Sunday, November 30, 2014

11/30/14: TRENDIY Art Headband Creations Set Giveaway

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS TERRA!
My daughter loves to create and loves sparkly pretty accessories.  TRENDIY Art puts both together in the TRENDIY Art Headband Creations Set.  My daughter loves it and I am also giving one away so read on to win.
Here is the set.  It comes with 9 different ribbons, 6 metal rings, 3 chains, 1 elastic cord and a how to fashion magazine.
Lauren chose what ribbons she wanted to use.  You need to use at least two but can use more and the chain.  You start by opening the metal ring and clipping the chain on to it.  You then put the ribbons through the metal ring and tie a knot as seen here.
Then the fun begins.  You braid the ribbons together.  There are two different sets of directions given to create your headbands, or bracelets could be made.

Here is Lauren braiding away.
It didn't take long to finish the length of the chain.  It took Lauren about 10 minutes.
Then you tie the ribbons on to a ring on the end you just finished braiding.  There is a stretchy band that you add on to make it the proper length.  Super easy to make and super cute.
Lauren trying out her creation.
She then decided to make another one with some different colors.  Here she used purple and a polka dot black ribbon.
Braiding away.
Here finished creation.
Here she is wearing both of them.  She loves them and loves that she made them herself.  Stylish and fun, the perfect gift for your Fashionista.
Enter below to win this Trendiy Art Headband Creations Set.

Disclosure: I received the Trendiy Art Headband Set for review purposes. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

11/26/14: Amazing Zhus Stunt Pets Toy

Next up in my Holiday Guide is the new Amazing Zhus Stunt Pets.  We received Abra a cute little mouse Stunt Pet.  Lauren had fun playing with her and watching her move around our floor.
The Amazing Zhu Stunt Pets perform astounding acrobatics and gravity defying stunts!  They can plunge over 3 feet from the High Dive into a bucket below, brave a Tightrope, run around on Circus Balls, and vanish in a Disappearing Box!  There are four different characters but we received “Abra” – The ‘first word in magic’ – this pink and white performer is much more than her hearts and bows! 
 Lauren was having fun watching her cruise around.
 I love how Lauren picked her up like a mouse.
Abra makes funny sounds and has a button on her back to explore.  There is another button between her ears that makes her make funny sounds.
 I did find that Abra reacted well to objects she ran in to.  She was able to back up and get herself unstuck.  She also did many twirls which were fun to watch.  She is made of a harder plastic and not fur so she is easier to clean with a damp cloth.
 Fred our dog decided to check her out too.
 There are also The Amazing Zhus Magician Pets which perform magic tricks and gravity-defying stunts.  They can correctly guess the answers to the Magician’s Cards - without even looking, follow the Magic Wand wherever you lead them, or predict the pea’s location in the Shell Game trick – every time.  They are available in two different characters: Amazing Zhus Magician Pet “The Great Zhu”.  They wear magic hats that identify them as having the special abilities needed to interact with the Magicians accessories.  Each includes 1 Magician Pet, 1 Magic Wand and 3 Magician Cards.  Here you can see some of the accessories.
The Amazing Zhus™ pets and accessories range in price from $7.99-$24.99, ages 4+.  Here is Abra as packaged.
What a cool holiday toy.  I am sure it will be on many children's Holiday Lists.
Disclosure:  I received The Amazing Zhus Abra Stunt Pet for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/26/14: Train to Christmas Town on the Cape Cod Central Railroad

Over the weekend we kicked off to holiday season on the Cape Cod Central Railroad Train to Christmas Town.  It is a wonderful journey that culminates in reaching Santa Claus who boards the train and gives each child a gift.  
 The train is beautiful.  My son is a train enthusiast so he couldn't wait to check it out.
 The station was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights.
 This is inside the Depot.  They sell some souvenirs.
We then entered the train and were seated at a beautiful table with four "The Train to Christmas Town" mugs.
Here is Lauren with her mug.
 On one side it has a picture of Bumblebee the Polar Bear.  The hot chocolate was brought to us in disposable cups which was nice as a previous visit they filled our mugs and we had to worry about taking them home dirty with hot chocolate.  We also received a cookie.
Evan with his mug and ticket.
The train was beautifully decorated.  Here you can see a Christmas Tree that was in the corner.
Here you can see some more of the train.
 The kids enjoying their hot chocolate and cookie.
 The conductor came around to punch our tickets.
 The book was read during the ride.  If you are not familiar with the book, here is a summary:  It is a heartwarming tale of Janice, a little girl who looks forward to riding the Train to Christmas Town every year with her brother and Grandmother. This year is a little different though, as her Grandmother is hurt and cannot accompany her. Accompanied by a bag full of surprises, woodland friends and jolly elves, Janice relives happy memories as she rides the train to Christmas Town once again. We met many characters from the book on our trip to Christmas Town.  Here is Wabash the Squirrel.
 He was dancing all around and giving high fives to the kids.
 Here is Zephyr the Depot Cat.

 Lauren giving a high five.
And my favorite Bumblebee the Polar Bear.
 Evan really liked him too and gave him a big hug.
 So cute!
Lauren also liked talking to one of the elves.  She was excited to make a friend on the train.
 There was a lot of excitement when we arrived at Christmas Town!  There is Santa to greet us!
 The kids loving the lights as we arrived.
 Absolutely lovely.
Then Santa came on to the train and gave all of the kids whistles.
I love the holiday season! 
What a magical ride.  What a great way to kick off the holiday season.
 This magical journey funs Nov 28-30, 29-30 Dec 5-7, 11-14, 18-23, and 26th at 5:30.  252 Main St. Hyannis, MA 
If you want to read more about the book Train to Christmas Town you can go here.
Find them online:
Twitter: @xmastown @CapeTrain
Disclosure:  I was provided with 4 tickets to the Train to Christmas Town for promotional purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/26/14: Elf the Musical Tons of Fun

We have been going to shows at The Hanover Theatre for a while and have always enjoyed them.  When I heard that Elf the Musical was coming I was excited to see it.  The whole family loved the movie so I knew they would love the show.  We were lucky enough to attend last Friday night.  I could tell by the giggles in the audience that people were loving it.
The show was fantastic.  They had great backdrops that transformed the stage in to the North Pole and New York City including Macy's.  
It is the perfect show for the whole family.  The songs were great and my whole family couldn't stop singing "Buddy the Elf, It's The Story of Buddy the Elf."
Anytime a movie is put on the stage it is difficult to forget the original characters but this show was so true to the spirit of the movie and well done.  Buddy the Elf was fantastic.  He fit the part perfectly.  Both of my kids were giggling away during the show.  They absolutely loved it.  At one point I looked back and a little boy behind us was dancing and giggling.  It was so fun to watch.
It is a show that the whole family can enjoy.  The whole show was fast moving and kept kids attention.
 Here is the Full Tour Schedule:  http://www.elfthemusicalontour.com/
Check it out when it comes near you.
The Hanover Theatre has many other great shows coming up and they are having a Black Friday Sale.  Check here for details.
Disclosure:  I was provided with tickets for my family and I to attend the show for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.