Review: EatSmart Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale

Falling off the healthy eating train in the past years, I decided to jump back on. No help from Nutrisystem this time, but with the tips I did learn while using that system. I'm down about 15lbs. in the last 2ish months. Tracking the weight wasn't easy without a working scale in the house. Thankfully, the great people over at EatSmart (yes, the ones I've reviewed plenty on this website before) sent over one of their newer products for me to test out.
I received the EatSmart Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale. When I opened the packaging to take the scale out, all I could think about was the display. At 4.5", the LCD display is huge compared to my last bathroom scale. It's also backlit to make it even easier to read in the dark. The  thick tempered glass sits on a silver colored frame, which comes equipped with the battery area (on the bottom) and 4 sensors.

The Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale certainly is sleek and modern looking, but the best part is how easy it is to use. Auto-calibrated and equipped to handle up to 400lbs., this scale is ready to use right out of the box. Pop in the 2 triple A batteries, step on, and get your weight. There is a handy little button on the bottom of the scale that allows for 3 different modes; Pounds, Kilos, and Stones.

A pleasant surprise was the EatSmart Body Tape Measure that is included for free in the box. This time around, I've started taking measurements with the body tape measure, it is much better than just taking pictures to see my progress. I'm all for easy, and although losing weight isn't, this scale is. Out of the box and in full swing in less than 2 mins. The scale is very sturdy, and not an eyesore. The glass and frame make it look very elegant, it is low profile and easily placed near a corner with a door swinging right over it. I appreciate the wonderful customer service I receive at EatSmart and their great products I've had the pleasure to review over the years.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

GIVEAWAY - 20 MegaMillions Lotto Tickets from LottoGopher.com

Looking to play the lotto today? Not feeling like taking a drive to a local convenience store to buy a ticket? Yeah, I wasn't either. Lottogopher.com reached out to me when I was craving to buy some tickets after a year or so of laying off. I got a chance to play the lotto... from the comfort of my own home!

That's right, from home. Lottogopher is the only company in which California residents, 18 or over, can legally order tickets to play Powerball, MegaMillions and Super Lotto Plus lottery. Company reps travel to purchase tickets on behalf of consumers and credit their accounts at face value. There is no fee for the service, and you only pay the cost of the ticket. A perfect service for those too busy, or ones looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Using the site is as easy, which is always a plus. You chose you one of the three lotteries available to play, they tell you the current jackpot and you pick your numbers. Quickpick is also available for those too indesicive‎ to pick numbers. Also, you can enter group lottos via the site. You pool tickets and have a higher chance of winning, always a good thing, but winnings would be divided up within the group.

All in all, just the fact that you can buy your lotto tickets in you pajamas from the comfort of your own home at face value is reason enough to be exited. BUT, thanks to the folks at LottoGopher.com you can now win a chance to win (get it?)! The giveaway for 20 MegaMillion Lotto Tickets from LottoGopher.com is open to California residents, 18 and over. Rafflecopter entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gift Guide: South Beach Smoke eCig Starter Kit

Before I begin this review, I'd like to say that I am not a supporter of smoking. I am, however, all for those who want to quit, and this is one of the methods to do so. My father, a heavy smoker since his early teens, was the receiver of the South Beach Smoke eCig Kit we received to review. He has wanted to change his smoking habit over the years, especially with two kids under the age of 10 in the house. The Deluxe Starter Kit comes with following items:

1 Standard Battery - NEW SuperMAXTM Battery 

1 Extra-Capacity Battery - NEW SuperMAXTM Battery 

1 Deluxe USB Charger 1 Portable Wall Charger and

4 Large Nicotine Cartridges/Atomizers - Equals 14-16 Packs of Cigarettes (Choice of Flavor & Strength)

Unpacking and set-up was easy, we simply screwed on one of the nicotine cartridges to the battery and it was ready to go. There is no on/off switch, all my father had to do was inhale and an orange crystal tip lit up. The amount of smoke that it produces was almost equal to a regular cigarette, he said. From the South Beach Smoke website, "Smokers enjoy doses of a vaporized liquid nicotine solution and exhale a water vapor that resembles a puff of smoke". Charging via the USB charger is just as easy, and with two batteries included in the Deluxe Starter Kit, it's more than enough to keep him going.

