Sage and Savvy-Product Reviews, Giveaways, and More!: October 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Store Brand Formula Coupons and Consumer Reports Best Baby Products Giveaway

Many moms, for one reason or another (e.g. not producing enough milk, etc.), feed their baby formula. Since I nurse my son, I don’t buy formula, but I do know it’s expensive! Thanks to Team Mom, I found out that moms can find good deals on store brand formula, which, according to the Consumer Reports Best Baby Products 10th edition, is as nutritious for babies as nationally advertised brands.

Also, according to the website Store Brand Formulas: "Buying a heavily marketed, expensive, brand-name infant formula from a big pharmaceutical company does not get your baby any closer to human breast milk than a store brand formula,” added Dr. Levine. “Mothers can choose to supplement their breast milk with any formula because all formulas are regulated by FDA and nutritionally equivalent." Store brand formulas, which are labeled with the names of retail-store brands, are as nutritionally complete as name-brand formulas. Sold at retailers, grocery stores, and drugstores such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, and Babies R Us, store brands typically save parents up to 50 percent on formula.

Another reason why moms should be aware of the potential cost-savings of buying store brand formula is because, according to Store Brand Formula, on October 1, 2009, the WIC program implemented significant changes aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates among WIC families. One outcome of these changes could be a reduction in infant formula subsidies by an average of 20 percent, making it even more critical for moms who utilize the WIC program be made aware of store-brand formula cost-savings.

Whether you supplement or exclusively formula-feed, every penny counts, especially in today’s economy, so you should look into the various store brand formulas to compare for yourself, and you could end up saving a lot of money while nourishing your child with the same nutritional benefits as the more popular brands of formula.

Shop: You can purchase store brand formula at Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Kroger, and various other retailers online and nationwide.

Savvy Savings: Sign up here for discount coupons for leading store brand formulas (Walgreens, Babies ‘R’ Us, etc.).

Win: One lucky winner will receive the 368-page 10th edition Consumer Reports Best Baby Products (ARV $16.95).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to trixx!

To enter, visit Store Brand Formulas and comment on a fact you found most interesting about infant formulas.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Store Brand Formulas
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is November 7, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on November 8, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to Team Mom for providing the giveaway products.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition Review

Thanks to the One2One Network, I was fortunate to review the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition DVD and Blu-Ray combo pack (ARV $39.99).

No film in history has captured the world’s imagination like Walt Disney’s first full-length masterpiece. Through astonishing Blu-Ray high definition technology, experience the timeless classic in its most spectacular presentation ever! With an all-new, state-of-the-art digital restoration and Disney Enhanced High Definition sound, the breathtaking animation and unforgettable music of the most revered Disney film of all time will enthrall you like never before.

It's been over just over 20 years ago since I first watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but I still found it so endearing!

There were parts that may be a bit scary for really young kids, such as when the Queen wanted Snow White killed, or the scenes throughout the forest where Snow White’s imagination got the best of her, but for the most part, the film is full of joy and laughter.

There were many amusing parts, most of which included the Dwarfs! It was funny when the Dwarfs finally met Snow White, and watching them scrub themselves clean even got a laugh out of Smiley Boy!

The saddest part of the film was, of course, after Snow White took a bite out of the poisonous apple. It was so heart-breaking to see how sad the Dwarfs and animals were, but in the end, the Prince comes to save her, and they end up living happily ever after.

Watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs brought back so many memories, and the Diamond Edition offered so many features!

Such features include audio commentary and a music video on the DVD, and on Blu-Ray, there are a lot more extras, including games the whole family can play together, sneak peeks, and more!

Even though Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was created without all the computer animation and effects that are found in many of today's feature animations, it is a wonderful animated feature that will always remain a classic treasure, and I’m so happy to have the Diamond Edition combo pack to add to my DVD collection and start my Blu-Ray collection!

Shop: You can purchase Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition at various retailers online and nationwide.

Thank you to One2One Network and Walt Disney for the review product

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Permission Slips by Sherri Shepherd with Laurie Kilmartin Review and Giveaway

I remember watching The Ellen DeGeneres Show once and Sherri Shepherd was one of the guests. DH and I thought she was so funny, and I’ve been a fan of hers ever since, so naturally I was eager to review her new book Permission Slips:Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break by Sherri Shepherd, Laurie Kilmartin (ARV $24.99, Grand Central Publishing).

Covering topics such as "It's Jesus or Jail," "Marriage, the Hard Way," "Children: The Gift You Can't Give Back," and "All the Things I Don't Know...And All the Things I Definitely Do," stand-up comedienne, actress, and ABC's The View co-host Sherri Shepherd comically chronicles her struggles to keep up with the many roles-professional, wife, mother, daughter, and friend-that women must play in today's world. Sherri urges women to pursue their most important dreams and to never give up, but also let's readers know that it's okay to give themselves "permission slips" when things don't always work out the way they want them to. As her many fans know, Sherri is never hesitant to speak from the heart, and her bubbly personality shines through in this delightful autobiography.

