Biscoff Review and Sweepstakes Offer...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Teacher, Neighbor, Secret Santa, Stocking Stuffer

We recently had the opportunity to review Biscoff cookies:



About the Biscoff Sweepstakes:

"This holiday season, Lotus Bakeries presents the first-ever “Take a Biscoff Break” Holiday Giveaway,” offering up a chance to win a year’s worth of Biscoff cookies! Known as “Europe’s Favorite Cookie with Coffee,” Biscoff cookies are crunchy caramelized biscuits from Belgium which first became popular in the U.S. when millions of customers sampled them on Delta Airlines. Since the 1980s, more than 80 million people have tasted and fallen in love with Biscoff cookies!

Beginning Nov. 1 through Nov. 21, the “Take a Biscoff Break” Holiday Giveaway will give you the chance to win these delicious prizes:
· Grand Prize: A year’s worth of Biscoff cookies starting with a beautiful glass jar filled with tasty Biscoff cookies and replacement shipments throughout the year
· First Prizes: 10 decorative glass jars filled with Biscoff cookies
· Second Prizes: 50 festive Biscoff ‘Joy Hope Wish’ holiday cookie tubes (6-pack): The perfect hostess gift and stocking stuffer

“Take a Biscoff Break” Holiday Giveaway --http://www.biscoff.com/holidaygiveaway will officially launch on November 1, 2010 and end on November 21, 2010. Winners announced in early December. Official rules found here.

Biscoff “Joy Hope Wish” holiday tubes are the perfect stocking stuffer and make a great hostess and teacher gifts. Until December 31, 2010, for every six or 12-pack sold of the holiday tubes, Lotus Bakeries will donate 10% of the purchase to Teach For America, (http://www.teachforamerica.org/). Teach for America is a national corps of well-trained teachers and leaders who are helping break the cycle of educational inequity across our country. Since inception, the organization has positively impacted the lives of 3 million children in the US."



What we thought: These were really yummy cookies:) They reminded me of a gingersnap with a caramelized sugar taste and a crunchy texture. The kiddos and I devoured them and even B, who doesn't have much of a sweet tooth enjoyed them with his coffee:) Biscoff cookies would be perfect as a gift for a teacher, hostess, co-worker or Secret Santa and would also make a great stocking stuffer! ABCD Diaries gives Biscoff cookies an A+!



Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a sampler of Biscoff cookies for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions in this post are ours and ours alone.

Powermat Review and Giveaway...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Women & Men

We recently had the opportunity to review a cool new tech gadget...the Powermat charging system.

About Powermat:
"Powermat USA is a joint venture between Michigan-based HoMedics and Israel/New York-based PowerMat, Ltd. Together we’re commercializing wireless charging. We introduced over a dozen products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2009 that will be available in stores Fall 2009.
No more tangled mess of cords or searching for the right adaptor, simply place your enabled device on the Powermat to charge. Featuring a full range of wireless charging solutions for all your favorite devices, Powermat is compatible with iPhone, BlackBerry, MP3 players, cell phones, headsets, hand held electronic games, digital cameras, and GPS units. Whether you charge at home, at the office, on the road, or in all of these places, Powermat has a solution for you.
Powermat technology will revolutionize the way we charge.
Powermat. Charge Your Life.

With the Powermat system, you choose a mat and then choose the receivers to match the devices you want to charge. The Universal Powercube receiver with 8 tips allows you to charge hundreds of devices, and we also offer slim Powermat receivers that are custom designed to fit on your devices and you don’t need to remove them to use your device.
About the Home & Office Mat: Slim, sleek charging mat for home or office
Wirelessly charges up to 3 Powermat-enabled devices simultaneously (plus one USB power port). Works with all Powermat receivers.
Includes:
Home & Office Mat
Universal, international power supply with built-in cord management
PLEASE NOTE: All mats require an additional purchase of a Powermat Receiver"
What we thought: This is a really cool idea if you have a lot of devices that need charged fairly often. With the Home & Office mat you can charge up to three things at once and only use one outlet! Pretty smart:) If your family has iPhones and Blackberries, iPods and Nintendo DS systems, digital cameras and laptops or pretty much anything else that needs charging, you should check out the Powermat. There really is an adapter for nearly everything. The Powercube worked best for our family and it comes with a ton of adapters. I think we are pretty much covered on all of our charging needs:) The Powermat was easy to set up and easy to use. It would make a great gift for people who are often on-the-go and need there chargeables ready around the clock. ABCD Diaries gives Powermat an A!

