Holiday Gift Guide: Rockboard Scooter

Remember a few years ago when scooters were all the rage?  (and yes, I totally just said all the rage.)

Well, this year kick scooters are back with a vengeance, but this year they look a little different – or at least the Rockboard Scooter
does!  The difference between this cool scooter and the scooters of Christmases past lies in it’s ability to convert from a kick scooter to a shredding scooter in no time.  Even better this scooter holds up to 200 lbs – so even adults can benefit from the awesome workout that the Rockboard Scooter provides!

And get this – this scooter has suspension in the rear – so even if you’re riding over the bumpiest terrain, you’ll have a crazy smooth ride.  My family has their very own Rockboard Scooter now and it rocks.  It would make a great gift for the tween or teen in your life – or even an adventurous adult!

To review – the Rockboard Scooter is:

• 2 scooters in 1
• Rear spring suspension for a smooth ride
• Features “Rockboarding” mode or manual kick mode
• Easy adjustment between modes
• No assembly required

Check out the video below and see the Rockboard Scooter in action!

Holiday 2011: Fresh Wreaths From Lynch Creek Farm {Giveaway CLOSED}

I am in love with Christmas.  I’m the total opposite of a the Grinch.  The Grinch hates everything about Christmas, and I love everything about it.

So, considering that this is the first Christmas my fiance’, myself, and our two children will all be together as a family – I really, really wanted it to be special and feel completely magical.  My favorite thing by far about the Christmas Holiday, is the tree and the way that it smells.  Nothing quite says Christmas to me like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree.

Until I smelled my first live Christmas wreath from Lynch Creek Farm.

I immediately knew it would become a tradition for our new little family.

The wreath was shipped to us wrapped beautifully in a red box.  When the UPS man walked up carrying it, I squealed “ooh!  Is that our wreath?” and he said “It sure smells like it!”  He was so right.  Even the box smelled amazing.  He said he was sad to part with it – it had been making his truck smell good all day!

Audrey Grace and I excitedly started opening the box.  The first thing I noticed, besides the amazing smell, were the easy to follow care instructions for our wreath!

The wreath was carefully wrapped in plastic with a packet of information.  It was simple to lift it carefully from the box and slip the plastic off of it.

As if it wasn’t easy enough, I simply lifted it from here and hung it on the wreath hanger on the door.  Voila.  Morgan came home and stuck his face right in it to inhale the wonderful scent – he was giddy with excitement.  He has vivid childhood memories of having real Christmas wreaths so seeing this gorgeous wreath on the door made him a bit nostalgic.

You know it’s a big deal when he tweets about it.  And I thought I would be the one who was most excited!

We ordered the Country Christmas wreath, but there are so many options!  Kristin and Amanda both ordered the Snowbound Winter Wreath and that one looks amazing too!

So how about you?  Do you want your very own live wreath to convey your holiday cheer?  Awesome. I have one to giveaway, thanks to Lynch Creek Farm!

MANDATORY ENTRY METHOD:

• Visit Lynch Creek Wreaths and tell me what wreath (besides the Country Christmas and Snowbound Wreath) you’d choose if you won!

EXTRA ENTRY METHODS (LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH):

• Like Lynch Creek Wreaths on Facebook. (1 entry)
• BLOG ABOUT IT!!! 5 entries.
• Tweet this contest (button at the top of the page – make sure you add @ErikaB to your tweet so I can track it!).  (1 entry)
• Share this contest on Facebook!  Leave me a comment so I can verify!
• Like Chic Shopper Chick on Facebook. (1 entry)
• Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)
• Like Design Public on Facebook. (1 entry)
• List this giveaway on any contest site for 3 entries.
• You can always leave a comment on any non-giveaway post. (1 extra entry per post commented on. just go to “home” posts are up front, please comment on all new posts and leave your extra entry comment)

No purchase necessary to win.  Contest only valid for residents of the US.  Winner to be chosen by random.org on or after December 6th. Winner has 48 hours to respond to notification email or another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:  Lynch Creek Wreaths sent me a wreath to review.  They are providing another one for giveaway!

Hanes 3rd Annual Sock Drive – How You Can Help!

There are more families than we might realize that are living in shelters across the state and country who need a helping hand.   While we often picture homelessness as something affecting adults, there are staggering numbers of children counted among the homeless.  According to the National Center on Family Homlessness (the NCFH) 1 in 50 children, or 1.5 million children, go to sleep each night without a home of their own.  Out of the 50 states, California (where I live) has the 3rd highest population of homeless children, which is simply heartbreaking.

