Holiday Gift Guide: Ornaments With Love!

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

It's that time of year again!  Time to start making those holiday gift lists.  Here at ABCD Diaries we'd like to make that process a little less painful:)  We will bringing you our annual Holiday Gift Guide in which we hand pick the coolest gifts for the whole family and everyone else on that gift list this year.  From now until mid-December we will be highlighting these wonderful gifts.

Today, we are bringing you a great personalized gift idea for anyone on your list:

These are by far the best personalized ornaments I have seen!  They have a huge selection of ornaments and more...something for everyone from Grandma to the teacher to the family pet...all your bases are covered!  The artists at Ornaments With Love take such pride in their artistry and it really shows.  Their ornaments are made with love and always turn out wonderfully.  They are very helpful and the shipping is super fast.  Their prices are fantastic too!  Ornaments With Love really can't be beat when it comes to personalized ornaments!     

This was our favorite ornament this year...it's actually a tabletop picture frame that will look great as an addition to the holiday decor...the picture really doesn't do it justice.  It is absolutely gorgeous and sparkly:) A personalized ornament from Ornaments With Love is sure to bring a smile to the face of the recipient.  ABCD Diaries gives Ornaments With Love an A+!

Holiday Gift Guide: Novelty Kitchen Products from Joie Shop!

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

It's that time of year again!  Time to start making those holiday gift lists.  Here at ABCD Diaries we'd like to make that process a little less painful:)  We will bringing you our annual Holiday Gift Guide in which we hand pick the coolest gifts for the whole family and everyone else on that gift list this year.  From now until mid-December we will be highlighting these wonderful gifts.

These novelty kitchen items would be great for pretty much anyone on your list, from the kiddos to the adults!

"Find the peace, joy and love this coming Holiday season with new kitchen solutions! Move over sugar cookies, get sweet and creative this Holidays and have fun fixing your own DIY fruit arrangement that’s edible and made easy with the Flower Power Fruit Vase, shake up some french fries or veggies n’ dip in a French Fry Cone, and keep on time with a Hello Kitty Timer all from JoieShop! Help spread the joy year-round with delightful kitchen housewares to help you create delicious meals, decorate your kitchen and elevate your mood.  Make cooking and entertaining fun for the whole family!

With “Peace”

Flower Power Fruit Vase- Fresh fruit beautifully presented and packaged for gifting, bringing over to your next gathering and also present it as a lovely hostess gift for the Holidays. Put this do-it-yourself from home fruit arrangement together and let it be the conversation piece and centerpiece for your next party. The Flower Power Fruit Vase provides a creative product for children to create with their parents and siblings and enjoy gobbling up fruit shaped flowers with their final project.

Includes- Display Vase, 11 Flower Stems, Decorative Tulip Cutter, Flower Power Decorative Cutter, Decorative Leaf Cutter, and Joie Mini Melon Baller.

The vase base opens for convenient flower stem storage.

En “Joy”

French Fry Cone & Dip

An amazing and fun solution, a french fry cone that’s a fit for any Party. The French Fry Cone & Dip offers a cute gift for the French Fry Lover in your life.  Try making healthy baked or sweet potato French Fries, and for healthier fare - try your families favorite veggies and dip - make eating healthy fun with this simple, but fancy little cone.

In “Love”

Hello Kitty Timer- Every little girl loves this whimsical brand now get ready, get set, the timing is great for stocking stuffer ideas to share, or small gifts to get kids ready to cook this Fall and Winter. This Easy to use timer in the kitchen - keeps track of your cooking for 60 minutes and would be a nice tool to work with kids to teach them learning time increments in a fun way."

What we thought:  We reviewed the Hello Kitty Timer and the Flower Power Fruit Vase and both are perfectly gift-able!  The fruit vase was so easy to use and the end product was gorgeous AND delicious:)  You could use it as a centerpiece at your holiday gathering or as a yummy gift:)  The Hello Kitty would make a great stocking stuffer for the kitty fans out there.  What a cute way to keep time!  ABCD Diaries gives Joie Shop novelty kitchen goodies an A+!

Find these fun gifts at Joie Shop!  

