HearthSong Disc Golf Review and Giveaway...

Congrats to Kara!

About HearthSong:
"Since its beginning in 1983, HearthSong has been committed to helping parents follow their instincts to provide their children with age-appropriate, wholesome, quality playthings. That's because at HearthSong, we believe childhood is a vital chapter in life-a special time when children can be occupied with the joy of being children. And, equally importantly, a time when children need to experience as much creative, imaginative play as possible because kids experience so many of life's first lessons through play."

About Disc Golf Challenge:
"You don't need a golf tee to play our Disc Golf Challenge. Just set up the 3 different targets to make the course as easy or as challenging as you like. Then try to shoot the flying disc through the hole (much like getting a "hole-in-one")."
What we thought:  The variety of toys at HearthSong is awesome!  They have tons of toys to engage children in hands on learning...from games to arts and crafts to outdoor play, they've got all the bases covered:)  We chose the Disc Golf Challenge for review.  This game was super easy to set up and take down and the kids had a blast playing it.  It is portable enough to take with us to the park and the beach.  Our family has really enjoyed this game and it has encouraged us to get out a little more during the long, hot dog days of summer.  At this point in our Texas summer, it can be a little hard to get motivated to leave the air-conditioned bliss inside, but the Disc Golf Challenge makes it a little easier:)  ABCD Diaries gives The Disc Golf Challenge from HearthSong an A+!

Buy It: Find super fun and educational toys at HearthSong!

Win It: Hearthsong has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a Disc Golf Challenge set! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and tell us which toy caught your eye at HearthSong.

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Giveaway ends Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US 18+


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

Bridgewater Candle Company Review and Giveaway...

Congrats to Tarter95!

About Bridgewater Candle Company:
"Established in 1997 in Spartanburg South Carolina, Bridgewater Candle Company quickly became a leader in the candle market with a reputation for its clean burning candles, full fragranced products and passionate sales team. Bridgewater offers everyday hospitality through fun, friendly, comfort fragrances. From fresh and clean to warm and cozy, these scents create those special moments in life worth savoring. Furthermore, we are committed to sharing this warmth and hospitality with the world because we believe that everyday matters to everyone.

Also, in June 2010 Bridgewater launched the Light a Candle Feed a Child Campaign. Through our partnership with Rice Bowls, a nonprofit that feeds and nurtures orphans in developing countries, Bridgewater is committed to donating 75 cents for each jar candle sold, which goes to feed a child for one day. It has been our privilege to provide funds for more than 300,000 meals for orphaned children since the program began."

One of the new scents for fall is Sunday Morning.

Sunday Morning™
"Modernized cinnamon that is sweet and spicy, a perfect blend"

Sunday Morning™ Large Jar Candle
"A great new shape that not only enhances décor but also is perfect for a clean burn every time. Our NATURAL SOY BLEND is formulated for maximum fragrance and long burn times. For every jar candle sold, Bridgewater donates money to feed one orphaned child for one day. Everyday.   Candle Size: 17.6 oz / 500 grams. Burn Time: 140-160 hrs"

Sunday Morning™ Tea Lights

"Bridgewater Candle Company’s versatile tea lights, packed by the dozen, are perfect for use in chandeliers, outside entertaining, or setting the mood for the evening. Candle Size: 7.0 cu. in. / 115 ml. Burn Time: 5-6 hrs"

Sunday Morning™ Envelope Sachets
"Bridgewater Candle Company's Scented Sachets are a great way to fragrance your automobile, add a special touch to gift packages, for silk flower arrangements, vacuum cleaner bags, simmering pot, closets, drawers, diaper bins, trash cans – anywhere where you need a touch of fragrance. Amount: 7.0 cu. in / 115ml"

What we thought: MMMM...this scent is heavenly:)  I love, love, love Chai, so to have my house smell like this yummy blend of spicy sweetness is truly lovely:)  Every day is a Sunday Morning day around here!  The candles burn clean and long which is great for my house, my allergies AND my pocketbook:)  They are gorgeous enough to make great gifts for any occasion and the fact that the purchase of the jar candles benefits a wonderful cause is just icing on the cake!
ABCD Diaries gives the awesome products in the Sunday Morning scent line at Bridgewater Candle Company an A+!
Buy It: Find these fantastic candles at Bridgewater Candle Company!

