#Disney's Frozen Sing Along Edition DVD Review #HolidayGiftGuide




Experience Frozen, the hit musical comedy from Walt Disney Animation Studios, like never before in a new to DVD, full-length Sing-Along Edition! Follow the lyrics with a bouncing Frozen snowflake. Join Anna as she sets off on an epic journey – teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and a snowman named Olaf – to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. It’s pure enchantment – and full of fun for the whole family!


MY REVIEW
It's hard to go wrong with anything frozen…the Frozen Sing-A-Long is no exception to that rule! My 7-year-old is in heaven with this easy to follow sing-a-long edition of Frozen. She loves this version so much. We love that it's full length but…also has the option to play just the songs with the on-screen lyrics instead of the entire movie which has led to a bedtime argument of…"Just the songs before bed, Mom, please?"

It's Frozen…I don't need to tell you your kids will love it. There is the added bonus that with her seeing the words so often, she now picks them out when reading other texts so I really can't complain about that. I would recommend the sing-a-long version. This will make a great holiday gift for any kid that's a fan of the original movie.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Frozen Sing Along Edition on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

@ShopprsDrugMart Quo Rich in Beauty Box Review #HolidayGiftGuide


I don't put makeup on every day. Seeing how I work from home and am mostly home during the week, besides those few errands I run, makeup isn't an every day necessity for me. I'm still a girly girl that loves to wear makeup when I get a chance, which is a few times a week, date night and during family and friend gatherings.

When I do wear makeup, I make sure that the brand that I'm using isn't too expensive, but still is good quality makeup. I was super excited when I got to try makeup from Shoppers Drug Mart's exclusive makeup line, Quo. I was sent their Rich in Beauty Box that's now out for the Holiday Season.



The limited edition Rich in Beauty Box is filled with endless makeup possibilities. It comes with 30 eye shadows, 10 lip glosses, 4 blushes, 2 bronzers, 1 face powder, 1 black mascara, 1 brown eye liner and 1 black eye liner with various applicators all in one gorgeous beauty box.



I was very impressed with what all came in the box as well as the quality of the makeup. I absolutely love all of the eye shadows. They're shimmery and apply on great. They complimented my skin tone really well. I think the color choices in this palette would compliment all skin tones. I haven't tried them all, but I am loving that all of the colors are great to wear for both the Fall and Winter months. The lip gloss goes on nice and gives your lips the kind of shine it needs. I love that it stayed on my lips for a while without me having to reapply.

Another thing I loved about this Beauty Box was that everything I needed was included and that it's not too small, but small enough to where it's easy to take with you when you're on the go. This would make sure a wonderful gift to give for the Holidays or to get yourself. Retailing at only $38, this is such a deal for everything you get in the box.

For more information about Shoppers Drug Mart exclusive line, Quo be sure to check them out in store or online.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Quo Rich in Beauty Box at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Adventure Time: Finn The Human DVD Review


This Christmas, Santa’s got a brand new bag—courtesy of Cartoon Network! Following the huge success of the Jake vs. Me-Mow and Jake the Dad DVDs and accompanying Finn and Jake hats, fans of Cartoon Network’s smash hit series, Adventure Time, can now complete their Finn look with an authentic backpack, which is valued at around 20 bucks on its own, packaged with the DVD! Packed with 16 hilarious episodes from fan-favorite seasons, Adventure Time: Finn the Human is a must-have gift for any Adventure Time lover. For only $24.98, you'll be able to get your hands on nearly three hours of content and a sweet exclusive backpack, perfect for any adventure this holiday season.





