There's nothing quite like the feeling of a fresh mani/pedi and I'll never forget the day I shared the experience for the first time with my little girl at the mall (and neither will she!). But in this tight economy, we can't always treat ourselves to such luxuries.
That's why I was SO excited to receive the Magnificent Manicure Kit from Team Mom for review. Natalie had I had a blast using the kit to do a homemade mani/pedi and the best part is that the kit is also educational.
There is a pamphlet that contains science questions about "cosmetic chemistry" for your child to ponder while they make their various creations. For example, when making a "crystal mud bath," kids can learn about absorbency, moisture and solids vs. liquids.
My daughter had the most fun creating her own scented lotion. Included in the kit is a label for the lotion with a space for your child to write the name of their creation. Natalie named hers "La France." :)
As of this writing, the kit is on sale for $15.95 at Amazon.com. Having been given Creative Child Magazine’s 2009 Toy of the Year Award, the kit makes a perfect holiday gift!
My kids were fortunate enough to receive the brand new K'NEX 400 Pieces Tub for review from Team Mom recently, and they have been having so much fun creating with it! The K'NEX 400 Pieces Tub is a flexible building system that lets kids explore and build both 2-D and 3-D models.
Made for ages 7 and up, my 9-year-old found it easier to make the 2-D designs while my 13-year-old son tried the more intricate 3-D ideas. There are 20 different models with step-by-step instructions pictured for your child to try, or they can venture into their imagination and create an original work of art. The possibilities are endless, so this is a toy they can use over and over again, unlike others they may get bored with after just a few uses.
K'NEX works with other brands like Lego so if you already have other systems you can integrate them for expanded play. And kids can make their creations move (ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds that spin, wheels for cars, propellers for airplanes, etc.), so there is plenty of after-building play.
The best part is that all the pieces can be thrown back into the tub for storage once kids are done playing so there's no mess (which helps tremendously when you have a dog in the house who likes to sneak away with toy parts).
The K'NEX 400 Piece Tub retails for $20.99 and is available at Target, WalMart and Toys "R" Us.
Right now, you can win $1,000 worth of K'NEX building sets for your child via K'NEX's "Make a K'NEXion" video contest. Details can be found on knex.com, (bottom, right corner).
IMPORTANT UPDATE/CORRECTION! I just received word from Kendra that Casey was actually rescued 5 minutes before he was to be put down!!!!!! (she had not been aware of this until just now) I cannot express enough to you how much joy this brings me!! But please remember the other dogs out there that aren't as fortunate as Casey when you read this post and please speak up for them. Thank you!
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A few weeks ago, I found out about a sweet dog by the name of Casey who was in need of being rescued:
Lukas and Kendra Jade Rossi had been working hard to get the word out about Casey (Kendra made the video above for him), and many others joined in, including myself. Pleas were made via Twitter, Facebook and other networks, and the Rossis even offered to cover Casey's adoption costs.
Unfortunately, no one came forward and Casey was put down (see update/correction above...Casey was actually rescued 5 minutes before being put down). I was so devastated that I vowed to do whatever I could to help keep this from happening to other dogs like him. No animal that happy, young and loving should have to be put down. It shouldn't have to happen to any animal...period.
Kendra and Lukas run a wonderful group called Rock Star Rescue and have gone above and beyond in trying to save these precious animals.
If that photo above cuts to your heart as much as it does mine, there is something you can do. Right now, there is a critical protest being planned for Saturday, November 21 in Los Angeles to demand a progressive, no-kill general manager for the city. The picket is being organized by Animal Defense League-Los Angeles, but you do NOT need to be a member to join in.
Here is what Kendra wanted to share with all of you about this important mission:
"The general manager of LA Services has big shoes to fill after Ed Boks, who created new relationships with the rescue organizations of Los Angeles. The new manager of LA Animal Services needs to maintain and improve those relationships in order to truly create a no-kill LA.
The city can't do it alone and should utilize those of us that are willing and able to help.
Thousands of happy, beautiful, healthy dogs and cats and even moms and babies die unneccesarily every week in the Los Angeles shelters every month because of lack of cooperation and education.
I believe that every living animal should have the right to live. And if we do not take care of them, and fight for them, who will?
We have a voice, we need to make it heard."
I couldn't agree more. If you'd like to make YOUR voice heard, visit KendraJadeOnline.com (second post down), and/or email rockstarrescue@aol.com for more information. Be sure to visit Rock Star Rescue as well for other ways you can help if you're not in the Los Angeles area.
Thanks to all who entered and thank you to Sarah Ivens for not only sponsoring this fabulous giveaway, but for doing the interview for the contest as well.
You can purchase a copy of "No Regrets" here. Stay tuned for more contests to come!