Shepherd’s book is personal, honest, and, as expected, funny. She covered a variety of topics through which I learned so much about her--her family, her comedic career, her pregnancy struggles, her faith, her relationships, her diabetes…

Throughout the various subjects she discussed, she would offer suggestions on the types of permission slips you could write yourself if you find yourself in similar situations.

Whether it’s writing yourself a permission slip to trust your gut, be honest, or tell white lies when the time is right, Shepherd gives personal examples of why this can be good for you, and in many of the examples I found myself smiling and laughing, and thinking "she's right."

Shepherd has overcome a lot of obstacles—infertility, the birth of her premature son, her divorce, worldwide embarrassment (Is the world flat?), but Permission Slips reveals that she has learned from these situations and what she’s learned.

Among other things, we need to give ourselves permission to be able to make mistakes without being hard on ourselves, to take it easy and enjoy life, even if it means sitting on the couch, watching TV and not doing anything productive, and to be selfish and take care of ourselves so we can take care of those who need us most.

And we always need to give ourselves permission to laugh, so grab Shepherd’s Permission Slips to laugh and learn how to give yourself a break!

Shop: You can purchase Permission Slips at various retailers online and nationwide.

Win: Five lucky winners will receive a copy of Permission Slips!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to susan1215, Heather M, Nancy, Bombtastic Belle, Kim!

To enter, comment on something you’d like to give yourself a permission slip for.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Permission Slips
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is November 5, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on November 6, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for the review and giveaway products!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

InfantNutritionCenter.com

When both my boys were born, I was always concerned about whether or not they were getting enough milk and the proper nutrients whenever they’d be fed. Thanks toMom Central, I learned about a new website, InfantNutritionCenter.com, which offers a video of great help to new and future moms who have the same concerns.

In physiological terms, babies are the most demanding people on earth. Nutritional requirements are greater in infancy than at any other time in life. Making sure that babies get the best possible nutrition during infancy can have lifelong benefits, setting the stage for better health in childhood and even later.

The video was quite remarkable and very informative. The video shows a lot of graphics that help to explain what nutrients are important for your growing infant and why.

As many people know, there are many benefits to breastfeeding. According to the video, 70% of babies are breastfed at birth. I nursed Little Music Man until he was a year old, and I am currently nursing Smiley Boy. However, there are many women who, for one reason or another, give their babies infant formula (e.g. to supplement, unable to produce enough breast milk, etc.). For these moms, its reassuring to know how infant formula has made great advancements in recent years. For instance, breast milk contains oligosaccharide, a certain type of sugar that helps your baby’s immune system, and some infant formulas try to achieve the same effect through prebiotics.

Whether you breastfeed, give your baby formula, or do a combination of both, InfantNutritionCenter.com offers a resourceful video that can help to ensure your baby is getting all that he or she needs to get and stay healthy during infancy.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mead Johnson. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

LikeWear Review and Discount

Thanks to LikeWear, I received some clothes for my boys that are super cool and perfect for school, playdates, or even birthday parties!

LikeWear® makes a fun, unique line of clothing and accessories featuring products, brands and other stuff you and your kids really like. Hence the name LikeWear®. Everything we make is high quality, officially licensed and destined to be a favorite part of your child’s (or even your own ;-) wardrobe.

Smiley Boy was fortunate to receive a cute tie-dyed style Baseball Peace onesie (ARV $28.00), and Little Music Man was fortunate to receive a Wheaties Be a Champion Tee (ARV 24.00).

The Baseball Peace onesie is vibrant and hip, and the Be a Champion Tee is such a cool tee--I love the graphics!

LikeWear offers all kinds of hip clothing for your kids. You'll find tanks, tees, shorts, pants, and even accessories in eye-catching images with a retro flair. I personally lo

ve the Cookie Crisp apparel! Too bad they don't come in adult sizes!

If you’re looking for cool and unique clothing, LikeWear is a great option to do your shopping, especially with the holidays coming around!

Shop: To purchase cool clothes for your kid, visit LikeWear.com.

Savvy Savings: Use code SAGEANDSAVVY (in all caps) to receive a 10% discount through December 31, 2009.

Thank you to LikeWear for the review products!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Earth Baby Review and Giveaway

Our family goes through a lot of sunscreen, and since we use so much, I’m always looking for safer sunscreens, especially for my boys. Thanks to Earth Baby, I've found one!

Welcome to the gentle and organic world of Earth Baby™. Inspired by the birth of her granddaughter, Alyssa, nationally renowned researcher and chemist, Florence Nacino, founded Earth Baby to offer a new generation of hypoallergenic baby care products to cleanse, protect and nourish baby’s delicate hair and sensitive skin. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience and expertise creating personal care and beauty products for prestigious companies worldwide, Florence Nacino redefined the baby skin and hair care category by introducing Earth Baby, a revolutionary organic product line applying award-winning technology to capture Mother Nature’s generosity…Florence Nacino is committed to using certified organic and natural fruit and vegetable based ingredients to provide the safest, purest and most effective hypoallergenic baby care products.

I was fortunate to receive the Organic Sun n' Fun Baby Sunscreen (ARV $20.00). It’s SPF 30 UVA/UVB sunscreen that is hypoallergenic. It was very easy to apply this sunscreen on my boys. It wasn’t too thick, and it went on smoothly without leaving an oily or white residue.

