What's Your Gumergency?! {Giveaway}


Have you ever been at work and while talking to your colleague discover either you or they had an extreme case of bad breath? Do you remember when you went on that first date when you were sipping on an espresso or cup of coffee and realized your breath was less than stellar? These are just a few examples of social situations that can be classified as a Gumergency – a situation where you (or someone you know) is in desperate need of gum! I can definitely remember a few times where I was in a Gumergency. This usually happens either when I've just finished eating at a restaurant and forgot to take that mint they give you once you pay your bill and then you just so happen to run into someone you know, perfect timing, right?! LOL



Sunday, September 29th, is National Coffee Day and we want our readers to enjoy the coffee beverages they love while avoiding uncomfortable scenarios.  So we've teamed up with Excel to host a giveaway for our readers to win a Gumergency kit they've created as a perfect solution for freshening your breath in a pinch. 

Why do we chew?
Many Canadians experience “Gumergencies™” (breath-related emergencies) every day. Here are their 
top five reasons to chew gum:
1. To freshen breath after a meal 
2. To freshen breath after drinking coffee
3. To reduce hunger/curb appetite
4. To get closer to someone
5. To help stay awake



So to enter to win this Gumergency Kit pictured above, all you need to do is leave a comment below sharing with us your own bad breath experience you may have encountered before. Good luck!

ONE DAY SALE: Half Price On Fisher-Price Jake and the Neverland Pirate Toys


Do you have a little one that's a huge fan of Disney Junior's Jake and the Neverland Pirates show? I know that both my little ones that aren't that little anymore still love watching the show whenever they see it pop on.  It's funny because when we first watched Peter Pan with the little ones earlier this year, they put two and two together about the show being a type of spin-off. It was nice to hear their thoughts and opinions on Captain Hook in the movie compared to Captain Hook on the show.



On Friday, September 27th you can purchase a number of Jake and the Neverland Pirate toys at Babies R Us for half the price! How great is that?! This is the perfect opportunity to purchase these toys especially since Christmas is around the corner. You can get a number of Jake and the Neverland Pirates toys for your child to enjoy for Christmas, birthdays or just because. Even if your child isn't a fan, I'm sure you have a niece or nephew that are. This is definitely a great deal. Don't miss out, this is a one day offer!

Remember, this is a ONE DAY SALE. You can head over Babies R Us tomorrow (Friday) to shop online or go to your local Babies R Us to purchase the items.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received product at no cost for the purpose of sharing this sale. No other compensation was received.


The Croods Blu-ray #Giveaway & Activity Sheets #TheCroodsDVD


One of my favorite family movies that came out this year. The Croods is such a great family movie that will keep you entertained and glued to the screen as you watch this hilarious family as they go through their journey inventing items.

In the beginning, Grug is suspicious of Guy’s weird ideas and does not want the family to listen to his advice. Eventually, Grug starts coming up with a ton of great inventions himself! Take a look below at some of the croodaceous inventions and when and where they really became a part of our lives. Also be sure to check out and print these free activity sheets for your kiddos to enjoy!



SNAPSHOT
During their journey, Grug has the fantastic idea of leaving your mark behind with a snapshot. The first photograph was taken in the early 1820s. A French man named Joseph Nicephore Niépce used a camera obscura to create an image of an engraving. The process was very complicated and took eight hours of exposure to light to create!

SHOES

After putting on her first pair of boots, Eep enthusiastically exclaimed, “I love them!” Who can blame her? Imagine a life having to walk around without shoes on a daily basis. Though Guy comes up with the idea in The Croods, the original shoe dates back to approximately 7,000 or 8,000 BC. Originally, most shoes were in the style of a sandal and could be created from whatever material was available to the people (such as cow hide).


SUNGLASSES

Grug’s original shades were certainly stylish and would definitely protect your eyes from the sun’s rays, but they were a little impractical because you could not see through them. In the prehistoric era, Inuit people created ivory goggles to protect their eyes from the sun with narrow slits for viewing. A man named James Ayscough developed the original tinted lenses for glasses in the mid-eighteenth century. These lenses typically had a blue or green tint.
THE UMBRELLA
Guy helps protect Eep from the downpour with his own version of an umbrella, created with leaves and sticks in The Croods. Umbrellas or parasols can be seen in ancient sculptures and drawings. However, not everyone was able to have their own umbrella during these times. For instance, in sculptures from Ninevah, the only person ever shown with a parasol is the monarch.

