Must Have Bluetooth Speaker: DECK by SOL REPUBLIC

  If there’s one thing that brings everyone in our house together, it’s music.  Whether we’re just hanging out listening to our favorite songs, or having an all-out family sing-along, music seems to play a huge role in almost everything we do as a family and honestly…I don't think we’d have it any other way.  Since music is so much a part of our everyday lives, we always keep an eye out for products that make the music we love, that much more enjoyable and that’s exactly the case with one of our newest, but already favorite, brands…SOL REPUBLIC!

If you’re familiar with SOL REPUBLIC, then you already know how awesome they are (they really are pretty kickass) and if you haven’t had the pleasure of trying out one of the many SOL REPUBLIC products, then I can’t wait to tell you why you have to check them out!

About SOL REPUBLIC
Founded in 2011, SOL REPUBLIC is a global consumer electronics company dedicated to enhancing people’s lives through better-sounding headphones and accessories.  We are music fanatics who develop products from the ground up to make headphones that look, sound and feel unlike anything else in the market. 

I’m just going to go ahead and vouch for the fact that their headphones and accessories, are definitely some of (if not the) best I’ve used.  We recently had the chance to check out what I like to call, my little secret music weapon, but what’s more commonly referred to as DECK.  “Deck is the only wireless speaker featuring 360° Full Sound, Super-Power Wireless Range and Heist Mode™, allowing up to 5 friends to pair at the same time and take turns controlling the music.”  To say that DECK is cool, is probably the biggest understatement in history, because it’s freakin’ awesome times 100, but before I let you judge all of that for yourself, let me tell you a little more about this small, but crazy powerful speaker that will turn your love of music, into an experience you won’t soon forget!  

Features of DECK

360° Full Sound:  Seriously, even with the volume turned down, your music fills the room (and with it turned up, it fills the whole house), DECK is the perfect accessory for every outdoor BBQ and party you’ll ever need/want to have thanks to Outdoor Boost, as a matter of fact, you’ll look for reasons to have a BBQ just so you can show this off to your friends/family…bet!

Super Power Wireless:  Up to 3x the standard wireless range, so you can connect your device from further away than before, this is especially perfect for lazy teenagers. 

Speakerphone:  DECK allows you to make all of your calls hands-free by moonlighting as the coolest speakerphone ever! 

NFC/Bluetooth Pairing:  Connect your devices with ease via NFC or Bluetooth. 

Battery Life:  Up to 10 hours of play time on a single charge means no electric

Stereo-Out:  Connect DECK to any sound system (or daisy chain DECKS together for an unparalleled wall of sound) using the Stereo-Out jack.  You can even connect old schools phones and music players with the Stereo-In jack so that you can use DECK no matter how not smart your phone is…you can even connect DECK to your car stereo…now that my friends is pretty stinkin’ cool!  

Heist Mode:  Undoubtedly the coolest feature of DECK!  Up to 5 people can can pair (or connect) their devices to DECK at once and take turns controlling the music and playing DJ! 

I definitely believe that seeing is believing so I made a little video of  DECK in action…check it out!

Is that not the coolest Bluetooth speaker ever?  Honestly, I’m kind of in love with it, for someone who loves music as much as I do, DECK is just a must-have item!  If you’re into music and you’re in the market for a kickass wireless Bluetooth speaker for your devices…I highly encourage you to check out DECK by SOL REPUBLIC, I promise you, you will NOT be disappointed! 

Disclosure:  I received DECK by SOL REPUBLIC to review…all opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced by any outside source!  Honestly, I would have ended up buying DECK for myself anyway and told y’all all about it, because it seriously is just that damn cool!

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Lil Man’s Cover of When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars…Too Cute!

