All of us here at The Bragging
Mommy wish you a very Merry Christmas!
We will return with more fabulous reviews
and giveaways in January.
Be sure to enter all our Open Giveaways
while we are away.
War Horse Film Review~ In Theaters Christmas Day!!
“Set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, War Horse begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets-British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter-before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land. The First World War is experienced through the journey of this horse-an odyssey of joy and sorrow, passionate friendship and high adventure.”
Ever since I saw its first trailer, I have been very excited to see War Horse. I am a big fan of Steven Spielberg films. I had hope that this movie would be fabulous. After viewing War Horse, it definitely lived up to my expectations.
The acting in this movie was excellent. I liked that there were not ‘big name’ actors. 
My favorite was Jeremy Irvine’s performance of Albert. Through the whole movie, you are hoping that someday, he and his horse will be reunited. This and the other performances really help the audience to connect with the horse, Joey, in this movie. Without this connection, the movie would be a failure. This is not the case with this film. By the end, I had a connection with Joey as much as I had with the human characters in the film.
I will admit that sometimes this film is hard to watch. It really r
eminds people how horrible World War 1 really was. There is a great deal of violence in it. It was not necessarily the war violence that was difficult to watch because I was expecting it. What was hard to watch is that many horses are injured or killed during battles re-enacted in the film. For me, these were the most intense moments.
Overall, this movie was a beautiful and inspiring film to watch. Spielberg once again has done a fabulous job. I would not expect anything less from him. If you are looking for a great movie to see this Holiday season, War Horse is one that should not be missed. I hope to see it winning some awards in the next couple of months!
War Horse gets bragging rights!
War Horse is rated PG-13 and opens in theaters on Sunday, December 25th. For more information about the film, you can visit the movie’s official website.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Step2 Grand Balcony Dollhouse Review
“This beautiful Grand Balcony Dollhouse has an open-back design giving children easy access to three spacious floors, allowing multi-child play. Dolls are welcomed onto a large front porch with an overlooking grand terrace.”
- Molded-in staircase leads to the second floor
- Third level provides additional play space and is complete with a balcony
- Sized to fit any fashion doll up to 12" high
- Minimal adult assembly required
- Fashion dolls and furniture not included
- Made in USA
When I was a little girl I loved playing with my Barbie dolls. I had a ton of them and a lot of clothes and accessories. But what stands out most in my mind was my dollhouse that I used to play with them. I had so much fun playing with my dolls in my dollhouse. Fond memories. That is why I think every little girl should have a dollhouse. So as I looked into dollhouses, I came across this Step2 Three Story Deluxe Dollhouse with Balcony. I immediately knew it was perfect.
We own many Step2 products and they are all wonderful. Step2 to me means quality toys that are durable and made to last. That is why I think this dollhouse is perfect. It’s sturdy and durable so you can give it to a toddler and she will be able to play with it well into her childhood. I like that it is really easy to assemble and only took us about 15 minutes total. The size of this dollhouse is great. It is nice and big so more than one child can play at the same time. But it is still lightweight enough that I can easily move it around if I need to. I love the pink and white colors, so feminine and adorable!
This is a great quality dollhouse that every girl would love to have! I highly recommend it as I know it will last for years and years.
This dollhouse is sure to MAKE Christmas morning for your little girl!
You can purchase the dollhouse at Step.com or in stores where Step2 products are sold.
Step2 Grand Balcony Dollhouse gets Bragging Rights!
Need Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas? Go with Gift Cards!
I don’t know about you but I love receiving gift cards as gifts. My favorite thing about them is that I can buy what I want, rather than receiving a gift I don’t want or won’t use. That is why I usually give gift cards as gifts. Mainly at Christmas time but also for birthdays and thank you gifts. I just love knowing that the person receiving it will not only love it, but will be able to get something they want or need with. Or if it’s a gift card to a movie theater or a restaurant, that they will have a great night out. A great idea is dinner and a movie as a gift. Everyone can appreciate a night out, especially parents 
I like to give gift cards for dinner and a movie to my family members when they watch Bug for me.
Since I love giving and receiving gift cards I thought I would share some fun ways that I like to get creative in gift card giving.
In Stockings: I like to put gift cards into stockings since it is a happy little surprise while the kids or my hubby are looking through their stockings. The popular gift cards for the kids are iTunes and Build-A-Bear, Toys R Us, they love getting those gift cards.
Inside a bag or box of candy: I love this because they will think they got a little treat from you, when there is more inside! So fun to see their reaction.
Wrap it up big: Sometimes gift cards can be an obvious gift due to their size, so it is fun to wrap them up in a larger box so the recipient won’t have a clue it’s a gift card. This is especially fun for the person who specifically asked for a gift card. They will think you didn’t listen to their request, when really you did and your just messing with them a little 
Place it on the tree: This is always fun because they usually don’t get noticed here. I usually have to point it out, and say “what is that on the tree?” making it a fun last gift on Christmas morning.
No matter how you wrap it up or give it to the recipient, they will be thrilled to get a gift card. Have you ever heard someone who received a gift card say “I’m taking this gift card back” or “I didn’t get what I wanted”. Nope. That is because everyone loves receiving gift cards. There is nothing better than being able to choose your own present.
Here are a few great ways gift cards can help you:
- Save at the pump – Consumers can earn significant fuel discounts when buying gift cards in grocery stores nationwide through fuel savings programs.
- Earn rewards – Many grocery stores offer rewards on your next shopping trip when purchasing gift cards.
- Save time – one of the most precious savings of all is your time. Gift cards are available at your grocery store offering a one-stop shopping experience with hundreds of top brands all in one place.
Join the Gift Cards Rock community on Facebook to learn about great gift cards deals, share exciting gift card tips and keep your eye out for amazing giveaways! Gift Cards Rock is an online community for people who love to give and receive gift cards.
