Spongebob Truth or Square Review

November 15, 2009 - brandy3

Product description: SpongeBob SquarePants has gotten himself into quite a predicament. After being entrusted by Mr. Krabs to keep the Krabby Patty formula safe, SpongeBob is overcome with grief for losing the recipe. He then relies on the help of the most unlikely companion, Plankton, who wants the secret Krabby Patty recipe for himself. With the help of his friends, SpongeBob must use Plankton’s memory machine to retrace the happiest moments of his life to find the Krabby Patty formula in time for the Krusty Krab’s Eleventy Seventh anniversary.

****This movie is hilarious. We loved the thought of Spongebob and Sandy getting married even though it would be really wierd. This movie is a little different then the show, with Plankton and Spongebob coming together. Spongebob finally gets his wish of knowing the secret ingredients to the Krabby Patty Formula.

Retail price:$10.99 on Amazon.com

Release date: Nov. 10, 2009

Running time:108 minutes long

Rating: 9

Disclosure: I received this product from Nick Jr. PR in exchange for my review. This however does not affect my views on the product. All thought s are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: The Christmas Magic Book Review

November 14, 2009November 14, 2009 - brandy3

Product Description: Far, far North, when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa begins to prepare for his big night of giving. He gathers his reindeer, feeds them parsnips and berries, and polishes his bells and his sled. Then lovingly, he chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all, and he knows what each child at heart wants most. Then, with the thrum of magic that makes reindeer’s fly, he spreads the Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world–as he always has — and always will until the end of time.

The Author:LAUREN THOMPSON is the author of several New York Times bestselling childrenÂ’s books, including the much-beloved Little Quack and Little Mouse series and the award-winning picture book Polar Bear Night. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their son. Jon J MuthÂ’s highly acclaimed picture books are beloved around the world and have been translated into more than ten languages. His Caldecott Honor Book, Zen Shorts, and the sequel, Zen Ties, were both long-running New York Times bestsellers. He lives with his wife and four children in upstate New York.

****This book is very bright and colorful. The book is a little different from most christmas books. No mention of elf, Rudolph, or any of the reindeer by name. It was a fun and interesting book. My kids really enjoyed it.

Retail price: $11.99 on Amazon.com

Pages:40

hardcover

Reading age:4-8 yrs old

Rating:7

Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my review, this however does not affect my views on this product.

Monsters Inc is now on Blu-ray Review

November 12, 2009November 11, 2009 - brandy3

Product Description:Experience the film that captured the hearts of critics and fans around the world in a breathtaking new way. MONSTERS, INC. is visually dazzling, action-packed and hilarious, raves the Boston Herald. And now, with eye-popping, crystal-clear visuals and theater-quality sound, it’s even better on Disney Blu-ray Hi-Def! Lovable Sulley (John Goodman) and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it’s the monsters who are scared silly, and it’s up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home. Open the door to a fantastic world of fun and imagination that will have you screaming for more. Featuring never-before-seen bonus features, the original DVD and a DisneyFile Digital Copy of the movie, MONSTERS, INC. is a sensational new experience on Disney Blu-ray.

Bonus features include:

ride and go seek
Building Monstropolis In Japan Go Behind The Scenes Of The New Attraction In Tokyo Disneyland.
Filmmaker’s Round Table Filmmakers Reflect On The Creation Of The Film.
Audio Commentary
Pixar Fun Factory Tour
Banished Concepts

****This has always been one of my favorite Disney movies. I love sully and mike, and of course Boo. She is so cute and funny. My favorite part is when Boo dresses up as a monster and runs around saying Mike Wazowski! My kids love when she isn’t scared of Randal and she growls at him. This is a great movie and even better on Blu-ray. I really liked the Monstropolis in Japan, that was really interesting.

This DVD comes in a 4 disc set. movie on Blu-ray, extras, DVD of movie and digital copy.

Running time:92 minutes

release date: Nov. 10, 2009

SuggestedRetail:$39.99

Rating:10

Holiday Gift Guide: Build A Bear Frosty the Snowman(giveaway)

November 11, 2009November 12, 2009 - brandy3 203 Comments

At Build A Bear Workshop, their mission is to bring a teddy bear to life. An American icon, the Teddy Bear brings to mind warm thoughts about our childhood, about friendship, about trust and comfort, and also about love. Build-A-Bear Workshop embodies those thoughts in how they run their business everyday.

Build A Bear has started a quick and easy way to get your holiday shopping done. Gifts on the go features an array of customized animals, stuffed, dressed and conveniently packaged. They range in price from $15-$40. Some stores will also feature a build a gift station, where you can purchase an animal already stuffed, then purchase clothing to go along with it.

This Holiday season Build a Bear is introducing some new furry friends.