One of the most requested items in homeless shelters and homes across the united states are  fresh, clean socks.   While it might seem simple, it is a gift that has the ability to bring tears to the eyes of someone in need.  Just three weeks ago, a team from Hanes and the Salvation Army were in Los Angeles on Skid Row to hand out socks.  You can watch the short video below to get an idea of how much their efforts mean to those who were a part of this day.

 

This year Hanes is kicking off their 3rd annual Virtual Sock Drive on Facebook - new Hanes Fans can help Hanes to donate socks to The Salvation Army by “liking” Hanes and current fans can simply click “donate now” on the Sock tab.  This year alone Hanes will donate up to 250,000 pairs of socks to The Salvation Army with the help of the Hanes Facebook community.   You can see the Press Release that was released about the drive.

What does this mean for you?

We need your clicks!  It is so easy to donate a pair of socks to someone in need – you don’t even have to put down your iPad, phone, or computer.  All you have to do is click the graphic below to go through to Facebook and click to donate.  (Remember, if you aren’t already a fan of Hanes you will have to click “Like” first.)

So how did I get involved in this?  Well, for almost two years I have been a proud member of the Hanes Comfort Crew.  It is not a compensated role, I am a member because I believe in what the brand stands for.

Don’t worry, I’m not all talk.  Hanes has challenged me to create a local sock drive here in Southern California to encourage local donations.  I’ve partnered with my kids’ school, and we are working with the goal of raising at least 250 pairs of socks – which Hanes has graciously agreed to match!  My hope is, at the end of all of this, we will have 500 new pairs of socks to donate locally here to the Orange County Rescue Mission.  When we contacted the Rescue Mission to ask about working with them, they told us “We need new white socks desperately!”

So please, click if you can, and share a pair of socks and a smile this Holiday Season!

Disclosure:  I am a member of the Hanes Comfort Crew, so I do have a working relationship with Hanes.  However, this is not a compensated post in any way, shape, or form.  This is a great company who is working to give back to the community, and I hope you can help to support our efforts!

Holiday Guide 2011: American Girl Bitty Twins

Thanks for checking out my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!  Be sure to check out Our Ordinary Life and Mommy Mandy for more great gift ideas!

* * *

When I was a little girl I was obsessed with American Girl.  A voracious reader, I read all of the books before carefully requesting that Santa Claus bring me a Samantha doll for Christmas.  It was the number one thing that I wanted more than anything – and when I found Samantha smiling back at me on Christmas morning with her glossy brown hair with the perfect bouncy curl – I squealed in delight.  I brushed her hair, I changed her clothes – Samantha came everywhere with me that year.  She was perfect, coveted, and mine.

Samantha still sits in my childhood room, prominently displayed on a shelf.  I never outgrew my love for her.

Twenty years later, I’m delighted to begin introducing my daughter to the world of American Girl.  She is a bit young for the full-sized American Girl dolls so when I discovered the American Girl Bitty Twins, I knew we had to have them.  You can customize your Bitty Twins with all different skin tones and hair colors – so that your child will have a set of dolls that looks like her.

Generally speaking I have a bit of a bias against all of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed dolls in the world – so  I was torn when ordering our Bitty Twins because part of me wanted to order a dark-haired duo.  However, I have a sweet little blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl and I wanted the twins to look like her – so I gritted my teeth and ordered blonde twins – a girl and a boy.

They twins come in the cutest argyle outfits and have 15″ soft bodies, and they also come with a book – The Bitty Twins Learn To Share.  The two twins, in outfits, plus the book is $100.  You can also order the 18 piece Bitty Twins Starter Kit, which runs $180 but in addition to above includes toys for each doll, a doll carrier, training diapers, and an additional outfit for the twins (and saves you $20).

Order by December 21st for Christmas delivery (rush charges may apply).

*Disclosure:  American Girl sent Audrey Grace a set of Bitty Twins to facilitate this review, however all opinions are 100% my own.

 

Holiday Gift Guide: Hello Kitty Nail Tin {Giveaway}

Thanks for checking out my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!  Be sure to check out Our Ordinary Life and Mommy Mandy for more great gift ideas!

* * *

I’m sure you’ve noticed from my site that I’m a bit of a beauty and fashion nut.  I have an obsession with all things girly, including nail polish.  Naturally, when a girly girl has a daughter, the odds of her also being a girly girl are pretty high.  I can officially say that Audrey Grace is about as girly as they come – which is totally fun for mom!

