Checking Our List: Hasbro Toys {Review}

It is fun to buy holiday gifts for adults, of course, but nothing beats the surprise and joy that registers on a child's face when they open their new toys on Christmas morning. Yes, it's okay to give socks and sweaters, but all kids want to tear into something fun and entertaining that Santa left for them, right?

And this year one of the most well-known names in great toys, Hasbro, has a huge selection of items that kids of all ages will be sure to love.

Being able to browse by brand, category, gender and age really makes it easy to narrow down to the Hasbro toys for the child on your list... although there are just so many that look like fun! Never being ones to turn down the opportunity to try out a great new toy, Big Sister E and Little Sister B couldn't wait to see the Tonka Chuck & Friends Rumblin' Chuck Vehicle and Littlest Pet Shop Rescue Tails Center Playset and see just how much entertainment they would provide.

The Tonka Chuck & Friends Rumblin' Chuck Vehicle was providing quite a few laughs and raised eyebrows before it was even out of the box. We've seen trucks and we've seen toys that make noise before, but never like this!

As soon as he is turned on, Rumblin' Chuck has lots to say and places to go. With more than 50 sounds and phrases, Chuck is able to keep a child's attention due to all of the talking, spinning, wiggling, wheelies and more that he has hidden up his sleeve. Right away my girls realized that by pressing down on any of his various pressure points or by picking him up by the truck bed that it would activate his silly phrases and exaggerated antics.

But Rumblin' Chuck does more than just say friendly quips, he is interactive. When this happy truck is being loaded up, he'll call out "Load me up!" but then when there are too many items, he will shake them out all over the floor, causing a great deal of laughter. Pick him up and he'll comment, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where are we going?" and then when placed back down he says something like, "Whew! Good to be back on the ground."

My kids couldn't get enough of the anticipation of waiting to see what Chuck would do and say next!

As much fun as the kids had, I was glad to see the simple power switch right on the bottom of Chuck for those times that a little peace and quiet were needed. Even though this toy is recommended for ages 3+, I couldn't think of a reason why younger kids couldn't have a blast playing with it (Little Sister B sure does). The combination of Chuck's happy disposition and surprise sayings with the cute storybook that comes along means we have a unique experience every time we pull him out!

Then, for the times when Big Sister E has been looking for quieter play and a feeling of responsibility, she has had a good time with the Littlest Pet Shop Rescue Tails Center Playset.

Being our first introduction to the Littlest Pet Shop line, Big Sister E was immediately taken with the cute Dalmatian puppy (and it's bobble head) and all of the miniature pieces and accessories that came along with this set to keep animals healthy. For ages 4 and up, there are quite a few parts that could be choking hazards, so although Little Sister B was also drawn to this cute set, I did keep a close eye on her with it.

The full-service veterinary hospital itself had multiple rooms and included plenty of equipment to cure all of the imaginary ailments that we could come up with. The hidden hinge made it easy to open and close things up and the compact size made it easy to move and store when we were done.

Done? Even from the first time that we pulled this out, I wasn't sure that my girls were ever going to be done playing with it. Little Sister B pushed and pulled the ambulance to see the red emergency lights and took x-rays of the poor ill bunnies that were inside (she was very into the three cute bunnies) while Big Sister E liked to spin and turn the IV bed-basket down the middle.

From the medicine stored in the cabinets to the icepack, stethoscope, Band-aids and much, much more, it was fun for me to just sit back and listen to the pet stories and remedies that my kids came up with in the Rescue Tails Center. With so many different nooks and crannies and aspects for play, I could see why the Littlest Pet Shop collection is such a popular line.

Unlike some of the other, more structured and predictable toys, Hasbro has a lot of great options that are sure to keep kids' attention for hours of fun playtime. We have had a great time with both Rumblin' Chuck and the Rescue Tails Center and I have no doubt that they would both make great surprises to find under the tree!