Buy It: Find Powermat and accessories at Target, Amazon or check this page for the retailer nearest you...the list is pretty long so there is a good chance you have a retailer in your area!!

Win It: Powermat has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a Home & Office mat with up to three receivers! To enter, leave a comment below qith the device you charge the most often.
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Giveaway ends Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US and Canadian residents 18+:)

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a Powermat and Powercube for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Fabrikators Kitchen Gadget Review...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Women & Men

We recently had the opportunity to review some really neat kitchen gadgets from Fabrikators.
About Fabrikators:
"Fabrikators is new venture. What started as a tiny annoyance to clean new potatoes has in a few years grown to be one of the most interesting...
Founders Andersen & Forsberg met on a weekend tour and both being engineers it was only natural start talks about products, product development and engineering. Quickly they learned that they shared many ideas and interests and this made them quit their regular jobs and start Fabrikators in 2005.
The first product thought out was the famous “potato glove”. Lars had for some time found the cleaning of new potatoes especially annoying and in short the idea of a rough nylon glove came about. Sponges, peelers and vegetable brushes all construed disadvantages when used for fresh potatoes and that needed to be taken care of.
Our ambition was to sell some 5,000-10,000 pairs on a yearly basis so it was a big surprise for us to see that alone in Denmark we managed 80,000 pairs the first year and that in 2009 we crossed a magical 1 million pairs in sales worldwide. The idea is so simple and attractive that we could basically sell it all over. After Denmark we moved to Sweden, Norway and Germany and later in 2007 we had distribution in 15+ countries including all major European markets, Canada and the US. Today the glove have created am amazing network for us in 30 + countries with more than 600 accounts and approximately 6000 shops offering the scrubbing gloves. The new thing for us is now the fish glove which we launched mid 2009 and then to get the new and innovative water proof gloves ready for 2010. We are sure the water proof gloves will be an equal success among fans of Skruba. We are always looking for the simple yet ingenious ideas and so far we have more than enough to do.
The new products launched in 2009 all available from November 1st are good examples of the same. “Ingenious” is more important than “complicated”. To simplify things and make things easier is in fact not that easy and only the best ideas survive with us."
About the gadgets we reviewed:-Potato Skrub'a: The potato glove was introduced in 2006 and is by far the most popular scrubbing glove to date with sales close to 1 mil. pairs. The glove is a one size fits all and ideal to scrub, rinse and clean new potatoes, baked potatoes and many other vegetables.
-Carrot Skrub'a:The carrot glove was introduced in 2007 and present in a fresh and modern colour. The glove is great for scrubbing and cleaning carrot, parsley root and root fruits in general.
-Lemonfriend:Just a little squeeze is all you need. End of greasy fingers, staining and the hassle of getting just a few drops into your dish. A new smart little invention solves the problem. Simply place the slice in the Lemonfriend and ready to go. Get all the juice and keep hands, fingers, clothes dry and clean and avoid getting the seeds in your dish.
What we thought: We LOVED our Skrub'a gloves! We were given a toddler set of potato gloves and an adult set of carrot gloves. The kiddos really enjoy helping clean the veggies and I am happy to have their help in the kitchen.. It really helps them get excited about preparing our meals:) The gloves work wonderfully...way better than just using our hands and less germy than a sponge or all-purpose scrub pad. The Lemonfriend was pretty neat to...we use a lot of lime and lime in our foods, so these were really helpful and easy to use. All of our Fabrikators gadgets are made with quality materials and easy to clean/care for. Fabrikators also makes a scrub brush that can stick to your sink and a line of toddler flatware. We loved our Fabrikators gadgets and hope to see some new ones in the near future! These nifty gadgets would be perfect for anyone on your gift-giving list who enjoys making life in the kitchen easier and more fun! ABCD Diaries gives Fabrikators an A+!

Buy It: Find these handy kitchen gadgets at the Fabrikators website.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a set on Lemonfriends and 2 pair of gloves for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Lunchbox Reviews Website Review and $25 Oompa Toys GC Giveaway...

We recently had the opportunity to review a website called Lunchbox Reviews which provides recommendations for iPhone and iPad apps that are child-friendly and age-appropriate.

