylish and comes with an AC adapter and charger, a USB charging cable and a 1mAh Lithium-Ion battery pack. This will charge pretty much all of your portable devices and it comes in one, small, sleek, white package. While the NuPower Charge & Sync+ is going to be limited in its length of charging ability, its versatility and ease of use make this semi-affordable device (it runs around $40) worth the purchase, especially if you have a family member who has to have their gadgets! While this is not going to break the bank, it won’t be recommended for just anyone, unless they have a need to charge multiple, portable devices.

You can find out information on the NuPower Charge & Sync+ by going here.

Awesome Computer Software

Autodesk Maya Entertainment Creation Suite 2010: One of the leading innovators in computer software for 3D design, Maya is a must-have product on every graphic designer’s holiday wishlist. Autodesk took the time to put together this exciting Creation Suite, which contains Autodesk Maya 2010, Autodesk Mudbox 2010, and Autodesk MotionBuilder 2010. These three applications work together to create full graphic animations in 3D. Maya is used primarily for modeling, compositing and rendering images, adding visual effects and designing the overall animation. Mudbox is used for painting 3D textures and digital sculpting and MotionBuilder adds motion and character simulations in ways that a variety of animators (from game developers to cartoonists), film editors and directors, and other creators can use to make their lives easier.

The Maya Entertainment Creation Suite 2010 can be used to create animations that go above and beyond industry standards. It also is easy enough to use that both professionals and beginning animators can benefit from this software. Each of the Maya products offer tutorial videos to help you get started and there are a variety of tutorial images just waiting to be used when practicing your animation skills. However, there is one downside when using Mudbox. If you do not have an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card you cannot use the software. However, if you have plans of being a graphic designer, animator or work at another profession in the video arts, you should already be looking into purchasing a computer with such a high quality graphics card.

While this is professional grade software and the Maya Entertainment Creation Suite 2010 package runs close to $5,000, if you know anyone who is looking to become an animator, film director or artist in any capacity, this invaluable software is going to be one of the main tools they will be able to use to find success.

To find out more about Maya, check out the Autodesk Website.

Microsoft Windows 7: From the time Windows Vista was released, all we heard was complaints. Friends disliked it. Our family members begged to go back to XP. Vista was a rat trap. Well, Microsoft listened to all of the complaints and took action. Essentially, the core of what Vista had remains within Windows 7. Anything good about Vista remains while all of the things that users complained about have been fixed. For instance, users have way more control over the new, customizable user interface for this Operating System. It is a cleaner, less cluttered system, which allows you to pin the programs you used the most to the taskbar (this comes in handy!). Plus, Microsoft 7 allows for the use of cool programs when combined with Windows Live, such as The Cloud, a nifty, photo and video editing program that has some powerful performance features. If you hate Vista, upgrade to Windows 7. You’ll love it!

To find out more about Microsoft Windows 7, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/home.

Microsoft Office 2010: Whether you are a student or a business professional, chances are you’ve had to use at least one of the Microsoft Office software applications. The latest version of Microsoft Office is 2010, which builds off of the previous version. All of the Microsoft Office products have a sleek, ribbon interface and the ability to integrate between applications with ease. There are three main versions available, Professional, Home, and Student. The differences between the three lie in their price and what programs you receive. Students receive a discount because they only receive Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. These are the primary programs college students use, though. Home users also get OutLook and Professionals get all of the aforementioned programs plus Access and Publisher.

While Microsoft Office 2010 retains its core design from the last release, it offers more flexibility when it comes to sharing, saving and printing your Office creations. Information on the document is easy to access, and an invaluable feature we use all the time, that has become much easier to use, is access to Recent Files that have been opened previously. While Microsoft Office 2010 does not offer a complete makeover of any of its products (and we’re thankful for that), there are enough cool features to make upgrading a worthy consideration. If you have an amazing student or business professional in your life, they will appreciate Microsoft Office 2010 this holiday season.

To find out more about Microsoft Office, visit the Microsoft Office page.

Adobe Creative Suite 5: Adobe offers software that allows for photo editing, illustration, film editing, website design and even magazine-style creation. The vast array of programs make the purchase of Creative Suite 5 worthwhile for those involved in website and graphic design and other artistic pursuits. If you or your loved one designs, you probably already know how great the Adobe line of products are. The thing is, the majority of the programs have been updated, so making the chance to CS 5 is worth it. The programs have been updated so that they are easier to use by both beginners and seasoned professionals, who have been using the most common Adobe applications, like Photoshop, for years.

To find out more about Adobe Creative at http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/.

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Electronics, Software, Microsoft, Apple, Maya, Entertainment, Adobe, Accessories, Gadgets

Wise Alec Family Trivia Game:
Normally I don’t advocate the predetermined ages on a board game unless it appears to be as hard as the makers say it is. Wise Alec’s age is 8 years and up and in this case I would agree. It’s not that the game is hard, but it has the potential to be hard. The questions, at times, can be uneven. With two scoring options you get the ability to pick the question you want. Unfortunately, what we learned is that sometimes the lesser point questions are actually harder! So, you will want to watch out for that. Questions are based on school subjects, so this is great to sneak a little learning into the kids when they aren’t looking. Finally, you have the Wise Alec cards. These are lower point cards that have you doing little challenges. These are the most fun cards, unless you are the one drawing them repeatedly, because due to the lower points you get from them, it becomes virtually impossible to win.

Still, as far as family games go, people with tweens will like this game. I wouldn’t recommend it for all adults, but it would be great if you’re playing with kids. You can learn more about Wise Alec at Griddly Games. You can find Wise Alec in a number of specialty stores or online at places like Amazon where it is available for $25.

Lego Games Race 3000:
Lego Race 3000 is a cute game, aimed at younger kids for two or more people to race. You get to build the board, which LEGO fans should enjoy quite a bit. A bonus for parents is that once built, the board seems to fit fine in the box. The major problem with this game seems to be instructions. They tend to be vague, so parents will want to be on hand to explain things to the kids. If not, there might be some problems. Otherwise, this game will be fun for kids. As the board is a bit smaller, it’s harder for adult hands to navigate, but this game is going to be far more amusing to children anyway, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

You can learn more about Lego Games Race 3000 at the Lego Website. You can find this at most stores that sell Lego products including Amazon where it is available for $11.

Rack-O:
Rack-O is a good choice for any family board game collection. Now in its 50th year, Rack-O has simple rules and offers an all around good time. The rules are easy to learn. All you have to do is get ten cards in sequential order from lowest to highest. It might sound easy, but it’s not. If you get what you’re hoping you can win some big points. You also get points if you have three cards in a row and through other combinations. The person with 500 points will win, but you can bet it will take more than one round. On the plus side, time flies when you play this game, so you won’t get bored while playing and trying to win! This is even great for younger kids learning their numbers. Not only will you have some fun with the family, you can sneak in some learning, too.

You can find Rack-O in most major department stores and online, where it generally retails for under $10.

Bezzerwizzer:
I admit that we have not spent an extensive amount of time playing Bezzerwizzer, but I can tell you that you will either love this game or feel like a complete moron when you play it. This has to be one of the most challenging trivia games that I have played in recent years. In many ways, that makes it excellent. On the downside, kids might end up frustrated with this game for that reason. Don’t expect an easy win here (unless you’re a previous Jeopardy winner). That being said, if you like trivia games and want to learn something new, Bezzerwizzer is going to become a classic in your eyes relatively quickly. Danish for know-it-all, this game is already a hit in Denmark and now its sweeping the nation. Utilizing 20 categories there are more than 5,000 questions so you don’t have to worry about this game becoming tiresome. You will have quite a few questions to go through before you start running into duplicates.

Using a set of game tiles, you draw four categories and put them in order of easiest (the category you’ll have the most trouble with) to hardest (the one you’re most familiar with) and you have to complete the questions in those categories to win. Of course, some trickery is involved to, so it’s not as easy as it sounds. You can even steal people’s questions so if you’re not sure about something in your own deck, you do have some other options. You can find this at most stores where Mattel games are sold. It’s also available online for around $30.

Say Anything:
Say Anything is a fun, conversational style game created by the makers of Wits and Wagers. Meant to be a party-style game, this is perfect for teens and adults with the more people available to play, the merrier the time you will have. The questions are sure to cause debate. One minute you’re answering (or arguing) about the best movie or all time and the next minute you’re talking about the biggest thing you’d ever love to own. You have the chance to ask any question from the card that is drawn and people need to…say anything…that they want or can think of. The answers are written on cards and the person asking the question gets to decide the best answer. From there, everyone has to make a guess about what answer was picked as the best.

Even people that are not fond of traditional board games will have a fun time playing this. Say Anything should be available where board games are sold. You can also find it online through Amazon for under $20.

