The InnoTab is a cutting-edge, multi-function tablet for children ages 4-9. It is packed with fun and offers interactive and animated e-books,learning games, creative activities and more all in one compact, durable tablet. Pull it out of the box and it's ready to go for hours of play. It comes in two colors white or pink and has a 5" color touch screen LCD.
It is kid tough (which is always a good thing!), has a cartridge library that features the characters kids love and you can download 100 titles by the end of the year. The InnoTab has 4 different media players: E-Book reader, MP3 music player, photo viewer and video player. Not mention 64MB onboard memory and SD card slot for memory expansion, connects to PC/Mac with included USB cable.
Watch a Demo:
INNOTAB FEATURES
E.Reader
Motion Games
Art Studio
Coloring
Organizer
Music
Videos (sold separately)
Photos (sold separately) and Downloads
You can Pre-order InnoTab at one of the following:
WIN: VTech is giving one lucky Rita Reviews Reader a prize pack. the prize pack includes a Child's Tee, 500MB Flash Drive, a box of 8 Crayola Crayons, and a $10 Gift Card to Toys R Us
Fall is in the air and you know what it reminds me of? APPLES!! I am fairly handy in the kitchen but there is something to be said for a company that makes life in the kitchen easier. Cook-in-the-Kitchen is one of those companies. They were so wonderful to send me a couple of their apple products to try out and you know I just have to tell you all about them.
From Cook-in-the-Kitchen Website: Cook-In-The-Kitchen is a family-owned and operated business located in the quiet village of White River Junction, Vermont.
Our enterprise started almost twenty years ago making a few uncommonly tasty Pancake & Waffle Mixes. Eventually we added a line of Gourmet Quality Soup Mixes and grew to include a veritable pantry of all-natural, easy-to-use products.
Our mixes are made in small batches with only all-natural, preservative-free ingredients. We remain committed to making and marketing only the finest of foods and Food Gift Boxes for today's discerning consumer. We welcome feedback and suggestions to help us better serve your needs and wishes. From our family to yours, we wish you the very best.
TESTING Cook-in-the-Kitchen Products:
The first of the two items I tried was the Apple Spice Pancake and Waffle Mix. I made pancakes late one night as a snack. It was very easy to mix together. All I had to do was add an egg and water to the mix (which of course I measured out.) The pancakes were light, fluffy, and simply heavenly. In fact they were so good I didn't have to add any syrup. The kids enjoyed just as much as I did, they ate the leftovers the next morning cold. The apple flavor is very subtle and not in any way overpowering.
The second product was the Apple Crisp and Fruit Topping. You mix it with a little melted butter then put it top of fruit cobbler,etc. Well I had a dislike of baked fruit in any manner so I did a little something different. I used the entire bag adding the butter then patted it into a square glass baking dishes. I baked it for 20 minutes, allowed it cool, and cut it into bars. We had granola bars out of it. They were so good my kids thought they were store bought.
PROS of Cook-in-the-Kitchen:
The products tasted great and were easy to make
A wide variety of products, including honey, coffee, dips, muffin mixes, and more
How many times do you wear flip flops or and other sort of open shoe and your feet end up dirty? Or worse you end up having to walk across a dirty store floor because you are trying on shoes? I have a lot during the summer. Now I don't because I have discovered Fresh Feet Wipes. These wipes are much better than using baby wipes on your feet , trust me.
From Fresh Feet Wipes Website: When I was single living in Boston, my girlfriends and I used baby wipes to clean our dirty feet after a summer day in the city or a night out on the town. Now as a mom of 3 young kids, I have a lot more feet to clean. I came up with Fresh Feet Wipes to make our lives a little easier after a long day in our flip-flops...and now I’m excited to share fresh feet wipes with you. Whether you’re a mom, student or yogi...we hope our wipes will make your lives, and your feet, a little bit happier and refreshed. ~ Ann
TESTING Fresh Feet Wipes:
We received Fresh Feet Wipes in Peppermint. The first thing I noticed was how wonderful they smelled (Peach is coming soon.) We started using them right away at the pool. I HATE when people get in the pool with their dirty feet. Is it really that hard to rinse your feet first? We didn't have to because we simply used a Fresh Feet Wipe and cleaned our feet. I also put them to the ultimate test. I have a cousin who does not wash his feet...EVER! Now I should say that even the Fresh Feet Wipes website states these are NOT a substitute for taking a bath. However in order to be sure they worked I had him wipe his feet. They cleaned his feet with no problem (as well as anything can clean feet that haven't been washed in months.) I would show pictures but trust me when I say it's gross.