Lunchbox Reviews offers lots of search options that help to refine your searches to apps that will be most relevant to you. You can sort apps by child's age, device and category. There are a few really helpful categories like the overall Top Ten apps, the Top 3 of each category and the Daily Yummy and Yucky. Each app has star ratings and many have user reviews, which can be really helpful. Lunchbox Reviews even has areas for special needs children and moms and dads and a place where you can personally recommend an app to the list.


Lunchbox Reviews is very easy to navigate and provides a plethera of information that is very well sorted. This website makes it easy to find just what you're looking for without wasting your time or money:)


Lunchbox Reviews is a place where you can find trustworthy advice on hundreds of apps all in on place:)

To help spread the word, Lunchbox Reviews is offering one lucky ABCD Diaries reader a $25 gift card to Oopma toys!!

Win It: To enter to win the Oompa gift card, visit Lunchbox Reviews, find a cool app and come back to leave us a comment about it:)
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Giveaway ends Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:)


Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given an Oompa gift card in exchange for this review. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Bad Idea T-Shirts Review...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Fun-Loving Women & Men

We recently had the opportunity to review a tee from Bad Idea T-Shirts.


About Bad Idea T-Shirts:"At Bad Idea T-Shirts, we offer more than 1,000 different designs in a variety of categories. Our t shirts are made to last and are all professionally silk screened to ensure a fantastic appearance. We ship our creations all over the world and even offer you the convenience of accepting all major credit cards and PayPal for payments."

What we thought: If your family is anything like ours, you have lots of people on your Christmas list that would appreciate a funny t-shirt as a gift. And if this is true of your family, you should definitely check out Bad Idea T-Shirts this holiday season. This website has a HUGE variety of tees to choose from ranging from funny to just plain obscene:) You will definitely be able to find a shirt to fit each t-shirt-loving person on your gift-giving list:) The shirts are really affordable starting around $8. Bad Idea T-Shirts also carry American Apparel tees. These tees are made from quality materials with professional screen printing and will really bring a smile to the face of anyone who opens one this Christmas:) ABCD Diaries gives Bad Idea T-Shirts an A!

Buy It: Find these funny tees at Bad Idea T-Shirts. Check out the Bad Idea T-Shirts Facebook page where they offer their fans lots of fun giveaways!!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a tee for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Dream Soft Bedware Reivew and Giveaway...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide

Women & Men

We recently had the opportunity to review a set of DreamSacks BambooDreams Towels thanks to Dream Soft Bedware.

About Dream Soft Bedware:

"Founded in 1998, Dream Soft Bedware's philosophy has always been about helping people find soothing, sound and comfortable sleep. A good night of sleep is the foundation upon which dreams are built.Now you can experience your dreams wrapped in the opulence of organics, the luxury of silk, the comfort of wool, or the warmth of feathers.Whether you're looking for sensual or functional for your bedroom or your bath you can find it here. We have everything you need to provide comfort for your bed and bath and most importantly for your Body and Soul.We are a small company, and take pride in being nimble and responsive to better serve your needs."
About DreamSacks BambooDreams®Towels:

"The best of both worlds: bath towels made of 70% Viscose from Bamboo and 30% organic cotton. These towels are exceptionally soft, absorbent and made using pesticide-free resources and low impact dyes. The terry towels are available in three colors: Chocolate, Green Tea, Blue Rain and Linen"

What we thought: I was a little skeptical upon first inspecting our BambooDreams towels. They were soft, but seemed super thin...I wondered how absorbent they could actually be. However, I was pleasantly surprised as soon as I used them:) They are super cozy and feel really great to the touch and they performed wonderfully as far as absorbency(and every other way a towel can perform:) They have held up extremely well to washing...they haven't faded or pilled and they still feel just as soft as the first time we used them. They come in a variety of colors that could match pretty much any decor. Dream Soft Bedware has more than just awesome towels...they have bedding for adults and babies, comfy clothing and sleep sacks, pillows, rugs, spa accessories and much more. You are sure to find the perfect gift at Dream Soft Bedware. ABCD Diaries gives Dream Soft Bedware and the DreamSacks BambooDreams towels an A+!

Buy It: Find these perfect Christmas gifts at Dream Soft Bedware.

