This Full House Reviews

Flip Video Camera: The Little Camera That Could

Most of you may be surprised to learn that - although, I have been blogging for 4 years and subscribe to over 150 sites in my Google reader - I am NOT the most technically savvy mother in the blogosphere.

In fact, you should know - especially, if we've ever had the pleasure of being in each other's company - I am a clumsy DORK and I break things.

A lot.

Living in a house with 4 children, 2 cats, 1 doofus-type dog and way 2 much laundry - really, the hills are alive with EXPLODING clothes baskets - I like things nice (and easy) and...well...basically, I'll believe in anything that makes my life as uncomplicated, as possible.

Short of a hiring a cook, maid, nanny and a full-time child psychologist, finding new and cool gadgets that really work helps.

We received the new Flip Video Camera in the mail a few weeks ago and - although, I haven't managed to break it...yet - it took me a little while, but I was finally able to tear it away from the kids long enough to post a review.

To make a long story short (I know, too late) this is the little video camera that could do, well, whatever I gosh-darned tell it to:

• Upload your video directly and easily to YouTube, MySpace or AOL
• Instantly email videos and video greeting cards
• Make custom movies with your own music
• Capture still photos from video clips
• Archive and organize your videos

We've got the Flip Video Ultra Series camcorder that is, without a doubt, the simplest video...well...even I found it easy to use this camera.

I mean, this is perhaps the only electronic-type gadget I've ever received that actually came with EVERYTHING you would need to make it, you know, workable - 2 AA batteries, TV connection cable and wrist strap - and is loaded with all the software you need for editing, organizing your video files, upload clips to the Internet, or email.

Here's the best part - all you do is point, shoot, flip the USB latch up, plug it into your computer and let the little camera to do the rest.

I love this video camera, but not as much as my kids did.

"We borrowed it and made our own movie!"

Parental Tip #118,992,001:  Never leave a recording device near children, or unattended...wait...on second thought, perhaps you should take a look for yourselves:

I pixel-ated (yes, it's a word) the video, so that you don't actually see the kids' faces, because, well, they were filming a clothes basket rumble, for goodness sake.

[goosebumps rising]

I hate to think what they do when I'm out food shopping!

[shudder]

Yes, you SHOULD be glad you don't live in this house!

The Flip Video Ultra Series Camera is a hit and proved to be quite the babysitter.  It comes in lots of pretty colors and retails starting at $149.00 Amazon.com - just click on the link in our Holiday Picks to the right.]

Let me know what you think, since...um...the kids are STILL playing with mine ;o)

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[Edited to add:  Now, you can actually watch Mini-Me play with Dynafly and...um...you're welcome!]

Dynafly by See Toys: No, these kid-powered electronic toys do NOT bug me!

One of the many joys and tribulations of being a parent is seeing the excitement on your child's face as he (or, she) opens a present on...well...any gift-giving holiday or milestone that requires remembrance, really.

Yep, she will soon figure it all out, look forward to and begin reminding you of...WHATEVER...months in advance.

Especially, when they begin to grow (really, it happens so fast) and understand that childhood celebrations are truly the best of times to, you know, get stuff.

Unless.

You have really evil parents (like mine) who insist on getting their grandchildren something really loud, or totally too complicated and requires about a bazillion batteries.

Don't even get me started on toy packaging and how the kids (and I) can never seem to open the darn things, without getting the paper cut from h-e-double hockey sticks!

Now, you know - some toys can really, really bug me - so, when Mini-me received Dynafly and wanted to know how to turn it on, you can just imagine our surprise when it took me all of 10 seconds to show her how it works!

"Just crank it up, baby!"

Actually, Dynafly was already charged up enough for 15 minutes of play - 1 minute of crankiness equals 15 minutes of power to the bug - but, she giggles as she's wound...oh, and so does Dynafly!

Now, this bug is cool - the toy, too - as she's taken to calling her new bedtime friend, "Bugmaster Flash!" developed by See Toys - See stands for safety, ecology and economy - and she's eco-friendly, too:

"The introduction of self-sustainable SEE toys carries an important message of responsible living to our youth.  The toys engage children on a variety of levels to teach them that green living is not only a necessity, it can be fun too."

Dynafly has four pose-able arms, flexible antennae and a move-able head and her big, buggy eyes light up with six super bright white LED lights (really, nearly blinding her human sisters, brother and anyone else foolish enough to look, when calling out their name) while her movable fiber optic wings burst with colorful lights and her tail glows red.

Mini-me's having some sleeping issues - like, NOT being able to...in the dark...and without keeping her sisters up...for most of the night - so, Bugmaster Flash HAS proven to be the ultimate campout buddy and a wickedly useful night light!

