Ice Breakers Duo Fruit & Cool

Fruity? Cool? Is is possible to have both in one? Of course, with Ice Breakers Due Fruit & Cool you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

The product: Ice Breakers Duo combines sweet fruity tastes with refreshing cool crystals. You can try both amazing flavors- Strawberry and Raspberry.

Which characteristic best fits your personality? Cool or fruity? You'll have to visit Ice Breakers Duo on Facebook to take the quiz. Are you "sweet as a puppy" or "cool as a cucumber"? While you're on their page, you can also check out the custom Ice Breakers Duo Pandora station. You can listen to music  vote on your favorite songs and "Duo" your profile picture by combining your sweet or cool side with a friend's.

What we thought: I don't like really strong minty things, so for me the Ice Breakers Duo Fruit & Cool are a perfect mix. I like the sweet fruity flavor, but the cool feels refreshing for my mouth too. I keep these in my purse all the time now. Both the strawberry and raspberry are great flavors with these too. My son really likes them as well. I have to be careful when I pass the container to him, because instead of taking just one he'll keep eating them. We prefer to teach him moderation.

Where to buy: You can find the Ice Breakers Duo in stores and online now.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse & Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray

The product: 

In celebration of New York Fashion Week, Rose Byrne attended Lucky Magazine’s party aboard the “M/Y Emelina” at the Marina at Chelsea Piers. John Frieda® International Creative Consultant Harry Josh gave Rose a yacht-worthy look – big, frizz-free glamorous waves.

         

To achieve this look at home:

STEP 1: First apply John Frieda® Frizz-Ease® Curl Reviver Styling Mousse evenly through towel-dried hair and brush to uniformly distribute product. This non-sticky, alcohol-free formula tames frizz, boosts shine and restores bounce to tired waves.

STEP 2: Next blow dry hair completely. Once dry, in small sections wrap hair vertically around a 1-inch curling iron like a tinsel and curl the hair away from the face – from the root to the ends. Break up the curls by running your fingers through them.

STEP 3:  To finish and set the look, mist hair with Frizz-Ease® Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hair Spray. It’s a fast-drying, shine boosting formula that lasts long and creates an instant barrier to help seal out humidity and combat frizz, rain or shine.

 

WHAT IT COSTS: Frizz-Ease® Curl Reviver Styling Mousse $5.99; Frizz-Ease® Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray $5.99

WHERE TO FIND IT: Food, drug and mass retailers nationwide

What I thought: With the weather we've been having lately, I need a Frizz Free hairstyle. The Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray is great for helping me get & keep the look I want. The weather won't make such a difference for my hair anymore.

Where to buy: You can find the Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse and Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray in stores and online now.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

ChapStick Sport Ready & Raspberry Creme

It's hard enough dragging yourself to the gym, but when you don't have time to swing home after a workout session and have to head straight to work, or run errands, or even meet up with friends,  an emergency gym kit is essential. Help hydrate you’re thirsty pout with ChapStick®! ChapStick® is excited to debut ChapStick® Sport Ready, the newest product in the Active line by ChapStick®, and ChapStick® Raspberry Crème, the newest product in the Moisturizer line. When you are on the move, ChapStick® gives a fun twist on protection and hydration to keep lips happier and healthier. 

The product: 

ChapStick® Sport Ready

Designed with the Active consumer in mind, ChapStick® Sport Ready offers advanced, on-the-go hydration fit for any adventure. The perfect accessory for people on-the-move, ChapStick® Sport Ready has a clip top that keeps your ChapStick® right at your fingertips. Sure to be the perfect partner for any game under the sun … or on the slopes, ChapStick® Sport Ready has you covered with broad spectrum SPF 30 and water-resistant protection for up to 80 minutes! 

ChapStick® Sport Ready is part of the exclusive Active line, which also includes ChapStick® LipShield 365 and ChapStick® Ultra® 30.

ChapStick® Raspberry Crème

Satisfy a thirsty pout with new mouthwatering ChapStick® Raspberry Crème – made with 10 moisturizing ingredients and a luscious fruity flavor, lips will be left feeling soft and silky. ChapStick® Raspberry Crème delivers fruity hydration to your lips with ingredients like Aloe and Vitamin E and contains SPF 15 to protect from the sun’s UVB rays.

