Archive for the ‘REVIEWS’

  • 2
    Bye Bye Maternity Clothing!
    So when I started the Better For BlogHer campaign with Healthy Choice I did so with a bit of a rebel attitude. No way was I going to make it easy for a product to make a difference.  So with no weighing or drastic life changes I embarked on swapping out a meal for a Healthy Choice meal. Without realizing it some weight must have dropped. No idea how much but I noticed...
    by Mommy Niri at August 22nd, 2010 at 09:08 pm
  • 412
    Earth Footwear’s Latest The Swank Boots (Giveaway)
    CONTEST CLOSED!!! Congratulations Erica! So I got approached about reviewing a pair of boots. I was already freaking out that I had done nothing with the kids for summer and began to panic that summer had passed me by while I had my head buried in blogging. So when I regained composure realizing that I still had a few weeks I did wonder about these new boots. Now I am...
    by Mommy Niri at August 20th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
  • 15
    Nanny McPhee Returns (Giveaway)
    Contest Closed! Congratulations Colleen! Earlier this week we got the opportunity to view a screening of Nanny McPhee, which opens August 20th at cinemas, and it was a total journey. Firstly I have to add that viewing a screening with my kids is the ultimate of proud moments of a blogging career. My girls feel super proud at seeing seats for us with the press. Back to...
    by Mommy Niri at August 19th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
  • 0
    JELL-O Mousse Temptations Latest Flavor: Chocolate Mint Sensation!
    So you know that I have kicked off the Better For BlogHer campaign and I am looking at everything that will help with that pesky snacking habit I have. I took a peek at Jello Mousse a while back but looking at how popular that was amongst readers when I was offered to check out a sample – I said yes! The new flavor – Chocolate Mint Sensation is still sugar...
    by Mommy Niri at August 16th, 2010 at 08:08 pm
  • 44
    Win $20 Gift Card To Axl’s Closet (2 Winners)!
    Contest Closed! Congratulations Madeline, and Tammy! When I was approached by Axl’s Closet to check out their online store I had not heard of them before but then again I am not a huge shopping girl. Though admittedly having 2 girls I shop for them all the time. In fact that was my one crazy reason I so wanted girls. Back to Axl’s Closet. They have some “cool”...
    by Mommy Niri at August 14th, 2010 at 07:08 am
  • 150
    Win A Backpack And A $20 Panera Gift Card!
    Contest closed! Congratulations Jessica! While I was at Evo Conference I came across the company Whoops Bunny. The idea behind the “whoops” had me interested. Working on the angle that little accidents and imperfections are ok in life is what drew me to the brand. I used to be a perfectionist at one time, then I had kids, and when I thought I could swing the...
    by Mommy Niri at August 10th, 2010 at 08:08 pm
  • 0
    Zulily Discount For Mommy Niri Readers – Save $10 Off $50
    You would recall a while back I mentioned the online store Zulily (this is a link with my invitation code), the members only shopping site. You invite a friend and you can get $10. Yes, the same one that offers designer clothing at bargain prices. Since they don’t need to store large supplies, it also means they pass that savings onto you. I guess that also means...
    by Mommy Niri at July 28th, 2010 at 08:07 pm
  • 1
    A Review Of Pop On Pals Amusement Park
    When I was offered the Pop On Pals Amusement Park I was trying to figure out if I wanted to take a look at more toys. The only reason I was eager to check it out was the fact that playsets seem to hold a much longer. I love the little doll houses and slides etc they hold hours of pretend fun for the kids and truthfully a way for my 3 and 5 year old to actually play together....
    by Mommy Niri at July 28th, 2010 at 04:07 pm
  • 108
    Motorola’s Latest Hands-Free Device – H17txt With Motospeak (Giveaway)!
    Contest Closed! Congratulations Carol Y. So you know I got the new iPhone and until then text messages were just messages (and actually whined about receiving since my payment plan charged an arm and a leg for each one) I received and barely sent out. More so because my fat fingers could never type properly and my old phone did not make it easy. I know campaigns about...
    by Mommy Niri at July 20th, 2010 at 10:07 am
  • 182
    Street Surfing Whiplash Wave Scooter and The Let’s Move Campaign! (Giveaway)
    Contest Closed! Congratulations H. Walker! Kids move. You can’t really fight it. The best you can do is go with the flow. Just make it safe. A while back I met the guys from Street Surfing and heard about their amazing support of the First Lady’s Let’s Move Campaign They are giving away 1800 wave boards to schools around the country to help with the...
    by Mommy Niri at July 10th, 2010 at 09:07 pm
  • 122
    Despicable Me – I’ve Seen It And … (Giveaway – 3 winners).