The Dynafly is designed for children 5 years and older - it's been over a week and we are she is still playing with it - and is available in 4 colors - black, green, blue and purple - each with yellow accents.

Suggested retail price is $29.99 and is available for purchase - along with Dynashark, Dynadolphin, Dynatiger and Dynacar - at www.seetoys.com.

Dynafly is the most expensive of the 5 (the other toys range from $19.99 to $24.99) and it may seem a bit much, to some...uh...like, my husband...Garth (not his real name) but, all I had to do was remind him of a few things:

• How we've shelled out for batteries (disposable and rechargeable) over the years
• His having to go through the house and turning off ALL the lights left on, all the way to the bathroom
• Mini-me's NOT afraid to go to bed and perhaps we can ALL start getting some sleep
• Any questions, see above

[cue: trumpets sound and angels singing]

Nope, Mini-me's holding onto this toy (read:  no re-gifting, required) and it does NOT bug us in the least!

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[Edited to add:  Now, you can watch Mini-me play with her Dynafly, courtesy of The Flip Video Camera]

Blog Carnival: Review Bloggers 8th Edition

Welcome to the November 26th Edition of the Review Bloggers Carnival!

It's no secret. I like getting stuff. I like writing about the stuff that we like and perhaps make my family's life a little easier. Especially, if it works!

Or, I haven't managed to break it...YET!

Do you have a review blog - or, perhaps found a product (or, service) that you really, really like and you're aching to share with the rest of the blogosphere - then, you may be interested to learn that the Review Bloggers Carnival has come to This Full House!

Clean off a chair and come on in - mi casa, y su casa - as we canvas the blogosphere and share together in the ultimate consumer experience....window shopping!

WHAT'S HOT:  Eco-friendly and Lead Free Toy Guide

Tiffany Washko presents Eco Friendly Yoga Socks and Lead Free Toy Guide posted at Natural Family Living Blog.

ART

artThailand presents artThailand: We Put The World Of Contemporary Art From Thailand Within Reach posted at artThailand.



BOOK REVIEW:  "The Right Words at the Right Time," by Marlo Thomas and Friends

 Tiffany Washko presents The Right Words at the Right Time posted at Zen Mother.



ELECTRONICS REVIEWS:  iPOD, KODAK EASYSHARE

kcawley presents Attention Potential iPod Buyers! posted at Technologic, saying:

"iPods may not be worth the heartache after all"

mgopi presents The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS Digital Zoom Camera - Technical Review posted at Virtual Views.

GOOD THINGS

Meg presents Can’t Believe I Lived Without It | All About Appearances posted at All About Appearances.

Linsey B. Knerl presents Review of The New Touch Game posted at Lille Punkin' Reviews.

MOVIES

Michael L. Wentz presents Top Ten Veteran’s Day Movie Picks - From a Veteran posted at Real Honest Film.

Danogo presents Free Movie Review: Not Just Another Fairy Tale posted at Danogo.com, saying:

"Review of the movie Stardust by a 9 year old."

That concludes the 8th Edition of Review Bloggers Carnival - thank you ALL so much for your terrific submissions, this month - you can submit your blog article to the next edition (deadline is December 9, 2007)  using our carnival submission form and reviewing our submission guidelines.

Go ahead, it's easy - past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page - just write about the things you like and share it with the rest of us!

Happy Reviewing!

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Learning Curve: Yes, This Company Is Very Smart!

I attended the M2Moms Conference in Chicago, last month, and had the pleasure of speaking to more than 250 national and international marketers and brand executives on how moms (like me) are using the internet.

Yes, it was quite overwhelming and I'm still not over it...okay?

Who knew that there are companies out there that really seem to want to know stuff about, you know, stuff we want to know...um, about.

Confused?

That's okay - I have kids, I know - because, you have enough on your plate (no doubt) already and that is why I want tell you about a company that was kind enough to introduce itself to me.

Have you heard about Learning Curve?

Well, if you are a parent (or, grandparent) of a child age 0-6, Learning Curve is perhaps a company you should get to know.

Why?

[cleans off a chair and offers a seat]

For starters, they have ideas for expectant parents and recommendations on age-appropriate toys, learning activities and safety products for children ranging from newborns to kindergarten.

Oh, and they carry a wide range of brands to choose from, including some of our family favorites: Disney Baby, Lamaze and The First Years.

As a mother of four, I feel it safe to say that product safety is a major concern for parents - especially, when the holiday shopping season kicks-off in...GULP...NEXT WEEK!?!? - and restoring our faith in manufacturers and distributors should be at the top of everyone's list, this year.

Learning Curve is doing their part with a Multi-Check Safety System, which includes this closing statement:

"Going forward, the truest measure of our success is and always will be the trust parents place in our products. We are working very hard to preserve and strengthen that trust. And, we hope that you and other parents recognize that our products have been subjected to intense internal scrutiny and testing and are the safer for it."