What I thought:  I am really impressed by the new Sport Ready ChapStick. First of all it comes in a neat container. It has a handy clip top, so you can keep it on your gym bag, jacket or even key chain. Then you'll have it wherever you might need it. The water resistance and sun protection are also a big plus for me. When you're exercising outside, you can quickly get sweaty so this will stay put for longer even if you are sweaty. And the SPF will keep your lips protected from sunburn, which is a problem I have when in the sun.

The Raspberry Creme is a great flavor. Sometime the scents/flavors can be too overwhelming, but this one is nice without overpowering. And this one is a moisturizer, so it will keep your lips smooth and moistened when you need it. This also has Aloe and Vitamin E and SPF protection. This is one that I like for every day use, but it keeps my lips protected as well.

Where to buy: You can find these ChapStick products and more in stores and online.

How to connect: Learn more about ChapStick and their products at http://www.chapstick.com. You can also catch them on Facebook.




*Disclaimer: The ChapStick® product, information and gift have been provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. All opinions are my own.*

Power Rangers Super Samurai DVDs

    

The product: The Power Rangers arrive to save the world as Lionsgate Home Entertainment releases the first super volumes in the newest season of the long-running popular entertaining franchise, Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) and Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2), for the first time on DVD and Digital Download August 14. Join the team of the now Super Samurai Rangers as they battle Master Xandred and his evil Nighlok monsters to defend mankind. This all new super version features new super weapons, super modes and a new super villain that the Samurai Rangers must combine forces against. Currently airing on Nickelodeon, this new production of Power Rangers Super Samurai is the #1 kids action series across all television.

A fan favorite for over two decades, Power Rangers Super Samurai combines action-filled story lines with humor and heart, while promoting strong values including teamwork, friendship and fitness. The Power Ranger Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) and Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2) DVDs will be available in collectible O-Card packaging for a low price SRP of $14.98 each.

The action-packed series consistently ranks #1 with boys and the "Power Rangers Samurai" online game was voted 2011's "Game of the Year" by visitors to Nick.com. These DVD collections join the 100+ new Power Rangers licensees worldwide that include toys, video games, apparel, publishing, sporting goods, food, beverages and more.

Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) Synopsis
Join the Samurai Power Rangers as their ongoing conflict with Master Xandred reaches epic proportions when he sends the dangerous Nighlok monsters to defeat the heroes. It's up to Mentor Ji and Gold Ranger Antonio to uncover the secrets of a legendary black box that will morph the Rangers into Super Samurai! By combining the Rangers' extraordinary power symbols and Megazords to create new and incredible combinations, the Samurai Rangers soon become better and stronger. Yet when a new villain surfaces determined to defeat the Rangers once and for all, while their new Super Samurai powers be enough?

DVD Special Features:

• "Everyday Fun" Music Video
• Character Gallery

Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2) Synopsis

Get ready for more Super Samurai showdowns with Jayden, Kevin, Mia, Emily, Antonio and Mike in their ongoing quest to keep the world safe from Master Xandred, Serrator and the menacing Nighloks! When a young guardian accidentally releases the ancient and dangerous Bull Zord, the Rangers must work together to tame the Bull into becoming a powerful new MegaZord! Plus after Antonio and Mentor Ji get kidnapped, the Rangers must also face a daunting army of Moogers to save their friends. Jump aboard the Samurai Battlewing for these four adventures morphing with unstoppable action and mega mayhem!

DVD Special Features:

• "Everyday Fun" Music Video
• Weapons Gallery

What we thought: My 6 year old son really likes these DVDs. He has gotten into the Power Rangers a lot in the past year. He likes to show me the "moves" that he learns. (Fortunately he's not getting in trouble with them, so it's cute.) I like that these DVDs do more than just show a group of kids fighting off bad guys. They have to learn to work together and grow in their friendships along the way. It's a great show for little kids (especially active boys) to watch.

Where to buy: You can find the Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) and Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2) DVDs in stores and online now.

*Disclaimer: I received these products for review. All opinions are my own.*

Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys - 'Bubble Ride' CD

The product:

VANESSA TRIEN AND THE JUMPING MONKEYS

TAKE KIDS ON A MUSICAL 

'BUBBLE RIDE'

“Filled with vivid images, rib-tickling humor, and sunshiny warmth … a tasty mini course in music appreciation.”

– Disney FamilyFun

“The overall effect is eclectic with a sophisticated sound and kid-friendly lyrics."

– UrbanBaby Daily

BOSTON, MA (July 18, 2012) – Honored with FIVE national awards and adored by a legion of families in the greater Boston area, Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys are poised to firmly plant themselves on the national scene with the October 2 release of Vanessa’s third studio CD, Bubble Ride (VeeTree Records, $14.98, run time 47 minutes, for ages 1 – 8).

