Category Archives: FRN

FRN, gift worthy, kids

Play and Learn Baby Spoon Review

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I got these awesome spoons from Baby Human to try with my NerdPud. Here in the NerdFamily we are slow to transition to spoons because of the horrible mess. So when I read about how great these help kids learn to use a spoon I was excited to give it a go!

First off they are made of an awesome soft plastic. It has a little give and it top shelf dishwasher safe. It is curved and perfect for little hands to hold it. As soon as the NerdPud picked it up she could get it right to her mouth because of the shaping. It also has a neat safety feature. It has a gag guard. That little disc right after the bowl of the spoon prevents the spoon from being able to go to far into the kiddo’s mouth. It even doesn’t stain. We did spaghetti sauce and it cleaned right up, leaving not a single stain!

Now, the NerdPud has a bit farther to go until she can feed herself everything with a spoon but I do think within a week she will be great! For only $8.99 you can pick up a 2 pack of these awsome spoons at the Baby Human website or Amazon.

(This is a FRN review)

FRN, giveaway

EyeBuyDirect Review and Giveaway!

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I am a cynic. Usually when a deal sounds to good to be true it usually is. That is why I was so curious about EyeBuyDirect but I am so happy that these great deals really are true!!! Now we have pretty decent vision insurance so it was going to take quite a deal to make us not use it. Now NerdDad needed some new glasses so I got his prescription (must have to order) and sat down to look around. I found these great frames called Saint that were $24.95. This was the frame and a single vision lens. That is a huge steal!!! We always get a thinner lens with a scratch coat so I started looking at the options. I was pleasantly surprised to see that is came with a scratch coat for free. Then we selected the super thin lens that was only $42 more. Insurance never covers that upgrade and you never get it that cheap. We also added the Anti-Reflective and UV coatings. Our grand total, counting shipping, was a mere $83.80. Even with insurance we have never gotten out so cheap! We have never gotten away with less than $100 when we were also using insurance. Now it did take a while to get the glasses but it wasn’t too long.

We received them in a nice hard case with a cloth to dry them with. I was so happy with quality. I am sold! We will be using EyeBuyDirect from now on for all our eye glasses. For once something is really as good as it sounds!

(Non-Prescription glasses- Every frame can be fitted with a blank lens. All that needs to be done is select “Fashion” under the “I use my glasses for” on the prescription page.)

Win it!
So how would you like to win your own pair of glasses from EyeBuyDirect?
To enter:

* Go to EyeBuyDirect’s website and tell me what frame you think you will like the most (you are not committed).
* For a second entry, they could upload their photo and try on glasses (you just have to try this!) or review someone in the “Wall of Frame”.
* A random winner will be selected and notified on March 11th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

* Subscribe to my feed.
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here and to EyeBuyDirect.

This giveaway is open to addresses within the US. Please leave a way to contact you in case you win.

(This is a Family Review Network review)

FRN, organizing

Scanalog WFMW and a Giveaway!

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I am in love!!! I am a pack rat. I try to dress it up but it boils down to I can’t get rid of anything and especially information. I have a file box of clipped articles from various magazines, wait I HAD! With Scanalog all you need is a scanner and it can help you handle the rest. This boils down to a filing system for all those bits of paper you collect with the plan to use in the future. You can use this software in a couple of ways: either scan straight into it or pull saved images off your hard drive. Then you can “file” all of them into either the provided categories (11 Master Categories and 102 subcategories) or make some of your own. I like that you can add categories because I had to add some for homeschooling art projects and folder games that I see out on the web. I am even thinking about using it for the kids’ completed projects (since I already do pictures).

Now it does cost a little money, $49.95, but I think it could be worth it. I have said for at least 10 years that I need to find a way to write a database with images and I haven’t. Even if I did, it would take hours. At $49.95, it is a bargain of time, sanity and money.

The 1 drawback…. When you move your mouse over the top bar (you can see it in the picture) it makes a clicking noise that you can’t turn off.

