Rave and Review

Travel Light with the QuickSmart Line {The Backpack Stroller Review}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 29

The holidays are right around the corner, and for most of us that means traveling.  We all know that traveling with young kids has its own unique challenges and considerations, most of which are even more prevalent in the busy, over-crowded, and over-packed holiday season.  The biggest challenge for parents of young kids is how to offer the comforts of home without compromising mobility... and that’s where QuickSmart comes in.

I remember the first major trip with our daughter as an infant was an exercise in patience.  From a Tetris-style packing of our sedan with a stroller, playpen, and all her other assorted gear, to realizing that we really, really should have brought the high chair, we definitely learned a lot about how not to travel with an infant.  Since traveling is a big part of our lives, I knew we needed to come up with a solution that would allow us to continue to explore as a family and enjoy a life on the go.

If I had been able to purchase every single one of QuickSmart’s amazing products back then, I would have done so happily.  Specifically, I would have gladly traded the 40 pound pack n’ play for the 3-in-1 Travel Bassinet {which is a changing mat, structured sleeper and shoulder bag packed into one}, and traded wrestling with a sweet potato-covered toddler in my lap for the Easy Fold High Chair {which folds down to a height of 9” with the tray attached}.  Both of these would have made traveling with a tot so much easier and fun that we just might have done it more. 

I’ve talked before about the utter amazement I felt playing with all the QuickSmart gear at the Funtastic booth during the ABC Kids Show in September and how I truly felt like I was seeing the future of baby gear, but nothing can compare to actually test driving them with little ones.  In our rigorous test driving the QuickSmart Backpack Stroller with both a young toddler and a preschooler, I quickly realized how ingenious the design really is. 

Not only it is the only stroller that fits inside a backpack, it’s also a great, compact stroller for quick and easy trips just about anywhere.  Since my son has gotten so heavy I’m not able to carry him for long periods of time anymore and unfortunately I require strollers to get around on a daily basis.  This isn’t a problem if we’re just exploring around town, but the problem comes when we need to transport the stroller along with other gear or we end up at a less-than stroller-friendly location.  While the QuickSmart Backpack stroller won't replace your big and bulky "everyday stroller" with all the fancy cupholders and storage compartments, it truly is the best travel stroller ever made. 

This holiday season has convinced me that having a super compact QuickSmart stroller might just be the best thing that ever happened to our on-the-go lifestyle.  In the overcrowded Seattle downtown and the last-minute mall shoppers, the QuickSmart backpack stroller pretty much saved my sanity.  Being able to have a compact stroller capable of navigating the crowds and the narrow aisles has made it possible for us to get out as a family and enjoy the magic of the season. 

Instead of feeling like I was constantly in the way of others or feeling like there were certain areas I would never be able to get close to because I wasn’t able to fit the stroller, the QuickSmart takes up no more of a footprint than a standing adult does.  Once we laid down the ground rules that all long-legged toddler feet had to be resting on the footrest at all times lest we come to a complete halt, we were ready for a day filled with crowds, holiday excitement, and some really un-stroller friendly areas we don't ususally get to explore. 

I love that I can easily slip right through aisleways and doorways and get right where I need to be with the QuickSmart backpack Stroller, whether that’s in a long line or it’s strolling around on crowded sidewalks.  Having the whole wheel area of the stroller open and unobstructed also adds to this feeling of nimble-ness and makes it my top pick for small areas and lots of people.  Not feeling like I was going to run over toes or into walls made the crowd not bother me a bit, and we were all able to enjoy the last few days of all the beautiful decorations and lights of our beautiful city. 

As well as getting around town and mall effortlessly, the truly amazing thing is that after we’re all worn out and ready to go home, we can still all fit in the car, even after making a few purchases.  I’ve talked before about my compact sedan and how hard it can be to get all of us and our gear back and forth, but what most people don’t realize is how many times we can be holding that perfect gift in our hands and have to put it back on the shelf instead of purchasing because we simply cannot fit it in the car unless we go back home, drop off the stroller, and try and reclaim some of our trunk space.  Calling this a pain doesn’t even begin to describe how frustrating this can be – especially when you can’t get back to purchase in a reasonable amount of time. 

However, with the QuickSmart Backpack Stroller, we still have so much trunk space available that we could fit every single present under our tree in our car with us and still have space for the QuickSmart ScrambleBug Ride-On Toy we reviewed earlier this year.  Even if we found the perfect gift that took up the whole trunk, we could still easily fit the Backpack Stroller in the backseat of our car, in between the two kids’ massive car seats, or in a real bind, it could ride in the passenger seat with me. 

While the QuickSmart Backpack Stroller has been simply amazing around town, I can only imagine how awesome it will be on our next family plane ride.  We found out the hard way on our way to BlogHer that airlines don’t accept any liability at all for damaging your stroller – whether you check at the counter or at the gate – and unfortunately have a ruined stroller to prove it.  The airline’s suggestion to us: If we have to bring a stroller we should drive next time.  My suggestion: Get the QuickSmart Backpack Stroller, the only stroller that can fit in the overhead compartment on an airline.  If that’s not truly brilliant, I don’t know what is.   