Wits and Wagers:
Speak of the devil (or in this case Wits and Wagers) and it shall appear. The game mixes a good dose of guessing with some trivia that pretty much wouldn’t possibly be known by the average person. The good news is that you don’t need to know the answers to win. Everyone writes their answer on a tablet and the answers are lined up appropriately. From there, you get to wager which answer you think is correct. As long as you make the correct wagers you have a good chance at winning. The whole mix of betting and trivia allows fans of both types of activities to have a little fun. Wits and Wagers is suitable for ages ten and up. This is one of those games that is going to provide a better time if you have more people playing, so you will want to keep that in mind!

You can find out about Wits and Wagers and other North Star games at the North Star Games website. You can also find this on Amazon for around $20.

Chronicles of the Mind:
The thing that makes Chronicles of the Mind fun is that you can say whatever you want! You are asked a conversation based question. For example, of the around 119 prompts you might be asked who your first crush was or where you went on your first date. You can tell the truth, fix up the story to make it a little more exciting, or you can create a lie. It will be up to the others in the group to determine if you’re telling the truth or not. This party game is going to be most suitable for adults and you will want to have a small or large group to get the most fun out of this.

You can learn more about this and other Griddly Games over at the Griddly Games website. Chronicles of the Mind is available online for $13.

Yamodo!:
Yamodo Party Time is a game that gets the mind going and offers a hilarious time for all players. The rules are simple. You receive some made up words. That’s right, the words you are dealing with will have no official meaning. As a player it will be your job to breathe meaning into these words. You can create any type of meaning you want, but you have to define these words! Use your imagination because you will be competing against every other player. The judge gets to pick the best definition and the winner of the round! The makers of the game suggest this for teens to adults, though it’s possible that slightly younger kids could play this successfully, as well.

You can find Yamodo and Yamodo Party Time online at various retailers including Amazon, where it is available for under $50.

Zunker Christmas Party Gift Exchange Game:
I will admit we have not actually played Zunker yet, but if you’ve ever done Secret Santa you will absolutely adore Zunker. This game is all about the holiday gift exchange. This makes it perfect for office parties and large families that tend to offer one gift as opposed to buying for everyone in the family. During round one you get to roll the dice and take turns unwrapping the gifts so all the amazing presents are laid out for everyone to see. The next round has you rolling to pass, win and lose the presents that you had your eyes on. Zunker is fast paced, fun, and sure to leave a lasting impression on all your present-oriented parties. This will be great for all kinds of events! We cannot wait to use it at our holiday party, this year!

You can learn more about the Zunker Gift Exchange website. Zunker is available for around $25.

Technorati Tags: Zunker, Board Games, 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Wits and Wagers, Yamodo Party Time, Chronicles of the Mind, Bezzerwizzer, Say Anything, Rack-O, Lego Games Race 3000, Wise Alec

For the Little Mommy/Daddy

Loveable Look-A-Like
These dolls are awesome for all the right reasons. They might not look like something your child would initially take to, but if they have anyone in their life that they miss or wish was with them, the Loveable Look-A-Like could be the perfect solution! On the outside, the Loveable Look-a-Like dolls are androgynous and rather basic. They have on a white shirt and some jeans, which makes them perfect for both boys and girls. It also makes it perfect for turning a doll into your child’s favorite person no matter who they are. You just take a picture of your child’s favorite person or the one they miss the most and iron it onto the doll’s face. This is absolutely perfect for young kids that have parents in the military. We had a young reviewer check this out for us and we put her daddy’s head on it, because he is away in the war. Alexis pointed out that the head looked kind of funny (it is ironed on, after all), but it reminded her of her daddy and for that reason alone, she loved it.

We received the Do-it-Yourself Doll Kit which was easy to handle and its cost effective at $25. Loveable Look-A-Likes also offers personalized kits for $10 more or $15 more if you’d also like a personalized t-shirt. Either way, this is a great gift for children that have recently lost someone or have a parent that is currently away from home.

Fisher Price – Little Mommy Play All Day
If you know a little one that wants to be a parent (boy or girl) this is going to be a fabulous toy for them and it will be sure to make their holiday brighter. The Little Mommy Play All Day also works as an excellent toy to get back at a friend or sibling. Just give it to their child and watch the parent pull their hair out. This only works if they do not like toys that produce excessive amounts of noise, so keep that in mind, if you’re purchasing solely for revenge. The Little Mommy Play All Day is a talking baby doll that has plenty to say! She is motion activated so if you so much as nudge her she is talking! The one we received even speaks in Spanish occasionally, though I am not sure if that makes her defective or if they all do that. In fact, she knows up to 50 phrases and responses to basic play activities like rocking, flying like a birdie, and dancing. The doll takes 3 AA batteries, but they are already installed, so you will just need more for later. Alexis loves this doll so much she wants to play with her all day.

With that in mind, I am sure that $35 is more than a fair price for the Little Mommy Play All Day!

Precious Baby Doll – Katya
Precious baby dolls allow your child to adopt a baby from another destination. While it’s nice to have a doll that shares the same features, it’s even better to have a doll that is unique. Precious baby dolls are absolutely gorgeous with fine details down to a tee and a sweet baby smell that is reminiscent of real children. We received Katya Irina to check out and I fell in love with her. Our child reviewer, of course, feels the same way!

Each Precious Baby Doll is 17 inches long and has a cloth body with arms, legs, and has a face made of vinyl. The hands and feet even look real, which goes to show the amount of fine detail put into each doll. All babies are dressed in accordance to their culture/home location. Each doll (there are currently four to choose from) costs $69.99. In addition to the dolls, books about the dolls homeland are also available. Each book costs an additional $9.99. With or without the books these dolls are highly recommended. They are so beautiful it almost seems like a crime to let them be toys, but knowing the joy a child will get from one of these dolls makes it a worthwhile gift consideration.

The Precious Baby Dolls are our most expensive doll option on this guide this year, but they are also the most precious and well crafted in the bunch, too. The folks over at Precious Baby Dolls want to extend our readers a special deal, which makes this holiday gift even sweeter. You can use the following coupon code to get an additional $10 off on each doll:

Katya doll = 1000
Kimberly doll = 1500
Sophia doll = 2000
Li Ming = 2500

For the Little Professional

“The Budding Artist”: – Kidzsack
Kidzsack is perfect for the kid on the go that likes to color and has an artistic streak. This great back sack comes in a variety of designs and includes eight washable markers so your kids can create the perfect scene for the moment. Then when they are ready, they can wash it out (or you can, of course) and start all over again. In the meantime, they can use the bag to carry their favorite possessions when they are out and about. Whether they are going to school or to a friends house, the Kidzsack can transport all of the items they need. They can even toss their markers in there and finish coloring their bag in the car, if it’s not completed when they leave the house. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, but fun, eco-friendly gift idea for kids, you should really consider Kidzsacks. Not only are they practical, they are lots of fun, too.

The main Kidzsacks designs include Jungle, SeaLife, Sports, and Castle. There are plenty of custom designs available as well to suit the taste of most children. You can pick up a Kidzsack for $23.00, which includes shipping and handling charges. This might be a bit pricier than your average book bag, but this is one that your child can create and re-create as the mood strikes. The artistic quality alone (and the eco-friendliness) makes it well worth the purchase!

“The Banker”: Zillionz Savings Goal ATM Bank
If your child uses a jar or standard piggy bank to hold their money, the Zillons Savings Goal ATM Bank might be something that they would enjoy greatly. There are a number of great things about this bank. First off, it teaches your kids about ATMs and banking. It’s always a nice lesson to let them see that the ATM isn’t an endless money pit and that you need to put money in to get it out. If they have siblings, this is always a great way to keep the money safe and hidden, as you need the credit card and pin number to deposit the money and to get it out. CT loves banks like this, so we knew we had to check this out. It ends up being a great solution for kids that are saving up their money for something and it allows them a little independence in handling their money, too, which is a good thing. Some people have had problems with change being miscounted, but we have not experienced this issue. It ends up being both a practical present for older kids and a fun, amusing toy for younger ones.

Amazon has the Zillions Savings Banks available for just under $30. If you’re hoping to buy something for a younger child I would recommend looking for something else, as the Zillions Bank is not going to be as popular with the kids that just want a toy and not a safe way to handle their money. However, if you have a child looking to keep track of their dough and have a safe way to do it, this would be perfect!

“The Sports Star”: One World Futbol
I could say plenty of great things about the One World Futbal. I could talk about how it seems sturdy enough to last for life or how great the blue color is. I could even go into the fabulous concept behind the futbal and why I feel the way I do. What it all comes down to though is that your kids are gonna love this! From a purchase perspective, you can’t go wrong with this ball. It will never go flat even if it is punctured because it is made using state-of-the-art technology that requires no stitching. It also carries the same rebound characteristics of traditional soccer balls.

