This Full House Reviews

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

2009-11-20T11:42:18-05:00

Judging by the new Folger's commercial that had my oldest daughter (she's 16) and me bawling, last night.

No, it's not the classic one with Peter (although, it still chokes me up...a little) but, it's close (guy comes home, greeted by sister, had us BAWLING) and I can't seem to find it online, anywhere, yet :(

Aaaanyway, some of you may know that I have a twin brother and, though his name is NOT Peter, he's going through a very difficult time (he's having surgery on Monday to remove some cancerous cells that have formed, AGAIN!) so, he and my SIL probably won't be able to join us for Thanksgiving and, well, the Folger's commercial really hits home, right now.

So, I'm taking the next couple of days...offline.

I'm leaving the keys on the table, though -- our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 goes live this Monday, November 23rd -- we're sharing some of our favorite stuff and tips on getting ready for the cuh-ray-zee that is the holidays!

So, be sure to stop by, EVERYDAY, Thanksgiving Week (November 23rd - November 29th) especially, on 11/29, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, if you, or someone you know, happens to have an Xbox 360...ahem...on their Christmas list, I'm just sayin' oh, and feel free to hit the snack closet!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Hot Links: HP TouchSmart 600 Giveaway

2009-11-20T00:00:00-05:00

My friend Michelle (a.k.a. Scribbit) is hosting the most AWESOME giveaway, this week -- seriously, I got a chance to play with one of these puppies at BlogHer '08 and, well, they made me give it back :)

A little more info from Michelle:

The HP TouchSmart 600-1055 is a desktop PC where, as the name implies, you can touch the screen to manipulate information. It comes with all the stuff you desperately covet with the bonus of being able to pinch, rotate and drag things anywhere you want with your own little fingers. Is that not completely fun?

Want it? Here's the link to the giveaway:

http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2009/11/hp-touchsmart-600-giveaway.html

Good luck!!!

Open House Blog Tour - 36th Showing

2009-11-19T09:29:33-05:00

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!

I mean, who couldn't use a little linky love?

Okay, I'll start:

YOU CAN ALWAYS SHORTEN YOUR URL'S AT TINYURL.COM

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 in my archives and on my giveaways page. 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 - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to visit my family blog and I'll love you forever!]

Iams Home 4 The Holidays: WIN FREE FOOD FOR YOUR FAVORITE SHELTER

2009-11-18T10:00:00-05:00

Since it began in 1999, Iams Home 4 the Holidays has helped place more than 3 million pets into happy homes.

Today there are 3,500 animal organizations in 17 countries around the world helping orphaned animals find loving homes.

We adopted Doofus-Dog from the Monmouth County Animal Shelter on November 28, 2004 and, other than dealing with rooting through the garbage issue, eating socks, or major anger issues with squirrels (seriously, he HATES them...me, too) he is still a member of our family -- it breaks my heart to think how Doofus was tied to a dumpster and left for dead.

Last year, the program’s goal of helping 1 million pets get adopted within three months was outdone when 1,202,701 pets were placed in homes.

Including Rumi, adopted by two-time Academy Award winner and this year’s IH4TH ambassador Hilary Swank.

According to IH4TH there are nearly 8 million homeless animals in the U.S. today, and almost half scheduled to be euthanized this year alone, our help is needed now more than ever.

Not ready for a pet, yet? Not a problem.

With the “Feed Pets in Need” program, you can help bring much needed food to your favorite IH4TH shelter by simply casting a vote at IH4TH.COM.

Each month, for the next 13 months, the shelter with the most votes gets a month’s supply of free food!

But why stop there?

Enter the Iams Life's Better Sweepstakes too and enter to win a FREE YEAR of food!

To learn more about how to make a difference in the life of a homeless pet — such as adopting, volunteering or donating — please visit IH4TH.COM and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Doofus-dog thanks you!

Me, too!!!

DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) DO SOMETHING NICE, FOR SOMEONE ELSE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF AMERICAN POP AND IAMS.COM.

Black Friday, Everyday: Save Up to 75% on MSRP and FREE SHIPPING at 6pm.com

2009-11-17T11:13:24-05:00

Thanks to some really great deals and free shopping offers, I got half of my holiday 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 I find, while surfing the Internet this holiday season.

Aaaand, you're invited!!!

[chases dog out & puts on party hat]

Have you heard of 6pm.com?

6pm.com is the sister site of Zappos.com – so when Zappos needs to make room for new inventory – they move product over to 6pm.com and price it to move quickly!

They have daily, weekend and weekly specials running (all the time) but, here's a sample of one of my favorite brands and what's on sale this week at 6pm.com:

Nine West Footwear -$14.95 All Styles This Week!

Here's the really good part:

6pm.com is also offering free shipping the entire months of November & December on orders of $100 or more.

