Holiday Gift Guide: Hickory Farms Gift Box Giveaway!

Several years ago, my husband and I went into a Hickory Farms store and got to sample some Hickory Farms cheeses, sausages, and spreads. I've been sending out Hickory Farms gift boxes and baskets to friends and family members ever since.

I love Hickory Farms not only because the food tastes good, but because there's a Hickory Farms gift to fit every budget- and really, you can't go wrong with a gift of food over the holidays. Pretty much everyone loves receiving sausages, cheeses, crackers and candies to snack on.

That's why I'm happy to be a Hickory Farms brand ambassador for Mom Central- I've been a loyal Hickory Farms customer for years. And actually, as I write this review, I'm snacking on Hickory Farms cheese! Hey, it's Atkins friendly!

In particular, check out this Party Planner Gift Box, one Hickory Farms package I received this holiday season. It is absolutely loaded with food, including four different kinds of cheeses, three different sausages, the most delicious crackers maybe ever, and two different yummy specialty mustards. All this is $40, which is a great price as far as I'm concerned. Better yet, for every Party Planner Gift Box sold, Hickory Farms will donate $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign, a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America!

There are lots more gift boxes and baskets to choose from at Hickory Farms, ranging in price from $15 to $120. Check them out at the Hickory Farms website and know that I've ordered from this site countless times and the recipients of my Hickory Farms gifts have always been pleased.

And to add to the Hickory Farms excitement, I'm giving away a Party Planner box to one lucky Suburban Turmoil reader! To enter to win, leave a comment on this post between now and Wednesday, December 8th telling me why you'd like to win a Party Planner gift box from Hickory Farms. Be sure to leave your e-mail address in your comment so that I can contact you if you've won. US residents only, please.

Good luck!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received two signature gift boxes from Hickory Farms to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Holiday Gift Guide: More from the Schleich Bayala Collection

I was at Toys R Us the other day and noticed a sizable Schleich display had been set up, featuring the whimsical Bayala fairy collection. If you have a child who's enchanted by Tinker Bell or fairies in general, I can't recommend this collection of figurines highly enough.

Schleich sent me several Bayala figures to review and you can read my thoughts on them here.

But today, let me show you three more Bayala figures that my daughter has been enjoying:

Marween is one of Punky's favorite fairies in Bayala. She's sort of the Pippi Longstocking of the group, as you can see! She loves telling funny stories, playing pranks, and eating blueberry pie, according to the website, which tells about each character in detail and really adds to the experience.

Florindel is completely devoted to her kitten, Ovi, and she has captured my daughter's imagination because 6-year-old Punky is clamoring for a dog or cat of her own and spends hours thinking about all the ways she'll take care of her pet.

The fairy Lindariel is the caretaker of the unicorn foal and she spends all her time caring for her pet. Punky LOVES unicorns and thinks they're real. Lindariel has Punky's dream job!

And here's my fantasy toy, which we don't own and is a little beyond my budget at $79.99- The Summergreen Elf House. This is a perfect place for your child to display her Bayala collection and expand on the fantasy. Maybe it'll go on sale some day....

What I love about the Bayala collection, as well as Schleich's other collections, is that the individual figurines are inexpensive enough to add in as stocking stuffers or for your children to save up their money and buy on their own. Punky has a good-sized collection of Schleich horses and she bought several of them with her own money. If your child has a real interest in Schleich, he or she can build up a great collection over time and if you've ever seen and held these figurines, you know they are built to last. They are heavy and detailed and they are the types of toys you keep around for grandkids and great grandkids.

To find a Schleich retailer nearest you or online, check out Schleich's store locator here.

Disclosure: Schleich provided me with these figures to facilitate my review. My opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: The Mickey Mote!

Problem: Your kids is clamoring for one of those interactive TV devices, but you don't have a hundred dollars to spend on a new toy.

Solution: The Mickey Mote!

Expanding on the latest DVDs for kids that let them interact with the movie by using the DVD remote, Disney has now created a special Mickey Mote that lets children get in on the interactive action without you having to hand over your own precious remote! Here's what the Mickey Mote looks like:
My three-year-old LOVES it.

Best of all, you can get a DVD with a Mickey Mote for a little over $20. Not bad, right?

We found programming the Mickey Mote to be quite easy, but you do want to make sure to follow the directions precisely- Otherwise, your Mickey Mote will not work.