MY REVIEW
This Adventure Time Finn the Human DVD set is great because not only does it include 16 episodes of the hit show, but it also comes with a free backpack that resembles the one Finn wears! This cartoon is not only geared to children and teens, but it also has humor that is more directed to adults making it fun to enjoy while watching with your kids! Definitely a great DVD to give this Holiday season for those Adventure Time fans you know. I sat down and watched this with my teen age brother who is a huge Adventure Time fan. He absolutely loves this show and loves that the DVD came with a backpack like Finn's. 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Adventure Time: Finn The Human on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

The Rubik's Cube, A Classic Gift For The Holidays! (@Rubiksonline Review & Giveaway) #HolidayGiftGuide


The Rubik's Cube has always been a fun and challenging game to play. It's been around for years in family's home. I remember playing with the cube and trying to match all sides when I was a kid. So I was really excited when I had a chance to review both the original Rubik's Cube and the Speed Rubik's Cube.




My daughter has always been quite interested in the idea of the Rubik's and was excited when I presented her with the original Rubik's Cube!  She was impressed at how easy the cube was to turn and twist as she struggled with the puzzle.  

She spends time each day working at it, but is yet to solve the puzzle. The cube allows for faster and easier movements and the bright colors are appealing to the eye as one works towards the goal.  





My husband also enjoys the Rubik's cube and spent much time with our daughter playing with the Speed Rubik's Cube.  The concept of the Speed Rubik's Cube is very interesting and exciting.  The Speed Cube allows one to adjust the cube to their liking and it is much easier to manage as it too allows for faster and easier movements.   

I also like that both cubes no longer come with the stickers and that each tile is hard plastic.  Before, the stickers would come off and leave the cube damaged or useless even as it no longer maintained the color.  Overall this classic puzzle is great for children as it encourages thinking and strategy. Both Rubik's and Speed Rubik's Cube would be a great gift this holiday season for not only kids, but for the entire family. This is definitely a classic that will bring family's together testing one another skills and having fun all at the same time.

The original Rubik's Cube is retailed between $12.99-$16.99 and the Speed Cube is retailed at $19.99. To get your hands on the latest edition of the World's most twisted puzzle, head on over to www.rubiks.com

GIVEAWAY
We are teaming up with the awesome people at Rubik's and giving away the Original and Speed Cube to one lucky Canadian Just Us Girls Reader. Be sure to enter below!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received both the original and speed cube at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

@ShopprsDrugMart Quo 10 Piece Brush Set (Review) #HolidayGiftGuide


As a mother who loves makeup, but also likes to keep my household on a budget, finding cosmetic products that are not only good quality, but that are also affordable can some times be hard if they aren't on sale, or so I thought.

I was recently introduced to Shoppers Drug Mart exclusive cosmetic brand, Quo. I had a chance to review their 10 piece brush set. The brush set comes with a Powder Brush, Blush Brush, Foundation Brush, Concealer Brush, Lip Brush, Liner/Brow Brush, Crease Blender Brush, All Over Shadow Brush, Definer Shadow Brush and a Shadow Smudger Brush that you can store in the satin lined cosmetic roll it comes with.



The Brush set is pretty awesome. It's a perfect size for when you're on the go and traveling. It's easy to store in your purse and doesn't take up too much room. I've been using it for the last few weeks and I'm so impressed by how well they work. To find a makeup brush set that's not only great quality, but also a set that's affordable too, is pretty awesome and great for ladies on a budget. This is also a great set to use if you're just starting to use makeup. The brushes are well-made and hold their shape pretty nicely and the bristles on the brushes are really soft on your skin and work really well.

After I used the set the first time and cleaned them, I did notice a bit of dye coming off of the brushes and they did shed a little bit, but that only happened after the first time I cleaned them. I've cleaned them about six times now and have yet to have any of the brushes shed after that first cleaning.

I don't wear make-up every single day. Maybe two to three times a week, depending on if I'm going out and where I'm going, so I know that this brush set will last me a really long time. I'm definitely excited to try out the other brushes from Quo. This would be a great gift this holiday season for any make-up guru in your life or a gift for yourself. Affordable and great quality, what more can you ask for when it comes to make-up tools?

The Quo 10 Piece Brush Set is available at your local Shoppers for $45. For more information about Shoppers Drug Mart exclusive line, Quo be sure to check them out in store or online.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received a Quo 10 piece Brush Set at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.