OPI: Pink of Hearts Review


October is literally around the corner. Not only do we have Halloween and in Canada, Thanksgiving to that's happening, but October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With that being said, you all know how much I love OPI and their nail lacquers. I'm loving them even more because they have a nail polish just for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month that is now available called, Pink of Hearts.



In the collection of Pink of Hearts you receive two nail polishes, Pink-ing of You and More Than A Glimmer that also includes pink ribbon and crystal decal to show your support for Breast Cancer. I absolutely love both colors and fell in love with More Than A Glimmer as you don't even need more than one coat before your nails are looking glamorous.



This has to be one of my favorite glitter polishes so far. With Pink-ing of You I used about two coats before letting it dry and adding the second polish. And if you didn't want the glitter polish your nails would still look beautiful with just the Pink-ing of You and you could add one of the decals on to make them pop a bit more.

This combo was designed to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer to Susan G. Komen and OPI will also be donating $5,000 to Rethink Breast Cancer. You can purchase Pink of Hearts now throughout the entire month of October and it retails for around $19.95
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received samples from the Pink of Hearts OPI collection at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Book Review: Blueberry Bubble Gum by Mahamad Ali Elfakir



Title: Blueberry Bubble Gum 
By: Mahamad Ali Elfakir 
Publisher: Elfa Books
Publication Date: March 28, 2013
ISBN: 9780578109749
Pages: 44

Get ready for adventure! School's out, and Max is gearing up for a summer of baseball with his friends. He's expecting fun in the sun and long, lazy days. But to his surprise, he finds himself transported to a strange and wonderful world after chewing magical blueberry bubble gum-bubble gum his parents warned him not to chew! Join Max in his adventures through Blueberry Bubble Gum World and meet the fascinating creatures who live there-the Blueberry Boy, King Erudition, and the lumpy, moldy green evil Waywards. Will Max learn his lesson and find his way home? Find out in this thrilling journey!
MY REVIEW
This book is about a boy name Max who loves to play baseball and hang around with his friend. Like a lot of kids at this age he gets himself in trouble and isn't very honest with his parents when he gets caught. His dad brought him home this magic bag that had blueberry bubble gum in it and was told not to eat it until he told him the rules. Well like some kids, he didn't listen. I’m not going to get into it the whole book as I would spoiled it for readers but, it is filled with a very good lesson.

This book will teach your children about their actions and with that comes consequences. I recommend this book to parents to read or have your child read it as I truly believe we all as parents go through things like this and it may teach our kids how to deal with things in a different way like Max now does.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Blueberry Bubble Gum at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Homeland: Season Two Blu-ray Review



Homeland makes its triumphant return after winning six Emmy® Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress for Claire Danes, Outstanding Lead Actor for Damian Lewis and Outstanding Drama Series. Marine Sgt. Nicholas Brody (Lewis) is now a U.S. congressman, and former CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Danes) has returned to civilian life. But when a new and potentially devastating terrorist threat emerges, Brody and Carrie's lives become intertwined once again and they resume their delicate dance of suspicion, deceit and desire. Delve deeper into the edge-of-your-seat excitement with the thrilling second season of this "unmissable and gloriously suspenseful" (USA Today) hit show.

MY REVIEW
If you remember last year I had a chance to review Homeland Season One. Let me just say that the second season is just, if not more intense as the first one. Brody is on the run since the CIA believes he has turned and is working for both . Carrie is pretty much the only one that believes in him and also is in love with him. 

There is a mole among them and Carrie does have her guard up as Sol wants her to stay away . Brody over and over tells Carrie to stay away but she knows his innocent and is doing everything in her power to prove it even if it costs her own life and job . CIA is convinced that Brody is a terrorist and he needs to prove himself so that the believe him. This season is filled with tons of action and drama and with how season two ended, I'm looking forward to season three.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Homeland Season Two at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. 

New Girl Season 2 DVD Giveaway


I'm definitely a huge fan of the show, New Girl. Not only are all the characters simply hilarious, but the chemistry between Nick and Jess during part of season one and pretty much all of season two had everyone that's a fan of this show on edge. At the last few episodes of season two we get to see the romance start to blossom with these two and the season ends with us wondering how their relationship will work in season three, which has already aired.