Even though I generally think Audrey Grace is a little young for even pretend makeup and nail polish, I saw the Hello Kitty Nail Tin by TownleyGirl and thought I would make an exception. (As in, she can only wear it and play with it at home, not out in public.) The nail tin comes with fun polish, nail art, and of course can be used as a lunch box or a place to store treasures long after the products are used!

If you the Hello Kitty Nail Tin set right now at Toys R Us you’ll get free 2 day shipping and also get a free Hello Kitty Bowler Bag with purchases of $30 or more.

Lucky for you, I have an awesome Hello Kitty Cosmetic Tin to giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

Mandatory Entry Method:

• Leave a comment here telling me why you’d love to win this – is there a special little girl in your life who just adores Hello Kitty? Maybe she is a makeup fanatic?

Extra Entry Methods (leave a separate comment for each):

• Visit Mommy Mandy and enter one of her Holiday Giveaways. Come back here and let me know you did it. (1 entry)
• Visit Our Ordinary Life and enter one of her Holiday Giveaways.  Come back here and let me know you did it. (1 entry)
• BLOG ABOUT IT!!! 5 entries.
• Tweet this contest.  (1 entry)
• Like Chic Shopper Chick on Facebook. (1 entry)
• Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)
• Like Design Public on Facebook. (1 entry)
• List this giveaway on any contest site for 3 entries.
• You can always leave a comment on any non-giveaway post. (1 extra entry per post commented on. just go to “home” posts are up front, please comment on all new posts and leave your extra entry comment)

No purchase necessary to win.  Contest only valid for residents of the US.  Winner to be chosen by random.org on or after December 2nd. Winner has 48 hours to respond to notification email or another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:  Townley Girl sent us a nail tin to review, however these opinions are 100% mine and I’m thrilled to share them with you.  

Look for Less: Duchess Kate’s Reiss Dress

While the whole world is busy asking the question “is Duchess Kate pregnant?”, I’m busy looking for a few great holiday dresses to wear.  I was just browsing ideeli and I noticed this JB by Julie Brown Marlena Ruffle Detail Dress that has similar detailing to the white Reiss dress that Duchess Kate wore in her official engagement portrait (and again on their Royal Canadian Tour).

The look is very flattering, and considering the popularity of everything that Duchess Kate wears, I thought it was worth noting that a similar style was on sale at ideeli.  (ideeli is members only, but if you need an invite to ideeli I have one!)

Because of the 3/4 length sleeves, it would be a great dress for cooler weather, paired with tights, boots, and a blazer. The dress comes in Green or Black, and at $50, it’s a steal.

Happy shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide: Scared Panda Eco-Friendly Tees

 

 

** This post is a part of my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, created in partnership with Amanda of Mommy Mandy and Kristin of Our Ordinary Life.  Please check out their Holiday Guides for more great gift ideas! **

I’m not big into wearing t-shirts but every now and then a few really cute, great shirts do actually make it into the rotation.  Since early October, the “Anchored” t-shirt from Scared Panda has been one of them.  Featuring the Manhattan skyline (one of my favorite places!) and designed by Brooklyn resident Brad Jonas, the shirt reminds me to refuse to be overwhelmed – there is always something so much bigger than what I might be dealing with.

Plus, it’s just stinkin’ adorable!  I have gotten at least one compliment from strangers on it each time I’ve worn it – about 3 times now.

If you’re looking for a gift that also allows you to give back this holiday season – this is it.  10% of every sale of this t-shirt goes to Scared Panda’s non-profit partner Growing Home, a Chicago-based non-profit that provides job training through an organic agriculture business.  Talk about giving to give back!  I love it!  Plus, each shirt runs around $18 and during the Holidays includes free shipping and gift wrapping – so you have a great gift wrapped and shipped for under $20 smackeroos!

Better yet?  All of their tees are printed using only eco-friendly inks and is produced locally in the US!

Best yet?  I have an early Holiday Gift for you!  Use the coupon code “PANDAS” to receive 10% off your next order.

Go, shop, and be well!  Happy Holidays!

 

Disclosure:  Scared Panda sent me a t-shirt to wear.  All opinions on its awesomeness are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: RCA USB Wall Charger and Wall Plate

 

 

Thanks for checking out my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!  Be sure to check out Our Ordinary Life and Mommy Mandy for more great gift ideas!

*  *  *  

I am engaged to the world’s hottest man.  He also happens to be a bit of a tech-geek, which to me, makes him even better looking.

