The great philosopher Plato once said that music “is a more potent instrument than any other for education”. Recent research has proven that music is vital in all areas of a young child's development- academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Both my boys- four year old Gabriel and almost three year old Jaden love music. I'm all for introducing them to the many different ways they learn new things. At the same time, I also know that not every new kids' product that comes out in the market delivers what it's suppose to. That said, I am quite cautious when choosing things to give my children- including music and media products.
Recently, we received three new DVDs (Way To Go, Juno!, Juno's Rhythm Adventure and Indie's Great Teddy Bear Hunt) and the Orchestral Edition CD from Juno Baby for review. At first, I thought the DVDs might be too juvenile for my quite already advanced learner, Gabriel. At four years old, he can already read a full book, can write and spell his name, knows all the colors, shapes, animals, names of everyday things, can count numbers up to 100- you name it. Recently, he also started saying some Spanish words and numbers. His teachers are amazed and has commented that he has a brain of a seven year old. But surprisingly, Gabriel sat back and watched each DVD episode of Juno Baby with much enthusiasm. My other three year old son Jaden definitely love the cute puppets and the music too! I'm not surprised why Juno Baby is highly-acclaimed and has received many awards including the Parent’s Choice Award and Dr. Toy’s Best 100 Products and Top 10 Video List.
Juno Baby is an Emmy Award-winning product line born from the original orchestral compositions of acclaimed composer and company founder, Dr. Belinda Takahashi who firmly believes that "by surrounding young children with beautiful music, we can engage their minds, inspire them artistically, and nurture them emotionally".
Juno Baby music and media products are created for children from 18 months to 4.5 years old. Check out these products and more online at: www.junobaby.com
Juno Baby also offers comfy tees for little boys and girls ages 6 months-4T and are made of ultra soft 100% cotton. My boys look adorable in the Juno T-Shirt and the Murphy T-Shirt.
*Good news, Hip Mama's Place readers! Juno Baby has graciously offered to give away three (3) DVDs, one DVD each to 3 winners in the US! Read details below on how to enter the contest.
To enter the contest, go visit www.junobaby.com online and check out the DVD section. When you're done, come back to this post and leave a comment with your choice of DVD title that you'd like to win.
Juno Baby DVD Titles:
*Way To Go, Juno! (Facing Fears Through Music)
*Juno's Rhythm Adventure (Making Rhythm out of Everyday Things)
*Indie's Great Teddy Bear Hunt (Problem Solving Through Music)
This contest ends on February 19th, 2010 at 12MN, EST and is open to U.S. ADDRESSES ONLY. I will choose THREE (3) WINNERS using Random.org and will be announced as a comment on this post.
*IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT CROSS-PROMOTE ANY OTHER GIVEAWAYS HAPPENING ON ANY OTHER BLOG OR WEBSITE. DO NOT LEAVE ANY COMMENT ON THIS POST IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ENTER THE CONTEST. I WILL APPRECIATE IT.
Your comment is your one entry. To earn extra entries, just do the following: (You may leave extra comments for your extra entries if you wish)
1. Grab the Hip Mama's Place badge code under the "Grab Our Fabulous Button" and paste it on an HTML page on your blog sidebar.
2. Tweet this event on Twitter with a direct link to this URL page: (JUST COPY THE WHOLE PHRASE BELOW AND PASTE IT ON YOUR TWITTER PROFILE UPDATE)
I just entered the Juno Baby DVD giveaway on Hip Mama's Place! http://bit.ly/dBX8HI #giveaways #contests #deals #JunoBaby #DVD
3. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook with a direct link to the giveaway URL address:
http://www.hipmamasplace.com/2010/02/juno-baby-award-winning-early-music.html
4. Write a short post about this giveaway on your blog linking to our home page or the URL page address on #3
5. Follow Hip Mama's Place on Twitter
6. Become a Fan of Hip Mama's Place on Facebook
You will have seven (7) total entries when you do the above-mentioned extra entries besides your comment. The more entries you have, the greater chances of winning! Good luck!
Hip Mama's Place Disclosure: “The opinion I am sharing remains my own. I received the products mentioned in this post to facilitate my review and I was allowed to keep them”.
****************CURRENT CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS****************
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Juno Baby: Award-Winning Early Music Education for Young Minds- DVD Review and Giveaway
Friday, February 5, 2010
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas from Cambria Cove, Plus A $100 Gift Certificate Giveaway!
Valentine's Day is a perfect time to enchant and delight those you love with gifts that are truly beautiful and well thought of.
I'm a huge fan of Cambria Cove online and once again this Valentine's Day, they're offering gorgeous, one-of-a-kind and classy gifts to help you create beautiful memories with your special someone.