Frosty The Snowman, Holly and Hal Moose return with there lighting antlers and cheeks.

Winter Hugs Bear-4 in the 2009 collection(I really want this bear!), and so much more.

**I received a Frosty the Snowman to review. This guy is so adorable. He makes a little chime sound and his cheeks light up. Great Gift for the holiday season. He is so soft and cuddly and features a broom, hat, pipe and scarf. Frosty is a great little friend that now gets to join Hal the Moose (reviewed last year)

Just for you: The great people at Build A Bear have offered one of my readers a Frosty the Snowman.

To enter:Visit www.buildabear.com and tell me your favorite animal

extra entries:

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Contest will close 12/4/09

Disclosure: Build A Bear provided me with a product to review at no cost to me, and one to giveaway to my readers.

Duncan Hines Whole Grain Muffins(giveaway)closed

November 9, 2009December 12, 2009 - brandy3 183 Comments

Duncan Hines now has baking mixes made with whole grain

Made with 100%whole grain and 0 grams trans fat, get the best while your baking.

** They turned out really good, you could really taste the cinnamon. also comes with a packet of apples. The granola topping we were not to fond of. The granola has milk in it, and hubby’s allergic. So i made some with the toppings and some without. My children and I still preferred the muffins without the granola toppings.

**The chocolate chink is also made with 100% whole grain and 0 grams trans fat. This also features chunks of chocolate and chocolate chips. My children and I really enjoyed these muffins, they were delicious. Chocolate muffin, chocolate chips and chocolate chunks, who wouldn’t love that. every women’s dream!

** The directions on both of these are very simple and easy to make.

Retail price:$3.99

Rating:9

just for you I have a box of each of these delicious muffins for oe reader.

to enter tell me what you love to bake?

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contest closes:12/5/09

Disclosure: I received samples of the products at no cost to me from Duncan Hines. This however does not affect my views on the product. All opinions are my own and will not be influenced.

Wen Cleansing Conditioner and Wen Wide Tooth Shower Comb

November 9, 2009June 2, 2020 - brandy3

Company info:Wen was developed by celebrity hairstylist Chaz Dean, after years of seeing the damage caused by ordinary shampoos on his clients’ hair. Wen which takes a unique approach to cleaning and conditioning hair in a single-step process. It’s made with natural ingredients and avoids damaging detergents usually found in shampoos — so it won’t strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils.

Wen was created with a balance of herbs and natural ingredients to not only cleanse your scalp and hair but to also moisturize, soothe, strengthen and add sheen. Chaz says some of his own clients find Wen a tough sell at first – the idea of giving up shampoo for a one step cleansing conditioner that doesn’t lather – but he finds that even the most reluctant clients become dedicated and loyal fans after trying it – including celebrities like Jennie Garth, Finola Hughes and Melissa Gilbert.

I got to try out the Wen cleansing conditioner- Which is a single step process that cleanses and conditions. Rather than lathering it feels like thick conditioning treatment on the hair. Made with natural ingredients avoiding sodium laurel sulfate and other damaging detergents.

Benefits include:

Adds moisture, body and shine
Works great on any kind of hair
leaves hair soft manageable and touchable
can be used before or after any chemical treatment
repairs damage, renews elasticity, and reduces chemical stress

****This conditioner is so great. My hair feels so smooth and soft after i used it. still a little frizzy, but not as much as it usually is. it’s smells very good, like mint, but it reminds me of beauty school. It smelled like that all the time.

***I also got to try out the Wen wide tooth shower comb, this is great for brushing your hair in the shower while conditioner is in. It makes the hair less tangly when you get out. my main use for this is when I give my daughters a bath. their hair is so tangly and this helps being able to brush their hair, while the conditioner is in. No fighting with them, and easier to brush through the hair.

Retail price: the whole Wen hair care 30 day system plus shipping is $35.90

Visit http://www.wenhaircare.com/?uci=ous555 to purchase

Rating: 8

Disclosure: These products were provided free of charge for the purposes of review in order to provide my unbiased assessment of the product for my readers.

Holiday Gift Guide:Little Mommys Real Loving Baby Walk and Giggle Doll

November 8, 2009November 7, 2009 - brandy3 2 Comments

Product Description: Little Mommy’ Walk and Giggle’ doll needs your loving care as you nurture, play and help her take her very first big girl steps! Try to keep up as this interactive doll goes from sitting, to standing, to walking with you, and all by herself! This ‘big girl’ also loves to play peek-a-boo, drink’ from her bottle and take her puppy pull toy for a walk. Fully interactive doll includes 60 phrases, sounds and songs.

