The Wonder Bib from Mum 2 Mum

It's been a while since we've had a new baby in the family, but I am beyond excited because my favorite cousin Tiff is pregnant with her first baby and that means lots of spoiling is going to be going on by me...I just love babies!  Since I found out that she was pregnant, I've been keeping an eye out in my email for all of the coolest new products for baby so that she can try them out.  Recently I received an email that simply said "New Zealand's Favorite Baby Bibs Hit the US" and you just know that I had to know all about it! The product is called Wonder Bib and with a name like that, I just had to know if they held up to their name!

About Wonder Bib...

The Wonder Bib line of baby bibs (brought to you by the distributors of the much-loved Moby Wrap), protects hungry babies from newborn, up to age three.  Their product line includes bibs in four easy-to-use styles to suit all ages and stages:  infant, standard, bandana and sleeved.  

Perfect for keeping little ones clean, dry and eczema-free at mealtime, Wonder Bibs are designed by moms and made from 100-perent cotton.  Wonder Bibs feature super-absorbent velour toweling with a nylon water-resistant backing.  Even better, the machine-washable bibs actually become softer and more absorbent over time--something that both moms and their babies will appreciate!

I received both the Standard and Bandana style bibs from Mum2Mum.  I have to admit, when I first saw the standard style bib , I wasn't 100% convinced that it was unlike every other bib I'd ever seen, it looked pretty similar to many that I used for my little ones.  The bandana style on the other hand, is quite unique and instantly I knew that it was my favorite of the two, it seems to be the perfect size (especially for smaller babies) and the shape isn't too bulky, which I love.  Of course, style means nothing if the bibs don't perform as they say they do...right?  Since I didn't have a little one around to try these out before I finished my review, I decided to give their claim of being able to hold "1/4 cup of liquid" to the test...check it out!

 

As you can see from my little demo, the claim that the Wonder Bib holds up to 1/4 cup of liquid, didn't exactly prove true for me when I tried it, granted you do have to take into consideration that the bib I used had not been washed (the company actually claims that the more you wash the more absorbent the bib becomes), as well as the fact that most babies are just going to slobber and drip milk and food onto the bib and not pour 1/4 cup of liquid onto it all at once, so it could very well, over the course of a day, absorb that much liquid, that's just not the results that I had.  With all of that said (and holy run on sentence by the way), I do really like the design of the bibs and how soft they are, they were definitely designed with the comfort of baby in mind, which as a mom I can definitely appreciate!  

If you or someone you know is expecting, make sure you check out the full line of Wonder Bib's from Mum 2 Mum!  You can purchase the Wonder Bib online at the Mum 2 Mum website, you can snag one for less than $10 so it's definitely worth checking out!

Until next time...

 

Read More

ClipSee: Hands-free Speakerphone for iPhone {Review and Giveaway}

Even though Father's Day was this past weekend, I am still on the lookout for the perfect gift for my husband..why?  Well, because I am notorious for buying gifts after the occasion and Father's Day is no different...sadly.  If you're like me and still have no clue what to get the man in your life, have no fear, I'm here to help!

My husband spends nearly 3 hours, every day driving back and forth to work and he usually spends a good deal of his car ride home hanging out on the phone with me (yeah, he's sweet like that) and that's great, but he's completely anti-Bluetooth headset (he says they are for old people) so that means he spends all of that time holding the phone, which is both annoying and a little dangerous.  Of course, holding the phone isn't nearly as dangerous as his habit of texting and driving (which I HATE), so I'm always trying to keep him on the phone rather than having him text me and it's a challenge!  Given his long commute, I am always trying to find products that help make keeping us connected during that time a little easier, so when I received an email for a product called ClipSee (a handfree, speakerphone for iPhone) I just had to check it out!

About ClipSee...

The ClipSee speakerphone for iPhone®  is a new hands-free option for your car.  It provides secure and convenient positioning for your iPhone® 4 or 5 - easily clipping onto your shoulder belt - and it works with most standard-sized iPhone® cases too!