Win It: Bridgewater Candle Company has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a large jar candle in your choice of scent! To enter, follow our blog via GFC, then visit Bridgewater Candle Company and  tell us which scent you would choose and why.

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Giveaway ends Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US 18+

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

Kenzoil Review...

About Kenzoil:
"Kenzoil is truly unique and delicious! Splash it on hot pasta, toss it with
your favorite salad or simply pour it on a plate and dive in with some fresh bread. Whichever way you choose, you'll love it and your family and friends will rave about it!"

What we thought: This was a truly tasty and versatile addition to many foods we love.  It is fabulous as a dip for bread, our favorite way to use it:)  It also works really well as a salad dressing or atop plain pasta as suggested.  The perfect blend of oil and spices is as aromatic as it is flavorful and super yummy!  We really loved it:)  ABCD Diaries gives Kenzoil an A+!

Buy It: Find this delicious compliment to your favorite meals at Kenzoil.


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

PackIt Review and Giveaway...

Congrats to Careym13!

We recently had the chance to review a neat personal cooler...the PackIt!

About PackIt:
"Created by moms for moms PackIt is a new innovative line of lunch bags offering the coolest new way to keep things cold.....very cold! Finally the solution to eating healthy on the go!! The gel is actually integrated into the liner of the bag. Simply fold the bags and store them in the freezer until needed, pull them out, PackIt and GO! They keep food or drinks cold for up to 10 hours without added ice or gel packs! You can actually put a room temperature item in the bag and within the first hour it will drop the temp of the item 24 degrees! Actually "creating cold"!
We go above and beyond just being a reusable bag! Because PackIt’s cooling system keeps food cold all day long, uneaten food comes home still fresh and goes back into the refrigerator. Reducing waste and saving you money!

The Original from PackIt is perfect for school, work, the field or anywhere else you plan to snack. Thanks to its patented eco-gel liner, PackIt keeps your contents cooler, longer. No need for bulky ice packs. No need for ice that quickly melts. Simply store PackIt in your freezer until you’re ready to go.
Save money, eat healthy and look good while doing it!"

What we thought: We loved our PackIt cooler!  It was so easy to use...just freeze it, fill it and take it on-the-go:)  It was great for picnics at the park, trips to the beach and even portable enough for hiking.  Not to mention, it will be great for cold lunches once school starts:)  The PackIt was pretty spacious for a personal size cooler and folds up to be super portable after use.  The design selection ranges from pretty, girly patterns to cool, more boyish patterns to sleek, chic adult designs and they also have several plain color options so you can definitely find a PackIt for everyone's personality:)  ABCD Diaries gives the PackIt an A+!!
Buy It: Find these awesome personal coolers at PackIt!


Win It: PackIt has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a cooler of the winner's choice.

To enter, follow our blog via GFC and "Like" PackIt via Facebook.

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Giveaway ends Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US 18+


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

The Night Train by Clyde Edgerton Review...

The Night Train: A Novel
Clyde Edgerton
 
Product Description:
"In 1963, at the age of 17, Dwayne Hallston discovers James Brown and wants to perform just like him. His band, the Amazing Rumblers, studies and rehearses Brown's Live at the Apollo album in the storage room of his father's shop in their small North Carolina town. Meanwhile, Dwayne's forbidden black friend Larry--aspiring to play piano like Thelonius Monk--apprentices to a jazz musician called the Bleeder. His mother hopes music will allow him to escape the South.
A dancing chicken and a mutual passion for music help Dwayne and Larry as they try to achieve their dreams and maintain their friendship, even while their world says both are impossible. In THE NIGHT TRAIN, Edgerton's trademark humor reminds us of our divided national history and the way music has helped bring us together."
What we thought: The Night Train is a great book.  I love how Edgerton shows how a common thread connects us all even in the racially divided times in which this story is set.  The characters are very well written and developed and the subject matter is interesting and authentic.  ABCD Diaries gives The Night Train by Clyde Edgerton an A+!

