Holiday Gift Idea: Lite Brix Construction Sets!

Light-Up Construction Brick Building System

 "Shine a light on your child’s creativity with the LITE BRIX™ Super Light Building System from Cra-Z-Art®, the innovative light-up building construction sets with vibrant sparkling lights in each translucent brick.  The possibilities are endless with Lite Brix™, which are compatible with other major brick building systems and allow children to transform their creations into spectacularly-lit masterpieces for daytime or nighttime play. They’re compatible with your other bricks, and the battery powered LEDs cycle through four different colors.

Create an entire light-up city, or mix and match and make into tons of amazing creations with the Lite Brix™ system that features special translucent building bricks parts that transfuse blinking light through them.  From Super Jet Fighters and space shuttles, to racecars, fire stations, an airport and more, kids can design and create a magical world with Lite Brix™.

Each building system includes super bright LED light-up bricks that cycle through four colors, translucent pieces, a battery pack, and connector pieces that attach the Lite Brix™ to each other so the models can be built on different angles. 3 "AA" batteries required (not included).

the Full Lite Brix™ line is available at Toys R Us stores nationwide, Barnes and Noble and select other retailers.  Age graded 6+"

What we thought:  D absolutely loved this!   It was really fun to build and he plays with it all the time.  Lite Brix has a variety of sets to choose from that are sure to make any little builder "light up" on Christmas morning:)  Another cool thing is that these sets are compatible with other brick-based building sets, so the possibilities of what can be built are only limited to the imagination of the builder.  ABCD DIaries gives Lite Brix Construction Sets 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.

Holiday Entertaining: Torani Syrups...

"The leaves are changing colors and the weather's getting cooler, so you know what that means - time for your favorite holiday-inspired drinks and treats! You can pour on the flavor and turn your everyday coffee and treats into something more special with Torani Syrups."

What we thought:  We tried the Peppermint and Salted Caramel syrups and they were great!  These syrups are so versatile.  We used them in coffee , iced coffee and hot cocoa...yummy!  Both were delicious and were a huge hit at our Thanksgiving get together...they will definitely be making a reappearance at our Christmas party!  ABCD Diaries gives Torani syrups an A+!


Find out more at Torani.com


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.

Holiday Gift Guide: Games for Nintendo DS and Wii!

"Mama’s Combo Pack Volume 1 for Nintendo DS™ serves up a recipe for fun by combining the original best-selling classicCooking Mama with Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures. In Cooking Mama, players use their stylus as the ultimate cooking utensil to create more than 75 real dishes under Mama’s watchful eye. Once they’ve mastered the kitchen, fans join Mama and her family on an exciting wilderness getaway. Players take the role of Mama’s son or daughter as they set up camp, interact with wildlife, endure forces of nature, and hunt for treasure through 38 levels and 100 different games.

Get creative both in and out of the kitchen with Mama’s Combo Pack Volume 2 for Nintendo DS™ that includes Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends and Crafting Mama. In Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends, Mama and her finicky friends will taste every dish and judge each kitchen creation. Players can make more than 80 new recipes from macaroons to shark fin soup, and customize Mama and her kitchen with unlockable goodies. Then it’s time to get crafty with Mama! As the premiere dedicated crafting game, Crafting Mama features 40 different projects where players are challenged to sew, mold, paint and cut with the stylus as they create jewelry, quilts, candles, mugs and even kaleidoscopes!

Mama’s 2-Pack brings the culinary action to the Wii™ system with Cooking Mama Cook Off and Cooking Mama World Kitchen. The Wii Remote™ transforms into a universal cooking tool as players chop, grate, slice, stir and roll in motion-based cooking activities. Players whip up kitchen fun in Cooking Mama Cook Off as they go head-to-head against other chefs in two-player competition. In the Wii™ sequel, Cooking Mama World Kitchen, fans will enjoy Mama’s 3D makeover, fresh recipes from around the world, hilarious kitchen mini-games and new gameplay modes that will transform even the most uncoordinated chef into a master culinary artist!

