reviews

Holiday Gift Guide: Monster High 13 Wishes Wii Game Review #MonsterHigh #GG

- brandy3 1 Comment

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Little Orbit has released Monster High 13 wishes for game consoles.

Journey inside the magic lamp to save the school and your friends
Jump, climb and swing through 12 magical levels
Play as your favorite Monster High characters and use their unique
Freaky Flaws to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies
Combine characters’ skills and use teamwork to solve puzzles
and save the school
Choose multiple difficulty settings to Match Your Skills

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** My daughters have Just loved Monster High and after 13 Wishes came out they were begging for this game. We don’t have any Monster High WII games, and didn’t know what to expect as far as quality or what the characters would look like.
The game so far has been a bit challenging for my 8 year old. You are helping Frankie and her friends find 13 shards of the mirror to stop Wisp. She is just having a bit of trouble finding where to go for the shards. That is a good thing though, I would rather have a game that challenged my child.
The quality of the game looks great it’s very clear and the characters look exactly like the dolls.

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You can buy the Monster High WII game From Amazon and other retailers nationwide.

Rating:

Retail: $29.96

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post. A product was provided for review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Holiday Gifts: Equestria Girls Dolls #Holidaygifts #MLP #SP

- brandy3

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received, a product was provided for review. The product will be donated to a family in need this holiday season.

My daughter loves My Little Pony, she plays with them everyday. The recently released Equestria Girls movie and dolls.

When her crown is stolen from the Crystal Empire, Twilight pursues the thief, Sunset Shimmer, into an alternate world where she finds herself turned into…a teenage girl! To regain her crown and return to Equestria, Twilight must learn how to fit into this strange new world and defeat Sunset Shimmer in a competition to become crowned Princess of the Fall Formal at Canterlot High. Luckily, she’ll have the assistance of Spike and five teenage girls who remind her of a certain group of ponies back home

The dolls that were released by Hasbro fit every girls dream to role play with the movie.

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*** My daughter will sit and watch Equestria Girls on Tv and have her ponies and dolls out playing along. When Twilight Sparkle turns into a girl she starts playing with the doll. The dolls are not like a most dolls they are smaller and a bit more fragile. They seem as if they would break very easily.
The hair on the dolls is so shiny and looks just like the mane of the ponies

This is perfect gift for any My Little pony or Equestria Girl fan.

Rating:7

You can find Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer as well as other dolls at retailers nationwide, or at Hasbro.

Holiday Gifts: Isaac Mizrahi Girls Boots are Perfect for Fall and Winter

- brandy3 2 Comments

My daughter has been begging for a pair of boots for the fall and winter. So I have been researching different brands of boots. I want boots that will be sturdy and will last longer than a few months.

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The Isaac Mizrahi Celia Boot in animal print fit my daughter perfectly. She is a bit glam, but at the same time a bit of a tom boy.

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These boots are the perfect fall fashion for any young girls.

Isaac Mizrahi boots can be found at Bloomingdales in store only.

Holiday Gifts: Disney’s Planes Flies Onto Blu-ray and DVD #DisneyPlanes

- brandy3

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post, a product was provided by Disney.

Disney is getting set to release their animated feature Planes on November 19, 2013.

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The world of Cars takes flight in Planes, Disney’s high-flying animated comedy revved up with action and adventure. Join Dusty, a crop duster with sky-high dreams and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take on the world’s fastest flyers in the greatest air race ever. Dusty has a huge heart but two big problems…he’s not exactly built for speed, plus he’s afraid of heights. His courage is put to the ultimate test as this unlikely hero aims higher than he ever imagined. With a little help from his friends, Dusty finds the courage to be more than he was built for—and the inspiration to soar.

Bonus Features:

  • Franz’s Song- Finished song of mini car Franz Fliegenhosen.
  • Klay’s Flight Plan-Directors personal experience making Planes.
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Meet The Racers
  • Top 10 Flyers- Colin Cowherd hosts countdown for the worlds most famous aviators.