Once it was all set up, my son used his Mickey Mote to interact with Handy Manny in the Big Construction Job DVD. There were plenty of opportunities for him to get involved with the story and answer questions with his Mickey Mote. He had a fabulous time watching it and I was pleased that he was getting to work on colors, shapes, and hand-eye coordination without even realizing it!

We next tried the Mickey Mote with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Numbers Roundup. Once again, Bruiser was enthralled by the opportunity to use his Mickey Mote while watching the show. And once again, I was happy to see him learning while being entertained, this time about numbers and counting.

Best of all, the Mickey Mote works with any Disney DVD that is Discovery Mode enhanced, including:

* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Choo Choo
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Bow-Tique
* Handy Manny: Manny's Motorcycle Adventure
* Handy Manny: Manny's Big Race
* Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Blast Off
* My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Duper Super Sleuths
* My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Bedtime With Pooh

This is a great, inexpensive gift idea for your favorite preschooler!

Disclosure: I received a Mickey Mote and copies of two DVDs in order to write this review. My opinions are my own.

In Honor of Small Business Saturday: My Favorite Locally-Owned Nashville Bars and Restaurants

Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They're offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for "Likes" of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the "Like" button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.

In honor of Small Business Saturday, I'm excited to tell you about the small businesses my husband and I frequent most regularly-- Nashville's independently-owned restaurants! Sure chain restaurants can be delicious, but they've got nothing on the unique spirit of the independently-owned restaurants here in town. Whether you're visiting Nashville or you live here, be sure and check these restaurants out if you haven't already- and you know of another great one, feel free to add it in the comments!

The Firefly Grille has got to be my favorite restaurant in town. From the white cheddar mac and cheese with truffle oil to the amazing and nicely-priced wine selection to the homemade coconut cake for dessert, everything on the menu is fantastic. The ambiance is also to die for, and the restaurant is suitable for casual dining or a romantic special dinner for two.

If you live here and haven't eaten at Copper Kettle, you are missing out! The goat cheese salad is a must-have, the Monte Cristo sandwich is by far the best I've ever eaten, and the Sunday brunch is out of this world.

Chances are, you've heard of Nashville's Loveless Cafe-- Expect a long wait if you go for breakfast, but the secret to this restaurant is to go for dinner. You'll almost always get a table right away. Fortunately, the Loveless's amazing breakfast and biscuits are served all day long- but the Loveless also makes the best fried chicken I've ever eaten. The fact is, I've tried a lot at this restaurant now and never had anything on the menu that wasn't scrumptious.

Holland House is a new favorite of ours- Not only is the food fantastic, but the drinks are elaborate and carefully made by very knowledgeable bartenders.

And speaking of knowledgeable bartenders, the Patterson House is hands-down the best bar in town. Patterned after a 20s speakeasy, it's a total insider place to go and the drinks are AMAZINGGGGJJJDKSSS!!!11!!.

Those are a few of my favorite places here in town. What are yours?

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Bob Evans' Farmhouse Feast is a HUGE Hit!

I'm so excited to tell you about this one, I can't stand it.

If you have a Bob Evans restaurant near you (we have one here in Nashville over by Opryland Hotel), this is definitely a fantastic idea to consider for the upcoming holiday season.

This year, Bob Evans is offering a Farmhouse Feast, which is a fully-cooked holiday meal to go. It feeds 6-8 people (and there will be PLENTY of leftovers) and it's $74.99-- I don't know about you, but I spend a lot more than that to make my own Thanksgiving dinner!

To order it, you can even call your local Bob Evans a day in advance or order online here a day in advance. Tell them what time you'll be there and they'll have it ready to go when you arrive- You can even pay for it in advance if you'd like and they'll bring it out to your car!

Take a look at all the Farmhouse Feast includes:

• Your choice of either a slow-roasted whole boneless turkey breast (which I found to be quite large) or a sliced boneless ham
• A pumpkin pie with whipped cream topping
• A loaf of pumpkin bread
• Mashed potatoes
• Gravy
• Cranberry Sauce
• Sweet corn with garlic herb butter
• Bread and celery dressing
• Green Beans with ham
• 1 dozen freshly baked rolls

And you can substitute other selections (like fresh fruit or mac and cheese) if you don't like one of these-- or add more a la carte food to your order.