It smelled nice--nothing too overwhelming, and best of all, it contains certified organic ingredients, so I can feel safe using it on my boys (I use it on myself too)!

Earth Baby also offers other baby care products, as well as diaper totes and cosmetic bags!

I use a lot of different types of organic sunscreens on my boys, and Earth Baby’s Organic Sun n’ Fun Baby Sunscreen is definitely one that I’ll buy once I run out!

Shop: To purchase safer baby products containing certified organic ingredients, visit the Earth Baby website.

Win: One lucky winner will receive Earth Baby's Organic Sun n' Fun Baby Sunscreen.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Andrea!

To enter, visit Earth Baby and comment on your favorite product or product you’d like to try.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Earth Baby
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
5)Follow Earth Baby on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
6) Become a Fan of Earth Baby on Facebook (leave your user name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is November 2, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on November 3, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to Earth Baby for the review and giveaway products.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Zebra Pen Review

Thanks to Zebra Pen, I received a bunch of great pens and other writing products that are not only functional, but eco-friendly too!

The Zebra trademark was adopted in 1914. Legend has it that Mr. Ishikawa, founder of Zebra Co. Ltd., wanted a company name that would be memorable and also appropriate for their export business to other countries. He took an English/Japanese dictionary and, opening it Japanese style from the back, started with the "Z" words. He stopped at "Zebra".

Upon further research, Mr. Ishikawa found that zebras are gentle animals with a strong family herding instinct. This was an important attribute, since he wanted to build a business in which employees and customers were all part of a family-like culture. The fact that the zebra looks like it is decorated with large calligraphic pen strokes may have also appealed to the visual image he was seeking.

Zebra Pen offers a variety of pens, pencils, markers and highlighters, and I was fortunate to receive some products in their Zebra Eco line, all of which are made with post-consumer recycled materials: Clip-On Pink Ribbon (ARV $3.99); Jimnie Clip Mechanical Pencils Black (ARV $13.99/12pk); Jimnie Clip Multi-Use Extra Wide Binder Clip (ARV $13.99/12pk); Zebrite Double-Ended Highlighter (ARV $5.99/5pk); Sarasa Clip Smooth Writing Gel Ink (ARV $15.99/12pk); Clip-On 3 Colored Pens-in-One (ARV $3.29).

My favorite pen is the Sarasa Clip Smooth Writing Gel Ink. I love gel ink pens, and this pen really does write smoothly. I also love the Clip-On 3 Colored Pens-in-One. It’s very handy when I’m writing in our calendar or organizer, as I often like to color code items.
The Clip-On Pink Ribbon is not only pretty and functional, but it was created for The Care for a Cure Campaign. For each pen sold, $.25 will be donated, up to $25,000 to City of Hope, an independent biomedical research, treatment and education center dedicated to preventing and curing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Zebra Pens are great for the office, for school, or for home, and are great practical gifts or stocking stuffers for anyone!

Shop: You can purchase Zebra products at various retailers online and nationwide.

Thank you to Zebra Pen for the review products!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Joolwe.com Giveaway

New Earlier in the year I posted about Joolwe.com, an online jewelry store that offers a great selection of jewelry for all types of budgets.

Joolwe.com “offers our customers a myriad of jewelry in a wide array of metals and gemstones that are gorgeously designed at an affordable price. The company is built on a simple philosophy: we believe online jewelry shopping should be a fun experience. Our approach to online shopping is to offer our customers fascinating pieces at outstanding prices, while maintaining our reputation for excellent customer care.”

You can find all sorts of jewelry on Joolwe.com. You can find designer jewelry, simple, yet pretty silver pendants (my favorite type of jewelry), and even great bargains on jewelry on clearance! You can also visit the Joolwe.com Jewelry blog for information on trends and other jewelry-related news.

Joolwe.com recently announced its Jewelry Loyalty Reward Program where you could earn free jewelry! Anyone can participate. It's completely free. All you need is to create an account with us and make sure you shop logged in with that registered account. You can earn free jewelry from our reward jewelry catalog or discount with exclusive coupon codes. For more information visit Joolwe.com.

Whether you want to splurge or are on a budget, or whether you want to find something simple or extravagant, you can find the perfect jewelry for that special someone (or for yourself!) by visiting Joolwe.com.

Shop: You can purchase pendants, rings, bracelets, and more on the Joolwe.com website.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a Sterling Silver and Round-Cut Cubic Zirconia Enc

rusted Dual-Textured Heart Pendant (ARV $29.99).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Jennifer!

To enter, visit the Joolwe.com website and comment on your favorite item (excluding the giveaway item).
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Joolwe.com Online Jewelry Store
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
5)Sign up for the Joolwe.com newsletter
The deadline for entries is November 7, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on November 8, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US and Canada addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to Joolwe.com for the giveaway item!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Brandi Carlile: Give Up the Ghost Review and Giveaway

Thanks to the One2One Network, I was fortunate to receive a digital download of Give up the Ghost by Brandi Carlile (ARV $11.98 CD, $9.99 digital download; Sony).

