This Full House Reviews

Redbox Top Ten Family Rentals & Free Rental Codes

We love renting movies from Redbox (their kiosks at our local Shoprite, Walgreens and Stop and Shop stores) it's convenient and -- since there are no membership fees and you only pay $1.00 per movie, per day -- it's budget-friendly.

Now, if we can ONLY remember to take it back, the next day, right?

Still, another really great feature to renting movies with Redbox is you can sign up for SMS (your cell phone) or email messaging and get a free rental code each Monday which you can use for one night's free rental.

Here's how you can find one, along with a cool list of family rentals available, this week, if you happen to be planning an at home New Year's Eve party, like us!

OXO GOOD GRIPS Office Collection Review & Giveaway

[WE ARE HAPPILY SHARING WITH SOHA MOLINA (#35) CONGRATULATIONS - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Being a self-professed lover of multi-functional gadgets (see sidebar on left) not to mention, being born with a natural talent for breaking things, without even trying, too hard (ditto) my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I spend a lot of our free time scouring the aisles of Lowes, Home Depot and kitchen supply stores...some times just for fun, too.

OXO GOOD GRIPS has lots of gadgets -- my favorite, at the moment, is the new whisk we just bought, during our last date night, at Bed, Bath and Beyond -- but, did you know that OXO has a line of office supplies, too?

[shudder]

Me, either...until I received an email from the good folks representing Staples and, well, did I mention that I have a thing about getting new pens, push pins and hole punchers?

Getting organized in 2010, not so much!

Open House Blog Tour - Holiday Edition 2009

Happy Holidays from Liz & Garth [not his real name]

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on in there?

It's Christmas Eve and, well, aside from counting our blessings [moving to the other hand] and giving thanks for healthy and mostly-happy children [kicking off slippers] there's much celebration to be done, not to mention baking, cooking, wrapping...well...if you've got kids...then, you know.

Welcome to the Open House Blog Tour - Holiday Edition 2009 where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to shout out, go for it!

WHAT, IS YOUR LINK TOO LONG?  NO PROBLEM:  Shorten the url with http://bit.ly/ (it's easy AND free!)

Okay, I'll start:

Leave a link, or comment, if you'd like -- trust me, I know how busy you are -- and, don't worry if you forget, it'll be here, linked permanently on our Open House Page (24/7) so, if you happen to stop by, whenever, just go ahead and leave your link; I'm easy.

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Happy Holidays, everyone!

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while AND if you really, really like me, then feel free to visit my personal blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Webkinz Jr. Review & Giveaway

[WE ARE HAPPILY SHARING WITH BIRDIE S. (#53) CONGRATULATIONS - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

My youngest daughter (she's 8) and her friends love Webkinz.  I have it on good authority that Santa is bringing her the Webkinz Penguin for Christmas (shhhh, don't tell her) and, well, I still remember the excitement of receiving my first (and only) pet rock.

Sea monkeys, that looked nothing like monkeys, not so much.

I was recently introduced to Webkinz Jr. - a new educational website for kids 3 to 6 and, like their...um...big sisters (and brothers) Webkinz Jr. pets are cute and hug-worthy plush animals that each come with a unique Pet Code. 

Great, but what else can they do and is it more fun than, like, a fish tank full of Sea Monkeys?

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 Review & Giveaway

[FINISHED: CONGRATULATIONS LYNN MATTHEWS (#35) SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE STUFF WITH YOU - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I grew up reading National Geographic Magazine -- his parents had a subscription and I inhaled issues at our local library -- today, our kids are big fans of the National Geographic Channel.

Me, too.

In my opinion, brands like National Geographics Kids (NatGeoKids) helps remind families (like mine) that the world is a whole lot bigger than the folks we encounter in the carpool lanes, at school (almost) so, I was very excited to receive a copy of their new Kids Almanac for 2010.

Take a peek inside:

Free Christmas Goodies at SantasQuarters.com

It's beginning to look A LOT like Christmas.  You know how I know?  The carpool was literally buzzing with excitement, this morning.

Aaaaand, by the time Christmas Eve gets here, well, you know.

For us, the 24th is when we do ALL our cookie baking and decorate our pre-made gingerbread house (thank you, Michaels!) while my youngest elf, Hope (pictured above) keeps a watchful eye on the official Santa tracker (thank you, NORAD!) in yet ANOTHER attempt to celebrate a "low-keyed" night before Christmas, once again.

Yeah, I know, good luck with that one.