So, when RCA approached Kristin, Amanda, and I with this cool little slice of awesomeness for consideration in our Holiday Gift Guide, I knew we just had to include it.  In our house we have 2 iPhones, 2 MacBook Pros, 2 Kindles, a Nintendo DS, a MiFi port, a PS3, and XBox 360 with Kinect, a Motorola Xoom, and an iPad 2.  Can you tell we have a few things that need charging?

The first of these two awesome products is the RCA USB Wall Plate Charger which effectively converts any standard outlet into a USB outlet. It allows you to have 2 USB ports as well as still have one of your regular outlets.

RCA USB Wall Plate Charger:

• Turns any standard outlet into a USB outlet
• Allows access to the other standard power outlet via pass through
• Charges quickly
• Charges 2 smartphones or 1 tablet at the same time
• Optimized 2.1 amp outlet for iPad

The second of the two products is the RCA USB Wall Charger.  This genius product charges super fast, with full-speed charging for 2 smartphones at the same time or 1 tablet. My favorite part about this one is that it is portable, but also provides a spot for you to rest your gadget on.  The clip rotates so that it will fit almost any outlet (how frustrating are the ones that are installed sideways, or upside down?!) and still hold said gadget while it charges.

RCA USB Wall Charger:

• Converts any 110V AC outlet into 2 USB charging outlets
• 2 Amp USB power for full-speed charging of 2 smartphones or 1 tablet
• Holds your gadget with ease
• Charger rotates 90 or 180 degrees to accommodate any plug orientation
• USB charger includes cover so it is perfect for home or travel

Holiday Gift Guide: Record a Story

 

(Don’t forget to check out Mommy Mandy and Our Ordinary Life for more amazing Holiday Gift ideas!)

We have had quite a year around here – last New Years Eve the man of my dreams got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever.  I was moved to tears.  And then, I was moved.  Literally.  This past September, my daughter and I moved from the only home and state we had ever known, Louisiana, out to Southern California to join my fiance’ and his son as we worked to become a family.

Of course, I had been visiting lovely southern California every other weekend for over a year at that point, so I knew what I was getting myself into, but I sure do miss my family.  My parents happen to be visiting as I write this, but as my grandparents, my daughter’s great-grandparents, get older it gets harder for them to travel.  They have always been a huge part of my life – they went on vacations with us, I spent weekends at their house, spent every holiday and birthday together, not to mention the Sunday dinners – my grandparents were basically at every major event in my life, and my grandmother and I even traveled to Paris, France for 10 days together when I was 19.  I can hardly believe that was 10 years ago now – how time flies.

Unfortunately, I know time isn’t going to slow down in the least, and now that I live far from home, the keepsakes and memories mean even more to me.  So, when I received the latest “Frosty the Snowman” Record a Story from the folks at Publications International I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  So, this week when my parents return home to Louisiana, they’ll be taking along our copy of “Frosty the Snowman” with a request to GG and Grandpa – record the story and song in your voice, please!

I have fond memories of both of my grandparents singing, and I want to create that lifelong memory for my kids as well.  Record A Story is an amazing gift to all of us, and I can’t wait to receive the finished product in the mail so that the kids can listen to it over and over again.  (Ok, and me, too.)

As a matter of fact, I know exactly what I’ll be getting all of the grandparents this holiday season – the awesome “My Grandma is Special” and “My Grandpa is Special” books for the kids to record for them – my only complaint is that they don’t come in multiple versions – like “My Nana is Special”.  Either way, these will make incredible gifts, and ones that everyone in your life will treasure for years to come!

Disclosure:  Record A Story sent my family a book to review (photos above are my own).  However, my opinions are, and always have been my own.  Thanks so much for reading.

We Covet: Teresa Scanlan’s Coat In the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

 

One of my favorite television events of the year is coming up – and for once, I’m not talking about any sort of awards show.  I’m talking about the 85th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  I have such wonderful memories of this parade – I distinctly remember my 7 year old self sitting firmly in front of our large console television and watching the giant balloons go by as delicious smells of a southern Thanksgiving wafted from the kitchen.

Of course, this year’s parade will return with the usual suspects - Kermit the Frog, Snoopy the Flying Ace and Spider-Man – alongside the loveable Clumsy Smurf, Buzz Lightyear and Mickey Mouse and I’ll be planted yet again in front of the TV with our two pajama-clad kiddos watching them float by.  This parade always ushers in the beginning of Christmas for me – the official start of the holidays, but this year I have the inside scoop about more than just Santa and the cool balloons.

