Tag Archives: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

Social Couture, Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt Review & Give-Away!!!

My two-year-old son Luke has a love for oven mitts as strange as that may sound.  It all started with a Melissa & Doug red and white checked oven mitt he got in his slice and bake cookie set last Christmas.  He would wear that oven mitt around all the time.  He is such a funny kid.  He has a few others and I knew when I was asked to select something from Social Couture, that he would just love the Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt.  I was not wrong and he could not wait to get it on when I showed it to him.  We do a lot of baking and crafts in our house so this set is so festive and useful around the holidays.  The set is great quality and very nicely detailed.  A set like this makes baking even more fun for kids.

Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt

Social Couture is an on-line store for home decor and entertaining products.  They provide imaginative party decorations and inspired tabletop ideas, so that throwing a festive party needn’t be such a production and an expense for their customers. Their single, pre-packaged goal is to deliver a high quality themed party complete with decorations to centerpieces to napkins & plates in an effort to simplify and elevate their customer’s lives. Social Couture also offers a wide variety of other high end party supply products from dinnerware, glasses, flatware and votives to music and unique entertaining products.  The goal of Social Couture is to be the one stop party store for the modern and upwardly mobile, on-line consumer.

Mommy Ramblings thinks Social Couture is such a great place to shop to help you with your holiday gatherings that we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Great news, Social Couture is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win the same Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt.  Thank you Social Couture for the review Apron & Mitt and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

Social Couture, Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt Set Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Visit Social Couture, and let me know something else you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Social Couture on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Social Couture on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 10th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

Snowman Appetizer PlatesSnowman Napkin Rings


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Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

I have a huge passion for photography.  I have not studied photography in any formal sense and I am mostly self-taught.  I have had the opportunity to learn a lot from great photographers and from books, tutorials, and online resources.  I was recently given the opportunity to review Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  I know through other photography related give-aways here on Mommy Ramblings, that many of you are just getting into photography.  I know using manual setting on your camera can be intimidating for a novice, but if you really want to take your passion to the next level, you need to understand and master manual settings.

Kristen’s book is a very concise spiral bound 17 page guide to understanding why and how to use the manual settings on your camera.  She takes you through the three basic steps to understanding manual settings: determine your ISO, identify your aperture, and adjust your shutter speed.  Through the next few pages of the book, she guides you through the things you need to identify to adjust these settings for the perfect shot.  While you are learning this book is a great resource that you can carry in your camera bag for a refresher any time you need it.  For instance page 6 lists 13 different situations and the ISO that would be best for that shot.  Then she will help you learn to adjust your aperture based on how many people are in the shot.  This is an easy way to understand this setting that can seem confusing when most of the explanations you will find on determining aperture, highlight the size of the lens opening.  Kristen guides you through the aperture settings in an easy to comprehend way and also has a quick guide that you can use while learning.  Last, she tackles how to adjust your shutter speed.  Then there are photo examples of different settings in multiple lighting situations you will encounter.  The visual examples clearly illustrate how the manual settings used produced the photo shown.

I really feel this short book provides the essential keys to determining how to adjust your manual setting in an easy to understand format.  Even the person who has never shot in manual will feel ready to tackle the challenge.  This book makes an excellent stocking stuffer for the aspiring photographer or goes great with a gift of a new DSLR Camera.  Mommy Ramblings is adding this helpful book to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Kristen Duke is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of, “Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  Thank you Kristen Duke for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

“Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Book by Kristen Duke Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Let me know your greatest challenge when shooting in manual.  Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Kristen Duke Photography on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


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Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings

I have a huge passion for photography.  I have not studied photography in any formal sense and I am mostly self-taught.  I have had the opportunity to learn a lot from great photographers and from books, tutorials, and online resources.  I was recently given the opportunity to review Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  I know through other photography related give-aways here on Mommy Ramblings, that many of you are just getting into photography.  I know using manual setting on your camera can be intimidating for a novice, but if you really want to take your passion to the next level, you need to understand and master manual settings.

