MLP: Friendship is Magic–Adventures in the Crystal Empire(Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic continues the stories with the newest DVD Adventures in the Crystal Empire.

Here we meet the Crystal ponies of the Crystal Empire who are in danger. They are located in the arctic North of Equestria and Princess Celestia needs Twilight and her friends to help them.

As with any of the MLP: Friendship is Magic movies, the story is full of twists and turns, bad ponies and good ponies, and friendship and lessons learned. I will freely admit that I enjoy watching the My Little Pony movies with my girls although I do wish the new ponies weren’t so skinny.

In addition to the two episodes that make up The Crystal Empire storyline, there is also three other episodes on this DVD:

• Sonic Rainboom
• Luna Eclipsed
• It’s About Time

Plus a BONUS Coloring sheet and Sing Along.

Find out more From MyLittlePony.com

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative in exchange for this post. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Chamilia Silver Snap Charm Bracelet (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

Charm bracelets have come a long way from what I remember. If you had a charm bracelet as a girl and you want one now but don’t want dangly charms clicking together every time you move, the Chamilia Silver Snap Charm Bracelet may interest you.

Chamilia also sells necklaces and earrings. Jewellery comes in .925 sterling silver, 14K gold, leather and more. The charm beads are made from .925 sterling silver, 14K gold, Italian Murano glass and Swarovski Elements.

The charms are little beads that screw onto the bracelet so that they won’t fall off when the bracelet is unclasped.  There are tons of charms to choose from, including decorative ones as shown above and themed ones.

I did a short video review (2:10) to show how the bracelet works. If you don’t hear sound right away, turn it up a bit as my voice was low.

The silver snap bracelet is just one type of charm bracelet. There is also a bangle and a toggle bracelet. All kinds of bracelets take the same beads.

As I said there are tons of beads to choose from, here is just a SMALL sampling.

1 – Enchanting Spiral
2 – Nemo
3 – Basketball
4 – Christmas Tree
5 – Wine Glasses
6 – Aunt
7 – Box of Crayons
8 – Frog Yoga
9 – Birthstone

The website has instructions for measuring your wrist and you can specify the size you need when  your order. As stated in my video review, the only problem I had was my skin getting pinched by the bracelet which I think is from my arm hair so I wouldn’t recommend them if you have a lot of arm hair.

Since the jewellery is so well made, you will be looking at $40 – $1200 for the bracelet depending on what material it’s made of and $20-$420 for the charm beads.  There are starter kits as well that come with the bracelet and some beads.

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Clorox Electronic Cleaning Wipes (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

*Stocking Stuffer Idea*

The perfect stocking stuffer ideas for an electronic lover, Clorox now has Electronic Cleaning Wipes (as well as Cleaning Spray and a Cleansing Cloth, all for electronics)

These e-cleaning products give a typical Clorox level of clean but are safe for electronic displays and touch screens. The cleansing spray and pre-moistened wipes come with a microfiber cloth to buff to a shine.

This new line of products can be used for any electronics from cell phones to computers screens, television, tablets etc.….

The wet wipes would be good for putting in your purse for when you are out an about and need it for your tablet or phone. The spray and cloths would be good for home or business use.

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative as part of a sampling campaign. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

World Vision Gifts–Gifts That Make a Difference (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

The Gift That Makes a Difference

At this time of year, many families want to give gifts but are also aware of the many people without money or homes who don’t get gifts this holiday season. It can be  tough sometimes to justify the gifts you are buying when others are going hungry.

There IS a way to give a gift to a loved one AND help deserving families at the same time with World Vision Gifts.  Purchase a gift from World Vision Gifts and you receive a card to pass on that tells how they helped a poverty stricken family.

World Vision Gift Catalogue

There are more than 60 gifts to choose from. If you are in Canada, you can see what’s available at World Vision Canada, while those in the US will want to check out World Vision. There catalogues are slightly different but they idea is the same.

For example you can buy Two Hens and a Rooster for $50 or a Goat for $100 which will provide milk and an income as they can sell the goat manure and any offspring. Two mosquito nets is $30 or if you have lots to spare, you can buy a family a Ger which is like a warm tent like home for $900.

In fact, Burnbrae Farms is currently partnering with World Vision and will donate $10 to World Vision for each purchase of Two Hens and a Rooster through Nov. 30/2012 (so hurry!)

Recently added are some handcrafts gifts which help women. For example I was sent this Turquoise and Wood bracelet (see below) which was made by women and girls who have escaped exploitation and abuse in Thailand. A purchase of this gift helps support the women creating the jewellery.  You can also get a hand-woven scarf or a Haitian hand-beaded necklace.

The bracelet is beautifully crafted and I love sharing that it was made by women and girls in Thailand. It would be the perfect gift for the fashionista in your life.  It’s quite big so would fit a thicker arm and hang loosely on a thin arm.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.  - World Vision

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I See Me Personalized Colouring Books and Mats (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

I’ve reviewed other products from I See Me! before like the My Very Own Name Book or the My Very Happy Birthday book or My Very Merry Christmas Book.