It's not just about shopping, either.

Their website is chock-full with offers tips and articles on prevalent parenting issues, like potty training your child and transitioning to daycare or preschool, and provides opportunities for moms to join the Learning Curve Mom research team.

Yes, they want YOU!

• You may have the opportunity to test and help develop new products
• Take surveys to let us know your expert Mom opinion
• This is your chance to make a difference in the world of Learning

Learning Curve also provides a portal for moms (and dads) looking for a little sense of community - heck, some of my best friends ARE bloggers - take a few minutes, grab a cup of your favorite hot (or, cold) beverage and check out their Parents Council:

"It's our network of expectant and experienced parents designed to help you get the information you want and need for your child."

There's the Learning Curve Shop, cool kids games and activities and...well...much, much more and to make a long story, short (I know, too late!) this a very smart website that has received our This Full House Stamp of Approval!

Why?

[see sidebar at right]

Because, they are taking the time to listen and understand what parents today truly want - or, at least looking for - and that makes Learning Curve worth a click!

[Right now, you can get 25% discount and free shipping on orders of $75 or more at Learning Curve, good through 12/31/07.  Just enter the following code at checkout:  FULLHOUSE]

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Why I heart Dove...

'Nuf said!

[Note: Snagged from Webelieveingirls.com and I DO believe that Mattel is on the right track!]

When Hump Day Meets Retail Therapy, Links Happen!

Wednesday is "hump day" here at This Full House of happy little idioms and many missing socks.

Where DO all those slippery little buggers go?

No matter.  The week is half over and to jump start one of our most favorite of weekend festivities - after soccer, of course! - we're reaching into our grab bag of really cool shopping tips and informative links.

Just so you know:

Inside CRM posted 100 Places to Find Reviews for Every Product.

It is perhaps the largest list of sites offering real customer feedback, I've ever seen.  It'll take me days to get through it - damn the laundry - I was, however, very happy to find a few of my favorite sites already listed.

Although, someone should tell them about Ask Patty and all of her wonderful automotive advice for women...easily read by men, too!

Toy shopping is going to prove difficult, this year - more than 20 million toys have been recalled, so far - if you are feeling a bit scared and confused shopping for loved ones this holiday season, you are NOT alone!

This year, Consumer Union - the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports - has launched the "Get the Lead Out This Holiday Season" campaign, requesting that we join in 12 days of safe shopping with their Not In My Cart initiative:

"It is time for Congress to take decisive action to protect all of us -- especially our children -- from contaminated food and hazardous products before they enter the marketplace."

Take the time to answer  their call to advocacy and send a message to OUR members of Congress to act now and help restore our confidence in the safety of the items in our carts!

I did and if we don't, then who will?

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Thinking Outside the In House: Astonishing Cards

At our house, Garth (not his real name) and I are forever looking for ways to help our children understand that the world is a big place - filled with many different people and bigger than our own backyard, even - and one of my favorite ways in doing so, is to hang little reminders around the house.

Like, the endless array of plaques and signs that read, "This home is NOT under construction, kids just live here," and "Good morning, let the stress being!"

Okay, not the best examples - though, those two happen to be my favorites - but, with 6 people living in a 7 room house...well...there's not much room left for exclusionary behavior.

Unless, someone happens to experience something extraordinary, or decides to take matters into their own hands, and begins to think outside the house...well...then, my friend, that someone deserves a spotlight and perhaps an extra helping of ice cream, even.

Like it says right above our kitchen door:

 

Today...eye spy, with my little eye...an online personal greeting card company that's reaching out this holiday season.

 

Astonishing Cards, an online personal greeting card company, has released "Christmas Cards for a Cure," their initiative to raise money for Cancer Research:

 

 

Astonishing Cards has committed to donating 10% of the sale price of all cards sold between Nov. 7 and Dec. 31, 2007 to The Roger Maris Cancer Center.

Good on you, guys!

[Just so you know:  this is NOT a paid advertisement and nothing more than paying a compliment to a company that's obviously thinking outside the in-house.]

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Blog Carnival: Review Bloggers 7th Edition

Welcome to the November 12th Edition of the Review Bloggers Carnival!

It's no secret. I like getting stuff. I like writing about the stuff that we like and perhaps make my family's life a little easier. Especially, if it works!

Or, I haven't managed to break it...YET!

Do you have a review blog - or, perhaps found a product (or, service) that you really, really like and you're aching to share with the rest of the blogosphere - then, you may be interested to learn that the Review Bloggers Carnival has come to This Full House!

Clean off a chair and come on in - mi casa, y su casa - as we canvas the blogosphere and share together in the ultimate consumer experience....window shopping!

eCommerce

Andrew Erickson presents Taking the Long View - Are You In Business? posted at WebSite Werx.

