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Scentsy Flameless Candles
Jen Says
My husband suffers from severe allergies, because of that we rarely get to open our house to fresh air. In an effort to keep my house from smelling stale I have a rather large collection of candles and plug in fresheners. The problem? I also have a fear of burning my house down. A big one.
Enter Scentsy. Nicole over at Scentsy was nice enough to send me a sample set to try out at my house. I got to choose a full size warmer and three scents. I could not be more in love with this product. I see a lot of purchases in my future.
Scentsy warmers are SAFE to use around kids and pets, which is important to me considering I have a very curious 15 month old, a cat who loves to knock things over and a baby on the way. The wax is warmed by a low watt light bulb so there is no open flame. The exclusive Scentsy wax also has a melting point of just above normal body temperature so the melted wax will not burn. I actually tested this by letting the wax melt for an hour or so and then dipping my finger in it. It was warm but certainly nothing that would burn.
The scents are AMAZING. There are a wide variety in everything from florals to baked goods, as well as scents that are designed for the changing seasons. The scents come in easy to break wax bars or bricks making it easy to mix scents if you wish. One of the best features of the Scentsy system is the ability to switch scents without wasting any wax. To change to a different scent you simply warm the wax in the dish until it is completely melted and then pour it back into it’s original container. Wipe out the dish and start with a new scent.
The warmers come in a variety of sizes as well as designs to match any decor. There are also plain warmers that you can design yourself using rub on decals for extra personalization. They also carry a line of travel products so you can take your favorite scents with you wherever you go!
Even better? Nicole wants to give one of you fabulous folks a Scentsy set all of your very own. To enter, go over to Nicole’s site http://scents2warm.com/ and check out all the products. Then come back and leave a comment telling me which scent and/or product you would love to try. A winner will be picked at random on August 30th at 10 PM Central.
*Disclosure – this item was received free of charge with the understanding that I would give an objective review*
Swinxs Game Console (Giveaway!)
Meghan Says:
When I was first approached with an offer to review Swinxs, I was a little confused as to what it was, exactly.
The press release says:
The hottest innovation in family-friendly interactive play has hit U.S. shores. The portable screen-free entertainment console engages kids in physical, creative and educational play (including musical chairs, tag and relay) by using its voice in combination with sounds and colors.
It sounded fun and like something that Dylan would enjoy, but I couldn’t really figure out how it worked. So, I decided to reserve judgment until I received it and had a chance to check it out. And I’m glad I did!
It’s really pretty cool. It came loaded with a few games, and as soon as I plugged it in (the battery wasn’t charged) Dylan and two of his cousins were racing around my Mother-in-Laws house and having a blast. The played Swinxs Dash the most, where each player takes a turn running a course, and Swinxs keeps track of who runs it the fastest. Each player has their own colored wristband, and that’s how Swinxs knows who is who. Fancy, right?
It’s water resistant and cordless (when the battery is fully charged) so your kids can take it outside and keep themselves out of your hair entertained for hours!
There are a ton of games available for FREE download on the Swinxs website, so you can customize your Swinxs console to suit your children’s individual tastes. Not interested in running around the backyard? Then download the quizzes and games that require children to stay in one spot, like Flyswatter or Animal Quiz.
There really is something for everyone!
I would definitely recommend Swinxs for children a bit over four. Dylan will be 5 in March, and I feel like he’s a little young to understand the rules behind some of the games. But he’s a pro at the ones he does understand. It’s something he will definitely grown into, though!
Also, at $150.00 retail value, it’s a bit pricey. But, if your kids are as active as mine, Swinxs will give them an opportunity to play, have fun, learn and exercise at the same time. And it’s hard to put a price on that!
Giveaway!
We’ve been given the opportunity to give a Swinxs Game Console away to one of our lucky readers! To enter, simply head over to the Swinxs website and check it out. Come back here and leave a comment telling us what game you think would be popular in your house.
You may gain an extra entry by:
1) Following Hot Mom Reviews on Twitter
2) Tweeting about this giveaway with a link back to this post (only once per day, please)
The winner will be chosen by random drawing from all eligible comments on Monday 12/14/2009 at Noon Pacific. Only open to US Residents. Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, and include a link to your tweet! The winner will be notified by email and I will need your mailing address by Tuesday, December 15th.
