Babee Love — A Moms take on Product Reviews, Giveaways, Deals, Freebies & Coupons!

Updates & Random-ness

by Nicolle on September 2, 2010

What my kids have been up to lately….

My daughter turned 4yrs old in July and still isn’t used to saying she’s four. She recently had her Wellness Visit and she weighs 40lbs (I believe) 40″ tall. They gave her 5 shots and will not need anymore until she’s 11 yo (I believe). Sheesh…I guess I should have wrote this info down…anywho…

She used to use the word “prettyful” instead of “beautiful” for a few months to describe things…but NOW she’s been calling everything “Beautiful” (emphasizing the ‘B’). She is also REALLY into dresses, necklaces and bracelets…OooH…bracelets. She wears them all at once TOO!

She was dressing herself, THEN Daddy started dressing her in her pj’s after showers and she didn’t want to dress herself anymore. NOW, I’ve put my foot down and Daddy makes her dress herself. Which NOW makes my life easier in the morning, because all I have to do is tell her to get dressed and she does.

She’s been wanting to walk to school all by herself like the ‘school age’ at her daycare/pre-school. And says she wants to be in Kindergarten.

My son turned 2 years old in May and has been thriving with his speech. At first I was a little worried, but all of a sudden he just started copying everything that his sister was saying and now I feel his is talking more than he should. It’s not a bad thing until he won’t stay quiet.

He is a very determined little boy and amazes me EVERY day with the words that come out of his mouth. He CAN say his name. AND it is the cutest thing EVER! I think it will be the last of the ‘firsts’ for awhile…

I am struggling now, more than ever with discipling and babying him. There are times where he is a bad boy and I discipline him AND then there are times where he wants to be held and treated like a baby. It’s hard to be consitant. I still want my baby, but I want him to grow up with discipline/structure.

I’ve been meaning to post about our Disneyland trip since we been back for a little over a month. I guess I’ve been ULTRA busy, not sure what…I guess taking care of the kids, editing photos, blogging, tweeting, entering giveaways, trying to promote my blog more, etc, etc, etc. I think housework fits in there somewhere. OH and my WONDERFUL Disney Blogger trip took presidence over my Disneyland post or any post for that mater….any day!

I have to tell ya, I really didnt’ want to come home. YES, I missed my kids and hubby BUT it was a blast!

After the blogger trip, I tried to come back a renewed/refreshed Mommy and not yell, discipline and say “no” as much. I tried to be more calm and just let a few things slide. I want to be the “fun” parent but also one that they respect. WELL, the new Mommy did not last long…I came back on Friday afternoon to one sicky little boy and a big boy. That was SWEET. but when you get another certain little girl involved.we.have.whining. UGH! Then the 2 kids whine.then my third whines. Seriously…I’ve had enough headaches in a day to last me a FEW months.

Shortly after I got home, we went over to my In-Laws to house/dog sit until Sunday. It was nice because they have a bigger house, but we had to be careful with the kids not touching & you know kid stuff. Overall it was nice to have them spread out. We also took them down to the park when it got dark and played. Something we can’t do because normally its TOO hot here.

Meanwhile, my son had pink eye from Thursday until Tuesday and went back to school on Wednesday ONLY to have his sister come down with pink eye on the same day he went back to school. We ended up curing my son with Cough/Mucus syrup and red eye drops….worked like a charm. SO we are working on his sister with the same remedy.

LUCKILY today is Thursday…almost typed Friday…and have one more day until the LONG holiday weekend. Not sure what we are going to do. I would LOVE to go camping. We aren’t camping people though. We don’t have equipment. We wouldn’t know where to go. The list goes on…SO I’m sure we’ll just hang around or go to my In-Laws and hang out and go swimming.

What are you doing this weekend? What have you been up to?