We ordered this meal (plus an order of macaroni and cheese) when my parents came to visit over the weekend and I can't tell you what a HUGE hit it was. When my husband went to pick it up, it was all ready to go and one of the Bob Evans employees carefully explained what everything was and how to put it together- He also included an easy-to-understand instructions with the order.

When Hubs got home, it took me an hour and 15 minutes to produce an entire Thanksgiving feast, with almost no effort whatsoever. The turkey breast heats in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes and everything else heats either in the microwave, the oven or on the stove.

Best of all? THE FOOD WAS AMAZING. I mean, it was good- Everyone raved about it and no one could believe it came from a restaurant. My parents agreed that I could have put everything into my own dishes and pretended to have baked it myself and they would have had no idea.

Equally as important- Feeding 6-8 people is a conservative amount for this feast. You will have PLENTY of food, I guarantee- and somehow that's important when it comes to the holidays. Our refrigerator is now filled to the brim with leftovers.

I totally recommend the Farmhouse Feast and may very well opt to do this again next holiday season as a gift to myself! I love cooking for Thanksgiving, but I'm also expected to do a big meal for Christmas day and somehow, by the time that day rolls around, I'm all cooked out. Having a Bob Evans feast waiting in the fridge would make it a great holiday for everyone! Including me!

Disclosure: Bob Evans sent me gift cards to cover the cost of the Farmhouse Feast so that I could write this review. As always, my opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toy Story 3 Puzzle Furniture

Fact: My 3-year-old son loves Toy Story 3.
Fact: My 3-year-old son loves rocket ships.
Fact: My 3-year-old son loves coloring and art projects.

It was a given that I would agree to review this new set of Toy Story 3-themed Kids Only! Puzzle Furniture from JAKKS.

Not only do you get a child-sized table and chairs set out of this gift, but it also can be put together to make an awesome rocket ship.

My son was OVER THE MOON, y'all. He thinks it's the coolest thing EVER.

It's also much easier to get him to settle in for some "quiet time" with crayons and coloring books now that he knows he can take apart his rocket ship and work on his cool Toy Story table and chairs. Better yet, the table also has an erasable surface and the set comes with dry erase markers for coloring fun.

This Toy Story 3 Puzzle Furniture set is available in Toys R Us stores now! Head over to your nearest Toys R Us and check it out!

Disclosure: I received a set of Toy Story 3 Puzzle Furniture in order to write my review. My opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: Movie Gifts for Every Member of Your Family

Need a gift idea for dear old Dad? The Last of the Mohicans Director's Definitive Cut is out now on Blu-Ray disc and this is one modern-day classic nearly every dad would love to get his hands on (including my own husband- a dad to four!).

Surely you've seen this film- but perhaps it has been a while. Here's a synopsis from the studio:

An epic adventure and passionate romance unfold against the panorama of a frontier wilderness ravaged by war. Academy Award(R) winner Daniel Day-Lewis (Best Actor in 1989 for My Left Foot) stars as Hawkeye, rugged frontiersman and adopted son of the Mohicans, and Madeleine Stowe is Cora Munro, aristocratic daughter of a proud British Colonel. Their love, tested by fate, blazes amidst a brutal conflict between the British, the French and Native American allies that engulfs the majestic mountains and cathedral-like forests of Colonial America.

This new Blu-Ray release includes:

• All New Widescreen Director’s Definitive CutCommentary by Director Michael Mann
• The Making Of The Last of the Mohicans featuring new interviews with Daniel Day-Lewis
• Theatrical Trailers

The Last of the Mohicans: Definitive Director's Cut is avaiable now on Amazon.com for just $14.99. Great price for a Blu-Ray disc!


Also out now on DVD: The 45th Anniversary Edition of The Sound of Music, out on 2-disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo!

I was thrilled to finally show my kids this film- one of my favorites from childhood- and it was more fun than ever to see it remastered for Blu-Ray. The technology has allowed the film to be enhanced to the point where it's crystal clear. The discs also contain some impressive extra features. Check them out:

• Feature Film Remastered in 1080p Hi-Def with 7.1 DTS-HD Sound
• Your Favorite Things: An Interactive Celebration — All-New Immersive Viewing Experience with Behind-the-Scenes Images, On-Screen Lyrics, Trivia Track and Location Quiz
• Music Machine Sing-AlongAudio Commentaries with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Director Robert Wise

This is definitely one for your family library, and would make a great present for the movie buff in your family. The 45th Anniversary Edition of The Sound of Music Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack is available on Amazon right now for $19.99.