Follow @GiftCardsRock on Twitter and the #GiftCardsRock hashtag for exciting gift card information.
*I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Gift Cards Rock blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
A Must See Family Movie ~ The Adventures of Tintin 3D Movie Review ~ Now In Theaters!
“Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures Present a 3D Motion Capture Film The Adventures of Tintin directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Steven Moffat and Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish. Starring Jamie Bell as Tintin, the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure, and Daniel Craig as the nefarious Red Rackham.”
The previews for The Adventures of Tintin looked exciting and we couldn’t wait to see it. My husband, myself, 12 year old C, and Bug went to see it at an advanced screening. The kids were beyond thrilled. Then when we arrived and found out it was in 3D they were even more excited.
12 year old C’s review:
“I thought The Adventures of Tintin was a great movie with a lot of action mystery and a really cute dog. The 3D was really great, you should see it in 3D. My favorite part was when snowy tripped over the box and then the guys trip. I laughed a lot and thought the detectives were really funny, they are not very smart and it’s funny to watch. I really liked the motorcycle part where they are riding down the hill through the town. It was awesome! It was a 10/10 movie for me. Actually the best movie EVER!”
4 year old Bug’s review:
“I love it. I like when he says “Nobody takes my ship”. I like when they swing the car around, it’s cool. I like when they fight. I like the pirate ship parts. I liked wearing glasses at the movie (referring to the 3D glasses). I liked eating popcorn while I watched the movie. I really want to buy it when it comes out.”
Both kids loved the movie. My 4 year old was glued and watched the whole movie, which is a big deal for him. My husband and I also really enjoyed the film. We both agree that the 3D and animation is AMAZING! There were times when it looked so real to me that I actually forgot that it was animated. They looked like real people. I was in awe because of this. It is the BEST 3D and animated film I have ever seen. It was packed with action and adventure as well as had a good story line that keeps your interest the whole time. This is the must see family film of the year. In fact I say it’s the best animated film of 2011, hands down. If you see any movie this over the holiday break make sure it’s The Adventures of Tintin. And be sure to see it in 3D, it’s incredible.
Rated PG. For more info visit: www.tintin.com
The Adventures of Tintin gets Bragging Rights!
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Simon Flash Game Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]
“It’s four SIMON games in one! The WONDER-LINK technology lets the cubes know where you shuffle them, when you win and what you scored. The yellow game is SIMON Lights Off: Can you quickly line up the cubes in just the right order to turn off all the lights? The red game is SIMON Shuffle: When the cube colors scramble, can you line them up in their original order? The blue game is SIMON Secret Color: There’s only one order that will show the same color on all four cubes. How fast can you unlock the code? The green game is SIMON Classic: Stop shuffling. Start 
pressing! Can you remember and repeat a longer and longer sequence of colors? Challenge your friends or tune up your skills on your own!”
Includes 4 electronic cubes, game case, rules and quick-play card.
Includes 8 “AAA” batteries.
For 1 or more players.
Ages 8 and up. 
We love playing games at our house and try to play as a family as much as we can. So we get excited about new Hasbro game releases. The most recent we got to test out is the new Simon Flash Game. It has cubes (similar to Scrabble Flash) that you line up to play 4 different versions of the Simon game. I’m a big Simon fan and have loved playing it since I was a kid. So it has been a real blast playing 4 different versions of the game. I love that it comes with a case to hold the tiles. It is perfect for to use during the Simon classic game since it keeps all the tiles lined up and you can travel with it. It’s fun that you can play alone or with people. This is a great family game and the perfect last minute Christmas gift idea!
Simon Flash is available online at Hasbro Toy Shop or in stores now!
Simon Flash gets Bragging Rights!
One lucky Bragging Mommy Reader will win a Simon Flash Game!
How to enter: Leave comments below with your qualifying entries. Leave a Separate comment for each entry telling us which you qualify for.
MANDATORY 1st entry- Visit Hasbro Games and tell us another game they have that you want to own.
1st Mandatory Entry must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted
- 3 entries- Like Family Game Night on Facebook.
- 1 entry- Tell us your favorite Game to play with your family.
- 5 entries- Follow BraggingMommy Heidi on Google+.
- 2 entries- Grab The Bragging Mommy button and put it on your blog. Leave a link.
- 1 entry per- Enter another giveaway on our site, tell us which (no limit).
- 1 entry for each- Follow The Bragging Mommy via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, subscribe to emails, subscribe in reader.
- 10 entries- Blog about this giveaway linking to this post. Leave a link.
- 1 entry per day- Tweet this giveaway including a link to this post, & @braggingmommy in your tweet.
You can enter this giveaway until Jan. 3rd @10:00 am MST. The winner will then be chosen at random, verified and contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to email us back and claim the prize, if prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you agree to The Bragging Mommy Full Disclosure. You must be over the age of 18 and live in the Contiguous US to enter.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Protect Your Kids Online Chatman Review
I’m Chatman – your smart and funny friend. Just plug me into your computer and everything you do online becomes more fun! Chat with me and I’ll respond. I can move, talk, and even help you with your homework. We can also play games and watch videos together. I’ll always be there to make you laugh – even when you chat with friends. When you get bored, just go to www.mychatman.com and download more cool personalities, apps, and other cool stuff.
Chatman is the first artificially intelligent friend, designed to make chat sessions, web surfing or gaming more creative and fun. Chatman talks, moves his eyes, hands and ears and has a unique animated LED mouth. Chatman intuitively understands language, context and mood. His personality is so real it feels like he’s alive! Load the amazing feature-packed software, connect Chatman to a USB port and open a whole new dimension of activity as Chatman tells you all about what he can do. A safe friend and companion, Chatman will alert your child when inappropriate or dangerous content is encountered during a chat session.