I had actually planned a rather heavy, very emotional post for today, but decided at the last minute that I couldn’t publish it just yet—still a little too soon.  So instead I decided to share with you my one and only son serenading his mommy with his rendition of When I was Your Man by Bruno Mars.  I can't honestly say that I ever wanted to have a son, until my I laid eyes on my Lil Man, I can't imagine my life without this boy in it, he's everything I ever expected a perfect son to be and man do I love this little boy!

I’m not sure if he realizes or not at such a young age, but he truly has my heart, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect son for me than my Lil Man…he’s always gonna make this momma proud!

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Kidz Bop Halloween Hits {Win It!}

We're entering into my favorite season…Fall!  In addition to the gorgeous changing of the leaves in Southern Ohio and the fall carnivals and fairs that occupy so much of this month and next, I can’t wait for my favorite holiday…Halloween!



Ever since I was a little girl I’ve loved Halloween; I’m not sure if it was the telltale winter chill in the air or the costumes and scary stories that made me love it so much (alright, it may have had something to do with the candy), but Halloween has always been the best day of the year as far as I’m concerned.

Once I became an adult enjoying Halloween seemed to be harder and harder, until I became a mom.  What’s better than getting to relive your childhood?  Reliving your childhood and being able to eat all of the candy you want without doing much work (you know, because moms and dads are the candy inspectors)—oh stop, I know I’m not the only one.  If there’s one childhood memory that I can still enjoy guilt free it’s listening to my favorite Halloween classics—enter Kidz Bop Halloween Hits!
If you’re a fan of Kidz Bop then you’ll love their new Halloween Hits edition.  With songs like Thriller and Monster Mash, you’ll be able to relive your childhood while giving your own child a taste of Halloweens past—it’s totally a win-win!

Kidz Bop Halloween Hits Track List



We received Kidz Bop Halloween Hits to review and it was an instant hit with all of my kiddos from the oldest to youngest and I must admit, some of the songs (The Addams Family comes to mind) are totally catchy!  If you’re looking for a CD to help get you into the Halloween spirit and have a little fun…Kidz Bop Halloween Hits is the one!

Want to pick up a copy of Kidz Bop Halloween Hits?  Find out how via the Kidz Bop website. 

Good news fellow Halloween lovers—3 Misadventures in Baby Raising readers are going to win a Kidz Bop Halloween Hits CD!  Check out the official rules and enter the giveaway below via the Rafflecopter widget.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Disclosure:  I received the product mentioned above to facilitate to review…all opinions are 100% my own!

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Nickelodeon’s 25th Annual Kids Choice Awards Nominees!

If there was one television show that my children look forward to all year long, it’s the Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards!

If I’m being honest, I’d have to admit that I don’t mind watching it, oh who am I kidding, I love watching the awards show as much as they do—hey, the performances rock!  So, as you probably already guessed we are super psyched about the upcoming Nickelodeon’s 25^th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards!  and I’m super excited to tell you that the nominations are out for the Nickelodeon’s 25^th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards—did your kiddo’s favorite band or actress get nominated?  Find out below!

Nickelodeon announced today the nominees for the milestone 25^th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards, helmed by international superstar Will Smith and airing live from USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 31, at 8 p.m. (ET/tape delayed for West Coast).  A star-studded line-up will be vying for the coveted Kids’ Choice Blimps at this year’s show, as kids honor their favorites spanning the worlds of film, music, TV and sports, including Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas, Justin Bieber, Big Time Rush, Jack Black, Ty Burrell, Jim Carrey, Miranda Cosgrove, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Victoria Justice, Bruno Mars, Taylor Lautner, Danica Patrick, Katy Perry, Michael Phelps, Daniel Radcliffe, Adam Sandler and Kristen Stewart. Beginning March 1, kids will be able to cast their votes in 20 total categories across all of Nickelodeon’s digital outlets, including Nick.com, Nick Mobile app as well as Nickelodeon’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Wizards, Smurfs and a martial arts panda dominated the movie categories, with the Harry Potter franchise conjuring up top nods with four nominations for Favorite Movie, Favorite Book (the Harry Potter series), Daniel Radcliffe for Favorite Movie Actor and Emma Watson for Favorite Movie Actress.   The Smurfs nabbed three nominations, including Favorite Movie, Sofia Vergara for Favorite Movie Actress and Katy Perry for Favorite Voice in an Animated Movie.  The mega-hit Kung Fu Panda franchise ate up nominations for Favorite Movie, Favorite Cartoon and Jack Black for Favorite Voice in an Animated Movie.