Finally, here's an interesting DVD collection that will appeal to many, from Cher fans to movie lovers. Cher: The Film Collection features six different films starring the inimitable Cher, from obscure and mostly-forgotten films to Oscar award winners.

The films include: Good Times (starring Sonny and Cher in their one and only film together), Chastity (written and produced by Sonny Bono), Silkwood, Moonstruck, Mermaids, and Tea with Mussolini.

Of course, this collection is notable for containing Silkwood, which was nominated for five Academy Awards and stars Meryl Streep and for Moonstruck, the film that earned Cher her Oscar, but Tea with Mussolini and Mermaids also are two of my favorite films from the past-- and Good Times and Chastity are fun films just for sheer kitsch value alone.

Priced at $37.49 on Amazon, it's a great price for a terrific collection of movies.

Disclosure: I received advance copies of these movies in order to review them. As always, my opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: Tiny Prints Holiday Cards

We used to be really good about sending out Christmas cards- but in the last few years, we've sort of let it slide, mostly because it's been really tough to get a photo of our entire family together. With two teenagers who refuse to have their pictures taken (and generally make crazy faces on the rare occasions that they agree to be photographed) and two little ones who often can't be coaxed into a smile, it's just not photo-taking material, you know?

This year, though, things were different. While on a trip to the beach over the summer, I somehow got the whole family dressed and over to a state park beach at sunset for a few great family photos. Even then, the whole thing was a fiasco- The girls were angry for being "forced" to take pictures and Bruiser had just woken from a nap and cried the whole time. Still, somehow, someway, we managed to get a photo of the six of us, along with some other fantastic shots of individual family members.

Christmas card photo SCORE!!!

I think I must have a guardian angel over at Tiny Prints, because a few weeks ago, they contacted me and asked if I wanted to them to make my Christmas cards this year for a review on this site...

Uh. YEAH!!!

And that, my friends, is why I now have in my hands the GREATEST CHRISTMAS CARDS WE'VE EVER HAD OR EVER WILL HAVE. I chose the card pictured above, from a HUGE selection of holiday cards of many sizes and shapes. Want to see the final product? Check it:




The top picture is the front of the card, the bottom is the back, and it folds so that it can be sat on a tabletop if desired and admired by all.

Is this holiday card not AMAZING?

One thing I realized from looking at Tiny Prints' selection of cards is that it doesn't matter if you don't have a great photo of your entire family together- Many of the cards have smaller photo spaces so that you can put an individual photo of each of your children in the card. I wish I had known this was possible before now- I probably would have done Christmas cards if I had.

Also? My card looks like it was created by a professional, but it took me less than 15 minutes to put it together on the site, all by myself. If at any time you have trouble or get confused, you can get live online help from a Tiny Prints associate. And they can also e-mail you a proof of your design before they put the order through. Awesome, right? It's like you have a professional helping you all the way through the process if you need one.

My cards arrived quickly and they're absolutely gorgeous. I'm planning on framing one, to be honest, and bringing it out every Christmas as one of our decorations.

Check out the Tiny Prints website for gorgeous holiday cards, as well as party invitations and stationery. I really can't say enough good things about them!

Disclosure: Tiny Prints allowed me to create and order my own Christmas cards free of charge so that I could write this review. As always, my opinions are my own.

Giveaway and Review: Carmex Healing Lotion and Healing Cream

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Carmex. All opinions are 100% mine.

Carmex is expanding its healing properties to include our skin, with its new Healing Lotion, intended for daily use, and its Healing Cream, created for the driest, roughest parts of your body.

I received both products for review, and with the weather getting colder and drier, they couldn't have come at a better time. Here are my thoughts---

I used the Healing Lotion on my legs, which is commonly where I use lotion daily in the fall and winter. I found it to be light and non-greasy, with a scent that would work fine for both men and women. The difference between this Healing Lotion and any other lotion on the market is that now, a few hours later, my legs feel extra soft and smooth in a way that they do not when I use my normal lotion (currently Aveeno). Props to Carmex for that! Based on this fact alone, I would be likely to buy Carmex Healing Lotion in the future.