Getting started is easy! All you need to do is connect Chatman to your USB port and follow the easy steps to install. Once your installation is complete, 
Chatman will introduce himself and ask you a few questions. You can customize your Chatman by choosing a personality and name for him, then view a brief tutorial where you’ll learn how to use Chatman and what you can do with him.
My girls love playing on my computer. As they get older, I am sure they will be 
spending more and more time online. I want to create a safe, but fun internet experience for them, and the Chatman is helping me do just that! Chatman is a really cool little gadget that can do a lot of fun things! For instance, you can chat with Chatman and he will chat back to you! You can customize him (or make it a ‘her’) and choose a name and personality for it. The best part of Chatman is that he will alert my kids when they are encountering dangerous or inappropriate content. I can even customize what Chatman recognizes as inappropriate. It’s a great way to protect your kids online.
Right now, my girls stick to websites that are safe for children their age to use. But as time goes on, they will learn to navigate the web much better and they will probably begin using it to stay connected to friends. That is where I start to get worried and having the Chatman, the online friend for children will be a life-saver for when my girls are tweens! This is definitely a Christmas gift that and child who spends time on the internet needs (and their parents too!). It is perfect friend to help with kids internet safety!
Things that are BRAG WORTHY:
- Customizable
- A safe computer companion
- Understand language, context, and mood
- Chatman listens to chat on social networks and chat software such as Facebook, Skype and MSN Messenger and alerts kids if inappropriate content, such as sex, drugs, and swearing is encountered
- Allows kids to perform safe web searches and alerts if improper searches are requested
- Helps kids keep their calendar and can even wake them up in the morning
- Responds to questions he doesn’t know by automatically running safe web searches
Chatman gets BRAGGING RIGHTS!!
Chatman is available at Toys R Us!!
Visit www.mychatman.com for more information on Chatman. Like Chatman on Facebook for news of special promotions, new product introductions and more.
Tips for Purchasing Women’s Swimwear
Purchasing women’s swimwear is an important decision making process. You want to make sure you get the perfect swimwear for you. Here are my top tips for Purchasing Women’s Swimwear:
1. Get the right fit. Make sure the fit is perfect for your body type. Do you have certain areas you want to hide? Certain areas you want to showcase? Make sure you pick a suit that does that. If you are shopping online make sure you reference the size chart and measure yourself to get the proper fit.
2. I think designer swimsuits are a must. They have such a fabulous look that is unique from the run of the mill suits you will find at chain stores. Yes they may be a little more on the pricey side, but it is worth every penny. Designer suits are not only gorgeous but are generally made from higher quality fabrics that will last longer than a cheap suit. You definitely stand out in a crowd when you have a designer suit.
3. Make sure it’s comfortable. You are going to want swimwear that is comfortable. Even when shopping online you can find out what fabric it is made from and make sure you are getting the right size for you to be comfortable in it.
4. Only get it if you love it. If you are doubting it at all, then you most likely won’t end up wearing it. So only get it if you are 100% in love and have to have it. This will save you from wasting money and energy finding another suit you do love.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Richard Scarry’s Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset with DVD Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]
“Curiosities are everywhere in Busytown! This fun Richard Scarry’s Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset with DVD encourages social interaction between kids as they explore and play in their own Busytown world. This playset is loaded with play features from a drive-through tunnel to a fold-up ladder!”
The Richard Scarry’s Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset with DVD includes:
·A double oval roadway layout
·12 roadway pieces
·Sergeant Murphy figure to patrol traffic
·Hilda Hippo in her classic pencil car
· PLUS a bonus DVD that includes 2 Busytown Mysteries episodes!
Until now Bug has never seen Richard Scarry’s Busytown. The characters are so cute and I remember loving it as a child, but somehow I had neglected to share it with Bug. So it was a lot of fun to receive the town hall playset since it also comes with a DVD. Bug loved the show and immediately became a fan. He has spent hours playing with the town hall playset and is requesting more sets and Busytown toys for Christmas. These Busytown toys are so much fun and a great Christmas gift idea. I recommend starting with the town hall playset since it is so much fun and a must have for the sets!
Visit the new Richard Scarry Facebook page and Like it as well as to purchase the all-new Busytown toys!
Richard Scarry’s Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset gets Bragging Rights!
One lucky Bragging Mommy Reader will win a Richard Scarry’s Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset with DVD!
How to enter: Leave comments below with your qualifying entries. Leave a Separate comment for each entry telling us which you qualify for.
MANDATORY 1st entry- Visit the Busytown Facebook Shop and tell us another toy they have that your child would like (other than the playset mentioned).
1st Mandatory Entry must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted.
- 3 entries- Like Richard Scarrys Busytown on Facebook.
- 2 entries- Grab The Bragging Mommy button and put it on your blog. Leave a link.
- 5 entries- Follow BraggingMommy Heidi on Google+.
- 1 entry for each- Follow The Bragging Mommy via: Facebook, Twitter, subscribe to emails, subscribe in reader.
- 1 entry per day- Mention this giveaway on your Facebook page linking to this post.
- 10 entries- Blog about this giveaway linking to this post. Leave a link.
- 1 entry per day- Tweet this giveaway including a link to this post & @braggingmommy in your tweet.
