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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Eco-Friendly Gift Idea


BPA-Free Reusable ‘Tappening’ Water Bottles and Duffle-Type Bags Made From 100% Recycled Materials

Have you “bought into” the bottled water hype like I have for years? You should checkthis out! It definitely changed my mind! The ‘Tappening’ campaign has been instrumental in helping forge a national movement that encourages people to make tap their water of choice, whenever possible. The campaign (which Adweek has called “a form of business philanthropy…founded to right a perceived wrong”) and its website--www.tappening.com –-both launched only last November, have served to educate the public about the wastefulness, excessive cost, and pollution of the Earth caused by the bottled water industry.

In an effort to self-finance the campaign, the Tappening founders--Eric Yaverbaum and Mark DiMassimo--introduced their own line of reusable water bottles. To their surprise, the Tappening bottles became trendy practically overnight. Their entire initial inventory of 39,000 plastic reusable bottles sold out in 36 hours after launch of the website! To date, over 300,000 Tappening bottles have been sold.

In July, the group added the duffle-type Tappening bag to their online shop, made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials.

More about ‘Tappening’ bottles and bags:

  • The 100% BPA-free plastic bottles are available in green or in blue. The Green bottle says “Think Global, Drink Local”; the Blue bottle says “What’s Tappening?” ( $14.95 plus $3 s&h).
  • The stainless steel bottles are available in Silver, Blue, Gold and Red ($18.95 plus $3 s&h).
  • ABCs ‘Good Morning America’ cited the Tappening bottle as being “one of the hottest products for 2008,” calling it a “hip new reusable water bottle.”
  • Trend Central’s Jane Buckinghma said “The water bottle gives customers a simple way to do good, as well as a conduit to broadcast their beliefs.”
  • The Tappening Message-in-a-Bag is made from yesterday’s discarded single-serve water bottles and yogurt containers.
  • The message on the bag is “Think Global, Drink Local” ($49.95 plus $3 s&h).
  • The campaign and bottles have been touted by media and bloggers across the country, from People magazine to Forbes.
  • All of the money raised via the sales of the bottles and bags has gone directly back into the educational website and campaign.
The bottles and bags are available for purchase on www.tappening.com .

iPlayMusic Guitar Giveaway


I always wanted a guitar for Christmas when I was a kid but Santa never brought one. Sniff, sniff! Now your child can have their very own guitar plus an entire starter kit to get the whole family rocking and rolling in no time! Imagine the excitement of finding a “kid-sized” Purple Pony, Mean Green Dinosaur, or mini-electric guitar under the tree on Christmas morning!

iPlayMusic offers two great starter packages for young kids.

Kids ‘Pony’ or ‘Dino’ Guitar Bundle – Includes colorful ½ size kids guitar, tuner, picks, strings, plus iPlayMusic Together DVD (Parents Choice Award winner). Entertaining video lessons and a playful puppet teach toddlers and young children guitar basics and 6 of their favorite songs. It’s designed to get the entire family singing along in minutes. (Package: $79.95) http://www.iplaymusic.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=69

Kids Electric Guitar Bundle – Big seller last Christmas! Includes pink or black ‘mini’ ¾ size electric guitar, amp, strap, tuner, picks, and iPlayMusic’s Beginner Guitar Lessons-Level 1 DVD. Great value, with video instruction that walks a beginning player step-by-step through the essentials so they can start playing right away. (Package: $199.95) http://www.iplaymusic.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=64

Giveaway: iPlayMusic is offering the Beginner Guitar software for PC and the Play Music Together for PC. Want to enter? It's easy! Just post a comment and follow my blog. Ends December 31, 2008.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Ebbee for Baby

Eebee’s books (www.eebee.com) make the perfect Christmas and Baby Shower gifts for baby! Eebee’s mission is to help parents and babies transform everyday play and exploration into learning that lasts, providing ideas and tools that are catalysts for play. These new books reflect this approach and the philosophy that every baby learns by exploring his or her surroundings. The titles include:

eebee’s Having a Ball Adventures: Babies will play around with some big ideas in this adventure: up, down, over, under, in, out . . . and my turn—your turn. This interactive book includes a soft, tethered ball, inviting babies to exercise social, motor, language, and thinking skills in games from catch with eebee to basketball.

eebee’s Laundry Time Adventures: Babies will explore words, sounds, and textures; exercise fine-motor skills; play imaginatively . . . and get the laundry done. Interactive play activities include taking towels out of the laundry bag and putting them “into the washer”; spinning the peek-a-boo washing-machine wheel; hanging eebee’s pajamas on the line; and putting them away in the drawers.

eebee’s Peek-a-Boo Adventures: Where’s eebee? On the cover of this book, open and close the curtains. Inside the book, look for eebee behind a silky purple scarf, inside a big, shiny raincoat, and behind a movable stack of soft blocks. From exploring textures to anticipating outcomes, there’s no hiding the opportunities for playful skill-building in this exciting search.

eebee’s Hugs and Splash Adventures is a two-book set in which each book is also a game.

All About Me & You is all about eebee’s body, and a baby’s body too. Fold-out the book-sized mirror to “look and play” along with eebee. Exercise your baby’s social, motor, language, and thinking skills, exploring the body from head to toe!

