Read more about it, get the instructions, and see more pics - Igloo Craft With Frosting & Mini-Marshmallows Plus Eskimo Coloring Page. (He LOVED creating it!)

I’ve been over at Billy The Tree online jewelry shop, browsing around.  They have some beautiful pieces. If you are looking for a magnet bracelet, magentic jewelry looks like their specialty, but they have a wide variety of other pieces as well. On top of reasonable prices, they also offer free shipping worldwide and satisfaction guaranteed - their aim is to make jewelry shopping fun. I’ve heard a little about the benefits of a magnet bracelet, but never considered one because I honestly never came across a pretty magnet bracelet, just plain, cheesy ones. Guess they’ve come a long way because these are nice. Shake The Salt will be publishing a Mother’s Day Gift Guide, but if you want to get a head start on your shopping, I’m sure you’ll find something beautiful at Billy The Tree - plus I love the uniqueness of their shop’s name!

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Whether it is one small gift, one very nice gift, or a few misc presents, I plan to have a little shoppping spree later this year at Amazon.com… FOR FREE. 

I haven’t been doing it much, and was hesitant to bother at first because it just sounded scammy… not loads of misleading emails or steal your credit card scammy, but just too much effort to get any real reward kind of scammy.  I finally signed up, but mostly only tinkered with it, until just by tinkering with it I now have $20 in Amazon gift cards.  You’ve probably heard of it - Swag Bucks. 

You earn SBs by using their search engine, finding special codes, or checking out stuff (see “ways to earn” at the top of their site once you register and are ready to roll).  Once you start adding up the points, check out the Swag Bucks Store for gift cards and other rewards you can redeem them for. I can’t wait to see how much money I’ll have later this year for my shopping spree at Amazon + something less to worry about when the time comes!

CURIOUS GEORGE 2:
Follow That Monkey

Available on DVD March 2, 2010

Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey, the new feature-length animated release from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, and the followup to Curious George, released in 2006, delighted my three year old, and yes… I admit it… me as well.

Curious George is known for always getting himself into messes, and though he doesn’t dissapoint in his newest feature, it is as heartwarming as it is hilarious.

Curious George makes instant friends with Kayla The Elephant during a magic show, and upon learning Kayla’s elephant family is in California, George decided to help them reunite! The antic-filled adventure ensues… Ted , aka The Man With The Yellow Hat, just does catch up with George and Kayla before the train starts rolling away. Hot on their heels is an over-eager and clumsy detective that means well, but seems lacking in people skills; after them for what he thinks is elephant theft.  Along the way they meet new friends and The Man With The Yellow Hat learns alot about priorities and what is most important.

All-Star Voice Cast: Tim Curry, Jamie Kennedy, Matt Lauer, Frank Welker, and Jerry Lewis. Music from legendary songwriter Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. 

BONUS FEATURES:

Two Never Before Seen Bonus Shows from the all-new TV season.

Curious George’s Cross Country Caper Game – Exciting puzzles lead the way from New York to California so Kayla can visit her brother and sister.

Hold On, Here We Go – Exclusive Music Video

Coloring Pages and Wallpapers

This DVD was provided to Shake The Salt by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  All opinions are my own.

Kiki’s Fashions Maternity offers stylish threads that are actually affordable.  There’s even an “Under $10″ section! I’m frugal (if ya didn’t know, lol!) - I like to spend wisely, but I want what I want.  We aren’t planning yet for #2, but I could see some of those cute tops and such on me when that time comes around again to buy maternity clothes.

Let’s see, cute & trendy? Check. Low, realistic prices for the non-celeb amongst us (especially for those who are feeling the economic crunch)?  Check.  New styles (they rotate the stock to keep it fresh)?  Check.  Coupon Code?  Check. I especially love the latter! Use code blogfriends to score 20% off!

cute maternity tank top

 This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are 100% my own.  Thxkbai.

Snores come in many varieties: there’s the snorter, the whistler, and of course the freight train. But all of them have a common denominator – they keep their partners awake. A National Sleep Foundation survey showed 23% of married Americans sleep alone, an increase from 12% in 2001. I wonder how many married Americans opted to sleep alone because their partner snores. Below is a way to overcome snoring for a better night’s rest for you and your partner.

Snoring
According to Sleep Expert and Select Comfort’s Vice President of Sleep Innovation and Clinical Research, Pete Bils, nearly forty-five percent of adults snore on occasion and about 25 percent snore habitually. It’s a problem that can affect both the snorer, and the partner. It’s more predominant in people who are overweight. Exercise and weight loss can make quite a difference. It’s also exacerbated by alcohol use or relaxants taken near bedtime, so avoidance of these can lead to improvement.  Sleeping on one’s back also contributes to the problem. A somewhat softer mattress and a carefully fitted pillow designed to encourage a better sleeping posture have helped many. Or use a pillow that promotes natural head and neck alignment to open the airway. Actively dealing with allergies, colds and other respiratory problems may also help reduce snoring. There are more invasive remedies including dental appliances that hold open the airways, and various surgeries to correct defects in the affected areas of the collapsed air passage.* If your partner’s snoring keeps you up at night, try going to bed first and have your partner come to bed later. This will allow you to fall into deep sleep while your surroundings are quiet.
 
