Oogy Review and Giveaway...

Thanks to Hatchette Book Group, we recently had the chance to read and review Oogy...The Dog Only a Family Could Love:



Oogy The Dog Only a Family Could Love By Larry Levin

Category:
PETS
Format:
HARDCOVER BOOK
Publish Date:
10/12/2010
Price:
$19.99/$22.50
ISBN:
9780446546317
Pages:
224
Size:
5-1/2" x 8-1/4"

Synopsis:

"In the bestselling tradition of Rescuing Sprite comes the story of a puppy brought back from the brink of death, and the family he adopted. In 2002, Larry Levin and his twin sons, Dan and Noah, took their terminally ill cat to the Ardmore Animal Hospital outside Philadelphia to have the beloved pet put to sleep. What would begin as a terrible day suddenly got brighter as the ugliest dog they had ever seen--one who was missing an ear and had half his face covered in scar tissue--ran up to them and captured their hearts. The dog had been used as bait for fighting dogs when he was just a few months old. He had been thrown in a cage and left to die until the police rescued him and the staff at Ardmore Animal Hospital saved his life. The Levins, whose sons are themselves adopted, were unable to resist Oogy's charms, and decided to take him home. Heartwarming and redemptive, OOGY is the story of the people who were determined to rescue this dog against all odds, and of the family who took him home, named him "Oogy" (an affectionate derivative of ugly), and made him one of their own."

What we thought: This was a truly heart-warming and inspiring story. It really opened my eyes to the world of animal rescues and shelters. This book is beautifully written and will at times make you both laugh and cry. It is truly amazing how animals can bring out the best in some people:) We recommend this book for animal lovers and anyone considering rescuing an animal and giving them the gift of a loving home. Oogy and his story with truly melt your heart:) ABCD Diaries gives Oogy...The Dog Only a Family Could Love an A+!!

Buy It: You can find Oogy at your favorite book store or online book dealer.

Win It: Hatchette Book Group has generously offered twoABCD Diaries readers a copy of Oogy. To enter, leave a comment below!
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Giveaway ends Monday, October 4, 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 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.

Beautiful Creatures CD Review and Giveaway...

Thanks to Beautiful Creatures, we recently had the chance to listen to this fun CD:

“Beautiful Creatures – Children’s songs of Africa by Ed Jordan and Alan Glass”.

About Beautiful Creatures:

"Beautiful Creatures was formed in South Africa in November 2004 by Alan Glass,
Ed Jordan and Paul Choritz who felt there was a need for ‘Parent Friendly’
children’s music. Using the best session musicians, actors and singers in the
country, Beautiful Creatures prides itself on being uniquely South African with a
positive global message.
The last five years have seen the release of seven Beautiful Creatures albums.
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, MORE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES and EVEN
MORE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES featuring fun educational songs about African
animals. BEAUTIFUL ME, an album dealing with emotional development for
children, tackling issues such as sibling rivalry, anger management, self-confidence
and diversity. BEAUTIFUL BEDTIME, songs that take your children
through the routine of getting ready for bed. Winding down, bathing, brushing
teeth, putting your p-jays on and story time. And BEAUTIFUL CREATURES OF
THE SEA, fun sea creature songs that deal with conservation. 2009 saw the
release of BEAUTIFUL LULLABIES featuring 10 down tempo songs to get your baby to sleep.

About the CD:Ten fun and educational children’s songs of Africa, featuring “Imvubu the Happiest Hippo” and "Lucas the Lazy Lion”. “Mafutha the Elephant” just can’t stop eating, and “Wallace the Wondrous Warthog” is still the king of the pigs!

What we thought: We had a blast listening to the lively songs from Beautiful Creatures! The songs were funny and catchy, very easy to learn and quite enjoyable to dance to. The music is energizing and the lyrics engaging. The kiddos loved dancing and singing and learning with and about the beautiful creatures in the songs. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire CD and we look forward to hearing about more Beautiful Creatures soon:) ABCD Diaries gives Beautiful Creatures an A+!!