The ClipSee is also designed to amplify the speaker sound by up to 3x and direct it toward your ears, so you are more likely to hear the voice on the other end even with significant road and wind noise.  What's more, when the ClipSee is attached to your shoulder belt, the top microphone of the iPhone® is just inches from your mouth, greatly improving your voice clarity on the other end.

 Product Features:

	Amplifies speaker sound up to 3x so you can hear better
	Places top microphone just inches from your mouth, assuring your voice is transmitted clearly to the other end
	Provides a secure and conveniently accessible holder for your iPhone
	Sturdy seat belt clip holds ClipSee firmly on shoulder harness, while still allowing easy and quick attachment and removal
	Compatible with all versions of iPhone 4 and 5, including with most standard-sized cases*
	Finger guides and easy Home button access allow hands-free, voice-activated operation while keeping eyes on the road
	Height adjustment in back assures your phone will align appropriately with the Home button and in-call menu screen

---

---

Pretty cool...right?!?!  If you know anything about me and how I like to test products around here, then you probably already know that I am truly a fan of the whole "seeing is believing" thing, so naturally, I decided to hop in my car with my camera and try the ClipSee out for myself...check it out!

 

While I have to be honest and it admit that it didn't blow me away as being the absolute best iPhone accessory on the market, I was impressed by how well it worked!   The phone call was clear and definitely louder than normal thanks to the design of the device and I can see it being something that I would use to make calls while on the go (I do so dislike having to hold the phone to my ear...can we say messed up makeup? and using the speakerphone in a car full of very loud kids is just usually not ideal).  The one thing I did dislike about the ClipSee is that if the phone is in the device, it's sort of at an awkward angle to answer the phone and then place the call on speakerphone (as you can see in the video), but those things aside, I do think it makes taking and receiving phone calls on the go so much easier than Bluetooth headsets and I can definitely see my husband using the ClipSee on his long drives to and from work!  You can pickup a ClipSee here for less than $30! 

If you're looking for something unique for the man in your life and you kinda, sorta didn't get him a Father's Day gift (I'm not pointing any fingers y'all) then I'd definitely check out ClipSee!  I also have great news for one of my amazing readers...one of y'all is going to win a ClipSee of your own!  If you would like to enter the giveaway, check out the Rafflecopter widget below!  

WIN IT!

One MIBR reader is going to win a ClipSee on his/her own. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Disclosure:  I received a ClipSee to facilitate my review, all opinions are my own.  Fulfillment of giveaway is being handled by sponsor. 

Read More

Holiday Gift Guide: Shark Pro Steam & Spray Mop {Review}

One of my biggest complaint when it comes to housecleaning, is constantly (and by constantly, I mean several times a day) having to mop my floors, it’s a never ending battle to keep my hard surface floors clean and it’s one that I often lose.  Between the four kids who track absolutely everything into my house, our two cats who I swear spill their water and food several times a day just so they can sit and watch me clean it up (it’s become a game to them and I swear they’re smirking at me every time it happens) and my husband and BIL who are worse than the kids about dirtying my floors (yes, that’s entirely possible), I find myself standing and staring (in utter disbelief) at how dirty my floors can get in such a short amount of time.  While most of my adult life I’ve used a traditional mop to clean my floors, my life and the way I cleaned my floors, was forever changed when I discovered Shark steam mops (thanks to a fellow blogger’s review) about 4 years ago.

 

 

The very first time I used a Shark Steam mop was when my youngest daughter, now 5, was just a baby.  I was checking out other bloggers posts when I came across a review for the Shark Steam Mop, I read the review and honestly, the only thing I remember reading was that the steam sanitized the floors; with all hardwood floors and two babies crawling around all over the place, I was sold!  I went out the next day and bought the basic Shark Steam Mop and haven’t looked back, I still have that little sucker today and use it all.the.time!  Imagine my surprise when a couple of weeks ago I received an email inviting me to give one of Shark’s newest cleaning tools a try and given my love for the Shark Steam Mop, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to review their newest (and in my opinion anyway, most awesome) steam mop, the Shark Steam & Spray™ Mop.