For more fun, high quality toys of all kinds, visit Hasbro to shop, play and discover all that is going on over there. Plus, head over to A Mom's Balancing Act for her thoughts on the Tonka Chuck & Friends Rumblin' Chuck and the My Little Pony Remote Control Rainbow Dash Plane. So much fun!

(Other than the Rumbin' Chuck and Littlest Pet Shop Playset that I was sent by Hasbro, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company and their entertaining products.)

Checking Our List #25: GourmetGiftBaskets.com {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Michelle!}

When it comes to gift-buying for the holidays, I think my creativity runs out after my second or third purchase. I'm not sure what happens, but my ideas seem to stop coming and people end up with the same boring things that they always do.

It would be nice to surprise someone with something great though, wouldn't it? Just to see the look on their face or receive the happy phone call later from a good friend or a co-worker or anyone, really, who had the pleasure of receiving something unique and delicious. Something like an award-winning gift basket of goodies from GourmetGiftBaskets.com.



With gift and fruit baskets for every occasion, GourmetGiftBaskets.com has a handmade item filled with critically acclaimed gourmet foods that will suit everyone's tastes. These aren't the same prepackaged gift baskets that have been sitting in a warehouse somewhere that other companies use, instead GourmetGiftBaskets.com only uses the freshest fruits and the highest quality snacks or products that have each been individually chosen for each particular grouping.

The result? GourmetGiftBaskets.com is so sure that you will love their products that their gift baskets are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you aren't completely happy or the recipient of your gesture isn't raving, GourmetGiftBaskets.com will work to make things right or give you your money back. They're just that sure that you're going to love their gift baskets!

After knowing all that, I couldn't wait to see what the Christmas Gift Baskets from GourmetGiftBaskets.com would entail when seen in person. And when the Christmas Gift Basket Classic arrived, I could tell that I wasn't going to be the only one whose mouth was watering.



Arriving well-packaged and cleanly wrapped, I put off opening this gift basket for a little while just because of how pretty it was. However, when we were packing up to get together with family, I knew it was the perfect time to bring this along for everyone to have a taste.

After opening up the packaging, it was time to get a better look at the yummy goodies that were waiting inside.



From chocolate covered cherries to raspberry honey mustard pretzel dip to cheese biscuits, the variety of snacks inside were just right so that there was something for everyone. Suitable for an individual gift or for an office or family to share, the ten items in the Christmas Gift Basket Classic were as appealing as they tasty.

As Big Sister E couldn't get enough of the chocolate chip pecan cookies and the dipping pretzels, my husband was eager to try the dark chocolate pecan caramel patties, the one item that wasn't listed as being included on GourmetGiftBaskets.com. Looking over their list, I found that these patties were in place of almond clustered popcorn, something that my husband also would have enjoyed... but probably not quite as much. How did they know?

Whether you choose to browse by price, occasion, theme, gourmet food or more, GourmetGiftBaskets.com has an option to meet your needs and your recipient's tastes. Instead of a fruitcake or plant this holiday season, one of these gift baskets is plenty versatile enough that just about anyone would enjoy one - and would have enough to share!

Thanks to the generosity of GourmetGiftBaskets.com, one person will have the opportunity to send a great basket of yummy goodies to someone they know, because...

One lucky person will win a Christmas Gift Basket Classic from GourmetGiftBaskets.com! ARV $59.99!

To enter to win: Like GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Facebook (please leave a portion of your username for verification).

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a Christmas Gift Basket from GourmetGiftBaskets.com over there as well!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Twitter and/or visit their website and then fill in the blank and leave the following message on their Facebook wall: My favorite item at GourmetGiftBaskets.com is the ______ and I just entered to win a Christmas Gift Basket Classic (ARV $60) at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/dSRP4N
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Checking Our List 25: WIN a GourmetGiftBaskets.com Christmas Gift Basket ($60)! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/dSRP4N #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you have our Checking Our List {Holiday Gift Guide 2010} button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and GourmetGiftBaskets.com. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on December 23rd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to GourmetGiftBaskets.com for providing a Christmas Gift Basket Classic for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

RedEnvelope Night Before Christmas Activity Kit {Review}

With December only days away, I just know that Christmas will be here before I know it. Now that we have our tree up and decorated and the lights all set on their timers, it's time to get into the holiday spirit and get started on all of the wonderful family traditions that we participate in every year.