*Snoring accompanied by a cessation of breathing for prolonged periods of time could be an indication of a more serious issue, such as sleep apnea, and should be discussed with your physician.

What does your partner do that keeps you from getting a restful sleep? Please share it as a comment here, on Beds.com , on the Sleep Number Facebook page, or on Twitter @SleepGeekPete & @SavvyFrugalista.

Plus, check out this 50% coupon from Sleep Number in honor of President’s Day:

 
Code: 20379

Content provided by Sleep Number. No compensation was provided for this post.  Sleep Number / Select Comfort was featured in Shake The Salt’s 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.

Valentines Day Gift Guide 

For Men

Baskin Robbins Cakes - Shown: Raspberry Fudge Truffle a la mode: mini raspberry filled chocolate cups and vanilla crips pieces top a decadent layer of chocolate fudge ice cream, a layer of raspberry filling, and a crunchy base of crushed chocolate cookie.

Febreze Flameless Illuminaries - Break away from the winter blues with some romance and mood-setting for “that special someone.” The flickering glow and inviting scents make it the perfect accessory to boost libido, enhance candle-lit dinners and accompany stress-free bubble baths. The luminaries are available in Pomegranate Mango, Cranberry Pear or Willow Blossom scents and are the perfect additions to any Valentine’s Day celebration or romantic night at home.

Grill Charms Spicy Collection - For a spicy little Valentine, give him Grill Charms: The Spicy Collection.  If you like it HOT, you charm your meat with the pepper on FIRE before you cook it.  With Grill Charms™ grillers can now offer Mild, Medium and SPICY sauces and rubs without any confusion or worry about mixing them up.  This is a great “tongue-in-cheek” guy gift. 

NECCO Wafer Candies - Sugar treat with eight pastel colors and flavors–Chocolate, lemon, lime, orange, clove, wintergreen, cinnamon, licorice

Sweetheart Candies - What is Valentine’s Day without this delectable favorite? For the first time in 145 years, Sweethearts have completely changed – new colors, new flavors, new packaging and new sayings generated by the American public.

Zen Rabbit Cookies & Chocolate Sauce Gift Package includes one box of the original, world-famous Gratitude Cookies and a jar of Somebody’s Mother’s Chocolate Sauce. Gratitude Cookies are a super-delicious, thin, crunchy cross between a butter and a sugar cookie. Made from all-natural ingredients, (like real butter and pure vanilla), they’re called Gratitude Cookies because you’re encouraged to think about something you’re grateful for as you’re eating them. Plus, if you’re giving a box to someone, you’re showing love and appreciation.  Paired with a 9 oz jar of the also all-natural chocolate sauce from Somebody’s Mother, this is a Valentine’s gift that shows you have great taste and really care about the person you’re giving it to.

For Women

Adam & Alix trendy handbags - style #18370 with multi-row “ruching” detail on the face of bag pictured, $10.00 - Oh, so stylish and uber affordable, these are great for women of all ages, including tweens and teens.  Buy one (or more at this price!) for yourself, a friend, your girlfriend or wife (though hopefully you don’t have both, lol)… Gift idea: with this great price, you can afford to stash some goodies inside too!  These are especially great if you like to switch up the handbag with each outfit but are trying to be economically responsible.

Britney Spears Circus Fantasy Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 fl oz - Blue peony, waterlily and addictive red sweetheart orchid take the limelight with delicious sensations and exhilarating temptations. vailable at department stores such as Macy’s, as well as Macys.com.

Chewylou H.E.A.R.T. Acronym Tee: Hope, Empathy, Appreciation, Resilience, Trust.  A portion of the purchase of this shirt goes to the American Heart Association.  Chewylou shirts are meant to inspire through positive thought and promote physical and spiritual strength.  Other acronym tees also available.

Evan Healy Green Tea Clay - A gentle but effective treatment for all skin types. Reduces inflammation and produces a softer more refined skin surface. Clay will absorb and balance excess oil, draw pimples and blackheads to the surface and detoxify the bacteria that contributes to infected skin. Refines skin texture minimizing the appearance of large pores. This 7-10 day trial size is great for travel!

Mariah Carey’s Luscious Pink Deluxe Edition Parfum Spray, 1.7 fl oz - An ethereal harmony of sparkling Bellini accords, velvety pink peony and warm sun-kissed wood, the fragrance is a luscious blend of accords as enveloping as Mariah’s voice.

Roses by Leila Meacham is a classic novel in the best sense–a big, juicy read with a riveting plot and characters that leave a lasting impression. Spanning the 20th century, the story of ROSES takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town’s founding families.

Scandle Essentials Travel Candle - Experience the ultimate spa massage with the aromatherapy effects of our Scandle Essentials with pure essential oils. Scandle is in a square lightweight tin for easy application. Silicone band can be removed after use and used as an eco-wrist band reminder to “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” Burn time 15-30 hours. Available in Chocolate Dipped Strawberry scent for Valentines Day, as well as other scents. 

Searching For Tina Turner by Jacqueline E Luckett - In this breathtaking debut novel reminiscent of early Terry McMillan, Lena Spencer is going through a mid-life crisis and looks to singer Tina Turner for strength.

