Army Wife Life And Reviews: December 2010

❄Holiday Gift Guide 2010❄

Crystal, Friday, December 24, 2010

☃ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2010! ☃

I have been working really hard and I have Teamed up with One Haute Mommy to bring you a holiday gift guide Full of reviews of some great products and of course there will be giveaways to give you a chance to put a dent in your Christmas shopping! It will be Starting tomorrow and wont stop until Christmas. I hope you all are ready!

Here is a list of some of the things you can look forward to will be adding more so keep checking back.

My Reviews and Giveaways.

One Haute Mommy's Reviews and Giveaways.

Softlips Winter collection review and giveaway Ends 11/20
Dali Decals Review + Giveaway Ends 11/24
YBF skin care review + giveaway Ends 12/3
Gourmet Giftbaskets Review and Giveaway Ends 12/3
Yantra Mat review
Anybook reader review
Charm Factory Review and giveaway Ends 12/18
Irish Celtic Jewels Review
Bright starts review
Carmex Moisture plus Tinted lip balm review and giveaway Ends 12/20
Okabashi Casual sandals review
Hard Candy Review
Overall Beauty mineral eyeshadows review and giveaway Ends 12-21
Juno baby review
Isle of Eden Review + giveaway
CSN stores review + giveaway

I do not have room left on the holiday gift guide but I am working on setting up a little something for the new year. if you would like to be apart of it send me an email. Crystal@armywifelifeandreviews.com

After the new year review and giveaways!

Isle of Eden Review and giveaway!
Kirkland's Folding ottoman Review and giveaway
Kalorik Food processor Review and Giveaway
Army Bow-Tique review and giveaway!
Sparklebee Hello Kitty Lamp review and suprise giveaway

☃HAPPY HOLIDAY'S☃

Going home for Christmas!

Crystal, Saturday, December 18, 2010

Hey guys I just wanted to let you all know we are going home for Christmas!!! first time in 3 years I'm so excited! I will not be posting much if any while i am gone due to the fact I don't have a laptop or access to computer. I will try and draw and notify winners while I'm away if i am able to get online all giveaways that ended prior to today have been drawn and notified and they have all responded. As you can see I finished out the gift guide posts there are tons of new giveaways If on the off chance I missed posting something please send me an email and I will do my best to fix it and if i did miss something i am so sorry! It has been crazy hectic around here preparing to go Thank you all for being so wonderful!! Hope you all have a happy holidays and a happy new year!

❄Holiday Gift Guide ❄ Steve Spangler Science Glow Chemistry kit review

Crystal,

It took 12 years for us to finally figure out what we do here at Steve Spangler Science. For many years, we thought that we were in the business of selling science supplies, kits, gizmos, and twirling things that made weird noises. We recently made a discovery that changed our entire way of thinking.
While exhibiting at a recent conference in Houston, a teacher walked up to the booth and said, "Thanks for teaching me how to be AMAZING! Your products have inspired me to do more science this year with my kids and they think that I'm amazing. You've changed the way I teach. Thanks." After the shock wore off, it hit us like a ton of bricks. This teacher captured the essence of what we do at Steve Spangler Science. We teach people to be amazing by providing them with products and innovations that are educational, entertaining, and inspire the imagination

I love science it is very fascinating and fun to experiment. I had been looking for ways to incorporate the fun of science into my children's life's. I had no clue where to start or what to do so i started surfing the web and I found out about Steve Spangler Science they make science fun! they have just about anything you could need or think of related to science and it is all fun! You can shop by category, collection, price, and my favorite the shop by age because I want to buy what will be fun and easy for kids to do. Steve Spangler science sent me a really fun kit to review. I received their Glow Chemistry set which is #9 on their top 20 Holiday gift ideas!

Steve Spangler loves stuff that glows, and with the Glow Chemistry Kit you'll get to experiment with two of his favorite glow activities. Try mixing up your own batch of Atomic Slime. It's the same polymer slime that you've seen in green and clear, but with a glowing twist. You'll also create Atomic Worms, a glow-in-the-dark version of Insta-Worms. Everything is cooler when it glows-in-the-dark.