After a couple days of using the eCigs, the flavor, as he describes it, has grown on him. While I don't mind the subtle smell of nicotine from the cartridge itself, it's a thousand times more tolerable than his regular cigarettes. There is also no second-hand smoke, which is one of the main concerns in our household. Only time can tell if they will help him quit, but the start of this journey is looking rather positive. We will definitely be doing an update review within a couple of months to map his progress.

The South Beach Smoke Deluxe Starter Kits retails for $59.99 and I think would make a great gift for a smoker in your life who has been wanting to try a method to quit smoking. While this may not work for everyone, I think the positive reviews online regarding South Beach Smoke, and eCigs in general, are enough to try them out. With the holidays already here, this can make a great Christmas present, or in my opinion, a New Years present for those who "wish to quit smoking" for their 2014 resolutions.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Review - Funky Barn 3D for Nintendo 3DS #UbiChamps

 

I recently purchased the Nintendo 3DS system and have been loving the fun games I've been able to play lately. We got the opportunity to review Ubisoft's Funky Barn 3D and have been farming our hearts away. At first glance at the cover art makes you think its your run-of-the-mill plow your land, grow your food game, but it's not. It's a funky game where you will encounter some very odd happenings.

At the beginning of the game you are to make a name for yourself, your farm, and your first little animal. You are then guided and introduced to the menu options that includes the shop, farm reports, map, etc. Basically all the basics you need to start playing. You learn along the way that your animals can lay eggs, grow wool, find truffles or produce milk, which you profit from. Providing them with needs (shelter, food, water, etc.) and planting and sprucing up your farm will attract new animals.

Now all is fun, raising animals, growing crops and whatnot. However, as if a problem in real life, there are pests along the way the threaten your farm; foxes, wolves, and even UFOs that attempt to abduct your animals! There are ways to repel these pests and not one of my animals has been taken as of yet. I'm steadily on my way to building a great farm. 

Funky Barn 3D is definitely a fun game, rated E for everyone. My little siblings both have started their own farm, although my 5 y/o sister had a little bit of a hard time understanding what to do in the beginning, she got a hold of it quickly afterwords. The controls for the game are simple and you'll be cashing in on your first egg in less than 5min. into the game. The game can be switched to be played on 2D or 3D mode. A huge thanks to Ubisoft for another fun and quirky game the whole family can play! Funky Barn 3D retails for $29.99 and you can purchase it on ToysRUs.com or Amazon.com.

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #UbiChamps

Review - Real Simple's Pet Product Line

Real Simple has launched a pet gear line at Target and we had the chance to review a couple of the products from this great line. With 3 dogs running around, they need their own toys, storage and other gear as well so it was a great opportunity being able to review them.

We received Real Simple LED Light Collar Charms. These are handy little collar charms you slip onto your dog's collar. The charms have 3 settings for the LED light, fast blinking, slow blinking and a steady light. Great for when you're walking your dog during the night. They come in pink, blue and green. Each of the dogs got one, and all you need to do is press down on the charm and just select which LED light is best. No need to take them off, just turn them off. They've been great to have during our nightly walks, very convenient.

 

The Real Simple Pet Toy Organizer was a very cute surprise. Its made of an easy-to-clean nylon and has handles to conveniently take it anywhere. Its available with a red or blue-striped lining, we got the red. The organizer is gorgeous and big enough (16in x 14.5in x 10in) to let us store the frisbees, chew toys, and even handy for leashes since we keep in next to our patio door. 

The Real Simple Silicone Placemat. Our small indoor dog, is quite a messy eater. Apart from that, our flooring makes for spilled water all throughout the day. The silicone placemat is truly a great thing to have for her. All the crumbs and spilled water goes onto the placemat for easy cleaning. Real Simple's pet line for Target is a great deal for any pet owners. A huge thanks to them for letting us review their great products! 

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Review - netTALK Duo WiFi VoIP Device

I recently got the opportunity to test out netTalk's Duo WiFi device. Just about everyone has a digital home phone nowadays and VoIP devices are becoming more and more common. The idea of the netTALK Duo WiFi is to use a regular phone by plugging this device to either your router, computer or via WiFi. It's ingenious. The device itself is very small and compact. But what I really like is that with the purchase of the device, you get 12 months of phone service.

As mentioned, the netTALK Duo WiFi device is very small and compact, it comes with an a/c adapter, ethernet and usb cable. All that is required is a telephone and high-speed internet. With the provided cables, it takes less than 2min. to plug everything in and setup is a breeze.

