A video review of the Your Shape game for the Wii – with both positives and negatives of the game.

Disclosure: I am participating in a three-month sponsored challenge for the Your Shape game.  All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the challenge.

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Your Shape Review

Last week, at the Mom 2.0 Summit, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Michael Shore, Vice President of Worldwide Consumer Insights at Mattel.  I asked about how Mattel changes products based on parent and child insight (truth is, they make a LOT of changes based on feedback, and also test out different product options with focus groups).

Dr. Michael Shore also talked about how different kids have different play styles, which evolve over time.  I have seen that first hand with my daughter and my son, who play together well but obviously have different play styles and different preferences.

Mattel was so generous to sponsor part of the Mom 2.0 conference.  Each of the attendees received one of the custom motor car sets, which is a Hot Wheels cars complete with custom parts that can be added so your little one can make the car his/her own.

The video above shows the whole interview – although I have to apologize for the poor sound quality.  To learn more, visit the Mattel Web site.

Disclosure: XtraXtra sponsored part of my trip to the Mom 2.0 Summit, and Mattel provided me with the custom motors set and the video.

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Custom Motors from Hot Wheels and Mattel

So to you I say "You’ve got to read On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards." The second in the “A Recipe for Love” series, On the Steamy Side is set in the world of rock star chefs and their kitchens. Devon Sparks is a hot chef that gave up the kitchen for the bright lights of television. Think Rocco DiSpirito crossed with Gordon Ramsey and Anthony Bourdain. He’s popular and successful but has he lost the ability to cook? Enter good Southern girl, Lilah Jane Tunkle, to help him spice up his cooking and his life.

I really couldn’t get enough of Devon’s story. Edwards makes an almost unsympathetic character into one you’ll cheer for. From page one I was hooked and only stopped at page 100 to do a little gushing on Twitter and Facebook. Avoiding housework and sleep, I finished the book in less than twenty-four hours. Yes, it was that ‘can’t-put-down-I’ll-read-while-I-cook-brush-my-teeth-and-fold-clothes’ kind of book.

On the Steamy Side releases today and can be found along with the first in the series, Can’t Stand the Heat, at your local bookstore or online here. 

*I received a review copy of On the Steamy Side in a giveaway on Louisa Edward’s website.

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Louisa Edwards’ Steamy Read

Cooking our favorite pasta dish

As you probably already know, I was chosen to be a Frigidaire Test Drive Mom for 2010, and I’m on Team Range/Microwave.  A few weeks ago, I posted that they were here, and now I’ve had the chance to use them for a few weeks!

Here are my initial impressions:

The Range

Awesome, awesome, awesome.  The power plus burner is perfect for boiling water super fast, and the simmer burner is great for keeping a pot warm.  While I LOVE the concept of the middle burner, honestly, I haven’t had a reason to use it yet.

The Oven

My favorite feature is that the oven displays the temperature as the it preheats.  So, I am able to tell if it’s close to being ready.  I’ve already baked with the oven also, and I love that the ample space allows me to put multiple cookie sheets in at one time.

The Microwave

My first thought about the microwave is that it’s big, although it’s no bigger than my old one.  I think the interior is larger than the old one.  Either way, it’s done its job well, and it looks great in my kitchen!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Range/Microwave to facilitate my review.

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Saving Time With Frigidaire!

Pampers has recently updated their design by making new Pampers with Dry Max – they are more lightweight.  Since I no longer have little ones in diapers, I haven’t had the chance to sample them, but will hopefully have a review soon from someone who does.

Win it!  We are pleased to offer a giveaway for an exclusive diaper clutch designed by Liz Lange for Pampers, along with a coupon for a package of diapers.  To win, leave us a comment below with your favorite of the Winter Olympic games this season.  Giveaway ends 3/9 at 11:59 ET.  US Residents Only.

Disclosure: Pampers provided me with a set of diapers (which I am handing off) and is providing the giveaway items.

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New Pampers and a Giveaway!