Holiday Gift Guide: Top of the Line Skin Care Products!

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

It's that time of year again!  Time to start making those holiday gift lists.  Here at ABCD Diaries we'd like to make that process a little less painful:)  We will bringing you our annual Holiday Gift Guide in which we hand pick the coolest gifts for the whole family and everyone else on that gift list this year.  From now until mid-December we will be highlighting these wonderful gifts.

These top of the line skin care products would make great gifts for the beauty-conscious recipients on your list: 

ASAP Skin Products Travel Pack: “Australia’s favorite skincare” is making its way to the U.S. market just in time to treat your loved ones to all of the brand’s best-sellers in one Travel Pack. The kit contains three key products to ensure a daily skin care routine can always be played. The Daily Facial Cleanser cleanses the skin gently and deeply of makeup and impurities without drying or irritating the skin. Next, the Daily Exfoliating Facial Scrub – ASAP’s #1 product – provides the ultimate treatment to remove dead skin cells and stimulate cell removal. This trio of skin saviors is completed with the Moisturizing Daily Defense SPF30+, formulated to hydrate the skin and help to improve skin elasticity while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and proving broad spectrum protection. ($79, SkinStore.com)

OROGOLD Travel Daily Essentials Kit: Perfect for the girl on the go who still likes to enjoy the finer things in life, OROGOLD Cosmetics’ Travel Daily Essentials kits contain three of the brand’s fan favorites that use pure 24K gold as a key ingredient. The 24K Deep Day Moisturizer Cream is designed to help reduce the appearance of expression lines, relax wrinkles, and restore softness, smoothness and radiance, using the powerful properties of Gold and Vitamins E and C. The 24K Deep Peeling provides a powerful facial cleanse by removing a thin layer of dry cells to reveal ultra-smooth and youthful skin, and the 24K Cell Renewal Night Cream provides deep moisture and rejuvenates skin with a rich, non-greasy formula that absorbs easily into skin and works overnight to provide a silkier feeling by morning. ($218,OrogoldCosmetics.com)

G.M. Collin introduces the latest anti-aging duo to produce an instant “lifting” effect, while protecting the vulnerable face and neck areas against external stress factors: 3D Visible Lifting Serum & Cream.  Specifically formulated to act on the face and neck, the 3D Visible Lifting Serum & Cream provide an effective solution to improve skin elasticity, firmness, and fullness resulting in a long-lasting lifting effect. Formulated with hyrdating jojoba oil and Vitamin E.

·         Visible Lifting Serum available for $92.00 at Skin1.com and spas nationwide

·         Visible Lifting Cream available for $90.00 at Skin1.com and spas nationwide

Join the sweetriot movement! Life is Short! Make it Sweet!

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

We blogged about sweetriot's delicious chocolates awhile back.  They are now featured on IndieGoGo and could use some help spreading the word so they can reach their goal.

"sweetriot makes the yummy, innovative, healthy, guiltless dark chocolate treats that are creating a movement to make a difference in the lives of farmers, artists, and in the fair trade, organic, healthy eating movement.  

Now sweetriot is working to create a 100 calorie product line and they need our help spreading the word about their IndieGoGo campaign.  Looking to raise $50,000, sweetriot offers their donors an array of yummy gifts, including a year's supply of chocolate, an NYC trip, a trip to the cacao farm, and more!"

So get in on the action and make a donation today!  You snag an awesome gift at every level of donation!

Don't forget with the holidays fast approaching...sweetriot is the perfect size for those stockings!!

Holiday Gift Guide: Thomas & Friends!

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

It's that time of year again!  Time to start making those holiday gift lists.  Here at ABCD Diaries we'd like to make that process a little less painful:)  We will bringing you our annual Holiday Gift Guide in which we hand pick the coolest gifts for the whole family and everyone else on that gift list this year.  From now until mid-December we will be highlighting these wonderful gifts.

Today, we are bringing you a great gift idea for the little ones on your list:  Thomas & Friends playsets, movies and books!