Give Up The Ghost, Brandi Carlile’s third album, unveils her talents in their truest form. After 2 albums and non-stop touring, she has let her guard down and offers her most candid recording to date. If the phrase “give up the ghost” most often refers to death or dying, it can also be used to describe the passing of stages in life, of transformation.

“They say it takes you your whole life to write your first record, and in our case the first two records, and that you have to write your second record in just a matter of months. So we went into the songwriting process conscious of that, and really made an effort to just leave ourselves behind. We wrote about about life, the world, how we felt, how we will feel. In that sense, these songs are like time travelers in that they exist on a much more ethereal plane, and that’s what ‘give up the ghost’ means to us,” Carlile explains.

I had never heard of Brandi Carlile before, but after listening to Give Up the Ghost, I’ve grown to love her voice and her songwriting. Give Up the Ghost features songs with tinges of country, folk, and soul, that bring out both heartwarming and heartbreaking emotions.

My favorite song was If There Was No You, a love song that reminded me of how lucky I am to have DH in my life. I also really enjoyed Caroline, featuring Elton John. This was such a fun and upbeat song!

Looking Out was another really nice and uplifting song about love.

I also thought That Year was such a sweet song. After finding out it was inspired by a friend who committed suicide, whenever I’d listen to the song it would bring tears to my eyes, especially since I had two friends who committed suicide while I was in college.

Carlile has a very beautiful voice, and her songs, which are just as beautiful, will touch you, inspire you, and uplift you.

Shop: You can purchase Give up the Ghost on Amazon.com or at other retailers online and nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a digital download of Give Up the Ghost.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to rebornbutterfly!

To enter, visit the Brandi Carlile website and comment on your favorite track from Give Up the Ghost or any other track from her previous albums (excluding anything mentioned in this post).
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Brandi Carlile
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is October 30, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on October 31, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to One2One Network and Sony for the review and giveaway products.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Free Coupon for Snikiddy Snacks to First 1000 Readers

I recently reviewed some snacks from Snikiddy, a company that offers delicious and healthier versions of Little Music Man's favorite kinds of snacks!

At Snikiddy we insist on only the best all natural ingredients. We take pride in knowing that all of our tasty morsels will pass the real test…your family.

Here's an excerpt from my review:

We were fortunate to receive a couple of packs each of Snikiddy’s All Natural Grilled Cheese Puffs (ARV $2.99/pack) and All Natural Chocolate Chip Bites (ARV $3.99/pack)...I thought each bag contained a very generous amount of puffs. I would give Little Music Man only half a bag at a time, and he’d always ask for 'mo'...The Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites were also really good. I’d only give Little Music Man one at a time, and he’d keep asking for 'mo, ookie'...There didn’t seem to be too many cookies in each bag, but despite that, I would still buy these for Little Music Man because they are so much healthier than many of the other cookie snacks out there.

If you love Snikiddy just as much as I do, or want to try them out for yourself, Snikiddy Snacks is generously giving away coupons for 2 free Snikiddy products to the first 1000 Sage and Savvy readers who complete a Customer Contact Form and include Sage&Savvy in the subject line.

If you are one of the first 1000 Sage and Savvy readers to complete the Snikiddy Customer Contact Form (don't forget to include Sage&Savvy in the subject line), you will receive a confirmation email verifying that you will be receiving a coupon for two free Snikiddy products.

So hurry before they're all gone!

Thank you to Snikiddy for providing the coupons!

Hope, Faith and Charlie by Deirdre Carey Review

Since I started Sage and Savvy, I’ve been fortunate to work with some wonderful people from many different companies and public relations firms. One person that I’ve been working with is Deirdre Carey. She had emailed me about a possible book review opportunity on a memoir. Her memoir--Hope, Faith and Charlie: An inspirational journey of a child's courageous battle with cancer, his family's fight to save his life, and the blessings that happened along the way (ARV $21.95, AuthorHouse), and after reading the synopsis, I was already in tears.

John & Deirdre Capodanno had been married for five years and were the doting parents of two beautiful, happy and healthy sons, Jay, age two, and Charlie, who was just shy of six-months old. Life was good: they had a strong marriage, solid careers, a comfortable home, and a beautiful little family created out of love. Then the sky fell in. In an instant, their life together was turned upside down with the discovery that Charlie had a massive brain tumor. Further diagnosis would uncover a rare form of brain and spine cancer that would more than likely take his precious life far too soon. This inspiring story of love, devotion, perseverance and survival takes you on the emotional roller coaster ride the Capodanno family endured as they valiantly fought to save their child’s life. It’s about how one child defied incredible odds and the invaluable life lessons learned through this life-changing experience. It will renew your faith as you witness a true miracle unfold.

Hope, Faith and Charlie was a very detailed book of a Carey’s account of her family’s arduous journey as they dealt with her son’s cancer.

I admit that it was a difficult read emotionally because I am a mom of two young boys myself, and just picturing what she had to go through made my heart ache for her and her family.