Here's why you need the QuickSmart Backpack Stroller:

• Lightweight: Weighs only 11 lb in its backpack
• IT FITS IN A BACKPACK!
• Has a 45lb weight limit, which is on the higher end of most strollers and well into the preschool years for most children
• 5 point safety harness
• 1 position recline
• Retractable hood for shade
• Aluminum and steel frame that is tough, yet lightweight

Find out more about their gear, how to use it, and why it is awe-inspiring on QuickSmart’s YouTube channel.  To purchase from the line, check out the QuickSmart's products on Amazon.com or BabyAge.com to get the most up to date prices as well as the fastest shipping.  Be sure to check out QuickSmart on Facebook and Twitter as well to keep up on all their amazing products!

Original Christmas Classics come to DVD {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 28

Nothing gets you in the spirit of Christmas quite like watching some holiday movies, whether it’s classics from your youth or new adaptations of well-loved stories.  When I think of holiday classics, the first thing that comes to mind is the animated and stop-motion movies I grew up watching about Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, and the Abominable Snowman.

Since we don’t watch much TV anymore at our house, I was hoping I could eventually find these movies of my youth on DVD so I could share them with my kids.  Of course I was thrilled when I saw that they were going to be re-released in Blu-ray just in time for Christmas so we could enjoy them together as a family.  Just one look at the front cover of The Original Christmas Classics Blu-ray box set and I'm immediately taken back to childhood when my sister and I would wait all year for the movies to start playing on our favorite TV station.

This family-friendly box set contains four of the most beloved holiday TV specials of all time that you are sure to remember, including the Rankin/Bass classics “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Frosty Returns.”  If you're like me, you don't think the holiday season is the same without these holiday classics to kick off the magical season when snowmen sing and every kid waits up to see Santa. 

This year we were even more excited when the old classics I loved as a child were joined by a new title that we could all enjoy together for the first time.  This year I was also thrilled to add to our holiday movie list with the VeggieTales The Little Drummer Boy movie.  I personally love The Little Drummer Boy story and adore Veggie Tales so I was already certain I would love it, but wasn’t so sure how well it would go over with the entire family. 

Once VeggieTales The Little Drummer Boy started and we got all settled with our popcorn and drinks, the kids sat transfixed.  It was only 5 or so minutes in when my daughter turned to me and said “I’m in heaven watching this with you”.  Seriously, if that doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will.  

Like all VeggieTales movies, The Little Drummer Boy is an all-veggie cast of characters who have wit and wisdom to spare.  In this remake of the holiday classic, Junior Asparagus stars as The Little Drummer Boy, a lonely and heartbroken child who finds the true meaning of Christmas when he stumbles upon the birth of the baby Jesus.  My daughter epecially liked the songs and the energy in this film, and even though the subject can be a little serious with the underlying story of the Romans and poverty it still manages to have a message of hope and love.

Whether you are reminiscing about Christmas past and signing along with your holiday favorites or you are enjoying a whole new take on a classic story, curling up with the family and having a movie night. 

The Original Christmas Classics box set retails for $44.95 and VeggieTales The Little Drummer Boy will be available wherever DVDs and Blu-rays are sold, including on Amazon.com where you can get it in time for Christmas!

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win both DVD titles!

To Enter: Let me know what you how you kick off the holidays

And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Post on your Facebook wall about the giveaway {http://t.co/Lhq5kzHk} and tag and R&R on Facebook

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1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

The holidays are even more merry w/ great classic Christmas movies. Hoping I #win the DVD #giveaway from @RaveAndReview http://t.co/Lhq5kzHk

2 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On December 26th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. US and Canadian addresses only.

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Candie who said: I love to kick off the holiday by setting up my tree.  Thank you!

The DVDs for review and the giveaway were offered at no charge to us but all opinions remain 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

BigJigs Wooden Trains and Railways {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 27

There are certain toys that every young child needs, regardless of gender.  On the top of that list, of course, is a wooden train track.  Maybe this is why wooden train sets still remain one of the most classic Christmas gifts of all time, and are sure to be delighting children of all ages this year.  There’s just something special about using your imagination to build your own train and then zooming down the tracks you’ve designed - over bridges, under overpasses, and coming to rest at their destination. 

For 25 years BigJigs has been famous for their amazing train sets in Europe and now they are bringing that expertise to the States just in time for the holidays.  If you haven’t been introduced to BigJigs before, you will definitely want to check out their amazing line of wooden heirloom quality toys and playsets, starting with the two we reviewed this holiday season, the Polar Glacier Playset and the Rose Cottage Doll House.  Whether you have a little world explorer or you have a castle or doll enthusiast, there is something wonderful waiting for you at BigJigs.

