Hard Candy Eye Essential Collection Review (Holiday Gift Guide)

November 30, 2016 By Merrilee Kaminski

Hard Candy has released new makeup sets for the holidays which are available exclusively at Walmart. The Eye Essential Collection comes with 2 eyeshadow palettes, 3 brushes, and a small pouch and retails for $4.88. “Fall in love with these purse friendly eye shadow palettes. Create that smoky look you desire for an evening out on the town or define your eyes with any of these coordinating shades for a natural look.”

I loved all 12 shades in this palette. The colors go on smoothly with minimal fall out and are surprisingly pigmented for this price point. I especially liked the purple shade. In my experience, the purple shades in many pallets are among the weakest shades. Not so in this pallet. Each shade was distinctively shimmery and will help create some fun looks. This is my favorite of the two pallets available in this kit. The eyeshadow had decent lasting power; actually comparable to some of the higher priced pallets in my collection. Swatches were done without primer.

In this particular palette, the shades are all very similar to each other. It’s difficult to get more than one or two looks. Eight of the shades are silvery white shimmers. The blue and purple shades are the standouts here, while the two darker black shades are so similar to each other I couldn’t tell any difference, especially on application to the eyes.

The only brush I found useful in this kit was the eyebrow brush/comb. The other two brushes were so stiff and rough that I couldn’t even get them near my eyes and face. They may be going in the giveaway bin, but the pouch they come in is adorable and I’ll be using it to carry smaller items in my purse.

In my opinion, the neutral shades palette, the eyebrow brush and comb combo and the pouch make this entire kit worthwhile and an excellent value. I plan on giving away the silver/grey pallets to a young friend to play with.

These would make great holiday gifts! Please check out their website here for more information.

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*I received a product in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Merrilee Kaminski

Customized Lockets from Pictures On Gold (Holiday Gift Guide) (Review)

November 26, 2016 By Marijean

Looking for a perfect yet unique Jewelry gift for a loved one this holiday season? Look no further! Check out my review on customized gold lockets from Pictures On Gold.

Pictures On Gold offers beautiful Jewelry of all styles. Some of the Jewelry they offer are ID Bracelets, Fingerprint Jewelry, Graduation, Religious Jewelry, and my favorite: Photo Lockets.

I was able to review a Build Your Own Sterling Silver 2-Picture Heart Locket. If you do not want silver you can choose from 14K Gold Filled, 14K Yellow Gold, Or 14K White Gold. The locket I built in Sterling Silver starts at just $24.95 and goes up depending on locket size. You can customize the FRONT SIDE of the Locket by choosing the Metal and Size, Bail Stone (we will add a synthetic bithstone to the Bail of your Locket) and the Design options. You can add Clipart, Text or Monogram to the front of the locket. I chose Monogram with both of my children’s initials which are the same.

Once you are done choosing the metal, size and design options, go ahead to Step 2. Step 2 and 3 you can add Text, Monogram or Photo to the left and right sides of the locket. I chose 2 pictures, one on each side of my two children. The pictures can be either Color Laser Engraved, Laser Engraved or a Paper Photo. Prices depend on which you pick. I added Color Laser Engraving for each side which was a $35 charge for each side. You can either upload or email your digital pictures. If you want paper photos you can mail them. Step 4 is customizing the back of the locket. I opted to leave it without Text or Monogram. The last step would be choosing a chain for your locket (or you don’t have to choose one). If you decide you would like a chain you will have a few options with size options. You can choose from Sterling Silver Tip Black Leather Chain in different sizes, Standard Box Chain in different sizes or a Rolo Chain. I chose the Standard Sterling Silver Box Chain in 18″ length which added $25.95 to the price.

Color Laser or Laser is 100% Waterproof & Scratchproof and is guaranteed for a lifetime.
Normally Ships in 1 Day.
Message Engraving is engraved with a high definition laser engraver.
If when uploading your photo, your photo doesn’t fit perfectly inside the locket and you see white space, don’t be concerned as we will automatically fill in.
If your photo has people in it that are spaced apart, our digital artists will enhance the photo to bring them closer together.
Color Laser or Laser- we remove the background of the photograph. Let us know in the “Special Instructions” Box (Last Step) if you’d like the background kept in.
On Paper Prints the background is left in by default, if you want the background removed, let us know in the “Special Instructions” box (Last Step).
If there is an object you want removed from the photo or you have any special requests, let us know in the “Special Instructions” box (Last Step).

My locket was shipped fast and I received it within a few days. It really came out beautiful. I received many compliments on it already. The quality amazing and I know I will cherish this locket for years to come.

This locket will make a wonderful holiday gift. The prices are very reasonable and the quality is outstanding.

You can purchase your own Locket and/or many other beautiful gifts here.

