"India's Summer" by Therese Book Review...

INDIA'S SUMMER by Thérèse

"INDIA’S SUMMER by Thérèse is the story of India Butler, single and about to turn forty, who travels from London to LA to reinvent herself. In a world illuminated by the flashbulbs of the paparazzi, she discovers the true meaning of “having it all’ while spending the summer with her sister Annabelle, a famous Hollywood actress, and her brother -in -law, a legendary rock musician.

They welcome India into their opulent, fast-paced lifestyle, whisking her from fabulous fundraisers to parties each more opulent than the last. This does nothing for India’s confidence and she maintains a wry detachment until she begins dating Adam, a gorgeous A- list actor. In an attempt to appear more successful she lies to him about her career.
Disaster strikes and India is drawn behind the veneer of Hollywood glitz and glamor and into Hollywood’s private lives. As her illusions about the perfection of their LA lifestyle fade away, India has an epiphany about her own real talents. .
India is in her element until her new life in LA unravels."

What we thought:  "India's Summer" is a wonderfully written story.  India Butler is a lovable and memorable character and I found myself rooting for her throughout all of her trials and tribulations.  This story could only happen in LA and Therese really makes the reader feel like they are right there along for the ride with her vivid description of the people, places and most notably the fashion.  She is well-versed in the "lingo" and this makes the story even more fun to read.  This book is a fantastic end of summer read:)  ABCD Diaries gives "India's Summer" an A+!

Find India's Summer on the Nook: http://bit.ly/ONoQtZ
Find India's Summer in paperback: http://bit.ly/Qlzijd

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.

"Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain" Review...

Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series Back Pain

"Chicken Soup for the Soul joins forces with top doctors to give you the cutting-edge medical information you need and the positive inspiration to thrive. Each book features true stories from other patients plus information on diet, lifestyle adjustments, diagnosis, medical tests and procedures, along with care-giving and emotional issues from the medical sector's most informed experts.

The best inspiration meets the best information . . .

Diagnostic Tools • Working with Your Doctor • Setting Treatment Goals • Avoiding Therapy Quacks • Preventing Osteoporosis • Developing an Exercise Plan • Acupuncture and Alternative Therapies • Beating Back Pain"

What we thought:  Looking for a book that is full of great advice on how to manage and prevent back pain?  Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain may be just the book for you:)  This book has true stories and advice from real doctors to help inspire you to make the changes you need to live a life without debilitating back pain.  This would be a great resource for someone who suffers with back pain.  ABCD Diaries gives this book an A!  

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.

AVEENO Pure Renewal Sweepstakes and Giveaway...

"The AVEENO® Brand recently launched the PURE RENEWAL™ Dry Shampoo – the Brand’s first Dry Shampoo! In honor of this exciting launch, the AVEENO® Brand has developed the AVEENO® Summer Hair Renewal Sweepstakes!

From August 17^th through September 28^th, you will be able to enter for a chance to win a spa weekend trip for two to NYC, while 1,500 other readers will receive a full-size PURE RENEWAL™ Dry Shampoo prize!  

Keep your eyes peeled for the August 27^th issue of People Magazine (on stands 8/17)! There will be a beautiful page about the sweepstakes."

What you need to know about the sweepstakes:

·         Begins 12:01AM ET on 8/17/12 and ends at 11:59PM ET on 9/28/12

·         US residents only (not including AK, HI and Puerto Rico)

·         21 years or older to enter

·         You can enter once per day

·         Enter here: http://www.summerrenewal.com/

As an added bonus, AVEENO wants to give one lucky ABCD Diaries reader a FULL Pure Renewal line!  This giveaway will include the Pure Renewal Shampoo, Conditioner, 2in1 AND the Dry Shampoo!

"Huh-Uh!" by Barry G. and the Dream Jam Kids CD Review...

myKaZoo Music releases rootsy new solo CD by Barry G and the Dream Jam Kids:   Huh-uh!