With heartwarming effervescence, Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys have captured the vibrant energy of the band’s tremendously popular live concerts to showcase a sound honed and refined over the course of the past two years, a sound notable for its energized spontaneity, rich harmonies, and primarily acoustic instrumentation.  The result: a distinctive album, which defines a polished, mindful approach to music for children and families.

Bubble Ride kicks off with “Moomooheehawbaabaaneigh,” a sort of barnyard onomatopoetic Afrobeat song that takes a break in the middle to feature a hilarious rap about animal conversations. A delightful feature of many of the songs on Bubble Ride is the way they “open up” to create the image of a richly textured, large vocal ensemble.  Listening to these singers harmonize makes it clear that they love what they’re doing!  This is especially apparent when Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys revisit on iconic anthem of the early '70s,  "Free to Be You and Me." The round, deep tones of Paul Kochanski’s bass provide a living foundation for the band throughout the CD, while Adam Rothberg’s mandolin playing provides an easygoing Nashville sound to “Spinning Around.”  “Tickle Monster” alternates a droll, klezmer-like slow verse with a fast and silly chorus guaranteed to tickle all listeners of all ages.  With “Yo-Yo Song” the ensemble again demonstrates its strength as a harmony group, with much credit going to the sensitive way that Julie Rama Winslow supports Vanessa Trien’s lead.  Throughout the album, Vanessa Trien displays a command of a multitude of vocal styles that emphasize the humor of songs like "Peacock Walk," the rockabilly energy of "One Fine Day," the husky blues sound of "Train Dance," and the relaxed poise of the title track.

Notes Vanessa Trien,  “Over the past two years, the Jumping Monkeys band has seen a lot of changes as new musicians have come on board, each one contributing fresh ideas and impressive talent. While I remain the primary songwriter, the band has grown into a tight-knit musical family that, together, shapes the songs and creates the sounds we want. We focus mostly on acoustic instruments since many of us come from an acoustic folk background, but we also have roots-rock-bluegrass-funk edges that get families up and dancing. I still enjoy playing solo shows, but I really love playing with the full band because it opens up a whole new world of possibilities as a songwriter and performer.” 

Singer-songwriter Vanessa Trien, who holds a master's degree in education from Harvard University, has  been crisscrossing musical borders for as long as she can remember. While grounded in the acoustic folk genre, Vanessa has assimilated her own style,shifting effortlessly through an eclectic bag of influences: folk, blues, country, rockabilly, jazz standards, Latin, Caribbean, and ‘70s and ‘80s pop. Expanding her horizons to include kid-friendly music came naturally when Vanessa became a parent.  Indeed, her debut kids’ album, Hot Air Balloon (2006), gestated right along with her first child. Both baby Ellis and the CD were deemed first-rate at birth.  School Library Journal dubbed the album “A winner!”  Midwest Book Review wrote, “Enthusiastically recommended … [an] outstanding ‘feel good’ CD.”  Vanessa’s second kids’ CD, Carnival Day (2009), accompanied baby Laila into the world.  BostonChildren’s Music called Carnival Day “a must have for any kids’ music collection.” Vanessa Trien’s first two albums have won two Parents’ Choice® Awards, a NAPPA Award, and two iParenting Media Awards.

What we thought: A variety of fun songs and lyrics. A variety of music types. Fun for kids and families, you will enjoy the Bubble Ride CD with your children. This is a CD your children and whole family will enjoy together. You can sing and dance along to this entertaining CD.

Where to buy: You can find the Bubble Ride CD at CDbaby.com or Amazon.

How to connect: Learn more about Vanessa Trein and the Jumping Monkeys at http://vanessatrien.com/. You can find them on Facebook and Twitter too.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

LunchBlox Sandwich Kit

The product: LunchBlox Sandwich Kit:

• Saves space and stays organized in your lunch bag
• Includes a specially designed Blue Ice pack that keeps lunches chilled on the go
• Containers are perfectly portioned for lunch foods commonly carried away from home
• Containers are microwave-, dishwasher- and freezer-safe and BPA-free

What I thought: I pack my son's lunch about 4 days a week. This is a nice addition to his lunch box. I can keep his sandwich from getting squished in the larger container. And when he wants lunch meat or tuna salad, I just put the ice pack in with it. It keeps everything fresh until he eats lunch. The other smaller containers are great for snacks, fruits and veggies too. This is a very handy kit to have around for school lunches for us.