Wrapped With Love From Hilary Duff Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 fl oz - The notes in Wrapped with Love were inspired by Hilary Duff’s fun and flirtatious side.  The result is a delectable fragrance with a signature scent –a creamy backdrop showcasing juicy and succulent notes.  Available at ElizabethArden.com  

XOXO Clothing & Accessories  - Founded in 1991 as a day-to-evening lifestyle brand, XOXO was one of the first Juniors contemporary brands to design and sell “runway to realway” fashion apparel and accessories at affordable prices. XOXO’s success has been solidified by constantly delivering truly feminine, sexy, trend conscious looks within the fashion spectrum. XOXO offers a variety of designs including sunglasses, leathergoods, handbags, lingerie, and much more! What is Valentine’s Day without a little XOXO?

For Kids

360 Chocolate Chip Flip, chocolate chip bar baking mix from Kids Central Kitchen - One taste of these gluten-free & wheat-free chocolate chip bars will have you doing a 360! Fresh from the oven, these irresistible treats will compete with the best skateboard tricks around. Made with natural ingredients, this chocolate chip bar will make you flip!

Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish - Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about Valentine’s Day.  The sweet surprises, Cards to give and receive, A party at school, A big, long family hug.  Amelia Bedelia can’t wait. What could be better? Valentine’s Day! Hooray for Valentine’s Day!

BabyLegs (pictured: pink & red flames) - the original baby leg warmers for infants and toddlers - has a collection of loveable designs for this Valentine’s Day. Sweetheart, Soul and Pop Heart (all pictured on the attached sheet) will warm babies hearts this February 14th. The Flame is pictured below.

Curious George: Colors, a LeapFrog Tag Junior board book for ages 2-4. A fun read even without the Tag Junior system, but the system really brings the book to life.  Discover all the colors of the rainbow with the world’s most curious monkey.  Curious George!  This Tag™ Junior board book springs to life when you touch the Tag Junior book pal to any part of any page.  More than 24 playful activities and 150 audio responses encourage little ones to explore while helping build confidence with books Free shipping at LeapFrog.com through 2/15 on orders $30 & up - use code LOVE2SHARE. 

Disney’s Winnie The Pooh: A Valentine For You Special Edition DVD including FREE Winnie THe Pooh Valentines and a new-to-DVD bonus episode.

Fancy Nancy: Heart To Heart, based on the creation of Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser - Mystery is in the air when Nancy receives a valentine from a secret someone. Join Nancy as she follows the clues to find out who it is—all in her trademark fabulous style, of course. Gorgeous stickers included!

Funky Monkey Snacks (”Fruit That Crunches”) are perfect addition to any Valentines gift for kids and a great alternative to candy.  My three year old LOVES them and they are now available at Target!  Available in Purple Funk, Carnival Mix, Jivealime, and more. Available in these stories. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! An “If You Give…” book by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond - Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he celebrates Valentine’s Day with all the friends he loves.

Henry In Love by Peter McCarty - Henry is a bit of a dreamer and not much of a talker.Then there’s Chloe, who says what she thinks and knows how to turn a spectacular cartwheel. This is the story of how one blueberry muffin makes all the difference.

KangaRoom 7 Pocket IM Text Shower Tote - So many bath items, so little room!  Now you can have your own personal shower tote designed with 2Cool2Btrue IM & Text emoticons.  Whether you need to carry your bath essentials down the hall in the college dorm or there are just too many people sharing one shower at home, this water resistant tote keeps your personal items, well. . . personal. Fill with bath & body products to take the gift over the top!

KangaRoom Foldup Hamper - Kangaroom has everything your tweens and teens need to get organized.  Whether making that middle to high school or high school to college transition, our Room Essentials, decked with IM and Text emoticons and made out of sturdy, 100% recycled materials, are a must have!  Our Room Essentials Hamper keeps clothes off your bedroom floor, eliminating dirty clothes piles and making it easy and stylish to do laundry. Complete the gift by including laundry, ie: a couple of cute tops!

Mead offers fun & trendy spiral notebooks, planners, and other accessories (many available exclusively at OfficeMax) that are perfect for Valentine ’s Day (plus it is a great time to update the school supplies).  Shown here: Sweet & Sassy I Heart Recycling Planner, featuring recycled paper & covers, recycled wire, vegetable-based ink and daily green tips.  One I love: “Do You Like Me”  spiral notebook (even has the yes and no checkboxes, too cute!) from  - Lots of fun designs are available.

Money Savvy Pig - The product is intended for children ages 4-12 and comes in 6 vibrant, fun colors.  It has four separate chambers for kids to deposit their money into and each chamber empties through a different foot on the bank.  The banks are a great educational toy that helps kids to begin thinking about money choices and setting short and long term goals for their money. Also available: Money Savvy Kids @ Home Kit.

My Heart Is Like A Zoo by Michael Hall (I love that the lion’s face on the cover is made up of heart shapes!) -  heart can be hopeful, or silly, or happy. A heart can be rugged, or snappy, or lonely. A heart holds every different feeling, and debut author-artist Michael Hall captures each one with a delicate touch. For each feeling, the bold, graphic artwork creates an animal out of heart shapes, from “eager as a beaver” to “angry as a bear” to “thoughtful as an owl.” An accessible and beautiful debut, My Heart Is Like a Zoo is everything a classic picture book should be: honest, sincere, and speaking directly to even the very youngest child.