Good luck!
And the winner is….
Comment # 38 Becca! Congratulations! Please email your shipping address (no PO Box) to meghan (@) hotmomreviews (.) com by tomorrow!
*Disclosure – this item was received free of charge with the understanding that I would give an objective review*
Corneille
Meghan Says:
There’s not any specific musical genre that I stick to. My ITunes purchases range from country, to rap, to R&B, to Classical, to…well, The Cars Soundtrack.
So I was excited when Team Mom announced they were doing a Music Moms program. It seemed like a great opportunity to hear more artists and expand my musical collection a bit more. Because honestly, it’s a little pathetic. I mean, unlike SOME people, I’ve never worked in the music industry. (I worked in the wine industry, though, and I’m patiently waiting for the day when Team Mom offers Wine up for a review).
Anyway, the first artist up for us to listen to is Corneille, with his new CD The Birth of Cornelius. I have to say, my standards were set pretty high when they told us he was being compared to John Legend, Tracy Chapman and Marvin Gaye. Those are some pretty high standards to live up to.
And I was pleasantly surprised when I finally popped the CD in and listened to it. There’s definitely a jazzy kind of vibe going on, and I was bopping around my house like a mad woman while it was playing. My favorite song from the CD is the first track, Back to Life. It gets you grooving, and the lyrics are really sweet. His song, I’ll Never Call You Home Again, about his native Rwanda is eye opening and heart wrenching.
It’s clear that Corneille writes from the heart, and there is a lot of emotion in what he sings. He really has a soothing voice, so even if you’re not paying attention to the words, you’ll be sure to enjoy the sound.
He has an amazing life story (he was the only member of his family to escape Rwandan genocide in 1994) and, he’s pretty darn easy on the eyes, ladies. You will soon be able to learn more about him, and gaze at photos, on his website. For now, though, just check him out on ITunes. You won’t be disappointed.
Heather Says:
As Meghan so subtly hinted, yes, I used to work in the music industry. I was in Artists and Repertoire, which is a fancy schmancy way to say that I was in the new artist department. So I have A LOT of experience listening to music. It was my job and all that.
I was interested to hear his music after reading a bit about him. Like Meghan mentioned, his entire family (parents & siblings) was wiped out Rwandan genocide. He was the only one that escaped – he was 17. He was born in Germany and spent seven years there before his family returned to Rwanda, after the Genocide he moved back there for three years. Then he went to Montreal for college. I was intrigued to hear how all these influences would effect his music.
His sound is very smooth, well-produced, easy to listen to. It’s the kind of album I would imagine being put on if one was cooking or having a dinner party. It’s got a distinct “chill-out” vibe to it. His song lyrics vary from the sublime (”last time I saw you/you were stripping me of/anyone and anything that was mine/that’s how I remember you” from I’ll Never Call You Home Again) to the silly (”Now I’m drinking my days and crying my nights away/I got about a million contacts in my iPhone and no unread messages today” from Liberation), but the melodies are well-crafted and full of hooks.
It’s not my kind of music, but I still appreciated his talent. However, considering how popular Cornielle is all over the world, I’d say a lot other people enjoy listening to his silky voice again and again. Be sure to check him out on iTunes so you can decide for yourself!
Giveaway!
We are lucky enough to have a CD to give away to one lucky winner! Simply leave a comment here letting us know what your favorite “after hours” music is. In other words, when the house is quiet, and you’ve got an after dinner cocktail or glass of wine, what music are you sure to pop into the CD player first?
Contest runs until 12 Noon on Tuesday, March 31st. Open only to US Residents. We will choose a winner randomly from all eligible entries. To earn an extra entry, subscribe to our feed. You can also earn one extra entry per day by Tweeting about this contest. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!
HINT Water
Meghan Says:
If you’ve been around here before, you might remember the last time we reviewed water.
And I outed myself as a water snob.
But what I didn’t share with you is the fact that I can’t stand flavored waters. I HATE taking a sip of water and having it taste sweet.
Really…I won’t touch anything to my lips that’s supposed to be water that has a touch of sweetness. Ewww.