The features included with the device and service just blow all the phone companies away. They will charge an arm and leg for them. Wi-Fi enabled, option to port your phone number, call waiting, caller id, call forwarding, 3-way calling, visual voicemail, 411 directory assistance, enhanced 911 calling, fax-friendly, videophone capabilities and more. 

As for the phone service included for 12 months, it's netTALK's Basic Call Plan which include Free calling to US and Canada. If you chose to renew, it's a mere $29.95 for each additional year. That's less than what I was paying a month for our phone service. There are great add ons as well, including a North America Add-On that includes calling to the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico starting a $5.85 a month or International Add-On with calling to 60+ countries for as low as $10 a month.

Overall, the netTalk Duo WiFi is a great bargain at $64.95. Although I have yet to buy a standalone cordless phone for it, when I use it, it gives me no problems. I don't get cut off, voices are very clear, just like our digital phone. I had Vonage for 1+ year, and the quality of that was sub-par with constant dropped phone calls, echoes, and delayed audio. The only con I have experianced with the Duo WiFi is that the volume isn't as loud as my phone allows, but by contacting their customer support, they can go in to your device (if connected via wifi) and raise the volume. 

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

GIVEAWAY - $50 Subway Gift Card - Subway Catering Review

My household is very fond of Subway, delicious, cheap and healthy meals, what could beat that? Catering, perhaps. I don't think I've ever been to a work, or even sport-related party, where they didn't opt for Subway catering. I have always been on the receiving side, but recently got the chance to be the one who orders. I thought, what better day than Friday, when my little brother would come home from his field trip with his friends. Perfect timing.

Subway's Catering service was just about the easiest and most convenient online ordering service I've used. The website notes that you should make orders at least 1 day in advance. So I headed on to Subway's Catering Menu and chose the Sandwich Platter which contains 15 portions. They are available in Classic Combo, Flavor Craver or Fresh Fit varieties. We chose the option to completely customize our platter. We chose our own bread, 5 different types of subs, what veggies we wanted on which and sauces. Some chips along with drinks and cookie was all well received over here.

Subway Catering Menu has a nice mix of the Sandwich platters, Meals-To-Go (which include a 6" sub, cookie and a choice of chips, yogurt or apple slices), Cookie platters (Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin & White Chocolate Macadamia Nut), and the ever famous 3- or 6-foot Giant Subs, as well as a wide variety of chips, yogurt, apple slices and bottled beverages. I think our choice of the customizable Sandwich Platter was best for us, as we have quite a few picky eaters. Our order was ready to pick up and be brought home to be enjoyed. Subway is always a favorite for us, we enjoy the tasty subs and all the fresh ingredients we can pile on. Knowing how easy and effortless it is to order from their catering menu, we will definitely be using it in the future again. A huge thanks to Subway, they have been generous enough to giveaway a $50 Gift Card to one lucky reader! Be sure to follow Subway on Facebook and Twitter!

Want to win a $50 Subway Gift Card? Click "read more..." below to enter the giveaway!

CouponCodes4u - Save While Shopping Online!

 

We all love saving money, but clipping coupons isn't the only way to do so. I am an avid online shopper and am always on the lookout for "free shipping", "25% off" and other similar offers to help save my money. Thankfully there is CouponCodes4u, a website with online discount codes for savings to hundreds of stores. The discount codes range from percentage off your total orders, weekly deals to free shipping.

Not ready for Easter? That's ok, CouponCodes4u has great discounts on Easter-related products and apparel at stores such as Nordstrom, Sears, Kmart and many others. As well as discounts on Easter-related card, candy, etc. And speaking of spring, as the weather warms up, you lucky golfers have plenty of special discounts to choose from too with a (The Golf Warehouse) TGW Coupon.

CouponCodes4u is very easy to navigate, even with their hundreds of store discounts, its quite easy to find what you're looking for, You can search by store or even product category. Don't forget to check their weekly deals, this weeks deal is: Get up to 30% off the latest Samsung i9100 Galaxy Accessories at Suntekstore.com. So stop by and check them out for savings on your next online shopping trip.

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post, however, all opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a positive review.

Review - DiscountPartySupplies - Super Mario Bros. Theme

All the disappearing this past month has been due to planning a dual-Birthday Party for my younger siblings. Not a huge gathering, just family. Regardless, the planning and execution of it sure does take a lot. We had a single Super Mario Bros. theme planned but later decided to add Hello Kitty to the mix. Thanks to the good people at DiscountPartySupplies we got some adorable Super Mario themed supplies for the party. We received the Super Mario Bros. Standard Party Pack, which included:

• Super Mario Bros. Dinner Plates - 9in (8pk.)

