A Spectrum of Reviews

Wubbzy the Olympian: Go for Gold!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:09:43 -0800

I am a big fan of the Olympics. I cry during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and proudly point out the countries of my ancestry with pride, even though I have been to none of them. I turn on sports that I wouldn't watch unless it was the Olympics. I have it on in the background when I work or workout. When we come home, I eagerly snap on the TV. Except my kids routinely ask to put on Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Seriously, without fail, I click on the TV for some curling, and the chants of "Wubbzy! Wubbzy!" begin. Thankfully, we can now have both simultaneously. Sort of. You see, Wubbzy has put out a new DVD, Wubbzy: Go For Gold.

Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy - Discount Code!

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:55:55 -0800

Today I might be co-Chairing the Science Fair, but my mind is on Fantasy. For the Fair, my youngest son did a project on "freezing and melting." He carefully tested different liquids' freezing and melting points (in a non-precise, Kindergarten-way, naturally.) A week from Saturday, we'll watch a show on ice -- and of course, ice-skating is possible because the blade melts the ice as the skater glides across the slick surface. But at that point, all my son will care about will be his favorite "cutey-cuties," glitter, and sparkles. We had a blast when Mom Central and Feld Entertainment sent us to the Circus. And then my youngest son was completely smitten by Princesses on Ice. (My eldest son thought it was pretty cool, too, but he won't admit it.) And so, we are thrilled that we've now been invited to Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy. This show includes scenes from Cars (wooo! cars on ice!), Little Mermaid, Lion King, Tinkerbell, and more! Of course, like with the other shows, I'll report back after I have seen it. But, in the meantime, I have a special offer for YOU, my super-awesome readers:

Tassimo!

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:11:58 -0800

During the Silicon Valley Moms Group Holiday Party, I was giddy when I saw a Tassimo in action. I had never heard of such a product, nor seen one before. I was thrilled to observe how this individual-cup coffee maker uses "T-disks" instead of ground coffee. I was intrigued that these disks could also contain tea or hot chocolate. I watched in awe as the machine read the bar code on the disk, therefore heating the water to the proper temperature for that particular beverage, and then dispensing the proper amount of water. I walked away from the demo with a delicious hot chocolate beverage, but also a plan: I would get my husband a Tassimo for a gift! You see, my husband and I both have an "off and on" relationship. No, not with each other: with coffee.

Neosporin Lip Health Three-Day Challenge - I'm Running with it!

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:54:28 -0800

Last Spring I took up running (much to my surprise!) Somehow, what started out as a peer-induced challenge ("Let's run a 5K!") turned into an actual hobby. While the summer months were hot at times, the autumn and winter brought the dry skin and chapped lips out in full force. It isn't surprising that I jumped at the chance to try out a different challenge: Neosporin's 3-day Healthy Lips Challenge, thanks to Mom Central. I received two products: Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy and Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy. To put it bluntly, I didn't need three days. My lips improved overnight on the very first day. The Overnight Renewal Therapy was so soft and moisturizing that on the second day I ended up using it on a couple of my toes and on one cheek that had gotten a bit of a dry patch. Both of these other body parts cleared up immediately. Meanwhile, the Daily Hydration Therapy gave me satisfyingly slick lips with a little gloss. My lips felt great, but also looked great. As a bonus, the Daily Hydration Therapy is SPF 20 to prevent further damage.

DiGiorno 200 Calorie Portions Pizza

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:57:29 -0800

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and DiGiorno.

As readers of the Karianna Spectrum know, I've been trying to treat my body better. Starting last Spring, I embarked on an exercise program that has taken me literally from the couch to a 5K to several 5Ks, to two (and counting!) 10Ks, to two weeks away from doing a half-marathon. (Eep! Two weeks?!) But all my efforts with exercise would be lost if I stuffed my piehole with... pie. Okay, so I eat pie, but just a slice, not the whole thing. Jokes aside, portion control is a big deal. We all know the "secret" to losing weight is "eat less, exercise more," but that is easier said than done. Some "experts" recommend using smaller dishes to create the psychological satisfaction of filling up one's plate without truly packing in the calories. The plates that we typically use for a regular meal are several inches bigger than they were in leaner times. (That's "leaner" both financially and physically.) And portion control isn't just about losing weight; it is about maintaining a healthy weight as well. "Yeah, that's great, Kari," you say, "You can do that plate-trick when making meals at home, but I'm super-duper busy and can't always take the time to cook from scratch." Yeah, I hear you. Convenience food is typically one of those categories for which portion control is a challenge. Back when "fast food" originated, a hamburger and fries were the size of what is now considered the smallest of meals. Now, such a meal looks puny. Bottled drinks have 2.5 servings-worth of liquid packed inside. And "personalized size" pizza typically has at least three-servings worth of calories. But not anymore.