Win It: Dream Soft Bedware has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a set of DreamSacks BambooDreams Towels!! To enter, tell us which color towels you would choose.

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Giveaway ends Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:)

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a set of towels for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Winners...

This winner's post is long overdue...we have been doing some major home renovations, but should be returning to fairly regular blogging now:)

Here are the winners since the last winner's announcement:

HalfTees-#180 Louis
PrinceReigns-#52 Jane
PakNak-#3 Carrie
Undertease-#101 SavvyMomsSave
The Boy's Store-#99 Deanna
Zevia-#68 Susan
Rinaldi-#121 won
Little One Books-#56 Shannon
Episencial-#6 3 Giggly Monsters
Super Undies-#87 fancygrlnancy
EcoMom-#32 Deanna
Amazon-#239 Anon
Twisted Fish-#50 freddie

Congrats to the winners...thanks to all who entered:) Look forward to more great giveaways coming up in our Holiday Gift Guide...some sponsors for the next week include DreamSoft Bedware, PowerMat, Violight, Little Green Books and more!!

The Last Ornament Review...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Children Ages 2-6

We recently had the chance to review this cute holiday book, The Last Ornament:

The Last Ornament, by Judith Vicary Swisher (Author), Molly Mann (Illustrator)

Synopsis:
"Offering a new way to wind down the holidays, this fun and unique picture book shows the annual family tradition of taking down the Christmas tree from a new and original perspective—that of the ornaments. Showing how these decorations feel about their role during and after Christmas, the story focuses on a single toy engine who is forgotten on the tree in the cold night and how his fellow ornaments take action. This book provides enjoyable yearly reading and a new game to play each year, with rewards for finding the last ornament.
About the Author:Judith Vicary Swisher is a professor at Penn State and the author of numerous professional articles. She has written several holiday books for children and families, including Celebrate Advent. She lives in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania. Molly Mann is an illustrator and artist who has worked with a number of authors and corporations. She lives in State College, Pennsylvania."

Product DetailsReading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: Rogers Press (April 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0976409801
ISBN-13: 978-0976409809
Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches

What we thought: This was a really cute book. I let 4 year old A "read" it to herself before reading it to her and she got the message loud and clear...that tells you how well the book is illustrated:) The story is really cute and I love how the author shines a light on the importance of family traditions, especially around the holidays. The book is very well-written and tells the story in a way that was even captivating to our 2 year old. The Last Ornament will be a part of our holiday library for years to come:) ABCD Diaries gives The Last Ornament an A!


Buy It: Find this adorable children's Christmas book at your favorite book store or online book dealer:)

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this book for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Alize Passion Review...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Entertaining

Thanks to Alize, B and I recently had the opportunity to try a couple of flavors from the Alize Passion line.

About Alize Passion:

"Intensely unique and inviting, Alizé Passion liqueurs infuse premium French Vodka with luscious, all natural flavors from the world’s most exotic regions. Our Master Blenders travel from the jungles of Brazil, the lush hillsides of Chile, the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, the flourishing Mediterranean Coast, and to the tropical shores of South America and the pacific islands to bring you the nectars of our exotic fruits.
Alizé is delicious mixed with vodka, tequila, rum or a splash of Champagne. Alizé is also refreshing on the rocks or in mimosas, martinis and margaritas.

From finding the perfect present to hosting the best holiday party, the jolly season can unfortunately be muddled with stealthy competition, but rest assure, Alizé Liqueur is here to help! With four delicious vodka-based concoctions your guests will be merry and caroling all winter long!"

A few cocktail recipes from Alize:

Peppermint Kiss
3 ounces Alizé Red Passion
3 ounces Taittinger Champagne
Serve chilled in a champagne glass with mint leaf to garnish.

Rosy Cheeks
2 ounces white wine
1 ounce Alizé Gold Passion
Serve chilled in a champagne flute.
Baby It’s Cold Outside
2 ounces Alizé Gold Passion
1 ounce apple schnapps
½ ounce vodka
½ ounce triple sec
Shake well over ice, strain and serve straight up in a martini glass.
Snowflake Sip
3 ounces Alizé Bleu
2 ounces club soda
Blend ingredients and serve over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime or lemon twist.