What's included?

•120 mL (4 oz.) Atomic Worm Goo
•120 mL (4 oz.) Atomic Slime
•Miniature black light
•7 grams of Worm activator
•15 mL (0.5 oz) of Cross linker solution
•2 Shaker Cups
•Plastic measuring scoop

The Glow Chemistry kit is recommended for ages 6 to 7 year of age which was just perfect for my son. He loves stuff that glows and what boy doesn't love the sound of making Atomic Slime or Atomic worm goo I think that may just be every boys dream. He was super excited to get started. We made the Atomic slime first the instructions were very easy to understand I just told him what to do and he did it all by himself (with a little of moms help)! He loved being the scientist and creating ooey gooey glowing slime and worms. My favorite part was after we finished making the worms and slime we turned on the mini black light and watched it glow I need to invest in a bigger black light because I know this is just the beginning of lots of fun science experiments!

This is a really fun kit It got my son very interested in science he is already asking for more science kits I think Santa will be bringing a couple!

Disclosure: Thank you to Steve Spangler Science for providing the product for me to review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

CLOSED ❄Holiday Gift Guide ❄ Flings Holiday Bins review and giveaway 2 winners! Ends 12/31

Crystal, Friday, December 17, 2010

New Flings Pop-Up Bins make trash and recycling collection easier in your home, at events, or when you're on the go. Flings start out flat for easy storing and portability, and then pop up in a flash whenever and wherever you need them. The decorative patterns are attractive for all occasions and help signal where the trash and recycling are supposed to go. Who ever though that trash and recycling containers could be so easy -- or so much fun?

Flings pop up recycling and trash bins are great to use at parties, events or even just at home. You might remember my recent review of flings bins Well i am happy to tell you about Flings Pop Up Holiday trash bins!

Features:

Seasonal pattern

Convenient

Features a built-in drawstring for easy disposal

Arrive flat and ready to use in a snap

Perfect for storing

Portable

Compact

Tall Kitchen Size, 13 Gallon Capacity

Extra Strong

Leak Proof

I love Flings bins they are very handy to have and use. I love how they are compact for easy storage when not in use and easy to set up when you need them. They pop open to the size of a tall kitchen trash can and when your done you just pull the drawstring and toss. Their holiday prints are great for any holiday gathering and will blend well with any holiday decor. I will be using one when we unwrap our gifts it will be nice to have something to put the wrapping paper in instead of cleaning it all up afterwards. I even have one set up and ready to go you can see how it blends with the decor.

Flings Bins are available for Purchase online or in store.

Flings has offered for 2 lucky readers to win 2 holiday bins of their choice!

☃ GIVEAWAY! ☃

(must complete mandatory entry for any extra entries to count and you must leave an email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win)

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what Holiday design you will choose if you win.
(1 Entry)

✮Extra Entries✮
(all extra entries are optional. you can do them all or just do a few its up to you)

1.become a follower of my blog through Google friend connect located on the right sidebar.
(2 entries)

2. Follow @ArmyWifeReviews and/or @lovemy21b on twitter comment with twitter handle
(1 entry for each)

3. tweet 1 x a day using the retweet button at the top of the post and adding @armywifereviews to the tweet and leave a link to your tweet in your comment
( 1 x a day for 1 entry)

4. like Flings on facebook.
(1 Entry)

5. like Army wife life and reviews on facebook
(1 entry)

6. Enter any of One Haute Mommy's and Army Wife Life & Reviews Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways
(2 entries per giveaway)

7. Add my button to your blog and comment with link.
(2 entries)

The giveaway is open to US only and it ends December 31st 2010 at 11:59pm PST. I will draw the winners using random.org. I will contact the winners through the email left in the comment's. The winners will have 48 hours to reply or I will draw an alternative winner. any entries that do not adhere to my contest rules will be disqualified

Disclosure: Thank you to Flings for providing me with the product to review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own

CLOSED❄Holiday Gift Guide ❄ Country Bob's New gift pack review and giveaway! Ends 12/30

Crystal,

"In 1968 Country Bob perfected the sauce of his dreams. After years of giving the sauce to friends and family he began to sell it in 1977. The reaction was overwhelming just as it is today. Almost everyone who tries Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce becomes a lifelong user. And why not, it is the perfect complement to practically any meal set on your table."