• Super Mario Bros. Lunch Napkins (16pk.)

• Super Mario Bros. 9-oz Cups (8pk.)

• Super Mario Bros. Invitations (8pk.)  

• Blue Plastic Cutlery (Assorted, 24 Count)  

• (1) Blue, (1) Red Crepe Streamers (81ft.)

• (1) Blue, (1) Balloons (15pk.)

• Spiral Birthday Candles (24pk.)

• Red Plastic Tablecover, 54" x 108"  

The Super Mario Bros. Standard Party Pack is available for $23.99 via DiscountPartySupplies.com Its very practical, well-priced, and not to mention the napkins, plates, cups and invitations are absolutely adorable. All the boys were exited when they got the invitation! I mean, who isn't a fan of Super Mario Bros.? I have to say, I adored the print on the napkins, they were reversible as well. Great quality and print on the plates and cups, all the kids were ecstatic to see them.

Not realizing the shortage of available party favors of Super Mario at local stores around my area, we had to mix it up with SpiderMan, including the cake. The colors were interchangeable with both themes; red, white, green, yellow. If you're having a particular theme in mind for your next party, DiscountPartySupplies has plenty to chose from. Angry Birds, SpiderMan, Tangled and more. They also have supplies for graduations, weddings, retirement, etc. From party favors to pinatas, they have a wide variety of items. Definitely happy with our Super Mario Bros. 

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Giveaway - Ring In 2012 With Amway's Nutrilite Vitamins Package!

Feel a big sluggish during the Holidays? You know, it just might be due to those extra servings you've been having. We all tend to have big dinners during the Holidays when our families come over and the extra food and calories will break you! Ever since my Nutrisystem days I've been keeping up with healthy eating, counting calories going in and out. Portion size is the most important factor to take into consideration. Want to get back on track these last couple of days in 2011? Thanks to Amway's Nutrilite, I got a couple products to review.

Nutrilite Concentrated Fruits and Vegetables Tablets (60ct.). These tablets are made from fruit and veggie concentrates, many of which they grow on their certified organic farms, and contain no artificial color,s flavors or preservatives. Two tablets provide phytonutrients of 10+ of fruits and veggies that benefit heart, circulatory, colon, eye and prostate health.

Nutrilite Fruits and Vegetables 2GO Twist Tubes (20ct.). These tubes are extremely convinient and provide you with 2 servings of fruits and veggies. It contains Vitamin C (equivalent to 1 serving of cantaloupe) that helps boost and protect your immune system and beta carotene (equivalent of 1 serving of carrots) which promotes healthy eye and skin health.

I have been taking both the tablets and twist tubes for about a week. Its going hand in hand with my healthy eating. Over the Holidays it is next to impossible to for a lot of us to get the recommended 9 - 13 servings of fruits and veggies needed. We had family over for Christmas and our traditional food from our homeland doesn't really include and fruits or veggies. It is very easy to over eat and pack on calories during this time but for those of you that are on a diet, it is not recommended. Here are a couple of tips to stay healthy these last days of 2011:

• -There surely will be left overs, that doesn't mean you have to eat them in excess. Keep to your good eating habits and keep portions in mind.
• -Drink a lot of water. I can not stress this enough. Water is important.
• -As hectic as these days might be, exercise any chance you get, even if its just a walk around the block.
• -If you can't eat you daily servings of fruits and veggies, consider Amway's Nutrilite products. Fruits and veggies play a vital part in your health.

Easy and simple tips that will make you feel great by the time 2012 rolls around. Amway's Nutrilite has a range of vitamins, supplements and other products to address the nutritional needs of you and your family. They have been generous enough to help ONE LUCKY READER to WIN an Amway Nutrilite Package that includes the Nutrilite Fruits and Vegetables 2GO Twist Tubes and Nutrilite Concentrated Fruits and Vegetables Tablets that I received! :) Visite Amway's Nutrilite en Español.

Want to win this Amway Nutrilite Package? Click "read more..." below to enter the giveaway!