*** When I first saw this movie in theaters I thought it was just a little to much like the movie cars and not very original. After watching it a couple more times, I do agree it is a lot like cars, but has it’s own flight plan. My kids however, do not car about any of the plots they just love the movie. Dusty is trying to become the worlds greatest racer, although he is a crop duster and afraid of heights. I love that this movie teaches kids to follow their dreams. Dusty really has no chance, but does everything he possibly can to follow his dreams. He Prevails!

Running Time: 91 minutes

Disney Planes Salutes National Aviation History Month

How to draw Dusty:

Strut Jetstream:

Dusty Meets El Chupacabra

Download Facts & Activities

Daylight Savings Time Is A Good Time To Change Your batteries GiveawayClosed

- brandy3 328 Comments

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post. Product was provided for review/giveaway.

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The time change can always be hard, as the days get shorter. One thing we always make sure to do when we change the clocks is check the batteries in clocks and smoke alarms.

Energizer launched the change your clock, change your battery program. Reminding those that taking just a few minutes to change your batteries in smoke alarms and Carbon monoxide alarms can save lives.

Thirty-eight percent of fatal fire injuries occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
Twenty-four percent occur in homes in which at least one smoke alarm is present but fails to operate, frequently due to dead or missing batteries.

This pack has everything you need to keep your home safe. After Hurricane Sandy and not having power for 15 days, we always make sure to have tons of batteries, and flashlight in the house. The Carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarm in one is perfect to have in the house. Since It’s two in one it makes it easier than having multiple alarms, plus it talks to you. The alarm will beep and announce either Fire or Carbon Monoxide to let you know what the alarm is for.

I am giving away a Change your batteries prize pack

1 winner will receive
One 16-pack Energizer MAX AA Batteries years
One 1-pack of Energizer MAX 9 volt batteries
One Energizer Weatheready LED Safety Light flashlight – Waterproof flashlight powered by AA, AAA or C cell batteries
One Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm

To enter to win just tell me if you have changed your smoke alarm batteries.

Extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed- 12 entries

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Contest ends

December 1, 2013

Travels With Gannon and Wyatt Reading Series @GannonAndWyatt #GannonWyatt

- brandy3 7 Comments

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt is a middle-grade adventure series written by Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet. It focuses on brothers who go on wild adventures, and find ways to overcome all the obstacles in their way.

The series includes:

  • Gannon and Wyatt Botswana (May 2013)
  • Gannon and Wyatt Great Bear Rainforest (October 2013)
  • Gannon and Wyatt Egypt  (January 2014)

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My daughter is in the middle of reading this series and she is loving it. It is full of adventure and fun. We are done with Botswana and half way through Great Bear Rainforest. Botswana was really interesting and had a lot of information about different animals.

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Botswana- the boys go on a vacation to Botswana and find out a poacher has wounded a lioness. They decided to go out into the wild and try and save the Lioness before the poachers can kill her cubs. During their journey they encounter tons of different animals and learn that these animals are not as dangerous as those trying to hunt it.
Great Bear Rainforest seems to be just as exciting as Botswana. Gannon and Wyatt set out to find a mythical creature called the Spirit Bear. Along their journey some of the people in their trip go missing, so they go off on their own to find out what is going on. They end up getting lost and find solitude in the First Nation people. They uncover a big scandal going on and have to try and save the people that are missing.
Egypt- Gannon and Wyatt win a prestigious award from the exploration society. After that they travel to Egypt to study with a world famous archeologist trying to find Cleopatra’s lost tomb. The boys are so excited to find all the secrets and treasures it holds, but so are tomb raiders. Gannon and Wyatt must brave all the obstacles to stay safe and preserve history.

These books are easy to read for middle aged children. My daughter is eight and is loving them. Each book is has less than 200 pages. My daughter loves that at the end of the books there are travel maps showing where Gannon and Wyatt have traveled.

Through the Month of November Gannon and Wyatt Facebook page will be giving away 3 Kindle Fires.

You can find out more about the books here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist Preview and DVD GiveawayClosed #FHEI #giveaway

- brandy3 143 Comments

Disclosure: I am a Fox Home Insider and received products for review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

There are so many good holiday movies, and one of them is Home Alone.  There are several Home Alone movies, but the Holiday Heist is different from the first two. I think that is why I like it.