Which is precisely why I was excited when the folks at HINT Water told me about their product.
It’s water that’s lightly flavored without any sweetner, preservatives or calories.
And I’m happy to say that when I first, hesitantly, took a sip I was VERY pleasantly surprised.
I started with the Tropical Fruit. A nice, ice cold glass that totally hit the spot.
But then I had an idea. A BRILLIANT idea.
I made a pitcher of iced tea, and I used the remaining half bottle of Tropical Punch HINT to add some flavor.
And it was delicious. Absolutely delicious.
I also had a bottle of Honeydew Hibiscus, which was equally delicious.
Both waters had a slightly sweet aftertaste, but it wasn’t anything overwhelming, or anything that turned me off on it at all.
Dylan tried it and declared it to be “yummy”. That’s high praise from a picky 4 year-old.
I will DEFINITELY be adding HINT to my list of preferred beverages. And with so many amazing flavors I can’t wait to try more!
I think I’m going to start with Raspberry-Lime. Or maybe Blackberry…
GIVEAWAY!!!
In honor of National Nutrition Month, HINT is offering a case of water to one lucky Hot Mom Review’s Reader! That means YOU!
To enter, simply head over to the HINT website and check out what flavors are available by the case. Leave a comment here letting us know what flavor you’d like to win.
You can earn an extra entry three ways:
- Subscribe to our feed
- Follow us on Twitter
- Tweet about this contest - Drink Water? Win a case of HINT flavored water from @HotMomReviews http://tinyurl.com/HMRHINTGiveaway #HINTGiveaway (You can tweet once per day for the duration of the contest. Please be sure to leave a link to your tweet)
Contest is open to US Residents only and will run until Tuesday, March 17th at 12pm Pacific time. We will randomly choose a winner from all eligible comments at that time. Please be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.
Winner will be notified via email and will have until Thursday, March 19th to send us their shipping information. If we haven’t heard from the winner by the 20th, we will pick another winner.
GOOD LUCK!
Protect A Bed – Pillow Protectors…and MORE!
Meghan Says:
SO- In case you weren’t already aware, today is March 9th.
And in case you already knew that little bit of enlightening info, today is also National Napping Day.
Yes. Seriously. We have a National Napping Day.
The ONLY (not really) country in the world that doesn’t recognize the beauty of a daily Siesta decides to honor the nap with it’s very own Day O’Celebration.
Awesome.
What’s also funny about today being National Napping Day is the fact that *I* could have TOTALLY used a nap today. But I didn’t get one.
That’s probably more ironic than funny, but it’s getting late and I’m tired.
So VERY tired.
Anyway, the awesome folks over at Protect A Bed want to celebrate National Napping Day with all of you.
But they want to do it in an…interesting, and disgusting, way. They want to tip their hats to the droolers of the world.
(That means you, Heather.)
And because I love you all so much, I’m going to share with you the interesting…and disgusting…information they shared with me:
While for many Americans, a great nap often ends with a giant puddle of drool on the pillow, it doesn’t have to end with allergens and bacteria breeding inside of it. In honor of the naptime drooler on this National Napping Day, Protect-A-Bed is showcasing its pillow protector line and making the case for a more sanitary napping environment.
Studies abound tout the benefits of napping, from enhancing memory and learning, to improving work performance, and increasing mental acuity and overall health. That’s why on the first Monday after daylight saving time begins, when the majority of Americans lose one precious hour of sleep, it’s fitting to celebrate the benefits of the nap and those who take them.
On this National Napping Day, Protect-A-Bed has chosen to salute the most magnificent of our napping species: the drooler. Droolers are particularly special because they fall into such a wonderful napping slumber that a puddle of drool is the inevitable result. A salute to the drooler is a salute to great napping.
While their naps are superb, many naptime droolers feel a bit of embarrassment about leaving spots on the outside of the pillow upon waking from glorious slumber, but it’s what’s happening inside of the pillow that’s more of a concern. The average pillow is a veritable Petri dish of allergens, dust mites and bacteria. The drooler often compounds the problem by introducing extra moisture to the pillow. The warm, moist environment offers the perfect haven for allergens and bacteria to grow.