Holiday Gift Guide - For Anyone: Om Nom "Cut The Rope" Plush Toy

His name is Om Nom. If you haven't seen this cute little guy around, you might want to download his game, "Cut The Rope". It is available on iPhone and Android phones and is quite addicting! I hadn't heard or seen this guy prior to him landing on my porch some weeks back. This little guy came wrapped in adorable packaging. He is sweet, soft and super cute! There seems to be a craze of certain popular app game plushies going around, and little Om Nom sure makes his own statement. Om Nom plush toy was released in September 2011 by ZeptoLab and is available with different expressions, including one where he looks to be quite sad. Cut The Rope is such a fun game! More about the game:

"A mysterious package has arrived, and the little monster inside has only one request…CANDY! Help get the candy to Om Nom, the lovable star of the game, in this highly innovative and addictive puzzle game. Combining outstanding physics, devilishly tricky levels, and bright colorful High Definition visuals, Cut the Rope is one of the most original and fun-filled games on the App Store"

Cut The Rope is quite a fun game, I'm always playing it now when I'm in waiting rooms, I'm so glad I found it. Om Nom is an absolute cutie pie and the Om Nom was released in September 2011 and would make a great Holiday Gift for kids and adults if all ages. He is available, with different expressions, on Amazon for as low as $6.99.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway - CN: Punch Time Explosion XL Video Game

One gift that doesn't seem to be losing popularity any soon is videos games. RPGs, First-Person Shooters, Action/Adventure, etc. I am a huge fan of video games and would be quite embarrassed to even begin figuring out how many hours I've put into them over my 23 years of life. A lot..I can say that much. I got the exiting opportunity to receive and review the Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL video game  for the Xbox 360. I am a big Cartoon Network fan, have been since I was small. I love Power Puff Girls, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Dexters Laboratory, Fosters Home of Imaginary Friends and more! Its exiting and so fun to see the characters from my favorite shows (and others) come together.

Punch Time Explosion XL has a story mode in which the narrator takes a day off to watch his favorite shows only to find mass chaos and confusion in the sense that all the shows, characters and their worlds are mixed up. You begin as Ben Tennyson (from Ben 10) who sees and tries to find his arch-enemy, Vilgax and end with... Dexter (thats all we'll say for now, I'd hate to ruin the ending!). I love the co-op story mode that lets you play with up to 4 people. The game is great! It has 26 playable characters and battle arenas AND 4-player battles. I love the battle mode, as they are very reminiscent of Super Smash Bros. (SSB) and I use to play it a lot. I won the majority of time lol. As in SSB, you can pick up random items to help beat the other players, the game certainly has a lot of re-play value!

Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL is available for the XBOX 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. It retails for $29.99 - $39.99, depending on which platform you want it for. This is definitely a great game to have wrapped up under the Christmas tree! :)

Want to win a copy of Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL Video Game? Click "read more..." to enter the giveaway!

Holiday Gift Guide - For Anyone: Light-Up Snow Man & Candle Set - CVS

We all know those people who prefer more practical gifts during the holidays, as opposed to lavish big-screens and whatnot. CVS Stores provides great gifts at low-costs for those who like the practical gifts. We got the chance to review just two of many many great gift ideas available at your local CVS.

Light-Up Snowman is available at CVS for a low $9.99 ($20 value). The Snowman is adorable, at 14.5" tall is comes with a handy button to turn on its gorgeous light. The fading light is very soothing and looks wonderful. We managed to stick him in our foyer and everyone has complimented it. Its very inviting and even during the daylight, he is fun to look at. The only thing that drew me off a little was the excess glitter that I've had to vacuum up around the area he is.

Sarah Peyton Flameless Candle Set is available for a low $9.99 at CVS. This great set comes complete with genuine river rocks, custom wood tray, batteries and includes 3 flameless candles. Right out of the box and plastic, you can feel that the candles are made of real wax. Its vannilla scent is not mentioned on the box, but is quite pleasant. The flameless candles are safe to use, and made a great centerpiece during out Thanksgiving get-together. They have a handy on/off switch on the bottom and when "on" you can blow on them to turn them off. They flicker, smell good, feel real and are very realistic.

The Light-Up Snowman and Sarah Peyton Flameless Candle Set are just two of many great gifts at great prices available at your local CVS Stores.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Giveaway - BK Crown Program - Burger King $25 Gift Card

Burger King, one of the largest fast-food chains in the nation, has released the BK Crown Program that helps kids, and their families, help support good causes. The BK Crown Program is a fully interactive Kids Meal box that features a newly redesigned Burger King Crown. The Kids Meal box features all new fun games and activities, along with a BK Crown Code to be entered at thee Burger King Website. The BK Crown Code is to be entered online and allows kids to tell Burger King what matters to them most. Burger King allows kids to use the code to vote between Wildlife Conservation Society, National Parks Conservation Association, DonorsChoose.org and Have It Your Way™ Foundation, their votes help choose which charity Burger King gives back to.