Kristen’s book is a very concise spiral bound 17 page guide to understanding why and how to use the manual settings on your camera.  She takes you through the three basic steps to understanding manual settings: determine your ISO, identify your aperture, and adjust your shutter speed.  Through the next few pages of the book, she guides you through the things you need to identify to adjust these settings for the perfect shot.  While you are learning this book is a great resource that you can carry in your camera bag for a refresher any time you need it.  For instance page 6 lists 13 different situations and the ISO that would be best for that shot.  Then she will help you learn to adjust your aperture based on how many people are in the shot.  This is an easy way to understand this setting that can seem confusing when most of the explanations you will find on determining aperture, highlight the size of the lens opening.  Kristen guides you through the aperture settings in an easy to comprehend way and also has a quick guide that you can use while learning.  Last, she tackles how to adjust your shutter speed.  Then there are photo examples of different settings in multiple lighting situations you will encounter.  The visual examples clearly illustrate how the manual settings used produced the photo shown.

I really feel this short book provides the essential keys to determining how to adjust your manual setting in an easy to understand format.  Even the person who has never shot in manual will feel ready to tackle the challenge.  This book makes an excellent stocking stuffer for the aspiring photographer or goes great with a gift of a new DSLR Camera.  Mommy Ramblings is adding this helpful book to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Kristen Duke is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of, “Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  Thank you Kristen Duke for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

“Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Book by Kristen Duke Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Let me know your greatest challenge when shooting in manual.  Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Kristen Duke Photography on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings

I have a huge passion for photography.  I have not studied photography in any formal sense and I am mostly self-taught.  I have had the opportunity to learn a lot from great photographers and from books, tutorials, and online resources.  I was recently given the opportunity to review Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  I know through other photography related give-aways here on Mommy Ramblings, that many of you are just getting into photography.  I know using manual setting on your camera can be intimidating for a novice, but if you really want to take your passion to the next level, you need to understand and master manual settings.

Kristen’s book is a very concise spiral bound 17 page guide to understanding why and how to use the manual settings on your camera.  She takes you through the three basic steps to understanding manual settings: determine your ISO, identify your aperture, and adjust your shutter speed.  Through the next few pages of the book, she guides you through the things you need to identify to adjust these settings for the perfect shot.  While you are learning this book is a great resource that you can carry in your camera bag for a refresher any time you need it.  For instance page 6 lists 13 different situations and the ISO that would be best for that shot.  Then she will help you learn to adjust your aperture based on how many people are in the shot.  This is an easy way to understand this setting that can seem confusing when most of the explanations you will find on determining aperture, highlight the size of the lens opening.  Kristen guides you through the aperture settings in an easy to comprehend way and also has a quick guide that you can use while learning.  Last, she tackles how to adjust your shutter speed.  Then there are photo examples of different settings in multiple lighting situations you will encounter.  The visual examples clearly illustrate how the manual settings used produced the photo shown.

I really feel this short book provides the essential keys to determining how to adjust your manual setting in an easy to understand format.  Even the person who has never shot in manual will feel ready to tackle the challenge.  This book makes an excellent stocking stuffer for the aspiring photographer or goes great with a gift of a new DSLR Camera.  Mommy Ramblings is adding this helpful book to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Kristen Duke is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of, “Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  Thank you Kristen Duke for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

“Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Book by Kristen Duke Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Let me know your greatest challenge when shooting in manual.  Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Kristen Duke Photography on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


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Doggone Tags Custom Pet I.D. Tags Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

Looking for something for your furry family members for the holidays?  Let me tell you about a great shop on Etsy that makes custom pet i.d. tags that are unique and gorgeous.  Melissa Gilkey is the owner and artist behind Doggone Tags and she graciously sent me a custom tag for our American Bulldog, Delilah. She put her name on the front and our phone number on the back.  I just received it and it is so nice.  Very high quality and very unique.  Everyone I showed it to loved it and wanted to know where I got it.  If you want a great gift for your pet or a gift for a pet lover then check out Doggone Tags on Etsy.  You will be very glad you did.

Mommy Ramblings thinks Doggone Tags are such a great gift idea for our four legged friends we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!!!

Delilah wanted to sleep on the couch and not model.

I have great news!  Doggone Tags is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win the pet i.d. tag of their choice.  Thank you Doggone Tags for the review tag and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  Open to US and Canadian residents.

Doggone Tags Custom Pet I.D. Tag Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Visit Doggone Tags, and let me a style of tag you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Doggone Tags on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 13th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


313 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Doggone Tags Custom Pet I.D. Tags Review & Give-Away!!!