Except...

We don't have any. Big Sister E was too young to really understand Christmas up until last year and then I was sick in bed for a good portion of December 2009, so we didn't end up doing anything special. Sure, there were presents and mentions of Santa, but it all was glazed over and shrugged off.

But now that Big Sister E is 4, she gets it. She couldn't wait to help trim the tree and has been talking about Santa Claus ever since he started appearing in the ads or on television. Little Sister B will turn 2 right before Christmas and although she is a little fuzzy on the details, she does her own fair share of gesturing towards the tree and saying "Ismas! Sanna!"

Fortunately, we have the perfect way to start in on a few of our own traditions this year thanks to the Night Before Christmas Activity Kit from RedEnvelope.com.

Having been introduced to RedEnvelope last month with a great review and giveaway, I couldn't get over the number of comments from people who already knew and loved all of the great gift options available there. Where have I been that I was just finding out about all of the Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts and much, much more that RedEnvelope was known for?

So, on top of already knowing about the high quality, unique and fun items that RedEnvelope offers, I knew that my daughters, husband and I were going to have a really good time with the stylish red box that arrived to help us celebrate Christmas.

I almost couldn't bring myself to open up the classic red box and ivory grosgrain ribbon that symbolizes RedEnvelope, but as the Open by December 24th clue was calling, I had to check out just what was inside.

First, I pulled out the card on the front to find that Santa himself had sent along a hello and a few little instructions on just what to do to have fun preparing for his upcoming visit. Now wasn't that nice of him to do that?

Lifting off the top, the first item waiting inside was the book Reindeer Games, filled with all sorts of cute activities and games to do on Christmas Eve. I really liked the way that each page had a handy guide showing the recommended ages and number of players needed, as well as any craft supplies.

This book has a lot of great ideas and with the guide, it just makes it all the more easy to flip open to the page that will work best for your family and have some fun while preparing for the big man's visit.

Digging further into the box, I found a great collection of goodies perfectly packaged that are needed to put together one of the all-time classic Christmas traditions: cookies for Santa.

A ceramic mug and plate (both labeled so that there is no confusion that they are for Santa) are a great way to lay out the provided six Mrs. Field's chocolate chip nibbler cookies and Mrs. Field's cocoa (two mix packets are included) that make up Santa's snack.

I love that there is a second package of cocoa, as I have no doubt that on Christmas Eve my two little helpers are going to have a hard time leaving the treats for Santa and not wanting to sample some of their own. And, after the presentation of the cookies and cocoa is prepared, the classic poem "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore is right there to read before getting the kids "nestled all snug in their beds."

And after Christmas day has come and gone? An added bonus that I always like to see:
After sticking the plate and mug in the dishwasher, everything stores neatly back in that great red box for next year... just add your own cookies and cocoa and you'll be set for Christmases to come and traditions to be continued.

A wonderful gift for families with children, the Night Before Christmas Activity Kit retails for $29.95 from RedEnvelope and makes a great keepsake for years to come. I'm looking forward to pulling it out this December 24th to begin an annual evening of encouraging the joy and wonder of Santa Claus and this loving time of year!

(Other than the Night Before Christmas Activity Kit that I was sent from RedEnvelope, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this website and their unique items.)

Checking Our List #24: Crafty Kids Eco-Friendly Playhouses {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, HiHoRosie!}

As winter gets closer and closer and more cold weather days come and go around here, we've been spending more time making use out of our favorite indoor toys and activities.

Recently I went through and removed a large pile of items out of my kids' play room because of the lack of interest in them - when it's time for fun, we want something entertaining and open-ended, not just another toy that is going to be tossed aside.