Personalized Colouring Books

New for the holiday season, you can now get personalized colouring books and placemats for your children!

There are a few styles of colouring books available. The one shown above follows the style of the My Very Own Name Book which features animals spelling out the child’s name one letter at at a time, except this time you get to colour it in!

This one follows the style of the My Very Own Fairy Tale Books you can buy. I received this style of colouring book for my girls.

The story starts off about it being an important fairy day:

“Wake up, little fairies, so you can hear.
The time for choosing our princess is near.
Please describe the girl you’d like to crown
with a flower tiara and a princess gown.
Who knows a girl who’d be just right?
We’ll crown our fairy princess tonight!”

Each letter of the child’s name is shown next with a different type of fairy and a few nice words about your child that begin with that letter. After the name is spelled out the child can decorate her crown, assist a fairy with her wings, fill out her certificate and do a few puzzles and name practice. I like how on each page it starts the instructions with the child’s name.

The details on the pages are so intricate, I feel like your child will either be able to take their time on the artwork but already know how to print their name or be learning to print/spell their name but mostly just scribble on the pictures.

I’d like to see two varieties of each colouring book, one with the detail and maybe learning their name in cursive and the other with less detail and printing their name.

There are other styles of personalized coloring books as well.

Personalized Placemats

The placemats feel like they are cardboard but they have a little coating on them so you can wipe them down but I wouldn’t soak it. I do wish they had come flat though as I will have to roll them up the opposite way and try to make it flat and that never works very well.

I think these would be idea placemats for experimenting with playdough at home or for at the dinner table to mark your child’s spot. Your child could trace her name with her finger while she waits for her food.

There are many types to choose from, these are the kinds my daughters got (but with their own names of course!)

I chose not to include the date and love etc. text as shown above so you could do that too.

Overall I’m pleased with these newest products from I See Me! which doesn’t surprise me since I’ve loved all the products I’ve tried so far. the A Christmas Bear for Me or a Hanukkah Bear for Me books would make great holiday gifts too. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Connect with I See Me!

Facebook

Twitter @ISeeMe_Maia

Pinterest

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Unique Lifestyle Accessories, Gifts and Gadgets from Paramount Zone

Paramount Zone is UK based online store that carries interesting gadgets and gifts for everyone in your family from:

Like and Dislike Stamps

to a Sports Car Mouse

to a Secret Message Pen

There are techie gifts, cool gadgets, retro toys, electronics, magnets, more toys, games/puzzles and so much more.  No matter who you are shopping for, you will find something for everyone.

Paramount Zone has created special sections on their website to help you sort through their large selection of products to find just the right thing. Are you looking for christmas gifts for her? Perhaps you need christmas presents for kids. Or even more specific, christmas presents for a boyfriend.

There is even a gift finder which is like a search but you can input what type of person you are buying for (man, woman, child, brother, girlfriend, wife etc.) and their personality (couch potato, high flyer, Active, Gadget Geek etc.)

I found all sort of things that would be perfect for the people in my life, even the really hard to buy for ones. So if you have one of those in your family, Paramount Zone may be a good place to start.

Although they are located in the UK and offer free shipping within the UK, they will also ship to a few other countries in the world including Canada and the United States.

Keep in mind that prices are listed in £ and will be slightly different if you are not in the UK.

*Disclosure: I received compensation for my time writing this post. Opinions on the company are based on what I see, the product/service has not been tried. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

From You Flowers–Mother’s Day Gift Idea

When was the last time you gave your mother flowers? With all the latest high tech gadgets and gift ideas, I think we’ve forgotten about something as simple as flowers. Getting fresh cut flowers is always a nice touch and if you want to give something that will last, you can always give something else with it but at least they will have something to brighten up their house.

fromyouflowers.com has Mother’s Day Flowers as well as flowers for other occasions.

The prices are quite competitive and they offer Same Day Delivery if you order by 3pm which I think is amazing.  Also they deliver to 160 different countries! How many companies can say that, especially for something like flowers.

Keep them in mind for your next holiday.

*Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Compliment Quotient - Compliment Necklaces

Compliment Quotient is a book about how giving more compliments can improve your life. They also have a store where you can buy charm necklaces to give to someone special in your life.

They are two sided, silver plated pendants with a compliment on one side and a colourful, bold, ethnic or classic design on the other.

I think they make wonderful gifts for a special someone in your life whether it be a friend, partner, family member or even coworker or teacher. It's lightweight, comes in a nice fancy bag and will lift the spirits of whomever receives it.

If there is someone whose spirits need lifting or who you think doesn't receive the recognition he or she deserves, this would be the perfect gift. At $13.95 they are a great price.

Check out @Complimentology and The Compliment Quotient on Facebook.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.