Thomas & Friends® All Around Sodor Interactive Train Set

Fisher-Price

It’s a busy day for Thomas! Thomas travels to three exciting destinations: Brendam

Docks, Tidmouth Sheds, and the Shake Shake Bridge! Thomas has a Go/Stop button

and 2 location buttons. Press a location button on Thomas and he will go directly to

that location on the track. Thomas’ eyes and mouth will move as he talks to his

friends at the locations. Press the Tidmouth button and Thomas will go to Tidmouth

and get his special delivery orders. Press the Cranky button and Thomas will roll to

Cranky. Turn Cranky to load cargo into Thomas’s cargo car. At any time Child can

simply press the go/stop button to let Thomas ride around the track without stopping

at the stations. Thomas will still talk to his friends as he passes by. Works both

on and off the track. Requires 3 “AA” and 3 “AAA” batteries, included.

Age: 18M+

SRP: $44.99

Thomas & Friends®: King of the Railway The Movie

Join Thomas & Friends® as they embark on a legendary movie adventure! The Steam Team’s

quest begins when a special guest arrives on Sodor with a big surprise and important jobs for

Thomas, Percy and James. The engines meet new friends and discover suits of armor; coats of

arms and legends of long-ago heroes. Then their bravery is put to the test when their new

friend Stephen goes missing. Will Thomas find him in time? Will the engines discover the truth

about the Island of Sodor’s biggest mystery? It’s a crusade of knightly proportions for Thomas

& Friends in this epic movie!

Bonus Features include: The Search for the Lost Crown game, It’s Gonna Be a Great Day karaoke

music video, Searching Everywhere karaoke music video, Working Together! karaoke music

video and Guess who? Puzzles.

Ages: 2-5

Blu-Ray+DVD Combo Pack SRP: $24.99

DVD SRP: $19.98

Available: September 17, 2013

What we thought:  A younger train fanatic would really enjoy the All Around Sodor Interactive Train Set with it's easy-to-use features.  Thomas fans of all ages are sure to enjoy the King of the Railway Blu-ray and the fun collection of Thomas books.  Thomas & Friends offers something for every little one on your gift list this year!

ABCD Diaries gives Thomas & Friends an A+!

Just in Time for Halloween: Duck Dynasty Costumes!

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

"According to numerous online sources, including Google and Yahoo!, Duck Dynasty costumes are among the most searched for costumes this Halloween season: http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2299701/Google-Yahoo-Reveal-the-Most-Searched-For-Halloween-Costumes-of-2013.  So, if you're not going as VMA Miley, the Ylvis fox or Daft Punk, you may as well strap on the hat/beard, slide on the camo vest and join Duck Nation!

In their inaugural Halloween season, Willie, Uncle Si and Phil have become best-sellers, not surprising because since its Season Four Premiere this August, DUCK DYNASTY has become the biggest unscripted show in cable history.  Across the country, millions upon millions of viewers tune in each week for the latest exploits of the Robertson Clan and, finally, this Hallow's Eve, fans of the series can walk in their shoes -- almost literally -- with all-new costumes available nationwide.

This Halloween, A+E Networks Consumer Products and In Character Costumes invite trick or treaters to release the quackin' with three all-new, family certified, redneck approved costumes from A&E's record-busting smash series, "Duck Dynasty"! 

The "Willie" and "Phil" adult costumes (one size fits most, ages 14+) includes a special "Duck Dynsty" camouflage vest, a beard and patriotic bandana with an attached wig.  The "Uncle Si" (one size fits most, ages 14+) includes a "Duck Dynasty" camouflage vest and cap with an attached wig, beard and glasses. 

You may not be able to run a bayou-based duck hunting empire, have southern charm or a sharp sense of humor, but this Halloween, you can join the Robertson clan - in costume only - for some down home hijincks! 

The costumes are currently available nationally in stores and online at Party City and Buycostumes.com.  Retail pricing will range from $29.98 to $39.98srp." 

Holiday Gift Guide: Vitamints Make a Great Stocking Stuffer!

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

It's that time of year again!  Time to start making those holiday gift lists.  Here at ABCD Diaries we'd like to make that process a little less painful:)  We will bringing you our annual Holiday Gift Guide in which we hand pick the coolest gifts for the whole family and everyone else on that gift list this year.  From now until mid-December we will be highlighting these wonderful gifts.

