Giveaway - Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream in Boston

Looking for a spectacular entertainment during February school vacation?  Get ready to watch Rapunzel's ride of a lifetime as Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream featuring characters from Tangled.  The show is runs from Friday, February 17 to Sunday February 26 at TD Garden in Boston.  Here's the show description:

Get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream. Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss. And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime! Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!

We cannot wait to start our school vacation with this event!  Check out the YouTube video and ticket information.

*** If you'd like to win a family four pack of tickets to Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream on February 17 at 7pm, tell me your favorite Disney character in Rafflecopter below and check out the easy ways to earn more entries. The giveaway ends on February 3rd at 12:01am and is open to anyone who can attend the Boston show. ***

Review - Tribe Hummus

February is American Heart Health Month and a great time to think about eating healthier.  Tribe Hummus offers a way to lower the risk of heart disease with all natural ingredients and none of the bad stuff like artificial flavors, preservatives, hydrogenates oils or high-fructose corn syrup.

And hummus doesn't have to be boring, Tribe Hummus offers flavors like Spicy Red Pepper and Olive Tapenade.  We tried the Zesty Spice and Garlic and were thrilled with the flavor.  Living in Massachusetts, we also like to support local companies and was happy to learn that Tribe Hummus is based in Taunton, MA.

So if one of your New Year's resolution is to eat healthier, or if you are concerned about heart disease, Tribe Hummus is a tasty way to address both.

Special thanks to Tribe Hummus for providing samples for review.  No other compensation was given.

Review - Brookstone Rover Spy Tank

Here's a cool iPhone/iPad controlled device that's sure to please kids of all ages.  I always had my eye on the  AR.Drone Quadricopter, but really, who can afford a RC helicopter?  The Brookstone Rover Spy Tank is the next best land-based option.  Check out the fun my kids had with it.



Adam loved to get up close and personal to it.



Yup, that close. The wi-fi connection to my iPhone was super easy to set up and the Rover was super easy to control, even by 7yo Dova. The streaming video was great for giggles and the snapshot button was well used. Over and over.









Wait, did the Rover spy mom jumping in the kitchen? This super shot was taken by Dova the controls. See? Super easy to use.

In addition to the all important snapshot button, the Rover's movements are easily controlled by using the touchscreen arrows or by G-drive which uses the iPhone or iPad accelerometer. It also has a night vision mode which lights the way in the dark to sense ghosts, or in this case, ghostly kids.



After playing with the Rover, I had a little trouble hooking back up to my home wi-fi, but after a quick reset of my router, it was smooth sailing.  For a fun family toy for the holidays, you can get the Rover Spy Tank at Brookstone for $99.99.

Special thanks to Brookstone for providing the Rover Spy Tank for review as part of the Brookstone Review Crew.

Review - Brookstone Rechargeable iPod and iPhone Battery Backup

Brookstone Rechargeable iPhone Battery Backup

If there's one thing the iPhone lacks, it's a long battery life.  I charge my phone every night, but if I forget, I am in trouble the next day.  Or if I'm traveling and my main connection to the world is through my phone, it will drain down long before the day is done.

That's where Brookstone Rechargeable iPhone Battery Backup comes in.  It's small enough to carry in my handbag and in a pinch, it provides many more hours of charge depending on what I'm doing.  With the handy retractable USB cord, you can charge both the battery and the phone at the same time.  I've found that battery provides enough power to operate your iPod or iPhone, but doesn't really charge it.  Once my phone was completely dead, and it didn't turn on after several minutes on the battery alone.  But once I plugged the phone into an A/C outlet for a few seconds to revive it, I was able to unplug it from the wall operate on just the battery.

If you're like me and can't live without your iPhone or iPod working at all times, the Brookstone Rechargeable iPhone Battery Backup will definitely come to the rescue.

I'm reviewing the Brookstone Rechargeable iPod and iPhone Battery Backup as part of the Brookstone Review Crew, but I actually purchased it on my own.  Well worth it!!