 

Now, most people probably don’t get all that excited about a new mop, but the Shark Steam & Spray™ isn’t just a regular mop either, so when I say I couldn’t wait to get it out of the box and try it out, I mean that quite literally…I didn’t even take time to  take pictures of the parts before I put the mop together…my bad.  I will assure you though, that the mop comes in two pieces; the mop head and body and the handle and it was as easy as inserting the handle into the mop body and popping a few batteries into the battery compartment and the mop was ready to be filled with water and clean some floors.  Before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to let you know what comes with the Shark Steam & Spray™

 

* 25 Foot removable power cord

*  1 Ultra Absorbent, Super Thick, Washable Cleaning Pad

*  2 Sanifiber Disposable Cleaning Pads

*  1 20 ounce bottle of Steam Energized, Multi-floor Cleanser (which is non-toxic and safe for kids and pets)

 

While the washable cleaning pad is a staple among Shark Steam mops, the removable power cord, Steam Energized Cleaner and the option of using disposable Sanifiber pads, are all upgrades that make the Steam & Spray™ the best yet, in my opinion anyway.  Now that you’ve heard about all of the goodies that come with the Shark Steam & Spray™, it’s time to hear all about what  this power machine can do. 

 

 

Perhaps the most impressive feat of the Shark Steam & Spray™ is that it is extremely versatile; offering the user 3 different (and powerful) cleaning modes.

 

1.  Steam and Spray:  When ENERGIZED with STEAM, Shark^® cleanser reaches an even higher level of cleaning, ideal for breaking down the tougher stuck on stains & greasy floor messes.

 

2.  Spray only Cleaning:  Spray Shark^® Gentle Floor Cleanser to break down tough dirt and grime.
Plus it's battery operated - go unplugged to spray and clean anytime anywhere!

 

3.  Steam Only Cleaning:  Sanitize floors in seconds with the power of super-heated steam.

 

I love that there are three different cleaning modes so that you can tailor the type of cleaning to your needs.  While I am very used to the steam cleaning mode with my old Shark, I was new to the Steam and Spray and Spray Only modes that the Steam & Spray™ offers.  Since most of my messes usually involve sticky spilled food and drinks, or dirt and mud that’s been tracked indoors, the Steam and Spray mode is the one I find myself using most often. Though I love my old Shark, I’d find myself being forced to use my old traditional mop to cut through the tough messes before I could steam clean, and using my traditional mop meant using more and more harsh chemicals to get the results that I needed with those kinds of messes, but with the Steam and Spray mode on the Steam & Spray™, the Steam Energized Cleanser cuts through tough messes without the use of harsh chemicals, while the powerful steam sanitizes…it’s the best of both worlds in one little machine!  Another unique feature of the Steam & Spray™ is the battery-operated, Spray Only mode that allows the mop to go cordless for smaller messes that don’t require sanitation.  I find myself using the Spray Only mode on small spills in the kitchen and for quick clean-ups in the bathroom and entryway, it’s a great alternative for those times when clean-up is necessary, but you don’t have a big job or need to sanitize.  Of course, I am still a big fan of the Steam Only cleaning mode, it is after all the reason I fell in love with the brand and their amazing products to begin with and it’s still one of my favorite features. 

 

Speaking of features, the Shark Steam & Spray™ mop has so a ton of features that make cleaning your floors easier and so much better than ever before.

 

• *  Intelligent Electronic Steam Control

• *  Cleanser Spray Button

• *  25' Removable Power Cord

• *  450ml Water Tank

• *  Spray Nozzle

• *  Ergonomic Handle

• *  Washable Pads

• *  SaniFiber^™ Pads

 

Since I definitely believe that seeing is believing, I wanted to give all of you a little taste of what the Shark Steam & Spray™ is like in action…check it out!