You all remember how much I loved Country Bob's Original All purpose sauce in my last review. Well Country Bob has done it again they have come out with some tasty new flavors! and I am very excited to be able to tell you about them and a few of their other products like their oh so yummy seasoning salt and BBQ sauce. Country Bob's was very kind to send my one of their new gift packs to review for the holiday gift guide.

Gift Pack Includes:

1 Bottle of Original All Purpose Sauce

1 Bottle of Apple Chipotle All Purpose Sauce

1 Bottle of Honey Habanero All Purpose Sauce

1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce

1 Container of Seasoning Salt

First I cant tell you enough how much we love their new flavors of All purpose sauce! Their new Apple Chipotle and Honey Habanero All purpose sauce is delicious! I love to make grilled pork with the apple chipotle it is a great combination and I love honey habanero chicken wings they were a hit at our recent BBQ my husband loves to use it on everything from pizza to eggs he said its great on everything! I'm trying to decide what to make next maybe some apple chipotle pulled pork sandwich's.

Next up is Country Bob's seasoning salt It is now my #1 go to seasoning I use it on just about everything I even made some Country Bob's Pumpkin seeds with it with some that I had on hand around Halloween. They were the best pumpkin seeds I have ever had and I received a ton of compliments on them. They all asked what my secret was I told them its no secret its Country Bob's.

And last but not least Country Bob's Barbecue sauce all I can say is YUM! We barbecue alot and have used many different BBQ sauces and this is by far our favorite. Just like the all purpose sauce its good on almost everything. If you haven't tried Country Bob's your really missing out! I hope someday soon it is available in stores near me. You can check the locator to see if its available near you.

Country Bob's new gift pack is great for gift giving whatever occasion it may be. You can Purchase Country Bob's Gift pack for 19.95 or any Country Bob's Products here.

Or you can try to win a some here! Country Bob's has been so kind to offer for one lucky reader to win the same gift pack as I reviewed that comes complete with 3 types of all purpose sauce, BBQ sauce and seasoning salt.

☃ GIVEAWAY! ☃

(must complete mandatory entry for any extra entries to count and you must leave an email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win)

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what product you are more excited to try.
(1 Entry)

✮Extra Entries✮

(all extra entries are optional. you can do them all or just do a few its up to you)

1.become a follower of my blog through Google friend connect located on the right sidebar.

(2 entries)

2. Follow @CountryBobs on twitter and comment with twitter handle.

(1 entry)

3. Follow @ArmyWifeReviews and/or @lovemy21b on twitter comment with twitter handle

(1 entry for each)

4. tweet 1 x a day using the retweet button at the top of the post and adding @armywifereviews to the tweet and leave a link to your tweet in your comment

( 1 x a day for 1 entry)

5. like Country Bobs on facebook.

(1 Entry)

6. like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

7. Enter any of One Haute Mommy's and Army Wife Life & Reviews Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways

(2 entries per giveaway)

8. Add my button to your blog and comment with link.

(2 entries)

This Contest ends December 31st 2010 at 11:59pm PST. I will draw the winners using random.org. I will contact the winners through the email left in the comment's. The winners will have 48 hours to reply or I will draw an alternative winner. any entries that do not adhere to my contest rules will be disqualified

Disclosure: Thank you to Country Bob's for providing me with the product to review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own