She details the moment they got word of Charlie’s cancer, the hospital stays and treatments, the people that they dealt with during this most stressful time in their lives, the emotions that took their toll on the family, the countless medical tests, the fears, the worries…

The book stirred up many emotions—I felt Carey’s anger, her pain, and her worry, as well as her elation once Charlie was officially off chemotherapy treatments.

I also was simply amazed at her strength, and how little Charlie himself was such a strong little boy throughout this entire ordeal.

Whether or not you know someone whose life has been affected by cancer, and even whether or not you have children, reading this book will undoubtedly bring tears to your eyes.

Hope, Faith and Charlie is a book about a little boy that has overcome some of the biggest obstacles that most people will never have to encounter.

It’s simply a story about a little boy that will give you a lot of hope and faith about life.

Shop: You can purchase Hope, Faith and Charlie on the AuthorHouse website, or at various other retailers online and nationwide. Note: 10% of all earnings from this book will be donated to the Floating Hospital for Children’s Cancer Center in Boston.

Thank you to AuthorHouse for the review product.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Learning Link's Brain Training Review and Giveaway

I’ve mentioned several times on Sage and Savvy how Little Music Man has been going through speech and occupational therapy for over a year now, so I was really interested in reviewing the Brain Training System by Learning Link Technologies.

A learning problem can be difficult for the whole family. Things only get worse when both the child and parent get frustrated. As humans we resist anything painful and a child struggling with a learning problem considers homework, and school for that matter, to be painful. However what seems like the most natural solution is often not the answer. Piling on more homework only makes things worse because the actual Problem is not being addressed…Lisa Harp is the founder and head trainer of the Harp Institute where Neuro-Sensory Brain Training was born when her own child was suffering from a learning problem and no amount of tutoring was helping…Lisa’s program has improved the lives of hundreds of families by teaching kids they can learn and showing parents how to assist in this process. Because she wants so desperately to help more kids than she can see in a day she is bringing her patented Neuro-Sensory Brain Training System to you.

I was fortunate to review several of the videos and exercises offered in the Braining Training System (ARV $50/month for 12 months of on-line system training, $70/month for 12 months of system training on DVD).

The exercises and activities I viewed involved a child moving his/her hands in specific motions or drawing repetitive patterns. They incorporated a lot of coordination between one's brain and hands/arms.

It was really interesting to see and read about the exercises, and to find out why and how they can be effective. The videos are just a few minutes long and the instructions are easy to follow. A child actually performs the exercises in each video so you can ensure that you're child is performing the exercises correctly.

A great thing about the Brain Training System is that you can implement the training on your own schedule, at your convenience. You can have your child perform the exercises once a week or five days a week, for 20-30 minutes each day, or as often as you'd like. The key, however, is repetition. It's important to repeat the exercises to help train your child's brain.

I tried to get Little Music Man to do some of the exercises, but I think because of his age he didn't understand the directions and wasn’t coordinated enough to do many of them—he’d just randomly wave his arms around.

Whether or not Little Music Man continues to have speech and other learning difficulties, I would definitely try the Brain Training exercises again with him in the future, when he gets older, to see just how effective they are, as I personally feel that the exercises could only benefit him and not hurt his developmental progress.

If your child suffers from a learning disability or is having any other type of learning difficulties, you may want to check out Learning Link Technologies to see if the Braining Training System is right for you and your child.

Shop: You can purchase the Brain Training System on DVDs or register online on the Learning Link Technologies website.

Win: One lucky winner will receive 3 months of the Brain Training System (ARV $150).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Kerrie!

To enter, visit the Learning Link Technologies website and comment on what about the Brain Training System intrestes you most.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Learning Link Technologies
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
5)Join Lisa Harp’s Facebook Group (leave your user name in your comment)
6)Follow Lisa Harp on Twitter (leave your user name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is October 28, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on October 29, 2009(make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to sponsor Learning Link Technologies for the review and giveaway product.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Clementine NW Giveaway

I recently posted how my boys were fortunate to receive the Under the Nile Plush Organic Mushroom from Clementine NW, an online company that offers safe toys and other products for both babies and mommies.

Here at Clementine NW, our focus is on providing the hippest, most stylish, and safe products for our children, ourselves, and our loved ones. Whether you need a gift for your pregnant wife, your best girlfriend's baby shower, your daughter's first baby (or second, third, or more!), or just want to pamper yourself and your baby, this is the place to be! Here you will find the best organic and environmentally friendly products without sacrificing fashion or fun.

You can find lots of fun and safe toys for your little one on Clementine NW, as well as teething necklaces, books and clothing. Moms can even find beauty products!

It’s great to know that I can find a variety of products for myself and my boys on Clementine NW that are not only safe for us, but safe for the environment too!

Shop: You can purchase safe and practical products for moms and babies on the Clementine NW website.

Savvy Savings: Get 10% off your purchase with coupon code sageandsavvy, expires Aug. 28, 2010.

Win: One lucky winner will receive an Under the Nile Fruit or Veggie toy of choice (ARV $5.95).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Sarah C!

To enter, visit Clementine NW and comment on which Under the Nile Fruit or Veggie toy you’d pick if you won.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Clementine NW
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is October 27, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on October 28, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to Clementine NW for the giveaway product!