What we thought: Both of the flavors of Alize Passion we tasted(red and gold) were pretty tasty. They were a little sweet to drink alone, but made wonderful additions to the various cocktails we mixed them in. My personal favorite was the Baby It's Cold Outside and I would recommend the Rosy Cheeks or the Snowflake Sip if you're serving a larger group of guests becuase of the short and affordable ingredient list. The beautiful array of colors Alize offers makes any cocktail look invitingly delicious! Alize and Alize Passion would help make entertaining your holiday guests a breeze:) ABCD Diaries gives Alize Passion an A!

Buy It: Find these yummy flavored liqueurs at your nearest adult beverage retailer:)

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a sampler of Alize Passion for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Harlequin Books for the Holidays Review...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Women

Harlequin has always been a leader in books geared to a female audience and this holiday season 2 books really stood out to us. Both of these books would be perfect for the women in your life, whether mother, sister or friend.



The first book we reviewed is Queen of Your Own Life, by Kathy Kinney and Cindy Ratzlaff:

Queen of Your Own Life: The Grown-Up Woman's Guide to Claiming Happiness and Getting the Life You Deserve

Product Details
Hardcover: 168 pages
Publisher: Harlequin (March 30, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373892152

Synopsis:
"Discover the Seven Best Gifts You Can Give Yourself-
Queen of Your Own Life is a philosophy, a decision and an invitation to happiness for women who have made the tough but rewarding journey to the midpoint in their lives. Kathy Kinney (best known as Mimi on The Drew Carey Show) and Cindy Ratzlaff (marketing genius behind the launch of The South Beach Diet) have been best friends for more than thirty years, and have helped each other navigate the ups and downs of their lives with humor and grace.
In this entertaining and inspiring book, they share the tried-and-true techniques they call "the seven best gifts a woman can give herself." They reveal how they learned to value themselves just the way they are—women in full bloom, sensual, vibrant, wise and more beautiful than ever—and they'll show you how you can, too.
With these seven gifts you'll discover how to:
• Claim your beauty and feel your power
• Clean your mental closet and find your queen voice
• Admire yourself for who you've become
• Build deep, fulfilling friendships with other women
• Establish firm boundaries that will strengthen all your relationships
• Learn the simple trick to finally being happy
• Place the crown firmly on your head
With humor, comfort and inspiration, Queen of Your Own Life offers easy step-by-step actions to blast away at the societal tall tale that young is beautiful and old is just old. If you've been feeling that the best part of your life may be behind you, then this book will prove to you just how untrue that is, and that the door to being happy is not only never closed, but just waiting for you to fling it open. Remember, you don't have to be twenty to have your whole life ahead of you. Now is the time to become Queen of Your Own Life!"

What we thought: This book would be a great gift for any women who has reached "that time" of their life and needs a little direction on how to reclaim her identity and become her authentic self. The authors present this uplifting and powerful message with humor and positivity. They dismiss all the old stereotypes and lay out an easy-to-follow plan to lead each women down the path to a happier, more fulfilling life. ABCD Diaries gives The Queen of Your Life an A+!

The second Harlequin book we reviewed was A Homemade Christmas, by Tina Barseghian:
A Homemade Christmas: Creative Ideas for an Earth-Friendly, Frugal, Festive Holiday

Synopsis:
"Making something with your own hands—whether it's a plate of just-baked cookies, a handcrafted stocking, a homemade wreath, or a hand-folded origami ornament—is a great way to connect with the true meaning of Christmas.
From holiday decorating to gift giving, A Homemade Christmas is chock-full of projects, recipes, tips, and helpful hints that are guaranteed to add a homemade touch to your holiday season. Open this charming volume to any page and discover a wealth of practical and easy-to-accomplish ideas for a homemade holiday:
• create personal, distinctive holiday greetings
• deck the halls with festive, handmade trimmings
• cook simple but memorable homemade dishes
• make unique, handcrafted gifts
• share the joy of the season with friends and family
Packed with inspiration and how-tos for ideas that are family-friendly and eco-conscious, festive and meaningful, A Homemade Christmas will put homemade back into your holidays!"

Product Details
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373892225

What we thought: This book is full of great ideas on how to make frugality fun for the holidays all while saving you money, making handmade gifts that will be treasured, creating a festive atmoshpere in your home and allowing you to spend cherished time making memories with your family. The ideas range in difficulty, but there is nothing too crazy as far as skill level...most can be done with your little ones! These ideas are all Earth-friendly and the results are pretty awesome. We have several of these ideas planned for our holiday celebrations:) ABCD Diaries gives A Homemade Christmas an A+!!