If I Stay Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review




Seventeen-year-old Mia Hall (Moretz) thought the hardest decision she would ever face would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at Juilliard or follow a different path to be with the love of her life, Adam (Blackley). But what should have been a carefree family drive changes everything in an instant, and now her own life hangs in the balance. Caught between life and death for one revealing day, Mia has only one decision left, which will not only decide her future but her ultimate fate.

Based on the novel, If IStay was produced by Alison Greenspan, with Denise Di Novi, Forman and Brad Van Arragon serving as executive producers.

Fans of the beloved book can see the story come to life like never before with compelling bonus features and deleted scenes. Celebrate the film’s music with an original “Never Coming Down” music video, “I Never Wanted to Go” music montage, a free download of the song “Mind” from the soundtrack courtesy of WaterTower Music and music commentary by R.J. Cutler on songs from the movie. Then, dive deeper into the making-of the film with “Beyond the Page,” a three-part book, author and cast introspective.



MY REVIEW
This was SO GOOD! One of the books you read and absolutely love and then the movie comes out and meets your every expectation. I thought Chloe Grace Moretz did an amazing job playing Mia. This was a movie I got to watch all by myself! I mean, no husband or kiddos around. It was just me, a glass of wine, chocolate covered blueberries and a box of tissues that were definitely used. 

This is such a great romance movie that even if you didn't read the book first, you'd still love the movie and want to read the book. The movie is about Mia, a seventeen year old girl, who gets in a car accident with her parents. Her parents die. She leaves behind her true love, Adam. She's trapped in the middle and trying to decide whether she should move on to see what comes next for her or stay and live her life with the guy that she loves. This movie will move you in so many ways and give you chills. I'm such a sucker for teen romance movies, well any romance movie, but If I Stay, has definitely made it to my favorites lists.

Released on blu-ray and DVD on November 18th, 2014, you can now bring the movie home and it would make a great Holiday Gift!
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received If I Stay at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

@beDelectable + EOS Be Your Sweetest & Smoothest Holiday Gift Sets (Review) #HolidayGiftGuide


While the Holidays are near, so is Winter. It's just around the corner. The cold weather can definitely be harsh to our skin and lips. It's best to keep them hydrated so that they remain soft and smooth and so you're not left with cracked lips or skin.

"Be Your Sweetest and Smoothest!"

be Delectable, a sister brand from Cake Beauty, is teaming up with one of my all time favorite lip balms, EOS, for the perfect gift set to give to any girl this holiday season. This would be a perfect stocking stuffer for girls, tweens, teens and adults. A perfect way to hydrate both your lips and hands, these gift sets are perfect for this Holiday.


The  Be Your Sweetest and Smoothest gift sets come in two different options. You can get either the be Delectable strawberry & cream hand cream and EOS's lip balm in sweet mint or the be Delectable coconut & cream hand cream paired with EOS strawberry sorbet lip balm, both are great and are winter must haves!

I've been using EOS for the last couple of years now and it continues to hydrate my lips, especially during the harsh Winter. I've been using the be Delectable hand cream in Coconut & Cream over the last month and I absolutely love the smell and how well it keeps my hands nourished and leaving them nice and smooth. One thing I love about the items from this gift set is how easy they both fit in my purse. I love having access to my lip balm and hand cream while I'm out, especially during the cold weather. They've both come in handy many times.

Need a last minute gift for a family member, friend, co-worker or gift exchange, not a problem, the gift set comes packaged super cute with a To & From label in the back so you can sign your gift. These gift sets can be purchased at Target, Loblaws and Rexalls nationwide retailing between $12-$14. 