And for us, one of the companies that has remained a top choice ever since we were introduced is Crafty Kids and their creative, imaginative and entertaining eco-friendly playhouses.

Made in the U.S.A. out of 100% recycled cardboard materials, the Crafty Kids Playhouses are uniquely designed with a sturdy drawing surface to provide endless decorating possibilities for your child. From their full size Creation Cottage and Shuttle Imagination to their miniature counterpart Craft Models, the quality craftsmanship and white exterior calls out to kids to personalize them as their own.

From the time that we first constructed our Shuttle Imagination to the time that the Shuttle Imagination Craft Model arrived to now, these playhouses have managed to withstand the test of two kids (and their friends) and many hours of rainy or too-cold-to-play-outside days.

And as much fun as Big Sister E and Little Sister B have going inside the 6-foot tall Shuttle, they also love having smaller adventures with the Craft Model. It's just the perfect size for play!

Taking only minutes for the original construction, the slots and flaps that hold Crafty Kids' creations together means there is almost no waiting for the fun to begin and that it holds tight without any problems.

When I first put this together Big Sister E and Little Sister B went right to work coloring it from all angles... and, in the time that has passed, they have continued to do the exact same thing:

Inside, outside, back, front... the newest addition to their decorating has been to color even the bottom!

As this playhouse weighs only three pounds and is just under two feet tall, moving the Shuttle from the floor to the tabletop to almost anywhere in between is done with ease and it just makes it more possible for kids to customize it at their own pace.

From crayons to markers (each Craft Model comes with its own set of six washable, non-toxic, jumbo markers) to stickers to gluing on ribbon or paper, the finished design is never really completed... and you just never know who you might find inside having their own adventure mission.

With their full and mini-sized high quality Playhouses, Crafty Kids has turned a universally-adored toy (the cardboard box) into an award-winning, creativity-inspiring product. Whether large or small, the Shuttle Imagination and Creation Cottage full and Craft Models combine great design, sturdy construction and imaginary play into an inventive, eco-friendly good time for kids of all ages.

And when kids are finally completely done with it? As Crafty Kids Playhouses are of course 100% post-play recyclable, from start to finish they will have been fun and helped the earth. What a great lesson to go along with the enjoyment of playing with them! Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will find out how much fun a Craft Model from Crafty Kids can really be, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of a Shuttle Imagination Craft Model (ARV $24.95) or Creation Cottage Craft Model (ARV $22.95)!

To enter to win: Visit Crafty Kids and tell me another of the great products that they sell that your child would enjoy.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a Crafty Kids Eco-Friendly Craft Model Playhouse over there as well!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Crafty Kids on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Imaginative fun is a great holiday gift! I just entered to win my choice of Crafty Kids Shuttle Imagination or Creation Cottage Craft Model at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/ggmcAV
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Checking Our List 24: #WIN a Crafty Kids Shuttle Imagination or Creation Cottage Craft Model! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/ggmcAV #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you have our Checking Our List {Holiday Gift Guide 2010} button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Crafty Kids. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on December 23rd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Crafty Kids for providing a Shuttle Imagination Craft Model for me to review as well as the choice of Craft Model for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Sesame Street Video USB {Review} The Best of Elmo

There are some children's characters and television shows that come and go in terms of their popularity. It seems like every time I turn around there is a new furry animal or animated friend that has appeared on the screen... and in the stores.

But, more often than not, my girls aren't all that impressed. Their favorites are the classic, quality shows that have withstood the test of time and have been loved by parents and kids alike for long past my own childhood. What can I say? They have good taste.

And, by far the show that best fits that definition is none other than the iconic Sesame Street.

For more than 40 years, Sesame Street has developed innovative and engaging educational content for children across the world. Their shows are symbolic of childhood and the characters on them are celebrities for both kids and adults - I know that I personally would get much more excited to meet Big Bird or Cookie Monster than quite a few of Hollywood's actors.