❄Holiday Gift Guide❄ Sheaffer Calligraphy pen set review

Crystal,

The year: 1912. The place: Fort Madison, Iowa. Walter A. Sheaffer takes his grand idea of a pen-filling apparatus that utilizes a lever system and, with his life savings, founds the W.A. Sheaffer company. The physical space of the company is a modest one - the backroom of Mr. Sheaffer's jewelry store - but the vision of the company is much more than modest. Nearly a century later, we continue to offer generation after generation innovative, reliable and stylish writing instruments. These pens are used worldwide by loyal and diverse friends who appreciate elegance and class. We look back to the nostalgic past, to simpler times when a look in the eye and a hand shake was the norm. We look to the abundant future, by redefining the fashion of written communication in our technological world. You have a signature. And Sheaffer gives you the power to show the world what it is

As I have mentioned before I love to Craft, Scrapbook and card making. One of my favorite writing styles is calligraphy it ads a bit of visual art to whatever it is your making or just writing. Sheaffer has sent me a really neat Calligraphy pen set to review called the Sheaffer Calligraphy Maxi set.

A party in a box for the dedicated calligrapher of any level! Three pens, each with a different nib grade, and a generous assortment of ink colors allow for multiple colors on the same project without cleaning the pen. A step-by-step instruction booklet is included, meaning you can become a calligrapher in four easy steps. It's the art of fine lettering, and you are the artist!

Contents:

3 Sheaffer® calligraphy pens

3 Nibs (fine, medium, broad)

14 assorted Skrip® ink cartridges

1 Calligraphy instruction booklet

I love this kit it comes with everything an avid or beginner calligrapher would need. It has 3 pens, 3 nibs in different sizes, 14 assorted colored ink cartridges and a step by step instruction booklet to show you how to use, set up and write with your new pens! I love having an assortment of colors and nibs to use so I can use a different color for a different project or use many colors on one. The pens are very simple to set up you just pop the cartridge into the nib and screw it on the pen shaft and your set to go.This is definitely something I would buy for the writer,crafter or calligrapher in my life.

You can purchase the Sheaffer Calligraphy Maxi set for 29.00

Disclosure: Thank you to Sheaffer for providing the products for me to review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

CLOSED❄Holiday Gift Guide❄Rubbermaid and Sharpie Holiday Goodies Giveaway! Ends 12/31

Crystal,

Sharpie and Rubbermaid have teamed up this holiday season to bring you a fun and unique gift idea! They sent me some awesome products to use to create some unique gifts.

This cool kit came complete with a 15 pack of Rubbermaid TakeAlongs

Contains the perfect variety of sizes to suit everyday storage uses including sandwiches, leftovers, crafts gifts and yummy goodies

Every container has the Quik Clik Seal that ensures the lid clicks in place to secure the contents

The base has graduated marks for easy measuring and the lids are ridged for easier stacking

Priced right so there is no worry about giving them away or accidentally losing them.

Microwaveable, Dishwasher and Freezer Safe

And a bunch of different types of Sharpie permanent markers and pens.

8 Pack of Multi-Colored Retractable Sharpie Markers

3 Pack of Retractable Sharpie Pens

2 Pack of Sharpie Paint Markers - Silver & Gold

1 Refillable Sharpie Stainless Steel Marker

I love to bake around the holidays and it is always nice to share some with family, friends and neighbors. I always like to find cool containers or canisters to put my holiday goodies in but i find they can be very expensive. So I am very excited to have found an inexpensive way to package and and gift the yummy treats I make. I love that I can create and customize my own design and even have the kids help. This was an awesome idea that Rubbermaid and Sharpie came up with and something I will continue to do for years to come!

Rubbermaid TakeAlongs are available at Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, Grocery stores, Drug stores and clubs so pretty much everywhere!

And Sharpies are available where ever office products are sold!

I am so excited to tell you that Rubbermaid and sharpie have offered 1 lucky reader to win an awesome pack to help you make your own unique gifts complete with a 15 piece Rubbermaid TakeAlongs set, Sharpie Stainless steel markers, Sharpie Retractable markers and Sharpie retractable pens.