However, the real reason to buy a One World Futbal has little to do with the pretty color or the durability (though these are certainly nice reasons). More importantly, when you purchase a ball for yourself, someone else receives a ball through an organization that helps people in need. So, buying one of these balls for your budding sport’s star means that someone in a third world country or another impoverished area will also receive a present, as well.

Purchasing a One World Futbal is simple. Just visit the One World Futbal website and you can purchase them right there. The balls are listed for a price of $39.50, which secures a ball for you and one that will be sent to charity. Two One World Futbals for under $40 is not a bad deal at all. In fact, it’s one of the best on this list!

“The Sports Star”: The Pro Mini Hoop
The SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop is by far the best constructed and most durable mini-hoop I have ever seen for home use. While I was not expecting much for this relatively inexpensive product, I am happy to say that this really does appear to be a mini basketball hoop. Basketball fans will absolutely adore this whether it’s for a younger child needing some excitement in their bedroom or some older kids wanting to have some dorm room fun. Sporting a shatter-proof backboard and a spring-action breakaway rim this is the closest thing to real basketball you’ll find inside a house. The backboard can take shots with ease and the rim won’t break should you decide to practice your jump shot. The weakest part of this set is the basketball and even that is fine, should you decide to keep the one that comes with the set. Everything you need construction-wise is included, with exception to the pump required to inflate the basketball.

You can learn more about the Pro Mini Hoop or other SKLZ products by visiting the SKLZ website. The Pro Mini Hoop is available on the site for just $29.99 or if you’d prefer a larger backboard you can opt for the Pro Mini Hoop XL for just $39.99.

“The Roadster”: Road Rippers RC Motor Muscle Car
Perfect for car lovers of any age, the Road Ripper RC is suited for kids seven years old and up. These great remote control cars come in a small variety of popular car models and various colors. We received the yellow car from the various product options and it was a hit with everyone in the house. The best thing about Road Rippers is the level of realism that you will find here. These babies have working radios, lights that come on and off, and realistic sounds. They are controlled completely via a remote control and they are simple to use. If you have a boy (or girl) that loves cars and is growing up, but isn’t too old this would make a great gift. Toys like this are still toys, but they are a little more adult, so the kids can’t say you’re treating them like babies. They will love it and chances are, so will you.

Road Rippers RC cars take three AA batteries for the remote, which are included in the box. You will need an additional four AA batteries for the car, so you might want to keep that in mind. You can learn more about these cars at the Road Rippers website. The Road Ripper RC cars are available at most major retailers for under $30.

For the Little Builder

NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car Building Set:
Knex offers some of the coolest building products on the market. Whether you’re five years old or 25, Knex has something inventive and challenging for you to create. This building set, the NASCAR 88 AMP Car, was made for budding race fans. Kids interested in NASCAR and current fans of Dale Jr will really enjoy building this stock car and playing with it when it is all done. The Knex NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car includes 100+ K’NEX bricks, rods and connectors, as well as wheels for push play. There is also a Dale Jr. K’NEX-man to complete the set! After all, it wouldn’t be a true 88 car without Dale Jr!

You can learn more about the Knex NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car Building Set at the Knex website. According to the Knex website the 88 car is suitable for ages five years and up. You should be able to find this in stores that sell Knex including the Knex site, which has it listed for just under $15.

K’Nex Speed Demon Coaster
Unlike the 88 car, the Speed Demon Coaster by Knex is suitable for someone nine years old and older. Standing over three feet tall, the Speed Demon Coaster includes over 625 colorful K’NEX pieces, including a coaster car, motor, chain lift and track. That’s right, this is a fully working coaster! I don’t know who enjoyed this more, the kids or the adults. I suppose it didn’t matter, the point is that everyone truly enjoyed it! It takes some time to build but that is because it’s just that big! The instructions are easy to follow and are color coded so there shouldn’t be any problem putting this together. Once it’s together your kids (or the adult that gets this bad boy) can watch the coaster car move to the top of the peak only to fly down through 19 feet of twists, turns, and loops!

Available for only $30 the Knex Speed Demon Coaster is definitely a bargain! You can learn more about the Speed Demon on the Knex website. The website should have a link for purchasing, but you shouldn’t have a hard time finding these locally at stores like Walmart and Target.

Miscellaneous Goodies

Glide Table Top Shuffleboard:
I know what you’re thinking. Shuffleboard?!? For kids?!? I thought that too, until we received the Glide Shuffleboard. Suitable for pairs of players or teams ages six years old and up, the Glide tabletop Shuffleboard game will have kids and adults competing and having a ball! Zabazoo offers plenty of unique gifts for the whole family. Glide comes with four different colored stones that you slide along the four foot long board. The rules are the same as traditional shuffleboard and it will take some talent to ensure that you knock our your opponents with ease. Whether the kids win or lose though they are bound to have loads of fun. Parents will also appreciate the easy cleanup and the ability to have this out or fold it up and keep it up and away unless in use.

You can learn more about the Glide at the Zabazoo website. The Glide is available at numerous stores online, including Amazon where it can be found for $24.99.

Z Wind Up Toys:
The holiday would not be complete without some uniquely fun and totally outrageous stocking stuffers. I remember a time when parents would use the stocking to add all those little gifts that wouldn’t go over well if they were wrapped up. You know, things like shampoo and toothpaste. Well, if you must you can still add those things, just throw in a few Z Windups and it will transform your child’s stocking into something fun and exciting for them! As they plow through the deodorant and the chewing gum, a few of these windup toys are guaranteed to put a smile on their face! Z’s Windups come in a variety of designs that are sure to please every child in your house.

The Z’s Windup store will give you a clue as to just how many options are available. At around $5 a piece (some toys are more or less), these make a great inexpensive addition to the stockings in your home. Some personal Windup favorites include Larry Slider, Cookie, Ferris, and Basie!

We hope that this list has helped you to complete your shopping this year. If you’re looking for other gifts make sure to check out our other guides and suggestions!

Food

Technorati Tags: 2010, Holiday Guide, Hot Holiday Toys, Dolls, Building Sets, Unique Gifts, Holidays, Presents, Kids, Board Games, Children’s Gifts, Shopping, Gift Guide

Make sure to stop back by and let us know if you tried any of the items below and if you enjoyed them as much as we did! We cannot wait to hear what you think!

WineTime Chocolate Bars:
WineTime chocolate bars and actual wine have something in common. Reservatrol is a powerful antioxidant that is found in grapes. It has such health benefits that scientists have claimed that it could explain how French citizens can have such a fatty diet and yet remain fairly healthy. WineTime Bars take the reservatrol from the wine and create a chocolate bar that you won’t soon forget. The suspected health benefits are nice, but they wouldn’t mean much if the chocolate didn’t taste good. Come to find out, I would be pleasantly surprised with what I received in WineTime. Each bar contains various super fruits (cranberry, pomegranate, acai, and blueberry), along with dates and almonds all hiding in delicious dark chocolate. The result is a chewy, rich chocolate bar that tastes fabulous and is healthier for you than you could imagine.

You can pick up WineTime Bars at the WineTime website, where you can learn more about Resveratrol and about WineTime. Pricing options include a 10 bar pack for $29.90, a 20 bar monthly package for $59.80, and a 40 bar “family pack” for $89.70.

Green and Blacks Organic Chocolate Bars:
There are no words to describe how much I truly love Green & Black’s organic chocolate bars. I like to consider myself a chocolate snob. Not all brands do it for me. I tend to only prefer dark chocolates and find milk chocolates to be revolting in most cases. However, Green & Black’s tends to be an exception to this rule. The folks at G&B’s were nice enough to send us a variety of the bars to try out. Among the options were Milk, Dark, Toffee, Peanut, Maya Gold, and Mint. All of them were fabulous, though I personally was partial to the dark, toffee, and peanut. I liked the mint, but you have to really enjoy mint to enjoy this candy bar because it offers an intensley strong mint flavor that many mint chocolate bars lack. If you’re planning chocolate in the stocking this year, do yourself a favor and get Green & Black’s for the whole family – they have a variety of selections that are sure to satisfy all the different tastes in your home.

You can learn more about Green & Black’s at the Green & Black’s website. If you are looking for some stocking stuffers you can find Green & Black’s in most places where chocolate is sold, including stores such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, and Kroger. Prices will vary, but in most cases you find find Green & Blacks for around $2 a bar.

Cari-Free Lollipops:
CariFree Lollies are great for kids and parents whether we’re talking holidays or anytime of year. Kids will enjoy the five tasty flavors including cherry, grape, lime, citrus, and raspberry. Parents will like the fact that each lollie contains .5g of xylitol, which helps to fight cavities and removes cavity-causing bacteria. This is a perfect mid-day treat because it will get some tooth defense in between the morning and night brushing. These are sugar free, but still taste good so kids should like them as much as any other lollipop. According to the website, you shouldn’t eat more than 20 of these per day. I don’t know anyone that offers their child more than 20 suckers though, so this shouldn’t be a major issue though. These would be great for stocking stuffers. The kids don’t even have to know that they are good for them and their teeth!

