Army Wife Life And Reviews: February 2011

CLOSED Educational Insights Geosafari Dino digs Review and Giveaway! Ends 3/9

Crystal, Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Based in Southern California, Educational Insights, is the manufacturer of playful products with serious educational value, including subject-specific classroom products, teacher resources, educational toys, and games. Our products are designed by seasoned educators and parents who know that, first and foremost, learning must be fun.

I have a few fun opportunity's from educational insights and I am thrilled to be able to share these wonderful products with you. The one I'm going to tell you about right not is the Geosafari Dino digs velociraptors. and don't worry will share the rest in future posts!

Paleontology set provides a realistic archaeological challenge on a student-size scale.

Invites students to excavate and assemble 2 complete velociraptor skeletons from “fossilized” rock like real archaeologists

Provides the perfect hands-on activity for dinosaur units

Includes excavation tool, dust brush, wax adhesive and 32-page Activity Guide with complete instructions and velociraptor facts

Grades 2+

I have always been interested in Archeology, Paleontology, Geology etc.. To me it feels like a treasure hunt and is always fun to see what you can find. Well I am very excited my son is interested in those things to and think it is awesome Educational insights offers products to spark young kids interest. The Geosafari Dino digs are really cool it is just like you are actually excavating dinosaur bones. The bones come in cased in a big square chunk of clay and you have to dig and dust the dirt away until you find something and once you find your first fossil you are hooked! well at least my son was he loves it and it really is a project it is not something you can finish in a day he has worked on it alot and has only recovered one bone and has uncovered a few more he is still working on excavating. He asks to play with it almost everyday It does get messy so be prepared and lay down newspapers and keep a broom handy for when your finished. IT comes with a book of facts on the dinosaur you are digging up and my son keeps it right next to him while hes digging so he can look up what bone he think he has found. I love that he is learning while he is doing something fun and cant wait to see the finished velociraptor skeletons! It comes with wax to hold it together, a stand and a sticker with the name of the dinosaur so we will definitely be putting this on a shelf so he can proudly display his "treasure".

They have a variety of products that are specific about learning about rocks, minerals and fossils I think the one we are going to try out next is the prospectors mystery rock I think its something my kids would also love.

You can purchase the Geosafari Dino Digs Velociraptors for $19.99

You can win it! Educational Insights has been so kind to offer one lucky reader win the same set as i reviewed!

❀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: Head over to Educational Insights and come back and tell me about another product you would love 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 @Ed_Insights 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 Educational Insights on facebook

(1 entry)

6. like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

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

(2 entries)

This Giveaway is open to US + CAN Ends 3/9/2011 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 Educational Insights for providing me the products to review. all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Spinmaster Moon Dough Magic Zoo Review

Crystal,

Moon Dough is an amazing new molding compound unlike anything you’ve ever played with before. Extremely Light, Soft, and Marshmallow-like, Moon Dough does not stick or stain to virtually any material, and never dries out so you can use it again and again! Moon Dough is wheat-free, hypo-allergenic, and comes in 8 fun colours! It’s out of this world!

I recieved a fun opportunity from Spinmaster toys to review the new Moon dough Magic zoo playset!

Features

•Magically mold 3 different zoo animals

•Watch them walk
•Includes one Popper Fence Mold
•3 colors of Moon Dough
•Wheat-free and hypoallergenic for sensitive little hands
•Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 3 years and Up

Create and play in your own amazing Moon Dough Zoo! Watch as the animals come alive and begin to walk! Life in the Zoo is always on the move with Moon Dough’s easy life-like moldings. Just place your Moon Dough into the magic molding Zoo and watch as 1 of 3 animals magically comes to life and walks out! When you can pet animals this soft and fluffy, there’s no way you’ll ever want to leave! And because this magical dough never dries out, you can visit the Zoo as many times as you want!

My kids love it! They have hours of endless fun with the moon dough itself molding and making all kids off stuff but the Magic zoo playset is awesome they both love watching the animals walk out on there own. At first I wasn't able to get them to walk out I thought it just didn't work I had the hardest time but I didn't give up and soon realized I was using way to much dough in the mold. You do not need to pack it full of dough i recommend closing up the mold thing first and then put dough in thought the bottom making sure to get it all the way to the head of the mold. Then you set it up on the play set with making sure to pop the feet in place and wind it up and watch it go. We really enjoy playing with this set it is alot of fun and I will recommend it to anyone!