Buy It: Find these fun kid's songs on iTunes.

Win It: Beautiful Creatures has generously offered 3 lucky ABCD Diaries readers a downloadable copy of Beautiful Creatures. To enter, leave a comment below.

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Giveaway ends Monday, October 4, 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 downloadable copy of this CD for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Inexpensive Watches Review and Giveaway...

Thanks to Inexpensive Watches, we recently had the chance to review this Bamboo Inspired Watch:

About Inexpensive Watches:

"We carry only the best brands and models of discount watches on the market for under $40. If you're shopping online for quality watches, we definitely have what you're looking for. We are committed to offering you the finest watches at great prices while providing exceptional customer service.We work directly with manufacturers so we are able to pass the savings on to you. Our watches are in stock and ship within 24 hours. It's important to us that our customers and potential customers know that they are dealing with a reliable company. That's why we are members of the Indianapolis Better Business Bureau. Please check out our Better Business Bureau credentials by clicking on any of the Better Business Bureau logos located throughout our site. When you call our customer service team, you deal with real people who care about you and your shopping experience we are ready to help you in any way we can. We recognize our customers have different needs, and we want to help you find that perfect watch from our wide selection of styles and designs. We stand behind our products and are proud to offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and hassle free returns. Our free shipping, secure shopping system and privacy policy are testament to our commitment to offering the highest level of customer service."

About the Bamboo Inspired Watch(pictured at the top):

Our Bamboo Inspired Jewelry Watch by Geneva allows you to experience the safari trend without sporting the common animal prints. The simple square dial is adorned with pieces of bamboo like strands of each side.
Jewelry Clasp
Band: 18mm
Case: 22mm
Stainless Steel Back
Japanese Movement

What we thought: This was a really gorgeous watch and definitely worth the price. The quality was better than expected and I really love the way it goes with everything I wear. The watch keeps time beautifully and is stylish to boot:) The variety of affordable and fashionable watches at Inexpensive Watches is pretty impressive. If you are looking for a watch for yourself or a gift check out the dress watches, safari watches, and other women's watches at Inexpensive Watches. There is something fashionable to match every mood:) ABCD Diaries gives Inexpensive Watches an A+!

Buy It: Check out InexpensiveWatches for a nice variety of watches for any occasion!!

Win It: Inexpensive Watches has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader either the watch of their choice or a $20 GC. To enter, visit InexpensiveWatches and tell us which watch you'd choose:)
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Giveaway ends Monday, October 4, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US and Canada residents 18+:)Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a watch for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Wholesale Keychain Review and Giveaway...

Thanks to Wholesale Keychain, we recently had the opportunity to review this Pink Digital Keychain:

About Wholesale Keychains:

"This is the place where car lovers can celebrate their dream machines by taking a little piece with them wherever they go. We sell automotive keychains for all major automotive companies such as BMW, Nissan, Ford Mustang, Chevy Corvette, Infiniti, Dodge, Jeep, Buick, and Cadillac to name a few. Whether it is an SUV, a truck or a luxury car, we have it all. Look at the wide range of selections that will transport you into “automobile heaven”. For fans of these vehicles, there is no better place to be. Browse through our selections from the comfort of your living room, coffee mug in your hand. All it takes is one click to get that little piece of accessory that is a surefire way to start a conversation, anywhere. We sell in bulk or individual items to suit all of your needs. There are many styles to choose from and we offer the highest quality materials made in the U.S.A. These come into different materials, from serious steel to fun leather. It goes with any and every outfit. Not satisfied unless you make your mark on it? Order our special engravings, tell us what you want written and we will engrave and send it your way. Whether it’s a message for a loved one or for yourself or a corporate function, these words will remain in their hearts forever. Car lovers like to take a little piece of their automotive fantasies with them at all times in a portable, stylish fashion that allows them to dream a little. Whether you are the proud owner of a Mustang, and want to bring a symbol of it with you at all times, or you suffer from a mild case of car envy, carrying around a BMW keychain or a Mercedes Keychain could make the dream feel more tangible. Wholesale Keychains sells Officially Licensed Keychains."