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations John, Michelle, Dawn! I swear I have been going crazy inside as I have seen the special screening of the movie Despicable Me on June 10th and have been asked to remain hushed about it until recently. I remember being only mildly excited about going to see the movie. Oh, don’t get me wrong, this mama loves movies but the screening...
    by Mommy Niri at July 5th, 2010 at 08:07 pm
  • 35
    Summer Snippets (Giveaway)
    Contest closed! Congratulations Courtney! There are so many little summer goodness stuff that has been pouring in, and truthfully more to come. I decided to put in a post with a few products I have been looking at and even give a few of them to some lucky reader. The package you can win is: Episencial Sunny Sunscreen (included in giveaway) You know that thing that you...
    by Mommy Niri at July 3rd, 2010 at 05:07 am
  • 77
    Win The iGo Anywhere Charger!
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Heather So I have spent most of my life in technology and with hubby and I coming from engineering backgrounds. What you will be surprised to learn is that we don’t have a ton of gadgets in our home. Truthfully to us the collection of devices just simply for the sake of it being a trend is really a waste and show-off sign. Which is...
    by Mommy Niri at June 17th, 2010 at 06:06 pm
  • 0
    Sex And The City 2 – The Soundtrack!
    Sex and the City is one of those series that I was addicted too. Seriously. I watch no reality television and have not followed a series since HBO showed the last episode a few, childless, years ago.  Fast forward a few later and the Sex And The City 1st movie filled my glamor void that I was already missing, but now with kids in tow. It always make me sad when a good...
    by Mommy Niri at June 13th, 2010 at 08:06 pm
  • 30
    Yoohoo Plush Animals – Win It For Your Graduate! (2 winners)
    Contest closed! Congratulations Angela and Nicole! YooHoo & Friends is Aurora’s best selling brand and  when you see how cute they are you can clearly see why.  The fact that Aurora created YooHoo & Friends to teach children about animals (many endangered) and the environment from which they came makes me really respect them. It is fresh to see plush...
    by Mommy Niri at June 11th, 2010 at 07:06 pm
  • 1
    Pigtail Pals: T-Shirts That Promote Positive Messages For Girls!
    I have 2 little girls. I come from a home of 5 girls. It would be really safe to say that I am naturally aware of women and the way they are treated, or rather mistreated at times. The reason alone that there were 5 girls in my home was the “hope” from elders that we would hit a luck and have a boy at some point. Nothing like making you feel second rate than...
    by Mommy Niri at June 9th, 2010 at 08:06 pm
  • 385
    Win Senseo Single-Serve Gourmet Coffee Machine!
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Lynn! So we got the Senseo. We are somewhat decent coffee drinkers, more of tea drinkers. So when we occasionally want a good cuppa we sometimes reach for the (sigh) instant coffee. Yes, we have a filter machine (albeit not a good one) but since we don’t drink a lot we don’t believe it is worth the effort for just one or two...
    by Mommy Niri at May 29th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
  • 25
    African Dwarf Frog Eco-Aquarium From Wild Creations! (Giveaway)
    CONTEST CLOSED!! Congratulations Laura There’s nothing like learning about nature than to see it in front of you. Problem with most “pets” is that the bulk of the feeding and cleaning falls on the shoulders of parents. Shoulders, I might add, that are so overloaded with responsibility that parents opt not to get a pet as they feel it too much. Still if...
    by Mommy Niri at May 26th, 2010 at 08:05 pm
  • 6
    Can The Pouchee Hold It All?
    So I am in the throes of trying to find an ideal handbag. The one big stumbling block is the reluctance to spend money on myself. I guess since I have bought so many cheaper bags (and dealing with the consequences of it) I should invest. In the meantime I am moving stuff from one bag to another which is annoying at the least. My bag also ends up being a catch-all in the...
    by Mommy Niri at May 26th, 2010 at 07:05 pm
  • 0
    Top Picks For Parties!
    I have been lucky to come across a few products recently that came in handy when I held my 3 year old and 5 year old’s joint birthday party. You Cake You Cake creates personalized toppers for cakes. They had created the Mommy Niri logo topper for my Mom Nite Out and offered to create one for my girl’s cake. The topper itself is not pricey and start from around...
    by Mommy Niri at May 25th, 2010 at 09:05 pm
  • 0
    The White Elephant Hotel Residences At Nantucket!