In season two we also get to see just how strong Schmidt and Nick's friendship is as we get to see these two back in their college days as well as watch them continue to laugh, joke yell, scream and make up with one another. Their friendship and chemistry is definitely another favorite of mine.

It’s hard to imagine living with Schmidt and his crazy personality traits for so many years, but it can be done. If you have an important friend-iversary coming up, you don’t want to be caught off guard when your friend sends you an e-mail similar to the one Schmidt sent Nick, asking how you should plan on commemorating this special friend-iversary. Check out the ideas below for some fun ways on how to celebrate your friend-iversary!

 Destination: Best Friends Forever
There’s no better excuse for a vacation than a special friend-iversary. Hop in the car with your BFF and hit the road towards whatever destination you’ve been dying to visit. Be sure to stock the car with your favorite snack foods and lots of CD’s full of songs that the two of you have jammed to over the years. There’s no need to worry about being stuck in the car for hours upon hours, because you and your best friend know how to make anything fun and entertaining.

Drinking Buddies
A friend-iversary calls for some serious celebration. Hit the town and get rip roaring drunk with your besty. This form of celebration is perfect for that best friend that you met in college, just like Nick and Schmidt, who was by your side every weekend ready to throw back a few shots. You may be a little past your weekend warrior days, but this is a special occasion! With drinks in hand, there’s bound to be tons of toasts in honor of your friendship and a lot of great memories resurfacing.

Friendship Flashback
Is there something or someplace that you and your BFF used to always do together? Maybe you completely forgot about that restaurant where you used to eat breakfast every Sunday morning or that bar that you frequented for their beer specials on weeknights. In honor of your friend-iversary, make an appearance at one of your old hang out spots. As soon as you walk in the door, all of the old memories will come back to you and you’re bound to have a great time reminiscing.

Take a Step Out of Your Comfort Zone 
A friend-iversary means that the two of you have been hanging out for many, many years. Your pal probably makes you feel more comfortable than anyone else. They know everything about you and can talk sense into you when you’re being a little irrational. Maybe you both secretly want to go sky diving, eat a crazy food, or try out a new religion. If you do it together, in honor of your anniversary, then you will forget that you’re a little terrified, grossed out, or nervous. Schmidt would agree; anything is possible with your BFF by your side.

Thinking Ahead w/ @RBC_Canada #SaveWithRBC


As parents we all want the best for our kids and hope that we can give them more opportunities in life than we had when we were younger. This includes education. I know for my hubby and myself we have been saving for our kids education a little after my daughter was born. This is definitely important. I want my kids to have the option and opportunity to better their future and so when we started investing and saving for when they turn 18 or head to college, they can have a good amount to get them started.

I'm also blessed to have parents and in laws that have a savings account for my kids as well, so not only are we putting up money for them, but so are their grandparents. Which is definitely a blessing. Even with the economy being a bit hard, just a little bit being saved per week, bi-weekly or monthly will help for your kids future.


Since I'm the one that handles all the bills, mortgage and manages our budget, I make sure that each week I put away $20 per child and on the occasion that my budget can spare a bit more, I try and add in a few extra dollars here and there if we don't need it. Right now our kids savings is looking pretty good and that's not just because of what we did either. A good chunk of what we saved came from the monthly Universal Child Care Benefit checks we all get monthly from the government for our kids that are under the age of six. Since that was for our kids we decided to go ahead and save it for them in their accounts. Every little bit counts so even if you can put away five dollars a week it's still money being saved and will definitely add up.

Have you started saving for your kids? 

If you haven't, it's never too late. Anything is better then nothing and if you need help with figuring out how to start or where to begin I would suggest talking with a rep from RBC Canada. With RBC, you have the flexibility to use the RESP for university, college, apprenticeship, non-credit courses etc., and if your child doesn't use the funds, you can use your contributions and earnings to fund your own RRSP!

For tips or more information about learning how you too can save for your kids future you can check out RBC's RESP-Matic page to find out how you can contribute to your kids future regularly and automatically.
Disclosure: I am part of the RBC RESP blogger program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Bratzillaz Midnight Beach Doll {Review}


Last October I shared with you all the new edition to the Bratz family collection, Bratzillaz. They were cute with a little bit of spookiness to them that was perfect for Halloween time for little girls and my daughter absolutely loved them.