You can learn more about CariFree products at the CariFree website. Currently a 24-lollie, variety pack comes to $12.50 on the website. Prices likely do not include shipping.

PopChips:
PopChips are the best and most mysterious chips that you will ever truly enjoy. They taste like traditional chips. They taste fried, fatty, and utterly delicious. The funny thing is that they aren’t fried and they aren’t fatty. They are delicious though! Offering a chip with some good crunch and fabulous flavors, PopChip offers a healthy snack alternative that tastes about a million times better than baked or other healthy chips. These yummy chips taste like the chips that you crave without all the crap you don’t need. As a result after one of these chips you will be hooked and that won’t be a bad thing. With flavors like Parmesan Garlic and Cheddar Potato, traditional chip lovers should be very happy. They are also inexpensive (no more than most regular brands), All-Natural, and easy to find (available at Whole Foods, Target, and other retailers).

Check out more about PopChips or Read our PopChips Review!

The Fresh Market Good Cheer Basket:
We often have adverse things to say about gift baskets. After receiving a stale, seemingly outdated gift basket from Bea’s Gift Baskets earlier in the year we’ve been weary about the things that we consider for review in this area. However, The Fresh Market looked so yummy it was hard to say no. So, we agreed to check out The Good Cheer Basket and come to find out this was the best gift basket we reviewed all year! Filled with tasty goodies like pistachios, peanuts, sesame sticks, crackers, Nueske’s Summer Sausage, stone ground mustard, Jelly Belly’s, and other great items, The Good Cheer basket will be sure to please even the pickiest snacker. A box of Back to Nature Chocolate Chip Cookies and some amazing, Kell Bran Caramel Popcorn are also included. At $49.99 the Good Cheer basket is worth every penny.

The Fresh Market also offers a number of other holiday goodies and gift baskets to suit all tastes and budgets.

Navitas Naturals Chocolate Kit:
One of the best part of the holidays is the food! I love baking and enjoying the fine treats that we get to make each year. The last couple of years we’ve received a chocolate making kit each year to review. I was nervous with my first one, but I’ve since learned that there is nothing to making chocolate in kits like this. Navitas Naturals makes chocolate making a snap with easy instructions and all of the ingredients laid out as they should be. You can choose from a variety of kits that offer additions of the most important super foods into your chocolate. If I didn’t know better I would think the super foods were an excuse to eat more of the chocolate! These make great family gifts for friends that love chocolate. They are inexpensive, delicious, and offer a chance for some fun family friendly memories.

You can learn more about these Organic Chocolate Making Kits at the Navitas Naturals website.

Vosges Baking Mixes: When I received an email from Vosges and it included the moniker “Haute Chocolate,” I couldn’t help but laugh. That was because at the time, I was not very familiar with the company. I knew they offered chocolates and yummy eatables, but that was about it. The folks at Vosges offered to send us some baking mixes to see if they would make the cut for the guide. We received Vosges Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chunk Brownies, and Super Duper Sugar Cookies. All I can say is you HAVE to try these! Vosges definitely earned the haute chocolate label they use! Each box comes with all of the dry ingredients in the box. All ingredients are the top of the line and it shows in the final result. Make sure to read your boxes for all the instruction you need to make the perfect dessert. In order to make most of the mixes you will need things like water, oil, milk, unsalted butter, and/or vanilla depending on the mix. A card with detailed instructions comes with each mix, allowing even the most inexperienced baker a chance to shine in the kitchen this holiday!

Vosges mixes are perfect gifts for your favorite foodie. Alternately, if you like to give food oriented gifts that you’ve baked yourself you could pick up some Vosges mixes and make some cookies and brownies that will blow your mind. You can learn more about these amazing bake mixes at the Vosges website.

Fairytale Brownies:
Earlier in the year we reviewed Fairytale Brownies. They did not ask to be included in this gift guide, but they did submit their product for review and they were so good we felt we couldn’t leave them out here. You can choose between two flavors of Fairytale Cookies or a scrumptious selection of brownies. In a standard dozen you receive such flavors as Original, Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Cream Cheese, Espresso Nib, Mint Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pecan, Raspberry Swirl, Toffee Crunch, Walnut and White Chocolate. It’s been awhile since we indulged, but if memory serves correctly there was not one specific flavor that we didn’t like. We even went as far as to fight over a couple.

Okay, we’re not proud of it, but they were so good, we just couldn’t help ourselves. A standard dozen is around $40, but for the moist, melt-in-your-mouth brownies that you receive you won’t think twice about what you paid for them. They are worth the price you pay as they end up putting a smile on the face of everyone I have seen eat one. It’s no wonder the brand name is Fairytale Brownies – it’s hard to believe these are as good as they are. We even won a few brownie haters over when we tried them out last time!

You can learn more about these delish brownies at the Fairytale Brownies website or you can check out our Fairytale Brownies review!

Swiss Colony Products:
Swiss Colony is one of those brands that nearly everyone is familiar with. Chances are you’ve received their catalogs and have viewed their website. If you’re like me, despite all this advertising and the delicious appearing food, you’ve never tried them. Rectifying that was one of the best decisions that I made this whole holiday season. I’ve only had a chance to try two things from Swiss Colony so far, but I can say that they will not be the last things we try. We received the Reindeer Torte (ribbons upon ribbons of rich fudge creme and tender chocolate cake blanketed in milk chocolate) and some Incredible Spreadables with Crisps. In the case of the latter item, we received the $19.95 set that includes Mellow Cheddar and Herb Garden Cheese along with three flavors of crisps. I don’t recall asking for either item, but I have to say that the whole review team loved them! The items arrived just before lunch and we had to force ourselves to stop eating the crisps and cheese and start eating our lunch. On the plus side, the Reindeer Torte provided some excellent dessert and the combination of both items made some future customers out of us!

You can learn more about all of the delicious items for gifts (or to indulge on your own) at Swiss Colony. We will also be reviewing both items soon (look out for the links to come soon).

The Fresh Market Pumpkin Butter:
Rounding out our holiday guide this year is Pumpkin Butter from The Fresh Market. I was skeptical about this when we first received it, merely because of the presence of apricot in the butter. Dom loved TFM Pumpkin Butter more than any pumpkin item that we’ve had recently. I liked it, though I admit, I was not as in love with it. I felt that in many bites I got more apricot and less pumpkin. Ignoring the pumpkin name, the flavored butter is actually quite good. If you have a fan of jellies, jams, and flavored butters in your family, this will win them over. Each bottle is available for $5 and is well worth every penny.

To learn more about TheFreshMarket Pumpkin Butter or other great products in the lineup we recommend checking out The Fresh Market website.

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Yummy Food, Season’s Greetings, Season’s Eatings, Candy, Cookies, Chocolate, Gift Basket, The Fresh Market, Vosges, PopChips, Holidays

Colgate Kids
Whether your little ones like brushing their teeth regularly or not, Colgate Kids is going to get them excited about this two-three times per day chore. I am sure they had Colgate Kids when I was little, but I honestly don’t remember it. I wish I did though because the entire process is great for kids. From a variety of tantalizing flavors of toothpaste to fun character toothbrushes, including an electric Spongebob Squarepants toothbrush, Colgate Kids gets little ones into brushing so that the necessary habit isn’t such a chore. Colgate Kids is reasonably priced (on target with most brand names) and the flavors taste great. We highly recommend Colgate Kids if you have young children or if you’re just not fond of traditional toothpaste flavors and options.

Learn More about Colgate Kids

Dreambox Learning
Lil B had a tutor over the summer to prepare for his upcoming year of 1st grade. He needed some help with his numbers and with learning to read. In addition to his tutor time he got to try out Dreambox Learning. Dreambox is amazing because it works much like a game for children, but the entire time they are using it they are learning! Parents will love Dreambox because it’s as simple as signing up and making your account and that’s it. You can have your kids using it in no time. Parents can try the site and the games out so they know what to expect. Best of all, after the kids play parents will get progress reports to let them know what the kids did, what they learned, and what level they are on. If your kids don’t visit the site for a few days or you forget, Dreambox will even send you some reminders because the more your kids visit the site and play the various games, the more they will learn!

Learn More about Dreambox Learning

Lightning Bug Literacy Kit
Lil B also needed some work to help improve his reading skills. Like a lot of Kindergarten students he had the ability to read some words, but not enough to actually read at a basic level. Lightning Bug Literacy Kit was something that he could use with his dad (he loves learning with dad) and it provided an experience that was interactive enough to keep him fully immersed and interested. The Lightning Bug Literacy Kit includes a series of learning tools like DVDs, Reading Books, Workbooks, and some parent instructional materials to help your child in the event that they need some extra help. This Kit costs $100 and is worth every penny. Lil B enjoyed trying to read and being read to with the two books of stories and found the DVDs and other materials to be fun, but taught him many helpful reading tips in the process. If you have a little one with trouble reading this might just be the stepping stone they need to get them reading.