You can enter this giveaway until Jan. 2nd @10:00 am MST. The winner will then be chosen at random, verified and contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to email us back and claim the prize, if prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you agree to The Bragging Mommy Full Disclosure. You must be over the age of 18 and live in the Contiguous US to enter.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Philips Norelco Vacuum Stubble & Beard Trimmer Pro Review
Perfect Even Stubble
“This powerful stubble and beard trimmer delivers superior trimming performance. The stubble comb has been specifically designed to create the perfect stubble you want. The integrated vacuum system captures hair for a no mess guarantee.”-Norelco
Best performance that feels great
- Contour following comb for a precise and even trim
Brings maximum ease of use
- Maintenance free blades
- Multifunctional display
- Travel Lock
- Vacuum system captures cut hairs for mess-free trimming
Create the look you want
- 18 secured length settings from 1mm up to 18mm
- Stubble comb designed to trim with more precision
Provides optimal power
- Corded and cordless use for maximum power and freedom
- Strong lithium-ion battery for optimal power use
- Turbo power boost button boosts cutting and fan speed
“The stubble comb has been designed for giving more sight while you are trimming as there are no frontal teeth. Moreover, by applying the tip of the trimmer fine contours are possible, by applying the trimmer at different angle on the skin you get more control on individual hair length. This comb is ideal for a perfect stubble or a 5 o’clock shadow where every detail counts.”-Norelco
I am always on the lookout for great gift ideas for my hubby. It is hard to find things for him that he doesn’t already have. I was excited when I was introduced to The Philips Norelco Vacuum Beard and Stubble Trimmer Pro. I love that it has a vacuum which eliminates a lot of mess and clean up. It is kind of like it’s a gift for me as well Although I gave it to him for Christmas early it would make the perfect gift for him! He loves it! He really likes that it is both corded and cordless so he can easily use it either way making it convenient to use. He likes the variety of length settings and finds it easy to use and gets a great trim each time.
This is the perfect gift for the men on your Christmas list this year!
The Norelco Vacuum Beard and Stubble Trimmer Pro gets Bragging Rights!
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Zillionz Real-Money Talking Cash Register Review
“It talks, it counts, it’s the 3 Language Talking Cash Register. It even teaches your child to count in three languages: English, Spanish and French. Use the handheld scanner to read barcode stickers (included) or call up a price check over the loudspeaker microphone. The talking keypad announces your entries and totals while the digital display shows them. The included credit card and play money will help you get started. When you’re tired of play money, use the cash drawer to store real bills and coins!”
Bug loves to play “store” with me so we have been having a lot of fun with his new Zillionz Real-Money Talking Cash Register. Right off we were both impressed by all the fun features. It has a real working calculator that talks as you use it. It is great for helping bug learn his numbers and math problems. The scanner actually scans! It comes with a big sheet of stickers you can put on items (we put them on some of Bug’s toys) and then you can scan them in like they are being purchased. The register will even add all the scans and tell you a total.
It comes with play money and that is what we have been using for now. It is made to fit real money so your kids can store their real money in it. What a fun little bank! It also comes with a plastic credit card and their is a spot to swipe the card and it says “Credit Approved”. Very cute!
Bug’s favorite part of the register is the real working microphone. You push the MIC button and hold it as you speak in the mic. We have lots of fun using this: “Attention shoppers, their is a sale on all toys today.” Bug can’t get enough of it, he thinks it is a blast to use.
Another great feature is the language options for Spanish and French as well as English. This is a great way for Bug to learn numbers in other languages. I also like that the batteries come included, that is nice for a change
This kids cash register toy really makes our time playing “store” much more fun. Bug also enjoys playing with it by himself. This makes a great Christmas gift for kids, I highly recommend it!
Zillionz Real-Money Talking Cash Register gets Bragging Rights!
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Giving Back Through the RAZ “Random Acts of Zhu” Program
I always make a point of teaching Bug to give at Christmas time. Kids especially get caught up in the receiving of gifts and I feel it is so important to teach children that giving is much better than receiving. Each year we do what we can in small ways but we have never had the chance to do something big.
So I was thrilled when I was asked to participate in the RAZ (“Random Acts of Zhu”) Program. It is the 3rd annual – and largest – community service program sponsored by Cepia, LLC the makers of ZhuZhu Pets®.
Last year, Cepia, LLC partnered with 100 bloggers and donated 10,000 toys to kids in need in through their 2010 RAZ program.
I was so excited to be a part of it this year! A couple weeks ago a HUGE shipment of Zhu Zhu pets toys arrived at our house. My son’s eyes lit up and he thought they were for him. I told him right away that their are kids who wouldn’t have a Christmas this year and that we would be giving all of these toys to those kids. I was very happy with his response and his excitement to help other children in need.
We chose to give all of the toys to our local Calvary Christian church so that 
they would be given to the family’s in the church who were in need of help this year for Christmas. Bug helped us with the delivery to the church and he was so happy to know that kids in need would have a great Christmas.
It was great to be able to help by giving kids Christmas and I am so happy Cepia allowed my family to be a part of it.
I encourage you all to give this Christmas season. Even if it’s just a meal to a family in need, or a few gift donations. It will make all the difference for them!
Merry Christmas!
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Picnic Fun Tailgater Picnic Set on Wheels for 4 Review
I have been wanting a great Picnic Tote for a few years now for traveling. We don’t take too many road trips or vacations, but when we do, I like to pack as much of our own food so we don’t have to spend so much money eating out. Now that we have the Picnic fun Tailgater Picnic Set on Wheels for 4, that is going to much easier to do.
“The Picnic Fun website is the ideal location for anyone looking for the best picnic gear available. Here you can get the kinds of baskets, backpacks, and coolers that will keep plenty of food on hand, and in the best conditions possible. You can also find seating, beverage carriers and totes, blankets and mats, tables, portable grills, and so much more!”
I was so excited to choose something from Picnic Fun to review. I knew I wanted a Picnic Tote rather than a basket so that I could wedge it into the middle seat in our car (we like to have our food easily accessible while 
we are traveling 
). I found a lot of different totes that I really loved but ultimately went with the Tailgater Picnic Set on Wheels for 4. It is black, insulated, and made out of sturdy material that will definitely last for years to come. I love that it has a telescopic handle that I can use to wheel into hotel rooms, picnic areas, and anywhere else we decide to go! It also comes with a detachable utensil carrier that includes everything we would need to have a complete meal on the go. I am excited to take this on our next road trip which is coming up very soon.