Disclosure: Thank you to Spinmaster for providing me a product to review. all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own

CLOSED Army Bow-Tique custom bows and Tutu review and A giveaway! Ends 3/9

Crystal,

I am super excited to tell you all about Army Bow-Tique They specialize in Handmade Hair bows, Tutus, bow holders, and flower clippies And they also carry headbands, leg warmers, various boutique items and soon to be carrying dresses! I am so excited to tell you about them because they make Military themed bows! Aren't these cute! These are the Payten style bow these are one of my favorite styles because they are the perfect size for my 2 year old to wear.

They also make the Layla Style bow which is almost the same as the Payten but they are a few inches bigger they are Another one of my favorites I love the bottle caps on both styles of bows but they can be made without them they also have a wide variety of bottle caps to choose from so you can create and customize your bow.

Next up is the Kaydence style bow It is a very simple one color bow which I love they can be worn with just about any outfit you can choose between the large and small bow and as with most of the bows you can choose if you want an alligator clip or a french barrette.

Ok I saved the best for last! Tutu's!!! You can create your own and add a bow to match! My daughter loves to wear them as soon as she puts it on she starts dancing around as you can tell from the picture I had her hair perfect and everything but by the time I could get a good shot chasing her around the house well this is how it turned out haha.

Alright now for the most exciting part!! Army Bow-Tique has offered one of my readers win a bow of their choice either custom or one listed on the site! And a coupon code for all my readers use AWLR10 for 10% off your order! code will expire when the giveaway ends so hurry!

♥ 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: Head over to Army Bow-Tique and come back and tell me what bow you would pick if you won.(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 @Armybowtique 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 Army Bow-tique on facebook

(1 entry)

6. like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

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

(2 entries)

This Giveaway Ends 3/9/2011 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 Army Bow-tique for providing me the products to review. all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

CLOSED The Simple Stencil Wall Decal Giveaway Ends 3/9

Crystal, Wednesday, February 16, 2011

SimpleStencil™ decorative wall lettering & embellishment transfers create a customized expression that gives the "painted" look at a fraction of the price. SimpleStencils™ are self adhesive die-cut vinyl letters and designs that are applied quickly and easily to walls, mirrors, windows, tiles and other smooth surfaces. Unlike traditional painted stencil designs, our lettering is removable, making it ideal for remodeling and renovating baby's nursery, living and family room areas, children's room, kitchen, and more. Because they peel away without damaging the underlying surfaces they are ideal for weddings, special occasions and rental homes.

The Simple Stencil has a huge selection of wall transfers from quotes and sayings, monograms, embellishments you can even design your own! A few months ago I had won a $100 Simple Stencil Gift card from a twitter party and I finally just put in my order it took me awhile to decide they have so much to choose from you can choose the color and size you want and even customize some of the quotes. I am very excited and cant wait to receive it. I was very pleased in how simple it was to navigate the site to choose what I wanted to order.

I will post pictures of mine once I receive and apply them. But until then The simple stencil has been so kind to let me hold a giveaway! The winner will receive A 36" long by 8" tall Bon Appetit Wall decal in

Merlot (dark red) and a free practice word of " Welcome" see pic above.

♥ 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: Head over to The Simple Stencil and come back and tell me your favorite decal

(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 @SimpleStencils 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 Simple Stencils on facebook

(1 entry)

6. like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

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

(2 entries)

Open to everyone! International. This Giveaway Ends 3/9/2011 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: I was not provided anything to write this post. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

CLOSED Chuggington "Lets Ride the rails" DVD review and giveaway! Ends 3/1

Crystal,

Honk your horns! We have another great DVD for you and your readers! The-first ever Chuggington DVD, Chuggington: Let’s Ride The Rails is pulling full steam ahead on February 8 and we hope you’ll come on board!

An exciting new train property for preschoolers, “Chuggington” currently airs daily on Playhouse Disney, Disney Channel’s learning-focused programming block. The colorful and contemporary CGI-animated TV series follows the amusing adventures of three young trainees, Wilson, Brewster and Koko, as they learn to “ride the rails” of life and become productive chuggers. Featuring a dynamic fleet of relatable and diverse characters, each engaging episode of “Chuggington” is filled with positive life lessons that encourage and promote early social skills.