To find more information about be Delectable's gift sets and other products, be sure to check them out at www.be-delectable.com.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received be Delectable Be Your Sweetest & Smoothest Gift Sets at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

White Christmas: Diamond Anniversary Edition #HolidayGiftGuide



Celebrate 60 years of the treasured musical classic Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS with the spectacular new Diamond Anniversary Edition arrived on Blu-ray Combo Pack October 14, 2014 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Starring legendary performers Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen and featuring unforgettable music by Irving Berlin, the beloved holiday film offers timeless entertainment for all ages.

MY REVIEW
Who doesn't love the classic movie, White Christmas?! This is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies to watch over the Holidays, so I was pretty excited when I got to review the Diamond Anniversary Edition. Not only is the picture sharp and great on blu-ray, but the blu-ray also comes with 13 sing-a-long songs as well. 

It was great watching this classic movie with my husband and kiddos. Definitely put us in the Holiday mood and not only did the Diamond Edition come with both the blu-ray and DVD, but it also comes with a bonus 12 song Christmas CD, which is fan-freaking-tastic! Let me just say it was so good to watch a great classic movie with my family, but it was even better putting up our Christmas decorations while listening to Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Judy Garland and more. 

This would make a great gift to give to someone this holiday season or to even buy for your family so you can enjoy both the movie and music at home together. In honor of the 60th Anniversary of White Christmas, The Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation and Paramont Pictures are proud to make a combined $100,000 donation to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF! 

White Christmas Diamond Anniversary Edition is now on sale in both U.S. and Canada and retailing for $27.99 in the states and $29.99 in Canada. 
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received White Christmas Diamond Anniversary Edition at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

@HamiltonBeachCA MultiBlend Blender (Review) #HolidayGiftGuide


With the Holidays around the corner, I find myself in the kitchen more and more. I love to cook and bake a lot this time of year and having dependable appliances are definitely needed to get the job done. That's why I was excited and happy when I got to try the new Hamilton Beach MultiBlend Blender. My old blender was on its last leg and the blade wasn't working as well as it use to in the past. I've had it for about three years and I think it did its job considering I used it for more than just blending drinks.



The Hamilton Beach MultiBlend Blender has a 700 watt peak-power motor that is made for blending not only drinks, but food as well. I was pretty impressed when I learned that I could not only make shakes in this blender, but you can also make smoothies, dips, salsa, soups and more. It comes with a stir spoon for mixing thicker foods, which is great. When using my old blender for thicker foods, I usually had to stop blending and stir a spoon in there to make sure whatever I was blending would continue without leaving chunks. With the stir spoon you can blend and stir thicker food/drinks in the blender while it's still on.




The 48 ounce capacity blender not only blends a variety of food and drinks, it's dishwasher safe and it also has a shatterproof Tritan jar, which is perfect in a household that has little ones in it. So if something should happen to where I accidentally drop the blender, I know that it will be okay and won't shatter glass all over my kitchen floor.



I've been using the Multi-Blender for the last few weeks and have been impressed every time I use it. I recently made the kiddos a Hot Chocolate Shake for an after school snack, which they loved. I love how easy and smooth the blender worked and the shake came out great.

This would be a great gift for family and friends that are newly married, just bought their first house and for the up and coming holidays. The Hamilton Beach MultiBlend Blender is retailed at $42.99 and comes with a 5 year limited warranty.

Hot Chocolate Shake
Ingredients
1 Packet of Hot Chocolate Mix
1 1/2 Teaspoon Truvia (If you don't have Truvia, one tablespoon Sugar)
1 1/2 cups milk
2 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
Whipped cream (optional)
Chocolate Syrup (optional)

Directions: In mug, mix together hot chocolate packet, milk and Truvia. Warm in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. In Blender add your ice cream and pour in your hot chocolate mixture and blend. Pour in glass and add whipped cream, chocolate syrup and enjoy!


For more information about the MultiBlend Blender and other Hamilton Beach products be sure to head to www.HamiltonBeach.ca
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Hamilton Beach MultiBlend Blender at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

@GaiamCanada Balance Ball Chair Review


For the most part of the day, I am sitting at work at my desk. I've been wanting to try the Gaiam Balance Ball Chair for a while now, so I was pretty pumped when I had the opportunity to review it. I was so excited to try out this innovative chair design that I immediately opened the box and began assembly. The chair was very easy to put together and the ball was easy to inflate with the pump that was included. I tested the chair out both at home and at work.