Sleeping on pillows filled with allergens and bacteria exacerbate allergy problems, as you inevitably breathe in the toxins, whether you’re taking a 20-minute restorative nap or getting eight hours of sleep.
Luckily, droolers and people with allergies can give a sigh of relief, because it doesn’t have to be that way. Pillow protectors, like those offered by Protect-A-Bed, create an allergy-free sleep zone and prevent allergens, dust mites, bacteria and moisture from getting into a pillow.
And because I KNOW you want me to repeat it, I’ll say it again:
…it’s what’s happening inside of the pillow that’s more of a concern. The average pillow is a veritable Petri dish of allergens, dust mites and bacteria. The drooler often compounds the problem by introducing extra moisture to the pillow. The warm, moist environment offers the perfect haven for allergens and bacteria to grow.
YES. You. Are. Welcome.
The beauty of the Protect A Bed website is that it is chock FULL of mattress protectors, crib protectors and pillow protectors. And after reading THAT little bit of information, I KNOW you’re adding “pillow protectors” to your list of items to pick up.
And since you’re here, I’m assuming you’re a mom, in which case you KNOW the beauty of mattress and crib protector’s.
I actually knew a guy in College who drooled like nobody’s business. It was disgusting. I can only HOPE he has discovered the beauty of Protect A Bed’s pillow covers and has bought stock in the company.
Giveaway!!!
Protect A Bed has generously donated THREE sets of pillow protector’s to readers of Hot Mom Reviews! Awesome, right?
To enter, simply pop over to Protect A Bed’s website and tell us what product you’d find most useful. For an additional entry, please subscribe to our website, so you’re continuously updated on the awesome stuff we talk about! PLUS, tweet about this contest for one more entry each day. That’s a total of 8 possible entries per person! Just be sure to leave a comment with the direct link to your tweet.
That’s THREE easy ways to enter!
Only one winner per household will be chosen. Open only to US Resident’s. Contest runs until Monday, March 16th at 12pm Pacific Time.
GOOD LUCK!
SYLVANIA PalPODzzz Portable Nightlights
HEATHER SAYS:
My daughter Maddie is OBSESSED with things that light up. Remote controls, toys, the blinking light on the VCR, you name it. If she hits her head (she’s SO close to walking), my sure-fire trick to get her to stop crying is to hand her my cell phone. Unfortunately, my cell phone is about two more head-bonks away from having water damage, so I can’t rely on that old stand-by anymore.
When Parent Bloggers Network asked me if I wanted to review the SYLVANIA PalPODzzz Portable Nightlight, I jumped at the chance because I knew Maddie would LOVE the lady bug light (there is a rocket ship version for the little astronaut in your life). It’s so stinking cute – Maddie literally squealed with delight when she saw it.
SQUEE!
There are so many great things about this night light. The first one I already said – it’s ADORBS. Second, when you plug it in, the whole thing has this awesome soft glow.
Third, the little face lights up to make a flashlight. You can set the flashlight to either come on automatically when it’s removed from the base, or rely on the on/off button. Fourth, the green base still glows with or without the flashlight. Fifth, the flashlight and base only glow when the room is dark, so no energy is wasted. And sixth (and quite possibly my favorite), the batteries in the flashlight are rechargeable. So no more buying and replacing batteries, and no dad batteries clogging up landfills. YAY for being green and stuff!
Madeline plays with the ladybug every day. She clutches it when she crawls across the room (so far, it’s totally indestructible), and it has withstood many, MANY trips to her mouth, something that is SO important when you have a teething kidlet.
The flashlight is bright enough to make things fun, but it doesn’t hurt your eyes when it’s pointed at them – TRUST ME. In it’s nightlight form, it’s bright enough for late-night diaper changes, but soft enough that it doesn’t prevent sleep.
I think this is a great product. Good for the environment, fun for the kids, and reasonably priced at $19.99.
National Security Mom
Meghan Says:
When I was first approached about reviewing National Security Mom I was a bit skeptical. Truthfully, I REALLY didn’t feel like reviewing another book. Who has time to read? But then I read what the book was about and it sounded pretty interesting. Plus, I was going to be able to give one away, and I LOVE to be able to give stuff away!