But Sesame Street has gone in a new direction for the first time in their history and is moving into technology that will not only be useful for parents but fun and entertaining for kids with their Sesame Street Video USB drives.

By teaming up with ATP Electronics, a leading flash memory manufacturer, these character USB drives are much more than just another boring little USB drive (like those that seem to disappear like magic around here). First of all, the cuteness!

Second of all, with a memory capacity for holding up to 400 photos, 400 songs or a virtually unlimited amount of written content, these are a fun way to store your files for whenever you need them. As each character USB is waterproof, dustproof, drop proof and has a wearable connector strap to ensure that the top and bottom pieces don't get separated, your information will always be safe and secure no matter what your child does when they get their hands on it.

But the greatest feature of the Sesame Street Video USBs has to be that each adorable drive comes with a full-length, character-themed educational movie preloaded and ready for immediate play. Simply plug it into your laptop, netbook or computer and your Sesame Street fan can be entertained at home or on the road with just one click.

The ease of use and quickness in the Plug 'n Play capability of our Best of Elmo Video USB has made it an instant hit with all of us. Without having to download anything or install software, one click is really all it takes to access the storage, view the movie (the girls' favorite, of course) or be taken directly to the Sesame Street website for even more fun and free learning materials.

I love that although these drives are soft, flexible and appealing to children, the video content is protected (no chance of it accidentally being erased) meaning no worry about DVDs being scratched and skipping or not playing at all. Plus, the convenience of how portable a Video USB drive is compared to a case of bulky DVDs (and possibly a portable DVD player) when now all that is needed is a cute Elmo and my laptop and we're ready to travel.

Available in seven fun varieties, families can now take their favorite Sesame Street characters with them wherever they go and have instant fun, entertainment and practical storage. Retailing for $24.99, Sesame Street Video USB drives can be purchased online from Sesame Street, Amazon, Costco, QVC, Walmart and Toys 'R Us or at various Toys 'R Us locations.

And don't forget to check out the fun holiday giveaway going on where you have the chance to win a set of all seven USB drvies! These would make a great stocking stuffer for Sesame Street fans of all ages!

(Other than the Sesame Street Video USB that I was sent in conjunction with my membership to Team Mom, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of these products.)

Tommee Tippee Explora Sippy Cups {Review}

Usually when people think of inventions that have made a major impact, they name ones like electricity or the automobile or the washing machine. All great ones, of course, but sometimes we should also stop and give acclaim to the small inventions that make a difference in our lives as well, right?

Among them, for me, is the sippy cup. Where would moms be had someone not realized just how convenient it would be if there was a way to keep a child's drink from spilling out all over by placing a lid on top?

Around here we have tried sippy cups from a vast array of brands, in sizes big and small. Some have held up and have become favorites of both the kids and I and some... went out into the garage sale. Whether the girls just didn't like them or they leaked or they had too many complicated pieces, it seemed that the only way to know for sure was to try them all out.

Having had the opportunity to participate in a Tommee Tippee review back in February with their Truly Spill Proof Trainer Cups, we were happy to hear that we were now going to have the chance to try out their L'il Sippee Drinking Cups to see if they provided the same positive results.

Designed with a soft spout to support a baby's oral development while transitioning to using a cup, the L'il Sippee Cups are made for ages 6 months+ and are intuitively styled for leakproof, bite-free sipping. Although Big Sister E and Little Sister B were a little old for these cups, they both were just as eager to try them out as I was to see how well they worked.

Right away I liked that they were BPA- and phthalate-free and that the easy-grip shape allows for little hands to grab and hold these cups without problem. The addition of the snap-on cap is a great feature as well - no more worries about dirt when these get tossed on the ground or roll under the seats in the car.

Giving the one-piece valve quite a few vigorous shakes, I was happy to find that it really didn't let a single spill or leak at all. Considering that my girls put their sippy cups through quite a bit, the quality of Tommee Tippee truly is made to withstand kids of all ages.