Picnic Fun has such a great selection of the best picnic gear. Here are only a few products you will find on their website: 
PICNIC BASKETS-There is something extra special about the look of a woven picnic basket, but there is also a tremendous amount of appeal to today’s modern durable fabric baskets too. Fortunately, our large array of picnic baskets makes it easy for anyone to find the perfect choice for their needs.
PICNIC TOTES-What is the difference between a picnic tote and a picnic basket? A lot of people get confused by the terminology, but anything described as totes and bags tends to mean that they are made from soft fabric, feature shoulder straps or handles, and utilize a barrel-like structure. They will never be made from the woven willow that a lot of picnic baskets feature as 
well.
INSULATED COOLERS-Have you ever tried to move a large cooler around on a beach? Have you struggled to move a full cooler while it sits on a grassy area? Traditional rigid coolers have to be much bulkier than seems necessary because of their insulation. They also tend to hold very little except the foods that need to be kept cold, and even then they might smash things together. This is the reason to checkout our incredible array of insulated coolers. They are designed to serve all of your picnicking needs, but they can also be used for a variety of other functions. For 
example, we have personal lunch coolers that will easily transport your daily lunch or meal in a stylish manner, but which will also keep foods at optimal temperatures too. These have exterior pockets that can hold cutlery, napkins, and the foods that don’t need to be contained within the cooler.
Not only does Picnic Fun have everything you need to pack your picnic, they have a great selection of accessories to really make your outing special. I was especially impressed with their picnic tables that actually fold up!! We could definitely use one of those. They also carry portable grills, picnic mats and blankets, picnic chairs, picnic backpacks and more!
Things that are BRAG WORTHY:
- Huge selection
- Something in every price range
- Something to suit every need—from the occasional ‘picnic goer, to the
die hard tailgater! - Find the best picnic gear all in one place
- Makes a great gift for the family who loves taking outings!
Picnic Fun gets BRAGGING RIGHTS!!
Visit Picnic Fun on Facebook & Twitter!! You can also sign up for their newsletter!
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Sign Up for Amazon.com Baby Registry + Britax B-Agile Travel System Giveaway ($399 Value!) [CLOSED]
“According to an Amazon.com study, 75% of baby registry users have at least one online registry. For expecting parents, a number of factors come into play when selecting necessities for the new addition and Amazon offers them all. 
- For first time parents or those unsure on the must-have items, the new Jumpstart Tool will walk you through 15 registry essentials to consider,
showing the most popular items from bottles to swings to car seats.
- For those items you just can’t live without, but can’t find on Amazon, the Amazon registry is a universal registry. When you get the universal “add to registry” button you can add more products to your registry from any website. Now you really can register for practical, must-have items and fun, fanciful gifts all in one place!
- For duplicates and items you just don’t need, Amazon offers Free 365-Day Returns. Just visit the online returns center to get a prepaid mailing label. Eligible baby product(s) in new and unopened condition received within 365 days from date of delivery result in a full refund with no deduction for shipping.”
I am so excited for baby number two to arrive! Since I found out I was pregnant I knew I needed to create an online baby registry but hadn’t done it. Today I decided to register for my baby at Amazon.com and I am loving it! I love how easy the registry is to use. I love that I have my own link to my registry page that I can give out to friends and family. I love Amazon’s low prices so I’m glad my friends and family will be able to save when buying baby gifts for us. It is really cool that I can add items that I can’t find on Amazon through the universal registry option. That is sooooo cool! I am having a great time picking out items for my registry and Amazon makes it really easy with suggestions and guides of what I will need for baby.
If your expecting or know a mom who is I recommend using Amazon.com Baby Registry! Sign up today! It’s the perfect way to tell friends and family what you want for baby this Christmas.
Also, by signing up for a Baby Registry on Amazon and adding 10 items you will be entered into the Amazon Baby Registry Sweepstakes for your chance to win a $500 Amazon.com Gift Card each week!
The Amazon.com Baby Registry gets Bragging Rights!
One lucky Bragging Mommy Reader will win a Britax B-Agile Travel System from Amazon.com! ($399 Value!)
How to enter: Leave comments below with your qualifying entries. Leave a Separate comment for each entry telling us which you qualify for.
MANDATORY 1st entry- Visit Amazon.com and tell us a baby item they have.
1st Mandatory Entry must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted.
- 3 entries- Sign up for a Baby Registry or Wish List on Amazon.com
- 3 entries- “Like” Amazon Mom on Facebook.
- 2 entries- Grab The Bragging Mommy button and put it on your blog. Leave a link.
- 5 entries- Follow BraggingMommy Heidi on Google+.
- 1 entry for each- Follow The Bragging Mommy via: Facebook, Twitter, subscribe to emails, subscribe in reader.
- 1 entry per day- Mention this giveaway on your Facebook page linking to this post.
- 10 entries- Blog about this giveaway linking to this post. Leave a link.
- 1 entry per day- Tweet this giveaway, you can use this:
#Win a B-Agile Travel System #giveaway ($399 Value!) from Amazon & @braggingmommy! / http://tinyurl.com/7ymaq5y / {ends 1/6}
You can enter this giveaway until Jan. 6th @10:00 am MST. The winner will then be chosen at random, verified and contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to email us back and claim the prize, if prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you agree to The Bragging Mommy Full Disclosure. You must be over the age of 18 and live in the Contiguous US to enter. Giveaway items are being provided by Amazon.com.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Caillou Classic 14.5” Doll & Caillou Learning Train Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]
“Caillou is a preschooler who delights in the small wonders of the world around him, embellishing everything he sees with his rich imagination. With a focus on role-playing and make-believe Caillou toys and games help spruce up reality with a healthy dose of imagination so your kids will be inspired to make up adventures of their own.”
