CLOSED: Modesty is Fashionable when it's Mikarose(Christmas Carnival Giveaway #33)

This post is a 'Christmas Carnival' feature...The Carnival of Giveaways (or should I say Christmas prezzies?) on Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports from November 1- Mid Dec 2010.
For a list of all the live giveaways visit 'The Christmas Carnival Center'



* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

Let me be honest. It's not always easy to find a dress or a top that is modest, fashionable and affordable...all under the same breath. Somehow "Reveal" is the mantra for many designers and sadly in my dictionary it's just not "Cool"!

It's so refreshing to know that there are clothing companies like Mikarose that proudly showcase their collection of modest dresses, tops and skirts without sacrificing on style.



If given a choice I can wear my black trousers with a pretty top to church, formal events or to dinners. I'm always the most comfortable in the same and with Bunny Boo on my hip most times, I just find the overall look put together, classy and convenient. So naturally when asked to pick something to review, my fashion antennae immediately picked out this beautiful Turquoise buttoned down top.



I love the pleated tapers in the front and the slightly puffed up sleeves. What's great about this stretch cotton top is the fabric is thick enough to wear minus an undershirt inside and is comfortable enough to wear even on an incredibly hot, sultry summer day. The color of the top in the photograph honestly does no justice to the rich regal look it actually has.

If you're looking for dresses on a budget, don't forget to check out Mikarose's Clearance section. There are some pretty dresses slashed down in price, making these great buys especially since there will be more than just a handful of events you will have to attend over the following month.
With a Mikarose piece, you can rest assured that you will be able to blend into an everyday event as well as into a corporate party. Afterall, to them....Modesty IS a Fashion Statement!


Buy it:

You can buy a Turquoise Button Down shirt for 34.99 US$.

(All purchases above 25 US$ will be eligible for free shipping till Christmas day)


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a 50$ Mikarose gift certificate that may be used towards anything on the site.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Visit the Mikarose site and tell me what you would buy with the gift certificate if you win.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy #Win a 50$ #Mikarose #Giftcertificate at EBMR's #Christmas #Giveaway (12/11) http://bit.ly/eO0st7 #clothing #modesty #dress


3. Eight additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

- Host my Christmas Carnival Giveaway button on your blog

- Tweet or post a message on Facebook about the Christmas Carnival

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on December 11, 2010 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Mikarose sent me this product for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way. **

Labels: Christmas, Christmas Carnival 2010, clothes, gift certificate, Mikarose, modesty, More giveaways, Reviews and giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 8:05 PM 165 Comments

Our Gorgeous Tiny Prints Christmas Cards (Review Only)

With less than a month left for Christmas, have you really been able to cross off everything on your list?
Putting up the tree? Check!
Decorating the home? Check!
Taking those holiday photographs for this year's Christmas Cards? Check!....
((GASP!)) The photographs are ready but you've forgotten to order the cards. With such little time to spare where can you order gorgeous Christmas Cards that can be customized to include the kids photographs and yet not cost an arm and a leg?...... Think Tiny Prints!


Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from Christmas cards to personalized greeting cards to thank you cards and even business cards. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities.

With Tiny Prints by one's side the Holidays will be a cinch!
They offer perfect party invitations for every occasion and memorable personalized photo-gifts like notebooks, photo-books and calendars.


You can pick from over 850 Christmas designs in any one of the six featured design styles and price-wise your card can cost as low as 54 cents!


For our Christmas Cards this year, I picked the Christmas Chambray design as this is such a unique design especially since the photographs can flip around.


I used two photographs I'd taken of Bunny girl and Bunny Boo earlier on in the month and gave them the sepia look before I uploaded the same.

After personalizing the card with our details and sending the same off to the Tiny Prints Pre-Press team, I was sent a proof approval and was asked to check to see if I preferred the photographs as I'd uploaded them or after the 'sharpening' changes made by the Pre-Press team.
I obviously chose the set worked on by the team as they'd highlighted the sparkle in both the kids' faces beautifully.


It took just a little over a week for our cards to be delivered to our doorstep....crisp, clean and impeccable!
I'm in love with them and though I secretly wish the cards were a tad bit bigger in size, I can't wait to start mailing/handing them out to family and friends.

I know this will definitely not be my last order with Tiny Prints.
They've successfully wooed me with their quality of work, speed in delivery and excellent Pre-Press service....
I'm officially sold!