Monday, October 19, 2009

NoPlastic.ca

NoPlastic.ca, a Sage and Savvy Sponsor, is constantly adding items to their product line. They recently added a new stainless steel container.

According to the website, “We started NoPlastic.ca in order to make people aware that there are better and healthier options to using plastic. The widespread use of plastics has left its footprint on our bodies and the environment. A number of studies have shown that no one seems to have been spared from exposure to the dangerous toxins in plastics. This information has made us aware that plastics are not benign materials, and we cannot indiscriminately continue their use. We have to make better choices. We have to make the right choices. We have to make the responsible choices.As such, we are absolutely committed to service, and offering products that facilitate better and healthier living, and are enjoyable to use. Our customers must receive value for their money - we do our best to make sure that you get the most product for every dollar you spend.”

Check out NoPlastic.ca's entire inventory of stainless steel and safer-for-you products!

Smart But Feeling Dumb by Harold Levinson, MD Review

I recently had a chance to read a very intersting book--Smart But Feeling Dumb: New Understanding and Dramatic Treatment for Dyslexia (LD/ADD) by Harold Levinson, M.D. (ARV $24.95, Stonebridge Publishing, Ltd.)

Utilizing the collective understanding derived from scores of his successfully treated and presented dyslexic patients - typical of over 35,000 highly informative others, a world renowned neuropsychiatric pioneer provides readers with the first and only comprehensive solution to the century-old riddles and misconceptions characterizing this previously misunderstood disorder.

I admit that before reading Smart But Feeling Dumb, I was one of those who thought that dyslexia was simply a reading disorder. It was very intriguing to read about how dyslexia is such a complex disorder and how it contributes to other phobias, behaviors, and sensitivities, as well as one’s poor self-image.

Smart But Feeling Dumb details many personal stories and triumphs, and also details Dr. Levinson’s suggestions for treatment, as well as the response to the different types of treatment (if you have a child who is suffering from dyslexia, Dr. Levinson does stress that you should consult your doctor before starting any treatment regimen).

For me personally, the most interesting chapter dealt with The Symptoms and Mechanisms Defining Dyslexia, since there was a section all about speech disturbances. This was of great interest since Little Music Man has been going through speech therapy for over a year now.

After reading Smart But Feeling Dumb, I now have a better understanding of how complex a disorder dyslexia is.

If your child suffers from dyslexia, no matter what you decide to do, and whether or not you agree with Dr. Levinson’s findings and treatment options, it’s important to gather enough information and facts, and to consult your physician or other expert, before making any decisions on treatment.

Shop: You can purchase Smart But Feeling Dumb on Amazon.com and at other retailers online and nationwide.

Thank you to Stonebridge Publishing for the review product.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Baby's First-Word Stories: House Review

Thanks to So Smart!, I received a DVD, Baby’s First-Word Stories: House (ARV $15.99), that introduced new words to Smiley Boy and also helped Little Music Man with his speech skills!

In this DVD, So Smart! friends Edward, Iggy, Larry and Dee Dee will first introduce your little one to simple words about objects in the home, and then build sentences and stories around them. A deliberately gentle pace, engaging imagery, and soothing music make So Smart! a winner for both parents and young children 1 to 3 years old, who are just beginning to explore the rich world of language. Features 5 vocabulary adventures with your So Smart! Friends: Bathtime!, Who's Hiding in the House?, Sounds in My House, Where is Edward's House?, and Clean-up Time. BONUS: Printable Activities for each Adventure Included—10 Total! (PC and Mac Compatible).

Smiley Boy is just starting to speak a few words, so it was great for him to watch this DVD to introduce him to even more words. He was quite mesmerized with the characters, and he'd often squeal and make other noises, as if he were trying to repeat the words.

Little Music Man also enjoyed this DVD. Although he’s older than Smiley Boy, he has been going through speech therapy for over a year now, and Baby’s First-Word Series: House has been a great help in encouraging proper pronunciation.

I think it’s great how words were constantly repeated to reinforce them (e.g. using the word bath in different sentences), and at the end of each episode the characters go over the words that they’ve learned (e.g. bath, bubbles, etc.).

The fun background music helped to make this DVD even more enjoyable, and the characters are cute too!

Baby's First-Word Stories: House is a fun and entertaining way to get your baby acquainted with new words and to reinforce familiar words with older kids!

Shop: To purchase So Smart! DVDs and CDs, visit the So Smart! website.

Thank you to So Smart! for the review product!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes Giveaway

I remember the first time my friends took me to Souplantation while I was living in Southern Califronia, going to school. I immediately thought “Why would my friends take me to Souplantation? I don’t want to eat just soup for dinner!”

Was I in for a surprise...

Yes, there were delicious, hearty, flavorful soups, but there were also salads, pastas, desserts, and more!

Ever since that first visit I always loved going to Souplantation!

The very first Souplantation brought delicious, healthy dining to San Diego in March 1978. Industry experts credit us as being the first casual eatery brand to serve fresh, wholesome menu options.