The book is written by Gina M. Bennett who has 20 years experience in National Intelligence and 15 years experience in the world of parenting. She’s pretty impressively qualified, if you ask me. Her theory, based on her many years of counter terrorist work, is that “going soft” will make America strong. You’re going to have to read the book to find out why, but I’ll share a sneak peek with you now.
In Chapter Two, Time Outs Do Not Solve Everything, she writes:
Our policy choices about how to intervene in the world are not going to be easy, but we can start by understanding the complete picture. Like parents, our leaders should not allow America to be boxed into a reactive mode because of the actions of a handful of violent people. If we do, we are allowing the terrorists to diminish our freedom of choice. It is equivalent to “throwing the baby out with the bath water”. If acknowledging root causes is dismissed as being “soft on terror” or excusing terrorism, then we lose our ability to decide for ourselves whose grievances are legitimate. And if we do so, we miss potential opportunities for breaking the cycle of violence. Given a nonviolent, viable alternative, people usually choose to reject violence. When they do, they deal the deadliest blow to the terrorists.
This book is an incredibly refreshing way to look at National Security. And seeing as how we’re ushering a new President into the Oval Office, and (hopefully) a new way of dealing with these issues, Gina gives us an insider’s view into what might be the new direction for America’s counterterrorist initiatives.
Giveaway:
I have a copy of National Security Mom for one lucky winner! Simply head over to the book’s website, look around, and come back here and leave a comment letting us know what you think looks interesting about it!
Contest remains open until 12pm Wednesday, January 28th. A winner will be selected by random number draw from all comments. I will email the winner and they will have until 12pm, Friday, January 30th to email me with their shipping address. Only one entry per person, please.
Good luck!
BOCA Meatless Products
Meghan Says
As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t eat meat for a long time in the not too distant past. I’m well over that now, but I DO still enjoy turkey bacon and the occasional veggie burger, which is where BOCA products prove useful.
BOCA recently sent me some coupons so I could try their products and I immediately ran out to the store. I was seriously disappointed in the selection at my grocery store, where they only had Spicy Chili, so I gave up and headed to Target. Where I was met with a nice selection of BOCA products. I went with a box of Chik’n patties and a box of Chik’n and Swiss Sandwiches.
As soon as I got home, seeing as it was just about lunch time, I opened the boxes and made lunch. Which Dylan refused to eat. Which isn’t a reflection on BOCA products, he’s just super picky and unless it’s a PB&J or Turkey & Cheese sandwich, he’s not going to eat it.
Zach, however, wolfed down his Chik’n patty and I thoroughly enjoyed my Chik’n and Swiss Sandwich. So much I eventually heated up the other one. Which I’m pretty sure negates any healthy aspects of it. But whatever.
I’m bound and determined to make sure that Zach doesn’t end up as picky an eater as my husband his brother so BOCA products will be a common lunch option for us. I love that they’re low in fat (if you eat just one!) and they’re chock full of iron and protein. The only downside is that I find the sandwiches a LITTLE dry as is. Adding mayonnaise or ranch dressing (as would be my first option!), definitely makes them bad for you, but if you dip them in marinara sauce, they’re EXTRA delicious!
BOCA Meatless Products gets a Rating: 
Giveaway
I have three coupons for ONE FREE package of any BOCA Meatless Product that I’m going to send to one lucky winner. Simply head over to the BOCA website, look at what they offer, and come back here and leave a comment telling me what you’d use your coupons to buy. Please leave a valid email address with your entry, as that’s how I’ll contact the winner. Only one entry per person, open to US Resident’s Only. Contest runs until Monday, December 29th at 5pm. A winner will be chosen using random.org from all eligible entries. I will notify the winner by email and they will have until Thursday, January 1st to send me their shipping address. If I don’t hear back from them, I’ll choose another winner!
Good luck and happy eating!
Cole Family Christmas
Meghan’s Take:
When I was first offered the opportunity to review Cole Family Christmas, I was intrigued by the back story. As the original email said:
The book began as a small family project when Jennifer Liu Bryan, sat down with her 88-year-old grandmother-in-law Hazel Cole Kendle to write a family Christmas memory that had been passed down for generations and shared at family gatherings.