** If you author your own blog and would love to have a chance at reviewing your own Tiny Prints Christmas Cards, do hop over and fill up your details in this form. The sponsor will be giving out 60 cards to selected bloggers who apply.**





** EBMR Disclaimer: Tiny Prints allowed me to review their products through Global Influence. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way. **

Labels: Christmas, Christmas Cards, Reviews and giveaways, Tiny Prints

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 4:47 AM 0 Comments

CLOSED: Hey Sid!...Microphone and DVD pack (+Christmas Carnival Giveaway #23)-2 winners

This post is a 'Christmas Carnival' feature...The Carnival of Giveaways (or should I say Christmas prezzies?) on Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports from November 1- December 5 2010.
For a list of all the live giveaways visit 'The Christmas Carnival Center'


* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

Do you have a preschooler who "wants to know everything about everything"? Well then he'll be in good company with Jim Henson Productions inquisitive 5 year old Sid. Bunny girl loves Sid the Science Kid and honestly I love settling down on the couch and watching him on PBS Kids too!

One of Bunny girl's favorite parts in each episode is when Sid shouts his name into his microphone and it echos out powerfully.(That somehow tickles her no end!)
If your little one loves that part too, you really should pick up Playskool's Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know microphone

Perfect for little hands to grasp, this replica of Sid's microphone is 6.5 x 3.5 x 9 inches in dimension and uses 3 AAA batteries to work. The 4 colored buttons when respectively pressed resound laughter, provide an applause, play the Sid the Science Kid theme song and (Bunny girl's favorite one of all...) create an echo when spoken into the set.
The little ones will also be humored to hear silly sounds (like the moo-ing of a cow!) randomly popping up when they press the 'theme music' button.

This is an entertaining toy for your child especially if they like 'pretend play' and if they're Sid fans, then all the better!

Pair the toy with the Sid the Science Kid-Gizmos and Gadgets DVD

Your preschooler will spend 115 minutes with Sid, learning about how heavy things can be lifted and what helps make our lives easier, with the 4 featured episodes

• The Broken Wheel
• My Slide
• Sid's Amazing Invention and
• The Tree House

Not only will your child enjoy watching Sid but he/she will walk away learning something new. (Thanks to the DVD Bunny girl now knows what a pulley is.)


* A Big Thank You to Jim Henson Productions for sending us an additional pack that will be donated on their behalf to the Angel Tree program as part of the the 30 Day Giving Challenge.*


Buy it:

You can buy Playskool's Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know microphone for 14.99 US$ and the Sid the Science Kid-Gizmos and Gadgets (DVD)for 12.99 US$.


Win it:

Two readers will have the opportunity to win a Sid The Science Kid gift pack, each, that will include

• Playskool's Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know microphone and
  
• Sid the Science Kid-Gizmos and Gadgets (DVD)

Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Tell me who you'd like to win this pack for.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy #Win a Sid the Science kid #Microphone and #DVD pack at EBMR's #Christmas #Giveaway (12/4) http://bit.ly/cZwNTJ - 2 winners


3. Eight additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

- Host my Christmas Carnival Giveaway button on your blog

- Tweet or post a message on Facebook about the Christmas Carnival

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 2 winners will be chosen with the random.org generator on December 4, 2010 at 10 pm Central time.






** EBMR Disclaimer: KCET and Jim Henson Productions sent us the Sid Talking Plush for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Labels: Christmas, Christmas Carnival 2010, Hasbro, Jim Henson productions, KCET, More giveaways, Reviews and giveaways, Sid the Science Kid.

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 3:00 PM 268 Comments

CLOSED: Anne Geddes 'Beginnings' (+Book Giveaway)

* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*



She explores the intricate beauty of birds’ nests, the delicacy of eggs, the elaborate yet often unnoticed texture of bulbs, and the glorious color hidden inside the tight, unopened petals of a blossom before it blooms. Then, Anne expands on her visual metaphor with surprising and illuminating juxtapositions of beginnings in floral forms, as well as her signature babies and pregnant women.


The photography in the book is signature to Anne's work. To put it simply it is breathtaking. One cannot stop turning each page with one's mouth wide open in awe and amazement. Can you imagine what would gone into reproducing this beautiful photograph?


Amazing!

In Anne's words...


And you know what?
Till her next publication, this book really may just be that piece de resistance.