Chuggington: Let’s Ride The Rails (SRP: $16.98) welcomes preschoolers to the vibrant world of “Chuggington” with six fun-filled episodes that take young viewers on entertaining explorations, while gently reinforcing valuable lessons such as humility, trust, respect and teamwork. The episodes featured on the new DVD are “Clunky Wilson,” “Braking Brewster,” “Can’t Catch Koko,” “Old Puffer Pete’s Tour,” “Koko On Call” and “Hodge And The Magnet.” Special bonuses include “Chuggington”-themed coloring pages and activity sheets

We had never seen Chugginton before we had the chance to review Both my kids love it! my daughter calls it her trains anytime she sees it or a picture she says "hey its my trains". I love Chuggington because it is really filled with positive life lessons and teaches my children alot.

I am very excited I am able to giveaway a copy of Chugginton Lets Ride the Rails DVD to one lucky reader!

♥ 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 who you would give this DVD to if you won.(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 @Chuggington 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 Chuggington on facebook

(1 entry)

6. like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

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

(2 entries)

This Giveaway Ends 3/1/2011 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: I was provided a product to review, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own

CLOSED Happy Valentines day with a Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves review and giveaway! Ends 2/28

Crystal, Monday, February 14, 2011

CLOSED Kirklands Folding Ottoman Review and giveaway! Ends 2/28

Crystal, Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Kirkland’s is a leading specialty retailer of home décor in the United States, operating approximately 302 stores in 29 states. Kirkland’s was co-founded in 1966 by our current Chairman Emeritus, Carl Kirkland. We opened our first store in Jackson, Tennessee and have grown steadily thereafter.

Our stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products. Our stores also offer an extensive assortment of holiday merchandise, as well as items carried throughout the year suitable for giving as gifts. We provide our customers an engaging shopping experience characterized by a diverse, ever-changing merchandise selection at surprisingly attractive prices. Our stores offer a unique combination of style and value that has led to our emergence as a leader in home décor and has enabled us to develop a strong customer loyalty.

I am always looking for new, stylish and functional ways to store and organize things in my home. I love anything that has a dual function like Kirkland's Folding storage ottomans.

Ottoman measures 16"Wx16"

Brown faux leather

Side handles and a folding design that allows for easy assembly and storage

I was Thrilled to have been given the opportunity to review one.

I received the Pink Folding Storage ottoman I chose pink because I thought it would be perfect for my daughters room.

Isn't it cute! I'm not sure if many of you have had bad experiences with folding storage I know i have had ran across many flimsy and unstable products and am now very leery of any type of folding storage. When I received the ottoman I was truly amazed at the weight and the size It was definitely not what I had expected. It is very well made and has a very nice thick faux leather covering. I didn't waste any time and unfolded and set it up in my daughters room and again the size of it amazed me it was deep and fits alot of stuff. We put toys in it my daughter loved helping me fill it up, put the lid on then she sat on it! at first I was worried I didn't want it to collapse or break so I had to do the motherly thing and weight test it I sat on it, put her on my lap, stood on it even had my husband come and sit on it and it didn't budge, indent or give out It is solid. I really love this Ottoman and have no come up with so many different uses for it like holding yarn or fabric in the craft room, books, magazines or even throws in the family room, I am really looking to buy the Rectangular folding ottoman for our bedroom

I think it would be the perfect place to put sheets, pillows or even keepsakes. I want one for every room of the house! They even have a zebra printed ottoman that would definitely be a focal point in any room.

Kirkland's folding storage ottomans retail for 24.99 but i see on the site right now certain ones are only $19.99! I would jump on that deal if i were you.

You can win one because Kirkland's has been kind enough to offer 1 lucky reader to win there choice of 1 of the 3 ottomans I have pictured above. (Brown, Pink or Zebra)

♥ 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: What Color Ottoman would you choose if you won? Brown, Pink or Zebra.

(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 Kirkland's on facebook

(1 entry)

5. like Army wife life and reviews on facebook

(1 entry)

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

(2 entries)

This Giveaway Ends 2/28/2011 at 11:59pm PST This giveaway is open to legal residents of the continental United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (the “Eligibility Area”), who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry. 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. Check Official Rules for more details