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Enter to Win: FREE Stonyfield Yogurt

by Nicolle on September 1, 2010

in Enter to Wins,Food,Press Release

Stonyfield is an official sponsor of the US Open for the second year in a row. We’re big tennis fans over here! Our CE-Yo, Gary Hirshberg, plays several times a week to keep up with an active, healthy lifestyle. We think there’s no better way to fuel your body than with pure, organic food.

As part of our sponsorship, we’re hosting an exciting match of our own. Each day, a variety of flavors of our yogurt will be matching up on the Stonyfield website – and you can vote to see your favorite flavor win! Come back every day and check the bracket and scores. Each time you vote you’ll be entered to win a year of FREE Stonyfield yogurt. You can vote in the Stonyfield Cup once each day.

Simply head click HERE to cast your vote and keep track of the flavor matches.

Don’t forget to follow the fun on Stonyfield’s facebook page.

Also if you want to keep track of it on Twitter…use & follow #stonyfieldcup

Ends September 13, 2010!

This info was provided to me and is not a paid post. I have reviewed Stonyfield yogurt before and think it’s a great brand. This post was written with MY opinion ONLY. Thank you!

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Wordless Wednesday: Disney Blogger Day Event

by Nicolle on September 1, 2010

in Blog Events,Wordless W,disney,travel

These pictures are a result of the Disney Blogger Day Event and is not a paid post. However I did receive a free trip including airfare, hotel, other transportation and meals to write this post THANKS to Disney and Click Communications. This post was written with MY opinion ONLY. Thank you!

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Cute & Functional…Pillow Pets {Review & Giveaway}

by Nicolle on August 31, 2010

in Baby/Toddler/Kids,FAVEs,Giveaways,Reviews

Lions and Tigers and Bears – Oh My! My Pillow Pets^® Plush Folding Stuffed Animals Spark a Nationwide Fun and Fluffy Frenzy

Kids clamor for My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animals with millions sold so far this year

Oceanside, CA – August 3, 2010 – Parents can’t get the My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animals TV jingle out of their heads and children can’t wait to cross them off their wish lists. My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animals have created a craze across the country with sales continuing to climb. Across the U.S., My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animals are bringing joy to kids of all ages.

Made of ultra-soft chenille, My Pillow Pets plush folding stuffed animals are much more than a snuggly toy. With a strap that closes underneath to transform the pillow into a friendly pet, they are an ideal travel pal, naptime buddy and all-around cuddly friend. My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animals are available in 20 different animals including jungle animals, farm critters and sea creatures.www.GetPillowPets.com with any additional pet priced at $15.95 (up to five) and are machine washable.

Jennifer Telfer, creator of My Pillow Pets^®plush folding stuffed animals and a mother of two, says that the animals are sweeping the nation because they are always ready for an adventure or to welcome a tired head. “My Pillow Pets® plush folding stuffed animals don’t eat anything, can stay up late, comfort children day or night and can be a piece of ‘home’ that takes up less space than a pillow AND a stuffed animal if families are on the go,” said Telfer.

Given the overwhelming demand for My Pillow Pets^® plush folding stuffed animals last holiday season, Telfer advises gift-givers to order now to ensure that the children in their lives receive their first choice and avoid the sold out circumstances that My Pillow Pets^® faced in November and December of 2009. Sales projections for the 2010 season surpass last year’s numbers given the popularity of the My Pillow Pets^® plush folding stuffed animals among mommy bloggers, and the company’s own plans to launch a new interactive play website, a blog with children’s favorite characters and an online community in the fall. My Pillow Pets^® plush folding stuffed animals are affordable with a “Special TV Offer” of just $19.95 at

About Pillow Pets™

Since 2003, My Pillow Pets^® plush folding stuffed animals have been bringing smiles to the faces of all ages. The concept for the snuggly companions was the brainchild of a San Diego-based mother of two, who had grown tired of picking up stuffed animals strewn across her children’s rooms. What began with the simple goal of transforming a simple stuffed animal into a functional item for children has grown into an amazing jungle of popular retail and wholesale products. For more information, please visit www.GetPillowPets.com.

