Crate & Barrel Gift Card Giveaway...

In celebration of the winter season, Robb Report presents the Discover Your Winter Cocktail Blog App. Everyone has their favorite cocktail, but have you wondered what winter cocktail fits you best? Take the Discover Your Winter Cocktail quiz and you can find out by answering a few simple questions!




Check out the fun stuff on the widget and enter to win below.

Perplexus Review and Giveaway...

"Challenge your mind and improve your hand-eye coordination with the PlaSmart Perplexus maze puzzle game. You must work with gravity to move a marble through the maze by twisting, flipping and moving the sphere while avoiding barriers.

•Perplexus is a maze game where players must maneuver a small marble around challenging barriers inside a transparent sphere
•Unlike traditional flat-surface mazes composed of one path, Perplexus houses various exhilarating tracks with 100 barriers and provides a 3-D experience
•Players select which track they would like to attempt, then must work with gravity and carefully shift, flip and twist the sphere to guide the marble
•Makes a great toy for children to exercise their motor and dexterity skills, as well as improve their hand-eye coordination
•Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 6 Years and Up"

What we thought:  Warning!  This maze is addictive!  But so much fun for both adults and kids:)  We have really had a good time trying to master the Perplexus.  It really encourages hand-eye coordination and problem solving.  This colorful 3D maze is a great quiet time activity for the kiddos that they really love.  Perplexus would make a great gift for the child or adult who is a fan of puzzles and mazes and likes a challenge:) ABCD Diaries gives the Perplexus maze an A+!

Alize Red Passion Review...

"With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there is no better way to celebrate the one you love than by enjoying a Valentine’s Day inspired cocktail with Alizé Liqueur. Sure to rev up the passion in your relationship, Alizé Red Passion adds a romantic flare to your holiday cocktails.

With four delicious vodka-based concoctions, your special someone will be sure to fall in love with you all over again!

Cupid’s Kiss

1oz Alizé Red Passion
1oz Apple Juice

1/3oz Lemon Juice

1/3oz Sugar Syrup

2/3oz Vikingfjord Vodka

Method :

Shake and strain into a martini glass

Taste :

Light and zesty, refreshingly crisp apple with underlying notes of peach, passion fruit and cranberries

 

Sparkling Sweetheart

1oz Alizé Red Passion
2/3oz Peach Puree
1/3oz Lemon Juice
1/3oz Sugar Syrup
2oz Caposaldo Prosecco

Garnish:
Lemon twist

Method:
Build in a champagne flute and stir

Taste:  Candid peach and cranberry with hints of citrus wrapped in the bubbles of Prosecco

Be Mine Delight

1oz Alizé Red Passion
2 Strawberries
1/3oz Lemon Juice
4/3oz Apple Juice
2/3oz Vikingfjord Vodka
Splash of Simple Syrup
2/3oz Lemonade



Garnish:
Lemon Twist

Method:
In the base of a cocktail glass muddle strawberries. Add all remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into a rocks glass.

Color:
Orange-pink-red

Taste:
Fresh strawberry and candid cranberries with a zesty citrus finish


With Cupid’s Kiss, Sparkling Sweetheart, V-Day Passion or Be Mine Delight, these cocktails are perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day evening!"

What we thought:  Alize Red Passion makes it easy to whip up sweet, fruity cocktails that taste great!  And with these recipes, you can't go wrong.  They are perfect for celebrating Valentine's Day, whether you are spending quality time with the one you love or hanging out with friends.  These pretty cocktails are sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.  ABCD Diaries gives Alize Red Passion an A+!



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

Hot Tooling with Enjoy Hair Products Review and Giveaway...

Hot Tooling with ENJOY-
"Love using your hot tools? Protect your strands with ENJOY Thermal Spray and or Shine Spray.

ENJOY Thermal Spray offers non-sticky, heat-activated thermal protection for use with heated styling tools. Ideal when styling with curling irons, flat irons or hot rollers as it leaves a firm, flexible, brushable hold.