Learn More about the Lightning Bug Literacy Kit

Inspiration Software
As homeschooling parents we are always on the lookout for programs and software that can help us to develop the curriculum that we want our son to use. As he gets into the high school years, it is becoming harder to find the programs that are really beneficial to us. However, Inspiration Software offers many great options for people hoping to supplement their kids educational materials or to help develop a meatier plan for their homeschool platform, Inspiration Software can help you to do that and more. Students are able to build concept maps and other visual tools to help aid them in their learning. At $69 for a single license, we highly recommend this for parents that are teaching visual learners or that use the visual tools to help supplement the things they are teaching their kids.

Learn More about Inspiration Software

EasyLunchbox System
If you’re looking for an easy solution for an eco-friendly lunchbox, the Easy Lunchbox System is just what you need. This is a perfect system for kids lunch boxes or for anyone looking to save money by packing their lunch rather than buying it. You can choose from a selection of colors (we got a nice green bag) and inside the bag is four sectioned reusable containers for hot and cold foods. You can easily pop these in the microwave if necessary and you can wash them in the dishwasher. Of course, cleanup is a snap if you’re washing them in the sink. Like most plastic containers, it’s just a simple wash out with warm water and soap and you’re good to go. You can even put the containers in the freezer if you want to store something for later. You can purchase the Easy Lunchbox System for under $25 which includes the bag and containers. Considering the money you will save on packing lunches and on bags and other lunch items that are not reusable the cost is a price that is well worth it.

Learn More at Easy Lunchboxes!

We hope these suggestions help you and your kids have a more productive school year. More guides will be coming soon including guides for the holidays and other awesome goodies!

Technorati Tags: Back to School Items for Kids, Kids Lunch Boxes, Educational Software, Easy Lunchbox, Inspiration Software, Lightening Bug Literacy Kit, Mini-Guide, Kids, Back to School, Colgate Kids

Boogie Board Paperless Writing Tablet
The great thing about the Boogie Board Paperless Writing Tablet is that you can use it for a number of purposes and it takes up close to zero space. If you need to leave notes or reminders for yourself or your roommate the Boogie Board is a great solution and it cuts down on paper waste. The Boogie Board is inexpensive ($35 at Brookstone) and lasts for at least 50,000 deletes, which should be at least one school year if not many more. Just leave your messages or doodles and then when you’re done with them just click delete to clear your screen. This is perfect for dorm rooms, near the phone for messages, or for younger kids that like to draw and need something to occupy them.

Check out our complete review!

Learn More at Brookstone

Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Headphones
Every college student needs a good pair of headphones. By good I mean stereo quality. Even more than that, concert quality wouldn’t be a bad thing. Beats by Dre are headphones that will give new meaning to your music. You can use these on campus with your phone (you can answer calls with them, too), at your computer or with your stereo. Basically, if you have something that plays music and it has a headphone port, then you can use Beats by Dre. The sound is the most pure sound I have found in a headphone. Other things that will appeal to the college crowd include the comfort factor (you could easily wear these on campus all day with no problem) and the fashion aspect (the design is flashy as well as functional). Meanwhile, mom’s will like the fact that the sound quality is excellent at lower levels so the kids won’t have to go deaf to enjoy their headphones. Beats by Dre headphones are expensive (generally over or around $300), but they are worth every penny.

Check out our complete review!

Learn More at Brookstone

Rolling Office Organizer
If you have a big class load with plenty of books and a laptop you know how important a good bag is going to be for college. Brookstone’s Rolling Office Organizer is not only perfect for class it’s big enough that you could use it as a carry-on bag! There is a spot for your laptop and another large spot for books, clothes, or other necessities. Beyond that there are spots for school supplies, cell phones, wallets, and other smaller items. Just hit the button and the lever extends to allow you to roll your bag if it’s heavy. Of course, you can always carry it if you wish. In any case, this bag is well made, offers tons of space and is practically a necessity for any college student taking a full class load.

Learn More at Brookstone

Video Spy Pen
When we originally decided to look at this Video Spy Pen it was because I thought it would be great for people with disabilities. Having the chance to sit a pen on your desk and capture everything that your professor says offers some major benefits. We’ve played with it a few times and while we admit, the video can be hard to master (unless you’re truly spying) the audio is spot on and works perfectly for note taking, audio reminders, notes and other things you might need to catch on audio while you’re on the go. This alone makes it worth the $100 price tag at Brookstone. However, prior to being in class the thing that really caught my eye was the pen. It’s thick, comfortable to write with and it always writes. If you’re a sucker for an executive style pen you’ll love the Video Spy Pen!

Learn More at Brookstone

Aroma Home Cow Hot Socks & Monkey Hot Hug
When we were getting ready to move into our apartment I wanted to make sure that I had all the necessities, but I also wanted to make sure I had my own personal necessities. I am a huge comfort person. I can live just about anywhere (in any safe situation) as long as I have some comfy pajamas, some good lounge pants, and other basic essentials. So, when I learned about Aroma Home I was thrilled! Aroma Home offers some cuddly stuffed animals that warm up so you can snuggle and have them double as a heat pack! We got the monkey and I love him. He’s cute and keeps me perfectly warm and if I’m dealing with any back pain he helps get rid of it. The other product that we received from them was the Hot Socks. Fashioned in cow print, these socks include warmers that you can heat up to keep your feet toasty in the winter. Aroma Home offers some great products at fair prices that will fit great in any home, apartment, or dorm room.

Learn More at Aroma Home

Beehive – Black and White Demask Lamp
I am almost ashamed to admit it, but one of the things we almost forgot to buy when moving into our new apartment was a new lamp. Luckily for me, Beehive was there to offer me a lamp for this guide. While we use our lamp in our new bedroom, I feel it’s worth noting that Beehive offers plenty of other products that would work well in dorm rooms including pillows, picture frames, wall decorations, and yes, lamps, too. Beehive products are fairly priced and stylish enough to spruce up any small space. This alone makes them worth a look. All dorm rooms and apartments need lamps and other decorative furnishings and Beehive can certainly help with that.

Learn More at Beehive

Kangaroom Bathroom Caddy/Mesh Total Tote
While we are not in a dorm room, having an apartment bathroom can be a struggle whether you’re in college or not. I have to admit, the Kangaroom Bathroom Caddy looked somewhat small on the computer when I was looking at it. Well, looks apparently are deceiving. We have three extra large bottles in there now, along with smaller bottles of body wash, razors, and other toiletries. Kangaroom also offers other essential dorm gear ranging from things like pop up hampers to hanging media organizers for your keys, cell phones, and other goodies. If you’re looking for an inexpensive solution to keep your things in order Kangaroom is definitely a good option for you.

Learn More at Kangaroom Storage

Sylvania SuperSaver Light Bulbs
I have had the chance to review Sylvania light bulbs before, so naturally I was thrilled when they offered to send us some more for this dorm guide. They were nice enough to send some standard bulbs and some of the halogen bulbs that are newer to the market. These new Sylvania light bulbs use less energy, last longer, and are better for the environment. Naturally, our son is always trying to get us to buy them. We were skeptical at first because they can be a bit more expensive, but after using them I noticed that they last a considerable amount of time longer and end up being worth the money that you spend for them. These Sylvania light bulbs come in two packs and are available just about everywhere light bulbs are sold. Whether you are choosing to go the route of the halogen or you want to pick up the standard LEDs you should definitely consider Sylvania as they are some of the best available.

Learn More at Sylvania

Motorola Talkabout MR350R Two-Way Radios
With two of us living on campus and only one cell phone between us, a great way to stay in touch is with a pair of Motorola Talkabout Two-Way Radios. When we received the Motorola radios I was thrilled to learn that they are supposed to work as far as 35 miles apart. We tested these out and ours did not take us that far apart, but when I am in our apartment and Dom is on campus, a mile or two away, we can easily communicate. I took them as far as ten miles apart and found that we could communicate without a problem. Anything further did not work for us, but that could have been due to a number of factors. If you are living in a dorm and want to keep tabs on your roommate or easily stay in touch with friends these Motorola radios will definitely get the job done. If you’re worried about your cell phone costs this will also help cut down on them, as well. You can pick these Motorola Talkabout Radios up at stores like Amazon, where these retail for around $80, or other stores where Motorola products are sold. When you purchase these you receive two radios, a charging unit and any cords that are required for charging the unit. You can also get custom face plates to spruce your radios up to match your style!