I had heard the catchy jingle for the Pillow Pets a couple of times BUT my kids hadn’t. I knew if they did, we would have already had them for awhile. Sometimes I don’t take the products I see in ads on tv seriously. Quality tends to lack from products that are sold on tv, as I have seen from past purchases. This is a product that I would be very happy with, because it is the exact opposite. GREAT price and GREAT quality. I’m wondering right now, why I hadn’t known about the Pillow Pets sooner.

It’s a genius concept…kids like soft things…check…they like stuffed animals…check…and they like pillows…check. For a parent the all-in-one uniqueness is AWESOME. One less thing to clean up. You see…my kids (like most I’m sure) like to take out their toys and bring them into the living room-followed by blankets and pillows.

I was given the opportunity to choose which Pillow Pet to review and because I wanted to surprise my kids…I chose something that either one would like, the Silly Monkey. My daughter immediately claimed it and tried to keep it from my son for all of a whole day. Which at the time, he could care less. Then, when she wasn’t looking or around for a little bit, he took it over. It is now officially his. It is everything that he loves…SUPER soft and convenient. He has an obsession with touching things soft.

It is made of great quality and durability. Both the kids have tested the durability of the Pillow Pet by jumping off the couch and onto the Pillow Pet. What fun!

I will be definitely be purchasing (with my own money) 2 more Pillow Pets soon as to get mine before the Holiday season or before they sell out. I’ll be getting one for my daughter – she has picked out the Magical Unicorn and another for my nephew – he likes the Puppy.

***

*One (1) lucky reader will WIN – your CHOICE of Pillow Pet*

TO ENTER: Tell me which Pillow Pet you would choose and who it would be for. Then leave it in a comment. MUST DO THIS FIRST! If you don’t your entries will be deleted.

EXTRA ENTRIES: Leave a comment for each.

~Follow Me on Twitter

~Follow Me on Google Friend

~Subscribe to my Blog: via email (I will check) or via RSS (2 entries – make 2 separate comments)

~Grab my MAIN button (2 entries – make 2 separate comments)

~Vote For ME on Top Mommy Blogs – Mom Blog Directory

~Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog (3 entries – make 3 separate comments)

~Enter another one of my CURRENT giveaways (1 entry for each giveaway entered – make sure to make separate comments)

~Tweet this (MAX 5 times per day - with 2hrs between each tweet) leave link: #win YOUR CHOICE of Pillow Pet - cute & functional @BabeeLove (9/14) #giveaway http://bit.ly/94tz79

Rules: Open to US readers ONLY. Giveaway closes September 14, 2010 at midnight PST. Winners will be chosen by using random.org. All winners have 72hrs to respond to my email or a new winner will be selected. Be sure to leave your email address in the comment form, otherwise I can’t contact you. Be sure to check your Junk mail so you don’t miss out on your prize! GOOD LUCK! – – WINNERS: Please wait at least 30 days to contact me if you haven’t received your prize.

This info was provided to me and is not a paid post and however I did receive a free sample to conduct my review. This post was written with MY opinion ONLY. Thank you!

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Press Release: SECRETARIAT releases 10/8

by Nicolle on August 31, 2010

in Movies,Press Release

Based on the remarkable true story, “Secretariat” chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

Notes:

In 1973, Secretariat became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting race records that still stand today in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
Penny Chenery, now 87, is an integral resource in the making of the film. She also appears as an extra in one of the film’s scenes.
In 1973, Secretariat graced the covers of three magazines the same week: Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated.
Director Randall Wallace, whose directorial credits include “We Were Soldiers,” is the Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-nominated screenwriter of “Braveheart.”
In 1999, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a 33-cent postage stamp with Secretariat’s image.

Against all odds, housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane)—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—navigates the male-dominated horseracing business, ultimately taking Secretariat on a spectacular journey to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and perhaps the greatest racehorse of all time.