And, their wooden train collection is definitely amazing.  One look at the extensive BigJigs Rail collection and I’m sure will be blown away as I was.  From train stations, mountains, and suspension bridges all the way to specialty cars, engines, sheds, personalized trains and more, BigJigs truly does have it all to create your own mini metropolis. We got to check out two pieces in the BigJigs Railway line these past few weeks, the Princess Train and 20 piece My First Train Set, and both of these are simply exquisite. 

As with almost all of BigJigs products, their My First Train Set delivers a fun toy that has exceptional quality and beautiful design, as well as one of my favorite features – their products are sold as sets with all the pieces included that you need to kickstart the fun.  In the case of the 20 piece My First Train Set, I was thrilled to find that it comes complete with a small circular track, two houses, some trees, and a 3 car train, which is perfect for my son’s age and stage.

The Princess Train is a four piece princess carriage themed train set that is perfect for the girly-girl train enthusiast, which I think is pretty awesome since that describes my daughter perfectly.  This is a great add-on piece since it is compatible with all wooden railways and adds a great feminine touch to any train set.

These past few months have been all about BigJigs at our house and it’s clear there’s no end in sight.  With a BigJigs Doll House and the BigJigs My First Train Set and Princess Train to be opened on Christmas morning, you can imagine what kind of amazement and excitement will be sure to follow.  I’m not preparing myself for a fun holiday, I am preparing for an epic morning that will culminate in each child meeting their perfect toy match. 

My son who loves anything with wheels is going to be over-the-top excited about his first train set and my daughter is going to love being able to play right beside him.  Just picturing them playing together makes me wish Christmas morning was here now.  To say that the BigJigs Railway playsets are going to be well-loved is an understatement; they are going to be the start of my little engineers learning about gravity and cause and effect, using their imaginations to build, and discovering how things go.  What could be more magical than that?

While not every BigJigs heritage playset has made it to the States yet, you can still find a good selection at Maukilo.com that would make any playroom substantially more fun.

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $25 gift certificate for BigJigs Toys to spend at Maukilo.com

To Enter: Let me know what BigJigs set you have your eye on {Click link to see Maukilo's selection of BigJig Toys}

And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Like Maukilo Toys on Facebook

1 Extra Entry - Post on your Facebook wall about the giveaway {http://t.co/pz8dFxBe} and tag Maukilo Toys and R&R on Facebook

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Dying to #win the BigJigs wooden toys GC #giveaway from @Maukilo and @RaveAndReview. Love the wooden train set! http://t.co/pz8dFxBe

2 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On January 18th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. 

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

26 Ryanac32 said... RSS feed

A big thank you to BigJigs for sending the trainsets for review and for Maukilo.com for offering the giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Our Christmas Tradition: Steiff Classic & Collectible Plush

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide – Day 26

Even if you don’t know Steiff by name, I can guarantee you that you would recognize them if you saw them.  With their signature yellow “Button in Ear” {or, rather “Knopf im Ohr} tags and their classic good looks, they are the quintessential teddy bear company and the makers of the cutest plush animals ever.   Since 1880, the German company has been a collector’s dream; with yearly specials, limited editions, and one-of-a-kind qualities since they are created mostly by hand, Steiff tend to hold or increase in value each year as well as making for an irresistibly cute collection when displayed. 

I can still very vividly remember the first time I saw a Steiff display case up close and got to see all the amazing detail that goes into each plush animal.  With their classic mohair collection, play collection, baby line, and limited edition sets, it became very clear what all the hype was about.  Even though I was only a teenager, I decided right then and there that if I ever had a child, I would give them a classic Steiff collection.  Years later, I was in a high-end Seattle boutique with a baby on the way and saw that same signature yellow Steiff tag display and was immediately drawn to it. 

I knew my baby needed her own little Steiff animal to love and fell in love with the “big foot” Classic Mohair Teddy in pink for 2008, which would be my daughter’s birth year.  We decided that we would wrap up the small mohair bear for her first Christmas and hopefully begin a life-long tradition.  After she opened that bear on that first magical Christmas as a family of 3, we built a special display shelf in her room for it where we could see it every time we went into the nursery.  Surrounded by all the beautiful and special keepsakes of her first year, the Steiff bear simply looked perfect. 

The pink Mohair Teddy has since been joined by a small collection of the Steiff mini mohair animals we’ve picked up in our travels and gave to our daughter for her first big holidays.  On her birthday we added a miniature brown bear to the collection, on Easter we added the Dossy rabbit, and the next Christmas we added a classic Steiff elephant.  I love that each animal is representative of a certain season or specific time and my daughter loves that they are the perfect size for playing with as well as displaying.

Weeks after my daughter’s second Christmas, we found out we would soon be a family of 4 and we began to collect Steiff for our second child as well.  This included a little cutie for him to come home from the hospital with, a matching light blue “big foot” bear made out of mohair for his first Christmas, and a mini dark brown bear for his birthday.  While he’s still too young to play with his Steiff collection, he enjoys looking at it with us and cuddling with the more child-friendly stuffed animals.

