Review and Giveaway: "Bandwagon" from Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights

To keep your summer hopping with fun, sing-along-able songs, Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights have just the thing. This new album, "Bandwagon" is a complete summer vacation.

"Are We There Yet?" is exactly as it seems, the song of the backseat on a long trip. "Canon Song" would be a great way to pass the time (and teach some music) on a car trip. "I Love New York" is your family's tour guide of the big city (your kids will surely be itching to explore, as are mine now.) "Family Tree", a pensive ballad and perhaps my favourite song in the album for it's tender meaning, reminds of the importance of family reunions and all those get-togethers with relatives. "Helmet" represents those endless summer days of feats of strength from the perspective of loving your body and wanting to protect it -- a good balance for daredevils. "Use Your Words" is a helpful guide for navigating frustrating situations. "Little Cloud" and "UFO", both very different songs, encapsulate the endless possibilities of a summer's afternoon. Each day ends with the fatigued child fighting sleep with "Bed." Never far from the summer fun is the excitement of going "Back to School" guaranteed to get anyone excited about crunchy leaves and freshly sharpened pencils -- be sure to catch the Ferris Bueller reference just for parents! Of course, "Fallin'" is also a great hommage to the bookend of summer, reminding us not to be sad when the days cool and the leaves fall because there is so much possibility in autumn as well.

No summer would be complete without friends, and Joanie has some friends on this bandwagon of fun just waiting for you. Listen for Justin Lansing (of the Okee Dokee Brothers,) Dean Jones, Jonatha Brooke, and Rachel Loshak. She's got a great rock voice with fun rhythms and I'm willing to bet your children won't be able to sit still while listening or stop humming when the music is over. Mine weren't. Come on! Get your summer started and jump on the bandwagon already!



THE GIVEAWAY:
One lucky reader will win a copy of "Bandwagon" US and Canadian residents only, please. ~enter after the jump!~ Disclosure: I received this album free of charge. This has in no way affected my opinion. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words. ***Be sure to check the sidebar for additional giveaways that may interest you!***

Review and Giveaway: Rwandan Basket from All Across Africa

Sometimes things just speak to you, you know? I was in Costco with my family when I passed a road show kiosk of Rwandan Baskets. It wasn't a good time for me to explore the wares, as Costco with the kids is an affair that requires my full attention. I couldn't get the baskets out of my mind, however, and days later I did a quick search to see if I could find them online.

Not only did I find them, at All Across Africa, but what I found made me like them even more! Handmade my local artisans, All Across Africa seeks to improve the lives of women by giving them meaningful work and a fair wage.

I was sent the 12" fruit bowl with the blue unity design: a three-lined pattern which symbolizes the three ethnic groups of Rwanda (Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa) united as one, working together to heal the wounds of their genocidal past. The symbolism is as touching as the bowl is beautiful. This bowl is an emblem of reconciliation, of forgiveness, and of trust, virtues that any family can appreciate.

It is woven from sisal and sweet grass grown naturally in Rwanda. It is very soft to the touch, I expected the texture to be a bit coarse but it is very smooth. I also expected it to be more lightweight than it is, so I was pleasantly surprised to lift it from the box and discover that it has a solid feel, good structure, and just a hint of heft. It's not a heavy item, but it's sturdier than I expected and that's a great thing. It'll be around for a long time. (As will, I hope, the unity and peace in Rwanada.) Attached to the bowl was a tag with information about the woman who made my bowl.

There is so much horror in this world of ours, but there are many ways we can do good. When I look at this bowl I know that there is a lot of beauty in the world as well, and a lot of good. With items like this basket we can do good and enjoy beauty.


THE GIVEAWAY:
One lucky reader will win a basket just like mine!
US residents only, please.

~enter after the jump!~
Disclosure: I was sent this basket free of charge. This has in no way affected my opinion. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.
***Be sure to check our sidebar for additional giveaways that may interest you!***

Happy Father's Day!

To our own fathers, to the fathers of our children, to all the men in the world who love and nurture and care for children, we wish you all a Happy Father's Day! We salute and respect and support all the honourable men in the world who work to enrich the world by supporting the next generation.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Camp Mama

What do you do in the summertime when all the kids are home? There are summer camps and vacations, certainly, but there are also a lot of budget-friendly options that will also bring your family closer together while creating lasting memories.

The trick is to have a plan. Begin by gathering the family together and brainstorming a list of all the fun things you'd like to do. Include field trips (think: staycation,) gardening, crafts, and more. We've got a few ideas for you to jump start your list.

*  Summer reading programs (every library has one and some of the bookstores do as well, including Barnes and Noble)

* Kids Skate Free Select a rink near you when you sign up and they will send you weekly coupons to print out and redeem. (If you want to give a referrer's email use h j p h i l l [at] y a h o o [dot] c o m and maybe I'll win a door prize, but not pressure, seriously. I just want you all to have fun!)