Click the below link to receive 10% off your order!

http://www.usfamilyguide.com/coupons.php?bid=12261&dealid=3052

Connect with Pictures On Gold: Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram

I received the mentioned locket in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Papercutz Debuts Barbie Graphic Novels With Two New Series (Review) (Holiday Gift Guide)

November 26, 2016 By Marijean

PAPERCUTZ DEBUTS BARBIE GRAPHIC NOVELS WITH TWO NEW SERIES

Volume One of

Barbie is available now

Volume One of Barbie Puppies will be released on November 29th.

http://papercutz.com/kids-comics-graphic-novels/barbie

Barbie, the world’s #1 fashion doll, is making her debut in two new series from Papercutz this fall. With two new original graphic novel series, Barbie and Barbie Puppies, fans of Mattel’s classic doll can now experience all of the adventures of Barbie and her friends like never before!

Barbie Graphic Novel Vol. 1, “Fashion Superstar,” which is available now, finds Barbie diving into the high-stakes world of fashion. As Barbie pursues her dream, she meets a diverse bunch of all-new friends that can help her… and some others that may actually try to end her fashion career before it even starts!

The second of the new Barbie graphic novels is “Puppy Party” from the Barbie Puppies series, which will be released on November 29. Based on the popular Barbie Puppies DVD films “The Great Puppy Adventure” and “A Puppy Chase,” “Puppy Party” tells the story of Barbie and her sisters entering their pups – Honey, Rookie, Taffy and DJ – in a dog show in the city. But when the puppies get lost, the adventure begins!

These new graphic novels featuring the life and adventures of Barbie are just what young readers have been waiting for. While the Barbie franchise has taken many other forms in music, movies and more, this is the first time in over 25 years that this globally-recognized figure will be the subject of a graphic novel. These fun stories let Barbie fans enjoy her adventures in one of the fastest growing mediums in kids’ media and they’re sure to be a perennial favorite in libraries, schools and homes across America.

A third graphic novel series, Barbie Starlight, is slated for release later this year.

Review:

My daughter was very excited to receive these books. She is a big Barbie fan. These books are Comic Series books , so they are full of sharp and colorful images with words in word bubbles. Barbie Fashion Superstar contains 63 pages, and Barbie Puppy Party contains 60 pages. We recently went on a Thanksgiving vacation and she brought these books with her. She loved reading them in the car and hotel, and she has been asking for more. These books would make great holiday gifts for any girl of any age! Check them out today!

Click here to purchase these books. They are $7.99 each.

About Papercutz

Papercutz is celebrating ten innovative audience-expanding years of publishing great graphic novels for all ages. Papercutz graphic novels for kids, tweens, and teens include a wide range of genres from humor, action adventure, mystery, and horror to favorite licensed characters. It is proud to be the only publisher exclusively dedicated to children’s graphic novels, working every day to introduce young readers to the imaginative wonders waiting to be discovered in comics. To find out more visit http://www.papercutz.com.

About Mattel

The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel’s portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, Fisher-Price® brands and MEGA® Brands, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2015, Mattel was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine, and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel’s companies employ approximately 31,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

PlayMonster Steps up STEM Offerings and the Play Experience This Holiday (Review) (Holiday Gift Guide)

November 20, 2016 By Marijean

My 8 year old daughter loves anything to do with learning. She is a very hands on child, and loves to build and create. She is very interested in STEM activities (Science Technology Engineering and Math). I was asked to review two popular STEM play sets from PlayMonster.

PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. This holiday, they bring increased motor power and play-friendly dolls to the award-winning Roominate line of building sets, while the My Fairy Garden line brings children imaginative, fantasy, open-ended play with garden play sets that allow the nurturing of real plants.

Roominate is an award-winning line of complete building sets that are designed for girls in order to bridge the gender gap in STEM. Named as one of The Toy Insider’s STEM toys of 2016, the line was started with one simple mission: open up possibilities for girls by showing them that creativity and engineering are fun.

PlayMonster improved upon the highly successful Roominate line by increasing motor power and creating unique building pieces and more play-friendly dolls! With all sets, girls can build the creations shown, or use their imagination to create their dream project! It’s fun for them to “Think it, Build it and Switch it on!”

Emma’s Townhouse—Build a tall townhouse, or a wide one, either way you can design a colorfully modern home! Use the included motor to build a ceiling fan, or anything you can think of! Includes Emma doll and her pet pig Hodgkin. Ages 6+. SRP $29.99; Available at Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, Barnes & Noble.

What’s cool about the Townhouse?

Design your townhouse vertically or horizontally
Arrange the food, tools and toiletries, along with the stickers, or add your own accessories and artwork!
Bring your creations to life with the circuits and a motor!