For more information -- not to mention, make sure you double-check any offers, as you would, IRL -- please remember to visit the website.

FIND IT HERE: http://www.6pm.com

More Black Friday, Everyday -- Happy Shopping!!!

DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF KELANDPARTNERS.COM AND 6PM.COM

Review Bloggers Monthly - November 15, 2009 Edition

2009-11-16T13:03:49-05:00

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!

This month's edition is being hosted by my friend, Elizabeth (a.k.a. @table4five) at MomReviews.net!

Interested in hosting an edition on your blog? EXCELLENT! Feel free to check out the Review Bloggers Monthly guidelines, send a quick email to thisfullhouse [at] verizon [dot] net and (channeling Heidi Klum) you're in!

Oh and be sure to visit Elizabeth's blog to see this month's submissions!

Happy Reviewing!

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Kmart Bluelight Special Holiday Sweepstakes on Twitter

2009-11-14T10:00:00-05:00

Blue Light Specials are back! Remember, those little Saturday and Sunday specials when you were a kid?

[blank stare]

Me, either.

Okay, but here's the really cool part:

Kmart will be giving shoppers on Twitter a chance to win a $50 gift card everyday!

In addition to the chance to win daily, everyone following @KmartDealsnNews on Twitter (using the hashtag #KmartBLS) will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 Kmart shopping spree!

A little preview for this weekend’s (11/15 – 11/16) Specials:

Essential Home Complete Bed set $29.99 (reg. $49.99)

All Trim-A-Home lights 50% off (reg $8.99-$29.99)

9 Piece Luggage Set $49.99 (reg $99.99)

Juniors Leggings 50% off

The sweepstakes runs from November 12th until December 23rd.

For more info on sweepstakes details, check out: http://tr.im/kmartBLS

For Official Rules: http://tr.im/kmartBLSrules

Good luck!

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian on DVD

2009-11-13T10:55:46-05:00

[COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: WE'LL BE SHARING SOME GOOD NEWS, WITH A COUPLE OF LUCKY DUCKS, SOON!!!]

I've got a confession to make. Okay, so, I've been crushing on Ben Stiller since, well, forever. There's just something about the characters he plays; average, every day guys who get mixed up in some really weird situations.

No matter the movie, I empathize with his character's dorkiness (being a professional dork, my ownself) as he attempts to create some sense of order, out of total chaos (trust me, I know) that makes me think, you know, the man is NOTacting.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is being released onto DVD on December 1st (Holy Hannah Montana, December is NOT that far away, you know?) so, it's time to get your dork on.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Want one?

Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a former night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, where the exhibits come alive after dark.

But now Larry’s nocturnal friends are being retired to the archives of the Smithsonian Institution, luring him back for a hilarious, all-out battle against a cranky Egyptian Pharaoh (played by Hank Azaria who I am also, you know, crushing on) as he plans to take over the museum... and the world!

Wanna a peek?

'Night At The Museum 2' Over and Out @ Yahoo! Video

FINAL VERDICT: Although, I thought the original Night at the Museum as a hard act to follow (some stories are better left told, once) if you, or your kids are into history (like we are) then Battle of the Smithsonian is worth the visit. Amy Adams rocked Amelia Earhart and the banter between Larry (Ben Stiller) and Jedidiah (Owen Wilson) is classic Abbot and Costello (yes, I am a fan of slapstick) but, Hank Azaria (as the cranky Egyptian Pharaoh) well, I will forever think of him as Agador (Spartacus) in The Birdcage...the man is a comic genius! The casting and fun dialogue, alone -- not to mention, those adorable little slapping monkies -- make Night at the Museum 2 definitely worth a visit, twice.

Want one?

The good folks of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment have offered to send five (5) of our beloved readers a copy of Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian, too.

Because, we roll like that!

FIND IT HERE: Available on Amazon.com (Associate Link)

GET IT HERE: To enter, leave a comment below, letting us know if you've seen the movie, what you (yes, YOU!) thought and who your favorite NATM2 character is (I love the monkies!) along with a valid email address on this post by 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20th and you're automatically entered to win. Five (5) 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:
Subscribe to our feed - leave separate comment.
Subscribe to our updates via email - leave separate comment.
Post on Facebook/Twitter (I'm @thisfullhouse) - leave separate comment & link to Tweet.
Subscribe in a reader
Good luck and don't forget to check out some more awesome stuff we're just itching to, you know, giveaway!

DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENT OR ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A SAMPLE OF THE PRODUCT (FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW) ALONG WITH AN OFFER TO SHARE OUR LOVE FOR ALL THINGS BEN STILLER (OKAY, JUST ME) BY HOSTING A GIVEAWAY, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF BENDER/HELPER IMPACT AND 20th CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Free Cookies from Cheryl&Co.