About the Pink Digital Photo Keychain:

Main features:
-1.5 inch 128x128 LCD display
-4.8 MB internal memory which can store about 72 pictures
-Auto / manual picture slide show, slide time adjustable
-Manual switch between picture and time display
-Time display including date, week, hours, minutes and seconds
-Time manual adjustable or sync with computer via software
-Picture format: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
-Picture size automatically cut by software
-Input / output picture via photo View software which contains in the attached CD
-Built-in rechargeable battery
-Charged / data downloaded via 5 pins USB cable
-Dimension: 5.5x4.1x1.2cm
-Weight: 85g
Package contents:
-1 x Photo Frame with key ring
-1 x USB cable

What we thought: We were very impressed with the quality of this keychain for the price. The Digital Photo Keychain couldn't be easier to use. It comes with a USB cord that you plug into your computer and the process of downloading your pictures to the keychain is super easy! The keychain is also very durable...it has been tested over and over again by both our 4 year old and 2 yr old reviewers:) It would probably be a little bulky if your keyring has other keychains or lots of keys, but it is the perfect size for a solo keychain and could also easily clip onto purses or backpacks. We really enjoyed our Digital Photo Keychain and at under $10, we will definitely be purchasing a few for gift-giving(PERFECT for Grandparents...just load full of pics of the kiddos and voila!!) ABCD Diaries gives Wholesale Keychains and the Pink Digital Photo Keychain an A!!

Buy It: You can find the digital photo keychain and tons of other super cool keychains at affordable prices at WholesaleKeychains!

Win It: Wholesale Keychains has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a pink digital photo keychain of their own! To enter, tell us who this would be for:)

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Giveaway ends Monday, October 5, 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 Pink Digital Photo Keychain for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

This'>http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM66f041e16a60928b05a7e228a89c3799">This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Sponsored'>http://www.tomoson.com/?code=CONTEST66f041e16a60928b05a7e228a89c3799">Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Winners...

Last week's winners:

Lindsay Olives-#91 Chris, #330 Kimbly, #235 Stephie C
PEAKfresh-#117 Emily Robison
Ultima-#42 April, #64 Penny W
Quackgammon-#178 MAC Mom
Zehn Naturals-#78 Sara
Kidswitch-#100 Jennifer M
Smiley Cookie-#179 Flufferwuffer
Radius-#27 clynsg
Mystery P.I.-#48 Anon, #44 Betty C, #58 Adanma

Congrats to the winners! Thanks to everyone who entered!!
Stay tuned this week for giveaways from Inexpensive Watches, Wholesale Keychains, Beautiful Creatures, Hatchette Book Group, Charm Factory and more:)

Eating Animals Review and Giveaway...

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316069884
ISBN-13: 978-0316069885
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces

Synopsis:

"Like many others, Jonathan Safran Foer spent his teenage and college years oscillating between omnivore and vegetarian. But on the brink of fatherhood—facing the prospect of having to make dietary choices on a child’s behalf—his casual questioning took on an urgency. This quest ultimately required him to visit factory farms in the middle of the night, dissect the emotional ingredients of meals from his childhood, and probe some of his most primal instincts about right and wrong.
This book is what he found. Brilliantly synthesizing philosophy, literature, science, memoir, and his own detective work, Eating Animals explores the many stories we use to justify our eating habits—folklore and pop culture, family traditions and national myth, apparent facts and inherent fictions—and how such tales can lull us into a brutal forgetting.
Marked by Foer’s moral ferocity and unvarying generosity, as well as the humor and style that made his previous books, Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, widely loved, Foer’s latest tour de force informs and delights, challenging us to explore what is too often conveniently brushed aside. A celebration and a reckoning, Eating Animals is a story about the stories we’ve told—and the stories we now need to tell."