Tasty Baker: A Cute Way to Serve Up Treats

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:11:31 -0800

I had heard of Pop Art Toaster before, but was curious when I learned of the Pop Art 5-in-1 Tasty Baker, another product from the Pop Art Toaster team. They provided me a "media sample" of the Tasty Baker in the hopes that I might have some insight into how their product might benefit those on the autistic spectrum. I must admit that it took awhile to get my head around the concept that a baking product could also be therapeutic. But, I can see how non-verbal or pre-verbal children (whether autistic or not) might benefit from having cakes or brownies in recognizable shapes, therefore reinforcing the various objects. The fun shapes can also be a way to entice a picky eater to try an unfamiliar food. Tasty Baker is similar to a waffle-maker, but it can be used for breads, cakes, and brownies (or any other baked good, like muffins) I used it for a variety of different things - vanilla cake, chocolate cake, brownies, and banana bread. I must admit that it takes some trial and error to discover both the right baking time and the correct amount to put in the mold, but let's back up a second to talk about the appeal of the product:

One Short (Night) in the Emerald City

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:59:35 -0800

From left top: Kristin Chenoweth's "Glinda Bubble Dress", Elphaba baby prop, Madame Morrible dress. From left bottom: Nicolas Dromard (Fiyero), Jonathan Ritter (Swing) wearing Dr. Dillamond's mask) Not really a Wordless Wednesday, since I could gush about it for hours... At the start of the holiday break, Husband and I went to see a behind-the-scenes presentation of the fabulous musical pictured above. Last night we actually saw the show. I had seen it before, a few years back - and had read the book (Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West ), the sequel (Son of a Witch), and have the fancy collector's book about the musical, "The Grimmerie." It was nice to see it again - and this time bring my husband. He was thrilled it actually had a plot (whereas he says Phantom does not, but he does love Rent) and he is actually interested in reading the book now. Go figure! I love musical theater. It is just so magical to me, particularly as I remember what a thrill it was to be on a stage while I was a dancer. For awhile Phantom was my favorite. Then Rent. And sure I had that obsession with Cats many years ago, as the rest of the country did. (And yes, my dance company did a version.) But Wicked takes things to a whole new level. (I still have heavy allegiance towards Rent, which is a different animal, and moving in its own way.) I should probably admit that I've read Kristin Chenowith's biography, too, shouldn't I? (A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages) After it was all over last night, I was really sad. It is such a treat to go to a show like this, and then such a letdown that we must leave all the glitter and song behind to go about our regular lives. It was a fabulous escape! -- Disclaimer: the Amazon links give me a few cents if you happen to purchase something on Amazon after clicking on one of them. The books I mention I purchased with my own money years ago. The kind folks from Wicked gave me the tickets gratis, with no obligation to post, nor further compensation for doing so.

Olive Smart Sacks are Indeed Smart

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:21:45 -0800

At the Silicon Valley Moms Group Holiday Party, I received a bunch of fabulous free products and learned about some terrific programs, vendors, and charities. One such product was Olive Smart Sacks, reusable grocery sacks that hold a lot, but are compact when not in use. I have a lot of reusable bags, so honestly didn't get a chance to use my Olive Smart Sacks until just recently. I had cleaned out my car, so the only thing in the front of the van was the little sack with the three Olive Smart Sacks in it. My other reusable bags were all stuffed in the truck. It was the perfect opportunity to take my new ones for a spin! When I unwrapped them, they looked a little small. I admit I was concerned that they might not handle my grocery shopping. I considered going back to my car for the larger bags. When I checked out, the bag boy laughed a little, "Hey, I thought these were pillowcases!" he exclaimed, noting the texture of the fabric, before making a joke that people could actually use pillowcases for their groceries if they wanted, "Maybe just cut some holes out?" he said, before revising, "Or just grab 'em from the top!" Indeed, the Olive Smart Sacks are very silky and comfortable. The material feels thin, because it can bunch back up into a small place, but is sturdy while remaining soft-to-the-touch. And to my amazement, the three "small" sacks that I brought held a LOT of groceries! (Olive Smart also has a pack of six bags, which of course would bag up twice as much.) I'm really happy with my trial run of the Olive Smart Sacks. They are certainly more attractive and more compact than the rather stiff variety I have stuffed in my trunk. What really intrigues me though, is that the company has the "Olive Smart Fundraising Program," an affiliate program for schools and non-profits. Olive Smart will contribute 20% of all sales that your organization sends to their website. I frankly can't stand the various types of fundraising we've had for our school and gym, it is usually stuff that I don't want to purchase but feel like I have to to support the school (or to earn prizes for the kids.) But these reusable bags are practical and stylish enough to actually make sense as a fundraising product. (To learn more, email info@olivesmart.com with the subject line "affiliate program.") I'm glad I tried out the Olive Smart Sacks -- they'll definitely come in handy time and time again. -- Disclaimer: Olive Smart Sacks gave the attendees of the SV Moms Holiday Party a three-pack ("Half-Sack") of their silky bags. We were under no obligation to post about them and I will receive no compensation by posting twice (once in the general party write-up and once above.)