Now I want to share with you the latest, Bratzillaz Midnight Beach doll. Not only are these dolls absolutely gorgeous, but they also glow in the dark as well! This collection includes six dolls, including the newest character at Bratzillaz Academy, Fianna Fins, which was the doll my daughter got to review and have. Each dolls is dressed in unique bathing suits, hats and capes and of course beautiful heels to match! They also all each have a unique witchmark, Fianna's was the mermaid's tail.



Not only was she happy with Fianna, but she loved that she glowed in the dark, which was awesome, especially when she was getting ready for bed. She slept with it for a few days and then she put Fianna in her doll house with the rest of her dolls. She also noticed that not only does  Fianna glow, but the bottom piece of her skirt can also be used as a cape, which was pretty cool. My daughter also loved that Fianna's eyes were glittery with the moon and stars in them and that her her makeup, hair and outfit matched being a pretty blue. I loved how her hair was crimped in the front and was also easy for my daughter to brush and it wasn't too frizzy and has yet to kink up like some of the dolls get.


You can purchase any or all of these Bratzillaz Midnight Beach dolls at toy stores all across Canada. They retail for around $19.99 a piece.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Bratzillaz Midnight Beach Doll at no cost in exchange for this review. No other compensation was received

nuNAAT Brazilian Keratin Daily Care Review


I got the chance to review the five piece nuNAAT Brazilian Keratin hair care system. Let me just say that I will try anything to get my hair into a healthy state…Or at least just minimize breakage. So, I was pretty stoked to try these products, to say the least. This hair collection works on all hair types to help keep your hair smooth, strong and flexible.



The first time I used these products, I used all five products together, and only these products. (Leaving out my heat protection spray and other products was a challenge for me, but I wanted to see how they worked without any help of other brands.) Of course, I started with the Deep Moisturizing Shampoo, which didn’t smell too great. Not bad, but nothing worth writing home about. Also, it didn’t lather up as much as other shampoos. However, it’s sodium chloride free! So, I’m satisfied! Step one to healthier hair, complete.

The second product I tried was the Intensive Hair Mask. I was nervous about this product only because whenever I put a large amount of any type of conditioner in my hair, it seems to take a half hour just to rinse out. Not with this one! It smells pretty and it rinses out easily. Love it! The same goes for the Deep Conditioner, smells great and leaves my hair completely free of any greasy type of residue that will leave my hair looking dirty once styled.

After I styled my hair with the use of the Liquid Keratin Leave-in Reconstructor and Ultra Shine Serum, I noticed my hair feeling softer and healthier looking. I have to admit, I did think that it was just my imagination and pure hopeful thinking that made me see this difference. But once I used it the second time, same routine, my friends commented on how much shine my hair had to it. I’m definitely happy with this product and will continue to use it in hopes of one day staring in a shampoo commercial… Too much? Okay, so the shine may be going to my head, but you get the point.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Brazilian Keratin Daily Care Hair system at no cost in exchange for this review. No other compensation was received.

The League Season 4 DVD Review



America’s favorite pastime – talking smack to your buddies and making their lives miserable – is elevated to hilarious new heights in the uproarious Season Four of The League. This season kicks off with the arrival of Kevin and Jenny’s baby…and the race to the Shiva Bowl is on! As Taco tangles with Chicago Bears great Jim McMahon and Andre’s tailgating plans go horribly awry, the rest of the guys contend with dirty trades, circumcision debates, breast-a-lyzers and blackmail. Make these outrageously funny Season Four episodes of The League your number-one draft pick!

MY REVIEW
This was my first time watching this series. I had heard about it before from the hubby because a co-worker had told him about it. So we were both intrigued when I had the opportunity to review it. This show is definitely hilarious and even though we came in watching during the fourth season, it definitely gives you the welcoming vibe to where you don't necessarily have to watch the first three seasons in order to get into this show or love the characters. We absolutely loved it and now we want to go back and watch the following seasons just because we want to see what happened before season four. Definitely a great show and if you're already a fan, season four should be in your collection.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received The League Season 4 on DVD at no cost in exchange for this review. No other compensation was received.

Looking For An Afterschool Activity For Your Kids? Try Basketball!


Is your kid(s) looking for a sport or after-school activity to participate in? I know my kids love being in soccer and dance. The hubby and I encourage them to try anything once. Since basketball season will be here before you know it we plan on encouraging both our son and daughter to give it a try if that's something that they are interested in.