This year’s dual nods include The Muppets for Favorite Movie and Amy Adams for Favorite Movie Actress and the Twilight franchise for Favorite Book (the Twilight series) and Kristen Stewart for Favorite Movie Actress.  In the music categories, international superstars LMFAO, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift go head-to-head all receiving two nods for Favorite Group/Female Singer and Favorite Song.

In television, the stars of Nickelodeon’s hit comedy iCarly - Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress and Jerry Trainor - duke it out as they dominate the Funniest TV Sidekick category.  Additionally, American Idol grabs its eighth nomination for Favorite Reality Show up against returning contenders, America’s Funniest Home Videos, America’s Got Talent and Wipeout.

The complete list of nominees for Nickelodeon’s 25^th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards is as follows:

TELEVISION

Favorite TV Show

• Good Luck Charlie
• iCarly
• Victorious
• Wizards of Waverly Place

 

Favorite Reality Show

• American Idol
• America’s Funniest Home Videos
• America’s Got Talent
• Wipeout

 

Favorite TV Actor

• Tim Allen
• Ty Burrell
• Alex Heartman
• Jake Short

 

Favorite TV Actress

• Miranda Cosgrove
• Selena Gomez
• Victoria Justice
• Bridgit Mendler

 

Funniest TV Sidekick

• Nathan Kress
• Jennette McCurdy
• Jennifer Stone
• Jerry Trainor

 

Favorite Cartoon

• Kung Fu Panda
• Phineas & Ferb
• Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated
• SpongeBob SquarePants

 

SPORTS

Favorite Male Athlete

• Derek Jeter
• Michael Phelps
• Tim Tebow
• Shaun White

 

Favorite Female Athlete

• Kelly Clark
• Danica Patrick
• Serena Williams
• Venus Williams

 

FILM

Favorite Movie

• Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
• The Muppets
• The Smurfs

 

Favorite Movie Actor

• Jim Carrey (Mr. Popper’s Penguins)
• Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)
• Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2)
• Adam Sandler (Jack & Jill)

 

Favorite Movie Actress

• Amy Adams (The Muppets)
• Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1)
• Sofia Vergara (The Smurfs)
• Emma Watson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2)

 

Favorite Animated Movie

• Cars 2
• Kung Fu Panda 2
• Puss in Boots
• Rio

 

Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie

• Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots)
• Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda 2)
• Johnny Depp (Rango)
• Katy Perry (The Smurfs)

 

MUSIC

Favorite Music Group

• Big Time Rush
• Black Eyed Peas
• Lady Antebellum
• LMFAO

 

Favorite Male Singer

• Justin Bieber
• Toby Keith
• Bruno Mars
• Usher

 

Favorite Female Singer

• Lady Gaga
• Selena Gomez
• Katy Perry
• Taylor Swift

 

Favorite Song

• Born this Way (by Lady Gaga)
• Firework (by Katy Perry)
• Party Rock Anthem (by LMFAO)
• Sparks Fly (by Taylor Swift)

 

OTHER CATEGORIES

Favorite Book

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
• Harry Potter series
• Hunger Games series
• Twilight series

 

Favorite Videogame

• Just Dance 3
• Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
• Mario Kart 7
• Super Mario Galaxy

 

Favorite Buttkicker

• Jessica Alba
• Tom Cruise
• Kelly Kelly
• Taylor Lautner

 

In addition to Nick.com, fans can vote for their favorite stars beginning Mar. 1 using a Facebook application that will live on the Nickelodeon Facebook page. Users will be able to vote from a tab on the page and, for the first time ever, the entire voting experience can be embedded directly into Facebook wall posts.  Also new this year, fans will be able to vote for their favorite nominees on Twitter through the use of custom hash tags.