Tom's of Maine All-Natural Toothpaste Creates Silly Smiles

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:00:34 -0800

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Tom's of Maine.

When I was in Kindergarten, I was put on the Feingold Program, a diet that eliminated artificial flavors and artificial colors, as well as other food additives that can cause behavioral problems in sensitive children. One of the first substitutions my parents made was to get rid of that brightly colored, highly flavored toothpaste that most kids use. Instead, they gave me Tom's of Maine natural toothpaste. Cinnamint became my favorite flavor. When my son went on the Feingold Program, I was surprised and happy to see that Tom's of Maine had expanded its line to include more flavors and types than those selections available when I was young. (They even have natural mouthwash that doesn't taste like some of those other all-natural products out there.) I was especially excited when BlogHer contacted me recently to ask if my kids might want to try Silly Strawberry Children's Toothpaste. Silly Strawberry. The name makes me think of kids' toothpaste, definitely. It makes me think of bright red color and artificial flavor. It makes me think of something that kids would think was great, but might not be great for them. But since it comes from Tom's of Maine, I know that it is NOT bright red. It is NOT artificial. Tom's of Maine's Silly Strawberry toothbrush uses calcium and silica to strengthen and polish teeth.Tom's has made a toothpaste that sounds kid-like, but without those crazy things that usually attract kids. But what matters is what the kids think:

LOFTy Goals Acheived: Fabulous Looks for the Holidays

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:57:12 -0800

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Loft.

I am an online shopper. I get nervous in "real stores" and yet I know that to find the best fit, it is important to go to an actual store. After all, sizes vary store to store, and it is much easier to come up with an alternative in the bricks and mortar store. Although online shopping sites have become pretty good at suggesting various "looks" based on the items a shopper views, nothing beats the real thing. Still, I have had lots of negative experiences in stores where I've either felt pressured by a salesperson or completely ignored because I don't have the right "look" to pull off a particular brand. And so, I purchase things from the comfort of my own home. As you readers know, I've recently done more by way of exercise. As a result, my body has changed and I am more confident in how I look. Meanwhile, since I work for home and shuttle the boys around in the afternoon, I have amassed a wide collection of rather boring casual clothing (I'm afraid to call it what it is - "the mom uniform") rather than anything even a bit more dressy, trendy, or flattering. It was therefore very easy for me to enthusiastically jump up and down when BlogHer asked me to participate in a LOFT party. I knew I'd have to step out of my comfort zone to set foot in an actual store with actual employees looking at how I look in their clothes. But, I figured they would have to be nice to me, and I really wanted to learn about what I should be wearing.

Running Gear

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:50:58 -0800

I am only an "expert" on what I've been using, but wanted to give a "shout out" to the things that have been helping me on my runs during the past six months. Six months. Wow. I can't believe it. Yes, on June 9th, I ran for, like, thirty seconds, and my lungs burned. Today, on December 8th, my lungs burned a little bit with cold, but I ran for far longer than I did that day. I did the BlogHer 5K, then an "official" 5K at Disney, another 5K local race, a 10K local race, a 5K trail race, and I'll be doing a 10K this Saturday. I'm signed up for a New Year's 5K and then two half-marathons in February and March, respectively. So no, I am not an expert, but I've come a long way in six months. The first few races I did in shoes made for walking. I had received them for a Ryka review back in September 2007 when my exercise was walking. Sure, they were fabulous shoes at the time, especially since they were specifically designed for walking -- but two years later any shoe is going to be inadequate for a newly-minted runner. I went to a real running store to get fitted for running-specific shoes. I ended up with New Balance 1011s. It really is a personal choice - I know people who are thrilled with many other brands.