The Balance Ball Chair offers health and fitness benefits while you're sitting at home or at the office. It's designed for people between 5-feet and 5-feet, 11-inches tall. The Balance Ball Chair is just like the same balance ball you would use in your workout routine, but with an adjustable support bar, easy-glide casters and an air pump to help keep you moving throughout the day.




The chair is very comfortable and allows you to maintain correct posture at your work-space which helps to reduce stress and strain on the body. I was able to identify how poor my posture often is when using my regular office chair. With the Balance Ball Chair, my posture was quickly corrected and I immediately felt less strain on my shoulders and neck as well as my core being activated.

The chair also comes with a desktop guide that demonstrates stretches and exercises one can do by utilizing the chair. The balance ball can be removed from the chair easily and within seconds you are able to stretch and relax for a quick break. There was also a DVD included with a workout guide in order to incorporate your chair into a whole body workout. I appreciated that the chair also had wheels in order to move freely around my office as needed.

The only concern I had with the chair was the included ball smaller than the standard balance ball. The size of the ball made the chair lower to the ground than an office chair would. I was not at the height I like to be at my desk. After reading online on Gaiam, they do recommend re-inflating your ball after you first inflate it so that the ball has stretched to its final size.

Overall, the Balance Ball Chair is great and I really appreciate all of the health benefits it has to offer! I would highly recommend this chair for anyone looking to get some exercise in during the day while they're at work or in their home office. This would be a great gift for the upcoming holidays considering New Years is around the corner, this would be perfect for those with goals to exercise a bit more. 

The Balance Ball Chair retails for $139.99 and can be purchased at www.gaiam.ca
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Gaiam Balance Ball Chair at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

PAW Patrol: Winter Rescues DVD (Review & Giveaway)



PAW Patrol is a CG, action-adventure preschool series starring six heroic puppies led by a tech-savvy 10-year-old boy named Ryder. Among the members of the group are Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Zuma, Rubble and Skye. All of the animals have special skills, gadgets and vehicles that help them on their rescue missions.With an unique blend of problem solving skills, cool vehicles and physical humor, the PAW Patrol works together on high-stakes rescue missions to protect the Adventure Bay community.

In this wintery adventure, join Ryder and the PAW Patrol as they make a trip to Jake's Mountain to save Alex and look for a snow monster, No job is too big, no pup is too small!



MY REVIEW
My kids absolutely loved watching Paw Patrol. My seven year old son didn't take his eyes off the screen when the episodes were playing. It even kept my 3 month old entertained by the bright and fun vibrant colors. Winter Rescues includes six episodes that are fun, colorful and filled with lots of adventures that the pups and Ryder find themselves in. 

I love that this is a kid friendly show that not only is fun to watch, but also has pretty catchy songs, especially when the Paw Patrol is on their way to help. My son has been singing the song non-stop and has even gotten it stuck in my head as well. Another great thing about the show is that it gets your kids excited to see how the Paw Patrol will get through each adventure they come across to help their community. Definitely a great show for young kids to watch because it shows them how the Paw Patrol works together as a team.

 For more information about Paw Patrol and other shows, be sure to check out Kaboom Entertainment on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY
To celebrate Paw Patrol: Winter Rescues coming to DVD in Canada, we're giving away a Paw Patrol Prize pack courtesy of Spin Master. The prize pack will include a DVD of Winter Rescues, a Deluxe Talking Plush and HQ Playset or Deluxe Trans Vehicles. The giveaway is open to our Canadian readers only.



Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received PAW Patrol: Winter Rescues on DVD at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 - Family Movie Night #HTTYD2


Many of you already know, my family and I love a good movie night. We do it pretty often, especially in the Fall and Winter. It gives us time to come together and watch a family movie that we can all enjoy while munching on a few snacks.