Buy It: Find these great Harlequin books at your favorite book store or online book dealer.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a a copy of each of these books for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

EyeBuyDirect.com Review and Giveaway...

Thanks to EyeBuyDirect.com, B recently had the chance to review a pair of prescription glasses. About EyeBuyDirect.com:Expertise:

The EyeBuyDirect team comprises of industry specialists who are not only customer focused, but who understand vision and your optical needs. We custom-make lenses according to your prescription and we repeatedly inspect the accuracy and quality of the frames and lenses before shipping.
Price:

As an online retailer and optical manufacturer, EyeBuyDirect is able to reduce significantly the costs passed on to you by traditional high street retailers–leaving more dollars in your pocket.
Service:

Our customer service doesn’t stop the moment you’ve made your purchase. Our customer-focused approach means our service team is always available and ready to assist you, even once your glasses are received. We’re just one phone call away.
Selection:

At EyeBuyDirect, we’ve always got our fingers on the pulse of the latest fashion trends and hot eyeglasses styles. Our comprehensive range has something to suit everyone, allowing you to fully express yourself through personalized eyewear.
Convenience:

Online shopping allows you to escape the hordes at local shopping malls, and do away with the pressures of a sales assistant peering over your shoulder. We make shopping simple by delivering your glasses right to your doorstep, so you have more time for yourself.
Community:

We believe everyone has a right to own glasses, no matter how wealthy they are. We strive to lower our prices to enable wider access of this necessary good. Moreover, our commitment to reducing environmental impact means that we employ manufacturing processes which involve minimal waste output and fewer expended resources.
Satisfaction:

We pride ourselves in knowing the wants and needs of you - the customer. If you are not completely satisfied with your eyewear, you can return the product within 7 days and receive a full refund (shipping costs not included) or a new pair. No questions asked!"

What we thought: B really likes his glasses. He said it was really hard to choose just one pair from EyeBuyDirect.com because the selection was so huge! The glasses he chose have definitely served him well. They look great on and they came with a hard storage case and a microfiber cloth for scratch-free cleaning. Shipping costs were very reasonable and they were shipped pretty quickly considering they had to make the lenses. They glasses have withstood the 2 year old test so far(B often leaves his glasses on the bedside table and D loves to test the glasses out himself:) Because of the super low prices(frames start at around $8!) and the huge variety, we will definitely be going back to EyeBuyDirect.com! ABCD Diaries gives EyeBuyDirect.com and A+!

Buy It: Find these stylish glasses for everyone in your family at EyeBuyDirect!

Win It: EyeBuyDirect.com has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader one free pair of prescription eyeglass of their choice!! (Frame + lenses ...Please note this is with the exception of designer eyewear and sunglasses. Lenses option except ’thin as possible’) To enter, visit EyeBuyDirect.com and tell us which frames you'd love to have!
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Giveaway ends Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents. 18+:)

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a pair of glasses for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Immaculate Baking Co. Review...

Thanks to Immaculate Baking Co., we recently had the opportunity to try out some yummy refrigerated dessert dough:)

About Immaculate Baking Co.:

"Back in 1995, Scott Blackwell started Immaculate in his garage with big dreams and a few simple goals: To create top-quality baked goods with fun and unique combinations, to celebrate the creativity of folk art, and to somehow give back.
Since those days, we're happy to say we've grown well beyond the garage, won several national awards and expanded both in the variety of our baked goods as well as the scope of our social vision. And while our company continues to evolve, our original passion and philosophy remain the same: Bake well, be creative, have fun and give back."

About the Chocolate Chunk Cookies:

"A true classic, our chocolate chunk cookie dough is chock full of chocolate chunks and maple-y brown sugar. And what better way to enjoy this traditional favorite than warm out of the oven?!Our new Better Bakes™ Chocolate Chunk cookie dough makes 24 cookies and is super easy to bake. Take 2 or 3 out for an afternoon snack or bake them all at once for a family gathering. These incredible treats are best served (in the tradition of all great cookies) with a big bowl of ice cream or a tall glass of milk.Certified Organic and Super Dough-licious!"