Zibits Mini R/C Robots are little – only about two inches tall.  They come with a small remote control that moves the little robot forward or in a circle.  It’s super-easy for my son to use, and he really loves it.  My daughter, who’s five also loves playing with it!

Zibits come in several different styles, including the one pictured.  They are great little Easter basket presents.  To learn more, visit the Zibits Web site.

Disclosure: I received a Zibits at no cost to facilitate this review.

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Mini Remote Controlled Robots

A Self-Serve Proactiv Booth at the Atrium Mall in Chestnut Hill, MA

As you may know, I’ve used Proactiv in the past, which some good success.  Well, recently Proactiv has reformulated with micro-crystal particles, which apparently penetrate pores even quicker than the original formula.  While I’ve been using a prescription benzoyl peroxide on my face in the morning, to test out the new Proactiv, I actually put aside my prescription for a month.

So, how did it work out?  Well, I found new Proactiv to work really well!  I usually get some hormonal breakouts during the month, and rather than deep pimples, the two I got were small and almost unnoticeable.  They also went away within a day or two, rather than the week or two it usually takes.

The standard Proactiv kit contains a cleanser (which I love – it’s very mild), a toner, and the “medication”, a lotion.  There are also a variety of additional items that can be purchased separately.

To learn more about Proactiv and purchase, visit their Web site.

Disclosure: I received a Proactiv 30-day kit at no cost to facilitate this review.

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Clearing Acne with New Proactiv

Songs from the Heart includes such traditional standards as Amazing Grace and O, America as well as more contemporary covers, such as You’ll Be in My Heart (from Tarzan).  The music is soothing and relaxing – the type of music I’d expect to hear when getting a massage or facial.  I actually really enjoyed it even more than I expected, and I will plan to listen to this CD when I’m trying to get relaxed – like when taking a bath or resting.

To purchase, visit Amazon.com.

Disclosure: I received this CD from Team Mom, and the Amazon link is an affiliate link.

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Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart

The truth is, my favorite beef recipe is super-simple, but super-delicious.  We purchase excellent cuts of Filet Mignon (small but absolutely tasty cuts of steak) and prep them with salt, pepper, and olive oil.  Then, we cook them on a stove top first, just searing the surface.  Finally, we put that pan in the oven, set at 350 degrees, until they are perfectly cooked to your liking (we love our steak cooked medium).

I usually make some broccoli with our steak, or perhaps some potatoes (usually baked).  SO good!

Win it! Want to create a perfect beef meal for your family? One Mom’s Favorite Stuff reader will win a $100 gift card to Omaha Steaks, courtesy of The Motherhood and The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. To win, leave a comment below letting us know your favorite memories of making everyday occasions special with beef, or why you heart beef. Make sure you include in your comment a link to something you found helpful on the “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner” website (one entry – required).

You can also get four additional entries for doing one of the following (leave a separate comment for each):

• Sign up for our RSS feed
• Join BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com i.e. registering with a username and password on the website
• Follow @BeefForDinner Twitter
• Leave a question for Chef Dave Zinno (they will be answered at a later time)

This giveaway ends 2/27 at 11:59 ET.  Winner chosen randomly.

I wrote this post while working on a “I Heart Beef” campaign with TheMotherhood.com on behalf of The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

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I Heart Beef (and a Fabulous Giveaway!)

The first night, we had a Mad Men party (click over to see my photo and story from that night on Multitasking Mommy).

On Friday morning, we watched this video, in preparation for the evening event – the photo exhibit at FotoFest.  I dare you to watch this video and not cry or at least tear up.

It was created and narrated by Katherine Center, and is so beautiful.  In person, the photographs are spectacular.  Next month, they are going to be auctioned off to benefit Haiti.

On Saturday night, Barilla hosted a dinner event for a subset of attendees to the conference.  As a huge Italian food lover, I was thrilled to attend, and found it to be the perfect end to the event.  The food was delicious, and the wine was plentiful.  Here are some photos from that event.

Disclosure: Xtra Xtra sponsored part of my trip to the Mom 2.0 Summit. Huge thanks to them!

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The Evenings at Mom 2.0…