The BK Crown Program is truly interactive, from their newly designed BK Kids Crown and Box to the online website where kids get to place their votes and play more games.My siblings both had fun playing a couple of the fun games on the BK Crown page. I think involving kids to help charities is a great move on their part, and the redesigning of the crown and box only add to the greatness. I love that Burger King also offers the optional Fat-Free Milk and BK Apple Slices in their kids meals. My siblings both enjoyed their BK Crowns, box and apple slices. They both LOVE animals so they decided to vote for the Wildlife Conservation Society.

I hope you guys decide to try out the optional apple slices and fat-free milk next time you take your little ones to Burger King. They will LOVE being part of helping out a good cause. For those of you looking for a bargain, Burger King has a "BK Family Bundle" that includes a Whopper and Whopper JR Sandwich, two small fries, two small soft drinks and a BK Crown Kids Meal. It certainly is a good deal, and only available for a limited time! Want to try is out? Burger King has been generous enough to offer one of my readers a $25 Burger King BK Crown Gift Card!

Want to win an $25 Burger King Gift Card? Click "read more..." to enter the giveaway!

Holiday Gift Guide - For Kids: Nintendo Wall Graphics & 9" Figures

I think its fair to say that we ALL have been fans of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. at one point in our lives. I lived and breathed the Super Mario Bros. game since the original Nintendo console. And yes, I still own the old cartridge games, and the console. The days of Nintendo's 8-bit Super Mario are long gone. The Super Mario franchise has been revamped, this can be seen in the NEW Super Mario Bros. video game for the Wii and all those proceeding it. Here are two great gifts for all Nintendo fanatics!

Up first is something that needs to be displayed as if it were a trophy. The Super Mario 9" Figurine is officially licensed by Nintendo and is something that will brighten anyones holiday! They are made of vinyl, 9" tall and have moveable arms and head for posing. The Super Mario 9" Figures are a great gift idea! Mario, Luigi and Yoshi are available to be purchased.

The Super Mario 9" Figures retail for $12.99 at ThinkGeek.com. We received a little Mario Figure to review and can not count how many friends have been instantly gravitated to it. I have him placed near my video game collection, rightfully next to all the Super Mario games. He get a lot of attention and enjoys being played with. Its very sturdy so you don't have to worry when little kids manhandle him. :)

Next up is truly a gift that all Super Mario fanatics would die for! Nintendo Wall Graphics are great for those who have wall space to show off! They would be wonderful in play rooms, kids bedrooms or even yours! We received the Nintendo Wall Graphics in the New Super Mario design and placed it in my younger brothers room. Its a shame I didn't take a picture, we decided to remove them for the time being until the room can be painted. They came off as easily as they went on. They don't leave sticky residue and didn't loose their stickiness. The New Super Mario design looks amazing on the wall!

The Nintendo Wall Graphics retail for $49.99 - $69.99 at ThinkGeek.com and are available in the oldschool 8-bit Super Mario Bros, the 3D-rendered NEW Super Mario Bros. or Donkey Kong. All three are completely different sets and you can set them up in whatever manner you'd like. This is a gift they will treasure!

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Holiday Gift Guide - For Men and Women: Spock Cookie Jar & Bathrobe

If your parents are anything like mine, they are Star Trek fans. Not BIG fans, like I am, but they use to watch the show in Nicaragua when they were younger and enjoyed it. My mom seems to think my infatuation with Spock was cute, but little by little she took a better liking to him. These next two ideas are great for the Star Trek fans, men or women, in your life.

Star Trek Bathrobe. Is there anything better than waking up and throwing on a Captain Kirk, Scotty, Uhura or Spock bathrobe and making a cup of coffee? I think not. We received the Spock Bathrobe, it is blue, adorable and has a Star Trek Enterprise embroidered insignia and the rank on the sleeves. It looks great and will definitely spark interest and questions from those who catch you in it :) They will ALL want to know where you got it!

