2010 Over Thirty Mommy Holiday Gift Guide Recap

First let me start with a special thank you to all of the generous sponsors for the 2010 Over Thirty Mommy Holiday Gift Guide.  My readers and I appreciate your generosity.

2010 Gift Guide Recap

To read each individual review and enter each different giveaway, please follow the links below.

All giveaways end at 11:59 PM PST on 12/12

Reviews with Giveaway:

MoBean Numi Key (5 winners)

Zuvo 150 Water Filtration system

Shenzhen 6" Chef's Knife

Elephantito $100 Gift Certificate

miYim Good Earth Fairy Doll

Ez Sox

Galloping Minds: Numbers and Counting with Animals DVD (5 winners)

Barefoot Books





Brodie & The Yeti: 2 autographed book package (2 winner)

Maclaren Volo Stroller

George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve Grill

Reviews:

Backyard Safari Outfitters

Cate & Levi Organic Clothing

Letters by Santa.com

Little Looster

 Maclaren Beginning products for mother and baby

iWave cell phone cases and earbuds

Hershey®’s Pot of Gold gift boxes

Have people that are hard to shop for on your list?  Need a quick and delicious hostess gift?

Try Hershey's Pot of Gold Gift Boxes.  Who doesn't love chocolate!

I have so many people to shop for and will be getting many of the Hershey's Pot of Gold Gift Boxes to pass out at holiday parties.  I have a couple past co-workers that I know will love getting boxed chocolates for Christmas and they make excellent teacher gifts.  I am also thinking of leaving one in the mail box for our wonderful mail man, Bob, who endures my overflowing mailbox on a regular basis.

Who you gift boxed chocolates to?
A. Family
B. Friends/Co-Workers
C. Host/Hostess
D. Teachers
E. Service Providers (i.e. mailman, hairstylist)
F. Other – who did we miss?



**Disclaimer: By posting about Hershey's Pot of Gold I am entering a contest for a Hershey’s Pot of Gold prize pack as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club.**

The Heart of Haiti

The Heart of Haiti collection is an array of handmade products for the home -- quilts, metalwork, ceramics, and paintings -- created by Haitian artisans. Each item is designed by a Haitian master artisan and produced by hand in Haiti from recycled materials.

Through the sale of Heart of Haiti products, artisans are able to earn life-changing income for themselves, their families, and their communities. The initiative is enabling artisans to repair homes, pay school fees, and feed and clothe their families. The income also allows them to have access to better nutrition, improved education and healthcare.

The Heart of Haiti collection has already led to employment of 350 artists in Haiti and has provided some financial benefits for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people in the country.  Each item is designed by a master Haitian artist and made by hand in Haiti.  Each product is made from recycled materials.  The collection includes 40 different home decor items and accessories.  Products include vases, candleholders, serving trays, picture frames, mirrors, coasters, necklaces, clutch purses and more.  Most items fall in the $25-$60 range.


** Disclaimer: I am writing this post to spread the word about Heart of Haiti through a Mom Bloggers Club member program and that you will receive a Heart of Haiti pendant as a thank you.**

Mom Rocks The Holidays on-line sweepstakes (Win one of 3 $1,000 prizes and more!)

Would You Like an Extra $1000 to Help You Rock the Holidays?

In a few words you can tell Rayovoc how you (or your mom) Rock the Holidays and be entered to win $1000 Cash!

It is so simple, just follow these two easy steps:

1. “Like” Rayovac on Facebook: Facebook.com/Rayovac
2. Go to Rayovac.com, complete the entry form and at their option, tell Rayovac in 120 words or less how you (or your mom) rocks the holidays.

Grand Prize: Three (3) Lucky winners will win $1,000 cash from Rayovac.
Runner Up Prizes: Twenty (20) First Place Prize winners will receive a Rayovac Jam kit including a Paper Jamz guitar, drum, amp and guitar strap as well as 2 packs of Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs (prize package valued at $90).

The sweepstakes runs through Monday, December 5th.

**Disclaimer: Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac**

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve Grill

Who isn't a fan of George Foreman Healthy Cooking tools?  I am!!  I have one of the original grills, a family size grill with the bun warmer section, a toaster and one of my favorites the pancake maker and they all get used on a regular basis.  I am now adding the Evolve Grill to my collection.

The Evolve Grill is the next generation of grills from George Foreman Healthy Cooking.  It comes in three versions, Muffin; Mini-burger; and Waffle.  All three have the grill plate and a deep dish baker, then each version has a special plate based on the version.  The extra plates are available as accessories, so you do not have to pick one and only one. (perfect for those of us that want it all!)