5 Panels and 10 Columns
72 Building Pieces
2 Discs
2 Roof Pieces
2 Shutters
1 Flower Box
Axle
Motor
Battery Box
27 Food and Home Accessories
Sticker Sheet
Wallpaper Sheet
Emma Doll
Hodgkin the Pig
Guide

Review:

Alison was super excited to receive this! She loves dolls, and loves doll houses. She took this right out of the box and started building immediately. The really cool thing about this play set is you don’t have to just make a town house. You can make so many other things such as different type houses and rooms! She used the motor to make a really cool fan in one of the rooms! I love how this play set gets her thinking and using her imagination to build.

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Freya’s Magical Cottage™ — An adorable flower pot that’s a welcoming fairy home where Freya entertains friends and tends to her garden! The set includes the flowerpot cottage with opening doors and terrace, tray, cottage furniture, toadstool, Freya the fairy, her friend, and gardening accessories and tools. SRP $24.99; Available at Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, Outset.

Grow Your Own Magical Garden!

My Fairy Garden™ is the first of its kind: a toy that’s also a real, live garden! Children love kits that allow them to grow plants at home; it gives them a connection to nature and a sense of satisfaction at having nurtured a living thing. My Fairy Garden takes it to a new, exciting level by allowing children to interact with it as part of an enchanting play set! Children plant the quick-germinating seeds, and care for their garden, all while setting up and playing with adorable fairies, woodland friends and accessories! It’s a great collectible line for children ages 4 and up!

An adorable flower pot that’s a welcoming fairy home where Freya entertains friends and tends to her garden! The set includes everything needed to set up a play area: flowerpot cottage with opening doors and terrace, tray, cottage furniture, rooftop trim, toadstool, Freya the fairy, her chipmunk friend Hazel, and gardening accessories and tools. Also included are soil and quick-germinating seeds to get your garden started! Children can add other flowers or plants if they want, too! It’s a fun growing and play set!

Ages 4 and Up
Contents: 2-Piece Flowerpot, Tray, Toadstool, Umbrella Table, 2 Chairs, Seed Packet, Soil, Watering Can, 3 Gardening Tools, Freya the Fairy, Hazel the Chipmunk, Leaflet

Review:

Gardening is fun for all ages, so this would make a great gift for a birthday or as a holiday gift. Making this garden was fun and easy, and it even comes with cute furniture to put inside or outside of the garden. I even enjoyed helping my daughter put it all together. The cool things about this is you can even add your own flower seeds. This will last for years and years to come.

Each of these items would make great gifts for the holiday season. Any young girl would love them!

*I received complimentary samples of the above play sets in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Nickelodeon Limited Edition DVD Gift Sets (Holiday Gift Guide)

November 17, 2016 By Marijean

Just in time for the upcoming holidays, Nickelodeon has released 3 limited edition DVD gift sets of some of the most popular shows for children. Each come with a DVD and ornament for the Christmas tree! Christmas movies and shows are my children’s favorites, she they are so excited to watch these DVDS!

Paw Patrol: Pups Save Christmas (DVD + Paw Patrol Ornament) (Limited Edition) (Walmart Exclusive) (Widescreen)

Join the PAW Patrol for 7 snowy saves, including a special double-length Christmas episode! The pups gear up to fix Santa’s sleigh and save Christmas, plus return penguins to their frozen home, help Everest on some snowy rescues, and more!.

Walmart Exclusive Includes The “Paw Patrol: Pups Save Christmas” DVD Plus A Paw Patrol Puppy Ornament (For Ages 3 And Up). $12.96.

Blaze And The Monster Machines: Fired Up! (DVD + Blaze And The Monster Machines Ornament) (Limited Edition) (Walmart Exclusive) (Widescreen)

Get fired up for 4 action-packed Blaze and the Monster Machines episodes! Whether he’s transforming into a fire truck, a bumper car, or an ice-making machine, ready to team up with you to use speed, stunts and STEM to save the day!.

Walmart Exclusive Includes The “Blaze And The Monster Machines: Fired Up!” DVD Plus A Blaze (Red Monster Truck) Ornament (For Ages 3 And Up). $12.96.

Shimmer And Shine: Welcome To Zahramay Falls (DVD + Shimmer And Shine Ornament) (Limited Edition) (Walmart Exclusive) (Widescreen)

First time’s a charm in 3 genie-rific episodes, including a double-length special! Join Leah’s first magical trip to the genie world in Zahramay Falls! Then go back to Shimmer and Shine’s first day in Leah’s world. And in a bonus episode, celebrate the friends’ first wishaversary!.

Walmart Exclusive Includes The “Shimmer And Shine: Welcome To Zahramay Falls” DVD Plus A Shimmer And Shine Genie Ornament (For Ages 3 And Up). $12.96.

Each of these gift sets are sold exclusively at Walmart and would make great holiday gifts for your children. nieces, nephews and even friends! My 2 children were so excited when these arrived. My son loves Blaze and Paw Patrol, and my daughter loves Shimmer and Shine. They can’t wait to put the included ornaments on our tree soon!

These gift sets are only available at Walmart and Walmart.com

*I received three gift sets in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.