Where to buy: You can find the LunchBlox Sandwich Kit in stores and online. I just saw them on an end display at our local Meijer.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Love is a Superpower CD by Ben Rudnick & Friends

The product:

'LOVE IS A SUPERPOWER' BEN RUDNICK & FRIENDS “The words catchy and irrepressible just begin to describe the string-band music uncorked by a quintet of gifted instrumentalists.” – DownBeat Magazine “Sophisticated melodies, precise instrumentation and witty lyrics that delight the entire family." – The Washington Post "The lyrics are fun, the music catchy, and Rudnick’s vocals are perfectly quirky.” – Los Angeles Daily News “In other words, this is real music.” – The Boston Globe BOSTON, MA (July 10, 2012) -- Propelled by a sonic boom of critical praise crowned by six Parents' Choice Awards, Ben Rudnick & Friends are poised to launch a veritable explosion of creative energy with the October 2 release of their tenth album, Love is a Superpower.  Affectionately nicknamed "the Grateful Dead for kids," Ben Rudnick & Friends create a jam band dynamic that takes their concerts and recordings to a stratospheric level.  The band's instantly identifiable brand of adventurous musicianship soars across a spectrum of bluegrass, western swing, reggae, country, folk, and the many flavors of rock.  Kids' music authority Stefan Shepherd (Zooglobble.com) enthused, "The band just sounds GOOD." Love is a Superpower is Ben Rudnick & Friends at the very top of their game.  The album blends the vivacious spontaneity and ebullient creativity of the band's live shows with the intricately layered textures that are possible in a highly crafted studio recording.  Add stellar contributions from guest artists like Antiguan master bassist M'talewa Thomas (Entrain, Greatful Dread), fiddler Kenny Kosek (James Taylor, Jerry Garcia, Willie Nelson), trombonist Jon Garniss (Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, The Four Tops), trumpet player Rick Hammett (Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, The Temptations), and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Bird (Cowboy Junkies) to the mix, and you have one remarkable CD with such sophisticated underpinning that repeat listening becomes an adventure. Ben Rudnick & Friends take pleasure in introducing kids and families to music that reflects the many hues of our cultural fabric.  On Love is a Superpower can be found music inspired by classic performances of '70s soul and funk, The Beatles, The Allman Brothers, T. Rex, and The Grateful Dead, paired with an intelligent retrospective of earlier, thoroughly American musical styles that include traditional bluegrass and country and a particularly authentic salute to Bob Wills style western swing.  The result: kids and grownups listening, learning, singing, and dancing together, sharing a sense of community fun.  Notes Ben Rudnick, "It's amazing to realize that families are strengthening their bonds while they enjoy our tunes.  Our new album has a loose theme of 'Love.'  What do I want to express?  I wish people would love each other more, trust a bit more, have more confidence and self worth, be generally happy, take care of the world a bit better, get a little silly, and like western swing.  In my twelfth year of making music for families, I feel incredibly fortunate to get to play as many shows for as many people as I do and to have been able to make recordings galore.  I want to be sure to say the things I want to say while I have the chance.  Love is a superpower!  Love each other!" Ben Rudnick & Friends have been joyfully laying down the sound track of families having fun together since 2000.  The band's previous albums include Live in Lexington: Under the Copper Beech (2011), It's Santa Claus! (2010), A Frog Named Sam (2009), The Challenger Baseball Song and Other Hits (2007), Grace's Bell (2007), Live at the Playground:  WERS 88.9  FM Boston (2005), Blast Off! (2004), Fun and Games (2002), and Emily Songs (2000).   # # # CD Details: Love is a Superpower For all ages. Label: Bartlett Ave. Records SRP: $14.95 Run time: 44 minutes. Track List: A Little Boogie Love is a Superpower Where are the Dragons? Wake Up Happy Ray Chicken Soup Ballad Prime Time Wheels My Horse Swingin' Along Scribbling Here Comes the Sun Jenny Jenkins

What we thought: We like Ben Rudnick & Friends and have reviewed other CDs from them. They make fun kid music that the whole family can enjoy together. This would be a fun little gift to give your children for Valentine's Day this year instead of candy. I'm sure your children will enjoy it as much as mine did.

Where to buy: You can find the Love is a Superpower CD by Ben Rudnick & Friends on their website or other places online.



*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*