The Evolve grill that I have is the mini-burger version, which is wonderful for making my daughter burgers.  She loves how small they are, they are just her size.  The Evolve™ Grill • Bake • Mini-Burger starts with 4 plates – 2 grill plates, 1 deep-dish bake pan and 1 mini-burger insert – then lets you build your collection with up to 7 additional available plates.  I was most excited to try out the deep disk bake pan.  My husband loves lasagna so I wanted to try it out and see how it worked.  I must preface it with the fact that I have never made lasagna from scratch before, I usually buy the frozen ones from Costco (don't tell my mom, she is 100% Italian and might disown me if she knew).

The recipe that is in the included booklet was for a spinach lasagna but my husband is a carnivore so I made a couple adjustments.  One adjustment was that I eliminated one layer of the noodles (thanks to Wrestling Addicted Mommy's tips), and swapped out the spinach for Italian sausage.   I took it off the grill about five minutes early because the cheese was getting too crisp but it smelled delish!  It turned out great, no overflowing onto my counter!  The only thing I would adjust next time is add more seasoning, maybe some garlic!

Over all we are really enjoying our new George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve grill, I am going to try mini turkey purgers tomorrow and I am putting the Omelet and waffle plates on the top of my Christmas wish list.

You can purchase the George Foreman Evolve Grill for only $129.99 and Evolve accessories starting at only $14.99 and shipping is free on all orders over $99.

WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Readers will win a George Foreman Healthy Cooking Evolve Grill

 

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit George Foreman and tell me another product you would like to try

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like George Foreman Cooking on Facebook. (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and George Foreman Healthy Cooking (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  

Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received the Evolve Grill for the purpose of this review .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**   

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Maclaren Volo Stroller

I don't know about you but man I am tired of hefting around my huge full size stroller. It takes up so much space it is ridiculous.  I hate it when I forget that I left it in the trunk and go shopping (especially Costco) only to find that I have no room left to put my groceries and purchases.  I have been talking about getting a smaller umbrella type stroller but have never gotten around to purchasing one.

One compact stroller that I have had my eye on it the Maclaren Volo.  The Volo has so many of the features that I was looking for in an umbrella stroller, it is light weight (less than 9lbs), a 5 point harness for safety, it holds a child up to 55lbs, and has quality foot-operated brakes.  The Volo also has some features that I did not expect to get in a compact stroller, it has a shopping basket (smaller than full size strollers but definitely a plus to have), the seat is removable and washable, it has a rain cover (which comes in handy for standing in lines for Black Friday shopping!), it even has a carry strap. 

I never even thought about needing a carry strap, that is until I has one arm holding my daughter and the other holding our purchases,  I stood there for a minute thinking about how I was going to push the stroller with my foot.  Then I remembered the strap, I set the packages down, flung the stroller over my shoulder, gathered my packages and off I went.

The Volo arrived while my husband was at work so I thought I would give assembly a try.  I am not the best at assembling stuff, it took me over an hour to put together the big full size stroller (and there was not that much I had to do).  The Volo was so easy to assemble, it took me less than 15 minutes, it was amazing.  I have to admit that while reading the instructions, I was thinking how nice it would be to have illustrations to help me along (I found the illustrations in the back of the manual after I finished putting it together, should have looked there sooner). 

I also have to admit that it took me about 5 minutes to figure out how to open the harness.  I tried pushing the front button but nothing happened, I wiggled it and still nothing.  Finally, I looked back at the instruction book to see that I had to push both the front and back of the button to get it to open (now, I would have known this sooner if I looked at the bright red tag that I took off the stroller when I unpacked it). 

The steering and handling of the Maclaren Volo stroller are fantastic, in the words of pretty woman (yep, I watched it this weekend) "It corners like it's on rails".  It practically turns on a dime, I can turn it around in my hallway.  The Volo stroller maneuvered easily around the crowds and cluttered aisles during Black Friday shopping.  Yes, I took her shopping, I took her last year too.  It it never to early to teach her the art of Black Friday shopping.

WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Readers will win a Maclaren Volo Stroller

 

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Maclaren and tell me another item they carry that you would like

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Follow Maclaren on Twitter (1 entry)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like Maclaren on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Maclaren (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  

Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received the Volo Stroller for the purpose of this review .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**   

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Barefoot Books

My daughter loves books.  She will frequently pass up playing with her toys to sit and "read" her books.  We read throughout the day, she has a stack of books in the bathroom, and we always read a book before going to bed.  She probably has close to 100 books.  Now we have never read them all, she has about a dozen that are her favorites and we read them over and over and over. 

New to her library, from Barefoot Books is There's a Cow in the Cabbage Patch, How Big is a Pig, and If You're Happy and You Know It.   Right now she loves books with animals so the There's a Cow in the Cabbage Patch and How Big is a Pig books have been a huge hit.  I like the  unique illustrations and cute story lines.

Singing and dancing are also one her list of fun things to do, making the If You're Happy and You Know it book with sing along CD a hit since.   The Barefoot Books version is a multicultural variation of the traditional song and includes children from cultures all over the world. 

Barefoot Books was also kind enough to send along a set of their Yoga Pretzels cards.  I have always wanted to take yoga but have never taken a class because I am afraid that I will look silly or fall on my head while attempting a Down Dog or Airplane.

The Yoga Pretzels cards are perfect for me, because I can trip over myself and fall on my face a hundred times in the privacy of my living room and the only witness will be my daughter.  The Yoga Pretzels cards are brightly color coded by type of pose (my favorite are the Breathing and Time In sections, I am really good at those!)  Each card has easy to understand step-by-step instructions and illustrations to guide you into each pose (even the most novice yoga newbie can figure them out, by that I mean me!)


Barefoot News: (see #2 for a chance to win!!)
1. All throughout November, for every Barefoot purchase made on our Web site or in our flagship store in Concord, MA, we'll donate one new book to children in need via our philanthropic partner, First Book. http://www.barefootbooks.com/story/giving_back/ (more information on this link)

2. Starting November 15 through December 15, anyone who posts a photo or video of their little dancer on our Facebook group page is eligible to win a copy of our brand new Barefoot Books of Dance Stories book and storytime CD by Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Stemple. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=83919187446 (Facebook Group page)

3. Experience Barefoot Books though their digital videos and podcast: http://www.barefootbooks.com/story/childrens-crafts-activities (click the individual videos and the podcast link on the right side). 

Where to Buy:  
Barefoot Books can be purchased at their flagship store is in Concord, Massachusetts,  they have a boutique in the Manhattan FAO Schwarz, or you can purchase at their online store

WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Readers will win the book of their choice from Barefoot Books

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Barefoot Books and tell what book you would like to win and why

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Follow Barefoot Books on Twitter (1 entry)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like Barefoot Books on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Barefoot Books (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  

Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received three books and Yoga cards for the purpose of this review .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**   

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: iWave

Having trouble with gift ideas for your tweens and teens?   Think Santa needs a little help with ideas to fill their stockings?  iWave cell phone/iTouch cases and ear buds are the perfect stocking stuffer for your on-the-go kid.

The new iWave Crystal Collection offers a touch of sparkle with products sprinkled with Swarovski Crystal accents.  The iWave Crystal Collection includes iPhone and iTouch cases, ear buds, and headphones.   

 iWave silicone cases for the iTouch 3G and 4G are made with high quality dust proof silicone and accented with a Swarovski charm.  Earbuds and headphones are compatible with all 3.5mm stereo plugs and feature in-line volume control, high quality sound, and Swarovski Crystal accents.

Have a boy?  No problem, iWave even has a couple cases and ear buds suitable for them too!

While I do not have an iPhone or iTouch myself (even though I want one!), I know so many people that do, including a niece that would go crazy over the black case with Swarovski skull and cross bones that I received.  

Where to buy:

iWave cases, ear buds, and headphones will be available starting December 1, 2010 at www.iwave.com

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Galloping Minds Educational DVD

Is it ever to early to start teaching your children?  Now that I am a stay at home mom, I have more time to focus on teaching her.  I have the starter disc to a popular DVD based teaching program and she likes it but I was looking for a way to help her with numbers and letters.



Galloping minds has four DVD programs, Alphabet and Phonics; Shapes and Colors; Numbers and Animals; and About Computers.  They also have a preschooler Spanish DVD and flash cards to go along with the Alphabet and Phonics; and Numbers, Shapes and Colors DVDs.

Since I have been focusing on working on teaching Wiggle her numbers first with some teaching of alphabet, the Galloping Minds Numbers and Counting with Animals DVD was just what I was looking for. 