The book is based on a Christmas story passed on to Hazel by her 8 older siblings about their favorite Christmas when they didn’t receive what they wanted from Santa. Instead they found joy in what their parents crafted for them.
But then I read that it was about a coal miner and his family, and my curiosity was peaked a bit more. My grandfather came from a coal mining family in Eastern Pennsylvania. As a child, we would often visit my Great Uncle and Aunt who lived in the house in which my Grandfather and his siblings grew up. I used to love visiting and being able to peer at all the family heirlooms scattered about. Venturing into the basement was a real treat. Tucked away into the dark, damp corners were bits and pieces of a life gone by. I imagined my Great Grandmother, whom I’d never met, doing the wash or putting away the vegetables she’d canned from her garden. I imagined her, hair pinned up in a bun, wearing a worn apron…
Oh, wait. This is supposed to be about Cole Family Christmas. So, my point is that I was hoping it would give me an extra peek into what life was like for my Grandfather and his family. And you know what? It did. It’s a sweet book with beautiful illustrations. The writing is easy, the characters are real, and the message is clear. It’s a bit long, in that it’s not something I could sit down and read to my kids until they’re older. At 3 1/2 and 1, it certainly wouldn’t hold their attention for long. But it’s something that I will definitely keep in my collection and when they are bigger (if I can get them to sit still long enough!), I’ll share the Cole Family’s story with them. It’s a beautiful tale of America’s past, and it brought a little Christmas spirit to the Central Coast.
Rating:
Giveaway!
We have a copy of Cole Family Christmas for one lucky winner! Simply leave us a comment telling us what your favorite Holiday Tradition is. We’ll pick the winner using Random.org on Friday, December 19th at 6pm. Only one entry per person. Open only to US Resident’s. Please leave a valid email address with your comment, as that is how we will notify the winner. The winner will have until Sunday, December 21st to email us their shipping information, or we will pick another winner.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!
JP Monkey
Meghan Says:
JP What?! JP Monkey is a woman owned Santa Barbara company that makes reusable shopping bags out of remnant upholstery fabric. And they’re FABULOUS.
I saw an article about them recently in the Santa Barbara paper, and I immediately fell in love. I mean, how could you not? They’re GORGEOUS, they’re good for the environment, and they’re made out of upholstery fabric, so they’re heavy duty. No more broken bag handles, or grocery items falling through the bottom of the bag. You can’t beat that.
So, I emailed the company and they agreed to send me a bag…which I immediately put to use when I ran my errands yesterday. And let me tell you, I’ve never enjoyed handing a bag over the checker as much as I did yesterday! I was pleasantly surprised with how much it held. After my trip to Target, it was packed to the brim with all of my loot. These bags really do hold more than your typical grocery bag, and the stiff insert at the bottom makes them completely reliable.
The *only* downside I see is the cost. At $25 bucks a pop, they’re a bit pricey. Especially given that you’ll most definitely want more than one. But, they offer a 15% discount if you order 4 or more, which helps. The design, quality and practicality of them makes them WORTH every penny of the $25, so it’s not as though you’re paying too much.
JP Monkey reusable shopping bags get a Rating: . You won’t be disappointed, and if you’re in need of a gift for your mom or a girlfriend, this is a GREAT option. I recommend taking advantage of the 15% discount, buy a few different designs and keep them tucked away for gifts. You’ll be incredibly popular!
Giveaway
You can win the bag! I’m giving away a Bronwen JP Monkey bag to one lucky winner. All you have to do to enter the contest is head over to JP Monkey, look around the site and pick your two favorite styles. I say two, because if you’re like me, you’ll never be able to pick just one! Come back here and leave a comment with the names of the designs you picked. If you’re on Twitter, you can earn an extra entry by linking to this contest (http://www.hotmomreviews.com/?p=39)! Just leave another comment with a direct link to your tweet.
Open to US Resident’s only. Contest is open until 12 Noon on Thursday, December 18th. I will notify the winner by email (be sure to leave a valid one with your entry). They will have 24 hours to send me their shipping information or I’ll pick another winner.
Good luck!