☃ GIVEAWAY! ☃
( you must complete mandatory entry for any extra entries to count and you must leave an email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win)

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what you goodies you would make to gift and who you would gift them to

( 1 Entry)

✮Extra Entries✮

(all extra entries are optional. you can do them all or just do a few its up to you)

1. become a follower of my blog through Google friend connect located on

the right sidebar

(2 entries)

2. Follow @Rubbermaid and or @Sharpie on twitter and comment with twitter handle.

(1 entry for each)

3.Follow @Armywifereviews and/or @Lovemy21b on twitter comment with twitter handle

(1 entry for each)

4. tweet 1 x a day using the retweet button at the top of the post and adding @armywifereviews to the tweet and leave a link to your tweet in your comment

( 1 x a day for 1 entry)

5. Like Rubbermaid and/or Sharpie on facebook

(1 entry for each)

6. Like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

7. Add my button to your blog and leave a comment with blog link

(2 entries)

8. Enter any of One Haute Mommy's and Army Wife Life and Reviews Gift Guide Giveaways

(2 entries per giveaway)

This giveaway is open to US and Canada and it ends December 31st 2010 at 11:59pm PST. I will draw the winner using random.org. I will contact the winner through the email left in the comment's. The winner will have 48 hours to reply or I will draw an alternative winner. any entries that do not adhere to my contest rules will be disqualified.

Disclosure: Thank you to Rubbermaid and Sharpie for Providing me the products to review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own

CLOSED❄Holiday Gift Guide❄Channellock Ratcheting Wrenches Review and Giveaway! Ends 12/30

Crystal,

"Channellock, Inc. was founded nearly 125 years ago and has become a worldwide leader in the manufacture of high-quality pliers and assorted hand tools. The company is based out of Meadville, Pa., and run by the fifth generation of the DeArment family. Channellock manufactures more than 120 different sizes and types of pliers and hand tools, and all Channellock pliers are made in the Meadville plants. For more information about Channellock's unique history, check out the "Experience Channellock" section"

My husband is very easy to get a gift for he is like a kid in a candy store when he gets new tools. I am sure most of you have a man in your life who loves tools one obstacle I have found in buying tools for him is not knowing which type or brand to get I want to buy something that is not going to fall apart after a few uses and i want something he will use often. I learned a little bit when I was little watching my dad work on his cars. The little bit my dad has taught me has paid off I can name just about any tool there is and I know a bit about what brands make quality tools. Channellock is one that makes very durable high quality tool's. You remember my recent review of Channellock's long nose pliers. Well they have sent my one of their brand new products to review which are the 841S Ratcheting Wrenches.

Features

● SAE

● Includes ratchet sizes: 5/16" x 3/8", 7/16" x 1/2", 9/16" x 5/8", 11/16" x 3/4"

● 12 point socket

● Heat-treated for greater durability on the job

● Electronic coating for ultimate rust prevention

● Hollow sockets excel over deep socket designs

These are one of the most handiest tool's to have around! It comes with two wrenches each of which have 4 different sizes on them! I don't know how many times I have fiddled around looking for a socket or wrench in the size I needed these make it so much easier you just grab these are you have pretty much any size you need very handy to fix loose nuts or bolt on the furniture. They are heat treated and electronic coated for durability and ultimate rust protection i know i will have these around for years to come. My husband loves these too as soon as he seem them he started looking around for stuff to fix or tighten. He is delighted to have them apart of his tool collection as I am sure most any one would be too that is why I have them as apart of the holiday gift guide they are the perfect gift for your tool enthusiast! They come in standard and metric sizes and they retail for $34.87 you can buy them here.

You can try and win them here! Channellock has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader to win a set of Ratcheting Wrenches!

☃ GIVEAWAY! ☃

(must complete mandatory entry for any extra entries to count and you must leave an email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win)

Mandatory Entry: Visit Channellock and tell me about another product you would like to try
( 1 Entry)

✮Extra Entries✮

(all extra entries are optional. you can do them all or just do a few its up to you)

1. Tell me who you would give this to if you won.

(1 Entry)

2. become a follower of my blog through Google friend connect located on

the right sidebar

(2 entries)

3. Follow @Channellock on twitter and comment with twitter handle.

(1 entry)

4.Follow @Armywifereviews and/or @lovemy21b on twitter comment with twitter handle