Since there is more Canadian talent in the NBA than ever before, inspire your kiddos to hit the courts. Below are four reasons that make playing basketball a great sport for kids from the NBA's new youth program:


1. Overall fitness: Basketball is a sport that involves a lot of stopping, starting and jumping. This type of physical activity is a great cardiovascular workout and improves balance and coordination. It also improves motor skills and hand-eye coordination as players master fundamental skills like dribbling, shooting, passing and footwork.

2. Accessibility: With nearly 700 basketball clubs in Canada, it’s easy to find a place to play. In addition to playing in organized leagues, kids can incorporate frequent physical activity into their day by finding a pick-up game at the park or even practicing their dribbling skills on their own.

3. Life skills: Participating in team sports like basketball teaches important lessons that will help kids in all facets of life. Through sports, kids learn how to work as part of a team, how to apply themselves to achieve a goal and how to act graciously in both victory and defeat.

4. Cost: Basketball requires very little equipment; anyone with a pair of running shoes can play. This keeps the cost down and helps parents balance the household finances.


Participation in basketball is growing at a faster rate than any other sport in Canada. Does your child have hoop dreams?

NBA.com/playball is an online resource to locate basketball programs in your area. You can search by province, region, city or town to find detailed information about available teams or leagues in your area to find a place for the little hoopster to play.

2013 Royale Canada Collection (Giveaway)


It's that time of year again, it's Fall! I have to admit this is my all time favorite time of the year. I love being able to wear a sweater or cardigan and sip on different types of warm beverages and cuddle on the couch and watch movies with the family.

One of the things I'm not looking forward to is the colds and flus that come along with the Fall and Winter. I love stocking up making sure that we have all that we need for when this happens and this includes tissue for our nose.



If you remember last year I shared with you all the 2012 Royale Canada Collection and this year I'm happy to share with you all the 2013 collection as well. What I love about their collection is that all the images that are on the boxes are taken by Canadians themselves. There are over 9,000 Canadians that enter their pictures and out of all the entries eight Canadians were picked by Moment with Royale and will have their photos shared on millions of tissue boxes. Not only that, but the winners also received a $1,500 cash prize as well. How great is that!

To celebrate the launch of the 2013 Royal Canada Collection we're giving away two entire collections along with two gift cards to your local photo place. Check out some helpful tips from this years winners and enter our giveaway below. The 2013 Royale Inspire Us Collection is only available until October, so get yours today!



PHOTO TIPS FROM WINNERS:

Mike from Saanichton, BC - Take lots of photos, but only keep and showcase your very best.
Donald from Kamloops, BC - Capture what you love in your heart and your style will follow.
Anton from Victoria, BC - For close-up shots always hold the camera steady or use a tripod to avoid blurred photos.
Cindy from Bobcaygeon, ON - Always take lots of photos as you may get five or 10 great shots out of 100.
James from Toronto, ON - Get to know your camera and always carry it with you as you never know when a great shot is possible.
Jessica from Fort McMurray, AB - Learning how to express emotion through your photography and using angles in interesting ways will bring more depth to your photography.
Véronique from Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, QC - Always carry your camera with you.
Carmelle from Lanoraie, QC - Nature has many beautiful and unexpected surprises in store so always keep you camera handy.

Do you have a photo tip you use? Share with us below and enter to win one of two Royale 2013 Inspire Us Collection!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the 2013 Royale Canada Collection at no cost. No other compensation was received. 

Diaper Diaries: Shoot & Aim {Playtex Diaper Genie #Giveaway}


I can't think of any other job in the world that would compare to being a mom. It's wonderful, beautiful, stressful crazy, hectic and so much more wrapped all into one and I wouldn't change it for the world. Thinking back to when my little big people were just newborns and then toddlers, it's hard to see them now doing things I use to do for them. Time certainly has a way of flying by.

One of the things I can remember vividly when my two kids were younger was changing their diapers. Although I do some times miss the newborn and toddler stage, I'm glad I don't have to change any more diapers and that my kids are potty trained and can go on their own.

I definitely remember when my son was born. I had already had one baby, so changing a diaper was going to be a piece of cake. Little did I know when it comes to little boys they can definitely shoot and aim even when they aren't meaning to. The first time it happened to me was at a family get together's at my parents. I went into another room to change my little man's diaper and apparently he wasn't finish. All over my dress and all you can see was him smiling afterwards. Since that had never happened to me before of course I didn't bring an extra pair of clothes, so I had to borrow a change of clothes from my mom, luckily we were the same size then, lol.