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In the latest installment of the Home Alone franchise, Finn Baxter and his family move from California to Maine to their new house. Finn is terrified and believes the house is haunted. While he sets up traps to catch the “ghost”, his parents get stranded across town and Finn is home alone with his sister. Their house is targeted by 3 thieves.

** This movie is so different from the first two installments. It has different characters and a bit of a different plot. While I think the first two are still more original, my kids think this movie is better.

Release date: October 29, 2013

Running Time: 90 minutes

Get your copy here.

I have a copy of Home Alone The Holiday Heist to giveaway to one lucky reader.
US Only

To enter: Tell me your favorite Holiday movie?

Extra entries:

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Enter any of my other giveaways-3 entry

post this giveaway on Facebook-2 entry (can be done daily)

Contest ends 11/30/13

Holiday Gift 2013: Hess 2013 Toy Truck and Tractor #Hess #SP #HessToyTruck

- brandy3

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post, a product was provided for review. Al opinions are 100% my own.

Hess has revealed their new toy truck and tractor, thanks to the help of a social media campaign. The Toy is a truck and tractor

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The Truck features:

  • 4 realistic sounds: ignition/idle, horn, back-up alert and hydraulic lift
  • 45 lights that work in flash or steady mode
  • Hidden extendable rear loading ramp with sound effects

Tractor Features:

  • Motorized forward and reverse motion
  • 15 working lights
  • Locking front bucket with release button
  • 360-degree swiveling back bucket

You can pick up the Hess Toy Truck and Tractor starting Nov. 8 at Hess locations or Online at Hess Toy Truck.

PlayTown App Brings Imaginations to life #PlayTown

- brandy3

My kids love telling and writing stories, they do it everyday. They are so creative and talented!
Most of their stories are on video as they seem to tell a story then forget it as they are writing, so we just record their stories.

I was introduced to a ne app called PlayTown, this app helps bring your stories to life.

Create, personalize, narrate and share your own stories in Play Town.
It’s simple! Choose your cast of lovable characters, stages, props, accessories, music and even your own photos and drawings as you create your own story!

Some of the features are……

Themed character play sets
Multiple background stage set options
Touch, drag and adjust size of characters in the scene
Change character expressions
Add accessories
Narrate and record your story
Add a musical background effect
Title your story and add your name as Director
Play back and enjoy your story!
Don’t forget to watch the credits and then share the story with friends.

Plus the best thing about this app is personalization. You can add your photo, add a drawing, or change your shoes and clothes. There is so much you can personalize.

You can download the app for

PlayTown on iTunes:

PlayTown on Google Play:

At first we had a little trouble with the app, it would just go black and not load. After we uninstalled it and then re-installed it, it worked fine. My kids had fun making a story with this app. You can do a lot of fun things, even upgrade for $1.99 to a princess theme.

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Download this App today for a fun story, it’s free.

Will you be trying this App?

Disclosure: I will be receiving a gift card for this review from Childs Play Communications. All opinions are 100% my own.

Making Ultimate Party Meatballs

- brandy3 2 Comments

Disclosure: I received Heinz, Johnsonville and Ocean Spray products in exchange for sharing this recipe. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One meal my kids absolutely love to eat, is anything made with meatballs. So far the only meal I have been able to perfect is spaghetti and meatballs. Whenever I try to make a meatball hero it doesn’t turn out right. I just haven’t found the right ingredients.

I was given the chance to try Ultimate party Meatballs. It is a simple recipe to make in the slow cooker. All you need is…
Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
Heinz Chili sauce
Meatballs

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Place meatballs in slow cooker
Combine sauces and pour over meatballs
Cover and cook 4 hours on high

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It’s that simple to make. Plus not a big mess to clean up afterward, if you use slow cooker liners.

*They really turned out great, Just the right amount of flavor. We made meatball subs and decided to even have a few as a appetizer before our meal. I received a coupon to try Johnsonville’s new frozen meatballs with this recipe, unfortunately they are not available in my area yet. We ended up making our own meatballs with ground sausage.

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This would be a great recipe to make this holiday and enjoy. For more information visit here.

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