So if you are a pack rat too, or just like keeping all the information that goes through you fingers (that sounds better doesn’t it;) go check out all Scanalog has to offer!!!! Tell them that NerdFamily Things sent you!

Win it!
So how would you like to win your own copy of the Scanalog software?
To enter:

* Go to Scanalog’s website and tell me what Feature you think you will like the most.
* A random winner will be selected and notified on Feb 28th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

* Subscribe to my feed.
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.

This giveaway is open to addresses within the US. Please leave a way to contact you in case you win.

(This is a Family Review Network review)

FRN

Manifest Your Magnificence Review

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I recently got the opportunity to review the Manifest Your Magnificence cards for kids aged 6-12. This are affirmation cards that are designed to nurture a kid’s self-esteem. These are beautifully illustrated cards with a statement on one side (like “I am a Shining Star”) and on the other side is a how statement (like “I make a positive difference in the world”). I think how each family would use them is based on your world view. For us they are a little too heavy on inherent goodness but I think that most of them are great writing prompts. How are you a shining star? How do you make that positive difference in the world? This way you help a child to see how to be the positive affirmation in the world. I love the fact that you can focus on how to develop these positive traits and develop art and writing skills. So go check out these cards and see what you think!

(This is a Family Review Network review)

FRN, giveaway, household

Glade Review and Giveaway!

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With 4 kids and one of those potty training, you can just imagine all the smells my house can have. That is why I was so happy to receive the new Glade Sense & Spray starter kit. I even got it in my favorite scent of Fresh Linen that isn’t too heavy or perfumy! This product has some really awesome features. But I have to say my favorite was that it came with batteries and I didn’t have to go find any!

It sprays only when its light sensor is triggered. The only thing is if you put it in an area that gets light changes from other rooms it will spray. But I love the fact that it has to be triggered so it isn’t wasting the refills by just spraying when no one is around!

It also has another convenient feature that comes in handy when you are always in the room. That is a lock out feature. Your Sense & Spray can not be activated more than once every half hour! That is great for me because a little scent is good much too much gives me a huge headache. There is an override button though, just in case you need an extra burst! So now that you have heard how great it is how would you like to win one?

Win it!
So how would you like to win your own Glade Sense&Spray starter kit?
To enter:

* Go to Glade’s website and tell me what your favorite product or scent is in the comment section.
* A random winner will be selected and notified on Feb 25th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

* Subscribe to my feed.
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.

This giveaway is open to addresses within the US. Please leave a way to contact you in case you win.

(This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program by SC Johnson, who also supplied the product for review and giveaway.)

DVD's, FRN, gift worthy, kids

Abe and the Amazing Promise

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Right now my kids are loving my blogs. That is because I got a chance to review the not yet released Veggie Tales: Abe & the Amazing Promise! Here in the NerdFamily we are huge VeggieTale fans. So you can imagine our delight when we popped this in the dvd. The main story is a lesson on patience that is about Sarah and Abraham having to patiently wait for the arrival of baby Isaac (it doesn’t touch on Ishmael or Hagar at all). It is a cute retelling that stars radio personality Delilah.
My 7 year old’s favorite part was the silly song Sneeze If You Want To! It was completely adorable. The part I absolutely loved was the musical Blunders in Boo-boo-ville about how fast isn’t always best.

If you love VeggieTales you have to check out Veggie Tales: Abe & the Amazing Promise! It comes out Fed 10th on Amazon but you can preorder it today!

(FRN Review)

FRN

Journal Buddies Review

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Today’s world tell us that it is important to focus on our external, what others have and what we aren’t or don’t have. Well, I think I speak for most of you when I say that isn’t what we want for our kids. This is why I was so excited to get the opportunity to review Journal Buddies (girl’s edition) by Jill Schoenberg. This interactive journaling system has won the Dove Family-Approved Seal and also won the 2008 Mom’s Choice Award. Dove’s review of the girl’s version said that it is:

“a very creative way to help
encourage self esteem in young girls. It is so important in this day and age to
help children with their self-image. This delightful ingenious journal will show
them a way to capture their imagination, ideas and thoughts and share them with
others. Giving the diary concept a different look. This is a perfect gift for
young girls.”