* Kids Bowl Free (also check with your local bowling alley, if it's not on the list it may have it's own kid's club bowling) Kids Bowl Free is like Kids Skate Free, you select a local alley and receive weekly coupons to redeem. My kids love bowling. (If you want to give a referrer's email use h j p h i l l [at] y a h o o [dot] c o m and maybe I'll win a door prize, but not pressure, seriously. I just want you all to have fun!)

* Atlas Obscura. We've made some really great finds across the country thanks to this ever-growing compendium, which we always consult before going anywhere new.

* U-Pick farms and farmer's markets are a great way to get your children interacting with healthier food and thinking about food sources.

* Make a water park in your backyard if you can't make it to the pool. Go old school like our mother's did and break out the oscillating sprinkler.

* Be a tourist in your hometown and visit the sights like you've never seen before. Also check your local zoos and museums, many of them may have a free day or a half-price day, or a group discount if you round up some of your friends. Don't forget to check in with your parks and rec department for parks, pools, and community events!

Please join us, friends, in making the summer of 2013 the Best Summer Yet.

What did I miss? Tell us in the comments what you love to do in the summer with your kids.

Review and Giveaway: Bejeweled Frenzy

Summer is the season I hibernate. When the temps get high I hide. In order to avoid full-blown chaos we need good, constructive activities, and games top the list. The summer is when family game night becomes a daily afternoon activity. I love family games. I love how conducive games are to conversation and bonding. We were really excited when we found out that Bejeweled is now a board game: Bejeweled Frenzy.

One of your favourite online games is now an interactive family board game. I was skeptical at first, unsure how it would translate, but when our review copy arrived we cleared the floor of lego and immediately sat down to play.

It is listed for ages 8+ but once my 6-year old learned the rules he not only figured out what was going on, but he won. (and won, and won.) Using cards you create groups of three, collapse them and build a stack. At the end of the game you count up your cards, add in your boost gems, and the person with the most points win.

One of the things I like best about this game is that there's nothing secret. You don't have the hassle of keeping your cards hidden. It involves luck and strategy, that's all. It's a very straightforward game and my kids have loved playing it repeatedly. This is definitely something my kids will be playing for a long time.

Playing games together as a family is a great tradition that'll help keep your family tight as the children grow and change. What's your favourite family game?

THE GIVEAWAY:
One lucky reader will win Bejeweled Frenzy!
US residents only, please.

~enter after the jump!~ Disclosure: I was sent this game free of charge. This has in no way affected my opinion. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Review and Coupon: ManGrate

My husband loves to grill -- I suspect many of you have a grill (or two) in your life as well.  When we lived in LA we actually had two patio grills: one gas and one charcoal. Now that we have a house we've been able to get a full-sized grill (he chose charcoal) and he looks for any excuse he can to grill.

When we first found out about ManGrate he got the concept immediately, I needed an explanation. Here's my version of what he told me:

The ManGrate is made of cast iron instead of the steel grates on the grill.  When you put the ManGrate on your grill it gets very hot and disperses the heat evenly. Also, as it is cast iron, it develops that great season by absorbing the flavours. Additionally it gives you those tantalizing grill marks on your food that makes you look like an expert chef.

He did a giddy little dance when our ManGrates arrived. (I hope he doesn't mind that I said that!) He was so excited and wanted me to change our weekly menu to fast-track him to the grill.

So I sent him to the store to pick up a piece of red meat that was on sale. He didn't buy anything fancy, he just bought something decent (and inexpensive.) We seasoned the ManGrates and got started. Gimmicky this is not, it really did cook evenly and better than anything we've made before! We were very impressed with how evenly it cooked, the ManGrate really distributed the heat. It put a perfect sear on the steak and those great-looking grill marks. The steak looked better, and tasted better, than anything we'd grilled before. It combined all the benefits of cooking with a cast-iron skillet with all the benefits of grilling.

I, not much of a carnivore, actually preferred my steak to the other offerings on my plate -- I've never said that before in my life! We are fans for life.  This is a must-have for any griller and would make a perfect Father's Day gift. Making it an even better gift is the coupon offer below:

THE COUPON:
Each reader can get one free ManGrate and pay only shipping! Coupon code: CB2013
One coupon per customer, please.

Disclosure: I was sent this product free of charge. This has in no way affected my opinion. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Cate & Levi Shark and Guppy Slippers

Ohmycuteness!
Guess what I found when I opened my email?

image provided by Cate and Levi

Cate and Levi have created the most adorable slippers and they will be sold exclusively at Uncommon Goods. Available in baby guppy, baby shark, toddler shark, and adult shark, these upcycled creations are a perfect addition to the Cate and Levi collection.

Who says staying home all day in your pajamas is boring?


Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. (I would not decline compensation if offered.) This is not a review. The opinions presented in this post are mine.

Review and Coupon: Bagable

Even if you haven't heard of Bagable before, chances are pretty good you could guess that Bagable is where you buy all things bags. Purses, backpacks, messenger bags, luggage, you name it, they've got it all together in one convenient store with all the major brands. Some of their brands include Paul Frank, Hello Kitty, Eastpak, Fiorelli, Visconti, and so many more! Bagable ships all over the world and I can testify that they ship quickly!

Bagable sent me the Dakine Campus 33L backpack for review. It arrived quickly; I was surprised as I expected post from the UK to the US to require a little patience on my part. My husband opened the package as I was making supper and before I had set my hands upon the bag I had already heard, "This is nice. This is really nice. Oh this'll be great for traveling with the laptop, great for the airplane. Oh! this is the one with the insulated cooler pocket. That's very cool."

He's not wrong. It's a really great backpack. With a cushioned compartment for a 15" laptop it's an essential for any student or any traveller. The straps are cushioned which is very nice because we tend to pack our bags full when traveling and I hate when the straps dig into my shoulders. (The moral of the story is not to pack our bags lighter, it's to use better bags, like this one.) There are outer mesh pockets on both sides for drinks or snacks and there is ample room on the inside for all your needs. This is definitely a backpack that will get years of service from our family, and we know we can trust Dakine products to live up to their Hawaiian name and be "the best."

Bagable is easy to navigate, sort, and make your selection, and shipping is fast and universal. Whether you're looking for a summer travel bag, a school bag, or a brand new purse, there's surely something at Bagable to suit your needs (or wants.) If you shop this summer we can help you get 10% off!




THE COUPON:
All summer long Cherry Blossoms {The Blog} readers can get 10% off their purchase at Bagable! Just enter coupon code: cherry

Disclosure: I was sent an item free of charge. This has in no way affected my opinion. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Review: Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care

  

 If you have been a long time reader of Cherry Blossoms {the blog} you will know that I am a clean freak. Well, currently we are in the process of moving across the state and my house is not in the usual 'tip-top' shape I like it in. I was super excited when I received a sample of Soft Scrubs BRAND NEW 4-in-1 Toilet Care to review. 

I know it may sound silly that I was excited to review a toilet cleaner-but hey-anything that makes my house cleaner and my life a bit easier sounds perfect to me! Since I haven't had time to clean my bathrooms as much as I normally like :gasp: Soft Scrub has literally saved my butt. It has kept my toilet looking clean for the last week and it makes me feel a bit better that if someone stops by that at least my toilet is clean! 

What makes Soft Scrub® 4-in-1 Toilet Care different? Unlike other toilet bowl rim hangers that don't stay in place or that dissolve too quickly, NEW Soft Scrub® 4-in-1 Toilet Care provides long lasting cleaning and freshening thanks to its unique design and advanced formula.

Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care is applied to the rim of your toilet-and lasts up to four weeks. No need to scrub anything! Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care prevents future buildup and prevents the dreaded 'toilet ring.' 

Disclosure: I was sent this item free of charge thanks to Purex Insiders This has in no way affected my opinion. This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

Review and Giveaway: "Deep Sea Diver" by Recess Monkey

No one does a theme album like Recess Monkey.  We still regularly listen to last year's album, "In Tents" and this year's new album "Deep Sea Diver" lives up to the impressive legacy of Recess Monkey.

There is nothing tired or mundane in this album, and there is nothing that feels forced to fit the theme. The variety of songs in style and concept keeps it lively and moving and sometimes the unifying theme is nothing more than a homophone. I love that it keeps you thinking, and keeps the kids thinking, too.

Climb aboard the submarine of fun! It's fun and quirky. It's upbeat and clever. True to form these schoolteachers haven't forgotten a minute of what it's like to be a kid. "Shrimp" is the one my children asked for repeatedly, even before we had completed the album. The song recalls the pain of being called short and enunciates the perks for being happy with whatever size you are. "Seagulls" always makes them pontificate what if there was a seagull in our backyard -- in Dallas? I can't pick a favourite this week but if pressed I would probably say that Funky Cheetah and Doctor Robot make me grin like crazy every time I hear "Walkie Talkies." I cannot get enough of the funk or the promise of a dance party. I'll be right over!

The album releases next week but you can preorder it on the website. While you're there, check out the lyrics to all of the songs. It's not the same thing as listening to those amazingly talented musicians, but it'll get your toes in the water and get you excited for open swim.

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader will win "Deep Sea Diver" on CD!

US and Canadian residents

~enter after the jump!~

Disclosure:

I was sent this album free of charge.

This has in no way affected my opinion.

This review is my opinion and has been written in my own words.

***Be sure to check our sidebar for additional giveaways that may interest you!***