Minted Holiday Photo Cards - Yum!

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:50:50 -0800

They arrived! My holiday cards arrived*. Of course, I still need to write out the address labels and actually send them, but having beautiful cards (with matching address labels) ready to rock makes me feel much better. As it turns out, my cards arrived last week, but with the whole chin-splitting accident excitement, I didn't open the box. The turn-around time from order to design-approval to on-your-front-porch is really rapid at Minted; it certainly isn't too late to order holiday photo cards that appear as though you spent multiple revisions with a design crew and tons of time to obtain - but really are done in just a few days. Last year I used Minted and reviewed them. I was impressed with Minted then, and so they graciously gave me a discount code for you readers earlier this year, and then offered to provide me 25 free flat-cards this holiday if I would mention them again. By way of disclaimer, I ordered more than 25, and also ordered the matching address labels. In other words, I trusted Minted enough to pony up my own money to send these gorgeous cards to more than just 25 recipients. Ready to see what my card looks like?

Free Coffee from Dunkin Donuts!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:04:06 -0800

Today! On Wednesday, November 25, Dunkin' Donuts will serve free coffee to any United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier. Any USPS letter carrier that is wearing an official uniform or shows their union card identification can visit participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout the country for a free coffee, any size. No additional purchase is necessary. Hooray! Earlier in the season, Dunkin' Donuts generously gave me coupons to try out some of their new fall flavors. Alas, we don't have any Dunkin' Donuts in our area, so I planned to take the coupons with me back east when I visited my college alma mater. But I forgot. When I saw that familiar pink and orange sign, my heart sank. First, because it was closed. (Really, why must airports close down so early? Those of us who got up early on the West coast end up arriving very hungry on the East coast!) And second, because I remembered those coupons at home. Well, just now (yes, I got up at 4am today for no good reason. It is now 5am and I hope to go back to bed for a little bit...) I received an email from Dunkin' Donuts about their new Peppermint Mocha Lattes (sounds DELISH!) AND to announce that small lattes will be only $1.99 this season. PLUS, they have "Latte Lites" at only 70 calories for a 10 oz serving. You LOVE my ALL-CAPS? (Really, I need to get back to bed or pep myself up with some coffee... ) In sum: If you are a USPS worker, get thee to a Dunkin' Donuts for your free coffee today! If you are anyone who has a Dunkin' Donuts nearby, get thee there to try the $1.99 latte. Please pick up either a pumpkin one or this new Peppermint Mocha one for me in spirit. Really, they sound so good, and yet I'd need to take an airplane to get one... -- Disclaimer: Dunkin Donuts sends me packages of coupons from time to time. They send me sprinkles and drink cozies. They like me and like I them. But I post because I want to post, not because I have any obligation to post. No money exchanges hands (unless I actually went to a DD and purchased something delicious to eat, but that has nothing to do with blogging.) Really, they send me press releases and I sometimes post 'em - that's just how simple it is.

Silicon Valley Moms Holiday Party: Generosity to the Gazillionth Power

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:12:59 -0800

Last Sunday was my son's end-of-year soccer party. I was the "team photographer" and had lovingly created Blurb books of each player. I really wanted to see the families' reactions to my books, as well as to enjoy a slide show of the team. Plus, I welcomed a chance to socialize instead of just scurrying away post-game to another commitment. But Jill Asher told me that the Silicon Valley Moms Holiday Party - sponsored by Chevy - was a not-to-miss event. Fellow SV Moms told me it would be worth it to skip the soccer party. And oh yes, it was worth it. Now, I'd like to think I'm not a completely greedy person, but let's just say my calm approach to the event turned into a surprised excitement along with that ooooh, I wonder if I can get me some of that. And there was a lot of that to be had:

I'm Mailing Minted Holiday Photo Cards

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:08 -0800

Last year I tried and loved Minted's amazing holiday photo cards. It is no surprise that I'll be ordering from them again this year. Because they know I love them, they are giving me 25 free cards in exchange for mentioning them again this year. Once I receive my cards (I'll be ponying up my own dough to have more than 25) I'll check back in here to let you know if they are as excellent as last year's. But in the meantime, I wanted to give a heads-up to you folks who still believe it is back-to-school: Did you know October is gone? Halloween is gone? Next week is the last week before Thanksgiving of all things!? Yup - that's right - you NEED to think about your holiday cards now!