Learn More at Motorola

Joy Mangano’s Huggable Hangers
The thing I love about Huggable Hangers is that they keep your clothes neat and clean on your hangers and they don’t slip! These hangers are soft and shaped the way they should be to ensure that your clothes will not be damaged and that they will stay in better shape. We received two sizes of Huggable Hangers and the only thing wrong with them is that I didn’t have enough to replace all my hangers! That being said, these are well worth the purchase whether you’re going to be living in a dorm room or you need them in any type of living situation. You can buy these hangers online in a number of places including Amazon.com. You can also find them at your local discount stores and on the television through the home shopping channels. At $20 for 20 hangers they are a bit more expensive than your traditional hangers but they will respect your clothes and help them to last longer. They will also rid you of that annoying slip that often occurs with other hangers.

Ionic Bulb
With allergies being what they are these days and so many air pathogens causing problems for so many people, things like the Ionic Bulb can be a true life saver. Dom has horrific allergies. He takes something for them, but even with the medication he has serious issues with dust, pollen, and especially smoke. So, I was excited to try the Ionic Bulb. You see, the Ionic Bulb removes these nasty things from the air while lighting your room in a soft, comfortable light. We’ve been using the Ionic Bulb for a couple of weeks now. According to the website, these bulbs also help save on your electric bill. We haven’t received one to see the difference, so we cannot make a claim on that. We can say that Dom has had less allergy issues since using the bulb though and that makes it well worth the $20 price tag for two bulbs.

Learn More at Ionic Bulb

Cirago Bluetooth 3.0 Adapter
If you’re a college student in this day and age you’re probably gadget obsessed. That’s okay, most of us are! That also probably means that you have at least a couple Bluetooth capable devices. Cirago is great because you can hook them up to your laptops or desktop computers and connect with all of your devices without going through the hassle of dealing with the wires or having everything in the same room. We never had any issues with range and when we had our adapter hooked up we found our devices and many others in the area, so finding your gadgets shouldn’t be a problem. At under $30 the Cirago Adapter does just what it you need it to do without problems.

Learn More at Cirago

Built Laptop Porter
When it comes to school, there is one thing that I never leave home without and that’s my laptop. Of course, until recently I did not have a bag that would be suitable to carry my laptop. After watching what happened to my brother’s I was pretty sure I needed to find one for school. The Built Laptop Porter is stylish, sleek and is a perfect fit for your laptop and any required cords that you would need. My laptop is a 16 inch and it fit snugly and provided a secure space for it when I wasn’t using it. Built offers a variety of laptop sleeves and bags suitable for laptops and netbooks of various sizes. Prices range, but are fair for what you receive. The only thing I would change about the Laptop Porter is to give it more space for other school items beyond the laptop. There is minimal space available, but not too much. Still, if you’re looking for something to keep your laptop safe the Built Laptop Porter is just what you’re looking for!

Learn More at Built NY

Technorati Tags: Dorm Essentials, Back to School, Mini-Guide, Bluetooth, Cirago, Huggable Hangers, Built Laptop Porter, Ionic Bulb, Sylvania Super Savers, Beats by Dre

photo credit: Bob B. Brown

We are hoping to reinvent our new living space and make our new apartment a trendy and livable home. To do this we are going to be working with a number of great companies that offer products for the home. We’re looking for more companies to work with too, so if you represent someone feel free to let us know! The event will take place in September, though posts will begin sooner than that. The event will include teaser posts, reviews, video, and so much more. Keep reading for you’re interested!

What We Will Be Doing for the Event:
-Teaser Posts: All companies we work with will receive a teaser post when we initially receive confirmation of their item or when we receive it after shipping
-Reviews: All items we receive will receive a review (with pictures)
-Videos: We will be filming each room as we move in and then again once it has been decorated. We will be showing off all items that we have received and offering video demonstrations for cooking and cleaning products.
-Buying Guide: All items will be placed in a Home Buyers Guide which will be posted in late September
-Advertising Opportunities: We will be offering free or reduced advertising to the companies offering larger ticket items. Options include sponsor banner spots, text link ads, and series review posts.

Note: Sponsoring an item only requires a company to provide the item free of charge. No money will be changing hands for this event.

If it goes into a home we are hoping to feature it. We are especially interested in furniture, kitchen items, small appliances, bedding, and decor for a teen boy’s bedroom. Of course, we will consider anything you want to share with us.

Companies currently Included/Being Featured:
-FLOR
-Keurig
-Mr. Clean
-Febreze
-Swiffer
-Cisco (Hot Spot)
-Flip
-Izola Shower Curtains
-TJ Maxx
-VTech

If you have a product you’d like to see featured please visit our Press Page or our Contact Page to let us know and get more information!

Technorati Tags: Moving Event, Home Decor, Small Appliances, Special Event, Reviews, Teasers, Videos, College, Apartment, Home Buying Guide

Food & Cooking

Grillery – Hand-Built Wood Fire Grills
Words cannot describe how cool these custom built grills really are. They are absolutely beautiful. I hasten to say any grill is magical, but if one could be, it would be a Grillery grill. If you can afford it, you should definitely forgo visiting Home Depot and have a grill built for you here instead. One of the most important spots of the summer is the grill/backyard/patio, so don’t discount this area of your outdoor entertainment arsenal. This is miles above the little charcoal briskets or boring propane that fuel your neighbor’s grill. This is a top of the line, wood burning Temple of Barbecuing Bliss. Grillery grills will cost you a couple thousand at least, but they are a perfect solution for a grill that will last a lifetime for serious grillers.
Learn more about these amazing grills at the Grillery Website.

Smiley Cookies
Smiley Cookies make for an awesome, sweet end to a fun, family picnic. Mail order cookies can be hit or miss, especially if you have a baker in your family. It’s going to be hard to find a cookie better than what you can get in your own kitchen. I won’t go as far as saying that Smiley Cookies are better than any soft cookie that comes fresh out of the oven, but I will say that these all-natural, sugar cookies are buttery, sweet without being too sweet, and they have the first icing top I’ve found in a mail order sense that didn’t taste like dried paste. We received the pirate cookies for review a while back and I had to mention them here because they were a hit with the whole family. In hindsight, I almost wish we had picked the chocolate Smiley Cookies, but the pirate in the family loved these and wouldn’t have had it any other way!
Stop by Smiley Cookies for additional information.

Cabot – Clothbound Cheddar
I love cheese. Scratch that. If there was a food I could worship beyond dark chocolate and all other foods, it would be cheese – more specifically, cheddar cheese. I have been buying Cabot at the local Sam’s in a large brick for quite a while now. It’s a sharp cheddar brick. So, you can imagine my excitement when Cabot contacted me about trying the Clothbound cheddar they have available for inclusion in this guide. Cabot’s Clothbound cheddar is aged for ten months and goes perfect on burgers or in any kind of relish tray, with crackers or on a fruit plate. It doesn’t matter how you serve it. The point is, if you’re a cheese fan this is a must have cheese! Clothbound cheddar comes out of the cave after ten months and is sliced in one pound wedges by hand! You can purchase this on Cabot’s website for $21.99 per wedge and it’s worth every single penny.
Visit Cabot’s website to learn more about their Clothbound Cheddar

Fox Fire Farms Products
I am extremely interested in grass fed meats and organic foods. The problem I have with most brands is a problem that many people have; I can’t always afford them. So, it’s usually a pretty big treat when we’re sent these types of food for review. Fox Fire Farms offers a variety of products including grass fed meats and soy free eggs. We were sent a selection of meats to try out. Included in the bunch were a few cuts of lamb, a Porterhouse steak and some other beef, and a pork chop and some other pork options. The Porterhouse was a huge 2 lb. steak that fed three of us. It was thick, juicy, and tasted phenomenal on the grill. Every flavor burst in my mouth. If you have ever questioned whether eating organic/grass fed was worth it, give Fox Fire Farms a try. So often, food bought in the grocery store lacks real taste. Fox Fire Farms will be a shocking, delicious surprise for you if this is where you normally purchase your meat. Fox Fire offers big servings, fair prices, and delicious meat that is good for the whole family.
Visit Fox Fire Farms for additional information

Traverse Bay Fruit Salsa (Raspberry & Peach)
I will openly confess that fruit salsa kind of scares me a little bit. I don’t know what it is, but I have always avoided the fruit salsa and stuck with tomato. Perhaps I am just traditional that way. In any case, when Traverse Bay offered us some jars of fruit salsa to try, I accepted knowing that Dominick would want to try them. They are long gone now (they were gone within a few days after receiving them), but he is still raving about them. Of the two, the peach was mild and the raspberry was much hotter. So, if you’re mindful of the heat you might want to stick to peach, but if you love the burn, check out the raspberry. Of course, Traverse Bay has several other flavors of salsa. In any case, these salsas are great to spice up your chicken, to eat with chips, and certainly to enchant your guests at any picnic or barbecue.
For more information visit Traverse Bay Farms