Genre: Drama

Rating: PG

U.S. Release Date: October 8, 2010

Cast: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh, James Cromwell, Kevin

Connolly, Nelsan Ellis, Dylan Baker, Margo Martindale, Otto Thorwarth, Fred Thompson, AJ Michalka and Scott Glenn

Director: Randall Wallace

Producers: Mark Ciardi & Gordon Gray

Executive Producers: William Johnson, Mike Rich

Written by: Mike Rich (writing credit not final)

Suggested by the book: “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion” by William Nack

Follow Walt Disney Pictures on Twitter

This info was provided to me and is not a paid post and no product was received. This post was written with MY opinion ONLY. Thank you!

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Simply Magical

by Nicolle on August 30, 2010

in Blog Events,disney,travel

I was recently invited to the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Blogger Press Day from my wonderful PR contacts and Disney. I was so excited and honored to be chosen to participate.

I left home on Wednesday, August 25th to catch a flight to LA where I would join 18 of my fellow bloggers. Now, normally I would be okay with leaving my children for some time…I work full time and the kids go to school/daycare. Also I’m used to my Sister or MIL taking the kids for a night away on the weekends (no I don’t ask them to, they ask me). So when I left, I got a little teary-eyed. PLUS I typically get a little anxiety when I fly…don’t know why…I’m not scared, just something different I suppose.

I had a later flight and I arrived in LA 3pm. There was car service to pick me up and drop me off at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. I arrived at 4:05pm AND I had to meet everyone downstairs in the lobby at 4:15pm, so I was just a tad close on making time – BUT I ended up making it. It was then I got to meet my fellow bloggers and PR contacts I have been working with on previous DVD titles.

While waiting in the lobby for the bus, there was a lot of hussle and bussle going on, because part of a TV show was being filmed in the lobby…very exciting. Obviously something you don’t see everyday since I don’t live in Hollywood.

Once everyone met up, we got on a small bus and it took us to the Disney Studio Lot. While there we got to view some WONDERFUL Disney Memorabilia, including an outfit from Hannah Montana and an original Mary Poppins Hat. We also got to see some behind the scenes equipment that was used to make Disney Movies in the old days, some of which is very similar to what is used today. After the tour, we went on to view the BEST Tinker Bell movie yet…Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. It will be out on Blu Ray and DVD September 21st. I JUST can’t wait to share the movie with my daughter, she is a HUGE Tinker Bell fan…and so is my son.

I’m not going to give the movie away, but my FAVE part is the homemade Fairy House the little girl, Lizzy, makes. It is so creative and cute!

After the movie, we left the Disney Studio Lot and we all went to dinner at an Italian Restaurant (Trastevere Ristorante Italiano) in the Hollywood & Highland Center. We dined on Bruschette on a pizza crust (my FAVE), Caesar Salad, our Choice of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce, Rigatoni with Meat Sauce or Grilled Chicken & Veggies and Tiramisu. I had the Rigatoni with Meat Sauce and it was wonderful. I had never tasted Tiramisu before because I’m not a coffee fan, but it was great and didn’t taste like coffee. I also had a Cosmo drink for the first time…YUM!

After dinner, it was off to bed to get up bright and early to meet downstairs in the lobby at 9am. Because, on the next day we were going to get a rare glimpse inside the newest Tinker Bell movie: The Great Fairy Rescue.

Screenshot from Tinker Bell Pixie Hollow Online Game

The next day (Thursday), we got on another bus that took us to the Disney Toon Studios – where there was a light breakfast and we got to mingle with the WONDERFUL talent that went into the Tinker Bell movie. Then for 2hrs after that, we went from room to room learning about the Tinker Bell movie. We saw how Tink can go from 2D to 3D (showing how you can move a character), to the evolution of the Fairy House and the inspiration behind it, to viewing the new products to support the Tinker Bell movie (such as toys, clothing and bedding), to learning about the game for Tinker Bell online and on the Nintendo DS, and how to animate Lizzy.