In 1983, Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. was founded by Michael Mack through the acquisition of the first two Souplantation restaurants. As we continued to grow, we began to pursue growth beyond our core Southern California markets. In order to enhance our brand and reflect our dedication to fresh, wholesome ingredients, we adopted the name Sweet Tomatoes for new restaurants outside Southern California.

With 110 company-owned restaurants in 15 states, 265 million guests since 1978 have helped us to be #1 in fresh produce and salads, made-from-scratch soups, hot-tossed pastas, freshly baked breads and muffins, fresh fruit, frozen yogurt, and more.

We pride ourselves on offering an all-you-care-to-eat dining experience where each of our guests can create a meal tailored to their needs. Of course, you can count on fresh, high-quality ingredients and daily made-from-scratch menu items.

On October 1, Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants announced the crEATe Recipe Contest (http://www.souplantation.com/create/) . Throughout the month of October, guests can submit their recipes for mouth-watering combinations made entirely from Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes menu items through the Web site, Facebook page, or by e-mail. Ten finalists will be chosen in November and all guests will be invited to vote for their favorite finalist in December. The winning recipe and chef will be announced in January and will win a year’s worth of free passes and the chance to be featured in an upcoming ad.

For more information and official rules, visit Souplantation.com.

I checked out some of the creations and they look so delicious! You’ll even get a discount coupon for entering!

They also have a great promotion coming up on October 18: On October 18, children can roll out of bed, watch cartoons and head straight to Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants across the nation for the 3rd annual pajama-rama. In celebration of National Pajama Month, Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants are offering children 12-years-old and younger a free breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday, October 18th with the purchase of an adult meal.

If you’re lucky enough to live near a Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes, go ahead and enter the crEATe contest and don’t forget to visit on October 18th!

I hope one day a Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes opens up in Hawaii!

Visit Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes to find a location near you.

Win: Three lucky winners will each receive two complimentary dining passes good for lunch or dinner at any Sweet Tomatoes or Soup Plantation restaurant (ARV varies depending on location).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to lilyk, Meet the Browns, Betty N!

To enter, visit Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes and comment on what it is you love most about the restaurant(s).
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is October 24, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on October 25, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes for the giveaway products.

Friday, October 16, 2009

ZulaWorld Giveaway

Not too long ago I posted about how Little Music Man enjoyed watching The Zula Patrol DVDs, which featured episodes from The Zula Patrol TV series that taught him all about space, the environment, and more.

Move over George Jetson! The 21st Century's newest space team, The Zula Patrol, has arrived. Stalwart Captain Bula, brainiac Professor Multo, feisty hot-doggin' space pilot Zeeter, the amazing space pet Gorga, and twin flying companions Wizzy & Wigg are the lovably wacky characters who will take our pre-Kindergarten through 2nd graders on a roller coaster fun ride across the Universe - and teach them critical facts about science and astronomy in the process.

The only 3D/CG animated children's show that focuses on the important curriculum of science and astronomy, The Zula Patrol is an entertaining and educational TV series that combines zesty family entertainment with proven educational elements. With a secondary goal of encouraging core values of non-violence and tolerance, the show encourages whole-family participation and interest in learning about science and astronomy, in a fun, comic style.

The Zula Patrol DVDs were truly entertaining and “out of this world” fun! To encourage even more learning and fun with The Zula Patrol, you can sign up for free General Membership at ZulaWorld, where your child can:

Create an Alien
Build your own Spaceship
Get your own communicator and stay in touch with your friends
Accept Special Handshakes from your friends
Play entry level games and quests to earn Zlinkles(Ż)
Buy upgrades to your spaceship

With VIP Membership (1 month for $5.99; 6 months for $29.99; 1 year for $49.99), you can:

Create, accept and send Special Handshakes to your friends
Visit your friends inside their Spaceships
Buy Premium items for your Alien and your Spaceship
Fly your Spaceship to other worlds
Buy a lot for your Spaceship in one of Zula’s Neighborhoods
Wake up your Fweeeb from hibernation
Play advanced games
Accept and complete "missions"

For “out of this world” fun and learning experiences, visit

ZulaWorld.

Win: Ten lucky winners will each receive a 1-month VIP membership (ARV $5.99 each).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to lilyk, Kerrie, bison61, Steph!

To enter, visit Zula.com and comment on what you/your child enjoy(s) or would enjoy about The Zula Patrol.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and ZulaWorld
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is October 23, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on October 24, 2009(make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to The Zula Patrol for the review and/or giveaway product(s).

Thursday, October 15, 2009

YouCanMakeThis.com Giveaway

Halloween is just around the corner, and thanks to YouCanMakeThis.com, you don’t have to be an expert crafter to create fun and festive decorations or costumes!

YouCanMakeThis.com was created by a stay-at-home mom who wanted to provide a place where women could learn how to make items for their homes and families. The site is unique because the eBooks and patterns are written by 'everyday' women. The step-by-step format of the eBooks enables even the most craft-challenged person to experience the satisfaction of creating something beautiful.

There are a variety of projects to help get you in the Halloween spirit. The Paper Piecing Project: Pumpkin Patch Pillow is such a cute pillow, and you can even keep it around beyond Halloween—it’s a great pillow to have around during the fall months!