The i.d. card is cute, though, right?  I found the Elf ID Card Creator at Santa's Quarters (it's FREE!) and they also have printable coloring pages for kids, a Christmas Decoration ToolSet and Wordpress Christmas Themes for adults, and some more fun stuff to perhaps help keep your kids from driving you nuts, too.

"But, I don't wanna go to bed...I...WANNA...SEE...SANTA!!!"

Yeah, I know, good luck with that one, too! 

You can find all of their free Christmas goodies here: http://www.santasquarters.com/christmas-goodies.html

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) FROM GOING A LITTLE LESS NUTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF SANTASQUARTERS.COM

GameStop/ESRB Holiday LIVE Chat at 3 pm ET, TODAY Hosted Here on This Full House!

Last year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) announced new video game rating summaries -- a FREE internet tool available to help parents (like me) figure out, you know, just what in the heck is in all those video games the cool kids are playing, these days -- and featured This Full House in the official press release.  

They came to my house, we locked the dog out in the yard and they filmed my kids playing their video games and everything.

My friends as the ESRB are at it again (helping parents, like me, I mean) by holding their first joint online press conference with GameStop.

Here is a quick rundown of the event:

• When: Dec. 17, Thursday, at 3 PM ET
• Who: Eliot Mizrachi, ESRB Director of Communications and Chris Olivera, GameStop VP of Corporate Communication
• Topic: Game ratings summaries & holiday gift shopping
• Prizes: Participants will be entered into a chance to win prizes including GameStop gift cards & a video game console!

Aaaaand, we have the pleasure of running the chat LIVE -- once it starts (3:00 p.m. est) you can join in at any time!

Eliot and Chris will be answering all your video game-related questions, so grab yourself a warm beverage and if you have any questions about ESRB's ratings or specific titles on your kids' wish lists, have them handy!

Feel free to add your email (will not be shared) and you'll be sent a reminder (up to 15 minutes before) when the chat goes LIVE!

Aaaaand, if you need me, I'll be upstairs, wrapping presents...YO!

 

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATION, OTHER THAN THE CHANCE TO PERHAPS HELP OTHER FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) KEEP FROM GOING A LITTLE NUTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF ATTENTION U.S.A. AND ESRB.ORG

ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Giveaway

[FINISHED: CONGRATULATIONS CRYSTAL (#22) WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO BE SHARING SOME OF OUR FAVORITE STUFF WITH YOU - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR INSTRUCTIONS!!]

I know...I know...there's, like, only 9 more days left until Christmas!

[slams forehead on laptop]

WHAT, where was I?  Oh, yeah.  We are HUGE fans of ABC Family and their 25 Days of Christmas (which can be accessed by clicking on the banner above, linking to their programming guide, with sound) featuring a few of our favorite television Christmas classics.

 

The Year Without a Santa Claus [shown here, with permission] is one of my personal favorites -- remember the Heat Miser and his stepbrother, the Snow Miser?

Disney Pixar Short Films are also featured, like the awesomely adorable Gerri's Game.

Not to mention, it's Harry Potter month -- Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite, because, well, I happen to like bad boys, like Professor Snape!

RAWR!

This Full House is proud to partner with ABC Family in helping to promote family television, by hosting a 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Giveaway.

Review Bloggers Monthly - December 15, 2009 Edition

Welcome to the December 2009 issue of the Review Bloggers Monthly!

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!

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

FEATURED REVIEW

Aparna presents Clarins Joli Rouge Moisturizing Lipstick posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying:

"Lips are prone to drying as they do not have oil-producing glands. Keeping them moist and chap-free in winter is a bit of challenge. Dry lips prompt you to lick them in an effort to moisten them." 

You can read the rest of Aparna's review by clicking on the link, above.  Now, onto the rest of the submissions for this month!!!

Solution For Holiday Light Frustration: LightKeeper Pro Review & Giveaway

[FINISHED: CONGRATULATIONS, LAURIE MURLEY (COMMENT #14) WE'RE PLEASED TO BE SHARING THIS COOL GADGET WITH YOU - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

We bought a pre-lit Christmas tree a couple of years ago and I was dismayed to find that, this year, after setting it up and plugging it in, half of the tree would not light.

"What the..."

Okay, if you've ever tried to put up Christmas lights, then perhaps you might agree that "dismayed" doesn't quite cut it.  Especially, in describing the frustration a person (like me) feels when the stuff you buy -- not to mention pay good money for -- breaks.