Here are some of my personal favorites from Cambria Cove for Valentine's Day:
Heart Soaps- Set of 3 by Gianna Rose Atelier ($30.00)
There's nothing so romantic as these: heart-shaped soaps embossed with a bouquet of violet blooms! I love the delicate scent- honey and aloe- which are Gianna Rose Atelier’s signature fragrances. This set of three graceful and creamy white soaps are ready for gift-giving as they come individually-wrapped in soft black toile, white, and pink tissue paper, and then presented in an organza bag hand-tied with a satin ribbon. 
P.S. I Love You Pillow Case by Faceplant- Standard set of 2 ($50.00)- As the product description says, this is one special gift that's perfect for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, birthday, or anytime you want to show someone how much you care. Cozy, romantic and sweet. I "heart" the "P.S. I Love You" printed on them. These pillowcases are made of 100% cotton and are neatly folded and slipped into a 9" square gauze envelope with a button closure. 
Love Token Scroll Heart Necklace by Lori Bonn ($70.00)- Express your feelings with style with this simple, yet enchanting heart necklace from Lori Bonn. Hanging at a 1" drop from an 18" box chain, this sterling silver heart pendant features Lori Bonn's signature filigree detail. The Love Token Heart Necklace is a gift your loved one will cherish!
iPouch Wallet by knomo Fuchsia ($68.00)- Ever wished you have a more functional wallet that will hold your iPhone, Blackberry, cash, credit cards, and coins all in one? Check out the iPouch Wallet by knomo at Cambria Cove. I'm loving mine in Fuchsia! This stylish and compact wallet is just perfect for my busy working mom life. :)
Crocodile Embossed Calfskin Luggage Tag by Graphic Image- ($30.00-$40.00)
- My man travels a lot and I can't tell you all how many times he's had lost luggages and mistaken luggage identity. These sturdy and stylish crocodile-embossed luggage tags by Graphic Image will definitely help avoid those travel hassles again! Fits neatly around luggage handles, this luggage tags are uniquely-designed to conceal personal information unless needed. Available in brown and black croc in your choice of two designs: plain ($30) or personalized with a single initial letter ($40).
Cakes Cutting Board by Joseph Joseph ($36.00)- This Cakes worktop saver from Joseph Joseph offers both fun and function. In fact, it's one of those handy dandy, decorative and multi-functional kitchen gadget you can have. Great to use as a cutting board, a platter for your baked goodies, a mega coaster for all your dainty drinks at your parties- use your imagination! Another cool thing, it's made to withstand temperatures of up to 525°F and the surface is made hygienic, odor- and stain-resistant for all your food preparation. A lifetime guarantee is also offered against breakage.
For exceptional gifts that are meant to bring unexpected delights, visit Cambria Cove online today. Check out their Gift-Giving section for unique and beautiful gifts these Valentine's Day!
*Good news, Hip Mama's Place readers! Once again, Cambria Cove is offering a $100 Gift Certificate giveaway for one lucky reader! Read details below on how to enter the contest.
To enter the contest, go visit www.cambriacove.com and browse around the store. When you're done, come back to this post and leave a comment telling me what you would buy at Cambria Cove if you were to win the $100 gift card.
This contest ends on February 13th, 2010 at 12MN, EST and is open to U.S. AND CANADA ADDRESSES ONLY. I will choose ONE (1) WINNER using Random.org and will be announced as a comment on this post.
*IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT CROSS-PROMOTE ANY OTHER GIVEAWAYS HAPPENING ON ANY OTHER BLOG OR WEBSITE. DO NOT LEAVE ANY COMMENT ON THIS POST IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ENTER THE CONTEST. I WILL APPRECIATE IT.
Your comment is your one entry. To earn extra entries, just do the following: (You may leave extra comments for your extra entries if you wish)
1. Grab the Hip Mama's Place badge code under the "Grab Our Fabulous Button" and paste it on an HTML page on your blog sidebar.
2. Tweet this event on Twitter with a direct link to this URL page: (JUST COPY THE WHOLE PHRASE BELOW AND PASTE IT ON YOUR TWITTER PROFILE UPDATE)
"I just entered the $100 Cambria Cove GC giveaway on Hip Mama's Place! http://bit.ly/ccHmci #Valentines #giveaways #contests #deals #gifts
3. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook with a direct link to the giveaway URL address:
http://www.hipmamasplace.com/2010/02/valentines-day-gift-ideas-from-cambria.html
4. Write a short post about this giveaway on your blog linking to our home page or the URL page address on #3
5. Follow Hip Mama's Place on Twitter
6. Become a Fan of Hip Mama's Place on Facebook
You will have seven (7) total entries when you do the above-mentioned extra entries besides your comment. The more entries you have, the greater chances of winning! Goodluck!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon Book Review
If you've read Katharine McMahon's critically-acclaimed novels The Alchemist's Daughter and The Rose of Sebastopol, you won't want to miss her new mystery tale, The Crimson Rooms. 
