This Full House Reviews

Celtic Woman: Believe CD and Live Concert DVD Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  So happy to be able to share this awesome prize pack with you Heather S (comment #30) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

I was first introduced to Celtic Woman two years ago when I reviewed their then newly released album Songs From the Heart and was blown away by their amazing talent.

Celtic Woman is an all-female singing group featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt..  They perform classic Irish songs (“Green Grow the Rushes") contemporary favorites (“Bridge Over Troubled Water") and inspirational songs (“Ave Maria”) with their signature Celtic Woman twist.

Their new live concert special "Believe" was filmed for the first time in America at two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA this past September.

My girls and I were very excited to receive a copy of their new CD/DVD and "Believe" is a truly beautiful addition to our ever-growing appreciation of all things Celtic.

Want one?

Hot Topic Helping to Bring Music & Arts to Young Adults - Who Knew?

The kids and I stopped by the mall for lunch (quid pro quo for agreeing to go hiking with, you know, me) then, made the obligatory visit to Hot Topic.

Don't be scared, they each had great report cards recently and, well, it's all about the give and take, you know?

[sound of crickets]

Aaaaanyway, after picking up a few unmentionables that were on sale (don't ask) the cashier asked if I'd like to donate $1.00 to the Hot Topic Foundation.

At first, I thought maybe they were collecting money for corrective surgery to help senior citizens get their ears back to normal size, after years of gadge abuse, or something:

The Hot Topic Foundation aims to support programs and organizations that specifically focus on encouraging and educating youth in music, creative writing, painting, photography, filmmaking and more.

Who knew, right?

As both of my two oldest daughters are currently majoring in art and photography, I was all in and my two youngest were happy to relieve Hot Topic of these really cool Rock the Arts pins, as a thank you, too.

Got home and did a little more research and found out that Hot Topic Foundation has granted more than $5 million to charitable organizations throughout the country!

The sad truth of it is, due to budget constraints, enrichment programs are the first on the chopping block and many school districts are elimating high school art electives, as well.

This morning, I received an email from our high school letting local families know that a freshman, Michelle Taylor, has been nominated as one of the three finalists for the 9th grade category in the Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest!

<----I love Michelle's design -- good luck, sweetie!

Among other prizes (12 winners will be awarded $1,000 in cash) each winner will receive $1,000 in art supplies, as well.

How awesome is that, right?  Want to help select this year’s winners?

Voting begins today and ends at 11:59:59 EST on April 11th -- just pick your favorite Heinz Ketchup packet design in each grade level by clicking on the VOTE icon below it.

Why?

I can't imagine a world without art or music, you'll be helping me give a little back to my community, as well (thank you!) and, well, that's just all sorts of nice, you know?

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product or any other consideration, besides sharing stuff we like with other families (like ours) was received for this blog post.

Deal Alert: MSG Special Offers for Madagascar Live & More!

Planning to visit NYC, or traveling to the Tri-state area, with kids, this spring?  EXCELLENT! 

Got some great coupon codes to share, courtesy of our friends at MSG.com/kids:

Thomas & Friends Live! on Stage
Get 15% off select tickets with code TRAIN
March 5-6 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden
Redeem here: http://www.theateratmsg.com/tickets/promotion.html?p_id=TRAIN

Madagascar Live
Get $10 off select tickets with code MBS
April 15-22 at Radio City Music Hall
Redeem here: http://www.radiocity.com/tickets/promotion.html?p_id=MBS

Sticking close to home for spring break?  EXCELLENT!  More fun stuff for kids online:

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – Puppy Love
http://video.msg.com/Home/msg-dogcam-puppy-love

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – Paws on the Runway
http://video.msg.com/Home/MSG-DogCam-Paws-on-the-Runway

Sesame Street Planting Party with Garden of Dreams Children
http://video.msg.com/Home/msg-kidcam-sesame-street

Harlem Globetrotters KidCam with the Knicks City Kids
http://video.msg.com/Home/MSG-KidCam-Harlem-Globetrotters-Special

There are more kid-friendly videos, quizzes and photos on MSG's kid's hub: http://msg.com/kids

Happy (almost) Spring, everyone!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment was received for this blog post.  Just sharing stuff we like, or perhaps helps other famlies (like ours) save a little milk money, too.

School of Rock: Coupon Code FREE Week - Guitar Lessons, Drums Whatever, But Definitely NO Drums at Our House!

We've signed my 11 year-old son up for guitar lessons, through an enrichment program offered in our school system, which means, you know, no sleeping in on Saturdays, either!

Still, it's an hour out of our day, close to home, the program runs through December and costs us about $10.00 per lesson.

Not a bad deal, right?

I've got a pretty good one for you (yes, YOU!) too - a coupon code for a free week of lessons, courtesy of the good folks representing School of Rock.