Buy it:

You can buy Anne Gedde's latest book 'Beginnings' on Amazon.com for a reduced price of 29.25 US$ (Original price: 50 US$)


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win Anne Gedde's latest book 'Beginnings' but guess what? It is a 'Special Edition' print version, presented in an exquisite cloth-bound slipcase, featuring a numbered Certificate of Authenticity with Anne’s signature; this gift book will be printed in limited quantity and one of you will have the honor of owning this!


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Visit the Anne Geddes Galleries and name one photograph that you love.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy Win #AnneGeddes latest autographed publication 'Beginnings' at EBMR's(10/30)http://bit.ly/cIsi21 #giveaway #win #gift #book


3. Six additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on October 30 2010 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Anne Geddes sent me the featured product for review purposes only. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Anne Geddes, Beginnings, More giveaways, Reviews and giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 9:43 PM 103 Comments

CLOSED: Rayovac or Maglite...That is the Question! (+Six Flags Giveaway)

*
* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

Lets just call this my search for the ideal flashlight to suit my family's needs. To make our pick we compared a Maglite flashlight and a Rayovac flashlight

VS.

But to be fair I won't tell you which one is which. Lets just call them 'Torch 1' and 'Torch 2' and let my photographs and info-points do the rest!

Now the way a flashlight looks isn't really a big deal for many people. Personally I prefer a sleek look and something that looks a little, if not a whole way different from most other flashlights.


The grips on the handles are also a big must on my list of mandatories. I still remember dropping a bulky silver flashlight on my foot as a child in my grandfather's house. The shriek that followed was not very dainty...I can assure you of that!
Torch #1 has a non slip rubber grip on the narrow handle....2 big pluses!

Now if you're a little clumsy like me, it really does help to have a sling on the wrist handle.


Sadly this is missing in Torch 2.

Torch 1 requires 3 C batteries while Torch 2 requires 2 D batteries.
(I've used new Rayovac batteries in both to ensure the performance is powered in an unbiased manner.)


Torch 1 has the battery spring affixed on the tail cap and the flashlight has a mini diagram to show you how the batteries need to be placed.
Torch 2's spring is placed loose inside the flashlight and you need to check the instruction sheet provided to see how the spring needs to be placed and how the batteries need to follow in position.

Now the important part......which works better!

Torch 1 has two brightness intensities that can be changed just by pressing the switch.
The low brightness intensity is said to beam battery powered for upto 60 hours


while the high brightness intensity is said to beam battery powered for upto 22 hours


Torch 2 has a brightness intensity level that can be decreased or increased by rotating the flashlight head.


(I was unfortunately unable to find out how long this could be powered with the batteries.)

Torch 1 is powered with a 4 Watt LED while Torch 2 is powered with a 3 Watt LED.

Both are made up of anodized aluminum bodies and are water resistant and shock resistant.

I checked both prices on Amazon.com and noted that both have been slashed from their original prices. Torch 1 presently costs 28.58 US$ (Original price:41.92 US$) and Torch 2 costs 24.92 (Original price: 35.08 US$)


We conclude....

Based on our little home research study, Hubby and I sat down and decided that Torch 1 fits our family's bill even though the price is considerably a little higher. But then we'd rather pay a little more for features that we like than pay a lower price for a bulkier model.


Now to spill the beams....oops sorry....beans!

The flashlight to walk away with our 'Seal of Approval' is Torch # 1, i.e. Rayovac's Sportsman Xtreme 4W LED 3C Flashlight.
You just outshone your competitor Torch #2, i.e. Maglite LED 2D Cell Flashlight in our eyes!


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a pack of 4 (One Day) Six Flag Tickets each.
(These expire on December 31, 2010)
* The price of a One Day ticket is 59.99 US$ *


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Tell me what feature you have on top of your list when shopping for a flashlight.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

-Follow Rayovac on Twitter

- Like Rayovac on Facebook

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy Win @rayovac_Battery 4 Six Flags Tickets at EBMR's(10/23)http://bit.ly/c8B1vT#giveaway #win #rayovac @sixflags #SixFlags


3. Six additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on October 23 2010 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Rayovac sent me the featured products for review purposes only. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self even though the Sponsor's product is involved. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: flashlight, LED, Maglite, More giveaways, Rayovac, Reviews and giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 5:49 PM 212 Comments