This year, kids not only pick the winners, but they get to help host Will Smith pull off the greatest slime event in KCA history.  Through a brand-new iPad, iPhone and iPod app, and the KCA website, kids need to find slime hidden throughout the photo galleries, news, and videos.  If kids collect enough slime, Will Smith will pull off the biggest slime event ever in this year’s show.  Aided by weekly mission videos featuring Jennette McCurdy, Jerry Trainor, and Nathan Kress, kids will have the chance to earn digital rewards and move up the slime operative ranks. 

Leading up to the show, the apps and website will also feature daily KCA news, video updates, photo galleries and videos from past KCAs, behind the scenes video of this year’s preparations, and dedicated information pages on the host and nominees.  In addition, the entire Orange Carpet pre-show will be streamed live through the apps and website, followed by a live backstage companion stream during the main show.

Don’t miss the Nickelodeon’s 25^th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards Show Airs LIVE on Saturday, March 31, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)!

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Letting My Kids Listen to Eminem=Bad Mom?

I’m a bad mom—there I said it!

I’m sure you are wondering why I would randomly admit to something that most moms would never dear to think, let alone admit…in writing…on a blog read by thousands of people each month.  Actually now that I think about it maybe it wasn’t the best idea—of well, shit happens I guess.

So my kids love Eminem—no, no, not his violent, hate-filled, “ My moms a skank and I don’t care who knows it!” early albums, but his newest album and more specifically the song “I’m Not Afraid”.  Now I will be the first to admit that I love Eminem, I find his words compelling, sad and often encouraging, I just think he gets a bad rep.  Sure he has said and done things that have made me question his sanity (more than once) but as an artist he is one of the best the rap world has ever seen! 

So we’re driving in the car yesterday and “I’m Not Afraid” comes on the radio and not one, not two, but all four of my kids start rapping along with Eminem—it was one of those moments when I wasn’t sure if I should smile or be mortified.  To be honest the song is amazing and the radio version (aka the version that has all of the good parts bleeped out) isn’t terrible, so why should I feel bad that my kids love this song?  To be honest I don’t feel bad that they know this song, but would I admit that to other moms ?  I guess I kinda just did.




You may have to go to YouTube to watch it, but it’s worth it!  The song is about him getting clean and not being afraid to admit that he did have a problem, got help and now wants to help other people who are in the same situation get their lives together!

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Let’s Rock!

I just realized today that I very rarely post anything on the weekends, hmmm well I guess I should fix that huh? So I decided that I would dedicate every Saturday (and or Sunday) to the one thing I love as much (maybe more) than writing…music!

Every weekend I am going to explore a new genre, post videos, my thoughts on the videos (yes I DO assume you care), and elicit your thoughts and feelings about them as well. Sound like fun? Well it does to me so, you ready? Good let’s rock!

I thought this weekend we would explore the vast world of rock music. Now I have to admit that I am not a huge rock fan; death metal, dudes with make-up (unless it’s pre-Rock of Love Bret Michaels), and screaming is not my cup of tea, but there are plenty of rock songs that I love and I decided to share some of the with you!

The first and my favorite song (rock or otherwise) of ALL TIME…Hotel California by the Eagles!

The second song is MY rock song…love it! Enough said!

And this song, well I just love Nickelback!

And of coure I have to rep for the ladies!

Last but not least…Joan Jett…need I say more?

So I want to know what are you favorite rock songs?

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Sweets n Treats CD Review

My son loves music...he's going to be a rock star when he grows up! If he's watching a television show or a movie and there is not music (so he can sing and dance) then he walks away. I'm having a little problem at the moment with him listening to songs on the radio and then singing along and some of the songs ("Hope it gives you Hell" is the biggest problem at the moment) are not nearly appropriate for little ears.