*****This doll is so fun for any little girl, she talks, walks, sits, everything. My daughters are following her around everywhere. The doll takes 6 AA batteries that are not included, and the batteries go fast since this doll is so active. It’s like the doll has a mind of its own. over 60 words, and she goes from sitting to standing to walking. perfect gift for any “little mommy”

Recommended for ages 3+

retail price:69.99 on Amazon.com

rating:8

Disclosure: I received the product at no charge in exchange for my review, this however does not affect my views on the product. All opinions are my own.

Van De Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s Seafood Review(giveaway)

November 7, 2009November 9, 2009 - brandy3 233 Comments

Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s makes family meals easier, with a full variety of great tasting, easy to prepare seafood that will please kids and adults alike. Whether you want those famous fish sticks made from 100% whole white fish fillet or tender, crunchy fish fillets, Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s time-honored recipes are sure to include every family’s favorites. Each item in the varied line of seafood specialties also comes packed in a freshness pouch, helping to prevent freezer burn and offering the best quality by ensuring the preserved taste and texture of every Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s product.

These are not the fish sticks we grew up with. A combination of taste, crunchiness, and 100% whole white fish fillet in their fish sticks, make it a kid pleaser.(Trust me, my kids are so picky and they liked the fish sticks.)

I was able to try out these wonderful fish sticks.

****They are not that expensive and very easy to make. They were just okay on the taste. My kids actually ate them which was good, but the Mrs Paul left my house smelling like fish. The Van De Camps was a little better with the smell, but it tasted just the same.

Retail:$4.99-$5.99 at most major retailers

Rating:5

Just for you:

I have two coupons to try out Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Camp seafood product. Please don’t let my review persuade you from entering, Every person is different and you may like them more.

to enter leave me a comment with your favorite seafood.

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contest closes 12/3/09

Disney’s Up Review

November 7, 2009June 2, 2020 - brandy3 1 Comment

Synopsis: Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. Up follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness
Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.

Bonus features:

Commentary by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson.
Dug’s Special Mission – An all new original short film that follows the
misadventures of Dug as he attempts to complete his “special mission.”
The Many Endings of Muntz – Many ideas were hatched about how to dispose of the film’s arch villain, Muntz, and now viewers can see the many alternate endings.
Partly Cloudy –The hilarious short film that preceded screenings of Up.
Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the
babies?
Adventure is Out There – This action-packed documentary tells the story of the filmmakers’ own trek to the tepuis mountains of South America to research the
design and story of the film.

Features for the Blu-ray disc.

Cine-Explore – A visual montage of concept art, clips and documentary.
Geriatric Hero – A character study of Carl, from research to realization including art and design, rigging, animation and story.
Canine Companions – For anyone who ever wondered where CG puppies come from.
Russell: Wilderness Explorer – A character study of Russell from inspiration and design to finding the character arc and authentic voice for this wilderness ranger.
Our Giant Flightless Friend, Kevin – Find out how avian research and development at Pixar helped bring a mythical, 13-foot tall iridescent bird to life.
Homemakers of Pixar – Carl and Ellie’s house is an important “character” in the film.
Balloons and Flight – Carl’s house and Muntz’s dirigible presented the
filmmakers with two different problems.
Composing for Characters – Composer Michael Giacchino returns to score his third Disney•Pixar feature film.
Married Life – The original story concept that became the powerful “Married Life” scene, showing Carl and Ellie’s love story.
Global Guardian Badge Game – Players try to locate countries, states and capitals around the globe in a multi-layered BD-Exclusive geography game.

****This is a funny movie and very different from a lot of Disney movies I have seen. My children really enjoyed the characters, specially Russell and Dug. All I kept hearing was Mommy a talking doggie! I really like the character of Carl, he is a typical old man. My favorite part is when the house first takes off, and he realizes Russell is on the porch. Russell says can I please come in, Carl says no and slams the door! Ha classic!

Retail price:2 disc set-$39.99 and 4 disc Blu-ray combo-$45.99

Release date:November 10, 2009

Running time-96 minutes long

Disclosure: I received this product free in exchange for my review. However this does not affect my personal views on the product.

Holiday Gift Guide:Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure review

November 5, 2009 - brandy3 1 Comment

Product Description:When Swiper tries to swipe the Christmas Star from Dora’s Nochebuena Party, he lands on Santa’s naughty list. To get back on the nice list, Dora must help Swiper travel to the past, the present, and the future to discover the true spirit of Christmas. Will you help too?

**** This movie is great for the holidays. My kids were so excited to learn more about Christmas, and helping Swiper getting on Santa’s nice list. We really like Dora, and my kids speak in total spanish when watching her. In this episode, you can learn spanish christmas words, and how Dora and her family celebrate the holiday season.

Release date: Nov.3, 2009

Running time: 52 minutes

retail: $13.99 on Amazon.com