"Eating Animals" Excerpt
The following excerpt was taken from "Eating Animals", pages 41-53.
ANIMAL
"Before visiting any farms, I spent more than a year wading through literature about eating animals: histories of agriculture, industry and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) materials, activist pamphlets, relevant philosophical works, and the numerous existing books about food that touch on the subject of meat. I frequently found myself confused. Sometimes my disorientation was the result of the slipperiness of terms like suffering, joy, and cruelty . Sometimes it seemed to be a deliberate effect. Language is never fully trustworthy, but when it comes to eating animals, words are as often used to misdirect and camouflage as they are to communicate. Some words, like veal, help us forget what we are actually talking about. Some, like free-range, can mislead those whose consciences seek clarification. Some, like happy, mean the opposite of what they would seem. And some, like natural, mean next to nothing.
Nothing could seem more "natural" than the boundary between humans and animals (see: species barrier ). It happens, though, that not all cultures even have the category animal or any equivalent word in their vocabulary — the Bible, for example, lacks any word that parallels the English animal. Even by the dictionary definition, humans both are and are not animals. In the first sense, humans are members of the animal kingdom. But more often, we casually use the word animal to signify all creatures — from orangutan to dog to shrimp — except humans. Within a culture, even within a family, people have their own understandings of what an animal is. Within each of us there are probably several different understandings.

What is an animal? Anthropologist Tim Ingold posed the question to a diverse group of scholars from the disciplines of social and cultural anthropology, archaeology, biology, psychology, philosophy, and semiotics. It proved impossible for them to reach a consensus on the meaning of the word. Tellingly, though, there were two important points of agreement: "First, that there is a strong emotional undercurrent to our ideas about animality; and, second, that to subject these ideas to critical scrutiny is to expose highly sensitive and largely unexplored aspects of the understanding of our own humanity." To ask "What is an animal?" — or, I would add, to read a child a story about a dog or to support animal rights — is inevitably to touch upon how we understand what it means to be us and not them. It is to ask, "What is a human?"

What we thought: Eating Animals is quite an interesting book. What surprised me the most is that even with the serious subject matter, Foer manages to keep you intrigued with his wit and sense of humor. He really makes this a fun book to read. I also liked that he let everyone tell their own story and never tried to convince the reader to pick a side, he just lays out the facts and expresses his views on the subject of eating animals. This book is full of information and documented facts...Foer presents the details in a fun-to-read manner and lets the reader decide for themselves what to do with them. Truly enjoyable and I feel much more educated on what goes into eating animals since reading this book. ABCD Diaries gives Eating Animals an A+!!

Buy It: You can get your hands on your very own copy of Eating Animals at your local book store or online book seller:)
Win It: Hatchette Book Group has generously offered three ABCD Diaries readers a copy of Eating Animals!! To enter, comment below.
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Giveaway ends Friday, October 1, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winners will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US and Canada residents 18+:)

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.

Belly Burner Belt Review...

Thanks to Belly Burner Belt, we recently had the chance to review this innovative weight loss helper:

About the Belly Burner Belt:

"The Belly Burner Belt increases the temperature of the abdominal area. This core temperature is often referred to as the "burn" a person feels when they are working out. The core is the center of all exercise routines. Working those core muscles improves stability and balance. The core muscles are also responsible for holding up the body and relieving pressure from the back. The Belly Burner Belt helps keep the abdominal muscles pulled in to the core and reminds the user to lift correctly to prevent back and abdominal injuries. The Belly Burner Belt system includes an exercise DVD for use with the belt. This exercise program could be beneficial for weight loss and increased calorie burn."



What we thought: The Belly Burner Belt definitely heats up your core, but I'm not sure if that helps you lose weight or not. I do know wearing it helped increase my stability and it was comfortable, so that allowed me to workout for longer periods of time, which will help me lose weight:) I loved that the belt was one size fits all because I could alternate days using it with my husband and we both got the benefits. You can wear it under your clothes, this worked perfectly for my husband, but you could definitely see it when I wore it under my closer fitting clothing. I have lost weight since starting to wear the belt, but I've also increased my exercise. ABCD Diaries gives the Belly Burner Belt an A!

Buy It: You can find the Belly Burner Belt here.

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