So, now that Christmas is fast approaching again, I’m betting you’ve already figured out we will be continuing the tradition again this year and there will be some new Steiff plush animals under the tree to open.  The only difference is that this year the kids will be giving each other their special Steiff animals.  My daughter will be gifting the Sissi Piglet to her brother and he will giving her the Cappy Frog as her special present. 

With how much my daughter loves everything {and I do mean everything} about the holidays, I was really surprised that her big thing this year is asking how many more days until her brother can open his pig.  Not only did she decide on the special pig for him all on her own, she also made her own wrapping paper and then wrapped it up special for him.  As you can imagine, the excitement has been almost too much to bear as she eagerly awaits Christmas morning when he will open it.  If only she knew that he has also gotten her a Steiff animal of her own, the Cappy Frog, I don’t think I would be able to get anything done all day.

Quite honestly, this is what I am waiting for the most as well.  I love our Christmas traditions we’ve created as a family and to me Steiff animals under the tree is one of the most important.  Even though this year we are branching out and not getting Steiff mohair animals for the display shelf, I’m excited about them having special Steiff animals they can play with that were special presents from each other.  With the perfect mix of cuteness and realism that makes Steiff animals unlike mass-produced stuffed animals, I know both the Sissi Pig and the Cappy Frog will become fast friends for life. 

If you haven’t already found the Steiff website, I would highly recommend checking it out.  I had fun perusing the online catalogue and looking up all the little Steiff friends we’ve acquired throughout the years {as well as creating a wishlist for future holidays}.  Since we’re starting a collection for both kids, I love that I could find out more about the animals we own and was happy to note that a good portion of our collection has a specific release date listed which corresponds with the year we purchased it.  As we get more Steiff friends it will make it a lot easier to remember when we bought each one throughout the decades. 

If you’re looking to expand or start a Steiff collection, you should start your browsing at http://www.steiffusa.com/. To find a retailer near you, you can check out the Steiff Store Locator here - I will warn you that this is by no means a full list of retailers, since numerous stores near me carry the Steiff animals but only 5 come up on this list for the entire state of Washington.  You will typically find Steiff animals in high end retail shops and boutiques, but a large selection can even be found at FAO Schwartz and other big retailers as well as online. 

A big thank you to Steiff for sending some adorable plush animals this holiday season.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review - we simply adore Steiff and hope you do, too!

Build Anything With Roylco Straws and Connectors {Review, Giveaway & Discount Code}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide – Day 25

All of us at Rave Central are big builders.  We’ve often said that the only thing better than using your imagination to build whatever inspires you is building your masterpiece and then playing in the structure you’ve just created.  While up until now we’ve used furniture and bed sheets to make our life-size creations, now we’ve got a better way utilizing Roylco Straws and Connectors, an easy way to make your creations into play structures.

So, how much fun is it?  Our 400 piece package of Roylco Straws and Connectors had literally been in our house 15 minutes and we already had a house and car built using nothing but straws, connectors, and our imaginations.  Even though the pieces were built from uniform straws and connector pieces, I was simply amazed at how easy it was to make them into recognizable shapes of all kinds. 

Even better for creating masterpieces with your Straws and Connectors is the fact that the straws are bendable, able to be cut, and folded completely in half if you would like.  This allows you to make curved pieces, abstract shapes, and smaller designs easily using the same pieces you would use for the larger and geometric designs.  While we didn’t create any permanent bends in the pieces or cut them, I did utilize a nice curved “canopy” for our coupe and windshield and it worked out nicely.

Since the Straws and Connectors arrived at our house, we’ve been playing with them quite a bit and seeing how creative we can get as a family.  We love that we can make just about anything we can dream up, and we also love that the fun only gets more intense after we’re done building and the imaginative play starts.  And, since we are so big on forts, I am really excited that we could still easily throw a bed sheet on the top of a sturdy little structure and it would become an enclosed play space that the kids could design and play with. 

If you have a budding architect, inventor, or simply loves to use their imaginations, Roylco would be a huge hit for the holidays.  From creating play areas like spaceships, boats, and houses  to learning about math and science using a fun and captivating toy, you really can’t go wrong with a set of Straws and Connectors.  Just be prepared ahead of time that you may have as much fun as the little ones!

Bonus: Roylco is also offering a 20% coupon off Straws and Connectors now thru December 20th on their website, www.roylco.com, using coupon code STRWS20.

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Roylco Straws and Connectors 400 piece set!

To Enter: Let me know what other Roylco product you love

And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Like Roylco on Facebook

1 Extra Entry - Post on your Facebook wall about the giveaway {http://t.co/G8pE0vkO } and tag Roylco and R&R on Facebook

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Just dreaming of the fort I would build with @Roylco Straws and Connectors if I #win the #giveaway from @RaveAndReview http://t.co/G8pE0vkO

2 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On January 10th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US and Canada.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

#149 Rosey said...I am an e-mail subscriber.