Here are a few other products that stood out to us a show the great variety that Immaculate Baking Co. offers:

Brownie Dough

Crescent Rolls

Scones

What we thought: We were very pleased with our cookie dough from Immaculate Baking Co.! We have made 3 batches(10 cookies each) from the tub and there is still about half left...60 cookies in one tub for under $5 is an AMAZING deal! But that is not the best part...these cookies are SOOOOO delicious!! Even B, who somehow was blessed with no sweet tooth, loved them! They are sweet, but not crazy sweet and they bake up moist every time! These products are all-natural and even come in gluten-free and organic varieties! Our whole family is excited to choose the next product from Immaculate Baking Co. With such a large variety, it might be a difficult task:) ABCD Diaries gives Immaculate Baking Co. an A+!!
Buy It: Find these delicious baked goods and refrigerated doughs at your local grocery store...check the store locator for a retailer near you!
Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given free product coupons for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Eden Fantasy's Review...

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MI Style Boutique Etsy Shop Giveaway...

Our latest Etsy find is MI Style Boutique...check out these lovely handmade creations:

About MI Style Boutique:

"My name is Megan Isenberg. I'm a stay at home mom to a girl and a boy. I started my business, MI Style Boutique, in December 2009 and have expanded from making just hair bows to making headbands, flower clips, bow holders, headband holders, hats (boys and girls), and more. I'm a former Division I athlete who can't sit still. So, I keep myself busy with creating fun things for ladies, little ladies, and little men to accessorize with. I love seeing little kids in fun hats and headbands from my collection!!! It brings a smile to my face to know that someone liked my stuff enough to put their children in it or wear it themselves.I'm hoping to make ETSY a success so I can continue to stay home with my two children. I really appreciate you visiting my store and I hope I can help you find your perfect accessory.Happy Shopping.

Megan Isenberg

MI Style Boutique"

http://www.megisenberg.etsy.com/

Buy It: Find these gorgeous handmade creations at MI Style Boutique.
Win It: MI Style Boutique has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader their choice of item up to $15! To enter, visit the shop and tell us something that catches your eye!!

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5.Blog about this giveaway(leave link) +2 entries...comment twice please

6.Enter any other current giveaways on ABCD Diaries and leave a comment saying so. +1 for each entered

Giveaway ends Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:)

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was in no way compensated for this review. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Bake for the Cure Recipe #6-Ooey Gooey Chocolate Peanut Bar Bars...

To bring more awareness to breast cancer this October, ABCD Diaries is participating in a Bake-Off with 19 other blogs. The Bake for the Cure Bakeoff is sponsored by ACH products.The premise is simple: using ACH ingredients (Argo Corn Starch, Karo Corn Syrup, Fleishmann’s Yeast), prepare two recipes per week (Oct. 4 – 20) and post photos of the finished product.So, each week we will be posting 2 recipes, one from the Bake for the Cure Cookbook and one personal favorite. The blogger with the most comments on their recipe posts wins $500, which would truly be a blessing for our family:)

This is another recipe from the ACH cookbook. Definitely good for one of those sweet tooth cravings:)

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:
Crust-
3/4 c all-purpose flour
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c Argo cornstarch
1/2 c butter or margarine

Filling-
2 eggs
1/2 Karo Light Corn Syrup
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c creamy peanut butter(we used crunchy)
1 t bourbon vanilla extract
1/4 t salt
1/2 c flaked coconut
1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

Prep Time:15 min
Bake Time:35-43 min
Makes:24 bars

Directions:
1. Combine flour, sugar and corn starch in a medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Press into a greased 13x9 in pan.
2. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-18 minutes or until crust is lightly brown.
3. Beat eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter, vanilla and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in coconut and chocolate chips. Pour over crust and return to oven.
4. Bake an additional 20-25 minutes or until mixture is golden. Cool on wire rack and cut into bars.

These were easy to make and quick. They reminded me of the Magic Bars my grandma used to make:) They are SUPER SWEET! We used the crunchy peanut butter in place of the smooth and we really enjoyed the extra crunch. If you are looking for a sweet treat, this is the one for you:)

If you have any ideas on how to spruce this recipe up a bit, your favorite muffin recipe or you just want to help us win the bake off, please leave a comment! Thanks so much and if you try this recipe I hope your family enjoys it as much as ours does:)

Disclosure: We were provided with ACH products, a cook book and a gift card for materials to participate in this contest. All opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Bake for the Cure Recipe #5-Sticky Chicken...