So last week I shared with you guys a couple different options you could serve when hosting a How To Train Your Dragon 2 Family Movie Night. If you haven't checked out those recipes yet, head on over. The Swamp Water and Dragon Treats were a big hit in my house and goes great when watching the movie.



Last week we received a box filled with not only the How To Train Your Dragon 2 movie, but also party plates, napkins, cups, snacks and stickers and activity sheets for us to enjoy during our family movie night. The treats were a great add. So after dinner last Friday, we all got ready and settled down in our family room and took out our treats to eat. The kids absolutely loved munching on some of their favorite snacks while watching the movie. The hubby and I even enjoyed a few snacks as well.



From beginning to end the kids couldn't take their eye off the movie. They were excited to see not only their favorite characters from part one, but also to see some new characters in the movie. They're super excited to see the third movie already, I am too! Filled with lots of action and a great story line, I loved how there was lots of humor in the movie as well to keep everyone entertained.




How To Train Your Dragon 2 is now out on both Blu-ray and DVD in stores now. This would definitely be a great Holiday gift for the entire family. We had such a great night watching part two and can't wait to take the kids to see part three whenever it comes out.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received How To Train Your Dragon Movie Night Kit at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Holiday Goodies From @TimHortons #HolidayGiftGuide


“Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!”

I don't know about you, but cold weather for me means lots of warm beverages for the family and I. Who doesn't love a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate on a rainy or snowy day during the Winter months?! Especially one from Canada's favorite coffee place, Tim Hortons! I absolutely love Timmies. I'm there at least a couple times a week grabbing myself a French Vanilla or Tim Bits for the kiddos.

This Holiday Season, Tim Hortons has a few holiday goodies that would be a perfect gift for any coffee lover. I was sent a Timbit Tree Ornament, Tim Hortons Holiday Mug in green, but they also comes in red and blue, Tim Horton's Dark Roast Coffee in K-Cups, which also comes in Tassimo format as well and their delicious Candy Cane Hot Chocolate.



Let me just say, the Candy Cane Hot Chocolate was a hit with my kids and their friends after they had fun in the snow. They came in to a warm, chocolaty, minty drink with lots of marshmallows. I'm a huge fan of their coffee for K-Cups, the new Dark Roast Coffee smelled heavenly while brewing in my Keurig and taste amazing. This hit the spot, especially since I didn't feel like driving in the snow to pick up a french vanilla.


These Holiday items from Tim Hortons are very affordable and can be mixed and matched to fit any budget. The entire gift set is $29.66. This is a perfect gift for hosts, co-workers,  friends and family members and to even buy for yourself. These items are also great last minute or unexpected gifts you might have during the holiday season. They're also easy to ship gifts for family and friends that live far away from you. This would be perfect for a college student away from home during the holidays.

For more information about the Holiday items from Tim Hortons, be sure to head to your local Tim Hortons or online at www.timhortons.com
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the products mentioned above at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Book Review: The 100 Day 21 by Kass Morgan (@kassmorganbooks & @The100)



Title: The 100 Day 21
By: Kass Morgan
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 16, 2014
ISBN: 9780316234559
Pages: 320

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.
It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.
In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.
MY REVIEW

The second book in the 100 series was a good read, quick and to the point. It felt very simple to me but I am an accomplished adult reader and this is very clearly meant for a teenage audience. The story was interesting, however, despite the fast pace of the first novel, the second novel seemed to drag at times and move quite fast at other times. It was interesting and unique but didn't quite capture my attention as much as the first book did. That being said, just because I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the first book doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the book . I did, in fact, enjoy this story and I look forward to reading the next installment.

My 13-year-old son is reading these books as I complete them and he is so impressed and excited to see what will happen next. He is taken off guard by the twists and turns and excitedly discusses what is happening in the book with me. The characters really feel like teenagers to me. There is not even a little bit of "A teenager wouldn't talk or think like that," feeling that can sometimes happen in young adult novels written by adults.