 

 

While we’ve already gone over several of these features, I think it’s definitely worth devoting some time to one of my favorite things about the Shark Steam & Spray™, it’s ergonomic handle!  One of my biggest complaints with my old Shark steam mop is that the handle didn’t allow me to maneuver the mop the way I needed to in certain areas, mainly the baseboards, but the ergonomic handle on the Steam & Spray™, combined with the swivel head on the mop itself, allows for effortless cleaning in hard to reach areas without twisting and turning your wrist and/or the unit.  For someone like me who has severe Carpal Tunnel in both wrists, the ergonomic handle allows me to clean where I need to, without hurting my wrist and that’s a huge plus in my book.

 

If I had to choose a negative about the Shark Steam & Spray™, it would probably be that it is a little heavier than my old steamer, a small price to pay for such fabulous cleaning, but while it is a tad heavier, it’s almost identical in size so it takes up no more room than my old steamer and when you already live in a house that jam packed with seven people and all of their “stuff”…size matters.  Overall I love the Shark Steam & Spray™, it has definitely become my go-to floor cleaner and it’s going to take a pretty stellar machine to make my ever give it up…great job Shark!  If you’re looking for a great gift for the cleaning obsessed on your list this holiday season, the Steam & Spray is the perfect option!  Make sure you check out all of the great gift ideas in MIBR’s Holiday Gift Guide 2013! 

 

BUY IT!

You can purchase the The Shark Steam & Spray™ starting at $199.99! 

 

Disclosure:  I received the Shark Pro Steam & Spray Mop from Shark to facilitate my review…all opinions are 100% my own!

Read More

Bioré Takes Skincare to a Whole New Level!

A couple of weeks ago I celebrated another birthday, while it wasn’t the one I dread above all others (40), it does put me another year closer to it…and I don’t like it! 

The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to take care of my skin, because whether it’s due to good genes or just plain good luck, I don ‘t have really any wrinkles (except for the three deep lines in my forehead that I hate so much) and I’d like to keep it that way  Of course, taking care of my skin means that I have to remember not to go to bed with makeup on (I do that way too much) and establish a skincare routine that I can actually stick to and let’s face it, that’s not always an easy thing to do  Thank goodness Bioré knows what women need in a skincare routine and they make it so easy for you to take great care of your skin at home and on the go!
 
Chances are that you’re familiar with the Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, but did you know that Bioré also has a great Warming Anti-blackhead Cream Cleanser?  I’ve been using the Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips for years, I love them for quickly removing blackheads, but the Bioré Warming Anti-blackhead cream cleanser kicks it up a notch and not only removes unsightly blackheads, but also prevents new blackheads from forming—and it works! 


Bioré Warming Anti-Blackhead Cream Cleanser ($7.99): The ideal prep for the most romantic night of the year, the warming cleanser pampers skin as it whisks away buildup and oil. The powerful daily line of defense against clogged, congested pores contains Zeolite, a special mineral clay that warms on contact with water, and Salicylic acid, a powerful yet gentle ingredient that penetrates pores to help fight breakouts by dissolving clogged oil. 

Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips ($9.99 for 14 strips): Lift out any stubborn dirt and oil with the ultimate antidote to clogged pores and blackheads. The perfect final step to your cleansing ritual, the hard-working, oil-free pore strips remove deep-down dirt in just one use for a clear complexion. Tea tree oil cleanses skin and rids pores of bacteria as witch hazel reduces redness and inflammation. Menthol minimizes redness and provides a tingling cooling sensation that signals a deep clean.

With five kiddos to chauffeur around and unless to-do lists keeping me busy most days, I can’t always find time in my busy schedule for an all-out skincare routine every night, but Bioré makes it easy to take care of your skin on the go with the Bioré® Skincare’s Daily Cleansing Cloths and Makeup Removing Towelettes.  I’m new to these two Bioré products, but thanks to the very awesome PR people who rep Bioré, I was able to try out all of the products above, including the Daily Cleansing Cloths and Makeup Removing Towelettes! 