Hello Kitty Picnic with Sanrio Friends invites players to join Hello Kitty and Sanrio Friends as they prepare for the perfect picnic party. Play 10 mini-games including Hidden Object, Spot the Difference, and Picnic Blanket Checkers as you collect goodies for the picnic. Explore and decorate whimsical environments including Hello Kitty’s bedroom, kitchen, and more. Earn apples to receive special items to customize Hello Kitty’s outfits. Interact directly with Hello Kitty using the 3DS touch screen and listen as the game guides you along. Invite your friends to join the fun in a variety of multiplayer modes as you play with your favorite Sanrio characters including My Melody®, Keroppi®, Chococat®, Badtz-Maru®, Little Twin Stars®, and more!"

What we thought:  We reviewed the Wii version of Mama's 2 pack and the DS version of Hello Kitty Picnic.  Both had cute graphics and entertaining mini-games.  Most games were easy enough for the kiddos and they continue to ask to play them which is always a good sign:)  Who wants to waste money on a game that will only be played once or twice?  If you have a Wii or DS, check out these great games.  They would make fun stocking stuffers:)
ABCD Diaries gives Cooking Mama and Hello Kitty Picnic 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.

Educational and Unique Holiday Gift Idea: "Safari: A Photicular Book" and Motion-Slides!

"Safari: A Photicular Book, a NY Times best seller, by Dan Kainen, with text by Carol Kaufmann   Retail cost: $25.00

Published by Workman Publishing, “Safari: A Photicular Book” uses photicular technology to create film-like, fluid, full-color movie clips of African animals as one turns each page. The effect is magical and delights all ages, and additionally the text by Carol Kaufmann is fascinating and informative, making the perfect family book. It is available in stores and online.

Motion-Slides (Viewer and Interchangeable Slides)    Retail Cost: $25.00 for one viewer and a set of 10 slides

This amazing device allows the viewer to experience the same type of film-like, photicular images which inspired Workman Publishing’s “Safari: A Photicular Book”. As each postcard-sized Motion-Slide is slipped into the viewer, it comes to life in vivid, lifelike motion. Viewers and Slides can also be purchased individually. So far, there are 15 full color, wild animal images, including the Cheetah, Lion, Dolphin, Grizzly and Polar Bears, and Penguins. More wild animal images will be out very soon, as well as different categories of images, including sports, people, pets, and more. It is available directly from http://www.dankainen.com  "

What we thought:  This book is amazing!  Our entire family was impressed and intrigued with this review.  The photicular pictures are fantastic and they make each animal and their movements look so realistic.  It has proven to be an amazing teaching aid over and over again since we received it.  The book is full of great information and the kiddos never tire of watching the animals move in their natural environments.  Seriously, Dan Kainen is genius!  Our little ones LOVE learning about animals, it's definitely their favorite thing to study.  We are constantly watching documentaries on Animal Planet, Discovery and National Geographic.  When we read Safari for the first time, 4 year old D said "It's just like watching TV!" :) This book and the accompanying motion slides would make a fantastic gift for the animal lovers on your list, both young and old!  ABCD Diaries gives this Safari set and A+! 

You can find these awesome products online at:

Amazon.com

BN.com

Powell's Books

Indie Books

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.

Check out Chica the Chicken on Sprout!

"Now in its third week, “The Chica Show” stars Chica the Chicken, the popular host from Sprout’s hit “The Sunny Side Up Show,” and features the voice of Mario Lopez.

The next episode, airing on Sprout on Saturday, December 8^th at 11:30 am, encourages healthy eating and follows Chica on her adventure to the farm, where she learns how nutritious meals provide energy for life’s daily activities."

Disclosure: We were in no way compensated for this post.

Holiday Gift Idea-Adults Only: Pure Romance!

**This post may contain material of an adult nature.  Consider yourself warned:)**

"Pure Romance, a leading online retailer of couple’s products, would be a perfect fit for your Holiday Gift Guide! This holiday season you and your lover deserve the gift that keeps on giving: improved intimacy. As Pure Romance founder, Patty Brisben, always states, nothing is better for your sex life than good old communication. Pure Romance products present the opportunity to get that conversation started and heat up your relationship through the cold winter months of this holiday season. Whether having a special night in, or escaping reality to an enchanting getaway, Pure Romance offers a way to bring the romance along for the ride. Here is a list of gifts that will keep the holiday cheer in your relationship even as the season comes to a close.