So as you can imagine, I had high expectations when I opened up the envelope from Jill Schoenberg. I wasn’t disappointed! Now I have to say, I have always wanted to journal but am very intimidated by the blank page so I was unsure how to get my kids into journaling. Journal Buddies completely takes care of that. First off you are looking for good traits in friends and in yourself. Then it gives you oodles of creative ideas of what else to put into your journal. I love the encouraging statements and words to focus on. I also like the fact that she encourages the kids to go to parents if they have a problem and to get input on their journals so it isn’t some secretive activity that sequesters the kids.

You can get this great system from Amazon or order from Journal Buddies for only $16.95. If you order it from Journal Buddies you will get a ton of extras:

  • You’ll receive a signed copy of the book!

  • Over $83 in free bonus gifts (listed here)

  • A rock-solid 45-day money back guarantee

  • A free pack of creative journaling supplies compliments of the author, Jill Schoenberg


So you know how much I love it. Now you need to get it for your child or any child that you care about!

(This is a Family Review Network review!)

bath and beauty, FRN, giveaway

Skin MD Review and Giveaway

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I must declare, I am a California girl. Now, I don’t live on the beach but I do live in a place in which it gets very hot and the sun is usually shining. I am also very fair (I believe the term some high school friends used was “glow in the dark white”). So wearing a daily sunscreen is a definite need. Pair that with the fact that I don’t wear foundation, I have to moisturize well and take care of my skin. That is why I was so stoked to get to try Skin MD Natural.

Skin MD Natural is a shielding lotion that has an spf 15 in it. So what is a shielding lotion? It is a protective lotion that keeps out all the environmental ick and at the same time adds humectants to your skin keeping it moisturized. I really liked it. Because I am always on a computer or washing my hands, due to keeping house, I am very picky about my skin feeling oily. Skin MD Natural didn’t leave an oily feeling at all. This is also the first product I could use on both my hands and face! I have sensitive skin that can be prone to breakouts and I was pleasantly shocked that I didn’t breakout at all! The lotion has a light sunscreen odor that quickly dissapaites and has a light feel as you apply that is completely weightless.

Win it!
So how would you like to win a 4 oz bottle of Skin MD Natural of your own?

To enter:

* Go to the Skin MD Natural website, use the Store Locator and tell me (in a comment) where they sell Skin MD Natural around you. That’s it!
* A random winner will be selected and notified on Jan 24th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

* Subscribe to my feed.
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.

This giveaway is open to addresses within the US. Please leave a way to contact you in case you win.
(This is a FRN review)

FRN, giveaway

Pledge Natural Beauty Furniture Polish Review and Giveaway

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I recently got the opportunity to review Pledge Natural Beauty Furniture Polish. Normally I am super cheap when it comes to cleaning but I do love using Pledge. Why? I am an asthmatic and have horrible allergies. So if I dry dust I sneeze and get sick. If I don’t dust, I sneeze and get sick. Pledge combats both of these situations. In addition it also moisturizes my wood (so it looks richer) and actually repels dust. So what else could a woman want?

Win it!
So how would you like to win a can of your own?

To enter:

* Leave a comment with any cleaning questions you might have. That’s it!
* A random winner will be selected and notified on Jan 10th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

* Subscribe to my feed.
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.

This giveaway is open to addresses within the US. Please leave a way to contact you in case you win.

(“This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program by SC Johnson, who also supplied the product for review and giveaway.”)

FRN, gift worthy

A Month of Meals Review

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Many of you who read my main blog (NerdFamily Blog) know that I am a huge fan of Meal Planning. I am constantly asked by people about how to start. Well, I found a great e-book called A Month of Meals that can get anyone started down the road to successful meal planning. Jamie Ussher does a great job of explaining how to plan, pricing, recipe rotation and she even gives some really good recipes. With 70 pages she also looks at nutrition and how to make sure that you get all your family needs. If you don’t meal plan, know someone else who needs to start or are just not happy with your system, go check out A Month of Meals.

(FRN Review)