I am always on the lookout for great kids music and it has to meet several criteria before Gaige is interesting in listening.

1. The music has to be fun!
2. Gaige has to be able to sing and dance to it!
3. Gaige loves music that is interactive (clap your hands, stomp your feet).

When I found out that my family would be reviewing Sweets 'n' Treats children's CD by Tracey Singer I was very excited! As soon as I received the CD I popped it into the CD player and was instantly surprised at how lively and animated the music was. I knew that my son would love the music but I was pleasantly surprised when all four of my kids started singing and dancing along. Characters like Mall Mom, Foxy Joe, and Hard-Hearted Haley make the music come to life and add a comical element to the music. I had to laugh when my middle daughter shouted out, "Mommy I know someone just like that!" when Hard-Hearted Haley was introduced in the song Nana Nana Boo Boo. Our absolute favorite song though was the title song Sweets 'n' Treats, which talks about every kids fantasy of eating nothing but candy and sweet stuff.

Here's the low down on Tracey Singer, the man behind the music! Tracey is a stay-at-home dad who has found a way to juggle full-time parenting with songwriting, performing, and studio work. Singer actually has an MBA and traded a management position at a Fortune 100 company to stay at home with his kids. Tracey says that his music is a blend of several styles of music noting, "Just look at the song list on any child's ipod and you will find song styles that jump all over the place. I created this album to be like a pre-loaded ipod for kids."

If you're looking for a fun, energetic, great CD for your kids I recommend Sweets 'n' Treats, you're kids will love it and you might just find yourself singing along to Mall Mom just like I did. Sweets 'n' Treats is scheduled to have a July 7, 2009 release date.

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Lyrics to my life!

After yesterdays less than happy post on My Mommy Said I decided to do something fun today! I love music as I'm sure I've said before. Music to me is more than the music itself...it's about the lyrics (don't act so surprised, I love to write so focusing on the lyrics would be expected). When I hear a song and it seems to say everything I feel, think, want to say but don't seem to know how, I almost instantly feel better, because it makes me feel like I'm not alone, like someone else at some point in time felt the exact same way.

All that said I want to know what your favorite song is and why? Or what song do you think expresses you and your life? So come on I'm dying to see your answers!

For me it's a song by Staci Orrico (it's from a few years ago) "There's gotta be more to life" is the name of the song and it descrbies me to a tee...with of course the exception of the first line in the song...I most certainly do not think I have it all!

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You are the Music in Me

I don't know about you but music plays a huge role in my life. I have always loved music. When I was little I would go into my bedroom, close my door, line up all my baby dolls on the bed, grab my Michael Jackson microphone (don't you dare judge me...I know some of you had the very same one), and rock out! I used to dream of being a singer (something about me even my closest friends don't know). I couldn't imagine that there could be any better job in the whole, wide world. Well I was also completely mortified of people (think of the shyest person you know then magnify it by 100...and that was me) so being a singer was pretty much out of the question. But my dream of singing never died.

Fast forward 20 years and now I see that same passion in my oldest daughter Tay-Tay. She is so much like me it's crazy...it seems the older she gets the more she reminds me of myself. Only she's much braver than I was...she'll sing for anyone...and she's AMAZING at it. Maybe it's like that song on High School Musical..."You Are the Music in Me"..lol. Sometimes I'll hear her singing along to the radio when she doesn't know I'm listening and it's hard to distinguish her voice from the singer, she really is that good. Of all of my children she seems to be most like me...and I have to admit that it makes me smile to see her enjoying all of the things that I did. It makes me feel like my passion for singing was maybe for another purpose...maybe I love music so much so that I can encourage her passion for singing. Whatever the reason I just think it's one of life's wonders to see yourself in your child!

So I want to know...which of your children is most like you...and in what way!

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