Caillou Classic 14.5 inch Doll:
14.5” tall with head, hands and feet made of 
vinyl. Stimulates the imagination and creativity. Participates in the emotional development. Improve sociability and language. Boys and girls alike will enjoy hanging out with their pal, Caillou.
“Little ones will love exploring the many activities featured with the Caillou Learning Train.
Caillou and his little sister Rosie love exploring and learning about the world around them. Now little ones can explore right along with them using the 
Caillou Learning Train. They’ll delight in watching Caillou move up and down as the train rolls when they wind the green key.
·Squeeze the steam to hear it squeak
·Move the colorful bead shapes along the bar
·Move the bell on the detachable train car to hear it ring, and more
·Includes Caillou and Rosie figures”
My 4 year old loves Caillou. He watches the show regularly and was so happy to get his first ever Caillou toys! (the doll and the train mentioned above). He has taken to the doll and even sleeps with it. It is especially fun to see him hold his Caillou doll as he watches the show. He has become fascinated with trains lately so his new Caillou train is perfect for him. It combines a train with one of his favorite characters. He thinks it’s fun to wind the green key and then the train moves. It doesn’t work on our carpet but it works great on our hard flooring. He also really likes that he can ring the bell, and squeak the steam. One thing that is a little annoying is that the heads of the 2 figures come off, it isn’t a big deal since they go right back on. But younger children may loose the heads or get frustrated. Overall we love both of these toys, they are bright and colorful and lots of fun!
These are such cute Caillou toys and make perfect Christmas gifts for your little Caillou fans!
“Like” the Official Caillou Facebook page to purchase the all-new Caillou toys.
Caillou Classic Doll & Learning Train get Bragging Rights!
One lucky Bragging Mommy Reader will win a Caillou Classic 14.5” Doll and a Caillou Learning Train!
How to enter: Leave comments below with your qualifying entries. Leave a Separate comment for each entry telling us which you qualify for.
MANDATORY 1st entry- Visit the Official Caillou Facebook page and tell us another toy they have that your child would like (other than the ones I mentioned).
1st Mandatory Entry must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted.
- 3 entries- Like Caillou on Facebook.
- 2 entries- Grab The Bragging Mommy button and put it on your blog. Leave a link.
- 5 entries- Follow BraggingMommy Heidi on Google+.
- 1 entry for each- Follow The Bragging Mommy via: Facebook, Twitter, subscribe to emails, subscribe in reader.
- 1 entry per day- Mention this giveaway on your Facebook page linking to this post.
- 10 entries- Blog about this giveaway linking to this post. Leave a link.
- 1 entry per day- Tweet this giveaway including a link to this post & @braggingmommy in your tweet.
You can enter this giveaway until Jan. 6th @10:00 am MST. The winner will then be chosen at random, verified and contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to email us back and claim the prize, if prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you agree to The Bragging Mommy Full Disclosure. You must be over the age of 18 and live in the Contiguous US to enter. Sample & Prizing courtesy of Cookie Jar Entertainment.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Think Geek Air Swimmers Flying R/C Sea Life Review
Heeeeeere kitty kitty kitty…
“We’ll admit it. We saw that viral video of the kitty getting spooked by the RC flying shark and we went scrambling to get the digits of the folks who made them. Lo and behold, we found they made a Clownfish too! RC flying sea creatures are perfect for doling out justice to fish-stalking kitties or just scaring the pants off the guy in the next cube over. (If you wear headphones and have your backs to us, you’re just asking to get pranked.)
The AirSwimmers RC flying sea creatures stalk through the air with incredibly
smooth and life-like motion. Fill your AirSwimmer with helium at the nearest party store, florist shop, or grocery store that carries balloons. (Or use the helium tank in your friendly mad scientist’s lab.) The AirSwimmer’s body is made from a high-quality, durable nylon material that will stay inflated for weeks and can be refilled over and over again. Grab the infra-red remote and you can guide the shark or clownfish up, down, and 360 degrees around.”-Think Geek
Product Specifications
- For Ages 3 Years and Up
- RC flying inflatable AirSwimmer toy
- Hours of flying sea creature fun for the whole family
- Durable, high-quality nylon material will stay inflated for weeks
- Simply refill with new helium when the AirSwimmer doesn’t fly anymore
- Remote functions: Climb, descend, and tail fin control for turning
- Range: Up to 40 feet
- Includes Shark or Clownfish and infra-red controller
- Requires 4AAA batteries (not included)
- Requires helium (not included, find it anywhere that sells balloons)
- Length (with tail): 57 inches
- Height (with fins): 36 inches
- Note: Not to be used outdoors
My 4 year old squealed in delight when this package arrived at our house! We are lucky enough to have a relative who has a helium tank in his garage for his business so we took it over to his house and filled it with helium. If you don’t have a relative with helium, just take it to any store that fills balloons. Along with needing helium it also needs 4 AAA batteries so be sure to have those on hand. I chose the Clownfish cause I was a little worried about 4 year old Bug being scared of the shark (letting him watch Soul Surfer with me was probably not the best idea I’ve ever had). Once it was filled I was impressed by the size of the fish, it’s the real deal. Controlling it is a little tricky at first but once you get the hang of it, it’s not to bad. I love it really looks like it is swimming through the air. Super cool! Probably the best thing about it is that the whole family enjoys it and we have all spent time playing with it. Even our dogs are amused/intimidated by it, which is very entertaining I love that it is long lasting, we have had it filled for 2 weeks and it is still floating. Best of all once the helium runs out you can refill it with more. Nice.