Plus, the fact that the valve is one simple piece means that removing and cleaning it is a breeze and there is no need to work to take things apart and put them back together after digging into tiny crevices to clean them out. Or, for even more convenience, these cups are dishwasher-safe, which is something that any busy mom can appreciate.

Along with the fun, bright colors that Tommee Tippee is known for, the 10-ounce size of these L'il Sippees is just enough that we don't run out when these are brought on-the-go. However, the full line of Tommee Tippee Explora cups range from small to large and come in a variety of stages for transitioning from infant to toddler so you can choose exactly what will work for you at each time in your child's life.

Visit the Tommee Tippee website to find out information about all of their unique products and keep up with all of the newest developments by following them on Twitter and Facebook as well. For purchase information and to learn more about these great items, visit Babies 'R Us.

(Other than the Explora cups that I was sent from Tommee Tippee due to my membership at Mom Bloggers Club, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company and their products.)

Shabby Apple {Review} Great dresses that make dressing simple

One of the things that my husband is continually encouraging me to do is clean out my closet... because apparently he thinks that he should be entitled to more than ¼ of the room in there or something? Sheesh.

But it's hard when I have clothes that are for specific seasons and occasions and only get pulled out once a year or so. I mean, what if I get rid of that skirt and then it just so happens that I need that particular one? Because, for me, wearing something other than sweats or jeans and a t-shirt just isn't a simple thing. If I found a dress that I liked, I would surely need a cardigan to go over it or a tank top to go underneath it... and then what were the chances that it would be right for more than one type of event?

Well, my husband can rejoice that there will be more room in the closet now that I have been introduced to Shabby Apple and their gorgeous collection of simple yet extremely stylish and versatile clothing.

From classic black dresses to sassy and flirty styles to a sophisticated look to refine your wardrobe, Shabby Apple makes getting fashionably dressed simple. Instead of requiring layers underneath or on top of your dress to complete the look or make you feel more comfortable and covered, the only thing you have to add to a Shabby Dress is a pair of shoes... and accessories, if that's your thing.

For me, being the lay-around-in-my-pajamas-for-half-the-day type of person that I am, I'm not used to putting on a dress, looking in the mirror and just feeling good. But, I have to admit, after slipping on my Midnight Garden dress, I stood and stared and smiled.

I didn't go pose on a rock next but, if I had, I'm sure I would have looked just as lovely.

I love this dress. The mix of poly/rayon/spandex results in a soft, smooth fabric that drapes just right and the empire waist is extremely flattering in that it hits at just the right spot to look slimming. The bodice is simple, smooth and flowing down to the knees and the fitted, elbow-length arms are a nice contrast to the loose bottom.

But as well as the great fit, it's the little details at the neckline that give the Midnight Garden dress a special touch. The collar rolls/folds down for an added softness and the small pleats are gathered to include a little extra to the design. To finish the appeal, there are two fabric flowers, one large and one small, placed near the left collarbone that are eye-catching without being flashy.

Even better, if you aren't a fan of the larger, more noticeable flower, it can simply be unpinned and removed (or placed elsewhere on the dress for a custom look) to suit your tastes.

I love the idea of being able to wear this dress in any season and knowing that I'll feel comfortable. Whether for a special occasion or everyday life, this can be dressed up with jewelry and heels or dressed down with flip flops in warm weather or tights and flats when it is cool. It's the perfect combination of stylishness, high quality and great fit that every woman looks for!

Plus, to ensure that everyone has such a positive experience with their clothing, Shabby Apple does a thorough job of pointing out if an item fits true to size or generously, as well as having accurate measurements in their Fit Guide so that you can be sure you're ordering the correct size. You can even answer their three Fit to Flatter questions before you start browsing to have their wide selection narrowed down to what will work best for your body type.