Sunsweet Gold Label Pitted Prunes (Dried Plums) are another great snack to add to a child’s Valentine gift. Available in a 8 pack (individual packaged), you can divvy them out or include the whole 8 pack. Shocked to think kids may actually LIKE prunes? My three year LOVES them.  They are sticky and have a gooey feel to them, which may make them more fun to kids (boys anyway!), LOL.  Each individual pack is only 60 calories and has no fat, cholesterol, or sodium.  They are loaded with antioxidants (more than blueberries) and are an all around good for you snack.  I haven’t tried them because I have preconceived notions about prunes I’m not yet ready to lay down, but I try very hard to make sure my son has an open mind on all food, and it really paid off with these. 

VeggieTales: Silly Little Thing Called Love - a fun-filled 80+ minute compilation that includes three classic stories of “true” love—with lessons in Loving Your Neighbor, Loving Your Family and Loving God!  Between each story, brand new animation featuring the “Veggie Kids” (as voiced by real children!) share their thoughts on love as only kids can!  Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Easter and throughout the whole year!

Webkinz Love Lion - The cute plush is only available for a limited time but can be purchased in most stores selling Webkinz.  Webkinz pets are lovable plush pets that each come with a unique Secret Code. With it, you enter Webkinz World where you care for your virtual pet, answer trivia, earn KinzCash, and play the best kids games on the net!

Where Is Love, Biscuit? A Pat & Play board book by Alyssa Satin Capucill - Biscuit is a lucky little puppy. He loves his bones, his bed, and his best friend.  The little girl teaches her yellow puppy that love is sharing and helping and learning. And it’s also having a sweet puppy like Biscuit. Woof!  Children will enjoy this valentine of a book.

Woof: A Love Story by Sarah Weeks - A dog is a dog, and a cat is a cat, And most of the time it’s as simple as that. . . . Or is it?  What’s a dog to do when he falls in love with the cat next door? Bark? Chase his tail? Dig up a “brass bone” and hope that the universal language of music will help him to express his feelings? This humorous and heartfelt story is about the power of love and the power of music, told through the eyes of a lovelorn dog and the cat he adores.

All books and products, unless otherwise noted, were provided to Shake The Salt by their respective author, publisher, brand or shop. Although my opinions may be interspersed throughout this guide, the purpose of this guide is only to provide a basic book or product description for each item, many of which descriptions were provided by the author, publisher, brand or shop.  Shake The Salt urges all consumers to make wise, researched purchases and makes no claims or guarranties on behalf of any book, product, or company.

If you would be interested in having your book or product in this Guide, please contact me.

Savvy Shopping, Recall Alerts, Giveaways, Store Deal Linkage & More

Sunday Coupon Preview – Get A Sneak Peek!

GIVEAWAYS & REVIEWS:

Giveaway: Nestle Family Of Products $40 Prize Package

Popsicle Giveaway coming soon! Yum!

Review: Fiber One Toaster Pastries

HOT DEALS:

Hot NYC Deal: $100 Spa Package Half Price Til 9 PM! (Thurs 1/21 ONLY)

Good Deal Shopportunity: Black Cat Jazz & Blues CD Collection (12 CDs) $10 + Ships Free! (Thurs 1/21 ONLY)

RECALLS:

Recall Alert: Graco Strollers & Dorel Asia Cribs  

Recall Alert: Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Rolaids, and St. Joseph’s

SAVVY SHOPPING:

Publix 1/19: Spent $17.95 & Saved $43.75

STORE DEAL LINKAGE: 

Publix Deals: Jan 21-27

Winn-Dixie Deals: Jan 20-26

Target Deals: Jan 17-23

Walmart Deals: Jan 17-23

CVS Deals: Jan 17-23

Walgreens Deals: Jan 17-23

MORE:

2010 Goals: Making Money & Earning Gift Cards Online

Disney Upgrade To Blu-Ray Program = $8 Coupons On Lots Of Movies!

Subscribe To Savvy Frugalista so you don’t miss a deal!  Click HERE.

Recent happenings at Savvy Frugalistas:

*HOT* Good Deal Shopportunity: Udder Covers FREE – Pay Only $9.95 Shipping (reg $32 + shipping)

Contests: Gone Coupon Crazy’s 10 Weeks Of Giveaways

Sweeps: Bravada’s Spot A Mom – Win $500 Of Must Have Baby Items

Jiffy Lube Rewards Program

Giveaway: Nestle Family Of Products $40 Prize Package

Disney Vacation: $685 For Family Of Four (4 Days/Parks, 5 Nights & Lodging, Florida Residents)

Disney Movie Rewards

The following is a guest post from Totsy Mom Audrey of Mom Generations.

Gifts For The Birthday Boy

Being the mother of 4 little boys, I have begun to know a thing or two when it comes to some great gifts! Toys are great… yes. But sometimes it comes down to some pretty amazing clothes and unique (and fun!) toys.

These are some of my favorite birthday gift items.

It’s funny… when we asked to describe our children, we sometimes use words like “Sporty.” “Artsy.” “Performer.” I felt it was easier to break it down by gifts this way, too!