I used the Healing Cream on my heels (perhaps they should call it Heeling Cream? Heh. Sorry.). It is actually a lighter-weight cream than I was expecting, and this could be a good thing- Many of the intensive creams I've used for dry feet are so greasy that they've gotten all over my socks or my sheets- This cream was absorbed right into my skin instantly, and now, the dry skin has almost completely disappeared. Based on my use, I would say this is a particularly good intense cream for daytime use, when you want to protect your really dry skin without dealing with something really greasy and messy.

Both Carmex Healing Lotion and Carmex Healing Cream retail for $5.99 apiece and are available exclusively at Walgreens, Walgreens.com, and Drugstore.com.

Want to try them out for yourself? Well, I'm giving away a set of Carmex Healing Lotion and Carmex Healing Cream to one lucky Suburban Turmoil reader! To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd like t try these lotions between now and Saturday, November 20th at 11:59pm, CST. Be sure and leave your e-mail address in the comment so that I can contact you if you've won.

In the meantime, visit the Carmex website for more information on Carmex lotion and other products.

Good luck!

Cottonelle Moist Wipes

I never thought I'd be a fan of erm, Moist Wipes. I thought they were for old people... and people with, you know, issues.

And then I had toddlers.

As you probably well know, toddler wipes are a necessity for toddlers and young children because, well, they generally aren't very handy with the dry toilet paper. Moist toddler wipes saved my you-know what (not to mention my kids') on many, many occasions.

There was only one problem... We were always running out of toddler wipes because EVERYONE ELSE IN MY FAMILY WAS USING THEM.

Of course, no one would admit to it, but they always seemed to disappear within less than a week, and I happen to know my toddlers aren't using that many wipes!

That's why I was MORE THAN happy to review a box of Cottonelle Moist Wipes. Wipes for adults! We don't have to talk about them around here, but I can unequivocally say that they've been "enjoyed" many times since I put them in our bathroom.

Of course, Cottonelle knows that Moist Wipes are a sensitive subject (in more ways than one!). That's why Cottonelle created the Get Fresh with a Friend site, where you can get a $1.00 off Moist Wipes coupon and watch this cute Cottonelle Moist Wipes video from FunnyorDie.com.

Thank you, Cottonelle, for allowing me to

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the Cottonelle brand and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Ralph Lauren Pants Remind Me of An Important Fashion Lesson

I have a confession to make.

I have gotten so wrapped up in the skinny jeans/skinny pants/jeggings/leggings trends that I kinda sorta forgot that skinny jeans don't always make you look that skinny.

The point was really driven home the other day when I was getting ready to go to a party and tried pairing skinny black pants with a loose-fitting cowl-necked top.

Only the outfit didn't look quite right.

In fact, it actually looked quite wrong.

I switched out the skinny pants with a beautifully classic pair of black Adelle pants recently sent to me for review from Lauren by Ralph Lauren. I put them on and, well, as you can see, the effect was fantastic.

Not to brag, but I was very pleased with how I looked that night.

More importantly, I was reminded in no uncertain terms that a good-fitting pair of black trousers can actually make you look skinnier than skinny pants.

And now, I'm getting excited that these trousers are on their way back to the fashion forefront. In fact, many stylistas already have abandoned skinny jeans and pants in favor of classic trousers like this pair.

Want the official deets on them? Here you go:

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Adelle Pants

From the company: "The Adelle pant channels sophisticated elegance in a classic silhouette with a hint of stretch and a sleek straight leg."

• Medium low-rise belted waist.
  
• Zip fly with elongated buttoned-tab closure and interior button closure.
  
• Flat front, straight leg.
  
• Angled hand pockets, welt pocket at back right. Back shaping darts for a smooth silhouette.
  
• 32 1/2" inseam.
  
• 63% polyester, 32% viscose, 5% elastane. Lining: 100% acetate. Machine washable.Imported.
  
• Price: $99.50

What stands out to me are the words "machine washable." These pants look like a million bucks on and yet I don't have to take them to the dry cleaners.

Genius.

So thank you, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, for reminding me of an important fashion lesson... Classic is almost always the way to go if you really want to look sharp.

Disclosure: I am a participant in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Ralph Lauren and received a pair of Lauren by Ralph Lauren pants to help facilitate my review.