I have to admit, even  though I know that I should always remove my makeup at night, sometimes I’m just too tired to do it, enter Bioré Makeup Removing Towelettes and removing my makeup is a breeze!  And the best part is that I don’t have to lug around 5 different types of makeup remover when I travel, I can just pop the Bioré® Skincare’s Daily Cleansing Cloths and Makeup Removing Towelettes in my purse or bag and I have one product that does the job of several in a convenient, to-go package—pure genius!  Since I definitely believe that seeing is believing, I thought I’d share a video with you of the Bioré Makeup Removing Towelettes in action!

While I did use the Bioré Makeup Removing Towelettes to remove eye makeup, it is recommended that you don’t use get the product in your eyes, but I use them nightly to remove mine with little to no irritation, just wanted to throw that out there!

I’ve always loved the Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, but I’m so glad that I found three more Bioré that work great and make my nightly skincare routine that much simpler—thanks Bioré!
You can find these Bioré products wherever beauty products are sold! 

Disclosure:  I received the products mentioned above in order to facilitate my review…all opinions are my own!

Read More

More iPhone Accessories That Rock: the iG1 iPhone Handset from Good Call!

It’s no secret that I love my iPhone and it’s definitely no secret that I also adore iPhone accessories, so I always get extremely giddy when I get a pitch to review something cool for my iPhone.



A couple of weeks ago I received a pitch from Good Call for a Bluetooth handset for my iPhone and I was immediately intrigued.  While I really do love my iPhone 4, it’s not the easiest phone to have a long conversation on simply because of the design.  I know some people may disagree with that statement, but for me personally, if I’m not using a Bluetooth headset while having a conversation on my phone, then I usually try to cut the conversations short, sad, but true.  Though I’ve tried several Bluetooth headsets, I’ve never used a Bluetooth handset, but I was excited about the possibility of being able to use my phone without being annoyed.

If you’ve never heard of Good Call, here’s a little more about the company and their seriously cool product…


The iG1 Bluetooth iPhone Handset, is a wireless handset that allows you to pick up a call (and then hang up a call) without having to wear an earpiece, the ergonomic design allows you to comfortably cradle the handset between your ear and your shoulder for optimal comfort during call, yes, even the long ones.  You can even use Siri to make calls even easier and even more hands free by simply picking up the handset and telling Siri to call anyone on your contact with ease.  One of the coolest features of Good Call is the fact that your iPhone doesn’t need to be docked to make a call on the handset, you can even take the handset with you almost anywhere as long as your iPhone and handset are within general Bluetooth range!  I also really like that with the Good Call iG1, you can sync and charge your iPhone while making a call, which is great for those long talks with friends!  Finally, another of my favorite features of the Good Call iG1, is that you don’t have to worry about staying in areas of your home with the best reception, you simply leave your iPhone where you have the best reception and you can walk around your home or office with ease—pretty cool if I do say so myself! 
As I mentioned above, I like to talk on my phone—a lot, but talking on my iPhone for long periods, can sometimes be a pain, that’s why I was super psyched when the iG1 by Good Call was as awesome IRL as it sounded online.  Since I definitely believe that seeing is believing, here’s a little video that the big kids and I put together to show the iG1 in action.

There you have it, Misadventurous Mommy’s thoughts on the iG1 Bluetooth iPhone Handset from Good Call and if you want to check it out so you can get one too, you can find more information, including where to buy it, on the Good Call website—you can also get it in HD!

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

Read More

Esio Hot and Cold Beverage System For All Your Drink Needs {We LOVE This}

One of the reasons I love doing product reviews, is that I get the opportunity to find products that make my job as a mom easier and that’s exactly the case with Esio. 

A few months ago I had the opportunity to check out  the Esio Hot and Cold Beverage System and honestly, it’s been a product that we’ve used daily since it arrived—it’s just that useful.  If you’re not familiar with the Esio Hot and Cold Beverage System, I can’t wait to tell you all about it. 

The Esio Beverage System is an on-demand hot and cold drink system that allows you to have both hot and cold beverages in an instant without a mess or waiting for water to boil, it’s as simple as Drop and Drink!  In addition to being so easy my 5 year old can do it, the Esio Beverage System has a huge variety of drink options including premium blend coffees in regular and decaffeinated varieties, fresh fruit juice drinks, gourmet peach and green teas and vitamin fitness water, all available using the Esio E-Pak’s!  The drinks taste great, are super simple to make, take no time at all and are healthy for you too, each beverage contains only 5 calories per serving! 