Set in the year 1924 England in the aftermath of World War I, The Crimson Rooms tells the story of a young woman Evelyn Gifford who defied conventions to become one of the country's first female lawyers. The story is based on Carrie Morrison—a real and historic figure who was the first woman to be admitted to the British Law Society in 1920.
I was immediately drawn to Evelyn Gifford's character in this story. She is a modest, yet determined young woman who wasn't afraid of facing the difficulties to find her place in a changing world. Part mystery, drama, and love story, The Crimson Rooms is an overall marvelous read!
Synopsis:
In the spirit of Sarah Waters and Geraldine Brooks, a dramatic mystery about love, secrets, and discovery in post-World War I London.
Still haunted by the death of her only brother, James, in the Great War, Evelyn Gifford is completely unprepared when a young nurse and her six-year-old son appear on the Giffords' doorstep one night. The child, the nurse claims, is James's, conceived in a battlefield hospital. The grief-stricken Giffords take them both in; but Evelyn, a struggling attorney, must now support her entire family-at a time when work for women lawyers is almost nonexistent.
Suddenly a new case falls in Evelyn's lap: Seemingly hopeless, it's been abandoned by her male coworkers. The accused-a veteran charged with murdering his young wife- is almost certain to die on the gallows. . . . And yet, Evelyn believes he is truly innocent, just as she suspects there may be more to the story of her "nephew" than meets the eye. . .
Where to buy the book:
The Crimson Rooms is now available at the following online retailers: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders and Indie Bound.
Hip Mama's Place Disclosure:
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by MotherTalk on behalf of G.P. Putnam's Sons/Riverhead and received a copy of the book to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Best Celebrity Hairstyles for Straight Hair
See how to rock their straight styles with these how-tos
Are you tired of your straight hair just hangin' there? All you need are some tips and celebrity inspiration to bring your flat hair to life.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Distinguished Boys Shirt by 191 Unlimited- Review and Giveaway
Finding versatile clothes for my kids that can go from day out on the playground to a night out with the family can be a bit of a challenge. Recently, I was introduced to the super-cute line of boys' dress shirts by 191 Unlimited.
Check out 191 Unlimited online today if you haven't done so- you'll be surprised at what you will find. There are so many specialty clothing brands out there but what's unique about 191 Unlimited is that they got 1) Awesome Fit, 2) Extreme Comfort, 3) Innovative Detailing, and 4) Affordability. 
I was very delighted to receive the Distinguished Boys shirt for my four-year old son Gabriel which he wore at our last family Christmas dinner party. How awesome is this shirt? Gabriel looked uber-cute in this shirt and everyone complemented him on it! This shirt goes a step beyond with extra detailing. The design is both casual and elegant and the fabric is super, super soft.
The Distinguished Boys shirt by 191 Unlimited is available in Toddler, Little Boys, & Big Boys sizes and can be purchased at www.191Unlimited.com
Also, if you're looking for Valentine gift ideas for your special man, check out the Men's Section at 191 Unlimited. (I am eyeing a few items there for my honey!)
*GIVEAWAY: Good news, Hip Mama's Place readers! 191 Unlimited is giving away one Distinguished Boys shirt in your choice of size (Boys 2T-Boys XL)!
This contest is open until February 12th, 2010 at 12 MN, EST to U.S. AND CANADA ADDRESSES ONLY. I will choose ONE (1) WINNER using Random.org and will be announced as a comment on this post.
Your comment is your one entry. To earn extra entries, just do the following: (You may leave extra comments for your extra entries if you wish)
1. Become a fan of Hip Mama's Place on Facebook and post a comment on our wall and tell me why you like visiting Hip Mama's Place or how you found us online
2. Grab the Hip Mama's Place badge code under the "Grab Our Fabulous Button" and paste it on an HTML page on your blog sidebar.
3. Tweet this event on Twitter. JUST COPY AND PASTE THE PHRASE, URL PAGE AND HASH TAGS (#) BELOW AND POST IT ON YOUR TWITTER PROFILE UPDATE.
"I just entered the 191 Unlimited Boys Shirt giveaway on Hip Mama's Place!
(followed by this URL): http://bit.ly/anNHG0 #giveaways #contests #deals #kids clothing
4. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook however you want with a link to the URL address of this giveaway:
http://www.hipmamasplace.com/2010/02/distinguished-boys-shirt-by-191.html
5. Write a short post about this giveaway on your blog linking to our home page or the URL address listed on #4
6. Follow Hip Mama's Place on Twitter
You will have eight (7) total entries when you do the above-mentioned extra entries besides your comment. The more entries you have, the greater chances of winning! Good luck!