ENJOY Shine Spray eliminates frizz, adds incredible shine, smoothness and softness. It locks in moisture while blocking out humidity. Great for use with flat irons or to add shine to any finished style."

What we thought:  The ENJOY products I reviewed were pretty great.  The thermal spray was great for styling with both curling iron and a flat iron and really held the styles well.  I was super impressed with the immediate results of the shine spray.  My hair went from normal to super shiny with just one spray!  Just don't go too crazy with this one or it will start to weigh your hair down.  A little bit goes a long way to encourage soft, shiny hair and eliminate frizz:)  ABCD Diaries gives ENJOY hair products an A+!


Find ENJOY Hair products at http://www.enjoyhaircare.com/  (see salon locator)

Pizza Mania Early Math Game Review and Giveaway...

Pizza Mania™ Early Math Game
Ages 4-7
$24.99
"Listen up and think fast, young pizza makers! Chef calls out toppings for children to put on (and take off) their pizzas.

Reinforces listening, counting, and early addition and subtraction
Supports children with self-checking audio
Challenges students with 2 levels of play
Includes 4 pizzas, 48 toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, olives and peppers), and talking chef (3.5"L x 3.5"W x 5"H) with volume control
Requires 3 AA batteries, not included
For 2-4 players
Grades PreK+"

What we thought:  This game is so much fun!  The whole family had a blast building pizzas according to the instructions the pizza chef shouted out to us.  The game has two levels, one for beginners and one that is a little more advanced.  Level 1 was great for 3 year old D and Level 2 was good practice for 5 year old A.  Pizza Mania is a really fun way to encourage early math skills and lays a solid foundation with words like "add" and "take away."  The kiddos didn't even realize they were doing math!  What a great way to introduce addition and subtraction:)  ABCD Diaries gives Pizza Mania an A+!

Find Pizza Mania and many more eductional games at Learning Resources!

Woombie Eco'Toddler Donut Review...

We recently had the chance to review the Eco'Toddler Donut from Woombie.  Here is 3 year old D "reviewing" the donut:

About the Eco'Toddler Donut:
◦Foam Free, Glue Free, Odor Free
◦Hypo Allergenic, Non Toxic
◦Lead & Phthalate Free
◦Non Flammable/ No Halogenated Flame Retardants
◦Recyclable!
◦Perfect for Travel, Camping, Daycare, Outdoors, Grandmas House, Diaper changes
◦Not for use on any surface that is elevated
◦Ultra Plush Minky Dot fabric
◦Machine washable in non agitating machine
◦Sides zip to create a bonus carry bag/clean environment
◦Portable multi use mat

What we thought:  Obviously, D and A loved this!  Now they have their very own "spot" whether they want to rest or just have a cozy spot to read or watch TV, the Donut is their favorite place to hang out:)  The Donut is big enough for them to both lay on and the raised edge makes a great pillow.  It is easy to fold up and take on the go and I know it will really be great for camping or trips to Grandma's.  The material is super soft and the animal print is really cute.  The bottom is skid-proof, so it would work well on wood floors or tile as well as carpet.  The only downside is that while it is machine washable, it can only be washed in a non-agitating machine and ours is an older, top loading model.  However, it is pretty easy to spot clean:)  Overall, we are super happy with our Eco'Toddler Donut!  ABCD Diaries gives the Donut an A+!


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

HBL Curl Enhancing System Review and Giveaway...

I recently had the chance to review the HBL Curl Enhancing System.

HBL Curl Enhancing System

"Tout your tendrils with HBL Curl Enhancing System. Cleanse and Condition with HBL Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner and then enhance your natural curls with HBL Spray Mousse, specially formulated to create lift, flexible volume and texture."

What we thought:  I really enjoyed the HBL Shampoo and Conditioner and the spray was great too.  The products worked really well together to provide maximum volume and shine.  My hair felt clean after washing and conditioning and was easy to style.  The spray didn't weigh my hair down and my style stayed pretty well put:)  These products were very effective and they smelled nice too:)  ABCD Diaries gives the HBL Curl Enhancing System an A+!

Find HBL products at http://www.hblhaircare.com/