Holiday Gift Guide: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Blu-Ray and DVD

Out now on DVD and Blu-Ray and perfect for the holidays: Disney classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

I was particularly excited about this one because it was one of my husband's favorite movies as a kid-- Lucky for him, it withstood the test of time. Our 3 and 6-year-old kids loved this movie when we watched it on Family Movie Night and for us, it looked better than ever, having recently been remastered for Blu-Ray disc.

Need a reminder of what this movie's all about? Here's a synopsis from the studio:

Families everywhere can experience “fantasmagorical” adventures, legendary sing-alongs and magical moments like never before as MGM Home Entertainment releases an all-new remastered version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Blu-ray. Enjoy the fun of this family classic for the first time on Blu-ray disc with upgraded 7.1 DTS-HD master audio and new interactive games. An original version of the film on DVD will accompany the all-new remastered Blu-ray.

Based on the children’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming, the film tells the story of an eccentric professor (played by Dick Van Dyke) who invents wacky machinery, but can't seem to make ends meet. When he invents a revolutionary car, a foreign government becomes interested in it, and resorts to skullduggery to get their hands on it. The all-time family classic evolves from there and viewers are taken on a magical ride with the professor and loveable motorcar.

As part of “the most fantasmagorical musical entertainment in the history of everything!” the remastered version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Blu-ray will feature special interactive features for families everywhere to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes, including an all-new “Toot Sweet Symphony” melody maker and “Chitty Chitty’s Bang Bang Driving Game!” Other special features include “Remembering Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” with Dick Van Dyke, song demos from the Sherman Brothers and a featurette entitled "A Fantasmagorical Motorcar."

Special features on the discs include:

DISC ONE (Blu-ray):

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remastered feature film

• Newly upgraded 7.1 audio
• All-new “Toot Sweet Symphony” melody maker – the Toot Sweet Toots Musical Maestro
• All-new “Chitty's Bang Bang Driving Game”
• Remembering Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Dick Van Dyke
• “A Fantasmagorical Motorcar” featurette
• Sherman Brothers' Rare Demos of the film’s most popular songs
• Vintage Featurettes including, “The Ditchling Tinkerer,” “Dick Van Dyke Press Interview,” and “The Potts Children's Featurette”
• Photo Gallery
• Vintage Advertising Gallery including English and French versions of the theatrical trailer and several television spots
• Sing-a-long version of the film
• Music Machine
  

DISC TWO (DVD):

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• Sing-a-long version of the film

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is out now on Two-Disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo for $19.49 on Amazon!

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this DVD in order to review it. My opinions are my own.

Dunkin' Donuts: THE COFFEE

Sure, Dunkin' Donuts is your go-to place for Saturday morning sleepover donuts... and maybe you even know about their most excellent breakfast sandwiches... but did you know that Dunkin' Donuts now has simply incredible flavored coffee for the holidays?

The flavors are available now in your local grocery and are: Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Nut and Mocha Mint. And as someone who has been drinking all three of these flavors each morning for the last week and a half, I can tell you they are absolutely scrumptious. The flavors come through loud and clear in your morning cup, and I fully intend to buy a few bags for our Christmas party in a few weeks.

These holiday flavors complement Dunkin' Donut's existing flavored coffees, which include Hazelnut, Cinnamon Spice and French Vanilla... but be sure and get the holiday flavors now- They'll only be around for a limited time!

A holiday tip for these coffees- If serving them, be sure and get plain cream and sugar to accompany them. Those flavored holiday creamers you might have on hand will definitely clash with the flavor of the coffee.

Another tip- These holiday coffees create a wonderful seasonal aroma in your home, so if you like to have a cup in the afternoon like I do, you'll have an added bonus of adding a festive scent to the air!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Smuckers and received necessary products to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

A Nintendo/ American Heart Association Party to Remember!

Note: As a Nintendo Brand Ambassador I agreed to co-host a party sponsored by Nintendo and the American Heart Association. This post is about that party.

You may have heard about the American Heart Association's partnership with Nintendo of America... It's designed to "help create healthy lifestyles with physically active play."

Well now, the two groups are holding parties across the country to promote this idea- I was lucky enough to co-host one of them here in Nashville a few weeks ago, along with my lovely friends Brandi Wilson and Jamie Reeves. And since I live within ten minutes of both of them, have kids in the same school as Jamie and go to church (and Bible study) with Brandi, I was also lucky enough to know 90% of the guests in attendance!