Not a bad deal, either, especially if your kid decides that, you know, they'd REALLY rather play the drums...UGH!

First, the deets:

Classical Music Meets Classical Rock: David Garret Rock Symphonies Review & CD Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be able to share this with Tawnda (#1) please check your email for further instructions.

I had the pleasure of listening to German-born (not to mention, uber-handsome) musician David Garrett play live while attending the Bloganthropy Awards dinner held during BlogHer '10 in New York City and remember thinking to myself:

"Man, that boy can play a violin!!!"

Seriously, I love listening to classical music (especially, while I'm attempting to cook dinner) much to the disdain of my children (especially, the teenagers) until...

"Hey, I know THAT song!!!"

It was David's version of "Walk This Way by Aerosmith," aaaand, the words weren't even out of my mouth...

"Ohhhh, he is SO cute,who IS he?!?"

Yes, David Garrett is very cute AND talented.

I was excited to receive a copy of David Garrett's Rock Symphonies CD from my friends at Team Mom and was reminded, once again, what happens when classical music meets classical rock and if, you know, they had a baby.

Want to see?

Kraft "Best Side Dinner Challenge" Giveaway: Velveeta Shells & Cheese and Country Music Artist Rodney Atkins Help Bring Families Together at Local Festivals

CONGRATULATIONS: CATHY MCCAUGHAN (#31) AND PIXIE13 (#38) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!

I am very proud to have been given the extreme pleasure of providing you guys (yes, YOU!) a behind the scenes look at what they're cooking up in the Kraft Kitchens to help bring families (like mine) to the dinner table and spend more time together...all at once...at the same table...sitting down...would be REAL nice, right?

This summer, country music artist Rodney Atkins and Velveeta Shells & Cheese are giving families a chance to come together with exclusive festival activities, music and autographed Atkins merchandise as part of his “Best Side of Dinner” tour.

Want I should get you some?

My Gym Childrens Fitness Center Presents: Aaron Nigel Smith - Featuring The Activators

[CONGRATULATIONS: BROWNBEAR129 -- COMMENT #2 -- AND TINA -- COMMENT #5 -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

My mother weighed 13 lbs. at birth and joked that she has NEVER seen a skinny day in her life.

I, on the other hand, was quite petite, until about the 6th grade, when puberty hit me like a Mack truck (literally) and it is still very upsetting for me to think that I used to blame her for my weight problems, too.

Today, I know better (sort of) and, now that my kids are getting older, my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I try really hard to help our family eat healthy and, now that the warmer weather is here (mostly) I have made a commitment to get my family outside, more often!

It's not always easy.

However, with resources like www.TheActivators.net to help parents inspire kids to get physically active, it's getting a little easier -- wanna know how?

Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart Review & Giveaway

[COMMENTS CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS, MATT -- COMMENT #22 -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

I was watching PBS, while in the middle of a self-proclaimed "mommy needs a time out" (last year, I think) when I fell in love with Celtic Woman (figuratively speaking, of course) a 5 member Irish female ensemble, all of whom are extremely talented and awfully gosh-darned pretty, too, DAMMIT!

Then again, I'm a sucker for string instruments and a good set of pipes, not to mention, the modern movement that's recently hit Celtic music -- don't even get me started on the gorgeous that is Celtic Thunder -- so, when Child's Play Communications approached me about their latest Music Mom project (of which, I am also a proud member) I was more than happy to give Celtic Woman: Sounds of the Heart a listen and take them up on an offer to share some Celtic love, with you, too!

Wanna see?

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.

Holiday Survival Guide 2009: Day 5 - QUIET HOLIDAY TIME With Quiet Time Tales

[CONGRATULATIONS CHERYL (#50) WE ARE SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Welcome to Day 5 of our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 sponsored by some of the most awesomely generous brands we know and have reviewed throughout the year, who have graciously agreed to provide some really cool stuff for Her, Him, the Grandparents...okay, isn't it time we ALL put the WIN back into the winter holidays and made re-gifting a rule?!?

Seriously, I've got some really great stuff to share with you.

Raising 4 kids (did I mention, we've got two teenagers in the house, this year?) my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I are trying (really hard) to remember to take back the holidays and keep it as stress free as...well...you know,.

We've got a little something for everyone and giving away some pretty cool stuff, too:

DAY 1:  HOLIDAY BAKING - Pumpkin Lattice Tart Food Channel Recipe and Holiday Gift Pack from Pampered Chef

DAY 2:  WARM HOLIDAY FUZZIES - Love, Hugs, Peace and All Things Jonas Brothers with Build-A-Bear

DAY 3:  CHILDREN'S BOOKS - Going Digital with Disney

DAY 4:  HOLIDAYS LONG DISTANCE - Keep in Touch with Skype and Buddy Cam

DAY 5:  QUIET HOLIDAY TIME - Grandpa Read's Quiet Time Tales

DAY 6:  FAMILY GAME NIGHT - Playing the "I'm Bored" Games with HABA

DAY 7:  MORE FUN TIME - Xbox 360 for When You're Home for the Holidays

Just so you know -- my picks, product features and blog posts (as always) are advertorial free. No one is paying me, to talk about their product. It's just some really nice stuff that I thought you guys would like, too.