Today it’s all about the BOYS. Here are some suggestions for the boys in your life:

Sporty:

Eli’s Lids - I am absolutely in love with these hats. They are super-cute for your little “men!” The different styles are essential - surfer, rocker, snowboarder. Your son will be “rocking” in these amazing hats. A surf-boarding rocker! ($19.99)

Spider-Man Bike - Nothing will have your son more excited! Spider-Man is the “man”… so imagine a bike with webs and decals all over it! ($69.99)

Kids Samba Sneakers - My sons can’t get enough of Samba sneakers. All the boys are wearing them to kids soccer and kids t-ball. They look so precious in the KID sizes. Total must-have for the sporty boy. ($47.99)

Preppy:

Crew Cuts. A classic cable knit sweater is essential for any boy. Crew Cuts has the most stunning and luxurious cashmere cable knit sweaters. They come in a variety of colors… and truly last and last and last. For the little “fashionto” in your life, bring on the cable knit! ($68.00)

Myself Belts - Every little boy wants a belt, it makes them feel like big boys. I love the belts at Myself Belts because they’re easy and “doable” for your little man. They come in so many different designs - flags, dinosaurs, cars, construction, even personalized! My sons LOVE these! ($14.95)

Suspenders - The cutest little manly trend around! Paired with a button-down, the most edible outfit in the world. ($10.50)

The Environmentalist:

Simple Shoes, Noodle. There’s nothing better than eco-friendly and washable shoes! I absolutely love Simple Shoes… but I just cannot get over the cuteness of the Noodle! ($40.00)

Natural Wooden Bi-Plane - Your son will love flying this exquisite plane from The Playstore around the house. Durable, fabulous quality, made of maple. Hours of imagination play with this plane! ($64.95) - Let your son’s playtime be filled with wonder and delight! These finger puppets are so much fun (and so adorable!) from Land of Nod. ($8.95/each)

Artist:

Playkraft Activity Center - Every artist needs a workstation. This Activity Center has 3 stools, 3 storage buckets and plenty of “desk” space. Let their artistic abilities soar here! ($229.99)

Play-Doh Super Craft Caddy - This is the ultimate in Play-Doh! Create, sculpt, mold, cut and roll Play-Doh! The artist within “you” will love this one, too! ($19.99)

Crayon Maker - Turn crayons bits and pieces into “new” crayons in crazy color combinations! ($32.99)

Performer:

Super Hero Capes - Stringbean Company offers the most adorable Super Hero Capes for boys! Let them run and be the “hero” they want to be! ($29.50)

Black Baby Grand Piano by Schoehut - Music loving kids!? Unite! This baby piano is the best of the best! Sing and create some beautiful music. ($149.99)

Magician Costume - Let the inner magician perform some amazing tricks for the whole family! You’ll be amazed as to the power of this costume! ($29.99)

Amon Maternity

Amon Maternity is having a 50% off sale through Friday, January 15, 2010 - use code SUPERSALE.  With prices at $23 and $25, you can get them for $11.50 and $12.50 each through Friday.  Plus, get free shipping when you buy 2 or more items.  This is a fabulous price for a great product!  Four products are available: brief, skivvies, band, and bodyshaper. 

Amon Maternity’s mission is to support expecting mothers in getting comfortable by creating a healthy and happy life. Amon symbolizes creation, fertility and life. We are an online maternity store dedicated to providing pregnancy belly support with revolutionary maternity support belts, pregnancy belly band and bodyshaper undergarments.

Amon Maternity is not just for pregnancy, they also have bodyshapers for the non-pregnant.  I had the opportunity to try out one of their bodyshapers and I can vouch for the comfortability.  It slims/smooths without restricting breathing - which is good because I like the whole breathing thing.  ;-)  The Forgive Bodyshaper is great for post-pregnancy while getting the pre-pregnancy belly back or for anytime you’d like the jeans to slip over the belly and fastener a little easier.  While I cannot speak to their pregnancy product lines, I trust they are right in line with the Forgive Bodyshaper in comfort and reliability, while providing pregnancy belly support. 

Amon Maternity provided the Forgive Bodyshaper for this review.

 2009 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Gift Ideas For Women

SELECT COMFORT IN BALANCE SHEETS

Select Comfort In-Balance Sheets: Are you too hot at night? We’ve got your solution with the latest technology in temperature balancing materials. In Balance™ sheets help provide a more comfortable sleeping environment by balancing temperature swings. Outlast® Adaptive Comfort® sheets are 350-thread-count; 50% cotton and 50% Outlast® Adaptive Comfort®* Viscose fiber. In Balance sheets include SmartFit™, a patented fitted sheet that is completely surrounded by elastic, plus elastic anchor band at each of the corner pockets for a no-slip, smooth sleep surface. Fits any SLEEP NUMBER® bed. Extra-deep pocket fits beds up to 18 inches. Logic™ Label system takes the guesswork out of where to start making your bed.

HANES FOR WOMEN

This season, Hanes has a great offering of products under $10!  Perfect for stocking stuffers, to replenish your own basics, or to gift to friends. I love the new style of ladies sweat pants (more of a yoga pany style than traditional sweat pants) and would be a cute, inexpensive, and useful gift when paired with a long-sleeve tee. Hanes can easily get everyone marked off your list without blowing your budget.  Check out the Women’s Top 10 Under $10 for items pictured here + more.