We spent the first hour playing Wii Sports Resort and socializing. I was amazed by how many women at the party already owned a Wii, Wii Fit, and Sports Resort. At least half of them were experts on the system, and helped their less knowledgeable friends learn the ropes.

Next, it was time for a most excellent, heart-healthy lunch.

After we'd eaten, we heard from author, ad man, and motivational speaker Hank Wasiak. He talked to us about asset-based thinking vs. defecit-based thinking- in other words, learning to see your glass as half-full rather than half-empty.

I don't generally take notes when someone's speaking, but I found myself writing down several things Hank had to say, like...

• Figure out what others are doing that you admire, tell them how you feel and then find out how they're doing it.
• When you face a problem, ask yourself how to make it the best problem you've ever had.

Most surprising, though, was when Hank informed us that our children's generation (ten years old and under) is the first that will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents if they continue living the way they're living.

Whoa.

I've thought about that ever since.

Next, we heard from the American Heart Association, including two AHA volunteers who both had heart attacks and did not fit the profile for heart attack victims in any way, shape or form. They served as a sobering reminder that a heart attack could affect any one of us at any time, and that we need to make an effort to stay as healthy as possible.

We ended the afternoon with healthy smoothie desserts and swag bags for all the guests that included a copy of Hank's book, Change the Way You See Everything, and a copy of Wii Sports Resort. But I think the real gift was feeling motivated by the speakers to make positive, healthy choices in our own lives.

You may be wondering why the American Heart Association has partnered with Nintendo. Well, the AHA believes that the Wii system can be a gateway toward Americans getting more active- and I happen to believe it. Nintendo has pioneered the way toward changing the face of video gaming. Our kids are going to want to play video games no matter what- Now, thanks to Wii, they can choose games that actually have them up and moving, as opposed to sitting slack-jawed in front of a screen for hours on end. Nintendo's Wii system is such a hit that every school-aged kid I know either has one or wants one- and the families I know that have them play theirs ALL THE TIME.

Because I'm a Nintendo Brand Ambassador, I received a Wii and Wii Fit, and will continue to receive other Nintendo products from time to time. We are having a BLAST using ours With four kids between 3 and 20, I have no doubt we're going to have a fabulous winter playing with our Wii and Wii Fit.

Want more information on how to use your Wii and Wii Fit to get your family up and moving? Nintendo and the AHA have created a website just for you, called Active Play Now, with all kinds of information to help you get your family going. Check it out... and look for more posts from me throughout the year as my family and I get to know our Wii system better!

Disclosure: As a Nintendo Brand Ambassador, I received a Wii and Wii Fit and will continue to receive Nintendo products from time to time. At the party, my guests and I all received gift bags containing Wii Sports Resort, a Nintendo hoodie, and a book.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toy Story 3

Out this week on Blu-Ray Disc and DVD is THE must-have family movie of the year: Toy Story 3.

If you haven't seen it in theaters, are you in for a treat!

If you have seen it in theaters, you know that this movie is a must-own, and a PERFECT Christmas present for kids of all ages.

My children saw the movie in theaters and have been obsessed with it ever since. My three-year-old was even Woody for Halloween! Suffice it to say they were beside themselves when we received a review copy of the movie in the mail.

Not familiar with the movie? Here's a brief synopsis from the studio:

Toy Story 3 marks Pixar veteran Lee Unkrich’s feature directorial debut and the return of Pixar’s favorite composer Randy Newman, with the addition of Academy Award®-winner Michael Arndt’s (Little Miss Sunshine) compelling original screenplay. Tom Hanks (Angels & Demons), Tim Allen (The Santa Clause), Joan Cusack (Confessions of a Shopaholic), John Ratzenberger (Up) and Don Rickles (Toy Story 2) reprise their roles as the voices of the iconic characters Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Hamm and Mr. Potato Head, respectively, and are joined by new characters voiced by Michael Keaton (Herbie Fully Loaded) as Barbie's romantic foil Ken, Timothy Dalton (Hot Fuzz) as the thespian hedgehog Mr. Pricklepants, and Ned Beatty (Rudy) as the cuddly Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear, among many others, as the toys face a new adventure as Andy prepares to go off to college.