"myKaZoo Music, the new family imprint of Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), announces the release of Barry G's first solo CD, Huh-uh! Produced by five-time Grammy®-Award nominee Rick Chertoff (Joan Osborne, Cyndi Lauper), Huh-uh offers 10 original songs inspired by roots and folk music. Barry G’s music videos from his work with The Dream Jam Band are rotating now on myKaZootv.com, the new online music video channel for kids.  Barry G is Barry Gellert, best known for his performances with The Dream Jam Band. His song, “Look Around,” from the Dream Jam Band’s self-titled debut CD, enjoyed number one rotation for many weeks on Sirius-XM Radio, and Kathy O’Connell chose the disc as one of the top-10 family albums of 2007 for National Public Radio. Barry G wants to offer kids “music that they’ll feel in their bones,” timeless melodies that are easy to sing along to, while preserving parental sanity after repeated plays. In his songwriting he draws from his wide-ranging musical interests, from the blues to Appalachian string band ballads, Western swing to rock and roll. The title song is an anthemic rocker inspired by a field recording of a girl who liked to say “huh-uh” as she jumped rope. “We just thought that was something kids would enjoy chanting along with us… it’s such a kid culture thing,” explains Barry. Other songs also present irresistible calls to action, including the “jump up and down” refrains of “Act Like an Animal” and the tip-tappety “Into the Valley” (resonating from a Marty Robbins cowboy ditty). “The Longest Train” chugs along with a driving guitar beat, accentuated by a lively trumpet. The original “Hammer Ring” fits right in with American folk songs from the early 20th century. “The Captain Was a Monkey” sets sail with a fanciful sea shanty about a monkey and his onboard antics. An old French folk song inspired the sing-along tune “Hello Hello.” For slower moments, kids may groove to the acoustic harmonies of “Just Chillin’.” About myKaZoo Huh-uh is the third release from myKaZoo Music, the new family music label created in partnership with Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The label’s first releases this year are Farmer Jason’s Nature Jams and Randy Kaplan’s Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie. Next up is a CD by Zak Morgan this fall. For more information about the company’s plans to exponentially expand the audience for artist-driven family music, visit www.mykazoomusic.com." What we thought:  This CD really got us moving and grooving:)  Our favorite song was the title track, "Huh uh!" The kiddos ask to hear this song at least once a day:)  This CD is perfect for our music and movement time.  It is super hot here on the Texas coast so our PE time which we like to do outside has been moved inside for the last few weeks.  The songs on this CD are mostly upbeat and silly and loads of fun to dance and sing along to.  There are a few slower tunes, like Just Chillin', that are great for cooling down.  I actually had to stop playing this CD during lesson time because the kids just couldn't stay still while it was on.  Definitely a thumbs up in our book:)  ABCD Diaries gives "Huh-Uh!" an A+!

Disclosure:  ABCD Diaries was given a 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.

Nat Geo Wild Toys from Uncle Milton Review...

"This August, National Geographic and Uncle Milton Industries have teamed up to create an exciting new line of kids toys, puzzles and games based on the popular Nat Geo WILD network dedicated entirely to animals. Products will debut exclusively at more than 200 Barnes & Noble stores and BN.com this summer, followed by a rollout to major toy retailers across North America this fall.

The Nat Geo WILD line roars into retail this summer with products inspired by and 
patterned after majestic and iconic animals of the jungles, rain forests, oceans and Arctic. They
include the Anteater Bug Vac™, the Curl and Coil Snake Light™, the Big Dig Bear Claw™ and a 
range of colorful puzzles and games featuring photographs of these amazing animals in their 
natural environments. The innovative design of the Anteater Bug Vac™, a bug catcher vacuum 
sculpted to look like a real anteater, was recently featured on the “Today” show and was also
selected by toy industry experts at the 2012 American International Toy Fair as a Top 10 item that 
will inspire play in children this year.  Additional innovative and colorful toys, puzzles and games 
are already planned for 2013.