Recently I had the chance to review a variety of the Esio E-Pak’s and I couldn’t resist doing a video review of the Esio Beverage System in action…check it out below!

See, I told you it was super easy!  I love that I’m stuck in the kitchen at parties and gatherings filling drink orders, I simply fill the Esio with water, plug it in and let my guests serve themselves—it’s so much easier for me and I think that my guests appreciate how clever the machine is as well…it’s a win—win!  One of my kiddos’ favorite things to do with the Esio is mix all kinds of flavors together to create a drink that is uniquely theirs and you can too, there’s no end to how creative you can get with the Esio and the Multipserve E-Pak’s! 

Since I mentioned above that the Esio Beverage System is so easy my 5 year old can use it, I wanted to show you how true that is.  You can check out Lil Man demonstrating how he uses the Esio below…enjoy!

Lil Man Using the Esio Beverage Machine

If you’re looking for something to make holiday parties easier (this would be seriously awesome for all of your Christmas and New Year’s Eve Parties) or to give as a last minute gift (the Esio Beverage System and the Multiserve E-Pak’s are both available online and at Walmart) then I definitely suggest checking out  the Esio Hot and Cold Beverage System!  Don’t forget to “Like” Esio on Facebook and Follow Esio on Twitter for the latest updates and product news!

And remember to check out the Esio Hot and Cold Beverage System in Misadventures in Baby Raising’s 2012 Holiday Gift Guide!

Disclosure:  I received the products mentioned above (in addition to a gift card) for my time and to facilitate my review…all opinions are 100% my own!

Read More

Need a Gift Idea for a Foodie? Try Silpoura!

With 5 kids, I’m never not busy.  Seriously, some days I get going and by the time I actually have a minute to sit down and look at the clock it’s already 8 or 9—that’s crazy.  Needless to say, I am all about products that make my life easier or save me time…especially in the kitchen.

It’s not that I don’t like to cook, really it’s not, as a matter of fact, way back when I wanted to be a chef (now, not so much), I just wish that cooking didn’t take up such a major part of my evenings, I’d love to be able to spend that time hanging out with the family and not in the kitchen.  So when it comes to cooking gadgets that help cut my time in the kitchen, I am all for trying them out, just like I did with the Silpoura.

Now, if you’re like me you’re probably wondering what in the heck a Silpoura is and the most basic answer to that question is that it’s a clip-on spout to help make draining and pouring a whole lot easier, but its actually so much more than that.



The Silpoura clip-on spout clips onto almost an pot, pan and bowl and helps you to strain away all of the liquid from the food that you are cooking.  Drizzle chocolate and caramel, pour hot soup, pour gravy, drain noodles or fruit and so much more!  Silpoura is made of a high temperature food-grade silicone that cleans up easily and is dishwasher safe.

Silpoura works by clipping securely onto the side of virtually any bowl, pan or pot and allows you to easily strain the food you are preparing.  While I don’t normally have a problem figuring products out, I did find myself saying “huh?” a few times as I looked over and then tried to follow the directions on the package.  Once I did figure out how to attach the Silpoura to the side of the pan that I was using at the time, it not only looked different than it should (at least according to the pictures on the package), it was kind of of clumsy and not as secure as I thought it should be.  While a few adjustments helped me get the product into the position it needed to be in I did find myself noticing that while the product is supposed to fit most cooking vessels (and in truth it does) it was definitely a lot easier straining the liquid using a medium size sauce pan than it was on a frying pan.  Check out my video review of the Silpoura below…

While I do wish the product was a little easier to attach (and it’s possible that it was just me who had an issue with attaching the Silpoura) I do think it’s a major help in the kitchen…seriously, nothing strains a pot of macaroni better than the Silpoura (using a medium size sauce pan of course).