All of the characters in this series are either 18 years old or very close to 18 years old, there is an intimacy scene that is merely implied and not at all described which may give some parents pause. There is also violence, again, not described explicitly but these kids are trying to survive a harsh new world and, of course, there are deaths.

I would advise reading the book first if you are allowing your younger teenagers to read these novels and have any issues with such circumstances in novels.

I would definitely recommend for teenagers and even parents of the teenagers reading these books. I really enjoy the discussion I have with my Son when he completes the last book I read…It's a priceless feeling.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received The 100 Day 21 at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

#Disney's Planes: Fire & Rescue Blu-ray&DVD Review #HolidayGiftGuide




Dusty and friends are back for another exciting adventure. Dusty Crophopper decides to move on from his career as a racer as he learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again. Dusty finds confidence and become a fire and rescue plane in Northern California. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, a bunch of all terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the brave team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero and friend.


MY REVIEW
We had the opportunity to review Planes: Fire and Rescue movie. I popped in the blu-ray copy and settled on to the couch with my 16 month old son. Immediately the action began, it caught my son's attention right away. Since we had recently watched the first movie, Planes, I knew this would go over well with my little guy.

Disney doesn't normally address death but in this movie it does, it explains that they need to sacrifice themselves to save others. If you're letting younger kids watch this movie, you might have to explain it at the end. 

Overall the animation is great and there are enough jokes and interesting action to keep both adults and kids entertained.

Perfect Holiday gift for the little guy who loves Planes or who even loved the Cars movies. Planes: Fire & Rescue is now out on both blu-ray and DVD in stores now.
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Planes Fire & Rescue at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

@cloud_b's Dreamz To Go Octo (Review & Giveaway) #HolidayGiftGuide


I have to say, the hubby and I got pretty lucky when it comes to baby's who sleep through the night. My oldest daughter first slept through the night at three weeks old, my son was six weeks and I'm happy to say the youngest has been sleeping through the night since she hit the 10 week mark! It couldn't have come at a more perfect timing, right before school started for the older two.

After my older two are in bed at around 8:30, I have my one on one time with the little one. We have bath time, I give her a bottle and by 9:30 I lay her in her room and in just a few short minutes later, she is sleeping for the night.



One thing that has caught her attention before bed in her room has been the Dreamz To Go Octo we received earlier last month. It's the solution for soothing sleep no matter where your little one's bedtime lands and also a great décor add for any bedroom. We received the Dreamz To Go Octo in Pink and I have to say, it matches my little ones bedroom, perfectly.




What I love most about the Octo is that it's small enough to take with you, even if you're traveling and yet it's able to help your child fall asleep by watching the stars and fish with bubbles that's being projected. I also love that this light stays on for 45 minutes and then it turns off automatically so I don't have to go back into my little ones room to turn it off and accidentally wake her up by moving around in her nursery. You can also change the color of the soothing light from blue to red.


A great gift this holiday season for not only babies, but for both young girls and boys who need a night light during bed time. This will definitely help. It comes in both blue and pink so it's perfect for both boys and girls and is retailed at $24.99.

To find out more about Dreamz To Go Octo and other Cloud b products be sure to head to: www.cloudb.com/Canada

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Dreamz To Go Octo at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Gelarti Designer Studio Foils (Review) #HolidayGiftGuide


My daughter absolutely loves arts and crafts. She could craft for hours and hours and she loves creating items and giving them to friends and family members as gifts. She's definitely her mother's daughter.

That's why I knew she would absolutely love the Gelarti Designer Studio Foils. The kit allows her to paint, peel and place reflective foil stickers on her wall or windows in her room.



What I love about Gelarti is that this was very easy for her to use and there was little set up called for when she took it out of the box. She didn't need any help from me. It doesn't need batteries, which is a plus and it's mess free, which is another plus. The set comes with stickers that are a mix of small, medium and large.