PROS of Fresh Feet Wipes
They work!
They smell wonderful
Easy to carry. Just throw them in your diaper bag or car.
Many other uses as well.
CONS of Fresh Feet Wipes
Your children may decide these wipes are all they need. So stay on top of them
How many of you have a stinky armpit story? I do and let me tell you it may be more than any of really want to know. I have one armpit that seems to smell worst than the other. I do not know why and I will tell you it is genetic. Now other people tell me they cannot smell a thing and it must all be in my head. I will tell you they are all nuts. I can smell it! I call it my stinky arm. I carry a tube of deodorant and baby wipes with me everywhere because if I sweat even a little that arm will smell awful.
There is a solution for my stinky arm though. It is the New Mitchum Advanced Control Deodorant. It is availabe in both men and women. The women's comes in two scents: Pure Fresh (a blend of floral with cucumber, water fruits, and fresh greens) and Powder Fresh (a flororitenal with orange, grapefruit, and peony. Although Mitchum is the leader in gel deodorants they have broken away with this new solid.
TESTING Mitchum Advanced Control
I received the Powder Fresh scent and put it straight to work. I put some on and then went out and walked for about hour in 100 degree heat. When I came back home I did what any good reviewer would do. I put it to the nose test by shoving my stinky armpit right into my husband's face, asking "Do I smell?" His response was to give a look so I did the next best thing I sniffed my own armpit. I didn't smell at all. If anything I smelled just the same as when I left.
PROS of Mitchum Advanced Control
Provides wetness and odor protection for up to 48 hours
Does have the higher price some others have
It works!!!!
CONS of Mitchum Advanced Control
It works too well! I use to get out of yard work. Now my husband makes sure I have my deodorant on.
SHOP for Mitchum Advanced Control Deodorant
You can purchase Mitchum Advanced Control Deodorant at various retailers and drug stores. Click here to locate one near you.
WIN
Enter below for your chance to win a $75 Spa finder Gift Certificate curtsey of Mitchum
I recently discovered a product called the Diva Cup and while I was a little unsure about it at first I will say that it truly works. The Diva Cup is a small cylindrical silicon cup. It reminded me a little of the diaphragm’s I’ve seen on TV . It is a menstrual cup. If you have never heard of those don't feel bad I haven't either. they were first developed in the 30s and then died away.
The DivaCup Team has over 38 years of combined experience in natural feminine hygiene alternatives. Their passion is to provide women an environmentally responsible, convenient and reliable alternative to tampons and pads.
TESTING The Diva Cup
The Diva Cup is not like a tampon and yet it is in a way. As someone who has never used a tampon a day in her life I was super nervous inserting the Diva cup and I will be honest.. I did it wrong a couple of times. You will quickly learn that if it doesn’t feel right, it’s not in correctly. This is not a matter of leakage, rather it felt a little uncomfortable so I knew right away it was placed correctly. The one big drawback for some may be the fact that you will have to rinse out your Diva Cup. Some may not like that. If, like me, your periods are heavy you will be rinsing more often.You also have to rotate the Cup one full circle – it says so in the instructions. after I did this, it was leak free, comfortable and a delight. It was a little more labor intensive as oppose to just putting on a pad but in the end I feel it was worth it. There are two different sizes: Model 1: For women under 30 years old who have never delivered vaginally or by caesarean section.
Model 2: For women over 30 years old and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by caesarean section.
PROS of The Diva Cup
Environmentally safe
Safe, medical grade silicon is known to be non toxic to our bodies.
Comfortable
CONS of the Diva Cup
There is a learning curve to using this product. I’d suggest the first few times using a panty liner in the event that you have any leakage.
It takes a least 2 periods before you are really comfortable using it
SHOP for The Diva Cup CLICK HERE to input your zip/postal code to find a retailer near you.
WIN: Enter below for your chance to win your own Diva Cup
It's that time of the year again when children go back to school and bring home something that you do NOT want....HEAD LICE. I will never forget growing up the one time I had head lice. My mother didn't even know what it was, my sister had gotten it and since we shared a bed I got it. It was awful. My mother cut our hair so short you couldn't tell if we were boys or girls. I honestly remember the embarrassment I felt. Now I know better. It is simply one of those things that children get. I have been lucky enough that my children have not had it yet. However the best cure is prevention.