This review & giveaway was made possible by the awesome Family Review Network.  A big thank you to Roylco for sending the Straws and Connectors for review and for offering the giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Corolle Dolls Wows this Holiday Season

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 24

When I was young, my mother and I bonded over dolls.  Whereas I liked reading, arts and crafts and cooking, my mother preferred dancing, music, and writing.  However, we both liked dolls.  I think this is a big part of the reason that every year when I was growing up there was a doll or doll accessory under the tree waiting for me, whether it was homemade or store bought.  Now with a daughter of my own, I am completely thrilled that she adores dolls as much as I once did and am really excited that dolls are something she and I can bond over like my mother and I did all those years ago.

Every year when Christmas rolls around, I think of the magic of finding something from Corolle dolls under the tree and I can’t help but get excited.  I used to dream about what doll or accessory I might find waiting for me and now I get just as excited planning what my daughter will find.  I can’t help but think that this must have been how my mom felt all those years ago and I feel like in some ways we bond all over again as I tell her which doll or accessory we’ll be opening on Christmas morning. 

In looking through the Corolle catalog over the past year, there are some amazing “Wow” presents that would be perfect under the tree this year:

The Corolle three-wheeled jogging stroller.  My daughter has had doll strollers before, but nothing like the Corolle Jogging Stroller.  As soon as she saw it, she squealed with delight and kept exclaiming that it was “just like Mama’s”.  As soon as it was put together, she grabbed onto it and began to run.  And run… and run. 

Anyone who knows my daughter just re-read that past line, because they have probably never, ever seen her run.  Even though she’s incredibly strong, she’s really not naturally athletic and prefers to walk, spin, and skip over jogging any day.  But, once she held onto the Corolle Jogging Stroller, she took off and ran for an amazing 1.7 miles.  Yes, you read that right.  It turns out, my daughter just needed to be motivated by Corolle Dolls in order to enjoy running!  Another “first” with Corolle Dolls!

The Corolle Coquette Blonde.  Speaking of firsts, my daughter is *almost* ready for a doll with hair, which means I will finally be able to get her one of the Miss Corolle dolls I love.  If you’ve got an older girl, I would highly recommend checking out the Miss Corolle line {as well as the Les Cheries line} that are perfect for your growing Corolle fan.  Just think of the hours your daughter would spend brushing and styling the hair of her Corolle and dressing her for school, riding lessons, and a wintery walk. 

The Corolle Cradle.  Quite possibly the cutest doll bed ever, the Corolle Cradle in soft pink is perfect for putting your baby down for a long winter’s nap.  You may remember that a Corolle Doll Bed was our “wow” Christmas present two years ago, and even after 24 months it is still one of the most beloved toys in our house.  When it’s not beautifully storing her Corolle collection, it is set up for her beloved Cora doll {the Bebe Do} with its classic Corolle floral print bedding.

The Corolle Bebe Amour.  This is my daughter’s newest addition to her doll collection.  Her Bebe Amour is named after her, tucked in with her nearly every night, constantly using my son's high chair/bouncy seat/swing, and is lovingly dressed in my daughter’s 3 month old clothing each day.  The size of a real 3 month old baby, the Bebe Amour would be the perfect gift for a new big sister, an older girl who loves baby dolls, and a great way to make your Corolle collection grow with your child.  And, doesn't my little girl look thrilled with her new best friend?

The Corolle Navy Blue & Pink Carriage. When talking “wow” gifts, you would be remiss not to mention the classic Corolle Carriage.  Is there anything more precious than a girl pushing a carriage with a beloved doll?  The Navy Blue & Pink Carriage is the epitome of the classic carriage and would wow just about any girl, regardless of age.  Maybe that's why this classic ride has been top of most little girl’s lists for years. 

The Corolle Bebe Charmeur.  I’ve seen the Corolle Dolls Facebook page discussions and hands-down the crowd goes wild for the Bebe Charmeur every year around the holidays.  If you are looking for the classic Corolle Doll, you don’t need to look any further than this little beauty.  A friend recently opened one of these classic baby dolls for her 2nd birthday and you would not believe the reaction from the party guests as they took turns carrying the baby, still in the box, around lovingly.  Can’t you just picture her leaning against the fireplace or displayed in the Corolle Cradle on Christmas morning?

As you can see from our list, Corolle has classic dolls for every age and stage, and any of their extensive line would be sure to wow this holiday season.  The Corolle brand is amazing in that it provides decades of open-ended and creative play for your little one with its dolls and accessories that grow with your child.  Even as their interests and abilities change, it ensures that whatever doll you choose can be a life-long friend. 

For more WOW gifts, visit corolle.com and take a look at all the goregousness that your little one could open on the big day!