    We were just drooling over out Atlantis media trip and already restless with very itchy feet so when we were invited to head to The White Elephant hotel residences at Nantucket there was no arm twisting involved. I must confess though hotels don’t make me very excited, well I better quickly add hotels with kids. See I am a light packer but for my kids I pack a ton...
    by Mommy Niri at May 21st, 2010 at 09:05 pm
  • 140
    Win The Tooth Fairy DVD (2 Winners)
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Rebecca and Deb! Filmed in Vancouver, Tooth Fairy is a comedy fantasy film starring Dwayne Johnson as title character along with Ashley Judd and Julie Andrews. As the story goes hardcore hockey player Dwayne bursts the bubble to “poor” kid about the non existence of the tooth fairy. After some scenes that could only come from...
    by Mommy Niri at May 21st, 2010 at 09:05 pm
  • 232
    Barilla Pasta – A Favorite In My Home! (Giveaway)
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Jennifer! I review many products, some I like, some I don’t, and some are in-between. There are few that I can safely declare that I use in my home. Barilla pasta is one of them.  Don’t call me a food snob, I have dabbled in other (cheaper) brands but have decided to sticky with Barilla as most of them lack firmness and stick...
    by Mommy Niri at May 10th, 2010 at 09:05 pm
  • 123
    Win The Sothys Face Care with Helianthus and Rosemary Comfort Mask!
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Shellie. I don’t spend much (read any) money on makeup but skincare on the other hand is another matter. Of course recent economy stabilities have had an impact on my spending so I have had to make do with less than flattering results. Here is my theory – this is the one skin that we have. How we take care of it will show....
    by Mommy Niri at May 7th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
  • 0
    Photoworks – A Personalized Gift For Mom!
    I was approached to test drive the Photoworks new site and though I used to spend a lot of time before buying prints and photogifts I have to admit that I have not explored too much in a while. I have to admit so much has changed. Uploading of files is so fast, no more waiting while you watch the “working…” sign forever. The preview ability also takes...
    by Mommy Niri at May 1st, 2010 at 08:05 pm
  • 0
    And Now My Stove Needs To Go!
    So it has been 3 months with my Frigidaire dishwasher. Might I add 3 blissful months. You never think that a dishwasher can make a big difference but it does. The bickering about redoing the dishes is over – every morning you wake up to clean dishes. No more worrying about loud noises emitting, the super silent dishwasher makes it possible to do a load even for...
    by Mommy Niri at April 30th, 2010 at 06:04 pm
  • 0
    Timing Is Everything!
    I always wondered who would use the timing feature on the dishwasher. On my bread machine it rocks but on a dishwasher? I mean I could understand that if the dishwasher was loud (set it off and leave the house) but my Frigidaire dishwasher is so quiet that I often have to open it to see there are signs of water splashed around aka it is working. But now I have found...
    by Mommy Niri at April 28th, 2010 at 09:04 pm
  • 20
    The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza By Laura Numeroff (Giveaway)
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Darleen And Greg! Have kids in tow? Have PreK or toddlers in tow? Then there is a pretty good chance that you would have come across Author Laura Numeroff’s best-selling book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. This time Laura’s new rendition, The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza, is totally in keeping with quality but she has...
    by Mommy Niri at April 24th, 2010 at 07:04 am
  • 29
    O’BON – Eco Friendly School And Office Supplies! (Giveaway – 3 Winners)
    O’BON – Eco Friendly School And Office Supplies! (Giveaway – 3 Winners) #earthdayCONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations, Char, CandCan and TrixTrix! The fact the eco friendly products are creeping into every aspect of our life from cooking, to cleaning to playing it was overdue that it made an entrance into the school and office supplies arena. Judging by the amount of...
    by Mommy Niri at April 21st, 2010 at 08:04 pm
  • 27
    Fruit2O Essentials Good Enough For Guys And Gals! (Giveaway)
    Contest Closed! Congratulations Jerelyn! Water, natural water, is good for you. You don’t need to be a genius to know that. The problem is that had it not been so, well, tasteless – it would be easier to down. Am I saying that replacements are better than water? Heck no! But if drinking a close cousin will get you hydrated I am all ears. If that other drink...
    by Mommy Niri at April 14th, 2010 at 07:04 pm
  • 87
    Super Why And Wow Wow Wubbzy Highlight Earth Day! (Giveaway)
    Super Why And Wow Wow Wubbzy Highlight Earth Day! (Giveaway) #earthdayCONTEST CLOSED!!! Congratulations Rebecca! Last year for Earth Day my girls headed to the Kid Toons to watch an episode of Super Why dedicated to the Earth Day theme of saving water. The episode subtly focuses on the impact of wasting water but in a dialect children can understand. Children, like everyone...