Looking for something for your furry family members for the holidays?  Let me tell you about a great shop on Etsy that makes custom pet i.d. tags that are unique and gorgeous.  Melissa Gilkey is the owner and artist behind Doggone Tags and she graciously sent me a custom tag for our American Bulldog, Delilah. She put her name on the front and our phone number on the back.  I just received it and it is so nice.  Very high quality and very unique.  Everyone I showed it to loved it and wanted to know where I got it.  If you want a great gift for your pet or a gift for a pet lover then check out Doggone Tags on Etsy.  You will be very glad you did.

Mommy Ramblings thinks Doggone Tags are such a great gift idea for our four legged friends we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!!!

Delilah wanted to sleep on the couch and not model.

I have great news!  Doggone Tags is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win the pet i.d. tag of their choice.  Thank you Doggone Tags for the review tag and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  Open to US and Canadian residents.

Doggone Tags Custom Pet I.D. Tag Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Visit Doggone Tags, and let me a style of tag you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Doggone Tags on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 13th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


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Rock N Learn New Letter Sounds DVD Review, Discount Code & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

I really love the Rock N Learn DVD Series. Recently, I was given the chance to review their brand new version of the Letter Sounds DVD.  My kids love these DVDs so much that as soon as I open them and they see the package, they want me to put it on.  This DVD is great, my 2 year old’s favorite part is when they show the letter, an object that begins with that letter and then show a mouth making the letter sound.  It is so funny he does it right with them.  My four year old loves the game where they put up sentences and you have to pick the letter you hear the most.  He is very proud of himself because he gets them all right.  The DVD is full of games, songs and fun that teach little ones lots of skills they need for reading.  As always I am impressed with everything that is packed in to this great DVD and how much my kids learn from it.

Learning to read is more fun than ever with this new version of Letter Sounds, Rock ‘N Learn’s best-selling DVD video. Engaging characters and more material help kids learn the skills to become competent readers. After a quick review of upper and lowercase letters, young learners practice the most common sound each letter makes. An on-screen mouth shows how to form the sounds.

Excitement builds as kids race the clock to say letter sounds in silly sentences before hearing the answers. Then, learners play several games to solidify their understanding of letter-sound associations that will help them read and spell. Finally, after learning some common sight words, kids feel successful reading complete sentences and short stories.

For over a decade, Letter Sounds DVD video has been one of Rock ‘N Learn’s most successful programs for helping kids learn to read. It’s been used in classrooms all over the world and by millions of kids at home. We love getting testimonials on how our Letter Sounds video has changed lives by helping kids become competent readers and spellers. During this time, we’ve also received wonderful suggestions on how we could make Letter Sounds even better. Plus, we recently hired university professors, graduate students, and reading specialists in classrooms to offer their suggestions on how we could improve this reading video by incorporating the latest research on what helps students learn to read and spell.

With this latest version of our Letter Sounds DVD video, you’ll find totally new animation, fun characters, an improved soundtrack, and additional content to build reading skills. In focus groups where we tested our new content, kids loved watching regardless of whether they were very young (actually below the intended age) or older and had already developed some reading skills. This was not surprising because the material includes games that offer differentiated instruction to meet individual needs at different levels. In other words, students can participate and have fun even if they are at different stages in learning to read and spell. The multisensory approach of Letter Sounds engages kids, and the variety of activities help students regardless of their preferred learning styles.

Teachers and parents often ask us, “For what age do you recommend Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds?” The answer is any age after 2 or 3, depending on the maturity level of the child. We have heard of teachers and parents using Letter Sounds DVD video for teaching phonics to preschoolers with remarkable results. According to the success stories we receive, some children around the age of four have actually learned to read with Letter Sounds. The Letter Sounds video has been used for preschool alphabet activities, teaching basic phonics rules, teaching phonics to preschoolers, phonological awareness activities for preschool children, and phonics for beginners.

We also hear success stories about older students in secondary grades who have used Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds in a remedial way to boost reading and spelling skills. Phonics instruction is effective for learning important rules about the structure of words.

Students with learning disabilities in written expression have benefited from beginning phonics instruction through our Letter Sounds programs. We have also heard how students in adult basic education classes are learning to read with Letter Sounds in either audio CD or video format.

Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds has helped individuals of all ages learn to speak English. Letter Sounds is often recommended by teachers who specialize in English as a second language (ESL).

Plus, the “on-screen mouth” in Letter Sounds DVD has been a huge hit with speech therapists and speech and language pathologists. We made certain to keep the mouth with this new version. Our original development team included professionals in speech and language to make certain that each common sound of the alphabet was correctly presented.