To kick off our Holiday Gift Guide this year, we would like to introduce you to Vitamints, a fantastic and inexpensive stocking stuffer everyone can enjoy!

"Goodbye horse pill, hello minty fresh breath. New, first-of-their-kind Vitamints do the duty of your morning vitamin but look and taste like a mint. The new line features five different Vitamints ranging from a multivitamin for women to vitamins that address specific needs such as increased energy or enhanced focus. Vitamints come in portable, easy-to-carry 60-count tins so they can be taken anytime, anywhere."

Variant	Benefits & Uses	Active Ingredients
Immune: Defense against colds*	Vitamints Immune may help serve as a defense against colds by: ·         Maintaining a healthy immune system ·         Tackling cold symptoms	Active ingredients may play a role in*: ·         Vitamin C: maintaining a healthy immune system, acting as an antioxidant and assisting in wound healing ·         Zinc: shortening colds and supporting a healthy immune system helps
Energy: Sustain your Get up and Go*	Vitamints Energy may help: ·         Aid energy production ·         Speed post-exercise recovery	Active ingredients may play a role in*: ·         Co-Enzyme Q10: assisting the body’s energy production mechanisms ·         B Vitamins: stimulating energy production and assisting proper metabolism ·         Vitamin C: providing antioxidants to help hasten recovery after exercise
Focus: For concentration & memory*	Vitamints Focus may help: ·         Maintain normal mental function when fatigued or low in energy ·         Support cognitive functions, such as memory and concentration	Active ingredients may play a role in*: ·         Siberian Ginseng: supporting cognitive functions and maintaining normal mental performance** ·         B Vitamins: regulating mental processes ·         Vitamin C: maintaining mental health ·         Folic Acid: protecting against depressed mood
Calm: De-stress your day*	Vitamints Calm may help: ·         Improve mood ·         Support the body’s stress-coping mechanisms	Active ingredients may play a role in*: ·         Siberian Ginseng: helping the body adapt to challenges, support cognitive functions and maintain normal mental processes ·         B Vitamins: regulating mental processes and, possibly, mood

Multi for Women: Feel bettereveryday*

Vitamints Multi for Womenmay help: Relieve symptoms of tiredness and stress Enhance vitality and wellbeing Support cardiovascular health ·         Maintain a healthy immune system

Active ingredients may play a role in*: ·         B Vitamins: stimulating energy production, assisting proper metabolism, and supporting the immune system ·         Vitamin C: acting as an antioxidant and helping maintain a healthy immune system ·         Vitamin D3: assisting normal calcium absorption to improve bone strength ·         Vitamin K1: improving bone strength ·         Chromium: helping the body maintain normal blood sugar levels and break down protein and fat ·         Folic Acid: helping protect against heart disease ·         Selenium: providing antioxidants to help protect against diseases

Where to Buy: Walgreens nationwide, as of spring 2013

SRP: $4.99 for a pack of 60 Vitamints

What we thought:  These would make a great stocking stuffer for several reasons.  They are inexpensive, there is a mint for everyone on your list and they are a great way to help keep those in your life healthy!  The cute little containers are portable and convenient and each mint delivers not only fresh breath, but vitamins and minerals necessary for building a healthy you!  ABCD Diaries gives Vitamints an A+!

Smiling it Forward with Tylenol!

I have received information and products from McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., the makers of TYLENOL®. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks.

"The makers of TYLENOL® were so inspired by the “feel better” smiles shared organically by moms across the country online that they’ve teamed up with How I Met Your Mother star and mom of two, Alyson Hannigan, to launch the SMILING IT FORWARD™ campaign. Together, they hope to set the power of giving in motion, inviting everyone to share smiles of good health to help children in need.

SMILING IT FORWARD™ makes it easy for people to join the movement. By sharing a photo that makes you smile at SmilingItForward.com, TYLENOL® will make a $1 donation to Children’s Health Fund, helping to ensure a doctor’s visit is always within reach for children in need.

For more than 25 years, Children’s Health Fund, founded by Dr. Irwin Redlener and singer/songwriter Paul Simon, has deployed a fleet of 50 mobile medical clinics to underprivileged neighborhoods across the U.S. bringing high-quality healthcare to thousands of children and families in need."