Zippity Doo's has just the thing you need.Zippity Doo's, is a line of children's hair care products that help prevent head lice. Zippity Doo's products contain natural ingredients that are mild enough for daily use and provide health benefits to the hair and scalp while helping to prevent lice infestation. They are also paraben-free! From shampoo and conditioner to detangler and styling gel, as well as a shield spray for all surfaces, Zippity Doo's has created an entire hair care regimen that will leave your child's hair clean, healthy and shiny.
TESTING Zippity Doo's
We started by using the shampoo and conditioner during bath time. Getting the kids to use it wasn't very hard, I simply took out their other shampoo and conditioner which left them with no choice. They washed their hair like they always do and I didn't have to worry about using those horrible chemicals on them if they did happen to get lice. The leave-in detangler worked well in Victoria's hair. Like me she has curly hair and we have to use a detangler.
The other products were a styling gel and shield spray. I will tell you that I love the shield spray. We had an incident with a ton of ants in the shower. I hate using chemicals and try no to if I can help it. The bottle said for lice and other infestations. So I sprayed like there was no tomorrow. Guess what? It worked. No more ants. It didn't kill them so much as they don't like the smell.
Zippity Doo's is made with natural ingredients that include Rosemary, Citronella Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Aloe. The products are not harmful which is great.
PROS of Zippity Doo's
Safe and effective
Pediatrician Approved
It works!
CONS of Zippity Doo's
This is from my kids..they didn't like the smell. I did!
I have talked of my affair with Afternoon Tea off and on. In fact my daughter and I have tea together at least once a week. We break out the china and get dressed up and spend an hour pretending we are fine ladies at Bertram's Hotel (from Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.) It is great fun and we enjoy ourselves. I take this time to teach my daughter the "refinement of being a lady" as my Granny put it when I was younger. There are always treats such as tea cakes, biscuits, or scones. I have the chance to review King Arthur Flour Basic Scone mix.
TESTING King Arthur Flour Basic Scone Mix
The Basic Scone Mix is plain so you are left to add what ever you want. I like the idea of that. I like that I can control what goes into my scones. I should tell you that you can do scones in whatever shape you like. I have seen them in triangles as well as like regular biscuits. So just do what you want. We do the round ones. The mix takes a lot of butter so be sure to buy the sticks as they are easier to measure. I added dates to one batch and vanilla with chocolate chips to another batch.
PROS of King Arthur Flour Basic Scone Mix
Simple instructions for those who have never made scones
A great base for any add in.
Bakes wonderfully
King Arthur Flour has all the tools you need such as scone pans
King Arthur Flour has a wide variety of bread mixes as well as other items.
CONS of King Arthur Flour Basic Scone Mix
I always have to make several batches because they seem to disappear before I have time to sit down.
I love stationary! Bet you didn't know that about me. Not many people do, when I was growing up I had so much my dad use to call me a paper hound. I always feel, however, that if you are going to have great stationery then you need a great pen to write on it. When I searched for an item to review on Peter Pauper Press I was thrilled to come across some wonderful roller ball pens.
From Peter Pauper Press Website:
PETER PAUPER PRESS, founded in 1928, is one of America’s leading publishers of fine gift books, humor books, compact references, travel guides, unique journals, quality stationery, holiday cards, and innovative children’s activity books. We publish approximately 100 books and ancillary products per year. Their product lines include everything from Little Black Books, hip little reference books on popular topics, from Barbecue and Beer to Casino Games, Cocktails, and Coffee to Sex, Sushi, and Wine to Kids' Activity Books entertain (and educate) kids at home or on the go!
I was sent the Soho Stripes Roller Ball Pen to review. I will tell you it has become my favorite pen. I carry it in my checkbook and use it to write my daily journal with. I love the pink color and the strips simply add to the sophistication of the pen. Everyone needs a classy pen for their purse and trust me you will find one that suits your style at Peter Pauper Press. The pen came in a beautiful box so that it could be given as a gift very easily.
We created Jamberry Nails to provide a simple way to brighten your day. We constantly get letters and feedback from customers letting us know how much they love the product and how many compliments they get day after day. We know you'll love the product too and feel great wearing your Nail Shields.
You'll also love Jamberry Nails because of how easily they can be applied and how many different looks you can acheive by mixing and matching. Our Nail Shields will give you that high-end salon look in the convenience of your own home.
We are passionate about making a great product and keeping up with the latest trends in our designs. If you have any feedback for our company we would love to hear it.
Thanks for shopping at Jamberry Nails!