The bathrobe, officially licensed by CBS, is quite long, at 5'7" it reaches halfway down my legs. The Star Trek Spock Bathrobe retails for $59.99 at ThinkGeek.com and is available in Gold (Kirk/Captain/Commander), Red (Scotty/Operations/Commander) and Blue (Spock/Sciences/Comander). There is also an Uhura Bathrobe in Red, which is shorter than the others, meant for women and retails for $39.99. This is a great example of a present for those who have everything. They are warm, soft, and wonderful to show off!

Next up is the Spock Cookie Jar. You will certainly have people asking questions about it when they see it in your kitchen! This officially licensed SStar Trek collectible is made of ceramic to hold your tasty treats. Cookies (store bought or or home made, Spock won't question it), granola bars, and other treats comfortably fit inside. The wonderful thing about it is that you can put almost anything inside, food, pet treats, crafts, money, etc.

The cookie jar is very well made. If its not hand painted, it would've fooled me. All the beautiful facial features that make Spock Spock are very well molded, from his sexy pointy ears, to his high cheek boned and wonderful eyebrows. The Spock Cookie Jar retails for $49.99 at ThinkGeek.com and needs to be under a lot of trees this Christmas! Its just one of those gifts that you can give and expect to get a "Whoah, what, really? Amazing!" from the recipient :)

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Holiday Gift Guide - For Men: Multi-Color LED Flashlight & Shock Ball

I find that men are sometimes the hardest to chose gifts for. Sure, a video game, console or big T.V. does the trick most of the times, but what about those who like the fun quirky gifts? What then? You think outside the box. My dad loves practical gifts, and gifts that will provide him entertainment, so here are two that he has been enjoying:

A Multi-color LED Flashlight with 10 different LED colors; red, green, orange, turquoise, purple, yellow, light blue and violet. The flashlight is simple to use, one click on the buttom located on the bottom and the white LED automatically comes on. At the click of a smaller black button on the side you can toggle between the 10 different LED colors AND the last two settings are flash and fade modes. The output is quite bright, a 3W and takes 3 AAA batteries.

My dad used this to light up a hanging witch on out door during Halloween. It was green and we got a lot of compliments on the scary hanging witch! He mostly uses it to go do work on the outside of the house when its dark and surprisingly enjoys it to flash in peoples face, lol. The Multi-Color LED Flashlight retails for $24.99 at ThinkGeek.com This is one practical gift any father who enjoys flashlights that actually work and don't have a yellow-tint light :)

Next up is a fun little Shock Ball. Ever play hot potato? This is a fun new way to play, without the burns... or the potato lol. The Shock Ball is a novelty toy, not meant for children under 14. From the name of it, I'm sure you guessed its purpose. The Shock Ball is meant to be used in place of a hot potato when playing hot potato. The ball doesn't want you to win, so as you pass it around to your friends, it will emit random electrical shocks. The person who holds it the most without screaming out in agonizing pain laughter (from the random shocks) is essentially the winner.

The random electrical shocks are not painful, they will most likely cause you to yell out in laughter than pain, but it is still not meant to be used by children under 14 or people with electrical devices like pace makers. My dad LOVED this gift, he has always been a practical joker, but he sure is mighty good at the game. Along with the electrical shocks, the ball lights up so make sure to play in the dark! The Shock Ball retails for $13.99 at ThinkGeek.com. GREAT. GIFT. IDEA.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Holiday Gift Guide - For Anyone: Zombie Attack Hoodie & Ninja Stack Shirt

Clothing is always a great gift to give during the holidays, and we all have those friends that are into something a little different. I have a good amount of geeky friends who would rather rock Super Mario HiTops than some regular all-white boring shoes. Thankfully stores like ThinkGeek can provide us with a place to get unique gifts for our friends.

We received a Zombie Attack Hoodie to review and can say it is amazing! My younger sister wore it during Halloween and had so many people ask her where she bought it. Its definitely a head turner. It is described,

"...for defending oneself during the upcoming zombie apocalypse, we highly recommend a hoodie. Layering is key. One minute you're going to be running, next minute you're going to be hiding in a cold, dark corner. It pays to have layers."

The hoodie is great, I love that it has so many interesting things to point out, like the actual inside of the hod is pink and resembles brains, there is an image of a gash on the back where you can see a spine, bloody handprints on the front sides and more. My sister took a huge liking to it and wheres it out regularly, since it is getting very cold in Los Angeles. I think the hoodie is great for those friend we have with more unique tastes and the ones that like to stand out a bit more. The Zombie Attack Hoodie is available at ThinkGeek.com for $59.99 in sizes S - XXXL.