CHIC BUDS & PINKTOOTH

 ChicBuds Earphones: Treat your ears to somethin’ sweet! Adorned with Swarovski Crystals, chicBuds transforms functional earbuds into a deliciously stylish experience. But don’t be fooled! chicBuds are not only yummy looking–they’re convenient too. The built-in retractor allows the cord to expand and retract to 5 stopping points for various lengths.

ChicBuds Wireless Headset (aka The PinkTooth!): This crystal adorned wireless headset comes packaged in a couture “candy” tin…making these o so SWEET! The crystal clear sound, comfortable inner earbuds and light handling weigh make listening pleasure able even when those long customer service wait time seem unbearable. Cell phone talk time is up to 6 hours which should be more than enough time for late night chats with your girlfriend– and standby time lasts up to 200 hours

BUTTONED UP

   
Greetings.stash: This nifty little package of 12 stylishly designed cards (6 birthday, 2 anniversary, 2 thank you, 2 blank) has you covered for birthdays, anniversaries…and any other occasion you can think of.

2009 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Gift Ideas For Men

V-MODA VIBE II

  V-MODA’s new Vibe II with Microphone, is a dual-use headphone/headset that any man would appreciate.  The earbuds fit securely so users won’t be fumbling around as they enjoy their listening experience, which is heightened by the outside sound-reducing technology. Constructed from high quality materials, these headphones are built to last making them the gift that keeps on giving. Plus, he will look hip and trendy thanks to the sleek design. 

WATER LOVERS GIFT BASKET

   
   
Know a health & fitness nut, someone that just loves water, or perhaps has a goal of drinking more water?  Give a gift basket with everything they need!  Suggestions: Brita Water Filteration Pitcher, plastic / stainless steel re-useable water bottles such as those from Filter For Good and Tappening, & the book Cool Waters: 50 Refreshing, Healthy Homemade Thirst-Quenchers. Book description: With additives like sugar & artificial flavors, many commercial drinks aren’t as healthy as they seem. With Cool Waters, it’s easy & economical to create one-of-a-kind infusions that are healthier & better-tasting than anything found in stores. Recipes include Pineapple & Lime Seltzer, Pomegranate Flair, Mint Mist, & even flavored ice cubes.  You could put together a basket for around $40 for the basics (filter, book, bottle) or build a bigger basket to include additional water bottles & recipe ingredients. Take the Filter For Good pledge & get a $5 Brita coupon.

HANES FOR MEN

        
      
This season, Hanes has a great offering of products under $10!  Perfect for stocking stuffers (Christmas is the perfect time to replensih the guys’ socks & underwear + other simple essentials) and gift giving (tees or winter sweats always come in handy), Hanes can easily get everyone marked off your list without blowing your budget.  Check out the Men’s Top 10 Under $10 for items pictured here + more.

FEBREZE GIFT BASKET

 
    
A collection of Febreze products gathered in a gift basket makes a great - and useful! - gift.  With their new Destinations and Home Collection lines added to their array of products, there are lots of great options!  Pictured: Air Refresher (Moroccan Bazaar), Flameless Luminary, Noticeables (Moroccan Bazaar), Candle (from their Home Collection), and Febreze To Go. 

BELLESTAR JEWELRY

 
Since 1983 Bellestar Jewelry has been setting the standard by providing excellent customer service coupled with a quality product at a reasonable price.  We own a piece of Bellestar Jewelry - it is stunning, very well made, and was instantly (and still is) a favorite piece.  Check out Bellestar’s Top 10 Jewelry Gift Ideas.

MORE FABULOUS GIFTS:

X Rocawear Holiday Gift Set + Gift With Purchase: Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 fl. oz, All Over Body Shampoo 3.4 fl. oz, Deodorant 2.6 oz.,  Gift with Purchase – Rocawear Duffle Bag. $70.00 (a $93 value) Receive a Rocawear duffle bag with your purchase of $65 or more	Warrior Tie: This unique tie highlights your fashion sense & your support of the fight against breast cancer. It is printed on a ribbed, 100% silk king twill, which adds texture & depth. The classic Warriors in Pink logo is screened into the bottom right-hand corner.	Rocky: The Undisputed Collection on Blu-Ray - Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5, Rocky Balboa, Rocky Anthology Bonus Disc, Feeling Strong Now! Game, and Rocky Featurettes.
Clickfree Automatic Backup iPod & iPhone Transformer USB 2.0 T402 (white): Add Clickfree Automatic Backup to any iPod or iPhone. Lets you import music & playlists from the connected iPod/iPhone to any computer. Connect the Transformer Cable to your computer’s USB port, then connect any iPod or iPhone to the Transformer with its USB cable, then backup will start automatically.	Clickfree Automatic Backup DVD Transformer USB 2.0 T202 (Silver): Back up your computer effortlessly onto DVDs or CDs. Plug the DVD Transformer into your computer’s USB port & it will automatically search your computer for files that need to be backed up.	Clickfree Automatic Backup 160 GB Portable External Hard Drive HD801 (Metallic Silver): Just take it out of the box, connect the USB cable to your computer, and you’re done. All of your precious photos, music, video, email and so much more are automatically backed up. Clickfree Backs up over 400 file types.
Family Guy Presents: Something Something Darkside on Blu-Ray or DVD - The story of The Empire Strikes Back is retold. Darth Vader (Stewie) is hunting the rebel Luke Skywalker (Chris) and his troops relentlessly across the galaxy. It all comes to a head in a climactic confrontation with Darth Vader himself…	Bergino Handmade Baseballs: “Super Dad” from the Baseball Word Collection - Denim-colored suede, white embroidered wording.  Handmade to professional standards.  Includes Gift Box/Turf Base Stand.	Dremel 4000: Tthe brand’s most powerful and versatile rotary tool yet and it’s the only Dremel rotary tool compatible with all Dremel attachments and accessories. Plus, two new attachments are also debuting with the Dremel 4000 including a pistol grip that allows users to have more control over the project they’re working on. It’s great for detail work.
Dirt Devil Gator Series: a unique line of hand vacs designed to make dirt disposal easy. The Dirt Devil® Gator Series™ dirt cup flips open for easy emptying versus the traditional two-piece dirt cup that requires users to take the unit apart and remove dirt and dust with their hands. Now, they can just press the release buttons and empty debris without touching the dirt, saving both time and effort. No parts, no mess…clean hands!	Zuca is the gift that allows you to roll right into the New Year. The Pro is ideal for traveler & fits conveniently into overhead compartments. Comes with organization packing sacks & includes a TSA compliant toiletries pouch. The Sport is the rage w/students who carry books, sports equipment & games. Pets are cozy and comfortable tucked into the Sport. Even cats enjoy the car when they are traveling in ZÜCA style!	Bodum Brazil 3-Cup French Press: Incredibly versatile & the frame & handle are heat resistant. All of the components are dishwasher safe. Makes 12 oz. Using a French Press is an amazing way to extract the essential oils from coarse ground coffee beans. It is even a more eco-friendly option as you’re not constantly throwing away paper coffee filters after use, not to mention the amazing taste that you get from brewing!  Chuggin McCoffee is a coffee fanatic that has spent the entirety of his career cultivating & studying all of the best uses & brewing styles for optimal coffee & espresso flavor. Visit his specialty site for all coffee needs & supplies.
The Giving Tree GiveCard is a prepaid network branded gift card designed for people who want to make a difference. Scenario: Buy a GiveCard with a $50 value. Giftee receives the GiveCard w/ activation instructions then goes online to activate it & choose the charity to send the designated 10% ($5). He/she takes the GiveCard to the store to spend the remaining $45.	YesDVD Smileshow: enables consumers to enjoy and share digital photos and video clips as a movie slideshow, set to music, via a DVD. Great for busy parents or anyone who wants to preserve digital memories, the Smileshow DVD is easily created online in the comfort of one’s home on their computer with a variety of customized options. YesDVD Smileshow is also a really affordable way to share photos and videos with loved ones.	The Economical Guide To Self Publishing: Get your work to readers faster, while maintaining creative control & making more money! While it gives writers the nuts & bolts of publishing, such as copywriting, acquiring an ISBN, editing, typesetting, printing & distributing, etc., in an easy-to-digest manner, readers also receive an invaluable arsenal of conventional & sometimes unconventional methods for marketing, promoting & obtaining free publicity.

  
Products were provided by respective companies / brands.

2009 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Gift Ideas For Kids

ZHU ZHU PETS

     
  
Zhu Zhu Pets are THE hot toy of the season!  If you find them on the shelf or online, you may want to pick it up - I’m certain there’s a child in your life that would LOVE to find their own Zhu Zhu Pets under the Christmas tree!  The best alternatives to real live hamsters, Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamsters don’t poop, die, or stink, but they are still a riot of motion and sound.  Zhu Zhu was cleared by the CPSC of a contamination claim by a California group. Also available at Amazon (at a premium, unfortunately).

LEAPFROG LEAPSTER 2

     
With the Leap Frog Leapster2 educational handheld game system (ages 4-8), kids can learn on the go with 40+ games (including great titles like Disney’s Cars and Disney’s The Princess and the Frog), then connect online to unlock even more fun.  As a parent, I like the fact that by connecting the game to LeapFrog’s Learning Path online I can see my son’s learning progress.  The Leapster2 handheld offers a robust learning experience through built-in tutorials and learning levels that adapt automatically to your child’s pace. Its touch screen and stylus help develop motor skills used in writing. It’s also compatible with all 30+ Leapster learning games, so kids can practice a wide variety of skills for school as they play and learn with their favorite characters. Current Amazon prices: Leapster2 $48 & ships free, Disney’s Cars $24, Disney’s Princess & The Frog $24+.

STEP2 LIFESTYLE DREAM KITCHEN

 The Step2 Lifestyle Dream Kitchen: Surprise your children with the most realistic toy kitchen they’ll ever see! This compact, upscale kitchen is designed to match today’s home décor with “granite-look” counter tops. Made in USA of US and imported parts. Phone, play food, silver doors and faucet made in China. Five electronic features, Framed window with working overhead light and dish rack, 37-piece accessory set included (accessories may vary), Adult assembly required, Requires 6 “AA” and 5 “AAA” batteries, not included. Dimensions: 44.75 H 35.50 L 15.50 W / Weight: 48.00 lbs. Step2 is currently offering this kitchen for $119 ($40 off).