If you’re looking for something unique to give the foodie in your life, why not try the Silpoura, it’s different, it’s useful and it’s under $10…you can’t beat that!  Don’t forget to check out the Silpoura and tons of other great gift ideas online in our 2012 holiday gift guide!

BUY IT!
You can pick up Silpoura online at the Silpoura website starting at less than $10!

WIN IT!
One Misadventures in Baby Raising reader is going to win a Silpoura…check out the Rafflecopter widget below for official rules and to enter!


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

Read More

Team Umizoomi and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…Check Out Nickelodeon’s Holiday Gift Guide!

One of my all-time favorite networks for children’s programming has always been Nickelodeon; from the exceptional educational aspects of their preschool shows to the characters that my children (and I) have grown to love, Nickelodeon is and always will be, my favorite network for kids.  I can’t tell you how many of the characters have found their way into my house through the years and now Dora and SpongeBob and all the rest are just part of the family.  Since my children do like Nickelodeon so much, it would only make sense that their favorite characters would end up on their Christmas lists. 

Recently, I was given the opportunity to check out the 2012 Nickelodeon Holiday Gift Guide and I have to tell you, it’s filled with new products featuring all your kids’ favorites like, Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi, Bubble Guppies, Victorious, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  I just have to say, I was kinda impressed with all of the goodies that I’m sure will be on lots of wish lists this holiday season! 

Thanks to the awesome people at Nickelodeon, I was able to get my hands on a couple of items from the gift guide to review and I can’t wait  to share my thoughts with all of you…



Both Lil Man and Lil Diva love Team Umizoomi, in fact, prior to my son starting school this year, Umizoomi seemed to be his math teacher, I couldn’t believe how easily he learned things watching the show that I had been trying to teach him for months—thank goodness I decided teaching wasn’t for me early on in my college career.  I am amazed at how much both of my children learn when they watch this show—I’m always impressed and both the characters and the show are absolutely adorable.  We had the opportunity to check out Mighty Musical Milli, one of the characters from Team Umizoomi.  Milli is even more adorable in plush form and she’s the perfect gift for Lil Diva who loves to learn, but gets bored with it very easily.  In addition to having two modes of play (Interactive Learning and Musical Activities), Mighty Musical Milli is the perfect size and weight for Lil Diva to tote around everywhere with her…what’s not to love?  For $29.99 Mighty Musical Milli has my vote for one of the top contenders for favorite products of 2012!  If your little one loves Umizoomi, but prefers Geo, not to worry, Mighty Musical Geo is also available as well as lots of other hot holiday toy items from Nickelodeon.  Check out the video below of Mighty Musical Milli in action!

It wouldn’t have felt right to check out some of the best Nickelodeon holiday items without finding something for Lil Man to have fun with and that’s when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ninja Stealth Bike caught my eye.  My Lil Man has been a fan of the four green “bad guy getters” as he calls them, for a while now thanks to his big brother and he loves action figures with cool bikes so this was perfect for him.  I can’t help but share the memory that comes to mind whenever I think of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it’s like I’m instantly transported to my childhood and memories of sitting on the floor at my Aunt D’s house watching TMNT on Saturday morning with my little cousins—ah, memories.  So even though I wasn’t as into them as my cousin was, I can still definitely appreciate that my son loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as much as he does.  As far as toys go, I’m pretty sure that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ninja Stealth Bike ranks pretty high on the awesomeness chart!  In addition to just looking flat out awesome, the Ninja Stealth Bike is just like the one from the TV show and it’s compatible with all of the basic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures, so all of the guys can take a turn, though the Ninja Stealth Bike does come with an  exclusive Raphael action figure—total score.  Seriously though, if you have a few TMNT fans in your house, then the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ninja Stealth Bike should definitely be on your list and for less than $20 you can’t beat the price or the satisfaction of knowing that you scored a great deal on an awesome gift for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fan in your life!
I hope these products give you some inspiration, you never know, they may be making an appearance under your tree this holiday season!  Don’t forget to check out our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide that’s packed with great gift ideas for every member of the family!