A big thank you to Corolle for sending the jogging stroller for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

BigJigs Rose Cottage Wooden Dollhouse {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 23

While I didn’t want for much growing up with 4 siblings and built-in best friends, I always thought there was a void in my life that a doll house would have fit perfectly.  I wanted a doll house so much, in fact, that I made my own: first out of cardboard, tape, and glue, and then, with my grandpa’s help, I eventually made a wooden one out of scrap pieces in his workshop.  As you can imagine, these weren’t exactly the houses I had envisioned and I always swore that if I had a little girl, I would make sure that she had her own doll house to play with.

As fate would have it, I did have that daughter, and as luck would have it, she also adores dollhouses.  Thank goodness I found BigJigs Rose Cottage in time to make my promise to myself come true.  Like everything from BigJigs, the Rose Cottage is simply adorable and exactly what childhood memories are made of.  Just picture for a minute the cutest starter dollhouse imaginable and that’s exactly what the Rose Cottage looks like. 

Besides being the dollhouse of my childhood dreams, the Rose Cottage is also extremely practical.  For one thing, it comes with all the furniture and people you need to get started!  For all those parents out there who have put together the doll house, the kitchen, or the playset the night before Christmas only to find that there’s nothing to actually play with, you will understand how important this is.  There’s really nothing worse than an exciting toy that can’t be played with, and BigJigs understands that it’s the accessories that make play fun.

And, you should see all the numerous amazing accessories that the Rose Cottage comes with!  It has an entire house full of furniture, small appliances, and décor just waiting to be moved into any of the adorably painted rooms of the Rose Cottage.  Once the furniture is in place, all that’s left is moving in the family of 4, their dog and cat, and inviting the grandparents over for a visit. 

The second thing we love about the Rose Cottage is the clever design that allows for easy and fast setup, and the fact that it can come apart for storage.  Since each of the pieces connect like a big puzzle that fit together perfectly, putting it together is actually quite fun and something that only takes a few minutes.  But, my favorite thing about the design is the fact that the house has a front to it that can be shut when the dollhouse is not being played with.  This means all those little pieces that have a tendency to migrate out of the house stay put, and it also means that clean up simply involves shutting the front of the house and all you see is the adorably painted front with windows that open and close.

Quite honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything but perfection from BigJigs after seeing some of their extensive line recently.  They truly are one of those companies that understand that toys should be well designed, durable, and adorable.   Maybe that’s why for 25 years BigJigs has been inspiring imaginations with their truly amazing products in Europe and why they are in high demand everywhere they sell.  I really couldn’t be more excited that they have brought their innovation to the States, and just in time for the holidays, too. 

Be sure to check out the entire BigJigs line of heirloom quality toys to find something perfect for every kid on your list.  From castles to trains and tracks, there’s a playset for any interest and any age, including over a dozen that I would love to play with.  While not every BigJigs heritage item has made it to the States yet, you can still find a good selection at Maukilo.com that would make any playroom substantially more fun.

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $25 gift certificate for BigJigs Toys to spend at Maukilo.com

To Enter: Let me know what BigJigs set you have your eye on {Click link to see Maukilo's selection of BigJig Toys}

And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Like Maukilo Toys on Facebook

1 Extra Entry - Post on your Facebook wall about the giveaway {http://t.co/pz8dFxBe} and tag Maukilo Toys and R&R on Facebook

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Dying to #win the BigJigs wooden toys GC #giveaway from @Maukilo and @RaveAndReview. Love the BigJigs Rose Cottage! http://t.co/pz8dFxBe

2 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On January 18th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. 

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: ryanac32!

A big thank you to BigJigs for sending the Rose Cottage for review and for Maukilo.com for offering the giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Something About Silver Hand Stamped Jewelry {Review, Giveaway & Coupon Code}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 22

Everyone close to me knows I’m a huge sucker for handmade, especially when we’re talking about jewelry.  I love the imperfections and character of items created by hand and I love that each purchase has a unique story behind it.  This, of course, means that I was enthralled with the Something About Silver website upon first glance.  They literally had everything I was dreaming of that I hadn’t found in stores near me and I was blown away by cuteness overload. 

As a mom, I can’t think of anything more special than handmade jewelry celebrating my kids, so I loved window shopping at the site and taking in all that cuteness.  Whether you are creating a custom jewelry piece from their extensive catalog of charms, tags, and baubles or you are buying a pre-designed piece that is ready for shipping, you are creating a silver keepsake sure to be cherished.

While I simply adore their bracelets, rings, ornaments, and charms, my favorite pieces are their hand stamped silver necklaces that I feel should be part of every girl’s jewelry box.  With stacked pieces, brag tags, wax seals, charm necklaces and more all personalized with initials, names, dates and even birthstones, their silver necklaces are the perfect gift for any woman in your life.  No matter what design you choose, you can be sure that it is destined to become the most beloved piece in her collection. 