This is a must have Christmas gift for your family this year!
You can purchase Air Swimmers and other unique gifts at www.ThinkGeek.com!
Think Geek Air Swimmers get Bragging Rights!
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked ~ See It With Your Kids Today in Theaters
“The vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a remote island. As the ‘Munks and Chipettes try various schemes to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.”
In Theaters Today!
My 4 year old couldn’t wait to see this movie, every time he saw a preview he would say “Mom we have to go see that, it’s coming out”. So it was really fun to take him to see it. He was glued to the movie the entire time. He laughed a lot and LOVED every minute of it. Since seeing it he has asked to go again, and has informed me that he wants it on DVD when it comes out Huge hit with my 4 year old so I know your kids will love it. As for me, I thought this was a really fun and cute kids movie. The music was my favorite. They incorporated a lot of popular music into it and I thought it was really great. In fact it started with singing which is a must for a Chipmunk movie. I appreciated that the running time isn’t too long, it’s about an hour and 20 minutes. I found myself laughing and smiling more then I thought I would. Who doesn’t love these adorable little chipmunks who sing and dance?! It is a good wholesome movie the whole family will enjoy.
I recommend taking your family to see Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked starting today and throughout the holiday break!
This movie is rated G. For more info visit http://www.whereisalvin.com/.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked gets Bragging Rights!
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Film Review~ Opens in Theaters Today
Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large-Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris)-and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder-a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty. The cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead of Holmes as he spins a web of death and destruction-all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history.
I was very excited to see Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. I absolutely loved Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in the last film. I was excited to see what thrilling adventures they would be involved with this time around. I was not disappointed, I loved this movie!
In my opinion, once again, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law make this film. Their chemistry together playing off of each other is exciting and excellent. That is how Holmes and Watson need to be played. They are fabulous together.
Just like the first film, I really like how the filmmakers had slow motion moments to make things more noticeable and make you pay attention. I love how it looks. Also, I really enjoyed the film score by Hans Zimmer. The music once again was its own character in the film. My cousin and I really enjoyed how they had references to the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If you are a fan of the stories, you will have fun picking out the references they have made.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a great movie! I recommend it!
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows gets bragging rights!
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is rated PG-13. It opens in theaters today. For more information about the film, you can visit the film’s Official Website.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Trikke T5 Kids Carving Scooter Review and Kids Jogo Carving Scooter Giveaway [CLOSED]
“Awarded both the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, the T5 helps kids enjoy a really fun, physical activity while building confidence in agility, balance and coordination. The three wheeled design allows kids to feel secure without the fear of falling – whether they are kicking around the neighborhood scooter-style, or propelling via the Trikke fluid carving motion. Performance and fun guaranteed.”-Trikke
My 4 year old really likes riding a scooter around the neighborhood. So I was excited to get the Trikke T5 Kids Carving Scooter for him. Since it has 3 wheels he was confident on it right away. I like that he can ride it like a regular scooter, but it is really cool that he can carve the scooter and ride with both feet up. It took a little while for him to get the motions needed to get the scooter going (a leaning back and forth motion). Watching some YouTube videos on the Trikke Tech YouTube Page helped us to know just how to ride it. But now that he has the hang of it he looks like a little pro! It is actually stinkin’ cute to watch him ride it He does have a little bit harder time going up hill, but I’m sure with time and practice that will improve. The kids in the neighborhood come up to him and say: “What kind of scooter is that? It’s so 
cool!” And they all have to have a turn on it. I like that it has handle bar brakes so he can stop quickly if needed. My son is having a blast with his new scooter and I know come summer I won’t be able to get him off of it.
Things that are Brag Worthy:
- For kids 4-8 years of age
- Durable molded foot platforms, soft foam, colored hand grips
- Adjustable handle bar height
- Dual hand brakes with dual rear wheel braking system.
- Three points of contact for a balanced and stable riding platform
- 5″ Polyurethane Wheels, Durable Steel frame construction
This Scooter is so much fun for kids and the PERFECT Christmas gift! Imagine how their eyes will light up when they see this under the tree!
You can get Free shipping with any order over $300! Visit www.trikke.com to see all Trikke products!
Trikke T5 Kids Carving Scooter gets Bragging Rights!
One lucky Bragging Mommy Reader will win a Blue Trikke Jogo Kids Carving Scooter!
How to enter: Leave comments below with your qualifying entries. Leave a Separate comment for each entry telling us which you qualify for.
MANDATORY 1st entry- Visit Trikke and tell us another item they have besides the ones I mentioned.
1st Mandatory Entry must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted.
- 3 entries- “Like” Trikke on Facebook.
- 3 entries- Follow TrikkeTech on Twitter.
- 3 entries- Subscribe to the TrikkeTech YouTube Channel.
- 2 entries- Grab The Bragging Mommy button and put it on your blog. Leave a link.
- 5 entries- Follow BraggingMommy Heidi on Google+.
- 1 entry for each- Follow The Bragging Mommy via: Facebook, Twitter, subscribe to emails, subscribe in reader.
- 1 entry per day- Mention this giveaway on your Facebook page linking to this post.
- 10 entries- Blog about this giveaway linking to this post. Leave a link.
- 1 entry per day- Tweet this giveaway, you can use this:
#Win a @TrikkeTech Kids Jogo Carving Scooter #giveaway from @braggingmommy! / http://tinyurl.com/848w8os / {ends 1/5}
You can enter this giveaway until Jan. 5th @10:00 am MST. The winner will then be chosen at random, verified and contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to email us back and claim the prize, if prize is not claimed within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. By entering this giveaway you agree to The Bragging Mommy Full Disclosure. You must be over the age of 18 and live in the Contiguous US to enter.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Bright Starts InGenuity Automatic Baby Bouncer Review
“The only bouncer that truly bounces, powered by Hybridrive™ Technology. 