Disclosure:  I received the products mentioned above in order to facilitate my review…all opinions are 100% my own!

Read More

Holiday Gift Guide Calley’s Rescue Set from Learning Curve

As I mentioned earlier, MIBR is kicking off their 2011 Holiday Gift Guide with some great gift items for every member of the family—and today’s gift idea is all about the kids!

When you’re a mom there are just certain things that you know; like even if you make the kids use the potty twice before leaving the house, someone will always still have to go, that no matter what condition you add to the words, “maybe” your kids are going to insist that it means yes, and above all others, parents always recognize the need for amazing, well-made, imagination inspiring toys—that last one’s a must!  Thankfully I’ve been fortunate enough to find so many fabulous online toy stores through the time I’ve spent doing product review and one of my absolute favorites is Learning Curve!

If you’re not familiar with Learning Curve then you have no idea what you’re missing!  Learning Curve is committed to providing their customers with “classic, high-quality toys that encourage your child's imagination, pique their never-ending curiosity, appeal to their strong sense of adventure and enrich their playtime experience”.  They carry a wide range of brands that your kids love and you trust including;  Chuggington™, Lamaze®, John Deere Preschool, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends™ and Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train™.  I don’t know about you, but those are some of my children’s favorites—especially Chuggington!

When I found out that I would be doing a review for Learning Curve for our Holiday Gift Guide I knew exactly what brand I wanted to feature—Chuggington!  Lil’ Man and Lil’ Diva have been fans of Chuggington for a while now; both of them love trains and their “friends” Wilson, Brewster and Koko are definitely their favorites! That said, I knew that both Lil’ Man and Lil’ Diva would LOVE Chuggington’s Wooden Railway: Calley’s Rescue Set!



Calley’s Rescue Set is one of Learning Curve’s Chuggington Wooden Railway sets (and my favorite by the way).  Calley’s Rescue Set features a 2-in-1 Rescue Shed:  stack for a 2-level rescue shed or unstack for a track elevator and stand-alone tunnel.  Also included in this adorable wooden train set is Calley’s Rescue Computer (with lights and sounds), Calley, Wilson, two rescue cars, two truck hazards and much more!  The track itself is a 39-piece layout and is relatively easy to put together, my BIL and I managed to construct the track in about 10 minutes, not too shabby if I do say so myself. 

The track for Calley’s Rescue Set—it looks like a lot, but really it’s super easy!

Calley’s Rescue Set constructed and ready for action!

One of our favorites exiting Calley’s Rescue Shed—Wilson! 

Calley pulling some heavy machinery! 

Since seeing is always better than the traditional, “take my word for it”, at least in my opinion, I thought I’d share a little video clip of what Calley’s Rescue Set can really do!

When I was little I always thought that there was something extra special and even kind of magical about coming downstairs on Christmas morning to find a shiny new train set wrapped around the Christmas tree!  Since it was only my sister and I and we were more interested in dolls and jewelry than wooden train sets,  I never got  to witness that magic first hand, but I promised myself that as soon as my son was old enough that WOULD happen!  I can’t wait to see Lil’ Mans reaction when he comes in and sees Calley’s Rescue Set wrapped around our tree when it goes up in a couple of weeks (I cheated and did this review when he and Lil’ Diva were asleep…shhh don’t tell them).  While it won’t necessarily be my perfect Christmas morning fantasy it will be quite a sight to come into our family room on Christmas morning and see our new Chuggington train set waiting to be played with! 

If you’re looking for a great gift for the lil’ train lover in your life then you have to check out Chuggington’s Wooden Railway set Calley’s Rescue Set—it’s sure to be a BIG hit this holiday season! 

Check out Calley’s Rescue Set (available on Learning Curve’s website for $149.99) and lots of other Chuggington train sets at Learning Curve!

Don’t forget to check out Misadventures in Baby Raising’s 2011 Holiday Gift Guide for more great gift ideas for the whole family!

Disclosure:  I received the products above to review…all opinions are my own and were not influenced by the sponsor!

Read More