(The picture above is about an hour after the incident took place)

But I learned my lesson from that. From then on I carried a maxi dress in my diaper bag just in case and in the Winter I carried a pair of tights and a shirt. You always want to bring your little ones a pair of extra clothes when you're out, but when they're still at the stage of being in diapers and puking up formula you should definitely bring an extra pair of clothing for mommy too!



So how about you moms out there? I'm sure that most of you out there have some stories you can share with us moms or moms to be about changing your little one's diaper that will be a sigh of relief to others letting us know that we're not alone. If you do, let's here it. You can check out Playtex Mommyville on Facebook to share some of your diaper diary stories with other moms. It's a great way to communicate with other moms and by hearing what others are going through you might find an answer you were looking for or be the one to help another mom out.

Top 3 Simpsons Treehouse Of Horror Episodes



With 24 seasons and more than 500 episodes aired, it's hard to think of a bigger pop culture phenomenon than The Simpsons. Every Halloween, fans of the long-running series look forward to the 'Treehouse of Horror' episode, a trilogy of gory shorts. We've witnessed Homer's head transformed into a donut, a memorable reading of The Raven and the revelation of Maggie's alien heritage, but here are three of our favourite spooky segments from the beloved Halloween special.

The Shinning

The show is known for its brilliant parodies, and this tribute to Stephen King's The Shining is chilling, funny and totally spot on. The Simpsons arrive to look after Mr Burns' creepy lodge, where Bart discovers he has a psychic power known as the 'shinning'. When the evil billionaire cuts the cable television and takes away the beer, Homer goes crazy and tries to murder his family. Featuring cameos from other Simpsons favourites, including Groundskeeper Willie, Police Chief Wiggam and Moe, the episode condenses the classic film to six minutes of hilarious horror.

Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace

A parody of Nightmare on Elm Street, Groundskeeper Willie appears as a Freddy Krueger-inspired character in this spoof from 'Treehouse of Horror VI'. When Willie dies in a horrible accident at a PTA meeting, he vows to get revenge on the parents of Springfield by attacking their children where they can't be protected ... in their dreams. Highlights from this episode include Martin Prince's tragic but hilarious death after taking a nap in class, and Maggie saving the day with her trusty pacifier.

I've Grown a Costume on Your Face

A witch with a grudge against the residents of Springfield casts a spell to turn them into their costumes. Although not as scary as some of the other Halloween specials, this segment is a lot of fun, with Bart turning into a werewolf, Lisa as Albert Einstein and Maggie as a cute little witch who uses her powers to turn everyone into dummies. Fortunately not something you generally have to worry about when choosing your kids' Halloween costumes, the wacky premise provides a lot of laughs in this typically surreal Simpsons short.

Book Review: Matt Monroe and The Secret Society by Edward Torba



Title: Matt Monroe and The Secret Society
By: Edward Torba
Publisher: All Points Press LLC 
Publication Date: January 1, 2013 
ISBN: 9780985082703
Pages: 357
Matt Monroe, a fourteen-year-old boy, puts his fears aside as he travels to a same-time dimension to fulfill a prophecy. The saga begins when Matt finds a set of mysterious wooden tablets and an onyx ring. Soon he and his older brother, along with five friends, find themselves transported to the world of Paragon, where they face numerous obstacles. This is an account of deception and betrayal, mixed with courage and the bonds of friendship. Prepare yourself for an exciting adventure with an extraordinary ending.
MY REVIEW
This was a good story. After reading it I'm sure my son will like it. I think the adventure and silliness might be a bit younger than young adult, so I'm sure my son is 11 and I think he would like it. The story is easy to read and follow with some twists and turns.  Reminded me a little of a Gooney-ish type adventure (Not at all a similar story. Just the feeling you get reading it) I do love to find good reading material that will keep my 11-year old son's attention…I think this definitely will.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Matt Monroe and The Secret Society at no cost for the purpose of this review and book tour. No other compensation was received.  

#Disney's Sofia The First: Ready To Be A Princess DVD Review



Your favourite little princess-in-training returns for more music, majesty and magical fun, so get ready to have a ball with Sofia the First! Becoming royalty overnight is every girl’s dream, and Sofia is eager to prove she can be a true princess. Visit an enchanted circus, meet a pet dragon and soar through desert skies with Sofia and Amber on a magic carpet ride! But when their high-flying adventure veers off course, it’s special guest Princess Jasmine to the rescue with inspiring advice about trying new things, staying strong and trusting yourself. Sparkling with extraordinary song unforgettable characters and thrilling surprises, Ready to Be A Princess opens the door to a whole new world of kindness, helping others and being the best you can be!