To bring more awareness to breast cancer this October, ABCD Diaries is participating in a Bake-Off with 19 other blogs. The Bake for the Cure Bakeoff is sponsored by ACH products.The premise is simple: using ACH ingredients (Argo Corn Starch, Karo Corn Syrup, Fleishmann’s Yeast), prepare two recipes per week (Oct. 4 – 20) and post photos of the finished product.So, each week we will be posting 2 recipes, one from the Bake for the Cure Cookbook and one personal favorite. The blogger with the most comments on their recipe posts wins $500, which would truly be a blessing for our family:)


This recipe is our most requested dinner...the kids ask for it by the name "Chicken and Rice and Chopsticks":)

Sticky Chicken

Ingredients:
1 c finely crushed onion and garlic croutons(we food processor them)
1/4 c corn starch
2 Tbl soy sauce
2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1 in. pieces
1/4 c canola oil
green onions(optional)

Prep time:45 min
Cook time:20 min
Makes:4 servings

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk crouton crumbs and cornstarch. Stir in soy sauce. Add chicken and toss until completely coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook, covered for 15-20 minutes until crispy and cooked through. Turn at least 4-5 times to avoid sticking and burning. Drain on paper towels.
3. Serve immediately with additional soy sauce and a sprinkling of green onions over a bed of cooked rice.

This meal is so super easy with very minimal ingredients that we always have on hand and EVERYBODY loves it....definitely a winner in our house!!

If you have any ideas on how to spruce this recipe up a bit, other sure-thing meals that picky toddlers will eat, your favorite recipe or you just want to help us win the bake off, please leave a comment! Thanks so much and if you try this recipe I hope your family enjoys it as much as ours does:)

Disclosure: We received ACH products, a cookbook and a gift card for cooking related supplies in order to participate in this contest. All opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone:)

Pillow Maine-ia Etsy Shop Review and Giveaway...

Pillow Maine-ia is another super awesome etsy shop we found recently. Can you guess what their specialty is? Pillows!!!

About Pillow Maine-ia:

"Specializing in quality made coastal-themed & graphic print pillows. If you would like to purchase a throw pillow, but I do not have enough "in stock," please email me. I can always make more! I will also happily make bigger or smaller pillows upon request.

PILLOW MAINE-IA FEATURES:

* Excellent quality cotton fabrics

* Scotch Guard spill and stain protection

* Reinforced full-seam Velcro closure for easy cleaning
* Polyester/cotton filled pillow insert available

**NOTE** My listings, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THE ITEM DESCRIPTION, are for the pillow cover ONLY. If you would like an insert included, please add my "Pillow Insert" listing to your cart along with your pillow cover.

* All items are created in my smoke-free home"

Some of our favorite designs from Pillow Maine-ia:

What we thought: We really loved the vibrant colors of our pillow covering! The pillow was really well-made with quality fabric and the closure actually stayed closed!! The kiddos love the pillow too...we actually had to track the amount of time each one had with it so they wouldn't fight over whose turn it was to use the pillow:) I really appreciate the fact that these items come from a smoke-free environment and are Scotch Guard protected:) Pillow Maine-ia has a huge variety of patterns and designs to chose from...from funky retro to modern to nautical...there is something for everyone:) If you are in need of decorative, but functional pillow coverings, you should definitely check out Pillow Maine-ia! And with the holidays approaching, these pillow coverings would make great gifts!! ABCD Diaries gives Pillow Maine-ia an A+!

Buy It: Find these stylish pillow coverings to match any decor at Pillow Maine-ia!
Win It: Pillow Maine-ia has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a pillow!! To enter, visit Pillow Maine-ia tell us which pattern you'd love to have!
Extra Entries:
1.Follow ABCD Diaries via Google Friend Connect(if you already follow, leave a comment saying so) +2 entries
2.Subscribe to our RSS feed +2 entries...comment twice please 3.Follow ABCD Diaries via Twitter(leave id) +1 entry
4.Tweet about this giveaway(leave link)+1 entry per day(1 tweet/day)
5.Blog about this giveaway(leave link) +2 entries...comment twice please
6.Enter any other current giveaways on ABCD Diaries and leave a comment saying so. +1 for each entered

Giveaway ends Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open worldwide 18+:)
Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a pillow for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.