Hip Mama's Place Disclosure: “The opinion I am sharing remains my own. I received the product mentioned in this post to facilitate my review and I was allowed to keep it”.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Jocelyn's Cheesy Hash Brown Bake Recipe
I made this wonderfully tasty and super easy-to-make Cheesy Hash Brown Bake recipe at our last family Christmas Eve dinner and everyone just loved it! Even the kids had second helpings. Everyone agreed it was the best Cheesy Potato Bake they've tasted- ever! And, it went great with fried chicken, pork chops and green bean casserole!
I meant to make it a 'secret recipe' but since I like sharing, here it is. I wish I took photos of it when it was done. It looked so yummy and creamy when I took it out of the oven. But I promise I will do the next time I make it and add it to this post. Very soon.
I'm sure you and your family will enjoy it as much as we did! :)
Ingredients:
* 1 (30 ounce) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
* 1 medium size potato (boiled, peeled and mashed)
* 2 cups sour cream
* 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
* 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a bowl, combine the mashed potato, soups, sour cream, 1-3/4 cups of cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
This recipe serves 10. You can vary the quantity of the ingredients according to your need.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Quiz: What's Your Best Hair Removal Strategy?
Discover the right method for your skin and hair type
Sick of feeling stubble on your legs the day after shaving? Maybe it's time to put down the razor and pick up a waxing kit. See which hair removal method fits your needs the best.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Pampers Diaper Sampling Starts Today, 01/29!
Attention parents with babies and toddlers: Starting today January 29th, grab your free sample 3-packs of the new Pampers Cruisers w/ Dry Max at Pampers.com!
And what's more exciting, if the sample you receive includes a Team USA diaper (they will be randomly inserted in select sample packs), you will win a year's supply of Pampers Cruisers Diapers with Dry Max. That's right! This is in partnership by Pampers.com with Team USA to celebrate the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max are the brand's new high performance diapers and the biggest innovation for the Pampers brand in the last 25 years. Pampers Diapers invented the Dry Max technology and applied it to the current Swaddlers and Cruisers core, which allows the diaper to be thinner than before. This game-changing diaper - Pampers' driest ever - helps lock wetness in for up to 12 hours and its less bulky design helps give flexibility and comfort - perfect for all of babies' play. The new diaper design also helps families reduce their impact on the environment by containing 10 percent less material weight. In fact, if current North American Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers users switched to the new Pampers Cruisers Diapers with Dry Max diaper, they could together throw away the weight of 1 billion less diapers every three years (based on 08/09 volume for Swaddlers/Cruisers).
Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers Diapers with Dry Max will be available at retail across the country beginning in March 2010. Product will be available at mass, discount, baby specialty, grocery stores and online retailers where Pampers products are sold, with the same retail pricing as the current Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers Diapers (pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer).
For more information, please visit www.Pampers.com.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Kraft Super Value $1 Coupons- Great For Super Bowl Party!
Everyone's talking about the upcoming Super Bowl. Are you planning to entertain guests over and cook up some delicious get-together food? 
Well, here's some great news from Kraft Foods for all frugal mommies! Kraft Foods just released some super high value Kraft coupons- perfect for any Super Bowl party! These coupons will go very fast as there will be a print limit. You can print each coupon twice and you'll get a Super Bowl party recipe with each print. Print these Kraft coupons today while they're still available! I'm printing mine this afternoon when I get out of the office. :)
* $1 off (4) Philadelphia Cream Cheese
* $1 off Velveeta Cheese 1 lb or larger
* $1 off (2) Planters Mixed Nuts or Cashew Halves 5.5-11.5 oz.
* $1 off (2) Capri Suns
* $1 off Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese 8 oz.
* $1 off (2) Breakstone's Sour Cream 16 oz.
* $1 off Oscar Mayer Meat Bologna or Cotto Salami 16 oz.
* $1 off Claussen Pickles 20-32 oz.
* $1 off (2) Kraft Deluxe or Velveeta Shells and Cheese
* $1 off Starbucks Coffee
Thanks for the head's up, Frugal Shopping With Julie! :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Step-by-Step Guide to Gorgeous Model Hair
Wish you had commercial-worthy hair? It's possible with these secrets
Bye-bye, breakage; see ya, flyaway strands; so long, dull and lackluster hair. Here are 12 fabulous, fresh and easy-to-follow tips for getting and maintaining healthy, soft, shiny and strong hair.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Quiz: How Earth-Friendly Is Your Beauty Routine?
Find out if you're killing the planet with your beauty habits
Ever wonder how a little, insignificant person like you could ever do something to help the big, vast planet Earth? This quiz will give you beauty tips on how to make a difference.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Top 11 Beauty Resources
Check out the Web sites, TV and phone apps that'll make your beauty world a prettier place
You've seen the commercials: "Yep, there's an app for that." And it's true; there is a site or app for just about everything beauty-related you could ever want. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which ones are really worth your time? That's where we come in. We've found the best of the best and are sharing them with you.