Glass Dharma Drinking Straws (glass straws)
If being green is your thing you need to check out Glass Dharma. As you already know, straws are made from plastic. In most cases, the average straw is made from plastic that is not able to be recycled. Glass Dharma offers a selection of glass straws in different sizes, some of which are trendy enough to be designed as you can see above, rather than the simple plain options they also carry. The straws come in four main sizes. They range from small and short to big enough for a smoothie. Glass Dharma even offers a curved straw that has a slight resemblance to a bendy straw, although it’s obviously more eco-friendly. The biggest pain here involves having to clean them after each use. Of course, when you consider all you’re doing for the environment, cleaning these seems like a pretty small thing. When you purchase the straws just remember to pick up some cleaning brushes. These are perfect for home use and great for on the go, as well. They are also fairly reasonably priced considering they should last for years.
Visit the Glass Dharma website for additional information

Health Products

SKN Beverly Hills Skin Products (Milk Cleanser, Pore Vacuum Wash, Beach House)
This one is a no-brainer, but it’s not just for summer! If you have any issues with your skin, SKN is going to be the best choice for you that can be found over the counter. My face never felt cleaner than when I used SKN’s milk cleanser. Within days I was getting that smooth, soft feeling that everyone wants for their skin. The Pore Vacuum Wash is an absolute must have for teenagers or people that experience skin breakouts. This stuff is no nonsense and a little bit goes a long way, so it’s more than worth the money that you will pay for it. I’ve reviewed my fair share of skin care products in my day, and with sensitive skin, I often end up with pink, rashy skin or just feel like the products are too expensive for what they offer. SKN charges on average, about $25 for the cleansers and after washing my face twice a day for a few days, my completion was clear and I hardly ever need to use the Pore Vacuum Wash, which ensures that it just lasts longer. Beach House is another fabulous product. This scrub smells fabulous and it contains sand which has a major purpose beyond the summery feel that it offers. You can use it on your body and face to exfoliate and to make your skin shiny, looking great, and smelling scrumptious. If you’re in need of skin care products do yourself a favor and seek out SKN. You won’t be sorry!
Visit the SKN website to learn about their other great products.

Omnibalm Daily Foot Therapy
Omnibalm foot therapy is a cream, lotion that is used to cure dry, chapped, or cracked skin and to keep your feet healthy and feeling like new. The thing that allows Omnibalm to stand out is the tea tree oil which is used. I decided to use this on Dominick, because he has lots of issues with cracked skin and roughness. I was excited about trying this out on him because I knew that tea tree would probably be the best thing to help his skin issues. Sure enough, Omnibalm managed to smooth his skin to the point where it’s worlds apart from where it once was. At $13.99 I was prepared to not recommend this before I actually tried it, but after using it once I knew that it was worth every penny. All you need is a little dime sized dab and it covers the whole foot and leaves it soft. It also helps to heal any fungus or other foot issue you may have. If you spend a lot of time at the beach, foot cream like this is going to be important because the outdoor activity will eventually wear on your feet (especially if you have sensitive skin) and leave them dry and brittle. Omnibalm will make sure that your feet are taken care of all year long and based on the size of the tube you shouldn’t need more than one or two per year, which makes it a fabulous deal for all that it does.
Visit the Omnibalm Website

Freedom to Travel Audio Series
It’s shocking to think of the number of people that don’t travel because they have health issues or potential health issues and they do not know a foreign language. Granted, I cannot blame them for considering these issues and understanding how the language barrier could have devastating effects for someone that is traveling to a distant land, but still it’s sad to think that potential health problems have to hold people back any more than usual. The Freedom 2 Travel audio series seeks to change all that though. Available as an e-book or through Apple for your iPod, Freedom 2 Travel is available in ten languages and gives you all of the key phrases that you might need concerning food allergies, health problems, or medical concerns. The Freedom 2 Travel series includes French, Japanese, Greek, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, German, and Italian. They also have two series sets that include three languages for people that plan to visit multiple countries. Each language comes to $19.99 and is worth it when you consider the security that it will offer the traveler with disabilities or health concerns.
Visit the Freedom to Travel Website

Colgate Wisp Plus Whitening
Colgate Wisps are disposable, waterless tooth brushes that you use once and toss. They are probably the only thing on this Summer Buying Guide that I have a love/hate relationship with. The best thing about Colgate Wisps is that they offer you a chance to brush your teeth anywhere. So, if you go on that lunch date and end up indulging in pasta with extra garlic or some onion pizza you can just excuse yourself to the bathroom and you’ll be smelling right as rain in no time. If you have kids that don’t like to brush their teeth these are a great way to get them to do it. Wisps are small enough to fit in your purse or in your pocket but they are effective enough to remove bad breath and whiten your teeth on the go. The reason I am not overly fond of them is that they are disposable. For every one that you use it’s one you’re throwing away. If you’re using them frequently that can equal a lot of additional trash. I recommend having some of these on hand, but not using them regularly for this purpose. Use them sparingly when it’s clear that you need them. Otherwise, do the environment a favor and stick to old and reliable plastic brushes instead.

Lady Speed Stick Stainguard
Ask any woman what she hates about deodorant and she’s likely to tell you that she hates the white stains that form on her clothing. I’ve tried my share of deodorant that claims to be invisible or to remove the white powder residue, but in the end, I always notice something still there. Lady Speed Stick with Stain Guard is the only deodorant that I have found to remove this issue. No matter what you wear this summer you won’t have to worry about sweat, odor, or white marks if you’re using Speed Stick. They sent us both the Lady and the Men’s Speed Stick and while I was partial to the smell of the Men’s (I’m a sucker for that manly scent) I was thrilled with how both worked. So, if you’re having deodorant issues you might want to consider Speed Stick. It works like a charm and it smells pretty okay, too.

Joe Grooming (Men’s Skincare Line)
This product is specifically for the men! Most men avoid things like moisturizers for fear of using something too girly for them. Of course, this doesn’t mean they don’t need these things, it just means they don’t use them. Well, if that’s the case in your home…enter Joe Grooming products. Packaged in clear, non-assuming bottles, Joe Grooming offers hair and body wash, moisturizer, scrub, and shaving cream. Each product smells fabulous and I didn’t hear any complaints about their quality. The men in the house ended up soft, smooth, and well groomed and no one was the wiser that they were using moisturizer the whole time. Joe Grooming has a whole line of products for men in need of a style pick me up. If you’re looking for something specific to fix those body or facial woes, you might want to check them out. Depending on the product, they can be pricey, but from all I have seen, they are worth it.
Visit Joe Grooming to learn more.

White Bamboo Exfoliator by Scientific
A good exfoliator should be part of everyone’s skin care regimen no matter what season it is. The product directions state that you should use White Bamboo Exfoliator twice a week in the shower. While I sometimes use it in the shower, it works just fine using warm water when out of the shower. It’s important to use warm water during application because warm water opens your pores. WBE contains bamboo crystals that help to create new, fresh skin. If you’re looking for something to help with deep cleaning that will also get rid of all of your dead skin then White Bamboo Exfoliator is definitely for you. You notice results almost immediately and you continue to see them in soft, smooth skin.
Visit Scientific’s website for more information on this and other products

UnderWAY Appetite Suppressant Drink
I am a skeptic and a snacker, so when anyone offers me any diet, appetite suppressant type of product to review I am compelled to review the products. Anything that stops my innate need to snack (I could skip meals most days and just keep snacking) is a must have product in my book. Unfortunately, most diet products, especially the drinks, taste horrible. Sure, I need to lose some weight but the idea of drinking sludge hardly appeals to me. So, I am delighted to tell you that UnderWAY tastes good enough that you will want to drink it just because it tastes good. It might not be perfect, but for the type of product it is I have not found one that tastes better. As for how well it suppresses appetite, it does a pretty good job. I didn’t stop eating altogether, but my cravings were minimized and I was able to eat more sensible choices. I also avoided snacking if I had one of these drinks in the middle of meals. UnderWAY comes in a small variety of flavors including grape (which was my favorite), green tea, and a pomegranate mix.
Visit the underway website

Smart for Life Cookies
When I received UnderWAY I also received Smart for Life cookies. I like to think of Smart for Life Cookies as Slim Fast’s brother. They are meal replacement cookies. You eat one every few hours and then at dinnertime you have a sensible meal. I am listing them because of the taste only. If you’re looking for a low calorie snack that offers plenty of fiber Smart for Life has numerous cookies to choose from. I cannot recommend them (or not recommend them) based on the weight loss claims because I was sent one package of cookies, which is about a 1-2 day supply. It’s not enough to spark a loss of weight, so I can’t tell you how well they work. Common sense tells me if you eat the cookies and some skinless chicken with a salad for sinner then you will lose some weight. Of course, if you know that then you probably don’t need these cookies, you just need to keep your hand out of the regular cookie jar. These cookies, if taken on the cookie diet plan, can be somewhat expensive. I recommend using them as a healthy snack, if you’re going to buy them, and look to a more surefire method if you’re hoping to lose weight. Still, the taste is decent if you’re in need of a healthy snack so that makes them worth a mention.
Visit Smart for Life for more information.