There are so many other projects you can find! Whether you want to make a costume or decorate your home, you can find a variety of Halloween projects on YouCanMakeThis.com!

Shop: You can purchase eBooks on YouCanMakeThis.com and create something special of your very own!

Win: One lucky winner will receive a $50 bundle of Halloween eBooks, which includes the following titles: Fancy Filled Tutu with Bonus 40 Tutu "Recipes", Pumpkin Polly Patterns, Paper Piecing Project: Pumpkin Patch Pillow, Frayed Applique: Too Cute to Spook!, Little Miss Spider Applique Patterns, How to Applique the Easy Way, Hocus Pocus Patterns, Just a Little Something for a Happy Halloween Table Runner.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to homeschoolceo!

To enter, visit YouCanMakeThis.com and comment on your favorite project (excluding anything in the giveaway)
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and YouCanMakeThis.com
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is October 22, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on October 23, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to YouCanMakeThis.com for the giveaway products!

Buddy the Bus #1: There's Always Tomorrow Review

Thanks to iOrbi, LLC, we were able to download a new application for the iPhone, Buddy the Bus #1: There’s Always Tomorrow by Brian Jones, Illustrated by Kito Young (ARV $.99).

We are a fun, creative and technologically-curious team dedicated to delivering quality mobile story apps for people of all ages to enjoy. Whether it’s children’s stories, travel stories or apps that tell a story to help people teach and train, we get a kick out of working with talented content owners – including authors/illustrators, documentary journalists, and sales and training professionals – to bring their ideas to life.

About the story:
Hop aboard and enjoy the ride with Buddy the Bus as you listen, read and learn. In this charming children's story, the first in the series, your kids will have fun riding along with Buddy as he picks up some of his favorite passengers all around town.

Little Music Man loves to ride the bus and loves to point out buses whenever we see them on the street, so I knew he’d enjoy Buddy the Bus #1: There’s Always Tomorrow. He had fun seeing all the different people go on and off the bus and finding out where they needed to go. I thought the story of Buddy was cute, as he was so happy to help his passengers, and then he’d become sad when his bus became empty. Although he knew the next day he’d be able to take passengers where they needed to go again, “tomorrow” just couldn’t come soon enough!

You can view Buddy the Bus with or without text, and you can also hear it narrated in other languages. The neatest feature is the ability to record your voice to personalize the storytelling experience, which I think would make the story a lot more fun, since the voice on the story didn’t seem to differentiate much amongst the many characters.

Although the Buddy the Bus story seemed a little long—a lot longer than other iPhone stories we have, Little Music Man did enjoy it, and the highlight was the fact that the main character was a bus.

For more information on Buddy The Bus stories and to see what other stories iOrbi, LLC offers, visit the iOrbi, LLC website.

Shop: You can purchase Buddy the Bus #1: There’s Always Tomorrow on iTunes.

Thank you to iOrbi, LLC for the review product.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Michael Bublé: Crazy Love Review and Giveaway

Thanks to the One2One Network, I received a copy of Michael Bublé’s newest CD, Crazy Love (ARV $18.98, Reprise Records).

The multi-Grammy winning artist hunkered down in recording studios in LA, Brooklyn, New York and his hometown of Vancouver for the last six months to make his "ultimate record about the inevitable roller coaster ride of relationships…I started this record knowing I was going to record it differently than my previous ones. I dug way deeper and was more introspective on this one. Basically, I sang the truth - made each song autobiographical - and you can definitely hear the difference. I went back to the way my idols made their records. I wanted an organic feel - so people could feel like they were in the studio with me. The musicians and I all sat in the room, recorded it right from the floor and we let the sounds all come together and bleed into one another. It's not contrived. Not too perfect. It just feels really good," commented Bublé on the recording process for "Crazy Love.”

And it sounds really good too! DH and I could not stop listening to Bublé’s Crazy Love! Haven’t Met You Yet, written by Bublé, along with Alan Chang and Amy Foster, is my favorite song on the CD. It’s a sweet love song that’s fun and upbeat, and the

video is just as fun and upbeat!

I also loved his renditions of At This Moment and the title track Crazy Love.

Buble’s unique style, combined with his jazz and big band influences, really gave these classic love songs a special touch. Bublé has such an amazing voice and a knack to make timeless love songs appeal to all generations.

The songs on Crazy Love will touch anyone who’s in love, ever been in love, or is looking for love. It’s a song that spans the different emotions you feel when you love someone, and it’s simply a great CD that you may find yourself listening to over and over again too!

Shop: You can purchase Crazy Love on Amazon.com and at other retailers online and nationwide.

Win: One lucky winner will win a copy of Crazy Love!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Pamela!

To enter, comment on your favorite Michael Bublé song (excluding anything mentioned in this post)
You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
1)Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Michael Bublé
2)Subscribe to my feed
3)Add my button to your sidebar
4)Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
The deadline for entries is October 21, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on October 22, 2009(make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.
By entering in this giveaway, you have read and agreed to Sage and Savvy’s policies regarding giveaways.
Good luck!

Thank you to One2One Network and Reprise Records for the review and giveaway products.

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