She loves that she can stick her stickers on her walls and windows and if she feels the need to move them to another area, she can and they'll still stick in another place without a problem. She's even placed a couple of the stickers on her notebook and showed her friends at school.

This would be a great gift this holiday season for any girls who love arts and crafts. Affordable and easy to use, Gelarti Designer Studio Foils is the perfect gift for young girls. They'll love that they're able to decorate their own stickers and place them on their wall for show.

The Gelarti Designer Studio Foils retails at $19.99 at your local toy stores. There are so many other different types of Gelarti. We also received the Lalaloopsy Sew Cute (retailed at $12.99) as well and I can't wait to give that to her for her to use. She still loves Lalaloopsy and I'm sure this will be a hit as well and is perfect for any girl who's a fan of the hit show, Lalaloopsy.




For more information about Gelarti and all of their different kits, be sure to check them out online.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Gelarti sets at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

The Zelfs: Toadstool Swirl-n-Swing (Review) #HolidayGiftGuide


When I was younger, I loved to collect Trolls. Do you remember those mini colorful hair dolls? Some eve had gems on their belly's where their bellybutton is suppose to be. I use to have at least a dozen of them. We would bring some to school or play dates and trade them. They were one of the, "IT," toys in the early nineties.

Well now there's The Zelfs. They remind me so much of trolls and when I told my nine year old this when she first started collecting them, she didn't believe me until I showed her a Google image.

Zelfs are lovable creatures with crazy hair. They come in many different colors and live in an enchanted world.

My daughter is a huge fan and loves to collect them. They have many different Zelfs along with lots of accessories including the Toadstool Swirl-n- Swing. This new toy will have any fan of Zelfs wanting it in their collection.


The Toadstool is a playset that has room for three Zelfs to sit on. The seats are leafs, which is pretty cute. When you put your Zelf in the seat, you'll notice that there are safety bars to help them stay seated when you spin them and to keep them safe, of course! You can turn the top of the Toadstool and spin and swing away and watch your Zelfs spin around and around!

The Toadstool also comes with one exclusive Zelf named, Ribbita, so you can add her to your collection as well. I think this is pretty awesome for any Zelfs fans out there. It kind of reminds me of a merry-go-round you would see at a carnival. This would also be a great way to display your Zelfs as well if you have them on a shelf. The Toadstool retails for around $24.99 and can be found in most toy stores. This would be a great gift for any young girls who love Zelfs this holiday season.

To find out more about the Toadstool and other Zelfs products, head to www.zelfs.ca


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Zelfs Toadstool at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Keep Clean This Winter w/ @KandooKids


With Winter just around the corner, it's time to start getting prepared, making sure that we have all the supplies we need that will help our little ones when or if they become sick this Winter. Some of my go to products include lots of items from Kandoo. I like to make sure that I have products that are not only safe for my kids to use, but that will also allow them to have fun while using them.

That's why I love all of the Kandoo products, from the hand soap to the body wash, shampoo bubble bath and wipes. I love how kid friendly and easy their products are when being used. I know that my kids will use these products because they not only smell good, but they look fun to use. My son loves the colors from the foam soaps. My daughter loves using their shampoo now that she takes showers instead of baths. She loves that she can use a couple of pumps and clean her hair without moms help. I love knowing that the shampoo is tear free, so if anything gets in her eyes, it won't irritate her.



I also love having their hand soap out for not only my kids, but for when we have play dates and they have friends over. I always get a kick out of hearing the kids come out of the rest room and let me know that they love Kandoo.

With the range of products that Kandoo provides for your little ones, that are not only tear free and hypoallergenic, you'll be all set this Winter keeping your little ones clean.

For more information about Kandoo and their products be sure to head to www.kandookids.com

Disclosure: I receive special perks as a part of my affiliation with the Kandoo Ambassadorship. The opinions on this blog are 100% my own.