Christy, Keri, Lyndsey
The Jamberry Sisters
TESTING Jamberry Nails Nail Shields
I really liked the Orange Floral Nail Shields on the Jamberry Nails site. The sheet comes with 18 nail shields that are all in different sizes. Each sheet is about $15 each and can do 2-3 full sets of nails. You simply find the right size that fits your nail bed and then cut it to match your nail perfectly. Heat up the nail shield with a blow dryer (until it's flexible, just a couple of seconds) and apply it to the nail bed. Use a plastic cuticle pusher to push the nail shield around the edges of the nail, so that it will stick properly. Then heat it up again once more (while on the nail) to adhere to nail.It is very simple and easy. I had a hard time with my small toe because it is an odd shape, but if you use nail scissors to trim the shield first it works much better.
PROS of Jamberry Nails
Easy to use, instructions are in plain English.
Not time consuming
Can be cut in half so that you get more out of them
CONS of Jamberry Nails
Easier with the help of someone
Shop Jamberry nails
You can shop Jamberry Nails Nail Shields online.
WIN Enter below for your chance to win a sheet of nail shields of your choice.
Every time you get into your car you take a chance. It is simply a matter of life. As a Catholic I,like many other people, have symbols of good luck and protection in my car. I have a rosary hanging from my rear view mirror. From that tradition as well as others comes Good Carma.
TESTING Good Carma:
Good Carma is a small pouch, designed to fit into the glove box, cup holder, or where ever else in your car. The idea is that the stones will bring you Good Karma and a little luck. The bag holds five stones: Amethyst which helps conduct peaceful energy and aid intuition, Agate which promotes grounding, protection, and security, Amazonite which promotes confidence, calm emotions and soothe nerves, Hermatite which helps revitalize the body and attune the mind, and Tiger Eye which increases confidence and clear thinking. Now all of these stones have other attributes but these are just a few. Did driving with these in my car help? I will say that they didn't hurt.
When I was growing up my mom always put bloomers on under my dresses. They were made by my Granny and although they tended to match the dress I was wearing the elastic around the legs was always too tight. I remember been six years old and hiding in the bushes at school to take them off. I never wanted my daughter to suffer that. Now that I have discovered Sparkle Farms she won't have to. Sparkle Farms are bloomers for little girls to wear under the dresses without all the torture that goes with it.
95% cotton makes the bloomers breathable and comfortable
5% spandex helps the bloomers maintain their shape
Form-fitting style that won't show up under skirts and dresses
Hygienic (picture your daughter sitting in the sandbox)
Privacy - Private parts should be kept private
Testing Sparkle Farms:
We received a pair of bloomer shorts in lilac because purple (any shade there of) is one of Victoria's favorite colors. They were very soft and stretchy which is always good. It means she can wear them longer. First day they came in the mail she had to put them straight on. She said they were the best things ever and wanted to wear them everyday. I really like the color, it is very soft and girly. I also like that they washed well. I didn't have to line dry them or anything.
PROS of Sparkle Farms:
Six colors to choose from: lilac, pink, white, black, navy, or chocolate brown
Come in sizes 3-7/8 and 10/12
Girls actually want to wear these under their dresses
Each has some little sparkles on the leg
Can be purchase in set of three or individually
CONS of Sparkle Farms:
I wish there were maybe some patterns
My daughter now needs several dresses to match her shorts.
Finding great products is easy but finding great unique products can be a bit tricky. That is why I am so glad I found Paper Scissors Rock. It is a truly unique company with some of the cutest products.
Paper Scissors Rock clocks and magnets are reproductions of original paintings by Northwest Artist Pamela Corwin and are created in her studio in Olympia, Washington. Pamela works in acrylics and watercolors, sometimes adding elements of collage to her work. She has been in business since 1981 and her work has been featured on several national television shows and in magazines such as House Beautiful, Seventeen and Pacific Northwest.
Testing Paper Scissors Rock Clock
Pamela sent me a Lighthouse Clock. This clock is so beautiful. It is not an alarm clock, although Pamela does have those as well. When I got it I had a hard time deciding where I was going to put it and then had an epiphany. It would look great hanging above my kitchen sink. I know you are thinking "A lighthouse in the kitchen?" Why not? My kitchen is eclectic at the best of times. It is a mix of everything I enjoy so this clock fit in perfectly. I love the colors. They are so vivid. It makes me want to go to a little New England Coastal town and just waste the day away.
How many of you have a laptop? I bet it a large number of you. How do you carry your laptop? In one of those sleeves? In a bag? Well Kailo Chic makes stylish, affordable laptop bags that any woman would love to carry.