Then, my husband, Garth [not his real name] picked up this handy little gadget from CVS.

He even wrote about his experience with the LightKeeper Pro on Facebook:

Friday Night Family Movie & Game Night: Diner Dash - Flo on the Go for Nintendo DS

I must admit, Diner Dash:  Flo on the Go had me giggling like a 13-year-old.

"Aunt Flo...get it?"

[blank stare]

Apparently, my 13 year-old daughter thought, you know, my "real" age was showing and all she wanted to do was play the new Nintendo DS game that we recently received from our friends representing ZooGames.com.

"I play this game on my phone!"

[eyes go wide]

So, after I made a mental note to check the phone bill, I let her play.

Open House Blog Tour - 38th Showing

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on in there? 

Welcome to the Open House Blog Tour where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to shout out, go for it!

WHAT, IS YOUR LINK TOO LONG?  NO PROBLEM:  Shorten your links with tinyurl.com (it's easy AND free!)

Okay, I'll start:

Leave a link, or comment, if you'd like -- trust me, I know how busy you are -- and, don't worry if you forget, it'll be here, linked permanently on our Open House Page (24/7) so, if you happen to stop by, whenever, just go ahead and leave your link; I'm easy.

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Happy blog hunting!

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while AND if you really, really like me, then feel free to visit my personal blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Black Friday, Everyday: Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company Discount and Free Holiday eCard

Thanks to some really great deals and free shipping offers, I was able to get ALL of my holiday toy shopping done ONLINE (don't hate me, it's the Internet!) in my opinion, there's really no reason to fight the crowds, this year.

Unless, you like that sort of thing.

[cough...cough...weirdo...cough...cough]

Still, I've decided to celebrate Black Friday, Everyday by sharing and posting really great deals, or helpful links I find, while surfing the Internet this holiday season.

Aaaand, you're invited!!!

[chases dog out & puts on party hat]

Today, I had a very pretty-ful eCard waiting in my mailbox from Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company and, well, did I mention it came with a pretty nice discount, too?

UMID mBook: World's Smallest PC Review & Giveaway

[FINISHED: CONGRATULATIONS MAMI2JCN (COMMENT #7) I AM SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS , WITH YOU -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Being a lover of multi-functional gadgets (says so right on my sidebar) I was very excited for the opportunity to touch the world's smallest PC (seriously, it's got a touch screen) but, I also break things (a lot) so, when BlogHer.com approached me, on behalf of Intel, to review the new UMID mbook, I was all, like:

• Yes, but it's so small.
• I could take it, instead of my laptop, to work and use it in between phone calls and training sessions.
• But, IT IS SO...you know...small.

So, they sent me a really pretty black one and, well, want to see?

SUBWAY Holiday Giveaway: Because, A Mom (or Dad) HAS Got To Eat, Right?

[FINISHED: WE ARE PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH BARBARA M. (#15) AND KIMBERLY (#108) AND KAREN (#234) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

So, I received a really nice email from the good folks representing Subway Restaurants and it said:

"Between holiday prep and shopping, on top of daily mom duties, moms have a lot on their plate. We want to help out by giving moms a break with a better-for-you option when it comes to meal time! To show our appreciation for hardworking moms, we would like to give This Full House a few $25 SUBWAY cards to giveaway!"

Aaaaand, I quickly wrote back and said:

"Thank you -- I would love the chance to share "a little extra" with families (like mine) especially, around the holidays!"

Morale of the story:  I've got three (3) $25.00 Subway gift cards burning a hole in my pocket and, yeah, I totally believe in re-gifting!  Dinner is on me...um...I mean, them...uh...well, you know.

Because, we roll like that!

The End.

FIND IT HERE:  http://www.subway.com

GET IT HERE:  (U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY, PLEASE) To enter, leave a comment below, like, what's for dinner [I'm scheduled to work, tonight...so, my husband is treating the kids to take-out!] along with a valid email address on this post by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 14th and you're automatically entered to win.  Three (3) winners will be picked (via random.org) and announced via email and posted on My Prizey Giveaways Page!

'CAWSE WE LOVE TO SHARE & SOME EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN, TOO:

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Good luck and, you know, wake me when New Years ends!

 

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATION, OTHER THAN AN OPPORTUNITY OF HOSTING A GIVEAWAY AND PERHAPS HELP OTHER FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) KEEP FROM GOING A LITTLE NUTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF ZOCALOGROUP.COM AND SUBWAY.COM