It’s REALLY awe inspiring to see ALL the work that goes into a movie and the people that work on it too. Because when you view the movie you don’t really think about that part…but usually it takes anywhere between 2 and 3 years to completely finish a movie.

After a very busy BUT amazing first half of the day, we were off to lunch at Twist in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel – where I chose a grilled New York Steak with French Fries in a lunch portion, but it really filled me up.

Once done with lunch, we were whisked away for some VERY fun, Beauty and the Beast Ballroom Dancing lessons in the Panorama Suite in the Renaissance Hotel we all stayed in. As we arrived at the Panorama Suite, we were handed Champagne and there were Chocolate covered Strawberries also awaiting us inside…of course, along with our instructor and dance partners.

The dance we learned was the Waltz. It was fun to learn step by step. While I was hesitant at first, they made it easy with doing each step one at a time and by parts. It also helped that the dance partners came and got us stragglers who were shy about participating. Needless to say, it was VERY enjoyable. A FUN tidbit: the instructor is a choreographer for the dancers on Dancing with the Stars, Christian Perry.

Once done dancing, we were able to take in the AMAZING views of the Panorama Suite and I took a couple of pictures of the “HOLLYWOOD” sign from the room. Also in our schedule, we had a 3hr break to take in the local sights, go shopping or just hang out at the hotel. I chose to hang out for about an hour, then I met one of my blogger buddies, Rachael Coe, and we went off to sight see. Except, we didn’t get very far. We made our way through the Hollywood & Highland Center to see the Stars on the ground, the Chinese Theatre and Kodak Theatre…on our way to the Chinese Theatre we saw barrocades up and it took us about 5 minutes to realize what was going on…then we saw Justin Timberlake…so EXCITING. We spent the rest of the 2 hrs watching to see if we could get more pictures and see if up closer…no luck – but it was SO much fun!

After Justin watchingsightseeing, we were off to get ready for our Cocktail Reception and Dinner with Paige O’Hara, the voice of “Belle”. We all dressed pretty nice, especially since we really don’t get the chance to dress up…cuz we are Moms and well…I don’t do that kind of thing ever.

For our evening, we all headed up to the Panorama Suite again. This time it was starting to get dark and the view of LA was beautiful. We met 2 WONDERFUL Disney artists who drew a character of our wish. I first picked Sleepy from Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs for my daughter, because she has a wooden carved twin headboard/footboard with a picture of Sleepy on it. I think we all went back for seconds, because I got Goofy for my son – when we went to Disneyland a month ago, he was obsessed “Gooficky”.

Then we met Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle AND she sat at our table for dinner….what an honor! We got to chat her up while eating a wonderful meal of a salad, chicken & potatoes, and a molten lava chocolate dessert. The cocktail reception and dinner were supposed to be 2 hrs, but I was there for 4 hrs and it didn’t even feel like it. We took a few group pictures and said our Thank you’s and Goodbye’s. It was TRULY a magical time!

Thank you SO much to Disney and Click Communications for organizing this event and inviting me! I felt like a celebrity and also a kid at the same time. I will NEVER forget this experience.

In the above picture, you will see some of the bloggers that attended…from left to right: @MomCentralChat, @patperiod, @MomStart, @MyChaos, @valmg, @myweeview, @rachaelcoe, Me (@BabeeLove) and Paige O’Hara (the voice of Belle).

It was wonderful to meet all the wonderful lady bloggers at this event:

Mamanista
IEMommy
MyWeeView
HereAndThere
ValsViews/ValMG
BabeeLove
MomStart
MyOrganizedChaos
Momsational/WooJr
EmpoweringMommy
MommiesWithStyle/Momfluential
CoolMomsRule
MomCentral/CalandroClan
Checa La Movie
Mama Contemporanea
Mami Talks
Mejorando Mi Hogar

**On a side note, I have MANY more pictures and I didn’t want to make this already long post even longer…so stay tuned for Wordless Wednesday.