Please note that Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds comes in either a DVD video version or an audio/book version. The audio version does not include all of the new material that we’ve added to the DVD video.

Regardless of how you use Letter Sounds, you will love the results… we guarantee it.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1iijYFGGpE]

We think Rock N Learn DVDs make great gifts for the little kids on your gift list, so we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.    Rock N Learn is offering a special discount code to Mommy Rambling’s readers!  Just enter coupon code JQ7711 to receive a 25% discount on your entire purchase at www.RockNLearn.com. This discount is valid for residents of the contiguous 48 US States.

Rock N Learn is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a Rock N Learn DVD or CD of their choice.  Thank you Rock N Learn for the review DVD, providing the discount code and for sponsoring this rockin’ give-away!!!  Open to US Residents.

Rock N Learn DVD Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Sign up for the Rock N Learn E-Newsletter , and let me know you did that by posting a comment on this blog post.     (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

2. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

4. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

5. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

6. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

8. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 13th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org


195 Comments

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Rock N Learn New Letter Sounds DVD Review, Discount Code & Give-Away!!!

I really love the Rock N Learn DVD Series. Recently, I was given the chance to review their brand new version of the Letter Sounds DVD.  My kids love these DVDs so much that as soon as I open them and they see the package, they want me to put it on.  This DVD is great, my 2 year old’s favorite part is when they show the letter, an object that begins with that letter and then show a mouth making the letter sound.  It is so funny he does it right with them.  My four year old loves the game where they put up sentences and you have to pick the letter you hear the most.  He is very proud of himself because he gets them all right.  The DVD is full of games, songs and fun that teach little ones lots of skills they need for reading.  As always I am impressed with everything that is packed in to this great DVD and how much my kids learn from it.

Learning to read is more fun than ever with this new version of Letter Sounds, Rock ‘N Learn’s best-selling DVD video. Engaging characters and more material help kids learn the skills to become competent readers. After a quick review of upper and lowercase letters, young learners practice the most common sound each letter makes. An on-screen mouth shows how to form the sounds.

Excitement builds as kids race the clock to say letter sounds in silly sentences before hearing the answers. Then, learners play several games to solidify their understanding of letter-sound associations that will help them read and spell. Finally, after learning some common sight words, kids feel successful reading complete sentences and short stories.

For over a decade, Letter Sounds DVD video has been one of Rock ‘N Learn’s most successful programs for helping kids learn to read. It’s been used in classrooms all over the world and by millions of kids at home. We love getting testimonials on how our Letter Sounds video has changed lives by helping kids become competent readers and spellers. During this time, we’ve also received wonderful suggestions on how we could make Letter Sounds even better. Plus, we recently hired university professors, graduate students, and reading specialists in classrooms to offer their suggestions on how we could improve this reading video by incorporating the latest research on what helps students learn to read and spell.

With this latest version of our Letter Sounds DVD video, you’ll find totally new animation, fun characters, an improved soundtrack, and additional content to build reading skills. In focus groups where we tested our new content, kids loved watching regardless of whether they were very young (actually below the intended age) or older and had already developed some reading skills. This was not surprising because the material includes games that offer differentiated instruction to meet individual needs at different levels. In other words, students can participate and have fun even if they are at different stages in learning to read and spell. The multisensory approach of Letter Sounds engages kids, and the variety of activities help students regardless of their preferred learning styles.

Teachers and parents often ask us, “For what age do you recommend Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds?” The answer is any age after 2 or 3, depending on the maturity level of the child. We have heard of teachers and parents using Letter Sounds DVD video for teaching phonics to preschoolers with remarkable results. According to the success stories we receive, some children around the age of four have actually learned to read with Letter Sounds. The Letter Sounds video has been used for preschool alphabet activities, teaching basic phonics rules, teaching phonics to preschoolers, phonological awareness activities for preschool children, and phonics for beginners.

We also hear success stories about older students in secondary grades who have used Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds in a remedial way to boost reading and spelling skills. Phonics instruction is effective for learning important rules about the structure of words.

Students with learning disabilities in written expression have benefited from beginning phonics instruction through our Letter Sounds programs. We have also heard how students in adult basic education classes are learning to read with Letter Sounds in either audio CD or video format.

Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds has helped individuals of all ages learn to speak English. Letter Sounds is often recommended by teachers who specialize in English as a second language (ESL).

Plus, the “on-screen mouth” in Letter Sounds DVD has been a huge hit with speech therapists and speech and language pathologists. We made certain to keep the mouth with this new version. Our original development team included professionals in speech and language to make certain that each common sound of the alphabet was correctly presented.

Please note that Rock ‘N Learn Letter Sounds comes in either a DVD video version or an audio/book version. The audio version does not include all of the new material that we’ve added to the DVD video.

Regardless of how you use Letter Sounds, you will love the results… we guarantee it.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1iijYFGGpE]

We think Rock N Learn DVDs make great gifts for the little kids on your gift list, so we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.    Rock N Learn is offering a special discount code to Mommy Rambling’s readers!  Just enter coupon code JQ7711 to receive a 25% discount on your entire purchase at www.RockNLearn.com. This discount is valid for residents of the contiguous 48 US States.

Rock N Learn is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a Rock N Learn DVD or CD of their choice.  Thank you Rock N Learn for the review DVD, providing the discount code and for sponsoring this rockin’ give-away!!!  Open to US Residents.

Rock N Learn DVD Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Sign up for the Rock N Learn E-Newsletter , and let me know you did that by posting a comment on this blog post.     (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

2. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

4. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

5. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

6. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

8. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 13th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org


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Pink Zebra Home, Small Simmer Pot and Sprinkles Review & Give-Away!!!

I was recently contacted by Pink Zebra Home and asked to do a review of their products.  I accepted, and was sent a Fleur de lys Ivory Ceramic Simmer Pot and three jars of scented sprinkles.  It was super easy to get started, just unpacked the pot, plugged it in and put some of the sprinkles in the top of the simmer pot. There is a little light on the front of the simmer pot that shows it is on.  In no time, the smell of Vanilla Creme was traveling throughout my home.  The scent was really great and very realistic.  Unlike many wax warmers that use light bulbs, the Pink Zebra pot has a warming pad that the top of the simmer pot sits on and it quickly melts the wax sprinkles.   This is great because you do not have to replace light bulbs. There is a handy on/off switch on the cord for easy operation.   Their sprinkles come in lots of great scents and the warmer comes in three colors so you can get a warmer and a selection of sprinkles to please just about anyone on your gift list.  Mommy Ramblings thinks Pink Zebra Home Simmer Pots and Sprinkles belong on our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide so you will find them there.

Each box contained one of these cards.

 

Pink Zebra Home is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a Pink Zebra Home Small Simmer Pot and 3 Jars of Sprinkles.  Thank you Pink Zebra Home for the review items and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Pink Zebra Home Small Simmer Pot & 3 Jars of Sprinkles Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Visit Pink Zebra Home, and let me know something else they make that you like.   Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Pink Zebra Home on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4.Follow Pink Zebra Home on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 13th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


Leave a Comment

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Pink Zebra Home, Small Simmer Pot and Sprinkles Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

I was recently contacted by Pink Zebra Home and asked to do a review of their products.  I accepted, and was sent a Fleur de lys Ivory Ceramic Simmer Pot and three jars of scented sprinkles.  It was super easy to get started, just unpacked the pot, plugged it in and put some of the sprinkles in the top of the simmer pot. There is a little light on the front of the simmer pot that shows it is on.  In no time, the smell of Vanilla Creme was traveling throughout my home.  The scent was really great and very realistic.  Unlike many wax warmers that use light bulbs, the Pink Zebra pot has a warming pad that the top of the simmer pot sits on and it quickly melts the wax sprinkles.   This is great because you do not have to replace light bulbs. There is a handy on/off switch on the cord for easy operation.   Their sprinkles come in lots of great scents and the warmer comes in three colors so you can get a warmer and a selection of sprinkles to please just about anyone on your gift list.  Mommy Ramblings thinks Pink Zebra Home Simmer Pots and Sprinkles belong on our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide so you will find them there.

Each box contained one of these cards.

 

Pink Zebra Home is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a Pink Zebra Home Small Simmer Pot and 3 Jars of Sprinkles.  Thank you Pink Zebra Home for the review items and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Pink Zebra Home Small Simmer Pot & 3 Jars of Sprinkles Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Visit Pink Zebra Home, and let me know something else they make that you like.   Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Pink Zebra Home on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4.Follow Pink Zebra Home on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 13th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


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