National Geographic’s net proceeds from the sale of these products will support vital 
exploration, conservation, research and education programs."

What we thought:  Uncle Milton is one of our favorite educational toy companies.  We can always count on them to have a large variety of quality toys for every age group that actually promote learning.  They have proved this yet again with this new line of Nat Geo Wild toys.  We were able to review the Big Dig Bear Claw and the Curl and Coil Snake Light.  These toys are both functional tools that are realistic looking and a lot of fun to play with.  They are both sturdy and have been able to withstand everything our 3 and 6 year old "testers" have thrown their way:)  The kiddos love both of these and play with them regularly.  A and D are both really into to animals these days and love watching shows on the National Geographic channel, so I'm really excited that Uncle Milton has paired with them to create these really neat toys.  ABCD Diaries gives the Nat Geo Wild toys an A+!

Find out more about these toys and many more at Uncle Milton!

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.

Back to School Roundup: Rubbermaid LunchBlox Review...

"Rubbermaid LunchBlox™ makes packing lunch easier than ever. These modular containers snap together in multiple configurations to efficiently use the space in your lunch box or bag. Containers are perfectly portioned for your favorite lunch foods with handy measurements on the sides of each container. Your lunch stays chilled with snap in Blue Ice™. Individual containers are sold separately from kits so you can configure a different way everyday.

• Containers stack compactly to stay organized
• Blue Ice™ keeps your lunch cool on the go
• Secure lid seal
• BPA-free
• Microwave, Dishwasher, and Freezer Safe
• Sandwich container holds regular and specialty bread
• Sandwich Kit includes 2 Snack Containers, 1 Side Container, 1 Sandwich Container and 1 Medium Blue Ice

The LunchBlox Sandwich Kit is currently available for purchase at Rubbermaid.com, Target, 
Kmart, Kroger, Safeway, Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie, HEB, other grocery stores and select Wal-Mart stores"

What we thought: Leave it to Rubbermaid to come up with a super nifty way to make packing a lunch easier and more eco-friendly!  This is such a neat idea!  These little containers all snap together with the ice pack in between them to keep everything cool and it really works!  The whole set up is plenty big enough to fit a healthy lunch, but slim enough to fit in a lunch bag.  The containers are easy enough for kiddos to operate too which is a big plus.  ABCD Diaries gives the new Rubbermaid LunchBlox an A+!

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

Combat "Allergy Face" with Zyrtec Review...

"For many people, spring is usually the first thing that comes to mind when we think about allergies, but many of the same triggers that make us miserable in the spring persist into summer.

Actress Kate Walsh knows all too well that those dreaded allergies can affect not just how you feel, but also how you look. For her, watery and puffy eyes can cause a major case of Allergy Face! In fact, 40% of women allergy sufferers say that their red and puffy eyes make them look tired and unattractive.

To learn how to keep your eyes bright despite allergies, and to hear more about Kate Walsh’s story, please visit www.youtube.com/zyrtec

Rebekah George recommends combining the following products to combat Allergy Face:
Aveeno Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30
Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm
Neutrogena Brightening Eye Perfector
Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss
Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara
Visine Soothing Wipes
ROC Multi Correction Lift Anti-Gravity Eye Cream

What we thought:  I use ZYRTEC to alleviate my allergy symptoms year round.  It really works to relieve itchy, watery eyes and sneezing.  I was super excited to learn about the regimen Rebekah George recommends to combat "allergy face" since my allergy symptoms tend to leave my face puffy most of the year.  With this combination of products, my face looks much clearer and way less puffy.  Rebekah certainly knows what she is talking about!  ABCD Diaries gives ZYRTEC an A+! 

Make sure you visit the Special Offers section on the ZYRTEC website, where you can print out$4 off and $2 off coupons on ZYRTEC products

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.