We got to review the Little Petals hand stamped silver necklace this past month and I love it so much that it hasn’t been taken off since it arrived in its gorgeous linen packaging.  I’ve gotten so many compliments on the necklace and everyone has been raving about how unique and fun it is with its dainty flower shaped tag paired with a small circular tag.  I personally love the concave design of the charms which adds some dimension and interest as well as the dual shapes that make it unlike any other personalized pieces I have seen before. 

The Little Petals necklace is both fun and feminine at the same time, and I love that it goes with absolutely everything in my wardrobe.  Thank goodness it is so well made with rounded edges, smooth stamping, and gentle concave design that all make it completely comfortable for all day wear.  Unlike other necklaces I own that pinch, pull, or don’t lay quite right, the Little Petals necklace from Something About Silver is just perfect and I don’t even notice I’m wearing it until I get yet another compliment. 

But, not only do I love the beautiful and quality pieces you can find at Something About Silver, I also love that their designs are also completely affordable on any budget.  Whether you want to design a Mother’s Necklace, a family tree set, or you want to mix and match their various designs to create a one-of-a-kind custom piece, Something About Silver is the perfect place to really get creative.

If you’re looking for a personalized present for you or for a special someone, you should definitely check out Something About Silver and create a completely personal gift that is sure to wow.  While it’s too late to create a custom piece before the holidays, you can still order their other gorgeous pieces that are in stock and send them with rush shipping to make it here in time.  Or, better yet, create a little card that tells your recipient that you would like to design a custom piece from Something About Silver with them – that way you can be sure you get the exact right keepsake they've been dreaming of.  Bonus: use coupon code "raveandreview" for 10% off your jewelry and keepsake order when you do start creating!

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $40 gift certificate to Something About Silver!

To Enter: Let me know what you would most like to create in their extensive catalog

And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Sign up for the Something About Silver Newsletter {left sidebar of website, half way down you will see the link to sign up}

1 Extra Entry - Like Something About Silver on Facebook

1 Extra Entry - Post on your Facebook wall about the giveaway {http://t.co/feih7EZ1 } and tag Something About Silver and R&R on Facebook

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Dreaming of personalized keepsake jewelry this year. Would love to #win @SASJewelry GC #giveaway from @RaveAndReview http://t.co/feih7EZ1

2 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On January 15th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. 

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: #38 kjasus said... i tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/raggammuffin/status/148027542857723904

A big thank you to Something About Silver for offering the giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Discover the True Spirit of Christmas with World Vision {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 21

Are you looking for a holiday present that really touches on the spirit of the season?  World Vision gives you a way for you to surprise everyone on your list with something more than just a present to open on Christmas Day.  By purchasing a two-for-one gift from World Vision, it’s a way to give back and make a real impact in the world but still give the recipient something fun to open as well.

One look through their catalog of gifts and you will find toys, jewelry, holiday items and more to choose from for that special someone.  Whether it’s an acquaintance you don’t know very well, your husband who has it all, or it’s your brand new baby nephew, there’s so many ways to show your recipient how much they mean to you while still maintaining the spirit of giving this Christmas. 

We got a chance to hang the World Vision handmade Zakale wire and bead ornament set on our Christmas tree this year and I couldn’t be more excited.  Besides the fact that they are really festive and fun, I love that they are the ornaments are handmade from recycled materials by a group of Kenyan artisans reclaiming their lives from poverty.  My sister did a mission trip in Kenya when I was young and I remember as a young girl looking through all her beautiful pictures of all the amazing people and places that changed her life and dreaming of one day making it there myself.

As great of gift selection as the World Vision holiday gift catalog has, there are also numerous options for that person who truly does have everything and would rather their gift go entirely towards those who need it most.  Whether you choose a goat and chickens {a goat! For Christmas!} or money for clean water, you know that your contribution will not only make your recipient happy when they open your card telling them how they donated, it will also be fun for you as well.  Who doesn’t want to say you got someone a goat for Christmas?

Want another option to really wow someone this holiday season?  Why not sponsor a child in their name!  What an awesome way to really make a difference and share your love with someone thousands of miles away.  World Vision makes it easy to set up your sponsorship, learn about the child you are helping, and develop a relationship with them.  Besides being an amazing way to give to someone in need, I am excited about what an awesome learning experience it would be for small children to learn about people and cultures from around the world and feel a bond with someone they have never met. 

To learn more about World Vision and how they make a difference in the lives of children and families living in poverty in the U.S. and around the world, please visit http://www.worldvision.org/.  You can also see some amazing ways World Vision is giving back by visiting "The True Spirit of Christmas Tour" Facebook page.

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a handmade ornament set from World Vision!

To Enter: Let me know what you would most like to give from the World Vision Holiday Gift Catalog this year.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Like the True Spirit of Christmas on Facebook

1 Extra Entry - Post on your Facebook wall about the giveaway {http://t.co/amzS84KQ} and tag the True Spirit of Christmas and R&R on Facebook

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Give while giving back with the @WorldVisionUSA Holiday Gift Catalog. Enter to #win from @RaveAndReview http://t.co/amzS84KQ #giveaway

2 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On December 16th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. 