Consumer Experiences

Jenny presents Makes for a Sweet Smelling Home and Family Chef in Training posted at the so called me.

Movies

Kevin Fleming presents Netflix Review posted at Satellite TV Guru, saying:

"We review Netflix, the popular online movie rental service that everyone seems to be talking about."

That concludes the 6th Edition of Review Bloggers Carnival - thank you ALL so much for your terrific submissions, this month - you can submit your blog article to the next edition (deadline is November 25, 2007)  using our carnival submission form and reviewing our submission guidelines.

Go ahead, it's easy - past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page - just write about the things you like and share it with the rest of us!

Happy Reviewing!

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A Gift From The Heart: I Love You More

Are you one of about a gazillion (yes, it's a word!) people who use the phrase, "I love you," everyday?  Are you part of that magical giving and receiving of love?  Have you heard of the Hippie Bald Chick?

No?

Wait, which one?

No matter, let me start by telling you a little about Author Laura Duksta (a.k.a. "The Bald Chick") and Illustrator, Karen Kessler who earned the nickname "Hippie" from her love for people and the planet.

The Bald Chick?

Well, quoting Laura directly from her website:

"The first thing most people notice about me is my head. At the age of 11, I lost all of my hair to a 'disease' called Alopecia Areata. Besides having no hair, I am perfectly healthy. This is a condition that affects about 5 million people in America and 1.7 percent of the total population. It's not been an easy journey, though it's one that I am eternally grateful for."

After 19 years of wearing wigs, Laura made a decision on her 30th birthday to throw a coming out party as "The Bad Chick."

Her mission is to share her story so that others might see that no matter what challenges they are facing, anything is possible with love.  She is now fulfilling this mission with her book, I Love You More.

Well, quoting from the letter I received from their publicity manager:

"Once opened, I Love You More is a gorgeous and touching combination of heartfelt message, rhyme and rhythm and child-like illustrations.  Its cleverly conceived flip story, which ends in the middle and starts from either side, will show you what love looks like from both a parent's and a child's perspective."

Upon receiving a copy of the book in the mail, I was instantly drawn to its beautifully illustrated cover (being child-like and all) of a woman, holding a child, with their arms wrapped tightly around each other, and placed the book aside to read with my 6-year-old, later.

Much later.

"What's this?"

We had just finished chasing our 4 children off to bed (read:  on our last nerve and having given our final warning) and I was trying to clean something very, very sticky off the kitchen table.

"Oh, it's a book I was going to read with Mini-Me at bedtime."

Whenever, she finishes brushing her teeth...that is.

"What's it about?"

Well, quoting Mini-Me's response with a toothbrush in her mouth:

"It's about a mommy...who says she wuvs her baby more dan any-fing...and den da baby gwo-ohs up...wuving her more...you know, Daddy...just wike our mommy...except, she's your wife!"

Yes, she gets it and so should you!

In release November 5th, you can order your copy through Amazon for $11.55 (hard cover) and IS worth every penny!

In the meantime, I'd like to personally thank "Hippie and The Bald Chick" for reminding my husband Garth (not his real name, either) and me to go ahead and tell our children, "I love more!"

Even if it is, you know, way passed their bedtime.

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More Skin MD: Gloves in a Bottle!

I've already posted my love for Skin MD, while on a road trip with my husband Garth (not his real name) to North Carolina, and I have to admit - because, this is MY review blog and it's a moral imperative that I tell you - I was a bit confused at receiving Gloves in a Bottle for review, let alone have to blog about another shielding lotion...um...again?

Then, I thought...why not!?!?

I mean, honestly, it's not like I only wear ONE pair of shoes - even though the three that I do wear, mostly, look pretty beat up, at the moment - especially, if it's a brand that I trust.

[heads up marketers]

Which is mommy talk for:  I've tried it at least once and have probably told a couple of friends about it, especially if it works!

What's the difference?

Not much - Gloves in a Bottle claims the same protection as Skin MD - but, I did appreciate the fact that Gloves in a Bottle went on more like a traditional lotion, whereas Skin MD Natural felt like liquid silk (apparently, Skin MD Natural has a more refined list of ingredients) it is available at a more affordable price (read:  even I can buy one) and, at $12.95 for an 8 oz. bottle, it costs only a couple of dollars more than its over-the-counterparts.

Go figure, who knew taking good care of our skin could be...so...costly!?!?

"Good news for the millions who suffer with dry skin each year. Shielding Lotion can prevent a costly trip to your dermatologist and keep your skin silky smooth all winter."

More importantly, Gloves in a Bottle is skin care that works - if you'd like to try this product, I have three samples I'd be more than happy to send.  Just email me at [email protected] and I'll get it out to you, right away!

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