Traditional bouncer seats don’t actually bounce, but the InGenuity™ Automatic Bouncer™ features a unique technology that provides a smooth, consistent bounce that mimics mom’s natural bouncing motion and provides more than 2X the battery life of other bouncer seats.”
I am very picky when it comes to baby bouncers. So I was thrilled when this bouncer passed my every test! I truly love it! I had to assemble it piece by piece but it wasn’t very hard, it comes with good easy to follow directions and only took me about 10 minutes. It requires 3 C batteries that are not included.
Once it was together I admired how cute it is. I love the color scheme and patterns. They aren’t cheesy like some baby items can be and have a 
modern feel which I like to have in my baby stuff. I also like that it is very gender neutral which is perfect since I don’t yet know if I am having a girl or a boy. 
My friend who has a new 4 week old baby came over to visit and we tried out this bouncer with her. I LOVE that the seat doesn’t make baby sit up too much which is a must have if you are going to use it for a newborn. It is a cozy little nest that baby can fit in comfortably from 6 lbs. to 25 lbs. The newborn padding makes it even cozier for a small baby and is removable for an older baby. 
I like that the padding hangs off the frame so baby is sitting on only the padding itself and there are no uncomfortable bars behind her. My friends baby loved the bouncing and fell asleep quickly after being put in it. It is nice that you can adjust the bouncing level for your baby. It has nature sounds and soothing music that is a great addition.
The toy bar is really cute and moves to a lot of different positions so you can have it in front of baby as well as back and out of the way if needed. It is also completely removable.
A couple things to consider, this bouncer doesn’t fold down so it isn’t ideal for traveling with. And the manual says a larger baby might make it so the bouncing feature doesn’t work. For me these aren’t a big deal since the good outweighs them and I will most likely use the bouncing feature most when the baby is newborn.
Things that are Brag Worthy:
- Automatic Bounce that mimics mom’s natural motion
- 3 point safety harness keeps baby secure
- 10 melodies and nature sounds to soothe baby
- Removable toy bar – pivots back for easy access to baby
- Machine washable seat pad, bolster,
and head rest - Integrated, cushioned foot rest and bolster for baby’s comfort
- Hybridrive™ Technology extends battery life so batteries last more than 2X longer
- Non-slip feet
After all of the Holiday planning you may be too pooped to rock baby but the InGenuity Automatic Bouncer mimics mom’s natural bouncing to ensure a break for you and no tears from baby. Powered by Hybridrive™ Technology this bouncer is the only one that truly bounces and is a must-have for surviving the Holidays. It also, makes a great gift for an expectant mom or new baby!
Right now you can Print a coupon for $10 off any Ingenuity Product! (Expires Dec. 31st, 2011). See this bouncer and other Bright Starts Products at www.Brightstarts.com.
Bright Starts Ingenuity Bouncer gets Bragging Rights!
Brag Worthy Christmas- Oliver the Elf Has Been Busy!
Harrison & Ruben have been having so much fun waking up every morning to see what their elf friend Ollie has been up to!
Apparently Oliver wanted to take a joy ride… on Ruben’s birthday balloons! He’s probably not used to birthday balloons up at the North Pole, so wanted to give one a spin… looks like fun, Ollie!
One morning we thought Oliver must have been missing his reindeer friends up north…
And this morning we got a fun Christmas message from Ollie- he’s really become a part of our family!
Parents can purchase a Travel Ticket for an Elf to come visit their children! See all the details at www.elf-magic.com.
Brag Worthy Christmas ~ Kinetic Fountains Review
“Kinetic Fountains is about truly living, experiencing, and enjoying life. Our focus lies in sharing memories and connections with others, as well as enhancing people’s connection with nature. We aim to help you achieve a deeper sense of peace and tranquility through the superior quality fountains, waterfalls and other water features we offer.
We want to share our love of people, nature and life with you through our hand picked products and our unique combination of Southern hospitality, sophisticated design sense and personal dedication to service. Let us bring …waterfalls, rivers and lakes right into your home through our
exquisite water features. Each one of our products has been carefully inspected by our team of product specialists to ensure that it meets our high standards of quality, craftsmanship and aesthetics.”
To be honest with you, I wasn’t quite sure what I would do with a fountain from Kinetic Fountains. It only took me a few minutes to look through their website to realize that I had use for one after all!! In fact, after going through their HUGE selection of fountains (of every kind), I found several that I could see in my future
.
I received the Stacked Rocks Tabletop Fountain from Kinetic Fountains and I have plans to give it as a thank you gift. I think it will look great in an office and create a nice calming atmosphere for everyone that sees (and 
hears) it. There were several other tabletop fountains that would be a great gift for anyone with an office….at home or at work!
I have to say, my all time favorite fountains were the Logo Fountains. In a few years, my husband may own his own dental practice and I totally see one of these fountains in his waiting room!! 
Heaven knows that dental patients need something to calm them before sitting in the dental chair right? What better way to do it than to use the soothing sound of flowing water!! Plus they look so professional. If I have a say in the office décor, we will definitely be getting a Wall Fountain!!
Don’t need an indoor fountain? How about one for your yard or garden. A garden fountain can be an ideal focal point for your garden and you are sure to find one you love with Kinetic Fountains large selection of them!!
Things that are BRAG WORTHY:
- HUGE selection of every type of fountain
- Fountains create a soothing, calming atmosphere
- Custom fountains available
- Easy way to dress up space
- Simple operation
Kinetic Fountains gets BRAGGING RIGHTS!!
Visit them on their Facebook & Twitter. Also sign up for their newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!