The Black Damask Laptop Satchel is my favorite! Just look at it1 It is a bag that I would use every single day. I would find an excuse to take my laptop with me (not that I really need one.) Kailo Chic also makes laptop sleeves in many of the same patterns their bags. The quality and style of all of their bags are something that is both fun and chic at the same time. Kailo Chic also carries handbags, diaper bags, wallets, and weekender bags. So they can be your one stop shop for all of your bag needs.
Kailo Chic is giving 1 lucky reader a Mocha Floral Tote (shown above) the colors are vibrant and this would be a great bag for any one! Enter below for your chance to win.
When you are looking for treats for those with allergies and special needs look no further than Divvies!
Now, Divvies fun-foods are available to share with families and friends across the country. Divvies cookies, popcorns, and cupcakes are made in the company’s-own dedicated facility where no peanuts, tree nuts, eggs or milk enter the doors. Divvies candies, frosting, and sprinkles are certified by their manufacturers to be peanut-, tree nut-, milk-, and egg-free and are packaged in Divvies Bakery. Divvies conducts routine testing to minimize the risk of any cross-contamination in their certified allergen-free ingredients.
Testing Divvies Products
The Divvies Cupcakes are shipped unfrosted in a cute box. Each half dozen cupcakes is sealed in a separate container, which is nice for smaller occasions. The cupcakes come with a large tub of frosting and a cute little container of sprinkles. Our chocolate cupcakes were moist and fudgy and the frosting was fantastically chocolatey.
We also received this Smorg Gift Box that is filled with cookies,candy, Bingo bars, and popcorn. The cookies and chocolate was good but I must tell you that the popcorn is unbelievable. I honestly couldn't tell the difference and fell in love with it right away. Not to mention the box that this all came in is so beautiful!
We could not tell the difference at all that any of the products were missing dairy, nuts, or anything else.
When you are planning a birthday party, wedding, baby shower or other event one of the first things you think of is the cake (or cupcakes.) Have you all seen the prices of those things theses days? My family calls me to bake any cakes, cupcakes, cookies, etc. While I openly admit that my cakes are fabulous, my decorating skills leave something to be desired. I am not bad and will throw an entire cake in the trash before letting someone see one that looks bad.
That was before I discovered Edible Details! I have fallen in love with this company. I can bake all the cakes and cupcakes I want and ice them simply. Then I add these fabulous fondant characters and my great cake because a fabulous cake. Yes that is fondant! I couldn't believe it either. There are so much you can do.
Brittany, the artist behind Edible Details has been working with cakes and cupcakes for 5 years. She graduated from "Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School" and has worked along side Beryl Anne Byrd in San Diego, CA in her cake shop "Just Fabulous Pastries". Brittany also competed on TLC show "Ultimate cake off" twice last year. Brittany will even take your custom request!
While I would love to show you pictures of everything that Brittany does and how utterly amazing I think she is, we would be here all day. So I am going to show you a couple of pictures of items that I really like, including one of her customer creations (the giraffe cake.)
{WIN} Brittany is giving 1 lucky reader a 2" fondant character of their choice!! Just to let you know on the link there are sets but the winner is only receiving 1 character. Enter below for your chance to win.
I cannot wait to see this movie! I have seen the previews and although I haven't read the book I hear great things about it!
Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”)as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.
Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.
Dreamworks wants to get everyone in on The Help so they are giving 1 lucky read a super fabulous prize pack. Included in the pack is:
Jewelry is such a passion of mine. It is right up there with handbags! I enjoy seeking out companies you have not only great jewelry but pieces that complement my style, what it may be that day. Jewelry Bar is just such a company. they have necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more.
I received a Chain with Beads to review. I must tell you i really liked this necklace. It is longer and hangs very well. I enjoy that it looks great when paired with my dress pants but looks equally good with jeans and a tee. To me that is the true test and ultimately the definition of a great piece of jewelry. Anything can look fabulous with dress clothes but if a piece can make jeans and a tee look like a million dollars then you have a great piece. This necklace fits that bill beautifully.
Jewelry Bar has a lot to choose form as I said but they also have sandals that I feel really needs to mentioned. Can you just see yourself wearing a pair of these? They are beautiful! I can see myself wearing them with shorts, jeans, sundresses. They would be perfect for that one last long walk on the beach with your special someone.
{PROS} So many items to choose from.
{CONS} It's jewelry. You can never go wrong with jewelry!