Next we got the Ninja Stack Babydoll shirt. Now, this shirt isn't as unique as a hoodie with a gash and visible spine BUT is too cute to resist! It's irresistibly soft and cute. The Ninja Stack Babydoll is an adorable t-shirt featuring 3 ninjas with little shuriken starburts stacked on top of each other. The shirt is black and fitted. A pink heart that reads "Ninja" in Kanji and "Here Comes Trouble" in English near the bottom give it a splash of color. Its fun quirky description is:

"Generally, we don't recommend stacking ninjas. That tends to make them angry, and you wouldn't like them when they're angry. But when they're this cute, who can resist? Use the three-high ninja stack to get the frisbee off the roof, to change your lightbulbs (to blacklight, naturally), or to kneecap Godzilla. The possibilities are endless!"

The Ninja Stack Babydoll is available at ThinkGeek.com for $24.99 in sizes S - XL. Be sure to pick up either or both for those friends who just crave something different this holiday season!

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Holiday Gift Guide - For Anyone: Debbie's Rugelach Pastries

Fruitcakes, Holiday decorated cookies and... Debbie's Rugelach. I like to think outside the box when it comes to gifts, and food always is well received. If you're asking what a Rugelach is...

"...a traditional Eastern European pastry. It’s name comes from the Yiddish word “rugel”, meaning “royal”. Contemporary Jewish-American rugelach descends from this tradition, using a wide variety of fillings. There is no other Jewish sweet that has become more mainstream than rugelach. Delicious for dessert with your coffee or tea, or even as a tasty snack!"

We received Debbie's Rugelach in all 3 varieties, Traditional Currant Walnut, Decadent Chocolate Chip, and Very Apricot. One thing they all have in common is their delicious flakiness and cinnamon and sugar topping. Its almost hard to believe how limited the ingredients list for these little pastries is! Now, I had never heard of Rugelach pastries before, but I like sweet treats. They smell fantastic, but the taste just takes the cake. 

The Very Apricot rugelach is "moist, tart dried apricots with just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar for a not too sweet indulgence". The little chunks of dried apricots mixed with the flaky pastry is delicious! I also found the Traditional Currant Walnut irresistibly great. They were both my favorite. The Decadent Chocolate Chip was favored among my little siblings, who described it as "mmm chocolatey" lol. Debbie's Rugelach will maintain their glavor and texture for several months in the freezer, but there was non left over to save this time around.

At $9.95 for a pack of 8, Debbie's Rugelach is certainly a great gift idea for the foodie friends you have. Also, at $19.95 for a pack 18 they are a wonderful idea for Holiday parties. Debbie's Rugelach also have a special promotion where you get a FREE 8-piece assorted bag with the purchase of $25+ or if you refer 2+ friends! Treat your friends and family to some Rugelach! :)

Debbie’s Rugelach will maintain their flavor and texture for several months in the freezer. They can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated in an air tight container for at least a couple of weeks. They are great warm, too. You can take them straight from the freezer or at room temperature to the microwave for 30-40 seconds.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question,  from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway - EatSmart Precision Digital Luggage Scale

Holidays are great, a lot of people opt to travel during this time. Travel, the Holiday season, the airport, unexpected luggage fees all can quickly lead to stress. Packing and luggage weighing is something we all have to do when we travel, and if you don't have a good scale, you can end up paying hefty fees at the airport.

EatSmart is a great company that sells kitchen, bathroom AND luggage scales to make things easier for us. We received their EatSmart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale to review. The scale has a SmartGrip and a 110lb. capacity. What makes this Luggage Scale great it the fact that its handheld, meaning you can wrap and secure its belt on the handles of your luggage, lift and weigh. Its digital blue-lit LCD screen it very crisp and easy to read, even at night. 

My family and I had a trip planned for this December, but due to unfortunate financial circumstances we were forced to postpone it until next year. However, some of my uncles and aunt are left a week and packed with the help of my EatSmart Digital Scale. We used to use a regular bathroom scale with blocks to balance suitcases before, and always had to rearrange and open suitcases in the airport during check-in to avoid fees. Using the luggage scale was a breeze. When they went to check their luggage in, there was a difference of about .5 on the luggage. Everything went smoothly and no surprise fees thanks to the EatSmart Luggage Scale. Its definitely a must-have gift for travelers in your life! It retails for $19.99 and will make a great stocking stuffer too!

Want to win an EatSmart Digital Luggage Scale? Click "read more..." to enter the giveaway!