Anywhere Comfort
Memory foam products have been known to help a sore neck or back improve. However, memory foam and related products are generally found on mattresses, bedding, and pillows. Now there is Anywhere Comfort. Knowing that you can take these cushions anywhere or use them on standard chairs or when driving ensures that if you’re in pain you will not be dealing with as much of it. You can use these anywhere thanks to the convenient straps that hold the cushions in place. The straps are adjustable to make sure that it fits to a variety of chairs or can be removed altogether if necessary. The strength and quality of the memory foam allows the pressure to leave your arms, back, or other problem areas. One of the nicest things about Anywhere Comfort is the feeling against the skin. The outside material is quite soft, so it feels great and doesn’t rub anything the wrong way. You can roll these up for easy carrying or storage in between uses. There is only one part of Anywhere Comfort that I disagree with partially and that is that it is perfect for using on wheelchairs. We did try this on Dominick’s wheelchair (the back product) and it does fit. However, depending on the disability that creates the need for a wheelchair this might not be the best fit. The Anywhere Comfort products can be a little bulky for premium wheelchair positioning. If you are in a wheelchair you will want to tread lightly here because while they will be good for some wheelchair users, they will not be suitable for all users.
Visit the Comfort Ideas website for more information on their products.

Family Goods

Sunnygram
Sunnygram is not so much a product as it is an amazing service. In the digital age, the elderly are often left out. In a world of Facebook and email grandma and grandpa sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Sunnygram seeks to fix all that though. Sunnygram is a newsletter that is sent to family and friends that do not use computers. The family gathers all the letters and information that they want to put in the newsletter and whatever digital photos they would like added to a specific email. This information is compiled into a newsletter and is sent via postal mail to your loved ones. The best news of all is that your first month is free, which gives you a chance to give it a shot with no obligations. After that the subscription is just $12.99 per month. You can continue to send your newsletters on a regular basis and your family will treasure them, especially if you weren’t sending letters before. This is great for vacations, holidays, and other times of the year when you want to show family what you’re up to and that you’re thinking of them.
Learn more about this great service by visiting Sunnygram!

Fashion/Beauty

Belly Armor
While I don’t have any experience personally using the Belly Armor products, the fact that they protect pregnant mothers from undue radiation just plain rocks. I know too many women that hide from the sun due to the thought of too much radiation, but Belly Armor makes sure that expectant moms can have a good time in the sun and not have to worry about things like that. If you’re out in the sun, the best product would be the Belly tee. Of course, Belly Armor protects from all kinds of radiation, not just the kind you’d experience out in the sun. The Belly Blankets are awesomely adorable and they come in two styles; chic and luxe. Assuming I was pregnant I might have to buy both because they both look comfortable. If you have any questions about the ability to remove radiation, Belly Armor recommends you do the cell phone test. Take one of the blankets or tees and wrap your cell in the Belly Armor. Check your signal before putting it in, because within 30 seconds it will either be going down or it will be completely gone! Belly Armor products start at around $59 and go up to $109. If you find that you can’t afford that, throw an early baby shower and hint that you want this. After all, it’s for the baby as much as it is your own health and comfort!
Visit the Belly Armor website for more information

Beautisol BeautiKit: Dark Tanning Summer Glow
I am sure that I am not the only person in the world that shies away from tanning these days. Still, being pasty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. So your choices end up being risk skin cancer, stay pasty, or use a self-tanner. Unfortunately, most self-tanners end up making you orange and have this weird odor that smells like oily, plastic funk. So yeah, that is not a very attractive option. Even the cheapest self-tanner can run you at least $10 and if those are the results you get, why would anyone want to try something more expensive? I know it is those kinds of results that kept me away from the more expensive brands. Still, deep down there is a girl inside me that wants to be tan. Beautisol gives you the deep summer glow that you want without the hassles and without that plastic smelling funk. Smell Right technology ensures that you don’t have any funny odor from your new tan. The Kit includes Summer Glow, Go Slough Yourself (its exfoliator and its best that you use this before tanning), the instructional DVD and two pairs of gloves. It comes to $55, which is not a bad deal considering if you purchase everything separately, the tanner alone will run you $40. Always wear your gloves when you apply Beautisol and if you need help make sure to enlist a friend to do your back. This is a great deal that gives you a beautiful summery look without any guilt!
Learn more about BeautiKits at the Beautisol website

UV Skinz
UV Skinz is a business that offers clothing and sun protection accessories that block 98% of the UV rays from the sun. If you’re out in the sun a lot, which many people are in the summer, the threat of skin cancer is incredibly real. However, that doesn’t mean anyone should have to hole up inside, all summer long. UV Skinz tends to have the feel of a swimsuit, but the UV blockers in them make them on of the most important clothing options for the summer. You can find clothing for the whole family with prices that are comparable to regular clothes that offer no protection.
Visit the UV Skinz website

Mai Couture Face Papiers
Words cannot describe how much I love Mai Couture. Face papiers sound so pretentious, but they are something that every girl needs to own. Mai Couture takes the average papers to the extreme by adding little touches that make the product just seem so much more necessary than the other brands. For starters, the bronzing papers offer a shimmery shine that looks great any time of year. It reminds me of that sunkissed look. When you add the blush it looks simply magnificent. One of my favorite things about Mai Couture is the little leather case that the makeup comes in. The small case with the gold snap fits your face papiers like a glove and it fits into even the smallest purse. These are perfect for the girl on the go that doesn’t want to look like she’s been gone all day. They also make the whole process of putting on makeup quick and easy, which any girl can appreciate. Mai Couture charges $33 for the bronzing papiers and $28 for the blush papiers. If you do not have a lot of money in your budget to buy makeup, save up for these when you can. At least you will look good while they last!
Visit the Mai Couture website for additional information

Premium Liqour

Dulce Vida Tequila
I am not a big tequila drinker. I occasionally give the blancos a try, but for the most part it has never been my drink of choice. Dulce Vida might just be the exception to this rule. Dulce Vida is 100% tequila. There are no fillers here. Making the tequila includes an aging process in Maker’s Mark or Jim Beam used Oak whiskey barrels. This gives Dulce Vida a slight woodsy edge and it removes a lot of the bite that makes other tequilas hard to swallow. With the high proof (100 proof, since it’s all straight tequila) you can expect the smell of alcohol to surround you as the bottle opens. Dulce Vida is going to set the average margarita apart and it will be sure to spruce up any girl’s night out or adult summer party. Currently, Dulce Vida is not available nationally. You can find it at select bars in Austin, TX and plans are in the works to expand to California and other Texas locations. You can purchase it online at Specs for between $45 and $60 per bottle.
Check out the Dulce Vida website for news and information about their tequilas

Bluecoat American Dry Gin
Bluecoat is special for a number of reasons. The most obvious is the trendy blue bottle causes people to notice it and the taste is anything but traditional gin. When it comes to the bottle, I am happy to say that it will actually have some use when the gin is gone (I can’t bear the thought of tossing the bottle) and that it has a more unique flavor than any other gin that I’ve tasted. Bluecoat is distilled in Philadelphia and offers inviting hints of mint, lemon, and juniper with every drink. Bluecoat is 94 proof and it’s distilled a whopping five times in a custom copper pot. This ensures the strong proof and the equally strong flavors. You can learn more at the Bluecoat Gin website. Bottles sell for around $30 and will be sure to be a hit with gin lovers.
Visit the Bluecoat website for more information!

Vieux Carre Absinthe
If you believe the hype, Absinthe might be a scary, yet intriguing beverage. It’s fun to serve at parties because at least one person will bring up the fact that it has been banned and that it has hallucinatory abilities. This was our first time trying Absinthe of any kind and based on all we have heard I am extremely glad that we started here. Vieux Carre offers a strong aroma and an herbal flavor that makes it particularly cocktail friendly. If you’re a traditionalist you will be mixing it with some water and a sugar cube, but there are many other options. One of my favorites is listed below. Vieux Carre is distilled by the same company that makes Bluecoat, so it’s no surprise that it’s as good as it is. What is surprising is the low price. At $60 a bottle, this New Orleans French Quarter inspired Absinthe belongs in everyone’s liquor cabinet. For those that wish to stray from the norm, consider trying the recipe below or visiting the Cocktail section of the Vieux Carre website.

Bloody Sunday
3 oz. Tomato Juice
1 tsp. Horseradish
¼ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
3-4 Dashes Tobasco Sauce (or to taste)
½ oz. Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tsp. Kosher Salt (or to taste)
1 Tsp. Black Pepper (or to taste)
½ oz. Vieux Carré Absinthe
3 Pickled Green Beans, for garnish
In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine all ingredients (other than the green beans). Stir, combining everything and making sure all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout glass. Strain mixture into a highball glass filled with ice, and garnish with the green beans dropped in the glass.

Visit the Vieux Carre website for more information and recipes.

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