(1 entry for each)

5. tweet 1 x a day using the retweet button at the top of the post and adding @armywifereviews to the tweet and leave a link to your tweet in your comment

( 1 x a day for 1 entry)

7. Like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

8. Add my button to your blog and leave a comment with blog link

(2 entries)

9. Enter any of One Haute Mommy's and Army Wife Life and Reviews Gift Guide Giveaways

(2 entries per giveaway)

This contest ends December 30th 2010 at 11:59pm PST. I will draw the winner using random.org. I will contact the winner through the email left in the comment's. The winner will have 48 hours to reply or I will draw an alternative winner. any entries that do not adhere to my contest rules will be disqualified.

Disclosure: Thank you to Channellock for sending me the product to review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own

6. Like Channellock on facebook.

(1 Entry)

❄Holiday Gift Guide ❄ Hexbug Original, Ant and Nano's Review

Crystal, Thursday, December 16, 2010

Innovation First International is a privately held corporation. The company is founded on the belief that innovation very early in the design process is necessary to produce simple and elegant designs. Innovation First began producing electronics for unmanned mobile ground robots, and is now the industry leader. Innovation First also developed the VEX Robotics Design System, the leading classroom robotics platform, which won the prestigious Best of Innovation Award at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show. VEX Robotics, Inc. (a subsidiary of Innovation First International) is also a leader in the supply of competition and hobby-robotics products. More information is available at www.VEXRobotics.com.

I would have never thought a robotic bug could be so much fun! I received the opportunity to review Hexbug's and I have never loved a bug so much before! They are very entertaining little creatures.

First I want to tell you about the Hexbug Nano's They are micro bugs they are about the size of a medium sized cockroach and they move in the same fashion you turn them on and watch them go they are fast! I was amazed at how fast they are my kids almost lost them a few times because they couldn't catch them so we decided to set up the starter habitat set which consist of a hexagon cell, two curved bridges and a Nano. They are so much fun to watch race around they can maneuver themselves throughout the habitat if they hit a wall they turn and keep going they even flip themselves over if they get stuck on their back! I enjoyed these so much I immediately bought some to gift for Christmas.

Product Description

.•Crawling bugs

•Behaves like a real bug

•Flips over by itself

•Fits in your hand

•Batteries included

You can Purchase the Hexbug Nanos here and you can buy a Single nano for 7.99. Starter pack for 12.99 and they have a ton of different habitats and combination packages for different prices

Next is the Original Hexbugs we received Delta (black) and Alpha (orange) to try out.They come in 5 different colors and different shapes and are about the size of your palm . They react to touch and sound! It scurries forward until it hears a loud noise like a clap or runs into something then it turns around and keeps going. It is so neat how they scurry around these are definitely one of the kid's new Favorite toys my dog even loves them.

Product Description

•Crawling bugs

•Bump sensor feelers help it avoid obstacles

•Change its direction by clapping or making noise

•Fits in your hand

•Batteries included

You can Purchase the Original Hexbugs here from 10.79 for a random color or 11.99 for your color of choice.

And last but not least we received the Hexbug Ant and boy can this one move! I at first thought the nano's were fast oh they aren't even half as fast as the ant it takes of flying! It shocked us at first because I never expected it to be that fast all though it did get our dog going crazy trying to catch it. Instead of legs the ant has geared wheels that move which is a great thing because of the speed but can be a bad thing with dog hair It gets caught in the wheels and then they are jammed so just be sure to play with it on hardwood and away from hair or carpet. Other than that these are my favorite of them all I love to watch them zoom!

Product Description.

•Crawling bugs

•Change its direction when it hits an obstacle

•Fits in your hand

•Batteries included

You can purchase the Hexbug Ants here for 10.79 for a random color or 11.99 for color of choice.

I have to say this is the most entertaining and fun toy I have seen in a while it is something I will buy for gifts and continue to buy for my children. I never knew robotic bugs could be so fun! Thank you Hexbug for the opportunity to review!

Disclosure: Thank you to Hexbug for providing the products for me to review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own