2009-11-12T09:54:43-05:00

Family and friends have been sending us holiday gifts from Cheryl&Co. for years (I know, I'm keeping ALL of them, friends who send us gifts, I mean) and I can honestly say that we have never been disappointed by their cookies, DARNIT!

Guess what? They are offering customers a chance to sample their cookies for FREE (you only pay for shipping) so, here's what you get:

You will receive a gift box of 6 cookies, including their most popular flavors: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar, snickerdoodle, chocolate chocolate chip, and their FAMOUS buttercream frosted cookie.
PLUS, you’ll also receive a $10 Reward Card to use on their next purchase!
The only thing you pay is shipping and handling charges of $6.95. (Total value is $21.99)
There is a limit of 1 free sample per customer and this offer will only be good through November 20th.

You can go to www.cherylandco.com/free to buy the gift or go to www.cherylandco.com and search for free cookies.

DARNIT!

DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF CHERYLANDCO.COM.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Coupon Code for School Uniforms from French Toast

2009-11-11T11:46:48-05:00

I was first introduced to French Toast back when my two oldest girls were in elementary school -- yes, I am surprised to be able to remember THAT FAR back, too -- dressing our kids in school uniforms was followed on a voluntary basis.

Raising 4 children, having 1 set of school clothes -- khaki pants, skirts; white blouses, shirts and maroon polos -- made sense.

Unfortunately, it didn't last very long and, well, now that they're teens and tweens, I feel it safe to say that clothes shopping is NEVER easy...especially, for school!

The good folks at French Toast contacted me about sharing a special coupon code with my blog friends and, well, seeing as there are families with children who go to a school with a dress code (according to their email, that’s about 1 in 4 public schools and the vast majority of all private and charter schools) I said, SURE:

The coupon code is: QPPR09

The code will remain live until November 18, 2009.

The coupon code will provide 25 percent off accessories (backpacks, belts, ties, socks, tights, hair accessories, etc.) and 10% off Polos.

Because, we roll like that.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Holiday Survival Guide 2009: SNEAK PREVIEW

2009-11-09T06:54:19-05:00

Welcome to a preview of our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 -- yep, in 2 weeks, I'm having a virtual open house (sort of) and invite each and everyone one of you to join me on Thanksgiving Week, November 23rd and...heck...stay the WHOLE week...until November 29th...if you'd like, I don't mind!

Why?

Well, some of my favorite and awesomely generous brands have graciously agreed to provide some really cool stuff for you (yes, YOU!) I mean, yours...um...okay, isn't it time we ALL put the WIN back into the winter holidays and made re-gifting a rule?!?

Seriously.

Raising 2 teens and 2 tweens (yikes, is right!) my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I try really hard to remember these 4 simple rules to surviving the holidays:

Take care of yourself - seriously, the rest will follow.
Keep expectations reasonably low - it can only get better, from here, right?
Take back your calendar - limiting commitments only encourages downtime and that's a good thing.
Celebrate with family and friends - oh, and there's no shame in including them in preparations, or asking for help, either.

It doesn't always work. Sometimes, we score...BIG TIME.

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.

Here's a preview of some of our favorite brands joining us:

So, stay tuned as we continue to collect a few of our favorite things on the internet and share ways in which (hopefully) can help folks (like me) keep from going A LITTLE NUTS this holiday season.

In fact, let's start...RIGHT NOW!

Earlier this year, I was very excited to have been invited as one of the Campbell's Mom Bloggers to visit the Campbell Soup Company's headquarters in Camden, NJ and received the 4-star treatment to an AWESOME tour of Campbell's Kitchen!I

It was very clear to me that everyone at Campbells Soup Company really love what they do and work very hard at promoting their brand as honestly and real, as possible.

We even had a chance to get a sneak-peek of their "then" new V-Fusion commercial (a V8 Juice that is manufactured by Campbell's) and, I have to say, my family has been drinking the stuff, ever since.

Want some?

Now that it is cold flu season (the creeping crud that is H1N1) I find myself constantly reminding my children how it's really important to get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food...me, too.

The good folks at Campbell's Soup have agreed to help kick-off our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 by offering to send one (1) of our readers a Campbell's Care Package with assorted kid-friendly goodies including: A lunch tote, a kid-friendly juice bottle and samples of Campbell’s SpongeBob soup and V8 V-Fusion (Strawberry Banana and Pomegranate Blueberry) for your house, too!

Aaaand, to help sweeten the deal...

[snort]

...we'll throw in a Flip UltraHD Camcorder (120 minutes, in black) that we received from the good folks at Tasters Choice (we already have one and they said it was okay) so that you can get a jump start on those holiday pictures, in case someone gets sick at your house, too!

Because, we roll like that!

U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY, PLEASE!