However, if you happen to still end up with a dress that doesn't work for you, Shabby Apple makes returns easy and will even ship out a new dress for you free of charge. Who can argue with that service? That's almost as impressive as the fact that 5% of the net sales from Shabby Apple are donated to charity to make a life-changing difference in the lives of women and their families in India. Not only do you end up with a beautiful dress, but you can help a great cause - it's a win-win situation.

With many different styles of dresses available, include specialty categories such as bridesmaids and maternity, Shabby Apple is sure to have multiple items that you'll love. You can even complete your look with their fashionable accessories like jewelry, shoes and bags and dress your preteen or child in something adorable as well.

Although prices at Shabby Apple are on the higher end (the Midnight Garden dress sells for $72), they aren't really more than what you would find in department stores or boutique shops. If you're looking for a deal, there are also some great finds in the Under $50 or Sale sections that will have you looking great for less.

For stylish clothing you'll feel comfortable wearing, Shabby Apple has a dress (probably quite a few, actually) that you'll love. And hurry! They are having a Thanksgiving sale until November 30th where you can receive 20% off almost all of their items - don't miss it!

(Other than the Midnight Garden dress that I was sent from Shabby Apple, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this website and their beautiful items.)

As Seen on TV: Super Sipperz {Review}

Sometimes we just need a way to spice up our mealtimes around here. After all, lunches with the kids rotates between macaroni & cheese, peanut butter & jelly and a bean and cheese burrito, so it can get awfully boring to sit there and look at the same old plate and same old cup sometimes, right?

Well, thanks to the innovative and fun Super Sipperz, a regular old glass of water will never be the same again now that these entertaining straws and connectors are around.
First there were regular, straight straws. Then there were bendy straws, which were immensely more fun. And then came straws with loops and curves and shapes and they made all others seem obsolete... until Super Sipperz have come along and made everything else old news.

A collection of 80 straws and connectors, Super Sipperz are the next generation of drinking and creating fun... and pretty much all you have to do is take them out of the box and let your imagination go wild.

Great for kids of all ages, Big Sister E took one look at all of the colorful pieces that came in our Super Sipperz sets and wanted to immediately start construction. Considering that there was no right or wrong way to put these together, she happily picked out piece after piece and stuck them together - one straw, then one connector, then another straw, then a different connector and so on.

When it came time to take a drink, I helped to make sure that there weren't any pieces that didn't lead to somewhere else and then added the pièce de résistance: the straw glasses. Big Sister E couldn't wait to give our creation a try.

I think saying that Big Sister E was overly excited about the Super Sipperz might be somewhat of an understatement. Even though the standard size of the glasses were a little too large for her head, she still happily drank her juice, pausing only to point out how neat it was that she could watch the liquid travel up, down and around the colored straws and then across her face.

And, of course, since Big Sister E was having such a great time drinking with her Super Sipperz, that meant that Little Sister B wanted in on the action. It was a good thing that there were two sets!

I was impressed that not only did Super Sipperz provide endless entertainment for both kids, but that the air-tight seal that was advertised really didn't leak at all. The only time that we had any liquid come out was when the girls would stop drinking and set the straw down, causing any of the beverage still in there to follow gravity and come dripping out.

But that was easily wiped up with a napkin and of course didn't affect the use of any of the Super Sipperz. And, when we were done playing and drinking for the day, I loved that the connecting pieces were easily tossed into their provided mesh bag and were safe for the dishwasher. Convenience is a wonderful thing!

These reusable Super Sipperz are just the thing to bring some excitement to a party or just to mealtimes at home. Although they come with a great supply of colorful straws of multiple lengths, they can be used with any standard or bendy straw, meaning the possibilities are endless!

For a fun, creative, affordable gift for kids of all ages (only $9.95 for the first set and $5.00 for the second), Super Sipperz would be a fun stocking stuffer, birthday gift or party favor that would really last. For more information or to order your own set of Super Sipperz, visit www.GetSuperSipperz.com.

(Other than the two sets of Super Sipperz that I was sent, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this website and their innovative products.)