Review - LELO Personal Massagers from Brookstone

LELO Alia Personal Massager from Brookstone

If you're looking for the regular family fare review, you can skip this post.  But if you're looking for a something a bit more spicy yet classy, look no further than this line of LELO personal massagers from Brookstone.  After all, Brookstone has all the gadgets to make every man in your life happy, why not reciprocate for the women?

The first question that I had was, "Why would I want to spend over $100 for a vibrator?"  First of all, Brookstone sells personal massagers, not vibrators.  And the fact that I can post these photos of the LELO line of personal massagers is a testament to their beautiful Swedish designs.  Simply holding a device that is beautiful rather than grotesque or vulgar one sets you up for classy experience instead of a embarrassing one.

The LELO Alia Personal Massager is rechargeable and waterproof.  It looks nothing like a personal massager, but works wonders with its six adjustable vibration modes (especially the random pulse one).  The lowest setting teases and purrs and the highest setting is plenty powerful yet amazingly quiet.  The hole in the middle is perfect for holding on to; it simply won't slip out of your hands.  Plus, it's fun for men and women alike.

The aptly named LELO Gigi Personal Massager is shaped to for those who prefer G-spot stimulation. The five adjustable modes (unfortunately it doesn't have Alia's random pulse) also range from a slow purr to a powerful yet quiet roar.  The rechargeable battery and body-safe, phthalate-free silicone are testament to LELO's thorough design process.

So do the LELO personal massagers deliver a $100 "experience"? Considering that of all the free products I've gotten from BlogHer have all been left in the dust, absolutely. It satisfies and is definitely worth the money.

LELO Gigi Personal Massager from Brookstone

Special thanks to Brookstone for providing the LELO Gigi personal massager for review as part of the Brookstone Review Crew.  I loved it so much that I purchased the LELO Alia personal massager myself.

Review - Vinturi Wine Aerator from Brookstone

Vinturi® Wine Aerator from Brookstone

I’ve always known that you need to let wine “breathe” before you pour and drink, but I never had to patience to wait before indulging.  Now with the Vinturi Wine Aerator from Brookstone, I can finally taste what I’ve been missing.

In a side-by-side taste tests, the Vinturi consistently makes red wine taste smoother and more flavorful.  From bottles of fine wine to less expensive “box” wines, it works with everything.  It does require two hands to pour and hold the aerator, which can be challenging with box wines (where you have to hold the glass as well).  Otherwise, it is well worth using and takes no extra time to produce better tasting wine.

One drawback is that you really wish to have it while dining out.  Thankfully, Vinturi now makes a travel wine aerator, so you can be a wine snob wherever you go.


Vinturi Travel Wine Aerator from Brookstone

For the geeks, the name Vinturi is a brilliant play on words between “vin” (wine in French) and venturi, the reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows through a constricted section of pipe.

Special thanks to Brookstone for providing the Vinturi Wine Aerator for review as part of the Brookstone Review Crew.

Review - Brookstone Universal Phone Holder

Brookstone Universal Phone Holder

Normally, I carry my huge hobo handbag which has a pocket for my iPhone as well as a slew of other items including...  Wait!  A women doesn't disclose what's in her handbag!  But sometimes I just want to travel light.  The Brookstone Universal Phone Holder is the perfect solution.  I can take my phone, my license, and my credit card and go without the extra weight of every store card from my area, hand sanitizer, dental floss (I'll stop here).

The description on the Brookstone site states that the Universal Phone Holder fits the BlackBerry® smartphone and Android™-based phone. But I can tell you that it fits my iPhone perfectly, even with a thin hard shell case. There is a slick pull tab on the backside to pop the phone out quickly.  It is made with quality leather and is minimalist yet stylish.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for a gadget-obsessed mate or friend, the Brookstone Universal Phone Holder will not disappoint.

Special thanks to Brookstone for providing the Universal Phone Holder for review as part of the Brookstone Review Crew.