Let's get started, okay -- have you heard of Grandpa Read?

Disney On Ice "Celebrations" New Jersey Discount Tickets & Giveaway

[CONGRATULATIONS, MELISSA RESNICK (#15) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!]

My family and I are very excited to be able to experience the magic of Disney on Ice, for the very first time, as they present "Celebrations" playing at the IZOD Center and Prudential Center in New Jersey, courtesy of Mom Central!

Here's the really good part!

As a Tri-State Area Feld Family Activator (say that five times, real fast, I double-dog dare you!) I have the pleasure of sharing our experience and A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU, TOO!

• Get 4 tickets for $44 Monday-Friday matinee (or) $4 off Friday night and weekend tickets by entering the code “MOM” in the MC promotion code box on Ticketmaster.
• Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.
• Offer not valid on Rinkside or VIP seating. Cannot be combined with other offers. Service Charges & handling fees will apply.

Here's the really, really good part -- want to go?

Michael Buble is in the House: Crazy Love CD Review - Music That Soothes a Tired Mom!

So, who the heck is Michael Buble (pronounced, for lack of a better example, Boob-lay) and what the heck is he doing in my house?

A friend of mine turned me on to Michael Buble, during a Christmas party, when she had his CD playing and I was all, like, WHO IS THAT and CAN I HAVE HIM?!?

My husband, Garth [not his real name] gifted me with "Call Me Irresponsible" that year and, well, I've been hooked on his smooth, sultry, and extremely sexy voice, ever since.

Michael Buble, I mean -- in fact, I soon subscribed to Michael Buble Radio for my review of Pandora.com -- my husband, however, is really good at other things; singing, not so much.

So, when my friends over at One2One Network asked if I'd be interested in spreading some "Crazy Love" (Michael Buble's new album released on October 9, 2009) I was all, like, YES and I CAN HAVE HIM, AGAIN!

Glambassador Report: See Scott Hardkiss in NYC on September 7, 2009!

As a 2009 New Jersey Glambassador -- yeah, I don't know how that happened either --  I am very excited for the opportunity to keep you updated on the latest products in beauty and really fun events in the tri-state area.

There is a great music event in NYC on Monday, 9/7!

Hardkiss is the group moniker of San Francisco electronic music producers Scott, Gavin, and Robbie Hardkiss. Scott Hardkiss also works under the pseudonym God Within.

Sort of reminds me of the techno-pop stuff my European cousins listened to at the dance clubs in the 90's -- yes, I was there -- only now more grown up and a little smarter, like me.

SHUDDUP

Aaaaanyway, sounds like a terrific way to end the summer and if you'd like to find out a little know more about Scott Hardkiss, feel free to check out these links:

Scott Hardkiss on Facebook

Scott Hardkiss Official Website

Scott Hardkiss on MySpace

Scott Hardkiss Music on RCRD LBL with Free MP3 Download

Happy Labor Day (almost) and have fun!

Recent Glambassador Reports

[No payment was received for this blog post - just sharing some cool stuff courtesy of Conde Nast Publications and Glamour.com]

 

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Sansa slotRadio Music Player Review & Giveaway

[THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED: WE HAVE A WINNER - CONGRATULATIONS, MICHELLE LOPEZ 5/13 - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

If you're like me, then you love music, but (if you're A LOT like me) you don’t have the time to spend hours creating a music library.

Seriously, technically-challenged folks (like me) might be interested to learn that there's a new music player in the house.

Why?

Sansa slotRadio is a tiny portable player preloaded with a 1,000 songs from the Billboard charts and organized into various genres without the hassle of downloads, software or a PC.  Seriously, all you have to do is press play and you're good to go! 

Aaaand, we got the chance to try one -- wanna see?

Yanni Voices CD/DVD Release & Giveaway

[THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED: WE HAVE A WINNER - CONGRATULATIONS, DAVE 3/28!!!]

Last month, I got a chance to blog about the Yanni Voices special aired on PBS -- currently airing the live concert at the Forum at Mundo Imperial in Acapulco for the month of March --  I was excited to learn that Yanni is back and, with the help of 4 fresh new artists, his music sounds better than ever!

The album is being released today (March 24th) with Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas and Leslie Mills adding a seductive and edgy touch to an already compelling and passionate collection of classical instrumental music that Yanni is already very well known for.

Want one?