Heat up your Holiday with:

Burning Desire, $24

Soy massage oil candle

Burn this soy massage oil candle and let the sweet, fragrant oil take over your body. Melted massage oil is great for doubling as a warm, rich body balm to heat your holiday up.

Lip Locked, $10

Lovers Lip Balm

Two tubes of deliciously flavored SPF 15 lip balm. Two pairs of lips – yours and your special someone’s. Put them all together for one intense lip lock!Lip Locked balm lets you mix flavors to make kisses more electrifying than ever before.

Date Night Games, $19

Intimacy-enhancing games

Buy this playful game to spice up your date-night! Action and conversation cards give you permission to do what you’ve always wanted to do and to ask what you’ve always wanted to know.

Hot Heart Massager $15

Sensual and relaxing, the Heart Massager Heat Pack warms like magic to soothe both body and mind in blissful ways. What better what to communicate with your significant other than through the mode of touch. The portable heat pack stays hot for up to one hour. Reheats easily for use again and again!

Pulsa Bath Ball $16

Trade in your boring loofah for something you can enjoy during a romantic bubble bath. You can use the Pulsa Bath Ball Vibrating Sponge to lather up in the shower or bath — then turn on the discreet sponge and enjoy a massage. Requires two AA batteries."

What we thought:  If you are looking to spice things up this winter, Pure Romance has a large variety of products ranging from bath and body to the more risque.  There are giftable items in every price range.  Many items would make great stocking stuffers.  Pure Romance is your one stop adult shop to help you add a little spark to your relationship with your significant other this holiday season!


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.

Holiday Gift Idea: FRAAS Touch Screen Compatible Gloves!

FRAAS ADDS TECH GLOVES TO ITS WINTER COLLECTION: GREAT LOOKING KNIT STYLING THAT IS TOUCH SCREEN COMPATIBLE:
TECHNOLOGY AND FASHION UNITE FOR THE IDEAL GIFT OR SELF PURCHASE

          "The rising interest in chic cold weather accessories is evident everywhere. Fashion-savvy women are wrapped in great looking scarves and accenting their look with interesting hats and smart gloves.  FRAAS is on target with a versatile collection of options for Fall-Winter 2012.
          More than 100 new FRAAS brand styles are debuting in this season--many in multiple color choices.  Three on-the-mark and very stylish palettes and themes are apparent--Woodland Guardians, Mineral Explosion, and Decadent Traveler. Neutrals, jewel tones and accent pop colors provide savvy consumers with the right styling and best shades to work with existing and new wardrobes.
          Although historically known for its scarf expertise, FRAAS has added gloves and hats to its offering over the years and now consumers look forward to adding those FRAAS styles to their wardrobes, too.
        Technology has entered the fashion accessories scene with TOUCH SCREEN COMPATIBLE GLOVES. FRAAS offers 3 chic options--retailing for about $30--a long scrunch, a ruffle, and a bow--22 options total in all the colors. These are not something to be missed as a self or gift purchase. Anyone with a touch screen device will want a few pair! Those without a device will appreciate the attractive styling and affordable pricing plus one size fits all for buying ease.  Style 060579 is one of these three looks and is extremely popular thanks to its feminine ruffled hem. It is an Acrylic/Cotton/Poly/Metallic blend and is available in grey, blue-grape, black, rose, chartreuse, camel, teal and dark red. Keeping with cutting-edge design, FRAAS introduces these gloves with tech finger tips that are so well-matched to the glove, they are almost invisible. This offers a stylish and more lady-like approach for the tech-savvy customer."    

What we thought:  These gloves are adorable!  Very stylish and chic and cute to boot:)  Plus, they work great!  I tried wearing them and using my touch screen phone and my Kindle and they worked perfectly on both.  These are fantastic because unlike other gloves where you must pull back the tip to use some devices, your fingers can stay toasty warm while texting or using other touch screen devices.  They would make a great gift this holiday season!
ABCD Diaries gives these gloves an A+!

You can find FRAAS at specialty stores throughout the US.  Select styles can be found at fraas.com and amazon.com

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.