    by Mommy Niri at April 13th, 2010 at 07:04 pm
  • 0
    Zhu Zhu Pets Now Available On Ninentendo DS
    One of the hottest toys of 2009, Zhu Zhu, is now available on Nintendo – featuring nine pets and several levels of play. Your little kids can scoot and scamper the little rodents through a fun area full of mazes. There are speed ramps, slide chutes, and tunnels to add to the excitement. The game is quite easy for my 2yr and 4yr olds. As the kids maneuver the little...
    by Mommy Niri at April 11th, 2010 at 09:04 pm
  • 151
    An Eco-Friendly Playhouse From KidsCraft (Giveaway)!
    An Eco-Friendly Playhouse From KidsCraft (Giveaway)! #earthday CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations AEVande! You know how you always want to make that little go-cart or boat or rocket out of a cardboard box that you spied in some television show. As much as the idea is endearing and filled with creativity galore, that empty box is hard to come by. I mean seriously, how often...
    by Mommy Niri at April 9th, 2010 at 09:04 pm
  • 25
    Holly Robinson Peete’s New Book “My Brother Charlie”! (Autographed Giveaway – 3 Winners)
    Holly Robinson Peete's New Book "My Brother Charlie"! (Autographed Giveaway - 3 Winners) #autism CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Amanda (autographed copy), Elizabeth & Michelle Most people are aware of Holly Robinson Peete, in fact I have not watched her recently but have been a fan since 21 Jump Street (I know showing my age).  When I heard about...
    by Mommy Niri at April 4th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
  • 110
    Check Out My Personalized Resort Tote from Initials (Win A $50 Gift Card Too)!
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Arla! I am a bag lady. Well sort of. I love bags. I just don’t have much luck with them. When I was approached to review the new Resort Tote from www.initials-inc.com I was interested. The bags could be personalized and that was great since I had never owned a personalized bag. I have often bought personalized stuff for my kids but...
    by Mommy Niri at April 2nd, 2010 at 09:04 pm
  • 0
    Steiff Has A Bunny For Easter Or Everyday!
    Steiff has the coolest bunny to rival any Easter bunny out there.  In fact when this appeared in the mail my girls were apprehensive to touch it as it looked so life-like. This little bunny who is known by the affectionate name of Dossy is just one of the several items in the amazing Steiff collection. Some stories are steeped in history and when a company has been...
    by Mommy Niri at March 31st, 2010 at 09:03 pm
  • 0
    A Little Goes A Long Way!
    It is true: less is sometimes more. Although I have been excited about washing dishes (sure, call me a freak) I have been concerned about living in the dishwasher liquid aisle to replenish my supplies. And before you think how can I really like washing dishes, if you read one of my older posts about hating unloading the dishwasher you will know that washing is not something...
    by Mommy Niri at March 31st, 2010 at 07:03 pm
  • 0
    Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café
    Dollhouses are one of those toys in my home that have a pretty long lifespan. Storytelling is healthy and I personally love toys that assist in it without doing all the thinking (read electronic sounds) for you. With my kids being on the younger end in age I am also pretty careful to the imagery they receive in dolls and having already been a fan of Strawberry Shortcake...
    by Mommy Niri at March 29th, 2010 at 08:03 pm
  • 2
    My Cheap Date Challenge!
    I was approached by Blockbuster Express to have a cheap date movie night. Since at one time I used to rent movies from Blockbuster I could never associate the words cheap and Blockbuster in the same sentence. Even if I did manage to get something cheaper it would be 100 years old that no-one would be interested in watching anyhow. Enter Blockbuster Express and I was amazed...
    by Mommy Niri at March 28th, 2010 at 07:03 pm
  • 34
    Win A Custom Shirt From Fibers.com!
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Aimee! When I was approached by the guys at Fibers.com to review an item from their customized printed apparel it was just around the time I was thinking of getting a Mommy Niri t-shirt so I thought perfect timing. Now it is always dicey, in my opinion, to get sizing just right online so I was anxious at first. Since most of the products...
    by Mommy Niri at March 27th, 2010 at 08:03 pm
  • 43
    Win The Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey DVD!