MY REVIEW
I absolutely adore Sofia The First. It's such a cute and unique new series. I was shocked at how much my eight year old liked it as well. She's a big fan and loves to watch it with her younger cousins. So I found it perfect to have one of my girlfriend's three year old daughter, my six year old niece and my eight year old daughter to watch it together. It amazed me how much three girls all three different ages did not leave the screen and were glued to the show. Goes to show you that every girl, no matter how old or young, loves and wants to be a princess.

I also love that they had one of my favorite princess, Jasmine, make an appearance on the show. Along with a special guest and the fact that the DVD came with a Sofia doll dress up kit, which the girls had tons of fun with, this show is great for every little girl to watch. 

Sofia The First: Ready To Be A Princess is now out today, September 10th on DVD!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Sofia The First: Ready To Be A Princess on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received

@TaggiesBaby Soft 'N Snug Bouncer {Review} #DDDivas


My son is almost two months old. So the Taggies Soft 'N Snug Bouncer was perfect for him and he absolutely loves it. I like that the bouncer was fleece and very comforting so it keeps my son snug and warm, but not too hot. I also love how the bouncer has plush toys hanging so he can look, laugh and keep entertained while I'm cleaning around the house. This keeps him busy and mommy getting some cleaning done.



Along with the toys that hang, the bouncer also comes with seven different melodies which also keeps my son occupied and he loves listening to them. I did find that the music was a bit loud, which is when the volume control came in perfect use and if you're worried about not running the batteries down, this also comes with an auto shut off, which is pretty great.

A Peek-A-Boo blanket that extends out from the t-strap keeps my son's hands busy and I love that it is fleece and not hard on his hands, another great part of the bouncer that keeps him entertained and keeps him happy when I'm not holding him.

  

The Soft 'N Snug Bouncer also vibrates which I feel soothes my son and makes him feel that he is in a comfortable position and doesn't feel antsy or uncomfortable. The bouncer has an adjustable seat, which you can lay it have way down or in a right position. He likes it in the up right position to look around but when he falls asleep the laying down position is wonderful and very helpful. It still keeps him comfy and I don't have to move him or bother him while he sleeps and when he wakes up he is able to look at the plush toys again and keep occupied.

I would recommend this bouncer to my friends and family that are mommy's to be. This is definitely worth getting for your little one. It has everything and more and definitely a product that you should have for your little one. 

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Disclosure: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Kids II. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

@ComfortHarmony Mombo Nursing Pillow {Review & Giveaway} #DDDivas


I am always happy when I get to try new baby products and I was even more excited when I found out it was a Comfort & Harmony product.  I have always loved their baby items and other products that I have purchased in the past.  The Mombo Comfort and Harmony pillow is meant to be for both mom and baby.  It is to be used for comfort when nursing your baby as well as for propping your baby, tummy time, and assisting your baby with sitting up.



I really liked the mombo for supporting my daughter as she learns to sit up and it is great for propping her up for playtime!  She does not typically enjoy tummy time however when I used the mombo she was quite pleased as she was able to look around as she loves to do!  



The mombo has two different sides, a softer side for baby and a firmer side for mom when nursing.  I was very impressed with this feature.  I also like the cover for the mombo that can be removed and machine washed as needed along with the option to purchase different covers in stores.  The removable vibration unit was new to me as I had never heard of this feature before in a nursing pillow.  My daughter enjoyed the light vibration when she was lounging on the mombo.

When it was time to feed my daughter I was excited to try out the mombo.  I was a little disappointed in the mombo for nursing time.  The packaging stated a flexible shape that fits most sizes.  I am an average size woman at a healthy weight and I found the mombo to be quite snug and uncomfortable.  I was questioning how a mother with leftover baby weight would be able to use the mombo as it did not seem all that flexible.  I think the pillow should be a little larger in size to accommodate nursing mothers as not all mothers are the size of the woman featured on the packaging. 

Overall, I was impressed with the appearance and all the features offered with the mombo.  I will continue to use the mombo for playtime with my daughter as she enjoys it very much however I will use another option for feeding time.      
Disclosure: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Kids II. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.