 DISNEY DVDs

 
You can never go wrong with a Disney DVD for the kids on your gift list.  From Playhouse Disney features for toddlers & preschoolers, to films for older kids, to old and new classics alike for kids of all ages, Disney DVDs are always a hit!  New releases & best bets for Christmas 2009: Tinker Bell & The Lost Treasure (review), G-Force (review coming soon), Mickey Mouse Playhouse: Mickey’s Choo Choo Express (review), Up (review), Monsters Inc (review), Santa Buddies (review), Handy Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure (review coming soon), and Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed In At The House of Mouse (review coming soon).

HANES

This season, Hanes has a great offering of products under $10!  Perfect for stocking stuffers (Christmas is the perfect time to replensih the kiddos socks & underwear + other simple essentials) and gift giving (a warm play outfit for the child on your list would be well used over the winter months), Hanes can easily get everyone marked off your list without blowing your budget.  Check out the pictured items in Hanes Top 10 Under 10 For Kids: Short-sleeves, long-sleeves, sweatshirts, sweat pants, socks, underwear, & more for boys and girls. 

AND LOTS MORE FABULOUS GIFTS:

VTech V-Motion: Wireless, motion activated joystick is also righty or lefty adaptable; 100% compatible with the entire V.Smile Smartridge library; Web connect features allow for bonus game play downloads; Includes sports title; Includes V.Link. Chk out this deal on games.	First Act Discovery Guitars: The FG1133 is a 30” acoustic guitar, specially sized to accommodate a child’s smaller build. Its thinner body is more comfortable to hold, while the low string action makes playing easier for little fingers.	LeapFrog Tag Junior Book Pal encourages toddlers to explore while helping build confidence with books. Each Tag Junior board book introduces a different preschool skill¿such as the alphabet, counting or social play through 24 playful, book-based activities & more than 130 audio responses
Smooshies! Soft, touchable shapes that you put together to create the smooshiest character of your choice. Create a monster, dog, robot or an alien from another planet. Easy as 1-2-3 simply velcro your pieces together. Available online at JoAnn’s & Amazon.	Toy Story 6-piece dining set from Zak Designs: Includes 8-inch melamine plate, 5.5-inch melamine bowl, 9 oz plastic tumbler, cup, 2-piece flatware set (stainless steel spoon & fork with easy grip handles), and plastic placemat with a 3D effect.	Kushies Zolo Play Garden: Build your imagination with this magnetic build and stack activity garden that is sure to delight! Magnetic creatures stick to the garden and the magnetic plant pieces stack and build! 50% OFF right now!
My Sporty Soccer Ornament from Lenox: Celebrating their favorite sport, and personalized with their name, this ornament will be a hit with all the soccer fans in your family. And they make great holiday gifts for friends, teachers, and especially coaches.	Fabkins are soft and durable everyday cloth napkins for kids, available in an array of bright colors and playful designs. Sized for kids’ laps and lunchboxes, Fabkins come in themed packs of five that reflect kids’ interests	Handprint Ornament from Child To Cherish: Here’s a one-of-a-kind keepsake gift new parents will love. It’ll be the most treasured ornament on the tree. Includes plaster, molding tray, ribbon and easy directions in a festive box.
Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas: Nancy is especially excited about decorating the Christmas tree. She bought a brand-new sparkly tree topper with her own money! But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous?	Elf Magic: From discovering an Elf’s magical arrival in the home, to searching for their hidden Elf after a night full of mischievous adventures – children know the magic in Elf Magic is real!	FunFelt Christmas Tree Advent Calendar: Count down the days of Christmas with the Christmas Tree Advent Calendar wall hanging. Includes velcro pieces, 25 felt figures, felt background, dowel to use it as a hanging & literature explaining each symbol of Christmas.
Veggie Tales Saint Nicholas: A Story Of Joyful Giving: When Junior Asparagus & friends learn Laura Carrot’s dad lost his job on Christmas Eve, Bob the Tomato decides to tell the kids a very special story about giving. Using a big storybook & a little imagination, they travel to ancient Greece to meet Saint Nicholas.	PakNaks are fun soft rubbery 3-D decorations for kids (and adults too!) to personalize all of their stuff. Backpacks, lunchbags, headbands, computer bags, household items, the list is only limited by your imagination.	Gotta Catch Santa Claus DVD: Trevor & friends embark on the adventure of a lifetime to catch Santa in action and reveal the true magic of Christmas. But they’ve got to find Santa before LeFreeze & his snowman minions put Christmas on ice forever!
Christmas Magic: Santa begins to prepare for his big night of giving: he gathers  his reindeer, polishes his bells & sled, then lovingly chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all & knows what each child at heart wants most.	Santa’s Elves Magic Cookie Kit from Sassafras: Includes: Color-changing cookie mix, icing mix, holiday sprinkles, rhyming recipe.	The Nutcracker And The Mouse King: With beautifully detailed illustrations, the story will become an instant classic. It’s a story readers of all ages will delight in.

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