My sources at Ann Magnin tell me that Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011 will be featured on her own float wearing a stunning coat by Joseph Ribkoff.  The gorgeous knee-length ivory coat has a feminine ruffle and an eye-catching fabric rosette – proving that is possible to look chic and stay warm (a la our favorite fashion icon, Kate Middleton). And honestly – wait until you set eyes on this baby – it will be the most coveted item on your Holiday Wish List.

I know it already is on mine.

 

Holiday Gift Guide: Yankee Candle {Giveaway!}

Thanks for checking out my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!  Be sure to check out Our Ordinary Life and Mommy Mandy for more great gift ideas!

*  *  *  

I have very strong emotional associations with my sense of smell.  As a child, I could tell you what pillow belonged to what family member just by taking my nose to it – everyone had a different distinct scent, and they were familiar and comforting.  When I was sick, I loved sleeping on one of my parent’s pillows – it was comforting to me, like being able to snuggle with them in my sleep.  As I’ve gotten older, this association has only grown.  I associate the scent of baby powder with the city of Paris – I was wearing a body lotion that was faintly scented with it when I was first visiting there, and now every time I smell powder, I think of Paris.

Sometimes it works the opposite way – I can’t even walk near anyone wearing Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Lovely” because I wore it during the first 3 months of my pregnancy with Audrey Grace – and I was so sick during those months that just smelling it in the slightest turns my stomach.

One of my all time favorite scents has got to be that of anything to do with winter.  I love the feel of the cold air, the smell of the fireplace, the scent of the freshly-cut Christmas tree.  When I was in college I discovered Yankee Candles and I fell in love.  Burning a highly-scented Yankee Candle was like walking right back into a winter memory.  My favorites revolved around Pine, or Cedar – anything that reminded me of the smell of our Christmas tree.  I started buying these candles once every 2 months – I would save up while I was in college and “treat” myself to one.  They have always been my ultimate favorite candle.

When I started blogging, there were a few products that I was already a die-hard ambassador for, without ever needing to have a relationship with that company.  Yankee Candle has always been one of those.  You can see I even included them back in my 2008 Holiday Gift Guide – I have had a long-standing obsession with the candles and it continues to this day.

This year Yankee Candle sent me a few of their holiday scents to try out for myself – and the day that box came I was flat out giddy.   I even tweeted this:

Inside of this gorgeous box I discovered a trio of Yankee Candle’s Newest Holiday Fragrances - Cherries on Snow, Mountain Berry and Christmas Rose.  I love all three of them, but Mountain Berry has to be my ultimate favorite.  Our kiddos loved playing “guess the scent” and wanted to smell them over and over again.  We also received a small tumbler of Warm Woolen Mittens, which has been burning all weekend and smells heavenly.  Lastly, we received a large jar of the Balsam & Cedar wrapped in an adorable gift package, which would be just perfect for gift-giving (ahem, if anyone needs to get me anything else…)!

Have you tried out Yankee Candle yet?  I am not a betting woman, but in this case I would bet money on the fact that you will love them.  I am so excited to announce that I have a set of 3 mini candles in the newest Holiday scents (as seen above) to giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

To enter:

• Visit Yankee Candle and come back here to tell me what your favorite candle scent is!

Extra Entry Methods (leave a separate comment for each):

• Visit Mommy Mandy and enter one of her Holiday Giveaways. Come back here and let me know you did it. (1 entry)
• Visit Our Ordinary Life and enter one of her Holiday Giveaways.  Come back here and let me know you did it. (1 entry)
• Like Yankee Candle on Facebook!  (1 extra entry)
• Follow Yankee Candle on Twitter! (1 extra entry)
• BLOG ABOUT IT!!! 5 entries.
• Tweet this contest.  (1 entry)
• Like Chic Shopper Chick on Facebook. (1 entry)
• List this giveaway on any contest site for 3 entries.
• You can always leave a comment on any non-giveaway post. (1 extra entry per post commented on. just go to “home” posts are up front, please comment on all new posts and leave your extra entry comment)

No purchase necessary to win.  Contest only valid for residents of the US.  Winner to be chosen by random.org on or after November 30th. Winner has 48 hours to respond to notification email or another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:  Yankee Candle sent me these candles for review.  I already loved them, I knew I would, so I jumped at the opportunity.  These opinions are 100% mine and I’m thrilled to share them with you.  

 

 

2011 Holiday Gift Guide

I’ve scoured the stores, the shelves, and the internet for the hottest gifts for the 2011 Holiday Season.  Together with Kristin of Our Ordinary Life and Amanda of Mommy Mandy, I’m set to bring you the best gifts for everyone on your list for 2011.  So, what are you waiting for — dive in!