I’m SMILING IT FORWARD™ because I think it is important for ALL kids to get the healthcare they need no matter where they are or what financial situation their family may be in.  I feel it is our responsibility as a community to support these children.  The SMILING IT FORWARD campaign is an easy way for us all to get involved and help out these children who are in need of good healthcare.  I encourage all of our readers to do your part by visiting SmilingItForward.com, and uploading a picture that makes you smile.  TYLENOL® will make a $1 donation to Children’s Health Fund for each picture.  I bet you can't view the super cute gallery of smiles without grinning yourself:)

Chicken Soup for the Soul Introduces Comfort Foods Line!

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

Chicken Soup for the Soul is excited to announce their new line of comfort foods that recently hit store shelves! We reviewed the Chicken Noodle Soup and the Turkey Gravy.  Both were delicious!  Full of real, homemade flavor, they were the perfect addition to our menu.

The turkey gravy was so yummy over mashed potatoes and roasted turkey breast.  The Chicken Noodle Soup was full of chunks of chicken, hearty noodles and big pieces of veggies...yummo!

ABCD Diaries gives these tasty comfort foods from Chicken Soup for the Soul an A+!

Scholastic Storybook Treasures for Halloween!

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

 "Just in time for Halloween, these new not-so-scary stories-on-DVD arrive from the nationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES™  series, which brings best-selling children's storybooks to life and promotes a love of literature. With faithful adaptations and celebrity narrations, this critically acclaimed DVD series has won hundreds of awards and sold more than 2.5 million videos.
   
THE HALLOWEEN STORIES COLLECTION, VOLUME 2 (SRP $24.95) includes 14 stories perfect for early and pre-readers on All Hallows Eve. Though filled with skeletons, witches and more seasonal spooks, families can encourage creativity and music appreciation with the classic sing-along Dem Bones, learn about Latin American holidays with The Day of the Dead, and delight in the not so spooky-ooky stories of Teeny-Tiny and the Witch-Woman. The three DVDs in this ready-made library of Halloween tales are: 
The Day Of The Dead...And More Halloween Tales - The DVD also includes these animated stories: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything; Kitten's First Full Moon; and Fletcher and the Falling Leaves. 
NOTE: This DVD is also available as a single title ($14.95 SRP).
Dem Bones...And More Sing-Along Stories - The DVD also includes these animated stories: Dinosaur Bones; Hush Little Baby; The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night; and The Erie Canal.
Teeny-Tiny And The Witch-Woman...And More Spooky Stories - The DVD also includes these animated stories: The Boy with Two Shadows; Los Gatos Black on Halloween; What's Under My Bed? and King of the Cats"

What we thought:  What a great way to get the youngest ghosts and goblins into the Halloween spirit without making them scared!  Both kiddos really loved this collection:)  They have requested to watch these cute and sometimes spooky stories over and over.  One of my favorite aspects of the Storybook Treasures DVDs is the read along function.  This really seems to be helping both kiddos with their reading skills.  ABCD Diaries gives this collection from Scholastic Storybook Treasures an A+!



  

Retro "Halloween" Cereal from General Mills! #MyBlogSpark

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

Get ready for Halloween before all the ghosts, goblins, and monsters come to your door with this exclusive offer only at Target! "When you buy three (3) General Mills Monster Cereals in a single shopping trip at Target between October 1 through October 31, 2013, you’ll receive a free Monster Bash Magazine full of recipes, tips and tricks for you to have the creepiest, scariest, spookiest, most fun Halloween ever! And if that’s not enough to get your Halloween howling, Target is going back in time with not only exclusive retro packaging, but also re-introducing two throwback flavors: Fruity Yummy Mummy and Frute Brute!"

Visit GrocerySavvy.com

The kiddos loved these monster-themed cereals!  What a great way to keep the Halloween excitement going all month long:)  The cool, retro boxes have inspired many fun coversations about Halloween's past over the cereal bowl at breakfast time:)  Get your family excited about Halloween and reminiscing about the "good ol' days" with General Mills' Monster Cereals!