    CONTEST CLOSED! Congratulations Kevin! Curious George is a firm favorite in my home. I love that! He probably resembles a little child more than any character in any of the children’s shows. Enough curiosity to learn but enough mischievousness to constantly be in trouble. The maths and science aspects are well entwined in each episode that kids explore without realizing...
    by Mommy Niri at March 23rd, 2010 at 08:03 pm
  • 42
    Win Sunglasses For Your Kid!
    Baby Banz Sunglasses #Giveaway 3/27 CONTEST IS CLOSED! Congratulations Elizabeth! It was a bit sunny out today in Boston so I know summer is just around the corner. While thinking of sun protection for the body, sunscreen is one that easily comes to mind. Sure we think sunglasses but more in terms of how cute our kids look in them. Now raise your hands if you have gone...
    by Mommy Niri at March 17th, 2010 at 08:03 pm
  • 1,022
    The Nook: It Came, I Downloaded, I Read! (Win A Nook Too)!
    CONTEST IS CLOSED! Congratulations Anne! I read books. Children books count, don’t they? The thing is I was addicted to reading. Hiding books everywhere, thirsty for reading always. I am the type of person who will read labels to calm down – but I guess that is more than you need to know. These days I find snippets of moments to read but then realize that I...
    by Mommy Niri at March 13th, 2010 at 10:03 am
  • 0
    Feeding Penny Pig – A Book On Teaching Kids About Money!
    Recently I put out a post about trying to get the value of money across to my preschooler (read Flowers and Financials) but coming from a poor background the concept of saving is one close to my heart so I place emphasis on it with my girls. I normally skip book reviews as they take too long (in fact the only reading I do is reading to the kids) but when I was pitched...
    by Mommy Niri at March 11th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
  • 0
    Silence Is Golden!
    Normally I love to clear out the kitchen when the kids are asleep. Except for the fact that it is great not to be tripping over the kids when they are around, cleaning up at the end of the day is a non-thinking therapeutic kind of job. The only thing I never do, that I wanted to, is kick off the dishwasher. Well at least that used to be the one thing I never did. No way...
    by Mommy Niri at March 7th, 2010 at 09:03 pm
  • 152
    A Soda’ish Tea, That’s Healthy? Win Some Too!
    Contest Closed! Congratulations Debbie! I love soda. I don’t keep it in the home and know it is BAD for me but I love it. I love tea. I never used to but it is one of those things living with a tea addict I became a lover of. The only thing is I like my tea hot. I never drink iced tea and have never had the urge. So when last year I was offered to try some I found...
    by Mommy Niri at March 2nd, 2010 at 11:03 am
  • 0
    I Need(ed) Some Space!
    I am not talking about space to have a hot cup of tea or go to the bathroom undisturbed. I know those are futile to dream about. Those days waved goodbye so fast the day I became a mom. Actually the other space that I speak of was also a dream too, hmm actually the lack of space was a nightmare. Really. If you have not yet figured it out, I speak of my shiny new dishwasher. Having...
    by Mommy Niri at February 25th, 2010 at 08:02 pm
  • 0
    I Am About To Unload…
    Seriously I am. This is a big moment. Probably not to you as you do it often but this is a big step for me. I mean I will load, but unloading is a pet peeve. If you don’t already know I have a new shiny thing in my kitchen (courtesy of being a Fridgedaire Test Drive Mom) and you won’t miss it since it is the only shiny thing in my kitchen. I am sure I saw...
    by Mommy Niri at February 11th, 2010 at 07:02 pm
  • 0
    Johnson’s Baby Products, Still A Trusted Name!
    Some things are just the easiest to review. I would be hard pressed to come across someone who has not heard about Johnson’s baby products. Fads and hip new brands may come and go but as a mom I know that I can rely on the Johnson’s brand. I know this not only from my own use of them on my girls but of my mom’s use of it on me. True, I grew up in South...
    by Mommy Niri at February 11th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
  • 2
    Alternatives To Water?
    Water is good for you. That is just a truthful statement. Knowing that and still managing to drink it is really not so easy. The past few weeks I was approached about test driving some beverage alternatives. Of course I said yes, anything but water always sounds better. And way better if it is not the soda I reach for. Luckily I don’t keep soda in the house or I...
    by Mommy Niri at February 7th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
  • 0
    Flossing Made Easier With Waterpik!
    Some time during the holidays I was approached to take the Waterpik for a spin. A few years ago I would have laughed myself silly and passed up on the offer. In fact about 6 or 7 years ago I was wary of the electric toothbrush (I had chalked it up to a gadget for lazy people). Somehow I sucked it up and bought one to try. Needless to say I have never gone back. If you...
    by Mommy Niri at January 28th, 2010 at 06:01 pm
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