This info and pictures were provided to me and is not a paid post. However I did receive a free trip including airfare, hotel, other transportation and meals to write this post THANKS to Disney and Click Communications. This post was written with MY opinion ONLY. Thank you!

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FREE SAMPLE: Cheetos Mighty Zingers

by Nicolle on August 30, 2010

in Food,Freebies

Click here and simply fill out the form to receive YOUR free sample of Cheetos Mighty Zingers.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. While supplies last. Available to U.S. Residents only. Limit one sample per household. You must be 18 or older to receive this sample.

Thanks And Freebies for All!

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iCarly: iSpace Out DVD releases 8/31

by Nicolle on August 30, 2010

in Baby/Toddler/Kids,Movies,Press Release,Reviews

DVD hits stores August 31, 2010

New York, NY – Aug. 5, 2010 – It’s a collection of iCarly episodes that are out of this world! Carly and the crew venture to a training facility to test their space survival abilities. Can they handle being locked in a space pod for 36 hours? On top of this challenge, the iCarly fun continues as Sam decides to reveal a shocking secret, Gibby wants to fight Freddie, Carly and crew hunt for Bigfoot, and so much more when iCarly: iSpace Out lands on DVD Aug. 31^st, 2010 for the suggested retail price of $16.99.

Nickelodeon’s groundbreaking hit series stars Miranda Cosgroveas Carly, the host of an incredibly popular teen webcast. Year to date, iCarly ranks as television’s number-one program with kids 2-11 and is the first scripted series to incorporate kid-created original content.

Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, iCarly: iSpace Out features six new-to-DVD episodes plus a special “iSpace Out” iTrivia feature, as well as a bonus episode of Victorious.

iCarly: iSpace Out Descriptions:

iSpace Out

An eccentric billionaire asks the iCarly gang to perform the first live web show from outer space and they must go through a series of tests to make sure they’re fit for space travel. Back at the loft, Spencer is visited by a mysterious little girl.

iWas a Pageant Girl

Sam reveals she used to compete in pageants and convinces Carly to compete against her long-time rival in the Miss Teen Seattle pageant.

iEnrage Gibby

When Gibby discovers Freddie and his girlfriend in a compromising position, he vows revenge and challenges Freddie to a fight. Meanwhile, Spencer’s art career really takes off when the local paper incorrectly reports his death.

iFix a Popstar

When Carly, Sam and Freddie agree to make a music video for a pop star who’s trying to make a comeback, they discover that the pop star is out of shape and untalented. Meanwhile, Spencer has trouble dating a woman when he discovers she’s Gibby’s mom.

iWon’t Cancel the Show

When Sam ends up in jail, Carly and Freddie vow that the web show must go on. They try to enlist Spencer’s help at the last minute, but he has a date he can’t cancel.

iBelieve in Bigfoot

Carly believes Bigfoot exists and convinces her friends to embark on a search to prove it.

iCarly: iSpace Out Fast Facts:

RELEASE Date: August 31, 2010

DVD SRP: $16.99

DVD Bonus Features:

“iSpace Out” iTrivia
Bonus episode of Victorious

My thoughts….My kids are a tad young for iCarly but it is a show we allow them to watch. My husband and I actually REALLY like to watch it. So I am naturally happy to be given the chance to review the NEWEST iCarly dvd.

I liked watching the iCarly gang go through tests to go to space. It was very random/strange that Sam used to compete in pageants and that she beat out Leann. I think the best episode was iFix a Popstar. I feel it was relatable to real life, because there are some stars out there that get paid BIG money and they really can’t sing or dance.

All in all I really liked this DVD and so did my kids, especially my daughter. She was very curious about BigFoot, but I told her it wasn’t real.

Follow Nickelodeon & Nick JR on Twitter for the latest DVD news, release information, title announcements and enter-to-win contests!

I received a free copy of the dvd to write my review and I have NOT been compensated in any other way. This post was written with MY opinion ONLY. Thank you!

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