Buy It: Find The Night Train in bookstores starting July 25, 2011!


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.

Celebrate 4th of July with Rembrandt, REACH, Orly and Visine...

Red, White and Beautiful 4th of July Looks

"Patriotic summer holidays call for festive looks, but no one wants to look like a walking flag. Red, white and blue beauty looks offer an attractive and chic alternative to donning stars and stripes. Sporting a flash of red, white or blue is patriotic, trendy, and fashionable which doesn’t have to mean expensive – each of these instant updates is available for under $10 at stores across the U.S.A."

RED
"Pair a bold red nails with a summer white ensemble for a look that’s daring but elegant. ORLY Lacquer in Star Spangled ($7.50 at Ulta) delivers megawatt shine and classic color in a formula that’s free of DBP, toluene, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin."

WHITE
Rembrandt Deeply White:
"Any summer look requires a bright, white smile. The new REMBRANDT® Deeply White™ toothpastes and mouthwash ($6.99-$7.99 at drugstores) work together to provide superior whitening by using Active Dental Peroxide, the ingredient dentists use to whiten below the enamel surface."

Visine Maximum Redness Relief:
•Gets the Red Out®
•Protects and soothes irritated eyes
•Formulated with advanced HYDROBLEND® Moisturizers for up to 10 hours of comfort

BLUE
"To go with that brilliant white smile, is the new blue Total Care + Whitening toothbrush ($3.99 - $4.99 at drugstores) purposefully designed to whiten teeth and remove stains."

What we thought:  We loved the bright vibrant red of the Orly polish on both our fingers and toes:)  As always we were very pleased with the whitening results of the Rembrandt and REACH products...the immediate clean feeling and the whitening effects after a few uses, plus the fresh flavor of the paste each time you use it...total all-around greatness for my mouth:)  The Visine is great for getting the red out of chlorine-eyes after all that summer swimming:)  To look your Red, White and Blue best this 4th of July check out these fantastic beauty products from Orly, Rembrandt, REACH and Visine!  ABCD Diaries gives all of these products an A+!

Buy It: Find these wonderful products at drug stores and mass merchandisers nationwide just in time for 4th of July!

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

IZZE Review and Giveaway...

About IZZE:
"Good Taste Comes Naturally
Everything about IZZE is pure and simple. The taste is a delight with just the right combination of sweetness and sparkle. The ingredients are all natural, using only fruit juice and sparkling water with no refined sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors. Even the packaging design is sophisticated, yet playful."

IZZE and Izze Fortified
Original IZZE Sparkling Juices are 70% pure fruit juice and a splash of sparkling water.  IZZE Fortified is the same sparkling juice, but fortified with 30% of the USDRA vitamins C, 10% vitamin B6 and Niacin.

IZZE esque:
IZZE essque is 25% juice and the rest sparkling water and boasts half the calories and sugar than the origianl flavors.
"IZZE Sparkling Juice just introduced a new flavor from their low-calorie IZZE esque line, Sparkling Watermelon. Sparkling Watermelon is a must have for the summer heat ahead! With no added preservatives and only 50 calories per bottle, IZZE esque is a guilt-free refreshment, perfect for family, upcoming BBQs and outdoor events."

What we thought:  These were tasty and quite refreshing...perfect for celebrating summer!  The Original IZZE and the IZZE esque would be great for picnics, BBQs and summer entertaining and the fortified IZZE cans would be great for the beach and other places where glass bottles are frowned upon and are the perfect size for the kiddo's lunchboxes!  I loved the variety of flavors and the fruitiness of these yummy beverages, especially the new watermelon flavor:)  Actually, the whole ABCD Diaries clan really enjoyed IZZE and we will definitely be drinking a lot of it this summer:)  ABCD Diaries gives IZZE
drinks an A+!

Buy It: Find these yummy IZZE drinks at your local grocer or mass merchandiser!
Win It: IZZE has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader 2 coupons for free IZZE 4 packs!
To enter, follow our blog via GFC and tell us which flavor you would like to try.

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Giveaway ends Friday, July 15, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US 18+

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