Pixar fans will be thrilled with all of the behind-the-scenes features that come with the 4-disc Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital copy combo pack. Check them out:

TOY STORY 3 - Bonus Features:

DVD :

· Day & Night – The innovative and entertaining short from the imagination of Pixar artist and Director Teddy Newton.

· Toys! – A closer look at all of Toy Story 3’s beloved toys from updating the classic characters to the creation of the Sunnyside Daycare and Bonnie’s Room toys.

· Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: The Science of Adventure – Produced in conjunction with NASA, this hybrid animation documentary of Buzz’s visit to the International Space Station focuses on research in zero gravity and Buzz’s triumphant return to Earth.

· Paths to Pixar: Editorial – Pixar editors, past and future share anecdotes about their careers.

· The Gang’s All Here – A touching look at the returning voice talent for Toy Story 3 and an introduction to the voices of the new characters.

· A Toy’s Eye View: Creating A Whole New Land – A sneak peek at the new Toy Story-themed playland at Hong Kong Disneyland.

· Studio Stories – A series of amusing animated anecdotes about life at Pixar.

Ø “Where’s Gordon?” – An animator finds a hidden room at Pixar.

Ø “Cereal Bar” – The majestic and expansive Pixar cereal bar is explored.

Ø “Clean Start” – The Toy Story 3 animators shave their heads to mark the start of the film.


BLU-RAY COMBO PACK: Everything on the DVD plus…

· Toy Story Trivia Dash – This cool game challenges you to sprint to the finish with Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Rex as you quickly answer questions about all three Toy Story movies.

· Cine-Explore – Commentary by Director Lee Unkrich and Producer Darla K. Anderson.

· Beyond the Toybox: An Alternative Commentary Track Featuring Leads from Story, Tech, Art and Animation – Commentary by Story Supervisor Jason Katz, Supervising Technical Director Guido Quaroni, Production Designer Bob Pauley and Supervising Animators Bobby Podesta and Michael Venturini.

· Beginnings: Setting A Story In Motion – Screenwriter Michael Arndt analyzes successful opening scenes from Toy Story, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

· Bonnie’s Playtime: A Story Roundtable – A roundtable discussion with Director Lee Unkrich and the story artists who brought the “Bonnie’s Playtime” scene to life.

· Roundin’ Up A Western Opening – The development of the movie’s exciting opening scene.

· Life Of A Shot – Toy Story 3 artists and technicians describe their contributions to a few of the shots in the film’s “Western Opening.”

· Goodbye Andy – An exploration of character design, acting and animation in the scene “Andy’s Goodbye.”

· Accidental Toymakers – By creating the Toy Story characters, the Pixar filmmakers found themselves in the unlikely role of toy designers. Meet the toy company that took a chance on manufacturing the now iconic toys and learn of their incredible success that began with a modest number of Woody and Buzz Lightyear toys 15 years ago.

· Making of Day & Night – The story behind the unique 2D/3D blended short.

Awesome, right? I told you this movie release is a BIG DEAL!

Toy Story 3 is available now on Amazon for $24.99.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this movie in order to write my review.

Halloween with Our Backyard Discovery Playset!

Think the fun's over for your kids' playset when the weather gets cold?

Think again!

Our Backyard Discovery playset continues to be the gathering place for the kids in our neighborhood... and for Halloween, thanks to the kind people at Backyard Discovery, the kids were able to decorate the playhouse for the spookiest night of the year!

They put bats in the belfry...

Ghosts in the attic...

And skeletons in the closet!

The kids had a fantastic time decorating the playset and it turned out to be a really great idea for Halloween. If you have a playset in your backyard, make a trip to the dollar store for some inexpensive decorations and let your kids make a haunted house of their own!

As a result of all the decorating, the playset has been a major hangout over the last few weeks.

Right now, it is Grand Central for endless games of Cops n' Robbers. (The jail is in the play area underneath the house. PERFECT!

We've had our Backyard Discovery playset for several months now and it is holding up beautifully. The wood still looks fantastic and my daughter said her friends are all jealous because her swings are still so shiny.

That's high praise from the elementary school set!

Backyard Discovery has all kinds of playsets to choose from that will suit just about any backyard space. Check them out online. For some of you (like us), fall is the best season to play outside! The fun's just getting started!

Disclosure: I am a Backyard Discovery ambassador. Backyard Discovery provided us with a playset to write about and sends party fixings from time to time so that we can have festive playset occasions. As always, my opinions are my own.