FIND IT HERE: Available at Amazon.com (Associate Link)

GET IT HERE: To enter, leave a comment below, letting us know what your favorite Campbell's Soup is (I love their Select Harvest Italian Style Wedding!) along with a valid email address on this post by 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 22nd and you're automatically entered to win. One (1) winner 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:
Subscribe to our feed - leave separate comment.
Subscribe to our updates via email - leave separate comment.
Post on Facebook/Twitter (I'm @thisfullhouse) - leave separate comment & link to Tweet.
Subscribe in a reader

Button, button, who's got the button? Oh, here it is. Just in case you feel like inviting your friends, relatives, okay, maybe we'll just keep it to friends, for now :)

Oh, and here's the nifty little code, just so you know:

<a href="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/holiday_picks_giveaways_2009/"><img src="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/design/This%20Full%20House%20Gone%20Holiday%20Shoppin%202009%20Stamp.jpg"></a>

Good luck, feel free to stop by anytime on November 24th - November 29th for our week long open house and Happy Shopping -- I think!!!

[Please, clean off a chair and feel free to stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to visit my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Paperspring Friends and Family Discount: 25% Discount Plus Free Shipping

2009-11-08T10:00:00-05:00

Note from our good friends at Paperspring.com:

We have a special VIP Paperspring Friends and Family discount that we would like to share with you. For a very limited time, we are inviting Friends and Family to a special 25% discount (with free shipping included – as always).
This special offer will NOT be posted on our Paperspring website, blog, Facebook, or Twitter accounts.

Because, we roll like that!

USE PROMO CODE: psfriend (Offer Expires 11/15/09)

READ OUR REVIEW OF PAPERSPRING.COM: (http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/2009/09/paperspring-fresh-new-personalized-photo-greeting-cards.html)

Let the holiday crazy...uh...I mean, let the picture-taking begin!

DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF PAPERSPRING.COM.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Printable Pillsbury Simply Peanut Butter Cookie Coupon

2009-11-07T10:00:00-05:00

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month (who comes up with this stuff, anyways?) and, seeing as my youngest (she's 8) takes a PB&J sandwich to lunch, every day (except when they're serving Macho Nachos, I mean) I'm excited to tell you that Pillsbury is offering a printable coupon for one of our new favorite finds!

Why? Well, they contain zero grams of trans fat; no high-fructose corn syrup; and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Aaaand, they STILL taste good.

Seriously, I can't a chance to sample these puppies at the General Mills Eat & Greet event this passed summer and they ARE simply delicious!

FIND IT HERE: Print your $1.50 off Simply Cookies here!

DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY AT THE GROCERY STORE, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

Open House Blog Tour - 35th Showing

2009-11-05T10:00:00-05:00

I mean, who couldn't use a little linky love?

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 in my archives. 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 - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to visit my family blog and I'll love you forever!]

Featured Momprenuer: Sheila, Founder and CEO at Care.com

2009-11-04T11:13:52-05:00

This week's featured Momprenuer is Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Founder and CEO at Care.com

"My husband, Ron, and I have two sons (Ryan and Adam) and two dogs (Blake and Sydney). Throughout the years, we've had to deal with many care issues, and in the spring of 2006 we had a crisis when trying to find reliable care for our family. It was a very painful experience. Luckily, through sheer chance and persistence, we found a wonderful nanny, Amanda, who joined our family and brought joy and peace to our lives."

Recently, I've accepted a job (yes, outside the home) and, though my children are in school full-time and I'll be working part-time (4 hours, 3 days per week) childcare STILL remains a big issue.

After 15 years of being a full-time mom raising 2 teens and 2 tweens (SAHM is an oxymoron) I quit seeking balance, a long time ago, and am focusing on perfecting a very successful juggling act, at the moment.

This coming weekend (November 6-8), Sheila is going to open up Care.com for a Free Weekend of access to raise awareness for National Family Caregiver Month while giving families the chance to meet great, local care providers and screen lists of backup caregivers.

How's it work?

During the coming Free Weekend, all visitors to Care.com will get to experience the benefits of a premium membership to our service. Families can see full profiles for nearby care providers, contact them directly to set up interviews, check references, and request background checks for free!

MORE ABOUT CARE.COM: Provides a trusted place for families and caregivers–including babysitters, nannies, special needs caregivers, tutors, senior caregivers, pet caregivers, and housekeepers–to easily connect, share care experiences, and get advice.

LINKAGE: Care.com (http://www.care.com)

Sheila's Blog (http://blog.care.com/sheila/)

National Family Caregivers Association (http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/)

Good luck and hope this helps!

DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATION OTHER THAN A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) FIND WAYS THAT WILL PERHAPS MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE EASIER, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.

[Please, clean off a chair and feel free to stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to visit my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]