Eebee’s Bath Time Adventure is sure to float a baby’s boat. Open the book and place it cover-up in the tub. Watch eebee float! Submerge the book to fill the squirter and then squeeze it for a gentle spray. Press eebee’s tummy—squeak—eebee’s all clean. As eebee takes a bath, every baby will play and learn with water.

These books are available in Barnes & Noble and specialty bookstores across the country.

Terrasoles - Treat Your Feet

Your feet will love wearing Terrasoles when you’re shopping for holiday gifts, getting groceries, and running from one holiday party to the next! My feet get tired and sore fast but not with Terrasoles! I feel like I’m walking on air! Get a pair for the man in your life too! Terrasoles’ shoes, sandals and clogs incorporate lightweight, flexible styles without sacrificing comfort and functionality. Each style contains signature support design and shock attenuating features. Terrasoles are designed to be a casual “after anything” shoe that offer a soothing transition from performance-orientated footwear, as well as after a long day’s work or play. Terrasoles are constructed with environmentally friendly elements whenever possible, including bamboo, cork and high-quality fleece made from recycled materials. Terrasoles are one of my top mommy picks! Check it out here at www.terrasoles.com!

Littlest Pet Shop



What should every little girl have for Christmas this year? "......... the Littlest Pet Shop that's who"! The Littlest Pet Shop (Hasbro) offers a great selection for girls ages 4 and up! Everything from stocking stuffers to digital planners!

LITTLEST PET SHOP VIP FRIENDS
(Approximate Retail Price of pair: $22.99; Ages: 6 and up; Available: October 2008)
Kids can discover the latest way to play with their plush VIP Friends. Each pair of "best friends" comes with a secret code hidden in the collar that kids can use to visit the Littlest Pet Shop online world at www.littlestpetshop.com. The code unlocks both pets in the virtual world where together they can play fun games and activities, as well as "shop" and "accessorize". There is a whole virtual world kids can explore while snuggling with the plush friends.

LITTLEST PET SHOP TAIL-WAGGIN' FITNESS CLUB™ PLAYSET
(Approximate Retail Price: $39.99/ Ages: 4 and up; Available/ Fall 2008)

The new TAIL-WAGGIN' FITNESS CLUB playset is where LITTLEST PET SHOP pets can have fun and work out through fun activities such as jumping rope, running on the hamster-wheel, and jumping hurdles. When they are not working out, you might find the pets hanging out at the treat center. The playset features two pets, including a new kangaroo.

LITTLEST PET SHOP DIGITAL PLANNER
(Approximate Retail Price: $29.99; Ages: 6 and up; Available: Fall 2008)
The LITTLEST PET SHOP personal planner helps girls organize their day with help from your LITTLEST PET SHOP friends. Using a built-in touch screen, the personal planner allows girls to play games and activities with their little pets. Other features include a phonebook, calculator, and calendar all which can be customized.

LITTLEST PET SHOP PETS (Approximate Retail Price: $3.99 (up); Ages 4 and up; Available: Now)
The LITTEST PET SHOP PETS have a new look, that's all in the eyes. Collect them all!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Ubisoft's Imagine Series for Ninento DS Giveaway


The Imagine Series is a great gift idea for girls and tweens! Keep them occupied on their long travels for holiday parties with these great games! The Imagine Series allows the player to feel like they are actually “there”! Ubisoft makes the Imagine series, the first ever brand of games dedicated to girls where they can play as a celebrity movie star, fashion designer, teacher, wedding designer and more.

Imagine Teacher (Nintendo DS, August 2008) allows players to become a teacher at a brand new school. Teach your class a variety of subjects and increase your students' knowledge. Become a successful teacher, recruit new students and develop your school into one of the very best.

Imagine: Movie Star (Nintendo DS, available worldwide) - lets the player experience all the glamour and fun of being a celebrity! Maintain your A-list celebrity status and get invited to fabulous parties, hang out with other celebrities and get spotted at the hottest night clubs or on a dream date. Walk the red carpet in the trendiest outfits and smile for the paparazzi!

Imagine Fashion Designer New York (Nintendo DS, available in North America) girls can play as a young fashion designer starting a career in a famous fashion agency in New York City. Discover the glamorous world of fashion, get interviewed by high profile reporters and create trendy designs to become the hippest fashion designer ever.

Giveaway: Click here to tell me what you like best about their site. One lucky winner will receive a copy of Imagine Teacher for Nintendo DS. Please be sure to leave your email address with your comments so I can contact you if you win. Ends December 18, 2008.

My Magical World Giveaway

Bringing books to life, My Magical World, an educational DVD series for kids aged 2-6 years that uses colorful characters to encourage young viewers to read and has just received the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval. Each DVD in the award-winning series, produced by Cleargate KIDS, includes a full-color, 36-page companion book, along with bonus features. The DVDs encourage kids to share, listen, eat healthier, read and travel the globe. Colorful friends, such as Sammy the "Book Jumper," Georgia, Abra and others, join the fun and serve as guides to inspire children to learn more about the world around them.

Reading to children at any age propels their development but, as any parent can attest, it can sometimes be a challenge to hold their attention. My Magical World offers parents a solution by combining a video with a corresponding book to help keep kids focused, provide familiarity and further encourage them to get the most of out their reading experience.

The DVD and book series are available at www.mymagicalworld.tv and retails for $14.99 (base price).

Giveaway: Post a comment telling me who you’d like to win this for. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you. Ends December 20, 2008.