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: #46 Erin E who said: Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=160547150713704&id=100000503974042 (Tagged both)

A big thank you to World Vision for offering the giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Personal Creations Holiday Decor {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 20

If you haven’t noticed, Christmas is a big deal here at Rave Central. Whether it’s decorating the tree, baking Christmas cookies, or holiday crafts, if it has to do with Christmas, we love it. This means that we’re always on the lookout for Christmas decorations to add to our collection and make the holidays extra merry and bright.

In my never-ending search for holiday décor, I ran across Personal Creations a few months ago and was in holiday heaven. Whether you are shopping for personalized Christmas ornaments, stockings, or holiday gifts, Personal Creations really does have it all. Immediately, I found something I wanted, something I needed, and something I would love to wrap up for someone special.

Every December when I was growing up our fireplace was the center of our decorating. I vividly remember our long line of 7 stocking holders down the mantle, each holding our stockings and I knew that’s what I wanted to eventually do for my kids as well. But, since our fireplace does not have a mantle, I was debating what I wanted to with our new handmade personalized Christmas stockings so we could still display them in a festive and fun way.

Thank goodness Personal Creations had the perfect solution that was quickly added to my list of holiday must-haves.  The answer for my dilemma was simple but actually quite ingenious and still very festive-looking. The Metal Stocking Holder with 3 holders from Personal Creations is a stand-alone stocking holder that allows you to display your stockings beautifully, even without a mantle.

When the Metal Stocking Holder arrived, I took one look in the box at the beautiful, yet heavy-duty, construction and was so excited that I just had to put it together immediately. Luckily, putting it together was quick and easy, just a matter of screwing down four inch tubes to the base and then slipping the personalized picture frame stocking holders in and it was ready for display. Once it was together, I was simply in love. At 35” wide and 40” high and with beautiful design throughout, it is a nice and impressive once put together and has made our mantle-less house a positive instead of a negative.

Some really cool things about the screw in design that I hadn’t realized while looking at the website: the base is entirely flat and able to be stored easily, there is a little bit of give to the design and the holders themselves aren’t prone to bending if bumped into accidentally or if the stockings are overfilled, as well as the design makes it easy to place the picture frame holders in correctly since they aren’t directly screwed into the base itself. Some of the reviews on the Personalized Creations site made it seem as if the holders were “wobbly” and I was a bit worried about quality, but one look at how it is constructed and I was incredibly relieved. While the removable frame holders are able to move in the base slightly for function’s sake and to prevent injury to the core if bumped, the design is really quite brilliant and I would describe it as anything but “wobbly”.

Another bonus of the design that I hadn’t realized was that the Metal Stocking Holder is expandable. The base itself comes with 3 holders, but then you can just buy more holders as you need them. To get the look pictured here, we got 2 more frame holders and added them to the base. Now that we’ve added our stockings and displayed it in front of the tree we’ve gotten so many compliments on the piece both from visitors as well as online when I posted a picture of it to my social media page, and the general consensus is that it is a beautiful piece that really makes our space come together. If you think it’s cute now, just think of how gorgeous it will look when we get our Christmas pictures back and I am able to fill the frames on the stocking holders to personalize them!

Even though I would eventually like to move the Metal Stocking Holder to the fireplace at some point to really make my dream of stockings hanging by the fire a reality, this spot in front of the tree was chosen in part as a third line of defense in preventing a 13 month old from having access to the tree, the ornaments, and everything below… and it has worked beautifully. To me, it was a better option that not being able to decorate at all with a curious toddler, and makes the fact that half of our tree is a little bare feel more put together.

From how much we absolutely love the Metal Stocking Holder, I know I will be returning to Personal Creations again and again as we finish collecting all the holiday decorations I would eventually like for our home. For instance, the buy one get one free stocking and ornament set for $19.99 that I just saw advertised on TV from Personal Creations. I went to the website and clicked on the “Hear about us on TV?” star and then went to the special link to see the deal. Based on what I have heard about their gorgeous stockings and ornaments, I wasn’t really surprised that I saw 471 positive reviews listed!

 

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $50 Gift Code to Personal Creations!

To Enter: Visit the Personal Creations site and tell me what you would spend your gift card on

And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Like Personal Creations on Facebook {BONUS: you can get a 20% off coupon simply by liking them!}

1 Extra Entry - Post on your Facebook wall about the giveaway {http://t.co/ps3agMqU} and tag Personal Creations and R&R on Facebook

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Don't you love Personalized Creations? I am entering to #win the awesome #giveaway from @RaveAndReview and @PCGifts! http://t.co/ps3agMqU

2 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On December 16th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. 

This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: #116 Denise S said...I like the Star Stepping Stones.

A big thank you to Personalized Creations for providing the Metal Stocking Holder as well as the giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.