Wiggle loved the animals in the DVD, and it seems to be helping.  With a little coaching she can count to ten.  She is enthralled by the DVD and asks to watch it over and over.  I call it her Smarties DVD but when she says it, it sounds more like Funnies.

We have also been working with the Alphabet and Phonics flashcards.  While the phonics are a bit beyond her, not quite two, age the alphabet cards are fun and have great pictures that she finds interesting.  I like that each letter card has more than one corresponding word to go along with the letter.





The Numbers and Counting with Animals DVD teaches more than just counting from 0 to 10.  It also teaches counting down from 10 to 0, and basic mathematical skills of addition and subtraction.

I try to limit her TV time for cartoons but the Galloping Minds DVDs are entertaining as well as educational so I do not feel guilty for letting her watch them.

WIN IT! 
Five Over Thirty Mommy Readers will win a copy of the Numbers and Counting with Animals DVD

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Galloping Minds and tell your favorite DVD or flashcard set.

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Galloping Minds (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  

Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received the Numbers a DVD and flashcards for the purpose of this review .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**   

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: EZ Sox

My daughter is in a stage where she wants to do every thing herself and she gets extremely frustrated when she can not accomplish something with out assistance.

She is a little under two and we are working one her getting dressed and undressed by herself.  She is better at the getting undressed part than the getting dressed part but we are working on it.  So far she has mastered getting pants off (a little too good sometimes), taking short sleeved shirts off (still needs help with long sleeves) and she is a pro at getting her socks off.  She struggles a bit more with getting dressed but insists on trying on her own before she lets me help.  She has quite a bit of trouble with putting socks on, she has not quite grasped the concept of stretching them open and gripping the top to pull them up, she also often tries to put them on upside down.

When given the opportunity to review EZ Sox, I jumped at it since i knew my daughter would love them.  They come in adorable animal characters and solid colors for more dressy occasions.

She was excited by her cute new piggy EZ Sox, she barley let me get the tags off before she tried to put them on.  She can not quite get them on by herself but she is really close, I think a couple more tries and she will have it. 


What makes EZ Sox Different:
EZ Sox are specially designed to help your little one put their socks on by themselves.  They have reinforced loops that allow your child to get a strong grasp on the sock to pull it over their toes and up onto their foot.  The animal character works as a training tool as well as being really cute.  The face helps guide your toddler to put the socks on right side up.  They are also seamless for those more sensitive toddlers (man I wish I had seamless socks growing up!)

Where to Purchase:
EZ Sox can be purchased from their online store or many local retailers, to find the retailer closest to you, visit their store locator


WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Reader will win their choice of any one pair of EZ Sox
 

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit EZ Sox and tell your favorite pair of Sox

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Follow EZ Sox blog through Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow EZ Sox on Twitter
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like EZ Sox on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and EZ Sox (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile. 


Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received a pair of EZ Sox for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Maclaren Beginning

I first introduced you to the Maclaren Beginning line of products for mother and bay back in March during my Baby Shower Extravaganza.  Since then we have very much enjoyed the hand sanitizer (I keep a bottle in my purse, diaper bag, and car so that I am never far from it) and comforting room mist.

This time I would like to feature a few of the other items from the Maclaren Beginning line.

Candles
These high quality natural soy and palm wax candles are lead free and have a burn time of up to 30 hours.  They are made from a unique blend of 100% pure organic essential oils and come in a beautiful glass container with lid.  The candles are available in 5 aromatherapy fragrance combinations: Celebration, Rejuvenating, Inspiring, Tranquility, and Harmony.

Travel Kits
There are two travel kits available, one for baby and one for mother.  These kits are perfect for short trips, each item is just the right size for holiday trips to visit family.

My daughter loves getting back rubs and will flop over my leg any hours of the day and request a back rub.  The cocooning massage oil for baby works great for these impromptu massages and does not leave her with an overly greasy feeling.  I particularly like the alleviating leg lotion, it is great for those days where she literally runs me ragged. 

We also both like the bath milk, Nurturing for me and Calming for her,  While I haven't noticed that it makes her sleep better, it does seem to calm her down a bit before bed time (she is wild!).  I like to use my bath milk when she takes a nap and I can sit and relax in the tub.  I never make it to the spa these days so I take pampering where I can get it.

Where to purchase: 
Maclaren Beginning product can be purchased directly from the Maclaren site as well as Amazon.com.

Want to connect with Maclaren Beginning:
Maclaren beginning on Facebook

 **Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received samples from the beginning line of products for the purpose of this review .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**